Lawrence Kids, Jan/Feb 2016

LK

LAWRENCE KIDS

Jan/Feb 2016

CONTENTS SEASONAL ESSENTIALS

08 12 16 20

SEASON’S READINGS READ ACROSS LAWRENCE (KIDS) MAMA SPREER’S TALES INDOOR ACTIVITIES FOR THE KIDS - WILLOW LMH SPORTS PERFORMANCE CENTER THE LADY WITH ALL THE STORIES GET OUTSIDE: WINTER BIRD WATCHING D I Y: H E A R T V A L E N T I N E S

a project of

26 32 38 42 48 54

Four Birds Media

info@lawrencekidsmagazine.com (785) 766-5669

Thank you for reading.

photo by Rebecca Zarazan Dunn cover photo by Emmalee Schaumburg

Sign Up Now! Jazzercise Lawrence Fitness Center 1410 Kasold Drive Suite A 6 Lawrence, KS 66049 785-331-4333 jazzerciselawrence@gmail.com

No Enrollment Fee! Join before December and we’ll waive the enrollment fee!

CLASS TIMES Monday / Wednesday: 5:40 am, 7:00 am, 8:15 am, 9:30 am, 10:30 am, 4:30 pm, 5:45 pm, 6:45 pm Tuesday / Thursday: 5:40 am, 8:15 am, 9:30 am, 10:30 am, 4:30 pm, 5:45 pm Friday: 5:40 am, 7:00 am, 8:15 am, 9:30 am, 10:30 am, 4:30 pm, 5:45 pm Saturday: 7:00 am, 8:15 am, 9:30 am, 1:30 pm Sunday: 8:15 am, 1:30 pm, 4:30 pm Childcare is available at all 9:30 am classes Visit Jazzercise.com for full schedule and list of formats

® Unplugged and Connected—a developmentally-appropriate curriculum for an inspired, life-long love of learning

“The need for imagination, a sense of truth and a feeling of responsibility—these are the three forces which are the very nerve of education.”

– Rudolf Steiner

The only Waldorf school in Kansas offering whole-child education for preschool through middle school students.

1853 E 1600 Rd, Lawrence, KS 66044 • Ph. 785.841.8800 • info@prairiemoon.org • www.prairiemoon.org

SEASONAL ESSENTIALS Diner Boss & Mom of 4, Meg Heriford lists her Jan/Feb must do’s

1. Storytime & Skating at the Lawrence Public Library 2. Sledding down campanile hill at KU (c’mon snow!)

3. Winter hikes at Clinton State Park 4. Hot Chocolate & Pie at the diner (Ladybird, of course) 5. Bowling!

6. Checking out the Spencer & KU Natural History Museums 7. Shooting baskets at the community rec center

Home court advantage

However You Define FAMILY, We’re Here When Yours Needs a HOME. Whether it’s a place practice your jump shot,Fortunately, display trophies or ice your knees, Familiestocome in all shapes and sizes. so do homes.

I can help you find the perfect fit… for all the things that move you.

When your family needs a new home, please let me help you find the perfect fit.

BOOKS FOR THOSE COZY, SNOWY DAYS AT HOME from the librarians at the Lawrence Public Library

You can’t sled all day, so the librarians at the Lawrence Public Library put together a list of winter reads.

What Came From The Stars by Gary D. Schmidt

In a desperate attempt for survival, a peaceful civilization on a faraway planet besieged by a dark lord sends its most precious gift across the cosmos into the lunchbox of Tommy Pepper, sixth grader, of Plymouth, Massachusetts. Unexpectedly powerful and suspenseful. Middle grades.

The Doom Machine by Teague 2009

When a spaceship lands in the small town of Vern Hollow in 1956, juvenile delinquent Jack Creedle and prim, studious Isadora Shumway form an unexpected alliance as they try to keep a group of extraterrestrials from stealing eccentric Uncle Bud’s space travel machine. Funny! Middle grades.

Snowy Day by Jack Keats

A little boy named Peter puts on his snowsuit and steps out of his house. In 1962 The Snowy Day transformed children’s literature with its pioneering portrayal of an African-American child and the charming story and artwork that won it the Caldecott Medal. Come to the Children’s area at the Library to see our Snowy Day mural! Ages 2-7.

