Momaha Magazine - September 2014

momaha.com

volume 5 · issue 9

September 2014

Get organized Day trip? Tried-and-true babysitter advice

Go BiG Red! Food & style kickoff

plus

inside child’s your lunch box

OCTOBER 2014 - JANUARY 2015 This fall, experience a transformation of nature, with glowing colors and visitor-controlled pop-up stations. Vibrant lighting designs build the stops on a one-of-a-kind interactive, educational journey — opening eyes to illumination of the Forest and Mind.

FONTENELLEFOREST.ORG

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THE BEST PLACE FOR KIDS.

GraceAnn, age 7 Asthma

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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momaha

From our momaha.com Editor

where moms connect

VOlUME 5 . ISSUE 9 . SEPTEMBER 2014 editor in chief CHRIS CHRISTEN chris.christen@owh.com 402-444-1094

kick off the season

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

creative director/designer HEIDI THORSON hhoffman@owh.com 402-444-1351

momaha.com editor J O S I E lOZ A josie.loza@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

on the cover PHOTO: HEIDI THORSON

content contributors DANIEllE HER ZO g, AMy TO kOS, AMy gR ACE, R ACHEl C AIN, SANDRA WENDEl, kURT A. kEElER, JUlIE DIEfENBAUgH

S

eptember is finally here. And those of us who have grown up in this great state know what that means.

Nebraska’s favorite sport has kicked off.

We know the excitement can be a bit overwhelming, so we’re here to help you get ready for the actionpacked season. In this issue, you’ll find a twist on the traditional red and white for your pint-sized Big Red fan to wear to a game or football party. We also have some organizing tips for an all-day babysitter while you’re at the game.

Speaking of fall, see how to make your own concrete leaf sculptures.

On page 6, we have age-appropriate makeup ideas for your daughter who is growing up way too fast.

And on page 8, you’ll find five quick, do-at-home preteen hairstyles.

Here’s to a productive season. Go get ‘em Husker Mom!

josie Loza momaha.com editor

Mom to two girly girls.

Quirky, unpredictable & sometimes says too much. loves making people smile.

Fun Fact Josie only eats popcorn if it’s mixed with M&Ms. Otherwise it’s “plain and yucky.”

to advertise, contact E M I ly M A R T I N emily.martin@owh.com 402-444-1411 MARCIA OSTRANSk y marcia.ostransky@owh.com 402-444-1489 Momaha Magazine is a monthly publication of the Omaha World-Herald, 1314 Douglas St., Suite 600, Omaha, NE 68102. Momaha is a registered trademark, and all content is copyright 2014 by the Omaha World-Herald. All rights reserved. The opinions and perspectives published herein are those of the authors and should not be construed as those of Momaha Magazine.

Get Social Chat with Josie each friday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on momaha.com

Facebook: josie.loza Twitter: @lozafina Pinterest: momahaowh

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Learn, Pray, Grow

Give your child the opportunity to SOAR by developing Intellectually, Spiritually, & Socially.

3131 South 156th Street | Omaha, NE 68130 | 402.333.0818 | www.skuttcatholic.com 5

MOMAHA.COM BlOgger // AMY grACe Amy Grace writes on Fridays at momaha.com.

Girls and Makeup:

MAKEUP 101 1.

SunScreen iS eSSential. It’s the most important thing a girl can put on her face. Whether it’s straight sunscreen, a moisturizer with at least SPF 15 or a tinted “BB” (blemish) cream with SPF 15 or higher, it’s imperative for skin protection and to fight aging. Get your daughter thinking about this early in life. That way, when she is old enough to put you in a good old people’s home she will still have great skin.

2.

inStruction iS key. If you are good at applying makeup, show your daughter how to use cosmetics to enhance her perfectly lovely preteen features. If you aren’t so good at applying makeup, use this as a bonding opportunity. Visit a makeup counter together and have a professional show you. Or, watch a great how-to video like this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D52ghESAhBU

3.

Find balance. Your daughter may want to paint her face up like a clown – even offstage.

You may want her to only wear Vaseline on her lips. Find a happy medium that you are both comfortable with, and promise to reevaluate it as she gets older.

