Momaha Magazine - February 2014

momaha.com

volume 5 ¡ issue 2

February 2014

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lus Sw im, and jum p wa scoot , slide y to you fam indo r ily f or un.

D.I.Y. Fun: Get crafty with paper, packages – and your old khakis, too.

Get Organized Files: The solution to your paper battle.

Get Your Soup On! And spoon the chill away.

THE BEST PLACE FOR KIDS.

Olivia, age 5 Dakota Dunes, SD Inflammatory Bowel Disease Celiac Disease

Visit ChildrensOmaha.org for more information on how we can help your child. For a pediatrician, family physician or pediatric specialist, call 1.800.833.3100.

BEFORE

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60 different group fitness workouts, easy nutrition planning and a $1,000 contest to keep you energized and motivated as you transform your body and quickly improve your health and fitness.

OVER $1,000,000 in cash prizes given away and over 57,000 lives have been transformed, WILL YOU BE NEXT?

Congratulations Sarah Tanners, our $1000 10 week winner!

2219 Capehart Rd, Bellevue www.FXBBellevue.com 402-408-6404 7428 Eastport Parkway, La Vista (near PayPal) www.FXBLaVista.com 402-408-4143

COME TRY US OUT FOR FREE February 24th - 28th at our Bellevue or LaVista locations!

Next Session Starts March 29th

Matt Showalter Owner & Certified Nutritionist

Jason Dworak Certified Nutritionist

Show us that you signed up for a 10 week session at Farrell’s Extreme Bodyshaping in Bellevue or La Vista and get a free gift!

Special promotions on meal planning to help you lose that unwanted winter weight. Save $76 on our most popular meal plan. Includes a 12 week, customized plan for your success for just $149!

Just need a push in the right direction? Buy our most popular fat burner, the great tasting Emerge and get a bottle of belly fat reducing CLA Free!

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www.maxmusclebellevue.com 1

momaha

FROM our MOMAHA. COM editor

where moms connect

VOLUME 5 . ISSUE 2 . February 2014 editorial director CHRIS CHRISTEN chris.christen@owh.com 402-444-1094

assistant editor AMy LaMAR a my. l a m a r @ o w h . c o m 4 02 - 4 4 4 -1416

creative director/designer HEIDI H O FFMAN hhoffman@owh.com 402-444-1351

momaha.com editor J O S I E LOZ A josie.loza@owh.com 402-444-1075

M

Explore & Conquer!

y family loves to keep busy during the winter months, but the cold, snowy weather can be a challenge. February is the perfect time to explore your city

production coordinator PAT R I C I A “ M U R PH y ” B E N O I T

on the cover PH OTO: HEIDI H O FFMAN

content contributors AMy GR ACE, DANIELLE HER ZO G, A M y T O k O S , H E AT H E R W I N k E L ,

to advertise, contact E M I Ly M A R T I N emily.martin@owh.com 402-444-1411 MARCIA OSTRANSk y marcia.ostransky@owh.com 402-444-1489

Momaha Magazine is a monthly publication of the Omaha World-Herald, 1314 Douglas St., Suite 600, Omaha, NE 68102. Momaha is a registered trademark, and all content is copyright 2014 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.

and its offerings – from children’s gyms to indoor playgrounds.

In this issue, we spotlight 16 adventurous places that you can visit to promote health and fitness, discover the arts and just have fun.

On a recent visit to PE 101, which is a kid’s gym near 120th and Blondo Streets, my timid 3-year-old Gabriella and I had this exchange: “Gabi look, there’s a trampoline.”

“No, Mommy. No, not safe.”

“Place one foot on it. It’s OK.” She placed one foot.

“Now the other ...”

She walked out onto the trampoline and stood in the middle. A smile stretched from ear to ear as her knees gave into a slight bounce. She dropped to her knees and bounced back up.

“Mommy, Mommy, Mommy! Look!”

Yep, a little exploring and pulling Gabriella out of her comfort zone did the trick. Now she won’t stop asking if she can go back to “her gym.”

We hope your family has as much fun as mine is getting creative and exploring Omaha.

