Idaho Family May/June 2023

Volume 11, Number 3

Publisher

J.J. Plew

Associate Publisher

Adrianne Goff adriannegoff@me.com

Cover Photo

Mira Sebyakin Editor

Gaye Bunderson editorgaye@gmail.com

Sales & Marketing

J.J. Plew

jj@idahofamilymagazine.com 208-697-2043

Contributors

Cara Johnson-Bader, Luke Erickson, Macaile Hutt, Dennis Lopez, Jenna Shaver, Mary Ann Wilcox

Graphic Design

Carol Smiley csmileydesign@gmail.com

Distribution Shauna Howard, Doris

Idaho Family Magazine, published monthly by Gem Production Co., LLC, is committed to providing readers with informative and entertaining information to help them in maintaining healthy families and positive lifestyles. It is distributed throughout the valley as a free publication. Idaho Family Magazine does not assume responsibility for statements or opinions expressed by editorial contributors or advertisers. The acceptance of advertising does not constitute an endorsement of the products, services or information. Idaho Family Magazine does not knowingly present any product or service which is fraudulent or misleading in nature. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced without express written consent of the publisher. Reader correspondence and editorial submissions are welcome. Idaho Family Magazine reserves the right to edit or reject all materials submitted. All rights reserved. Copyright 2023 by Gem Production Co., LLC.

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Children’s Photos Wanted

Idaho Family Magazine would love to put your child or children on our cover. All photos should be high quality, sharp and clear, and high resolution of around 300 ppi. Color photos are preferred, and all photos need to be vertical not horizontal. Please identify the children in the photos, the children’s ages, and what Treasure Valley community they reside in. (If chosen for the cover, their last names will not be used without permission.) Send the photos to editorgaye@gmail.com.

START NOW Planning is key to great family fun

By Mary Ann Wilcox

The reality of life today is that each day is busy from the moment our feet hit the floor. All too often, the weekend comes around with no structured plans other than to “relax,” which usually translates to “just hanging around the house and watching a little TV.” I’d much rather have quality time with my kids and husband by actually getting out and doing something fun. The key to getting these great weekends is planning. Uggh…planning, I know. We’d all love to be the spontaneous, creative, super mom types, but it doesn’t happen without a little planning. It is pretty painless all in all and I’ll walk you through the whole thing. C’mon.

Mary Ann Wilcox

First, you’re going to need a calendar. I’m hoping you already have some sort of family calendar that’s hanging in a high-traffic area. Take your calendar and start flipping through the summer months and jotting in all the things you already know are coming up. These will most likely be the big things like weddings, Scout camps, family reunions, the Fourth of July, etc. Go clear through to the end of the year. Next, you need to decide how busy you want to be. Personally, my goal is to have two family outings a month. One is usually an overnight camping or road trip-type activity and the other is usually something we do locally and only lasts a few hours. That leaves me the remaining weekends of the month for projects around the house, such as yardwork and time to “relax” (see definition above).

Once you’ve got an idea of how busy you already are and how many open weekends you’ve got, you can start looking for ideas of fun places to go and things to do (my favorite part). These could include:

Camping

I’m a huge fan of camping so I always start there and always go to www.recreation.gov. It’s the place to make reservations for just about every campground, Forest Service cabin, and day use facility in the United States. I’m always amazed – and I’m betting you will be too – by how many places there are to explore nearby to where I live. I could fill a lifetime of summers just checking out the different places within four hours of my house.

Day hikes with a picnic

Day hikes with a picnic are a fantastic way to pass the day with kids. I’d also recommend going to your public library and seeing if you can find some day hiking and camping guidebooks for the region where you live. You can also find these at your local bookstores or outdoor stores such as REI. Skim through what you find and consider purchasing one.

We like to make notes in the margins of our books about our experiences and whether we’d like to visit each location again.

Local tourist attractions and events

Make time to attend the events that are famous in your area and the attractions tourists see when they come visit your town. If you want a quick way to find some, just go into any hotel lobby in your town and look for the attraction brochure rack. It’s usually full of fliers for historic home tours, amusement parks, water parks, museums, etc.

Plays, concerts and sporting events

Look for fun events like a Shakespeare festival, a ballet group, a symphony, university or high school sporting events, and plays.

Plan a volunteer opportunity

Contact your local Habitat for Humanity and see if your family can help with an upcoming project; call the Ronald McDonald House and offer to cook a meal for the residents; see if the Humane Society needs someone to walk dogs one Saturday afternoon; sort food donations at the food bank; pick up trash at a local park followed by a picnic. There’s a ton of ways your family can have fun together and lend a hand to others; and chances are, if you don’t have a plan, you’ll never get around to doing them.

Remember to take into account weather conditions. Remember when you plan campouts, some places will have snow on the ground into the middle of June.

The list could go on for pages of great ways to spend a weekend with your family, but the key is that by putting them on the calendar and planning them, you’ll get right up on Saturday and launch out on your adventure instead of wasting half the day deciding what to do. Plus, by having a few things planned in advance, you can invite other families to go with you and make the weekend even more fun. So decide now that this year is going to be your best yet – and by doing a little planning now, it will be.

For more information on ways to get the family out the door and pulling off your adventures without stressing out, check out Mary Ann’s class and course manual, “Get Out of ‘Dodge’ Fast,” at www.maryannscupboards.com.

