June 2012 Our Kids Magazine by Our Kids Magazine

FREE

The Go-To Resource for San Antonio Parents

June 2012

SUPER PARTIES Beyond the Piñata

Letting Dad be Dad

Tools for

Parents

PARTY DIRECTORY

Content is copyright protected and provided for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission. SEE PAGE 23 For reprints please contact the Publisher.

Country Home Learning Center An Exceptional Child Care Program

Full and Part-time Programs for Infants and Children up to age 13 • Professionally Designed Accredited Preschool Curriculum • Country Home Waterpark and Splashdeck • Adventure Jungle Indoor Playground • Large Gymnasium and Basketball Court • Putt-Putt Golf Course • Arts and Crafts Lab • 1950’s Style Soda Shop • Computer Lab • Country Home Movie Theater • Horseback Riding and Petting Zoo at Adventure Quest

8 San Antonio Locations to Serve You • Now Enrolling Fully Accredited by AdvancED, a worldwide organization "Advancing Excellence in Education"

210-687-1002 www.countryhomelearningcenter.com

City Center Health Careers A College Preparatory Public School

Now Enrolling for 2012-2013 School Year 6th - 12th Grades

FREE TUITIO N

• Emphasis on Science and Math skills development • College Readiness and Career Counseling • Free Before and After School Program • Extracurricular Activities and Tutoring • Safe Campus

210-255-8265 • www.citycenterhc.org 1114 Willow Street • St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Content is copyright protected and provided for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission. For reprints please contact the Publisher.

Content is copyright protected and provided for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission. For reprints please contact the Publisher.

contents june 2012

volume 29 • number 6

departments 5 On the Web June Featured Web Content

6 Editor’s Note A Memorable Party Experience

8 FYI • Teens in Denial About Distracted Driving • College Grads Returning Home – Tips for Parents

20 b.a.b.y. Computer No Match for Babies

21 Health Sense How Often Do You Need a Pap Smear?

features 10 25 Award-Winning Products

39 Your Kids in Our Kids School’s Out!

As a parent, you want to do your best. Get the scoop on the latest child-rearing tools.

16 18 24

29 Highlights

Swimming in Perspective

34 Family Theater

Some parents want their children to one day win an Olympic medal. Others just want them to be safe in any body of water.

36 Ongoing Exhibits

Letting Dad Be Dad

advertising

Author Lara Krupicka was once bothered by her husband’s parenting style. Today, she is grateful for the difference.

20 b.a.b.y. 23 Party Directory

Super Parties: Beyond the Piñata Expert offers tips on how to make your child’s party memorable.

on the cover 24 Super Parties: Beyond the Piñata 18 Letting Dad be Dad 10 25 Tools for Parents

PHOTO BY APRIL NEWELL

calendar

coming next month! • Cursive Writing: A Thing of the Past

Maddie and Kendra celebrate while dressed as favorite superheroes.

Content is copyright protected and provided for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission. For reprints please contact the Publisher.

Our Kids | June 2012

on the web

OurKidsSanAntonio.com

Your Go-To Source for Parenting Information on the Web June Contests

Win Anti-Colic Bottles Win a gift-basket featuring four Anti-Colic bottles for newborns and up from MAM. The giveaway includes a box of Green Tea from Dean & Deluca and an Apple Cinnamon scented Soy Candle for Mom. The total value of this prize is $40. Enter to win at www.ourkidssanantonio.com by June 30, 2012.

Win a Stroller Stuffed with Great Gear! This month, you have the chance to win a Contours® Options® LT by Kolcraft, a 2012 National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA) Gold winner, filled with other NAPPA award-winning goodies! The total value of this prize is $500. Enter to win by visiting facebook.com/ NAPPAawards by June 30, 2012.

Spotlight

Tag! You’re It! June is a month we associate with weddings. So it’s a good time to look at your own marriage and see what kind of nurturing it might need. Are you in a “tagteam marriage,” the kind where you each spend all of your time running errands, carting kids around and dealing with life’s general chaos? We’ve got some great tips for tuning in to each other, to keep your relationship healthy and happy.

PLUS:

3 More Ways to Stay Connected

• “Like us on Facebook – facebook.com/OurKidsSanAntonio • Follow us on Twitter @ourkidsmagazine • Subscribe to our FREE enewsletter at OurKidsSanAntonio.com

All Classes Available in English and Spanish

Dorothy Keck Dancers

CLASSES START JUNE 4TH

Summer Classes now enrolling! Music - Ages 8 & up

■ An easy-to-use digital edition of this month’s issue ■ A searchable Calendar of Family Events ■ Family Friendly Business Directory

Arts - Ages 5 & up

EXPLORE YOUR CREATIVITY | DISCOVER YOUR TALENT

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFIED FACULTY AGES 2 11/22 THRU ADULT BEGINNER THRU ADVANCED LEVELS

OUR 52nd YEAR! 247 W. OLMOS DR. SAN ANTONIO TX, 78212

829-8489 1532 AUSTIN HWY Sunset Square Shopping Center Next to HEB www.dorothykeckdancers.com

Content is copyright protected and provided for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission. June 2012 | OurKidsSanAntonio.com 5 For reprints please contact the Publisher.

editor’s note

By Cynthia Ladson 8400 Blanco Road, Ste. 300 San Antonio, TX 78216 SanAntonio.Parenting@parenthood.com Tel: 210-349-6667 Fax: 210-349-5618 Visit us online at OurKidsSanAntonio.com Publisher Gary Hibert

A Memorable Party Experience

think most every parent has at one time or another planned a no-frills birthday party for their children.

For us it came after hosting birthday parties at most every child’s party venue in San Antonio – some places twice – that my daughter decided she wanted an old-fashioned sleepover with a few girlfriends. That meant cake, ice cream, pizza, soda, games and movies. That would have been a piece of cake (pun intended), but my daughter decided to add another spin on things – manicures and pedicures for all her guests. Wow what an experience! Despite my best efforts, we couldn’t find any brave souls willing to come into our home to provide manicures and pedicures for 16 squealing tween girls. So, I ended up bribing a few of my friends to join me in changing professions for a few hours. I think it was a memorable night for my daughter and her friends; I know it was for my friends and I as we leaned over the pedicure tub for what seemed like an eternity – my back hurts now, just thinking about it. In this month’s issue of Our Kids magazine read our feature “Beyond the Piñata,” by local freelance writer Gina Vera, in which a party planner offers tips on how to make children’s parties “amazing.”

Award-Winning Products and Dads Also in this issue read: “25 Award-Winning Products That Bring Out Parenting Best.” The article provides you with information about products selected by expert judges and parent testers. Winners include finds that educate, entertain and assist. And do not miss the tribute to fathers, “Let Dad Be Dad,” written by mom and book author Lara Krupicka where she praises the role dads play in the lives of their children.

Happy reading!

EDITORIAL Editor: Cynthia Ladson, ext. 215 Copy Editor: Emilie Jordan-Michael Proofreader: April Newell ADVERTISING SALES Account Executives: Mary Anne Moffett, ext. 206 Dan Greenhouse, ext. 214 NATIONAL SALES DIRECTOR Cate Sanderson 7 Purdy St., Ste. 201, Harrison NY 10528 914-381-7474 PRODUCTION Production & Design Manager: Amanda Hawkins Senior Graphic Designer: Angela Rosa Graphic Designers: Arianna Azevedo, Wagner Chiang, Arianna Fernandez, Joshua Gonzales, Susan O, Brendon Peters, Staci Stedman-Morris DISTRIBUTION DDS, TASPAS DOMINION PARENTING MEDIA A Division of Dominion Enterprises Vice President: Gary Hibert Senior Editor: Deirdre Wilson Parenthood.com General Manager: Tom Gonzales Content & Community Manager: Amy McCarthy NAPPA Manager: Julie Kertes NAPPA Representative: Lillian Doshay NAPPA Coordinator: Annette Covarrubias

OUR KIDS SAN ANTONIO is published monthly by Dominion Media, a division of Dominion Enterprises. Advertisements in this magazine are paid for by the advertisers, which allows this magazine to be free to the consumer. Limit of one free copy per reader. Call 210-349-6667 to request additional copies. Unless specifically noted, no advertisers, products or services are endorsed by the publisher. All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination. We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertising are available on an equal opportunity basis. OUR KIDS SAN ANTONIO copyright 2012 Dominion Enterprises. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited.

Content is copyright protected and provided for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission. For reprints please contact the Publisher.

Our Kids | June 2012

Shekinah Summer AAA Leadership Camp

theMcNay Families Past and Present

Arts, Athletic, & Academic Program

June 11 - July 20 Grades 1 - 5 Monday - Friday • 8:30am - 3pm Total Cost of Camp: $250 + Activity Fee: $50

To Register Please Contact:

Corporate Office • 210-566-0551

“A New Generation of Public Schools with the Heart of a Private School”

Shekinah Learning Institute Radiance Academy San Antonio - Universal City

www.shekinah-edu.com

Free Family Day Sunday, June 24 1:00–4:00 pm 15-minute Family Tours: 1:30, 2:30, & 3:30 pm See the exhibition Medicine with your family. Art Making: Create a collage or found-object family portrait sculpture. Dancing: Move to the blues in a dance workshop. Fun in the Sun: Play on the grounds and experiment with bubbles and wild paints. McNay Art Museum 210.805.1768 6000 North New Braunfels San Antonio, Texas 78209 mcnayart.org

Notes from Elmina III, 2011. Gouache, collage, and ink on paper. High Museum of Art, Atlanta, Gift of Bert and Cathy Clark, 2011.9.

Content is copyright protected and provided for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission. June 2012 | OurKidsSanAntonio.com 7 For reprints please contact the Publisher.

family f.y.i. Survey Finds Teens in Denial about Safe Driving Teens and young adult drivers know what distracted driving is, but they continue to allow for distractions like using cell phones or changing radio stations because they believe they aren’t at risk, a new survey finds. The nationwide survey commissioned by Bridgestone Americas, Inc., questioned more than 2,000 drivers ages 15-21 about distracted driving and found that while more than half believe it’s dangerous, they either don’t think they get distracted behind the wheel or they believe they take enough precautions to avoid being distracted. Many also believe they’re safe drivers because they haven’t had an accident (14 percent) or received a traffic ticket (7 percent). And yet, according to the survey conducted this spring: ■ One-third admit to reading text messages while driving, and one-fifth admit to typing and sending text messages while driving; ■ Two-thirds believe they’re “very safe” drivers, but only half say their parents would agree; and ■ A quarter of those surveyed don’t believe that talking on the phone while driving is dangerous.

Overall, the survey found that girls engage in distracted driving – talking or texting on the phone, sipping coffee or changing radio stations – far more than boys. However, many teens say their parents engage in distracted driving more than they do. To boost awareness of the dangers of distracted driving, Bridgestone has launched a “Teens Drive Smart Video Contest.” Students ages 16-21 can create and submit a short automotive safety video, encouraging young drivers to make better decisions behind the wheel. The top 10 videos will be posted online for the public to vote on. The top three vote-getters will win college scholarships: first place, $25,000; second place, $15,000 and third place, $10,000. The first-place winner will have his or her video air on the MTV Jumbotron in New York’s Times Square in August and all three winners could see their video used as a public service announcement on TV stations across the nation. Entries are due by June 22, 2012. Complete contest rules and the full survey can be found online at www.teensdrivesmart.com. – Deirdre Wilson

Springfree Trampoline -the world’s safest!

Our Locations:

San Antonio: 210-495-6622 Boerne: 210-698-0580 New Braunfels: 830-626-1971

Content is copyright protected and provided for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission. For reprints please contact the Publisher.

