April 2019 by Peekaboo

April 2019

Cece MEET

Kids and the Stock Market HIGH NEEDS

Mom Life Inside:

CAM P G U ID E Preview

Plus! OUT WITH THE OLD... IN WITH THE NEW

Flu and Shots?

*Northwest Health Physiciansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Specialty Hospital is owned, in part, by physicians.

Beckii, age 62 Before personalized nonsurgical facial rejuvenation treatment

D. Heath Stacey, MD | J. Alex Kelamis, MD

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At Pediatric Dental Associates and Orthodontics youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll discover that we go the extra mile for our patients! From the moment you see our office, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll know what we mean. We have a fully themed environment that is comforting and fun for your children. We offer preventive, restorative, and orthodontic services for kids ages 0-18. We also specialize in dental care for children with special needs.

1607 E. Rainforest Rd. Fayetteville, AR 72703

801 SW Regional Airport Blvd. Bentonville, AR 72712

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Bentonville: 479-268-5000

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We accept all insurances and we are in-network with Delta Dental, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, ARKids, Delta Dental Smiles, and MCNA. 4 April 2019

We are privileged to introduce Kelsey Gilley, CNM to Lifespring Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Healthcare

Kelsey Gilley, CNM As a Certified Nurse Midwife, Kelsey will see patients for gynecoligic care, pregnancy and deliver at Northwest Health-Bentonville.

Katie Beal, MD

She has experience in both Hospital-based and Birth center-based deliveries. She will be working closely with Northwest Health-Bentonville, providing education and patient care as we develop Northwest Arkansasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; first hospital based low intervention birth program that is lead and supported by our Midwife and Physician Providers and utilizes the full spectrum of alternative pain relief and team-based birth approach.

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The

Family KIMBERLY ENDERLE Editor-in-Chief editor@peekaboonwa.com | 479-957-0532

JONATHON ENDERLE Creative Director jon@peekaboonwa.com | 479-586-3890

Kim and Jonathon with Gwen, Holden, Grant and Ava Enderle. PHOTO BY ASHLEY MURPHY IMAGES

DISTRIBUTION/ CIRCULATION Joyce Whitaker Judy Evans Marcedalia Salinas

Jeremy Whitaker Michelle Dodson

Peekaboo Publications

FRANCES WILSON Assistant Editor

BEN LACY Dadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s View

Columnist

MEAGAN RUFFING Columnist

PO Box 1036 Bentonville, Arkansas 72712 Please send inquiries to: editor@peekaboonwa.com or call 479-957-0532 www.peekaboonwa.com Peekaboo may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. Views expressed herein are those of the authors and advertisers, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the magazine.

PEEKABOO Northwest Arkansas accepts writing contributions

6 April 2019

DAVID HOVEY Story Design

ANA ORTIZ Social Media Photography

You can help kids be

BRAVE this holiday season

No matter how small, every EMERGENCY is a

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Peace of Mind

Look and Feel

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At Women’s Health Associates, we want you to feel confident about every aspect of your life, including how you look. That’s why we offer a number of aesthetic services designed to help you be your best self at every stage of your life.

FACIALS Designed to help you put your best face forward, let us help you discover a more beautiful and youthful-looking you. All facials include an in-depth skin analysis, cleansing and exfoliation of the neck, face, and décolleté. Also Offering: Dermaplaning | Microneedling | Chemical Peels | Microdermabrasion

INJECTABLES AND DERMAL FILLERS As we age, our faces naturally lose subcutaneous fat and the “plump” look of our youth. Injectables and dermal fillers can be used to help diminish facial lines and restore volume and fullness in the face. Plump thin lips, enhance shallow contours, soften facial creases and wrinkles, and improve the appearance of recessed scars. Offering: BOTOX® Cosmetic | JUVEDERM®

INTIMATE WELLNESS CO2RE Intima vaginal treatments help restore your vaginal health… and help you rediscover what you’ve lost. The procedure only takes a few minutes and many women report symptom relief after the very first treatment. The treatments use laser energy to stimulate healing and renewed collagen that results in increased elasticity and natural lubrication, decreased urine leakage, and more pleasurable sex.

BODY CONTOURING Love the idea of reshaping your body, but not the reality of incisions or scars? Our non-invasive procedures don’t require any incisions and deliver noticeable results. The treatments work to improve the appearance of cellulite, reduce dimpled skin, and tighten skin on the abdomen, love handles, hips, thighs and other areas that require fat reduction. BodyFX addresses problematic fatty tissue in larger body areas such as the abdomen, back (flanks), and thighs. MiniFX addresses problematic fatty tissue in smaller areas like the neck, arms, and knees. Forma tightens the skin on the face, neck and hands. Also offering: Photo facials with Lumecca | Laser Hair Removal | Waxing | Spider Vein Treatment

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Your life is our lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work.

PEEKABOO NWA W H AT ’ S I N S I D E | A P R I L | 2 0 1 9

14 18 22 22 28 18 30 34 38 50 42 50 54 58

High Needs Mom Life by: Jac Ernst

Out with the Old... in with the New by: Meagan Ruffing Kids and the Stock Market by: Silvy Kehrli Spring Break Around NWA in Photos Our Hope for Tomorrow by: Jessica Skordal Aspiring to be like Eden by: Dominique Paine On the Cover: Meet Cece by: Meredith Brown

Business Spotlight: AIM Clinics by: Chloe Pratt Dad’s View with Ben Lacy Restore the Home by: Lauren Smothers Peekaboo’s 2019 Camp Guide Preview

*Northwest Health Physicians’ Specialty Hospital is owned, in part, by physicians.

Cover Sponsored by: Northwest Health www.northwesthealth.com 10 April 2019

On the Cover Cece Benfield, 6, daughter of John and Meredith Brown and Dale Benfield, Bentonville Photo by: Meredith Brown

High quality child care looks like

SCIENCE.

Sifting, pouring and measuring sand and water give children a feeling of accomplishment. This is something they can do themselves! Children discover that sand is different when it is wet. Add a little water, and a child can press it into molds. It holds its shape. Add too much water, and it is no fun at all. Experimenting with sand is a little messy, but it is fun and worth the mess for the experience. When children make discoveries on their own, their desire to learn is accelerated.

Sensory Play SENSORY PLAY

All of the SENSORY SAND in these photos is non-toxic and made from whole wheat flour and vegetable oil.

Double your baby’s pleasure with a bumpy ball and taste-safe sand.

Sensory play is often called messy play – for a good reason. There is so much to discover. One needs to spread out sometimes. What parent hasn’t seen their baby play with their food? It’s squishy and fun to spread all over the high chair table. Give a toddler a big bowl of spaghetti and the freedom to play. The pasta becomes an experiment in

Shell Island is an activity for children over 3 years of age.

Finding buried shells on Shell Island is a great activity for 3- and 4-year olds. They can also use the shells to decorate the “beach.”

touch, texture and gravity. Touch is a fundamental sense, right up there with taste. Taste is a major factor for babies and young toddlers. It’s true that at this stage, almost everything goes into a child’s mouth. Choose play things carefully. Make sure anything you put in front of your baby is taste-safe. Be aware of choking hazards. Always check the recommended age on purchased toys. Safety first!

Get the recipe for sensory sand and more ideas for sensory play on the next page.

Click here to visit our Resource Library. You’ll find activities and tips to help you prepare your child for life.

ARBetterBeginnings.com • 1-800-445-3316

Learn more at bit.ly/pkbsand

Visit our website to find quality child care that lets your child have fun while learning.

www.ARBetterBeginnings.com • 1-800-445-3316 Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education

Sensory sand looks and plays much like sand. It can be molded, but crumbles easily.

Play is a child’s work. It is critical to their development. Play helps them develop new skills and explore their imagination.

If you have a story to share, or an idea for a story, email editor@peekaboonwa.com and be a part of the Peekaboo family!

From the Editor

HERE IS A LOOK AHEAD! _____________________________ MAY continues our camp guide, but also pays homage to all of the amazing mommas across Northwest Arkansas. Want to share a special message for a special mom? email us, at editor@peekaboonwa.com JUNE is all about Dad! JULY is all about pets! AUG is time to head back to school with our most comprehensive guide to school options yet!

id you pick your “word” for the year? A word that was meant to guide your actions, or indicate what you want to embrace more of in the coming year? For as long as I can remember, my word every year has been “perfection.” I didn’t mean for it to be -- it just was. It was literally the “word” I lived by as a student. If a paper could acheive 100 percent, or a smiley face, or a star, I was going to earn it. It was the word I lived by as a friend, a wife, a driver, a pedestrian... you get the idea. I wanted to be (and, let’s be honest, still want to be) the best at everything that came or comes my way. If someone needed help, I wanted to help them above and beyond their expectations. If someone asked for advice, I wanted to be the person who gave “perfect” advice that changed their lives forever. On the flip side, if I couldn’t be the best, then avoidance was my go-to. For example, when it came to sports, I was never on a team, and I even sat out during 95 percent of my P. E. classes because I “had a headache” or – if it was an outdoor class – “my allergies are really acting up and being around all the grass and trees is against doctor’s orders.” I knew I could not be the best player on a team, so I didn’t even try out – how is that for some healthy behavior? Despite my best efforts to only partake in things I could achieve “perfect” status in, I jumped head-first into the role of motherhood. And guess what? The award for being the Perfect Parent doesn’t exist. 12 April 2019

It doesn’t even semi-exist. Even if you created your family to be the exact replica of a parenting book, and followed all the rules to a T, you would literally be the exact opposite of “perfect” compared to the parenting book sitting right next to it. Achieveing perfection in one pursuit, basically becomes the epitome of failure for another. When the goal is to be the perfect parent, the day is always guarenteed to end feeling defeated. It literally can’t be accomplished – but it hasn’t kept me from trying. It isn’t that I expect my kids to be perfect. In fact, I understand how stressful it is to have that expectation hang over you, so I have always encouraged them to just do their best and be happy regardless of the outcome. I didn’t expect them to be “perfect” children, but still expected myself to be the “perfect” parent. The result? A constant struggle. If they act out in public, I take full responsibility and feel the judgement from others as a reflection of my ability to parent, not taking into account that sometimes, kids just act out. When a new mom shares with me her anxiety about welcoming a new baby into the world, I always tell her that, no matter what, she is the perfect mother for her child. Another mom might have more experience, and more kids, and have read more books, but there is no one else in the entire world who was made just to love YOUR baby. It wasn’t until I realized that, without a

guidebook, or a test, or really any gauge of “perfection” when it comes to being a mom, there was actually no agreed-upon standard I could meet, or concrete goal to attain. It was time to release the unrealistic expectations I had, because perfection doesn’t exist. Going back to my desire to give “perfect” advice... it was time to take a little bit of my own. I AM the perfect mom for my four little ones, but, at the same time, I will never be perfect, and that is more than okay.

ne thing that is easy to find the perfect fit for is the right summer camp activities for your kids. With so many camp options across Northwest Arkansas in our Camp Guide Preview inside this issue, we make it easy to plan your family’s summer fun!

Mark Your Calendars

7th Annual Kidsfest with Peekaboo and Peppa Pig Saturday, May 11th 9am - 2pm Downtown Bentonville We are so excited to announce that Peppa Pig will be headlining this year’s Kidfest block party! Come to a meet-and-greet with Peppa, and stay for photo opportunities, crafts with the whole gang, and great giveaways. Be the first to watch brand-new episodes streamed for the first time anywhere! This is in addition to the wonderful birthday party venues that will be set up at the event, intended to give your children the opportunity to preview the types of birthday parties offered across the area. They’ll be able to pick the perfect one for them easily! If you have a business that hosts parties, makes cakes or desserts for parties, as well as balloons, decorations or other activities, and want to be involved, email editor@ peekaboonwa.com for more details!

