MetroFamily Magazine December 2017

DECEMBER 2017

Santa sightings, light displays & winter festivals

Giving NOwnership

Gifting experiences instead of stuff

Budget Friendly Fun 15 free Christmas events

HUGE DECEMBER

EVENTS CALENDAR

EVEN THOUGH NICHOLAS RECEIVED THE GIFT, IT REALLY “ HAS BEEN A GIFT FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY. IT’S AN EXPERIENCE THAT WE CAN SHARE TOGETHER RATHER THAN A TOY THAT YOU JUST THROW BACK IN A TOY BOX. — EDDIE & LINDSAY EL-YUSSIF

”

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DECEMBER 2017

Features 10 Cover Kids Search Winners See who will be on our 2018 covers 14 Journey to Inclusivity The truth behind many stereotypes immigrants face 18 Holiday Gift Guide Local gift ideas from our advertisers 50 Winter Bucket List Ideas from our staff and readers to make it a season to remember

In Every Issue 6 Ages & Stages Find the latest news and trends specifically for your child’s age group

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12 Frugal Holiday Adventures 15 Christmas events that are totally free 20 Calendar of Events 42 Real Kids of the Metro A super softball player headed to OSU 46 Mom Humor Funny twist on Christmas miracles

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committed to shop local this holiday season. She shares some of her favorite gift ideas for all ages at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/ local-christmas.

Santa and ideas for ringing in the New Year. Find them all at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/ weekend-warrior.

Web Exclusives LOCAL EXPERTS Are your kids begging for phones for Christmas? This month, our local panel of experts shares their perspectives on when kids are mature enough to have their own phones.

We also have a brand new expert panel just for parents of babies and toddlers.

Just in time for Christmas, the experts are sharing this month how to help little ones bond with relatives.

Find all our expert columns at metrofamilymagazine.com/experts.

NEW BLOGS One of our bloggers is an admitted recovering Amazon addict and she’s

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Need a vacation from your vacation?

No, you need a staycation. Our recent Thrive & Dime blog delivers stellar ideas for a relaxing holiday getaway without even leaving the city at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/ budget-staycation.

Our Weekend Warrior will be out and about all month long discovering the best of Oklahoma City for the holidays.

Upcoming features include a special Christmas bucket list, top spots to find

Contests MetroFamily Christmas Giveaway: ‘Tis the season to win with MetroFamily!

We’re giving away toys, books and more this holiday season. Family tickets to local venues like Edmond Ice Rink and Devon Ice Rink will also be included in the package. One lucky winner will take home some amazing gifts, just in time for Christmas. Enter to win before noon on Friday, Dec. 15 at metrofamilymagazine.com/contests.

PHOTO COURTESY OF VISIT OKC

Publisher

Sarah Taylor

Managing Editor Hannah Schmitt

Assistant Editor Lindsay Cuomo

Contributing Writers

Heather Davis, Erin Page & Lindsay Cuomo

Contributing Photographers

Emily Hart, Kimera Basore & Mark Doescher

Contributing Illustrators

Brittany Viklund & Chris Castro

Art Director Stacy Noakes

Marketing Director Callie Collins

Sales

Athena Delce, Dana Price

Project Manager Jessica Misun

Office/Distribution Kathy Alberty

W

hen I first moved to Oklahoma City five years ago, there was one topic that came up often when people were telling me about the pros of my new home. Almost everyone I spoke with reiterated what a great place the city is to raise a family. Of course the city has its flaws. There’s still a lot of progress to be made in Oklahoma City and the entire state to make it a great place for all children. But there’s no denying the metro has plenty of draws for families and it didn’t get to be that way by chance. Individuals and businesses over the years have made investments in the city that made it that way.

It’s exciting to see the people who are working hard to make improvements.

In 2018, MetroFamily Magazine turns 20 years old. I’ve had the privilege of looking through all the magazine archives these past few months to see the people and topics covered since 1998. The clear thing that jumps out issue after issue is that Oklahoma

City families care about community. We want to honor the people and businesses that have helped make OKC a great place to raise a family. So in 2018 we’re asking our readers to tell us about them. We’re kicking it off in April with a special feature on 20 Family Advocates. If you know of a business, organization or individual who has made Oklahoma City a better place to raise a family, please tell us about them. We’re accepting Family Advocates nominations now through Jan. 20 at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/ nominate. And keep an eye out for open nominations later next year for impressive local kids and teachers making a difference.

We’re thrilled to spend the entire year celebrating 20 years of success at the magazine and honoring those who make Oklahoma City great.

Hannah Schmitt Editor

Business Development Shelly Sanderson

Contact us

318 NW 13th St, Ste 101 OKC OK 73103 Phone: 405-601-2081 Fax: 405-445-7509 sarah@metrofamilymagazine.com www.metrofamilymagazine.com

MetroFamily Magazine is published monthly. Copyright 2017 by Inprint Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Articles and advertisements in MetroFamily do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the magazine or Inprint Publishing, Inc. We do not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. The acceptance of advertising by MetroFamily does not constitute an endorsement of the products, services, or information. We do not knowingly present any product or service which is fraudulent or misleading in nature.

Circulation audited by

Proud member of

Also a member of Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, Edmond Chamber of Commerce & Moore Chamber of Commerce

This Month’s Cover

Curt, Cody & Cora Martin Oklahoma City siblings Curt, Cody & Cora are actors and models who won the sibling category of our 2017 Cover Kids Search.

The Martin kids have been in more than 62 movies and 85 commercials combined.

Curt (12) is a competitive soccer player for Oklahoma Energy Football Club (OEFC), Cody (9) is an Academy soccer player for OEFC as well and loves to draw and write.

Cora (4) enjoys gymnastics, cheerleading and painting.

PHOTO BY EMILY HART WWW.NINAANDBPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2017

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&

ages stages EXPERIENCE THE JOY AND WONDER OF CHRISTMAS ALL OVER AGAIN. New Covenant hosts a family centered candlelight Christmas Eve experience that captures the true meaning of Christmas through amazing live music and an incredible Christmas message.

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DECEMBER 24TH

BY HANNAH SCHMITT

Babies and Preschoolers Ask the Experts: Handling Unwanted Advice With Grace

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It seems nobody receives as much advice as new mothers. It starts with pregnancy and can keep ramping up through baby’s first years. And while some of it is a great opportunity to learn, some can just be too much to handle. We asked our expert panel to share their thoughts on handling unwanted advice gracefully. Here is one panelist’s response: Thai-An Truong: People are often coming from a good place of wanting to help when

2700 S. Boulevard | Edmond, OK www.newcov.tv | (405) 562-3200

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they give advice. However, it can be pretty annoying. Two communication techniques that I teach my clients are to disarm and praise.

Disarm means to find truth in what they’re saying, and focus on parts that you genuinely agree with. For example, if they tell you “you have to breastfeed your baby for them to be healthy,” you can say “yes, there are a lot of benefits to breast milk.” Resist the urge to say “but” this and that...which will likely lead them to come on stronger with their advice. Then transition to step two.

Use praise to shift the subject to something about that person that you genuinely admire in relation to the topic discussed. It could be they’ve done so well with their own kids.

People love praise, and this often will shift the topic. If it’s someone you’re close to with a consistent pattern, then I’d recommend the book “Feeling Good Together” by Dr. David Burns for practical communication tips.

Thai-An Truong is a therapist and mother.

After overcoming her own battle with postpartum depression and anxiety, she opened Lasting Change Therapy, LLC in South Oklahoma City to dedicate her counseling services to helping families recover. For more information, visit www.lastingchangetherapy.com.

Find all the responses at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/experts

LEARN MORE HERE Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo

12 Months of Family Fun 1 Great Pass!

Oklahoma City Venture Pass

Get $5 off! Use code Metro18

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY SCIENCE MUSEUM OKLAHOMA

Something for Everyone at Science Museum Oklahoma

Ringing in the New Year With Kids

Miranda Steffen is the mom of a blended family with four sons ranging from 3 to 18 years old. A stay-at-home mom with a background in child development and sociology, Steffen loves to take all of her kids to local attractions and help them each find what excites them the most. Here are her tips for taking a toddler to Science Museum Oklahoma:

New Year’s Eve takes on a little bit of a different meaning when you have young kids at home. For most parents, keeping kids awake until midnight sounds like a miserable way to start a new year. Let the kids be part of the fun while still maintaining a sane bedtime at the Rockin’ Noon Year’s Eve Dance Party at the Moore Public Library (225 S. Howard Ave.). Kids will gather at 11 a.m. on Dec. 30 to make a craft and dance to music leading up to a balloon drop at noon.

Taking your child to his or her first trip to Science Museum Oklahoma is almost a rite of passage in OKC. My youngest has been going since he could blink, but seeing him really “get it” for the first time was truly magical, as it was with his older brothers.

Every time we visit SMO, the first thing my preschooler always wants to do is head straight back to the model train display.

He enjoys watching for Thomas the Tank Engine (or sometimes Percy!). There’s a place to sit and it’s quiet, so it’s a nice place for moms to get off their feet a minute. This is also a wonderful time to do a diaper check as the restrooms are right around the corner.

While the entire museum is a fun hands-on experience, KidSpace is specially designed with young children in mind. There is an age limit for this area, so your child can crawl, wobble and toddle safely. If you have the chance to make it on a Tuesday morning, be sure to check out their weekly 10:30 a.m. story time. There is also a come-and-go Early Explorers class from 10-11 a.m. in the gardens on Wednesdays.

Find Miranda’s tips for taking school-age kids and kids with special needs to the museum at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/ everyone-smo.

Elementary, Teens & Tweens Giving the Gift of NOwnership We’re at the height of an era marked by fewer possessions and more experiences. In fact, a recent study sponsored by Eventbrite shows more than three in four millennials would choose to spend money on an event or experience over buying something desirable.

Respondents said they believe attending a live experience helps them connect better with friends and their communities.

So this Christmas, consider getting a loved one an experience instead of a traditional gift. Here are some ideas: OKC Broadway has some family-friendly shows slated for their 2018 season at Civic Center Music Hall and tickets would make a great gift. “Finding Neverland” is an all-ages show scheduled for March 13-18 and “School

METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2017

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Makes a fantastic gift!

For one low price, get 12 months of FREE admission* to these great attractions, including Frontier City and White Water Bay! LEARN MORE & PURCHASE HERE Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo

www.MyVenturePass.com * Some attractions have limited days/hours to attend for free admission; Frontier City and White Water Bay have no restrictions.

AGES & STAGES

of Rock” is recommended for ages 8 and up and is scheduled for Feb. 6-11. Purchase tickets at www.okcbroadway.com.

The Oklahoma City Philharmonic presents a Discovery Family Series each year designed specifically to make music accessible to kids ages 4-13. Gifting a child with this experience could spark a lifelong interest in music. The 2018 shows are scheduled for 2 p.m. on Feb. 25 and April 8 at Civic Center Music Hall with a special instrument playground set up beginning at 1 p.m. in the lobby.

The Oklahoma City Zoo has a special membership program through ZooFriends that would make an excellent gift for little animal lovers. Members enjoy perks like free admission for a year, discounts, a members-only entrance and invitations to the annual ZooFriends Appreciation Day and other special events.

Offering Hope NewView is the only private instate provider of comprehensive services for Oklahomans with significant vision loss that cannot be corrected with glasses, surgery or medication. NewView is a nonprofit organization that never turns anyone away based on ability to pay, but we can’t continue to offer hope and independence to so many without your help.

Myriad Botanical Gardens offers a family membership that gets up to eight people free admission into the Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservancy for an entire year plus free and discounted admission to a variety of other special events and programs, like free admission to Pumpkinville and free skate rentals at the Devon Ice Rink. Members also enjoy reciprocal admission to more than 300 other gardens throughout the U.S. Gifting a membership to the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum ensures an entire year of entertainment and learning. Families can enjoy year-

round admission for six people, museum publications and special invitations and discounts on events, the Museum Store and Museum Grill.

With plenty of art experiences for all ages and film showcases that make for a perfect date night, an Oklahoma City Museum of Art membership would make an excellent gift. Families can enjoy free general admission for two adults and all children in the household as well as private tours, special events and excursions and exclusive film screenings.

Another idea for a fun experience-based gift is to sign your child up for a summer camp or after-school activity. Registration is already open at Kanakuk, a summer camp experience outside of Branson, Mo. for boys and girls ages 6-18. Reveal their gift at Christmas and they have months to look forward to all the fun summer experiences.

Registration's also open now for Camp Classen, one of the most popular summer camp experiences for local families that's hosted annually in the Arbuckle Mountains.

After-school activities will start back up after the holiday break so it’s a great time to gift them an opportunity to try that new sport or skill. Find plenty of summer camp ideas at www.metrofamilymagazine. com/summer-camps and after-school activities at www.metrofamilymagazine. com/after-school.

For more gift ideas, flip to page 18 to see a holiday gift guide from our advertisers.

Thank you for your support so we can continue to improve the lives of thousands of children and adults in Oklahoma.

United Way of Central Oklahoma Community Partner

855-811-9699

newviewoklahoma.org

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY KANAKUK

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Special Needs

New Name for Non-Profit Serving Local Families

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY WOVENLIFE

LEARN MORE ABOUT AGES & STAGES Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo

S

ince 1925, Easter Seals has been providing unique services to people with disabilities in Oklahoma City. Earlier this year, the company changed its name to better reflect their mission and to better serve local needs.

“Our board of directors decided that it would be best for our clients and our community to take a break from the national Easter Seals organization,” said WovenLife Development Director Lauri Monetti. “With this breakaway we’re able to ensure all the donations stay in Oklahoma and refocus on making sure we’re serving the needs of families in Oklahoma.”

WovenLife provides a variety of services to locals but two of the most impactful to our readers are the adult day care services and the child development program. They’ve helped more than 500 families in the past year alone.

It’s not the first name change for the organization. It was known as the Society for Crippled Children when it formed in 1925.

A lot of local parents who have kids graduating from high school with special needs don’t know what to do to help them stay busy and stay learning, Monetti explained. Teens and older adults can take part in WovenLife’s services. In addition to providing basic care and therapies on-site, the program includes excursions throughout town.

Additionally, WovenLife’s child development program offers a chance for kids of all abilities ages 2-6 to learn together. Their unique program combines kids with special needs with those who are traditionally developing to make sure the needs of all local families are met. The goal of the program is to prepare children to be integrated into a typical classroom environment by the time they start school.

To learn more about the programs offered by the organization, visit them online at www.wovenlifeok.org.

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e have some really cute, smart, funny and spunky kids in the Oklahoma City area. And dozens of them joined us at our Cover Kids Search event in October. We had so much fun getting to know these kids and their families. At the event, the kids enjoyed some hands-on activities offered by

See masterworks by Rembrandt, Rubens, van Dyck and other artists from the Golden Age.

the event partners, photos with a prince and princess, had their photo taken by Prints Charming Photography for a mock cover and visited with MetroFamily staff and community leaders.

It was a very difficult task to decide which of these kids would represent us on our covers.

Our staff agonized over this! But here they are, MetroFamily’s 2018 Cover Kids:

Scarlett G. 3

Valentin C. 4

Nahla C. 4

Ava C. 6

Gavin E. 7

Aidan V. 9

Adamari H. 10

Deshay’la K. 10

Hunter S. 11

Lonnie R. 11

Allyson G. 10

Ariyanna U. 11

Nicholas & Sofia S. 9 & 5

Thank you to all the amazing kids who took part in our cover kids search!

This year, our winners have also been named our MetroFamily Ambassadors and will be given opportunities to volunteer at various nonprofits and MetroFamily events.

All entrants will be invited to join us at our volunteer projects so watch for information on that by email.

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Thank you to all our entrants and their families and to our sponsors, Goldfish Swim School and Prints Charming Photography.

We will conduct our 2019 Cover Kids Search starting in August 2018 so stay tuned to our website, magazine and social media feeds for more information.

Free Ways

15

to Celebrate Christmas in OKC

BY HANNAH SCHMITT

Between the gifts, the parties, the travel and the extra household guests, Christmas can get expensive. Here are 15 ways to celebrate the holiday in Oklahoma City without spending a dime.

Find more information about all these activities on our online calendar at metrofamilymagazine. com/calendar.

To discover even more holiday fun in OKC and beyond, visit www. metrofamilymagazine. com/winter-fun-guides.

1

Discover festive Christmas trees adorned with handmade ornaments showcasing the Native cultures that make Oklahoma unique. The Red Earth Treefest is free to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every weekday throughout the month and from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 at the Red Earth Art Center in downtown Oklahoma City.

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Whether you buy anything or not, a visit to the PAMBE Ghana Global Market (6516 N. Olie) should be your new holiday tradition. Have fun browsing the free fair trade market and if you do splurge and buy something, feel good knowing it’s supporting a learning center in Ghana. They’re open noon to 6 p.m.

Tuesday-Saturday (except noon to 7 p.m. Thursdays).

3

Local theatre groups are offering tons of holiday performances this season but the price can be steep, especially if you take the whole family. The Arts Council of Oklahoma City provides free art experiences called Art Moves ranging from live art demonstrations to musical theater performances from noon to 1 p.m. every weekday at rotating locations downtown.

4

A dazzling display of holiday lights that’s sure to put the whole family in the holiday spirit lines Sheridan Avenue through Film Row near downtown Oklahoma City. Pick a reasonably warm night to walk the area and take it all in.

5

While you’re downtown, be sure to swing by the lights in Automobile Alley. More than 180,000 LED lights in a variety of colors drape the buildings along Broadway Avenue, creating an ideal way to create seasonal charm without spending a dime. The nearby Overholser Mansion will be decorated too, so check it out!

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Thanks to OG&E, locals can get in free at the Myriad Botanical Gardens’ Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory, one of the city’s most popular attractions, from 6 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 3, 10 and 17. In addition to the normal allure of the botanical bridge, enjoy holiday decorations and a massive poinsettia Christmas tree.

7

Yukon’s Christmas in the Park offers a free drive-through Christmas light display for the whole family to enjoy. Drive, walk or ride the train through three park complexes with nearly three miles of illuminated fun, five million twinkling lights and more than 425 one of a kind lighted displays from 6-11 p.m. nightly through New Year’s Eve.

