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Child Brain based Problems Pt. 3 A parent’s activity and resource guide serving Atascocita, Humble, Kingwood, Huffman, Porter/New Caney and SummerCreek
Visit www.Kid-and-Kaboodle.com for Lake Houston area family-friendly events and activities
WELCOME ! The MINT EĂƟŽŶĂů Bank is ƉůĞĂƐĞd to ǁĞůĐŽŵe Pam McNair to our banking famŝůLJ. WůĞĂƐĞ come bLJ and visit Pam at our Kingwood oĸce.
281.359.6468, ext 1116 www.themintbank.com 1213 Kingwood Drive, Kingwood TX 77339 Pam.McNair@TheMINTBank.com 2 The Whole Kid and Kaboodle Winter 2016
The Whole Kid and Kaboodle Winter 2016 3
Hollen and Caroline are being trained in their diving techniques at the Atascocita location by Liam Goudeket, Director of FINS, The Art of Swim .
IN THIS ISSUE 5 6
GRANDMOTHERS ROCK!! SELF CLEANING UPHOLSTERY VS PROFESSIONAL 8 CHILD BRAIN BASED PROBLEMS PT. 3 10 HOW MUCH CAN YOU HANDLE? 11 STEVIE THE GUIDE 14 THE SIDE EFFECTS OF CONVENIENCE ),16˨)81 ,1 6:,00,1* 18 AN EXCITING PARTNERSHIP 20 TEACHERS’ INNOVATION HELPS STUDENT ACHIEVE MORE 22 WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT NYLON AND 67((/ 675,1* *8,7$56 ˌ5($' 7+,6 %()25( <28 %8< ˧ 26 FRIENDSHIP )5,(1'6 2) 7+( $7$6&2&,7$ /,%5$5< ˌ)2$/˧ 30 JANUARY 2016
Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.�
The Whole Kid and Kaboodle would like to wish everyone a Blessed and Prosperous New Year and a Happy, Fun and Romantic Valentines Day. All publications of The Whole Kid and Kaboodle can be viewed on our website: kid-and-kaboodle.com and also on our Facebook page, The Whole Kid and Kaboodle. To recieve the magazine by mail,submit your address to jerri42@embarqmail.com
Ten ways to love Listen without interruption. (Proverbs 18) Speak without accusing. (James 1:19) Give without sparing. (Proverbs 21:26) Pray without ceasing. (Colossians 1:9) Answer without arguing. (Proverbs 17:1) Share without pretendings. (Ephesians 4:15) Enjoy without complaint. (Philippians 2:14) Trust without wavering. (1 Corinthians 13:7) Forgive without punishing. (Colossians 3:13) Promise without forgetting. (Proverbs 13:12)
Ezekiel 11:19-20 (NASB)�And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them. And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances and do them. Then they will be My people, and I shall be their God
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Reader corresopndence and editorial submissions are welcomed and encouraged but we reserve the right to edit and reject all submissions. Advertisers assume all liability for content in their ad and Kid and Kaboodle assumes no responsibility for false or misleading advertisement.
4 The Whole Kid and Kaboodle Winter 2016
Grandmothers Rock!! It’s joyful, funny, loving, soulful, memorable, bonding, cherishing, heart wrenching, and one of a kind! What is it you say? It is the joy of being a grandmother!!
SDSHU VTXDUHV RI SDSHU LQ GLĎ‘HUHQW FRORUV small pictures of animals, and a glue stick.
Help your child make a red barn out of red construction paper. Place a white barn Below are a couple of easy inexpensive door on the red barn with a glue stick and crafts you might want to do with your draw the black lines. grandchild on a visit to grandma’s house. Help your child glue an animal on each colored square. Write the name of the What they want most of all? Our time. animal on top of each picture. Now you are ready to sing!! Open the ~Potted plant art!! bag and sit down on a table. Place the animals in front of You will need some clay pots in small sizes, the bag and begin SRWWLQJ VRLO VPDOO ÀRZHUV WR SXW LQ VRLO singing. Each time large paint brushes , paint, and Styrofoam you sing...�Old cups. MacDonald had a .....(pick up the I Love to have my kids involved in animal card) say the nature! I believe it is so important! Cover name of the animal a table with newspaper and give your and show them child/children a small clay pot. Place a few the picture! Then colors in the cups and set in front of each when you are child. Give them each a brush or two. ¿QLVKHG VLQJLQJ Have them create their own design on the about that animal, clay pot. Put aside to let dry overnight. you can place it in The next day they will delight in their creation. Now they can pot their plant the bag! You can elaborate and make this in the soil in the clay container!! Place a such a fun...yet simple game!! Children small plate under the pot so the water will love to sing! As they are singing, they are collect and not make a mess! It will be so also learning animals and their sounds!! fun for them to watch their plant grow in Happy Singing! ...sing, and then do it a pot they have created. I believe children again!! treasure those crafts they make on their Times spent with children are memorable own. It also gives and special. Children want your time and them a feeling attention more than anything else! As of accomplishment they grow older, they will remember all and pride!! the times you gave of your time to be with them. They never forget those cherished ~Story time and times with their grandparents!! sing-a-long with Old MacDonald! Danell Fields Blessed to be a grandmother to wonderful You will need a paper Lacey! bag, a red handmade paper barn out of construction The Whole Kid and Kaboodle Winter 2016 5
SELF CLEANING UPHOLSTERY VS PROFESSIONAL
By Kevin Pearson, Pearson Carpet Care Years ago, before owning my own cleaning and restoration company, I worked at another company doing the same thing. We would clean upholstery regularly while doing carpet cleaning jobs at someone’s home or office. One day we got a call to go out to a doctor’s office and clean a sofa. They had an elderly patient come in that had an accident on the sofa. They said they would prefer that we not come until the end of the day aand they would jjust put the sofa iin a back room. This was great, so Th I thought. As the day went A on the employees o ggot brave and decided they d ccould clean the ccushions of the ssofa themselves. They took the Th cushion covers off the foam and threw them in the washing machine and dryer. Right before I arrived, they took the cushions out of the dryer. They were so proud of themselves because they removed the spots. Then they went to try to put the covers back on the foam and realized that not only was the foam still dirty, but the covers had shrunk and were significantly smaller than the foam now. Then I walked in the door. The first question I got was, “Can you stretch this cover back out to its correct size”?
an elderly patient come in that had an accident on the sofa While this is funny, it does happen quite a bit especially if you have a cotton sofa. The zipper on the back is not there so you can wash the cover but it is so the manufacturer could get the foam in the cushion to begin with. Since no piece of furniture is going to remain spotless forever, you will eventually need a way to clean the entire piece or to spot clean a small area. Then the question becomes, how do I do this safely and still be successful in my cleaning? Here are some tips that will get you through some of the things you might incur. First, being on a good routine vacuum program will help extend the life and cleanliness of the upholstery. When vacuuming your upholstery it is good to use an attachment
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that does not have a brush bar. This will insure that you will not harm a delicate fabric. Vacuuming alone can remove over 70% of the dry soil in the fabric.
