Lemonade Cookie Hearts

Lemonade Cookie Hearts

Here’s a fun and tasty way to bake sugar cookies for your little valentines … with a little extra zing!

1 cup butter or margarine

1 cup sugar

2 eggs, beaten

1 tsp vanilla or 1/2 tsp lemon extract

4 Tbl frozen lemonade concentrate

3 1/4 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

In a large bowl, mix together butter and sugar. Stir in beaten eggs, vanilla, and lemonade.

Add flour and baking soda. Once the dough is well blended, cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least one hour.

Then, roll out the dough on a floured surface and cut in heart shapes using either a heart-shaped cookie cutter or a large heart-shaped pattern cut from thin cardboard.

Overlap two hearts before baking or bake hearts separately and when cooled, press together with a little frosting to hold them.

Bake on greased cookie sheet at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes, or until cookies are baked but not brown. If your cookies seem to be browning too fast, reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees.

Cookie Frosting

Blend 1 cup powdered sugar with about 2 tablespoons water; add a few drops of food color to tint. Pour thin frosting over cookies on a rack placed on wax paper to catch drips. Let dry.

Whoopie Pies

Whoopie Pies Sure, half the name may sound like a misnomer (these aren’t really pies in the traditional sense, after all) but once you make these whoopie pies, as the story goes, you’re bound to exclaim, “Whoopie!” Ingredients Cookies: 3 cups sugar 1/2 cup shortening 1 cup cocoa 2 eggs 1 1/2 cups buttermilk 1 tsp cream of tartar 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp salt 1 tsp vanilla 4 cups flour Cream together sugar and shortening. Add cocoa, eggs, buttermilk, cream of tarter, baking soda, salt and vanilla. Mix well. Gradually add flour. Drop cookies by spoonful on baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes. Filling: 5 Tbl flour 1 cup milk 1 cup shortening (part butter or margarine) 1 1/4 cup sugar 2 tsp vanilla food coloring if desired Cook flour and milk in saucepan over medium heat. Whisk constantly to keep from scorching. Let cool to cold. Add shortening/butter and a small pinch of salt. Whip it. Add sugar, vanilla, and food coloring. Whip it again until fluffy. When cookies and filling are cool, put filling between two cookies and wrap individually. Enjoy!

Make Love Bugs for Your Little Love Bugs!

Love Bugs!

Want a fun, cute, and inexpensive craft to make and give to a loved one for Valentine’s Day? Try making love bugs! You can make ladybugs, butterflies, or both.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• an empty toilet paper tube
• construction paper (choose your colors!)
• scissors
• glue
• glitter
• pen, marker, crayons or pencil

Here’s how to make a Love Bug:

1. Cover an empty toilet tube with construction paper to make the body of the bug.
2. Cut two ovals (for the lady bug) or hearts (for a butterfly) to make wings.
3. Attach wings with tape or glue on either side of the body.
4. Cut circles to make the faces.
5. Encourage your child to draw a face on the circle or at the top of the tube.
6. Cut strips of paper and fold in a zigzag pattern to make antennae and legs. Cut two small hearts and glue to the tips of antennae. Or, pipe cleaners are great for antennae as well.
7. Write a cute message on the wings or on a cut out heart that the Love Bug holds.
8. Decorate with glitter, feathers, or whatever else you desire. Have fun!!!

School Directory

Here is a handy guide to local preschools, Kindergarten programs, and other resources. We also have a guide to help you select the right preschool or Kindergarten program.

CHURCH-AFFILIATED SCHOOLS

Agapeland Preschool & Kindergarten | Preschool & Kindergarten, ages 3-5. Located at Selah Covenant Church, 560 McGonagle Road, Selah; call 509-697-6116 or visit selahcov.com. Three-year-old class meets 9-11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, $68 monthly. Four-year-old class meets 9-11:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, $95 monthly. Pre-K (Barely 5′s) class meets 12:20-2:50 p.m. Monday through Thursday, $110 monthly. Kindergarten class meets 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday, $150 monthly (for 10 months). Registration begins Feb. 1 for current students, and Mar. 1 for new students.

Calvary Lutheran Preschool | Preschool only, ages 3-4. Located at Calvary Lutheran Church, 11th and Harrison, Sunnyside; call 509-837-6771 or visit calvarylcs.com. Three-year-old class meets 12:30-2:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, $70 monthly. Four-year-olds have two options: Three-day class meets 9-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, $80 monthly. Five-day class meets 9-11:30 a.m. Monday-Friday, $125 monthly.

First Presbyterian Church Preschool | Preschool only, ages 3-5. Located at First Presbyterian Church, 9 S. Eighth Ave., Yakima; call 509-248-7940 or visit firstpresyakima.com. Three-year-old class meets 9-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, $90 monthly. Four-year-old class meets 9-11:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, $120 monthly. Pre-kindergarten class meets 9-11:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday, $145 monthly. Your child must be 3 or 4 by Sept. 1 for the respective classes, and 5 by Dec. 31 for the pre-Kindergarten class. Registration opens Feb. 7 for fall classes.

Grace Lutheran School | Preschool (age 4) & Kindergarten, through grade 8. Located at Grace Lutheran Church, 1207 S. Seventh Ave., Yakima; call 509-594-0715 or visit gracelutheranyakima.org. Call to arrange a tour anytime. Now enrolling for 2011.

Mt. Olive Lutheran Preschool | Preschool (ages 3-5). Located at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 7809 Tieton Drive, Yakima; call Molly at 509-966-2190 or visit mtoliveyakima.org. New student registration 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 16.

Riverside Christian School | Preschool (age 3) & Kindergarten, through grade 12. Located at 721 Keys Road, Yakima; call 509-965-2602 or visit riversidechristianschool.com. Preschool class meets twice a week. Pre-kindergarten meets five days a week. An open house and Kinder Info Night will be held April 14.

St. John of Kronstadt Orthodox Christian School | Kindergarten through grade 8. Location: 706 Steward Street, Yakima; 452-0177. Online: stjohnkronstadt.org. An open house for prospective students will be at 7 p.m. Jan. 27. You can call to arrange a tour anytime.

St. Joseph/Marquette Catholic School | Pre-K & Kindergarten, to grade 8. Located at 202 N. Fourth St., Yakima; call Vicki Balmer at 509-575-5557 to schedule a tour or visit sjmms.org. Pre-kindergarten students must be 4 years old by Aug. 31. Program hours are 8:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., Monday through Friday; call for tuition information. Hot lunch program and after-school care from 3:00 to 6:15 p.m. An open house for prospective students will be from 5-7 p.m. Feb. 3. Or, call to arrange a tour anytime. Add your name to the school’s waiting list now; admission for new students will begin in late February.

St. Paul Cathedral School | Preschool (4 years) & Kindergarten, through grade 8. Location: 1214 W. Chestnut Ave., Yakima; 575-5604. Online: http://www.stpaulsch.org/pages/St__Paul_Cathedral_School

An open house for prospective students will be held Jan. 27.

Wesley Preschool | Preschool only, ages 3-4 and Pre-K. Located at Wesley United Methodist Church, 14 N. 48th Ave., Yakima; call 509-966-2370. Also offers a “Stay N Play” extended day program. Registration begins Feb. 7 for fall classes.

Westpark Christian Academy | Preschool (3 years) & Kindergarten, through grade 12. Location: 3902 Summitview Ave., Yakima; 966-1632. Online: diversityexcels.org

Wonderland Preschool | Preschool only, ages 3-5. Located at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 6015 Summitview Ave., Yakima; call 509-966-1900 or visit westpress.org. Three-year-old class meets 9-11:30 a.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, $95 monthly. Four-year-old class meets 9-11:30 a.m. M-T-W-Th, $115 monthly. Barely Five pre-kindergarten class meets 12:15-3:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday, $125 monthly. Registration starts Feb. 1 for fall classes.

