NW Kids March 2009 Issue

www.nwkids.com

Take Frame-Worthy PhotosBest Sites for Sharing

Find a Photographer (online guide)

Plus—Easy one-pot mealsMeMedia Kids

Photography Issue

Say you saw it in the pages of NW Kids2

BirthdaysThe Little Gym ...............................3Mz. Pearl’s Variety Show ............12Penny’s Puppet Productions ......12Munchkin Playland ......................25Sound Roots School of Modern Music ................... 21, 32

Books & ToysSpielWerk Toys .............................17Steiner Storehouse .......................19

ChildcareA Mother’s Love ...........................15Happy Hollow Children’s Center ..........................16Portland Wiz Kids ................ 19, 24

Events and SeasonalThe Mom Shop ..............................3The Pals Project ..............................7Goddard School Summer Sneak Peak .....................................15Pass It On sale ...............................19

Just Between Friends sale ............17Taste of Home Cooking School ...18Goodnight Moon performances ..27Superkids Resale sale ...................29Early Learning Matters open house .....................................29

Food & RestaurantsNew Seasons Market ....................2Munchkin Playland ......................25Hopworks Urban Brewery .........27Taste of Home Cooking School ...18Me Too Café ..................................21Beaverton Bakery ..........................25

Goods and ClothingBackyard Adventures ...................28Clementine .....................................17Super Kids Resale ........................29Mama Baby Boutique .................17Chic Eye Designs ..........................17

HaircutsSit Still ............................................25

ListingsHorseback RidingQuiet Rein Riding School ..........25

Health & FitnessThe Little Gym ...............................3Barre3 ..............................................13Baby Boot Camp ..........................12World of Smiles ............................13

Music, Theatre and DanceChildbloom ....................................19Magic Music Studio ....................19Sound Roots School of Modern Music ................... 21, 32Penny’s Puppet Productions 12Bennett Suzuki Violin Studio ...12

PhotographyReversed Lens Photography ........7Times Two Studios ........................7Pure Image Photography ..............8Petite Fleur .......................................9

Caron d Studio ...............................9Didi Danielle Photography ........10Kiddie Kandids .............................31

Professional ServicesCandice Aiston ..............................21C & C Taxes ..................................13

SchoolsPortland Wiz Kids ................ 19, 24Little Fruit Farm Montessori .....24German American School ..........23Escuela Viva ...................................23Bodhi Tree Learning Center ......23Goddard School ...........................15Sunshine Montessori School .....15Happy Hollow Children’s Center ..........................16Oregon Virtual Academy ...........11Saturday Academy ....................... 19The Early Learning School ........21Early Learning Matters ...............29

3Call 503.282.2711 for advertising information


Editor’s Corner

NW Kids is published monthly by littlemedia, llc.

Every effort is made to ensure accuracy; sometimes we make

errors. Please let us know when we do and accept our apologies.

Printed locally; Please recycle

Editor / PublisherJessica Davis

[email protected]

Editorial AssistantJulie Shamblin

[email protected]

Advertising ManagerMichelle Snell

[email protected]

Account ManagerJenifer Jepson [email protected]

ArtistsErin Sorenson, Corrina Reff, Teddy Raines

[email protected], [email protected]

ContributorsAlisa Gaylord, Dawn Sorem,

For Photography [email protected]

contact us... 503.282.2711Sales, ext. 1Editorial, ext. 2Billing and Business, ext. 3www.nwkids.com

Letting Go

My daughter Rory has a stuffed giraffe she calls “Jerr.” Received as a gift at my baby shower, Jerr was there to welcome Rory home from her birth, and soon became a permanent fixture in my little girl’s arms. She came with us everywhere, and every nap and every night of slumber passed with that giraffe snuggled up in Rory’s arms. Jerr truly became a member of our family.

The giraffe was Rory’s comfort, her lovie. When she got near her Jerr, she’d stroke its soft belly and jam her thumb in her mouth. Jerr’s numerous bald spots are testament to the hours she logged in my daughter’s hands.

Because Jerr aided and abetted Rory’s thumb-sucking habit, like an addict, she would slyly seek him out. As a toddler, she’d—adorably—stand outside her crib and reach through the slots to get in a stroke and a suck. As a 4- and then 5-year-old, looking for a fix, she’d—not so adorably—climb stools or scale counters to get to Jerr.

Everyone told me she’d grow out of the thumb-sucking, and of course they were right. I admit this development thrilled me. Until… One night a few weeks ago, I tucked Rory into her bed, and the giraffe was missing. For several weeks, Jerr was nowhere to be found. And Rory didn’t seem to mind. She was fine without her the giraffe – I was the one who looked for Jerr, but Rory hardly mentioned it. How could this be? How could she not miss her beloved Jerr?