Until next time ...

Kim Enderle

Wife. Mom. Athlete. Blogger. Physician. Erin Large, MD Board Certified in Obstetrics & Gynecology

As a third-generation physician, taking care of people just comes naturally for Dr. Erin Large. She’s there for her patients when they’re experiencing their best day ever, their worst day ever, and every day in between. And, there’s no place she’d rather be. If you’re looking for a physician who understands the complexities of women’s health – and the kinds of days they can bring – schedule an appointment with Dr. Large today.

479.463.5500

wregional.com/herhealth

by: Jac Ernst

This is a hard thing for me to admit, but...

I am a helicopter mom!

I didn’t ever intend to be a helicopter mom when I started my journey to motherhood. I was excited to head to the local park and let the littles run around while I caught up on a book or met a mom friend for a coffee and park date. I was excited to set my littles free in the backyard while I prepped food or did the copious amounts of laundry they 14 April 2019

created for me. I was looking forward to giving them a similar childhood to my own, where my neighbors could give me a look and I knew my momma would hear about what I was getting into, and that as long as I was home for bedtime, I could play with my friends from around the block – the joys of very, very small town living. When we decided to grow our family, I didn’t ever look to the future and see the life that I’m living today. But, I’m not sure any mother really does. Instead, our expected version of motherhood is replaced by the reality that we’re living. Being a helicopter mom is a necessity for this

version of motherhood. I have a child who could be hospitalized for eating a Cheerio, or an unpeeled piece of apple. A child who can’t always hear whether there are dangers happening, and is sometimes in his own little world that doesn’t ~~~~~~~~~~~~ include things like balance, or centripetal force. These children require me to be vigilant with them to keep them safe. Knowing that LittleMiss is able to maneuver through a playground or park safely, knowing that MiniMan can see me to sign to me if he needs help or has a question, makes me feel comforted. One day I hope to quietly enjoy a cup of coffee at the park while my littles play, and I can see that day coming closer and closer. It’s just not the reality right now, and that’s okay. I’ve come to accept this version of motherhood, and find joy in everyday lifeas much as I can. Because of the food allergies we deal with, most of LittleMiss’ friend’s moms are anxious about having her over for playdates. And I 100% understand and accept that. But, that’s given me an amazing opportunity to witness LittleMiss and her friends playing and giggling in the way that only a gaggle of six-year-old girls can. Other food allergy moms know that I’m on top of things, and are comfortable coming to our place for a playdate, or calling me and asking me if I can keep their littles for a few minutes.

LittleMiss also has Cerebral Palsy, and, because of this, we waited a VERY long time for her first steps – 747 days, to be exact. Because I watched most of those first therapy sessions, and I’m always close by when we’re out at a park or even in our own backyard, I’ve witnessed so, SO many firsts, and things that I might have missed. I have an iCloud account full of photos that I wouldn’t have gotten if I was off folding laundry or cleaning. I wouldn’t know as much about Pokemon or Transformers if I hadn’t been hanging out with MiniMan and listening to all the important facts he’s memorized. I wouldn’t know about each and every one of his classmates, and what they had for lunch, if I hadn’t sat down on the stairs to watch him jump on the trampoline after school. Parenting a child with hearing loss, well... it’s challenging. You volley between trying to figure out if he really couldn’t hear you, or if he’s just ignoring you and hoping you think he didn’t hear you. It also means that he has to explain at least once daily why he needs to see your face when you talk to be able to read your lips, or field questions about his hearing aid, or forget them and not notice until after you’ve arrived in carline! A child

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with hearing loss, who’s also on the Autism Spectrum, can be overwhelming. It means helicoptering to be sure that along with reading lips, he’s also reading emotions and body language. To be there to help resolve a conflict – because it’s going to happen – and use it as a learning moment. But it also means that I get to witness how sweet and accepting some littles are learning to be. When a friend remembers to tap MiniMan’s shoulder before asking him a question, or a swim coach starts learning how to sign so he can communicate with MiniMan while teaching all the other kids on the swim team, or when LittleMiss tries to sign to MiniMan and he helps correct her finger placement or spelling, it’s amazing. Seeing how amazingly accepting and accommodating children can be for their friends gives me hope that maybe, just maybe, we’ll make it through elementary school with minimal bullying or teasing. It gives me hope that my littles will be accepted by society for the amazing gifts they have, and not excluded because of the disabilities that make them different. It restores my faith in mankind when I see other parents at the park correcting the way their children refer to mine, or

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reminding them to be kind and help them if they need it. It’s silently celebrating when you see your little do something that they’d been working so, SO hard to do, and finally doing it. It’s being able to give them an extra big hug when they check in, knowing that they stumbled, but didn’t make a big deal of it. It’s being able to play through a slideshow of the amazing little moments that happen every day, and knowing that when your littles grow up, they’ll hopefully remember you being there for them. With every unexpected challenge we face in motherhood, we can always find a negative. Always. And on the really, really long days, it’s easy to do just that. But there are just as many, if not more, positive things. I think we just have to retrain ourselves to look for them. It took me quite a while to adjust to this version of motherhood – to accept that it was okay to not have the motherhood I expected, and to see the little moments of joy every day. To be okay with the fact that I was going to be helicoptering around my littles day in and day out for the next decade or so. Is this the version of motherhood I envisioned all those years ago when I started my journey towards motherhood? No! But I have fallen in love with this version of motherhood, and continue to almost every day. And for the other days... well, there’s wine.

Jac is a Canadian transplant to NWA. In winter of 2016, Jac, her husband (MrBig), and two littles, MiniMan and LittleMiss, moved from just outside Toronto, Canada, to NWA, and have fallen in love with it! Jac’s littles have a little extra going on. They deal with food allergies, High-Functioning Autism, hearing loss, congenital heart and kidney defects, autoimmune diseases, and cerebral palsy. All within two little bodies. Jac’s coined her life: the life of a High Needs Mom. Every child is needy... hers just need a little bit more right now. If you’re a High Needs Mom, or are friends with a HNM, be sure to cxheck out Jac’s podcast, High Needs Mom Life, wherever you listen to podcasts. If you’re looking for more community from a group of moms who get the wonderfully crazy life you’re living, be sure to connect with her. She’ll most likely know another mom who’s living a similar version of motherhood, and invite you both over for a coffee!

SESSIONS OFFERED JUNE 3 – JUNE 27

2019

LEARN. GROW. MAKE FRIENDS. NWACC Kid’s College 2019 offers numerous fun, educational short-term courses for two age groups: 9-12 and 13-16.

This year’s courses range from construction, robotics and graphic design to novel writing, global cuisine and more! There are a variety of great options allowing young students to experience the excitement of being on a college campus while learning about topics that ignite their passion.

Learn more and register at

nwacc.edu/kidscollege

479.936.5108 | One College Drive, Bentonville, AR 72712

Registration now open!

Out with the Old…

In with the New. By Meagan Ruffing What is it about springtime that gets us all excited about a simpler way of living? Kitchen windows are cracked open, and a gentle breeze from the outside ruffles the curtains ever so slightly... so that it looks like they’re dancing across your wood floors. You can’t help but have Pandora on your favorite music station so you can jam out while vacuuming the rug. You breathe in a big dose of fresh air and exhale the worries of the day. Let’s face it: April is the month of new things. Knowing where to begin the spring cleaning can be the tricky part. Deciding which room in your house to tackle first can be an overwhelming feat, but you can do it! My tip is to make three piles: Donate, Toss, Keep. I think we know what to do with the keep pile; put things in their place. And we know what to do with the toss pile; throw it away. But what do we do with the donate pile? Where do we donate All. The. Things?

Start here:

Clothes of all kinds seem to be the number one thing we have an overflow of, and want to donate as fast as possible. Instead of going straight to your local Goodwill store, why not see if there is a church nearby who knows of a family in need? Or, post something on your Facebook page letting people know you have some things you would like to pass on, and have them message you if they know of someone in need. I know I’m not the only

one who drives around with bags full of donations in my trunk for long periods of time! If you have old random pieces of lumber, textiles or building materials, call the Habitat for Humanity store and see if they could use your donations. If you would like to try and get money for some of your things, you can always go to a resale store or sell online through a community page, Craigslist or eBay. With the Marie Kondo craze going on right now, asking yourself, “Do I love it? Does it bring me joy?” might be just what you need to be able to move forward with clearing out your old stuff. When it comes to cleaning out the kids’ stuff – that’s another story. Toys they have not played with in a very long time resurface for the donate pile and suddenly, those are the toys they can’t possibly live without. So, how do you get your kids to part with their things when they no longer use them?

Try this:

Use the same “donate, toss, keep” system that you would use for yourself. Write out each word on a large piece of paper so your kids can clearly see where they need to put their stuff. Let them help you decide what goes where. There’s nothing worse than getting rid of something we thought our kids

didn’t know they had, only to realize they actually really loved it. Group things in ‘like’ categories. For example, grab all of your daughter’s stuffed animals and tell her she can keep 10 but needs to donate or sell the rest. Or, maybe there is a large tote you can put them in so you tell her, “You can keep whatever fits in this tote,” and the rest needs to go. Having something that your kids are working towards helps with this process, too. Are you planning a summer vacation? Tell your kids the money they earn from selling their things can go towards their summer trip. They will see the fruits of their labor when summer rolls around and they get to buy that vacation souvenir on the boardwalk they just couldn’t live without. It’s a win-win for everyone. April is the month for new things, so get out there and start cleaning your house for a simpler, easier way of living. I would love to see your progress! Head on over to writermeaganruffing on Facebook, where you can post a picture of your Donate, Toss, Keep pile. You never know… you might inspire another reader to do the same.

Places to Donate in NWA: Here are some great places to help you get started with your donations:

+ D.E.B. Project + Goodwill + Habitat for Humanity + Local Churches + Samaritan Shop + Pedal it Forward NWA + Helping Hands + NWA Women’s Shelter + The Salvation Army Emergency Shelter + Big Brothers Big Sisters of NWA + NWA Children’s Shelter

Meagan Ruffing loves spring cleaning. To see how her adventures are unfolding this month, visit her at www.meaganruffing.com for a good laugh and inspiration.

Camp Bright Haven 2019 Tuition: $140/week Any ages 5-11 5/28/2019 – 8/9/2019 Morning and afternoon snacks provided Engaging learning activities encouraging discovery

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Fun themes planned for each week Safety is our number one priority For information E-mail: lakyn@brighthavenshines.com

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You need a parent night out! UnGala features the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only 24-volt races sponsored by McLarty Daniel Automotive Group.

