Auburn-Opelika Parents January 2013

1 Auburn-Opelika Parents I January 2013Visit www.AuburnOpelikaParents.com

32 The (New) Parent TrapFind advice for adjusting to a new baby, which includes accepting help from others and avoiding isolation, among other important tips.

34 New & Expectant Parents GuideOur local guide directs you to all things “baby” in Lee County, from pediatricians to clothing and much more!

38 Watching MilestonesLearn what to watch for in your baby’s first year of development and what to do should you become concerned.

Features

Departments

2

6

12

42

4

30

31

40

From One Parent to AnotherKendra Sumner

Living With ChildrenJohn Rosemond, Ph.D.

Kids HealthWes Stubblefield, M.D.

Get This!Paige Gardner Smith

The FlyLadyMarla Cilley

Dave SaysDave Ramsey

A Page in a BookPaige Gardner Smith

Parenting on the PlainsPolly Dunn, Ph.D.

Bits and Pieces

School Bits

Family Calendar

Parent Previews

Columns

Contents January 2013

On The Cover

Volume 3 Number 11

10

26

T.J and Casey Rougier, of Salem, are the parents of 10 month old, Ava. Her grandparents are Tony and Niki

Rougier, Danny McConnell and Cyndi McConnell.She has a great personality, loves to laugh and play and to

watch Bubble Guppies. Ava is a precious gift and with so much love to give.

47

48

Auburn-Opelika Parents I January 2013 Advertising: 334-209-05522 3Visit www.AuburnOpelikaParents.com

Kendra Sumner, Publisher

Auburn-Opelika Parents magazine is published monthly by KeepSharing, LLC.

Mailing address: 1204 Owens Road Auburn, Alabama, 36830. The phone number is (334)

209-0552 and fax is (334) 826-7303.Auburn-Opelika Parents is copyrighted 2012

by KeepSharing LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written

permission is prohibited. Opinions expressed in Auburn-Opelika Parents magazine are those

of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the owners, nor do they constitute an endorsement of products and services herein.

PublisherKendra Sumner

[email protected]

EditorDeAnne Watson

[email protected]

Associate EditorKelly Watson

Director of SalesJustin Sumner

[email protected]

or (334) 209-0552

Contributing WritersMarla Cilley

Polly Dunn, Ph.D.Julia GarsteckiDave Ramsey

John RosemondHeidi Smith Luedtke, Ph.D.

Paige Gardner SmithWes Stubblefield, M.D.

Cover PhotographyCandy Avera

www.pictureperfectbycandy.com

PresidentJason Watson

[email protected]

Auburn-Opelika Parents Magazine, is founded on the principle that parenting is an exciting, diverse, challenging, and signifi-

cant, role in our community. Auburn-Opelika Parents Magazine is a community advocate for families and the parenting process.

Auburn-Opelika ParentsLee County’s Foremost Parenting Source

Visit us online at www.auburnopelikaparents.com

From One Parent to Another...

Kendra

Happy New Year to you and your family! I can’t believe we have celebrated the culmination of another year and are ready to ring in 2013! Where did the time go? Oh, yeah...running the kids to school, activities, friends’ parties, family gatherings, shopping, work-ing, and cleaning! Time feels like it just flew by, but of course, if I stop to really think about it, my days did seem to be long and stressful. While in the moment of the daily grind, I always wondered if I would actually get the day’s to-do list accomplished while, at the same time, wishing that bedtime would quickly approach. However, in assessing my year, it seems like it was over in the blink of an eye. Isn’t it strange how life feels that way, especially in stages? Like our own childhood...a blur to me now. Or, thinking I would be the last person

on Earth to turn 16 and get a license. Or, those long, nauseating days of pregnancy where I would have given my left arm for the 9 months to end and take my sickness, exhaustion and clumsy self with it! Only to find I had moved into another stage full of dragging days of feedings, diapers and endless nights of no sleep. While in the moments, you think to yourself, ‘this too shall pass’, only to reflect and wish that you could turn back time to childhood, high school, to feel that growing and kicking baby one more time or hold and rock your now 9-year-old as a tiny infant (even if at 3am).

While researching this month’s Baby Issue, I found myself reliving those early par-enting years with many of the questions and concerns I once faced. With my first daughter, I was not prepared for the sleepless nights, the loss of my own identity, and even at times, a sense of resentment. In the feature article, The (New) Parent Trap, by Heidi Smith Luedtke, these types of issues arise in parents more often than not. She reminds moms that in the early months, the 24/7 schedule can be daunting and unexpected. Even those parents who take all the parenting classes, join support groups and read and research can be surprised as to how unprepared for the reality of it all they truly are. The best advice is to be realistic and to know that you are not alone. Reaching out to others for support and to feel okay with accepting help along the way is the key to those early parenting days and nights. I found that one of my greatest challenges was the loss of myself. I visualized, and therefore characterized, myself and my daughter as one person. I behaved based on her needs only and scheduled my life around her. Having a newborn, you think, well isn’t that the way it should be? Sure. Until your daughter has somehow turned nine years old and you still don’t have your separate identity back. Finding a balance early on, where you meet the needs of your kids, while staying true to you, is a good skill to practice. After all, didn’t we once have hobbies, interests and personal goals for our life outside of wife and motherhood? The author suggests that if you are not careful, you will end up with resentful feelings. Maybe not toward being a parent, but with a vision that you have to do every-thing by yourself and you never have time to work toward personal goals.

With January being a time of renewal and beginnings, keep in mind how fast 2012 flew by and make 2013 moments count. Embrace each day and all that life brings, even on those days that you can’t wait for the clock to announce that it is bedtime or to be able to celebrate another TGIF. Whether you are a planning a new career path, an upcoming vaca-tion or a new baby that is on the way, slow down and enjoy each minute of each day. If you are like me, make it a 2013 goal to ask for help. Find acceptance in having others help along the way. In doing so, we can all make ourselves more open to others and can learn from one another, embrace our limitations, find balance for self and our family, which can ultimately contribute to a stronger and more thriving Auburn and Opelika community.

This time next year, I hope to instead say, “Wow! That was the longest year ever and I know exactly where each minute went!” Here’s to a fantastic year of moments, memories and family successes!

Advertising: 334-209-0552 3 Auburn-Opelika Parents I January 2013Visit www.AuburnOpelikaParents.com

From One Parent to Another...Happy New Year to you and your family! I can’t

believe we have celebrated the culmination of another year and are ready to ring in 2013! Where did the time go? Oh, yeah...running the kids to school, activities, friends’ parties, family gatherings, shopping, work-ing, and cleaning! Time feels like it just flew by, but of course, if I stop to really think about it, my days did seem to be long and stressful. While in the moment of the daily grind, I always wondered if I would actually get the day’s to-do list accomplished while, at the same time, wishing that bedtime would quickly approach. However, in assessing my year, it seems like it was over in the blink of an eye. Isn’t it strange how life feels that way, especially in stages? Like our own childhood...a blur to me now. Or, thinking I would be the last person

on Earth to turn 16 and get a license. Or, those long, nauseating days of pregnancy where I would have given my left arm for the 9 months to end and take my sickness, exhaustion and clumsy self with it! Only to find I had moved into another stage full of dragging days of feedings, diapers and endless nights of no sleep. While in the moments, you think to yourself, ‘this too shall pass’, only to reflect and wish that you could turn back time to childhood, high school, to feel that growing and kicking baby one more time or hold and rock your now 9-year-old as a tiny infant (even if at 3am).

While researching this month’s Baby Issue, I found myself reliving those early par-enting years with many of the questions and concerns I once faced. With my first daughter, I was not prepared for the sleepless nights, the loss of my own identity, and even at times, a sense of resentment. In the feature article, The (New) Parent Trap, by Heidi Smith Luedtke, these types of issues arise in parents more often than not. She reminds moms that in the early months, the 24/7 schedule can be daunting and unexpected. Even those parents who take all the parenting classes, join support groups and read and research can be surprised as to how unprepared for the reality of it all they truly are. The best advice is to be realistic and to know that you are not alone. Reaching out to others for support and to feel okay with accepting help along the way is the key to those early parenting days and nights. I found that one of my greatest challenges was the loss of myself. I visualized, and therefore characterized, myself and my daughter as one person. I behaved based on her needs only and scheduled my life around her. Having a newborn, you think, well isn’t that the way it should be? Sure. Until your daughter has somehow turned nine years old and you still don’t have your separate identity back. Finding a balance early on, where you meet the needs of your kids, while staying true to you, is a good skill to practice. After all, didn’t we once have hobbies, interests and personal goals for our life outside of wife and motherhood? The author suggests that if you are not careful, you will end up with resentful feelings. Maybe not toward being a parent, but with a vision that you have to do every-thing by yourself and you never have time to work toward personal goals.

With January being a time of renewal and beginnings, keep in mind how fast 2012 flew by and make 2013 moments count. Embrace each day and all that life brings, even on those days that you can’t wait for the clock to announce that it is bedtime or to be able to celebrate another TGIF. Whether you are a planning a new career path, an upcoming vaca-tion or a new baby that is on the way, slow down and enjoy each minute of each day. If you are like me, make it a 2013 goal to ask for help. Find acceptance in having others help along the way. In doing so, we can all make ourselves more open to others and can learn from one another, embrace our limitations, find balance for self and our family, which can ultimately contribute to a stronger and more thriving Auburn and Opelika community.

This time next year, I hope to instead say, “Wow! That was the longest year ever and I know exactly where each minute went!” Here’s to a fantastic year of moments, memories and family successes!


Living With ChildrenBy John Rosemond

Best Discipline for Child Who’s Lying and SneakyQ: Our 7-year-old has always been a great, respectful, funny little kid. How-ever, recently he started lying and has become a little sneaky. We punished him by taking

his television privilege away and mak-ing him write apology letters as well as apologizing over the phone to everyone he has lied to. We have explained to him that he is losing our trust and that we do not want to see this kind of behavior continue. Is this “typical” behavior for a 7-year-old boy? What is an appropriate punishment and more importantly, how can we get him to stop?

A: You’re doing the right thing, as in having him apologize to those he’s lied to and suffer other moderate conse-quences.

It is not unusual for children to experiment with lying, usually in the form of fabricating stories that haven’t

happened. More often than not, the child in question is otherwise well-adjusted, like your son. Let’s face it, children do odd things, some more than others. It’s the nature of the species. This is most likely just a passing phase, something he’s experimenting with, seeing if he can fool people and what sort of reaction he gets when the lie is discovered.

Along those lines, it may be that he has discovered that this gets a rise out of you. In that event, this little glitch might continue for a while no matter what you do. The bigger a deal you make of it, the worse it’s likely to get. The important thing is to be nonchalant about this as opposed to bent out of shape. Attitude is everything!

Q: We have an adult child who doesn’t want to grow up. She quit college after two years and moved across the country. As we anticipated, she’s having dif-ficulty supporting herself. In fact, she doesn’t have a job and seems to have no real motivation to get one. Her mother, my husband’s ex-wife, thinks we should be sending her a monthly allowance to help with her rent and food. We have

kept her on our health insurance, but feel that sending her money would equate to approving her poor choices and unac-ceptable lifestyle. What would you do?

A: I’d do what you’re doing. Legally, you are under no obligation to support an adult child, and supporting an ir-responsible adult child will only further delay her maturity. It may be what she wants, and it is surely going to make her life temporarily more comfortable, but it is not what she needs, not in the long run. Her mother is obviously addicted to enabling, and the girl is obviously addicted to entitlements. This is a toxic arrangment, one that you should not par-ticipate in. She isn’t going to learn how to deal with life’s realities if you make it possible for her to be both irresponsible and care-free.

Decisions of this sort are riddled with guilt and self-doubt. They are the toughest of parental decisions, in fact. Hang tough, and remember that life’s most valuable lessons are learned the hard way.

Family psychologist John Rosemond answers par-ents’ questions on his website at www.rosemond.com.

BOOT

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and reserve your spot! ~ Limited spaces availableCall Now!PHASE I - 10 WEEKSPHASE II - 10 WEEKS

Individual attentionFITNESS Nutrition334-521-2365


By John Rosemond

Best Discipline for Child Who’s Lying and Sneakykept her on our health insurance, but feel that sending her money would equate to approving her poor choices and unac-ceptable lifestyle. What would you do?

A: I’d do what you’re doing. Legally, you are under no obligation to support an adult child, and supporting an ir-responsible adult child will only further delay her maturity. It may be what she wants, and it is surely going to make her life temporarily more comfortable, but it is not what she needs, not in the long run. Her mother is obviously addicted to enabling, and the girl is obviously addicted to entitlements. This is a toxic arrangment, one that you should not par-ticipate in. She isn’t going to learn how to deal with life’s realities if you make it possible for her to be both irresponsible and care-free.

Decisions of this sort are riddled with guilt and self-doubt. They are the toughest of parental decisions, in fact. Hang tough, and remember that life’s most valuable lessons are learned the hard way.

Family psychologist John Rosemond answers par-ents’ questions on his website at www.rosemond.com.

