Lincoln Kids Winter 2022

Winter 2022

Year 29, Issue 116

cook up something special We’ve got kid-friendly recipes to make your season sweet page 12

books for babies

Ellie Hiser opens the world of reading to all Lincoln Kids page 6

snow my goodness!

The weather is cool, and so is music — instruments, choirs, and Kindermusik! page 20

Ring New Year @

Bubble Extravaganza make & take activities dance party free party favors unique photo booth experience bubble wrap stomp countdown with a bubble drop & pop!

lincolnchildrensmuseum.org/make-believe-midnight sponsored by:

Let’s Get It Straight!

Help Dr. Willett straighten out these words! And then, call Lincoln Orthodontics to see how you can benefit from a healthier, straighter smile.

GSIAINVILN NCTDTOHOIRO SNCIOULCO UDOHAMTRGU IREVPETENV 1. INVISALIGN. 2. ORTHODONTIC. 3. OCCLUSION. 4. MOUTHGUARD. 5. PREVENTIVE

Call Lincoln Orthodontics at 402-489-8841 to schedule a free consultation with Dr. Emily Willett!

see your regular dentist Brush

times a year

minutes a day

have a complimentary initial orthodontic consultation with Dr. Willett at

years old

lincoln-orthodontics.com 6825 S 27th St # 202 Lincoln, NE 68512

Winter 2O22

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Dear Lincoln Kids Readers, The holiday season has arrived and winter activities will soon be in full swing. I tend to get very aspirational around mid-November about all the festive activities and beautiful present wrapping that I plan to do. Then December 21 arrives and it’s not unlike me to still be ordering presents for those I love dear… and wrapping them frantically until December 24. I really admire the people who get their shopping and wrapping done by December 1, but I’m here to tell you that’s it’s 100% OK if you don’t have it all done in the way that an Instagram family might encourage you to do it.

Speaking of Instagram, have you followed us on our page? We’re known to give real life advice about our mistakes and our occasional wins. It’s a great page to follow if you’re all about being an “OK Parent.” We’re not out to win any perfection awards and that’s exactly how we like to live.

This issue we’ve introduced a special column from a Disgruntled Dad. We hope you find his dry humor entertaining and that you get a few good laughs in your day. We are also bringing hope and inspiring stories for you to feel encouraged. We have so many talented kids and families sprinkled throughout the magazine and we can’t wait for you to read more about them.

THE LK TEAM

I’ll be thinking about you all this holiday season. I know it can be a season of great joy and also a difficult time for many families. My hope is that you feel loved and cared for and that you get to experience the magic of the season in unique ways - big and small.

Until Spring,

Christine Weeks, Publisher

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What’s Inside?

Lincoln Moms of Lincoln Kids

‘Tis the Reason to Recycle

Books for Babies

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Cook Up Something Special

It Runs in the Family

Kindermusik: So Much More Than Music

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18

20

Disgruntled Dad

Sign Up for our weekly e-newsletter!

A Lincoln Dad Takes Aim

Lincoln Kids Directory

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29

Stay Tuned for Our Next Edition!

February 2023

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Lincoln Moms of Lincoln Kids We know this is Lincoln Kids magazine, but where would the kids of Lincoln be without their moms? We asked ourselves this question, put pen to paper, and we invite you to meet three Lincoln Moms who have unique perspectives on what it’s like to raise kids in our fair city.

Tristan Bouc

Meet the Moms

What do you love about being a mom?

Tristan is a Virtual Assistant + Photographer in Lincoln helping business owners with behind-the-scenes tasks to save them time and move their businesses forward. She lives with her husband Adam, daughter Larson, and son Arnie.

What do you love about owning your own business?

La-Cresha is a Development Specialist at Habitat for Humanity of Lincoln, helping to create safe and affordable housing for people in our community.

She’s a mom of three and grandma to two, and brings passion and positivity to every area of her life.

Tricia co-owns Pas de Deux dance studio and is a mother of four, and constantly moves to the music — whether that’s ballet, tap, pointe, or the laughter of her kids.

What are the names and ages of your kids?

Larson is 5, and Arnie is 2!

I love watching them learn things about the world every day! They make me slow down to appreciate all the small things like looking for bugs or stopping to check out leaves!

I love that I have the flexibility to be the mom I want to be while also building something successful outside of being a mom. Having roles apart from each other helps me be the best in all the roles by themselves.

What are you reading and/or watching right now?

I’m reading Good Inside by Dr. Becky and re-watching Gilmore Girls like everyone should every Fall.

What are cute things that your kids are saying or doing?

Larson just started preschool and soccer and is thriving in all her new stuff! She is saying a lot of “I noticed,” “When you get a chance,” or “I assumed.” The new words she uses daily always surprise us!

Arnie’s vocab just exploded so that’s a fun stage to be in where he is learning new words every minute. My current favorite is “You scared me!” and the fact that he is wearing his shark costume around every second of every day!

