Momaha The Magazine

momaha momaha.com

where moms connect

volume 3 · issue 7

JULY 2012

the magazine

BIrthDay

MaNIa! High-Impact, Low-Stress Party Ideas

plus

Trick-Out Your Child’s Parade Bike

DOUSING Water FearS pg. 4

A mean fastball and a surgeon’s skill put Adam back in the game.

  �

Shahab Abdessalam, M.D., and Adam Folsom

Visit ChildrensOmaha.org

1.800.833.3100.

Superheroes Aren’t Born,

They’re Made

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momaha where moms connect vOLUME 3 · ISSUE 7 · JULY 2012 momaha.com editor J O S I E LOZ A josie.loza@owh.com 402-444-1075

FROM our MOMAHA.COM editOR

Simple Works for Us

editorial director & designer CHRIS CHRISTEN chris.christen@owh.com 402-444-1094

Do it yourself, don’t break the bank. That’s my motto for birthday parties.

Each year, I plan, create and decorate three parties for my little ones — Bobby, soonto-be 9; Alejandra, 4; and Gabriella, 16 months.

I’ve learned that as long as I keep it simple, I’m golden.

The thing about kids (parents seem to forget): They don’t care how much you spend on a party. They just want to have fun.

Kids have parties every year. So don’t stress if you didn’t get it right the third or fourth time. You have a

copy editor AMY LaMAR

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

on the cover

Photo illustration by Chris Christen

content contributors K I M C A R PE N T E R KURT A. KEELER M A DA LY N S H E A A M Y TO KO S AMY LaMAR

to advertise, contact KRISTINE BUHMAN kristine.buhman@owh.com 402-444-1442

lifetime to work it out.

MICHAELA HANEY michaela.haney@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 2012 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.

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

FUN PLEX HOSTS THE BEST BIRTHDAY PARTIES IN TOWN Make this Special Day the Most Special of All! Call 402-331-8436 or visit fun-plex.com to reserve your day today.

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2

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GET YOUR WHEELS TURNING

WORLD-HERALD PHOTOS

Trick-Out Your Child’s Bike

BY KIM CARPENTER Neighborhood celebrations on the Fourth of July are as American as apple pie. We love the parade of bikes, trikes, wagons, scooters, four wheelers —even strollers — tricked-out in patriotic red, white and blue. But when you’re pressed for time, it can be challenging to come up with novel ideas for your Fourth of July fleet. This approach will make you a hero: Work with multiples of one item in a color you like and top off handle bars with one giant trailing bow (about 26 inches long). It’s fast, classy and eye-catching.

Flower Power Floats in the Rose Parade may be decorated with the real thing, but artificial red, white and blue flowers are perfect for making a memorable – and unique – ride. Use wire stems to wrap your made-in-America bouquets around bike spokes and handlebars as well as wicker baskets.

Add an Edge Those fluffy edge pull bows with the sticky backs aren’t just for gifts. Use an easy adhesive like Duck Brand Removable Double Sided Foam Mounting Tape or Scotch Removable Mounting Tape for stronger staying power.

Give It a Whirl Make tiered rows of pinwheels to create eyecatching decorations that require kids to pedal, pull and push to achieve the full effect.

Rethink Tinsel It’s not just for Christmas trees. Pull that tinsel out of the box in the attic and drape it around anything your child can ride or drive.

Pipe Cleaners Inexpensive and perfect for twisting, pipe cleaners look great either wrapped randomly or wound tightly in patterns on spokes and on handlebars.

Garlands Wire garlands with shiny red, white and blue stars were made for parades. Cut the wire into shorter lengths, which makes it a snap to wrap around spokes.

Bunting It may be 20 feet long, but cut an individual scallop off a length of bunting and hang it on handlebars for one of the fastest Fourth of July decorations you’ll find.

Bunting wrapped around wagons gives the effect of a miniature parade float.

Because it’s lighter and reflects light, cellophane bunting works better than fabric – and it’s cheaper.

3

MAKING POOLTIME FUN

More at MoMaha.coM

;-) Chat with Josie each Friday from 2 to 3 p.m. on momaha.com

?!

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

WORLD-HERALD

The Water’s Fine – Really!

Click through our Kids Camp directory.

Join Momaha’s book club. It meets at 7 p.m.

Aug. 2. The book is Gillian Flynn’s “Gone Girl.”

RSVP to bradangie. nielsen@gmail.com 4

BY MADALYN SHEA So, your child isn’t exactly a little fish? Lots of children struggle to learn how to swim because they are afraid of the water. DiVentures Aquatic Director Katie Bryant offers five tips to make learning to swim easy and fun.

