MEET BIRD BAKERY’S
ELIZABETH CHAMBERS HAMMER THE MAGAZINE PARENTS LIVE BY IN DALL AS COUNT Y
A P R I L 2018
THE FOOD ISSUE!
23
WAYS TO HAVE FUN IN APRIL
GETTING YOUR PICKY EATER TO...
EAT WHY KIDS NEED TO LEARN TO GARDEN
12 CLASSES TO LEARN COOKING & ETIQUETTE
section: ising ert v ad
spec ial
+
*
Best Summer Family Travel Ever Event Guide Feb. 24
Your next family adventure starts at Your Place. Park Place presents a bold new take on legendary Porsche performance: the Panamera Sport Turismo. With an athletic body style, versatile five-door design and increased luggage capacity. Along with a spirited new powertrain and numerous engine options. Of course, no matter which you choose, a one-of-a-kind ownership experience comes standard.
That’s what makes Park Place feel like Your Place.
Š2018 Porsche Cars North America, Inc. Porsche recommends seat belt usage and observance of all traffic laws at all times.
Park Place Porsche Dallas 6113 Lemmon Avenue Dallas, TX 75209 214.525.5400 park-place.porschedealer.com
TAP STOMP SHUFFLE SWAY
Olivia, 11 Scoliosis
There’s no better place for healing muscles, joints and bones. Every day, our world-renowned pediatric orthopedic experts are giving children back their childhood.
Dallas Plano scottishritehospital.org
pages / A P R I L
2018
FEATURE 20 Quitting The Kids Menu
To get kids to eat, parents beg, bribe and settle for cheeseburgers and chicken nuggets. Here’s how to win again in the kitchen. words Jessica Elliott
DEPARTMENTS NOTED 9 Garden to Table
If you want your kids to eat healthier, try gardening
REAL MOMS 13 Mom Next Door / Elizabeth Chambers Hammer
The TV personality, Bird Bakery owner and mom of two shares her recipe for doing it all
No mom wants to be a short-order cook. Jessica Elliott shares some strategies to turn your selective eater into an omnivore. p. 20
16 5 Things … / Sound Bites
Our Mom Next Door’s favorite Dallas eats
18 Routines / Maris Young
How the Plano mom incorporates self-care into raising a toddler
KID CULTURE 41 Knead to Know
Cooking, baking and etiquette classes for kids
46 Celebrate / Hats Off!
9
46
60
A Parisian party a la Madeline
60 The Agenda
Our favorite family events this month
ON THE COVER
THE FOOD ISSUE
COLUMNS 6 Hello / From Scratch
An introduction to our April issue DallasChild Cover Model: Peter of Dallas CollinChild Cover Model: Zachary of Frisco Photography: Jenn Karsner, Wallflower Management Hair/Makeup: Jenn Karsner, Wallflower Styling: Meredith Mosshart
words Lauren Niebes
62 Confessions / Mommy Fails
When bad things happen to good parents
dfwchild.com / april 2018
5
hello / E D I T O R ’ S
ABOVE / Lauren and her grandmother baking away.
The Weekend Guide
Handpicked events for your family to enjoy every weekend. Subscribe at dfwchild.com/newsletter.
facebook.com/ dallaschildmagazine facebook.com/ collinchildmagazine
Follow Us on Instagram
@dfwchildmag
Email Us
Let us know what’s on your mind. editorial@dfwchild.com
Story Ideas
from scratch
’m a bona fide lover of food, and have been ever since … well, since I started eating solids. So when we were planning out issues for the year, this month’s topic— food—was one I wholeheartedly championed. I have my grandmother to thank for my affection for food. When I was little, I would stand on an old wooden church bench in her kitchen and watch her cook, mesmerized. Then when I was old enough, we’d bake together. Of all the things we made, my favorite was graham cracker cookies with Texas pecans. The pecans came from Fredericksburg, where she and my grandfather had a home—a 19th-century German settler’s house on the historic register. In the backyard of that tiny home were huge pecan trees. I would gather the fallen pecans, bag them and bring them home to Dallas, where we’d crack them and chop them up for my favorite cookies. Eating those cookies brings back so many happy times. That’s the power of food. It can injure your body and make you sick, but it can also nourish and heal and bring people around the table for an often lively shared experience. Which is why we can’t overstate the importance of involving your kids in making and eating good, healthful food as early and often as possible. To help you out, Alexis Manrodt and Lisa Salinas, our two new stellar editorial staffers, found 12 local classes that will teach your kids how to make good food and how to act once they’re at the table. Read “Knead to Know” on page 41 to get the scoop. But what about those kids who are stuck on chicken nuggets and mac and cheese? Jessica Elliott tackles the topic of the picky eater and “Quitting the Kids Menu” in her feature on page 20. Parents try a multitude of ways to coax their kids to eat well, but as Elliott herself learned, you can’t force it. She talked to experts (parents and professionals) about strategies that do work for getting those stubborn eaters to find new flavors they love—or at least will eat. This issue is a bittersweet one as we say goodbye to our editorial designer, Katie Garza. Much of what you’ve seen in this magazine month after month for the last five years is her handiwork—and I couldn’t have asked for anyone better. We all wish her luck and much success in the next chapter of her career, and hope our paths will cross again soon. Happy April! PHOTO COURTESY OF LAUREN NIEBES
Have a story idea? We want to hear it. Email us at editorial@dfwchild.com
I
NOTE
6
april 2018 / dfwchild.com
PAID ADVERTISEMENT
From
PUBLISHER/ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Joylyn Niebes
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lauren Niebes
lauren@dfwchild.com
EDITORIAL
Jonathan E. Walker, M.D.
Managing Editor
Board Certified in Neurology and EEG
Carrie Steingruber Associate Editor Assistant Editor
This is the time of year I hear from frustrated parents who are worried because the school year has not been good for their children. So often parents are confused about “hit and miss” diagnoses regarding their child’s problems including dyslexia, ADD, anxiety, behavior problems, anger control, and other issues.
Lisa Salinas
Calendar Editor
Elizabeth Smith
calendar@dfwchild.com
ART
It is very easy for practitioners to write a prescription for medication. But, medications do not cure the problems—neither will special diets or learning coping and organizational skills. These may help, but will not cure the problems. Medication just covers up the problems! Put simply: children on medication for a problem such as ADD, anxiety, or anger control still have ADD, anxiety or anger control. Medication does not cure the problems, and the SIDE EFFECTS are very troubling—including weight gain/loss, sleep loss and suicidal thoughts.
Graphic Designer
Susan Horn
Editorial Designer
Katie Garza
Art Assistant
Sara Strugger
ADVERTISING Associate Publisher
Diana Whitworth Nelson
It is VERY important to have a PROPER diagnosis for these difficulties.
Account Executives Maggie Marston, Kristen Niebes,
I am a Medical Doctor, a Board Certified Neurologist. I have researched, treated and taught about learning difficulties my entire career. I use the best diagnosis method which is objective, painless, and non-invasive. The testing helps define problems in areas of the brain for which I make a plan for treatment which is called neurotherapy. It is all done in our clinic. The results are remarkable for both children and adults—not just for learning problems, but many other difficulties including stress, depression, sports injuries, and sleep disorders.
Sandi Tijerina, Kerensa Vest, Laura Vardell Fort Worth/North Texas
Nikki Garrett, Nancy McDaniel Advertising Coordinator
Amy Klembara
advertising@dfwchild.com
PR/MARKETING
Now is a good time to begin a plan for treatment during the summer. Cure the problems without medication!
Audience Development Director
Candace Emerson
Promotions Coordinator
Call us with your questions. Come to a free information session. Visit our website. Make an appointment for an evaluation.
Beth McGee
ADMINISTRATIVE
Sincerely,
Business Manager
Leah Wagner
Jonathan E. Walker, MD, MS, EEG, BCN, QEEG/D
Office Manager + Distribution
Robbie Scott
Board Certified in Neurology and EEG
Next Information Session: May 2, 7:00 p.m.
HOW TO CONTACT US:
4275 Kellway Circle, Suite 146, Addison, Texas 75001 800/638-4461 or 972/447-9188 972/447-0633, 972/447-0425 dfwchild.com
Call for reservations.
Ads with © are © of Lauren Publications, Inc. 2018.
DFWChild is published monthly by Lauren Publications, Inc. DFWChild is distributed free of charge, one copy per reader. Only DFWChild authorized distributors may deliver or pick up the magazines. Additional or back copies of DFWChild are available for $2 per copy at the offices of Lauren Publications, Inc. We reserve the right to edit, reject or comment editorially on all material contributed. We cannot be responsible for the return of any unsolicited material. DFWChild is ©2018 by Lauren Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without express written permission prohibited.
Dr. Walker
Dear Parents,
Alexis Manrodt
Address: Phone: Fax: Online:
BEWARE OF MEDS
A Medical Clinic with Painless Drug-free Solutions 12870 Hillcrest Rd., Suite 201 | Dallas, TX 75230
Neurotherapy Center of Dallas
972.991.1153
www.neurotherapydallas.com Covered by most insurance plans ©
dfwchild.com / april 2018
7
THE WORLD’S LARGEST ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERIENCE
Eco Expo Expert Speakers Green Exhibitors Film Festival EXPERIENCES Tiny House Village Dive Pool Tree Climbing Art Petting Zoo Recycling Pavilion Solar Raceway Green Auto Show Scavenger Hunt Outdoor Adventure Zone Music
For FREE Expo admission, download the EarthX mobile App or register online. Formerly Earth Day Texas For more information, visit EarthX.org
APRIL 13-22 60+ Feature & Short Films Young Filmmakers Workshops & Competitions Virtual Reality Experiences
noted.
GARDEN TO TABLE
gardening is good for the mind, body and palate WORDS ERIN BURT
PHOTO COURTESY OF REAL SCHOOL GARDENS
“A
lice, what’s your favorite part of gardening?” Bethany Cowin asks her daughter. “Planting seeds,” 6-year-old Alice nearly whispers. “What’s Hilde’s favorite part?” Hilde is Alice’s little sister. “Eating everything.” The girls have been involved in their family’s garden since Alice was 2 1/2 years old and before Hilde could walk. Now gardening is part of the Grand Prairie family’s homeschool curriculum. In fact, improved academic outcomes associated with gardening have elevated the hobby to a serious part of many schools’ curricula. REAL School Gardens started in Fort Worth to improve life for children in urban areas through school-based gardens. Now a
dfwchild.com / april 2018
9
noted / G A R D E N
E XC E S S I V E
PLAY
MAY OPTIMIZE
POTENTIAL!
Fun, engaging, science-based play system to kick-start learning. Classes for ages 4 months to 5 years in-home and at 4 DFW locations. Enroll today at PlayWisely.com
10
april 2018 / dfwchild.com
nationwide program, the organization helps CLIENT: PlayWisely JOB#: PLAY-18-001 install outdoor learning gardens and trains 2018 Advertising Campaign
“Hilde loves eating the food we grow,” Cowin says. “During the summer, she loves teachers in how to use the space. Kids maingoing out and grabbing everything for tainx the gardens and get hands-on lessons in salad, and now she loves eating salad.” TRIM: 2.25"w 9.625"h LIVE: 2.25"w x 9.625"h biology, weather, even math and language arts. The kids who participate in Independence BLEED: n/a “These aren’t just gardens,” says Mary Gardens also take their COLOR: CMYK Freeman, executive director for the Texas produce from garden to region. “They are outdoor classrooms. table. “After we harvest PUB: DFWChild CONTACT: They are just as importhe food, we show the Amy Klembara tant as the computer lab, kids how to cook it,” 214.628.9716 library or other specialized Richey says. This is an amy@dfwchild.com HOME & classroom space.” opportunity to give the RELEASE: 3/9/18 In a longitudinal study kids more new experiencGARDEN INSERTION: April for REAL School Gardens, es with food. “We always Kids can reap the benefits Southern Methodist introduce a new ingredient of gardening right at University found increased that they may not be familhome, says Sammy Wren, pass rates on standardized iar with, like quinoa and an instructor for REAL tests and greater student coconut milk: ingredients School Gardens. “If you want to plant a garden engagement at schools with that make food nutritionin the ground, go with a learning gardens. Other ally dense. … We do that raised garden.” studies of school-based because we want kids to ask gardening programs report about the ingredients.” HOW TO BUILD A higher science scores, as RAISED BED GARDEN: 1. Create a 4-by-4-foot space well as better communicaBRINGING IT HOME with landscape barriers. tion skills and increased Fort Worth mom CJ 2. Fill with potting soil. self-esteem. Evans and her four kids 3. Place an unglazed clay pot Then there’s Hilde’s started edible gardening (like an olla pot) in the center favorite part: the food. with a small space in their for irrigation purposes. backyard; now they plant 4. Plant easy-to-grow items: EAT WHAT YOU SOW tomatoes and herbs right tomatoes, peppers, radishes, Chonnie Richey is the in the front yard. “To me, garlic, herbs, strawberries founder of Independence it’s prettier than any flowand cantaloupe. Gardens, a parent-led ers,” Evans says. People 5. Water plants slowly and for a long time. This is where your organization that’s installed walk up and comment on clay pot comes in—fill it with edible gardens on three it all the time.” water, and it will release the campuses. The kids get Their home gardenwater slowly. their own plot to plant, ing habits are reinforced 6. Watch your food grow! tend and harvest. at school, where Texas For inspiration, visit A Tasteful “In our first harvest Christian University runs an Place at the Dallas Arboretum there were two boys talkedible garden. Gina Jarman to see a working edible garden ing, and one said to the Hill is the associate profesand sample recipes featuring freshly harvested ingredients. other that he had never sor of nutritional sciences Daily tastings available from seen carrots this big or this who leads students in the 10am–4pm; view each week’s color orange. The other garden at North Hi Mount menu at dallasarboretum.org. one answered, ‘I didn’t Elementary and at the know carrots came from University Christian Church the ground,’” Richey recalls. Weekday School. “The first “That was such an moment for all the adults year we had an open house, the parents said around them: How can we expect kids to things about how they would be at the grocery make healthy food choices if they don’t know store and their preschooler would tell them, where food comes from?” ‘Broccoli is a leafy green!’ and the parents Maintaining their own gardens can teach would be so surprised,” Hill recalls. kids about fresh produce and inspire them to That’s really where it all starts: Talk to make healthier eating choices. A study pubyour kids about food when and where you lished in the journal HortTechnology in 2016 can. Introduce fresh ingredients, talk about reported that elementary students who were where they come from and let your kids help part of a three-year gardening program added a make your food. “Maybe you buy basil at the wider variety of fruits and veggies to their diets. grocery store to add to spaghetti. First, let your Cowin, the homeschooling mom, has kids smell it and cut it. Let them add it so they a separate garden that her girls are responcan see the difference,” Richey suggests. sible for, where they get to pick what they “You’re building steps to engage them in grow and learn how to care for it. “They are the food,” she adds. “If you start engaging responsible for everything—weeding, pickkids in these activities, they can take responing, watering,” Cowin explains. And of course sibility for that. And when kids make it, they they’re involved with the eating too. are more likely to eat it.”
PLAY-18-001 Caution Excess Play_DFWChild_2_25x9_625_01mg.indd 3/8/18 3:31 PM 1
PHOTO COURTESY OF REAL SCHOOL GARDENS
C A U T IO N !
TO TABLE
YMCA DAY CAMPS
COLLIN COUNTY ADVENTURE CAMP
SUMMER, CAMP, & KIDS www.ymcadallas.org/camps
CAMP ON THE LAKE
CAMP GRADY SPRUCE
dfwchild.com / april 2018
11
THE
EVENT by DFWChild
PRODUCTS • SERVICES • PRIZES • GIVEAWAYS
Saturday, June 2 10am–3pm
The Shops at Willow Bend, Plano FREE EVENT
Plus
MODEL SEARCH Ages 0–12 months $35 online sign-up $45 day of event
PHOTO BY CINDY JAMES
Register at dfwchild.com
real moms.
mom next door /
ELIZABETH CHAMBERS HAMMER
tv personality and owner/ceo of bird bakery INTERVIEW NICOLE JORDAN PHOTOGRAPHY NICK PRENDERGAST
A
n audit of Elizabeth Chambers Hammer’s lexicon would likely show “perspective” as one of her highest-ranking words—over and over again, she cites the importance of perspective to success in all of life’s arenas, from parenthood to philanthropy to entrepreneurship. “It’s so easy to lose perspective and forget that every single day we’re blessed to do what we want because we live in a country that’s free,” says the Texas native. “There are so many people that don’t have those freedoms.”
dfwchild.com / april 2018
13
real moms / E L I Z A B E T H
buybuybaby.com
everything for
newborns ® to toddlers
14
april 2018 / dfwchild.com
YOU WERE PREGNANT WITH FORD WHEN THE DALLAS BAKERY OPENED. WHAT WAS THAT LIKE? The timing was difficult
because it took over a year and a half to negotiate, and by the time we signed, we had eight weeks to do my build-out. I was eight months pregnant and working 20-hour days on my feet. You do what you have to do. YOU’RE DRIVEN. IF YOU HAD TO PICK A FEW OTHER WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOURSELF, WHAT WOULD THEY BE? Ambitious,
thoughtful—I enjoy thinking about other people—and overscheduled.
