Momaha December 2019

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Build a snowman cookie, play holiday trivia or make pom poms?

VOLUME 10 · ISSUE 12 DECEMBER

GIFT GUIDE Tons of ideas for making spirits bright

2019

We’re here evenings,

weekends & holidays.

Same Day Pediatrics, brought to you by Boys Town Pediatrics, offers evening, weekend and holiday sick appointments for all children. We’re not an urgent care center but a real pediatric clinic with scheduled appointments.

When she’s sick, you can count on us to be here.

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COME CO OME e

h t y o j En H olidays

WITH ITH US

MAKE HOLIDAY MEMORIES WITH YOUR FAMILY THIS YEAR AT FONTENELLE FOREST. GO ONLINE TO REGISTER FOR OUR HOLIDAY EVENTS!

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KILEY CRUSE

CONTENTS

REAL MOMS + ADVICE 4 Editor’s Column 6 On Our Radar 12 Momaha Bookshelf 14 Get Organized 16 Be Well 32 Teaching ABCs

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December 2019

SEASONAL

18 Pom Pom Tree 22 Advent Calendar 24 Christmas Quiz 28 Tips for a Holiday With Deployed Parents 29 Peppermint Pie 33 Holiday Side Dish 36 Melted Snowman Cookies 41 Games to Engage Kids 48 Christmas Quiz Answers

SPONSORED FEATURES 10 YMCA of Greater Omaha 15 Huntington Learning Center 20 Fontenelle Forest 26 Duchesne Academy Preschool 30 Nebraska Education Savings Trust 34 Omaha’s Children’s Museum 38 The Rose Theater 42 Interiors Joan and Associates 44 Fat Brain Toys 45 Holiday Gift Guide

momaha where moms connect

VOLUME 10 . ISSUE 12 . DECEMBER 2019 editor in chief CHRIS CHRISTEN chris.christen@owh.com 402-444-1094

creative director + designer KILEY CRUSE cruse@owh.com 402-444-1375

assistant editor MARJIE DUCEY marjie.ducey@owh.com 402-444-1034

copy editors SHELLEY LARSEN shelley.larsen@owh.com 402-444-1143 THAD LIVINGSTON thad.livingston@owh.com 402-444-1021 PA M R I C H T E R pam.richter@owh.com

momaha.com editor ASHLEE COFFEY ashlee.coffey@owh.com 402-444-1075

Give the Gift of SWiM leSSonS regiSter noW age 6 MonthS & older, once a Week leSSonS Morning, afternoon, evening & Sat. Morning tiMeSlotS available

content contributor AMY TOKOS JULIANNE SCHMITT

cover photo KILEY CRUSE

account manager L AURE N KRUGE R lauren.kruger@owh.com 402-444-1261

account executive DEBORAH FERNSELL deborah.fernsell@owh.com 402-444-1209

account executive E M I LY M A R T I N emily.martin@owh.com 402-444-1411

account executive M A R I LY N M A R T I N marilyn.martin@owh.com 402-444-1405

Momaha Magazine is a monthly publication of the Omaha World-Herald, 1314 Douglas St., Suite 700, Omaha, NE 68102.

Momaha is a registered trademark, and all content is copyright 2019 by the Omaha World-Herald. All rights reserved. The opinions and perspectives published herein are those of the authors and should not be construed as those of Momaha Magazine.

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MOMAHA.COM EDITOR ASHLEE COFFEY Wife to Kevin Coffey, music critic for the Omaha World-Herald.

Mom to Sam and Elliott.

Follow her on Twitter: @AshleeCoffeyOWH

Christmas is a time for family traditions

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t’s the most wonderful time of the year …

There are so many things to look forward to during this magical Christmas season.

Holiday lights, Christmas songs and movies, freshly baked cookies and lots of time with family.

My family has a lot of wonderful traditions I can’t wait to do every year.

One major activity we do is getting together to bake cookies. We bake a few kinds and then we all share our goodies, so that we go home with a little bit of each. We also take a day to go shopping together.

We have a big family reunion each year on Dec. 23. I love connecting with family members I don’t see very often.

Finally, my sister and I get together at one of our houses to watch “The Muppet Christmas Carol” while we eat Subway and do a craft. It’s something we started in high school and, for some reason, it just continued. This is one I will miss a lot this year.

This Christmas will be a bittersweet one for my family because my sister, her husband and their three kids just moved to Italy with the Air Force.

While it won’t quite be the same, we’re focusing on the positives.

We’re so thankful for technology so we can video chat together while we bake or watch each other open presents on the big day. And who knows, maybe we’ll spend a Christmas in Italy.

Wouldn’t that be fun?

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December 2019

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AMPHITHEATER

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ON OUR RADAR MARJIE DUCEY

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THINGS TO TRY THIS MONTH PERFECT PRESENT Archer was excited to have the PAW Patrol die cast vehicle collection. He had them work together as a team and set up imaginary scenes — a car race to their headquarters. And even though they are not bath toys, he requested to take them in the bath to race some more. “He loved them so much they became his show and tell at school for two straight weeks,’’ mom says. Individual cars are available or buy the set, $26.99, target.com

FUN ON THE GO Antsy Pants Tic Tac Toe game mat is great for indoor and outdoor play. The game includes a fabric mat and four X’s and O’s. The mat doesn’t lie flat, which can frustrate young players, but they still had fun. The mat also doubles as a carrying case so it’s easy to clean up and take with busy parents on the go. $19.99, target.com

NEW BUDDY LET DOWN YOUR HAIR Candlylocks would be great for a child who likes to braid hair and it comes with accessories, too, mom says. There’s an element of surprise as to which doll is in the container.

However, if you don’t like to style hair it can be difficult to play with the doll since the hair is so long. “Perhaps if you were re-enacting Rapunzel the doll could be played with in a dollhouse,’’ she says. “Otherwise, I think the toy would be an easily forgotten novelty.’’ $9.99, spinmaster.com

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The kids liked opening the egg from the Hatchimals Hatchtopia Life. However, it breaks into small pieces and can’t be reused, so our reviewer felt guilty knowing the plastic pieces were landfill bound. It would be better if the egg was the little creature’s home. “The creature was cute and small, but I didn’t feel moved to collect them all,’’ she says. “Would be a cute party favor.’’

Includes a free app with simple games. $6.99, amazon.com Continued on Page 8

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ON OUR RADAR MARJIE DUCEY Continued from Page 6

PAPER FUN Great variety of ideas ranging from journaling to imaginary play to paper-folding activities. The writing prompts help spark imagination, especially with creative writing. Through the different pages, this first-grader wrote encouraging messages and secrets! The book even included a super fun banner “dare to daydream” that immediately went up in her room and she claimed was a success! $19.95, workman.com

IT’S ELECTRIC Snap Circuits Power! Kids interested in electronics are going to dig this kit, which takes circuits and makes them uber simple. The parts snap together to make a fan whir and a robot light up. It’s easy to use, and the included book offers multiple builds. The same company offers similar kits on chemistry, magnets, fossils, bones and lots more. For age 8 and older. $44.99; amazon.com

FAMILY FUN The Antsy Pants Bingo game is fun for the whole family. The big, colorful pictures make it easy for even the littlest family members to join in. This mom’s 5- and 3-year-olds loved finding the pictures and had a blast racing to see who could get a Bingo first. $7.99, target.com

KABOOM!

ALL ABOUT YOU The personalized Wonderbly book “The Wonderous Road Ahead” is an excellent gift for young readers.

Parents can personalize the story and insert words describing the positive qualities they hope to impart to their children. Woven together with an inspiring story about triumphing over adversity, our young reader loved seeing her name, talking about her own brave adventures and receiving a new book in the mail. Her older sibling has already asked for his own story. $29.99, wonderbly.com

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The Demo Duke truck was a big hit with our 5-year-old, our reviewer says. He loves revving up the throttle and watching the vehicle crash into the wall. The truck is restored by pushing a button. The instructions say to keep fingers clear during the repair process, so this truck is not for young children. The truck has numerous phrases but just one loud volume level. Our reviewer’s kids play with it for a few minutes every day, she says. $49.99, spinmaster.com

SAVING SPACE No one wants to get weighed down with stuff when they’re out hiking. The Hydaway collapsible water bottle is slim and lightweight, helping you save room in your backpack. The innovative bottles can be folded down to just over 1-inch to easily fit in a pocket, backpack, gym bag or diaper bag.

They are also BPA-free, nontoxic and dishwasher safe. $25, hydawaybottle.com

ON OUR RADAR MARJIE DUCEY HE WANTS MORE Our reviewer loved the MP Magic Socks and right away wanted to know where he could buy more. He says these wool items are great for winter; his other socks are too short. They are also very comfortable.

