March 2012 baystateparent Magazine

Page 1

MARCH 2012

FREE

Voted Best Parenting Publication in North America 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010

Massachusetts’ Premier Magazine For Families Since 1996

GREAT EGGSPECTATIONS 30 WAYS TO FILL `EM

OVER 40 SUMMER CAMP OPTIONS INSIDE

OH BABY! TRENDY PARTIES • HAVE A SLICE OF CAKE AND GET A SWEET SURPRISE • HOST A SIP ‘N’ SEE

A SURROGATE STORY AN EXTRAODINARY GIFT BETWEEN LIFELONG FRIENDS

HE SAID SHE SAID IT’S A BSP GET TOGETHER MARCH 29th SEE PAGE 26 FOR DETAILS

2 MARCH2012

Cornerstone Academy Educating all learners in grades K-6 An elementary preparatory school that celebrates the individual.

Give Your Child a Solid Education that Embraces Technology and Innovation Tours on Tuesday, March 6 at 9:00 a.m. Call to reserve your spot.

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Kindergarten is whe re the educational jo urney begins! (Accepting Kinderga rten at 4.9 years)

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Advertorial

“Our goal at Kumon is to help all children cultivate a high level of reading ability, regardless of age or school grade.” - Dr. Mary Mokris, vice president of materials & instruction at Kumon North America.

Bring Stories to Life Read stories aloud while dressed as one of the characters. For example, wear a Dr. Seuss hat while reading any one of his classic books. Also, read in a voice you imagine the character to have. The more animated you are, the better!

Help Your Child Develop a Love of Reading Kumon Encourages Strong Reading Skills for Success in School and Beyond Establishing strong literacy skills early in FKLOGUHQ¶V OLYHV FDQ VLJQL¿ FDQWO\ LPSDFW their future. From academic success to the development of imagination and creativity, exposure to literature is essential to children’s growth. “When it comes to making reading a part of your child’s everyday life, one of the most important things to remember is to keep it fun,” says Dr. Mary Mokris, vice president of materials & instruction at Kumon, a global math and reading program for kids. Dr. Mokris suggests several ways to make reading a part of your child’s life: Movie Time Some of your child’s favorite animated movies began as books. Read stories like Where the Wild Things Are, Hugo, and The Adventures of Tin Tin with your child and then watch the movie together.

© 2012 Kumon North America, Inc. All rights reserved.

4 MARCH2012

Make a Connection Connect the character’s experience to something your child can relate to, like overcoming a challenge, gaining courage or even making a new friend. Bringing Books to Children in Need Kumon, the world’s largest after-school program, is partnering this month with Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), the nation’s largest children’s literacy organization dedicated to providing books and literacy resources to underserved children across the country. For every student that enrolls this month, participating Kumon Centers nationwide will donate $10, equivalent to four new books, to RIF. Together, they share the vision of all children developing a love for reading that continues into adulthood. Having access to books at school and at home is vital. “Children with access to books within the home have a much more positive attitude towards reading and learning overall,” says Carol H. Rasco, president and CEO of RIF. In middle-income neighborhoods the ratio of books per child is 13 to one, while in lowincome neighborhoods, the ratio is one ageappropriate book for every 300 children. The Kumon Reading Program “Our goal at Kumon is to help all children cultivate a high level of reading ability, regardless of age or school grade,” says Dr. Mokris. Kumon’s reading comprehension program strives to enhance the reading

ability of children and create lifelong readers. With learning centers in 47 countries and regions, Kumon Instructors around the world create personalized lesson plans for each student. The curriculum is designed to foster independent learning skills that allow students to progress through the work, eventually studying above their grade level. “We often see students with advanced UHDGLQJ VNLOOV JDLQ FRQ¿ GHQFH DQG H[FHO LQ other subjects in school,” says Dr. Mokris. In addition to academics, Kumon believes reading builds character in children and helps develop well-rounded personalities. Students are encouraged to excel and complete the entire reading program. Excerpts from books on Kumon’s Recommended Reading List can be found throughout the curriculum, exposing students to a variety of genres, writing styles, cultures and history. The list contains 520 books designed to help parents select material that enhances their child’s appreciation and understanding of the English language. Its titles range from classic read-aloud books like The Cat in the Hat to works of Shakespeare and T.S. Eliot. Kumon has served 16 million children worldwide since it was founded in Japan, dedicating more than 50 years to helping students in preschool to high school develop a love of learning. 7R ¿ QG D .XPRQ &HQWHU QHDU \RX YLVLW ZZZ kumon.com or call 1-877-586-6673. For additional literacy resources and games, visit www.rif.org.

Blossom Station Child Care Center of Acton “Daily Discoveries, Endless Possibilities”

LET’S TAKE BABY STEPS TOGETHER! Your child’s First Steps are guided by our dedicated educators Our dynamic curriculum & nurturing environment provides the stepping stones for your child to acquire social skills, physical development, problem solving skills, & much more Our Owner/Director is committed to making every Step count for your child & your family

222 Main Street, Acton, MA 01720

978-266-2779 www.BlossomStation.com

BAYSTATEPARENT 5

Comprehensive and Caring Early Intervention Services for Children Birth to 3 Years Old Early intervention is crucial for a child whose development is delayed. Criterion programs provide support, education and individualized therapy services to help parents and caregivers promote their child’s maximum development. We offer a full range of programs in the home or at our EI centers located in communities statewide. Our services include: s $EVELOPMENTAL %VALUATION s $EVELOPMENTAL %NRICHMENT 'ROUPS s (OME 6ISITS s 0ARENT 'ROUPS s 0HYSICAL /CCUPATIONAL and Speech Therapy s 2ESOURCES AND 2EFERRALS

Where Creativity Comes to Play New locations in

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6 MARCH2012

our special guest Korri Leah Crowley and Theodore of Newton Captured by crabapplephotography.com

16

LETS ROLL

Tomb raiders. Amulets. Entombment. What’s not to love in the Egyptian Room at the Fitchburg Art Museum. Kids can’t get enough!

table

38

AN EXTRAODINARY GIFT

50

How many people are able to give the gift of life to their best friend? Diane Kieras-Ciolkos of Hadley carried a baby for her friend of 30 years, Meghan Hukowicz-Zoll of Shrewsbury, who suffers from cystic fibrosis. It’s a beautiful story!

WHAT’S THE MAGIC OF CAMP?

Discover the magic of summer camp when a psychologist sits in on campfires, cabin chats and dining hall singalongs. Scout out your own camp this month with dozens of camp choices.

the of the home

MARCH 2012 • VOLUME 16 • NUMBER 11

in every issue 9 10 11 11 11 12

WELCOME

32 THE BABY: EVERY FAMILY HAS ONE

GUESTBOOK

35 THROW A GENDER REVEAL PARTY

FINALLY, FOREVER: MARGARET SUSAN

36 HEAL YOUR BIRTH TEARS

MARCH'S CHILD CIRCLE OF FRIENDS TAKE GOOD CARE: BRAIN BALANCE

16 LET'S ROLL: Fitchburg Art Museum 18 20 27 28 60 66 72

oh baby

38 AN EXTRAODINARY GIFT

DIRTY LAUNDRY WITH STEPHEN RICH UNIMPORTANT PLEASURES: LAVENDER MOMS ROCK: KIMBERLY BECK OF STERLING LOVE MORE FIGHT LESS CAPTURED: EASTER PARADE

45 67 70 71

SUMMER CAMP COUNTDOWN PARTY PLANNER BULLETIN BOARD SHOW AND TELL

41 WELCOME SUNSHINE: SIP ‘N’ SEE 43 ON MY PLATE: Bringing Home Baby

JUNKDRAWERS OH THE PLACES YOU'LL GO

advertising directories

something special 50 THE MAGIC OF CAMP 59 GREAT EGGSPECTATIONS

sneak peek April

CAMP

MAY

CELEBRATIONS

JUNE

SUMMER GUIDE

Voted Best Parenting Publication in North America 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010

We’ll Get You Through the Day! Find baystateparent on Facebook and Twitter. BAYSTATEPARENT 7

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e m o c l e W There are many gifts a friend can give to another but rarely does any gift compare to this: Last year, Diane Kieras-Ciolkos of Hadley, Massachusetts carried a baby as a surrogate mother for her friend of 30 years, Meghan Hukowicz-Zoll of Shrewsbury, who suffers from cystic fibrosis. It’s a beautiful story that you’ll find on page 38 of this month’s issue. Being a surrogate for another is a fulltime job that goes beyond conception, pregnancy and delivery. It involves all those responsibilites that many of us dread in our own lives: appointments

with counselors, nurses and doctors and paper work with lawyers and insurance companies. Diane’s commitment did not waver as she juggled all this as well as part-time careers as a human resource consultant and vacation planner and being a mom of two. “I am out in Hadley and had to travel to Lexington [to the Reproductive Science Center],” says Diane. Meghan says that Diane was optimistic and brave throughout the process. “There has never been an element of drama,” she says. Surrogate mothers can receive compensation of $20,000 and more for carrying a baby, which after having done it herself, Diane understands. “There is a lot involved,” she says. For Diane, however, the compensation she received from Meghan and her husband, Frank, was their 8 lb. 12 oz. miracle, Brady, born last August. “She did it all so that we could have a family,” says Meghan. Diane’s selfless act is a testament not only to her, but to the amazing person Meghan is. Their story will make you think about what you would do in their situation. Would you be able to trust another to carry your greatest treasure? How would you react if someone asked you for help of this magnitude? Giving birth is just the first step, however. Kimberly Beck of Sterling is another courageous woman featured in this month’s issue (page 60) who gives of herself as doula and childbirth educator, but also works every day as a child safety advocate. baystateparent first embraced Kim in 2004, grieving with her after her 3-year-

old daughter, Meggie, died when her bedroom bureau fell on top of her. Today, Kim is a protector of children, urging parents to take issues of safety seriously. She pleads, “Learn CPR and make sure everyone who cares for your children knows how to save a life. Childproof your home completely – and early – and insist that the places your child spends time are also adequately childproofed.” This month’s baby issue celebrates the beautiful new life inside of you, or the child that has already taken hold of your heart. Best wishes to you always!

Carrie Wattu editor@baystateparent.com

baystateparent wins 18 NENPA Awards! baystateparent had a very exciting night in Boston on Saturday, February 11th at the New England Newspaper and Press Association award banquet. We attended with our sister publications from the Holden Landmark Corporation where we won 33 awards combined! baystateparent won 18 editorial and design awards including nine first place awards and General Excellence for Advertising & Design. Thenk you readers and advertisers for inspiring us to do our best!

Massachusetts’ Premier Magazine For Families

baystateparent publisher GARETH CHARTER 508-749-3166 x153 gcharter@holdenlandmark.com editor CARRIE WATTU 508-865-7070 editor@baystateparent.com

creative director PAULA MONETTE ETHIER 508-865-7070 baystateparent@holdenlandmark.com

promotions JENNIFER ANTKOWIAK 508-269-1728 jemsa2@charter.net

graphic designer STEPHANIE MALLARD 508-865-7070 srenaud@holdenlandmark.com

sales & business development manager STEPHANIE PEARL 774-364-0296 stephaniep@baystateparent.com account executive STACI LaTURNO BISSET 774-364-5073 stacil@baystateparent.com account executive EMILY RETTIG 774-364-4178 emilyr@baystateparent.com

contributing writers LAURIE PUHN WENDY AGUELDO CHRISTINE GUANIPA CHRISTINE QUIRK STEPHEN RICH BEVERLY LESSARD ABBEY MCDONALD AMANDA ROBERGE MICHAEL THOMPSON, PH.D. MANDY MULLIEZ illustrators JILLIAN DEVEREUX GEORGIA WILDE

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photographers MICHELLE CARR STEVEN KING KATE MCKENNA JILL SERRANO proof reader BRYAN ETHIER

presidents KIRK and LAURIE DAVIS

baystatestateparent

Meet Our Cover Model

117 Elm St., Millbury, MA 01527

Korri Leigh Crowley and Theodore of Newton

508-865-7070

www.baystateparent.com campguide.baystateparent.com www.massfieldtrips.com baystateparent Inc. is published monthly with a main office at 117 Elm Street, Millbury, 01527 508-865-7070 Fax 508-865-7979 It is distributed free of charge throughout Massachusetts. www.baystateparent.com • info@baystateparent.com

Tell us about this photo: I am actually a professional photographer myself (weddings and families) so while I take a bazillion photos of my son, I didn’t have any of both him and I. My friend Kate told me she had found an antique pram and the retro 60’s styling of the shoot was perfect for my love of history and politics (yes, Teddy is named after the late Kennedy).

Distribution Agency: Insight Distribution Management 978-728-7785/603-661-8370 • Insightdm@yahoo.com

Introduce bsp readers to Teddy: Teddy is 6 months old in the photo but 18 months this month. He’s a wonderful, silly baby who makes my job as a mom (relatively) easy. One of his favorite words is “cheese!” and he’s a ham in front of the camera.

Massachusetts' premier magazine for families has earned more than 130 national and regional awards since 2004, including 30 in 2010:

What has being Teddy’s mom taught you? He inspires me every day to slow down and take in all the beauty around us.

5 Suburban Newspapers of America Awards Including Best Parenting Publication in North America 2010

17 Parenting Publications of America Awards 8 New England Newspaper Press Association Awards

www.crabapplephotography.com

BAYSTATEPARENT 9

GUESTBOOK Irish Eyes are Smiling: Kaitlyn Minton of Shrewsbury attends the Holyoke or Worcester St. Patrick's Day parade every year with her family.

I

was delighted to see the article on the winter farmers’ market in January. In the event that your readers would like to locate a Massachusetts Farmers’ Market at this (and any time) of year, close to home, the website to Mass Grown and Fresher is mass.gov/agr/massgrown/. Right on the front page is an icon to locate winter markets. There is an interactive map where you can search for all kinds of products, events and educational activities on Massachusetts farms by community. Agriculture is a growing business in this state, pun intended! Thanks. - Mary Greendale, Holliston

LEARN MORE

CLASSES

W W W. W O R C E S T E R A RT M U S E U M . O R G

10 MARCH2012

I read with much interest the January issue of baystateparent. I found the emphasis on parents being the ones to make the best and most appropriate educational choices for their own children encouraging. There seems to be an ever-growing mindset that “experts” (whomever that refers to) are somehow more qualified to make decisions, educationally and otherwise. Thank you for highlighting the appropriateness and the importance of various educational options and how those options successfully meet the different needs of individual families. In case you are unaware, I want to call your attention to a grassroots organization, parentalrights.org whose goal, in part, is to add an amendment to the United States Constitution legally protecting the liberty of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children as a fundamental right. I personally know of no parent who is uninterested in education. I do know that what most people take for granted as legally protected rights, such as choosing the educational setting for their own child, are not. Your publication could be an excellent source of information for parents who may be unaware of certain threats against their assumed parental rights. Thank you for providing such an informative publication for us parents! Margaret Canha, Woburn

Editor’s Note: The following letter is in reference to an article on the pros and cons of serving flavored milk in school that appeared in our Feb. 2012 issue. The research shows that dairy is highly allergenic, acidifying, linked to autoimmune, digestive and behavioral diseases, and is designed by nature to cause rapid growth and weight gain (think of how quickly a calf grows). The naturally occurring growth hormones in milk contribute to obesity in humans and accelerate tumor growth. Milk might have a lot of calcium in it, but it doesn’t mean that it contributes to our bone health. In one area of South Africa, women have the lowest intake of calcium in the world (400 mg), yet have the strongest bones in the world because they eat plenty of leafy greens, nuts and seeds, get sunshine, and engage in weight bearing exercise. Sugar, and all its evil cousins like high fructose corn syrup, are highly refined (and not so fine for human health!). They are anti-nutrients, stealing vitamins and minerals just to metabolize them. To say that sugar is harmful to human health is the ultimate understatement. Yet we are eating about 180 lbs of sugar every year, more than a half pound per day. I feel it’s vital that we find ways to reduce sugar in our diets, not find ways to justify eating more. Be well! Lisa Mair, Holistic Health Coach and Yoga Instructor lisamair.com

WINNERS! baystateparent giveaways are announced at baystateparent.com under “Contests/ Fast Pass to Giveaways” as well as on our Facebook page (Join our page today by searching “baystateparent Magazine.”) A sampling of our recent prizes and winners include: Aura Restaurant Gift Certificate Tania Rooney, Westwood Worcester Sharks Family Four-Pack The Lincoln Family, Dudley Email your thoughts on our March issue to editor@baystateparent.com. All letters will be edited for clarity and length. Please include your full name and town for publication.

FINALLY,FOREVER

Margaret Susan AN EXCERPT FROM MANDY MULLIEZ’S BOOK

Project: Loved BY

mandy mulliez, jennifer weintraub photography Margaret and her mother.

I walked into the hospital, 36 hours after getting the call that a baby girl had been born and needed me. “Hello, Mom,” the nurse greeted me. “No, no, just foster mom,” I said. In my years of being a foster parent, I had never imagined that my forever family would begin with a newborn, seeing myself rather with an older sibling group – sisters – a ready-made complete family. “You are ‘Mom’,” the nurse told me with a glance. “So what’s this baby’s name?” She was being called Baby Girl, the nurse told me, and she needed a name. In an instant, I spoke the name that had grown in my heart for as many years as I had waited to be a mother – the name I knew would be my daughter’s – Margaret Susan, after my

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS

Highlights of March’s Adoption-Related Events

MARCH’SCHILD

FREE A Support Group for Waiting Parents. Sat., March 10, 10 a.m. - Noon. Held at the Adoption Community of New England, Inc., 34 Deloss St., 2nd Floor, Framingham. Meet with others who are also in the “waiting” stage of their adoption process. Each session focuses on a specific

grandmother and mother. I crossed the room to carefully pick her up and cradle her for the first time. She was a preemie, barely 5 pounds, sensitive to touch and sensation as her tiny body began to recover from what it had been exposed to during pregnancy. This was the first time she had been held in the days since her birth. I whispered my first words to her in Spanish “Hello mi angelita”... little angel. Only later did I find out that her first mother had come back to the hospital briefly in the days following her delivery to give her daughter the name she hoped she would carry with her... Angel. And so she is Margaret Susan Angel. She has a giggle that bubbles from deep inside her. She loves to garden and swing as high

as she can. She asks me where her brown skin comes from and we talk, honestly and openly, about her first mother who could not care for her, for whom life had not been easy, and from whom she has many of the wonderful qualities that make her the daughter I had dreamed of.

issue and also allows time for open discussion. This is a professionally-facilitated meeting providing an opportunity for meeting and sharing. RSVP requested. Please leave your full name, phone number and address: 508-872-2230 or email info@AdoptionCommunityofNE.org.

Building). Did you know that there is no cost associated with adopting through the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families? Have you ever wondered what the adoption process involves? Come get an overview of DCF adoption and have all of your questions answered at this monthly informational meeting. Please call 508-929-2143 to register.

FREE Massachusetts Department of Children and Families Adoption Informational Meeting. Thurs., March 15, 6 – 7:30 p.m. at the Worcester DCF Adoption Office, 121 Providence St., 3rd Floor (the old St. Vincent’s Hospital

Valerie, Age 4 1/2 Four-and-a-half-year old Valerie loves her Princess Tiana doll from the Disney movie “The Princess and the Frog.” A shy girl of African American descent, she will open up when she feels more comfortable. She is learning to read and loves to read about “Dora The Explorer.” Valerie’s favorite color is pink and she can be heard walking around singing “I love you a bushel and a peck.” Valerie attends daycare where she gets along well with other children as well

Together...we are a family. *

* *

Mandy Mulliez is a mother of two: son, Louis, age 9, through birth, and daughter, Anna, age 7, adopted from Vietnam in 2006. Mandy’s love for adoption came with the arrival of her sister, who was domestically adopted into her family 30 years ago. She has spent time over the last five years capturing the stories of modern

The 39th Annual New England Adoption Conference. Sat., April 14. Held at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel and Trade Center,

as the staff. She enjoys playing with her toys, eats well and goes to bed at night with very little difficulty with her favorite “blankie.” After a recent disruption in her placement, Valerie is in a specialized foster home. She attends therapy to help her deal with issues around loss and separation and is experiencing some disruptive behaviors. Ideally, her worker is looking for a two-parent African American family that has a lot of patience and that can provide structure and love for this little girl. She would do well as

adoption from families of widely varying circumstances and backgrounds. In 2008, she joined with fellow adoptive mother and renowned family photographer, Jennifer Weintraub, to begin documenting the extraordinary families they met along the way in their own adoption journeys. Out of this collaboration, Project: Loved was born, and they have photographed and interviewed over 50 families to date from around the country, forming a beautiful gift book for perspective adoptive families as well as those already well versed in the process. Publishers - take note! They are looking for their perfect fit. Mandy, her husband and two children, live in Needham, Massachusetts.

Marlborough. The keynote speaker is Alison Larkin, author of The English American. adoptioncommunityofne.org. Please submit April’s adoption-related events by Monday, March 5th to be included in the April edition of baystateparent. Events submitted after the 5th of the month will be included in our online calendar only. To submit an event, visit baystateparent.com and click “Calendar” and “Submit an Event.”

an only child or the much younger child in a two-parent home. Valerie currently resides in Western Massachusetts and has an older brother who is in a pre- adoptive home in Eastern Massachusetts. She is hoping for a family that can support ongoing contact between them. If you are interested in learning more about Valerie, who is legally free for adoption, or the adoption process in general, please contact the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange at 617-54-ADOPT.

