What do you say in front of your kids?

Here’s a little something I ready today that made me think.

Kim John Payne, author of “Simplicity Parenting,” responds to how she decides what to say in front of her children.

“Before I say something in front of my children I will ask myself three questions:
• Is it true? To this I can usually, though not always, tell myself, with a sense of righteousness, a firm ‘yes.’
• Is it necessary? Now I pause. Do my children really need to hear this? They will know soon enough the world is flawed; for now a good world will do just fine.
•Is it kind? This is altogether harder. Is it kind to this person to say this? Am I modeling being accusative rather than inquisitive, dehumanizing or humanizing?”

Wow! What great food for thought.

When it comes to things like being mean-spirited and getting involved in gossip, our kids could really use a good example.

Guess what else this brings to mind? Driving.

If you swear at other drivers in the car or even show them one of your fingers, it may not be the best thing for your kids to hear or see.

And, what about television?

Keep in mind that what you’re listening to on TV, they probably are too.

They are counting on us to filter certain information. And, well … we may not always do a great job.

Start small. Start a day at a time.

Focus tonight on what your kids hear and do your absolute best to make sure it’s in their best interest.

• 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 has lots of choices to make and six ears to protect.

Parenting classes run Feb. 5-Mar. 25

PARENTING CLASS. 11 a.m. An 8-week parenting class instructed by Certified Family Life Educator and author Laurie Kanyer. Some topics include: Why kids misbehave, understanding temperament, acknowledging feelings and gaining trust, accountability, gaining trust and cooperation, ways to reduce stress, offering healthy alternatives, setting reasonable limits and teaching life skills. Free. First Presbyterian Church, 9 S. 8^th Ave., Yakima; 509-248-7940. Contact: shan.trick@fpcyakima.com.

Junie B. Jones next up for Capitol Kids Mar. 15-16

Junie B. Jones transcends the book format to grace the stage for the next Capitol Kids event. Four times are scheduled over two days, at 10 a.m. and noon March 15-16.

The program is for students in grades K-5. Tickets are $5 each.

The Capitol Theatre is located at 19 S. Third St., Yakima. Call 509-853-ARTS (2787) or visit capitoltheatre.org for more info.

Crohn’s workshop slated Mar. 6

The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation is holding a patient education program called “Nutrition & Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Choices for Adults and Kids” from 6:30-8 p.m. March 6 in Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital’s auditorium.

A gastroenterologist and a dietician will be guest speakers for the day’s program, which is free to attend. This is the first time the foundation is holding an educational event in Yakima.

For more info, contact Kathleen Newbould at 425-451-8455 or knewbould@ccfa.org.

Engineering Day for Kids at YVCC Feb. 25

Engineering Day for Kids

To celebrate Engineers Week, the Yakima branch of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the Engineering Department at Yakima Valley Community College are teaming up once again to host “Engineering Day for Kids,” which runs 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 25. The event will take place at YVCC’s Hopf Union Building (HUB).

Any elementary school-aged child is invited to attend this free event and get experience with hands-on activities that will help the child explore the connections between math, science and engineering.

No registration is required, but if you have any questions, contact Ben Annen at 509-966-7000 or bannen@hlacivil.com.

Mickey Mouse + Music = Free Concert

“Mickey Goes to the Movies!” is the theme for the next KinderKoncert scheduled for 3 p.m. Feb. 26. This event, which is free and open to children of all ages, is touted as an “instrumental petting zoo,” which allows kids to have a hands-on introduction to musical instruments.

The Yakima Youth Symphony Orchestra and Yakima Ensemble for Strings are putting together the show, which will be held at The Capitol Theatre, 19 S. Third St., Yakima. Call 509-248-1414 or visit www.yyso.org for more info.

Shangahi Acrobats at The Capitol Theatre Feb. 12

Shanghai Acrobats at The Capitol Theatre

Athletes, acrobats, jugglers and extortionists show off stunts and feats as the Shanghai Acrobats perform at 3 p.m. Feb. 12 at The Capitol Theatre.

