Suburban Parent: Irving

FEBRUARY 2016 | FREE

+ las colinas

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IRVING | LAS COLINAS | VALLEY RANCH

BURN CALORIES...

YES, EVEN ON VALENTINE’S DAY!

SMILE RX

ORTHODONTICS NOT JUST FOR KIDS!

BEST CAMPS DIRECTORY

OUR BABY ISSUE

A PLAN FOR PREGNANCY

PUBLISHER/EDITOR Mary Ellen Caldwell, RD, LD, CLT editor@suburbanparent.com

MARY SHARES

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

OUR FEBRUARY ISSUES ARE ON FLEEK!

Renée Higgins renee@suburbanparent.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Patrick Hempfing Christa Melnyk Hines Ken Swarner Ashley Talmadge

CALENDAR EDITOR Lara Haynes

COVER PHOTOGRAPHER Misty Stagnone Photography mistystagnonephotography.com

AD DESIGNERS Victor Perry Luis Robles So Hee Lee Won

ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES Nubia de la Garza Denise Miller

AD COORDINATOR/ DISTRIBUTION Francie Morin francie@suburbanparent.com

ACCOUNTING Carrie Vincent carrie@suburbanparent.com

CONTACT US FACEBOOK facebook.com/suburbanparentmagazines facebook.com/irvingparent facebook.com/momsolvers facebook.com/dfwfamilia

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thoroughly enjoyed putting together this month’s publications; the editorial focus is on 3 of my favorite topics. Babies, Dental Health, and Camps. I know you may be thinking, “Really, Mary Ellen?” But, yes, it’s true. Our February Baby & Maternity Book not only has gorgeous babies on each of our 6 covers, it’s an opportunity to remember my own “back in the day” moments of preparing for pregnancy. Searching, and asking for recommendations for the best doctor, eating the right foods, and of course the nursery! Dental Health is very important too; as a health professional, I knew I needed to make sure my mouth was healthy.

Sometimes pregnancy can contribute to gum disease, and gum disease “AND SO WE KNOW can contribute to complications with pregnancy. So stay on top of your AND RELY ON THE oral health! And of course, Camps! I didn’t have opportunities to attend LOVE GOD HAS FOR summer camps when I was growing up, so when my husband and I were US. GOD IS LOVE. considering sending our 3rd grader to a camp with a friend, there were WHOEVER LIVES IN many conversations. She did attend the away camp (we stayed nearby), LOVE LIVES IN GOD, and she had so much fun and made many, many friends. When we picked AND GOD IN THEM.” her up a week later, she talked and sang songs she learned the entire — 1 JOHN 4:16 drive home! She has been attending the same camp now for 6 years, and she intends to be a camp counselor after high school.

February is also important to me because it’s the beginning of Lent. The season of examination, abstinence, confession and penance. Most people know about the small sacrifices Christians make during the Lenten Season; like meatless Fridays and fasting. This is also a time when we reflect (pray) and prepare our hearts for celebrating Easter. The sacrifices we offer up are supposed to make us a bit uncomfortable.

So as to help us consider the path of Our Lord’s Passion, a lot uncomfortable! So enjoy “Fat Tuesday” with Mardi Gras or also known as Carnival. It’s interesting that the word “carnival” comes from the Latin “carne vale” which means “farewell to meat!”

Oh, the words “on fleek” evidently mean “the quality of being perfect; on point.” Okay, our February issues may not be perfect, but do you know who is really “on fleek?” Jesus!

advertising@suburbanparent.com

EDITORIAL editor@suburbanparent.com

PHONE/MAIL 972.887.7779 8344 Sterling Street Irving, Texas 75063

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COVER MODEL Yehuda, 2 years Irving Parent and Suburban Parent are registered trademarks.

Reader correspondence and editorial submissions are welcome. We reserve the right to edit all submissions due to space. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without express written permission is prohibited.

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Meet Yehuda. He’s a fun loving, but feisty little guy who likes to play with cars, build with magnetic blocks, and throw balls at people. He also loves making people laugh and pushing their buttons – especially his brother, Michael (3). When Yehuda grows up, he wants to be a doctor..

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YOU SHOULD KNOW PARENTS’ PERSPECTIVE

WHY WE SEND OUR KIDS TO CAMP According to an American Camp Association (ACA) report, parents said they send their kids to camp each summer because the camp experience helps their child • Feel good about themselves • Gain more self-confidence or self-esteem • Increase in independence and show more leadership skills • Increase their friendship skills and feel more socially comfortable • Gain in adventurousness and willingness to try new things (Source: http://www.acacamps.org/press-room/aca-facts-trends)

Kissing

How often you need to go to the dentist depends on you,

Burns Calories

your teeth and your habits.

Here’s more good news for you love-birds this Valentine’s Day. Kissing burns calories! Now we’re not talking about a gentle brush on the lips. No, we’re talking about a really good kiss. A heated, heart-racing kiss can burn up to two calories a minute.

Of course, that’s not enough to skip your workout, but it’s better than not kissing. And don’t forget, kissing releases endorphins and lowers cortisol levels too. As if being in love wasn’t nice enough already. Happy Valentine’s Day!

away with going only once

Twice a year is a good rule of thumb. Some can get a year while others need to go more often. You and your dentist can make that call. The important thing is

NO SHAKING THE BABY! Need to wake a sleeping baby? Tickle his feet or gently blow on his cheek.

Never shake a newborn.

That includes jiggling on your knee and tossing in the air. Vigorous shaking can really injure a baby.

So, no rough play for a while. There’ll be plenty of time for that later.

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GO TO THE DENTIST

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BABY KICKS

to go – regularly. Regular

On average, babies in the womb kick 15-20 times per day. And by kick we mean any movement (roll, stretch, hiccup, etc.). There’s no need to actually count the number of kicks you feel during the day, but keeping tabs on your baby’s movement is important. If you think the movements have reduced, sit down, have a snack or cold drink and see if you can feel at least ten movements in the next two hours. Most likely, you’ve just been busy and haven’t noticed the movements.

If in the next two hours, you notice reduced movements, contact your care provider.

find early signs of problems

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visits allow your dentist to making treatments simpler and more affordable. By the time you see something or feel pain, the problem may be in a more advanced stage. Besides, clean teeth are pretty.

QUESTIONS { + PROFESSIONAL ANSWERS }

JAMIE, MOM OF 1 Q. When to go to Sleep-away Camp?

A. The right time to send your kid to sleepaway camp is not necessarily a number. Nine works, but some kids do well as young as six.

Others need to be even older than nine. It really depends on you, your parenting style and your child’s temperament. If both you and your child are anxious, don’t do it; neither of you are ready.

If your child is anxious, but you’re ready, talk it over and encourage him to go. If you’re anxious, but your child is ready, get over it and let him go.

Camp is great and easier experienced for the first time at a younger age because there’ll be more kids in the same situation. However, there’ll most likely be other first timers the same age no matter when your child goes.

SUNSHINE Camp Director and Mom of 5

CINDI, CARING FRIEND Q. My friend is having her 2nd child. She thinks it’s not fair to have another Baby Shower. I really want her to celebrate with a Shower. Your thoughts?

A. Everyone deserves a baby shower for a first baby. How else can you get all the cool new baby gear? But, what about second and subsequent babies? They’re going to need some new stuff too - especially if the new baby’s a different gender or there’s been a significant gap between babies. That’s when a “baby sprinkle” is in order.

A sprinkle is, as the name suggests, a light shower. You usually have fewer guests, and include the older sibling. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the new arrival and pick up a few necessities.

Can you say diapers? Hope this helps!

FRANCIS, Mom of 3

BARB ASKS...

Q. How safe are dental X-rays?

A. Good News! Advances in dentistry over the years have led to the low radiation levels emitted by dental X-rays. These improvements in the machines limit the radiation beam to the small area being X-rayed, and higher speed X-ray films require shorter exposure time compared with older film speeds, and the use of film holders (that keep the film in place in the mouth) prevents the film from slipping which reduces the need for repeat X-rays, hence, additional radiation exposure.

Also, the use of those comfy, lead-lined, full-body aprons protects the body from stray radiation (although with the modern dental X-ray machines, this is just an added protection.) In addition, federal law requires that X-ray machines be checked for accuracy and safety every two years, with some states requiring more frequent checks.

MARY ELLEN, Your Favorite Editor

WE ASKED THE SPECIALIST

Q. Is it good for children to sleep ten hours each day? What happens to the brains of children when they don’t get enough sleep?”

DR. M. CLIFTON St. Luke’s

children. Lack of sleep may limit the ability to learn, listen, concentrate and solve problems. Lack of sleep

A. Most children ages 5-9 require 9.5 hours of sleep however each child has their own requirements therefore depending upon the age of your child, 10 hours may be appropriate. The average teenager requires between 9-10 hours of sleep per night. Irregular bedtimes may disrupt healthy brain development in young can also impact cognitive ability. Inadequate sleep will result in problems with attention, memory, decision making, reaction time, and creativity, all of which are important in school. The suggested proper sleep times for Newborns 0-3 months is 10.5-18 hours per day in various shifts, 4-12 months is 9-12 hours, Ages 1-2 is 11-14 hours, Ages 3-5 11-13 hours, Ages 6-13, 9-11 hours.