FIND HUNDREDS OF HOLIDAY FUN IDEAS Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo

with Santa. Register upon arrival and enjoy plenty of festivities while waiting for your turn to meet the man in the red suit.

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Dec. 7: December brings dozens of opportunities to see Santa, but few are as exciting as seeing him among the dinosaurs at Sam Noble Museum (2401 Chautauqua Ave.). Their annual Holiday Happening features kid-friendly activities, seasonal stories and Christmas-themed entertainment from 4 to 7 p.m.

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Dec. 7: Just a short jaunt east of Oklahoma City is Shawnee, where the Christmas season kicks off each year with Santa and his team of reindeer ushered down Main Street at the Shawnee Christmas Parade.

The parade begins at 7 p.m.

Dec. 9: Get in the holiday spirit with bands, floats, Santa and a variety of Christmas characters all parading through downtown Norman (Main St., Pickard Ave. to Crawford Ave.) at their annual Christmas parade at 5 p.m.

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Dec. 10: Historic El Reno (7107 W. Cheyenne) sits about 30 miles west of Oklahoma City and their annual Christmas Guns Celebration happens from 2 to 4 p.m. and features a festive celebration of ancient folklore with cannons and guns blasting followed by a visit from Santa.

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Storyland Christmas at Charles J. Johnson Central Park (29th St., Midwest City) brings the holiday to life with hand-painted murals and animated trees depicting classic Christmas scenes. Bring your own camera to take photos with Santa on Fridays 6-8 p.m., Saturdays 1-8 p.m. and Sundays 1-4 p.m. through Dec. 17.

Fridays Through Dec. 22: A local Christmas event that’s hard to beat happens weekly at Wells Family Christmas Tree Farm (4091 E. Franklin Rd., Norman). Their Winter Nights events feature live music and a fire pit in a festive setting with coffee, hot apple cider, cocoa and donuts available for purchase.

Although it's definitely one of the busiest holiday events in the entire city, it's not Christmas without a trip to Devon Energy Center (333 W. Sheridan) for Saturdays with Santa.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 2, 9 and 16, enjoy Mrs. Claus reading holiday stories, live music and free photos

Dec. 24: There are dozens of unique Christmas Eve services happening at churches throughout the metro. These services sometimes involve candlelight, theatrical productions or special music. Find a list of them by selecting Dec. 24 on our online calendar at www. metrofamilymagazine.com/calendar.

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“You are so well spoken for a...!”

.” .. le p o e p r u o y t h g u o “I th ” ? . . . e k i l s y u g u o “Don’t y Journey to inclusivity

BY ERIN PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS BY CHRIS CASTRO

Confronting stereotypes about immigrants Jace Kirk’s calling is to help others. Kirk grew up in Moore, where he served as a youth pastor in his first job out of college. He became a single foster parent at age 23, and his first set of siblings were undocumented immigrants. That experience opened Kirk’s eyes to the challenges facing children brought to the United States, albeit illegally, by parents seeking a better life for them.

“When the oldest was 12, he realized his future looked different [because he was undocumented],” said Kirk. “He asked me why he should even do well in school, and it was hard for me to answer. I told him you just have to do the right thing and hope things will change for you. That was almost a decade ago.”

Hoping to help incite change, Kirk began volunteering for FaithWorks of the Inner City,

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a holistic community development agency strengthening families in Shidler Elementary School and surrounding communities in south Oklahoma City. The population is 80 percent Hispanic, with 99 percent of students on the free and reduced lunch program, and Kirk said a large percentage is undocumented. Kirk met a fellow volunteer who shared his vision of how the sojourner should be treated with dignity and respect.

She’d later become his wife. Kirk was named FaithWorks’ assistant director in 2005.

The organization has grown from just an after-school reading program to now serving nearly 200 kids each day by mentoring students, offering mommy & me classes to prepare young children to enter school, counseling, an adult/teen work program and assisting families to become homeowners.

As it’s grown, so has Kirk’s heart for the immigrant community and his understanding of the plight of those stuck in what he calls a cycle of poverty. He calls the area FaithWorks serves “the forgotten community; the community that never was.”

“It’s not a place I knew about growing up,” said Kirk. “My parents would have probably told me ‘don’t get off the highway there.’”

The stark juxtaposition of the neighborhood aesthetics with the hardworking attitudes and compassionate spirits of the people he works within the Shidler-Wheeler area made Kirk realize he needed to do more to advocate for them, so in 2010 he moved into the very community he serves.

“I live right next to Capitol Hill to be closer and experience the same challenges as my neighbors,” said Kirk. “Proximity makes me understand.”

With the recent end of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program by the Trump administration, and with deportations up nearly 30 percent, Kirk said the culture of fear in his community is growing.

Raul Font, president of Oklahoma City’s Latino Community Development Agency (LCDA), said the nationwide rhetoric about immigration has exacerbated the profiling

occurring nationally and in Oklahoma. The organization works to improve the lives of Latinos in Oklahoma City. Font’s clients, both documented and undocumented, fear a run-in with law enforcement where they could be asked for a green card. Font said only registration and a license are supposed to be requested at a traffic stop and in such situations, all persons are within their legal rights to refuse to answer questions about their immigration status. Puerto Rican and born in Chicago, Font identifies with their concern because he has experienced it firsthand.

“I’ve been stopped because I’m a Latino driving a nice car,” said Font. “I can’t tell [my clients] it’s going to get better because I don’t know that.”

Like the “white flight” Kirk described in and around his neighborhood, Font said there seems to be a tradition in Oklahoma City that when diversity comes in, people run away. He fears that different races and cultures don’t know how to live with each other, understand each others’ differences and not be intimidated.

“Until we do away with the stigma of giving value to people because of their color or nationality, we will always have problems with the words diversity and inclusion in America,” said Font. “We have to learn to live with people who think and live differently and to understand the value they bring to us, no matter where they came from.”

To foster a community of inclusivity and to better understand the immigration process, policy and immigrants themselves, we take a look at common myths, stereotypes and positions.

Stereotype #1: Immigrants are taking jobs and driving down wages According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, immigrants typically do not compete for jobs with native-born workers, primarily because they actually create jobs by starting businesses and because immigrants and native-born workers tend to possess different skills that aren’t interchangeable. The Chamber explains, for example, that removing the more than eight million undocumented workers from the U.S. would not result in eight million jobs for unemployed Americans. Some facts about immigrants and employment: • Immigrants are almost twice as likely as native-born workers to become

entrepreneurs. (Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity) • Immigrant-owned businesses generate $775 billion in revenue, $125 billion in payroll and $100 billion income and employ one out of every 10 workers.

(Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity) • Latinos are creating new businesses faster than other Americans, with Latino-owned businesses growing by 46 percent from 2007 to 2012, and hiring by Latino-owned businesses increasing 22 percent. (LCDA) • There is not a correlation between immigration and high unemployment at the regional, state or county level.

(National Federation of Independent Businesses) • Rather than driving down wages for native-born workers, immigrants give a slight boost to the average wages of Americans by increasing their productivity and stimulating investment.

(U.S. Chamber of Commerce) • Between 1990 and 2004, nearly 90 percent of native-born workers with at least a high school diploma actually experienced wage gains because of increased immigration.

(Service Employees International Union)

Stereotype #2: Immigrants primarily hold low-wage jobs and hurt the economy Kirk said people in his community, especially those who are undocumented, often have limited access to resources and high paying jobs that allow them to provide for their families. But while some immigrants work in industries like home care, child care, hospitality and janitorial services, it’s not true across the board. Here are some facts about the employment of immigrants: • The most common job held by immigrants in Oklahoma is a cook, while Texas and Colorado both report housekeepers and Louisiana construction workers as the top jobs held by immigrants. However, in Delaware the most common job held by immigrants is software developers, and in Missouri it’s college teachers. (Business Insider) • In the United States, there are almost as many immigrants in white collar jobs, representing 46 percent, as in all other occupations combined. (The Economic Policy Institute)

METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2017

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• While immigrants are overrepresented in some low-wage occupations, they also are overrepresented in information technology, life sciences and high-tech manufacturing.

(Bureau of Labor Statistics) • The largest waves of immigration coincide with the lowest national unemployment rate and fastest economic growth, primarily because immigrants create new jobs by opening businesses, buying homes, spending money on goods and services and paying taxes. (SEIU) • Latinos wield more than $1.3 billion in buying power and the number of affluent Latino households is growing faster than the overall population. (LCDA) • Latinos were responsible for 29 percent of income growth in the U.S. from 2005 to 2015, with the number of Latino households with incomes over $150,000 growing 194 percent. (LCDA) • More than half of the country’s undocumented immigrants have federal and state income, Social Security and Medicare taxes withdrawn from their pay but they aren’t eligible for many of the benefits their payment funds. (U.S. Chamber of Commerce) • Undocumented immigrants contribute more taxes than they consume in public benefits, in 2010 undocumented immigrants paid $13 billion in payroll taxes into Social Security Trust Funds. (SEIU)

Stereotype #3:

Immigrants incite crime The FBI reports that an increase in immigration, including undocumented immigrants, actually mirrors a nationwide decrease in crime. Here are some facts about immigrants and crime in the U.S.: • Since 1990, the percentage of immigrants in the United States has grown from 7.9 percent to 13.1 percent, including a tripling in undocumented immigrants from 3.5 million to 11.2 million. During the same timeframe, violent crime decreased 48 percent and property crime rates 41 percent. (U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the FBI) • Immigrants are less likely to be behind bars than native-born Americans; the incarceration rates among young men are actually lowest for immigrants.

(American Immigration Council) • Crime rates, both general and violent, are lowest in the top 10 states with the highest immigration growth. (Americas Majority Foundation)

16 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2017

Stereotype #4:

Undocumented immigrants shouldn’t have come here in the first place, or they should go through the process legally Kirk supports better border protection and clearer immigration policy, but he wishes naturally-born citizens would consider why some undocumented immigrants came to this country. Kirk’s now adopted son was legally brought to America as a child by his biological parents, who then overstayed their visa, a fairly common occurrence.

Kirk has found fear drives many immigrants to leave their countries of origin. From his own son’s experience, Kirk knows the violence of drug cartels in Mexico causes families to live in fear for their lives every day. He recalls friends who left in the dark of night to escape such a situation. Kirk also has worked with a mother who moved her family around in Mexico to get away from an abusive husband. When that husband continued to follow and threaten them, she escaped to the United States.

“They can stay in their country and make an application and go through the lottery,” said Kirk. “But when you’re living with a real and legitimate threat on your life and the lives of your family members, I’m sure you’d make the same decision to escape that threat.”

To legally immigrate to the United States, an individual must first obtain an immigrant visa, and, generally, must be sponsored by a U.S. citizen relative, permanent resident or prospective employer. According to the

American Immigration Center, the visa petition process can take up to eight months to be reviewed by the USCIS, receiving paperwork takes another one to three months and scheduling an interview an additional two to four months. Immediate relatives can often secure a green card fairly quickly, but just being an extended family member is limited to 350,000 immigrants a year, and the current wait in this category is six years.

Employment-based immigration petitions have up to a three year backlog.

“These families are making the best choices they can,” said Kirk, who mentioned immigrants often struggle with poverty, both in terms of a lack of finances and resources.

“Immigration feeds into the poverty issue because people who have been here many years are not able to work lawfully and provide for their family.”

In the days since DACA was rescinded, the country has seen support for the continuation of the program, with an NBC News poll showing a national 64 percent support rate.

But that still doesn’t translate into a clear path for citizenship. Angelica Villalobos, advocacy and outreach director for DAOK, said one of the most common questions she hears from critics about undocumented immigrants is ‘Why don’t they get in line like everyone else?’ Her short answer: there is no line.

“Rather than a line, for most immigrants the U.S. immigration system more closely resembles a room that is so extremely packed, individuals in it can’t move through it and instead end up waiting 10, 20, even 30 years before making it out,” said Villalobos.

“Not to mention that although the room is stagnant and stuffy, there are many folks who would gladly endure it, but the door into the room won’t open for just any immigrant that wants to come in.”

Villalobos said until Congress makes a serious attempt to fix the country’s broken immigration system, going through the process to become a citizen will not be accessible to many up-standing, hardworking immigrants already contributing to the state and country.

Becoming an advocate While the staff at LCDA can’t predict how the current national debate over immigration and policy reform will iron out, the agency continues to support those who need them and is spreading the message to its clients to do the right things and obey the law.

Font was encouraged at the agency’s recent gala that amidst national strife over immigration policy, the event was packed and represented the same healthy diversity as in its 26 years past. He also said the agency makes it clear to funders and partners that they serve anyone, with or without papers, Latino or other, and he hasn’t experienced any pushback.

“I haven’t lost a penny,” said Font. “We haven’t lost partners or collaborators.”

Sharing in the immigrant community’s frustration and fears and celebrating in their joy has made Kirk more aware of hardships both documented and undocumented immigrants face. Some of the kids he has mentored over the last 10 years are now college graduates, pursuing higher education, getting married and having children of their own. Two, though, are currently in prison. While Kirk knows he and FaithWorks’ influence on young lives is important, he recognizes that it’s up to each young person to make the best use of the resources offered them, while also dealing with temptation and challenges.

“It’s encouraging to see them make good choices that led them to the place they are today,” Kirk said of the young men who pursued higher education. “I would definitely never take credit for their success, [just like] I wouldn’t take credit for the others [in prison.]”

Font, who holds a PhD in education and spent many years as a principal in OKCPS and at the State Department of Education, believes education is the key to escape poverty. It made all the difference in his own life and in the lives of many his agency helps, which helps fuel the

LCDA’s scholarship program, 4-H Club, bilingual early childhood education program and Parents as Teachers program to help traditional Latino parents and firstgeneration American kids engage with and understand each other’s perspectives. Like Kirk has done, Font said experiencing the everyday lives of immigrants makes the community at large, and LCDA’s volunteers especially, more open to and aware of their challenges.

One of the biggest challenges facing his community is housing. Kirk said about 80 percent of the homes in his area are owned by what he calls slum lords, charging exorbitant prices and ignoring needed repairs.

“These residents are people that often don’t have a pathway to home ownership, so they are just stuck,” said Kirk.

FaithWorks’ Bridging the GAP program helps families in his community achieve home ownership, and they just completed their seventh home. Kirk said much of the cycle of poverty can be attributed to a lack of relationships and social access and FaithWorks volunteers can close that gap by helping with the home ownership program, tutoring students in reading and math, assisting teachers in the classroom or serving as mentors to teens.

“This population is here and not going away,” said Font. “We need to make sure this population is well-educated and able to weave into our state’s economic growth. That will make us a community that will thrive.”

[Editor’s Note: This is part two of a threepart series on immigration in OKC. Find the next part of the series in our January issue and visit www.metrofamilymagazine.com/ immigration to find the first article about Dreamers in OKC.]

For more information about current issues facing immigrants in the Oklahoma City metro, or to volunteer your time:

The Oklahoma Hall of Fame believes there are no limits to what is possible. Every day we celebrate the legacy of inspiring Oklahomans with all generations because Oklahomans are changing the world!

Oklahoma Hall of Fame – Gaylord-Pickens Museum 1400 Classen Drive (N.W. 13th and Shartel) Oklahoma City, OK, 73106

Latino Community Development Agency 420 SW 10th Oklahoma City, OK 73109 405-236-0701 www.lcdaok.com

OklahomaHoF.com (405) 235-4458

SHARE YOUR STORY!

FaithWorks of the Inner City 1300 S. Byers Oklahoma City, OK 73129 405-601-7600 www.faithworksokc.com METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2017

Learn More at OklahomaHof.com

@OKLAHOMAHOF

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December

Sun

Mon

Tue

Find all these December events and hundreds more at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/calendar

3

4

5

Merry & Bright: FREE Sunday Evenings in the Crystal Bridge from 6 – 9 p.m.

Junie B. in Jingle Bells Batman Smells at Oklahoma Children’s Theatre at 11 a.m.

Edmond Outdoor Ice Rink at Mitch Park open 3 – 9 p.m.

10 The Nutcracker at Civic

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Tours of the Historic Parlor Car at Science Museum Oklahoma from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

FREE Holiday Lighting Ceremony at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel from 5 – 7 p.m.

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Center Music Hall at 2 p.m.

Santa sighting

17 perfect for preschoolers

Christmas Unwrapped in Bristow begins at 5 p.m.

great for teens

24 Lifeshare Winterfest

at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark from noon - 6 p.m.

date night idea

31 Opening Night Finale 5K & Celebration at Bicentennial Park

worth the drive

20 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2017

Winter Break Drop-ins at Myriad Gardens from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Merry Christmas 25

Tiny Tuesdays at Oklahoma City Museum of Art from 10 a.m. – noon.

26 Mannheim Steamroller Christmas at the Civic Center Music Hall at 7:30 p.m.

Wed

Thu

OKC Family Fun sponsored by

Fri

Sat 2

1

FREE Holiday Water Taxi FREE Cowboy Christmas Rides on the Bricktown in Historic Stockyard City Canal from 6 – 9 p.m. from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Neighborhood crestoneridge.com

6 FREE Santa's Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

7 FREE Holiday

Happening at Sam Noble Museum from 4 – 7 p.m.

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FREE Winter Nights at Wells Family Christmas Tree Farm from 7 – 8:30 p.m.

FREE Christmas Spectacular at Central Park in Moore from 7 – 8:30 p.m.

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Lyric’s A Christmas Carol at Lyric Theatre at 7:30 p.m.

Sounds of the Season Concert at Yukon Fine Arts Auditorium from 7:30 – 9 p.m.

Festive Fridays: Sensory Santa Evening at Myriad Gardens from 6 – 8 p.m.

Final FREE Saturdays with Santa of season at Devon Energy from 10 a.m.

– 4 p.m.

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A Designer Holiday at the Henry Overholser Mansion from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

27 Winter Break Day

Skate at Skate Galaxy from 1 – 4 p.m

FREE Gingerbread Challenge at The Village Library from 4 – 5 p.m.

28 Safari Day Camps at the Oklahoma City Zoo from 8:30 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.

Winter Break Drop-In Activities at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

29 Kids Art Camp at Artsy

Rose Academy from 9 a.m. 4 p.m.

Harkins Saturday Morning Holiday Movies presents It’s A Wonderful Life at 10 a.m.