“
WOMEN JUST GET IT DONE. I’M AMAZED BY SO MANY OF THE WOMEN IN MY LIFE.
AND PHILANTHROPIC. TELL ME ABOUT YOUR WORK WITH THE HUMAN RIGHTS FOUNDATION. My first job out
of school was working at Al Gore’s network, Current TV. I did everything from cross the border with illegal immigrants to go down into an oil well. When the network closed, I really missed the more meaningful journalism. I was losing perspective a bit. The president of the Human Rights Foundation asked me to come on as a correspondent, and it was a chance for me to tell meaningful stories again, which was exactly what I was missing.
DO YOU THINK YOUR WORK MAKES YOU A BETTER MOM? [It’s] taught me to com-
YOU HAVE A LOT GOING ON. WHEN DO YOU SLEEP? I don’t. I’m checking emails
partmentalize. I learned early on that if I’m on a conference call pushing my daughter on a swing, I may feel like I’m multitasking, but no one is actually getting my full attention.
DOES ALL OF THE TRAVEL GET EXHAUSTING? HOW DO YOU DO IT? We
single day like it’s your last because tomorrow isn’t promised. It’s easy to get caught up in the small things and lose perspective.
HOW DO YOU AND ARMIE STAY CONNECTED? We have a rule not to be apart for
try to learn from as many people’s mistakes as you can. You can Google anything, but draw on experience from people who have done it. And don’t give up.
at 3:00 and 4:00 in the morning. It’s not something I’m proud of, but I probably sleep four hours a night.
Find a store near you or shop online at
weeks … we’re no use to others if we’re not our best selves.
“
register with us for great benets
The wife of actor Armie Hammer (currently on everyone’s radar for his role in the Academy-award winning film Call Me by Your Name), Chambers Hammer would never be content as a Beverly Hills housewife. She’s a force in her own right. The 35-year-old mom of two studied journalism at the University of Texas at Austin, where she fell in love with storytelling. A gig on Access Hollywood catapulted her career, landing her spots on E! News, the Today show and reality shows such as Cupcake Wars and “I LOVE Sugar Showdown. TRADITIONS,” Perhaps best SAYS CHAMBERS HAMMER, WHO known for her baking MAKES A POINT prowess, Chambers TO SHARE HOMEHammer launched COOKED MEALS WITH HARPER, 3, Bird Bakery in San AND FORD, 1. Antonio in 2012. The Highland Park Village location came four years later. She splits her time between San Antonio, Dallas and Los Angeles, overseeing bakery operations while maintaining a robust TV career. Meanwhile, she serves as chief correspondent for the Human Rights Foundation. She recently supported her husband through a 15-month press tour leading up to the Oscars. And she’s a hands-on mom to Harper, 3, and Ford, 1. Her recipe for doing it all involves little sleep and lots of—you guessed it—perspective. Being a woman helps too. “Women just get it done,” she says. “I’m amazed by so many of the women in my life.”
CHAMBERS HAMMER
live on airplanes but have always just taken the children along with us. Harper had been on 158 flights before turning 3. You just kind of do it. It’s all a balancing act, for sure. more than five days. And we try to take a trip in the summer and in the winter. I think the most important thing you can do for your family is have a strong marriage. Like anything, you get out what you put in. WHAT DO YOU DO TO KEEP YOURSELF HAPPY? My “me time” is my maintenance. I
do a blowout once a week. I try to get a facial once a month. I get my nails done every two
IS THERE A MOTTO OR GOLDEN RULE YOU LIVE BY? I believe you should live every
ANY ADVICE FOR ASPIRING FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS? Do your homework and
WHAT DO YOU WANT YOUR LEGACY TO BE? An amazing mother, the best wife I
could be and bakery mogul. And somebody who told stories that people resonated with. I think telling others’ stories is the best way to keep perspective. >> T U R N T H E P A G E T O S E E E L I Z A B E T H C H A M B E R S H A M M E R’S FAVO R I T ES.
THE WESTWOOD SCHOOL
Cultivating Character
Montessori Lower School Community
TODDLER THROUGH GRADE 6
DAY-BY-DAY
Starting at an early age, Day-by-day... Step-by-step... We help Westwood students grow into caring young adults who are inquisitive, informed and inspired to succeed in an ever-changing world.
DISCOVER HOW TO LEARN
Our students learn to ask the right questions, try, make mistakes, try again, apply new knowledge and practice new skills.
FOSTER SELF-CONFIDENT LEADERS
Promoting positive interaction among students of different ages helps children build self-confidence, conflict resolution and leadership skills.
FOLLOW A PROGRESSIVE LEARNING PATH
Our teachers work closely with each child in our Lower School to identify and foster their natural interests.
Serving Dallas for over 30 years • Outdoor Play Program • Interactive Arts, Music & Drama • Summer Camps • Extended-Day Programs • Mandarin & Spanish
Learn more about Westwood’s Montessori School Community: Contact Debra Giorgini, Director of Admissions: dgiorgini@westwoodschool.org or 972-239-8598 14340 Proton Road Dallas, TX 75244 WestwoodSchool.org
real moms / 5
THINGS …
WORDS NICOLE JORDAN
SOUND BITES Elizabeth Chambers Hammer on her favorite Dallas eats
3
“
“
5
“I live on our California turkey sandwich—extra raspberry chipotle mayo, avocado and pickle spear, please—our chicken salad sandwich (add avocado) and our tomato soup.” BIRD BAKE RY // 7 Highland Park Village, Dallas // 214/780-0322 // birdbakery.com
16
BULLION // 400 S. Record St., Dallas // 972/698-4250 // bullionrestaurant.com
“
MESE RO //
Multiple locations // mesero.net
I try to sneak away from the bakery for Le Bilboquet as often as I can.
LE BILBOQUET // 4514 Travis St., Suite 124, Dallas // 469/730-2937 // lebilboquetdallas.com
JOSÉ //
+
“
“ BULLION IS NEW, ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL AND SUCH A TREAT.
april 2018 / dfwchild.com
PHOTOS COURTESY OF STEVE WRUBEL; BRUNO AT SNAP THE PICTURE; BUILLON/ EIGHTY THREE CREATIVE; ILLUSTRATION ©ISTOCK.COM/LOKFUNG
MI COCINA // Multiple locations // micocinarestaurants.com
JOSÉ AND MESERO ARE MUSTS FOR MEXICAN FOOD! 4931 W. Lovers Lane, Dallas // 214/891-5673 // jose.mx
4 “
“ I love a Mambo Taxi (or two).
“
1
The
Spring BEvent eauty Tuesday,
MAY 1, 2018
5:00 pm - 9:00 pm Noah’s Event Venue 2251 Greenville Ave. Richardson, TX 75082
JOIN OUR PLASTIC SURGEONS Denton Watumull, M.D., FACS Bruce Byrne, M.D. Joshua Lemmon, M.D. Derek Rapp, M.D. Chase Derrick, M.D. Chirag Mehta, M.D.
Event Specials
Breast Augmentation - Awesome Price!*
*See SpringBeautyEvent.com for details
Discounts on Skincare & Laser Treatments
per BOTOX $12 unit
Online registration is required to generate an appointment for the night of the event.
Within event registration on SpringBeautyEvent.com, you can choose a doctor and an appointment time.
RAFFLES THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT.... Botox®, Juvederm®, Laser Hair Removal, etc.
Event & Botox Registration SpringBeautyEvent.com
Discount certificates to the first 50 people to arrive (one per household). Dr. Denton Watumull* Dr. Bruce Byrne* Dr. Joshua Lemmon* Dr. Derek Rapp Dr. Chase Derrick Dr. Chirag Mehta
*
FREE FACIAL, MICRODERMABRASION OR SENSI PEEL
if you pre-register online by April 30 and bring this ad to the event (new attendees only, one per household)
3201 East President George Bush Frwy, Suite 101 • Richardson, TX 75082 • (972)470-5000 1407 Ridge Road, Suite 101 • Rockwall, TX 75087 • (972)470-1000 1111 E. Sara Swamy Dr • Sherman, TX 75090 • (903)893-6311 Event registration: SpringBeautyEvent.com • Main website: Create-Beauty.com
a tuesday in the life of
MARIS YOUNG Maris Young and husband, Carlos, a musician and engineer, welcomed their first child, Milo, in April 2017. When she’s not chasing Milo around the house, Maris makes time to write, freelance as a digital marketing specialist and run her own safe skin care business. The family lives in Plano with their two dogs, Nova and Chewy.
6
:45AM I open my eyes just wide enough to see my husband lean down for a kiss before he heads into work. As he leaves the room, my head hits the pillow again. 9:09AM I’m surprised we slept so late! I’m shivering so I grab my phone to check the Nest thermostat app—a balmy 68 degrees. I turn on the heat and take a few minutes to meditate on what I want to accomplish today. Milo rolls over, sits up and starts clapping. 9:15AM While still in bed, I check emails, and Milo rolls around me blowing raspberries. I discover that my marketing client’s blog posts are ready for review and schedule a business call for tonight. 9:20AM Milo is getting closer and closer to the edge of the bed so I guess it’s time to get up. 9:23AM Milo and I let the dogs outside, and then we stop in the kitchen for a glass of water. Even though more water ends up on his onesie than in his mouth, Milo loves drinking water from a cup. He wants to do everything I do! 9:26AM Time for a diaper change. 9:29AM I let the dogs back inside and feed them while Milo drums on the rocking chair in his nursery.
9:32AM I rejoin Milo in his nursery and respond to client emails while he chews on the book he’s picked out. He’s more into eating than reading these days. 9:45AM Time for breakfast. I put Milo in his high chair and sprinkle bite-size pieces of clementine for him to play with and eat. I make my usual over-medium eggs, berry smoothie with garlic—a great immune booster in flu season—and sautéed apple slices with cinnamon and nutmeg. The audiobook I downloaded the other day plays in the background. 10:10AM I roll the high chair into the dining room, and I sit down to eat. 10:30AM After I load the dishwasher, it’s time to play. Milo drifts from toy to toy, stopping at the piano a few times to reach up and press the keys. The boy loves music! 10:47AM I know he’s going to scream and fuss, but I put Milo in his crib while I go take a shower and get dressed for the day. Being able to go through my skin care routine without interruption is important for me. When I feel taken care of, it’s easier to take care of those around me. 11:14AM I go pick up Milo from his crib and try to soothe his crying. He’s deep into the separation anxiety phase, but he quiets down after a few hugs and kisses. I change his diaper and get him dressed. 11:30AM Now we’re off to my mother-inlaw’s house in Irving. I have a client meeting in an hour, and because she works from home, she has agreed to look after Milo so that I can focus on the meeting. 12:04PM Carlos’ grandmother, who is visiting from Corpus Christi, opens the door when we arrive. I have just enough time to ease Milo into his new surroundings before my meeting starts. 1:30PM The hourlong meeting is just what I needed to get the ball rolling on some of my client’s marketing projects. I’m so glad I was able to devise a creative approach to child care so that I could focus. 1:42PM My mother-in-law had sandwiches delivered for lunch. As soon as I unwrap mine, Milo crawls over and lets me know he’d like some too. I feed him some tomato with one hand while trying to eat the rest of the sandwich with the other. 2:07PM I agreed to help my husband’s grandmother register the 23andMe kit she just got in the mail. I did not, however, expect that she would insist on reading every word of the Terms and Services agreement. Milo and I pass the time by playing. 3:56PM I pack our things back into the car, and we narrowly escape soul-crushing traffic as I drive back home. 4:35PM Milo is asleep so I use the fleeting quiet time to finish prepping for a business call I have later tonight.
Diaries are penned by moms (and dads) in the Dallas area. The authors volunteer to share a day of their choosing and are not paid or endorsed by DFWChild. Send your diary to editorial@dfwchild.com. All submissions are subject to editing and may be cut for space. 18
april 2018 / dfwchild.com
PHOTO COURTESY OF CARLOS YOUNG
real moms / R O U T I N E S
the fine
©ISTOCK.COM/ANDREA_HILL/ELINALEE
WHAT SHE’S READING Tribe of Mentors by Timothy Ferriss FAVORITE INDULGENCE A freshly baked chocolate chip cookie with a tall glass of ice water while rewatching an episode of Sex and the City FAVORITE DATE NIGHT SPOT Lark on the Park BEVERAGE OF CHOICE GT’s Gingerade Kombucha BEAUTY PRODUCT SHE CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT Beautycounter volumizing mascara MOTHERHOOD IN FIVE WORDS Learning how to begin again ONGOING PROJECT This year, it’s creating a community around my blog, Young Honest Mother. LOOKING FORWARD TO A weekend getaway with my husband at a remote spa and resort in the mountains of New Mexico GREATEST FEAR Being vulnerable
4:44PM I contemplate what to make for dinner. I’d intended on roasting a chicken, but I don’t feel like starting that whole process when Carlos will be home in just a few minutes. 4:55PM Carlos is home from work. We all run to the door to greet him. 5:33PM We sit down to a dinner of salmon burgers, sautéed Swiss chard and red lentils. I spoon some Swiss chard onto Milo’s plate so that he can feed himself while Carlos and I catch up. 6PM I clean up after dinner while Carlos and Milo play the piano. 6:30PM Carlos has a musician friend over so I take Milo to his nursery to play so that they can record in peace. 8PM Time for the call with a potential business partner. I chat and listen while trying to make sure Milo’s not putting yet another unidentifiable foreign object into his mouth. 9PM The call ends. I feel good about the direction it went. Milo is beginning to whine and whimper so I know it’s time for him to call it a night. We head to our bedroom, and I cuddle and nurse him until he falls asleep. 9:44PM With Milo snoozing on the other side of me, I take the time to write out my to-do list for tomorrow. I’m trying to get better at prioritizing all my tasks. I edit a blog post for my marketing client and drift off to dreamland myself.
TODAY
WEEKDAYS 4:30-7 AM
dfwchild.com / april 2018
19
Kids Menu QUITTING THE
IN AN ATTEMPT TO SATIATE FINICKY DINERS, PARENTS ARE INCREASINGLY TURNING TO KID-APPROVED STANDBYS—CHICKEN NUGGETS, MACARONI, GRILLED CHEESE—IN LIEU OF MORE NUTRITIOUS, ADVENTUROUS OPTIONS. HERE’S HOW TO WIN AGAIN IN THE KITCHEN.
20
april 2018 / dfwchild.com
WORDS JESSICA ELLIOTT
N
ight after night, Cindy James’ sons Wyatt, 7, and Iain, 5, would ask for the same meal: chicken nuggets. The Dallas photographer and her husband both work full time, and making two nutritious meals daily was out of the question. “We gave into it in the beginning,” she says, “but I knew they weren’t getting any nutrition.” It is a common conundrum for parents: In an effort to ensure our children eat, we give them what they want. “Our basic innate parenting instinct is to nourish our children,” says registered dietitian Angela Lemond of Lemond Nutrition, which has locations in Plano and Rockwall. “The problem is that we start worrying when it’s 6pm and they aren’t eating a balanced meal. So we start subbing chicken fingers. Most families try to give their children a healthy food, but when they don’t eat it, that’s when things start going awry.” Enter the creation of the short-order cook—parents who craft entirely separate meals for their picky kids or hit the freezer for what are often less nutritious options. The desperate haste to get something on the table and into our kids’ stomachs can also lead to less-than-ideal strategies like bribery. (In a well-meaning attempt to encourage adventurousness, my own mother once promised a piece of cherry pie if I would eat an entire blue cheese-topped burger—I did. It took me 20 years to eat blue cheese again.) If you’re tired of begging, bribing or cooking to order, try a new tactic to break away from the kids menu.
ILLUSTRATIONS BY BEASTFROMEAST
KIDS MENU? WHAT KIDS MENU?
Children in other countries often eat what their parents eat (lessons can be gleaned from French Kids Eat Everything by Karen Le Billon) while convenience foods are a staple in American households. Societal pressures—like seeing what their friends are eating at school— also influence young children’s diets, and the lack of variety on restaurant kids menus makes it easy to stay in the rut: cheeseburger, grilled cheese, chicken nuggets, repeat.
