Special Needs Art Class

November 3, 2011 by Scott Klepach

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September 19, 2011
3:45 pm
October 17, 2011
3:45 pm
November 14, 2011
3:45 pm
December 12, 2011
3:45 pm

SPECIAL NEEDS ART CLASS. 3:45-5:15 p.m. Cost: $20 per session for members, $25 per session for non-members; $60/$75 for series (one free session with series).

Allied Arts of Yakima Valley, 5000 W. Lincoln Ave., Yakima; 509-966-0930. alliedartsyakima.org

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Lower Naches MOPS

November 2, 2011 by Scott Klepach

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September 16, 2011
9:00 am
October 21, 2011
9:00 am
November 18, 2011
9:00 am
December 16, 2011
9:00 am
January 20, 2012
9:00 am
February 17, 2012
9:00 am
March 16, 2012
9:00 am
April 20, 2012
9:00 am
May 18, 2012
9:00 am
September 21, 2012
9:00 am
October 19, 2012
9:00 am
November 16, 2012
9:00 am
December 21, 2012
9:00 am
January 18, 2013
9:00 am
February 15, 2013
9:00 am
March 15, 2013
9:00 am
April 19, 2013
9:00 am
May 17, 2013
9:00 am

LOWER NACHES MOPS. 9-11:30 a.m. Meets third Fridays each month. Memorial Bible Church, 111 Old Stage Way, Gleed. Contact: Angie, 945-0617.

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MOPS – Nile Valley

November 2, 2011 by Scott Klepach

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September 16, 2011
8:45 am
October 21, 2011
8:45 am
November 18, 2011
8:45 am
December 16, 2011
8:45 am
January 20, 2012
8:45 am
February 17, 2012
8:45 am
March 16, 2012
8:45 am
April 20, 2012
8:45 am
May 18, 2012
8:45 am
September 21, 2012
8:45 am
October 19, 2012
8:45 am
November 16, 2012
8:45 am
February 15, 2013
8:45 am
March 15, 2013
8:45 am
April 19, 2013
8:45 am
May 17, 2013
8:45 am

MOPS – NILE VALLEY. 8:45-11:15 a.m. Meets third Fridays each month. Child care, food, fellowship and speakers. Nile Valley Community Church, 60 Bedrock Lane, Naches; 509-658-2904.

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MOPS – First Presbyterian

November 2, 2011 by Scott Klepach

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MOPS – First Presbyterian. 9-11:15 a.m. Meets the first and third Fridays each month. Meeting dues: $5. Child care, food, fellowship, speakers. First Presbyterian Church, 9 S. 8^th Ave., Yakima; 509-248-7940.

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MOPS – First Presbyterian

November 2, 2011 by Scott Klepach

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September 2, 2011
9:00 am
September 16, 2011
9:00 am
October 7, 2011
9:00 am
October 21, 2011
9:00 am
November 4, 2011
9:00 am
November 18, 2011
9:00 am
December 2, 2011
9:00 am
December 16, 2011
9:00 am
January 6, 2012
9:00 am
January 20, 2012
9:00 am
February 3, 2012
9:00 am
February 17, 2012
9:00 am
March 2, 2012
9:00 am
March 16, 2012
9:00 am
April 6, 2012
9:00 am
April 20, 2012
9:00 am
May 4, 2012
9:00 am
May 18, 2012
9:00 am
September 7, 2012
9:00 am
September 21, 2012
9:00 am
October 5, 2012
9:00 am
October 19, 2012
9:00 am
November 2, 2012
9:00 am
November 16, 2012
9:00 am
December 7, 2012
9:00 am
January 4, 2013
9:00 am
January 18, 2013
9:00 am
February 1, 2013
9:00 am
February 15, 2013
9:00 am
March 1, 2013
9:00 am
March 15, 2013
9:00 am
April 5, 2013
9:00 am
April 19, 2013
9:00 am
May 3, 2013
9:00 am
May 17, 2013
9:00 am

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Home Depot Kids’ Workshop

November 2, 2011 by Scott Klepach

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October 1, 2011
9:00 am
November 5, 2011
9:00 am
December 3, 2011
9:00 am
January 7, 2012
10:00 am
February 4, 2012
10:00 am
March 3, 2012
10:00 am
April 7, 2012
10:00 am
May 5, 2012
10:00 am
June 2, 2012
10:00 am
July 7, 2012
10:00 am
August 4, 2012
10:00 am
September 1, 2012
10:00 am
December 1, 2012
9:00 am
January 5, 2013
9:00 am
February 2, 2013
9:00 am
March 2, 2013
9:00 am
April 6, 2013
9:00 am
May 4, 2013
9:00 am
June 1, 2013
9:00 am

HOME DEPOT KIDS WORKSHOP. 9 a.m.-noon. Theme: TBD. Free drop-in projects for kids 5-12. The Home Depot, 2115 S. First St., Yakima; 509-452-3016.

