Emerald Coast Parent Magazine | November December 2016 by Rob Williams

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November+December 

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November+December 2016

contents

5 21 INSIDE THIS ISSUE

FAMILY BUILDERS

Is There Life Without Electronics?

Families can strike a healthy balance when it comes to real world vs. tech world

9 Thinking Outside the (Toy) Box

11 Creative, Non-Toy Christmas Gifts for Kids

25 Adventures in Giving This Holiday Season

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

FAMILY FUN GUIDE

15 Ways to Entertain Your Kids on Thanksgiving Day

Helpful Advice from One Teen to Another

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

Are You Prepared for Flu Season? .............................21 The Flu: Stop the Spread .................................................. 22

15 Turkey Day Traditions 42

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 ............................41

YOUR FAMILY’S HEALTH

A Dream Is a Wish Their Hearts Make

Teen Talk

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 Reoccurring Local ............................................................. 46

26 FamilyChatter

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: --

Publisher Nathan Wilson Creative Director Rob Williams Snacks & Crafts Editor Tasha Williams ©  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.

By Myrna Beth Haskell

FAMILIES CAN STRIKE A HEALTHY BALANCE WHEN IT COMES TO REAL WORLD VS. TECH WORLD

IS THERE LIFE WITHOUT

ELECTRONICS? I recently had a discussion with my husband about “the good ol’ days.” So many kids today have their heads buried in something with a screen. We used to immerse ourselves in creative play. I remember creating haunted houses and charging neighborhood kids ten cents to enter. Sometimes we’d build tree forts with twigs and rope—not the sturdiest things in the world, but a lesson in the fine art of construction just as well. We’d decorate the road with chalk art and hold major league jump rope contests. For kids today, free time often presents a different scenario. Instead of taking

advantage of the warm weather or creating an indoor carnival, many kids obsessively engage their cell phone, iPad, laptop, game console or watch marathon reruns of SpongeBob SquarePants. Parents should encourage their kids to ditch the electronics on a regular basis and enjoy life the old-fashioned way. This may be easier said than done, due to the fact that life in general this millennium is a technological one; but it is doable—not to mention healthier—for your children, no matter what their age.

WHY MONITOR TECH-USE? According to a  national survey conducted by Common Sense Media, tweens spend approximately six hours a day with technological media and teens spend approximately nine hours per day. This included gaming, cell phone use, social media, watching

TV and videos, listening to music, computer use (including making digital art and programming), but it excluded time spent with technology doing homework. However, many experts agree that children learn best by real-world experience and interaction and that limiting technology use in order to maintain a balance of non-tech social experiences is extremely important for a child’s social and emotional development. Sue Scheff, a nationally recognized parenting advocate, author, and founder and president of Parents’ Universal Resource Experts Inc. (P.U.R.E.), says, “When you hear the statistics about how much kids are attached to their social media, text messaging and all things tech, it can be quite concerning.” She says it’s easier with younger kids because parents are the ones arranging and monitoring play dates. “However, with your tweens and teens it comes back to communication. Continued on page 7

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Continued from page 5

If you feel they are spending too much time online, share your concerns and give them some ideas of constructive offline activities.” Lisa Strohman, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist, co-author of Unplug: Raising Kids in a Technology Addicted World and founder of Technology Wellness Center (www.technologywellnesscenter.com), warns parents, “The longer kids are connected—and studies now show over six hours a day—the more it’s affecting their brain development.” She reports that MRI studies show that the brain starts to atrophy with obsessive, prolonged technology use. “Addiction to technology during the teen years will also affect students going off to college.” She reports that kids have the highest susceptibility to create change in their brains between the ages of  and . So, these are critical years for brain development.

we discuss how the book is different from the movie,” Strohman offers. She also encourages parents to suggest do-it-yourself activities that inspire team work, such as writing short plays and then filming it together.

SET GUIDELINES FOR KIDS AND TEENS According to an October  article written

• Set a time to unplug (e.g., during homework time) • Find a place where devices are stashed during meals • Prohibit devices during social events • Set consequences for breaking the rules

PRIVACY AND PARENTAL CONTROLS

ENCOURAGE NON-TECH ACTIVITIES Strohman reminds us that parents have to practice what they preach by monitoring their own tech use. Strohman shares that her family practices “tech-free Tuesdays,” and she uses positive reinforcement for alternative activities. “I reward them when I witness them doing other things, such as going out on their bikes.” Strohman points out that it’s critical that kids get used to stepping away from technology early on and that they also learn the importance of finding alternative pastimes. Scheff agrees that parents need to be cognizant of their own behaviors as role models for their kids. “Mom and Dad, it’s about leading by example. If your kids watch you check your devices at mealtime or rudely in front of guests, that’s a green light for them to mimic this behavior,” she states. Scheff also advises parents to encourage activities that provide for intellectual and social growth, such as summer internships and community service. “Offer suggestions such as volunteering at a nursing home or animal shelter. Exercising is another great activity to get disconnected.” She advocates going on regular power walks with your children. “It’s about unplugging.” Technology isn’t all bad. When it is used in conjunction with other creative activities, it can definitely be a positive, but parents need to make an effort to join in on the fun. “We’ll read a book, then watch the movie up until the section we’ve reached in the book. Then

your individual family. Starting early can really help your kids with a healthy digital life.” For parents who have already given their tweens and teens smart phones without limits, Scheff reminds, “You’re paying the bill for their privilege.” Scheff also suggests family meetings to go over expectations:

by Ari Brown, M.D., David Hill, M.D., and Donald Shifrin, M.D., titled “Beyond Turn It Off: How to Advise Families on Media Use” (American Academy of Pediatrics), “The same parenting rules apply to your children’s real and virtual environments. Play with them. Set limits. Be involved. Know their friends and where they are going with them.”

“For those who have young children, start early with device boundaries and guidelines.” Common Sense Media suggests, “If you’re concerned about heavy media use, consider creating a schedule that works for your family. This can include weekly screen-time limits and the kinds of screens kids can use. Get your kids’ input so the plan teaches media literacy and self-regulation.” Scheff advises, “For those who have young children, start early with device boundaries and guidelines. Set up tech limits that fit

It’s true that it can be extremely difficult to physically monitor your children’s tech time. Therefore, some parents opt for parental control devices to monitor and limit their children’s tech or online activities. Strohman advises, “Let your kids know their actions online are public and permanent. It’s not about ‘I think you’re making bad decisions.’ It’s about safety.” Strohman explains that more kids are now getting cell phones by age six, and that children at this age cannot possibly understand the complicated aspects of online safety and protocol. “Children should be told as early as possible that cell phones and technology are not equal to privacy.” “I do believe in parental controls; however, it should never replace parenting,” Scheff states. “My philosophy has always been: when safety trumps privacy, that’s when you have to take it to another level of possible snooping. This is when you suspect your child is in danger or at risk, and they aren’t opening up to you.” Scheff stresses that parents must continue their offline chats every day to check in with their child about cyber health. “New surveys are coming out regularly about how much time kids are spending online and how it can cause depression and possible addiction, not to mention cyberbullying. Growing up is hard enough without having to deal with social media pressure, too. As a parent, you must be present on all levels.” Continued on page 8

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Continued from page 7

OBSESSION AND RED FLAGS Common Sense Media reports, “More research needs to be done to help us understand when, how and why people use the Internet and other devices in harmful ways. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has identified only one Internetrelated condition, Internet gaming disorder (IGD). Sometimes, what looks like addiction is simply problematic behavior. A balanced approach to using media can correct problematic behavior.”

Pay attention to how children act during and after watching TV, playing video games or hanging out online. Common Sense Media suggests that parents pay attention to how children act during and after watching TV, playing video games or hanging out online. “If they’re using high-quality, age-appropriate media, their behavior is positive, and their screen-time activities are balanced with plenty of healthy screen-free ones, there’s no need to worry.”

outrageously (e.g., tantrums) if technology is taken away. However, the organization reports that video games can be useful for teaching social skills and other behaviors. Therefore, finding a balance is important.

