Athens Parent Magazine -- Aug. 2018

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A Re s o u rc e f o r F a m i l i e s i n A t h e n s, O c o n e e C o u n t y a n d t h e S u r ro u n d i n g A re a

August 2018

Building Families...

Building Businesses

LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED SINCE 1998!

BACK TO VOLUNTEER

at Your Child’s School This Year!

TIME FOR CHANGE! TIDY UP!

SCHOOL Teachers!

Teachers!

Teachers!

+ must haves baby & toddler

Now In Our 20th Year!

“Building Families...Building Businesses” August 2018 • Vol. 20 No. 5 LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED

Now In Our 20thYear!

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

A.W. Blalock

MANAGING EDITOR

Sarah Danis

ADVERTISING

Anniston Howell Hanh Nguyen WEB DESIGN/CALENDAR

Chris Parsons FOUNDER

Shannon H. Baker WRITERS AND CONTRIBUTORS

Liz Conroy, Sarah Danis, Tiffany Doerr Guerzon, Amy Lasseter, Chris Parsons, Jonathan C. Robinson Athens-Oconee Parent Magazine is published six times a year. Reader correspondence and editorial submission welcome.We reserve the right to edit, reject or comment editorially on all material contributed. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced without express written consent of the publisher. Athens-Oconee Parent Magazine reserves the right to refuse any advertising for any reason.

The opinions expressed by contributors or writers do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this magazine. Distribution of this product does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services herein.

Athens-Oconee Parent Magazine P.O. Box 465,Watkinsville, GA 30677 Advertising: ads@athensparent.com Editorial: editor@athensparent.com Office & Production: office@athensparent.com Calendar: calendar@athensparent.com Website: web@athensparent.com

www.athensparent.com PUBLISHED BY

on the cover First Grader Abigèl Belasco Photo by Treehouse Kid & Craft www.treehousekidandcraft.com www.athensparent.com 3

first words...

I

t’s that time of year again! Back to school!

I hope your summer was amazing and you made a lot of fun memories with your kids! Whether you were home with them all summer trying to keep them busy, or they had fun days at camps or daycare – or even if you don’t know where the summer break went – here we are going back to school. That means we’re getting into the swing of things again for another school year.

Our summer was fun, full of camps for our big kid, a family trip, and keeping busy with fun stuff going on around town. We’ve loved finding out more and more what makes Athens, Oconee and the surrounding areas great!

In this back-to-school issue of Athens-Oconee Parent Magazine, Liz Conroy has some suggestions that I can’t wait to put into place in our house about helping your kids to tidy up using the KonMari method. Dr. Jon Robinson has his always helpful advice to share with our readers and Amy Lasseter helps us with transitions into fall. Our friends at the Health Department remind us about the importance of vaccines. Congratulations are in order to CCSD for being honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education. And I wrap things up with my yearly recommendations of baby and toddler must haves that I think you’ll love too!

We look forward to another great school year, hopefully sharing great suggestions for you and your family! As always, please let me know if you have an article idea or know of something we should share with the community.

Sarah Danis

editor@athensparent.com

contents 18

FEATURES

12

8 Volunteering at Your Child’s School 12 Good to Know 18 Breeze Your Way Through Fall Transitions 22 Tidying Up: Madness & Methods 28 Teachers! Teachers! Teachers!

the baby pages 24-27

6 DEPARTMENTS 6 14 16 30

Sarah and son Trey visited Harry Potter World this summer at Universal Orlando.

Like us on Facebook!

Show & Tell On Your Mind: “New Rules” Calendar ’Til We Meet Again

read us online!

Read Athens-Oconee Parent Magazine anywhere, any time ... online! Visit athensparent.com and click “read online.” Also, check out our online calendar for up-to-date, family-friendly events.

Athens-Oconee Parent Magazine www.athensparent.com 5

&

show

make these!

sandwich kebabs

M

y youngest son Oliver and I had so much fun making sandwich kebabs!

We made ours with cut-up pieces of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, along with grapes, strawberries, and blueberries, but you could make yours with any type of sandwich and fruit! Fun to put in a lunchbox or for an afterschool snack. Obviously you need to be careful if your little one is going to treat the skewer like a sword, but it’s great for hand-eye coordination if they can handle it.

- Sarah Danis

tell

Compiled by Sarah Danis

“Bee” there!

The Teacher Reuse Store is an amazing free resource available to area teachers where they can get free donated supplies for school! The Teacher Reuse Store is open to any teacher in Athens-Clarke, Madison, Oconee and Oglethorpe counties. Public school, private school, and homeschool teachers are welcome to “shop.” The goal of the Teacher Reuse Store is to provide usable materials to teachers for no cost and reduce the amount of waste disposed in our local landfill. If you have some extra supplies that you are able to donate to this great cause, they would love to have them! It’s located at CHARM (Center for Hard-to-Recycle Materials) at 1005 College Avenue, Athens. Currently, the Teacher Reuse Store is seeking donations of the following items and more: general office supplies (file folders, binders, clip boards, labels, stickers, paper, pencils, pens, rulers, art supplies, backpacks), unusual items (glass bottles, science equipment, bottle caps), and furniture (shelves, bookcases, desks, chairs, file cabinets). You can find out more information about what qualifications are needed to shop at https:// athensclarkecounty.com/6515/ Teacher-Reuse-Store.

What: Insect-ival When: September 15, 2018, 9:30am-12:30pm Where: State Botanical Garden of Georgia

J

oin Garden staff and volunteers for this creepy, crawly, and definitely fun family festival. Discovery stations, roach and beetle races, an insect café, puppet shows and, of course, a lot of live insects will highlight this year’s event! At 11:00 am we will host our annual butterfly release on the lawn of the International Garden. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to view dozens of native butterflies flap their wings above your head!

Insect-ival is sponsored by the Garden, the UGA Lund Club, the UGA Department of Entomology, and the Georgia Museum of Natural History. Pre-registration is not required. $5 per person, $20 per family, children 2 & under free; botgarden.uga.edu/event/insect-ival/

get this!

The Teen Entrepreneur Toolbox is the perfect activity for business savvy teens, walking parents and teens through eight easy, practical steps for starting their own business. The toolbox includes a Teen Portfolio that takes them through each step, a Parent Guide, a free Teen Entrepreneur Toolbox App, a 20-minute DVD featuring Anthony O’Neal, and much more. Whether it’s mowing lawns, babysitting, or walking dogs, this toolbox has everything parents need to set their teen up for success and teach them skills they’ll need to become successful adults! www.daveramsey.com/store/ product/teen-entrepreneur-toolbox

Send your ideas & photos to P.O. Box 465, Watkinsville, GA 30677 or e-mail editor@athensparent.com 6 Athens-Oconee Parent

‘‘

Make today so awesome that yesterday gets jealous.” Unknown read this!

