Emerald Coast Parent Magazine March+April 2016

parent Emerald Coast It’s Your MagazineTM

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Executive Health & Wellness Center Raising the bar in

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March+April 2016

contents

6 9 INSIDE THIS ISSUE

FAMILY BUILDERS

6

25

Ways to Connect Kids and 9 Surefire Grandparents via Technology:

YOUR FAMILY’S HEALTH

Glued to the Screen:

Parents should be aware of the amount of time spent in front of the screen and the types of games their kids play.

Grandparent relationships are special but, unfortunately, they can’t always take place in close proximity.

10

Ten Tidy Reasons to Get ​Cleaning Help: For a modest monthly investment,

you can be sitting in a sparkling clean home.

17

A Dozen Memory Makers to Add to Your Easter Celebration: This year,

mix in some kid-friendly fun with your traditional celebration.

42 Teen Talk:

Helpful Advice from One Teen to Another

Spark up some lively conversation with your kids. Take the FamilyChatter Challenge.

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Family Chatter..................................................................... 26 That’s Good to Know!....................................................... 28 Show Her You Care, Show Him You Care........ 29-30 Teach Your Kids Something New..................................32 Snacks—Recipes for tasty get-togethers................. 37 Crafts—Get creative with your kids.............................40

19

Living life to its fullest begins with staying healthy, fit and safe.

5 Spring Allergy Mistakes.................................................21 Food Allergies.......................................................................... 22

Family FUN GUIDE

43

Get to know the people, places and things that make this coast special!

Seasonal Events..................................................................44 The Arts...................................................................................44 Sounds Fun............................................................................45 Runs, Walks & Golf..............................................................45 Recurring Local................................................................... 46 Volunteer................................................................................ 46

26 FamilyChatter 3/3/16 9:38 AM

parent Emerald Coast It’s Your MagazineTM

Welcome to Emerald Coast Parent magazine. We like to consider this your magazine. We look forward to hearing from local readers like you on a regular basis. Let us know how we might be able to participate in the continued improvement of this beautiful area where we all live and work.

As busy parents ourselves, we place a high value on spending quality time with our children and are always looking for fun crafts, recipes, events and outing opportunities to add to our family calendars.

If you have fun, easy and cost-effective ideas that you'd like to share with our community of readers, please feel free to email them to us at info@itsyourmagazine.com. Your ideas might just end up being featured in an upcoming issue!

Here's a list of things we'd love to receive from you: • Personal stories and pictures of you and your family out and about, enjoying a favorite local attraction, restaurant or event • Recommendations and endorsements of local stores, services and restaurants • Ideas for fun crafts • Your family’s favorite recipes Let’s make this a great local magazine, together!

Thanks, The EC Parent Team

To advertise in Emerald Coast Parent, contact Nathan Wilson: nathanwilson@itsyourmagazine.com Phone: 503-710-1720

Publisher Nathan Wilson Creative Director Rob Williams Snacks & Crafts Editor Tasha Williams © 2015 It’s Your Magazine. All rights reserved.

Emerald Coast Parent content may not be used or reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopy, without the express written permission of the publisher. Emerald Coast Parent is not responsible for the loss of or damage to unsolicited manuscripts, unsolicited artwork or any other unsolicited material. Unsolicited material will not be returned.

It’s Your Magazine and its affiliates, contributors, writers, editors and publisher accept no responsibility for errors or omissions with information and/or advertisements contained herein. It’s Your Magazine’s liability in the event of an error is limited to a printed correction. It’s Your Magazine does not assume liability for products or services advertised herein and assumes no responsibility for claims made by the advertisers.

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GLUED TO THE SCREEN

By Myrna Beth Haskell

Back in the good ol’ days (gosh, I sound like my grandmother), parents just wanted kids home by dark. I don’t remember my mom being worried about my choice of activities, but I do remember there was always a new adventure. If I wasn’t with my next door neighbor building tree houses with twigs, I was probably catching bullfrogs with my older brother. Usually spring fever was rampant when we’d dash home from the bus stop, grab buckets from the garage, and skip out into the woods—a shortcut to the pond.

Today, many kids are holed up in front of a screen, chasing digital monsters or cracking codes to hidden passageways, all within the comfort of their homes. There are no worries about being caught

in a thunderstorm or getting lost in the woods. So, what’s wrong with this picture?

Video gaming is, for the most part, an anti-social exercise, such as solitaire or curling up with a good book. It should be something to do on a rainy day or while waiting for dinner to be served. Instead, many kids get so addicted to video games that they sit in front of the screen every minute of their free time. Does this sound familiar? Is it any different from sitting in front of the TV all night long?

Perhaps video game obsession is due to the interactive aspect and the ability to control the outcome.

Parents should be acutely aware of their children’s video game habits and preferences, just as parents in the '70s used to monitor TV time. It’s not healthy for children or teens to always choose gaming over social activities. Therefore, monitoring the amount of time spent in front of the screen, as well as the types of games their kids are hooked on, is essential.

6 • March+April 2016 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

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Addiction or Pastime?

Some children develop a real addiction for gaming, which goes far beyond the definition of typical pastime enjoyment.

Katie Hurley, LCSW, a child and adolescent psychotherapist, parenting expert, and author of The Happy Kid Handbook: How to Raise Joyful Children in a Stressful World (Tarcher/Penguin, 2015), instructs parents, “Like any addictive behavior, there are signs to look for if you have concerns.” She says that parents should be concerned if their child is exhibiting the following behaviors: • Preoccupation with gaming—talks about it incessantly • Irritability when not playing • Secrecy and dishonesty about gaming time (e.g., pretending to be online to do homework) • Defensive attitude about gaming habits when confronted • Considerable impact on other areas of life (e.g., drop in grades, disinterest in friends, poor hygiene, loss of interest in other activities) • Mood swings (excited while playing and depressed when not playing) • Insufficient sleep

Pearlman asserts, “Parents often overlook excessive gaming because the child is busy and happy. This can be even more true for parents of children with autism or other social disabilities. These children and parents have a difficult existence at times, and gaming can help mediate that. However, children on the spectrum may have a more difficult time walking away from the game and may show more anger when not playing.”

Pearlman explains that children with social disabilities are sometimes able to form relationships through gaming that were otherwise too difficult. This might solidify a child’s obsession because he is finally receiving the attention he has craved. She suggests that parents replace video games with social skills groups or other activities that encourage socialization. For instance, parents can provide an opportunity for their child to be engaged with peers in an activity he desires, such as swimming.

Hurley states, “For a true addiction, a child or teen needs to see a specialist.” She suggests that parents ask their child’s pediatrician for the name of a mental health practitioner who specializes in video game addiction. “Programs like reSTART (www.netaddictionrecovery. com) offer treatment options by trained specialists and include a digital detox combined with family education, life skills development, and transition,” she adds.

Some children develop addiction far beyond typical pastime enjoyment.

Catherine Pearlman, PhD, LCSW, a family therapist and founder of The Family Coach, LLC (www.thefamilycoach.com), agrees.

She warns, “For children who are truly addicted, the gaming is interfering with life, such as lower grades, not eating or sleeping enough in order to play, losing friends, missing events, etc.” If this is the case, Pearlman suggests that a detox period of a week or more, so that the child unplugs completely, will open the door to other activities.

Special Cases For children with autism spectrum disorder and other social disabilities, obsessive behavior towards gaming is very common. Since children with social challenges often find themselves alone and with nothing to do, gaming provides a connection with the outside world because online relationships are easier to navigate.

Give Gaming a Rest How much is too much? A Neilson 360 Gaming Report showed a significant increase (12%) in gaming time (not including other entertainment media) for players 13 and up from 2012 to 2013.

However, young people are glued to screens for a myriad of reasons.

In addition to gaming, kids are involved with social networking on smart phones, computer video games and movies, or watching TV programming. When the amount of time for all of this entertainment media is added up, the statistics are daunting. Therefore, parents should keep an eye on all of their children’s screen activities, not just gaming.

Pearlman suggests a guideline for usage. “In general, older children (late middle school and high school) shouldn’t be playing or staring at a screen for more than two hours per day during the week. Younger children should limit use to no more than thirty minutes.”

Continued on page 8

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Continued from page 17

Be Charitable Make boo-boo bunnies for a local children’s hospital or women’s shelter. You will need a washcloth, rubber band and a plastic ice cube (found on Amazon; Bed, Bath and Beyond; or the Dollar Store). For directions, see sidebar.

Create mini Easter baskets to hand out at the senior centers. Use baskets from the Dollar Store and fill with hard candy, hand lotions, a magnifying glass, slipper socks or a large type deck of cards.

Make Easter s’mores in a jar to pass out to neighbors and friends. You will need one pint jar with lid, 1 sleeve of crushed graham crackers, 1 ¼ cups of M & M candies, 1/3 cup of brown sugar and 8 bunny peeps. Arrange dry ingredients in the jar and place bunny peeps around the jar facing out. Cover with lid or fabric and attach gift tag (see sidebar) with instructions.

Mix in some kid-friendly fun with your traditional celebration.

Do Something as a Family

Watch Easter shows like “It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown,” “Hop,” “Here Comes Peter Cottontail” or “Veggie Tales – An Easter Carol.” For older kids you may want to also include “Easter Parade” or “The Greatest Story Ever Told.”