Chat with Josie each Friday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on momaha.com Facebook.com/josie.loza @LozaFina Pinterest.com/momahaowh

$50 2 Convenient Locations:

402-932-2922 • 402-991-0696 180th & Dodge • 192nd & Pacific

www.smallmiraclechildcare.com 2

OFF

Enrollment Fee

COUPON

SCHEDULE A TOUR TODAY AT SMALLMIRACLECHILDCARE.COM

Offering full and part time child care.

Morning only preschool program.

Before and after school care.

Theme based curriculum. Field Trips.

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3

On Our Radar MIDLANDS INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW Jan. 23-26 CenturyLink Center Omaha omahaautoshow.com Make it a family affair. See the latest cars, trucks and SUVs from every major manufacturer; let the kids test drive a PlasmaCar, then take their photo by their favorite muscle car.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday Admission: $9 for ages 13 to 64; $6 for ages 65 and older and for those who have a military ID; $5 for ages 7 to 12; free for ages 6 and younger

NICKELODEON’S FRESH BEAT BAND Jan. 26 Ralston Arena ralstonarena.com Nickelodeon’s popular preschool music group and star of the hit TV series of the same name teaches preschoolers about music appreciation and how to express their feelings through movement, song and musical instruments.

Hours: 5 p.m.

Admission: $39.50 and $59.50

‘THE GROCER’S GOBLIN & THE LITTLE MERMAID’ Jan. 31-Feb. 16 The Rose Theater rosetheater.org Two classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tales come to life in this world premiere that combines original puppetry and projections exploring tales of loving, longing and growing up.

Hours: 2 p.m., 5 p.m. or 7 p.m., depending on the day of the week Admission: Free for members; $18 for non-members

KIDZ EXPLORE Feb. 15-16 Mid-America Center, Council Bluffs kidzexplore.com The Omaha area’s largest family festival of fun and learning features kid’s workshops, activities and exhibitors.

Entertainment, art projects, games and a lot more under the theme, “The Best Me I Can Be.” Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days Admission: $7 for adults; $5 for children ages 3 to 12; free for ages 2 and younger

4

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Get Organized

Buried in Paper?

Here is what to keep and where it should be filed.

TexT By amy Tokos

Long-Term Files

As a general rule, keep all legal documents and anything that might be required for tax purposes, including phone and electricity bills, prescription drug receipts and medical statements. Shred anything that you can find in another place, such as on your computer or online with a service provider. If you have questions about special circumstances, ask your accountant or lawyer. Long-term files can be kept in a more remote location of your home.

Active File Box

Papers that need to be kept handy belong in an active file box. A small open-top file box should do the job. Include files for articles to read, school, house project and pet information, schedules and other paperwork for your kids’ activities. If it is in your pile, make a file. Active files need to be near the action for quick input and retrieval. If you have a pile of long-term papers in your active area, create a file called “To File.” That way these papers have a home until you find time to put them in your long-term files.

Mind, Body & Soul

HEALTH FAIR OPEN TO PEOPLE OF ALL AGES! Hosted by: St.

Thomas Lutheran Church

March 1st, 2014 10:00 am – 2:00 pm 17007 Q Street, Omaha NE

Pape stop co r will never home. ming into t h I to keep dentifying w e hat and ho w to fi it is som le bigges etimes the t obsta cle.

Tax Returns

A general recommendation is to keep your tax returns for 10 years, but check with your accountant. Along with your tax returns, keep any papers (receipts, statements, etc.) that helped you arrive at the numbers on your returns. This makes them easy for retrieval if you are audited.

The ON

PET R

37

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Catt Su Suite Suites uite itte es only only ny $ $2 $20 a night! i ht ht!

sive ay $25 AlllcaD e r y Da

Complete pet care service Complete pet grooming service Unique indoor pool facility & outside t id play l area

Meet Local Health Professionals:

• Boys Town • American Red Cross • Healing Motion Physical Therapy • HyVee Dietician • Many More American Red Cross Blood Mobile will be taking blood donations. Contact Tina Schneckloth at kimera.llc@gmail.com and schedule your time to give.

For more information, visit our website at 6

www.STLC.org

16912 Audrey St 402-516-8888 ThePawSpaPetResort.com

Go digital

Grab-and-Go Box

You will need to organize your emailed and digital files, however. Your digital files should mirror your paper filing system.

Consider including: A list of emergency and important phone numbers; a list of computer user names and passwords; passports; and copies of important papers, including prescriptions, insurance cards and policies, wills, power of attorney documents and birth certificates. File anything that will make your life easier and safer if you need to evacuate.

