January, 2018 | Parenting OC

Archives for January 2018

Published January 18, 2018Admin Only:

All the nominations are in for Parenting OC’s Top Teachers of Orange County 2018: Family Favorite! Parents and students throughout Orange County have written in about who their favorite teachers are and why. The top 5 Family Favorite teachers will be announced at Parenting OC’s Top Teachers of Orange County Awards Reception on February 7, 2018 at Bowers Museum, along with the top Family Favorite! Here is a list of all of the nominees, and check back in mid-February to read all of the submissions!

To see all of the teachers who were nominated for the Top Teacher of Orange County, and to find out who the top 25 finalists are, click here to see the list!

Click here to purchase tickets and attend the Top Teachers Awards Reception 2018

Top 26 Family Favorite Teachers of Orange County

Kelly Anderson Bathgate Elementary School	Teresa Andrade McPherson Magnet
Jeannean Casolari Orange Crescent School	Becky Chacon St. Pius V Catholic School
Kayee Conrad Mcpherson Magnet	Pilar Demarest St. John’s Lutheran School
Janifer Douglas Hewes Middle School	Shannon Duncan Mcpherson Magnet School
Ann Ghenem Orange crescent school	Eman Ghanem Orange Crescent School
David Hennings Shorecliffs Middle school	Summayia Illyas Orange Crescent School
Lou Inguito St. Pius V Catholic School	Teresa Jackson Clinton Elementary
Robert Johnson Oak Grove Elementary School	Angela Larzo George B Miller
Zainab Nazarkhan Orange Crescent School	Stacie Rego St. Edward the Confessor Catholic School
Kristina Rehm Oxford Preparatory Academy,Saddleback Valley	Sergio Sanabria Marco Forster Middle School
Donna Smiggs Castille Elementary	Matthew Smith Red Hill Lutheran
Bonnie Solomon Ladera Elementary	Karen Terreri George B Miller
Lauri Truong McPherson Magnet School	Nelson Walton Orange Crescent School

All Nominated Family Favorite Teachers

Royal Aliso Viejo Middle School	Stan Abe Fred Newhart Middle School	Alia Aboulnasr Orange Crescent School
Mayra Aguillera OCEAA	Ebtisam Alkodwa Orange Crescent School	Danielle Allison Acaciawood Preparatory Academy
Ahmad Almutawa OCS	Joyce Ancheta Orange crescent school	Kelly Anderson Bathgate Elementary School
Teresa Andrade McPherson Magnet	Christina Aranda Orange County Educational Arts Academy	Aisha Aslam Orange Crescent School
Steve Babnick Cerro Villa	Megan Baedeker Fred Newhart Middle School	Randell Bailey Newhart middle school
Mrs. Blanton El Morro Elementary	Regina Bork St. Edward the Confessor	Tracy Botting Hidden Hills Elementary Academy of Technology
Dave Brenner Red Hill Lutheran School	Karen Brown Woodsboro Elementary	Mark Brown Shorecliffs
Brittney Bruley Currie Middle School	Julie Buetow Pioneer middke	Shellie Burton Huntington Christian School
Brian Campbell Shorecliffs Middle School	Nick Cappuccilli Santa Margarita Catholic High School	Jeannean Casolari Orange Crescent School
Becky Chacon St. Pius V Catholic School	Rocio Chavez Rubio OCEAa	Phillip Chow Beckman High School
Melissa Cirelli Eastwood elementary	Beth Clark St. John’s Lutheran School	Kayee Conrad Mcpherson Magnet
Pam Cook St. John’s Lutheran	Elise De Jesse Bryant Ranch Elementary	Pilar Demarest St. John’s Lutheran School
Leah DeNisi Davis Magnet School	Bruce Dickey Santa Margarita Catholic High School	Cynthia J. Dickson Tijeras Creek Elementary
Janifer Douglas Hewes Middle School	Mary Driscoll The Parish School at St. Edward the Confessor	Raquel Duenas Western High School
Shannon Duncan Mcpherson Magnet School	Janis Eberhart Bathgate Elementary	Violaine El-Basri International School of Los Angeles
Jenna Elkins Imperial Elementary	Stephen Faller Travis Ranch Middle School	Joanne Farrell Beckman High School
Tracey Frank-Pringle Club Literacy	Calvo Fransico Santa Margarita Catholic High School	Barbara Frey Grace Christian schools
Guillermina Gaytan OCEAA	Eman Ghanem Orange Crescent School	Ann Ghenem Orange crescent school
Kriss Glaeser St. John’s Lutheran	Eric Gosselin Newheart MIddle School	Gloricel Grajeda Orange County Educational Arts Academy
Kassi Greene Lobo Elementary school	Eric Gruenewald Castille Elementary	Janelle Hamm St. Edward the Confessor Parsih School
Colette Hammer Red Hill Lutheran School	Jasmine Hassett Newhart Midde School	Carolyn Hayden Fred L. Newhart Middle School
Lisa Hedspeth Villa Park High School	David Hennings Shorecliffs Middle school	Kimberly Hepburn John R. Peterson Elementary School
Ed Hernandez Tustin High School	Chuck Hobbs Vista Del Mar Middle School	Tom Hogan Vista Del Mar Middle School
Sharon Houlihan Villa Park Elementary	Eduardo Huerta Newhart Middle School	Ms. Hume Huntington Christian
Summayia Illyas Orange Crescent School	Lou Inguito St. Pius V Catholic School	Teresa Jackson Clinton Elementary
Mauser Jennifer Huntington Christian School	Robert Johnson Oak Grove Elementary School	Shonna Josephson Castille Elementary School
Aurilia Khatib Orange crescent school	Dema Khouraki Orange Crescent School	Patti Kimpler Greentree Elementary
Jennifer Knect George B. Miller	Lorie Kooken Mesa View Middle School	Steve Kuhn Newhart Middle School
Lu Ann Lane Castille Elementary School	Annie Lansburg Esperanza Education Center
Angela Larzo George B Miller	Kathleen Lewis Newhart Middle School	Albert Lizarraga Huntington Christian School
Noah Loundarikis The Parish School at St Edwards the Confessor	Stephanie Lukkes Arroyo Elementary School	Carol Lundgren St. Edwards
ELIZABETH LUNDGREN St. Pius V Catholic School	Andrea Lunow Trabuco Elementary	Claudia Lyman Mabel Paine
Robert Lynde San Juan Hills High School	Lori Marcoly G. B. Miller	Kelsey Marin Oxford Preparatory Academy-Saddleback
Robert Mascio Marco Forster Middle School	Jennifer Mauser Huntington Christian School	Tiffany McMillan Peters Canyon Elementary
Melani Meekhof Tustin Memorial Academy	Ruth Meyer Newhart	Jennifer Milam Melrose Elementary
Sharon Miller G.B. Miller	Gretchen Montgomery Trabuco Mesa Elementary	Jill Moore Our Saviors Lutheran School
Lori Mulligan Rolling Hills	Catherine Muzzy St Edward the Confessor Parish School	Madhu Nair Westmont Elementary
Zainab Nazarkhan Orange Crescent School	Heather Newman Abraham Lincoln Elementary	Julie Newton Peterson Elementary
ZUBAIR PATEL Orange Crecent School	Rocco Paterno Carl Hankey Middle School	Noel Pickler G.B Miller elementry
Portillo Savanna high school	JP Reed Shoreclifffs Middle School	Stacie Rego St. Edward the Confessor Catholic School
Kristina Rehm Oxford Preparatory Academy,Saddleback Valley	Athena Reyes RSM Intermediate	Reza Lincoln
Diane Rippe Fred Newhart Middle School	Cheryl Roberts Woodlands Elementary School	Maureen Robinson McPherson Magnet School
Kalyn Rodriguez Aliso Viejo Middle School	Michelle Rucker Castille Elementary	Jenna Ruiz Huntington Christian school
Sergio Sanabria Marco Forster Middle School	Jenna Sandland The Parish School St. Edward	Steve Scholl Del Obispo Elementary School
Marie Schools Pleasant View OVPP	Stacy Shevel Vista Del Mar Middle school	Heather Siplivy Newheart
Donna Smiggs Castille Elementary	Matthew Smith Red Hill Lutheran	Bonnie Solomon Ladera Elementary
Lisa Specht Huntington Christian School	Joy Sprimont Red Hill Lutheran School	Kimberly Stanga San Juan Hills High School
Yvette Stuewe St. John’s Lutheran	Christine Taglieri Castille Elementary	Yonne Taylor Orange County Christian School
Karen Terreri George B Miller	Katie Todd St. Johns Lutheran School	Lauri Truong McPherson Magnet School
michael Ushino San Juan Hills High School	Mechaela Vadoulakis Tijeras Creek Elementary	Melissa Valeriote Villa Park Elementary
Stephanie VanBlarcom St. John’s Lutheran School	Julie Vander Wall McPherson Magnet School	Brianna Vanderwal Newhart Middle School
Catherine Wachtel Malcom Elementary	Cathy Wagner McPherson Magnet Elementary	Nelson Walton Orange Crescent School
Linda Warneke St. John’s Lutheran	Debra Weller Bathgate Elementary School	Stephen Whitlock Fairmont Preparatory Academy
Nico Wirtz Shorecliffs Middle School	Stacie Woodard George B. Miller Elementary	Lucy Zazueta Loma Vista Elementary School