“I wish we didn’t even have kids menus,” Lemond says. She believes that parents should make one meal and serve it to the entire family. After nightly chicken nugget requests, that’s exactly the process James instituted. “I say, ‘You don’t have to eat what I cook, but I’m not cooking another meal,’” she explains. She does provide two other options: They can eat anything from the counter (always fruit) or make their own dinner as long as it’s not packaged. (She says Wyatt once made a “salad” with carrot slivers and two pieces of spinach—and was thrilled.) “They don’t have to clear their plates,” James says. “But if they get up from the table once they are excused and didn’t eat, they aren’t allowed to have anything later. Usually they realize they aren’t going to get anything later and eat.” While it doesn’t work every night—she still serves up chicken nuggets on some busy evenings—it’s successful more often than not, she says. “We’ll sometimes do something easy like sandwich night or breakfast for dinner. It’s not always this sea of nutrition we are eating, but we are realistic. If we do 70-30, then we are good.” Dallas-based registered dietitian Robin Plotkin suggests including one or two items per meal that your children will eat—as long as it’s part of the family meal and not something special for the child. “If you know your kiddos will always eat blueberries or cucumbers and ranch, then terrific—serve them to the rest of the family too,” she says. You can also serve meals buffet style, Lemond suggests. But if your kiddos still won’t eat, it really and truly is OK for them to go to bed without emptying their plates. “We have to remember that as parents we are not sending them to bed hungry—they are choosing not to eat,” she says. “Sometimes children pick at food an entire day and others eat like horses. That’s just them listening to their bodies.” KEEP THE FAMILY MEAL SACRED
Sports practice, schoolwork, laundry, food prep—the list of reasons to grab dinner on the go is extensive. But our harried schedules are equating to a sharp decline in families’ shared mealtimes. In 2013,
dfwchild.com / april 2018
21
feature / Q U I T T I N G
THE KIDS MENU
86 percent of Americans said they enjoyed a family dinner once weekly, with only 58 percent dining together at least four times weekly, according to a report by The Harris Poll. And 59 percent pointed out that they used to enjoy more dinners together while growing up. With each generation, we gather together less often. Yet studies consistently tout the benefits of dining as a family five nights a week or more. “It could be cereal; it could be chicken, potatoes and asparagus, but that time together is important and builds a strong foundation,” Plotkin says. “Research shows you how important eating together as a family is—children make better life choices.” Studies from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse have revealed that kids who regularly eat family dinners receive higher grades and skip school less. Then there are the nutritional benefits. The 2009 study “Family Dinner and Diet Quality Among Older Children and Adolescents” from the Archives of Family Medicine found that children who ate dinner with their families had healthier diets with more fruits and vegetables and less saturated fats, trans fats, fried foods and soda. Though encouraging the family to sit at the table might seem daunting, meals don’t have to be long—even 15 minutes with a toddler is enough to instill the routine. Moms who might not need to eat while their children are eating can munch on fruit or a snack, suggests Lindsay Matuson, a Fort Worth-based health and fitness expert who has two young sons. “Make it social so they see happiness and togetherness early,” she says. Congregating at the table for breakfast or lunch is just as beneficial. The key is gathering together frequently to reinforce good eating habits, healthy conversation and togetherness. “Even when we get older, the mindfulness—tasting our food—is important,” Lemond says. “People just aren’t taking the time to eat. It’s good all around to take a break and taste your food and connect and keep the mealtime a positive experience.”
22
april 2018 / dfwchild.com
ILLUSTRATION BY BEASTFROMEAST
GET THE KIDS INTO THE KITCHEN
From planning weekly menus to browsing farmers markets for ingredients to washing, cooking and serving food, allow children to share in culinary activities. A 2014 study published in the research journal Appetite found that children who helped with cooking ate more salad, chicken and calories in general. “It’s so important for children to be involved in the cooking and at the grocery store, having them pick out a new vegetable or fruit while learning new colors and looking at things the family members have never tried, like jicama,” says Amy Gonzalez, a Fort Worth-based dietitian who specializes in women’s and children’s health. “Eating has to go beyond simply sitting at the table—food needs to be experiential in nature,” agrees Lemond. She suggests visiting pick-your-own farms to teach children how to select ripe produce
from spoiled and explaining the nutrients and benefits of each to encourage taste testing. Once home, encourage your kids to take part in age-appropriate activities, from rinsing and stirring to seasoning and tossing. They can feel the texture of broccoli, pound out dough, watch a multigrain muffin rise, or smell and select a spice. “They can very often do more than you think they can—it’s OK to challenge them and set expectations,” says Plotkin, whose son Ben, 8, sets and clears the table, among other activities. Dishes can even be named after children—Sophie’s Salad, for instance—to celebrate their efforts. While James’ sons typically play catch with their father when she heads to the grocery store on Mondays, she always gives them a rundown of the list. “I ask if they have any requests for the week, let them have input on what we purchase and what’s for dinner—and then I don’t have to come up with it five days a week,” she says. HIDE THE GREENS, IF YOU MUST
When desperation sets in, it’s tempting to follow Jessica Seinfeld’s lead and go the stealthy route with the vegetables your kids won’t eat—her cookbook Deceptively Delicious contains recipes for inserting pureed veggies into mac and cheese, spaghetti and other kid favorites. While this approach may make your child healthier with less hassle, nutritionists agree that eating veggies in ignorance shouldn’t be the primary way kids consume them as it discourages exploration. “You can’t always hide foods in dishes because kids have to get comfortable with certain foods,” Lemond says. “It’s not always going to be done at school or the restaurant so it’s more of a Band-Aid. They have to discover food on their own.” Gonzalez adds that frequently recognizing, feeling and tasting food helps to build confidence. “The more they see it, the more likely the children are to have that acceptance—it becomes a normal part of their day-to-day routine,” she says. Still, there are benefits to creatively concealing vegetables alongside serving them whole. Hiding avocado in pudding or cauliflower in pizza crust can be a great supplement to a balanced diet. Matuson loves to take familiar foods and make them more nutrient dense. She serves her two sons spaghetti with zucchini noodles, muffins with hemp hearts, and after-school energy bites made with cinnamon, almond butter and flax seeds. “Even my pickiest eater will ask if we are making his favorite [cauliflower] pizza,” she says. “The fact that everyone in my family eats it and we can have the same thing—it’s worth it.” PLAY WITH YOUR FOOD
Trying new foods can be intimidating and is often fraught with pressure and anxiety for both parents and children. “Kids are very intuitive, and if we’re anxious [about getting our kids to eat], that can come off in our language, such as, ‘Look, Daddy’s eating it,’ or trying to rush them,” Gonzalez says. “That can come across as pressure, and for kids who are very sensitive, that can create anxiety or apprehension.”
MY OWN MOTHER ONCE PROMISED A PIECE OF CHERRY PIE IF I WOULD EAT AN ENTIRE BLUE CHEESE-TOPPED BURGER. … IT TOOK ME 20 YEARS TO EAT BLUE CHEESE AGAIN. dfwchild.com / april 2018
23
feature / Q U I T T I N G
THE KIDS MENU
So relax, create a stress-free environtrying new foods, something she feels she ment and set an example by eating the food was able to avoid with her second son by yourself—but don’t add pressure by pointing allowing a little revelry. “Let your children out to your child that others are eating a food play with their food—from 6 months on they’re resisting. “Say, ‘Wow, this is tasty,’ but let it be messy, let them get it on the floor, don’t guilt them into it,” Lemond says. let them build trees out of broccoli,” she Gonzalez’s 3 1/2-year-old son, Jude, says. “It makes them comfortable. It’s developed food neophobia, or the resistance completely exhausting, but my son is now to try unfamiliar foods, when he was 18 a food champion.” months old. Now if she offers something But, if after all you’ve tried your children and he refuses, her go-to phrase is, “You still won’t touch that asparagus, don’t don’t have to eat it.” despair. “You have to remember that you “I’m not going to offer him a different meal, as an adult might only want to eat cereal for but that takes off the pressure,” she explains. dinner, and that’s OK,” Plotkin says. “Take Both Gonzalez and Lemond have found a deep breath and relax. As long as you are games to be a useful tool for combating apoffering a wide variety of foods, colors and prehension. “When it’s a game, the majority textures, you are doing your job.” of picky eaters will try the food,” Lemond Lemond adds, “Any experience is forsays. Gonzalez’s son loves trying samples at ward progress.” Costco, so after reading a tip from It’s Not About the Broccoli: Three Habits to Teach Your Kids for a Lifetime of Healthy Eating by Dina Rose, Gonzalez re-created the Costco setting by filling cups with foods— some he loves, some new—and More ways to avoid the food fight and asking him to describe the broaden your kids’ palates taste, texture and temperature. “That engages his senses so he MAKE FOOD TASTE GOOD. Tap into your own cucan develop that terminology linary creativity and try slicing vegetables in new ways and describe what he doesn’t or adding spices, says Dallas dietitian Angela Lemond. like about it,” she explains. Try roasting instead of steaming and add healthy oils. She provides context too. Another tip: Make one veggie three ways. “You can “If they are trying a new dip, explain how the flavors are different based on how you can say that the dip tastes they are prepared,” Lemond says. like what they had at their OFFER HEALTHY SNACKS. Dallas mom Cindy grandmother’s house,” she James offers a “buffet” of healthful foods—such as carsays. “Compare it to something rots, hummus, fruit and cheese—when her two boys arelse they had so they know rive home from school. “If they don’t eat dinner because what to expect.” they had a snack, at least they are filling up on healthy When Gonzalez stumbles foods not junk foods,” she says. upon a food her son enjoys, she
Quick & Healthy Tips
offers it daily but in different forms. He loves yogurt, for instance, so she might serve plain yogurt and honey one day and blend it with strawberries the next. “He’s still getting something he likes and will accept it, but it’s encouraging variety,” she says. The goal is to enable her son to be in tune with his body. “Children are learning conscious eating. They have the ability to accept or reject something, and they learn to eat when they are hungry or stop when they are full. That mindfulness will carry them into adulthood to help avoid emotional eating and overeating,” she says. Matuson’s oldest son still has high anxiety levels when 24
april 2018 / dfwchild.com
DECONSTRUCT MULTI-INGREDIENT MEALS.
Serve spaghetti noodles and sauce separately, for instance, to make them less overwhelming. “Too many foods mixed together can be intimidating, so have them separated so kids can choose how to combine them,” Lemond says. CREATE A WEEKLY MENU WITH YOUR KIDS.
Lemond hangs a menu for her children, Hannah, 14, and Evan, 11. “I let them help with the menu and put some of their favorite foods on it so it’s not a battle when they sit down to the table. Even if Evan doesn’t like Monday’s menu, he knows that on Thursday his favorite meal is coming.”
CLOSE THE KITCHEN APART FROM MEALTIMES AND SNACK TIMES. Provide structure by setting a
schedule for snacks and meals. “It’s good to get an idea of what a typical day is like for a toddler versus a school-age kid, what is realistic, when they are going to be hungry,” says Lemond. For example, toddlers typically need three meals plus two to three snacks, whereas school-age kids can get by with fewer snacks. If your kiddos choose to skip, don’t make dinner ondemand for them later.
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION /
Lisa Jenkins Director and Owner, Dallas Academy of Music & Performing Arts Children: Tatum, 15, and Jett, 13 Several years ago, the owners of a small music studio on Milton Avenue approached one of their guitar students about purchasing the studio upon their retirement. That student was mom and music-maven Lisa Jenkins. Already leading the charge at Dreamfly Productions, she seemed a natural fit to guide the future of the school. A lifelong arts lover with 20 years of experience in TV and film production, Jenkins quickly revamped and expanded the studio, renaming it Dallas Academy of Music & Performing Arts, growing enrollment to over 600 students, and expanding classes to include additional instruments, musical theater, dance, and acting instruction. The studio now boasts classes for any age or level, from the beginner, recreational learner, to professional. The DAMPA Conservatory & Academics Program provides an all-encompassing, flexible training and academic program for students hoping to pursue a professional career in the arts.
PHOTO BY MARCUS JUNIUS LAWS
Balancing two teenage girls and two companies keeps Jenkins busy and gratified. Thanks to an amazing support system including her husband Rusty, Jenkins gets to do what she loves. “You’ve got to be happy in what you do—I want to encourage people to follow their dreams and that gives me joy,” says Jenkins.
©
3415 Milton Avenue #A, Dallas, Texas 75205 214/965-8324 dallasacademyofmusic.com
Moms Mean Business
AT THE LAKE, KIDS CAN GET
HOOKED ON
FRESH
AIR. Master-Planned living from the $300’s on the scenic shores of Lake Lewisville • Amenity Center with resort-style pool, wading area • Texas-themed pavilion with outdoor bar, grill and open fireplace • Natural Trails winding throughout the community • Stocked fishing pond • Natural playground • Open spaces, parks and creeks • Lifestyle coordinator planning events throughout the year
LIVE LIFE REAL
LIVEATWILDRIDGE.COM AMERICAN LEGEND HOMES • HIGHLAND HOMES • PLANTATION HOMES
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
FINDING YOUR
BY KAMBRY RUBY
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN IDYLLIC NEST FOR TWO AND A GROWING FAMILY CAN BE VAST. AFTER YOUR FAMILY GREW FROM JUST THE TWO OF YOU TO A GROUP OF THREE OR MORE, CHANCES ARE THAT THE COZY COTTAGE YOU ONCE LOVED AS NEWLYWEDS IS STARTING TO SEEM SMALLER THAN IT USED TO FEEL. NOW THAT YOUR LIFESTYLE IS CHANGING, YOUR HAPPY NEST FOR TWO MIGHT ALSO NOT HOLD QUITE THE SAME CHARM—OR FUNCTION—IT ONCE DID. WEIGHING YOUR PRIORITIES AND CONSIDERING ALL YOUR OPTIONS CAN TAKE THE DAUNTING GUESSWORK OUT OF ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING AND IMPORTANT STEPS YOU’LL EVER TAKE—BUYING YOUR FAMILY HOME.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF CLINT BREWER
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
It’s an old adage, but it continues to hold true for most people in the homebuying market today: location, location, location. First, define what kind of location you want for your growing family and what you want out of your location. Is your ideal, perfect place to raise your children a sprawling property in the suburbs with space to spare, or do you need a 10-minute commute to your office in downtown so you can spend more time at home and less in the car? Where do you like to eat, shop and play, and what kind of proximity do you want to these places that you love to frequent? Once you hone in on a specific part of town, shift your focus to the location of your home in terms of site and/or the lot, whether you’ve decided to take on the task of building your dream home or purchase one on the market. A tenured architectural expert in Dallas, Ron Wommack guides his clients as they decide on a property site to consider everything from east-west orientation on the lot to what kind of natural elements are found on the site. “Select a lot that offers an amenity,” he says. “For example, choose a site
with a great tree or an optimal view.” Finally, consider the surrounding streets within a neighborhood, how busy the traffic is around the home and the walkability of the area—all aspects that affect the environmental personality of the location for you and your family. “Start by considering the proximity of the home to the rest of your life, such as schools and work, and then decide if it’s a safe place to live and play,” says Wommack. “The greatest gift you can give your children is a home where they feel both security and freedom.”
LIFESTYLE
While no perfect home exists, keep in mind that the goal is to find a home that’s perfect for your unique lifestyle and growing family. Sit down together to outline your needs and define your priorities. Next, differentiate needs versus priorities and then determine which items you’d be willing to compromise on and which categories are not negotiable. Also, discuss which recreational outlets you enjoy and your preferred lifestyle. Are you most comfortable with an atmosphere of city living, nearby proximity and an urban environment, or are you
looking for an escape with family-focused amenities and an intentional separation between work and home? How do you like to socialize and entertain family and friends?
COMMUNITY
The phrase “it takes a village” might never resonate so much as when you become a parent. Finding a community that offers an atmosphere that suits your family dynamic and personality is often equally important as loving the architectural style or floor plan of your new home. For families who love to spend time outdoors exploring the world around them, the new community of Wildridge is a peaceful, oasislike getaway. Tucked away on a quiet peninsula of Lake Lewisville, Wildridge contains more than 800 home sites and offers scenic views and a natural sanctuary of mature trees, green spaces and winding trails. “Kids and parents alike can take advantage of weekly fishing lessons at stocked ponds, an amenity center with a resort-style pool and wading area, and an outdoor pavilion with an open fireplace—all ways to get outdoors and spend time together,” says Steve Yetts, general manager at Wildridge. dfwchild.com / april 2018
27
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Another highly sought-after master planned community, Light Farms boasts countless amenities designed with families in mind. “At Light Farms, we believe relationships are an integral part of a community, and we strive to offer an environment rich with fun, outdoor events that promote a healthy, active lifestyle,” says Stephanie Liebbe, marketing manager at Republic Property Group, developer of Light Farms. Light Farms also offers its residents access to a community-supported agriculture food program with front-door delivery and customizable box options. “From concerts on the lawn, movie nights at the pool, and farmers and flea markets to cooking classes and wine-tasting events, we make it easy for residents to spend fun, quality time together. At Light Farms, it’s clear to see that friends become neighbors and neighbors become family.”
EDUCATION
Whether you just had your first baby and kindergarten seems like a lifetime away or you already have school-age children, education is undoubtedly a major consideration in the search for an ideal family home. Regardless of whether you’re leaning toward public or private education, you’ll never regret choosing a home located in a strong public school system—a factor that can heavily affect your property value and offers your family a viable option for education no matter what the future holds. Many master-planned communities are situated in highly coveted school districts and several even offer on-site elementary schools—making the idyllic image of neighborhood families walking to school alongside one another a reality. Light Farms is conveniently located in Prosper ISD and residents of this development will soon have two on-site elementary school options, Light Farms Elementary and Boyer Elementary, starting in the fall of 2018.