EMAIL QUESTIONS: editor@suburbanparent.com 10

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WE LOVE THIS { YOU WILL TOO }

SUPER COOL SIPPY CUP

1 Silikids’ stylish sippy cup (non-plastic) offers a new take on sippy cups! It has a shock absorbent design. Safety and beautiful design have come together at last. The glass is dishwasher safe and the Siliskin® and Sippy Top can be boiled to sterilize. Recommended for ages 24 months and up. We found it at www.silikids.com, $12.95

SAY NO TO GERMS

2 Protect your toothbrush from germs! These Super Cute UV Sanitizers are not only cute and fun they provide a 99.9% germ-free toothbrush. The Zapi Luxe has a wobble that can’t topple! Get one or more today, at www.violife.com, $29.95

n i w a gift set v

MEALS TO NOURISH

3 NurturMe, the first and only family of certifiedorganic, dried fruit and veggie meals and snacks created to nourish healthy growth in little ones! www.nurturme.com, $3.49 and up.

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PROTECT YOUR CAMPER

4 Don’t pack without it! Perfect for your Campers! A strong and dependable repellency against mosquitoes and more! We found it at shopwithmaryellen.avonrepresentative.com, Read reviews! Starting at $14.

COLIC NO MORE

5 Ideal for newborns, the innovative MAM AntiColic Bottle helps reduce the stress associated with newborn feedings. Patented ventilation holes regulate the pressure balance of baby’s milk, allowing it to flow evenly without bubbles or air pockets for reduced gas and colic symptoms. Recommended for newborns and up. We found it at www.mambaby.com. Starting at $6.99 each.

GO ONLINE FOR CHANCE TO WIN AND SEE MORE BABY ITEMS @: www.suburbanparent.com 12

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MOMENTS { BY PATRICK HEMPFING }

PUSH THE BUTTON!

N

urse! Minutes earlier, my newborn daughter had been

was outflow, alright, but not cash outflow (although that happened when

wheeled from the nursery into our hospital room. Nurse,

we received the hospital bills). How about my five years as an internal

where did you go? Where’s the instruction manual? But, the

auditor and investigator? I didn’t need to do much investigating to find

nurse was gone.

the guilty party. Based on what I was looking at, Jessie didn’t have a

“Uh, Mattie, I know you just had a C-section, but I need your help here.”

These were my thoughts when faced with my first dad challenge

good grasp of internal controls.

Luckily, I remembered my Associate’s degree in Management. This

– changing Jessie’s diaper. The details are still as vivid as the day

situation needed to be managed by a strong leader. I needed a plan.

it happened.

Plan A: I could do the 25-yard dash down to the nurse’s station and

I carefully peeled away the tape on each side of Jessie’s diaper. I

announce “Emergency, emergency!” No, I have my pride.

pulled the diaper away from her belly like a bomb specialist deactivating

Plan B: I could calmly strut down the hall to the nurse’s station and

a live bomb. I must not have been careful enough though, as the “bomb”

request a little assistance. No, I was way past the “calmly strutting” stage.

had exploded. In my 44 years of life, I had never seen anything like it.

It turns out that babies’ first poops are meconium, a

Plan C: I could push the button on the remote on Mattie’s bed to signal the nurse’s station.

mixture of bile, mucus, and amniotic fluid. I should have paid closer attention in Health class. Let’s just say it’s not pretty. With Mattie still immobilized by the epidural in her back, solving this problem was all

formed Mattie that we needed to call the nurse.

She said “You can’t call the nurse for a dirty diaper!” Undeterred, I sprinted from Jessie’s bassinet to the remote hanging on the side of Mattie’s hospital bed. The nurse arrived within

up to me.

I went through a mental checklist of my three careers to draw on my relevant expertise. Twelve years in banking?

No, making a loan wouldn’t help here. I did have experience in collections. No, not quite the same kind of collections. Four

seconds. She smiled and said I wasn’t the first dad to push the button. Diaper Changing 101 followed.

There have been numerous times over the past six years as “Mr. Mom” when I wished I could have simply “pushed the button” for assistance.

years in public accounting? Debits

Something tells me I’m in for

equal credits. No good.

many more button-pushing

Assets = Liabilities +

situations.

Owner’s Equity. No

14

Our first parenting disagreement ensued when I in-

Until next month,

help. Cash inflow

remember to cherish the

versus outflow. There

moments. SP

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2015

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Healthy Babies Start with Proper Pregnancy Planning A healthy pregnancy begins long before conception.

By planning ahead you can lower the risk of complications and give your baby the best support from the very beginning.

Find a physician.

First, choose a family care or OB/GYN who you’re comfortable with and trust. Check with friends and family for referrals. Does your physician listen to your concerns and answer your questions? Is she in a convenient location?

Does she have privileges at the hospital where you’d like to deliver?

Schedule a pre-pregnancy check-up.

During a preconception appointment, you and your physician will discuss your pregnancy timeline. Share any past pregnancy problems, prescription drugs you’re on, your emotional and physical health and your lifestyle habits.

“With your physician, consider doing fasting blood work to check glucose for diabetes, a lipid panel for cholesterol and triglycerides, a complete blood count to check for anemia and a TSH to check for thyroid abnormalities,” advises Dr. Peter Caruso, OB/GYN.

Power up.

At least three months before you hope to get pregnant, begin taking prenatal vitamins (available over the counter) that contain at least 400 mcg folic acid, which can help prevent brain and spinal cord birth defects.

As blood in the body nearly doubles toward the end of pregnancy, you’ll want to ensure your vitamin also contains an ample supply of iron.

“Iron is the building block for hemoglobin which carries oxygen to the baby,” says Susan Thrasher, APRN, antepartum nurse practitioner.

BY C H R I S TA M E L N Y K H I N E S

Get in shape.

Achieve a healthy weight through diet and exercise and *kick bad habits.

“Your body ovulates more efficiently when you’re at a healthy weight so if you’re trying to become pregnant, it’s a great time to focus on your well-being to ensure your body is best prepared to support a healthy pregnancy,” says Dr. Reagan Wittek, OB/GYN. During pregnancy, overweight women risk high blood pressure, pre-ec-

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lampsia, pre-term labor and delivery, gestational diabetes, c-section and birth injury at delivery.

“By the same token, being underweight can also pose dangers, resulting in a low birth weight baby and an increased risk for preterm birth,” Thrasher says. *Smoking, drinking alcohol and substance abuse can seriously harm a developing baby especially in the first trimester. Talk to your doctor if you need help.

Congratulations, you’re pregnant!

Continue your pre-pregnancy healthy choices. Prioritize your doctor appointments and follow his or her recommendations.

Feeling green?

For many women, nausea and vomiting often accompanies early pregnancy. Caruso recommends eating six small meals a day and taking a daily 50 mg vitamin B6 to relieve morning sickness. If you’re not gaining weight and experiencing trouble keeping food and fluids down, alert your provider.

Feed your baby right.

Your body only requires a few hundred more calories a day to support your growing baby. Avoid foods with low-nutritional value.

Instead consume high-quality calories found in fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Manage stress and anxiety.

A healthy support network, regular exercise and communicating with your physician can help you manage stressful, anxious emotions common in pregnancy.

“Don’t ever be afraid to talk to your doctor if you’re worried about your anxiety,” Wittek says. “No question is stupid and we’re here to support both your physical and mental health before, during and after pregnancy.”

Listen to your body.

Never an exact science, pregnancy can be unpredictable no matter how well you take care of yourself. First time mom-to-be Kim Kern carefully planned for her pregnancy. But at 24 weeks along, she says something didn’t feel right.

“I’ve never been pregnant before. And my doctor told me from the beginning that ‘if you feel something is going on, call us,’” Kern says.

“There’s a good chance that her encouragement saved my baby.”

Diagnosed with cervical incompetence, which often results in miscarriage, Kern is on bed rest in her hospital’s Antepartum Unit, a specialized unit which provides round-the-clock care to women experiencing high-risk pregnancies.

“It’s looking like I’ll be here until I meet the little guy,” she says.

Although her otherwise active life is on hold at the moment, Kern tries to remain optimistic.

“You can do all of the planning. We wanted this pregnancy and now.... I’m trying to realize that it’s just out of my control,” Kern says.

“But, I’m in the best place I can be.” SP Don’t forget to tell our advertisers you saw them in Irving Parent!

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BY AS H L E Y TA L M A D G E

fix?

Orthodontists Aren’t Just for Kids!

a

s a child, Tina McDermott received dental advice that was commonly given in the ‘80s. “My teeth weren’t horribly crooked,” she says, “so my dentist told my mom that I didn’t need braces, and that I could keep my wisdom teeth.”

Once considered to be primarily cosmetic, orthodontic treatment is now seen as a way to preserve dental health.

A couple of years ago, McDermott’s dentist suggested that in addition to getting her wisdom teeth pulled, she should consider braces to avoid future dental problems.

“I had wished my teeth were straighter and that I didn’t have an overbite,” she says, “but I didn’t seriously consider treatment until I learned that it would increase the likelihood that I would need dentures if I didn’t.”

According to a 2013 patient survey by the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), the number of adults undergoing orthodontic treatment is on the rise. Nationally, adults now comprise more than 20 percent of orthodontic patients. Orthodontist Dr. Charles Cooley says adults make up about 40 percent of his practice. Half these adults are self-referrals. “They’ve already gotten treatment for their kids, and have decided it’s their turn,” says Cooley. The other half are referred by dentists who see a breakdown of dentition resulting from a poor bite. “When I correct the bite,” says Cooley, “the longevity of dental restorations, such as crowns and caps, will be greater.”

Dental health and cosmetic appearance are not separate issues. Orthodontist Dr. Scott Hood says, “The understanding of what orthodontic treatment can do, both aesthetically and functionally, has increased among the general public as well as the dental community. Today there is much collaboration among dentists, orthodontists, periodontists, and oral surgeons to ensure a healthy and cosmetically appealing outcome for the patient.”

