Family & Kids Chatt Valley Dec 2014

Wise Choices for Moms & Families

CHATTAHOOCHEE VALLEY

Š Giggles & Grins Photography

Cover Sponsor Pg. 7

Excellent medical care for your children.

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

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Thomas E. Lee, D.M.D.

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Hoo’s helpful

Better to Give...

Often during the holiday season, kids get so wrapped up in their wish list that it can seem like they don’t care about much more. After spending so much time writing and rewriting their wish list, how much time are kids really spending focusing on the other aspects of the holiday season, such as helping others and spending time with family members? After all, as the old saying goes, it is better to give than receive. Here are some reasons why you should help your kids spend time helping others in the community and how to connect with volunteer opportunities in the area.

Volunteering will broaden your child’s horizons. This is important, especially for tweens who are beginning to venture out into the world. Kids often have a limited perspective of the world and may not know that some kids struggle with hunger or don’t have a winter coat to keep them warm. Yes, there are some types of harsh realities that kids don’t need to know or worry about yet.

However, realizing that sometimes others need help will take their minds off feeling sorry for themselves because they did not get the expensive electronic gadget they wished for. This new perspective gives kids a better understanding of what it means to ‘count your blessings.’

Volunteering can be a fun activity for the whole family. Whether you are helping sort donated clothes or serving a Thanksgiving dinner to the homeless, volunteering is a wonderful way to spend time with your fam-

ily. Even if your kids are too small to be much help, you will be setting an example of how to have empathy for others. Choose a volunteer activity and make it a family tradition to participate in it during the holidays. A new volunteer activity can be a nice change to the routine play dates also. Does your child want to spend a day with a friend? Have them both come with you to volunteer, instead of watching a marathon of movies on TV. You don’t have to travel far to find opportunities to help. You can start close to home when trying to find opportunities for your kids to help. Visiting an elderly neighbor or relative who lives alone and bringing her a meal is a perfect way for younger kids to help.

Your church may have volunteer opportunities also, such as Operation Christmas Child, that involve gathering presents for needy children. Does you kids’ closets need a clean out?

Have them help bag up old clothes and toys that they don’t use anymore. You can donate them to charities like Valley Rescue Mission in Columbus and FOCUS in Harris County. If you would like to sign your family up for an organized community activity, the United Way keeps a list of many types of volunteer opportunities on their website.

Resources: United Way: unitedwayofthecv.org FOCUS: focusfriends.org Valley Rescue: valleyrescuemission.org

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

4

Tammy Usie Publisher

TheValley.com

Tammy@HooKnows

253-212-7270 Cell

Dear Parents of the Chattahoochee Valley, Welcome to our handy, parenting resource guide. I hope you will find lots of helpful choices on products and services for you and your family, along with some informative articles, handy resources and fun features.

If you like our magazine, then you’ll love our website, www.HooKnowsTheValley.com. There you can read our magazine online, find other resources and use our online SHOPPING DIRECTORY. This virtual buying guide provides our readers with a comprehensive list of local, family-friendly businesses. Plus with the ability for consumers to leave reviews on these businesses, it will help other parents make buying decisions. I invite you to leave a few reviews to help us build this resource and share them with other parents like yourself.

Tammy Usie

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Jan Issue: Dec 5 and Feb Issue: Jan 5

HOO KNOWS SPECIAL SECTIONS Hoo’s crafty.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 21

HOO’S Hungry.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 6 & 7

HOO’S Fun.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 20 & 25

Hoo’s inspired.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 18

HOO’S Healthy.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 11

Hoo’s Learning.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 29

HOO’S Helpful.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 3

Hoo’s Parenting.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 15

HOO KNOWS® Community Digest does not assume responsibility for products and services listed in this magazine. Ads may not be reproduced, in any way, without written consent. HOO KNOWS® is a trademark of Cinah Media Group LLC. For information on operating your own digest, contact us at 1-888-HOO-5609.

Where to Find HOO? Publix: Columbus & Phenix City Chick fil-A: Columbus & Phenix City Starbucks: Columbus Family & Kids of the Chattahoochee Valley

PLUS: Check your local kid-friendly doctors & dentists, attractions, restaurants & retail shops.

Children attending FT Benning daycares, preschools & elementary schools each receive a copy, as well as elementary students at most all private schools in Columbus & Phenix City...plus all kids attending major daycares and preschools.

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Joyful

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5

Holiday Fun Visits with Santa!

Each weekend during the Holidays

November 28 & 29 December 6, 13 & 20 11 am to 4 pm • In the Courtyard (next to Barnes & Noble)

Children’s Activities • Prize Giveaways Musical Performances • And, more fun!

Free! Bring your camera!

Wednesday, December 10 5 to 7 pm Outer Parking Lot between Barnes & Noble and Toys ‘R Us

columbusparkcrossing.com

Located on Whittlesey Blvd. in North Columbus Off Veterans Pkwy. at JR Allen Pkwy/US 80, Exit 10 off I-185

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

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SHOPPING guide ATTRACTIONS Chattahoochee Valley Libraries....20 East West Karate & MMA................... 2 IFM Arts Academy............................. 12 My Gym.................................................25 Performance Dance Centre............. 31 Schwob School of Music..................25 Studio Elevare.....................................27 The Columbus Museum...................27 The Nutcracker...................................32 Treadstone Climbing....................... 20

Beauty/ Spa TELL.........................

