Our Kids Magazine November 2020 by Our Kids Magazine

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BE THANKFUL, BUT CAREFUL

Considerations For The Holidays

PUMPKIN PATCHES

COOKING WITH CURIOSITY

National Inventors Hall of FameÂ® Fall Recipe Cook Book

Holiday Gift Ideas

CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS TOGETHER Thanksgiving through Christmas Nov. 26 - Dec. 13: Thurs - Sun Open 6 pm-10 pm Dec. 17 - Dec. 25: Every Night Close 9 pm on Sun

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November 2020

BE HAPPIER BY GIVING THANKS

WORRY ABOUT COVID-19, BUT DON’T FORGET TO GET A FLU SHOT

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PUMPKIN PATCHES WHAT COMMUNICATION SKILLS SHOULD I USE WITH MY CHILD?

BE THANKFUL & CAREFUL CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

7 WAYS TO BE MORE PRODUCTIVE WHILE WORKING FROM HOME Magazine NATIONAL INVENTORS

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COOKING WITH CURIOSITY

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Magazine

PUBLISHER Rudy Riojas 210-526-0312 DISTRIBUTION Taspas Delivery

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OUR KIDS MAGAZINE LLC is a locally owned magazine published monthly. 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. Unless specifically noted, no advertisers, products or services are endorsed by the publisher. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertising are available on an equal opportunity basis. OUR KIDS MAGAZINE LLC copyright 2015. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. November 2020 | OurKidsMagazine.com

Feature

Giving Thanks Can Make You Happier November kicks off the holiday season with high expectations for a cozy and festive time of year. However, for many this time of year is tinged with sadness, anxiety, or depression. Certainly, major depression or a severe anxiety disorder benefits most from professional help. But what about those who just feel lost or overwhelmed or down at this time of year? Research (and common sense) suggests that one aspect of the Thanksgiving season can actually lift the spirits, and it’s built right into the holiday — expressing gratitude. The word gratitude is derived from the Latin word gratia, which means grace, graciousness, or gratefulness (depending on the context). In some ways gratitude encompasses all of these meanings. Gratitude is a thankful appreciation for what an individual receives, whether tangible or intangible. With gratitude, people acknowledge the goodness in their lives. In the process, people usually recognize that the source of that goodness lies at least partially outside themselves. As a result, gratitude also helps people connect to something larger than themselves as individuals — whether to other people, nature, or a higher power. In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships. People feel and express gratitude in multiple ways. They can apply it to the past (retrieving positive memories and being thankful for elements of childhood or past blessings), the present (not taking good fortune for granted as it comes), and the future (maintaining a hopeful and optimistic attitude). Regardless of the inherent or current level of someone’s gratitude, it’s a quality that individuals can successfully cultivate further.

Research on gratitude Two psychologists, Dr. Robert A. Emmons of the University of California, Davis, and Dr. Michael E. McCullough of the University of Miami, have done much of the research on gratitude. In one study, they asked all participants to write a few sentences each week, focusing on particular topics. One group wrote about things they were grateful for 4

Our Kids Magazine | November 2020

that had occurred during the week. A second group wrote about daily irritations or things that had displeased them, and the third wrote about events that had affected them (with no emphasis on them being positive or negative). After 10 weeks, those who wrote about gratitude were more optimistic and felt better about their lives. Surprisingly, they also exercised more and had fewer visits to physicians than those who focused on sources of aggravation. Another leading researcher in this field, Dr. Martin E. P. Seligman, a psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania, tested the impact of various positive psychology interventions on 411 people, each compared with a control assignment of writing about early memories. When their week’s assignment was to write and personally deliver a letter of gratitude to someone who had never been properly thanked for his or her kindness, participants immediately exhibited a huge increase in happiness scores. This impact was greater than that from any other intervention, with benefits lasting for a month. Of course, studies such as this one cannot prove cause and effect. But most of the studies published on this topic support an association between gratitude and an individual’s well-being. Other studies have looked at how gratitude can improve relationships. For example, a study of couples found that individuals who took time to express gratitude for their partner not only felt more positive toward the other person but also felt more comfortable expressing concerns about their relationship. Managers who remember to say “thank you” to people who work for them may find that those employees feel motivated to work harder. Researchers at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania randomly divided university fund-raisers into two groups. One group made phone calls to solicit alumni donations in the same way they always had. The second group — assigned to work on a different day — received a pep talk from the director of annual giving, who told the fund-raisers she was grateful for their efforts. During the following week, the university employees who heard her message of gratitude made 50% more fund-raising calls than those who did not. There are some notable exceptions to the generally positive results in research on gratitude. One study found LIKE US @ facebook.com/OurKidsMagazineSA

that middle-aged divorced women who kept gratitude journals were no more satisfied with their lives than those who did not. Another study found that children and adolescents who wrote and delivered a thank-you letter to someone who made a difference in their lives may have made the other person happier — but did not improve their own well-being. This finding suggests that gratitude is an attainment associated with emotional maturity.

Ways to cultivate gratitude Gratitude is a way for people to appreciate what they have instead of always reaching for something new in the hopes it will make them happier, or thinking they can’t feel satisfied until every physical and material need is met. Gratitude helps people refocus on what they have instead of what they lack. And, although it may feel contrived at first, this mental state grows stronger with use and practice. Here are some ways to cultivate gratitude on a regular basis. ■ Write a thank-you note. You can make yourself happier and nurture your relationship with another person by writing a thank-you letter expressing your enjoyment and appreciation of that person’s impact on your life. Send it, or better yet, deliver and read it in person if possible. Make a habit of sending at least one gratitude letter a

month. Once in a while, write one to yourself. ■ Thank someone mentally. No time to write? It may help

just to think about someone who has done something nice for you, and mentally thank the individual. ■ Keep a gratitude journal. Make it a habit to write down or share with a loved one thoughts about the gifts you’ve received each day. ■ Count your blessings. Pick a time every week to sit down

and write about your blessings — reflecting on what went right or what you are grateful for. Sometimes it helps to pick a number — such as three to five things — that you will identify each week. As you write, be specific and think about the sensations you felt when something good happened to you.

■ Pray. People who are religious can use prayer to cultivate

gratitude.

■ Meditate. Mindfulness meditation involves focusing on

the present moment without judgment. Although people often focus on a word or phrase (such as “peace”), it is also possible to focus on what you’re grateful for (the warmth of the sun, a pleasant sound, etc.)