4.

leSS iS more. In my research, I came across numerous articles about how both men and women think women are more beautiful with less makeup. Encourage her to be proud of her natural beauty and more importantly, what’s on the inside.

Let her know that women who have confidence will always be beautiful – makeup or not.

5.

chooSe your battleS. There are worse things than young girls wearing makeup, in my opinion. (It’s easy for me to say, I know!) Maybe she wants a blue Mohawk, a see-through mini dress or an 18-year-old boyfriend. I bet you’d trade those for a little bit of makeup any day.

How young and how much?

B

eing the mother of three boys definitely has its advantages. For instance, I’m pretty sure that my sons won’t beg for permission to wear makeup at the ripe age of 9. Or worse, put it on behind my back.

But I do have nieces. One niece in particular is age 6 going on 26. She has loved makeup for years – even though she has only been allowed to wear it for dance recitals thus far.

I recently posed the question to friends and family on Facebook: “When will/did you start letting your daughters wear makeup? And how much?” As you can imagine, there were many responses, and surprisingly, a range of acceptable ages.

Most surprising to me was a dad who said his daughter wears makeup at age 9. I’m not judging. I just assumed that dads who have daughters would be wildly opposed to girls wearing makeup before they turn 30.

The majority of mothers said they let their daughters start wearing makeup in middle school at around age 12. They also said it’s subject to their approval. One friend replied, “Vaseline is fine for lips.”

A visit to Sephora to talk with makeup professionals was even more enlightening. All three women working that day said they weren’t allowed to wear makeup until they were 16. I started wearing makeup in sixth grade. My beauty regimen consisted of pink or lavender eye shadow and some pale lip gloss.

Here is what else I learned through my informal poll.

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Fast Fixes

Five styles you and your preteen can manage in lightning speed.

TexT by Amy LamAr STyLing by reveAL SALon & SpA phoTogrAphy by KurT A. KeeLer

P

reteen hair: What’s a mom to do? Kids want it out of their face and out of their way as they dash out the door. Moms, on the other hand, prefer a little more style and polish.

We turned to Natasha Fehlhaber and her hairstyling team at Reveal Salon and Spa in Omaha for five quick styles that preteens can mostly handle on their own. As a bonus, they threw in their best product suggestions for each child’s hair type.

Self-Confidence through Achievement

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Kylee, 11 – All-AmericAn Hobbies: Art and volleyball Hair type: Wavy Product to try: A leave-in conditioner and hair spray How she usually wears it: Side ponytail Hair complaint: “I don’t like the length. I want it to be longer.”

Her new do: Give the illusion of length. Make a regular braid on the right side of the head. Then, twist the hair on the left side, incorporating the braid. Secure it with bobby pins in a not-so-messy bun.

more HAirstyles to try “Cozy’s Complete Guide to Girls’ Hair” by Cozy Friedman with Sheryl Berk. Workman Publishing, $15.95. The author, who lives in New York, operates a salon just for kids.

In addition to step-by-step instructions for cute styles you can do at home, find tips on products and tools, as well as advice for handling hair emergencies.

before

after iSabelle, 10 – GoldilockS Hobby: Gymnastics Hair type: Slightly wavy and frizzy product to try: Leave-in conditioner How she usually wears it: Ponytail Hair complaint: “I’m horrible at braiding.”

Her new do: With help from Mom, make a headband-style French braid in a side ponytail. “A lot of moms know how to French braid,” said stylist Heidi Flaming. “It’s easy, quick and out of the face, and it isn’t just a ponytail.”

Mia, 9 – cute aS a button Hobbies: Drawing and playing soccer Hair type: Thick and wavy product to try: Aveda Light Elements Texturizing Creme to smooth flyaways without making the hair feel greasy How she usually wears it: Down Hair complaint: “It’s too thick. It’s not easy to brush.”

Her new do: With a little help from Mom, put hair in a ponytail. Split the ponytail into three sections, making the middle section smaller than the others. Pin the center section out of the way. Roll the right-hand section outward to create a roll; pin the ends of the hair inside the roll. Repeat on the left-hand side. Pull the middle piece over the center, creating the middle of the bow. Secure with bobby pins.