A baking entrepreneur with her own shop

By Gaye Bunderson

There’s nothing half-baked at Emmeli Mayo’s cake shop.

Mayo came to Boise from Filer in the late ‘90s in pursuit of a degree in musical education. “I play the piano, and I played it well,” Mayo said. But after deciding that a career in music would be “extremely competitive,” she set other career goals for herself and left college after five semesters.

Spurred on by a love of baking, she then became an apprentice at a local French bakery. “I worked there for two years, but it felt like five,” Mayo said. “The food industry is stressful. It’s a demanding job, and you’re on your feet all the time.”

Anyone who’s starting to think that Emmeli Mayo can’t make up her mind about what she wants to do should know that, in fact, the desire to be a baker never left her; and despite twists and turns in pursuit of that goal, she kept on pursuing the dream.

She took other jobs in the food industry and saw them as learning opportunities – both in what to do and what not to do.

At some of those jobs, she’d be put in charge of wholesale accounts – in other words, desserts for restaurants. She explained that she’d make the desserts herself and that a lot of desserts were needed. After she broke out on her own, she continued making desserts and went in search of a commercial kitchen to utilize. She was able to use a commercial kitchen at a former downtown Boise cafe.

Working out of that kitchen, she launched her own business called Sweet Things – a name she now finds amusing. She ran that enterprise from 2001 to 2006 until her first baby was born, a daughter now age 17. She continued working and this is where her notions of “what not to do” were further ingrained.

“I didn’t like the way the [cafe] owner ran his business,” she said. “I wanted my own place.” She quit, and took with her, her newly formed ideas about baking AND running a business. Some of the business and baking skills she takes pride in include:

“I’m frugal – I had that pounded into me as a kid.”

“I pride myself on using whole ingredients – no box recipes.”

She doesn’t overuse sugar and leans more on the European practice of less sugar rather than the American desire for loads of it.

She stopped working for a while and had two more babies, both sons. She still made cakes for friends and family while caring for her children and is able to say that, “For more than 20 years, I’ve developed my own recipes. I put my own spin on things.”

After her youngest son started kindergarten, Mayo decided she’d go back to work outside the home. She and her husband started looking for a place for her to bake, for an independent commercial kitchen. She wasn’t just going to work – she was going to own the business and become a selfemployed entrepreneur.

The Mayos found a building in 2014. Located at 1545 S. Hervey St. in Boise, the three-room structure had previously been home to a number of other businesses, including a trading card shop. Now it was time to turn the building into an independent commercial kitchen, a process that included six months of dealing with the Idaho Health Department and the City of Boise but which ultimately, despite needing to leap many bureaucratic hurdles, became the home of Emmeli’s Cake.

Mayo got a small business loan to convert the area into a commercial kitchen and used some of her own money as well. The loan went toward equipment, permits, and health department fees. Much of the building needed remodeling and a new sink had to be installed to handle waste water with grease in it – a requirement of the City of Boise.

“We had to deal with some new plumbing and electricity, and we also needed ovens, fridges, and storage space,” said Mayo. Her frugality helped stretch the $20,000 loan, but she and her husband also spent an additional $10,000 on all the upgrades.

The city inspectors came in and made sure everything was up to code, and she had to submit all her plans to the Health Department. It took eight months to build the kitchen, but

Emmeli Mayo owns her own bake shop called Emmeli’s Cake. In this photo, she holds a pan of cupcakes while standing in front of a bulletin board filled with her children’s artwork. She’s managed to combine motherhood, entrepreneurialism, and a passion for baking.

(Photo by Gaye Bunderson)

Emmeli said that, through it all, “I knew once I got started, I’d be okay. I knew what I wanted to make as a product. I wanted to bring my sense of what’s good.”

Originally, she thought she’d easily return to wholesale accounts, but after coming back from childrearing, “The game had changed, as well as the demographics and the valley.” Restaurants now had their own in-house pastry chefs.

She was able to secure an account with an Italian restaurant in Meridian and that carried her through in the beginning. “Then individual cakes fell into place – Facebook was my friend back then, and it was free marketing.”

She makes all kinds of cakes, from birthday cakes to wedding cakes, cakes for any special occasion or just cakes for fun. The kinds of cakes available and the decorations that can go on them may be viewed and ordered at emmeliscake. com. She only takes cake orders via her website.

Regarding her creations, Mayo said: “I care more about the taste of the cake, but some of my customers really care about the outside of the cake, about how it looks. They want really fancy cakes on the outside. Sites like Pinterest and reality shows like ‘Cake Boss’ have changed the game. It’s a

lot about presentation, about putting a lot of decoration on the outside of the cake.”

A lot of customers also want vanilla or chocolate cakes –and that’s fine with her – but she has many other choices on her website beyond vanilla or chocolate. She works to communicate with people to be sure of what they want when they request a fancily decorated cake, and she aims to please. Children’s cakes can be especially creative and challenging, with superheroes, robots, and similar things kids enjoy.

Mayo frequently works 12-hour days creating her cakes. She once made a wedding cake for a couple who wanted their special day marked with a pyramid-shaped treat. There were also dessert bushes growing around the dessert pyramid, and Mayo managed to pull the whole thing off. “I actually think of myself as an artist,” said the baker.