Yakima Adventist Christian School | Kindergarten through grade 10. Location: 1200 City Reservoir Road, Yakima. 966-1933. Online: www.yacsschool.org
Open House 6:30-7:30 p.m. March 3, 2011. Education Day will be April 6 from 8:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. with two Kindergarten sessions; preregistration is required. Prospective students will spend the day in a classroom and take assessment tests.

MONTESSORI

Montessori School of Yakima | Preschool (3 years) & Kindergarten, through grade 3. Located at Engelwood Christian Church, 511 N. 44th Ave., Yakima; call 509-966-0680 or visit msofy.org. An open house will be held 6-7 p.m. Feb. 1.

Oakridge Montessori School | Preschool (18 months) & Kindergarten, through grade 8. Located at 6403 Summitview Ave., Yakima; call 509-966-1080 or visit oakridgemontessorischool.com.

PARENT COOPERATIVES

Central Lutheran Preschool | Located at Central Lutheran Church, 1604 W. Yakima Ave., Yakima; call teacher Annette Courcy at 509-307-6272. Toddler program (ages 18-36 months) meets Monday mornings, $32 monthly; parent participation required each session. Preschoolers (ages 3-5) meets Tuesday through Friday mornings; students may attend two, three or four days a week, $60/$70/$80 monthly; parents required to volunteer at least three days a month. Preschool is friendly to children with food allergies. Open house week is Mar. 21-25; registration period follows.

Children’s Center Preschool | Located at Zillah Church of the Nazarene, 203 Miles Drive, Zillah; call coordinator Nancy Sealock at 509-829-6165.

Learning Together Preschool | Located at Summit View Church of Christ, 100 N. 72nd Ave., Yakima; call 509-966-0733 or e-mail ltkids@hotmail.com.

PRIVATE PRESCHOOLS

Gymnastics Plus Preschool | Located at Gymnastics Plus, 2121 West Lincoln Ave., Yakima; call 509-453-8126 or visit gymnasticsplus.net.

Kid’s Club | Located at 607 S. 36th Ave., Yakima; call 509-469-5437 or visit thelearningtree-uniongap.com.

The Learning Tree Children’s Center | Located at 3609 Tacoma St., Union Gap; call 574-5755 or visit thelearningtree-uniongap.com.

Selah GymKids Academic Preschool | Located at Selah GymKids, 709 North Park Centre, Selah; call 509-698-5437. Preschool class, ages 3 and 4, meets 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. or 9 a.m. to noon, Tuesdays and Thursdays, $120 per month. Pre-kindergarten class, ages 4-5, meets 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 9 a.m. to noon Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, $155 per month. All-day child care available, ages 3-5; transportation and before/after-school care for older children.

SPECIAL NEEDS

Children’s Village Collaborative Lab Classroom | Located at Children’s Village, 3801 Kern Road, Yakima; call 509-574-3260 or visit yakimachildrensvillage.org. Serves children ages 30-58 months with social, emotional, communication and behavioral needs.

Special Education Preschool. Located at the Special Services department in the West Valley School District, 1000 S. 72^nd Ave., Yakima; call 509-965-2080 or visit http://www.wvsd208.org/ss/Preschoolcontacts.htm. Serves preschool children who may have delays in communication, language, motor skills, cognition, social interaction, and adaptive and self-help areas.

VIP Academy | Located at Catholic Family & Child Service, 5301 Tieton Drive, Suite C, Yakima; call 509-965-7100 or visit cfcsyakima.org. Pre-kindergarten program for children who need extra help with behavior and social-emotional skills.

CHILD CARE CENTERS

Working parents may want to consider a child development center that offers preschool curriculum in an all-day child care setting.

Carroll Children’s Center | Located at Catholic Family & Child Service, 5301 Tieton Drive, Suite C, Yakima; call 509-965-7104 or visit cfcsyakima.org.

Country Kids Child Development Center | Two locations: 641 N. Keys Road, Terrace Heights, call 509-453-8688; or 909 N. 21st Ave., Yakima, call 453-4462.

Kindercare Learning Center | Located at 5110 Summitview Ave., Yakima; call 509-966-8557 or visit kindercare.com.

YMCA Jewett Center | Located at 212 E. F St., Yakima; call 509-453-7897 or visit yakimaymca.org.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

East Valley School District | Full-day kindergarten. Registration at East Valley (573-7600), Terrace Heights (573-7800) and Moxee (573-7700) elementary schools will begin the week of March 21-25. To determine your school boundary, call the district office at 573-7300.

Naches School District | Half-day kindergarten. Naches Valley Primary School offers grades K-2. For more information, call 966-5050 or 966-7550 for Naches Valley Primary School, or 457-8592 or 653-2220 to reach the school district.

Selah School District | Half-day kindergarten. Parents may request enrollment at either John Campbell or Robert Lince elementary schools. A kindergarten orientation meeting will be at 7 p.m. May 2 at Robert Lince Elementary; registration begins May 4. For more information, call 697-0706.

Union Gap School District | Full-day kindergarten. Register at Union Gap School in April. For more information, call 248-3966.

West Valley School District | Full-day kindergarten. Registration begins Mar. 21-25 at your home school; to determine your school boundary, call the district’s transportation department at 966-2403.

Yakima School District | Full-day kindergarten. Registration begins Feb. 28-Mar. 4 at your neighborhood school. Students are required to attend their boundary school; to determine which boundary you live in, call Central Registration at 573-7024 or see the map at yakimaschools.org

Lots and Locks of Love

Lots and Locks of Love

By Scott Klepach Jr.

Have your children ever wanted to help someone else, but they weren’t sure exactly what to do? Maybe it’s time for them to give lots of love by giving to Locks of Love, a national nonprofit organization committed to providing hairpieces to kids and teens who have lost their hair due to illness.

Unlike Rapunzel, who was devastated by her haircut, your child will probably feel pretty good about this opportunity, especially because it will help another child through a difficult time.

Selah’s Manessah Radisich got this idea in her head and brought it to life by removing some hair from her head.

Her mother, Heather Radisich, said one day her daughter just decided to cut her hair, which reached her waist after two years’ growth.

“She said, ‘Mommy, I’m going to donate it to Locks of Love,’” said Heather, who had previously explained the program to her daughter.

Heather said Manessah, who is 5, doesn’t quite understand the circumstances of kids who lose their hair from illness, but she immediately took to the idea and cut off nearly 12 inches to donate.

Manessah told her mother that “Some girl will wear my hair and feel very beautiful.” 

In addition to sending her hair — which was sealed in a bag and mailed in an envelope — Manessah wrote a letter to her recipient. Locks of Love will send a card to her in return.

Heather hopes that others will consider donating hair, and she wants to see more awareness of the program.

“Most hairdressers don’t even mention it,” she said. “You have to do it on your own; look online, (and) ask your hairdresser to save the hair.”

For more information, you can visit locksoflove.org or call Locks of Love toll-free at 888-896-1588.

Gotcha! Photo Contest Winner

Gotcha!

Noah Garcia, 10 months

Sharing a nectarine with his daddy.

“There is no delight in owning anything unshared.” –Seneca

Baby Registry … What you really need???

Well – I am 34 weeks pregnant now and I am happy to say that I’m still in one piece…  barely.  I am committing to blog once a week between now and when I deliver and then through my “maternity leave”.

