Family & Kids Magazine May 2022

MAY 2022

Wise Choices for Moms & Families

CHATTAHOOCHEE VALLEY

D REA

Page 25

Summer Reading Starts May 14 with “Oceans of Possibilities.”

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

Valid at the following locations only:

3722 S. Railroad St. • Phenix City 3908 U.S. Hwy. 80 W. Phenix City

FREE

Zax Kidz Meal ®

with any adult meal purchase.

7626 Schomburg Rd. Columbus 1915 Auburn Ave. • Columbus 6190 Bradley Park Dr. Columbus 7033 Ruffie Way • Columbus

Participating locations only.

Mondays

5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.

Offer only valid Monday 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Kids 10 and under only. Limit one Zax Kidz Meal per adult meal purchase. Adult meals include any Zalad®, Sandwich Meal or Most Popular Meal. Dine-in only. Not valid at any other locations. © 2018 Zaxby’s Franchising LLC “Zaxby’s,” “Zax Kidz” and “Zalad” are registered trademarks of Zaxby’s Franchising LLC. Each Zaxby’s restaurant is independently owned and operated under a license agreement with Zaxby’s Franchising LLC.

HOO’s parenting

3

Teach Them

M

Mindfulness

indfulness is the action of living in the moment and paying full attention to thoughts, feelings and surroundings. It is slowing down and taking things one step at a time instead of trying to multi-task. You may notice that young children sometimes naturally practice mindfulness when they stop and watch fish swim in an aquarium or water flow in a creek with undivided attention. However, as kids get older, the distractions of the online world and increasing demands on their time can cause them to grow out of natural mindfulness.

Take a nature walk and ask your child to see how many insects she can spot or how many different bird songs she can hear. Ask her how being outside and walking makes her body feel and ask her to describe the emotions she feels while spending time outside.

Teaching mindfulness to kids helps them focus and fully enjoy activities. Mindfulness can also teach self-soothing and control over emotions. This control helps kids manage anxiety and helps them to be patient when they cannot have what they want right away. Also, as your child becomes more mindful and gains more control over her thoughts and emotions, it helps boost her self-esteem and gives her the resilience needed in difficult situations, such as dealing with a bully or “mean girl.”

Use the sense of touch. Fill a paper bag with dif-

Notice when your child is practicing mindfulness naturally and use those opportunities to teach the concepts behind mindfulness. Let your child know when she is doing a good job focusing on her present surroundings. If your child is older and less likely to naturally be mindful, you may need to initiate mindfulness activities. When teaching mindfulness, ask your child to describe what she experiences when she uses her five senses to explore her surroundings and how her current surroundings make her feel. Explain that mindfulness is an awareness of the present and intrusive worries about the future and the past should be managed and not allowed to invade when you are being mindful. If your child is full of energy and having trouble focusing on the activity, try again later instead of forcing her to participate.

Here are some fun ways to bring mindfulness into your child’s routine. You may need to try different ways of practicing mindfulness to find ones that work well for your child.

Enjoy a mindful meal or snack together. Ask your

child to eat slowly and focus on experiencing the taste of each bite. Have your child describe what the food feels like when she places it in her mouth and what it tastes like. ferent objects and ask your child to reach in without looking, focus on how an object feels and guess what it is before pulling it out. Repeat the process until the bag is empty.

Teach your child to slow down and quiet her mind by focusing on her breathing. Ask her to close her eyes and count her breaths out loud. In this exercise, there is no need to alter the rate of breathing. The goal is to focus on calming down the mind and reducing stress.

Set an example by practicing mindfulness in your own life. While you are guiding your child through mindfulness activities, relax and enjoy them by removing distractions.

There are some phone apps that are useful for mindfulness activities but put the phone away if it becomes a distraction instead of a tool. When you feel stressed, model mindfulness by telling your kids you are taking a moment to focus your thoughts.

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The Scoop!

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

2022

AD DEADLINE:

MAY 4 FOR JUNE ISSUE JUNE 1 FOR JULY ISSUE

Feature your summer camp, VBS, activity or attraction in our GUIDE to over 30,000 moms monthly who will use our guide and digital platforms to find options for their kids!

TO BOOK: CALL 253-212-7270 OR TAMMY@FAMILYANDKIDSGA.COM

Where to Find HOO? Check your local kid-friendly doctors, dentists, attractions, retail shops & restaurants; or see our interactive distro map at: familyandkidsga.com/get-a-copy

TO SUBMIT AD OR EVENT: Tammy Usie, Publisher tammy@familyandkidsga.com 253-212-7270 FamilyAndKidsGA

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

HOO’s HEALTHY Transient synovitis of the hip is an inflammation and swelling of the tissues called the synovial membrane that surrounds the hip joint. This condition is the most common cause of hip pain in children and usually only affects one hip. It is most common in children ages 3-8 and boys are 2 to 4 times more likely than girls.