Video games can be useful for teaching your child social skills. Parents should work together with their child’s therapist and other professionals to assess whether or not their child’s electronics use is stymying his or her social skills development. Strohman suggests that parents have regular communication with their child’s classroom teachers. “Teachers can easily assess your child’s social skills in relation to their peers.” General signs of addiction for all children: • Loss of interest in hobbies • Lying about or hiding use • Loss of interest in social interactions • Inability to self-monitor time spent on cell phone, video game, etc. • Keeping devices accessible at all times. v

UNIQUE ISSUES WITH SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN According to Autism Speaks (a worldwide autism and advocacy organization), “Parents and autism therapists have long noticed that many children and teens with autism become deeply engaged with video games and other forms of screen-based media.” Special needs kids might also react more

Myrna Beth Haskell is an award-winning author, columnist, and feature writer. Her work has appeared in national and regional publications across the U.S. as well as internationally (www. myrnahaskell.com). She is also managing editor of SANCTUARY (www.sanctuary-magazine.com)..

8 • November+December 2016 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

POSITIVE T EC H T I M E T H AT I N C LU D E S P H YS I C A L AND SOCIAL AC T I V I T Y We are surrounded by technology, and it’s not going away. Families need to strike a balance. Here are some positive ways to incorporate technology into family life: • Find a new recipe online/ watch videos together for how to prepare it (e.g., foodnetwork.com has kidfriendly videos). • Plan your vacation using the Internet: study various destinations with your kids. • Exercise with your kids using video games (Wii Dance, etc.). • Keep track of friends in other countries—their cultures, language and lifestyles—via social media. • Play electronic games and watch movies that have an educational focus (see Common Sense Media for ratings/reviews of products). • Use technology to create gifts for special people in your lives (photo calendars, digital art). • Build a family tree and find out more about your family history (e.g., ancestry.com). • Use texting and cell-phone messaging for convenience and safety as opposed to a substitution for in-person connection.

By Alyssa Chirco

Thinking Outside the ( TOY ) Box The holiday season’s hottest toys have hit the shelves, and children around the world are eagerly adding these coveted items to their holiday wish lists. But how many new toys do our children actually need? If you are tired of spending your hard-earned money on presents that get played with briefly and then tossed aside, keep in mind that toys are not the only type of gift that parents can place beneath the Christmas tree. When doing your holiday shopping this year, try thinking outside the proverbial toy box. You will discover many creative, non-toy gift ideas sure to surprise and delight children of all ages.

1. A MEMBERSHIP When you invest in season passes or annual memberships, your kids get to visit the places they love all year long. Choose from favorite local destinations like zoos, wildlife centers, amusement parks, water parks and children’s museums. Continued on page 12

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W ish A Dream Is a Their Hearts Make

By Christina Katz

2 5 A D V E N T U R E S I N G I V I N G T H I S H O L I D AY S E A S O N

Here come the holidays and, with them, the spirit of giving. But who says you have to give the same way every year? If you have a holiday giving tradition and you love it and want to stick with it, that’s great. But maybe, like my family, you enjoy shaking things up each year as you explore new ways to enrich other people’s lives. Big or small, by varying the ways you give, you can create meaningful experiences for your family beyond simply writing a check or making an electronic transfer. While there is absolutely nothing

wrong with giving money in any form during the holiday season, why not try to make giving more of a family adventure? Get the whole clan involved in the journey. Encourage family discussions that focus on having empathy for other people’s life situations. In recent years, we’ve given locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. We strive to be philanthropic as well as spontaneous. By appreciating those we feel grateful for, we touch many lives each holiday season. We don’t give because we are rich;

we give because it makes us feel prosperous. Remember the song from the Disney classic Cinderella, “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes”? Every heart longs for something specific this holiday season. Everyone in the world has needs and wants. Is there any better feeling than fulfilling another person’s yearning? Warming many hearts all holiday season is a lifelong lesson that goes beyond being charitable. Here are some ideas to get your family brainstorming. Continued on page 13

Continued from page 9

2. AN EXPERIENCE

7. BUILD A BASKET

Instead of buying a gift card to yet another store at the mall, why not give a gift certificate or voucher for an experience or activity your child would enjoy? Consider options like bowling, ice skating, horseback riding or indoor rock climbing. Or fill a bucket with tokens from a nearby arcade and promise to visit over the holiday break from school.

Instead of buying one large gift, make a themed gift basket comprising smaller gifts related to something your child enjoys. Raising an avid reader? Build a Book Basket filled with books, bookmarks, a book light and a gift certificate to a local bookstore. Have a movie buff on your hands? Build a Family Movie Night Basket filled with DVDs, boxes of movie theater candy and, of course, popcorn.

3. A SUBSCRIPTION

8. A SHOPPING SPREE

Popular children’s magazines like Highlights and Cricket help build literacy skills—and they also encourage kids to read for fun. Give your child one copy for Christmas, and then watch his eyes light up each time a new issue arrives in the mail or becomes available for download.

For the teen or tween who wants a new wardrobe, a special shopping spree can be a much-appreciated gift. Plan to spend an entire day together trying on outfits, having lunch and enjoying some quality one-on-one time.

4. TICKETS Tickets to a sporting event like a hockey or football game make a great gift for a tiny sports fan, especially when accompanied by a team jersey. Not into sports? Encourage your kids to embrace the arts with tickets to a play, symphony or ballet. Many troupes offer short, interactive performances geared specifically toward children.

5. LESSONS

9. A BEDROOM MAKEOVER Your daughter may have loved her princess bedroom a few years ago, but does the room reflect her interests now? If she is ready for a change, surprise her with a new set of bedding beneath the Christmas tree. Include accessories like curtains and pillows, and also some paint swatches so she can choose a new color for her walls.

10. A PET

From weekly dance or karate lessons to a special parent-child cooking class, kids love the opportunity to learn new things. Wrap up an item they can use for their lessons—perhaps a new leotard for dance or a personalized apron for cooking—to place under the tree.

Give your children the gift of responsibility this year by surprising them with a pet of their very own. Start small with a low-maintenance pet like a fish or a hamster, or go all out and get a puppy or a kitten. Keep costs down by asking relatives to give your kids the necessary accessories—such as food, cages and pet toys—as presents.

6. A COUPON BOOK

11. A GIFT THAT GIVES BACK

Why not turn the tables on those handmade coupon books that kids love to give as gifts? Design a book of your own featuring coupons your children will be excited to redeem. Possible coupon ideas include the following:

Not ready to bring an animal into your home? Make a donation to the World Wildlife Fund at www.worldwildlife.org and you can adopt one in your child’s name. Or buy a new pair of TOMS shoes as a Christmas gift and a second pair will automatically be donated to a child in need. When you give a gift that gives back, you also give your children one of the best gifts of all: a reminder that Christmas is about far more than just the presents—toys or not—beneath the tree. v

• A “Get Out of Chores Free” pass • An ice cream date with Mom or Dad • A “Technology Ticket” for extra time using an electronic device • A chance to stay up 30 minutes past bedtime

Alyssa Chirco is a freelance parenting journalist and mother of two. Every year, she buys her children fewer and fewer toys as Christmas gifts.

Continued from page 11

1. Take a Ticket

Give

Look for giving trees in stores that support local charities. Contribute a longed-for toy to a child who might not otherwise receive it, or donate experiences like going to the zoo or to the theater.

6. Declutter All Year

11. Over There

The less clutter you have, the more generous you have been. Gather donations after the kids go back to school, make another round of donations after the holidays, then declutter once more after school gets out for the summer.

Send holiday boxes to soldiers serving our country overseas. Put yourself in their shoes before you shop. What would surprise and delight you?

Go through your old hats, mittens, and gloves and donate them to a local family shelter.

2. Feed Your Community Connect school organization fundraisers to local charities by inviting attendees to bring a non-perishable food item or two to gain admission to events that would otherwise be free. 3. Think Stocking Stuffer Buy trinkets for family helpers, such as babysitters, yard workers, and dog walkers. A little bit of thoughtfulness goes a long way.

12. Bundle Them Up

13. Double Your Donation

7. Let Kids Sort Too

Participate in a matching gift program of some kind. Ask your employer what they offer.

Ask your kids to go through their rooms a month before the holidays to make room for the new. Consider the best ways to donate based on what they have to offer.

4. Donate Warmth Dig through your closets and find old coats or even new coats that seldom get worn. Offer them to a local coat drive or tax-exempt charitable resale shop.