THEM 19 Massage by Michele.

Childcare/ education SENT YOU! Calvary Christian...............................29 First Presbyterian Day.....................28 Grace Christian School....................29 Growing Room....................................30 Kumon...................................................28 Lakewood Child Development ......30 Polka Dots Childcare.........................28 Sylvan Learning Center...................28 The Major Group................................. 19 Westminster Christian.....................30

Fitness Art of Yoga.............................................. 8

Food & Beverage Chick-fil-A............................................ 12 Chill Yogurt Cafe.................................. 8 Crave Soda & Candy Bar................... 31 PhoVy Vietnamese............................ 12 Stevi B’s Pizza Buffet........................ 12 Willy T’s Chicken Fingers............... 12 Zaxby’s...................................................32

healthcare Columbus Spine & Performance... 19 Thomas Lee, DMD................................ 2 James Lopez, DDS...............................11 Pediatric Acute Care......................... 14 Pediatric After Hours........................22 Pediatric Dentistry of Columbus..... 9 Pediatrics at Brookstone Center...27 Rivertown Pediatrics........................22 ZÖe Pediatrics....................................... 7

Home/ Handy Lawn Doctor......................................... 19 Lawnscapes......................................... 19 Sparkles Cleaning Service.............. 19

Shopping/ Retail Columbus Park Crossing................... 5 Giggles and Grins Photography.... 19 Matilda Jane Clothing......................22 Mickayla’s Place - Resale................24 Once Upon A Time - Resale............ 14

..

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ZOe Pediatrics Excellent Medical Care for Your Children

Dr. Stephanie Kong, MD Charlaya Campbell, MD Bande Virgil, MD

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Your children do not have to be sick to get better!

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706-992-6940 zoepeds.com

959 17th Street, Columbus, GA Hours: M-F from 8am-6pm

HOO’s CUTE

CONTEST Visit our website to enter:

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Joslynn, 3 years Phenix City

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

HOO’s HUNGRY

Cookie Baking Tips Baking and decorating holiday cookies is a fun activity the entire family will enjoy. Here are some helpful tips to make your holiday cookie projects successful.

flour out of the canister and put it into the dry measuring cup. Don’t pack flour, or you will get more flour that the recipe calls for. Too much flour will make your cookies tough and dry.

First, check your ingredients. Use fresh, recently purchased flour, sugar, baking soda and baking powder. If your ingredients are from the last holiday season, discard them. Using fresh ingredients will make a difference in how your cookies taste and look. Also, try to use real vanilla extract and real butter. If you must use margarine, use stick margarine that is at least 80% fat.

When mixing cookies, don’t stir or mix too long.

Stir just long enough for the ingredients to be blended together well and then gently stir in ingredients like chocolate chips and pecans by hand. To make the cookie dough easier to handle, chill it first for an hour or two.

Next, measure and prepare your ingredients properly. Don’t soften butter in the microwave. Instead, take the butter out of the refrigerator and let it sit on the counter for about an hour. When measuring ingredients, remember that there are different measuring cups for liquids and for dry ingredients.

To measure flour, use a separate scoop to take the

Use a small amount of flour to keep the dough from sticking to surfaces when you roll it out. If you are making drop cookies, use a cookie dough scoop to keep the cookie size the same. Preheat your oven while you are placing the cookie dough on a cookie sheet. Insulated cookie sheets work best.

Keep an eye on your cookies. Every oven is a bit different and cookies can go from being just right to overbaked in a short period of time.

www.HooKnowsTheValley.com

HOO’s HUNGRY

red velvet holiday

cookies by betty crocker.com

DIRECTIONS Heat oven to 375°F. In large bowl, stir cookie mix, cocoa, butter, sour cream, food color and egg until soft dough forms.

Roll dough into 1-inch balls; place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake 8 to 9 minutes or until set. Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely, about 15 minutes.

Frost cooled cookies with frosting. Sprinkle with nuts. Store tightly covered at room temperature.

Ingredients

• 1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) sugar cookie mix • 1/3 cup unsweetened baking cocoa • 1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened • 1/4 cup sour cream • 1 tablespoon red food color • 1 egg • 3/4 to 1 cup cream cheese frosting • 1/4 cup chopped nuts

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

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Money, Money, Money!

The moment we first take a child into a store, restaurant or ticket booth, their introduction to real-world commerce begins. As they see adults pay for goods and services in a variety of ways, their curiosity about the cash and cards we employ almost daily, grows. The following toys and games foster familiarity with money and support kids’ understanding of wealth as they save, spend, plan and play!

Money Bags Board Game

Cash Register

Cultivating knowledge of denominations of American currency, the Money Game from Learning Resources is a fun way to learn and practice the earning and exchanging of money. Players move around the board earning funding from chores and entrepreneurial endeavors. While it’s true the player with the most money at the end of the game wins, the practical knowledge and understanding of money gained through the game is what’s really valuable in the end.

One of the earliest real-world observations that children make about their parents is how adults pay for things. And as kids like to mimic adult behavior it’s a natural next step for them to want to understand and emulate those actions.

The Little Tikes Cash Register is a batteryfree option that allows small children to explore colors, numbers and coin size as they play at commerce. Swiping the card releases the coins into the drawer below for repeat transactions.

