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Reporter Nancy Churnin covers healthy families. Join in the conversation on this blog and share how you keep your family strong. March 2010
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Hansel & Gretel: lessons about parenting, siblings and life St. Paddy's Day Dash looking for teen (& family) volunteers Flexibility is key to a successful trip with kids The three prerequisites for parenthood: understanding, creativity and a sense of humor! Dr. Mehmet Oz: Sometimes listening is more important than fixing things for our kids Lower body workout with no weights Bettina: My son's take on my picture book, Moose and Magpie Dallas Museum of Art Autism Awareness Day Family Celebration Recent Comments
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March 5, 2010
I also heard some fascinating thoughts by Heather Carlile, a licensed professional marriage and family counselor, who will talk about "Joys and Challenges of Childhood Fairytales" as part of a free Spiritual Parenting Series at the Center for Spiritual Living Sunday. It starts at 12:45 with a potluck lunch, followed by Heather's presentation. Get the details at www.csldallas.org (free childcare provided). Check out what Heather has to say here: ![]() ![]() The entry "Hansel & Gretel: lessons about parenting, siblings and life " is tagged: Center for Spiritual Living , Dallas Children's Theater , Fairy Tales , Hansel and Gretel , Heather Carlile , Kathy Burks Theatre of Puppetry Arts , spiritual parenting
Volunteers will be needed from 5:30 to 11:30 a.m. on race day; it all kicks off at Central Market. Contact Sophia Sindalovsky at sophia@ntfb.org or Paige Phelps at Paigep@ntfb.org by Tuesday, March 9 to confirm your participation. ![]() ![]() The entry "St. Paddy's Day Dash looking for teen (& family) volunteers" is tagged: Central Market , Greenville , North Texas Food Bank , Run On! , St. Paddy's Day Dash , St. Paddy's Day Dash Down Greenville
![]() ![]() The entry "Flexibility is key to a successful trip with kids " is tagged: Christy Howard , fishing , parenting , pets , seasick , travel
Have you ever had to stifle a laugh or snicker, when your little one said something profound? At the last get-together of the Dallas Mom Bloggers, I recall LaDawn enlightening us about her "gutsy" two-year old daughter, who seems to have a mind of her own. When her daughter didn't get her way at breakfast one morning, LaDawn reported that she had to look away to keep from bursting out in laughter. It seems her daughter looked and sounded too cute, expressing her feelings of dissatisfaction for the decision made by her mother. As LaDawn told her family story, I went back to yesteryear, remembering when my daughter did the same thing. I never wanted to laugh at her, even when she was so cute with her little curls bouncing in time to her defiance. I also remembered not to laugh when she expressed her views, but sounded so much like us - her mom and dad. ![]() ![]() The entry "The three prerequisites for parenthood: understanding, creativity and a sense of humor!" is tagged: art , Candace Hickey , drill team , Flintstone vitamins , grandparents , Jennifer Pennifer , LaDawn Fletcher , Leslie Kuerbitz , parenthood , Pop TDestiny DeLaRosa , Spanx , teaching , triplets March 4, 2010
He talked about the importance of listening because kids aren't always receptive to us "fixing" their problems (and parent-to-parent, I have to agree). But sometimes if we listen, we get a better sense of what it is they need us to do. That's what Dr. Oz does. And he was thrilled to discover that even when he didn't think his oldest, Daphne, was listening to all his great advice, she was internalizing it in her own way. Which is why she came out with her own book for college students wanting to keep fit, The Dorm Room Diet, while she was still an undergraduate at Princeton University. So, did the best-selling author help with his daughter's book? "She told me not to. She said I'd just ruin it," he said and laughed, noting that parents who step back can also learn a lot from their kids. ![]() ![]() The entry "Dr. Mehmet Oz: Sometimes listening is more important than fixing things for our kids" is tagged: Dallas , Daphne Oz , Dr. Mehmet Oz , Nancy Churnin , NBA All-Stars , Oprah Winfrey Show , The Dorm Room Diet , The Dr. Oz Show , W Hotel
It's probably a mix of all of the above, but I think it's typically a beneficial aspect for both parents and kids. As an active stay-at-home mom of two-year-old triplets, I belong to several playgroups and consider it an important part of my children's and my schedule. We meet just frequently enough that it isn't overwhelming to our schedules, but still keeps us connected as a group. PHOTO: Madison, Payson and Hayden (all far right) enjoy lunch at a playdate with three sets of twins ![]() ![]() The entry "Why playgroups matter" is tagged: Jessica Melker , moms of multiples , multiples , playgroups , sharing , socialization , stay-at-home moms , stay-at-home parents , triplets