Hello School!

By Priscilla Burris

A diverse group of excited youngsters are about to start school and experience all its wonders! Small moments like discovering one’s own cubby space and big moments like a first nature walk are all brought to life with inviting artwork. This is a great book to help familiarize children with all the activities they can expect at school, from circle time to snack time to goodbye time, all the while sharing the experiences with lots of great new friends.

use these!

Cutting can be a lot of work when you’re a kid. Make it more fun for them with Fiskars kids scissors that have new color change handle designs. These heat-activated color changing-handles with playful pattern designs make getting creative fun! The longer the scissors are used, the more they change color.

Cutting is definitely more fun with these!

When kids are going back to school, it’s helpful to label the things they take with them- from their lunchboxes to water bottles, bookbags to books. SafetyTat’s Anywhere Labels are just the right way to do easily put their name on their stuff! They are dishwasher and washing machine safe when applied to any clean, dry solid surface, or care tags on clothing and soft toys.

remember this?

August 30th is National Slinky Day!

Did you have a Slinky as a kid? You need to share how awesome they are with your kids too! The Slinky was invented and developed by naval engineer Richard T. James in 1943 by a happy accident when it’s inventor knocked a spring off his desk and watched as the coil of wire tumbled across the floor. He thought that kids could have a lot of fun with something like this.

That’s how the idea of Slinky was born! It was demonstrated at Gimbels department store in Philadelphia in November 1945. The toy was a hit, selling its entire inventory of 400 units in ninety minutes. In its first 60 years, more than 300 million were sold worldwide. If you joined them all up they would encircle the earth more than 126 times.

During the Vietnam War, U.S. soldiers used Slinkys as mobile radio antennas.

Troy Tastes...

Restaurant: Chick-N-Fix Troy’s Score: 5 napkins

I

went to Chick-N-Fix in Watkinsville. Their specialty is fried chicken tenders and lots of sides. One of the cool things about this place is when you order 3 pieces of chicken they give you 4!

The smell of the food was fresh and ready to eat. When I saw the food come out, I was so happy because I saw the steam coming off it and I knew it was going to be good.

It smelled so amazing that I was licking my fingers before I started eating! These are my favorite chicken tenders because the batter is thin and not too crunchy. They are flaky and the inside is moist and not chewy.

Their sweet tea is the definition of southern sweet tea. They have a lot of fixin’s (sides).

There are so many that it is hard to pick a favorite. The service was good and the host was polite. Even the owner was there!

I recommend Chick-N-Fix to everyone because the food is very delicious and delightful.

I give it 5 out of 5 napkins!

Troy Aldrich is a local 10-year-old who enjoys food and is over the kids menu at most restaurants – but not everywhere. His reviews started as a summer teaching tool on opinion writing and appear in each issue of Athens-Oconee Parent Magazine. Troy guides parents to great places to take their kids to eat – from a kid’s point of view. Each restaurant is given a rating on a scale of 5 napkins. For more kid’s reviews go to Troytastes.com. www.athensparent.com 7

s

helping out

Schools are always in need of volunteer parent helpers, but with jobs or younger children at home, it can be difficult to budget the craft time to cut out fall leaves for the Kindergarten classroom. But, volunteering for your child’s school does more than help out a busy teacher and give you a warm, fuzzy feeling. Many studies on the effect of parental and community involvement in school show an academic benefit for students.

The evidence is consistent: many students whose parents volunteer in the school setting earn higher grades and test scores, have better social skills and tend to pursue higher education.

Parental involvement in the school changes according to the age and grade level of the student, from helping with craft projects in elementary to selling popcorn at the high school football game. Here’s a breakdown:

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL In elementary school, parent volunteers can often help directly in the classroom. Kids of elementary school age love to see Mommy or Daddy interact in their own classroom and, as a parent, this can be a valuable opportunity to put faces to the names of the kids your child talks about at the dinner table. Other benefits include seeing the teacher’s style, how the classroom operates and how your child interacts with others. Getting to know – and be known – by the school office staff is helpful also.

8 Athens-Oconee Parent

By Tiffany Doerr Guerzon

VOLUNTEERING at Your Child’s School: How & Why MIDDLE SCHOOL When children enter middle school, parents often stop volunteering. Classrooms are usually closed to parent helpers at the higher grade levels. (Not to mention the fact that many tweens and teens would be mortified by Mom showing up in their classroom.) In middle school, help is still needed in fundraising and parent-teacher organizations. By being involved, you show your child that school is important.

Plus, you can pick up information to help guide your child.

HIGH SCHOOL

n Minimize disruptions. If your

n Join the PTA. Meetings keep

child wants to run up and hug you or crawl into your lap, gently guide him back to his assigned task. Avoid texting or answering cell phone calls.

you in touch with what is going on behind the scenes at school and allow you to voice your opinion on school matters. n Be involved at home by talking

n Sign up early if possible. Most

schools have a background check and/or paperwork that must be completed before parents are allowed to interact with students.

VOLUNTEER AFTER SCHOOL HOURS n Attend parent-teacher con-

ferences and open houses. Face time with your child’s teacher is invaluable.

to your child about school, helping with homework and monitoring after-school activities. n Offer your talents. If you work

in marketing, maybe you can help with flyers. If you are an artist, perhaps a teacher could use a hand with art projects. Are you a great cook? Offer to organize a potluck dinner for teachers and staff on the nights they work late for conferences or donate cupcakes to the school bake sale. n Tiffany Doerr Guerzon is a freelance writer.

Once children enter high school, parents are relegated to a more supportive role.Volunteering models community involvement; parents who lead by example tend to have kids who grow up to be involved in their own communities.

VOLUNTEER DURING SCHOOL HOURS n Spend your time with all stu-

dents equally; avoid favoring your own child. n The teacher is boss. If your child or another student asks to go to the bathroom, refer them to the teacher. This is important for safety. The teacher needs to be aware of where students are at all times.

plant, rke County students Volunteers help Cla SPECIAL PHOTOS ty. un bo n’s de gar their grow and distribute

Lili Hill with eleme nta

ry school garden stu

dents

Volunteer Lili Hill

I

’ve had the privilege to volunteer with three Clarke County School District (CCSD) schools in their school gardens over the past two years, with a weekly Junior Master Gardener class at Whit Davis

Elementary being my main focus for the 2017-18 school year. Some students really shine when they have the opportunity to apply their learned skills outside a classroom. Whether they are planting, watering, harvesting, or cooking and tasting what they have grown, seeing their faces light up is the only assurance you need that your volunteering is impacting their lives and bettering the lives of those around them. Junior Master Gardeners at Whit Davis Elementary installed an additional 4x8 garden bed for asparagus through a donation from Super Sod, participated at CCSD Maker Fest as presenters showing dozens of Fest participants how to make their own mini-greenhouse using recycled milk jugs to start seeds, started an herbal tea garden with mint and lemon balm with donations from UGArden, Students in Clarke County schools can become Junior Master Gardeners through the help of volunteers.

and joined The Good Seed Project from A Tasty Bite to grow

spinach, lettuce, and kale to donate to the Athens Area Emergency Foodbank this past spring. Every school in CCSD has garden spaces that can be utilized; all they need are some occasional volunteers to help with upkeep/seasonal clearing so the spaces are ready for teachers when they need them! www.athensparent.com 9

helping out Volunteer Sarah Resutek

I

love being with the kids…my own kids and their friends and classmates. I also like to get to know the teachers, beyond the meet the teacher and parent/teacher conferences. I also enjoy knowing that I’m helping out! That the teachers can focus more on instruction if I can cut out the art project of the day for them.