BAYSTATEPARENT 11

Hope TAKEGOODCARE

Brain Balance:

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hildren with ADHD, autism or dyslexia struggle daily with the most basic routines. Getting out of bed, brushing their hair and teeth, showering and getting dressed can become a daily battle rather than routine ritual. Each aspect of a morning routine requires a sense of chronology, timing, sensory input and awareness, yet for children with neurological delays in any of these areas, the entire 15-30 minutes can be daunting—for both the child and parent. ADHD is recognized today as the leading childhood disorder, followed closely by related diagnoses (categorized by their effect on neurology) of autism and dyslexia, which have also increased at the same alarming rate. What’s more, these increases are not limited to the United States. Research has shown proof of a global epidemic. Ten years ago, autism statistics indicated that 1 out of 10,000 children were diagnosed. Today, multiple studies show approximately 1 in 100 children will be diagnosed. “Understanding that this is a global concern, I felt I had to do something, so I did,” says Dr. Robert Melillo, author of Disconnected Kids (Penguin Publishing) and co-creator of the groundbreaking

for Parents or LATEST HYPE? BY

wendy agudelo

Brain Balance Program. Melillo, a world-renowned chiropractic neurologist, professor and researcher in childhood neurological disorders, was driven to find a cure for neurobehavioral disorders15 years ago after seeing the lifealtering changes within a child he had worked with. Since then, he has devoted himself to the study of learning disabilities and behavioral disorders in children and from this, developed Hemispheric Integration Therapy (H.I.T.)—a multimodal approach to the remediation of ADHD, dyslexia, autism, Asperger’s, Tourette’s and other processing disorders in children. Co-founded in 2003 by Dr. Robert

Mellilo and William Fowler, Brain Balance is an alternate therapy and supplemental learning solution. Brain Balance uses no medication and instead, focuses on what founders Melillo and Fowler believe to be the very heart of the challenges children with the above listed diagnoses face: “functional disconnection” of the brain. According to Melillo, the key behind these related challenges is that the brain is not genetically malformed or damaged in any way—rather, parts of the brain are simply “turned off,” causing an imbalance in brain networks. This results in processing challenges between the left and right sides of the brain. “Even the slightest disruption/breakdown

in coordination can have a profound impact,” he says. Melillo argues that “imbalance IS the deficiency.” To further illustrate what individuals with functional disconnection feel, Melillo compares it to an orchestra. “In a perfectly-tuned orchestra, all are playing at the same time in a synchronized manner. For individuals with ADHD or autism, it’s like having the percussion playing a fast tempo and the strings playing at a slower tempo, in a different key....Areas of the brain are just not processing at the same rate.” Brain Balance is his formula for reengaging all the synapses and to get both halves of the brain functionally working together in sync.

How does Brain Balance work? Melillo indicates that oftentimes, therapists, educators and other professionals use therapies that further strengthen areas where a child’s success

Haven't You Always Wanted to Tell Somebody Where to Go? We Do Every Thursday. bsp emails a weekend fun planner every Thursday with 5+ ideas for local family fun. Sign up at

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is evident. For example, children who read well are encouraged to read more. Melillo discourages this practice. “You cannot fix the imbalance by taking the strong side and making it stronger. It’s actually the worst thing you can do as by playing to a child’s strengths, the problem is made even worse.� Instead, Melillo suggests that weaknesses be assessed so that instruction can be used to strengthen the weak areas towards a point of coordination between the strong and weak elements. “Once the imbalance is corrected, a huge and noticeable change will result,� he says. The Brain Balance program therefore focuses on weaknesses and gears its teaching methods towards strengthening weak parts of the brain. More than 45 Brain Balance Centers have been opened throughout the United States, and Melillo has a goal to open 3040 more franchises. In his words, “Brain Balance was designed to impact as many children as possible.� Massachusetts Brain Balance centers are located in Danvers and West Springfield, with the next closest facility located in Norwalk, Connecticut. The first step for interested families is the assessment process -- involving roughly 4 - 6 hours of testing to assess sensory motor skills, cognitive ability, quality of diet and nutritional deficiencies. Once determined, the Brain Balance methodology engages the brain through physical exercise, diet, nutrition and learning activities including word problems and math reasoning to balance beams and futuristic-looking glasses and earpieces that help stimulate a child’s auditory and visual systems. Treatment is geared towards children ages 5 - 18, and children are seen several times a week in one-hour increments.

techniques and therapies which parents can employ at home. Some tips include reducing the amount of time children spend with TV and technology, increase physical exercise and improve a child’s diet. Much of this advice can be garnered from your local pediatrician—and is likely what parents do already. However, the book also highlights unique tips to stimulate the brain such as color, music and aromatherapy—some of which actually seems to make sense. After sitting through a 90-minute parent lecture completed by Melillo himself

Wendy Bulawa Agudelo, who resides north of Boston, is a mom of three children, including a set of twin boys. In her spare time, she is an avid features writer covering a broad array of parenting topics from special needs to travel with infants . During the day, she earns her stripes as a self-made entrepreneur, operating a theme gift basket business, Period Packs, which celebrates a girl’s foray into womanhood.

**

What’s the catch? Although Melillo and Brain Balance Centers present very convincing statistics, a healthy dose of skepticism exists around this burgeoning form of treatment from families that feel that Brain Balance is a solution too good to be true. Some have gone so far as to suggest that this is a manipulator’s paradise—capitalizing on the weaknesses of those in crisis. Melillo is quick to correct misperceptions, “There is some misinformation available on the Internet, but I’m making it part of my mission to correct those misperceptions and champion Brain Balance, as it works for many children.� Graduates from Brain Balance and their families have also come forth to highlight that their children have gained benefit and measurable results from the program. Parents are therefore left in a quandary to investigate and determine for themselves whether or not Brain Balance delivers as promised, or is just the latest hype. An easy and inexpensive way to get an insider’s look at the program (beyond contacting the Danvers center) is to purchase Melillo’s book, Disconnected Kids (available via Amazon.com). Contained within are Melillo’s theories on brain imbalance as well as assessment

and reading his book cover to cover, my family is taking a “wait and see� approach. Admittedly, our household has started using advice contained within Melillo’s book—specifically music and color therapy—as it is easy to employ and adds a sense of newness and fun to our daily activities. When in the kitchen preparing dinner, we even engage our children more with the smells and feel of the food we prepare—an experience we all enjoy. For more information, research, case studies and parent testimonials, visit brainbalancecenters.com.

352*5$06 2))(5(' ‡ Bachelor of Science in Nursing – RN to BSN program** ‡ Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Management Concentration ‡ Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

‡ Bachelor of Arts in Psychology – Forensic Psychology Concentration ‡ Bachelor of Arts in Psychology ‡ Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts – Elementary Education Concentration ‡ Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education (ECE)

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(photos courtesy of the fitchburg art museum)

LET’SROLL

Walk Like an

Egyptian

at the Fitchburg Art Museum BY

F

amanda roberge

itchburg is a city with an unfortunate reputation – a city that has been perhaps unfairly bullied over the years by hipper and more happening cities. As a resident of neighboring Leominster, I see the inequity firsthand. Fitchburg is actually a cool place to be, with a bustling arts scene and underground culture, if you know where to look. At the heart of the resurging downtown community in Fitchburg is an unparalleled love for the arts – with small community theatres, studios and re-purposed furniture galleries and an active group of patrons and organizers that convene to offer art strolls and tours. 16 MARCH2012

While it’s true that many of these venues – though they lie on the same Main Street – are not as easily walkable as they are in more compact and manicured cities, it is also true that behind each door is a unique and distinguishable treasure worth uncovering. True, indeed, for the Fitchburg Art Museum, which has quite a lot to offer the art lover next door, and the art lover looking for a reason to stretch her legs and venture out into North Central Massachusetts. For locals and faraway visitors alike, FAM is a welcoming destination for eager learners, roaming dreamers and art aficionados of all ages. The clean, sleek and minimalist exhibits

at FAM offer Victorian portraiture, breathtaking still-life canvases, authentic masks from varied African tribes and pottery and artifacts from China and Korea dating back to dynasties mentioned in history textbooks. There are gorgeous landscapes done in oils and a stunning display of recently discovered fragments from the Yuchanyan Cave in South China. The most recent addition to the museum is an exhibit dedicated to aerialist photography – dunes, coves and mountains through a unique lens – that of a photographer thousands of feet above land. My own children tolerate this wondrous

display with forced interest, prompting me to declare that my empty-nest years will most definitely be spent wandering around every museum in the New England area for hours on end. Once my babies are grown and gone, I will take my time and examine each relic as though it is the very piece on which I am writing a research paper. But for now, family life calls and my kids are pulling me in one direction only…toward Egypt. While much of the museum can hold a child’s attention in increments of time directly correlated to the cleverness of said child’s mother (How many apples are on paintings in this room? Go count them!), a much-celebrated Egyptian exhibit is

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social structure – with pharaohs reigning supreme and slaves making up the majority at the bottom. With priests, doctors, engineers, merchants and farmers making up the middle, where would their own family fall? What would life be like for that stratum of life? Some of the more Diva-like children (ahem, my own – for example) might be more interested in the jewels and hygiene common to the Egyptians. How did they cover up body odor? What did it mean to be highly adorned? And most pressing for my daughters: Why were the Egyptians buried with their jewels? Didn’t they want to leave them for their daughters?! The Egyptian Room is a simple, dimlylit atmosphere with carefully packaged information, offered in small bursts throughout the vast but somehow intimate space, sure to inspire and intrigue visitors. In a time of parents struggling to limit screen-time and kids developing video game addictions at the ripe age of 8, the Fitchburg Art Museum provides a sound dose of under-stimulation. It’s a thoughtful space, a gentle environment where the most advanced technology you’ll find comes in the form of earpieces that tell the story of the art you are admiring. The Fitchburg Art Museum might help you understand the passion that the city’s residents feel about the arts, how strongly they hold onto their landmarks that exemplify this passion. Throughout recessions, depressions and economic downturns, the Museum’s donors have been pitching in to keep the doors open, and with support from the local community, they will continue to do so for many more generations. Amanda Roberge is a freelance writer and mother of three girls who muses online at ConfessionsofaCurvyGirl.com.

specifically designed to stimulate the brain of a child, while simultaneously providing fascination for all members of the family. Tomb raiders. Amulets. Entombment. What’s not to love? The Egyptian Room is amazing on every level. While children’s social studies books at school might explain the steps and purpose of mummification, what could be better than a four-sided diorama depicting the process (including the removal of one’s guts)? Kids can’t get enough! It’s like being a Goliath peeking in on a day in the life of an ancient embalmer. The exhibit satisfies each academic discipline without letting kids know that they are learning. There is most certainly a language component, which begins with a molded copy of the Rosetta Stone, the artifact that made deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphics possible. There are carefully laid out answers to any questions kids might have about life along the Nile River. And there are beautiful canvases depicting ancient art from tombs and temples across Egypt, with explanations of the differences between high-relief and sunken-relief carvings. Kids can ponder what it was like to experience life under a highly-organized

Resources Fitchburg is accessible by Commuter Rail, though the museum is a 1.3 mile walk from the station. Nearby attractions to complement your trip: Roll On America Family Fun Center 90 Duval Rd, Lancaster 978-534-8303 rollonamerica.com Hop On In 217 Hamilton St., Leominster 978-537-0235 hoponinma.com The Great Escape Play CafĂŠ 21 Sack Blvd., Leominster 978-227-5886 tgeplaycafe.com Barnes and Noble 120 Watertower Plaza, Leominster 978-537-6009 Chaibo (coffee house and eatery) 37 Boulder Dr., Fitchburg 978-449-7916 chaibo.com

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BAYSTATEPARENT 17

JUNK D R AW E R S

photo courtesy of my little pankora

A LITTLE LIT OF THIS, A LITTLE OF THAT SOUTH ASIAN-INSPIRED & GREEN

“I love to make something out of nothing. There is just something empowering about taking a pile of ‘stuff’ and making it into something beautiful and functional,” says Lauren Kostantin, a West Brookfield stay-at-home mom of a tenacious toddler and owner of Scrap Soup. You’ll find some really cute gifts including sock monkey hats at etsy. com/shop/ScrapSoupOnline.

CATCHING UP WITH CARRIE

“I wish someone had told me the importance of creating a flexible schedule for my baby. I fed him every time he fussed, assuming he must be hungry – though often that was not the case. His naps were short because I would rush to pick him up every time he stirred. I also rocked him to sleep every night for eight months and as a result, he never learned to self-soothe. He would wake up four to five times per night and needed to be rocked to go back to sleep. I finally started to let him fuss, and within three nights he was sleeping great! I was much better with my second and third babies...” Carole Kramer Arsenault, RN, IBLC author of The Baby Nurse Bible Enter to win a copy at baystateparent.com/giveaways.

THEY’RE ONE-OF-A-KIND photo courtesy of carrie rowan

Love this: Northborough mom and singer, Carrie Rowan, describes herself as “a slightly spiced chai latte with two pumps of Shawn Colvin, a shot of Jewel and a sprinkle of indie served with a touch of honey that tastes vibrantly honest while remaining hopeful, poured hot from the heart!” Her big concert is coming on May 12st at the Steeple Coffeehouse in Southborough (1 p.m for kids and 7:30 p.m. for adults with child care provided), but Carrie performs monthly children’s concerts at the Northboro Library. Enjoy your favorite Carrie Rowan songs such as “My Body is an Instrument,” which teaches kids that they can make music with their whole bodies. For a complete schedule and to hear some of Carrie’s tunes, visit carrierowan.com.

What do you wish you’d known before you had your first baby?

North Shore mom Shayne Ostrowski turned her love of sewing and knitting into a part-time business, Orabelle Baby. You have to take a peek at her clothing, accessories and toys, which Shayne loves to customize: etsy.com/ shop/OrabelleBaby?ref=si_shop. The hand-knitted unicorns jump right off the screen. So cute!

Junkdrawers strives to highlight the products, people and places of Massachusetts. Have an idea? Email editor@baystateparent.com. 18 MARCH2012

photo courtesy of orabelle baby

photo courtesy of scrap soup

SCRAP SOUP

Q&A

Five years ago, Belmont mom Sonia Gupta started living more of an organic lifestyle when she was pregnant with her oldest daughter, Anika. Today, she is also mom to daughter Anya, age 20 months, as well as an entrepreneur of My Little Pakora, an organic children’s clothing company and portal on how to raise your baby green. “Given our passion about the 3 R’s (reduce, reuse, recycle) and how we wanted to instill these values in our children, organic clothing was a natural fit,” says Sonia. Visit mylittlepakora.com to see colorful and cool clothing lines for baby and boys and girls up to 5T.

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Strategies Training

Come see your favorite Dr. Seuss characters LIVE on stage.

The Hanover Theater April 13-15 Tickets & Information: Ticket price: $15 - $20

www.thehanovertheatre.org

Special School Matinee $10 Friday, April 13 10 a.m.

Begin your next chapter today.

Cambridge

|

Lawrence

|

SpringďŹ eld

Applicants are responsible for reading the academic catalog and getting all the information needed to make informed decisions.

BAYSTATEPARENT 19

OH, THE

PLACES YOU’LL

GO

photo courtesy of recycled percussion

Congratulations! Today is your day. You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away! - dr. seuss

GO WAM: Explore myths and muses at The Worcester Art Museum’s Family Day, Sun., March 25, worcesterart.org 20 MARCH2012

GO MAGIC: The Regent Theatre in Arlington presents the award-winning Mike Bent AbraKidabra show, Sat., March 31. regenttheatre.com

photo courtesy of zoo new england

photo courtesy of the regent theatre

photo courtesy of worcester art museum

GO DRUM: You’ll receive a drumstick and instrument to join in this cool Recycled Percussion Show. Coming Thurs., March 16, hanovertheatre.org

GO APE: The zoo is open year round! Beat the crowds. Did you know that you can even book a sleepover? zoonewengland.org

OH,THEPLACESYOU’LLGO MELTDOWN WARNING: Before you pack up the mini-van, please confirm your destination. Although we’ve done our best to assure accuracy at press time, things can and do change… A Adult C Child Y Youth M Member NM Non-Member PP Per Person

1THURSDAY ONGOING Circa. Paramount Mainstage, Boston. 7:30 p.m. Ends March 4. (3/1, 3/2, 8 p.m.; 3/3, 2 & 8 p.m., 3 /4, 3 p.m.). With no elaborate sets or gymnastics contraptions, tumblers use their own bodies and mesmerizing skills to conjure classic circus showmanship with a touch of vaudeville.artsemerson.org.

7th Annual LaCroix Cup. Ski Ward, Shrewsbury. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Put on your best Hawaiian-themed costume and enjoy music, fun, a raffle, prizes and cookout. Race individually or as a family. Registration includes free day lift ticket and t-shirt! skiward.com. ONGOING Maple Days. Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Weekends in March through the 25th. Historians at Old Sturbridge Village demonstrate early New England maple sugar-making at the villages own working Sugar Camp, and visitors can experience the entire sugar-making process, from tapping the trees to sugaring off. England farm families in the 1830s tapped around 100 trees to make 400 pounds of sugar each season. A$20, Y (3 – 17) $7. C under 3 FREE. osv.org. Flower and Patio Show. DCU Center, Worcester. March 2- 4. Fri., 12 – 7 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. and Sun.,. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. A$10, C (12 and under) free. centralmaflowershow.com.

Eye Wonder Family Program. The deCordova Museum and Sculpture Park, Lincoln. 1 – 3 p.m. Eye Wonder is a monthly drop-in program for families which focuses on careful looking and creative art projects. A$14, C (12 and under) FREE. decordova. org. Also April 1st. ONGOING Maple Month. Statewide March 4 – 31. Contact the Massachusetts Maple Producers Association to find out which sugarhouse is hosting the kickoff event this season, with state officials in attendance to tap the ceremonial first tree. 413-6283912, massmaple.org. FREE American Girl Party. Marlborough Public

5MONDAY

photo courtesy of matthew quick

FREE Support Groups for Parents. Wayside Youth, 118 Central St., Waltham. Thursdays, 6:30 – 9 p.m. Are you the parent or caregiver of a child or young adult with behavioral or mental health issues? Join this confidential group. Email judi_maguire@ waysideyouth.org.

Take your teen to meet a charismatic and candid up-and-coming author, Matthew Quick, March 10th, Westborough. tatnuck.com.

2FRIDAY

Flower and Patio Show. DCU Center, Worcester. March 2- 4. Fri., 12 – 7 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. and Sun.,. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. A$10, C (12 and under) free. centralmaflowershow.com.

3SATURDAY FREE Designer Mirror Craft for Ages 3+. Lakeshore Learning, Newton and Saugus. New craft every Saturday from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. LakeshoreLearning.com/FreeCrafts4Kids.

7WEDNESDAY

Yoga Instruction. Museum of Russian Icons, Clinton. Wednesdays through March 14. 12 – 12:45 p.m. Join certified Kripalu Yoga instructor Jeff McKenzie for a gentle, invigorating midday yoga class. All levels welcome; no prior yoga experience required. Participants should wear loose, comfortable clothing. Please bring a yoga mat (required), and, if you like, a block and a bolster or towel. $12 per class drop in. 978-598-5000 x17 or email jwillis@museumofrussinaicons.org.

ONGOING Maple Sugar Days. Fruitlands Museum, Harvard. 5 p.m. Watch the Fruitlands’ website for maple sugaring events once the sap starts to run. Local expert Jim Burns will be tapping trees and making maple syrup. The Fruitlands staff will be exploring Native American and Colonial boil methods for making syrup and candy. fruitlands.org.

Maple Magic. Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, Lincoln. 3:30 – 5 p.m. Celebrate trees and the magic sweetness of the maple in spring. Visit the maple grove to check out the taps and taste some sap. Hear about some traditional ways of making this sweet treat and compare that with today’s methods. Listen to stories of the first sugar makers and delight your taste buds with an sweet maple treat. All ages welcome; up to three children per adult. $12pp. Register: 781-259-2200 or email drumlinfarm@ massaudubon.org.

FREE Sing and Play in Spanish. First Connections, 111 ORNAC, Suite 1009 at Emerson Hospital, Concord. Meets weekly on Tuesdays, 1:30 – 3 p.m. Free parent-child playgroup for ages 6 mos. thru 5. Songs and stories sourced from a wide range of countries in Latin America and Spain. Goal of the group is to contribute to the development of bilingual children in a fun and natural setting. Facilitated by a parent who is a native of Venezuela. RSVP to join. 978-287-0221, firstconnections.org.

Mom to Mom Program. Trinity Church, Bolton. Meets weekly on Wednesdays through April 11th, 9:15 – 11 a.m. This program is designed to encourage and support all mothers, grandmothers and caregivers with biblically-based teaching on parenting, women’s health and relationships. Refreshments, coffee, guest speaker or video followed by small group discussion. Nursery care is available for infants - kindergarteners. A full schedule of speakers/topics and registration forms will be available at trinitybolton.org/momtomom.htm. This program is free to newcomers. 978-779-5517, trinitybolton.org.momtomom.htm.

Library, 35 W. Main St., Marlboro. 4 – 5 p.m. Celebrate Women’s History Month by bringing your American Girl or other doll to a party. Play games,

FREE First-time Mother’s Group. First Connection, Suite 1009 at Emerson Hospital, Concord. 1 – 2:30 p.m. This 6-week group is facilitated by Laura Gerson, LICSW. After check-in, each week a different topic is discussed. RSVP to attend: lmatthews@jri.org. firstconnections.org.

The 2012 U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships. DCU Center- Arena and Convention Center, Worcester. March 1 – 3. One-day tickets: A $23.25, C (2-12) $15.75. dcucenter.com.

mothers and kids in Gardner, Westminster, Ashburnham, Winchendon and Athol. montachusett-moms.com.

4SUNDAY FOR PARENTS American Cancer Society’s Spin for Hope™. Wave Health & Fitness at the Seaport, Boston. 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. This three-hour indoor cycling event takes place simultaneously at participating health clubs around New England. spinodyssey.org. Family Dances. Scout House, 74 Walden St., Concord. Fun for families with children ages 5+. This participatory folk dance features live music by Cal Howard & Friends. All dances are taught first. Fee required. 781-438-4387, facone.org. FREE Drop Into Art. Danforth Museum of Art, 123 Union Ave., Framingham. 2 - 4 p.m. Families are invited to visit the Museum and then create works of art together on the First Sunday of the month. Perfect for children ages 5-10 with adult. Call to confirm. 508620-0937, danforthmuseum.org. The World of Montessori Open House. Nashoba Montessori, 94 Main St., Lancaster. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Ages 2.9-6 years old. nashobamontessori.com.

make a craft and have a snack. Sign up is required and limited to 40 children.508-624-6902, marlboroughpubliclibrary.org. Toddler Open Swim. Charles Gardner Lane, Woburn. Weekly Mondays, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. until April 30. You can bring your own float or toys are use the many we have available. Lifeguard is on duty ! If your child can swim and touch(3 feet) you do not have to go in the water with them but an adult must be present at all times. $3pp. 781-935-3777, positive-place.org. FREE YOU Youth Group. 51 Union St., Suite 312, Worcester. Meets every Monday, 5 – 6:30 p.m. YOU is a non-therapeutic youth group for teens between the ages 14 and 19 who are interested in making connections and making a difference while living with mental health, behavioral or emotional needs. Dinner is FREE. 508-767-9725 x204 or email info@ppal.net.