So here recently, my husband and I had to make the decision what we were going to register for.  With two other little boys, you would think we have everything we need.  NOT THE CASE!  Problem is, we thought we were done with our little angels, but a few weeks after we found out we were moving, we learned baby #3 was on the way.  So, in those few weeks of purging, we sold a lot of baby items.  Not, we are rebuilding our stock of little blue toys, educational infant movies, and random teethers.  What do you register for now a days though?  Everyone has an opinion and mine includes the following.  (I found the Baby Registry info online and added my comments to the side)…  enjoy!

car seats

• Infant car seat – Yes, you must have this to even go home from the hospital.  If you get it 2^nd hand, check online for recalls.  The hospital will check the car seat model and if it’s had any issues or too old, you can’t take your new bundle of joy home!  My recommendation – Buy name brand and buy it new.  This IS something you want to splurge on!
• Car seat base for 2nd car–Trust me – Worth it!  Don’t try to take the base out of one car and put it into another car.  Tell the grandparents to get one for their cars too if they are going to be involved in the child’s life more than just vacations to see the family.
• Convertible car seat– This can actually wait and not be put on your registry because you won’t need it until 4 – 6 months or later.  My opinion is though, get one that converts ALL THE WAY to a booster seat…  worth the extra money!
• Booster car seat – Just get a convertible car seat that goes all the way to the booster!
• Car seat toys – don’t have this on your infant car seat in the hospital!  They will make you take it off for fear of an accident and these things coming off.  I understand but they made us take them off before we could put our son in the seat.
• Shopping cart cover – For an infant?  Seriously…  you don’t need this until later if you need it at all.  We got one and took it back because I can never remember to take the eco-friendly bags into the store let alone a shopping cart cover (most of which double as a high chair cover in restaurants)!  They make sense, but I buy the germ-x wipes and just wipe the cart down before putting my toddler into the seat.
• Car seat comfort & accessories –Not sure what they are talking about here.

strollers

• Travel system – Yes, if you want the matching stroller with the car seat…  that’s the benefit but I wanted a different brand of stroller than car seat.  They all fit into one another now a days.  Just take your car seat with you when you shop for a stroller or register for one.  (Just to check)
• Full-size stroller – Yes, if you don’t get a travel system.  My recommendation is get a good one and splurge on this.  You never know when/where you’ll use it as those little bundles of joy pack on the pounds and you get tired of carrying them.  Get one that reclines back for your child.
• Lightweight stroller– yes, if you’re traveling.  I only say that because we had our $300 stroller lost by an airline and they finally got it back to us after 3 weeks!  What a pain!
• Mid-size stroller – You don’t need a full size, lightweight, jogging and mid-size stroller…  find one stroller you really like and stick with it.
• Jogger stroller – My recommendation is unless you’re a big runner, get a really good stroller that you can take on the road, collapses well, and will go over many terrains.  Just my experience as we had one of each and it was a waste of money.
• Double & triple stroller–  DUH, if you have more than 1 under 4.  If you have a 4 year old who can walk, they won’t be able to fit into it much longer but if you have 2 really young ones or more…  or twins …  yes…  and get one that will function as a full size stroller and jogging.  Here is where you want to splurge but do your homework…  it will pay off in the end.
• Stroller comfort & accessories – not sure what they mean here but accessories are over rated..  cup holder for the parent..  ?  Get it if you think you’ll actually use it.  I did buy stroller hooks and they are worth it.
• Stroller toys – Any toy can be turned into a stroller toy…  my recommendation is to invest in those plastic hooks or tether your toys to the stroller so in the off chance your child tosses the toy and you don’t see it…  they won’t be gone forever!
• Stroller diaper bag – This is silly to get a different diaper bag for your stroller.  Get one diaper bag that will be functional for all areas or your life.

backpacks & carriers

• Backpacks – We got a backpack that also carries the child by Kelty…  it was a God send when traveling in Maine when we were walking and the stroller would have been a pain!
• Front & back soft carriers – I went through a million types and you will too until you learn the style you like/want.  This also goes for slings and wrap carriers.  I know many women who like the organic look/style, some like the peanut shell, some like the name brand, some like the hip…  test our a few but test them when your baby gets here.  Many look cute but my son refused to lay in a peanut shell!  Keep your receipts!
• Sling & wrap carriers– see above.

play yards/travel yards

• Play yards/travel yards – Yes, get a pack and play that is convertible and easy to pack up for travel.  We used ours as a bassinet for our first born in our bedroom.
• Play yards/travel yards sheets (Qty: 2-3) –Not really needed…  Just my 2 cents.

activity

• Stationary entertainers – It’s fine but like all toys, you can go nuts and buy your child everything but they won’t look at them until 4 – 6 months old.
• Walkers – You won’t use this until 6 months so do you really need to register for it?
• Gyms & playsets – get one for your infant to lay on their back and kick the mat.  Our son LOVED his.
• Bouncers – Do your homework but our son loved his bouncer
• Swings – YES, YES, YES – Greatest invention ever!
• Door jumpers – not needed if you get a bouncer but easier to transport if you need to.
• Infant positioned – They say you aren’t suppose to co-sleep so I have nothing to say about this other than we tried 2 and our son wiggled out of both.  We just used a bassinet/pack and play next to our bed.

feeding & nursing

• Warmers & sterilizers – Yes, maybe.  Warmer no…  sterilizers…  yes.  Get one where you wash the bottle then stick it into the micro to sanitize it.  Cheaper than the type you plug in and quicker than the dishwasher!
• Burping cloths (Qty: 6-12) – yes, get them for spit ups…
• Cloth diapers (Qty: 6-12) – we use cloth diapers for burp rags…  that’s about it though.
• Lap pads (Qty: 6) – Um…  no
• Bibs (Qty: 8-12) –  yes, invest invest invest in these!  If not for food, for the times your child drools!!

breastfeeding

• Breastpump – This is where you invest your money again in something good if you plan on going back to work or you plan to continue to breast feed.  I tried for 2 months and my son didn’t want to participate in this action at all.  I pumped for a few months so he could still get the benefit.  Great item if you invest in a good one!
• Breast pads, shields & cream – You will leak so get the pads!  I recommend disposable.  The washable ones are fine but you have to wash them and then you lose one and not the other like socks!  Shields are good too but consult your doctor for the necessary uses for them.  Cream…  YES!!  Load up on good cream specifically for breastfeeding mothers so the baby won’t be hurt if they ingest some of it.
• Breast milk storage– I recommend the storage bags that come with the Medela system…  also Dr. Brown bottles fit on the Medela system along with most other narrow mouthed bottles.
• Containers or bags – Bags?  See above.
• Nursing pillow & stool – Nursing pillow isn’t necessary.  I just used a bunch of our pillows at the house.  A stool though is highly recommended from my experience.
• Nursing wrap/cover– If you plan to breast feed – Yes.  Especially in public.  It’s hard when you’re new to fumble with this but do it at home a number of times with your wrap before trying it out in public.  I’m a little modest so I highly recommend this.

bottle-feeding

• Bottles for formula (Qty: 6-8) – Yes, you’ll need 6 – 8 bottles because you’ll be amazed if you don’t wash them EVERY few hours how quick you go through them.  Even if you plan to breast feed…  get a few to have on stand by.  Just in case!!  I planned to breast feed and my son didn’t want to participate in this lovely activity.
• Bottle nipples – If you buy bottles, you’ll get nipples with them but check the age on them.  They have 1, 2, 3, and 4 …  and Y shaped holes in the nipples…  size 1 is for little ones all the way up to Y shaped to let older babies get cereal and milk out.
• Bottle drying rack – use a rag and turn the bottles up side down.
• Bottle brush – highly recommend but get a new one every month or so…  like a sponge, they will go back.
• Dishwasher caddy – I recommend the mesh ones…  easiest to use and we went through quite a few.
• Insulated tote– Yes, get one but you might go through a few different ones.  I recommend getting one that can fit in your baby bag and will remain standing up in the bag.  If it tips over, they can leak if the bottle leaks.

