Life in Castle Hills Magazine December 2019

LET’S GET THIS PARTY STARTED

New Year, New You Issue

ESCAPING WINTER WEATHER

AFTER HOLIDAY

CLEANUP

DECEMBER 13, 2019 JANUARY 17, 2020

The Law Office of Kimberly Shanklin

Perfect Balance Of

LAW & FAMILY LIFE

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PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID LEWISVILLE, TX PERMIT NO. 977

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DECEMBER 2019 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 3

CastleHillsMagazine.com

Publisher & Editor Scott & Kelly Murray

Administration

Managing Editor Jana Melton Sub-Editors Bobbi Byrne Alisha Tran

Writers & Editor Steve Gamel Brooke Ezzo

Advertising Manager

Lizzy Hoffman 972.900.7302 lizzy@murray-media.com

Production

Art Director Liz Wallace Graphic Designers Caroline Brock Alyson Modene

Photography

What’s That Guy’s Name?

PHOTOGRAPHY BY GUY T 469.500.5657 www.whatsthatguysname.com

Letters

Life in Castle Hills invites reader feedback, story suggestions and general comments.

Email artwork@murray-media.com.

All submissions become the sole property of

Murray Media Group.

Editorial and Advertising Inquiries Call 972.899.3637

or email artwork@murray-media.com www.Murray-Media.com

Address: 3513 Yucca Dr., Ste. 200 Flower Mound, TX 75028

Life in Castle Hills is published monthly

by Murray Media Group. Some articles and/or content may be sponsored by advertisers. Opinions expressed in articles or advertisements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher. Life in Castle Hills is not responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented to the magazine. Advertisers and its agencies assume all liability for advertising content. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted without the permission in writing from the publisher. © 2019 Murray Media Group

Happy

Holidays & CHEERS TO 2020!

T

he holiday season is in full swing and 2020 is fast approaching.

Where did the time go? It seems like just yesterday that we were sending the kiddos back to school in triple-digit temperatures, and I can remember ringing in 2019 with family and friends like it happened last week. They say time flies when you’re having fun and, while I definitely had a lot of fun this year, my favorite thing to look back on are all of the things I learned and all of the challenges I overcame.

the ugly. Regardless of whether or not you

As we start to ponder on New Year’s resolutions and how we’re going to make 2020 better than this year, I urge you all to reflect on 2019 – the good, the bad, and

to be too hard on ourselves and instead

nailed all of your 2019 resolutions, I’d be willing to bet that you still learned and

grew in ways that you never expected this year. I know I did.

That’s what I love about life – you never know what the next day(or in this case, the next year) is going to bring. It’s the

unexpected challenges that help us grow the most. So we’ll make our resolutions,

and we’ll try to keep them longer than a

month, but we should also remember not take life as it comes. Enjoy your family,

cherish your friends, always be kind, laugh often, and make the best of the bad days.

Sincerely, Kelly Murray

Publisher of Murray Media Group kelly@murray-media.com

4 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | DECEMBER 2019

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TABLE OF

CONTENTS

16

On the Cover is: Kimberly Shanklin of The Law Office of Kimberly Shanklin

FEATURED: Perfect

Balance Of Law & Family Life

ASK THE EXPERTS 18 School Days with Valorie McGilora 19 Edit This with Steve Gamel

12 The Holidays Are Over.

Now It’s Time To Clean Up! 14 Let’s Get This Party Started 20 What Are Your Holiday Traditions?

06 How To Stay On Task For The New Year

22 Community Corner

09 Inside Education www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

EDITORS PICK: We Could All Stand To Be A Bit Nicer In The New Year

10 Sheriff’s Corner with Sheriff Tracy Murphree

ARTICLES

08 Inside Community

28

24 Escaping Winter Weather 26 Netflix & Chill 30 Different Kinds Of Pushups

New Year, New You

ISSUE Featuring articles on New Year resolutions, organizational tips and & new healthy lifestyle habits.

DECEMBER 2019 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 5

New Year, New You

How To Stay

ONForTASK The

NEW YEAR

by Steve Gamel

6 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | DECEMBER 2019

I

f your to-do list is never-ending these days, you’re not alone. From work assignments and client meetings to shuffling the kiddos to baseball practice, doctor’s appointments, or piano lessons, there’s always something keeping us busy. And just when we knock a few things off the list and feel a sense of accomplishment, five or six more tasks quickly take their place.

Adulting is difficult. That’s why it’s more important now than ever to have a trusty tool to help us manage our personal schedules, time, and activities. Doing so eliminates guesswork, keeps us on task, and tells us where to be and when.

But what’s the best option for you as we approach the New Year?

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USE A CALENDAR There was once a less frantic time in all of our lives when we didn’t need a calendar and were okay with flying by the seat of our pants.

We could get by with mental notes and snickered at those who couldn’t. Things are different now, and calendars are the perfect remedy to stay on task of all our professional, personal, and family commitments.

Here are a few types to consider: ELECTRONIC OR ONLINE CALENDAR — Digital calendars are portable and can easily be backed up and accessed on multiple devices. This means you can schedule a meeting or appointment between tasks using your phone without having to worry about carrying around additional items all day. Everyone has their cell phone on them, so it just makes sense. Digital calendars are also better if you want to create recurring events, block out time in your day well in advance, and even share your schedule with an assistant or family member. Plus, you can set notification alerts as reminders.

PAPER CALENDAR — If the digital age isn’t quite your thing and you want something tangible, there are still desk calendars, calendars you place on the refrigerator door, and even pocket calendars that allow you to accomplish many of the same things that digital calendars do. This will require more manual work, and there’s no backup if you lose it. But a few reasons why some people prefer paper or physical calendars is that they can remember tasks better simply by writing them down. A paper calendar is also great for a quick visual reminder rather than unlocking your phone and going to a specific app.