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La-Cresha Brooks What are the names and ages of your kids?

I have three daughters: Tiara is 26; Jazzmyn is 24; and Jamiya is 23. I have one grandson and one granddaughter – Za’Drian is 5 and Au’Zayah is 3.

What do you love about being a mom?

I love being a mom because I get to see different things in me that my daughters have inherited. Specifically, my kindness and my smiles that I send to others! I love being a grandma because it is like getting a second chance at motherhood at a later age. We are not always the perfect parent when we are younger but as a grandma, I just feel like I know exactly what I am doing. Plus, I get to spoil them rotten and send them home!

What do you do for a living?

For a living, I advocate for safe and affordable housing. I believe that everyone deserves a decent and an affordable place to call home. My family knows that we should do what we can to help others when we are able. We are community and family strong!

What are you reading and/or watching right now?

Right now, I am reading the inspiration all over my office! “Love what you do,” “Be Bold,” “Work until your signature becomes an autograph,” “Dream Big,” and the poem Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou.

What are cute things that your grandkids are saying or doing?

I love it when my grandchildren say “Grandma, can I stay the night with you?” or “Grandma, can you pick us up?” or “Thank you, Grandma!” I may not look like a Grandma, but I love to hear them call my name…. “GRANDMA!”

Tricia Aldag What are the names and ages of your kids?

Hayden is 22, Aubrey is 19, Annalise is 13, and Ren is 6.

What do you love about being a mom?

I love how each of my kids are truly unique. I love how they have opened up so many different worlds and viewpoints I never would have known without them.

What do you enjoy the most about being a business owner?

Mostly, I love the flexibility it provides. I love that I get to share my love for dance with so many amazing people, and I get to call my studio “family.” It truly is my home away from home.

What are you reading and/or watching right now?

Dancing with the Stars. Sadly, I’m still trying to get through the first episode of this season because I like to take in the performances and choreography fully without interruption. I love to see the creativity of the costuming, theming, choreography, and overall ambience and growth of the dancers.

What are cute things that your kids are saying or doing?

Ren is learning about Veterans Day at his school (Messiah Lutheran). They are practicing songs for their assembly where they’ll be honoring vets of Messiah families and friends. He asked if they could be girls, too, because they are “vet-er-mans.”

(Picture listening to this said by my sweet kindergartner who sometimes struggles with pronunciation, thus he is saying “mans.”) Oh, yes, my sweet boy, women proudly serve, too. As a spouse of a veteran who served three years overseas, I do recognize that we ALL serve.

‘Tis the Season to Recycle!

Items such as glass bottles often have their own stream separate from the rest of the recyclables.

This helps to keep broken glass out of the rest of the material!

What about holiday paper wrap?

Boxes of cardboard and newspaper clippings, Plastic containers and odd paper trimmings, Glass bottles washed and rinsed thoroughly clean,

Holiday wrapping paper can be pretty to look at, but it’s important to think about where that wrapping paper goes after its’ onetime use. Some wrapping paper can be recycled but some cannot. Here are some tips to tell if your wrapping paper is recyclable or not:

These are a few of our favorite things — to recycle!!

Not Recyclable: While these are great examples of items that can be recycled, not all paper or plastic can be recycled and there are certain rules to follow when recycling glass. Willa DiCostanzo, the Waste Diversion Coordinator for the City of Lincoln, wants citizens to give everyone involved in the recycling process the gift of putting the right items into your recycling bin this holiday season!

Everything that’s put into your recycling bin eventually is taken to a recycling processing center. Once the materials are there, they are sorted by staff as they move along a conveyor belt. Contamination of recyclable items is a big problem. The following items do not belong in a recycling bin:

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plastic film or grocery bags

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dirty containers

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bagged recyclables

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broken or usable toys

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tangling items such as hoses, holiday lights, ribbons, and bows

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Sparkles, glitter, sequins, artificially textured paper, foil

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Sticky gift labels, plastic paper, leftover tape, ribbons and bows

Recycling Help

Recyclable: •

Easy to tear, no glitter, no foil color

•

Non-laminated wrapping paper

•

Simple brown kraft paper

Do you have more questions about items your guests brought you to recycle this holiday season? Visit our website Lincoln.ne.gov/recycle for our “What Bin Does It Go In?” search tool. This tool will help you navigate how to reduce waste and put the right items in your recycling bin this holiday season and year-round. Internet out? No problem, you can also call the City of Lincoln Recycling Hotline at 402-441-8215.

Winter in the Parks ! n u f h c

SLEDDING Pioneers Park, Holmes Lake, Arnold Heights ICE SKATING* Oak Lake, Holmes Lake Park

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*Signage will be posted at each park when it is safe to skate.

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NATURE HIKES Pioneers Park Nature Center

Call (402) 441-7895 or visit website for program information.

Grow with Preschool It’s more than a daycare.

Preschool prepares children for primary school and helps to inspire a love of learning that lasts a lifetime.