The first question I got was, “Can you stretch this cover back out to its correct size”? Next look for a tag on the furniture that has the recommended cleaning code. There is a W for fabrics that can be cleaned with a water based cleaning solution. Then there is also an S for fabrics that can be cleaned with a solvent based (no water) cleaning solution. Once you have found the code and have selected your cleaning detergent or solvent, it is important to test it in an inconspicuous place because sometimes the cleaning codes are not accurate. This may be on the back side of the skirt or back of the sofa, etc. It is also good to note that if the spot that you are trying to remove is water based and the cleaning code on the upholstery only wants you to use a water free solvent, then it would be best to call a professional at this point. A professional upholstery cleaner will have many more options available to him than the average home owner. Once you have tested an area and everything looks to be fine then go ahead and clean your spot.
Cleaning upholstered furniture can be tricky Cleaning upholstered furniture can be tricky, so if you do not feel comfortable with attempting it then it is always best to call in a professional. Kevin Pearson can be found at www.pearsoncarpetcare.com
Kevin Pearson is the owner of Pearson Carpet Care in Humble and has been in the cleaning and restoration industry since 1992. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Professional Cleaning and Restoration Alliance (PCRA) since 2003 and on the Board of Directors of the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) since 2011.
281-358-1805 1216 Stonehollow Dr. Kingwood, TX 77339 KingwoodGardenCenter.com
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The Whole Kid and Kaboodle Winter 2016 7
Child Brain Based Problems When the “Left” Goes Wrong
If you have been following our previous articles on child brain based problems, you have learned that the brain has two sides - left and right - that work together as one. However, they do have separate and distinct jobs that they perform. In the last article, we learned that right brain problems are more common than left brain problems but, left brain problems do exist. This article will address how the left brain works and what happens when it gets out of rhythm.
The left brain sees the world in small pictures The left brain’s function is opposite of the right brain. The left brain sees the world in small pictures. It also controls small muscles and fine movement. Examples of left brained activities include writing, tying the shoe and playing the piano. Whereas the right brain is called the “social” brain, the left brain is the “intelligence” brain. The left brain is also the verbal side of the brain. Reading, writing, speaking and interpretation all take place here. Most math and memorization are also left brained activities. The left brain is excellent at pattern recognition, which is figuring out what comes next in a sequence. Of course, computer games and video games involve these skills and are left brain dominant activities. In regards to the immune system, the left brain is the gas pedal. It stimulates immune cells to fight off invaders.
So what happens when the left brain becomes deficient or out of rhythm? So what happens when the left brain becomes deficient or out of rhythm? Left brain deficiencies are usually more subtle and difficult to detect. Children with left brain deficiencies may be somewhat withdrawn or sad. Usually they are slow to start speaking and tend to have poor language skills. However, these children, when younger, do not typically pose behavioral problems. They appear to learn adequately until they begin to get into more difficult classes around the 3rd, 4th or 5th grade. Once they begin to struggle, behavioral problems can then follow. Because of decreased left brain function, they may also have problems with math and handwriting. They may be good athletes and even be able to overcome their shyness; however, they will be prone to
8 The Whole Kid and Kaboodle Winter 2016
chronic illnesses like colds and ear infections. Labels that are typically given to these children are “dyslexia”, “processing disorder”, “learning disabled”, “language disorder” or “reading disorder”.
As I’m sure you have realized by now, I believe that labels are for cans - not for people As I’m sure you have realized by now, I believe that labels are for cans - not for people. No matter what name one gives a condition, there is an underlying cause that must be corrected. Merely treating the symptoms with drugs will not correct the problem and will only temporarily improve the symptoms. Unfortunately, drug therapy tends to lose its effectiveness even at controlling the symptoms. The reason is that there is an underlying neurologic condition that has not been addressed. Therefore, no matter what neurologic or behavioral condition a child may have, they must be evaluated neurologically and metabolically to determine the underlying problem. Once the problem has been determined, with the proper brain based therapy and nutritional protocols, they can and will improve. Although you have the most brain cells when you are born and you do not get new brain cells, you can improve the function of the cells that remain. There is hope and there is help for those that need it. If you need further information or help contact our office at 281-354-8330 or info1@clarkchiropractic. net to request our free DVD’s entitled Overcoming Brain Disorders and Coping with ADD/ADHD. Remember, the Power that made the body heals the body. God Bless, until next time.
Dr. Lewis M. Clark DC Board Certified in Integrative Medicine Certified Chiropractic Wellness Practitioner Certified Gluten Practitioner Extensive studies in: Functional Neurology Function Nutrition Functional Blood Analysis
Liberty Opry JANUARY 9 – Gospel – 2 PM MATINEE ($15) MATTHEW COLE BUTLER, ASHLEY FULLER JANUARY 16 – 50’s & 60’s Rock & Roll – 7 PM ($15) LISA LAYNE, EDDY EDWARDS JANUARY 23 – Country Western – 7 PM ($15) LEXI STAVINOHA, BOBBY D. SAWYER JANUARY 30 – First Time @ the Opry – 7 PM ($15) MICAH CHEATHAM, TAYLOR JACKS, DAVID JOHNSON FEBRUARY 6 – Gospel – 2 PM MATINEE ($15) BUTCH MURPHY, Additional guests, FEBRUARY 13 – 50’s & 60’s & Valentine’s Sweetheart Show – 2 PM ($18) THE BLUES BROTHERS Tribute Show FEBRUARY 20 – Country Western – 7 PM ($15) SADIE EVANS, SHAWN MCCAULEY FEBRUARY 27 – BLEND (Illinois) – 50’s Specialty – 7 PM ($20) Forever Doo Wop even features appearances by some of musical greats like Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, and the Duke of Earl ! MARCH 5 - Gospel – 2 PM MATINEE ($15) ALFRED GIBSON, GLORIA GIBSON, TRISH CHAMBERS MARCH 12 – 50’s – A Tribute to ELVIS - 2 PM MATINEE ($18) VINCE KING as Elvis Liberty Opry 936-336-5830
The Whole Kid and Kaboodle Winter 2016 9
How Much Can You Handle? by Paul Sommer I was reminiscing recently about my daughter who is 11 now. As parents, we all have those moments when our children do something and it reminds us of funny moments from our past. In this case, I was thinking about how self-sufficient she can be at times. This brought to mind a story from her childhood when she was about 2 years old.
the abilities of the God who created us? All of us need to know the reality that without God, there is only so far that our own abilities will take us. Some say that to need and seek after God is to need a crutch in life. I like to say that to seek after God is not a crutch, but the actual ability to walk at all.
My daughter has never shied away from a challenge
Have you slowed down long enough to allow God to lead?
She looked so cute playing underneath the pool table, so I grabbed my video camera (that was back in the day when you had a phone and a video camera, not like today where most of us use our phones for both pictures and video), and began to shoot a video from the other side of the pool table, without her ever noticing my presence. She decided that playing with some toys under the pool table was not enough of a challenge or maybe it was not exciting enough. Either way, she begins to walk and approaches the pool sticks, which are hanging on the wall. She walks over to the rack and attempts to take a pool stick out. The pool sticks are at a height where she has to reach up a little so this was quite a challenge for her. My daughter has never shied away from a challenge, and I guess this began when she was young. After about a minute, she manages to yank the pool stick from the slot and this causes her to begin to walk backward. She does pretty well for a few steps, but the weight of the pool stick overwhelms her and she falls backwards on the carpet. I could not help but laugh at her sudden disappearance. I peered under the pool table to check on her and she rolls over and begins to play as if nothing happened.