Top Teachers of Orange County 2018 Information

Top 25 Teachers of OC
Family Favorite Nominees
Top Teacher Awards Reception

Gift Guides

Published January 4, 2018Admin Only:

Want to get an edge on your child’s education? Follow our experts’ advice and make it all about play.

TK2 SCOPE

This award-winning microscope is a dual light, sturdy metal and plastic piece of tech designed for frustration-free science. Two LED light sources allow for both the viewing of large objects lit from above or the viewing of thinly sliced or translucent specimens lit from below. (Included manual guides through endless learning options.)

$135, www.thamesandkosmos.com

Build-Your-Own-Computer

Piper flips screen time worries to give kids an active role in the tech they use. Kids assemble a handcrafted wooden box and screen into a computer, and then actually code and program the working using the 3D world of Minecraft.

$299, www.buildpiper.com

Nanea, An American Girl Doll

The story of Pearl Harbor is usually just a few pages of a social studies book for many kids, but discovering pre-and-post attack life in Hawaii through this 1940’s girl’s experiences really brings history to life and encourages further thought and investigation of of our country’s past.

$115, www.americangirl.com

Art Making with MoMA Kits

The Arts have been recognized to be so crucial to learning, that they even changed STEM to STEAM! We love these Museum of Modern Art kits for unleashing imagination on top of those brain cells.

$20-25, www.MoMA.org

Project Mc2 Dolls

These cute dolls are inspired by the “Smart is the new cool” Netflix crew and feature adorable costume-inspired outfits and accessories. But the real plus is in the included STEAM experiments (using household ingredients) that kids can try with their new friends.

$15, projectmc2.mgae.com

Health & Wellness, Mindfulness

Published January 4, 2018Admin Only:

Getting healthy might mean typing up those laces and hitting the trail, or it simply might be ensuring your vision stays sharp even after a long day on the computer.

Gunnar Computer Glasses

High Energy Blue Light emitted by electronic computers and smartphones have shown to increase the risk of accumulated damage to the retina, cataracts and interfere with sleep due to interrupted circadian rhythms. These lenses block 65% of harmful blue light, 100% of UV to prevent short and long-term damage and the reduction of melatonin production.

$79, www.gunnar.com

Ray-Ban 3183

If slick and sleek is your speed, these lightweight semi-rimless will be a perfect fit. The flattering rectangular shape frames the face while soft, adjustable nose pads add comfort and durability whether you are on a run for fun…or after your toddler.

$143, www.ray-ban.com

Maui Nalani

All you pony-girls will appreciate the seamless nose bridge on these polarized shades, with no pads or metal bits to snag your hair when you slide them up on top of your head. The gloss black frames are chic, while the dark tortoiseshell give a breezy casual vibe paired with the Maui rose lens.

$279, www.mauijim.com

Beauty & Style, Lifestyle

Published January 4, 2018Admin Only:

Even though we experience milder winters than other parts of the country, the cold, low-humidity, wind and rain in Southern California can still wreak havoc on our skin. To avoid this, it’s important that we pay close attention to our daily habits and skincare regimens, and nurture areas that are more sensitive and directly exposed to the elements.

So, what habits can cause dry skin during the winter months?

Taking hot showers: While they may be soothing and relaxing, long, hot showers and baths are terrible for our skin. They rid our skin of its natural protective oils and leave it feeling dry, tight and itchy. Likewise, over- scrubbing can also strip the skin of its natural moisture. The best thing to do is to take a single, short lukewarm shower each day.

Using too much soap: Squeaky clean is too clean; it means we removed our natural oils. Soap should be used sparingly and applied only to the areas where we have odor glands: feet, armpits and groin. I recommend a bar soap over liquid cleanser, as they have fewer ingredients, including preservatives and fragrances that can irritate already dry skin.

Raising the thermostat: Yes, it’s cold outside, but keeping our homes and cars too hot produces dry indoor air. This not only dries out the skin, but it also dries out our mucous membranes, which can lead to chapped lips, nosebleeds, and dry throats. To avoid this, set the thermostat to the lowest setting that’s comfortable.

What should our winter skincare regimens include?

The number one thing you can do to keep your skin supple is to moisturize within three minutes of bathing or showering. After bathing, pat yourself dry, and while the skin is still moist, apply an emollient. Emollients are non-cosmetic moisturizers which come in the form of creams, ointments, lotions and gels. I recommend using an ointment or cream. Ointments have the highest oil content and lotions have the least. For best results, select a thick emollient that you have to scoop out of a jar or squeeze out of a tube. Also, don’t forget sunblock—even when it’s cloudy and cold. Sunblock should be part of your daily routine year-round.

What parts of our bodies need a little extra attention during the winter months and how can we care for them?