Plant jelly beans with your child in the garden or flower beds. When they are asleep, the jelly beans will sprout into lollipops (with a little help from Mom and Dad).

Find Those Easter Baskets Show the kids evidence of the Easter Bunny’s visit by making a jelly bean trail from your child’s bedroom door to her Easter basket. If you have pets, be sure to have

New twists on the traditional Easter egg hunt Add glow sticks or bracelets to create a glow-in-thedark egg hunt.

Place a puzzle piece inside each egg; after the hunt, put the puzzle together.

Fill each egg with a number and have a corresponding prize waiting to match up with the egg.

Add a silly request to each egg to be performed by the person who found the egg. For example, “Do the chicken dance” or “Do jumping jacks while reciting the ABCs.” Number each egg and have the kids find them in numerical order. Write the Easter story in short paragraphs and place them in order in the eggs. Read the story as each egg is found.

Designate one egg color for each person and tell them only they can find their color. This allows the eggs to be filled with age-appropriate or allergy-free items for each child.

them sleep with you that night to keep them from eating your trail.

Hunt for Easter baskets by leaving clues. Start with a note on your child’s bedroom door leading him to different clue spots around the house; let him find the Easter basket in a crazy place like inside the dryer or tucked behind the couch.

Attach a piece of different-colored yarn around each child’s doorknob. Take the string down the hall and through the house, wrapping it around chairs, inside closets and under couches to lead them to their Easter basket that is hidden somewhere in the house. v Pam Molnar is a freelance writer and mother of two teens and a tween.

Despite their age, her growing children still enjoy these kid-friendly traditions.

Gift tag for Easter s’mores Remove bunny peeps from the jar and cut in small pieces using scissors. Mix bunny pieces and dry ingredients from the jar in a large bowl. Add ½ cup melted butter and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Press mixture into a greased 8” square pan and cook for 15 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool and cut into bars. Enjoy!

18 • March+April 2016 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

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By Gayla Grace

Surefire Ways to Connect Kids and Grandparents via Technology Don't you love watching your kids interact with your parents? Grandparent relationships are special but, unfortunately, they can't always take place in close proximity.

My children have never lived in the same town as their grandparents, but we've always encouraged relationships between them.

Through technology, children have a variety of options to stay connected to their grandparents, regardless of where they live. Here are a few ideas: 1. Skype— Skype is a fun way for your kids to visually connect.

All you need is a personal computer with an Internet connection and a built-in or clip-on camera. Download the Skype application for free and connect with any other Skype user. It's a great way for your children to personally connect with their grandparents as

they see each other while talking. I love the idea of my kids using Skype to demonstrate a science project or show off pictures from a cheerleading competition.

2. Texting— Most tweens and teens carry cell phones and text with each other nonstop. You might need to encourage your children's grandparents to begin the texting routine, but once they develop the habit, they'll discover how easy it is to fire off a text and find out what's happening with their grandchild. One grandmother who texts frequently with her grandchildren says, "The best part of texting with my grandkids is receiving a text at the end of the day that says 'I love you.'" Texting allows kids to let go of the "coolness" factor and have a meaningful conversation with their grandparents.

3. Instagram— Social media sites abound in the tween/teen world and Instagram is one site used often by kids and adults. It offers grandparents a unique way to keep up with pictures their Continued on page 16

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By Christina Katz

TEN TIDY REASONS TO GET CLEANING HELP

I have no idea why I was so stubborn about asking for help in the first place. But now, for a modest monthly investment, here I sit in a sparkling clean home, thanks to the focused and swift efforts of a cleaning service.

Suddenly I am an evangelist for housecleaners everywhere! I want to spread the good news to overworked parents whose toilet bowls could use a good scrub, whose dust-bunnies are starting to organize, and whose children are grumbling about their friends’ homes being a lot “nicer.”

I want to tell them, “Hey, if you have two working parents under one roof, you can probably afford (and just might rejoice if you had) a bit of extra help around the house. You might think you shouldn’t or you couldn’t but you definitely should and you probably can. And here are ten good reasons why: 1. Don’t worry about idle hands. In case you are concerned that you will suddenly have nothing else to do if your home is regularly cleaned, I can assure you that you will still have ample chores to divide and conquer. After all, the seasons will still turn. The pets, yard and garden will not suddenly start taking care of themselves.

Your children will not become angels overnight. Your husband, if he is anything like mine, may never find the clothes hamper. Clutter will still accumulate and need to be purged. I’m sure you get the picture.

2. Get wiser at your day job. Burdens are funny things. They drag along with us invisibly everywhere we go, including throughout our workday. So that sink full of dirty dishes waiting for you when you get home probably is bothering you. Worse, it might be distracting you from matters at hand. But with increased order under your roof, dishes are easier to keep up with, life goes more smoothly in general, and decision-making becomes easier.

3. Spend to save. You know the expression, “You have to spend money to make money”? Once your home is clean and orderly, it will suddenly make perfect sense. Go ahead and invest the money in your family’s happiness now, and reap the dividends of your investment for the long run. Besides, having a clean home will likely inspire you to stay home more, rather than trying to escape a messy house, which will also save you money.

4. Be less stressed around your family. If your old favorite past-time was snapping at everyone to pick up, put that away, and don’t leave that for me to clean up, you will be pleasantly surprised when the regular appearance of cleaners motivates the entire family to pitch in and get things tidy. If anyone drags their feet when it’s time to get ready for the help that is on the way, remind them that the cleaners can’t work their magic in a cluttered or messy space. Your family members will get things picked up and put away, pronto!

Continued on page 12

10 • March+April 2016 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

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5. Spruce up your living space. Thanks to the several hours of labor that you have delegated to others, you will suddenly find yourself viewing your old digs with brand new eyes. You may start flipping through home décor magazines. You may sense that your kitchen walls could use a fresh coat of paint or notice that your teenage daughter has outgrown her pink princess décor. And you will likely have the energy to act on these inclinations in playful and expansive ways.

I have no idea why I was so stubborn about asking for help in the first place.

6. Invite people over. Your old logic: you had an un-presentable house and you didn’t want others to know it. Your new logic: you have a neat and tidy house, and you remember how much you liked people before you became overly concerned about whether they would judge your housekeeping habits. Party time!

7. Invest in meal preparation. Grab-a-bite syndrome abounds in families with two working parents. But everyone knows that fast food, and worse, inhaling your food on the run, leads to poor food choices, weight gain, and a stressful sense of rush-rush-rush. Now that your home is clean, you can do better. What is easy and delicious to make? Soup. Casseroles. Crock-pot meals. Breakfast for dinner.

Even grocery store takeout is better than dining on the dash. Fill your place with the smell of home-cooked meals.

8. Finally! Time to exercise. Cleaning burns calories but it’s not aerobic. And we all need at least thirty minutes of moderate exercise five times a week or twenty minutes of vigorous exercise three times a week to stay fit according to the American Heart Association. If you need to lose weight, just eat less and exercise more. The AHA also recommends strength training twice a week.

Get a move on, lift some weights, and you’ll fit back into those “skinny” jeans in no time.

9. Become an interesting person again. Remember all the things you used to like to do before your chaotic house drained all your energy? Meeting the girls for a chick flick, enjoying a nice leisurely stroll with the family, painting and scrapbooking are all things you will have time for again when you have a clean home.

You might even discover some brand new things you’d love to try.

10. Your creative juices will flow. Now that you have a little extra time, consider how you’d like to spend it. Creativity isn’t just about art and culture; it’s the way we respond to life. Give yourself permission to innovate, riff and dare. Cut loose and have more fun.

All of these benefits for the affordable price of a cleaning service?

You probably think I am exaggerating. But you will never know for sure, unless you explore your options.

Why not call a cleaning service today and let them give you a quote? The cost is probably more affordable than you think. v 12 • March+April 2016 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

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GET YOUR HOME CLEANER-READY When cleaners arrive, make sure nothing is in their way. Tackle this chore list before your trusty cleaners arrive: Pets: Clean litter boxes. Remove all pet bed covers for shaking out and washing. Put pets out of the way while the cleaners are working.

Laundry: Start the laundry twenty-four hours before the cleaners arrive. Begin in the bedrooms and strip all the beds. Grab all the dirty clothes that have been slung hither and yon. Grab all the towels, mats and washcloths. Check under beds for stray, balled-up socks.

Kitchen: Make sure all pans are hand-washed and put away. Load the dishwasher or hand-wash all dirty dishes.

Occasionally run sponges and cleaning brushes through the dishwasher or soak them in bleach water. Add kitchen towels and soiled potholders to laundry. Take out any recycling containers, compost, and empty the garbage bin—unless the cleaners will.

Recycling: Gather up all newspapers and cardboard.

If you have a fireplace or woodstove, scoop and discard ashes.

Area Rugs: Remove all small rugs. Either take them outside and shake them out or add them to the laundry.

Christina Katz Author, journalist, and writing coach Christina Katz wrote this article while her home was being cleaned, after she picked up all her husband’s smelly socks and summoned the courage to check under her daughter’s bed.

Make it home. eglinfcu.org/mortgages EC_Parent_March+April_2016.indd 13

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Once you encourage your children’s grandparents to begin a texting routine, they develop the habit. They’ll discover how easy it is to fire off a text and find out what’s happening with their grandchild.