(Learning Resources)

(Little Tikes)

Moonjar Moneybox

Frontier Safe

Any child’s bank is cool for collecting their coins and cash, but the Moonjar actually encourages children to think ahead about how their money will be spent.

The three bank compartments are designated for saving, spending and sharing so children are nudged to consider, in advance, the purpose of money beyond it simple spending power. With a passbook to keep a record of their banking activity, the Moonjar supports early development of strong financial values and sound money decision

It’s not always about the money.

Kids benefit from have a safe and secure space that’s all their own to store anything that have value to them. Made from galvanized steel with a combination lock to enhance security, the safe features a convenient slot in the top for depositing coins and folded cash to deposit easily anytime. Less about money management and more about having a safe place for children to store their “wealth”, the Frontier Safe is solid security choice for kids’ treasure!

(Moonjar)

(Fun Express)

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HOO’s HEALTHY

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How Soon for Baby?

Some say it’s easier to raise children as close in age as possible, and others would rather get one tot out of diapers before putting another one in. Of course some would rather stop with one altogether! At a minimum, experts recommend waiting at least 12 to 18 months before having another baby. Your body needs time to recover from the many changes it’s undergone during pregnancy, from fluctuating hormones to increased fluid levels. One study found that women who conceive less than six months after giving birth had a 40 percent increased risk of delivering their baby early and a 61 percent increased risk of delivering a baby with low birth weight. In addition, those who waited more than five years also had an increased risk of early delivery. Talk to your partner about what you think will work best for you and your soon-tobe-growing family.

There’s no better way to make it through the day than with some tunes, a couple laughs, and someone to listen and listen to. We hear you, we thank you for listening and voting us your READER’S CHOICE favorite radio personalities.

N O’BRIA BEAR WATER S BRIAN

REAL PEOPLE. REAL RADIO.

D WOO E AR DAV

VOT E D FAVO R I T E R A D I O P E R S O N A L I T I E S

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

Bradley Park 706-660-8914 Macon Road 706-321-5880 Midland 706-561-6040 Phenix City 334-214-5599

5300 Sidney Simons Blvd #27 Columbus 706-507-2477

Like usSeeonFacebook Facebook page for hours

FREE KIDS MEAL! with purchase of entree when you mention“Family & Kids”

Can’t be combined with other discounts.

Valid for dine-in only, and only one per table.

IFM Arts Academy Piano - Violin - Cello - Art - Dance For children and adults to help them develop their talents and skills for the glory of God.

3400 University Ave. Columbus, GA www.ifmga.org (706) 653-0097

TELL THEM

SENT YOU!

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Dining Deals

With deals this good, save the mess and dine out!

MONDAY

saturday

Chick-fil-A, Phenix City

Steak & Shake

5-8pm: Free kid’s meal with regular priced combo

Chick-fil-A, Wynnton Rd

5-8pm: Free kid’s meal with regular priced combo

Free kids meal with every $8 purchase

Chill Yogurt & Yocakes

sunday

Sweet Frog Yogurt

Free kids meal with every $8 purchase

Zaxby’s

Kids eat for .99 after 4pm

All mini cupcakes $1

6-8pm. Buy one yogurt mix, get one 50% off

Steak & Shake Stevi B’s Pizza

5-8pm: Free kid’s meal with per adult entree

Texas Roadhouse

Tuesday

Willy T’s

Atlanta Bread Company

5pm-close: Get a free kid’s meal with the purchase of an adult meal

Denny’s

Sundays: Kids 12 & under get Jr. Kids Meal for $1.99 with adult entree (certain holidays are excluded) 11-5pm: 1 free kids meal per regular meal purchase

everyday

4-10pm: Up to two free kid’s entrees with adult entree. For kids 10 and under

Golden Corral

TGIF Friday’s

Hartz Chicken Buffet

3-10pm: Kids 12 and under eat free with adult entree

Willy T’s

4-9pm: 1 free kids meal per regular meal purchase

wednesday Applebee’s Kids meals are half off with the purchase of an adult entree. Limit: 4 kids per adult

thursday

Kids 3 & under eat free with adult meal purchase Children 3 & under eat free with purchase of an adult entree. Kids ages 5-7 get discounted prices

IHOP

4-10pm: Kids 12 and under get a free kids meal with the purchase of adult combo

McAlisters Deli

99 cent kids meals all day

PhoVy

Free kids meal when you show their “Family & Kids” ad in this issue

Ryan’s

Kids 2-3 eat for .99, kids 4-7 eat for 3.99, all day

Captain D’s

Get 2 free kid’s meals with purchase of an adult entree. Dine in only

MOE’s Southwest Grill

5-9pm: Free kids meal per $5 minimum adult entree Ryan’s Family Steakhouse Thursday Nights: Kids 11 and under eat for $.99

All locations are Columbus, GA unless noted.

Specials are subject to change without notice.

Please verify them directly before dining. If you know of a kids special not listed here, contact Tammy@HooKnowsTheValley.com.

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

Your Holiday Shopping just got easier.

Start checking off that list with savings on our toys, clothing and equipment.

