December/January 2022 Valley Parent

Valley

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FREE January 2022

YOU R LO CA L PA R E N T I N G R ESOU R C E

CORTA

YO U T H PROGRAM PIVOTS

Family Volunteer

OPPORTUNITIES

N E W W AY S T O

Celebrate the Holidays

Valley

Parent 2 P A R E N T Parent Editors/Publishers MIKE VENABLE & JILL TIGNER mike@columbusandthevalley.com jill@columbusandthevalley.com

Advertising Sales BETH MARTIN beth@columbusandthevalley.com

Merry Christmas!

MARGIE RICHARDSON margie@columbusandthevalley.com JULIE JERNIGAN, sales assistant salesassistant@columbusandthevalley.com

Graphic Design SIXTY TWO GRAPHIC STUDIO

ere we are facing our second Christmas during a pandemic, but at least this year, many of us have been vaccinated and we can gather with our families with less stress of spreading the virus.

These unprecedented times call us to make changes in the way we’ve always done things. One great example of this is the way that CORTA (Columbus Regional Tennis Association) has pivoted, offering tennis lessons and tennis education virtually using Zoom. Through its youth program, CORTA has targeted the underserved population and at-risk children offering them an outlet for activity that will help them stay healthy.

CORTA still offered youth classes in person and with the addition of virtual classes, has been able to reach any child who wants to learn tennis. Read more about this on page 9.

Giving back to our community through volunteering is vital year round, but never more important than at the holidays. If you look around our communities, you’ll see many who are less fortunate. So many non-profit organizations do yeoman’s work feeding, clothing and sheltering those in need, and they need our help. The holidays present a special challenge due to colder weather and the need to help parents provide Christmas gifts for their children. This is an important lesson for us to teach our own children and grandchildren. Good ways to volunteer or share are: serve a holiday meal at one of our local shelters, adopt a family in need or let your child pick out a toy to purchase for another child. There are toy collection boxes all around town. These are small ways to teach our children empathy and foster philanthropy.

As 2021 draws to a close and we welcome 2022, we thank you for being a Valley Parent reader and for sharing photos of your children for our Valley Smiles pages and our Fresh Faces Cover Contest. Thanks also to our advertisers. They’re the ones who make it possible for us to provide VP for free.

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Contributing Writers TIFFANY LOVELL JOHN ROSEMOND

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Living with Children A 4-year-old – I’ll call him Popeye – had a habit of hitting other children in his preschool program. His teachers tried various approaches, including rewarding him with a treat on days when he didn’t hit. That backfired, as such silly approaches to discipline nearly always do.

At wit’s end, Popeye’s mom asked my advice, which I gave as follows: When Popeye hits, his teacher is to immediately remove him from class, take him to a neutral “holding zone,” and call Mom. As soon as she is able, Mom is to retrieve Popeye from school, take him home, confine him to his room for the remainder of the day and put him to bed immediately after supper. During Popeye’s “rehab,” his parents cleanse his room of entertainment.

Several weeks into the plan, I received an email from Mom who told me that Popeye’s hitting had all but disappeared. However, when Mom told Popeye’s teachers what I had recommended, they expressed disapproval, saying they were sure Popeye didn’t mean to hit other children. His hitting was “impulsive,” they said, “not deliberate,” and he should not be punished because “he can’t help it.” So instead of calling Mom when Popeye hits, they inform her of any incidents at pick-up. If Popeye has hit someone, Mom takes him home, confines him to his room, and puts him to bed immediately after supper. The teachers don’t know what Mom is doing because she is convinced, and probably rightly so, that if they knew Popeye’s evil mother was inflicting psychological abuse upon him in the form of room confinement, they would not give her accurate information.

Actually, I accept the teachers’ belief that most of Popeye’s hitting is impulsive. Nonetheless, they are wrong to think he should not be punished. The only way a child learns impulse control is to be punished when his lack thereof produces an antisocial behavior, and let’s face it, there are few things more antisocial than hitting.

The punishment, furthermore, must be discomforting because discomfort is highly motivating. Nothing less will cause the child in question to exert the necessary effort.

Toddlers are antisocial behavior factories. They hit, bite, scream, openly defy authority, snatch things out of other children’s hands, bop other children over their heads with the things they snatch, and so on. It could be argued that nearly all toddler misbehavior is impulsive, not “deliberate.” But children, even young ones, can and do learn to control impulsive behavior. They simply need adults to motivate them to do so.

