Salem MOM | February / March 2022

real local moms

since 2005

Salem | February / March 2022

COVER MOM

PARTIES

RAISING GLOBAL CITIZENS

ALEXANDRA UMBARGER

KIDS’ BIRTHDAY PARTIES

A READING LIST

Drive-Up COVID-19 Saliva Testing Available to the Community

Santiam Hospital & Clinics is offering a saliva-based COVID-19 PCR test to the public.

Where

Things To Know Before You Go

When

Do not eat, drink, smoke, vape, or chew tobacco for at least 30 minutes prior to your test.

• Foothills Church, back parking lot 975 Fern Ridge Rd. SE, Stayton, OR 97383 • Monday through Friday, 12:00pm to 6:00 pm.

We will offer collection and testing on Saturdays from 9:00am-3:00pm

Register Online

• Patients should pre-register online at www.labdash.net

Make an Appointment

• After registering make your appointment by scanning the QR code:

For more information

• Visit santiamhospital.org/coronavirus/#covid-info-tabs|2

Appointments may be required depending on testing availability.

You do not need a provider order to be able to test with us. If you have an order please bring it with you. They will receive your results.

Results are available in 24-72 hours via an email from LabDash.

It’s what‘s

Raising global citizens

22

inside that counts

Spring cleaning 24

Kids’ birthday parties

28

Meet the MOM experts ... 4

Healthy MOM..................... 8

Raising global citizens....22

They know what they’re

Flex your empathy muscles.

A reading list for children

Spring cleaning...............24

Because I said so............... 5

Cover MOM: Alexandra Umbarger ....10

A message from MOM

This mom gets real.

talking about.

One small project at a time

Kids’ birthday parties.....28 Pick a theme, any theme.

More ways to love your MOM mommag.com facebook.com/ lovemommag info@mommag.com We love hearing from you. Email us with feedback, story ideas or nominations.

Cover MOM Photos by Joni Loraine

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Advertise today Want to get the word out about your business?

Contact Kim Leighty at kim.leighty@mommag.com mommag.com 3

meet the

experts

[They know what they’re talking about] Pets Pets are Family with Dr. Emily Kalenius, Page 6

Drive

Health

On the Road with Laura Augustine, page 20

Healthy MOM with Santiam Hospital, page 8

Say Cheese Say Cheese with Dr. Ana Castilla, page 30

“I didn’t realize I was supposed to know how to do everything by my second rodeo. Seems like a

“

very low amount of rodeos.

— Spotted on Society6.com and echoed by many moms

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Style About Home Style with Heather Van Eyk, page 18

EDITOR'S NOTE

Because I said so!

Published by GO Creative, LLC 263 29th Avenue SW Albany, OR 97322 Editor-in-Chief Managing Director Audrey Meier DeKam audrey@mommag.com Salem Advertising Representative Kim Leighty kim.leighty@mommag.com 503-510-9036 Mid-Valley & Lane County Business Development Manager Linda Blair linda@mommag.com 541-231-7250 Designer Sean Carver

MOM MagazineTM is produced by GO Creative, LLC. © 2022 All rights reserved. Any reproduction, in whole or part, without written permission of the publisher, is prohibited.

Information in the magazine is provided for general information purposes only with the understanding that none of the content constitutes professional advice.

Opinions expressed by the writers or advertisers are not necessarily the opinions of the magazine or the publisher. Inclusion in the magazine does not constitute endorsement of information, products or services.

Oh, the things you’ll learn Writers are naturally curious (also nosy), and serving as editor-in-chief allows me to explore some of the latest topics that matter to moms. On my current list that earn the mind-blown emoji: Laser dentistry: No needles and no anesthesia! Where was this when I was listening to an 8-track cassette of the original Muppet Movie and getting all my fillings as a child, zoned out on nitrous oxide? Several local pediatric dentists are now offering laser dentistry that can anesthetize and then vaporize cavities. Vaporize.

Free, rentable dishware: I had no idea this was a thing. Available in Eugene through Linn County Waste Management, this firstcome, first-served program is perfect for planning your next party. Each kit comes with reusable utensils, plates, cups and napkins for 25.