Like anything else, cakes can be influenced by current trends. For instance, according to Mayo, big wedding cakes seem to be falling out of favor. Today, couples prefer small

Continued on Page 13

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She makes all kinds of cakes, from birthday cakes to wedding cakes, cakes for any special occasion or just cakes for fun.

WHO ARE YOU?

It’s time to get to know yourself

By Macaile Hutt

Itore my rotator cuff in late March while rock climbing.

As an extremely active person, this felt like a death sentence. I felt gutted knowing I wouldn’t be able to do so many things that bring me consistent joy and community while I rehabilitated and healed.

But in just a short week, I found so many lessons and blessings wrapped up in what I initially thought was the worst package I could have been handed. We don’t get to determine the situations we face, but we do get to determine our reaction to those situations, and that, for me, has made all the difference.

1. Who am I when the most identifying aspects of my life are taken away?

This was a tough pill to swallow. Without rock climbing, skiing, working out, yoga, and all of the other activities I engage in on a daily or weekly basis, I felt like I almost didn’t exist. I have found such beautiful community within these activities and those communities slowly became the biggest part of my identity. I found myself in tears with an ice pack on my shoulder, wondering who I am without these things. Who are you without the job? The children? The hobbies? The areas in which you spend the majority of your time?

I felt scared initially when I sat down to ponder this; but, eventually, I felt really empowered realizing I do still exist without these things, and I have entered a season of my life where I am being given the gift to get to know myself more deeply, and sit in the quiet space of unknowing while I allow myself to heal. If we allow ourselves to be completely identified by only one thing, there isn’t much left if that thing is taken from us. The biggest gift we can give ourselves is to get to know ourselves and enjoy our own company the way we would a friend. Find out what makes our hearts come alive and do more of that. And realize that even if one aspect is taken away, we have so many other wonderful facets to pour into.

2. When was the last time I thanked my body?

This injury has put a lot in perspective for me when it comes to my relationship with my body. Our bodies continue to show up for us day-in and day-out, regardless of how we speak to them or speak about them. We often focus on all the things we wish we could change rather than holding ourselves gently in the beautiful knowing that our legs have walked away from situations that don’t serve us, our arms have held our loved ones together when everything felt like it was falling apart, our necks have held our heads high in

moments of success, and our bellies have given us deep laughter in moments we needed it most.

Initially, I was at war with my body. I felt like she betrayed me with this injury. But in just one short week, I have felt the ways she is continuing to show up for me, the ways in which she is already healing and putting the pieces back together so I may feel whole again. I hope you can give yourself a hug today and treat your body the way you would a friend. Your body is worth celebrating.

3. How have distractions been playing a role in my life?

While many of my hobbies have brought me so much joy and happiness, this season of quiet healing is helping me realize the ways in which they’ve also served as a distraction. I am learning to re-evaluate the ways I spend my time because I am being forced to, but it’s actually turning out to be a great blessing and I already know I won’t return with the exact same habits I had created before. I can’t wait to get back to activity, but I also can’t wait to implement these principles of rest, healing, and injury prevention that I neglected for years prior. We often move forward repeating the same things over and over until we are forced to pause. This season involves sifting through those things and choosing what I bring forward and what I will leave behind.

4. Can I practice “loving my fate?”

A co-worker shared a phrase he often reminds himself of: “Amor Fati.” It means “Love your fate.”

There’s a big difference between tolerating the situations we face and learning to have love and gratitude for them. I felt so much resistance, anger, and both physical and emotional pain when I initially faced this fate, but I am learning to soften my gaze and view it from a lens of love, instead. Knowing this is a minor injury in the big scheme of things. I am still alive, I am still capable, I am still learning, and I am still growing. I am still here. I am learning to surrender to this “fate” and practicing acceptance with love, and, in turn, I am being met with and surrounded by more love than I could have imagined. There are always two sides to every coin, and if you don’t like the side you’re on, flip that coin.

5. Don’t borrow problems from the future.

The last lesson I’ve learned and have been practicing daily is to stop borrowing problems from the future. We are constantly invited down rabbit hole after rabbit hole of unnecessary suffering, “what ifs” and made up stories our mind is telling us. I’m learning to change the channel in my

Macaile Hutt

mind when those stories arise. I am learning there is enough to focus on today, in this present moment, and the last thing I need to do is jump forward into a chapter I haven’t even started yet. I’ve also started practicing the law of assumption that everything is going to turn out better than I could have imagined, rather than thinking the worst case scenarios. Both are “made up stories” in a sense, so I might as well focus on the story with the happy ending.

The week of recovery from my injury was filled with endless reflection, gratitude, fear, tears, joy, and hope. I have felt compassion for myself that I’ve never experienced before, and a love and appreciation for the struggles those around me may be facing that has reached a brand new depth.

No matter where you find yourself, or what challenges you are facing in this present moment, I want to remind you that no feeling is final. I see you, and I am with you. It will not be like this forever. And you are never alone. We are all in this together.

Macaile Hutt is the Director of Occupational Therapy for Star Speech and Occupational Therapy located in Star, Idaho. Her therapy style takes a holistic and child-directed approach, with the goal of children succeeding across multiple environments. She holds a master’s degree in occupational therapy from A.T. Still University and has received continuing education as a Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional for Children and Adolescents (CCATP-CA), Handwriting Without Tears, pediatric kinesiotaping, Interactive Metronome, and Beckman Oral Motor. In her free time, she enjoys creative writing, backpacking, and traveling.