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MOPS – Mountainview Christian Fellowship

November 2, 2011 by Scott Klepach

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MOPS – MOUNTAINVIEW CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP. 6-7:30 p.m. Meetings are free; child care provided, through grade 5. Food, fellowship, speakers. Meets the second and fourth Wednesdays each month. Mountainview Christian Fellowship, 7105 Alpine Way, Yakima. Contact: Danielle, 833-2228.

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MOPS – Mountainview Christian Fellowship

November 2, 2011 by Scott Klepach

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September 14, 2011
6:00 pm
September 28, 2011
6:00 pm
October 12, 2011
6:00 pm
October 26, 2011
6:00 pm
November 9, 2011
6:00 pm
November 23, 2011
6:00 pm
December 14, 2011
6:00 pm
December 28, 2011
6:00 pm
January 11, 2012
6:00 pm
January 25, 2012
6:00 pm
February 8, 2012
6:00 pm
February 22, 2012
6:00 pm
March 14, 2012
6:00 pm
March 28, 2012
6:00 pm
April 11, 2012
6:00 pm
April 25, 2012
6:00 pm
May 9, 2012
6:00 pm
May 23, 2012
6:00 pm
September 12, 2012
6:00 pm
September 26, 2012
6:00 pm
October 10, 2012
6:00 pm
October 24, 2012
6:00 pm
November 14, 2012
6:00 pm
November 28, 2012
6:00 pm
December 12, 2012
6:00 pm
January 9, 2013
6:00 pm
January 23, 2013
6:00 pm
February 13, 2013
6:00 pm
February 27, 2013
6:00 pm
March 13, 2013
6:00 pm
March 27, 2013
6:00 pm
April 10, 2013
6:00 pm
April 24, 2013
6:00 pm
May 8, 2013
6:00 pm
May 22, 2013
6:00 pm

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DivorceCare 4 Kids

November 2, 2011 by Scott Klepach

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DIVORCECARE FOR KIDS. 6:30-8 p.m. Support group for children, ages 5-12, whose parents are divorced, separated or reconciling. Adult group meets at the same time. Roosevelt Elementary School, 120 N. 16^th Ave., Yakima. Contact Dan, 509-930-1420, or Jenni, 509-654-2124. yakimadivorcecare.net

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DivorceCare 4 Kids

November 2, 2011 by Scott Klepach

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DivorceCare 4 Kids

November 2, 2011 by Scott Klepach

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DivorceCare 4 Kids

November 2, 2011 by Scott Klepach

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September 14, 2011
6:30 pm
September 21, 2011
6:30 pm
September 28, 2011
6:30 pm
October 5, 2011
6:30 pm
October 12, 2011
6:30 pm
October 19, 2011
6:30 pm
October 26, 2011
6:30 pm
November 2, 2011
6:30 pm
November 9, 2011
6:30 pm
November 16, 2011
6:30 pm
November 23, 2011
6:30 pm
November 30, 2011
6:30 pm
December 7, 2011
6:30 pm

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MOMS Club of Yakima

November 2, 2011 by Scott Klepach

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September 21, 2011
9:30 am
October 19, 2011
9:30 am
November 16, 2011
9:30 am
December 21, 2011
9:30 am
January 18, 2012
9:30 am
February 15, 2012
9:30 am
March 21, 2012
9:30 am
April 18, 2012
9:30 am
May 16, 2012
9:30 am
September 19, 2012
9:30 am
October 17, 2012
9:30 am
November 21, 2012
9:30 am
December 19, 2012
9:30 am
January 16, 2013
9:30 am
February 20, 2013
9:30 am
March 20, 2013
9:30 am
April 17, 2013
9:30 am
May 15, 2013
9:30 am

MOMS CLUB OF YAKIMA. 9:30-11 a.m. Daytime activities for stay-at-home mothers and their children. Childcare opens at 9:15. Meets at Central Lutheran Church, 1603 West Yakima Ave., $30 annual dues. Nonmembers are allowed to attend two park days/business meetings before joining. Meets the third Wednesday each month. Contact Tara or Debbie at 509-494-8177. momsclubofyakima@yahoo.com.

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Do you have apps designed for toddlers?

October 27, 2011 by Scott Mayes

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An interesting story came across the Associated Press wire yesterday. It’s about iPhones and parenting. It’s the new “Do you sit your kids in front of the TV when they’re noisy” debate.

