Momaha Magazine - July 2016

momaha.com

VOLUME 7 · ISSUE 7

JULY 2016

Cake smashes to remember

BEYOND BALLOONS Gifts and supplies at the ready

How to raise a genius, one storybook at a time

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.

WE ARE

MILLARD UNITED SPORTS

THE PLACE TO PLAY For Omaha Area Athletes Ages 4 & Up

Kingswood Athletic Association and Millard Athletic Association have joined forces to become Millard United Sports.

MillardUnited.com 1

WE ARE READY FOR YOU TO EXPERIENCE CREIGHTON PREP.

Over the summer we welcome any student and family to come and take a tour of Creighton Prep.

When you walk the halls, you’ll witness a school built around your son’s success as a whole person. We want to show you how your son can be a part of the Creighton Prep legacy.

SCHEDULE A TOUR AND SEE HOW OUR STUDENTS BECOME MEN FOR OTHERS.

CALL 402.393.1190 TODAY.

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

2

.

HELP KIDS STUFF THE BUS! MAKE THE July 18-29: Join the YMCA & get July for only $5, plus GRADE! August will be free!

Donate school supplies to help us

Suggested school supplies: Backpacks • Pens • Pencils • Folders Notebooks • Hand sanitizer • Tissues Kleenex Any unused school supply Valid at any YMCA of Greater Omaha location. Must be a new member. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Must present coupon & bank draft info. First draft 9/3/16.

REGISTER TODAY AT ANY YMCA LOCATION OR AT WWW.METROYMCA.ORG!

MORE THAN A GAME YMCA Fall Sports - Register now online or at your YMCA! Volleyball • Soccer • Flag Football • Basketball YMCA OF GREATER OMAHA • www.metroymca.org 3

momaha where moms connect VOLUME 7 . ISSUE 7 . JULY 2016

an emporium of gifts for baby and mom

NOW OPEN 5018 Leavenworth St 402.991.8800 Tue - Fri: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Sat: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

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 v H a N U m a R a , S Ta C y I D E U S , T H E H U R S T S & C o . , k U R T a . k E E lE R , H owaR D k . m aRCUS, a m y T o k o S , H E aT H E R w I N k E l

account executive SaRa BakER sara.baker@owh.com 402-444-1442

account executive G ay l I D D E l l gay.liddell@owh.com 402-444-1489

account executive E m I ly m a R T I N emily.martin@owh.com 402-444-1411

account executive C aT H l E E N va N H a U E R cathleen.vanhauer@owh.com 402-444-1209 Momaha Magazine is a monthly publication of the news division of the Omaha World-Herald, 1314 Douglas St., Suite 700, Omaha, NE 68102. Momaha is a registered trademark, and all content is copyright 2016 by the Omaha WorldHerald. All rights reserved. The opinions and perspectives published herein are those of the authors and should not be construed as those of Momaha Magazine or its publisher.

4

CONTENTS RAILROAD-THEMED ATTRACTIONS PER FAMILY

Railroad Days is presented by Union Pacific Railroad Transportation provided by the Iowa West Foundation Media Support provided by KETV NewsWatch 7 Printing support provided by Elman & Co.

Real MoMs + advice

6 Momaha.com Editor 8 On Our Radar 10 Get Organized 17 Be Well: Advice for a Better Life 22 Reading Benefits 24 Book Reviews

diY coRNeR

18 Lemonade Stand

Fall F ll Registration R i t ti is i Open!

O !

 �  �  �   � �  � ­ €‚‚ € ‚

BiRthdaY paRties 12 Zoo-Themed Party 14 Pumpkin Party 16 Cake Smash

oN the coveR Cake SMaSH photogRaphY Baby Face Photography

Momaha.com readers submitted some adorable first birthday photo. The smiles start on page 16.

5

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

Mom to Sam. Baby on the way.

Follow her on Twitter: @ashleecoffeyowH

W

hen I was a kid, I was always a little jealous of friends who had summer birthdays.

For one, their birthdays never fell on a school day. And their birthday parties were always somewhere awesome, such as the city pool or a yard with a bounce house and a barbecue.

I have an early October birthday, so I always had to compete with school, Husker football games and

unpredictable weather. I could have gorgeous 90-degree weather on my birthday – but pools were, of course, closed by then. I could also have cold and rainy weather or even snow. On the plus side, my birthday was always Halloween-themed. Take that, summer kids!

