Kids & Pets
Hi readers!
I hope you are having a great summer. As it begins to wind down, we’re coming up on almost a year since our son was born. It’s hard to believe how quickly the time has passed, and this first year has been the most challenging, rewarding, and fulfilling season of my life.
It seems fitting that every August is our Kids & Pets issue. As families squeeze in the last adventures of summer before routines return, we’re celebrating the little ones and furry friends who fill our homes with laughter and unconditional love. This month, we’ve got for you a few stories on local businesses that support families, community amenities to explore, and a few fun recipes that both kids and dogs can enjoy.
We sat down with Jackie Dorris, owner of The Little Gym, to understand how early movement serves as a child’s very first language. By teaching kids to safely explore their body mechanics and spatial awareness, their curriculum channels boundless energy into a strong foundation of confidence and active habits for the future.
While we haven’t enrolled our son in daycare yet, I can understand the questions, hesitations, and level of trust that come with placing your young child in someone else’s care. Our story on The Learning Experience explores how parents and kids may evaluate a center in different ways, but both perspectives matter. While children are looking for fun, friendships, and caring teachers, parents are searching for confidence, safety, and peace of mind. Ultimately, those priorities come together in finding the right fit for the whole family.
You’ll also discover a different side of Triton Auto Spa. While many know the business for keeping vehicles looking their best, this issue highlights another service that has become a favorite among local pet owners.
And if your family’s calendar starts filling up with practices this fall, our feature on KEVA Sports Center is worth a read. Youth sports offer so much more than exercise. They teach teamwork, perseverance, and confidence while creating friendships that often last well beyond the final whistle.
Enjoy these final, sunny weeks of summer with your loved ones, and we will see you around town!
Warmly,
August 2026
PUBLISHER
Cole Spitler | cole.spitler@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Jill Heilman | jill.heilman@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
Alexis Venter | alexis.venter@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Jill Heilman
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Ashley Hicks Media Co, Jill Heilman
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Mary Albers
LAYOUT DESIGNER Adam Finley
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Anna Minnick
With City Lifestyle’s co-branded print + digital packages, your business captures attention wherever our community is looking. Build unmatched local credibility on the page, and drive immediate action online. Ready to double your local reach? Contact your local publisher by scanning below.
The Little Gym of Middleton
Photography: Jill Heilman
The Ultimate Expression of You
FROM baby steps TO Big Confidence
The Mission: Build Confidence, Courage, Character, and Coordination Through Purposeful Movement, Developing Skills for Life
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY JILL HEILMAN
Children constantly test the invisible boundary of their bodies. Space is not merely occupied; they collide with it, test limits, and seek out new ways to bounce, tip, balance, spin, and fly. In response, parents quickly develop superhuman reactions, existing in a state of perpetual readiness to catch their tumbling toddlers.
While cultivating your child’s independence is essential, trusting someone else to guide, encourage, and care for them can feel daunting. This hesitation is natural, yet early immersion in structured play eases those protective instincts while initiating healthy growth. Movement is the first language children speak, and the way they learn to navigate physical challenges directly shapes how they approach the rest of the world.
Jackie Dorris intuitively knew she wanted to build a career around supporting family health. During her time in Chicago, she owned a prenatal and postnatal fitness business focused on maternal wellness as the baseline for healthy families. Upon returning to the Madison area, she continued to advocate for family wellness at Harbor Athletic Club, where she launched another FIT4MOM franchise and continued supporting families through health and fitness.
When the opportunity arose to acquire The Little Gym in Middleton, it felt like a natural transition to combine her expertise in childhood development with her personal training background. Now, after five years of leading The Little Gym of Middleton and one year after opening a second location in Sun Prairie, Jackie ensures the environment matches her original vision: “Anytime you’re here, it is warm, sunny, and happy.”
The age-appropriate curriculum focuses on the whole child - building confidence, coordination, social skills, and a lifelong love of movement.
Instead of emphasizing competition, classes encourage children to try new things, celebrate progress, and gain confidence at their own pace.
Every week, the entire layout of the gym transforms to follow an expert-developed curriculum based on the American Academy of Pediatrics milestones. This intentional variability keeps young minds curious while targeting specific developmental skills. Parent-child classes begin with infants as young as four months old, providing space for caregivers to guide their first sensory and balance play. This early exposure not only eases the expected anxiety of new parents but also helps hesitant children transition smoothly into independent classes.
CONTINUED >
Physical skills develop alongside resilience, independence, and a willingness to keep trying.