Popeye was in danger of becoming the victim of well-intentioned but enabling adults. Instead of supporting his rehabilitation, Popeye’s teachers made excuses for him. Had their point of view prevailed, he would have been denied the opportunity to develop self-discipline and improve his social relationships. He might still be hitting five, even ten or more, years from now.

Good for Popeye’s mom that she went ahead and did what is necessary to bring his antisocial outbursts to a halt. Let’s all pray the teachers don’t find out that Popeye’s mom refuses to become an enabler of perpetual toddlerhood.

by John Rosemond, PhD

Q: I recently changed my almost 4-year-old son’s preschool. Once fearless, he has become reluctant to simply get out of the car in the morning and go into the school. There’s always a teacher at curbside, welcoming the kids. At his old school, he’d just get out of the car and go in. Now, I have to walk him in, then he doesn’t want me to leave.

Once I go, he’s fine. Did I make a mistake changing his school?

A: Unfortunately, today’s all-too-typical mother tends toward feeling that if her child has a negative reaction to a decision she has made, the decision was probably wrong and may well cause psychological problems. This is tantamount to believing that a child’s emotional reactions are accurate barometers of parental decisions.

A child is not in any position to know what is in his best interest. He may know when he is thirsty, but he does not know whether he should have water or a soda. If you give him water and he cries for soda, this does not mean you have done the wrong thing, much less that he will develop psychological issues concerning water. In this case, your son may know that he is anxious, but he does not know that the solution to his anxiety is for him to simply get out of the car and walk inside.

As you have already discovered, you cannot talk your son into opening the car door and walking in on his own. No anxious child has ever been talked out of his anxieties. Older children can be talked (sometimes) into doing what is necessary to test their anxieties against reality and therefore overcoming them (e.g., riding a horse), but when it comes to the anxieties of a young child, there are but two paths for parents to take: forget it or force it.

Forgetting it means deciding that the issue isn’t really that important (e.g., riding a horse) and that it is in the best interest of all concerned to wait until the child is older before re-introducing the child to the anxiety-arousing event or thing. When the issue is important (e.g., getting out of the car and walking into school), then forcing the issue becomes a necessity. Here’s a fact: When parents cater to a child’s anxieties, they worsen.

So, first, redefine the problem. This amounts to verbal sleight-ofhand that allows a parent to force a change in behavior without putting on the role of serious disciplinarian. Tell your son you’ve spoken to his doctor about the problem and the doctor says reluctance to get out of the car in the morning means your son is not getting enough sleep. So, if he doesn’t simply get out of the car at your first prompt (i.e., if he hesitates, requiring you to tell him twice), you’ve been instructed to make sure he gets more sleep that night by putting him to bed immediately after supper. Remind your son that you have to do what the doctor says.

If, the next day, when you pull up to the school, he does not seem to want to get out of the car, say, “Oh, you’re tired. C’mon. I’ll walk you in.” Make no big deal of it but put him to bed after supper that evening. Not one of the many parents to whom I have recommended this approach have never told me it failed. Furthermore, I have never spoken to a pediatrician who disapproved of his authority being invoked in this creative manner. In fact, most of ‘em think it’s funny. vp Family psychologist John Rosemond: johnrosemond.com parentguru.com © 2021, John K. Rosemond DECEMBER 2021/JANUARY 2022 | Valley Parent

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D E PA R T M E N T S John Rosemond

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Lessons Learned

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Family Fun Calendar

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VP Locations

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Valley Smiles

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F E AT U R E S Find New Ways to Celebrate the Holidays........... 3 Keeping children busy during their holiday break may require changing things up a bit.

Volunteer this Christmas....................................................... 6 Set a good example for your children by making time to give back.

CORTA Youth Program Pivots............................................9 Keeping children safe while still connected to tennis required creativity.

ON THE COVER

On th

e Go?

Read every Valley Pa rent wher mobi e on your le de vices .

Graves Dillon, 2, is ready for Santa’s arrival. He’s the son of Will and Libba Richardson Dillon of Columbus. photos by Mike Culpepper 2

Valley Parent | DECEMBER 2021/JANUARY 2022

by Tiffany Lovell

Find New Ways to Celebrate the Holidays

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ith the holidays coming up and school closing out for winter break, kids will be spending a lot of time at home. The holidays are an important time to celebrate family, but it can be tough finding new ways to make each Christmas special. Whether it’s visiting Santa, trying new dishes or going caroling, there are plenty of ways to add new holiday traditions.