If you have a child who is lucky enough to have a summer birthday, we’ve got terrific party ideas –

including a celebration at the zoo. We even have photos of some adorable babies tasting birthday cake for the very first time. Few things are sweeter.

And, even though it’s summer, that doesn’t mean learning should stop.

Reading is an important way kids learn.

If your child is too young to read, that’s OK. We have a list of new read-outloud books for you to try!

Happy summer!

Get Social Facebook /momahacom TwiTTer @momaha_owh PinTeresT /momahaowh

6

When His Ears Hurt Too Often

We Trusted Them More people trust Boys Town Ear, Nose & Throat Institute when someone they love needs help.

Our Board Certified doctors specialize in treating problems ranging from common ear, nose and throat illnesses and disorders, to chronic sinus problems, to complex head and neck conditions, all backed by more than 40 years of life-changing research.

To schedule an appointment near you, visit BoysTownENT.org or call 402.498.6540 7

On OUR RADAR COMPILEd by Erin Fairchild, herheartlandsoul.com

TOAST ANd CHILL

Serve your favorite party punch in style with these Sparkle and Shine Bright Fireworks Tumblers. They make for a picture-perfect toast on America’s birthday and will keep your drink cold and contained while out and about. Party City, $2.99

THINGS TO TRY THIS MONTH

GO FOR COMFORT

INFLATE YOUR PARTY

No pool party is complete without some fun inflatables! While swans and unicorns have been all the rage for girls lately, this Sizzlin’ Cool Ride-On Shark is sure to impress your little guy. With a big shark fin and monster teeth, he’ll feel like the king of the water. Toys R Us, $12.99

These Sueded Fringe Sandals pair comfort and fashion. Dress them up for a night out in the Old Market or wear them with a bathing suit for your next trip to the lake. At less than $20, you may want to snag several pairs! Old Navy, $17

SAY CHEESE!

SOCK IT TO ‘EM

Like bumper cars without the wheels, kids can strap themselves into Sumo Bumper Boppers and go to town crashing into each other. Let the creativity flow as kids come up with rules, rounds and challenges in this new sock game. Jet, $24.97

25%

(APP

NO T VA

Capture fun photos of your Independence Day bash with this Fourth of July Photo Booth Props Kit. Holidays are about making memories, and you’ll have some silly ones with pictures of you and your kids posing as the Statue of Liberty or wearing old-fashioned mustaches. Several props can be re-used for future events and holidays. Amazon, $19.99

OFF ANY PAS) S

LIES FO

LID W

SES R UP TO 4 PAS RTIES.

A ITH OTHER DISCOUNTS OR P VALID UNTIL 08/31/16

Playsets, inflatables, fun gym, laser maze, foam pit, ball pit & more...

8431 Cody Dr, Lincoln NE 68512 (15th & Yankee Hill Rd)

(402) 261-0440 / www.lostinfun.com

8

LITER SALE

LOCAL LOVE S E M I

A N N U A L

LITER

SALE

12

S TA R T I N G AT J U S T

.95

$

LITER SALE SPLIT-END MENDER SPLIT

20

AG $7.95

REGULAR RETAIL $18

No Double Dou Discounts. Not valid other offers.

Exp. 7/15/2016

SET IT STRAIGHT

WE ARE LOCAL AND GLADLY MATCH ALL COMPETITORS OFFERS

SPECIAL

LINCOLN

168th & Center

7816 West Dodge

Omaha

SouthPointe Pavilions

402.933.4950

402.397.2105

402.421.1901

Eagle Run

Members

SPECIAL OF THE MONTH

w any other with s salon service

Shops of Legacy

12.95

$

GOLD CARD

ON $ ONLY

OMAHA

STARTING AT J U S T

West Center

27th & Pine Lake

find us on Social Media

6811 O St.

13350 West Maple

2730 S 140th St.

Next to Best Buy

402.496.1787

402.691.8196

402.483.4720

BOOK A CONSULTATION WITH ONE OF OUR ROCKSTAR STYLISTS!

visit us online at:

BeautyFirstNebraska.com

9

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.

Birthdays are oh, so fun. Sometimes, though, the planning can feel overwhelming. Make it less so by properly organizing gifts and supplies and streamlining your celebrations.

