Lawrence Kids March / April 2017

LK

LAWRENCE KIDS

March-April 2017

The Roost 920mass.com Lawrence, KS

CONTENTS SMART STRENGTH

12

PA R E N T S AT G A M E S

22

A S U P E R B I R T H D AY P A R T Y

30

SEASONAL ESSENTIAS - FLASHBACK

40

D I Y S P R I N G H AT S

44

a project of

Four Birds Media

info@lawrencekidsmagazine.com (785) 766-5669 Thank you for reading.

STUDENT. GAMER. RIDES A BIKE. RIDE AND DRIVE LIKE A GROWN-UP.

Cameron — Seventh-grader Drivers: Please don’t kid around.

TRAVEL WITH CARE

Start ‘em young.

846 Illinois St. (785) 856-9246

SMART STRENGTH Michel Loomis had a small idea to help kids.

A decade later she thinks she’s just getting started.

When the students at Central Junior High gather after school for Smart Strength, movement is the only constant. Students stretch and jump and jog. They talk and squat and twist. This undeniable action is a dream come true for Michel Loomis, who founded Smart Strength almost 10 years ago.

Loomis was a teacher at Central Junior High. She couldn’t help but notice how many students were winded after climbing the stair to the third floor. Kids were overweight and out of shape. Around the same time, Loomis began training with Chad Richards of Next Level at The Summit in downtown Lawrence.

“We were talking one day about the future,” Loomis says.

“You know, about hopes and dreams. Chad told me that one of his dreams was to help young people get strong and live improved lives by being in better shape. That was great to hear because I had felt the same way.”

Michel and Chad got to work and quickly developed Smart Strength, an after-school program designed to help Lawrence kids get functional fitness and nutrition training.

“This was an idea that I had because of all we are seeing with kids’ fitness and their nutrition,” Loomis said. “Our country is just getting so obese and so I thought this would be one way to address that problem.”

For nearly a decade Loomis has worked tirelessly to raise funds to compensate four trainers. Twice weekly, the trainers lead kids through stretches and cardio workouts in various junior high gyms across Lawrence.

“Next school year will be our tenth year to run Smart Strength,” Loomis says with her customary enthusiasm.

“We have not kept records until recently, but I estimate 500 participants, give or take a few.”

Loomis is the driving force behind the success of Smart Strength. She applies for funding via grants and coordinates donations of healthy snacks from various local businesses. Though the success of the program is most often credited to her, Loomis is quick to share the praise.

“There are so many accomplishments I could mention from adding staff and parents to the program and opening the program up to all middle schools, a nutrition and dental program, and providing incentives for participants

to stay with the program,” she says. “Perhaps the biggest accomplishment came from Chad Richards. He decided when the program ends every year to offer 5 students who apply to continue their training at the Next Level downtown. Instead of charging a fee the students, the students trade cleaning for training twice-a-week. All types of students have applied and been accepted. They range from young people who want to play a sport in college to ones that are basically interested in staying in shape for the rest of their lives. That generosity is enormous.”

There are three Central teachers who recruit students and staff for the program. Loomis says the program would not work without Carol Souders, the face of Smart Strength at Central, and her colleagues, Jackie Stafford and Julia Battaglia. Lawrence businesses (The Merc, Hilary’s Eat Well, Wheatfield’s, Starbucks, Checkers, Dillon’s and Hy-Vee) donate healthy choice snacks for the program.

As the program grows, Loomis has seen kids work their way through junior high into high school. Teachers often train with the students and more than a handful of parents have started coming the workouts.

“That’s so fun to see,” Loomis says. “The goal is to get this kids moving and teach them healthy habits. When more adults are involved, it helps keep everyone accountable and increases retention. Unless a commitment is made to work out on a regular basis little progress is made.

Therefore, we offer incentives to the participants who come regularly. The major goal is to instill lifelong fitness and healthy nutrition in the young people and adults in the program.”