FaceTime allows your kids to see their grandparents while they converse through a video call.

Continued from page 9

grandchildren are sharing. Older adults may not be comfortable posting to Instagram, but they can easily log in and peer into the life of their grandchildren in a non-imposing way.

4. FaceTime— Similar to Skype, FaceTime allows your kids to see their grandparents while they converse through a video call.

Introduced by Apple, FaceTime is available through the iPhone 4 or later, iPad 2 or later, iPad Mini, iPod touch 4th gen or later, and Mac with Mac OS X v10.6.6 or later. It's easy to use and conveniently connects you with another Facetime user over a WiFi or cellular data connection. It's another great way for grandkids to personally see smiling faces and proud expressions as they share experiences with their grandparents.

5. Twitter/Facebook/Pinterest, etc.— A variety of these additional social media sites can be used to promote communication between grandparents and grandchildren. The key lies in what sites your children enjoy using and whether they can convince their grandparents to try them. Tech-savvy grandparents might enjoy branching out into various forms of technology if they find it helps connect them to their grandchildren.

It's not unusual for grandchildren and grandparents to live miles away from one other. However, that doesn't have to prevent a meaningful relationship between them. It may require some prodding

in the beginning to get your parents to venture into the world of technology, but it's worth the effort.

Older generations are often intimidated by technology due to their lack of familiarity. Mary Larmoyeux, co-author of The Grand Connection: 365 Ways to Connect with Your Grandchild's Heart, says she had to learn to be uncomfortable as she discovered the best ways to connect with her grandchildren. She encourages grandparents to "learn new technology if that's what it takes to stay in touch with loved ones."

The next time their grandparents come to visit is a good opportunity for your children to introduce their preferred way to connect.

Showing their grandparents how to use the technology and practicing together will boost grandparents' confidence before trying it on their own. Encouraging your children to be patient as their grandparents get used to the new technology will help the process.

Don't despair if your parents have less opportunity to visit as they age, or if your job takes you to a different part of the country.

Encourage your children to nurture their grandparent relationships through the latest technology to help foster engaging and meaningful interactions. v Gayla Grace is a freelance writer and mom to five children who enjoy connecting with their grandparents through technology.

16 • March+April 2016 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

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A Dozen Memory Makers to Add to Your Easter

Celebration

By Pam Molnar

Easter reminds us of renewed life, new beginnings and the feeling of spring in the air. It is no wonder that our commercialized celebration of the holiday includes bunnies, baskets, eggs and all things spring.

This year, mix in some kid-friendly fun with your traditional celebration and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Fun with Eggs Make Cascarones (Confetti Eggs). Hollow out raw eggs by making a small whole one end and letting the egg drain out into a bowl. When the eggs are empty, rinse the inside and let them dry overnight. In the morning, fill with glitter or confetti using a small funnel. Place glue around the hole on the egg and decorate the egg with colored tissue paper. Take the eggs to the yard and try to smash them on the heads of friends and family, which signifies good luck.

Create your own egg heads. Crack and remove the top part of an egg, leaving at least 2/3 of the shell intact. Rinse the eggs

and let dry. With markers, draw silly faces on the egg shells. Fill the eggs almost to the top with soil and grass seed. Put the eggs in an egg carton and place them in a sunny spot. Water as needed and watch the grass grow to look like green hair. Cut or style as needed.

Make yarn eggs using water balloons. As you are blowing up balloons with air, insert small toys, candy or dollar bills into the balloon. Tie up as usual. Drop colorful yarn strands in glue and use fingers to wipe off excess. Wrap around the balloons, crossing back and forth to make a little cage. When the yarn dries, pop the balloon and the prize remains inside the egg-shaped yarn.

Continued on page 18

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Continued from page 17

Be Charitable Make boo-boo bunnies for a local children’s hospital or women’s shelter. You will need a washcloth, rubber band and a plastic ice cube (found on Amazon; Bed, Bath and Beyond; or the Dollar Store). For directions, see sidebar.

Create mini Easter baskets to hand out at the senior centers. Use baskets from the Dollar Store and fill with hard candy, hand lotions, a magnifying glass, slipper socks or a large type deck of cards.

Make Easter s’mores in a jar to pass out to neighbors and friends. You will need one pint jar with lid, 1 sleeve of crushed graham crackers, 1 ¼ cups of M & M candies, 1/3 cup of brown sugar and 8 bunny peeps. Arrange dry ingredients in the jar and place bunny peeps around the jar facing out. Cover with lid or fabric and attach gift tag (see sidebar) with instructions.

Mix in some kid-friendly fun with your traditional celebration.

Do Something as a Family

Watch Easter shows like “It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown,” “Hop,” “Here Comes Peter Cottontail” or “Veggie Tales – An Easter Carol.” For older kids you may want to also include “Easter Parade” or “The Greatest Story Ever Told.”

Plant jelly beans with your child in the garden or flower beds. When they are asleep, the jelly beans will sprout into lollipops (with a little help from Mom and Dad).

Find Those Easter Baskets Show the kids evidence of the Easter Bunny’s visit by making a jelly bean trail from your child’s bedroom door to her Easter basket. If you have pets, be sure to have

New twists on the traditional Easter egg hunt Add glow sticks or bracelets to create a glow-in-thedark egg hunt.

Place a puzzle piece inside each egg; after the hunt, put the puzzle together.

Fill each egg with a number and have a corresponding prize waiting to match up with the egg.

Add a silly request to each egg to be performed by the person who found the egg. For example, “Do the chicken dance” or “Do jumping jacks while reciting the ABCs.” Number each egg and have the kids find them in numerical order. Write the Easter story in short paragraphs and place them in order in the eggs. Read the story as each egg is found.

Designate one egg color for each person and tell them only they can find their color. This allows the eggs to be filled with age-appropriate or allergy-free items for each child.

them sleep with you that night to keep them from eating your trail.

Hunt for Easter baskets by leaving clues. Start with a note on your child’s bedroom door leading him to different clue spots around the house; let him find the Easter basket in a crazy place like inside the dryer or tucked behind the couch.

Attach a piece of different-colored yarn around each child’s doorknob. Take the string down the hall and through the house, wrapping it around chairs, inside closets and under couches to lead them to their Easter basket that is hidden somewhere in the house. v Pam Molnar is a freelance writer and mother of two teens and a tween.

Despite their age, her growing children still enjoy these kid-friendly traditions.

Gift tag for Easter s’mores Remove bunny peeps from the jar and cut in small pieces using scissors. Mix bunny pieces and dry ingredients from the jar in a large bowl. Add ½ cup melted butter and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Press mixture into a greased 8” square pan and cook for 15 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool and cut into bars. Enjoy!

18 • March+April 2016 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

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YOUR FAMILY’S

Live li

fe its fullest evteo ry day!

Stay hea lt fit and safhey, .

People who are both physically and mentally fit are less prone to medical conditions and are more likely to enjoy life and all it has to offer.

Celebrate life daily—live it!

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Here to help kids get back to being kids.

If you’re looking for a pediatrician who is truly devoted to helping children grow up strong and healthy, you can feel confident turning to Dr. Keely Kubly or Dr. Mervin Manuel.

They provide preventive care, treatment of illnesses, and will work with you to help your kids establish healthy habits from the start. Dr. Kubly and Dr. Manuel are now accepting new patients.

Keely Kubly, M.D. Pediatrician

Mervin Manuel, M.D. Pediatrician

Now offering extended hours on Mondays until 7 p.m. and walk-ins are welcome.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 850-398-8725.

130 E. Redstone Avenue, Crestview

Members of the Medical Staff at North Okaloosa Medical Center.

North Okaloosa Medical Center is owned in part by physicians.

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5 Spring Allergy Mistakes

AC H O O O O

OOO

How much do you know about the spring allergies that plague you every year?

Most spring allergies are caused by pollen. Although pollen is harmless, your body can mistake it for a threat and release histamines. In an attempt to repel the “invader,” histamines cause your eyes, nose and throat to swell, itch and produce mucus.

Even if you know all about pollen, you may not know the best ways to combat it. Avoid these common spring allergy mistakes that can prolong suffering or even make symptoms worse:

Mistake No. 1: Waiting too long to medicate.

For best results, allergy medicine should be taken before symptoms begin. Why? Allergy medications stop histamines from triggering a reaction. Symptoms mean histamines have begun to build up, so the medicine has to fight an uphill battle.

Mistake No. 4: Opening the windows.

The warm spring breezes are pleasant and refreshing—but jampacked with pollen. Keep windows in your home and car closed to stop pollen from drifting inside.

Mistake No. 5: Relying on air filters.

According to a study published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, room air cleaners are not effective. Whole-house filtration systems might help, but only if the filters are changed frequently.

The biggest mistake? Trying to treat allergy symptoms yourself.

Your doctor can pinpoint the source of your suffering and recommend treatments that really work. v

Mistake No. 2: Not knowing your triggers.

When you start sneezing in the spring, you may assume it’s pollen, but you may also be sensitive to other year-round allergens, such as dust and mold. An allergist can perform a simple skin test that reveals all of the substances making you miserable.

PROVIDED BY

Mistake No. 3: Not coming clean.