While conceding that patients are often motivated by appearance, Cooley adds, “There’s rarely a treatment I will do purely for cosmetic reasons. I want to treat the patient for function. The better your teeth function, the better position they’re in, and the better it’s going to look.”

Adults who seek orthodontic treatment may come with specific concerns, or even fears. Number one, Cooley says, is pain. “Adults still remember when their friends went in to have their wires tied, and all the headgear,” he says. “But the new technology and new metals have changed all that.” Innovations such as temperature-sensitive wires, gradual computer-generated adjustments, and temporary anchoring devices (TADs), have made severe mouth pain and bloody gums things of the past. And often such high-tech wizardry means less time in the chair, and more time between visits.

The AAO survey suggests that 70 percent of adults are concerned about the appearance of braces and other dental appliances. But such apprehensions tend to dissipate quickly once the patient begins treatment. Orthodontia has become much less conspicuous over the last few decades, and a plethora of “invisible” options has

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19

fix?

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brought more adults to the office. In addition to traditional metal braces, orthodontists offer: 1) Ceramic/clear brackets designed to blend better with tooth color, 2) Lingual braces positioned on the back (tongue side) of teeth, and 3) Clear aligners, which are custom made removable “trays.”

Orthodontic treatment can often remain a “secret” between patient and provider—until friends notice the new and improved smile!

There are financial concerns as well. The average cost of orthodontic treatment is $4500-$6500. Even with dental insurance, the patient’s out-of-pocket expense can be significant. Hood says, “A few patients pay up front, but most make monthly payments based on treatment time as well as treatment costs.

Most orthodontists offer in-house financing, as well as ‘CareCredit’ type financing options.”

McDermott stresses the importance of interviewing several What potential problems orthodontists before choosing one. have you identified?

Most provide a free consultation, What is the likely outcome during which the prospective patient if I choose not to have receives a comprehensive exam, treatment? diagnosis, options for treatment, What treatment options do and answers to any questions. Hood I have? says online sources can provide Please describe the good preparation. “The higher the

treatment plan(s), step patient’s dental IQ the better they by step. understand the process and what to How long will treatment expect during treatment as well as take? the final outcome,” he says.

As for McDermott’s outcome?

What outcome can I reasonably expect? “ I couldn’t be happier,” she says.

“My treatment is coming to a close, What is the total cost of and my teeth look so much better. treatment? How much will my insurance cover? Do They’re straight, and even more you offer a payment plan important, healthy. It’s no small thing for the remainder? to keep your teeth for life!” SP

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See images @ www.animated-teeth.com/dental-braces Ashley Talmadge is a freelance writer and mother of two boys. She enjoys writing about the many facets of parenthood, and her articles have appeared in dozens of parenting publications throughout the U.S. and Canada.

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KNOW IT ALL { YOUR COMMUNITY CALENDAR }

FEBRUARY 2016 MON 1 PENGUIN DAYS AT THE DALLAS ZOO: $5 ADMISSION Through Feb. 29. Winter is here and so are Penguin Days! $5 admission to the zoo! Dallas Zoo, 650 S. R.L. Thornton Freeway, Dallas, www.dallaszoo.com.

ON STAGE: I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE Runs through Feb 14. Now celebrating its sixteenth year as a Theatre Three tradition, the mega-hit production I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change returns for a limited engagement in Theatre Too, Theatre Three’s intimate downstairs venue. This celebration and exploration of the mating game will feature two married couples, Kim and Max Swarner and Amy Mills and Doug Jackson. This hilarious revue pays tribute to those who have loved and lost and lived to try again.

Smartly conceived with catchy tunes and witty lyrics (Book by Joe DiPietro, Music

by Jimmy Roberts), this affectionate look at love and marriage is as amusingly appropriate today as when it first opened in New York in 1996. Audiences fill the theatre with laughter as the cast explores the joys of dating, romance, marriage, lovers, husbands, wives, and in-laws. Directed by Kat Edwards, it’s a hilarious look at love and relationships that is as touching and insightful as it is humorous. Valentine’s Weekend (Feb. 12, 13 & 14) includes flowers, chocolate and champagne $50 per ticket. Visit website for show times and ticket further ticket information. Theatre Three, 2800 Routh Street, Dallas, 214-8713300, theatre3dallas.com.

DECADENCE: FASHIONS FROM THE 1920’S 10-9pm. Runs thru Feb 28th. This event will showcase the allure of the 1920s in fashion and accessories. The exhibit is timely given the resurgence of 1920s-inspired silhouettes on the runways of designers such as Gucci, Marchesa and Prada. Decadence will feature rare pieces from French, Spanish and Italian couturi-

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ers including Madeleine Vionnet, Mariano Fortuny, Maria Monaco Gallenga and Lucien Lelong. The exhibit is located on Level One near Banana Republic. Galleria Dallas, 13350 Dallas Pkwy., Dallas.

TUE 2 MUSIC AND STORIES WITH KIDWORKS 11:00am. Grab the kiddos for a storytelling session in the park! Klyde Warren Park, The Dallas Morning News Reading & Games Room, 2012 Woodall Rodgers Freeway, Dallas, 214-716-4500.

MODERN MASTERS: WARHOL, POLLACK, LICHTENSTEIN, RAUSCHENBERG, DE KONNING, MOTHERWELL Through Feb. 21. This exhibition features work by 60 artists including Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, Jackson Pollack, Roy Lichtenstein, Willem de Kooning, and Robert Motherwell.

Modern art has brought a fresh and unconventional approach to the creative community, expressing the loves, hates, ideas, beliefs, interests, passions, strengths, and weaknesses of a generation emerging in the mid-Twentieth Century. This exhibit will explore traditional mediums of art, outside the box, and how the art world embraced the work that represents a movement that changed the face of fine art in America. Hours of Operation: Tues-Sat: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sunday: 1:00 p.m.

- 5:00 p.m. Closed Mondays and major holidays. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for students and seniors. Children 12 and under are FREE. Donations are also welcome. Arlington Museum of Art, 201 W. Main Street, Arlington, 817-275-4600.

WED 3 EXHIBIT: CREATURES OF LIGHT: NATURE’S BIOLUMINESCENCE Through Feb. 21. From the flickering fireflies you once captured in jar in our

own backyard, to the iridescent deepsea creatures in our oceans’ darkest depths, the magical world of bioluminescence comes to life in Creatures of Light.

Come immerse yourself in the natural phenomenon of living light. Visit website for museum hours and ticket information.

Perot Museum of Nature and Science, 2201 N. Field Street, Dallas, 214-4285555, perotmuseum.org.

A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD Through Feb. 28. The three-time TONY-nominated Broadway hit with its jazzy score hops to DCT just in time for spring. This whimsical musical follows two unlikely best friends and their quirky egos from hibernation to planting, to swimming, to sledding with plenty of fun and lots to learn along the way. This adorably charming story captivates audiences of all ages - even those who think they’re too old for make-believe.

Join Frog and Toad as they weather the seasons and celebrate the differences that make them special. You and your best friends will be tapping your webbed toes all the way home! Please see website for show times and ticket information. Recommended for ages 4 and up Dallas Children’s Theater, 5938 Skillman, Dallas, 214-740-0051, dct.org.

DALLAS MAVERICKS VS. HEAT 7:30pm. American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Avenue, Dallas, www.mavs.com.

THU 4 JUMPSTART STORIES & ART: FRIENDSHIP STORIES WITH ELEPHANT & PIGGIE 10am. In honor of International Friendship Month, we’ll feature Mo Willem’s Elephant & Piggie series that chronicle the exciting adventures of best friends, Piggie, an optimistic pig and Elephant (otherwise known as Gerald) a cautious, pessimistic elephant. Join us the first Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. at the Irving Arts Center for stories and

art! Irving Arts Center, 3333 North MacArthur Blvd., Irving, 972-252-7558, irvingartscenter.com.

AFTER SCHOOL SWEETHEART PARTY 3-5pm. Join us as we celebrate the spirit of Valentine’s Day with an after school party and dance. Children ages 6-14 will enjoy music, food, games and crafts. Free admission. Georgia Farrow Recreation Center, 530 Davis Dr., Irving, 972-721-2519, www.cityofirving.org.

LORD OF THE FLIES Through February 14. When a group of schoolboys survives a catastrophic plane crash, what starts as a desert island adventure quickly descends into a struggle for survival in a darkly sinister world of superstition and immorality. As the boys slowly explore their new-found freedom, their fun and games turn into vicious battles for power. When the group splits into two opposing tribes: one that strives for civility and another that delights in savage violence; the competition escalates into a dangerous, frightening climax. Based on the groundbreaking 1954 novel, this gripping classic looks into the darker sides of human nature where it’s civilization vs. savagery and the mob vs. morality.

Addison Water Tower Theatre, 15650 Addison Road, Addison, 972-450-6230, watertowertheatre.org.

EXHIBITION: GUSTAVE CAILLEBOTTE: THE PAINTER’S EYE Through Feb. 14. During the height of Impressionism in the 1870s and 1880s, Gustave Caillebotte (1848–1894) produced some of the movement’s most daring and bold paintings. Experimenting with radical points of view and audacious perspective, he created images of Paris streets, of domestic life and of country pursuits that are unforgettable. Some 50 paintings from 1875 to 1882—the time in which Caillebotte was most committed to the Impressionist movement—will reveal his genius. Such masterworks as Paris Street; Rainy Day

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KNOW IT ALL (Art Institute of Chicago), Floor Scrapers (Musée d’Orsay) and two versions of the Pont de l’Europe (Musée du Petit Palais, Geneva, and Kimbell Art Museum) are among the familiar images that will be joined by paintings from museums and private collections throughout the world. Together, they will present to American audiences for the first time in a generation the full range of Caillebotte’s extraordinary vision. Kimbell Art Museum - Renzo Piano Pavilion, 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, 817-3328451, kimbellart.org.

sculptures depicting scenes from the natural world, each carefully built with thousands of LEGO pieces by Kenney.