Lost retainer programs from our orthodontists: The panic and shame of having to dig through the school lunch garbage cans is a thing of the past. Nowadays if your child loses their retainer, you can get a free or low-cost replacement in a few days.

the production of antibodies to help fight the baby’s illness. Visit our expert Nurturely.org to learn more.

Savings for single parents: Single parents can get special rates at resorts during off-peak times. Shout out to @VacationMOM for this knowledge.

Do you have a timely, locally relatable topic you want our readers to know about?

I love to be surprised and delighted: tell me everything at audrey@mommag.com.

Audrey Meier DeKam Editor-in-Chief

Breast milk is ridiculously smart: The milk of a parent with a premature baby has increased immunofactors in comparison with milk for full-term babies. And when a baby is sick, human milk adjusts to increase

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pets are family Spring clean your pet items Keep your pet safe and healthy by cleaning their bowls, toys, accessories and other supplies.

Get rid of old, expired medications. After medications expire, they are no longer as effective. They could also do more harm than good to your beloved family pet.

Inspect toys for damage. If there’s a squeaker part that you can see, it is a hazard to your pet. Any visible rips or shredded fabric can end up down the stomach of your pet; prevent this by actively getting rid of toys that are beyond repair.

Most fabric toys can be machine washed and dried. The same often goes for collars, harnesses and leashes. Don’t forget to wipe down the toy bin, and hand wash hard rubber and plastic items like Kongs.

Clean food and water bowls. Pet owners know that clear slippery funk that seems to accumulate on pets’ bowls. Clean with warm soapy water until the film is gone, and be sure to rinse thoroughly. We prefer stainless steel over plastic or ceramic bowls, as steel is more durable and less likely to cause “kitty acne” (yes, that it a real thing). If you feel comfortable doing so, run your pets’ bowls through your dishwasher.

Brought to you by: Emily Kalenius, DVM

Open 24/7

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Wilvet Salem 120 Ramsgate Square S wilvetsalem.com (503) 741-8858

Ditch bedding that is ripped or stained. A distressed pet with a penchant for fabric is not a good candidate for a super fluffy bed.

Stained bedding can be confusing if your pet suffers from any type of incontinence.

Brushes and combs need a good cleaning, too. Remove all visible fur, and soak in warm water with a dash of liquid soap. Rinse, shake off excess water and let air dry.

[

Momism #192: How about a hug?

]

SALEM HEALTH CANCER INSTITUTE

45 is the new 50!

Colorectal cancer screening at 45 saves lives.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the American Cancer Society recommend screening for colorectal cancer starting at age 45 for men and women.

Get seen by moms!

Advertise with MOM Magazine.

mommag.com

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer. If caught early, it’s 90% curable.

Preventable. Treatable. Beatable.

Schedule your screening today.

salemhealth.org/cancer

mommag.com 7

FLEX YOUR EMPATHY MUSCLES Bullying has long been a part of schoolyard politics, but social media has given new power to would-be bullies and others. Seemingly harmless TikTok challenges, Instagram comments and other online interactions that are essentially anonymous remove the humanity from relationships and distance people from the harm that they might cause.

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It’s a challenging time to be a kid.

At a time when in-person interactions are being surpassed by the anonymity of the internet, one must make a conscious effort to talk with children about how their actions and words can impact others, in person or online.

Put simply, empathy is the ability to put yourself in another person’s shoes and relate to what they might be feeling.

For most adults, we practice some measure of empathy in our daily interactions, but the pace of a modern lifestyle can distract us from being actively empathetic. Our work and personal lives are often dictated by outcomes, which puts the emphasis on the accomplishments of tasks, rather than the exploration of feelings.

It might seem simpler to dismiss an upset child while trying to get dinner ready or while working from home, but that dismissal teaches the child that feelings are not important. A child that doesn’t feel acknowledged might not respect the feelings of others, either.

Fortunately, empathy is a trait that can be taught and nurtured. Make sure what they learn about it comes from you: Set an example. Make an effort to approach situations empathetically, and verbalize your process so your child knows that this is part of being a successful adult.