Our Kids | June 2012

Is Your College Grad Moving Back Home? A still lagging economy has meant dim job prospects for college graduates for a few years now. For this year’s college grads, that means that more of them will be moving back in with their parents – a trend that has led to the term “boomerang generation.” A survey by the consulting firm Twentysomething, Inc., found that 85 percent of 2011 college grads moved back home at least for a while. In fact, the United States Census Bureau reports that between 2005 and 2011, the numbers of people between ages 18 and 34 who were living at home increased for all groups by between 2 and 6 percent. With a national

Brooks Academy An Integrated K-12 Instructional Program

Now Enrolling for 2012-13 • Emphasis on Science and Math Skills Development • Limited Enrollment

jobless rate of 9 percent, the jobless rate for adults ages 20-24 is about 14.9 percent. What does this mean for the parents of this year’s college grads? The resource and support organization College Parents of America (www.collegeparents.org) notes that while this offers a great opportunity to get to know your children as adults, it can also be hard to adjust to living under the same roof again. The financial impact alone can be significant for parents. Collegeparents.org recommends careful planning and good communication with your student, including discussing goals for how long the living arrangement will last, what the “house rules” and expectations will be; and even ongoing discussions and “lessons” on budgeting, expenses, business expectations and life lessons. “Let your student take the lead,” the site recommends, while also cautioning, “Don’t allow yourself – or your student – to slip back into old adolescent routines.” College grads are adults; treat them as such. – Deirdre Wilson

King of Kings Early Childhood Development Center NOW ENROLLING FOR OUR SUMMER FUN PROGRAM Children 6 weeks to 12 year olds

Weekly Swimming Field Trips C Continued Learning Hot Lunches

(210) 6 656-6509 13888 Dreamwood Dr. (Located off Nacogdoches Rd. between Judson and O’Connor) Call us to schedule a tour of our facility

www.sakingofkings.com

• Licensed Child Care Center • Accepts Children 6 Weeks 12 Years old • CCS Accepted • Enriched Learning Curriculum • Extracurricular Activities Offered • Indoor playground,12 classrooms & 3 outdoor playgrounds

(210) 566-1999

• Participate in UIL academic and athletic activities • College Readiness Program

Apply online at www.brooksacademy.org or Call 210-633-9006 Content is copyright protected and provided for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission. June 2012 | OurKidsSanAntonio.com 9 For reprints please contact the Publisher.

Award-Winning Products That Bring Out Your Parenting Best

As a parent, you want to do your best, with the best child-rearing tools and resources available, but who has time to navigate the sea of possibilities online and in stores to find top-quality products? Our 2012 National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA) for Parenting Resources bring information about award-winning products to you so that you can spend more time being an award-winning parent. Our expert judges and parent testers have given the Gold-award winners described here the once-over and singled them out for quality, innovation and usefulness. The winners include finds that educate, entertain and assist. Visit www.NAPPAawards.com to discover other NAPPA-awardwinning products in our Silver and Honors categories.

Sydney enjoys Tiny Loveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s awardwinning Soothe â&#x20AC;&#x2122;n Groove Mobile with detachable music player.

Win Some Winners!

Enter to win a selection of these award-winning NAPPA products at PHOTO BY JODYE ALCON PHOTOGRAPHY Content is copyright protected and provided for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission. www.facebook.com/NAPPAawards. JODYEALCONPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Our Kids | June 2012

For reprints please contact the Publisher.

Accessories Brush & Learn®

Brushing teeth has never been such fun. These musical toothbrushes teach children to brush the right way, while humming to songs about the ABCs, 123s and barnyard animals. When the song ends, brushing is done, which ensures a thorough job each time. Plackers® Kids, $4.99; www.plackers.com; 3-5 years.

Tiny Love Soothe ’n Groove Mobile

Babies will be soothed to contentment with nature and “white” sounds, and 40 minutes of music. The brightly colored animals rotate individually on the mobile so that baby always sees a smiling face. Other pluses include a music shuffle mode, calming night-light, baby activation button and varied volume control. Detach the music box for toddler playtime. Tiny Love, $54.99; www.tinylove.com; birth and up. Lay-n-Go

Play for hours, clean up in seconds! Lay-n-Go is an all-in-one activity mat and storage solution that offers kids and parents a great way to easily manage their toy collections at home or on the go. Lay-n-Go, LLC, $64.95; www.layngo.com; all ages.

SnoozeShade Original

No more draping a blanket or sweater over the stroller to block out the light. This shade’s got you covered. Made of breathable fabric, it provides maximum protection from the sun, allowing for comfortable napping anywhere, any time. Snooze Shade, $34.99; www.snoozeshadeusa.com; birth and up.

Mobi AnimaLamp Portable LED Light

Changing table light, night-light, reading lamp – the Mobi AnimaLamp will ZAZOO Photo Clock X-celeRacers™ by Stride Rite X-othermal give you years of use. Cool Images of a sun and moon will teach Stride Rite, the brand parents have LED bulbs, soft-touch your child whether it’s time to rise and trusted for years, introduces a sturdy adjustable brightness, shine or keep slumbering, resulting in outdoor shoe for your little guy, with an one-touch operation a good night’s sleep for both child and extra-wide opening for easy on and off. and built-in rechargeable parent. The clock is fully customizable and Lightweight cushioning provides comfort battery make it the perfect grows with your child, becoming a digital and flexibility for those rugged adventures. light for the entire family. photo frame, alarm clock and music player Sizes run from preschool 8.5 to “big kid” Mobi Technologies, $24.95; once sleep time is mastered. ZAZOO LLC, 3; medium and wide. Stride Rite, $45; www.getmobi.com; birth $89.99; www.zazookids.com; 2 years and up. www.striderite.com. and up. Content is copyright protected and provided for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission. For reprints please contact the Publisher. June 2012 | OurKidsSanAntonio.com 11

Gadgets ’n Gear Aqueduck

Little ones can wash their hands with ease with this faucet extender. Aqueduck is portable and easy to install, and encourages hand-washing independence. Available in pink or blue, it fits most bathroom faucets. Peachy LLC, $12.99; www.peachyco.com; 18 p months andd up.

Outback Piyo Piyo 7-Piece Baby Food Processor Set

Our testers rave about this durable carrier, which is practical, compact and comfortable for both baby and parent. Features plenty of pockets, supportive waist belt and straps that tuck away neatly. Onya Baby, $149; www.onyababy.com; birth to 75 pounds.

An inexpensive way to make a quick, fresh and healthy meal for your baby. The processor comes with a pestle, mortar, grinding lid, grinding board, filter, juicer and feeding spoon. All pieces are BPA-free, a snap to clean and stackable for easy storage. Piyo Piyo, $17.69; www.piyopiyousa.com; 5 months and up.

4moms Origami Stroller

This innovative stroller folds and unfolds with the touch of a button. It also features cell phone-charging and mileage-counting capabilities, an interactive LCD screen, generators in the rear wheels that charge the stroller’s accessories as you walk, daytime running lights, pathway lights for low-light conditions and sensors that detect when a child is in the seat. All mom testers agreed – it’s worth the splurge. 4moms, $849.99; www.4moms.com; 6 months and up.

Buckle Guard PRO

Finally, a product that prevents children from QuickSmart Easy Fold Stroller unbuckling the seatbelts “No assembly needed” is what busy that secure their car seats, parents want to hear! The revolutionary giving parents peace of mind folding system on this stroller will get while driving. The “Push you out the door in seconds. Steering is a and Turn” child-safety cap is breeze, even if maneuvering with one hand. FDA-approved and fits most Fits children up to 45 pounds. Includes a buckles in today’s vehicles. rain cover for instant shelter. QuickSmart, McNaughton Inc., $8.95; $219.99; www.QuickSmartGo.com; www.mcincshop.com; 18 6 months and up. months and up. Content is copyright protected and provided for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission. 12 Our Kids | June 2012 For reprints please contact the Publisher.

Natural & Green All Natural Baby Chest Rub and All Natural Kids Cough Syrup

The chest rub (for ages 3 months and up) is petroleum- and menthol-free and contains a blend of essential oils that boost immune function. Families will love the wonderful scent of eucalyptus and lavender. The caramel-banana-flavored cough syrup (for ages 18 months and up) includes antioxidant-rich buckwheat honey, nine immune-support ingredients, and is foodbased so there are no harmful side effects. Maty’s Healthy Products, $7.99/$8.99; www.matyshp.com.

Buy it online! Visit NAPPAawards.com to purchase awardwinning products!

The Honest Company Diaper Bundle

Baby’s tushy is never exposed to harmful chemicals with these 100-percent nontoxic, chlorine-free, sustainable and plant-based diapers. They offer a contoured fit, free of irritation, and are from The Honest Company, which offers other eco-friendly essentials (many of which are NAPPA winners) through a monthly subscription service. The Honest Company, about $20 per week; www.honest.com; birth and up.

Naturepedic No-Compromise Organic Cotton Lightweight Crib Mattress

Changing baby’s crib sheet shouldn’t be a pain – literally. This lightweight mattress is made of organic cotton layers, providing firmness and comfort without the unnecessary weight. Made from Naturepedic’s exclusive patent-pending wavesupport™ technology and pure food-grade polyethylene. Naturepedic, starting at $259; www.naturepedic.com; birth to 18 months.

Peter Rabbit Organics

A quick, healthy snack that kids love with no mess? Who can say no to that? These BPAfree pouches contain 100-percent organic fruit and vegetables with no artificial ingredients or preservatives. New flavors include Pear/Apple, Banana/Apple, Pear/Pea and Pumpkin/ Carrot/Apple. Peter Rabbit Organics, $1.79; www.peterrabbitorganics.com; 6 months and up. Content is copyright protected and provided for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission. For reprints please contact the Publisher. June 2012 | OurKidsSanAntonio.com 13

Parent’s Corner SAY WHAT YOU SEE™ for Parents and Teachers (e-book)

The Miracle Ball Method for Pregnancy

Say goodbye to backaches, indigestion, sore feet, difficulty sleeping and that postpartum belly. This program is designed to help women deal with the pains, stress and physical changes of pregnancy. By Elaine Petrone, published by Workman Publishing, $19.95; www.workman.com.

Who said children don’t come with handbooks? This quick h how-to guide offers practical tips f communicating effectively, for s ing boundaries and using sett ac acknowledgments instead of const praise. By Sandra R. Blackard, stant publishe by Language of Listening, 2011, published $2.99; www.languageoflistening.com.

The Geek Dad’s Guide to Weekend Fun: Cool Hacks, Cutting-Edge Games, and More Awesome Projects for the Whole Family

From the editor of Wired.com’s GeekDad blog comes the follow-up to the New York Times bestseller Geek Dad. Fuel a curious young mind by tackling some do-it-yourself projects that inspire children to proudly think like a geek. By Ken Denmead, published by Gotham Books (A Member of Penguin Group USA), 2011, $18; www.geekdadbook.com. Letting Go with Love and Confidence: Raising Responsible, Resilient, SelfSufficient Teens in the 21st Century

Parenting teens is different today, with all the distractions of technology and daily life. Learn to raise your teen while encouraging independence, selfsufficiency, confidence and resilience. By Kenneth Ginsburg, M.D., and Susan Fitzgerald, published by Avery Books (A Member of Penguin Group USA), 2011, $16; www.us.penguingroup.com.

101 Great Gifts Kids Can Make

Children can make clever presents for family and friends the old-fashioned way – with their hands! Great layout, easy-to-read instructions and a huge collection of age-appropriate projects for hours of fun. By Stephanie R. Mueller and Ann E. Wheeler, published by Gryphon House, 2012, $19.95; www.gryphonhouse.com. The Parent’s Guide to College for Students on the Autism Spectrum

Sending your son or daughter off to college is never easy, especially if he or she has an autism spectrum disorder. This valuable resource serves as a beacon of hope, providing college-bound students and their families with the information they need to succeed. By G. Ruth Bork, M.Ed., Lisa King, MEd, Jane Thierfeld Brown, Ed.D., and Lorraine Wolf, Ph.D., AAPC Publishing, 2012, $23.95; www.aapcpublishing.net. Zenergy Starter Kit

Zenergy is a yoga program with a multi-class DVD (and a teacher’s resource CD) that features superheroes teaching the poses and empowering kids to stay strong in adverse situations. Infusion Wellness, $75; www.infusionwellness.com; 3-5 years. Life360 Family Locator

Parents can breathe a little easier with this app that gives smart phones the capability to locate family, set up a private, cross-platform channel for communication and identify nearby threats. Features include messaging, alert, check-in capabilities and an easy-to-read map of nearby safe points such as hospitals and police stations. Life360, free; www.life360.com. Content is copyright protected and provided for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission.