Calvert Recreation Center, 402-441-8480 Pioneers Park Nature Center, 402-441-7895

Now Hiring!

jobs.lincoln.ne.gov

Great part-time positions for retirees, students, and parents looking to have fun at work.

parks.lincoln.ne.gov

Work with youth at our recreation centers.

Work with adults with mental/physical health diagnoses.

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Books for Babies Every once in a while, we come across a story that shows how great Lincoln Kids are at taking care of each other.

Ellie Hiser had a dream of making books accessible to all kids in our city, and through hard work and building relationships, she was able to make that dream a reality.

Hello, Ellie! Tell us about yourself.

My name is Ellie Hiser, I am 15 years old, and I am a sophomore at Lincoln East High School.

How did Books for Babies come about? Can you describe the process of taking your idea from paper to real life?

I developed a heart for this project when I was in 3rd grade because I had a love for reading and wanted to share that with other kids. Then I learned that some children do not have books in their homes and identified how great the need really was when my mom volunteered in Iowa as a Court Appointed Special Advocate.

Last summer, I reached out to Bryan Health to see about making this dream a reality. They embraced the idea and we partnered with CHI Health St. Elizabeth and the Lincoln City Libraries to roll out Books for Babies in all of the Lincoln hospitals.

In practice, how does Books for Babies work?

Books for Babies works to provide the family of every baby born in Lincoln hospitals with a board book and educational

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resources on the importance of reading, as well as tips on how to read to their babies. This is made possible by grant funding from the Community Health Endowment, Bryan Health, CHI Health St. Elizabeth, and private donors.

What’s most important is that parents of young children make sure to read to their children daily!

For a Refreshing Alternative to Daycare:

The Child’s View a Montessori School

3341 Pioneers Blvd. Lincoln 402-484-8277 Ages 18 months through 6 years Suzuki violin lessons offered for ages 3+!

Certified Professional Montessori Teachers

Kindergarten Program Certified through Nebraska Department of Education

Honoring Dr. Montessori’s Vision of the Child’s Potential Open 7:30 am to 4:30 pm – Part or Full Time Care

Lincoln’s locally-owned bookshop featuring new books, art and gifts.

Visit Us

Hours

130 S. 13th Street Lincoln, Nebraska 68508

M-F: 10AM to 5:30PM SAT: 12PM to 4PM SUN: Closed

Gifts of Love

Providing Christmas with dignity to local families in need for 25 years.

Shop with us on December 16 and 17!

10 AM — 7 PM City Impact - 1035 N. 33rd Street.

Items are priced at 70% off retail, allowing parents to spend less of their own money to get great gifts for their kids. Youth enrolled in City Impact programs can also shop the store to buy gifts for their families.

Infant

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ENROLL NOW

Register at cityimpact.org/gifts-of-love-2022/.

402-885-1585

kidsrkids.com/southern-hills

5588 Canterbury Ln • Lincoln, Nebraska 68512

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Seussical Kids (Ages 5-10) Tuition: $275

Rehearsals (includes audition process) Saturdays January 7th - March 4th 9am - 1pm Tech/Dress Rehearsals Friday, February 24th 6 - 8pm Friday, March 3rd 6 - 8pm Performances Saturday, March 5th 2pm & 5pm

Peter Pan Junior (Ages 7-15) Tuition: $425

Rehearsals (includes audition process) Saturdays, January 7th - February 25th : 12:30 - 3:30pm

No rehearsal Saturday, March 5th (Seussical Kids Performances)

Saturdays, March 11th - April 22nd: 9am - 3:30pm Tech/Dress Rehearsals Fridays, April 7th & 14th 6 - 9pm Performances Thursday, April 20th 7pm Friday, April 21st 7 pm Saturday, April 22nd 2pm & 7pm

ALL REHEARSALS AND PERFORMANCES HELD AT CHRIST LINCOLN (4325 SUMNER) • DETAILS AND REGISTRATION: INFO@TAFK.ORG

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lincolnkidsinc.com | 11 Answers: 1) The fox has on green skis. 2) The mouse has a green nose. 3) The reindeer has no hat. 4) The bunny has a heart on his cheek.

5) The small bird is facing the opposite direction. 6) The owl has no carrot. 7) The girl bear is on rollerskates. 8) The houses on the hill are gone.

Spot the Difference!

Can you spot the 8 differences in this winter wonderland?

What’s Inside Each Gift?

Cook Up Something Special!

Celebrate the holidays the best way possible, by making and eating delicious desserts! Here are some easy and fun recipes you can make as a whole family to get in the holiday spirit! If you make any of these festive creations, post a picture and tag Lincoln Kids to spread some holiday cheer!

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Source: https://kitchenfunwithmy3sons.com/peanut-butter-blossoms/ wi n t e r 2022

Holiday Pre tzel Rods Ingredients •

Pretzel rods • Light cocoa candy melts, milk chocola morsels, or c te hocolate alm o nd bark • White cand y co or vanilla alm ating, white chocolate morsels, ond bark • Green cand y coating 3.