Leave the kids at home, forget the tuxedo and uncomfortable shoes, and come ready to play on Saturday, April 27, at the Scott Family Amazeum UnGala FUNdraiser from 7 to 10 pm. Unlike other fundraisers, the UnGala is all about giving your inner child (21+) a night out to get your hands on unique, Amazeum-style experiences created only for this event. For more information and tickets visit amazeum.org/events/ungala. Tickets: $100. Proceeds benefit accessibility and diversity programs at the Amazeum.

amazeum.org 1009 Museum Way | Bentonville, AR

Kids and the

Stock Market by: Silvy Kehrli I was first introduced to the stock market in seventh grade, when my teacher tasked each student with creating a pretend portfolio. We tracked our stock selections throughout the semester, and tallied the money made. I was hooked, and talked to my parents about starting my own stock portfolio with real money. My parents agreed and let me pick one stock of a company that I believed in (McDonalds, of course), and so began a lifetime of learning about investing. Fast forward 20 years, and through lots of winners, losers and lessons learned, I still enjoy reading Money Magazine every month, but this time with a bigger goal—to teach my kids about the value of money and investing. The financial world can be overwhelming, but it can also be very rewarding and fulfilling to use money earned to reach goals and bless others. So, how do we teach our kids about money management? There is no one right way to show kids the importance of sound financial decisions, but a few things that work well for us are as follows: 1. Allowance – In our family, children start getting a weekly allowance after they lose their first tooth. This is a fun and easy milestone that 22 April 2019

marks the beginning of a path of saving. With my oldest son, Parker, we created three jars for weekly allowance—saving, spending and giving. This worked well for a few months, but keeping up with having enough dollar bills on hand was difficult, as we rarely have much cash in our house, so we switched to directly depositing his allowance and have done that for the last few years. Each child in our home gets $1 per year of age per week, so my 9-year-old gets $9 a week. This sounds like a lot, but very soon he will be making thousand-dollar decisions about buying cars and picking colleges, so giving a large allowance now is a good transition into managing large amounts of money in the near future. Parker is required to spend his own money to buy birthday gifts for friends, purchase books at book fairs, pay for school field trips, etc. He and his 7-yearold brother, Paxton, asked if we could go on a cruise with our best friends for fall break, and my husband and I agreed... if the kids would chip in half of their cruise fare. So, this has inspired them to save allowance and birthday money even more. 2. Checking Accounts —When our kids start getting allowance (after their first tooth falls

out around 6 years old), we also open checking accounts for them at a local bank. We take them with us to the bank to pick out a special debit card and set them up with online banking. My boys now deposit all of their own birthday checks on my phone, and I imagine they will soon be better at online banking than me. With allowance directly deposited into their bank account each week, they often get surprised when

opening their bank account to see how much money has accumulated. This secondary effect of the power of automating savings will hopefully spur them to set up regular deposits to their 401ks and health savings accounts when they get older. Saving money is so much easier when it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t require much thought or effort, but is regular and scheduled.

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3. Stock Market Investing Accounts—As my boys’ bank accounts grew into four digits, my husband and I decided it was time to teach them about investing. In 2018, Parker and Paxton took money from their bank and invested it in Fidelity’s no-fee total stock market index fund, FZROX. To give them extra incentive to invest, we matched the money they contributed. I shared with the boys how they were using their money to buy a small piece of every company in the stock market, and that the stock market always goes up long term. A couple of months later, the stock market took a dip and my oldest son happened to ask, “Mom, how much money have I made in the stock market?” Me: “You’ve actually lost $7.” Parker: “What?!? Why did we put my money in the market?” Me: “The stock market goes up and down. It’s had a rough couple of weeks.” Parker: “Let’s SELL! Get my money out!” Me: “You’ve only had your money in it for a couple of months. You are investing for a car

or for college, which you don’t need for years to come. Stay the course and don’t look until next year.”

I hope my son learned a good life lesson that day. We kept his money in the market and his account is now more than $7 positive. The stock market can be a very emotional thing. Many people lose money because they panic and sell low or try to time the market and end up buying high. Hopefully Parker’s small loss and subsequent rebound will inspire him to stay the course of investing in the market. Kids are never too young to start learning about money and savings. They pick up on our actions and words, and are watching the financial example in front of them. They see us make choices every day, like eating dinner at home to save money, or renting a Redbox over going to the theater. They watch us save for big purchases and vacations. The more we can do to let them be a part of the financial decision-making process in our families from an early age through allowance, checking accounts and investing, the more we hope to inspire them to make wise financial decisions in the future.

Auto claims processed in hours, not days. Preston Cash 479-777-9157

9351155

222 W. Walnut Street Rogers

THERAPY

On-site therapy for children Speech, Occupational, Physical & Behavioral / Mental Health Therapies

EDUCATION

Preschool Enrichment Program Therapeutic preschool serving children 18 months - 5 years old

Arkansas Better Chance classrooms Parents As Teachers training program

SUPPORT

Nutrition Nursing Transportation

After School Care First Connections

479-636-3190 3400 Woods Lane, Rogers, AR 72756

nwaSunshineSchool.org

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RACING!

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Member FDIC

By Jessica Skordal For my entire life, I’ve always been a planner. I loved agendas as a kid, and that love carried over into college. My husband loves to laugh and tell the story of how when we were first dating, I would constantly buy new planners. Not only would I sit down to fill out all my future events in perfect penmanship, but I would take the time to fill in everything that had already happened. It’s who I am. I love for things to be organized, put together and in their place. In 2012, everything about my perfectly planned and wonderfully organized life came to a screeching halt. In July of that year, I found out that I was expecting. It was quite a shock, I’ll admit. My husband and I had been trying earlier in the summer, but, after a failed pregnancy, we decided it was best to put children on the backburner for a bit. God had quite a different plan. That July, we found out we were pregnant, and that things were just a little off. The numbers that were supposed to double on a blood test actually tripled. My pants would no longer button at

10 weeks along, but I’d lost weight from all the morning sickness. Just before 12 weeks, our doctor decided that we should come in for an ultrasound to check on the baby. I’ll never forget the sight of that screen. What should have been one little alien looking baby was actually two. I tell people that the moments following this revelation may not be my finest Christian moments, but we quickly became accustomed to the thought of two babies instead of one. In February of 2013, my husband, Trace, and I welcomed two beautiful baby boys at 36 weeks. They were both healthy, happy and wonderful. I remember being overwhelmed at the sight of them. Two babies... all mine... for all time. Trace and I were already blessed with a precious 3-yearold girl, and these two made our little party of 5 complete. We were thrilled. The first night in the hospital when I held Dawson, something seemed off. I don’t know how to explain it besides just... off. Dawson always did things differently than his twin. He held his body differently, he refused to sleep, he ate differently, he stared at things more intently--he was simply different. I tried to ignore it, but that nagging

feeling in the back of my heart just wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go away. Why did he do things so differently? Shortly after Dawsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second birthday, I decided it was time to stop being silent. Jackson and Dawson were supposed to be in that fun age where they babbled and began to say cute words or their own fun little version of talking. Jackson was doing this all day long, but Dawson... Dawson would barely utter a sound. I spoke with his doctor, and he assured me that this was completely normal. I remember him telling me that he felt like he could refer the majority of his male patients out for speech at this age. It was just a boy thing. In my heart, I knew this was more than a boy thing. This was a Dawson thing, and I desperately wanted to understand it. Dawson was referred to a local therapy clinic for a speech evaluation within a few weeks of our appointment. What started with speech quickly turned in to an occupational therapy evaluation. Then a physical therapy evaluation. Before I knew it, we were up to nearly 10 hours of therapy a week. Six months into our care, I began asking questions. Why

did Dawson do the things he did? Why did he seem so different from his brother? Why was the therapy we had not working? WHY?! I desperately wanted to understand why and how I could help my Dawson. Those questions lead to a referral to the Dennis Developmental Center in Little Rock. In early February 2016, Trace and I traveled to Little Rock with Dawson to go through developmental testing. I can honestly say that that day was the longest day of my life. We went through 4-5 hours of testing in the morning. Everything from speech testing, to play therapy, to evaluations from a physician and a social worker. Each professional methodically looking and testing my boy. Finally, around 1PM, we broke for lunch with instructions to return an hour later. As we gathered back into a small room with toys scattered and chairs lining the wall, I remember looking over at Dawson and thinking that the words that would come out of their mouths would forever change our lives.

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That is exactly what happened. After each professional had taken some time to explain their findings, we finally made our way to the psych examiner. I will never forget the moment when she looked at Trace and I and said, “Our testing today has shown that your son has Autism Spectrum Disorder.” To be honest, I am so incredibly thankful that my husband was present that day. From the moment those words left her mouth, I literally did not hear another word. Autism. My son has autism?

with sensory sensitivities, “normal” family actives like movies and swim dates just can’t happen. AIM gives us that. They’ve created sensory-sensitive events that allow families affected by autism to join for free, and experience normalcies that they otherwise wouldn’t enjoy. Through AIM, we’ve found much more than an organization who understands our daily life. We’ve found a group of people who are our people. People to stand by us through the thick and thin and walk this journey with us.

How could that be? No mother ever wants to hear that her child is anything less than perfect, but autism? It was a blow I was in no way prepared for. When I left the clinic that day, I felt like I was in a fog. Trace and I traveled back to the hotel we had rented for the evening, and I spent most of the afternoon weeping. Weeping for my son and his future. But most of all... I wept for the life I thought we would have. When I left Little Rock the next morning, I felt utterly hopeless.

Over the past three years, we have been blessed by AIM in so many ways. AIM exists to support families who have children on the autism spectrum. That’s a simple statement, but it’s not a simple cause. That’s hope. Hope for the momma who feels helpless and alone. Hope for the family who can’t afford sensory equipment for their home. Hope for that teacher who needs an ally to walk alongside her to serve her students best. H.O.P.E. Those four letters are simple... but they can do a whole world of change.

Every dream I had for Dawson seemed to disappear, and every fear I’d ever imagined seemed to come true. As we drove back from Little Rock, I remember sitting in the passenger’s seat, numb. Trace has always been my rock, but I could never have imagined the way he would step up in the next weeks and months. As we sat in the noisy car humming down I-49, he reached over and grabbed my hand. He looked over and said, “Babe, we’re going to be okay. I’ve already found a group that is doing a walk in Northwest Arkansas in May.” As crazy as it sounds, those words began a journey that I never expected and absolutely needed. The group Trace referred to that day was Autism Involves Me. That May, our family experienced our first taste of the AIM community in Northwest Arkansas at the annual AIM Walk, and I can honestly say it changed our future. For the first time, I felt like I was standing amongst people who knew my story. They understood my struggle, and wanted to dive into this life with me. What started with a walk turned into much more very quickly. That December, Dawson was the recipient of an AIM2Help Grant. This provided our family with over $500 in sensory equipment to help build an environment for Dawson that was safe and met his needs. Sensory Equipment is expensive, and often not covered by insurance. This gave our family the opportunity to provide a sensory gym for Dawson that would help set him up for success each day. AIM has also provided our family with muchneeded family outings. When you have a child 32 April 2019

Today, Dawson is a 6-year-old boy who loves pineapples and Pete the Cat. I am thrilled to say that he is thriving! We have been so blessed with an incredible team of therapists who stop at nothing to help our boy, a pediatrician that listens and cares and a group that supports us every step of the way. AIM has given our family so much over the last three years, but the greatest of these is hope... hope for today and hope for our tomorrow.

Camp Clover @ Smiling Goat Farm will be held July 22 through August 2 from 8:30am - 1:00pm, Monday through Friday for ages 5-14 As a working farm school, we will offer nature and gardening

activities, animal care lessons, goat yoga, tinkering and science activities, and lots of cool down water play!

For more information or an application, interested families should email

Kimberly@clovercommunityschool.org

For children battling a critical illness, a wish is more than a dream. It can be a turning point that can give them the emotional and physical strength to keep going.