The number one area at risk is our hands; our hands are getting washed many times per day – and while the skin on our hands is thicker, they also come into contact with cleaning products and other substances that irritate our skin. Try to wash your hands only when necessary and completely avoid alcohol based hand sanitizer if you can help it. Even better, moisturize your hands after you wash them.

Our lips and heels are two other body parts that require a little extra attention during the winter months. To protect the lips, avoid licking them and consider using plain petrolatum – petroleum jelly – as lip balm. Avoid lip products with scents or beeswax. To protect the heels, try putting a thick cream or greasy ointment on them – petroleum jelly works fine here too – slip on a pair of socks and head to bed.

If dryness becomes extreme or you have a dry skin condition and it worsens, talk to your doctor about the best course of treatment.

Marit Kreidel, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist/chief of service for the Kaiser Permanente OC Dept of Dermatology. She’s also a volunteer faculty member with UC Irvine’s, Department of Dermatology. Born and raised in OC, Kreidel is very passionate about skin cancer treatment and prevention.

Spa Gregorie’s Superfruit Facial

This revitalizing treatment features the latest breakthroughs in anti-aging including: Microderm exfoliation cream, Botanical Peptides, firming Lip Treatment Cream, collagen stimulating Eye Treatment Cream, an Antioxidant mask of Acai, Gogi Berry, Noni, and Pomegranate, Instant line filler and a finish of tinted moisturizer with sunscreen.

$139, 75mins www.spagregories.com

FOREO: LUNA 2

This enhanced T-Sonic facial cleansing brush features 8,000 T-sonic (transdermal sonic) pulsations per minute to remove dead skin cells and unclog pores of makeup residue, dirt and oil while improving the absorption of your favorite skincare products.

Each charge allows for 450 uses, with 12 customizable intensities depending on skin type: combination skin, normal skin, oily skin or sensitive.

$199, www.foreo.com

Rowenta Aqua Perfect Humidifier

The best way to keep skin soft and supple is to keep hydrated inside and outduring the dry winter months. Add a little help with this sophisticated tech’d up humidifier that allows you to control mist temp and percentage of humidity in the air. Equipped with a user-friendly touch panel with digital humidity and temperature levels display.

$160, www.Rowentausa.com

S’Well Bottles

These hydrating heroes are as stylish as they come, and conveniently narrow to fit in the car, side pocket of your bag and in bike rack slots. We love the 25oz size for plenty of water to see you through your workout or your work day. Too pretty to share with the kids, pop for the brush and stand to keep your sipper safe.

$35, www.swellbottle.com

Uncategorized

Published January 4, 2018Admin Only:

Orange County

Students and teachers can order appetizers with a side of arithmetic at Ruby’s Diner, which recently launched its study break happy hour promotion. The beloved diner – with locations throughout Orange County – is offering students and teachers half price appetizers and shakes Monday to Friday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Guests must present valid ID to participate on the offer, which also applies to Ruby’s beer and wine menu.

Ruby’s says it launched the promotion to help students get off to a “smart start”. Participating Orange County locations include Laguna Hills, Irvine Spectrum, South Coast Plaza, Yorba Linda, Huntington Beach and Irvine.

rubys.com

The Coder School

Irvine

Silicon Valley’s top coding school for kids has expanded with a second location in Orange County. The Coder School opened last fall in Irvine, and hails itself as a place that teach students computer science in ways that “inspire and excite each student”. It serves students aged seven through 18 with a program that tailors its lessons to suit the interests and experience of participants.

The school was founded by Will Tungpagasit, who opened his first school in Pleasanton, California. “I moved down here from San Francisco to share our philosophy with the young innovators down here,” he explains. “Unlike the existing programs in the Irvine area, our core program has two students to one coach… The individualized projects are centered around their passions because we know students work longer, harder and persist in the face of challenges when they are working on projects they really care about.”

thecoderschool.com/irvine

The Children’s Museum at La Habra

La Habra

Kids can take an educational journey to Asia at this children’s museum, which is launching a “Children of Hangzhou, Connecting with China” exhibit in late January. Museumgoers can plant rice, write in Chinese, or even perform in a traditional Chinese opera. They can also take in information about Chinese schools, homes and farms at the museum, which presents China from the viewpoint of four young people. The exhibit is a combination of old and new, and contrasts Hangzhou’s rustic countryside with its modern urban center. It all happens under the “beautiful backdrop” of traditional Chinese paintings. The exhibit, which was created by The Boston Children’s Museum, runs until May 27.

www.lhcm.org

Lyceum Village

Tustin

A new, “groundbreaking” after-school enrichment center in Tustin is touting itself as a one-stop shop for students needing extra help with curriculum, athletics and art. Lyceum Village, which serves students aged five to 14, offers across-the-board instructions to suit students aged five to 14. Services within its 20,000 square-foot facility include math, music and art instruction, homework help, athletic programs and more. It also houses a regulation-size basketball court, performance and study halls, presentation rooms, and a lunch room.

“This is the perfect solution for parents who are looking for exceptional after-school instruction and supervision without needing to research different opportunities or ferry their children to multiple locations,” says Lyceum Village’s chief executive Darlene Mizumoto. “Transportation services are also an option.”

lyceumvillage.com

Uncategorized

Published January 4, 2018Admin Only:

Claire, 8 | Huntington Beach

Theme: Sweets
Invites by: Complimentary personalized printables, by Katie
Food and Cake by: The Donuttery in Huntington Beach, with a chocolate & strawberry milk
Decor by: Timree Studio, with balloons from Where’s the Party
Entertainment by: Timree Studio painting lesson and activity
Party Planner: Megan Costanzo
The Goods on the Goody Bag: The girls left with the best take away, their painting… but we sweetened it up a bit by adding a paint palette cookie from Lotta Treats in Huntington Beach.

“Having a party at the Timree studio guarantees that every guest will have a great time and leave with something special to remember the day. We’ve had a few parties now at the studio for kids and adults and it’s always the best time!”

— Parents, Jerzy & Laura Secousse

Health & Wellness, Mindfulness

Published January 4, 2018Admin Only:

Welcoming a new child into the world is a major, life-changing event — and combining the stress of parenting with figuring out how to take the necessary time off from work to bond with your new addition can be downright overwhelming. Luckily for Orange County resident Arissa Palmer and millions of other Californians, California’s Paid Family Leave (PFL) program makes it possible to take time off from work to bond with a new baby while still getting a portion of your pay.

Enacted in 2004, California’s PFL program provides working Californians up to six weeks of partially paid leave to either bond with a new child (including biological, foster, or adopted children) or to care for a seriously ill family member (child, parent, parent-in-law, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or registered domestic partner). In Palmer’s case, she took these six weeks, in combination with leave she had through her employer, to bond with her newborn with confidence that she would have partial income and that her job would still be waiting for her when she returned.

“Without Paid Family Leave, I would have had to go back to work sooner,” Palmer explained. “I had a mortgage to pay and my husband is a teacher and he isn’t paid through the summer so it would have been doubly hard for us.”