Doctors are not exactly sure what causes this condition.

However, since some children develop it shortly after a viral infection, such as a cold, researchers think that there may be a connection between the transient synovitis of the hip and the substances created by the body to fight infection.

Symptoms of transient synovitis of the hip include a low-grade fever, hip discomfort after a long period of resting the joint, limping with the toes outward and the knee bent or straightened and, in some cases, a refusal to walk. Also, in some cases, there will be pain in the knee or thigh but no pain in the hip. When the condition occurs in infants, symptoms may include crying when the hips are moved during a diaper change.

What is: Transient Synovitis

The symptoms of hip inflammation may develop suddenly, which can be very alarming for both the child and his parents.

To diagnose transient synovitis of the hip, a doctor will move the hip, knee and other joints to see what types of movements are painful. An imaging study of the hip may be ordered so that the doctor can examine the hip joint for fluid and blood tests may also be ordered. A culture of the fluid from the joint may also be performed to help rule out other conditions, such as septic arthritis. Treatment of transient synovitis of the hip includes resting the hip joint and taking anti-inflammatory drugs. The anti-inflammatory medications usually provide some relief from pain after a few days of taking them and transient synovitis typically resolves within a week or two, but in some cases, it can last up to five weeks.

RESOURCES: healthline.com/health/toxic-synovitis

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

Give them a

HOO’s Fun

Spring Fling

Make the most of this exhilarating season by getting outdoors to enjoy the fresh air, sunshine and loads of fun with these family activities.

Plant a flower or vegetable garden.

Gather up the kids, head to the nursery and pick out flats of flowers or packets of vegetable seeds. When you get home, plan the arrangement and spacing of the plants. Then have everyone pitch in with digging and planting. To maintain your kids’ interest in the garden, set up a watering schedule and have everyone take turns throughout the season. Visiting the beautiful Columbus Botanical Garden is a fun way for kids to learn more about plants and gardening. A special ‘Little Sprouts’ program for kids up to 5 years old is offered on the first Tuesday of each month.

Visit a state or national park. Forests and parks come alive in the spring. Not only does the greenery begin to fill in, but wildlife abounds.

Take the kids on a hike and be sure to take along your binoculars and a camera to capture newly blossomed plants, animals and birds. Kids will enjoy seeing the unique geology at Providence Canyon State Park in Lumpkin, GA or exploring the trails through the rolling mountains at FDR State Park in Pine Mountain, GA. Go on a picnic. Pack some finger foods like sandwiches, cheese sticks, veggies and dip, fruit, cookies, and beverages. Then head to the park to enjoy some play, relaxation and grub. To see our guide on area parks and playgrounds, visit familyandkidsga.com/columbus-ga-parksplaygrounds Play disc golf. These courses have popped up in parks everywhere and are fun for all ages. Just head to your nearby sporting goods store and pick up a few discs before you go. Flat Rock Park in Columbus, GA features an 18-hole course that is open to the public and has a variety of wooded and open holes.

Go for a bike ride. Whether it’s a ride through your neighborhood or on the Dragonfly Trail system in Columbus, GA, a bike ride is a great way to get outdoors and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. Don’t have enough bikes for everyone? Bike rentals are available at Bikes and Beyond on Manchester Expressway and at Ride on Bikes on Broadway in Columbus.

Attend a soccer or baseball game.

Nothing says ‘it’s spring’ like a baseball or soccer game.

Get some tickets to a Chatt-a-Hoots baseball game or a Columbus Rapids indoor soccer game, or check the game schedule for your kids’ school. Make it festive and dress in your team colors!

Fly a kite. A breezy spring day is perfect for flying kites. For even more fun, order a kite kit in advance for your family to design your own. Then, check out Youtube videos on how to fly a kite before you head out to ensure your adventure is a success.

Hold a garage or toy sale. Have your kids clean out their old toys and outgrown clothes.

Then offer your kids a portion or all of the proceeds for helping with the sale. Be sure to advertise it on social media, and post ‘yard sale’ signs on your main intersection and on nearby corners.

Go on a scavenger hunt. Make a list of items that are found outdoors, such as an oak leaf, clover, piece of trash, dandelion, pop can, speckled rock, wildflower and so forth. Before heading out, set a time limit and any safety rules. Then split up into two teams and see who can bring home the most items on the list.

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

live music arts & Crafts Food

free FAMILY FUN

alwaysuptown.com

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

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HOO’s INSPIRED Mommin’ So Hard!

