Momaha Magazine - January 2016

momaha.com

volume 7 路 issue 1

plus

Where to when go tempe the ratu is low re

Get Organized

8 makeshift tips to banish kitchen clutter

January 2016

WHERE THE WALLS BECOME

THE WORLD AROUND

Time spent frolicking in the woods won’t keep you up on the Kardashians or help your kids crush it on Halo 5. But, it just might do a few other things for you. Like, boost your immune system, lower your blood pressure, reduce your stress, improve your mood, improve your sleep, give you more energy, increase your ability to focus, and help your kids develop their creativity and social skills. Seriously, Google it. Push pause on the texting, clicking, sharing, and streaming, just for a moment, and come out to the forest. Move your feet, breathe in the fresh air, explore.

And watch what happens.

Visit

FONTENELLEFOREST.ORG for a complete listing of upcoming events and activites.

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WE’RE SAVING A LOCKER FOR YOU! 8TH GRADE ENTRANCE EXAM SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 2016 AT 8:00 A.M.

REGISTER ONLINE AT SKUTTCATHOLIC.COM

3 131 Sout h 156th Street | Omah a, NE 68130 | 402. 333. 0818 | www. s kuttc ath o li c . c om 2

WORKOUT THIS WINTER Join the YMCA anytime during the entire month of January and SAVE! PAY NO JOINING FEE ($49 value) THE ENTIRE MONTH! or join January 15-January 24 for only $1 and no joining fee*!

 � � � �  ­� �

SCORE YOUR FIRST GOAL THIS SPRING Registration opens January 1st for youth spring sports! • Jr. Mavericks Soccer & Volleyball TM

• Jr. Huskers Flag Football Ž

Register online at metroymca.org or visit any YMCA of Greater Omaha location.

YMCA OF GREATER OMAHA • METROYMCA.ORG 3

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TWO WEEKS! ONLY

Jan 22 - 31

Fridays at 7 pm Saturdays at 2 pm & 5 pm Sundays at 2 pm & 5 pm

Percy Jackson is about to be kicked out of boarding school... again. And that’s the least of his worries since creatures from Mount Olympus seem to be walking right out of the mythology textbook and into his life. When Zeus’s lightning bolt is stolen, Percy becomes the prime suspect. He must recover the stolen property and bring peace to a warring Mount Olympus in this rousing modern pop-rock musical.

Sponsors:

TICKETS

www.rosetheater.org • (402) 345-4849

Discount vouchers available at Hy-Vee

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momaha where moms connect

VOLUME 7 . ISSUE 1 . JANUARY 2016 editor in chief CHRIS CHRISTEN chris.christen@owh.com 402-444-1094

creative director + designer HEIDI THoRSoN hthorson@owh.com 402-444-1351

assistant editor kIm CaRpENTER kim.carpenter@owh.com 402-444-1416

momaha.com editor aSHlEE CoffEy ashlee.coffey@owh.com 402-444-1075

production coordinator paT R I C I a “ m U R p H y ” B E N o I T

content contributors E R I N fa I R C H I l D D E B B I E D. R ITE R amy TokoS SaNDRa WENDEl

account manager CaRRIE kENTCH carrie.kentch@owh.com 402-444-1448

account executive C aT H l E E N Va N H a U E R cathleen.vanhauer@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 S o f I a m a R aV I sofia.maravi@owh.com 402-444-1442

account executive G ay l I D D E l l gay.liddell@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 2016 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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Winter activities

Real MoMs + advice 8 Momaha.com Editor 10 On Our Radar 14 Parenting Websites 22 Get Organized 32 Be Well: Healthy Advice

Recipe

12 Foolproof Fondue

on the coveR 24 Lunchbox Love

seasonal

16 Smart Cookie Party 26 Cabin Fever Busters 28 Winter Emergency Kit 30 Layers of Warmth

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MoMaha.coM ediTor // aShlee coffey Wife to Kevin Coffey, music critic for the Omaha World-Herald.

Mom to Sam. Native of Plattsmouth, Nebraska.

Follow her on Twitter: @ashleecoffeyowH

GoinG Stir crazy? it’S curable!

T

he Christmas season is nearly over, and we now face the long, cold and sometimes boring months of winter.

Don’t let nature’s deep freeze leave you and the kids twiddling your thumbs while waiting for the spring thaw. Get up! Get moving!