Source: www.health.harvard.edu

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South Texas Maize at Graff 7A Ranch: Activities including a seven-acre maze, hayrides, the MatterCorn Slide Mountain, the Twin Cow Train, Cowboy Ken’s Kiddie Korral, the Hay Bale Jump, Colin’s Clucker races, unlimited jumping on the two Corn Pop-Poppers, and much more. Maize grounds admission is required to access the pumpkin patch. Pumpkin Patch is open 10/19-10/28, weekends only. 911 U.S. Hwy. 90 East, Hondo. 830-741-3968. Owl Creek Pumpkin Patch: Owl Creek Pumpkin Patch will open Saturday Sept. 26, 2020 if all goes as planned. We will have pumpkins! We will have a lot more the following weekend. We will be open Saturday 9-6 and Sunday 10-5. We may open a couple days during the week. Check back for more updates soon! 12355 Military Dr W. http://owlcreekfarmsa.com/ First United Methodist Church Seguin Pumpkin Patch: Lots of pumpkins & lots of photo opportunities. Puppies & Pumpkins & a Blessing of Animals on Saturday, October 19. Hayrides and activities on Saturday, October 26. No admission fee. Begins Saturday September 28. Open Monday - Saturday 9:00 am - 7:00 pm and Sunday noon - 7:00 pm. 710 N. Austin St. in Seguin. 830-379-4112. www.fumcseguin.com

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Our Kids Magazine | November 2020

Traders Village Corny Maze Pumpkin Patch: Come October 3rd thru November 29th for fall fun for the whole family at the Traders Village Corny Maze. Experience San Antonio’s First & Only “Corny Maze” with 10 acres of crazy mazes (Easy for little kids, Medium and Hard). Lots of Activities at the Traders Village Corny Maze: Petting Zoo (FREE with admission), , Lots of Photo Ops, Concessions. Traders Village (inside the Corny Maze) 9333 SW Loop 410 | San Antonio, TX 7824. (210) 623-8383 https://tradersvillage.com/san-antonio Universal City Pumpkin Patch 2020 Enjoy the fall at the Universal City Pumpkin Patch. OPEN OCT 10th-31st Free Admission; Cash or Credit Card Accepted for Pumpkin Purchases Pumpkins and Gourds range in prices starting at $1.The Universal City Pumpkin Patch benefits various organizations. No matter which day you choose to come, your purchase will benefit a wonderful cause. Hours:Fri-Sun 11am7pm, Closed on Monday, Tues-Thurs 3pm-7pm. Holiday - Open Monday, October 12 for Columbus DayPlease wear a mask or face covering when social distancing is not possible.Hand Sanitizer is available throughout the patch. LIKE US @ facebook.com/OurKidsMagazineSA

What Communication Skills Should I Use with My Child? Here are the Top 10 Communication Tips to learn how to talk to your children and have them listen to you: Listen to your children. Accept feelings; limit unacceptable behavior. ■ Look for other feelings – what first seems to be the problem, may not be. ■ Tell your children how you feel without shaming them. ■ Do not call your children “names.” ■ Give yourself a “time out” when angry to avoid saying something you may regret. ■ Praise your children for doing good things. ■ Use words that your children can understand. ■ Set aside time to let your kids tell you what they are thinking. ■ Tell kids what they should do, not just what they did wrong. ■ ■

Choose ways to communicate that show love and trust. There is a wide range of healthy responses and rarely is there just one “right” way to react. Learning when to use all of the different communication skills is hard, but well worth it. It will help you build a stronger relationship. Learn when to listen and when to talk. Decide when to teach and when to let your children figure out their own solutions. Use humor to ease tension. Having these skills can assist you throughout your everyday interactions with your children and during those more difficult talks – such as about sex, trauma, death, or other emotionally charged situations. Source: https://centerforparentingeducation.org November 2020 | OurKidsMagazine.com

Feature

WORRY ABOUT COVID-19, BUT DON’T FORGET TO GET A FLU SHOT Protection Against Flu Is More Important Than Ever Before

Since March, many of us have been consumed, rightfully so, by the Covid-19 pandemic. Months later, the virus continues to dictate our lives. But, as summer moves into fall, should we also start worrying about the flu? According to Dr. Daren Wu, Chief Medical Officer at Open Door Family Medical Center, protection against the flu has never been more important than now. “We strongly encourage patients to get the flu shot and, once a vaccine is available, a vaccine against the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 as well,” said Dr. Wu. “These viruses are two completely different species, so getting vaccinated for one will not protect you against the other. What you definitely do not want is the 1 – 2 punch of getting both viruses, which is entirely possible. Each virus can be deadly, and in tandem they can be that much worse. When your immune system is down because of the flu, other infections – including coronavirus - can kick in.” Flu vaccinations will be available across Open Door’s six health centers in Westchester and Putnam Counties and eight School-Based Health Centers in the Ossining and Port Chester School Districts, beginning in September. Most patients, he said, usually need little convincing to get an annual flu shot, and it is available to all patients over six months old. However, he added, there is still a great deal of misinformation about the flu and he encourages “anti-vax” community members to learn more and get the flu shot. This is particularly important among those most at risk: the elderly, young children, pregnant women, and those with certain health conditions that make them more vulnerable to serious flu complications. “Our minds are on Covid-19, but getting the flu will lower your immune system and can make you more 8

Our Kids Magazine | November 2020

susceptible to all sorts of secondary infections, including bacterial infections and other viruses such as Covid-19,” said Dr. Wu. “The flu shot is not perfect, but we keep framing the message that it is overwhelmingly safe and can give you significant protection.” Flu activity begins to increase in October and November and can last until May. It typically peaks in January or February. “The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone six months of age and older,” said Dr. Wu. “Young children up through the age of eight years old, who are getting vaccinated for the first time, require two doses of flu vaccine, spaced at least 28 days apart. Because children under the age of six months are too young to receive the vaccine, it is especially important that their parents and older siblings get vaccinated to prevent the spread of the flu to infants who are particularly vulnerable to serious complications.” The effectiveness of the annual flu vaccine depends in part on the match between the viruses used to produce a vaccine and the strains of flu that will circulate in the new flu season. While the vaccine is produced to protect against the flu viruses that research and surveillance indicate are most likely to be common this season, there is no way to predict with certainty. “Flu viruses not only change from season to season, but can even change within the course of a single season,” said Dr. Wu. “Still, antibodies made in response to a vaccination with one flu virus can sometimes provide protection against different flu strains. That’s why, even if the vaccine is a less than a perfect match, it is still far more effective in preventing the flu than getting no shot at all.” LIKE US @ facebook.com/OurKidsMagazineSA

This year, he added, it’s even more important for people to comply.