THE GIFT CLOSET

Many of us buy gifts year-round. Whether you have a shelf or whole closet, knowing what you’ve purchased is important. An easy way to keep track is with Gifted, an organizing app for iPhones. It helps organize gifts, people, events and your budget. My favorite part is the “gift closet.”

You can take pictures and keep inventory for easy access while shopping. If you know what you have, you’re less likely to over buy.

BIRTHDAY BIN

This is my favorite organizing tool for birthdays, especially if kids are at home.

Label a plastic bin with “Birthdays” and keep banners, signs, streamers, balloons, hats, buttons and other reusable decorations in it. This will save time and money, as you’ll never have to re-buy items like birthday banners. Plus, you’ll always have decorations on hand.

LEFTOVER SUPPLIES

Don’t put those leftover Avengers party plates and napkins in the birthday bin. You’re better off using them because your child most likely will want a different theme next year. Stash the themed napkins and plates with your regular paper goods. It’s a special treat for kids to eat from an Avengers plate on a regular ol’ Monday.

Tuck a themed napkin in with a school lunch, and your child will smile all day.

GOODBYE, GOODIE BAGS

Is it just me, or do we all strongly dislike things our kids don’t need and usually don’t want? Think outside the bag and keep favors budget-friendly. Have your daughter make her guests friendship bracelets or ask your son to write notes to his friends on baseballs. I recently asked my kids which party favors they enjoyed the most. For my 13-year-old son, it was a beach ball. He even remembered who gave it to him.

A LITTLE EXTRA SOMETHING

Birthdays are a great time to start family traditions, whether it’s birthday cake for breakfast or a special meal. It makes me smile every time my kids (ages 13 to 20), ask to continue a childhood ritual. We “called on” the Birthday Fairy, who came while the birthday child was asleep and decorated his or her bedroom with balloons and streamers.

Whatever the tradition, keep it simple. If it’s hard to do, continuing it for 20-plus years gets old.

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

Concerts For Performers • Lessons For Beginners 13270 Millard Ave. | Omaha | 68137

402.691.8875

omaha.schoolofrock.com school of rock omaha

10

@SORomaha

ITÊS NOT TOO LATE For Summer Swim Lessons!

SAFE & LOVING QUALITY CHILD CARE

Once-a-Week Swim Lessons

Two-week Camp Sessions

Classes Available For Ages 6 Mos. & Older.

Choose From Morning, Afternoon, Evening & Saturday Morning Timeslots!

• 3549 Fontenelle Boulevard • 4939 South 118th Street

402-932-2030 LittleWavesFamilySwimSchool.com

Call today for a tour | 402-451-0787

www.nchs.org 11

MOMAHA.COM

All of the printable elements for this party are available for download on momaha.com.

BROWN-BAG IT

Make lunch a breeze by prepacking brown bag lunches. Download our printable tags, which also provide labels for ham and turkey sandwich selections.

PARTY WAGON

Celebrate on the wild side with a zoo-themed birthday bash. We make it easy.

TEXT + STYLING Heather Winkel PHOTOGRAPHY Dev Hanumara

ANIMAL PARTY HATS 1. Download and print our party hat template

on card stock and begin creating your hats.

For the zebra, use white stock; penguin, black; lizard, lime green; giraffe, orange; and cheetah, brown. 2. Cut out the basic hat shape, roll into a cone and have fun adapting it to each animal.

TIP: To hold the cone shape, use a razor knife to create a slot for the tab. Roll the hat, insert the tab, tape in place on the inside. Zebra: For stripes, cut out wavy strips of black paper with pointed ends. Glue to hat. Penguin: Cut out a white paper oval and glue to hat for penguin’s stomach. Use orange paper to make webbed feet with tabs; attach tabs to inside bottom of hat. Fold a 2-inch orange square in half and cut into triangular shape for beak; glue to top of white oval. Lizard: To create a dorsal crest, cut a 1-inch strip of green paper the height of the hat. Cut a zigzag pattern down the middle of the strip. Along straight edge of strip fold a Ÿ-inch tab; glue down side of hat. Giraffe: Tear brown paper into small, irregular shapes and glue to hat. Cheetah: Cut out 1-inch brown circles and 1.5-inch black circles. Glue brown circles to black circles, then glue to hat.

3. Punch holes on either side of hat, insert ribbon, string or elastic, and tie knot on each side. Place on head and let the party begin!

12

A wagon is a smart way to haul party items to your party site.