28
april 2018 / dfwchild.com
The need for modern amenities or a change in floor plan might be some of the chief reasons you’re looking for a new nest. Open concept floor plans beloved for today’s lifestyle create a natural, comfortable flow for friends and families to congregate and affords parents of young children the ability to keep a watchful eye on little ones throughout the day. Consider features such as good closet space, a versatile layout, adequate storage, outdoor areas and a functional garage as you look for a new home— amenities that make a significant difference not only in the livability and life of a home but also in its marketability if and when you decide to sell in the future. The builders at Taylor Morrison offer homeowners the opportunity to personalize their spaces within floor plans designed for longevity, comfort and livability. A leading national homebuilder and developer and recognized by Lifestory Research as “America’s Most Trusted Builder®” for three consecutive years, Taylor Morrison is known and loved by families for the impeccable attention paid to even the smallest details, affordability, architectural integrity and quality construction, as well as homes located near the things that matter most—great schools, convenient shopping, amenities and easy access to jobs, recreation and entertainment. Located in communities around the Dallas-Fort Worth area, homes by Taylor Morrison offer a variety of family-friendly floor plans that feature large living spaces and gourmet kitchens as well as community perks like green spaces, nature paths, extensive trail systems and community gated entries.
PHOTO COURTESY OF WILDRIDGE/ASHLAR DEVELOPMENT
ronwommack.com
Photo credit: Charles Davis Smith, AIA
FLOOR PLANS AND ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
FINDING THE FAMILY HOME:
RESOURCE DIRECTORY
IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT PLACE FOR YOUR FAMILY TO CALL HOME, LEARN TO ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS AND PRIORITIZE YOUR NEEDS—AND REMEMBER, FINDING THE APPROPRIATE PEOPLE TO ADVISE AND HELP YOU IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT. THE FOLLOWING INDUSTRY EXPERTS ARE HIGHLY SOUGHT AFTER FOR THEIR IN-DEPTH KNOWLEDGE AND THE EXPERIENCE THEY BRING TO EVERY PROJECT. WORKING ALONGSIDE A TRUSTED EXPERT CAN PROVIDE INVALUABLE INSIGHT WHEN FINDING
LIGHT FARMS
MASTER-PLANNED COMMUNITY Boasting more than 1,000 acres within a master-planned community, the development of Light Farms is located in Celina and offers young families the perfect place to grow while enjoying best-in-class amenities. Parents and kids alike can take advantage of more than 13 miles of hike and bike trails, tennis courts, five resort-style pools, and community activities designed for families to spend time together and neighbors to connect with one another. Light Farms is also home to more than 240 acres of manicured green space, multiple playgrounds and parks, greenbelts, neighborhood gardens, picnic areas and a community lawn perfect for neighborhood events throughout the year. 30
april 2018 / dfwchild.com
Light Farms is situated within the acclaimed Prosper Independent School District. From an on-site café, an outdoor market and bike-sharing to a communitysupported agriculture program and a local park that includes an 11-acre recreational lake, Light Farms offers families a neighborhood culture centered on community, outdoor recreation and amenities designed with the whole family in mind. Light Farms 1234 Homestead Court Celina, Texas 75009 214/618-4542 lightfarmstx.com
RON WOMMACK ARCHITECT
Ron Wommack, FAIA, established his firm, Ron Wommack Architect, in 1990. Prior to opening his firm, Wommack worked for two of the Southwest’s most recognized design-oriented firms, the Oglesby Group and Frank Welch Associates. Wommack and his team’s award-winning architectural portfolio includes a wide range of projects, from the refurbishment of older housing units into viable urban dwellings
and the development of new, denser housing typologies to single-family residences, corporate office facilities and community projects for the public. Since 1994, the firm has been the recipient of numerous component design awards from the American Institute of Architects (AIA), including six Texas Society of Architects and AIA/Dallas Honor Awards. The firm has also won several “Home of the Year” awards and honors by D Magazine as well as awards from Preservation Dallas. Wommack earned his architecture degree from Texas Tech University in 1976. He is a former adjunct professor at the University of Texas at Arlington and visiting studio critic at Texas Tech University. Wommack was elected to the College of Fellows of the AIA in 2004, and his firm was named “Dallas Firm of the Year” in 2006 by the AIA. Ron Wommack Architect 1111 Lagoon Dr. Dallas, TX 75207 214/808-2255 ronwommack.com
TAYLOR MORRISON
RESIDENTIAL HOMEBUILDER The builders and visionaries at Taylor Morrison ultimately understand that the goal is to build houses that families will not only love to call home but will also be proud of for years to come. They start every project with one simple question: What makes a great home? Based on the
PHOTO COURTESY OF REPUBLIC PROPERTY GROUP/LIGHT FARMS; RON WOMMACK/ CHARLES DAVIS SMITH, AIA; DESTINY DARCY/BELLINI STUDIO
YOUR FAMILY’S HOME.
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
values homebuyers expect from their homebuilder, Taylor Morrison’s objectives include spaces that are thoughtfully designed to work for each family, warranties that provide peace of mind and financing programs that save time and money—all accomplished by industry leaders who are passionate and knowledgeable about their work. Taylor Morrison is a leading national homebuilder and developer, and the company has been recognized three consecutive years by Lifestory Research as “America’s Most Trusted® Home Builder.” Taylor Morrison homes are located in areas that are closely situated to schools, shopping, high-quality amenities, recreation and job centers, and homeowners have the opportunity to personalize their new home to meet their family’s unique preferences. Taylor Morrison 469/732-3890 dfwspaces.com
WILDRIDGE
MASTER-PLANNED COMMUNITY Tucked away on a quiet peninsula of Lake Lewisville in the esteemed Little Elm ISD,
Wildridge offers families a peaceful oasis and the chance to get away from the hustle and bustle. From a kayak excursion or yoga practice in the park to mingling with neighbors during events organized by the community’s lifestyle coordinator, Wildridge is a haven for families seeking outdoor activity and offers something for every life stage. Wildridge is beloved for its breathtaking sense of natural beauty. Residents are surrounded by a sanctuary of mature trees, green spaces and ponds—all interlaced around the coveted area of Lake Lewisville. Not only can families enjoy walking distance access to the lake, sunsets over the watery view, open green spaces, creeks and an amenity center with a resort-style
pool, kids can participate in weekly fishing lessons at the stocked ponds and play on a natural playground. Boaters and water enthusiasts can take advantage of six nearby marinas as well as two lakeside restaurants. An extraordinary oasis where winding trails and rolling hills serve as the backdrop to families’ new homes, this 400-acre community is the perfect place to create lifelong friendships and lasting memories. Wildridge 3500 Wildridge Blvd. Oak Point, TX 75068 469/513-5600 liveatwildridge.com
Fresh New Floor Plans in Dallas! Taylor Morrison is excited to bring new communities with fresh new spaces to the Dallas area this Spring and Summer. These spectacular spaces will be worth the tour. VISIT DFWSPACES.COM FOR LOCATIONS
Bring this ad in for $1,000 towards Design Studio options.* 377
380
DERTON
MCKINNEY 289
FRISCO 35E
35W
377
PHOTO COURTESY OF WILDRIDGE/ASHLAR DEVELOPMENT
114
75
LEWISVILLE FLOWER MOUND
PLANO CARROLLTON
190
121
RICHARDSON
KELLER 635
GRAPEVINE
upgraded kitchen features
upgraded bathroom features
open space concepts
DFWSpaces.com | 469.732.3890 America’s Most Trusted Builder 3 years in a row** *Design Studio Incentive of $1,000 Off Design Options (“Design Incentive”): Valid for all qualified cash or financed (either Outside Lender or Approved Lender or Outside Lender) buyers on select new home contracts entered into as of 4/1/18 –4/30/18 (“Design Incentive Promotion Period”) for the purchase of eligible to-be-built homes at Taylor Morrison’s Dallas Communities only (each, an “Eligible Home”). Any unused portion of this Design Incentive may not be used towards a reduction in the Purchase Price and will be forfeited by Buyer. Ad must be presented on first visit to receive incentive. Not valid in conjunction with any other offer. **Taylor Morrison received the highest numerical score in the proprietary Lifestory Research 2016, 2017, and 2018 America’s Most Trusted® Home Builder study. Your experiences may vary. Visit www.lifestoryresearch.com. Offer void where prohibited or otherwise restricted by law. All information (including, but not limited to prices, views, availability, incentives, school assignments and ratings, floor plans, site plans, features, standards and options, assessments and fees, planned amenities, programs, conceptual artists’ renderings and community development plans) is not guaranteed and remains subject to change or delay without notice. Maps and plans are not to scale and all dimensions are approximate. As-built condition controls. Prices may not include lot premiums, upgrades and options (depending on specific stage of construction of Eligible Homes). This material shall not constitute a valid offer in any state where prior registration is required or if void by law. All Eligible Homes for either promotion subject to prior sale. Please see a Taylor Morrison Community Sales Manager and your purchase agreement for community specific details or visit www.taylormorrison.com for additional disclaimers. © March 2018, Taylor Morrison of Texas, Inc. All rights reserved.
dfwchild.com / april 2018
31
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Planning the Perfect
Family Vacation Ready to get out of town? Whether you’re looking to jet away to a faraway destination or stay a little closer to home, family fun awaits you at these great escapes.
step back in time frontier heritage | festivals & events | over 30 wineries and tasting rooms museums & historic sites | peaches & wildflowers | golf | sophisticated shopping eclectic art galleries | Hill Country cuisine | live Texas music | cycling
Fredericksburg
THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY Fredericksburg—it’s not just for grown-ups. Enjoy the Hill Country by taking a family hike at Enchanted Rock, renting bikes or “ooh-ahhing” at the wildflowers. Afterward, fuel up with one of the many kid-friendly goodies such as mile-high burgers, brick oven pizza and homemade ice cream. Take your little history buffs to an authentic World War II reenactment or walk the historic Main Street to browse over 150 shops. To round out your day, put on your dancing shoes for some live music and two-stepping.
visitfredericksburgtx.com
VisitFredericksburgTX.com | 866 997 3600
32
april 2018 / dfwchild.com
FCVB-14-DFWChild-April2018-QP-3.5x4.688-Heritage.indd 1
3/13/18 12:10 PM
PHOTO COURTSEY OF FREDERICKSBURG CVB
THE PERFECT PLACE TO SIT BACK AND RELAX OR
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Galveston Island TEXAS
For a beach vacation that goes beyond sand and surf, plan your stay at Galveston Island. Home to Schlitterbahn Waterpark, the Historic Galveston Island Pleasure Pier, Moody Gardens and 32 miles of beaches, families can enjoy both an exhilarating and relaxing stay on the island. Head to Galveston this month to witness the Tall Ships Festival, which features six historic vessels offering sail-away excursions and interior tours, as well as plenty of music, food and family fun. Plus, splash around at Schlitterbahn’s indoor water park and ride Pleasure Pier’s new 5-D Theater Ride—both attractions are open weekends in April. Make your stay both fun and educational by taking advantage of Galveston’s online home-school materials, which include activity sheets, interactive maps labeled with historical sites and tips for making each stop memorable. And if you’re looking to plan for summer, go ahead and snag an Island Pass for 40% off admission on the island’s popular attractions!
PHOTO COURTSEY OF COURTESY OF GALVESTON ISLAND CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
galveston.com
THE BEACH
IS JUST THE BEGINNING
W W W. G A LV E S T O N . C O M
JUST 50 MINUTES FROM HOUSTON
866.505.4456
dfwchild.com / april 2018
33
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Kemah Boardwalk TEXAS
www.kemahboardwalk.com
34
april 2018 / dfwchild.com
For a seaside escape located just 20 miles outside of downtown Houston, load up the car and head for Kemah Boardwalk. With 60 acres of waterfront fun, a trip to Kemah Boardwalk promises a wide array of amusements and activities. Stroll up and down the Midway for dancing fountains that shoot water up to 12 feet high—kiddos love splashing around these water jets, which are illuminated at night. You’ll also find Midway games for all ages and a double-decker carousel boasting painted seals, horses and zebras to mount. If the Ferris wheel seems a bit too tall for your little ones, head for the Wonder Wheel, a child-size version of the classic attraction. Be sure to schedule a visit to the Kemah Aquarium. Between the rainforest exhibit with African elephant and lowland gorilla animatronics and the specialty-themed restaurant housing a 50,000-gallon tank filled with tropical fish, everyone in your crew is sure to be impressed. If you have little daredevils in tow, steer toward the Stingray Reef to touch (and even feed!) Southern and Cownose stingrays. If you’re looking to cover a lot of ground, hop aboard the C.P. Huntington, a gas-powered train that carries passengers around the property. Give your family a taste of history on this gas-powered train, which is a handcrafted replica of a Central Pacific Railroad train from 1863. Plan your trip for the first half of this month to catch the Crawfish and Zydeco Festival, during which families can enjoy fresh-boiled crawfish, crawfish races and live Zydeco music. Schedule your visit for the last weekend in April to watch Blessing of the Fleet, a decorative boat parade traveling from the Clear Creek Channel into Galveston Bay.
o t y a w a t Ge
MAKE THE KEMAH BOARDWALK YOUR FAVORITE DESTINATION
Waterfront Restaurants • Boutique Hotel • Amusement Rides Stingray Reef & Exhibits • Boardwalk FantaSea Yacht Dinner Cruises Live Entertainment • Speedboat Thrill Ride • Banquet Rooms Iron Eagle Zipline • Unique Retail Stores • Midway Games Arcade • Special Events • Marina
Stay the weekend! 281.334.9880
2018 C A L EN D A R O F EV E N T S O N LIN E
$5 OFF ALL DAY ALL RIDES PASS Clip out and present this coupon to receive $5.00 off an All Day All Rides Pass. Coupon valid for up to five (5) people/five (5) passes. Includes unlimited access to the rides at the Kemah Boardwalk. Does NOT include the Boardwalk Beast, Stingray Reef or Iron Eagle. Coupon must be exchanged at the amusements ticket booth for actual dated wristband. Wristband is valid for day of redemption only. Not valid with any other promotions or offers. No cash value. Tax not included. Must present coupon at ticket booth to be valid. Expires 8/31/18 DC
! s u o r u t n e v d A
e B
215 KIPP AVENUE
KEMAH, TX 77565 281-535-8100 KEMAHBOARDWALK.COM Just minutes from Houston on Galveston Bay.
• 16 Amusement Rides • Midway Games • Shopping • Live Music • Kiddie Big Top Area • Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. • Lt. Dan’s hideaway • Pier Party Zone • Group Events & Packages • Chick-Fil-a express • 5D THEATER RIDE • Much More!
$5 OFF ALL DAY ALL RIDES PASS Clip out and present this coupon to receive $5.00 off an All Day All Rides Pass. Coupon valid for up to five (5) people/ five (5) passes. Includes unlimited access to the rides at the Pleasure Pier. Coupon must be exchanged at the amusements ticket booth for actual dated wristband. Wristband is valid for day of redemption only. Not valid with any other promotions or offers. No cash value. Tax not included. Must present coupon at ticket booth to be valid. Expires 8/31/18 DC TM
2501 Seawall Blvd • Galveston Island, TX 77550 409.766.4950 • 855.789.7437 • pleasurepier.com
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort SAVE UP TO
STAYS DURING THE WEEK
ON 7 NIGHT STAYS
CODE: BEACH
CODE: WEEKLY
20% OFF 25%
PLUS! ENJOY DIRECT FLIGHTS TO THE BEACH!
The # 1 Resort on Florida’s Emerald Coast Beach to Bay Accommodations
Four Championship Golf Courses Year-Round Events • Water Sports Dozens of Shopping & Dining Options Endless Free Amenities • Tennis
877.567.2257 Sandestin.com/dfwc
36
april 2018 / dfwchild.com
FLORIDA
Located in popular South Walton is the iconic Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. This sprawling 2,400-acre resort is rated the #1 Resort in Destin by U.S. News and World Report and universally recognized as the finest resort on the Emerald Coast. This four-season resort for all ages features miles of pristine beaches and bayfront, deluxe accommodations, championship golf, tennis, marina, shopping, fitness center, spa and The Village of Baytowne Wharf. Sandestin also offers entertainment all summer long; from movie nights and concerts to evening luaus and fireworks, the events are endless. Time spent on Sandestin’s world-famous beaches with their white sands and warm emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico is priceless. And with a full array of beach services, it is effortless as well. Soak up the fun in the sun with beautiful beaches, amazing events, endless shopping and more. Start planning your summer vacation to Sandestin and enjoy savings up to 25%. Visit sandestin.com/dfwc or call 877/567-2257.
sandestin.com/dfwc
PHOTO COURTSEY OF SANDESTIN GOLF AND BEACH RESORT
RECEIVE
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Hop aboard the Grapevine Vintage Railroad for Day Out With Thomas,™ presented by Mattel® !