BOOT

Challenge

CAMPF�� La��e�

R�p�� t� �X�� B�� C��J��u�� 7, 2013

and reserve your spot! ~ Limited spaces availableCall Now!PHASE I - 10 WEEKSPHASE II - 10 WEEKS

Individual attentionFITNESS Nutrition334-521-2365


bits & pieces Rangers to Perform for Public at

Fort BenningRangers in Action demonstration to

be held January 25 at the Hurley Hill

Demonstration area, on Fort Benning. This

highly coordinated performance will awe and thrill you

as Rangers detonate explosives, jump from helicopters into the water, rappel down and up towers, race down zip lines, and participate in hand to hand combat. 10 a.m. Access

to the installation is controlled through vehicle checkpoints. Drivers MUST show current drivers license, current insurance

card and current vehicle registration. All adult passengers will be asked to show picture identification.

Winter Warmth Tour of Old Alabama Town

How did early Alabamians keep warm? Take a tour of Old Alabama Town and discover their methods for combating the elements. January 1-31, 2013. Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-3 p.m. www.

oldalabamatown.com.

Auburn High School to Hold Curriculum NightAuburn High School will hold Curriculum Night on Wednesday, January 9th in the A H S Auditorium. The evening begins at 5:00 p.m. with an orientation session on the PSAT

and PLAN assessments that were given to sophomores and juniors during October. This session will be very informative in how to use the results of the assessments in

planning course selections and career choices. The General Session will begin at 6:00 p.m. with an overview of the new College and Career Readiness standards and the

process for course registration for next year. From 6:30 to 7:30, parents will be able to visit teachers in classrooms to learn about the courses that are offered at A H S.

Auburn’s Student Dance Ensemble to Perform Dance by Design

Join Auburn University Theatre’s student dance ensemble, January 24-26, for a captivating evening of choreography featuring a host of different styles. Dance by Design is a celebration of dance—

inspired by the work of Auburn

University Theatre scenic and lighting designer Fereshteh

Rostampour, and featuring

choreography by Adrienne Wilson and guest artists

Karola Lüttringhaus and Duane Lee

Holland. 7:30 p.m. www.auburn.edu.

AORTA Auburn Classic Half Marathon & Children's Half MarathonAll runners will start and finish at Cater Lawn on the campus of Auburn University, touring through the quaint homes on Gay Street, past the

Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art, and then touring the beautiful campus of Auburn University. The revised course will pass by the

city's most iconic landmarks including Jordan Hare Stadium, Heisman Drive, and the beloved Toomer's Corner oak trees. Our half marathon

participants will also enjoy a tour of the School of Veterinary Medicine and enjoy cruising down the newest paved running & biking paths in

Auburn. Come run with us and have your photo taken with the Heisman statues or finishing the last leg of the race under the Toomer's Oaks! Jan.

19. www.auburnrunning.org.

Red Tails Day at the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site

On Friday, January 20, historic Hangar One will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and visitors will be able to roam the museum to learn about the

Tuskegee Airmen (free event). We will also be

hosting various activities commemorating what the Governor's Office, City of Tuskegee, and Macon

County have deemed "Red Tails Day". Those activities will include: A

Children's Discovery Area, Exhibit Design Staging

Area, Video Viewing Area and Tuskegee Airmen Panel Discussion. Sorry, the George Lucas film

"Red Tails," opening in theaters on January 20, will not be shown at the Site during the activities..

'Titans of the Ice Age' in IMAX at the McWane Science Center

Titans of the Ice Age transports viewers to the beautiful and otherworldy frozen landscapes of North America, Europe and Asia ten thousand years before modern civilization. Peer through the big screen canvas to an ancient world of ice, the dawn of our species, a time when man shared the tundra with majestic woolly beasts. Dazzling computer-generated imagery brings this mysterious era to life - from saber-toothed cats and cave bears to dire wolves and woolly mammoths - giants

both feared and hunted by prehistoric humans. But the Ice Age is not only a story about mammoths and megafauna, this epoch marks a dynamic chapter in the development of the human spirit, a great test of survival, a "trial by ice" that would compel our ancestors to seek understanding and meaning

in nature. These inventions and discoveries -- art, language, clothing, the taming of fire -- born of the Pleistocene, were tools that defined and civilized the human species. The Ice Age takes a

thoughtful look at the critically important issue of environmental sustainability, adaptation, survival, and extinction, presenting a bigger-picture perspective on the relationship between climate, the

Earth, her resources and inhabitants. Opens January 18. www.mcwane.org.


bits & pieces Rangers to Perform for Public at

Fort BenningRangers in Action demonstration to

be held January 25 at the Hurley Hill

Demonstration area, on Fort Benning. This

highly coordinated performance will awe and thrill you

as Rangers detonate explosives, jump from helicopters into the water, rappel down and up towers, race down zip lines, and participate in hand to hand combat. 10 a.m. Access

to the installation is controlled through vehicle checkpoints. Drivers MUST show current drivers license, current insurance

card and current vehicle registration. All adult passengers will be asked to show picture identification.

Winter Warmth Tour of Old Alabama Town

How did early Alabamians keep warm? Take a tour of Old Alabama Town and discover their methods for combating the elements. January 1-31, 2013. Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-3 p.m. www.

oldalabamatown.com.

Auburn High School to Hold Curriculum NightAuburn High School will hold Curriculum Night on Wednesday, January 9th in the A H S Auditorium. The evening begins at 5:00 p.m. with an orientation session on the PSAT

and PLAN assessments that were given to sophomores and juniors during October. This session will be very informative in how to use the results of the assessments in

planning course selections and career choices. The General Session will begin at 6:00 p.m. with an overview of the new College and Career Readiness standards and the

process for course registration for next year. From 6:30 to 7:30, parents will be able to visit teachers in classrooms to learn about the courses that are offered at A H S.

AORTA Auburn Classic Half Marathon & Children's Half MarathonAll runners will start and finish at Cater Lawn on the campus of Auburn University, touring through the quaint homes on Gay Street, past the

Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art, and then touring the beautiful campus of Auburn University. The revised course will pass by the

city's most iconic landmarks including Jordan Hare Stadium, Heisman Drive, and the beloved Toomer's Corner oak trees. Our half marathon

participants will also enjoy a tour of the School of Veterinary Medicine and enjoy cruising down the newest paved running & biking paths in

Auburn. Come run with us and have your photo taken with the Heisman statues or finishing the last leg of the race under the Toomer's Oaks! Jan.

19. www.auburnrunning.org.

'Titans of the Ice Age' in IMAX at the McWane Science Center

Titans of the Ice Age transports viewers to the beautiful and otherworldy frozen landscapes of North America, Europe and Asia ten thousand years before modern civilization. Peer through the big screen canvas to an ancient world of ice, the dawn of our species, a time when man shared the tundra with majestic woolly beasts. Dazzling computer-generated imagery brings this mysterious era to life - from saber-toothed cats and cave bears to dire wolves and woolly mammoths - giants

both feared and hunted by prehistoric humans. But the Ice Age is not only a story about mammoths and megafauna, this epoch marks a dynamic chapter in the development of the human spirit, a great test of survival, a "trial by ice" that would compel our ancestors to seek understanding and meaning

in nature. These inventions and discoveries -- art, language, clothing, the taming of fire -- born of the Pleistocene, were tools that defined and civilized the human species. The Ice Age takes a

thoughtful look at the critically important issue of environmental sustainability, adaptation, survival, and extinction, presenting a bigger-picture perspective on the relationship between climate, the

Earth, her resources and inhabitants. Opens January 18. www.mcwane.org.


Storytelling Festival Set for Last Weekend in January

The 2013 Pike Piddlers Storytelling Festival brings back

by popular demand Donald Davis, Sheila Kay Adams,

Michael Reno Harrell and Andy Offut Irwin. When the weather turns cold and dreary and the

wind whips around every corner, then it's storytelling time. And

there's no better story place than the Pike Piddlers Storytelling

Festival held annually the last weekend in January in Pike County, Alabama. The festival features pre-show music by traditional

musicians prior to each storytelling concert. Come early and enjoy some of the best bluegrass, country and Southern gospel music your ears will ever hear. The

event opens on Friday night, January 25, with supper and stories at the We Piddle Around Theater in Brundidge, and moves eight miles up the road to the Trojan

Center Theater on the campus of Troy University for three storytelling concerts, January 26. www.piddle.org.

Women’s Conference to be Held at

Lakeview Baptist ChurchLakeview Baptist Church in Auburn

presents, Full Freedom: A

Conference for Women. Special

guest speakers Sharon Jaynes and Gwen

Smith. "I have come that

they may have life and have it to the full." John10:10. January

25-26. Cost $35 ($40 after January 11).

Students $15. www.lakeviewatthewell.com.

bits & pieces


Storytelling Festival Set for Last Weekend in January

The 2013 Pike Piddlers Storytelling Festival brings back

by popular demand Donald Davis, Sheila Kay Adams,

Michael Reno Harrell and Andy Offut Irwin. When the weather turns cold and dreary and the

wind whips around every corner, then it's storytelling time. And

there's no better story place than the Pike Piddlers Storytelling

Festival held annually the last weekend in January in Pike County, Alabama. The festival features pre-show music by traditional

musicians prior to each storytelling concert. Come early and enjoy some of the best bluegrass, country and Southern gospel music your ears will ever hear. The

event opens on Friday night, January 25, with supper and stories at the We Piddle Around Theater in Brundidge, and moves eight miles up the road to the Trojan

Center Theater on the campus of Troy University for three storytelling concerts, January 26. www.piddle.org.

bits & pieces

AIMS 2013The Adventures In Math and

Science summer program is an academic-oriented summer camp

for rising 7th-10th graders.

Don’t waste your summer! Spend it at the AIMS Summer Camp at the Alabama School of Math and Science! Learn while you have fun! Kayak Mobile Bay. Design a maze. Build a smart phone app. Solve a crime. Prepare for the ACT. Learn how to make jewelry. Build a robot. Launch a rocket...and much more!

AIMS will run for two sessions! Session 1 (June 3-7) is an overnight or day camp. Session 2 (June 10-14) is an overnight or day camp. Who can enroll? Students entering the 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th grades.

TuitionTuition for overnight camp is $375 per week and is all-inclusive. Tuition for day camp is $275 and includes lunch. The cost to stay the weekend between Sessions 1 and 2 is an additional $175 (includes trip to water park).

ApplicationsApplications, more information, and course descriptions are online at www.asms.net.

Course SamplingPhotoshop, So You Want to be an MD?, Math Games, Marine Biology, Robotics, Alchemy of Harry Potter, Codes and Ciphers, Smart Phone Apps, CSI: Mobile, Labs of Doom, Geometry, Cyber Security, Weird Food Science, The American West through Film, ACT Prep, Painting, Field Biology for Beginners, American Sign Language, PHUN Physics, Amazing Mazes, Rocketry, Engineering the Future, Etiquette for the Modern Girl, Psychology, Rock ‘N’ Roll History, Jewelry Design, & many more...

What is ASMS?Located in Mobile, ASMS is the state’s only fully residential and public high school for highly motivated sophomores, juniors, and seniors.


Kids Heal h Sponsored by Pediatric Associates of Auburn

Toddler Eating Habits

www.AuburnPediatricAssociates.com

As the parent of a very stubborn child, I can relate personally to the caregivers who are frustrated by their toddler’s eating habits. Although it may seem like this stage never ends, most children outgrow this time in their lives with minimal ef-fects. This article will focus on maintain-ing sanity and keeping perspective during a very trying time.

Developmentally, children after the first year of life have an overwhelming de-sire to control their environment. The job of the adult is to give the young child the illusion of choice so they feel like they are in control. This strategy can work when it comes to making some choices (choos-ing between red socks and blue socks), but fails miserably when it comes to what goes in and comes out of their bodies. When it comes to diet, some toddlers will attempt to refuse anything they are given. Some toddlers will eat “what they want” but refuse new foods or vegetables. Most importantly, one must remember that the long-term goal is a healthy child with a solid foundation for a healthy lifestyle.

First and foremost, one must re-member that young children can’t starve themselves or put themselves at risk for dehydration by refusing food or drink. Children are very instinctive and most children self-regulate their intake based on their individual calorie needs. Therefore, you must not fall into the trap of, “They won’t eat… they have to eat… I’ll make

them eat or give them whatever they will eat.” Remember, most every child will eat fried foods, cheese, and salt if given the choice. However, fried chicken fingers, French fries, macaroni and cheese, and hot dogs are not the foundation of a good diet. If a child refuses food, most commonly they will attempt to replace that intake with snacks or drinks (such as milk). I do think that it is important to have a “one bite” rule, as children need to learn to enjoy many different types of foods and it may take several exposures for a child to learn to like a new food.

Next, you shouldn’t force children to eat, punish for not eating, or reward food with treat, snacks, or dessert. It is perfect-ly acceptable to use eating well consistent-ly as a basis for an earned reward (such as creating a sticker chart with the goal at the end of a period being a favored treat), but resist using the “If you eat your dinner you can have dessert” line. The more punish-ment and difficulty that surrounds eating will, in some cases, lead to serious food related dysfunction, not to mention family stress. I strongly discourage meal replace-ments for children (i.e. Pediasure). You can imagine how much a child would love to drink a sweet liquid instead of eating. These are complete meals and should only be used under the direction of a physician.