Our Kids | June 2012

For reprints please contact the Publisher.

Meet Our Judges ■ Donald Gallo, Ph.D., ABPP, is a board-certified clinical psychologist and has worked for Kaiser Permanente as their autism spectrum disorder diagnostician for the past 10 years. He is the author of Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Lifespan Perspective (John Wiley and Sons, 2010). www.thedoctorsgallo.com ■ Alexandra Kent is the purchasing manager and public relations specialist for Nubius Organics, a webbased seller of natural, organic and green products that promote eco-friendly living. Kent identifies and researches healthy, earth-friendly products and shares her findings through social media. www.nubiusorganics.com ■ JJ Levenstein, M.D., FAAP, is the founder of Boulevard Pediatrics in Encino, Calif., and serves on the clinical staff of two hospitals. She was named one of the Best Doctors in America®, 2004 through 2011, and is also the co-founder of MD Moms, creators of Baby Silk, the first pediatrician-developed personal care line for babies. www.mdmoms.com ■ Stephanie Mihalas, Psy.D., is a licensed psychologist, nationally certified school psychologist, and founder of the Center for Well-Being: Psychological Services for Children, Youth and Families in Los Angeles. She presents at national and state conferences and has contributed to several books. www.askdrstephanie.com ■ Jason Mracky is a safety expert and owner of Boo Boo Busters Inc., a consulting firm that identifies and prioritizes baby safety issues in homes. Mracky identifies common hazards and specializes in homes with difficult layouts. www.booboobusters.com ■ Penni Seller, Psy.D., LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist with more than 27 years of experience. The creator of a social skills program implemented at several schools, Seller also has a private practice helping families deal with issues at home and school. www.drpenniseller.com ■ Linda Rowley Thom, M.Ed., is the Elementary Special Education Director for California’s San Ramon Valley Unified School District Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) and oversees programs for students from birth through fifth grade. ■ LeeAnn S. Weintraub, M.P.H., RD, is an author and registered dietitian in Los Angeles, providing nutrition counseling and consulting services to individuals, families and businesses. She specializes in pediatric nutrition, weight management, diabetes, cardiovascular health, kidney disease, digestive disorders and disease prevention. www.lsmithrd.wordpress.com

Early Learning Center A learning environment for children to develop & grow physically, cognitively, socially, & emotionally Ages 6 weeks-5 years old, Parent’s Day Out, & School Age Program

210.688.7003 www.mustardseedelc.com

11555 Galm Rd

OPEN HOUSE JUNE 30th

#200

2mi. Outside Loop 1604 & Shaenfield Rd

Seafood • Catfish • Cajun Cookin’

6 & under eat free from Kiddie Menu (with adult entree purchase)

1289 SW Loop 410@Westlakes • 674-0019

Parkhills

BAPTIST CHURCH

High Flyin’ Fun This Summer! Vacation Bible School June 24-27 Boarding Nightly at 6:00pm Also taking reservations for Summer Fun Days and Preteen Camp

17747 San Pedro Ave. San Antonio

210.494.5219

www.parkhills.org

Content is copyright protected and provided for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission. For reprints please contact the Publisher. June 2012 | OurKidsSanAntonio.com 15

KEEPING SWIMMING LESSONS in Perspective By Lisa Y. Taylor

And they’re off. As kids make a splash in pools this summer, many of them are having fun and becoming safer through swimming lessons. While some parents want their children to one day win the Olympic medal for the freestyle stroke, others just want them to be safe in any body of water. Whatever their expectations, the sport is a must-have ability, and practically no one is too young to learn, according to local swim school experts. “Our area has rivers, water parks and we live in a climate where pools stay active the majority of the year,” says Dean Wiederstein, owner of the San Antonio Swim Academy. “We want to reach as many people as we can and make them as water-safe as possible.”

Babies and Tots Wiederstein’s Exploration program helps parents teach their children 6 to 36 months old skills such as blowing bubbles in the water, rolling onto and floating on their backs and using their arms and legs for propulsion. These skills encourage a horizontal body position, which Wiederstein says could mean the difference between life and death. “Learning to get to the top of the pool horizontally, if it gives a mom or dad 10 extra seconds to react, could make all the difference in the world,” he says. In the school’s Aquatots class, children 24 to 36 months old are taught how to grab the edge of 16

the pool, use their knees and elbows to get out and some even learn the breaststroke and elementary backstroke. “They are not competing for the Olympics, but they are understanding how to move independently,” Wiederstein says. Parents can prepare their tots for swimming lessons by giving them positive experiences with water at home, according to Love to Swim School owner Mary Reilly-Magee. “The best teacher for kiddos under 3 is the parent,” she says. “When they expose them to water, give them lots of time in the bathtub and pour water over their heads, they’re less likely to be afraid of the pool.” Love to Swim’s Baby and Me class is designed to help parents work with their youngsters 6 months to 3 years old gain independence and learn water safety. Games and songs encourage the children to submerge their faces in the water and roll onto their backs to float and yell for help. Preschool skills include glides and front and back floats as well as how to jump in the pool, turn around and swim back to the wall. “There is no such thing as drown-proofing your child,” Reilly-Magee says. “All you can do is assess the risk and mitigate the risk. One way to do that is to teach children how to swim well and make sure they know how to sustain a back float and yell for help.”

Content is copyright protected and provided for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission. For reprints please contact the Publisher.

Our Kids | June 2012

Skills What should parents expect from swim lessons? For kids between 5 and 8 years old, learning the breaststroke and elementary backstroke could be crucial survival skills because they enable the body to recuperate between strokes, Wiederstein explains. “These two strokes allow the individual to glide after propulsion or kicking,” he says. “After kicking, they get to glide one to three seconds, depending on their buoyancy.” At about age 9 or 10, children have the muscle tone to be strong swimmers, so lessons should focus on refining their movement and breathing techniques, he adds. “Once the kids understand the proper body position and the characteristics of each stroke, they take off because the muscles are there. We want elementary-aged kids to get from Point A to Point B with controlled strokes, but to be fast they have to coordinate their arms and legs, and their movements have to be smooth,” says Wiederstein. Over time, school-aged children should feel comfortable in the water, know when to inhale and exhale, balance and float on their front and back, effectively propel and acquire swim strokes, Reilly-Magee says. “Parents should expect that learning to swim is hard, it’s going to take some time, and they should celebrate their child’s every success,” she says. “They may have to explain to their child that learning to swim is not negotiable just as sitting in a car seat and going to kindergarten are not negotiable.”

Ready for Racing Learning the competitive strokes of freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly is a natural progression for older school-aged children, says fivetime Olympic medalist Josh Davis of San Antonio. At age 10, Davis joined his neighborhood swim team where he remembers struggling at times. “I just never gave up,” he says. “I loved being in the water, and coaches kept helping me with my technique, and it took me a while.” During the summer, he checks the progress of students at the Josh Davis Swim School offered at the Barshop Jewish Community Center of San Antonio. His new website, www.usaswimmer.com, provides children ages 10 and older, their parents and coaches with tips and curriculum for competitive swimming. “I’m always amazed when I see kids ages 7 to 10 racing because they are way ahead of where I was at their age,” he says. “Every time kids show up and give

their best effort, their parents should celebrate it as though they won a gold medal.” Whether children take formal lessons, race for their neighborhood swim team or acquire skills in their backyard pool as Davis’ five children did, they learn to swim best when they have a good time, he says. “It comes down to giving them consistent and supervised play that helps them fall in love with being in the water. It also helps for them to be around older kids who do more tricks than they do.” ■ Lisa Y. Taylor is a San Antonio freelance writer and mother of three daughters.

Resources Looking for swimming lessons for your kids? Below is a list of some organizations offering lessons this summer. Times vary, so parents should contact the organization for details. ■ Alamo Heights Swimming Pool, 250 Viesca St. – heightspool.com/lesson.htm ■ City of San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department, (lessons offered at 11 locations around the city) – www.sanantonio.gov/ parksandrec/swimming_lessons.aspx ■ Greater San Antonio YMCA, (classes offered at 12 branch locations around the city) – www.ymcasatx.org ■ Green Tree Tennis Club, 4721 Callaghan Road – www.greentreetennis.com/ ■ Infant Aquatics, 1020 CR 768, Devine – www.infantaquatics.com/williamson.htm ■ Barshop Jewish Community Center, 12500 N.W. Military Highway – www.jccsanantonio.org ■ Josh Davis Swim School, 12500 N.W. Military Highway ■ Love to Swim, 15502 Huebner Road, Suite 111, www.love-to-swim.com ■ Martin Swim School, 14406 Briarbranch St. – www.martinswimschool.com ■ Northside Aquatics, 7001 Culebra Road (classes offered at two locations) – www.nisd.net/aquaww/youth.php ■ San Antonio Swim Academy, 4817 Fredericksburg Road (lessons offered at seven locations) – www.saswimacademy.com.

Content is copyright protected and provided for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission. For reprints please contact the Publisher. June 2012 | OurKidsSanAntonio.com 17

Letting Dad Be Dad: Appreciating A ppreciating Our Our Differences Differences By Lara Krupicka

t’s our second time attending a gathering at the home of a family in our new church. Adults stand in clusters in the kitchen chatting and eating. Occasionally a few kids charge past. I’m in the middle of a conversation about school sports with another mom, when I hear a familiar two-toned sound. It’s my husband’s signature whistle. I hunch my shoulders toward my ears, shooting him the did-you-really-have-todo-that look. But it is getting late. We do need to round up our kids. Sure enough, footsteps come quickly thudding from several directions. Pretty soon, our three girls are gathered around my husband, getting their departure instructions. He gives a knowing grin over their heads. I shrug back at him. Truth is, as much as I don’t care for his Captain Von Trapp impression, it works. Before we had our first child 12 years ago, my husband offered to yield all the parenting to me. “After all, you were the babysitter. I know nothing about babies,” he claimed. Yet something remarkable happened in that hospital room. While I was bedridden, recovering from childbirth, he figured out how to care for our daughter. By the time we got home with our new little one, he was teaching me how to swaddle her, scolding me for leaving the jumbled blanket too loose. When I couldn’t coax a burp, he’d coach me on a hold he’d perfected for doing the job. Before long he was interjecting other ideas of his own, learning to assert himself as her father. And by the time our second child arrived, he truly was an old pro. Watching him grow into that role made me swell with pride. I 18

loved his knack for calming our girls when they were fussy. He’d put his brawn to work gently swinging our heavy car seat carrier, baby and all, until they settled. And I loved how he’d sing tenderly off-key as he deposited them in their beds for the night. There were other moments though, where I chafed at the differences between his parenting ways and mine. He’d wrestle and roll on the floor with our girls, eliciting shrieks and giggles. I worried that he’d be too rough or that someone would bet hurt, but he would brush off my over-cautiousness. “Loosen up,” he’d say. “We’re having fun.” Or he’d lead our family on hikes through the woods of a campground, urging us to forge our own path. I’d call out often from the rear of our pack, “Are you sure this is the right way? These branches are getting awfully thorny. How are we going to get across this stream here?” Again he’d ignore my fears and cross that stream with his characteristic aplomb, guiding our trusting girls along behind him. Sometimes he simply has a different idea of what’s appropriate for our children, such as letting our tween head out into the cold with a thin jacket on because she’s “not as chilly as you always are,” or feeding our girls Spam with their macaroni and cheese, like it makes a complete meal. When he first started whistling for our kids, I questioned his motives. Did he really think they could be summoned like dogs? True to his engineering nature, he rattled off a reasoned response I found hard to refute – something about efficiency and pitch. He remained insistent that the whistle worked. I relented. As with many of the other ways he parents differently from me, I’ve found his whistle is an improvement over the alternative (say, yelling). Just as I learned that wrestling with dad can be safe and fun, the wild can be a great place to conquer your fears and explore new things, and young girls can be warm enough in just a light jacket on chilly days, I’ve learned that a whistle summons has its place in our family life (we won’t talk about those macaroni and cheese and Spam dinners).

Content is copyright protected and provided for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission. For reprints please contact the Publisher.