When you have to be indoors, do crafts, bake and watch movies with the kids. Still going stir crazy? Bundle up and head for

a community center, an indoor community pool, a library, a bookseller or the new Do Space digital library (with 56 highspeed computers, a 3-D printer, an interactive video board and more). Check out our list of free activities at these family-friendly destinations on page 26.

January is a great month to de-clutter your home and gain storage space – specifically in the kitchen. Get Organized columnist

Amy Tokos makes it easy, page 22.

Playing in the cold? Check out our tips for avoiding hypothermia, dry skin, static hair and other seasonal hazards and nuisances, page 32.

No matter how you keep yourself busy over these next couple of months, I hope you’re making memories with your family, staying warm and healthy and having fun.

GeT Social Facebook /momahacom TwiTTer @momaha_owh PinTeresT /momahaowh

01/30/16

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Grade Open Ho h t 2 1 l o o h c s use Pre indergarten Rou Plus K

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Roundup All Kindergarten students and their parents are invited to experience OCA’s excellent Kindergarten program.

Monday, February 8th Meet & Greet 6:00pm Roundup 6:30pm Please RSVP to drandall@ocamail.org

O M A H A C H R I S T I A N A C A D E M Y . O R G or 402.399.9565

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On OUR RADAR // ERin FAiRchilD Erin Fairchild is a 20-something lifestyle blogger living in Omaha.

Follow her latest posts at herheartlandsoul.com

GO fOR GOld

Spice up your mug collection with a limited-edition Anthropologie Golden Monogram Mug. Personalized with the recipient’s initials in gold, it’s perfect for filling with packs of hot cocoa, coffee or tea as a gift.

THINGS TO TRY THIS MONTH WHeN THe WeaTHeR OuTSIde IS fRIGHTful.

CHeeR ON a peNGuIN

Penguin in Peril is the story of a stolen penguin tasked with catching fish for three hungry cats. Hilarious and beautifully illustrated, this bedtime read is fun for the whole family. The storyline is sure to have your kids cheering as the penguin makes a run for it and deals with getting mistaken for a nun and a waiter before finding his way safely home.

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HYdRaTe YOuR HaNdS

Cold, dry air wreaks havoc on skin. L’Occitane Hand Cream is quick-absorbing and lusciously nourishing thanks to the emollient blend of Shea butter, coconut oil, honey and marshmallow root extract that hydrates while delivering a soft, delicate scent. It’s also phthalate-free.

fINd ReSTleSS RelIef

Get the most from bath time with Lush Bath Bombs, which bubble and fizz as they release hydrating essential oils into your bath water. Lush’s Ickle Baby Bot Bath Bomb is made with little ones in mind. Shaped like robots, they release lavender, chamomile or sandalwood as they dissolve to calm restless babes.

dIp YOuR dINNeR

When the weather outside is frightful, fondue makes family dinner delightful.

Your kids will love dreaming up fun food combinations and dipping their own dinners. Amazon’s top-selling Cuisinart Electric Fondue Set handles chocolate, cheese, broth, oil and more.

The set comes with eight fondue forks and an adjustable temperate control.

Find a recipe for Foolproof Cheese Fondue on page 13.

THE BEST PLACE FOR KIDS.

Lawson, age 8 Clubfeet

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.

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Fondue? Can do! It’s as simple as melting cheese in a saucepan.

Use a ready-made fondue mix from the deli or whip up your own using our tested recipe. Kids will love dunking their bread in this warm, gooey goodness.

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Concerned with your child’s progress report?

Organizational Skills

Anxiety

Emotional Control

Sensory Issues

Academic Struggles

Attention & Focus

Easy, cheesy and classic.

RECIPE Courtesy of Debbie D. Riter PHOTOGRAPHY Heidi Thorson

Contact today for long term solutions!

Classes and private sessions available

Ruth Murray 402.339.0992 www.movementsolutions.us

WHAT YOU NEED 1 tablespoon cornstarch 1½ cup white wine (or white grape juice) ½ pound shredded Gruyère cheese ½ pound shredded Swiss cheese 1 garlic clove French bread, sliced for dipping WHAT YOU DO 1. Combine cornstarch and wine in mixing bowl, making sure cornstarch is fully dissolved.