I realized Rory was outgrowing her lovie, and I recognized that she would one day also outgrow her other early childhood rituals and habits. It occurred to me that just like thumb-sucking and rubbing Jerr, she might one day outgrow her need for me. If she could so effortlessly get by without her giraffe, she could surely get by without her mama. And though intellectually I know that one day she will grow up and be independent, I watched with joy when, upon seeing Jerr emerge from the depths of one of the laundry hampers, Rory screamed in delight “JERR!!” Emotionally I know she will never outgrow her love—for me or for Jerr—completely. She hugged her little lovie tight to her chest. So did I.

Lots of love to you and your lovies this month!—Jessica davis, [email protected]


on the cover...Photos on left courtesy of sugarplum photo, www.sugarplumphoto.com, photos on right submitted by a local parent

Photography 6

what’s inside...Take Frame-Worthy Photos

Family Networking Programs

OPB's Children's Programming Chief Discusses the Current Lineup

MeMedia Kids Takes Personalized Storybooks to a New Level

Best Websites, Recipes, Crafts, and more

Birthday 24

Crafts 22

Profile 14

Food 20

Mama Says 30

contents

on the web... New! Photographer Guide: www.nwkids.com/guide.photography

searchable school Guide: www.nwkids.com/guide/schools

ticket giveaways! Enter to win four tickets to Goodnight Moon at the NW childrens theater: www.nwkids.com/tickets

Your little one could be on the next cover of NW Kids. Email your pics to [email protected]

show us where the fun is..


Photography

Contributors: Melissa Hathaway, Melissa Tomeoni, Emma Darden, Christy Rimrodt

We all love having beautiful shots of our kids, and often we rely on sessions with professional photographers to get “frame-worthy” prints. Problem is, we do this maybe once or twice a year, and the kids make beautiful memories every single day. So we asked a few local experts how to take better shots to capture the other 364 days of the year.

A typical home shot is generally taken with a point-and-shoot digital camera. Th e child is standing up and looking straight at the camera. If we’re lucky, our little one has a goofy grin. Th e question is – does this really refl ect what your child looks like? Will it match what your memories of your child will be?

Follow these simple tips to capture frame-worthy photos.

ten tips to turn Your Photos into Keepsakes

Top two photos courtesy of Sugarplum photo, bottom photo courtesy of Reversed Lens


Get Down. Get on your knees or belly, so you can interact with the environment your child experiences. “See what they see, explore the world from their point of view,” says Melissa Tomeoni from Soul Mates Photo. Your photos will be more realistic plus shooting them from their level helps kids relax because they don’t have to raise or lower their head to look at you. Getting down at their level also helps them relax because you can show them your camera, show them images on your screen, and help them feel involved in the photo-process.Move / exaMine Pieces anD Parts. You need to get close to your little one if you want a great photo. If you’re at the birthday party, you must put down your cake and get right up next to the candles. “You can’t just sit there; you have to train yourself to move closer to the action,” advises Emma Darden of Reversed Lens Photography. Same with the first steps or the first missing tooth. “Face it – your house is probably not picture

perfect all the time – don’t let that pile of laundry or clutter in the back of the room ruin a perfectly good photo. Just crop it out,” says Darden. Along these same lines, take photos of individual body parts, recommends Tomeoni. “Get super close ups of those chubby legs, fingers and ears – any body part you love to squeeze and smooch.” These will be images you want to remember. ”It’s also really fun to tell your child to look at themselves in the lens reflection,” says Christy Rimrodt of Studio Christy. “This creates great eye contact and they will move in REALLY close to the lens!”Focus on the chilD. Your kids will respond more naturally to your face than they do to some camera pointed at them. The picture will reflect if the camera makes them tense. Tomeoni recommends you do this instead: with your camera, focus on your child (preferably the eyes will be in the center of the portrait box), then hold the shutter down halfway. This keeps the frame in focus. While


keeping your fi nger in place, move the camera down so your little one can see you make your funny faces. Chat with your child, maintain eye contact, and get him or her to relax. Th e moment that happens, start snapping away at the shutter.stoP PosinG! Capture your children’s everyday lives instead. “If I could eradicate one word from the English language, it would be ‘cheese,’” says Darden. “Th is posing halts any authentic moments and creates a contrived emotion.” If you really want to get your child in the act of being joyful, take photos of those ordinary moments around the house—brushing their teeth, nursing, eating, listening to stories, watching TV. Make sure you photograph them with their favorite stuffi es or your favorite hats and coats. Document it all. A good way to help your child be natural is to just talk to them. “Most of the time if you get them going on something they love or are excited about, they will forget that the camera is there and let their guard down,” says Rimrodt. She also suggests specifi c activities, such as asking two kids race each other in the backyard, or spin around in a circle. watch tv. Darden says this will help demonstrate one of the cardinal rules of