“I’ve started practicing the law of assumption that everything is going to turn out better than I could have imagined, rather than thinking the worst case scenarios. Both are ‘made up stories’ in a sense, so I might as well focus on the story with the happy ending.”

WEDNESDAY’S CHILD

Sunny – a name and a disposition

Sunny, 16, is a quirky, sweet, kind, and outgoing young man whose name truly matches his disposition. Sunny prides himself on being someone who communicates well, really builds people up and tries to help others whenever he can. He enjoys school, particularly English class and history, where he’s learning a lot about Egyptian pyramids. Plans for college are in his future; however, he isn’t sure quite yet just what kind of a career he’d like to go into.

Sunny has been working an after-school job for some time now and enjoys the independence and responsibility that come along with working, as well as the obvious perk of having money to buy himself the things he wants, especially cool clothing that expresses his unique style. An added fun fact about Sunny is that he loves going thrift-shopping and finding great deals on those unique clothes.

When he’s not in school or working, Sunny enjoys playing video games or pool; reading sci-fi books; drawing patchwork designs; or just hanging out with his friends listening to music and talking about culture. He also enjoys sports and wants to try wrestling, basketball and possibly martial arts once he gets settled into his new family.

Sunny is amenable to any kind of adoptive family makeup and does well with other children of any age in the home. The ideal match for this deserving teen will be a fun, active family

The following information is provided by Wednesday’s Child, an organization that helps Idaho foster children find permanent homes.

that enjoys traveling and doing things together. Caregivers who are calm and understanding and who parent by setting clear expectations and engaging in open and honest discussion when issues arise will be a great fit.

Sunny hopes to find his Forever Family in the Treasure Valley or Mountain Home area, but his Permanency Team is also open to hearing from any family that feels like they are a good match for him. Sunny is a legal risk placement at this time. He is truly motivated and is ready for a fresh start in his life with a family that will guide, love and support him into young adulthood and beyond. If you’re considering adding a teen to your family, inquire about Sunny at www.idahowednesdayschild.org.

For more information on the Idaho Wednesday’s Child Program, visit www.idahowednesdayschild.org, or contact Specialized Recruitment Services Administrator Shawn White at swhite52@ewu.edu or cell (208) 488-8989.

Salmon Rustica

Grilled Salmon Salad

CHILDREN AND ADVENTURE

Instill the wonder of the world in kids

By Dennis Lopez

I’m supposed to be doing my taxes but for some reason my mind keeps wandering back to our recent trip to Europe. It was a wonderful family vacation with my daughter and her husband, my dear wife and…our 2-year-old granddaughter.

Frankly, the thought of flying for hours with a toddler seemed daunting. To steel myself, I consulted, what else, but the dreaded internet. There I was coached, counseled and cajoled by a cadre of folks who collectively scared the gillhoolies out of me about flying with my granddaughter. But then again they don’t know “Binks.”

She proved to be an amazing and adaptive traveler who flew quietly and waited patiently as we flew to, and returned from, Amsterdam and Italy. Part of her successfully dealing with the rigors of travel was the excellent job my daughter and son-in-law did to prepare her for the noise, hustle and bustle and confusion of travel well in advance of our trip.

Binks was a trouper and proved to be a great traveling companion because her little legs carried her at a pace that proved to be about equal to my slow and grandfatherly plodding. We had a fantastic time, but then why not? Her mother was the child who taught me about traveling with kids and the value of family travel. But it was a lesson that didn’t come easily to me.

For years, as a public relations manager for the Chrysler Corporation, I flew often. Hotels, restaurants and airplanes were a part of my work life.

Travel outside of business seemed like an extension of the stresses of my professional

The author’s granddaughter, “Binks,” age 2, meets some Italian children while traveling in Italy. It was an instant friendship, her grandfather said.

life and the thought of traveling with my kids only compounded those feelings.

The impact of travel on children became evident to me when, long ago, my wife and I were deciding how to spend our winter holidays. We had spent the previous year’s vacation in Mexico in a bid to beat Idaho’s snows of December. That trip began with thoughts of a road trip to Southern California, with a brief incursion into the Baja Peninsula but slowly, if not reluctantly, evolved into our flying to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

What, if anything, we wondered, did our 6-year-old daughter remember first about her holiday gifts from two years back and, second, what did she recall about our Mexico trip? Her answers were a surprise to me. She could not recall any gifts from the previous year, but could tell us in detail about the “egg guy” who tossed some amazing made-to-order omelets at our

hotel, or about “Maria,” who made fantastic guacamole aboard the whale watching boat we were on. She was like a diminutive Rick Steves, giving us a verbal travelogue about our trip, proving that in choosing travel, we had made the right decision.

So why take the kids along? I think that travel has the ability to influence children to be more curious, more tolerant of others and better able to understand that there is a much larger and more diverse world out there.

Does our taking a 2-year-old child to see da Vinci’s “David” mean she will develop a love for art? What was her take-away from seeing the stunning Duomo Cathedral in Florence… something she still calls “her Duomo.” Will she have memories of the lovely Japanese lady who gave her bread to feed to the pigeons in one of the many nameless piazzas in Rome? Or of meeting an Italian 2-year-old girl and creating an instant friend? I have no idea, only hope. Hope that enough exposure to our world and to others will help her develop a broader and more acceptant look at her world and the things and fantastic people in it. Hope that she will develop a curiosity for her world. And hope that she will see the similarity in people, rather than the differences.

