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Popsicle Bracelets
Supplies: Jumbo Popsicle Sticks Small Cup Rubber Band 150 Grit Sandpaper Modge Podge Stickers Scrapbooking Paper Other Embellishments Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add popsicle sticks. Some may break, so use a few extra. Soak for 15 minutes. While sticks are boiling locate a small cup that is about the size of a wrist. Remove sticks one at a time and slowly bend them and work them into the inside of the glass. You can also wrap them around the cup and secure with an elastic band. Set these aside to dry for 24 hours. Now that the popsicle stick bracelets are completely dry, remove them from the glass. Gather any supplies you want to use to decorate. I used Mod Podge, paint, glitter dots, rub-on-sayings, scrapbooking paper and hot glue. Use a jumbo craft stick and a pencil to trace the shape onto some scrapbook paper and then cut it out. Slather Mod Podge onto your bracelet. Lay the design onto the bracelet and press it down flat, making sure to work out any air bubbles. Or you can paint your bracelet with craft paint. Set aside to dry. Using 150 fine grit sand paper, sand the edges of the bracelet and […]
9. Sep 2019
Breakfast Fritatta
INGREDIENTS 1 tsp olive oil ½ cup finely diced onion ½ cup finely diced red bell pepper 3 cups loosely packed spinach, roughly chopped 6 large eggs ¼ cup milk ⅔ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese Salt & pepper, to taste INSTRUCTIONS Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick spray and set aside. Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add peppers and onions, sauté until softened, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add spinach and cook until wilted. Remove from heat. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cheese, salt and pepper. Pour egg mixture into muffin cups so that each one is about ½ to ⅔ full. Add sautéed vegetables evenly to each. Bake 20-25 minutes or until puffed up and golden brown. Cool in muffin tin for about 5 minutes, then remove and serve immediately, or transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling if you are going to refrigerate for later. Courtesy of: https://www.jessfuel.com/
9. Sep 2019
Finding “Just the Right” Books
Coaches and teachers provide instruction on the skills needed for success, but the individual must practice those skills in order to improve. If practice is fun, a person practices more and gets better faster. For reading, the same can be applied by finding high interest material written in our comfort zone. Those are called “just right” books. Reading materials can be divided into 3 levels: Independent Level: Relatively easy to read (95% word accuracy). Instructional Level: Challenging but manageable for the reader (90% word accuracy) Frustration Level: Difficult text to read (less than 90% accuracy) Your child’s teacher can help identify his or her independent reading level. The Chattahoochee Valley Libraries can help you find great books to match those levels. Stop by any CVL branch and let our staff show you how to find “just the right” books, or log onto our catalog at cvlga.org. In the search box type in Lexile followed by level number, or for Accelerated Reader type in AR followed by level number. An assortment of titles will come up for you to browse, or use the menu choices on the left to fine-tune your choices. Remember, children’s reading choices and assignments may be written at their Instructional or […]
29. Aug 2019
Creating a Yes Space
I can’t be the only Mom who gets tired of saying “no.” “No, you can’t climb on the counters.” “No, you can’t ride the dog around the house.” That’s all within the first 15 minutes of waking up. It’s EXHAUSTING! Parents aren’t the only ones who get tired of hearing “no.” Imagine being constantly told NO to everything you want to eat, play with and climb on… all while still having limited emotional coping mechanisms. It’s a lose/lose situation. This is where the YES Space comes in. A YES Space is a room or enclosed area where everything within it is kid-approved. There’s nothing in the YES Space that they can’t touch and play with. There’s nothing that can hurt them. It helps children develop independent play, build their concentration, work on their decision-making skills, explore the freedom of movement and experience more calm and happiness. It’s perfect for daily playtime or when you need to do something crazy, like a shower. I choose my son’s room to be his YES Space. While we’ve reshaped our shared spaces to be more toddler-friendly, we have 98% of his toys stored in his room to regain some sanity throughout the rest of […]