Grapevine TEXAS
PHOTO COURTSEY OF GRAPEVINE CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
April 13, 14, 15, 20, 21 & 22
The fun-filled event features a 25-minute train ride with Thomas the Tank Engine™, Thomas & Friends™ themed entertainment, storytelling, video viewing, an Imagination Station with arts & crafts, temporary tattoos of Island of Sodor friends, Lone Star Hi-Railers model railroad display and more. TICKETS: $21 – $25 PER PERSON. TICKETS ARE REQUIRED FOR GUESTS AGES 24 MONTHS AND UP.
grapevinetexasusa.com
For more information, visit www.GVRR.com or call 817.410.3185 705 S. Main St. • Grapevine, Texas 76051
28325_GCVB_Child_DOWT_April_2018_ad_v3.indd 1
Historic Grapevine is your gateway to Texas fun! Hop aboard the Grapevine Vintage Railroad or unwind along Grapevine’s Urban Wine Trail. Play 81 holes of golf or take advantage of 8,000-plus acre Lake Grapevine. Enjoy LEGOLAND® Discovery Center or SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium, located at Grapevine Mills. Enjoy great seasonal fun at the New Vintage Wine and Gallery Trail, Main Street Fest and SummerBlast. Make time for great shopping, dining and more throughout Grapevine. For more information, visit grapevinetexasusa.com.
3/9/18 4:01 PM
Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa TEXAS
For a nature escape fit for the whole family, plan your stay at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines. Get active with rock climbing, horseback riding and kayaking, or relax at Spa Django. Fuel up at one of the four restaurants on-site, or grab a slice of Hawaiian or veggie pizza from the new “Pizza in the Pines.” If you’re looking for a kid-friendly way to celebrate Easter, take advantage of the Easter Celebration, which includes a delicious brunch, egg hunt and photo ops with the Easter Bunny.
lostpines.regency.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html
dfwchild.com / april 2018
37
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Dad loved the WWII submarine
North Little Rock ARKANSAS
For a family-friendly trip filled with outdoor fun, pack your bags for North Little Rock. Plan your getaway this month for the inaugural Arkansas Italian Food and Culture Festival, which includes an Italian car show, cooking lessons, grape stomping and more. Take your crew out to the ballgame at Dickey-Stephens Park to see the Arkansas Travelers, and make sure to visit the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum, which houses a functioning submarine from World War II—your kiddos can climb down the hatch and experience life as a submariner!
Fun at Wild River Country!
iful Beaut oon aftern Old e at Th ill M
This weekend away was just what our family needed.
northlittlerock.org
Twin Coves Park and Camp Ground TEXAS
Strap on your hiking boots, mist some bug spray and snag some marshmallows for a camping trip at Twin Coves Park and Camp Ground. Home to fully furnished cabins, RV sites (with optional hookups) and primitive campsites, you can choose the best fit for your family. During the day, take advantage of the boat dock and kayak launch along Lake Grapevine, or enjoy hiking the Northshore Trail. You’ll also find a playground, short disc golf course and plenty of picnic tables, grills and pavilions along the 243-acre park.
243-ACRE PARK ON THE NORTH SHORE OF GRAPEVINE LAKE
twincovespark.com
DAY & O V E R N I G H T V I S I T S
+ Furnished cabins + RV sites + Fishing pier + Playground
+ Pavilions + Picnic areas + Hike/bike trails + Boat ramp/dock
5001 Wichita Trail, Flower Mound, Texas
twincovespark.com 972-874-6399
©
PHOTOS COURTSEY OF NORTH LITTLE ROCK CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
TWIN COVES PARK
BEST Saturday, February 24
Sunday, February 25
Parish Episcopal School
Botanical Research
EVER
Institute of Texas
PHOTOS BY WJN PHOTOGRAPHY
Thank you for joining us !
There’s still time to plan an awesome summer !
See page 48 or visit dfwchild.com to explore more.
kid culture.
KNEAD TO KNOW
cooking, baking and etiquette classes for kids
PHOTOS COURTESY OF SUR LA TABLE
WORDS ALEXIS MANRODT & LISA SALINAS
I
t’s never too early to get your little ones making their own meals or setting the table for dinner. Classes throughout the Dallas area teach the basics of cooking, baking and table etiquette all while building kids’ self-esteem and equipping them to fend for themselves in the kitchen (wouldn’t that be nice?) or in a four-star restaurant. Besides, getting dressed up for a dinner party or getting messy in the kitchen is just plain fun—and who doesn’t love tasting food before it makes it to the plate? So grab your apron and start with these local classes.
dfwchild.com / april 2018
41
BPBC
kid culture / K N E A D
TO KNOW
Beckloff Pediatric Behavioral Center
Where kids become kids...again!
Play Therapy ADHD Coaching Testing and Assessment Parenting Family Counseling Teen Counseling Divorce Care Parent Facilitation Speech and Language Therapy
PREVIOUS PAGE // Kids age 7 and up learn cooking and baking techniques at Sur La Table classes. ABOVE // Kids practice their baking and cookie-cutting skills at Central Market.
mini cooks in the kitchen
C E NTR A L M A R K E T // Instead of grabbing dinner to go from Central Market, stay and make it yourself. The store offers classes for kids and adults to cook together—and of course you get to sample the food afterward. Register early— with tempting menu items like biscuits and gravy (which is on the agenda for Plano’s parent and child class on April 14), classes tend to fill up in advance. Prices for parent-child classes start at $65 per pair; register online.
5750 E. Lovers Lane, Dallas, 214/361-5754 // 320 Coit Road, Plano, 469/241-8389; centralmarket.com/cooking-school S U R L A TA B L E // With a different class
schedule every week, there’s always something new on the menu at Sur La Table. Kids 7 and up can join Mom and Dad at Family Fun classes; upcoming themes at both Dallas locations include Funfetti on April 28 and May 14 and Spain on May 12, 13 and 28. Kids 8–12 can sharpen their knife skills in a two-hour class offered on select days, or join a two-day or five-day series during the summer, in which chefs-in-training learn (and taste!) popular recipes from Sur La Table’s professional chef instructors—everything from hamburgers and peach cobbler to international cuisine like souvlaki and falafel. Class calendars are available months in advance—good thing, as seats fill up quickly. $55 per person for two-hour classes; $120 for two-day series; $300 for fiveday series. Register online. 4525 Cole Ave., Suite 190, Dallas, 214/219-4404 // 6025 Royal Lane, Suite 150, Dallas, 469/2329409; surlatable.com
972-250-1700 www.drbeckloff.com 42
april 2018 / dfwchild.com
YO U N G C H E F S AC A D E MY // At Young Chefs Academy, kids age 3 and up (Frisco) or 4 and up (Rockwall) learn more than just how to cook—weekly hands-on classes also teach kitchen safety, table setting, dining etiquette and more. The classes tie into a different theme each
month, like April’s Authentic World Culinary Expedition. Classes meet on various days Monday–Saturday; prices vary by class level (there are three groups based on age and skill level) and location but start at $35 per class or $89 per month. In summer, sign up for Camp Can-I-Cook, YCA’s weeklong camps including Cupcake Shoppe and the competition-style YCA Showdown. 8855 Preston Trace Blvd., Suite 100, Frisco, 972/335-4449; friscotx.youngchefsacademy.com // 910 Steger Towne Drive, Rockwall, 469/2647445; rockwalltx.youngchefsacademy.com
dessert, anyone?
C A K E C A R O U S E L // Satisfy your little one’s sweet tooth at Cake Carousel. The store offers cake decorating and cookie-baking classes year-round, though the cookies change seasonally—in April, cookies are spring- and Mother’s Day-themed. Watch the online class list (be sure to choose “grid view” to see the full selection) for specialty classes like Cake Pops on April 26. Ages 8 and up are welcome at every class, as long as Mom or Dad comes too. Classes range from $45–$70 and are typically an hour and a half; register online. For more information contact cakecarousel@cakecarousel.com.
1002 N. Central Expressway, Suite 501, Richardson, 972/690-4628; cakecarousel.com DA L L A S C H O CO L ATE C L A S S E S // Take your young chocoholic (age 7 and up) to Dallas Chocolate Classes to learn how to roll truffles or whip up a killer chocolate mousse, plus general baking tips from chocolatier Zachary Townsend. Private lessons at Townsend’s home are $60 per hour for one student and $80 for two, if your kiddo wants to invite a friend (or, ahem, a chocolate-loving parent). Call for more information and to book a class.
1626 Banbury Lane, Carrollton, 214/289-5419; dallaschocolateclasses.com
PHOTO COURTESY OF CENTRAL MARKET
A counseling and educational center focused on helping kids, teens and families.
COASTERS FOR KIDS. 50 TH ANNIVERSARY
AT SIX FLAGS OVER TEXAS
ARE YOU TIRED OF YOUR
INTELLIGENT
LEARNING DIFFERENT CHILD NOT REACHING THEIR TRUE POTENTIAL?
Get your tickets at childrens.com/sixflags Great Lakes Academy, an accredited, non-profit private school in Plano offers 3rd–12th grade students with average to above average intelligence, with various learning differences, ADHD or Asperger’s syndrome, a positive school experience.
Friday, April 6 | 6 – 11 p.m. | $40 Advanced Tickets benefiting:
SCHEDULE A TOUR TODAY!
greatlakesacademy.com
6000 Custer Road • Building 7 • Plano 972-517-7498 ext. 103
GREAT LAKES ACADEMY ... WHERE INDIVIDUALITY AND DIFFERENCES ARE CELEBRATED
S pr i n g Nash 17th Annual
into
dfwchild.com / april 2018
43
Cultivating Young Minds & Characters
L IT TL E LOV E S B A K I N G AC A D E MY //
Learn cookie-cutting techniques, how to fill a piping bag, the finer points of cupcake decorating and more at Little Loves’ baking classes for age 2 and up. Baking classes—including Mommyand-me lessons where you can join in on the fun—are held seasonally during spring and summer and on holidays, but you can book a baking birthday party anytime or join a weeklong summer camp. For pricing information, email info@littlelovesbaking.com, and sign up for email notifications about upcoming classes and workshops.
At Learn & Grow our philosophy is simple: Pair the tailored attention of one-on-one tutoring with the stress-free environment of your own home. Success follows!
North Dallas area, 469233-6769; littlelovesbaking.com
mind your manners
DA L L A S CO U NTRY C LU B COTI L L I O N //
Part of the 69-year-old JDW Cotillions network, the program at Dallas Country Club maintains a reputation as one of the best cotillion programs in Dallas-Fort Worth. Boys and girls in third and fourth grades, fifth grade, and sixth grade enroll in a four-week program to learn traditional dances, self-presentation skills and fine dining etiquette like table setting, utensil usage and how to sit properly at a dinner party. Registration for the fall series begins May 15; contact Debbie Harrington at debbie@cotillion.com for pricing and more information. 4155 Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, 303/757-5333; cotillion.com M R S . MC V E I G H ’ S M A N N E R S // Gather ’round the table for Mrs. McVeigh’s Sunday Manners class, a three-hour course all about dining etiquette, from setting the table to sending a thank-you note. Open to kids ages 3–11, the class is held at Elise McVeigh’s home near Southern Methodist University; the next session is April 15 for $95 per student. Her weeklong Summer Manners Camp covers the same topics, and kids get four of Mrs. McVeigh’s Manners books to take home. $250 per camper. Other camps and classes are held throughout the year, or schedule a private lesson starting at $125 per hour. Register online or contact mrs.mcveigh@ sbcglobal.net.
www.lgtutoring.com Call to arrange for a complimentary consultation!
972-672-5037 214-642-1389
Dallas area, 214/212-2033; mrsmcveighsmanners.com
Careers
Part-time only. Looking for a long term commitment (one year minimum). We offer flexible schedule.
English • Math • Spanish Requires a bachelor’s degree and valid teaching certificate. Teaching experience preferred. All applicants should be committed to high expectations and achievement for all students. ©
44
april 2018 / dfwchild.com
Ads with © are © of Lauren Publications, Inc. 2018.
N ATI O N A L L E AG U E O F J U N I O R COTI L L I O N S // The Frisco and Plano chapters
of the National League of Junior Cotillions offer a three-year curriculum to teach sixth grade boys and girls a range of etiquette lessons. But a pillar of the course is the inclusion of lessons in both formal dining and family dining, with guidance on dinner party decorum, proper table manners
TO KNOW
and eating “unusual foods” with grace (so there’s no excuse the next time you serve up Brussels sprouts!). The Frisco chapter holds lessons at Stonebriar Country Club and the Plano chapter at Gleneagles Country Club. $400 per child; contact program director Shannon Babovac at shannon. babovec@nljc.com for more information. 5050 Country Club Drive, Frisco // 5401 W. Park Blvd., Plano, 469/633-9698; nljc.com/friscoplanochapter P E A R L G I R L S // Girls ages 7–17 leave PEARL Girls’ etiquette workshops with the confidence to dine at the nicest 1 restaurants in town. The threehour events cover the ins and outs of table manners with role-playing, games and demonstrations. Prices range from $50–$100 based on location (workshops are held at restaurants and hotels); sign up for PEARL Girls’ newsletter to find out about upcoming events. Or book a private workshop for your daughter and nine friends (got a birthday coming up?) on dining etiquette and other topics like inner beauty. $50 per person for 10 participants. Email info@pearl-girls.org for more information.
Dallas area, pearl-girls.org R OYA L CO U R T S C H O O L O F E TI Q U E T TE // Wanda Sykes-Moore has led four-hour man-
ners courses out of her home since 2006. Duchesses and dukes ages 9–12 learn table manners and basic grooming habits. Princesses and princes ages 13–17 learn formal dining etiquette and respect for self and others. For a course focused on dining, call to reserve an Etiquette Dinner Court lesson for a group of 10 or more. Classes are available in both group settings ($135 per person) and private lessons ($150 per person). Email royalct@sbcglobal.net for more information. The Colony, 469/384-1095; royalcourtet.com R U BY E TI Q U E T TE // Your “little gem”
(to use Ruby Etiquette’s parlance) can learn self-confidence, respect 2 and etiquette through smallgroup classes with other girls age 5 and up. The topics and number of classes vary by package, but we recommend the Ruby Package, which includes an entire class devoted to dining etiquette, including the importance of proper table setting and dinner party do’s and don’ts. The cherry on top: The Ruby girls put their skills to the test by sharing a meal together at the end of the program. The Ruby Package costs $300 for four girls. For more information and to arrange a class, contact rubyetiquette@yahoo.com. North Dallas, 972/762-6802; rubyetiquette.com
1 // Little baking aficionados learn piping techniques at Little Loves Baking Academy. 2 // Elise McVeigh teaches children a variety of etiquette lessons in her classes, such as meeting and greeting.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF LITTLE LOVES BAKING ACADEMY; ALLYSON BLOW
kid culture / K N E A D
THE SOURCE BabySitters of Dallas
Newborns to Seniors ~ From Cradle to Cane
We Rock!!!
Providing Exceptional Nannies throughout the Metroplex
Park Cities Day School
• Permanent Full-Time Nannies • Part-Time Nannies • Overnight Newborn Specialists • After School Nannies • Sitter Services
Serving DFW since 1955 Licensed and Bonded Surrogate Grandmothers CPR...Background Check
Where minds grow in a loving place
ENROLLING NOW 6 weeks-5 years Soccer, Ballet Computer classes
214/692-1354 Call 24/7
(817) 442-0225 / nanniesonthego.net
www.babysittersofdallas.com
As featured on KTVT, WFAA and KDAF
©
5923 Royal Ln., Dallas 75230 469-776-5501 parkcitiesdayschool.org
LET’S PARENT TOGETHER.
Seeking
A social destination for new parents and seasoned parents alike.
Surrogate Mothers Compensation: $30K–$50K and up Help an infertile couple finally have their baby by becoming a surrogate mom! • between the ages of 21–38 • healthy non-smokers • enjoy being pregnant • currently raising their own child
#realparenting The fussy, the cranky and the sleep-deprived are all welcome!
214-390-4024
JCCDALLAS.ORG/JBABY
www.deliveradream.com
IS A NECESSITY. THERE’S JUST NO OTTER WAY.
5 Ways To Have An Awesome Birthday Party! Go To Saturn5Science.com To Find Out How
Learn to SwimRIGHT and be safe.
®
972-533-0895
Jobi
CHARACTER & THEME SHOWS
Ads with © are © of Lauren Publications, Inc. 2018.
• Magic • Face Painting • Clowns • Balloons
and Friends Performing Monkeys Commercials • Parties Special Events
Posie PRODUCTIONS
Like him on Facebook
www.posieclown.com
972-641-2062
©
817-233-1847 JobiAndFriends@gmail.com
Sharon & David Langham
ONE STOP SHOP!
• Kid Friendly • Face Painters • Balloon Twisters • Sunny the Clown • Bounce Houses
• Snow Cone • Cotton Candy • Glitter Tattoos • Magic Show
www.funtasticalfacesentertainment.com 682-225-6859
dfwchild.com / april 2018
45
kid culture /
CELEBRATE
WORDS JESSICA MYERS
HATS OFF!
a madeline-style soiree
1 It was only a matter of time before Nona, 3, would celebrate a birthday Madeline style. Her mother, Donna Wood, party planner and self-proclaimed Francophile, began collecting Parisian trinkets as a French major in college and Madeline books when she found out she was pregnant— all of which were used to decorate Nona’s party at Play Street Museum in Frisco.