CALENDAR

DAY PLANNER

TO-DO LIST www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

U S E A D AY PLANNER

U S E TO - D O LISTS

Day planners are a step above a traditional paper calendar and mirror many of the benefits and features of a digital calendar.

Perhaps more enticing is that they allow you to create a system that works for you.

There are day planners out there for every organizational style, from at-a-glance daily and weekly appointment books to goalsetting diaries, planner-organizer combo sets, and everything in between. Here are just a few things you can keep track of with a day planner.

Even if you prefer using a digital

•

Setting annual goals

make to-do lists for the day while others

•

Monthly overviews

•

Weekly tasks

•

Daily logs

•

Meal and workout plans

•

Shopping lists and household tasks

calendar, paper calendar, day planner, or a combination of all three, there is something about creating a to-do

list on a notepad or using a smartphone app like Evernote. Creating a to-do list right at the beginning of your day

or the night before creates structure for your day. It also gives you a sense of accomplishment as you’re able to

cross off completed items as the minutes and hours pass by. Some people only

create longer ones for busy weekends or an entire work week. Additional benefits include: •

Prioritization

•

Relieving stress

•

Less to keep in your head

It’s important to remember that regardless of which option you choose, none of them will be effective if you don’t consistently incorporate them into your daily and weekly schedules. Choose an option (or several) that works best for you, and then stick to it.

DECEMBER 2019 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 7

INSIDE COMMUNITY HOLIDAY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Christian Community Action 200 South Mill St. • Lewisville, TX 75057 If you are looking for ways to give back this season, the Christian Community Action organization is in need of volunteers as they continue their mission of ministering to the poor by providing services that bring hope and change lives. Their biggest request for volunteers is for Gift Distribution days on Dec. 17-19, as well as daytime volunteers at their two Giving Tree Stations. For the full list of volunteer opportunities please email volunteer.requests@ccahelps.org or call them at 972.219.4389. photo courtesy of the CCA facebook page @christiancommunityaction

CHRISTMAS CUPCAKE

WORKSHOP Dec. 14 | 7-9pm | TURBO Kitchen

LIGHTS AT THE COVE

5800 Windhaven Pkwy.

The Colony, TX 75056

Come to Hidden Cove Park and experience a drive-through Christmas lights event this holiday season. Fill up your car with friends and family, and prepare to be mesmerized by the beauty as you enter the tunnel of lights and see your favorite Christmas characters. The Park is accepting unwrapped toy donations for Sadie’s Sleigh and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Boys and Girls Club. Tickets start at $10 and can be purchased on www.eventbrite.com by searching ‘Lights at the Cove.’

Want to learn how to decorate cupcakes for Christmas that are totally Pinterest worthy? It’s For Charity! Events is excited to host this fun instructor-led workshop that will teach you decorating tips and tricks and you’ll leave feeling like a pro. All supplies are included and you get to bring home four yummy cupcakes that you’ve decorated! Reserve your spot before it’s sold out. Visit www.eventbrite.com and search ‘Be Crafty! Pop-up.’ Tickets are $35.

photo courtesy of Monica Monroe

photo courtesy of It’s For Charity! Events

Dec. 1-30 | 5-9:30pm | Hidden Cove Park & Marina 20040 Hackberry Creek Park Rd. • Frisco, TX 75287

8 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | DECEMBER 2019

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INSIDE EDUCATION A POSITIVE VISION FOR 2020 AND BEYOND Jan. 20 | 6pm | Marcus High School 5707 Morriss Rd. • Flower Mound, TX 75028 The 27th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Contest is underway in Lewisville ISD for 4th-12th graders photo courtesy of LISD in three categories; art, photography, and essay.

This year’s theme is “One Human Family: A Positive vision for 2020 and beyond” and students who enter will explore Dr. King’s ideals, philosophy, and principles. Winners will be recognized and awarded prizes at the Dr. King Celebration event at Marcus High School, where art pieces will be on display. Come support our students!

Student Early Release Dec. 20 Winter Break Dec. 23 - Jan. 3

VOTE FOR DARIUS SNOW

photo courtesy of Joshua Flanagan www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

Hebron High School football player, Darius Snow has been selected to be on the final ballot for the 2019 Whataburger Super Team by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football. Congratulations, Darius!

You can help him gain one of the 40 sought-after spots by voting for him from now until Dec. 31!

Visit www.texasfootball.com/whatasuperteam and click on the big orange button!

Band Holiday Concert Dec. 16 - Dec. 17 at Auditorium

SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE

Winter Break Dec. 23 - Jan. 3

Lewisville ISD Education Foundation Scholarships are awarded to graduating seniors based on specific criteria ranging from academic achievement to community involvement to help the selected students with their continued education. The 2019-20 scholarship applications are due no later than 4:30pm on Jan. 10, 2020. Apply at www.lisdef.com/student-programs/ scholarships. For any questions email Sherah Robinson at robinsonsl@lisd.net.

Varsity Wrestling Dec. 19 at McKinney Body HS ACMS Saxophone Choir Concert Dec. 20 at Auditorium

Varsity Girls Basketball Tournament Dec. 26-29 at Central High School Boys Basketball 9A/B, JV/ JV2 and Varsity Jan. 3 at Marcus HS

DECEMBER 2019 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 9

SHERIFF ’S

• Raise Awareness and educate residents. This can be done by posting on social media or implementing neighborhood traffic calming programs that emphasize community involvement.

with Sheriff Tracy Murphree

The Texas Department of Transportation reported that in 2018 there were a total of 251 fatalities in crashes involving speeding over the limit.