EIGHT GOOD REASONS TO GET A FLU SHOT

Here, according to Dr. Wu, are eight good reasons to get a flu shot: ■ Getting the flu can weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to secondary infections. This takes on especial importance this year, at least until there is a vaccine for Covid-19, which is a more lethal virus. ■ The flu can affect anyone. The flu is a serious virus and spreads easily. Vaccination protects you, your family and friends. ■ The flu shot is safe. Flu vaccines CANNOT cause the flu – they are made with either killed or weakened viruses. One of the biggest myths out there is that flu shots can cause the flu and that simply is not true. Serious reactions are extremely rare. Mild reactions include soreness, redness or swelling where the vaccine was given. ■ The flu shot you received last year is no longer effective. The influenza virus changes and mutates fairly rapidly. New flu vaccinations are developed each year to ensure evolving viruses are adequately targeted and protected against. ■ You want to protect your kids. Young children under the age of five are more susceptible to serious complications from the flu, such as pneumonia, secondary infections from bacteria and other viruses, and dehydration. Both children (over six months old) and parents need the shot. ■ You are pregnant or considering getting pregnant. Pregnant women are at a higher risk of developing complications from the flu. The flu shot is safe during pregnancy. ■ You or someone you know is over 65 and/or has a longterm illness. As human immune defenses become weaker with age, a vaccination is designed specifically for people 65 years and older. Additionally, a number of long-term, chronic health conditions such as diabetes or cancer, are associated with an increased risk of flu-related complications (as they are with Covid-19). ■ Getting vaccinated is part of a healthy lifestyle. The flu can blindside you with its intensity and leave you feeling sick for days. When you get a flu shot, you build up your immunity, making you stronger and more resistant to the flu.

According to Dr. Daren Wu, Chief Medical Officer at Open Door Family Medical Center, protection against the flu has never been more important than now.

November 2020 | OurKidsMagazine.com

Feature

Be Thankful, but Careful Considerations For Fall & Winter Holidays

Fall and winter celebrations, such as Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Halloween, Día de los Muertos, Navratri, Diwali, Thanksgiving, Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, and New Year’s, typically include large gatherings of families and friends, crowded parties, and travel that may put people at increased risk for COVID-19.

Hosting a holiday gathering ■ If you will be hosting a celebration, follow CDC tips for hosting gatherings. Below are some additional considerations for hosting a holiday celebration: ■ Host outdoor activities rather than indoor activities as much as possible. If hosting an outdoor event is not possible, and you choose to host an indoor event, avoid crowded, poorly ventilated, or fully enclosed indoor spaces. ■ Increase ventilation by opening windows and doors to the extent that is safe and feasible based on the weather. ■ Host activities with only people from your local area as much as possible. ■ Limit numbers of attendees as much as possible. ■ Provide updated information to your guests about any COVID-19 safety guidelines and steps in place to prevent the spread of the virus. 10

Our Kids Magazine | November 2020

Provide or encourage attendees to bring supplies to help you and others stay healthy. For example, extra masks (do not share or swap with others), hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, and tissues. ■ If you are planning in-person holiday gatherings with people outside of your household, consider asking all guests to strictly avoid contact with people outside of their households for 14 days before the gathering. ■

Attending a holiday gathering If you will be attending a celebration that someone else is hosting, follow CDC Considerations for attending an event or gathering. Below are some additional considerations for attending an in-person holiday gathering: ■ Outdoor activities are safer than indoor activities. If participating in an outdoor event is not possible, and you choose to attend an indoor event, avoid crowded, poorly ventilated, and fully enclosed indoor spaces. Increase ventilation by opening windows and doors to the extent that is safe and feasible based on the weather. ■ Check with the event host, organizer, or event venue for updated information about any COVID-19 safety guidelines and if they have steps in place to prevent the spread of the virus. ■ Bring supplies to help you and others stay healthy. For LIKE US @ facebook.com/OurKidsMagazineSA

example, bring extra masks (do not share or swap with others), hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, and tissues. ■ If you are planning to attend in-person holiday gatherings with people outside of your household, consider strictly avoiding contact with people outside of your household for 14 days before the gathering.

Thanksgiving Thanksgiving is a time when many families travel long distances to celebrate together. Travel increases the chance of getting and spreading the virus that causes COVID-19. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others. If you must travel, be informed of the risks involved. Lower risk activities Having a small dinner with only people who live in your household ■ Preparing traditional family recipes for family and neighbors, especially those at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and delivering them in a way that doesn’t involve contact with others ■ Having a virtual dinner and sharing recipes with friends and family ■ Shopping online rather than in person on the day after Thanksgiving or the next Monday ■ Watching sports events, parades, and movies from home ■

Moderate risk activities ■ Having a small outdoor dinner with family and friends who live in your community ■ Lower your risk by following CDC’s recommendations on hosting gatherings or cook-outs. ■ Visiting pumpkin patches or orchards where people use hand sanitizer before touching pumpkins or picking apples, wearing masks is encouraged or enforced, and people are able to maintain social distancing ■ Attending a small outdoor sports events with safety precautions in place Higher risk activities ■ Avoid these higher risk activities to help prevent the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19: ■

Going shopping in crowded stores just before, on, or after Thanksgiving ■ Participating or being a spectator at a crowded race ■ Attending crowded parades ■ Attending large indoor gatherings with people from outside of your household. ■

Content source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), Division of Viral Diseases.

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7 Ways to Be More Productive While Working from Home By Karissa Tunis, Co-Author of Parenting while Working from Home

Working from home provides lots of amazing perks such as wearing comfy clothes and avoiding a daily commute. However, working from home also has its challenges, like trying to stay focused and motivated. And if you are a parent that has little ones at home, or the kids are out of school for break or summer vacation, then that can provide even more distractions. Thankfully there are solutions and strategies that can help! We all want to succeed in our careers, and we also want to be the best parent to our children. It’s a hard balance to juggle when you’re dealing with two roles at the same time in the same space. But it’s not all negative. Working from home can be a wonderful option! Set the Kids Up First to Reduce Interruptions This is the most important tip of all! If you do not meet the kid’s needs first, then you can expect them to constantly interrupt. Have you ever found yourself repeating “Just give me 5 more minutes” over and over again? This doesn’t help you be productive or put out your best work, and your kids were not getting what they needed either. But when you set the kids up first, they will be much more content and will allow you a chunk of time to work. Look for toys buried in the playroom that they haven’t played with in a while, or bring out an old bin of toys from the attic. Give them a few snacks and sippy cups, and they will hopefully be good to go while you keep an eye on them from across the room. Once they get antsy, take a little break and run around outside with them for a few minutes, and then redirect their attention elsewhere. And after you all enjoy eating lunch together, nap time or quiet time can give you some extra time to focus on your work. If you have children at home with no extra help, there will be some interruptions - it’s inevitable. So embrace it. Appreciate the breaks here and there, enjoy your playtime together, and try to be productive in the blocks of time that daily life allows. Each season of life might need to look a little different, but that’s okay. Create a Routine to Maintain Order Creating a routine is crucial to being more productive while working from home! We all know how quickly things can pop up or change when you have a toddler in the house. So by having some sort of order and routine in place to begin with will make it much easier to deal with those unexpected obstacles. It also helps if everyone knows what is expected, and what is happening next. These routines are different from set schedules, which often feel more rigid. Don’t add stress to your days by setting 12 Our Kids Magazine | November 2020