Acknowledge feelings. Children may not feel the way you would in a given situation. Validate what they are feeling without trying to influence their reaction.

Talk about it. Normalize talking about feelings — even your own!

Let children know that they have a safe zone to discuss their emotions without judgement.

While some people might be more naturally empathetic than others, everyone has the capacity to do better. Taking the time to nurture this trait in your children will enrich your interactions and make them more conscious navigators of the world.

Brought to you by: santiamhospital.org

Read stories. There is a reason that most children’s books have a lesson hidden (or not so hidden) in their pages. Stories give children an opportunity to see empathetic situations played out in an approachable way.

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Alexandra Umbarger She may have thrown away her socks instead of putting them in the hamper, but this mom is willing to laugh at herself through the follies and joys of new parenthood.

Photos by: Joni Loraine

Profession: Ophthalmic assistant Community: Northeast Salem Husband: Logan Umbarger, Head of Maintenance for the Amity School District Child: Monroe Umbarger, 10 weeks old

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QA '

MOM s Favorite...

Tell us about your favorite…

…Family Game: Sorry (and I always win, ha ha) …Words to live by: It’s never too late to change your life or work toward your goals. …Place to find some peace and quiet: Target, always. Whenever I need a break, I head to Dutch Bros and then take long, slow strolls through every aisle at Target talking to my twin or listening to Hamilton. …Binge worthy TV: Our current obsession is New Girl. Hilarious and so relatable in all stages of life. …Way to get out of making dinner: Honestly, my husband does 90% of the cooking. He loves it and is a much better cook than I’ll ever be. I have taken over while on maternity leave, and there has been a learning curve. …Inspirational quote: “Do your best until you know better. Then do better.” …Time-saving app or digital tool: YouTube. We use it to play white noise when our portable machine needs to be recharged.

Family comes first.

All families are unique. Tell us about yours.

Logan and I both grew up in Amity and went to the same school. We became friends while attending Western Oregon University and started dating in May 2011. We moved to Salem in 2014 with our dog Colt and got married in 2017. We decided to try for babies in March of 2019 and were unfortunately greeted with infertility. After two years of trying (one of them going through fertility treatment) we were finally blessed with our rainbow baby October 2021.

When did you know you wanted to be a mom?

Is it cliché to say always? I have always loved children and knew pretty early that I wanted to be a mom someday. But I knew I wanted kids with Logan about two years into dating. We waited to start our family so we could buy a house and get married, then dealt with the surprise of infertility.

To say Monroe is everything we’ve wanted and waited for is an understatement. And we would do it all over again.

Tell us about one of your proudest mom moments. Being such a new mom, everything feels like a proud moment. But the first would be my first solo trip with Monroe to Tigard.

We got out the door on time, I pumped in the car on the way up, we were on time to my appointment, and no one cried. Not even me.

Now tell us about one of your most humbling mom moments. Breastfeeding. I was so naïve about everything to do with breastfeeding and just assumed that was the route we were going to take. I was so sure I didn’t even buy bottles *cue eye roll*. After lots of tearful days and nights, from both me and Monroe, we have found that exclusively pumping is what works best for our family with an added bonus of extra bonding time for Logan and Monroe, which we all love.

Tell us about your most recent “Mother of the Year” moment. Nothing crazy comes to mind with a 10-week-old (which I’m sure will change) but let me share some fun sleep deprived moments. I have thrown away my socks instead of putting them in the hamper and started my breast pump without connecting the hose and didn’t realize for at least five minutes.

What is something you swore you would never do before kids that you now do?

Not breastfeed…I seriously can’t help but laugh at myself.

You know you’re a mom when you hear yourself saying? “Wow baby girl, that’s a good poop.”

We spend a lot of time talking about poop in this household now and it’s comical. I wish someone got that excited when I pooped.

What is your biggest wish for your child?

Honestly, happiness. I know from experience how draining it can be to do something just because “that’s the next thing to do” instead of doing something because you love it.

No one works harder than mom.