Mother’s Day is not the only day of the year to consider self-care. If you do not have yourself in order, it will be much more difficult to fulfill the responsibility of motherhood. A healthy mind and body are resilient and able to stand up to the physical and emotional challenges of motherhood.

Take the time to exercise and prepare healthy food. We all make sacrifices to help our kids achieve their dreams, but your physical health and spiritual health are a priority and should not be neglected.

Part of spiritual health is taking time to be still. You know what works best for your family and it is fine to limit commitments so that you are not overbooked. Also, even if it means asking friends and family to help babysit kids, schedule time that is just for you on your calendar. You could offer to trade babysitting with another mom so she also can have time to tend to her needs.

Healthy relationships are part of spiritual and emotional well-being. No one else

has traveled the exact path you are on.

You know your child better than anyone else. When you find a parenting method that works for your child, incorporate it into your routine and parent with confidence, even if your fellow moms may have approached the parenting issue another way. Follow your ‘sixth sense’ and do not let harsh critiques from others cause so much self-doubt that you feel frozen in ‘analysis paralysis.’ It is fine to set boundaries for those who only provide unsolicited critiques and treat motherhood as a competition. Treasure the friendships you form with fellow moms whose intent is to encourage and support you.

Finally, just because you are a mother, it does not mean you lose your individuality. You will not have as much time as you did before to pursue your interests and use your talents.

However, with some innovation, you can find ways to apply your skills, such as starting a home business or volunteering in the community, and even find ways to include the kids to help you or provide teaching moments.

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

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WWW.ADVANCEREHAB.COM

Scan QR code and schedule an appointment today!

Visit Us At Our Columbus Location

PHYSICAL AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY SERVICES

2045 Centre Stone Ct, Suite B Phone (706) 507-3794 Fax (706) 507-3681

HOO’s HUNGRY

HIDDEN VEGGIE

•

MAC & CHEESE Throw away the box version full of preservatives, and sneak in vegetables for a healthier option of this classic.

DIRECTIONS

Cook the pasta in a pot of boiling water according to package instructions. Drain the pasta then add it back to the pot. If veggies are raw, add them to a pot with 2 cups water. Let boil and cook veggies until they soften, about 5-10 minutes. Strain the veggies and add to a blender along with 1 cup of milk into a puree. Pour the veggie puree back into the pot along with shredded cheese and cream cheese. Let it melt over medium heat, stirring often. Once cheese is melted into the sauce, pour over top of the cooked pasta and stir together. Season with salt and pepper and add your favorite toppings if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Courtesy of andianne.com

INGREDIENTS

• 3 cups elbow pasta noodles • 1 cup cauliflower florets • 1 cup butternut squash (fresh or frozen) • 1 cup carrots - chopped • 1 cup milk - dairy or non-dairy • 2 cups grated cheddar cheese • ½ cup cream cheese - 4 oz.

• Salt and pepper

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

Dining Deals

for Kids

11

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

MONDAY

Saturday

Barberitos

Denny’s

Free kid’s meal with adult entrée after 4pm

Sapo’s

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

Zaxby’s

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

Tuesday

4-10pm: Up to two free kids entrées with adult entrée for kids 10 and under

Sunday The Simple Greek

Kids 12 & under get half-off kids bowl with purchase of regular size bowl. Not to be combined

Chicken Salad Chick

MOE’s Southwest Grill

Free Little Chick Meal with purchase of adult meal

Free kid’s meal with purchase of adult entrée

Denny’s

Every day

4-10pm: Up to two free kids entrées with adult entrée for kids 10 and under

Jason’s Deli

5-9pm: Free kid’s meal for kids 12 and under with each adult entrée; dine-in only

Ruby Tuesday

5-10pm: Kids 12 and under eat free with adult entrée

219 On The Lake

5-9pm: Kids eat for $2.19 on kids menu (M-TH)

Bruster’s Ice Cream

Kids under 40” get free baby cone

McAlister’s

Kid’s meals are $1.99 with dine-in order

Wednesday Applebee’s Half off kid’s meal per adult entrée. Limit: 4 kids to adult

Your Pie

Kid’s meal $1.99 (pizza, drink & gelato) w/ adult meal

Red Robin

Kid’s meal $1.99 w/ adult meal for kids 11 and under

Newk’s

4pm-close: free kid’s meal with adult meal (M-W)

Do you offer a Kids’ Dining Deal, or know a restaurant that does?

Let us know at tammy@ familyandkidsga.com

All locations are Columbus, GA unless noted. Specials are subject to change without notice, so please verify them directly before dining. Send kids deals to Tammy@FamilyAndKidsGA.com.