In summary, I recommend that chil-dren should eat a balanced, healthy diet at most meals. Of course, the occasional

poor choice is fine (they are children, after all). I believe that families should eat together when possible and that separate meals should not be made for children (unless there are allergies, safety issues/choking hazards, or one member likes their food very spicy, for example). Ad-ditionally, you should limit snacking to at least two hours prior to a meal and limit any fluid intake right before a meal. I would also limit drinking during a meal to prevent filling the stomach. If a child refuses to eat, I recommend placing the plate to the side and trying again if he or she comes back later for a snack.

As you can see, I do recommend a hard line when it comes to dietary control. However, children need a strong caregiver to encourage a lifetime of eating healthy.

Dr. Wes Stubblefield graduated from the University of Alabama School of Medicine (UAB) with his medical degree in 2004, and then trained at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in pediatrics, finish-ing in 2007. He returned to Alabama in 2007 and joined Dr. Ellen Royal and Dr. Richard M. Freeman at their pediatric practice in Auburn. Dr. Stubblefield is board certified in pediatrics, is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and currently serves as the local area representative for it’s Alabama Chapter. He is mar-ried to Jennifer and they have one daughter, Peyton.


Sponsored by Pediatric Associates of Auburn

Toddler Eating Habits

www.AuburnPediatricAssociates.com

poor choice is fine (they are children, after all). I believe that families should eat together when possible and that separate meals should not be made for children (unless there are allergies, safety issues/choking hazards, or one member likes their food very spicy, for example). Ad-ditionally, you should limit snacking to at least two hours prior to a meal and limit any fluid intake right before a meal. I would also limit drinking during a meal to prevent filling the stomach. If a child refuses to eat, I recommend placing the plate to the side and trying again if he or she comes back later for a snack.

As you can see, I do recommend a hard line when it comes to dietary control. However, children need a strong caregiver to encourage a lifetime of eating healthy.

Dr. Wes Stubblefield graduated from the University of Alabama School of Medicine (UAB) with his medical degree in 2004, and then trained at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in pediatrics, finish-ing in 2007. He returned to Alabama in 2007 and joined Dr. Ellen Royal and Dr. Richard M. Freeman at their pediatric practice in Auburn. Dr. Stubblefield is board certified in pediatrics, is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and currently serves as the local area representative for it’s Alabama Chapter. He is mar-ried to Jennifer and they have one daughter, Peyton.


Dean Road Students Design Winning T-Shirts

The Rape Crisis Center of East Alabama invited all Auburn City School elementary students to participate in a contest during Anti-Bullying

month. The contest was a “How Do You Stop a Bully” Slogan and Design contest. The winners received a tee shirt with slogan and catch phrase on the back and the winners’ classrooms were treated to an ice cream party. The two winners from Dean Road Elementary School were third grader, Millie Mills and fifth grader, Amy Kim.

Morris Avenue Students Learn About Use of Irony and Slapstick

Students at Morris Avenue learned about the use of irony as part of the author's craft when the University of Alabama's Birmingham Theater

Tour recently performed O'Henry's short story, The Ransom of Red Chief. Students learned about slapstick physical comedy as part of the actor's craft

in bringing O'Henry's story to life.

Cary Woods Participates in the Beat Bama Food Drive

Student Council members at CWES collected 1,492 pounds of food to help with the Auburn University Beat Bama Food Drive. Along with collecting food items school wide, students worked on math skills as a part of the process by converting ounces into pounds. Cary Woods

students are happy to help “can” hunger!

Live Museum at Northside Intermediate School

Fifth graders at Northside Intermediate school brought history to life in their presentation of the annual Live Museum. Students and parents toured through

the live museum to meet historical characters and learn important events. Students were required to research their character, write a comprehensive

paragraph with references listed, compose an "I Am" poem and present their character during the event. Pictured: Tyler Burnette as John Adams as he talks

about his life to fellow Northside students.

Happy Holidays

from Wrights

Mill Road!

Girl Scout Troop Collects Needed Items for Humane Society

The Daisy Girl Scouts of Troop 7128 in Auburn worked hard to collect needed

items for the Lee County Humane Society. On Saturday, November 17, some of the

girls gathered to bring in the donations and take a tour of the facility.


Morris Avenue Students Learn About Use of Irony and Slapstick

Students at Morris Avenue learned about the use of irony as part of the author's craft when the University of Alabama's Birmingham Theater

Tour recently performed O'Henry's short story, The Ransom of Red Chief. Students learned about slapstick physical comedy as part of the actor's craft

in bringing O'Henry's story to life.

Cary Woods Participates in the Beat Bama Food Drive

Student Council members at CWES collected 1,492 pounds of food to help with the Auburn University Beat Bama Food Drive. Along with collecting food items school wide, students worked on math skills as a part of the process by converting ounces into pounds. Cary Woods

students are happy to help “can” hunger!

Live Museum at Northside Intermediate School

Fifth graders at Northside Intermediate school brought history to life in their presentation of the annual Live Museum. Students and parents toured through

the live museum to meet historical characters and learn important events. Students were required to research their character, write a comprehensive

paragraph with references listed, compose an "I Am" poem and present their character during the event. Pictured: Tyler Burnette as John Adams as he talks

about his life to fellow Northside students.

Happy Holidays

from Wrights

Mill Road!

Girl Scout Troop Collects Needed Items for Humane Society

The Daisy Girl Scouts of Troop 7128 in Auburn worked hard to collect needed

items for the Lee County Humane Society. On Saturday, November 17, some of the

girls gathered to bring in the donations and take a tour of the facility.

Opelika City Schools Kicks off Project Redirectory-Phone Book Recycling

The Opelika City Schools will once again help sponsor Project Redirectory to recycle old telephone books. Students in grades K-8 will be competing for cash prizes for their school by collecting the most books. The school that brings in the highest total amount of outdated telephone books will be awarded a check for $1000. Last year over 13,000 books were recycled. Northside Intermediate School won the 2011 recycling drive by collecting 3581 books and hosted the kickoff ceremony. Books were collected through

December 14. Pictured with Northside students from Mrs. Guice's enrichment class are (l-r): Michael Dowdell, City of Opelika Solid Waste Department; Tipi Miller, Keep Opelika

Beautiful Director; John Seymour,

Administrator, City of Opelika and Mike McKee, Northside Principal. Project

Redirectory is sponsored each year

by Yellow Pages (formerly AT&T),

Keep Opelika Beautiful, City

of Opelika Solid Waste Division, and

the Opelika City Schools.

Technology program for ages 1 & up

Solid Rubber Playground Surface reduces injuries

Our Character Education program teaches values

Healthy menu with fresh fruit and whole grain foods

Sign Language for all ages

Lower Child:Teacher ratios

Video monitoring in all classrooms

Infant curriculum customized for your baby

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Northside School Collects Canned Goods for Food Bank of East Alabama

The Student Council at Northside Intermediate School in Opelika sponsored a food drive for the Food Bank of East Alabama. Ms. Kristen

Massey, 4th grade teacher, made the arrangements with the food bank and helped with the organization of the drive. The Beat Bama food

drive collected 425 cans for Auburn and 196 cans for Alabama. In total, Northside collected 621 cans of food to donate to the food bank. Pictured:

Northside Intermediate School student council members collected 621 cans of food for the Food Bank of East

Alabama.

Dean Road Elementary Students Enjoy Mock Election

Students at Dean Road Elementary School participated recently in a mock presidential election. Boys and girls studied about the election process and

then practiced what they learned at the election. Pictured are second graders Yewon Bang and Kayla Stoeckel.

Cary Woods Elementary Students Flip for AU Gymnastics Team

Students at Cary Woods Elementary were excited to learn more about the AU Gymnastics program. The Gymnastics Team put on a

showcase of their skills and also lead a discussion on the importance of good character, hard work and staying in school.

Morris Avenue Holds Candy Mock ElectionMorris Ave Intermediate School's 5th grade students participated in a

Candy Election. This mock election taught our students at Morris Avenue about the election process and how the election can be swayed one

way or another. Students were placed into groups and given one of the following candies: Skittles, Three Musketeers, M&Ms, or Starburst. As a group, they had to create a poster promoting their candy. The poster,

as assigned, included a slogan and five reasons why people should vote for their candy. Each member of a group completed a persuasive speech

representing his or her candy trying to sway voters to vote for his or her candy. Once all of the group’s members’ speeches were completed, primaries were held to vote on which speech would be used to present

to the class. Each student registered to vote, and the process began. The groups presented their posters and speeches to the class, and voting was held. Only registered voters with correctly completed registration forms

were able to vote. Our outcome was surprising with Three Musketeers as our winner in a tight race with Skittles as a close second.


Northside School Collects Canned Goods for Food Bank of East Alabama

The Student Council at Northside Intermediate School in Opelika sponsored a food drive for the Food Bank of East Alabama. Ms. Kristen

Massey, 4th grade teacher, made the arrangements with the food bank and helped with the organization of the drive. The Beat Bama food

drive collected 425 cans for Auburn and 196 cans for Alabama. In total, Northside collected 621 cans of food to donate to the food bank. Pictured:

Northside Intermediate School student council members collected 621 cans of food for the Food Bank of East

Alabama.

Dean Road Elementary Students Enjoy Mock Election

Students at Dean Road Elementary School participated recently in a mock presidential election. Boys and girls studied about the election process and

then practiced what they learned at the election. Pictured are second graders Yewon Bang and Kayla Stoeckel.

Cary Woods Elementary Students Flip for AU Gymnastics Team

Students at Cary Woods Elementary were excited to learn more about the AU Gymnastics program. The Gymnastics Team put on a

showcase of their skills and also lead a discussion on the importance of good character, hard work and staying in school.

Morris Avenue Holds Candy Mock ElectionMorris Ave Intermediate School's 5th grade students participated in a

Candy Election. This mock election taught our students at Morris Avenue about the election process and how the election can be swayed one

way or another. Students were placed into groups and given one of the following candies: Skittles, Three Musketeers, M&Ms, or Starburst. As a group, they had to create a poster promoting their candy. The poster,

as assigned, included a slogan and five reasons why people should vote for their candy. Each member of a group completed a persuasive speech

representing his or her candy trying to sway voters to vote for his or her candy. Once all of the group’s members’ speeches were completed, primaries were held to vote on which speech would be used to present

to the class. Each student registered to vote, and the process began. The groups presented their posters and speeches to the class, and voting was held. Only registered voters with correctly completed registration forms

were able to vote. Our outcome was surprising with Three Musketeers as our winner in a tight race with Skittles as a close second.


Trinity Soccer to Compete at NationalsTrinity’s boy’s varsity soccer team is headed to nationals! After thirteen games, this hard working group of young men is set to compete in Dayton, Tennessee at the NACA tournament. Our

undefeated team has put many hours of blood, sweat, and tears into achieving this opportunity. The teams will contend from

October 30- November 2 for the title of victor. We look forward to seeing the Eagles bring back a championship with humble

attitudes!

Thanksgiving Feast at Carver Primary School

Kindergarten students at Carver Primary School had a Thanksgiving feast on November 19. The feast table was as

long as the entire Kindergarten hallway. The students dressed as pilgrims and Native Americans and enjoyed turkey, dressing,

green beans, corn and pumpkin pie. The Kindergarten feast is an annual tradition enjoyed by the teachers and students at

Carver Primary.

Lee-Scott Academy Announces School

Winners for the Wendy’s High School Heisman

AwardEach fall, the Wendy’s High School

Heisman recognizes the nation’s most esteemed high school senior men and women for excellence in academics,

athletics, and community/ school leadership.

Lee-Scott Academy’s Breanne DeBaets and Taylor Hamby were the school winners for this year. The program,

awarded in conjunction with

the collegiate Heisman,

celebrates the achievements of the nations’ top high school seniors both in and out of the

classroom. Breanne and

Taylor are recognized for the following accomplishments: Both have maintained

high academic averages while being active in sports, clubs and other extra-curricular activities at Lee-Scott. They have also

been extensively involved in community service throughout the Auburn and

Opelika area. Created in 1994, the Wendy’s High School Heisman program, has been

celebrating youth excellence for 13 years. The program consists of five phases, which include school winners, state

finalists, state winners, national finalists and national winners. Congratulations

Breanne and Taylor and good luck as the competition continues!


Trinity Soccer to Compete at NationalsTrinity’s boy’s varsity soccer team is headed to nationals! After thirteen games, this hard working group of young men is set to compete in Dayton, Tennessee at the NACA tournament. Our

undefeated team has put many hours of blood, sweat, and tears into achieving this opportunity. The teams will contend from

October 30- November 2 for the title of victor. We look forward to seeing the Eagles bring back a championship with humble

attitudes!

Lee-Scott Academy Announces School

Winners for the Wendy’s High School Heisman

AwardEach fall, the Wendy’s High School

Heisman recognizes the nation’s most esteemed high school senior men and women for excellence in academics,

athletics, and community/ school leadership.