Our Kids | June 2012

In all this, I’m glad my girls have their father to parent them too. They need his adventurous spirit and lighthearted nature to balance their straight-laced mom. And I need his differences too. I’ve grown through parenting with him. I’ve learned to let go more. I’ve learned to risk more. And I’ve found my way doesn’t have to be the only way. Because of his role as a father, I’ve become a better mother. At last we’ve gotten together our kids, said our goodbyes and headed out the door of our new friends’ house. As our girls scamper down the walk ahead of us, I reach out and squeeze my husband’s hand. I give him a quick smile. In return he lets out another whistle, low and under his breath. It’s a quiet catcall. It’s directed at me. And it lets me know, in his own way, he appreciates our differences too. ■ Lara Krupicka is a freelance writer and mom to three girls. She likes that her husband, Mike, is the one that her daughters go to for pulling splinters.

Father’s Day Facts Who thought up Father’s Day? No, not Hallmark, you cynics. The answer is Sonora Dodd, a Spokane, Wash., woman who was listening to a Mother’s Day sermon in 1909. She wanted a special day to honor her dad, William Smart, a widowed Civil War veteran who raised his six children alone on a farm. So the mayor of Spokane picked June 19, 1910, for the first Father’s Day (it was the month of Smart’s birth). In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson officially proclaimed the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day, and President Richard Nixon signed a public law making the designation permanent in 1972. Dads by the Dozens ■ 70.1 million – The estimated number of fathers nationwide. ■ 25.3 million – The number of dads who were part of married-couple families with children under age 18 in 2010. ■ 1.8 million – The number of single fathers in 2010 (9 percent were raising three or more kids under age 18). ■ 154,000 – The estimated number of stay-at-home dads in 2010. ■ 71 percent – The percentage of children under age 6 who ate dinner with their dad every day in 2006. ■ 6 – The average number of times kids ages 3 to 5 were read to by their fathers in the past week, as of 2006. – Source: U.S. Census Bureau

St. Anthony Catholic School 205 W. Huisache Ave Located in historic Monte Vista

NON O MEMB NON-MEMBERS WELCOMED

Ages 3½ to 15 • Call for Brochure www.The-Dominion.com

Katherine Ryan Preschool Summer Program

June 4 – July 27 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

The summer program provides children ages 3-5 with a variety of supervised educational and creative activities emphasizing your child’s intellectual, social and physical development. Field trips and community resource people are a part of our varied program.

For more information, please contact Program Coordinators

Apparel for Dorothy’s Dance,Gymnastics, Dance Skate & Cheer Shop Bodywear & Shoes for Children thru Adults

Ms. Dee Dee Manson 210-732-8801 x 163; dmanson@stanthonysa.org or

Mrs. Jennifer Martinez 210-732-8801 x 131; jmartinez@stanthonysa.org

Now Enrolling for the 2012-13 school year For more information or to schedule a tour, please contact

Expires 07/28/12 certain restrictions apply

1532 Austin Hwy.

829-8454

Mary Martinez, Registrar, at

11255 Huebner Rd. Suite 107

210.732.8801 x120. www.stanthonysa.org

545-4700

558-4200 434 N Loop 1604 W.

www.dorothysdanceshop.net Content is copyright protected and provided for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission. For reprints please contact the Publisher. June 2012 | OurKidsSanAntonio.com 19

b.a.b.y.

Computers No Match for Babies By Yasmin Anwar

eople often wonder if computers make children smarter. Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, are asking the reverse question: Can children make computers smarter? The answer appears to be ‘yes.’ Researchers are tapping the cognitive smarts of babies, toddlers and preschoolers to program computers to think more like humans. If replicated in machines, the computational models based on baby brainpower could give a major boost to artificial intelligence, which historically has had difficulty handling human nuances and uncertainty. “Children are the greatest learning machines in the universe. Imagine if computers could learn as much and as quickly as they do,” says Alison Gopnik a renowned developmental psychologist and author of The Scientist in the Crib (William Morrow Paperbacks, 2000) and The Philosophical Baby (Picador, 2010). In a wide range of experiments involving lollipops, flashing and spinning toys, and music makers, Berkeley researchers are finding that children – at

younger and younger ages – are testing hypotheses, detecting statistical patterns and drawing conclusions while constantly adapting to changes. “Young children are capable of solving problems that still pose a challenge for computers, such as learning languages and figuring out causal relationships,” says Tom Griffiths, director of Berkeley’s Computational Cognitive Science Lab. “We are hoping to make computers smarter by making them a little more like children.” For example, computers programmed with kids’ cognitive smarts could interact more intelligently and responsively with humans in applications such as computer tutoring programs and phone-answering robots. And that’s not all. “Your computer could be able to discover causal relationships, ranging from simple cases such as recognizing that you work more slowly when you haven’t had coffee, to complex ones such as identifying which genes cause greater susceptibility to diseases,” says Griffiths. The healthy newborn brain contains a lifetime’s supply of some 100 billion neurons, which grow a vast network of synapses or neural connections – about 15,000 by age 2 or 3 – that enable children to learn languages, become socialized and figure out how to survive and thrive in their environment. Adults, meanwhile, stop using their powers of imagination and hypothetical reasoning as they focus on what is most relevant to their goals, Gopnik says. The combination of goal-minded adults and open-minded children is ideal for teaching computers new tricks. ■ – Yasmin Anwar, a writer in Media Relations at UC Berkeley.

Content is copyright protected and provided for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission. For reprints please contact the Publisher.

Our Kids | June 2012

health sense

Pap Smear Guidelines Revised By Christina Elston

omen no longer need to undergo a Pap smear every year to screen for cervical cancer. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the American Cancer Society have agreed on new guidelines for how often and at what ages women need to receive a Pap smear: ■ Women under 21 do not need to be screened, even if they are sexually active. ■ Ages 21 to 29 (except those with immune problems) should have a Pap smear every three years. Testing for the human papillomavirus (HPV) isn’t recommended because infections are common in this age group, but not persistent (and only persistent infections increase risk for cervical cancer). ■ Ages 30 to 65 can opt for a Pap smear plus a test for human papillomavirus (HPV) every five years. ■ Ages 65 and older (with adequate previous screening) can discontinue screening. ■ No one needs annual Pap smears. The American Cancer Society recommendation also advises women who’ve had the HPV vaccine to continue undergoing routine screening because the vaccine doesn’t protect against all HPV strains associated with cancer, and the length of protection it does offer is still uncertain. Why back away from yearly cervical testing? Experts

say that screening often leads to more false-positive tests, over-diagnosis, and the risk of unnecessary treatment – without saving more lives. The guidelines were published in a March issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine with an accompanying editorial that added some important food for thought: Approximately 50 percent of cervical cancer cases are diagnosed in women who’ve either never been screened, or haven’t been screened for five years or more. The United States lags far behind Australia and the United Kingdom in promoting the HPV vaccine to young women at ages when it will protect them best – before they become sexually active. Only 32 percent of eligible women in the United States have received the full course of the vaccine. Improved efforts to protect young women, and to get all women screened regularly, would go a long way toward saving lives, the editorial says. The editors also note that many women who do get screened use the annual occasion to check in with their doctors about other health issues. Even without Pap smears, this should continue. So when it comes to your gynecologist, don’t be a stranger. Annual pelvic and breast exams are still recommended. ■ Christina Elston is a senior editor and health writer for Dominion Parenting Media.

Serving Schertz, New Braunfels, and San Antonio areas. Providing ABA, Speech, OT, and PT. Specializing in Autism, Developmental Disabilities, and Challenging Behaviors

210-858-9062 www.rehababa.com Content is copyright protected and provided for personal use only

- not for reproduction or retransmission. For reprints please contact the Publisher. June 2012 | OurKidsSanAntonio.com 21

We buy ALL seasons ALL of the time! M-F 9:30am - 7:30pm Sat. 10am - 6pm Sun. Noon - 5pm

16646 San Pedro Ave. (Us Hwy. 281 N @ Thousand Oaks) San Antonio, TX 210-490-6822 onceuponachildSanAntonio.com

Maid Affordable

“Where everyone can afford a maid!”

Save $15 off your first clean! Professional, friendly, fully bonded and insured

210-372-9970 www.maidaffordable.com

DR. CARMEN T. GARZA PEDIATRICS

2829 Babcock Rd #438 San Antonio, TX 78229 om josephineruizhealymd.com

(210) 692-9471

SALE ! • Eyeglass and contact lens examination • 3 Month Contact Lens Supply • Contact lens solution with Care kit • 1Pair of UV Sun Protected WileyX Sunglasses $300.00 for entire package *Inquire about our 2 complete pair of eyeglasses for children as well.* *Restriction apply, cannot be combined with insuance or any other promotion. Sale prices good through 08/15/12

10:00 AM – 6:30 PM (M through Thurs.) 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Fri. and Sat.)

www.customeyecare-sa.com 17503 LA CANTERA PARKWAY Suite #115 San Antonio, TX 78257 210.699.EYES (3937) 22

Content is copyright protected and provided for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission. For reprints please contact the Publisher.

Our Kids | June 2012

Party Directory ENTERTAINMENT

PLACES

BALLOONAMATIONS 830-734-9860

ACTING UP DRAMA ACADEMY 210-508-5894

BATMAN PARTY ENTERTAINER 210-385-2541

GREEN TREE TENNIS CLUB 681-5261

CLAUDE CROWE, MAGICIAN 210-227-5505

MAGIK CHILDREN’S THEATRE 210-227-2751

JUMP & PARTY 210-849-8168

MORGAN’S WONDERLAND 210-637-3414

JUMP ROPE EXPRESS 210-269-0725

OLYMPIA GYMNASTICS 210-826-4296

LOU LOU THE CLOWN 210-509-4041

PLANET PARTY 210-535-7096

PARTY PALS 210-788-1819

SAN ANTONIO CHILDREN’S MUSEUM 210-212-4453

GIFTS

THE LITTLE GYM 210-545-3770, Thousand Oaks & Jones-Maltsberger 210-822-9252, Alamo Heights

TWINKLE WORLD 210-402-3362 RAINBOW PLAY San Antonio 210-495-6622 Boerne 210-698-0580 New Braunfels 830-626-1971

THE ROYAL CANVAS 826-7246 THE WITTE MUSEUM 210-357-1866

SUPPLIES AIR CASTLES 210-543-7227 FIESTA FARM & TRAIL RIDES 210-316-3166 JUMP & PARTY 210-849-8168 ROYAL TEA PRINCESS PARTIES 210-595-WAND Content is copyright protected and provided for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission. For reprints please contact the Publisher. June 2012 | OurKidsSanAntonio.com 23

Beyond the Piñatas By Gina Vera

aron Parks distinctly remembers the party thrown for his seventh birthday. The guests came in costume and it had a Halloween theme, since his birthday falls close to the holiday. Parks remembers this party because it went above and beyond the usual cake, ice cream and a piñata. While traditional parties with cake, ice cream and piñatas are fun, putting in the effort to make a child’s birthday party unique and take it beyond the usual pays off in long-lasting memories for both parents and children. Jennifer Wheat has planned children’s parties for five years. She started in the field of event planning as a flower shop owner and wedding planner, and then added children’s party-planning services. “I started planning the children’s parties after seeing the need.”