6TUESDAY Moms Club of the Montachusett Area. Peoples Church, South Main St., Ashburnham. Meets every first Tuesday until June 5th. 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. For

FREE Wee Care Infant Care Program. 223 Walnut St., Ste 22, Framingham. Meets every first Wednesday, 10 a.m. Children under 3 are invited to register for this free seminar with examination designed to help parents assure a cavity-free child. The informal format assures that all parents’ questions will be answered by this pediatric dental specialist. Space is limited. Call Dr. Mel to register: 508-875-5437, WeeCareAtDrMels.com. FREE Talking about Personal Safety with Kids. Harvey Wheeler Community Center, 1276 Main St., West Concord. 7 – 8:30 p.m. The most effective way to protect your children from abusive situations is to talk to them about it and keep the dialogue going as they are growing up. Participants will learn skills to take an active role in protecting their children from sexual abuse such as: teaching safety rules, creating a safe environment, speaking with your children about touching safety. Register: 978-287-0221, firstconnections.org. Drop-in Playgroup. Charles Gardner Lane, Woburn. Weekly on Wednesdays, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. until April 25th. Bring children under 5 to play and have fun on slides, trampolines, ride-on toys and tons more. Children must be accompanied by an adult. 781-935-3777, positive-place.org. Castle Kids Story Hour. Higgins Armory Museum, Worcester. Every first Wednesday. From damsels in distress to mighty dragons, share tales of adventure, from well-known fairy tales to modern picture books in the setting of a medieval Great Hall. Includes museum admission, program with craft related to the story and a snack. $12 A and child. higgins.org. FREE Storytime. Tatnuck Bookseller, Westborough. 10 - 11 a.m. Every Wednesday with Miss Tina. tatnuck.org. BAYSTATEPARENT 21

OH,THEPLACESYOU’LLGO

8THURSDAY Mommy & Me Spanish Class (Ages 1.5-3). Barefoot Books, Concord. 10 – 11 a.m. An 8-week music and language class using catchy, upbeat awardwinning songs to help you bring Spanish into your family’s daily routine. Classes are taught almost exclusively in Spanish, but no language skills are needed. Class fees apply. barefootbooks.com. MOPs. Heritage Bible Chapel, Princeton. Meets every second Thursday until June 14th, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Find a supportive community of mothers with a wealth of experience to share. Refreshments, conversation, presentation and creative activity. Children (ages 0-5) are welcome in the Moppets program or with you, whatever you feel most comfortable with. 978-464-5100, princetonmops.vpweb.com.

Children with Special Needs conference will feature keynote speaker Dan Habib, the creator of the films Including Samuel and Who Cares About Kelsey? Workshops topics cover: insurance, school discipline protections, special ed. law, cases and regulations, anxiety in young children, behavior and much more. Registration required. 800-331-0688, email fcsninfo@fcsn.org or fcsn.org Kitchen Science. The Boston Children’s Museum. 11:30 am. - 1:30 p.m. What do soda, corn oil, straws, eggs and food coloring all have in common? They’re all kept in the kitchen and they’re all great for doing science experiments. A$12, C (1-15) $12, Under 1 FREE. bostonkids.org.

is necessary; all materials will be provided. (Please bring your own apron.) Each participant will create a unique and beautiful egg in this hands-on workshop. 978-598-5000 x17, museumofrussianicons.org.

508-886-2221, heifer.org/overlookevents. Also March 11. FREE Matthew Quick’s Boy 21. Tatnuck Bookseller, Westborough. 10 a.m. - Noon. Meet the very cool and interesting local author of this young adult novel. tatnuck.com.

FREE Totally Wild Animal Headband Craft for Ages 3+. Lakeshore Learning, Newton and Saugus. New craft every Saturday from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. LakeshoreLearning.com/FreeCrafts4Kids.

The 2nd Annual Celtic 5K. Worcester. 11 a.m. at Elm Park. celtic5K.com.

Annual Princess Teddy Bear Tea. The Colony Place, Plymouth. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 2 – 4 p.m. To show their support for the March of Dimes, little girls dress up as their favorite princesses where they will meet and be served by the “big� princesses including

Cape Cod St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Yarmouth, 11 a.m. One of the largest and most anticipated off-season occasions on the Cape, drawing upwards of 45,000 spectators from all over the country. This year’s parade theme is “Arts Of Ireland.� Confirm before attending. 508-362-7239, capecodstpatsparade.com.

11SUNDAY

ONGOING Romeo and Juliet. Stoneham Theatre, 395 Main St., Stoneham. 7:30 p.m. Runs until March 18th (Fridays at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 3 & 8 p.m. and Sundays, 2 p.m.). $44- $48. 781-279-2200, stonehamtheatre.org.

Wish Tree & Paper Cranes. Boston Children’s Museum. After March 11,2011, the Japanese House became the place for the Boston area to express their wish and prayers for the Japan’s earthquake/ tsunami damaged area. Learn more at this oneyear anniversary program. A$12, C (1-15) $12, Under 1 FREE. bostonkids.org.

A Cow in the Kitchen. Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, Lincoln. 3:30 – 5 p.m.Delight in the telling of this wonderful story as you create the characters and act out the tale. Visit gentle bovines in the big red barn, and try your hand at milking the cow. Share a tasty dairy snack. All ages welcome; up to three children per adult. $12pp. Registration is required: 781-259-2200. Worcester Spring Home Show. DCU Center. March 9 – 11. Free passes online. worcesterrvshow. com/spring_homeshow/index.html

10SATURDAY Karen K & the Jitterbugs. The Regent Theatre, Arlington. 10:30 a.m. Enjoy these rising stars in the “kindie� music scene – a term coined for the blend of kids music and indie rock – thanks to their eclectic sound and Karen Ks well-written, memorable, original songs. A$10, C & Sr. $8. regenttheatre.com and jitterbugsnyc.com.

Dress up as your favorite princess for an entertaining Princess Tea, March 10 & 11, Plymouth. colonyplace.com. Skinner Appraisal Day at the Concord Museum. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Do you have a family heirloom passed down through generations? Maybe a great yard sale item or flea market find that might be a treasure? Would you like to know what it is worth? $20 for one item or $50 for three. Reservations required: 978-369-9763. Reserve early as space is limited. All proceeds benefit the Concord Museum. Ukrainian Easter Eggs. Museum of Russian Icons, Clinton. 8:30 a.m. - Noon. Explore the art, symbolism and joy in creating pysanky. Pysanky are Ukrainian Easter Eggs, decorated using beeswax and dyes that are applied in layers. No experience

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Helping Parents in New England Give Their Children with Special Needs a Future Southeast Advocate Associates helps families of children with special needs in steering their way through the complicated network of education, medical and legal systems to obtain adequate and appropriate educational services for their children in both public and private schools. Cheryl Follett – 30 years experience advocating for children with disabilities t XXX TPVUIFBTUBEWPDBUFBTTPDJBUFT DPN

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22 MARCH2012

Cinderella, Belle, Sleeping Beauty & more. Prince Charming will escort them to their seats, where they will be served lunch and entertained with princess crafts. Call Mon. - Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. for tickets. A$35 (includes a $25 Colony Place gift card), C $20 (includes a kid’s meal at Alden Park). 508-7467663, colonyplace.com. Also Sunday, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Pancakes on the Farm. Heifer Learning Center at Overlook Farm, 216 Wachusett St., Rutland. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Enjoy a hearty pancake breakfast with maple syrup and pork sausage and tour the farm to view the sugaring operation. A $12, C (3-10) $6, C (2 and under) free. Reservations required.

Kids Day at the Boston Sea Rovers Show. CoCo Key Hotel & Water Resort, 50 Ferncroft Rd., Danvers. 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Kids 12 and under are free! Enjoy The New England Aquarium’s Tidepool Touch Tank. bostonsearovers.com. Also March 11. Storytime with Mrs. B. Danforth Art Museum, 123 Union Ave., Framingham. Meets every second Sunday. Stories and songs geared for children ages 3 – 6. Free with museum admission: 508-620-0937, danforthmuseum.org. Autism Sunday Open Gym. Barrett Family Wellness Center, 107 Otis St., Northborough. 11 a.m. 3 p.m. Come play in Barrett’s 1,000 sf sensory gym filled with suspension equipment. Parents/guardians are responsible to watch and monitor the activities of their child(ren). “How To Cards� are hung at various stations in the gym to give ideas of things to try and how to properly use the equipment.$5 per family. Siblings welcome. 508-898-2688, barrettfamilywellness.com. Also March 25. Maple Festival. South Shore Natural Science Center, 48 Jacobs Lane, Norwell. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Explore and learn about maple history, culture and tasting. Enjoy the process from start to finish! Help tap the

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trees for sap and watch how the sap is boiled into syrup. Activities include: woodland walks for tapping, sweet treats and fun crafts & activities for the children. Call to inquire about any admission fees. 781-6592559. Annual Princess Teddy Bear Tea. The Colony Place, Plymouth. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. To show their support for the March of Dimes, little girls dress up as their favorite princesses where they will meet and be served by the “big� princesses including Cinderella, Belle, Sleeping Beauty & more. Prince Charming will escort them to their seats, where they will be served lunch and entertained with princess crafts. Call Mon. - Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. for tickets. A$35 (includes a $25 Colony Place gift card), C $20 (includes a kid’s meal at Alden Park). 508-746-7663, colonyplace.com.

1-hr. screening of an award-winning movie exploring the essential ways contact with the natural world promotes children’s health and well-being, contributes to the future of the planet and nourishes the human spirit (mothernaturesmovie.com). The first 24 parents who register and attend the program are invited to sign up for a free Puddlestompers-guided Nature Walk with their child aged 2-8 on March 31st in Sudbury. 978-287-0221, firstconnections.org. Afternoon Chores and S’mores. Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, Lincoln. 3:30 – 5 p.m. Feed farm animals, collect eggs and pitch in with other farm

OH,THEPLACESYOU’LLGO

Pi Day. Boston Children’s Museum. 11 a.m – 4 p.m. Pi (ϖ) is an important number if you’re learning about circles. It equals 3.14, so on 3/14 we celebrate the wonders of circles! A$12, C (1-15) $12, Under 1 FREE. bostonkids.org.

and media, feature all kinds of animals – even a monumental chicken by Picasso! They’ll even be hung low on the walls, especially for kids. A$22, Y (17 and under) FREE. mfa.org.

Montachusett Mothers of Multiples. Our Lady of the Lake Church, 1400 Main St., Leominster. 7 – 9 p.m. Meets every second Wednesday until May 9. Join a fun group of parents of twins and multiples who live in the Central Massachusetts area. .orgsites.com/ma/mmom/

FREE Moms Club of Hubbardston. Location TBA. Meets every third Friday. MOMS Club of Hubbardston Area is a chapter of the International MOMS Club, a support group for mothers serving the towns of Barre, Hubbardston, Princeton and Templeton. Email Joanne at momsclubofhubbardston@yahoo.com for details. 508-667-8102.

Pancakes on the Farm. Heifer Learning Center at Overlook Farm, 216 Wachusett St., Rutland. 9 a.m. 1 p.m. Enjoy a hearty pancake breakfast with maple syrup and pork sausage and tour the farm to view the sugaring operation. A $12, C (3-10) $6, C (2 and under) free. Reservations required. 508-886-2221, heifer.org/overlookevents.

Consign My Closet Spring Sale. Old Borders Book, Solomon Pond Mall, Marlboro. March 15 – 18. consignmycloset.com. photo courtesy of plimoth.org

12MONDAY ONGOING Infant Playgroup. Isis Parenting, Brookline. Every Monday, 4 – 5 p.m. Playgroups are very popular; sign-ins begin no earlier than 30 minutes prior to the start time. Space limited. No pre-registration required. $8ppNM. Please confirm before attending! Visit isisparenting.org for a complete calendar of groups meeting in other locations. ONGOING Ice Skating. Bank of America City Center. Greater Kennedy Plaza, Providence, RI. Nov. 19 – March 18. The 14,000-square-foot skating rink is twice the size of Rockefeller Plaza’s ice rink in New York City! Skate rentals available. May close pending weather conditions – call first. Mon. - Fri., 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. and Sat. and Sun., 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. A$6, C (12 and under) $3. Skate rental $4. 401-331-5544. Toddler Open Swim. Charles Gardner Lane, Woburn. Weekly Mondays, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. until April 30. You can bring your own float or toys are use the many we have available. Lifeguard is on duty ! If your child can swim and touch(3 feet) you do not have to go in the water with them but an adult must be present at all times. $3pp. 781-935-3777, positive-place.org.

13TUESDAY FREE Mother Nature’s Child: Growing Outdoors in the Media Age Film Screening. Acton Memorial Library, 486 Main St., Acton. 7 – 8:30 p.m. Free

Bring your Baby to the Danforth Museum of Art. Framingham. 10 a.m. For parents with babies, 0 – 12 months. Learn about art and chat with other parents and play with your baby in a beautiful, welcoming environment. The museum is closed to the public during this program. Light refreshments provided. $12 per family. Just drop in! Registration is encouraged. danforthmuseum.org.

March 17th is opening day at the Mayflower II in Plymouth! Climb on board. plimoth.org.

chores as you help the farm go to sleep for the night. Enjoy a sweet snack after your hard work is done. For one or more adults along with up to 3 children per adult, but no backpack babies, please. $15pp. Register: 781-259-2200, massaudobon.org. FREE Hatha Prenatal Yoga with Jessica. Destination Maternity, Natick. 5:15 - 6:30 and 6:35 – 7:50 p.m. destintationmaternity.com.

14WEDNESDAY Boston Flower & Garden Show. Seaport World Trade Center, Boston. March 14 – 18. A$20, C (6-17) $10, C under 6 FREE. masshort.org/Blooms-and-theBoston-Flower-&-Garden-Show.

Community Nursery School Open House. 26 Central St., West Boylston. 3 – 7 p.m. Full and half-day preschool programs available. 508-8353835, cnswb@fccwb.com.

15THURSDAY Boston Flower & Garden Show. Seaport World Trade Center, Boston. March 14 – 18. A$20, C (6-17) $10, C under 6 FREE. masshort.org/Bloomsand-the-Boston-Flower-&-Garden-Show. Paper Zoo. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Ends in September. The show has special appeal for kids, introducing them to celebrated artists in a fun way. The works on view, in many different artistic styles

Toddler Time. Leventhal-Sidman Jewish Community Center 333 Nahanton St., Newton. Thursdays, 10 – 11 a.m. Ages 18 months – 3 years with adult. Facilitated, toddler-friendly activities and social time in a nurturing and stimulating environment. $8 drop in but call to confirm before attending any group listed in the bsp calendar as things can and do change. 617-558-6522.

16FRIDAY Boston Flower & Garden Show. Seaport World Trade Center, Boston. March 14 – 18. A$20, C (6-17) $10, C under 6 FREE. masshort.org/Bloomsand-the-Boston-Flower-&-Garden-Show. Pajamas Party (Under 3 years old). Boston Children’s Museum. 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. Toddlers, wear your pajamas to the Museum! Enjoy a fun-filled circle time with games and songs, and end the night with sleep time stories. Older siblings are welcome to participate, and take the important role as the teacher’s assistant! A$12, C (1-15) $12, Under 1 FREE. bostonkids.org. Tea & Sweets. The Concord Museum. Every Friday and Saturday afternoon through March 31st. Seatings at 1:30 and 3 p.m. This winter, invite a friend, neighbor or family member to elegant Brooke Hall at the Concord Museum for a relaxing afternoon of tea

Children’s Consignment Sales Quality name-brand, gently used kid’s clothing, toys, baby equipment, nursery furniture, sports equipment & mom’s accessories up to 90% below retail! WHERE: Northbridge High School, 427 Linwood Ave., Whitinsville WHEN: &RIDAY !PRIL TH s AM PM 3ATURDAY !PRIL ST s AM PM 3UNDAY !PRIL ND s AM PM 50% OFF Sale All Sales Final

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OH,THEPLACESYOU’LLGO and sweets and a visit to the Museum’s history and decorative arts galleries. Sweets are provided by some of the wonderful artisan bakeries in Greater Boston, all of whom are dedicated to their craft of fine baking. Tea served with the jewel-like, handmade, silken tea infusers crafted by Tea FortÊ of Concord makes the afternoon experience a memorable one. $20pp, includes admission. Reservations: 978-369-9763, concordmuseum. Paradise City Arts Festival. Marlborough. March 16 – 18. paradisecityarts.com. Consign My Closet Spring Sale. Old Borders Book, Solomon Pond Mall, Marlboro. March 15 – 18. consignmycloset.com.

Consign My Closet Spring Sale. Old Borders Book, Solomon Pond Mall, Marlboro. March 15 – 18. consignmycloset.com. Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. Newport, RI. The parade begins at 11 a.m. at City Hall, runs through Washington Square, down Thames Street and ends at St. Augustine’s Church. 401-845-9123, newportirish. com FREE Lucky Shamrock Rainbow Ribbon Craft for Ages 3+. Lakeshore Learning, Newton and Saugus. New craft every Saturday from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. LakeshoreLearning.com/FreeCrafts4Kids. Plimoth Plantation Opening Day. Plymouth. 8:30 & 10:30 a.m. Ewe and the kids are invited to

Friday, March 23, interpreters at the ship will interpret the last seven days of the year 1620, as they were kept aboard the original Mayflower. These were the crucial days when Massasoit arrived and a treaty was agreed upon, providing the new colony with security and valuable assistance that would last into the years to come. A$10, C $7. 508-746-1622, plimoth.org. Massachusetts Down Syndrome Conference. DCU Center, Worcester. This annual conference offers parents, family members and professionals information and workshops about how to help individuals with Down syndrome acquire skills to lead fuller, healthier, more independent lives. 781-2210024, mdsc@mdsc.org.

17SATURDAY

photo courtesy of chelmsford mothers’ club

South Boston, St. Patrick’s Parade. Please confirm before attending. southbostonparade.org.

It’s bargain month! Visit kidstagsale.com, consignmycloset.com and outfitthekids.com for upcoming sale information.

Boston Flower & Garden Show. Seaport World Trade Center, Boston. March 14 – 18. A$20, C (6-17) $10, C under 6 FREE. masshort.org/Bloomsand-the-Boston-Flower-&-Garden-Show.

join Museum staff for the annual salute to spring with a celebratory walk and “Rare Breeds Animal Parade� from the Henry Hornblower II Visitor Center to the 17th Century English Village at 10:30am. Celebrate the morning with a farm-fresh breakfast as well from 8:30-10 a.m. Plimoth Plantation only: A$25.50, C (6-12) $15, C under 5 FREE. plimoth.org. Opening Day at the Mayflower II. State Pier - Plymouth Harbor. For the second time (since 1620) the “Old� (Julian) Calendar will be in effect in Plymouth Harbor. From Saturday, March 17 through

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24 MARCH2012

Boston Flower & Garden Show. Seaport World Trade Center, Boston. March 14 – 18. A$20, C (6-17) $10, C under 6 FREE. masshort.org/Bloomsand-the-Boston-Flower-&-Garden-Show.

Consign My Closet Spring Sale. Old Borders Book, Solomon Pond Mall, Marlboro. March 15 – 18. consignmycloset.com.

Joseph and the Amazing TechnicolorŽ Dreamcoat. Arlington Children’s Theatre at the Regent Theatre, Arlington. March 15- 18. Various times. Set to an engaging cornucopia of musical styles, from country & western and calypso to bubble-gum pop and rock ‘n’ roll, this Old Testament tale emerges both timely and timeless. $15pp. act.arlington.ma.us/ shows/

Themselves. JFK Library & Museum, Dorchester. 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. A young girl leaves home in Ireland to seek a new life in America. What forced her to leave behind family and friends? What did she find in America? Find out in this musical tale filled with traditional Irish songs, music and dance. A$12, C (13-17) $9, C 12 and under free. jfklibrary.org.

Magic Show with Rupayan Neogy. The Discovery Museums, Acton. It’s 12 p.m. at the Science Discovery Museum. Local young magician Rupayan Neogy shares a variety of tricks, he will confound and amaze in an interactive performance geared toward family audiences. FETCH!™ Tempest in a Teacup follows from 1 – 4 p.m. You won’t believe the wild chemical reactions you can create in a cup! A $12, C (13-17) $9, C (12 and under) free. discoverymuseums.org.

Open House. Oak Meadow Montessori School, 2 Old Pickard Lane, Littleton. 1 – 3 p.m. 978-486-9874, oakmeadow.org.

Messy Masterpiece: Noodle Mania. Children’s Discovery Museum, Acton. Celebrate National Noodle Month and St. Patrick’s Day as you use a variety of green pasta to create a stupendous sculpture or creative collage. Also visit SMART Gals Do Brain Science at the Science Discovery Museum. Drop in 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. as you celebrate Brain Awareness Week with Harvard University neuroscientists. A $12, C (13-17) $9, C (12 and under) free.. discoverymuseums.org.

Bugworks. Boston Children’s Museum. 1 – 3 p.m. Meet a millipede or maybe a mantis while you investigate these invertebrates. A$12, C (1-15) $12, Under 1 FREE. bostonkids.org.

nosaur mascot of The Discovery Museums. She’s loves to give high-fives and hugs! *Bessie is a costumed museum staff member. A $12, C (13-17) $9, C (12 and under) free. discoverymuseums.org.

18SUNDAY Annual Abington St. Patrick’s Parade & Celebration. Jack Bailey, owner of Eddie Bailey’s Garage is proud to be the driving force behind the Abington St. Patrick’s Parade. Please confirm before attending. eddiebaileysgarage.com/gpage.html. Meet Bessie the Dinosaur! Children’s Discovery Museum, Acton. 10 and 11 a.m. Meet Bessie, the di-

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19MONDAY FREE Drop-In Playgroup for Mobile Babies (up to age 3). Isis Maternity, Arlington. 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. $8/family for non-Members. Isisparenting.com. Toddler Open Swim. Charles Gardner Lane, Woburn. Weekly Mondays, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. until April 30. You can bring your own float or toys are use the many we have available. Lifeguard is on duty ! If your child can swim and touch(3 feet) you do not have to go in the water with them but an adult must be present at all times. $3pp. 781-935-3777, positive-place.org.