Some say that to need and seek after God is to need a crutch in life. As I am recalling this humorous moment, I could not help but think that at any age, we tend to take on more than we can handle, just like my daughter did with that heavy pool stick. My daughter had confidence with those first few steps, but that was all she could handle by herself. To continue she needed the help of her father. There is nothing wrong with wanting to achieve in life, but where is our confidence? Is it in our abilities or in
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Have you ever thought about what your life would like if you let God lead? Have you slowed down long enough to allow God to lead? Through Jesus Christ, God our Father will never let you fall backwards if you trust Him with your life.
Paul Sommer Married to his beautiful bride Amber for 14 years and they have 4 wonderful children. Pastor, Author and Speaker Only 1 Way Ministries Sunday Night Bible Study Every Week in Humble- “Journey Through the Gospels” Website only1way.net Facebook- Paul Sommer and only1way.net Books- The Journey Discipleship Curriculum/Bible Study- Adult and Student Versions Available Upcoming BooksDamon the Dragon (For ages 7-13 or to read to your children or grandchildren).
STEVIE THE GUIDE “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the things you did do. So throw off the bowlines and sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream, Discover” Mark Twain We lived in a neighborhood with a bunch of kids when I was in elementary school. It backed up to a forest I explored regularly. I often packed a “survival” lunch and guided my friends on “missions” into the unknown. I loved being the guide. It has always been my art form. Everything from maps and planning, to selecting and staging the gear, to informing and preparing the team, to stepping out into the unknown. Expedition is the canvas on which I have always painted, the piano on which I play. I love to take people into “the wild” “The wild?! You can actually go there?!” Marty the Zebra-Madagascar I am also a recording artist.....in my mind. My brother and best friend, Eddie, encouraged me to re-cord the adventure stories I told to our daughters and nieces. So I talked into a microphone about my travels to the far corners of the world. I did small events for schools and shared some of my excitement about the world around us. It was amateurish, but I had a blast! The series was called “The Adventures of Stevie the Guide.” The name has stuck with me ever since. I was never a commercial success. Clearly a dismal failure by the economic standards of our world. We blew lots of money on this project. Or did we? Today we see God using the experience in ways we never expected. I still get to be the guide. Can you look back at something in your life that you always loved, something which can be built upon for your role in missions today? “I can do all this through Him who gives me strength” Philippians 4:13 This is an excerpt from the book SECRET PASSAGES of Stevie the Guide How Ordinary People DISCOVER an Extraordinary Life
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•Massage Therapy •dŚĞƌĂƉĞƵƟĐ DĂƐƐĂŐĞ •DLJŽĨĂƐĐŝĂů ZĞůĞĂƐĞ • ƌĂŶŝŽƐĂĐƌĂů dŚĞƌĂƉLJ •:ŝŶ ^ŚŝŶ :LJƵƚƐƵ •,ĞĂůŝŶŐ dŽƵĐŚ •Zen Body Therapy ǁǁǁ͘ďŵĂLJĮĞůĚŵĂƐƐĂŐĞ͘ĐŽŵ 12 The Whole Kid and Kaboodle Winter 2016
The Whole Kid and Kaboodle Winter 2016 13
The side effects of convenience We live in a fast, fast/I want it now society. We see this in the ‘instant’ everything that we have: Instant text messages, snapchat, instant grits, instant photos, instant gratification. We are not a people who want to wait for anything. Many of our conveniences are geared to satisfy the insatiable appetite for the insanely instant. Take the microwave oven. I love mine, but it is just a counter decoration. I hardly ever use it. It is an expensive appliance that reheats my coffee. I see many microwave recipes on facebook and pinterest, but what these great little recipes do not tell you is that the molecular structure of your food is changed as it is assaulted by microwaves.
microwave ovens were first introduced to consumers more than 40 years ago, besides depleting your food’s nutritional value, which will be addressed a bit later. You would think, with all these tests and regulations, that you’d be safe. However, according to Powerwatch, a non-profit independent organization with a central role in the microwave radiation debate: “Even when the microwave oven is working correctly, the microwave levels within the kitchen are likely to be significantly higher than those from any nearby cellular phone base-stations. Remember also that microwaves will travel through walls if the microwave oven is against an inside wall.” But even if there’s nothing wrong with your microwave, keep in mind that standing a foot away
It would certainly be wise to avoid letting your children stand near the microwave when it’s running,
From Dr. Mercola: Microwaves heat food by causing water molecules in it to resonate at very high frequencies and eventually turn to steam which heats your food. While this can rapidly heat your food, what most people fail to realize is that it also causes a change in your food’s chemical structure. There are numerous issues that have emerged since
but what these great little recipes do not tell you is that the molecular structure of your food is changed as it is assaulted by microwaves. You would think, with all these tests and regulations, that you’d be safe 14 The Whole Kid and Kaboodle Winter 2016
from it while it’s running can expose you to upwards of 400 milliGauss, and a mere 4 milliGauss has been firmly linked to leukemia. It would certainly be wise to avoid letting your children stand near the microwave when it’s running, and avoid it yourself as much as possible—especially if you’re pregnant. Also, since your eyes are known to be particularly susceptible to microwave radiation (high microwave exposures are known to cause cataracts), I recommend stepping away from your microwave while it’s in use. There has been surprisingly little research on how microwaves affect organic molecules, or how the human body responds to consuming microwaved food. Wouldn’t you expect that a product that sits in more than 90 percent of kitchens, as well as practically every break room in the country, would have been thoroughly investigated for safety? The handful of studies that have been done generally agree, for the most part, that microwaving food damages its nutritional value. Your microwave turns your beautiful, organic veggies, for which you’ve paid such a premium in money or labor, into “dead” food that can cause disease! Heating food, in and of itself, can result in some nutrient loss, but using microwaves to heat food introduces the additional problem of the “microwave effect,” a phenomenon that will be discussed in detail later. The majority of studies on microwaves and nutrition were conducted prior to 2000, I suspect because the
A study published in the November 2003 issue of The Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture5 found that broccoli “zapped” in the microwave with a little water lost up to 97 percent of its beneficial antioxidants.