Each exercise requires nothing more than your body as weight. Be careful not to underestimate the intensity. You will be sore as you begin doing the workout but the pain subsides as the legs tone up and the glutes tighten. Do each exercise for 1 minute, unless otherwise noted. ![]() ![]() The entry "Lower body workout with no weights" is tagged: calf raises , exercise , fitness , half-marathon , jumping jacks , leg extensions , Lisa Keys-Blair , one legged dead lift , plyometric , speed skaters , squats , sumo squats , walking lunges , workouts March 3, 2010
Last year, my first picture book was published. It made me an instant celebrity with children when I visited several elementary schools and book stores. But my son, Allen, is not impressed with me. Recently, a small fiasco happened as I was getting ready to leave for a storytime. "Are you going to another book party?" asks Allen. "AGAIN?" PHOTO: Bettina and Allen ![]() ![]() The entry "Bettina: My son's take on my picture book, Moose and Magpie" is tagged: Barnes and Nobel , Bettina Restrepo , Corduroy , Curious George , Frisco , Harry Potter , IKEA , Legacy Books , Moose and Magpie , Star Wars , Stonebriar Center
PHOTO: Leigh and her family are looking forward to going to the Dallas Museum of Art,for their free Autism Awareness Day Family Celebration ![]() ![]() The entry "Dallas Museum of Art Autism Awareness Day Family Celebration" is tagged: Asperger's Syndrome , Autism Awareness , Autism Awareness Day Family Celebration , Autism Awareness Month , Autism Spectrum Disorders , Dallas Museum of Art , Leigh Attaway Wilcox , Sensory Processing Disorder , the Center for Creative Collections
Choosing the right kind of fuel for our bodies doesn't have to cost a fortune. In fact, choosing foods that are high in nutrients will boost your physical, mental and emotional health and, thus, save you money in the long run. Good nutrition means fewer visits to the doctor and less time off from work and school. Good nutrition also helps you feel energetic and results in a better quality of life for you and your family. ![]() ![]() The entry "Healthy snacks for the mind, body & soul" is tagged: almond butter and apples , Annabel Lugo Hoffman , body , fruit kebobs , hummus , mind , nutritious snacks , quality of life , salsa and pretzels , smoothie recipe , soul , trail mix recipe , turkey rolls March 2, 2010
PHOTO: Scott Hayner having a brain fitness exam at the UT Dallas Center for BrainHealth, photo by Brad Loper, DMN ![]() ![]() The entry "My neck-up check-up at UT Dallas Center for BrainHealth " is tagged: Asperger's Syndrome , autism , avatars , brain fitness test , brain plasticity , neuroplasticity , Norman Doidge , Sandra Chapman , University of Texas at Dallas , UT Dallas Center for Brain Health
What do you do when your kid wants to quit an activity after you have invested a good bit of time, not to mention a good bit of money? We have experienced our kids being both committed to an activity and losing interest in an activity. My son began taking guitar lessons at Zounds Sounds in the 5th grade. He's in the seventh grade still playing the electric guitar and has added trumpet and the banjo to his repertoire. He has a natural passion for music and loves to play. He does not need to be forced. His guitar teacher and his band teachers at school are finding the right ways to motivate him while still helping it be a fun experience. It is the perfect equation of interest, talent, and commitment. My daughter, whose latest interests include her musical dance class, reading, and fashion design, took piano - for a while. Practicing became a chore. She wanted to quit. I have learned to trust my wife's instincts. When we use our instincts together, we make the best decisions. I was torn though about whether to let my daughter stop piano, What lesson does it send if we let her quit? What if she does have a natural talent and just needs to learn to work at it? ![]() ![]() The entry "To quit or not to quit: When piano and other lessons become chores" is tagged: Brad Schwall , Cool Kids , lessons , piano lessons , Rick Riordan , Ryan Sheckler , skateboarding , The Lightning Thief , Tony Hawk
OK, sometimes it isn't necessarily a good dream, more like a nightmare, but overall, my decision to opt out of traditional 9 to 5 employment has been a good one for our family. Once my husband opened a restaurant of his own, and our family grew, it became more difficult to manage our family responsibilities when I worked for someone else and they determined my schedule. ![]() ![]() The entry "Tips on working from home (with three little ones): life is but a dream" is tagged: business , childcare , LaDawn Fletcher , mompreneur , Mother's Day Out , tips , working from home March 1, 2010