2 Every detail gracefully combined the books’ monochromatic color palette, Parisian collar motif and snippets from Nona’s favorite stories: The ferris wheel from Madeline and the Gypsies, the luggage from Madeline Goes to London, framed pages from Madeline the original and, of course, the character’s quintessential yellow straw hat, which inspired the birthday cake made by Delicious Cakes! in Addison. Also adorning the table were homemade French toast cupcakes and French flag fruit tarts from Deb’s Bakery.
HAT-SHAPED BIRTHDAY CAKE Delicious Cakes! 14819 Inwood Road Addison, 972/233-2133 deliciouscakes.com FRENCH FLAG FRUIT TARTS Deb’s Bakery Dallas, 817/846-4273 facebook.com/ debsbakerydallas
3 After romping around the playhouses, Nona’s dozen guests dined on baguettes, quiche, madeleines and mini homemade sugar cookies shaped like Madeline’s hat. Crumbs were captured by delicate red and white scalloped napkins. Nona and her mom said “Merci!” with collared party favor bags filled with Madeline-themed coloring books, fruit snacks and crayons shaped like the Eiffel Tower. Red ribbons tied it all together. Oh, and they didn’t forget the hats! 46
april 2018 / dfwchild.com
YELLOW BONNETS Alibaba alibaba.com SCALLOPED NAPKINS Meri Meri Party Supplies merimeri.com
PHOTOS COURTESY OF MUCH OBLIGED EVENTS/DONNA WOOD
a la mode
DFW Child Ad.pdf
1
2/8/18
4:43 PM
Your Family’s Home for Health. Appointments are encouraged, although most patients can be seen the same day!
C
PHYSIOFIT TEXAS
Group Fitness Classes
M
Y
Designed Specifically for Busy Moms and Dads
Get Fit // Have Fun // Feel Better Classes are offered throughout the day M–F and are led by experienced, certified trainers. Improve your strength, endurance, flexibility, balance and cardiovascular fitness.
CM
MY
MethodistFamilyCare.com/Preston Hollow 4235 W. Northwest Hwy., Ste. 400 Dallas, TX 75220
CY
CMY
$199/mo. includes daily classes plus PhysioFit Texas membership.
K
Hours: M, W, Th, F | 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday | 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Call to schedule an appointment today at 214-750-5100!
*We also offer one-on-one training or sessions limited to 2 or 3 individuals per workout
Trust. Methodist.
17610 MIDWAY RD. DALLAS 75287
Akanksha Kumar, MD
469-206-0055
Methodist Family Health Centers and Medical Groups are owned and operated by MedHealth/Methodist Medical Group and staffed by independently practicing physicians who are employees of MedHealth/Methodist Medical Group.
PHYSIOFITTEXAS.COM ©
dfwchild.com / april 2018
47
BEST Summer EVER CAMPS/TRAVEL/SPORTS/ARTS/EDUCATION
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
BESTSummer EVER EPIC SUMMER PLANNING STARTS HERE Additional camps online at dfwchild.com/camps
The Hockaday School 11600 Welch Rd. Dallas, TX 75229 hockaday.org/summer Contact information Melissa Curtis, Director of Auxiliary Programs 214-360-6534 mcurtis@hockaday.org
There is Something Magical About Summer… Kidventure Summer Camp is about the chance to explore the world, run free and share that magic with friends. It speaks to our soul, it challenges our fears and it reminds us about the best part of being a kid. Join Kidventure for their 24th summer season at one of five DFW-area day camp locations or overnight camps in the Texas Hill Country. Ages: 3–18 Years Camp Office: 3809 Parry Ave., #106 Dallas, TX 75226 Contact information: email: dallas@kidventure.com phone: 214-303-9789 web: kidventure.com/dallas-summer-camp
48
Summer at Hockaday invites girls and boys, age 3 through 10th grade, to The Hockaday School for a summer of academics, enrichment and fun led by a nurturing and experienced faculty and staff. Campers and students will create awesome summer memories with new friends while participating in sports, fitness, the arts, technology, academics, LEGO®, culinary, STEM, science and MUCH more! Summer at Hockaday is thrilled to offer new classes along with favorites that have stood the test of time. Don’t miss the Summer Math & Writing Institute for coed students entering grades 5–10, and come discover our Discover Day Camp for 3’s and 4’s and the ever popular Creative Arts & SCIENCE Camp for girls and boys entering grades K–4. Let us help you build an amazing summer schedule for your child! View all camp and class offerings at hockaday.org/summer.
april 2018 / dfwchild.com
Dates: June 4–August 17 5 DFW Day Camp Locations: Camp Frisco, Camp St. Patrick, Camp Kessler, Camp All Saints, Camp Preston Hollow at ORLS Overnight Camps: Hunt and Rocksprings, Texas Named “Texas Best Summer Camp” —Living Magazine, 2016, 2017 Named “Best Summer Camp” —Nurture My Child, 2015, 2016, 2017
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
25 Exciting Science Day Camps! Kids Grades Pre-K–7th
Locations in Addison and Dallas 214-530-5979 www.ClubSciKidzDallas.com Hello@ClubSciKidzDallas.com
Who: All Children Grades Pre-K–7th
What: Science Day Camps
BEST Summer EVER CAMPS/TRAVEL/SPORTS/ARTS/EDUCATION
Spark your children’s love of science this summer by enrolling them in fun and engaging science day camps! Your children are sure to have an unforgettable experience as they do hands-on activities and learn how science is used in everyday life. Camp themes include topics such as rocketry, video game creation, robotics, veterinary medicine, meteorology, paleontology and many more!
When: June 18–August 3, 2018 9am–4pm, Mon–Fri (Optional Pre & Post Camp Hours Available)
Where: Two Dallas locations and one
Addison location
Cost: $235–$285 per week
Please visit our website for more details and registration: ClubSciKidzDallas.com Don’t wait—many camps fill up quickly!
The #1 Summer STEM Camp Learn new skills and discover a passion for technology! At iD Tech, students ages 7–18 learn to code apps, design video games, learn programming with Roblox, mod Minecraft, engineer robots, design Fortnite-inspired games, discover cyber security, create levels in virtual reality, build websites, 3D-print objects, and much more. In each weeklong session, students explore a top campus, learn from top-tier instructors, create an impressive project, and build in-demand skills that last long after summer. Campers are taught in small groups of just an average of 8 students per instructor for the most personalized instruction. 1-844-788-1858 info@idtech.com www.iDTechCamps.com
iD Tech summer programs are held at 150 prestigious campuses nationwide, including the University of Texas at Dallas, SMU, TCU, Rice, Westlake Academy, the University of Texas at Austin, MIT, and more. While most programs are weeklong (overnight stays optional at many locations), teens can enroll in two-week, pre-college academies for the most immersive, in-depth instruction. Join us this summer to see why over 300,000 camp alumni can’t stop talking about iD Tech summer camps. Visit www.iDTechCamps.com or call 1-844-788-1858 to find the right program for your student.
dfwchild.com / april 2018
49
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
The Craft Guild
Young Artists Summer Camps Craft Guild of Dallas
BEST Summer EVER CAMPS/TRAVEL/SPORTS/ARTS/EDUCATION
Teaching the Arts Since 1948 3410 Midcourt Rd., Ste. 115 Carrollton, TX 75006 972-490-0303 www.craftguildofdallas.org
Plano 6105 Windcom Ct. Ste. #400 Plano, TX 75093 Frisco 8501 Wade Blvd. Ste. #330 Frisco, TX 75034 972-312-8733 www.behaviorexchange.com
Weekly Classes for Ages 5–18 June 4th–August 10th Bring a sack lunch and stay all day! NEW YEAR! NEW HOME! NEW CLASSES! Weeklong, half-day Camps: Pottery on the wheel, glass art, jewelry/metalsmithing, painting, drawing and more
The Behavior Exchange family invites yours to a 10-week Summer Camp full of learning, laughter and possibilities. ENROLL YOUR CHILD TODAY WHILE SPACES ARE AVAILABLE! All sorts of fun activities are planned that encourage communication, school readiness, social skills and group participation. Our industry-leading approach combines a proprietary curriculum with proven ABA-Therapy techniques. The result is our ability to highly tailor programs for each child that raises the bar on expectations. We’re committed to ensuring children acquire real skills that make a difference in their lives this summer and beyond. So enroll today! (COVERED BY INSURANCE IN MOST CASES)
SUMMER ENRICHMENT CAMP Dallas International School KIDS GET GLOBAL! Enjoy a fun-filled summer experience with our enriching and fun activities! Build your language, artistic and athletic skills in workshops led by dynamic and international instructors! 6039 Churchill Way Dallas, TX 75230 972-991-6379 www.dallasinternationalschool.org/camps
Weekly camps, Monday through Friday: June 11, June 18, June 25, July 2, July 9, July 16 LANGUAGES / ARTS & TECHNOLOGY / MUSIC / SPORTS
Open to ages 3 and up. Check out our Language Workshops for parents! SummerDIS.org
EXPLORE • INVENT • DESIGN LEARN • PLAY • CREATE • BUILD WITH SMU SUMMER YOUTH Choose from more than 200 camps for students in grades K–12 STEAM | VISUAL ARTS | ACADEMIC SKILLS | TEST PREP
www.smu.edu/summeryouth 50
april 2018 / dfwchild.com
Half Day or Full Day All camps held at SMU-in-Plano
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
2018 SUMMER
CHESS CAMP Campers learn while they PLAY. Chess develops reading, math, critical and analytical skills, and builds character and self-esteem. Just don’t tell the kids ... they think chess is fun!
972-883-2898 utdallas.edu/chess Luis.Salinas@utdallas.edu
BEST Summer EVER CAMPS/TRAVEL/SPORTS/ARTS/EDUCATION
CHESS CAMP
Join beginner, intermediate or advanced chess classes for ages 7 to 14 on the UT Dallas campus. Morning (9am–noon) or afternoon (1–4pm) sessions are available June 11–15, June 18–22, July 16–20 and July 23–27 and extended playing classes. Camp includes T-shirt, chess board and pieces, trophy, certificate, score book, group photo, snacks and drinks. The UT Dallas Chess Team recently tied for second place at the college championships for the Western Hemisphere (North, Central and South Americas).
YMCA Camp Grady Spruce promotes Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility through faithbased character-building activities that encourage campers to establish their own identities. Campers discover their confidence when they face their fears, try, try again and achieve!
3000 Park Rd. 36 Graford, TX 76449 214-319-9944 ccunningham@ymcadallas.org
Whether your camper is learning to jump the wake on water skis, building up the confidence to ride a horse or hitting a bull’s-eye in archery, Camp Grady Spruce is the place for your child. Parents appreciate a child that returns home more mature and independent with a better ability to problem solve. Campers leave with friendships that will last a lifetime and memories that will tide them over until they can return the following year!
Arts, Crafts, Science, Cooking and More!
North Dallas 214-295-5877 Plano 972-612-5400 McKinney 214-491-4088 Frisco 972-668-5990 www.adventurekidsplaycare.com
Summer is more fun with Adventure Kids Playcare! Take advantage of our flexible drop-in options with a new camp theme each week for children ages 3–12! Choose from all 8 locations where each day is packed with arts, crafts, science, cooking and so much more! Themes include Inventors Workshop, Animal Planet, Young Entrepreneurs, Grossology, CSI Spy Camp, Challenge Island, Crazy Chemistry, Kids Who Rock, Chef’s Academy, DIY Stars, Myth Busters.
Animals • Science • Adventure There is no better place for an animal lover! Camp is home to more than 300 animals including lemurs, llamas, miniature horses, cats & dogs, hedgehogs, wallabies and that’s only a few! There are over 100 hands-on activities campers may choose to do while at camp:
Cub Creek Science & Animal Camp Rolla, Missouri 573-458-2125 • MoScienceCamp.com
• Animal Care • Culinary Science • Pottery • Veterinary Medicine • Crime Science • Arts & Crafts • Survival Skills • Ropes Course • Archery Spend just a week making friends and memories that will last a lifetime! dfwchild.com / april 2018
51
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
BEST Summer EVER CAMPS/TRAVEL/SPORTS/ARTS/EDUCATION
The start of summer doesn’t mean the end of learning ...
3939 Valley View Ln. Farmers Branch, TX 75244 972-860-4715 • bhcinfo@dcccd.edu www.brookhavencollege.edu/youthprograms
The summer youth programs at Brookhaven College are designed to give kids of all ages the chance to experience something new and challenging. Our programs include art, cooking, creative writing, theater, photography and leadership. Enroll your child today!
2430 Hwy. 39, Hunt, TX 78024 830-238-4650 • 830-238-4670 jane@hohcamp.com • conor@campstewart.com www.hohcamp.com • www.campstewart.com
Separate boy/girl camps owned and operated by the Ragsdale family, Camp Stewart for boys 6–16 and Heart O’ the Hills Camp for Girls 6–16. Worldwide, limited enrollment, personable and fun! Instruction-oriented, offering more than 50 activities—including English and western riding, Red Cross swimming instruction, sports, canoeing, archery, tennis, climbing and rappelling, survival skills, crafts. Stewart has a unique Trail of Advancement for all boys; older boys specialize in equestrian, ranchman, outdoorsman, sportsman or campmaster. The Heart has a tradition of etiquette. Also intangibles—self-confidence, teamwork, leadership, individual identity, dealing with challenges. New one-week term (Stewart only), two- and four-week terms.
DESTINATION SCIENCE
Multiple Locations in Dallas Fort Worth Area Colleyville, Coppell, Dallas, Fort Worth, Frisco, Keller, Plano 888-909-2922 • destinationscience.org
4141 Spring Valley Rd. 972-628-5490 greenhill.org/summer
1 Nature Place, McKinney, TX 75069 972-562-5566 • info@heardmuseum.org www.heardmuseum.org
The fun science day camp where kids ages 5–11 get to have “Aha!” moments of creativity and discovery while building and experimenting with unique takehome toys, astonishing gadgets and fantastic gizmos. Our top-notch, enthusiastic educators make STEM learning an adventure! 2018 topics include Science Makers & Inventors Camp, Amusement Park Science Camp, Transforming Robots Camp and Rovers Rocketing to Space Camp! Save $20/wk! Ends 4/31/2018
Time to make friends, learn new skills and, most importantly, have FUN! Select week by week from a wide range of academic, fine arts, sports, artistic or fun-filled camps. For boys and girls, ages 3–18, from May 29–August 10. We hope to see you this summer at Greenhill School.
Spending time in nature plays a vital role in child development! Register for a Heard Nature Camp and give your child the gift of a connection to nature. Heard Nature Camps feature opportunities to investigate the wonders of nature on our 289-acre sanctuary, encounter animals and more. Specialty camps will offer opportunities to create art in nature or even go behind the scenes to learn about animal care. Mini camps are also available. Rock this summer and let the fun shine in! Seven awesome camps keeping kids engaged and enchanted all summer. #noparentsallowed
7900 Northaven Rd, Dallas TX 75230 Laura Seymour, Camp Director lseymour@jccdallas.org
52
april 2018 / dfwchild.com
CAMP CHAI — For campers entering K–6th grade TEEN TRAVEL CAMP — For campers entering grades 7–9 SPORTS CAMP — For campers entering grades 2–7 TENNIS CAMP — For campers entering grades 1–9 PERFORMING ARTS CAMP — For campers entering grades 3–9 GYMNASTICS CAMP — For campers entering grades 1–8 CAMP SIMCHAH — For campers 2 years old–Pre-K Session 1: June 11–29, Session 2: July 2–20, Session 3: July 23– August 10. Register by session or by the week. Buses available.
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
DISCOVER LAKEHILL SUMMER CAMPS S U M M E R
Coeducational Kindergarten through High School June 4–August 3
C A M P S
Morning, afternoon and full-day teacher-led camps are available, as well as free before- and after-camp care. Academic Readiness • Acting and Film-Making Community Service • Cooking • Crafting and Building Arts • LEGO • Outdoor Adventure • Science and Discovery Sports • Technology • And More! 214-826-2931 • www.lakehillprep.org
Online Summer Camps Guide and Online Registration: www.lakehillprep.org/summer-camps
BEST Summer EVER CAMPS/TRAVEL/SPORTS/ARTS/EDUCATION
Theatre Summer Camps
4 Locations: Plano, Fairview, Frisco, Dallas 972-422-2575 northtexasperformingarts.org/summer
NTPA Summer Programs offer morning, afternoon and full-day programs full of performing instruction, creative experiences and characters you know and love. With summer learning opportunities for ages 5–18, there’s a spot for everyone to learn from our professional directors, actors and singers who have worked from everywhere from Broadway to L.A. New students: Use discount code NEW2NTPA for 50% off your first camp!