29. Aug 2019
Westville: Now in Columbus, GA
Visiting Historic Westville is like taking your kids on a trip back in time to the mid-19th century. The grand opening of the re-located village was in June of this year and about half of the historic buildings present in the previous location have been moved to the new Columbus location on South Lumpkin Road. Even though the village is still a work in progress, the structures present are maintained to be as historically accurate as possible both inside and out. When we asked Cindy Bowden, Historic Westville’s museum manager, about her organization’s mission, she replied, “Through exhibits, live interpretations, demonstrations, and hands-on activities, you’ll be immersed in the history and spirit of the South and the personal experiences of those who called the Pineywoods home.” A visit to the village starts at the Welcome Center, which is in the historic Thornton House. This building offers a gift shop filled with types of crafts common in the 19th century, such as woven baskets and pottery. Some of the crafts in the shop are made in the village by skilled crafters. After purchasing tickets at the Welcome Center, visitors proceed to the village on a stroller-friendly path. Once in the village, […]
29. Aug 2019
Historical Locations in Columbus, GA
This school year, help bring the history of our region to life for your kids by visiting some of the historical sites and venues in the Chattahoochee Valley. National Civil War Naval Museum This is a must-see for Civil War history buffs. The museum is full of authentic Civil War artifacts and contains the largest surviving Confederate warship, the USS Jackson. It also includes a replica of the USS Hartford. Visitors can view a timeline exhibit that walks them through the naval events of the Civil War. portcolumbus.org Roosevelt’s Little White House The home in Warm Springs that Franklin Delano Roosevelt built in 1932 has been preserved and is open to the public for tours. FDR suffered from polio and visited Warm Springs to swim in the therapeutic 88-degree spring water. The home has remained very close to the way it looked when it was occupied by FDR for the last time in 1945. gastateparks.org/LittleWhiteHouse Historic Westville This venue located in Columbus provides an opportunity to experience what life was like in the South in the 19th century. Visitors can walk through a village of 19th century buildings filled with artifacts from that time period. Kids will enjoy seeing the live interpretations of […]
29. Aug 2019
Fall Fun at The Rock Ranch
Looking for a new family fun activity this fall? Look no further than The Rock Ranch, located in The Rock, GA. It is a 1,500-acre farm created by Chick-fil-A founder, S. Truett Cathy. It is a family-friendly destination offering an array of attractions for all ages. These attractions include pony rides, locomotive train rides, zip lines, paddle boats, carousel, cane pole fishing, pedal carts, live music, animal zoo, rock climbing wall, tractor wagon rides, gemstone mining, a cow train, sports zone, speed pitch and ball toss area, giant jumping pillow, Tiny Town and more. In addition to the Rock Ranch’s attractions, they are offering themed days this fall to make every trip a new adventure: October 5 – Superhero Day – Bring the camera for photo opportunities of all your favorite superheroes! Don’t miss the live music and superhero costume contests with prizes (come dressed and ready to compete). October 12 – Great Outdoor Adventure – Experience hands-on interactions with wildlife; meet and greets with Curious George; birds of prey shows, canoe races and archery. October 19 – Up, Up, and Away Day – Ride in a hot air balloon (tethered, weather permitting, $5/child, $10/adult, cash only). Plus, After-Dark Ferrell gas Balloon Glow, stilt walkers, world […]
29. Aug 2019
Don’t be a Snowplow Parent