• Red candy c oating • Sprinkles of your choosi ng • Crushed pe ppermints o 4. r candy can es Directions 1.

Melt the can dy coating a ccording to directions g package iving specia l care not to the candy. If overheat the candy c oating is ove it will be too rheated, thic vegetable sh k. You can add 2 teaspo ons of ortening to help thin the candy

but do not a dd any othe r type of liqu candy will se id as the ize and hard en.

2. Pour ca ndy coating over two-th of the pretz irds el rod and sh ake gently to remove exc ess. If apply ing sprinkles, immediately do so rotating the pretzel rods all sides. Larg to coat er sprinkles work best if individually. placed

Place the pre tzel rod on w axed paper cooling rack or a . (Baker’s Tip : Waxed pa for easier ta per makes keoff.)

If drizzling w ith addition al colored c allow the firs andy melts, t candy coa ting to dry c Then, use a ompletely. spoon or fo rk to drizzle candy coati the second ng over the pretzel rods. the pretzel d Before rys, gently p ick it up and clean wax p move to aper.

5. Let pretz el rods dry c ompletely b packaging efore or serving. E njoy!

6. Enjoy!

https://premeditatedleftovers.com/recipes-cooking-tips/christmas-pretzel-rods-recipe/

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THANKSGIVING MORNING 1-MILE FUN RUN & WALK | 5K RACE | VIRTUAL TROT AT HOME Register at ymcalincoln.org/turkeytrot2022.

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Happy Holidays!

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Years Eve

ACROSS 3. The color of snow 7. Snuggly, warm & comfortable 9. Frosty the 10. The chilliest season of the year 12. Wear this around your neck to keep you warm 13. Put this on your head so you don’t get cold!

14. A fun winter activity down a hill

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Holiday Paperdolls

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Feelin’ Frosty

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It Runs in the Family Step by Step, These Siblings Keep Pace With One Another, Running Cross Country

Meet Zach and Malia Woosley!

Zach and Malia come from a running family. They can be found on the running trails and they are easy to miss because they are a speedy pair!

Zach started running when he was in third grade. His first race was the Pumpkin Run and by the time he was 10, he raced his first half-marathon. In 2022, he won the Men’s 19 and under division with a time of one hour and twenty-four minutes.

Half-marathons aren’t the only running events for Zach; he also spends a lot of hours running for the Pius X Cross Country Team and when he’s not running, he’s helping customers at Fleet Feet find the perfect pair of running shoes!

Zach’s sister Malia, is an eighth grader at St. Peter’s.

She started running in kindergarten and like her brother, her first race was the Pumpkin Run. She currently runs on St. Peter’s Cross Country Team and she loves the encouragement and positivity.

In 2022, Malia won first place in the 14 and under division at the Lincoln Half-Marathon. She’s run three half-marathons and she plans to run more in the future. She wants all Lincoln Kids to know, “To never give up on yourself when it gets hard, and the first person who has to believe in you is yourself.”

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Say Hello to Frannie and Izzie Kiser!

Frannie and Izzie started running in elementary school when they did the Pumpkin and Mayor’s Runs. Both of the girls were involved with Girls on the Run in 3rd - 5th grade.

This year, both girls are in high school at Lincoln Southwest. Frannie is a Senior and Izzie is a Freshman. Here’s what the girls had to say about their LSW Cross Country Team: “The coaches really instill leadership and inclusiveness from the top down. In many sports, varsity is separate from the other groups, like junior varsity or freshman teams, but the juniors and seniors really make the younger runners feel welcome. They cheer them on, host pasta feeds, and team bonding activities that include everyone on the team.

We have built a lot of great friendships because of the culture.”

Double Cuteness with Mila and Stella Lux-Hanson

Izzie competed at State this year and Frannie loved making fun TikToks out on the runs.

Frannie also enjoyed the summer practices that involved running around the Costco parking lot and then finishing strong with churros inside!

Mila and Stella participated in the YMCA’s Cross Country program. They practiced one night a week for four weeks with one big meet at the end. They loved the energy of the meet, and running with their friends made it a wonderful experience.

There are a lot of ways for kids to get running in Lincoln. To learn more, head to YMCALincoln.org or LincolnYouthTrackClub.com.

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Kindermusik: So Much More Than Music!

There’s a very special, almost magical place in Lincoln. A hidden gem if you will. Children know the place when they drive by. They know that inside, a teacher awaits them with a warm smile and a hug, ready to teach them so many fascinating things in a playful way.

Welcome to Kindermusik of Lincoln.

For 40+ years Kindermusik has been known for offering a premier early childhood music and movement program.

Kindermusik is not only a pioneer in music classes for children but was one of the very first to launch a Caregiver & Me class, paving the way for what has become the go-to format in many early childhood programs.