WATER LABELS

Remove labels from water bottles and customize with our downloadable template. Just print, cut and attach.

ZOO SNACK MIX

Mix together the following and serve in a big bowl, using small cups as scoops: 2 cups Cheerios cereal, 2 cups animal crackers, 2 cups cheese-flavored snack crackers, 2 cups pretzels, 1 box fruit snacks

ROARING TABLE RUNNER

Run a 2-inch-wide grosgrain ribbon down the center of your table and top with a parade of plastic zoo animals. Each guest can “adopt� a zoo animal and take it home at the end of the party.

BUILD-YOUR-OWN ANIMAL COOKIES

These cookies are a fun party activity or a take-home treat.

Elephant and other animal cookie cutters are available at fatbraintoys.com.

PARTY HAT ANIMAL CUPCAKE TOPPERS 1. Cut a circle from patterned paper and fold in half. Fold it in half again to find where the point should be. 2. Gently twist

the paper into a hat shape and secure it with a small piece of tape. 3. Attach a miniature pom-pom to the tip of the hat with a small dot of hot glue. 4. Let dry, then attach to plastic zoo animals with a small dot of hot glue. 5. Place animals with hats on your cupcakes. Tip: Keep the miniature animals on hand while making hats. Each animal has a different size and head placement, so each hat is unique.

13

14

Concerned with your child’s progress report?

Anxiety

Sensory Issues

Attention & Focus

Organizational Skills Emotional Control

Academic Struggles

Contact today for long - term solutions!

All-ages painting party gets creative birthday juices flowing

Classes and private sessions available

Ruth Murray 402.339.0992 www.movementsolutions.us

STYLING + PHOTOGRAPHY Stacy Ideus

For my daughter Violet’s first birthday last fall, we celebrated with a pumpkin painting party that’s easily adapted for any season.

Our guests received small pumpkins and an array of paints to create designs of their choice. This easy idea involves minimal prep work, basic craft store supplies and run-ofthe-mill creativity so no one feels intimidated or excluded.

PAINTING PROJECT 1. Cover a hard work surface like a picnic table with newspaper or a drop cloth. 2. Set out an

assortment of acrylic paints and miniature pumpkins or other hard-skinned fruits or vegetables, such as apples or watermelons.

(Faux produce from craft stores works, too.)

3. Create a work station at the table for each guest. Provide a few paintbrushes or foam brushes, paper or Styrofoam plates for small pours of paint, and small cups or bowls of water for cleaning brushes. 4. Invite guests to decorate with paints and embellishments such as self-adhesive rhinestones, stickers, fabric trims, liquid glue, markers, etc. 5. Let creations dry on tabletop until guests are ready to go home. 6. Photograph each child with their 3-D art for your child’s birthday scrapbook.

Full-Time Positions Available We are seeking energetic individuals who enjoy working with young children.

Previous childcare experience and /or early childhood education helpful.

Please email enrollment@smallmiraclechildcare.com or call Debbie at 402-932-2922.

2 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS: 180th & Dodge • 402-932-2922 192nd & Pacific • 402-991-0696

www.smallmiraclechildcare.com 15

Readers share adorable birthday firsts The cake smash. Parents are adopting this fun, new tradition for their child’s first birthday using simple cupcakes or special pint-sized cakes. Here’s how it works: Dress your child in a cute outfit (but one you don’t care too much about getting dirty), put the cake in front of him or her and let this adorable first moment run its natural, very sweet, course.

Twins, avery , left, and liaM , dig into their first birthday cakes.

SebaStian Moore enjoys a mouthful of his first birthday cake.

Dylan loving was eager to let everyone know he was turning 1!

layla Jean ragole nibbles on her first birthday cake. She also made our cover.

16

oWen PanaSiuk takes a moment to digest what’s happening before continuing to eat his first birthday cake.

WellS axel bruce didn’t want just one bite of his cake. He wanted the entire thing!

SPLA SH OF THE ARTS!

Piano, Mariachi, Ukulele, Drums, Guitar, Voice, Cartooning, Painting, Ceramics, Ballet, Tap, Acting/Improv, Stage Makeup, & More!