8. Use Sock Sense Shelters often need donations of new socks. Watch for sales on socks all season, gather as many as you can, and contribute them to a regional shelter.

5. Fill Those Pots Keep change in your purse to give to bell-ringers and others asking for a holiday handout. This is an interactive way to teach children that it is a blessing to give as much as to receive.

9. Connect Directly

14. Roll Up a Sleeve Save a life. Donate blood with teens who are eligible to participate. Make it an annual tradition.

Join an online community discussion group and watch for requests from local families for holiday assistance. Be sure to choose a safe place to meet up to make any exchanges of goods or food.

Make a feeder for winter birds and keep it full of birdseed you buy in bulk until spring arrives.

10. Volunteer as a Family

16. Turn the Page

Contact with local senior centers or soup kitchens and see if they offer families a way to participate together.

Go through your shelves and remove books you no longer love. Donate them to your local library or resale shop.

15. Spread Seeds

Continued on page 14

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Continued from page 13

17. Get Crafty Come up with a fun, simple craft or recipe project so that each child can make gifts for friends one weekend. Pinterest is always a good place to look. 18. Sweets for the Sweet Write thank-you notes to teachers and instructors and include a gift card for something tasty. 19. Shop Win-Win-Win Buy some holiday gifts from local shops that support others. Sustainable gifts, shared profits, and sales that support the community in some way are all fair game. 20. Be Thoughtful Create a quick annual list describing your year and mail it to faraway relatives with school photos for refrigerators. 21. Toys for the Win Watch for toy baskets at local businesses you frequent. Have your child pick out a toy he or she once enjoyed receiving to contribute. Or choose one yourself. 22. Create Good Karma Pay for a cup of coffee or cocoa for the next person at the local coffee shop or drive-up window and make someone’s day. 23. Spread Cheer All season long, encourage your children to slow down, smile at others as they go by, and wish them “Happy Holidays” once they make eye contact. 24. Hide a Surprise Put a cookie plate or box of chocolates in the mailbox for your delivery person. Put the flag up or post a sticky note on the box to let him or her know it’s in there. 25. Consider Ongoing Giving Together, come up with ways your family can give year-round. Charities are often flooded with donations around the holidays but could use more support during the rest of the year. Spring and early summer are common dry periods for food banks. v 14 • November+December 2016 • EC Parent Magazine

Fun Ways to Keep Your Kids Entertained on Thanksgiving Day

By Alyssa Chirco

TURKEY DAY TRADITIONS Thanksgiving Day isn’t always a favorite among kids. From the pressure to be on their best behavior at the dinner table to the boredom that can set in while the grown-ups are busy cooking, it’s easy to see why children sometimes need a little help enjoying this particular holiday. Continued on page 16

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Continued from page 15

By creating a few new family traditions, you can keep kids busy and entertained on Thanksgiving Day—and even teach them a thing or two about gratitude in the process. Whether you’re celebrating with just your family or expecting a houseful of relatives, be sure to plan some of the following fun activities that kids of all ages can enjoy:

Watch a Thanksgiving Day parade. The annual Macy’s Thanksgiv-

Create a handprint turkey table runner. When kids cover their hands in

ing Day Parade in New York is televised live on Thanksgiving morning. Many other cities televise their parades on local stations as well.

fabric paint and press their handprints onto a plain white table runner, a festive Thanksgiving centerpiece can result. Let them draw or paint legs and beaks on the handprints to turn them into “turkeys.” Add new handprint turkeys to the same runner every year on Thanksgiving Day.

Start a gratitude journal. Pass around a pen and a notebook and ask family members and guests to write down five things they are thankful for. Give younger children crayons so they can draw pictures of things that make them happy. Not only will this activity keep kids busy, but it also creates a wonderful family keepsake, especially if you add to the notebook year after year.

PENSACOLA LITTLE THEATRE CLASSES FOR AGES 4 THROUGH ADULT ,

ALL LEVELS OF EXPERIENCE ARE WELCOME BROADEN YOUR HORIZONS BUILD SELF -CONFIDENCE HAVE FUN

Make homemade butter. Kids can do this one all by themselves. Add heavy whipping cream and a bit of salt to a glass jar, put on the lid and then shake, shake, shake. Gradually, the mixture will thicken and you’ll start to see a mass of butter inside. Flavor the butter if you like by mixing in fresh herbs, cinnamon or honey, and then serve it with Thanksgiving dinner.

FLAVOR THE BUTTER IF YOU LIKE BY MIXING IN FRESH HERBS, CINNAMON OR HONEY

Bake up a batch of “Thanksgiving Thankful Rolls.” Start by having children write down things they are thankful for on small strips of paper. Next, prepare a baking sheet as directed for your favorite crescent rolls. Have kids add one strip of paper to the middle of each piece of dough, and then roll up and bake according to the recipe (making sure no paper is sticking out or it will burn). These make a clever addition to any Thanksgiving table.

Play a game of touch football. Watching football may be a Thanksgiving Day tradition, but active kids are likely to prefer playing the actual game. Teach them

the rules, divide them into teams, and then send them outside to play. For even more family fun, encourage the adults to join too.

Set up a scavenger hunt. Divide

Go pumpkin bowling. Set up plastic

kids into teams and have them search for a list of Thanksgiving-themed items, such as candy corn, apples, cranberries, feathers, oven mitts, a turkey baster, and more. The team that finds all the items first wins.

bowling pins on your lawn or floor and let kids use small pumpkins (about four to six inches in diameter) as bowling balls. Hand out prizes for strikes and spares.

Write notes to relatives who live far away. Have grandparents or

Make pumpkin-pie playdough. Homemade pumpkin-pie playdough is easy to make, smells divine, and can keep kids busy for hours. Make a batch ahead of time, and then on Thanksgiving Day supply kids with rolling pins and cookie cutters so that they can create their very own masterpieces.

Set out coloring pages, word searches and mazes. Buy Thanksgiving-themed activity books at a craft or school supply store or look online to find pages you can print at home. Set these out at a kids’ table with an assortment of pencils, markers and crayons.

Take a family nature hike. Before dinner, take the kids outside to enjoy the crisp November air. Collect acorns, leaves and sticks for future craft projects and work up an appetite for the Thanksgiving meal to come.

other family members who live out of state and can’t visit for Thanksgiving? Encourage kids to write notes letting them know how much they are missed. Or use an application like Skype so that everyone can video chat face to face.

ENCOURAGE KIDS TO WRITE NOTES LETTING GRANDPARENT AND OTHER RELATIVES KNOW HOW MUCH THEY ARE MISSED

Assign responsibilities. Kids love to feel like they are contributing to the family in a meaningful way. Even young children can take coats from guests as they arrive. Ask older children to refill drinks as needed or help in the kitchen by washing dishes and loading the dishwasher. Continued on page 18

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Continued from page 17

Pay a tween or teen to chaperone.

15. Write letters to Santa. Planning

If you’re having a large holiday gathering where lots of children will be present, consider paying one of the older kids to entertain the younger ones. Have them play board games or read books about Thanksgiving. Tweens and teens appreciate the extra cash, and adults appreciate the extra help watching their kids.

to shop on Black Friday? If Santa visits your house, make it a tradition for kids to write letters to him on Thanksgiving so that you know what to buy. After all, Christmas is just around the corner! v

HAVE A TWEEN OR TEEN HELP YOU ENTERTAIN THE YOUNGER CHILDREN

Alyssa Chirco writes about parenting and family life for publications across the country. Making pumpkin-pie playdough is one of her family’s favorite Thanksgiving Day traditions.

Pumpkin-Pie Playdough INGREDIENTS •  cup flour • ½ cup salt •  cup water •  teaspoons cream of tartar •  teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (or a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves) • ½ teaspoon cinnamon •  tablespoon vegetable oil • orange gel food coloring paste (or red and yellow food coloring drops)

DIRECTIONS • Combine flour, salt, cream of tartar and spices in a medium nonstick saucepan. • Add oil, water and food coloring. Whisk until smooth. • Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, for about - minutes. You will know your playdough is finished when it begins to pull away from the sides and form a ball in the center of the pan. • Remove from heat and allow playdough to cool slightly. Once cool, knead on a flat surface for about a minute. For an even stronger scent, you can knead more cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice into the dough at this time. • Store in an airtight bag or sealed container for up to a week.