Skippyjon Jones - Snow What! By Judith Byron Schachner

Skippyjon Jones, the Siamese cat who thinks he’s a dog! While his sisters listen to Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Skippy bounces on his big-boy bed and heads off for the REAL adventure awaiting him in his closet.

Once inside, he finds himself in a magical snowy forest of make-believe, where the seven Chimichangos challenge him with his most dangerous task yet: to wake up Nieve Que, the frozen princess, by kissing her!

Yuck! Will this hero agree to don a prince’s pantelones and save his poochitos? Ages 3-7.

Owl Moon by Jane Yolen

Late one winter night a little girl and her father go owling. The trees stand still as statues and the world is silent as a dream. Whoo-whoo-whoo, the father calls to the mysterious nighttime bird. But there is no answer.

Wordlessly the two companions walk along, for when you go owling you don’t need words. You don’t need anything but hope. Sometimes there isn’t an owl, but sometimes there is. Ages 3–7.

Henry and Mudge and the Long Weekend by Cynthia Rylant

Henry and his 180-pound dog Mudge are best friends forever. And in this eleventh book of their adventures they build a glorious indoor castle with knights and kings. For read-aloud, or early readers.

Lemonade in Winter by Emily Jenkins

A lemonade stand in winter? Yes, that’s exactly what Pauline and John-John intend to have, selling lemonade and limeade--and also lemon-limeade. With a catchy refrain plus simple math concepts throughout, here is a read-aloud that’s great for storytime and classroom use.

Twelve Kinds of Ice by Ellen Bryan Obed

With the first ice—a skim on a sheep pail so thin, it breaks when touched—one family’s winter begins in earnest. Next comes ice like panes of glass. And eventually, skating ice! Take a literary skate over field ice and streams, through sleeping orchards and beyond. The first ice, the second ice, the third ice . . . perfect ice . . . the last ice . . . Twelve kinds of ice are carved into twenty nostalgic vignettes, illustrated in elegantly scratched detail by the award-winning Barbara McClintock. Ages 5 and up.

READ ACROSS LAWRENCE for KIDS! Spaceships, aliens, a time capsule and a scavenger hunt… and it all orbits around a book.

During the Public Library’s Read Across Lawrence, which begins January 30, thousands of kids in Lawrence will blast off with the help of The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex. The library has dozens of events planned in an effort to engage local kids and families with reading.

Lawrence artists Kent Smith and Matthew Lord will guide children through a wacky hunt to find aliens — and who knows what else — in the library February 13.

The library has been hosting a Read Across Lawrence event for a decade. The concept is to have an entire community read the same book and engage in discussions and activities. After years of success, library staff working with kids wanted in on the action.

On Friday, February 19 from 2-3 PM in the Library Auditorium, the Cosmosphere returns to talk with kids about life in space and what it’s like to be an astronaut. Mad Science will be at the library for an exploration of gravity, centrifugal force, and the laws of motion with a rocket-propelled car demonstration carrying one brave kid from the audience on February 25. The Spencer Museum of Art will investigate outer space, constellations, and planets with kids while creating art that is out-of-this-world on February 26.

“We’ve always thought it would be great to include the kids,” says Children’s Librarian Jenny Cook. “So, about 4 years ago we started selecting a children’s book that was somehow related to what adults were reading. We work hard to cater educational and fun activities to keep the kids interested.”

The finale event for Read Across Lawrence for Kids will include a Skype interview with the author himself.

Adam Rex, artist and writer, will answer questions about The True Meaning of Smekday and the library will seal its time capsule until Read Across Lawrence 2021.

While the grown-ups around Lawrence will dive into Andy Weir’s The Martian, Lawrence kids will explore the lighthearted story of an alien take over.

“Planning for Read Across Lawrence takes a long time,” Cook explains. “We start looking at ideas and books in the very early spring and begin talking with our community partners about ideas. We really couldn’t do this without the help of our community partners. They really make it a Lawrence events.”

“We try to keep the books for the kids somewhat related to what the adults in town are reading,” Cook says.

“When you work with an alien or outer space theme, it’s pretty easy to plan some fun activities for the kids.”