See how one small LEGO® brick, when thoughtfully placed with thousands of others, becomes a larger-than-life hummingbird frozen in flight, a peacock displaying his colorful feathers or a Galapagos tortoise with a Darwin finch perched on its back. These sculptures connect guests to nature and have a big impact in awe-inspiring ways. Dallas Zoo, 650 S. R.L. Thorton Freeway, Dallas, 469-554-7500, www.dallaszoo.com.

JACKSON POLLOCK: BLIND SPOTS

THE HOCKADAY SCHOOL PRESENTS “CURTAINS”

Through Mar. 20. This once-in-a-lifetime exhibition offers a new perspective on the work of one of the most famous artists of the 20th century. See it only at the DMA. For tickets, visit dma.org.

Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 N. Harwood, Dallas, dma.org.

Feb. 5-7. The Hockaday upper school musical, “Curtains”. Contact the Eisemann Center box office for tickets and show times. Tickets $12. Eisemann Center, 2351 Performance Drive, Richardson, 972-744-4650.

FIRST THURSDAY LATE NIGHTS 7-9pm. February - Feel the power of discovery through electrifying experiments and activities exploring light, electricity, currents and circuits.

All you need to get in on the fun is the cost of general admission, so purchase your tickets online early. Your exhibit hall ticket on the date of First Thursday Late Night gives you FREE access to our special programming that evening.

The Perot Museum will stay open from 10am-9pm first Thursdays. Come early and stay late! Perot Museum of Nature and Science, 2201 N. Field St., Dallas, 214-428-5555, www.perotmuseum.org.

FRI 5 MAGNOLIA AT THE MODERN 6pm. Runs Feb 5-7th. 2016 Oscar-Nominated Short Films Anaimation. Magnolia is an ongoing series featuring critically acclaimed films. Tickets are $9; $7 for Modern members; $6 for Reel People.

The Sunday noon show time is half price.

Advance sales begin two hours prior to each show. Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, 3200 Darnell St., Fort Worth, 817738-9215, www.themodern.org.

NATURE CONNECTS, A LEGO® BRICK ART EXHIBIT Through April 10. The excitement is building! We’re thrilled to announce our newest exhibit, Nature Connects, a remarkable sculpture show created by artist Sean Kenney using LEGO bricks, at the Dallas Zoo. The installation features 16 displays created from 24

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SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE, JR. Feb. 5-21. The Emmy Award-winning 1970’s Saturday morning cartoon series School House Rock taught history, grammar, math, and more through clever, tuneful songs is lighting up Casa’s stage. Follow Tom, a nerve-wracked school teacher who is apprehensive about his first day. He tries to relax by watching TV, when various characters emerge from the set and show him how to win his students over with imagination and music, through such songs as “Just A Bill,” “Lolly, Lolly, Lolly,” and “Conjunction Junction.” Casa Mañana, 3101 W. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth, 817332-2272, casamanana.org.

DALLAS MAVERICKS VS. SPURS 8:30pm - 11:00 pm American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Avenue, Dallas, www.mavs.com.

SAT 6 NORTH DALLAS TOY SHOW 9am. 1st Saturday of every month at the Valley View Center Mall (inside Dallas Party Rentals Store, 1st Floor). Hot Wheels, Action Figures, Comic Books, Collectible Toys, Transformers, Matchbox cars, Star Wars, Batman, Marvel Legends, DC Comics, Star Trek, Pop Vinyl, Sci-Fi, Horror toys, Diecast cars, Vintage toys and much more! MORE THAN 50 TABLES OF FUN FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY! Admission is $2.00 (kids under 12 are free). Valley View Center, 13331 Preston Road, Dallas, northdallastoyshow.wix.com/toys.

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Our Pediatricians Care About You and Your Family 2015

Now Serving the Irving Community in Two Locations!

2 Main Locations

6750 N. MacArthur Blvd. • Ste. 206 2021 N. MacArthur Blvd. • Ste. 250

Irving, Texas Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm We Accept All Major Insurance Plans

972-253-4300

www.mscitx.com

KNOW IT ALL CLONE TROOPERS INVADE NEW LEGO STAR WARS MINILAND MODEL DISPLAY 10am. LEGOLAND Discovery Center offers a full year of galactic fun with a new LEGO Star Wars MINILAND Model Display, debuting to the public on February 6. The exhibit depicts the First Battle of Geonosis in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones.

Fans will marvel at the replicas of a Gladiator-style battle between Jedi and Geonosians on Geonosis, Jango Fett Clones lining up on Kamino, Jango Fett battling Anakin Skywalker featuring Slave Ship 1 and Boba Fett, plus many more. Included in the price of admission. LEGOLAND Discovery Center, 3000 Grapevine Mills Pkwy, Grapevine, 877-818-1677, www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com/dfw.

“OH THIS LEARNING, WHAT A THING IT IS!” - A CHILDREN’S SHAKESPEARE PERFORMANCE 11am. Guess which words we still use today that Shakespeare actually invented. The results may surprise you! Join us for an educational and hilarious production featuring scenes from As You Like It, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Romeo and Juliet in Shakespearean costumes. Dallas Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, 214-670-1400.

FAMILY EXPERIMENTS WITH THE PEROT MUSEUM 11am-2pm, Perot Museum of Nature and Science hosts fun family activities in the Children’s Park. Klyde Warren Park, Children’s Park, 2012 Woodall Rodgers Freeway, Dallas, 214-716-4500.

FAMILY DAY AT SPARK 1-4pm. Join us for at Family Day at SPARK! Creative fun for the whole family! Open to families with children in 2nd grade through high school. No drop-offs. Admission is $10 at the door – cash, check, or credit card payments accepted. Spark Dallas, 1409 S. Lamar St. #004, Dallas, 214-421-7727, www.sparkdallas.org.

THE SCIENCE OF SPIN 2:30-3:30pm. Enjoy learning about the science of spin with a variety of yoyos, tops and other spinning objects. World Champion Yo-Yo Performer Valerie Oliver will amaze you with tricks and stunts! Free, for all ages. No registration required. A Saturday Science program.

Irving West Library Meeting Room, 4444 W. Rochelle, Irving, 972-721-2692.

MARISSA MEYER AUTHOR VISIT: STARS ABOVE TOUR 3-6pm. Join us for an afternoon with New York Times bestselling author

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Marissa Meyer, who will discuss her latest book, STARS ABOVE, a collection of short stories from the Lunar Chronicles universe. Book signing and Q&A follow the discussion. Copies of Marissa’s books will be available for purchase, including a limited edition gift with purchase of STARS ABOVE at the event. South Irving Library, 601 Schulze dr., Irving, 972-721-2606.

CLASSIC CAR CRUISE IN 6-9pm. Come on out, grab a milkshake at Big State Fountain Grill and admire the beautiful iron! Big State Fountain Grill, 100 East Irving Blvd , Irving, 214-307-5000, www.bigstatefountaingrill.com

DALLAS STARS VS. BLACKHAWKS 7pm.American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Lane, Dallas, stars.nhl.com.

SUN 7 DRAWING FROM THE COLLECTION FOR CHILDREN 2-3:30pm. Two sessions of this free program are offered, one for ages 5 to 8 and one for ages 9 to 12. Each session is led by an artist who takes participants through informal drawing exercises in relation to works in the Modern’s galleries. Children under the age of 6 must be accompanied by an adult during the program. Bring a sketchbook and pencils. Attendance is limited, so early arrival is encouraged. A sign-up sheet is located at the information desk. Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, 3200 Darnell St., Fort Worth, www.themodern.org.

LIT’S ALIVE: DADDY LONG LEGS VALENTINE’S 2-4pm. The Library will present a screening of the 1955 movie adaptation of Jean Webster’s beloved classic Daddy Long Legs starring Fred Astaire and Leslie Caron. While you enjoy the movie, we will make special Valentine’s cards with specialty cardstock and embellishments. South Irving Library, 601 Schulze Dr., Irving, 972-721-2606.

SUNDAY ADVENTURES AT THE LIBRARY! 3:30pm. Campfire Stories-Bring your family and adventure with us through stories, crafts, movies, and games! We will be doing different activities every week with an all-ages approach in mind so that the entire family can have fun.

Preston Royal Library, 5626 Royal Lane, Dallas, 214-670-7128.

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KNOW IT ALL SALZBURG MARIONETTE THEATRE’S ALICE IN WONDERLAND 1:30pm. Presenting the classic fairy tale Alice in Wonderland. The Salzburg Marionette Theatre is one of the last remaining full-time professional marionette theatres in Europe. Since its inception, it has attracted millions of spectators and undertaken hundreds of tours on all continents. The art of the Salzburg Marionette Theatre is based on the tradition of creating lifelike figures on the stage, giving the audience the illusion of watching real people. The perfect construction of the figures and countless technical inventions and achievements have made the Salzburg Marionette Theatre a leading representative of the art. The fine expressive detail in the sculptured heads, the meticulous tailoring of the costumes and the impeccable construction of the stage-sets - all these qualities combine to produce the outstanding performances of the Salzburg Marionette Theatre. Bass Performance Hall, E 4th St & Calhoun St., Fort Worth, 817-212-4280 basshall.com.