Dads on Duty at Oconee County Elementary School ...

Volunteer CJ Amason

I

began volunteering in the Clarke County School District when my oldest child started kindergarten in 1995, and I’ve been there ever since! Little did I realize that most of my important relationships, both personal and professional, would grow from this “ordinary” parental obligation. Hopefully I have made a difference in the lives of the students and employees in the CCSD over these last 20 plus years, but the impact they have had on my own life, family, and career is incalculable.

And now, after all of my own children have graduated, I am more involved than ever. My “elevator speech” is that a small but dedicated and intentional amount of time can make a tremendous difference in the lives of both kids and teachers.

Volunteer at a Clarke County School!

T

he options and places to serve are virtually endless. My first suggestion is to make a contact with a local school that is close to home or work or is on your regular “life route”; this will usually make it easier to be consistent. The Clarke County Mentor Program (www.clarkecountymentorprogram.org) will pair you with one special child (or MORE if you want!) who wants and needs a relationship with a caring adult.

Two great resources to find specific ways to connect in the Clarke County School District for an individual, group, faith community, business, etc. are:

...Volunteer Steve Nugent

P

arent involvement is critical in my child’s education. I can see first-hand the effect it has on grades, social skills, behavior, and how they treat other people. We are so fortunate to live in a community that fosters parent involvement in the schools. It is looked upon as something that makes a difference in the child’s life. Dads on Duty at OCES is a great opportunity for dads to interact not only with their child, but with the entire OCES community. Having the dads around is awesome!

10 Athens-Oconee Parent

• Claire Suggs Chief of Community Engagement and Strategic Partnerships Clarke County School District Email: suggsc@clarke.k12.ga.us Phone: 706-546-7721 x20784 • Mary Walsh Wickwire Office of Public Relations and Communications Clarke County School District Email: wickwirem@clarke.k12.ga.us Phone: 706-546-7721 x20703

www.athensparent.com 11

good to know

12 Athens-Oconee Parent

What You Need to Know About

Immunizations

W

ith summer vacation coming to a close, have you considered contacting your pediatrician or local health department to find out if your child is up to date on their immunizations? Making sure vaccinations are done on time as recommended by the CDC is important for the long-term health of your child as well as others.

Outbreaks of measles, whooping cough and other preventable diseases still occur today.

This makes vaccines one of the best defenses against sixteen potentially harmful diseases.

Whether your little one is starting school for the first time or returning, immunizations that are required prior to entry vary by age.

Music Education Honored in Clarke County Schools

I got the music in me!

Clarke County School District (CCSD) has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education.

The Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. To qualify for the Best Communities designation, CCSD answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, and community music-making programs. Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.

“In a town with a rich musical history like Athens, the opportunities that we can offer all of our children through music education are immense,” said Dr. Demond Means, Superintendent of Clarke County School District. “This designation is further evidence of our commitment to offer every child the very best in all aspects of education.”

This award recognizes that CCSD is leading the way with learning opportunities as outlined in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The legislation guides implementation in the states and replaces the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) which was often criticized for an overemphasis on testing-while leaving behind subjects such as music. ESSA recommends music and the arts as important elements of a well-rounded education for all children.

• Children starting Kindergarten this year will need the 3231 immunization form showing proof of 4 doses of DTaP, 3 Hepatitis B, 2 Hepatitis A, 2 MMR, 4 Polio and 2 Varicella (Chicken Pox).

• Children attending middle school (ages 11 and 12) will need Tdap, and meningococcal vaccine.

• It is recommended that females ages 11-26 and males ages 11-21 receive HPV vaccination to prevent certain adult cancers. When the two doses are administered before age 15, only two doses of HPV are required rather than three.

For questions concerning vaccines, immunization scheduling, or your child’s immunization record, contact your local Health Department or Pediatrician. n

PHOTOS COURTESY CCSD

www.athensparent.com 13

on your mind

d

By Jonathan C. Robinson, Ph.D.

Dear Dr. Robinson,

Summer’s been great! We are all exhausted, but in a good way. Of course, my husband and I are geared up for the new school year, but the kids don’t want summer to end. We’re getting a lot of pleading, begging, grouching, and sulking. Why can’t they just feel good about all that we’ve done with and for them this summer, and be ready to be back in school?

Signed, Pleased but Puzzled Dear Pleased, It sounds like you and George are on a different page than your kids. No surprise there.

End of summer is the time of year where some families stumble into the school year with a lot of yelling and demanding. That’s no fun for anyone. The reality is that transition to the new school year is a fact of life. It’s going to happen whether all parties want it or not.

So, what to do to ease the tension and pull together on the transition?

First, consider your children’s behavior not so much as manipulation as evidence of their emotional fever. What to do with emotional fevers? That’s right. Active listening. This is your opportunity to hear their feelings and feed them back to them. As they feel heard, there will be less begging, pleading, grouching, and sulking.

However, once their emotional fevers are down, switch to problem-solving. They take the lead on how to effectively transition to the new school year. As they bring up non-starters and lapse into begging again, tenderly but purposefully confront them. Go on another short vacation? No! Why not?

No! But… What part of “No” don’t you understand? Active listen their frustration and then redirect.

After you’ve established the boundaries, redirect the discussion toward what all of you can do to make a good transition. New

14 Athens-Oconee Parent

“New Rules” school clothes? Homework desk supplies?

Reminiscing good times? Goals and objectives for the new school year? Looking forward to reconnecting with school friends?

Use a wall calendar posted in a common area (kitchen? den?) to spread out the family do-list for when school day arrives. Heap lots of praise for cooperation and task completion.

Stick to your guns and spread the load. When the kids realize you mean business, they will embrace the tasks and fall into step for the new school year.

Dear Dr. Robinson,

My husband and I just brought our newborn home from the hospital. We are thrilled to have our third son. Adam’s brothers are two and six years old. Benjy, our two year old, seems very jealous of his baby brother. He wants to hold him. He keeps his hands in Adam’s face. We tell him “no” and swipe his hands away, and Benjy just dissolves into tears.