Cook and her team of librarians have an adventurous month planned.

Kids are invited to “capture time” by creating and decorating objects to be included in the library’s time capsule with help from the folks at the Spencer Museum of Art on February 3. Ellie Goudie-Averill of the Lawrence Arts Center will help kids soar through the solar system in a dance workshop on February 10.

Those community partners help provide hundreds of copies of the selected book, free-of-charge to kids in the community. Cook said many local elementary teachers add the book to their class reading list and encourage students to participate in the associated activities.

“We are really proud of our work and Lawrence,” Cook says. “The success of the entire Read Across Lawrence program is really a testament to our community.”

LK

Here’s to a safe and healthy 2016.

Let’s be honest: you probably don’t want to see us much this year.

That’s okay, we get it. You have birthday parties, homework and sledding to worry about. Remember, if you do get bumps or bruises, or just need a check up, we’ll be here for you.

Please eat healthy, get enough sleep and have a great 2016!

Lawrence

Pediatrics, p.a.

COMPREHENSIVE PEDIATRIC CARE FOR YOUR CHILD 543 Lawrence Ave; Suite D www.LawrencePeds.com (785) 856-9090

MAMA SPREER’S TALES One mom. Two daughters. Many, many stories.

by Megan Spreer

I read each title while she barely looked up from the YouTube unboxing video she was watching on the iPad. “Oooo! Here’s a cheerleading one, HJ! Wanna do that one?”

“No. I want to do gymnastics class.”

It’s a drill we do each season. In an effort to raise well-rounded children (and to make me feel like I’m doing what I’m supposed to), we enroll them in a class with Lawrence Parks and Rec. It used to be no big deal as I could make the decision and HJ would just go with it. Up until now, we’ve successfully completed a parent/toddler gym class, ballet and a hip hop class. That last one was mostly for my entertainment. HJ inherited my sweet white girl dance moves. Yet, every season, I picked a class and she happily attended. But apparently age four comes with opinions.

“I wanna go to gymnastics class.”

I’d been pulling for the dance type classes. In size 5/6, HJ has always been one of the tallest kids in her age group. Her father is 6’5”. There’s a very slim chance she’ll ever be petite, let alone become a serious gymnast.

“Don’t you want to go to dance class? Or cheerleading? Or look! Basketball!”

“No. I can’t want that. I’ll go to gymnastics.”

This part of parenting is really hard for me. I can handle opinions. I can handle new ideas. What I struggle with is outright denial that my ideas are as awesome as they actually are. Don’t my children know that I made them?! My body willed them into being! Of course I have the best ideas!

To be honest though, I’d been bracing myself for this part. I just thought it wouldn’t be an issue for another 10 years. I didn’t become defiant until 14-ish. I was a rule follower and parent listener until the teen monster took over in eighth grade.

My mom enrolled me in dance classes, t-ball and

Girl Scouts. Some I asked to be in, some were her idea. I went along with whatever. So why did I have the difficult child? It was driving me nuts to enroll her in something that wouldn’t pan out into much. Why waste the money on gymnastics when it’s highly unlikely she’ll stick with it?

And it was then that the truth punched me in the face: It’s not my job to raise the next Shawn Johnson. It’s my job to raise a good person, someone who isn’t awful to be around. (Unlike how I was behaving.)

I need to give her the opportunities to build life skills and overcome challenges. I can’t do that if I only direct her in the direction that’s always easiest.

I had to swallow my pride and zip it. This world is already catering to the helicopter parents who make their children’s every decision. Between text messages from teachers and weekly emails from the school, we’ve eliminated kids’ responsibility to communicate with their parents. Instead of the students championing their own education, the parents have the ability to play puppet master and solve problems without the kid being a part of the conversation. I have a couple friends who work as academic advisors and every semester they tell horror stories about parents calling to yell at them or professors about their adult student’s grade or schedule.

Nope. I can’t be that parent. I need to raise children that have the skills to be functioning adults someday. I can’t be a puppet master. This is their childhood and their life. I’ll still be firmly planted in the passenger seat, but I guess it’s time to take one of my hands off the wheel. They need to walk their own path, choose their own direction, and even fail. Yep. It’s going to suck to watch, but they’ll even need to fail.