“THE MAN WITH BOGART’S FACE” BY GARLAND CIVIC THEATRE Through February 13. Call box office for specific show times/dates and ticket information. Garland Civic Theatre presents the hard-boiled mystery, “The Man With Bogart’s Face” by Andrew J. Fenady. There’s a plot full of twists and turns, intrigue, greed and deadly danger. This play has its heart rooted in the heritage of good old movies. Granville Arts Center - Small Theatre, 300 N. Fifth Street, Garland, 972-205-2790.

MON 8 JOURNEY TO SPACE 3D Runs Daily thru 5/26/2016. In the past half century, humans have punched through the stratosphere, walked on the moon, and lived continuously in orbit. In the coming decades, our unquenchable curiosity will take our species beyond the cradle of Earth to touch the face of another world. $8.

Perot Museum, The Hoglund Foundation Theater, 2201 N. Field St., Dallas, www.perotmuseum.org

TUE 9 THE KENNEDY CENTER THEATRE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES ON TOUR PRESENTS ELEPHANT & PIGGIE’S WE ARE IN A PLAY! 9:30 & 11:15am in Carpenter Hall at Irving Arts Center. Based on the Ele-

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phant & Piggie books by Mo Willems, Elephant and Piggie sing and dance their way through many adventures.

For ages 4 and up. Tickets $7.50. 3333 N. MacArthur Blvd, Irving 972-252-2787 (ARTS) www.irvingartscenter.com. See ad in this issue.

MUSIC AND STORIES WITH KIDWORKS 11:00am. Grab the kiddos for a storytelling session in the park! Klyde Warren Park, The Dallas Morning News Reading & Games Room, 2012 Woodall Rodgers Freeway, Dallas, 214-716-4500.

DALLAS MAVERICKS VS. JAZZ 7:30pm. American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Avenue, Dallas, www. mavs.com.

WED 10 JUNIOR EXPLORERS BOOK CLUB DISCUSSES WEIRD STUFF 4:30-5:30pm. Junior Explorer Book Club subject in February is weird things like UFOs and Bigfoot. Explore the world of books, with fun activities, crafts and treats! Free, for ages 2nd grade to 5th grade. No registration required.

Irving West Library Meeting Room, 4444 W. Rochelle, Irving, 972-721-269.

CASTIGLIONE: LOST GENIUS. MASTERWORKS ON PAPER FROM THE ROYAL COLLECTION Through Feb. 14. This exhibition of drawings and prints by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione aims to reinstate the 17th-century master as one of the greatest graphic artists of the Baroque.

Much of what is known about Castiglione, born in the cosmopolitan port of Genoa, comes not from his artworks but from court papers documenting his acts of violence, possibly even murder.

He was, however, arguably the most innovative and technically brilliant Italian draftsman of his time. Ninety works on paper from the British Royal Collection, which holds the finest surviving group of Castiglione’s work, will be on view.

Highlights include Castiglione’s pastoral scenes, with which he built his early reputation, and his later and grander themes of mythology and religion. He produced etchings and large dynamic drawings in oil on paper and invented the monotype technique, a hybrid of printing and drawing. But despite his artistic brilliance and innovations, Castiglione struggled to achieve recognition in his lifetime. Today, the grace and beauty of Castiglione’s work belies the

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darkness of his character. Through this exhibition a new generation will be able to rediscover Italy’s great lost genius. Kimbell Art Museum - Louis Kahn Building, 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, 817-332-8451 kimbellart.org.

THU 11 BERRY SWEET VALENTINE’S PARTY 10-11:30am. Children ages 12 and younger are invited to a berry sweet celebration. Please join us as we celebrate Valentine’s Day! Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please register by Feb. 4. Cost: $5 per child.

Lee Park Recreation Center, 3000 Pamela Dr., Irving 972-721-2508, www. cityofirving.org.

FRI 12 FORT WORTH HOME AND GARDEN SHOW 2-7pm. Runs Sat & Sun. These events are Texas’ best resource for expert advice, money saving tips, remodeling ideas, landscape features and everything you need for your home and garden! Plan to bring the whole family. Fort Worth Convention Center, 1201 Houston St., Fort Worth, 817-392-6338.

FORT WORTH SYMPHONY PRESENTS WEST SIDE STORY Feb. 12-14. Full of pulsating Latin rhythms and lyrical and thoroughly romantic music, Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story weaves together many of the most memora-

ble moments and melodies from the celebrated musical. Ginastera’s Four Dances from Estancia sets the story of a tempestuous love triangle on a cattle ranch on the pampas. And in Saint-Sains’ Piano Concerto No. 5, you will recognize the composer’s native brand of French glitter and keyboard pyrotechnics, which combine in a tour de force for guest soloist Javier Perianes. Bass Performance Hall, 4th & Calhoun St., Fort Worth, 817-212-4280 basshall.com.

Texas Karate Do

2700 N. O’Connor Rd Ste 132

972-258-8333

www.TexasKarateDo.com

ROCK & WORSHIP ROADSHOW 7:30pm. Christian music favorites Newsboys, Jeremy Camp and Mandisa will be performing, along with Phil Wickham, Family Force 5 and Audio Adrenaline. A Pre-show Party will take place before each show with artists Danny Gokey (host) and Citizen Way, and Shaun Groves returns to the Rock & Worship Roadshow as the event’s guest speaker. Tickets $20. Visit website for more information and to purchase tickets. American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Avenue, Dallas, www. americanairlinescenter.com/events/detail/the-rock-worship-roadshow.

SAT 13 DALLAS COMIC CON SCI-FI EXPO Feb. 13 & 14, Times: 10 a.m.- 7 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday.

Admission: Gold pass - $129; 2-Day Pass - $60 in advance, $65 at the door; One-day General Admission - $40 in advance, $45 at the door on Saturday and $30 in advance, $35 at the door on Sunday Celebrity photo sessions, Don’t forget to tell our advertisers you saw them in Irving Parent!

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KNOW IT ALL autograph sessions, artist alley, costume contests and much, much more!

COSTUME CONTEST - sign-ups for the Fan Days 2015 Costume Contest will begin at 4:00 pm on the 3rd Floor, in the Cosplay Hideaway (Meeting Room 1). Judges will be on-hand to preview the costumes up close, and ask any questions they may have about the construction of the costume. The first 60 adult entrants (ages 12 and up) will be admitted into the Contest. Signups will close at 5:00 pm. Show begins at 6pm in the Grand Theatre on the 4th Floor. FAN DAYS KIDS COSTUME CONTEST - kids 11 and under will have their Costume Contest on Sunday, on the ground floor at 3PM on the Cosplay Red Carpet! Signups beginning at 2:30PM in the same area.

Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. Irving Convention Center, Las Colinas, 500 W. Las Colinas Blvd., Irving, dallascomiccon.com.

IMAGINATION YOGA 11am. A weekly yoga program for kids and the whole family. Enjoy stretching your body and your imagination. Free, for all ages. No registration required.

Irving West Library, 4444 W. Rochelle, Irving, 972-721-269.

YU-GI-OH COMES HOME 10:30am-5pm. What better way to jump start the spring than with a monster duel?! Join us as another all day tournament of mayhem and monsters ensues.

There will be snacks, drinks and Yu-GiOh cards, what could be better? Park Forest Library, 3421 Forest Lane, Dallas, 214-670-6333.

CHINESE NEW YEAR STREET FESTIVAL 11am-7:30pm. A spectacular Dragon and Lion Dance, cultural performances, martial arts demos, live music, food trucks, fireworks, arts and crafts, wellness activities and Museum tours are on tap as the Crow Collection of Asian Art host its biggest-ever street festival celebrating Chinese New Year - Year of the Monkey. Free and open to the public, the 17th annual festival takes place in the Dallas Arts District Saturday (Feb. 13). Highlights include traditional Chinese New Year art-making activities such as decorating red envelopes and making sheep headbands and glowing paper lanterns, plus calligraphy demonstrations, face painting, fortune telling, photo booth and family yoga. The day also includes non-stop entertainment on the Main Stage. Crow Collection of Asian Art, 2010 Flora Street, Dallas, www.crowcollection.org.

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CELEBRATE VALENTINE’S DAY AT NORTHPARK CENTER 1-4pm. Bring the whole family for a Valentine’s Day celebration at NorthPark Center. Enjoy a chamber concert of love songs from the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, engaging crafts for the kids, cookie decorating with Green House Market, children’s entertainment from Bookmarks and more. NorthPark Center, 8687 N. Central Expressway, Dallas, 214-363-7441.

LATINO-AMERICAN FILM FIESTA: COMEDIAN BIOGRAPHIC MOVIE 2-4pm. A film about the life and career of a beloved actor and comedian of Mexican films.Rated PG. Spanish and English. Refreshments. South Irving Library, 601 Schulze Dr., Irving, www. cityofirving.org

MAKE & TAKE VALENTINE’S DAY CRAFT 2:30-3:30pm. Children can make Thanksgiving crafts and decorations.

Irving East Branch Library Storytime Area, 440 S. Nursery, Irving, 972721-3722.

CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION AT THE LIBRARY 2:30-4pm. Ring in the Year of the Monkey with enchanting stories, Chinese calligraphy, tasty treats, folk dancers and musical entertainment. Part of the Many Voices cultural program series.

South Irving Library, 601 Schulze, Irving, 972-721-2606.