Kindermusik of Lincoln is owned by Shawna Gordon. As an accredited Kindermusik Educator since 1999, Shawna has taught thousands of Lincoln’s youngest children over the years. Children can begin classes as young as 3 months and will complete the program at 7 years old. Classes are offered during the school year and then during a 6-week summer camp session.

“I truly believe that families need classes such as Kindermusik,” Shawna says. “Our adult world moves so fast. We have many things that want and need our attention. My judgment-

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free classroom permits my families to walk in, put away the outside world, and just learn and play alongside their child. Their child gets 100% of them for this class-time and the children love it. After class, adults often feel more relaxed, centered, and connected to their little one.

That is what makes Kindermusik so special!”

Shawna’s goal as an educator is to make sure that every family leaves class each week having learned something tangible about music, sign language, literacy, the importance of socialization, and more. She wants her students to know that she cherishes being what could very likely be their first teacher. She also hopes that their families know that she cherishes their children! Shawna works hard every day as a small business owner to provide a quality classroom experience utilizing the highest-rated early childhood music and movement programming. Her pledge to her musicians and their families is to continue to keep her studio and schedule family-friendly, to ensure they will find immense value in not only the program and her expertise, but also in the availability of unlimited make-up classes – among other benefits.

When families walk into Kindermusik of Lincoln they will find so much more than music. It is love, dedication, friendship, learning, growth, all experienced through the joy of music.

I WISH YOU CHRISTMAS with Shawna Gordon

Now Accepting

NEW

AGES

DAYS

years

Weekends

0-7

Students

Evenings

(402) 770-1486 | KindermusikOfLincoln.com

2 p.m. D E C E M B E R 11 , 2 0 2 2 S A I N T PAU L U N I T E D M ET H O D I S T C H U R C H Order tickets at lincolnboyschoir.org

Children's choirs for boys and girls in 2nd - 8th grade

Advanced and Beginning level singers accepted! No audition required.

2022-2023 registration open now! www.NebraskaChildrensChoir.org 402-202-0565 nebraskachildrenschoir@gmail.com

22-23 SEASON

for Your Child Call us today for an appointment

EDWARD POLOCHICK MUSIC DIRECTOR

DANCING BEYOND LIMITS LUCAS WALDIN CONDUCTOR LINCOLN SUZUKI STUDIOS

THE ORCHESTRA SINGS 2.5.22 | 2:00PM O’DONNELL AUDITORIUM

Dental Care Designed

DECK THE HALLS 12.4.22 | 2 & 6PM LIED CENTER BELL-ISSIMO BELL CHOIR DREW DUNCAN TENOR

LINCOLNSYMPHONY.COM | 402.476.2211

402-423-3322 3901 Pine Lake Road, Suite 250 Website: www.pediatricdentistrypc.net

Brent D. Johnson DDS, MS

...follow us on Facebook!

lincolnkidsinc.com | 21

Give the gift of learning Give confidence, success, and a love for learning with Sylvan. From tutoring and ACT/SAT prep to homework help, students can be ready to take on whatever educational opportunities come their way. We’re here to help keep school study spirits bright all year long!

3900 Yankee Hill Rd. Ste. 113, Lincoln 22 |

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(402) 817-3947 sylvanlearning.com

GET YOUR FLU SHOT NOW Call 402-465-5600 today! Follow CCH on Facebook for updates & info.

(402) 465-5600 • CompleteChildrensHealth.com

3262 Salt Creek Cir. • 8201 Northwoods Dr. • 4020 Hohensee Dr. • 1336 West A St.

Hair care for kids on the move Our specially-trained children's stylists specialize in squirmers!

Get the latest styles for your family in an environment made for kids.

237 S. 70TH ST, STE. 106 • 402.484.7866

Kid’s Play Area Adult Haircuts & Facial Waxing

M-F: 10 AM - 6 PM SAT.: 9 AM - 2 PM

lincolnkidsinc.com | 23

Disgruntled Dad A Lincoln Dad Takes Aim: The Internet

BY A L I N C O L N DA D

Well, it’s about time. After much persistence, the fine folks at Lincoln Kids have finally agreed to give voice to the opposition. Me, your Disgruntled Dad. Why, you ask? Your guess is as good as mine.

Perhaps they thought it was only fitting to add a little humbug to the impending holiday spirit, or maybe this just proves that complaining long enough and loud enough can get you somewhere. Whatever the case, I’m here now to start setting some things straight about those ultimate incessant complainers – our kids.

In this column, I’ll be sharing tips, tricks, and rants about how to put up with those little buggers. Be sure to check back in each edition for new and proven strategies on how to ignore, avoid, and grumble. Trust me, it works!

I’m sure some of my advice will prove controversial, and I assure you, I look forward to ignoring your opinion too. But before we get into the hard stuff, let’s start with a topic we can all agree on: the Internet is the worst.

