February 2015

1

MELATONINFOR SLEEP?

CAMP RESOURCES

February 2015

THE HEART OF ADOPTIONA Minnesota family shares their story PAGE 28

POTTY TRAIN, PRONTO!Get it done in just a few days PAGE 42

Olivia, 3, Brooklyn Park

CHOOSINGWhat’s best for your baby? PAGE 36

CHILD CARE

PAGE 22

PAGE 49

+Best familybreakfast places in the Twin CitiesPAGE 66

2

3

Mediaspace Solutions - Bayer MNP 0215 FP with bleed_#1.indd 1 1/20/15 11:30 AM

4


5


6

CONTENTS

12Back to normal?BABY ON BOARD Will you ever be able to return to your old, pre-parenting life?

14Time out!TODDLER TIME Not all parents discipline young children in the same way. And that’s a good thing!

16Book itSCHOOL DAYS Reading at home with kids can be amazing, but you need a bit of book savvy.

18Love and lunchTEENS AND TWEENS Can adolescents really pack their own healthful meals?

20Mindful moneyGROWS ON TREES Understanding the power of purchasing can start at an early age.

22Sleep gummiesASK THE PEDIATRICIAN Is your slow-to-sleep kid a melatonin candidate?

24Warm, snugglyBOOK SHELF Embrace the final throes of winter with these precious books.

26Taco soupIN THE KITCHEN Fire up the slow cooker for a tasty — easy — weeknight dinner.

VOLUME 30 ISSUE 2

The Heart of AdoptionFEATURE A Brooklyn Park family shares their heartwarming story of bringing a child into their world.

28

+CAMP RESOURCES

49

Out & AboutGet the skinny on family-friendly events happening all over the Twin Cities.

58

6 February 2015 • mnparent.com

7

41Site savvyFEATURE In Minnesota, numerous websites and apps can help you find care for your children — so you can catch a break.

36Nanny, sitter or center?FEATURE Finding the perfect child-care provider for your kid can be daunting. Get started with our smart-parent tips.

mnparent.com

About our cover kidName: Olivia Age: 3 City: Brooklyn Park

Parents: Ashley and Chad Reeves

Siblings: Layla, 1½, and Jocelyn, 5

Favorite book: Curious George and the Puppies by Margret & H.A. Rey

Favorite movie: Finding Nemo

Favorite activities: Coloring, reading, puzzles and baking with mom

Favorite foods: Grapes, cheeseburgers and cookies

Photo by Ashley Reeves Photography, ashleyreevesphotography.com

42 Potty trained: Pronto! FEATURE Behavior experts are helping weary parents get their kids to ditch those dreaded diapers.

mnparent.com • February 2015 7

8

If parenting were about nothing more than loving

your kids, it would be easy.

The problem is, however — at least as I see it — that

parenting is also about being an advocate for another

human being. It’s about being responsible. And that

means making A LOT of decisions for someone else

— someone we love beyond explanation.

In this month’s magazine, we’ve got two feature

stories that cover a couple of the biggest decisions a

new parent can make: First, we have a story on

choosing a child-care provider — a doozy to be sure.

Handing your baby (at any age) over to a stranger?

Fortunately, Minnesota has a wide variety of

resources (featured in this issue, along with some

super-smart advice). And you, parents, have something even more important — your gut

instincts. Use them!

When it comes to potty training, you have another set of decisions to make: When

— and, dear God, how — to potty train? Am I being overly dramatic?

Perhaps. But that’s because we didn’t have one of those little girls — who I kept

hearing about — who decided at age 2 to suddenly, magically, wear princess underwear

and happily, without tears, use the potty.

No, we had a strong-willed 3-year-old boy, who — despite being very bright — was

never, EVER going to give up diapers. Or so it seemed.

We tried a three-day boot camp on our own. We filled the house with incentives and

reward toys and put away the pull-ups. We were certain that our oh-so-obvious resolve

would help him make it happen. We would not waiver. Our mission would be clear.

And guess what?

It failed.

All three of us were traumatized, exhausted and utterly defeated. Disgusted with

ourselves and our kid, we changed diapers for six more months. We reluctantly

“followed his lead” like our doctor said to do. And, at 3½, something clicked, and he

practically trained himself.

Why? Did his best friend finally get trained? Did he see we had relaxed? Did he hit his

magical age? It scarcely matters now. But I do know enough about the process to

understand why a family might turn to a potty-training pro like the one featured in this

issue. Whatever you decide to do with the potty-training issue, remember:

You’ll get through it. Eventually.

Come to think of it, that’s a good all-around parenting mantra!

Sarah Dorison, Editor

Trust your gut

FROM THE EDITOR

Photo by Tracy Ann Walsh / Poserdesign.com

8 February 2015 • mnparent.comLundstrum Center MNP 0215 V3.indd 1 1/19/15 9:26 AM

9

CO-PUBLISHERS Janis Hall [email protected]

Terry Gahan [email protected]

GENERAL MANAGER Chris Damlo 612-436-4376 • [email protected]

EDITOR Sarah Dorison • 612-436-4385 [email protected]

CONTRIBUTORS Eric Braun, Gigi Chawla, Megan Devine, Zoe Gahan, Julie Kendrick, Tanner Kent, Shannon Keough, Ashley Reeves, Aleksandra Till, Jen Wittes, Jennifer Wizbowski

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Dana Croatt [email protected]

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Valerie Moe

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Amanda Wadeson

SALES ADMINISTRATOR Kate Manson 612-436-5085 • [email protected]

CIRCULATION Marlo Johnson 612-436-4388 • [email protected]

ADVERTISING 612-825-9205 • [email protected]

50,000 copies of Minnesota Parent are printed monthly, available at news stands statewide.

Get Minnesota Parent mailed to your home for just $12 a year. Call 612-825-9205 for more information.

Minnesota Parent (ISSN 0740 3437) is published monthly by Minnesota Premier Publications.

POSTMASTER send address changes to: MINNESOTA PARENT, 1115 Hennepin Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55403.

Minnesota Parent is copyright 2015 by Minnesota Premier Publications. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. Address all material to address above.

mnparent.com


The University of Minnesota is seeking women who are currently pregnant or less than 6 weeks postpartum to participate in a research study examining the effect of exercise and wellness on mood following childbirth

• Participants receive a motivational exercise program or a health and wellness program, which begins after the birth of your baby (participants can sign up for the program during pregnancy)

• Program delivered to you via the mail and phone

• Must be 18 years of age or older; must not currently exercise regularly

• Must not take antidepressants

• Must have a history of depression

• You will receive $100 for your time

Call 612-625-9753 or email [email protected] to see if you qualify for this research study

Are you currently pregnant or had a baby during the previous month and interested in participating in a telephone-based health and wellness program?

U of M - Kinesiology Dept MNP 1212 S3.indd 1 11/15/12 2:37 PM

Dentistry for family members of all ages

550 W. Burnsville Parkway, Suite 200, Burnsville, MN952-890-2791 www.heartofthecitydental.com Like us on Facebook

Did you know that your child should see the Dentist for the first time at age 1 or within 6 months of their 1st tooth coming in?

Since 1970

Dr. Heidi Smith, mother of 1 and

Dr. Tanya S. Peterson, mother of 2

Heart of the City Dental MNP 0215 S3.indd 1 1/12/15 10:38 AM

10

Museum: Bigger and better!Good news! The Minnesota Children’s Museum has announced a $28 million building expansion to provide 34 percent more space for visitors.

All the museum’s galleries will be reinvented to focus on the important skills kids develop through free play. Other new additions will include a four-story climbing tower, a cafe with a seating area, a skyway-level entrance, a new reception area for groups, more bathrooms, an additional elevator and easier navigation.

Since the museum moved to downtown St. Paul in 1995, attendance has grown nearly 50 percent.

Construction is scheduled to begin this fall. Though the museum will be open for most of the renovations, it will have to close for about four months — from September 2016 through December 2016, with a re-opening in January 2017.

Want to get involved? Curious kids are invited to test two prototype play areas — open through May 10 this year — to help shape the future expansion: The Creativity Jam:

Imagine playscape is full of abstract objects that encourage kids to use their imaginations. The Creativity Jam: Make workshop is stocked with real-world tools (yes, real hammers and nails) so kids can build take-home projects. Learn more at mcm.org/roomtoplay.

BEDTIME GAME-CHANGER?Are you sick of bedtime battles and — when you do finally get your kid in bed — the same old picture books?

Well, maybe we parents ought to change things up a bit.

John Olive, a Minneapolis father, author and playwright, has a suggestion: Put the books aside once in a while. Instead, dim the lights, lie down and make up your own stories. How?

Olive’s new book — Tell Me

A Story In The Dark: A Guide

to Creating Magical Bedtime

Stories for Young Children,

due out March 17 — teaches parents how to tell stories, including how to adapt classic tales especially for their children, and how to make up their own exciting narratives.

Storytelling, according to Olive, offers enormous benefits for families, including better parent-child relationships, expanded kid vocabularies and maybe even an end to those bedtime battles of wills. Learn more at familius.com or johnolive.net.

CHATTER


11

NOW LEASING — BRAND NEWWEST BROADWAY CRESCENT • (651) 290-62282000 West Broadway, Minneapolis, MN 55411

• 54 Spacious 2 & 3 Bedroom Units

• Below Market Rents $790–$960/month (Minimum & Maximum Income Guidelines Apply)

• Underground Parking

• SMOKE FREE Building

• Convenient Laundry Facilities

• Ideal Location for Families on the Go

CALL US AT: (651) 291-1750 OR VISIT US AT: WWW.COMMONBOND.ORG/FINDHOUSING

Building Stable Homes, Strong Futuresand Vibrant Communities Since 1971.

MINNEAPOLISARBOR COMMONS CO-OP 612-871-0814CITY FLATS APARTMENTS 612-870-4493DOVETAIL CO-OP 612-871-0814EAST VILLAGE CO-OP 612-871-0814GREENWOOD APARTMENTS 612-871-0814LINDEN PLACE CO-OP 612-871-0814MAPLES CO-OP 612-871-0814MULBERRY FLATS 612-871-0814NEW VILLAGE CO-OP 612-871-0814SEWARD TOWER EAST 612-339-1711SEWARD TOWER WEST 612-333-7472SUCCESS FAMILY HOUSING 612-871-0814THIRD AVENUE TOWNHOMES 612-871-0814WEST BROADWAY CRESCENT 651-290-6228WHITTIER APARTMENTS 612-870-4493

ST. PAULCATHEDRAL HILL HOMES 651-227-3966COMMERCE BUILDING 651-292-0200SKYLINE TOWER 651-999-7500TORRE DE SAN MIGUEL HOMES 651-224-5839VISTA VILLAGE 651-221-0384 WESTMINSTER PLACE 651-772-3123

NORTH EAST/WEST METROBRANDES PLACE 763-574-2187, FridleyGRANADA LAKES 651-770-1700, OakdaleHOWARD LAKE APARTMENTS 320-274-5871, Howard LakeLAKE SHORE TOWNHOMES 763-416-3971, Maple GroveTRAILS EDGE TOWNHOMES 651-330-1666, MaplewoodVALLEY SQUARE COMMONS 763-544-1855, Golden ValleyVICKSBURG COMMONS 763-559-0970, PlymouthVIEWS AT CITY WALK 651-262-5700, Woodbury

SOUTH EAST/WEST METROBLOOMINGTON TOWNHOMES 952-920-6113, BloomingtonCROWN RIDGE 952-546-8600, MinnetonkaGREENVALE PLACE 507-645-4146, NorthfieldWAYZATA VILLAGE HOMES 763-559-0970, WayzataYORKDALE TOWNHOMES 952-835-1998, Edina

OUT STATE MINNESOTAFALLS MEADOWRIDGE 320-632-2576, Little FallsMAPLE HILLS 651-388-2821, Red WingNORTHPOINT TOWNHOMES 218-927-3521, AitkinSUNRISE MANOR 507-794-9631, Sleepy Eye

AFFORDABLE FAMILY HOUSING AVAILABLEGREENVALE PLACE • (507) 645-8809211 Greenvale Avenue, Northfield, MN 55057

• 1, 2 & 3 Bedroom Units

• Rent is 30% of Monthly Income to Income Qualified Applicants

• Controlled Access Entry

• On-Site Laundry Facilities

• Near Playgrounds and Parks

• Conveniently Situated Near Downtown and Along a Bus Line

CommonBond MNP 0115 FP with bleed.indd 1 12/15/14 10:19 AM

12

I once went to a Pilates workshop designed to get

participants “back in touch” with their postpartum

bodies. The women in the class were in the throes of

the newborn period — only a month or so post-

partum, in most cases.

They looked exhausted, but hopeful that things

would get better. I was probably about a year into

being a mother.

The instructor looked over at me. “Shannon, why

don’t you tell us about your experience? You’re

further along than everyone else. How are things

going for you?”

I know I was supposed to be the ray of hope in the

classroom — the woman the others could look at and

say, “I’ll be calm and collected like her in just a few

more months!”

But I couldn’t play my role.

Although I certainly felt better than I did when I

was caring for my colicky, screaming-all-night

newborn, I still felt off-kilter. Maybe a little stunned.

Clearly in the middle of a “process” that was going to

last for years and years.

“Wow, I don’t know — it’s been about a year, and I

still feel like I’m in the postpartum period!”

The other women looked dismayed, and I felt like

I’d broken a code — like when you give your preg-

nant friend a detailed description of your harrowing

birth experience and destroy her peace of mind.

⊲ Expectations meet reality I imagine most women probably enter into mother-

hood with a fair amount of hope. This was certainly

Back to normal?

the case for me. I think it’s safe to say I was much

more starry-eyed the first time around: “I will give

birth painlessly in a tub of water and breastfeed

languidly in a sea of white linens!”

After an experience that didn’t meet my expecta-

tions, I was much more pragmatic with baby No. 2:

“I will request an epidural when I want it and

supplement with formula if he’s not gaining any

weight.”

But pragmatism aside, I still had hopes and

expectations for the experience of having a second

child.

BABY STUFF

Shusher ⊲ When it comes to soothing fussy babies, nothing beats the five Ss (shushing, swinging, swaddling, sucking

and side/stomach positioning). That’s partly why two beleaguered parents from Austin, Texas invented The Baby Shusher. They found that shushing worked well for their baby, but they soon realized it wasn’t easy to deliver the right volume of rhythmic, calming shushing for hours on end. Problem: Solved!babyshusher.com • $34.99

Eventually the maneu-vering of two became easier, and I waited for the feelings of self-satisfaction to settle in. But they never arrived.


13I hoped he wouldn’t be colicky. I

expected the postpartum period would be

difficult,

but I imagined I’d be better equipped

to handle it since I was a “veteran.”

Conventional wisdom seemed to back

up this expectation. Although many

observers are fond of saying, “Two isn’t

just twice as much work, it’s 10 times as

much work,” others are quick to point out

that the second time around isn’t as hard

because you kind of know what to expect.

⊲ A fundamental change At first, it was all about logistics:

I struggled to keep my 2-year-old occu-

pied while I was nursing the baby. I tried

to time naps so they’d coincide with

conference calls (often failing miserably).

I dragged my toddler kicking and

screaming out of the middle of the road

where she had dashed in a huff after we

turned the “wrong” way on the sidewalk.

Eventually the maneuvering of two

became easier, and I waited for the

feelings of self-satisfaction to settle in.

But they never arrived.

Even though I was finally getting more

sleep, finally feeling less bloated, finally

reading a book now and then — I still

didn’t feel like I was “back to normal.”

And I think this is because I realized

that, on some level, I’ll never be back to

normal (and I’m not just talking about my

abs).

Caring for a child is a life-altering

experience, one that tends to shift your

priorities and take some getting used to.

If the postpartum period is all about

getting acclimated to parenthood, maybe

we could admit this is an ongoing process

— one that extends far beyond the

six-week checkup or the day our mater-

nity leave runs out.

Shannon Keough lives in Minneapolis with her husband and two children. Send questions or comments to [email protected].

14

It can be an uncomfortable transition — from “you are

my most precious little baby and I will never deny you

anything” to “OK, I think we need to go over some rules.”

The change often starts with an incident and an

impulsive response — perhaps an unexpected step into

the street resulting in a resounding, “NO!” Or maybe a

crayon to Grandma’s newly painted wall followed by a

self-conscious “serious discussion” at eye level.