SECOND SATURDAYS 7-10pm. The community and beyond enjoy an evening of art, music, food and spirits every second Saturday in Downtown McKinney. Guests can explore local art galleries, listen to great local and regional talent and taste specialties in some of the area’s best eateries. Many establishments in Downtown McKinney will keep their doors open from 7 to 10 p.m. Historic Downtown McKinney, 111 N. Tennessee, McKinney, 972-547-2660.

DALLAS STARS VS. CAPITALS 7pm. American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Avenue, Dallas, stars.nhl.com.

MON 15 PETE THE CAT PARTY 2:30-3:30pm. Meet the popular book character Pete the Cat. Play games and make crafts based on Pete the Cat’s

stories. Enjoy refreshments and win prizes. Irving East Branch Library, 440 S. Nursery Road, Irving, 972-721-372.

THU 18

IRVING WRITERS SALON

7pm. Come find out more about our private preschool and elementary offering Christian education, accelerated academics, art, gymnastics, music & Spanish classes. 3131 N. O’Connor Rd, Irving, 972-659-1199, www.THeSloanSchool.com. See ad in this issue.

7-9pm. Meet fellow local writers interested in sharing their latest work and improving techniques at the Irving Writers Salon. The group meets the third Monday of the month at the South Irving Library. The Salon is open to all levels of writers, whether you have a working manuscript or are just starting out on your writing journey.

Readers are welcome to join in to listen and provide feedback. Writers are encouraged to bring samples of their work to share, but it’s not required.

South Irving Library, 601 Schulze, Irving, 972-721-2606.

TUE 16 IN THE MOOD Performances at 2pm & 7:30pm. IN THE MOOD is America’s premiere Big Band Revue, celebrating the Greatest Generation and the 1940s through song, swing dance and music of Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, The Andrews Sisters, Frank Sinatra and more. Music arrangements, costumes and choreography are as authentic as it gets! It’s a sentimental, romantic, nostalgic, jazzy and patriotic tribute to the Swing Era. Bass Performance Hall, E. 4th St. & Calhoun St., Fort Worth, 817-212-4280 basshall.com.

INTRODUCTION TO AROMATHERAPY 7-8pm. Learn about the basics of aromatherapy; what is an essential oil, how they are made, and how to choose an oil that’s right for you. Licensed acupuncturist and certified aromatherapist Jennifer A. Walz, L.Ac, will show you how to make individual aromatherapy inhalers that you can take with you.

Materials provided. South Irving Library, 601 Schulze, Irving, 972-721-2606.

WED 17 PREVIEW LUNCH & TOUR AT GRACE ACADEMY OF DALLAS 12pm. Please call for reservations.

Grace Academy of Dallas, 11306 Inwood Road, Dallas, 214-696-5648, graceacademy.com. See ad in this issue.

OPEN HOUSE AT THE SLOAN SCHOOL

THE MAYHEM POETS 7:30pm. The Mayhem Poets are on a mission to make poetry appealing to the masses. Described as “The Simpsons meets Malcolm X at a Notorious B.I.G. concert,” when these lyrical virtuosos come together on the stage, audiences are in for a “slammin’ good time.” Merging elements of hip-hop, theatre, spoken word, improvisation, and stand-up comedy, the Mayhem Poets are dynamic performers who aim to entertain, but also to enlighten, expressing real insight on the real issues of our times. Irving Arts Center, Carpenter Hall, 3333 N. MacArthur Blvd., Irving. www.irvingartscenter.com

FRI 19

T E X A S

IRVING’S GOT TALENT 7pm. Irving’s Got Talent (formerly Friday Nite Live) is a teen talent show organized by Irving Parks and Recreation.

Held each February, the event showcases all types of talent from students in middle and high school, as well as homeschoolers age 12 and older. Free Irving Arts Center, 3333 N. MacArthur Blvd., Irving.

THE DALLAS FESTIVAL OF IDEAS Runs thru Sat. Shaping the city of the future by igniting, uniting, and energizing the people of Dallas through the power of ideas. Festival headquarters at Women’s Building will have programs for all ages, including music, art, performances, action stations and City “Zones” featuring spoken-word content, small group discussions, and introductions to local talent and community initiatives. General Admission Free (Please Register) or Special VIP tickets for purchase. The Women’s Museum, 3800 Parry Ave., Dallas, www. thedallasfestival.com.

BLUE MAN GROUP Feb 19-21. Blue Man Group is comedy, theater, rock concert and dance party

FOOT & ANKLE CLINIC Comprehensive Treatment of Adult and Pediatric Foot and Ankle Disorders

• Arthritis • Bone Spurs • Bunions • Fractures • Hammertoes • Heel Pain

• Ingrown Nails • Neuromas • Orthotics • Sprains • Warts • Wound Care

Jeffrey M. Radack DPM, FACFAS BEFORE

AFTER

Board Certified, American Board of Podiatric Surgery Fellow, American College of Foot & Ankle Surgeons

Coppell Foot & Ankle Center 580 S. Denton Tap Rd., Suite 290 Coppell, TX 75019

Medical Center of Craig Ranch 8080 Hwy. 121, Suite 200 McKinney, TX 75070

469-742-0406

Same Day Appointments Available • Most Insurance Accepted

www.TexasFootClinic.com

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Septiembre 2014 | G R AT I S

KNOW IT ALL

Pregúntale... al pediatra

Mes de la Herencia Hispana

A magazine to inform, direct and inspire Latino families

¿Cómo lo celebras?

GRATIS Llévala contigo

dfw

Una publicación para informar, ayudar e inspirar a familias Latinas

dfw

¡Vamos a cocinar!

Las confesiones de una mamá

Comparte tus recetas

familia

ABCHILDREN’S DENTISTRY...........................................................13 972-910-0003 www.abchildrensdentistry.com BABYSITTERS OF DALLAS............................................................. 37 214-692-1354 www.babysittersofdallas.com BOARDWALK OB\GYN........................................................................7 972-406-9911 www.boardwalkobgyn.com FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH IRVING KIDS DAY OUT...............29 972-822-9034 www.firstirvingfamily.org KINWEST MONTESSORI ACADEMY..........................................20 972-401-8311 www.kinwestmontessoriacademy.com MACARTHUR MEDICAL CENTER................................................39 Ob/Gyn & Midwifery 972-256-3700 Pediatrics 972-786-0330 www.macarthurmc.com MEDICAL AND SURGICAL CLINIC OF IRVING.........................2 972-253-4200 www.mscitx.com MISS BLOOMINGDALE’S ACADEMY............................................5 972-869-9145 www.missbloomingdales.com PEDIATRIC DENTAL SPECIALIST................................................25 972-252-9557 www.irvingkidsdentist.com PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY OF NORTH TEXAS.............................15 972-252-7569

LATE NIGHTS AT THE DMA Join us on the third Friday of each month, when the Museum is open until midnight. Each Late Night offers hundreds of experiences for visitors of all ages with performances, concerts, readings, film screenings, tours, talks, family programs, and more! Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 North Harwood Street, Dallas, dma.org.

‘TIL MIDNIGHT AT THE NASHER The Nasher Sculpture Garden is a rare gem any old time of the year, but on the third Friday of every month it transforms into the city’s most bucolic outdoor concert and film screening venue. Each event is a little different, with scavenger hunts, progressive museum tours, and special exhibitions. Admission is free, but reservations for picnic dining must be made in advance. Beat the deadline by requesting your space online.

Nasher Sculpture Garden, 2001 Flora Street, Dallas, 214-242-5100, www. nashersculpturecenter.org.

RIVERSIDE CHURCH OF CHRIST BUTTERFLY SCHOOL...31 972-745-0372

SAT 20

TEXAS FOOT & ANKLE CLINIC......................................................31 469-742-0460

IMAGINATION YOGA

www.texasfootclinic.com

32

all rolled into one. This wildly popular phenomenon delivers an unforgettable multi-sensory experience. It’s an outrageous evening of entertainment you’ll never forget. Don’t miss the show that has captivated 35 million people worldwide. Blue Man Group enemy of monotony, remedy for boredom, promoter of overjoy and elation.

DARE TO LIVE IN FULL COLOR. Check website for show times and ticket information. Bass Performance Hall, E. 4th St. & Calhoun St., Fort Worth, 817212-4280, basshall.com.

irving parent

11am. A weekly yoga program for kids and the whole family. Enjoy stretching your body and your imagination. Free, for all ages. No registration required.

Irving West Library, 4444 W. Rochelle, Irving, 972-721-2691.

FEBRUARY 2016 Don’t forget to tell our advertisers you saw them in Irving Parent!

www.facebook.com/dfwfamilia

DALLAS PETS ALIVE! DOG ADOPTIONS 10am-3pm. Join Dallas Pets Alive! for an adoption event at Klyde Warren Park Klyde Warren Park, Ginsburg Family Great Lawn, 2012 Woodall Rodgers Freeway, Dallas, 214-716-4500,

KIDS ONLY BOOK CLUB DISCUSSES THE GHOSTS OF TUPELO LANDING 2:30-3:30pm. This month we talk about The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing by Sheila Turnage. Join us for a fun discussion and activities related to this book. Grades 3 -6. South Irving Library Program Room, 601 Schulze Rd., Irving, 972-721-4612.

DALLAS STARS VS. BRUINS 7pm. American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Lane, Dallas, stars.nhl.com.

SUN 21 DIVINE CONSIGN CHILDREN’S CONSIGNMENT SHOW 11-9pm. Run Sun 8-12pm. Consignment sale specializing in the highest quality gently worn children’s, junior’s and maternity clothing, toys, books, games, DVDs, baby equipment (strollers and more) and baby/children’s furniture. Grapevine Convention Center, 1209 S. Main St., Grapevine, www.divineconsign.net.