How do you balance (or not) motherhood? What falls through cracks? There isn’t a lot of balance for me at this stage, more like tiers.

1. Monroe, 2. Pumping, 3. Cleaning/cooking, and 4. Me. Is the system great? No. Are we working on it? Yes. ‘Cause your girl is hoping to shower more than every four days.

What have you learned professionally that has helped you as a mom? That every day is a new day, which has been so reassuring as a first-time mom. Monroe is a very chill baby for the most part, but there are times when she is fighting sleep, eating way more, or just inconsolable. And every day is different. So, reminding myself at the end of a rough day or long night that it won’t be that way tomorrow makes the hard parts so much more enjoyable.

Do you have a goal you’d like to accomplish within the next five years? Become a nurse.

I started prerequisites in 2020 and had to take a break during COVID and then got pregnant. I am excited to get back into it and apply for nursing school.

If mom’s not happy, no one is happy.

Tell us about your upbringing. How did it shape the mother you are today? My parents divorced when my sister and I were six and both worked outside the home, but they were always there for everything.

Never missed a game, concert or parent conference. They worked together to make sure my sister and I were always where we needed to be while being able to do things they loved as well. We went on fun trips and vacations and spent tons of time with family celebrating holidays and birthdays, which is something Logan and I have already started with Monroe. I’m excited to share and experience family traditions and time with Monroe and have the opportunity to be present at all things she is experiencing and will do in the future.

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What is something you will NEVER do again?

Go to Las Vegas. We used to go every year with friends, but I have come to realize that I am a 70-year-old in a 30-year-old body. My last Vegas trip was a girls’ trip and we were in bed every night by 9 p.m. watching Diners, Drive-ins and Dives and eating pizza.

What are three words your best friend would use to describe you? I am awful at complimenting myself, so I texted my sister and asked her what three words she would use. She and my bother-in-law said: thoughtful and caring (because I’m good at giving gifts) and determined (because I’m determined to be the best mother).

If you could instantly have one new skill (i.e. foreign language, musical talent, eyes in the back of your head, etc.), what would it be?

I wish I could do anything crafty. I have great ideas and awful execution, it’s almost embarrassing. My latest attempt at a crafty skill was crocheting. I have figured out the stitch, but all my washcloths turn into triangles instead of squares.

If you could turn any activity into an Olympic sport, in which event would you win a gold medal? Sleeping. I can sleep anywhere, any position, in any setting. It’s a blessing and a curse, but mostly a blessing. Especially with a baby.

What is special about where you grew up?

Logan and I both grew up in Amity, a small town near McMinnville. I loved being from a community where everyone knows everyone. I grew up with the same people from kindergarten to graduation and I had teachers who taught my parents.

There is something special about having generations of personal connections. We can’t wait for our kids to experience the same things.

What do you think is the most important life skill or value your parents taught you?

Togetherness. My parents always put my sister and I first, which raised some eyebrows coming from a divorced family.

Because of their dedication to us, we were able to experience so many events, 14 mommag.com

vacations and milestones together as a family, which I will forever be grateful for.

It’s something my sister and I always talk about, how much we loved being together for all the small and big things even though my parents were no longer married.

When was the last time you did something for the first time? As a new first-time mom, I feel like I am doing something for the first time every day. Learning new things about myself, about who I want to be as a mom, about Monroe, and about what I want to make a priority. Watching her learn and grow so quickly is such a blessing and I am loving every day I get to spend with her. All the clichés are true, every single one.

Name one thing that is part of your daily routine that you just can’t live without. Now that I spend 90% of my time at home while on maternity leave, I have found that tidying up the kitchen and living room before I go to bed for the night is a game changer.

There is something so calming about starting our morning off to a tidy house and starting our day off on the right foot.

It also lets me really enjoy the first few hours of our day playing and napping with Monroe while I drink my coffee.

What keeps you up at night (apart from kids, of course)? Netflix. I can get so wrapped up in a show (new or watching it for the millionth time) It’s the perfect time to get lost in something while the house is quiet and my brain is shut off.

What is the best way that you let off steam?