So, I bit my tongue and enrolled her in gymnastics. HJ is thrilled.

And I’m okay. Mostly because I’ve got her baby sister enrolled in dance class.

LK

At First Management, we have...

Something for Everyone!

888 New Hampshire

Open Late 2 ing 016

Voted Lawrence’s Best Property Management Company in 2013, 2014 & 2015, First Management has something for everyone!

Whether you’re looking to rent an apartment, townhome, house or commercial property, think of First Management first.

www.firstmanagementinc.com (785) 841-8468

INDOOR FAMILY FUN

WITHOUT THE TV

by Karrey Britt / Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department

During the winter months, it can be difficult for children to get the physical activity they need. Oftentimes, they are inside watching television, playing video games or driving their parents bananas because they’re looking for something to do. They’re getting cabin fever.

“Activity leads to healthier, happier children,” said Jenn Preston, supervisor of the Healthy Families program at the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department. Physical activity improves strength and endurance, builds healthy bones and lean muscles, develops motor skills and coordination, reduces fat and promotes emotional well-being. That’s why screen time should be limited to two hours or less per day.

Healthy Families Nurse Case Manager MariaAna Garza said it’s also better to do activities as a family. “Your children will have a greater learning experience and you will be more in tune with their development. It’s also more fun for the kids and it creates lasting memories.”

Traditional games like “Simon Says,” “Ring Around the Rosy,” “Hide-and-Seek” and “Duck, Duck, Goose” are still favorites among children. Another idea: Turn on

some music and have a dance party. Parents can turn it into a game of “Freeze,” where the children freeze in a position when the music stops. “Days should be filled with more fun than discipline,” Garza said.

Here are some inexpensive, indoor activity ideas for young children from the Healthy Families program staff.

These games will improve a host of skillsets like handeye coordination, large and fine motor skills, imagination and listening skills, to name a few. “Be creative, feel free to adapt materials, and most importantly, have fun.

If the child doesn’t like an activity, try a different one,” Garza said.

• Balloons Play “keep the balloon up.” Use one balloon per child or one balloon per small group. The group may add more balloons as they gain control. To add to the balloon fun, you could make “tennis rackets” by using masking tape or glue to attach to a paint stirrer or ruler to the back of a paper plate. Participants can then use the rackets to hit the balloons.

• Scavenger Hunt Have a list of items and then set a time limit. The player or team who finds everything on

NEW LOCA TION

SAME GREAT FLAVOR

846 illinois st 785-856-9246

the list first or finds the most items wins.

• Blanket Fun Put a small stuffed toy or ball in the middle of a blanket on the floor. Have your child hold two corners while you grab the other two. Then, lift the blanket and toss the toy or ball in the air and try to catch it again. With more participants, you can use a larger blanket and have each child hold an edge of the blanket and use more items to toss into the air.

• Toss and Catch Cut the bottom two inches off two clean, gallon-sized plastic milk jugs. Use the jugs to scoop, toss and catch objects like a ball, rolled up sock or small stuffed animal.

• Hit the Target Draw a face on a large paper grocery bag.

Cut out a large hole for the mouth. Place the open bag on a table, put a book in the bottom of the bag to weigh it down, and let your child try to throw balled-up socks into the mouth.

• Paper Airplanes Make paper airplanes out of various materials and see how far they can fly.

• Obstacle Course Create a course using pillows, cushions, tables, chairs, masking tape, boxes, etc. For example, encourage the child to step onto a pillow, crawl under a table, climb over a chair, crawl through a cardboard box and then run to the finish line. Adjust the course to make it easier or more difficult, depending on the ages of the children. Also, try it with them.

Kids join The Merc Co+op Explorers and be eligible to receive one free per visit!

• Bowling To create a ball, tear and scrunch up a newspaper and then place masking tape around it. Nerf-like foam balls work as well. Use empty water or soda bottles to create bowling pins. You can decorate the bottles by putting colored tissue paper inside or by using markers or paint. Set up the pins and try to knock them all down.

• Charades Act out simple things for children to guess what you’re pretending to do. These could be things like brushing your hair, driving a car or throwing a ball. Then, let your children take a turn. For older children, you can write these things on pieces of paper, folding them and putting them in a basket, and then taking turns acting them out to see who can guess the most correctly.