CORNER T

he Denton County Sheriff’s Office shares the concerns of neighborhood safety. We are

aware that there is an increased number of vehicles on the road due to additional subdivisions being built in our county.

Traffic complaints presented to us are taken seriously, and in response, we increase presence to heighten awareness of the speed limit and traffic flow and conduct traffic stops when appropriate.

There are several ways to address the issues:

10 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | DECEMBER 2019

• Identify high volume and high speed times and provide targeted enforcement.

• Deploy a Police radar trailer which would produce data that shows if there are violations of the posted speed limit when we are not there and what the range of speeds are. With that information, we could determine if there was truly an issue with speed in that area or are people generally complying with the speed limit and there’s just a perception that there is a speeding issue. The trailer would also draw motorist’ attention to their speed.

WE ARE HIRING DETENTION OFFICERS! If you are interested in a career in Law Enforcement, join our family and be a part of a great organization. Detention Officer I positions start at $38,752.00 per year. Visit our website to apply. www.governmentjobs.com/careers/ dentoncounty 940.349.1600 127 N. WOODROW LN., STE. 300 DENTON, TX 76205 DENTONCOUNTY.COM/DEPARTMENTS/SHERIFF.ASPX

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DECEMBER 2019 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 11

New Year, New You

The Holidays are Over.

NOW IT’S TIME TO

A

CLEAN UP!

by Debbie Sardone

fter all the excitement of the holidays — spending quality time with family and friends, enjoying delicious food and drink, and giving and receiving presents — your happy glow can quickly disappear when guests are gone and you have to deal with the cleanup. Getting your home back into tip-top shape can be challenging, but these tips will help when your guests and gifts are gone, and you’re left behind with the mess.

Clean as you go

Remember How Great It Feels

vacuuming them. The lint roller works great and picks up any glitter, too.

Take down the holiday lights and decorations

Do you wish you could leave your

Hopefully, you’ve been cleaning as you

Christmas decorations up year- round

As you prepare the holiday meal, wash the

up again next year? Don’t be that person.

as you go. Instead of stacking dirty dishes

you clean up this year’s decorations.

go, so that this tip isn’t a surprise for you.

just to avoid the agony of putting them

pots, utensils, dishes, and cutting boards

Make next year easier on yourself when

or glasses on the counter, put them in the

•

dishwasher immediately. Rinse any wine

glasses then put them aside to hand-wash

phone. The images will cut down the

clean up spills right away because food

time you spend decorating next year.

that contains sugar (like tomato or caramel the spill cool.

Just follow the pictures!

•

Remove the tree

When you take down a string of

lights, wrap them around a paper

towel tube or a piece of cardboard

You don’t want to be the neighbor who

to keep them untangled and easy to

finally tosses their tree onto the street on how and when to dispose of your

decorations. Then print them out

save the pictures to an album on your

smoothtop electric cooktop, be sure you

sauce) can bond with the glass if you let

Take pictures of your lights and

and put them in your holiday bins, or

when your guests are gone. If you have a

in mid-February. Check with your town

12 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | DECEMBER 2019

into the carpet, you’ll have a hard time

unravel next December.

•

Label your holiday bins with the

Christmas tree: bring it to be mulched —

specific room or area where you use

— or leave it at the curb per your town’s

unpack them accordingly. Decorating

pine needles, you can use a lint roller to

room bin. Ready to clean up the family

a service many communities now offer

those decorations and lights. Pack and

instructions. If you’re facing a pile of fallen

the family room? Bring in the family

pick them up. Once these get ground

room? Bring in the family room bin.

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Deal with holiday cards

Collect all the holiday cards that arrived in the mail and make a list of who you

received cards from. You can use this as a starting point for next year’s holiday card

list. Then toss those cards in the recycling bin, immediately clearing your mantle and counters from the festive clutter.

Or if you’re feeling crafty, you can cut up

the cards to reuse as gift tags for next year.

Get rid of unwanted gifts

Don’t feel guilty if you received a gift

that you don’t want. Return it, donate it, or re-gift it. Make a clean break and set yourself up for a clutter-free new year.

And since you’re already headed to Goodwill with unwanted gifts, save

yourself a trip and get rid of old items that you received replacements for.

Someone gave you new cookware? Ditch your old pans so that your cabinets aren’t overwhelmed when you add the shiny

new ones to your kitchen. The same trick goes for any clothing you received, to keep your closets from overflowing.

Hire a professional service to clean your home

Let’s face it — all the spills in the kitchen and increased traffic through the bathrooms

left your home a mess. Instead of bravely

facing the task of cleaning this by yourself,

hire a cleaning company like Bucket & Bows Maid Service to deep clean your house.

Let the professionals tackle cleaning kitchen cabinets, stove, oven, countertops, floors, dusting and vacuuming the living areas,

cleaning toilets and sinks, and getting your house back in shape. What a great way to usher in the new year!

Smile ... and Relax

Remember how great it feels when the

holidays are over and the cleanup is done?

When you aren’t sidestepping twinkling Santas in the foyer, and you realize how big your rooms really are? We love that

feeling, too! Use it to propel you through

the cleanup. Get the whole family involved.

Order in some pizzas or subs and dance to some happy music. Happy holidays, and

Debbie Sardone is the president and owner of Buckets & Bows Maid Service and a popular national speaker on all things cleaning.

don’t sweat the cleanup!

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DECEMBER 2019 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 13

Let’s Get This

S TA RT E D

by Brooke Ezzo

photo courtesy of interskate.net

P

lanning a birthday party for your youngsters can be stressful. Between the venue, the cake and food, the balloons, the invites, and the décor, it can be full-on panic mode for some parents. If you’re interested in leaving the preparation and clean up to someone else, check out some of these fun, full-service party venues in Denton County.

