Growing Up In The Valley
Publisher
Josh Eagan
josh@growingupinthevalley.com
Anika and Evelyn’s Dad
Editor
Andrea Eagan andrea@growingupinthevalley.com
Anika and Evelyn’s Mom
Creative Director
Tracy Fisher tracy@growingupinthevalley.com
Charlotte and Evelyn’s Mom
Director of Sales and Marketing
Dee Reynolds dee@mofatmedia.com
Aleyna’s Mom
Sales Executive/Kids Eat Free
Stephanie Cunningham stephanie@growingupinthevalley.com
Olivia and Ayden’s Mom
Sales Executive
Kristin Bringewatt kristin@growingupinthevalley.com
Distribution
Leigh Anne Woods law@growingupinthevalley.com
Photographers
Stefanie Weber, Jessica Farmer, Amanda Robinson
Writers
Teresa Martin, Amanda Powers, Rachel Robinson, Laura Wade, Katie Lewis, Kim Castner, Heidi Blackwelder
Interns
Daniel Castillo,
We welcome reader comments, submissions and the support of advertisers.
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Growing Up In the Valley and Growingupinthevalley.com are published by MoFat Publishing. Growing Up In the Valley is published monthly. The views and the opinions expressed by the writers and advertisers do not necessarily represnt those
Back To School Already?
It seems like it happens every year at this time. School starts before you and the kids are ready for it and you are caught in the myriad of backto-school sales and events at every store and mall.
To some parents in our area, back to school doesn’t happen until September, while others will be sending their kids on the bus just a few days after this issue hits stands! You can find all local school start dates in our calendar on page 36, or online at growingupinthevalley.com.
During these last few days of summer break while you are poolside, flip through the pages of our Back-ToSchool Issue to get some ideas on the cool gear your kids will surely ask for and learn some great tips from the experts at Carilion and Honeytree on how to make the best educational decisions for your young ones.
Last but not least, check out the new expanded Kids Eat Free section on page 36! After all the back-toschool shopping, your pockets may be a little light and you may not feel like cooking dinner. Our list of deals is sure to save you money and satisfy your hunger.
So in closing, to this intro and to summer, we wish all of our readers a great school year! We encourage all parents to be active participants in their children’s education at home and in school. Support the teachers and help them give your child the best school year they have ever had.
Quotable
The
funny things kids say
“My son came running to me in a panic and says, “Mom! I CANNOT SEE MY EYES!” ”
My nephew asks me to tie his shoes. I ask, “What’s the magic word?” And he excitedly says, “Abracadabra!”
I tell my 2-year-old that his ears must be tired because they’re not listening, and he responds, “No, they’re not tired. I think their batteries died.”
Andrea, Josh, Anika and Evelyn Eagan
One morning, my wife told my 3-year-old daughter that owls were nocturnal. My daughter responded, “Yes, owls are not turtles.”
Back-to-School Supply Guide Start the new school year in style!
10 Braces in Third Grade? Should you consider starting braces earlier than you thought?
26 How Much Screen Time Guidelines for parents
16 Ask The Expert: Gloria Fox Create a family command center and stay organized for the school year
25 Yogurt & Honey Dipped Strawberries Celebrate the end of summer with a sweet treat 12 It’s a Money Thing Learning financial independence
30 Water Gun Splatter Art Create works of art with a water gun
Family Calendar The biggest and best local event calendar 36 Kids Eat Free New & Expanded guide to kid-friendly dining deals
The Cover:
KC Bratton DAD of the Month
The most amazing man I know is a Father of 5, and his kids know him as Daddy. His name is KC Bratton, and he defines ‘personal sacrifice’ when it comes to his family. Every moment he spends with his children is deliberately cherished. This quality of being an outstanding father and daddy is innate to him. He doesn’t just spend time with them, he engages, interacts and guides them. He is the figure society lacks today, he is a parent and he puts this as a priority above being their friend.
After preparing dinner, the family joins hands at the dinner table to listen to each person share what they are thankful for. This is followed by family prayer, a reminder to be thankful for all things. The conversation at the table goes from daily activities, to world issues, to reminders about how to be a good citizen. The kids know the importance of respecting adults, honesty, and making good choices. They practice good etiquette and
manners. His son has been taught the “old school” way of thinking. He holds the door, insists that his sisters walk on the inside of the sidewalk, and stays behind to get their bags from the car. KC wants his children to grow to be good citizens, and they know what this means. The kids perform academically above average and although they are celebrated for their earned recognition, he challenges them to look to the future and continue to do so.
KC is also the main provider of security and necessities for the family. This man does it all. He leads by example by coaching football, to being the Chairman of the Explorer Park, a director at the recreational club, and a board member at the Square Society. He never misses a doctors visit, school activity, game, or game practices. It’s
the small things that steal my heart though, the night time stories - (from a book or a childhood memory), the make believe play, tickles and giggles.
I am blessed to watch this man lead his family by example, and give unconditional love every day. All though I tell him frequently, I don’t think he realizes how truly special he is as a person and in his role as a”Daddy”.
Submitted and Written by: Timberly Robertson
KC has won a $20 Gift Certificate for Famous Anthony’s for being chosen as our Dad of the month. If you would like to nominate a special parent for this award, email your story to andrea@growingupinthevalley.com.
BRACES IN THIRD GRADE?
Article by David Jones of McCorkle & Jones Orthodontics
Why are so many children starting orthodontics treatment early?