WISHES NEED YOU

R E F E R A C H I L D T O DAY AT MIDSOUTH .WIS H .ORG/RE FE R

I wish to be a cowgirl Kionna, 10 cancer

Aspiring to be like Eden

by: Dominique Paine

There are three people in my life who I aspire to be more like. One is my mother, because I’m pretty sure she is one of the best people in this world. She shows my entire family and many more unconditional love, goes out of her way to help others, and is just fun to be around. The second is an author and friend, Rachel Macy Stafford. She shows me every day that I can lead with love and change how I respond to challenging situations in order to be a softer and more grounded person, focusing on what’s truly important. The third is my daughter Eden, because she is filled with qualities I wish I had. She is fearless and brave. She is loving and exuberant. She leaps out into the world in whatever way she sees fit, and it does not bother her one bit who’s watching, or what they think.

When I hear stories about myself as a child, it sounds like I was a lot like her. Loud, boisterous, fun-loving and confident. I vaguely remember having some of her qualities. But, somewhere along the way, I lost most of that--except for being

loud, I didn’t lose that! But, I began feeling like the world was judging me, and that was too heavy for me to bear. So, I changed. I tried to act the way the world said I should. I tried not to stand out. I tried not to call attention to myself or take action without knowing exactly what the outcome would be. At times, I am jealous of my daughter for being the confident, unapologetic being that she is. But mostly, I am proud. Eden is autistic with ADHD and, while you might think that would cause her to be more affected by the judgment or opinions of others, it doesn’t. She yells with excitement, without caring if that calls attention to herself. She laughs loudly and is the queen of silly faces. She knows what she wants and finds a way to get it, no matter what. She sings out loud almost all day. She sees an uneven rock wall, and immediately climbs it--she doesn’t stop to think that she might fall and get hurt, or that she might not be able to make it back down. She sees adventure, and she sees a feat she wishes to conquer. And she does it!

I could make you a list of things that come with autism that aren’t fun or to be coveted. Behaviors, applications, therapies, stimming, worry and so much more. Instead, I’d like to tell you how free my child is because she has autism. She is free from caring about what others think, she is free to be brave and loud and always moving, climbing and jumping. She is free because she does not care how the world sees her. She is free to be the person she wishes to be. She exudes confidence. In her mind, she can accomplish anything she decides to try. And that’s exactly what I want her to think. Sure, this makes for some arguments when we disagree on what she should be doing. But that headstrong, ‘get out of my way because I’m going to crush this,’ attitude is more than I could have ever hoped for my child to innately have. I see her sizing up the world, trying to determine how to get what she wants or solve her current problem. I see her strength, her determination and how carefree she is. My mind is always so wrapped up in what I should or shouldn’t say, wear or do. I imagine living the way Eden does is quite different and wonderful. I watch her and, while I beam with pride, I take notes on how I can become more like her. How I, too, can rise up and conquer whatever challenge is in front of me. How I can stop worrying about

how the world sees me or what it thinks I should be like. I am a mother and a wife, and those titles are what matter most to me. Why shouldn’t I walk this earth with the same confidence and bravery that my daughter does? I spend hours per week researching ways to help Eden, whether that be at-home sensory activities, resources available to us, or how to help our family’s routine run as efficiently as possible. I try to be more like my mother and my friend Rachel, too, and spread love into my corner of the world in the hopes that it ripples outwards. Every day, I am blown away by something Eden does or says. I watch closely and hope to learn how to live my life as she does. How to have a life filled with fun and adventure. One that is simple, but free from the weight of the world’s opinions. While much of what comes with autism is difficult or negative, I think most of us could learn something from this aspect of it. How wonderful would our world be if we all walked through it thinking that we were capable of anything we tried? Or if we all had the confident and fun-loving attitude Eden has? Personally, I think that would make for a rather amazing world, filled with people that have good intentions and display kindness at every turn.

Make the best of your outdoor adventures. Stop by or drive through any of our ten locations and freshen up your supply of sunscreen, bug repellent, allergy medication, and first aid supplies.

peekaboonwa.com

April Balloonacy at Trike Theatre

April 3-6 Trike Theatre, Bentonville Intended for ages 2-4 Tickets- $6.00 for ages 2 and up. Sweet, inventive and packed with physical comedy, this play explores the power of friendship and shows how, with a little imagination and acceptance, companionship is everywhere.

A Day in the Life of a Firefighter

April 4 | 4-5pm at Station #1- K-4th grade (must register) A member of the Fayetteville fire department will give a presentation on what itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like to be a firefighter in our town, and then workshop participants will have a chance to ask questions. www.faylib.org

2019 Cherishing Children Pinwheel Rally

April 5 | 11:30am - 1pm Bentonville Square Join us as we kick off April as National Child Abuse Awareness & Prevention Month at the April First Friday event in beautiful downtown Bentonville! Choose a location to place pinwheels for each confirmed child abuse case at several agency locations around Benton County.

First Friday

April 5 Downtown Bentonville

DEB Project Fashion Show

April 6 | 10am-12pm Hosted by DEB Project Deserving Enriched

Library Story Times: Bentonville Public Library: bentonvillelibrary.org Fayetteville Public Library: faylib.org Springdale Public Library: springdalelibrary.org Rogers Public Library: rogerspubliclibrary.org Siloam Springs Library: siloamsprings.com

& Blessed- Thrift Boutique 10889 Arkansas 72 West, Centerton www.debproject.com Please join us for a fun fashion show showcasing The DEB Project. Models will be adopted children and adults.

Pampers Playdate

April 6 |10am-5pm Amazeum, Bentonville Looking for the perfect playdate thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s designed especially for your little one, age 0 - 3? Pampers Playdate is a one-of-a-kind, limited-time exhibit to the Scott Family Amazeum!

Preschool Playdate

April 11 | 11:30-2pm Crystal Bridges, Bentonville Happy Birthday Earth! Celebrate Earth Day early here at the museum with your preschooler! Make seed bombs, walk barefoot, look at clouds, and enjoy spring. Playdate starts with a performance in the Great Hall.

Jackrabbit 5K/Bunny Hop Fun Run

April 13 | 8am Flagstone Church of Christ, Bentonville Come for the run, stay for the fun! All funds raised are used to buy shoes for local folks in need. Pancake breakfast, inflatables and games, silent auction, door prizes, live music and more!

Special Egg Hunt

April 13 | 3-5pm Hope Church NWA Bentonville The Special Egg Event is a free Easter Egg Hunt for children with special needs and their families. 4 categories of special needs children and their siblings. A Quiet Egg Hunt for children on the Autism Spectrum or children with Sensory Processing issues who need a quieter environment. A Talking Egg Hunt For

2019 children who are blind or visually impaired. The eggs “talk” to the children, so they can find the eggs. A Magnetic Egg Hunt for children with wheelchairs or mobility restrictions. Magnetic eggs and poles allow children to collect eggs. A General Egg Hunt for children with other disabilities and siblings of children involved in the other hunts.

Dogwood Festival

April 26-29 City Park and Bob Henry Park The festival offers more than 200 vendors, including craft exhibitors, a kids’ activity area, an entertainment stage, and a variety of food.

Birth on Tap for dads and partners

April 23 | 6pm Bike Rack Brewing, Bentonville Tickets · $10 Baby on the way? Join us for a fun partnersonly class at Bike Rack Brewing’s 8th Street Market BREW ROOM in Bentonville. Enjoy a local craft brew and get real with your questions about birth, babies, and postpartum. This class is led by labor and delivery nurses from the Family Birth Place at Northwest Medical Center – Bentonville. Hear from dads and birth partners who have been there and done that.

UnGala FUNdraiser April 27 | 7-10pm Amazeum, Bentonville www.amazeum.org

Special Events at Imagine Studios April 10th: Wine Wednesday 6-8 PM April 12th: Friday Fun Night 6-8 PM April 14th: Easter Egg Paint & Hunt 2-4 PM April 16th: Paint & Play for Toddlers 11AM-12 PM April 23rd: Home School Make & Take 1-2:30 PM www.imaginestudiosnwa.com (479) 619-6085

We’re developing unique experiences that you will not find at any other gala in Northwest Arkansas, or anywhere else, for that matter. This year, we’re bringing a (you won’t believe this, folks) 26-foot long, hydraulic-activated, human-controlled hand and forearm sculpture capable of crushing, well, nearly anything. So, make sure to observe the no parking zones!

Toddler and Me Yoga

April 27 | 5-5:45 Yoga Story, Bentonville In this class, your toddler will learn how to connect with their body and learn mindfulness techniques. Kids love games, activities, songs and your complete attention. These exercises are for your toddler, but they are also for Mommy, Daddy, grandparents, and caretakers, too! Your toddler and you will have fun learning yoga poses, breathing techniques, partner yoga and body awareness activities. Come find peace in chaos with this playful yoga class. www. yogastory.info/schedule

Enriching children’s lives by providing high quality care and education in a Christian environment. Our facility is committed to excellence in childcare. We are currently rated a Level 3 facility in the Better Beginnings quality initiative program.

www.peace-church.org 805 West Olrich St. | Rogers, Arkansas 72756 | 479-621-5683 | arbetterbeginnings.com

Meet

CeCe

story and photos by: Meredith Brown

Cecelia Ruth, or “Cece” as everybody knows her, lights up a room. She’s been that way since she was born; full of joy, easily excitable, very animated, and has the brightest blue eyes. She was a perfect baby, rarely fussy, and a good sleeper. I felt like I had won the lottery.

When Cece was around 11 months old, I started noticing she wasn’t hitting some expected milestones. She was crawling and nearly walking, but she hadn’t started to babble yet, and wasn’t making a lot of eye contact. At her one-year appointment, I mentioned my concerns to her (incredible) pediatrician Dr. Benafield. She sent us to get Cece’s hearing checked, and when that test came back normal, she referred us for a speech evaluation. At 14 months old, Cece began speech therapy; then, a few months later we added occupational therapy, 38 April 2019

which I mark in my head as the moment we started building her tribe. Suddenly, I had professionals who cared so much for her and would celebrate even the tiniest achievements with us! When Cece turned two, we enrolled her in an Early Intervention program. Although all the therapies and programs were helping, she still wasn’t making the progress we were all hoping for.

When she was 2 1/2 years old, our pediatrician referred us to the Schmieding Center through Arkansas Children’s Hospital and, after a day full of testing, we received Cece’s official diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. I remember being so overwhelmed with emotions that I couldn’t hear anything else the doctor said. I sank into a patch of grief. I used to be ashamed to admit that stage of heartache, but I now realize it’s totally normal, and even considered healthy, to grieve. I was grieving the expectations I had for Cece’s future, of who I thought she would be. Not that she wouldn’t have a beautiful future, but it might not be what I had assumed. And that’s okay. At around age three, Cece started saying a few words! Up until this point, she had been mostly humming or making noises. One day, out of the blue, I was counting out loud to her and, after I said, “5...6” she said, “7...8!” I squealed so loud it scared her! Finally, at 3 1/2, she said the word I’d wanted to hear all her life... “Mama.” It was magical.

Around that same time, Cece started attending Con The Sunshine School and Development Center. They have therapists in-house, so everything is integrated, which is so fantastic. The staff there were such cheerleaders and advocates for Cece--

she became part of their family and they became a part of her tribe! She thrived on their regimented schedule, and started making some great gains in her development. Her humming turned to singing, and it seemed like she was saying and learning new words everyday!

accent! She has an extremely impressive memory and can reenact entire scenes or episodes of shows she’s watched. She loves all kinds of musical instruments, and enjoys passing them out to family and visitors to play in unison with her. She loves drawing, especially smiley faces with crazy hair or eyebrows.