2521 Airport Thruway Columbus, GA 31904 706-507-3737 www.OnceUponAChildColumbusGA.com

www.HooKnowsTheValley.com

HOO’s PARENTING

How to deal with

cyber bullying The cyber world provides school bullies with a way to harass their victims constantly through hostile emails, texts, blog posts, and social media posts.

This is often referred to as cyber bullying, and it has become a serious problem. When your child is bullied in person, he can simply walk away to escape the bullying and then report the bully to school officials. In contrast, cyber bullies can work around the clock and can bully anonymously by hiding behind a false online identity. In a few high profile cases, cyber bullying has even had tragic consequences. Here are a few tips to help you prevent cyber bullying and how to stop it when it does occur.

First, make sure your child limits how much personal information she shares online. Kids need to understand that any information or picture they post or text they send is out there in cyber space for good. There is no way to control who the information will be sent to next or what it will be used for. Your child should never include information like her address or phone number, which could be used by bullies to contact her or steal her identity, on her online profile. Also, help your child set the privacy settings on accounts so that only friends can contact her or see her posts.

Talk to your child about being cautious about how she words comments she makes in texts and online.

A comment or joke taken the

wrong way could spark a cyber bullying incident if the recipient decides to ‘get back’ at her by responding with hurtful comments online.

Kids often don’t want to tell their parents about cyber bullying incidents. Monitoring your child’s online activity will help you spot any cyber bullying incidents that do occur before they get out of hand. Let your child know that the privilege of using electronic devices includes being checked upon by you or another trusted adult. Set up the smartphone your child uses to send texts so that you can review them and use software to track where your child goes online. If your child uses social media, ‘friend’ them or ‘follow’ them to keep tabs on what is being posted.

If you spot a pattern of hurtful or harassing messages being directed at your child, act quickly to shut the cyber bully down. Try to identify who is sending the hurtful messages and save electronic copies of the hurtful emails, posts, and texts to use as proof. Block the cyber bully so that he can’t send more messages to your child. Remind your child to never sink to the cyber bully’s level and respond back. The cyber bullies are trying to provoke a response and will just escalate the attack if they get one. Cyber bullying is against the law in many states, including Georgia, and most schools have strict rules against it. Report any incidents to your child’s school.

In some cases, such as when a page on social media or a website is being used to harass your child, you can contact the provider to have the page or website taken down. In other cases, the victim’s online accounts are hacked and used to make hurtful and embarrassing comments. If this happens to your child, help her shut down the cyber bully by deleting her old accounts and creating new ones.

Sometimes, cyber bullying can cross the line and become a criminal offense. Notify law enforcement if sexually explicit material, threats of violence, or identity theft is used to harass your child.

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December

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pr o vi d e d in partne r ship

1 American Girl Book Club. 6:30pm.

5 Broadway Holiday. 6:30-8:30pm. Free

6-7 Movie: The Polar Express. TBA.

2 MOPS meeting. 9am-Noon. First Pres-

5-6

7 MCOE Band Holiday Concert. 8pm.

Barnes & Noble, 5555 Whittlesey Blvd, Columbus; 706-653-7880 byterian Church, 1100 First Avenue, Columbus; www.columbusfpc.org/mops

2 Trim the Tree. 4pm. Help decorate the

Christmas tree in the children’s department. Columbus Public Library; www. cvlga.org/kids

4 Phenix City Night of Lights. 6:30pm.

Free admission. Reception for Santa at the Phenix City Amphitheater; 508 Dillingham Street, Phenix City

4

Lego Mania! 3:30-5:30pm. Free.

Legos provided. North Columbus Library; www.cvlga.org

4

Toddler Tales at Barnes & Noble.

10am. 5555 Whittlesey ; 706-653-7880

4-6 Disney’s Mary Poppins. 7:30pm.

Springer Opera House; www.springeroperahouse.org

5 The Art of Christmas (a CSO Concert). 7:30pm. $5-$32. RiverCenter, 900 Broadway, Columbus; www.csoga.org

sno, parade & pictures with Santa; www.uptowncolumbusga.com

Family Theatre presents “Tiny Tim’s Christmas Carol.” 7:30pm. $8-$12.

2100 Hamilton Road, Columbus; www. familytheatre.org

6 Breakfast with Santa and Puppet

Show. 8am. $2. Reservations required.

Central Activities Center, 1500 14th Street, Phenix City; 334-291-4743

6 Home Depot Kids Workshop. 9am-

Noon. Free. Ages 5-12. Columbus store; 706-322-9240. Phenix City store; 334297-2045

6

Holiday Open House. 10am-6pm.

Oxbow Meadows; oxbow.columbustate. edu

6 CSU Riverside Theatre presents “Santa’s Christmas Tree.” 10am. $5-$10. 901 Front Ave, Columbus; http://theatre.columbusstate.edu/productions.php

6 Astronomy Night at the Coca-Cola

Space Science Center. 7pm. Planetarium Time, 9pm Observation Time. Free. 706649-1477 or dutch@ccssc.org

6 Impact Christmas Bazaar. 10am-5pm.

Librar y activities Chattahoochee Valley www.CVLGA.org 706-243-2669

Phenix City-Russell County

1501 17th Avenue, Phenix City www.phenixcitylibrary.com 334-297-1139

Troup-Harris

706-628-4685 www.thclibrary.net

$2 admission. The Impact Center, 1600 Blanchard Blvd, Columbus; www.muscogeemoms.com/jiHBe

6

Cottonmouths vs. Huntsville.