solid feeding

• Feeding sets – You won’t be feeding your little one solids for a few months so there’s no reason to register for this right away.
• Training cups – see above…  Training cups came for us after 12 months.
• Infant spoons (for home) – get a few but you won’t use them for a number of months.
• Baby food processors & accessories – great if you are going to make organic baby food.  I wasn’t so ambitious so I didn’t register for one.

high chairs

• High chairs – YES…  but you won’t be using this until 6 months …
• High chair cover – To cover what?  NO!
• Splat mat – Maybe for your toddler at the kitchen table but most high chairs come with a plastic piece that comes off of the main tray to wash.
• High chair toys – Not necessary in my opinion
• Extra high chair pad – Maybe but just take the dirty one off and wash it.  We made it through our first child without issue.

booster seats

• Booster seats – Yes, but you won’t use it until 12 months or later.
• Splat mat – Yes, but see above.  You won’t use for a long while.

feeding accessories

• Feeding accessories – get spoones, forks, etc later on.  Trust me!  You won’t use them for a while.

bath & potty

• Bathtub & seat – Yes, get a baby bathtub that converts into an older baby one.
• Washcloths (Qty: 8-12) – We bought disposable ones or we used ours.  Waste of money in my opinion.
• Hooded bath towels (Qty: 4-6) –Don’t waste your money.  They are cute but unpractical.  Get a super cute towel instead that’s just his/hers.
• Bath robe – again, waste of money in my opinion.
• Gentle shampoo & body wash – yes, get baby stuff…  splurge!
• Baby lotion– get a bottle but we didn’t use it too often..  no need to go nuts.
• Bath accessories – we got a duck that went over the faucet..  helps him from hitting their head as they get older but a pain for guests to get off to use the shower feature of the bath tub!
• Bath toys – They will use more as they get older.
• Step stool – Not for the bathroom but yes, in general.  You don’t want your child to crawl over and into the tub before you’re ready for them to jump in.
• Travel folding potty set –Have you ever seen a potty trained infant…  get this later.
• Stand alone potty seat – get this later.  You won’t be potty training until 12 months or later.
• Toilet training seat (ring) – see above.  Not for an infant registry.

baby care & grooming

• Nail clippers – Maybe but for a little one, it’s a waste of money.  The best advice I ever got was to bite their nails off rather than clip because you won’t cut the skin.
• Brushes & comb – If you have a little girl, but no need to get a goofy little baby brush.  They are cute but impractical.
• Digital thermometer – yes, get a quick reading one.  No one likes the thermometer you know where!
• Ear thermometer – We never got one because of the cost and we can just quickly take their temp in the rear.  Waste of money in my humble opinion.
• Grooming kit – Maybe, but not at the top of my recommendations to register for.
• First aid kit– Yes, yes yes!!  Babies can’t take the same medications we can…
• Humidifier/vaporizer – You’ll thank yourself if your baby is sick in the winter.  Great items.
• Baby mittens – keep your babies nails short and you don’t need these.
• Lotion– I think I mentioned this above..  get a bottle but you don’t go through tons of it!
• Baby oil – I think I used mine twice.  Since then, I use it for my hair but not on our son.  Lotion is better.
• Cotton swabs – get baby cotton swabs – regular ones are too little for baby ears and can go in too far.
• Cotton balls – We had 3 tons in the house but we didn’t use them that much with our son.  Register for some but don’t go nuts.
• Petroleum jelly – Eh…  just get really good butt paste for diaper rash.  Some kids react differently to different types.  Get small trial sizes of a few if you can and try them out to see which one works best on your baby’s bottom.
• Gas relief drops – Never used it…
• Teethers– Our son didn’t like the frozen kind but liked the others that you didn’t freeze.
• Pacifiers – Our son didn’t like them but get a few different types and see what type they like.  You don’t want to get a single kind and your child doesn’t like them.
• Pain relief products– YES!  Baby/infant specific but consult your doctor first.

diapers & formula

• Diapers – Yes, of course.  But don’t buy TOO many new born.  We bought a bunch and our son was 10 lbs.  He was in size 1 when he was born.  Keep receipts.  Oh, and buy in bulk..  you’ll need them…  trust me.
• Baby wipes – again, buy in bulk!!
• Diaper pail refills– I think a diaper pail is a waste of money.  Buy little garbage bags or use plastic shopping bags to throw them out.
• Wipe warmer – Do you really need this?  No…  if you are out and about, you won’t have a diaper warmer so you don’t need it at home.
• Diaper pail – take it out after you change your little bundle…  you don’t need a special diaper pail.
• Formula– Don’t go nuts buying one type…  your child may not like the type you buy or have a special need for soy or other types.
• Diaper bags – Get a nice one, splurge!  Get one that will be practical and will fit your life style.  I’ve gone through a bunch trying to find the perfect one.
• Baby changing mat– Yes, great item.  We bought a diaper bag and the pad came with it.
• Diaper ointment – yes, get trial sizes and make sure the ointment agrees with your little one’s bottom.
• Travel wipes– Rather than travel wipes – Get a travel case for wipes and put some of your bulk wipies in the travel case!

safety

• Audio monitor – Yep…  it’s a staple.  Get one that lasts too and splurge.  If you go outside, you want it to go with you and not die in 30 minutes!
• Video monitor – Get it if you want but don’t register for both the audio and video.  I don’t think this is necessary unless you have a mansion and you can’t run to your baby without doing a marathon.
• Cabinet/drawer latches– You’ll need these later on but not right away.
• Safety gates – You’ll need it later on, not right away unless you have an animal.  Great for keeping dogs out too.
• Outlet covers – Yes, but maybe not right away
• Corner guards– see above…
• Edge guards – see above
• Smoke & carbon monoxide alarm – YES RIGHT AWAY!!!!!!

cradles/bassinets

• Cradle, bassinet or portable crib – Yes, very worth the money!
• Bedding sets– Yes, this is something personal.  We got a Quilt with our son’s name embroidered on it.  Great item to give to him when he gets older.
• Cradle, bassinet or portable crib sheets (Qty: 2-3) – Eh…  up to you but most have plastic or washable bottoms..  should be ok.
• Cradle, bassinet or portable crib toys – DON”T PUT TOYS IN WHERE YOUR BABY SLEEPS!!

nursery furniture

• Crib – Yes, but you can get away with a bassinet or pack and play for a few months.
• Crib toys – Don’t put toys in your child’s bed.  Only 2 cents would be something that STRAPS to the side of the crib or a mobile.
• Changing table– We used our bed.  I don’t think it’s necessary.
• Armoire/chifforobe– Do you not have a closet?
• Dresser/chest– We had one from my childhood that was solid wood…  I recommend getting something though to help with closet organization.
• Drawer linens– Eh…  no
• Hutch 6 Glider or upholstered rocker – I got a nice lazyboy.
• Ottoman– If you get a glider…  sure!  But again, I got a lazyboy that matched our son’s room.
• Blanket chest– I know this sounds odd, but yes.  Not a chest, but rather a tub or large holder.  We got a large holder from Pottery Barn Kids and got the word “Blankets” embroidered on it.  We put all the loose blankets or sheets in there.

mattresses

• Crib mattress – splurge on this guys…  it will take your child through a toddler bed too and you know what it’s like to have a horrible mattress.
• Crib mattress pads (Qty: 3) – We got one.  It’s something extra to wash if your child gets sick but it adds a little extra softness to it.
• Vinyl mattress cover– get a mattress with a plastic cover on it.  Worth it.
• Cradle, bassinet or portable crib mattress– Um…  most good ones come with it.