30 FREE Rockin' Noon Year's Eve Dance Party at the Moore Library from 11 a.m. – noon

METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2017

21

CALENDAR #OKCFAMILYFUN

DEC 1 • FRIDAY FREE Winterfest at Legacy Park (1898 Legacy Park Dr, Norman) features moon bounces, gift wrapping contest, musical performances, crafts for kids, the chance to meet Santa and more. 5:30-7pm. 366-5472, www.normanfun.com UCO WinterGlow at Nigh University Center (100 N University Dr, Edmond) features the Ceremonial Lighting of the Old North as well as a winter carnival. Bring a toy to donate and receive a free photo with Santa.

6-9pm. 974-2363, www.uco.edu/winterglow FREE A Dog Day in December at Midtown Mutts Dog Park (1171 N Hudson Ave) features a pet-friendly holiday party with music and food trucks. Dogs can take photos with Santa (printed on site), for a small donation and enjoy “puppachinos” from The Children’s Hospital Volunteers’ new Paws for Purpose program. 6-8pm. www.downtownindecember.com FREE Holidays on the Paseo in the Paseo Arts District (Paseo Ave) features live entertainment, food trucks, kids’ activities, art demos, carolers and shopping.

Kids can meet Santa. 6-10pm. 525-2688, www.thepaseo.org Tomáseen Foley’s A Celtic Christmas at The Gate (7700 N Council Rd) features dancers, musicians, singers and storytellers from Ireland. $33-$40. 7-10pm. 343-1025, www.spotlightproductionsokc.com Santa Delivers at the Oklahoma City Zoo (2101 NE 50th St). Santa will be stopping by the Zoo to deliver treats to animals in the Children’s Zoo Barnyard area. Families can enjoy free hot chocolate and doughnuts (while supplies last) and have the chance to meet Santa afterward in the Canopy Restaurant. Please bring your cameras. Free with admission. 10:30-11:30am. 425-0262, www.okczoo.org FREE Holiday Gala at the Moore Library (225 S Howard Ave, Moore) features music, refreshments, a chance to meet Santa, crafts, the Maker Mobile and activities for the whole family. No registration required, all ages welcome. 5:30-7:30pm. 793-4349, www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org Repeal Day Celebration at Mary Eddy’s Kitchen & Lounge (900 W Main St).

Bartenders in Prohibition-era dress will be serving classic, speakeasy cocktails.

Costumes are encouraged; mustaches are appreciated. For ages 21 & older. Free

to attend. 5:30pm-1am. 982-6960, www.maryeddysokc.com FREE Holiday Open House at the Norman Central Library (225 N Webster Ave, Norman) features music, crafts for children and adults, refreshments and a green screen photo opportunity. 6-8pm. 701-2620, www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org

DEC 1 & 2 Sassafras Shopping Event at the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center (1700 W Independence, Shawnee) features furniture, vintage finds, home decor, art, jewelry, beauty products, clothing and accessories for both children and adults. Free to attend.

Friday, 5-8pm; Saturday, 9am-6pm. www.sassafrasevent.com Oklahoma City Philharmonic Christmas Show at Civic Center Music Hall (201 N Walker Ave) features a holiday performance of fresh interpretations of holiday favorites, celebrated through music, song and dance for over two decades. $19 & up. Friday, 8pm; Saturday, 2 & 8pm. 842-5387, www.okcphilharmonic.org

DEC 2 • SATURDAY Edmond Ugly Holiday Lights Run at Mitch Park (1501 W Covell Rd, Edmond) features a Christmas sweater themed 5K and one mile fun run benefiting the holiday light display in Mitch Park. Runners can also participate in a sweater contest for the most creative, prettiest or ugliest sweater. $25. 2pm.

359-4630, www.edmondparks.com Little Willie’s Triple Dog Dare at Leadership Square (211 N Robison Ave) features a stair climbing event benefiting Homeless Alliance & Sunbeam Family Services. Racers will climb 138 floors in three buildings combined. Single and relay options available. $45 & up. 8am. www.littlewilliestripledogdare.com FREE Saturdays with Santa at Devon Energy (333 W Sheridan Ave) features crafts, live holiday music, a train ride, the chance to meet Santa and other holiday characters and more. Visits with Santa are available on a first-come, first-served basis. 10am-4pm. Also held: Dec. 9 & 16. www.downtownindecember.com FREE Yukon Mayor’s Christmas Party for Kids at the Dale Robertson Center (1200 Lakeshore Dr, Yukon) features crafts, games, the mayor’s essay contest and more. 10amnoon. 350-8937, www.cityofyukonok.gov

22 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2017

Pancake Breakfast in Whoville at Southmoore High School (2901 S Santa Fe Ave, Moore) features a whimsical pancake breakfast with fun activities for kids and photos with the Grinch. Breakfast, $5; photo, $10. Breakfast, 8-10:30am; photos, 8am-noon. www.facebook.com/ events/114748389297348 Holiday Hustle at Oklahoma Christian University (2501 E Memorial Rd) features a 5K, 10K and a kids’ run as well as a pancake breakfast with live Christmas music. $10 & up. 8:45am. 425-1854, teamoc.oc.edu/holidayhustle/ FREE Oklahoma Toy, Diecast & Comic Association Show at Cross Roads Convention Center (7000 Plaza Mayor Blvd) features collectables for sale or trade, raffles and more.

10am-5pm. www.oktdc.com FREE Fun Day at Soccer Shots (11100 N Kelley Ave). Kids ages 2 to 8 are invited to come experience a free session.

Preregister. 9-11:30am. 613-7114, soccershots.org/northokc

Faerie Gingerbread House Decorating at Will Rogers Gardens (3400 NW 36th St). Learn how to make a twist on the classic gingerbread house. Supplies provided. Preregister. All ages welcome. $35 per house. 9am-noon. 297-1392, www.okc.gov/parksignup El Reno Polar Express at the Canadian County Historical Museum (300 S Grand Ave, El Reno) features holiday activities and a screening of The Polar Express. Attendees can meet Santa, build a toy in his workshop, ride a trolley to Centre Theatre and more.

Benefits Sacred Heart Catholic School. Kids (2 & older), $15; adults, $5; VIP family pass, $50. 9am-3pm. 262-2284, www.facebook. com/sacredheartelreno/ FREE Cowboy Christmas at Stockyard City (1305 S Agnew Ave) features a holiday parade with longhorn steers, authentic cowboys, antique cars, equestrian clubs and native dancers. Kids can meet Santa at the Centennial Rodeo Opry from 11am-1pm and pose for pictures. 10am-1pm. 235-7267, www.stockyardscity.org

FREE Storybook Hour at Cuppies & Joe (727 NW 23rd St). Children listen to a story while parents enjoy coffee and conversation.

10-11am. Also held Dec. 16. 528-2122, www.cuppiesandjoe.com FREE Saturdays for Kids – Holidays at the Museum at National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum (1700 NE 63rd St) features a variety of holiday activities throughout the Museum including Western-inspired ornament making, a scavenger hunt through select exhibit galleries, the chance to meet Santa and other historical figures and more.

Preregister. 10am-noon. 478-2250, www.nationalcowboymuseum.org FREE Robotics Class at Sylvan of Edmond (3209 S Broadway Ave, Edmond) features fun, hands-on projects to get your child’s creative juices flowing as they learn science and engineering concepts, such as how pulleys, levers and motors work. Call to preregister. 1-2pm. 562-5202, www.sylvanlearning.com

METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2017

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CALENDAR #OKCFAMILYFUN

FREE Holiday Hop at the Victorian Rodkey House & 1889 Territorial Schoolhouse (410 S Littler & 124 E 2nd St, Edmond) features holiday activities, hot cocoa and music hosted at the Victorian Rodkey House and old-fashioned ornament making and tree decorating at the 1889 Territorial Schoolhouse. 1-4pm. 340-0078, www.edmondhistory.org

Holiday Happening

Dec. 7

WinterFest at Martin Park Nature Center (5000 W Memorial Rd) features outdoor games including a Sleigh Relay, Festive Lights Tangle and Winter Dress Race, plus indoor fun with popcorn and cranberry garlands for your backyard birds. Preregister.

For ages 6 & up. $5. 1-4pm. 297-1429, www.okc.gov/parksignup FREE Gingerbread Scavenger Hunt at the Almonte Library (2914 SW 59th St). Explore the library’s shelves full of interesting characters and a tasty gingerbread craft.

Preregister. Best suited for ages 3 & up.

2-3:30pm. 606-3575, www.metrolibrary.org

Excavations

The museum store

Edmond Ugly Holiday Lights Run at Mitch Park (1501 W Covell Rd, Edmond) features a Christmas sweater themed 5K and one mile fun run benefiting the holiday light display in Mitch Park. $25. 2pm. 359-4630, www.eventbrite.com FREE Holiday Crafts & Tree Trimming at the Southern Oaks Library (6900 S Walker Ave) features holiday crafts and a chance to help trim the library’s Christmas tree. Best suited for ages 3 & up. 2-3pm. 631-4468, www.metrolibrary.org FREE Holiday Open House at the Capitol Hill Library (327 SW 27th St) features crafts, games, refreshments, music and the chance to meet Santa. All ages welcome. 2-4pm.

634-6308, www.metrolibrary.org

Education Programs

Spring 2018

Holiday High Tea at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel (1 Park Ave) features teas and an array of sandwiches, scones, crumpets and other bite-sized treats. Reservations are required. Adults, $24.95; kids, $18.95. 2:304pm. Also held: Dec. 9 & 16. 272-3040, www.downtownindecember.com FREE Edmond Mayor’s Tree Lighting in Downtown Edmond features a ceremony and the crowning of the Lit’l Ice Prince & Princess. 6pm. 359-4630, www.edmondparks.com

2401 Chautauqua Ave., Norman, OK 73072-7029 (405) 325-4712 | samnoblemuseum.ou.edu

Special exhibits sponsored by The University of Oklahoma is an equal oppor tunity institution. www.ou.edu/eoo. For accommodations on the basis of disability, please call (405) 325-4712.

FREE Drive-Thru Christmas Pageant at Boys Ranch Town (5100 SE 33rd St, Edmond) features a living nativity with live animals depict the life of Jesus Christ. 7-9pm.

341-3606, www.obhc.org

KLOVE Christmas at Council Road Baptist Church (2900 N Council Rd, Bethany) features a special Christmas concert with Steven Curtis Chapman, PLUMB, We Are Messengers and Marc Martel. $20 & up.

7-10pm. www.klovechristmastour.com

DEC 2 & 3 Oklahoma City Train Show at the State Fair Park Cox Pavilion (3212 Wichita Walk) features operating model train displays, workshops and vendors offering railroad memorabilia, toy trains, model trains and an assortment of railroad items. Adults, $12; kids (12 & under), free. Saturday, 9am-5pm; Sunday, 10am-4pm. 842-4846, www.okctrainshow.com

DEC 3 • SUNDAY FREE Family Day at Oklahoma City Museum of Art (415 Couch Dr) features free admission, hands-on art projects and ingallery experiences throughout the Museum.

Noon-5pm. 236-3100, www.okcmoa.com FREE Merry & Bright: Free Sunday Evenings in the Crystal Bridge (301 W Reno Ave) features Christmas light displays and beautiful plant exhibits designed especially for the holiday season. 6-9pm.

Also held: Dec. 10 & 17. 445-7080, www.myriadgardens.org Oklahoma State University Men’s Basketball vs Mississippi Valley State University at Gallagher-Iba Arena (1046 W Hall of Fame Ave). Prices vary. 2pm. Also held: 12/9 vs Wichita State, 12/19 vs Tulsa, 12/22 vs UT- Rio Grande Valley, 12/29 vs West Virginia, 1/6 vs Iowa State.

1-800-745-3000, www.okstate.com University of Oklahoma Women’s Basketball vs University of Florida at Lloyd Noble Center (2900 Jenkins Ave, Norman). Prices vary. 2pm. Also held: 12/9 vs USF, 12/16 vs New Mexico, 12/28 vs Texas, & 1/4 vs Texas Christian. 325-2424, www.soonersports.com Pet Photo Night at Penn Square Mall (1901 NW Expressway). Pets can meet Santa and pose for a photo. Photo prices vary.

6-7:30pm. Also held: Dec. 10. 841-2696, www.simon.com/mall/penn-square-mall Oklahoma City Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs at Chesapeake Energy Arena (100 W Reno Ave). Prices vary. 6pm. Also held: 12/5 vs Utah, 12/11 vs Charlotte, 12/18 vs Denver, 12/20 vs Utah, 12/22 vs Atlanta, 12/25 vs Houston, 12/27 vs Toronto, 12/29 vs Milwaukee & 12/31 vs Dallas. 602-8661, www.nba.com/thunder

24 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2017

WintersNigh� Safety Village at t h e

E D M O N D F I R E D E PA R T M E N T

FRIDAY • DECEMBER 1 & 15 • 6PM – 9PM SANTA PICTURES ON A 1929 FIRE TRUCK (PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN CAMERA TO TAKE PICTURES)

& SANTA’S WORKSHOP (sponsored by lowe’s home improvement) EDMOND CHILDREN’S SAFET Y VILLAGE 5300 E COVELL RD

FREE

HOT CHOCOLATE COOKIES • CANDY CANES

please bring can goods to support the Project 66 Food Bank

Celebration ofL ights

CALENDAR #OKCFAMILYFUN

FREE Star Wars: The Last Jedi Release Party at the Norman West Library (300 Norman Center Ct, Norman) features Star Wars crafts and activities for all ages.

Registration requested. 3-4:30pm. 701-2644, www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org FREE Ornament Making at Church of the Savior (5600 NW 63rd St, Warr Acres) features festive ornament stations and holiday music, as well as a hot chocolate bar and snacks available for purchase. All ages welcome. 3-5pm. 721-5241, www.cotsokc.org

DEC 4 • MONDAY

beautiful

Drive through the h o l i d ay l i g h t d i s p l ay eve r y n i g h t b e t w e e n 6 P. M . & 9 P. M .

NOV. 25 - DEC. 31

FREE First Mondays for Kids at Sam Noble Museum (2401 Chautauqua, Norman) features complimentary admission for kids 17 years old and under on the first Monday of each month. General admission applies to guests 18 and older.

Adults (18-64), $8; seniors (65+), $6; kids (17 & under), free. 10am-5pm. 325-4712, samnoblemuseum.ou.edu University of Oklahoma Men’s Basketball vs University of Texas at San Antonio at Lloyd Noble Center (2900 Jenkins Ave, Norman). Prices vary. 7pm. Also held: 12/19 vs Northwestern State, 12/22 vs Northwestern & 1/3 vs Oklahoma State.

325-2424, www.soonersports.com

DEC 5 • TUESDAY FREE Cozy DIY for Teens at the Moore Library (225 S Howard Ave, Moore). Create some fun crafts to use as gifts for the holidays. All supplies included. Registration required. For kids in grades 6-12. 6-7:30pm.

793-5100, www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org FREE Robotics Class at Sylvan of OKC (9634 N May Ave) features fun, handson projects to get your child’s creative juices flowing as they learn science and engineering concepts, such as how pulleys, levers and motors work. Call to preregister. 6:30-7:30pm. 842-7323, www.sylvanlearning.com FREE Calm Waters Hugs for the Holidays Series at Clegern Elementary School (601 S Jackson St, Edmond) features a grief support group for families who have lost a loved one. Preregister by phone. 6:308pm. 841-4800, www.calmwaters.org

s u l p h u r

,

o k

w w w . c h i c k a s aw c u lt u r a l c e n t e r . c o m

Oklahoma City Blue vs Memphis Hustle at the Cox Convention Center (2 Myriad Gardens). Prices vary. 7pm. Also held: 12/13 vs Sioux Falls, 12/16 vs Agua Caliente &12/19 vs Northern Arizona. 602-8500, gleague.nba.com

26

Canterbury Voices presents Messiah at Civic Center Music Hall (201 N Walker Ave) fetauring the famed arrangement by Goosens with instruments only seen in large, romantic orchestras—two harps, four horns and a full wind section. $15-$60. 7-8:30pm. 232-7464, www.canterburyokc.com

DEC 5 & 6 FREE Monthly Mini Model Build at the Lego Store in Penn Square Mall (1901 NW Expressway) features a LEGO Train model build. The mini model must be completely built in store. For ages 6-14. Preregister. 5pm.

840-9993, Stores.Lego.com

DEC 6 • WEDNESDAY FREE Tours at Academy of Classical Christian Studies (1201 N Robinson Ave).

Prospective parents can see the campus and learn more about the school’s programs.

9-10am. 850-0633, www.theacademyok.org FREE Lower School/Early Childhood Center Parent Preview Days at Heritage Hall (1800 NW 122nd St). Meet teachers and faculty and learn more about the school’s curriculum. Preregister. 9am. 749-3001, www.heritagehall.com A Date with the Duke – Holiday Edition at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum (1700 NE 63rd St) features a cash bar, buffet and special screening of 3 Godfathers. Members, $35; nonmembers, $40. 5-8pm. 478-2250, www.nationalcowboymuseum.org FREE Educators After Hours- The American Cowboy: Myth and Reality at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum (1700 NE 63rd St). Educators can explore myth and reality of the American cowboy from its early historical roots through romanticized portrayal in Wild West shows and films. Preregister. 5:30-8:30pm.

478-2250, www.nationalcowboymuseum.org/ teacherworkshop Holiday Wine-Down at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum (1700 NE 63rd St) features a one-night painting class under instruction from Wine & Palette.

Preregister. All supplies provided, including light hors d’oeuvres and cash bar. Members, $40; non-members, $45. 6-9pm. 478-2250, www.nationalcowboymuseum.org Daily calendar continues on page 28.

METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2017

Holiday Lights THROUGH DEC 30 FREE Midwest City Holiday Lights Spectacular at Joe B Barnes Regional Park (8700 E. Reno Ave). Sunday-Thursday, 6-10pm; Friday & Saturday, 6-11pm.

THROUGH DEC 31 FREE Christmas in the Park at Chisholm Trail Park (500 W Vandament, Yukon).

Open seven days a week from 6-11pm.

FREE Festival of Light at Shannon Springs Park (2400 S 9th St, Chickasha).

Sunday-Thursday, 6-10pm, FridaySaturday, 6 -11pm.