Grace, 12 – Sporty Girl Hobbies: Horse riding, gymnastics and softball Hair type: Straight and “slick”; doesn’t hold curl well products to try: Aveda Shampure shampoo and conditioner, a volumizing spray and leave-in conditioner How she usually wears it: Down or in a bun Hair complaints: “It doesn’t stay curly or stay in a braid.”

Her new do: Instead of a braid, make knots with two sections of hair across the forehead. “It’s just like tying knots in a shoe,” said stylist Natasha Fehlhaber. Add a twist to the back of the head, securing it with big hair pins (not regular bobby pins) down the middle.

Haven, 10 – StraiGHt SHooter Hobbies: Basketball and flag football Hair type: Straight product to try: Aveda Pure Abundance Defining Whip. “It deodorizes the hair since boys’ hair at this age tends to be smelly,” said Flaming. Bonus: It feels like cotton candy, and it holds a Mohawk in place!

How he usually wears it: Combed forward in front Hair complaint: “It goes down to my eyes.”

His new do: With some Defining Whip and Aveda Pure Abundance Style Prep, the hair has texture that will move, but it stays in place.

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TexT by Josie Loza & amy Lamar PhoTos by JuLie Diefenbaugh

M

omaha went on the hunt for a mom who could use a little recognition in her life. And a little makeup, color and styling.

Garbo’s Salon and Spa at Eagle Run joined our quest for one lucky winner in our Mommy Makeover Contest.

Forty-four women were nominated for a chance to win $400 in salon services. Lori Diefenbaugh, 53, of Blair, stood out in the crowd.

The mother of two works at an insurance company, and has been slammed with storm damage claims since early spring. Long hours at the office have been common, according to her daughter, Julie.

In fact, Lori didn’t even have time to read the email saying that she had won.

“Go tell her to read the email!” Julie finally told her mom’s coworkers.

Lori was nervous about her afternoon of pampering.

“I’m not used to that much attention,” she said, adding that the Garbo’s staff immediately put her at ease.

She may be getting used to the attention now. She has had “tons” of compliments on her new hairstyle, which she has been able to maintain on her own.

Never mind that she’s dealing with some hard luck.

In 2011, the Diefenbaughs lost their family farm in a flood.

Lori’s husband has health problems and has been unable to work for six years, so Lori is the sole breadwinner for their family.

Add to that her father, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease and lives 16 hours away. Somehow, Lori finds time for regular visits.

“Getting Dad’s medicine for his diabetes is more important than getting a mani and pedi,” her daughter said. “She rarely takes time for herself.”

The garbo’s team gave Lori Diefenbaugh a well-deserved day of pampering. We love her new look – and her smile!

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Mom help

Worry no more about your wardrobe, exercise or sleep.

TexT by Amy LamAr ILLusTrATIons by HeIdI THorson

From car seat safety ratings to nursery themes, moms-to-be are overwhelmed with both big and small decisions.

Here are three Omaha businesses that cater to common dilemmas among new and seasoned moms alike.

ZZ “What do I wear?” borrow For your bump

“How do I exercise?” mommy FITness

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“Is my baby getting enough sleep?”

AmAzIng LITTLe sLeeper

borrowforyourbump.com 855-416-2392

mommyfitnessomaha.com 402-657-4577

amazinglittlesleeper.com 402-830-4605

What it offers: The online maternity boutique rents and sells contemporary designer clothing and accessories, including formal attire, office wear, tummy bands and nursing items.

What it offers: Personal training, yoga, off-site stroller classes, wellness consulting and studio classes led by nationally certified instructors in a specialized prenatal and postpartum fitness studio. (Children ages 6 weeks to 3 years are welcome to attend most classes.)

What it offers: Infant and child sleep consulting services – along with emotional and educational support – for ages 2 months to 6 years. Issues addressed include sleeping through the night; dropping nighttime feedings; bedtime battles; and naps.

What it costs: Studio class packages range from $12 to $100; off-site stroller classes range from $5 to $50; personal training and wellness consulting range from $75 to $600; and yoga is $60 for a private session.