Photo courtesy of Soul Mates Photo

Photography


photography: the Rule of Thirds. Basically, take a rectangle, draw a tic-tac-toe pattern, and focus on the where the lines intersect. On TV, the actors are rarely smack dab in the middle of the screen – they are slightly off the side, which is a much more compelling composition.In experimenting with composition, Don’t be aFraiD to croP off at unexpected locations. “It’s okay to cut off the top of someone’s head to get close ups of your child’s eyelashes, or ears, or teeth.” These intentional crops add visual interest. turn oFF that Darn Flash! Most people set their flash to Auto and don’t think too much about it. But Auto flash is the No. 1 thing that will ruin a really good snapshot, according to Melissa Hathaway of Melissa Hathaway Photography. Your camera should have the capability of turning off the auto flash — pull out your handy dandy manual for instructions for how to do this (see next tip). Next, you want to find a big open light source. If you’re indoors, look for the biggest window in your house and stick your kids right in front of it. Now, snap away! “Even on the cloudiest days here in the Pacific Northwest, a simple thing such as moving your subject to a bigger light source in your house will do the trick,” says Hathaway.reaD the Manual. All the photographers we spoke with agree that learning how to use your

NW Kids REsouRcE GuidE to Local Photographers specializing in Mama, Baby, and child portraits:

www.nwkids.com/guide/photography

More Tips, including how to organize and share your digital photos: www.nwkids.com/photo/organizeSee these principles in action in the NW Kids online slideshow: www.nwkids.com/photo/slideshow

PhotoGRaPhER WEBsitEs:Melissa Hathaway Photographywww.melissahathaway.com

Reversed Lens Photographywww.reversedlensphotography.com/

Soul Mates Photowww.soulmatesphoto.com/

Studio Christywww.studiochristy.com/


camera can do a world of good. In addition to the auto fl ash three settings in particular—White Balance, Portrait Mode and Burst or Action Mode— can help you hone your craft. Many local photo supply shops, including Pro Photo Supply in the Pearl District, off er classes or walk-in advice on your particular camera settings.And most important of all – MaKe sure You alwaYs have a FullY charGeD batterY! You should have two batteries, one charging while the other is in use. When a photo session is over, put the used battery on a charger and put the backup fully charged battery in the camera for the next time.shoot oFten. Delete. Go ahead and take 100 shots. It probably takes at least 10 tries to get one good picture of one person. Choose the best one and delete the other 99. Repeat frequently and you’ll have an amazing album that doesn’t overwhelm you putting it together. Print Your Photos. Th ey don’t do much good hiding out in your camera or on your laptop if you don’t share them. Put them in frames or albums or at least on a photo sharing website. If you want the absolutely best possible image quality for print, switch your camera to save images as TIFF or RAW and edit them with your software (note that these fi les are considerably larger -- they’ll fi ll your memory card twice as fast.) For emailing, printing or posting online, you’ll eventually convert them to JPEG format. JPEGs are perfectly acceptable in most cases, but you should set your camera to “high quality” or “fi ne” to maximize their crispness.Don’t forget to DocuMent aGes between 5 – 18! Professional photographers are busy at several key stages in a baby’s life: at birth, when the baby starts to move, and right around his or her fi rst birthday. Th en the kids are often not professionally shot until they graduate from high school, leaving a whole lotta cute on the table. "Th is is one of the most common things I hear from clients," agrees Rimrodt. Just take photos on a regular basis of all children and you’ll be fi ne. Also try not to neglect the early days of baby #2 , #3, and so on…

Photography

Photo courtesy of Reversed Lens Photography


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Ten years ago we would have balked at the idea of checking our personal

email more than once or twice a day and certainly any convo involving texting, Facebook apps or Twittering would have rendered us clueless. We would also pore through family and friends’ scrapbooks, albums, or if your family is like mine, flip through stacks of unfiled photos… we even perhaps sat through a slideshow of someone’s trip to Europe. Now, of course, when we communicate more frequently from our blackberries and laptops than face to face, it only makes sense that we would also share our personal photos and family updates on specialty networking sites.

In a cyber-sea of networking sites, its time to

get on board with the one that makes the most sense for your family. Three types of networking sites go beyond the typical Facebook or MySpace format – thus ensuring that little ones (or even grandma for that matter) won’t be seeing inappropriate messages or sharing screen time with former colleagues or people we knew in high school.

Sites for the Whole FamilyPerfect for families who want to stay well connected, family

networking sites allow relatives and approved members to post photos, share stories or videos, plan events, and give quick updates on everyone else’s lives.

There’s no shortage of these sites, but our personal favorite is www.WorldWideNest.com. Not only

Family-Friendly Networking


Photographyis it free and easy to use with lots of great features but it’s also the brainchild of a local Hood River gal (Melanie Salisbury). Th e website describes each family’s nest as a “virtual scrapbook, photo album, newsletter and refrigerator door wrapped in one.” Sounds good to us! Others to check out include myfamily.com and ning.com.