Instead of pushing kids toward competition too early, the noncompetitive setting allows the focus to remain on body mechanics and cognitive development. Classes become a space for self-discovery and spatial awareness, as interactive play naturally builds social adaptability. The goal of the age-specific curriculum is to create a groundwork of confidence as they target physical milestones. Younger classes emphasize social life skills, learning the framework for how to share and cooperate, wait patiently, and follow multistep instructions. As students advance, the focus transitions to skill progression, where they introduce concepts such as fast and slow power mechanics and teach kids to overcome self-doubt through positive self-talk.
Progression happens faster than expected when you expose children to structured movement. For instance, during a parent-child session, instructors guide young children through a somersault form. Within just a few attempts, the children somehow begin to understand the physics of the movement and tuck their heads independently. Despite their age, innate instincts kick in and validate the statement Jackie frequently hears, “I wish I had started sooner.”
These physical breakthroughs represent only one facet of the gym experience, as instructors are equally focused on a child’s emotional comfort levels. Until they are ready to partake on their own account, instructors take a patient, hands-off approach, ensuring they feel welcome and wanted. Recognizing their developmental readiness allows a child to feel in control. One week, a child clings to a parent’s leg. A few weeks later, they’re racing into class with a huge smile, eager to show their teacher their newest skill.
While gymnastics provides the foundation, every class is formulated to develop listening skills, confidence, coordination, problem-solving, and social-emotional growth.
This steady growth is due to a three-dimensional learning approach that balances Get Moving, Brain Boost, and Citizen Kid components. The physical aspect focuses on coordination and teaching bodies how to fall and move safely. Simultaneously, the educational elements sharpen spatial awareness and executive function through rhythmic games and counting exercises. Finally, the social pillar facilitates peer interaction and emotional regulation. This approach ensures classes function as a beneficial routine. When it comes down to it, kids will always seek out play, and providing a space designed to absorb that collision of energy makes all the difference.
Programs for Every Stage
Birthday Celebrations
Date Night Drop-Offs
Indoor Themed Camps
Parent & Child Classes
Caregivers share the mat, guiding infants and toddlers through early sensory play, coordination milestones, and balance challenges to cultivate foundational development skills. (4 Months - 3 Years)
Levels: Bugs, Birds, Beasts, Super Beasts.
Pre-K Gymnastics Classes
Imagination-filled classes that channel boundless energy into strength, confidence, listening skills, and friendships. (3 - 6 Years)
Levels: Funny Bugs, Giggle Worms, Good Friends.
Grade School Gymnastics Classes
A positive, non-competitive environment where children build gymnastics skills, confidence, resilience, and teamwork at their own pace. (6 - 12 Years)
Levels: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced.
for Trust THE SEARCH
Finding the Right Fit in Early Childhood Care
ARTICLE BY MIDDLETON CITY LIFESTYLE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ASHLEY HICKS MEDIA CO
Walking into a childcare center for the first time isn’t an easy emotion to put into words. It is a necessary next step for progressing both your life and your child’s social development, but high expectations add to the weight of the decision. When priorities are added to the equation, you and your child may as well be evaluating two different worlds.
Parents arrive with a checklist. They want to know about curriculum, safety protocols, cleanliness, and communication. Meanwhile, their children are busy noticing entirely different, yet equally important, aspects: the toys, colorful classrooms, friendly faces, and whether the space feels inviting.
At The Learning Experience in Middleton, both perspectives matter.
For many families, especially first-time parents, choosing a childcare center is one of the first major decisions they make on behalf of their child. Resonating with parents and their plausible concerns, Outreach and Enrollment
Coordinator Sheila Tume explains, “I think most are evaluating based on trust; whether they can trust us with their child.”
It’s about finding a place where children will be safe and supported for eight to twelve hours a day throughout some of the most important developmental years of their lives.
Trust is built through consistency, transparency, and a commitment to meeting each child’s ever-changing needs. From developmental milestones to health and safety protocols, parents seek confidence that their children are in both capable and kind hands.
Children, however, evaluate a center from a different vantage point.
When touring The Learning Experience, children are often drawn to the things that make childhood magical: educational toys, hands-on activities, the welcoming classrooms, and the center’s cast of colorful characters, like Bubbles the Elephant, who helps introduce children to letters, numbers, and learning through play.
Beyond the bright colors and engaging activities, The Learning Experience believes children are responding to something deeper. “We try to bond with each kid individually and really get to know them,” Lead Teacher Ashley Lampman says. “I think that’s what makes them feel comfortable, happy, and excited to be here.”