• Sock Twister Put a differently colored sock on each of your child’s hands and feet. Place the mates for these socks on the floor, slightly separated from each other. Next, ask your child to place a sock he or she is wearing onto its matching sock.

For example, “Place the blue sock on your left hand onto the blue sock on the floor.” By the time they’ve matched the socks, they likely will be twisted into a pretzel.

• Hot potato Ask children to stand in a circle. Turn on some tunes and have them pass a ball, bean bag or stuffed toy around the circle as fast as they can. When the music stops, the player holding the potato leaves the circle.

LK

Local economy

Kids 12 and younger just need to signed up by a parent or guardian at The Merc. Each child will be issued their very own official Co+op Explorers card.

Starting [date], kids [ages 12 and under] are invited to COMMUNITY MARKET & DELI join the Co+op Explorers and be eligible to receive [one 901 IOWA • LAWRENCE • KS free banana per visit]! Kids simply need to sign up with 785.853.8544 OPEN parent or guardian at the co-op. Each• child will7AM–10PM be issued their very own super official Co+op Explorers card!

WWW.THEMERC.COOP

for the kids:

WILLOW DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CENTER

There is a silent epidemic in Lawrence. It affects single women and married mothers and children and sons and fathers. The community often doesn’t talk about it, many don’t know what the symptoms are and fewer know how to handle the disturbing situation. The problem is domestic violence and when victims are at their lowest point, they turn to The Willow Domestic Violence Center.

The Willow was the first domestic violence center in the state of Kansas, opening in 1976. Today, the center fields upwards of 2,700 crisis and referral calls per year, houses 250-300 adults and children annually and serve more than 1,700 individuals throughout Douglas, Franklin and Jefferson Counties. Unfortunately, the numbers aren’t decreasing.

“To be honest, none of us want to work here,” says Kristine Chapman, Director of Community Engagement at the center. “We are all working to put ourselves out of a job. But, the work we’re doing here is more important than ever, because the epidemic of domestic violence is increasing.”

The Willow Domestic Violence Center works to restore the health and safety of people who have experienced domestic violence or human trafficking by providing safety, education and advocacy in Douglas, Franklin and Jefferson Counties in Kansas. All services provided by the center are free-of-charge and available to all survivors of domestic abuse and human trafficking, regardless of sexual identity or gender expression, who live in Douglas, Franklin, or Jefferson County in Kansas.

“We need to help people find the courage to talk about domestic violence,” Chapman says. “Nobody wants to discuss it, or confront the issue. Domestic violence takes many different forms. All victims are coming from a different place. But the more the public is aware of the different types of abuse, the more likely someone will identify an abusive relationship and either seek help for themselves or for someone else.”

have nearly enough space to house all victims.”

Both Chapman and Burns stress the need for community involvement. The organization is always looking for volunteers to help assist the group’s efforts and help increase public awareness of domestic violence and Willow’s services. Willow is funded through multiple grants and donations from the Lawrence area. Of course the center accepts monetary donations (state funding has been cut nearly 80% in recent years), but Burns directs people to the center’s website (www.willowdvcenter. org). On the site is an evolving wish list of items ranging from soap and shampoo to dishwashers and dryers.

Services provided by The Willow Domestic Violence Center include: •24-Hour Crisis Hotline: Available 365 days a year to listen, help create a safety plan and much more.

•Emergency Shelter: Confidential, healing environment for adults and their children to find help and hope.

•Support Services: Personalized safety planning, basic needs, medical resources and support groups at various locations are available for adults and children.

Willow provides assistance with housing, employment, finances, legal resources and healthy relationship education.

•Children’s Services: The center provides a range of services for children, both in their shelter home and in the community, ranging from art and music programs to healthy parenting classes and information about the effects of domestic violence on children.

•Court and Systems Advocacy: We attend court proceedings and other important meetings with clients.

We provide assistance navigating court processes, including filing protection orders, attending civil and criminal proceedings, and making legal referrals.

Becca Burns, Director of Volunteer Services, says that finding a safe place for victims is often difficult. Every year, almost 300 adults and families seek safety and support at Willow’s shelter home.