20TUESDAY Taste of Nashoba. Lawrence Academy, Groton. 5:30 – 8 p.m. Sample wares from 35+ vendors’ tables. 978-772-6976 continued on page 64

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LORETTA LAROCHE PRODUCTIONS AND

baystateparent PRESENT

HE SAID SHE SAID

Battle of the Sexes A NIGHT OF COMEDY

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2012 7:00 baystateparent SOCIAL HOUR n in y as see le r u H e Christin tateparent bays

Meet baystateparent’s Dirty Laundry Columnists Christine Hurley & Steven Rich with Raffles*, Concessions and More!

8:00 SHOWTIME • TICKETS $22. - $32.

Steven R ich a baystat s seen in eparent

To Purchase tickets, go to TheHanoverTheatre.org or call 877.571.SHOW (7469).

Host Chris Zito

Paul D’Angelo

Jane Condon

Joe Yannetty

Enjoy an evening of improv as comedians relentlessly illustrate the “He said/She said” of relationships. With their irreverent viewpoints and no-holds-barred approach, these comedians will be saying everything you tell your kids not to say, right on stage. Hosted by Mr. Chris Zito, he is ready to reve these guys up and entangle them in their own words! It will be your job to decide who has won the battle of the sexes on March 29. *Proceeds from Raffle to benefit Birthday Wishes

2 Southbridge Street, Worcester, MA 01608 26 MARCH2012

RAFFLES INCLUDE: baystateparent michelle carr

DIRTYLAUNDRY

with Stephen Rich

THE BRAT CAFE

• 1/2 Page Ad in baystateparent $875 • Music Worcester presents 4 Orchestra Tickets to The Moscow Festival Ballet Performing Cinderella at The Hanover $200 • A Children’s Party at Zoinks’ Fun Factory, North Oxford $200 • Lunch for 4 on the Spirit of Boston $180 • Exhale Spa Treatment, Boston $150 • 2 YWCA, 6-Week Memberships $138 • Portrait Simple Sitting and 6 Sheets of Photos $135 • 4 Tickets to Jack Hanna at The Hanover Theater $128 • Melissa and Doug Wooden Doll Bed AND High Chair Donated by Cutie Patutie $125 • Gift Certificates to Wicked Good Cookies, Boylston $100

• Mt. Wachusett Cow Card $100 • Anna’s Taqueria Restaurant, Boston $100 • 4 Pk New England Aquariaum $92 • Family Membership to Worcester Art Museum $80 • 4 Pk Zoo New England (Franklin Park or Stone Zoo) $64 • 4 Pk Peabody Essex Museum $60 • Gift Certificate to Aura Restaurant, Boston $50 • 4 Tickets of your choice to the North Shore Music Theatre Summer Series $48 • 4 Pk Mashantucket Pequot Museum, CT $45 • 4 Pk to Ecotarium $44 • 2 Tickets Live at Sunset: Jazz, Blues and More Outside at the Ecotarium $36 • 4 Pk Fitchburg Art Museum $28

AND MUCH MORE! *Proceeds from Raffle to benefit Birthday Wishes

I’m old school. I think in order to have successful kids (that’s code for I want them to move out) you have to provide a good breakfast and lunch. So every morning I start my day by making a whole bunch of noise in the kitchen (just to wake my bride up) and God love her, Big Mama shows up and says the same thing, “What is all that noise?” I laugh because I basically take out a hammer and hit a pan over and over again. Hey, it took two to make the kids; it takes two to feed them! Recently, as we made lunches on our dirty counter, I could not believe what I heard coming out of my mouth. I said, “Does Taybor want crackers with his Brie?” It was like I watched the words leave my mouth in slow motion as they wafted across the kitchen to Big Mama’s ears. It was in that moment that I began to realize, we have a problem Houston. When I was 10, I thought Brie was an exotic name for a girl on TV. Freaking Brie cheese for my 10-year-old? I only recently found out what this cheese was because we couldn’t afford to serve it at our wedding. Are you kidding me? Is he going to polo lessons afterward? Hell, when I got lunch, it was a peanut butter sandwich. The bread was not only stale, but it was the heal, and it was all ripped because my mom bought cement disguised as peanut butter from Building 19. And here I am running a high-end café, cranking out chicken Caesar salad on whole wheat wraps, grilled cheddar cheese, ham, egg and Fontina cheese on a croissant, probiotic drinks, kiwi slices to their liking. Plus, we make sure each brat gets it the way they liked it: some like apples peeled, some like them sliced, some like us to hold the cheese on the side. You can’t even walk into a restaurant and order a peeled apple, but you can at the Brat Cafe! So here comes the kicker: As I went through the lunch bags after school one day, I saw wrappers for Hostess cupcakes, chocolate pudding, basically nothing I packed. So after an hour of individual

interrogation (water boarding), I found that everyone trades up the food that we take hours buying, preparing, slicing or peeling. I said, “I’m done! The Brat Café is shut down. You’re making your own lunches and your own breakfast.” I could not believe what happened the next morning: all kids working in harmony like The Von Trapp family! They had two separate stations going: there was the mixing station that had the sworn enemies, Rookie Snookie and Fruit fly, with two boxes of Aunt Jemima, one box opened and spilled all over the table and floor; the other box was being mixed. One kid held the bowl as the other mixed with a mini Boston Bruins hockey stick. They even mashed up egg shells in the batter for protein! At the other station, I saw the “nun” and the “know-it-all” working the griddle as they put a gallon-sized Zip-lock baggy full of chocolate chips on each pancake. It was at that point I looked at Big Mama and announced the re-opening of the Brat Café. Dirty Laundry columnist Stephen Rich is a Plymouth father of four. This monthly humor column is about day-to-day life raising kids. Basically it’s about not being afraid to air out the “dirty laundry” and say it like it is, making the rest of us not feel so alone. To book comedian Stephen Rich, contact Dawn Christensen at Loretta LaRoche Productions: Dawn@lorettalarocheproductions.com or 508-746-3998 x 15.

Meet Stephen Rich at baystateparent’s Comedy Night: March 29th hanover.org BAYSTATEPARENT 27

UNIMPORTANTPLEASURESWITH

Love for Lavender ecently, I spent a wonderful afternoon with Nancy Engel from The Sunny Window in Southborough, learning all about the wonderful unimportant pleasures of “lavender.” Nancy has traveled all around the globe. While in France, she was trained as a medical aroma therapist under the direction of Dr. Daniel Penoel, a world-wide expert in aromatherapy. She periodically returns there to work in the lavender fields during harvest time, where her love for the plant started. Using only pure lavender oil, she introduced me to the many healing properties of the plant. Nancy opened my mini lesson by teaching me to discriminate between the many natural oils available in the market. Of first importance is to carefully read the labels. Every bottle of pure lavender oil should list its Latin name, the country of origin and the methods used to gather the oil. It should also come in a dark bottle which protects the oil from the deteriorating effects of light. And one should not forget that what our skin absorbs eventually makes its way to the bloodstream, making it wise to us only the purest oils.

R

Relaxation for Children and Pets One of the benefits of lavender is its ability to promote sleep through relaxation. Nancy recommends putting a few drops of lavender oil on your chest or nose and breathe deeply. The Swiss make a spray mist of lavender that children in Switzerland call “magic spray.” Sprayed just before bedtime, it is a gentle reminder that the day is over. To further promote relaxation you can 28 MARCH2012

try adding a few drops on your children’s feet just before bedtime. You can also add a small lavender pillow that will exude a soothing aroma as they drift off to sleep. Even our canine friends can benefit from a few drops of oil rubbed into their fur. Try rubbing some into a puppy’s fur to calm him down. But remember that a cat’s sense of smell may be too sensitive to enjoy the pleasures of lavender.

individual can go a long way towards healing the heart, mind and soul. The massage oil will also fill the room with a wonderful scent.

In the Kitchen For years lavender has been used as a culinary herb. There are numerous cookbooks and recipes that include lavender as a key ingredient. An exotic delicacy you may want to try is Lavender Goat Cheese. Start with one log of goat cheese and 1 tsp. of ground lavender. Mix with ¼ cup of olive oil. Pour the mixture over the goat cheese and allow it to marinate in the refrigerator for up to two days, after which you and your friends can enjoy this specialty as a spread on bread or crackers. The leftover cheese crumbs can be salvaged to put on tomorrow’s salad.

Housekeeping Healing Properties You may want to keep some lavendar in your kitchen in case of emergencies as lavender has many soothing properties that promotes healing. Medicinally, lavender can be applied to bee stings to reduce swelling and relieve pain. Lavender oil is also good for burns. Lavender can stimulate cells to regenerate faster, in order to heal wounds. For cuts, you may apply a few drops of oil directly to the wound for quicker healing.

Nurturing For that friend or family member in the hospital or nursing home, try mixing a few drops of lavender oil with jojoba oil and gently rub into their fingers and palm. The touch and the intention of a caring

Today’s dryer sheets are often filled with chemicals that most of can’t pronounce and would rather not have near our bodies. Why not fill muslin bags with lavender flowers mixed with a few drops of their essential oil? Lavender laundry bags make it a joy to fold the laundry! Everything you will need to make your own laundry bags can be found at Nancy’s site sunnywindow.com. Want more? You can visit Nancy this month at the Boston Flower show where she can further educate you about the versatile quality of lavender and purchase some of her wonderful products for yourself. Nancy will be speaking about lavender on March 17th, 11:00 a.m. on the main stage of the flower show. About Christine and Faye Christine Guanipa and Faye Hurley are a mother-daughter team from the suburbs of Massachusetts schooled in the fine arts and with

an insatiable love for DIY (do-it-yourself) design, fine arts, unnecessary shopping, flea market finds, accessories, and of course coffee and chocolate! Together, they bring a monthly taste of simple pleasures that are often overlooked, mostly unnecessary, but always inspiring.

h

BABY! THE BABY: Every Family Has One THROW A GENDER REVEAL PARTY HEAL YOUR BIRTH TEARS AN EXTRAORDINARY GIFT WELCOME SUNSHINE: Sip ‘N’ See BRINGING HOME BABY #2

www.crabapplephotography.com

32 35 36 38 41 43

BAYSTATEPARENT 29

OHBABY

While you're busy at work, your child is busy at PLA Y !

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Independence • Creativity • Self-Discipline • Confidence • Academic Excellence Join SMS in celebrating Montessori Education Week the week of March 5, 2012! Open House on March 6, 2012 from 5:30-6:30pm at both campuses. Michael Duffy and Montessori Math on March 8, 2012 from 7:00-8:30pm at St. John’s High School, 378 Main Street, Shrewsbury, MA Both are open to the public!

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OHBABY

The Baby, EVERY FAMILY HAS ONE BY

beverly lessard

No matter how young or how old your children are, every family has a baby. It’s simply a fact of life. “I don’t know,” my daughter sighed as 2-year-old Jesse slammed his body against hers, screaming out of frustration as he tried to produce real tears. “Is he whiney because he’s the baby or is he the baby because he’s whiney?” I laughed because that’s what grammas do. It isn’t our place to answer such loaded questions even if we had the answers. The truth is that every family has a baby and all babies share certain characteristics with good reason. For example, when our baby was born, everyone doted on her including her two older sisters. As a result, two things happened. One, the two older sisters became very independent while I was taking care of the baby. And two, my husband, my daughters and I did everything in our power to keep the baby happy so she wouldn’t cry, scream or worse. Creating a “baby” doesn’t happen because of one person’s actions. It happens because ev-

32 MARCH2012

OHBABY

eryone works together to create a human being who understands that all she has to do is whine or cry and we will give her our last cookie, take her outside or empty our bank account into hers. We don’t want fair, we just want quiet. On the other hand, babies acquire many admirable qualities as adults. Did you know that babies make great bosses? As it turns out, they are excellent delegators. Makes sense, right! They have lived their lives expecting those around them to help. As adults they simply continue to tell others what to do and when. It isn’t in their nature to worry about whether or not they are dividing the jobs up equally or fairly just as long as everything gets done. And whining‌babies have that perfected. Even as adults, I’ve seen bosses throw tantrums that would make a 2-year-old blush. My husband had a boss who banged his shoe on the table and yelled at his staff. I can only assume that his 6 foot, 200 pound boss was somebody’s baby. But to be fair, understanding the characteristics of children who are the babies of the family means looking at what they had to put up with being the youngest and always the youngest. As a child, they could never do what the older children could do, physically or otherwise. They couldn’t play the same games or play with the same toys. They couldn’t stay up as late or go to school

Did you know that babies make great bosses? As it turns out, they are excellent delegators. as early. They were the last ones to get their driver’s licenses, to get married and to have their own babies. They were always last and probably often felt that they were even forgotten at times. But, wait, babies, you weren’t; in fact, that kind of thinking couldn’t be any further from the truth. The truth is‌ you babies are special. You are the ones parents hold onto the

longest because once you are grown up and move out, we are no longer parents. Sure, we are always parents but once you grow up and join your siblings in creating your own families, there is no one left for us to tell it’s nine o’clock and time to go to bed. So, enjoy your station in life. It’s a sweet one. And remember that even

when you are old and gray with your memory starting to fail, you are still someone’s baby‌someone who loves you as much as they did the day you were born. Beverly Lessard of Stow, the author of the book, Relentlessly Upbeat, can be reached at bvrlylessard@ aol.com. Her book is available at amazon.com. One

reviewer says, “Beverly has taken many of her very popular weekly newspaper columns and put them in one delightful book. You will enjoy reading funny snapshots of Bev's life as a wife, grandmother and friend..and perhaps reflect a bit on life as well. A perfect gift to give yourself and friends!�

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OHBABY

Throw a Gender Reveal Party IT’S NOT THE ICING ON THE CAKE THAT MATTERS; IT’S WHAT’S INSIDE THAT COUNTS AT A GENDER REVEAL PARTY. BY

photo courtesy of heather sacco

carrie wattu

Heather Sacco and her family had a lot to celebrate on Sunday, February 12, 2011 in their Maynard home: Valentine’s Day, the birthdays of her father and father-inlaw and the big reveal of what gender Heather’s second baby would be. Heather, who works as a kindergarten teacher in Marlborough, got the idea to throw a gender reveal party for her family and friends after a coworker told her about a Cake Boss episode she had seen on this trend. The idea is to present a cake decorated with unisex trimmings but dye the inside pink or blue so that when the dessert is cut, guests get a sweet surprise.

While Heather and her husband opted to find out the sex of their baby before the party, some couples ask the ultrasound technician to write the sex down on a piece of paper and seal it in an envelope. They deliver the envelope to a bakery and ask the cake artists to dye the inside of the cake accordingly so that everyone, including the mom and dad, can be surprised at the reveal. Enlisting the help of her coworker and friend, Suzanne Garcia, a local “Cake Boss” herself, Heather requested a cake shaped like a gift with an edible bow. She decorated the table with pink and blue pacifiers and mints as well as the framed ultrasound picture.

If you are planning to host a reveal party to announce the sex of your baby-to-be, some other ideas to consider include: • Encourage guests to wear pink or blue depending on their predictions.

• Fill a box with pink or blue helium balloons and have the grandparents or baby’s siblings remove the top. • Choose a boy and girl outfit at your favorite store but hand the ultrasound results to the cashier so that you only buy the appropriate outfit. Bring a unisex bag and tissue paper for the cashier to “hide” the secret. • Encourage guests to cast their votes for boy or girl at the party. The winning team gets some kind of prize. If you opt to share the news with dessert, you’ll find that cutting cake was never so much fun. Heather’s guests were delighted to see that the cake was blue. Heather’s son, Anthony Sacco, age 2 ½ , is going to get a little brother. Best wishes to all!

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OHBABY

HEAL YOUR

H T R I B ARS E T

Nancy Wainer, a renowned local midwife, helps women to heal from disappointing and traumatic birth experiences. BY

It’s been over a decade since my firstborn daughter made a mother out of me, and at this exact moment I can close my eyes and transport myself back to the 6th floor of the hospital. Without thinking, I can describe the furniture, the weather, the maddening sensation of my too-fuzzy slippers and how they kept slipping off my feet. I remember that my nurse’s name was Eileen and that she stayed an hour past her shift to hold my hand while I pushed my baby out, strong and healthy, into the unassuming beauty of a rainy spring day. The stories of our babies’ births are that deeply engrained in us. For all the things your mind chooses to ignore or forget over time, those stories of when you gave birth are like an open book just ready to fall off the shelf, never far from the conscious mind. Over the course of the 36 MARCH2012

amanda roberge, georgia wilde illustrator

rest of our lives, we can rapidly recall the scents, visual experiences, emotions and timelines of those days and hours leading up to the birth. For some women, that the story isn’t a joyful one or that it lacks the happy ending of a healthy baby, does not diminish the power of its telling. In fact, says Nancy Wainer, it is those women who need to share their stories the most. “Many women suffer feelings of tremendous disappointment after a birth,” she says from her Westwood home, her home base and also the locale for her upcoming “Heal Your Birth Tears” Workshop on June 1 -3, 2012. The weekend-long event is just one on a growing list of gatherings that has been – for decades – the very lifeblood of her work with women. “Women can harbor intense feelings of betrayal, confusion

and frustration when they replay their birth story, and it changes them.” Nancy Wainer is something of a legend in Massachusetts and beyond. As an author of Silent Knife and Open Season – two books that address the topic of cesarean birth prevention – who is currently working on her third book Birthquake, the renowned midwife has helped thousands of babies into the world, without the aidof a surgeon. She is credited with coining the term VBAC – vaginal birth after cesarean – and in her 20-plus-year career as a birth educator, midwife and advocate she has mentored, assisted and attended births for tens of thousands of women collectively. She, too, can recall each story. From the uncomplicated “normal” births to the triumphant home-VBACs that she delights in helping women through, she is

a cheerleader and guru for women – many of whom have had to endure unnecessary surgeries to have their babies cut from their bodies – as they start to recognize how powerful they truly are. Nancy is someone, they say, who understands. “When I had my first child I was delighted to be a mother, of course,” she says, “but even as he was being cut out of my body I know that it could have been prevented. I was furious, and sad.” Like many women who undergo a Cesarean section – according to a 2008 study published by The Boston Globe, approximately one-third of babies are born via C-section in Massachusetts – those who attend Wainer’s workshops are looking for a way to move on from the experience, and to find a way to heal from it so that they can go on to have a more positive birth experience in the future.

OHBABY Wainer offers the women a spiritually and emotionally safe environment where women can connect with each other as they process and grieve and share. “Many times in the early days when I first began offering these weekend workshops at my home, I would head off to bed and I would hear the women talking well into the night,� she says, adding that she now holds the very same workshop all over the country. “It’s amazing what women get from each other in terms of healing.� But for as much as the women who attend Wainer’s workshops get from each other, it is her help and guidance that they remember most. Jenny Griebenow contacted Wainer after a difficult and traumatic birth, and their correspondence led her, ultimately, to attend one of the healing workshops. “I had read her book Silent Knife after my cesarean in 1995 and called her partly out of desperation to talk to someone who would understand how I felt,� Griebenow says, one of many who offers the sentiment that Nancy has changed her mindset, her perspective and in some small ways, her heart. They say she gave them their lives back, and that she transformed them. They say that without the workshop, they would never have willingly and knowingly entered into the scary world of pregnancy and birth again. It’s a wonder that all of their VBAC babies aren’t named Nancy, frankly, given the vigor and depth of their praise. Joyce Kimball is a Worcester-area Certified Professional Midwife who has been inspired by Wainer’s work over the years. She was traumatized, she says, by her son’s birth in 1995 and was able to finally, three years after the experience, attend one of Wainer’s healing workshops. “It was a profound workshop. The exercises, writing, talking, reframing, crying and feeling I did at the workshop was a healing experience for me,� she says. “I didn’t think that I would have any more children after my son was born but after attending

Nancy’s workshop, I was able to process my first birth experience and open up to the possibility of a second labor, birth and baby.� According to Wainer, her workshops allow anger to be respected, grief to be validated and questions to be answered – a recipe for healing that many women find to be deeply restorative. It’s hard to admit and yet harder to deny: we live in a time when scheduling your baby’s birth (via planned C-section) is as easy as scheduling a hair appointment. Despite the fact that in 2004 the Academy of Gynecology and Obstetrics modified their guidelines to include doctors to encourage VBACs in a medically responsive institution, very few, if any, Massachusetts obstetricians will perform the procedure. With Cesarean rates rising steadily to a jaw-dropping 31.7 percent of all births from less than 5 percent in the early 1970s, many midwives – with Nancy at the forefront of the movement – wonder how we got here, why we stay here and when women are going to take back their power when it comes to their decisions and how and where to birth their babies. Even the US Department of Health and Human Services’ Healthy People 2020 initiative includes reducing the Cesarean rate and increasing the VBAC rate in their objectives. “Most of what I do now, in my speaking engagements my writing, is to warn women about the pitfalls and hazards of medical interventions,� she says. “I try to empower women to avoid these dangers and to select good care providers.� For more information on Heal your Birth Tears, visit healyourbirthtears.blogspot. com/p/venue.html. Amanda Roberge is a freelance writer and mother of three girls who muses online at ConfessionsofaCurvyGirl.com.

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OHBABY

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MEGHAN (L), BRADY (C) AND DIANE (R)

38 MARCH2012

carrie wattu, steven king photography

eghan Hukowicz-Zoll never thought she would have a career, a husband or a child. In fact, Meghan never thought she’d live to age 30. Yet today, the petite and effervescent 36-year-old is singing ABCs to her beautiful 6-month-old son Brady, whose elated face gives it all away: His mom is amazing!