If you are even a little bit computer savvy, convert to online statements and payments. You will notice a huge reduction in paper coming into the house.

Before you convert – or if you already have – be sure your computer is backed up. For a minimal fee, an offsite backup can give you peace of mind. An external hard drive works, but an offsite backup is helpful in case of fire or other damage to your home.

If you have an emergency evacuation, do you have your important papers ready to take with you? A grab-and-go box contains all of the important papers/ information that you keep at your house.

Safe Deposit Box

Secure original papers in a safe deposit box. Include birth, marriage and death certificates, adoption papers, military papers, certificates of deposit, real estate deeds, copies of your will and power of attorney, etc.

Other items that can be included are a home inventory and an external hard drive of digital pictures. Safe deposit boxes are available to rent for a minimal fee at most banks.

A certified professional organizer and speaker, Amy Tokos is the owner of Freshly Organized in Omaha.

A Sweet Touch

THIS VALENTINE’S DAY

Gourmet Chocolate Covered Strawberries

6 FOR $24.

Buy 4 or more standard size cupcakes and get a

FREE

Rose on Valentine's Day! 17306 LAKESIDE HILLS PLAZA OMAHA, NE 68130 402.850.8548 mockingbird-cupcakes.com

7

Recipes

Soup’s On Spoon the chill away.

TexT By amy Lamar PhoTograPhy By heidi hoffman

T

here is nothing better than hot soup on a cold day. The aroma, the flavors ... Is your mouth watering yet? Served for lunch or dinner, soup is simple to make, never fails and is oh, so easy to pair with a salad and crusty bread.

So pull out your Crock-Pot, cutting board and measuring cups. You can do all of the chopping, measuring and precooking (of chicken or beef, for example) ahead of time. Then, let your slow cooker do the rest.

8

You have two options when cooking most soups: Bring it to a simmer on the stove that morning, and then cook it in the Crock-Pot on low throughout the day; or cook the soup on the stove earlier in the week, refrigerate it and then reheat it that day in the Crock-Pot on high for several hours.

Just sip the deliciousness ‌ Both of these soups simmer well in a Crock-Pot after boiling the ingredients on the stove. They are good to serve together since some of your guests may not like sweet potatoes.

Sweet potato soup Yield: About 6 servings WHAT YOU NEED 1 large onion, chopped 5 cloves garlic, minced 2 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning Salt and pepper to taste 2 cans Italian-style diced tomatoes 3 cans vegetable broth 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced 2 large carrots, peeled and diced Sugar to taste WHAT YOU DO Sauté onion, garlic and seasonings in a large pot for five minutes.

2. Stir in tomatoes and broth.

3. Add sweet potatoes and carrots and bring to a boil.

4. Add sugar to taste; adjust seasonings if necessary.

5. Let simmer in a Crock-Pot or on the stove until ready to serve.

1.

Minestrone soup Yield: About 4 servings WHAT YOU NEED 1 pound ground Italian sausage 1 yellow onion, sliced 2 carrots, peeled and diced 2 Russet potatoes, peeled and diced 2 cloves garlic, minced 28 ounces diced tomatoes 6 cups vegetable broth 1 ½ teaspoons dried basil 2 tablespoons dried parsley Salt and pepper to taste 1 cup of spaghetti or pasta, cooked Parmesan cheese

WHAT YOU DO 1. Brown sausage in a soup pot.

2. Add onion, carrots, potatoes and garlic. Cook until onions are translucent.

3. Add tomatoes, broth, basil, parsley, salt and pepper.

4. Simmer on the stove in a Crock-Pot until vegetables are tender.

5. Stir in spaghetti or pasta and Parmesan cheese right before serving.

9

D.I.Y. Project

Cold not required Spend a snowy day inside and still build a snowman.

TexT By amy Lamar PhoTograPhy & STyLing By heidi hoffman

10

FUN FOR

!

Y L I M A F E R I T N E E TH EUGENE T. MAHONEY STATE PARK

W

hat’s better than making a snowman outside on a cold, snowy day? Making a snowman in a box – inside – on a cold, snowy day.

Hang this adorable little guy on the wall; attach a magnet to the back and hang it on the fridge; or use it as a door hanger.