Make it Memorable Wheat’s approach to children’s parties is to make them memorable and amazing by paring down the size and focusing on the details. “My parties were a lot more detailed and upscale,” she says. She looked at all the traditional aspects of a birthday party and found ways to infuse them with unique and special details. Area mother of three, Sheryl Connor Sepulveda took the same approach to her oldest daughter’s seventh birthday party and even now, with the birthday girl in college, Sepulveda remembers it as one she is especially proud of, and her children agree that it was an event to remember. That was the year Sepulveda threw a tea party for her oldest daughter Sophie. It was the detail with which everything was done that made the event so special, Sepulveda says. Guests came dressed in their prettiest dresses, while Sophie and her sister Sydney wore teaparty inspired pinafore dresses. As part of the 24

entertainment, the children decorated their own party hats. Even the refreshments continued the theme. “Each of the girls received their own teacupshaped cupcake and the “tea kettle” was a larger cake,” recalls Sepulveda. For Sophie and Sydney the party brings back many happy memories. “What I loved the most about my tea party was the extravagance and detail of it all,” says Sophie. “Every teacup cake was perfectly frosted. My unique party dress was fashioned to match the bow in my hair, and the general vibe was that of class and sophistication at a level that every little girl dreams her tea party will have.” “Despite the fact that I was only 5 or 6 years old at the time, it’s one of the most memorable parties we have had,” says Sydney, who begins college this fall. The fact that the Sepulvedas have such strong memories of Sophie’s party fits Wheat’s theory. While it is more work and takes more time to go beyond a piñata and create an event filled with special details and real elements, it can be worth it. “The children recognize the difference,” says Wheat. “And it is really remarkable for a kid. Once you put the ideas into the kids’ minds they really get into it. Pulling from her years of experience, Wheat offers several suggestions on how parents can create a party for their children. She suggests parents look for party supply items that make the event more real for the children. “Don’t use plastic when you can use the real thing. Instead of plastic cups and plastic tablecloths, use real teacups or glasses and cloth tablecloths,” says Wheat. And definitely start early. “If you start early you can search out great things,” she says. To find these real items, Wheat suggests parents search through thrift, and dollar stores. “You can find great Victorian items at thrift stores,” she says, and inexpensive but real supplies at dollar stores. Wheat also advises parents to search the Internet for activities, crafts and games that fit the theme of the party. And, don’t be afraid to get creative and take an idea for an activity, craft or game and adapt it to your party theme. A treasure hunt could also be a spy mission or a knight’s quest. A hunt for prizes through a bale of hay for a farm- or cowboy-themed party

Content is copyright protected and provided for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission. For reprints please contact the Publisher.

Our Kids | June 2012

could turn into a hunt for prizes through a sandbox for a beach party. “You can take a concept and do it any way you want,” says Wheat. And since all of this work, time and creativity should not go to waste at the end of the party, Wheat suggests that parents share or pass on party supplies and ideas to friends. Sharing also helps with the cost of the party.

Hire Entertainers Hiring entertainers can also be an option. They can be a way to supplement the activities and games parents have already put together. In San Antonio, parents can choose from a wide variety of entertainment including petting zoos that would work with cowboy or farm themes, clowns and magicians that could be used for circus- or entertainment-themed parties, mobile tea parties and super heroes. Parents can develop the superhero theme by inviting all the guests to wear their own superhero costumes to the event. “There is a large demand for party entertainers, and there are a wide variety of characters to match some of the popular children’s themes,” says Luis Sepulveda, a San Antonio party entertainer.. Local party entertainer Luis Sepulveda (no relation to Sheryl Sepulveda) thinks the key to throwing a memorable party is the attention to detail and interaction. “To create a great experience, an entertainer needs to do more than show up in costume. It is important to work with parents prior to the party to get the birthday child and others involved in the appearance,” he says. The party planner says he usually performs a skit where his character has to take down one of his arch-enemies with the help of the birthday boy or girl. “In this way the attention goes back to the child,” he says. Wheat says parents can even please their technology-loving children with a mobile gaming trailer.

There are several companies in the San Antonio area that offer these services. Wheat’s top five tips for throwing a great children’s birthday party are centered on detail and good manners. 1. Be sure to have plenty of space for children to move around. “You have to remember that they are children and children like to run around and play,” Wheat says. Outside is usually preferable to inside, weather permitting, she advises. 2. Take time on the invitations. Invitations should be personalized for each of the guests, fit the theme of the party and, when possible they should be three dimensional. For example, she says, a message in a bottle can be used for a beach- or a pirate-themed party. The attention to the invitation pays off in party attendance. An amazing invitation creates interest, Wheat says. Guests automatically know that the event is going to be different and want to attend. 3. Limit the number of guests to eight or 10 children. Any more than eight or 10 and cost and time involved in creating the detail needed become too great. “The idea is quality over quantity,” Wheat says. And since you will send out a great invitation those who are invited are more likely to attend. 4. Keep the kids active and send them home with something they created. Having the kids make something they can take with them keeps them busy and happy at the party and is a great alternative to a generic goody bag filled with candy and plastic toys. 5. Take as much time on the thank-you cards as you did on the invitations. ■ Gina Vera is a freelance writer and mother of one.

Resources Technology and Games ■ FunFlicks Outdoor Movies – www.funflicks.com/ san-antonio-outdoor-movies-tx.html ■ Game Box Party – www.gameboxparty.com/ ■ Game Truck Party – www.gametruckparty.com/SanAntonio ■ Games2U – www.g2u.com

Entertainers ■ Amazing Texas Twisters – www.amazingtexastwisters.com ■ Balloonamations – www.balloonamations.com ■ Batman Entertainer – www.batmanentertainer.com ■ Party Pals – www.partypalssa.com

Content is copyright protected and provided for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission. For reprints please contact the Publisher. June 2012 | OurKidsSanAntonio.com 25

ENTERTAINMENT & PARTY NEEDS ENTERTAINMENT BALLOONAMATIONS Book your child’s next

Painting Birthday Party Located in Alamo Heights @ 5005 Broadway Street

(210) 734-9860 P.O. Box 33382 San Antonio, TX 78265 www.balloonamations.com Balloon artists, face painters, clowns for kids parties, family entertainment and corporate events.

BATMAN

210.826.7246 www.theroyalcanvas.com | cassie@theroyalcanvas.com

Party Entertainer (210)385-2541 www.BatmanEntertainer.com Book this hero for your next party for a fun and exciting time. See our website for more information.

CLAUDE CROWE, MAGICIAN 210-227-5505 Entertainment for children ages 5 to 105 years with his comedy and magic.

JUMP & PARTY 210-849-8168 www.jump&partyevents.com Water Slides, Velcro Walls, Tables/ Chairs, Sumo Suits, Sound System, Sales & Rentals, Obstacle Course, Dunk Tank, Concession Machines, Climbing Wall, Castle’s, Carnival Games, Bungee Run

JUMP ROPE EXPRESS 210-269-0725 www.Coach7755@aol.com We bring the party fun to you. Call for details.

LOU LOU THE CLOWN

Day Camp & Summer Class Registration Going on Now!

www.olympiakids.com

Summer Camps

Ten 1-Week Camps that go through Aug. 17, Full or Half Day Camps Available

Registration in Progress

Gymnastics Classes Two 5-Week Class Sessions for Children 3 years and older

Session I June 4 - July 12 (closed July 2-6; 5 weeks)

210-509-4041 Five party packages with adult involvement, prizes for adults and kids, contests, balloons, magic, customized birthday certificate, family picture, costume characters, company events, and grand openings.

PARTY PALS 210-788-1819 www.partypals.com Fun characters will visit your party and interact with kids. Find us on Facebook: Party Pals SA.

GIFTS

RAINBOW PLAY San Antonio 210-495-6622 Boerne 210-698-0580 New Braunfels 830-626-1971 www.RainbowPlay.com Perfect gifts for outdoor play! Wooden play sets, trampolines, basketball goals. Visit us on line for the location nearest you.

PLACES ACTING UP DRAMA ACADEMY 210-508-5894 12002 Bandera Rd. #104 San Antonio, TX 78023 Http://ActingUpCDA.com A Birthday Party like no other because it is designed for your child! They pick the theme; Batman, Fairies, Magic, Princesses, etc. We design a take-home craft plus games and activities based on their theme, ending in a scavenger hunt with prizes for all! Call for more information 210508-5894!

GREEN TREE TENNIS CLUB 681-5261 4721 Callaghan Road www.greentreetennis.com Courtney@greentreetennis.com GREEN TREE is the PERFECT place for your Child’s Birthday Party! If your child is 12 or under, you may choose from our three hour party packet birthday package or our six hour party packet birthday package. If you are 13 or older, our six hour party packet birthday package is the one for you!

MAGIK CHILDREN’S THEATRE (210) 227-2751 420 S. Alamo San Antonio, TX 78205 www.magiktheatre.org Enjoy a unique and personalized birthday experience that the whole family will enjoy. Call for reservations. Our season passes are a great deal for the whole family.

MORGAN’S WONDERLAND

210-637-3414 5223 David Edwards Drive Info@morganswonderland.com TWINKLE WORLD Registration in Progress • Call for Availability www.morganswonderland.com (210) 402-3362 Celebrate your child’s special day 2818 Thousand Oaks with an unforgettable party at San Antonio, TX 78232 6925 Sunbelt Dr. East 78218 Morgan’s Wonderland! Morgan’s World of stocking stuffers, Goody Austin Hwy. @ Eisenhauer Wonderland is the ultimate Bags, Birthday Parties with Disney destination for age appropriate Characters for 99¢. Come by and see us today. family fun,orcomplete with handsContent is copyright protected and provided for personal use only - not for reproduction retransmission. Session II July 16 - Aug. 16 (5 weeks) Classes Available at 4:30, 5:30 & 6:30

826-4296

Our Kids | June 2012

For reprints please contact the Publisher.

ENTERTAINMENT & PARTY NEEDS on activities, interactive park adventures and affordable party packages. Morgan’s Wonderland will transform your child’s birthday from ordinary to extraordinary.

OLYMPIA GYMNASTICS 6925 E. Sunbelt Drive (210) 826-4296 www.olympiakids.com Olympia does birthday parties on Saturdays. Parties are 2 hours and a BLAST! It’s so easy for the parents, just book it, and leave a deposit and show up for a great time. Call or visit our website for more information.

PLANET PARTY 12403 Nacogdoches San Antonio, TX 78217 535-7096 www.planetpartysa.com The King of Indoor Parties. The largest Private Indoor birthday party facility in San Antonio, with fun and entertainment for the whole family! We have a 5,000 sq. ft. facility and we provide an all inclusive “Party to Go” environment. That means that everything is included with your party package, no tokens or quarters, all you pay is your reservation fee! Call to reserve your party today!!

SAN ANTONIO CHILDREN’S MUSEUM 305 E. Houston St San Antonio, TX 78205 (210) 212-4453 http://www.sakids.org/ birthdays.html Throwing a birthday party is a piece of cake at the San Antonio Children’s Museum. Our festively decorated, private rooms can accommodate parties of up to 20 kids, and we can take care of pizza, cake, napkins, forks, drinks, and FUN. For more information about SACM Birthday Parties, call us at (210) 212-4453 ext. 1307.

THE LITTLE GYM

THE ROYAL CANVAS 826-7246 5005 Broadway Street www.theroyalcanvas.com cassie@theroyalcanvas.com Book your child’s next party at The Royal Canvas. Paint your own Masterpiece and Get to take it home after the party! No artistic skill needed! Call or visit us online for more information!

THE WITTE MUSEUM 210-357-1866 3801 Broadway www.wittemuseum.org Have a one of a kind party experience at the Witte Museum! It’s educational fun and an extraordinary venue for a birthday celebration and one that every child will remember for years to come! Come join us for your next party!

SUPPLIES AIR CASTLES 210-543-7227 Aircastlemoonwalks.com Combos/Slides, obstacle course and water slides.

PLANET PARTY The King of Private Indoor Parties

Birthday Party!

BALLOONS WITH A TWIST!

Balloon Artists Face Painters • Clowns • Kids Parties • Corporate Events • Family Entertainment

Place in San Antonio! All Arcade games are free Play! * unlimited Kids! * Moon Bounces! * Fun for all ages! * Nintendo wii! * Free Arcades!

* 2,000 Sq Ft Toddler & Infant Facility! * 5,000 Sq Ft game room just for your party * open dining area for 72 guests! For Current availability or to book online www.planetpartysa.com 210.535.7096

734-9860

www.balloonamations.com

SUMMER PROGRAMS!

• •

June 4th – Aug. 24th 2012 WEEKLY SPORTS CAMP M-F 8:00a.m.-5:30p.m. WEEKLY TENNIS CAMP M-F 10:00a.m. - 2:00p.m. (includes swimming)

GROUP PARTIES!