Palmer knows the difference PFL benefits made for her family and how it could help so many more working parents. But, as the executive director of BreastfeedLA — a non-profit that is part of the California Work & Family Coalition focused on supporting and promoting breastfeeding through education, advocacy, and outreach – she has met many people who have never heard of California PFL, do not realize that they are eligible for PFL, or are unaware of what the program will provide for them.

Even among those who know the program exists, many people don’t realize that they themselves are already paying for their PFL benefits through mandatory pay deductions into State Disability Insurance (noted as “CASDI” on paystubs). Therefore using this program is not a form of government assistance, but is really money that people have invested for just this purpose – to take time with their families when they’re needed the most.

For some new parents, these misconceptions alone caused them not to utilize PFL. For others Palmer knows – especially lower-income parents – the fact that PFL only provided up to 55 percent of a worker’s wages was still not enough to make taking leave affordable.

“We had a big Advocacy Day Training on August 31st with over 300 participants, cosponsored by MOMS Orange County and First 5 California, among others, and there are still so many who are unaware of their rights, what their benefits are and what they are eligible for,” said Palmer. “And even if you do know your benefits, if you’re the primary caregiver of your family, ultimately it still may not be enough.”

The good news is that the PFL wage replacement rate is increasing for many Californians. As of January 1, 2018, California PFL now offers eligible Californians up to 70 percent of their pay during their leave — the highest wage replacement rate in the country – and has removed the weeklong waiting period that participants previously had to serve before receiving their benefits. These changes mean more Californians will have the support they need to spend valuable time with their loved ones during the moments that matter.

As the first state in the country to offer paid family leave in 2002, California has set the standard for other states to follow, and California continues to lead the way. For example, in 2013, Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 770 by State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) that extended the PFL program to include caregiving for a seriously ill parent-in-law, grandparent, grandchild, or sibling. And in 2016, with the support of a wide range of stakeholders including the California Work & Family Coalition, he signed the most recent PFL expansion that increased the wage replacement rate and removed the seven-day waiting period.

As part of the effort to make PFL accessible to more workers throughout California, the six weeks of leave do not have to be taken all at once. The time off and the PFL benefits can be split over a 12-month period so that the leave can be modified to fit the individual’s schedule. Splitting up this time could be useful for those who, for example, want to coordinate their leave with the other parent when bonding with a new child, or with a spouse or sibling when caring for an ill family member.

Equally importantly, most Californians can have confidence that their jobs will be safe while taking PFL. Although PFL itself does not provide job protection, workers are often protected through the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the California Family Rights Act (CFRA), the California Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL) law, or the New Parent Leave Act.

The New Parent Leave Act is one of the most recent protections for new parents that also goes into effect this year and requires small businesses with 20 or more employees to provide eligible employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave to bond with a new child. This law is a crucial step in protecting the rights of small-business workers, and while this bill does not provide protections for people taking PFL for caregiving, it still provides a protected opportunity to bond with a new child.

Becoming a parent — whether for the first time or the fifth time — is always a momentous occasion. California parents can be proud that their state takes bonding with a new child so seriously and leads the nation in providing partial wage replacement benefits during this important time in a family’s life. Palmer and millions of Californians who have benefitted from PFL know that the program is there for families during the moments that matter – and hopefully, millions more people will take the time to be there for their new children in 2018, too. To learn more about California PFL, visit californiapaidfamilyleave.com.

Health & Wellness

Published January 4, 2018Admin Only:

Q: [School-Aged] I’m encouraging my kids to come up with a healthy eating goal as part of our family’s 2018 New Year’s resolutions. What can I do to make sure that our focus on healthy eating doesn’t cause my kids to become fixated on dieting?

A: The start of the New Year is a good way to get the entire family to focus on healthy eating habits while also removing any excess sweets and holiday party leftovers from your home. The key here is to make sure that your children understand that this resolution has nothing to do with body image or dieting — it’s about making choices that support their growth and lays the foundation for healthy habits to last a lifetime.

Traditional dieting consists of consuming a reduced number of calories than the body burns in a single day. This can accelerate weight loss, especially if it is paired with regular exercise. If you child needs to lose weight, it is best to work with a physician to develop a customized program catered to his or her health goals.

Regardless, here are some tips to help encourage healthy eating habits in 2018:

Become a role model: Children imitate their parents. Serve as an example at the breakfast and dinner table and fill your plate with plenty of healthy foods. That way, they see you enjoying your healthy food and will be encouraged to do the same.

Create a food game: Educate your kids about which foods are healthy (and which aren’t) in a fun and creative way. Have them grade their daily meal components — for example, apples and other fruits receive a good grade while bacon and fried foods receive a failing one. Then, sit down as a family, and discuss why some foods pass the tests and why they are good choices for our overall health.

Set up a healthy rewards system: It can be easy to rely on incentives such as ice cream or sweets for an A on a math test or winning a soccer game. Instead, reward them with a fun outdoor activity such as a visit to a local park, a neighborhood swimming pool, family hike, bicycle ride, etc.

Make family dinner time a priority: Stopping by a local fast food restaurant on the way home from dance class, baseball practice or any other extracurricular activities isn’t a good habit. Instead, set aside a time each night where the entire family can sit down and eat meals together. Include your kids in meal preparation. This also helps to reinforce the concept that good-for-you-foods are also part of a healthy lifestyle.

dsdsdsPshyra Jones, MPH, CHES, is a leader at CalOptima providing publicly funded health care coverage for low-income children, adults, seniors and people with disabilities in OC. It serves 795,000 members through 7,000 primary care doctors/specialists, and 30 hospitals. For additional information, visit www.caloptima.org.

Health & Wellness

Published January 4, 2018Admin Only:

Q: [Parents] My biggest resolution is finding that magic work/life balance. Right now I am running so thin I feel like I am failing at everything!

A: Since the demands of work and life are constantly changing, finding balance is best held as a journey rather than a destination. One way to approach this is getting super clear on your ideal lifestyle. Take time to define what balance looks like for you. Where are you today with balance, and what would you like it to be instead?

While you are doing this, bring awareness around your mindset. If you catch yourself feeling that it is impossible for you to find balance in work and life, it will become just that – impossible! Instead choose to approach this in a way that embraces possibility! Approaching it from this place will allow you to be your most creative, amazing, problem-solving self!

Now that you are clear on what you would like to move towards, let’s do some visual brainstorming! Take a piece of paper and divide it into two columns – “work” and “life”. Halfway down the page draw a horizontal line. Above the line are activities that move you toward balance, and below the line are activities that move you away from balance. Write down and categorize how you currently spend your time, and what you would like to have time for in the future.

Circle a handful of things that you are saying “yes” to for 2018. You described yourself as feeling spread too thin, and I have a feeling that this is a result of you saying “yes” to too many things! Finding balance is about making clear distinctions with your “yes” and “no” choices – both personally and professionally. This is the challenging part. In order say “yes” to what you circled, what do you need to say “no” to in 2018? Cross off what you are willing to do away with.