7:30pm. $9-$30. Columbus Civic Center; www.columbusciviccenter.org

6-7 Victorian Christmas at National

Civil War Naval Museum. Free admission. Visit with our civil War Santa; www.portcolumbus.org

6-7 Story time with Mrs. Claus. 1pm

and 3:30pm. $11. Callaway Gardens; www.callawaygardens.com

Free hot chocolate for kids in pjs. NIM; nationalinfantrymuseum.org/imax Free. RiverCenter, 900 Broadway, Columbus; www.rivercenter.org

7 Breakfast or Lunch with Santa at the

Rock Ranch, 5020 Barnesville Highway, The Rock, GA; www.therockranch.com

8 American Girl Book Club. 6:30pm.

Barnes & Noble, 5555 Whittlesey Blvd, Columbus; 706-653-7880

9 MOPS meeting. 9am-Noon. First Presbyterian Church, 1100 First Avenue, Columbus; www.columbusfpc.org/mops

9 Kidz Flicks: Frozen. 2pm. Free. Columbus Public Library; www.cvlga.org/kids

9 Where Moms Connect. 9-11:30am.

Wynnbrook Baptist Church, 500 River Knoll Rd, Columbus; 706-323-4374

11 Christmas Carnival at Moon Lake.

3-9pm. Free admission. Idle Hour Park, Airport Rd off Summerville, Phenix City

11 Santa at Riverside. 5-8pm. Visit with Santa, refreshments. Lawn at Riverside (home of the Commanding General), Fort Benning; benningmwr.com

11 Toddler Tales at Barnes & Noble.

10am. 5555 Whittlesey; 706-653-7880

11-13 Family Theatre presents “Tiny

Tim’s Christmas Carol.” 7:30pm. $8-$12.

2100 Hamilton Road, Columbus; www. familytheatre.org

11-14

Disney’s Mary Poppins.

2:30pm and 7:30pm. Springer Opera House; springeroperahouse.org

12

Gingerbread Storytime. 4:30pm.

Free. Story and craft. Mildred Terry Library; cvlga.org/kids

r Events

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with: 13

CMN Reindeer Run for Kids.

9am. Country’s on Broadway; www. yourhealthourmission.com

13 Lowes Build and Grow Clinic. 10am.

Free. Holiday Train Engine. 1st-5th grades, 6750 Veterans Pkwy, Columbus; lowesbuildandgrow.com

18-20 Family Theatre presents “Tiny

Tim’s Christmas Carol.” 7:30pm. $8-$12.

2100 Hamilton Road, Columbus; www. familytheatre.org

18-21

Disney’s Mary Poppins.

2:30pm and 7:30pm. Springer Opera House; www.springeroperahouse.org

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19

13Holiday Open House at the Colum-

19-21

Cottonmouths vs. Louisiana.

7:30pm. $9-$30. Columbus Civic Center; www.columbusciviccenter.org bus Museum. 11am-4pm. Free. Punch and cookies, arts and crafts, Santa Claus and more. www.columbusmuseum.com

13 Bi-City Christmas Parade. 10am-

Noon. Starts in Phenix City, crosses over 13th Stree Bridge and continutes down Broadway; uptowncolumbusga.com

13-14 Story time with Mrs. Claus.

1pm and 3:30pm. $11. Callaway Gardens; www.callawaygardens.com

13-14

Columbus Ballet presents “The Nutcracker.” 7:30pm Saturday, 2:30 Sunday. RiverCenter, 900 Broadway, Columbus; www.rivercenter.org

13-14

Movie: The Polar Express.

TBA. Free hot chocolate for kids in pjs.

National Infantry Museum; www.nationalinfantrymuseum.org/imax

14 Breakfast or Lunch with Santa at

the Rock Ranch, 5020 Barnesville Highway, The Rock, GA; therockranch.com

15 Santa Visit at Columbus Public Library. 10:30am. www.cvlga.org/kids

15 “Baby, It’s Cold!” Holiday Puppet

Show. 11am. Free. North Columbus Library; www.cvlga.org/kids

16

Hanukkah Celebration. 4:30pm.

Mildred Terry Library; cvlga.org/kids

Cottonmouths vs. Knoxville.

7:30pm. $9-$30. Columbus Civic Center; www.columbusciviccenter.org Movie: The Polar Express.

TBA. Free hot chocolate for kids in pjs.

National Infantry Museum; www.nationalinfantrymuseum.org/imax

20 Puppy Tales. 2pm. Columbus Public

Library; www.cvlga.org/kids 20-21 Story time with Mrs. Claus. 1pm and 3:30pm. $11. Callaway Gardens; www.callawaygardens.com

22 “Baby, It’s Cold!” Holiday Puppet

Show. 10:30am. Free. Columbus Public Library; www.cvlga.org/kids

22 Holiday Extravaganza. 3pm. Free.

South Columbus Library; cvlga.org/kids

22 Cantus Christmas. 7:30pm. $34.

RiverCenter; www.rivercenter.org

23 Family Night Holiday Celebration.

6:30pm. Free. Mildred Terry Library; www.cvlga.org/kids

26 Digital Storytime. 11am. Free. Ages 5 and under. Columbus Public Library; www.cvlga.org/kids

28 Family Movie Matinee: Back to the

Future (PG). 3pm. Free. Columbus Public Library; www.cvlga.org/kids

30 New Year’s at Noon for Children.

11am. Free. Countdown the New Year, kid’s style! Columbus Public Library; www.cvlga.org/kids

Weekly Events Monday

Family Night at Chick-fil-A Wynnton Road/Midtown. 5-7:30pm. Crafts and fun. Buy a combo at regular price and get a kid’s 4-pc meal free. 2421 Wynnton Road, Columbus Family Night at Chick-fil-A Phenix City.