Meghan’s journey to motherhood actually begins over 30 years ago in the small Western Massachusetts town of Hadley. It was there that Meghan peeked around some bushes in a neighbor’s yard and won the hearts of the Kieras family, who soon “adopted” their inquisitive neighbor as their honorary fourth daughter and sister. Meghan, an only child, played “house” in the back field with the Kieras girls, Diane, Linda and Lori, by pushing down the cover crop and making “rooms.” The four orchestrated plays and recorded them on their video recorder. They swam in Meghan’s pool, took the paddle boat out at the Kieras’ lake house and went for long bike rides. The girls also shared dreams for the future, but Meghan’s dreams had a time line that set her apart from her friends, friends who referred to one another as “sisters by heart, not by blood.” At five weeks old, Meghan was diagnosed with the life-threatening genetic disease, cystic fibrosis (CF), which causes mucus to build up and clog some of the organs in the body, particularly the lungs and pancreas. Meghan grew up knowing that there is no cure for CF and that the median predicted age of survival was in the mid-30s, a statistic that became all too real when both her aunt and uncle died of CF in their 40s. Meghan, however, lightheartedly referred to the hospital treatments she began to receive in junior high as “getting tuned up” or “cleaned out.” Through the years, Meghan stayed strong, keeping active and focusing on sports and health. She looked to her “big sister” Diane as a role model. After college, Meghan spent her time enjoying life and moved to Newton to experience the city. “I goofed off and had fun,” she says, until 2004 when Long Island native, Frank Zoll, walked into Porter Belly’s Pub in Brighton, and the two hit it off. “When I met Frank, I decided to get my act together,” says Meghan. The two married in 2007 when Meghan was 31. And it was on their wedding day that Diane, with the support of her husband, David Ciolkos, offered a selfless gift to the new couple: She offered to carry their child. Diane knew the toll that a pregnancy would take on Meghan’s body. It wasn’t the first time Diane had extended this extraordinary gift to Meghan. “She offered at least ten times over a period of years,” says Meghan, who also credits Diane’s mother, Lorraine, for being a driving force behind the idea. But despite Meghan and Diane’s close relationship, Meghan wasn’t sure she could put a friend she loved in that position.

All Four Agreed Meghan and Frank settled in a cute cape in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, and Frank began to build his home-based winery, Zoll Cellars. They also began to explore their options for having a child. When it was confirmed by specialists that pregnancy would compromise Meghan’s health, they turned to the person they trusted and admired, Diane. Diane was already a wonderful mother of two children, Kiera, age 11, and Christian, age 9. She had enjoyed her pregnancies, was health conscious and regarded Meghan and Frank as Aunt and Uncle in her children’s lives. “We

We Have Some News for You

Despite the fact that her husband says administering daily needles was emotionally difficult, Diane and Meghan say that Dave was phenomenal and one of the unsung heroes of their story. Meghan’s eggs were retrieved and fertilized with Frank’s sperm at RCS, and two embryos were placed into Diane’s uterus. Frank was in the warm, small room for the procedure. “We watched it on TV!” he says. The Zolls even have a photo of

the call first but were thrilled to hear that they were pregnant after “just” one round of In Vitro! Pregnant again at 40, Diane decided to have some fun, teasing people in her small town that she was pregnant and it was not Dave’s baby. After hearing the full story, people often cried and asked her for a hug. In order for Diane to carry an embryo Some, however, did not understand how comprised of Frank’s sperm and Meghan’s Diane could give the baby to Meghan and egg, the two friends needed to align their Frank. “Because it was her egg and his sperm there was never a question of whether this baby was going to be with its parents,” says Diane. “I served as a little warming station, an incubator. I cannot fathom that people would not understand giving the baby to them.” The hearts of Diane’s children, then ages 9 ½ and 4 ½, understood. They learned of their mother’s pregnancy during a snow storm sitting around their dining room table with their parents and Meghan and Frank by their side. “We have some news for you,” said Diane. “Cioci Meghan and Uncle Frank are having a baby but something very different is happening. The baby is in Mommy’s Brady's Baptism Day: (L to R) Meghan Horowicz-Zoll, Frank Zoll and Brady Zoll with Godparents belly.” David and Diane Ciolkos and "cousins," Kiera and Christian Ciolkos The couples read a book they had the embryos before they were implanted. received at RSC, The Kangaroo Pouch, menstrual cycles via birth control pills. During the 14-day waiting period, which explains gestastional surrogacy to Diane had to inject Lupron daily into her Diane continued to pray a lot and had young children. Sharing the news with belly with a thin needle for four weeks to Reiki by her cousin, Michele. “I put Holy her children was one of the highlights of suppress ovulation and then “fake” her Water that my grandparents got from Diane’s surrogacy experience. “We have body into being pregnant by having her Medjugorje on my belly, over my heart always been a family of faith, a family who husband inject progesterone deep into and on my forehead.” is close and has done things together,” says her muscle every day for 10 weeks with a Both women can’t remember who got Diane. larger and longer needle.

BAYSTATEPARENT 39

OHBABY

have very similar values,” says Meghan. “Everything she does is to enrich her family,” says Frank. It was now Diane’s turn to receive a gift, the gift of being chosen to carry her best friend’s baby. “It was an honor,” she says. “We all talked together,” says Frank, “and for a year we looked into it [surrogacy].” Unfortunately, the Zolls had to come up with $20,000 - $25,000 for surrogacy lawyers and medical treatments which forced them to put their dream on hold while they saved. Not only did the Zolls save half of what they needed, but their insurance changed in their favor as well. “We had no disagreements. Period,” says Diane. “Right down to issues about what to do if something happened. All four of us agreed that it’s my life first if complications occurred as I already had a family. Meghan was adamant about that.” The couples underwent required counseling at The Reproductive Science Center of New England (RSC) in Lexington. “This wasn’t just something we said ‘Hey, let’s just do this.’ The RSC could have rejected me as a surrogate. They do a lengthy analysis. We had to be accepted,” says Diane. Throughout this process, and all that was to come, the couples agree that the most challenging part of the entire experience was the difficulty they experienced working with insurance companies. Thanks to the support of each other as well as loved ones, they persevered. Meghan says, “My mom thought it was the most beautiful thing ever. No one could believe that Diane was doing this for us.”

OHBABY

Brady Day Meghan and Frank chose the name Brady for the baby boy they were to meet on August 5, 2011 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton. Diane’s labor was induced with Pitocin at 6:30 a.m. Throughout the day, Meghan says that Diane was her usual brave and optimistic self. “She had a really good attitude and

cracked jokes despite being in pain.” However, Diane had not dilated enough. At 4 p.m. the doctor suggested they either break Diane’s water or start over the next day. They needed to inform the doctor of their decision by 5 p.m. Diane left the decision up to Meghan and Frank. The two decided that they would stop and start the process the next day. At about 4:45 pm, they stopped the Pitocin drip and Diane’s mother and children arrived at the hospital to see if there was any news. This appeared to be all it would take for Brady “to give Diane a swift kick.” Diane’s water

Because it takes expert care to deliver a miracle

Bringing miracles to life is our passion at the LaChance Maternity Center at Heywood Hospital. Our expert team of physicians, nurses and doulas, provide personalized attention in a state-of-the-art environment that promotes a tranquil and natural birthing experience, resulting in the lowest caesarean birth rate in the state. And our specialty services – from our post-birth celebration dinner to our rejuvenating spa treatments including relaxing whirlpool hydrotherapy, post-partum massage therapy, music therapy and aromatherapy – will leave you feeling just heavenly. To find out more about the services offered at the LaChance Maternity Center please visit www.heywood.org. To register for a Childbirth Class or schedule a tour of the LaChance Maternity Center please call (978) 630-6216.

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40 MARCH2012

broke. Everyone in the room heard this on the monitor and was awed. Diane quickly dilated to 10 cm and was ready to push. With Meghan holding her left leg, her husband, Dave, holding her right, and Frank at her shoulders, Diane had so much love, encouragement and support surrounding her. Diane delivered Brady at 7:42 p.m. “It was beautiful but scary because the cord was wrapped around his neck,” says Meghan. After his recovery, Meghan says the room was flooded with loved ones coming to celebrate their 8 1b. 12

oz. miracle. “Diane continued to be amazing,” says Meghan. The families shared their joy together until late that night when Meghan and Frank stayed with their new son in a private hospital room and Diane and her husband rested in their own. The next morning, Diane popped into their room wearing street clothes. “She looked fine, like nothing happened. She looked better than I did!” says Meghan. The families left the hospital - the Zolls to Shrewsbury, the Ciolkos to Hadley - only to be together two days later. Diane, her children and her mother stopped in on their way to the Vineyard to visit with Brady and help with his overnight feedings. Diane was so proud that her daughter, Kiera, wanted to take care of the 2:15 a.m. feeding and even ran out to CVS with her Uncle Frank to get some diapers at 1 a.m.! Meghan told her, “I can’t believe he’s mine. I can’t imagine what life would be without him.” Diane and Dave are Brady’s guardians and Godparents and continue to see Brady a few times every month. “My children can see what I did for a dear friend of mine. The way that they handle and accept the baby and the whole relationship has been remarkable and makes us as parents extremely proud.” Both Meghan and Frank are home to enjoy this time with their son as Frank works full-time out of their home with Zoll Cellars and Meghan, who has a background in property management, is focusing on motherhood. The proud dad points out Brady’s first tooth and smooths his hair, “I am happy to be here together to raise our child. It’s about being with him.” Brady reaches for the other baby in the house, a pug named Kayla, and laughs. On top of all the attention a baby requires, Meghan’s daily care includes taking inhale medications for about an hour, going to the gym and eating healthy. “I require a lot of maintenance,” she jokes. Meghan visits the hospital three times a year for about four to five days to receive antibiotics in a porto-cath that is surgically placed in her breast. She has to be careful. “When I get sick, I get really congested,” she says. “I was in the hospital this past January.” Because of Meghan’s condition, Diane believes that there could be skeptics who wonder, “Why are you giving someone who is sick a baby?” To this Diane responds, “Yes, Meghan has CF, which can claim a life early, but tragedies can happen to anyone at anytime.” One of Diane’s favorite quotes expresses it best: “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” Carrie Wattu is editor of baystateparent Magazine. Please read her “Welcome” on page 9 of this month’s issue for additional background on this story.

OHBABY!

Welcome, Sunshine! BY

annina hendrick, jill serrano photography

Southern Charm: Welcome a newborn by hosting a Sip ‘n’ See where guests “sip” a drink and “see” the new baby.

W

hen I first heard of the Southern tradition of a Sip ‘n’ See, I was instantly charmed. The idea is to welcome a newborn, and to “sip” a drink while you “see” the new baby. This seems ideal for a celebration honoring a second or third baby - the mother has likely already had a big shower, but still wants to introduce her little one to loved ones with a special event. For the Sunshine Sip ‘n’ See, I wanted to rethink the classic dessert table. Since my home is always sunniest in the mornings, a “brunch” dessert table worked perfectly. Lemons were a given for the food theme, as they are bright and wonderfully fresh at this time of the year. I was also able to easily find meyer lemons, which are a sweeter hybrid between a lemon and mandarin orange. I

combined breakfast items, including meyer lemon poppy seed muffins, with light desserts, such as lemon bars. The table also included lemon custard tarts, meyer lemon yogurt parfaits and lemon cranberry sticky buns. To “sip,” I substituted orange juice with lemonade and created lemonade mimosas. For this table, I chose to incorporate a song, “You are my Sunshine,” and built the table around the subway art print that I designed with the lyrics of the song. Other theme ideas can include a couple’s favorite poem, a cultural theme or a hobby they enjoy together. A Sip ‘n’ See is intended to be more intimate than a shower, since it celebrates both parents and their newest arrival. Overall, try to create something that is different, personal and memorable - and it will certainly become a cherished memory for the family.

The Sunshine Sip ‘n’ See was designed by Annina Hendrick for Enchanting Details Event Planning Whitinsville, MA. Visit enchantingdetails.com for more details.

Resources Jill Serrano Photography Dudley, MA jillserranophotography.com Sunshine Printable Kit (including subway art print, tissue paper poms, yellow ruffled tablecloth) Enchanting Details Event Planning Boutique etsy.com/shop/partyinabucket BAYSTATEPARENT 41

OHBABY

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When having a second baby, one would think that things would be relatively easier than the first time around — you’ve been through it all before, right? Well, in my case, wrong. Although my second son, just a few weeks old now, is very similar in personality to my first son as a newborn (relatively easygoing), I have found that having him is an entirely new experience. Why is that? I can change diapers in my sleep, breastfeed with ease and swaddle and soothe like a baby nurse — so why’s having two so hard? It’s a mixture of things — the guilt of decreased quality playtime with my 2-year-old, logistics of the balancing family and work and less-than-ideal effects of sleep deprivation on my handling of sudden onset tantrums and simultaneous newborn cries. I’m no expert at this by any means, but as I’m in the thick of things right now I’d like to share the following survival tips inspired by my colleague, Carole Arsenault author of The Baby Nurse Bible and founder of Boston Baby Nurse. Get Help Whether it’s asking friends and family to pitch in with errands, housework or childcare so you can recover and get some rest, or hiring someone to do any of the above, don’t hesitate to line it up ahead of time. (I personally can’t support the “just don’t worry about cleaning or laundry” advice because there’s something fundamentally taxing about a disorderly house especially when you’re sleep deprived and adjusting postpartum!) A lot of times the first week at home new parents are stocked with help but when partners go back to work by week two or three, that’s when you’ll really need the support. Give Yourself Time Plan ahead while you’re still pregnant and clear your schedule to the extent you can of obligations for at least a month after your second baby is born. It will not only take you several weeks to get into a comfortable routine and feel yourself again, but it will also take your eldest child some time to adjust to the new family dynamic. Having the added stress of work or even social engagements you’re not one

hundred percent excited about is not ideal during this period. Take Care of Yourself Yes, people dole this advice out — along with “relax and don’t stress!”—like it’s an easy thing to do. While it’s certainly not easy to concentrate on yourself postpartum with two young children and likely many other roles to fill, it is important to try. This points back to getting help— don’t ever feel like you’re asking for too much. Think asking for a glass of water and a snack every time you sit down to feed your baby, speaking up when you need someone to take over so you can nap and putting your child in front of the TV and the baby in a bouncy seat in the bathroom so you can take a shower to feel refreshed. Aside from the baseline recovery of labor, birth or c-section surgery, you need to make yourself a priority so that you can be at your best to care for your family. I didn’t think twice about diving back into my work just two weeks after having my son this time around. I thought since I work from home it would all be manageable — especially since my postpartum months with my first were so amazing. But it has truly been a struggle to balance it all and leaves me to wonder, amidst the wealth of unsolicited advice people tend to give, how does this rather trying transition (in my case) from having one child to two go relatively photo courtesy of abbey mcdonald unaddressed? Abbey McDonald is a freelance writer and editor outside of Boston. “On My Plate” is a forum for Massachusetts parents. Do you have a viewpoint you’d like to express, a story or experience you’d like to share? It can be serious, humorous, persuasive, informative...whatever you’d like to share with an audience of 100,000 parents. You don’t have to be a published writer to be considered. Please submit essays to editor@baystateparent.com for consideration.

Email: carolyn@cspringlaw.com LOOK FOR MY NEW TV SHOW, “Law For Your Life” on Westborough Cable TV. Also available online at www.westboroughtv.org.

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YMCA of Central Massachusetts Register Today - Space is Limited!

Campers will develop skills through a diverse curriculum of traditional camp activities that encourage healthy living and social responsibility. We strive to ensure that campers develop leadership skills and self-esteem, and grow personally through character-building opportunities in a structured, positive environment. For camp details contact:

Boroughs Family Branch—Alex-508 -870-1320 Central Community Branch—Rosa-508-755-6101 Greendale Family Branch—Christina-508-852-6694

(Inquire About Sibling Rates.)

Summer Programs 2012

Mention this ad, sign up for camp by April 15 and enter to win ONE FREE WEEK OF CAMP! One entry per household. Expires 4/16/12

Have A Smart Phone?

June 25 – August 10

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Register Online by March 31 and Save 10% www.bostonballet.org/school

Visit www.ymcaofcm.org Financial Assistance Available

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Official School of

Photos by Igor Burlak, Jared Redick, Sabi Varga Švargaimages, and Carolyn Rock

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Summer 2012

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Gymnastics Learning Center

“Building the Pride Inside Since 1983�

Help Your Child Learning be Healthy Center and Fit! Gymnastics UĂŠ “iĂ€ÂˆV>Â˜ĂŠ,i`ĂŠ Ă€ÂœĂƒĂƒĂŠ-ĂœÂˆÂ“ĂŠÂ?iĂƒĂƒÂœÂ˜ĂƒĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠÂ…i>ĂŒi`ĂŠÂŤÂœÂœÂ?Ăƒ UUĂŠÂş ޓÊEĂŠ-ĂœÂˆÂ“ÂťĂŠ >Â?vĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ Ă•Â?Â?ĂŠ`>ÞÊV>Â“ÂŤĂƒ UUĂŠ¸ Ă•Â˜ĂŒ>ĂƒĂŒÂˆV¸ĂŠ/Â…i“i`ĂŠ >Â“ÂŤĂŠĂœiiÂŽĂƒ UĂŠ ÂˆĂ€Â?ĂƒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ ÂœĂžĂƒĂŠ ĂžÂ“Â˜>ĂƒĂŒÂˆVĂƒĂŠ iĂƒĂƒÂœÂ˜ĂƒĂŠÂş7>Â?ÂŽiĂ€ĂƒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ1ÂŤtÂť U

508-792-1551 FREE Trial Class Fall Programs New students only

The Only Nationally Accredited Preschool in Shrewsbury!

Continuous registration for all ages and all seasons!

UĂŠ*Ă€iĂƒV…œœÂ?ĂŠ Â?>ĂƒĂƒiĂƒ UĂŠ Ă•Â?Â?‡ >ÞÊ9i>ÀÊ,ÂœĂ•Â˜`ĂŠ >Ă€i UĂŠ >Â?vĂŠ ˜`ĂŠ Ă•Â?Â?ĂŠ >ÞÊ ˆ˜`iĂ€}>Ă€ĂŒiÂ˜ĂŠ ĂŠĂŠĂŠ*Ă€Âœ}Ă€>Â“Ăƒ

UĂŠ ĂŠ ˆViÂ˜Ăƒi`ĂŠ/i>VÂ…iĂ€Ăƒ UĂŠ Ă•ĂƒÂˆVĂŠ*Ă€Âœ}Ă€>“ UĂŠ7iiÂŽÂ?ÞÊ ĂžÂ“Â˜>ĂƒĂŒÂˆVĂƒĂŠ iĂƒĂƒÂœÂ˜

508-792-3535

574 Lake Street, SÂ…Ă€iĂœĂƒLÕÀÞÊU www.gymnasticslearningcenter.com

GIVE THEM THE BEST SUMMER EVER! A day camp experience that’s out of this world!

For girls and boys ages 5 to 15

s %XCEPTIONAL STAFF UĂŠ Ă?ViÂŤĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜>Â?ĂŠĂƒĂŒ>vv s ,OTS OF CHOICE UĂŠ ÂœĂŒĂƒĂŠÂœvĂŠV…œˆVi s 3PECIALTY 0ROGRAMSˆ UĂŠ-ÂŤiVˆ>Â?ĂŒĂžĂŠ*Ă€Âœ}Ă€>Â“ĂƒpĂŠ ,ÂœLÂœĂŒÂˆVĂƒ]ĂŠ ÂˆĂ€VĂ•Ăƒ]ĂŠ Ă€>“>ĂŠĂŠ #OMPUTER 4HEATRE >˜`ĂŠÂ“ÂœĂ€i &INE !RTS AND MORE

s 3WIMMING !RTS 3PORTS UĂŠ-ĂœÂˆÂ“Â“ÂˆÂ˜}]ĂŠ Ă€ĂŒĂƒ]ĂŠ-ÂŤÂœĂ€ĂŒĂƒ]ĂŠĂŠ `Ă›iÂ˜ĂŒĂ•Ă€iĂŠ>˜`ĂŠÂ“ÂœĂ€i .ATURE AND !DVENTURE UĂŠ i˜iĂ€>Â?ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ-iÂ˜ÂˆÂœĂ€ĂŠ >Â“ÂŤĂƒ s 'ENERAL AND 3ENIOR #AMPS UĂŠ >ÞÊ/Ă€ÂˆÂŤĂŠÂŤĂ€Âœ}Ă€>Â“Ăƒ s $AY 4RIP PROGRAMS UĂŠ ÂœĂŒĂŠÂ?Ă•Â˜VÂ…iĂƒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠĂŒĂ€>Â˜ĂƒÂŤÂœĂ€ĂŒ>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ s (OT LUNCHES AND TRANSPORTATION

Summer Fenn Day Camp AT 4HE &ENN 3CHOOL IN #ONCORD -ONUMENT 3TREET s OR WWW SUMMERFENN ORG EMAIL SUMMERCAMP FENN ORG s 4O SCHEDULE A PRIVATE CAMPUS TOUR PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL US

Nobles Day Camp

Ages 3-14 years!

“Celebratin g our 65th summer!�

...more than just another day camp!

The Owl’s Nest @ Nobles Day Camp

Nobles Day Camp

{For boys and girls ages 3-5 - entering kindergarten}

A non-competitive, experiential program, based on camper choice of over 25 activites. State of the art facilities include 4 heated pools, boating on the Charles River, creative arts centers and award winning athletic fields.

{For boys and girls entering grades 1-9}

An exciting and engaging introduction to camp, emphasizing the camper’s social, artistic and physical development in age appropriate groups with a sta/camper ratio of 1:4.

10 Campus Drive, Dedham, MA 02026 • 781-320-1320 • www.noblesdaycamp.org • camp@nobles.edu

A

HiSToRy Lesson

Your Kids Will Never Forget Register before May 1 and SAVE!

Scan this code with your mobile device to watch a Discovery Adventures video.