Advice for A better life coMPiled by Momaha Magazine

We might not be in the dog days of summer yet, but temperatures are climbing. Follow these tips to keep kids – and adults – safe from the heat.

drY tiMeS More than half of all children and teens in the U.S. are not getting enough hydration – most likely because they’re simply not drinking enough water. American Journal of Public Health A little deHYdrAtioN = HUGe iMPAct Even mild dehydration can negatively impact a mood, energy level and cognitive ability. It doesn’t matter if a person has just walked for 40 minutes on a treadmill or is sitting at rest. The effects from mild dehydration, which is defined as 1.5 percent loss in normal water volume in the body, are the same. University of Connecticut, Human Performance Laboratory

View our website for more information regarding our classes & upcoming events.

402.556.7821

KNoW tHe SiGNS Symptoms of moderate dehydration include dry, sticky mouth, sleepiness, thirst, decreased urination, no wet diapers for three hours for infants, few or no tears when crying, dry skin, headache, constipation or dizziness. Children or infants with severe dehydration may show extreme fussiness or sleepiness, very dry mouth, skin and mucous membranes, little or no urination (or a urine that is darker than normal), sunken eyes, shriveled and dry skin that doesn’t “bounce back� when pinched into a fold, sunken soft spots on the top of a baby’s head, low blood pressure, rapid heartbeat and breathing, fever, delirium or unconsciousness. Seek medical care immediately if your child develops any of these symptoms. Mayo Clinic WAter, WAter everYWHere Most kids can meet their hydration needs simply by drinking enough water. Sports drinks, which contain electrolytes like sodium and potassium that are lost when the body sweats, may help kids who are engaging in extended physical activity lasting longer than one hour, like soccer, basketball and long-distance running. Kids should take frequent water breaks during sports or when playing outside for long periods of time, and avoid energy drinks, which can pose health risks. Super Healthy Kids HoW MUcH AGAiN? The amount of fluids children need depends on many factors such as age, gender, weather and physical activity. In general, experts advise that kids drink 6-8 glasses of fluid per day in addition to the water provided by food. Younger children need relatively smaller drinks. Natural Hydration Council

August 12th, 13th, 14th 2016 Hastings, Nebraska

www.Kool-AidDays.com dDa Days.com a ys.com 17

18

A fresh-squeezed plan for those hot summer days TEXT + STYLING Heather Winkel PHOTOGRAPHY The Hursts & Co.

Lemonade is the quintessential drink of summer. Create a lemonade stand that no passer-by can resist with an all lemon-theme. From cupcakes with straws to lemon print aprons, customers of all ages will be filled with delight – right up to that last sip of refreshing strawberry lemonade.

DIY LEMONADE STAND

You will need four standard-sized wooden crates and several zip ties.

Place two crates side-byside to create a base. Stack the other two crates on top, giving yourself “shelves” on each level. Secure with zip ties.

LEMON STAMpED AprON 1. Mix 2 parts acrylic

paint with 1 part Martha Stewart Crafts Tintable Fabric Medium on paint palette. 2. Cut fresh lemon in half and pat dry with paper towel. 3. Using a foam brush, apply a generous layer of paint to the sliced or flat side of the lemon. “Stamp” a lemon pattern on fabric apron.

4. Let dry completely and repeat with desired colors.

5. Heat-set paint with an iron before washing.

19

Lemon BaLLoon Straw 1. Inflate a 5-inch yellow balloon and tie it to a paper straw. 2. Cut

two leaf shapes out of green paper and glue ends together to create a sprig. 3. Let dry then glue sprig onto balloon near the base.

StrawBerry Lemonade

(Makes about 2 liters) 1. In a small saucepan, combine 1ž cups white sugar and 1 cup water.

Bring to a boil and stir to dissolve sugar. 2. Cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate until chilled. 3. Juice six lemons (1½ cups lemon juice). Remove seeds from lemon juice, but leave pulp. Tip: Extract more juice by microwaving the lemon for 5 to 15 seconds before juicing. 4. In pitcher, stir together chilled syrup, lemon juice and 7 cups water. 5. Place 3 cups sliced strawberries and 1 sliced lemon in pitcher and add lemonade. 6. Stir, add ice and serve.

20

Strawberry Lemonade CupCakeS 1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. Prepare 1

box white cake mix according to package directions. 3. Add 4 tablespoons Country Time Lemonade powder to the batter plus several drops pink food coloring until you reach desired shade of pink. Beat batter for about 1 minute. 4. Fill each cupcake liner 3/4 full of batter and bake for 18-20 minutes.