Take a quick shower in the evening to wash away allergens on your hair and skin so that they won’t bother you as you sleep.

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YOUR

FAMILY’S A Food Allergies “Hey, do you want some?” your friend asks as he offers you a mouthwatering homemade brownie. You’re tempted by the delicious dessert, but then you see the crushed peanuts on top. Darn! You’re allergic to peanuts. Maybe just one little bite?

Nope. If you have a food allergy, even a very tiny bit of that food can make you sick. It’s better to say “no, thanks” to the brownie and have a nut-free dessert.

Lots of kids have food allergies — about 3 million in the United States alone. These foods cause the most food allergies: • peanuts and other nuts • seafood, such as shrimp • milk, particularly cow’s milk

• eggs • soy • wheat

What Is a Food Allergy?

Food allergies happen when the immune system makes a mistake.

Normally, your immune (say: ih-MYOON) system protects you from germs and disease. It does this by making antibodies that help you fight off bacteria, viruses, and other tiny organisms that can make you sick. But if you have a food allergy, your immune system mistakenly treats something in a certain food as if it’s really dangerous to you.

The same sort of thing happens with any allergy, whether it’s a medicine (like penicillin), pollen in the air (from grasses, weeds, and trees), or a food, like peanuts. So the thing itself isn’t harmful, but the way your body reacts to it is.

What’s a Reaction Like?

If a kid with a peanut allergy had eaten that peanut-topped brownie, here’s what would have happened. Antibodies to something in the food would cause mast cells (a type of immune system cell in the body) to release chemicals into the bloodstream. One of these chemicals is histamine (say: HISS-tuh-meen).

The histamine then causes symptoms that affect a person’s eyes, nose, throat, respiratory system, skin, and digestive system. A person with a food allergy could have a mild reaction—or it could be more severe. An allergic reaction could happen right away or a few hours after the person eats it.

Some of the first signs that a person may be having an allergic reaction could be a runny nose, an itchy skin rash such as hives, or a tingling in the tongue or lips. Other signs include:

• tightness in the throat • hoarse voice • wheezing • cough

• nausea • vomiting • stomach pain • diarrhea

In the most serious cases, a food allergy can cause anaphylaxis (say: ah-nuh-fuh-LAK-sis). This is a sudden, severe allergic reaction in which several problems occur all at once and can involve the skin, breathing, digestion, the heart, and blood vessels. A person’s blood pressure can drop, breathing tubes can narrow, and the tongue can swell.

People at risk for this kind of a reaction have to be very careful and need a plan for handling emergencies, when they might need to get special medicine to stop these symptoms from getting worse.

Many kids outgrow allergies to milk and eggs as they grow older.

But severe allergies to foods like peanuts, certain kinds of fish, and shrimp often last a lifetime.

How Do You Know if You Have One? Sometimes it’s easy to figure out that a kid has a food allergy. He or she might get hives or have other problems after eating it. But other times, what’s causing the problem is more of a mystery. Most foods have more than one ingredient, so if a kid has shrimp with peanut sauce, what’s causing the allergy—the peanut sauce or the shrimp?

Doctors believe that allergies could be hereditary, which means if your parent or another close relative has certain allergies like hay fever, you’re more likely to develop the allergies. Some kids may develop food allergies while they are still babies, while others develop food allergies over time. This may be due to someone’s surroundings or changes in the body as they grow older.

Many people react to a certain food but are not actually allergic.

For example, people with lactose intolerance (say: LAK-tose in-TAHLuh-runtz) get belly pain and diarrhea from milk and other dairy products. That doesn’t mean they’re allergic to milk. They don’t feel good after drinking milk because their bodies can’t properly break down the sugars found in milk.

What Will the Doctor Do? If you think you may be allergic to a certain food, let your parents know. They will take you to the doctor to get it checked out.

If your doctor thinks you have a food allergy, he will probably send you to see a doctor who specializes in allergies. The allergy specialist will ask you about past reactions and how long it takes between eating the food and getting the symptom (such as hives). The allergist also may ask about whether anyone else in your family has allergies or other allergy-related conditions, such as eczema or asthma.

The allergist might do a skin test. This is a way of seeing how your body reacts to a small amount of food that is giving you trouble. The allergist will use a liquid extract of the food and, possibly, other common allergy-causing foods to see if you react to any of them. (A liquid extract is a liquid version of something that usually isn’t liquid.)

The doctor will make a little scratch on your skin and drop a little of the liquid extract on the scratched spot or spots. Different extracts will go on the different scratch spots, so the doctor can see how your skin reacts to each substance. If you get a reddish, raised spot, it shows that you are allergic to that food or substance. v

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Some doctors may also take a blood sample and send it to a lab.

That’s where it will be mixed with some of the food or substance you may be allergic to and checked for certain antibodies.

It’s important to remember that even though the doctor tests for food allergies by exposing you to a very small amount of the food, you should not try this at home! The best place for an allergy test is at the doctor’s office, where the staff is specially trained and could give you medicine right away if you had a serious reaction.

How Are Food Allergies Treated?

There is no special medicine for food allergies. Some can be outgrown; others will last a kid’s whole life. The best treatment is simply to avoid the food itself and any foods or drinks that contain the food.

One way to figure that out is to read food labels. Any foods that might cause an allergic reaction will be listed near or in the ingredient list.

Doctors and allergy organizations also can help by providing lists of safe foods and unsafe foods. Some people who are very sensitive may need to avoid foods just because they are made in the same factory that also makes their problem food. You may have seen some candy wrappers that say the candy was made in a factory that processes nuts, too.

Have a Plan No matter how hard you try, you may eat the wrong thing by accident. Stay calm and follow your emergency plan. What’s an emergency plan? Before a slip-up happens, it’s a good idea to create a

plan with your doctor and parents. The plan should spell out what to do, who to tell, and which medicines to take if you have a reaction.

This is especially important if you have a food allergy that can cause a serious reaction (anaphylaxis). For serious reactions, people may need a shot of epinephrine (say: eh-pih-NEF-rin) with them. This kind of epinephrine injection comes in an easy-to-carry container that looks like a pen. You and your parent can work out whether you carry this or someone at school keeps it on hand for you. You’ll also need to identify a person who will give you the shot.

You might want to have antihistamine medication on hand as well, though if anaphylaxis is occurring, this medicine is not a substitute for epinephrine. After receiving an epinephrine shot, you would need to go to the hospital or a medical facility, where they would keep an eye on you and make sure the reaction is under control.

Living with Food Allergies Having a food allergy is a drag, but it doesn’t need to slow a kid down. Your mom, dad, and other adults also can help you steer clear of reactions.

But what if something you really like turns out to be on your “do not eat” list? Today, so many people have food allergies that companies have created lots of good substitutes for favorite foods — everything from dairy-free mashed potatoes to wheat-free chocolate chunk cookies! v © 1995-2016 The Nemours Foundation. All rights reserved.

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FAMILY BUILDERS Strong Family Relationships Don’t Just Happen.

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FamilyChatter CHALLENGE YOUR FAMILY TO ANSWER EVERY QUESTION!

What did you enjoy most about your spring break?

Why?

Is it more important to tell the truth or protect the feelings of a friend or family member?

What are your three favorite outside activities? Do you prefer to spend time indoors or outside?

Why?

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What is your favorite Easter tradition?

How long has your family kept this tradition?

Why is it your favorite?

Do you plan on going to college or training on the job?

What’s your dream job?

What do you think is the most interesting job in the world?

What’s yor dream car?

Do you think you’ll ever be able to afford it? What would you pay to be able to test drive your dream car?

Who’s your favorite superhero?

Why?

Do you think cell phones should be allowed in school? Why or why not?

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What are some things about being an American that make you proud? Do you think anyone can become president?

Parents, help your children understand that it takes money to live the way you do. Help them understand and appreciate hard work and responsibility.

Are you a cat or dog person?

What other type of pets would you like to have?

What is your least favorite school subject?

Explain why. Is there anything that you can do that would make it more enjoyable?

Chatter Tips:

Here are a number of places you can use these questions to spur on great conversations!

At the Kitchen Table In the Family Room During Commercials

Who’s your favorite American of all time?

What are they famous for?

In the Back Yard On Road Trips in the Car Yell them out loud—out of the blue—just for fun!

Do you think eating right and exercising is important?

What are some things your family does to stay healthy?

What do you think are the most important responsibilities a parent has?

Kids—are you looking forward to being a mom or dad?

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That’s Good to Know!

InformationYou Can Use!

g n i c a r b m E s e m i T c i t c He na B y C h ri s ti

K a tz

Don’t Let a Busy Schedule Wear Your Family Down Stress, short-tempers, and the seeming inability of the household to function smoothly are typical signals that you may have slightly overdone it in the commitments department.

So, you overscheduled your family. This does not make you a bad person or a poor parent. Your family simply has a voracious appetite for participation. What’s the harm in that? The only reason to alter your set course is if someone in your clan is physically, mentally or emotionally unable to participate. If you have to pull some plugs for any of these reasons, it’s perfectly okay if you do.