I fear we are making things worse, but we can’t have this behavior from Benjy toward his little brother.

Signed, Going Crazy Dear GC, Ahh. Sibling rivalry. It starts very young, doesn’t it? You know, of course, that Benjy is just curious. He wonders who this new person is. He’s also jealous. He’s not the center of attention anymore. He sees Adam as a threat and an interloper.

And yet, what you describe, both from Benjy and for yourself, is all very normal and expected. From the sibling’s perspective, newborns are both the best and the worst thing ever to happen to them. Of course, your oldest son is able to be somewhat helpful to his new brother.You don’t mention his issues, as I imagine he’s protective and pitching in.

Benjy, on the other hand, is old enough to

be mobile and curious, but not old enough to be considerate and helpful. At least not with close instruction and supervision. Here’s my two cents.

It’s not too late to have a family meeting.

All hands on deck, even Adam. Make your observations of concerns you have. Also, normalize the changes in family and how you all can manage these new things. Ask a lot of questions of your children. What’s different in the house? How does that make you feel?

How can we all adjust to these differences?

What can you do to help? How will things change over time?

Because Adam and Benjy are closer in age to each other than either is to your oldest, Benjy doesn’t yet understand that he has an emerging playmate and best friend in Adam.

Benjy’s used to being the youngest in the family, so you need to help him understand how his role is changing. Talk about how everybody needs attention and how the family can meet those needs while also keeping Adam safe and caring for him as the littlest and most vulnerable.

After clearing the air, you and your husband might want to create new rules for the house that account for Adam’s arrival. Be sure to post any new rules you adopt and any time-sharing that comes up. Many parents in multi-child homes make effort to have oneon-one time with each child at some point each week, in addition to family time and activities. Congratulations on your new arrival.

Hope these thoughts help. n

Dr. Robinson is a licensed, clinical psychologist. His specialty is in school-clinical, child psychology, with emphasis on child development, parenting and family counseling. He is also author of Teachable Moments: Building Blocks of Christian Parenting, now available nationwide in bookstores and on-line as an e-book.

www.athensparent.com 15

calendar Ongoing n Fantastic Fridays* Drop in gymnastics for ages 10 months to 4 years. An instructor supervises the fun while parents and/or caregivers lead their little ones through amazing obstacle courses. Bishop Park Gym, 10-11:30am, $5-$7.50/child, 6133589. *Beginning 8/10 n Knee High Naturalist Who used the bathroom here?

What crept by the river? Who left this mess? Come discover an outdoor adventure where we look for signs of animals throughout the Sandy Creek Nature Center. Ages: 3-5 years, with adult. Alternate Wednesdays, 9/5-11/14, 3:30-4:30pm, $24-$36, preregistration required online. athensclarkecounty.com/148/ Leisure-Services 613-3615 n Farmers Markets Enjoy locally and naturally grown food, crafts, art and sometimes music, crafts and cooking demonstrations at these weekly events.

Athens: Saturdays at Bishop Park 8am-noon; Wednesdays at Creature Comforts Brewing Company 4-7pm, athensfarmersmarket.net Watkinsville: Saturdays at Oconee County Courthouse 8am-1pm downtown Watkinsville, oconeefarmersmarket.com n Athens Mothers’ Center

Social Group

Are you a new or expectant mom or have you recently moved to the Athens area? Are you seeking new friends for yourself and your children? Come and meet other moms experiencing similar joys and challenges! We support moms by offering casual chat and activity groups, social events, and information about community resources in a non-judgmental, non-denominational setting.

AMC meets Tuesday and Friday mornings from 9:30-11:30am year round (except when Clarke County Schools are closed). Dads 16 Athens-Oconee Parent

Compiled by Chris Parsons

are welcome on Fridays. Children are welcome in all groups, but moms of toddlers and preschoolers may take advantage of wonderful on-site childcare for a nominal fee. Covenant Presbyterian Church facebook.com/ groups/athens.mothers.center. community/ n The Cartoon Show Exhibit The ACC Library is proud to present an exhibition of Athens-based cartoon artists in the Quiet Gallery through September 15. Alex Burns, Patrick Dean, David Mack, Scott Stripling, Devlin Thompson, Klon Waldrip, Joey Weiser will be showcased.

Athens-Clarke County Library’s Quiet Gallery 613-3650 n Unique Collection of Russian

Art Comes to Georgia

From Russia to Finland to London to Massachusetts and now to Athens, Georgia, the Belosselsky-Belozersky Collection has traveled the world. “One Heart, One Way: The Journey of a Princely Art Collection” is on view at the Georgia Museum of Art at the University of Georgia until January 6, 2019. Georgia Museum of Art, georgiamuseum.org

Some events, dates and times are subject to change.

Please call individual event organizers to confirm schedules.

All area codes are 706 unless otherwise noted.

August 2018 11 Little Athens Children’s Museum Monthly PopUp

Come check out all of the current exhibits for FREE at Georgia Square Mall. 10am-12pm. littleathens.org

14 Toddler Tuesday: Horses and Helmets

Join us for a tour, story time in the galleries and an art activity just for the little ones. Inspired by the exhibition “One Heart, One Way,” toddlers will decorate their own animal-themed helmet. This free, 40-minute program is designed for families with children ages 18 months to 3 years. Space is limited; please emailsagekincaid@uga.edu or call 542-0448 to reserve a spot. Georgia Museum of Art, 10:00-11:00am

Swap at the Oconee County Library

n Tiny Tales on Tuesdays Storytime at Memorial Park

Story time and a craft on Tuesdays starting Aug 14, 21, 28, Sep 11, 18, 25. at 10:30am. Ages 18 months to 6 years. $3 per child.

Memorial Park Recreation Hall.

Register online at accgov.com/ leisure

23 Baby Music Jam!

Join us for a sing-a-long and lots of fun! Children and caregivers play musical instruments, sing, and dance together. Oconee County Library, 10:30am 769-3950

25 Twilight Trek at Zoo Atlanta

Ever wonder what the animals are up to after the sun goes down? Join an after-hours evening adventure for the whole family. Use night-vision scopes to observe zoo animals, simulate tracking of wildlife, and meet animal ambassadors as you learn about conservation efforts and wildlife biologists. Register at zooatlanta.org

25-26 Books for Keeps Book Sale

n Get Ready for the Costume Collecting costumes beginning Tuesday, Sept 4 through Oct 12 in preparation for the Oconee County Library’s Costume Swap on Saturday, Oct. 13! Bring in your costumes you want to swap now, and come back in October to pick out a new one for free.