arbitrary schedules, but instead try to create fluid routines for different responsibilities throughout each day. Part of working from home is figuring out how to go with the flow especially with kids at home! Set Boundaries to Stay Productive Setting boundaries is a must! When you are focused on work, work. Don’t let dirty dishes or laundry baskets distract you. Because if you are like me, then you can get caught up in thinking “I’ll just do this one more thing...” but we all know it won’t stop with just that one thing! Also, just like you can’t grab breakfast and lunch with friends every day in an office, don’t do it just because you are at home. You need to stay disciplined, take your work seriously, and make it as much of a priority as if you were heading into the office. Pick a Daily Focus - Kids, House, or Work Everyday you will have house work that needs done, professional work that needs addressed, and children that need tended to. However, picking one main focus for the day has really helped me to be more productive while working from home. If I needed to get more done around the house, then that was my focus in between everything else. I’d start a load of laundry here, unload the dishwasher there, wipe down the bathrooms during nap time, and so on. But if my focus needed to be on a work task, then I let those things go and used any spare moment to accomplish what was needed of me professionally. It really is about quality over quantity. While we are with our kids all day everyday, we are not always spending that quality time with them. I try to consistently have a kid-focused day where I plan something fun or special with them. It doesn’t always have to be an outing that costs money. Sometimes we schedule a block of time to go to the playground. Or we will sit together and work on puzzles, play a game, or just color. We love turning on some fun music, grabbing some favorite snacks, and spending quality time together. I ask them silly questions, and they’ll tell me funny stories. Kids won’t remember how spotless the house was, or how many deals you closed, but they will remember how much quality time you spent with them. Delegate Responsibilities When possible, delegate a few of your responsibilities. Maybe someone else in your company can run with a certain task to ease your workload. Ask your partner to take on a LIKE US @ facebook.com/OurKidsMagazineSA

new chore around the house to help make those chaotic moments more manageable. Consider having your groceries delivered. Or if you have a sitter, ask them to take charge of something like folding a load of laundry or preparing a meal. It’s amazing how even just getting a few things off of your daily to-do list will help free up time and mental space. Respond Quickly No one expects you to accomplish every task immediately as it pops up. But it’s helpful to know that you did in fact receive that email, are working on that project, or will address what is needed. It only takes a moment to quickly respond and let someone know that you will look over that email tonight. You will return that phone call tomorrow. Or that you will respond with an answer later in the week. No one needs to know that you are in the middle of managing a toddler tantrum, or are in the middle of five loads of laundry. But by responding quickly and letting work, your friend, your partner, or even your mother know that you did receive their message and will get back to them later; it keeps everyone from wondering what’s going on, and prevents them from following up again and again seeking an answer. Have Fun While Working from Home Lastly, have fun! You are at home, which means you are more in control. Listen to the music you want. Enjoy your favorite snacks when you want. Take a break when you can, and actually go outside or play a quick game with the kids. Wear your favorite comfy clothes or even your pajamas. And since everyday is bring your kid to work day, involve them! I tell my kids a lot about my job. They get so excited for me when I accomplish something new, and they are very considerate when I have an important phone call. They also love to help me whenever they can with random tasks, even if that means using the duster to wipe off my desk, or stuff a few envelopes. Working from home definitely has its advantages, and I personally try to make the most of it. I try to remind myself how lucky I am to not have to deal with a daily commute or being stuck in a cubicle. And while not every day is going to be great, overall we can make working from home a great experience. Parenting while Working from Home: A Monthly Guide to Help Parents Balance Their Careers, Connect with Their Kids, and Establish Their Inner Strength is now available for purchase. Parenting experts and founders of the popular website, Adore Them Parenting, Karissa Tunis and Shari Medini share actionable tips, heartfelt insight, and planning strategies to help you enjoy your own parenting journey while working from home.

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Halloween INGREDIENTS:Bark

• 1 tsp. cinnamon • 2 cups flour • 1/8 tsp. nutmeg pages 14-15 • 2 tsp. baking powder • 1 cup unsweetened applesauce INGREDIENTS: • 2 tbsp. meltedpages butter 12-13 • 1 tsp. baking soda • 1/3 cup milk • 1/3 cup maple sugar or in the STEM pages 12-13 pages 10-11sugar • 1-2 apples, chopped granulated

pages 12-13

Apple Pie Muffins Pumpkin White Apple Pie Muffins Hallow Pumpkin White Hot Chocolate pag Hot Chocolate KITCHEN pages 10-11 • 2 cups flour

• 2 tsp. baking powder • 1 tsp. baking soda

• 1/3 cup maple sugar (or granulated sugar) • 1 tsp. cinnamon • 1/8 tsp. nutmeg

eat, and e creating abs. You s to make

• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce • 2 tbsp. melted butter

To make sure recipes turn out just right, it’s essential to use correct measurements. After baking a batch of Apple Pie Muffins using the ingredients and quantities we’ve listed here, why not try an experiment? You can change up some measurements, try to make some predictions about what your changes will do, and then see what happens! It will only take one bite to taste the difference and realize the importance of math in making great food.

DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat oven to 400° F. DIRECTIONS: 2. In a large mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. 3. Add in applesauce, melted butter, milk and chopped apples. Stir until well combined. 4. Divide the batter evenly among muffin cups. 5. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown. 6. Allow to cool before eating. • 1/3 cup milk

• 1-2 apples, chopped

1. Preheat oven to 400° F.

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients:

flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg.

3. Add in applesauce, melted butter, milk and chopped

apples. Stir until well combined.

4. Divide the batter evenly among muffin cups.

5. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown. 6. Allow to cool before eating.

Estimated time: 30 minutes | Difficulty:

Recipe adapted from Momables

Pumpkin Macaroni Apple Cider Chicken with and Cheese Caramelized Apples Pumpkin Pie Pancakes Pumpkin Macaroni pages 18-19 pages 20-21 Pumpkin Pie Pancakes Apple Cider INGREDIENTS: • 2 1/4 cups milk pages 16-17Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese • 1 box macaroni • 10 oz. cheddar cheese, pages 16-17 pages 18-19Caramel and Cheese (substitute with shells shredded

INGREDIENTS

• 1 box macaron

• 1/4 cup unsalte

or bow ties) • 1/4 cup unsalted butter • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 cup pumpkin puree • 1/4 tsp. nutmeg • Salt and pepper, to taste

pages 18-19

• 1/4 cup all-pur

pag

• 2 1/4 cups milk

• 10 oz. cheddar

• 1 cup pumpkin

• 1/4 tsp. nutme

• Salt and peppe

DIRECTIONS:

1. Bring water to

DIRECTIONS: 1. Bring water to boil in a large pot and cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside. 2. Preheat oven to 350° F. 3. In an oven-safe skillet or cast-iron pan, melt butter over low heat and add flour. Stir together and cook for about 1 minute. 4. Add milk, whisking constantly, until no visible clumps remain and the sauce is thickened. 5. Add cheese (reserving 1/2 cup) and stir until it is melted into the sauce. 6. Stir in pumpkin puree, nutmeg, salt and pepper, seasoning to taste. 7. Add the cooked pasta and mix well. 8. Sprinkle reserved cheese evenly on top. 9. Bake for 30-40 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and the top is slightly brown. 14

Our Kids Magazine | November 2020

to package dir

2. Preheat oven t

3. In an oven-safe

low heat and a 1 minute.