Suddenly, you’re there: behavior modification,

boundaries and consequences. Your knee-jerk reactions

may shock you. Your anger and frustration may

temporarily break your sweet little Toddler Parent heart.

Of course, there are only about 5,000 books on the

subject. You nervously skim a few — wondering

about the strength of your backbone and the effec-

tiveness of the good old “time out.”

What’s more, discipline has become — in a very

strange way — an issue of scrutiny and privacy. Some

parents scoff at anything punitive. Others cringe at

buzzwords like “positive parenting.”

Everyone’s nosing around in one another’s busi-

ness. Watch out: If your kid has a meltdown at a

department store, someone might record it on a

smartphone and put your “bad parent” moment

online with comments about your right to procreate.

And so, we all question what and how we teach our

children, while in the midst of figuring out what

works best for our families.

Your new frontier: Discipline! ⊲ Making your own rules

As with pregnancy, childbirth, infant feeding and

sleep, there is no one method to success … thank-

fully!

You might try different methods of redirection and

discipline before finding something that works. Then,

as your child inevitably grows and changes and learns,

the plan evolves.

Different responses may be appropriate for different

situations. For example, most parents would agree that

it’s absolutely appropriate to physically restrain a child

when it’s an issue of safety. Stealing a cookie from the

cookie jar? A quick talk. A child in the midst of a crazy

tantrum, on the other hand, is unable to engage in

calm discussion, let alone process the meaning.

⊲ Writing a discipline planAnne and Chris Ferguson of Eden Prairie created an

official family discipline plan after the birth of their

second son.

Said Anne: “It was a very tough time in our

parenting career, trying to wrangle a very active

toddler and care for a newborn. I put down on paper

what we wanted to practice in terms of discipline. It

was a reminder about how we wanted to parent.”

The Fergusons’ plan wasn’t a “how to” as much as a

philosophy, including ideas such as “discipline is an

ongoing process” and “we do our best to understand

what is developmentally normal at each age and set

realistic expectations.”

What I love about the Fergusons’ plan is that it

provides perspective, which, in turn, gives the

parents confidence in their ability to navigate

toddlerhood and beyond.

In my parenting experiences, I have literally tried it

all. I’ve read the books. I’ve modified my approach to

suit each individual child. I’ve found that what

worked yesterday might not work today. In the

MORE ONLINE Ready for preschool? Read Jen’s advice at mnparent.com/preschool.


15

process, I’ve learned that consistency is a

good goal, but flexibility goes a long way,

too.

⊲ You can handle thisAt one point during my daughter’s

“Terrible Twos,” I received a piece of

advice that served me above anything

else. A friend and fellow parent told me,

“Don’t be afraid to say, ‘Because I said so.’”

Because I said so, I suppose, became my

toddler parenting philosophy. It doesn’t

mean that you never provide an answer to

the innocent question, “Why?” It means, “I

am the parent and I can handle this.”

In testing the boundaries, a toddler is

really only seeking confirmation of this fact.

Though it’s a controversial topic and a

tricky transition, try to view discipline as

you’ve viewed everything else — the sleep

associations, the feeding phases — and do

what works! Do what makes you, as a

parent, feel good and strong and confident.

Jen Wittes lives in St. Paul and is a mother of two. Write her at [email protected].

TODDLER STUFF

Catch-all placemats

⊲ The Cibo — a cute, two-eyed silicone mat that sticks to most table surfaces — eats up little-kid messes not just at meal times (think rice and other small foods), but also during craft or cookie projects (think glitter and sprinkles). It’s dishwasher safe to boot (top rack only). thecibo.com • $24.99

– Leah & Julia, Early Childhood Music

Music transforms lives. So do the people who support it.

Hear one student’s story at MacPhail.org/Julia

Minneapolis │ Apple Valley │ Chanhassen │ Golden Valley │ White Bear Lake │ Live Online

16

Reading to your child, listening to your child read

or simply reading alongside your child are

simple ways we, as parents, can support literacy

development and healthy reading habits at home —

and build a foundation for lifelong academic success.

Our biggest challenge in making reading at home a

routine of family life, is simply devoting time and

energy to make it happen every day.

As a mother of four children who works full-time, I

totally understand. Life is busy and we get tired.

Sometimes we struggle to fit it all in. But the substan-

tial benefits that directly correlate to reading at home

with our kids make it worth the effort.

Plus, reading together is a wonderful way to spend

meaningful time with our children each day. Here are

some simple strategies I use to make reading at home

practical, enjoyable and fun:

⊲ Use the library often. When you really think about it, libraries are pretty

amazing. All you need is a library card — and a world

The joy of reading at homeof possibilities opens in the form of literature. We try to

go to our local library at least once a week and fill a

bag with picture books, chapter books, magazines and

the newest hit in our house: audio books.

I often search from home and “shop” for specific

titles or books around a theme of interest. Then I

“order” them online through an interlibrary loan.

We all look forward to reading a variety of new and

exciting stories each week along with some of our

favorite titles from our home collection.

⊲ Find great books. Not all literature is created equal, and treating it as though

it is can make the experience of reading at home dull or

even frustrating. I like to seek out recommendations for

engaging texts and often look for award-winning stories.

Pay attention to Newbery Medal and Honor Books

(recognizing distinguished contributions to American

literature for children), Caldecott Medal and Honor Books

(nationally recognizing distinguished picture books) and

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award books (recognizing distin-

guished books specifically for beginning readers). There

are also several Minnesota-based award lists — including

Minnesota Book Award, Minnesota Star of the North

Book Award and Northeastern Minnesota Book Award

lists — that recognize outstanding titles in local children’s

literature.

⊲ Go age appropriate.It’s also important to make sure the books you’re

reading are a good fit for your child. Younger children

love short stories with rhyme, repetition and engaging

illustrations. Picture story books, which have more

words and more involved stories, are better for

children with more developed attention spans. Graphic

novels or chapter books with occasional illustrations

may be a welcome addition to read aloud at family

story time with kids as young as 6 or 7. Older children,

of course, can enjoy full-length novels. It can be fun to

read a story that you read as a kid with your own child

or to be entertained with new would-be classics.

CURRENTLY ON MEGAN’S FAMILY BOOKSHELFLet’s Go for a Drive by Mo Willems

Press Here by Henre Tullet

One-Dog Sleigh by Mary Casanova

Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen

My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett

Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin by Leisl Shurtliff

Playful Learning: Develop Your Child’s Sense of Joy and Wonder by Mariah Bruehl


17 ⊲ Encourage reading-required fun.

Read together in a variety of ways. We

can encourage reading at home with our

children by reading recipes while

cooking, reading directions for games,

toys or activities and by reading labels,

fliers, newspapers and magazines.

⊲ Read on the go.Both kids and adults often have idle time

during the day that we could spend reading.

Bring books with you when you leave the

house. Keep books for kids in the car and in

school bags. When you’re getting that oil

change or waiting for your appointment,

make use of the time and read!

⊲ Be a reading role model.We need to let our children see us reading.

Again, time and energy can be a challenge.

To be honest, it’s been quite a while since

I’ve actually read a grown-up novel for

pleasure, but I do read a lot! I read dozens

of books each day at school and at home

when I’m not reading to my own kids.

And I’m often reading magazines, cook-

books, blog posts or the occasional

inspiring parenting book.

Now that my daughter (who’s in fourth

grade) is reading more advanced novels,

I’m enjoying reading books she’s inter-

ested in, which inspires conversation and

connection. When our kids see us engaged

with print, it reinforces the importance of

reading.

⊲ Celebrate your efforts.Know that your efforts to establish habits

of reading at home are good for both you

and your child. You’re helping your child

expand his vocabulary, listening skills

and imagination!

Together, let’s continue to make reading

at home an important part of our family life.

Megan Devine is an elementary school teacher who lives with her husband and four children (ages 3 to 9) on the edge of the wilderness in Northeastern Minnesota. She blogs at kidsandeggs.com.


We Specialize in Them. Pregnancy & Postpartum Depression & Anxiety Labor & Delivery Anxiety & Difficult Birth Recovery New Roles / New Identities, Creating Balance Couples Counseling & Parenting Issues Infertility / Perinatal Loss / Adoption

Classes for Couples & Parents

Miscarriage Support Group

Mamas Walking Group

The Postpartum Counseling CenterOffices in Mpls, St. Louis Park, & St. Paul

(612) 296-3800www.postpartumcounselingcenter.com

Postpartum Counseling Center MNP 0414 H6.indd 1 3/11/14 1:51 PM

18

The very first opportunity I had to live out my

role as mom came before my first child was

born. It was the simple understanding that everything

I took in to my body was being funneled into the

formation of my baby.

Keeping track of what I ate was the one thing I

could do externally that gave me the opportunity to

mother the changes that were occurring internally.

I carefully jotted notes throughout my pregnant days,

making sure I was getting my protein and dairy.

After the birth, most of the hospital time was

focused on getting the baby to nurse and allowing me

to feel comfortable with it. For many months after,

we were entwined together in the cycle of resting and

feeding. Our schedule became less restrictive and

interdependent as my baby moved through the

varying stages of childhood.

⊲ A continued connectionToday those nursing days are long gone. And I’m no

longer airplaning mustard-colored veggies on a

rubber spoon into Baby’s mouth. I’m now a mother of

two. And they’re big kids, who go off on their own to

their respective junior and high schools.

And, yet, I’m just as concerned they’re getting what

they need to make it through their very full days.

Love and lunchesFood is one of those perfunctory parts of parenting.

They get older; they eat on their own. But we parents

are still involved: We fill the cupboards and cook

their dinners, and we continue to have a lot of control

over what they consume.

I didn’t realize how much of their eating I liked

controlling, however, until I went back to work full

time.

⊲ Mom’s needs came into playAs a high school teacher, I needed to be out the door

really early. Of course, my desire was for my children

to feel like I was still at home. But I found I couldn’t

keep up with my own demands.

My husband suggested I let the kids make their own

lunches to bring a little ease into my morning routine.

It sounds silly to me now, but it actually made me

mad.

“This is what I do,” I thought, “I make their lunch,

carefully packing all of the right things before I send

them away for the day.” It surprised me how much this

little thing bothered me. I realized that I viewed food

I realized that I viewed food as a nurturing connection. It was the one way I was “with” them when they were away from me all day.

MORE ONLINE Did your teen get a mobile phone for the holidays? Check out

Jennifer’s smartphone ground rules at mnparent.com/phone-woes.


19as a nurturing connection. It was the one

way I was “with” them when they were

away from me all day.

But I was tired and my plate was full, so

I gave in.

⊲ Beyond eating: Evolving When I finally let go, something remark-

able happened: Not only did they start

making their own lunches, but they also

did a really good job!

Their full lunchboxes contained a fruit/

veg, a dairy, a protein and something

crunchy. They demonstrated to me that

they were mindful about what they took

into their bodies. It also gave them the

opportunity to learn even better time

management in the mornings.

This skill soon transferred over to

preparing other foods. The first cooking

lesson I taught them was how to fry an

egg.

It wasn’t long before both my kids got

to be quite proficient (even mastering the

art of the flip), and I was being offered

fried eggs for breakfast every morning.

They’re in a new stage again and I’m

back, this time working from home. They

get up in the morning, make their own

breakfast, get dressed and pack their

own lunches.

My son has evolved from making single

fried eggs for his mom to three-egg

scrambles with chopped onions and two

varieties of bell peppers as his “pre-dinner”

when he gets home from high school.

As for me, I’m back to my preferred

breakfast of toast and coffee while I

admire how they’re growing up. And

letting go doesn’t feel so bad from this

side of it, perhaps because my heart is

soaring with pride that they’re doing it

so darn well.

Jennifer Wizbowski lives in Excelsior with her husband, and daughter and son, ages 11 and 14. Send comments, questions and story ideas to [email protected].


20

Most of us try to be mindful about how we spend

our money. We compare prices, and we evaluate

things like ingredients, features and benefits. As parents,

we’re not only being prudent stewards of our family’s

finances, we’re also setting an example for our kids.

That’s why it makes sense to take mindful spending

to a higher level: Discuss with your family not only how

spending money affects you personally, but also how it

affects others — and the world. Our choices make a

difference.

In other words, our spending decisions come with

consequences.

That’s a concept you can talk about with your kids

— even young kids. When you buy the 32-ounce soda

instead of the 12-ouncer — because, hey, it’s only 10

cents more! — you may experience a health conse-

quence. When you buy a plastic water bottle, there’s an

environmental consequence. When you buy a fast-food

chicken sandwich, you may be supporting the unethical

and unhealthy treatment of animals.

Here are three ideas — that easily resonate with kids

of all ages — for minimizing the negative consequences

of our spending decisions.

⊲ Buy lessThis is pretty easy to talk about with kids. Every time

we don’t buy something, we’re saving the earth just a

little bit. We’re helping cut down on the number of

things that get made, used and discarded. Every little

Mindful family spendingthing we buy adds up. Even food produces waste in the

packaging. When you’re at the store with your kids or

online about to click “Add to Cart,” discuss the following

questions: Do we really need it? Could we get by with

less of it? Or could we buy it less often?

⊲ Buy products that don’t harmMost kids know some products are bad for you, like

alcohol and tobacco, or food with lots of sugar or bad

fats. They might not understand how other ingredients

can be bad for them such as dyes, chemicals, corn syrup

or added hormones.

Other products aren’t bad for the person who

consumes or uses them, but they’re bad for the environ-

ment — things like plastic bottles and items with

excessive packaging. Also: Pesticides or farm chemicals

may not always reach consumers, but they can directly

affect the health of farm laborers.

If your kids are old enough to understand these

issues, even on a rudimentary level, involve them in

your shopping decisions. Here are some questions to

talk about at the grocery store:

Was it produced locally? Locally produced food uses

less fuel in shipping and provides jobs for people in

your own community. It’s usually fresher, too.

Are there any added hormones? Some studies have

linked animal hormones to increased risk of cancer in

people. The safest thing to do is avoid meat and dairy

from animals treated with hormones (or at least

minimize the amount you eat).

Is it made with organic ingredients? Organic food is

produced without using most conventional pesticides;

fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage

sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation.

How were the animals treated? Phrases like “Animal

Welfare Approved,” “Certified Organic” and “American

Grassfed Association” mean the animals connected to

your food were more likely to be treated humanely.

How were the workers treated? Look for the label

The GoodGuide app (free) gives consumers environmental, health and society ratings for various products and the companies that make them.


21“Fair Trade,” which means workers were

paid and treated fairly and worked

reasonable hours (and no child labor was

used).

How much packaging is used? Items

packaged for individual consumption, like

pudding cups, produce a lot of waste.

⊲ Learn about companiesThis is another concept that’s pretty easy for

kids to understand. Ethical companies are

those that try hard not to harm the earth,

people or animals. However, while the

concept may be simple enough to discuss

with kids, it’s a bit more of a challenge to

find out how every company you buy from

operates.

Luckily, you don’t have to do that.

Instead, ease your way into it. If you hear of

a company that does something particularly

good — or bad — you can buy from them or

not, depending on what you hear.

Talk about these issues with your family

and make the decision together. You can

often learn a lot simply by typing “Is X

company ethical?” into a search engine.

If you want to investigate corporate ethics

on a product-by-product basis, check out

the GoodGuide app (free for iPhone and

Android). Simply point your smartphone

camera at various bar codes to get health,

environment and society ratings for each

product and/or the company that makes it.

The Better World Shopper app ($1.99)

gives companies and products grades based

on human rights, the environment, animal

protection, community involvement and

social justice.

It’s rewarding to show kids that in all

three of these areas, even a small change

makes a difference. Your family can feel

good about being mindful and being part of

the process of making the world a better

place.

Eric Braun is a Minneapolis-based writer, editor and dad of two boys. Send comments or questions to [email protected].

You can get there. We can help.

Visit www.MN529today.com or call Chris McLeod 952-830-3127

MN College Savings Plan MNP NR2 2-3page with bleed.indd 1 1/6/15 9:51 AM

22

My toddler (20 months) is starting to climb out of her crib. Do we need a toddler

bed already?

Our 3-year-old son is having sleep troubles. Our friends are recommending melatonin supplements (gummies). Are they safe?

Sleep problems in a 3-year-old are common and normal. Children at this age want to know

their parents are available to them at any time, day or night. They want to delay sleep as

long as possible, oftentimes by highly creative methods.