PAWS FOR READING 1:30-3pm. PAWS is a program for children of all ages to read to a therapy dog in a warm and non-judgmental environment. This can help increase child’s reading level and confidence. Participation is on a first come, first serve basis.

South Irving Library Meeting Room #3, 601 Schulze, Irving, 972-721-2606.

RICHARDSON COMMUNITY BAND PRESENTS “HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD” 3pm. This performance is free and open to the public. The Eisemann Center, 2351 Performance Drive, Richardson, www.richardsoncommunityband.org.

DALLAS MAVERICKS VS. 76ERS 6pm/ American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Avenue, Dallas, www.mavs.com.

MON 22 ENGINEERS WEEK AT THE PEROT Runs Feb. 22-27, 10am-2pm. Build, break, create! Students, educators and families alike are invited to explore the field of engineering firsthand through interactive demonstrations, experiments and gallery experiences with professional engineers and educators. There is no additional cost for Engineers Week programs at the Perot Museum. To participate in Engineers Week, simply buy a general admission ticket or book your school field trip at the Perot Museum during this time period. Perot Museum of Nature and Science, 2201 N. Field St., Dallas, 214428-5555, www.perotmuseum.org.

TUE 23

DALLAS MAVERICKS VS. THUNDER 7:30pm. American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Avenue, Dallas, www. mavs.com.

THU 25 DARE TO PREPARE 6:30-8:30pm. This fun, interactive program teaches teens and their parents the requirements for obtaining an instructional permit and driver’s license in Texas. Topics include safe driving habits, the licensing process, state regulations and parent and teen responsibilities.

This class is free, but space is limited.

A parent or guardian must accompany participating teens. For ages 14-16. Register online. Lively Pointe Youth Center, 909 N. O’Connor Rd., Irving, 469-2218217, www.cityofirving.org.

DALLAS STARS VS. JETS 7:30pm. American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Avenue, Dallas, stars. nhl.com.

OPEN HOUSE AT GRAPEVINE FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

FRI 26

7pm. Join us to learn more about our school for Pre-K – 12th Grade. We develop and graduate authentic Christian leaders. Other open house dates are 3/22 & 4/19. 817-442-1605, GrapevineFaith.com. See ad in this issue.

STORY TIME AT THE INTERURBAN RAILWAY MUSEUM IN PLANO

UNICORNS IN SPACE BOOK CLUB 7-8:30pm. If you enjoy science fiction or fantasy, from space opera to high fantasy, steampunk to just plain weird, then join us for book talk with Unicorns in Space. We meet at 7 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of every month at the South Irving Library. South Irving Library, 601 Schulze Drive, Irving, 972-721-2606.

WED 24 MADE IN AMERICA, LONE STAR YOUTH ORCHESTRA 7pm. The Lone Star Youth Orchestra invites you to join them for a celebration of American composers. Program will feature works of Copland, Whitacre and Bernstein with very special guest, the 2nd place winner of the LSYO’s Concerto Competition. Tickets $6.50 - $13.50 Irving Arts Center, 3333 N. MacArthur Blvd., Irving, 972-252-7558, irvingartscenter.com.

• •

10:30am. Every Friday morning at 10:30 in the lobby of the historic Interurban Railway Museum in downtown Plano, spellbound children take a magical train ride through the tales of professional storyteller Genie Hammel and her sidekick Eugene the Motor Mouse.

The 30-minute fun-filled, interactive experience is aimed at toddlers and preschool children. However, kids of all ages are welcome and often attend.

Interurban Railway Museum, 901 E. 15th Street, Plano, 972-241-2117, www. planoconservancy.org.

• •

50

DALLAS MAVERICKS VS. NUGGETS 7:30pm. American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Avenue, Dallas, www. mavs.com.

50*

SAT 27 AFRICAN AMERICAN READ-IN 2:30-4:30pm. Join us for readings and activities based on the works of famous children’s authors and illustrators of African descent as the library celebrates African-American History Month. Part of

817 S. MacArthur Blvd, Suite 100 Coppell, TX 75019 • 972-745-4343

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33

KNOW IT ALL the best

summer

2016

camps

BLACK MUSTANG RANCH 817-915-8455 www.blackmustangranch.com

SAFESPLASH SWIM SCHOOL 214-422-4287 www.safesplash.com

CAMP SUMMIT 972-484-8900 www.campsummittx.org

TEXAS PREMIER YOUTH SPORTS 469-834-8450

CUB CREEK SCIENCE CAMP www.mosciencecamp.com OAK CREST PRIVATE SCHOOL 214-483-5400 www.oakcrestschool.org

UTD CHESS CAMP 972-883-4899 www.utdallas.edu/chess See ad on p. 28

See complete 2016 Camp Directory online at suburbanparent.com

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SUN 28

DALLAS BLOOMS: THE ARTISTRY IN NATURE

12-5pm. An energetic Quinceañera & Bridal expo that highlights products and services designed to make the wedding and quinceañera celebration a success. The Expo is highlighted by fashion shows that present the latest styles of gowns, tuxedos and accessories. Automobile Building at Fair Park, 1010 1st Ave., Dallas, www. quincegirlexpo.com.

Feb. 27 - Apr. 10. The largest floral festival in the Southwest returns with the theme ”The Artistry in Nature” featuring renowned sculptor Gary Lee Price’s Great Contributors exhibit on display. The garden explodes with 100 kinds of spring bulbs totaling 500,000 blooms and dazzling layers of landscape at every turn. The lifesize bronze sculptures that will be placed throughout the spring garden include Abraham Lincoln, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Claude Monet, Albert Einstein, William Shakespeare, Mark Twain and the Wright Brothers, many of which are on benches or in garden settings.

Dallas Blooms features tulips, daffodils, Dutch Iris and hyacinths, pansies, violas, poppies and thousands of other spring-blooming annuals and perennials. The finale of this spring celebration is the mass flowering of the garden’s collection of 3,000 azaleas that bloom during the end of April.

Dallas Arboretum, 8525 Garland Road, Dallas, www.dallasarboretum.org.

INSTRUMENT PETTING ZOO WITH SCHOOL OF ROCK 3pm. School of Rock gets the park rocking with a variety of instruments for you to try! Klyde Warren Park, Ginsburg Family Great Lawn, 2012 Woodall Rodgers Freeway, Dallas, 214-716-4500.

RENT

Free Support with Registered and Licensed Dietitian NO PROGRAM FEES!

the Many Voices cultural series. South Irving Library Program Room, 601 Schulze Drive, Irving, 972-721-2606.

Feb. 27-Mar. 6. RENT tells the unforgettable story of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling and learning to survive, fall in love, find their voices and live for today. This rock opera quickly became one of the most beloved and longest running Broadway musicals of all time, winning multiple Tony® Awards and a Pulitzer Prize. Don’t miss this smash-hit musical that has become a pop cultural phenomenon. This show is suitable for mature audiences, parental discretion is advised. Casa Mañana, 3101 W. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth, 817-332-2272, casamanana.org.

DALLAS STARS VS. RANGERS 3pm. American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Lane, Dallas, stars.nhl.com.

LATINO BRIDAL & QUINCE GIRL EXPO

DALLAS MAVERICKS VS. TIMBERWOLVES 6pm. American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Avenue, Dallas, www.mavs.com.

MON 29 2016 DART STUDENT ART CONTEST ENTRY DEADLINE Enter your art to win a spot on DART buses and trains, plus $1000 or other prizes. This year’s theme is DART to discovery. For complete rules, visit DART. org/artcontest. See ad in this issue.

DALLAS STARS VS. RED WINGS 7:30pm. American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Ln., Dallas, stars.nhl.com.

SAVE THE DATE… MAR 19 10TH ANNUAL KIDSFEST 2016 11am-2pm. This year’s theme is “Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies” and will focus on teaching children the benefits of healthy living. The event will be filled with entertainment and high-energy activities for children including a huge egg hunt, face painting, video game trucks, bounce houses and more.

Benefitting Galaxy Counseling Center.

Firewheel Town Center, Garland. See ad in this issue.

JUN 13-17 2016 SUMMER CHESS CAMP AT UT DALLAS Join beginner, intermediate or advanced chess classes for ages 7-14.

Morning (9am-noon) and afternoon (1-4pm) plus extended playing classes available. Other camps Jun 20-24, Jul 18-22 & Jul 25-29. Register at www.utdallas.edu/chess. See ad in this issue.

Please note: Although we strive to bring you the most current information available regarding event dates & times, confirming with the event venue before going is always a good idea.

FEBRUARY 2016 Don’t forget to tell our advertisers you saw them in Irving Parent!

10 ways to

Romance your wife After a long period of time, the passion in a marriage can begin to fade.

Keep the flame alive with these ten ways to romance your wife.

LEARN HER LOVE LANGUAGE, AND THEN USE IT

1 EVERY DAY. Read The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to

Love that Lasts by Gary Chapman and figure out what you can do to become fluent in your wife’s love language. Then use what you have learned every day

cigarettes, start some regular exercise, don’t be a slob. When she sees you, does she take a second look – or does she look away?

Does the way you present yourself tell your wife you want her to be attracted to you or do you take all that for granted?

SAY I LOVE YOU AND SAY IT OFTEN. The #1 misno-

DATE YOUR WIFE. If you asked her out again today,

6 mer believed by unromantic men is this: I shouldn’t have to

2 would she still be excited to say yes? You must have been

say it, she should know.

pretty good at this at one time or she wouldn’t have married you!