focus of radiation research of late has shifted toward a more ominous threat: environmental radiation from electromagnetic devices, such as cell phones and computers, which has mushroomed into a gigantic cloud of electrosmog worldwide over the past decade. Nevertheless, some excellent scientific data has been gathered regarding the detrimental effects of microwaves on the nutrients in your food: •A study published in the November 2003 issue of The Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture5 found that broccoli “zapped” in the microwave with a little water lost up to 97 percent of its beneficial antioxidants. By comparison, steamed broccoli lost 11 percent or fewer of its antioxidants. There were also reductions in phenolic compounds and glucosinolates, but mineral levels remained intact. •A 1999 Scandinavian study of the cooking of asparagus spears found that microwaving caused a reduction in vitamin C6. •In a study of garlic, as little as 60 seconds of microwave heating was enough to inactivate its allinase, garlic’s principle active ingredient against cancer7. •A Japanese study by Watanabe showed that just 6 minutes of microwave heating turned 30-40 percent of the B12 in milk into an inert (dead) form8. This study has been cited by Dr. Andrew Weil as evidence supporting his concerns about the effects of microwaving. Dr. Weil wrote: “There may be dangers associated with microwaving food… there is a question as to whether microwaving alters protein chemistry in ways that might be harmful.” •A recent Australian study9 showed that microwaves cause a highe degree of “protein unfolding” than conventional heating. •Microwaving can destroy the essential disease-fighting agents in breast milk that offer protection for your baby. In 1992, Quan found that microwaved breast milk lost lysozyme activity, antibodies, and fostered the growth of more potentially pathogenic bacteria10. •Quan stated that more damage was done to the milk by microwaving than by other methods of heating, concluding: “Microwaving appears to be contraindicated at high-temperatures, and questions regarding its safety exist even at low temperatures.“ • Another study about breast milk/infant formula by Lee in 198911 found vitamin content becomes depleted by microwaving, and certain amino acids are converted into other substances that are biologically inactive. Some altered amino acids are poisons to the nervous system and kidneys. (Numerous authors mention this study, yet I was unable to find the original article/study, so I cannot personally validate.) •Although many of the above studies are not new, there is certainly ample evidence that microwaving is NOT good for your food. I know this is quite a bit of information to digest, and it is far longer than a sound-bite. If you want the full story, please see the link below…. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/ archive/2010/05/18/microwave-hazards.aspx Until next time, Dr. Polly
The Whole Kid and Kaboodle Winter 2016 15
Family-owned b and remains true
A fun, family-owned business remains centered around a passion and love for swimming that stretches across the generations. All of these characteristics ring true at Fun IN Swimming, with three convenient locations in the Northwest Houston area. Founded in 1998, FINS offers a variety of swim programs, starting with infants, and going all the way to adults and competitive programs. To truly get a taste of what the swimming school has to offer, though, it is necessary to look back at how the business began.
2014
LONE STAR COLLEGE SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 16 The Whole Kid and Kaboodle Winter 2016
FINALIST
business grows e to its passion Turning a struggle of learning to swim into a love of the sport In the early years, founder Bill Goudeket tells Kid and Kaboodle, swimming was not exactly his favorite pastime. In fact, Bill admits he failed beginning swimming not once, but four times. After that, he remembers praying to God to make him better, not necessarily at swimming but in baseball. Not long afterwards, though, swimming rose to the top. Bill remembers swimming the mile at Boy Scout camp, giving him the edge he finally needed to join the swim team, gain a college swimming scholarship and even qualify to swim at the Olympic Trials. Bill tells Kid and Kaboodle, “I will always be amazed at how God showed His power by taking the worst thing I did and making it my best.” Bill used this experience to start down a path, which eventually developed into the successful family-owned business of today.
A family dream comes true While Bill’s love of swimming grew over the years, the business fully developed by spanning the generations. Bill says, as a family, they discussed ways to make the sport into a successful business venture. Around the same time, a fantastic opportunity presented itself. This is when Bill and his wife, Kathy, met a Houston-area swim school owner with a business for sale. In the year 2000, the deal officially went through, and Fun IN Swimming opened in Spring. Bill and Kathy’s children, Liam, Whitney, and Megan later joined the business, and together they helped to expand it to include two indoor swimming pools. Fast forward another couple of years, and the family business comes to include two additional locations, The Woodlands and Atascocita locations.
From lessons, to safety, to beyond These days, FINS focuses on a variety of programs. The swim school is unique in that it is one of just a handful of swim schools in the nation with programs stretching from babies, all the way to competitive swim training programs. In addition, the school includes a USA swimming and triathlete program, taking advanced swimmers to the next level.Bill also says the business works tirelessly to promote water safety awareness and prevent accidental drowning in the community by challenging families and neighbors to learn how to keep swimmers safe. Also heavily involved in community service, this family-owned business never forgets its roots. Despite currently having more than 80 team members, Bill and Kathy’s children manage the three locations. Bill adds, “We consider it an honor and blessing to work so closely with our family doing what we love, Swimming!”.
Atascocita / Kingwood
Spring
The Woodlands
6900 FM 1960 East, Suite C Humble, TX 77346
7827 Spring Cypress Road Spring, TX 77379
3707 College Park Drive The Woodlands, TX 77384
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AN EXCITING PARTNERSHIP “United Franchise Group, and Experimac are very excited to join forces with Percy Kennedy, and SPIRIT, to help change the face of single parents all over the world. We not only have many franchise owners that are single parents, EXW WKLV DĎ‘HFWV PDQ\ RI RXU QHDUO\ employees, as well as all of our customers, suppliers, manufacturers, and vendors.â€? “Many people and politicians want to talk about crime and education, but without addressing the tremendous hurdles of being a single parent these are all useless. SPIRIT is an excellent place for organizations to PDNH D GLĎ‘HUHQFH LQ WKHLU communitiesâ€?. - CEO UFG Ray Titus
To G.O.L.F. with us means: Get involved in their life. Observe their behavior. Love them unconditionally. Stand in the gap; represent the FATHER. Outreach - We serve the needs of others together as a family. Once a month we partner with various outreaches to help meet the needs in our h communities. c We serve cupcakes monthly W on the fourth Wednesday for o dessert through our partnership d with Montrose Street Reach; an w outreach to the homeless by o Youth With A Mission. Y
Travel - We are planning a T PLVVLRQ WULS WR %HOL]H -XQH Single Parents Igniting Relationships through
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World Gospel Outreach. QRQSURÂżW focused on SPIRIT is an excellent place for organizations Teen boys and men T helping ffrom our community single parent to make a difference in their communitiesâ€?. will spend the w families have CEO UFG Ray Titus week on various w healthy family construction projects. con relationships. Please contact us if you Our mission is to would like to join us. “change the face of single parenting.â€?â€? Technology - We are excited to announce the T RSHQLQJ RI ([SHULPDF +XPEOH LQ -DQXDU\ R SPIRIT Family Events 2XU SODQV DUH WR XVH WKLV IRU SURÂżW UHWDLO VWRUH 2 IRU DUH DYDLODEOH and technology to connect with the youth in a on our website at www. our o community. spiritfamily.org. There are four pillars supporting our organization goals and objectives. They are golf, outreach, travel and technology. Golf - We use the game of golf to teach life lessons and connect with families. We have established relationships with Topgolf, Houston First Tee and other local golf courses.
We W will be closed on Sunday’s so we can mentor children living in single parent families. m When they reach their senior year we will W provide them scholarships through fundraising p activities. a We invite you to join us as we impact the lives RI VLQJOH SDUHQW IDPLOLHV 7KHUH DUH RYHU homes in our local community without fathers. Your family adopting a single parent family would have a positive impact for generations to come. Learn more about us at www.spiritfamily.org
We use the game of golf to teach life lessons and connect with families. The Golf Reserve in Atascocita has graciously invited our families to learn, practice and play there.
18 The Whole Kid and Kaboodle Winter 2016
Percy L. Kennedy Jr. - Founder and President of Single Parents Igniting Relationships In Truth Inc. “There’s greatness in you.� www.spiritfamily.org
Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center, a premier Harris County Precinct 4 nature preserve of over 300 acres, is open daily to visitors, free of charge. The park features a variety of plant and wildlife species, white sand beaches along Spring Creek, swamps and sloughs with century-old cypress trees, and a pristine oodplain hardwood and pine forest. All features are accessible by over six miles of all-weather, wheelchair-friendly pedestrian trails and several unpaved primitive trails. The Tadpoles Club, a regularly scheduled program for toddlers, meets each Wednesday of rotating months during the school year. Every Saturday in January. February, and March Redbud Hill Homestead Open House from 1-4. Second Saturday Settlers, Flint to Fire, 1-09-16, 1-3pm. Homestead Heritage Day, Second Saturday in February Visitors can travel back in time by making corn husk dolls, bonnets, lye soap, beeswax candles, and much more. See how the early inhabitants of Texas made and used their tools and weapons. A skirmish provides a living-history look at the authentic weaponry, costumes, and signiďŹ cance of Civil War battles. Volunteers and staff show visitors how early settlers built and protected their homesteads. You might even get to taste some authentic pioneer cooking!