The center’s teachers work intentionally to curate that environment from the moment children walk through the door. Familiar greetings, encouraging interactions, and opportunities to explore help children feel connected to their surroundings. When children feel secure, they’re more willing to participate, communicate, and try new things.
“When a child feels comfortable in their environment, they’re given the necessary confidence to develop their own sense of agency,” Sheila says.
That confidence shows up in countless small moments throughout the day, including initiating a new friendship or using sign language to communicate a need before they’re verbal. Those seemingly simple interactions help build independence over time.
In many ways, parents and children may be looking for different things, but they ultimately share the same goal: to find a suitable place where they may thrive.
Similarly, the center’s goal is simple: to be an extension of home. It’s a philosophy that resonates with both parents and children. Parents find the trust and structure they value, while children find a place where they feel welcomed and excited to learn.
At The Learning Experience, the desires of these two worlds come together seamlessly. Families are provided the confidence that they’ve found the right fit, allowing them to pull away after drop-off each morning with peace of mind.
TEACHER SPOTLIGHT:
Lead Teacher Ashley Lampman has spent 15 years helping young learners find their confidence. Her dedication to building strong relationships with children and parents recently earned her a Teacher of the Year nomination. “By interpreting each child’s needs, I get to foster a relationship that creates a sense of belonging.”
Homemade Dog Food
ARTICLE BY AMY TINNIN
PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
My two pugs are more than pets—they’re part of the family. That’s why I started making their food at home, and it’s been one of the most popular posts on my blog. You may be surprised just how easy this recipe is. I add all the ingredients to my slow-cooker to cook, and my dogs love it. If you decide to try this recipe for your pet, please consult your veterinarian. Every dog has different needs based on age, weight, and any health issues. You can even share this recipe with your vet to see if any changes are needed. The ingredients are flexible and can be easily swapped to substitute the turkey for chicken or beef, and even try different dog-safe vegetables. Making dog food at home isn’t hard—it just takes a little planning, and my dogs love it.
Slow Cooker Homemade Dog Food
INGREDIENTS:
• 3 lbs ground turkey (85% lean)
• 1¼ cups frozen sweet potatoes
• 1½ cups frozen peas and carrots
• 1 cup frozen spinach
• 1½ cups uncooked brown or white rice
• 4 cups water
DIRECTIONS:
1. Add all ingredients to a slow cooker.
2. Break up the ground turkey and mix all the ingredients.
3. Cover and cook on High for 3–4 hours or Low for 6 hours, stirring occasionally.
Note: My dog food was ready in 3½ hours on High. Let cool completely before serving. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freeze for later use.
Recipe from Amy Tinnin - A Cup Full of Sass
POLISH AND PAWS
ARTICLE BY MIDDLETON CITY LIFESTYLE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ASHLEY HICKS MEDIA, JILL HEILMAN
TRITON AUTO SPA IS KEEPING CARS CLEAN AND TAILS WAGGING
“Tucked inside their Middleton location is a useful amenity for pet owners.”
Last year, we shared the story of Triton Auto Spa GM Clay Carlson, whose lifelong passion for cars helped shape one of the area’s most recognizable vehicle businesses. Since then, Triton has continued doing what it does best: helping local drivers take care of the vehicles that carry them through everyday life.
For many families, those vehicles do a little bit of everything. They shuttle kids to school and activities, haul sports equipment, transport groceries, and occasionally become temporary homes for snacks, pet hair, and muddy paw prints. It’s the reality of life on the go.
That’s one reason businesses like Triton have become part of many families’ routines. Whether it’s a quick wash after a messy winter day or a more
thorough detail before a road trip, vehicle care is often less about appearance and more about maintenance for longevity.
What some people may not realize, however, is that Triton’s focus on cleaning extends beyond the car itself and into a potential root cause: a dirty dog.
Tucked inside their Middleton location is a useful amenity for local pet owners: a self-service dog-wash area equipped with shampoo, conditioner, and blow dryers. Inside the room built to contain both flying hair and your dogs, there are leash clips positioned alongside one small and two full-sized sturdy tubs. With no time limitation, every human is guaranteed to leave with a clean companion, and every dog with a fluffy blowout.
Anyone who has attempted to bathe a muddy dog in a household bathtub knows the challenge. Water ends up everywhere, towels pile up, and somehow the dog seems cleaner than the bathroom when it’s all said and done.
The dog wash offers an alternative: a dedicated space where owners can freshen up their four-legged companions without turning their homes into a splash zone. It’s a simple concept, but a necessity that resonates with many pet owners, especially after a day spent outdoors.