Facetiming my sister. We talk every day and discuss our day, update each other on what’s new, help each other pick out outfits, vent about work or the latest crazy things our spouses have done/said. You know, everything.

What’s your guilty pleasure? All things sweet.

I love cookies, pie, candy, pastries, just all things sugar. When Crumbl opened in

MOMs Love Local We love locally owned businesses, restaurants, places and organizations.

Share your favorite…

…Shop to pick up a gift for a friend: The Freckled Bee. There is a little something for everyone and they make custom shirts and coffee mugs. We got coffee mugs made here to tell our parents that we were expecting a baby. …Coffee shop: The Governor’s Cup. I stumbled across this little coffee shop a couple years ago while doing jury duty. The coffee is amazing, the décor is so unique and the staff is always so friendly.

They also have great sugar-free, milk-alternative options which was fantastic when dealing with gestational diabetes. …Place to treat yourself: Simply Blissed Spa. Massages that will make you drool and pedicures that will put you to sleep. I always leave feeling so relaxed and new. …Restaurant for date night: Azul’s Taco House. Bonus, they are attached to a Cider House and they have live music during the summer. …Food truck: JoJo’s Soul Food (at The Yard). The best BBQ I have ever eaten. Period. …Happy hour spot: It’s a toss-up, depending on the mood of the evening. We love hiding in a booth on a low-key date night at McMenamin’s or if we are feeling a little fancier we love to head to Ritter’s for cocktails and dessert. …Brew pub: Santiam Brewery and Sparky’s …Breakfast Spot: Word of Mouth Bistro. This is the first place I recommend to anyone coming to the area and it is worth the 2-hour wait to get a table. They also do take out, which is perfect for a lazy Sunday to take home and eat in bed for a little impromptu date.

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town I was there every week to try the new flavors. It was a real problem, per my husband.

What is something you think everyone should do at least once in their lives? Travel.

Whether it be a local day trip, small weekend getaways, or to different states/ countries. Some of my favorite memories with my husband are when we are out exploring new cities or trying new things.

Listen to mom.

Is motherhood what you expected? What surprised you the most? No, motherhood has (so far) been better than I had expected.

When you’re trying to get pregnant and/or pregnant people love to tell you “just you wait.” I have come to hate this phrase.

Everyone warns you about how hard it will be, how tired you will be, how you’ll never get to do anything you like again, etc. And while I have been so tired I’ve cried, nothing beats snuggling her while she sleeps, watching her learn new things every day, and seeing the way my husband loves and cares for her. It is honestly magical.

The most surprising thing so far, is that medical professionals just let me go home with a 2-day old human with NO KNOWLEDGE or experience. It is so overwhelming to learn how to best take care of your baby and your new self, because not only was a baby born but so was a new mom and a new dad.

Who and what has influenced the mother you are today? All the mothers around me: my mom, my grandmothers (who helped raise my sister and I) and my friends. I have been fortunate enough to be surrounded by amazing, strong women who are phenomenal mothers. Between my mom helping me navigate raising our daughter without being swayed by family pressures and my friends being so supportive and available to any and all questions, I have such a huge support system that also gives me room to be the mother I want to be.

What’s the best advice you’ve received from another mom? That I do not have to explain my choices to anyone. I have found myself justifying why we have made certain parenting choices when talking to friends

or family in fear that they will think we are bad parents. For example, exclusively pumping. Whenever someone sees us grab a bottle to feed Monroe, I instinctively tell them that it’s breastmilk and that Monroe had trouble latching. Usually no one even asks, I just feel like they are looking at us with disapproving glares, which is silly, because it shouldn’t matter. A fed baby is a happy, growing baby and that is all that matters. So having my friends look me in the eye and tell me that I don’t have to explain why we made a certain parenting decision was so refreshing and lifted a weight I didn’t even realize I was carrying.

What message would you like to share with other moms? Remember to tell it like it is.

Try to not let other people’s opinions and comments get to you. Even only being 10 weeks into motherhood, I have had some conversations that have really upset me or shook my confidence in my parenting choices or intuitions. I’m trying to remind myself that while they may have good intentions, the choices I am making are what is best for my family and that each family’s needs are different.