Lee-Scott Academy’s Breanne DeBaets and Taylor Hamby were the school winners for this year. The program,

awarded in conjunction with

the collegiate Heisman,

celebrates the achievements of the nations’ top high school seniors both in and out of the

classroom. Breanne and

Taylor are recognized for the following accomplishments: Both have maintained

high academic averages while being active in sports, clubs and other extra-curricular activities at Lee-Scott. They have also

been extensively involved in community service throughout the Auburn and

Opelika area. Created in 1994, the Wendy’s High School Heisman program, has been

celebrating youth excellence for 13 years. The program consists of five phases, which include school winners, state

finalists, state winners, national finalists and national winners. Congratulations

Breanne and Taylor and good luck as the competition continues!

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Character Parade at West Forest Intermediate

Students at West Forest Intermediate recently participated in a Character Parade. Each class selected a book and dressed up as

characters from the book. The students then paraded through the school and were judged on their creativity. The winners were: 3rd grade-Ms. Mary Clark's class for the Wizard of Oz; 4th grade was a tie-Ms. Jenny Lane/Ms. Carla Holcey's class for Duck for President

and Ms. Grace Harris' class for Honestly, Red Riding Hood was Rotten; and 5th grade-Ms. Jenna Layson's class for The Doorbell

Rang. Special recognition was given to Ms. Anthia Still, Ms. Sharon Brock and Ms. Dana Thrower's class for Alice in Wonderland.

Pictured: Ms. Mary Clark's 3rd grade class dressed up as characters from the Wizard of Oz.

Boys and Girls Club Exhibit Children’s Art

Thirteen members of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lee County's rhythm band performed at the club's annual Fine Art Exhibit at the Auburn Public

Library. Artwork designed by the children is on display.

Cary Woods Elementary Chorus Sings the National Anthem

at AU Game The Cary Woods Chorus Club, under the direction of Caleb

Doster, were invited to sing and open the first Auburn University Women's Basketball game of the season. CWES's rendition of The National Anthem was a success that honored our nation and set up the team for a great start to their season!

Lee-Scott Academy Varsity Football Team, State Runners-Up

The LSA Varsity Football Team completed the regular season with a record of 9-1. This is the best regular season record for a LSA football team since 1994. The team went on to defeat Hooper Academy and

Monroe Academy in the 1st and 2nd round of playoffs. The Warriors competed for the State Championship at Troy University, falling short by one point to Tuscaloosa Academy. Congratulations to the players

and coaches for an outstanding season.

• HORSEBACK RIDING • SWIMMING • TENNIS • CANOEING • DANCE • AEROBICS • GYMNASTICS • BEACH VOLLEYBALL •BASKETBALL•SO

CCER•ARTS

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We’ve put together everything you’re looking for in a perfect camp setting! Recognized as one ofthe Southeast’s best all-around camps for girls, Riverview is an oasis of fun, friends and happiness...Exciting activities include: Riding, Heated Pool,Tennis, Canoeing, Ropes Course, ClimbingTower,Golf, Dance, Stomp Dance, Outdoor Skills Class, Sports, Soccer, BeachVolleyball, Basketball,Riverview Refinement, CIT Program, Campfires every night, optional trips and more!

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1 & 2WeekSessions forAges 6-16

0000067769-01

We don’t wonder anymore how it happened,that one summer could bring such happy memories.

Welcome to Riverview Camp for Girls!

Only 11/2 hours from HuntsvilleLocated on top of Lookout Mountain in Mentone, AL. Only a 3 hr drive.

Waiting lists start early...sign up soon!...

Why do I choose Riverview each summer? “I saw my first river on a mountain, I rode my first horse. I had campfires every night. I felt close to God. I giggled a lot with new friends and counselors. The time flew by! I felt safe and secure. I gained confidence in myself through the world around me.”“As times go, it was one of the BEST.” And what child couldn’t use some of that these days?We’ve put together everything you’re looking for in a perfect camp setting! Recognized as one of the Southeast’s best all-around summer camps for girls, Riverview is an oasis of fun, friends and happiness. Spring and Fall Mother-Daughter Weekends are available also! Registered Nurses and Physician on Staff. Entire full-summer staff is First Aid and CPR Certified. Camper/Counselor Ratio 5:1


Character Parade at West Forest Intermediate

Students at West Forest Intermediate recently participated in a Character Parade. Each class selected a book and dressed up as

characters from the book. The students then paraded through the school and were judged on their creativity. The winners were: 3rd grade-Ms. Mary Clark's class for the Wizard of Oz; 4th grade was a tie-Ms. Jenny Lane/Ms. Carla Holcey's class for Duck for President

and Ms. Grace Harris' class for Honestly, Red Riding Hood was Rotten; and 5th grade-Ms. Jenna Layson's class for The Doorbell

Rang. Special recognition was given to Ms. Anthia Still, Ms. Sharon Brock and Ms. Dana Thrower's class for Alice in Wonderland.

Pictured: Ms. Mary Clark's 3rd grade class dressed up as characters from the Wizard of Oz.

Boys and Girls Club Exhibit Children’s Art

Thirteen members of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lee County's rhythm band performed at the club's annual Fine Art Exhibit at the Auburn Public

Library. Artwork designed by the children is on display.

Cary Woods Elementary Chorus Sings the National Anthem

at AU Game The Cary Woods Chorus Club, under the direction of Caleb

Doster, were invited to sing and open the first Auburn University Women's Basketball game of the season. CWES's rendition of The National Anthem was a success that honored our nation and set up the team for a great start to their season!

Lee-Scott Academy Varsity Football Team, State Runners-Up

The LSA Varsity Football Team completed the regular season with a record of 9-1. This is the best regular season record for a LSA football team since 1994. The team went on to defeat Hooper Academy and

Monroe Academy in the 1st and 2nd round of playoffs. The Warriors competed for the State Championship at Troy University, falling short by one point to Tuscaloosa Academy. Congratulations to the players

and coaches for an outstanding season.

• HORSEBACK RIDING • SWIMMING • TENNIS • CANOEING • DANCE • AEROBICS • GYMNASTICS • BEACH VOLLEYBALL •BASKETBALL•SO

CCER•ARTS

ANDCRAFTS•C

HORUS

ANDDRAMA

• ROPES COURSE • CLIMBING TOWER • OUTDOOR LIVING SKILLS • CAMPFIRE FUN • COUNSELOR-IN-TRAINING •FLAGTW

IRLING•C

HEERLEADING•R

IFLERY•A

RCHERY•TRIPDA

Y•G

OLF

New friends are now best friends. New experiences are now the best timesever. No wonder it’s so easy to tell others about it and include them in the fun.

We’ve put together everything you’re looking for in a perfect camp setting! Recognized as one ofthe Southeast’s best all-around camps for girls, Riverview is an oasis of fun, friends and happiness...Exciting activities include: Riding, Heated Pool,Tennis, Canoeing, Ropes Course, ClimbingTower,Golf, Dance, Stomp Dance, Outdoor Skills Class, Sports, Soccer, BeachVolleyball, Basketball,Riverview Refinement, CIT Program, Campfires every night, optional trips and more!

1 & 2 week Sessions for ages 6 to 16...Spring and Fall Mother-DaughterWeekends...waiting lists start early...sign up soon!...

www.riverviewcamp.com!

Call for FREE DVD and catalog 1-800-882-0722Accredited by American Camping Association • Members of Christian Camping International

Dr. Larry & Susan Hooks, Owners/Directors • Donna Bares,Asst. Directorwww.riverviewcamp.com

1 & 2WeekSessions forAges 6-16

0000067769-01

We don’t wonder anymore how it happened,that one summer could bring such happy memories.

Welcome to Riverview Camp for Girls!

Only 11/2 hours from HuntsvilleLocated on top of Lookout Mountain in Mentone, AL. Only a 3 hr drive.

Waiting lists start early...sign up soon!...

Why do I choose Riverview each summer? “I saw my first river on a mountain, I rode my first horse. I had campfires every night. I felt close to God. I giggled a lot with new friends and counselors. The time flew by! I felt safe and secure. I gained confidence in myself through the world around me.”“As times go, it was one of the BEST.” And what child couldn’t use some of that these days?We’ve put together everything you’re looking for in a perfect camp setting! Recognized as one of the Southeast’s best all-around summer camps for girls, Riverview is an oasis of fun, friends and happiness. Spring and Fall Mother-Daughter Weekends are available also! Registered Nurses and Physician on Staff. Entire full-summer staff is First Aid and CPR Certified. Camper/Counselor Ratio 5:1


Teacher of the Year Named at Dean Road Elementary School

Sherri Shiver, first grade teacher, has been named the Teacher of the Year at Dean Road Elementary School. Mrs. Shiver graduated from Troy University and has taught for 14 years. This is her sixth year as a first grade teacher at Dean Road School. Mrs. Shiver is married to Paul Shiver and they have three sons – Austin, Reed, and Barrett. Pictured is

Mrs. Shiver with one of her students, Dakota Swanson-Gentry.

Wacoochee Elementary Holds Turkey Trot 5K

WES held its 2nd

annual Turkey Trot 5K Run

sponsored by the PTO. Students,

parents, and teachers enjoyed a fun-filled morning of activities! The

winner was Eli Richards, a 5th

grader at WES. Congratulations Eli for running a great race!

Fun for the Young at Polar Express Holiday Celebration

Claudia Snow (left) and Jasmin Connor (right) perform a selection from the East Alabama Community Ballet's production of The

Nutcracker Ballet at the 2012 Polar Express Holiday Celebration on Saturday, Dec. 1 at Kiesel Park. The Polar Express, presented by

Auburn Parks and Recreation and the Auburn Arts Association, is an annual event for children 12 & under featuring holiday-themed arts

& crafts, sweets & treats, a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a ride on a trackless train, and more. The event is sponsored by Chick-fil-A Magnolia Avenue, Earth Fare, East Alabama Community Ballet,

HobbyTown USA, and Kinnucan's.

AEEC Orange Pod Board Cruise for Italy

The kindergarten students in the orange pod at AEEC have been learning about Italy this year. The students decided that they would take a 'cruise ship' to get to the Italian port.

They worked hard on passports, packing their luggage, choosing and dressing the part as a cruise ship employee and then it was time to

board and set sail. All Aboard! As the students loaded the 'ship', they took a tour of a cabin,

the captains quarters, practiced the safety drill, and then had a Bon Voyage Celebration.


Teacher of the Year Named at Dean Road Elementary School

Sherri Shiver, first grade teacher, has been named the Teacher of the Year at Dean Road Elementary School. Mrs. Shiver graduated from Troy University and has taught for 14 years. This is her sixth year as a first grade teacher at Dean Road School. Mrs. Shiver is married to Paul Shiver and they have three sons – Austin, Reed, and Barrett. Pictured is

Mrs. Shiver with one of her students, Dakota Swanson-Gentry.

Wacoochee Elementary Holds Turkey Trot 5K

WES held its 2nd

annual Turkey Trot 5K Run

sponsored by the PTO. Students,

parents, and teachers enjoyed a fun-filled morning of activities! The

winner was Eli Richards, a 5th

grader at WES. Congratulations Eli for running a great race!

Fun for the Young at Polar Express Holiday Celebration

Claudia Snow (left) and Jasmin Connor (right) perform a selection from the East Alabama Community Ballet's production of The

Nutcracker Ballet at the 2012 Polar Express Holiday Celebration on Saturday, Dec. 1 at Kiesel Park. The Polar Express, presented by

Auburn Parks and Recreation and the Auburn Arts Association, is an annual event for children 12 & under featuring holiday-themed arts

& crafts, sweets & treats, a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a ride on a trackless train, and more. The event is sponsored by Chick-fil-A Magnolia Avenue, Earth Fare, East Alabama Community Ballet,

HobbyTown USA, and Kinnucan's.

AEEC Orange Pod Board Cruise for Italy

The kindergarten students in the orange pod at AEEC have been learning about Italy this year. The students decided that they would take a 'cruise ship' to get to the Italian port.

They worked hard on passports, packing their luggage, choosing and dressing the part as a cruise ship employee and then it was time to

board and set sail. All Aboard! As the students loaded the 'ship', they took a tour of a cabin,

the captains quarters, practiced the safety drill, and then had a Bon Voyage Celebration.


Lee-Scott Academy Ambassadors Busy

VolunteeringThe Lee-Scott Academy Ambassadors have been

very busy! They were hosts/hostesses at the Auburn Tour of Homes, assisted with the LSA

Dinner Theater, and were volunteers at the Toys for Tots run all in the last month! They will

also be assisting with Lee-Scott's Grandparent's Day and the annual Community Open House in

January.

Cary Woods Chorus Honors Veterans

The chorus club at Cary Woods Elementary School invited students, staff, parents and Veterans within our community to

come and celebrate with singing. The chorus students sand musical numbers that honored each branch of the military. The highlight of the program was when the Veterans were asked to stand and be honored for their contribution and

service to The United States of America. Bizilia and Adams

Named Mr. and Miss OHSSeniors Michael Bizilia and Kadie Adams were named Mr. and Miss OHS during the

pageant on November 18. Participants competed in categories including casual wear, formal wear, an interview and on-

stage questions. Their grade point average also factored in to their total score.