bedding

• Crib bedding set – Yes…  end of story.
• Fitted crib sheets (Qty: 4-6) – We have 3…  you don’t need 6.
• Blankets (Qty: 4-6) – You’ll get a million of them..  trust me…  but you only need a few
• Receiving blankets (Qty: 4-6) – You only need a few guys…
• Waterproof pads (Qty: 4-6) – For what?  No…  get a good mattress.
• Sheet savers (Qty: 4-6) – No, waste of money
• Changing table covers (Qty: 2-4) – We used our bed…
• Changing table pads – we used our bed…
• Sleep positioner– Don’t co-sleep …  or most people say.  We used a pack and play in our room.

room décor

• Wall hanging – Very subjective…  shop throughout your pregnancy and get what you want.
• Switchplate cover – Very subjective…  shop throughout your pregnancy and get what you want.
• Crib mobile– Very subjective…  shop throughout your pregnancy and get what you want.
• Lamp – Very subjective…  shop throughout your pregnancy and get what you want.
• Wall border – Very subjective…  shop throughout your pregnancy and get what you want.
• Window treatments– Very subjective…  shop throughout your pregnancy and get what you want.
• Diaper stacker – Sooooo not needed.  We got a plastic bin that we could take from room to room.  Much better.
• Rug – Very subjective…  shop throughout your pregnancy and get what you want.
• Hamper– Very subjective…  shop throughout your pregnancy and get what you want.
• Waste basket– We usually just threw stuff out in the bathrooms or kitchen.

nursery storage

• Storage solutions – Start collecting the stuff for your baby and then shop for storage..  You may find one thing works and another doesn’t.
• Organizers – Yes, get a good closet organizer and put it up early so as you get stuff…  you can put it away.  We store diapers in the top shelf and have double hanging shelves from there.  Works great.
• Shelves– See above
• Baskets/storage bins (Qty: 2-4) – Very selective.  Don’t register for these items..  go to a home depot or lowes and get what you need once you figure out how much you get.

layette

• Bibs (Qty: 8-12) – Get plenty
• Burp cloths – Yes, very much needed
• Washcloths (Qty: 12) – We bought disposable or used our own.  Waste of money for baby washclothes
• Towels (Qty: 4) – get one or 2 really cute ones for your child…  J
• Bodysuits (Qty: 9-12) – get a bunch of onesies…  worth it but get quality ones…  not cheap thin ones.
• Gowns (Qty: 4-6) – for sleeping, these are great but again, invest or ask for name brand…  you’ll use them for multiple children.
• Layette sets– Eh…  not sold on these.

bedding

• Bedding sets – think about the theme of the room and register from there.  You don’t need a sham cover by the way!
• Blankets (Qty: 4-6) – You’ll get plenty from people.
• Sheets (Qty: 4-6) – We only bought 3…  unless you don’t do your laundry a lot…

A social media holiday!

I had to share this with you all…  this is a social media holiday version of the nativity.

Social Media Nativity (on YouTube)

Liz

Try these yummy recipes!

Recipes and Food Suggestions

TROPICAL FRENCH TOAST

(courtesy of Kathy Sali)

Ingredients

• 6 - 8 thick slices bread
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 small can crushed pineapple (1/3 of can for topping)
• 2 ripe bananas (1 banana sliced is for topping)
• 1 Tbs vanilla extract
• 1 Tbs brown sugar
• Powdered sugar (called fairy dust at our house)
• Shredded coconut (optional topping)

Directions

Combine eggs, milk, most of the crushed pineapple, one banana, vanilla and brown sugar in a blender (reserve some pineapple and one banana for topping). Pour mixture into a shallow bowl.

Heat a lightly oiled griddle or skillet over medium-high heat.

Dunk each slice of bread in egg mixture, soaking both sides. Place in pan, and cook on both sides until golden. Serve hot with the reserved crushed pineapple and banana slices on top.   Sprinkle with a little fairy dust and syrup.

CARAMEL APPLE CRISP

(courtesy of Fresh Taste Meals)

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.

PORCUPINE MEATBALLS

(courtesy of Darcy L. Thompson)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Mix the following:
1 ½ lbs. lean ground beef
2/3 cup white rice (DO NOT use instant rice)

½ cup water
1 tsp seasoning salt
1/8 tsp pepper
¼ cup onion flakes

Roll into 1- to 1 ½-inch round meatballs in a lightly sprayed 9×13 pan.

In mixing bowl, combine one large family size (26 oz.) can of tomato soup, 1-2 cans of Italian stewed tomatoes (crushed up and smooshed w/your hands) and one cup of water.

Pour tomato soup mixture over meatballs in pan and cover with foil.

Cook for 45 minutes to an hour. Sometimes it may take a little longer. Test the meatballs in the middle of the pan to make sure that the rice in the meatballs is thoroughly cooked. I serve ours over rice or with egg noodles.

After it’s all cooked, the rice pokes out of the meatballs, hence – porcupines!

Creative suggestions from our Facebook friends:

Noemi K. recommends making octupus spaghetti: “Take uncooked spaghetti and put four pieces through cut up pieces of hot dogs. Boil and enjoy!”

Sabine H. suggests making an old favorite more nutritious: “One thing we like to do is puree carrots and add them to Annie’s boxed mac n’ cheese. Shhhh …. don’t tell the kids.”

Kelly S.: “We make Ritz cracker pizzas. Put a little bit of spaghetti sauce on a Ritz cracker, add some cheese and microwave until cheese is melted.”

Jennifer W.: “My kids love yogurt, so I add berries, peaches, raisins, granola (whatever I have around) dab it with some whip cream and use sprinkles on top to make it look appetizing.”

Kids can learn yoga, too

Parents and children ages 4-8 can learn basic yoga principles and enjoy exercise in a non-competitive atmosphere at Yakima Yoga’s Saturday classes for kids.

These drop-in classes led by Gina Ord integrate basic yoga poses, music and relaxation. Handouts will be provided each session so kids can practice at home.

Kids’ Class meets from 10-10:45 a.m. select Saturdays: Nov. 14, Dec. 12, Jan. 2, Feb. 20 and March 13. Cost is $12 per family for each session, or purchase a six-class punch card for $60. Arrive 10 minutes early for your first session to register. Wear comfortable clothes and bring your own water and mat (or you can borrow a mat).

Yakima Yoga is located at 25 N. Front St., Yakima; enter through Carousel restaurant. For more information, visit yakimayoga.com or call 910-1151.

NW railroads host Thomas rides

If you know a little Thomas fan, here’s some really “useful” info: Kids can meet Sir Topham Hatt and take a ride with Thomas the Tank Engine during upcoming “Day Out With Thomas” events at Snoqualmie’s Northwest Railway Museum and the Mount Hood Railroad in Hood River, Ore.

Both railroads make regular excursion runs throughout the year, but during these special events, they’ll offer additional entertainment and activities aimed at young Thomas fans:

• Mount Hood Railroad | June 19-22 and 26-28 in Hood River, Ore., 42 miles west of Biggs Junction on Interstate 84. Drive time from Yakima is two hours. Trains depart on the hour, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are $14-$16; advance purchase is strongly recommended. For more information, call the railroad at 800-872-4661, or visit mthoodrr.com.

• Northwest Railway Museum | July 10-12 and 17-19 in Snoqualmie, three miles off I-90 at North Bend. Drive time from Yakima is just shy of two hours. Trains depart every 45 minutes, 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Tickets are $18; advance purchase is strongly recommended. For more information, call the museum at 425-888-3030, or visit trainmuseum.org.