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

@FamilyAndKidsGA

HOO’S PLUGGED IN www.familyandkidsga.com

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

13 13

HOO’s HEALTHY

s

ie g r e l l a h it w

By Bernie Chance,

Spring cleaning doesn’t have to cause your allergy and asthma symptoms to flare up. There are ways to help you start fresh with the spring season and have the allergy relief you desire.

After staying indoors during the winter months and watching things pile up around the house, many moms welcome the idea of spring cleaning, decluttering and starting afresh. However, what many don’t consider is that spring cleaning can be a challenging activity for those suffering from allergies.

When you’re cleaning out all the rooms in your house, you stir up dirt, dust and other allergens from their resting places, causing them to circulate throughout your house. When this happens, allergic symptoms kick into overdrive causing those with allergies to feel sick and be frustrated.

If this experience resonates with you, you’re not alone! Though spring cleaning can cause a flare-up in your allergy systems, we have five tips for you that can make this easier and better!

Clean From the Top Down It’s essential to ensure that you’re not moving dust from one place to another when cleaning your home. To make sure this doesn’t happen, use the top-down approach.

Start by cleaning the room’s highest point, like the top shelf of a bookcase. By doing this, any loose dust or debris will fall to the shelf below or the floor. Because you’re working your way down, you don’t have to worry about dust falling somewhere you’ve already cleaned.

Keep the Air Clear There are a few things you can do to make sure the air in your house is clean and clear. To reduce the number of allergens in the air, clean air filters and duct filters when the season changes, ban indoor smoking, and keep your windows closed.

RN, MSN, FNP –

Health l Director, AllerVie BC, National Clinica

If making these changes does not help your allergy symptoms, it might be time to take it a step further and consider getting a HEPA filter. While regular air filters are good at trapping dust particles, they aren’t as good as trapping the microscopic irritants that cause your allergies to flare up.

Wear a Mask You’re most likely sick of wearing a mask; however, taking this simple precaution highly limits allergen exposure and can decrease the harsh chemical fumes you smell when disinfecting surfaces.

Keep Your Windows Closed Keep outdoor allergens outside by closing all windows. We know it can be tempting to crack a window and let the smell of the fresh air fill your home, but if it’s the smell you’re chasing, there are other ways you can make your house smell fresh. Use natural air fresheners like lemons and mint leaves to create a refreshing aroma throughout your home.

Declutter Spring cleaning doesn’t just mean cleaning; it also means decluttering. Extra clothes crammed in your closet, knickknacks on bookshelves and storage boxes can create havens for trapped dust and other allergens. By taking time to pick out the clothes you actually wear and the décor that you truly want featured throughout your home, you limit the number of surfaces for allergens to live on and minimize the number of things you have to clean.

While these tips can help relieve some of your allergy symptoms, it’s important to find out what is causing your allergies to flare up.

By identifying what you’re allergic to, you can ensure that you’re avoiding the right triggers.

The Allergy Center at Brookstone in Columbus, now part of the AllerVie Health Network, has a team of board-certified allergists and immunologists to help patients find relief from their allergy symptoms. Contact 706-324-4012 to set up an evaluation.

14

Wise Choices for You & Your Family EDUCATION/CARE GUIDE

Math. Reading.

Confidence.

Kumon Math & Reading of Columbus - North 1290 Double Churches Rd., Ste. K Columbus, GA 31904

706.257.6963 kumon.com/columbus-north ©2014 Kumon North America

You could reach over 15,000 moms in this ad space starting @ $155.

Call 253-212-7270

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

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JOIN US FOR A WEEK OF FUN & INTERACTIVE LESSONS, MUSIC, CRAFTS, AND GAMES!

June 20-24, 2022

9am-12pm

Cascade Hills Church

4yr olds-5th grade Visit www.cascadehills.com/kids-week for more info.

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

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HOO’s CRAFTY

DIY FROSTED HOME DECOR Turn any glass item into a more sophisticated, frosted piece of decor.

DIRECTIONS Mix up your food coloring and Mod Podge to your desired color. Try 2 spoonfuls of Mod Podge and 4-5 drops of food coloring. Paint a VERY THIN layer of the mixture onto the outside of your glass. Use long, straight strokes of your brush. WATCH FOR DRIPS! Make sure you brush them out before it dries…and it dries quickly! Allow to dry (about 5-10 mins) and then repeat step 3 to add another coat. You can do as many as you want to reach your desired level of opacity. It dries MUCH clearer than it looks when you first put it on. Allow to dry completely. If you use regular Mod Podge, DO NOT GET YOUR GLASSES NEAR WATER! Mod Podge is water soluble. If you’d like to make items for outdoor use, then apply “Outdoor Mod Podge” instead of the regular version.

on Sundays

(AKA YOU DON’T HAVE TO COOK)

5555 Whittlesey Blvd • Columbus, GA 6516 Kitten Lake Dr • Midland, GA *One free kid’s meal with the purchase of an adult entrée of $6 or more. Kids must be 12 and under. Cannot be combined with any other offer.