FREE Celebration of Lights at the Chickasaw Cultural Center (867 Cooper Memorial Rd, Sulphur).

Open 6-9pm nightly.

THROUGH JAN 1 FREE Automobile Alley Lights on Broadway Ave (NW 4th to 10th St on Broadway Ave). Open dusk to dawn.

FREE Bricktown Canal Lights Display (Mickey Mantle Dr & Reno Ave). Enjoy free water taxi rides certain nights of the week.

FREE Holiday Lights Display on Film Row (Sheridan Ave). Open daily at dusk.

THROUGH JAN 3 FREE Downs Family Christmas Lights (2900 72nd Ave SE, Norman). Bring a canned good or monetary donation to benefit the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. Open seven days a week from 6-10pm.

Find more light displays at www. metrofamilymagazine.com/light-displays.

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CALENDAR #OKCFAMILYFUN

DEC 7 • THURSDAY FREE Holiday Make and Take: Snow Globes at Northwest Library (5600 NW 122rd St). Kids can design a winter themed snow globe that will be theirs to keep. All supplies provided. Preregister. For ages 5-12.

4-5pm. 606-3580, www.metrolibrary.org FREE May the Force Be With You Activities at the Midwest City Library (8143 E Reno Ave) features Star Wars themed crafts, trivia, snacks and more. Costumes encouraged. For ages 12 & up. 4-5pm. 7324828, www.metrolibrary.org FREE Holiday Happening at Sam Noble Museum (2401 Chautauqua Ave, Norman) features family-friendly activities, festive entertainment, seasonal stories and discounts at the museum store. Kids can meet Santa and pose for photos. 4-7pm. 325-4712, samnoblemuseum.ou.edu FREE Heart of Oklahoma Parade of Lights in Purcell (Main St, Purcell) features bands, dancing groups, tractors, horses and decorated floats. 6-8pm. 527-3093, www.theheartofok.com FREE LED Holiday Cards at the Northwest Library (5600 NW 122nd St).

Kids ages 12 & up can make a holiday card with an extra “oomph,” an LED light. All supplies provided. Preregister. 6-7:15pm.

606-3580, www.metrolibrary.org FREE Science Story Time at the Norman West Library (300 Norman Center Ct, Norman) features a Jack and the Beanstalk story time followed by a science experiment. Preregister. Best suited for ages 3-6. 6:30-7:30pm. 701-2644, www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org FREE Main Street Christmas Parade in Chickasha (100 Chickasha Ave, Chickasha) features marching bands, floats, antique cars, horses and more. 7-9pm. 224-0386, www.facebook.com/pg/Chickashamainstreet FREE Christmas Parade of Lights in Downtown Stillwater (701 S. Main Street, Stillwater) features a festive lighted nighttime parade. 7-9pm. 747-4817, www.visitstillwater.org

DEC 7-10 Home for the Holidays at Oklahoma City University Kirkpatrick Auditorium (2501 N Blackwelder Ave) features a Broadway-style dance extravaganza with nearly 125 dancers performing swing numbers and more. $18.85-$29.85. Thursday-Saturday 8pm;

28

Saturday & Sunday, 2pm. 208-5664, www.okcu.edu/dance

DEC 8 • FRIDAY FREE Itty-Bitty Dance Party at the Edmond Library (10 S Boulevard, Edmond) features an age appropriate dance party for kids ages 1-5. 10-11am. 341-9282, www.metrolibray.org Festive Fridays: Santa Paws at Myriad Gardens (301 W Reno Ave). Dogs can take photos will Santa, mingle with other pets and make a paw print stocking. Members, $5 per dog; non-members, $10 per dog. 6:30-7:30pm.

445-7080, www.myriadgardens.org FREE 2nd Friday Norman Art Walk in the Norman Arts District (downtown Norman) features a monthly celebration of the arts in Norman. 6-9pm. www.2ndfridaynorman.com Family Fun Night at Tot Town (841 SW 119th St) features play time, hot chocolate, snacks and a screening of Polar Express.

Pajamas encouraged. Pizza dinner available for additional charge. Preregister by email at info@tottownokc.com. $10 per child. 6-9pm.

650-7560, www.tottownokc.com Star Wars Science Overnight at Science Museum Oklahoma (2020 Remington Pl). Explore the forces of our world and of the Star Wars universe. Activities include special hands-on activities, an experience in the Planetarium and a camp out among the exhibits. Members, $35; non-members, $45, non-participating adults, $25. 7pm. 602-3760, www.sciencemuseumok.org/overnights FREE LIVE on the Plaza in the Plaza District (1700 block of NW 16th St) features artists, live music, special events, local shopping and more on the second Friday of the month. 7-11pm. www.plazadistrict.org/live/ Christmas Around the World Handbell Concert at the Church of the Resurrection (13112 N Rockwell Ave) features a holiday performance highlighting Christmas traditions from around the world using handbells and handchimes. Free to attend, donations accepted. 7:30pm 757-4643, www.okcbells.com Oklahoma State University Women’s Basketball vs UCLA at Gallagher-Iba Arena (1046 W Hall of Fame Ave). Prices vary. 7pm. Also held: 12/19 vs USC Upstate, 12/21 vs UL Monroe, 12/31 Kansas State, 1/7 vs Oklahoma.

1-800-745-3000, www.okstate.com

METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2017

DEC 8 & 9 Holiday Home Tour in Norman (various locations). Five festively decorated homes will be open for tour featuring holiday decorations from traditional to trendy.

Benefits the Assistance League of Norman’s programs. $25. 10am-4pm. 321-9400, www.assistanceleague.org/norman/ Hip Hop Nutcracker at OCCC Visual and Performing Art Center (7777 S May Ave) features high-energy music and dance styles to the traditional Nutcracker story. $20. Friday, 2pm; Saturday, 2 & 8pm. www.racedance.com Christmas Vespers Concert with Candlelight Finale at First Presbyterian Church (1001 NW 25th St) features a more than 250 singers and orchestral musicians performing Scripture readings, poetry and favorite carols. $15. Friday 8pm; Saturday, 4pm. www.okcu.edu/tickets

DEC 8-10 A Christmas Story at Sooner Theatre (101 E Main St, Norman) features a community

theatre production of the story of Ralphie Parker. Adults, $28-$33; kids (12 & under), $15. Friday, 7:30pm; Saturday 2 & 7:30pm; Sunday, 6pm. Also held: Dec. 15-17. 3219600, www.soonertheatre.org FREE The Story of Christmas at Edmond’s First Baptist Church (1300 E 33rd St, Edmond) features a holiday performance that follows the life of one lonely man. Friday & Saturday, 6:30pm; Sunday, 2:30pm. 341-0253, www.fbcedmond.org

DEC 9 • SATURDAY Christmas Train at Oklahoma Railway Museum (3400 NE Grand Blvd) features holiday train ride with Santa, hot cocoa, carols and the reading of The Polar Express. $15, kids (under 3), free. See website for departure schedule. Also held: Dec. 16 & 17. 424-8222, www.oklahomarailwaymuseum.org Deck the Hall Celebration at the Oklahoma History Center (800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr) features holiday music played on the center’s famous Kilgen Organ and holiday-themed activities.

Free with admission. 10am-noon. 522-0765, www.okhistory.org SandRidge Santa Run at SandRidge Energy (123 Robert S Kerr Ave) features a 5K race, one-mile fun run and a kids’ dash as well as a costume contest and other family fun activities. 5K, $35; fun run, $20; kids’ dash, free. 8-10:30am. 235-4789, www.downtownindecember.com Breakfast with Santa at The Station at Central Park (700 S Broadway Ave, Moore) features breakfast, holiday crafts, a candy cane hunt and the chance to meet Santa.

A professional photographer is available.

Attendees may also use their own camera. $7.50; kids (under 2), free. 8-10am. 793-5090, centralpark.cityofmoore.com Cleveland County Craft Show at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds (615 E Robinson St, Norman) features home decorating, handmade, seasonal and specialty items presented by over 90 crafters. Free to attend. 9am-4pm. 360-4712, www.clevelandcountyfair.org

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FREE Saturdays with Santa at Devon Energy (333 W Sheridan Ave) features holiday crafts, train rides, festive characters, live music and the chance to meet Santa. 10am-4pm. Also held: Dec. 16. www.downtownindecember.com FREE See You Saturdays at the Oklahoma Hall of Fame (1400 Classen Dr) features new, themed experiences and learning opportunities for families to enjoy together including crafts and guided tours. All ages welcome. 10am-5pm. 235-4485, www.oklahomahof.com FREE Autism-Friendly Santa Event at ACI Learning Centers (401 E Memorial Rd, Ste 700) features the chance to meet Santa in a welcoming environment and family activities including refreshments, crafts and a play area. Preregister. Siblings welcome. 10am-1pm. 800-345-0448, www.acilearningcenters.com

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Two locations to serve you 14715 Bristol Park Blvd., Edmond 5701 SE 74th St., OKC

Drop-in Art: Mixed Media Holiday Card Making at Oklahoma City Museum of Art (415 Couch Dr). Create works of holiday cards as a family. All ages welcome.

No advanced registration required. Free with admission. 1-4pm. 236-3100, www.okcmoa.com Swim with Santa at Foster Indoor Pool (614 NE 4th St) features holiday water games, music, prizes and the chance to meet Santa. $10. 10-11:45am & Noon-1:45pm. 297-1424, www.okc.gov FREE Holiday Open House at the Santa Fe Station (100 S E.K. Gaylord) features holiday crafts, station tours and characters from the 1930s as well as free hot chocolate. 10am4pm. www.downtownindecember.com Indie Trunk Show at The Pavilion at State Fair Park (3212 Wichita Walk) features over 200 local artists, crafters, makers and boutiques from Oklahoma. $6, after 3pm; free.

10am-5pm. www.indietrunkshowokc.com Santa’s Art Workshop at Fine Arts Institute (27 E Edwards, Edmond) features art projects, cookies & hot cocoa, storytelling with Mrs. Claus, and photos with Santa. $20 for one adult an two children. 10am-3pm.

340-4481, www.edmondfinearts.com Gingerbread House Workshop at Myriad Gardens (301 W Reno Ave). Learn about the flavorful ginger root – where it comes from and how it grows. Attendees will also create their own masterpieces using

gingerbread, frosting and candies. All ages welcome. Kids ages 8 & under will need chaperone help. Preregister. Members, $35; nonmembers, $40. 10am-noon. 445-7080, www.myriadgardens.com FREE Dads & Donuts Story Time at the Southwest OKC Library (2201 SW 134th St) features stories, a craft and donuts. Best suited for ages 3-6 with a caregiver, but all ages welcome. 10-11am. 979-2200, www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org Hurts Donut Run at Lake Thunderbird State Park (13101 Alameda Dr, Norman) features a fun run for all ages and abilities, benefiting the Multiple Sclerosis Society. $25-$35. 10am-noon. www.hurts5k.com FREE Super Hero School at New World Comics (6219 N Meridian Ave) features a different super hero each week and on occasion a villain or two. All ages are welcome. 10:30-noon. 721-7634, www.facebook.com/newworldcomicsokc/ FREE Hippo Sing-a-long with Gayla Peevey at the Oklahoma City Zoo (2101 NE 50th St) features a live sing-a-long with Gayla Peevey, singer of the popular song I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas. Peevey will also share memories of growing up in Oklahoma. No zoo admission required. 11am.

425-0262, www.okczoo.org Breakfast with Santa & Mrs. Claus at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel (1 Park Ave) features a buffet breakfast, live entertainment and a chance to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Reservations required. Adults, $49.95; kids (3-10), $29.95. 11am-2pm. Also held: Dec. 16.

702-8542, www.downtownindecember.com Mini Kids Wreath Class at Will Rogers Gardens (3400 NW 36th St). Collect greens and berries on a winter walk and then learn basic wreath-making skills to create a mini wreath out of the found items. Preregister.

All ages welcome. $10 per wreath. Noon2pm. 297-1392, www.okc.gov/parksignup Club Chester Christmas Sampler at Chester’s Party Barn (5201 NW Cimarron Rd, Piedmont) features a Christmas market with vendors, ‘reindeer’ rides (reindeer are dressed-up ponies), a petting zoo, holiday crafts and the chance to meet Santa & Mrs. Claus. Photo sessions available for purchase. $10 for children; $5 for adults; under 11 mos & club members, free. Noon-6pm. 373-1595, www.facebook.com/chesterspartybarn/

30 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2017

From our family to yours.

May your new year be full of hugs, happiness and hope!

The staff of MetroFamily

Sarah, Kathy, Dana, Athena, Callie, Hannah, Lindsay, Stacy, Shelly & Jessica

Our gifts to you, our wonderful readers: Have more holiday family fun with our guides. metrofamilymagazine.com/ winter-fun-guides

Enter our Christmas Giveaway to be eligible to win toys, local attraction tickets and more, just in time for Christmas!

Enter by Dec. 15 at noon. metrofamilymagazine.com/ contests

Don’t miss the great ideas and discounts found in our Holiday Gift Guide (pages 18-19). Unlock more info about each participant by going to www.reveel.it and snapping a photo of the gift guide with your smart phone.

FACT:

It takes four weeks to go from egg, larva, pupa to adult.

CALENDAR #OKCFAMILYFUN

FREE Family Make + Take at Oklahoma Contemporary (3000 General Pershing Blvd) features an art-making project inspired by works of art on view at the museum. All ages and abilities welcome. Kids must be accompanied by an adult. 1-4pm. 951-0000, www.oklahomacontemporary.org FREE Eagle Watch at Lake Thunderbird State Park (1201 Clear Bay Ave, Norman) features a tour of the park to catch a glimpse of magnificent eagles in their winter home. Preregister, space is limited.

1-4pm. 321-4633 FREE DIY Clay Coasters at the Norman West Library (300 Norman Center Ct, Norman). Create your own hand-designed coasters and bake them at home to set the design.

All materials provided. Preregister. 2-4pm.

701-2644, www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org FREE Jedi Jingle Bells at the Belle Isle Library (5501 N Villa Ave) features snacks, crafts and Jedi training. All ages welcome.

Costumes encouraged. 2-3:30pm. 843-9601, www.metrolibrary.org Holiday High Tea at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel (1 Park Ave) features teas and an array of sandwiches, scones, crumpets and other bite-sized treats. Reservations are required. Adults, $24.95; kids, $18.95.

2:30-4pm. Also held: Dec. 16. 272-3040, www.downtownindecember.com

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FREE Norman Christmas Parade in Downtown Norman (Main St, Norman) features a variety of Christmas characters, holiday floats and an appearance

by Santa Claus. 5pm. 366-8905, normanchristmasparade.wordpress.com Greater Oklahoma Bluegrass Music Society Concert at the Oklahoma CountryWestern Museum & Hall of Fame (3925 SE 29th St, Del City) features three professional bluegrass gospel bands. Concessions available for purchase. Adults, $8; members, $5; kids (12 and under), free. 6:30-9:15pm.

677-7515, www.gobms.org FREE Christmas Spectacular at Moore’s Central Park (700 S Broadway Ave, Moore) features inflatables, Polar Express barrel train, carolers and holiday fireworks. Kids can meet Santa and pose for a photo. 7-8:30pm. 793-5090, centralpark.cityofmoore.com Lady Gaga at Chesapeake Energy Arena (100 W Reno Ave) features the Joanne World Tour. $46 & up. 7:30pm. 602-8700, www.chesapeakearena.com

DEC 9-19 The Nutcracker at Civic Center Music Hall (201 N Walker Ave) features a holiday performance of the story of Clara, her Nutcracker prince and the Sugar Plum Fairy performed by the Oklahoma City Ballet with the OKC Philharmonic. $15-$60. Monday, Tuesday & Friday, 7pm; Saturday, 2 & 7pm; Sunday, 2pm. 848-8637, www.okcballet.com

DEC 10 • SUNDAY FREE Christmas Open House at the Murrell Home (19479 E Murrell Home Rd, Park Hill) features a truly old-fashioned Christmas with Victorian Christmas decorations, special exhibits, costumed re-enactors, refreshments and a visit from Father Christmas. 1-4pm. 918-456-2751, www.okhistory.org/murrellhome Candy Cane Christmas at the American Banjo Museum (9 E Sheridan Ave). Meet Santa and enjoy a sing-a-long banjo performance of holiday favorites and more.

Admission is free when you bring a new unwrapped toy to support the Red Andrews Christmas Dinner. 2-4pm. 604-2793, www.americanbanjomuseum.com FREE Christmas Guns Celebration at Historic Fort Reno (7107 W Cheyenne, El Reno) features a timeless celebration from German and American folklore with cannons and guns blasting, snacks, story-telling and the chance to meet Santa. 2-4pm. 262-3987, www.fortreno.org Oklahoma Youth Orchestras Winter Concert at Oklahoma City University Petre Recital Hall (2501 N Blackwelder Ave) features young local talents and the sounds of the season. All ages welcome.

Individuals, $5; families, $10. 3pm. 232-1199, www.oyomusic.org Pet Photo Night at Penn Square Mall (1901 NW Expressway). Pets can meet Santa and pose for a photo. Photo prices vary.

6-7:30pm. 841-2696, www.simon.com/mall/ penn-square-mall FREE Merry & Bright: Free Sunday Evenings in the Crystal Bridge (301 W Reno Ave) features Christmas light displays and beautiful plant exhibits designed especially for the holiday season. 6-9pm. Also held: Dec. 17. 445-7080, www.myriadgardens.org Trans-Siberian Orchestra at Chesapeake Energy Arena (100 W Reno Ave) features the 2017 Ghost of Christmas Eve Winter Tour. $42.50-$74. 3 & 7pm. 602-8700, www.chesapeakearena.com

Each Primrose school is a privately owned and operated franchise. Primrose Schools® and Balanced Learning® are registered trademarks of Primrose School Franchising Company. ©2017 Primrose School Franchising Company. All rights reserved. See primroseschools.com for ‘fact’ source and curriculum detail.

32 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2017

DEC 11-15 Santa’s Switchboard hosted by Oklahoma City Recreation Centers (various locations).