They want the independence of having their own toddler bed, but the choice of when to sleep in

that bed. While these issues are challenging for parents, they highlight the normal developmental

pattern for children.

Before turning to medications to treat sleep difficulties, parents should promote a healthy sleep

pattern. Parents can prevent sleep problems by recognizing how daytime naps and dietary choices

impact nighttime sleep. Establishing a sleep routine that’s calming, comforting and a predictable

length of time can be very helpful.

Even when sleep routines are followed, however, as many as 25 percent of children still

have problems falling asleep. Difficulty falling asleep is typically defined as being awake

30 to 45 minutes after lights have been turned off and sleep routines have concluded.

Children who are frequently having difficulty falling asleep and meet this criteria may be

Yes. For your daughter’s safety, transitioning

to a toddler bed is recommended. The act of

climbing out of the crib is dangerous. It could result

in a limb fracture from an arm or a leg trapped in

between the crib slats, or, because a child’s head is

often the heaviest part of their body, a fall from

climbing out of the crib may result in a head injury.

Aside from a toddler bed, another option at this age

is a simple mattress on the floor. Both of these

solutions ensure that a fall out of bed would rarely

cause injury as the child is so close to the floor.

However, parents should be prepared for less sleep

due to frequent nighttime visits from their toddler!

Establishing a bedtime routine can help your child

understand that her bed is safe and comforting — and

a nice place to stay for the whole night.

Melatonin to help with sleep?

candidates for an oral form of

melatonin. Melatonin is a natural

neuro-hormone, secreted by the

pineal gland in the brain that

promotes sleep-wake cycles.

Taking an additional amount of

melatonin, more than the brain

normally makes, may help improve

falling asleep times by 15 minutes

or more. Melatonin is classified as a

dietary supplement and doesn’t

require a prescription.

It is generally a safe medication.

Usually, low doses are tried initially

and increased over time if needed.

But, as with any medication or

supplement, be sure to speak to

your child’s primary care physician

before starting melatonin.


23My son (age 7) has a dark birthmark on his back that I

think he’s had all his life. His doctors have looked at it in the past and all have said it appears to be normal, but it keeps getting larger as his body grows bigger.

Dr. Gigi Chawla is a board-certified pediatrician and the senior medical director of primary care at Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota.

Birthmarks come in a variety of

colors, shapes, locations and can

change over time. There are two main types

of birthmarks, vascular and pigmented.

Vascular birthmarks can be flat or

raised. Flat vascular birthmarks, some-

times referred to as port-wine stains, can

be reddish or purplish, fade with time, but

can also appear to grow as a child’s body

grows.

Raised vascular birthmarks can be

flesh-colored, reddish-purplish or even

bluish if they’re deeper in the skin layers.

These raised vascular birthmarks have a

tendency to grow over the first 1 to 2 years

of a child’s life but then begin to slowly

regress.

Pigmented birthmarks, also called

moles or nevi, come in a variety of sizes,

textures and colors.

They may be flat and brown or dark

blue or green stained. Flat pigmented

birthmarks may fade over time, but may

also appear to grow as a child’s body

grows.

Larger nevi may have a variety of

brown or dark pigmentation within the

same birthmark. And they may be raised

and/or covered with hair. These also may

grow as a child’s body grows, but should

be followed by a dermatologist.

Birthmarks may also be associated with

other serious health conditions and should

be evaluated by clinicians carefully — both

when initially noted and over time to

monitor any changes.

24

Winter storiesYes, winter’s cold, windy and, in Minnesota, oh-so long. But it’s also a season like no other. There’s no better time for baking, hot cocoa, skating, skiing and sledding! Embrace these last weeks — months? — of winter with some of our favorite seasonal books, plus a couple from our readers, too!

By Sarah Dorison

You Can Do It, SamCold and snowy but warm and cozy, too

— that’s winter in this book, featuring

the early-morning adventures of a sweet

little bear named Sam and his momma,

Mrs. Bear. Sam’s challenge: Can he

stand to wait for the cakes to be ready

from the oven? And can

he deliver them —

door to door on

Plum Street — all

by himself while

Mrs. Bear watches

from their little

green truck?

By Amy HestIllustrated by Anita Jeram$4.99

Bear Snores On “I love the sing-song way that it rhymes

and the words used are very descriptive

of what is happening.

You can almost

hear the crackle of

the fire and feel

the goodwill

among the animals

as they congregate

in the Bear’s den and

share the warmth and their food. I never

tire of reading this one!”

— Barbara Martin, Minneapolis

By Karma WilsonIllustrated by Jane Chapman$7.99–17.99

The Snowy Day “This is one of the first books I

remember reading as a child, and one I

love reading to my children now. I love

its simple story and the colorful

pictures, and my kids love it too! Such a

fun book that shares the

joy of a snowy day,

which we know all

too well in MN!”

— Alana Erickson,

Plymouth

By Ezra Jack Keats$7.99

BOOKSHELF


25

WIN THIS BOOK!

⊲ Send a short description of your favorite children’s book to [email protected] by Feb. 28, along with your first/last name and city for a chance to win! And: Congrats to Kelly Johnson of Minneapolis, who won our January Bookshelf giveaway!

Peppa Pig and the Day at Snowy MountainWhen Peppa Pig and her little brother,

George, wake up and see that it’s

snowing, they can’t wait to go to Snowy

Mountain. There’s

so much to do

there — sled-

ding (even

without a

sled), ice-

skating

(including a few

spills) and, of course, skiing (with a few

out-of-control parent pigs).

By Candlewick Press$12.99


26

Slow-cooker taco soupRecipe and Photo by Aleksandra Till

Aleksandra Till is a mother of three and the founder-owner of Homegrown Foods, a new meal-planning, prep and delivery service, serving the Twin Cities. Learn more at eatgoodathome.com.

IN THE KITCHEN

WHAT’S ADOBO SEASONING?

This Mexican spice blend typically contains garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, Mexican oregano, cumin and cayenne red pepper and sometimes paprika or chili powder. You can buy it at most grocery stores, at penzeys.com or mix your own. “It really is magic,” Till said. “It makes guacamole and chicken heavenly.” In a pinch, however, you can simply substitute fresh garlic or garlic powder.


27

1 tablespoon oil2 pounds lean ground beef 2 cups diced onion 1 cup fresh peppers, seeded and diced

(For mild soup, use bell peppers; for a spicier soup, use 1 poblano pepper, 1 jalapeno pepper and 1 green chile.)

2½ tablespoons taco seasoning 1 tablespoon adobo seasoning (can

substitute 3 cloves of garlic, minced)1 teaspoon oregano2 teaspoons salt 1 cup corn (frozen or fresh)1 cup cubed butternut squash (frozen

or fresh)1 28-ounce can of diced tomatoes2 15-ounce cans of dark beans such

as black beans, drained and rinsed1 15-ounce can of light beans such

as pinto beans, drained and rinsed 4 cups waterSalt and pepper to taste

Heat oil in a large saucepan.

Saute the beef, onion and peppers until the beef is browned and the vegetables are tender.

Add taco seasoning, adobo seasoning, oregano and salt.

Stir until the seasonings coat the meat and vegetables and are fragrant.

Put the beef mixture, corn, squash, tomatoes and water into the slow cooker and stir well. *

Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high for 4 to 6 hours.

Add canned beans just before serving. Stir until warmed through.

Taste, season and serve!

* If you prefer to use dried beans, you can add them along with the other ingredients to slow cooker in this step. Use 1 cup dried dark beans and ½ cup dried white beans, rinsed and drained.

mnparent.com • February 2015 27Stages Theatre MNP 0115 S3.indd 1 12/10/14 4:27 PM

28

THE HEART OF ADOPTION28 February 2015 • mnparent.com

29

PATHS TO ADOPTING A CHILD IN MINNESOTA CAN INVOLVE LONG WAITS, HIGH COSTS AND EMOTIONAL CHALLENGES — BUT ALSO INCREDIBLE JOY.STORY AND PHOTOS BY TANNER KENT

Megan and Doug Braun of Brooklyn Park experienced a variety of setbacks on their journey to becoming an adoptive family for Donovan. Megan remembers the first time she held her son on the day he was born: “That was the best thing in the world.”

30THE HEART OF ADOPTION

Fewer than 24 hours after her son was born, Megan Braun worried she was destined for heartbreak once again. Megan and her husband, Doug, had traveled 1,600 miles from their Brooklyn Park home to meet their newborn son in Tacoma, Wash. And the birth mother seemed to be changing her mind overnight. The carefully arranged adoption agreement forged over months of shared ultrasounds, shared emotions and shared conversations was in peril.

WE LEARNED A LOT FROM THE PROCESS. ADOPTION TRULY IS, ‘ALL TOGETHER FOR ONE CHILD.’ — Megan Braun, Brooklyn Park

By this point, the Brauns had invested years of effort and their life savings to have a

child. When their first attempts at parenthood ended in miscarriage, they chose adop-

tion — only to have subsequent attempts result in so-called “failed placements,” an

industry term for changes-of-mind that can annul adoption agreements.

But this time, standing in a hospital waiting room in Tacoma, Megan knew it had to

be different. She had felt it months before, when she and the birth mother met over

Skype and Megan saw the first in-utero images of her son. Even then — months before

she ever arrived in Tacoma — Megan just knew she was finally going to be a mother.

“I cried,” she said, recalling her emotions that night in the winter of 2012. “This is my

baby.”

Still, very little in the world of adoption is guaranteed.

Though Doug and Megan were lucky enough to be present for the birth — Megan was

able to hold her son almost immediately — things veered off course after the Brauns

offered to let the birth mother spend the night with their son, a courtesy for the ultimate

gift they were receiving.

By morning, the birth mother was having doubts about her decision. Panic and fear

set in for Megan.

“I was an emotional wreck,” she said.

So, Megan spent the second night with the birth mother, talking heart to heart. Megan

assured the young woman of her intentions. And they agreed to go forward with their

agreement.

Megan and Doug would finally have their child. They named him Donovan.

Now, more than a year and a half later, the Brauns are busy with a charming, smiling,

thriving toddler who pulls on their heartstrings with his bright eyes and toothy grin.

FOSTER-CARE ADOPTIONS Every year, hundreds of children are adopted by Minnesotans. Some are adopted from

foster care, others are adopted through agencies, public or private, domestically as well

as internationally.

Experts say every adoption is unique and individual circumstances are difficult to

predict. But each general scenario has its benefits and challenges as well as differences

in cost and wait time.

Foster-care adoptions are typically the least expensive option and generally have the

shortest wait times. Prospective parents are often able to adopt foster children in

Minnesota in less than a year, though state courts require a child live with his or her


31

32adoptive parents for at least three months before an adoption can be finalized.

The costs of adopting a child in foster care are also much lower — expenses are

measured in thousands of dollars rather than tens of thousands — and prospective

parents in Minnesota may be reimbursed for some expenses.

Additionally, working with state-contracted agencies to adopt children under state

guardianship guarantees access to a suite of pre- and post-adoption services.

In 2012, 498 children in Minnesota were adopted from foster care, down from 660 in

2009.

Established in 1889, the Children’s Home Society is one of the five agencies

contracted to provide adoption services for children under state guardianship. CHS,

which merged its adoption programs with those of Lutheran Social Services in 2012,

facilitates several types of adoptions, including infant, international and foster-care

adoptions.

CHS, one of the largest providers of adoptions in the state, was founded on the belief

that “the main client is the child,” said Kristina Berg, a senior program manager with

experience in both domestic and international adoptions.

As such, parents who seek services through CHS begin the process with a two-hour

orientation session and 20 hours of educational classes.

“We have kids that can be waiting from six months to six years,” said Heidi Wiste, a

senior program manager for the society’s adoption program for children in foster care.

“We really look for families to care for, support and understand these children.”

Foster children often have difficult histories and challenging life circumstances.

“We don’t shy away” from such realities, Wiste said. “We believe in being open and

honest with our families and our youth.”

AGENCY AND PRIVATE ADOPTIONSMany licensed private agencies match birth families with prospective parents.

Wait times and experiences with private agencies vary widely.

Families interested in adopting infants often experience some of the longest wait

times because there are more than enough prospective adoptive parents waiting for a

limited number of healthy infants to be available for adoption.

Some families elect to find a birth family on their own and then hire a lawyer to

facilitate the adoption. (That’s the path the Brauns ultimately took.) Attorney-assisted

adoptions, of course, hinge on a family’s ability to identify a birth mother.

Many factors can affect the cost of both attorney and agency adoptions with cost

ranging from $5,000 to more than $40,000, according to the Administration for

Children & Families, a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

There are many resources available for parents to identify respectable agencies, services

or attorneys. But caution is advised.

The Brauns, for instance, partnered with an agency that seemed impressive at first,

but later became unresponsive after a new social worker was assigned to the adoption.

They paid $2,000 for a home meeting with their agency that lasted fewer than 10

minutes. The agency never even asked to see the nursery, Megan Braun said, and she

never heard from the agency again.

After that, Megan and her husband took control of their own adoption process, hiring

their own lawyer and seeking a birth mother on their own terms. When Megan did find

a birth mother, it was through Facebook and mediated by a mutual friend.

THE HEART OF ADOPTION

THIS IS IT. ... THIS IS OUR HAPPILY- EVER-AFTER.— Megan Braun, Brooklyn Park


33Megan said parents should ask as many

questions of an adoption agency as it does

of them. She also recommends families

request a monthly review from their

agency. Was the profile looked at? How

many times? Who brought it home?

“That way, it gives you some hope,”

she said.

Berg said prospective parents are

advised do their research, consider a

range of services and ask plenty of

questions.

“I do think it’s important for prospective

families to hear all voices,” Berg said.

INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONSOf course, there’s also international

adoption.

Again, costs and wait times vary widely

depending on country of birth and

associated laws and legal requirements.

Unforeseen circumstances, such as

outbreaks of disease or political unrest

can slow or even halt the process.

Minnesota is generally among the

nation’s leaders in international adoptions

per capita, but 2013 marked a 14-year low

with 202, down from a high of 923 in

2005, according to the U.S. Department of

State.

Families usually need to visit birth

countries at their own cost and are usually

required to wait several weeks in the birth

country until the process and paperwork

are finalized and they’re cleared to return

to the U.S.

According to an extensive survey

conducted by Adoptive Families magazine,

families can expect to pay between

$20,000 and $50,000 for traveling

expenses and fees related to international

adoptions.

CHS works with a variety of programs

in countries such as Bulgaria, Burundi,

China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador,

Honduras, India, Korea, Marshall Islands

and Uganda. Ages range from infant to 15

years. Some are members of sibling groups.

Berg cautions families to do their research, be skeptical of overly promissory claims

and establish relationships with their agency.

“Finding a reputable in-country representative is very important,” she said.

PRE- AND POST-ADOPTIONIf families choose to work with a state-contracted or licensed agency for a domestic

adoption, they’ll need to create a family profile — an essential step in nearly every

adoption in which parents showcase themselves, their interests and their values.

Prospective families will also be required to complete a home study — a legal necessity

for both domestic and international adoptions — as well as submit a variety of legal

documents and agree to background checks.

In the case of domestic adoptions, prospective and birth families also need to

determine a post-adoption plan. Options range from closed, no-contact arrangements to

completely open, high-contact agreements.

Megan and Doug Braun of Brooklyn Park adopted their son, Donovan, by working with an attorney and a birth mother they found through Facebook and a mutual friend.


34

In between are countless

possibilities that might include

occasional in-person visits and

packages of photos and letters

to arrangements that involve

shared, private websites for

periodic updates, such as the

one set up for the Brauns and

their son’s birth mother.

Megan Braun recommends

families continue to seek

services and support after the

adoption is finalized. After her

process, Braun promised to be

an advocate for adoptive

families. And she’s begun the

process of partnering with a

support group she helped

create for all types of mothers

involved in adoption.

“We learned a lot from the process,” Megan said. “Adoption truly is, ‘All together for

one child.’”

WORTH IT, IN THE ENDStill, the story of adoption isn’t told in the numbers or the analysis. Rather, it’s told by

families like the Brauns, whose lives are changed because of a child.

Donovan is 1½ now. His cheeks still retain the cherubic blush of infancy, but his

confident manner and quick smile prove he’s ready for the world.

Of course, Megan and Doug couldn’t be prouder. Having met at the University of

North Dakota through a mutual love of rugby, they’re quite sure they’re raising a

talented forward.