After two incredible years at The Sunshine School, it was time for Cece to transition to kindergarten. I was so scared to send her to a new environment with all new teachers and therapists. I was certain she wasn’t ready. But, she proved her resilience and made the transition wonderfully! She started kindergarten at Willowbrook Elementary in Bentonville last fall, and she’s having a great year! She’s in a resource class with both typical and nontypical students for most of the day and spends some of the day in a general education class. She has in-school therapy (Speech, OT, PT) during the day, and after school she gets outpatient private therapy back at The Sunshine School.

The thing that makes Cece the happiest is playing dress-up. She loves hats and glasses and gloves and jewelry and capes... if it involves becoming a character, she’s into it! Getting her a new hat or mask and seeing her run to the mirror in excitement is one of my favorite things to do. Halloween is huge at our house! I’ve made Cece’s costume every year, and truly enjoy sharing that experience with her. This past Halloween, Cece helped give out candy at our door, and each time the doorbell rang she

Cece has always had a happy disposition, so when the words started coming, she proved to be quite the character! She loves watching Peppa Pig, and can do a spot-on impression of Peppa’s English

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Spark Your Child's Inner Ninja!

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Contact us to learn more! 479-268-4391 I bentonvillear@codeninjas.com 1501 SE Walton Blvd. Suite 115, Bentonville, AR 72712 I codeninjas.com www.codeninjas.com/camps/ar-bentonville/

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NWA

sure. Cece has some sensory issues with noise and gets easily overwhelmed in loud spaces. She’s apprehensive about most food textures, and squealed will currently only eat about 10 foods. She has in anticipation awful sleep habits and could easily survive off of of seeing other kids four hours of sleep a night. A lot of children on in costume! the spectrum aren’t comfortable with affection and touching, but Cece is actually the opposite! I don’t want to lead anyone to She seeks physical contact and probably hugs Peekaboo 1-4 Page Ad Job# 2201902065v2.pdf 1 3/12/19 4:32 PM believe that every day is easy. and kisses me more than 30 times a day. Not There are some rough points for complaining about that at all! We’re still working on her verbal communication skills. I like to say she’s half-verbal, in that she can verbalize her needs but isn’t conversational yet.

With 14 years of proven experience in central Arkansas, LISA Academy leads the way in preparing our students to succeed in college and the workplace with a STEM curriculum that focuses on science, technology, engineering, and math. Learn more at lisaacademy.org

LISA Academy NWA | 301 Holcomb St. Springdale, AR 72764

Apply now @ lisaacademy.org 40 April 2019

Autism has refined my path in ways much deeper and more unique than I would have ever found on my own. The empathy I have gained is immeasurable. I’m suddenly aware of so many families and individuals who are in the trenches, facing adversity or discrimination. It has inspired me to become more educated about people who are neuro-diverse. The more I learn about Autism, the more I understand the reasoning behind Cece’s behaviors. I realized I didn’t want to change her to fit my way of life, but to change my way of life to include her. I try to focus less on what she struggles with, and more on what she loves. Life with a child on the spectrum is a constant readjustment of expectations--there are so many unknowns and curve balls that it’s impossible to know where a child will land. I try my very hardest to keep my expectations flexible and concentrate more on Cece’s happiness. We love to celebrate her and, if you look hard enough, there’s always something to celebrate!

“There is no greater disability in society than the inability to see a person as more.”

-Robert M Hensel

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Business Spotlight: AIM CLINIC

Northwest Health Article

By: Chloe Pratt Sheri Homishak is a woman of intense drive. Beneath her kind blue eyes and reserved demeanor is a relentless passion for bringing hope to children with autism and their families. In 2000, both of Sheri’s young sons were diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She and her husband dove into research, and, along with their son’s doctors, concluded that their hometown of Hot Springs, AR simply didn’t offer the treatment resources her sons needed. Ultimately, Sheri decided to close her successful optometry practice and move the whole family to South Carolina, where her boys received the life-changing treatment known as Applied Behavior Analysis therapy.

Developed in the 1950s, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is an effective, evidence-based treatment for autism and endorsed by both the U.S. Surgeon General and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Based on the science of learning and behavior, ABA therapy is an intensive, one-on-one program that helps children with autism improve communication and language skills, reduce aggressive behavior, learn to play with kids their own age, cope with outbursts, focus on schoolwork and even learn to take care of themselves. Every ABA therapy program is unique because every child’s needs are different. Before a treatment plan is written, extensive parent interviews are conducted alongside a comprehensive assessment of each child’s skills. Together, the Board Certified Behavior Analyst and the child’s parents determine treatment goals and then therapy begins! Broad, complex concepts are broken down into small, bite-sized tasks that are easier to understand, process and repeat in everyday life. Success with these small tasks builds steadily into major progress. Through ABA therapy, Sheri’s sons learned to communicate their wants and needs, and gained a whole new level of independence. “I saw the impact ABA had on my boys and I knew that there were so many families back home that desperately needed this treatment. I made it my mission to help children with autism gain access to ABA therapy,” Sheri said. She left her optometry career behind and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst herself. Once the boys were grown, Sheri moved back to Arkansas and founded Autism in Motion

(AIM) Clinics, so that all Arkansas families could have access to ABA therapy. The story of Aimee Newcomer-Spears and her son Jonathan is the perfect example of the impact Sheri now has on families in Arkansas. When Jonathan was two years old, Aimee noticed that he’d simply stopped talking. She immediately had him evaluated and, just a few weeks later, Jonathan was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. He began intensive therapy five days a week that included ABA therapy with Sheri. Aimee recalled of his behavior, “When therapy began, Jonathan wouldn’t follow any directions or even play with his toys. He was like a miniature tornado tearing through a room—throwing or shaking anything he could reach and repetitively hitting the floors, walls and furniture.”

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N OF TH

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If you or someone you know could benefit from this powerful therapy that’s impacted Sheri, Aimee and many others so profoundly, visit www. aimclinics.com or stop by AIM’s new clinic at 2846 N Garland Avenue, Fayetteville, AR 72704.

AIM Clinics’ first location opened in Bryant in February 2018. In just a few short months, AIM’s team found themselves traveling to every corner of the state to provide ABA therapy to families in need. This demand has led Sheri to move again, this time to Fayetteville, to work directly with kids in Northwest Arkansas. AIM’s new clinic in Fayetteville opens on April 1 and clinics in Little Rock and Norman, OK will follow in late April. “We’ve had so much interest from families in Northwest Arkansas. I’m very excited to become a part of this community and serve the children and families in this area and throughout the State of Arkansas,” Sheri said.

After three years of ABA therapy, Aimee saw a tremendous difference. She said, “Jonathan isn’t just talking, but forming complete sentences and having conversations. He plays with blocks, trucks and other toys properly and his imaginative play has exploded! Jonathan’s even begun to develop friendships, and is now quite the flirt. He’s also turned into a great reader. I am positive, without

a doubt, if it hadn’t been for ABA and Sheri, my son would still be non-verbal, shaking things in his hand and spinning around in circles. ABA and Sheri gave my son not only a chance, but also patience, love and understanding. Jonathan has come so far!”

Capture Me Photography by Nicole

CLASSIC CHILDREN’S TALES COME TO LIFE IN THE GARDEN!

April 27 • 3 to 7 pm

Tickets available at bgozarks.org

peekaboonwa.com

44 April 2019

500 SE Plaza Avenue Bentonville, Arkansas

FACTS How to Choose the Right Summer Camp

By Dwain Hebda

Summer is nearly upon us and, with it, the annual migration of kids to camp. We asked two experienced camp leaders – Austin Orman with the Boys and Girls Club of Benton County and Megan Perez with PIXEL,™ which hosts NERDIES™ camp in Rogers – for their best suggestions for families seeking that perfect summer camp experience.

FACT #1:

Look for organizational values matching your own. The values of the sponsoring organization can tell you a lot about the environment they create for young campers. “Look at the core values and standards that our Club has,” Orman said. “We promote core values each year of fun, safety, communication, stewardship and belonging. Those five pillars make up the umbrella of inclusion that we are really passionate about.” “It’s also part of our culture to be very active with our kids. It’s very important that we’re outside, we’re going on field trips once a week and have different types of events and theme weeks.” 46 April 2019

FACT #2:

Consider what the child wants, but stay involved in the decision. It goes without saying that you should consider your child’s interests when selecting a camp, but don’t surrender your input, especially for first-timers. Exposing children to new experiences promotes personal growth, so look for a diversity of programming even among camps focusing on a specific area, like science or the arts. “Parents should look for educational readiness to make sure standards are kept up from the most recent school year, in order to keep kids prepared and ready for the next grade,” Orman said. “We want to have a lot of fun, but if you’re not working on those academic skills for three months, that can be very detrimental for a kid. We have planned reading time in our learning center, and we also incorporate a lot of educational games.”

FACT #3:

Find a camp that fits everybody’s life. Grown-up schedules don’t stop just because school is out. When deciding between summer camps, parents need to be realistic about how one or the other fits into everyone’s lifestyle. “First, consider the date. Will you be on vacation in June? If so, strike June offerings off your list. If you’re a single parent with shared custody, think about when your summer visit will take place,” Perez said. “Second, check the location. What’s realistic for you in terms of the commute? How far are you willing to drive?” “Finally, consider time of day. Some camps don’t start until 9AM, and it can be difficult for working parents to finish drop-off at 9:30AM and leave at 4PM to pick up the child. More camps are adding before- and after-care; be sure you understand any additional costs for these services.”

FACT #4:

Be sure to ask for cost-saving options. Summer programs represent an expense, and there’s nothing wrong with inquiring about available

discounts. Many camps offer reduced rates, especially for middle- to lower-income campers. “Cost is a major consideration, but don’t let cost be your first consideration,” Perez said. “We often see costs split among family members, such as grandparents or aunts and uncles chipping in. There are often scholarships and reduced tuition programs based on household income. These support programs aren’t always advertised, so be sure to ask the camp coordinator.” “It’s very important to us that families can afford tuition,” Ormand said. “We offer a number of scholarships. If there’s a foster child or an adopted child, they automatically get free tuition in our program. That’s something we really stand behind and we’re proud to be able to do that.”

FACT #5: Ask around. Programs live

and die by their reputation to deliver safe, funfilled experiences. A little asking around or light

browsing online will yield a wealth of information from other families. “Take to social media. Look for reviews and check in on the reputation of the camp. Ask other parents, both in person and through your social networks,” Perez said. “Many businesses’ Facebook pages or websites have reviews, including of the camps themselves and the host locations. These are just some of the things to consider when choosing the right camp for your child.”

New Women’s Only

Physical Therapy Clinic

Opens at Willow Creek Women’s Hospital

women’s-only physical therapy clinic has opened next to Willow Creek Women’s Hospital. Located in the medical office building by the hospital, Northwest Medical Center’s Women’s Health Studio at Willow Creek is located at 5501 Willow Creek Drive, Suite 203, in Johnson. Among the services provided at the PT Clinic are therapies to strengthen the pelvic floor and other female-specific issues. A certified lymphedema therapist is also available. Other conditions and issues treated include arthritis, balance disorders, headaches, fibromyalgia, sports injuries, vertigo, and stroke, as well as acute and chronic pain. “We’re pleased to be able to open this women’s-only physical therapy clinic with an all-female staff of therapists,” said Juli McWhorter, Chief Administrative Officer of Willow Creek Women’s Hospital. “Physical and occupational therapy can help women reduce or eliminate pain, recover from injury, improve mobility, and even avoid surgery.” Physical and occupational therapists utilize techniques including therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, functional training, dry needling, biofeedback and other treatments as needed in order to assist each patient with reaching their goals and returning to their prior functional level. They can also prevent further loss of mobility by developing wellness and home exercise programs for a healthier, more active lifestyle. A physician referral is required for physical therapy services, which are often covered by insurance. To reach Northwest Medical Center’s Women’s Health Studio at Willow Creek, call (479) 757-2070.