Just for Kids SitesTh ere’s not doubt about it, little kids will always want what the big kids have. So it’s no wonder that more and more sites are popping up that off er many of the same features that the big kids have on Facebook and MySpace but that also satisfy parents’ concerns about safety, security and sure-fi re fi ltering.

On sites like www.imbee.com, kids can connect with friends from school, join groups to make new friends and participate in parent- and teacher-approved activities. Although the site is designed especially for kids ages 7-13, it’s also important to

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Baby Networking SitesDespite how improbable it may sound, sites such as www.totspot.com and www.Kidmondo.com are growing in popularity. On these sites, parents create profi les from the perspective of their babies and provide updates to interested parties via photos, stories about outings and news about their development milestones. Yes, we’re talking about personal sites for individuals who communicate via smiles, cries and coos, and yes, social networking has stretched to the crib, but hey, it provides parents with an outlet for creative pursuits, right?


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NW Kids: We like some of the new shows on OPB this year. Are these coming from PBS or are they locally produced?Gardner: Most of OPB programming primarily comes from PBS, which is a national service for programming. Th ere’s been a new director of children’s television at PBS who is slowly, slowly changing the face of PBS Kids. She is strongly committed to bringing educational and fun shows to air and to developing educational online content. She said, “Dora (the Explorer) should have been a PBS show,” and I think you are seeing a move in that direction with our new shows—Martha Speaks, Word World and Word Girl.

NW Kids: Th ose are great shows. Gardner: Th ese all have educational value, and they’re presented so that kids don’t realize they are learning. We are making a conscious eff ort to update the programming, keeping it fresh and making learning fun.

NW Kids: One thing I like about the new shows is that I haven’t seen the characters plastered all over stuff . Will there one day be Martha Speaks dolls? Gardner: Th e marketing and the licensing of toy characters have nothing to do with PBS or OPB. Th ose decisions occur with the show producers.

NW Kids: So let’s talk about what you mean by “educational.” I watch Curious George or Cliff ord and I wonder what the kids are really learning.Gardner: Th ese shows teach other skills. Bob the Builder for example, has a strong emphasis on social skills, which are necessary for preschool.

Th e learning is not obviously academic.

NW Kids: So what are the factors that determine whether a show stays or goes?Gardner: Financial considerations are a huge factor – producers of a show will run out of money or OPB can no longer aff ord it.

Sometimes the actors on the show move on – LeVar Burton has not made a new episode of Reading Rainbow in several years. Bob the Builder – if you pay attention you’ll notice the characters have diff erent voices over time. Sesame Street has been very lucky to keep the same core people on the show, plus it benefi ts from all the celebrities that appear. (note: Th e Muppet Wiki has a pretty good list of guest stars: muppet.wikia.com) You’ll see a show move to one day a week or into the 6:30am timeslot – this is a signal to viewers that the show is going away (note: Mr. Rogers now airs in this timeslot. Be prepared to bid adieu).

NW Kids: So are all the shows on OPB your personal favorites?Gardner: Yes and no. I have been doing this a long time so I have experience making predictions. I hear from a lot of parents. And I go with my gut. Shows like Barney I just don’t think any adult really understands… Th omas is almost magical. It is suprising to me sometimes how shows just catch on. I introducted it to my grandson and the way he adored it, I just saw something.

MaRY GaRdNER:

Matchmaker

As OPB’s children’s programming manager, Gardner chooses which shows — and when —air on your local PBS Kids. Her opinion can shape which TV characters your children will fall in love with. Gardner spoke with NW Kids about what goes on behind the scenes at PBS and OPB.

Profile

Tune into PBS Kids on OPB: www.opb.org/kidsfamily/ and check out the great online programming for additional educational experiences.


There’s no denying that I luuuurve the Internet. This month I thought I’d share some of my favorite family sites.

www.pbskids.orgGreat extension of some of your favorite shows, with interactive games, downloadable worksheets and more.

www.kerpoof.comKerpoof is a dynamic activity site where children of all ages can make pictures, movies, drawings, cards, or complete stories. Turn any picture into a coloring page: choose a setting or background, and drag and drop elements onto the page, save and print.

www.worldwidetelescope.orgExplore the universe, take tours of space, and excite children about the world beyond planet Earth.

www.youtube.comThis is a no-brainer! We use it to demonstrate an activity the kidlets have never done before, such as skiing or gymnastics, and of course, for short videos or show clips to entertain with. I feel dumb even trying to describe YouTube, because I am most certain you know what it is.

www.storynory.comClassic and original audio tales read aloud in a crisp English accent. Pretty good collection of stories from which to stream, download, catch in itunes or in an iphone.

www.storylineonline.netOn this site, designed for kids to navigate themselves, Hollywood stars (mainly those recognizable to tweens) read books aloud in well-produced and engaging online videos; discussion questions, downloads and more accompany each story.