• Mod Podge or

Outdoor Mod Podge

• Food Coloring • Paint or Foam Brush • Glass item to paint COURTESY OF: unoriginalmom.com

©2021 Moe’s Franchisor SPV LLC-550344

KIDS EAT FREE

*

SUPPLIES

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May E

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

1 April Showers. 2pm. Springer Opera House; 706-327-3688 3 Little Sprouts. 10:30am. Ages 0-5. $5/

family. Columbus Botanical Garden, 706327-8400

3 Spring Tea. 11:30am. Reservations

required. The Farm House Restaurant, Ellerslie; 706-561-343 5

3 Harry Potter Night. Families. 6:30pm.

Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782

4Otaku Club. Teens. 4pm. South Columbus Library; 706-683-8805

5 Get Your Game ON. 3:30pm. South Columbus Library; 706-683-8805

5-7 Steel Magnolias. 7:30pm. Sun

11 Whatever Wednesday. Teens. 4pm.

South Columbus Library; 706-683-8805

12 Get Your Game ON. 3:30pm. South Columbus Library; 706-683-8805

12-14

Steel Magnolias. 7:30pm.

Sun 2:30pm. Springer Opera House; 706327-3688

13-14 Uptown’s River Fest 2022.

Uptown Columbus; 706-596-0111

14 Presidential Flyer Excursion Train.

10am. SAM Shortline, Cordele; 1-877-GARAILS

14 Columbus Children’s Book Festival.

10am-1pm. Columbus Library; 706-2432669

2:30pm. Springer Opera House; 706-3273688

14 Pine Mountain Days. 10am-5pm.

Pine Mountain; 706-628-0010

11am-2pm. Hills & Dales Estate, LaGrange; 706-882-3242

mo.) 10am; Preschoolers (2-5 yrs) 11am.

North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

$8. Gay; cpfair.org

17 Teen Tournaments. 2pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

Rosie Revere, Engineer & Friends. 9:30am & 11:30am. RiverCenter; 706-256-3612

ilies. 3-6pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

7 15th Annual Picnic in the Garden.

7-8 Cotton Pickin’ Fair. 8am-5pm. $59-10

10 Teen Advisory Group (T.A.G.) Meeting. Teens. 5:30pm. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782

10 The Great Island Escape. Teens. 6pm.

Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782

17 Simple Steps Storytime. Babies (0-24 18 Summer Reading Jumpstart. Fam19

Thursday Toddler Tales. 10am.

Barnes & Noble Columbus; 706-653-7880

19 Summer Crafternoons: Perler Bead Creations. Teens. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2811

19 Teen Takeover. 6pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

20 TGIF! Library Kids. 3pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

21 Princess Music Party. 9:30am, Noon, 2pm, & 4pm. $25-$35. Columbus Convention & Trade Center; eventbright.com

21 CSO Open Rehearsal. 12:30-3:30pm.

RiverCenter; csoga.org

21 70’s in Plains Excursion Train.

3:15pm. SAM Shortline, Cordele; 1-877-GA-RAILS 21 Crafts for a Cause: Family Saturday.

3pm. North Columbus Library; 706-7482855 21 CSO presents Respighi, Barber, Be-

rio, and Ives Concert. 7:30pm. RiverCenter; csoga.org/tickets

21-22 Catch a Mermaid Scav-

enger Hunt. Families. All day. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

23-28 Merry Pop-Ins. Teens. All Day. Columbus Library; 706-243-2811

24 Simple Steps Storytime. Babies (0-24 mo.) 10am; Preschoolers (2-5 yrs.)

11am. North Columbus Library; 706-7482855 24 Teen Tournaments. 2pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

Events

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

19

PROVIDED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:

25

Summer Reading Jumpstart.

Families. 3-6pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

26Ukulele for Beginners: Kids. 3pm.

North Columbus Public Library; 706-7482855

26 Ukulele for Beginners: Teens. 5pm.

North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855 26 Teen Takeover. 6pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

26Thursday Toddler Tales 10am.

Barnes & Noble Columbus; 706-653-7880 27 TGIF! Library Kids. 3pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

27-29

Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament. Callaway Gardens; 800-CALLAWAY

28 Bugs on the Hooch 2022. 8am3pm. 1002 Victory Drive; 706-527-7365

28 Presidential Flyer Excursion Train.

10am. SAM Shortline, Cordele; 1-877-GARAILS

31 Teen Tournaments. 2pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

31 Golden Ticket Tuesday: Minute To Win It. Teens. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706243-2811

Weekly Events

MONDAYS

Simple Steps Storytime. 10am Babies & Toddlers (0-36mo.) & 11am Preschoolers (3-4yrs). Columbus Library; 706-243-2813 Kawaii Club. Middle Grade Learners. 4pm.