Safe Kids: Helmets essential for safe bike riding

By Kurt Tyrrell
For the Yakima Herald-Republic

Spring is here, which means many families are preparing to enjoy the outdoors on their bikes. Before you head out, there is a little work to be done.

It begins with finding the bikes in the garage, and rearranging “stuff” so you can wheel them out. That’s the hard part. Next, be sure to check tire pressure, patch any mysterious holes, and maybe add a little lubricant to the chains.

Then make sure the brakes work, and that seats are properly adjusted to the ever-growing children.

Check, check and check! You’re ready to roll, right?

Not quite. There is one other thing that needs to be checked for every rider, and that is the bike helmet. Adults and kids alike need to have them, and if your little one is like most, last year’s helmet may no longer fit.

May is Helmet Safety Month, making spring the perfect time to ensure that all of your loved ones (including yourself) will be safe as you wheel about. Since no one ever plans to have an accident, it’s important to teach children — and to model — that helmets must be worn each and every time a person rides a bike, or any wheeled toy.

Sometimes children mistakenly believe that they don’t need to wear helmets when they’re riding near home, yet 53 percent of vehicle-related bike deaths to children happen on minor roads and residential streets.

It’s unfortunate, but each year approx-imately 135 children die from bicycle-related injuries, and another 267,000 nonfatal bicycle injuries occur. Helmets can reduce the risk of severe brain injuries by 88 percent; however, only 15 percent to 25 percent of children 14 and under usually wear them.

It’s a parent’s responsibility to instill the importance of wearing a helmet every time a child rides. In our house, if you don’t want to wear it, you don’t get to go.

Safe Kids Yakima County suggests you follow these simple tips for making sure that your biking adventures roll along smoothly:

* Make sure the helmet fits and your child knows how to put it on correctly. A helmet should sit on top of the head in a level position, and should not rock forward and backward or side to side. The helmet straps must always be buckled, but not too tightly. Safe Kids recommends the “Eyes, Ears and Mouth” test:

EYES: Position the helmet on your head. Look up and you should see the bottom rim of the helmet. The rim should be one to two finger-widths above the eyebrows.

EARS: Make sure the straps of the helmet form a “V” under your ears when buckled. The strap should be snug, but comfortable.

MOUTH: Open your mouth as wide as you can. Do you feel the helmet hug your head? If not, tighten those straps and make sure the buckle is flat against your skin.

* Make sure the bike is the right size for the child. There should be about one inch of clearance between the bike frame and the child’s groin when the child’s feet are flat on the ground. Also, make sure the bike is in good repair — reflectors are secure, brakes work properly, gears shift smoothly, and tires are tightly secured and properly inflated.

* Check for the CPSC label. A helmet should be labeled to indicate that it meets the standards set by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

* Remember, bike helmets are for biking. Kids should not wear bike helmets on the playground (where the straps can get caught on equipment and cause injury) or for activities that require specialized helmets (such as skiing or football).

* Model and teach proper bicyclist behavior. Ride on the right side of the road, with traffic, not against it. Stay as far to the right as possible. Use appropriate hand signals and respect traffic signals, stopping at all stop signs and stop lights. Children should not ride without supervision until they have demonstrated that they always follow the rules.

* When in doubt, get help. The sales staff at any bicycle shop or outdoor recreation store should be able to provide expert advice on fitting and adjusting bikes and helmets.

OK. Bikes tuned up? Check! Seats all adjusted? Check! Everyone have a bike helmet on? Check!

Now you’re ready to head out and explore our wonderful Yakima Valley. Happy cycling!

Memorial Hospital’s Community Education Department located at 2506 W. Nob Hill Blvd. sells bike helmets at a reduced price of $10. With the purchase of a helmet, you will receive a free personal fitting.

* Kurt Tyrrell is the Passport to Health program Coordinator for Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital and a member of Safe Kids Yakima County. He is a Certified Health Education Specialist and a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician. His column is produced in cooperation with Safe Kids Yakima County, a local consortium of organizations, agencies and individuals actively promoting child safety.

Bird watching can be a fun family adventure

With foliage off the trees, winter is a great time to go birding at the Yakima Area Arboretum. This free activity can be a fun outdoor adventure for the entire family.

The Arboretum is a non-profit outdoor museum featuring more than 2,000 different kinds of trees and plants on 46 acres of display gardens and natural areas. It’s located at 1401 Arboretum Drive in Yakima. Access the drive from Nob Hill Boulevard, across from Kmart.

Among the Arboretum’s trees, birders might spot up to two dozen different birds including robins, geese and bald eagles.

If you plan a visit, be sure to bring binoculars, a bird identification book (borrow one from the library), a notebook, pencil and the following checklist. Expect your birding adventure to take at least 60 minutes.

California Quail
Common Loon
Horned Grebes
Mourning Dove
Western Screech-Owl
Black-billed Magpie
Black-capped Chickadee
American Robin
Spotted Towhee
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
House Finch
House Sparrow
Cooper’s Hawk
Bald Eagle
Canada Geese
NOTE: Tell the staff if you find any birds not on the list so they can pass the information onto the Yakima Valley Audubon Society, which tracks of these types of things.

All of these birds have been spotted at the Arboretum this winter, and many on the same day. Most can easily be found in the Sparrow Patch located in the compost area in the northeast part of the Arboretum. Birds can be found even with snow on the ground.

HERE’S THE HOW-TO:
1) After parking your car, visit the Jewett Interpretive Center for a self-guided tour map. You might find this helpful.

2) Head towards the Arboretum’s Natural Area and the Yakima Greenway. Look for Canada Geese around the pond. Look also in the trees for the daytime roosting of owls and other birds.

3) Walk on the Greenway trail heading north just until you can spot the river. Look high up in the trees, especially across the river for Bald Eagles. Six were spotted on one day the week before Christmas.

4) Trek a little farther north along the Greenway and look towards Buchanan Lake. Can you find any Red-winged Blackbirds, Canada Geese, Common Loons or Horned Grebes? How about floating platforms with trees and fisherman? The platforms are actually there to encourage nesting habitat for water fowl, not just for giggles.

5) Finally, turn back and head towards the Arboretum’s Natural Area. Take the first path you come to. As you walk along the path look for the Arboretum’s Compost Area on your right. Walking quietly into the compost area you will be amazed at the bird activity. From a distance find the large plastic garbage can (full of bird seed). This is the headquarters for the Arboretum’s Sparrow Patch and is maintained by the volunteers with the Yakima Valley Audubon Society. For the greatest success rate be sure to stand far enough away so you don’t scare the birds. Use the binoculars for identification. Look high in the trees for other predator birds who are also maintaining vigil on the Sparrow Patch such as the Cooper’s Hawk. After your visit feel free to spread more seed for the birds. The birds and the next birders will be thankful you did.

6) After visiting the Sparrow Patch be sure to walk through the Natural Area looking for other birds and critters. Pay special attention to any large tree cavities you see high up in the trees. A Western Screech Owl has made his home in one. Kids might enjoy trying to spot the manmade bird houses too.

7) Notice how the Natural Area looks like a wetland again. The recent snow melt and rise in water levels has brought plenty of water into the Natural Area. For years the Arboretum’s Natural Area was an active wetland with all sorts of wetland critters and ponds. Then, after the gravel pit to the north was turned into Buchanan Lake the Army Corps of Engineers rerouted the drainage for the lake from the Arboretum’s natural area into the Yakima River, bypassing the Arboretum’s wetlands altogether. Now, only during flood type conditions do we see much water in the natural area.