The Chinese circus traditions from 2,000 years ago are brought to life with music, lighting, choreography and scenery. The company’s American division is based at the New Shanghai Theatre in Branson, Mo.

Tickets: $7.50 for youth 18 and younger, $7.50-$35 for adults. The Capitol Theatre, 19 S. Third St. Yakima; 509-853-ARTS (2787). capitoltheatre.org

Girls’ Little League Softball

Yakima Valley Little League Softball for girls 5-10 years

A girls’ Little League softball program is being assembled for a 2012 season.

Yakima Valley Little League Softball is designed for girls ages 5-10 from the following school districts: Yakima, West Valley, Union Gap, Wapato, Zillah, Toppenish, Parker and White Swan. The program will include T-Ball, coach pitch, and player pitch divisions.

League President Ryan Yates notes that most girls in the area have to wait until age 10 to start playing softball, and the YVLLS will introduce younger girls to the sport so they can make a smooth transition. Yates is hoping to get the community involved with the league, and a board is being formed.

Registration starts 4-7 p.m. Feb. 7-8, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 11 at Kimmel Athletic, 2105 W. Lincoln Ave., Yakima. Girls must be 10 before April 30 to register.

Registration: $50 for ages 5-6 (T-Ball), $75 for ages 7-8 (coach pitch), and $75 for ages 8-10 (player pitch).

For volunteer interest, email yakimasoftball@gmail.com or visit www.eteamz.com/yakimavalleylittleleague/.

CPR Blitz set for Feb. 4

CPR Blitz Feb. 4

When two local hospitals join together, everyone benefits from a life-saving educational event. That’s exactly the design of this year’s “Save a Life: The Great CPR Blitz 2012,” a joint effort between Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital and Yakima Regional Medical and Cardiac Center.

The CPR Blitz will take place in three sessions Feb. 4 at the Yakima Convention Center, located at 10 N. Eighth St., Yakima. The first two English-language sessions are set for 9 and 10 a.m., and a Spanish session will begin at 11 a.m.

The goal is to teach CPR and other life-saving skills to more than 1,000 community members.

Contact: Nicole Donegan, 509-654-4320. You can also visit savealifeyakima.org or call 509-574-5990.

Surya Yoga offers Kids’ Yoga class

Surya Yoga offers Kids’ Yoga class

Kids ages 4-8 are welcome to stop in at Surya Yoga in Scarborough Fair. Classes are offered every second and fourth Saturday of the month, from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. $13 drop-in fee per family, but a class series rate is also available. Preregistration is required; call Sarah for more info. 910 Summitview Ave., Suite 6A, Yakima 509-225-0650 • surayogayakima.com

White Pass Kids’ Clinic

White Pass Kids’ Clinic

Full-day skiing and snowboarding for kids ages 5-12. Kids’ instructors are on hand, and lunch, snacks and lift tickets are included. Meet at the Learning Center Meeting Area at White Pass.

Registration is 8-9:15 a.m. each day. Cost: $90 single day, $130 weekend. Dates: Dec. 31, Jan. 1, 14, 15, 28, 29, Feb. 11, 12, 25, 26, March 10, 11, 24 and 25.

White Pass

48935 U.S. Highway 12, White Pass

509-672-3101 • Snowline: 509-672-3100

skiwhitepass.com

Sledding Road Trip

Sledding Road Trip

Time: TBD. Snow tubing for boys and girls, grades 5-8. Meet at Public Works; van will transport kids to Snoqualmie Pass. Cost: $54 nonresident, $45 resident. Sponsored by Yakima Parks and Recreation. Trip dates: Dec. 20, 22, 27 and 29.

2301 Fruitvale Blvd., Yakima

509-575-6005

New Cover Baby Photo Contest!

Playdate’s Annual Cover Baby Photo Contest!

Your baby, our cover!