2. Rub bottom and sides of saucepan with split garlic clove, discard.

3. Add cheese, ¼ pound at a time, to pan stirring constantly until cheese is melted and creamy.

4. Stir cornstarch and wine and slowly add to melted cheese.

5. Bring to simmer, cook until thickened, about 8 minutes.

6. Transfer melted cheese to communal fondue pot over low flame.

7. Dip bread slices into the cheese (forks optional) and enjoy.

Pre-K Programming!

By Barry Kornhauser Adapted from A Child’s Garden of Verses

by Robert Louis Stevenson

Jan 9 - 30, 2016 This is a multi-sensory, highly interactive play for very young audiences. Its words and actions are inspired by the classic book of poems by Roberts Louis w Stevenson. A few actors and a musician, puppetry and play, help audiences grow a garden and their imaginations as they frolic in the leaves, feed a bird, sing in the rain, dance with the wind, build a boat and discover treasures, including the greatest of them all - friendship. They also plant seeds and words that, with careful tending, grow into flowers and poems to bring home.

TICKETS: $12 45 MINUTES Presented on The Rose’s Hitchcock Stage

TICKETS

(402) 345-4849 or www.rosetheater.org 13

8 parenting websites worth bookmarking.

COMPILED by Kim Carpenter

A

little girl on the playground is habitually being mean to your preschooler. How best to resolve it? Your daughter seems far behind her peers in terms of potty training.

What are you doing wrong? The latest movie everybody else’s children are talking about seems way too violent. Should you let your son watch it?

You want answers, and you want them now. Where do you turn? Your search engine, of course. We help sort through the cyberspace clutter and cut to the chase with websites that provide easy-to-understand, quickly accessible, credible information. From infancy to the teen years, these URLs serve as valuable online resources you’ll turn to again and again.

sCaryMOMMy.COM Why it’s worth bookmarking: A self-described “parenting community for imperfect parents,” Scary Mommy acknowledges it’s not easy raising kids via articles that address issues both banal (the trials and tribulations of flying with toddlers) and serious (the challenges of raising a non-verbal child). Frequently funny and often poignant, this site reminds you that you’re not alone.

Pbs.Org/ParEnts Why it’s worth bookmarking: From the venerable Public Broadcasting Service, this website is filled with information on child development, with topics ranging from healthy eating to talking about the death of a loved one. It’s a companion to sister site PBS KIDS and offers access to games and activities based on the station’s television programming.

COMMOnsEnsEMEDIa.Org Why it’s worth bookmarking: Media and technology are central to our lives. Common Sense Media helps parents navigate that terrain by providing unbiased age ratings for movies, television shows, music, books, apps and video games. The site also provides useful information about how to handle issues such as cyber bullying, sexting, marketing to kids and more.

OMaha.COM/MOMaha Why it’s worth bookmarking: Not to toot our own horn (okay, we will!), Momaha is a comprehensive site offering everything from basic parenting information to holiday craft ideas. We constantly update our insightful content to provide you with the information you need to do your best and most effective parenting.

kIDshEaLth.Org Why it’s worth bookmarking: Founded 20 years ago, Kids Health was the first web site devoted entirely to parenting and children’s health. To date, more than 2 billion parents rely on it to address their concerns.

Covering birth through the teen years, the site filters content through pediatricians and children’s health experts before posting and conveys information in easy to understand articles.

PLuggEDInParEnts.COM Why it’s worth bookmarking: Diaper rash vs. yeast infection.

Childhood constipation.

Healthy teen relationships.

No matter the age of your child, Plugged in Parents provides sound, easily laid out information in quick-read formats on every stage of development.

CafEMOM.COM Why it’s worth bookmarking: Touted as a meeting place for moms, Café Mom is a virtual way for parents to connect and share advice about a broad range of topics. Wondering whether to get every item on the school supply list? Members weigh in with pros, cons and in betweens, offering opinions that can help shape yours.

huffIngtOnPOst.COM/ ParEnts Why it’s worth bookmarking: Spanning pregnancy to high school graduation and all the ages in between, HuffPost Parents, a Huffington Post spin-off site, features parenting tips, personal stories and space to share your own experiences.

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TEXT Chris Christen PHOTOGRAPHY & STYLING by Heidi Thorson

Holiday break nearly over, this party primes kids to return to the classroom.