Like many of you, I’m old enough to remember the soothing tones of a dial-up modem and the promise and perils of the early years of the digital Leviathan. Remember those olden days when we were all afraid the calendar might break on New Year’s? Ah, those were great problems to have. Now, we have YouTube, which last month served our 7-year-old a how-to video for making a prison shiv out of a toothbrush.

What’s next, Wild Krats Visit the Big House?!

Speaking of algorithms, who starts these horrible trends our teenagers keep adopting? I’m not talking about Tide Pods here. That kind of stupid is timeless, like playing on train tracks, or trying to pet a raccoon. No, I’m talking about “promposals” and whatever they call the homecoming version. It was bad enough when they all learned about proper skincare and how to take pictures from magic angles that make them look taller

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and cooler and older than we did when we were that age. Now their dates are also organizing choreographed “asks” with witty posters and gifts worth more than I spent on their mother for Valentine’s Day. Even the schools have gone over to the dark side.

Online parent-teacher conference sign-ups in emails I can’t be bothered to read; GroupMe’s to coordinate soccer snacks I won’t remember to bring; spelling lists, gradebooks and attendance records all buried in different apps with different logins that I’m supposed to check every day?

Don’t they realize I already have a full-time job’s worth of this kind of nonsense to ignore?!

I wish there was an easy solution to all this, but frankly, I’m stuck. Like you, I tried all the obvious steps. I’ve tagged them in pictures on Facebook and commented on their friends’ Instagram posts, hoping that would embarrass them back into the real world. I’ve forbidden them from using some apps and ridiculed them for using others, hoping to goad them into classic acts of teenage rebellion like reading Sartre and criticizing my bourgeois values. Nothing seems to work.

So, what now? I’ve considered nuclear options like smashing our home router, but what with 5G and ubiquitous public hot spots, I know it’s a partial solution at best. Then there’s the risk of the blowback those rascals might direct my way in the form of fresh anger, deeper angst, and increased attention-seeking. Not to mention, the horror of trying to pass the hours after their bedtimes with something other than Netflix.

No, my advice, dear readers, is to do what we parents have always done: take solace in the knowledge that they’ll have their turn to suffer soon enough. If you think Disgruntled Dad is bad now, kiddos, just wait until Grumpy Grandpa has nothing but time on his hands to spoil your brats in the metaverse!

Now Enr olli n g !

Toddlers, infants, and expecting parents Head St art is FREE for eligib le families !

Families receiving SNAP benefits are eligible for Head Start!

Call (402) 875-9328 or scan the QR code to GET STARTED!

2301 O Street 2615 O Street 1821 K Street

OUR TEAM It’s time to schedule flu vaccines!

Give the Gift of Membership Family memberships starting at $69/year museum.unl.edu/membership

OFFICE HOURS

Call LPG today!

Mon-Thu 8:00 am-7:00 pm Friday 8:00 am-4:30 pm Saturday 8:00 am-12:00 pm

Kay Anderson, M.D., F.A.A.P. Jeffrey David, M.D., F.A.A.P. Jason Davis, M.D., F.A.A.P. Carrie Dell, M.D., F.A.A.P. Kurstin Friesen, M.D., F.A.A.P. Kate Gogela, M.D., F.A.A.P. Joel Greisen, M.D., F.A.A.P. Amanda Knapp, M.D., F.A.A.P. Shelley Nelson, M.D., F.A.A.P. Danielle Saner, DO, FAAP Erin Schmitz, M.D., F.A.A.P. Michelle Wineinger, M.D., FAAP Tayler Llewellyn, PA-C Rachel Quiring, PA-C Valerie Vernon, PA-C Becky Waegli, PA-C Mikala Geisert, NP Amanda Goddard, NP Natasha Hedden, NP

Sunday 12:30 pm-4:30 pm

4501 S. 70th Street, Suite 110, Lincoln 402-489-3834 lincolnpedsgroup.com

lincolnkidsinc.com | 25

Rudolph the What?

Find a friend, grab a pencil, fill in the blanks, and roll with laughter.

You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and

"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, You'll go down in

NAME OF PERSON IN THE ROOM

SUBJECT IN SCHOOL

"

Comet and Cupid and Donner and Rudolph the

NAME OF HISTORICAL FIGURE

But do you recall The most

ADJECTIVE

Had a very reindeer of all?

-Nosed Reindeer,

COLOR

nose.

ADJECTIVE

And if you ever saw it, You would even say it glows.

Rudolph the

-Nosed Reindeer

COLOR

Had a very shiny

.

PART OF THE BODY

All of the other

And if you ever saw it,

ANIMAL (PLURAL)

Used to laugh and call him

You would even say it

.

VERB ENDING IN -S

Used to

.

They never let poor Rudolph Join in any reindeer

NUMBER

PLURAL NOUN

WORD THAT RHYMES WITH THE PLURAL NOUN ABOVE

of the other reindeer VERB

They never let

and call him ADJECTIVE

Join in any reindeer

VEGETABLE

.