“He’s big enough,” said Doug, who plays for an amateur club in St. Paul.

Looking back, Megan said it seems as if all the searching, all the investment, all the

heartbreak were meant to be. She recalls their trip home together as a family of three

after staying a week in Tacoma with Donovan to formalize the adoption agreement:

During the flight, the pilot made an announcement over the loudspeaker that was met

with heartwarming applause.

Donovan’s new extended family was waiting at baggage claim with big signs and big

hugs.

“This is it,” Megan remembers thinking. “This is our happily-ever-after.”

Tanner Kent adores his children, cherishes his wife and loves his dog. He’s an avid but mediocre fisherman who lives in Stillwater and has written for a variety of publications.

THE HEART OF ADOPTION

ResourcesChild Welfare Information Gateway: This government-sponsored information clearinghouse features a searchable database of adoption resources and agencies.childwelfare.gov

Children’s Home Society: CHS, which merged its adoption programs with those of Lutheran Social Services in 2012, has facilitated more than 26,000 adoptions since 1889. Families interested in adoption through CHS should watch a 16-minute webinar, So,

You’re Thinking About Adoption? After watching the video, you’ll be invited to call, email or sign-up online for a two-hour orientation session. CHS also has informational adoption fairs throughout the year. chsfs.org

Adopt Us Kids: A project of the U.S. Children’s Bureau, this site covers detailed information on licensing requirements, facts and figures, resources, support and more for adoption in every state.adoptuskids.org

Minnesota Department of Health: Find a variety of information about adoption in Minnesota. Also, use licensinglookup.dhs.state.mn.us to find state-licensed agencies for a variety of family services.tinyurl.com/mdhs-adoption

MN Adopt: This organization, formerly known as Minnesota Adoption Resource Network, promotes successful adoptions for Minnesota children and families, including a variety of support groups for all ages.mnadopt.org

Megan and Doug Braun of Brooklyn Park adopted their son, Donovan, from a birth mother in Tacoma, Wash., in 2013.


35


OPEN TO ALL AREA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS — ENROLL TODAYQuestions? Contact Kevin Bennett, WMEP Director of Partnership Development and Principal FAIR School Downtown, 612-752-7105, [email protected]

or Mike Elston, Partnerships and Community Relations, FAIR School: 612-752-7112 or [email protected] Spaces are limited, all classes subject to availability, enrollment caps and grant requirements • Made possible in part through a 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant

WMEP Member Districts: West Metro Education Program is a voluntary integration district between Brooklyn Center, Columbia Heights, Eden Prairie, Edina, Hopkins, Minneapolis, Richfield, Robbinsdale, St. Anthony/New Brighton, St. Louis Park, and Wayzata public school districts.

EXPERIENCE MORE.

Offering enrichment courses to high school students in Minneapolis and the Western Metro at NO COST to families

Creative Writing

Video Game NarrativeACT Prep

Drawing IllustrationFirst Job in the ArtsPerformance CoachingSlam Academy Rock ClimbingSkateboarding

Hip Hop DanceContemporary + Composition Fighting Chance Boxing

WMEP PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM WINTER/SPRING 2015

Other classes include: Coding, Skateboard Design, Photography, and More!Read the full list of courses and descriptions online: tinyurl.com/WMEPcourses

REGISTER ONLINE TODAY: tinyurl.com/WMEPregister

Metro Transit Passes

Provided

West Metro School District MNP 0215 H2.indd 1 1/22/15 9:29 AM

FMN - Kindercare MNP 0215 H2.indd 1 1/14/15 4:31 PM

IN-HOME DAYCAREAGENCY NANNYPRIVATE NANNY

DAYCARE CENTER

36

IN-HOME DAYCARE

PRIVATE NANNY

How can you find the right child-care

provider for your family? Start early.

Ask questions. Check references.

Pop in unexpectedly.

And those are just for starters.

Choosing a child-care path

By Jen Wittes

37


Mothers and experienced daycare providers Rebecca McLaughlin (left) and Rita Palashewski (right) published their guide to choosing a child-care provider in December. It’s called Daycare Diaries: Unlocking the Secrets and Dispelling Myths Through True Stories of Daycare Experiences.

Whether you’re considering hiring a neighborhood

babysitter for the occasional date night or a full-time

daycare center for your return to work, finding the

right child-care provider is an overwhelming endeavor — and likely

one of the most important parenting decisions you’ll face.

After all, this is your child! Of course you want to ensure his

health and safety, above all, but also his happiness, emotional

growth, enrichment and development.

To make matters worse (or better, depending on how you look at

it), there are just so many choices: private nanny, agency nanny,

daycare, in-home daycare provider; not to mention variations

within these sub groups — Montessori, attachment parenting by

proxy and child-care co-ops.

Then there’s the cost. Minnesota is one of the most expensive

child-care states in the nation, according to data released earlier this

year by Child Care Aware America. In 2012, the average annual cost

of daycare in Minnesota was $13,876. That’s more than the average

annual cost of college tuition ($10,388) — and, yet, few parents have

time to “save up” for such costs.

Start with a vision. Laura Davis of College Nannies and Tutors — an agency with

locations in Edina, Minneapolis, Minnetonka and Eden Prairie —

said: “We have matched many hundreds of families with child care,

and our starting point is always, ‘Tell me what you envision for your

Child-care choices

family.’ From there we know what suggestions to make.

Starting with the vision can help a family narrow down

options from family care to daycare to an in-home

nanny — or in some cases a combination of many.”

Perhaps your vision is a bit murky. You don’t know

what you want! Here are some things to consider:

38


PROS CONS

CHILD-CARE CENTER

⊲ Little to no cancellation due to caregiver illness

⊲ Socialization with other children

⊲ A larger staff ensures the checks and balances of care.

⊲ Staff could become overwhelmed, even with a proper ratio.

⊲ More children, more chance of exposure to illness

⊲ The provider sets the hours and rules.

IN-HOME DAYCARE

⊲ Nurturing, intimate home environment

⊲ Smaller groups, less chance for illness

⊲ Socialization on a smaller scale

⊲ Little to no backup for caregiver injury or illness

⊲ With one caregiver, zero checks and balances

⊲ The caregiver’s own child may be the priority.

NANNY ⊲ Far less exposure to illness

⊲ Parents set the schedule and rules, an extension of preferred parenting style.

⊲ Light housework, cooking and laundry may be available as part of the service.

⊲ Can be more expensive

⊲ Nannies often eventually move on to other work opportunities and/or their own children.

⊲ Cancellation, injury and illness can be an issue.

Weighing the pros and cons Naturally, each type of child-care situation comes with unique benefits and disadvantages. Brainstorming with your own list is a good idea, in addition to the ideas here.

Your child’s personality: Extroverted or

introverted? Easy going or spirited?

Work hours: The right place will fit your

schedule, not the other way around.

Core values: Religion, discipline,

nutrition. You and your care provider

should share the same philosophies.

Once you start examining the basic needs

of your particular family, the big choices

will begin to narrow. For example, your

high-energy child might become bored or

restless at a small in-home practice with

children who are much younger. On the flip

side, you might not want your sensitive

infant in a big, loud daycare center with a

significant toddler or big-kid population.

Do your own vetting!Once you decide what kind of child-care

situation will best suit your family, put the

finalists in your chosen category to the test!

Ask tough questions, ask enrolled parents

about the environment and make frequent

visits.

DON’T be afraid to dig deeper.

Rebecca McLaughlin of Elko, a child-care

expert with many years of experience as

both a provider and director of daycare,

said: “Parents truly don’t have many

concerns about placing their kids in

daycare, and they should! They believe

what they are told by caregivers. If a

daycare center looks great or a home

daycare seems clean and friendly, the

parents tend to — in my opinion — make

their choices too quickly based on the

wrong factors.”

Seeing a need to help parents make an

informed choice, McLaughlin teamed up

with Rita Palashewski, owner and operator

of Pumpkin Patch Childcare and Learning

Center in Burnsville.

In December, they published Daycare

Diaries: Unlocking the Secrets and Dispelling

Myths Through True Stories of Daycare

Experiences.

Said Palashewski: “The most impor-

39


WHAT TO ASK PROVIDERS ⊲ Will you, at any time, transport the kids in your car?

⊲ Are there any other adults or older children on the premises besides caregivers?

⊲ How can I contact you during the workday and how quickly should I expect a response?

⊲ Do your own children receive care here? How do you handle that?

⊲ What’s your very best quality as a child-care provider?

⊲ What areas need improvement and what are your plans for making it happen?

⊲ How long will you let my child cry?

⊲ Can you show me where the children nap?

MUST-HAVE HELPFUL HINTS ⊲ Newborn child-care is HARD to find. Spots are limited. Start the search during pregnancy!

⊲ Nannies USUALLY cost a family more than group daycare environments. The exception to the rule? Twins! Double infant care in a center is significantly more expensive than nanny-care for two. A private nanny’s hourly rate will usually jump only a small amount for two young children.

⊲ Do you have friends with kids in child care? Ask them FIRST. It’s a starting point, and if you find a friend who’s thrilled with her child-care choice, you have at least one solid recommendation to check out.

⊲ Do you need only a few hours of care here and there? Some centers offer drop-in hourly child care for certain ages — a perfect fit for stay-at-home or work-at-home parents who need a day to run errands. KidsPark in St. Paul (kidsparkdropin.org) and ClubKid in Minnetonka (clubkidfun.com) specialize in hourly care.

tant questions should be directed toward finding out

more personal information about the individuals who

will be providing direct care — why they chose to work

with children, what they love about their job, what

challenges they face daily and how they handle

discipline.”

Both McLaughlin and Palashewski stress the value of

frequent unexpected visits, or “pop-ins.” This allows the

parent to see what really goes on day to day and can

either calm or confirm uneasy feelings.

This decision involves the wellbeing of your child and

you have every right to see the child-care site beyond

the “best foot forward” courtship phase.

“If your schedule doesn’t allow for this, make it allow

for this,” Palashewski said, adding that all child-care

facilities should have an open-door policy, allowing

parents to visit the center at any time prior to and after

enrolling the child.

Let your gut be your guide.At the end of the day, after the right questions have

been asked and the pros and cons debated (see our

sidebar on the previous page), you have to go with your

gut feeling. Your intuition and instinct will not only

serve you through the selection process, but also in the

continuing child-care relationship as well.

Trust those gut feelings, express your concerns, keep

questioning and keep popping in. Don’t be afraid to

hover and fuss! Trusting another adult with the care of

your child is a big deal.

Jen Wittes lives in St. Paul and is a mother of two. She’s helped many Twin Cities families in her work as a postpartum doula. Send questions or comments to [email protected].

Child-care choices40


763-544-3300 • Harrison-Electric.com

• Lights or power out

• Troubleshooting

• Storm damage

• Emergency service

• Fuse to circuit breaker panel upgrades

• Bath exhaust fan installations & servicing

Harrison Electric MNP 0115 12.indd 1 11/24/14 9:10 AM

available

for event &

performance

rentals

In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre

612.721.2535 · hobt.org

Offering performances, residencies and touring shows.since 1973

In the Heart of the Beast MNP 2014 12 filler.indd 1 8/27/14 11:56 AM

41

CHILD CARE AWARE MINNESOTAThis local program (formerly known as the Minnesota Child Care Resource and Referral Network) is part of a national organization that helps families find child care. Spanish, Hmong and Somali language-translation services are available by phone and online. 888-291-9811mnchildcare.org

CAREBOOKERKnown as the Open Table of family-care services, this site offers a free way for families to find and book services such as babysitting, pet care, tutoring and more. carebooker.com

MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICESGet information about child-care assistance and much more on this state-run site. mn.gov/dhs

COLLEGE NANNIES AND TUTORSThis site was founded in Minnesota by Joseph Keeley, a business-school student who took a job as a nanny — or “manny” — caring for children in Edina in the summer of 2000. This popular site has grown into a large organization offering on-call child-care, nanny-placement services and more to families across the country. collegenanniesandtutors.com

CARE.COMStarted as a hub for sitters and parents alike, this site and its iPhone and Android apps help families coordinate childcare, senior care and house sitting. For a $39 monthly membership, users can select the type of care they desire and match their needs with a caregiver.care.com

Need a break? We can’t make choosing a babysitter, nanny or child-care provider easy, but we can point you to the many online resources available to Minnesota families. All are designed to help you streamline the process and gradually build your “village.” Good luck!

URBANSITTERParents and sitters can create profiles and post jobs, availability and rates for service. Certified background checks, an online payment system, parent reviews and recommendations are part of the deal, as is a handy on-the-go app for iPhone. (Android is on the way.) Hiring fees apply.urbansitter.com

SITTERCITYFounded in 2001, this site — as well as a mobile app for iPhone and Android — helps families find care for children, seniors and pets. Monthly, three-month and annual paid plans allow users to post care jobs or search for local providers in their area. sittercity.com


42


43

BOOTYCAMP

Can the average kid really be potty trained in a few days? One local behavior specialist says the

answer is often: Yes!

By Julie Kendrick


44

You know you’re having a tough time with potty training when an emergency trip to

Chicago starts to seem like a good idea.

That was the case for Julie Bixby, a Dellwood mother of two.

Desperate to get her 3 1/2-year-old daughter, Isabella, potty trained, Bixby became

intrigued when she read about a woman in the Windy City who guaranteed rapid

results.

“I was at my wit’s end,” said Bixby, who had been trying with her husband, Jon, to

potty train their daughter for well over a year. “Isabella was going to be starting

preschool in the fall, and we’d had 10,000 accidents since starting potty training.”

Not long after that, Bixby saw a flier at a local coffee shop for Behave Your Best’s

rapid potty-training service offered in the Twin Cities.

Behave Your Best’s owner, Jamie Waldvogel — a behavior analyst, potty-training

expert and mother of two — came to the Bixby home for a consultation.

“Within five minutes, I knew she was our answer,” Bixby said. “Jamie worked her

magic, and Isabella started using the potty that first day.”

Though a couple minor relapses occurred, Waldvogel was available to help via text

and phone.

“It was the best money I ever spent,” Bixby said. “I wish I had known about Jamie

earlier. It would have saved us a lot of headache, tears and laundry in our household.”

The Bixbys knew their daughter was capable of potty training because she would use

the potty for the babysitter.

“But for us, she just wouldn’t,” Julie Bixby said. “We (me and my husband) were the

problem. Jamie told us it wasn’t about the potty training. It was about the behavior and

the attention she was getting from us when she wouldn’t go potty in the potty chair. It

was just a repeating cycle/pattern we created.”

Top tips

1 Children learn quickest if given ample opportunities to practice

a new skill in a short period of time. Increase fluid intake during first day or two of training to increase opportunities to practice.

2 Commit to underwear only during awake hours.

3 Temporarily use positive reinforcement to encourage

positive behaviors. Start with a small goal — sitting calmly on the toilet for two minutes — and gradually increase your expectations with successes.

4 Every child is unique, so what worked for a sibling may not work

a second time.

BOOTY CAMP


45

FOCUSING ON BEHAVIORSo what’s Waldvogel’s secret?

Waldvogel’s Shoreview-based small

business, Behave Your Best, helps parents

work with their children on potty training,

sleep training, tantrums and a variety of

other issues using systematic behavior-

coaching techniques known as Applied

Behavior Analysis or ABA.

“Behavior analysis is not a secret,” said

Waldvogel, who’s worked with children,

including kids with autism, for more than

15 years. “Behavior analysis is a science,

so I rely on my training, experience and

science to assess the situation, identify

why the child isn’t successfully trained

yet, and develop a plan to teach the skill.”

Though ABA is most known for its

effectiveness in teaching children with

autism and other disabilities, it works well

for all children, Waldvogel said.

“Our goal is to reach out to parents of

typically developing children, as there are

few providers that can help,” she said.

Waldvogel, who also offers workshops

that cover potty-training strategies for

parents, has successfully trained children

from ages 21 months to 6 years old.

Her service costs $800 for two days (up

to 10 hours each), plus text or email

support after the two-day intensive

consultation is complete.

Waldvogel trained her son, Calvin, at

Potty-tracking app You can track potty progress with the Time to Potty app from Huggies. Its main feature is a timer that reminds the family when it’s time for a potty break — and it automatically adjusts based on the training child’s progress. Fun games help you and your child celebrate potty achievements. Learn more at pull-ups.com.


southwestjournal.com/homefair

2015FREE!