W

ith winter break coming to a close, it’s time to ease kids back into their learning routines. Celebrate a return to the classroom (and your family’s school schedule) with a “One Smart Cookie” party, complete with flashcards, workbooks and themed threats. School supplies you already have at home can provide the framework for your tabletop décor. Visit momaha.com for our customizable flashcards and start working your way through the alphabet as you dream up your own fun labels for food and games. Use the party as a springboard for adjusting sleep routines and assigning kids' activities such as reading a book, writing a story and practicing math and spelling skills.

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When we couldn’t find storebought zebra brownies, we improvised with fudge brownies dusted on all four sides with confectioner’s sugar and then drizzled with ready-made chocolate fudge frosting.

Pencils laid side-byside and taped in place make a sturdy trivet for “eraser” wafer cookies.

Use learning books to add height dimension to the tablescape.

WHAT WE USED • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Gummy worms Dictionary Zebra brownies or simulation Smarties candy Chocolate sandwich cookies Ruled Index Cards Highlighters Apple favors (see directions, page 19) Store-bought soft cookies Decorative straws Milk Mason jars Glue Rolo pencil favors (see directions, page 20) Skill books Composition notebooks Pencils Strawberry wafers, cut to mimic the size of a pink eraser Alphabet blocks Peach "O" gummies

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MOMaha.cOM DOwnlOaD

Go online to download the printable version of our flashcards for your own party.

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Apple FAvor

HOW TO MAKE IT: 1. Place a small handful of Red Hot candies in a 4-inch square of clear plastic wrap. Gather four corners together and secure with a 3-inch brown pipe cleaner coiled into a “stem.” 2. Cut leaf shape about 1½ inches long from green construction paper, punch hole in tip and thread through “stem.”

3. Place in mini red muffin cup to enhance illusion of apple.

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Pencil Favor

HOW YOU MAKE IT: 1. Wrap one roll of Rolo candies in a 5 ¾ x 4 ¾-inch section of yellow paper; secure with clear tape.

2. Attach a Hershey’s Kiss to one end of the Rolo stick using double-sided tape.

3. Wrap the other end of the Rolo stick with a 4 ½ x 1-inch section of pink paper; secure with clear tape. 4. Cap “eraser” end with a 1-inch pink circle.

Tip: Use the end of the Rolo stick to trace the shape.

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SAVE THE DATE JANUARY 28-31, 2016 CENTURYLINK CENTER

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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.

Makeshift storage tames kitchen clutter.

Kitchens come in all shapes and sizes. Some have plenty of storage – and some don’t. If you can’t fit all your pots, pans, small appliances and pantry items in yours, don’t worry. You don’t have to remodel or move. The key to a well-stocked kitchen is makeshift storage combined with organizational strategies that keep items neat and right where you need them.

Basement shelving is an easy solution for bulk items like canned goods and paper products as well as low-use appliances and infrequently used pots and pans. Keep frequently used items in your kitchen and rarely used items in the basement.

Garage storage functions the same way as basement shelving, but be mindful of temperature-sensitive items. If you’re using open shelving, expect items to collect dirt and dust. This might not matter for packaged paper products, but you don’t want to wash pots and pans before each use.

Rolling islands with open shelves are useful for extra counter space and stowing pots and pans. If you’re not a fan of exposed items, purchase large baskets for holding pasta, canned goods and just about anything else you can relocate to create space in cupboards and drawers.

Open wall shelving is trendy right now, and filling canisters with grains, legumes, pasta and cereal is functional as well as decorative.

Mix with baskets, a few pots or cute dishes to make the trend work. Keeping containers stocked can be a challenge. If you find yourself

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sticking a bag of beans in a cupboard instead of replenishing the canister, consider storing only dishes on those open shelves. (If using everyday dishes, install shelving close to the dishwasher for quick and easy unloading.)

Armoires and buffets offer countless storage solutions – behind closed doors. These pieces of furniture are ideal for small food items that look cluttered on open shelving.

Group like items together. Quick categories include dinner food, breakfast food, snacks, baking goods, drinks and extra condiments. If these items are together, you’ll spend less time searching for what you need.

Revamp the way you shop. Buy fresh and only what you eat between trips to the store.

Maintain a running list so you buy only what you need and nothing more. Keeping a list eliminates storing over-purchased items.

Give yourself a reality check. If you need something urgently, how far away is the store? If it’s close, you don’t need a high food inventory. Plus, if you’re anything like me, what you’re missing isn’t the item you typically overstock.