(Photo provided by Dennis Lopez)

CALENDAR

M A Y

Boise Outdoor Preschool

Parents looking for a fun outdoor experience for their 3½- to 5-year-olds are welcome to tour the Foothills Learning Center and the Boise Urban Garden School to learn about preschool programs at each location. To set up a tour at FLC, email FLC-Parks@cityofboise.org or call (208) 608-7810; to tour BUGS, email BUGS@ cityofboise.org or call (208) 972-8630.

New Beginning adoption information

A New Beginning Adoption Agency holds adoption information seminars and webinars, providing a no-pressure environment for families to learn about adopting infants and children in the U.S. foster care system. Anyone interested is welcome to come learn about the differences in programs, needs, requirements and processes. Go to adoptanewbeginning.org for more information.

Idaho Shakespeare Festival

The Idaho Shakespeare Festival has announced its schedule of performances for 2023. Shows will include: “Little Shop of Horrors”; “As You Like It”; “Sense and Sensibility”; “Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812”; and “Dracula: The Bloody Truth.” For tickets or more information, go to idahoshakespeare.org.

Cinco de Mayo in Caldwell

Spicy food, dancing, and live music will highlight Cinco de Mayo from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, May 5, at Indian Creek Plaza in Caldwell. There will also be a taco taste-off competition. For more information, go to indiancreekplaza.com.

BUGS Community Day – Plant Sale

Welcome spring with a free event for the whole family from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 6, at 2995 N. Five Mile Rd. in Boise. There will be resources for planting and preparing for the growing season. There will also be a “friendraiser” plant sale of veggie and flower starts for home gardeners. For more information, see the calendar at bee.cityofboise.org.

Experience Idaho Expo

The Experience Idaho Expo is set for Saturday, May 6, at Expo Idaho in Garden City and will feature ideas for recreation, entertainment, outdoor activities and home projects. This is a full-day event. Go to expoidaho.com for more information.

Idaho Renaissance Faire

Idaho Renaissance Faire, Inc. will present Beltane Fantasy Festival, celebrating the coming of spring, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 6, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, May 7, at Expo Idaho. Daylight hours are family-friendly fun. Around 7 p.m. Saturday will begin the witching hour, when all the ghoulies come out to play (not recommended for children). Costumes are always welcome and encouraged, and any fae or mythology is welcome.

Roaring Springs opening weekend

Roaring Springs has set its 2023 opening weekend from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 6-7. Big news at the site includes an expansion, which is set to open to the public beginning at 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 31. The expansion includes seven new kids’ slides, a 650-gallon Tippin’ Tater bucket, a whitewater action river, an adventure pool, new luxury cabanas, and expanded parking. All days’ activities at present are based on good weather. For more information, go to roaringsprings.com.

Family Night Out Series

Boise Urban Garden School hosts a Family Night Out cooking series for all ages on Wednesday and Monday nights from 5 to 7 p.m. The topic on May 10 and May 15 is “Chips and Dips.” There is a $21 cost-per-person for the program and those interested may register at cityofboise. org/parks.

23rd Annual Tour de Farm – Mother’s Day

Spyglass Gardens, 3445 S. Linder Rd. in Meridian, will host a weekend of Mother’s Day events from 11 a.m. Friday, May 12, through 3 p.m. Sunday, May 14. Moms and their families are invited to stroll around the farm or take a guided tour. There will be baskets and other containers of flowers available for purchase. For more information, go to localharvest.org.

Unplug & Be Outside

Meridian Parks and Recreation will once again host Unplug & Be Outside May 13-20. This free week of activities offers programs in arts, sports, and recreation. For more information, visit the calendar at meridiancity.org.

Mini Golf on Mother’s Day

All moms are welcome to a free round of mini golf at Wahooz from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, May 14. For more information, go to wahoozfunzone.com.

Mom’s Free Day at Warhawk

Celebrate Mother’s Day with free admission for all moms from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 13, at the Warhawk Air Museum, 201 Municipal Drive in Nampa. Go to warhawkairmuseum.org for more information.

Mother’s Day Market

Mother’s Day 2023 will take place on Sunday, May 14. Prior to that day, attend the Mother’s Day Market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 13, at Indian Creek Plaza in Caldwell. Antiques and unique gifts will be available for purchase, with 50 different vendors, as well drinks and music. Go to indiancreekplaza.com for more information.

Farm to Fork Farmers Market

Get fresh produce and other items at the Farm to Fork Farmers Market from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays from May 16 to September 26 on the Indian Creek Plaza in Caldwell. The market is held in conjunction with the Tuesdays on the Creek Concert Series, offering live music in downtown Caldwell from local and touring artists. For more information, go to indiancreekplaza.com.

Trunk Sale

A community yard sale, flea market, and swap meet all in one is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 20, at the Nampa Civic Center. It will be free to attendees. For more information, go to nampaciviccenter.com.

WaterShed Weekends

Join the Boise WaterShed every third Saturday of the month for nature and art activities the whole family can enjoy. Activities take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission is free, and no pre-registration is needed. On May 20, the topic is “Birthday Bash!”, marking Boise WaterShed’s 15th year with games, activities, cake and ice cream, and a petting zoo. For more information, go to boisewatershed.org or cityofboise.org/parks.