Several families in Columbus discussed what they typically do during the holidays to keep everyone entertained.

“I like to do a couple of different things with my children,” Kelly Turner said of her holiday traditions. “We pick a night and

go look at Christmas lights in various neighborhoods. We also like to make cookies or gingerbread houses. On Christmas Eve, without fail, I read The Night Before Christmas to my children before bedtime.”

Typically, families take their children to see Santa, decorate the tree, visit relatives and open presents Christmas morning. However, some like to incorporate special cultural traditions in the mix.

“We have all the typical food a Christmas dinner would have, but Glühwein is a must,” Vanessa Hay said. “It wouldn’t be a German Christmas without it.” Glühwein is a traditional German mulled wine.

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The holidays are the perfect time to discover new ways to celebrate, and going back to your roots might be the ticket. Try entertaining your family by creating a new recipe with a cultural twist.

Another local family find themselves establishing new traditions with their new additions to the family.

“I didn’t have a lot of holiday traditions growing up,” Elizabeth Smith said. “The only thing my family did was decorate the tree and open presents Christmas morning. I wanted to give my children something to always look forward to, so my husband and I decided to make it a point to always have Christmas Eve dinner. Afterwards, we give each of our kids new pajamas.”

With the help of opening a gift on Christmas Eve, it satisfies her children’s need to know what’s under the tree just long enough until Christmas morning.

All three families mentioned several of the same activities such

as building gingerbread houses, taking their children to see Santa and finding local tree lighting events.

“Seeing my kids faces light up with the Christmas trees is always special,” Smith said. “We used to go all the way to Atlanta or Lake Lanier for their extravagant light shows. But, since we moved to Columbus, we attend the one by the river.”

The holidays also pose a lot of opportunities to teach your children how to cook and bake. Turner and her children find ways to bring everyone in the kitchen to contribute to their holiday dinner.

“Three kids and an adult crammed in the kitchen sounds horrible, but we make it fun,” Turner said. “There is usually a tornado of a mess to clean and a lot of delicious food cooking while we tidy up. We absolutely have to make green bean casserole, but nothing would be complete without a turkey or ham from Country’s Barbecue.”

Lessons Learned

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Valley Parent | DECEMBER 2021/JANUARY 2022

It is important to utilize this season to spend time with your family, as there are no distractions from school or work. It is a special time in which the whole family is able to focus on each other and bond over many different activities.

“I always said that Christmas is my most favorite time of year because everyone is ‘stuck’ in the house together,” Hay said. “Our family is close-knit already, but the holidays seem to bring us even closer. We find ourselves all squished on the couch watching National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and spilling popcorn everywhere. Despite the mess, it is one of our most cherished memories each year.”

Don’t waste this time with your family this year. Find a new Christmas movie to watch, make some hot cocoa and enjoy this holiday together. vp

DECEMBER 2021/JANUARY 2022 | Valley Parent

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VOLUNTEER this Christmas

by Tiffany Lovell

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hile the holiday season may be busy with shopping, family obligations and end of the year deadlines, it’s important to make time to give back to your community. Columbus provides several volunteer opportunities for individuals to invest their time and give back this time of year.

According to Gregory Wilson with Valley Rescue Mission, “This is the largest volunteer season we have, but we do offer opportunities every single day of the year.”

Valley Rescue Mission is an organization that helps a variety of individuals in Columbus from those who are struggling with addiction to offering family services. They have a large, helpful impact on the community and offer many volunteer opportunities. Valley Rescue Mission invites everyone to help serve food on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, while they are also looking for individuals to sign families up for their annual holiday food and toy event. They welcome volunteers of all ages, so the whole family can contribute to the community.

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Valley Parent | DECEMBER 2021/JANUARY 2022

You can also check out your local churches for Missions.