Serving your Community for over 20 years!
Thanking you for your support! FREE
Appetizer Marsalas Italian Grill Located in the Huffman Shopping Center 24501 FM 2100 Suite E, Huffman, TX 77336 Phone: 281-764-5360 Expiration Date: 3/1/2016
24501 FM 2100 Suite E, Huffman, TX 77336 Isaac Rodriguez & Teresa Guzman The Whole Kid and Kaboodle Winter 2016 19
Teachers’ Innovation Helps Dr. Guy Sconzo Student Achieve More Humble ISDBySuperintendent Imagine a Prize Posse with pom-poms, hand clappers, and giant checks walking into classrooms to recognize the hard work and innovation of educators. That recently happened in Humble ISD, thanks to the generosity of H-E-B. Humble ISD was named the 2015 Best Large District in Texas through the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards and received $100,000 in prize money. This money was given to the Humble ISD Education Foundation to award as grants back to classrooms. Joining us on this special Prize Posse Day was H-E-B Houston Division President Scott McClelland. “There’s nothing more fun than giving away money,� McClelland said. “Maybe the only thing better is seeing it put to good use. I think what’s really gratifying today is to see how excited these teachers are about seeing their dreams come true and the ideas they have to further education and see their students do well.� While the Humble ISD Education Foundation annually holds a Prize Posse Day in May, the Foundation was able to hold an additional Prize Posse Day this school year in November due to the $100,000 in funding from H-E-B.
Humble ISD was named the 2015 Best Large District in Texas through the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards and received $100,000 in prize money.
expect when they get to middle school. The “Parent University Project� at Ross Sterling Middle School equips parents through monthly classroom sessions with tools and strategies to support their children academically and be an active partner in their child’s learning process.
“Be a Buddyâ€? project The “To Shoot or Not to Shoot?â€? project at the Career and Technology Education Center provides a simulator for use in high school criminal justice classes so students gain a more informed perspective of the complex issues faced by ODZ HQIRUFHPHQW RŕľśFHUV
“To Shoot or Not to Shoot?â€? project These are just a sampling of the projects that have become reality through the Humble ISD Education Foundation innovative grants program. To become involved as a donor or special event volunteer, visit www. KXPEOHLVGIRXQGDWLRQ RUJ RU FDOO WKH 2ŕľśFH RI &RPPXQLW\ Development at 281-641-8140.
Prize Posse Days provide a snapshot of the unprecedented ways teachers address barriers to learning and create new possibilities. One such problem-solver is Kirsten Semrow, a Whispering Pines Elementary School teacher, whose project was awarded last year. She noticed that some students with special needs faced challenges sitting still in a traditionally-furnished classroom. As a solution, she wrote a grant to purchase classroom items. Bringing in yoga balls, Ă€XRUHVFHQW OLJKW ÂżOWHUV QRLVH UHGXFLQJ KHDGSKRQHV DQG ÂżGJHW WR\V KHOSHG VSHFLDO QHHGV VWXGHQWV EH PRUH VXFFHVVIXO “We now have all sorts of interventions to keep them in the classroom, and maximize their learning,â€? Semrow said. The “Be a Buddyâ€? project at Lakeshore Elementary School and Woodcreek Middle School helps relieve students of the anxiety of entering middle school by partnering VHYHQWK JUDGH VWXGHQWV ZLWK ÂżIWK JUDGH VWXGHQWV 7KLV HQVXUHV they have a buddy they can learn from and know what to
20 The Whole Kid and Kaboodle Winter 2016
Summer Creek High School students celebrate receiving a grant to bring Rachel’s Challenge to their school thanks to H-E-B and the Humble ISD Education Foundation. Rachel’s Challenge is a social-emotional student training program promoting respect, kindness and compassion among teens.
In Humble ISD, students have choices.
COMMUNITY EVENTS Kingwood Town Center MARDI GRAS FESTIVAL 6DWXUGD\ )HEUXD\ WK QRRQ SP DR. MOSBY’S SPRING CAR SHOW 6XQGD\ $SULO QRRQ SP
The accademically acclaimed International Baccalaureate (IB) program is available to all students, beginning in PreKindergarten. IB prepares students for college, career and beyond. It’s never too early to ask...
Where will IB?
HUMBLE ISD BBQ COOK OFF Friday and Saturday, )HEUXDU\ WK DQG WK LIVESTOCK SHOW AND RODEO Tuesday February 9th to 6DWXUGD\ )HEUXDU\ WK Visit humbleisd.net/IB to learn more! The Whole Kid and Kaboodle Winter 2016 21
What You Should Know About Nylon and Steel String Guitars
Read This Before You Buy! For new players, choosing the right type of guitar can be a difficult decision. This guide lists the basic features of two popular types of guitars so that you can make an informed decision when buying a Nylon String Classical Acoustic or Steel String (Acoustic or Electric) Guitar. Let’s start with the classical guitar. Some important Features of the Nylon String Guitar: •It has strings made from nylon filament. The thicker strings are usually wound with silver. •The nylon strings are not abrasive or tightly strung. This makes it a great choice for beginning guitarists because it is easier on the fingers. •The classical guitar has a wider neck than other guitars and the strings are spaced wider respectively.
The classical guitar has a wider neck than other guitars This facilitates the use of the right hand fingers for “fingerstyle” technique. •The body of the guitar is not as large as its counterparts. •The tone is warm, smooth and is often described as having a warm, relaxing or romantic quality. •Contrary to the name, classical guitars do not only serve the purpose of playing classical music. Many modern guitarists play a classical guitar for various genres. •Steel String Guitars (this includes electric and acoustic guitars): •A pick is commonly used to pluck the strings. •Strumming across all strings or plucking individual notes is the most popular method of playing. Some individuals use fingerstyle technique. •The neck is slimmer which reduces the distance between the strings. This makes strumming easier but playing fingerstyle more difficult. •The strings are made with steel and strung significantly tighter across the guitar. This means it is harder to press the strings into the frets. •The tone is usually brighter. •They are more suited for electronic amplification.
22 The Whole Kid and Kaboodle Winter 2016
Time to Choose! Instruments of all types can be played at an advanced level. It ultimately boils down to who you are musically and which instrument represents your taste. No instrument is “better” than another and no article can adequately describe the sounds that they make. Take a trip to a local music store and try out some of the guitars. If you don’t feel comfortable playing it yourself, the store will most likely have someone there to play for you. Remember, you don’t have to buy the day you start looking. Take your time and make a decision when you are ready, not the salesman. Good Luck!