This year, be a guest at your child’s party!

photo courtesy of flowermound.playstreetmuseum.com

14 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | DECEMBER 2019

PLAY STREET MUSEUM- FLOWER MOUND This interactive children’s museum is perfect for our younger children who still enjoy imaginary and creative play and exploration. Play Street has a variety of party packages; the do-it-yourself allows you and your tots private use of the museum while allowing you to be the party planner. You can also leave it to the staff and choose from an array of themes. These parties include decorations, food, desserts, and drinks. For package pricing, visit www.flowermound. playstreetmuseum.com.

INTERSKATE ROLLER RINK Roller skating will never go out of style.

Period. If you want to just show up and sit at a table, or you want a private party room, Interskate has a party package to fit any budget. Either way, book your party now at www.interskate.net or call them at 972.221.4666. photo courtesy of gatsplat.com

photo courtesy of Win Kids

WIN KIDS- FLOWER MOUND Win Kids offers two birthday packages: gymnastics parties and ninja warrior parties. Both offer a full-service party so the parents can sit back and relax. Parties here are perfect for children ages 1-14.

The gym is loaded with fun equipment, and the party is designed around active kids tumbling and completing obstacle courses. To book a Win Kids party, call them at 972.355.9988 or go online www.winkids.net and click on the “parties” tab.

GAT SPLAT- LEWISVILLE Housing three indoor paintball spaces, Gat Splat is the place to be. Each party package includes entry, gun, tank, safety goggles, air fills, and paintballs.

They make it easy for you to bring food (order in pizza), drinks, and decorations.

Minimum age at Gat Splat is six. If you don’t want paintballs, check out their Nerf Parties and Axe Throwing. Suit up and call them today at 972.956.5500. www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

photo courtesy of Zone Action Park Facebook

is something for everyone here! Book today at www.thezoneactionparktexas. com, and don’t forget to check their site for party coupons!

ZONE ACTION PARK- LEWISVILLE They really do put the action in birthday parties. Between bounce houses, miniature golf, Go Kart rides and games, your child and their friends will be bouncing with excitement here.

They have several party packages to choose from and five private, themed party rooms: the princess room, the sports room, the space room, the Disney room, and the dinosaur room. All parties include a party host, face painting, balloon animals, pizza, and drinks. There

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photo courtesy of Glamping Slumber Partee Facebook photo courtesy of rollingescaperoom.com ROLLING ESCAPE ROOM — MOBILE The first of its kind — an escape room on wheels! This interactive party is full of fun with cryptic puzzles that you and your guests have to escape out of together in the comfort of your own home. In the Rolling Escape Room, there are games the players interact together on and play a story. Will your party get out? Book now at www.rollingescaperoom.com.

GLAMPING SLUMBER PARTEE — CARROLLTON ParTee goers will enjoy a unique, one-ofa-kind sleepover experience. The ParTee team comes and sets up their whimsical décor in your home and retrieves it the next day. Current themes to choose from include Harry Potter, soccer, dinosaur, camping, Paris, Christmas, and more!

For more information, find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ GlampingSlumberParTee. DECEMBER 2019 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 15

940.382.8216 | shanklinlawfirm.com | 400 W. Oak St., Ste. 204 • Denton, TX 76201

Perfect Balance Of

LAW & FAMILY LIFE

by Steve Gamel

16 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | DECEMBER 2019

www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

K

imberly Shanklin insists she has one of those dreaded Type-A personalities you can see coming from four or five courtrooms away. She’s impatient, aggressive, and obsessed with doing things her way in a world where rules and procedure run her life. She also hates to disappoint and takes pride in being prepared for anything.

Just ask her husband, Brody, who has watched her navigate a high-stress career and a busy family life for nearly 16 years.

Sponsored Content

“I’m fairly certain my husband thinks I’m crazy because I have detailed lists for every part of my day, with back-up lists if things go off schedule due to client needs.

Sometimes he’ll find me working out at 10:30 pm and just shakes his head and keeps moving because he knows I need to mark it off my list. ” Kimberly said with a laugh.

photography by Your Candid Memories (YourCandidMemories.com)

The point is that everything Kimberly has achieved on her own during her nearly 20-year career has been predicated on a take-no-prisoners attitude mixed with a compassionate mindset of always being there for her clients. That has made the Law Office of Kimberly Shanklin PLLC in Denton the perfect choice for anyone needing superior counsel for criminal and family law cases.

When Life in Castle Hills magazine recently caught up with Kimberly at her office, it was clear there is also a softer side to this ultra-ambitious lawyer. Strip away the law degree, accolades, and impressive win-loss record, and you have the quintessential wife and mother who has created the perfect balance of law and family life. She is a devoted wife to Brody Shanklin, judge of the Texas 211th District Court in Denton. They have lived in

TREY WINSLETT Legal Assistant www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

KIMBERLY SHANKLIN Owner Lantana for nearly five years and have two sons, Bryce (20) and Brock (14).

“We have two amazing boys. One thinks

we are crazy and has no aspirations of being a lawyer, and the other looks just like his dad but has my personality,” Kimberly said of her kids. “Our youngest negotiates and argues all his points, just like a lawyer, and he’s very smart about it. Losing an argument to a child is both exhausting and frustrating.”

Kimberly could go on and on about her family. In fact, no matter how successful she is at work, the road she took to get here always had them in mind. Before opening her firm five years ago, Kimberly spent 13 years working for a larger firm representing thousands of clients. The experience she gained was invaluable, but it was a volume-based job. One case was always followed by seven or eight more in a fast-paced environment, which meant longer days and nights at work and less time focusing on the attention both her growing family and clients deserved.