The creators of these “odorless’’ socks say they can be worn for up to six days without needing a wash. $19, mpmagicsocks.com

FUN AND GAMES You’ve seen it on “The Late Late Show with James Corden,” but now you can pretend you’re on Carpool Karaoke without even getting in your car. The Carpool Karaoke board game will have you and your friends dueling each other by singing, dancing and answering trivia to win. Make sure your friends and family aren’t afraid to look silly and have their singing voice heard. There is no chance to be shy playing this! $19.99, target.com

CUSTOM PIECE Mom says her daughter loved her personalized necklace from Isabelle Grace Jewelry and wears it almost daily. “And feels super special that it has her name on it,’’ our reviewer says. The custom piece is made of fine silver with a 22-kt gold accent and can be personalized up to nine letters. Add a birthstone to make it extra special. $65. IsabelleGraceJewelry.com

BABBLE NOT BOBBLE

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The Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Babble Head is battery-operated, with sounds triggered by interacting with the turtle’s head, chest, left and right arms. Motormouth Mikey has a fitting name; he spouted phrases from the cartoon that caught the kids’ attention, so he wasn’t left alone long when turned on. Lots of pizza and burp jokes from the head. The arms suggested that the child was sparring or fighting with the ninja turtle. $19.99, target.com

berninaomaha.com

10144 Maple Street

402-572-1212

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SPONSORED FEATURE YMCA OF GREATER OMAHA

community hub Family’s lives enriched through offerings from Sarpy Community YMCA STORY + PHOTOGRAPHY Mike Watkins

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s a stay-at-home mom, Rachael Grange’s days are often consumed with caring for her three children — William, 10; Blair, 7; and Leona, 4 — and organizing their numerous activities and adventures.

But knowing that self-care not only makes her healthier but also a better mom and person, Grange carves out time several days a week to take fitness classes at the Sarpy Community YMCA. The YMCA has become her family’s hub for activity and community and is embraced by everyone as an important part of their lives.

“We’re here almost every day, especially since Leona is in preschool at the Sarpy Community YMCA, and Will and Blair both participate in Y sports and activities,” she said.

“I love that when the two older kids are in school I can take Leona to preschool and then I can jump on the treadmill or go for a run along the nearby Papio Trail or take a class. It’s important to me that I take care of myself so I can take good care of my family.”

The family, which also includes husband, John, makes a point to take advantage of everything the Sarpy Community YMCA has to offer.

All three kids attended or attend the Y’s preschool. Will plays basketball and baseball, and Blair takes ballet lessons.

The kids learned to swim through the YMCA, too.

Along with her time on the treadmill, Grange regularly takes the small Boot Camp class and has taken the Fierce, Zumba, yoga and Body Pump classes in the past on her self-described “fitness journey.”

“John travels a lot for work, but when he’s home, he likes to come with us and work out or play with the kids in the gym shooting hoops,” she said. “We really do

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enjoy this as a family as much as we can.

But the Y’s individual offerings are just as important to us.”

Through her exercise classes at the Y, Grange said she has made some of her closest friends, as have the children through preschool and their sports and activities.

She’s also re-engaged with her love for running – she recently participated in the Sumtur Papillion Twilight Dash, a 5K race she finished in 27:55. She finished third in her age group, seventh among 40 female runners and 12th overall (men and women).

It’s fueling her desire to enter next fall’s Twin Cities (Minnesota) Marathon.

Suffice it to say, the Grange family plays well together and individually at their nearby Sarpy Community YMCA. “There really is something for everyone in the family here at the Y, and

we love it,” said Grange, who grew up in Bellevue and was a cheerleader at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

“I can’t imagine not having the Y in our community — in any community.

“It brings so much value to the lives of everyone who uses it. It’s definitely enriched our lives in so many ways.”

That’s the message Grange said she would pass on to moms and families she meets who may not realize what the YMCA brings to everyone in the community who takes advantage of all the opportunities it offers.

“We’ve been coming to the Sarpy Community YMCA since the kids were little, first for preschool and now for all activities, and we get something out of every visit,” she said. “Everyone I talk to at the Y feels the same way. It really is, in many ways, the hub, the center, of our community.”

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Right Turn would like to wish you and yours a safe and happy holiday season.

Right Turn, support for families in Nebraska formed through adoption and guardianship.

888.667.2399 | RightTurnNE.org A collaboration between Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska and Nebraska Children’s Home Society.

JOIN A COMMUNITY, NOT JUST A GYM

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YMCA OF GREATER OMAHA metroymca.org 0000089127-02

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MOMAHA BOOKSHELF MARJIE DUCEY

Hot off the presses

Boobie’s Magical Christmas Wish

By Kam Draper This young lady will win your heart by showing the world how to be kind, inclusive and a big dreamer — with a little twist of girl power that will light the spirits of all. It’s the second book in a series for children ages 2 to 10 by the Omaha author and her mom, Lynne, who is the illustrator.

The first was Boobie’s Scary Halloween.

A perfect read for beginner readers.

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Midwestern Strange: Hunting Monsters, Martians, and the Weird in Flyover Country

by B.J. Hollars Crazy tales, from the turtle the size of a dining room table, which turned an Indiana family’s life upside down, to stories of pancakeflipping visitors from outer space.

Hollars meets some fascinating people in this quirky account that contends with the ways such oddities retain cultural footholds.

Steak and Cake

by Elizabeth Karmel More than 100 recipes that scream to be made, paired and eaten with pure joy. How about a porterhouse for two with steakhouse spinach and wild mushroom saute followed by freshly grated coconut cake?

Or come up with a pairing of your own.

The result is an instant dinner party. Recipes, are clear, easy to follow and delicious.

Rusty Brown

by Chris Ware Leonard Cohen said, “The poem is nothing but information. It is the Constitution of the inner country.”

Our reviewer thought of this idea when he read the Omaha native and graphic novelist’s astonishing work.

Ware will leave you feeling like a slightly different human when you’re done, he says.

Centered in Omaha, the book is literary, brilliantly illustrated and deeply affecting.

Wanderers

By Chuck Wendig Are dystopian novels your thing? Then dig in to this meaty tome and discover what happens when teen Shana discovers that her younger sister has turned into a walker, heading for an unknown destination.

Nothing will stop her march, and others like her keep appearing every day. Shana turns into a “shepherd,’’ following the flock.

Their fate depends on unraveling the mystery.

ICE RINK HOLIDAY E VENTS December 6 · 5:45 - 7 pm

Ice Rink Grand Opening Celebration

December 7 · 1 - 3 pm Skating with Santa Claus

December 8 · 2 - 4 pm

How the Grinch Stole Christmas Movie Watch n’ Skate Special appearance from The Grinch 1 - 3 pm

December 13 · 6 - 8 pm Elf – Movie Watch n’ Skate

December 14 · 12:30 - 1:30 pm Moylan Premier Skating Club Holiday Performance

I C E R I N K O P E N D A I LY* D E C . 6 - J A N . 2 1

December 15 · 1 - 3 pm

Monday - Thursday: 6 pm - 10 pm

Skate to Your Favorite Frozen Songs

Friday: 6 pm - 11 pm

Special appearance from The Ice Queen and Snow Princess *

December 21 · 6 - 8 pm

|

Saturday: noon - 11 pm Sunday: noon - 9 pm

E x tended hours during OPS holiday break + MLK Day

Polar Express Movie Watch n’ Skate

December 22 · 1 - 3 pm Skating with Santa Claus

January 4 · 10 am - 12 pm

‘Try Hockey Day’ at The Rink with Omaha Hockey Club Mighty Mites Register online: https://omahahockey.sportngin.com/register/form/336374605

10 T H A N D C A P I T O L · U N D E R T H E L A R G E O M A H A S I G N omahaicerink.com

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GET ORGANIZED AMY TOKOS Amy Tokos is a Certified Professional Organizer and the owner of Freshly Organized. You can find more organizing tips at freshlyorganized.com.

Want to make it through the holidays?

Start with a list It can be a crazy time of the year. Here are 10 tips to keep you organized and sane:

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MAKE A LIST AND CHECK IT TWICE

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CLEAN OUT THE OLD DECORATIONS

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DELEGATE

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KEEP IT SIMPLE

If you have a lot of things swirling around in your head, making a list can help bring focus on what needs to be done. There are lots of holiday apps to help with this.

Now that you have your house decorated, it is the perfect time to get rid of all the decorations that are still in the box. You know, the ones that you’ll never put out again.

This is the best time of the year to delegate. We have our regular routine to maintain along with all the activities to celebrate the holidays. Now is not the time to pull out your cape and be superwoman. Ask for help. Have kids help decorate the house and make cookies. If you are hosting a party say yes to friends who offer to help or bring a snack.