Contrary to the name, classical guitars do not only serve the purpose of playing classical music. Please call (940) 206-5488 or email info@ wolfmusiclessons.com with any questions or if you are interested in starting guitar lessons. Author: Blake Beckwith, BA Music – Classically Trained Guitar Instructor Blake offers Classical, Acoustic and Electric Guitar lessons and takes pride in successfully using the same teaching methods that accredited Universities use while maintaining a patient yet enthusiastic approach that is unique to the needs of each student. blakebeckwith@gmail. com
Your Pride. Our Joy. Just Ask a Mom.® “My favorite aspect of Primrose is the personal attention that the teachers and staff give to parents and students. They truly care about students and make them feel comfortable and welcomed.” Becki, Primrose Mom Primrose School of Eagle Springs 281.852.8000 PrimroseEagleSprings.com
htechsautoservicecenter.com
Primrose School at Summerwood 281.454.6000 PrimroseSummerwood.com Primrose School of Lake Houston 281.812.6361 PrimroseLakeHouston.com
The Whole Kid and Kaboodle Winter 2016 23
24 The Whole Kid and Kaboodle Winter 2016
There’s nothing as welcoming as a family -run restaurant where the owners are there to ŐƌĞĞƚ LJŽƵ ĞǀĞƌLJ Ɵ ŵĞ LJŽƵ ƐƚĞƉ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ĚŽŽƌ͘ dŚĂƚ͛Ɛ ǁŚĂƚ LJŽƵ ĐĂŶ ĞdžƉĞĐƚ ƚŽ Į ŶĚ Ăƚ ĨĂŵŝůLJͲ ŽǁŶĞĚ /ƚĂůŝĂŶŽ͛Ɛ ŝŶ ,ƵŵďůĞ͘ &Žƌ ƚŚĞ ůĂƐƚ ƚǁĞůǀĞ LJĞĂƌƐ͕ ŽǁŶĞƌƐ ů ĂŶĚ ^ƵƐŝĞ ŚĂǀĞ ďĞĞŶ ŽŶ ŚĂŶĚ ĞǀĞƌLJ ĚĂLJ͕ ǁŽƌŬŝŶŐ ŚĂƌĚ ƚŽ ĞŶƐƵƌĞ ƚŚĂƚ ƚŚĞŝƌ ĐƵƐƚŽŵĞƌƐ ƌĞĐĞŝǀĞ ƋƵĂůŝƚLJ͕ ĨƌĞƐŚ͕ ĂŶĚ Ăī ŽƌĚĂďůĞ /ƚĂůŝĂŶ ĨŽŽĚ͕ ǁŝƚŚ ĞdžĐĞůůĞŶƚ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞ ŝŶ Ă ĐŽŵĨŽƌƚĂďůĞ ĂƚŵŽƐƉŚĞƌĞ͘ ͞KƵƌ ŵŽƩ Ž ŝƐ ůŽǀĞ Ăƚ Į ƌƐƚ ďŝƚĞ͕͟ ů ĞdžƉůĂŝŶƐ͘ ͞/ ƚŚŝŶŬ ƉĞŽƉůĞ ĐŽŵĞ ŚĞƌĞ ďĞĐĂƵƐĞ ƚŚĞLJ ŬŶŽǁ ƚŚĞLJ͛ƌĞ ŐŽŝŶŐ ƚŽ ŚĂǀĞ Ă ŐƌĞĂƚ ŵĞĂů ĞǀĞƌLJ Ɵ ŵĞ͘ /ƚ͛Ɛ Ă ƉůĂĐĞ ǁŚĞƌĞ LJŽƵ ĐĂŶ ĐŽŵĞ ĨŽƌ Ă ĚĂƚĞ Žƌ ǁŝƚŚ LJŽƵƌ ĨĂŵŝůLJ ĂŶĚ ĞŶũŽLJ ŐƌĞĂƚ ĨŽŽĚ͘͟ DĂƌŝĂ ZŝŽƐ͕ Ă ƌĞŐƵůĂƌ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ ƌĞƐƚĂƵƌĂŶƚ͕ ƐĂLJƐ ƚŚĂƚ ƚŚĞƌĞ͛Ɛ ŶŽ ƉůĂĐĞ ŝŶ ,ƵŵďůĞ ůŝŬĞ /ƚĂůŝĂŶŽ͛Ɛ͘ ͞/ƚ͛Ɛ ǁĂƌŵ ĂŶĚ ĨƌŝĞŶĚůLJ͘ / ůŽǀĞ ƚŚĞ ďƌĞĂĚ͊ dŚĞ ƐĂůĂĚƐ ĂƌĞ ĂŵĂnjŝŶŐ͕ ĂŶĚ / ĂůǁĂLJƐ ŽƌĚĞƌ ƚŚĞ ĐŚŝĐŬĞŶ ĨĞƩ ƵĐĐŝŶĞ ĂůĨƌĞĚŽ͘ tŚĞŶ ŵLJ ĨĂŵŝůLJ ĐŽŵĞƐ ƚŽ ǀŝƐŝƚ ŵĞ ĨƌŽŵ >ĂƟ Ŷ ŵĞƌŝĐĂ͕ ƚŚŝƐ ŝƐ ƚŚĞ Į ƌƐƚ ƉůĂĐĞ ƚŚĂƚ / ƚĂŬĞ ƚŚĞŵ͘͟ &Žƌ ůƵŶĐŚ͕ ĨĂǀŽƌŝƚĞ ĚŝƐŚĞƐ ůŝŬĞ ŚŽŵĞͲŵĂĚĞ ůĂƐĂŐŶĂ ĂŶĚ ĐŚŝĐŬĞŶ ŵĂƌƐĂůĂ ĂƌĞ ŐĞŶĞƌŽƵƐůLJ ƉŽƌƟ ŽŶĞĚ͕ LJĞƚ ƐƟ ůů ƌŝŶŐ ŝŶ Ăƚ ƵŶĚĞƌ Ψϳ͘ &ĂŶƚĂƐƟ Đ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ^ƚLJůĞ ƉŝnjnjĂƐ ĂŶĚ ĐĂůnjŽŶĞƐ ĂƌĞ ĂůƐŽ ĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞ ĨŽƌ ĚŝŶĞƌƐ ǁŚŽ ĂƌĞ ĐƌĂǀŝŶŐ Ă ƐůŝĐĞ ŽĨ ƐŽŵĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ďĞƐƚ ƉŝnjnjĂ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ,ƵŵďůĞ ĂƌĞĂ͘ ǀĞƌLJ ŵĞĂů ŝƐ ƐĞƌǀĞĚ ǁŝƚŚ Ă ĐŽŵƉůŝŵĞŶƚĂƌLJ ƐĞƌǀŝŶŐ ŽĨ /ƚĂůŝĂŶŽ͛Ɛ ƐŝŐŶĂƚƵƌĞ ŚŽƵƐĞͲŵĂĚĞ ďƌĞĂĚ ŬŶŽƚƐ͕ ƌŽƵŶĚ ďƌĞĂĚ ďĂůůƐ ƚŚĂƚ ĂƌĞ ĐƌŝƐƉLJ͕ LJĞƚ ĐŚĞǁLJ͕ ĐŽĂƚĞĚ ŝŶ ďƵƩ Ğƌ ĂŶĚ ƐƉƌŝŶŬůĞĚ ǁŝƚŚ ƉĂƌŵĞƐĂŶ͘ dŚĞLJ ĂƌĞ ĂďƐŽůƵƚĞůLJ ĚĞůŝĐŝŽƵƐ͘ ͞WĞŽƉůĞ ĚĞĮ ŶŝƚĞůLJ ĐŽŵĞ ŚĞƌĞ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ďƌĞĂĚ͕͟ ů ƐĂLJƐ ƉƌŽƵĚůLJ͘ ͞tĞ ĂƌĞ ĨĂŵŽƵƐ ĨŽƌ ŽƵƌ ďƌĞĂĚ ŬŶŽƚƐ͘͟ dŚĞƌĞ ĂƌĞ ŶŝŐŚƚůLJ ĚŝŶŶĞƌ ƐƉĞĐŝĂůƐ ůŝŬĞ ƚŚĞŝƌ ƐŝŐŶĂƚƵƌĞ KƐƐŽ ƵĐĐŽ͕ Ă ƐůŽǁ ďƌĂŝƐĞĚ ǀĞĂů ƐŚĂŶŬ ĐŽŽŬĞĚ ĨŽƌ ŚŽƵƌƐ ŝŶ Ă ƐƉĞĐŝĂů ďůĞŶĚ ŽĨ ƐƉŝĐĞƐ ĂŶĚ ŚĞƌďƐ ƵŶƟ ů ŝƚ͛Ɛ ƌĞĂĚLJ ƚŽ ĨĂůů Žī ƚŚĞ ďŽŶĞ͘ ^ĂůŵŽŶ ĂŶĚ ƐƚĞĂŬ ƐƉĞĐŝĂůƐ ĂƌĞ ĂůƐŽ ƌĞŐƵůĂƌůLJ ĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞ͕ ďƵƚ ƚŚĞƌĞ ĂƌĞ ƉůĞŶƚLJ ŽĨ ĐůĂƐƐŝĐ /ƚĂůŝĂŶ ĐŚŽŝĐĞƐ ƚŽ ƉůĞĂƐĞ ĂŶLJ ŵĞŵďĞƌ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ĨĂŵŝůLJ ͘ >ŽďƐƚĞƌ ƌĂǀŝŽůŝ͕ ƐŚƌŝŵƉ ƐĐĂŵƉŝ͕ ǀĞĂů ƐĐĂůůŽƉƉŝŶŝ͕ ůŝŶŐƵŝŶŝ ƉĞƐĐĂƚŽƌĞ͕ ĂŶĚ ĐŚŝĐŬĞŶ ƉĞŶŶĞ ĂůĂ ǀŽĚŬĂ ĂƌĞ ũƵƐƚ ƐŽŵĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŵĂŶLJ ƐĂǀŽƌLJ ĚŝƐŚĞƐ ĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞ Ăƚ ĚŝŶŶĞƌ͘ /ƚĂůŝĂŶŽ͛Ɛ ĂůƐŽ Žī ĞƌƐ Ă ďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐ ĐĂƚĞƌŝŶŐ ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵ͕ ĂƐ ǁĞůů ĂƐ Ă ůĂƌŐĞ ďĂŶƋƵĞƚ ŚĂůů ĨŽƌ ƉĂƌƟ ĞƐ ŽĨ ƵƉ ƚŽ ϭϱϬ͘ sŝƐŝƚ /ƚĂůŝĂŶŽ͛Ɛ ƚŽ ƐĞĞ ǁŚLJ ƚŚĞLJ ŐĞƚ ĨŽƵƌ ĂŶĚ Į ǀĞ ƐƚĂƌ ƌĞǀŝĞǁƐ͘ /ƚ͛Ɛ ŶŽƚ ũƵƐƚ ƚŚĞ ĨŽŽĚ͕ ŝƚ͛Ɛ ƚŚĞ ůŽǀĞ ƚŚĂƚ ů ĂŶĚ ^ƵƐŝĞ ƉƵƚ ŝŶƚŽ ŝƚ͘ EŽǁ͕ ƚŚĂƚ͛Ɛ ĂŵŽƌĞ͊