Enjoy an indoor theater with live performances,

WHAT YOU NEED White construction paper or card stock Black construction paper or card stock Brown construction paper or card stock Buttons, beads or additional construction paper or card stock cut into button shapes Ribbon Black marker Shoebox Scissors Glue WHAT YOU DO Cut white construction paper into a large circle, medium circle and small circle. (Trace mixing bowls or other circular items in varying sizes to get the desired proportions).

2. Glue the bottom of the small circle to the top of the medium circle, and the bottom of the medium circle to the top of the large circle.

3. Draw and cut a hat out of the black paper; glue to the small (top) circle.

4. Draw and cut two arms from the brown paper; glue to the medium-sized (middle) circle.

5. Glue three to five buttons to the medium-sized circle.

6. Cut a 5- to 6-inch section of ribbon.

Wrap it around the medium-sized circle and anchor it with glue in the back.

7. Draw eyes, a nose and a mouth with a black marker (Or cut out and glue additional construction paper shapes).

8. Hang up your snowman.

9. Pack your snowman away in the shoe box for winter fun again and again!

arts and cra s, ice ska ng and sledding, indoor RESERVE ac vity center and much more!!

S (Park Entry Permit Required) (weather-permi ng) YOUR CHILD’ www.OutdoorNebraska.org BIRTHDAY At the indoor playground, call for details Mahoney PARTY Grill

402.944.2523 Ext. 7122

.

Open Daily

Welcoming NEW pediatric patients

1.

Health care that really cares

Convenient locations to care for the whole family!

South Omaha 4920 S. 30th St. 402.734.4110

Cass Family Medicine 409 Main St., Plattsmouth 402.296.2345

West Omaha 4101 S. 120th St. 402.505.3907

www.oneworldomaha.org

11

D.I.Y. Projects

Happy Valentine’s Day! Give your front door some love.

TExT BY AmY LamAr STYLiNg + PHOTOgrAPHY BY HEiDi HOffmAN

r

ather than hanging that ho-hum heart-shaped wreath on your door again this year, try this paper creation. You can add different colors and backgrounds as you go.

WHAT YOU NEED 2 pieces 12x12-inch patterned card stock in complementary colors 1 piece 8 ½ x 11-inch solid-colored construction paper Wavy-edged paper cutter or scissors 3 pieces 8 ½ x 11-inch solid-colored construction paper in three different colors 1 piece 8 ½ x 11-inch construction paper in any color Good-quality glue with a tip applicator (We used Scotch Quick-Dry Adhesive) Letter stencils Heart-shaped stencil Scissors Ribbon

12

WHAT YOU DO 1. Glue the front of one piece of card stock to the back of another piece of card stock, leaving about one-quarter of the back page showing underneath the bottom of the top page.

2. Use scissors to round all four corners (optional).

3. Cut a piece of solid-colored construction paper with a wavy-edged paper cutter or scissors to fit toward the top of the cardstock background.

4. Cut three pieces of construction paper into long, thin strips (about 17 strips per sheet).

5. Roll the strips into tight, spool-like curls, sealing the edges with glue. (Pinch the curl tight with your fingers for a few seconds until the glue takes hold.)

6. Using stencils, trace and cut out letters and a heart shape out of construction paper. Glue them onto the wavy-edged construction paper.

7. Glue the paper curls onto the letters and heart shape.

8. Cut a 12-inch piece of ribbon and glue it to the back of your door hanger.

9. Hang on your front door for all to see!

Give it Some ‘Heart’ WHAT YOU NEED 4 pieces of 8 ½ x 11-inch card stock in four different colors (We used white, light pink, dark pink and red.)

Scotch tape Scissors Heart stencil (optional) Quick-dry glue WHAT YOU DO 1. Make a cone shape out of one piece of the card stock, taping the sides together.

2. Cut the bottom with scissors so the cone stands flat on a hard surface.

3. Trace and cut out approximately 50 hearts with the remaining card stock in small, medium and large sizes using a stencil, if desired.

4. Fold each heart in half and open it up again. Use the crease as your glue line.

5. Glue upside-down small hearts to the top of the cone in rows.

6. Glue upside-down large hearts to the bottom of the cone in rows.

7. Fill in with upside-down medium-sized hearts in the middle of the cone.

8. Overlap all sizes of hearts throughout the tree.

9. Display on a table at home or your desk at work.

13

Special

Delivery

A sweet treat to greet your Valentine at the mailbox.