If you are planning on baking, hosting a party or maybe you have a holiday project in mind — try to keep it simple. Now is not the time to stress yourself out with a huge project or a complex recipe.

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SAY GOODBYE TO TRADITIONS

If you have a tradition that is no longer fun, take it off your to-do list. Stopping it just this once doesn’t erase all the memories. It also doesn’t mean it has to go away forever. You can always bring it back next year.

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STILL SHOPPING

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KEEP YOUR PRIORITIES

Be careful with the small stocking stuffer types of items. More often than not these items are not what people want but we buy them out of desperation. Consider items that would be consumable. Movie passes and restaurant gift cards are always a good get.

Make sure you are still making time for your priorities like a dinner with the family and a good workout to stay healthy. If we start to neglect those, it can affect us both mentally and physically.

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SET SOME LIMITS

This goes along with keeping your priorities. All the parties and invitations are wonderful and such fun, but you do not have to say yes to everything. The office party might be a must but remember time is at a premium.

Be picky at what you attend.

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TAKE A YEAR OFF

Skip all the hoopla or maybe just a part of it. Go away somewhere fun with the family and skip the presents. Or maybe you take a year off of sending out cards. You might make it a new tradition or it might rejuvenate you for next year’s celebration.

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CONSIDER AN AFTER PARTY

After the holidays that is. January and February are pretty slow social months.

Do a gathering of your closest friends at that time and more people might have the time to attend, relax and enjoy your gathering.

SPONSORED FEATURE HUNTINGTON LEARNING CENTER

Praise the positive Catch your child being good this holiday season

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pending time with family around the holidays can be wonderful, but for parents of kids with ADHD, it also can be stressful. When visiting family and friends, you want things to go smoothly.

It’s a tall order when your child’s routine is disrupted, and when he or she is so excited about the holidays!

When you are stressed, minor misbehaviors – the ones you would typically let slide – may get under your skin. You’re more likely to notice the things your child is doing wrong and overlook the things that he or she is doing right. As a result, your child receives even more attention for misbehavior, and this attention – although negative – often leads to an increase in challenging behaviors.

Noticing positive behavior and praising your child when he or she is doing something right can help break this cycle. When you “catch your child being good,” you set him or her up for success. You start to lay the foundation for positive family interactions, you build his or her selfesteem, and you increase the chance of seeing more positive behavior. For praise to be most effective, be strategic about how and when you deliver the praise. The following guidelines will help you get off to a good start: 1. Be specific. Let your child know exactly what he or she did well. For example, “You did a great job helping your sister find her toy” rather than “Good

job!”When you’re specific, your child knows exactly what it is that he or she did well and will be more likely to do it again in the future.

2. Be genuine. Kids respond well to praise when it’s heartfelt and genuine, and when your level of enthusiasm matches their behavior. For example, let’s say your child does something that isn’t very hard for him or her, like tying his or her shoes. You respond with over-the-top enthusiasm, “Wow! You tied your shoes, amazing.” Your child isn’t going to find you believable and might even think that you’re acting strange. Instead, say something more genuine, like, “I noticed that you tied your shoes the first time I

asked. Thank you.” He or she will be much more likely to accept your praise.

3. Praise effort. Studies show that kids who are praised for their hard work and effort, rather than for their intelligence or abilities, are more likely to approach new challenges with a positive attitude and to keep trying when things are hard. If your child gets a good grade on a math assignment, don’t say, “Nice job! You’re so smart at math.” Focus on what he or she did to earn the grade, like, “You worked really hard on that assignment and double checked all of your answers before your turned it in. Your hard work really paid off.

Nicely done!”

4. Remember 5:1. It takes quite a few positive statements to offset the effects of negative feedback and criticism. So as a rule of thumb, aim for five positive comments for every negative statement.

If this seems like a tall order, start with a smaller ratio, like 3:1 and work your way up.

Shift the balance in your home, from commenting only on the negative to praising the positive. Noticing your child’s good behavior and following these praise guidelines will go a long way in helping things go more smoothly this holiday season and throughout the year. Over time you’ll see even more good behavior and improved family relationships as your child continues to seek and receive more positive attention from you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR & HUNTINGTON LEARNING CENTER Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist and a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Center.

Huntington is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, algebra through calculus, chemistry and other sciences. Huntington offers prep for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence and motivation to help students succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards.

Learn how Huntington can help at www.huntingtonhelps.com. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com.

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BE WELL MARJIE DUCEY

Creating new traditions for your blended family Ask your partner, children how they see the holidays

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he holiday schedule will likely never be a breeze with a blended family.

Kids need to spend time with their other biological parent and there are always relatives to squeeze into the equation. Not to mention starting new traditions with the new family unit.

Every tradition you carried out in your former home may not Rene work in your Pretoriusnew reality. But Parks you can smooth the way toward building new holiday customs with some good communication.

Start early with your discussions.

Get together now with your new partner and the older children in the home and talk over how they see holidays with the new blended family developing.

“Religion, traditions. It’s important to talk about some of those expectations,’’ says Rene Pretorius-Parks, a licensed independent mental health practitioner and a licensed

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marriage and family therapist for Children’s Hospital & Medical Center.

Children from about 9 or 10 and up should be included in the discussion. Even some at the age of 5 or 6 can tell you if there is something about the holidays they enjoy.

Talk about must-haves and how you can make it work.

If you and your kids have always gone to the “Nutcracker” and your stepchildren aren’t wild about that idea, maybe they can schedule something that’s important to them during that same time.

Or, if some of you go to one religious service and the other half to another, consider whether everyone should go to both or if it’s best to split up and then just meet afterward for pizza.

“I don’t think there is a right or wrong way as long as everyone in the family just feels heard,’’ Pretorius-Parks said. “It’s a mix of old traditions and creating new ones.’’

While you want to accommodate the traditions your children have always known, it’s also important to build

something together.

That might be a treedecorating session or watching a holiday movie as a family.

“If one kid says, I don’t want to contribute, then say: I don’t expect you to watch the movie but I expect you to be in the area. Kind of in the vicinity of the tradition.’’

That same flexibility may be needed on the holiday itself. If half of the kids are going to their mom’s house for Christmas Day, then the new tradition may be that you open gifts together on Christmas Eve. Or maybe Thanksgiving for your new group is the Sunday after so Susie and Johnny can go to Grandma’s for turkey and time with the cousins as they’ve always done.

What’s important to remember when talking about your new plan is that kids need to have time with both biological parents.

So create a schedule with that in mind.

“My emphasis here is you have to learn to be accommodating and flexible during the holidays and make sure kids get to spend time with both sides of the family,’’ Pretorius-Parks says.

JOIN US IN

You’re invited to experience a multitude of festive delights! Enjoy gingerbread houses, a candy cane lane, festive music, visits with Santa Claus, brilliant indoor and outdoor light displays, and the majestic 20-foot-tall poinsettia tree. Cozy up by the fire, roast a marshmallow, create art at life-sized Lite-Brite® trees, play games in the Family Chill Zone, and enjoy the sights and sounds of model garden trains. No matter your age, the holiday season at Lauritzen Gardens is sure to be Merry & Bright!

CLOSED

THANKSGIVING | CHRISTMAS | NEW YEAR’S DAY

For more details, visit: 100 BANCROFT STREET, OMAHA 0000089136-01

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POM POMS ADD HOLIDAY CHEER This fun-to-make tree provides a pop of color to your decor TEXT + PHOTOGRAPHY Kiley Cruse

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his colorful take on a Christmas tree is so much fun and so simple. It’s a great craft to make with kids because you can get them involved at every stage.

What you need • 5 sticks of varying lengths (ours are 4 to 14 inches) • Yarn, green plus other colors of your choice • Scissors • Pom pom maker (optional) • Crochet hook (optional)

What you do

1. Collect some sticks in a range of sizes. Lay them out from smallest to largest and trim some if necessary 2. Wrap green yarn around each of the sticks. This is optional, it would look great just with the bare sticks, too.

3. Crochet chain some cords from the green yarn to vertically hang sticks together. We made eight cords of about 12 stitches, fastening off and leaving a long tail to tie it to the sticks. If you don’t crochet, you could use garden string, twine or something similar.

4. Use these cords or string to tie the sticks together so they hang down in the shape of a Christmas tree. We used one cord from the smallest stick to the next smallest one. Then two cords to connect each of the larger sticks. Use one cord from the smallest stick to be the tree hanger.

5. Make the pom poms. Buy yarn in your favorite colors

or use this as a stash-busting project. You can use a pom pom maker. We opted to just use our hands. See directions below. We used 15 pom poms of varying sizes. The size of your sticks and how full you want them with pom poms will determine how many you need to make.

6. Tie the pom poms to the tree. This is where you can get creative. You’ll need to balance the poms so that your tree doesn’t end up lopsided, but that is the only rule.