What it costs: $75 to $250

What it costs: Buy the item new, or borrow it for one to three months (The average rental cost is $50 per month, depending on the item type and brand).

Then return it in a prepaid envelope.

Special program: The Bump Start Club. For a $49 deposit, the store’s team selects 10 items for you based on your profile. Keep what you want and send the rest back, and the $49 goes toward any purchase.

Advantages for Mom: “It’s a one-stop unique shopping experience,” said owner Krystal Stubbendeck, who had her first child in July. “We know a lot about our products, so we can help you with sizes, styles, etc.”

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Special program: Total Control is for women of all ages who want to strengthen their pelvic floor before or after pregnancy. Owner Julie Summers is a master trainer of the program, which costs $160 for an eight-week session.

Advantages for Mom: Summers, who has three grown sons, has two main goals for her clients: Safe exercise and emotional support with other moms: “A wonderful connection happens,” she said.

Special program: Amazing Little Sleeper’s Play Date. For $15 per person, the one-hour private group session includes your choice of location and topics, plus a question-andanswer period.

Advantages for Mom: The goal is to educate parents so they have the tools to help their children sleep well not just in the short term, but for life, said owner Valerie Birch, a certified child sleep consultant. “Sleep is multidimensional, and it develops and changes as kids develop and grow,” said Birch, mother of a 2-year-old.

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Get orGanized // amy tokos Amy Tokos, CPO, is the owner of Freshly Organized, and is the only Certified Professional Organizer in Nebraska. freshlyorganized.com.

Good-bye kids,

we’re going tailgating!

10 tips to prepare for a fun day away.

y

ou have your car packed and the food ready, and it’s going to be a great game. The only stress involved is that you’re leaving your kids at home all day with a babysitter. Dinner out with your hubby at a local restaurant is one thing, but a whole day away to tailgate in another town can stress a mom out.

Careful organizing and preparation can make it less stressful. These 10 tips are tried-and-true ways to make a day away fun for everyone involved.

Tip 1

If this is your first full day away from the kids, hire a babysitter who has watched them before. This should be someone who knows your house and the general routine.

Tip 2

Create a command central for your babysitter. Items to include can be a first aid kit, important numbers, a neighborhood map and a schedule (with details) for the day. Also let her know the meal plan, acceptable snacks, quirky noises your home makes and where the cleaning supplies and fire extinguisher are located.

Tip 3

Communicate your expectations to the babysitter and your children. They may include bedtime rules, TV guidelines, how to handle difficult situations and cleanup.

Tip 4

Most babysitters aren’t as good at juggling kids’ schedules as Mom and Dad. So plan carpools for your kids’ games, practices or other activities. Also have all uniforms, water bottles and other items needed for activities ready to go.

This way the babysitter won’t be overwhelmed.

Tip 5

Touch base with your close neighbors. If they will be home, tell them your plans. Also give the babysitter the neighbors’ phone numbers so she knows who to contact if she needs help.

Tip 6

Keep the kids busy. This is a good day to pull out activity kits that you have been saving for a rainy day. Plan a movie that they want to see. Bored kids are more likely to find trouble.

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Tip 7

Keep the routine. Nap time, meal times and bath times should be kept all the same, especially for the little ones.

As the kids get older, letting them stay up a little later with the babysitter can be a perk.

Tip 8

Most babysitters are not gourmet chefs, so plan easyto-fix meals. A planned (and paid for) dinner delivery is always a treat. But you can also have the babysitter make a quick pizza or chicken strips in the oven.

Tip 9

Plan a special treat that only happens with the babysitter.

It will make their time together that much more fun.

Some options include baking cookies, bath tub paints or Play-Doh.

Tip 10

Plan a check-in time. This is reassurance for both the parents and kids that all is well. Try to do this before the kids get too tired. If you call right before bedtime, younger ones may get upset.

*Bonus Tip*

Handle sibling arguments before they happen. Kids argue, and getting a phone call or text message every 10 minutes is not going to be fun. Have a plan in place to handle this situation. One strategy is to let the kids know that you will not mediate arguments while you are out. If a problem arises, they can write down what happened on a piece of paper and it will be discussed in the morning. If you put this strategy in place, you may have a really good discussion in the morning. But nine times out of 10, your children will work things out on their own.