Written & PhotograPhed by heather Winkel

You can stick postage on just about anything and send it through the mail. In fact, if your parcel weighs 13 ounces or less it can be sent First Class via the United States Postal Service. So why not send your Valentine on a treasure hunt to the mailbox this year?

here'S What yoU do: 1. think of items that contribute to a bigger picture. For example, send ingredients to make Valentine’s day cookies – cookie cutter, hot pads, decorative candies, favorite recipe, gift card for ingredients, apron.

2. Make sure each item weighs 13 ounces or less.

3. Package each piece (you may want to wrap some things in plastic to protect them in the mail).

4. Create a mailing label area, clearly marking who the package is going to and who it’s coming from.

5. affix the proper postage based on each package’s weight.

6. Send the packages off over consecutive days and wait for a delighted response!

Get creative and give it a whirl. But don’t be surprised if the postal worker gives you a strange look when you bring candy sprinkles to the counter ...

14

Brown Sugar Cookies WHAT YOU NEED 1 cup margarine, softened 2 cups brown sugar, packed 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 teaspoon baking powder 3 cups flour, sifted (measure before sifting) 1 cup or more powdered sugar for rolling

WHAT YOU DO

1. Cream margarine and brown sugar.

2. Add eggs and vanilla; stir to combine.

3. In a separate bowl, combine baking powder and flour. Add gradually to creamed mixture.

4. Cover dough and refrigerate overnight.

5. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

6. Roll dough to š/8-inch to Ÿ-inch thickness on a powdered sugar-coated board. Keep unused dough in refrigerator until ready to use.

7. Cut out with cookie cutters.

8. Bake on generously greased cookie sheets until lightly browned, 5 to 8 minutes.

15

indoor fun

The cure for Cabin Fever TexT By JoSie LozA, MoMAhA.coM eDiTor

C

old weather keeping you inside? Staying indoors isn’t so bad when you know where to go. Last winter, we twiddled our thumbs, watched a lot of TV and spent more time than I’d like to admit at fast food indoor playgrounds – Eek! Not this year. Here is a list of fun just waiting to be discovered.

SALVATion ArMY KroC CEnTEr omahakroc.org

It’s a fun night in the pool with entertaining and colorful inflatable toys available for members and guests to use.

Bring a swimsuit and towel. Cost: $5 for youth and $7 for adults. Free for members.

MAHonEY STATE PArK ACTiViTY CEnTEr And iCE rinK nebraskastateparks.reserveamerica.com

The activity center provides an indoor playground, concession stand and ice skating rink. Cost: $2; children ages 2 and younger, free.

BACKYArd PLAYWorLd backyardplayworld.com

During the winter months, the company opens its showroom – a 4,000-square-foot playground – for play. The winter season starts in October and runs through February.

Cost: $5.

16

JuMPin’ JAX BounCE And PArTY CEnTEr

dEfY GrAViTY

DefyGravityUSA.com

It’s an inflatable indoor play arena that features bounce houses, slides, jumpers and moonwalks. Cost: $7 per child, or buy a punch card for $30, $55 or $125.

You’ll find more than 6,000 square feet of trampoline fun. Jump, play trampoline dodge ball or trampoline volleyball, go to trampoline fitness classes or conquer a laser maze. Costs vary.

PuMP iT uP

oMEGA GYM

Enjoy massive inflatable bounce houses and games that are safe, indoor, climate-controlled and fun. Cost: $8.50 per child for a two-hour jump session.

During the school year, two open gyms per week are offered for one-and-a-half hours.

The open gyms are staffed with instructors.

Parents are not allowed in the gym, but they can watch their children in the viewing area. Cost: $5 for members and $8 for non-members. There is an insurance fee on the child’s first visit.

jjax.net

pumpitupparty.com

BounCE u bounceu.com

The indoor bounce playground features music, games and play time on giant inflatable toys. Hours vary. Cost: $7.50 per bouncer; adults are free. Or you can purchase five sessions for $30.

omegagym.org

oMAHA CHiLdrEn’S MuSEuM ocm.org

Exploration, special exhibits and open play.

Cost: $9.

More at MoMaha.coM

;-)

?!