Ashley Bradley is a Co-Active Coach and owner of Purpose & Prosper. As a female entrepreneur and mother, she specializes in coaching women who want to show up more powerfully and mindfully in the world by helping them find clarity, balance and purpose in their professional and personal lives. www.purposeandprosper.us

Education

Published January 4, 2018Admin Only:

Q: [Preschoolers] I know preschool is important for kindergarten readiness, but how do I know which preschool is right for my child?

A: A child’s education is an important decision you can make to ensure a bright and successful future. According to the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP), fewer than half of California students are on track to succeed in college or career. This means planning for your child’s education at an early age is key. And where does it all start? Preschool.

According to the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER), children who attend high-quality preschool programs enter kindergarten with better pre-reading skills, richer vocabularies and stronger basic math skills than those who do not.

Choosing a preschool that is a good fit for your child is worth the investment of time and research. In addition to making sure it works for you in terms of location, cost, and hours, focusing on these three areas can help you choose a school where your child will thrive:

Environment: Visit the preschool with your child to make sure the classroom and outdoor play areas are kept clean and safe. You’ll want to make sure that their license is up to date and you and your child feel comfortable.
Teachers: Confirm each preschool teacher is certified, trained and there is a low turnover rate among staff. Do they provide ongoing education to teachers to ensure they are on the cutting edge of new curriculum and techniques? Ensuring there is a proper adult/child ratio according to state standards is also a fundamental rule for any licensed preschool.
Philosophy: Many preschools today have a specific “approach” or focus for their curriculum. Whether the program is play-based, STEM-focused or takes another approach—choose what you feel will prepare your child for kindergarten, academically, socially and emotionally. Ask about the amount of reading, vocabulary and math the preschool incorporates into their daily curriculum.

Randy Barth is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Think Together, a statewide nonprofit organization that partners with schools to provide early learning and afterschool programs, school support services and leadership development for teachers and school administrators.

Lifestyle, Spas & Gyms for Mom

Published January 3, 2018Admin Only:

Touching down in Kona, you might be confused as you exit the plane. But yes, that is the whole airport and yes, you would be correct in observing that most of it is outdoors. This is just the start of the charming quirks of the largest of the Hawaiian islands, the “Big Island” of Hawaii. Fortunately for families visiting the Hilton Waikoloa Village (www.HiltonWaikoloaVillage), the fun in store is equally abundant.

An Ohana Aloha

From the purple orchid lei greeting as you step off a shuttle (don’t bother with a car, you’ll want to scoot right to the waterfalls at the resort and likely never want to leave) every effort is made to make you feel like Ohana. After checking in, your first big decision awaits. Do you head to your room on the whisper quiet tram train? Or snag a spot on a passing boat. Yes, the canals and waterways throughout the resort aren’t just for looks, they are a thoroughfare transporting guests from room to room to gourmet eats. (This alone will win over the kids.) The next big decision will be what to do first. Waterslides, waterfalls, pools, SUP, big wheel water trikes, snorkeling…the good thing is, you can’t go wrong.

MAKAI at Lagoon Tower

If you are looking for luxury, opt for the MAKAI at Lagoon Tower. Not only are the rooms stylishly luxe with near instant access to pools and lagoon, every MAKAI guest enjoys complimentary spa access, a reserved cushy seating area at Kona Pool, priority restaurant reservations and a dedicated concierge. The views are incredible, overlooking the lagoon, shoreline with excellent crashing waves for a natural lullabye and in our case, the dolphin habitat — which made for excellent balcony entertainment. For those early mornings, courtesy of the time zone change, we made use of the included DVD rentals through a local version of a Redbox in our tower.

Kohala Spa

When you need a break from the hustle and bustle of waterslides, and the lazy river isn’t quite lazy enough for you — head to the oasis of the Kohala Spa. Located near the MAKAI wing, the spa features a wealth of treatment options that make the most of local vegetation and herbs and a serene inner courtyard with a natural rock Jacuzzi and loungers.

We tried the amazing Signature Naupaka White Flower Ritual, which started with a ground Awa Root & Hawaiian Ginger foot ritual and warmed local pure essential oils massaged into your scalp & hair. Then, body compressions incorporating local healing herbs combined with a full-body massage using a warmed blend of white flower lotus, and ylang ylang essential oils luxuriously dripped on your (no longer sore) muscles.

Local Wildlife

Even if you never step foot off the property, you will have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the local critters of Hawaii. Charming and surprisingly personality-filled tortoises, flamingos and macaws keep the walk to the pool from ever being a bore or chore (no more whining from the tiny ones who have to scamper to keep up). Dolphins can be viewed from a boardwalk near their enclosure and for purists, from December through April or May you simply need to gaze out at the sea to be rewarded with the awesome sight of a humpback breaching or giving you a fluke-whale tale wave. (We saw four while there and weren’t even looking.)

For those who want to connect with the marine life in a more immersive way, the protected saltwater lagoon is a favorite haunt for endless tropical fish and quite a few sea turtles. Between the sea turtle sightings (which can also be spotted from the walkways around the lagoon), ability to try SUP’ing without getting thrashed by a wave and the sand-bottomed pool for little ones to safely play, you won’t even mind the lack of a recreational beach. (Car rentals are available at the property to explore further afield to visit the volcanoes, lava fields and swimming beaches.)

Ono Eats

One area in which the property shines is unexpected, the food. Often, resort guests are subject to a lack of effort or creativity when dining on property. While there is a trolley shuttle to a great sushi joint (Sansei Seafood and Sushi Bar) and Roy’s, you won’t be faulted for staying put. The new Kona Tap Room offers 16 drafts, many of which are local craft ales from Kona Brewing Company that hit the spot after snorkeling or a day at the pool. The addictive Lobster Tater Tots and Pulled Pork Sliders make this an excellent lunch spot.

The only thing prettier than the view from Kamuela Provision Company, is the food. Artfully plated fresh fish and produce distract from the passing spouts and pec fins of humpbacks, though the sunset is so remarkable you might let your Kona Coffee Crusted Paniolo “Cowboy” Ribeye get cold. The Keahole Lobster and Lump Crab Cake is one of the best I have ever tasted, and it is clear why the Waialua Estate Chocolate

Crunch Torte (with rosemary macadamia nut brittle and raspberry peppercorn coulis) won the annual Hawaii Island Chocolate Festival. If you really want to impress, or have a vow renewal or special family occasion, you can enjoy the talents of the KPC chef in your own private Ho’okupu Dinner in a private cabana overlooking the waves. Either way, make the most of the time zone change and opt for a 5:30pm seating to get the full sunset-to-stars show.

Fly the Aloha Skies

I boarded my Hawaiian Airlines flight to the rosy glow of a purple sunset peeking underneath the overheads and the distinctive plunks of a slack key guitar. Accepting a warm “aloha” from a flight attendant with a perfect plumeria tucked behind one ear and sliding into my seat to the view of waterfalls and breaching humpbacks on the screen, I had two thoughts. “I am already on vacation.” and “I want one of those plumerias.” (Insider tip, you can pick one up in many gift shops around the island — they are a very convincing fake.)