7. Once you’ve finished the game of Jenga and have the pom poms where you want them, tie the tail tight and snip off the ends.

How to make a pom pom with your hands

1. Cut a 10-inch piece of yarn and put it between your ring and middle fingers.

2. Wrap your yarn around 2, 3 or 4 fingers 100-150 times, or until you think you have enough. Use string that is between fingers to fasten off the yarn that is wrapped around fingers. (The thicker the yarn, the more fingers you’ll need and the more fingers, the bigger the pom pom.) Gently remove the yarn from your fingers, and tie the string of yarn tightly (try not to break it!) around the center of the “roll” of yarn you’ve just created.

3. Snip the loops of yarn at either end, shake out. Your pom pom will need some shaping. Take a pair of scissors and trim the yarn until you have a ball, careful not to cut your long tie strings. You’ll need those so you can hang the pom poms on your tree. doradoes.co.uk

Find supplies for this activity at David M. Mangelsen’s

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SPONSORED FEATURE FONTENELLE FOREST

Enjoying nature At Fontenelle Forest the fun doesn’t stop because it’s winter

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ontenelle Forest in Bellevue can help you stay active this winter with many family-friendly outdoor activities.

According to research, children spend up to 50 hours a week on devices and nearly 90% of their time indoors. How much time does your child spend inside versus being active in the outdoors?

Luckily, Fontenelle Forest is an exciting winter playground for the family with winter wildlife keeping the trails lively.

Check out what you can do after a short drive to Bellevue.

MUD PIES

A wonderful indoor activity for little ones this holiday season. Mud Pies is a drop-in-and-play program that encourages interaction between parent and child. A weekly natural science topic is explored through station-based activities, free play and a guided walk.

This program meets every Monday through Thursday from 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Mud Pies is for kids ages 5 and younger accompanied by an adult. One adult is required for every two children. Cost is $3 per child for members or $5 per child with daily admission.

WINTER WONDERLAND

Meet Santa and view the holiday decorations in the Great Hall on Dec. 6 from 6-8 p.m. This is a family event that is open to patrons. Interested in becoming a patron? Contact the Forest today!

“Seeing Fontenelle Forest turned into a Winter Wonderland is my favorite time of the year,” said Sally Otis, director of education at Fontenelle Forest.

GINGERBREAD HABITATS

What makes a habitat a home?

Children can re-imagine local forest habitats using gingerbread and

CHRIS CHRISTEN

Naturalist Debra Beck points out turkey tracks in the snow to children and moms on a Mud Pies nature walk at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center in Bellevue.

holiday sweets. Their one-of-a-kind gingerbread habitats and homes will spark their holiday imaginations.

This event is happening on Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with five sessions throughout the day. Pricing is $15 for members and $25 for nonmembers before Nov. 30 and $20 for members and $30 for non-members on Dec. 1. Pricing is per gingerbread habitat and includes admission.

One habitat per two attendees is recommended.

WINTER MOON WALK

A winter moon walk and campfire is Dec. 13 from 5-7 p.m. It incorporates a short moonlight hike through the forest followed by a campfire under the moon. Along the trails we will talk about the winter nocturnal life of

the forest. After the hike, participants will gather to hear stories around the campfire.

HIKING AND SNOWSHOEING

For exercise during the winter weather, consider hiking or snowshoeing at Fontenelle Forest.

Snowshoes can be rented for two hours for $5 from the Nature Center.

“You can hike the trails, take your strollers on the boardwalk, or even snowshoe when there is 6 inches or more of snow,” Otis said. “You don’t even need to reserve a time, just come to the Nature Center between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. and start your snowy adventure on our wonderful trails. We have snowshoes for rent which you can use to explore the 19 miles of trails.”

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December 2019

Visit Omaha's Latino Museum!

December 18, 2019 6-8 p.m.

Las Posadas 2019

4701 SOUTH 25TH STREET • OMAHA, NE 68107 www.elmuseolatino.org • (402) 731-1137 0000089039-01

0000081334-01

COME

y h t l a e get h WITH US

CHECK OUT MOMAHA.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WINTER WELLNESS ACTIVITIES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!

OPEN DAILY FROM 8-5

WWW.FONTENELLEFOREST.ORG 0000089048-02

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A GIFT A DAY This Advent tree comes with little surprises TEXT + STYLING Kiley Cruse

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December 2019

A

n Advent calendar is a great way to channel children’s excitement as they eagerly await Christmas. It allows them to count down the days to the holiday. Some calendars are designed only as a method to count the days while others, like our craft, will give your child a little something special each day leading up to Christmas.

What you need

What you do

• 16-by-20-inch canvas

1. We used paper cups, toilet paper tubes and a gift wrapping tube, giving us three different diameters of tubes to hold items. Trim all of the tubes to the same height.

2. Optional, paint tubes in the color of your choice. Let dry.

3. Hot glue tubes, in the shape of a Christmas tree, to the canvas.

Leave about ½ inch between tubes so you can wrap the tops with tissue paper.

4. Fill all of the tubes with fun

• 24 cups, toilet paper tubes or other cylindrical objects • Scissors • Paint • Tissue paper • Rubber bands • Hot glue gun • Marker • Candy, toys or other items to fill the calendar

items for your family. Options could include candy, toys, ornaments, money, hair accessories or excerpts of the Christmas story.

5. Cut squares of tissue paper large enough to cover the tube.

6. Write numbers 1 through 24 on the papers.

7. Wrap tissue paper over the top of a tube and fasten it with rubber bands. (This was a perfect way to use up rubber bands from an old rainbow loom!)

Find supplies for this activity at David M. Mangelsen’s

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1

2

What is the name of the snowman in the Disney movie “Frozen”?

Why can’t grown-ups hear the sleigh bells in “The Polar Express”?

3

Complete the song lyric: “I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus ... ” Name that tune

9 Name that tune

15 Complete the movie line: “You’ll shoot ...”

10

HOLIDAY QUIZ Our gift to you — a fun, challenging quiz all about “the most wonderful time of the year.”

21 Which reindeer is said to be “the most famous reindeer of all”?

24

22 Name that tune

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30

How many points does a snowflake have?

In “Prep and Landing,” what is the code Magee uses to abort Santa’s approach to Timmy’s house?

December 2019

4

Complete the song lyric: “They never let poor Rudolph ...”

16

Name that tune

23

24

In which country do many people enjoy food from KFC on Christmas day? a) Japan; b) Peru; or c) Denmark?

In the movie “Frozen,” what does Elsa produce every time she sneezes?

31 Name that tune

32 Name all of Santa’s reindeer.

5

6

7

8

How many of Santa’s reindeer have names beginning with the letter “D”?

What are the names of the two main elves in “Prep and Landing”?

12

13

14

According to “The Night Before Christmas”

by Clement C. Moore, how many reindeer did St. Nicholas have?

In “The Polar Express,” what did Santa give the boy as the first gift of Christmas?

17

18

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20

What is the name of the town in “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” by Dr. Seuss?

Complete the song lyric: “Feliz Navidad.

Feliz Navidad. Feliz Navidad. ...”

Which Christmas song begins, “You better watch out, you better not cry”?

True or False: There are three towns/ cities in the United States named Santa Claus?

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In the move “Elf,” which city does Buddy travel to in search of his father?

Where does Santa Claus live?

True or False: There are two calling birds in the 12 Days of Christmas song.

Name that tune

11 Name that tune

How many times does the number 1 appear on an advent calendar with 24 doors?

Name that tune

33

34

Name the three ghosts that come to visit Scrooge.

How many times does Santa check his Naughty & Nice list?

Name that tune

35 Name that tune 1st

Answers on Page 48

2nd 3rd

25

SPONSORED FEATURE DUCHESNE ACADEMY

It’s not just a high school Duchesne Academy is also home to a preschool for young girls and boys

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or many native Omahans, the name Duchesne is synonymous with allgirls, private high school education.

What most people do not know is that Duchesne is also home to a preschool for 3-5-year-old girls and boys. Every morning from 8:30-9:00, a passerby on 36th and Burt Streets will see cars, SUVs and vans lining the street as pint-sized students emerge with miniature backpacks in matching smocked dresses and polo shirts. These littlest scholars of Duchesne always arrive with a palpable eagerness to learn.

Duchesne Preschool, which just celebrated its 20th anniversary, has an academic program that includes specialist teachers in the areas of Spanish, art, music, computer education and P.E. These age-appropriate programs integrate the preschool skills being presented in the classroom and provide introductions that set the foundation for further exploration in these areas throughout the child’s life.

Duchesne Preschool requires the lead teachers in each classroom to have at least a bachelor’s degree in education.

The preschool also boasts a low studentto-teacher ratio. The state of Nebraska mandates a ratio of 1 to 10 for 3-year-olds.