Ever wonder why you see so many elementary school children in braces? As a parent do you feel like you are missing some thing? It is true that the number of young children getting orthodontic treatment has grown significantly over the past decade according to the American Association of Orthodon tists. There are only a small number of orthodontic problems where early treatment has been scientifically documented to provide a significant and long lasting benefit. Most orthodon tic problems are more efficiently and effectively treated during the teen years, when the patients have most all of their adult teeth. However, there are certain situations where early (Phase I) treatment is highly recommended.
The majority of orthodon tic problems that are most effectively treated at a young age are skeletal in nature, involving the jaws. The most prevalent problem is known as crossbite. This is when the child has a narrow upper arch that causes the upper teeth to not line up with the low er teeth properly, which often leads to the child shifting their jaw toward one side.
in someone 8 or 9 years of age. If left untreated, this can lead to fracture or wear of the edges of the upper and lower front teeth and can cause permanent recession of gum tissues. These cases respond favorably to a brief first Phase of braces on just the upper front, and sometimes lower front, teeth. In severe underbite cases, face mask therapy may be indicated, where traction is applied to the upper jaw bringing it forward. If this treatment is employed in a child with a severe underbite growth pattern, it can often alleviate the need for jaw surgery as an adult.
For parents, the tricky part is figuring out if early treatment for your child is money and time well spent. This is when you need to be able to trust your orthodontist. An orthodontist has an additional 2-3 years of specialized training after dental school to properly evaluate and diagnose any problems with your child’s bite, jaw growth, and dental development. He or she can recommend treatment or no treatment based on the current scientific evidence, but as always, when in doubt, get a second opinion. Early treatment does not necessarily mean that your child will not need a second Phase of orthodontic treatment. It will address the current problems and in most cases will minimize the amount of treatment needed in the future. Should you have any specific questions, feel free to contact the team at McCorkle & Jones Orthodontics.
Living on your own for the first time can be empowering. It means having independence and all the things that come with it. Some of those things— like not having to share a bathroom— are wonderful. Others—like killing spiders yourself—are not so fun. And leading the pack in the not-so-fun category: bills.
Bills tend to sneak up on us because they don’t fit nicely into a routine. They all have different due dates, some are delivered to your mailbox and others to your inbox, some need to be paid monthly and others yearly, and some have amounts that fluctuate. It takes a lot of wrangling to get them all under control.
The Importance Of “Bill Time”
Bills may not stick to a routine, but you sure can. No matter how you keep track of your bills, you still need to take the time to manage them. It can be as simple as 15 minutes, once a week. “Bill time” lets you:
• Gather up any bills received that week (especially the ones that like hiding under your junk mail)
• Locate and/or print out any e-bills received that week
• Input the bill totals and their due dates into your calendar (or notebook, or spreadsheet, or budgeting app)
• See what bills need to be paid
• Pay those bills (online and/or writing
checks and mailing them)
• Mark those bills as paid (and revel in your self-satisfaction)
• Look ahead to see what your payment schedule looks like the following week and month
Sticking to the same day and time for “bill time” is important:
• It creates a routine that’s easy to follow
• It saves time by allowing you to tackle several payments at once
• It keeps you organized and aware of your payment schedule
• It’s the best way to eliminate the “out of sight, out of mind” problem
Now you need a system to keep track of it all. Luckily, there are so many ways to manage your bills that it’s easy to customize a system that works well for you.
Personal Finance Apps
If your smartphone is basically an extension of your body, using an app might be the best way to manage your bills. Although there are several standalone bill payment apps to choose from, you might also consider looking into more comprehensive budgeting apps that include bill management as a feature. If the apps are free, download a bunch of them and take a quick tour to see which one you like best. If you have to pay for an app, do some
research to understand the extent of its features before you buy it.
These questions may help you in your search:
• Is it a calendar-based, spreadsheet-based or list-based app?
• Can you pay bills from within the app?
• Does the app use a notification system to remind you of upcoming bills? Can you customize those notifications?
• Is the app secure? (This is especially important if you need to input your personal or banking information.)
• Is the app supported by your credit union?
• Is the app compatible with other apps you use (like your digital calendar)?
Digital Calendars
Personal finance apps can be helpful, but when it comes down to it, a generic calendar app is enough to help you stay on track. If you’re already a calendar app user, consider creating a sub-calendar with your bill payment schedule. Or, if you don’t like the idea of mixing “bill time” with leisure time, you can use a completely separate calendar app to manage your finances.
Digital Spreadsheets
Spreadsheets are typically more of a laptop or desktop solution than a smartphone solution (although some
Provided by Laurissa Grubb from Blue Eagle® Credit Union
software packages let you access your spreadsheets from anywhere). Most top budgeting programs include custom-designed spreadsheets, but there are also tons of free spreadsheet templates available for download that work with your default spreadsheet software— even Pinterest is full of them!
Reminders/Alerts
A reliable reminder app can give your bill management system a powerful boost. If your bill payment app is lacking when it comes to notification options, a dedicated reminder app can make up for it. If you prefer organizing your finances on paper, you can still set up digital alerts to make sure you stay on track. And don’t forget to set up a recurring reminder for your weekly “bill time”!
On Paper
Using pen and paper to manage your bills might sound completely old school—especially when there are so many digital alternatives available—but some people have much more success creating a payment schedule the analog way. There’s just something about writing things down and physically ticking items off a list that can make the process feel more “real” and tangible
than doing the digital equivalent on your phone or laptop. So if you find yourself slipping on your payments no matter how many apps you download, give paper a try.
Paper Calendars
If you’re a visual person, a calendar system is a great way to go. Wall calendars and agenda-style calendars work equally well (the dollar store and free printable templates are the cheapest way to get started). Mark down your paydays and your bills in your calendar, and come up with a consistent way to note when bills have been paid (like highlighting them).