4. Add milk, whis

remain and the

5. Add cheese (re

into the sauce.

6. Stir in pumpkin

to taste.

7. Add the cooke

8. Sprinkle reserv

9. Bake for 30-40

top is slightly b

Estimated time: 60

Recipe adapted from T

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Pumpkin Pie Pancakes pages 16-17

• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin Pumpkin Macaroni Apple Cider Chicke (not pumpkin pie mix) spice and Cheese • 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pieCaramelized Ap

INGREDIENTS: • 1 egg, beaten • 1 1/4 cups milk • 2 cups Bisquick™ pancake mix pages 18-19 INGREDIENTS: • 1 tsp. cinnamon

• Optional: Maple syrup

pages 20-21

• 1 egg, beaten

• 1 1/4 cups milk

• 2 cups Bisquick™ pancake mix

DIRECTIONS: in the 1. Mix all ingredients (exceptSTEM syrup) in a bowl, until smooth. KITCHEN Batter should be thick. DIRECTIONS: 2. Spray griddle with cooking spray; heat over mediumhigh heat. 3. For each pancake, pour about 1/4 cup batter onto hot griddle. 4. Cook until bubbles form around edges. 5. Turn pancakes; cook about 3 minutes or until golden brown on bottom.6. Serve pancakes with syrup, or toppings of choice. 17 • 1/2 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix) • 1 tsp. cinnamon

• 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice • Optional: Maple syrup

Check out those bubbles! One of the main ingredients in Bisquick is baking powder, and when it heats up, it releases carbon dioxide gas. That’s what produces the tiny bubbles on the top of your pancake, letting you know it’s ready to be flipped.

1. Mix all ingredients (except syrup) in a bowl, until smooth.

Batter should be thick.

2. Spray griddle with cooking spray; heat over medium-

high heat.

3. For each pancake, pour about 1/4 cup batter onto hot

griddle.

4. Cook until bubbles form around edges.

5. Turn pancakes; cook about 3 minutes or until golden

brown on bottom.

6. Serve pancakes with syrup, or toppings of choice.

Estimated time: 15 minutes | Difficulty: Recipe adapted from Betty Crocker

Pu Fluff Dip Halloween Pumpkin Patch Pumpkin FluffPumpkin Dip Halloween Puppy Chow Puppy Chow INGREDIENTS: pages 4-5 pages 6-7 Pumpkin Patch Mar Pumpkin Fluff Halloween Puppy pages 4-5 Dip pages 6-7 Chow Bite • 1 (16 oz.) container frozen whipped topping, thawed Marshmallow • 1 (5 oz.) package instant vanilla pudding mix pages 4-5 pages 6-7 Marshmallow pages 8-9Bites • 1 (15 oz.) can solid pack pumpkin • 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spiceSTEM in the

pages 8-9

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 (16 oz.) container frozen whipped topping, thawed • 1 (5 oz.) package instant vanilla pudding mix • 1 (15 oz.) can solid pack pumpkin

KITCHEN

• 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

See how fluffy the whipped topping used to make this dish is? This is made possible thanks to a process called “emulsion.” When cream containing 3040% fat is whipped, lactose and other proteins in the mixture become trapped in the spaces between fat and air. Because the molecules in this mixture are attracted to water on one end and repelled on the other, they become suspended and create the foamy texture we all love.

DIRECTIONS: 1. In a large bowl, mix instant vanilla pudding mix, pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice until well blended. 2. Fold in the thawed frozen whipped topping and stir until smooth. 3. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. 4. Try the dip with fruit, graham crackers, pretzels or any other dippable snack!

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a large bowl, mix instant vanilla pudding mix,

pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice until well blended.

2. Fold in the thawed frozen whipped topping and stir

until smooth.

3. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

4. Try the dip with fruit, graham crackers, pretzels or any

other dippable snack!

Estimated time: 10 minutes | Difficulty:

Recipe adapted from allrecipes.com

Apple Pie Muffins Ha Pumpkin White Apple Pie Muffins Halloween Bark Pumpkin White pages 12-13 Halloween Apple pages Pie Muffins Bark Pumpkin White Hot Chocolate 12-13 pages 14-15 Hot Chocolate pages 10-11 INGREDIENTS: pages 12-13 pages puree14-15 • 1 can (15 oz.) pure pumpkin Hot pages Chocolate 10-11 pages 10-11

• 6 cups milk of choice (wholeINGREDIENTS: or 2% recommended) • 2 cups heavy cream • 1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk

• 6 cups milk of choice (whole or 2% recommended) • 2 cups heavy cream

• 1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk • 1 can (15 oz.) pure pumpkin puree • 1 tbsp. pumpkin pie spice

• 4-oz. bar of white chocolate

• Optional garnish – whipped cream, mini marshmallows,

cinnamon

• 1 tbsp. pumpkin pie spice • 4-oz. bar of white chocolate • Optional garnish – whipped cream, mini marshmallows, cinnamon DIDYOU

KNOW?

DIRECTIONS: DIRECTIONS: 1. In a 5- or 6-quart slow cooker, whisk together the milk, heavy cream and sweetened condensed milk. 2. Add the pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice; mix until well blended and smooth. 3. Chop the white chocolate bar and stir into the slow cooker. 4. Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 3 hours, stirring occasionally. 5. Garnish and serve warm. 1. In a 5- or 6-quart slow cooker, whisk together the milk,

heavy cream and sweetened condensed milk.

2. Add the pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice; mix until

well blended and smooth.

3. Chop the white chocolate bar and stir into the slow

cooker.

4. Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 3 hours, stirring

occasionally.

Hall of Famer Gail Borden Jr. invented the process for condensing milk. By using a vacuum pan with a heating coil, he was able to remove the water from milk, so it could be stored safely without refrigeration. Condensed milk is a popular ingredient used to make sweet treats.

5. Garnish and serve warm.

Pumpkin Pie Pancakes Pumpkin Macaroni Apple C Pumpkin Pie Pancakes Pumpkin Macaroni Apple Cider Chicken Carw Pumpkinpages Pie 16-17 Pancakes pages 16-17Pumpkin AppleCaramelized Cider Chicken and Macaroni Cheese and Cheese Apple pages 18-19Caramelized pages 16-17 andpages Cheese Apples 18-19 pages1520-21 November 2020 | OurKidsMagazine.com Estimated time: 5 minutes (3-hour cook time) Difficulty: Recipe adapted from My Heavenly Recipes

pages 18-19

pages 20-21

2021 Cover kids contest Magazine

Magazine

Talking to Kids About a Loved One’s Diagnosis By Christa Melnyk Hines

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October 2020

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BABY’S HOME, NOW WHAT?