Duchesne’s limit is 1 to 6. For 4-year-olds, the state mandates a ratio of 1 to 12.

Duchesne’s limit is 1 to 7.

As with Duchesne Academy, the preschool shares a connection to the Network of Sacred Heart Schools, an association of 24 Sacred Heart schools across the United States and Canada. The Network provides services and programs that promote and stimulate creative education and leadership framed by the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart education. In the preschool, the Goals of Sacred Heart education have been

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December 2019

DUCHESNE ACADEMY

adapted for preschool-aged children (seen in bold): 1. Love God. A personal and active faith in God 2. Love to Learn.

A deep respect for intellectual values 3. Help the needy.

A social awareness that impels to action 4. Share and Cooperate.

The building of community as a Christian value 5. Learn right from wrong.

Personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom The rich traditions of Sacred Heart Education are incorporated into the preschool program, and sensitivity to each child’s abilities, potential and readiness is emphasized. Interaction with the Duchesne Academy students provides a unique collaborative environment and enhances the overall experience. These objectives resonate with Duchesne Academy graduate and current preschool parent Meghan Sodoro Michelic.

“What makes Duchesne Preschool so special is that it is directly connected to and deeply rooted in Sacred Heart education, which allows our children to learn about the world through compassionate eyes and an open heart.

The traditions of the Sacred Heart, when observed through the eyes of a child, are truly something beautiful to see.

“I will forever be thankful to the educators and administrators at Duchesne Preschool for taking exemplary care of my child every day, while also helping her to become a thoughtful, intelligent and caring child of the Sacred Heart.”

The preschool offers flexible options for busy and working parents with 2-, 3- or 5-day programs and before/extended care available, covering the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Financial aid opportunities are also available. For more information about Duchesne Preschool, visit www. duchesneacademy.org/apps/pages/ preschool. To schedule a tour, please contact Sara Wachter, Duchesne preschool director, at swachter@duchesneacademy. org or 402-558-6250.

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t A Great Gihfe Idea for t !

Grandkids ARt | Music | DAncing | instRuMents | Acting

7 Convenient City Locations Relaxed environments & small class sizes

$10/per class Register for Spring Classes Now! 0000089036-01

Call 402-556-7821 or visit ArtsForAllOmaha.org

Online RegistRatiOn

Opens second week of January 2020 Camps offered weekly June 1 - July 31

aimforthestars.unomaha.edu

L VE IS OUR MISSION 3601 Burt Street Omaha, Nebraska 68131 DuchesneAcademy.org 0000089044-02

27

Even without deployed parent, holidays can be fun STORY Marjie Ducey

T

he holidays can be challenging when mom or dad is deployed.

“But that doesn’t mean they can’t also be fun,’’ says Master Sgt. Thomas Atkinson, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the Offutt Airman & Family Readiness Center.

He encourages families to visit the center, which supports families yearround, and explore all the resources available.

He also has these tips for the holidays.

1

Attend events for families of deployed members and other base holiday events. It’s a good way to meet other families who have loved ones deployed. Plus, it’s a fun (and free) reason to get out of the house and celebrate the season.

Visit facebook.com/Offutt55FSS or facebook.com/OffuttChapel for more information.

Connect with other families.

The holidays won’t feel so lonely without mom or dad.

Have the kids make goodies to send to the deployed family member. This will not only raise the spirits of the deployed family member, but everyone will feel more connected in the process.

Plan at-home fun holiday activities. Something as simple as a Christmas movie marathon or baking cookies together can keep the family’s mind off their missed loved one and on the joys around them.

Visit out-of-town family. If there were ever a time to load into the car (or airplane) and visit family, now is it. Choose travel plans that fit your

2 3 4 5

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December 2019

STOCK.ADOBE.COM

budget and enjoy the support of loved ones over the holidays.

6

Talk with your deployed spouse about your holiday budget. Even though you are apart, money will still be spent. Save yourself the trouble of budget surprises and discuss spending together.

7

Have a plan. To the best of your ability, schedule a FaceTime session with your deployed spouse and determine how Christmas Day or any other important family holidays will go. A little structure can go a long way.

8

Don’t make promises you can’t keep. While having a plan will work in your favor, make sure you don’t promise your kids they will get to talk

to Mom or Dad at a certain time or on a certain day. Deployed life is often unpredictable, so be open that your plans could change.

Utilize “Give Parents a Break’’ days for Christmas shopping. The Offutt Airman & Family Readiness Center provides one Saturday each month for free child care at the CDC for families of deployed members. Use that time to do your secret shopping. Contact the Offutt Airman & Family Readiness Center for details.

Take some time for yourself.

You are holding down the fort and doing the work of two parents at home. Take some time to get a massage or a pedicure as a way to relax and give a little holiday spirit to yourself.

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SAVE ROOM FOR DESSERT Peppermint Pie will get everyone in the holiday mood TEXT + PHOTO Family Features

W

hether you’re huddled around the fireplace, gathered at the table or strolling through a winter wonderland, the holidays are all about enjoying pure and memorable moments with family and friends.

With all of the seasonal gatherings, you can certainly expect that almost any host or guest will attempt to provide a classic holiday treat for everyone to enjoy.

This year, you can give your traditional holiday bake a refreshing twist sure to spread all kinds of holiday cheer with this Enjoymint Peppermint Pie topped with Homemade Whipped Cream.

Enjoymint Peppermint Pie

Homemade Whipped Cream

• 1 envelope unflavored gelatin

• 2 tablespoons granulated or

• ¼ cup cold water • 2½ cups heavy whipping cream, divided • 8 ounces soft peppermint candy • 1 chocolate cookie crust • Crushed peppermint candies, for garnish

1. Soften gelatin in water; set aside.

2. In small saucepan over low heat, cook ½ cup whipping cream with candy until candy melts.

3. Add gelatin; mix well.

4. Whip remaining whipping cream. Let gelatin mixture cool and fold in whipped cream, reserving ½ cup for garnish.

5. Pour into crust. Chill.

6. Before serving, top with reserved whipped cream and crushed peppermint candies.

powdered sugar • 2 cups heavy whipping cream • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or liqueur

1. In chilled glass bowl, add sugar to whipping cream. Using whisk or hand mixer, incorporate sugar into heavy whipping cream until it begins to thicken, leaving visible trails. Continue to whip until soft peaks start to form.

2. Fold in vanilla extract or liqueur. Serve immediately or refrigerate and remix 1-2 minutes before serving.

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SPONSORED FEATURE NEBRASKA EDUCATIONAL SAVINGS TRUST

Giving the gift of education Contributions to a NEST 529 account are practical presents

STOCK.ADOBE.COM

STORY Kristine Rohwer

A

s the year dwindles to its final weeks, combined with the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, I try to not go beyond our budget. Try being the optimal word.

We’re the type of family that takes advantage of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. We appreciate a good deal.

And the money we save by surviving crowds of other discount connoisseurs, regardless of the amount, is placed in our children’s NEST 529 accounts.

No, I’m not a financial analyst, far from it. However, I’m a mom with children and anyone with children knows the holidays get expensive, and we are going to be bombarded with more stuff. More toys, more gadgets.

More, more, more.

So when family and friends ask what to gift our kids during the holidays, we suggest contributing to their NEST 529 College Savings account. It’s easy, it’s practical and it doesn’t make loud, annoying noises or anything of that nature. It’s those little contributions that bring about big advantages.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The great thing about gift contributions is they can be transferred securely from one’s bank account, eliminating the need to go to a busy store or wait for a package.

1. Login to your account at NEST529. com. Once there, select Ugift.

2. You’ll get a unique Ugift code that identifies your child’s specific NEST 529 account and a Ugift evite to share. Write it (or them, if you have more than one child) down for future reference.

3. Share your Ugift code with friends and family. Then have them visit Ugift.com, enter the code and set up a Gift Giver profile. Creating a profile allows them to give future gifts more easily.

AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Remember how I said we’re the type of family that likes a good deal?

Because we have to — children are expensive! We have to be smart about where our money goes.

Every dollar we put into our children’s College Savings Plan, if used for eligible expenses, grows federally and is state tax-deferred. Not only that, but it also has major state income tax benefits. As Nebraskans, contributions we make into our NEST 529 accounts are deductible on our state income tax, up to $10,000 annually.

“Saving for higher education is a commitment — and one that people should not have to face on their own.

At NEST 529, we are your dedicated partner in the savings journey and are here for you every step of the way. With many offerings, including easy-to-open accounts, automatic payment plans, frequent scholarship opportunities and numerous gifting options, a NEST 529 account makes saving for higher education an attainable reality,” says Deborah Goodkin, managing director of savings plans at First National Bank of Omaha.