LE SW S IM Al l SO Al age N ll ev s & S el

Green Tree

• Birthday • Team Sports • Perfect for Company Picnics

(easy access from all parts of town)

www.greentreetennis.com

681-5261

TENNIS CLUB

4721 Callaghan Rd.

FIESTA FARM & TRAIL RIDES 210-316-3166 www.FiestaFarmLC.com A fantastic play farm for birthday parties and field trips. Clean and friendly animals, fun learning activities, and our facilities are under cover! Add some fresh air and farm activities to your plans this year.

(210) 545-3770, Thousand Oaks & ROYAL TEA PRINCESS Jones-Maltsberger PARTIES (210) 822-9252, 210-595-WAND Alamo Heights www.royalteaprincessparties.com www.TheLittleGym.com Princess Glamour Spa Parties. Every party has the entire gym to Cinderella, Snow White or themselves, and includes music, Sleeping Beauty Hostess. Let your movement, games and fun. We little princess dress up have tea handle everything so kids and parents have aContent blast! have a marvelous birthday!for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission. is copyrightand protected and provided

For reprints please contact the Publisher.

June 2012 | OurKidsSanAntonio.com

A LL

CREATIVE EATIVE DRAMA ACADEMY ACAD

Antonio Daniels 12th Annual

Summer Basketball Camp

Cornerstone Christian School 4802 Vance Jackson

July 23 - 27 • 9am - 3pm Lunch Provided Boys & Girls • Ages 7 - 17

• Summer Camp 2-Week Sessions 9am-3pm with before & after care available! • Birthday Parties • Seussical Jr. the Musical!

210-508-5894 ActingUpCDA.com

Special Guest Appearances Special Spurs Guest Appearances

210-885-8470

Former San Antonio Spur & New Orleans Hornet

www.antoniodaniels.com

Summer At The Academy

2012

Boys & Girls, Ages 4 & older

June 4 - July 27

SAN ANTONIO ACADEMY CAMPUS (Located in historic Monte Vista) Summer Enrichment Office - 733-7331 ext. www.sa-academy.org

237

New Class Titles for Summer 2012 Soccer - Bowling Acrylic-Oil-Drawing Cheerleading - Science Survival Camp - Math Lacrosse - Robotics Photography - Frisbee Baking - Dinosaurs Fencing - Pokemon

Rockets - Basketball Etiquette - Football Out on the Town - Legos Chess - American Girl Field Trips - Card Tricks Birds - Bugs - Fishing Music - Karate - CSI Model Airplanes - Yoga

Traveling Chef Star Wars - WiffleBall Medieval Battles - Film PetCare - Computers Theatre - Cooking Clay - Glass/Metal Art Reading - Dodgeball … and many more!

More than 350 Classes

Accredited By The Independent Schools Association of the Southwest

Celebrating Our 24th Year! 28

Content is copyright protected and provided for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission. For reprints please contact the Publisher.

Our Kids | June 2012

calendar june

By Cynthia Ladson

All of Texas in Three Days

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE INSTITUTE OF TEXAN CULTURES

Celebrate the many different cultures of Texas during the annual Texas Folklife Festival from June 8-10 at the Institute of Texan Cultures on the UTSA HemisFair Park Campus, 801 E. Cesar E. Chavez Blvd. The event will feature ethnic food, music and dance, stories and crafts that preserve the customs and traditions of people from more than 40 cultures that settled the Lone Star State. Festival hours are 5-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday. Adult gate admission is $12 for ages 13 and older, $5 for ages 6 to 12, and children 5 and younger are free. For more information and details on purchasing advance tickets, visit www.texasfolklifefestival.org or call 210-458-2300.

whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inside 34 36

Family Theater Ongoing Exhibits

Members of the Flemish Folk Dance Team of the Belgian American Club of Texas.

Want more events? Go online today! www.ourkidssanantonio.com Content is copyright protected and provided for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission. For reprints please contact the Publisher. June 2012 | OurKidsSanAntonio.com 29

calendar 1 Friday Tent Sale of Books: Friends of the San Antonio Public Library will present its annual Tent Sale of Books. Hundreds of books in the children’s and teen section are priced from 25 cents to $1. Free. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. San Anonio Central Library Basement, 600 Soledad St. www.friendsofsapl.com. 210-227-9519. Miss Anastasia’s Wild and Wacky Storytiime: Join Miss Anastasia for a fun storytime and craft. All ages welcome. 10:30 a.m. Free. The Twig Book Shop, 200 E. Grayson St., Ste. 124. www.thetwig.com. 210-826-5087.

2 Saturday Nature Walk: Join park staff and volunteers in a walk to natural restoration areas. Limited to 15 people per hike. Reservations suggested. 9-11 a.m. A donation of $2 per individual, $6 per family is suggested. Crownridge Canyon, 7222 Luskey. www.sanaturalareas.org. 210-372-9124. Max and Ruby “Maxout” for Summer Reading: Join Max the book-loving bunny as he kicks off the “Rockin’ Rabbit Reading” summer program. Kids have all summer to read and document their success on a reading record and turn it in for kid-friendly goodies. Kickoff event includes Max and Ruby stories, snacks and a bunny craft. Take cameras for photos with Max. All ages welcome. 10:30 a.m. Free. The Twig Book Shop at Pearl’s Full Goods Building, 200 E. Grayson St., Suite 124. www.thetwig.com. 210-826-5087. Primer Sabado: Local entertainment, children’s activities, arts and crafts, food and more. Noon-6 p.m. Free. Market Square at W. Commerce and Santa Rosa streets. www.marketsquaresa.com. 210-207-8600. UC Movies in the Park: Cars 2 will be screened at the Universal City summer series of movies. Sherlock Holmes (PG-13), plays June 23. Movies begin at sunset around 8 p.m. Free. Universal City Park, 305 North Blvd. www.universalcitytexas.com/movies. 210-659-0333 ext. 721.

at the UTSA Main Campus. The camps will bring science, engineering and robotics to life. UTSA Interactive Technology Experience Center (iTEC), One UTSA Circle. itec.utsa.edu/camps.html. 210-458-5081. Camp Broadway: Kids 5 to 18 years old can make their dreams of being a star come alive this summer. Kids will dance and sing to some of the hottest shows. Kids are placed in age-appropriate groups. Online registration. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. $395. Woodlawn Theatre, 1920 Fredericksburg Road. www. woodlawntheatre.com. 210-267-8388. Not Your Average Acting Camp: Kids ages 7 to 12 learn the basics of theatre from stage directions, conquering stage fright, theater terms, using imagination and auditioning skills. Through theatre and improv games, kids learn how to become an onstage character. Participants will prepare a scene during the week that will be performed the last day of camp. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. $225. The Rose Theatre, 11838 Wurzbach Road. www.therosetheatreco.com. 210-360-0004. Summer Reading Kick-Off: Kids from 0-12 are invited to register for the city summer reading program, eat food, have fun and make a craft. 2-3:30 p.m. Free. Maverick Library, 8700 Mystic Park. Most area branch libraries will kick off summer reading programs, visit the Central Library website at http://guides.mysapl.org/summerreading2012 for dates and times. 210-207-2678.

5 Tuesday Story Time – Get a Clue: Preschoolers ages 3-5 can enjoy stories and songs that have been selected to develop early literacy skills and foster curiosity. Various branch libraries will offer this program. Visit the Central Library website for a list of locations and times. 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Forest Hills Library, 5245 Ingram Road, http://guides.mysapl.org/summerreading2012. 210-207-2678.

6 Wednesday 4 Monday iTEC Summer Camp: Kids in kindergarten through eighth grade can now enroll in one or more weeklong summer camps that will be offered by the UTSA Interactive Technology Experience Center (iTEC). The camps include morning, afternoon and all-day sessions

BeTween Time: Youngsters 10-12 years old are invited to participate in this weekly activity designed especially for tweens. Participants will get into books, movies, gaming, crafts and social activities. 2-3:30 p.m. Free. Forest Hills Library, 5245 Ingram Road. http://guides.mysapl.org/summerreading2012. 210-431-2544.

get listed Items to be considered for the calendar XXXXX must be received at least six weeks prior to publication. The deadline for the August, 2012 issue is June 15. Mail calendar items and photographs to: Calendar Editor, Our Kids San Antonio, 8400

Blanco Road, Suite 300, San Antonio, TX 78216, or e-mail to ourkidssacalendar@gmail.com. Information cannot be accepted by phone. If you miss the print deadline, you

may submit your event directly to our searchable online calendar at OurKidsSanAntonio.com. Just click on the “Submit Your Event” link below the Calendar on the home page. Online postings will appear on the Web only.

Content is copyright protected and provided for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission. For reprints please contact the Publisher.

Our Kids | June 2012

Central Teen Wednesdays: Teens can enjoy video games, arts and crafts, movies and more every Wednesday. This activity is part of the city’s Summer Reading program. Free. 2-3 p.m. Central Library, 600 Soledad. http://guides.mysapl.org/teensummer2012. 210-207-2678.

7 Thursday Concert Under the Stars: The Ron Wilkins Quartet performs at Concert Under the Stars summer series. Gates open at 6 p.m. Concert at 7 p.m. $8. Take lawn chairs and blankets. No outside food and drink. San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Place. www.sabot.org. 210-207-3255.

8 Friday Summer Science Exploration Camp – Cool Chemistry: The Science Research Educational Institute of Texas will present this two-day camp where kids can learn about and discuss chemical, exothermic and endothermic reactions; acid based titrations; discover Ph; create polymerized rubber and more. 10-11:45 a.m. for 6 to 10 year olds and noon-1:45 p.m. for 11 to 17 year olds. $20. Online registration. June 8 classes held at the Bexar County Texas AgriLife Extension office, 3355 Cherry Ridge. June 15 classes set for Maverick Public Library, 8700 Mystic Park. www.sreitonline.org. Jurassic Farce: Sequel to family friendly comedy starring live actors as dinosaurs. 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The Rose Theatre, 11838 Wurzbach Road. www.therosetheatreco.com. 210-360-0004.

9 Saturday Beginners’ Bird Walk: Join members of the San Antonio Audubon Society on a walk for families ages 6 and older the second Saturday of each month. Binoculars available. 7:30 a.m. Free. Judson Nature Trail, 246 Viesca St., next to the Alamo Heights swimming pool. www.saaudubon.org. 210-308-6788. Pinwheel Run/Walk for Hope: Walk/Run to benefit the children at Clarity Child Guidance Center. A short Fun Run is also planned, with participants receiving ribbons. 5K Walk/Run, 8 a.m. Fun Run begins afterwards. Register online for both events. 5K Walk/Run, $25, Fun Run, $10 per family. 5K begins at Medical Foundation Trails, at the corner of Hamilton Wolfe and Babcock Roads; Family Fun Run begins at 8535 Tom Slick. www.claritycgc.org. 210-582-6497. Second Saturday Program – “Wetland Detectives”: Take

the family on a trek and meet up close and personal some of the critters who live at Mitchell Lake Audubon Center. Learning to identify the critters will give participants clues to evaluate the health of an aquatic system. Suggested donation: $3 per individual or $5 per family. 10 a.m.-noon, gates open 9:30 a.m. Eisenhower Park, 19399 N.W. Military Highway. www.sanaturalareas.org or www.bexaraudubon.org. 210-372-9124.

10 Sunday Sunday Jazz at the Witte: The South Texas Jazz Quartet will perform outdoors in the courtyard. Take a blanket or lawn chair. No outside food or drink; food and beverages available for purchase. 4-7 p.m. Museum gallaries close at 5 p.m., however the H-E-B Science Treehouse is open until 7 p.m. Free with museum admission. Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway. www.wittemuseum.org. 210-357-1900.