Atascocita 281.852.7662 FM 1960 & Pinehurst
Humble 281.446.6111 FM 1960 & 59
The Whole Kid and Kaboodle Winter 2016 25
Friendship Friendship is a very important factor in golf. What is friendship? Friendship is a special moment in your life when you are able to bond with a person and that bond continues. A friend is there in the good and bad. They are there to support you and challenge you. Golf brings people together and also makes life long memories. Even if you are competing against a person and you think they are your enemy, at the end of the game you realize they can become your friend.
A friend is there in the good and bad. For me, it all started at Kingwood Country FOXE DW P\ ¿UVW KROH WRXUQDPHQW , ZDV YHU\ QHUYRXV and scared. I woke up that morning not knowing what the day had in front of me. At the tournament I was looking for a friend that I could talk to but I was shy. Then I met this girl Hannah as she came up to me and ZH VWDUWHG WR WDON $W ¿UVW , IHOW D VKLYHU UXQ WKURXJK P\ spine and goose bumps as I didn’t know what to say. :H SOD\HG DQG KDG IXQ WKDW ¿UVW GD\ , UHDOL]HG WKDW VKH was a great golfer and it felt like we knew each other for years. We liked a lot of the same things outside of golf. She helped challenge me on the course and ever since we have become good friends.
the game to win and we challenge each other to get better. We enjoy laughing and having fun on the course. Most of all it’s about growing up with each other and seeing each other smile.
I woke up that morning not knowing what the day had in front of me I am always looking to make new friends on the course. When someone is just starting it can be hard as the game gets to you. The challenge of wanting to win and to beat your score. Remember you play the course not the players. If there is a new girl I always say hello and make her feel welcome. Do the same. A new player is a new friend.
Send me a photo of you making S a new friend and I will pick the t best pictures and I will post p it on my next page. You will w win a prize. Email them to EEHOODÀRUHV #JPDLO FRP
Send me a photo of you making a new friend and I will pick the best pictures and I will post it on my next page.
Keep Golfing! ~Bella Flores Where can you meett some girls thatt play Wh i l th l golf? Just this past November the girlsgolf.org program had an event at Top Golf. A lot of people like going to Top Golf since it has great food and games. I have made tons of friends through girls’ golf and to just name a few, Maddy ,Hannah ,Alexa, Jannel, Riley, Annika, Kendall, Ceci, Leah, and many more. These girls play
26 The Whole Kid and Kaboodle Winter 2016
The East Texas Fire & Ice Festival Festival will be held Saturday, January 9 at Texan Drive Stadium. This *free festival will be like no RWKHU (0&,' IHVWLYDO :H·OO VWDUW WKH GD\ RII ZLWK D . &RORU 5XQ throw in some food and retail vendors and then mix in some bands! Be VXUH WR KHDG WR WKH .LG=RQH IHDWXULQJ D VQRZ VWDWLRQ ZKHUH FKLOGUHQ FDQ EXLOG UHDO VQRZPHQ DQG JR VQRZ VOHGGLQJ +DYH IXQ DOO GD\ DQG WKHQ KDQJ DURXQG IRU WKH À UHZRUNV VKRZ The Whole Kid and Kaboodle Winter 2016 27
Friends of the Atascocita Library (FOAL) If you have visited the Atascocita Branch of Harris County Public Library, you and your family may have attended programs, including summer reading, used computers, enjoyed reading periodicals, and other activities. You may not know that the Friends of the Atascocita Library provides approximately $20,000 a year for programs and materials not funded by Harris County.
Friends of the Atascocita Library provides approximately $20,000 a year for programs and materials not funded by Harris County
responsibility, including maintenance. In the last year, FOAL installed a beautiful professional mural & new carpet in the meeting room. The new electronic sign with color graphics was added in front of the library in July, after $24,000 was raised in addition to the budget. The community will be better informed of library programs and activities with quickly updated information on the sign.