1

Enroll your child in a swimming program as early as possible.

(DiVentures accepts 6-montholds in its “Baby & Me” class.)

It’s not uncommon for a 3-year-old to be afraid of the water if it’s his first time in the pool. Seeing other children learn in a swim class helps encourage kids to be more comfortable in the water.

Most toddlers get over their fears after three consecutive swim lessons. You can even practice some skills at home.

For example, during bath time, have your child plug her nose and put her head under water.

2

Never minimize your child’s fear. Instead, try to get to the bottom of it. Talk with your child about her fears and reassure her that water can be fun if she’s safe. Be comforting and move slowly with new skills. Try singing a familiar song while playing in the pool; it can have a calming effect on a frightened child.

3

Extend bath time by a minute or two each night to help your child get used to being in the water.

Gently pour water over your child’s tummy and shoulders, then over the back of his head. Incorporate fun toys to

engage your child and to make bath time feel more like play time.

4

Go to the pool as often as you can.

Repetition and routine help calm fears and ease apprehensions. Show that you aren’t afraid of the water.

Jump in!

5

Declare a family movie night and pop in a DVD that shows kids and families having a good time in the water. (“Jaws” would not be recommended.) Your kiddo just might be braver about making that splash.

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5

1-2-3 DECORATING

Globetrotting From Home

by Kim Carpenter Enjoy a dream vacation without checking a bag.

Simply pick up a home accessory that reminds you of a place you’ve visited or long to see.

rome Coliseum bookends by TMSMenagerie, 7 inches tall, $59, from The Afternoon at Midtown Crossing.

bordeaux Burlap pillow, 18 inches square, $48.98, at Conversations at Rockbrook Village.

Paper-maché globes, 18 inches diameter, $14.98, at Conversations.

London Big Ben wall clock

by Alan Wisniewski for Umbra, 48 x 8½ x 1½ inches, $75, The Afternoon.

Street sign reproduction, 36½ x 24½ inches, $330.98, at Conversations.

6

PHOTOS BY KURT A. KEELER

paris Eiffel Tower lamp with brushed nickel base, 9 inches tall, $69.95, from The Afternoon.

BIRTHDAY MANIA

High-Impact, Low-Stress Parties For the ultimate party inspiration, we turned to Momaha moms with DIY talent.

Your Building Blocks Choose a Theme

What is your child into? Does he have a favorite book or movie? Is your daughter a real-life princess?

What kid doesn’t love the circus or a carnival?

The Invitations Instead of buying prepackaged invites, make your own using a downloadable template. You could also send an invitation via evite.com or Facebook.

The Cake

You have two options: Make it or hire a professional.

If you’re not up to the challenge, ask a local bakery or cake decorator to design a creation that fits the theme.

Cupcakes, cake pops and mini Bundt cakes are options too.

The Decorations

Make a birthday banner with ribbon and printed letters.

Search Pinterest for clever ways to incorporate your theme into the cake, food and favors.

The Food

Serve quick and easy snacks that fit your theme. For example, popcorn, cotton candy and roasted peanuts would be fun for a circus or carnival party.

The Activities

Pick up a piñata or invent a game.

At a princess party, have the girls make tutus and paper tiaras that can double as party favors.

Have a few games at the ready, such as bingo or a hula contest.

Compiled by Josefina loza momaha.Com editor

7

DIY Moms Have Parties Down to a Science Compiled

by Josephina

BY JOSEFINA LOZA, CHRISloza and Chris Christen CHRISTEN AND KIM CARPENTER

Robots R Us

O

mahan Jessica Remmington loves planning birthday parties, baby showers and girls’ nights in.

“Anything that requires a bit of creativity and thinking outside of the box is fun to me,” she says. “I also love to save money.

Hosting parties at home helps me do that.”

Venue-based parties “are really nice, and my kids enjoy going to them. But there is something about me that loves all things DIY.” She’s in heaven spending less than $100 on a party that her kids love and talk about for months afterward.

When her middle child, Jackson, turned 4, he was big into robots, so she used that as his party theme. “He was very excited to see some of his drawings come to life” in games and decorations.

“Together we designed a robot pattern for his birthday shirt and the cake.”

Jackson came up with the idea for Ro-doh, which was Play-Doh, and a bean bag toss involving a cardboard robot as a target.

“A birthday party is about celebrating one of your greatest gifts and accomplishments – your child,” Remmington says. “As long as your child knows he or she is loved, then it doesn’t matter if your cake is lopsided and the candles are a little dusty and reused.”