Now through January 3, 2016

The tradition continues this holiday season!

Visit DurhamMuseum.org for event details including times when Santa will visit the museum.

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Daily themes bring fun to brown bagging it.

STORY Kim Carpenter PHOTOGRAPHY Heidi Thorson

As kids head into the second half of the school year, lunch is feeling a tad stale – and it’s not just because tuna fish sandwiches are getting old. Inject fun back to the midday meal with themed lunchbox notes your child can look forward to and share at the cafeteria table.

a . co m omah ’ Visit m o months w t , r e o f o f f re w o r t h l u n c h b ox d i nt ma e re a d y . S i m p l y p r s e t ! no h a re and s

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FROm THIS mOm’S KID-TeSTeD FIle:

Word of the day

Overcome with “compunction” about not including fun things in your child’s lunch?

SuperKids offers daily vocabulary builders for grades 4 to 12, so no need to experience that “feeling of deep regret.” Ask them to share their new word in a sentence around the dinner table. superkids.com

Jokes

Why don’t elephants like playing cards in the jungle? Because of all the cheetahs!

They might be groan-inducing, but kids love cuing up jokes and delivering punch lines. kidsjokesoftheday.com ducksters.com/jokesforkids

date in history

Did you know that on January 13, 1942, Henry Ford patented a plastic automobile called the “Soybean Car,” which was 30 percent lighter than the average car?

Ranging from the silly to the serious, On-This-Day.com lists multiple events for any particular day and provides kids with mini windows into history. infoplease.com/dayinhistory

daily holidays

After Christmas, January might seem like a slow month, but there are plenty of daily holidays to celebrate, including Penguin Awareness Day, Squirrel Appreciation

Day and Appreciate a Dragon Day. Slip the appropriate treats in lunches on food holidays like Chocolate Cake and National Popcorn Days. holidayinsights.com daysoftheyear.com

lunch Box notes

Whether it’s a quotable quip or words of encouragement, Happy Home Fairy offers free lunch note printables themed for every month of the school year. happyhomefairy.com

Weird facts

In Omaha, it’s illegal to sneeze or burp in church. While that law is not typically enforced, the weird fact is just plain fun to know. Whether learning that the average heart beats 100,000 times a day or that night butterflies have ears on their wings to avoid predators, kids love trivia – the weirder the better. funology.com fun-interesting-facts.com http://kids.nationalgeographic.com

daily Quotes

J.K. Rowling once said, “Anything’s possible if you’ve got enough nerve.” These kinds of words of wisdom are sometimes all it takes to motivate your child through the rest of the school day. thedailyquotes.com

1/2 off first month for new and returning students!

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402.691.8875

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Salvation Army KROC Center

Arctic temps aside, these great escapes nip cabin fever in stride.

COMPILED by Kim Carpenter

J

ust because winter is at its coldest doesn’t mean you and the kids can’t venture out. Whether it’s running around in a gym, hiking through a tropical rainforest or getting immersed in Minecraft, there are plenty of places around the metro to blow off pent-up steam. Head for one of these recreational retreats the next time temperatures hover well below freezing.

POOLS

These indoor pools offer year-round opportunities to play in the water.

Brownell-Talbot Thiesen Pool

Thiesen Pool at Brownell-Talbot private school is open to the public during family swim time and regularly scheduled events such as movie “Dive Ins,” during which family-friendly films are projected on a big screen. Swimmers younger than 16 must have adult supervision. Cost: $3 per person; special events, $5 per swimmer. teamunify.com/Home.jsp?team=mwbta

Mockingbird Community Center & Montclair Community Center

Both southwest Omaha locations offer open swim times on Saturdays and Sundays from 1-4 p.m. Swimmers ages 8 and younger must be accompanied by a parent or responsible individual age 16 or older. Cost: Adults: $4; children: $3; ages 2 and younger, free with an adult. cityofomaha.org

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The aquatics center features a regular swimming pool and a leisure water park pool, complete with a winding lazy river and giant water slide. Supervision requirements vary depending on age.

Cost: Adults, $7; children, $5. omahakroc.org

COMMUNITY CENTERS

With locations throughout the metro, community centers offer a broad range of activities for toddlers through teens.

Whether it’s open gyms, winter dances, bounce houses or specially themed lock-ins, there’s no excuse for any child in your household to complain of winter doldrums. Cost: Fees for events such as open gyms start at $1. parks.cityofomaha.org

Do Space

We live in a technology-driven world.