Bizilia and Adams were both awarded a scholarship. Congratulations!

Veterans Honored at Dean Road ElementaryDean Road Elementary students hosted

another outstanding Veterans’ Day Program this year. Many Dads, Moms,

Granddads, Aunts, and Uncles were recognized as Dean Road’s special

veterans. All branches of the military were represented. The program included performances from the Dean Road choir,

skits from Dean Road students, and special music from Dean Road teacher,

Mrs. Holden. Pictured are students, Jack Stevens, Olivia Van Der Reijden , and

Sophie Snyder who took part in the program.


Lee-Scott Academy Ambassadors Busy

VolunteeringThe Lee-Scott Academy Ambassadors have been

very busy! They were hosts/hostesses at the Auburn Tour of Homes, assisted with the LSA

Dinner Theater, and were volunteers at the Toys for Tots run all in the last month! They will

also be assisting with Lee-Scott's Grandparent's Day and the annual Community Open House in

January.

Cary Woods Chorus Honors Veterans

The chorus club at Cary Woods Elementary School invited students, staff, parents and Veterans within our community to

come and celebrate with singing. The chorus students sand musical numbers that honored each branch of the military. The highlight of the program was when the Veterans were asked to stand and be honored for their contribution and

service to The United States of America. Bizilia and Adams

Named Mr. and Miss OHSSeniors Michael Bizilia and Kadie Adams were named Mr. and Miss OHS during the

pageant on November 18. Participants competed in categories including casual wear, formal wear, an interview and on-

stage questions. Their grade point average also factored in to their total score.

Bizilia and Adams were both awarded a scholarship. Congratulations!

Veterans Honored at Dean Road ElementaryDean Road Elementary students hosted

another outstanding Veterans’ Day Program this year. Many Dads, Moms,

Granddads, Aunts, and Uncles were recognized as Dean Road’s special

veterans. All branches of the military were represented. The program included performances from the Dean Road choir,

skits from Dean Road students, and special music from Dean Road teacher,

Mrs. Holden. Pictured are students, Jack Stevens, Olivia Van Der Reijden , and

Sophie Snyder who took part in the program.


Southview Primary Celebrates Colonial Days

Students at Southview Primary School celebrated Colonial Days just before the Thanksgiving break. They learned about pottery from Mrs.

Kara Taylor from the Opelika Parks and Rec, gardening from Dr. Sean Forbes of Auburn University, quilting from Mrs. Rie Bagwell,

bee keeping from Mr. Charlie Couey, and flint knapping from Mr. Lee Smith, Jr. The students played colonial games and also were treated to a hayride by Mr. H.S. Bence. Many thanks to the volunteers, teachers

and parents who made the day a success. Pictured: Mr. Lee Smith, Jr. talks with Kindergarten students at Southview Primary about the

process of flint knapping.

Dean Road Elementary Announces Spelling Bee Winners

The annual spelling bee took place at Dean Road Elementary recently. Class winners from grades 3 – 5 participated in the event. Tristan Darby-Scott, third grader in Ms. Brown’s class, was the winner. Carson Barnes, fifth grader in Mrs. Beason’s class, was the runner-up. Tristan

and Carson are both busy preparing for the county spelling bee to be held soon.

Veterans Day at Lee-Scott AcademyEach year the elementary school holds a special program designed

to honor American veterans and soldiers. This year’s program was held in the LSA cafetorium on Friday, November 9.

The 6th grade classes were responsible for making banners for display in the cafetorium to express our appreciation to our veterans for protecting us and our country. A special American

flag that had been flown in Iraq and presented to the school several years ago was flown on the campus, as it is each Veterans Day.

The 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students presented a musical program led by the elementary music teacher, Mrs. Mary Smith. All

present stood for the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag led by Mrs. Suzanne Smith, 5th grade American history teacher.A group of Lee-Scott mothers organized a project to send Christmas stockings filled with gifts to a unit of soldiers serving our country in Afghanistan. Each of the 72 soldiers in the unit received a stocking.

The officer in charge of the unit is a Lee-Scott dad. Mrs. Staci Lanier, representing the committee, explained this project to the students.

Dr. Roberts spoke to the group discussing the reasons we celebrate Veterans Day and the importance of honoring Americans who have served in the

armed forces to protect our freedom. He reminded students to thank veterans or soldiers in uniform for their contribution to the United States of

America. The program ended with prayer.

Dancers Perform for Parents at Nix Nix Dance School dancers invited family members into the studio to experience some Holiday Magic. Students showed off their learned

skills including ballet barre work and a performance that had the room clapping and cheering on their favorite little dancers.

Merry Christmas from Auburn Jr. High School’s Hal Moore

Leadership Academy!

Clara's Tea PartyIt was a night to remember for little girls in Lee County! Dressed in their holiday best, the girls had a tea party, decorated seasonal arts and crafts and watched sneak peeks of the upcoming annual

Nutcracker Ballet. While enjoying the magical moments of the night, the girls were able to meet the characters that performed in this year's

Nutcracker.

The East Alabama Community Ballet's Performance of “The Nutcracker”

Carly Parker was the perfect Clara for the 2012 production of The Nutcracker. She is pictured here with her dad, Scott Parker, who

also performed as a member of this year's cast.

Beulah High School’s Spelling Bee Winner

Congratulations to 8th Grader Mitchell Perry, Beulah High School’s Spelling Bee Winner!

Pictured is BHS Assistant Principal David Owen presenting the award to

Mitchell Perry. Congratulations also to

Sarah Cotney, runner-up!

Please send your school news and photos by the 20th of each month to: [email protected].


Southview Primary Celebrates Colonial Days

Students at Southview Primary School celebrated Colonial Days just before the Thanksgiving break. They learned about pottery from Mrs.

Kara Taylor from the Opelika Parks and Rec, gardening from Dr. Sean Forbes of Auburn University, quilting from Mrs. Rie Bagwell,

bee keeping from Mr. Charlie Couey, and flint knapping from Mr. Lee Smith, Jr. The students played colonial games and also were treated to a hayride by Mr. H.S. Bence. Many thanks to the volunteers, teachers

and parents who made the day a success. Pictured: Mr. Lee Smith, Jr. talks with Kindergarten students at Southview Primary about the

process of flint knapping.

Dean Road Elementary Announces Spelling Bee Winners

The annual spelling bee took place at Dean Road Elementary recently. Class winners from grades 3 – 5 participated in the event. Tristan Darby-Scott, third grader in Ms. Brown’s class, was the winner. Carson Barnes, fifth grader in Mrs. Beason’s class, was the runner-up. Tristan

and Carson are both busy preparing for the county spelling bee to be held soon.

Veterans Day at Lee-Scott AcademyEach year the elementary school holds a special program designed

to honor American veterans and soldiers. This year’s program was held in the LSA cafetorium on Friday, November 9.

The 6th grade classes were responsible for making banners for display in the cafetorium to express our appreciation to our veterans for protecting us and our country. A special American

flag that had been flown in Iraq and presented to the school several years ago was flown on the campus, as it is each Veterans Day.

The 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students presented a musical program led by the elementary music teacher, Mrs. Mary Smith. All

present stood for the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag led by Mrs. Suzanne Smith, 5th grade American history teacher.A group of Lee-Scott mothers organized a project to send Christmas stockings filled with gifts to a unit of soldiers serving our country in Afghanistan. Each of the 72 soldiers in the unit received a stocking.

The officer in charge of the unit is a Lee-Scott dad. Mrs. Staci Lanier, representing the committee, explained this project to the students.

Dr. Roberts spoke to the group discussing the reasons we celebrate Veterans Day and the importance of honoring Americans who have served in the

armed forces to protect our freedom. He reminded students to thank veterans or soldiers in uniform for their contribution to the United States of

America. The program ended with prayer.

Dancers Perform for Parents at Nix Nix Dance School dancers invited family members into the studio to experience some Holiday Magic. Students showed off their learned

skills including ballet barre work and a performance that had the room clapping and cheering on their favorite little dancers.

Southview's Holiday ProgramSouthview students started the Holiday Season off with fun songs

and a festive performance.

Merry Christmas from Auburn Jr. High School’s Hal Moore

Leadership Academy!

Clara's Tea PartyIt was a night to remember for little girls in Lee County! Dressed in their holiday best, the girls had a tea party, decorated seasonal arts and crafts and watched sneak peeks of the upcoming annual

Nutcracker Ballet. While enjoying the magical moments of the night, the girls were able to meet the characters that performed in this year's

Nutcracker.

The East Alabama Community Ballet's Performance of “The Nutcracker”

Carly Parker was the perfect Clara for the 2012 production of The Nutcracker. She is pictured here with her dad, Scott Parker, who

also performed as a member of this year's cast.

Beulah High School’s Spelling Bee Winner

Congratulations to 8th Grader Mitchell Perry, Beulah High School’s Spelling Bee Winner!

Pictured is BHS Assistant Principal David Owen presenting the award to

Mitchell Perry. Congratulations also to

Sarah Cotney, runner-up!

Please send your school news and photos by the 20th of each month to: [email protected].


by Paige Gardner Smith

What’s Knot to Love?The milestone of tying their own shoes marks a turning point

toward independence for kids. Learning the process of manipu-lating string, mastering the dexterity of making knots usually

leads to a big confidence boost. Keep the self-confidence building with these projects and gadgets that help kids tie

things together with great results. Manipulating string, yarn, fabric and cord into useable gifts and gear opens the door for children and teens to develop new skill sets while sharpening their manual dexterity. From hand-made blankets to hats and

scarves, what’s not to love about knotted crafts!

What’s Knot to Love?

Recommending the Best Toys and Products for Kids

Harrisville Pegloom(Harrisville Designs)

The simplest of working with yarn is weaving, with an over-and-under matrix that kids quickly understand once they put their hands to it. A hard-wood loom with nylon pegs is easily threaded with the ‘woof’ yarn and then it’s a simple rou-tine of weaving the ‘weft’ yarn over and under the vertical lines on the loom to create a ‘fabric’ of woven material (100% wool yarns are included). The resulting designs are colorful, sturdy and can used as potholders, coasters, bookmarks, computer pads or stitched together into beautiful textile wall hangings that any child (and adult) can take pride in. It’s ‘knot’ hard at all for kids to quickly weave a work of art!

Knot a Quilt Kit(Alex Toys)

Making fleece quilts on their own is “knot” a problem for little hands. No needles, sewing or pad-ding is required for small fingers to tie simple knots in rows, adding squares one-by-one into their quilt-work masterpiece. The kit includes 48 nine-inch fleece squares that are pre-cut with tie fringed edges. Children tie the edges together on each side and watch their quilt grow with each new row. Self-contained with no other tools needed, the Knot-A-Quilt kit is ideal for camping, travel and quiet time. And when the project is complete, the master quilter can wrap themselves in a hand-knotted fleece quilt and a sense of accomplishment.

Alex Granny Squares(Alex Toys)

One of the easiest ‘craft’ knot stitches is crochet, mak-ing it ideal for kids to learn and master. With a simple repeated twist and hook, kids can produce ‘granny’ squares of crocheted yarn that can assem-ble into all kinds of wearable and shareable art. Because the craft produces units (squares), the final project can be determined by how many squares the young crafter is inclined to crochet (kids with shorter attention spans may opt to produce a short scarf or doll blanket while dedicated crochet square makers may envi-sion an afghan or shawl). This award-winning kit comes with a crochet hook, plastic needle, plus 300 yards of richly colored yarn so the possibilities are “knot” limited.

.

Knifty Knitter Loom Set(Boye)

For kids and adults who’d like to fast-track creating knitted acces-sories, Knity Knitter builds on a set of round looms in graduated sizes will have you knitting in no time. Looping the yarn in patterns on the loom produces circular or flat knits that can be finished with a few stitches into hats, scarves and more. The littlest loom is best for doll-sized projects while the largest rolls out adult-sized hats and more. Easy enough for elementary-school age kids and addictive for its versatility to adult crafters, there are also additional Knifty Knitter projects and patterns online for young crafters to expand their knitting portfolio.

Paige Smith is a freelance writer and syndicated columnist living in Alabama. More on GET THIS! at www.PageBookMedia.com.


What’s Knot to Love?The milestone of tying their own shoes marks a turning point

toward independence for kids. Learning the process of manipu-lating string, mastering the dexterity of making knots usually

leads to a big confidence boost. Keep the self-confidence building with these projects and gadgets that help kids tie

things together with great results. Manipulating string, yarn, fabric and cord into useable gifts and gear opens the door for children and teens to develop new skill sets while sharpening their manual dexterity. From hand-made blankets to hats and

scarves, what’s not to love about knotted crafts!

What’s Knot to Love?