Here’s the top of the story:

There’s a new routine these days whenever Amber Mullaney goes out to eat at a restaurant. While waiting to be seated, she asks her husband to get the phone ready to hand over to their 2-year-old daughter, Tatum.

The phone — with its ability to stream episodes of Dora the Explorer — is a godsend, Mullaney says. Attempts at going out without whipping out the gadget have been disastrous, the Denver mom says. Her curious, independent toddler gets into everything. Salt shakers are fiddled with, drinks are spilled.
“She’ll color for a little bit or talk with us for a little bit, but it’s short-lived,” Mullaney says. “It’s miserable because all she wants to do is get out.”

With the iPhone, however, Tatum sits quietly in the booth while her parents get to enjoy a meal.

For the complete story, follow this link.

Now that you have the background and you’ve probably formed an opinion, is this lazy parenting or maintaining sanity?

Like similar debates over the years, experts contend it’s about balance.

After reading the story, I searched my iPhone. I have three “kid” apps — one a baby app with lots of colors, plus a Sesame Street app and a Veggie Tales app.

Before you judge, I, in fact, have a 1 year-old son.

He plays with them on occasion, but not even once a week.

Like food, like sugar, like Elmo, it’s all about moderation. None of these things are terrible — unless they are overused.

Fess up. How many iPhone apps do you have that are made specifically for the sub-5 year-old age group?

• An editor by day, Scott Mayes is also dad to Matthew, Micah and Nathan. He’s a high school parent, a youth basketball dad and changes diapers. He also spends more time looking at his iPhone than he should.

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It’s good to see your kids at the finish line

October 25, 2011 by Scott Mayes

1 Comment

Columbia Gorge Marathon: Oct. 23, 2011.

I have been to it all.

Soccer games, football games, basketball games, school plays, church awards ceremonies, academic assemblies, swim meets, band concerts — check, check and check!

But, occasionally, I am on the other end of the equation.

I am not the spectator clapping, but the subject for the event.

That happened this past weekend when I ran the Columbia Gorge Marathon in Hood River, Ore.

There is nothing quite like seeing a familiar face when running a race of that distance.

My family had arranged to meet me at 10 Speed East Coffee along the course. So, about mile 18, there they were.

First, I saw Micah, my 11 year-old, who waved and looked very excited. He went in to get the others, who were still ordering their coffee and assorted drinks.

They came out and I stopped to chat ever so briefly — this was more than 3 hours into the race.

Micah offered me a slurp of his strawberry-banana smoothie. It was heavenly.

So, I said my farewells and promised to meet them at the finish.

And when I was gutting out those last couple of miles, I knew I’d see those familiar faces again.

Matthew (my 16 year-old) was clapping as I came around the final turn. Micah was snapping a few pictures. And, Nathan — who is 1 — was hanging out in his stroller doing what 1 year-olds do. He was relaxing, taking in the scenery and looking for that next cup of milk.

Running marathons is not for everybody.

But the sore feet and all the sweat is worth it when you get to see your kids cheering you to the finish line.

• An editor by day, Scott Mayes is also dad to Matthew, Micah and Nathan. He’s a high school parent, a youth basketball dad and changes diapers. He’s finished two marathons in Washington and one in Oregon.

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Should your teenager go trick-or-treating?

October 20, 2011 by Scott Mayes

2 Comments

Trick-or-treating. It’s coming. Better get ready.

One thing that parents always seem to have an opinion about is “what to accept” in that bag — what kind of candy are you willing to let Johnny eat? This is usually a wrapped vs. unwrapped debate.

But, here’s another Halloween query:

How old should your kids be when they stop going out?

In our house – our boys are ages 16, 11 and 1 – the likely scenario is one who doesn’t want to go, one who does and one who wants some more milk and will head out if “that’s what big brother is doing.”

So, how old is too old?

Like anything else, you should know your kids and their friends.

If your teenager is heading out to torment smaller children, that’s not going to end well.

If your 16 year-old wants to go out (without adults), you should ask yourself two questions:

1) Do you trust your kid?

2) Do you trust those he’s going out with?

If this combination of people has led to trouble in the past, the answer is a pretty easy one.

Now, what will he dress up as? That’s another topic for another day, but if he’s willing to embarrass himself, who are you to stand in the way?

Enjoy the night – and good luck getting your sugared-up angels to bed!

• An editor by day, Scott Mayes is also dad to Matthew, Micah and Nathan. He’s a high school parent, a youth football dad and changes diapers. He’s experienced many things as a parent, but is absolutely clueless about raising daughters.

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Braces: Do the payments ever end? Yes!

October 18, 2011 by Scott Mayes

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Anytime you pay off a bill, it’s a good feeling.

In this economy, it’s a really good feeling.

Last week, we had one of those moments.