A decade working with the program has Loomis excited about the future.

“So far, the community has been generous, the school district has financially supported us, and while I don’t receive all the grants I apply for, we get enough,” she explains. “And we have many success stories. Many who have left the program continue to work out on their own.

Some, like Will Lauffer, and Katie Davis have received athletic scholarships to play soccer and volleyball at the college level. Zia Kelly competes in weight lifting contests in college. She is a national champion in her division.

Now, if we can just keep raising enough money, we’ll be fine.”

LK

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PARENTS AT GAMES Do our kids even want us there?

by Maria Guhde Kari

We need to shut up. And sometimes - not always - we need to stay home. As hard as it is to risk missing her first home run, or not being there to comfort him after the missed foul shot, at some point we need to take ourselves out of their ball game. Because this is what good parents do.

My son’s baseball team had just lost their last game of the season—they were out of the tournament. We losing parents tried our best to look glum, while the winning parents attempted to hide their jealousy. By the time we arrived at our cars, the lucky losers were excitedly discussing vacations we could take, projects we could begin, and friends we could finally see. Baseball season was over! We were free!

“At least until soccer season,” one mom reminded us.

“We’re playing football this year,” another added, rolling her eyes, and I couldn’t block an image of parents and children all suited up in matching football uniforms, complete with pads. As a veteran sports mom, I knew exactly why she had used the plural we.

When one child in the family plays a sport, it is indeed a family affair. I think maybe the team photos should include us parents, derrieres parked in lawn chairs, arms laden with water bottles, diaper bags, and Barbie carry-alls.

We want to be there for our kids, to take an interest in what’s important to them. This is what good parents do, right? Maybe. When I was young, kids rode their bikes or were dropped off for their games and practices. Only later would Mom or Dad ask how it went. My father was a coach, but I don’t remember being dragged along to my brother’s games. In fact, the kids on my dad’s teams would converge on our house to be driven to the games in our 12-seater station wagon. No parents required.

Sometimes I think that by being so involved in our kids’ sports, we dilute their experience. After all, it’s not their win, it’s our win. Do all the valuable lessons—losing, striking out, missing the winning shot—have the same impact when Mom and Dad are there to immediately say it’s OK? Of course we need to make sure Michael is listening to the coach and the coach is listening to Michael, and to ensure that Lauren is getting off the bench but not being pushed too hard. And psycho sports parents are obviously a problem: the dad who screams at his son for every fumble, the mom who reacts to the 14-year-old umpire’s bad call as if it were a threat to world peace. We know they are wacko.

But then there are the rest of us, the good parents. Are

we cramping our kids’ style? Maybe they just want to get together and play a game.

Did you ever walk into a room where kids are playing, say, a board game? They’re animated, excited, totally focused on what they’re doing. When you appear, they stiffen, grow quiet, and appear confused. An adult is watching, and suddenly the game and rules are changed—maybe even ruined. Now imagine 40 of us adults descending on a ball game. Do we really believe we make it more fun for our children?

I’m essentially a non-athlete; my only “sport” was cheerleading. I don’t remember my mother ever coming to my games, much less shouting from the stands “Good, honey, but smile more!” or “Doing great, but you were late on that last turn.” I think I would have told her to either shut up or stay home.

And don’t the siblings deserve a well-balanced, unrushed dinner once in a while? To play in their own neighborhood, their own yard? What are they learning when life revolves around Lauren’s soccer games, and family harmony ranks a distant second?

Maybe we parents should be doing more constructive things: cutting the lawn, painting the dining room, volunteering, writing a book—in short, getting a life instead of just driving our children to theirs. Our time is important, too; we need to show our children that moms and dads can and need to do more than watch. Certainly, our involvement depends on our children’s ages and personalities. My 5-year-old T-ball player will surely not be so enthusiastic about my seeing his every hit when he is 15. My 8-year-old daughter, on the other hand, already seems relieved when we miss one of her soccer games.