[

Momism #75: I do it out of love.

]

Name one baby item new moms don’t need.

We asked moms to weigh in on the most unnecessary baby item. We heard from hundreds of you and the overwhelming answer was: Wipe warmers! Most moms just don’t need them.

Some other honorable mentions include bottle warmers, diaper genies, changing tables and—our staff favorite—unsolicited advice from others! @lovemommag

of here!

Get out don't need st Moms ju pe warmers. you, wi mommag.com 17

BOLDER Cabinet Colors For over a decade, white or gray kitchens have led the popularity contest in cabinet design. However, design trends are moving toward more colorful cabinets.

Homeowners are becoming more comfortable using their cabinets, the largest item in the kitchen, to express their personal style.

Taupe If you’re as exhausted with gray as I am, then taupe is your new best friend. It warms up the room like the smell of cinnamon pine cones by the fire. Two of my favorites are Benjamin Moore’s Revere Pewter and Waynesboro Taupe.

Green No one can do green on interiors as well as those of us living in the Pacific Northwest.

Forest and tonal greens are most popular, but army green and emeralds have not been off limits either.

Blue You could say we’re back to blue, but honestly did we ever leave it? Blue has always been an option for cabinets. While its popularity may change from year to year, it never fails to come back with fresh looks. One of my all time favorites is naval blue.

Metal tones Certain tones of metal look amazing on cabinets, like black. If black is too bold for you, then try statement colors such as Sherwin William’s Urban Bronze or Graphite.

Heather Van Eyk is a mother of two and founder of Kalluna Interior Designs, established in 2014.

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K ALLUNA kalluna.com / 541-738-2806 127 Broadalbin St SW Albany

New name and location!

Northwest Design House is now Kalluna Interior Design, relocated to historic downtown Albany.

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on the road

A love letter to our cars.

WHY DO WE LOVE THEM SO MUCH? As Americans, we spend a lot of time in our cars. And time means life: from that super careful drive home from the hospital with your newborn baby, to the day the car seat gets flipped around to the forward facing position…then you blink and suddenly that baby is a teenager with a gleam in his eye behind the wheel. Remember that heady freedom of when you first had your own wheels? You could go anywhere, it seemed. No longer were you encumbered by parents, friends or waiting for buses.

Valentine’s Day is near, and while most people celebrate their loved ones, we like to celebrate our cars because for us and many like us, our cars have become part of our personal and family histories. Just a few of the reasons we love them…

Brought to you by:

• Many a mom will tell you she has hid in her car for quiet time or to take an important phone call. Or driven around a cranky toddler to finally get them to nap.

• When they get you safely home in bad weather, it feels like you and your vehicle have survived some kind of trauma together. You held one another up, and you both made it home.

• Just like us, they have their nuances.

Maybe they take a little longer to start up when it’s cold, or they have a sticky latch on the glove compartment that needs to be opened in just a certain way.

You get to know your car like a partner.

• The looks. Most of us can’t help but prefer a certain aesthetic of certain cars.

• We create our own fun: from slug bug to padiddle, we’ve managed to make up some good games to pass the time.

Singing songs together, making the honk-honk signal at truck drivers, doing the wave motion with our hand in the wind…these pastimes are braided into our stories.

• We give them nicknames: The silver bullet. Banana Split. Pat Benecar.

The list goes on.

• They are Hollywood stars, like Lightning McQueen, Knight Rider, Herbie and so many others.

• We dress them up for weddings and holidays, adorn them with bumper stickers, racing stripes, sports team flags.

They become an extension of who we are.

What does your car want for Valentine’s Day? Not candy or flowers. Up-to-date maintenance is what your beloved machine wants most, so keep up on oil changes and routine mileage service.

To many more happy years together!

MEET LAURA AUGUSTINE Laura Augustine has worked as a finance assistant at Capitol Auto Group for 7 years. She is the proud mom of three kids (four, if you count her husband Chad): Ariel, age 23; Claudia, age 22; and Bryson, age 18. As a family, they love to go fishing and boating at Detroit Lake, and they also have four Saint Bernard Dogs: Grace, Ted, Jerry and Stuart.