769-3950

helmet inspired by those worn

by Her Majesty’s Horse Guards in 19th-century Russia. This free, drop-in program will focus on the exhibition “One Heart, One Way: The Journey of a Princely Art Collection” and includes works of art from Russian Prince Alexander’s art collection. Georgia Museum of Art, 10:00am12:00pm 542-4662

16-19 Books for Keeps Book Sale

BFK will be holding its annual book sale at 1055 Gaines School Road, next door to the new Aldi.

All proceeds go directly to their local program, helping to collect, buy and distribute high-quality, high-interest books to children in Athens who might not otherwise have access to books during the summers. Be sure to check out times and more details at books forkeeps.org/bfk-book-sale/

19 Family Day: One Heart, One Way Join us for gallery activities and to make your own full dress

If you missed last weekend, the BFK annual book sale continues at 1055 Gaines School Road, next door to the new Aldi. All proceeds go directly to their local program, helping to collect, buy and distribute high-quality, high-interest books to children in Athens who might not otherwise have access to books during the summers. Be sure to check out times and more details at books forkeeps.org/bfk-book-sale/

28 Lego Club at the Oconee County Library

Let’s build! Join us in creating Lego art and playing Lego-based activities. Lego blocks provided!

Children up to age 11. 4pm 7693950

28 Sunflower Music Series: Chickasaw Mudd Puppies

Summer was made for outdoor

concerts – and so was the amphitheater and terraced lawns in the Flower Garden. Expect a mixture of rock, Americana, and blues with a dose of punk and an urge to dance. Botanical Garden, 7:00-9:00pm, $15; $5 children ages 6 – 12, 542-6156

30 Infant Storytime

This is a special Storytime for our youngest readers-to-be, 0-24 months. Stories, songs, nursery rhymes, bouncing, cuddling, and playtime. Oconee County Library, 10:30am 769-3950

Sept. 2018 1 Stuffed Animal Sleepover

Bring a stuffed animal and come in your PJs for a special storytime, crafts, and then an exciting sleepover for your toy! Oconee County Library, 2pm 769-3950

8 Family Day: Portraits and Photography

Join us to explore black-andwhite photography and make your own photograph. Inspired by the exhibition “Vernacular Modernism” and her iconic images of rural craftsmen and women of Appalachia, this program will include gallery activities and an art project. Georgia Museum of Art, 10:00am12:00pm 542-4662

9 Celebrate Grandparents Day 11 Lego Club at the Oconee County Library

Let’s build! Join us in creating Lego art and playing Lego-based activities. Lego blocks provided!

Children up to age 11. 4pm 769-3950

15 27th Annual Insect-ival

Join Garden staff and volunteers for this creepy, crawly, and definitely fun Family Festival.

Discovery stations, roach and beetle races, an insect café, puppet shows and, of course, lots of live insects will also highlight this year’s event! At 11am we will host our annual butterfly release on the lawn of the International Garden. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to view dozens of native butterflies flap their wings above your head! Insect-ival is sponsored by the Garden, the UGA Lund Club, the UGA Department of Entomology, and the Georgia Museum of Natural History. Pre-registration is not required. State Botanical Garden, 9:30am-12:30pm, $5/person, $20max/family, children under 2 Free, 542-6156

8 Little Bear’s Big Adventure

Explore friendship and imagination with Else Holmelund Minarik’s timeless stories of Little Bear. Journey to the moon, bundle up for cold weather, and pass along Little Bear’s grandmother’s “kiss” in a game of hot potato! Ages 3-8 and their caregiver. Athens-Clarke County Library, 11am 613-3650

8 Little Athens Children’s Museum Monthly PopUp

Come check out all of the current exhibits for FREE at Georgia Square Mall. 10am-12pm. littleathens.org

18 Toddler Tuesday: In Black and White

Join us for a tour, story time in the galleries and an art activity just for the little ones. Discover black-and-white photographs of the craftsmen and women of Appalachia, and make your creation.

This free, 40-minute program is designed for families with children ages 18 months to 3 years.

Space is limited; please email sagekincaid@uga.edu or call 542-0448 to reserve a spot.

Georgia Museum of Art, 10:00-11:00am

18 Paw Patrol Skate

Marshall, Skye, and Chase will be here for your kiddos to meet and take pics with during the skate session. Fun Galaxy Skating, 1-4pm 546-5951

20 Baby Music Jam!

Join us for a sing-a-long and lots of fun! Children and caregivers play musical instruments, sing, and dance together. Oconee County Library, 10:30am 769-3950

22 Shipwreck on Pirate Cove

Join us as we use our imagination to travel to Pirate Cove and learn about famous pirates throughout history and learn how to become a pirate yourself. Ages 5-10 and their caregiver. Athens-Clarke County Library, 11am 6133650

25 Lego Club at the Oconee County Library

15 Dad and Me Bilingual Storytime: All the Way to Havana

“So we purr, cara cara, and we glide, taka taka, and we zoom, zoom, ZOOM!” Jump in your Cara Cara and spend the morning at the library with your dad or male caregiver (moms are welcome, too). Ages 4-11 and their caregiver. Athens-Clarke County Library, 11am 613-3650

of his peers and many of rock’s finest luminaries. While having shared stages with artists such as Steve Winwood, Bonnie Raitt, The Allman Brothers, and Widespread Panic, among others, it’s Bramblett’s own career as frontman where his artistry is truly on full display. Botanical Garden, 7:009:00pm, $15; $5 children ages 6 – 12, 542-6156

Let’s build! Join us in creating Lego art and playing Lego-based activities. Lego blocks provided! Children up to age 11. 4pm 769-3950

25 Sunflower Music Series: Randall Bramblett

Summer was made for outdoor concerts – and so was the amphitheater and terraced lawns in the Flower Garden. Highly sought-after for his creativity as both a collaborator and skilled touring sideman, Bramblett’s talent has earned him the respect

25-28 Pirate Week at the Oconee County Library

Arrrr, matey! Join us for pirate-themed activities all week long as we celebrate Pirate Week! Scavenger Hunt, pirate-themed storytimes on Tues and Wed, and make daily pirate crafts daily 2-4pm. Friday pirate movie- 4pm. 769-3950

27 Infant Storytime

This is a special Storytime for our youngest readers-to-be, 0-24 months. Stories, songs, nursery rhymes, bouncing, cuddling, and playtime. Oconee County Library, 10:30am 769-3950

29 Lego Club at the Athens-Clarke County Library

Let’s build! Join us in creating Lego art and playing Lego-based activities. Lego blocks provided!

Children up to age 11. 11am 613-3650 n

www.athensparent.com 17

time for change

By Amy Lasseter

What your children struggle with at school and how you struggle at work isn’t all that far apart!

i

Breeze Your Way Through Fall Transitions

It’s that time of year again: apples, yellow pencils and laughter rising up from playgrounds across the county. These are some of the images you may have as new school year approaches … I know those are some of mine.

Since having kids, though, I feel an increase in stress, worry and even irritation about it. If you feel this way, keep reading, friend, because you and I are going to work through the fall transition together.