11 Monday Budding Ballerina Camp: Ballet Conservatory of South Texas present “Budding Ballerina,” a camp for 3 to 7 year olds geared to promoting coordination, grace and creativity. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday through Friday. $195. The Ballet Conservatory of South Texas, 5200 Broadway. www.balletsouthtexas.org. 210-820-3400. Animal Botanical Nature Camp: Children ages 7-19 with special needs are invited to explore the plants and animals of the Botanical Garden in this multi-themed, four day camp. Animal Botanical activities include education on animals and plants living in the garden, crafts, recreation, music, and daily snacks. Camp activities take place in the Garden and the air-conditioned Auld House. $135 per week. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Place. www.sabot.org. 210-207-3250. Camp Showbiz: Children 3 and older engage in the arts – with a focus on fun, learning and creativity. Camp Showbiz offers age-targeted theater classes in a day-camp structure. More than than 20 classes offered throughout the summer in two- to four-week sessions. Classes will have a final performance on the Saturday following the last day of camp. $340. 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. The Magik Theatre, 420 South Alamo, www.magiktheatre.org. 210-227-2751. Camp Showbiz (Advanced): Children 10-17 engage in the arts – with a focus on fun, learning and creativity. Camp Showbiz offers age-targeted theater classes in a day-camp structure. More than 20 classes offered throughout the summer in two- to four-week sessions. Classes will have a final performance on the Saturday following the last day of camp. $530. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The Magik Theatre, 420 South Alamo, www.magiktheatre.org. 210-227-2751.

Looking for family activities? Sign up to receive weekly event picks delivered right to your inbox. Go to www.ourkidssanantonio.com today!

Content is copyright protected and provided for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission. For reprints please contact the Publisher. June 2012 | OurKidsSanAntonio.com 31

calendar 14 Thursday Concert Under the Stars: Local 34, a pop/tropical group based in Miami, performs at Concert Under the Stars summer series. Gates open at 6 p.m. Concert at 7 p.m. $8. Take lawn chairs and blankets. No outside food and drink. San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Place. www.sabot.org. 210-207-3255.

15 Friday Boerne Berges Fest: A three-day family oriented German heritage festival presented annually around Father’s Day weekend in historic Boerne. Festivities include crowning of Miss Berges Fest and her court, live music, carnival, parade, food and games for all ages. Main Street in Boerne. Free. www.bergesfest.com. 830-249-7277. Juneteenth Festival: Two-day festival celebrates the day in 1865 when slaves in Texas received word of their freedom. Festival includes poetry-reading, gospel music, R&B, jazz, benefit fish dinners sale, golf tournament and parade. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Free. Comanche Park, 2600 Rigsby Ave. www.juneteenthsanantonio.com. 210-527-1830.

16 Saturday Outdoor Pools Opens: Outdoor pools open for the

summer season from 1-7 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Free. Also, fee-based swimming lessons, water aerobics and swim teams available. Free. www.sanantonio.gov/parksandrec. 210-207-3113. Oxymoron Family Show: The Oxymorons, a San Antonio improv comedy troupe, presents a family friendly show monthly. 5 p.m. $9 for 12 years and older; $5, children 5 to 11. Laugh Out Loud, 618 N. W. Loop 410. www.lolsanantonio.com. 210-541-8805.

18 Monday Camp Guadalupe – Architecture, Archaeology and Art: Kids 8-12 discover some of the most famous ruins. Kids use techniques of drawing, drafting and dreaming to create their own city, structure or street. $100 per week. Other sessions available throughout the summer. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, 723 S. Brazos St. guadalupeculturalarts.org/camp-guadalupe-registration. 210-271-3151. Movie Magic Camp: Kids 7 to 14 learn how to audition for on-screen roles, make their own movie trails and film commercials with special touches. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. $225. The Rose Theatre, 11838 Wurzbach Road. www.therosetheatreco.com. 210-360-0004. WILD! Weeks 2012: During WILD! Weeks children ages 7-12 explore the outdoors. A holistic approach including

24 Months - 5th Grade

SA's FIRST Reggio Emilia Inspired School

Early Bird Discount!

CCSD Accepted (government voucher)

SUMMER DAYS: June 18 - Aug 17 Fall Registration NOW OPEN

210-320-4427

3110 NW Loop 410, SA, 78230 • Cherry Ridge and 410

www.tjschoolhouse.com

Our Kids San Antonio the region’s premier monthly magazine dedicated to serving and empowering, YOU, San Antonio Parents is not only available at: HEB and All Jim’s Coffee Shops. NOW AVAILABLE AT: At ALL area Walmarts around San Antonio Also available 24 hours, 7 days a week at www.OurKidsSanAntonio.com

Content is copyright protected and provided for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission. For reprints please contact the Publisher.

Our Kids | June 2012

science. Children will spend the week looking at soils and rocks, learning how they are formed and what’s in them. Activities include mineral testing, sand CSI investigating, stream formation, flint knapping and more. 9 a.m.-noon Monday through Friday. Kids choose from two sessions, June 18-22 and June 25-29. $75. Friedrich Wilderness Park, 21395 Milsa, www.sanaturalareas.org. 210-564-6400. Junior Naturalist Summer Camp: Camp for ages 6-8 includes outdoor skills such as plant identification, birding, hiking and enthnobotany. Runs through June 22. $140. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Place, www.sabot.org. 210-207-3250. Build It!: Build It is a fun-filled week of hands-on creativity, problem-solving with building blocks for kids entering first and second grades in the fall. Kids will explore simple machines, motors and gears while building to their heart’s content. 9 a.m.-noon. Build It! for third-fifth grade students, 1-4 p.m., $160. Register online. San Antonio Children’s Museum, 305 E. Houston St. www.sakids.org/events/museumcamps.aspx. 210-212-4453.

Learn and play

Healthy Families: Partner with other individuals and community leaders interested in helping to reduce infant mortality and support successful birth outcomes

(Space limited)

Summer Science Exploration Camp – Rocket Science: The Science Research Educational Institute of Texas will present this one-day hands-on camp where kids learn the history of rockets, the various types and uses of rockets and manufacture their own rocket that will be launched at the end of class. 10-11:45 a.m. for 6 to 10 year olds and 1-3:45 p.m. for 11 to 17 year olds. $15. Online registration. Maverick Public Library, 8700 Mystic Park. www.sreitonline.org.

25 Monday Girls Just Wanna Have Fun: This camp is an all girls acting camp. Including make-up day, talent day and tons of acting games, singing, dancing and showcase on Friday. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. $225. The Rose Theatre, 11838 Wurzbach Road. www.therosetheatreco.com. 210-360-0004. Kids gARTening Camp: Children grades 1-5 will discover different natural artistic styles while exploring the

AABCD

Digital Creative Minds

We teach drama, dance, hip hop, jazz, and Irish tap; and we incorporate all dances it into our musicals! Also looking for advance dancers and actors! AABCD is accepting students ages 4-up to join us in our next production Willy Wonka and the chocolate factory!

“A World of Fantasy & PURE Imagination!”

Trinity United Methodist School Register Now for 2012-2013 ITBS scores rank top 1% in the nation

Preschool Elementary School

(210) 684-5214

5319 Newcome Dr. www.trinityums.org

We teach what you would normally learn in a traditional art school, but with a cool twist using the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch.

Jun. 4 – Aug. 17

22 Friday

DRAMA & DANCE PRODUCTIONS

iPad Art Camps

Enroll Now!

in San Antonio and Bexar County. Monthly meetings on the third Monday. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Lunch provided. Texas Diabetes Institute, 701 S. Zarzamora St. 210-207-4725.

Painting Photography Music MovieMaking Animation Newscasting

kids@ipademy.net • 210.201.2860 • www.ipademy.net

If you have any questions Please Call AABCD (Mrs. Bianca) at

210-568-8127 or 830-643-9057!

Texas Alliance of Accredited Private Schools

MEDICAL CENTER AREA

Summer Adventure Camp July 9 – July 27

Choose Your Adventure Today! Survival on the Wild and Vivid Land

Birds, Sensational Beetles Summer and Other Science! Beasties

For more information or to make reservations call 210.357.1910.

Content is copyright protected and provided for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission. For reprints please contact the Publisher. June 2012 | OurKidsSanAntonio.com 33

calendar Family Theater ■ Shakespeare in the Park – Magik Theatre presents an outdoor production of Othello, Shakespeare’s tragedy about hatred and revenge. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. Play begins at 8 p.m. Runs through June 2. Free. No outside food allowed. Take a chair or blanket. San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Place. www.magiktheatre. org. 210-227-2751. www.sabot.org or 210-207-3255. ■ Wizard of Oz – Join the Theatre Tots as they add an edge to this classic tale. Professor Deb has asked the Theatre Tots to pick their favorite children’s story for show and tell. And they chose The Wizard of Oz. But they need munchkins, soldiers and more. Help the Theatre Tots tell their story. 10 a.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays. $5.50. Free for kids under age 1. Reservations required. The Rose Theatre, 11838 Wurzbach Road. www.therosetheatreco.com. 210-360-0004. ■ Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical – Theatrical production based on the book by Mo Willems tells the tale of a father-daughter trip to the laundromat. Dad throws everything into the washing machine and the dryer, including his toddler Trixie’s favorite stuffed animal, Knuffle Bunny. Dad distractedly leaves the bunny in the dryer and takes Trixie home. Unfortunately, Trixie’s desperate cries (“Aggle flaggle klabble!”) come across as meaningless baby talk. 9:45 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Tuesday through Friday; 7 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m.

Saturday. Runs through June 16. $10 adults, $8 ages 3-17, $2 ages 2 and younger. Magik Theatre, 420 S. Alamo St. www.magiktheatre. org. 210-227-2751. ■ Sleeping Beauty and the Prince of the Canary Islands – This original musical by Richard Rosen is the third musical in the Fairy Tale Trilogy (La Cinderella and Snow White and the Seven Amigos). Using English and a little Spanish, it weaves a new and wacky version of Sleeping Beauty, complete with fairies (good and evil), a sleeping castle on the top of a pyramid in Mexico, and the Prince of the Canary Islands. 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays and 7 p.m. Fridays. June 27-July 28, Magik Theatre, 420 S. Alamo St. www.magiktheatre. org. 210-227-2751. ■ Rapunzel –The Paul Mesner Puppets present the story of a “veggie” wonderful love story about two avid gardeners, Okra and Romaine, who meet, marry and have a beautiful daughter named Rapunzel. An evil witch who forced Romaine to promise that he would give up his first-born child many months before, returns to claim the lovely child. Annual Rollie Rupert Rabbit Birthday Party follows the 6:30 p.m. 9:45, 11:45 a.m. 6:30 p.m. June 15. $8. Empire Theatre, 226 N. St. Mary’s St. www.childrensfineartsseries.org. 210-340-4060.

Summer Camps 3-8 years old 1 Week Camps Intensive Music Class Puppets & Music Spanish & Music

366-3187

kids just wanna have fun with SoccerTots, HoopsterTots and Lil Sluggers! • Weekly child physical development classes • Fun games to engage kids • Sibling, Military and Multi-Sport DISCOUNTS! • Summer camps in all sports

www.SAMusicMasters.com FIRST S CLASS C SS

FREE

$298 98 FOR 3 MONTHS ONTHS

18months to 8 years

We teach children as young as 3 years old

with free rree uniform *For NEW students ONLY exp. June 30, 2012

Kim’s Academy of Tae Kwon Do 210-653-2700

4447 Thousand Oak San Antonio, Texas

kimsacta.com

info@alamototsports.com 210.399.4861 • alamototsports.com

Content is copyright protected and provided for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission. For reprints please contact the Publisher.

Our Kids | June 2012

garden. They will make art projects that grow and boom into masterpieces, learn to create paper, dye their own flowers, try their hand at sculpting vegetables into their favorite critters, explore the garden with their taste buds and discover how plants turn the sunâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s energy into fuel for our bodies. Campers will go on a field trip to the San Antonio Botanical Garden. Space is limited. Snacks provided, except field trip day. $60. Bexar County Extension Office, 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 208. www.BexarYouthGardens.com. 210-467-6575. Mommy & Me: Kids 2 1/2-5 years old and their caregivers are invited to join in the messy, marvelous and creative fun at this camp designed especially with them in mind. 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $115. Register online now. San Antonio Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Museum, 305 E. Houston St., www.sakids.org/events/museumcamps. aspx. 210-212-4453. Pint Sized-Science Camp: Youngsters 4-6 years old are invited to discover the world around them in this camp. Camp leaders will spark participantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; curiosity with fossil digs, glowing ors, magnetic cereal and a few things that

go BOOM! 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $150. Register online now. San Antonio Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Museum, 305 E. Houston St. www.sakids.org/events/museumcamps.aspx. 210-212-4453. Concert Under the Stars: Josh Weathers and the True Endeavors, a Texas soul band, will perform at Concert Under the Stars summer series. Gates open at 6 p.m. Concert at 7 p.m. $8. Take lawn chairs and blankets. No outside food and drink. San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Place. www.sabot.org. Summer Exploration Camp â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Fossil Works: No those are not actual dinosaur bones in the museum. In this two-day camp staff members from the Science Research Educational Institute of Texas will help kids understand why museums do not display actual dinosaur bones. Participants will learn how the dinosaur fossils are initially removed from the ground. 10-11:45 a.m. for 6 to 10 year olds and noon to 1:45 p.m. for 11 to 17 year olds. $30. Online registration. Maverick Public Library, 8700 Mystic Park. www.sreitonline.org.

looking ahead to july Fourth of July Arts and Crafts Show is July 4 on the River Walk. Balcones Heights Jazz Festival takes place July 6 in the Amphitheater at Wonderland of the Americas.