Discovery Adventures at Old Sturbridge Village, April 16-20, June 25-August 17 Ages 6-17 48 MARCH2012

Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge, MA, 508-347-0285

Visit www.osv.org/camp

OpEn HoUsE

for children 3.5 to 12 years

Dedham Country Day Camp Sunday, April 1, 1-3pm www.dedhamcountryday.org (H@@8E].BHG;] AG8AF<I8 ]"4658G; H?L] ] ] H:HFG] ]

90 Sandy Valley Rd, Dedham, MA tel: 781-320-1832

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BAYSTATEPARENT 49

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SUMMERCAMPCOUNTDOWN

WHAT’S THE

Magic of Camp? BY

michael thompson, ph.d., jillian devereux illustrator

W

hy are people so loyal to their sleepaway camps? What exactly happens at camp that makes people rhapsodize about the experience 30 or 40 years later? Whenever I tell people that I am curious about the camp experience, the stories start to pour out. “I loved my camp,” they say in a dreamy voice. “A camp prize is better than any other award in life,” passionately declared a newspaperman at a dinner party. He had won a bunch of journalism awards. Apparently none of these trophies held the emotional power of that camp sweater that he still keeps in a drawer. What is it about the summer camp experience — just a few weeks away for perhaps two or three seasons — that goes so deep under their skin? Not many people rave about their schools or neighborhood the way they talk about camp. As a psychologist, I am curious about the mystery of camp. What’s the magic ingredient? An alum of a YMCA camp in the Berkshires insisted, “It’s the cabin chat. No other camp has the cabin chat. It’s an amazing experience.” So I traveled to that camp and sat in on one cabin chat with 11-year-old boys and another with 14-year-old girls. In the total darkness, the counselor would strike a match, light a candle and lead a discussion. By candlelight the campers would take turns talking about their day, their feelings and their thoughts on a philosophical question posed by the counselor. It was pretty powerful; in the moment it felt close to sacred. Indeed, twothirds of the counselors there told me that

they had more powerful feelings about their camp than they did about their family’s religion. Yet kids from other camps that don’t have a cabin chat every night may feel just as strongly about their camp. At a canoe-tripping camp in Ontario they tell me the secret ingredient is being out in the wilderness and paddling all day. At a general camp in Vermont they tell me it is the close relationships between staff and kids, and of course the singing in the dining hall each night. At an arts camp in Connecticut they tell me the magic is selfexpression and the freedom that each child has to choose activities. What is the magic of camp? After a whole summer of sitting in on campfires, cabin chats and dining hall singalongs; after laughing through a lot of silly campfire skits; after watching kids compete in color wars and canoeing contests and stage firstrate productions of Broadway musicals — I’m closer to an answer. First, it is absolutely magical for kids to be away from their parents. The sweetest, most satisfying moments of childhood (think back to your own life) are almost always when you are away from your parents. Why? Because as a child you see yourself constantly in the mirror of your parents’ eyes; you judge yourself by their words, their smiles, their eyebrows. You cannot escape the power of your parents’ faces and judgments. At camp, you aren’t getting any parental feedback, not for weeks at a time. What a great change! Apparently, there is a little Harry Potter in

every child, yearning to be an orphan, at least for a while. Children are suddenly free to experience themselves anew; they face challenges and accomplishments that are theirs alone — experiences that don’t have to be run through the parental cognitiveruminative-metabolic-judicial machinery. It doesn’t matter what your parents think; it belongs to you. Secondly, the relationship between campers and counselors is pure gold. The younger kids love and admire the counselors and that respect brings out the best in 19, 20 and 21-year-olds. They are at their most responsible, compassionate and loving when they are put in charge of younger children, and the younger children knock themselves out trying to impress these young demi-gods. I have seen many children hug young adults this summer and have seen the young adults hug them back with genuine protectiveness and caring. There isn’t enough mixing of halfgenerations in our world. Finally, if camps are successful, they create

a private world with its own rules and rituals and magic. Deep down, all children not only yearn to be Harry Potter, they want a Hogwarts; they want to have their own harrowing adventures with no (apparent) safety net. Suburban life and school don’t provide children with much of an arena for adventure or their imaginations. Camps have the ability to create the world that belongs only to a child and his or her friends. Now that is magic. Originally published in the September 2010 issue of Camp e-News. Reprinted by permission of the American Camp Association. ©2010 American Camping Association, Inc. Visit CampParents.org for more information. Michael Thompson, Ph.D., is the coauthor of Raising Cain. He is presently writing a book about camps and overnight school trips called Homesick and Happy and can be contacted at michaelthompson.phd@gmail.com.

Capen Hill Nature Camp Off Rte. 20, Charlton, MA 44 1-Week 1-Week Sessions Beginning Beginning July July11th 9th Ages Ages 4-12 Call or or visit visit website website to to register. register. Call

Get Back To Nature! 508-248-5516 50 MARCH2012

Capenhill.org

SUMMERCAMPCOUNTDOWN

2-7 wk. sessions June 24 - August 11

Harbor Discoveries Camps Dive in and Discover! Register now!

Visit www.neaq.org or call 617-973-5206. This camp complies with regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and is licensed by the Board of Health.

BAYSTATEPARENT 51

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#

& ! ' % #$! " ! ! ## $# ! & !

The Dierence is Learning Diversity.

" # ' ' # ! # ! # " $ ! ! & & ) * " ' + &' + * ' $$ " #("' " ( ' & &(!! % % " +#(% % " '# #(% ! + % " + % " # " & & #" " ' % &' + & #" (& (" , ( (&' * ' ! " !(! " ' &' + New reservations only. Subject to availability. Black out days apply. Must mention promo code KIDSB12.

An innovative approach to LD education in a classic New England boarding school environment. Our summer programs are for kids age 10-18 and run from July 2-August 3rd, 2012.

Fight regression and build confidence this summer: turn July into an investment in September. For more information, visit www.ehs1.org/summer or call (413)477-6000.

52 MARCH2012

Camp JCC The Place to Be

Gymnastics, Dance, Cheering, Circus Arts, Martial Arts and RAD kids.

Worcester JCC

Camps run June 25 through August 17, with a new theme each week. Full Day, three days, pre-school half-day and full day, ages 4+.

Summer Day Camps 2012

Hours are 9-3, with early drop off and late pick up available. 24,000 sq. ft. of indoor fun and outdoor pools, water slides, zip line, volley ball, ďŹ elds, and so much more.

NEW SUMMER DAY CAMPS

Registrations begin on March 5.

$BNQ ,FTIFU $BNQ " -B $BSUF 5FFO 5SBWFM $BNQ

Sabra Summer Program ZFBST o ZFBST t +VOF o "VHVTU

Camp Habonim HSBEFT o +VOF o "VHVTU

Sha’ar HSBEFT +VOF o "VHVTU Galit $*5 QSPHSBN (SBEFT

Details in our camp brochure available online.

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Sports Specialty 1SF, oHSBEFT +VOF o "VHVTU

Worcester JCC

978-422-ROLL www.sterlinggym.com

ĂˆĂŽĂŽĂŠ->Â?ÂˆĂƒLÕÀÞÊ-ĂŒĂ€iiĂŒĂŠUĂŠ7ÂœĂ€ViĂƒĂŒiĂ€]ĂŠ ĂŠä£Ăˆä™ For more information and free brochure call xänÊÇxĂˆÂ‡Ă‡£ä™ÊUĂŠĂœĂœĂœ°ĂœÂœĂ€ViĂƒĂŒiĂ€Â?VV°ÂœĂ€}

15 Industrial Drive Sterling, MA 01564

The JCC is open to all, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability or economic condition. The Center is handicapped accessible. Scholarships available.

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ELECTIVE ACTIVITY CHOICES: Campers At Birch Hill Choose From Over 50 Activities To Build Their Own

Personalized Schedule! >˜`ĂŠ-ÂŤÂœĂ€ĂŒĂƒĂŠUĂŠ7>ĂŒiÀÊ-ÂŤÂœĂ€ĂŒĂƒĂŠUĂŠ `Ă›iÂ˜ĂŒĂ•Ă€iĂŠUĂŠ ÂœĂ€ĂƒiL>VÂŽĂŠ,ˆ`ˆ˜} ˆ˜iĂŠ Ă€ĂŒĂƒĂŠUĂŠ/iÂ˜Â˜ÂˆĂƒĂŠUĂŠ >˜œiˆ˜}ĂŠUĂŠ Â?ˆ“Lˆ˜}ĂŠUĂŠ*>ÂˆÂ˜ĂŒL>Â?Â?ĂŠUĂŠ ÂœĂŠ >Ă€ĂŒĂƒ ÂœÂ?vĂŠUĂŠ7>ĂŒiĂ€ĂƒÂŽÂˆĂŠUĂŠ >˜ViĂŠUĂŠ<ÂˆÂŤĂŠ ˆ˜iĂŠ ˜`ĂŠ ÂœĂ€it

Full List Of Activities & Photos On Our Website:

WWW.CAMPBIRCHHILL.COM

CAMP BIRCH HILL

42!$)4)/.!, s /6%2.)'(4 35--%2 #!-0 Located in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire "OYS AND 'IRLS !GES Two, Four and Six Week Sessions 4WO 7EEK 3ESSIONS ) *UNE *ULY s )I *ULY *ULY )II *ULY !UGUST

/ÂœĂŠ i>ÀÊ ÂœĂ€iĂŠ LÂœĂ•ĂŒĂŠ"ÕÀÊ Ă›i˜ˆ˜}ĂŠ*Ă€Âœ}Ă€>Â“Ăƒ]ĂŠ i>Â?ĂŒÂ…ĂžĂŠ œœ`ĂŠ"ÂŤĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂƒĂŠ ˜`ĂŠ Ă€Âˆi˜`Â?ÞÊ-ĂŒ>vvĂŠ To Schedule A Camp Tour Or Slide Show Contact Us: E-Mail Birch Hill: Summer@Campbirchhill.com Call Our OfďŹ ce: (603) 859-4525 ĂƒÂŽĂŠ LÂœĂ•ĂŒĂŠ"ÕÀÊ/ĂœÂœĂŠ7iiÂŽĂŠ/iiÂ˜ĂŠ `Ă›iÂ˜ĂŒĂ•Ă€iĂŠ*Ă€Âœ}Ă€>“ 7Â…ÂˆĂŒiĂŠ7>ĂŒiÀÊ,>vĂŒÂˆÂ˜}ʇÊ iĂœĂŠ ˆ}Â…ĂŠ,ÂœÂŤiĂƒĂŠ ÂœĂ•Ă€Ăƒi

4`WS\RaVW^a O\R ;S[]`WSa ]T O :WTSbW[S BAYSTATEPARENT 53

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SUMMER CAMPS

SUMMERCAMPCOUNTDOWN

REGISTERING NOW FOR SUMMER 2012!

MetroWest YMCA Day Camp

June 25-August 24 • Co-ed for ages 3-16

June 25 – August 3 6 one week sessions

Mass Audubon Nature Day Camps In Central MA 0`]OR ;SOR]e 0`]]Y EWZRZWTS AO\QbcO`g " " ;OaaOa]Wb @R E]`QSabS` ;/ $ " 1O[^ 2W`SQb]` # & %#! $ &% f ! P[P`]]YQO[^.[OaaOcRcP]\ ]`U AS`dSa 1VWZR`S\ /USa " # $

extended hours available

! 5]]R\]e @R >`W\QSb]\ ;/ #" 1O[^ 2W`SQb]` '%& "$" % f &% ! eOQVcaSbb.[OaaOcRcP]\ ]`U AS`dSa 1VWZR`S\ /USa ! # %

A unique opportunity to learn about the natural world. Meet new friends and have lots of fun! Specialty sessions such as digital photography, teen adventure trip and woodworking. Experienced staff who provide a safe, educational, and noncompetitive camp environment. Small group nature study. An experience that will last a lifetime!

Mass Audubon

9:00am - 4:00pm

EOQVcaSbb ;SOR]e EWZRZWTS AO\QbcO`g

boys and girls ages 5-12

• swim lessons•arts & crafts•sports •

Traditional Camp activities include archery, arts and crafts, canoeing, kayaking, nature study, music, drama, sports, high and low ropes course, outdoor skills, and swim lessons. Specialty Camps include Flight Camp, TV Production, Hands-On Physics, Farm, Drama, Gymnastics, Fort Building, Robotics, and Engineering with Legos, John Smith Soccer and Football Camps and Horseback Riding. Teen Leadership and Trip and Travel Programs are available for older campers. Busing, AM/PM extended day programs and financial assistance are available.

www.stjohnshigh.org

Registered Nurse on site at all times, as well as first aid, CPR and EPI-pen trained staff.

508-842-9327 378 Main Street Shrewsbury

To ďŹ nd out more and to download a camp brochure please check us out at

Complies with MA. DPH and local Board of Health

www.massaudubon.org/camps

METROWEST YMCA HOPKINTON

45 East Street Hopkinton, MA 01748 (508) 435-9345 www.metrowestymca.org

15 JAMESBURY DR, WORCESTER MA 01609

508.751.8500

Summit Academy Presents: Summer 2012 Therapeutic Enrichment Program For more information: 508-751-8500

or

info@summitacademiesma.com

For children with Asperger’s Syndrome, PDD-NOS, ADHD, Non-verbal Learning Disabilities, and High Functioning Autism

Developing Skills in: Selfregulation

Respect for self and others; manners; empathy and sharing; humor; social interactions

Therapeutic Martial Arts

Core strengthening; ďŹ ne and gross motor coordination; bilateral transfer; goal setting; teamwork and leadership

Social Language

Speaking and personal interactions; use of technology; sharing ideas; understanding others; journaling

The program runs Monday through Friday

July 9 thru August 17 9:00-3:00 ĂŠ ĂŠ ĂŠ ĂŠ

ĂŠĂŠĂŠĂŠĂŠĂŠĂŠĂŠĂŠĂŠĂŠĂŠUĂŠ ĂŠĂŠĂŠĂŠĂŠĂŠĂŠĂŠĂŠĂŠĂŠĂŠUĂŠ"/ ĂŠĂŠĂŠĂŠĂŠĂŠĂŠĂŠĂŠĂŠĂŠĂŠUĂŠ-ÂŤiiVÂ…ĂŠ/Â…iĂ€>ÂŤÂˆiĂƒ ĂŠĂŠĂŠĂŠĂŠĂŠĂŠĂŠĂŠĂŠĂŠĂŠUĂŠ Ă?ÂŤiĂ€ÂˆiÂ˜ĂŒÂˆ>Â?ĂŠ ˆiÂ?`ĂŠ/Ă€ÂˆÂŤĂƒ

May choose one or all 5 weeks. Siblings of attending students are also welcome to attend.

Summit Academy School is a Massachusetts 766 approved K-12 school that serves students on the Autism Spectrum. The Summer Program is run privately, separate from the school’s Department of Education approved program.

54 MARCH2012

APRIL VACATION/ARTS PROGRAM April 17-20, 2012 /UTERSPACE !DVENTURES .OW REGISTERING #ALL OR GO ONLINE FOR A BROCHURE OR TO REGISTER The Munroe Center for the Arts 1403 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA 02420 s WWW MUNROECENTER ORG

SUMMERCAMPCOUNTDOWN

COME TO HORSE CAMP! (OW IS #-3 DIFFERENT THAN OTHER SUMMER PROGRAMS 7E ARE !,, (/23%3 !,, $!9

5)& #0450/ "3&" 4 13&.*&3 %": $".1 (FOFSBM $BNQ BHFT

4QFDJBMUZ $BNQT BHFT

4JNQMZ $JSDVT &YUSFNF 4QPSUT #FBWFS 0ò #SPBEXBZ )JHI "EWFOUVSF /BUVSF %JTDPWFSZ BOE NBOZ NPSF &YUFOEFE EBZ MVODI QSPWJEFE

Where Can You Save a City, Explore the World or Discover a Planet?

t $IFTOVU )JMM ." t $BMM UPEBZ GPS B QFSTPOBM UPVS t XXX CDEDBNQ PSH

Let your child’s imagination soar this summer.

School Vacation & Early Bird Specials! Summer Programs 3IGN UP BEFORE !PRIL Beginners Welcome! 3ADDLE 5P s *UMPING 7ESTERN s 4EEN 0ROGRAMS 0ONY #AMP FOR AGES

AND SAVE ON A WEEK OF CAMP 3AVE EVEN MORE WITH MULTIPLE WEEK PACKAGES #ONTACT US OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR DETAILS AND TO ENROLL

Hosted at local schools throughout greater Boston. Call for details!

Register your child @ www.clubinventionNE.org o orr 8 800.968.4332 00.968.4332

In partnership with: United States Patent and Trademark Office

3EE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS PACKAGE DEALS AND TO SIGN UP WWW CENTURYMILLSTABLES COM s

Š 2011 Invent Now, Inc. All rights reserved.

105 CMR 430.190: This camp has complied with regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and is licensed by the local board of health.

Ohana Family Camp Create lifetime memories for your family this summer on peaceful Lake Fairlee in Vermont. Cozy cabins with fireplaces. Farm-fresh meals. Swimming, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hiking, biking, tennis, crafts, and more. Delighting generations of families since 1905. Imagine your family right here. www.OhanaCamp.org

! "# ## $%&'( # ) "* ! $&+

Call for a full brochure (802) 446-6100 !"# $$% $ &&

MEADOWBROOK DAY CAMP daycamp.meadowbrook-ma.org

Day Camp &Teen Tripping Programs

Part of the Summer Programs at The Meadowbrook School of Weston, Weston, MA

781-647-0546 BAYSTATEPARENT 55

SUMMERCAMPCOUNTDOWN

APRIL OUR MEGA CAMP ISSUE NEED WE SAY `SMORE? Parents, plan your summer with our April issue. Camps, Reach 100,000 parents with your ad. Call Stephanie Pearl at 774-364-0296 or email stephaniep@baystateparent.com.

A Spring Performance by the Youth Ballet Of Worcester

3!452$!9 s -!2#( 34 s 0(/,9 .!-% #%.42!, #!4(/,)# *2 32 ()'( 3#(//, 'RANITE 3TREET 7ORCESTER 4ICKETS FOR CHILDREN UNDER AND SENIORS FOR !DULTS

SUMMER SESSIONS AT BALLET ARTS WORCESTER OPEN CLASSICAL BALLET CLASSES SESSION I s JUNE 5-28, 2012 Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, 7:00-8:30 pm SESSION II s JULY 10-AUGUST 16, 2012 Tuesday & Thursday, 7:00-8:30 pm Open to ages 12 through adult Registration required

THE YOUNG DANCERS SUMMER DAY CAMP !UGUST n s -ONDAYn&RIDAY TO AGES 7–12 s TO s #LASSICAL "ALLET 0RE 0OINTE -ODERN *AZZ &LAMENCO 3TAGE -AKE UP #OMPOSITION 6ARIATIONS 9OGA AND #ONDITIONING AGES 5-6 s TO s 0RE "ALLET #REATIVE -OVEMENT "ALLET 3TORIES 9OGA &LAMENCO AND #OSTUME MAKING FROM OUR NURTURING STAFF IN A SAFE AND FUN ENVIRONMENT 3UPERVISED SNACK AND BREAK times! 3UMMER CLASSES SUBJECT TO CHANGE

THE P REMIER BALLET SCHOOL OF CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS

56 MARCH2012

*ENNIFER !GBAY !RTISTIC $IRECTOR WWW BALLETARTSWORCESTER COM 0HOTO BY -IKE .YMAN 0HOTOGRAPHY

BAYSTATEPARENT 57

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2012 t Keene State College

Owl Soccer Camps

Chess Program 16th Annual National Summer Chess Tour Tuition includes tee-shirt, trophy, chess board & pieces & much more.

FOR QUALITY TEACHING AND TOP COMPETITION

Sessions

Directors

Soccer Tots July 9-13 (9-10 a.m.) Boys and Girls ages 3-5

Dr. Ron Butcher, Keene State College Men’s Soccer Coach Denise Lyons, Keene State College Women’s Soccer Coach Rick Scott, Keene State College Associate Men’s Soccer Coach

Little Kickers July 9-13 (9-11 a.m.) Boys and Girls ages 6-8 Junior/Senior July 15-20 Boys and Girls ages 9-18 Also accepting freshman, JV, varsity, and travel club teams with 14 or more players

Team Week July 22-27 For teams with 14 or more players Goalkeeper training all sessions

Information For applications or information: Owl Soccer Camps 229 Main St., Keene NH 03435-2301 Camp phone: 603-358-2813 603-358-2805 or 603-358-2852 rbutcher@keene.edu dlyons@keene.edu rickee09@yahoo.com tnaitove@keene.edu Fax: 603-358-2888

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Register Online:

www.chesscamp.com ww t t$)&44

CHESS & GAME BUILDER SUMMER PROGRAMS July 30 - August 3, 2012 'POUCPOOF "DBEFNZ t .JMUPO ." $IFTT t 7JEFP (BNF $SFBUJPO *OUSP 4FRVFM t "OJNBUJPO July 30 - August 3, 2012 $BQF $PE "DBEFNZ t 0TUFSWJMMF ." $IFTT t 7JEFP (BNF $SFBUJPO *OUSP 4FRVFM

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Video Game Creation Program Your child will actually design, develo develop and create a one-of-a-kind video game or animated story. t *OUSP 7JEFP (BNF $SFBUJPO t 7JEFP (BNF $SFBUJPO 5IF 4FRVFM

t "OJNBUJPO $SFBUJPO 1SPHSBN Check website for details.

Register Online:

Online registration at keeneowls.com

www.gamebuildercamp.com/video.htm.

Camp goes all summer.

The memories last a lifetime. %VERY CHILD DESERVES A SUMMER ADVENTURE !T "RIGHT (ORIZONS OUR SUMMER PROGRAMS OFFER A WORLD OF EXPLORATION HANDS ON ACTIVITIES AND TRADITIONAL SUMMER CAMP FUN s /UR 7ORLD /UR "ACKYARD PRESCHOOL PROGRAM s #AMP %XPLORATIONS AND 8 4REME 3UMMER SCHOOL AGE PROGRAM s .OTE #AMP OFFERINGS VARY BY LOCATION CALL CENTER FOR DETAILS

Locations throughout the Greater Boston area To ďŹ nd a location nearest you visit us online:

www.brighthorizons.com 58 MARCH2012

www.brighthorizons.com/ BostonCamp

Great Eggspectations!

30 Things your Kids Would Not Expect inside Their Easter Eggs BY

carrie wattu and paula monette ethier, steven king photography

1. Clues that lead to one grand prize, the Easter Basket 2. Legos 3. Stickers 4. Toy cars 5. Coupons to stay up for an extra hour, have additional computer time or some other privilege 6. Coins and dollars 7. Hair accessories 8. Gems and shiny rocks 9. Balloons 10. Individual puzzle pieces 11. Individual game pieces

12. Annie’s chocolate graham bunnies 13. Marbles 14. Charms 15. Prayer card 16. Religious pendants 17. Hacky sack 18. Rubber stamps 19. Cool shoelaces 20. Perfume samples 21. Fortune cookies or fortunes 22. Foreign coins or dollars 23. Tattoos 24. Confetti 25. Toy pill capsules (that expand into a creature when put in water)

LOSE THE LOVE HANDLES!

26. Tickets that can be traded in for a surprise such a new bathing suit, sunscreen etc. 27. Seed packets 28. Earrings 29. Barbie doll clothes and accessories 30. Designer Band-Aids...one per egg!

Upcoming Camps March 12th & April 2nd

www.AdventureBootCampLLC.com 508.579.6064 coachalexis@charter.net BAYSTATEPARENT 59

MOMS ROCK!