In Kimberly’s eyes, that’s not the way she envisioned practicing law for the longterm. Rather than push people in and out, she wanted to take time with each client she represented and approach her job with a personal touch.

“The best thing I did was go out on my own,” Kimberly said. “With some of these family law cases, it’s very intensive with multiple life-altering decisions involved. You have to take a step back and focus on quality over quantity so that you can devote the time you need to each person. I love helping all my clients in any way I can.”

Kimberly’s firm represents clients in all types of family law cases, including divorce, child custody, and adoptions.

She is one of few attorneys chosen to represent high-risk clients through the family drug court and often represents both parents and children in CPS cases.

She is also the go-to Denton County attorney in misdemeanor and felony criminal cases.

There aren’t many mornings where she isn’t waking up to a barrage of text messages and emails from clients of her law firm. At first glance, the list almost seems like too many for any one person to get back with promptly. But one by one, Kimberly responds as she always does – all with a reassuring tone that she is there to fight for them.

And somehow, she’s always there doting on her family. It’s about striking that perfect balance between law and family life — and Kimberly is clearly the best at it.

“No matter what is going on at my practice and how much work I put in, I want to spend as much time as I can being a good mom and wife. Having my own firm allows me the flexibility and freedom to do that.”

JESSICA SEWELL Paralegal DECEMBER 2019 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 17

Ask The Expert: School Days

Helping Your Child With

ORGANIZATION AND INDEPENDENCE

by Valorie McGilvra

O

rganizing and time management are two of the hardest tasks for someone with ADHD. Just like we have to teach empathy with young children we have to teach them how to organize and prioritize.

When teaching kids to organize (since

and be successful. It is very important to

start with extrinsic rewards. This can be

you think they should be. I believe in high

they really have no interest in this) you stickers, extra gaming time or money

to get them motivated to organize or

whatever the task is you want them to do.

As they complete a task they will gradually start to learn that it feels good to have a

clean organized room and then they will do it on their own to get that feeling.

I’ve actually spent hours in my son’s room cleaning out and organizing his toys.

In education this is called scaffolding.

You first start out with a lot of support

and guidance and gradually provide less and less until they can do it all on their

own. Kids have to see the process step by step before they cannot be expected to

meet our kids where they are, not where

18 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | DECEMBER 2019

rather ask questions that will lead them to discovering the mistake.

intentionally taught chances are, they

forget it in the morning?” Child places

where could you put this so you won’t

won’t do them.

homework in the backpack while a parent

For example, let’s say that your goal is to

get your child to return their homework to school each day.

Step 1: Child brings their homework home. It should be in a folder that is

organized. Don’t organize this for them.

Take out all of the papers and ask them what to do with each paper. This will

help them learn to “think” through the organizing process.

need to get it done and help them have it

steps children will be able to follow easier

If you see a mistake don’t point it out

skills to go to the next level. If this is not

are kids and we rush to get to the final By breaking the behavior or goal into

Let them TEACH you what they did.

Step 4: When complete say, “Ok, now

Step 2: Together set a time and place to

steps and move too quickly.

here? What does this mean?”

expectations, but they need to have the

accomplish all the steps. I think sometimes

as adults we forget (me included) that they

“So what were you suppose to do

do the homework. Ask them what they all gathered in one place.

Step 3: Mom or Dad checks over the work. This could be where you ask,

looks on.

Step 5: There needs to be a trigger at

school for the child to turn in homework.

This might be written on the board, a

teacher asking for it. Just something in

the child’s routine that will remind them

to hand it in. This can be decided with the

teacher. And initially there may have to be a reward system set up until this behavior becomes a habit.

Remember, ask more questions and let

your child take ownership of their learning and growing up.

Let me know if this works or if you have any questions about your child and

dealing with ADHD or school in general.

Val@ADDitudeCoaching.com.

www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

Edit This: Ask The Expert

DON’T LET

APOSTROPHES Ruin Your Holiday Cards

by Steve Gamel Edit This 469.360.3611 EditThisLLC.com

T

he holiday season is upon us, which means it’s time to get those family cards in the mail asap.

As the resident writer and editor, this is your friendly last-second reminder that before you send them out, make sure you do a final glance over to make sure you didn’t put an unnecessary apostrophe in your family’s last name. Trust me; it’s a massive grammar faux pas.

Here’s an example of what I’m talking about: WRONG: Merry Christmas from the Gamel’s

✓

CORRECT: Merry Christmas from the Gamels

While the correct version admittedly looks a little weird to most people, using the apostrophe actually makes your last name possessive. I see this mistake being made time and time again, so I thought, why not give a quick tutorial just in case you’ve fallen into this trap once again.

If the last letter of your last name ends in a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o, p, q, r, t, u, v, w, y ... simply add an s to the end of your name.

Examples: •

The Murrays

•

The Meltons

•

The Wallaces

If the last letter of your last name ends in s, x, z, ch, sh ... add an es to the end.

Examples: •

The Joneses

•

The Gonzalezes

•

The Maddoxes

If you really don’t think you can remember all of this in the crunch, another option is to avoid the scenario altogether and write around it!

“Merry Christmas from the Gamel Family!” www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

DECEMBER 2019 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 19

What Are Your Holiday

by Steve Gamel

W

hat are your favorite family holiday traditions? You’ll probably get asked that question a million times over the next few weeks, and each time, we’re betting you’ll eagerly rattle off five or six of them with the biggest smile on your face.