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OWEEN HALL G IT SAFE & FUN MAKIN FAMILY FOR THE WHOLE

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Parents, don’t forget to take a picture of your child in costume this Halloween for a chance to be on the cover of Our Kids Magazine next year. Send photos to rudy@ourkidsmagazine.com by 12p.m. November 15, 2020 16

Our Kids Magazine | November 2020

Learning that you, your spouse or another family member suffers from an incurable illness or a serious, possibly fatal, injury is devastating. After the initial shock, you may wonder how to break the news to your children. “What we try and tell parents is that we can’t fix things that are heartbreaking, but we can make them easier to understand,” says Heather Kinney, CCLS, CPST, a healthcare child life specialist. How much to tell? While it’s normal to show sadness when sharing the news with your child, take time to process the information yourself before talking to your kids. When you do go to break the news, you may wish to have another adult present for emotional support. Kinney suggests starting the conversation with: “I have something really important that we need to talk about. Do you think you are ready to listen?” “A good rule of thumb is to be as honest as you can while taking into consideration where the child is developmentally,” says pediatric psychologist Crista Donewar, Ph.D. Decide whether to tell siblings together or separately. Consider their ages, personalities, the nature of the situation and what feels right to you. Most of all, “guard against trying to shield kids from information because what they’re imagining can be worse than reality,” says Allison DeLaney, chaplain and a hospice house bereavement coordinator. “What’s surprising is that kids often do better than the adults if given the chance.” Managing questions. Some children ask many questions while others won’t ask any right away. “Some kids don’t want to know. That’s fine too. That’s that child’s choice and way of coping, but keeping them out of the conversation without asking them is harmful,” DeLaney says. LIKE US @ facebook.com/OurKidsMagazineSA

You may find that â&#x20AC;&#x153;they dismiss the news the first time and then come back and have a few questions and need another explanation,â&#x20AC;? Donewar says. And donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be surprised if your kids come back and ask you the same questions over again as the situation sinks in. So what kinds of questions should you expect? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The first thing kids want to know is â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Are you going to die?â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? Kinney says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kids look to to their parents to tell them the truth. If the first thing you tell them is a lie, how do they know to trust you again? We all deserve the truth about the people we love.â&#x20AC;? Kids typically wonder how the information will affect them. For example, they might worry that â&#x20AC;&#x153;If mom dies, what if something happens to Dad? Who will take care of me?â&#x20AC;? Help lessen your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s anxieties by explaining that your family has a plan in place to care for them no matter what. They may also privately wonder, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Did I do something that caused this to happen?â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Assure them that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not their fault,â&#x20AC;? DeLaney says. Allow them to help. If your child wants to be involved in some way to help care for their loved one, suggest practical ideas like getting a drink of water and putting it on the bedside table, retrieving a box of kleenex or quietly drawing a picture, DeLaney says. Seek support. Your child may need to talk to someone else about her feelings. Connect with one of her close friendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parents or tap available community resources. If grief goes unresolved, a child, especially an adolescent, may act out through boundary-pushing and risk-taking. Clue your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pediatrician and school teachers in on what has happened. Also, surround yourself with your own adult support network and resources for comfort and emotional support. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Oversharing or relying on kids to comfort you causes them a lot of stress and additional worry,â&#x20AC;? Donewar says. Check online for area grief support camps for kids, art therapy, support groups and mental health professionals. By providing resources to support the healing process, you and your children will feel less alone and better able to manage your stress. For more information, check out How to Help Children Through a Parentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Serious Illness by Kathleen McCue Christa Melnyk Hines is freelance journalist, author and mom of two boys. Her latest book is Happy, Healthy & Hyperconnected: Raise a Thoughtful Communicator in a Digital World.

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HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS

Holiday Gift Ideas Delta Children Princess Activity Center Easel Desk with Stool & Toy Organizer by Delta

Designed to help your little one express their creative side, the Disney Princess Activity Center from Delta Children provides the space and storage your budding artist needs. The 3-in-1 design features a magnetic dry-erase board that can be positioned for your child to sit and draw with markers, or stowed upright to reveal a spacious tabletop to complete craft projects. On the other side of the easel a fabric toy bin and two tiers of storage pockets offers convenient compartments for art supplies, toys and books. www.deltachildren.com

2-in-1 LeapTop Touch™

Kids can learn about letters, numbers, music and more on a laptop that’s made just for them. Open the laptop to see the screen in keyboard mode, then close the laptop and watch the screen magically swivel into tablet mode. Features an A-Z keyboard and number buttons 1-10, and tablet features a touch screen. Kids will have fun pretending to email Scout, or tapping away in ABCs, Numbers, Games, Music and Messages modes. Available now at major retailers, including Amazon, Walmart and Target

Little Partners’ Kids Learning Tower

The Original Learning Tower™ has been carefully designed to provide a secure environment to stimulate a child’s imagination and allow it to blossom. By raising a child up to counter height, it nurtures a child’s innate desire to be independent and to participate alongside his or her parents and siblings, whether it’s to help out with nightly dinner preparations, bake special holiday recipes, or get crafty.

Our Kids Magazine | November2020

Penguin Karaoke Buddy

Penguin Karaoke Buddy has familiar catchy melodies built right in and a lightweight microphone for super sing-along fun. Intended for ages eighteen months plus. Three simple buttons make controlling the music a snap for even the youngest vocalists. Spice up that heartfelt vocal performance with a built-in echo effect and a button that introduces silly animal sounds into the mix. Your little ones will always hear the roar of the crowd and that thunderous applause they deserve with the press of a button. Bright and colorful LED lights are built into this happy penguin’s chest and flash along as the music plays. Available on Amazon.

CreateOn Galaxy Rocket Magna-Tile Structure Set

This magnetic building set helps young learners make predictions and to use reasoning skills, build fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and problem solving skills as they build the Rocket. The fun activities and colorful, attractive artwork presented on each magnetic tile makes for an attractive teaching, reviewing and practicing tool that will captivate your child for hours. Available on Amazon. Connect With US @ facebook.com/OurKidsMagazineSA

HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS Snow Pets

Just pour water into the snowball and watch the snow burst open the snowball to reveal the mystery pet! One of eight unique pets will be inside. Collect them all.: SCOUT, Saint Bernard; CHARLIE, Snow Leopard; SKYE, Snow Owl; HOLLY, Husky; POPPY, Polar Bear; HARRIET, Snow Hare; FRANKIE, Arctic Fox; WILLOW, Fawn. Available on Amazon.

Goliath Litter Bugs

Yuck There’s trash everywhere, and you need to help clean up Roll the die, and then lift the lid to throw out that color trash. But be careful the pesky flies are trying to escape They’re buzzing and flying around, so you need to be quick Have the least amount of flies after all of the trash is cleaned up to win Requires 2 C batteries, not included. For 2-4 players, ages 4 and up.