Gold Panning for All Ages

The Idaho Museum of Mining and Geology, 2455 Old Penitentiary Rd. in Boise, is collaborating with the Nampa Gold Prospectors, AAGP, and will set up panning stations where folks can learn to pan from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 21. The cost to participate is $5 plus an Eventbrite fee for non-members of the museum. Museum members and children are free. Everyone must pre-register at www.

of Events

idahomuseum.org/events. If you have questions, email operations@idahomuseum.org.

J U N E

“Tuck Everlasting”

The story “Tuck Everlasting,” based on the best-selling children’s classic, will be performed by Music Theatre of Idaho beginning at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 8, at the Nampa Civic Center. For tickets or more information, go to nampaciviccenter.com.

Geode-cracking

Join the Idaho Museum of Mining and Geology, 2455 Old Penitentiary Rd. in Boise, for a geode-cracking event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, June 11. Using giant pipe cutters, Master Cracker Truman Keith will oversee ‘crackers’ as they work with children and adults to cut a geode. What’s inside a geode is always a fun surprise. Pre-registration is required for all. Cost to participate is $5 plus Eventbrite fee for nonmembers of the museum; museum members and children are free. Everyone must pre-register at www.idahomuseum.org/events. If you have questions, email operations@idahomuseum.org.

Foothills Family Days

The Foothills Learning Center at 3188 Sunset Peak Rd. in Boise offers free family fun on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be

Beginning May, 2023

guided hikes, nature tables, crafts, and more. (Entrance to the center may be limited due to capacity.) Attend the June 17 program and go to bee.cityofboise.org for more information.

Father’s Day Weekend

Father’s Day 2023 will take place on Sunday, June 18. The Warhawk Air Museum in Nampa will host a Father’s Day Weekend from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 17-18. All fathers will get into the museum for free. Go to warhawkairmuseum.org for more information.

Father’s Day Car Show

The Downtown Boise Association will present the 20th Annual Father’s Day Car Show –“The Past & Future of Cars & People” – from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, June 18, in front of the Idaho State Capitol. Classic, Modern, Alternative, and Vintage vehicles will be on display. Go to downtownboise.org for more information.

Mini Golf on Father’s Day

All dads are welcome to a free round of mini golf at Wahooz from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, June 18. For more information, go to wahoozfunzone.com.

“Aladdin” at the Morrison Center

From the producer of “The Lion King” comes the timeless story of “Aladdin,” a musical for

Live. Love. Camp.

the whole family. Performances are set for June 20-25 at the Morrison Center in Boise, with both evening and matinee shows. For more information or for tickets, go to morrisoncenter. com.

El Korah Shrine Circus

The circus is coming to Ford Idaho Center June 23-25, with performances at various times. For more information or for tickets, go to fordidahocenter.com.

STEAM Camp at the Botanical Garden

A STEAM Camp for children ages 7-9 (incoming 3rd and 4th graders) will take place at the Idaho Botanical Garden June 26-29. The topic will be “The Life Beneath Our Feet” and will explore soil ecosystems. Cost for the camp is $175 for members and $250 for non-members; there is a 40-child limit on space. Sign up for the program at idahobotanicalgarden.org, navigate to the “Learn” tab at the top of the page, select STEAM Camp, then scroll to the camp you wish to enroll your child in. Other camps are planned throughout the summer, including an early July camp, July 10-13, on the topic of “The Science Behind Amazing Adaptations,” for children ages 10-12. Go to the website above for more information, as well as follow the upcoming camp programs in the Idaho Family Calendar of Events.

REAL MONEY, REAL FAMILIES Breaking bad ‘brules’ about your life

By Luke Erickson

W

hen we arrive on the planet we have a few days, maybe weeks, when we get to just be ourselves. Cute, adorable, cuddly, needy, whiny. Anything we want. And there aren’t any real consequences to just being ourselves.

But pretty darn soon we begin to get bombarded with rules and expectations. They start subtly.

“Is he sleeping through the night?”

“Is she taking bottles?”

“Is he having solid stools?”

Um, excuse me. I don’t think my baby stools are your concern, nosy neighbor.

But, guess what? It actually is her concern. It’s everyone’s concern. Because as you get older, everyone you know (and many people you don’t know) will have a million expectations for you to live up to.

“Don’t do that.”

“Do this.”

“Don’t touch the hot stove.”

“Do your homework.”

“Don’t play with the hand grenades.”

Okay sure, most of these expectations are for our own good. People want us to be safe and not do dumb stuff with long-term consequences. And yes, we have a higher likelihood of keeping all our limbs if we live up to these expectations. So, what’s the problem?

Well, the problem is that very soon these well-meaning expectations shift away from things like physical safety to expectations on what to think, what to value, how to spend your time, where you spend your energy, who to spend your time with, and eventually how to earn and spend your money.

Some of these influences and expectations are easily dismissible, like ads for cigarettes. They won’t get us to do the thing that someone else wants us to do. Others are a lot more subtle, like your Great Aunt Edna suggesting that you sit by her at Thanksgiving and listen to her latest updates on her medical conditions. We usually live up to these kinds of expectations to be nice, or to keep the peace. And it usually isn’t that big of a sacrifice to just accommodate other’s expectations. That is, until we start to feel the cumulative effects of ceaseless expectations from family, friends, jobs, religions, and broader culture. And what are the cumulative

effects? Purposelessness, depression, anxiety, and a host of other emotional/mental conditions.