PRESENTS

Free Admission • Door PrizesOver 40 Exhibitors

SATURDAY, MARCH 21

10AM-3PM

BURROUGHS COMMUNITY SCHOOL

1601 WEST 50TH STREET MINNEAPOLIS

SPONSORED BY:

SW HI Fair MNP 2015 H4.indd 1 1/22/15 2:04 PM

Great minds learn to think...all summer long!Register today for camps and classes. www.blakeschool.org

Blake School MNP 0215 H6.indd 1 1/22/15 9:39 AM

46

about 26 months. She started on a Thursday. By Monday, her son was accident free

and initiating using the potty independently, she said.

“Most families are totally successful within a week, but some take a month to get

the child really fluent with the skill in all environments and without reinforcement,”

Waldvogel said. “I’ve never yet worked with a child who couldn’t be successfully potty

trained.”

GROWING TRENDParents are increasingly relying on potty professionals around the country.

Earlier this this year, the Huffington Post covered the story of Samantha Allen,

another behavior expert — and founder of NYC Potty Training, new in 2014 —who

charges $925 for an eight-hour session and $1,750 for a two-day package (and that’s

if you opt for weekdays).

Got twins? A three-day package costs $2,575.

Allen, nicknamed “The Potty Whisperer” when she worked in preschool classrooms,

BOOTY CAMP

Jon and Julie Bixby of Dellwood pose with their son, Alexander and their daughter, Isabella. Eager to get their daughter, Isabella, potty trained for preschool, the Bixby’s hired a potty-training consultant to get the job done. “It was the best money I ever spent,” Julie Bixby said.Photo by Courtney Conk /

CCphotoarts.com

said a big part of what she does is remove

stress from the situation. “The whole

family relaxes when I’m there,” she said.

Not everyone is in favor of parents

outsourcing the job of potty training.

Marti Erickson — who has a Ph.D. in

developmental psychology and, with her

daughter Erin, co-hosts Mom Enough, a

weekly talk show podcast — said working

through the most difficult parts of

parenting shouldn’t be delegated to a

professional. It’s a growth opportunity for

the whole family.

“Sometimes those pain-in-the-neck

Take a class What: Behave Your Best offers The Ins & Outs of Potty Training workshops designed to give parents the skills to potty train kids in a matter of days or weeks, not years.

When and where: 6 to 8 p.m. March 16 at Baby Grand, Hopkins ($30 per person, $15 for a spouse); and 12:30 to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 21 at Peapods Natural Toys & Baby Care, St. Paul ($30 per family)

Register: Go to tinyurl.com/potty-baby-grand or tinyurl.com/potty-peapods.

Learn more: See behaveyourbest.com or call 612-224-1051.


47

situations like potty-training challenge

parents to find the balance of supporting

kids through mistakes and helping them

build competence,” Erickson said. “It’s an

opportunity for parents to work directly

with kids during an important life

passage, strengthening their relationship

of trust and encouragement.”

Waldvogel said parents who consis-

tently follow her simple plan will be able

to potty train their children on their own,

without an in-home visit. She encourages

parents to first attend one of her work-

shops for parents (see the sidebar with

this story) before signing up for a two-day

intervention.

REWARDS AND REINFORCEMENTDuring intensive visits, Waldvogel’s

behavior-focused method involves

keeping a constant focus on potty training

for the full two-day period.

She asks that pull-ups be placed out of

view before she arrives so the expectation

of using the potty is clear.

To ensure the child has plenty of

practice time, she offers lots of fluids. And

she breaks the process down into

manageable teaching components, so the

child can start receiving positive rein-

forcements — rewards tailored to the child

— for a small behavior right away.

Waldvogel said parents should be

wary of sticker charts that require

children to understand complicated

Learn moreBehave Your Best also helps children with sleep training, tantrums, eating, listening, homework, aggression and sibling disagreements using systematic behavior-coaching techniques known as Applied Behavior Analysis or ABA. Learn more at behaveyourbest.com or call 612-224-1051.


48reward systems as well as long-delayed

gratification.

“The reinforcers are typically tangible

things to start,” Waldvogel said. “They are

the motivators. Some parents wrap small

gifts for the first day. For some kids, we’ve

used plastic eggs with a surprise inside,

for others a grab bag with fun things,

whatever the parents feel will motivate

the child.”

These so-called “artificial” motivators

are important for young children because

social pressures and social motivation

aren’t in place for the 2- to 4-year-old set,

Waldvogel said, adding: “They do not care

if their friends see them wet or smell their

soiled clothing like older children do.”

Waldvogel increases expectations

gradually throughout the process, until

the child is being rewarded only for a

complete, desired behavior, not just going

through certain steps.

She coaches parents to fade reinforce-

ments gradually as more successes occur.

“Otherwise, the child can revert to old

contingencies in an attempt to figure out

what the expectation is,” she said. “Nine

times out of 10, the plan to remedy

unwanted behaviors is to teach the child

new skills, as a lack of a specific skill is

often the reason why they are engaging in

unwanted behaviors at this age.”

She’s also got another ace in the hole:

She’s not Mom or Dad.

“As a neutral third party, I have no

history parenting this child, no history of

resistance or refusal,” she said. “And after

15-plus years of working with children, I’d

like to think I’ve got a gift for relating to

them and making myself the reinforcer.”

Julie Kendrick is a contributing writer for many local publications. She lives in Minneapolis and blogs at kendrickworks.blogspot.com.

BOOTY CAMP

Reading for the pottyCountless children’s picture books have tackled the topic of using the toilet, including, of course, the classic, Everyone Poops by Taro Gomi. But here are five more can’t-miss potty-training titles to try!

WHERE’S THE POOP? This lift-the-flap wonder encourages kids to find where all the baby animals have left their poop. It ends in a home, however, where the toilet is the place to go! By Julie Markes

BEAR IN UNDERWEARIn this quirky, cute, comic-style book, Bear, Beaver, Cougar and Big Foot are playing hide-and-seek with their friends when Bear gets lost and stumbles on an entire backpack of underwear. By the end of the book, each animal has found a perfect fit! Look for many other spin-off books in this series. By Todd H. Doodler

POTTYAlways ridiculously cute, Leslie Patricelli’s books for babies and toddlers have become part of the board-book canon. In this one, it becomes clear: Going in one’s diaper is only one possible option, and the question must be raised: “Should I go in my potty?”By Leslie Patricelli

VEGETABLES IN UNDERWEARThis book, coming out in April, might be the most hilarious take on underwear acceptance ever, including broccoli in briefs and baby carrots in diapers. By Jared Chapman

EVEN FIREFIGHTERS GO TO THE POTTYEveryone, everywhere, regardless of what they may do professionally, must take the time to stop and go to the potty. In this lift-the-flap book, readers visit the police station, a construction site, a doctor’s office, a baseball field, the zoo and more to discover again and again that important people use the restroom, even if they’re busy! By Wendy and Naomi Wax


49

Advertiser listings

Academic191 Community Ed Summer ProgramsISD 191 Community Education offers activities and camps for your K–6 student. Art, sports, swimming, dance, theater, and technology classes are offered throughout the summer at an affordable cost. #191community

Burnsville-Eagan-Savage200 W Burnsville Pkwy, Ste 100Burnsville952-707-4150communityed191.org

Bell Museum Science Discovery Day CampsUnearth unforgettable camp experiences at the Bell Museum. Weeklong Science Discovery camps include outdoor adventure, space exploration, lab activities, real scientific specimens, University research, and lots of fun! June 8–August 28, grades K–6, and half-day preschool camps!

Minneapolis612-626-9660bellmuseum.org

Camp InventionCamp Invention is where BIG ideas become the next BIG thing! Local educators lead a week of hands-on activities created especially for rising 1st–6th grade students. Boys and girls spend time taking apart electronics to assemble something new, pushing the limits during high-energy games, and so much more. Lessons explore connections between science, technology, engineering, and innovation. Discounts are available, so secure a spot soon!

Locations throughout Minnesota800-968-4332campinvention.org

Gifted & Talented Institute (GTI)Find Your Challenge South of the River. A partnership of south metro school districts, managed by ISD 191 Community Education. GTI provides gifted and talented youth in grades K–12 opportunities for challenge and exploration. Classes run late June through July. Half- and full-day, weeklong course options in a variety of core disciplines.

952-707-4150giftedtalented.org

Groves Academy Summer ProgramsGroves Academy Summer Programs are for students with learning and attention challenges. The programs are open to

students from any school. There are small class sizes and personalized instruction. Grades 2–8, June 15–July 10: Reading, writing, and math, optional enrichment classes. Grades 9–12, July 27–August 7: Algebra, study skills, and writing.

3200 Hwy 100 SSt. Louis Park952-920-6377grovesacademy.org

Junior Achievement Summer CampJA BizTown Summer Camp takes place at Junior Achievement’s fully interactive, simulated city. This camp teaches 4th–8th graders how to run a successful business through fun, hands-on activities. June session focuses on STEM careers; July session will appeal to the young entrepreneur.

Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest1800 White Bear Ave NMaplewood651-255-0037jaum.org

Minnetonka Community EducationMinnetonka Community Education offers more than 300 summer enrichment, recreation, and academic summer camps for children ages 18 months–18 years. From art to archery, STEM to soccer, and everything in between—there’s a camp that appeals to every child’s interests and passions.

5621 Cty Rd 101Minnetonka952-401-6800minnetonkacommunityed.org

School Chess Association Summer Day Chess CampAll levels of chess instruction, professional

educators tailored to the student’s individual needs. Fun activities include swimming, water slides, field ball, Magic the Gathering, soccer, tennis, roller skating, bowling, fishing, sign language, and role playing games. Program Monday–Thursday 8 a.m.–5 p.m. June 22–25, July 6–9, 13–16, 20–23, 27–30, August 3–6, 10–13. Registration forms online or call Lorene 763-593-1168.

St. Louis Park Recreation Center3700 Monterey DrSt. Louis Parkschoolchess.org

Science & Engineering Camps The Works MuseumCreative camps for girls and boys, ages 5–12, who love to explore, design, and build! Kids experience how things work through fun, hands-on science and engineering projects. Discover code camp, Lego Robotics, electricity, architecture, and more! Camps run June–August 2015.

9740 Grand Ave SBloomington952-888-4262theworks.org

Summer at BlakeSummer at Blake offers an array of academic, sports, arts, and day camps for pre-K–grade 12 students in the Twin Cities area. From the ice arena to the engineering and programming labs, students enjoy Blake’s amazing facilities and interact with talented coaches and superb teachers in an engaging, challenging, and caring environment.

110 Blake Rd SHopkins952-988-3463blakeschool.org

CAMP RESOURCES mnparent.com/camp


50

ArtsAdventures in Cardboard Summer Arts & Creative Play, OutdoorsBuild your own arms and armor, create giant castles to defend, battle along trails, fields, and shorelines. Plan invasions from land and sea. Bows, swords, catapults, magic, and monsters! Full days spent in beautiful parks across the metro region.

Arden Hills, Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Minneapolis, & Plymouth

612-532-6764julianmcfaul.com

Art Academy, TheCity Pages Winner: Best of the Twin Cities! Year-round traditional drawing and painting classes and camps for students ages 5–18 years. Exceptional student/teacher ratio. Homeschool Program. A Renaissance Program for adults also offered. See samples of student artwork; visit our website. Call for a brochure.

651 Snelling Ave SSt. Paul651-699-1573theartacademy.net

Art Camps at Studio SevenOne week painting and drawing camps for students ages 7–18. Compositional elements will be explored through landscape and figure studies. Students will paint and draw both in the studio and outside. Trips to galleries and museums included. Camps are Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. $495 per week, all materials are included. [email protected].

708 N 1st StMinneapolis612-376-0381studio7artmn.com

Edina Art Center Since 1977, the Edina Art Center has been your home for art and culture in Edina, specializing in fine art education including pottery, drawing and painting, jewelry, and 83 children’s summer art camps. Edina—Every Day I Need Art.

4701 W 64th StEdina952-903-5780edinaartcenter.com

Kidcreate StudioKidcreate Studio’s art camps are designed to inspire and educate young artists, ages 3–12, in an environment where giggles and grins are encouraged. Camps focus on art principles and introduce students to many types of art materials. Campers get to explore, make a mess, and have fun. This

year’s camps include: Frozen, Lego Dino World, Happily Ever After, Marvelously Messy, Fabulously Fancy Art, Simply Silly Stuff, Candy Crafts, Art-tastic, Masters on Canvas, Let’s Draw, Star Wars, and many more. At Kidcreate, making a mess is the best!

7918 Mitchell RdEden Prairie952-974-3438kidcreatestudio.com/eden-prairie1785 Radio Dr, Ste FWoodbury651-735-0880kidcreatestudio.com/woodbury

Loft’s Young Writers’ Program, TheThe Loft’s Young Writers’ Program offers more than 100 classes this summer that foster creativity, enrich talents, and create friendships. Classes run all summer for ages 6–17 at all skill levels.

Open Book1011 Washington Ave SMinneapolis612-215-2575loft.org

Minneapolis College of Art & Design (MCAD)Join us at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design for a series of innovative, hands-on, and engaging visual art and design camps and classes for kids and teens ages 5–18! Weeklong and multi-week options. Scholarships available.

2501 Stevens AveMinneapolis612-874-3765mcad.edu/youth

Dance/Music/PerformanceCenter for Irish Music, The (CIM)All ages and abilities will explore and grow musically within the context of the Irish tradition. CIM offers creative and active introductory and intermediate camps on whistle, song, fiddle, harp, and drumming as well as mythology, travel-themed, and performance camps.

836 Prior Ave NSt. Paul651-815-0083centerforirishmusic.org

Circus JuventasTravel the globe without ever leaving our Big Top! Our full-day, weeklong camps explore a vast array of circus arts from Morocco to Mongolia, China to Russia. Reserve your spot now to be a part of one of the most talked-about and unique summer camps in the Twin Cities.

1270 Montreal AveSt. Paul651-699-8229circusjuventas.org

Lundstrum Center for the Performing ArtsBecome a triple threat at Lundstrum Center’s musical theater camps! All camp intensives taught by Broadway veterans and include level-appropriate training in dance, voice, and drama, which students apply to full musical productions. June 8–19: Camp 1, ages 4–12; June 22–August 2: Camp 2, ages 13+.

1617 N 2nd StMinneapolis612-521-2600lundstrumcenter.org

Shell Lake Arts CenterWith programs in jazz, rock band, show choir, art, theatre, dance, and more, the Shell Lake Arts Center is like nowhere else! Just two hours northeast of the Twin Cities in the beautiful Northwoods of Wisconsin. Come join us for the experience of a lifetime!

802 1st StShell Lake, WI715-468-2414shelllakeartscenter.org

Sing MinnesotaAugust 10–14, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Sing Minnesota is a weeklong day camp for girls and boys, ages 8–12 sponsored by the Minnesota Boychoir. While focusing on choral singing, campers also participate in other creative arts — drama and movement, visual arts, and outdoor fun and games! $325, scholarships available.

Concordia UniversityBuetow Music Center300 Hamline Ave NSt. Paul651-292-3219boychoir.org

Stages Theatre CompanySummer Theatre Workshops: June 15–August 24. Calling all actors, singers, and dancers: Have fun learning about theater from some of the area’s finest teaching artists. Stages Theatre Company offers a variety of age appropriate workshops for students ranging from ages 4–17.

1111 MainstreetHopkins952-979-1111, option 4stagestheatre.org

SteppingStone Theatre Camps & Classes!SteppingStone Theatre explores creativity year round with youth grades pre-K–high school. Check out our summer camps as a



51CAMP RESOURCES mnparent.com/camp

unique way for students to build confidence, theater skills, and community! Have fun this summer at SteppingStone Theatre! Scholarship/Membership pricing available.

55 Victoria St NSt. Paul651-225-9265steppingstonetheatre.org

Theatre Arts Training at Children’s Theatre CompanyJune 8–August 14, ages 4–18. Theatre Arts Training offers camps for all levels in acting, musical theater, improv, and more, making it easy to find the perfect fit for the young actor in your life. Be Curious. Be Creative. Be Confident. Registration now open.

2400 3rd Ave SMinneapolis612-874-0400childrenstheatre.org/education/classes-

and-camps

Triple Threat TrainingAn intensive in musical theater connects young people with instructors to hone their vocal, acting, and dance technique, and enhance audition skills! Audition required for admission. Contact [email protected] for info. August 3–7, $450. NEW! Rising Star, open to all skill levels.