18 • November+December 2016 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

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Are You Prepared for Flu Season? Have you gotten your flu vaccine? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), everyone 6 months or older should get a flu shot, especially people at high risk for developing serious complications from influenza: young children, adults over 65, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic medical conditions like asthma, diabetes and lung disease. Flu activity most commonly peaks in the U.S. between December and February but can continue as late as May. The CDC confirmed that the influenza epidemic began earlier this year. If you think you have the flu, visit your doctor as soon as possible. They may be able to prescribe antiviral drugs to treat flu illness and prevent serious flu complications. High-risk individuals with the flu are particularly in need of prompt treatment. Adults are contagious one day before getting symptoms and up to five days after getting sick. The flu is different from a cold. It typically comes on suddenly, and symptoms include the following: • Fever* or feeling feverish/chills (*not everyone with flu will have a fever) • Cough • Sore throat • Runny or stuffy nose • Muscle or body aches • Headaches • Fatigue (tiredness) • Vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children)

There are three main things you can do to be safe this flu season: 1. Vaccinate—Get the flu shot for yourself and everyone in your family. It’s available at your doctor’s office and many urgent care centers in our area, with many offering same-day appointments. 2. Get treatment—If you do get the flu, your doctor can prescribe antiviral medication to treat flu illness and prevent serious flu complications. It’s important to treat high-risk individuals promptly to avoid hospitalization. 3. Prevention—Stay away from sick people and wash your hands frequently to reduce the spread of germs. Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze, and resist touching your eyes, mouth and nose. Avoid close contact with people who have the flu or symptoms; and if you’re sick with the flu, stay home from work or school to prevent spreading it to others. v Remember that this information is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor, but rather to increase awareness and provide you with information for conversations with your physician. North Okaloosa Medical Center is directly or indirectly owned by a partnership that proudly includes physician owners, including certain members of the hospital’s medical staff.

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The Flu: Stop the Spread Do you notice something about three of the tips above? They You—yes, you!—can help keep people from getinvolve your hands. That’s how a lot of germs get in our bodies in ting sick this flu season. How? It’s not too hard. the first place—whether it’s a cold, chickenpox or the flu. Germs get Just take these steps:. on our hands and we put our hands in our eyes, noses and especially • Get the flu vaccine. • Wash your hands often, especially before eating and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose. • Keep your sneezes and coughs to yourself (use a tissue or your elbow instead of your hand). • Keep your hands out of your eyes, mouth and nose.

Mom’s Always Right

You may have heard all these before—probably from your mom—but flu season is a great time to actually start doing them. By following these tips, you might be able to keep yourself from getting sick and prevent germs from spreading around and making other people sick.

our mouths. Sometimes you just can’t help it. You have to pick up your sandwich, floss your teeth, and do stuff like that. Our hands get plenty of opportunities to touch our eyes and noses, too. Don’t even get me started on nose-picking. I think you can guess that you shouldn’t be doing that during flu season either (or anytime—ew!).

Check Your Hand-Washing Skills The best habit of all these good habits is hand washing. When you wash your hands, you rinse away germs that you might have picked up here or there. When you do this before you eat, for instance, you reduce the chance that those germs will end up in your body, where they can make you sick.

22 • November+December 2016 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

Sure, you know how to wash your hands. But check your technique against these recommendations: 1. Use warm water (not cold or hot) when you wash your hands. 2. Use whatever soap you like. Some soaps come in cool shapes and colors or smell nice, but whatever kind gets you scrubbing is the kind you should use. Antibacterial soaps are OK to use, but regular soap works fine. 3. Work up some lather on both sides of your hands, your wrists, and between your fingers. Don’t forget to wash around your nails. This is one place germs like to hide. Wash for about 15 to 20 seconds—about how long it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” two times. 4. Rinse and dry well with a clean towel.

Let’s add a final step  since it’s flu season: Tell a friend to wash up, too! v

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FAMILY BUILDERS Strong Family Relationships Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Just Happen

ice ome n ing s e r a What can do dur you ers? things idays for oth l the ho

FamilyChatter CHALLENGE YOUR FAMILY TO ANSWER EVERY QUESTION! Keep track of which questions you and your family have answered by marking them off as you go.

What sce nts g the holid et you into ay spir Thanksg iving? Ch its: ristmas?

Who did you sit with at lunch? What did you talk about?

Why is Christmas a special time of year for you? And what are you looking forward to the most?

What are some nice things you can do durin g the holidays for others?

What was the best gift you have ever bee n given during the holidays? What made that gift so importan t to you? Do you still hav e it?

l meals are What specia forward to you looking olidays that during the h y don’t get? you normall

26 • November+December 2016 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

What is the earliest memory you have about Thanksgiving or Christmas? How old were you?

What are some things you and your class are doing in school to help celebrate the holidays?

If you could celebrate the holidays anywhere in the world, where would you choose? Why?

ons do What family traditi d them? te ar you have? Who st m fa ily kept How long has your hat are some these tradition? W u can start? new traditions yo

What are your favorite classical holiday stories you like to hear every year during the holiday season?

Should fruitcake be outlawed? What are your favorite holiday treats? Who makes them for you? How can you show your appreciation?

r favorite What is you rol? What Christmas ca favorite is your least rol? Christmas ca

If you could ch ange anything abou t the holidays, what would you change an d why?

How can your family spread Christmas cheer to those who are homeless or less fortunate?

C H AT T E R T I P S :

Here are a number of places you can use these questions to spur on great conversation! At the kitchen table In the family room during commercials In the backyard On road trips in the car Yell them out loud—out of the blue—just for fun!

ItsYourMagazine.com • EC Parent Magazine • November+December 2016 • 27

That’s Good to Know!

InformationYou Can Use!

CLEANING E V I T A R E P COO na B y C h ri s ti

K a tz

Rally the Family to Tackle Chores Together If there is one major mistake most moms make, it is obsessing about always having a clean home. Loosen up, Mom. If your home has to be perfectly clean all the time, guess who is going to have to keep it that way? Declare your home a cleaning cooperative instead. Maintaining a pristine lifestyle is no longer your job alone. Besides, a more cooperative approach gets the whole family on the teamwork track and sets a great example of how many hands make lighter work for all. If you work side by side with your spouse and family, you might even pick up a few chore shortcuts yourself by observing how

others get things done. Instead of you doing all the dividing and conquering, let the whole family pitch in and transform chaos into cooperation. Here’s how:

One for All and All for Clean! Share responsibility for chores throughout the entire family, removing the lion’s share of the responsibility from your shoulders. You are the leader and you and your spouse can co-lead when you are both home. But from this day onward, care of house and home is a group effort.

Teach as You Go. Put some energy

into your demo the first few times you show kids how to do something. If you teach them with a flourish, they will likely remember what you said and did, even if they are trying to tune you out. Kids learn faster when they can watch and imitate. Younger kids can learn by watching older kids.

Check Their Work. With exposure to your methodology, your trainees will pick up on the most effective ways to clean; and with repetition, what they try themselves Continued on page 31

28 • November+December 2016 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

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 Do the “fix-it” jobs she wants done around the house. Do little things for her—an unexpected kiss, coffee in bed. Wash her car without telling her. Surprise her with a card or flowers. Start each day by telling her you love her. Work on getting rid of one habit that annoys her. Spend time talking with her.

Challenge yourself to complete all 10 ideas in each issue. Don’t just focus on the easy ones!

Be especially helpful on days when she is feeling tired. Take her out to breakfast or make her breakfast. Hold her hand in public.

EC Parent Magazine • November+December 2016 • 29

M I H y u care Prepare a surprise for him. Focus on the positive—focus on what you have already! Brainstorm vacation ideas and how to save for them.

Challenge yourself to complete all 10 ideas in each issue. Don’t just focus on the easy ones!

Hide notes for him around the house where only he will find them. Wear his favorite dress tonight. Work on getting rid of one habit that annoys him. Play a board game together. Call him out of the blue just to say that you love him. Go for an adventure together— somewhere unexpected. Cook his favorite dish. That old saying about the way to a man’s heart is true! 30 • November+December 2016 • EC Parent Magazine

Continued from page 28

will become habit. Train them once and then follow up by checking their work twice. Then check it another time in the future when they don’t expect it. If they pass muster all three times, then you are ready to teach them something new.