NOW ON NEWS STANDS!

Childcare & Preschool Finder

Look for it in WalMart â&#x20AC;˘ H-E-B â&#x20AC;˘ Jim's Restaurant â&#x20AC;˘ Medical Facilities Libraries â&#x20AC;˘ Book Stores & Other Retail Locations Call for location nearest you. 349-6667

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL JUNE 25 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 29, 2012 4YRS â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5TH GRADE (COMPLETED) MORNING SESSION IS FREE EARLY DROP OFF ". t 8&&, AFTERNOON CAMPS t 1. o 1. $".1 $045 */$-6%&4 5 4)*35 -6/$) 4/"$, "/% '6/ "$5*7*5*&4

/0/ 3&'6/%"#-& %&104*5 /0 3&'6/%4 "'5&3 +6/& REGISTER ONLINE AT WWW.CHFBC.ORG/CHILDREN 210.377.8406

We do the driving.

In-home Music Lessons. Mobile Music Academy (MMA) is an award-winning company that brings music lessons into the home for your convenience. Any instrument, any skill level. Accredited, friendly instructors. Call us today at

Learn more at

512.301.8589

www.mmamusic.com

Content is copyright protected and provided for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission. For reprints please contact the Publisher. June 2012 | OurKidsSanAntonio.com 35

calendar Ongoing Exhibits SAN ANTONIO CHILDREN’S MUSEUM ■ “Science City” invites kids to think like scientists in six interactive zones. Hands-on activities that encourage creative and innovative thinking include designing structures that withstand the forces of nature, investigating the science of circuits, and experimenting with aerodynamics and momentum on a race track. ■ “Frost Good Cents Bank” introduces kids to hands-on financial learning as they role play in a bank with a drive-up window, teller counters and an ATM. They can also explore interactive finance stations to learn about managing and spending money. Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission: $7; free for children younger than 2. 305 E. Houston St. www.sakids.org. 210-212-4453.

SAN ANTONIO ZOO ■ “Africa Live!” features up-close views of hippopotamus, Nile crocodiles, giant bullfrogs, Egyptian cobras, giant elephant shrews and more. Visitors experience the plants and animals of Africa three months after the seasonal rains, including animals from Lake Tanganyika and Lake Malawi that can be seen through underwater windows. ■ “Africa Live 2” boasts the second tallest aviary in North America, filled with trees, African birds and the colobus monkey. Visitors can see an okapi, dwarf mongoose, and walk through a giant termite mound, coming face to face with a pair of African wild dogs. Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Admission: $10 for ages 12 and older, $8 children ages 3-11 and seniors over 62, free for ages 2 and under. 3903 N. St. Mary’s St. in Brackenridge Park. www.sazoo-aq.org. 210-734-7184.

WITTE MUSEUM ■ Robert J. and Helen C. Kleberg South Texas Heritage Center allows visitors to experience more than 150 years of change and growth in San Antonio and South Texas. The

new 20,000 square-foot, two-story building situated on the Witte Museum grounds, provides a permanent home to a collection of artifacts that tell the story of San Antonio’s founding and of other key events that shaped South Texas from the early 1800s to the 1950s. Exhibits trace the growth of urban and rural South Texas through the stories of those who lived here. The Center lets visitors stand in a bustling mid-1800s San Antonio plaza, then explore life on rural ranches and along cattle trails while learning about the forces that shaped the region and its people during a time of rapid growth and development. ■ “Family Traditions: Easter in Brackenridge Park” is a new exhibit of photographs and words depicting the traditional weeklong Easter celebrations in Brackenridge Park. The images were taken in the park by Ricardo Romo between Good Friday and Easter Sunday in 2011. Through June 24. ■ “Darwin: How One Man’s Theory Turned the World on its Head” explores the famed naturalist’s life and discoveries that led to his ideas on the theory of evolution. The exhibit includes specimens, fossils, film, computer interactives, replicas of Darwin’s personal effects and a reconstruction of his study. $5 exhibit surcharge in addition to general museum admission. Through Sept. 3. ■ H-E-B Science Treehouse includes a geocaching adventure in which visitors can go on a high-tech scavenger hunt using a smart phone or GPS. Mount Witte is a 20-foot rock climbing wall for all ages that hones climbers’ organization and problem-solving skills. “Move It! A Game of Action” emphasizes wellness and physical activity with a 10-foot-by10-foot lighted gaming floor and nine game choices. The H.E.Buddy SkyCycle is an outdoor bicycle ride 14 feet in the air featuring a large weight suspended under a 40-foot cable. Young riders learn the principles of counterbalance and center of gravity. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, WednesdaySaturday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission: $10 ages 12-64, $9 ages 65-plus and active-duty military with ID, $8 ages 4-11, free for ages 3 and younger. 3801 Broadway. www.wittemuseum.org. 210-357-1900.

Browse our All-New Online

OurKidsSanAntonio.com

Find the perfect summer camp or activity for your child!

Go Online Today! 36

Call 210-349-6667 for details or to find out about promoting your camp!

Content is copyright protected and provided for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission. For reprints please contact the Publisher.

Our Kids | June 2012

Auto Zone

Twinkle# World

Now Enrolling for Summer Camp

Jones - Malts Berger

Thousands Oaks

Open 10:00 am - 7:30 pm Mon - Sat

402-3362

2818 Thousand Oaks Dr. 78232 1000’s new styles of fashion jewelry and hair accessories for

$1.00

How Are We Different? • Individualized Learning • Working Barnyard • Attend Model United Nations, • Advanced Art New York City & Music Programs Accredited SACS - CASI

Visit us online www.countrydayschool.net

210-496-6033

San Antonio Country Day Montessori welcomes children regardless of race, gender, religion, ethnicity or national origin.

WHOLESALE AVAILABLE FOR BULK BUYERS

Now playing...

KNUFFLE BUNNY: a c a UTIONa RY mUSI ca L Now playing through June 16 Based on the Caldecott-prize winning book by Mo Willems

camp SHOWBIZ IS HERE! Summer Day Camp for Ages 3-17 Join us for another summer of fun, creativity and imagination! Choose from six sessions of classes in musical theatre, School of Rock & Roll, classes just for teens and more! Register today for Camp Showbiz, call 210-227-2751 or visit magiktheatre.org for more information!

You can see the wonderful impact The Little Gym can have on your child when you join us for a FREE introductory class.

Bring this ad and receive one free soda with the purchase of a popcorn. Limit one per family. Valid only at Friday 7PM and Saturday 2PM performances. Expires 6/29/12

Call or schedule your free class online

210.227.2751 | magiktheatre.org 420 S. Alamo in Hemisfair Park

NE SAN ANTONIO 545-3770 ALAMO HEIGHTS 822-9252 www.thelittlegym.com OK6.12

Content is copyright protected and provided for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission. For reprints please contact the Publisher. June 2012 | OurKidsSanAntonio.com 37

OUR KIDS To place a classified ad call 210-349-6667

CLASSIFIEDS

Publisher does not endorse nor recommend the following business and we encourage our readers to look carefully into any business before making personal or financial commitments.

MUSIC

TUTORING

LANGUAGES

LESSONS

1JBOP t (VJUBS t 7JPMJO t 5SVNQFU $MBSJOFU t 4BY t 'MVUF t 7PJDF (Redland Trail Shopping Ctr)

Phonics - Reading - L. Arts Math - Handwriting - STAAR Prep. ADD - ADHD - Dyslexia - ESL Exp. 1:1 Pre-school - High school “Inspiring students to do and be their best”

www.monfreymusic.com

Gail Saunders, B.S. Ed. C.I. 25+ Years Exp.(210) 509-7951

2838 N. 1604 E @ Redland

340-3764

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

tise r e v d A ere! H Call 349-6667

DANCE KINDERDANCE OF ALAMO CITY CHILDREN’S DANCE CLASSES Ages 2yrs-10yrs • 4 Locations Free Trial Class • Sibling Discounts

210-680-5964

www.KinderdanceAlamoCity.com kinderdancealamocity@gmail.com

Spanish Classes For Kids High-Energy Fun Music,Games,Acting Award-Winning Program Native Speaking Teachers

Open Enrollment!

Located at Bandera & 1604

(210) 912-0444

ENTERTAINMENT PARTY THEMES

BALLOONS

CLOWNS & CHARACTERS

MAGICIANS

BOUNCES & RENTALS

Combos/Slides $125 Obstacle Course & Water Slides

(210) 543-7227

aircastlemoonwalks.com Content is

Our Kids | June 2012

rtise Adve Here! Call 349-6667

BOUNCE HOUSES & PARTY RENTALS • picnics • birthdays parties • carnivals • fundraising • school events! www.jumpandpartyevents.com

ANIMALS

Visit our Online

Party & Entertainment Visit V ourr Online o Guide

www.ourkidssanantonio.com kid k t i

210-849-8168 copyright protected and provided for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission. For reprints please contact the Publisher.

KIDS

School’s Out! 1. Two-month-old Lincoln proudly wears crown and Guayabera shirt at his first Fiesta. 2. Brandon, center, plays with his little brothers Jacob, left, and Christopher in a pool full of bubbles. 3. Two-year-olds Pierce and Jack relax while sitting on “large” rocks. 4. Violet, 4, stops to smell the roses. 5. Yasmin and Analisa enjoy their trip to Disney World. 6. Michellle shows off bunny ears while safely buckled into her car seat.

Submit Your Photos for July and August To submit your photos click on SUBMIT PHOTOS button on our home page at www.OurKidsSanAntonio.com. Simply click the photo release, attach your photos and click send. The theme for the Our Kids July issue is “Summer Fun.” The deadline to submit photos for July is June 2. Our August theme is “Vacations and Staycations.” Deadline to submit photos is June 22.

Content is copyright protected and provided for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission. For reprints please contact the Publisher.

Shoot for the stars, reach for the moon, the sky is the limit…..

SIGHT: Take a walk in your neighborhood. What do you see up in the trees? What do you see in the sky? What do you see beside the sidewalk? SMELL: Summer time is a great time to try seasonal fruits. Pineapple, coconut, mango, star fruit, papaya, guava, watermelon, and kiwi. Ask questions: Does this fruit smell sweet or sour? Would this fruit be tart or bitter? TASTE:

Make home made popsicles. You will need: small plastic cups, assorted flavors of juice, popsicle sticks or plastic spoons, freezer. Pour juice into cup (about ¾ full). Freeze for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the mixture begins to set; then insert popsicle sticks or spoons. Freeze until very hard. Talk about the flavor and taste.

HEAR:

When you are outside and you close your eyes and use your ears you may hear…. a dog barking, lawn mowers, birds singing, a wind chime, a car horn, laughter at the pool, cicadas buzzing, neighbor parents calling for their children, owls at night, and the ice cream truck.

FEEL: What can you do in a sandbox? Dig, scoop, shovel, dump,

strain, carry, build castles, and write letters. Children will work on their fine motor skills and use their muscles. Hands and arms need to coordinate with what brains want to do.

Sandy says…

“Here are some fun activities families can do to learn about our body’s senses this summer!”

Speech, Occupational & Physical Therapy Home Health and Clinic Settings

www.ahc-sa.com 344-KIDS(5437)

Content is copyright protected and provided for personal use only - not for reproduction or retransmission. For reprints please contact the Publisher.