And why? Because holiday traditions — especially those that involve your kids, parents, and grandparents — are the best! They

never get old, no matter how young or old you are, and the good news is that everyone’s got them. Whether it’s waking up early on Christmas morning with the family dressed in matching pajamas or building a ginger bread house every Christmas Eve, they’re the sort of thing you live for. They connect us and help us celebrate this special time of year.

So in the spirit of the holiday season, your friends at Murray Media Group wanted to share our favorite holiday traditions.

JANA MELTON, Operations Director My favorite holiday tradition is simple:

a phone call to a family member on the

STEVE GAMEL, Writer and Editor

to call (no texting) a family member and

As far back as I can remember, my parents always allowed my brother and me to open one gift each on Christmas Eve, all with the promise that we’d go to bed afterward so that Santa could get to our house on time to drop off the rest of the presents. Now that I’m grown, I carried that tradition over for my kids — and it never gets old seeing them react the same way we did. We also look forward to our parents’ Christmas party every year, where we get to spend time with cousins we don’t see that often.

morning of Christmas Eve. The first person KELLY AND SCOTT MURRAY, Owners & Publishers At our house, new Christmas pajamas were always a big hit and signified that Santa was on his way. When the kids were little, we thought it would be cute to dress them in matching PJs or in the alwaysfunny onesies! Now they are older and we still do the onesies. The outfits are not as cute as they use to be, but it sure is funny and reminds us of years past.

20 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | DECEMBER 2019

say, “Christmas Eve Gift!” wins bragging rights for the day and lots of laughs.

It all started with my Grandfather’s family.

They would call their brothers and sisters and say, “CHRISTMAS EVE GIFT!” Back

then, calls were very expensive, especially long-distance calls, as they all lived in

different states. Calls like that were very special. My father and his siblings, my

brothers and I, and now with our children, have all carried on the tradition.

www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

CAROLINE BROCK, Graphic Designer

ALYSON MODENE, Graphic Designer

ALISHA TRAN, Social Media Manager

My older sister, Elizabeth, and I had a fun childhood tradition that I still try keep

My favorite holiday traditions that my

As a child, it was an unwritten rule that my sisters and I had to be up and ready by 9am on Christmas Morning.

Now that we’re older, we all meet at my parents’ house at 9am wearing our Christmas pajamas. My mom cooks breakfast, and after we eat, we drink hot chocolate while we open presents.

My mom has a rule that only one person can open a present at a time, so we can all see their reaction. I didn’t get it as a child, but now I understand that’s

today. On Christmas Eve, we would try every year to stay up all night to catch

Santa. While we stayed up, we watched the 24-hour marathon of A Christmas

Story that played on TBS. We, of course, as little kids never were able to stay up

to catch dear Santa, but as we got older

we still tried to stay up all night watching the marathon. To this day, even as we’ve

moved out, had families of our own, and now live in different states, we call each other to make sure that we watch A Christmas Story.

family has takes place on Christmas Eve. The first thing we do for it is pull names

out of a Santa hat, then we go to a store, normally Target, and we have about $50

and an hour to buy a gift for the person’s name we pulled out. Once we get to a

location, we split up into groups. The best part of this is running through the store grabbing random things to make the

other group think you are going to buy

them a toilet seat or something silly like

that, while also spying on them trying to

actually the best part.

figure out what they might get you. It is a tradition all about laughing and messing around as a family.

AARON JUAREZ, SEO & Web Development Manager Every Christmas Eve, the whole family (uncles, aunts, and cousins) would get together to disperse presents amongst everyone. At the stroke of midnight, we would all open our presents at the same time and get surprised by Santa Claus coming through the door giving the younger kids even more presents. Of course, the gifts weren’t much, but it

provided a time for all of us to get together even if it was just for a couple of hours to live our perfect little Christmas.

BROOKE EZZO, Writer Every Christmas Eve growing up, my brother and I decorated cookies for Santa and were allowed to open one present. I have fond memories of those traditions. As an

adult, we have started a new tradition with my husband’s family. Every year, we all meet up right before Christmas; aunts, grandparents, cousins, brothers, sisters, spouses, and all the children (about 30 of us) and we walk around Grapevine Main Street. We have

dinner at Esparzas, and we end the night at The Palace Theatre to watch It’s a Wonderful Life. I look forward to this every year! www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

DECEMBER 2019 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 21

COMMUNITY

CORNER SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES THIS SHOPPING SEASON

by Denton County Judge Andy Eads

A

round this time every year, we begin the wonderful task of picking out gifts for family and

friends. The seasonal traditions are part of what makes lasting memories for many families.

For businesses, this time of year is also among the most important. Their future can often rely on the success of the popular giftbuying season. That is why it is so critical to ask you to consider shopping locally.

Earlier this fall, I met with our 19 chambers of

When you shop local, you are not only supporting that business, you are also supporting our tax base. Sales taxes are used to pay for additional police and fire resources, transportation and other fundamental needs in our thriving region.

These businesses also pay property taxes that help diversify the tax base to keep costs lower for homeowners while helping government entities supply the services we have you shop all come to expect.

When local, you are not only supporting that business, you are also supporting our tax base.

commerce in Denton County.

One of their key missions is to promote their local businesses – especially at a time of significant online competition.

22 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | DECEMBER 2019

North Texas and, in particular, our county, offers a wide assortment of retail shops to fill any wish list. We have specialty shops that can cater to almost anyone. Just ask your local chamber of commerce. Each of the 19 would be more than willing to serve as a gift resource for you.

If buying a gift is not what you have in mind, consider donating to any one of our many nonprofit organizations. One in particular, United Way of Denton County, is running its annual campaign right now.