Chat with Josie Loza each Friday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on momaha.com.

Read “How I Do It,” a Q & A feature on moms getting through their day.

Join momaha’s Evening Children’s Story Time.

It meets at 7 p.m. the last Friday of each month at The Bookworm.

Click through our Kids Camp Directory.

It’s full of worthwhile experiences in the metro area. Make a note to yourself to reserve your child’s spot early for next year. Camps fill up quickly.

PE 101

pe101kidsgym.com

A huge kid’s gym for children ages 1 to 10 that features a foam pit, rock climbing wall, in-ground trampoline, zip line, resistance weight machines, scooters, basketball hoops and more. Cost: For members, $5 per one-hour session for the first child, $2.50 for additional siblings.

For non-members, $8 per one-hour session for the first child, and $4 for each sibling.

KIDS BODY SHOP kidsbodyshop.com

This huge recreation center features gymnastics and swim lessons, as well as Family Fun Nights (includes pool play) and open gyms. Family Fun Nights cost $1 for adults and children younger than 1 year old; $5 for members; and $6 for non-members. Open gym rates are $4 per child and $1 for adults and children younger than 1 year old.

OAK VIEW MALL & WESTROADS MALL Both locations – Oakview, 3001 S. 144th St., and Westroads, 10000 California St., – feature free indoor playgrounds.

SKATEDAZE skatedaze.com

A big entertainment center that features roller skating, laser tag, bumper cars, a roller coaster, rock wall climbing, arcade games and a huge Playdazium bounce house. Costs vary.

AIRBORNE ACADEMY airborneomaha.com

A 15,000-square-foot acrobatic training facility that specializes in skills related to the trampoline, tumbling and cheer. Recreational programs for ages preschool through adult. Costs vary.

JOSLYN ART MUSEUM

3 Rooms of Carpet Cleaned & Sanitized for only

$125

ATTENTION

Info EPA studies on Allergens and Indoor Air Quality: Carpet is the biggest filter in the home and must be cleaned for Health as well...

402-896-1607

CARPET? R U O Y IN G IN LIV Pet Stains & Bacteria

The museum offers several children’s programs such as stroller tours and story time adventures. Free admission.

ANGIE’S LIST

Exp. 2-28-14

joslyn.org

17

momaha Events

‘The Best Me I Can Be’ Family festival helps kids be smart, active, healthy.

I

am generous. I tell the truth. I’m a good friend.

I can share. Acceptance is a big part of life.

Teaching your children that you accept them as they are is a grand lesson.

Now you can help your child discover his or her own best traits at Kidz Explore, a two-day family festival of fun and learning created by the Omaha World-Herald.

Activities are centered on helping kids be smart, active and healthy under the theme, “The Best Me I Can Be.” Kids will plant a vegetable garden, race paper airplanes and conduct fun experiments. And that’s just for starters, so plan to make a day of it!

Also at Kidz Explore, you will find a PlasmaCar racetrack, Toddler Village for kids ages 3 and younger, live animals and performances on the main stage, bounce houses, art projects, food, face painting and more.

Oh, and stop by the momaha.com booth near the play area!

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Presented By TM

A FAMILY FESTIVAL OF FUN AND LEARNING

THE BEST

ME

I CAN BE

www.kidzexpLore.com

Teaming up to keep prices down!

sat & sun feb. 15-16 10 Am - 5 Pm mID-AmERICA CENTER PURCHASE TICKETS IN ADVANCE &

onLY at

ON EACH TICKET

Teaming up to keep prices down!

SAVE $2.00!

ADULTS $7.00 CHILDREN 3-12 $5.00 Children 2 and under are FREE

be smart, active, and Healthy with activities from our exhibitors! pony rides!

plasma car races!

puppet shows!

...and more!

Plant a vegetable garden • Learn to make things fly Just for kids 3 and under!

Tiny tot games, bouncers, and toys so fun your toddler won’t want to leave!

Sponsored by

Solve puzzles, draw & play!

3QELE 'EXLSPMG 7GLSSP '327368-91

An OmAhA WOrld-herAld event 19

Momaha.com Blogger: Amy Grace

Wardrobe Upcycling Old fashions become new again.

M

ake this the year that you refashion old, boring, washed-out clothing items into current staples that you’ll want to show off again and again. You don’t even have to be a great seamstress or a do-it-yourself crafter to tackle some of these haute projects.