Kimberly Packa Packarrd Of STERLING Age: 42 Occupation: Physical Therapist (Rehab Liaison for Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital), Childbirth Educator, Birth Doula, CPR/Safety Instructor, Reiki Master and Momma! Mom of: Kyle (13), Ryan (10) and Meghan (Ryan’s twin) my sweet angel who died when she was 3 Engaged to: Joseph Amato BY

christine m. quirk, steven king photography

G

od never gives you more than you can handle. In the wake of catastrophe and heartbreak, there is nothing to do but go on. It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. Most of us believe these platitudes in an abstract way, but few of us are called to live them as Kimberly Packard has been. Packard, 42, founded Meghan’s Hope in 2004 after her 3-year-old daughter, Meghan Agnes Beck, died when her bureau fell over on her. After such a profound tragedy, one could not blame Packard if she contemplated a complete career change; among her professions are child birth educator and doula, where she is intimately involved with expectant moms and growing families. But for Packard, such a change 60 MARCH2012

never entered her mind. “My whole life has been about helping,” she says. “Helping, nurturing – I want to help people be better, to reach their fullest potential. I have my hands and my heart and that’s what I use.” Packard has been a doula for a dozen years, shortly after the birth of her oldest child, Kyle, and made the decision based on her own birth experiences. “Doulas were around, but it was not the household name it is now,” she says. “We ended up not getting one and I regretted it. … It would have freed [my ex-husband] up or even comforted him, because he got a little wigged out when things went a little wrong. The partners need support too.” The word “doula” itself, loosely translated, means “woman servant.” “It’s a woman experienced in childbirth,

though she is also trained,” Packard says. “She provides nonstop, unconditional support.” Traditionally, doulas were used for the duration of labor and births, but these days many women are using doulas for information and support during their pregnancies as well. The nice thing, Packard says, is that the doula is the only person who is completely devoted to the laboring mother. “The doctors have other concerns, Dad is worried about Mom, and they have enough on their plate,” she says. “Even the childbirth classes can go right out of your head – how could it not?” Packard provides a lot of support during the labor: physical support, but also encouragement, reminding Mom to change position, to take a drink and to remember why they are all there. She brings a unique and needed perspective. “I am often the only objective person, since I am not emotionally invested,” she says. “I have had people tell me ‘you were my insurance policy.’” Packard has assisted with about 35 births. “It’s a very part-time job,” she says. “I do a couple a year, as time allows.” Around the same time Packard was certified as a doula, she also became certified as a birth educator. She teaches CPR and child safety classes as well. “I like to teach and empower and see [women] take control of the experience and of their own bodies,” she says. “In school I was the one sitting in the back; to think I am the one in the front of the room talking about vaginas and breasts blows my

mind.” It is child safety, however, which has become Packard’s passion. “I always told my classes about Meg and what happened, but I really started focusing more on the safety aspect,” she says. “I love being a doula and I love the childbirth classes, but it’s really about safety and how to save lives.” Packard frequently says her daughter’s life could have been saved for $5 and 15 minutes, but adds that she simply didn’t know such a significant danger was in her daughter’s bedroom. “There’s probably so much more that we still don’t know,” she says. “I recently had a dad [in class] who had a 7-year-old, a 4-year-old and a newborn. He was an experienced dad, and he said there was so much to learn.” And the learning never stops, Packard says – it turns on when you are a parent and it never fully goes away, no matter how old your child is or whether or not they are still physically present. In Meghan’s name, Packard continues to advocate and educate parents on making their homes safer for their children, and she has done this from the beginning. The day after Meghan died, Packard wrote a letter describing the tragedy and urging all those she knew to secure their furniture. “I had just learned to do email,” she recalls. “I stuck her picture on it and sent it out, and we started the website on New Year’s Eve.” Not surprisingly, Packard finds comfort in the idea that her story – her Meggie’s story – is preventing tragedies, and she says she loves to hear that someone has bolted

their family’s furniture to the wall after hearing about her daughter. “Every time someone tells me a story, I smile and say thank you,” she says. “Her death was not in vain, and that really helps. It helps my heart to heal.” Packard’s heart is full these days – her sons are 10 and 13 and she is planning a fall wedding. Meghan may no longer be with her family physically, but she is very much a part of their lives. When Packard and Joseph Amato marry in September, there will be a chair for Meggie, with a kitty and pink flowers. Her twin, Ryan, has already asked if he can have her cake. “She’s here in the way we talk about her,” Packard says. “It’s OK to share her story, it’s OK to be sad. We try to remember her life and her spirit and all the things about her – all those crazy, silly and fun things. I will be forever grateful that I was her mom.” Christine Quirk is a Central Massachusetts-based writer and the mom of two children. More information can be found at christinemquirk.com.

Take 10 with Kimberly Three words to describe my family: Close-knit, fun-loving, silly We love going to: Museum of Science, bowling, Central Rock Gym, Mulligan’s Mini Golf, Arthur Murray Dance Studio (Worcester), Children’s Lighthouse Memorial - Martha’s Vineyard Current family obsessions: Family game night! Current favorites are Ticket to Ride, Mystery of the Abbey, Hand and Foot (a card game), Wii fit (super hula hoop challenge is ON!) Best things about the town where I am raising my children: The strong sense of community and of course, Rota Spring Farm! Biggest challenge my family faces: Family dinners My dreams for Meghan’s Hope: The dream is to see furniture and TV straps sold in stores everywhere that furniture is sold, next to outlet plugs and other childproofing supplies. Also for people to take the risk [of furniture tipovers] seriously and to take action to prevent them. Message for Expectant Moms: Remember, you’re not sick, you’re pregnant. Your body is doing an amazing thing! You are beautiful! You already know everything you need to know to grow, birth and parent your baby. Women need to trust their body’s inherent wisdom, have confidence in themselves, the natural process of pregnancy and birth and in their baby. They should make informed decisions based on a combination of evidence-based information and what feels right for them in the moment, not just doing what someone else said or did. It’s their body, their baby, their birth, their choices. It should be a fun and empowering time of your life; savor the experience and the gift of growing a miracle!

On Coping with the Loss of My Daughter: For me, it’s been largely writing. I started a letter to Meggie about a week after she died. It’s almost 400 pages long! It’s been therapeutic and insightful to go back and read what I wrote. Someday, I hope to write a book about it. I also share her story whether it be via the Meghan’s Hope website, my Facebook page or in conversation. Hearing that other people have chosen to secure their furniture or TV as a result of learning about her death does my heart good. I also scrapbooked her funeral, had a quilt made of her clothes, have the hand and footprints the hospital made for us on the wall, a lock of her hair in a box she painted – pink of course – shortly before she died. A friend had a pin made for me of one of her drawings that I cherish. We have a cupcake picnic every year on her birthday at the cemetery and run around silly singing “Happy Bird Day” for her. Her photos and paintings are around the house. We talk about her often. She is still very much a part of our lives. Now and again, I see hearts in the clouds. I like to think it’s a gift from her. And every time we make a snow angel, it’s for her. I live every parent’s worse nightmare: Before Meghan died, I used to tell my birth students and clients: when you are at the end of your rope because of sleep deprivation or frustration, when your baby is awake for the 8th hour in a row crying, or your toddler is demanding your attention, or even an older child is pushing your buttons, stop for a moment. Count to 10, and imagine how you’d feel if this child was suddenly gone from your life. It lends perspective. Suddenly, the frustration melts away. You come back to the fact that it’s about love. The crying will stop. The sleep deprivation is short lived even if it may not seem so at the time. Those demanding toddlers grow up to be independent minded and selfsufficient adults. You will love them, always. I’d gladly take back those sleepless nights, the non-stop nursing, the loud and frequent demands for attention if I could have my Meggie back and watch her grow into the beautiful and amazing woman she was supposed to be. My Advice: Take issues of safety seriously. Learn CPR and make sure everyone who cares for your children knows how to save a life. Childproof your home completely – and early – and insist that the places your child spends time are also adequately childproofed. Follow the recommendations for car seat and booster use. Enjoy every day. Tell your children you love them every day. Embrace the opportunity children provide us to learn about ourselves, what’s really important in life and the growth we experience along with them. Laugh. Love. Play! Most of all, have fun, be silly and find your inner child and play right along with them! Snow angels anyone? Moms Rock is an award-winning monthly profile that celebrates the good that moms do. Do you know a mom who rocks? Email editor@baystateparent.com. BAYSTATEPARENT 61

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178 Turnpike Rd. (Rt. 9), Westboro • 508-836-9820 16 Harrington Avenue, Shrewsbury • 508-754-9399 248 Worcester Rd. (Rt. 9), Framingham • 508-309-7596 WWW.BAMASS.COM

DELIVERED AND INSTALLED

find us at 101 Water St., Worcester, MA 01604 508-749-3166

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continued from page 24 pring Equinox. Drumlin Farm Staff, Lincoln. 3:30 – 5 p.m. Ages 3 – 8. Celebrate the arrival of spring around the farm and meet some of our new babies. Enjoy the lengthening days to dye eggs naturally and bake some traditional bread together for a delicious

21WEDESDAY treat. $15NM. Register: 781-259-2200. Moms of Multiples. First Connections, 111 ORNAC, Suite 1009, at Emerson Hospital, Concord. Monthly, every third Wednesday. This busy group of moms has an abundance of topics to discuss each month. All moms who are raising multiples are welcome, including expectant moms. Share and gather tips and strategies to ease day-to-day challenges, and enjoy some uninterrupted adult conversation! 978-287-0221, firstconnections.org.

p.m. Presented by the Nashoba Drama Society. Step into the enchanted French provincial world of this modern Broadway classic. A$14, C/Sr./St., $10.. Tickets: nashobadrama.com. 978-779-6225 or email hildamurtha@comcast.net. Also visit nashobadrama. com. Also March 24 and 25. FREE Drop-In Playgroup for Non-Mobile Babies (pre-crawling). Isis Maternity Prudential, Boston. 4 – 5 p.m. and 6:30 – 8 p.m. $8/family for nonMembers. isisparenting.com.

24SATURDAY Debbie and Friends Concert. The Regent Theatre, Arlington. 10:30 a.m. Perfect for families with kids ages 2-8. A live Debbie and Friends show is a trip for

FREE Especially for Me! Free Evening at The Discovery Museums for Families with Children on the Autism Spectrum. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Children’s Discovery Museum and Science Discovery Museum, Acton. Pre-registration required. Visit http://tinyurl.com/EspeciallyforMe2012-2 to register.

OH,THEPLACESYOU’LLGO often not clearly visible or seasonally absent. Join Michael for an indoor/outdoor exploration of bark, which is always visible, in any season. You will learn about a system for distinguishing bark characteristics and discover clues to bark ecology. $35ppNM. towerhillbg.org.

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Nashoba Regional High School, 12 Green Rd., Bolton. 2 & 7:30 p.m. Presented by the Nashoba Drama Society. Step into the enchanted French provincial world of this modern Broadway classic. A$14, C/Sr./St., $10.. Tickets: nashobadrama. com. 978-779-6225 or email hildamurtha@ comcast.net. Also visit nashobadrama.com. Also March 25.

Annual Grafton Fine Arts and Music Festival. Grafton Municipal Center, Grafton.11 a.m. - Noon is the youth and teen reception. Noon – 6 p.m. is the exhibition, workshops for adults and children and musical performances, which are open to all! Visit graftonartsfestival.org for all of the details. Western Massachusetts Mineral Jewelry & Fossil Show. Holyoke Hotel & Conference Center (formerly Holiday Inn at Ingleside), Holyoke. 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Show features mineral, gemstones, jewelry, crystals, beads fossils, lapidary and mineral arts from around the world. Live demonstrations, free exhibits, free parking, on-site food. $4pp. westernmassmineralshow.com. Also March 25 on Sunday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

FREE Itsy Bitsy Yoga. Destination Maternity, Natick. 9:30 – 10:30 and 10:45 – 11:45 a.m. BIBY is for babies 6 weeks to almost crawling. It is yoga for your baby, which may help your baby sleep longer and better. This yoga is a fun and developmentallycentered program for young children and their caregivers. BIBY is a calming and nurturing yoga practice filled with ways to enhance bonding and makes babies happier and more comfortable in their own bodies. No yoga experience necessary. destinationmaternity.com.

FREE Spring Flower Bouquet Craft for Ages 3+. Lakeshore Learning, Newton and Saugus. New theme every Saturday from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. LakeshoreLearning.com/FreeCrafts4Kids.

photo courtesy of michelle larose

The Misunderstood Skunk. Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, Worcester. 10 – 11 a.m. Bring your favorite adult for a thematic hour of a story, an activity, and a naturalist-led walk. Fees apply. Register: 508-753-6087, bmbrook@massaudubon.org

22THURSDAY The Larose sisters celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! Check out two of our biggest state parades in Holyoke and Worcester: holyokestpatricksparade.com or stpatsparade.com.

FREE Drop-In Breastfeeding Group. Isis Arlington. 3:30 p.m. isisparenting.com. FREE Parent Support Group. PPAL Office: 51 Union St., 3rd floor/Suite 308, Worcester. Meets every second and fourth Thursday. Meet other parents and caregivers that understand the struggles and victories of raising challenging kids who may have emotional, behavioral or mental health needs. Confidential. ppal.net.

23FRIDAY Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Nashoba Regional High School, 12 Green Rd., Bolton. 7:30

the entire family—a joyful jaunt through a variety of styles, from straight-ahead pop, to country, to rock, to reggae, all delivered by a band of musicians who are clearly there because they love it. A$10, C$8. regenttheatre.com. Music and Movement and SMART Gals Programs. The Discovery Museums, Acton. 1 p.m. at the Children’s Discovery Museum.Move, make music, listen, learn, and get a multi-sensory workout! . Also visit SMART Gals: Vernal Pools with Joan Ellis at the Science Discovery Museum at 1 p.m. A $12, C (13-17) $9, C (12 and under) free. discoverymuseums.org.

Egg Collecting ✽ Cow Milking ✽ Pony Rides ✽ Farm Animals ✽ Children’s Activities

Family Farm Vacations Maple Sugaring, March 9-11 First Signs of Spring, March 30-April 1 Easter, April 6-8 Step Back in Time, April 13-15 School Vacation, April 15-20 Homesteading, April 20-22 Cooking with Kids, April 27-29

Come meet me and my kids!

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Nashoba Regional High School, 12 Green Rd., Bolton. 2:30 p.m. Presented by the Nashoba Drama Society. Step into the enchanted French provincial world of this modern Broadway classic. A$14, C/Sr./St., $10.. Tickets: nashobadrama.com. 978-779-6225 or email hildamurtha@comcast.net. Also visit nashobadrama.com.

This spring, watch them blossom with healthy smiles DrMelChildrensDentist.com

Check out the activity schedules on our website!

Melvin A. “Dr. Mel” Ehrlich, Pediatric Dentist William U. Murthy, Orthodontist for Children and Adults

Call for details about our FREE WeeCare Infant Oral Health Program 223 Walnut Street, Framingham, MA 01702 ✽

✽

Indoor Pool Hay Jumping Arts & Crafts Hiking Cheese Making 64 MARCH2012

25SUNDAY

Individualized Preventive Dental and Orthodontic Care for Toddlers, Children through Adolescence, and those with Special Needs

www.east-hill-farm.com ✽

Bark: Get to Know Your Trees. Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Boylston. 1 – 4 p.m.The traits typically used to describe trees - leaves, twigs, and buds - are

Vanessa Trien and the Jumping Monkeys. St. John’s Nursery School at the First Parish Hall, 340 Clapboardtree St., Westwood. 9:30 and 11 a.m.. Vanessa Trien is a Boston-based children’s performer with a national following. $8pp, C under 1 is free. Tickets: concert@stjohnsnursery.org or 781-3292032. vanessatrien.com.

MELVIN A. EHRLICH, D.D.S., P.C.

Located less than two hours from Boston!

✽

Healthy Kids Festival. Boston Children’s Museum, Boston. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Play and learn about healthy habits, exercise and good eating, with volunteers from local hospitals and health care organizations. Visit the teddy bear clinic and become more familiar with what happens when you visit a doctor’s office, clinic, or hospital. A$12, C (1-15) $12, Under 1 FREE. bostonkids.org.

Revels Spring Sing. St. John’s Church, Watertown. 3 p.m. A family celebration of the vernal equinox Lots of community singing, refreshments and entertainment by children from the spring workshop. Enjoy a traditional pace-egging play and a festive garland dance. The evening ends with delicious homemade refreshments. A$15, C under 12 $5. revels.org.

(508) 875-KIDS (5437) WeeCareAtDrMels.com

FREE Family Concert. Brockton Symphony. For more information, call 508-588-3841 or brocktonsymphony.org. Annual Grafton Fine Arts and Music Festival. Grafton Municipal Center, Grafton. Noon – 3 p.m. Exhibitions and workshops for children and adults. Visit graftonartsfestival.org for all of the details.

27THURSDAY FREE Weekly Playtime. The Children’s Room at Jewish Family Service of Metrowest, 475 Franklin St., Framingham. 11 a.m. For children 0 – 4 with adult. A great opportunity for young children to play in a safe and fun environment while adults can meet and connect. A light snack will be provided for the kids. For more information, contact metrowest@jccgb.org or 508-879-3300.

Autism Sunday Open Gym. Barrett Family Wellness Center, 107 Otis St., Northborough. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Come play in Barrett’s 1,000 sf sensory gym filled with suspension equipment. Parents/guardians are responsible to watch and monitor the activities of their child(ren). “How To Cards� are hung at various stations in the gym to give ideas of things to try and how to properly use the equipment.$5 per family. Siblings welcome. 508-898-2688, barrettfamilywellness.com.

29THURSDAY

Thurs., March 29th Hanover Theatre, Worcester

"My sides are still sore! The humor pokes fun at marriage, sex (or lack thereof),and family life with equal rounds of male and female fun-making. Overall great experience!"

FREE & ONGOING Preschool Storytime. The Blue Bunny, 577 High St., Dedham. 10:30 a.m. Every Monday. Just drop in but please call ahead to confirm. 781-493-6568.

- bsp writer and local mom, Donna Miller previewed the show

Get your tickets: hanovertheatre.org. ONGOING Big Apple Circus Opens. City Hall Plaza, Boston. March 27 – May 13. bigapplecircus.org.

27THURSDAY FREE Multicultural Moms. First Connections, 111 ORNAC, Suite 1009 at Emerson Hospital, Concord. Free facilitated group for moms who were born in

!

FREE & ONGOING Singalong Story Time. Barefoot Books, 89 Thoreau St., Concord. Wednesdays, 4 – 4:30 p.m. All ages. Call to confirm:

Battle of the Sexes

26MONDAY

FREE Drop-In Playgroup. Wayland Children’s & Parents Association (WCPA), Wayland Town Building Gym or local playground, Wayland. 10 – 11:15 a.m. For children 5 and under. Open to the public. Call ahead to confirm all details. 508-358-7076.

of showers to help those flowers grow. Discover the exciting journey of a raindrop. How do they get up in the clouds? Meet one of the farm’s web-footed friends and learn how they stay dry on a rainy day. Go outdoors looking for puddles and ponds. Why do sticks float and pebbles sink? What makes those ripples? Wear boots in case you find a puddle to wade in. All ages welcome, up to three children per adult. $13pp. Register: 781-259-2200.

HE SAID SHE SAID

Family Day: Myths and Muses. Worcester Art Museum. 1 – 4:30 p.m. Learn more about WAM’s ancient Roman, Greek, Egyptian, and Pre-Columbian objects as you make your own art and become inspired by performances and storytellers in the galleries. C 17 and under are always FREE. wam.org.

FREE Mommy and Me Yoga and Signing Tots. Destination Maternity, Natick. Yoga: 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. A licensed yoga instructor leads this class for new moms and their little ones. All levels of yoga students will find this postnatal class beneficial. Signing Tots is from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. for beginning walkers up to age 3. Parents and toddlers will learn American Sign Language (ASL) vocabulary words for play, eating, bath time and every day. We will be learning through interactive songs both familiar and new. Flashcard games and books will also be used. No ASL experience is needed. destinationmaternity. com.

other countries, and who are now raising their own children in the U.S. Share your unique perspectives and observations, discuss language choices for children, traditional versus American roles of women, and how you are preserving your own culture within the family. New members welcome to meet others who are far from their homeland. RSVP to be added to a monthly reminder email. 978-287-0221, or email lmatthews@jri.org.

978-3691770, barefootbooks.org. Reptile Adaptations/Home School Program. EcoTarium, Worcester. 2:30 – 4 p.m. Created especially for home schooling families, this 90-minute class is designed for children ages 6-12. $35 per child. Register: info@ecotarium.org or call 508-929-2700. Puddle Wonderful. Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, Lincoln. 1 – 2:30 p.m. Spring brings plenty

FREE Mommy and Me Yoga and Kundalini Prenatal Yoga. Destination Maternity, Natick. 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. is Mommy and Me Yoga with Siri Krishna (Babies 6 weeks to 6 Months) and 12:30 - 1:30 PM Kundalini Prenatal Yoga with Siri Krishna. 508-6531605, destinationmaternity.com. He Said She Said Comedy Night. The Hanover Theatre, Worcester. Presented by Loretta Laroche Productions and baystateparent Magazine. It’s going to be a fun battle of the sexes with five comedians as they engage us in a hilarious night of improv. baystateparent social hour, 7 – 8 p.m. Enjoy a cash bar and meet baystateparent’s beloved Dirty Laundry columnists, Stephen Rich and Christine Hurley. Bring your cameras! Plus, baystateparent is celebrating our Sweet 16 (coming in May) with a raffle filled with 16 select prizes. All raffle proceeds benefit birthday parties for homeless children and will be donated to birthdaywishes.org. Tickets: $22 - $32. hanovertheatre.org.

30FRIDAY Just Kidding. Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, Lincoln. 3:30 – 5 p.m. Visit the goats and meet the new kids. Feed the grownups their afternoon hay and have a goatish snack of your own! Don’t forget to tell your own jokes to the kids so they can trick their mothers. $13pp. Register: 781-259-2200. FREE WeeHands with Courtney. Destination Maternity, Natick. On Fridays, 11 a.m. - Noon. American Sign Language is taught as well as 15 songs to sing to and with your baby. destinationmaternity.com.