Playdate’s annual Cover Baby Photo Contest is back! To enter, send us a fabulous photo of your baby (birth to 18 months) to Playdate Magazine, P.O. Box 9668, Yakima, WA 98901; or e-mail your submission to contest@playdateyakima.com or sklepach@yakimaherald.com. Be sure to include your name, address and phone number, as well as your child’s name and age.

Both mail and e-mail submissions must be received by 11:59 p.m. December 16, 2011.

We’ll shoot a new photo of the winning baby for the cover of the February/March magazine, so your photos don’t have to be perfect. We’re looking for babies (up to 18 months) that will show off for the camera.

2nd Opinion: “Screen Time”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Dr. David Pommer for Playdate magazine

OK, I confess. I have not been a perfect role model about “screen time” with my patients and my family. But I think this is important to discuss as summer comes to a close and many of us retreat indoors.

What is screen time? The American Academy of Family Physicians defines this term as “watching television or DVDs, playing video or computer games and surfing the Internet.” A few years ago with patients, I would primarily ask about TV and video games, but now I need to inquire about cellphone screen time as well. As I will detail below, more screen time correlates with worse health.

Let’s take a quick self-assessment to see if this may be an issue with your family.

1) Do you use television as a baby sitter so you can get other things done at home?

2) Have you misplaced your library card months ago? … Or do you first check out the video section at your local library?

3) Do your children feel that happiness comes at Redbox?

4) Have you heard your child repeat a phrase in conversation that they likely heard from TV (for example, when I heard my son state “it’s fun for the whole family” when he wanted my wife and I to buy something, I knew he had been sitting too long in front of the boob tube).

If you answered “yes” to any of the above, keep reading.

According to a 2010 Kaiser Family Foundation study, the average child spends 7 1/2 hours per day in front of a screen. Another study broke this amount into about four or more hours of TV, videos and/or DVDs, more than one hour of computer time, and almost one hour of video games. Two out of three children ages 8-18 have a TV in their bedroom. And those kids who have a TV in their room watch almost 1½ hours more television per day than those who do not.

The consequences of this excessive screen time are more sobering.

The more time kids spend in front of a screen, the higher their risk of obesity. Obesity rates are lowest in children who have less than one hour of screen time per day, while they are highest in kids with greater than four hours per day. Screen time may also negatively affect body image and school performance and may correlate with increased violent behavior.

What is our remedy?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting screen time to no more than one to two hours of “quality programming” per day. If there is a TV in a child’s room, I would recommend removing it. Use parental controls on your computer so a child has a set limit before he or she is logged off. Establish a “token economy” where kids need to earn their 1-2 hours by chores or reading earlier in the day. Though your children will not thank you now, hopefully their brains and waistlines will thank you in years to come.

David Pommer, M.D., is a family physician at Selah Family Medicine. He is a graduate of Whitworth University and the University of Washington School of Medicine. He is married with three children.

Harvest and Halloween Time!

 

 

One-Day Events:

Oct. 8:  Pumpkin Decorating for Kids – 10 a.m.
Class, supplies and pumpkin are free. Sponsored by Master Gardeners of Yakima County.
Located at Ahtanum Youth Park. 509-574-1600. mastergardeners-yakima.org

Oct. 15:  Harvest Marching Band Festival – 4:30 p.m. Finals at 6 p.m.
Cost: $10 adults for all-day pass, $7 for finals only; $7 students and seniors.
Zaepfel Stadium, 40th Avenue and Tieton Drive. harvestbands.org

Oct. 16:  Yakima Adventist Fall Festival – 1-4:00 p.m.
Games, prizes, bounce houses and hay rides to Washington Fruit Place.
Yakima Adventist Christian School, 1200 City Reservoir Road, Yakima; 509-966-1933.