“This is the largest for volunteer opportunities as well. Gentian “The Baptist churches here volunteer season Baptist Church is participating in their in Columbus support Mission we have, but we do annual Operation Christmas Child and Columbus, and they do a lot of Toys for Missions events. great work,” Downey said. “They offer opportunities “Operation Christmas Child is a have a clothing bank for children every single day worldwide event that many churches and adults, but Christmas is a participate in,” Toby Gilliland, the minister big deal for them. They provide of the year.” of music, said. “With this particular event, we Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner -GREGORY WILSON collect shoe boxes filled with various supplies. where individuals can volunteer to Valley Rescue Mission These boxes are sent to Atlanta along with other serve.” boxes collected throughout other Georgia churches, The deadline to donate and provide toys and then distributed to those in need.” for the children is two weeks before Christmas The supplies can include a variety of things such as: hygienic day for those interested in this event. products, small toys and small non-perishable candy.

Gentian Baptist Church would also like to invite the community “This particular event is really special; you get to pick between to their Service Saturdays that occur once a month. the age and gender of the child and fill the shoe box with toys “We find a local ministry or church, and we volunteer for them,” or supplies,” Julia Downey added. “A lot of churches participate Beau Reimink, the student minister, said. “Anyone and everyone as well, so you don’t necessarily have to drop off the shoe box at are welcome to join. This December we are going to assist Mission our location.” If interested in this event, contact Cathy Driver at Columbus in organizing toys that are coming in and possibly 706-888-7297. distributing them personally to families in need. We encourage Toys for Missions is another opportunity to donate or provide young people to volunteer along with adults. It is a wonderful toys for children this Christmas. Gentian Baptist Church works experience for the whole family.” closely with Mission Columbus, an organization that created Toys The church will also be doing their annual Christmas tree

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sale starting November 26, lasting until they sell out of trees. They are available Monday through Saturday, and the money will be donated to Columbus Missions.

Columbus Missions will use the money to provide families with trees that can’t afford them during the holiday season.

Many organizations and charity events have seen a decline in volunteers due to COVID-19, and these organizations, along with many others, wish to encourage more people to reach out.

Gregory Wilson said, “Don’t let COVID stop you from volunteering. Remember to practice social distancing, wear a mask and wash your hands.” The community relies heavily on volunteers for assistance.

If you are looking for a way to get involved and assist your local community this year, reach out to these organizations and events. Anyone can volunteer and provide joy to someone else’s family this Christmas.

Visit Valley Rescue Mission’s website to sign up for events: www. valleyrescuemission.org/volunteer-1.

Gentian Baptist Church asks you to call 706.561.5313 if you have any questions regarding their events. vp

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Valley Parent | DECEMBER 2021/JANUARY 2022

by Tiffany Lovell

CORTA Youth Program Pivots C

ORTA, also known as the Columbus Regional Tennis Association, has worked diligently to create a safe environment for its students to continue learning tennis throughout the pandemic.

Last year’s lockdown posed quite a challenge, but thanks to Development and Outreach Coordinator Helen Powell, the children were able to continue a sense of normality through Zoom meetings and the help of Pinterest.

“Within the Zoom meetings, we were able to incorporate some tennis skills and tennis education,” Powell said. “Then we would provide a simple recipe for the children to follow.”

The organization created a modified version of NJTL (National Junior Tennis and

Learning) known as TennisWorks!. The organization is free to those between the ages of six and 18 who qualify. The after-school program is created to offer children a healthy outlet and educate them on a variety of topics, including tennis, at the same time.

“Our goal is to bring kids in that are in our underserved population and our at-risk children,” she said. “CORTA can give them an outlet for activity and to give them something to do to keep them healthy and teach them character building. What we’re trying to do is bring kids in that think they never would have the ability to play tennis or never have the opportunities to learn the game and to make new friends.”

The program is offered online or in-person depending on the family’s preference and either option provides the students with the same education. The only difference

DECEMBER 2021/JANUARY 2022 | Valley Parent

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January 27 & 28

9:30 & 11:30 AM

VISIT OUR BOX OFFICE! rivercenter.org Monday-Friday @rivercenterga 10:00 am - 5:30 pm 900 Broadway, Columbus, GA 706.256.3612 PROUD SEASON SPONSOR

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Valley Parent | DECEMBER 2021/JANUARY 2022

is the zoom meetings also include simple recipes providing an easy, engaging activity for the children to do at home. Powell takes her time, weekly, gathering up all the ingredients for her students and creating recipes for them to follow along during the video calls.