Rock Star Mom

K

atrina Olsen, 33, has staged rock star, sports and superhero parties for her 9-year-old and 5-year-old.

For the rock star party, the Omaha mom created a red cellophane carpet and had each guest dress as a celebrity. Then they posed for a keepsake photo. The girls voted on their favorite outfit, and the winner went home with a Justin Bieber poster.

There was also a “walk of fame” with oversized stars, which the girls decorated and then took home, as well as a Limbo contest. “I know it’s not rock star, but we played rock star music with it,” Olsen says. The girls also played Disney’s Sing

8

It-Wii and Just Dance. They would have played musical chairs too, “but we ran out of time.”

Party favors consisted of sunglasses, bracelets and a mix CD featuring “Kamryn’s 8th Birthday Party Soundtrack.”

Olsen used Elkhorn’s Common Ground Community Center for a sportsthemed party for her daughter’s thirdgrade class and soccer friends. There were 28 kids total. They played kick ball and dodgeball in the gym for about an hour, and then the kids either went swimming or played foosball, ping-pong or air hockey in the game room. Party favors included personalized Gatorade water bottles, whistles and fruit snacks.

Five-year-olds attended the superhero party. Each guest received a superhero mask as a party favor. (Parents have told Olsen that their children still play with their masks.) The kids went on a “team mission” (scavenger hunt) with clues to find their superheroes’ weapons.

The story line involved a daughter as a weapon-stealing villain.

Little Lorax Fun

A

ngela Allen, 31, planned a 5th birthday party around Dr. Seuss’ “The Lorax.”

She looked for Lorax party supplies at the usual party outlets around town, but came up empty-handed. So she figured out what she could do on her own.

Dirt Cup treats took the place of cake, which Allen’s son, Bryce, doesn’t like anyway. Allen served the chocolate pudding-based snack in green cups with green spoons. The spoons were decorated with flower stickers at the tips of the handles.

She made bushy Lorax-style mustaches, and used egg carton sections as containers for the party favors: wildflower seeds, loose dirt and growing instructions.

“I like to include items in the gift bags that the kids will be able to use,” Allen says.

The Lorax party evolved into a “dirt party” when Allen found thank-you cards with a picture of a bulldozer moving rocks.

A favor for ye, mate!

Party theme: Pirate Container: Foam pirate hat Contents: Red kerchief, die-cut pirate with markers, pirate Grow Pal, eye patch.

Fabulous Favors

BY KIM CARPENTER Every kid loves to take home a goody bag. For some, it’s the highlight of the party. We hit the bargain aisles of Target, Walmart, Big Lots and Michael’s to illustrate how you might build a goody bag for several popular party themes. Our investment per bag: $3 to $8.

Pretty in Pink

Theme: Princess or fairy Container: Plastic basket Contents: Ballerina skirt, magic wand, bead jewelry, die-cut princess with markers, small box of crayons.

For Your Eyes Only

Theme: Detective mystery Container: “Top secret” envelope Contents: Magnifying glass, fingerprint kit, dark glasses.

Photo coURteSy oF Megan KeLLy RayeR

Ship-Shape Fun

M

egan Kelly Rayer hosted a pirate party for 3-year-old Carson. She scored some really cute elements, including a color-your-own cardboard pirate ship for $20 at Zulily; an ocean backdrop at Nobbies; Little Tykes pirate costumes, 10 for $9.99; and paper goods for less than $15 at Target.

Carson and his grandma made cupcakes together, so there was no cake expense aside from the boxed mix and the frosting. For the “treasure dig,” Rayer filled a borrowed bucket with sand and buried Mardi Gras beads, gold coins and pirate rings from Nobbies . The kids used plastic shovels to dig for their treasures, which they got to keep. They also played pin-the-eye-patch-on-the-pirate.

“Everyone had a blast,” Rayer says. “One of the guests told his mom as he was leaving, ‘This was the best birthday party EVER!’”

Other Themes

summer Fun: Sidewalk chalk, small flying disc sleepover: Glow sticks and glow necklace best Friends: Beads and string for friendship bracelets dance party: CD of your child’s favorite songs pool party: Beach ball, squirt gun art/artist: Markers or crayons, small drawing pad astronaut: Glow-in-the-dark stars, mini telescope beauty salon: Nail polish, lip gloss baking: Brownie mix, mini cupcake pan movie night: Popcorn bowl, microwave popcorn

9

SEUSSICAL FUN To make a silly Lorax mustache, simply trace our pattern onto white paper and transfer the shape onto bright yellow or orange sheets of heavy construction paper or foam (we used the latter because it’s super durable). Tape or hot-glue your mustache cutout to a flexible drinking straw. Within minutes you’ll have a fun prop for a darling group photo of little partygoers with bushy mustaches! To carry out “The Lorax” theme, decorate your child’s cake with truffula trees made with multicolored craft pom poms hot-glued to pin-striped pipe cleaners. The leftovers can be used to make truffula tree party favors. And for the birthday lunch, we found an adorable Seussical-style dish from The Organized Cook, Toni Spilsbury.