Columbus Public Library; 706-243-2813

TUESDAYS

Origami Afternoons. Middle Grade Learners. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

Games in the Garden. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

THURSDAYS

Simple Steps Storytime. Families (0-5yrs.)

10am. Columbus Public Library; 706-2432813 Sight Words Support @ Your Library: 30-minute one-on-one practice session.

K-3rd grade students, 3-5pm. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782 LEGOS in the Library. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

FRIDAYS

Uptown’s Friday Night Concert Series.

7pm. Uptown Columbus; 706-596-0111

SATURDAYS

Market Days on Broadway. 9am-Noon.

900, 1000 &1100 blocks of Broadway; uptowncolumbusga.com Toddler Time. 10am-Noon. $10. Ages 5 and under. Launch Trampoline Park; 706221-8680

28 Uno, Dos, Tres, Craft! Ages 4-8.

Unplug…For Chess’ Sake! Families.

4:30pm. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-2432782

28 Crafts for a Cause: Family Saturday.

3pm. North Columbus Library; 706-7482855

WEDNESDAYS

Little Seedlings Saturdays. 11am-2pm.

Discovery Center, Callaway Gardens; 800-CALLAWAY

Discovery Hub. 11am. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

Please call ahead to confirm event dates, times and age appropriateness, in case changes were made after the info was obtained. For more events, visit our website at: familyandkidsga.com

3pm. Mildred L. Terry Public Library; 706243-2782

31 Simple Steps Storytime: Golden Ticket Tuesday. 11am-12noon. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

Simple Steps Storytime. Preschoolers (3-5 yrs.) 10am; Babies (0-24 mo.) 11:15am.

Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782

Plug into

20

HOO’s HELPFUL

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

Mom Groups

Finding a group of moms in your community who have kids of a similar age is a great way to form friendships and find play dates for your kids. If you are a new mom or have recently moved to the Columbus, GA area, joining a mom group provides the opportunity to network with other moms and get the support you need as you adjust to all the changes you are experiencing.

Here are some of the opportunities available in the Chattahoochee Valley area. If you do not find one right away that matches your schedule, attend events such as Mom and Me classes that give you an opportunity to meet local moms, and start to build a mom network for scheduling play dates and activities. You can also discover local mom network groups on Facebook such as ‘Moms of Columbus GA’ and ‘Mommy Group Columbus,GA/Ft Benning.’

Mothers of Preschoolers meets at Church on the Trail in Midland, GA on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month from 9:30am to 11:30am. Moms with kids in the age range from birth to kindergarten are welcome to attend. The mission of MOPS is for moms to gather and support each other on their motherhood journey. At the meetings, members have an opportunity to eat breakfast, enjoy listening to guest speakers and participate in hands-on activities such as crafts. While you attend the meeting, your child can attend the childcare. www.mops.org Deployed Love Fort Benning is a support group for military spouses that meets for coffee socials every Friday morning at 9:30 am. The group also hosts play dates and other social events for military families. The locations for the coffee socials and the dates for other social events are posted on their Facebook page @deployedlovebenning. Kim Clagg, Volunteer Director of Deployed Love Fort Benning, says, “We truly

are committed to welcoming all spouses and helping them find a community of support in our area. We provide these spouses with support before, during and after deployments offering fellowship, community events and resources.”

S.L.A.M. Sweat Like A Mother is a fitness and social group for moms. Workouts are led by certified instructors in several locations in Columbus, GA and all fitness levels are welcome. You can bring your kids with you to the outdoor workouts. Visit their website sweatlikeamother.com to register for a free pass for your first class and to view the class schedule.

Fort Benning iStroll is a 60-minute fullbody fitness routine that includes a jogging stroller. The workouts include running, body weights, dumbbells and resistance bands and are also an opportunity to form friendships with other parents. Monthly social events for the group are scheduled, some of which include kids and others that are just for parents. See the website at istroll.co/fort-benning for a free pass to try a class and information on how to join.

LIGHT Home School Support Group – LIGHT is a Christian organization dedicated to the support of home school families in Columbus, Phenix City and surrounding areas. Their function is to provide encouragement, prayerful support and communication among all homeschooling families; information on education techniques and curriculum; coordination of group activities; and monitoring of legislation related to home schools. This group has been created to help aid in communication amongst LIGHT member families. To join, visit their facebook group at facebook.com/groups/ homeschoollight.