Take It One Floor at a Time. Rather than spreading the

family around, tackle one floor at a time with a couple of people in each room. There is something genuinely encouraging about watching the house transform quickly from chaos into order right before your eyes. Your teams’ effectiveness will keep everyone focused.

There is something genuinely encouraging about watching the house transform quickly from chaos into order right before your eyes. Move Briskly. When the troops are flagging, put on some upbeat music. If this doesn’t help, practice a little ready, set, go. Set a timer and see if you can beat your record from your last cleaning session. You’ll only be competing with yourselves.

Tackle Tasks Together. This means one person gathers the

clothes, another sorts them, another runs the washer and dryer, and everyone folds. When everyone is in charge of everything, kids learn to just jump in and do what needs to get done next, which will pay off now and in future teamwork situations.

Try Temporary Amnesia. Rather than try to force squab-

bling siblings to get along, which will slow down the entire operation, why not teach them that they don’t always have to get along perfectly to work together and get things done. They can learn to put aside their differences temporarily in service of a common cause.

Let Someone Else Lead. Maybe the fearless leader needs

a reprieve. If you are tired, cranky or under the weather, why not appoint someone to lead the troops in your place? Rotate leadership on a regular basis and watch your kids rise to the occasion.

Forget Pristine Perfection. Imperfection is your new

normal, so get used to more Wabi-Sabi standards of living. I doubt anyone is on the way over to photograph your home for a magazine shoot anyway. Think of your home as cultivating a lived-in look. And if you don’t finish today—no big deal. Chores can re-commence when the whole crew returns home. So, when you have cleaning to do, Mom, stop taking it all on yourself and get ready to rally the family. v Christina Katz is a full-time journalist, author, and writing coach— translation: the house was tidied over the weekend and will descend into chaos as the week wears on. Her latest book is The Art of Making Time for Yourself, A Collection of Advice for Moms. EC Parent Magazine • November+December 2016 • 31

WORK-TOGETHER STRATEGIES THAT GET CHORES DONE No mother should have to tackle all the chores alone. Try these strategies to get everyone in the family pitching in: • Fold laundry together while watching a lighthearted film or TV show • Prepare meals for the week all at one time while listening to new music • Take it outside and mow, rake, weed and wash cars together • Rally the troops to tackle seasonal chores every three months • Take a break from family time for a couple of hours after intensive cleaning

SOLVE CHAOS BY FLEXING YOUR SORTING SYSTEMS

If your teen’s dresser is always empty, with clothes strewn about the room, maybe that’s because she would prefer a more visual approach to sorting her clothes. Why not try cubes in the closet instead of drawers? Here’s a list of sorting solutions that work for any age child’s room: • • • • • •

Furniture cubes No-slip hangers Shoe bucket or tub Laundry hamper Jewelry sorter Shelves

• Rows of hooks • Large and small bins • Hanging or back-ofdoor sorters • Paper and tabletop sorters

MESSAGE TO WORK-ATHOME MOMS

A cooperative approach works well even if mom stays home to work. However, a mom who works at home is going to have to learn to tolerate more entropy than she did when a tidy house was part of her work description. Once you start working, your time, energy, and attention are needed for your new job, not the dishes in the sink, the dirty laundry on the floor, or the toys scattered around the front yard. You are going to have to learn how to say, “Oh well, we’ll all tackle this later”—and then stick to it so that you can concentrate on the tasks at hand. So find yourself a pair of blinders and know when to wear them.

Teach Your Kids Something New!

rep P l a e M y a d Holi with Kids

r Le e Le a p B y H e a th e

Holidays are a great time to involve kids in meal planning and preparation, but they can also be a hectic and emotional time. Slowing down to a child-friendly pace and taking a few moments to consider what tasks can be safely delegated to your kids can keep the happy in your holiday. Whether you have plenty of time to plan or are throwing things together at the last minute, there are ways that kids of all ages can help out, connect with family and friends, and share in the creation of new family traditions. This season, gather as a family to talk about past holidays and food favorites. Does your family have any traditional foods that you prepare at this time? Just talking about past experiences can build anticipation and enthusiasm for what’s to come. Are there some neglected family traditions you’d like to revive, or new ones you’d like to create? Joanna Sooper, mom and owner of Turnip the Heat Cooking School in Oregon, suggests that parents be open to their kids’ ideas for holiday food, decorations and celebrations. “We get set in our ways, especially around holidays, but you can really get buy-in from kids by acknowledging that they are a new and valued part of the family, welcome to create new traditions,” says Sooper. If you’re stumped for ideas and tempted to banish the kids from the kitchen, try these ideas for family-friendly preparations.

BEFORE THE BIG DAY: Browse cookbooks together (preferably ones with photographs of yummy-looking food). Create and send invitations, even if your celebration is just for family. Decorate the blank side of index cards to represent the season. On the other side print, “I am thankful for…” (regardless of the holiday). Continued on page 34

32 • November+December 2016 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

Continued from page 34

Use craft tape to attach artificial leaves to the ends of pens, wrapping the tape the full length of the pen, to serve as a decoration and for guests to write on their cards before the meal.

KID-FRIENDLY MEALPREPARATION TASKS: • Setting the table • Gathering ingredients and kitchen tools • Scrubbing veggies, such as potatoes and carrots, in a bowl of water in the sink

• Arranging a relish tray with pickles, olives and crudités • Spinning the salad spinner • Banging a food chopper • Placing ingredients in the blender or food processor (leave unplugged until the lid is safely secured!) • Stripping leaves from stems of herbs

ARTISTIC INTERLUDE: Still, things are likely to get hectic, the kitchen will inevitably get crowded, and it’s great to have an activity that can keep kids occupied. Sooper suggests letting the kids

create unique placemats for each guest by covering the dining table with white paper before the table is set. Use tape to secure the paper to the table; then use a pencil to outline a placematsized space at each seat. Kids can use Washi Tape or another easy-to-tear paper tape to outline the rectangles and then use crayons, colored pencils and rubber stamps to decorate each place. This activity can keep children as well as adults engaged, sharing in the creative work. When the holidays are over, take time to reflect on which activities were a success and which were a bust. Talk about what you might change next time, and don’t be surprised if your child starts to join you in the kitchen even when a celebration isn’t in the works. v

Heather Lee Leap is a mom, a writer and a Next Generation yoga teacher. She loves to try new recipes and bring unexpected side dishes to holiday potlucks. Find her at www.wellnessandwords.com.

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34 • November+December 2016 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

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SNACKS & CRAFTS

alls Chocolate Peanut Butter B

y oughl akes r balls m y l i r m te Our fa peanut but as! 2,000 ery Christm ev

Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls Back by popular demand! These peanut butter balls are a tasty way to begin and continue a family tradition of your own. Enjoy making these together in the kitchen and giving them away to friends and family!

o many years ag to my mother who asks. pe ci re is th n gave yone Adeline Melvi share it with an est—that she qu re e on ith w

YO U NE ED •  Cups Crispy Rice Cereal ky Peanut Butter •  Ounces or  Cups Chun •  Pounds Powdered Sugar •  Cup Melted Butter t •  Teaspoons Vanilla Extrac ips •  Ounces Chocolate Ch x (food grade) •  Cup Grated Paraffin Wa • Plastic Tablecloth • Tongs DI RE CT IO NS er, t chocolate and wax) togeth • Mix all ingredients (excep balls. ed siz roll into Ping-Pong with hands if necessary, and the in ts near the canning produc • Shred paraffin Wax (sold cessor or by hand. grocer y store) in a food pro wavewax together in a large micro • Mix chocolate chips and at a tes nu mi wave for only  or  safe bowl. Melt in the micro to not l efu car roughly melted. Be time, mixing often until tho will clump and burn. overheat the chocolate or it m lted chocolate and place the me • With tongs, dip balls into . on a plastic tablecloth to dry h. es om too thick to work wit • Reheat chocolate if it bec dling. han for several hours before • Let the balls cool and dry t. inese take-out whyitegifCh in ida a plahol a fun ls in balfor 10top bowuton Plahcea abo Tip: wit box count to 10 as they put the Tip: Preschoolers love to balls in the boxes.