How much of your time and energy is involuntarily hijacked from you in order to benefit someone else? At first you might think that you’re the exception. You feel like you’ve been making your own decisions in life and have complete control over how you live it. Maybe. But I’m willing to bet that you allow more to be taken from you than you think. Some don’t mind this at all. They’re called “good girls” or “nice guys.” They call it self-sacrifice and do it out of kindness. That’s fine as long as this energy, time and money is given intentionally and with awareness.

But far too many of us make it a habit to give unwittingly of ourselves without ever realizing that we have a choice.

Author Vishen Lakhiani calls these broad expectations “brules,” which is short for “B.S. rules” and which are dictated to us by those in our social circles, including family, friends, neighbors, and other broader cultural influences and societal expectations.

How do you know if you are driven by “brules” and not your own inner voice?

In childhood and early adulthood we spend most of our time doing what others tell us to do, so we unconsciously get used to living according to expectations without questioning them much. Lakhiani says that until we begin to consciously and critically assess the rules we grew up with then they are simply someone else’s “brules.”

The key is to be aware of your own inner voice. The place inside of you that tells you what you really value, and what you really find interesting, and what you really want to spend time, energy and money on.

Why is this an important concept in a financial article? Because “brules” frequently dictate how we earn and spend money.

So many of us make education, student loan, and career choices, and then get big loans on exorbitant houses and cars and fill them with stuff without ever questioning this traditional model of the “American dream.”

Sure, it works for some. But does it work for you? Or are you on this path because it was handed to you?

Does your job feel unfulfilling? Do you have a lot of demands on your time and energy at home that doesn’t really bring you satisfaction? Interestingly enough, many

“Money is not a bad thing. Money can be a critical piece of happiness. But it is not the END itself. The end is your purpose.”

Luke Erickson

millionaires and even billionaires find themselves feeling unfulfilled. And here’s why.

Purpose is more important to happiness than money, status symbols, and possessions.

Money is not a bad thing. Money can be a critical piece of happiness. But it is not the END itself. The end is your purpose. And you will have a much more difficult time finding it if you’re afraid to break “brules.”

So how do you know which brules to question and break? It’s simple: those that hold you back from your life purpose, your vision, and calling.

And here’s the critical piece. How do you find your calling?

It’s a process of self-discovery but Lakhiani suggests starting with questions like the following:

What gift am I to give to the world?

What is trying to emerge in my life?

What is my next step to take?

He also suggests meditation while exploring these types of questions.

It will likely take some work to find your purpose because most of us have gotten pretty good in life at stifling our own inner voices in order to serve the loud and insistent expectations of the world around us. But once you’ve done the work and begun to understand what you really think and feel and value, independent of what the world thinks you “should” value, you’ll discover a fountain of wisdom and direction for your life. Suddenly everything that supports your vision, both personally and professionally, becomes much more valuable, while expectations from others become far less important.

Lakhiani suggests that many of the world’s greatest inventors, entrepreneurs, entertainers, and other great minds are the ones who have clearly defined callings in life and then break brules as needed to fulfill those callings.

It’s not to say that you will always get to do what you love, but that underlying knowledge of yourself will start to influence your decisions big and small. It will influence what you do for a living, for a hobby, the friends you have, and other important relationships. AND, it will influence how you earn and spend money. This is because the core of who you are and what you love is unchanging, and the decisions you make in life that honor who you are will do far more to make you happy than living by someone else’s “brules.”

Lakhiani says that this is when “reality bends in your favor.” You’ll start to see opportunities for work, life, relationships, etc. that you didn’t see before. You’ll start to feel lucky, as though the universe is giving you the very things you need to be happy. And…you’ll be happy to know that I’ve done my own research and decided that it does align with my life purpose to avoid playing with hand grenades. So now that’s my own rule and not just a brule!

Luke Erickson, Ph.D., AFC®, is an associate professor of personal finance for the University of Idaho. He works and lives in the Treasure Valley: @drlukeerickson (Instagram), erickson@uidaho.edu.

cakes accompanied by cupcakes they can pass out to guests, eliminating cutting up a cake and placing pieces on plates with forks.

Now in her mid-40s, Mayo keeps a small stack of recipe books in her front office and said, “Some chefs won’t share recipes; others lean toward sharing and teaching. I lean toward sharing and teaching. I think being protective of a recipe is kind of stupid. There’s nothing new – we’re all using eggs and butter.”

On a busy week, she may make up to 30 cakes; on an average week, she’ll generally make 15-20. She works alone, but if things continue to pick up, she’ll likely hire an assistant.

Mayo said she’s not in competition with valley grocery stores nor even necessarily with other pastry chefs. “The valley has really grown. There’s plenty of work for everyone, and we all have our own niche. It’s friendly and not competitive.”

Other bakers may refer customers to her when they are too busy. “I’m able to take last-minute requests if they say, ‘I need this cake this week!’ I’m also known for odd requests. If, for example, somebody wants me to use somebody’s grandma’s recipe to make a cake, I’ll do it.”

She very much enjoys what she does and will keep at it as long as she can. “I plan to retire doing this,” she said. And who knows, maybe she’ll play the piano on her last day in business, too.