Pop in a DVD of the “The Lorax” and you’ve just built a party that would make Dr. Seuss proud!

Food coloring is the magic ingredient in this Lorax Pasta dish.

Recipe: www.tonispilsbury.com

Photo by Chris Christen

Super easy party favor: Truffula trees that the kids make themselves.

Supplies: pipe cleaners, colorful pom poms, craft glue and clay. www.craftjr.com

LoRax PaTTeRn Cut along dotted line and you’re ready to start tracing.

(If the proportion isn’t quite right for your child’s face, simply enlarge or downsize the pattern using a photocopier.)

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READY-MADE PARTIES

Venues Heavy on Fun, Conveniences, Too

I

t’s one of the best days of the year: the day when you see the look of delight on your child’s face as you light another candle on his birthday cake.

But for as much joy as birthdays bring, their parties are often another matter.

Venue parties can be ideal for moms and dads who are strapped for time, find themselves creatively challenged or simply enjoy the idea of an all-inclusive party.

For most venue parties, time is limited to one-and-a-half to two hours; activities are carefully timed to make sure the event goes according to schedule; and all the preparation and clean-up is done by a party coordinator. All you have to do is watch your child enjoy a magical day and keep your camera at the ready for those priceless moments.

An all-inclusive party runs from $75 to more than $200, depending on the venue and the add-ons. The metro area has oodles of options. So make a wish and blow out those candles with confidence that you’ve made a swell choice.

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Fun Centers

The Amazing Pizza Machine Arcade, indoor racetrack, miniature golf and more.

139th Street and S Plaza 402-829-1777 www.amazingpizzamachine.com

Family Fun Center XL Laser tag, video and arcade games, miniature golf, air hockey and trampoline.

10765 M St. 402-554-1925 www.familyfuncenter.net

Fun Plex Roller coaster, Tilt-a-Whirl and other rides; go-karts and bumper boats.

7003 Q St. 402-331-8436 www.fun-plex.com

Skatedaze Roller skating, laser tag,

bumper cars, sky tubes and mini roller coaster.

High-Energy

3316 S. 132nd St. 402-333-3555 www.skatedaze.com

PE 101 Gym activities tailored to specific age groups.

History

2920 N. 118th St., Suite 106 402-445-8343 www.pe101kidsgym.com

Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Ranch Hayrides, campfires, ghost town, haunted caves. Grub and cake for the birthday gang, too.

11001 S. 48th St., Bellevue 402-331-5500 www.bellevueberryfarm.com

The Durham Museum Log cabin and pioneer classroom where children churn butter, try on pioneer clothes and learn what life was like on the American frontier.

801 S. 10th St. (402) 444-5071 www.durhammuseum.org

Pump It Up Giant inflatables, slides and a rock-climbing wall.

960 S. 72nd St. 402-932-7867 www.pumpitupparty.com

Nature

Fontenelle Forest Nature Center Naturalist-led hike, outdoor game, animal visitor of your child’s choice (snake, toad, turtle, salamander or rabbit).

1111 Bellevue Blvd., North, Bellevue 402-731-3140 www.fontenelleforest.org

Lauritzen Gardens Garden fairies, wiggly worms and incredible insects; for ages 5 to10.

100 Bancroft St. 402-346-4002 www.lauritzengardens.org

Animals

Gifford Farm Education Center Farm animals and farmrelated activities.

700 Camp Gifford Road, Bellevue 402-597-4920 www2.esu3.org/esu3

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium Close encounter with a zoo resident, craft project, animal tattoo and group photo.

3701 S. 10th St. 402-733-8401 www.omahazoo.com

Nebraska Humane Society Special animal guest and kid-friendly facts about the animal shelter.

It’s Yours Pottery Choose from pottery painting, glass fusing, clay hand-building and canvas painting.

8929 Fort St. 402-444-7800 www.nehumanesociety.org

2518 S. 132nd Court 402-330-3470 www.itsyourspottery.com

Arts & Crafts

Teddy Bear Connection Build your own stuffed animal – bear, lion, cat, dog, tiger, unicorn and many, many more.