www.commonsensemedia.orgThis site reviews websites, tv shows, dvds, video games and provides detailed analysis on age

Favorite Online Destinations

appropriateness (to the year), violence, sex, highlights the overall message of the show and also reviews whether it's any good.

www.parenthacks.comThis site, made by a local parent, offers tips or “hacks” for life around the house. The wide variety of tips include “pipe cleaners: the perfect road-trip toy,” “tidying up is more fun with cooking tongs” as well as meatier topics such as discussing death with toddlers and juggling motherhood and work.

www.eensies.comPenned by two teachers, this blog is chock full of quick, digestible bits of fun, educational tips, such as counting games to develop math skills to help parents create fun “homework time.” The bloggers respond directly to readers, so if there’s something you’re a little embarrassed to ask your kidlet’s teacher…

www.todayisfun.com/blogThe activities on this blog will help you keep kids occupied for hours on end, without having to spend money or buy stuff. Some categories include Waiting Room Activities, Things to Do at a Restaurant, Good for the Car, and so on.

You can also check out my Delicious bookmarks online for more sites I like as well as articles on topics I think you'll like, (www.delicious.com; user name is magazinemama).

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"Th is Tigard girl is playing at Cook park and really hamming up the camera. She loves to sing, dance, slide, and watch Barney!" Th anks to her parents for sharing this photo. Have one you want to share? Send it to [email protected].


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Creating meals the whole family can eat

The first few months of feeding my daughter solid food was simple. I prepared and froze batches of puréed baby food that I could pull out of the freezer to defrost at meal time. Then, the day Claire turned ten months old, she refused her beloved puréed baby food. I was challenged to create healthy meals that the whole family could eat. Even as a professional baby-food creator, I struggled to find a combination that not only would my 3 1/2 year old son eat, but also that would encourage Claire to utilize her newly found pincer grasp.

I’ve never been one to make a lot of one-pot meals, but I turned to them with glee, thinking of the time I would save by not chopping Claire’s meals into the appropriately sized bites. I sought out meals that already contained tiny bits of grub so Claire could feed herself with her little pincers and I could still serve one meal to the entire family.

It’s still a lovely time of year for warm comfort foods, and with St. Patrick’s Day on the horizon, meat-filled puff pastries came to mind. I created a lighter version of chicken pot pie made with root vegetable risottos, and pastas. With a one-pot meal, you have all of the food groups in one go. Plus, there’s less cleanup at the end of the meal! I also found that my son, Ethan, was more willing to eat his vegetables when they were incorporated into the dish rather than on the side. He happily picks out the peas, carrots, and green beans to eat from the chicken pot pie. Often, he eats more veggies than he does chicken!

Now, I am looking forward to the day when my daughter masters the use of her spoon!

These one-pot meals satisfy the littlest eaters to the rest of the family.

Alisa is the founder/owner of Gaia Baby Food (www.gaiababyfood.com). She lives in SW Portland with her husband, two children and their labrador dog.

Recipe:Puff Pastry Chicken Pot Pie

This can easily be made vegetarian, use vegetable broth and leave out chicken.

Ingredients: ½ onion, small diced 1 parsnip, small diced 2 carrots, small diced 1 celery, small diced 3 cups chicken or vegetable broth 4 cups any combination of frozen vegetables (peas, broccoli, cauliflower, yams, etc) 2 cups cooked chicken, small diced (left over chicken works great) 2/3 cup flour 1 ½ cups any type milk (even fat-free) 1 tablespoon thyme 1 teaspoon black pepper 1 teaspoon worcheshire 1 sheet frozen puff pastry dough, defrosted 1 tablespoon olive oil

Preheat oven to 400º. In a large stock pot, add olive oil to pot over medium heat. Sauté onions, carrots, parsnips, celery, and black pepper until softened, about 10 minutes. Add chicken or vegetable broth, bring to boil over high heat. Add frozen vegetables, reduce heat to simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes. With a slotted spoon, remove vegetables from pot and place into a large glass baking dish. Add chicken to glass dish.

Meanwhile, in a separate bowl whisk flour, milk, and worcheshire together until lumps are gone. Slowly add flour mixture to broth. Return heat to medium-high heat. Broth will thicken. Pour over chicken and vegetables. Slightly roll out puff pastry and place on top of chicken mixture. Cut a few slices in puff pastry to allow for venting. Place in oven and cook for 20 minutes. Puff pastry will be golden brown. Enjoy!

by Alisa Gaylord

Food


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Springtime is here and the fl owers are popping out their pretty little heads, why not make some fl owers of your own? Th is project is perfect to do inside on rainy spring day or outside on a sunny spring day, but no matter the weather, when you are fi nished you will get to enjoy a bit of outside beauty inside!