INGREDIENTS • Wilton food coloring: burgandy, orange, moss green and brown • Butter

Compliments of Two Sisters Crafting, www.TwoSistersCrafting.com

Fall Leaves Rice Krispie Treats • Rice Krispie cereal • Mini marshmallows • Leaf cookie cutter

DIRECTIONS Do the following for each color of leaf you are going to make: • Melt  Tablespoons of butter in a medium pan on medium heat. • Add  cups of Mini Marshmallows and stir them until they are melted. • Add - drops of food coloring and stir until completely mixed. • Add  cups of Rice Krispie cereal and mix until the Rice Krispie cereal is covered with the marshmallow mixture. • Press the Rice Krispie Treat mixture into a lightly buttered cookie sheet. • Cut out the Fall Leaves Rice Krispie Treats with a leaf cookie cutter.

It just takes a little food coloring to turn something yummy into something yummy and beautiful.

INGREDIENTS •  box cake mix •  can chocolate frosting •  tube red icing •  tube orange icing •  package of Oreo cookies

Compliments of Kelly Stilwell, www.kellystilwell.com

Thanksgiving Turkey Cupcakes •  package Fudge Stripe Cookies •  bag of Candy Corn •  bag of Chocolate M&M’s • Paper cupcake liners

DIRECTIONS • Preheat oven to  degrees. • Place paper liners in the cupcake tins. • Mix cupcakes according to directions on box. • Scoop cupcake mix into liners and bake at  degrees for - minutes. • Remove from oven and allow to cool. • Frost cupcakes with chocolate frosting. • Lay the Fudge stripecookies strip side down and “glue” the candy corn on the fudge side of the cookie. • Allow some time to dry. • Stick the cookie into the back of the frosted cupcake to secure the “tail”. • Separate two Oreo cookies per cupcake. Keep the side with the white filling and eat the other side. • “Glue” a chocolate M&M to the Oreo. Place the eyes on the cupcake. • Make a dot with orange icing for the nose. • Apply the red icing for the waddle.

38 • November+December 2016 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

These big-eyed turkey cupcakes are sure to be a big hit at your thanksgiving party this year.

Compliments of Inside BruCrew Life, www.insidebrucrewlife.com

Reindeer Snack Cakes INGREDIENTS •  chocolate covered snack cakes (TastyKake, Peanut Butter, Kandy Kakes) •  paper straws •  oz. chocolate melting chocolate (CandiQuik) •  candy eyeballs •  Red Sixlets •  pretzel pieces

These Reindeer Snack Cakes are an easy and fun treat for any and all holiday parties. Kids of all ages will love them.

DIRECTIONS • Melt the chocolate according to the package directions. • Dip a toothpick in the chocolate and use it to attach the Sixlets and candy eyes to the front of the snack cake. • Use a sharp knife to make a slit in the bottom of the snack cakes. Dip the end of each straw in the melted chocolate. Gently push it into the center of the cookie. • Press the pretzel pieces into the top of the snack cake to make holes. Remove and dip the ends of the pretzels into the melted chocolate. Place back into the antler holes. • Store in a sealed container. Makes  snack cakes.

Compliments of Two Sisters Crafting, www.TwoSistersCrafting.com

Christmas Rice Krispie Bites INGREDIENTS • Butter • Rice Krispie Cereal • Mini Marshmallows • Americolor Super Red Food Coloring

• Americolor Leaf Green Food Coloring • Wilton Nonpareils Christmas Sprinkles

DIRECTIONS • Melt  Tablespoons of butter in a medium pan on medium heat. • Add  cups of Mini Marshmallows and stir them until they are melted. • Add - drops of food coloring and stir until completely mixed. • Add  cups of Rice Krispie cereal and mix until the Rice Krispie cereal is covered with the marshmallow mixture. • Add sprinkles into the still warm mixture. • Roll a spoonful of the warm Rice Krispie Treat mixture into a ball. Yummy, bite-sized balls of crunchy, marshmallow-y delight. Easy to make and even better to eat.

ItsYourMagazine.com • EC Parent Magazine • November+December 2016 • 39

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Button Ornament MATERIALS •  Small Buttons •  Larger Button •  Ball Pins • Ribbon for Hanging • ½-inch Styrofoam Ball INSTRUCTIONS • Place a button on the Styrofoam ball. • Push a ball pin through one of the holes to attach it. • Continue placing buttons over the entire ball until covered. • If there are any open spaces, you can add a second layer of buttons. • Cut a -inch section of ribbon and roll into a loop. • Place the large button inside the loop. • Use  pins to attach the large button and ribbon to the ball. Push the pins in different directions so it will hold tightly.

Shiny red ball pins with large heads help to give your Christmas button ornament a nice touch of red.

Cute Microwavable Heat Packs MATERIALS • Cotton Material - " x ” •  Cups of Uncooked Rice • Thread DIRECTIONS • Fold material in half, right sides together. • Sew bottoms and sides together, using a ½ inch seam allowance. • Turn pack inside out. • Fill pack with approximately  cups of rice. • Sew final edge closed. Fold over and sew again to reinforce the final edge.

These make great Christmas giveaway gifts for everyone on your list! We used bandanas. You can make 4 heat packs out of just one bandana. Try other ingredients inside - Feed corn, Buckwheat hulls, Oatmeal, Beans or Flax seed

ItsYourMagazine.com • EC Parent Magazine • November+December 2016 • 41

TEEN Helpful Advice from One Teen to Another!

TALK

SEASONS OF LIFE At this time of year leaves are becoming crisp and changing colors as they fall from trees. The mornings are becoming cool and crisp. Autumn is here—embracing us with warm sweet lattes, moody hues of color, comfy sweaters, cute boots, fairy lights, and pumpkin pie. This season is one to plunge into and enjoy every aspect of. Although I am always excited to feel that cool breeze run through my hair and have the opportunity to bundle up in soft clothes, my favorite parts are drinking hot chocolate, seeing all the fall decorations, and curling up in big blankets. November is the month of Thanksgiving—a holiday where we celebrate what and who we are thankful for in one of the best ways, with good food. When you go on Thanksgiving break this year, try to get your schoolwork out of the way early so you can focus on this wondrous holiday and all that

fall has to offer. But don’t forget that this holiday is about being thankful and appreciating everyone and everything you have, so be sure to tell the people you care about “thank you” for all that they have done. As we grow older we gain new relationships with boyfriends and girlfriends, which leads us to integrate with their families. This gives us the chance to meet more people and connect with others who are not our direct family. As seniors in high school we will be going on dates, trying new things, and asking for more freedom. This Thanksgiving I have been invited to go with my boyfriend’s family on their trip to Pennsylvania and New York for Thanksgiving break. Normally I have stayed home with my immediate family and previously I would not have thought of participating in something such as this. But I recognize now that I am older and am preparing to move away from home for college that opportunities to travel to new places such as these do not come along every day. Although Thanksgiving is a very important holiday and

I will be away, I will be calling my family to tell them how grateful I am for all of them. And then there’s Christmas! Santa, elves, candy canes and twinkling lights! Dressed-up trees and wrapped gifts! A festive December is a great way to end the year and lead us into the New Year, with all the hopes and opportunities that “new” has to offer us. This is such a fun and wonderful time of year. I just ask that everyone slow down this holiday season and make a promise to themselves to truly enjoy the moment. Talk to someone in the checkout line. Treat the person behind you in line at Starbucks and give them a fun holiday surprise. Do something really meaningful and make a monetary donation to a worthy cause. Love your family. Love your friends. Take the joy of the season with you into the New Year. My very best wishes to you for a joyous holiday season! v

Shailey S E N I O R, AG E 17

42 • November+December 2016 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

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Family

FUN GUIDE CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Making the Most of Life on the Coast! 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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5 12 19 26

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2 9 16 23 30

3 10 17 24 31

Holiday Craft Show

Fri, Nov. 18 – Sat, Nov. 19 – Destin (1:00p.m.) The City of Destin’s 10th Annual Holiday Craft Show will be held at the Destin Community Center. There will be handcrafted jewelry, woodcarvings, watercolor paintings, and much more. For more information, please call the Destin Community Center at 850-654-5184.