We have all probably heard of ‘helicopter’ parents, who ‘hover’ over their kids constantly to ensure nothing goes wrong during their day. Some parents take this form of over-involved parenting a step further and go to extremes to ‘prepare the way’ for their child by removing any obstacles in their child’s path. This is often referred to as ‘snowplow parenting.’ Children of snowplow parents may reach adulthood with little or no problem-solving skills or the ability to advocate for themselves because they were shielded from having to face a challenge or deal with adversity. In addition, a child of a ‘snowplow‘ parent may end up occupying a position in school or in the workforce that he is not prepared for. Here are some tips on how to serve as your child’s coach on his journey to adulthood, instead of denying him valuable experiences by ‘snowplowing’ any and all obstacles out of his way. Alleviate the anxiety that may tempt you to ‘snowplow’ We all want the best for our kids and it can be disturbing to watch them struggle and sometimes fail. In addition, some view parenting as a competition and social media makes it easy to get caught up […]
29. Aug 2019
Balloon Luminary
Supplies: High-Melt Paraffin Wax Party Balloons Double Boiler Cookie Sheet Directions: Fill a balloon with tepid water. Melt your wax. Optimum working temperature is 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Slowly dip your balloon into the wax just below the water level in the balloon. Hold the balloon in the wax for a few seconds, and then slowly lift it out. Dip the balloon a few more times, allowing some time between dips to let the wax cool. While it is still warm, carefully set the balloon down, level, onto a piece of paper or a cookie sheet. Dip your balloon a few more times until it is the desired thickness, 1/4 to 1/2 of an inch. Set the balloon on the paper or cookie sheet again and let it cool. When completely cooled, hold the balloon over a sink or bucket, facing away from you. Carefully pop the balloon with a skewer or knife and let the water drain. To level the top of the luminary, heat a cookie sheet on the stove and place the luminary top-down onto the hot sheet and melt the edges until level. Place a tea light or votive inside the luminary and burn on a candle holder. Courtesy […]
31. Jul 2019
Creamy Italian Chicken | Slow Cooker Recipe
Ingredients: 4 medium boneless skinless chicken breasts Mrs Dash’s Original seasoning blend 20 ounces fat-free cream of chicken soup 1 envelope Good Season’s Zesty Italian dressing mix 8 ounces low fat cream cheese, cubed chopped fresh Parsley, for garnish ¼ to ½ cup milk, as needed Cooked noodles, rice, mashed potatoes to serve chicken over Directions: Spray a large slow cooker insert with cooking spray. Lay chicken breasts in the bottom. Season with Mr’s Dash’s original seasoning ( I use a teaspoon or two) and a sprinkle of pepper. Pour cream of chicken soups and Italian dressing mix evenly over chicken. Lay the cubed cream cheese all over the tops. Cover slow cooker with lid and cook on low heat 5 to 6 hours OR on high heat 4 hours. Carefully shred chicken with two forks and mix up the sauce/gravy. If it’s too thick you can thin it out with a little milk. Serve over noodles, rice or mashed potatoes and garnish with Parsley. Enjoy! Recipe Courtesy of Life-in-the-lofthouse.com
31. Jul 2019
Online Safety For Kids
Accessing the internet has become an unavoidable part of our kids’ daily lives. During the summer, kids game online and keep up with their circle of friends by chatting on mobile apps. Once summer is over and the school year begins, kids are given homework assignments through Google Classroom and parents communicate with teachers through apps. Here are some updated cybersafety tips that can help your family avoid any hidden threats while using devices online. Evaluate online games and apps before they are downloaded Mature content or privacy risks can lurk in apps and games. Some criminals even develop apps that look legitimate but actually contain a ‘Trojan,’ a malicious piece of code that can compromise your computer or mobile device. Require your child to seek your approval before downloading any app or game onto any of your devices. The app should come from a reputable source (Google Play, iTunes or Amazon) and be rated for kids. Research the developer before downloading the app to ensure their legitimacy. Dating apps that share the user’s location and profile are meant for adults. They do not have the same safeguards and privacy standards as apps designed for kids. Delete any you find […]
31. Jul 2019
An Inside Look at Chason Perry & Impact Performance RX