See, my stress, worry and irritation come from the fact that my family has just now fallen into the summer rhythm! A new pattern and a new system was just established that allows us to know what’s coming next. And now, after taking 3-4 weeks to get the new rhythm down, we’re going to scrap it all and start fresh. Again. (sigh…)

To be honest, our family struggles around transitions, as do a lot of other families I know.

Transitions are hard and it’s left me wondering, “Why is that?” and “Is there a way to make transitions like going back to school easier for all of us?”

Quite simply:Yes! It all centers around understanding what you’re really dealing with when your son or daughter bursts into tears simply because you’ve asked them to finish eating their favorite meal and you’re confused and tired beyond all belief!

Everything is All New, All the Time There are many reasons why you might be at your wits end when your child busts into tears for what appears to be no reason. The first thing to understand is: Everything is new. Everything. Particularly when you’re talking about going back to 18 Athens-Oconee Parent

school (yup, it’s even different for you!) How can that be? Let’s pause and think about it from your child’s perspective for a minute because there are many new things your children are experiencing such as: • Pick-up/drop off time • Friends in different classrooms • Seat mate on the bus • Different babysitter or caregiver at home • Afterschool activities How it might be different for you is: • Alone in the house during the day • Going back to work • Struggling with not knowing what to do • Ramp up of school activities and volunteer hours • Competing afterschool activities for your child/ren This all takes adjustment on everyone’s part and it’s hard. Even though your own personal tolerance is likely significantly better, it can still be hard and you’ve had many years of practice.Your son or daughter, well, they’ve only been able to practice the number of years they’ve been going to school…and it’s hard when it’s all new and everything is overwhelming.

This leads us to the second reason that transitions are hard…

Energy Management Everyone talks about “time management” and maybe you’ve convinced yourself that if you and your household could only manage time better then everything would be better.

Guess what? Time management isn’t your biggest problem, energy management is.

I know! Every time I’d ask a parent, leader, business owner or client, “What do you want

to do and how do you want to spend your time?” I’d get the same response, “Well, I want to do it all,” or they would have a list of activities where at least half landed on the same day.

A whole new ballgame started when I shifted my question to, “Where do you want to spend your energy?” The responses became different because the focus had shifted to parents and leaders focusing what they wanted to teach, role model, and embody for their family and teams.

Entering this line of thinking will change the approach to goals and even the goals themselves.

This line of thinking is highly linked to values, purpose, and intention setting. The change brought by this line of thinking created some amazing results like: happiness, contentment, improved relationships and deeper alignment.

How do energy and time meet up (and not meet up) when we’re talking about the challenges and struggles around transitions?

Energy Management Creates Renewal When you’re more aligned with who you are, and what you’re creating, you get renewed energy because you know you’re focused on the things that will serve and support everyone in the highest way which leaves room for…

New Expectations & Goals Each time you go up a grade, things get harder and more nuanced. It becomes even more challenging when new things like: • New teachers mean new classroom rules and expectations.

• New skills, knowledge, and information to

www.athensparent.com 19

learn and obtain • New people in class which means changes in friendships and social behavior to navigate • New emotional and intellectual barriers to deal with and move through Learning and working to develop and obtain new skills is hard and will call you to question your abilities (what we adults like to call “imposter syndrome” or feeling like a fraud) and that’s hard for children to wrap their minds around.

Navigating this is more than challenging because there is a quiet, deeply held belief you are that you think or feel. Even as adults we struggle with understanding willpower and how feelings and thoughts are temporary…so imagine what it’s like for a young mind.

Transitioning in and out of things is HARD because it brings up and out all your own emotions, thoughts, and worries too.

As your children move up in grades you are left to confront your own memories, fears and worries when you were that age. Questions you may want to ask yourself: • Did you struggle in school? Did it come easy? What barriers did you have to deal with?

• How is this affecting your ability to relate to your children now? Is your frustration increasing?

As the leader, and household CEO, it becomes your responsibility to manage your internal stresses and make sure you’re using your home as a dumping ground. If transitions are difficult for you, it will be a painful time and will be even more so if you have a traveling spouse, a partner who isn’t involved or you’re a solo parent.

With deeper alignment and new goals you’re likely to experience

Loss of Friendship & Group Identity This struggle is hard because you often become friends with your children’s friends’ parents. What happens when kids fight and no longer play and talk? Or your no longer doing the same afterschool activities?

Ultimately, these shifts change the dynamic in all areas of your life. This can mean not only a loss of friendships but a loss of group identity and not knowing who’s there to support you or where you belong.

So, not only are your children struggling with the grief and loss of a friendship – so are you.You’ve built, and have now lost, relationships and the various support system you created within that context. When multiple people are grieving it creats an environment for needs that may conflict resulting in competing dynamics that are challenging to navigate and manage.

Sound Familiar to You? If this all sounds like things that you struggle with in your business or work environment, then you’re right! Much of what you and your kids experience at school is very much like what you experience in another part of your life: your workplace. Just change the words accordingly.You can see how what your children struggle with at school and how you struggle at work isn’t all that far apart. And what happens when you are dealing with these issues at work and at home?

When things aren’t that far apart, like we’ve discovered here, it can really take a toll on us personally. This all brings us to the big, main question that you and I were talking about from the start: • What can I do to make transitions easier?

• How can I walk myself and children through it while we’re in it?

Following are four tips to help you understand and overcome the stress that comes with transition, for you and your kids: 20 Athens-Oconee Parent

4

TIPS for Sailing Through Transitions

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ou really do have options when you are in the middle of a messy, hard, painful transition. The first one I’m going to give you is going to seem really obvious, and yet…you miss it all the time (and so do I!) Truth time: if you’re parenting then you’re always in transition.You have a breather moment and then it’s gone; so you’ll find yourself saying things like: “Yeah, it’s hard, but it’s always hard,” or “Sure, but this happens every year.”

Things you might say at work are, “This is hard and never seems to get better,” or “That’s just how it is.”

Yes, the struggles around starting school, a new job, learning a new skill, or taking on a new responsibility is something that often happens and that doesn’t make it any less hard when you experience it.You’ve never experienced it, in this way, at this time, when you and your children are all this age and in the emotional space in which you all currently reside.

This first tip will seem obvious and yet, it needs to be said…

1

Be willing to recognize you’re in a transition. Simply because it happens all the time doesn’t mean it’s easy (think back to the article, The Re-education of Simple v Easy.) You have to acknowledge where you are and what you’re struggling with to get to a better, happier place. Just because it looks simple doesn’t mean it’s easy because you know these are two completely different things that don’t always go together.