As the rest of our flight boarded, there seemed to be a communal exhale from the passengers. The soothing notes of the Hawaiian tunes and effortless voices welcoming us on, and knowing we didn’t have to race through lines of overpriced airport food kiosks or risk sitting next to a curry or tuna fish salad bearing seatmate, lulled the crowd. We even watched the safety announcement, filmed by locals throughout the islands at picturesque overlooks and a beach with what appeared to be a full-sized barefoot toe-drawn airplane outline in the sand. (The smiling woman in the center hula’d to left and right signifying the emergency exits.)

It was a perfect start to the trip and transition from harried to carefree. Hawaiian Airlines, the only U.S. carrier to offer travelers complimentary meals on all transpacific flights for over three decades, just launched a new Pau Hana Café branded meal system. Pau Hana roughly translates to ‘happy hour’ (post-workwise) so this sounded great. Warm sandwiches with local flavor and sides were on the lunch menu (with an adorable pineapple-shaped cookie for a sweet treat), followed later by complimentary Koloa Breeze cocktails, featuring Koloa Rum from the Island of Kaua’i, and the signature Pau Hana snack mix.

Tips to Take Off On

Flying nonstop LAX-KOA (Los Angeles to Kona) is worth the Uber, with no hassles or delays involved in changing planes.
The newly designed A321neo planes have kicked the Aloha spirit up a notch. Textiles and other materials throughout the cabin pay homage to traditional Hawaiian crafts, from bark cloth (kapa) to fishing nets. Other details are Hawaiian language used in signage, and a full LED mood-lighting system which has been programmed to evoke Hawaii’s unmatched sunrises and sunsets.
Flying Premium, LAX-HNL? Keep an eye out for lie flat seating, the perfect way to dream away your flight and wake up in paradise.

Beauty & Style, Lifestyle

Published January 3, 2018Admin Only:

We all have grand ideas of all the things we will do differently this year, and that kick off to the new year makes such a convenient place to start. But unfortunately, most of us lose interest or give up on our too-challenging pledges before the groundhog does or does not see his shadow. So why not break them down into baby steps, and remember that a whole lot of falling happens before they learn to run.

We found some easy hacks to tackle some of the more common parental resolutions.

I Will Get Outside and PLAY with My Kids!

Blast Golf 360

Having a great swing will surely motivate you to hit the links. If you can’t let go of your love of tech, at least combine the fun of analytics with moving those muscles. Bring the kids to the driving range and compete on an even playing field for the perfect swing. Bonus, most OC courses have Kids Play Free or discounted junior rates so you can make it a family affair.

$149, www.BlastMotion.com

Schwinn Phocus

Take a lesson from your younger self. Little could make your heart soar more than a shiny new bike. Why not treat yourself to a stylish ride to show off at the local park? We love the Schwinn Phocus’ sturdy frame, smooth ride adding to effortless speed and cute sea foam hue (which happens to look pretty great with that OC glow). Your little ones will be inspired when they see mama (or pop) go and you’ll soon find you’ve created a habit while setting a healthy example for your kids. (Also comes in a guy version!)

$499, www.Schwinn.com

Delta Mach One Complete Scooter

When was the last time you went to the park so YOU could play? These durable scooters are stable (thanks to a wider deck and higher bars) to handle taller adult riders, making zooming down the paths with your kids a blast. Enthusiasm for a good time in the fresh air is the easiest way to draw them away from their screens and tech.

$279, www.DeltaProScooters.com

diono Quantum Stroller

We are blessed with beautiful sunny days and a wealth of recreation areas with perfectly paved paths. Everyone feels better with a little fresh air, but many parents of newborns worry their about their little one’s delicate skin. This lie flat stroller is perfect, with a smooth suspension and expansive sun shade eclipse canopy to keep baby safe. The multi-mode travel stroller offers six configurations and featuring diono’s Smart Seat, grows from newborn to young child.

www.us.diono.com

Get Better Sleep

Lulla Doll

If your little one is struggling with separation anxiety at bedtime, this new doll could do the trick. The Lulla doll is a sleep companion that imitates closeness to a caregiver at rest, with soft natural cotton and soothing sounds of real-life breathing and heartbeat (recorded from a yoga teaching mom).

$69, www.lulladoll.com

Snooz

From the early days of shusssshing, to adult life where too much noise (or not enough) can cause sleep disruption, the sound of a fan is a surefire snooze enhancer. Problem? Not everyone likes the feel of a fan and little ones without great temp control can get irritated by the breeze. This white noise gadget encases an actual fan, for all the whirs without the brrrrs.

$79, www.getsnooz.com

IMAGINE Mermaid Pillow and Velvet Blanket Set

If you need a little motivation to get your little one back into their own bed, this sweet set inspires dreams of imagination (and the flip-sequins provide a trance of their own). We love the whimsy of the design!

$97, www.mermaidpillowco.com

Tulo

Mattress-in-a-box brands have revolutionized the bedroom, making it super simple to swap out worn mattresses and upgrade to new memory foam or cooling gel options. But much like Goldilocks discovered, many mattresses were too hard or too soft, with no way to gauge before the big unboxing. (Re-boxing to return is a whole different critter.) Tulo is the first to take your preference into account. Pick from soft, medium or firm — juuuuust right.

$399, www.tulo.com

Snurk

This boutique bedding brand from Amsterdam got a big bump from the movie Wonder, as many scenes in the promo showed the main character pondering the universe while nestled into his Astronaut duvet. We think your little space cadet will think its out of the world, too (if not, the Ballerina style should have them grand jeté’ing for joy!).

From $119, SnurkLiving.com

CouchBed

If musical beds and bunking-in sibs causes chaos during sleepovers or when family visits, we think you’ll love this cool-gel, memory foam mattress-meets-sleeper sofa. Simply flip the back of the couch forward and it nestles perfectly into a queen size bed. (Twin available, as well.)

From $399, www.CouchBed.com

Twinkle Twinkle, Washable Rug

Lorena Canals floor coverings have long been a fave for nurseries, with the washable rugs making quick work of erasing spit up or…the other kind of blowouts. Their newest soft grey design with a sprinkling of stars inspires a restful repose. Tricolor stars, grey/blue.

$200, www.lorenacanals.us

Nest Bedding Bamboo Sheets

Sleeping on bamboo might first sound like a unique spa treatment, but this oh-so-soft eco-material not only features natural anti-microbial properties that keep things fresh, but keep you cool or warm when you need it most. Maybe having sheets you can’t wait to slide into will help you hover over that “play next episode.”