Then one foggy Christmas Eve,

Rudolph

Santa came to say:

.

"Rudolph, with your

PLURAL NOUN

Won't you Then one

TYPE OF WEATHER ENDING IN -Y

my

TYPE OF VEHICLE

Then how the reindeer

"Rudolph, with your nose so

so bright, tonight?"

Christmas Eve

Santa came to say: Won't you guide my sleigh

VERB

PART OF YOUR BODY

ADJECTIVE

,

WORD THAT RHYMES WITH THE LAST ADJECTIVE

VERB - PAST TENSE

him

As they shouted out with glee: ?"

"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

You'll go down in

NOUN

!"

Then how the reindeer loved him, As they shouted out with

NONSENSE WORD

:

Noun: person, place, thing, or idea Verb: an action (doesn’t always, but can end in -ing or -s) Adjective: describes a noun

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Adverb: describes a verb or how an action is done, such as “quickly” Preposition: a word that tells us where or when something is in relation to something else, like “the man on the platform”

.

Prairie Hill Learning Center Nebraska’s first wind & solar powered school A non-profit educational corporation since 1981

Farm-based Montessori method and student service learning

We provide one-on-one or small-group instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabu­lary, comprehension, spelling and writing skills.

APPLY NOW at our website: cehs.unl.edu/readingcenter Upcoming Session: Spring (January-May)for Grades K-6

Certified Montessori teachers 18 months - eighth grade

Space is limited.

CONTACT US

402-438-6668 www.prairiehill.com

402-472-3532 readingcenter@unl.edu

Childcare as unique as a snowflake.

Ages 1½ -11 • Days, Evenings, & Weekends

Childcare by the hour. Convenience by the sleighful.

Come & go as you please. No reservations!

Gift Cards Available!

• Kids enjoy holiday parties, crafts, gift-making, theme days & more!

• All activities are included in our hourly rates • Warm meals available, snacks & beverages provided

Fun Birthday Parties We are accepting Title XX.

Flexible Preschool

Date Nights

• Open 6 days a week • Open until 11pm Fri & Sat • Save with sibling discounts • Follow us on FB for events & holiday specials!

Game Days

Kid-Free Appointments

Shopping Trips

14th & Old Cheney • (402) 413-8849 • Kidspark.com

Eleanor

AWARD WINNING BRANDS

Roper & Sons

2022 PRISM Award Winner | AMA Lincoln Corporate Identity / Branding (Small Business) 2022 PRISM Award Winner | AMA Lincoln Short Form Video (Small Business)

Lincoln Parks Foundation

2022 PRISM Award Winner | AMA Lincoln Paid Social Media (Non-Profit)

Christine Weeks, CEO / Founder

weareeleanor.com 28 |

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DIRECTORY Child Care & Education Fingerprints Child Development Center (6w - 10y) Featuring an educational curriculum for all ages in a loving, Christian environment!

Open 6:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Enrolling now for parttime Pre-K morning program. Mon. - Fri. from 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Contact for current openings.

7800 Holdrege St. (402) 467-4503 CapitolCity.org

South Gate Preschool

Pioneers Park Nature Center

(18m - Pre-K) South Gate Preschool is an established Lincoln Preschool of 30 years. Our curriculum is based on learning through play with classes for children 18 months to pre-K. Our classes are designed to build a strong foundation for your child’s academic success.

Add nature to your child’s birthday! Parties includes a guided hike or themed activity, special gift for birthday child, party bags for each child, and time for your own activity and refreshments. Recommended for ages 5-12.

3500 Pioneers Blvd.

(402) 489-7302 preschool@southgateumc.org southgateumc.org/preschool

Trinity Lutheran School (18m - Grade 5) A fulfilling, Christ-based education center. Our Early Childhood Education Program accepts children ages 18 months through Pre-K with extended hours from 7 a.m. - 5:45 p.m. Also offering K-5 classes.

1200 North 56th St. (402) 466-1800 trinityoflincoln.org

KidsPark

Wee Wisdom Christian Preschool & Academy

(1 1/2 - 11y) Trusted hourly childcare on days, evenings and weekends! No reservations required. Drop-in Mon. - Thu. 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m., Fri. 7:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m., and Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.!

(3y - 6y) Wee Wisdom has been providing a quality preschool program to the Lincoln-area families since 1996. We provide a well-rounded educational experience that includes a balance between informal and structured learning.

5633 S. 16th St. Ste. 100 (402) 413-8849 KidsPark.com/Lincoln

5201 Old Cheney Rd. (402) 420-7111 weewisdompreschool.org

Kids ‘R’ Kids Learning Academy of Southern Hills

Birthday Party Fun

(6w - 12y) Brand new state-of-the-art learning academy with exclusive curriculum developed for each classroom, guardian-accessible cameras, age-appropriate playgrounds, an onsite chef, and more! With our “Hug First, Then Teach” principle we take a whole-child approach, strengthening each child’s emotional, intellectual, social, and physical well-being. Currently enrolling all ages – including Summer Camp!