Sparkling Wine and Holiday Lights

Sat, November 19 – Baytowne Wharf (4:00p.m.) Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort and the Sandestin Wine Festival are kicking off the holiday season with a special sparkling event. Stroll streets lined with lights, sip champagne and sample feature menu items from various Village restaurants. Enjoy live music, and end the night with the first tree lighting of the season and the Village’s choreographed light show. For more information, please visit www. baytownewharf.com.

Grande Vista Thanksgiving

Thurs, November 24 – Destin (11:00a.m.) Savor family moments together this Thanksgiving and let Grande Vista Bar and Grill cook your Thanksgiving feast. Relax on the Destin Harbor and enjoy a four-course dinner. For reservations, please call 850-424-0621.

Thanksgiving Potluck

Thurs, November 24 – Perdido Key (12:00p.m.)

Seasonal Baytowne on Ice

Sat, October 29 – Fri, February 10 – Baytowne Wharf Dust off those skates and get in the winter spirit at The Village of Baytowne Wharf’s Baytowne on Ice. Their seasonal ice-skating rink is the perfect opportunity to enjoy some of your favorite holiday traditions. For more information, please visit www.baytownewharf. com.

Veterans Day Parade

Fri, November 11 – Crestview (9:00a.m.) The Veterans Organizations of Crestview are planning their annual Veterans Day Parade. This year marks the 100th birthday for the City of Crestview, so it will be an extraordinary and memorable occasion. For more information, please visit www.crestviewchamber.com.

DeFrance Christmas Market

Sat, November 12 – Fort Walton Beach (9:00a.m.) One of their biggest events of the year, DeFrance’s Christmas Market is a fun event for all ages. Vendors will set up with all kinds of holiday gifts and décor. There will be food on the grill to benefit a local charity, and entertainment for children and adults throughout the day. For more information, please call 850-314-7500.

Spend your Thanksgiving at Flora-Bama. Bring a covered dish and get all the turkey and ham your belly can stand. For more information, please call 850-492-0611.

Santa Drop

Thurs, November 24 – Perdido Key (12:00p.m.) Kick off the holidays at Flora-Bama with their annual Santa Drop. Visit with Santa and watch him skydive onto the white sandy beaches. There will be activities, free sweets, hot chocolate, and juice for the kids. For more information, please call 850-492-0611.

Thanksgiving Cuisines on the Solaris Thurs, November 24 – Sandestin

Celebrate Thanksgiving on the water on the Solaris. Guests will enjoy a lavish Thanksgiving buffet, including a cornucopia of coastal and traditional cuisines. For more information, please call 850-650-2519.

Santa’s Arrival at HarborWalk Village Fri, November 25 – Sun, November 27 – HarborWalk Village (12:00p.m.)

Santa makes his grand entrance to the Destin Harbor at their holiday season kick-off. Kids will enjoy free activities and can visit with Santa Claus. This event is free and open to the public. For more dates, times and information, please visit www.emeraldgrande.com.

Here Comes Santa

Fri, November 25 – Sat, November 26 – Baytowne Wharf Start the evening watching Polar Express under the stars at 6:00p.m. Then, welcome

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Santa to Baytowne and cheer him on as he lights the Village Christmas tree. Stick around for a preview of 12 nights of lights, and watch as fireworks light up the sky over the lagoon. Last, but not least, visit with Santa himself, and tell him your Christmas wish. For more information, please visit www.baytownewharf. com.

12 Nights of Lights

Fri, December 2 – Fri, December 30 – Baytowne Wharf Enjoy a festive light show every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday leading up to Christmas. Watch a dazzling show on the Village tree. For more information and show times, please visit www.baytownewharf.com.

DeFrance Christmas Open House

Sat, December 3 – Fort Walton Beach (9:00a.m.) Head to DeFrance for their annual event to say thank-you to their customers. There will be food, surprises and sales throughout the store. The choir from Cinco Baptist Church will be on site early in the day to sing Christmas carols and put you in the Christmas spirit. For more information, please visit www. fwbchamber.org.

Holiday Concert Series

Wed, December 7 – Wed, December 28 – Baytowne Wharf (7:00p.m.) Get in the winter spirit and listen to some of your favorite holiday classics. Every Wednesday throughout December, enjoy a holiday edition of their Wednesday Night Concert Series. Each concert will feature a festive light show and a visit with Ol’ St. Nick. For more information, please visit www. baytownewharf.com.

Breakfast with Santa

Sat, December 10 – HarborWalk Village (8:00a.m.) Ring in the holiday cheer and have breakfast with Santa Claus at Grande Vista Bar and Grill. For reservations, please call 850-424-0621.

Tuba Christmas and Holiday Lantern Parade Sat, December 10 – Baytowne Wharf (6:00p.m.)

Playground Music Center presents a Tuba Christmas where more than 30 brass instruments play some of your favorite holiday classics. Following a Tuba Christmas will be Baytowne’s 7th Annual Holiday Lantern Parade. For more information, please visit www.baytownewharf.com.

Lighted Boat Parade

Sun, December 11 – HarborWalk Village (6:00p.m.) Head to the Harbor for the 30th Annual Holiday on the Harbor Lighted Boat Parade, and watch all of the boats light up the Destin Harbor. For more information, please visit www.destinchamber.com.

Christmas Potluck

Sun, December 25 – Perdido Key (12:00p.m.) Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, Christmas is a time for family and friends to gather and

celebrate. Flora-Bama is hosting a traditional Christmas potluck dinner, with live music to bring Christmas cheer. Patrons are encouraged to bring a covered dish to share. For more information, please call 850-492-0611.

Baytowne Countdown

Sat, December 31 – Baytowne Wharf (6:00p.m.) The Village of Baytowne Wharf will be rocking in the New Year with an end-ofthe-year celebration. From 6:00–8:00p.m. families can enjoy face painting, kids’ activities, and a fireworks display. After, ring in 2017 with two more fireworks displays, and dance the night away with live music until 1:00a.m. For more information, please visit www.baytownewharf.com.

New Year’s Eve Bash

Sat, December 31 – Perdido Key (7:00p.m.) Flora-Bama really gets down on New Year’s Eve! Enjoy live music, food, party favors and champagne. For more information, please call 850-492-0611.

New Year’s Eve Street Party

Sat, December 31 – Sun, January 1 – HarborWalk Village Dine, drink and dance into the New Year throughout HarborWalk Village. Enjoy live music in the restaurants, as well as two firework shows. Be sure not to forget about the 9th Annual Ball Drop descending over the Harbor that makes this celebration Destin’s most exciting place to be on New Year’s Eve. For more information, please visit www. emeraldgrande.com.

Jerry Seinfeld

Fri, November 11 – Mattie Kelly Arts Center (7:00p.m.) America’s premier comedian, Jerry Seinfeld, will be performing his signature stand-up routine at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center in the Mainstage Theater. For more information, please call 850-729-6000.

Symphony Sunday

Sun, November 13 – Mattie Kelly Arts Center (2:00p.m.) The Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra’s 30th Season continues with a matinee concert. The concert, called Music, Movement and the Royal Instrument, is Dr. Jeremy Ribando’s original composition. For more information, or to purchase tickets, please visit www. mattiekellyartscenter.org.

Northwest Florida Ballet presents The Nutcracker

For ticket prices and more information, please call 850-729-6000.

Hometown Holiday

Sun, December 11 – Mattie Kelly Arts Center (7:30p.m.) Gulf Breeze High School and Fort Walton Beach High School join forces to present Hometown Holiday. The most talented students in Northwest Florida will perform beloved holiday music and characters. For more information, please visit www.mattiekellyartscenter.org.

Jazz Ensemble Fall Concert

Tues, December 13 – Mattie Kelly Arts Center (7:30p.m.) The talented Northwest Florida State College Jazz Ensemble proudly presents their Fall Concert in the Mainstage Theater of the Mattie Kelly Arts Center. Admission is free and no ticket is required. For more information, please visit www.mattiekellyartscenter.org.

Fri, November 18 – Sun, November 20 – Mattie Kelly Arts Center The Northwest Florida Ballet presents the 37th annual performance of the brilliant holiday favorite The Nutcracker. For more information, please visit www.mattiekellyartscenter.org.