Parents/Guardians can sit down with little ones and fill out a questionnaire for Santa. Return the questionnaire to an OKC Recreation Center and Santa will call your child. $2 per child. Calls will be made between 6-8pm. www.okc.gov

DEC 12 • TUESDAY FREE Holiday Lighting Ceremony at Skirvin Hilton Hotel (1 Park Ave) features a complimentary reception and ceremony. 5-7pm. 272-3040, www.downtownindecember.com

DEC 13 • WEDNESDAY FREE Parent Preview Days at Heritage Hall Middle School (1800 NW 122nd St).

Meet teachers and faculty and learn more about the school’s curriculum. Preregister.

9am. 749-3001, www.heritagehall.com

DEC 14 • THURSDAY FREE Kids’ Holiday Shoppe at the Southern Oaks Library (6900 S Walker Ave). Kids ages 12 & under can choose two small gifts for family members with the help of library staff and volunteers. Preregister.

3-5pm. 631-4468, www.metrolibrary.org FREE Teen Read the Movie Book Club at the Midwest City Library (8143 E Reno Ave) features a book discussion about The Bridge to Terabithia and pizza. Best suited for ages 12-18. 4-6pm. 732-4828, www.metrolibrary.org Sounds of the Season Concert at Yukon Fine Arts Auditorium (850 Yukon Ave, Yukon) features a holiday performance by the Oklahoma City Philharmonic Orchestra. $10. 7:30-9pm. 350-8937, www.cityofyukonok.gov

DEC 14-17 Marvel Universe: Age of Heroes at Chesapeake Energy Arena (100 W Reno Ave) features a live action legendary battle to defend the universe from evil. $15-$95.

Thursday & Friday, 7pm; Saturday, 11am, 3 & 7pm; Sunday, 2pm. 602-8700, www.chesapeakearena.com

DEC 15 • FRIDAY Festive Fridays: Sensory Santa Evening at Myriad Gardens (301 W Reno Ave) features the chance to meet Santa in a welcoming environment for families with children with special needs. Members, $10;

non-members, $12; adults, free. 6-8pm.

445-7080, www.myriadgardens.org Annual Cowboy Christmas Ball at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum (1700 NE 63rd St) features Michael Martin Murphey headlining an evening of entertainment for the entire family with a dinner buffet, traditional Western songs and dances dating back more than 100 years. Kids in attendance can meet Santa.

Reservations required. Members, $70; nonmembers, $85; kids, $25. 6-9pm. 478-2250, www.nationalcowboymuseum.org FREE Winters Night at the Edmond Children’s Safety Village (5300 E Covell Rd, Edmond) features pictures with Santa on a 1929 fire truck and Santa’s workshop as well as free hot chocolate, cookies and candy.

Bring your own camera. 6-9pm. 216-7300, www.edmondok.com

DEC 15-17 A Christmas Story at Sooner Theatre (101 E Main St, Norman) features a community theatre production of the story of Ralphie Parker. Adults, $28-$33; kids (12 & under), $15. Friday, 7:30pm; Saturday 2 & 7:30pm; Sunday, 2pm. 321-9600, www.soonertheatre.org

DEC 16 • SATURDAY FREE Holiday Make & Take: Holiday Cards at Northwest Library (5600 NW 122nd St) features a holiday craft time for ages 5 & up. All supplies provided. 10amnoon. 606-3580, www.metrolibrary.org FREE Storybook Hour at Cuppies & Joe (727 NW 23rd St). Children listen to a story while parents enjoy coffee and conversation.

10-11am. 528-2122, www.cuppiesandjoe.com FREE Saturdays with Santa at Devon Energy (333 W Sheridan Ave) features holiday crafts, train rides, festive characters, live music and the chance to meet Santa.

10am-4pm. www.downtownindecember.com Breakfast with Santa & Mrs. Claus at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel (1 Park Ave) features a buffet breakfast, live entertainment and a chance to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Reservations required. Adults, $49.95; kids (3-10), $29.95. 11am-2:30pm. 702-8542, www.downtownindecember.com FREE Santa at the Edmond Police Department (100 E First St, Edmond). Kids will have the chance to meet Santa and get a free photo with Santa and Edmond police officers. 11am-4pm.

METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2017

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Bagel Birdfeeders at Martin Park Nature Center (5000 W Memorial Rd). Learn how to make a totally consumable birdfeeder for wildlife. Preregister. $5. 1-4pm. 297-1429, www.okc.gov/parksignup Holiday High Tea at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel (1 Park Ave) features teas and an array of sandwiches, scones, crumpets and other bite-sized treats. Reservations are required.

Adults, $24.95; kids, $18.95. 2:30-4pm. 2723040, www.downtownindecember.com

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FREE Movie Night at the Norman West Library (300 Norman Center Ct, Norman) features a themed craft and screening of the movie Norm of the North. Pillow and blankets welcome. 4-6pm. 701-2644, www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org FREE St. Stephen’s Handbell Choirs at the Norman West Library (300 Norman Center Ct, Norman) features a holiday performance by the children’s and adult handbell choirs. 6:30-7:30pm. 701-2644, www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org Cookies with Santa at Tot Town (841 SW 119th St). Meet Santa and enjoy festive activities including an elf story time, cookie decorating, writing letters to Santa, and more. Cost includes a digital print.

Preregister by email at info@tottownokc. com. $15 per child. 10:30am-12:30pm.

650-7560, www.tottownokc.com

DEC 16 & 17 Christmas Train at Oklahoma Railway Museum (3400 NE Grand Blvd) features holiday train ride with Santa, hot cocoa, carols and the reading of The Polar Express. $15, kids (under 3), free. See website for departure schedule. 424-8222, www.oklahomarailwaymuseum.org

DEC 17 • SUNDAY

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FREE Hanukkah Tunes at Norman West Library (300 Norman Center Ct, Norman) features a holiday performance by the Temple B’nai Youth Choir. 2-3pm. 701-2644, www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org FREE Spectacular Family Christmas Spectacular! at New Covenant United Methodist Church (2700 S Boulevard, Edmond) features a family-friendly musical program. 8:45 & 11am. 562-3200, www.newcov.tv FREE Holiday River Parade on the Oklahoma River (725 S Lincoln Blvd) features a floating parade with festive holiday displays including Santa’s sleigh.

6-8pm. www.okcparade.com

FREE Merry & Bright: Free Sunday Evenings in the Crystal Bridge (301 W Reno Ave) features Christmas light displays and beautiful plant exhibits designed especially for the holiday season. 6-9pm. 445-7080, www.myriadgardens.org

DEC 18-22 Winter Break Drop-ins at Myriad Gardens (301 W Reno Ave) features story times, holiday ornament or gift making and other interactive educational activities. Best suited for ages 2-5. $2. 10am-2pm. 445-7080, www.myriadgardens.org

DEC 19 • TUESDAY Tiny Tuesdays at Oklahoma City Museum of Art (415 Couch Dr) features a monthly themed come-and-go, open-ended artmaking experiences are geared towards children, ages 5 and under, with a parent or caregiver. Dress for a mess! No advance registration is required. Free with admission.

10am-noon. 236-3100, www.okcmoa.com

DEC 20 • WEDNESDAY FREE DIY: Snowglobes at the Norman West Library (300 Norman Center Ct, Norman). Kids ages 8 & up can create your very own snowglobe. All materials provided. Preregister. 2-4pm. 701-2644, www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org

DEC 20-22 Winter Break Day Skate at Skate Galaxy (5800 NW 36th St) features special day skate hours during winter break. $6.

1-4pm. Also held: Dec. 27-29. 605-2758, www.skategalaxyokc.com

DEC 21 • THURSDAY FREE Third Thursdays at the Oklahoma Hall of Fame (1400 Classen Dr) features a Holiday Hoopla story and craft time as well as free museum admission. 10am. 235-4458, www.oklahomahof.com Winter Solstice Walk at Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center (18154 1st St, Spiro) features a guided tour of the prehistoric Native American archaeological site to discuss the powerful Caddoans who created the mounds between 900-1450 A.D., how they became a very important leadership group and why some of the 12 mounds line up to solstice and equinox sunsets. Adults, $5; kids, $3. Tours are held at 11am, 2pm & 7pm. 918-962-2062, www.okhistory.org FREE Solstice Suncatcher Craft at the Norman Central Library (225 N Webster

34 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2017

Ave, Norman) features a come & go craft time to celebrate the shortest day of the year.

All supplies provided. 2-4pm. 701-2600, www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org FREE Gingerbread House Building at the Bethany Library (794 NW 23rd St, Bethany). Create and decorate your very own gingerbread house. This is a come & go event open to all ages. All materials provided.

3-6pm. 789-8363, www.metrolibrary.org FREE Gingerbread Challenge at The Village Library (10307 N Penn Ave).

Compete to make and decorate the best confectionary creation. Best suited for ages 9 & up. Preregister. 4-5pm. 755-0710, www.metrolibrary.org FREE Gingerbread Challenge at the Northwest Library (5600 NW 122nd St).

Compete to make and decorate the best confectionary creation. Best suited for ages 9 & up. Preregister. 6-7pm. 606-3580, www.metrolibrary.org FREE Family Game Night at The Station at Central Park (700 S Broadway Ave,

Moore) features a variety of different games like Monopoly, card games, ping pong and more. No registration required. All ages welcome. Kids under 6 must be accompanied by an adult. 7:30-9:30pm. 793-5090, centralpark.cityofmoore.com

DEC 21-23 The City Cabaret OKC presents Retro Wonderland at The Paramount Theatre (11 N Lee Ave) features a 1940s-style jazz club holiday performance, backed by The City Cabaret band. Retro-style dress encouraged but not required. $25. 8pm. 928-0690, www.thecitycabaretokc.com

DEC 21-30 Winter Break Drop-In Activities at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum (1700 NE 63rd St) features a family-friendly Museum Quest to explore the galleries and Prosperity Junction. Locate Howe and Dee, the Museum’s very own cowboy elves and claim a special prize.

Free with admission. 10am-5pm. 478-2250, www.nationalcowboymuseum.org

DEC 23 • SATURDAY FREE Super Hero School at New World Comics (6219 N Meridian Ave) features a different super hero each week and on occasion a villain or two. All ages are welcome. 10:30-noon. 721-7634, www.facebook.com/newworldcomicsokc/ Christmas Ornament Workshop at Lake Thunderbird State Park (13101 Alameda Dr, Norman). Make a nature-inspired ornament with pine cones, acorns, seed pods and more.

Preregister. $5 using park-provided items; $3 with your own items. 1-3pm. 360-3572 FREE Live Nativity at Edmond First United Methodist Church (305 E Hurd, Edmond) features all the traditional figures, Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, shepherds and the wise men as well as live stable animals including a cow, donkey, sheep and goats. Families can walk though the scene and enjoy petting the animals while seeing the Christmas Story come to life. 6-7pm. 341-0107, www.fumcedmond.org

Dec. 2, 9 and 16

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

with

Visits with Santa are first-come, first-served.

Enjoy family activities and entertainment.

Located in Devon Energy Center and Myriad Botanical Gardens

downtownindecember.com @SaturdaysWithSanta

METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2017

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CALENDAR #OKCFAMILYFUN

DEC 23 & 24 FREE Christmas at Crossings Candlelight Services at Crossing Community Church (14600 N Portland Ave) features a traditional candlelight church service. Childcare available for newborns to age 3. See website for a complete list of service times.

Crossings.church

DEC 24 • SUNDAY FREE Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Services at New Covenant United Methodist Church (2700 S Boulevard St, Edmond) features Christmas festivities and a Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Services. Childcare available. Each child receives a gift. 11am, 5pm, & 7pm. 562-3200, www.newcov.tv FREE Christmas Eve Worship Services at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church (various locations) features a family worship church services as well as communion and traditional services. Each child attending will receive a special gift.

See website for a complete schedule. stlukesokc.org/worship/christmas/

36 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2017

FREE Christmas Eve Service at Westminster Presbyterian Church (4400 N Shartel Ave) features three church services on Christmas Eve. The 10:30am service is designed for children and families and the 11 am & 7pm are traditional candlelight worship services. 524-2204, www.wpcokc.com FREE Candlelight Christmas Eve Service at Nichols Hills United Methodist Church (1212 Bedford Dr, Nichols Hills) features two traditional candlelight church services on Christmas Eve at 4 & 7pm. 842-1486, www.nicholshillsumc.org FREE Christmas Eve Services at Edmond First United Methodist Church (305 E Hurd St, Edmond) features a traditional service for families to enjoy at 4, 7 & 11pm. 341-0107, www.fumcedmond.org FREE Christmas Eve Family Candlelight Service at Edmond’s First Baptist Church (1300 E 33rd St, Edmond) features a traditional candlelight church service with Christmas Carols and special music. 6-7pm.

341-0253, www.fbcedmond.org

DEC 26 • TUESDAY Mannhiem Steamroller Christmas at the Civic Center Music Hall (201 N Walker Ave).

Experience the magic as the spirit of the season comes alive with the signature sound of Mannheim Steamroller. All ages welcome. $27.09-$86.70. 7:30pm. 297-2264, www.okcbroadway.com

DEC 26-31 FREE Admission for Kids at Oklahoma City Museum of Art (415 Couch Dr). Kids 17 & under can enjoy free admission to the Oklahoma City Museum of Art during winter break. Adults, $9; seniors, $7. TuesdaySaturday, 10am-5pm; Thursday,10am-9pm; Sunday, noon-5pm & 7pm-midnight.

236-3100, www.okcmoa.com

DEC 27 • WEDNESDAY FREE DIY New Year’s Eve Crafts at the Norman West Library (300 Norman Center Ct, Norman). Make your own countdown ball, firework art and noise makers. All materials provided. Preregister. 2-4pm. 701-2644, www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org

can create festive art projects in the Children’s Area located inside the Civic Center Hall of Mirrors. $8 in advance, $10 at the event. 7pm-midnight. 270-4848, www.artscouncilokc.com

DEC 27-29 Winter Break Day Skate at Skate Galaxy (5800 NW 36th St) features special day skate hours during winter break. $6. 1-4pm. 6052758, www.skategalaxyokc.com

New Year’s Eve Bash at Skate Galaxy (5800 NW 36th St) features skating, party favors, door prizes and a sparkling grape juice toast and balloon drop at midnight.

All age welcome. $15. 7pm-1am. 605-2758, www.skategalaxyokc.com

DEC 29 • FRIDAY FREE Countdown Clock Craft at the Norman Central Library (225 N Webster Ave, Norman) features a come-and-go countdown clock craft. All ages welcome.

All supplies provided. 2-4pm. 701-2600, www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org

New Year’s Eve at Oklahoma City Museum of Art (415 Couch Dr) features dinner in the Museum Café and views of the downtown fireworks from the rooftop at midnight. $65 includes dinner. 5pm-midnight. 235-6262, www.okcmoa.com

The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses at Civic Center Music Hall (201 N Walker Ave) features a five-movement multimedia symphony concert based on one of the most popular and beloved video game series of all time. $35-$110. 8pm. 297-2264, www.okcciviccenter.com

FREE First Day Hike at Robbers Cave State Park (HWY 2 North, Wilburton) features a free guided moderate-tostrenuous, two-mile hike along the Belle Starr Loop. This event is in conjunction with the America’s State Parks First Day Hikes initiative that will take place in all 50 states.

9am. 918-465-2562, www.travelok.com

Noon Year’s Eve Activities at the Oklahoma WONDERtorium (308 W Franklin Ln, Stillwater). Guests are encouraged to play in the museum and enjoy special activities like the traditional count down to noon, complete with a ball drop and a special bubble stomp.Children of all ages are welcome. Free with admission. 10am1pm. 533-3333, www.okwondertorium.org

FREE First Day Hike at Greenleaf State Park (Hwy 10, Braggs) features an easy, onemile hike along the paved, accessible Family Fun Trail. Afterwards, join park staff for hot chocolate, coffee and campfire s’mores.

10am. 918-487-7125, www.travelok.com

FREE Rockin’ Noon Year’s Eve Dance Party at the Moore Public Library (225 S Howard Ave, Moore). Children are invited to make crafts and enjoy music, dancing and a balloon drop at noon. 11am-noon. 793-4347, www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org

JAN 2-7

DEC 31 • SUNDAY Wayne Cantwell, The Flyin’ Fiddler at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum (1700 NE 63rd St). Enjoy mood music while perusing the galleries as Wayne Cantwell, The Flyin’ Fiddler, strolls the galleries in period 19th-century clothing playing traditional American old-time music. Free with admission. 1-5pm. 478-2250, www.nationalcowboymuseum.org

Opening Night at Bicentennial Park (500 Couch Dr) features an evening of music, magic and fireworks at midnight. Children

December 15 7:00 p.m.

JAN 1 • MONDAY

DEC 30 • SATURDAY

Opening Night Finale 5K at Bicentennial Park (500 Couch Dr) features a festive 5K, open to all ages. Participants are encouraged to dress festive. Neon, glitter, capes and costumes are welcome as the most festively dressed wins an original piece of art. $35.

3pm. 270-4848, www.artscouncilokc.com

23rd Annual Cowboy Christmas Ball Featuring Micahel Martin Murphey

The Color Purple at Civic Center Music Hall (201 N Walker Ave) features a production of the American classic about a young woman’s journey to love and triumph in the American South. $27.09-$92.12.

Tuesday-Thursday, 7:30pm; Friday, 8pm; Saturday, 2 & 8pm; Sunday, 7pm. 297-2264, www.okcbroadway.com

JAN 5-7 Eagle Watch at Arcadia Lake (9000 E 2nd, Edmond) features an information display at the park office and majestic eagles in their natural habitat. $3 per vehicle. 8am-4pm.

216-7471, www.arcadialakeok.com Oklahoma Winter Gem, Jewelry & Bead Show at State Fair Park (3001 General Pershing Blvd) features fine jewelry, fashion jewelry, beads, beading supplies, findings, pearls, silver, designer cabochons, minerals and tools. $5. Friday & Saturday, 10am-6pm; Sunday, 10am-4pm. 504-2658830, aksshow.com

METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2017

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1700 Northeast 63rd Street Oklahoma City, OK 73111 (405) 478-2250 nationalcowboymuseum.org/christmas

CALENDAR #OKCFAMILYFUN

Winter Break Camps DEC 18-20

DEC 20-22, 27-29 & JAN 2&3

December Drop-ins at Myriad Gardens (301 W Reno Ave) features a story time every 30 minutes, holiday ornament or gift making and interactive educational activities. Best suited for ages 2-5. 10:30-11:30am.