2

Consider the personalities of all involved. Earlier, it was mentioned that you and your child’s needs and coping styles may compete. When this happens, it can make things doubly hard because you begin to experience the feelings and thoughts that no one is getting what they need or want (enter in guilt and resentment!) because everyone’s needs are competing against each other! So, keep your relationship with yourself, your kids (or colleagues) intact by making a point to…

3

Create and keep space open in daily schedules for different needs. Listen, parenting is hard. Going back to school, finding a new rhythm, and working in a new environment or with new (and old) colleagues can be hard. Remember,

when you’re in a transition you’re going to have to give yourself some room to breathe.

Be prepared to give yourself, and everyone involved, more space in the schedule for temper tantrums, crying spells, shouts of anger, hungry snack time spells, and low energy (and I’m not just talking these things in relation to you child- I’m talking about you too!) Ultimately, transitions are a period in which changes occurs; and no matter how welcome the change, all change requires redirection of energy and focus. Finally, you’re going to need one last additional thing…

4

Give yourself, and your children, grace. When you’re redirecting energy and focus because of a transition, the truth is that everyone is in a learning curve.

Missteps, mistakes, screwups and fumbles are going to happen because that’s what naturally happens when you’re learning. Be prepared to extend yourself, and who ever needs it, some grace. It’s hard to make mistakes in front of other people when you’re learning. It feels like your most vulnerable moments are on display and, in return, you’re going to need some grace and courage to make it through the vulnerable learning curve too…because it all takes time.

Transitions and Learning Curves: What it All Means Here’s the truth about transitions and learning curves: it requires vulnerability, courage, and redirection of energy and focus. When you’re learning something new, you’re going to need some added willingness to recognize where you are, a greater understanding of how personalities and needs are changing (and how they may compete against each other), room in your schedule to meet those needs, and some grace for the moments when you stumble and it’s imperfect.

Being in the wake of change is challenging and it’s reasonable to extend yourself a little more breathing room in all the ways mentioned here, particularly in the way of selfcare, compassion, and forgiveness.

Trust me, you’re worth it! n

Amy Lasseter is a Growth & Success Strategist; your “Goto-Goal Girl.” Grab more info at amylasseter.com. www.athensparent.com 21

y

tidying up

By Liz Conroy

Madness & Methods

Young children enjoy helping adults with simple chores. This is especially true if the adult appreciates the child’s effort even when the results are imperfect. Tidying up is an important chore to learn early. As retired preschool teacher Janie Voss suggests, “Be attentive, and when very young children show interest in chores, that’s the perfect time to start teaching small steps. Even if it isn’t done as the parent would like, it’s better to go with the flow.” She also advises, “No rewards, stars or allowance should be necessary.”

Voss and other experienced teachers know how to use clear communication for cleanup time.Youngsters learn that, before snacks, games, or another project begins, they must tidy up their work or play areas. Toys, art supplies or other items are returned to their clearly marked places in easily reachable boxes or shelves. A song often helps move the job along: “Cleanup, cleanup. This is what we do. Cleanup, cleanup. It’s fun to work with you.” Make up the tune and add words. It’s energizing to sing while wiping tables clean.

Voss suggests: “Play a favorite song and see if everything can be done before a song is over or two or three songs, depending on the amount of clean up necessary.”

What about teens?

The teen years arrive and something seems to happen. My older daughter kept her room somewhat tidy. My younger daughter flung her things on the floor without a care. An insightful book, The Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo (KonMari) may be useful to today’s parents of untidy teens.

The shorter, teen version, The Life-changing Manga of Tidying Up: A Magical Story, is a graphic novel illustrated by manga artist Yuko Uramoto.

KonMari recommends a philosophical process before any clutter is touched. Ask the teen to visualize what life would be like in tidy surroundings. “What happiness looks like for me . . . .,” muses Chiaki – the disorganized character 22 Athens-Oconee Parent

It’s all about shelves!

Easy-to-reach shelves make it easy for younger kids to tidy up. For older kids, a high shelf with cubbies keeps things off the floor and creates a tidier look. PHOTOS BY MITZI BROWN AND SANDY CREEK NATURE CENTER in the graphic novel in need of guidance.

Chiaki’s initial response to begin cleaning was to bring forth various storage containers.

Sounds like a good idea, right? No, according to KonMari. “Storage is not the answer to clutter! You must begin by discarding!”

Actually, the KonMari Method is even more specific: It’s not about choosing what to discard, but what to keep. She writes, “The best criterion for choosing what to keep is this: Does it spark joy when you touch it?”

This may sound silly, but it really works.

Ask your teen to touch each item and keep only those things that bring a sense of joy. As KonMari notes, “The true purpose of your home and your things is to bring you happiness.

So, naturally, the criterion for choosing should be whether keeping something will make you happy – whether it will bring you joy.”

Next comes tidying up by category. Chiaki asks, “You mean tidying just clothes or just books all at once?” The answer is yes! Clothing is the easiest place to start. Bring everything out and pile them in one place. Start with off-season clothes which are easier to judge since they aren’t needed right away. KonMari reminds readers, “If you keep only what sparks joy, you’ll have just the amount you need.”

Books are next. Ask your teens to put all their books on the floor, then pick up each book and choose just the ones that spark joy.

The remainder can be donated to libraries, schools, or any organization that can use them, giving other readers joy. KonMari even recommends expressing gratitude for items

that served their purpose well. For example, “Thanks Goodnight Moon for being my favorite bedtime story years ago.”

Papers follow books. Here the KonMari method is strict. Ask these questions: Are you currently using it often? Is it needed for a limited period of time? Is it something that you need to keep indefinitely (such as birth certificates or passports)? Anything sentimental must be left for last.

Sentimental items are tough to discard. But KonMari points out: “We live in this moment.

Who you are now is more important than memories of your past.” Discarding a trinket or ticket stub doesn’t mean that the memory is lost. We can be thankful for our experiences and know they’re still with us even after discarding items associated with them.

Students especially feel better when their space and possessions are organized for school and other activities. They experience less stress and more ease at finding necessary items as they rush out the door. Learning to discard unneeded items and keep only what sparks joy is a life lesson.

I recommend Marie Kondo’s books for anyone who would like to end clutter, reduce stress, and have a more enjoyable living space.

• The Life-changing Manga of Tidying Up: A Magical Story, California: Ten Speed Press, 2017 • The Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up, California: Ten Speed Press, 2014 n Liz Conroy is an Athens-based freelance journalist who is also learning to reduce clutter.

www.athensparent.com 23

the baby pages

By Sarah Danis

musthaves It’s so much fun to share these items that I think are great for babies and toddlers. Watch for our giveaways on Facebook of many of these items! If there’s an item you love and would like to see us share in our Must Haves list next year, please let us know! - Sarah, editor@athensparent.com

for babies & toddlers

SnoofyBee Clean Hands Changing Pad

is another Shark Tank invention that provides all the benefits of a standard portable changing station and diaper clutch, plus a barrier to hang toys from and gently redirect your child’s curiosity away from the mess. Once you have tried it, you will wonder where it has been all your life.