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The cutest fans are pint-sized!

Put them in separates that you can cheer about.

TexT and sTyling by amy lamar PhoTograPhy by heidi Thorson

C

an you spot a Huskers fan? Memorial Stadium is a sea of red for a reason, you know. Switch up your youngster’s game day look with separates that you can mix and match all season long.

I’m a Huskers fan! Cut me out and dress me up.

This page: Jeggings, $24.94, Old Navy, jeans, $19.99 each, Gordman’s, Under Armour yoga pant, $34.99, Dick’s Sporting Goods. OppOsiTe page: Huskers tees, $14.94 each, red-and-white-striped polo, $10, all from Old Navy, Under Armour jacket, $39.99, Dick’s Sporting Goods, plaid top, $5.36, Gordman’s, capri pant, $7.99, Old Navy, Under Armour short, $21.99, Dick’s Sporting Goods, cargo short, $18, Old Navy, hoodie, $14.99, Gordman’s, Reebok tee, $18, Nike Flex Supreme TR shoe, $55, Huskers flip-flops, $5.99, Nike Free 5.0 shoe, $58, all from Dick’s Sporting Goods.

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for your

A game day without food?

We don’t think so.

Styling by Rachel cain PhotogRaPhy by heidi thoRSon

A game day without food is like a football game without a ball – at least for the fans. After all, we need energy to cheer on our favorite teams in both good games and bad. Here are some “winning” ideas to try for your next party or tailgate.

www.monicascakes.com 402-614-9211 | monica@monicascakes.com

Game day crackers WHAT YOU NEED Sharp cheddar cheese slices Deli ham slices Town House crackers Ranch dressing for decorating

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WHAT YOU DO 1. Use a football-shaped cookie cutter to press football shapes out of cheese and ham.

2. Place ham and then cheese on top of crackers.

3. Spoon Ranch dressing into an icing bag, or cut a small corner out of a zipped baggie after spooning dressing into bag.

4. Draw a thin line in the middle of the cheese, and make 4 intersecting lines to resemble laces.

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PhOTO: heiDi ThORSOn

In-Season Sliders WHAT YOU NEED 1 pound ground beef 2½ teaspoons of your favorite hamburger seasoning (we used Old Bay) Swiss or cheddar cheese slices 8 hamburger buns Optional: Tomato slices Romaine lettuce Purple onion slices Ketchup Mustard Toothpicks, for garnish

WHAT YOU DO 1. Combine ground beef and seasoning until combined. Divide the mixture into 8 even portions. Then shape the meat into patties.

2. Preheat grill or stovetop to medium-high heat. Grill the burgers about 3 to 4 minutes on each side, adding cheese slices once the burgers are cooked.

3. Place burgers on the buns, adding toppings as desired. Use a toothpick to hold it all together (optional).

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Football Brownies With Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

BroWniEs WHAt YoU nEED 2 cups white sugar 1 cup butter, melted ½ cup cocoa powder 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 4 eggs 1½ cups all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon salt WHAt YoU Do 1. Mix all ingredients in the order given.

2. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes in a 9 x 13-inch greased pan.

3. Let the brownies cool for about 20 minutes, or until they are slightly warm.

4. Use a football-shaped cookie cutter to cut football shapes, or cut wax paper into desired shape/size and use a knife to trace and cut the shape out of the brownies.

Frosting WHAt YoU nEED ½ cup butter, softened 4½ cups confectioner’s sugar 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract 5-6 tablespoons 2% milk

photo: heIDI thorSon recIpeS: taSte of hoMe & aLLrecIpeS.coM

WHAt YoU Do 1. In a large bowl, beat butter until creamy.

2. Beat in the confectioner’s sugar, vanilla and enough milk to achieve desired consistency.

3. Spoon frosting into an icing bag, or cut a small corner out of a zipped baggie after spooning frosting into bag.

4. Draw a thin line in the middle of each brownie, and make 4 intersecting lines to resemble laces.

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Apple & Ice Cream Delight WHAT YOU NEED 1 apple 1 cup ice cream (flavor of your choice) Âź teaspoon cinnamon 1 cinnamon stick

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WHAT YOU DO 1. Cut off the top of the apple with a knife.