5-7:30pm. Crafts and fun. Buy a combo at regular price and get a kid’s 4-pc meal free. 3711 U.S Hwy 280, Phenix City

Friday & Saturday

Christmas at the Landings on Airport Thruway. Free. Horse & carriage rides.

Santa visits and more; www.shopthlandings.com

Saturday & Sunday

Visit with Santa in Columbus Park Crossing Courtyard. 11am - 5pm.

Every Day

Ludy’s Christmas Light Spectacular. Over 140,000 lights sequenced to holiday music. 5784 Ironstone Drive, Cottonwood subdivision, Columbus; www. ludychristmas.com Fantasy in Lights. Travel through five miles of larger-than-life lighted scenes on either the Jolly Trolley or in your personal vehicle; Callawy Gardens, Pine Mountain; www.callway gardens.com Please call ahead to confirm event dates, times and age appropriateness, in case changes were made after the info was obtained. For more, visit MuscogeeMoms.com.

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

HOO’s INSPIRED

Teaching Kids Empathy

Empathy is the ability to read the emotions of others and imagine what they may be feeling.

It is the key to being able to form relationships with other people. Other feelings, such as gratitude and caring, spring forth from the development of this ability. Babies as young as 18 months can start learning to read the expressions on people’s faces, so it is never too early to help your child learn to become an empathetic, caring individual.

Start by ensuring that you and others who spend time with your children are setting good examples. For example, even if you are having a bad day, don’t snap at the server who got your order wrong. Also, pay attention to who your child is hanging out with. You don’t want your child to by copying unkind behavior, such as bullying, that is being modeled by his peers.

Next, help your kids practice understanding and reading emotions. Happy and sad are easy enough facial expressions to read, but the more subtle emotions, such shyness, take more practice to recognize. Your kids need to be able to piece together body language as well as facial expressions in order to interpret more subtle emotions.

One way to help your child identify different emotions is to put a label on how they feel. Try making comments like ‘You seem frustrated with trying to tie your shoes’ or ‘You seem lonely now that your friend is going home.’ To help

your kids understand and identify emotions in others, make statements like ‘I feel sad because you didn’t come when I call you.’ Role playing and reading books about feelings can also be useful tools for helping kids understand different emotions. If your child seems to be struggling with reading emotion and body language, you may want to consider enrolling him into a social skills group.

While your child is learning to read emotions, ask him to try to imagine what the other person might be feeling and suggest something kind and caring he could do for him. Encourage kind, caring behavior by having your kids practice it at home. Your kids could write kind notes to each other or each make a kind comment about someone else at the dinner table. When your kids gets presents for his birthday or for the holidays, teach your child to write sincere thank you notes. (If you meet resistance, ask ‘How would you feel if you gave someone a nice gift and they never said thank you?’ ) When you observe your child putting what he has learned into action by displaying an exceptional example of empathy and caring, don’t forget to praise him for it. However, don’t go overboard on the praise. Save it for when your child goes over and above normal expectations, or it could become distracting instead of encouraging.

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

Jokin’ Around Which one of Santa’s reindeer has the worst manners?

Rude-olph What’s a snowman’s favorite cereal?

Frosted Flakes How much did Santa pay for his reindeer?

Just a few bucks. They didn’t cost him much doe.

What do snowmen like best at school?

Snow and tell

HOO’s FUN

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HOO’s CRAFTY Holiday Gift Idea

Peppermint & Green tea

Bath salt

Bath salts purchased at a local bath and body store contain ingredients that are not necessary for a fantastic and effective product and they can be really expensive! Try making your own at home where you can control the ingredients and you’ll see just how simple it is. Not to mention the money you will save creating your own mixture!

Make a jar for yourself and one to gift to a friend or deserving family member- they will thank you for this indulgent treat. The best thing about this diy though? It allows you to change up the essential oil to get whatever effect you desire! Peppermint is engergizing, Chamomile and Lavender for calming, Rose and Sandalwood are relaxing and sensual.

Green Tea has antiseptic and antioxidant properties as well as soothing irritated skin. Epsom salt has long been known to relax tired,aching muscles. It reduces swelling and draws toxins from your body. There are over 80 minerals in sea salt that are good for nourishing the body, increasing blood circulation, and promoting your bodys natural detox process. Peppermint for aromatherapy is an invigorating scent and can help alleviate headaches. If you’re feeling down and out, this soak is just the ticket!

Directions

supplies

1 Combine epsom salt and sea salt in a medium mixing bowl.

2 Add loose tea or if you’re using tea

bags, cut them open and add the loose tea to the mixture.

3 Mix well.

4 Add peppermint oil and either the

coconut or almond oil and stir it well to combine.