Materials❁ Several toilet paper rolls❁ Wooden BBQ skewers❁ Paper or plastic cup❁ Tempera or acrylic paint❁ Foam brush❁ Paint brush❁ Crinkle paper or shredded paper❁ Scissors❁ Small container for water❁ Newspaper (to cover table)

CraftsSpring Flowers Made With Paper rolls

Steps❁ Paint the skewers (these will be the stems of the fl owers) and set them aside to dry.❁ Next, using your foam brush paint the inside of your toilet paper rolls, these will be your fl owers.❁ Th en, with the foam brush paint the outside of your toilet paper rolls using diff erent colors and add some designs to them with the paint brush. Set them aside to dry.❁ If you want you can also paint your cup, this will be the vase.❁ After the toilet paper rolls are dry, carefully cut half-inch slits on both ends leaving one inch uncut in the middle.❁ Th en peel back each slit and make a nice round fl ower.❁ Poke the skewer in the bottom of the fl owers.❁ Take the shredded paper and place it in the vase.❁ Put the stems in the vase (crinkle paper will help hold the fl owers in place).❁ Now that the fl owers are opened up you can paint more designs on the fl owers.Enjoy!

Dawn Sorem teaches arts and crafts classes and she does private classes/parties for both children and adults. If you would like more information or to set up a time to have her do an art project for a group you can contact her at [email protected]. Dawn is also the owner and designer of Envelop Cards, you can view her latest designs and see a list of her upcoming classes at: www.envelopcards.com.


It's like sending your child to Germany for the day.

At the German American School of Portland we have a knack for teaching

children a second language. We make it fun. Not only do our students learn

a second language, they are immersed in German culture through music, art,

books and conversation with everyone around them.

In return, they have the opportunity to become better listeners, more flexible

in their thinking and moin their thinking and more open to other languages and cultures.

Bilingualism. The gift that lasts a lifetime.


Who wouldn’t want to be the star of his or her own adventure? Rich Nevin, a Portland parent and founder of MeMedia Kids, thought that kids should star in their own stories. Doing so could help

them connect with reading and enjoy all that great picture books have to offer, so he set out to make a great children’s book. Within a few years, MeMedia Kids has married the personalized book concept with compelling storytelling that places your kids in the center of the action.

MeMedia Kids has on online, interactive interface where you upload multiple photos of your child, play around with cropping and angles, and create the character of your child. Within a week or so, you will receive a hard-bound, high-quality, 8-inch by 8-inch book with your child’s face throughout the book, complete with his or her name on the cover. There are currently two books available with more planned.

“We were challenged to tell a story in such a way that the kids could take the experience

Personalized Books from MeMedia Kids Perfect for a Birthday or Any Day

and extend it to their own storytelling efforts,” says Nevin. “From a creativity standpoint, we wanted to be in their (the kids’) brains a bit.” He emphasizes that story comes first; the line of offerings from MeMedia Kids is not meant to be a “cute” keepsake that is kept on a shelf; it is meant to be a beloved book that is read over and over again.

So what goes into making a great children’s book? “A healthy dose of research,” says Nevin, whose two children / “consultants” who provide ideas about what kinds of things the characters should do and feedback on the direction of the books. Nevin says “they are fickle editors.”

MeMedia Kids is located right here in Portland and online at www.memediakids.com The website has additional activities, including coloring pages, songs, character voiceovers and more: www.memediakids.com/coolstuff

Birthday


Kids Design Their Own

Delicious Birthday Cake!

Now Offering Decorating Sessions

Enter to win a free cake + decorating session:www.nwkids.com/tickets | Event: Cakewalk

Winners chosen monthly

12375 SW Broadway, Beaverton | 503-646-7136

16857 SW 65th, Lake Oswego | 503-639-8900

beavertonbakery.com

NOW OPEN!

A fun place for young kids to play

Delicious Stumptown coffee and espresso Magazines & WiFi

Reserve for parties

18335 NW West Union Rd, Portland 97229

munchkinplayland.com 503-533-5438

ENJOY Hunter, Jumper, and Equitation lessons in a gentle, focused environment. Quiet Rein provides professional care and training for riders and their horses preparing for the “A” show circuit, in association with Rain Creek Farms.

WE OFFER a positive & safe start on experienced school horses for all ages & skill levels.

HORSE AND PONY lease options and sales are available.

Summer Camps will be offered in 2009!