In short, while this holiday season can be crazy and, well, crazy expensive, being smart about where each dollar goes can help in the long game.

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December 2019

0000089086-01 2127366-01 ����������

This holiday season, give the gift of education.

Learn more about saving for college at NEST529.com.

PRNT-MOM 10/2019

The Program Disclosure Statement should be read carefully before investing. Investments Are Not FDIC Insured* | No Bank, State or Federal Guarantee| May Lose Value *Except the Bank Savings Investment Option 0000089147-02

31

Teaching your kids the wonders of their ABCs Children as young as 2 or 3 can start recognizing the alphabet

M

y name is Julianne Schmitt, and I am a kindergarten teacher at St. Gerald Catholic School in Ralston. This is my ninth year teaching, and I have taught in early primary grades during my teaching career.

Teaching the alphabet and the sounds each letter makes is one of my favorite things to do as a kindergarten teacher. At home, there are plenty of things that you can do as well in order to make the experience fun and to get the letters and sounds to really “stick!” » As early as age 2 or 3, children can start recognizing the alphabet and by 4 and 5 start recognizing most letters. Some of the earliest things you can do is find a place to have your children be able to see and touch the alphabet. Puzzles, placemats and magnetic letters are perfect for this!

As they touch the letter, you can tell

Teacher Julianne Schmitt says make learning the ABCs a fun experience.

them what it is and possibly have them repeat it back. » As you drive or walk around town or shop at the supermarket you can find environmental print — things

OMAHA ABCS

they recognize (i.e. McDonald’s, Go-Go-Squeeze, Target) — and you can ask if they see what letters and sounds those places and things start with. » Have moves that go with the alphabet and their sounds! For example, A makes an “ah” sound, and you can put your hands to your mouth like you’re saying “ahh!” Say B sounds like “bat” and pretend you’re hitting a baseball. For C, shiver like you are cold. This way when kids forget what sound goes with which letter, they can remember the moves that you associated with them! » READ! Reading every day is the best way for kids to hear letters, sounds and words as they come together to make a story. Picture dictionaries and books with pictures and labels are great for kids to look through on their own, but make sure they make time to listen to stories.

By Ashlee Coffey and Illustrated by Matt Haney With whimsical rhymes by Momaha.com editor Ashlee Coffey and vivid illustrations by award-winning Omaha World-Herald artist Matt Haney, Omaha ABCs shows off the iconic people, places, food and history of Omaha. This A-Z tour will take readers through iconic landmarks including the Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, Omaha Children’s Museum, South Omaha, Florence Mill, the Keystone Trail and Zorinsky Lake. The book also highlights the food and history that make Omaha unique: steaks, Rueben sandwiches, Runza’s and the TransMississippi Exposition and Aksarben Queen. A perfect gift for children of all ages. $12.95, www.owhstore.com

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December 2019

FEEDING A CROWD Simple-to-fix dishes take stress out of holiday cooking TEXT + PHOTO Family Features

T

he holiday season means it’s time for gathering family and friends for food and celebration. To make the process easier, incorporate recipes that can feed a crowd without lots of exotic, hard-to-find ingredients or long, laborious prep and cook times.

This recipe for Hearty Roasted Winter Vegetables is an ideal side dish for holiday gatherings with enough to go ’round for everyone at the table. Plus, if you’re heading to a holiday potluck, it’s perfect for bringing along to share with the whole crew and versatile enough to be paired with a variety of main courses.

Hearty Roasted Winter Vegetables Serves 6

• 1 jar (16 ounces) whole pickled beets, drained

to taste (optional) ••

1/ 8

teaspoon pepper, plus

additional, to taste (optional) • 2 cups Brussels sprouts, ends trimmed and scored with cross-cut

• 1 small red onion, cut into 12 wedges • 2 cups baby portobello mushrooms, cleaned and stems trimmed • 2 cups butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into ¾-inch chunks • 3 tablespoons olive oil • 1 clove garlic, finely chopped • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme • ¼ teaspoon salt, plus additional,

1. Heat oven to 400 F. Place beets, onion, mushrooms and squash on rimmed 15½-by-10½-by-1-inch baking sheet; drizzle with olive oil. Add garlic, rosemary, thyme, ¼ teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper; toss to coat. Roast 15 minutes.

2. Add Brussels sprouts, stir and continue to roast until vegetables are tender and browned, about 30-35 minutes, stirring once. Adjust salt and pepper to taste, if desired.

33

SPONSORED FEATURE OMAHA CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

Creating special Exhibits Families Really Dig STORY Dan McCann

T

hey work as a team with a goal of encouraging collaboration, exercising their full measure of creativity so young guests can let their own imaginations run free. Behind the scenes at the bustling Omaha Children’s Museum, a joint meeting is underway between the museum’s education and exhibit design teams.

Being a fly on the wall offers insight into the metamorphosis of the museum’s next special exhibit. It reveals how brainstormed ideas develop into the “wow experiences” ahead and how the values of diversity, eco-consciousness and problemsolving are incorporated. It also sheds light on the unique characters who will bring it all together.

As Hillary Saalfeld, the museum’s director of education, delves into backstory, members of the design team listen intently, jotting down notes and talking possibilities.

“A lot of the ideas that drive what we design, build and discuss come from the education team and the development team,” said Matt Lowe, the museum’s director of exhibits.

Lowe and the rest of the full-time design team — Adam Van Osdel and Matt Walker — are responsible for bringing the characters and the exhibit to life. It’s what they do, special exhibit after special exhibit. The most recent, “Diggin’ Dinos,” opened Oct. 12 and will run through April 11, 2020.

“This show really lends itself to a lot of community,” said Walker, the museum’s senior exhibit designer. “The whole excavation site, there’s a ton of teamwork there.”

Like all special exhibits, “Diggin’ Dinos” started with an anchor concept: mixing dinosaurs and a construction theme to deliver a learning-through-play lesson about biomechanics — the mechanical aspects (such as structure, function and motion) of living things.

Typically, theme decisions are made

34

December 2019

Matt Walker and Matt Lowe unload a dinosaur.

at the highest level of the organization, Walker said.

Educational concepts are infused into the theme, activities are envisioned and the design team goes to work by sketching, doing a lot of computer-aided design and conducting an inventory of available assets — an array of animatronic dinosaurs among them.

The prototyping of attractions, particularly those with moving parts, is another crucial part of the planning process, which can start six to eight months before an exhibit’s debut.

“You have to be ready to try it quickly and try it again. There is so much testing that no one sees,” said exhibit designer Van Osdel.

From there, the true fabrication process begins. For “Diggin’ Dinos,” the team “sacrificed” one of its animatronics — a megalodon (giant shark) — and turned it into a “submarine” that kids can get inside and control. Other designed-andbuilt elements include a “skeleton frame climber,” which draws a parallel between the inside of a house and the inside of

a living organism; a pulley-and-pipe interactive exhibit in the excavation site; and a lab area with fossils and a baby dinosaur nursery.

The group typically gets three to four weeks to install a show, Walker said. He’s been with the museum for eight years, Lowe for four and Van Osdel for two. Van Osdel brings an architectural engineering background. Lowe and Walker have backgrounds in sculpture.

It is an eclectic team with many experiences that makes it all work, Van Osdel said.

In “Diggin’ Dinos,” families are immersed in the latest excavating, building and learning — whether they realize it or not — about biomechanics.

“This is a super hands-on exhibit,” Van Osdel said. “When kids come up the steps and run at an exhibit, it’s the best validation for all of your hard work.”

Work is now being channeled into the Omaha Children’s Museum’s next special exhibit, “Bug Squad,” which debuts in May 2020.

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Holiday Happenings music • crafts • activities • storytimes • Santa visits & more!

Celebrate the holidays with Omaha Public Library!

Visit omahalibrary.org for a complete schedule of programs.

0000089074-01

Upcoming Events Friday Family Date Night

Dinos on the Loose Nov. 15 Santa’s Grand Arrival Nov. 29

OF THIS T R A P NTA AS LIDAY SHOW! A S T I S I V R HO A L U C A T SPEC

NOW through Dec. 23

Milk & Cookies With Santa Dec. 6 Bubbly New Year’s Eve Party Dec. 31

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35

Transform your favorite sugar cookie into thawing snowmen TEXT + PHOTOGRAPHY Kiley Cruse

A

g. . . . ltin

They’re me re you cooped up inside on a snowy winter day?

Looking for a fun activity to keep the kids busy over the holiday break? These melted snowmen cookies are the perfect treat.

Find supplies for this activity at David M. Mangelsen’s

36

December 2019

Melted Snowmen Cookies This is more of a decorating tutorial, but we’ve included the recipes we used for our sugar cookies and royal icing if needed.