$109, www.NestBedding.coms

Bring Back Dinner with the Family

Hello Fresh

These fast and easy recipes were designed by nutritionists and chefs. If you are starting your new year with a determination to add a few more veggies into the mix at dinner, this company has you covered. Try the Veggie Plan which creates meals with plant-based proteins, grains and seasonal produce.

www.hellofresh.com

Dinnerly

This West Coast meal kit delivery offers bang for the buck at half the cost of other options. This is the homecooked family meal for those on the go, with 30 minute recipes and no more than six ingredients.

www.dinnerly.com

Martha and Marley Spoon

Martha Stewart is known for her attention to detail and going the extra mile for an experience, so it is no surprise the recipes arriving in the Martha and Marley Spoon are filled with ingredients like artisanal cheese and grass-fed beef that add flair and flavor. (We loved the Smoked Chicken Arugula salad!)

www.marleyspoon.com

Sun Basket

Created for those who crave their CSA’esque abundance of fresh, organic produce – this service take a bite out of Food Deserts (spots where no healthful, fresh food can be bought locally) and ensures sustainable, eco-friendly meals are heading toward your table.

www.sunbasket.com

Blue Apron

Sustainably sourced seafood, no hormone added meat products and fresh produce delivered quickly to maintain nutrients are key. We love that these meals are delivered in a refrigerated box to keep our food safe, even if that meeting runs over or someone forgets to pop over and tuck the package inside.

www.BlueApron.com

iRobot Braava jet 240 and Braava 380t

While there is yet to be a subscription service box that magically cleans up the mess after, the Roomba came close. But a sweep doesn’t necessarily cut it when it comes to cooking. Enter Roomba’s little sibling, Braava. Program the robo-mop to clean up drips and drops to keep your home healthy and safe, or just tap the button and let it use its Smart Nav tools to cover every inch. Braava, indeed!

www.irobot.com

Kidstir

Get the kids in on the action and make teaching them to cook even more seamless, with these kits that not only include kid-friendly dishes made by simplified recipes that are easy to follow, but also arrive with kid-sized kitchen tools to help.

www.Kidstir.com

Soupman Soup Subscription

When you are seriously pressed for time, a nice bowl of soup always hits the spot. Whether these Seinfeld-featured soups fit the “nice” theme (NO SOUP FOR YOU!), they do hit the spot for a speedy, but hearty meal delivered straight to your door.

www.originalsoupman.com

Helix Pressure Cooker

When the pressure’s on…well, dinner gets made twice as quickly. If subscription box services aren’t your thing and you just want to stick to family favorites passed down through the generations, you can still squeeze in a quality meal by slicing and dicing that cooking time. Bonus for busy parents: One-Hand System makes for easy and secure opening and closing.

www.FagorAmerica.com

Shlage Connect and Shlage Sense

If you are worried about your packages sitting in the sun, or being left to tempt passersby, you might want to have a neighbor or friend pop over on delivery day. While this used to lead to hassles and confusion about where your house key is, or who warrants the right to know where the key is hidden, Schlage’s newest tech to the rescue. These Smart Locks can be programmed with numbered codes for the keypad (which you could then change once the favor is complete) or operated by app remotely.

www.schlage.com

Child Care & Pre-K, Education

Published January 3, 2018Admin Only:

Getting set for school isn’t all about pencils and backpacks, especially for our youngest learners. In fact, the best way to prepare for preschool is through play.

Patti Clark participates in the most incredible adventures with her three-year-old niece. Together, they build and tour zoos, camp out, and perform ballets. It’s all imaginary, of course, but that doesn’t make the experiences any less valuable in the eyes of Clark.

“Imaginative play is one of the best ways to develop so many skills,” says Clark, vice president of product development at Lakeshore Learning. “It builds social skills, social emotional development, language skills and empathy. It builds cognitive skills, believe it or not, as they role play.”

All of those skills come in handy when it’s time for a child to start preschool, says Clark. After all, she says, preschool readiness doesn’t have to be a bore. Parents can help give children the skills and confidence they need to begin school with a little imagination, and the right tools. For building gross and fine motor skills, she suggests play dough, oversized crayons, and chunky puzzles. Lakeshore sells a number of educational toys, too, such as a color discovery box, and a button size-sorting box. Clark, a former teacher, says building blocks are also a great standby.

“Playing with blocks is such an amazing activity,” she says. “Children can learn to sort, stack, build and learn problem solving. There are just so many things that can happen with blocks. I think blocks and providing things for imaginative play are huge.”

While parents busy themselves with preschool preparation, they can also watch out for signs that a child isn’t quite ready to make that leap, says Clark. If they aren’t comfortable playing independently, have severe separation anxiety, or can’t yet verbally express themselves, Clark says children might struggle with school.

“If they’re not able to say what’s wrong or what they need, sending them to preschool might be really challenging for them,” she says. “It could be a bad emotional experience for them. If they’re frustrated and can’t express themselves, it’s going to be a bad situation and the teacher is going to have a hard time figuring out what it is they need.”

Parents whose children show signs of preschool un-readiness can take measures to help bolster their chances of preschool success. Children with language delays, for example, might visit a speech therapist. Meanwhile, toddlers struggling with separation anxiety can participate in exercises that can help them become more independent.

Parents can call on friends or grandparents to step in and watch their children for short, five-minute spurts, while parents sneak into another room. Each time, mom or dad can extend their absence by five or ten minutes, until their child becomes comfortable without their presence.

“Eventually, when you drop them off at preschool, it could be a three- or four-hour block of time – sometimes even longer,” says Clark. “Parent want to slowly build up to that amount of time so the child will feel comfortable without having a parent to go to.”

Unite and Conquer

Preparing a child for preschool doesn’t have to be a solitary battle – in fact, taking the opposite approach is considered more beneficial. Giselle Baumet, who owns and manages Granola Babies Birth and Parenting, says participating in playgroups can yield tremendous benefits.

“Many of our parents have shared that their preschool child acclimated well to preschool, because the child was familiar with being around other children during the week,” says Baumet. “These can be the local mommy-and-me groups, but it can also be hiking groups for parents of toddlers, regularly scheduled park days where your child gets used to playing with the children that go regularly, or church playgroup or homeschooling groups, which often times have special groups for toddlers.

“A child used to a routine and socializing with other children will have a greater chance at transitioning well into preschool.”

When not participating in playgroups, Baumet encourages parents to engage with their children through reading, storytelling and finger play or movement songs. Preschoolers aren’t the only ones in want of support — it turns out their parents could use a little help, too. Baumet hosts classes that helps moms and dads work through the turbulent toddler years.

“Parents of preschool children also need their own support in learning to parent through the fun and sometimes challenging ages of toddlers and preschoolers,” she explains. “It’s one of the reasons why we offer positive parenting classes for parents of children ages one-to-five.”

Routine Readiness

Preschool is often viewed as an opportunity to help children prepare for kindergarten. After all, it’s a place of tremendous growth, where little ones absorb information with sponge-like curiosity. Kids master their colors and shapes, learn about phonics, and begin writing simple words. The might also learn basic math, and improve fine motor skills.

But the academic advantage preschool gives kids shouldn’t be a parent’s main motivation for enrolling his or her child in school, says Irvine mother-of-four Maya Jauregui. She says parents should look beyond the academic benefits when making the decision. Instead, she says, parents should focus on the emotional and social benefits a preschool can offer.

“Preschool is teaching children how to deal with their emotions,” she says. “I feel like children should be focusing on that side of things. It just sets them up tremendously for the actual school environment.”