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(You may need to use a knife to finish getting the core out.) Continue using the ice cream scoop to create a “bowl� in the apple deep enough for a scoop of ice cream.

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8610 Brentwood Drive, #7, LaVista 402-592-6722 ADCdance.com | adcboss@cox.net | Jennifer Kinsey, owner *Expires 11-30-14. New students only.

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No-Trade Zone What makes a lunch good? Variety and a cool bag.

TexT by Amy LamAr PhoTogrAPhy by heidi Thorson

Y

our kids are probably as tired of eating the same old things for lunch as you are packing them.

And we know how easy it is to sacrifice nutrition for the convenience of fruit snacks, chips and prepackaged desserts.

Shelly Asplin, a registered dietitian with Hy-Vee, ends the monotony with lunch ideas that are nutritious and convenient. Just as important: They include foods that kids love.

Involving your kids in the assembly process is key for them to eat what you pack, too. According to Asplin, choosing healthy options from different food groups not only teaches your kids how to plan healthy meals, but increases the likelihood that they will eat them.

“Moms have a great opportunity to make a lifelong impact on the health of their kids.”

These kid-friendly lunches contain at least three out of the five food groups.

• Peanut butter and banana or sub sandwich on whole-grain bread • Baked Cheetos • Grape and cheese cube skewers • Cereal bar (containing at least 3 grams fiber, less than 9 grams sugar and around 100 calories) • Flavored water

• Peanut butter on mini bagels • Baby carrots • Yogurt • Oatmeal cookie Stick this bag (and bag on left) in the freezer overnight, and it will keep food cool for 10 hours!

$19.99, Bed, Bath & Beyond

$19.99, Bed, Bath & Beyond

• Personalized trail mix: favorite cereal, dried fruit, nuts, mini pretzels and marshmallows • Cottage cheese • Jell-O cup • Soy milk

• Tomato and mozzarella cheese on an English muffin • Soy nuts • Fruit and Jell-O cup • Milk $5.99, gordman’s

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$5.99, Bed, Bath & Beyond

10

Things (Most) Kids Love

1. Ready-to-eat foods.

A peeled and segmented orange is more likely to be eaten than a whole orange.

2. small poRtions.

Use cookie cutters to cut up sandwiches, or bake muffins in a mini muffin pan.

3. dips.

Use small containers to create fun combinations like pretzels/crackers and peanut butter, salsa with chips or vegetables with dressing.

4. CRunChy textuRes. Provide crunch with raw vegetables or low-fat pretzels or crackers.

5. VaRiety.

Combine items from different food groups to provide a variety of flavors and nutrients.

6. ColoR. Build a rainbow of color with fruits and vegetables that provide assorted vitamins and minerals.

7. fRuits.

These are “nature’s candy,” and make a great choice for something sweet.

8. Choosing, pRepaRing and paCking lunCh foods.

This makes them feel like part of the team, and motivates them to eat what they pack and not throw it away.

9. leaRning.

Teach them how to balance less nutritious foods with more nutrient-rich choices by packing only a small portion of a treat, packing only one treat per day and balancing treats with other healthy foods.

10. RemembeR food safety!

Use a properly insulated bag, and add an ice pack, frozen bottled water or 100 percent juice if the lunch contains perishable items.

Source: Hy-Vee

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designing learning spaces for curious minds

Move over kids!

Mom needs to eat lunch, too.

Here are some quick and healthy lunch suggestions that are just too good to put in your kid’s lunch box.

Sandwiches

Reggio-Inspired Learning!