Kids Art Camps at Artsy Rose Academy (7739 W Hefner Rd) features all kinds of art fun, such as painting with watercolors & oil pastels, working with air dry clay and creating recycled art projects. For ages 4-15. Please bring a sack lunch, snack and refillable water bottle. Before and after care provided for an additional cost. $45 per day.

9am-4pm. 603-8550, www.artsyrose.com

DEC 18-21 Holiday Magic 2017 Winter Break Camp at NW Optimist Performing Arts Center & Taylor Park (3301 NW Grand Blvd & 1113 SW 70th St) features crafts and festive song & choreography routines to perform for family and friends. For ages 6-17. $100. 8am5pm. 297-2591, www.okc.gov/parksignup

DEC 18-22 Week-long Winter Break Theatre Camps at the Oklahoma Children’s Theatre (2501 N Blackwelder Ave) offers kids a look into theater and musical theater. For kids ages 5-7 and 8-13. $160. 9am-4pm. 606-7003, www.oklahomachildrenstheatre.org

DEC 18-22 & 26-28 Winter Break Camp at Mustang Community Center (1201 N Mustang Rd, Mustang) features games, activities and an optional field trip to iFLY Indoor Skydiving.

For kids in grades K-4. 7:30am-5:45pm. $120 with field trip; $90 without. 376-3411, www.cityofmustang.org/parksrec

DEC 18-22, 27-29 & JAN 2&3 Safari Day Camps at the Oklahoma City Zoo (2000 Remington Pl) welcomes ages 4-11 to learn more about their favorite animals. Snacks provided but campers should bring their own lunch. Half day, $25, 8:30am-12:30pm; full day, $45, 8:30am5:15pm. 424-3344, www.okczoo.org/camps

DEC 20-22 & 26-29 Winter Break Camps at SoccerCity OKC (4520 Old Farm Rd) offers kids ages 4-15 a chance to enhance their soccer skills. $95. 9am-noon or 1-4pm. 748-3888, www.soccercityokcity.com

DEC 21 & 22, 28 & 29 Winter Break Camp at techJOYnt (8328 Glade Ave, OKC or 180 W 15th St, Edmond) features a two-day exploration of engineering design. Students build and program robots and design and create games.

For ages 6-17. $240. Morning session, 8:30am-5pm. 345-5010, www.techjoynt.com

DEC 21 & 22, 27-29 Winter Break Camps at Science Museum Oklahoma (2020 Remington Pl) features a two-day camp exploring the a variety of scientific principles. For age 4-6th grade.

Members, $45-$135; non-members, $50$150. 9am-noon & 9am-4pm. 602-3760, www.sciencemuseumok.org

DEC 27-29 Winter Break Theatre Day Camps at Oklahoma Children’s Theatre (2501 N Blackwelder Ave) offers kids a look into theater and musical theater. For kids ages 5-7 and 8-12. $40 per day. 9am-4pm. 606-7003, www.oklahomachildrenstheatre.org Thunder Breakaway Camp at the Solid Rock Basketball Facility (140 W 15th St, Edmond) offers kids the opportunity to grow in the fundamentals of the game while engaging in hands-on, team-centric environment. Campers will receive a Thunder Youth Basketball reversible jersey, camp basketball and water bottle. For ages 6-14. $185. 9am-3pm. www.nba.com/thunder/youthbasketball/

38 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2017

Arcadia Lake

annual eagle watch

Winter Festivals DEC 9 – 30

THROUGH JAN 1

West Bend Winterland at the Claremore Expo Center (400 Veterans Pkwy, Claremore) features ice skating rink, pictures with Santa, real reindeer borrowed from the North Pole, shopping, and more.

Free to attend; participation prices vary. See website for a complete schedule of events.

918-342-5357, www.visitclaremore.org

Winter Wonderland in Downtown Stillwater (224 W 9th Ave, Stillwater) features a large outdoor ice skating rink, carriage rides, live reindeer, fully-immersive Santa’s workshop and more. See website for a complete schedule of events. 743-3697, www.visitstillwater.org/holidays/

THROUGH DEC 24 Festival Nights at the Philbrook Museum of Art (2727 S Rockford Rd, Tulsa) features garden lights, art, a LEGO Village, live music, concessions and shopping. The museum stays open late on select nights during the holiday season.

See website for a schedule of events. Adults, $9; kids (17 & under), free. 918-749-7941, www.philbrook.org

THROUGH DEC 31 Castle Christmas at the Castle in Muskogee (3400 West Fern Mountain Rd, Muskogee) features a lighting display, hayrides, pony & camel rides and visits with Santa Claus. Prices vary. See website for full schedule of activities. 6-10pm.

918-687-3625, www.okcastle.com

THROUGH DEC 23 Wonderland of Lights at Woolaroc (1925 Woolaroc Ranch Rd, Bartlesville) includes a spectacular display of more than 600,000 lights, wagon rides, live entertainment, snacks and Santa Claus in the museum. $4 adults, $1 children 11 & under. Friday-Sunday, 5-9pm. 918-336-0307, www.woolaroc.org

FREE Garden of Lights at Honor Heights Park (1400 Honor Heights Dr, Muskogee) features more than 1,000,000 shimmering lights adorning the park’s rose and azalea bushes. Guests can also enjoy and outdoor ice skating rink and trolley and hay rides.

5:30-10pm. www.visitmuskogee.com FREE Rhema Christmas Lights at Rhema Bible Church (1025 W Kenosha St, Broken Arrow) features more than two million lights and over 100,000 shimmering bulbs synchronized to Christmas music. Visitors can drive through the lights in their own vehicle, get out of the car and walk around the park, or view the spectacular displays from a carriage. The lights shine every night from 5:30–11:30pm. 918-258-1588, www.rhemabiblechurch.com

Friday-Sunday January 5, 6 and 7

Arcadia Lake Park Office 9000 E. 2nd Street

(approximately 3.5 miles east of I-35 on Rt. 66)

THROUGH JAN 7 Arvest Winterfest in Downtown Tulsa (200 S Denver St, Tulsa) features outdoor ice skating, Oklahoma’s tallest outdoor Christmas tree, horse-drawn carriage rides, live music and holiday light displays. Free to attend. See website for a complete schedule of events.

918-894-4200, www.tulsawinterfest.com

METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2017

Dress warmly and bring your binoculars. Begin at the Arcadia Lake Park Office to receive information about where the eagles can be spotted.

The office also has a raptor wingspan display, videos and other great eagle info.

39

$3 per vehicle

(half-price park entry)

For more info, call 216-7471

A P ONS L A C E F OR A LL SEA S

Therapeutic screenings are still free at the McCarty Center

CALENDAR #OKCFAMILYFUN

WEEKLY EVENTS FREE Art Moves in Downtown Oklahoma City (various locations) features a wide range of artistic mediums including musical and theater performances, live art demonstrations, short film selections and more. Weekdays, noon-1pm. 270-4848, www.artscouncilokc.com FREE Art Adventures at Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art (555 Elm, Norman) for ages 3-5. Young artists are invited to experience art through books. Tuesdays, 10:30am.

325-3272, www.ou.edu/fjjma Tuesday Night Classics at Harkins Theatre (150 E Reno Ave) features special presentations of classic films on the big screen including Christmas Vacation and Home Alone. $5. Tuesdays, 7pm. 231-4747, www.harkinstheatres.com/TNC.aspx

The J. D. McCarty Center for children with developmental disabilities conducts FREE therapeutic screenings of children who have unique challenges or a disability, or for parents who have concerns about their child’s development.

Our screening team is composed of a pediatrician, nurse, social worker and psychology clinician. When the team has completed their screening process they will sit down with you to review what services are available for your child here at the McCarty Center as well as through other community, state and federal programs.

Today, more than ever before, we are an important resource for Oklahoma parents. We have been working with children for 71-years to help them achieve their highest level of function and independence.

The screening is absolutely free-ofcharge. Call 405.307.2800 and ask to speak to a social worker for more information and to make your appointment.

J. D. McCarty Center

for children with developmental disabilities 2002 E. Robinson Norman, Oklahoma 73071 405.307.2800 or 1.800.777.1272 www.jdmc.org

Storytime Science at Science Museum Oklahoma (2100 NE 52nd St) features a story and corresponding hands-on science activity in various locations throughout the museum.

Best suited for kids ages 6 & under. Free with admission. Tuesdays, 10:30-11:30am.

602-6664, www.sciencemuseumok.org FREE Mother Goose Story Time at the Mustang Public Library (1201 N Mustang Rd) features singing, dancing, finger plays and more. For ages 2 & under with a parent or guardian. Wednesdays, 10-10:45am & 11-11:45am. 376-2226, www.mustanglibrary.org/library FREE Reading Wednesdays Story Time at Myriad Gardens (301 W Reno Ave) features a nature-themed story time and craft activity. Best suited for ages 2-5.

Walkups welcome. Wednesdays, 10-11am.

445-7080, www.myriadgardens.org Early Explorers at Science Museum Oklahoma (2020 Remington Pl) features come & go, hands-on science activities for kids ages 6 & under. No registration required. Free with admission.

Wednesdays, 10-11am. 602-6664, www.sciencemuseumok.org Toddler Story & Craft Time at Unpluggits Playstudio (575 Enterprise Dr Ste 110) features a short story time and age appropriate craft with lots of gluing and coloring. Free with admission.

Wednesdsays & Thursdays, 11-11:30am.

340-7584, www.unpluggits.com FREE Holiday Water Taxi Rides in Bricktown (California Ave) features a funfilled float down the beautifully-adorned Bricktown canal free of charge, courtesy

of the Downtown Business Improvement District. Thursday-Sunday, 6-9pm. www.downtownindecember.com Holiday Pop-Up Shops in Midtown (10th & Hudson Ave) features rotating, local vendors with gifts for everyone on your shopping list and a Christmas tree lot benefiting Bishop John Carroll School.

Thursday-Saturday, 10am-9pm; Sunday, 10am-6pm. www.okcpopups.com FREE Whole Kids Club Story Time at Whole Foods Café (6001 N Western Ave) features stories, music, rhymes, puppet plays, crafts and snacks. Best suited for ages 5 & under. Thursdays, 10-11am. 879-3500, www.wholefoodsmarket.com FREE Rhythm and Rhyme at Yukon Community Center (2200 S Holly Ave, Yukon) features dancing and singing to develop literacy and motor and verbal skills.

Best suited to ages 4 & under with a parent or guardian. Thursdays, 10:30am. 354-8442, www.cityofyukonok.gov Family Skate Night at Skate Galaxy (5800 NW 36th St). Admission includes basic skate rental. (Family package coupon available at www.metrofamilymagazine. com/coupons). $6. Thursdays, 7-10pm; Sundays, 6-8pm. 605-2758, www.skategalaxyokc.com FREE Family Story Time at the Edmond Library (10 S Boulevard, Edmond).

Pajamas welcome. Preregister, best suited for families with kids ages 1-5 years old.

Thursdays, 6:30-7:15pm. 341-9282, www.metrolibrary.org Rock N’ Skate Night at Devon Ice Rink at Myriad Gardens (301 W Reno Ave) features skating and music by DJ Brian Smith from muttradio.com. $13, $8 without skates; members, $7. Fridays, 7-9pm. 445-7080, www.myriadgardens.org FREE Children’s Story Time at Full Circle Books (1900 NW Expressway).

Saturdays, 10:15am. 842-2900, www.fullcirclebooks.com FREE Story Time at Commonplace Books (1325 N Walker Ave). Saturdays, 10:30am.

551-1715, www.commonplacebooksokc.com Saturday Morning Holiday Movies at Harkins Theatre (150 E Reno Ave) features special presentations of classic holiday films on the big screen. $5. Saturdays, 10am through Dec. 23. 231-4747, www.harkinstheatres.com

40 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2017

Christmas in Downtown Edmond (Broadway & 2nd St, Edmond) features holiday shopping, free carriage rides, historic tours, the chance to meet Santa and musical entertainment. Saturdays, 11am-3pm through Dec. 23. 249-9391, www.downtownedmondok.com Mommy & Me Yoga at Tot Town (841 SW 119th St) features a kid and parent friendly yoga session with a certified instructor. Kids can try poses or play during the workout.

Best suited for ages 0-6 and pre- & postnatal moms are welcome too. $5. Saturdays, 1010:30am. 650-7560, www.tottownokc.com FREE Storytime with Mr. Steve at Barnes and Noble (540 Ed Noble Parkway, Norman) features an extremely silly story time followed by a coloring activity. Saturdays, 11am. 579-8800.

Drop-In Art at Oklahoma City Museum of Art (415 Couch Dr) is an art-making session open to all ages and skill levels. Free with admission. 1pm-4pm on Saturdays.

236-3100, www.okcmoa.com

Find more winter fun at metrofamilymagazine.com/ winter-fun-guides.

GIVE THE GIFT OF COMMUNITY The Y is a family place, where we can all have something to do. It’s a fun, safe place, where we feel loved and welcomed.

What starts here changes our community, and it starts with you. As our community continues to grow, so do the challenges we face. We need your help to meet these needs. Your gift will help make our community stronger for all.

DONATE TODAY, FOR A BETTER US TOMORROW. YMCAOKC.ORG METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2017

41

WE MAKE YOUR SMART KID EVEN SMARTER!

CALENDAR #OKCFAMILYFUN

ONGOING EVENTS THROUGH DEC 17

©2017 Kumon North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

FREE Storyland Christmas at Charles J. Johnson Central Park (29th St, Midwest City) features hand-painted murals depicting scenes from classic Christmas stories and fully adorned, animated Christmas trees. On select days, visitors can also enjoy readings and crafts as well as the chance to meet Santa. 739-1293, wwww.midwestcityok.org Junie B. in Jingle Bells Batman Smells at the Oklahoma Children’s Theatre (2501 N Blackwelder Ave) is a holiday performance based on the popular children’s book series Junie B. Jones. Kids, $8; adults, $10. See website for show times. 606-7003, www.oklahomachildrenstheatre.org

THROUGH DEC 21

ES

FOR AG

The unique Kumon Method can give your child an academic advantage.

SCHEDULE A PARENT ORIENTATION TODAY!

Kumon Math & Reading Centers of EDMOND - NORTH • 405-715-1111 775 W. Covell Rd., #150, Edmond, OK 73003 EDMOND - WEST • 405-216-9800 245 South Santa Fe Ave., Edmond, OK 73003 NORMAN • 405-364-1600 1320 N. Interstate Dr., Norman, OK 73072 OKLAHOMA CITY - NORTH • 405-752-2000 9300 N May Ave., Ste. 200, Oklahoma City, OK 73120 OKLAHOMA CITY - NORTHWEST • 405-721-7323 6220 Northwest Expy., Oklahoma City, OK 73132 OKLAHOMA CITY - SOUTH • 405-691-8900 10600 S. Pennsylvania Ave., #5, Oklahoma City, OK 73120 YUKON - SOUTH • 405-265-0075 501 S. Mustang Rd., Yukon, OK 73099

kumon.com

A Designer Holiday at the Henry Overholser Mansion (405 NW 15th St).

Local designers have been selected to decorate rooms in the mansion reflecting styles from traditional to modern. Holiday lights will brighten the home’s exterior for neighbors and motorists to enjoy. Tours: adults, $10; kids (6-18), $5; kids (under 6), free. Tuesday-Saturday. 11am-3pm.

525-5325, www.preservationok.org

THROUGH DEC 23 PAMBE Ghana Global Market (6516 N Ollie) is a seasonal fair trade shop offering unique gifts, including a wide selection of folk art from around the world. All proceeds benefit PAMBE Ghana’s La’Angum Learning Center in northern Ghana. Prices vary. Tuesday-Saturday, noon-6pm; Thursdays, noon-7pm. 249-2314, www.pambeghana.org A Classic Christmas at the Artesian Hotel, Casino and Spa (1001 W 1st St, Sulphur) features lavish decorations, carriage rides and a variety of family activities including gingerbread house decorating and live reindeer. Prices vary.

See website for a schedule of events.

855-455-5255, www.artesianhotel.com Christmas Unwrapped in Bristow (1 Burlington Nothern Railroad, Bristow) features an interactive tram ride that takes an up-close, behind the scenes look at the North Pole Christmas preparations and a mysterious adventure to help save Christmas. Families will have the opportunity to take a photo with a live reindeer and Santa’s sleigh. $25. Trolley departs at 5, 6 & 7pm. 918-367-5151, www.christmasunwrappedbristow.com

Annual Ceramics Sale at Oklahoma Contemporary (3000 General Pershing Blvd) features one-of-a-kind pieces, made by artists in Oklahoma Contemporary’s studios. Benefits Oklahoma Contemporary’sCeramics Program. Prices vary. Monday-Thursday, 9am-10pm; Friday & Saturday, 9am-5pm. 951-0000, www.oklahomacontemporary.org

THROUGH DEC 24 A Territorial Christmas Celebration in Downtown Guthrie (various locations) features Victorian Christmas celebrations, historic home tours, theater performances of A Territorial Christmas Carol and a lighted parade with Santa as the parade marshal.

Most activities are free. See website for a complete schedule of events. 412-4132, www.guthriesterritorialchristmas.com A Christmas Carol at Lyric Theatre (1727 NW 16th St). Take a magical journey with Ebenezer Scrooge and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. $25 & up. See website for a full schedule of performances. 524-9312, www.lyrictheatreokc.com Pictures with Santa at Quail Springs Mall (2501 W Memorial Rd). Kids can meet Santa to share their wishes and take a photo. Santa’s house is located in Macy’s Court on the lower level. Reservations can be made online. 755-6530, www.quailspringsmall.com FREE Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shop (200 Bass Pro Dr) features a Christmas village with free family holiday activities including giveaways, crafts, activities and the chance to meet Santa. Weekdays, 5-8pm; Saturday, 10am-8pm; Sunday, noon-5pm.

218-5200, www.basspro.com/santa Pictures with Santa at Sooner Mall (3301 W Main St, Norman). Kids can meet Santa to share their wishes and take a photo. Santa’s house is located in the JCPenney Court.

Reservations can be made on the mall’s web site. 360-0360, www.soonermall.com Pictures with Santa at Penn Square Mall (1901 NW Expressway). Children can meet Santa and pose for photos in his Center Court Winter Wonderland. Save time and avoid the line by making an appointment.