Chason Perry recently relocated his sports-athlete gym, Impact Performance RX (IPRX), to a larger location from Veterans Pkwy to 506 Manchester Expressway, Suite 4D. The gym offers programs for kids to adults, designed to build strength, speed, endurance, balance, coordination and most importantly, confidence. IPRX has had over 20 high school athletes obtain scholarships this year, some athletes are getting national recruiting recognition, and one member recently signed with the NFL. In the last year and a half, IPRX has trained three state championship baseball teams, helped Northside High School win their first title and trained Calvary Christian athletes as they won back-to-back titles. IPRX’s team of impressive coaches is helping to shape these area athletes to be champions. Each coach has ample experience and a true love for the field. Owner Chason Perry was a coach for the NHL and at West Virginia University. He was part owner of a large training center in Cincinnati, OH, as well as the Human Peformance Director for a Special Operations Unit. He decided to open Impact Performance after searching the Columbus area for a youth physical training center and found a void. Impact’s director of Youth Training, Jonathan Karastury, has his Bachelors […]
31. Jul 2019
Distracted Driving as a Parent
Georgia recently enacted a “hands-free” driving law to prevent crashes caused by cell phone usage behind the wheel. But what about the distraction in the back seat? How often have you done something reckless behind the wheel to pacify your child? A study from the Monash University Accident Research Center now confirms the risks parents have known for years. Driving with children is 12 times more dangerous than texting and driving. When researchers installed cameras in the cars of 12 families over a three-week period, they found talking on the phone only accounted for one percent of distractions. Distractions from children, meanwhile, accounted for 12 percent of all distractions (reported by MedicalDaily.com). Over the course of an average 16-minute trip, parents that had kids present spent three minutes and 22 seconds with their eyes not on the road. Drivers take their eyes off the road most often to look at their child behind them, either fully turning their heads or looking in the mirror. Parents are also guilty of reaching in the back seat or handing back snacks and drinks. Although it may seem like common sense, just keep your eyes on the road, it may be a hard task […]
31. Jul 2019
Back to School Blues
The new school year has started, and every parent wishes their student to have a successful school year. If your child still seems to be struggling to adjust to his new routine and new classroom, here are some troubleshooting tips to get him back on track. Adjust your child’s sleep schedule During the summer, your child may deviate greatly from his school routine. A lack of sleep can affect your child’s performance in the classroom and his behavior. If he is still having trouble going to bed early enough to get the sleep he needs, try pushing back ‘lights out’ time a few minutes each night. Have him put away electronics an hour before bedtime. Get your child’s meals back on a schedule During the summer, your family may have gone to a more casual meal schedule while on the go and while away on vacation. Nutrition is important for success in school so return your child to a more structured meal schedule. A nutritionally balanced breakfast, lunch, & dinner with small snacks in between meals will keep your child’s body fueled and his mind ready to learn. Don’t overreact to ‘My teacher is mean!’ Ask your child to explain […]
31. Jul 2019
Returning to School: Anxiety in Kids
Dr. Ritu Chandra, MD, FAAP, Preferred Medical Group Kids have had exciting experiences over the summer; they’ve grown both physically and intellectually, and now it’s time to return to an environment they haven’t seen for several months. That can be stressful. Kids may be unable to sleep, act hyper in excitement or express reluctance at the idea of going back to school. This is normal. Parents should offer calm reassurances to their children, affirming their feelings and helping redirect their fears into positive opportunities for growth. You could say, “You’re right that there will be new kids in your class this year, and that can be a little intimidating at first, but just imagine how many new friends you’ll make!” Sometimes though, a child’s worry about going back to school may reflect a deeper condition that should be treated, especially if their distress starts to impair their day-to-day functioning. For a clinical diagnosis of anxiety, the child’s fear or worry will be out of proportion to virtually any new situation over a period of several months, making the child hyper-vigilant, so that they feel as if any change in their routine represents a looming threat. Some of the common symptoms […]
31. Jul 2019
What is Clubfoot?