5. Let cool completely and then decorate with strawberry frosting.

6. Cut paper straws into thirds and insert into frosting as decoration.

21

IS FOR AGE

Grab a book. Reading aloud to your child is sure path to school readiness and academic success.

STORY Kim Carpenter

I

t’s late, you’re tired, and all you’d really like to do is put the kids to bed and finish up some house work, relax or head to bed yourself. If you do, says Dr. Annie L. Zimmer of Boys Town Pediatrics, you’re missing out on an opportunity to put your child on the path to academic success. All you have to do is pick up a book and spend a few minutes reading together.

“Reading out loud is an easy thing to neglect, but it’s so important,” the pediatrician stresses. “Findings show that reading to your kids provides an immense amount of word exposure before age 3 and is one of the best predictors of kids being ready to learn when they get to school. Reading out loud is one of the things that you can do to ensure that your child is going to do well in school.”

Even if you talk, sing or play with your child, that may not be enough, Zimmer says. “Talking to your toddler or baby a lot is very important, but reading provides more diverse word exposure and allows for complexity of vocabulary, language skills and sentence structure. Ultimately, the practice of reading books is going to have them wanting to read when they get to ages where they can read on their own.”

Here are her tips and strategies for making reading out loud part of your child’s bedtime routine.

22

It’s never too early.

Pediatricians often encourage parents to begin reading to their children at 6 months. At this age, it’s about building vocabulary not following plots. “Word exposure in the first three years of age really has impacts on kids’ vocabulary and literacy skills,” says the pediatrician. “Even baby and toddler years are prime times for reading out loud to your child, because you’re laying the building blocks of being able to read and do well in school.”

Even though it might be tempting to cease reading to your child when they enter school, Zimmer advises continuing into the first several years of elementary school. “There’s a natural tendency for kids to want to start doing the reading before they’re capable.

Usually, it’s in the 4-to-5 age range,” she says.

“Even in the early reading years in first and second grade, it’s good to have that reading time with mom or dad. I don’t think kids really age out of it.”

IS FOR BOOKS

Early on, don’t worry too much about the kinds of books you read out loud. “Try to tune into what interests your child,” advises Zimmer.

“A variety of books is helpful, but parents usually find that their kids like a certain book.”

While many parents turn to cloth and board books for babies and toddlers, they aren’t necessary. Instead, focus on looking at pictures and talking about what’s happening on the page.

“I don’t want parents to feel they have to have that kind of book to read to their baby. At 6 months to 1 year, children are not going to follow a plot so much as identify objects that they’re familiar with and like. If they wander and just want to talk about the moon at the top of the page, it’s good for parents to affirm what their child is discovering in the book.”

IS FOR CONSISTENCY

It doesn’t matter how long you read out loud at the beginning, or even if you read at all. “Sometimes it’s just looking at books together and pointing at pictures,” Zimmer says. It’s building the habit and providing the word exposure for language development.”

The length of time spent reading out loud isn’t as important as the routine itself. “You might read to a 6-month-old for just a few minutes, but if it’s a frequent activity children will get used to it and start eliciting that behavior,” Zimmer says.

“They’ll crawl up to their parents for a book and request reading – even before they can say the words.”

Don’t get discouraged if children are less than receptive in the beginning. “There are stages where the typical child may be less cooperative.

It can be tough sitting still,” she says.

Start with one or two minutes on the lap, and that time will eventually grow to five or 10 minutes, or longer as the child ages.

Early Childhood Outdoor Education It’s happening here.

Brownell-Talbot’s Kotula Family Nature Classroom provides our early childhood students with meaningful opportunities to interact with the natural world.

Research supports the benefits of playing outdoors, and this classroom gives the youngest BT students a chance to be actors, artists, musicians, farmers and scientists all while playing outside!

Register for Summer Camps Now! Aquatics, Athletics, Robotics, Technology, and Retrain Your Brain! brownell.edu

Discover the difference a Brownell-Talbot education can make.

Call 402.556.3772 today and schedule a visit.

Preschool - Grade 12 400 N Happy Hollow Blvd Omaha NE 68132 402.556.3772 brownell.edu

FITNESS ADVICE YOU CAN FOLLOW. HEALTHYKOHLSKIDS.COM 23

Recently published stories will have your kids begging “Again!”

COMPiLed BY Kim Carpenter

Bedtime is the perfect opportunity for your child to cuddle up with a good book – and you.