“We had children from five to 16, and that’s a big age difference,” she said. “We tried to keep it simple and make it so it’s not too many ingredients and something they could make either in a Crock-Pot or microwave. The whole point was to try to make them independent and develop healthier eating habits. Instead of grabbing a bag of chips or cookies, we wanted to try and help develop their palates. We just want show them that you don’t have to be a great cook to make yourself a snack.”

And the students loved every minute. Between making microwave lasagna to Crock-Pot mug cakes, they were engaged and escaping the reality of COVID which hung over their heads. Powell even provided step-by-step crafts within the Zoom calls to keep things fresh and interesting for the children.

There is also a certified teacher involved that dedicated some of her time to assist students with their schoolwork. She also developed interesting lessons plans for the call.

Once lockdown was officially lifted, TennisWorks! was ready to accept children back for in-person learning. CORTA still takes great precautions for the safety of their students and staff

“What we’re trying to do is bring kids in that think they never would have the ability to play tennis or never have the opportunities to learn the game and to make new friends.”

-HELEN POWELL

by following the CDC’s social distancing guidelines, and each student is provided with his own racket.

“Tennis was designated as one of the safest sports because we are outdoors, and we do not touch each other,” Powell said. “The balls are fuzzy, and they are not supposed to hold germs. The children use hand sanitizer, and we make them stretch their arms out and say ‘lets stand this far apart now.’ It’s easier to keep this distance because no one wants to get hit with a racket.”

This past summer, TennisWorks! took students on a field trip to Atlanta to watch a professional tennis match. They were just steps away from famous tennis players such as Nick Kyrgios while they were warming up for the tournament.

Also, TennisWorks! acquired many new in-person students due to the safety measures they were taking, the offer of learning a sport and to see their friends again. Lockdown was hard on both parents and children, and TennisWorks! is here to save the day.

“There were so many kids wanting to come, and many were not able to see each other in school either,” Powell said. “As soon as we opened back up, we had so many parents coming back asking to sign their kids up. They know that if their kids are inside all the time they are not being active, and they are not developing a lot of good health and wellness habits.”

TennisWorks! occurs in-person at Cooper Creek Tennis Center every Tuesday between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m., the Zoom meetings occur every Thursday from 4 to 5 p.m.

The program is 100 percent free for everyone who qualifies. If your child is interested, sign them up. Visit CORTA.org/Outreach for more information. This program is perfect for children to acquire healthy habits, learn more outside of school and make new friends. vp DECEMBER 2021/JANUARY 2022 | Valley Parent

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Calendar DECEMBER 3 Broadway Holiday • Come to Uptown Columbus for a

night full of fun with Christmas music, hot cocoa, tree lighting and a special visit from the big guy himself: Santa! 6:30 p.m. Cost: Free Info: AlwaysUptown.com.

4 -28 Shine: A Celebration of Nature and Wonder at Columbus Botanical Garden • Choose from nine

different nights to stroll through the Illuminated garden. Skip down Candy Cane Lane and have your picture made with Santa, while Mrs. Claus keeps everyone entertained with stories. Each night will have a different line-up of family-friendly music and entertainment groups, nature-inspired arts and crafts for the kids and more activities for the whole family. Cost: $10 for non-members, $8 for members and $5 for children 3-17. Info: ColumbusBotanicalGarden.org.

11 Holidays on the Homefront Mini Camp at the National Infantry Museum • Join the NIM for an afternoon

full of games, hands on activities, fun facts, tours, refreshments and more. Don’t forget to wear your jammies! For ages five to 11. Cost: $10 Info: NationalInfantryMuseum.org/nim-kids/.

11, 12, 13 A Christmas to Believe In at RiverCenter • In a story that begins on the steps of a New York orphanage, a

young girl named Hope, embarks on a journey to find a family but discovers so much more. Join Hope, her teddy bear Fuzzy and an

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ensemble of timeless Christmas characters as they go on an adventure of a lifetime. A Christmas to Believe In is a musical filled with your favorite holiday classics and show stopping dance numbers. Cost: $15 Info: RiverCenter.org.

18 The Nutcracker • The Columbus Ballet presents its 25th production of The Nutcracker. Join Clara as she travels on a magical journey through the Land of Sweets with her Nutcracker Prince. Showtimes are 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. Cost: $42 Info: ColumbusBallet.net.

JANUARY 8,11 Artful Babies at The Columbus Museum •

Learn about the world of art with your child. Each month they will explore a different theme and discover what their youngest visitors are drawn to during their museum visit. Each session includes a playtime to explore books and hands-on objects as well as an art activity for children and their caregivers to complete together. Space is limited. Cost: Free Info: ColumbusMuseum.com.