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts345 Washington St651-282-3163ordway.org/education

Zenon Dance Company & School Summer CampsWeeklong dance camps for ages 6–14. Each day will include technique and choreography classes. Participants will perform for family and friends on the last day! Hip Hop Camps: June 22–26, August 3–7. Youth Dance Sampler Camp: July 20–24.

528 Hennepin AveMinneapolis612-338-1101zenondance.org

DayAnimal Humane Society’s Unleashed CampFun, educational animal-themed summer day camp for students entering grades 3–10 at Animal Humane Society. Camp may include special guests, field trips, service projects, interactions with animals, and more. Register online today.

Buffalo, Coon Rapids, Golden Valley, St. Paul, & Woodbury

763-489-2220animalhumanesociety.org/camps


201520152015

Lessons * Horse Camp * Birthday Parties Public Trail Riding by Appointment

Horsemanship Summer Camp Not just on for the ride — learn all the basics about horses. (AGES 6–13)

651-226-2027WEEKS AVAILABLE:

June 8, 15, 22, 29 • July 6, 13, 20, 27 • Aug 3, 10, 17, 24M–F 10am–3pm

Sunnyside Stables, Inc.Rosemount, Minnesota • sunnysidestables.org

Sunnyside Stables MNP 0215 H6.indd 1 1/9/15 12:48 PM

52

Archaeology for Kids One-Day CampAges 10–14. Archeologists and historians help campers do archeological work, including research, digging, and sifting at a re-created dig site, and working with scientific equipment in a lab. July 18 & August 1. $65/$60 MNHS members.

Historic Fort Snelling200 Tower AveSt. Paul612-726-1171mnhs.org/summercamps

Arts on the River Day CampAges 9–11. Children enjoy a new experience each day at four top arts centers, including Mill City Museum, the Guthrie Theater, Minnesota Center for Book Arts, and MacPhail Center for Music. June 29–July 2. $250/$225 MNHS members.

Mill City Museum704 S 2nd StMinneapolis612-341-7555mnhs.org/summercamps

Crazy for Math and ScienceAre your kids CRAZY for math and science? Peace of Mind and Trailblazers’ interactive, fun-filled summer camp engages children ages preschool–9th grade in experiential learning this summer. Field trips, themed weeks, structured curriculum. Come for a day, a week, or the entire summer.

9025 Tamarack RdWoodbury651-731-2608peaceofminddaycare.com

Davy Crockett Day CampAges 9–12. Campers will learn the skills Davy Crockett and others like him used on the frontier, including tracking animals, using flint and steel, and 1800s soldiering. Two sessions: July 7–10 & 21–24. $250/$225 MNHS members.


Finishing School for Young LadiesAges 9–12. In this one-of-a kind day camp, young ladies will dress up in Victorian-inspired costumes, enjoy a tea party, and learn popular dances and etiquette. Two sessions: June 22–24 & July 20–22. $220/$200 MNHS members.

Alexander Ramsey House265 S Exchange StSt. Paul651-296-8760mnhs.org/summercamps

History Detective CampAges 11–13. Become a super-sleuth. Explore the home and comb through the evidence to solve mysteries of the past in this three-day camp. Two sessions: June 22–24 & July 20–22. $220/$200 MNHS members.

Alexander Ramsey House265 S Exchange StSt. Paul651-296-8760mnhs.org/summercamps

Hopkins Camp Royal Summer RocksA camp for youth K–6. Add the sizzle to your child’s summer! Full- and half-day camps—build your own schedule. Art, sports, dance, legos, pottery, cooking, theater, music, chess, STEM, crafts, plus more!

Eisenhower Community Center1001 Hwy 7Hopkins952-988-4070hopkinssummer.org

Huck Finn Day CampAges 9–12. Campers explore the book “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” and go fishing, hiking, cooking, canoeing, and much more. Three sessions: June 16–19, July 14–17, & August 4–7. $250/$225 MNHS members.


Little House in the Big Fort Day CampAges 7–11. Campers will sing the songs, play the games, and make the food and crafts that Laura Ingalls Wilder learned while growing up on the western frontier. Six sessions: June 16–19 & 23–26, July 7–10, 14–17, & 28–31, and August 4–7. $250/$225 MNHS members.


Playworks Summer Camp 2015Enter our Trail of Dreams and discover your child’s hopes, dreams, and inspirations! June 8–August 28. Open to kids entering grades 1–6. Children explore their world through field trips to zoos, museums, beaches, parks, and more. Plus, your child can participate in arts and crafts, science, and playtime with friends. Enroll by March 31 and Fee is waived. Full time or part time. Daily. Meals included.

2200 Trail of DreamsPrior Lake952-445-PLAY (7529)playworksfun.com

Soldier One-Day CampAges 8–12. “New recruits” will learn about the lives of soldiers during the 1820s at Fort Snelling. Campers will learn to march and drill, watch musket and cannon firings, and more. June 27, July 11, July 25, & August 8. $50/$45 MNHS members.


Summer Adventure CampThe International School of Minnesota offers full- and half-day camp from June 15–August 14 for ages 3.5 to those entering grade 8. Camp activities include Spanish or American Sign Language, swimming, arts & crafts, nature hikes, outside play, and beach Friday. Options include sports, music, theater, kitchen chemistry, soccer, MN biology, catapults, and trebuchets.

6385 Beach RdEden Prairie952-918-1828internationalschoolmn.com

Horseback RidingGolden Ridge StablesWant to hug a horse? Our amazing summer day camps include a daily riding lesson and “hands-on” horsey fun. Year-round quality lessons for youth and ladies on well-mannered school horses. Conveniently located via Cedar Ave or I-35 South; just 15 minutes south of MOA. Visit our website for details!

8315 W 190th St WLakeville952-469-4640goldenridgestables.com

Lost Creek RanchLost Creek Ranch Camp Confidence is the best overnight camp for horse crazy kids! Campers get their “own” horse. Ride a minimum of four hours every day! Individual attention. Make new friends and begin a lifelong passion for horses. Less than one hour from the Twin Cities.

N6842 570th StBeldenville, WI715-273-6070lostcreekranch.info

Skyrock Farm Summer Horse CampLearn basic horsemanship and make new friends! Clean, upscale facility located in Medina provides safe summer horse fun for your horse-crazy child (age 6+). One hour instructional lesson per fun-filled day. Friday




is horse show day — Horse show followed by train rides and root beer floats! Riding lessons, camp, birthdays.

Medina612-408-2848skyrockfarm.com

Sunnyside Stables Horsemanship Summer CampSunnyside’s camp is a place to discover horses and new friends. Each day includes riding — rain or shine, as we have an indoor and outdoor arena as well as scenic trails. You will discover the basics of grooming, saddling, body language, posture, contact, and balance to develop independent riding skills.

15400 Emery Ave ERosemount651-226-2027sunnysidestables.org

LanguageConcordia Language VillagesConcordia Language Villages is the premier language and culture immersion program in the United States. For over 50 years, we have provided an authentic experience with programs for all ages and levels of fluency in 15 different languages.

901 8th St SMoorhead218-299-4544800-222-4750concordialanguagevillages.org

OtherMinnesota Children’s MuseumAt Minnesota Children’s Museum, hands-on play builds lifelong learning. Each of our galleries is uniquely designed with a child’s busy brain in mind. Every visit is packed with experiences guaranteed to nurture creative thinking, fuel fun, and cater to the curious at heart.

10 W 7th StDowntown, St. Paul651-225-6000mcm.org

OvernightAudubon Center of the North WoodsA wide variety of youth, family, and adult camps and expeditions — something for everyone! Our camps have a focus on wildlife, nature, challenge, and outdoor skills. Experience the great outdoors and make memories that last a lifetime! June–September. [email protected].

East side of Grindstone Lake near Sandstone

888-404-7743audubon-center.org/summer-camps


54

15-SP03_MP

Summer Preschool

SP Kindergarten

Summer Power

Summer Sports

Summer Uproar

Specialty Programs

Ando

ver

YMCA

Blai

sdel

l YM

CA

YMCA

in E

agan

Elk

Rive

r YM

CAEm

ma

B. H

owe

Nor

thto

wn

YMCA

YMCA

in H

astin

gsYM

CA in

Hud

son,

WI

YMCA

in L

ino

Lake

sM

pls

Dow

ntow

n YM

CA

YMCA

in B

urns

ville

Ridg

edal

e YM

CARi

ver

Valle

y YM

CA in

Prio

r La

ke

YMCA

in S

hore

view

Sout

hdal

e YM

CA in

Edi

naSt

. Pau

l Eas

tsid

e YM

CASt

. Pau

l Mid

way

YM

CAYM

CA in

Wes

t St

. Pau

lW

hite

Bea

r Ar

ea Y

MCA

YMCA

in W

oodb

ury

Har

old

Mez

ile N

orth

Com

mun

ity Y

MCA

YMCA

in N

ew H

ope

SUMMER RALLY DAYSFRIDAY, MARCH 6 – SUNDAY, MARCH 8

GET SPECIAL DEALSat ymcadiscoversummer.org

SAVE $50 on registration fee now through March 8

SAVE $15 per session fee March 6 – March 8

SUMMER RALLY DAYSDISCOVER SUMMER

ymcadiscoversummer.org Register Online

Membership not required. Financial assistance available.

SUMMER SPORTSGrades 1-6 Youth will have the opportunity to learn new skills, practice and play new sports. Y Summer Sports is a safe, fun, non-competitive sports program designed to build teamwork, leadership skills and self-esteem.

SUMMER UPROAR Grades 6-8 Uproar provides an exciting combination of spirited adventure and growth. Teens get their first taste of leadership as they help to plan their summer activities and participate in weekly field trips.

SUMMER POWERGrades K-5 Summer Power is your answer to quality care and exciting adventures. We offer flexible 3-, 4-, and 5-day options. No two weeks are alike! Weekly themes and weekly field trips.


Need more information? Attend the

YMCA SUMMER PROGRAMS FAIR Saturday, March 7 • 9 a.m. – Noon

Christmas TreeDayCroix @

Camp St. CroixGuy Robinson

Heritage

Ihduhapi

Kici Yapi

Kumalya

Manitou

Spring Lake

Streefland

TWIN CITIESDAY CAMPS W

eeBa

ckpa

cker

s (a

ges

4-5)

YMCA Day Camp SAVE $15 per session March 6 – March 8

YMCA CAMPSYMCA OVERNIGHT CAMPSCAMP ST. CROIX Ages 7-17. Located on Lake St. Croix, two miles south of Hudson, WI. Campers participate in a wide variety of traditional camp activities or select a specialty camp such as horseback riding, rock climbing, sailing and canoeing. Three-day, one-week or two-week sessions.

CAMP ICAGHOWAN Ages 7-16. Located on Lake Wapogasset near Amery, WI. Icaghowan offers traditional camp and a variety of unique specialty camps focused on activities such as horseback riding, river canoeing and skateboard camp. Three-day, one-week or two-week sessions.

CAMP IHDUHAPI Ages 7-16. Located on Lake Independence just 22 miles west of Minneapolis, MN, Ihduhapi offers youth a traditional experience or sailing and horseback riding specialty camps. Three-day, one-week or two-week sessions. Leadership development programs for grades 8-11.

CAMP WARREN Ages 7-16. Camp Warren, located in the north woods on Half Moon Lake near Eveleth, MN, offers girls-only sessions the first part of the summer and boys-only sessions later in the summer. Camp Warren has a strong tradition of progressive activities including sailing, archery, tennis, photography and horseback riding.

YMCA FAMILY CAMPCAMP DU NORD All Ages. Located on the edge of the BWCA on Burntside Lake, Camp du Nord offers a totally unique week-long camping experience for families. Cozy woodland cabins with kitchens range from rustic to upscale. Tent camping sites, full/partial food service also available. Hiking, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, swimming, nature and arts programs are offered as family activities and for children’s age groups. Relax at days end with an authentic Finnish sauna.

YMCA TEEN WILDERNESS ADVENTURESCAMP MENOGYN Ages 12-18. Camp Menogyn is located on the Gunflint Trail 30 miles north of Grand Marais, MN. There are no roads leading to Menogyn, so all campers cross West Bearskin Lake by boat to arrive at this beautiful, intimate wilderness setting. Our focus is on the small group, compassionate guided wilderness canoeing, backpacking and rock climbing trips that are safe, fun and enriching.

CAMP WIDJIWAGAN Ages 12-18. Located on Burntside Lake near Ely, MN, Widji offers high-quality canoe and backpacking adventures in the BWCA and throughout North America. Widji wilderness trips are focused on respect and values that build skills for life, and a relationship with the environment that is unparalleled.

YMCA DAY CAMP AGES 4 - 14YMCA Day Camp provides a week full of exciting camp activities like canoeing, archery, fishing, camp crafts, cookouts, swimming and more! Day camps facilitate a great introduction to camping in a safe environment. Kids are home each night. Bus transportation is available at most locations.

YMCA DAY CAMPS: SPECIALTY CAMPSDevelop a greater passion for the things you love, or try out something new at one of our YMCA specialty camps! Campers spend approximately 2 hours each day in their specialized activity. The remainder of the day is spent enjoying traditional camp activities.

DAY CAMPS Camp Christmas Tree 6365 Game Farm Rd., Minnetrista, MN 55364, 952-544-7708. Traditional day camp is located on 45 acres at Dutch Lake near Mound, MN.

YMCA Camp St. Croix – DayCroix 532 County Rd. F, Hudson, WI, 612-465-0560. Traditional day camp is located on 400 acre site overlooking St. Croix River.

Camp Guy Robinson 3100 217th Ave NW, Oak Grove, MN, 763-785-7882. Traditional day camp is located at Lake George Regional Park.

Camp Heritage 7732 Main Street, Lino Lakes, MN; Traditional day camp held across from Wargo Nature Center in Lino Lakes.

YMCA Day Camp Ihduhapi 3425 Ihduhapi Rd., Loretto, MN 55357, 763-479-1146. Located on Lake Independence. Day Camp Ihduhapi offers the beautiful, north woods feel of camp.

Camp Kici Yapi 13220 Pike Lake Trail NE, Prior Lake, MN 55372, 952-835-2567. Traditional day camp is located on 80 acre site in Prior Lake.

Camp Kumalya 1515 Keats Ave. N., Lake Elmo, MN, 651-731-9507. Traditional day camp held at Lake Elmo Park Reserve in Lake Elmo.

Camp Manitou 9910 Briarwood Ave NE, Monticello, MN 55362, 763-535-4800. Traditional day camp is located on 1200 acre site on Lake Bertram and Long Lake in Monticello, MN.

Camp Spring Lake 13690 Pine Bend Trail Rosemount, MN 55068, 651-456-9622. Traditional day camp held at Dakota County Spring Lake Park Reserve in Rosemount.

Camp Streefland 11490 Klamath Trail, Lakeville, MN 55044, 952-898-9622. Traditional day camp is located on Lake Kingsley in Lakeville.

ymcadiscoversummer.org

For more information: 612-230-9622


YMCA Overnight Camp SAVE $25 per session March 6 - March 8

YMCA MNP 0215 DoubleTruck with bleed.indd All Pages 1/21/15 9:43 AM

55

15-SP03_MP

Summer Preschool

SP Kindergarten

Summer Power

Summer Sports

Summer Uproar

Specialty Programs

Ando

ver

YMCA

Blai

sdel

l YM

CA

YMCA

in E

agan

Elk

Rive

r YM

CAEm

ma

B. H

owe

Nor

thto

wn

YMCA

YMCA

in H

astin

gsYM

CA in

Hud

son,

WI

YMCA

in L

ino

Lake

sM

pls

Dow

ntow

n YM

CA

YMCA

in B

urns

ville

Ridg

edal

e YM

CARi

ver

Valle

y YM

CA in

Prio

r La

ke

YMCA

in S

hore

view

Sout

hdal

e YM

CA in

Edi

naSt

. Pau

l Eas

tsid

e YM

CASt

. Pau

l Mid

way

YM

CAYM

CA in

Wes

t St

. Pau

lW

hite

Bea

r Ar

ea Y

MCA

YMCA

in W

oodb

ury

Har

old

Mez

ile N

orth

Com

mun

ity Y

MCA

YMCA

in N

ew H

ope

SUMMER RALLY DAYSFRIDAY, MARCH 6 – SUNDAY, MARCH 8

GET SPECIAL DEALSat ymcadiscoversummer.org


SAVE $15 per session fee March 6 – March 8

SUMMER RALLY DAYSDISCOVER SUMMER

ymcadiscoversummer.org Register Online


SUMMER SPORTSGrades 1-6 Youth will have the opportunity to learn new skills, practice and play new sports. Y Summer Sports is a safe, fun, non-competitive sports program designed to build teamwork, leadership skills and self-esteem.