Finally, if there is snow on the ground, look for animal tracks. Kids will love trying to identify the prints that they see, i.e. rabbits, bird, mice, dog and Sasquatch. LOL

9) Enjoy your visit and oh… check out the trees while you visit the Arboretum, too!

– Reprinted with permission from the Yakima Area Arboretum’s January 2009 newsletter.

It’s time to sign up for kindergarten

When you think of sending your little guy to school in the fall, you might not think of registering him in the spring. However, if your child turns 5 by Aug. 31, take note: Many schools begin kindergarten registration in March.

When you go to register, be sure to a copy of your child’s birth certification and immunization records, along with proof of address, such as a utility bill or rental agreement.

Here’s a round-up of kindergarten registration information for Yakima-area school districts:

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

East Valley School District | Full-day kindergarten. New this fall, East Valley Intermediate will become East Valley Elementary. Registration at East Valley (573-7600), Terrace Heights (573-7800) and Moxee (573-7700) elementary schools will begin the week of March 23-27. To determine your school boundary, call the district office at 575-7300.

Selah School District | Half-day kindergarten. Parents may request enrollment at either John Campbell or Robert Lince elementary schools. A kindergarten orientation meeting will be at 7 p.m. May 4 at John Campbell Elementary’s Sunset Gym; registration begins May 6. For more information, call 697-0728.

Union Gap School District | Full-day kindergarten. Register at Union Gap School in April. For more information, call 248-3966.

West Valley School District | Full-day kindergarten. A district-wide informational meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. March 19 at Cottonwood Elementary. Registration begins March 23-27 at your home school; to determine your school boundary, call the district’s transportation department at 966-2403

Yakima School District | Full-day kindergarten. Registration begins March 2-6 at your neighborhood school. Students are required to attend their boundary school; to determine which boundary you live in, call Central Registration at 573-7024 or see the map at yakimaschools.org.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Agapeland Preschool & Kindergarten | Preschool (3 years) through kindergarten. Location: 560 McGonagle Road, Selah. 697-6116. Online: selahcov.com

Grace Lutheran School | Preschool (4 years) through grade 8. Location: 1207 S. Seventh Ave., Yakima; 457-6611. Online: gracelutheranyakima.org
An open house for new students will be from 1-5 p.m. March 22. Or, call to arrange a tour anytime.

Montessori School of Yakima | Preschool (3 years) through kindergarten. Location: 511 N. 44th Ave., Yakima. 966-0680. Online: msofy.org

One mama shares why she loves Montessori

By Debbie Vuillemot

We are the parents of 4 children: Orion,7; Anais, 5; Elias, 3; and Akira, 1.

When Orion was 3, we were overwhelmed with how many choices there were for preschool. We started off in a twice-weekly church preschool and quickly realized he needed more stimulation. One of my co-workers told me about Montessori School of Yakima (MSY) where her child attended.

Read more….

Oakridge Montessori School | Preschool (2 years) through grade 8. Location: 6403 Summitview Ave., Yakima; 966-1080. Online: oakridgemontessorischool.com

Riverside Christian School | Preschool through grade 12. Location: 721 Keys Road, Yakima; 965-2602. Online: riversidechristianschool.com

St. Joseph Marquette Catholic School | Pre-K through grade 8. Location: 202 N. Fourth St., Yakima; 575-5557. Online: sjmms.org
An open house for prospective students will be from 5-6:30 p.m. Feb. 5. Or, call to arrange a tour anytime. Add your name to the school’s waiting list now; admission for new students will begin in late February.

St. Paul Cathedral School | Preschool (4 years) through grade 8. Location: 1214 W. Chestnut Ave., Yakima; 575-5604.

Westpark Christian Academy | Preschool (3 years) through grade 12. Location: 3902 Summitview Ave., Yakima; 966-1632. Online: diversityexcels.org

Yakima Adventist Christian School | Kindergarten through grade 10. Location: 1200 City Reservoir Road, Yakima. 966-1933. Online: www.yacsschool.org
Education Day will be April 9; preregistration is required. Prospective students will spend the day in a classroom and take assessment tests.

One mama shares why she loves Montessori

By Debbie Vuillemot

We are the parents of 4 children: Orion,7; Anais, 5; Elias, 3; and Akira, 1.

When Orion was 3, we were overwhelmed with how many choices there were for preschool. We started off in a twice-weekly church preschool and quickly realized he needed more stimulation. One of my co-workers told me about Montessori School of Yakima (MSY) where her child attended.

The focus is hands-on, concrete learning by the child and child-driven choices from activities made available by the teacher. Teachers are trained to observe the child and provide what the child needs at any given time, changing as the child changes. This education technique was developed by Maria Montessori, an Italian physician, who became interested in the plight of children and changed her career focus to understanding the true nature of the child. She was also active in the women’s rights movement in the early 1900s and was an advocate for peace.

The classes are set up in three-year age spans (3-6 yrs and 6-9yrs) so children can learn from each other as well as from an adult. The adult serves as a guide to help children learn to do tasks by themselves. In preschool and kindergarten, lessons are given individually to the child and then the child can choose which “work” to engage with during the day. There is also music, circle time (or triangle or square time), books and games. In the elementary class, the children learn in a more social setting and lessons are usually in small groups. The child self directs but does have requirements in standard academic areas.

The great thing about the Montessori way is the spill over to our home. We hear the way the older children teach the younger ones when we listen to their play. In recent conversations between our 5 year old and 3 year old: “Let’s count our fruit snacks. Now eat one and let’s count again.” “I say a word, now you rhyme it.” “Elias, did you have a lesson today?”

The other thing we love is community. We’ve developed friendships with other families and their children who are all learning in the same way.

MSY is non-profit and has been in operation for more than 40 years. All of the teachers are Montessori certified — and wonderful! Before- and after-school care is available. There are four preschool/K classrooms and one first-through-third grade classroom. Parents are part of the board. Visitors are always welcome by appointment. Call 966-0680. We’re located in Englewood Christian Church at 511 N 44th Ave in Yakima. Website: www.msofy.org

Debbie Vuillemot is a mother of four, professional midwife and serves on the board of the Montessori School of Yakima.

‘Biz Kids’ teaches young people financial savvy

By Lisa Garrigues

Are you tired of begging your parents for more allowance money?

Take matters into your own hands and become a “Biz Kid” with the help of KYVE’s new television show “Biz Kids.” Sponsored by the Catholic Credit Union, the show debuted this month. It teaches kids, teens and maybe even a few adults how to make and manage money.

Click here to read Unleashed reporter Lisa Garrigues’ review of “Biz Kids.”

In the midst of the current economic crisis, the need for “Biz Kids” couldn’t be greater.

“I think the financial situation is teaching us a lesson,” says Paul Regimbal, the 60-year-old chief executive officer of Catholic Credit Union. “We need to get more kids financially literate.”

‘Biz Kids” is a place to start. The show, geared toward 10- to 14-year-olds, covers a wide range of topics.

It starts out with the basics: What money is, how to get it, what to do with it. Then it moves on to other important lessons, like starting a business, achieving financial goals and saving money. These lessons are often hard to come by in schools.

“Schools just don’t have the time to teach financial education,” says Cecile Anson, marketing director at the Catholic Credit Union.

The show emphasizes that any kid can be a “Biz Kid,” whether it’s by starting a lemonade stand, selling goods at the local farmers market, or even raising money for charity. “Biz Kids” provides youths with all the information and tools necessary to start their own business venture.

“I think there’s something for everyone to learn from this show,” Regimbal says. “Knowing where to start a business or how to start a savings account is very important.”

“Biz Kids” teaches more than just finances. The program encourages kids to branch out and try new things. It stresses the importance of a good work ethic and being thorough in everything you do — inside and outside of the business world.