Clubfoot is a congenital foot abnormality in which the tendons that connect the leg muscles to the foot bones are short and tight, causing the foot on the affected leg to turn downward and inward. In severe cases, the bottom of the foot faces sideways or upwards. The calf muscles in the leg affected by clubfoot are usually underdeveloped, and the affected foot may be slightly shorter than the unaffected foot. The exact cause of clubfoot is unknown, but research has found that a combination of genetics and environmental factors, such as smoking during pregnancy, may increase the risk of a baby being born with clubfoot. Clubfoot is most often an isolated condition (baby is otherwise normal and healthy) but in some cases, clubfoot occurs in conjunction with other conditions, such as spina bifida. Clubfoot is sometimes diagnosed during a prenatal ultrasound, allowing parents to plan ahead for the treatment, but if it is not, it will be identified by the doctor shortly after birth. Although clubfoot looks painful, the condition in itself does not cause pain. However, without treatment, a child with clubfoot will not be able to wear shoes and walk normally. The treatment for clubfoot begins soon […]
26. Jun 2019
Watermelon Salsa
This salsa is a refreshing treat for your summer picnics. Ingredients 1/2 Small Seedless Watermelon finely chopped 2 Cups Strawberries finely chopped 2 Tbsp Fresh mint leaves finely chopped 1 Lime 1 package Whole wheat tortillas 10″ 1/3 cup granulated sugar 1 tsp cinnamon Butter DIRECTIONS Combine watermelon, strawberries, lime juice and mint in Large bowl. Let stand for about 30 minutes at room temperature before serving, to allow flavors to blend. For Cinnamon Tortilla Chips, Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush butter over one side of each tortilla. Sprinkle lightly with cinnamon sugar. Use a pizza cutter to divide each tortilla into wedge slices. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes, or until golden brown. *Optional: Clean out 1/2 of the watermelon to use as a serving bowl and pour fruit mixture into the cleaned out “bowl” to serve. Courtesy of frugalmomeh.com Additional Links: Grilled Corn on the Cob Kool Aid Sherbet Dole Whip Popsicle Summary Recipe NameWatermelon Salsa Author Namefrugalmomeh.com Published On 2019-06-26Preparation Time 30M.Cook Time 5M. Total Time 35M.
26. Jun 2019
Tips for Road Trippin’ with the Kids!
The vacation your family is anxiously anticipating is almost here. Are you prepared for the sibling squabbling, food and drink spills, umpteen rest stops and the famous question, ‘are we there yet?’ With a little pre-planning, you can reduce the hassles and turn your time on the road into fun. Restroom breaks: Immediately before heading out, have everyone use the bathroom. Limit beverages, particularly caffeinated ones. When you do stop, have everyone use the restroom. Drive through the night: Kids will feel they’ve reached your destination in the blink-of-an-eye and reduce your overall stress. Snacks and drinks: Bring a cooler and variety of drinks and snacks to reduce pit stops. Break up time with small snacks like carrot sticks and apples to keep kids pacified. To reduce messes, avoid foods that melt, smear and squish. Plan fun or scenic stops: Do advance research to find a fun stop along the way, and build it into your vacation. Look for a state or national park, national monument, beach, kiddie fun-land, river walk, or water park. Car entertainment: Before your trip, visit the library to pick out books, audio books, and music CDs. But don’t let the kids have the items until you’re on the road. Also, […]
26. Jun 2019
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Welcome to Family and Kids Magazine‘s online parenting resource, serving families of Columbus, Fort Benning, Phenix City and the rest of the Chattahoochee Valley. We strive to be your #1 local magazine for family news, parenting tips, local events and business referrals. Check out our online localized directory for things to do, places to eat, where to shop and almost every other resource a growing family in the Chattahoochee Valley could need. While you’re here, enter our monthly giveaway or submit your child’s photo to be featured in our Hoo’s Cute section of our magazine. We welcome all families coming into our area, whether for a temporary stay or a new place to call home, and hope our magazine guides you through our large community. Pick up a copy of our Family and Kids magazine at our many distribution locations, including all local Chick-fil-as or read the latest issue here.