Do Space teaches kids how to navigate it with offerings ranging from STEM activities for preschoolers to lessons on how to program video games for kids and teens. Whether they come home with a piece of jewelry created on a 3D printer or knowledge on how to use the latest tech, kids will love doing things all winter long at Do Space. Cost: Free, advanced registration required. dospace.org

PUBLIC LIBRARIES

Omaha’s public library branches offer far more than books. Activities include toddler story times, Minecraft and Lego clubs, kid crafts, teen cooking classes, movie days and fit clubs during which kids play video games while getting a heart-pumping workout. And these are just for starters.

Cost: Free, some events may require advance registration. omahalibrary.org

ICE RINKS

Yes, we know you’re trying to escape the cold, but sometimes, you just have to embrace it.

Baxter Arena

The recently opened Baxter Arena has a state-of-the-art rink that a winning

university hockey team calls home. While your kids aren’t ready to compete on that level, they can still work up a sweat in this magnificent new space. Public skating is offered on Saturdays, noon-4 p.m.; Sundays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., unless otherwise noted. Cost: $5; skate rental, additional $3. baxterarena.com

Motto McLean Ice Arena

This highly popular indoor rink offers family, public, freestyle and stick-and-puck skate times. Cost: Varies by event. Skate rental, $1. parks.cityofomaha.org

Dundee Ice Rink

Situated near Dundee Presbyterian Church in midtown Omaha, this popular outdoor skating rink offers a Norman Rockwell setting for cutting a figure eight. Cost: Free; no skate rental.

DISCOVERY ZONES

Fontenelle Forest

Fontenelle Forest offers 26 miles of meticulous hiking trails where kids can experience the wonder of winter in all its snowy glory. Cost: Adults: $7; Children ages 2-17: $5; children ages 2 and younger: free. fontenelleforest.org

Omaha Children’s Museum

A perennial boredom-busting favorite, the Children’s Museum fosters learning through play with attractions such as a kid-sized farm and grocery store, a creative arts center and the Super Gravitron, a gigantic ball machine. This winter, kids can also become super heroes with the interactive exhibition Super Powers, on view through April 17. Cost: $11 per person; children ages 2 and younger and members, free. ocm.org

Joslyn Art Museum

Inspire budding Rembrandts to explore their creative side in the museum’s recently opened Art Works, an interactive space filled with hands-on activity stations that include painting on giant flat screens and creating stop-motion animation. Kids ages 5-12 can explore the museum’s vast

permanent collection with theme-based Art Packs. The winter exhibition Go West!

Art of the American Frontier From the Buffalo Bill Center of the West will additionally give kids a thrill with a look at the Old West. Cost: General admission is free.

Ticketed exhibitions: Adults, $10 (Thursday evenings, $5); ages 17 and younger, free. joslyn.org

The Durham Museum

Kids can travel back in time and visit Omaha of yesteryear in the city’s former grand Union Station. They can also walk through vintage train cars or view the museum’s massive toy train depot and diorama. Beginning January 30, the museum opens From Nebraska to the World: Buffalo Bill’s Wild West, an exhibition that provides kids with a window into one of the country’s most famed traveling shows. Cost: Ages 13 and older, $9; ages 3-12, $6; ages 2 and younger, free. durhammuseum.org

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Henry Doorly Zoo

Hike through a tropical rain forest, trek across a desert or traverse southern swampland, all right here in the Midwest.

Consistently ranked as one of the best zoos in the world, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo features realistic animal habitats that make winter feel like worlds – sometimes continents – away. Cost: Ages 12 and older, $13.95; ages 3-11, $9.95; ages 2 and younger, free. omahazoo.com

Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum

Blast off from winter at the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum. Kids can jump on the Space Shuttle Slide and Bouncer, hop on motion-simulated roller coaster and helicopter rides, star gaze in a planetarium and take in the staggering array of planes and interstellar modes of transport on display. Cost: Adults, $12; children ages 4-12, $6; children ages 3 and younger, free. sasmuseum.com

AIM FOR THE STARS SCIENCE AND MATH CAMPS Online Registration

Opens January 5th, 2016 at 8:30a.m. aimforthestars.unomaha.edu

Camps Offered Weekly June 6th- August 12th

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Quality, Safe & Loving Care

Winter isn’t so much fun when it comes to driving. A car emergency kit can leave you prepared for any mishaps winter might throw your way.