•Employment Services and Work Program: All of employment services address trauma recovery while preparing for long-term employment. Willow’s HOPE program works program serves recipients of state cash assistance.

“It take an incredible amount of courage to leave an abuser,” Burns explains. “When that decision is made, it can be very hard to find a safe place to stay for yourself and children. We can house a few victims, but we don’t

•Youth Violence Prevention: Youth ranging in age from elementary school to college learn about healthy relationships with friends, classmates, and dating partners through Willow’s SAFE program.

LK

Creating a naturally beautiful smile designed specifically for you!

Contact us for a complimentary consultation today!

Making Lawrence Families Smile for Over 15 Years.

RANJBAR ORTHODONTICS

www.ranjbarorthodontics.com 4828 Quail Crest Place / 785-832-1844

An Elite Preferred Invisalign Provider

NO PAIN ALL GAIN Lawrence Memorial Hospital’s Sports Performance Training Center

Adam Rolf stands with his arms crossed and a slight scowl on his face as six teenage boys share a laugh and casually stretch on the floor.

“Come on, fellas,” he says sternly. “Focus on your form.

If you’re not going to do it right, we don’t need to do it at all.”

The group of Lawrence High School baseball players slows down and changes their form, much to the pleasure of Rolf.

“There,” Rolf says with a hint of satisfaction. “Now we’re getting somewhere.”

Rolf is the Director of the Lawrence Memorial Hospital Sports Performance Training. This January, in an effort to serve more families in the area, the center opened a 4000-square foot expanded training and rehab center at Sports Pavilion Lawrence. cont.

Adom Rolf monitors Austin Quick’s agility

The center provides customized Sports Performance Training for youth athletes ages 8-18. The program is led by medically trained Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists, Certified Athletic Trainers and exercise physiologists. It offers age-appropriate, sport-specific athletic training designed to improve speed, strength and agility while also lowering the risk of athletic injury. More importantly, according to Rolf, the center works to teach athletes and individuals about their body.

Rolf says that the majority of athletes that use the performance center are high school age or older, but numbers of younger athletes are increasing every session.

“Sure, we hope to increase an athlete’s abilities,” Rolf says. “But we look at a bigger picture than just hitting a baseball or maybe running a little faster. We really work with each athlete to help them understand their body structure. We concentrate on getting kids to understand how important proper form is to both success and preventing injury. It’s very, very common for an athlete to see increased performance just after learning more about their body. Once we have that understanding, we can build into sports-specific goals.”

“I thought it looked fun and wanted them to keep busy over the winter,” Folks says with a laugh. “I thought it could help with their speed and body movement and give them some awareness of their bodies. I didn’t want it to be too intense for them at such a young age and it hasn’t been. The exercises are perfect for their age. I wanted them to start getting a love of exercising and didn’t realize what a wonderful place I’d stumbled across.”

The programs incorporate proven methods for developing functional strength, balance, coordination, footwork, flexibility and proper athletic posture. Athletes train in a fun and positive fitness environment that encourages correct techniques and appropriate progression to higher levels of training.

Dr. Shari Quick echoes Rolf’s claims, and praises the lessons the center has taught her son Austin (a sophomore baseball player at Lawrence High School).

“We really wanted to help Austin with his speed and agility,” Dr. Quick explains. “He’s a catcher and his ability to quickly pop-up from a catching stance is very important.

In the couple of years he’s been working with the center, his ‘pop time’ has significantly improved.”

Dr. Quick says the weekly sessions with Rolf have improved Austin’s understanding of his body and helped increase his overall physical health.

“When Austin is at baseball practice with his team, he’s working on baseball specific drills and situations,” Dr. Quick says. “At Sports Performance Training, he’s working on his body and movements that will help him be more successful on the field. It’s hard work, I know. He comes home tired and sore, but he always wants to go back the next week.”

Diane Folks’ two daughters attend the center. Maelee (11) and Lydia (9) attend Broken Arrow Elementary School began working at the center in October, 2014. Folks signed her daughters up not to train for a specific sport, but to keep them active.

While Folks’ intention wasn’t to help her daughters become better athletes, she says the change in their abilities is significant.

“They both have definitely become faster and stronger,” Folks says. “They are able to move side-to-side better and have a better sense of balance.”