Oct. 29:  Annual Pumpkin Run – 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Caboose ride, pump car rides, museum tours and a free pumpkin for each child.
Cost: $5 adults, $3 children 12 and younger.
Northern Pacific Railway Museum, 10 S. Asotin Ave., Toppenish; 509-865-2409.
nprymuseum.org

Oct. 30:  Halloween Farmers Market – 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Activities for kids plus special events. In front of The Capitol Theatre,
19 S. Third St., Yakima; 509-457-5765. yakimafarmersmarket.org

Nov. 1:  Cash 4 Candy – 3:30-6 p.m.
Kids 0-14 can trade their candy for money. Each pound of wrapped candy will be worth $1.
The candy will be sent to U.S. military troops overseas.
Yakima Pediatric Dentistry, 3909 Creekside Loop, Suite 140, Yakima; 509-834-2004.

Ongoing events in October:

Bill’s Berry Farm Apple & Pumpkin Festival
10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturdays, Sept. 24, Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22.
Pumpkins and apples available for picking. Make your own apple cider. Warm apple cider donuts, pony rides, hay rides, barnyard train rides, fire pits and marshmallows. Free admission.
Bill’s Berry Farm, 3674 N. County Line Road, Grandview; 509-882-7810.
billsberryfarm.com

Granger Pumpkin Patch
11 a.m.-6 p.m. every  day in October.
Hay ride, corn maze, jumpers, haunted house, petting zoo daily, and face painting and pumpkin carving during the weekends. Hot dogs, hamburgers, hot cocoa, and marshmallows for sale. Fire pit available for roasting marshmallows and making s’mores. Admission: $4.50 children, $5 adults. Babies younger than 1 are free. 1733 Beam Road, Granger. 509-376-2561.

Fun at Jones Farm Fruit Stand
Open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily through Oct. 31.
Straw maze, hay-bale pyramid with slide, duck pond and pumpkin patch, self-guided orchard
walk, picnic area. Free admission. Pumpkins and produce for sale at the fruit stand.
2020 Thacker Road, off East Zillah Drive, Zillah. 509-829-6024. jonesfarmsinc.com

October Days at Washington Fruit Place
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays each weekend in October.
Cider tasting, hay rides, pumpkin patch, hay maze and apple variety tasting. Free events.
Barrett Orchards, 1209 Pecks Canyon Road, Yakima; 509-966-1275. treeripened.com

Schell’s Massive Corn Maze & Fall Harvest Funland
9 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Open daily through October, beginning Oct. 5.
Ten-acre corn maze, and a 2-acre maze with no dead-ends for kids, straw pyramid with slides, hay rides, pumpkin patch, petting zoo, pumpkin chucker, haunted house, bonfire pits and barbecues. Admission includes carving pumpkin: $8.50 adults/$6 children ages 3-10 and
seniors 65+/children ages 2 and younger free with paid adult.
Schell’s Produce. Two locations: 3213 Tacoma St. in Union Gap, 509-453-3200;
and three miles east of Toppenish on Highway 22 at Harris Road, 509-865-4511.

Suncadia 6th Annual Harvest Festival
9 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday; noon-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 7-9 and Oct. 14-16.
Pumpkin patch, straw maze, beer garden, vendors, pony and tractor rides, canine
costume contest and live music. Free admission.
Located at the historic Nelson Dairy Road, Cle Elum.
Contact Karen Porter at 509-649-6204. suncadia.com

Thompson’s Farm Pumpkin Patch
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in October.
Pumpkin patch, pumpkin cannon, hay rides, farm animals, U-pick and U-select apples,
cornstalks, squash and gourds.
Thompson’s Farm, 9535 Old Naches Highway, Naches; 509-949-3450.
thompsonsfarm.com

Get Haunted!

Yakima Haunt Night
Oct. 28: Time TBD (call for details)
Visit local haunted houses in a group led by Yakima Public Works. Meet at Public Works for pizza first. Cost: $18 non-resident, $15 resident. 2301 Fruitvale Blvd., Yakima; 509-575-6020.