United Way of Denton County provides funding to organizations around the county and is a leader in working on key issues that affect all of us in one way or another – homelessness, mental health and veteran assistance. Find out more at www.unitedwaydenton.org.

Like many of you, I’ll be making my annual list for gift giving. I hope to see you at one of our many unique local businesses.

If you have any questions or comments, please let me hear from you. andy.eads@dentoncounty.com 940.349.2820. pictured to the left is Andy Eads

www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

DECEMBER 2019 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 23

ESCAPING pe rie nce

WINTER WEATHER

Ex of s ar hE m t i w co erson perts. d n A a

by Jenn se e x mou e h t @ n ja n d e r s o

L

iving in Texas, we never

know what kind of weather

the winter season will bring.

While some of us welcome the winter weather whenever we can get it, others are left counting down to summer. If you can’t wait to sit by the pool and enjoy the heat, consider

taking a beach trip during those cold winter months.

Not sure where to begin?

One option is booking a Disney cruise.

Disney Cruise Line offers multiple beach locations including the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Bermuda, and Mexico. You’re able to embark on one of these cruises through the Galveston port. You can also select between four and seven-day trips.

24 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | DECEMBER 2019

www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

Disney Cruise offers a variety of options

(and adults) of all ages. The resort also

the best experience and service that they

will have access to relaxing pools and

of treatments for both teens and adults.

for every age and every interest.

both on the ship and at port stops. You beaches as well as adventures like snorkeling, horseback

has a full spa which offers a wide variety While you can find plenty to do

at the resort, you can also

riding, and animal

encounters. There is something for every age and interest!

Another option for a beach getaway

is Disney’s Aulani

Resort. It is located along the beaches of Ko Olina near

opt for an excursion that

All you have to worry about is packing and enjoying your perfect trip.

O’hau. This all-inclusive

resort also has something

for every age and interest. You and

takes you off property.

You can choose from exploring Pearl

can offer. All destinations have something As an Ears of Experience agent, I can

book and plan the perfect winter beach vacation for you and your family. I have been trained in booking for all Disney destinations including the options

Harbor, hiking

mentioned above. In addition to taking

and many

I will provide a customized itinerary suited

around a volcano,

care of all your booking and planning,

other tours.

for your family’s perfect trip. Booking

You may be asking

why you should choose

a Disney destination

when there are other options.

Disney is not just about Mickey

your trip with me will save you time and possibly money. All you have to worry about is packing and enjoying your perfect trip.

Disney has already announced

your family could enjoy some relaxation at

Mouse and attractions for children.

cruise itineraries for 2020 and there

If you’re interested in a little more fun and

entertainment, food, and customer

December. Contact me today to

one of the many pool or beach locations.

activity, they have water play areas for kids

www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

All Disney destinations offer top-rated

is some availability for a cruise this

service. They strive to give their customers

book your winter getaway.

DECEMBER 2019 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 25

NETFLIX

& Ch i ll

by Brooke Ezzo

A

s 2019 comes to a close, there are only so many days left to catch up on some of the hottest Netflix series and movies of the year. Netflix left us anticipating more seasons to come for our favorite shows, but it also let older series make a comeback with different audiences. This may be a hard list to write considering everything on this streaming app is binge-worthy, but here it goes.

26 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | DECEMBER 2019

www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

BREAKING BAD (ALL SEASONS) An American neo-Western crime drama tells the story of Walter White, a depressed, cancer-stricken high school chemistry teacher who turns to a life of crime selling crystal meth. The show aired from 2008-2013, winning numerous awards in all major award shows. There are a few reasons why Breaking Bad made a comeback in 2019, and one of them is the spin-off, Better Call Saul. (Add it to your list.) The second reason however, is El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie was released in October 2019. The buzz for this epilogue was deafening, and everyone wanted a Breaking Bad refresher or to watch it for the first time. This series was entered into Guinness World Records as the most critically-acclaimed show of all time. You might want to add it to your Netflix line up.

THE IRISHMAN (MOVIE) Based on the 2004 book, I Heard You Paint Houses by Charles Brandt, this American crime film was directed and produced by Martin Scorsese. So, you know it’s good. Its release this year came with an outpouring of social media posts claiming it was the best movie on Netflix.

This could be believable considering it has a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes — something we know is unheard of. The crime thriller follows Frank Sheeran as he recalls his former years as a mafia hitman for the Bufalino crime family. With a cast of Hollywood greats such as Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci, this isn’t a movie to miss.

STRANGER THINGS (SEASON 3) This American science fiction horror series dropped in 2016 and made a major splash in the social media chatter. Set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, the series premiere season is focused on the investigation into the disappearance of a young boy, the supernatural events occurring around town, and the arrival of a girl with psychokinetic abilities.

Each season is centered around an open portal to an alternate dimension and the influence it has on the residents.

The third season was highly anticipated, and fans had to wait all of 2018 before they could get their weekend binge fix in July of 2019. Fans have something to look forward to again, and the creators of the show say a fourth season is in the works.

Don’t get left behind in the Upside Down; catch up on the series before Eleven and the boys are gone forever.

Looking toward 2020, Netflix invites us to get our comfy pants and wine glasses ready for an incredible line up of Netflix and chill nights (and days). Here are a few additional titles to keep an eye out for: Ares, Grace and Frankie Season 6, and Ozark Season 3.

www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

BIRDBOX (MOVIE) Birdbox was released at the end of 2018, but it spent almost all of 2019 immersed in some sort of conversation, social media meme, or that blindfolded challenge that took stupidity to a new level. The film is set in a post-apocalyptic world where Malorie Hayes has to row a boat downstream with two young children — blindfolded out of fear for their lives. The movie shows that five years earlier, unexplained mass suicides spread like wildfire throughout the world because of some entity attempting to wipe out mankind. This movie belongs on your bucket list. But be aware, you will need some sort of anxiety reliever because this is a suspenseful thriller.