The Grumpy Octopus

The Grumpy Octopus is all of us in 2020. What a year it’s been! This is the perfect holiday gift to humorously express how many of us are feeling lately. In an ode to curmudgeons (the likes of Squidward, Grumpy Cat, and Garfield come to mind!), it may just be the most relatable 12-inch stuffed animal out there. The Grumpy Octopus has an irritable demeanor, yet it’s a snuggly plush companion that makes for a great photo opp! It’s soft and huggable and just needs a little love. One thing is for certain wherever you place it, it will sit there and judge you.

Hasty Baker Card Game

his unique family card game recreates the fun, thrilling and competitive world of professional bakers. Suitable for ages 7+. This delicious spin on bake-off competitions gets everyone involved in collecting ingredient cards to bring their recipe to sweet fruition. The hunt is on to gather flour, eggs, butter, sugar and other ingredients before other bakers raid the pantry. Available on Amazon.

Tiny Teethers

Teething is a stressful time for parents and babies alike. Tiny Teethers is the mom-owned brand with unique solutions for your baby’s sore mouth including teething necklaces and pacifier clips. The former jewelry maker combines textures of silicone and natural wooden beads to craft each product. Each piece is just as eco-conscious as it is beautiful. Available Macys.com & Amazon.

Meddy Teddy

Meddy Teddy is a fun, interactive, soft and cuddly way to experience yoga, meditation and mindfulness on your own, with your kids or in the classroom.. Meddy Teddy is a role model and compassionate buddy for young ones, helping them lead healthier, more mindful lives. The plush teddy bear has an internal frame allowing him to bend into lots of yoga positions. He is happy doing yoga with a room full of kids or sitting in lotus on your desk. A great teaching tool and supremely soft plush toy.

Far Out Toys NASCAR Crash Circuit Short Track Speedway

Let kids test the limits on speed by ripping around triple-wide turns for unpredictable racing and passing action. The Short Track set comes with two motorized race cars, two flash chargers, pit crew figures and more. It is recommended for ages 5+ and will be available in October at Amazon and Best Buy.

November2020 | OurKidsMagazine.com

HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS Passback Junior Composite Football

he flat end of the Passback Football allows it to bounce right back to you. Throw the blunt end against a hard surface and it comes spiraling back! No need for expensive rebounder nets or throwing machines. Improve reaction time, hand-eye coordination, situational awareness, and agility while increasing body control, endurance, and stamina.

SlimyGloop SlimySand

Stretches like slime, but molds like sand. Fun way to express your creativity and display your creations before knocking it down and beginning again. Exciting sensory play as you smoosh, stretch, mold and impress ready-made SLIMYSAND. Creative way to relieve stress and improve fine motor skills for all ages.

GUND Baby My First Soft Guitar Lights and Sounds Musical Stuffed Plush Toy, 14” With each tap of the metal-

lic yellow star in the middle, LED lights dance inside to the rhythm of the music with five special sounds and light sequences. Pair with My First Soft Drum to start baby’s first band! Made from a soft, huggable material that meets famous GUND quality standards, this plush toy features surface-washable construction for easy cleaning. Appropriate for all ages.

Terra Kids Connectors Animals 45 pcs

Forage, saw, drill, join. With the Terra Kids-Connectors, many interesting animals can be constructed. The principle is simple and ingenious: gather wood outdoors to work with at home. Drill holes, insert connectors and connect to another piece of wood. The animals gradually come to life. The instructions contain many suggestions for other projects. Wooden twigs/branches are not included.

Our Kids Magazine | November2020

Carrera Go! Mario Kart 8

Fast-paced racing action on over 17-feet of track with realistic cars that reach scale speeds of 370-mph. Set features a loop, fly over, junction, and narrow section giving you exciting action all over the track. 1:43 scale slot car racing is an exciting two-player and group activity that friends and family can enjoy racing head-tohead together. Customize and expand your track with the use of expansion sets, accessories, and a wide selection of additional cars to create challenging new races. Everything you need in the box to start racing including cars, speed controllers, and track layout shown.

Leap Frog 100 Animals Book

Hold 100 animals in your hands with the touchsensitive pages of the 100 Animals Book™! Six double-sided, interactive pages feature animals from 12 habitats and environments. Kids have a natural curiosity about animals, and this book provides lots of opportunities for exploration with illustrations and photographs of animals from the desert, savanna, rain forest and more. Three modes teach about animal names, animal sounds and fun facts on each page. Available now at major retailers including Amazon, Walmart and Target

Tinkle Crinkle & Friends Activity Gym (Baby GUND)

Tinkle Crinkle is a fresh, energetic collection of plush baby toys. Contemporary prints on premium fabrics promote soft, safe and fun tactile play for even the youngest children. The award-winning Tinkle Crinkle & Friends Activity Gym encourages baby to interact with charming Tinkle Crinkle characters through eye-catching colors, vibrant patterns and stimulating sounds. Premium soft playmat includes five multisensory toys, fluffy tummy time cloud, and baby-safe sun mirror. Easy to set up in just two minutes. Available now at GUND.com Connect With US @ facebook.com/OurKidsMagazineSA

HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS Tinsel Yeti (GUND)

Turn your home into a winter wonderland with Tinsel Yeti, the friendliest monster who is always prepared for a winter adventure! Donning fuzzy earmuffs, this 11-inch plush features unique, sparkly blue horns and shiny tinsel strands scattered throughout his white fur. His round body and long limbs make him a huggable friend. Surface-washable for easy cleaning. Available Fall 2020 at GUND.com

Disney Sketchy Tales

Disney Sketchy Tales is the drawing and guessing game of telephone sprinkled with Disney magic. Create a hilarious new world as you draw and decipher iconic Disney characters doing something a little bit unusual! Disney Sketchy Tales features 60 famous Disney characters. The game contains 40 Dry-Wipe Cards, 30 Scenario Cards (120 scenarios, 4 scenarios on each card), 30 Character Cards (60 characters on front and back), 8 Clips, 8 Pens, 8 Cloths, and 2 Score Cards. Available at Target and Amazon.

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Playful Pandas

Playful Pandas are musical, magical, Pandorable friends with limitless responses. Boys and girls can sing any song to their Panda and she’ll sing back in her own Panda language! Playful Pandas come in four styles including Sweetie, Slumber, Foodie and Fashionista each with her own personality and signature song. And, when kids collect two or more Pandas they will sing in harmony. For even more fun, each Panda responds to a child’s touch – tickle her belly, kiss her nose or pat her head and the Panda will laugh, move and respond! Playful Pandas will initially come in three different styles for kids ages 4+.