But if you are simply cycling through an extra-hectic time of the year with many activities coming up all at once, you are certainly not alone. And whether you see the hectic times coming in advance or only realize it when they are almost upon you, there are some specific strategies you can take as a family that will help you slay the activity-overwhelm dragon before anyone gets burned. See if these tips are helpful:

Call a family meeting. Take charge of the situation as soon

as you can by calling a family meeting. Tell everyone to bring their calendars and scheduling tools, if they are old enough to manage

their own. Make some beverages, put out some cookies, and go through the upcoming week one day at a time. This is also the time to figure out carpooling, best shopping and errand times, and whether or not it is humanly possible to squeeze everything in.

Make scheduling a weekly event. Some families

have formal, complex family meetings but this is not going to be helpful to most families because you won’t likely stick with it. Instead, a quick drink and cookie break on Sunday afternoons might just turn into something everyone actually enjoys. At the end of the scheduling session, ask, “Does anyone have anything else they want to discuss?” Soon, you’ll be kicking each week off strong using the power of good, old-fashioned communication.

Create a master calendar. Every person in the family

who is old enough to write should have his or her own calendar.

Without a master plan you are going to lose track of the big picture. Assign one parent as the keeper of the master plan and keep it updated daily. Put all your critical to-dos on it. Glance at it in the morning and before bed. It’s amazing how much stress can disappear when one person takes on the role of family dispatcher.

Continued on page 31

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10 WAYS to sh w Let’s face it, most of us could use a little jump-start now and then when it comes to relationships. That’s why we’ve included this section. Simple acts of kindness are a great way to say “I care about you.” Date nights are great, but when life gets busy, sometimes all that’s necessary are little reminders!

R E H y u care Text message her out of the blue to say you’re thinking about her.

Express to her that you need and value her.

Show interest in things she values as important in her life.

Brag about her to others. (Both in front of her and when she is not with you.)

Do the fix-it jobs she wants done around the house.

Go on romantic outings.

Let her take a bubble bath while you do the dishes.

Do little things for her—an unexpected kiss, coffee in bed.

Challenge yourself to complete all 10 ideas each issue.

Don’t just focus on the easy ones!

Tell her you love her often.

Give her special time alone with her friends.

Put the seat down!

And before you leave the bathroom, tidy it up a little if it needs it.

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10 WAYS to sh w Let’s face it, most of us could use a little jump-start now and then when it comes to relationships. That’s why we’ve included this section. Simple acts of kindness are a great way to say “I care about you.” Date nights are great, but when life gets busy, sometimes all that’s necessary are little reminders!

M I H y u care Leave him an “I love you” post or message on Facebook.

Praise his good decisions; minimize your criticism of the bad ones.

Surprise him with a long kiss when he gets home from work.

Challenge yourself to complete all 10 ideas each issue.

Don’t just focus on the easy ones!

Brag about him to others.

(Both in front of him and when he’s not with you.)

Thank him for just being himself.

Let your loved one sleep in and serve him breakfast in bed.

Talk to him about fond childhood memories.

Go for an adventure together— somewhere unexpected.

Cook his favorite dish. That old saying about the way to a man’s heart is true!

When he’s least expecting it, initiate a pillow fight.

Start a hobby together. Hobbies can be a great bonding experience.

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Don’t do what you think is expected of you; do what you want to do.

Continued from page 28

Expect everyone to be responsible. Being the dis-

patcher doesn’t mean you should manage schedules for kids who are old enough to do it themselves. Taking responsibilities off of your children’s shoulders does not serve them or the family. Who is the weakest link in this scheduling arrangement? Let them know how important good communication is not just in the family but also in life in general. Then help them figure out a system that works well for them. Try to make the most of their natural strengths if they are predominantly visual, verbal, aural, physical or logical.

Keep priorities straight. If you are following these sugges-

tions and meeting your family commitments still feels unmanageable, then some things are going to have to give. And don’t look to others to find out where your feelings of overwhelm are originating—look within. Have you let your priorities become confused?

When you are a spouse and a mother, your first priorities are to the people who live under your roof. If you are taking care of others who are already adults, then it’s time to remember your irreplaceable role in your family. Your family comes first; other commitments come afterwards.

Let the extraneous go. Here’s the secret to a happy life for

you and your family: Don’t do what you think is expected of you; do what you want to do. Although peer pressure may still be challenging for your kids, it should be a no-brainer for you. You don’t need to do what the Jones family does. You need to do what your family does. Period. The world needs the unique contributions of every member of your family. And no one is going to blossom if everyone is running around like a bunch of followers. So lead by example and live the life you want to live. Steer your own course and teach your kids to steer theirs. If you do, your kids will follow your lead and be engaged and happy no matter how busy they are—on any given day of any given week. v

Christina Katz is an author, journalist, writing coach and, most importantly, a mother who has given up the unconscious tendency to mother the whole world around the clock. Her latest book is The Art of Making Time for Yourself.

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Teach Your Kids Something New!

ords!

W s u o i r o l G , Words sing i a R r o f s e c Resour y Kids v v a s d r o W a K a tz n B y C h ri s ti

Words are everywhere, so of course we take them Download These Apps: for granted. But words are powerful tools that help Word of the Day. Learn a new word every single day. kids grow up to become capable students, com- Words With Friends. A multi-player word-building game.

What’s The Phrase? Spin the wheel, guess the phrase, solve the puzzle. municators, and conversationalists.

Because words are so omnipresent in our world, it might be easy to let them happen to us, instead of consciously flexing our word powers daily. But you don’t need a master’s degree to be a good parent these days. In fact, when it comes to raising word-lovers, don’t push kids too much. Instead, keep these word resources handy and encourage the entire family to play around with them.

Next thing you know, you will have a family full of word wizards.

Here’s a roundup of diverse yet helpful resources for raising wordsavvy kids.

For the Home Bookshelf: A Children’s Visual Dictionary A Dictionary A Thesaurus The Elements of Style, 4th Edition by William Strunk Jr. & E. B. White A Book Of Quotations

Bookmark These Sites: Dictionary.com. Definitions and origin of words, plus much more.

Visualthesaurus.com. Interactive word maps for visual thinkers.

Rhymezone.com. Find rhymes for any word.

Wordsmith.org/anagram/ Scramble letters in words to make new words.

Degraeve.com/invent-a-word/. Have fun making up your own words.

Wordle.com. Make word collages.

Tagxedo.com. Make word collages in shapes.

Play on Paper: Word Search. Find words by circling groups of letters.

Crossword Puzzle. Answer clues and guess the words.

Jumble. Unscramble letters to make words and more words.

Board Games: Scrabble. Two to four players make words out of letter tiles.

Apples to Apples. Four to ten players competitively match a noun card to an adjective card.

Boggle. Players compete to find words in a grid of 16 letter cubes.

Travel Games: Spelling Bee. Use a dictionary or with an app.

Hangman. Play on paper or with an app.

New York Times Crossword Puzzle. Do it on paper or with an app.

Ask Kids to Teach You to Speak: Pig Latin Bubble Language Other language games they have learned

Word Fun to Have on Hand: For the fridge; Magnetic Poetry For a trip; Bananagrams On display; A jar of vintage word tiles

32 • March+April 2016 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

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Word Play Ideas: • Make a practice of naming things—name your home, your cars, make up nicknames for each other.

• Make up new words to describe what you just saw or experienced or to describe the day when it is done.

• Encourage kids to write in books—circle words they don’t know, scribble in the margins, or jot down their own story ideas on the spot.

• Let each family member choose a word for the year, then print out the word and definition to post where they will see it.

• Have a family quote board—hang a pad of paper on a clipboard and capture funny things family members say on an ongoing basis.

• Keep a jar in each child’s room for capturing favorite words jotted down on pieces of paper. Share these with each other each New Year’s Eve as a new family tradition.

Decorate Your Home with Words: • Label rooms by name.

• Put names on bedroom doors.

• Label storage sorters or bins.

• Hang Wordle or Tagxedo posters containing collections of favorite words.

• Let kids draw pictures or make collages to accompany favorite quotes.

• Find a favorite phrase from a book and handwrite it in fun lettering.

• Go to Etsy.com and search for clever décor ideas associated with “words.”

Still not sure about the power of words? Consider this quote by businessman Frank Outlaw: Watch your thoughts, for they become words.

Watch your words, for they become actions.

Watch your actions, for they become habits.

Watch your habits, for they become character.

Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny. v

Christina Katz is a lifelong lover of words. She is also an author and writing coach, who encourages others to appreciate the power of words. Her latest book is The Art of Making Time for Yourself, A Collection of Advice for Moms.

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SNACKS & CRAFTS This year, during the spring season, set aside a little time for some good, old-fashioned family fun.

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3/3/16 9:39 AM

Rainbow Sugar Cookies Compliments of thefirstyearblog.com

INGREDIENTS • 1 package sugar cookie dough • 1 package vanilla frosting

Suggestion: We’ve substituted the original sugar cookie and frosting recipe with store bought options for convenience sake. For homemade directions visit thefirstyearblog.com/rainbow-sugar-cookies.

• Sorted Fruity Pebbles • Shredded coconut

DIRECTIONS • On a lightly floured piece of parchment paper roll the dough out to about 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch thick, depending on your preference.

• Place the rolled dough in the freezer for 15 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350 F degrees.

• Remove the dough from the freezer and cut out your shapes using a cookie cutter. Place the cut out cookies on parchment paper and chill in the freezer for 20 minutes.