Jill McGrady, Trainer/Instructor Vicki Zacharias, Trainer/Instructor

At Rain Creek Farms 20833 S. Redland Rd, Oregon City, OR 97045

(503) 544-7999 cell | www.quietrein.com

Rain Creek

Quiet Rein Riding School

tais kulish 2008

walk-ins welcomed—appointments recommended

5656 Hood St. Suite 105, West Linn, OR 97068 503-657-3975 www.sitstillkids.com

Real Style, Real Fun*haircuts, coloring, styling

*mini-manicures & pedicures*birthday parties

*fun accessories & unique gifts


March 14 Benefit family ConCert for iHi Guest appearances by popular musicians Steve Seskin and Peter Yarrow. IHI offers a range of youth programs. 5pm - 6pm; $5 per person/$10 per family The Monkey and The Rat. www.themonkeyandtherat.com

March 14 Bee Positive DanCe PartyDavid Hall and friends are back for another sing-and-dance-along, ants-in-your-pants-along good time! Airplay Café; $7 kids, $12 adults, toddlers under 18 months free. www.beepositive.net

March 15 Professor BanJo ConCertThe banjo-slinging, old-time singing “Professor Banjo” entertains children with sing-a-longs, dancing games, and lively old-time music. 5pm; Airplay Café, $10 per family

March 21 yoUnG PeoPle’s ConCert: stranGe instrUments for a maGiCal timePortland Baroque Orchestra introduces dances and songs played for knights and queens in palaces and gardens on 400-year-old instruments. 2pm, First Baptist Church, www.pbo.org

March 21-april 5 GooDniGHt moonThis new musical delights in the poetry and music of everyone’s favorite bedtime story. Best enjoyed by kids 4 and up. Various show times, Northwest Children’s Theater, www.nwcts.org

March 28 toy trains ConCertThe Toy Trains play rock music for kids and families in highly enjoyable shows with a variety of instruments. At Airplay Cafe, 5:30 - 6:30 ($5 per person, or $10 for families) www.toytrainsband.com

Performances & Concerts

Through March 22 HonUs & me: a BaseBall CarD aDventUreWith an original 1909 Honus Wagner baseball card in his possession, 12-year-old Joe Stoshack soon learns that the card is not only valuable but magical. An OCT production; www.otct.org

March 1, 6 & 8 tHe KinG PerformanCe at alPenrose Dairy oPera HoUse The King is the story of Saul and David, Israel’s first kings. Brilliant costumes and lively dances the whole family can enjoy. www.alpenrose.com

March 6 & 7 Peter PanChildren are the stars of this production telling the story of Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, Captain Hook and the island of merry buccaneers. plays twice in March at Oregon City Children’s Theatre, www.occtheatre.org

March 7 CaPtain BoGG & salty in ConCertPortland’s roughest swaggerin’ scallywaggs play rare Portland performances to celebrate the national release of their newest CD, “Emphatical Piratical.”11am & 1pm, Curious Comedy Theater; www.ticketturtle.com for tickets

March 9 noontime sHoWCase: PortlanD oPera to Go, CinDerellaNoontime Showcase is a once a month program featuring family-friendly performances; presented by the volunteers of PCPA as a “thank you” to the community for supporting the arts! Free event, tickets not needed. Especially geared toward kids in grades K - 6; 12pm, www.pcpa.com

MarchCalendar2009


eventsMarch 1, 14 & 28 little KiDs’ JamBoreeInteractive event using simple instruments, songs, imagination and movement. Check www.littlekidsjamboree.com for location and times. March 4story time mUsiCian10:30am, Garden Home Community Library, 7475 SW Oleson Rd. www.gardenhome.plinkit.org

March 13 family friDaysChamber music for everyone, 7pm (tickets fi rst-come fi rst served at 6:30), Community Music Center, 3350 SE Francis St. $5 per personwww.communitymusiccenter.org

March 14 & 21 Parent’s sUrvival niGHt6-9:30pm, Th e Little Gym – Children enjoy an evening of physical fi tness, games, and fun under the watchful eyes of professional instructors. Call for times & pricing, directions, and to reserve your spot.www.thelittlegym.com

March 14 niGHt in tHe mUseUmPortland Children’s Museum, 5:30pm-8:30am,$40 for members (up to 4 people with 1 adult) and $55 for non-members. Overnighter with crafts, games, movies, dinner and breakfast.www.portlandcm.org

Calendar

503.232.4677PORTLAND, OREGON

2944SE Powell

featuring a Healthy & organic kids menu

keep the kids happy in our

FUN indoor play area!

Great for afternoon playdates!Great for afternoon playdates!

Fam i l y fr i e nd ly❤ ❤

March 15 sHamroCK rUn – 1K lePreCHaUn KiDs laP7:45am, SW Naito Pkwy between Oak St and Stark St. www.shamrockrunportland.com

March 15 ComeDy sPortZ for KiDs2pm, Comedy Sportz, 1963 NW Kearney St.www.portlandcomedy.com

March 17 st. PaDDy’s Day enriCHment at tHe Zoo10am, Oregon Zoo, 4001 SW Canyon Rd.www.oregonzoo.org

March 23-27 safeWay sPrinG BreaK at oaKs ParK12-5pm, Oaks Park, 7805 SE Oaks Park Waywww.oakspark.com

March 25-april 26 annUal tUliP festival9am-6pm, Wooden Shoe Bulb Company, 33814 South Meridian Rd.www.woodenshoe.com