Our 16 year-old, Matthew, has braces (not on his knees like Forrest Gump, but on his teeth like millions of other teenagers).

This is his second go around with braces and last week I got to call the Orthodontist’s office and make the last payment over the phone.

He initially had braces in the fourth grade. They called it pre-orthodontia then.

They put braces on so they could make more room in his mouth. He had too many teeth.

They removed four teeth back then and he wore them for a couple of years.

At the beginning of high school, he was back in braces — after removing four more teeth.

The crowding had mostly been taken care of and this time was more for teeth straightening.

He’s a junior now and still has them on. He should get them off in the next four of five months.

But after four years of payments during two different segments, we are done.

It’s a hurdle I was glad to jump over.

Now, to find somewhere else to spend that money each month.

Shouldn’t be a problem.

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Apple Crisp recipe

October 16, 2011 by Scott Klepach

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(courtesy of Fresh Taste Meals)

Ingredients & Recipe:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, gently fold together the following ingredients:
4 cups peeled sliced Granny Smith apples
3/4 cup white sugar
1 1/2 Tbs lemon juice
1 1/2 Tbs flour
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

•Spread apple mixture over the bottom of a large greased pan.
•In a medium bowl use your hands to combine the following ingredients:
1 1/2 cups oats
2 1/4 cups flour
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 cups melted butter

•Crumble this mixture over the filling in the pan.
•Drizzle caramel sauce over the top of the crumb mixture.
•Bake in oven for 45 to 60 minutes. Apple mixture will bubble and topping will be golden brown.

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Be careful sleepy dads: Your money is in danger

October 14, 2011 by Scott Mayes

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Be careful what you agree to when you’re not fully awake!

I’m happy to tell you I was lucky.

The other night, Micah – Our 11 year-old – came in to our room before bedtime and I had already started to doze off.

“Our jog-a-thon money is due tomorrow,” he said. “Will you sponsor me $2 a lap?”

I quickly thought about bills that still need to be paid this month and talked him down to $1 per lap.

Man, that was a good sleepy decision.

Yesterday, after I got home from work, Micah tells me that he finish third “in all of the 5^th grade.” He told me he ran the whole way – except for one water break.

“Great job,” I said. “How many laps did you run?”

“36,” he responds.

So, I’m on the hook for $36. Sounds fair. It could have been $72 – or even $108.

Be on the lookout when your kids ask for money late at night.

I escaped without injury this time.

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He slept through the night, I swear

October 12, 2011 by Scott Mayes

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Last weekend, my wife went to a women’s retreat with our church.

It was an overnight event, which meant I was home alone with the kids on Friday night.

So, as soon as I got done working, I went to the store.

I did my best “Dad is great, gives us the chocolate cake” routine. If that didn’t make sense to you … please see a classic episode on The Cosby Show as Bill sings his own praises. (Yes, his wife did walk in during the song — and it went downhill from there.)

Anyhow, I cooked spaghetti (because even I can’t screw up pasta) and there was a box of Oreo Cookies and root beer floats to follow.

So, everything was going great.

A few hours later, our 1 year-old, Nathan, had reached his limit.

He was cranky and it was bed time.

I rocked him off-and-on for about 45 minutes (It wouldn’t have taken Julie that long) before he finally gave in.

The next part of the story is where the controversy begins.

Nathan went to bed around 10 p.m. and slept until 6:45 Saturday morning.

After that, I had him lay down with me, where he slept until about 8:45.

You should know that Nathan, at 14 months old, hasn’t slept through the night consistently. He didn’t do so on that Thursday night and he didn’t do so on Saturday night. But, on Friday, he did!

So, when I announced to my wife that he did, in fact, sleep through the night while she was away, she couldn’t (or wouldn’t) believe me.

“Did he sleep through the night, or did you?” she asked.

I promise you this. I was within feet of him that night, not miles. And, he didn’t wake up.

Nathan loves his mama and I’m no magician, but for one night, the stars aligned for dad.

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Special Needs Art Class

Lower Naches MOPS

MOPS – Nile Valley

MOPS – First Presbyterian

MOPS – First Presbyterian

Home Depot Kids’ Workshop

MOPS – Mountainview Christian Fellowship

MOPS – Mountainview Christian Fellowship

DivorceCare 4 Kids

DivorceCare 4 Kids

DivorceCare 4 Kids

DivorceCare 4 Kids

MOMS Club of Yakima

Do you have apps designed for toddlers?

It’s good to see your kids at the finish line

Should your teenager go trick-or-treating?

Braces: Do the payments ever end? Yes!

Apple Crisp recipe

Be careful sleepy dads: Your money is in danger

He slept through the night, I swear

Playdate Calendar

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