Choose Your Own Summer Adventure Camps & Classes: Age 3–18 May 29–August 17
• • • • •
Parish Episcopal School 4101 Sigma Rd., Dallas, TX 75244 972-852-8752 summer@parishepiscopal.org
Revamped day camp with weekly water slides! Launch Program – Lower School academic camp with 6:1 ratio Covers the entire summer, camps available from 7:30 a.m.–6 p.m. Early bird & Mix + Match discounts, payment plans available Open to the community
Soccer, LEGO Robotics, Dance Intensive, Drone Racers, Furniture Makeover, Summer Science Research, Athletic Development, Vet School, Football, Wilderness Medicine, Virtual Reality, Musical Theatre, Minecraft, Jedi Engineering, Ninja Camp, Acrylic Masterpieces and more! Catalog & Registration: ParishSummer.org
Ballet Basics introduce boys and girls, ages 3 to 6, to the fundamentals of ballet. The camp experience also includes crafts, story time and choreography to correlate with the theme of the week.
670 N. Coit Rd., Ste. 2379, Richardson, TX 75080 214-377-8576 www.texasballettheater.org/summer-program
Young Dancer Intensive and Junior Intensive broaden the perspective of 7–14-year-old ballet students with a variety of classes including ballet, modern and jazz.
Summer Camp Registration Begins in March!
White Rock North School
9727 White Rock Trail, Dallas, TX 75238 214-348-7410 www.whiterocknorthschool.com
8 5707 Royal Ln., Dallas TX, 75229 214-691-6950 www.winston-school.org
June 4–August 3, 2018 • Camp Ages: 1st–6th Grade What makes this camp so awesome? Every day starts with “Morning Meet-Up” and every week ends with a blow-out event! Our kid-friendly Activity Center is the ultimate hub for indoor fun because we have flat-screen TVs for XBox Kinect, movies and interactive game fun! A comfy reading nook, board games, game tables and hands-on projects are just a few of our extra features! Campers will also get to experience our Outdoor Learning Center! Camp WRN kids have some BYOD time every day but also have daily reading time to keep their brains from turning to mush!
Summer is HERE! Discover Winston Summer Camps Kindergarten through 12th grade June 4–July 6 Full- and half-day options in areas of Academic Enrichment, Arts, Sports, Field Trips and more. There’s something for everyone. Come ready to learn, discover, explore, create and have loads of FUN! Camp dates, times and fees vary. Contact us at 214-6916950 or info@winston-school.org for more information.
dfwchild.com / april 2018
53
county/locavore. dallas
influencers /
BREAKING BARRIERS
a q&a with café momentum’s chad houser WORDS LISA SALINAS
F
irst impressions are important, and for teens who’ve been in juvenile detention, stereotypes can cause doors
to close when they pursue a job, a school, even a conversation. Café Momentum founder Chad Houser breaks down barriers by hiring youth ages 15–19 after their release from juvenile detention. During a 12-month paid internship, teens learn
PHOTO COURTESY OF CHAD WINDHAM PHOTOGRAPHY
the ins and outs of fine dining—from serving and cooking food to bussing tables—in a setting where people from different backgrounds can interact and open doors. About 300 youth have gone through the program since its debut in 2011. We caught up with Houser to talk about the program’s success and a new project in the works as he continues to change lives, one meal at a time.
dfwchild.com / april 2018
55
dallas co. / I N F L U E N C E R S
THE PLACE Music Lessons
• Acoustic & Electric Guitar • Violin • Drums • Piano • Voice • Ukulele • Adult Recreational Piano Classes • Lessons offered to all ages
WANT TO HELP?
©
Ads with © are © of Lauren Publications, Inc. 2018.
SW Corner of Preston & Forest 11661 Preston, Suite 136, Dallas, TX 75230 214-369-7772 www.grayschoolofmusic.com
56
april 2018 / dfwchild.com
WHERE DID YOU GET THE IDEA TO tion and breaking bread not only changes the START CAFÉ MOMENTUM? I taught eight stereotypes, but on both sides of the table kids in juvenile detention how to make ice their view of the community is expanded. And, cream for an ice cream competition at the certainly for our guests, their accountability Dallas Farmers Market. I was blown away by is expanded as well. It’s certainly not somehow amazing these eight young men were thing we set out to do but is so beautiful to and extremely disappointed in myself for see every night. So many people with tears in realizing I stereotyped them their eyes will tell me, “I didn’t before I ever met them. One know”—they didn’t know there of them won the competition, was this population of children and the only person remotely in our own community. People more excited than he was, in general don’t leave their was me. I drove home that neighborhoods, right? But Stop by for a meal (open night thinking the decks were here, they are all in the same Thursday–Saturday stacked against him, and it was place at one time. 5:30–11pm) and visit the through no choice of his own. DO YOU HAVE ANY cafe’s website to donate I realized his life path was beNEW PROJECTS COMING money and keep up with ing dictated by choices made UP? We just signed a lease in the latest news. for him and that mine was as one of the tunnel spaces un1510 Pacific St., Dallas, well. Things like the color of derneath Thanksgiving Square. 214/303-1234 our skin, which unfortunately We’re building a community WEBSITE: matters in this country, the services center, which was cafemomentum.org socioeconomic class you are started through a collaboraFACEBOOK: born in, the school you go tion with Dr. Kate Canales at cafemomentum to—all of these things matter, SMU’s Hunt Institute and a INSTAGRAM: and they are all choices that group of her grad students @cafemomentum neither one of us made but focused on human-centered TWITTER: they dictated the path our life design. It’s a space that will @cafemomentum was going to take. I thought allow us to aggregate our that was unfair, somebody current resources, expand should help him, somebody the impact with our kids and should help all of them. That was it for me. expand to further our resources. One of the HOW HAVE YOU SEEN YOUTH IMPACTthings we really like to focus on is expanding ED BY GOING THROUGH THE PROGRAM? our hours of influence with the kids. They work Since we started, we had a really big focus on here anywhere from four to eight hours a day recidivism—half of the kids that go to jail will be on any given day, but their lives dictate a lot back in 12 months. They are attempting to acmore assistance and influence beyond the cess resources—basic resources: food, clothing four walls of this restaurant. They will have a and shelter. We are able to boast that out of designated space where they can focus on all the 500 kids from pop-up dinner to date, only the services and resources they need, whether 15.2 percent have ever gone back to jail at all. it be school or therapy—we’re actually building But what I really love is watching our kids go a wellness room so we can do yoga. through the program and what’s happening to HOW CAN THE COMMUNITY BECOME them. They are beginning to truly define who INVOLVED? Show up. Come to dinner. they are instead of accepting [how] we’ve As simple as that sounds, it makes an defined them as a society. To watch impact. When you come to eat at them, because of the amazing this restaurant, just by having a people they are, begin to rip that wonderful meal, you’re sendscarlet letter off their chest and ing a direct message to these say, “Nope, that’s not who I kids that they matter and wanted to be; this is who I am,” you believe in them. When is amazing. they’re learning who they HOW DO YOU THINK are and shedding that scarlet CAFÉ MOMENTUM IS SENDletter off their chest, it makes a ING A MESSAGE TO THE GREATtremendous impact. They begin ER DALLAS COMMUNITY? People to see things in themselves, and come in here with very distinct stereotypes that’s really where the true change takes about the kids. And the kids have stereotypes place. Something as simple as a wonderful about the guests coming to dinner. Something meal can change the lives of our city’s most as simple as the two groups making conversaat-risk youth.
PREVIOUS PAGE // Chad Houser gives teens out of juvenile detentions an opportunity to change their lives for the better. ABOVE // The teens who work at Café Momentum learn how to cook all the plates, including their delicious fried pie.
PHOTO COURTESY OF KEVIN MARPLE
for
roboTics | coding | EnginEEring
GUITAR:
Hi-TEcH for
Young Kids
The Instrument That Rocked The World!
NOW ON EXHIBIT through 5.6.18
LIVE MUSIC
Thursdays Nights SUMMER CAMPS! Enrolling now
TechEdventures.com | (972) 905-1777
dfwchild.com / april 2018
57
dallas co. / R E S T A U R A N T S Oliver’s Eatery // Deli 4727 Frankford Road, Suite 373, Dallas; 972/8185445 // oliverseatery.com // Free kid’s meal with purchase of an adult meal all day, dine-in and takeout. Age 12 and younger. Deal also offered on Saturday. Pakpao Thai // Asian 1628 Oak Lawn Ave., Suite 120, Dallas; 214/7497002 // 7859 Walnut Hill Lane, Suite 150, Dallas; 214/484-8772 // pakpaothai.com // Free kid’s meal with the purchase of an adult dine-in meal all day. Age 10 and younger. Schlotzsky’s // Deli Multiple locations // schlotzskys.com // Kids eat free with the purchase of an adult medium meal. Dine-in and takeout. Deal also offered on Saturday. Details vary by location. Simply Fondue // Fondue 2108 Greenville Ave., Dallas; 214/827-8878 // simplyfondue.com // Kids 12 and younger eat free after 5pm with purchase of an adult entree. Steak ’n Shake // Diner 15125 Montfort Drive, Dallas; 972/788-4103 // 578 E. Interstate 30, Rockwall; 972/722-5818 // steaknshake.com // One free kid’s meal per every $9 on the ticket all day. Age 12 and younger. Dine-in only. Excludes drinks and shakes. Deal also offered on Saturday. Details vary by location.
KIDS EAT FREE
Unleavened Fresh Kitchen // American 1900 Abrams Parkway, Dallas; 214/828-8700 // unleavened.com // Up to two free kids’ meals with purchase of an adult meal after 4pm. Age 12 and younger. Dine-in only. Deal also offered Monday–Saturday.
SUNDAY
Blue Mesa Grill // Mexican 14866 Montfort Drive, Addison; 972/934-0165 // 7700 W. Northwest Highway, Dallas; 214/3788686 // bluemesagrill.com // Kids 5 and under eat free with purchase of an adult brunch buffet from 9am–3pm. Kids 6–11 eat for $7. Deal also offered on Saturday from 10am–2pm (Addison location only). Café Brazil // Breakfast/Brunch Multiple locations // cafebrazil.com // Free kid’s entree with purchase of an adult entree from 5–10pm. Age 12 and younger. Drinks charged separately. Prices vary by location. Deal also offered Monday–Thursday. Cici’s Pizza // Pizza Multiple locations // cicis.com // Kids 3 and younger eat free at the buffet. Drinks charged separately. Prices vary by location. Deal also offered Monday–Saturday. Denny’s // Diner Multiple locations // dennys.com // One or two free kids’ meals with purchase of an adult meal from 4–10pm. Drinks not included. Deal also offered Monday–Saturday; days, number of meals and ages served vary by location. Dickey’s // Barbecue Multiple locations // dickeys.com // Free kid’s meal 58
april 2018 / dfwchild.com
MONDAY
Café Brazil // Breakfast/Brunch See Sunday for details.
with purchase of an adult dine-in meal, all day. Age 12 and younger. Also, free ice cream every day with dine-in purchase. Details vary by location.
Cici’s Pizza // Pizza See Sunday for details.
Freebirds World Burrito // Mexican Multiple locations // freebirds.com // Kids 12 and younger eat free with purchase of an adult entree, all day. Details vary by location.
Golden Corral // Buffet See Sunday for details.
Golden Corral // Buffet Multiple locations // goldencorral.com // Kids 3 and younger eat free. Deal also offered Monday–Saturday. JC’s Burger House // American 4135 Belt Line Road, Suite 100, Addison; 972/239-2740 // jcsburgerhouse.com // Free kid’s meal with purchase of an adult meal all day. Age 11 and younger. Deal also offered Monday and Saturday. Modern Market // Farm-to-Table 7949 Walnut Hill Lane, Suite 101, Dallas; 469/532-0206 // modernmarket.com // Free kid’s entree with purchase of a full-size item 5pm– close. Age 12 and younger. Dine-in only. Deal also offered on Monday. Moe’s Southwest Grill // Mexican 13701 Midway Road, Farmers Branch; 972/2332700 // 5949 Broadway Blvd., Garland; 972/3035555 // moes.com // Kids eat free all day with purchase of an adult meal. Age 12 and younger.
Denny’s // Diner See Sunday for details. JC’s Burger House // American See Sunday for details. Modern Market // Farm-to-Table See Sunday for details. The String Bean // Southern 1310 W. Campbell Road, Richardson; 972/3853287 // thestringbean.com // Free kid’s meal with purchase of an adult dinner entree after 5pm. Age 12 and younger. Dine-in only. Unleavened Fresh Kitchen // American See Sunday for details.
TUESDAY
Café Brazil // Breakfast/Brunch See Sunday for details. Cici’s Pizza // Pizza See Sunday for details. Denny’s // Diner See Sunday for details. Golden Corral // Buffet See Sunday for details. IKEA // Swedish 1000 Ikea Way, Grand Prairie; 888/888-4532 // ikea.com // Up to two free kids’ combo meals with purchase of an adult entree, all day. Enjoy
©ISTOCK.COM/ELENA_DANILEIKO
deals for every day of the week
free organic baby food with any adult meal purchase. Age 12 and younger.
all day. Age 10 and younger. Deal also offered on Saturday.
Jed’s Grill // American 1001 W. Jefferson Blvd., Dallas; 469/291-5001 // jedsgrillrestaurantdallas.com // Kids 12 and younger eat free with purchase of an adult entree, all day.
Mattito’s // Mexican 7778 Forest Lane, Dallas; 214/377-9576 // mattitos.com // Kids 10 and younger eat free with purchase of an adult entree from 4–9pm. Also, free ice cream for kids every day with dine-in purchase.
Luna Grill // Mediterranean 1419 E. Renner Road, Suite 510, Richardson; 469/677-6812 // lunagrill.com // Kids eat free with the purchase of an adult meal 4pm– close. Age 10 and younger. Pluckers // American 5100 Belt Line Road, Suite 520, Addison; 972/490-9464 // 5500 Greenville Ave., Suite 406, Dallas; 214/363-9464 // pluckers.com // Up to two free kids’ meals with purchase of an adult dine-in entree, all day. Dine-in only. Age 10 and younger. Drinks not included. Slater’s 50/50 // American 2817 Greenville Ave., Dallas; 214/888-0158 // slaters5050.com // Kids 12 and younger eat free with purchase of adult entree, all day. Texadelphia // Deli Multiple locations // texadelphia.com // Free kid’s meal with purchase of an adult entree or regular sandwich, all day. Dine-in and takeout. Details vary by location. Unleavened Fresh Kitchen // American See Sunday for details.
WEDNESDAY
Penne Pomodoro // Italian 1924 Abrams Parkway, Dallas; 214/826-6075 // 11661 Preston Road, Suite 143, Dallas; 214/368-3100 // pennepomodoro.com // Two free kids’ meals with purchase of an adult entree, all day. Age 12 and younger. Dine-in only. Shenaniganz // American 1290 E. Interstate 30, Rockwall; 972/722-1133 // shenaniganz.com // Kids 12 and younger eat free with purchase of an adult meal after 5pm.
THURSDAY
Beto’s Mexican Restaurant // Mexican 2530 W. Interstate 20, Grand Prairie; 972/660-1289 // eatatbetos.com // Free kid’s meal with purchase of an adult entree after 5pm. Age 12 and younger. Dine-in only. Café Brazil // Breakfast/Brunch See Sunday for details. Cici’s Pizza // Pizza See Sunday for details.
Café Brazil // Breakfast/Brunch See Sunday for details.
Cici’s Pizza // Pizza See Sunday for details.
Denny’s // Diner See Sunday for details. Golden Corral // Buffet See Sunday for details. Hook Line & Sinker // Seafood 17602 Preston Road, Dallas; 469/587-5888 // hookline-sinker.com // Up to two free kids’ meals with purchase of an adult meal 5–8pm. Ages 12 and younger. Kyoto Japanese Steak House // Japanese 1599 Laguna Drive, Rockwall; 214/771-0688 // 9900 Lakeview Parkway, Rowlett; 972/4630288 // kyotosteakhouse.com // Kids 12 and younger get a free hibachi chicken meal with purchase of an adult hibachi dinner entree of $15.95 or more. Dinner only. Dine-in only. Details vary by location. Luby’s // Cafeteria Multiple locations // lubys.com // Free kid’s plate with purchase of an adult dine-in meal
GET REWARDED. Get connected with DFWChild newsletters to stay updated on local events, exclusive offers, ticket giveaways and more!
Denny’s // Diner See Sunday for details. Golden Corral // Buffet See Sunday for details.
Colter’s Texas Bar-B-Q // Barbecue 3904 W. Camp Wisdom Road, Dallas; 972/298-3335 // coltersbbq.com // Free kid’s meal with purchase of an adult platter, all day. Age 12 and younger.
OUR TRIBE.
Unleavened Fresh Kitchen // American See Sunday for details.
Braindead Brewing // American 2625 Main St., Dallas; 214/749-0600 // braindeadbrewing.com // Kids eat free with purchase of an adult entree 5–10pm. Age 12 and younger.
Cici’s Pizza // Pizza See Sunday for details.