The late Odell Dreyer, retired educator and community volunteer, began the quest for a library in Atascocita in 1987. The path was fraught with GLႈFXOWLHV LQFOXGLQJ IXQGLQJ DQG D ODQG VHDUFK 7KH one constant was a community united in a desire to have a library in Atascocita. The Atascocita Branch Library opened May 5, 1996. Fundraising has been an ongoing necessity, EHJLQQLQJ ZLWK )2$/¶V QRQSUR¿W LQFRUSRUDWLRQ in 1991 and continuing today. Used book sales provide the bulk of funds, including 2 large used book sales a year & daily sales on FOAL’s used bookshelves in the lobby & just inside the library doors. Most books are 50¢ - $1.00 & everyone loves 25¢ magazines. Corporate volunteer grants are another source of funds earned by employees & retirees of companies such as ExxonMobil, Chevron, Best Buy & others. Donations, including memorials and matching funds from some
Atascocita Library - mural in meeting room.
Membership in FOAL is tax deductible, with single memberships $5 per year; families, $10 per year; & business/group/patron level, $25 per year. Members enjoy j y entrance to a preview sale
The new electronic sign with color graphics was added in front of the library in July, after $24,000 was raised in addition to the budget companies, are also important contributions. Most programs; including those for children, teens, adults, and the summer reading program for all ages, with crafts, prizes, and exciting programs, are funded by FOAL. Periodical subscriptions, continuations, audio books, and other media are also included in FOAL’s budget. Several years ago, when the county budget was particularly stretched, FOAL raised an additional $23,000 to replace 18 computers. When a security camera system was deemed necessary, FOAL took on the
28 The Whole Kid and Kaboodle Winter 2016
the evening before the public used book sales and 2 newsletters a year to stay informed of FOAL & library activities. The Atascocita Branch Library is located at 19520 Pinehurst Trail Dr. For more information about FOAL, visit www.FOAL.ws or email: contact@foal.ws. For library hours and calendar visit: www.hcpl.net & click on Atascocita Branch.
Lake Houston Libraries
Atascocita Branch Library 19520 Pinehurst Trail Dr. Octavia Fields Branch Library 1503 South Houston Ave Every Tuesday at 10:30AM Pre-school Story Time Every Wednesday 10:30AM, Toddler Two and 11:15AM, Baby Story Time
Monday nights at 7pm is Twilight Tales Every Wednesday, 10AM, Tales for Tots, 11AM, Infant Lapsit, 1:30PM, Preschool Pals Every Thursday, 10AM, Tales for Tots, 11AM, Infant Lapsit Fridays at 1pm, Infant Lapsit Last Tursday of each month Knit Wits Teens Knitting Club 6PM
Kingwood Branch Library 4400 BensView Lane Every Tuesday 10 and 10:30AM , Toddler Time, 11:15AM and 2:20PM Preschool Story Time, Noon, Mother Goose Lapsit Every Saturday at 10:30 AM, Family Story Time Thursday 11AM Mother Goose Lapsit Wednesdays in Feb and March 4:30PM, Teen Textiles
The Whole Kid and Kaboodle Winter 2016 29
JANUARY 2016 What is it about the New Year that evokes thoughts of change, hope, self- improvement? Well, LW LVQÂśW DQ\WKLQJ QHZ 7KH WUDGLWLRQ EHJDQ RYHU \HDUV DJR ZKHQ WKH %DE\ORQLDQV PDGH SURPLVHV to the gods at the beginning of each year, often resolving to repay debts and return borrowed items (need to put that on my list). The Romans changed the new year from March to January in honor of Janus the two faced god who looks forward and back. Many of the resolutions of those times had to do with morality-mainly being good to one another (aahh-if only). Puritans avoided the new year indulgences and called January First Month. They used the time WR UHĂ€HFW DQG FRQWHPSODWH WKH \HDU WR FRPH 7KH\ FRPPLWWHG WR PDNH EHWWHU XVH RI WKHLU WDOHQWV WUHDW neighbors more charitable and avoid bad habits (zen as opposed to zinfandel). In Korean tradition the New Year is a time to reconnect with family and ancestors and is one of the most important holidays of the year. The Chinese clean house from top to bottom and sweep away any traces of bad luck. (I must have been Chinese in a past life). 6R IRU RYHU \HDUV KXPDQV KDYH FRQWLQXDOO\ FKDOOHQJHG WKHPVHOYHV WR GR WKH ULJKW WKLQJ IRU WKHPVHOYHV WKHLU IDPLOLHV DQG WKH FRPPXQLW\ &RPSDUH WKHVH WRS WHQ UHVROXWLRQV DOPRVW \HDUV apart.
1947 1. Improve disposition and be more understanding 2. Improve character, live better life 3. Stop smoking 4. Save more money 5. Drink Less 6. Be more religious 7. Be more efficient 8. Take better care of health 9. Spend more time at home and with loved ones 10. Lose weight
2015 1. Lose weight, exercise more 2. Quit smoking 3. Eat healthy 4. Learn something new 5. Spend less, save more 6. Drink less 7. Travel 8. Give back to the community 9. Spend more time with family 10. Get organized
7KH VDG IDFW KRZHYHU LV WKDW PRVW RI XV GRQœW PDQDJH WR NHHS RXU UHVROXWLRQV :KLOH WR SHUFHQW RI $PHULFDQV ZLOO PDNH UHVROXWLRQV LQ RQO\ WR SHU FHQW ZLOO keep them. How can you boost your odds? Take a look at what you want to UHVROYH WR GR EHWWHU RU GLϑHUHQW WKLV \HDU 6WDUW ZLWK RQH WKLQJ DQG EH VSHFL¿F Keep it simple and realistic. If you want to exercise more commit to exercising PLQXWHV WZR RU WKUHH GD\V D ZHHN LQVWHDG RI SURPLVLQJ WR JHW XS DQG UXQ WKUHH PLOHV HYHU\ PRUQLQJ EHIRUH DP ,I \RX ZDQW WR JLYH EDFN WR WKH community and spend more time with your family look for a charity that the whole family can participate in. Giving up bad habits like smoking, excessive drinking and junk food binges will be more challenging but look at the overall goal which is to be more healthy, and begin taking steps to accomplish this. +HUH DUH P\ UHVROXWLRQV IRU ,œP JRLQJ WR FOHDQ P\ KRXVH IURP WRS to bottom (I just can’t help myself). I will eat healthy, give back to the community and spend more time with family and loved ones. I’d like to get more organized but that’s been on the list since the eighties. I’m going to UHÀHFW WKH SDVW DQG FRQWHPSODWH WKH \HDU WR FRPH and I’m going to borrow from the Romans for my Nancy Robertson is a licensed marriage and family UHVROXWLRQ therapist and has counseled to the North Houston BE GOOD TO ONE AND OTHER for if I am being kind to myself I will accomplish many of the area for over 20 years. In addition, she has a Masters other resolutions on my list and if I am kind to in Early Childhood Education, is a credentialed teacher others there is no limit to what I might and has taught pre-K through high school. accomplish. I humbly ask you to do the same. Address questions to: HAPPY NEW YEAR. nancy@nancyrobertsoncounseling.com
30 The Whole Kid and Kaboodle Winter 2016
tinroofbbqtexas.com The Whole Kid and Kaboodle Winter 2016 31