48 April 2019

This is Northwest Health’s fourth physical therapy facilities which together provide these services: · One-on-one evaluations and treatments · Lymphedema Management by a Certified Lymphedema Therapist · Custom Splinting · Dry needling by a Certified Dry Needling provider · Joint mobilization · Soft tissue mobilization · Manual Therapy · Therapeutic exercise · Neuromuscular reeducation · Injury prevention · Kinesiology taping · Fall prevention · Vestibular rehabilitation · Gait training · Total joint rehabilitation · Pre- and post-operative care

Ifseethey can it, they can be it. Celebrating five years of championing diversity and inclusion in entertainment.

Get tickets at bentonvillefilmfestival.com

Flu

and...

Shots? S

o, looks like we’re all out of the woods, after enduring yet another round of the Great Winter Plague. No flu shots this year--their effectiveness always seems a bit suspect, and my kids are getting big enough that the success rate of the giant-bear-hug-in-the-doctor’s-office-to-holdthem-down is lower. While they are very much still afraid of shots, they are also much stronger than they used to be. Instead, I tried taking a leisurely stroll down a certain local big box company’s aisles to find non-intravenous help - only to find a staggering number of flu “remedies.” I lost count at a gazillion. Seriously, there’s at least 50 feet of aisle dedicated to flu meds, but only two feet of space dedicated to antibacterial wipes. Remember folks, prevention is better than a cure. We tried a new antidote around my abode this year: “natural” (a pessimist, I am) black elderberry in tablet or liquid form. And it seemed to work; or at least gave us false hope and a really terrible aftertaste. Our kids were super suspicious of, and not at all enthused about, this new solution for the flu. A dear friend of mine even made her own special elderberry concoction that she would hand-deliver in really rad old school pharmacy bottles! She’s a smart cookie (and also makes darn good cookies #howsweetishomemade) and would leave the libation on the porch instead of 50 April 2019

entering the infestation area. It was kind of like the milkman – you wake up and find a li’l homemade happy sauce waiting for you at your doorstep. I’ve also heard that some folks make elderberry wine, so I’m pushing her to expand her product assortment next year. All of this plant-based potion talk made me reminisce about my grandmother’s home remedy that she used to give my cousins and me when we were young. You see, oftentimes my parents would let me visit my grandma’s house (they ditched me) so I could bond (and they could get hammered) and watch television with her (on all three channels). Now, I was a snot-nosed-little-brat that occasionally would get a snotty nose or cold while I was at her home. My grandmother’s cure for a cold or a cough or a fever or the flu or a stomach ache or a concussion or a broken leg was found in an old amber bottle in the back of the fridge. On the front was a label that had been worn down after years and years of use. The words were no longer legible, so my grandmother would simply refer to this fix-all pharmaceutical as “Shake-a Shake-a Orange.” She would give me (and/or my cousins) two tablespoons of cold, orange awesomeness and off to bed we would go. The next morning, I would wake up in my own bed, since my parents had literally picked me up and taken me home while I was asleep (we lived just a few blocks away). Okay, McFly, let’s jump in the time machine and

go forward a few dozen years to 2012. Prior to heading out on an absurdly frigid morning to duck hunt, a friend gave me his own exclusive elixir. This one, appropriately found in a Mason jar, was also definitely designed to make you feel better. After shooting a lot of shells, but no ducks, my nearlycryogenically frozen buddies and I returned to our cabin and the unopened Mason jar. At this point I would have downed a shot of gasoline with a chaser of fire to warm myself up, so the probably organic and definitely alcoholic contents interested me greatly. The lid was stuck, as the brew definitely had a sticky sweetness to it. Finally prying open the top, I drank in the homemade hooch – and when I did – BAM! IT TASTED EXACTLY LIKE SHAKE-A SHAKE-A ORANGE! You see, the illicit liquid in the Mason jar and the contents of the old amber bottle at Grandma’s house were the same – both were peach schnapps. I was completely shocked, amazed, frazzled, confused and in need of some validation or confirmation from my cousins. Upon reaching

one of them, I explained the entire story with the tone of “Oh-my-gosh-can-you-freaking-believethis?!” The response I got was “You idiot, you just figured that out?” Seems I was the only one in the dark on the magic ingredients found in the dark amber bottle. Still confused, I asked why our grandmother would give us alcohol when we were sick. My cousin explained “She didn’t want to deal with a sick kid, so she gave us schnapps to knock us out. Then our parents would pick us up and have to take care of us.” As usual, I’m the slow one, both literally and figuratively. Unfortunately, Grandma’s gone, and so is the glorious and notorious bottle of Shake-a Shake-a Orange. It’s probably for the best, as I might be inclined to try it on my kids; however, these days, society tends to get a little surly about parents utilizing such methods... though it is less so about grandparents. After all, someday I may have grandkids myself!

ur O g n i t a y r a Celebr s r ve i n n A r a e tion Y a c e o n L O w e N r u in o

We want to thank our patients for their great support for Best Start Pediatrics. We also want to thank our friendly and loyal staff for their commitment to excellence with every patient!

52 April 2019

peekaboonwa.com

www.restorethehome.com | Instagram: @restorethehomenwa | Facebook: @restorethehomellc

with Lauren Smothers Founder and Organizer

Tips and Tricks

. . How to Organize . “A space without containers is like spaghetti without a bowl”

Your Pantry

Pantries are a great place to start if you are in the mood to get your home organized. They’re pretty straight-forward when it comes to the contents and organizational products, and they can be quite the catalyst if you’re lacking motivation to tackle other spaces! In this issue, I am sharing pantry organization tips and tricks, my go-to products, and where I go to to buy them! I hope this gives you inspiration and motivation to tackle your own pantry, and I would love to see how yours turns out.

Toss any food that is expired, or that will not be eaten.

Organize your food by category: breakfast, snacks, pastas, canned goods, baking goods, etc. Use containers and organizational products to give each of these categories a place to belong. {Keep in mind, containers are not one-size-fits-all. Be intentional with the containers you select based on your shelving dimensions and layout goals.}

. . .

Place your food items on the shelves that make sense for their usage: Food for the kids down low, dinner and everyday foods in the center, and baking goods up high. Store serving dishes and items that are not used often up top. Store items like lunch boxes, reusable bags, and miscellaneous things in baskets along the floor or lower shelving. This will keep them contained and from cluttering up valuable shelf space.

Take the few extra moments to put things back where and how they should go. Small habit changes like this will keep your spaces tidy once you have organized them!

Lauren’s Go-To Pantry Products Clear Bins | Food Storage Lazy Susan Turntables | Oils & Vinegars Tiered Organizers | Cans & Jars Wicker Baskets | Large Chip Bags & Miscellaneous Items

Lauren’s Go-To Stores For Pantry Products: 54 April 2019

Amazon The Container Store Bed Bath & Beyond

Private & Group Therapy For Students With Learning Differences We offer •

• • •

• •

Customized treatment for students diagnosed with various forms of Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, ADD, ADHD, Autism Spectrum and other processing disorders Comprehensive therapy for students with dyslexia using the “Take Flight” program Reading, Comprehension, Writing, Grammar, Spelling, Vocabulary Math including Addition/Subtraction, Multiplication/Division, Fractions, Decimals, Percents, Algebra I & II Study Skills 2 Certified Academic Licensed Therapists (CALT) with over 40 years experience

Enroll now in our new Summer Multisensory Math Class AMLTherapy.com Email: Info@AMLTherapy.com Phone: 346-704-2062

Fay Jones School of Architecture + Design

DESIGN CAMP University of Arkansas // 2019

The Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design is hosting camps this summer on the University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville and at the Scott Family Amazeum in Bentonville. The U of A Fayetteville location features basic and advanced groups, with a residential option. Architecture, landscape architecture and interior design faculty lead hands-on projects, tours and discussions. Design Camp students work closely with faculty and collaborate with peers in a fun and creative studio environment as they explore the design process and learn about the design professions. Fayetteville Camp 1 June 10-14 University of Arkansas (entering grades 9-12)

Fayetteville Camp 2 July 8-12 University of Arkansas (entering grades 9-12)

Bentonville Camp June 24-28 Scott Family Amazeum (ages 6-12)

For details and updates: fayjones.uark.edu/news-and-events/design-camp.php Follow us @FayJonesSchool

2019

Camp Guide

PREVIEW

Code Ninjas 1501 SE Walton Blvd Suite 115, Bentonville www.codeninjas.com Transform your child’s love for technology and video games into an exciting learning adventure. Code Ninjas Camps offer an immersive environment for children to explore and develop new skills, gain confidence, and have fun with friends. It’s an unforgettable experience! Watershed Summer Camp irwp.org We hope you will join us at camp this summer! We will be exploring different ecosystems in Northwest Arkansas, participating in interactive, nature-based activities, and taking a field trip to Lake Fayetteville Environmental Study Center! Cost: $160 per camper per week. Monday through Friday, 8:45-4:00. Ages 7+

Girl Scouts Camp www.girlscoutsdiamonds.org Girls grades 1-12 will attend a week of resident camp, experiencing 68 hours of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. It’s a place where every girl explores the joys of camping and being outside, discovers independence and selfreliance, learns new skills, makes lifelong friends, experiences group living and compromise, has fun, expands self-confidence, shares dreams and laughter, and much more, all within a set of controlled, safe boundaries.

Here are a few of our favorite camps for kids this year! The full guide can be found in the May issue of Peekaboo and online at www.peekaboonwa.com

Want to see your camp listed? Email editor@peekaboonwa.com to be a part of this amazing resource for parents across Northwest Arkansas!

School of Rock 2603 W Pleasant Grove Rd Suite 106 Rogers 479-936-8838 bentonvillerogers.schoolofrock.com Save 15% when you use the code PEEKABOO SCHOOL OF ROCK offers rock music camps for musicians of all skill levels who play guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, and vocals. Students ages 7-18 can develop their musicianship and learn new skills in a creative and fun environment. Our camps emphasize live performance through workshops, clinics, and group rehearsals, where students learn about playing together in a band and developing stage presence. Our camps are a great introduction to School of Rock, or a perfect complement to our year-round program. Second City Camps Walton Arts Center waltonartscenter.org Back for a second year! Teaching artists from The Second City will lead three different camps. No experience is required, fun is guaranteed! Second City Improv/Sketch Camp (ages 11-18) July 15-26.

SUP NWA Bentonville supnwa.com (479) 426-3793

JOIN THE FUN!

Be Active Summer Camps Fayetteville www.fayetteville-ar.gov The goal of Be Active! Summer Camps each year is to provide healthy, fun, and educational activities for campers age 5-15 years. We strive to create an environment where your child has an enthralling experience fostering life-long participation in sports and recreational activities. Regardless of experience in outdoor recreation or sports, each child is welcome and encouraged to participate in our summer camps. Outdoor adventure, soccer camp, drama camp and more!

Kaleidoscope 900 SE Village Loop Bentonville dancewithkda.com Join KDA for a wide variety of summer dance camps. All camps include dancing, crafts, snacks, fun and more! Groups will be divided according to age.

Trike Theatre, 209 NE 2nd St. Bentonville, www.triketheatre.org Trike’s 2019 Summer Camps: Register now and create memories that will last a lifetime. Fine arts camps, production camps, and young actors camps! From Paw Patrol Camp to Harry Potter Camp to Shakespeare Camp, there is something for every child ages PreK-12th grade.