• Bake the cookies for 9-10 minutes, rotating the pan half way through. The cookies should be light in color when you pull them out of the oven.

• Allow the cookies to cool on the baking pan for 10 minutes.

Then transfer them to a cooling rack.

• Repeat this process with the remaining dough, including the scraps of the first batch, until all of the dough is gone.

• Using a butter knife or spreader, spread the icing onto a rainbow cookie. Begin to add the Fruity Pebbles at the top of the cookie, beginning with red and going forward with orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. Once all of the Fruity Pebbles are on the cookie, place shredded coconut where the clouds are.

Mint Chocolate Cookie Brittle Compliments of lemontreedwelling.com

INGREDIENTS • 1 stick (1/2 c.) butter, softened • ½ c. granulated sugar • ½ c. cocoa powder • ¼ c. packed brown sugar • 1 tsp. vanilla

• • • •

2 egg whites 1 c. flour ½ tsp. baking soda 1 c. dark chocolate mint M&M’s

DIRECTIONS • Combine butter, sugars, cocoa powder and vanilla and mix until smooth.

• Stir in egg whites until mixed completely.

• Add flour and baking soda; mix until thoroughly combined.

• Stir in most of the M&M’s, reserving some for top.

• Cover a large jelly roll pan with aluminum foil. Spray with cooking spray and spread dough as thinly as possible (should cover all or most of a 16×12 inch pan). Press additional M&M’s into dough.

• Bake at 375 degrees for 14 min.

• Cool on pan; break or cut into irregular pieces.

Thin, crisp, minty, chocolate cookie brittle . . . a delicious mix between a thin mint and a brownie. Add a little crunch to your St. Patrick’s Day!

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Swimming Peeps® Jell-O® Cups

DIRECTIONS • Empty 2 boxes of blue Jell-O mix into a mixing bowl.

• Heat 2+ cups of water in a tea pot or on a stove until boiling.

• Once it boils, measure out 2 cups and carefully pour it into the bowl with the Jell-O mix.

• Use a spatula to dissolve the powder, stirring for 1-2 minutes.

• Add 2 cups of cold water to the bowl, and stir until combined.

• Divide the Jell-O among the bowls you want to use.

• Place them in the refrigerator for 4 hours or until they are completely set.

• Before serving, add a few drops of blue food coloring to a container of cool whip. Mix until the color is even.

• Top each Jell-O cup with a dollop of cool whip and a chick peep.

Compliments of thefirstyearblog.com

INGREDIENTS • 2 boxes blue Jell-O® mix • 2 cups boiling water • 2 cups cold water • 1 container cool whip • Blue food coloring • Chick Peeps®

Swimming Peeps Jell-O Cups – a cute and easy Easter recipe that uses Peeps!

Macaroon Cookie Bird Nests • 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp juice from a fresh orange • 10 cups sweetened flaked coconut, divided into 6 cup and 4 cup portions • Cadbury Mini Eggs (2) 10oz. bags

DIRECTIONS • In a medium bowl, sift flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

• Beat the butter, cream cheese, and sugar until light and fluffy.

Add egg yolks, vanilla and orange juice and beat till smooth.

• In 1 cup increments, mix flour into the butter mixture. Add the 6 cups flaked coconut and beat to combine.

• Refrigerate dough for 1 hour.

• Preheat oven to 350. Scoop dough into 1.5” balls, roll between your palms, then roll in coconut. Arrange 12 balls on an ungreased baking sheet, at least an inch apart. Bake 16-18 minutes, until the cookies puff and are lightly browned.

• Remove from oven. Immediately press three eggs into the center of each cookie. You may want to lightly press the edges of the cookie inward to give the nest a fuller shape (optional).

• Cool on a rack for 15 minutes. With a thin spatula, gently move cookies onto a rack to finish cooling.

Compliments of rookno17.com

INGREDIENTS • 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour • 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp baking powder • 1/2 tsp table salt • 2/3 cups butter, softened • 6 oz. cream cheese, softened • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar • 2 large egg yolks • 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp vanilla extract

These tasty springtime treats are fun, easy to make and taste great!

38 • March+April 2016 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

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Where Learning Meets Imagination!

Join WSRE each Monday, Wednesday & Friday 9 a.m.–noon for hands-on fun, discovery and exploration!

Located at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium, 351 West Cedar Street.

Discover the world of PBS KIDS, WSRE & Pensacola State College with hands-on learning, technology, smiles, friends and fun!

Share stories with friends...

FREE &

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

Explore touch-screen technology and PBS KIDS resources!

Have fun with PBS pals!

Engage in professional development, college classes, career training and parent workshops.

Enjoy books, games, puzzles and much more!

4260-0614 WSRE EC AugSept FP ad.indd 1 EC_Parent_March+April_2016.indd 39

wsre.org • (850) 484-1200 6/2/14 2:46 PM 3/3/16 9:39 AM

St. Patrick’s Day Pot of Gold M AT E R I A L S

• 7/8” black satin ribbon • Molding clay • Belt buckle • E6000 adhesive • 1” Flat brush

Compliments of plaidonline.com

• 2 oz. Delta Ceramcoat® Acrylic Paint - Kelly Green, Black, Metallic 14K Gold • 5” Terra cotta pot • Decorative rocks DIRECTIONS

• Basecoat the rocks with 14K Gold. Basecoat the terra cotta pot with Kelly Green.

• With the molding clay shape four small hearts. Place all the bottoms of the hearts together. With a small amount of clay connect all the hearts to create a shamrock. Add the stem.

Shape the shamrock to curve around the pot. Bake the clay according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

• Paint the shamrock with 14K Gold.

• With the 1” flat brush add a small amount of 14K Gold and lightly brush the terra cotta pot.

• Glue the ribbon around the top of the pot as shown. Glue the belt buckle to the ribbon.

• With a black script liner add the words and shamrocks to the rocks.

You’ll have no trouble finding this pot of gold! easily this craft can be The materials for d less online.com. Spen ordered at Plaid ft supplies cra und looking for time driving aro fting! and more time cra

Easter Flower Pots M AT E R I A L S

• Black fine tip permanent marker • Lo-temp glue gun • #2 round paintbrush • ¾” flat paintbrush • 4” high clay pot for each design*

Compliments of plaidonline.com

• 2 oz. Apple Barrel® Acrylic Paint - Fuchsia, White, Bright Yellow, Light Pink, Harvest Orange • Foam plate for paints • 1 ¾” foam Spouncer ® • Scissors • Pencil DIRECTIONS

• Basecoat pot with Bright Yellow; let dry.

• Mix two parts Bright Yellow with one part Harvest Orange. Dip 1 ¾” Spouncer into mixture to paint dots for cheeks; let dry.

• Use Harvest Orange to paint large inverted triangle for beak; let dry.

• Attach two 15mm wiggle eyes.

• Use marker to draw eyelash lines.

• Trace and cut two feet from orange craft foam. Refer to photo to glue in place on front near bottom edge.

• For tail feathers, cut two sections with two bumps from chenille stems; cut three sections with three bumps. Bend at centers to form a loop from each piece.

• Overlap three larger loops and twist loose ends together. Place two small loops in front and glue pieces together. Glue ends to rim on back.

• For each wing, cut two sections with two bumps from chenille stems; cut one section with three bumps. Bend at centers to form a loop from each piece. Overlap smaller loops over larger loop and twist ends together. Glue a wing to each side of pot.

*For bunny: Two 23mm wiggle eyes; white and pink craft foam *For Chick: Two 15mm wiggle eyes yellow bump chenille stems; Orange craft foam.

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Chalk Frame M AT E R I A L S Compliments of lemontreedwelling.com

• Blank, square wooden frame • Hot glue gun

• 3 boxes of colored chalk (16 pieces each)

DIRECTIONS

• Optional initial step: Paint your wooden frame to match one of the colors of chalk you’ll be placing.

• Using a hot glue gun, simply place pieces of colored chalk side-by-side—filling the horizontal length of the frame.

Repeat this step until the entire frame is covered.

• Adults—Spray chalk with a glossy or matte spray varnish to help protect the chalk and help the color really pop.

TIP: Have fun making this frame, and don’t worry about chalk pieces hanging over the edges of the frame a bit.

Easter Bunny Jars M AT E R I A L S

Compliments of blog.tinyprints.com

• Glass jar with lid • Felt:white, pink • fabric scissors • Black, pink, white acrylic paint

• White candy-coated chocolate eggs • Fine-point paint brush

DIRECTIONS

• If the lid of your jar is gold, simply spray paint it white.

• Paint a bunny face on the jar with acrylic paints (see photo).

• Cut out two white bunny ears from your felt, as well as two smaller pink felt shapes for the inside of the ears. Use tacky glue to glue the pink pieces to the white ears.

• Fill the jar up with white candy-coated chocolate eggs • Place the lid back on the jar.

• Use a glue gun to stick the felt ears on top of the jar, bending them as needed to stand upright and you’re done!

A quick and easy Easter treat that everybunny will love!

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TEEN Helpful Advice from One Teen to Another!