SUMMER UPROAR Grades 6-8 Uproar provides an exciting combination of spirited adventure and growth. Teens get their first taste of leadership as they help to plan their summer activities and participate in weekly field trips.

SUMMER POWERGrades K-5 Summer Power is your answer to quality care and exciting adventures. We offer flexible 3-, 4-, and 5-day options. No two weeks are alike! Weekly themes and weekly field trips.


Need more information? Attend the

YMCA SUMMER PROGRAMS FAIR Saturday, March 7 • 9 a.m. – Noon

Christmas TreeDayCroix @

Camp St. CroixGuy Robinson

Heritage

Ihduhapi

Kici Yapi

Kumalya

Manitou

Spring Lake

Streefland

TWIN CITIESDAY CAMPS W

eeBa

ckpa

cker

s (a

ges

4-5)

YMCA Day Camp SAVE $15 per session March 6 – March 8

YMCA CAMPSYMCA OVERNIGHT CAMPSCAMP ST. CROIX Ages 7-17. Located on Lake St. Croix, two miles south of Hudson, WI. Campers participate in a wide variety of traditional camp activities or select a specialty camp such as horseback riding, rock climbing, sailing and canoeing. Three-day, one-week or two-week sessions.

CAMP ICAGHOWAN Ages 7-16. Located on Lake Wapogasset near Amery, WI. Icaghowan offers traditional camp and a variety of unique specialty camps focused on activities such as horseback riding, river canoeing and skateboard camp. Three-day, one-week or two-week sessions.

CAMP IHDUHAPI Ages 7-16. Located on Lake Independence just 22 miles west of Minneapolis, MN, Ihduhapi offers youth a traditional experience or sailing and horseback riding specialty camps. Three-day, one-week or two-week sessions. Leadership development programs for grades 8-11.

CAMP WARREN Ages 7-16. Camp Warren, located in the north woods on Half Moon Lake near Eveleth, MN, offers girls-only sessions the first part of the summer and boys-only sessions later in the summer. Camp Warren has a strong tradition of progressive activities including sailing, archery, tennis, photography and horseback riding.

YMCA FAMILY CAMPCAMP DU NORD All Ages. Located on the edge of the BWCA on Burntside Lake, Camp du Nord offers a totally unique week-long camping experience for families. Cozy woodland cabins with kitchens range from rustic to upscale. Tent camping sites, full/partial food service also available. Hiking, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, swimming, nature and arts programs are offered as family activities and for children’s age groups. Relax at days end with an authentic Finnish sauna.

YMCA TEEN WILDERNESS ADVENTURESCAMP MENOGYN Ages 12-18. Camp Menogyn is located on the Gunflint Trail 30 miles north of Grand Marais, MN. There are no roads leading to Menogyn, so all campers cross West Bearskin Lake by boat to arrive at this beautiful, intimate wilderness setting. Our focus is on the small group, compassionate guided wilderness canoeing, backpacking and rock climbing trips that are safe, fun and enriching.

CAMP WIDJIWAGAN Ages 12-18. Located on Burntside Lake near Ely, MN, Widji offers high-quality canoe and backpacking adventures in the BWCA and throughout North America. Widji wilderness trips are focused on respect and values that build skills for life, and a relationship with the environment that is unparalleled.

YMCA DAY CAMP AGES 4 - 14YMCA Day Camp provides a week full of exciting camp activities like canoeing, archery, fishing, camp crafts, cookouts, swimming and more! Day camps facilitate a great introduction to camping in a safe environment. Kids are home each night. Bus transportation is available at most locations.

YMCA DAY CAMPS: SPECIALTY CAMPSDevelop a greater passion for the things you love, or try out something new at one of our YMCA specialty camps! Campers spend approximately 2 hours each day in their specialized activity. The remainder of the day is spent enjoying traditional camp activities.

DAY CAMPS Camp Christmas Tree 6365 Game Farm Rd., Minnetrista, MN 55364, 952-544-7708. Traditional day camp is located on 45 acres at Dutch Lake near Mound, MN.

YMCA Camp St. Croix – DayCroix 532 County Rd. F, Hudson, WI, 612-465-0560. Traditional day camp is located on 400 acre site overlooking St. Croix River.

Camp Guy Robinson 3100 217th Ave NW, Oak Grove, MN, 763-785-7882. Traditional day camp is located at Lake George Regional Park.

Camp Heritage 7732 Main Street, Lino Lakes, MN; Traditional day camp held across from Wargo Nature Center in Lino Lakes.

YMCA Day Camp Ihduhapi 3425 Ihduhapi Rd., Loretto, MN 55357, 763-479-1146. Located on Lake Independence. Day Camp Ihduhapi offers the beautiful, north woods feel of camp.

Camp Kici Yapi 13220 Pike Lake Trail NE, Prior Lake, MN 55372, 952-835-2567. Traditional day camp is located on 80 acre site in Prior Lake.

Camp Kumalya 1515 Keats Ave. N., Lake Elmo, MN, 651-731-9507. Traditional day camp held at Lake Elmo Park Reserve in Lake Elmo.

Camp Manitou 9910 Briarwood Ave NE, Monticello, MN 55362, 763-535-4800. Traditional day camp is located on 1200 acre site on Lake Bertram and Long Lake in Monticello, MN.

Camp Spring Lake 13690 Pine Bend Trail Rosemount, MN 55068, 651-456-9622. Traditional day camp held at Dakota County Spring Lake Park Reserve in Rosemount.

Camp Streefland 11490 Klamath Trail, Lakeville, MN 55044, 952-898-9622. Traditional day camp is located on Lake Kingsley in Lakeville.

ymcadiscoversummer.org

For more information: 612-230-9622


YMCA Overnight Camp SAVE $25 per session March 6 - March 8

YMCA MNP 0215 DoubleTruck with bleed.indd All Pages 1/21/15 9:43 AM

56

Camp Birchwood for BoysHike, bike, fish, canoe, kayak, or rock-climb, it’s up to you. Campers choose their own adventures and activities. Between adventures campers choose from archery, riflery, waterpark, crafts, tubing, fishing, and more.

Boundary Waters Canoe Area218-252-2641campbirchwoodforboys.com

Camp Birchwood for GirlsAt Camp Birchwood the experience is about lifelong skills, friendships, and memories. We provide campers with opportunities for making their own choices, encourage them to challenge themselves and to discover who they are through a long list of available activities.

Northern Minnesota800-451-5270campbirchwood.com

Camp ChosonCamp Choson is a dynamic, welcoming day and resident camp that offers youth ages 4–17 opportunities to explore Korean arts and culture. A camper’s experience includes Korean language and culture, traditional dance and drum, Taekwondo, music, self-respect, archery, and swimming.

Camp Lakamaga12300 Lakamaga Tr NMarine on St. Croixcampchoson.org

Camp WeHaKeeHave fun, build friendships, be yourself! More than 40 activities that each girl chooses. Campers from around the world. Exceptional staff! At the heart of WeHaKee is relationship. Just three hours from Minneapolis in Northern Wisconsin!

N8104 Barker Lake RdWinter, WI800-582-2267wehakeecampforgirls.com

Girl Scouts River Valleys’ Summer CampsAll girls welcome, including non-Girl Scouts. Residential sessions at four locations, each with unique scenery and outdoor opportunities. Classic camp experiences, with horse and wilderness opportunities, canoeing, kayaking, archery, swimming, biking, arts and crafts, and more. Financial assistance available.

Camp Elk River, ZimmermanCamp Lakamaga, Marine on St. CroixCamp Northwoods, Mason, WICamp Singing Hills, Waterville800-845-0787girlscoutsrv.org/camp

YMCA Camp OlsonSince 1954, Camp Olson has been providing unforgettable and life changing experiences for youth and young leaders through quality camping programs. Traditional summer camp available as well as specialty programs in sailing, horseback riding, nature study, and leadership development.

4160 Little Boy Rd NE, Longville218-363-2207campolson.org

ResourcesMinnesota Parent’s Camp Fair February 28, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.Summer’s here! Or, at least it will be when you attend Minnesota Parent’s 9th annual Camp Fair. Get a jumpstart on planning for day or overnight summer camps, be it music, art, technology, sports, and everything in between. FREE admission.

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory1225 Eastbrook Dr, St. Paul612-825-9205mnparent.com/campfair

Specialty Swift Nature CampLet your child’s natural curiosity for nature be discovered. Located just two hours from Minneapolis, we are a traditional co-ed camp, with a focus on nature and environment. A First Time Campers Program is available for campers who have not attended camp before.

W7471 Ernie Swift RdMinong, WI630-654-8036snc.camp

True Friends’ Camp Courage & Camp FriendshipTrue Friends is the new parent company of Camp Courage and Camp Friendship. Offering residential and day camp sessions at five Minnesota locations. Specializing in programs for people with developmental, physical, or learning disabilities. Need-based scholarships are available.

Camp Friendship, AnnandaleCamp Courage, Maple LakeCamp Eden Wood, Eden PrairieCamp Courage North, Lake GeorgeCamp New Hope, McGregor800-450-8376truefriends.org

Sports and FitnessBethel University Overnight & Day CampsBethel University Christian Sports Camps


56 February 2015 • mnparent.comKidCreate Studio MNP 0215 V6.indd 1 1/14/15 3:54 PM

MCAD MNP 0215 V6.indd 1 1/7/15 2:14 PM


help athletes develop fundamentals and build confidence in their skills. We provide both challenge and encouragement, allowing campers to develop a positive attitude. Basketball, volleyball, soccer, x-country, tennis. All ages.

Bethel University3900 Bethel DrSt. Paul651-638-6397bethelroyals.com

Little Gym of Edina, The Anytime Summertime CampFor kids ages 3–12. The most flexible camp in town lets you pick one day or as many as you want! Each week has a fun new theme with games, art, physical activity, and a whole lot of fun.

8223 Hwy 7St. Louis Park952-924-0083thelittlegym.com/edinamn

Minnesota United FCMinnesota United FC is a professional soccer team playing in the North American Soccer League. Our mission is to make professional soccer an accessible source of pride for people in Minnesota. The club is devoted to being a pillar in the local community. These new camps bring our level of professionalism and GREAT soccer to YOU!

Coon Rapids, Maplewood, Rogers, Rosemount, & St. Louis Park

763-231-9866mnunitedfccamps.com

Revolutionary SportsProvides camps that combine learning sports and child development for a positive sports experience. Multiple sports daily. Over 15 sports offered. Camps start at age 4 and offered during no-school days, spring break, and summer. Half day, full day, early drop-off (7:30 a.m.), late pick-up (5:30 p.m.).

Metrowide Locations612-234-7782revolutionarysports.org

TAGS Gymnastics CampsFun, Fitness, Friends! Gymnastics camps for boys and girls ages 3–17 in June, July, and August. Kids will learn fun, new skills while developing strength, flexibility, and coordination in a safe, positive atmosphere!

TAGS Apple Valley:5880 149th St W, Apple Valley952-431-6445TAGS Eden Prairie:10300 W 70th StEden Prairie952-920-5342tagsgym.com


Summer Art Campsfor ages 5 and up

Chosen by WCCO “2013 Best Places for Summer Art Activities” | Winner: City Pages “Best of the Twin Cities”

651-699-1573theartacademy.net

Sophia Wang, Age 6

Think your child can’t draw like this? Think again.

Art Academy MNP 0215 H4.indd 1 1/14/15 11:44 AM

Supporting organizations that provide all aspects of support, resources, opportunities and outreach

programs to children and families.

95% of all proceeds go to charities we support

Go online to donatejimandjudefoundation.com

Jim & Jude MNP 2012 Filler 12.indd 1 10/18/12 2:41 PM

58

FEB. 7

Snowshoe at Coldwater Spring

⊲ Come dressed for the weather and borrow snowshoes for a day of trekking by the Mississippi River. Both experienced and novice snowshoers are welcome.

When: 10 a.m.–noon Feb. 7Where: Coldwater Spring, Fort

Snelling Cost: FREEInfo: missriverfund.org or 651-291-8164

Charles Darwin’s Birthday Party

⊲ Special family-friendly activities

throughout the museum will celebrate the birthday of the influential naturalist, born in February 1809.

When: 1–4 p.m. Feb. 7Where: Science Museum of

Minnesota, St. PaulCost: Free with museum admission

($13 for adults, $10 for children ages 4–12)

Info: smm.org or 651-221-9444

FEB. 10, 11, 24, 25

Nature Adventurers ⊲ Interactive programs tackle a different

nature each weekend, including crafts, story times, snacks and outdoor discovery time geared toward ages 3 to 5.

When: 10–11:30 a.m. Feb. 10, 11, 24, 25

Where: Wood Lake Nature Center, Richfield

Cost: $8 per child. Prepayment required.

Info: tinyurl.com/woodlakenaturecenter or 612-861-9365

FEB. 12, 20

Children’s Yoga ⊲ Encourage children to enjoy the

benefits of yoga in a fun atmosphere along with a story time and a snack.

When: 11 a.m.–noon Feb. 12 and 9–10 a.m. Feb. 20

Where: Wood Lake Nature Center, Richfield

Cost: $10 per child. Preregistration required.

Info: tinyurl.com/woodlakenaturecenter

Out & About FEBRUARY

Sid the Science Kid: The Super-Duper Exhibit ⊲ This new traveling exhibit brings the PBS Kids TV series to the Minnesota Children’s Museum, encouraging

the scientific investigation of everyday mysteries with hands-on activities, scientific tools and simple machines.

When: Through May 31 Where: Minnesota Children’s Museum, St. PaulCost: Free with museum admission ($9.95 for ages 1 and older) Info: mcm.org or 651-225-6000

mnparent.com/calendar

Photo by Magic House


59FEB. 14

Hot Metal Pour ⊲ Minnesota metal artists converge at

Franconia during this family-friendly outdoor iron pour, highlighting the intriguing process of metal casting. Warm your hands over the bonfire and witness artists melting iron and pouring it into casts to make sculptures.

When: Noon–5 p.m. Feb. 14Where: Franconia Sculpture Park,

ShaferCost: FREEInfo: franconia.org or 651-257-6668

Snow and Ice Day ⊲ National snow sculpting team MN Big

Snow hosts this outdoor event (weather permitting) in which children can use tools to shape snow into a range of creations, plus take part in additional indoor engineering activities.

When: 1–4 p.m. Feb. 14Where: The Works Museum,

BloomingtonCost: Free with museum admission

($8, free for ages 2 and younger)Info: theworks.org or 952-888-4262

Dr. Zoolittle ⊲ Learn from a real vet what it’s like to be

a veterinarian and what it takes to keep the zoo’s animals in top health at this program for ages 4–8.

When: 1 p.m. Feb. 14Where: Minnesota Zoo, Apple ValleyCost: $50 for each adult-child pair, $37

per adult-child pair for members. Pre-registration required.

Info: mnzoo.org or 952-431-9200

FEB. 14–16

Tropical Beach Party ⊲ Forget the cold and snow by visiting

the zoo’s Tropics Trail with a huge indoor sandbox, face painting, animal visitors and other tropical-themed activities. Though the special activities take place the weekend of Feb. 14-15, the

2015

Find Your Campat Minnesota Parent ’s Camp Fair

SPONSORED BY:

FREEEvent

Speak face-to-face with dozens of camp instructors

Saturday, February 28th, 10am–2pmComo Park Zoo & Conservatory

Free Entertainment and Workshops on the 2nd Level

Visit mnparent.com/campfair for more information

Camp Fair 2015 MNP 0215 2-3page with bleed.indd 1 1/21/15 11:15 AM

60

sandbox will stay open through March 2.

When: Feb. 14–16Where: Minnesota Zoo, Apple ValleyCost: Free with zoo admission ($18 for

adults, $12 for children and seniors, free for ages 2 and younger)


FEB. 15

Spark, Slime and Speed ⊲ The Minnesota Chapter of the

Society of Women Engineers will join museumgoers to celebrate National Engineers Week, including five interactive experiments.