Jauregui, whose two-and-a-half year old twins are currently students at a Costa Mesa preschool, says preschool can help children understand structure and discipline, too. When preparing a child to enter preschool, she says parents should help them develop an appreciation for structure. After all, preschoolers are often shuffled from one activity to the next, with can become frustrated when it’s time to end an activity.

“And then the kids are not enjoying themselves,” she says. “If they can learn to grasp the concept of moving from one activity to another, they’ll enjoy themselves a lot more.”

She’s helped her children learn about schedules by writing down a daily activity log, and helping them establish daily routines. Once preschoolers develop a sense of structure, and develop social and emotional skills, their potential can be limitless, says Jauregui.

“The development and growth at that age is huge.”

Big benefits

Jennifer Brady, a Dove Canyon mother of two, says she’s seen the long-term benefits of preschool firsthand. She saw significant progress in her oldest son, six-year-old Bronson, after enrolling him in preschool as a toddler. Though he’s now in Grade 1, Brady says she’s his preschool education is continuing to pay off.

“We just had his parent-teacher conference and the teacher said he was reading at a second grade level,” she says. “I feel like a lot of that has to do with preschool, Kumon and a lot of the things we did with him when we were younger.”

Brady said she’s looking forward to enrolling her younger son, Lincoln, in preschool after his second birthday.

“I really want a place where I feel like he’s not being babysat. I want a preschool that’s going to work with him on potty training, help him with activities and crafts, and help him learn and develop,” she says. “It’s really important to me that he develops and grows.”

By Michelle Thompson

Family Fun, Outdoor Activities, Performing Arts, SoCal Day Trips

Published January 1, 2018Admin Only:

PICK OF THE MONTH
Polar Bear Plunge
January 20th

Sometimes to rally the whole family together to have a little fun, you need to amp up the cool meter. The Polar Bear Plunge certainly does that, no pun intended. This family-friendly event is perfect for kids, teens and fun-loving adults who long for a bit of winter without the long and stressful drive on snowy or icy roads to the mountains.

At this annual Mission Viejo event, you’ll get a taste of winter and summer. Folks can have fun getting into snowball fights with 180 gallons of artificial snow as well as going down a water slide and playing in a pool. The afternoon also features carnival games, wintery photo opps and treats like hot chocolate and snow cones.

It is a unique way to celebrate all the seasons, all in one close-to-home spot. (You can also enter to win free guest passes and a 1-month family membership to the Recreation Centers!) Visit its website for ticketing information. Try it and you’ll soon discover there IS a snowball’s chance your kids will get off their holiday-gifted new devices and tune in to the family for a change!

Sierra Recreation and Fitness Center
26887 Recodo Lane, Mission Viejo
949-859-4348, option 3
cityofmissionviejo.org/recreation

Discovery Days at Centennial Farm
January 19

Kids can discovery what life is like on the farm at a Discovery Day. Among the possible barnyard activities are planting a radish seed that children can take with them, petting baby chicks, and learning about livestock animals. Sometimes there will even be a cow milking demonstrations. Please arrive before 11 am, so you can have enough time to see everything. Adults must supervise children at all times. Reservation information is available online.

Centennial Fair, OC Fairgrounds
88 Fair Dr. Costa Mesa
www.ocfair.com

Festival Of India
January 7

This free family festival will be highlighted by a lineup of memorable performances. World-renowned choreographer Ramya Harishankar and her Arpana Dance Co. will perform dances from various parts of India. Sadubas (aka The Sadhus of Bass) fashions psychedelic soundscapes by blending classical Indian rhythms with ‘70s Bollywood vibes. Tabla artist Robin Sukhadia teams with DJ/producer Ameet Mehta to create a sound drawn from both Bollywood funk and Indian Classical music. The day also includes art projects, face painting and special Indian sweets.

Bowers Museum
2002 N. Main Street, Santa Ana
714-480-1520
www.bowers.org

Tall Ship Tour
January 17 – January 31

Here’s your chance to take a tour of this tall ship, Lady Washington, while this replica square-rigged brig is docked at the Ocean Institute. It’s a cool way to learn about America’s Pan-Pacific trading history following the American Revolution. Tours occur at 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 1:30 pm on weekdays and at 10:30 am and 11:30 am on weekends; no tours are scheduled on Mondays. On January 20-21, 27-28, you can also participate in mock cannon battles; check the Institute’s website for more details.

Ocean Institute
24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point
949-496-2274
ocean-institute.org

Whistling White House Wonderland
January 2 – January 7

The holiday display of model trains has returned to the Nixon Presidential Library after a three-year absence. The six-track layout, with more than 50 feet of rails, contains a North Pole train station, a Fifties town, a Midwestern farm, a smokestack factory, and the all-metal Hell Gate Bridge. Running on the tracks will be numerous model trains evoking Christmas past as well as a Thomas the Tank Engine.

Richard Nixon Presidential Library And Museum
18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda
714-993-5075
nixonfoundation.org

***Occasionally an event listed changes date or location after printing. Always phone ahead to confirm information. Get your event listed! Email [email protected]. Include the name of the event, date, time, address, short description, appropriate age range, fee, phone number and photos.

Top Teachers of Orange County 2018 – Family Favorite Nominations

Archives for January 2018

Click here to purchase tickets and attend the Top Teachers Awards Reception 2018

Top 26 Family Favorite Teachers of Orange County

All Nominated Family Favorite Teachers

Top Teachers of Orange County 2018 Information

Top 25 Teachers of OC Family Favorite Nominees Top Teacher Awards Reception

TK2 SCOPE

Build-Your-Own-Computer

Nanea, An American Girl Doll

Art Making with MoMA Kits

Project Mc2 Dolls

Gunnar Computer Glasses

Ray-Ban 3183

Maui Nalani

Spa Gregorie’s Superfruit Facial

FOREO: LUNA 2

Rowenta Aqua Perfect Humidifier

S’Well Bottles

The Coder School

The Children’s Museum at La Habra

Lyceum Village

Claire, 8 | Huntington Beach

An Ohana Aloha

MAKAI at Lagoon Tower

Kohala Spa

Local Wildlife

Ono Eats

Fly the Aloha Skies

Tips to Take Off On

I Will Get Outside and PLAY with My Kids!

Blast Golf 360

Schwinn Phocus

Delta Mach One Complete Scooter

diono Quantum Stroller

Get Better Sleep

Lulla Doll

Snooz

IMAGINE Mermaid Pillow and Velvet Blanket Set

Tulo

Snurk

CouchBed

Twinkle Twinkle, Washable Rug

Nest Bedding Bamboo Sheets

Bring Back Dinner with the Family

Hello Fresh

Dinnerly

Martha and Marley Spoon

Sun Basket

Blue Apron

iRobot Braava jet 240 and Braava 380t

Kidstir

Soupman Soup Subscription

Helix Pressure Cooker

Shlage Connect and Shlage Sense

Getting set for school isn’t all about pencils and backpacks, especially for our youngest learners. In fact, the best way to prepare for preschool is through play.

Unite and Conquer

Routine Readiness

Big benefits

Top 25 Teachers of OC
Family Favorite Nominees
Top Teacher Awards Reception