15, 16, 22, 23 A Superhero For All Seasons • Sam loves playing superhero so much that she refuses to take off her favorite costume. But as seasons change, even her superpowers can’t keep her warm. Join Sam on her journey to learn about seasons and weather in this out-of-this-world theatre event at the Coca-Cola Space Science Center. Cost: Kids over three $15, Adults $18 Info: SpringerOperaHouse.org.

Pick up your copy of the latest Valley Parent at one of these convenient locations:

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Hollywood Connection Columbus Clinic Imagination Station Columbus Museum Imagination Station Too Columbus Pediatrics Columbus Public Library International Friendship Ministries Celebrate Columbus Regional Family Joyful Journeys Childcare the Holidays Practice Just for Kids Columbus Roberts Center Kool Smiles CSU Elizabeth Bradley Turner Ctr. Blake Lane, Orthodontist Academy Dance Center Curves for Women (Phenix City) Mark Lawrence, DDS Acute Care Express Curves for Women (Veterans) La Bella Party and Tea All About Kids Learning Center Dinglewood Pharmacy Lil’ Rascals Resale & Boutique Devica Alappan, MD Divine Childcare Learning Ctr. Little Angels Child Dev. Ctr. Angel Academy James Dorchak, MD Little Paws Preschool Aranas & Stitt, OB/GYN Easter Seals James Lopez, DMD Bare Ware Pottery Miranda Y. Edwards, MD Thomas Malone, MD Basilio Pediatrics Fairview Baptist Preschool Mathnasium Behavioral Health Partners The Family Center Mica’s Child Development Ctr. Bluebelle Artist Market Family Physicians of Columbus Mickayla’s Place The Blushing Brunette Boutique First Baptist Church Child Dev./PC Midtown Medical Center Julie Braddy-Roberts, MD Foot & Ankle of West Ga. Midtown OBGYN Regina Carpenter, MD Fort Benning Housing Services Mildred L. Terry Library Center Pharmacy Fountain City Coffee My Gym Central Christian Church Generations Knowledge & Care Ctr. Necco Foster Care Central OBGYN Goo Goo Car Wash (Manchester Exp) North Columbus Library Chambers OB/GYN Great Beginnings Child Care Northside Recreation Center Ritu Chandra, MD Greystone Falls OBGYN Associates Chick-fil-a Bradley Park Greystone at Columbus Park Lirio E. Palmos, MD Childcare Network (Hamilton Rd) Greystone Inverness Panvelkar & Panvelkar, MD Clement Arts Growing Room Pastoral Institute Columbus Children’s Dentistry Growing Room Too Pediatric Rehab YO U T H PROGRAM PIVOTS

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Valley Parent | DECEMBER 2021/JANUARY 2022

Pediatrics at Brookstone Ctr. Phenix City-Russell County Library Pierce Chapel Methodist Preschool Polka-Dots Early Childhood Dev. Ctr. Preppy Pets Project Launch Puddle Jumpers Child Enrichment Ctr. Rising Star Child Development Ctr. Rivertown Pediatrics Russell County DHR Second Avenue Animal Hospital Jeffrey Serff, DMD Smiths Station Baptist Church Smiths Station Pharmacy St. John AME Church St. Luke Early Learning Ctr. St. Mark UMC Child Dev. Ctr. Lisa Alexander Strickland, DMD Summerville Baptist Preschool Sylvan Learning Center Nora Tan-Ngo, MD Toni’s Dancing Studio TSYS Childcare Center Uptown Pediatrics West Georgia Pediatrics Wynnton UMC Pre-school ZÖe Pediatrics Distribution sites committed at press time.

Valley Smiles Send your photos and captions to ContactUs@ValleyParent.com.

Connor and Amelia Regan had a great Halloween trickor-treating in their neighborhood.

Michael Nolan celebrated his 11th birthday with an Among Us themed party.

Norah Jade Singletary, 2, waits on her front porch to go out and play.

Atharv Srivastava dressed up as an astronaut for a space-themed day at his school.

Anna Kate Kirkland, 5, dressed as a member of the police force for Community Helpers Day at St. Luke School.

DECEMBER 2021/JANUARY 2022 | Valley Parent

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