Cirque Dreams Holidaze – National Tour Tues, November 22 – Mattie Kelly Arts Center Cirque Dreams Holidaze lights up the 2016 holiday season with its critically acclaimed holiday stage extravaganza. This new cirque show, Broadway musical and family Christmas spectacular all in one is sure to make for a spectacular evening. For ticket prices and more information, please call 850-729-6000.

Christmas Carol in Concert

Thurs, December 1 – Sat, December 3 – Mattie Kelly Arts Center The classic Charles Dickens tale, A Christmas Carol, takes a delightful twist in a customized adaptation by Northwest Florida State College that combines vibrant song and dance, along with period costumes and narration. For tickets and more information, please visit www. mattiekellyartscenter.org.

Holiday Pops Concert

Fri, December 9 – Mattie Kelly Arts Center (7:30p.m.)

The Arts 9 to 5 the Musical, presented by Stage Crafters

Fri, November 4 – Fort Walton Beach (7:30p.m.) 9 to 5 the Musical, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and book by Patricia Resnick, is based on the seminal 1980 hit movie. Tickets are $20. For show times and more information, please visit www.fwbchamber.org.

The Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra’s 30th Season continues with their popular annual Holiday Pops concert. Ring in the season with all of your holiday favorites. For more information, please visit www. mattiekellyartscenter.org.

A Peter White Christmas

Sat, December 10 – Mattie Kelly Arts Center (7:30p.m.) The wildly popular A Peter White Christmas, featuring Rick Braun and Euge Groove, is coming to the Emerald Coast. Contemporary jazz lovers eagerly await this annual fun-filled concert, which has packed fans into halls and arenas coast to coast, year after year.

Sounds Fun Grande Bourbon and Dinner Pairing

Thurs, November 10 – HarborWalk Village (6:00p.m.) Jim Beam and Emerald Grande are teaming up for a special dinner, pairing craft bourbon with chef-selected food items. For more information, please visit www.destinchamber.com.

Destin Pooch Palooza

Sat, November 12 – Destin (6:00p.m.) Head to the Destin Dog Park for the 2nd Annual Destin Pooch Palooza. This event is a festival for dogs and their families and friends, and will feature vendor booths, non-profit dog rescues, food, face painting for kids, and stencils for dogs. For more information, please call Destin City Hall at 850-837-4242.

Heritage Museum Tour for Home School Students

Tues, November 15 – Valparaiso (1:00p.m.) The Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida now offers tours for home school students once per quarter during the school year. Each tour focuses

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on a different topic related to Northwest Florida history. Home school families must register their students in advance. For more information, please call 850-678-2615.

4th Annual Bourbon at the Bay

Thurs, November 17 – Destin (5:30p.m.) Sip on bourbon, scotch and champagne, enjoy hors d’oeuvres, and start your holiday shopping early at the 4thAnnual Bourbon at the Bay. There will be a silent auction, which will include trips, gift certificates, and more. This event is open to the public, and tickets are $40. For more information, please visit www.destinchamber.com.

who attend. For more information, please call 850-438-9714.

Bowling for Business Tournament and Lunch Tues, December 13 – Destin (11:00a.m.)

How about a mini-bowling tournament for your December 13 lunch break? The highest male and female scorers, as well as the top team, will win prizes! A perfect score will win a free oneyear Chamber business membership. For more information, please call 850-837-6241.

Make It to the Line

Sat, December 17 – Perdido Key (10:00a.m.) Individuals and families are signing up for Flora-Bama’s four-mile run/walk and one-mile fun run! A portion of the proceeds from this race will benefit the Secret Santa program. For more information, please visit www. pensacolachamber.com.

more information, call Steve with GulfWind Paddle & Surf at 850-200-8375.

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.

Downtown FWB Farmers’ Market Every 2nd Saturday of each month – Fort Walton Beach (8:00a.m.)

The Downtown FWB Farmers’ Market is now open every second Saturday of the month. The market will be held at the Fort Walton Beach Landing Park and will offer an array of vendors. For more information please visit www.fwbchamber.org.

Volunteer Opportunity Place

Contact CC Fearson at 850-659-3190.

Socks

Contact Nikole Wood at 850-863-8999.

PAWS

Contact Alicia Sikes at 850-243-1525.

Salvation Army

Runs, Walks & More

Contact Lisa Martinez at 850-243-4531.

Habitat for Humanity

Capes and Crowns Fun Run and 5K

Contact Mark McEnaney at 850-685-0686.

Sat, November 5 – Perdido Key (9:00a.m.) Get ready to dress up as your favorite superhero or glittering princess as the Capes and Crowns Fun Run and 5K will be magical for the entire family. This event is open to all ages and will benefit The Tree House Episcopal Montessori School in Santa Rosa Beach. For more information, and to register, please visit www.baytownewharf.com.

Annual Celebrity Songwriters’ Golf Tournament

Mon, November 7 – Pensacola (9:30a.m.) Join the Perdido Key Area Chamber of Commerce for its Annual Celebrity Songwriters’ Golf Tournament. This event is held every year in conjunction with the Frank Brown International Songwriters’ Festival. There will be a meet and greet with the songwriters, as well as a live remote with SUNNY 105.7 FM. Enjoy free lunch and tons of food and drink holes throughout the course. For more information, please visit www.pensacolachamber.com.

Miles of Memories

Sun, November 13 – Niceville (8:00a.m.) Head to Hurricane Grill and Wings in Niceville for the 4th Annual Miles of Memories event. This event will have the option of a 5K race or a one-mile walk. Registration begins at 8:00a.m., and the race begins at 9:00a.m. Refreshments and entertainment will be provided for those

Florosa Fire Department

Reoccurring Local Monthly Movie Night

Every 3rd Tuesday of each month – Destin (4:00p.m.) The Friends Guild of the Destin Library, Inc. will sponsor a monthly movie night featuring independent films and documentaries. The goal is to provide residents with the opportunity to view films that are in limited release and/or unlikely to be presented in local theaters. For more information, please visit www.destinchamber.com.

Poetry & Music Jam

Every 2nd Tuesday of each month – 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.

GulfWind Paddle & Surf Wednesday Night BOTE Board Demo Event Every Wednesday of each month – Santa Rosa Beach (6:00p.m.)

Socialize with other paddleboard enthusiasts every Wednesday evening and take time to demo ride the entire fleet of BOTE Boards. For

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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.

Don’t See Your Event? Send calendar events to us at info@itsyourmagazine.com

ATE EXPLORE ENCOUNTER EDUCATE EXPLORE ENCOUNTER ED RE ENCOUNTER EDUCATE EXPLORE ENCOUNTER EDUCATE EX NTER EDUCATE EXPLORE ENCOUNTER EDUCATE EXPLORE ENC ATE EXPLORE ENCOUNTER EDUCATE EXPLORE ENCOUNTER ED RE ENCOUNTER EDUCATE EXPLORE ENCOUNTER EDUCATE EX NTER EDUCATE EXPLORE ENCOUNTER EDUCATE EXPLORE ENC ATE EXPLORE ENCOUNTER EDUCATE EXPLORE ENCOUNTER ED RE ENCOUNTER EDUCATE EXPLORE ENCOUNTER EDUCATE EX ENCOUNTER For more information about these programs and more, call or visit our website. Discover the difference a hands on encounter 850.664.1261 • www.ECScience.org with science can make! Seasonal Hours: Tue.-Sat.: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Find touchable, workable exhibits that teach about natural phenomena and basic scientific principles for children and families. • Robotics Exhibits • Live Reptile & Amphibian Room • Live Birds • Brain Games • Field Trips • Planetarium Nights • “Science of...”(Monthly event series geared towards adults)

31 SW Memorial Pkwy. Fort Walton Beach

Have Your Party at the Science Center! Choose from one of our four themes: Dino Dig • Animal Safari • Mad Scientist • Space Party Packages Available Saturdays from 11am-1pm or 1:30pm-3:30pm

Party includes admission for 12 children and two adults, a science activity, use of the private party room, a party host to assist with party details, party favors for each child, set up/clean up, decorations, use of fridge and microwave, paper products and drinks. Call today to plan your party!

First Saturday of the month 10 am-2 pm • Ages 9-14 Our Robotics Workshops will cover a range of robotics skills and concepts to help introduce students to robotics and give them the skills needed to compete in Lego League.