3 cups epsom salt 1 cup sea salt 3 Tbsp. loose or 9 green tea bags 4-6 drops of peppermint essential oil 6-8 drops coconut or almond oil (For extra dry skin try olive oil, for oily skin use a lighter oil like almond.

5 When mixed well, cover with a paper or kitchen towel and let sit for a bit to absorb the scent and oil.

6 Store in an airtight container.

Recipe and photo by adventuresincoupons.com

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

www.HooKnowsTheValley.com

A Page In A Book Recommending the Best Books

for Children and Teens By Paige Gardner Smith

We All Have A Story to Tell.

Children love a good story – real or imagined. And for young readers, it’s a natural next step for them to want to craft stories of their own. The following titles are entertaining explorations of the art of story-telling. Whether the medium is art, voice or the written-word, everyone has a story – and the charm is in the telling.

Lost for Words

By Natalie Russell (Peachtree)

Prepared with a nice new notebook and colored pencils, Tapir is ready to create a story between its covers. But nothing comes to mind as he confronts the blank, white pages. Tapir goes to visit his talented friends with hopes of overcoming his writer’s block, but he’s still coming up empty for ideas of his own. Tapir finally retreats to a quiet hilltop. And what he sees inspires him to put his pencils to the page – to finally tell his own story. A sweet reminder that not all tales need words, this book is a celebration of all the different ways a story can be told.

Help We Need a Title!

By Herve Tullet (Candlewick)

From the moment the first page turns, readers enter into a conversation with the casually drawn and engaging figures in “Help! We Need a Title”. An incongruous team of characters are surprised to the see the reader open their book – and are also unprepared with no story to tell. They make some false starts trying to entertain the reader before they decide what’s really needed is an author. The direct engagement of the characters as they break the “fourth wall” will delight readers of all ages.

Originally published in France, Tullet’s candid style is ideal for introducing the elements of storytelling to young readers!

Ike’s Incredible Ink

By Brianne Farley (Candlewick)

As a dedicated reader and lover of good stories, Ike feels ready to write one of his own. But getting started is hard. Ike can’t start this project without the perfect ink. He embarks on a long journey to find the best ingredients. Securing shady and mysterious shadows are first on his list. Tracking and plucking the black feathers are the Booga bird are next. Collecting the velvety dark of the moon requires extraordinary preparation and some rocketry (but Ike gets there and back). And the story that follows is the perfect culmination of Ike’s desire to write a story that’s all his own!them special after all!

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

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Hoo’s Tips Here are a few food storage hacks that will help keep your food fresher for longer. l To keep your avocado halves green, refrigerate them in a container with a cut onion. l Keep sliced apples from oxidizing by soaking slices in ginger ale for 10 minutes. l Keep your blackberries, strawberries and blueberries fresher than ever by soaking them in a vinegar bath for 5 minutes with 3 cups of water and 1 cup of vinegar. Dry berries and store with paper towels in a container that allows moisture to escape. l Instead of refrigerating mushrooms in the plastic container they came in, store them in a brown paper bag to keep them firm and dry. l Put onions, garlic and shallots in paper bags with holes (use paper hole puncher) to keep them firm and fresh and do not refrigerate.

Fresher Longer l Layer salad leaves with paper towels keep them crispy for a week.

4

l Cover unwashed celery in aluminum foil to keep it crisp for up to five weeks. l Store potatoes with an apple to keep them fresh. l Asparagus can stay crisp for a full week by placing them in a glass jar with water and topped with a plastic bag. l Store almonds, walnuts and sunflower seeds in containers in your refrigerator and it will actually keep them fresher longer. l Peel, slice and freeze ginger to make it last.

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HOO’s Fun Mickey’s Merry Maze

Start

Finish

© Disney

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

HOO’S at the Movies 26

night at the museum: secret of the tomb Rated PG | Ok for kids 7+

You know how all the exhibits come to life at the museum every night? Well, that magic might come to an end unless security guard/CEO Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) can figure out why the Tablet of Ahkmenrah is dying out. To do so, he spans the globe, uniting favorite and new characters while embarking on an epic quest to save the magic before it’s gone forever. Directed by Shawn Levy, the all-star cast includes Robin Williams (one of his final films), Mickey Rooney (his final film), Rebel Wilson, Ben Kingsley, Dan Stevens, Owen Wilson, Steve Coogan, Skyler Gisondo and Ricky Gervais.

the hobbit: the battle of the five armies PG-13 | Ok for kids 12+

Peter Jackson’s third movie in “The Hobbit” trilogy, adapted from the books by J.R.R. Tolkien, concludes the adventures of Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) and the Company of Dwarves. Having reclaimed their homeland from the Dragon Smaug (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch), the group has unwittingly unleashed a deadly force into the world, and Smaug rains his fiery wrath down upon the defenseless people of Lake-town. Obsessed with his reclaimed treasure, Thorin sacrifices friendship and honor to hoard it as Bilbo tries to reason with him. Meanwhile, evil Sauron has sent forth legions of Orcs in a stealth attack upon the Lonely Mountain, and the future of Middle-earth hangs in the balance.

big eyes Rated PG-13 for thematic elements and brief strong language | Ok for kids 13+

Directed and produced by Tim Burton, “Big Eyes” is based on the true story of Walter Keane (Christoph Waltz), one of the most successful painters of the 1950s and 1960s. The artist catapulted to international fame by commercializing his enigmatic paintings of waifs with big eyes. Except ... they were actually painted by his wife, Margaret (Amy Adams). “Big Eyes” tells the story of Margaret’s awakening as an artist, the phenomenal success of her paintings, and her tumultuous relationship with her husband. Also stars Danny Huston, Krysten Ritter, Jason Schwartzman and Terence Stamp.

into the woods PG for thematic elements, fantasy action and some suggestive material | Ok for kids 9+

This big screen adaptation of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical is a modern twist on the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tales “Cinderella,” “Little Red Riding Hood,” “Jack and the Beanstalk” and “Rapunzel.”