NATIONAL ROAD TRIP DAY Tips for traveling with children

By Cara Johnson-Bader

The Friday before Memorial Day is National Road Trip Day and serves as the official kickoff of the summer road trip season. We know that your family may be planning a road trip, so before you hit the road, consider these tips to help keep you and your child happy.

Plan for breaks.

Before hitting the road, map out your route. Plan family breaks. Look for interesting sightseeing opportunities along your journey; visit a park to stretch your legs, play on the playground, toss a football, chase bubbles, or play tag, etc. Find a place for your child to have time out of the car to move and be active. You will be happy that you did.

Pack snacks.

Pack healthy snacks for the entire family. Not only will this save time and money, but it will help keep your family happy, as there might be many miles between growling tummies and actual food options. Snacks serve as a good distraction, too.

Play games.

Plan games you can play together as a family, such as I-Spy, 20 Questions, Would You Rather?, Road Trip Bingo, etc. This is a great way to pass time. Also, plan games and activities your child can do independently, such as coloring books, sketch pads, crossword puzzles, and other favorite activities.

Listen to an audio book or podcast. Listening to a story together can turn a long, boring drive into an exciting adventure or transport your family into a new adventure. My family members are fans of the following podcasts:

• Sesame Street – It features your favorite characters and offers fun stories, songs, alphabet activities, and more.

• Brains On! – A fun podcast co-hosted by children about scientific concepts. The Mystery Sound activity is bound to be a family favorite.

• Wow in the World – A podcast from NPR about why and how things work. Your children will be inspired to use their imaginations and follow their curiosity. Wow in the World even offers activity ideas for the whole family.

• Parenting Pickup Podcast – Every episode is designed for a family’s education and support – from parenting tips and tricks, trending topics, fun activities, child development, and so much more. Special guests in early childhood and education will join the host, Cara, to share their expertise and help answer some of the most challenging parenting and child development questions.

Our Registered Nurses (RN) and Newborn Care Providers (NCP) support families with single babies, twins, and triplets by providing gentle care through the night. We use evidence-based practice to help parents feel confident and healthy in the family home.

Buy 11 nights of care and get the 12th night free!

Set realistic expectations.

Remember the purpose of a road trip is not about making good time and driving in peace and quiet. It is about building memories, so take your time and enjoy this special moment. Be prepared for frustration and unforeseen mishaps (spilled drinks, messy car, and not being on schedule), but do not forget to delight in this special time together and the wonderful memories you are creating.

Savor this event. Happy trails!

Cara Johnson-Bader is the Vice President of Marketing and Parent Experiences at New Horizon Academy and mother of two young boys. Learn more about New Horizon Academy at newhorizonacademy.net.

Cara Johnson-Bader

Boise, Meridian, Eagle and the surrounding areas.

Connect kids with nature through reading

By Jenna Shaver

Welcome back! With the emergence of spring, this month’s recommendations revolve around the natural world and our place in it.

Trees by Verlie Hutchens

The first book I want to talk about is a perfect example of quality children’s poetry. Trees by Verlie Hutchens celebrates trees, one of nature’s most prevalent offerings, in a most whimsical, sophisticated, and extraordinary way. While most children see trees every day, many don’t know the names of most trees or their hidden “personalities,” specific qualities that make each type of tree special in its own way. While the subject matter is relatable to most children, what makes this book interesting and timeless is the unique perspective it provides with its almost-but-not-quite personification of the trees by giving them beautiful, humorous and imaginative qualities. The prose in this book is beautiful, using rhythm in a very lyrical way. Each poem includes interesting, diverse and novel language, expanding children’s descriptive vocabulary. In addition, the illustrations of the trees, their environments, and the use of perspective art in exaggerating the trees’ most interesting qualities is exciting and draws the reader into the effervescent world of trees.

The second book I want to discuss also is about our natural world and something that many children will grapple with in their childhood: ants!

Hey, Little Ant by Phillip M. Hoose is a song now turned book that takes place from the underside of a young boy’s shoe.

The question at play is to squash or not to squash the ant. While the ant makes a compelling case for him not to be squished, the young boy struggles as his friends begin to crowd around him, encouraging him to squash the ant. The back and forth exchange between the ant and the boy’s perspective keeps the reader engaged only to arrive at an ambiguous ending.

Perhaps the most compelling aspect of this book is that we are left wondering how the story ended. Did the boy squish him or leave him be? This thoughtful end to the story opens a beautiful door for discussion with children about the role we play in the well-being of nature, including insects.

Normally, I don’t get excited about books in which animals “talk,” due to the fantastical aspects being difficult for young children to separate from reality. However, in this case, it draws attention to the “livingness” of the ant and the fact that ants too are part of a family and just living their lives. It can be challenging for children to understand we are not so different from the tiny little bugs with which we share this world and, as an active global citizen, it is important we do what we can to protect them.

I hope this brief discussion of these two books helps them to make it onto your bookshelf and into the hands of your child. I appreciate your taking a few moments to read this little column and to explore the role books play in developing mindful, loving and kind beings.

Jenna Shaver is an accredited teacher, developing and educating young minds as a Certified Lead Guide. She is a graduate of Montessori Northwest, an Association Internationale training center and one of a small cadre of AMI-certified teachers in Idaho. She holds dual Bachelor’s degrees from Boise State University, one in Early Childhood Intervention/Early Childhood Education and the second in Elementary Education.

Hey, Little Ant by Phillip M. Hoose