Village ge Peggy Pawloski Rockbrook Villag 402-206-9928

www.LeWonderm ment.com www.LeWonderment.com

Choose one filling option: • ChiCken salad: Combine 1 small can chicken (drained), small amount of low-fat mayo, halved grapes, 2 tablespoons pecans and 2 tablespoons dried cranberries (optional) • Veggie loVers: Sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, shredded lettuce, sliced peppers, shredded carrots, low-fat Ranch dressing and fresh mozzarella cheese or feta crumbles • Tuna salad: Combine 1 small can tuna, a small amount of low-fat mayo, sliced celery (optional), shredded carrots (optional) and 2 tablespoons of your favorite nuts • sub sandwiCh: Sliced deli meat, tomatoes, lettuce, pickle, onion, provolone cheese and mustard • PeanuT buTTer & banana: Natural peanut butter, sliced banana – that’s it!

Choose one bread option: • Rice cakes, or choose one of these whole-wheat options: pita, bread, English muffin, crackers, tortilla or bagel.

Wraps •

• • •

School Physicals Make your appointment today at one of our convenient locations

Salads •

• • We care for the whole family!

South Omaha 4920 S. 30th St. 402.734.4110 Cass Family Medicine 429 Main St., Plattsmouth 402.296.2345

West Omaha 4101 S. 120th St. 402.505.3907

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Northwest Omaha 4229 N. 90th St. 402.401.6000

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OneWorldOmaha.org

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banana roll-uP: Spread a tortilla with a thin layer of peanut butter. Drizzle with a small amount of honey.

Place 1 whole banana (can be frozen) at one end and roll up Veggie basil: Spread a thin layer of low-fat veggie cream cheese on a tortilla. Sprinkle with 1-2 tablespoons fresh basil.

Add deli meat, provolone cheese and fresh spinach leaves souThwesT: Pre-cooked chicken strips, kidney or black beans, shredded lettuce, cheese and salsa Thai: Rotisserie chicken, lettuce with shredded carrots, snow peas and peanut sauce

asian: Use an Asian bagged salad kit. Add mandarin oranges and diced pre-cooked chicken souThwesTern: Romaine lettuce, kidney or black beans, cheese, salsa, Mexicorn, low-fat Ranch and one-half of a lime squeezed over the top sTrawberry sPinaCh: Top fresh spinach leaves with sliced strawberries, walnuts or pecans, pre-cooked chicken and low-fat poppy seed dressing FruiT-insPired: Top Romaine and baby spinach with mandarin oranges, strawberries, blueberries, walnuts or pecans, feta cheese and low-fat poppy seed dressing Club: Top Romaine lettuce with tomatoes, cucumbers, diced chicken, cheese, cut-up turkey bacon and your favorite low-fat dressing

Source: Hy-Vee

Come LEARN, Come BUILD, Come PLAY Now Enrolling Lego Inspired Learning Center

Blocks & Bricks Learning Adventure is a Lego inspired learning center.

All programs are designed specifically around STEM, promoting critical thinking and problem solving skills through play. Come experience our classes, workshops, events or just play time.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SOLUTIONS: Junior Lego Engineering Junior Lego Robotics Lego-Inspired Personalized Book Design Lego Movie Makers

PRESCHOOL SOLUTIONS: Early Literacy Early Math Lego Creation & Enrichment Classes Story Reading and Recreating with Lego

Open Play Schedule

Monday - Thursday 10am - 5pm Friday 10am - 7pm Saturday 10am - 5pm Sunday 1pm - 4pm

1215 S 180th St. Omaha

Call today to schedule a personalized tour

402-933-0500 or 402-577-0642 or visit us at tutorinomaha.com

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www.BellevueBerryFarm.com • 402-331-5500 30

Garden Sculpture Sand-cast leaves

TexT by chris chrisTen & sandra wendel PhoTograPhy by kurT a. keeler

H

osta and other deep-veined leaves make great molds for a garden sculpture project that’s easy and fun.

Old clothes and shoes are a must (and remove jewelry on fingers and wrists) because you’ll be working with concrete and sand. But, oh, the fun you’ll have getting your hands dirty!

The hardest part will be waiting for the concrete to harden for the grand reveal of your sculpted piece.

For the best results, plan your project during the cool days of autumn. And invite friends to join in!

WHAT YOU NEED Leaves* Wheel barrow Concrete topping Water Sand Plastic pitcher (for dipping concrete from the wheel barrow) Plastic wrap or tarp Disposable gloves Wooden popsicle sticks Sharpie Concrete sealer Small rocks or bricks

WHAT YOU DO 1. Gather hosta leaves or other deep-veined leaves of various sizes from the garden. You will need one leaf per sculpture.