Knot a Quilt Kit(Alex Toys)

Making fleece quilts on their own is “knot” a problem for little hands. No needles, sewing or pad-ding is required for small fingers to tie simple knots in rows, adding squares one-by-one into their quilt-work masterpiece. The kit includes 48 nine-inch fleece squares that are pre-cut with tie fringed edges. Children tie the edges together on each side and watch their quilt grow with each new row. Self-contained with no other tools needed, the Knot-A-Quilt kit is ideal for camping, travel and quiet time. And when the project is complete, the master quilter can wrap themselves in a hand-knotted fleece quilt and a sense of accomplishment.

Knifty Knitter Loom Set(Boye)

For kids and adults who’d like to fast-track creating knitted acces-sories, Knity Knitter builds on a set of round looms in graduated sizes will have you knitting in no time. Looping the yarn in patterns on the loom produces circular or flat knits that can be finished with a few stitches into hats, scarves and more. The littlest loom is best for doll-sized projects while the largest rolls out adult-sized hats and more. Easy enough for elementary-school age kids and addictive for its versatility to adult crafters, there are also additional Knifty Knitter projects and patterns online for young crafters to expand their knitting portfolio.

Paige Smith is a freelance writer and syndicated columnist living in Alabama. More on GET THIS! at www.PageBookMedia.com.


by Jan UdlockWinter is upon us and consequently,

you and your children are in the house more often. Yet, life inside your home does not have to be dull during the wintry, dreary days. If you are a tired-from-too-many-things-to-do mom or just need some help with ideas, here are some easy ways to inspire your kids to have fun and create memories at the same time.

Start New TraditionsWith the holidays behind us, your

kids can get bored. There is no reason to stop celebrating as a family though. Have a family meeting and come up with a new crazy celebration and invite friends or family members to celebrate the new tradition. Let your kids come up with ideas for a theme party. Let you kids be the interior designers. Some silly, simple ideas include Western Vam-pires or Hawaiian Snow Sports.

Make it simple by having a potluck meal and have your guests bring their favorite dish. The goal is to have fun as family and friends and enjoy one another.

Have a classic movie night with just your family and have popcorn and ice cream sundaes. Tell stories to your kids about when you and your spouse were kids. Be sure to share your favor-

ite movie with them.

Make a visit to your local library and look at kid’s cook-books. Children’s cookbooks include fun and wacky ideas for different dishes. Make a new des-sert and see if you can find a new, simple family favorite.

Initiate GratitudeBeing thankful is often connected

with Thanksgiving and since that holi-day is over; it is easy to forget about gratefulness. So keep the idea alive and start a journal with your family. Have kids list all the things and people that they are grateful for. Add to it each

month. Model for them a grateful at-titude and talk about being content.

Recycle Your TreePlace your Christmas tree out-

side and decorate it with bird cookies. You can get recipes on the internet by looking up bird feeder crafts. You can decorate your tree or any branches of

Mom, I’m Bored!Winter

Crafts & Activities

a living tree in your yard with pinecones slathered with a mixture of peanut butter, margarine, and bird seed. You and your kids can sit inside your home at a window and watch birds come and feed. Grab a bird book at the library and see if you can identify different birds in your area. If you have a budding artist in your family, have him draw the different birds that visit.

ExerciseAfter all the great food of the holi-

days, you may be feeling you overin-dulged too much. Take your kids out with you on a walk. Research demonstrates exercise helps boost mood, improves mental focus, and decreases appetite. Start slow and walk for 20 minutes. You can also turn on the music loud and play freeze dance with your kids.

Study WinterStudy winter and all its features

with your kids. You can make a trip to the library and select winter picture books if you have younger children. Pic-ture books are often a delight to study no matter how old you are. Ask the chil-dren’s librarian for recommendations.


month. Model for them a grateful at-titude and talk about being content.

Recycle Your TreePlace your Christmas tree out-

side and decorate it with bird cookies. You can get recipes on the internet by looking up bird feeder crafts. You can decorate your tree or any branches of

Mom, I’m Bored!a living tree in your yard with pinecones slathered with a mixture of peanut butter, margarine, and bird seed. You and your kids can sit inside your home at a window and watch birds come and feed. Grab a bird book at the library and see if you can identify different birds in your area. If you have a budding artist in your family, have him draw the different birds that visit.

ExerciseAfter all the great food of the holi-

days, you may be feeling you overin-dulged too much. Take your kids out with you on a walk. Research demonstrates exercise helps boost mood, improves mental focus, and decreases appetite. Start slow and walk for 20 minutes. You can also turn on the music loud and play freeze dance with your kids.

Study WinterStudy winter and all its features

with your kids. You can make a trip to the library and select winter picture books if you have younger children. Pic-ture books are often a delight to study no matter how old you are. Ask the chil-dren’s librarian for recommendations.

Hibernation is a fun topic to study with your children. Not all animals hibernate, and there are degrees of hibernation. A variety of both warm and cold-blooded animals hibernate. If you have older children, have them find pic-tures of the different animals and make a chart.

Decorate your house with paper snowflakes. Construction paper, glitter and gel pens can add to their creations.

When you go out for a walk, have your children point out the different type of trees. Deciduous trees are the trees that lose their leaves. Evergreen trees are, like their name says, evergreen throughout the year.

Find books on the weather. Read children’s poetry about the weather and have your children close their eyes as you read to them. Ask them what they see in their minds.

Snow PeopleSnow is an entertaining event even

if you don’t live near any. Snowman can be made out of clay, dough, cotton balls, or construction paper. Your kids can make a snow community including

stores, offices, vehicles, and people from recycled cereal boxes and plastic milk containers. Talk about what a commu-nity needs to survive.

DecorateBring the outside beauty inside with

branches, leaves, and rocks. Have your kids try different possibilities with your table centerpiece. Collect a variety of foliage on your walks to make a center-piece on your table.

Bring Green InsideDuring the holidays, our homes

are decorated bright colors with many lights. After the holidays, our homes can be bleak and barren. Buy a bulb kit that can be grown in the house. Get your kids involved with planting and watering the plant. Paper whites, daffodils, hyacinths, tulips and amaryllis bulbs kits are avail-able in most discount stores.

Winter is normally a quieter, simple time with family. However, your home can be still filled with laughter and fun.

Jan Udlock is a mom of 5 and a freelance writer. She can be contacted at JanUdlock.com.


Q. Our son is graduating from high school next spring. We’ve saved cash to pay for his first year of college, and we have enough in mutual funds to pay for another semester. When should we pull out the money to use for his education?

A. I wouldn’t touch the money until right before you write the checks. However, I don’t want you to follow my advice just because I said so. My mutual funds have made a little more than 16 percent this year. If they stay at that pace, or if they make just 10 percent during the first part of 2013, I’d want it to just sit there a while longer. Why not let the power of compound interest do its thing and make you as much money as possible?

The biggest question is what are you going to do for cash after the first three semesters? Your son needs to make sure he’s working summers, and maybe even part-time during school, in order to fuel his education. And neither of you should borrow money to make it happen. You guys have gotten him off to a great start. So if he does his part there’s no reason for either of you to go into debt for his college degree!

Q. I have $1,000 in credit card debt, a $12,000 car loan and I owe my parents $20,000. The loan from my parents is caus-ing stress because all I can afford to give them is $200 a month. They don’t need the money, but they’d like to see it paid off soon. What can I do?A. If you’re not already living on a written, monthly budget, that should be the first step. You say your parents don’t need the money, right? So, they’re not living on bread and water without your payments. I think the biggest thing causing them stress is the fear that you’re being irresponsible and living without a plan.

Make out a simple, realistic budget, and sit down with them to explain what you’re doing and how you plan to address things. Start a debt snowball, and begin knocking out your debts smallest to largest. By the time you pay off the credit cards and the car,

New Year, New You

by The FlyLady, Marla CilleyWith each New Year we resolve to eat

less, move more and take better care of our-selves. We have all made these resolutions and end up with broken spirits because we have set ourselves up for failure once again. I would like to look at our expectations and come up with a way to do all these things in simple Baby Steps that can change our lives.

We don’t need a new year to decide to take care of ourselves. What do we mean when we decide to “Take Care of Ourselves”? It all boils down to a lifestyle change for many of us. Now we could go cold turkey and go away for a month to some elaborate spa where they fix our meals for us, put us on an exercise regimen, run medical tests and pamper us or we can learn from them and do it ourselves.

If you went away to one of these retreats for a month what would be the first thing they would do to you? You would have to sign a waiver, get a physical and blood work. Why do you think they would make you sign a waiver? This is to relinquish them from any liability that could result from you killing over from a heart attack. This in itself should be a wake up call for most of us. Our lifestyles are contributing to the increase of heart disease, obesity, and diabetes in our country. With this in mind it is up to each one of us to take charge of our bodies and our minds and go get a physical along with the blood work. We should do this before we start any new lifestyle changes. This is our barometer to help guide us. Talk to your doc-tor about taking these Baby Steps to change your life. Ask for help and as long as you are getting blood work done get them to run a full panel thyroid screen.

At the spa you will probably be forced to go cold turkey when it comes to smoking, alcohol, and caffeine. So how can we limit these things for us while we are enjoying our Home Spa? Let’s look realistically at how much we are doing these things during a day, week or a month. For some people money can be a motivating factor, for others they just need to decide that moderation is

the key. So instead of 5 cups of coffee a day; just have one. Then replace the coffee with a bottle of water. With dinner have water and one glass of wine instead of a bottle. Smok-ing is a very hard habit to break so look at when your body is craving a cigarette and when it is just a simple habit to light up. You will be able to tell the difference. Be nice to yourself and don’t punish yourself by taking everything away cold turkey. You know how fad diets work. You feel deprived and then just throw the diet out the window and de-vour all you can get your hands on. During the process we are going to learn to nurture ourselves at the same time we are making the lifestyle changes. This way you do not have to feel like you are being tortured.

We can turn our homes into nurturing spas with just a few little additions to our grocery lists. Spas have good wholesome snacks just waiting for you to enjoy. They require you to eat several times during the day. We don’t normally do this because we are too busy to eat. The main reason we don’t eat good wholesome foods is because there are not any in the refrigerator. So add whole fruits, cut up veggies, nuts, cottage cheese cups, yogurt, and salad fixins to your weekly grocery list. Re-mind yourself to eat between meals. Imagine that; you have permission to snack.

At a spa you never see anyone with-out a water bottle. There are water coolers everywhere and little reminders to drink up. I am not talking about over doing here; just getting eight cups of water a day. If you eat 3 meals a day, and 3 snacks a day, then drink a small glass with each, you have had 6 glasses of water. Now add one when you get up while you are getting dressed and then another one before bed. You have done it; 8 glasses in a sixteen hour day. That is only one glass every couple of hours. Set your timer if you have to so you will remember to drink your water.

Now for the hard part of being at a spa! They are going to force you to get into shape. We have been couch potatoes for a very long time and we have given them per-

mission to help us. Well let’s give ourselves this same permission. You may need to ask a friend to help you. It is much easier if you have someone that you are accountable to. Moving can be as simple as walking around your yard or on a treadmill. Start by adding a fifteen minute walk to your morning routine. Then gradually you will be incorporating other baby steps to your daily walk through life. Little things like parking farther from the front door at the grocery store or taking the stairs. Before you know it you will be playing in the yard with the children or tak-ing the dog for a romp. When you make it fun it will continue to bless your heart.

A spa has lots of ways to pamper you, starting with your bedroom. The beds are nice and inviting. They encourage you to go to bed at a decent hour by having a curfew. When was the last time you went to bed before 11 pm? There are fresh sheets on your bed and plump pillows to curl up with a good book for a few minutes of leisure time. Getting rest is one of the keys to helping our bodies renew themselves and heal. There have been studies that correlate obesity to not enough sleep. Let’s go to bed and quit making our bodies beg for sleep. Our bodies need good food, water, loving movement and rest to function properly.

We also need to reward ourselves for the simple life changes we are making. At our home spa we can do things like mani-cures, pedicures, bubble baths, facials and other little things to help us feel good about the baby steps we are making part of our routines. These little rewards help you to feel good about you and teach you to FLY (Finally Love Yourself). And isn’t that what blessing your heart is all about? We deserve to live happy, healthy, productive lives. Enjoy your spa!

For more help getting rid of your CHAOS, check out her website and join her free mentoring group at www.FlyLady.net or her book, Sink Reflections, published by Random House and her New York Times Best Selling book, Body Clutter, published by Simon and Schuster. Copyright 2012 Marla Cilley. Used by permission in this publication.


Q. Our son is graduating from high school next spring. We’ve saved cash to pay for his first year of college, and we have enough in mutual funds to pay for another semester. When should we pull out the money to use for his education?

A. I wouldn’t touch the money until right before you write the checks. However, I don’t want you to follow my advice just because I said so. My mutual funds have made a little more than 16 percent this year. If they stay at that pace, or if they make just 10 percent during the first part of 2013, I’d want it to just sit there a while longer. Why not let the power of compound interest do its thing and make you as much money as possible?