Grandview’s Annual Haunted House
October 28-29, 5:30-10 p.m.
Haunted house, games, food and more. Cost: $4 age 13 and older, $3 ages 12 and
younger and seniors. Sponsored by Miss Grandview Program and Grandview Music Boosters.
135 Division St., Grandview; 509-882-3198. visitgrandview.org

Haunted Depot at Northern Pacific Railway Museum
October 28-31, 7-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 7-10 p.m. Sunday and Monday.
Ghosts, goblins and a fright around each corner as patrons tour the haunted depot and
two haunted railway cars. Cost: $5 per person; for ages 13 and older.
10 S. Asotin Ave., Toppenish; 509-865-2409. nprymuseum.org/npmuseumschedule.htm

Halloween Trolley
October 29-31, 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.
Brace yourselve for a haunted journey on a trolley and take a pumpkin home.
Call for cost and details.
Yakima Valley Trolleys, S. 3rd Avenue and W. Pine St., Yakima; 509-249-5962. yakimavalleytrolleys.org

Trunk or Treat:

Montessori Harvest Festival
October 30, 3-5 p.m.
For kids ages 2-7. Games, activities, crafts, prizes and a bake sale. Kids encouraged
to dress up in costumes. Fundraiser; open to the community. Cost: $5 per child.
511 N. 44th Ave., on the corner of Englewood and 44th avenues, Yakima; 509-930-8789.

WestPress Carnival
October 31, 5:30-7 p.m.
Halloween-themed carnival games and more. Takes place in church parking lot.
Free/open to the public.
Westminster Presbyterian Church, 6015 Summitview Ave., Yakima.

Harvest Community Church Halloween Party
October 31, 6-8 p.m.
Harvest Community Church (and local area merchants) is hosting the Selah
Community Halloween Party at the Selah Civic Center. Kids birth-10 years old.
Kid-friendly costumes welcome. 509-697-8300.

The Fair is in the Air!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What a fitting title for such a fun event. This year’s Central Washington State Fair runs Sept. 23-Oct. 2, and includes many features people look forward to each year: livestock exhibitions, concerts, a rodeo, car racing, a demolition derby, commercial exhibits, food concessions (the more fried food, the better!) … and, of course, carnival rides and games. Here’s this year’s schedule:

Fri., Sept. 23: Opening day! American Sprint Car Series/Northwest Region, 6 p.m. Cost: $16.

Sat., Sept. 24: American Sprint Car Series/Northwest Region, 6 p.m. Cost: $16. •  Trace Adkins performs at 7:30 p.m. Cost: $5/$25/$30.

Sun., Sept. 25: Gloriana performs at 6 p.m. Cost: $5/$10/$25.

Mon., Sept. 26: MC Magic performs at 5 p.m. Free.

Tues., Sept. 27: Hinder performs at 7 p.m. Cost: $5/$15/$25.

Wed., Sept. 28: Kellie Pickler performs at 7 p.m. Cost: $5/$15/$25.

Thurs., Sept. 29: Boyz II Men performs at 7 p.m. Cost: $5/$15/$25.

Fri., Sept. 30: Pro-West Finals Rodeo, 7 p.m. Cost: $11. Uncle Kracker performs at 7:30 p.m. Cost: $5/$15/$25.

Sat., Oct. 1: Pro-West Finals Rodeo, 2 p.m. Cost: $11. Brett Eldridge performs at 7:30 p.m. Cost: $5/$10/$25.

Sun., Oct. 2: Demo Derby, 2 p.m. Free. Tiranos Del Norte performs at 4 p.m. Cost: $10.

Other highights:

• Walk on the Wild Side features exotic cats and animals at the Pepsi Stage

• Hypnotist Mark Yuzuik performs at the Pacific Power Community Stage

• “U-Rock” Pop Culture 2011 exhibit takes you right into the world of rock-n-roll

• Kids Pedal Tractor Pulls

If you go (and why wouldn’t you?):

The fair opens daily at 11 a.m.

Admission: $12 adults (ages 13 and older), $9 seniors (65 and older), $7 ages 6-12, free for ages 5 and younger

Advance purchase of carnival wristbands: $22, includes unlimited rides!