It also demonstrates the importance of exploring all of your options before making a decision.

Although new to the Yakima area, “Biz Kids” has been broadcast for three seasons across the nation.

“The producer of ‘Bill Nye the Science Guy’ came up with the idea. He had the concept for about 15 years,” Regimbal says.

The lessons taught in each episode were developed by Junior Achievement, one of the show’s financial backers. The majority of funding for the show comes from America’s Credit Unions, a national association of credit unions.

The producers liked the small-town appeal credit unions had, something that was lacking in the bigger banks, according to Anson.

It was Anson, and Ken Messer, the general manager of KYVE, who helped bring “Biz Kids” to Yakima.

Although the Catholic Credit Union was willing to fund the show, there were several factors that had to be determined before KYVE could bring “Biz Kids” to local audiences.

“First, we had to make sure the show had a stable time period,” Messer says.

Once KYVE was sure the program was going to last for a full season, the primary obstacle was finding the right time slot. Because the show is geared toward young teens, finding a time when teens would be watching was crucial. With that in mind, KYVE officials settled on Saturdays at 10:30 a.m.

“The show is so fun, kids don’t even know they are learning,” Anson says.

• Lisa Garrigues is a member of the Yakima Herald-Republic’s Unleashed team. She attends Naches Valley High School.

Elk Feeding Station (Naches)

January and February are the best months for viewing elk at the Oak Creek feeding station near Naches. Kids will enjoy bundling up for a ride on the safari-style truck tours that provide an up-close look at the animals.

Each winter, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife provides a supplementary feeding program for up to 1,500 elk — including as many as 150 branched-antler bulls — to keep them from damaging private property. (Humans, you see, have inhabited the herd’s winter range.)

REMEMBER! • Dress warmly. • Bring a camera. • Make reservations if you’d like to go out on the truck: 509-698-5106. • Be quiet. Wild animals don’t like loud noises

For families, the feeding station is a cheap and easy field trip, located about 20 miles west of Yakima on U.S. Highway 12. The elk are fed daily at 1:30 p.m., though you’ll find animals there throughout the day.

A fence separates the elk from the viewing area, but the animals are free to head up to the hills, so their numbers vary throughout the season. More will visit the feeding station when snow and extreme cold prevents them from grazing naturally.

Also worth a stop, bighorn sheep are fed mid-morning at the nearby Cleman Mountain feeding site, just a couple miles up the road. Feeding season for both the elk and bighorns is typically mid-December to early March.

There’s a visitor center at the elk’s Oak Creek Headquarters, open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily during the elk’s feeding season. The center has a video program, exhibits and a hands-on kids’ corner where children can get a feel for elk fur and antlers. There’s no charge, but donations are accepted to help support the feeding program.

Volunteers can take you for a ride into the feeding area on an old open-air Army truck. Tours typically depart at noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Tours are first-come, first-served, but reservations are accepted; call ahead at least 48 hours in advance if you’re visiting with a large group, as the trucks are limited to 14 passengers. Call 509-698-5106 for tour reservations.

During the tour, the truck will drive slowly out into the field and then kill the engine so you can quietly observe the elk. A docent provides some information and answers questions. Bring a camera, and be sure and dress warmly; the tours typically last about 30 minutes.

If you have preschoolers, please note that the volunteers prefer a 1:1 adult-child ratio for younger kids. Also, the children need to refrain from yelling or making other loud noises since the elk are easily startled.

If you’re hungry for more details, there’s a ton of information about the animals and the feeding stations on the Naches Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Web site. Or, call the Oak Creek Wildlife area at 509-653-2390.

HOW TO GET THERE
Oak Creek Headquarters (elk): Drive west on U.S. Highway 12 and continue past Naches. At the junction with Hwy 410, turn left, continuing on Hwy 12. About two miles past the junction, the feeding station will be on the right.

Cleman Mountain feeding station (bighorn sheep): Drive west on U.S. Highway 12 and continue past Naches. At the junction with State Route 410, stay straight, heading west on SR 410 for about one block, then make a sharp right on the Old Naches Highway. The feeding station is on the left.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK FACTS
• Rocky Mountain Elk from Yellowstone National Park were introduced to Yakima County in 1913.
• Bulls weigh an average of 450-900 lbs.
• Cows are pregnant for 270 days (about 9 months).
• Twin calves are rare.
• Antlers (found only on the bulls) fall off in the spring and regrow by August.
• Wintering elk may eat 3 to 10 lbs of hay per day at the feeding stations.

— Source: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

ABOUT BIGHORN SHEEP
• Both Rocky Mountain and California bighorn sheep are native to Washington.
• Can live up to 17 years, but general life expectancy is 10-12 years.
• Rocky Mountain bighorns are larger than the California sub-species. Rocky Mountain rams weigh 160-315 lbs, while a California ram weighs about 180-205 lbs.
• The gestation period for ewes is 180 days (about 6 months).
• Twin lambs do occur.
• Both rams and ewes have horns, which never fall off and continue to grow through the sheep’s lifetime.

— Source: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

The Ice Rink

Chill out inside the Valley’s only ice skating rink, managed by volunteer members of the Yakima Amateur Hockey Association. Remember to dress warmly — it’s freezing in there!

Skating and hockey lessons are available, as well as a youth hockey league.

Public sessions are 7-9 p.m. Friday and 5-8 p.m. Saturday.

Cost: $5 admission; $1 skate rental, sizes toddler and up. Concessions available.

The Ice Rink is located at 1700 E. Beech St. in Yakima. For more information, call 469-0597 or 949-6669.

Free software helps ID missing kids

A simple photograph is the best tool to help authorities find a missing child — and yet 40 percent of parents cannot provide a current usable photo, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

A third of the parents of missing child do not know their child’s correct weight, eye color or height, the center reports. The center’s Web site, MissingKids.com, has several recommendations to help parents gather this vital information:

• Keep a recent, head-and-shoulders color photo, such as a school portrait, for each child.
• Update the photograph at least every six months for children under 6 years, then yearly or when the child’s appearance changes.
• Photos should be an accurate depiction of the child, not overly posed or glamorized; should not include other people, animals, distracting backgrounds or objects; should not be taken outside, out of focus, torn, damaged, or very small.
• All copies of the child’s photograph and information should be kept in an easily accessible, secure space by the parents or guardian. The photograph and data should not be stored in a public database, and should be kept in a digital format when possible.

Several software programs are available to help parents store their child’s photo and descriptive information, and prompt for scheduled updates. If a child needs to be reported missing, the data can be sent electronically to police and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

The m.i.l.k. Digital ID, named for the classic milk box campaign, is one such program. It’s part of the free Home Organizer software, available from Farmers Insurance agents.

Agent Wayne Leavitt assures us you do not need to request a quote or purchase insurance to get the software; call him at 966-7739.

Parents should also know that more than 2,000 children are reported missing every day, according to the center. About 115 of those child are kidnapped by strangers; the rest — nearly 95 percent — are believed to be runaways or are abducted by family members.

— Sara Bristol

Plan for college, Mom

Apple Valley Mothers & More, the Yakima chapter of the national nonprofit Mothers & More organization, will offer a college planning and savings seminar for women on Nov. 18.

Carol Wagar, CPA, a certified college planning specialist representing Insight College Solutions will present a short lecture and question and answer session on college planning for parents of young children. The meeting is open to Apple Valley Mothers & More members as well as guests and visitors. It will be held at The Apple Tree Resort at 7 p.m. Nov. 18, 2008.

For more information, call Kim at 966-2801 or e-mail applevalleymm@hotmail.com. The group’s Web site is applevalleymm.tripod.com.

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