When: Noon–4 p.m. Feb. 15

Out & About

Where: Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul

Cost: Free with museum admission ($13 for adults, $10 for children ages 4–12)


FEB. 17

Teddy Bear Story Time ⊲ Grab your teddy bear friends and

head to the James J. Hill House for a celebration of President’s Day and the treasured stuffed animals that got their name from President Theodore Roosevelt. Children in preschool through first grade, accompanied by an adult, can take their teddy on a tour of the historic house.

Goodnight Moon: The Musical ⊲ Based on the beloved Margaret Wise Brown children’s book, this play

follows a little bunny who isn’t quite ready for bed.

When: Through Feb. 16Where: Stages Theatre Company, HopkinsCost: $16Info: stagestheatre.org or 952-979-1111


61When: 10:30 a.m. Feb. 17Where: James J. Hill House, St. PaulCost: $6. Reservations are

recommended.Info: mnhs.org or 651-259-3015

FEB. 18

Homeschool Day ⊲ Groups of students from at-home

licensed day cares and homeschool groups are invited to enjoy the children’s museum free of charge.

When: Feb. 18Where: Minnesota Children’s Museum,

St. PaulCost: FREE. Limit four tickets per

group, proof of licensed status or homeschool letter of intent required.

Info: mcm.org or 651-225-6000

FEB. 20

Kids at the Castle: Hearts and Hugs

⊲ Don’t miss this play date for ages 2 to 5, focused on visual play, storytelling, movement and music. Learn about Tomte the elf, who brings cheer to Swedish families, and explore the Turnblad Mansion to meet his friends.

When: 11 a.m. Feb. 20Where: American Swedish Institute,

MinneapolisCost: $5 per familyInfo: asimn.org or 612-871-4907

Sensory-Friendly Performance: Snowflake

⊲ Special accommodations are made at this performance for children with autism and other sensory, social and cognitive disorders. Jarring noises and lights are reduced; a designated quiet room and “Take a Break Space” will be available.

When: 7 p.m. Feb. 20 Where: Children’s Theatre Company,

MinneapolisCost: Tickets start at $10


NEWeasy online

application

Accredited by: Society for Assisted Reproductive Technologies, American College of OB/GYNs and American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).

ALL ETHNICITIES NEEDED

For more information: 612-863-5390 or fill out an application online www.ivfminnesota.com

2828 Chicago Ave #400 Minneapolis

Would You Consider Being an Egg Donor?ATTENTION WOMEN 21-33:ATTENTION WOMEN 21-33:

The Center for Reproductive Medicine is seeking women between 21 and 33 years of age to donate eggs for couples who cannot otherwise achieve pregnancy.

You will be compensated for your time and dedication.

Center for Reproductive Medicine MNP 0514 S3.indd 1 4/14/14 12:50 PM

62

Info: childrenstheatre.org or 612-874-0400

FEB. 21

Childish Films ⊲ This children’s cinema and arts series

includes pre-show activities and snacks. In February, enjoy four short films (four to seven minutes each) about birds and fish.

When: Doors open at 10 a.m. Feb. 21Where: Hennepin County Library,

MinneapolisCost: FREEInfo: supporthclib.org/event/

feathers-and-fins

Dog Tales ⊲ A therapy dog from the Pals on Paws

chapter of Therapy Dogs International joins a story time for young readers.

Out & About

When: 10–11 a.m. Feb. 21Where: Minnesota Children’s Museum,

St. PaulCost: Free with museum admission

($9.95 for ages 1 and older) Info: mcm.org or 651-225-6000

THROUGH FEB. 22

Snowflake ⊲ Comedic artist Gale LaJoye plays

a tender yet oddball genius — who invents new uses for the abandoned knick-knacks of life — in this physical comedy, recommended for kids in kindergarten through fourth grade.

When: Through Feb. 22Where: Children’s Theatre Company,

MinneapolisCost: Tickets start at $10Info: childrenstheatre.org

or 612-874-0400

The Biggest Little House in the Forest ⊲ This play for ages 2 to 5 follows Bernice the Butterfly and her friends, Millie the

Mouse and Fred the Frog, as they unexpectedly show up to share her company — and her home!

When: Feb. 3–March 15 Where: Children’s Theatre Company, MinneapolisCost: Tickets start at $10 Info: childrenstheatre.org or 612-874-0400


WWW.1LOVEBABY.COM 13720 LINCOLN ST. NE, ANDOVER, MN

Infant Massage

Baby Sign Language

Prenatal, Kids, & Mom ‘n’ Baby Yoga

CPR Certification

JOIN US FOR CLASSES & MEET NEW FRIENDS!

SoftBums MNP NR2 V6.indd 1 12/3/14 2:21 PM

Special Olympics MNP 0215 V6.indd 1 1/22/15 9:48 AM

63FEB. 22

Big Healthy Fun Yoga

⊲ Family-friendly yoga led by Lil Breathers Yoga founder Sarah Gillian Fischer helps kids and parents alike start their day with movement and stretching.

When: 11:30 a.m.–noon Feb. 22Where: Minnesota Children’s Museum,

St. PaulCost: Free with museum admission

($9.95 for ages 1 and older) Info: mcm.org or 651-225-6000

ASI Family Day: To Build Is To Invent

⊲ Inspired by the American Swedish Institute’s Nobel Creations exhibit, this day dedicated to family fun offers opportunities to explore crafts and projects, bringing out the inventor in everyone.

When: Noon–4 p.m. Feb. 22Where: American Swedish Institute,

MinneapolisCost: Free with museum admission

($9 for adults, $7 for seniors, $5 for ages 6–18 and students, free for ASI members and ages 5 and younger)

Info: asimn.org or 612-871-4907

Owls, Masters of the Night

⊲ Meet the nature center’s resident owls in this class geared toward ages 5 and older. Take a hike to look for nesting owls and examine owl feathers and pellets.

When: 1–2:30 p.m. Feb. 22Where: Tamarack Nature Center,

MaplewoodCost: $6.50 Info: parks.co.ramsey.mn.us/tamarack

or 651-748-2500

Wild About Wolves ⊲ Explore the life of the gray wolf in

this class for ages 4–9. A portion of the program may include behind-the-scenes visits to areas normally off-limits to


A Fun Way to Spend Your Wednesday Mornings!

Jackson Street Roundhouse 193 Pennsylvania Ave E, St. Paul, MN 55130

CRAFTS TO TAKE HOME

OPEN PLAY AREA WITH TRAIN TABLES

TRAIN-THEMED STORY TIME

COFFEE AND TREATS FOR ADULTS

More Info 651-228-0263 or www.trainride.org

Upcoming Dates

Feb 4 & 18 • Mar 4 & 18

Apr 1 & 15 • May 6 & 20

MN Transportation Museum MNP 0215 H6.indd 3 1/22/15 8:47 AM

64

zoo guests.

When: 1 p.m. Feb. 22Where: Minnesota Zoo, Apple ValleyCost: $50 for each adult-child pair, $37

per adult-child pair for members. Pre-registration required.


FEB. 28

Tech Fest ⊲ In celebration of National Engineers

Week, The Works Museum hosts this special day for families to explore the jobs of scientists and engineers, as

Out & About they lead demonstrations, hands-on projects and activities throughout the day. Additional exhibitors, including local businesses and educational institutes, will share in the activities.

When: 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Feb. 28Where: The Works Museum,

BloomingtonCost: Tickets are $8 ($6 if purchased in

advance). Free for members.Info: theworks.org or 952-888-4262

Star Wars Day ⊲ Meet characters from the movies

and enjoy engineering activities with a Star Wars twist. Movie trivia, animation activities and toy racing are offered for the young Jedi in your family.

When: Noon–4 p.m. Feb. 28Where: Science Museum of

MORE ONLINE! ⊲ Want to learn about even more

local events? Check out Minnesota Parent’s Out&About calendar at mnparent.com/calendar. Click on any day of the month and find things to do!

⊲ Have a cool family-friendly event coming up? Send all the details (plus photos) to [email protected] at least six weeks in advance.

Minnesota, St. PaulCost: Free with museum admission

($13 for adults, $10 for children ages 4–12)



612-825-9205MNPARENT.COM

Creative Kids Academy

Free Music, Spanish, Yoga, Storytelling and Karate!

Anoka * Centerville * Lexington * Maple Grove * MinnetonkaMounds View * Orono (Old Hill School) – 952-473-1225

Create H Learn H Grow

Early Education * 6 Weeks–12 YearsImagine the Possibilities...

Nationally accredited and Parent Aware 4 star rated

ckakids.com 844-ckakids email: [email protected]

Creative Kids Academy MNP 0814 2cx2.2.indd 1 7/10/14 7:55 AMMis Amigos Spanish ImmersionOffering classes for Infants through Preschool

Call 952-935-5588 and schedule a tour!www.misamigosimmersion.com

Locations in Hopkins, Minnetonka, St. Paul, and St. Paul Park

Free Mom & Baby

Classes

Mis Amigos MNP 0114 2cx2.2.indd 1 12/18/13 10:54 AM

Catalina’s Preschool Spanish

Fun music-based classes for ages 1½-6 & parents

612-922-2222www.preschoolspanish.com

Learn SpaniSh with Your ChiLd

Catalina's Preschool Spanish MNP 0812 1cx1.indd 17/18/12 3:39 PM

CHILDREN’S YAMAHA MUSIC SCHOOL Celebrating Over 40 Musical Years in Minnesota!612-339-2255 • www.cyms.ws • Schools in Edina & Roseville

Playing Singing

ComposingAges 3-Adult

Free Preview Classes

Your child is a natural...

Children's Yamaha MNP 1214 2cx2.2.indd 1 11/19/14 12:09 PM

SPECIAL SIZE:7.375” WIDE BY 5.6” HIGH

Bring Growing With Music

to your child care program or playgroup!

Visit our studios in Maplewood and Rochestersing. play. learn.

www.growingwithmusic.com ~ [email protected]

Growing With Music MNP 1114 3cx2.2.indd 1 10/14/14 2:53 PM

CHILDCARE/EDUCATION

MNP 0215 Classifieds.indd 1 1/21/15 10:50 AM

65


NEW & EXPECTING MOMS

PARTY PAGES

Sunnyside Stables, Inc. Rosemount, MN

www.sunnysidestables.org

Not just on for the ride—learn all the basics about horses.

(ALL AGES)651-226-2027

Lessons * Horse Camp * Birthday Parties

Year Round Riding Lessons

Indoor Arena

Public Guided Trail Rides by Appointment Only

Sunnyside Stables MNP 1112 2cx2.2.indd 1 10/25/12 11:07 AM

763-544-3300 Harrison-Electric.com

• Lights or power out, circuit troubleshooting

• Storm damage repair, 24 hour emergency service

• Electrical panel upgrades, fuse to circuit breaker panel

• Ceiling fan and bath exhaust fan installation & servicing

Harrison Electric MNP 1214 1cx2.2.indd 111/19/14 12:12 PM

Theme shows for ALL AGES and

BUDGETS!

30th Anniversary! Nationally awarded & recognized by child

development experts!

www.teddybearband.com(612) [email protected]

Teddy Bear Band MNP 0814 2cx2.2.indd 1 7/8/14 9:39 AM

Buy Buy Baby MNP 0113 2cx2.2.indd 1 12/12/12 4:41 PM

2015

SPONSORED BY:

Sat., Feb. 28th, 10am–2pmComo Park Zoo & Conservatory • mnparent.com/campfair

Find Your Campat Minnesota Parent ’s Camp Fair

FREEEvent

Camp Fair 2015 MNP 0215 3cx3.4.indd 1 1/21/15 12:13 PM

Music LessonsIn Your Home

Give the Gift of MusicCall for details!

• In-home Music Lessons• All Instruments• All Ages

651.204.0929alongcamemusic.com

Along Came Music MNP 1214 1cx2.2.indd 111/4/14 2:53 PM

New Book Release

thedaycarediaries.com

NOW AVAILABLE:most major bookstores,

amazon.com & barnesandnoble.com

McLaughlin, Rebecca MNP 1214 1cx2.2.indd 110/23/14 5:00 PM

Fun Birthday Partiesfor children ages 3 and up!

Have a Wild Birthday at Como Zoo!

Call 651-487-8272 for more information or to schedule your party.

Como Zoo MNP 0214 1cx2.2.indd 11/9/14 4:01 PM

CHILDCARE/EDUCATION MISCELLANEOUS

PLACE AN AD 612-825-9205MNPARENT.COM

MNP 0215 Classifieds.indd 2 1/21/15 12:14 PM

66FROM OUR READERS

WHERE’S THE BEST PLACE FOR A FAMILY BREAKFAST IN THE TWIN CITIES?

Keys Cafe & Bakery — Kayla Klein, Woodbury

Good Day Cafe, Golden Valley — Stacey Person, Mpls

3 Squares, Maple Grove — Bryn Olsen, Maple Grove

Fat Nat’s Eggs — Julie Blauer, Plymouth

Emily’s F&M Cafe, Mpls — Brenda DeMatteo, Mpls

Jensen’s Cafe, Burnsville — Kristi Renner, Lakeville

Longfellow Grill, Mpls — Katie Boody, Mpls

Scotty B’s, Mound — Amy Roelofs, Mound

The Lowbrow, Mpls — Maren Christenson, Mpls

Cahill Diner, Inver Grove Heights — Jen Claude, Inver Grove Heights

Valley Diner, Apple Valley — Trina Greene, Farmington

Dehn’s Country Manor, Maple Grove — Katie Van Camp Hager, Maple Grove

Hans’ Bakery, Anoka — Amanda Brett, Lindstrom

▲ Hudson, Nathan and Cooper Coblentz — 3½-year-old triplets from Arden Hills — are ready to go sledding!

▲ Julia Wiggin, 3, of Minneapolis loves to play the piano and sing with her sisters! Photo by Joanna Wiggin / capturingwhimsyphotography.blogspot.com

▲ Hayden Franson, 1, of Inver Grove Heights, plays with a puck while his big brother, Brecken, attends hockey practice.

▲ Mina Pesavento, 9 months, of Minneapolis, waits patiently for summer.

▲ Mina Moore, 5, of Minneapolis works on ice sculpting at the Winter Trails Day event at Fort Snelling State Park.

Want to see your kid on this page? Send photos with your child’s first/last name, age and city to [email protected].


1-800-WALGREENS (1-800-925-4733) • WALGREENS.COM

Well Beginnings

Walgreens Well Beginnings brand diapers have a soft, stretchable waist and side panels, excellent leakage protection day and night, and a soft cotton outer cover.

Winter Care

Winter is here, and that means the snow will be, too. Take advantage of our great prices on salt and shovels to get rid of the pesky snow on your sidewalk!

Beauty Destination

With beauty trends always evolving and changing, our beauty advisors are always up to date to help you create a new look. Come say hi today!

Balance Rewards

Receive benefits and points with your purchases. Enroll online, or in-store, membership is free!

Turn memoriesinto great photos.

Photos

Come turn your memories into physical prints and posters! With the help of a photo specialist, you can also turn pictures into gifts like puzzles or coffee mugs!

Walgreens MNP 1214 FP with bleed.indd 2 11/20/14 3:58 PM

67

1-800-WALGREENS (1-800-925-4733) • WALGREENS.COM

Well Beginnings

Walgreens Well Beginnings brand diapers have a soft, stretchable waist and side panels, excellent leakage protection day and night, and a soft cotton outer cover.

Winter Care

Winter is here, and that means the snow will be, too. Take advantage of our great prices on salt and shovels to get rid of the pesky snow on your sidewalk!

Beauty Destination

With beauty trends always evolving and changing, our beauty advisors are always up to date to help you create a new look. Come say hi today!

Balance Rewards

Receive benefits and points with your purchases. Enroll online, or in-store, membership is free!

Turn memoriesinto great photos.

Photos

Come turn your memories into physical prints and posters! With the help of a photo specialist, you can also turn pictures into gifts like puzzles or coffee mugs!

Walgreens MNP 1214 FP with bleed.indd 2 11/20/14 3:58 PM

68

You can get there. We can help.

Visit www.MN529today.com or call Chris McLeod 952-830-3127

Start with as little as$25

MN College Savings Plan MNP 0215 FP with bleed.indd 1 1/7/15 3:29 PM

Documents

February 2015