I don’t watch TV, I Netflix.

DECEMBER 2019 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 27

New Year, New You

We Could All Stand To Be A Bit

NICER In The New Year

by Steve Gamel

I

believe the majority of people in this world are kind-hearted, nice people. They care about the well-being of their friends, family, neighbors, and total strangers, and they go out of their way to donate their time to charitable causes. They have no biases and would prefer to revel in someone else’s success. They also raise their children right, go to church, work hard, and count their blessing each and every day. People are good.

People are kind.

But under the right circumstances, people can also be mean — and even hateful.

We live in an increasingly divisive culture

where it’s become popular to break from

our normally sunny disposition and warm values to be mean spirited and take a person’s opinion or beliefs and scrutinize them in the

court of public opinion. Not

everyone does it, but plenty do — including some really nice people who I thought

would never get caught up

in such negativity. It’s gotten

to the point where common, everyday people like you

and me can’t even have a

healthy conversation about politics, religion, sex, or how we prefer to raise our children without everything turning sideways.

We’ve all done it, so there’s no need to point fingers. But there’s no need for

SEEK OUT W AY S TO BE A NICER PERSON IN 2020

28 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | DECEMBER 2019

OPEN OUR MINDS We need to listen and empathize with each other. We need to open our minds to the possibility that we don’t know everything, and our opinion could be wrong and is sometimes not welcome.

On top of that, it’s okay if someone doesn’t agree with us. Trust me, you can still be friends with someone if they are a Democrat and you’re a staunch Republican. We should open our minds to different perspectives and embrace our individuality.

the negativity. So what’s the answer?

As we approach the end of one year and the beginning of another, perhaps we should all be taking stock in how often we allow ourselves to get caught up in meanness and seek out ways to be a nicer person in 2020.

SURROUND O U R S E LV E S W I T H POSITIVE THINKERS If you find yourself hanging around negative people, you’re bound to get sucked into the same trap. Surround yourself with positive people and be more intentional about focusing on the good things in life. www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

THINK BEFORE WE COMMENT This is particularly true on social media,

where everyone with a computer screen and a quiet room suddenly becomes

extremely brave and outspoken. There is

nothing wrong with having an opinion, but if you’re choosing to blast people rather

than offer constructive advice, nothing is gained, and feelings are often hurt.

Always err on the side of being respectful in all situations, even if you don’t always agree with what’s going on.

ASK QUESTIONS AND LISTEN We are all too often sucked into forming opinions and making brash statements before we’ve had a chance to fully

understand the topic or where someone

is coming from. Not only is this mean, but it makes us look really bad in the end.

Understand the situation, ask questions,

and be a good listener. You may just find that you are far less reactionary.

OFFER TO HELP Rather than cut someone down for

heading in the wrong direction as you,

perhaps offer to help them with advice,

resources, or through some other means.

For example, if a friend is overweight

and is expressing that they want to lose

weight, find ways to encourage them and build them up.

BE LESS SENSITIVE TO CRITICISM

It’s not easy to accept criticism, even when someone isn’t necessarily trying to be

mean. But when possible, try not to react

to someone else’s comments too harshly.

Instead, thank them for their input and decide later whether their advice was good or not. Then move on.

What are some other ways to help each other be nicer in 2020? Let us know! www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

DECEMBER 2019 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 29

New Year, New You

di ffe rent kinds of

PUSHUPS

T

by Steve Gamel

he pushup seems like it has been around since the dawn of time.

But while it is definitely a great workout to help stay in shape and develop a strong and confident looking chest, many people don’t utilize the pushup to its fullest advantage.

That’s right; there’s more than one way to do a pushup — and each one offers its own unique benefits.

1. TRADITIONAL: This is the one we all know and love. Place your hands on the ground beneath your shoulders, and position yourself on your toes. Slowly lower yourself to the ground while being sure to keep your back straight rather than let your hips sag. As you lower yourself, keep your elbows in. And then, push

30 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | DECEMBER 2019

yourself back up to the starting position.

2. DIAMOND PUSHUP: With this pushup, you’re using the same form as a traditional pushup, but instead of placing your hands on the ground and shoulder-width apart, bring your hands together and form a diamond shape with your fingers.

This variation of the common pushup is much harder but is great for developing those tricep muscles.

3. WIDE HANDS PUSHUP: This slight variation of the traditional pushup puts significantly more emphasis on your chest muscles as it requires you to place your hands more than shoulder-width apart.

4. STAGGERED HANDS PUSHUP: For those of you who want to isolate one

arm at a time and improve core strength and stability across the body, position one arm in the normal pushup position and the other slightly backward so that your arms are in a staggered position.

As you lower, you will immediately find that the one staggered arm takes the brunt of the workout. After each rep, switch the arm positions and repeat to get a balanced workout.

5. SPHINX PUSHUP: For those of you who really want to take the traditional pushup and kick it up a notch, this one is for you.

Start in the plank position and push up with your triceps to lift your elbows off the ground. Lower yourself back to the original plank position and repeat. This is a killer upper body workout with a ton of focus on the triceps.

6. CLAP PUSHUP: This variation is perfect for those workout enthusiasts who want to improve their explosive power. All you have to do is get into a traditional pushup position, but as you push up, do so with an emphasis on explosion so that you propel yourself off the ground long enough to clap your hands together before landing in the starting position again.

There are plenty more pushup variations where these came from, but the seven we mentioned above will get you exactly what you need to hit on as many major muscle groups in your upper body as possible.

www.CastleHillsMagazine.com