No teenager wants to be up between 5 and 6 AM to get ready and head to school, which leaves eating breakfast in the back of our minds. Admit it, you couldn’t care less if you ate breakfast or not because you figure you’ll be fine until lunchtime. But it’s time to break these unhealthy eating habits before you move away on your own and have to make your own decisions. The first step is to not ignore your body: if your stomach is growling and your cravings are causing your mouth to water, then you’re hungry. Don’t deny yourself the opportunity to eat; food affects your mood, energy, concentration levels, and your health.

It is extremely important to include breakfast in your daily routine, even if you just eat something small. However, if you do have time in the morning, you should definitely make yourself a meal that includes protein.

If you would rather stay in bed longer, then you can easily grab a banana or apple on your way out the door. Fruit is a healthy option and there is a wide variety to choose from.

For those people who just aren’t morning eaters, I suggest slipping a piece of fruit or a granola bar in your bag for a mid-morning snack because chances are you’ll start losing focus during your first two periods.

Most food products nowadays are processed and don’t include the nutrients and vitamins we need, so start reading labels and going to the grocery store with your parents (you’re eventually going to have to learn how to shop for yourself anyway). Try to avoid packaged foods with a long list of ingredients.

The foods you really need to avoid are ones

TALK whose ingredients include high fructose corn syrup, palm oil, MSG, and artificial colors.

Also, ignore whatever pressure you may feel from the media regarding fad diets or juicing.

Remember that your body needs food from each and every food group.

To be healthy and to stay healthy, you have to commit to making healthy eating a habit, and the only way to do that is to motivate yourself and stay positive through the process. It’s hard to know where to begin, so I’ve included three recipes to help you start working healthy eating into your daily routine.

Trust me, you’ll feel much better starting your day off with a nourishing breakfast.

Your energy and concentration levels will rise (no more daydreaming about food in class) and you will be much happier. Begin fueling your body in the morning and adopt a live-clean lifestyle! v

Shailey J U N I O R, AG E 16

With these healthy morning Acai Breakfast Bowl recipes, you can begin your Ingredients • Two 4-oz. packets unsweetened frozen day feeling awake and fit:

Chocolate Banana Pancakes Batter: • 2 ripe bananas • 4 eggs • 1/4 tsp. baking powder (optional for extrafluffy pancakes) • 1/2 tbs. unsweetened cacao powder • 1 tsp. vanilla bean powder • 2 tsp. cinnamon • Unrefined coconut oil

Toppings (optional): • Pure maple syrup • Blueberries, strawberries, or raspberries • Hemp seeds • Walnuts • Raw cacao nibs

acai puree • 1 medium banana • 1/2 cup blueberries • 1 tbs. honey • 3 tbs. granola • 2 tbs. pomegranate seeds • 1 tbs. unsweetened coconut flakes

Rye Bread and Poached Eggs Ingredients • 2 slices of rye bread • 2 free-range eggs, poached • 1/2 perfectly ripe avocado, sliced • 1 handful of fresh spinach • A few basil leaves • Salt and pepper

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FUN GUIDE CALENDAR OF EVENTS Enjoy the Holidays Together!

We live on a beautiful coast that has so much to offer, and we’re here to make sure you know what’s going on in your own backyard. Enjoy!

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Be sure to bring your own basket. Later, watch the Easter Bunny fly in and land on the beach!

Pictures with the Easter Bunny are free, and there will be plenty other kids’ activities, too. For more information, please call 850-492-0611.

SunQuest Cruises SOLARIS Easter Lunch Cruise Sun, March 27 – Baytowne (1:00p.m.)

Hop aboard the SOLARIS yacht for an experience your family will always remember.

Start the voyage on the sky deck to take in the fresh coastal breezes and panoramic views of the landscape. Enjoy a 3-course, chef-prepared lunch while leisurely cruising the local waters.

For reservations and more information, call 850-650-2519.The Arts.

work is based on the 16th-century playwright Christopher Marlowe, who was mysteriously killed in 1593. For more information, visit www. mattiekellyartscenter.org.

NFSO Concert – Magic of Mendelssohn

Sat, April 9th, 2016 – Mattie Kelly Arts Center The Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra continues its 29th season as the region’s premier professional orchestra with a concert featuring a grand instrumental and vocal performance of Mendelssohn’s complete Incidental Music to a Midsummer Night’s Dream to kick off the beginning of spring. Tickets are $25 for adults and $18 for youth and active duty military. For more information, please call 850-729-6000.

Bob Dorough – National Jazz Artist in Concert

Tues, April 12th, 2016 – Mattie Kelly Arts Center Nationally known jazz artist Bob Dorough will appear in concert free of charge in the Mainstage Theater of the Mattie Kelly Arts Center in Niceville. Lobby doors open at 6:00p.m.

No ticket is required. For more information, visit www.mattiekellyartscenter.org.

Children’s Series/School Show – Henry and Mudge

Fri, April 15th, 2016 – Mattie Kelly Arts Center The annual Children’s Series at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center presents a national touring series of live theatrical events based on bestselling children’s literature. For more information, please call 850-729-6065.

Seasonal Irish Street Fest and Grogg March

Sat, March 12 – Sun, March 13 – HarborWalk (1:00p.m.)

Grab the clan, wear your green and enjoy an afternoon full of live Irish music and activities. Little ones will enjoy face painting, arts and crafts, and an interactive treasure hunt through HarborWalk Village. After dark, “Sham-Rock” for a cause. Travel throughout HarborWalk Village for the largest Grogg March this side of the Blarney Stone.

St. Patty’s Day Celebration

Thurs, March 17 – Baytowne Wharf (6:00p.m.)

Celebrate the luck of the Irish at The Village of Baytowne Wharf. Enjoy live entertainment and merchant specials from 6:00p.m. until 9:00p.m.

Admission is free. For more information, please visit www.baytownewharf.com.

Easter Explosion

Sat, March 26 – Baytowne Wharf (9:30a.m.)

Hop on over to the Village of Baytowne Wharf for an Easter celebration. At the Events Plaza Lawn there will be a special appearance by the Easter Bunny, lawn games, inflatables, face painting and an Easter egg hunt. For more information, please visit www.baytownewharf.com.

Easter Egg Hunt & Kid’s Fun Day

Sat, March 26 – Pensacola (2:00p.m.)

Bring the kids and let them hunt for Easter eggs in the beautiful white sand behind Flora-Bama.

The Arts CINDERELLA

Sat, March 5th – Sun, March 6th, 2016 – Mattie Kelly Arts Center The Northwest Florida Ballet is bringing one of the world’s most beloved fairytales to life with their rendition of Cinderella. Tickets are $35 for adults and $17 for children 12 and under. For more information, please call 850-729-6000.

Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Sun, March 13th, 2016 – Mattie Kelly Arts Center The national touring Broadway Series concludes with the hit musical Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The irresistible musical about the trials and triumphs of Israel’s favorite son blends pop, country and rock into an uplifting story of biblical proportions! For more information, call 850-729-6000.

The Third Side

Wed, March 16th – Sat, March 19th, 2016 – Mattie Kelly Arts Center The Humanities, Fine & Performing Arts Division of Northwest Florida State College will premiere an original, historically based thriller

by NWF State theater professor Clint Mahle. The

Soundsations Showchoir Spring Concert

Thurs, April 28th, 2016 – Mattie Kelly Arts Center Northwest Florida State College’s group of fine and performing arts scholarship students, the Soundsations Showchoir, will perform their spectacular variety show of song and dance in the mainstage theater of the Mattie Kelly Arts Center in Niceville at 7:30p.m. For more information, contact the Mattie Kelly Arts Center Box Office at 850-729-6000.

Honors Recital

Fri, April 29th, 2016 – Mattie Kelly Arts Center The NWF State College Fine & Performing Arts Division presents an end-of-semester honors recital, featuring the vocal and instrumental students who are selected to perform by college faculty. The recital begins at 3:00p.m. in Tyler Recital Hall. Please call 850-729-5362 for more information.

NW Florida Symphony Chorale Spring Concert Sat, April 30th, 2016 – Mattie Kelly Arts Center

The Spring Concert will feature vocal ensembles Madrigal Singers and Belle Voci performing along with the Northwest Florida Symphony Chorale. The Chorale is a select group of talented community and college vocalists who are chosen by audition.

Additionally, renowned guest organist David Friberg returns to accompany the concert. Free of charge. For more information, visit www. mattiekellyartscenter.org.

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Village streets. Take part in the event and vote for your favorite Vette. For more information, please visit www.baytownewharf.com.

Okaloosa Rev Fest

Sat, April 2 – Sun, April 3 – FW Beach (12:00p.m.)

The fourth annual Okaloosa RevFest is going down! Expect to see the best in local and regional music and art in the heart of downtown Fort Walton Beach. For more information, please visit www.okaloosarevfest.com.

Laurel Hill Arts and Heritage Festival Sat, April 30 – Laurel Hill (11:00a.m.)

Spend the afternoon celebrating north Okaloosa County arts and heritage. There will be artists, crafters, heritage groups, classic cars and live music. Food sales benefit Laurel Hill School and community outreach programs offered by the Laurel Hill and Presbyterian churches. For more information, please call 850-603-2584.