Somewhere there is a perfect balance between not caring at all and caring too much. As parents, we know that at some point we need to make it their game, their recital, their grades. If we share every element of their lives, we’re cheating them out of part of it.

We need to shut up. And sometimes—not always—we need to stay home. As hard as it is to risk missing her first home run, or not being there to comfort him after the missed foul shot, at some point we need to take ourselves out of their ball game. Because this is what good parents do.

LK

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A Super Birthday Party!

Jack calls on his super friends to help celebrate turning 8... photos by Annie Werner Styled by Tasha Keathley

Straws - Pink Lemonade Party Shop - www.etsy.com/shop/pinklemonadeparty • Bracelet - Sweet Treats Jewelry - www.etsy.com/shop/sweettreatsjewelry Pendant Necklaces - Missing Pieces Studio - www.etsy.com/shop/MissingPiecesStudio • Invitations and Decor by Anders Ruff - www.etsy.com/shop/andersruff Cookies - The Cookie Jar - www.batches.etsy.com

Super shields were assigned...

Heroes selected their capes...

The heroes honed their super powers...

scaling great heights and balancing above great danger...

saving helpless felines and solving mind-bending puzzles...

Sidekick Shirt - 2 Freckled Frogs - www.twofreckledfrogs.com - (785) 218-1522

Jack’s courageous sidekick watched for evil villain party crashers...

After the mission, the super heroes celebrated with cake and milk!

Super Jack couldn’t stay, he was off to save another birthday party!

Balloon Arrangements - Balloonarts - www.Balloonarts.biz - (785) 856-2004

Lawrence Party ideas!

1. Bowling @ Royal Crest Lanes Get your crew together and head to Royal Crest Lanes. They can bowl and play in the arcade, then eat cake and open presents in the party room. various party plan available. (785) 842-1234

2. Painting @ Sunfire Ceramics There are few things more fun than a sunny day downtown at sunf ire Ceramics. The adorable old gas station is full of ceramics (and now glass) waiting to be painted. You bring the cake and presents and Cheryl and her staff bring the paint and fun!

(785) 749-2828 fi

3. Hanging with Big Jay @ the game Lawrence loves the Jayhawks. Kids love Big Jay. Why not combine the two and celebrate a birthday? The Junior Jayhawks host a variety of different party ideas available for almost all KU sports.

(785) 864-7988

4. Hiking with the Squirrels @ The Lake Get out of town to celebrate. Just west of Lawrence, Clinton Lake State Park hosts dozens of parks and beaches that are perfect for a nature-centric party.

Don’t worry about decorations, the trees and local critters have taken care of it.

(785) 843-7665

5. Hit the links, Par 3 style Golfing 18 holes, or even 9, can be too much for some kids. But at The Orchards Golf Course the little runts can play all nine holes and not get bored. The course is short and family friendly. They aren’t know for parties, but they have a great patio that would work for cake and presents!

(785) 843-7456

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From Sprained Ankles to Strep Throat

We’re Open!

New Pediatric Practice

Lawrence Pediatrics believes in complete preventive care and Dr. Kirsten Evans has lived in Lawrence since 1989. healingschool for children from birth to She completed medical and residency at The ageMedical 21. Center and has practiced University of Kansas

pediatrics in Topeka, Kansas City and Virginia, treated children of all ages withmission: a wide variety of illnesses. Dr. Our Evans has workedprovide in private practice, as faculty at The comprehensive pediatric KU Med Center and as a pediatric hospitalist at Storcare for your child’s lifelong mont Vail Health Care. Dr Evans serves as adjunct fachealth. ulty for Saint Louis University and is president Welcome of the Welcome Kansas Medical Education Foundation.

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Dr. Kirsten Evans has lived in Lawrence since 1989. She Welcome to our new practice.

Kirsten Evans completed medical school and Kirsten E. M.D., Ph. D., F.A.A.P. Welcome to our newEvans practice.