Early Childhood Educa on Center

3549 Fontenelle Boulevard 4939 South 118th Street 402-451-0787

WE

COMPILED by Kim Carpenter PHOTOGRAPHY Heidi Thorson

www.nchs.org

KIDS!

LET’S MOVE

Our Therapists Evaluate and Treat:

• • • • • • • • • • •

Various Syndromes Cerebral Palsy Down Syndrome Wheelchair Mobility Muscle Strength Pain Management Balance & Control

• • • • • •

FYZICAL promotes optimum movement & function!

Physical Therapy is responsible for the prevention, identification, and correction of movement caused by illness, injury, disease, developmental conditions, syndromes and genetics.

Range of Motion Orthotic/Prosthetic Training Back or Neck Problems Fractures Orthopedic Strokes Arthritus

JUST TO NAME A FEW! If you have any questions or would like to set up a FREE consultation call: 402-330-3211 EXT: 172

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S

liding, skidding and getting stuck are all part of winter driving. Be ready for worst-case scenarios with these car necessities. They’ll help you dig out of a snow bank or keep you and your passengers warm and dry until help arrives.

When winter is at its coldest, store the items in extra passenger seats in case your trunk freezes shut.

• • •

Windshield scraper Shovel Small broom Road salt, sand or cat litter for traction Tow chain or heavy-duty rope Jumper cables Emergency flares and reflectors Fluorescent distress flag Windshield wiper fluid De-icer spray (recipe at right) Cell phone adapter to plug into cigarette lighter Flashlight with extra batteries Battery-powered radio Matches and emergency candles First aid kit Extra hats, socks and mittens Single use heat packs for hands and feet Blanket or sleeping bag Bottled water Protein or energy bars

2 Convenient Locations 180th & Dodge 402-932-2922 192nd & Pacific 402-991-0696 ENROLLMENT @SMALLMIRACLECHILDCARE.COM

www.smallmiraclechildcare.com

discover

MONTESSORI DE-ICER SPRAY

Few things make winter mornings worse than a windshield caked with ice – especially if you’re running late. Rather than laboriously scraping away in the bitter cold while wasting gas running your defroster, simply spray this solution onto the iced-over surfaces and watch the melting magic unfold. The added bonus: squeaky clean windshields.

HOW TO MAKE IT: 1. Mix one part water to two parts 91 percent isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) in a spray bottle. 2. Spray solution directly onto icedover surface and wait 1 to 5 minutes before scraping. Standing time depends on thickness of the buildup.

Tip: Add a 50-50 ratio of rubbing alcohol and washer fluid to windshield wiper lines to prevent freezing during subzero temperatures.

39th & Harney 18544 W. Maple Rd. 72nd & Center 126th & Pacific

Call for a tour!

402-393-1311 4 OmahaMontessori.com O

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Outdoor play calls for the right clothing. Does your child pass inspection?

H

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PHoTo: KenT SIeverS

ealthy Kohl’s Kids, a nutrition and fitness initiative between Children’s Hospital & Medical Center and Kohl’s Department Stores, offers these tips to help keep youngsters warm and dry.

WEAR THE RIGHT LAYERS Although a double-thick cotton sweatshirt may seem like a good choice for outdoor play, it doesn’t insulate the body nearly as well as a synthetic fabric like lightweight polyester or polypropylene. A synthetic garment as the first layer will allow perspiration to pass through the fabric and away from the body. For primary insulation, the second layer should be wool, polyester or fleece. The third layer should block out cold air, wind and rain. Dress infants and young children in one more layer than an adult would wear. If your child gets hot, a layer can always be removed.

with warm, dry socks. Since hands are easily susceptible to the cold, gloves – or even better, mittens – are musts too.

DRESS FROM HEAD TO TOE Body heat is easily lost through an uncovered head, so kids should always wear a hat or hood when playing in the cold. It’s also important to wear the right boots or shoes, insulated

For more fitness information and a library of easy-to-make healthy recipes, visit HealthyKohlsKids.com. Follow Healthy Kohl’s Kids on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest for fun, healthy ideas and information on Healthy Kohl’s Kids events.

KEEP THE BODY HYDRATED Beyond winter wear, it’s important for kids to drink plenty of fluids. If they can see their breath, then moisture is leaving their bodies. Drinking a tall glass of water before and after playing outdoors helps keep the body properly hydrated.