According to Folks, the benefits go well beyond physical conditioning.

“First of all they have so much more self-esteem and confidence in what they can do. Victor White does an amazing job with the kids to keep it positive and fun but still getting work done. They have also learned life skills by having to have good work ethics and staying focused. Victor has the kids set goals at the first class. The kids work hard at meeting their goal by the end of class. Sometimes they do and sometimes they don’t. But they know they’ve tried their best to get there during all the classes.”

With the opening of the second location at Sports Pavilion Lawrence, Rolf is hopeful more parents will take advantage of the amenities.

“We’re not here to turn your child into a Division-I athlete,” Rolf says frankly. “We’re here to teach them how to manage their bodies in a healthy way and to encourage life-long healthy habits.”

LK

THE LADY WITH ALL THE STORIES Children’s Author & Illustrator Christine Schneider’s Tall Tale

Grab a book from your child’s bookshelf or open a parenting magazine. Chances are pretty good you’ll see or read some of Christine Schneider’s work.

That adorable story about the lady obsessed with pickles? You know, Picky Mrs. Pickle? Yep, that’s Christine’s. The classic tale of Saxophone Sam and His Snazzy Jazz Band? Christine wrote and illustrated every page. And, of course we can’t forget Horace P. Tuttle, Magician Extraordinaire!

Since her time attending the University of Kansas, Christine has been writing, illustrating and creating whimsy pieces of children’s literate and art. Her work is bright and energetic. The characters she creates are fun and, often, very funny. Christine’s stories engage readers with rhythmic verse and her lush, detailed illustrations keep young eyes glued to the page long after the words have been read.

“I really love seeing kids reading my books,” Schneider says with a modest grin. “It really feels great when someone mentions that their son or daughter likes something I’ve done. That makes it worth it.”

Christine Schneider is a quiet lady. She speaks with a soft voice and chooses her words carefully. Her smile is easy, confident and calming. Imagine a movie about a young mother that authors and illustrates children’s books and Christine is probably what you would imagine.

When Schneider was growing up on Colorado, she spent hours at her grandfather’s printing shop, making use of scraps of unused paper. She was a voracious reader and loved to draw. Her passion for art and illustration led her to KU and a degree in fine arts.

While still a student at KU, Schneider’s professor made a few calls and secured a meeting with a publisher in New York City.

book. It was pretty great and a big boost for my confidence.”

Schneider hasn’t looked back. Since Jeremy’s Muffler published in 1999, she has either published or worked on more than a dozen books and contributed to nearly 100 different publications ranging from Nickelodeon’s Nick Jr. Magazine to The Detroit Free Press. No matter the assignment, Schneider’s goal is always the same.

“I want whoever is looking at the illustrations to believe the characters,” she explains. “But I also want them to be fun. I mean, I’m drawing pictures for either a children’s book or textbook, so whatever the subject is, it needs to have some fun to it.”

Schneider said that the direction of her work is often determined by the publisher. Sometimes a publisher is very specific with instructions, other times they just send text of the book or article.

“I actually prefer to have specific instructions,” she says. “For instance, a textbook publisher might say ‘The main character is an African-American girl with a mom, dad, two younger brothers and a dog. We need you to illustrate counting money.’ Those specifics help me focus on the illustrations. The specifics also help with the editing process because I have a solid idea of what they want before I start.”

The ‘typical’ process of illustrating a children’s book takes between 3 months and a year.

“It’s actually a demanding process,” Schneider explains. “It can get stressful sometimes, because I want to make sure the publisher and the author are happy with the illustrations. I know from experience how much goes into writing a book, so I work hard to satisfy everyone involved in the process.”

“I had my portfolio and spent spring break meeting with publishing houses in New York,” Schneider says.

“I had absolutely no expectations and was pretty intimidated by the whole process.”

Being a children’s author and book illustrator has made Schneider a popular guest at her daughter’s school. Though Christine loves it, the feeling may not be shared by her teenage daughter.

Not long after landing in Kansas, Schneider got a call.

“I think she got a little annoyed by her elementary teachers asking me to talk to her class every year,” Schneider says with a big laugh. “I mean, I’m her mom. I’m not that cool. But as she’s gotten a little older I think she’s beginning to think I’m not so bad. Of course, her teachers don’t invite me to class anymore, so that might have something to do with it.”