Tiny Love Super Mat is an easy-to-fold and carry extra-large developmental playground that inspires baby’s curiosity and encourages the development of gross motor skills. It also comes with an adjustable stand-alone mirror that helps engage baby and extend tummy time.

Toddlermonitor is a

smart monitor that is fully controlled by the free toddlermonitor app.

It hangs on a doorknob and alerts parents if their toddler leaves their bedroom or safe space.

It gives parents peace of mind, knowing that they will be alerted if their toddler is on the move, so that they can get a good night’s sleep.

24 Athens-Oconee Parent

Beebo has been seen on

Shark Tank, where a hands-on engineer dad successfully pitched this amazing invention! The Beebo frees up a hand during these precious moments, giving you the ability to read a book to your baby, massage and caress your baby, or even enjoy family meals together. It’s perfect for parents who bottle feed with pumped breast milk or formula.

Welcome Little One is a stunning keepsake baby journal, filled with beautiful National Geographic photography and inspiring prose, perfect for parents to record their infant’s first year from birth to birthday--and all the memories in between.

PockIt+ stroller is inspired by lightweight comfort and versatility. The Pockit+ now turns into a 2-in-1 travel system suitable from birth, and is perfect for traveling and saving space at home. At the breathtaking weight of 10.8 lbs. with a 14x7x14 inch fold, it is the epitome of traveling light. It has a large canopy with UPF50+ sun protection, swivel wheels, and a multi-adjustable back-rest.

www.athensparent.com 25

the baby pages

Simple Wishes™ Hands-Free Pumping Bra

frees up your hands during pumping sessions and it also helps create a better seal for your pump flanges, improving suction. Works with all electric breast pumps. Available in XS to L, or L-Plus.

Freemie Liberty Mobile Breast Pump delivers

true mobility with hospital-power suction and includes the Next Generation Freemie Closed System Collection Cups with an internal barrier that prevents milk in the tubing. It’s very small and very quiet- the most versatile and discreet breast pump system in the world. Milk collects in the Freemie Cups in your bra, underneath your clothing, safely and hygienically separated from the electronic pump motor. After pumping, remove the Cups and transfer your milk to storage and it can be charged from a computer, car USB port, etc.

Lansinoh SmartPump Double Electric Breast Pump uses Bluetooth technology to connect seamlessly to the Lansinoh Baby App, giving moms the opportunity to track pumping sessions, baby’s activities, and more, helping to simplify the routines that come with being a nursing mom. A hygienic closed system design keeps breastmilk from backing up into the motor or tubing to help prevent mold and bacteria. It can be used as a double electric pump or single electric pump.

26 Athens-Oconee Parent

Maxi-Cosi 5-in-1 Convertible Car Seat is designed to grow with

your child and provides a perfect fit from birth to 10 years. The seat transitions between modes of use to accommodate children from 5 to 120 lbs. Equipped with Maxi-Cosi’s patented Adjustable Side Impact Protection, the Magellan is tested beyond U.S. standards for superior safety. The innovative safety features are paired with Maxi-Cosi’s signature premium fabrics and contemporary, yet timeless look.

Cocoon Cam is the first ever

non-wearable baby breathing monitor with HD video and streaming audio,that also detects baby’s heart rate. It connects to your smartphone or tablet and uses cutting-edge computer vision technology to deliver breathing monitoring, instant alerts, and sophisticated sleep analytics. The computer vision allows you to monitor your baby without any wearables or mats.

Nanobébé’s starter set includes some of their most innovative essentials: Breastmilk Bottles to help preserve breastmilk nutrients during storage and warming, the nanobébé nonelectrical Smart Warming Bowl for quick and even warming of breastmilk, as well as nanobébé Flexy pacifiers.

T-Fal 5 Second Chopper features two

independent blades that provide efficient and progressive chopping in 5 seconds or less.

Perfect for chopping up food for finger foods and even small enough to make purees. The dishwasher safe design has a non-slip base and makes for easy clean up.

www.athensparent.com 27

Teachers! Teachers!

Grayce Bennett meets Mrs. Jenkins, 2nd grade teacher at High Shoals Elementary. t Smith is a 1s Christopher com Bridge grader at Mal d d the secon Elementary an be taught by Smith kid to Ms. Barnett!

JC starts kindergarten at Dove Creek Elementary in Mrs. Barrie’s class.

28 Athens-Oconee Parent

Graylin Bennett with Ms. Kaylie and Ms. Rebekah at Oconee Preschool Academy

Kindergartener Logan Smith with Ms. Breiner and Ms. Kim at Malcom Bridge El ementary.

This is the third an d final Smith kid to be taug ht by Ms. Kim!

Teachers!

Lydian Brock at Malcom Bridge Elementary finds her name on the list for Mrs. Quattlebaum’s class!

Malcom Brid ge Elementary sisters, Juli et and Lillian Johnson, po se with the school mas cot on their way to meet their teache rs.

Jake meets kindergarten teachers Mrs. Shelly and Mrs. Kim at Rocky Branch Elementary.

Ronak Shah and Mrs. Robinette, 2nd grade teacher at Malcom Bridge Elementary.

ow, Mavis and Mrs. Barr Dove 5th grade teacher at . ry Creek Elementa

Sarah meets kindergarten teacher Mrs. Nancy at Rocky Branch Elementary. www.athensparent.com 29

’til we meet again

Kids love to see their picture, and you’ll love the keepsake!

Send your photos and info to facebook at Athens-Oconee Parent Magazine

Emerson, 1 1/2

Campbell, 3

Greta, 2

John, 5

Lauren, 9, Owen, 7,Vincent, 13, and Eleanor, 2

Ari, 8 months

Easton, 7, Boston, 5, and Anniston, 2

Harlin, 8

Emily, 7, Trey, 9, and Joshua, 9

Jude, 6 1/2

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Alice DePass Studio of Dance 21

Children First 19

Newell Orthodontics 27

St. Mary’s Health Care System 2

Athens Academy 9

CTRU S.M.A.R.T Study 23

New Revolution TaeKwonDo 11

UGA Community Music 3

Athens Dentistry for Children 3

CTRU Teen Asthma Study 20

Oconee Youth School of Performance 27

United Team Sports Center 15

Athens Family Vision/Dr. Springer 9

Double Helix STEAM School 25

Prince Avenue Christian School 19

Wild Intelligence 20

Athens YMCA 23

Linder & Linder Family Dentistry 21

Pump It Up 31

Women’s Center of Athens 3

Clarke County School District 10

Manning Brothers 11

Rush Trampoline Park 4

NE GA Public Health Departments 11, 31

St. Joseph Catholic Parish School 23

30 Athens-Oconee Parent