KidsPark (1 1/2y - 11y) Private birthday parties available!

Invitations, balloon favors, a gift for the birthday child, face painting, art, and games are all included. We do the cleanup when the party is over! Sundays 10:30am-12:30pm or 6:30pm8:30pm. Book your date online at kidspark.com/lincoln today!

5588 Canterbury Ln. (402) 436-4005 kidsrkids.com/southern-hills

5633 S. 16th St. Ste. 100 (402) 413-8849 KidsPark.com/Lincoln

Lincoln Parks and Recreation Preschool Programs

Lincoln Children’s Zoo

Little Sprouts Preschool at Calvert Recreation Center and Nature Preschool at Pioneers Park Nature Center are open to children 3 to 5 years of age. Programs are nature based, with teachers planning curriculum around children’s curiosity and wonder of the world around them.

Celebrate your child’s birthday at the Zoo and enjoy all-day admission for you and your guests. Create lasting memories with options for unlimited train rides and critter encounters. Party packages start at just $225. Visit LincolnZoo.org to pick your party, select your date, and reserve your room and time.

3201 S. Coddington Ave. (402) 441-7895 lincoln.ne.gov (search: Pioneers Park Nature Center)

Lessons & Activities Aimee’s Premier Dance Aimee’s Premier Dance in Hickman offers a variety of dance styles for ages 3+, including Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Pointe, and Boys’ Classes. All classes use ageappropriate music, choreography, and costuming.

6760 Woodland Blvd. (Hickman) (402) 440-8770 apremierdance.com

Bright Lights Summer Learning Adventures (Ages K - 8th Grade) Bright Lights Summer Learning Adventures. Offering 5 weeks of fun, hands-on, STEAM-infused summer learning camps for K-8th grade students. Half-day and full-day camps available on a wide variety of topics from arts and literature to robotics and cooking. More information including camp schedule, locations and registration details available at BrightLights.org.

5561 S. 48th Street, #220, Lincoln, NE 68516 (402) 420-1115 brightlights.org

Chase the Spirit of Dance Established in 2017, Chase the Spirit of Dance provides Lincoln’s premier dance instruction. All of our dance instructors are personable and fully certified to teach dance at all levels. Whether your focus is technique, flexibility, or you’re just looking for a new way to work out, you can find it here. We offer Ballet, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Clogging, Tap, and so much more to students ages 3 - 93! chasethespirit.dance info@chasethespirit.com (402) 904-4091

Encore Studio

(402) 441-8669 lincoln.ne.gov (search: Preschool)

1222 S. 27th St. (402) 475-6741 LincolnZoo.org

(Ages 5 - 11) Piano lessons and piano/keyboard classes for all levels. Teaching beginners of all ages.

Prairie Hill Learning Center

Lost In Fun!

54th & L St. (402) 499-0400 encore-studio.com

(18m - 14y) Prairie Hill Learning Center offers quality, Montessori education in an outdoor, farm environment. Young Children’s Community is licensed by DHHS, has immediate openings and operates year-round. 7 miles south of Lincoln on Highway 77.

Your outdoor playland... indoors! Fun for all ages!

Private party rooms, playsets, foam pit, inflatable jumpers, fun maze, laser maze, video games, jumping pillow, Ballocity, and snack area with yummy food and drinks! We do company parties, too! Book your next Fun-tastic party online at lostinfun.com!

17705 S 12th St, Roca, NE 68430 (402) 436-6668 admin@prairiehill.com prairiehill.com

8431 Cody Dr. (15th & Yankee Hill) (402) 466-8692 LostInFun.com

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Lessons & Activities

(cont’d)

Lincoln Music Teachers Association LMTA welcomes all music teachers to meet for workshops and camaraderie, to plan activities for our students, and to serve the community. Our LMTA Music Outreach Program offers low-cost lessons, instruments and repairs, music scores and performance opportunities to children in need. Email MOP@LMTA.info.

For more information or a Teacher Directory, visit www.LMTA.info.

Picnic Hill Orchard (All ages) We offer u-pick apples, cider and donuts starting in August through the end of October. Located just outside of Lincoln near 105th and Yankee Hill Road..

10500 Yankee Hill Road Lincoln, NE 68526 (402) 417-0734 picnichillorchard.com

• • • •

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If you or someone you know has a great story, poem, painting, or something for us to consider for our next edition, please tell us all about it at hello@lnkkids.com.

We love to promote people in the local community. We can’t wait to hear about you.

Join us for Family Worship This service is for the whole family, with a relaxed atmosphere, refreshments, and hands on activities for all ages.

When: Sundays, 9:00-9:30 AM

Questions?

Call (402) 489-9618 or visit our website at christumclinc.org

Where: Christ United Methodist Church 4530 A St., Room B

“Have faith in your children and they will have faith in themselves.”

Pediatrics

at Kreshel Clinic 3100 N. 14th