In a way, the dog wash reflects the same practical mindset that has guided Triton from the beginning. The business was built around helping people take care of the things they use and value every day. Sometimes that’s a family vehicle. Sometimes it’s a beloved pet. And for households with both, it’s nice to know there’s a place ready for all types of messes.
in Motion CONFIDENCE
Fueling Fun and Growth: Youth Programs at KEVA Sports Center
ARTICLE BY KEVA AND MIDDLETON CITY LIFESTYLE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ASHLEY HICKS MEDIA CO, PROVIDED
At KEVA Sports Center, youth programs are designed to keep kids active, build confidence, and teach athletic fundamentals through positive, age-appropriate instruction.
MY FIRST SPORTS
For the youngest movers, My First Sports (ages 1–6) introduces toddlers and preschoolers to the basics of basketball, T-ball, flag football, and multisport activities. They focus heavily on socialization, sharing, and discovering the joy of movement.
LIL’ KICKERS
Building on that early love for activity, Lil’ Kickers Youth Soccer (ages 18 months–7 years) uses high-energy, creative games to blend foundational soccer mechanics with critical childhood milestones such as learning colors, counting, and following directions.
SKILLS INSTITUTE
For older kids who are ready to dive deeper, the Soccer Skills Institute (ages 5–12) offers tailored, USSFaligned training that dials in their technical fundamentals, such as dribbling, passing, and shooting, that become key performance factors for future success.
MULTI-SPORT
Athletic Kids Classes (ages 7–14) provide 12-week instructional sessions in basketball, volleyball, and flag football where kids learn the core skills, rules, and team tactics for each sport. With a focus on both skill work and team-building, this offers an explorative way to make new friends while gaining self-esteem through athletic gameplay.
YOUTH LEAGUES
Volleyball, basketball, soccer, and flag football recreational leagues (variety of age groups) are geared towards skill development, teamwork, and fun! Alternating weeks of practice and games helps to advance their understanding of the game
Whether a child is taking their very first steps on a court or refining their competitive edge, KEVA’s step-by-step approach ensures they gain self-esteem, master teamwork, and develop a lifelong love for the game.
Fall classes start August 31st and run until November 21, 2026.
Register at www.kevasports.com | (608) 630-5270
Email gmason@kevasports.com for more information
Designed for players ready to level up, this program sharpens technical fundamentals like precision passing, dribbling, and scoring strategies.
Kids learn the fundamentals of passing, catching, and teamwork in a fastpaced, non-contact environment that builds confidence on every play.
WHEN THE POWER GOES OUT, YOUR HOME DOESN’T HAVE TO.
A battery backup system keeps your essential circuits running using stored solar energy.
POWER WHAT MATTERS
Battery backups keep refrigeration, lighting, and sump pumps running.
USE SOLAR AT NIGHT
Store excess solar energy in batteries and use the power when you need it most.
PROTECT YOUR HOME
Stay operational during outages with clean and quiet power.
Collin Trainor, DDS
Austin Wessell, DDS
TREY & KATIE KENNEDY
ON MARRIAGE, KIDS, AND THE COMEDY OF REAL LIFE
Trey Kennedy makes a living finding comedy in regular life. Marriage. Toddlers. Yoga pants. The Thursday-night scramble between school dropoffs, soccer practice, and whatever has to be done by morning. Twelve years in, it shows: millions of followers across every platform, three stand-up specials, a sold-out Relatable Tour, and a style of humor fans send each other captioned, “Are you watching me?” He delivers the kind of comedy that travels because everyone’s living some version of it.
Katie, his wife of six years, is a former biomedical engineer who also built a modeling career. She’s now raising their kids and co-hosting Correct Opinions alongside Trey — the show where the two of them swap takes on marriage, parenting, and whatever came up that week.
Trey has been at this longer than people realize. An Edmond, Oklahoma kid who grew up playing basketball described himself as a “shy kid who never thought he’d be an entertainer.” He started making videos while attending Oklahoma State University. After building millions of followers on Vine before the platform shut down, he gave himself six months on Instagram and Facebook to see whether he could rebuild from zero. He did. Stand-up soon followed. His first special, Are You For Real?, streams on YouTube; the second, Grow Up, on Amazon Prime; the third, built around the Relatable Tour, wrapped earlier this year. “I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now,” he says. A slow climb, made one bit at a time.
ARTICLE BY KALI KASPRZYK PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
“I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now.”
Most of what Trey writes lately starts in his own kitchen. Thomas is three and a half, and he is, in his father’s words, “a movie.” He narrates his own life from the moment his eyes open and mispronounces words in ways his parents now repeat to each other because no one else would believe them. His younger sister, Eva, is what Katie calls “the calm one.” With a third now in the mix, the Kennedys are officially outnumbered.