The tales are tied together by an original story involving a baker and his wife, their wish to begin a family, and their interaction with the witch who has put a curse on them. Meryl Streep (The Witch), Anna Kendrick (Cinderella), Chris Pine (The Prince), Johnny Depp (The Wolf) and Emily Blunt (The Baker’s Wife) head up the cast of this gorgeous film directed by Rob Marshall.

Paddington G | Ok for kids 6+

From the beloved novels by Michael Bond and producer David Heyman (“Harry Potter”), this cute family movie follows the comic misadventures of a young Peruvian bear (voiced by Colin Firth) who travels to the city in search of a home. Lost and alone, he starts to realize that perhaps city life isn’t for him, until he meets the kindly Brown family who offer him a temporary haven. Things are going fine until this rarest of bears catches the eye of a museum taxidermist. Directed by Paul King, the cast also includes Hugh Bonneville, Nicole

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CLEMENT ARTS PRESENTS

Studio Elevare CLASSICAL BALLET, JAZZ, AND MORE FOR GIRLS AGES 3 + Discounts available for home school classes Located near the River Mill Event Center in Columbus For more information visit: www.clement-arts.org/studio-elevare or email elliegrace@clement-arts.org

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

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Online help for homework Can’t help the kids with their homework tonight?

Here are some folks who can! A busy parent’s dream – dynamic web sites for school kids who need homework help or just want better grades.

The Homework Spot at www.homeworkspot.com features dynamic homework-related content in every subject for elementary through high school students. In addition, a powerful reference center provides free access to some of the world’s best libraries, museums, and current event sources. Kids can even take a study break with a wide assortment

HOO’s learning

of mind-stretching, horizon-expanding activities, diversions and events.

Another homework site, Information Please, also combines study help, answers and fun at www. infoplease.com/homework, but with a few more ads and popups. Check out the Fact Monster!

Students will also love having the Internet Public Library just for reference and school-based resources. Visiting www.ipl.org/div/kidspace just might garner a better grade!

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

Celebrating 25 years!

L iv ing. L o v ing. Le a r n i n g.

Caring for your children and laying a foundation for their growth and success has been our calling for the past 25 years. Our unique, caring approach is rooted in an understanding that each child is a gift and a responsibility. These precious little ones deserve our attention, security and love. Just like home. Today, our commitment to your children continues with caring and experienced teachers, a stimulating and secure environment and an atmosphere of living, loving and learning you’ll only find at Growing Room.

Enroll now for the new school year! www.growingroomusa.com

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HOO’s tips

capturing your kids

The holiday picture-taking season has begun! Digital photography makes it easy to create your own holiday photos that you can use for greeting cards or give as gifts. Here are some tips that will help you capture holiday memories with great looking photos.

Set up your picture by making sure there is nothing unattractive in the background. Try to use a plain background that won’t be distracting, like a brick wall, wooden fence, or a window. Using a plain, neutral background is especially important if your kids are wearing brightly colored clothes. You don’t want the colors of their clothes to conflict with or blend into the background.

For outdoor pictures, the light is the best an hour after sunrise and an hour before sunset. During the other times of the day, have your subjects stand in the shade if possible, or at least position everyone so that the sun is behind them. If your subjects have the sun behind them, use your flash or your subjects may look too dark. If you are taking pictures indoors, take your pictures at a time of day when you can use the natural night, instead of having to turn on lights.

When your subjects are small kids, taking a picture when everyone is still and is smiling can be a real challenge. However, resist the temptation to just start taking a bunch of pictures, hoping at least one will turn out. Slow down and take a second to look through the viewfinder to see if the composition of the picture is what you wanted. If it is not, take a second or two to make adjustments.

MONDAY NIGHTS ARE

S

FREE Zax Kidz Meal between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. with the purchase of an adult meal.

(Limit one Zax Kidz Mealsper adult meal purchase. Dine-In only) VALID AT THESE LOCATIONS ONLY: 7626 Schomburg Rd. • Columbus • 706.507.3235 1915 Auburn Ave. • Columbus •706.507.9297 6190 Bradley Park Dr. • Columbus • 706.320.0046 7033 Ruffie Way • Midland • 706.289.1258

Limited-time offer. Offer valid at this location only, on Mondays, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Adult meals include any Most Popular Menu Item, Meal Deal, Zalad or Sandwich Basket.

Kids must be present when ordering. Each restaurant independently owned and operated. © 2014 Zaxby’s Franchising, Inc. “Zaxby’s” and “Zax Kidz” are registered trademarks of Zaxby’s Franchising, Inc.