March 27-29Better livinG Home, GarDen & lifestyle sHoWVarious starting times, Portland Expo Center, 2060 N Marine Drive. www.betterlivingshow.org

March 29 CeleBrate sPrinG BreaK WitH flUmPa & WenDy1pm & 2:30pm, Oregon Zoo, 4001 SW Canyon Rd.www.oregonzoo.org


www.oregonzoo.org www.oregonzoo.org

Don’t forget about the area’s many museums. Most offer free admission on certain days and times. Several are free all the time. www.nwkids.com/MuseumDeals

MONDAYSTINY TOT TIME

10:30am, Green Frog Toys

PARACHUTE PLAY3pm, Portland Children’s Museum

FREE MONDAYS AT WASHINGTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY & MUSEUM

10am – 4:30pm

TUESDAYSTODDLER STORY TIME

10:30am, Garden Home Community Library

STORY TIME 10am, Café Sip-n-Play

FREE ADMISSION TO THE PORTLAND POLICE MUSUEM

10am – 3pm

WEDNESDAYSHONEYBEE HIKES

10am, Leach Botanical Garden

THIRD WEDS. – LITTLE PIRATE STORYTIME11am, Captain Henry’s

ONGOING EVENTSPlease visit the NW Kids website for more detail, location, and contact info.

THURSDAYSPRESCHOOL STORYTIME & ACTIVITY10am, Barnes & Noble – Jantzen Beach

POP IN PLAY TIME12 – 1:30pm, Pump it Up Jr.

FRIDAYSCHILDREN’S STORY TIME10am, Borders Book – Bridgeport Village

KID’S “OUR TIME” YOGA10am, Poise Studio, Beaverton

FIRST FRIDAYS – OPEN STUDIO AT MY MASTERPIECE ART STUDIO5 – 8PM, 7905 SW Cirrus Drive, 27G

SATURDAYSGUIDED NATURE WALKS10 – 11:30am, Tryon Creek State Park

TREEmendous Second Saturday at the World Forestry Center Discovery Museum10:30am – 3pm

THIRD SATURDAY – Free admission to the Oregon Historical Society


30

Mama Says

A plan. To plan. The Master Plan. It’s been planned. Like so many parents, we thought we had planned for

everything. We planned to start “trying” early (as an infertile couple, we were advised it could take quite a while to conceive). So of course, we got pregnant within one month, throwing our timing off course. Our plan was for our son to be born at the beginning of next summer, not the end of this one.

We saved three months worth of salary to pay for my maternity leave, which would be unpaid. Currently, pregnancy as a short-term disability benefit is not a state law. Some companies do provide it, but not all, and most employees do NOT have any benefit options to extend or pay for leave. So I planned for the gaps in my salary.

Our plan, however, did not include five weeks of bed rest. It did not foresee our son’s premature birth six weeks early. Our plan had no clause for our son’s two-week stay in the NICU, nor for the extra time off my husband had to take from work.

How does anyone plan for the sheer (physical, emotional, spiritual) exhaustion of a newborn? Can one plan or prepare for constant emotional overload? Fear, joy, worry, love, doubt, powerlessness and frustration all ripped our hearts and guts out as we watched our wee child struggle for life, unable to hold him through all the tubes.

Paid Family Leave: You can’t plan for everythingBy Teresa Weis

Teresa Weis works in a school as a therapist, has a private practice in Portland, and is a member of Parents for Paid Leave,

a grassroots group working to pass the paid family leave insurance bill currently in front of the Oregon Legislature. When not

doing these activities or parenting a 20 month old, she plays washtub bass and sings in the Stumptown Jug Thumpers.

To learn more about the bill and how you can help please visit www.oregonpaidfamilyleave.org or

www.parentsforpaidleave.org

Who could’ve planned for our son’s ongoing respiratory problems, or the additional time it took to establish breastfeeding—complications of his premature birth? My baby was three months old before he was able to nurse without assistance. According to our original plan, I should be just be heading back to work!

How does one plan for the guilt and sadness that course through your body when you first drop your wee baby off at childcare, earlier in his life than you thought he might be ready? My husband and I had to go back to work just to keep the household afloat, and so we prayed our son’s lungs and immune system would stay strong.

We planned like no other... we really thought out the best way to maximize our time off to care for a healthy newborn. And life happened anyway. No conceivable plan could have accounted for the complications or just the plain reality of having a baby.

People who argue against paid family leave usually say, “you should have planned better.” But the fact is, paid leave was the missing bridge that could have allowed us to stick with our plan. It could have saved our community and Oregon taxpayers the financial costs that we were simply unable to bear. The plan with children is that there is no plan that can encompass all the unknowns that their little lives bring.

Say you saw it in the pages of NW Kids

NW Kids March 2009 Issue

Documents

Transcript of NW Kids March 2009 Issue