STRETCH FOR GOOD MEASURE Stretching before playing in chilly temperatures helps to warm up muscles and prevent injury.

TM

A FAMILY FESTIVAL OF FUN AND LEARNING VALENTINE’S DAY FAMILY FUN!

February 13 & 14 10am to 5pm Mid-America Center WWW.KIDZEXPLORE.COM

Presented By

An Omaha World-Herald Event

SAVE $50*

SAVE $50

WHEN YOU CALL BEFORE 12/31/15*

Now Serving Millard, Omaha, and Papillion Accredited by

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Grow STRONG with OneWorld Pediatrics Get your FLU SHOT today at one of our convenient locations!

South Omaha 4920 S. 30th St. 402-734-4110

West Omaha 4101 S. 120th St. 402-505-3907

Northwest Omaha 4229 N. 90th St. 402-401-6000

Cass Family Medicine 122 S. 6th St. Plattsmouth 402-296-2345

Advice for A better life coMPiled by Sandra Wendel

45 YEARS OF MAKING A DIFFERENCE

oneworldomaha.org

45 Years of Making a Difference.. ...One Child at a Time

Winter sun. Keep the sunscreen handy. Sun protection with SPF of 30 or higher is important year-round. Even when the sun’s rays feel less intense, they can still harm unprotected skin. Many skin cancers develop on areas like the head, neck and hands, which tend to get the most sun exposure. American Academy of Dermatology sAlt Melt dAngers. Ice melt and winter salt products lower the freezing point of water and help “melt” top layers of ice and snow. Most contain dangerous chemicals for children and pets. Monitor kids around ice melt, and if you think your child has ingested any, call the Nebraska Regional Control Center, 800-222-1222. Pets are exposed to ice melt via their paws, so keep them clean by wiping with a soft cloth. If your pet consumes ice melt and begins drooling and vomiting, call your veterinarian. kidschemicalsafety.org electrified! If your hair stands on end, try using a metal comb to control the static electricity. (Your science teacher can explain the part about conductivity.) The old dryer sheet trick that works on clingy pants also tames fly-away hair. Rub a sheet on your comb and brush, pillow and hair. The Huffington Post

JEFFREY BEBEE

The Omaha World-Herald’s home and lifestyle publication.

Now available exclusively to Sunday subscribers.

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To start your Sunday subscription, call 402-348-3363 or email circulationcustomerservice@owh.com

inspiredlivingomaha.com

Kids Are sicK. Your instinct might be to combine a cough and cold medication with a fever reducer if your child has both a cold and a fever, but beware. Many cough and cold medications also contain acetaminophen. When used with a fever-reducing medication such as Tylenol, which also contains acetaminophen, this combination can result in an overdose and serious adverse side effects. kidschemicalsafety.org

Same day sick appointments 7 days a week!

Same Day Pediatrics is not an urgent care clinic, but a real pediatric clinic with scheduled appointment times, seven days a week, for all Omaha kids.

We’ll have your child on his or her way to feeling better by bedtime.

402-334-SICK (7425) Same Day Pediatrics at two locations:

Boys Town Pediatrics Pacific Street Clinic 14080 Boys Town Hospital Road

(139th & Pacific Street, on Boys Town campus)

Boys Town Pediatrics 72nd Street Pediatric Clinic 7205 West Center Road Suite 104 (72nd & West Center)

BOYS TOWN

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boystownpediatrics.org

WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO A NEW CLASS OF PREP STUDENTS.

8TH GRADE SCHOLARSHIP & ENTRANCE EXAM SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 2016 AT CREIGHTON PREP 7:45 a.m. CHECK-IN, TESTING BEGINS AT 8:00 a.m.

When an 8th grader takes our Scholarship & Entrance Exam, he’s another step closer to becoming a Creighton Prep student and to joining a Jesuit tradition hundreds of years in the making. It’s a chance for every prospective student, confident in his high school choice or completely undecided, to experience Prep on a new level. And it’s an opportunity for us to begin building the next class of intelligent, compassionate, committed young men. There’s a seat waiting for your son. We hope to see him there.

Register online at www.CreightonPrep.org/exam

WE ARE PREP. 7400 Western Ave. Omaha, NE 68114-1878 | www.CreightonPrep.org