1. Make round sugar cookies about 3½ to 4 inches in diameter. Let cool completely.

2. Using black royal icing in a piping bag with a small round tip, pipe eyes and a mouth onto a large marshmallow.

3. Using orange food coloring and a toothpick, dip the tip of the toothpick in the food coloring and press onto the

marshmallow to make an orange “carrot” nose.

4. Once all of your faces are made, put white royal icing in a piping bag with round tip.

Draw an irregular shape on the cookie to make it look like a puddle. Fill in, or flood, with icing. Use a toothpick to blend together the flood icing with the border.

5. Put marshmallow on white icing and let harden.

6. Using black royal icing in a piping bag with small round tip, pipe stick arms and buttons. If the icing is thick, use a toothpick to help spread it into the shape of arms.

7. Make colored royal icing. Pipe a scarf around the marshmallow.

Rollout Sugar Cookies

Easy Royal Icing

• 1 cup butter, softened

This classic easy royal icing is made with meringue powder. It’s easy to work with, sets quickly, and best of all, won’t break your teeth when it dries. It has the most delicious taste and texture and makes decorating sugar cookies fun and simple.

• 1 cup sugar • 1 large egg • 1 teaspoon vanilla • 2½ cups flour, plus extra for rolling

1. Cream butter and sugar together with an electric mixer. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.

2. Beat in egg and vanilla. Scrape down sides of the bowl.

3. Add in flour, ½ cup at a time. You may have to finish mixing in the flour by hand. Dough should be very stiff but not crumbly.

4. Sprinkle counter and coat rolling pin with flour. Roll dough to ¼-inch thickness. Cut out 3½- to 4-inch circles with a cookie cutter.

5. Place cookies on parchment-lined cookie sheet. Bake at 350 F for 11-12 minutes. Remove cookies to cooling rack. Let cool completely before decorating.

Recipe courtesy Jodi Stone

• 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted • 3 tablespoons meringue powder • 9–10 tablespoons room temperature water • Optional for decorating: gel food coloring

1. In a large bowl using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat all of the icing ingredients together on high speed for 5 minutes. When lifting the whisk up off the icing, the icing should drizzle down

and smooth out within 5-10 seconds.

If it’s too thick, add a little more water.

If it’s too thin, add a little more sifted powdered sugar.

2. Icing completely dries in about 2 hours at room temperature. If you’re layering royal icing onto cookies for specific designs and need it to set quickly, place cookies in the refrigerator to help speed it up.

Notes: When you’re not working directly with the royal icing, place a damp paper towel directly on the surface of the royal icing. This prevents it from hardening.

We also purchased powdered black royal icing at Mangelsen’s. It’s hard to get a dark black with food coloring. This was an easy option and we could make only as much as we needed, keeping the rest of the box for another project. sallysbakingaddiction.com

37

SPONSORED FEATURE THE ROSE THEATER

Experiences that last What to give a child? Creativity, confidence and connection

I

magine a gift that takes your child or grandchild on an amazing adventure, inspires them to accomplish their wildest dreams and gives them confidence to conquer whatever lies before them!

It’s possible with the gift of an experience at The Rose Theater.

“Live theater and theater education have a crucial role in developing the minds and hearts of our young people,” Artistic Director Matthew Gutschick says.

“Plus, it’s an experience that involves enjoyable quality time as a family.”

And, according to the Journal of Consumer Research, forges strong bonds.

Here are four ways you can give the gift of theater to children ages 3 to 18 this holiday season.

Take the kids to a star-studded live theater performance with Backstreet Boys’ Howie D. While any show at The Rose is certain to bring smiles, this is an opportunity to see a true music celebrity in a world-premiere event, in your own backyard. Howie Dorough will debut “Howie D: Back in the Day” at The Rose, Jan. 31–Feb. 16. It’s an inspirational story about finding your passion in life and discovering your true voice. Kids will love the original pop music performed by Howie D. You will love the message about being yourself and overcoming challenges to achieve your dreams.

GIFT PACKAGE IDEA

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COURTESY OF THE ROSE THEATER

GIFT PACKAGE IDEAS

Present tickets ($25 each) with Howie’s latest CD, “Which One Am I?” with songs from “Howie D: Back in the Day.” Plan a day together watching Backstreet Boys videos and practicing their signature dance moves.

After the show, talk about your child’s dreams and goals.

• “Corduroy” — Wrap tickets for this spring show with a cuddly bear like the one in the production.

• “The Diary of Anne Frank” — This show introduces older kids to historical events while helping them develop empathy and compassion. Pair tickets with the original book, a blank diary and a pass to the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society and Riekes Museum for a firsthand look at Jewish culture.

• “The Little Engine That Could” — A Rose First Stage production designed for very young children. Present the tickets ($12 each) with a train-themed book and a toy train.

• “The Sound of Music” — Families of all ages will appreciate the world’s favorite musical when it bursts onto The Rose stage in June.

Package the tickets with a soundtrack or DVD from the musical and plan a sing-a-long night to discover your own inner Von Trapp family talents.

Give them the world — of theater!

For $20-$27 per ticket (less, if purchased at Hy-Vee), your family can rock out with mole rats, climb the Alps, play with a furry friend and more.

Put your budding artist in the spotlight with a BROADWAY at The Rose class in dance, musical theater, voice or acting. Coming in 2020: The Rose Studios for Youth Artists in

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west Omaha. Enrollment is open through Jan. 1 for spring concerts complete with costumes, sets, professional lighting and more. For ages 2 to 18, starting at $30 per month.

GIFTGIVING IDEA

Announce the news with a personalized dance bag or a Broadway cast recording and vocal music book.

Perform in a short play with a DRAMA class or camp. Camping takes on a whole new meaning at The Rose. Summer camp 2020 information will be available in early January, so pick up a gift certificate and let your kids see what it means to spend summer on the stage. Camp experiences run one to four weeks. Registration is open for winter and spring drama classes.

GIFTGIVING IDEA

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Fill a clear reusable water bottle or lunch box with Starburst candy and include a tag that reads, “You are sure to be the STAR at theater camp!” along with a Rose Theater T-shirt (available at the theater’s Rose Boutique).

For more information on experiential gifts from The Rose Theater, call 402-345-4849 or visit www.rosetheater.

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December 2019

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December 2019

STOCK.ADOBE.COM

FORGET THE SCREENS, PARENTS Try one of these old-school games to connect with your kids STORY Carol Kaufmann, special to the Washington Post

I

t is a familiar drill. Exhausted after a harried day, we all — parent, tot, tween and teen alike — melt in cozy but lonely heaps, often in front of electronic screens.

“Without some intentional assertiveness, the pattern is likely to erode into grazing eating, isolated social media, or binge-watching moderately interesting shows while doublescreening and having no meaningful interaction,” Chris Gonzalez, the director of marriage and family therapy at Lipscomb University in Nashville, writes in an email.

But Gonzalez offers an alternative: “Family game night can help to break up the monotony.”

“Playing games with the family is a

true bonding and memory building experience,” Richard Peterson, vice president of education at Kiddie Academy, writes in an email. Think Checkers, Chess, UNO, Scrabble, Memory, Pictionary and, of course, a deck of cards. (You all have those, yes?)

Games, too, often tap into littleused skill sets of both parents and children. “The left brain is the master of expressing itself logically, verbally and in written words. The right side expresses itself randomly, through rhythms, patterns and pictures,” Susan Smith Kuczmarski, author of “Becoming a Happy Family,” writes in an email.

“Parenting ... has ignored this ‘rightbrained’ way of thinking. But parenting is a whole-brain activity. Play that uses

your whole brain draws your family together.”

I spoke with several family psychologists and kid experts and consulted the Internet and several friends to find games that come in a box, can be played with stuff you have at home, or that require little but your imagination. Here are their suggestions: Apples to Apples: Players match their red “noun” cards to the green “adjective” cards chosen by the judge, who then determines who has the best match.

For four to 10 players. Option: Play with each player making a case for why their card is the best match.

Beat the Parents: Appropriate trivia See Games: Page 43

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SPONSORED FEATURE INTERIORS JOAN AND ASSOCIATES

Style and function From dedicated study space to smart storage: seven tips for updating your teen’s room

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s they enter their teens, children outgrow the styles of their younger days for clothes, music, movies — their living space is no different. With style and function in mind, here are seven tips for updating your teen’s bedroom.

Painting is the quickest and most cost-effective way to update a space.

Neutral colors like gray give your teen’s room a timeless look, while bolder colors — teal, lavender, deep sapphire, raspberry or metallics — provide a colorful yet sophisticated feel.

Step away from the themed rooms of younger childhood — go for “grownup” design elements with bold textures and colors. Add pops of sparkle with light fixtures and play with print patterns on window treatments and pillows.

Incorporate space for studying.