I was lucky enough to get the chance to ask Abigail a few questions that I would like to share here with you. ![]() ![]() The entry "Twin talk with Abigail Pogrebin, author of 'One and the Same'" is tagged: Abigail Pogrebin , Amanda Dittlinger , Kindle , multiples , One and the Same: My Life as an Identical Twin and What I've Learned About Eeryone's Struggles to be Singular , Twin Club , twins
![]() ![]() The entry "My cousin's trip to Haiti" is tagged: Amy Twomey , compassion , doctor , earthquake , Haiti , mercy , rescue
We all need money to support our basic needs, but our happiness is not significantly affected by how much money we make; it is affected by our level of optimism. The Pollyanna in me is optimistic and smiles because I know my attitude can make my day! Being compassionate in all the things we do every day can give us peace of mind and solve a lot of problems simply by realizing that our problems have valuable lessons. Love is always the best solution. If we choose to give positive energy and smile then I think we can become immune to the ups and downs of life and so can those around us. ![]() ![]() The entry "Love, work, and lots of smiles! (& a new Dallas Moms book club selection)" is tagged: French , Irish Blessing , Jacqueline Kelly , Nat King Cole , Posh Spice , Sigmund Freud , smile , Smile , St. Patrick's Day , The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate February 28, 2010
I saw it with a packed crowd of kids at the Saturday 1:30 p.m. show, including my nephew and niece, three-year-old Ross and five-year-old Emma. Every child I talked to was pretty thrilled at seeing the puppets float across the dark stage as if alive. I thought the witch would scare toddlers like Ross. But Ross ran up to the witch puppet at the meet and greet the puppeteers have after each show and told her, "I love you" as he reached out to touch her green face (is this kid going to love Wicked one day, or not?). Read on for what the other kids had to say: PHOTO: Cousins Jett Lane, 6, of Frisco and Caleb Woodfin, 8, of Murphy with the witch and goose puppets and puppeteers Becky Keenan and her mom Kathy Burks ![]() ![]() The entry "A kids' eye view of Hansel and Gretel" is tagged: Dallas Children's Theater , Hansel and Gretel , Kathy Burks Theatre of Puppetry Arts , puppets , Rosewood Center for Family Arts
After my jab last week at the ugly underbelly of motherhood- which by the way, is also what you call that dangling kangaroo pouch you get once post-pregnancy deflation sets in- it is only fair that I balanced things out. After all, as mothers, if we know anything, it's that life is fair, right? Ha! Of course not. Did you miss that whole kangaroo comparison?
Here are a few examples of where I find tiny bits of joy in all the wrong places... ![]() ![]() The entry "The Perks: Obscurely Wonderful Things About Motherhood" is tagged: breast-feeding , child labor , Destiny DeLaRosa , joy , Motherhood , perks , post-pregnancy , potty training , sick kids , Skittles , wine February 27, 2010
Flour on the faces, hands, shirts, and all-over-everywhere is the key to the giggles that bring Purim memories. My children sitting around the kitchen table, with their friends and our dear friend Lola, cutting circles of dough and filling them with chocolate chips (for themselves), raspberry jam (for their Mommy), and poppy seed filling (for their Daddy), are at the heart of the Jewish holiday of Purim, celebrated tonight and tomorrow. Haman be darned, he tried, like many have to off the Jews - tonight we remember him, and his fortunate failure, as we enjoy the sweet taste of Purim, of survival, of future. On this holiday, we enjoy Hamantaschen cookie-like treats in the shape of a triangle - the shape of the villian's hat. Purim, which is celebrated every year on the 14th of the Hebrew month of Adar, commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people in Ancient Persia from Haman's plot "to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews, young and old, infants and women, in a single day." (for more, see www.chabad.org) PHOTO: Deb's Yavneh Purim collage ![]() ![]() The entry "Deb: Celebrating Purim with my kids (with memories and a great recipe) " is tagged: Chabad , Congregation Beth Torah , Deb Silverthorn , Esther , Haman , hamentaschen , Hollywood Temple Beth El , Jewish , Los Angeles , megillah , Purim , recipe , USY , Yavneh Academy
![]() ![]() The entry "Katherine Lindsey- Winner in more ways than one" is tagged: Abby Diamond , contest , Katherine Lindsey , Kristie Smith-Armand , Williams Middle School , winner , writer |
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Hi, All.
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Christy,
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Thanks, Leslie!
I needed that!
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