The biggest question is what are you going to do for cash after the first three semesters? Your son needs to make sure he’s working summers, and maybe even part-time during school, in order to fuel his education. And neither of you should borrow money to make it happen. You guys have gotten him off to a great start. So if he does his part there’s no reason for either of you to go into debt for his college degree!

Q. I have $1,000 in credit card debt, a $12,000 car loan and I owe my parents $20,000. The loan from my parents is caus-ing stress because all I can afford to give them is $200 a month. They don’t need the money, but they’d like to see it paid off soon. What can I do?A. If you’re not already living on a written, monthly budget, that should be the first step. You say your parents don’t need the money, right? So, they’re not living on bread and water without your payments. I think the biggest thing causing them stress is the fear that you’re being irresponsible and living without a plan.

Make out a simple, realistic budget, and sit down with them to explain what you’re doing and how you plan to address things. Start a debt snowball, and begin knocking out your debts smallest to largest. By the time you pay off the credit cards and the car,

you’ll be able to give them lots more than $200 a month.

Just ask mom and dad to stick with you a while longer. I think it will make them feel better to see that you’re serious about getting your finances in order!

Q. I make about $70,000 a year, and I have $9,000 in student loan debt. I also have a car that would bring enough to allow me to pay off the student loans. Do you think I should sell?

A. There are two questions I ask when it comes to selling a car to pay off debt. One, is the value of your car and other vehicles—in-cluding motorcycles, boats and such— more

than half of your yearly income? If so, then you have way too much money wrapped up in things that are going down in value. So, unless you’re talking about a super-expen-sive car, I’d say the answer on this one is no.

The second question is this: Can you become debt-free, except for your home, in 18–24 months without selling the car? If the answer is yes, then I wouldn’t sell the car. There’s no reason to sell your car in this scenario, unless you just really hate the thing or need different transportation.

In this case, it sounds like your car is a reasonable percentage of your income. I’d hold on to it and just save like crazy to kill off this student loan debt. With your income, it shouldn’t take more than a year.

mission to help us. Well let’s give ourselves this same permission. You may need to ask a friend to help you. It is much easier if you have someone that you are accountable to. Moving can be as simple as walking around your yard or on a treadmill. Start by adding a fifteen minute walk to your morning routine. Then gradually you will be incorporating other baby steps to your daily walk through life. Little things like parking farther from the front door at the grocery store or taking the stairs. Before you know it you will be playing in the yard with the children or tak-ing the dog for a romp. When you make it fun it will continue to bless your heart.

A spa has lots of ways to pamper you, starting with your bedroom. The beds are nice and inviting. They encourage you to go to bed at a decent hour by having a curfew. When was the last time you went to bed before 11 pm? There are fresh sheets on your bed and plump pillows to curl up with a good book for a few minutes of leisure time. Getting rest is one of the keys to helping our bodies renew themselves and heal. There have been studies that correlate obesity to not enough sleep. Let’s go to bed and quit making our bodies beg for sleep. Our bodies need good food, water, loving movement and rest to function properly.

We also need to reward ourselves for the simple life changes we are making. At our home spa we can do things like mani-cures, pedicures, bubble baths, facials and other little things to help us feel good about the baby steps we are making part of our routines. These little rewards help you to feel good about you and teach you to FLY (Finally Love Yourself). And isn’t that what blessing your heart is all about? We deserve to live happy, healthy, productive lives. Enjoy your spa!

For more help getting rid of your CHAOS, check out her website and join her free mentoring group at www.FlyLady.net or her book, Sink Reflections, published by Random House and her New York Times Best Selling book, Body Clutter, published by Simon and Schuster. Copyright 2012 Marla Cilley. Used by permission in this publication.


by Heidi Smith LuedtkeFeed baby. Change diaper. Shop for

groceries. Wash laundry. Feed baby. Pay bills. Change diaper. Wash laundry. Feed baby. Start dinner. Google “cradle cap.” Change diaper. Feed baby. Call pediatri-cian. Drive fussy baby around (and around) the block.

New parents have endless to-do lists. Just feeding, burping and changing a newborn is enough to fill up your calendar. And you’d like to feed, bathe, and dress yourself, too!

The tremendous workload of parent-hood can leave you exhausted and short-tempered. Interrupted sleep isn’t very restful and it’s hard to relax when you’re focused on getting things done during the day. Recalling your pre-baby productivity only makes you feel like a failure. You used to conquer long lists of tasks before noon. Now you struggle to remember whether you brushed your teeth today. Or yesterday.

If you long for the days when you felt well-rested and effective, you’re not alone. And it doesn’t mean you aren’t a good parent or that you don’t love your baby enough. Parenthood is a tough gig and there is little time off for rest and relaxation. It’s completely normal to feel trapped in Baby-land with no visible means of escape!

Caught in an Invisible TrapIt is hard for new parents to ask for help. It’s your responsibility to care for your child and asking for help can feel like you’re shirking your duties. You’re especially likely to feel this way if you’re at home with the baby while your spouse heads out to work each day, says Donna Genett, PhD, author of Help Your Kids Get it Done Right at Home and at School (Quill Driver Books, 2005).

Personality matters, too. For some go-getters, “it feels good to be on top of things, to be firing on all cylinders,” Gen-ett says. You may thrive on the adrenaline produced by a never-ending list of “to

dos.” And it seems like taking care of baby should be easy. After all, washing bottles and changing diapers isn’t exactly rocket science. Asking for help with such simple tasks can make a new parent feel inad-equate.

When you ask for help, you put your-self out there and take a risk. But when you don’t ask for help, you miss opportunities to connect with others. Feeling isolated only compounds the stress of new parent-hood and can allow unhealthy habits like

overeating or alcohol use to get out of control, Genett warns. When your sensitive infant picks up on signals that you arestressed, their cranky, irritable response increases your stress even more.

Free YourselfLetting others pitch in allows you to

regain a sense of personal balance and well-being. And sharing the load is good for oth-ers, too. When you give family and friends a chance to help you, they feel good. Free yourself from these common parent traps and you’ll find new baby bliss once again.

Disorientation. As a new parent, you may be so focused on the baby’s needs that you forget your own. “Your needs are important for the same reason that a flight attendant tells you to put your oxygen mask on first and then to see to your child in the case of an emergency,” reminds Claudine Wolk, author of It Gets Easier!...And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers (AMACOM, 2009). “You need to be cared for in order to be able to care for your child.”

Resentment. Moms often feel an enormous sense of responsibility for infant

The (New) Parent Trap


When you ask for help, you put your-self out there and take a risk. But when you don’t ask for help, you miss opportunities to connect with others. Feeling isolated only compounds the stress of new parent-hood and can allow unhealthy habits like

overeating or alcohol use to get out of control, Genett warns. When your sensitive infant picks up on signals that you arestressed, their cranky, irritable response increases your stress even more.

Free YourselfLetting others pitch in allows you to

regain a sense of personal balance and well-being. And sharing the load is good for oth-ers, too. When you give family and friends a chance to help you, they feel good. Free yourself from these common parent traps and you’ll find new baby bliss once again.

Disorientation. As a new parent, you may be so focused on the baby’s needs that you forget your own. “Your needs are important for the same reason that a flight attendant tells you to put your oxygen mask on first and then to see to your child in the case of an emergency,” reminds Claudine Wolk, author of It Gets Easier!...And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers (AMACOM, 2009). “You need to be cared for in order to be able to care for your child.”

Resentment. Moms often feel an enormous sense of responsibility for infant

The (New) Parent Trapcare. This is compounded for women who breastfeed, especially when baby wants to nurse long and often. Resentment will grow if you feel you’re doing all the work. Fight back by becoming a “yes” mom. Say yes to offers of assistance, even if you don’t need help. Your little bundle will be so much more joy-provoking when she is spitting up on someone else’s shoulder.

Inequality. Don’t be trapped by the notion that fairness and equality are the same thing. Even if both parents work outside the home, it is unlikely you will share parenting and household duties 50/50. If your spouse can’t stomach diaper duty, that’s okay. He can fluff and fold the mountains of laundry your little one makes. Divvy up chores in a way that suits you both and rotate responsi-bility for tasks no one likes. That way no one gets stuck with them forever.

Ambiguity. Misunderstandings and frustration occur when we assume others know our expectations. “Maybe the biggest help would be to have someone help clean the house or provide you with a dinner,” suggests Wolk. “Granted it’s tough to ask for such things, but if someone close to

you sincerely offers help, take them up on it.” If your mother-in-law offers to pick up some groceries for you, give her the list! Although you might feel like a taskmaster, being specific about what you need sets others up for success, says Genett.

Perfectionism. When you let others pitch in, they may not do things the way you would. Let go of your need to have things done just right. Others will not always meet your standards. On many days you won’t meet your own standards either! Good enough is good enough. Appreciate the help you receive even if it falls short of what you wanted.

The pressure to know, be, and do ev-erything yourself can be overwhelming, but letting go isn’t easy. Asking others for help will allow you to take care of yourself and pursue personal interests. (Remember, you aren’t just a parent, you’re a person, too!) So, surround yourself with helpful others and be grateful for the many loving influ-ences on your new baby. Freedom isreally sweet.

Heidi Smith Luedtke, PhD, is a personality psycholo-gist and reformed do-it-herselfer. Read her blog at heidiluedtke.com.


New & Expectant Parents Guide

BoutiquesAda Kids- 1888 Ogletree Road, Suite 160, Auburn. 334-887-7989. Baby, chil-dren and pre-teen clothing, accessory and gifts. Now offering ‘Just Between Us Consignment Sale’- only items bought from Ada Kids can be consigned in the store. Monday-Friday 10:00am-6:00pm; Saturday 10:00am-2:00pm.

Kids Clothes Connectionwww.kidsclothesconnection.com; 334-524-0606.Twice a year consign-ment sale (Spring and Fall) for the Auburn/Opelika area. Offering gently used clothing, shoes, baby gear, baby furniture, toys, books, household items, and more. Receiving will begin Satur-day, February 16th.

One Eighty Wellness SpaLOOK GOOD. FEEL GREAT. LIVE WELL. 1100 S. College Street Suite 204, Auburn. 887-1180; www.oneeightywellnessspa.com; Prenatal Services include prenatal facials, massages and skincare products. We are proud to be the first in the area to carry Pretty Mommies™ Skincare Products, which are safe for both pregnant and nursing women and we use them during our Prenatal Facial Treatments and Mas-sages. We are committed to promoting wellness during pregnancy through mas-sage therapy. Our massage therapists are licensed with the Alabama Board of Mas-sage Therapy and have received special Certifications in Prenatal Massage.

Cutie PieHamilton Place Shopping Center, 2415 Moores Mill Road, Suite 210, Auburn.

334-826-1254. Kid’s clothing & shoes, maternity & monogramming, invitations & gifts, infants to pre-teen. Monday-Friday 9:00am-6:00pm; Saturday 10:00am-4:00pm, Sunday 1-5pm.

Fun & Fancy3051 Frederick Road, Suite 3, Ope-lika. 334-745-2237. Monday-Friday 10:00am-5:30pm, Saturday 10:00am- 2:00pm. We can help you with gift, clothing & shoe needs from expectant mother to baby to child and beyond.

Ju Ju Beane Boutiquewww.jujubeaneboutique.com; P.O. Box 2012, Opelika, AL 36803. 334-703-6960. Enjoy a bit of whimsy and fun with our specialty baby and children’s boutique! Offering clothing, baby gear, nursing products, diaper bags, baby bedding, nursery décor, toys, gifts and more.

Kiddie ClosetChildren’s Consignment Boutique-The Finer Things in Children’s Wear. Down-town Opelika; 209 South 8th Street. 334-745-4497. An upscale children’s clothing consignment shop. Newborn up to 16. Now accepting high-quality toys, hard back books, DVD’s, and baby gear and baby toys. Wednesday - Friday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.

Kidz World1220 Fox Run Avenue, Opelika. USA Town Center. 334-705-8098. Huge se-lection of name brand children’s cloth-ing and accessories, featuring Little Me, Bailey Boys, Rosalina, Duck Head and more. www.usatowncenter.com

Melon Bellies3051 Frederick Road, Suite 3, Opelika (located inside Fun & Fancy). 334-524-5961. [email protected], A specialty retailer of maternity clothing, as well as gifts & accessories for both the expectant mother and baby.

Mom & Tots Consignment221 South 8th Street, Downtown Ope-lika. 334-745-5400. Your everything maternity & children’s consignment store located in Downtown Opelika. Of-fering clothing size newborn to size 16, shoes, maternity, baby gear, books, toys and more. Visit their website atwww.momandtotsconsignment.com

The Breastfeeding BoutiqueEast Alabama Medical Center, Opelika. Offering the convenience of being able to purchase breastfeeding items such as pumps and replacement parts/accesso-ries, bra pads, storage bags, and more. www.emac.org

The Mother’s Nook3rd Floor, East Alabama Medical Cen-ter, Opelika. breast pumps and supplies, nursing pillows, gowns for mom, bras and nursing camisoles, infant and pree-mie clothes, gift registry and so much more! It also features a special private room for nursing moms. 528-3600

Prenatal PhysiciansAuburn University Medical Clinic & Women’s Health400 Lem Morrison Drive, Auburn. 334-844-5204 Professional services include routine gynecologic care, counseling and prescribing of birth control meth-

ods, morning after contraception, referral for pregnancy alternatives and diagnosis and treatment of STDs.