841-2696, simon.noerrsanta.com

42 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2017

THROUGH DEC 30

THROUGH JAN 13

Mythical Menagerie at Science Museum Oklahoma (2020 Remington Pl) features a comprehensive exhibition of the original models, prototypes, bronzes, sketches and storyboards of the fantasy films of stopmotion animation pioneer Ray Harryhausen.

Free with admission. Adults, $15.95; kids (3-12), $12.95; kids (2 & under), free.

Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm; Saturday, 9am-6pm; Sunday, 11am-6pm. 602-6664, www.sciencemuseumok.org

FREE Red Earth Treefest at Red Earth Art Center (6 Santa Fe Plaza) features over 15 Christmas Trees decorated with handmade ornaments created by Oklahoma Native Tribes. Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm.; Saturdays, Dec. 2, 9 & 16, 10am-3pm.

427-5228, www.redearth.org.

FREE Distinguished Visiting Artist: Robert Taylor at Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art (555 Elm Ave, Norman) features figures from Native American life at the end of the reservation era, around the turn of the twentieth century. Tuesday-Saturday, 10am5pm; Thursday, until 9pm; Sunday, 1-5pm.

325-3272, www.ou.edu/fjjma

THROUGH JAN 7 Edmond Outdoor Ice Rink at Mitch Park (1501 W Covell Rd, Edmond).

Families can enjoy ice skating, holiday music, Dental Depot Christmas Express and food concessions. $12 with skate rental, $8 without, kids (under 5), $6.

Monday-Thursday, 3-9pm; Friday, 310pm; Saturday & Sunday, noon-10pm; Nov. 22-24, noon-10pm. 274-1638, www.edmondoutdooricerink.com

Season’s Greetings from

THROUGH JAN 7

THROUGH DEC 31

Cowboy Crossings at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum (1700 NE 63rd St) showcases the best of saddlemaking, bit and spur making, silversmithing and rawhide braiding, while celebrating the west through painting, drawing and sculpture.

Adults, $12.50; kids (6-12), $5.75; kids (5 & under). Free. Monday-Saturday, 10am5pm; Sunday, noon-5pm. 478-2250, www.nationalcowboymuseum.org

Explore Evolution at Sam Noble Museum (2401 S Chautauqua Ave, Norman) explores environmental changes and learn about Earth’s organisms, from rapidly evolving viruses to whales that walked.

Free with admission. Adults, $8; kids (417), $5; kids (3 & under), free. 325-4712, samnoblemuseum.ou.edu

THROUGH JAN 1 Tours of the Historic Parlor Car at Science Museum Oklahoma (2020 Remington Pl).

Normally closed to the public to maintain its preservation, the parlor car is decorated for the holidays and open for tours. Free with museum admission. Monday-Friday, 9am5pm; Saturday, 9am-6pm; Sunday, 11am6pm. 602-6664, www.sciencemuseumok.org LifeShare WinterFest at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark (2 S Mickey Mantle Dr) features two snow tubing slopes and festive holiday décor. Sessions are 120 minutes long and riders must be 48” tall.

Riders, $13; non-riders, $3. Sessions begin at noon, 2 & 4pm on select days. See website for a complete schedule. 218-1000, www.downtownindecember.com

THROUGH JAN 13 24 Works on Paper at the Oklahoma Hall of Fame (1400 Classen Dr) features works of art created in a variety of mediums including printmaking, drawing and photography by contemporary Oklahoman artists. Free with admission. Adults, $7; kids (6-17), $5; kids (5 & under), free.

Tuesday-Friday, 9am-5pm; Saturday, 10am5pm. 235-4458, www.oklahomahof.com

THROUGH SEPTEMBER

THROUGH JAN 28 Devon Ice Rink at Myriad Gardens (301 W Reno Ave). Enjoy another winter of outdoor ice skating. $13, $8 without skates; members, $7. Monday-Thursday 3-9pm; Friday 3-11pm; Saturday, 11am-11pm; Sunday 11am–7pm. See website for extended hours of operation and special events. 445-7080, www.myriadgardens.org

The Art of Oklahoma at Oklahoma City Museum of Art (415 Couch Dr) features a selection of paintings, prints and photographs spanning 100 years and ranging in style from Impressionism and documentary photography to geometric abstraction and hyperrealism, by 19 artists including Oscar Brousse Jacobson. Free with admission. Adults, $12; kids, (6-18), $10; kids (5 & under), free. TuesdaySaturday, 10am-5pm; Thursdays, until 9pm; Sunday, noon-5pm. 236-3100, www.okcmoa.com Discover more at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/museums.

METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2017

43

Midwest City This can’t miss event is the largest animated lights display in a five-state region!

NOW DEC. 30 Joe B. Barnes Regional Park 6 P.M. NIGHTLY MidwestCityOK.org

Real Kids

of the Metro

BY ERIN PAGE PHOTO OF CHYENNE FACTOR, SENIOR AT YUKON HIGH SCHOOL BY MARK DOESCHER

Chyenne Factor Yukon High School Age: 18 Grade: Senior Chyenne Factor lives and breathes softball and she has ever since she picked up a baseball at age 3. The 18-year-old senior at Yukon High School was named this year’s Central Oklahoma Athletic Conference Softball Player of the Year, and she led her team to the 2017 State 6A Quarterfinals after a 2016 run to the semifinals.

Factor’s two older brothers played baseball and she was the only girl on her first t-ball team. She switched to softball around age 7, and she’s been hooked ever since, playing nearly year-round between her school and club teams. When she returned from her club’s national tournament this summer, she had a school softball game the following day. She wrapped up her senior season with Yukon in October and started club ball the same weekend.

After spending most of her career in the outfield, Factor’s high school coach moved

her to shortstop during her sophomore year following a teammate’s injury. Factor hadn’t played the position in 10 years, but that same year the conference also named her player of the year. Her love of the game, calm demeanor on the field and appreciation for her teammates will serve her well as she goes on to play Cowgirl softball at Oklahoma State University next fall.

What was the most challenging part of moving from outfield to shortstop?

It was the first time I’d played it in 10 years, but at the time, I didn’t have a chance to think about it because it was in the middle of the season. We literally had games that day and the next day. Seeing the field from [shortstop] is different. In the outfield you can be a little chill, but at shortstop you’re always doing something because balls are coming to you. Grounding balls is way different than outfield, and your reaction time has to be much quicker because you’re closer. It’s affected my throwing because I have to side-arm it now, where in the outfield you can just chunk it. I’ve gotten better at it.

44 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2017

Why has it been important to you to play on a club team as well as your school team?

I’ve played with Oklahoma Athletics for 10 years. We get to play the best competition out there, and to get better you have to play the best. I like to win, but every team in summer ball is really good. We get to work on skills and see what our competition is like. We travel a lot to California and all their girls are so good because they play year-round. I know the University of Oklahoma recruits a lot of California girls. That’s where we have our national tournament and playing there is what really gets you recruited.

What’s been the most fun part of traveling with your club team?

It’s a lot more playing than school ball—we have weeklong tournaments and we had five weeks straight of weeklong tournaments this past summer—so we’re not practicing much but we’re playing a lot. My favorite place I’ve visited was Huntington Beach, California. We got beat out earlier in the tournament over the summer, but we got to see San Diego and Coronado Beach.

What has this season at Yukon been like for you?

Last year we got to the state semifinals and had six seniors, so everyone was thinking we weren’t going to be that good [this year].

We lost catchers and our first baseman but I thought we’d be decent. We came out and were playing good and now we’re one of the top if not the top team. I think we’re the best team in the state. It’s awesome that we’ve done so well with the talent we have. We get along so well, and that’s what helps us a lot.

How did you feel going into this year’s state finals?

I felt good but it’s just another game. People hype it up but you can’t get into that.

How do you handle the pressure of a big game? Any pre-game rituals?

I stay calm through most games and I don’t show a lot of emotion. I get more excited for my teammates when they make a good play or get a good hit. I don’t really have any pregame rituals; on the bus rides we just listen to music and joke around. We have a lot of fun together.

What’s been your proudest moment in softball?

In school ball, I think it would be last year in a quarter final game, we were up

7-3 or 8-4, and we go into the top of the seventh and they got up by one. I hit a home run in the bottom of the seventh and we ended up winning. My sophomore year I got the conference player of the year.

Our conference is really good. It includes Mustang, Moore schools, Edmond schools and Deer Creek, so knowing I was up there as a sophomore was great.

When did you realize you wanted to pursue playing softball in college?

Getting to play in college has been a dream of mine since I started playing. I remember a coach told me after a seventh grade game that she had been talking to an OU coach who wanted me to come to their camp. I think that’s when I realized I could play somewhere good and the recruiting started.

How did you decide Oklahoma State was the right place for you?

Really it was the coaches. I went on a few other visits, to Wisconsin, Missouri State and Wichita State. But when I went to OSU, the coaches are so awesome and I think Stillwater is so fun, so I committed right there. The fact that it happens to be a big Division 1 school is great. I did my official visit [with the other incoming freshmen], and I know and have played against two of them.

What do you like to do outside of softball?

I’m playing softball so much that when I’m not doing it I really just like to hang out with my friends and relax. I have a great group of friends and we’re always together.

What’s your favorite subject in school?

My medical professions class is probably my favorite right now. I think I want to be in the medical field and I’m leaning toward athletic training.

What’s it like to be seen as a role model for other young girls who play sports or want to some day?

I think that’s awesome because I know I looked up to people when I was younger.

My club organization puts on a camp for younger girls, and we do stations, teaching hitting and basic stuff. I don’t really think about people looking up to me but those young kids just go crazy when we’re there to help them.

What one word best describes you?

FREE ARTMAKING

’TIS THE SEASON TO CREATE

FREE MAKE + TAKE

Clay Tree Lanterns 1 - 4 p.m. | Saturday, 12/09

HOLIDAY FUN

Drop by the FREE family Make + Take on 12/09 to create your own clay tree lanterns.

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Determined

METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2017

45

3000 General Pershing Blvd.

Oklahoma City

MOM GETS THE LAST LAUGH

Evolution of

a Christmas Miracle

I

had a brilliant idea for the holidays this year. This would be the year that we would make the holidays—literally. Make. A verb.

Our presents would all be handmade with love and compassion and a deep, sincere desire to please the recipient.

I created Pinterest boards for everyone in the family, including my husband (much to his delight, I suppose). I pinned no less than thirty bazillion homemade ideas and began gathering supplies for us to pour our hearts and our hands into the holidays this year.

It was such a perfect idea: Our family friends would be excited to get a canvas with a lovely quote on it and our daughter’s friends would be excited with their Pamper Me baskets filled with bath bombs, sugar scrubs and cleansing wipes. The neighbors would enjoy their homemade chocolates and the grandparents their thoughtful Christmas ornaments. The teachers would appreciate the bookmarks and notepads, and we would give not only a gift but a piece of our hearts as well. Y’all? Hallmark couldn’t write a better Christmas story.

46 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2017

ILLUSTRATION BY BRITTANY VIKLUND, WWW.VIKLUNDMADE.COM

Eventually, my brilliant idea turned … difficult.

All of a sudden, my family didn’t quite understand Pinterest. It’s not a shopping cart. Just because we pin it doesn’t mean that it automatically gets made. And therein lies the difficulty that I just mentioned.

“But these are hard!” one child complained as we struggled to get the sugar scrub to be more scrub and less sugar.

“Who’s even going to really want these?” whined another as the quote on the canvas fell apart for the eleventy-hundredth time.

And when we created paper Santas to wrap around a chocolate bar, my oldest boy-child (also known as my husband) groaned that the recipient would get just as much joy if we were to hand them a chocolate bar—un-Santa’d—and accompanied it with a hearty “Happy Holidays.”

Bless them. They didn’t fully get that handmade means it’s made with someone’s hands. Or maybe they did. They just didn’t think their hands were of handmade caliber.

About half way through our notepad crafting time, a disgruntled youth

scrolled through her phone and announced that if we all chipped in $19.99, we could get three handmade notepads from Etsy. I pulled the plug on the wi-fi. We were making our gifts with love. I’m sure Etsy artists use love as well but not the same way I use love.

Or something like that.

Then my difficult idea turned messy.

Everyone was all about the idea of it all.

Eventually, everyone was all about the creation and the personal touches we added knowing the recipients. Then, everyone was really tired, and my living spaces, kitchen, laundry room and bathrooms were nothing but a full-blown, hurricane-esque mess.

I felt my blood pressure rise as I saw the tacky craft glue bottle turned upside down in my kitchen sink. I sighed, said a few silent but meaningful prayers and then began singing the “Clean Up Song.” I hadn’t sung it in years, so perhaps my family would be enchanted with the nostalgia and dive right into cleaning.

My song turned to pleas and my pleas turned to begging, then yelling, then straight-up fit-

throwing and threat-making. ‘Tis the season, I guess.

I grabbed a leaf and lawn, heavy duty garbage bag, instructed one child to follow behind me picking up any bits of trash left behind, another child was to follow behind her wiping down counters, walls, ceilings (yes, really) and my husband was to follow behind with the broom. If we worked together, it would take us no time at all.

It took us 32 hours.

Eventually, though, my messy idea became brilliant again. The time had come to deliver our hand-and-heart made gifts. In fact, that would be the name of our Etsy shop if my family did anything with me again.

Our daughters delivered the neighbor gifts.

“Mom!” they exclaimed, not even trying to hide the surprise in their voices, “They loved them!”

Our friends immediately hung their canvases.

The teachers used the notepad to write what appeared to genuine thank you notes. The girls’ friends snapped pics of them using the sugar scrub.

When the gifts were all delivered and we sat at home admiring our tree, now empty of most presents, I sighed a contented sigh. It had all worked out. We had done it! We had used the love in our hearts to create beautiful things to pass on to those who meant so much to us.

“Thank you, family,” I said in my best Norman Rockwell voice. “Thank you for playing along and making Christmas so special this year! Remember—you can use our Pinterest boards all year long to pin great ideas for next Christmas!”

That night I went to bed happy. I clicked through Pinterest out of habit and discovered that someone (he shall remain unnamed) had pinned several gift card designs.

I elbowed him and said, “Oh! You want to make paper gift card holders next year?”

He said I was getting coal in my stocking.

Merry Christmas!

Heather Davis is a momma, a writer and a Christmas dreamer! You can contact her through her website at www.Heather-Davis. net.

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www.thevintagepearl.com METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2017

47

A Day in the Life of

Rachel SUBMITTED BY RACHEL PAPPY PHOTOS BY KIMERA BASORE

R

achel Pappy is an attorney, a wife and a mom of three who lives in Oklahoma City. She’s a partner at Polston Tax. She and Founder Rod Polston have grown the company to the largest tax resolution firm in the state and one of the largest in the country.

While working with Rod to grow the firm to five offices across two states, Rachel also had four pregnancies, one miscarriage and subsequently juggled three children in diapers at the same time.

4:50 a.m. First alarm on my phone goes

off, warning I only have 10 more minutes of sleep left.

4:55 a.m. Second alarm on my phone goes off, warning I only have five more minutes of sleep left.

5:00 a.m. Third alarm on my phone goes off. That’s it. Time to get up. I get up, brush my teeth, wash my face, put my contacts in and then spend some time reading my Bible.

5:30 a.m. Depending on what is going on

that day, I will either do one of three things: Get ready, grab a banana and a protein shake and immediately head to Norman for work.

Get ready, go to my home office and log in to my computer.

Run on the treadmill at home or go to the gym for an early morning bootcamp and then shower and get ready for the day.

6:50-7:30 a.m. If I’m home, this is the time I wake up the kids. My oldest is Naomi, 7 years old. Blake is 5 and Jada is 4. The kids come to the kitchen and I turn on some children’s praise and worship songs (their favorite is Cedarmont Kids). Since breakfast is fairly easy, I let all three ask for different things. My mother-in-law and father-in-law are retired and they live with us. My fatherin-law will also come down to the kitchen to help. On the mornings I am home with

48 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2017

Pappy them, it’s important to me that I give them a positive start to their day to prepare their hearts and minds for school.

7:30 a.m. It’s time to make sure everyone washes up and changes clothes. I double check each backpack, pray with them and then they head off to school with their grandfather who drives them to school every day.

8 a.m. I have a number of speaking engagements each month where I am the keynote speaker, presenter or appearing on TV to talk about taxes. Sometimes these speaking engagements are in Wichita or Tulsa, and most recently I had a request from Dallas. When I am traveling far, usually a manager from our firm will pick me up from home around 8 a.m. and we will go to the speaking engagement together so I can work in the car on the drive.

If I’m not traveling, I’m at the office to greet our team as they start to arrive at the office between 8 and 10 a.m. The day starts to pick up with phone calls, emails and meetings.

My schedule is different every day.

Some time ago, Rod and I agreed that we would spend time in prayer individually in our offices before starting our day, for things such as: Thanking God for entrusting our firm with the responsibilities He has given us and thanking Him for all the staff that are part of it, repenting for any ungodly act or word that has occurred in any of our offices, asking God to bless all our employees with wisdom and excellence in all that they do and dedicating the offices and all that takes place to the Lord.

Having the opportunity to pray for the office and the blessing of everyone in it is truly a gift. Likewise, as a company we see our employees and clients as individuals we have been entrusted to care for. One struggle that I understand well is balancing the role of primary caretaker with professional ambition. In our business, we recognized that if we could look past the limitations of an 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. work schedule, we could find talented candidates who would be assets to our organization if they were only afforded a bit of flexibility to balance their demands. As a result, we rolled out flex time to many of

our departments as our response to the challenges of work-life balance and it warmed our heart to see this change result in greater employee satisfaction across the board!

2-3 p.m. I am usually heading home at

this time. The first call I make every day is to my Mom in Michigan. She is a widow and retired, but has a fairly rigid daily routine. A call from me is part of her daily routine and I love having the time to chat each day. My drive home is about 45 minutes and I will often make a few work-related calls to shore up some to-do items for the day before I finally arrive home.