M.D., Ph.D., F.A.A.P. residency at The University of Kansas Medical Center, and has Welcome to our new practice. . .open to a ,, p.a. p.a. practiced pediatrics in Topeka, Kansas City, and Virginia, treating children of all ages with a wide variety COMPREHENSIVE PEDIATRIC FORpractice, YOUR as CHILD COMPREHENSIVE of illnesses. She has workedCARE in private a faculty PEDIATRIC member at The COMPREHENSIVE PEDIATRIC 3310 Clinton of Parkway CourtD/Center, 856-9090 543University Lawrence Ave / Suite /(785) 785-856-9090 Kansas Medical and as a pediatric hospitalist at CARE FOR YOUR CHILD CARE FOR YOUR CHILD Stormont Vail Health Care. Dr. Evans also serves as adjunct faculty for www.LawrencePeds.com COMPREHENSIVE Saint Louis president of the Medical Education PED MONDAY University - FRIDAY and 8:00is AM - 5:00 PMKansas , p.a. PED COMPREHENSIVE Foundation.

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Pediatrics

CARE FOR YOUR CH MONDAY - FRIDAY

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1. A hose, preferably with a multi-sprayer attachment. It’s amazing how entertaining a hose can be to an eight-year-old 2. Spray sunblock - a snap to put on, and it’s easier to get all body parts than with cream. 3. A library card. We have a fantastic public library, and the children’s section as wonderful reading programs and shows for kids all summer long! 4. Bicycles. 5. Growing edible things. I could never be a farmer, and I barely pass as a gardener, but the satisfaction of growing our own food is really exciting. Even if I only get one tomato out of the deal, that is one awesome tomato. Tiger eats the mint in our yard all summer long. 6.

As many roads trips as we can manage. This summer we’re going to Washington to visit Spencer’s winery, St. Louis and, once again, the Garden of Eden in Lucas, KS. 7. Keen waterproof sandals for Tiger - they are the perfect kid summer shoe, appropriate everywhere. 8. Homemade popsicle freezers - they can be found anywhere, they’re inexpensive, and Tiger can be in charge of making his own popsicles! 9. Oxy-clean stain remover. 10. A place to sit outside and eat dinner or just relax. We have our outside table in the carport.

Yes, it’s a carport, but I try to make it as glamorous as a carport can be. On summer nights, after a day of buying and selling clothes, I will be in the carport with a glass of Spencer’s wine , listening to the tree frogs.

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DIY SPRING HAT Story and Photo by Rebecca Zarazan Dunn

Using an old magazine and a paper plate to make festive and fun hat for the season

REUSE LAWRENCE KIDS / SPRING HATS

by Rebecca Zarazan Dunn

Materials: Small paper plate, paint, paintbrush, scissors, school glue, magazine, buttons & ribbon.

1. Paint the bottom of a paper plate & let dry.

2. Cut two, parallel 1-inch slits into the plate & thread a long piece of ribbon through.

3. Using your Lawrence Kids Magazine, cut out flower shapes with a pair of scissors. Layer flower shapes & decorate with buttons & glitter.

4. Glue flowers to hat & let dry.

5. Now you’’ a’re ready to start spring in style!

I’m having my baby close to home... right where we belong.

Staying close to home on the big day is a top priority for many moms – in fact, it’s one reason so many women choose Lawrence OB-GYN Specialists. As the only OB-GYN practice in Lawrence that delivers babies here in town, Lawrence OB-GYN Specialists offers a complete range of personalized care options – including a team of boardcertified physicians, certified nurse midwives and certified women’s health care nurse practitioners – all close to home, no travel required.

And the best part? Your whole family can be together to welcome your new little one into the world. Stay healthy and stay close with Lawrence OB-GYN Specialists.

Call now for an appointment: 785-832-1424

330 Arkansas, Suite 300 • Lawrence, KS 785-832-1424 • lmh.org/obgyn

Stay healthy. Stay close.