Paper Spreadsheets
Some people feel more organized if they have their spreadsheets printed out and sorted in a binder or notebook. A quick search on Google or Pinterest will connect you with tons of free, beautifully designed and printable spreadsheets that you can use to build your bill payment system.
Pro Tip
No matter what system you end up using, this tip can help you avoid getting hit with a late fee. If you’re
using a calendar-based system, write down your bills and their due date on the day on which you plan to pay them (not on their actual due date). It helps you stay ahead of the game and buys you a little extra time if you do happen to slip up.
Visit the It’s A Money Thing page on BlueEagleCreditUnion.com for more tips on moving out and watch how Jen gets educated in the humorous 2 minute video!
Laurissa resides in Roanoke with her family and is the Director of Marketing for Blue Eagle© Credit Union. She has worked in credit unions for more than 20 years, has a passion for financial education, and believes stronger individuals make a stronger community.
Visit and Like our Facebook page. While you’re there check out Free Movie Fridays - we’re giving away four movie tickets weekly! To enter, simply like, share, or comment on our Free Movie Friday post!
Book Reviews
All Four Stars
2014
by Tara Dairman
Gladys Gatsby is an elevenyear-old foodie living under the roof of two parents who can’t even microwave peas and insist that fast food takeout is fine dining. Because she knows they would never understand, Gladys has been cooking all kinds of gourmet treats while her parents are gone at work and then hiding the evidence in the garage fridge.
she’ll be one step closer to freedom! But when her essay (written in the form of a cover letter) is mistaken for an application to be a freelance food critic for the Standard, Gladys decides to go along with it. But now she has an even bigger problem...how is she supposed to get to NYC by herself? How can she order one of everything on the menu with no money? And how long can she keep this hidden not only from her parents, but also from her new boss?
Along the way, Gladys learns a thing or two about loyalty, staying true to your passions, and what it really means to be a good friend. All Four Stars is a fun, silly story about a girl who knows who she is and what she wants, but doesn’t know how to get there.
But after an unfortunate incident involving creme brûlée and her father’s blowtorch, she is banned from the kitchen for the foreseeable future and her allowance is put on hold until the damage to the kitchen is paid off. Her parents want her to participate in “normal kid” things instead. Hang out with friends! Play video games! Go to the mall! But considering the fact that she has no friends to speak of, Gladys’s prospects of ever seeing her beloved kitchen again look very grim indeed.
So when her teacher tells her class they’ll be participating in an essay contest for The New York Standard (i.e., the Times) in which the winner is not only published but also wins $500, Gladys is thrilled. That much cash should easily pay for the damage, and
Fangirl
2013 by Rainbow Rowell
It’s Cath Avery’s first year of college, but she’s less than psyched about it. Her twin sister Wren didn’t want to room with her, so on top of all the other freshman anxieties, she has to share a room with someone she’s never met before.
Her roommate Reagan turns out to be fairly terrifying; she’s too nervous
By Heidi Blackwelder
to look for the dining hall by herself and too embarrassed to ask for help; and Wren is more distant than ever. So
Cath’s solution to cope with all the newness is to do what she’s always done: write another chapter for her fan fiction novel, Carry On, Simon. Her novel has garnered an impressive following, gaining thousands of hits and comments daily, and Cath has become sort of a legend in the fan fiction community. Wren used to coauthor with her, but these days it seems like she couldn’t care less about what’s going on with Cath. And of course, no one in her new life even knows about her fan fiction prowess.
And then there’s the matter of Levi, Reagan’s boyfriend who always seems to be around. He’s impossibly smiley, never stops talking, and insists on walking Cath home after her late nights studying in the library. He also sits on her bed and eats all of her energy bars. Seriously, who is this guy? Cath can’t seem to escape from him.
But then Cath gets news that her dad isn’t doing so hot back at home. He’s always struggled with anxiety, but he’s also always had Cath and Wren around to make sure he didn’t go off the deep end. Cath is worried,
and again, Wren doesn’t seem to care.
Author of the New York Times best seller Eleanor & Park, Rainbow Rowell once again creates characters that make you never want the story to end. Fangirl is a delicious, relatable little book about first love, getting your priorities straight, and learning when to let go (and when to hang on).
Ice Whale
2014
by Jean Craighead George
Grades 4 - 6
Toozak is only ten years old when he witnesses the birth of a bowhead whale. The young Eskimo boy feels an instant, mutual connection with the baby whale, naming him Siku.
A decade later, Toozak unintentionally gives some Yankee whale hunters the location of a group of bowheads. The Eskimos depend upon these whales for food, housing, and fuel, and one whale can last a village an entire season. But the Yankees’ slaughtering is endless, and they take what’s profitable and leave the rest to rot. Toozak’s betrayal leads to the increased butchering of these gentle giants for their blubber, which is boiled down into oil for lamps, and their baleen, which is used for women’s hoop skirts.
Ashamed and afraid, Toozak seeks out the shaman for advice. He is told that he has brought great evil upon his
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family, and the only ways to dispel the curse is to either protect the whale he saw being born until its death, or the whale must save his life or one of his descendant’s lives. But when a bowhead whale can live for over 100 years, how can Toozak expect to protect him?
Posthumously completed and published by the author’s children, Ice Whale follows the lives of Toozak and his descendants as they work to ensure
one whale’s survival, and in doing so, pave the way for the mandated protection of bowheads everywhere. By the award-winning author of My Side of the Mountain and Julie of the Wolves, Ice Whale is an inspiring, majestic story about the effects we have on nature and the importance of a mutual respect.
Ask an Expert
How can I keep my family organized this school year?