Include a spot for lounging and reading, but make sure to establish a dedicated area for homework with ample lighting, comfortable seating, a hard writing surface and plenty of room for supplies.

Choose bedding that coordinates with different accents to easily change styles as time goes by. Custom bedding can create just the right look and functionality for you and your child, with options like easy washable fabrics and fun fur accents and decorative trims and throw pillows.

Make sure the lighting fixture is to scale for the space and lights the room adequately. Consider upgrading to LED bulbs or adding can lights to avoid dark corners and allow comfortable reading.

Wall coverings are on trend right now; incorporate this strong design element to make a statement.

Built-in shelving and other organizational elements can help tidy your teen’s space. Give them the space and tools to keep their belongings organized by displaying them, storing them or hanging them in closets.

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JEFFREY BEBEE

When updating your teen’s room, choose bedding that coordinates with different

accents to easily change styles as time goes by.

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December 2019

STOCK.ADOBE.COM

Continued from Page 41 for two or more kids and adults, often revealing how little parents know about their children’s world.

Blank Slate: Write the word you think best completes the blank in a phrase — and try to get the same word as just one other player. For three to eight players.

Catan: Establish a settlement on an island with this game that is simple to learn but requires lots of strategic thinking. Created in Germany in 1995, Catan now has other editions, spinoffs and expansions to involve more than three to four players.

CatchPhrase: There are whiffs here of “$100,000 Pyramid”; two teams of two or more players vie to guess a word described by one of their own players who cannot use any gestures or parts of the word as hints.

Life: Two to six players travel around a colorful “road” that simulates life’s major events: marriage, jobs, kids, retirement.

The game has been around for decades, so if you have an older version, prepare to answer questions about why one has to choose between business and college, or to explain what the Poor Farm is.

Qwirkle: The tile-based game for two to four players requires a quick mind

and strategic thinking to build columns of shapes and colors.

Wits and Wagers: Four or more players place bets on answers to questions no one knows (what is the average number of pizza slices Americans eat each year?) on a Vegasstyle felt mat.

A deck of cards works, too. You could spend the entire holiday break playing different games: Gin Rummy, Hand and Foot, Hearts, Phase 10 and Spades just to name a handful.

REMOVE THE COMPETITION

If your family is the competitive sort, turn the tables and harness all those type A tendencies in a joint project.

“Playing ... together, rather than against each other, can remove the stress of winning or losing,” Gonzalez says. “Think puzzles, Legos or Lincoln Logs.”

Erin Croyle, mother of three in Ithaca, New York, has had great success with Outfoxed, where two to four players ages 5 and up work together gathering clues around a board to find a suspect before the fox gets it. “You all win or lose together,” Croyle says. “And no one cries about losing to a sibling.”

Perhaps no game breeds teamwork like the escape-the-room challenges — and the game now comes in a box.

Participants have an hour to work together to solve a mystery surrounding a locked room. And the fantasy roleplaying game Dungeons and Dragons is still going strong.

And it is possible to create family fun without any boards, material or pieces.

It is easy to tailor many games to your players. Think Charades for small people, or play Find the Alphabet using book titles in your house. I Spy can also get extremely detailed — the purple button on Aunt Harriet’s cuff in the portrait above the fireplace — if adults are playing. And Would You Rather can yield even more family information than trivia contests.

My family of four made up something we call The Straw Game, though I am sure many variations exist on the idea.

One player names a category (desserts with chocolate, countries, songs on the radio, dog breeds, state capitals, etc.).

Each player has five seconds to provide an example. Failure to answer, or a bad answer, earns a straw. (We first played at a restaurant; you can use anything. Even fingers.) The fun really starts when you personalize the categories: Our relatives, things we like to do in winter, favorite holiday traditions, places we have gone on vacation, nicknames. The winner is the person with the fewest straws.

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SPONSORED FEATURE FAT BRAIN TOYS

Famous worldwide, beloved locally Fat Brain Toys’ international fame grows with loyal Omaha fan base STORY Doug Meigs

W

hile many established toy stores are shuttering their operations, Fat Brain Toys is bigger and better than ever. The local Omaha business is celebrating its 18th holiday season.

Karen Carson watched Fat Brain Toys grow from a basement startup (which she co-founded with her husband, Mark) to an international manufacturing, distribution and retail operation with 45 full-time employees and storefronts in Omaha and Overland Park, Kansas.

She attributes the success to staying true to core values: to produce timeless toys designed with child-developmental goals in mind; to offer quality, safe and durable toys meant to be passed down for generations; and to make customer service a top priority.

It all started with a birthday gift to her 10-year-old son, Adam. An aunt gave him a set of magnetic blocks called “Geomag,” a popular product that Fat Brain Toys still sells today.

The dot-com bubble had just burst, and the Carsons were toying with entrepreneurial ideas. “Why don’t we build a website to sell this?” their son asked, referring to his new toy. Why not? Mark Carson had e-commerce experience and worked it out. Their

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December 2019

website went live on Halloween 2002.

After trick-or-treating, the family returned home to their first orders.

“We were looking for a good quality product,” Karen Carson says, “and this just fit perfectly for our family and our core values — that when our children were playing, they should be learning as well.”

Adam grew up to become one of the company’s lead industrial designers. In that same time, tumultuous economic pressures have upended the toy industry.

Amazon and online retailers displaced brick-and-mortar operations. Toys R Us struggled and went bankrupt. But Fat Brain Toys has thrived.

In 2013, a Fat Brain toy called “Tobbles Neo” won “Infant Toy of the Year” at the Spielwarenmesse International Toy Fair in Nurnberg, Germany (think the Oscar’s of the toy industry). The company won many other awards, too. In June, the company was named “Toy Manufacturer of the Year” by a vote of its peers in the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association.

The first product that Fat Brain Toys ever developed and manufactured in Omaha is a toy called “Dado Cubes” (which they still offer for sale). “We felt like we were making an impact when we saw it on the shelves at the Metropolitan

Museum of Art,” Carson says.

Working in the toy industry is full of fun surprises. Just recently, Carson learned that one of their toys, “Dimpl Duo” (designed by her son Adam), made a cameo on the latest season of “Keeping Up With the Kardashians.” Carson says, “Our daughter was watching and yelled from another room, ‘I just saw Adam’s toy in the Kardashian’s private jet!’”

For longtime customer Lisa Suess, the idea of buying locally first attracted her to Fat Brain Toys when she drove past the Omaha retail store more than a decade ago. Suess stopped in and discovered many other fun reasons to return, which she does frequently before holidays and kids’ birthdays every year.

“Parents can feel good about buying an educational toy, a green toy, or a quality toy — and the kids will love playing with it,” says the mother of three boys (ranging from age 7 to 12), adding that she enjoys shopping at Fat Brain Toys as much as her kids.

“By your third child, you get anxious about how many toys you have,” she says. “To give my youngest boy a toy that is new and unique — that his older brothers want to play with — that is an accomplishment.”

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HOLIDAY QUIZ ANSWERS 1. Olaf 2. Adults don’t believe in Santa Claus.

3. “Jingle Bell Rock” 4. “underneath the mistletoe last night” from “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” 5. False. There are four calling birds.

6. “Santa Baby” 7. Three. Dasher, Dancer and Donner.

8. Wayne and Lanny 9. “Deck the Halls” 10. “join in any reindeer games” from “Rudolph the RedNosed Reindeer” 11. “Silent Night” 12. Eight. Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen 13. The boy received a silver bell from Santa’s sleigh.

14. “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” 15. “your eye out, kid!” Santa to Ralphie in “A Christmas Story” 16. “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” 17. The town is Who-ville.

TALLY YOUR POINTS

18. “Prospero año y felicidad” from “Feliz Navidad” 19. “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” 20. True. Indiana, Georgia and Arizona 21. Rudolph 22. “Little Drummer Boy” 23. a. Japan 24. Snowgies 25. 13 — 1, 10, 11, 12, 13 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 21 26. “Blue Christmas” 27. New York City 28. North Pole 29. Six 30. Figgy pudding 31. “O Christmas Tree” 32. Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph 33. Ghost of Christmas Past, Ghost of Christmas Present and Ghost of Christmas Future 34. Twice 35. “The First Noel”

31-34 CORRECT: Every time you sneeze, an angel KIDZ SHOPPE • HIZ & HERZ gets his wings.

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December 2019

0-7 CORRECT: You’re not the Grinch, but you two have hung out.

8-17 CORRECT: That’s right.

Christmas is on Dec. 25 ... again.

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Now Playing!

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Book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin.

Music by Matthew Sklar. Lyrics by Chad Beguelin.

Based on the New Line Cinema film written by David Berenbaum.

Originally produced by Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures In association with Unique Features

Elf The Musical is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com.

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2001 Farnam Street · Omaha, NE 68102

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