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CSU YOUTH DANCE CONSERVATORY SUMMER CAMPS: JUNE 6-10

Royal Ballet Camp (ages 4-6): 9am-12pm Beginner (Level 1/2) Intensive: 9am-12pm Intermediate (Level 3/4) Intensive: 1pm-5pm Advanced (Level 5/6) Intensive: 1pm-5pm

columbusstate.edu/ydc | 706-507-8070

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If you attended summer camp as a child, you may have treasured memories of songs around the campfire and learning outdoor activities with new friends.

Today, there are so many choices that it can be hard to choose what sort of camp you should schedule for your child. Here are a few questions to ask yourself when deciding.

IS THE CAMP AGE-APPROPRIATE FOR MY CHILD? A child that is pre-k or kindergarten age would probably enjoy starting out at a half-day camp. This will help her get used to being away from home.

Day camp is a good in-between transition step for kids ages 6 to 10 years. Signing them up for a week-long day camp will get them familiar with spending time away from home in an unfamiliar environment. Depending on the child, usually ages 10-12 have matured enough to defeat the initial homesickness and enjoy overnight camp.

PREPARE YOUR CHILD BEFORE SENDING THEM TO AN OVERNIGHT CAMP. If your child has never spent the night far away from home and seems anxious about it, let your child practice spending the night at some place familiar but a good distance away, like grandma’s house, to help prepare them.

If they still seem anxious, it might be best to choose an overnight camp that’s closer to home at first.

DOES THE SUMMER CAMP MATCH YOUR CHILD’S INTERESTS? These days, there are both day camps and overnight camps to match almost any special area of interest, such as sports or performing arts. Consider your child’s personality when you are selecting a summer camp. For an adventurous child, an outdoor summer camp with plenty of outdoor activities would be perfect. A child that loves science may enjoy a technology

(also referred to as STEM) summer camp. If your child likes being challenged to learn new skills, a less specialized summer camp that covers many different skills, from crafting to canoeing, may be right for him.

IS THE CAMP ACCREDITED AND THE STAFF WELL-TRAINED? Look on the American Camp Association website to see if the summer camp you are interested in meets all the standards required for certification by this organization.

Check to ensure the counselors receive adequate training and that the counselor-to-camper ratio is appropriate for the age range of the campers.

Also, find out how long the summer camp has been operating, as longevity usually indicates a quality program.

HOW DO I FIND THE RIGHT CAMP FOR MY SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD? There are summer camps specifically for special needs children, but if your child wants to attend a mainstream camp with his friends, that may be possible too.

According to the experts, if your special needs child is able to attend a mainstream school, most summer camps should be able to make the necessary accommodations. With any camp, interview the director to find out their special needs experience, qualifications of the medical staff and how medications are handled.

Check out our SUMMER CAMP & ACTIVITIES GUIDE on pages 22-33 for some great options. Discover even more at: familyandkidsga.com/cat/camp/

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HOO’s NEWS

Library Kicks Off Summer Activities with BOOK FESTIVAL

The 7th annual COLUMBUS CHILDREN’S BOOK FESTIVAL has returned! On May 14 from 10am-1pm, four of America’s most talented children’s authors and illustrators will be there to visit and sign autographs at the Columbus Public Library. Join in for an exciting day of entertainment, meet-and-greets, crafts, costumed characters, entertainers, petting zoo and special guests: • MARC BROWN, creator of the book series and television series ARTHUR. • JARRET J. KROSOCZKA, author of the National Book Award finalist HEY, KIDDO and the author/illustrator of the LUNCH LADY and STAR WARS: JEDI ACADEMY series.

• JANET TASHJIAN, the much-lauded veteran author whose MY LIFE AS A… and EINSTEIN THE CLASS HAMSTER series are favorites of older kids and tweens.

• CHRISTIAN ROBINSON, the incredibly gifted artist and animator (Pixar, Sesame Street) who is rocking the publishing world with his stunning picture books (at your nearest Target store) that explore life in urban settings.

The Columbus Children’s Book Festival also marks the start for Oceans of Possibilities… the Chattahoochee Valley Libraries’ Summer Reading Challenge. The annual challenge provides exciting programs for readers of ALL AGES for 12 weeks during the summer months. You can read or attend free programs and track your progress for a chance to win great prizes. And the more you read, the more chances you’ll have to win the grand prize drawings! Be sure to pick up your first log at the Festival, at your favorite library branch or participate virtually with the BEANSTACK app, available at www.cvlga.org.

Visit your favorite branch of the Chattahoochee Valley Libraries on May 31 or July 5, show them your library card (or apply to get one) and you’ll receive this year’s Golden Ticket!

Scratch it off to see if you’re the lucky winner of a VISA gift card or the recipient of a code to help you gain more entries in the Summer Reading Challenge.