Skinny jeans

Metallic khakis Striped shoes

A couple of years ago, the whole boot-cut world changed gears and went skinny. So what do you do with those fabulous designer boot-cut jeans that make your tush look great? Turn them inside out and create a new sleek leg by pinning the inside seam. Start at the bottom and pin upward.

The last pin should run right along the original seam near the crotch of your jeans.

Sew along your pinned line, starting nearest the crotch and angling gradually away to make a nice line down the leg toward the ankle. Surge the edges for a no-fray finish. Turn the jeans right side out and voila! Skinny jeans. You can do this with button-down shirts, sweatshirts and T-shirts, too.

Photos and full tutorial at merricksart.com/2012/02/ wide-leg-trouser-refashiontutorial.html.

Have an old pair of khakis?

You know, the ones you wore in your preppie days? Liven them up with metallic paint (designed for fabric use).

Hang the pants on a hanger, and spray them evenly from about two feet away. Let the garment dry, and repeat until you have the desired effect.

The more layers you add, the shinier the garment. To get rid of the paint smell, put the pants in a Ziploc bag, squeeze the air out and freeze for a day or two. Photos and full tutorial at cottonandcurls. com/2013/01/diy-metallicpants-tutorial/.

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You’ll be hard-pressed to go anywhere without seeing stripes these days. Why not liven up a pair of plain, black flats (or red, pink or yellow) with perfect white stripes?

With acrylic paint, a sponge brush, painter’s tape, nail polish remover and a ruler (optional), you can turn everyday shoes into shoes with an optic pop. Tape off stripes, and remember to tape off the heels and soles as well. Use sponge paint on the untaped portion of the shoes (Gently rub with sandpaper for a better stick). Let dry, and then peel off the paint slowly so it doesn’t come off with the tape. Photos and full tutorial at cottonandcurls.com/2013/05/ diy-striped-shoes-tutorial/.

‘Blingy’ sweatshirt Sweatshirts are all the rage.

With prices ranging from the ridiculously inexpensive to the ridiculous, why not refashion one of your old but very plain favorites for pennies on the dollar? Choose gems in your favorite shapes, colors and sizes. Lay the gems out along the neckline of the sweatshirt (or choose an all-over “spotted” design).

Carefully glue each gem in place with fabric glue, and then sew a few stitches to secure the gems. Get ideas from designer options online at J.Crew, Old Navy and many other retailers.

Photos and full tutorial at ispydiy.com/my-diy-gem-detailneckline/.

What’s In Your Makeup Bag? TexT By Amy LamAr

M

akeup bags can be a lot like closets: Some of their contents never see the light of day.

Whether it’s outdated purple eye shadow, bright red lipstick for a “special occasion” or foundation that is so light that it makes you look, well, sick, take stock of what you actually use. Then consider the following advice.

Kate Luchsinger, a licensed cosmetologist with nine years of experience, offers the following dos and don’ts:

Do • Use concealer. “A good concealer palette is great for covering up red spots or (undesirable) under eye tones.”

• Invest in a multi-tone mineral powder. It can double as foundation, allowing you to adjust the tone based on your skin color. Tip: You do not want the powder to be darker than your neck.

• Have a variety of eye shadow colors. Include a basic matte palette for daytime and a metallicbased palette for evening.

• Purchase makeup brushes. “There are no rules. What is important about brushes is the quality and how you care for them.”

Don’t • Wax your eyebrows.

Waxing stretches your skin, decreasing its natural tightness. Find a professional to regularly hand-shape your eyebrows, and maintain them with a small electric trimmer and a good set of tweezers.

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• Use an eyelash curler.

Get the same effect with curved and straight mascara wands.

• Use eyeliner. Create a smudged, natural effect with an angled brush dipped in eye shadow.

Get a more dramatic look by dabbing the brush in water before dipping it in eye shadow.

• Overdo it. “Understanding how to enhance your natural features through makeup is truly a wonderful thing.”

Winter must-haves Amber Carter, an esthetician for seven years and an Aveda freelance advisor at Reveal Salon and Spa, said her makeup bag must-haves for winter are good-quality skin care products. They include Aveda Tourmaline Charged Hydrating Crème because it hydrates and exfoliates “all of that dry, dead winter skin.” Her number one must-have? Lip glaze.