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[

Momism #56: Try it — you might like it!

]

SALEM PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION presents

SALEM READS ONE BOOK, ONE COMMUNITY

Featuring: A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki Ruth, a writer, finds a Hello Kitty lunchbox washed up on a beach. Tucked inside is the diary of a Japanese girl named Nao. Once Ruth begins to read the diary, she quickly finds herself drawn into the mystery of Nao’s fate. Meanwhile in Tokyo, Nao has decided there’s only one escape from her aching loneliness and her classmates’ bullying. But before she ends it all, Nao plans to document the life of a Buddhist nun in the pages of her secret diary.

We invite you to a month of free virtual events in February 2022 at:

splfoundation.org

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D

RE

D A RE A

R C HI L

N

R A ISI NG G LOBA L CITIZENS

LIST FO

IN G

Exploring the vast world around us is both fascinating and of critical importance: a person who thinks and engages beyond their local confines is better equipped to challenge intolerance and work for sustainability and peace. These titles will take you and your children around the globe, expanding your worldviews.

NORTH AMERICA

SOUTH AMERICA

ARCTIC

Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories

by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Neverforgotten

by Alejandra Algorta

Arctic Memories

by Normee Ekoomiak

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GLOBAL

What is a Refugee?

by Elise Gravel

Prisoners of Geography: Our World Explained in 12 Simple Maps (Illustrated Young Readers Edition)

by Tim Marshall

Our House is on Fire: Greta Thunberg’s call to save the planet

by Jeanette Winter

Thank you to our contributor: The Book Bin in Salem & Corvallis

AFRICA

ASIA

EUROPE

AUSTRALIA

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Picture Book Edition

By William Kamkwamba

A Wish in the Dark

by Christina Soontornvat

Comet in Moominland

by Tove Jansson

Wombat

by Christopher Cheng

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SPRING CLEANING one small project at a time

I

F you’re like us, we aim big for spring cleaning while caffeinated, then get distracted by kids, partners, pets, and then suddenly we’re hungry and then tired and now there’s an even messier half-finished project that makes you want to throw the whole house away.

Oh, that’s not what you do?

Well, then how are we friends?

One task per day is plenty when it comes to spring, aka deep, cleaning.

Do just one small area — maybe one every other day, maybe one each weekend — and ride that dopamine boost when you sit back and admire your efforts.

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1

Control condiment chaos

2

Funky cabinet fronts

3

One small drawer for momkind

4

It sucks, but not in a bad way

5

Wiping more than butts

6

You do not need Marie Kondo perfection

Go through the condiments in your refrigerator.

Only the condiments. If it’s expired, growing mold, or smelling off, it’s gotta go. Wipe out the shelving and put back only the still-fresh items.

Add the deleted ones to your shopping list.

Wipe down the lower fronts of kitchen cabinets.

All kitchen cabinets get that greasy funk from cooking, but the bottom ones suffer from drip-downs and spills. Just tackling the lower ones is enough for one day.

Go after one bathroom drawer, like the one with all the hair ties: empty it out and divest yourself of the headbands and earrings you know you’ll never use. Let them go to a friend or charity with the knowledge someone else will be able to enjoy them, rather than moldering in your abode. And if you find scrunchies in there from the 90s, good news: they’re back in style.

Do a deep vacuum of your couch. Orange fish crackers, anyone? And while you have the vacuum extensions out, take a swipe at the ceiling corners to clear out the cobwebs.

Those handy, ubiquitous baby wipes are great for all kinds of cleaning. If you have interior stairs with a handrail, we guarantee you it’s dirty. Because kids, that’s why. Take a swipe of picture frames and ledges to remove dust.

Defunk the video game controllers. And faucet handles, too.

Tidying up the linen closet is a good dry task, meaning it doesn’t require getting your hands wet. Simply take everything out and categorize bedding by room. Put like with like. Not in the mood to wrestle a fitted sheet into submission?