A complete schedule of events for the Festival and for the Summer Reading Challenge can be found at www.cvlga.org.

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LOOK LOOK WHO’S WHO’S COMING COMING TO TO COLUMBUS! COLUMBUS!

Marc Marc Brown Brown

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F FRRE EE E!!

Jarrett Jarrett J. J. Krosoczka Krosoczka Christian Christian Robinson Robinson Janet Janet Tashijan Tashjian FEATURED FEATURED ENTERTAINERS: ENTERTAINERS: DJ DJSolo Solo Muscogee MuscogeeCounty County Sheriff’s Sheriff’sOffice OfficeMobile Mobile Gaming GamingTrailer Trailer Petting PettingZoo Zoo Photo PhotoBooth Booth 501st 501stLegion LegionStar StarWars Wars Appearances Appearances

FEATURED FEATURED COSTUMED COSTUMED CHARACTERS: CHARACTERS: Elephant Elephant&&Piggie Piggie Curious CuriousGeorge George Lyle LyleLyle LyleCrocodile Crocodile

VISIT VISITcvlga.org cvlga.orgOR ORCALL CALL706-243-2669 706-243-2669FOR FORMORE MOREINFORMATION INFORMATION

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family EDUCATION/CARE GUIDE

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HOO’s PICKS

Highlight On Taekwondo is a traditional Korean martial art that trains both the body and mind, and it is an activity that everyone in the family can enjoy. Benefits of practicing Taekwondo include improved muscle strength, stamina and coordination.

Taekwondo also teaches leadership and goal-setting. Students are taught the five tenants of Taekwondo: Leadership, Strength, Commitment, Knowledge and Respect, and are asked to incorporate them into their lives.

Bishop’s TaeKwonDo Plus in Midland, GA offers families the opportunity to learn this ancient Korean martial art and has programs available for children and adults. Their mission is to develop students physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially so that they can become leaders in their community.

Owner Daniel Bellware says, “We want our students to become the best versions of themselves and be the best leaders they can be.” In their classes, students have an opportunity to practice the leadership skills they learn. Children with special needs are welcome to participate in the programs. A program specifically for children on the autism spectrum is currently under development and is due to be launched in August 2022.

Children can enroll in the martial arts programs offered by Bishop’s TaeKwonDo Plus or take martial arts classes while attending the Excel After School & Summer Camp program, which are sister businesses and located in the same building.

Visit their website at www.bishopstkd.com for information on how to enroll in a martial arts program or summer camp.

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Excel Summer Camp helps students ages 5-12 stay active over the summer and have fun participating in a variety of activities, such as Taekwondo, dance, tumbling, outdoor sports and crafts.

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The age-based Martial Arts programs start at age 3. From Ages 3-6, students start to learn basic martial arts skills. The main martial arts curriculum starts at age 7 and kids start adding advanced techniques to their basic skills. A program for teens and adults is also offered.

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A program for toddlers ages 18-36 months and a yoga program are scheduled to begin in August 2022.

RESOURCES: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6659987/

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FOURTH STREET MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

Camp Victory A SUMMER CAMP FOR KIDS 5-12

Reading & Math Lessons, STEM, Art, Drama, Field Trips, & much, much MORE!

June 20- July 22 WWW.4THST.ORG 706-324-2055

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

DIY Mother’s Day Gifts

Homemade gifts add a special touch to Mother’s Day. Visit the Mother’s Day craft board on Pinterest posted by Kristyn Merkley for DIY gift ideas. This collection includes spa gifts, gifts from toddlers, unique gifts and last-minute gift ideas. Step-by-step tutorials for the projects are included.

You Are Always Enough

Enjoy Mother’s Day by sharing a special storybook with your child. “You Are Always Enough and More Than I Hoped For” by Emily Ley is a parent-child picture book that builds self-confidence in children by filling them with love, offering grace and inviting them to find their own way to become who they are meant to be. The release date is May 10.

Trending Jogging Stroller Guide

A good jogging stroller allows you to remain active while taking your little ones along for the ride. Safe and easy to move around, these strollers are comfortable for toddlers and an extra challenge to your daily workout routine.

Family Camp

Family Camp, a comedy due to be released in theaters on May 13, is a comedy that the entire family will enjoy. When their pastor encourages the congregation to sign up for a week away at family camp, Grace (LeighAllyn Baker) believes she’s found the perfect cure for her imperfect clan, even if they would all rather be anywhere but at rustic Camp Katokwah. This movie is the first feature film from The Skit Guys – Tommy Woodard and Eddie James.

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Located next to Publix on Macon Road off I-185 in Columbus We accept all major insurances including Medicaid!

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