Ice Ball

A liquid glitter-filled bounce ball available in six sparkling pastel colors – perfect for active & outdoor play. www.kess.co

Ice Hopper

A glitter-filled take on a classic toy. As it spins around, it sparkles with liquid glitter providing for colorful play – ideal gift for children 6+. www.kess.co

VTech Helping Heroes Fire Station Playset

Be a helping hero on the fire truck with two firefighters, ladders, a water hose and a sprayer; take the rescue vehicle and the helicopter on a rescue mission. Turn the fire truck into a fire station with multi-level living spaces. Three play modes teach firefighter fun facts, play songs and melodies, and engage kids with training and rescue games. Place either firefighter on the Talking Point to hear sound effects, melodies, songs, and to hear the characters talk

Made By Me Create Your Own Handprint Frame

Create a keepsake, handmade frame with this set that includes air-dry clay and paint to personalize it. Imprint hand, foot, or paw prints in one frame and place a photo in the second frame connected to it. November2020 | OurKidsMagazine.com

HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS Claris: Holiday Heist: The Chicest Mouse in Paris

by Megan Hess A sweet little mouse takes on a cheeky cat burglar with holiday cheer! Can Claris and Monsieur save the day – the New York way? The fourth Claris book from acclaimed fashion illustrator Megan Hess. The best-selling Claris series follows an adorable mouse who moves to Paris to follow her fashion dreams, for fans of Eloise and Olivia. Destined to delight fashion-obsessed readers of all ages! www.amazon.com

I Believe in You (Hello!Lucky)

by Sabrina Moyle A charming picture book that inspires confidence, boosts self-esteem, and lovingly tells a child: No matter what you do, I believe in you! Some days little dragon feels bold, and some days shy. Some days he dreams of spreading his wings to fly! Unicorn is always there by his side for all little dragons and the big unicorns who love and support them. Every child sometimes needs a little extra encouragement, a reminder that they are capable, resilient, and loved no matter what.

The Screaming Hairy Armadillo and 76 Other Animals with Weird, Wild Names

by Matthew Murrie A fascinating compendium featuring over 70 unusual animal species. What’s in a name? This lively, illustrated celebration is jam-packed with creatures notable for their bizarre, baffling, and just-plain-funny names. Meet the White-Bellied Go-Away Bird, whose cry sounds like someone screaming, “Go away!” Or the Aye-Aye, whose name means “I don’t know” in Malagasy because no one wants anything to do with this bad-luck creature. Some are obvious, if still weird––guess what the Fried Egg Jellyfish looks like. Others sound like an inside joke: It’s easy to figure out what was on the taxonomist’s mind when he christened a fly he discovered Pieza Pie. Along the way you’ll learn all about these curiously named animals’ justas-curious habits, appearances, and abilities.

Our Kids Magazine | November2020

The Constitution Decoded: A Guide to the Document That Shapes Our Nation

by Katie Kennedy Ever wonder why the president has a Cabinet? Why there’s such thing as trial by jury? Why someday you’ll have to pay income tax, or why there are no Dukes, Duchesses, Counts, or Countesses in the United States? Because the Constitution says so––and so much more. And now, in The Constitution Decoded, the ideas, concepts, and rules that make America are unpacked and explained in detail to help all of us, kids and parents too, become more informed citizens.

Who Got Game?: Baseball: Amazing but True Stories!

by Derrick Barnes Celebrate the unheralded people and stories that helped shape the game of baseball! Meet unsung pioneers, like John “Bud” Fowler, William Edward White, and brothers Moses Fleetwood Walker and Weld Walker, four African Americans who integrated white teams decades before Jackie Robinson. And that’s just for starters! This lively illustrated collection of shiny nuggets of baseball lore will transform you into a superfan who knows the game better than anyone else. Someone who’s got game.

Nacho’s Nachos: The Story Behind the World’s Favorite Snack

by Sandra Nickel Celebrating 80 Years of Nachos with NACHO’S NACHOS! In Nacho’s Nachos, Sandra Nickel and Oliver Dominguez introduce young readers to Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya and tell the true story of how he invented the world’s most beloved snack in a moment of culinary inspiration.

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HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS Mega-Maze Adventure! A Journey Through the World’s Longest Maze in a Book by Scott Bedford

An interconnected maze spreading across 14 swirling, hypnotic, and richly illustrated pages. Starting with the cover of the book, weave your way through the zig-zagging maze until you reach the portal, a physical hole in the cover that takes you inside the book. Though the maze continues through each portal, every turn of the page reveals a new thematic realm: Skyscraper World, Butterfly World, Rollercoaster World, Snow World, Underwater World, and Dragon World. Fourteen pages and portals later, find yourself in End of the World having completed the entire 604-foot long maze!

Rock Collecting for Kids by Dan R. Lynch

Rock collecting is for everyone! Nature’s treasures are just beneath our feet, waiting to be discovered. With this book, you’ll experience the excitement of finding, collecting, and identifying rocks and minerals. Dan R. Lynch, author of many field guides, presents a children’s introduction to our amazing Earth. The book begins with geology basics, such as where rocks come from and how Earth’s surface changes over time. Next, young readers are provided with an identification guide, which features full-color photographs and ID tips on 75 types of common and collectible rocks and minerals.

Fossils for Kids: Finding, Identifying, and Collecting

by Dan R. Lynch Dig into the History of Life! Become a young paleontologist. Learn all about ancient lifeforms preserved in rock. Dan R. Lynch, author of many Rocks & Minerals field guides, presents a kids’ introduction to fossils. Whether children see their first fossil at a museum or find their own fossil seashells from an ancient ocean, this easy-to-understand book is a perfect guide for beginners.

The Kids’ Guide to Birds of Texas: Fun Facts, Activities and 90 Cool Birds

by Stan Tekiela With fun activities for the whole family, like building a birdhouse and preparing your own bird food, this is a must-have beginner’s guide to bird watching in the Lone Star State! Stan Tekiela’s famous Birds of Texas Field Guide has been delighting bird watchers for years. Now, the awardwinning author has written the perfect bird identification guide for children!

Greta the Great Horned Owl

by Christie Gove-Berg The true story of an injured owl’s recovery and return to nature. Greta the Great Horned Owl is out hunting mice. She has no idea that her life is about to change forever. A train strikes her, severely injuring her wing and leg. A rescue team brings her to a wildlife rehabilitation center and this is just the beginning of her story. Will surgery save her wing? Can Greta learn to fly again? Her only hope of returning to the wild is to prove that she can hunt.

Whose Baby Butt?

by Stan Tekiela From fuzzy to feathery, baby animal butts are the silliest sights in nature. This hilarious book is the perfect companion to Whose Butt?, an acclaimed picture book by award-winning wildlife photographer Stan Tekiela. Readers are shown a baby animal’s behind and asked to guess, “Whose baby butt is this?” Then it’s time to turn the page and discover the answer!

Whose Track Is That?

by Stan Tekiela Spotting animals in the wild is tricky, but they leave plenty of clues behind especially tracks. Examine the evidence. Study the animal tracks. See if you can guess “Whose track is that?” Then turn the page to discover the answer! With every reading, children get more familiar with a variety of North American critters. They might soon start seeing animal tracks on every outing! November2020 | OurKidsMagazine.com

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Our Kids Magazine November 2020

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