So why stop now? One date a month at a minimum. Use your imagination, get creative, and make it special.

7 Being kind is underplayed, undervalued, underrated, and cer-

MAKE HER FEEL SPECIAL (Don’t take the relation-

3 ship for granted). “She already knows she’s important

to me,” is not a useful response. If you haven’t done something to demonstrate how special she is in the past four hours, then you’ve already waited too long. This is not a high budget item; it’s high consideration item. How about an I love you phone call, a simple card slipped in her purse, a midweek lunch date, or flowers delivered to her office. Do you still open the car door? Serve her hot tea, wash her car, deliver an unexpected embrace, a foot rub, or candles with dinner? You get the idea.

USE SOME IMAGINATION. Plan events, dates, eve-

4 nings at home, vacations – even stolen moments – with the kind of creative thinking that motivated you when you first asked her out. There’s a psychological concept known as the “self-fulfilling prophecy.” Simply put: Believe she’s worth the trouble and she will be; stop trying hard and so will she; and bring some creative intention to your romance as if she still knocks your socks off – and she will.

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. Check the scales, think

5 about how you dress around your wife, throw away the

BE KIND. Kindness could well be the “X Factor” in romance.

tainly underutilized. Want romance? Be Mr. Kindness. Learn to make thoughtfulness and consideration your second nature. Nice guys really do finish first and she’ll fall for you all over again.

BE A GENTLEMAN. Gentlemen are courteous, respectful,

8 well-mannered, faithful, generous, modest, and charming.

[Tweet This] Stand up when she leaves the table, open the car door, walk on the street side of the walkway, help her on with her jacket, run to the car for her umbrella… you get the picture.

TELL HER SHE’S BEAUTIFUL. Women who hear their

9 husband tell them they’re beautiful become more beautiful.

Men who tell their wives they’re beautiful believe it with more conviction every time the words leave their lips. Love expressed = beauty; beauty = romance. It’s win-win.

SPEND UNINTERRUPTED TIME TOGETHER.

10 There are only 168 hours in each week – the number

never varies. The amount of time we offer our relationships can appear like a vote as to how much we value the people we say we love. Romance like anything else worthwhile is worth the investment of time and attention.

— Reprinted with permission

This is where dads in any stage of fatherhood can find helpful resources to aid in their parenting.

Fathers can also sign up to start or attend one of our All Pro Dads chapters. www.allprodad.com.

Don’t forget to tell our advertisers you saw them in Irving Parent!

FEBRUARY 2016 irving parent

35

FUN STUFF { LIFE IS BETTER WHEN YOU’RE LAUGHING }

I’M TWO MONTHS PREGNANT NOW. WHEN WILL MY BABY MOVE?

AT WHAT TIME DO MOST PEOPLE GO TO THE DENTIST? AT TOOTH-HURTY (2:30)

THAT’S RIGHT. THESE MOSQUITOES COME FROM THE CAMP DOWN THE ROAD. Source: jokes4us.com; peek-a-boo-pregnancy.com; kidsjokes.co.uk

WITH ANY LUCK, RIGHT AFTER HE FINISHES HIGH SCHOOL.

“FOR THIS CHILD I PRAYED, AND THE LORD HAS GRANTED ME MY PETITION, WHICH I ASKED OF HIM.”

I THOUGHT YOU SAID THIS CAMP HAS NO MOSQUITOES?

recycle TIP

Be good to your baby, your bag and the environment Stop using plastic baggies and start recycling your baby food containers.

They work great as snack holders. They’re the perfect size plus they protect snacks from getting smashed in the bottom of your bag. Hooray for whole cheerios! See more amazing baby food jar hacks at www.pinterest.com/suburbanparent/baby-food-jars-repurposed

TRY THIS ONE...

Pucker Up Valentine!

Fill a baby food jar (or a mason jar) with lemon drops.

Create a cute tag, using yellow card stock, and with small alphabet stamps (or your own penmanship) add the words “Pucker Up Valentine!” on the tag. Cut two leaves from green card stock and attach with adhesive. Punch a small hole on top and use twine to tie to jar. You can write a lil’ love note on the back of the tag too?

– 1 SAMUEL 1:27

LOL WITH JAMES ESTES!

Excerpted from shakentogetherlife.com

GOTTA LOVE ‘EM My 4 year old nephew, Paul, was delighted to find a bird’s nest in a small tree in his back yard.

When his mother lifted him up to take a peek, he discovered 4 tiny speckled eggs inside. Each day, he checked on his newly found treasure, anticipating the arrival of the baby birds. Finally, the waiting was over, hearing chirping sounds coming from the nest, Paul ran inside to tell his mother the good news. “Mom” he yelled, “the baby birds bloomed?”

SUBMIT YOUR FUNNY STORY: editor@suburbanparent.com, subject “Funny”

36

irving parent

FEBRUARY 2016 Don’t forget to tell our advertisers you saw them in Irving Parent!

STORY TIMES

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Mon Brick-by-Brick Storytime 4:30pm, 18mos-6yrs Tue Family Story Time 4:30pm (dual language), all ages Thur Family Story Time 4:30pm, all ages

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Computer Store 972-554-6360

Mother Goose Story Time 10:15 & 11:15am, ages 0-18 mos Brick by Brick Storytime, 10:30am, 18mos-4yrs; Toddler Time 10:30am, ages 1-4 yrs Preschool Storytime 4pm, ages 4-6yrs 1,2,Me & You 10:30am, ages 1-3 yrs Play & Learn Time 10:30am, ages 1-3yrs

OPEN MONDAY-SATURDAY • 10AM-8PM

WEST IRVING BRANCH 4444 W. Rochelle Rd • 972-721-2691 Wed Mother Goose Story Time, 10:30am, ages 4-18 mos Thur Family Story Time 7pm, all ages Fri Family Story Time 11am, all ages

SOUTH IRVING BRANCH 601 Schulze Dr • 972-721-2606 Mon Tue Wed Thur

Play and Learn Time 10:30am, ages 0-5 yrs Preschool Story Time 10:30am, ages 18-36 mos; Toddler Time 10:30am, ages 1-2yrs Family Story Time 7pm (dual language), all ages All Storytimes are FREE. Listed are the regularly scheduled storytimes.

Call to confirm as schedules are subject to change.

the best

summer

2016

Babysitters of Dallas

camps online directory @ suburbanparent.com

214-692-1354 • 24/7

Call www.babysittersofdallas.com Surrogate Grandmothers Serving DFW since 1955

DATE NIGHT • AFTER SCHOOL • SICK CHILD/TEACHERS DAY

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37

BACKTALK { BY KEN SWARNER }

>

RULES TO HELP on Valentine’s D

M

ay

4

y wife and I have been together since our junior year in high school. In dog years, that is 161 Valentine’s Days. While some men (men with a death wish) may not

gift, as are flowers, chocolates, and

silky pajamas. Not appropriate are snow

already be thinking about Valentine’s Day, now is the

tires, high-waist granny panties, clearance

time to start planning your attack—unless, of course, your plan this year

Christmas decorations, or anything NASCAR.

5

hinges on a table for two at McDonald’s and candies from her Christmas stocking. In that case, I hope you can out-run your wife.

It’s important to be able to interpret your honey’s thoughts and feelings before the big

I’m somewhat of an expert when it comes to how husbands and

day. When she says: “For Valentine’s Day, dinner

boyfriends should behave on Valentine’s Day. And, in the interest of

at home is fine with me—we don’t need to go out

science and personal safety, I would like to present my...

to a romantic restaurant.” What she really means is: ”I hope you enjoy sleeping on the couch.”

Top 10 Rules for Men Who Want to Stay Out of The Dog House

1

When she says: “You don’t have to do anything fancy for me like flowers or chocolates.”

What she really means is: ”I hope you enjoy

The three questions every man should ask himself about the

sleeping on the couch.” When she says: “I don’t

Valentine’s gift he is about to give: a. Is it romantic?

need to do or receive anything for Valentine’s Day this year. Let’s skip it.”

b. Will it be an accurate measure of the love in our relationship?

What she really means is: ”I hope you enjoy sleeping on the couch.”

c. If the answers to both the first two questions are no, if thrown at me, will the gift cause a concussion?

2

The single satin rose in cellophane at the gas station is not appropriate. Sure, I understand that guys like to be efficient with

their time and could pick up a quart of oil and a pack of sunflower seeds at the same time, but the only guy who should consider the lame satin rose would be four and a half feet and calling his special girl “mommy.”

3

The three questions every guy should ask himself before buying the slinky baby-doll nightie for his special girl:

a. Do I really want to see her in a teddy? b. Does she really want me to see her in a teddy? c. What will we say when we find our children with the teddy…

outside…playing dress up with the neighbor kids?

38

Jewelry is always an appropriate

irving parent

6 7 8

Diamonds in lieu of flowers is fine. Olde English 800 in lieu of flowers, not so fine.

Valentine flowers are meant to be red roses, not orange . . . carnations.

Don’t ask her where she wants to go for Valentine’s Day. Women already feel they do everything in the relationship (as well as

around the house, for the children and with your mother) — don’t add fuel to the fire.

9 10

Don’t think that you always need to out-do the previous year, unless of course, last year you were in jail.

Six words she doesn’t want to hear come out of your mouth on Valentine’s Day: “My mom made it for you.” Three words she

does want to hear: “I love you.”

Good Luck! SP

FEBRUARY 2016 Don’t forget to tell our advertisers you saw them in Irving Parent!

2015