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21

Having a

Meltdown?

Laugh while commiserating with these moms.

TexT By Amy lamAr

T

heme park vacations. Do-it-herself haircuts. Breastfeeding. Bedtime. Pick the topic, and you or your children have probably had a meltdown – or 10 – over it. But don’t feel alone.

Momaha Magazine columnist Danielle Herzog and 29 other moms share their “worst, completely awful” (but funny) moments in the recently published book, “The Mother of All Meltdowns.” Herzog, who also writes for momaha.com and the Omaha World-Herald, has a story in the book titled, “Why I Should Have Been Banned From the Doctor’s Office.” It is a hilarious account of her disbelief when she found out she was pregnant.

“The Mother of All Meltdowns” (Mommifried Press 2013, $9.99) is available at The Bookworm, Barnes and Noble and Amazon.

Q. How did the book come about?

A. “Fellow ‘Mommifried’ blogger Crystal Ponti came up with the idea of creating an anthology of the worst mommy meltdowns among bloggers and writers from all over the country. The collection is hilarious and heartbreaking all at the same time – just like motherhood.”

DANIelle HerzOg

Q. Why should people read it?

A. “All moms, grandmothers, aunts, uncles, dads and anyone who has ever seen a child (or parent) have a meltdown should read it. It’s the book that makes you say, ‘Ok, I’m not alone in this crazy world of parenting.’”

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Q. What is your favorite story?

A. “You’re at the Happiest Place On Earth – Why Are You Crying?” because it’s the story of what really happens when you take your kids to Disney World. We have a vision of our kids wearing Mickey ears while skipping down Main Street on their way to Cinderella’s castle in the Magic Kingdom. But the truth is that they are usually crying about some toy they didn’t get as they beg you for a churro.”

Q. Was it difficult to choose which story to include?

A. “What mother doesn’t have tons of meltdown stories to share? But I knew that the majority of the stories would focus on children causing the meltdown, so I thought it would be interesting to share how pregnancy can have that same effect.”

Q. What’s next in your writing life?

A. “I’m working on my own book about the decade of my life when my grandmother and I wrote letters to each other every week. Each chapter starts with one of her letters. It’s the story of lessons learned from her words, the parallels of our lives and how those letters changed my life.”

23

Advice

‘Mommy Guilt’ When it hits, get out of the house.

Dear Sassy Housewife, I’m a stay-at-home mom of two children who are both under 6 years old. My husband works in a corporate sales job that requires him to go to a lot of business dinners and other work events. I know they are for business, but I am resentful that he goes out so much while I carry the weight at home. He’s involved when he is home, but I wish I had the chance to go out more. He loves his job and the pay is wonderful, so I’m not sure what to do.

Thoughts?

Signed, Sulking Spouse Dear Sulking, I’m guessing you have what I call “mommy guilt.” It’s the guilt we feel when we realize that we need to sometimes put ourselves first. It sounds like the problem isn’t necessarily your husband’s schedule, but that you feel like you aren’t getting enough free time.

Every parent needs time away from their kids. It actually makes us better parents.

Is there a night when your husband is usually not working? Try to create a schedule where on that day, you either have a girl’s night out with your friends, you go to the gym or you simply walk around a bookstore wishing that you actually had time to read. Schedule it just like any other event on your calendar. And if your husband isn’t

24

free, find a sitter.

Also, you should ask yourself whether you’re still happy staying home with your kids.

When I first started staying home, I only planned to do it for one year.

My husband and I agreed that we would reevaluate it after a year and go from there. Perhaps you need a reevaluation to see if you are still happy. If so, great. If not, allow yourself a chance to find a balance so you aren’t resentful of your husband’s career.

Communicate with your husband.

It’s OK to tell him you are jealous of his opportunities, but it isn’t OK to resent him. It’s up to you to create your own opportunities to get away. And don’t feel guilty about it. I’m a much better mom after I’ve had a chance to regroup and feel like I’m a person outside of motherhood. You deserve that, too.

Sassy Housewife Danielle Herzog is a married mother of two. She is a former middle and high school teacher, and she served as a student counseling advisor in the Washington, D.C., area prior to moving to Omaha. She currently is pursuing a master’s degree in counseling.

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