Rogers Activity Center

Summer Day Camp and Summer Sports Camps 315 West Olive Street www.rogersarkansas.com/recreation

Choose the weeks you want. Camps run from 6:30AM to 6:30PM. 1st through 7th grade. Field trips, fun activities, breakfast, lunch and snack! Also offering Summer Sports Camps to enhance your child’s skills in their favorite sport.

NWACC Kid’s College www.nwacc.edu/workforce/kidscollege/ NWACC Kid’s College 2019 offers numerous fun, educational short-term courses for two age groups: 9-12 and 13-16! Classes tend to range from computer coding, robotics, and political simulations to global cuisine, painting and more! There are a variety of great options allowing young students to experience the excitement of being on a college campus while learning about topics that ignite their passion.

Infiniti www.infinitiathletics.com Summer program at Club iNFiNiTi providing full-time youth activities ALL SUMMER LONG! The experience your children will have this summer in being a part of CLUB iNFiNiTi will create memories that will last a lifetime while accommodating parents’ busy schedules. During our summer camp program, we use our full facility, and include field trips each week. We make sure all of our students are having great life experiences, having fun, staying fit and meeting new friends in a safe environment! Monday-Friday 8:00AM-6:00PM (7:00AM drop off available). Multi-child discounts, weekly field trips (average 3 days per week), and snack included every day. peekaboonwa.com

2019

Camp Guide

PREVIEW

Amazeum 1009 Museum Way, (J St & Museum Way) Bentonville www.Amazeum.org Amazeum summer camps specialize in curiosity! Our unique week-long summer camps are the perfect place to unleash your child’s curiosity to explore and make new discoveries. Summer camps offer hands-on, STEAM-focused fun that encourages your camper to be a creative explorer. Camps Include: You(do) Tube, Invention 101, Girls Steam, Unraveling the Unknown, and more.

Imagine Studios SUMMER ART CAMPS 2019 at Imagine Studios 479-619-6085 imaginestudiosnwa.com Fire up your creativity and join the summer fun! At Imagine Studios, campers will expand their imaginations as we explore the world of art. We’ve got so many themes that your budding artist will be sure to find inspiration with us! Half-day, full day, and evening camps available. Under the Sea, Muggles, Magic & Mayhem, Mad Scientist, Creations in Clay, Fairy Garden Party, Beach Bums, and more! 60 April 2019

Community Creative Center communitycreativecenter.org

New Life Ranch 918-422-5506 160 New Life Ranch Dr. Colcord, OK www.newliferanch.com

Camp Bright Haven 1110 Mathias Dr, Ste F, Springdale www.brighthavenshines.com Tuition: $140/week. Ages 5-11. 5/28/20198/9/2019. Morning and afternoon snacks provided. Engaging learning activities encouraging discovery. Fun themes planned for each week. Safety is our number one priority. For information, lakyn@brighthavenshines.com

Climb Bentonville Summer Camp 801 SW 14th St | Bentonville, climbbentonville.com 479.326.8521 Learn the ropes, climb new heights, make great friends, and have an incredible adventure next summer at Climb Bentonville’s Summer Camp! Ages 6-12. Instruction from enthusiastic, expert climbing staff with over 10 years of experience running summer camps. Teambuilding activities, games, and objectives that will encourage kids to make new and meaningful friendships. Kids experience a comfortable and secure environment; fun and challenging physical activity; age-appropriate, structured lesson plans; and enhanced coordination, strength, mobility, and mental focus. A chance to overcome adversity and build goal setting skills, and an unforgettable, fun, and adventurous experience.

EXPERT SKIN CARE FOR YOUR WHOLE FAMILY NWA’S LEADING EXPERTS in Dermatology

FAYETTEVILLE • BENTONVILLE • HARRISON

479.718.SKIN

| ADVANCEDSKINMD.COM

2019

Camp Guide

Community Creative Center communitycreativecenter.org

PREVIEW

ATA Martial Arts Fayetteville – 479.443.5425 Bentonville – 479.273.1212 Most amazing and original summer camp ever! Make new friends! Martial Arts Action! Pizza Party! Bullying Prevention! Board Breaking Tricks! Games!

Amazeum 1009 Museum Way, (J St & Museum Way) Bentonville www.Amazeum.org Amazeum Summer Camps specialize in curiosity! Our unique week-long summer camps are the perfect place to unleash your child’s curiosity to explore and make new discoveries. Summer Camps offer hands-on STEAM-focused fun that encourage your camper to be a creative explorer. Camps Include: Sweet Science, Imaginate & Create, ARK-eology, Gadgets and Gizmos, Animaker, 3D Animaker, Girls STEAM: Dream Big, Superhero Academy

Climb Bentonville Summer Camp 801 SW 14th St | Bentonville, climbbentonville.com 479.326.8521 Learn the ropes, climb new heights, make great friends and have an incredible adventure next summer at Climb Bentonville’s Summer Camp! Ages 6-12. Instruction from enthusiastic, expert SUMMER ART CAMPS 2017 at climbing staff with over 10 years of Imagine Studios experience running summer camps. Team 479-619-6085 building activities, games, and objectives imaginestudiosnwa.com that will encourage kids to make new and Fire up your creativity and join the summer fun! meaningful friendships. A comfortable and At Imagine Studios, campers will expand their secure environment. Fun and challenging imaginations as we explore the world of art. physical activity. Age-appropriate, We’ve got so many themes that your budding structured lesson plans. Enhanced artist will be sure to find inspiration with us! coordination, strength, mobility, andSte mental 100 West Center, 101 Harry Pottery, Under the Sea, Crafty Chicks, focus. A chance to overcome adversity and Fayetteville and More!! Weekly 1/2 day sessions are offered build goal setting skills. An unforgettable, www.davidadams.com 479-444-7778 in the morning and afternoons Monday through fun, and adventurous experience. Thursday.

Imagine Studios

62 April 2019

Rick’s Bakery Streetside Studio Summer Camps 1220 N College Avenue, Fayetteville, 479-442-2166 Ext. 1 Campers will learn basic decorating techniques, take a behind-the-scenes tour, and will be able to take home all of their goodies to share. Plus, each camper will get a T-shirt. Each two-day session is $75 plus tax.

The Little Gym 2603 W. Pleasant Grove, Suite 118, Rogers, AR 479-636-5566 Little Gym’s expert instructors fill each threehour camp day with fitness and fun. Obstacle courses challenge them. Arts and crafts engage them. And group activities, snack time and special events give them time to interact and build their social skills – all in a non-competitive, nurturing environment.

High Pointe Performing Arts highpointe.dance Trolls Camp: June 17-20, Ages: 3-10 Each dancer will begin camp by getting their face painted, then moving into class to work on flexibility and technique. Each dancer will learn two routines to perform in front of parents and friends. Snacks and crafts will be provided each day.

Engineering Summer Camps at the UA College of Engineering, Fayetteville engineering-camps.uark.edu

Li’l Blazers Academy Youth Basketball Camp www.arkansasblazers.org The Li’l Blazers Academy is the gateway into our Arkansas Blazers Basketball Program for girls/boys K thru 5th grade. Our camp is designed to teach the fundamentals of basketball. Shooting, dribbling, defense and passing are some of the things that will be covered over the 4-week duration of our camp. At the conclusion of each camp, we pick campers who we believe have what it takes to compete on our fall competitive travel teams.

Experience Robotics www.experiencerobotics.com Curriculum is designed and delivered by certified engineering and science teachers with the assistance of college and high school students enrolled in STEM programs. Campers learn about the design process and sharpen their problem-solving skills. Experience Robotics offers one-week day camps in Bentonville, Arkansas. Campers have the opportunity to explore areas of science, engineering and technology while learning project management skills in a supportive team setting.

First Tee of Northwest Arkansas Summer Golf Camp www.thefirstteenorthwestarkansas.org The First Tee of NWA offers several camps throughout the summer. Each day will feature lessons for putting, short game, full swing, fun games and golf course play on our simulator, lessons on rules and etiquette and time on the course. Camps are for ages 7-9 and 10-18.

Camps focused on engineering and robotics for students in grades 1st - 11th.

peekaboonwa.com

2019

Camp Guide

PREVIEW

Camp Acacia 9345 WPA Road Gentry (479) 466-2006 info@CampAcacia.org At Camp Acacia, we approach each camper with positive regard and work hard to gain insight into what makes them tick so we can create experiences, and provide care, that meets each camper’s specific needs. We are a group of people dedicated to providing therapeutic residential camping services for children with disabilities, seeking to pursue truth and integrity, and committed to increasing quality of life of the children we serve, their families, and our people in the process.

Fay Jones School of Architecture + Design

Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design University of Arkansas, Fayetteville fayjones.uark.edu The Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design offers summer camps in Fayetteville and Bentonville. Architecture, landscape architecture and interior design faculty lead hands-on projects, tours and discussions at each camp. The U of A Fayetteville campus location is for students entering 9th-12th grades and features basic and advanced groups, with a residential option. Fayetteville dates: June 1014 and July 8-12 (both 9AM to 4PM daily). For the first time, camp will be held at the Scott Family Amazeum in Bentonville for students ages 6-12. Bentonville dates: June 24-28 (9AM to 3PM daily). More details at: fayjones.uark.edu Follow us on Instagram and Facebook: @FayJonesSchool

Larson’s Language Center Summer Camp and Summer Club! (Ages 3-13) - 479-633-9900 www.larsonslanguagecenter.com 1730 W. Poplar St. Rogers Learn Spanish while playing! Foreign language, crafts, cooking, games and more! More fun, more language exposure, and more experiences.

Super Science 1034 Reed Valley Rd Fayetteville (479) 444-0303 super-sci.com Super Science one-day camps are most popular with 4- to 12-year-olds. We keep kiddos busy with Estes rocket building and launches, T-REX dinosaur tooth (fossil) casting, a light and laser show, fun science games and more, culminating with all-you-can-eat cotton candy. Yes, there is science behind the invention of cotton candy!

Bentonville Parks & Recreation 479-464-PARK (7275) parks@bentonvillear.com Camp Bentonville is back and ready for a great 2019! From Camp Memorial to Camp Downtown Bentonville, showcasing tennis camps, soccer camps, Abrakadoodle camps and more, you are sure to find a camp that guarantees your child will have a fun-filled summer!

Young Chefs Academy of Rogers 5208 Village Parkway Suite 6 - Rogers (479) 401-2006 youngchefsacademy.com Each fully-immersive, 3-hour / multi-day camp experience will include our most popular camp experiences, with all new recipes, techniques and subject matter. The art of cooking AND the science of baking. Team challenges and competition. One four-course meal or party menu will be created around newfound skills. Basic & NEW culinary techniques, tips and tricks. Tested recipes and curriculum developed by our team of expert chefs. Lessons that are created to encourage creative expression and discoveries. Campers will be introduced to some of the latest trends in the culinary world, taking their creativity to new heights.

Crystal Bridges Summer Camps www.CrystalBridges.org Register now for Crystal Bridges summer camps for kids 6 to 12! Explore the museum galleries and grounds, enjoy art-making and theatre activities, make friends, and have fun! All materials and healthy, nut-free snacks are included in camp fee.

Arts Live Theatre Summer Conservatory 818 North Sang Avenue, Fayetteville, 479.521.4932 info@artslivetheatre.com Arts Live Theatre offers a wide variety of classes, camps and workshops providing actors with theatre education in musical theatre, acting, improv, reader’s theatre, story telling and more.