Us neither. Stuff it into its matching pillowcase, along with its flat sheet and other pillowcase. mommag.com 25

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Kids’ Birthday Parties PICK A THEME, ANY THEME When it comes to birthday parties for your kids, you can literally go big or go home: rent a space and invite the whole third grade class, or fashion a small, backyard get-together for family. The important considerations are the age of the child and how much effort and money you want to put into the soiree.

For littles ages 1 to 3, the party is more for you than it is for them. You can have a cozy event for just family, like a smash cake after dinner. Or, you can whoop it up with all the tulle and princess paraphernalia you always wanted but didn’t get when you were a child. Just know that your kid probably won’t remember too much and will likely be just as pleased with a giant box over the mini drivable Mercedes it came in.

Children ages 4 and up usually enjoy the hoopla. You will need cake; that is almost non-negotiable. Consider your budget and have faith that mostly what kids want to do at this age is run around with one another. One single blown-up balloon smacked back and forth has been known to steal the show of some birthday parties. If you have the energy and means to rent out a movie theater and create life-size posters of your child as a 007 agent, then go for it. It will most certainly be memorable.

Whatever your level, do choose a theme.

Doing so will help you define the important 5 Ws of who/what/when/ where/why, though the why is pretty clear from the outset.

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THEME + ACTIVITY + GOODIES & GIVEAWAYS Cooking • Make your own mini pizza • Kids’ chef hats Cars & trucks • An epically long race track • A small Hot Wheel or Matchbox vehicle Science • Make elephant toothpaste • Pop Rocks Water • Fish for prizes • Whale fortune tellers, Swedish Fish Fairy tales • Make your own wands • Mini tiaras Beauty • Spa day with facials • Nail decals Nature • Bug hunt • Pot a plant they get to take home Animals • Face paint noses and whiskers • Kitty ear headbands Legos • Spell out your name in Legos • Lego-shaped silicone trays for DIY treats Athletics • Gunny sack races, hula hoop contests • Ribbon awards, sweatbands Dance party • Hang a disco ball and pump up the jams • Glow sticks and bracelets

A GO-TO PRESENT YOU CAN DIY Candy bouquets work for a wide age and interest range of the recipient, from your fifth grade niece to your teenage son’s bestie.

They’re also easy to make on your own.

1. Hot glue four rectangle boxes of candy or thick candy bars together to make the “vase.”

2. Add a floral foam base to a piece of paperboard cut to size to create the bottom, and use hot glue or tape to secure.

3. Use skewer sticks and clear strapping tape to create a spray of candy (tip: get a variety of lengths).

4. Roll up a few dollar bills with a small piece of tape onto a few more skewers for a wow factor.

5. Fill in the gaps with tissue paper, dress with ribbon and voila!

mommag.com 29

Flossing with braces We get it: flossing when you have braces with wires and brackets is a challenge. All those nooks and crannies, plus navigating around the wire can be downright confounding.

But fear not, we have our ways with a variety of tools that are widely available for home use.

Threaded flossing. A threader is a handy tool that allows you to thread floss through your teeth so you can floss the area above and then below the wire.

Super floss. Built on the same concept as a threader, except it has one stiff end that allows you thread it through faster.

Water flossing. These small machines are a solid investment for anyone who needs to up their flossing game, and they are great tool

Castilla Orthodontics 503-399-0721 info@castillaortho.com 434 Lancaster Drive NE, Salem

30 mommag.com

for people in traditional braces. The jetted water dislodges stuck bits of food between teeth. You’ll want to supervise younger children with water flossers until they get the hang of it. Keep the tips and water reservoir clean.

Harp or platypus flossers. You’ve likely seen these small plastic flossing devices, sold in packs at drug stores. They are able to fit under the wire, which is nice.

If you’re putting in the time, money and effort with braces, commit to good flossing for your overall dental and gum health. It’s worth it for a healthy, winning smile! facebook.com/CastillaOrthodontics/ @castilla.ortho castilla.ortho

Ana Castilla, DDS, MS is a board-certified, Oregon-based orthodontist. She is passionate about helping patients attain their perfect smile, so they can live their lives to the fullest!

mommag.com 31

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