The relaxing days of summer with no schedules are soon coming to an end. Yes, the kids will be back in school, fall sports practices and games, piano lessons, gymnastics practices and all the other activities will also begin and our lives are busier than ever. Keeping up with everyone’s schedules and having an organized place in your home to keep up with it all will make Mom and Dad’s lives much easier and happier. And, of course, it can be pretty, too.
Find a Space
Whether you have a large mudroom, the side of a fridge, a corner near the garage door, or the hallway in your front entry, you can create a space to organize your lives. Pick a space that makes sense for you and make it work for what you need.
Know What You Need
After finding your space, make a list of the things you will need to make the space as functional for your family as possible. Think of all your activities and what causes you the most stress in your morning routines. Commonly, you will need a place for backpacks, important papers, a charging station, a calendar, and notes.
Choose a Design
When designing your Command Center, the main purpose is organization. A clean and cohesive look will visually help keep the space organized. Choose a coordinating color for the Command
Center. One main color that brings it all together, and then an accent color or pattern to add some interest. Take a spin on Pinterest and get some ideas.
Make it Work for YOUR Family
If your Command Center doesn’t work for YOUR family, no one will use it. If keeping up with dates is your family’s biggest challenge, then a nice big calendar needs to be the centerpiece of your Command Center. Do you have trouble finding bills, receipts, and other paperwork? Make sure to add tools that will make it easy to drop those items in a designated folder or box to keep them organized. Do the kids complain they can’t find their homework or backpacks every morning? Add hooks for backpacks and bin for their papers.
Make it Pretty
Be sure to add some pretty to your Command Center. A nice sign with a special quote, a pretty clock, some framed pictures of the kids, or even some of their artwork will add a touch that makes your Command Center a functional and beautiful part of your home.
Have a question? Send it to info@growingupinthevalley.com and we’ll find the perfect expert for you!
This month’s Expert is Gloria Fox.
Gloria is co-owner of Potentially Chic in Roanoke, VA, a restyled furniture and home décor boutique with styles to fit everyone. They also offer interior decorating, custom furniture painting, and kitchen/bath cabinet makeovers. Gloria is a mom of three and grandmother of one.
PlanetBox: Making Lunchtime Fun!
By Stephanie Cunningham
When Ayden started school my husband and i decided he would be a packer. Not that he wouldnt get the occasional school lunch because he saw that as a treat. As previously mentioned we decided as a family that we
would make better decisions for our than we had for ourselves as adults. I started following mom boards and blogs and came across this ingenius lunchbox called planetbox. They came in several diffrent sizes ranging from the smaller (shuttle) to the larger size (rover) with the launch size in between. I wanted something that would last, be eco friendly and lastly FUN. We decided on the rover for A, knock on wood he has always been a great eater and the rover gives me the space to be creative and incorporate more options. When we picked out the rover you are able to decide a color for the carrying case as well as one set of magnets to go along with the box. I know some people are thinking WOW $60 for a lunchbox you are off your rocker. After looking over diffrent bento boxes as well as the traditional lunchboxes we broke it down, say you buy a traditional box each year for $8-$12 for just elementary school thats between $48-$72 for ones that are cracked and the sticker has peeled mid way thru the year from washing. I wanted something that would last and this has! We are going into our second year with our box and i have not had any problems. I hand
wash during the week and one friday after school it goes into the dishwasher ready for sunday night packing. We did buy the cold pack for an additional price. The carrying bag is great, the cold pack slides into the sleeve and it also has a place for utensils. Also, there is an outside pocket for a thermos or water bottle. I normally just wipe the inside or outside of with a damp cloth and its done. On the outside of the rover is where your awesome magnets will go, we did extra at christmas time as socking stuffers since they are
inexspensive. Inside the box it will come with 2 diffrent size dipper containers both are stainless and have a gasket inside to prevent leakage. We use the small one for dressing, ketchup, etc. You can have a bit more fun with the larger one, i have put yogurt with fruit or a pasta salad. The larger dipper fits inside where the larger sandwich square is at and the small fits to the left side. Both have small divits where they go to prevent them slidding around. We have been throughly impressed with our planetbox over the last year and plan to buy the toddler one for preschool this coming up year. I am very excited to introduce our readers to the wonderful world of planetbox, not to mention their customer service rocks and have been very helpful. Happy Lunching, Stephanie
Photo
Backpacks & Bags
Available at major stores
Target
at major stores
at major stores
at Staples
1. Discovery Backpack L.L. Bean, $36.99
2. Lightweight Grey Backpack Swiss Gear, $36.99 Available at
3. Unicorn Lunchie Bag Skiphop, $19.99 Available
4. Hedgehog Mini Backpack Skiphop, $19.99 Available
5. Loop Galaxy Backpack High Sierra, $44.99 Available
Electronics
& Apps
Carrot (iOS, $2.99)
Turn your to-do list into a fun game! Your everyday tasks and reminders earn you experience points, level up & help earn you fun and tongue-in-cheek awards. This app is perfect for people who need a little humor in their daily life or find it hard to get motivation for their chores.
Evernote (iOS & Android, Free. Premium Account $5/month)
The biggest problem with other mobile organization apps is that all your notes, reminders and tasks are stuck in your phone. Evernote syncs beautifully between mobile devices and computers, and has multiple user support. Evernote also has supporting apps such as a documents scanner to help keep your receipts and important papers in order.
1. Kindle Fire HD 6 Kids Edition Amazon, $149 Amazon.com Includes drop proof case & 1 year of FreeTime parental controls.