2. In wheel barrow, mix concrete topping as directed on bag.

One bag should be enough for 4 to 6 medium-sized leaves about 6 to 8 inches long.

3. Create sand pile on flat surface. Dampen sand with water.

4. Mound sand to approximately the shape of your leaf.

5. Press the top side of your leaf over the sand.

6. Gently pat top of leaf with wet, slopping concrete (in a half-inch thickness; extra-large leaves will need more to support the sculpture’s weight-bearing areas). Start in center and work mixture toward the edges of the leaf.

Smooth concrete at edges with fingertips.

7. Write the artist’s name on a popsicle stick and plunk it next to the creation. Loosely cover the leaf with plastic wrap and anchor it with small rocks. Or skip the plastic wrap and cover entire sculpture area with tarp anchored with bricks.

8. Allow concrete to set fully, undisturbed, about 7-14 days.

9. To un-mold, gently lift sculpture from sand mound, peel off the dried leaf and brush off the excess sand. Apply concrete sealer, if desired. *BEsT lEAvEs: Hosta, Elephant ear, Rhubarb, Rodergsia, Gunnera

How would you spend 4-8 extra hours a week if you had them?

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n/Prep dinner

❒ CClean kitche the groomer ❒ TTake Fido to from tailor ❒ PPick up dress undry ❒ FFinish the la

❒ Get Pedicure , juice & diapers ❒ PPick up milk the park

❒ Take kids to MA

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4 hours of seFF for new cust rvice omers.

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402-915-2831 | MOMMYASSISTANT.COM

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Advice // dAnielle Herzog Sassy Housewife Danielle Herzog is a married mother of two and a former middle and high school teacher. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in counseling.

open Communication The key to surviving middle school.

Dear Sassy Housewife, My son is starting middle school this year, and I’m terrified about the drugs and other things you hear about at this age. We have a great relationship with him and he seems to be honest with us about everything, but I’m worried that his peers will end up being more influential. How can I make sure he doesn’t go down a bad path?

Signed, Middle School Momma Drama Dear Momma, OK, so here’s the hard truth: His peers will definitely be more influential.

That’s the nature of a teenager. But that doesn’t mean their influence will always be bad.

Teenagers get a bad rap sometimes.

I taught middle school for three years, and there were far more good kids than not-so-good kids.

The key to dealing with adolescents is to make sure they know that no matter what the topic or issue is, your door is always open. And more important than that, make sure you open their door often.

Touch base with them without being overbearing. Trust them to take the lessons you have taught – and are still teaching – and apply those to real life. And yes, that is much easier said than done.

Get to know his friends. Have them over for dinner or for nights out together. And end each day with talking about what happened.

We have a tradition in my house where we say one good thing about the day and one challenge. It has been opening up all sorts of conversations

32

that we wouldn’t have thought of by just asking, “How was your day?” (That answer will always be “fine” from a teenager, by the way.)

I will tell you this little gem of advice.

When I was going into sixth grade, my parents showed me before and after pictures of people who used different kinds of drugs. To this day, I still remember what those people looked like and how disturbed I felt.

It worked like a charm. So there’s one idea to put in your think tank.

And remember, just because your child is going to be faced with new challenges doesn’t mean that he’ll fail or make bad choices. But if he does make a bad choice, the key is to help him find his way back and not hold it against him.

Remember that this isn’t just a tough age for you as a parent – it’s a tough age for your child as well. There is nothing fun about getting hair in weird places; feeling feelings for people you used to think were gross; and starting to realize that your parents might not be as cool as you once thought …

Duchesne O F

T H E

Academy

S A C R E D

H E A R T

Educating girls to be women of conscience and confidence since 1881.

3601 Burt Street Omaha, NE 68131 402-558-3800 www.duchesneacademy.org

A Foundation for Life.

Low student-teacher ratios Highly qualified teachers Financial aid available

3601 Burt Street Omaha, NE 68131 402-558-6250 www.duchesneacademy.org/preschool

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