JOIN
Unleavened Fresh Kitchen // American See Sunday for details.
FRIDAY
SIGN UP: DFWCHILD.COM
Denny’s // Diner See Sunday for details. Golden Corral // Buffet See Sunday for details. Unleavened Fresh Kitchen // American See Sunday for details.
SATURDAY
Blue Mesa Grill // Mexican See Sunday for details. Cici’s Pizza // Pizza See Sunday for details. Denny’s // Diner See Sunday for details. Golden Corral // Buffet See Sunday for details. JC’s Burger House // American See Sunday for details. Luby’s // Cafeteria See Wednesday for details. Oliver’s Eatery // Deli See Sunday for details. Schlotzsky’s // Deli See Sunday for details. Steak ’n Shake // Diner See Sunday for details. Unleavened Fresh Kitchen // American See Sunday for details. KNOW OF A DEAL WE MISSED? SEND US AN EMAIL AT EDITORIAL@ DFWCHILD.COM. BE SURE TO CALL AHEAD BEFORE YOU GO, AS DETAILS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
dfwchild.com / april 2018
59
the agenda FO
R DAILY
EN T
HILD.C
M
EV
O
kid culture
DF
WC
S
VI SI
T
WORDS ELIZABETH SMITH
2 3 F A M I LY- F R I E N D LY E V E N T S Y O U C A N ’ T M I S S I N
APRIL
the help of demigod Maui, and watch as mouse masters of ceremonies Mickey and Minnie usher in fellow female heroes Belle, Rapunzel, Cinderella and sisters Elsa and Anna. Kids 13 and younger are welcome to dress in costumes. Tickets from $15. 2500 Victory Ave., Dallas; 800/745-3000 disneyonice.com
FAN EXPO DALLAS
CRAYOLA EXPERIENCE OPENING
T H E S H O P S AT WILLOW BEND Now open daily Your kids’ crayon box just got a lot bigger. The long-awaited family attraction created by the Crayola crayon company (and only the fourth in the nation) has finally opened in Plano. The 60,000-squarefoot addition at Willow Bend features a retail store, cafe and 22 activity stations. Bring your young creative to make melted wax spin-art, learn how crayons are made in a live factory show and experience two new attractions that debut in Texas: Silly Selfies and Kaleidoscope. $20.99 at the door; $18.99 online. $30.99 annual passes. Free for kids under 3. 6121 W. Park Blvd., Plano; 469/642-2901 crayolaexperience.com/plano
EASTER BUNNY TRAIN
G R A P E V I N E V I N TA G E R A I L R OA D April 1 After the Easter Bunny finishes his egg-hiding duties, you’ll find him hanging out onboard Vinny, a 1953 diesel locomo60
tive stationed at Grapevine’s Cotton Belt Depot. Join them both for an Easter Sunday train ride (hourlong excursions depart at 2 and 4pm) and, of course, a few holiday treats from the Easter Bunny. $14. 705 S. Main St., Grapevine; 817/410-3185 gvrr.com
EASTER HAT PARADE AND EGG HUNT
D A L L A S FA R M E R S MARKET April 1 Wear your Easter Sunday best to the Dallas Farmers Market near downtown for free family activities including a makeyour-own hat station and a mini parade around the pavilions to show off your new headware. The egg hunt is limited to kids 2–7. Free admission and selfies with the Easter Bunny. Fee for professional photos with live bunnies. 920 S. Harwood St., Dallas; 214/664-9110 dallasfarmersmarket.org
april 2018 / dfwchild.com
EASTER AT THE ARBORETUM
DA L L A S A R B O R E T U M April 1 Following the Good Friday concert by children’s favorite entertainer, Eddie Coker, the garden’s Easter entertainment continues on Sunday with a petting zoo and games (note: no egg hunts). Dye eggs at the children’s adventure garden Plant Lab, and don’t leave without taking one last look at the main garden. Dallas Blooms festival ends April 8. $15 adults; $10 children ages 3–12; additional $3 for adventure garden. 8525 Garland Road, Dallas; 214/515-6615 dallasarboretum.org
DISNEY ON ICE – DARE TO DREAM
AMERICAN AIRLINES CENTER April 4–8 Moana takes center stage in her Disney On Ice debut. See how far she’ll go (across the ice rink) to save her island with
K AY B A I L E Y HUTCHISON CONVENTION C E N T E R DA L L A S April 6–8 Attention young princess fans: Do not miss your chance to meet the voice actors behind Ariel, Jasmine, Belle and many more entertainers at Fan Expo Dallas, Texas’ largest convention for comics, scifi, anime and gaming. Snap a photo next to Rey’s speeder from Star Wars, compete in cosplay contests and let loose in the kids’ fun rooms. Three-day family passes from $55 in advance. One-day tickets from $25 in advance. 650 S. Griffin St., Dallas fanexpodallas.com
20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA
A D D I S O N T H E AT R E CENTRE April 6–15 Outcry Youth Theatre reimagines the 1870 Jules Verne novel with a steampunk aesthetic and a feminist twist. Watch as the story’s protagonist Professor Aronnax, here as a female character, and her crew chase down Captain Nemo’s underwater vessel in this new adaptation recommended for age 10 and older. $10 general admission; $20 premium reserved seating.
15650 Addison Road, Addison; 972/836-7206 outcrytheatre.com
FESTIVAL OF JOY
K LY D E WA R R E N PA R K April 7 Experience the ancient Indian festival of Ratha Yatra, or the Festival of Chariots, with authentic music, a vegetarian feast and family activities at the park. Try on a sari or turban at the dress-up booths, get a henna tattoo and witness the main event: a parade representing the return home of the Hindu deity Krishna. FREE 2012 Woodall Rodgers Freeway, Dallas; 214/7164500 fojdallas.com
TARGET FIRST SATURDAYS
NASH E R S C U L P T U R E CENTER April 7 Experience the modern exhibits, sculpture garden and kids’ activities at the Nasher’s abstract art-themed family day this month. Admission is free. If you’re willing to lay down some serious cash, sign up soon for another family fun day, The Great Create. On Sunday, April 29, the garden transforms into an entirely new space for instructorled art projects and live entertainment for this annual fundraiser. Tickets start at $500 for four tickets. Free for children 2 and younger. 2001 Flora St., Dallas; 214/242-5100 nashersculpturecenter.org
DAY TO PLAY
S T R A U S S S Q UA R E April 7 Family Gateway hosts its first family fundraising party in honor of the Dallas
nonprofit’s late founder, former Dallas Mayor Annette Strauss. Let your kids bounce around between the dozens of activities, everything from hamster ball races and game trucks to doughnut decorating. $50 for family pass (up to four people); $5 per additional guest; free for children age 2 and younger. $50 to sponsor event admission for a family affected by homelessness. In-kind donations of new toiletries accepted. 2403 Flora St., Dallas; 214/823-4500 familygateway.org
2511 FM 66, Waxahachie; 972/938-3247 srfestival.com
ADDRESS ME – EVERYTHING NEEDED TO SEND A PIECE OF YOU
THE WILD DETECTIVES April 8 Put pen to paper when the Oak Cliff bookstore marks National Letter Writing Month with this family-friendly writing event. You provide the mailing address of someone special your kids would like to write to, and the bookstore provides the materials: stationery and postcards, stamps, pens, working vintage typewriters, and tips on the art of letter writing. Free; donations encouraged. 314 W. Eighth St., Dallas; 214/942-0108 thewilddetectives.com/events
ARTS IN BLOOM
PHOTOS COURTESY OF CRAYOLA EXPERIENCE; FELD ENTERTAINMENT; FESTIVAL OF JOY; FOOTPRINTS PHOTOGRAPHY BY EDDIE YU; DALLAS MUSEUM OF ART; TIM TRUMBLE PHOTO, CHILDSPLAY; ©ISTOCK.COM/SAEMILEE
FIREFLY RUN 5K AND FUN RUN
T H E C A M P U S AT L E G A C Y, P L A N O April 7 Crack open some glow sticks or necklaces for this nighttime run and kid-friendly rave party with lasers, music and a costume contest for runners in extra neon gear. 5K registration from $45. Packets include an LED lanyard to wear during the race. $20 fun run for kids ages 5 and older; includes child cape. Proceeds benefiting Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. 5340 Legacy Drive, Plano fireflyrun.com
SCARBOROUGH RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL
SCARBOROUGH FA I R G R O U N D S April 7–May 28 Journey south of DFW to experience 16th-century life (well, sorta) when the annual Renaissance fair opens on weekends through Memorial Day. Marvel at the elaborately dressed entertainers. To help your kids get into the role, take them to the Royal Marquee for knighting ceremonies each day at 4pm. $28 adults; $13 children ages 5–12; free for age 4 and younger. On opening weekend, up to three children free with each paid adult.
DOWNTOWN MCKINNEY
April 13–15 This family festival throughout McKinney’s downtown district celebrates both spring-blooming flowers and burgeoning local artists. Head to the Kids Creation Station canvas art, birdhouse painting and more hosted by two McKinney art studios. Free admission; costs vary for kids’ activities. 111 N. Tennessee St., McKinney; 972/547-2660 mckinneytexas.org
DAY OUT WITH THOMAS
G R A P E V I N E V I N TA G E R A I L R OA D April 13–22 Climb aboard a real-life Thomas the Tank Engine during his Big Adventures Tour stop in Grapevine. For two weekends, Sir Topham Hatt welcomes families for a 25-minute train ride aboard Thomas the Tank Engine’s coaches and to stay for a day full of fun. Entertainment includes stage performances and magic shows, a huge model train layout, a sandbox dig and more activities in the Imagination Station. $21 for timed tickets.
Tickets required for age 2 and older. 705 S. Main St., Grapevine; 866/468-7630 ticketwebdowt.com
THE POWER OF GOLD EXHIBIT
DA L L A S MUSEUM OF ART Opens April 15 All that glitters is gold in this new exhibit of treasure: more than 200 items of gold regalia, ceremonial furniture, swords and other significant objects related to the Asante Kingdom in West Africa in the 19th through 21st centuries. See The Power of Gold: Asante Royal Regalia from Ghana beginning April 15 or on Friday, April 20, when it’s the subject of the DMA’s next Late Night event. $16 for exhibit only. Late Night, plus exhibit: $20. Free for DMA members and children 11 and younger. 1717 N. Harwood St., Dallas; 214/922-1200 dma.org/powerofgold
RED BALLOON RUN & RIDE
C H I L D R E N ’ S H E A LT H PLANO CAMPUS April 21 Want to help Children’s Health save lives? Be an active partner in their mission by enlisting your whole family to run or ride your bikes at this annual event. Races include a 1K fun run, 5K run and bike ride, and more rides ranging from 23 to 72 miles (longer rides open to age 12 and up only), followed by a carnival and vendor booths, some with games for kids. Registration from $35 for adults and $15 for children ages 6–12. $5 for age 5 and younger. 7601 Preston Rd., Plano; 214/289-4534 redballoonevent.org
MEADOWS FAMILY DAY
MEAD OWS MUSEUM AT S M U April 21 As part of Southern Methodist University’s Founders’ Day celebration, the Meadows Museum offers free access to its newest exhibition and related art activities for all ages. Take an up-close look at the 60-plus works by Eduardo Chillida, one of Spain’s most celebrated modern sculptors, before joining your kids in 2-D and 3-D art projects. FREE 5900 Bishop Blvd., Dallas; 214/768-2516 meadowsmuseumdallas.org
LOVE MOTHER EARTH
Join a litter cleanup with perks for volunteers, study earth sciences and take part in the world’s largest environmental experience at these three kid-friendly happenings in honor of Earth Day. DISCOVERY DAYS – EARTH
P E R O T M U S E U M O F N AT U R E A N D S C I E N C E April 14 Celebrate the upcoming Earth Day with special science experiments and activities that explore parts of the Earth, minerals and weather patterns. Free with admission: $20 adults; $13 kids ages 2–17. Museum members get in free and get a sneak preview from 9–10am. For kids also interested in what’s beyond our planet, don’t miss out on your final days to see the Journey to Space exhibit, open through May 6. Additional $10 adults and $8 kids. // 2201 N. Field St., Dallas; 214/428-5555 // perotmuseum.org
EARTHX
FA I R PA R K April 20–22 Make living sustainably fun for your family by exploring the kid-friendly entertainment at this massive and growing festival (previously called Earth Day Texas) with hundreds of green exhibitors, speakers and films. Mini conservationists will find tree climbing at the Outdoor Adventure Zone, scuba diving for kids as young as 10, and goat yoga, plus more goats, ponies, sheep and chickens in the petting zoo. Free admission. Some activities may require a fee. // 1300 Robert B. Cullum Blvd., Dallas; 214/310-1200 // earthx.org
BLUE
DA L L A S C H I L D R E N ’ S T H E AT E R April 21–May 6 Blue, designed for toddlers with short attention spans, introduces the ideas of acceptance and understanding. Pale and Inky Blue live peaceably in their all-blue world until a red sock mysteriously shows up in their kitchen. Find out how the pair reacts to this new color when this play returns to the DCT stage for its second consecutive year. $16. 5938 Skillman St., Dallas; 214/740-0051 dct.org
GO, DOG. GO!
EISEMANN CENTER April 22 It’s off to the races for Red Dog, Blue Dog, Yellow Dog, Green Dog, MC and Hattie. Watch as the lovable characters from P.D. Eastman’s enduring picture book get behind the wheel, take a moonlit boat ride and play catch in
this musical romp with plenty of physical comedy. Tickets from $12. 2351 Performance Drive, Richardson; 972/744-4650 eisemanncenter.com
SAFARI NIGHTS
DA L L A S Z O O April 28 Saturday’s alright for singing when Safari Nights return to the Dallas Zoo. Rock out to live music from tribute bands and local artists on the Cat Green every Saturday through mid-July. Be sure to bring your own blankets or chairs and join the evening fun beginning with special keeper chats and a Wonders of the Wild animal show. $15 adults; $12 children ages 3–11 and seniors. Free for zoo members and children 2 and younger. Includes admission to the zoo during daytime hours and the evening concert. 650 S. R.L. Thornton Freeway, Dallas; 469/554-7500 dallaszoo.com
F O R M O R E F A M I LY- F R I E N D LY F U N T H I S M O N T H , C H E C K O U R O N L I N E C A L E N DA R AT D F W C H I L D.CO M/C A L E N DA R.
dfwchild.com / april 2018
61
confessions
MOMMY FAILS ILLUSTRATION MARY DUNN
I took my daughter to Bubble Guppies Live. After, I couldn’t find my keys—I had left the car running for three hours!” —ASHLEIGH, ARLINGTON
WHEN I PICKED UP MY 3-YEAR-OLD SON FROM THE BABYSITTER, I ASKED HOW HE’D BEEN THAT DAY, EXPECTING A GREAT REPORT. SHE INFORMED ME THAT HE CRAWLED ONTO THE COUNTER AND PEED INTO THE SINK.” —ANGELA, LAS COLINAS
“My 9-month-old had a double ear infection, and the doctor gave him antibiotics. One morning I smelled something. I looked in the back of his diaper, but it was too late. Imagine a tube of toothpaste rapidly shooting up— but poop.” —ANNIE, PLANO
Got a parenting fail you’d like to share? We’d love to hear from you. Send it to editorial@dfwchild.com.
“My husband and I don’t swear often, but we both say ‘Oh s#!%!’ as a first reaction after something bad happens. Our little one is in the potty training stages, and she missed the potty. Out comes from her precious mouth, ‘Oh s#!%!’” —NINA, RICHARDSON
“My son lost a baby tooth and placed it underneath his pillow that evening for the tooth fairy. Well, the tooth fairy completely forgot, and he woke up confused and slightly disappointed. I told him she must not have been able to find it. So, to be sure, it was right in the middle of his pillow the next night. Oops!” —NORA, ROWLETT
I LET MY 6-YEAR-OLD TAKE A SHOWER BY HIMSELF. WHEN HE CAME OUT HE DIDN’T SAY ANYTHING, BUT WHEN HE SAT DOWN TO EAT HE WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT HIS UPPER LIP. WHILE IN THE SHOWER, HE GRABBED MY RAZOR AND DECIDED TO SHAVE HIS ‘MUSTACHE.’” —MELISSA, ROYCE CITY
62
april 2018 / dfwchild.com
I FEED HER BRAIN A HEALTHY BREAKFAST. GO PUBLIC. â„¢
KERA Kids has a world of teacher-tested, kid-approved content, online and on the air. Go for the shows, videos and games. Go because fun and learning go hand-in-hand. Go to enrich their education, with the same member-supported organization that probably helped support yours. Go Public.
KERAKIDS.ORG
After fighting cancer, Luis now dreams of curing it.
Luis, Age 11 Retinoblastoma Patient
When Luis was diagnosed at 7 months old with an eye tumor, his mom trusted Children’s HealthSM with his care. After multiple rounds of chemotherapy and surgery to have his eye removed, now his future couldn’t be clearer. Today, Luis dreams of being a scientist, curing the same cancer he fought.
Every patient has a dream. Read more at childrens.com/littledreamers