These new selections delight with their simple, charming stories and whimsical illustrations.

“The NighT gardeNer”

Terry & Eric Fan (Simon & Schuster) Something magical is happening in Grimloch Lane. A mysterious night gardener is turning trees into magnificent animal topiaries. Young William is enchanted and learns the secret behind the artistry.

The lush illustrations offer rich details for repeat readings. Ages 4-8

“LiON LeSSONS”

Jon Agee (Penguin Young Readers) Prowling, pouncing, looking fierce. There’s a lot of work that goes into being a proper lion. A daring human student takes lessons from the King of the Jungle and learns that looking out for friends is one of the most valuable lessons of all. Ages 4-8

24

“The WrONg Side Of The Bed”

“BLOOM”

Lisa M. Bakos (Penguin Young Readers) Don’t you hate those “sticky stain, mismatched socks, very prickly, one bunny slipper” sort of days? Just wait until “smelly bubbles” and “eat your broccoli” enter the fray. Children will delight at the mounting, repetitive action and eventual resolution to a very bad day. Ages 3-5

Doreen Cronin & David Small (Simon & Schuster) There is no such thing as an ordinary girl. That’s what a spoon servant learns when she needs to track down the messy fairy who can save a glass kingdom. Accompanied by sweet illustrations, the story emphasizes the importance of even the most overlooked among us. Ages 3-6

“Beard BOY”

“PLaYTiMe?”

John Flannery (Penguin Young Readers) Young Ben wants a beard.

All the rad men in town have one – the baker, the butcher, the barber. And the most important guy of all: his dad. This fatherson story celebrates facial hair and the ties (and whiskers) that bind.

Ages 3-5

Jeff Mack (Penguin Young Readers) What do you do when you have an overactive gorilla for a pet? Patiently explain that it’s bedtime.

Both children and parents will relate to this amusing boundary-pushing tale.

Ages 3-5

“WheN YOur eLePhaNT COMeS TO PLaY”

“WheN aNdY MeT SaNdY”

“PeeP aNd egg”

“dig iN!”

Ale Barba (Philomel Books) Having an elephant as a friend isn’t as easy as you might think. Forget sharing chocolate cake, hitting the swimming pool or jumping on the bed. But the hugs more than make up for any of that. Now, the alligator is a whole different story!

Ages 3-7

Laura Gehl & Joyce Wan (MacMillan) A reluctant chick doesn’t want to hatch. Too buggy.

Too loud. Too scary. Peep offers the best reason to crack through the shell: a story. The tale shows it’s OK to be afraid and that friends can help overcome fears. Ages 2-6

Tomie dePaola with Jim Lewis (Simon & Schuster) What happens when two shy children meet on a playground? They gradually work up the courage to become friends and have more fun together than they ever could alone. Ages 4-6

Cindy Jenson-Elliott & Mary Peterson (Simon & Schuster) What can you find when you dig in the dirt? Much more than you might think. This comical little book exposes youngsters to the wonders in their own backyards. Be warned: They might want to follow suit. Ages 2-6

2 0 1 6 - 2 0 1 7

S E A S O N

$

Membership is the best way to enjoy everything The Rose has to offer.

Rose members receive access to seven regular season shows for one low price. That’s seven times to stop and laugh together with your child. Seven times to experience the awe and wonder of theater. Seven times to make memories together as a family — memories that will last a lifetime.

Memberships on sale now.

JOIN TODAY!

105

THAT’S 28 TICKETS! 2016-17 Mainstage Shows Goodnight Moon Shrek The Musical TYA The Jungle Book The True Story of the 3 Li le Pigs Huck Finn Harold and The Purple Crayon Stellaluna and Other Tales

Sept. 2-18, 2016 Sept. 30-Oct. 16, 2016 Oct. 28-Nov. 13, 2016 Jan. 27-Feb. 12, 2017 Feb. 24-Mar. 12, 2017 Mar. 24-Apr. 9, 2017 Apr. 21-May 7, 2017

2016-17 Hitchcock Series for Very Young Children Mouse on the Move Thumbelina

2016-17 Premium Shows Prancer Peter Pan

Oct. 15-Nov. 6, 2017 Jan. 14-Feb. 5, 2017

Nov. 25-Dec. 18, 2016 June 2-18, 2017

www.rosetheater.org • (402) 345-4849