31SATURDAY NanoScience from Brandeiss University. The Discovery Children’s Museum, Acton. Drop in 11 a.m.

TM/Š2012 Sesame Workshop. All Rights Reserved. 61185 2/12

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BAYSTATEPARENT 65

- 3 p.m. at the Science Discovery. Meet members of the Brandeis University’s Materials Research Science and Engineering Center and learn about their exciting interdisciplinary research that explores the interface of biology and nanoscale materials science. Try hands-on activities to discover how materials have unexpected properties at the nanoscale. A $12, C (13-17) $9, C (12 and under) free. discoverymuseums.org. Mike Bent’s AbraKidabra!™. The Regent Theatre, Arlington. 10:30 a.m. $10, C$8. theregenttheatre.org. Play Date: Off the Wall. Family Art-Making Workshops Play Dates. Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Explore Swoon’s monumental ICA installation, then help artist Amy Beth Harrison create a work of art adorned with wishes for a healthier environment. Free for families: up to 2 adults per family accompanied by children ages 6–12. icaboston.org. Chelmsford Mothers Club. Gently-Used Sale. McCarthy Middle School, Chelmsford. 9 a.m. - 12. Half-price sale, 12:15 – 1 p.m. Thousands of gently-used and new baby and kids items at super prices! Includes clothes, shoes, toys, games, books, DVDs, nursery & feeding items, strollers, high chairs, bouncy seats and other baby gear, outdoor toys, kid furniture, and more! Visa, Mastercard and Discover accepted. KidsTagSale.com. FREE A Buggy Scene Craft for Ages 3+. Lakeshore Learning, Newton and Saugus. New theme every Saturday from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. LakeshoreLearning.com/FreeCrafts4Kids. Massachusetts Mothers of Twins Spring Sale. Winchester High School, 80 Skillings Rd.,Winchester. 9:30 – 1 p.m. Gently-used children’s clothing, toys, books and equipment. $1, C under 14 free. Sale is cash and carry. No checks/ charges. 781-989-3222, mmota-founding.org.

SUBMIT AN EVENT Fill out our form at

baystateparent.com. Our deadline for the April issue is

Monday, March 5.

FIGHTLESS...LOVEMORE

ENJOY

a Romantic Married Life BY

laurie puhn

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here did the romance go? If you’re like most couples, including my clients and myself, you get home from a planned date night feeling wonderfully upbeat. The next night you can barely remember where you went to or what you ate. Sporadic attempts at romance are just that – temporary and easily forgotten. From date night to a weekend getaway, each has tremendous value, while we’re doing it. But when we return home to our predictable routine of working and caring for our children, those special one-on-one moments with our honey quickly fade. Does this mean that a marriage with children is in trouble if the couple doesn’t have those heart throbbing romantic highs once shared in the dating phase? Absolutely not. When kids are in the mix, married couples should expect a more tempered, but certainly visible, daily romantic connection. There are two kinds of romance, the one that spontaneously happens to you because of a special setting, like watching a sunset over the beach, or gazing at each other over a candlelit dinner with soft music in the background, and the one you make happen anywhere, by consciously choosing to say the right words at the right time to your mate. The first type of romance readily happens during the dating period; the second type requires greater awareness and effort if you and your spouse want keep your romantic

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attraction alive for the long-run. The things we say and do, and don’t say or do, can spark or block a loving connection. Our daily word choices become what I call a couple’s “daily communication routine.� Hard-pressed for quality time with our partners and spouses, it’s easy to fall victim to a poor communication routine. To stop this from happening, today I ask you to pay attention to your established communication routine. Then, if needed, include these loving comments in your conversations with your honey. Ask your spouse to do the same and the results will astound you. First, let’s put our mate first, every day. When one of you walks in the door, immediately greet each other (not the little kids or your computer first). Or, if you see your kids first, greet them, but don’t stop there. Find your spouse. A gentle touch on the shoulder with a simple “Hello, how was your day?� warms up the night. If you’re on the phone when your mate gets home, end the conversation. Yes, your spouse’s arrival takes priority over others. Second, say “good morning,� and “good night� to each other every day. These statements bring to mind that it is a good day or night because you are together and with your special someone. Not surprisingly, in our online research we found that 25% of couples don’t consistently say goodnight to each other, and of those, 70% had thought

about breaking up in the prior year. Finally, show love by highlighting your mate’s positive character traits. Pick one out every day, and if you think that’s hard, simply look for the little things. Make comments like, “I love you for (fill-in-the-blank),� As an example, one day I told my husband, “I love you for leaving a new tube of toothpaste on the bathroom sink for me to use. That was really kind.� And one of my favorite compliments (which my husband knows) is to hear him say some variety of, “You are such a good mother because you have so much patience with the kids.� Interestingly, in our research, when we asked people whether they’d prefer their mate compliment them for being goodlooking (a visual compliment), or kind (a character compliment) 84 percent answered, “kind.� A positive daily communication routine is the way to keep love alive, when you don’t have time for a vacation or a handin-hand sunset walk in the park. For romance to thrive during child-rearing years you have to choose it, or lose it. Laurie Puhn is a Harvard-educated lawyer, couples mediator and bestselling author of “Fight Less, Love More: 5-Minute Conversations to Change Your Relationship Without Blowing Up or Giving In,� who frequently appears on CNN, “Good Morning America,� and “The Early Show� to offer relationship advice. Visit her at fightlesslovemore.com.

D A N C E

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Bookish Birthday A sentimental, environmentally-friendly gift idea is to skip the traditional presents and ask each guest to bring a gently-used beloved book for the birthday child. Write a personal message inside that your child will treasure.

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Tons of Bricks Tons of Fun LEGO® Themed Birthday Parties for all ages. wwww.brickapalooza.com Check our website for current class offerings, summer camp offerings and drop-in play times. 164 Westford Rd. Tyngsboro MA 01879 978-649-2654

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Birthday/ Party Room Central Mass’s only dedicated Climbing Facility! Sign up now for our Week Long Summer Camp Programs • 14,000 square feet of amazing climbing walls • 60 different top rope stations • Climbing walls from 15 - 40 feet high! • Massive lead arch, and super long overhangs! • Separate climbing wall just for kids and parents • Classes for beginners: lead and top rope belaying • Rentals and a retail shop for climbing gear • Lounge area, w/ free wifi • A large bouldering area, with top-outs

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Theatre Programs, Classes and Workshops for Ages 4 to 18 Call us or visit the web for more info... info@bostonchildrenstheatre.org 617-424-6634 www.bostonchildrenstheatre.org

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Traveling Farm Animals for your Party or Event! Year Round • Inside or Out Fun & Educational Baby Animal Parties, Theme Parties, Living Nativities, Petting Zoos, Animals for Therapy & more!

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Kids all love the silliness of my interactive, high energy, and musical shows!

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Birthday Parties that

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Clutter Buster It doesn’t have to be holiday-time to organize a Yankee Swap. Skip the traditional gifts and organize one for your child’s next birthday. Have each guest, including the birthday child, contribute a wrapped gift. Google Yankee Swap rules and play the game so that everyone at the party gets one gift to take home and enjoy.

Have you ever wanted to pet, hold or just touch a turtle, ball python or bearded dragon? Reptile Circus connects kids to reptiles Birthday Parties, Preschool & Camp Visits 617-407-7533 reptilecircus.net

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Offering Beading, Mosaics, Stuff-Your-Own Animals, Paint Me Tees, Silver Clay and PaintYour-Own Pottery Parties

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BYO CDs, Cake, Soda, Pizza Etc. Offering 2 Large Private Party Rooms

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To advertise, call Stephanie Pearl at 774-364-0296 or email stephaniep@baystateparent.com 68 MARCH2012

✺ Spin Art Studio NOW OPEN! SPIN ON US ✺

the

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the Storyteller Storytelling fun for Birthday Parties, Schools, Daycare Centers, Library Programs, Special Events and TV Featuring:

It’s a new Spin on your average party. Call to book your next birthday!

• Original & Classic Stories • Puppets, Props and Surprises For Bookings and Info Call: 617-713-4349 E-mail: BigJoe@BigJoe.com Visit me on the web at: www.BigJoe.com

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To advertise, call Stephanie Pearl at 774-364-0296

SUMMER CAMP COUNTDOWN!

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To advertise call Stephanie Pearl at 774-364-0296 or email stephaniep@baystateparent.com

BEHAVIORALSERVICES

New England Behavorial Services Know a child who needs some help, a family who is frustrated? We provide Behavior Analysis services to help children diagnosed with autism, DD, Mental illness, or has any other behaviors that make life difďŹ cult.

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5`ORSa 9 $ A quality education founded on the four foundations (Education, Character, Social Responsibility and Family) that are the Cornerstones to Life.

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Surrogate Mothers Needed Be part of a miracle The rewards are more than financial Seeking women 21-43 non-smoker with healthy pregnancy history

We work in a respectful, family-centered way. Insurance or Sliding Scale Fees Accepted nebehavioralservices.com 781-499-2775

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TUTORING

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Quest

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888-363-9457

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LACTATION

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TUTORING -ATH s 2EADING s 7RITING 3TUDY 3KILLS s 3!4 0REP !LGEBRA 7ORKSHOPS Special Ed & Learning Disability Instruction

The milc room is mother to mother breast feeding support with professional help by appointment or referral

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Speech and Language Therapy Services, LLC.

â?¤ Peer support, lactation guidance â?¤ Referrals for lactation follow-up care, classes â?¤ On-site resources: baby scale, reference library Open Thursdays 10am - 12noon Thom Worcester Area Early Intervention Glavin Regional Center-Child Development Building 214 Lake Street, Shrewsbury, MA 01545 508-845-8466 www.themilcroom.com

Speech and Language Private PracĆ&#x;ce now accepĆ&#x;ng new clients.

Recommended by Pediatricians and run by CertiďŹ ed Lactation Consultants.

We welcome ALL mothers who want to breastfeed their baby.

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jillserranophotography.com 508.736.8724 newborn babies children families

70 MARCH2012

• Specializing in pediatric populaĆ&#x;on (birth-18 years old) • Providing diagnosĆ&#x;c tesĆ&#x;ng and evidence based speech and language therapy in a 1:1 seĆŤng • Experience treaĆ&#x;ng a wide-range of diagnoses • We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield, Harvard Pilgrim, and private pay • Inquire about home visits Located in Easton Industrial Park 5 Hampden Dr. South Easton, MA 02375 p: 508-230-8181 f: 508-230-8182 www.letstalkspeech-mass.com

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!!

ACADEMIC EARLY EDUCATION A Readiness Program for 4 & 5 year olds. 623 Chandler Street Tatnuck Square, Worcester Tel: 508-797-5050 Fax: 508-797-5051 www.theknowledgequest.com

1]`\S`ab]\S /QORS[g Tutoring Service Available for Grades K-6

5 Oak Avenue • Northboro, MA 01532 508 351-9976 www.cornerstoneacademy.org email:kmcquade@cornerstoneacademy.org

SHOW &TELL ADVERTISING PROMOTION Baby deedee Sleep Nest

▲

The Baby deedee sleep nest is a baby sleeping bag that keeps infants and toddlers warm and cozy while sleeping. Sleeping bags for babies, also called baby sleep sacks or baby wearable blankets, replace loose blankets in the crib and help babies stay warm throughout the night.

www.babydeedee.com

▲ Cutie Patutie’s Consignment Introducing Bee Posh, soft, cozy pillows & pillow animals. Made of the coziest, ultra-soft fleece to snuggle and share. Hip patterns to accent any room décor.

1021 Central Street, Leominster, MA 01453 978-534-6604 www.everythingcutie.com

Tiny Tag Designs Mommy Necklace

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As seen in US Weekly, People.com and many more. See why celebrities love our simple and elegant mommy necklaces! Tiny Tag Designs necklaces are the perfect token for the perfect love. Wear the name or initial of your child along with a birthday or anniversary. Please visit our website www.TinyTagDesings.com to see our entire collection. Also available in 14k gold and 14k gold filled.

Janey Baby Onepiece Designed by Jane Goodall, portion of the proceeds go to the Jane Goodall Institute. Organic and makes a great baby gift! Sizes Newborn to 18 months.

Available at Mod Mama 16 South Angell Street, Providence, RI 02906 401-273-7800 www.modmama.com

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Psi Bands - Morning Sickness Relief Sick of “morning sickness” (especially when it can last all day)? Mom-invented Psi Bands are FDA-cleared acupressure wrist bands for the relief of nausea due to pregnancy, as well as motion sickness, chemotherapy and anesthesia. Psi Bands (pronounced “sigh bands”) are both stylish and functional! Available in 5 fun designs, the drug-free, scientifically proven acupressure wrist bands are adjustable around the wrist and at the acupressure point for maximum comfort and fit; waterproof (no more soggy bands!); reusable; and affordable. To find a retailer closest to you, visit www.psibands.com. Breathe a “psi” of relief!

$15/set, depending on retail location. www.psibands.com or 831/373-7712 BAYSTATEPARENT 71

courtesy of portrait simple Look What Hopped in My Basket!: Zoey Boland from North Oxford finds a surprise on her first Easter.

CAPTURED

Easter Parade On a Mission: Gisel, pictured here at age 2, keeps up with her older siblings and cousins in their annual Easter Egg hunt.

Lots of Loot: Egg hunters, Kate and Jack Blaisdell of Paxton, inspect their treasures. 72 MARCH2012

Baby Bunny: Tatiana Ortiz of Milford sports her best bunny face.

Cool Trio: The McCormick brothers of Worcester rest after Easter brunch at their grandparents’.

Who Let the Dog Out? Joey the Yellow Lab wants in on Corinne’s Easter wares in Worcester

FREE Consultation Get Your Child’s Therapy Where It Matters Most! In-Home Eval In-Home Therapy

Play-Learn Preschool ‌where a loving and warm environment comes naturally!

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Newborns to Teens Surprise Sprout: Eight-year-old Emily Benton of Westborough scores another.

Serious Dye Job: You can’t get more focused than Brayden Tiernan of Leominster.

Occupational Therapy

Physical Therapy Speech Therapy

Call The Village

Easter Bonnets: Ryan and Kevin Carroll of Holden patiently await the start of the back yard Easter egg hunt.

-FBSOJOH -BVHIJOH .PWFNFOU 4JOHJOH "SUT BOE $SBGUT Solid curriculum to prepare for Kindergarten .JTT 5POJ BOE .JTT +VEZ

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Call for an appointment to speak with us, and visit our program in action!

www.thevillagecfd.com

114 Main Street Worcester, MA 508-752-5520

Open House on Saturday, March 10th 2-4 pm “Where bright minds come together!â€? Pre-Kindergarten through Grade Six The Brighton School is a non-proďŹ t, private, independent elementary school dedicated to providing a quality education that addresses the individual needs of students. s !CCELERATED 0ROGRAM s )Ndividualized Curriculum s 3MALL #LASS 3IZES s .URTURING %NVIRONMENT s 3PECIALIZED )NSTRUCTION IN SpanISH -USIC !RT Science, Computer, 0HYSICAL %DUCATION and Yoga

Easter Excitement: Tristan Cibeira and his dad squeeze the most out of their holiday.

All Ears: Mariah Cutroni of Oxford is all ears at last year’s egg hunt.

CAPTURED: bsp is looking for photos of summer camp for our April issue. Email photos to editor@baystateparent.com by March 10th.

360 Water Street, P.O. Box 3204, Framingham, MA 01705 s WWW BRIGHTONSCHOOLOFMA ORG BAYSTATEPARENT 73

OPEN HOUSE LISTINGS The Imago School, K-8 March 22 from 9am – 12pm or 6pm – 8pm. March 25 from 2pm – 4pm. 1 Percival Street Maynard, MA 01754 Contact Caroline Melone (978) 897-0549 www.imagoschool.org A Place to Grow March 24 from 10am – 12pm 40 Strawberry Hill Road Concord, MA 01720 (978) 369-2699 www.aplacetogrowchildcare.com

CLASSIFIEDS Planning for a vacation without having the money to pay for it? Does your budget include a savings plan? Meet with the Budget Coach and take charge of your money now! Call 508-792-9087 or go to www.thebudgetcoachhelp.com.

What could an extra $300 - $500 per month do for you? Seek motivated self-starter to work flexible hours from home representing a public company. TRAINING & SUPPORT PROVIDED. Joanne Ryan • 978-270-0256

Surrogate Mothers Needed Earn up to $28,000. Established Surrogacy Agency seeks loving women ages 21-43, to carry couples biological babies. You must be a non-smoker, and prior birth experience is required. Be a part of a miracle. For more information, please call 888-363-9457 or visit our website: www.reproductivepossibilities.com

Baby Sign Language can benefit your baby and family in so many ways! Classes starting soon! Contact: MichelleTric@Gmail.com

Internationally acclaimed performance

Tickets also at Hanover Box Office starting in February 2012 www.thehanovertheatre.org

music by Sergei Prokofiev

The Hanover Theatre 7:30 PM 508.754.3231 Sponsor 74 MARCH2012

www.musicworcester.org Media Sponsor

INDEX A Place To Grow...............................................................................31 Actors Shakespeare Project.................................................................49 Adventure Bootcamp..........................................................................59 Applewild School..............................................................................45 Appalachian Mt Club.........................................................................52 Assumption College/Theater...............................................................19 Attorney James Connors....................................................................25 Backyard Adventures.........................................................................63 Ballet Arts Worcester..........................................................................56 Barrett Family Wellness.....................................................................44 Bay State Skate..............................................................................22 Beaver Country Day Camp.................................................................55 Becker College.................................................................................13 Big Apple Circus................................................................................17 Blossom Station..................................................................................5 Boating in Boston..............................................................................46 Boroughs JCC.............................................................................14,54 Boston Ballet....................................................................................47 Boston Children’s Theatre..................................................................61 Bright Horizons...............................................................................58 Cambridge College...........................................................................19 Camp Birch Hill................................................................................53 Camp Everwood...............................................................................55 Camp Quinebarge.............................................................................51 Camp St. John.................................................................................54 Capen Hill Nature Camp....................................................................50 Carolyn Spring, Esq..........................................................................43 Century Mill Stables..........................................................................55 Charter...........................................................................................76 Chess Camp....................................................................................58 Children’s Technology Workshop iCamp...............................................52 Claytime...........................................................................................8 Club Invention..................................................................................55 Concord Academy.............................................................................46 Consign My Closet............................................................................15 Cornerstone Academy..........................................................................3 Criterion Child Enrichment....................................................................6 Cutie Patutie’s.................................................................................42 Danforth Museum.............................................................................50 Dedham Country Day Camp...............................................................49 Deja Vu Couture................................................................................23 Devereux/West Meadow Woods Day Camp.........................................56 Disney Pictures..................................................................................25 Dr. Mel - Pediatric Dentistry.................................................................64 Eagle Hill School..............................................................................52 Ecotarium.......................................................................................58 Elite Dance Academy..........................................................................62 Epiphany Children’s Boutique..............................................................44 Fay School.................................................................................51,61 Finagle A Bagel...............................................................................44 Flutter By Moments..........................................................................37 Gigueres.........................................................................................63 God’s Little Children’s Preschool..........................................................48 Guild of St. Agnes Daycare.................................................................34 H&H Dance Academy........................................................................66 He Said She Said.............................................................................26 Heywood Hospital............................................................................40 iD Tech Camps.................................................................................45 Inn At East Hill Farm........................................................................64 iParty..........................................................................................62,75 Keene State College Soccer Camps.....................................................58 Kids Kount......................................................................................14 Kings..............................................................................................69 Knowledge Quest.............................................................................24 Kumon.............................................................................................4 Magic Beans...................................................................................30 Mass Audubon Society......................................................................54 Meadowbrook School.......................................................................55 MetroWest YMCA Hopkinton..............................................................54 Music Together.................................................................................31 Nashoba Drama Society.....................................................................62 New England Aquarium......................................................................51 Next Generation Children’s Center........................................................15 Night Eagle Wilderness Adventures......................................................55 Nobles Day Camp............................................................................48 North Central Charter Essential School.................................................14 Oasis Camp.....................................................................................46 Ohana Family Group/Aloha Foundation...............................................55 Old Sturbridge Village.......................................................................48 Outfit the Kids.................................................................................66 Panera Bread..................................................................................62 Paula Swift Photography...................................................................23 Paul’s Rental...................................................................................10 Pediatrics West................................................................................42 Pernet Family Health Service..............................................................43 Play-Learn Preschool.........................................................................73 Portrait Simple..................................................................................2 Rise of the Guardians..........................................................................6 Roche Bros......................................................................................25 Salmon Centers for Early Education.....................................................32 Seeking Sitters.................................................................................59 Sesame Street.................................................................................65 Shrewsbury Montessori.....................................................................30 Skribble It!.....................................................................................35 Southeast Advocate Associates...........................................................22 Speech, Language and Hearing Assoc.................................................19 Spin On Us.....................................................................................69 Spina Bifida Associates.......................................................................34 Sterling Academy of Gymnastics..........................................................56 Summer Fenn..................................................................................48 Summit Academy.............................................................................54 Sure Shot Portraits...........................................................................75 The Brighton School.........................................................................73 The Children’s Garden Child Care Center at the VNA..............................35 The Gymnastic Place.........................................................................45 The Little Gym................................................................................37 The Monroe Center for the Arts..........................................................55 The Village.......................................................................................73 TLC Christian Preschool.......................................................................34 UMass Medical School Pregnancy Study..............................................34 UMassMemorial Medical Center..........................................................33 Wachusett Theatre Company...............................................................57 Whale Camp...................................................................................45 Wheelock Family Theatre...................................................................51 WifeSavers.....................................................................................24 Women Earning Six Figures................................................................39 Women’s Health of Central MA............................................................8 Worcester Art Museum.......................................................................10 Worcester JCC...............................................................................8,53 Worcester Music Festival....................................................................74 Worcester Sharks.............................................................................44 YMCA of Central MA.........................................................................47

SureShot Portraits is located at the Shoppes at Blackstone Valley in Millbury. SureShot Portraits offers on site portrait printing so you can take home your portraits the same day! SureShot Portraits has professional photographers who are passionate and creative about photography. Our photographers have years of experience and are sure to capture your memories. Come see what clients are raving about! We offer complimentary beverages and snacks for all clients!

508.690.0771 | www.sureshotportraitstudios.com SureShot Portraits is located next to Stride Rite, AT&T and near STAPLES.

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76 MARCH2012

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