After six years of marriage, Trey and Katie have learned that the partnership runs best when it gets its own time on the calendar. So once a week, they leave the kids with a sitter and go out for coffee. “You need a system,” Katie says. “It’s about taking time to look each other in the eye. Not the kids. Not the cameras. Just each other.”
The same instinct shapes the work. Most of Trey’s trial and error happens onstage or on Instagram, but the first read is always Katie’s. “There’s only been one time ever I’ve had to be like, ‘you’re not doing that,’” she says. The rest of the time, she just laughs first.
FEATURING TREY & KATIE KENNEDY
Trey and Katie talk about marriage, parenting, and the moments that don’t make the Instagram feed.
Watch or listen to the full conversation wherever you get your podcasts.
HAIR & MAKEUP BY MIKAYLA CRANE
This data is a sampling of sold properties from June 2026. Source: IRES MLS system.
events
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
THURSDAYS
Old Fashioned Thursdays at Red & White Winebar
331 E Main St, Waunakee | 4:00 PM
On Thursdays, Red & White Winebar hosts ‘Old Fashioned Thursdays’ featuring a different local bartender each week. Come by for a fun night of high energy while raising funds for organizations! Guest bartenders this August are from Madison/UW Health Retreat & Refresh Stroke Camp, Middleton City Lifestyle, Waunakee Bar Buddies & Cap City Cougars Girls Hockey.
THURSDAYS
Live Music on the Rooftop at The Lone Girl
114 E. Main St, Waunakee | 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Enjoy an evening of live local music from the rooftop patio while taking in views of downtown Waunakee. With craft beer, cocktails, and a full dinner menu available, it’s an easy way to spend a summer evening with friends, family, or a casual date night.
AUGUST 1ST
National Mustard Day
7477 Hubbard Ave, Middleton | 10:00 AM –
One of Middleton’s most recognizable annual celebration returns with a full day of family-friendly fun. Visitors can sample a wide variety of mustards, enjoy live entertainment, browse local vendors, and participate in activities for all ages. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a first-time guest, it’s a uniquely Middleton tradition worth experiencing.
AUGUST 8TH
2026 Wisconsin Farm to Table Dinner
5191 Vosen Rd, Middleton | 4:30 – 8:30 PM
Celebrate Wisconsin agriculture through an outdoor dining experience centered on fresh, locally grown ingredients. Held at Blue Star Dairy Middleton, guests will enjoy a thoughtfully prepared meal while learning more about the farmers, producers, and chefs who help bring seasonal foods from the field to the table in communities across the state.
AUGUST 12TH
SUP Yoga at Marshall Boats
2101 Allen Blvd, Middleton | 6:00 PM
Trade the yoga studio for the water during this guided paddleboard class on Lake Mendota. Participants will move through a gentle practice designed to improve balance, flexibility, and focus while enjoying a peaceful evening surrounded by nature. Previous paddleboarding experience is helpful but not required. Price for class is $38.
AUGUST 15TH
Special Olympics Fair
8312 Forsythia St, Middleton | 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Bring the family for a day of games, activities, entertainment, and community spirit while supporting local Special Olympics athletes. The event offers opportunities to connect with local organizations, enjoy food and family activities, and celebrate inclusion in a welcoming environment for people of all ages.
AUGUST 24TH
Red & White Winebar: Women In The Know
331 E Main St, Waunakee | 6:00 PM
Red & White Winebar’s Women In The Know is an evening of connection, conversation, and community. Whether you’re launching a business, navigating a new chapter, celebrating success, supporting fellow women, or simply looking to meet new people, this welcoming gathering offers an opportunity to build meaningful relationships. Come as you are, friends are encouraged.
AUGUST 25TH
Luxury
Wine
Tasting at the Hellers’
Private Residence | 7:00 PM
Enjoy an intimate evening featuring a curated selection of luxury wines rarely available during Red & White tastings. Hosted at the Heller’s, this exclusive experience brings together a small group for exceptional pours, engaging conversation, and the opportunity to purchase featured bottles. Space is limited.
AUGUST 28TH – 30TH
Good Neighbor Festival
2100 Bristol St, Middleton | 5:00 PM
For more than six decades, this hometown festival has brought the Middleton community together before summer comes to a close. The weekend features live music, carnival rides, athletic events, food vendors, family activities, and one of the area’s favorite parades, making it a tradition that appeals to every generation.
Want to be featured?
GET IN TOUCH AT CITYLIFESTYLE.COM/MIDDLETON
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