LK

“The publisher told me they had purchased a book called Jeremy’s Muffler and they thought I had the right aesthetic for the illustrations,” she says with another big smile. “I didn’t know what to do with myself.

They were going to pay me to illustrate a children’s

Schneider’s original work, just for Lawrence Kids!

GET OUTSIDE: WINTER BIRD WATCHING Story and Photo by Rebecca Zarazan Dunn

Look up! Now that the trees are bare, winter is the prefect opportunity to see and become familiar with Lawrence’s feathered neighbors. Bird watching is a fun activity you can participate in when exploring outdoors or from the comfort of your home.

Bird Watching at Clinton Lake Clinton Lake is open year-round and has plenty of easy trails for the littlest of hikers.

For a short hike with plenty of bird viewing opportunities we take the Northshore Trail or Sanders Mound trail until the kids are ready to turnaround and head home. Bird watching is one part listening and one part watching, so visiting Clinton Lake is a good way to escape the drone of the city where a variety of birds live year-round or flock during the winter season. Listen for the rat-tap-tapping of a woodpecker or the “dee dee dee dee” of a chickadee. You’ll see geese and ducks on the waterfront and maybe even a hawk or owl soaring overhead.

This is around the time Bald Eagles return to the area, so keep your eyes peeled and you just might spot one! A map of Clinton Lake can be picked up at the Clinton Lake Welcome Center or can be viewed online at: http://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Locations/DistrictLakes/ClintonLake.aspx Birds Around the Block When the air is frigid, but the kids have been cooped up all day, take a quick walk around the block. It will give them a chance to burn off some energy and also provide opportunities to observe birds that live in your neighborhood. Take a camera on your excursion and allow your child to take pictures of birds they see.

When you get home, try and identify the birds seen. Birds of Kansas Field Guide

by Stan Tekiela is an excellent resource and is accessible for young children to flip through. Draw a picture of a bird seen or even start a birding journal that includes photographs or drawings of birds spotted on outings.

Window Watching Sometimes a cold spell has you stuck inside, but don’t let that stop you from enjoying winter wildlife. Blustery days are when birds need food the most and making a bird feeder is a simple activity to enjoy indoors. If you can’t go outdoors, bring the birds to you! Coat a pinecone with either peanut butter or shortening, roll your coated pinecone in birdseed, and hang from a tree with string or yarn away from animals that may harm them. If possible, hang close enough to view from a window and in no time at all, you’ll witness visitors pecking away happily at their newfound treat.

Books to Check Out: Birds of Kansas Field Guide by Stan Tekiela Look Up! Bird-Watching in Your Own Backyard by Annette Cate Bird Songs by Betsy Franco, illustrated by Steve Jenkins Sweep Up the Sun by Helen Frost, photos by Rick Lieder

DIY HEART VALENTINES Story and Photo by Rebecca Zarazan Dunn

Send sweet nothings with this DIY Heart Envelope from recycled paper. It’s simple to make and the sweet sentiment will make your Valentine swoon.

MATERIALS / • Paper bags, wrapping paper scraps, newspaper, or any recycled paper paraphernalia • Free Heart Envelope template (see page 63) • Pencil • Scissors • Stickers

HOW TO / 1. Print the heart envelope template (see page 63). 2. Cut out heart template and trace it’s shape onto your recycled paper or paper bag. 3. Following along on your pencil tracing, cut out your heart envelope. Once you’ve finished cutting, now it’s time to fold.

4. Start by folding the left and right sides of your heart in first. Then fold in the curved top part of the heart down. 5. Turn your heart around and fold the bottom point into the center. Follow the dotted lines on your template as your guide. 6. Once you’ve finished folding, write a message inside, and seal with a sticker and a kiss.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

DIY Heart Envelope TEMPLATE Cut out heart on the bold lines and use as a template to trace on brown paper bags, wrapping paper scraps, newspaper, or any recycled paper paraphernalia that you have on-hand. Fold both sides of your heart in first, then fold in the curved top part of the heart. Turn heart around so the point is pointing up and fold the point in. Use dotted lines as your folding guide.