Westroads Mall 402-397-0240

Doodle Cakes Each child goes home with an individually decorated cake, chef’s hat and balloon.

14732 Grover St. 402-697-8702 doodlecakes.com

Creation Station Each guest paints a piece of pottery and then takes it home.

8037 S. 83rd Ave., La Vista 402-502-9080 www.creationstationomaha.com

That Pottery Place Kids flex their inner Picassos by painting their own pottery, making mosaics or fusing glass.

7828 Dodge St. 402-392-1166 www.thatpotteryplace omaha.com

Rainbow Artistic Glass Children create their own stained-glass keepsake.

3709 S. 138th St. 402-330-7676 www.rainbowartisticglass.com

Aquatic

CoCo Key Water Resort Water cannons, slides, tube rides, lazy river.

Ramada Plaza Omaha Hotel & Convention Center 3321 S. 72nd St. 402-393-3950 www.ramadaplazaomaha.com/ water-resort

DiVentures Scuba party with a certified diving instructor.

4303 S. 121st Plaza 402-933-6251 www.diventures.net

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Fun Plex Water Park Five-story Typhoon water slides and rolling Motion Ocean.

7003 Q St. 402-331-8436 www.fun-plex.com

Make-Believe/ Performing

Clara’s Closet Dress up and play make-believe. Tea parties, fashion shows and Hawaiian luaus.

2822 N. Main St., Elkhorn 402-289-9680 www.dressupparties.net

Rock Paradise Aspiring singers and dancers strut on stage with lights, disco balls and a karaoke machine.

14732 Grover St. 402-697-8702 www.rockparadiseomaha.com

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13

Themed Treats COMPILED By AMy LAMAr It’s hard to personalize a store-bought birthday cake. Sure you can have the baker write your child’s name in icing, but that isn’t quite as memorable – or fun – as the homemade treats below. These treats even come with their own themes: “Flower power,” “rock-climbing” and “rock star.” Simply match up your decorations, tableware and treat bags accordingly. Come up with a few games, and you will have a creative, fun and memorable child’s birthday party.

Super Stars Using cookie cutters makes it easy for kids to help prepare these star-shaped treats. For the best results, choose fruit that’s firm and not too ripe.

Directions: For each pop, cut a 1-inch-thick slice of watermelon into a star shape with a large (3 inch) star cookie cutter. Cut out its center with a smaller star (1¾inch) cutter. Use the small cutter again to shape a 1-inch-thick slice of apple.

Cut a small hole in the center of the apple slice and place a blueberry inside.

Assemble the fruit pieces as shown, then slide them onto a bamboo skewer.

For added flair, cover skewer with a paper straw.

Recipe and photo courtesy of FamilyFun magazine

King of the Mountain Cake 14 chocolate wafer cookies 2 16-ounce containers of white frosting Angel food cake Doughnut holes Colorful soft candies String licorice Plastic figures Directions: Place the cookies in a plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin. Mix the cookie crumbs and the frosting. Frost the cake, reserving one-half cup. Cut the doughnut holes in half. Randomly stick them to the cake, then frost over them. Cut the candies into quarters. With your fingers, mold the pieces into handhold and foothold shapes.

Finish decorating the cake as shown.

Recipe and photo courtesy of FamilyFun magazine

14

Lolli-Flowers

Dirt Cups

Flour Sugar cookie dough 3-inch flower cookie cutter Apple corer or plastic bottle cap Parchment paper 6-inch lollipop sticks (available at craft stores) Life Savers (hard, not gummy)

1 pkg. (3.9 ounces) chocolate instant pudding 2 cups cold milk 1 tub (8 ounces) whipped topping, thawed 15 Oreo cookies, finely crushed, divided 10 worm-shaped chewy fruit snacks

Directions: Heat the oven to 350 degrees. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough. Cut the flowers, then cut and remove center circles with the apple corer or bottle cap. On a parchment-lined cookie sheet, lay out the lollipop sticks about 5 inches apart.

Place a flower on each stick so that the stick’s end is visible in the hole. Set a candy in each hole. Bake the cookies until they are lightly browned. Let cookies cool completely before removing them from the cookie sheet.

Directions: Beat pudding mix and milk in large bowl with whisk for 2 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes.

Stir in whipped topping and one-half of the cookie crumbs.

Spoon into 10 cups; top with remaining cookie crumbs.

Refrigerate 1 hour.

Top with fruit snacks just before serving.

Recipe courtesy of Angela Allen, Omaha; photo by Chris Christen

Recipe and photo courtesy of FamilyFun magazine

15

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