3:30-8 p.m. The kids are home from

school around 3:30 pm. Their evenings are spent on homework, riding bikes, having play dates, going to swimming lessons, piano, basketball, reading books, taking baths, eating dinner, etc. For the things outside of the house, my in-laws usually take them around to lessons while I stay home and take care of other things that need to get done such as laundry, grocery shopping, getting any additional work done for the office, reading up on things I need to know, sometimes squeezing in some exercise and getting the kids’ clothes, backpacks and anything else they need ready for the next day.

8 p.m. Time to wind down. My husband

and I sit down together and read the Bible and pray with the kids and then it’s time to get the kids in bed.

8:30-9:30 p.m. When the kids are finally down for bed, this is usually the time I get on my cell phone to see what happened in the world, check social media, talk with my husband Rej and finally go to sleep.

METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2017

49

EXPLORING OKLAHOMA WITH CHILDREN

2017

Visit a local tree farm. Around the metro, family-owned farms ready their festive harvest of pines and firs for families to enjoy.

Snap a few fun photos among the trees and come home with some special memories and maybe some old-fashioned holiday décor.

(Photo: Sorgum Mills Tree Farm)

WINTER BUCKET LIST This month marks the official start of winter.

We asked our readers to help us come up with a list of must-try experiences for the season.

Find more ideas on our holiday guides at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/winter.

Decorate a gingerbread house. The staff at Will Rogers Gardens hosts families from 9 a.m. – noon on Dec. 9 for a fun twist on this tasty tradition. Attendees can learn how to craft a gingerbread house fairy-style.

Catch up with old Saint Nick! The jolly man himself plans to make several appearances around town including at Saturdays with Santa from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Dec. 2, 9 and 16 at Devon Energy Center. (Skirvin Santa photo provided by Visit OKC)

Load up the car and discover a new holiday light display. The Oklahoma City metro has plenty to enjoy including drive through options like Midwest City’s Holiday Lights Spectacular or walkable displays like Bricktown’s lights. You can even enjoy the sparkle aboard a free water taxi ride each weekend in December. (Photo: Bricktown canal lights provided by Visit OKC)

Throw on your aprons and bake some festive treats.

Whether for yourself or for friends and family, there is something very warming about a homemade treat.

Give to someone in need or volunteer.

Shift your family’s focus from getting to giving by volunteering. Find a list of ideas at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/volunteer.

50 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2017

LET THE

GET THE BUCKET LIST TO GO Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo

#OKCFamilyFun

BEGIN!

Bundle up for a winter nature walk. Take in the crisp, cool air as you hunt for pinecones and animal tracks. Martin Park Nature Center and Arcadia Lake are two great local spots for a stroll. Who knows, you might even spot an eagle nesting in its winter home.

Make a handmade gift for family or friends. Oklahoma Contemporary has a free Make + Take on the second Saturday each month and Oklahoma City Museum of Art hosts weekly Drop-In Art activities on Saturdays. (Photo provided by OKCMOA)

See a local holiday performance. There are plenty of family-friendly shows taking the stage this winter. Enjoy fun tales like Oklahoma Children’s Theatre’s annual tradition of “Junie B in Jingle Bells Batman Smells” or Oklahoma City Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker.”

(Photo by Jana Carson)

Download our FREE, convenient app today and you’ll have easy access to MetroFamily's best family fun information.

Slip down a giant snow tube at the LifeShare Winterfest. Snow is never a guarantee in Oklahoma but families can still enjoy the thrill of sledding on one of the two manmade slopes.

(Photo provided by Visit OKC)

Take advantage of the "Around Us" app feature where you can find the best parks, indoor attractions and museums near your location, wherever you are. So handy!

Hop aboard a Christmas train.

There are a few departing from cities around the metro including the Christmas train at the Oklahoma Railway Museum. Families enjoy a 40-minute ride with Santa, singing carols, listening to Christmas stories and more. (Photo provided

by Oklahoma Railway Museum)

The app is available for download on both Apple and Android systems (search “metrofamily”).

Start having more #OKCFamilyFun today!

METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2017

51

metrofamilymagazine.com/app

Find the perfect gift at a craft fair or pop-up shop. Local businesses and artisans roll out their best selections for holiday shoppers at events across the metro.

Make an ornament to add to your tree. From 1-4 p.m.

Dec. 2, the 1889 Territorial Schoolhouse in Edmond hosts families during their annual Holiday Hop for some ornament making.

We fight

for those whooice. need a v

Lace up and hit the ice!

A spin around a rink is a fun way to embrace the winter chill. OKC has indoor and outdoor options to choose from during the winter season.

(Photo of Devon Ice Rink provided by Visit OKC)

1 in 4

Oklahoma children lives in

POVERTY.

We surround our community’s most critical problems, and find every dollar we can to address them. Help Central Oklahoma win this fight for Central Oklahoma.

Give today at

Treat your crew to hot cocoa.

Whip up a pot of your best homemade recipe, stop at a local coffee shop or meet up with a local food truck and enjoy a piping hot cup of this season’s most popular drink. (Photos provided by Junction Coffee and Katiebug’s)

Watch a holiday classic on the big screen. Harkins Theatre in Bricktown brings iconic Christmas movies back to the big screen on Tuesdays and Saturdays this December. Families can enjoy favorites like “Elf” and “It’s A Wonderful Life” for only $5 a ticket.

StandUnitedOKC.com

52

METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2017

Here's a smart idea

GET THE BUCKET LIST TO GO Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo

Have fun together at a winter festival. Big cities, small towns and local museums fill up their winter-time calendars with festive events for families to enjoy.

Find some great Oklahoma festivals on page 39.

Read a Christmas book together.

Local story times across the metro will be pulling out seasonal favorites and mixing in new holiday tales for families to enjoy. (Photo of Cuppies & Joe story time by Steffanie Halley)

Our annual Education Guide printed in January is the perfect place to make sure OKC area parents know about your school or business.

Parents look to MetroFamily to find these resources so don’t miss this opportunity to connect with them!

Celebrate the winter solstice at Myriad Gardens.

Their themed, December Drop-in activities offer a fun story time and crafts for kids to learn about the changes of the winter season from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Dec. 21. (Birdfeeders craft photo provided by Myriad Gardens)

Try a new restaurant or recipe.

Make new memories together around the table as you warm up your taste buds with something new! (Photo of our Kid Reviwer, Sam Roldan, at Muu Shabu)

METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2017

53

The Education Guide will highlight: • Private Schools • Online Schools • Preschools/Early Childhood Options • Post-Secondary Schooling • Field Trip venues • In-school enrichment programs

Ad deadline is Dec. 13 Contact our office today!

405-601-2081 sarah@metrofamilymagazine.com

Pay it forward with a family-inspired random act of kindness. Whether you pick up another’s tab or surprise a neighbor with a special treat, doing for others is a great way to whisk away the winter blues.

Play some games together.

Whether at home or a local gaming café, take the time to slow down and enjoy some friendly competition together.

Pose for a family photo shoot. Whether you wear something silly like matching pajamas or something fancy like your Sunday best, set aside time to capture some sweet memories this season. Get some ideas for ideal spots at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/familyphoto-tips.

Happy Holidays from the staff at MetroFamily.

Find these and hundreds of other holiday fun ideas at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/ winter-fun-guides.

Community Sponsor of Exploring Oklahoma:

Snuggle on a carriage ride.

Downtown Edmond offers free carriage rides for shoppers to enjoy on Saturdays in December from 11 a.m.3 p.m. (Photo provided by Downtown Edmond Business Association)

Learn more about Bob Moore Subaru Go to www.reveel.it and snap a photo of their ad below.

Love is out there.

Find it at Bob Moore Subaru.

$

Bob Moore Subaru

13010 N. Kelley, Oklahoma City, OK 73114 405-749-9049 www.bobmooresubaru.com

250 Donation to Charity*

Purchase or lease any new (previously untitled) Subaru and receive a complimentary factory scheduled maintenance plan for 2 years or 24,000 miles (whichever comes first.) Customer must take delivery before 12-31-2017 and reside within the promotional area. At participating dealers only. See retailer for the Subaru Added Security Maintenance Plan for intervals, coverages and limitations, program details and eligibility. *Subaru will donate $250 for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased from November 16, 2017, through January 2, 2018, to four national charities designated by the purchaser or lessee. Pre-approved Hometown Charities may be selected for donation depending on retailer participation. Certain participating retailers will make an additional donation to the Hometown Charities selected. Purchasers/lessees must make their charity designations by January 31, 2018. The four national charities will receive a guaranteed minimum donation of $250,000 each. See your local Subaru retailer for details, or visit subaru.com/share. All donations made by Subaru of America, Inc.

54 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2017

Mark your calendar for

Feb. 10, 2018 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Cox Convention Center

Don’t miss the fun as we celebrate our 20th birthday!

Your business should be at Kids Fest, interacting with 8,000 engaged attendees. Contact us today about being a sponsor or booth vendor at this fun and lively event!

405-601-2081 • sarah@metrofamilymagazine.com www.metrofamilymagazine.com/kidsfest

Looking for family resources?

MetroFamily has you covered!

Find everything from a birthday party venue perfect for a kid interested in science to attractions that offer drop-in craft making—and more!

• Check out the Resource Directory advertisers in the following pages.

• Discover searchable directories at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/directories • Download our app today to have one-click access to these great resources: www.metrofamilymagazine.com/app (Popular Pages tab)

After-School Activities

Special Needs

Foster Care

Party

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Education

Helping parents find local businesses and resources since 1998

Resource Directory Index 56 Party Guide

59 Foster Care

60 Special Needs

58 Family Fun

60 Restaurants & Shopping

60 After-School Activities

59 Pet Services

61 Home Services

Find more at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/directories Meet our new sloth Flash!

PARTY GUIDE

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okc.madscience.org

421 NW 10th • 405.609.3302 dustbowlok.com

Birthdays are a blast at Chester’s Party Barn & Farm!

Party packages for up to 15 children include all this and more: • Unlimited pony rides • Petting zoo

• Party barn games • Hayride

Ask about our “party comes to you” entertainment options for celebrations, corporate parties, school functions, etc.

Schedule your child’s special celebration TODAY! 5201 Cimarron Rd NW, Piedmont, Ok 405-373-1595 • office@chesterandcrew.com

Find Us on Facebook @ Chester’s Party Barn & Farm METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2017

57

FAMILY FUN

The Sooner Theatre

Theatre • Concerts • Classes

JUST ABOUT

ANYTHING can happen at the

Oklahoma History Center!

Dec. 8-10 & 15-17

Book by Joseph Robinette Music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul Based on the motion picture A Christmas Story distributed by Warner Bros., written by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown and Bob Clark, and upon In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash written by Jean Shepherd Produced with permission of Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures and Dalfie Entertainment.

media support provided by:

101 E Main St., Norman • (405) 321-9600 • soonertheatre.com

Make Some Memories

Open Paint & Play All Day Indoor Playground Paint & Takes Ceramics Clay Workshops Grown-ups Paint Nights 405-340-PLUG • www.unpluggits.com • 575 Enterprise Drive, Edmond (South of 15th, off Kelly)

Gifting made easy—and savings, too!

Find it all in our Holiday Gift Guide, page 18 of this issue.

Unlock the ideas and coupons using your smartphone.

Go to www.reveel.it and take a photo of the gift guide.

Easy!

58 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2017

FIND THE BEST HOLIDAY GIFTS Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo

(405) 522-0765 www.okhistory.org 800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr./OKC

FAMILY FUN

but one that jumps, digs, barks and chews only adds to the stress.

Fun for the entire family!

Get help from the expert dog trainers at K-9 University.

Open Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm Harn House tours at 11, 1:30 & 3.

PET SERVICES

Your dog is a beloved member of your family….

1721 N. Lincoln Boulevard, OKC

405-235-4058

www.harnhomestead.com SORGHUM MILL

CHRISTMAS TREE FARM

Download our app today and you’ll have easy access to our best family fun information.

The app is available for download on both Apple and Android systems (search “metrofamily”).

#OKCFamilyFun!

metrofamilymagazine.com/app

OPEN NOW! Weekdays 1-7 Weekends 10-7

Choose & cut your own fresh Christmas tree or select a beautiful pre-cut Noble, Grand, Douglas or Fraser Fir.

340-5488

7121 Midwest Lane, Edmond, OK

I-35 to Exit 143 (Covell Rd) • east 1½ miles to Midwest Blvd • north 1¾ miles to Midwest Lane

Contact us today to find out about

• dog training classes • private consultations • boarding school training

K-9 University

405-231-4335

9217 NW Expressway, OKC facebook.com/MyK9U www.myk9u.com

“What about

my sister?”

“Will we be able to

Give hope. stay together?”

Change a life.

Become a foster parent.

Learn more at www.fostercare-ok.org www.fostercare-ok.org 1-877-263-1890 or call 877-263-1890 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2017

59

FOSTER CARE

• Living Christmas Trees • Shade Trees • Wreaths • Garland • Stands

Our professionals can help you understand the “why” behind the behaviors and give you solutions that work!

RESTAURANT & SHOPPING

GOING ON NOW SHOP TODAY FOR THE BEST SELECTION!

VISIT WWW.ONCEUPONACHILDOKCNORTH.COM TO SEE CURRENT OFFER.

13801 N. PENNSYLVANIA AVE, N. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73134 CALL US TODAY AT 405-286-3114

Follow the Star this Christmas!

Find this special activity book and nativity set that leads your children in a hide and seek game where they look for the Star each day leading up to Christmas.

FIND THE BEST HOLIDAY GIFTS Go to www.Reveel.it and snap a photo

The Christmas Star from Afar

7638 N. Western, OKC 405-848-1415

60 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2017

SPECIAL NEEDS

CLEARANCE GOING ON NOW

HOME SERVICES

AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

Experts in Sinking Concrete Bowing Walls Nasty Crawl Spaces CALL TODAY FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE! 405-698-1109 | vestafamily.com

Beginners are our Specialty

E n r ol l NOW! C a ll today!

Half-Day Winter Camps: Dec. 20-22 and Dec. 26-29 ($95 for each week of half-day sessions)

Beginners, recreational and advanced players welcome.

Lil Kickers winter session runs through Mar. 10 • Start anytime!

• Birthday Party Packages • Indoor Soccer Leagues

soccercityokcity.com 4520 Old Farm Road, OKC (west of Meridian, south of 122nd)

405-748-3888

Call TODAY!

Enroll Today Welcoming Environment Live Stream Monitors to view your child's progress 24/7 Easy Online Enrollment Hassle Free Recital

Winter Break Holiday Art Camp Have a fun, action packed day working with many mediums!

2017 Days:

December 20th, 21st, 22nd, 27th, 28th, 29th, January 2nd & 3rd Artsy Rose Academy

405.603.8550 www.artsyrose.com 7739 W. Hefner Rd. / OKC

Ages 4-15 9:00 am - 4:00 pm $45/class

Classes for ages 2 and up

Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop

Register at ArtsyRose.com/camps

11122 N Rockwell Ave Ste A-11 OKC

405-721-8807

admin@oklahomacitydancestudio.com

www.oklahomacitydancestudio.com METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2017

61

Kid Review:

Artsy Rose Academy

Reviewer’s name: Samuel Roldán Age: 10

What made the experience stand out?

We made Christmas ornaments and painted picture frames. The paint was acrylic, which I hadn’t really used before. We melted crayons in the microwave to make the ornaments. That was new too.

What was the best part?

Decorating the frame was my favorite part because I could do it just how I wanted to, with holly. When we got to the car, I told my Mom that this visit was one of my favorites we’ve done because it was a chance to make something. My brothers are 5 and 2 and I was surprised they could make the same things that I did. I also really liked getting to use a hairdryer to speed up the paint drying on the frame.

What was the worst part?

I came right after school and I still had my white chapel shirt on, so I was worried about getting paint on it. We had smocks, like little white aprons, and I rolled up my sleeves, but my Mom would not have been too happy with me if I got paint on my shirt. I didn’t, though!

Will other kids like this venue and why?

Sure! They’ll like coming to make something because that’s a good way to get ready for Christmas. You can give away a gift that you make or decorate your own house with it.

We gave the frames to my Dad as soon as he came home from work and he was so happy.

As soon as our Christmas tree is up, we can add the ornaments.

Would this venue be enjoyed by your siblings? Why or why not?

They definitely had fun. I think my brother, Isaac, enjoyed it the most. He’s old enough to sit still and his gingerbread man frame turned out the best. My youngest brother does art at preschool but he’s new to it. They were both happy that getting paint on the tablecloth was allowed.

62 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / DECEMBER 2017

If you could do this again knowing what you know now, what would you do differently?

I would wear older clothes so that I didn’t worry about my chapel shirt the whole time.

The other thing I’d do differently is choose all blue crayons so that the ornament would come out like cobalt glass.

Does what you saw match up with anything you're learning in school or have seen before in a book, on TV, etc.?

We have art at my school and we’ve done painting before but I liked having plenty of time to do it. I hadn’t ever made an ornament in that way. Isaac goes to a different school than I do and they don’t have art, so I feel it was really important for him to get the chance to do it.

What do you think you'll remember most about Artsy Rose Academy?

Being able to make something and feel proud of it is really important. I’ll always remember giving the frame to my Dad and seeing him happy.

Get more tips for exploring Oklahoma City with your kids at our Weekend Warrior blog, www.metrofamilymagazine.com/WeekendWarrior Register for classes at Artsy Rose to make picture frames, ornaments and more this holiday season! Find the full schedule here: artsyrose.com

Now – January 1, 2018 • NEW ICE! theme – 2 million pounds of colorful, hand-carved ice sculptures and slides featuring ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas • 2 million twinkling lights along with lavish holiday displays • Build-A-Bear Workshop® & Scavenger Hunt

• NEW-The Elf on the Shelf® Character Breakfast • Gingerbread Decorating Corner • Ice Skating and Snow Tubing • Santa’s Christmas Cottage Escape Room • Cookies with Mrs. Claus, Photos with Santa & much more!

GRAPEVINE, TX

Tickets and Packages on Sale Now!

ChristmasAtGaylordTexan.com

(817) 778-1000

PEPSI, PEPSI-COLA and the Pepsi Globe are registered trademarks of PepsiCo, Inc. FUJIFILM and INSTAX are trademarks of FUJIFILM Corporation and its affiliates. © 2017 FUJIFILM North America Corporation. All rights reserved. © Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved. The Elf on the Shelf and © CCA and B, LLC. All rights reserved.

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