Bentonville Christian Academy bentonvillechristian.org/academics/ summer-camp/ Summer is a fun season often filled with activities and plenty of outdoor time. It also, unfortunately, can be a time where students lose some of what they learned in the previous school year, and some skills and lessons must be “re-taught” at the start of each school year. At the Bentonville Christian Academy Summer Camp, we take a fun approach to learning, where elementary school students are more likely to retain what they learned the previous school year and even learn new things.

Camp Clover (479) 282-2571 www.clovercommunityschool.org Camp Clover @ Smiling Goat Farm will be held July 22 through August 2 from 8:30AM -1PM, Monday through Friday for ages 5-14. As a working farm school, we will offer nature and gardening activities, animal care lessons, goat yoga, tinkering and science activities, and lots of cool down water play! We will serve a healthy snack in the morning and campers are welcome to bring a brown bag lunch. Cost is $170/week. For more information or an application, email Kimberly@clovercommunityschool.org.

Flip Side Ninja Park flipsideninja.com 213 Grant Place - Lowell, (479) 927-6070 | Monday - Thursday | 10AM - 1PM Ages 5-13 Are you ready for the only Ninja Warrior summer camp in NWA?! We sure are! Learn new obstacles, make great friends, and have a ninja good time this summer! peekaboonwa.com

AUTISM INVOLVES ME

MAY 4 AIM WALK BENTON COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS

BENTONVILLE 10am-1pm

WALK /5K Family WALK/5K Kids Zone Resource Fair Silent Auction Local Food Trucks & more!

WALK/RUN CELEBRATING 10 YEARS

of enhancing the lives of people with autism by connecting the NW Arkansas community through greater awareness and resources.

AIMNWA. ORG/EVENTS

THANK YOU PEEKABOO MAGAZINE FOR YOUR SUPPORT

www.siloamwomenscenter.com

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peekaboonwa.com

Glance At a

ARTS and MUSIC

Amazeum (Pg. 21) (479) 696-9280 Arts Live Theatre (Pg. 41) ArtsLiveTheatre.com Bentonville Film Festival (Pg. 49) BentonvilleFilmFestival.com Imagination Station (Pg. 55) ImaginationStationNWA.com Imagine Studios (Pg. 55) ImagineStudiosNWA.com School of Rock (Pg. 53) (479) 936-8838 Trike Theatre (Pg. 20) (479) 464-5084 triketheatre.org

BANKS

First National Bank of NWA (Pg. 23) (479) 621-6800 First Security (Pg. 29) www.fsbank.com; www.onlyinark.com

CAMPS

Amazeum (Pg. 21) (479) 696-9280 Arts Live Theatre (Pg. 41) ArtsLiveTheatre.com Bright Haven Learning Center (Pg. 19) (479) 717-2344 Camp Acacia (Pg. 27) campacacia.org Clover Community School (Pg. 33) clovercommunityschool.org Code Ninjas (Pg. 39) (479) 202-4424 bentonvillear@codeninjas.com Fay Jones School Design Camp (Pg. 57) fayjones.uark.edu/news-and-events/ design-camp.php Girl Scouts (Pg. 48) girlscoutsdiamonds.org/cookies2019 Imagination Station (Pg. 55) ImaginationStationNWA.com Imagine Studios (Pg. 55) ImagineStudiosNWA.com School of Rock (Pg. 53) (479) 936-8838 Trike Theatre (Pg. 20) (479) 464-5084 triketheatre.org

CHILDCARE/NANNY SERVICES

ABC Happy Kids Learning Academy (Pg. 31) (479) 202-5691 abchappykids.com Better Beginnings (Pg. 11) ARBetterBeginnings.com

To advertise email: editor@peekaboonwa.com

DENTIST

Mint Dental Care (479) 385-6308 MintDentalAR.com Pediatric Dental Associates & Orthodontics (479) 582-0600 (Pg. 4)

DERMATOLOGY / SKIN CARE

Advanced Dermatology (Pg. 61 ) advancedskinMD.com NWA Center for Plastic Surgery (Pg. 2) (479) 571-3100 nwacenterforplasticsurgery.com Women’s Health Associates (Pg. 8) (479) 876-8111

EDUCATION/TRAINING

Bright Haven Learning Center (Pg. 19) (479) 717-2344 Clover Community School (Pg. 33) clovercommunityschool.org Code Ninjas (Pg. 39) (479) 202-4424 bentonvillear@codeninjas.com Fay Jones School Design Camp (Pg. 57) fayjones.uark.edu/news-and-events/ design-camp.php First Baptist Christian School (Pg. 41) (479) 878-1052 Helen R. Walton Children’s Enrichment Center (Pg. 69) (479) 273-3552 LISA Academy NWA (Pg. 40) LISAAcademy.org NWACC Kids College (Pg. 17) nwacc.edu/kidscollege Peace Kids (Pg. 37) Peace-Church.org Super Science (Pg. 15) (479) 444-0303 www.super-sci.com Thaden School (Pg. 62) (479) 268-5321

FAMILY FUN / ENTERTAINMENT

Amazeum (Pg. 21) (479) 696-9280 Botanical Garden of the Ozarks (Pg. 43) bgozarks.org Camp Acacia (Pg. 27) campacacia.org Girl Scouts (Pg. 48) girlscoutsdiamonds.org/cookies2019 Starlight Skatium (Pg. 61) (479) 444-STAR Super Science (Pg. 15) (479) 444-0303 www.super-sci.com Trike Theatre (Pg. 20) (479) 464-5084 triketheatre.org

FOOD / DRINK

TCBY (Pg. 3) (479) 636-8229 (TCBY)

To advertise email: editor@peekaboonwa.com

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Arkansas Children's Northwest (Pg. 7) ARchildrens.org/nyla Collier Drug Stores (Pg. 35) collierdrug.com Friendship Pediatric Services (Pg. 44) fccare.org Make-a-Wish (Pg. 33) midsouth.wish.org Mercy Hospital (Pg. 9) mercy.net/peekaboo Northwest Health (Pg. 72) NorthwestHealthHeart.com Revive Medical Spa (Pg. 61) revivemedicalspa.com

INSURANCE

Allstate with Preston Cash (Pg. 24) (479) 777-9157

JEWELRY AND GIFTS

David Adams (Pg. 62) davidadams.com (479) 444-7778

BE A HERO... Zero

8k 5k • dash kids

JOIN PROJECT ZERO’s 1ST fundraiser RACE TO: RAISE ADOPTION AWARENESS, BUILD HOPE IN KIDS who are WAITING TO BE ADOPTED AND CONNECT FOREVER FAMILIES. THERE ARE NEARLY 375 CHILDREN WAITING IN ARKANSAS. OUR MISSION IS SIMPLE, TO FIGHT FOR THOSE CHILDREN & FIND THE RIGHT FOREVER FAMILY, UNTIL THERE ARE ZERO WAITING CHILDREN IN Arkansas!

Sa tu rd ay , AP RI L 27 th Ar ve st Ba ll pa sp ri ng da le rk

Ze ro

8:00 am 5K & 8k start time 8:30 - 12:30 Kids Dash & family fun

sponsors:

https://app.regwiz.io/register/projectzero/573

Zero

LEARNING CENTER/THERAPY

ABC Happy Kids Learning Academy (Pg. 31) (479) 202-5691 abchappykids.com Academic Math and Language Therapy (Pg. 56) (479) 253-3256 www.amltherapy.com Autism in Motion Clinics (Pg. 42) (479) 439-6906 Friendship Pediatric Services (Pg. 44) (479) 524-2456 Sunshine School & Development Center (Pg. 25) nwasunshineschool.org

4th Annual Northwest Arkansas 4th Annual Northwest Arkansas 4th Annual Northwest Arkansas 4th Annual Northwest Arkansas

PEDIATRICIAN

Best Start (Pg. 52) (479) 575-9359 Friendship Pediatric Services (Pg. 44) fccare.org Ozark Pediatrics (Pg. 47) (479) 544-9432

Real Estate

Midtown Real Estate Associates (Pg. 51) (479) 268-5170

WOMEN'S HEALTH

Her Health Clinic at Washington Regional (Pg. 13) (479) 463-5500 Lifespring Women’s Health (Pg. 5) (479) 271-0005 The Perinatal Center (Pg. 16) (479) 268-4979 Siloam Springs Women's Center (Pg. 67) (479) 524-9312 Women's Health Associates (Pg. 45) whanwa.com

100% FUND STAGEIVIVBREAST BREAST CANCER 100%OF OFPROCEEDS PROCEEDS FUND FUND STAGE STAGE CANCER 100% IVIVBREAST 100%OF OFPROCEEDS PROCEEDS FUND RESEARCH STAGE BREASTCANCER CANCER TREATMENT RESEARCH TREATMENT TREATMENT RESEARCH TREATMENT RESEARCH PRESENTED PRESENTEDBY: BY: PRESENTED BY: PRESENTED BY:

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EVENTS EVENTS EVENTS

APRIL 6, 6, 2019 •• 6 6 P.M -- 11 11 P.M. APRIL APRIL 6,2019 2019 • 6P.M P.M - 11P.M. P.M. APRIL 6, 2019 • 6 P.M - 11 P.M. NWA CONVENTION CONVENTION CENTER NWA CENTER NWA CONVENTION 1420 S 48th Street Springdale,CENTER AR 72762 1420 S 48th Street Springdale, AR 72762

SILENT/LIVE AUCTION EVENTS SILENT/LIVE AUCTION

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NWA CONVENTION 1420 S 48th Street Springdale, CENTER AR 72762 1420 S 48th Street Springdale, AR 72762

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FOR TICKET INFORMATION FOR TICKET INFORMATION FORNWAMETS.ORG TICKET INFORMATION VISIT VISIT NWAMETS.ORG VISIT NWAMETS.ORG

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FOR MORE INFORMATION EMAIL info@nwamets.org or call FOR MORE INFORMATION EMAIL info@nwamets.org or call LISA KELLI info@nwamets.org DAVIS 479.644.5258 FORQUINN MORE479.790.4826 INFORMATION| EMAIL or call LISA QUINN 479.790.4826 | KELLI DAVIS 479.644.5258 LISA QUINN 479.790.4826 | KELLI DAVIS 479.644.5258

FOR MORE INFORMATION EMAIL info@nwamets.org or call LISA QUINN 479.790.4826 | KELLI DAVIS 479.644.5258

HELEN R. WALTON CHILDREN’S ENRICHMENT CENTER IS ACCEPTING

early enrollment FOR THE NEW FACILITY

FEATURES: • Chemical free and non-toxic campus • Natural toys • Research based curriculum and developmental assessments • Natural playscapes, walking paths and butterfly garden • Children’s kitchen and garden • Trips to Amazeum

Contact Julie Wilson, Enrollment Coordinator, for more information. 479.273.3552 jwilson@hwccenter.com

April 1st is National Jump in Puddles Jump Day! in AprilMuddy 1st is National ADVERTISEMENT

Host a “Welly Walk” Fundraiser Muddy Puddles Day! in support of pediatric cancer research Host a “Welly Walk” Fundraiser in support of pediatric cancer research

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At Northwest Health, we want every patient to receive the care they need right here in Northwest Arkansas. As a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, our doctors have special access to Mayo Clinic knowledge, expertise and resources at no additional cost. And you get the peace of mind that comes with knowing weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re here for you. Talk with your Northwest Health physician about access to Mayo Clinic expertise right here at home. Call 833-757-WELL (9355) to request an appointment. Or, go to NorthwestHealthSystemNOW.com for more info.