Kitty Hawk Kites “Fly into Spring” Kite Festival

Sat, April 2 – Sun, April 3 – Okaloosa Island Say hello to spring at the Kitty Hawk Kites annual Fly into Spring Kite Festival at The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island! There will be 25- to 100-foot show kites of all shapes and sizes! This free two-day event will feature stunt kite flying, demonstrations and lessons, and a family fun fly that is great for all ages. For more information, please call 850-796-0102.

30th Annual Sandestin Wine Festival

Thurs, April 14 – Sun, April 17 – Baytowne Wharf

Sounds Fun 12th Annual Triple-B BBQ Festival

Sat, March 19 – Crestview (10:00a.m.)

The Annual Triple-B BBQ festival is back! Get ready for good food and good times from 10:00a.m. until 6:00p.m. at Main Street in Crestview. For more information, please visit www.crestviewchamber.com.

Tequila & Taco Fest

Sat, March 19 – HarborWalk Village (1:00p.m.)

Head down to HarborWalk Village to enjoy tequila, contests, music and tacos of all kinds sponsored by Crab Island Cantina. Proceeds benefit The Salvation Army. For more information, visit www.emeraldgrande.com.

Harlem Globetrotters

Thurs, March 31 – Pensacola (7:00p.m.)

The Harlem Globetrotters are preparing for their most epic tour in history, as the world famous team celebrates its 90th anniversary tour. Fans will be on the edge of their seats to witness the ball handling wizardry, basketball artistry and one-of-a-kind family entertainment that thrill fans of all ages.

For more information call 850-432-0800.

Vettes at the Village

Sat, April 2 – Baytowne Wharf (10:00a.m.)

Check out “America’s Sports Car” at The Village of Baytowne Wharf from 10:00a.m. until 4:00p.m. Corvettes will be shined to the max, as these automotive icons zoom through the

The Sandestin Wine Festival at Baytowne Wharf is back bringing an opportunity for discovery!

Four days of unique events open up a wide range of experiences, from attending wine dinners with celebrity chefs to participating in preview events throughout the year to taking part in wine tastings that showcase an unprecedented 800 wines. For more information, visit www.baytownewharf.com.

James Taylor and His All-Star Band Tues, April 19 – Pensacola (8:00p.m.)

James Taylor and his All-Star Band are coming to the Pensacola Bay Center for one intimate and memorable night. Tickets are on sale now, and can be bought by phone by calling 1-800-745-3000.

Interstate Mullet Toss & Gulf Coast’s Greatest Beach Party Fri, April 22 – Sun, April 24 – Pensacola (10:30a.m.)

The Interstate Mullet Toss & Gulf Coast’s Greatest Beach Party is legendary! Those who participate will toss a mullet over the state line of Florida and Alabama to see who throws the farthest. For more information, please call 850-492-0611.

South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival Thurs, April 28 – Sun, May 1 – Sandestin

South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival is an annual charity event featuring a stunning showcase of the best wines the world has to offer. The event is a major fundraiser for Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation, which benefits children in need in Northwest Florida. For more information, please visit, www.SoWalWine.com.

Disney On Ice presents: Let’s Celebrate!

Fri, April 29 – Sun, May 1 – Pensacola (10:30a.m.)

Head to the Pensacola Bay Center for one colossal party on ice, with all of your favorite Disney friends. For more information and show times, please call 850-432-0800.

Runs - Walks & Golf Hole in ONE Golf Tournament

Fri, March 11 – Defuniak Springs (12:00p.m.)

The Hole in ONE Golf Tournament will be a scramble-style tournament with prizes, food, drinks and live entertainment. All of this is included with an entry fee of $100 per person.

Proceeds will support the Emerald Coast Autism Center Scholarship Fund. For more information, call 850-279-3000.

Lucky Leprechaun 5K/10K Run/Walk

Sat, March 12 – Fort Walton Beach (8:00a.m.)

Kick off your Patty’s Day week with a fun race and huge after party with food, brew and live music. For more information, please visit www. fwbchamber.org.

10th Annual Children in Crisis Charity Golf Classic Fri, March 18 – Fort Walton Beach (11:00a.m.)

The Annual Children in Crisis Charity Golf Classic will be held at the Fort Walton Beach Golf Course at 11:00a.m. Entry fee is $100 per player, which includes lunch, drinks, a golf shirt and an awards party following the tournament. For more information, please call 850-864-4242.

Don’t See Your Event?

Send calendar events to us at​info@itsyourmagazine.com

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Tour de Cure

Sat, March 19 – Pensacola (7:00a.m.)

The American Diabetes Association is challenging individuals to take part in the 8th Annual Tour de Cure! Cyclists will experience the beauty of Pensacola and Navarre for a good cause. At the finish line there will be cheering volunteers, lunch, music, massages and fun. For more information, please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-342-2383.

Mullet Man Triathlon

Sat, April 16 – Pensacola (7:30a.m.)

The Mullet Man Triathlon promises a great course, super volunteers, awards, and a post-race party with fabulous food and fun! A portion of the proceeds will go to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. For more information call 850-492-0611.

Mullet Swing Golf Tournament

Wed, April 20 – Pensacola (7:30a.m.)

The 19th Annual Mullet Swing Golf Classic is back with fun, prizes, giveaways and an awards ceremony and reception at Flora-Bama Lounge. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Multiple Sclerosis Society. For more information, please call 850-483-6267.

Chamber’s Annual Tax Relief Golf Tournament Thurs, April 21 – Destin (12:00p.m.)

This golf tournament is a 4-person scramble with a noon shotgun start. It offers outstanding networking and advertising opportunities for all members, avid golfers and non-golfers alike.

For more information, contact Bryce Trafford at 850-837-2711, extension 2.

Reoccurring Local Sunday Cinema

Every Sunday through March and April – Baytowne Wharf (8:00p.m.)

Take your family out for a movie night under the stars at The Village of Baytowne Wharf.

Bring your blankets and chairs and enjoy a kid-friendly movie on the big-screen. For more information and a movie listing, please visit www.baytownewharf.com.

ArtWalk

Every 3rd Sunday of each month – HarborWalk Village (11:00a.m.)

Each month HarborWalk Village transforms into a mini art district. Dozens of artists come out to showcase their vibrant, engaging and creative artwork, ranging from traditional to contemporary art, jewelry, paintings and more. For more information, visit www. destinchamber.com.

Hydroflight Monday

Every Monday through March and April – Baytowne Wharf Baytowne Wharf will take you sky-high as you set your eyes on a water show that is truly out

of this world! Enjoy three performances by fly board extraordinaire Ben Merrell.

For a list of dates and show times, visit www. baytownewharf.com.

Boomin’ Tuesday

Every Tuesday through March and April – Baytowne Wharf (7:00p.m.)

Baytowne Wharf will light up the night sky with their Boomin’ Tuesday extravaganza!

Bring the kids for activities, inflatables and music starting at 7:00p.m. Later, enjoy the spectacular firework show at 9:00p.m.

Admission is free. For more information, visit www.baytownewharf.com.

Poetry & Music Jam

Every second Tuesday through March and April – Crestview (6:00p.m.)

Poets and musicians are invited to bring their work and instruments to a free-form, openmic poetry reading and jam session. For more information, please call 850-682-4432.

Wednesday Night Concert Series

Every Wednesday through March and April – Baytowne Wharf (7:00p.m.)

Enjoy a free concert from 7:00p.m. until 9:00p.m. at the Events Plaza Stage in Baytowne Wharf.

For more information, please visit www. baytownewharf.com.

Salvation Army

Contact Lisa Martinez at 850-243-4531.

Habitat for Humanity

Contact Mark McEnaney at 850-685-0686.

Florosa Fire Department

Contact Tom Peele at 850-581-2900.

VFW

Contact Harvey Eckoff at 850-244-3834.

Goodwill

Contact John at 850-837-8516.

Destin Community Center

Contact Lisa Firth at 850-654-5184.

Waterfront Rescue Mission

Contact Tina or Sharron at 850-244-2726.

Destin History & Fishing Museum Contact Kathy Blue at 850-837-6611.

Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge

Contact Susan Leivelle at 850-650-1880.

Boys & Girls Club

Contact Rita Cummins at 850-862-1332.

GulfWind Paddle & Surf Wednesday Night BOTE Board Demo Event

Every Wednesday – Santa Rosa Beach (6:00p.m.)

Socialize with other paddleboard enthusiasts every Wednesday evening and demo ride the entire fleet of BOTE Boards. For more information, call Steve with GulfWind Paddle & Surf at 850-200-8375.

Magical Thursdays

Every Thursday through March and April – Baytowne Wharf (7:00p.m.)

Baytowne Wharf has a few tricks up their sleeve for you on Magical Thursday! Enjoy an extraordinary magic show by their featured pirate Captain Davy. For more information, visit www.baytownewharf.com.

Planetarium Nights

Every 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month – Fort Walton Beach (5:00p.m.)

Head on over to the Emerald Coast Science Center for Planetarium nights. Shows are approximately 45 minutes long, and booking tickets in advance is recommended. For more information, visit www.ecscience.org.

Volunteer Opportunity Place

Contact CC Fearson at 850-659-3190.

Socks

Contact Nikole Wood at 850-863-8999.

PAWS

Don’t See Your Event?

Send calendar events to us at​info@itsyourmagazine.com

Contact Alicia Sikes at 850-243-1525.

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