2. Flexible Calculator Fields, $4.99 Available at Major Stores
3. Maze Calculator Staples, $4.99 Exclusive at Staples
4. Tablet Stylus Targus, $10.99 Available at Major Stores
Timeful (iOS, Free)
Ever wish you had more time in the day? This app helps you find those spare minutes to get more done. It keeps tracks of your tasks as well as how long it takes you to complete them. It helps people who have trouble scheduling and need help finding their most productive times of day.
Remember the Milk (iOS, Android & Windows, Free)
This simple to-do list helps you out by sending scheduled emails or text messages, so you can set up reminders for your entire family at once. Have your grocery list sent on the day you go shopping or schedule a reminder text about a sports practice to be sent to your kids right at the end of school.
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Brown Bag Lunch ideas
Bacon & Broccoli Pasta Salad
• Large pasta
• Crumbled bacon
• 1 / 2 cup of chopped broccoli
• 1/2 cup of mayonaisse
• 1 cup of sour cream
• Salt & pepper
3. Mix pasta, crumbled bacon, chopped broccoli & sauce together in large bowl. Serve chilled. k k
$0.89/ Serving $0.65/ Serving | Serves 8 | Serves 10
1. Cook pasta, drain and cool.
2. Blend sour cream, mayonaisse, salt & pepper until smooth. (optional: add chili spices for a kick!)
sweet-n-sour Meatball pops
• Frozen meatballs
• Pretzel sticks
• 1 cup of grape jelly
• 1 cup of ketchup
1.Mix jelly, ketchup & meatballs into large crockpot.
2. Cook on low for 3-4 hours.
3. Keep warm in a thermos and serve with pretzel sticks.
Yogurt and Honey Dipped Strawberries
• 1 package of strawberries (washed and dried)
• 1 cup of unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup of organic/local honey
• 1 cup of organic vanilla yogurt
• Wax paper
• Baking sheet
1. Cut wax paper to fit baking sheet
2. Mix honey and yogurt together
3. Dip the strawberries into the honey and yogurt mixture. You may need to dip more than once to get a thick coat of the mixture.
4. Place dipped strawberries on baking sheet and sprinkle with shredded coconut.
5. Place into the freezer on a level surface. Leave the strawberries in the freezer for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until yogurt has hardened.
See step-by-step photos & tips on Growingupinthevalley.com
Where every family is treated like Royalty
A family operated, clean, secure, and educationally stimulating environment.
High Reach sequential infant, toddler, and preschool curriculum based upon the Virginia Foundation Blocks for Early Learning by the Virginia Department of Education to enhance children’s learning experience, pre-reading skills, and readiness when beginning kindergarten
Classrooms designed specifically for children’s developmental stages and for children of similar ages (with less variance in development) to interact as well as developmentally appropriate learning materials that are rotated to maintain interest.
An “Adventure Classroom” that offers different monthly dramatic play themes and props to expand child’s imagination and creativity.
Extracurricular activities such as art, music, dance, karate, gymnastics, skating, picnics, movies, and field trips.
A Christian Curriculum Supplement for those families who wish for their child to participate and be introduced to Christian teachings.
Participation in the Virginia Star Quality Initiative Accreditation Program Cameras in each of the classrooms, as well as outside play areas to ensure the safety of children and observation of staff and a camera monitoring area for parents to observe classrooms
How
Much
Screen
Time is Too Much Screen Time
TV, video game and computer guidelines for children
Our children are bombarded with opportunities to spend time in front of some sort of screen. Television programs, video games, iPads and computers all offer entertainment for children that is enticing and exciting, and sometimes even educational. Limiting the amount of time spent in front of these screens is difficult, but it is an important boundary that parents should enforce.
Studies show that too much screen time can lead to obesity, attention problems, behavior issues, sleep and eating disorders, anti-social behavior as an adult and even bullying in school. Because of that, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children and teens engage in these activities for no more than two hours per day.
Infants and children under age 2 should avoid television and screen-time entertainment altogether. During the first few years of life, a child’s brain develops rapidly and babies learn best through interaction with the people that care for them.
“Limiting screen time encourages children and families to interact together,” explained Tara Mitchell, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist at Carilion Clinic Children’s Hospital. “For example, turning off the TV and engaging in conversation at the dinner table allows for more open communication. Creating screen-free areas in the home can help establish boundaries.”
Following the two hours per day guideline can be difficult for some families that have made these activities a part of the daily routine. To decrease screen time try the following:
Remove the television or computer from your child’s bedroom.
Do not allow television watching during meals or homework.
Do not let your child eat while watching television or using the computer. Do not leave the television on for background noise.
Decide which programs to watch ahead of time and turn off the television when those programs are over.
By Stephanie Specht of Carilion Clinic
Suggest other activities, such as family board games, bike riding or going for a walk.
Keep a record of how much time is spent in front of a screen. Try to spend the same amount of time being active.
Be a good role model as a parent. Decrease your own screen time to two hours a day.
“Parents and caregivers should encourage children to spend time playing outdoors, reading books, developing hobbies and using their imaginations, added Mitchell. “And when children are engaging in screen time, adults should be monitoring the content to ensure it is age appropriate.”
For more information on screen time limits, visit carilionclinic.org/television.
Tell us who is the best in Roanoke & the surrounding areas! Fill out this form and mail it in to P.O. Box 823, Blue Ridge, Virginia 24064 and you will be entered to win a $100 Visa Gift Card!
Name:
Email Address:
Please Mark Only One Business Per Category. Vote for your favorite local businesses & you may win $100!