Central Washington State Fair

State Fair Park • 1301 S. Fair Ave., Yakima

509-248-7160 • fairfun.com

Yakima Valley Reads: The Art of Racing in the Rain

 

Yakima Valley Reads: The Art of Racing in the Rain

 

Parents, when you have a chance to put your feet up and relax, you should check out Garth Stein’s book The Art of Racing in the Rain ($14..99, Harper).  Though this title has been out for some time, it is still on many bestseller lists, and it’s also this year’s Yakima Valley Reads selection. YVR is a program sponsored by Yakima Valley Libraries in conjunction with many other businesses and organizations in the area.

 

Are your kids interested in reading about the dog Enzo? While The Art of Racing in the Rain is intended for adult readers, Garth Stein has also recently published a kids’ edition of the book, titled Racing in the Rain: My Life as a Dog. This kid-friendly version is for 8-12 year olds. $6.99 (Harper)

 

Have a great pet story? Yakima Valley Libraries wants to hear from you! You can drop off your story and photo to one of the library’s branches, or email them to dogs@yvl.org.

 

Garth Stein is coming to Yakima Sept. 21!  First, the author will visit Inklings Bookshop from 4-5 p.m. Sept. 21 for a book signing.  Call Inklings at 509-965-5830 for additional information.

Then, at 7 p.m. Sept. 21, Stein will be presenting at The Seasons. The event is free and open to the public.  Come out to hear the author’s craft in his own words, and get your books signed.  The Seasons is located at 101 N. Naches Ave. in Yakima. Contact 509-453-1888.

 

Rover’s Romp at Summitview Library: 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 24.  Preschoolers can learn about animal safety, hear a story and do a dog craft. Summitview Library, 5709 Summitview, Yakima; 509-966-7070.

Amazing Kreskin, Shrek the Musical Coming to The Capitol Theatre

The Amazing Kreskin and Shrek the Musical at The Capitol

The Capitol Theatre is ready to stretch your mind in a couple of ways.

First up is The Amazing Kreskin. Having years of “mind reading” experience, you can see him for yourself on stage at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 4.

The Amazing Kreskin blends witty dialogue and an amazing ability to extract information from audience members. He will also guess where someone else has hidden his payment check in the theatre. And if he gets it wrong? He’ll forfeit the check. Tickets are $20 for all ages.

The next offering will let you experience Shrek in a whole new way — this time as a musical production. The famous Dreamworks animated character will hit the stage, so you and your kids can catch the green ogre, Donkey, Fiona and other friends (and villains) Sept. 9-10. There will be three showings: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9 and 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sept. 10.

Single show tickets go on sale Aug. 1.

Contact 509-853-ARTS or visit capitoltheatre.org for more information.

Safe Sitter Classes in August

Safe Sitter Classes in August

Here’s a chance for your kids to become trained sitters! Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital is continuing its Safe Sitter Classes this August for boys and girls ages 11-13.

The two-day classes cover nurturing childcare techniques, behavior management skills and how to handle childcare emergencies. While students will not become CPR-certified, they will learn infant and child CPR and choking child rescue information.

The cost for the program is $60 per person, which includes a Safe Sitter manual and a completion card. Scholarships are available.

The classes run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. The August lineup is Aug. 4-5, Aug. 10-11 and Aug. 17-18.

Call 509-225-3179 or visit yakimamemorial.org to register.

Homeschooling Conference Aug. 20

The Eastern Washington Homeschooling Conference will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 20 at the Homelink office, located at 14 S. Sixth Ave. in Yakima. The event is free, but visitors must bring their own lunch.

Another free event taking place at the same time and location is the “Youth Class: The Constitution and Voting.” Pizza will be served for lunch for $2.

To register, visit the Facebook pages of each event, or call Dee at 509-941-7799.

Homelink of Yakima offers training, support and services for homeschoolers and their parents in the area. You can contact the office at 509-248-6388 or visit homelinkyakima.org

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