Best Car Dealership: o Berglund o Haley Toyota o Woodson Honda
Best Chiropractor: o Balance Wellspace o Tuck Chiropractic o Capps Chiropractics
Best Date Night Restaurant: o Local Roots o The River and Rail o Alexander’s
Best Dentist: o Anderson and Sheppard o Eschenbach Dental o Mills and Shannon
Best Dessert Shop: o Bubblecake o HITS Frozen Treats o Krispy Kreme
Best Family Restaurant: o Macado’s o The Roanoker o Famous Anthony’s
Best Family Entertainment: o Star City Skate Center o The Grandin Theatre o Bounce!
Best Museum: o Science Museum of Western Virginia o Virginia Museum of Transportation o The Taubman
Best OB/GYN: o Carilion Clinic o Lewis Gale OB/GYN o Moore & Stockstill
Best Orthodontist: o McCorkle & Jones o Dr.Paul Kaiser o Wheelock & Johnson
Best Pediatrician: o Physicians to Children o Carilion Pediatric Clinic o Lewis Gale Pediatric Physicians
Best Pre-School/Day Care Center: o Honeytree Learning Center o Childcare Network o Country Bear Day School
Best Private School: o Roanoke Catholic School o Faith Christian School o Community Schoo
Best Public School: o Crystal Spring Elementary o Patrick Henry High o Westside Elementary
Best Realtor: o Callie Dalton o Rose Dudley o Philip “Scooter” Darnell
Best Salon: o Les Cheveux o Salon Del Sol o Oh-So-Glitzy
Best Spa: o Omni Homestead Resort Spa o Massage Envy o Greenbrier Resort Spa
Best Sports Complex: o Lewis Gale Field o Hanging Rock Golf Course o Greenridge Rec Center
Splatter Paint Water Gun
Instructions:
1. Dilute 1/2 cup of paint with 1 cup of water, stir until smooth. (if still thick, add another 1/4 cup water)
2. Fill water guns with paint mixture.
3. Tape your paper to a foam board. Then place board against wall or fence. (Make sure to use washable paint and wash off any stray splashes immediately.)
4. Spray paper with paint filled water guns! Do not oversaturate the paper or it will stick to foam board.
5. Allow paper to dry overnight before removing from foam board.
• Use primary colors and challenge your children to make orange, green, and purple.
• Use finished art as personalized greeting cards or wrapping paper.
• Experiment with various levels of dilution, or allow splatters to dry between colors for different paint effects.
Supplies: Washable Tempera Paint
Water
Water Guns
Foam Board Paper
Masking Tape
Fall marks the time of year for even the littlest ones to head back to school or start a program for the very first time. The fears and frustrations of choosing a child care provider can be overwhelming at times. Depending on the age of your child, you’re going through various emotions as your search for suitable care with an educational based program.
If your child is an infant, you struggle with whether you should go back to work and if anyone can provide the love and care that you give your own child.
If your child is turning two, you may now feel it’s necessary to enroll them in a structured environment where they can learn and play with other children to gain the social skills they will need in the future.
If your child’s three or four, then you are now thinking about the need for preschool and kindergarten-readiness. It is important for them to start learning and testing in a high quality preschool program.
If your child is school age, you want to make sure you have reliable care for when school is out and your child’s homework is being completed so you can spend quality time together after work.
HoneyTree Early Learning Centers encourages parents to use this checklist to help them relax and make a good decision when visiting child care providers.
1.) What procedures do you have in place to insure a warm and loving environment?
2.) What curriculum do you teach and why was it selected?
3.) Do you provide preschool evaluations to help me understand where my child stands before entering kindergarten?
4.) What security measures are in place to prevent a stranger from walking in?
5.) What is your emergency procedure plan?
10 MUST ASK QUESTIONS... ...to Relieve Your Stress When Visiting a Child Care Provider
6.) Do you serve USDA approved meals and snacks?
7.) What type of vehicle do you use to transport my child from school and on fieldtrips? Do they have seat belts?
8.) What are you teacher training requirements?
9.) What accreditations does your center have?
10.) How can I “check you out” before committing my registration fee and tuition?
Article Provided by: Honeytree Early Learning Centers
Kids may not know that playing outside is healthy – they just know it’s fun. Outdoor activities like cycling help improve focus, reduce stress and boost vitamin D. Take advantage of the long summer days by going for a bike ride before or after work. Your body and mind will benefit, and you’ll have fun! Just ask a kid.
Ro u n d o f A p p lause
Celebrate the little and big moments in your life. Send your round of applause entry to Josh@Growingupinthevalley.com to be included!
Happy Birthday Ayden! You make our hearts so happy Love, Mom, Dad & Olivia
Happy Anniversary “Miss Beverly” and “Mister Tom”!
Love, All of your Students
Happy 9th Birthday Evelyn!!
Love, Mom, Dad & Ani
Happy 4th Birthday my sweet, silly Jax!
Love always, Mommy
Roanoke Kids Eat Free!
Everyday
Mama Maria’s
11 AM - 2 PM
3 & under free buffet with paid adult W. Main St., Salem (540) 389-2848
Golden Corral
All Day
3 & under free buffet with paid adult 1441 Towne Square Blvd., Roanoke (540) 563-8826
The Great 611 Steak Company
All Day
3 & under, 1 child buffet per paid adult 3830 Franklin Rd., Roanoke (540) 989-4675
Shoney’s
All Day
4 & under, free kids meal with adult entree purchase. Drink not included 2673 Lee Highway, Troutville (540) 992-6400
Lil Cucci’s
All Day (Closed Sunday & Monday)
10 & under, 1 child per adult meal 1396 Roanoke Rd., Daleville (540) 966-5923
Monday
Country Cookin
4 PM - Close
10 & under, 2 children per paid adult
All Locations in Roanoke (540) 774-0199
Famous Anthony’s
3 PM - Close
1 child per paid adult
All Locations in Roanoke, Salem, & Vinton (540) 362-1400
McAlister’s Deli
5 PM - Close
2 children per paid adult
2063 Colonial Ave., Roanoke (540) 204-4407
Buffalo Wild Wings
4 PM - 9 PM
12 & under, 1 child per paid adult
All Locations (540) 725-9464
IHOP
4 PM - 8 PM
12 & under, 1 child per paid adult
Valley View Location only, Roanoke (540) 265-4289
Brit and Bud’s Specialty Subs
6 PM - 8 PM
12 & under eligible for half off kids meal
4208 Brambleton Ave., Roanoke (540) 206-3684
El Rio Mexican Grill
All Day
10 & under, 1 child per paid adult
4208 Electric Rd., Roanoke (540) 685-4343
Firehouse Subs
All Day
11 & under, 2 children per paid adult combo,dine in only
800 University City Blvd, Blacksburg (540) 961-0371
Tuesday
Brambleton Deli
11 AM - 9 PM
12 & under, 1 child per paid adult 3655 Brambleton Ave., Roanoke (540) 774-4554
Denny’s
4 PM - 10 PM
12 & under, 1 child per paid adult
All Locations Roanoke & Salem (540) 389-5074
Macado’s
4 PM - 9 PM
12 & under, $1 child meal per paid adult
All Locations in Roanoke & Salem (540) 776-9884
Town Center Tap House
All Day
12 & under, 2 children per paid adult 90 Town Center St., Daleville (540) 591-9991
The Barbecue Grill
All Day
10 & under, 1 child per paid adult
126 E Lee Ave., Vinton (540) 857-0030
Firehouse Subs
All Day
12 & under, 1 child per paid adult
Colonial Ave, Town Square & Salem only (540) 345-3131
Pizza Hut
5 PM - Close
10 & under, free buffet per paid adult
1016 Hershberger Rd., Roanoke (540) 362-3834
Ruby Tuesday
5 PM - Close
11 & under, 1 child per paid adult Valley View & Electric Rd. Locations (540) 265-9301
Wednesday
Dogwood
4 PM - Close
10 & under, per paid adult
106 E. Lee Ave., Vinton (540) 343-6549
The Quarter
All Day
12 & under, 1 child per paid adult
19 Salem Ave., Roanoke (540) 342-2990
Pizza Pasta Pit
4 PM - 9 PM
1 child per paid adult. Drink not included.
1713 Riverview Dr., Salem (540) 387-2885
IHOP
4 PM - 8 PM
12 & under, 1 child per paid adult Valley View Location only, Roanoke (540) 265-4289
Thursday
CiCi’s Pizza
All Day
10 & under .99 cents child buffet per adult buffet
All Locations, Roanoke (540) 344-7711
The Roanoker
4:30 PM - Close
12 & under, 2 children per paid adult 2522 Colonial Ave., Roanoke (540) 344-7746
Jerry’s Family Restaurant
4 PM - Close
6 & under, 1 child per adult meal purchase
1340 E. Washington Ave., Vinton (540) 343-4400
Friday See Everyday Deals!
Saturday
Famous Anthony’s
12 PM - Close limit 1 kids meal per adult
All Locations Roanoke, Salem, Vinton (540) 362-1400
Steak n’ Shake
All Day
12 & under 1 free per paid $8.00 adult 1309 Hershberger Rd., Roanoke (540) 400-8825
Tokyo Express
11 AM - 3 PM
4 & under free buffet per paid adult 1940 W Main St., Salem (540) 389-6303
IHOP
4 PM - 8 PM
12 & under, 1 child per paid adult Valley View Location only, Roanoke (540) 265-4289
Sunday
Pizza Den
5 PM - 8:30 PM
10 & under free buffet per paid adult buffet and drink purchase
All locations Roanoke, Salem (540) 389-1111
Local Roots
5 PM -9 PM
12 & under eat for free (family style meal) with adult purchase 1314 Grandin Rd., Roanoke (540) 206-2610
Ragazzi’s
11 AM - 4 PM
10 & under w/paid adult
3843 Electric Rd., Roanoke (540) 989-9022
T.G.I.Fridays
All Day
12 & under 1 w/paying adult 4869 Valley View Blvd., Roanoke (540) 362-1475
Jimmy V’s Restaurant
All Day
4 & under kids meal only $2.50 3403 Brandon Ave., Roanoke (540) 345-7311
Steak n’ Shake
All Day
12 & under 1 free w/paying $8.00 adult 1309 Hershberger Rd., Roanoke (540) 400-8825
Kids Eat Free Inquiries
Stephanie@growingupinthevalley.com
Editor’s note: Restaurant deals change quickly and often without notice. Growing Up in the Valley and Roanoke Kids Eat Free strongly reccommend calling ahead to confirm any deal listed. This listing is for informational purposes only and does not guarantee a discount.
Touch-a-Truck New River Valley Mall
Geek Mob 2015 Center in the Square
Family Event Calendar
Beauty & The Beast Jr.
Mill Mountain Theatre
July 31-Aug 9, 2015
Wed-Sat 7 PM
Sat & Sun 2 PM
All Ages
Child Ticket $13
Adult Ticket $19
Party in the Park
Daleville Town Center
Every Thursday through September 17th
5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
All Ages
$6/person Free/12 & Under www.pitp.org
Friday Night Lights
Splash Valley, Roanoke
Every Friday in August
5:00pm-9:00pm
All Ages
Included in admission, $5 after 4 PM
Memory Mondays
Splash Valley, Roanoke
Every Monday in August
11 AM - 4 PM
All Ages
Adults over 55 get in for free with paid youth admission
Family Tuesdays
Splash Valley, Roanoke
Every Tuesday in August
11 AM - 4 PM
All Ages
Your entire family gets in for $23
All family members (up to 8 guests) must live at the same address.
$6 Wednesdays
Splash Valley, Roanoke
Every Wednesday in August
11 AM - 4 PM
All Ages
Saturday in the Market
Downtown Roanoke
Every Saturday in August
11:00 AM - 2:30 PM
All Ages Free
Young at Art
Taubman Museum
Every Friday in August
10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Ages 2-5
$5/Non-Members Free/Members taubmanmuseum.org
Friday • August 7
35th Annual Steppin’ Out Downtown Blacksburg August 7-8
10 AM - 11 PM
All Ages
Free to attend
Monday • August 10
Franklin County Schools Back in Session!
Tuesday • August 11
Botetourt County Schools Back in Session!
Montgomery County Schools Back in Session!
Thursday • August 13
Party in Elmwood Elmwood Park, Roanoke
5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
All Ages
$5/person
Children under 12 are free
Friday • August 14
Growing Up In The Valley’s Pajama Party
Mill Mountain Theatre
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
$10 per child
Adults Free
Movies in the Market Downtown Roanoke
6 PM - 9 PM
All Ages Free
Children activities begin at 6 PM
Showing this month: Into the Woods
Now Playing at Mill Mountain Theatre Beauty & The Beast Jr.
It’s time for mom and dad to dust off those old cleats! Our Start Smart soccer and football programs are designed to take the fear out of a child’s first team sport experience by allowing adults on the field with the little ones.
Alongside the parent and child partner participation, our game-changing staff knows how to get the best out of every youngster, empowering them to excel far beyond their expectations.
For more information on this and many other kid-friendly activities, visit PlayRoanoke.com or call (540) 853-2236.
The Guide
Saturday • August 15
Books & Boogie PlayFITStayFit, Tanglewood Mall
9 AM - 10:45 AM
Ages 1-7
Advance Registration required (540) 819-3630 Free
Breakfast with the Animals Mill Mountain Zoo
8:30 AM- 10:30 AM
All Ages
Advance Registration required
$13/non-member adult
$10/non-member child
$40/non-member family of 4
$10/member adult
$7/member child
$30/member family of 4 www.mmzoo.org
Roanoke Children’s Theatre Auditions
Roanoke Children’s Theatre
10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Ages 8 & up Free
Sign ups open at 10 AM
Eastmont Tomato Festival Meadowbrook Center, Shawsville
10 AM - 3 PM All Ages Free
www.eastmonttomatofestival.com
Monday • August 17
Lynchburg City Schools Back in Session!
Bedford County Schools Back in Session!
Tuesday • August 18
Roanoke City Schools Back in Session!
Thursday • August 20
Joan Jett & The BlackHearts Elmwood Park, Roanoke
7:30 PM
All Ages
Tickets start at $27
Saturday • August 22
Live Stand Up Tour: Bill Maher Berglund Center, Roanoke
8 PM
Ages 18 & up
Tickets start at $55
6th Annual WingFest
Dr. Pepper Park, Roanoke
11 AM - 7 PM
All Ages Free
Sunday • August 23
Geek Mob 2015
Center in the Square
1 PM - 9 PM
All Ages
$10/ Advance adult ticket
$5/ Advance child ticket
$12/ At the door adult ticket
$7/ At the door child ticket
Monday • August 24
Roanoke County Schools
Back in Session!
Tuesday • August 25
Chick-Fil-A Family Night
Salem Chick-fil-A 1353 W Main St
5 PM - 7 PM
All Ages
Children’s Activities are free
Saturday • August 29
Touch-a-Truck
New River Valley Mall
10 AM - 4 PM
All Ages
Free to attend
Monday • September 7
Last Summer Weekend
Splash Valley, Roanoke
11 AM - 4 PM
All Ages
Regular Admission applies
Labor Of Love Race 2015
River’s Edge Sports Complex, Roanoke
8 AM - 1 PM
All Ages
$15 for 1-mile
$20 for 5K
$25 for 8K
Tuesday • September 8
Salem City Schools Back in Session!
The Marketplace
Custom Critters
Andrea Eagan customcritterz.com (540) 315-7060
Discovery Toys
April Nix concordtoylady@gmail.com
doTerra
Valerie Angle mydoterra.com/vangle valerieangle@gmail.com
doTerra
Sheena Hawks mydoterra.com/sheenahawks sheenahawks@yahoo.com (304) 952-3042
Jovial Creations
jovialcreations.com 4jovialcreations@gmail.com
Rodan + Fields
Lisa Johnson ljohnson.myrandf.com lisa.a.johnson83@gmail.com (540) 230-6898
Rodan + Fields
Lindsay Tolar lindsaypursuitofpink.myrandf.com lindsaytolar@gmail.com (540) 797-4677
Simply Fun
Teresa Martin teresa.familyfunnight@gmail.com
mydoterra.com/sheenahawks
Thirty One
Kate Henretta
mythirtyone.com/katehenretta katehenretta@gmail.com (321) 863-3859
Tupperware
Stephanie Herndon stephanieherndon.my.tupperware.com starcitytupperware@gmail.com (540) 293-9783
Appointment Information
Aug. 22 – November
Every Saturday at 8:30 a.m.
Call-ahead appointments are preferred. For walk-in appointments, please register between 8:30 - 9 a.m.