East Alabama Medical Center Prenatal Clinic2000 Waverly Parkway, Opelika. 334-528-5808. www.eamc.org/pro-gramsServices/PrenatalClinic; Monday-Thursday 7:30am-5:00pm; Friday 7:30-11:30am. Services include routine prenatal care, post-partum exams, con-traceptive services, referrals and more. Small Wonders Program-To participate in the Small Wonders Maternity Care Program you must: Apply for Medic-aid or be eligible to receive Medicaid, have been denied Medicaid and have no insurance, and live in one of the follow-ing counties: Barbour, Chambers, Lee, Macon, or Russell.

East Alabama Women’s Clinic502 East Thomason Circle, Opelika. 334- 749-0390.

Gynecology & Wellness Center2290 Moores Mill Road #200, Auburn. 334-502-9888

Annalee AdamsHarris AdamsAriel AlmondAdam Al-RiyamiZain Al-RiyamiJeremiah ArenasJaverious AskewDeAzia AveryDeJon AveryAdaiah BanksJasper BanksAvery BeardMaddox BeardMadison BerryTrace BerryEmily BiazRim BiazMaKenzie BlackDaniel BlackburnDarian BlackburnDevan BlackburnTrushawn BolewareIan BrackettMar’Ryah BriskeyIssaiah BrodenaveTrendon BordenaveJalecia BrooksRaegan BrooksAleah BrowderEthan BrowderNathan BrowderBladon BrownMathias BurkeLila CalhounMalekai CallowayEthan CampbellKate CampbellJayden CannonTremayne CannonTremarion CannonEva CaponettoMajulisia CarrKensley CarterKenneth CarterNadia CarterNyAsia ChambersEllie ChurchGlenn ChurchSara ChurchAbigail ClarkAilayah ClarkBaylor ClaytonKayden CochranJamie Collins, JrDetrych CurtisStella CurtisTaylar Francis CollinsClay Cooper

Allison CorreiaMiranda CorreiaDylen CrispSeth CrispCaroline CrumDe’Unte CurtisKelli DanielWeslee DanielConnor Davis Danielle DoughtieEthan DoughtieKailey DowdellKamyiah DowdellCameran DulaneyClaire DulaneyMarquise Dunlap Collin EarleGarrett EarleOakley FetnerTaylor FieldsTrent FieldsBeau FinkleaHampton FinkleaJohn Spencer Finklea Daleah FinleyLaDazah FinleyJulian FitzpatrickKe’Mari FoleyMelvin FoleyBrady ForbusCarley ForbusToby ForbusShaKerra ForbesShaTerra ForbesLevi FosterNathan FosterWilson FosterChamiere FreemanBrian FunkTrinity FunkAva GarciaSeth GarciaLexzoria GayScarlett GibsonJacquline GodinezMarley GoldenJacquelyn GonzalezLuke GonzalezDominick GravesMadison GravesCamryn GriggsJaCarius GullatteJulie HallKeMare’ HarringtonQua’Shawn HarveyAudrey HendersonAnareo HuangMaKayla KaltreiderMallory Keesee

Jacob KentCaleb KentHalle KirklandAkashia KnightKeijah HamiltonReese HanselAndrew HarrisMar’Quasia HarrisQua’Shawn HarveyJesus Angel HernandezAlli HendersonDonquavious HillAuston HodgeJa’Quavion HollowayMichael HollowayTrinity HooksIvanah HourizeneJu’London JacksonJacoby JeffersonJayden JeffersonHelen JimenezAmanda L. JohnsonRiptavious JohnsonTaylor JohnsonAaliyah JonesHollis JonesJacoreus JonesMaLiyah JonesCheyenne LandmanMaKenzie LeeKenneth D LewisJanaya LockhartTakira LockhartJayden Logan Cohen LylesJaden McKelveySummer McKelveyAerial MillerKelian MitchellHarlee MorrisJaxon MorrisJordyn MorrisJaKayla MossMatthew MotternTyler LancasterDylan LandrethMadison Avery LarimoreMadison LeonardTakira LockhartBryan LugoJostin LugoHuntley MarshallMadeline MarshallWilliam MarshallJackson MathisPeyton MathisSawyer MathisDenzell McCray

Landon McGregorJackson MinorDe’Janique MitchellJohnna MitchellLy’John MitchellJara MontielJuan Alvarez MontoyaCulver MurphreeAiden NemanEthan NemanTrevor NemanCaroline Northcutt Kate NorthcuttElla Grace OgilvieGunter O’RearJack O’RearSadia O’RearRobert PackWilliam PackKentravion PattenJe’montez PattersonAlicia PeraltaAngel PerezLitzi PerezSarah PerezJalin PhillipsMarcus PhilpotMontrevious PooleEllie PrewettMarilyn PriceTyson PrinceGavin RainesXavi Daniel RamirezTiffany RassamountryEmily RayNoah RayDerick ReapMark “Tre” ReddenVictoria ReddenMyles RedmondCristian ReyesJamie ReyesSamantha ReyesJames Riley, Jr. Margaret RodmanAlejandro RodriguezJonah RodriguezJoshiah Rodriguez Jasper RogersJustine RogersTrae RowlandEmmie RuddGracie RuddJaLiyah RuddLillie RuddArvid SanchezHaley SawyerKamari ScottKeagan Shaw

ZayShawn SimmonsBrooklyn SingletonDonovan SparksAddisyn SpearsBrianna SpencerAaron SpiveyPaige SpragginsJasmine StokesTyParis StoryJeremiah StriblingKayla StriblingMcKenzie StriblingJonah StuddardIsabella StuddardTitus Studdard Sunjay SudanKydaelan SwansonTristan TatumCheyenne TaylorJavoris TaylorArianna ThomasAriel ThomasDestiney ThomasAllie ThompsonCaleb ThorntonEphraim ThorntonHannah ThrashJustin TiradoLa’dell TownsKierra TrammellNevaeh TuckerBrodie TurnerGracie ValdezOriel VinesTeresa Wagoner Bailey WardLillian WelcherLily WhiteDarius WhitlowJar’Keciya WilkersonAzyria WilkersonDylan WillardAshton WilliamsBraxton WilliamsAlecia WilliamsAlexis WilliamsJustin WilliamsKaydan WilliamsLila WilliamsAreona WilsonCarter WilsonDeyarlo Wilson, JrJayda WilsonCourtney WynnRyan Henry ZappKaden ZimdahlAugust ZuanichWilliam Zuanich

2320 MOORES MILL ROAD, SUITE. 250 • AUBURN, AL 36830 • (334) 887-0099

Congratulations to the Liles Smiles no cavity winners!


New & Expectant Parents Guide

Melon Bellies3051 Frederick Road, Suite 3, Opelika (located inside Fun & Fancy). 334-524-5961. [email protected], A specialty retailer of maternity clothing, as well as gifts & accessories for both the expectant mother and baby.

Mom & Tots Consignment221 South 8th Street, Downtown Ope-lika. 334-745-5400. Your everything maternity & children’s consignment store located in Downtown Opelika. Of-fering clothing size newborn to size 16, shoes, maternity, baby gear, books, toys and more. Visit their website atwww.momandtotsconsignment.com

The Breastfeeding BoutiqueEast Alabama Medical Center, Opelika. Offering the convenience of being able to purchase breastfeeding items such as pumps and replacement parts/accesso-ries, bra pads, storage bags, and more. www.emac.org

The Mother’s Nook3rd Floor, East Alabama Medical Cen-ter, Opelika. breast pumps and supplies, nursing pillows, gowns for mom, bras and nursing camisoles, infant and pree-mie clothes, gift registry and so much more! It also features a special private room for nursing moms. 528-3600

Prenatal PhysiciansAuburn University Medical Clinic & Women’s Health400 Lem Morrison Drive, Auburn. 334-844-5204 Professional services include routine gynecologic care, counseling and prescribing of birth control meth-

ods, morning after contraception, referral for pregnancy alternatives and diagnosis and treatment of STDs.

East Alabama Medical Center Prenatal Clinic2000 Waverly Parkway, Opelika. 334-528-5808. www.eamc.org/pro-gramsServices/PrenatalClinic; Monday-Thursday 7:30am-5:00pm; Friday 7:30-11:30am. Services include routine prenatal care, post-partum exams, con-traceptive services, referrals and more. Small Wonders Program-To participate in the Small Wonders Maternity Care Program you must: Apply for Medic-aid or be eligible to receive Medicaid, have been denied Medicaid and have no insurance, and live in one of the follow-ing counties: Barbour, Chambers, Lee, Macon, or Russell.

East Alabama Women’s Clinic502 East Thomason Circle, Opelika. 334- 749-0390.

Gynecology & Wellness Center2290 Moores Mill Road #200, Auburn. 334-502-9888

Lee Obstetrics & Gynecology2 locations: 121 North 20th Street, Ope-lika 334-737-0000 and 986 Drew Lane, Central Park Office Complex, Auburn. 334-821-3355.; www.leeobgyn.com. Monday-Thursday, 8:00am-5:00pm, Fridays 8:00am-Noon. Services offered- Obstetrics, gynecology, infertility, ultrasound, bone density, and childbirth classes.

Women’s Hope Medical Clinic820 Stage Road, Auburn. 334- 502-7000. www.womenshope.org; Monday-Friday : 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome. 24 Hour Hotline- 800-395-HELP. All services are free and confi-dential including- Pregnancy testing, STI testing & referral for men and women, limited ultrasound and prenatal care, education on all pregnancy op-tions, education on sexual integrity & building healthy relationships, parenting education to earn FREE baby supplies, adoption education and referral, abor-tion recovery and support, emotional support, resource and referral network for medical care, housing, and other social services.

Pediatric CareAuburn Pediatric Dentistry841 North Dean Road, Auburn. 334-826-6651. www.auburnpediatricden-tistry.com; Monday -Thursday 8:00am -5:00pm. Closed 12:00-1:00pm for lunch. We do preventative services including sealants and mouthguards. Restorative work including space main-tainers.

East Alabama Pediatric Den-tistry742 North Dean Road, Auburn. 334-321-0780; www.gatorgrins.com; Den-tistry for children and teenagers.

Liles Pediatric Dentistry2320 Moores Mill Road, Suite 250, Auburn. 334-887-0099. Offering dental services for children and adolescents. www.lilessmiles.com

Pediatric Associates of Auburn411 B. Opelika Rd, Auburn. 334-821-4766. www.auburnpediatricassociates.com; Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm, Saturday hours available by appoint-

Annalee AdamsHarris AdamsAriel AlmondAdam Al-RiyamiZain Al-RiyamiJeremiah ArenasJaverious AskewDeAzia AveryDeJon AveryAdaiah BanksJasper BanksAvery BeardMaddox BeardMadison BerryTrace BerryEmily BiazRim BiazMaKenzie BlackDaniel BlackburnDarian BlackburnDevan BlackburnTrushawn BolewareIan BrackettMar’Ryah BriskeyIssaiah BrodenaveTrendon BordenaveJalecia BrooksRaegan BrooksAleah BrowderEthan BrowderNathan BrowderBladon BrownMathias BurkeLila CalhounMalekai CallowayEthan CampbellKate CampbellJayden CannonTremayne CannonTremarion CannonEva CaponettoMajulisia CarrKensley CarterKenneth CarterNadia CarterNyAsia ChambersEllie ChurchGlenn ChurchSara ChurchAbigail ClarkAilayah ClarkBaylor ClaytonKayden CochranJamie Collins, JrDetrych CurtisStella CurtisTaylar Francis CollinsClay Cooper

Allison CorreiaMiranda CorreiaDylen CrispSeth CrispCaroline CrumDe’Unte CurtisKelli DanielWeslee DanielConnor Davis Danielle DoughtieEthan DoughtieKailey DowdellKamyiah DowdellCameran DulaneyClaire DulaneyMarquise Dunlap Collin EarleGarrett EarleOakley FetnerTaylor FieldsTrent FieldsBeau FinkleaHampton FinkleaJohn Spencer Finklea Daleah FinleyLaDazah FinleyJulian FitzpatrickKe’Mari FoleyMelvin FoleyBrady ForbusCarley ForbusToby ForbusShaKerra ForbesShaTerra ForbesLevi FosterNathan FosterWilson FosterChamiere FreemanBrian FunkTrinity FunkAva GarciaSeth GarciaLexzoria GayScarlett GibsonJacquline GodinezMarley GoldenJacquelyn GonzalezLuke GonzalezDominick GravesMadison GravesCamryn GriggsJaCarius GullatteJulie HallKeMare’ HarringtonQua’Shawn HarveyAudrey HendersonAnareo HuangMaKayla KaltreiderMallory Keesee

Jacob KentCaleb KentHalle KirklandAkashia KnightKeijah HamiltonReese HanselAndrew HarrisMar’Quasia HarrisQua’Shawn HarveyJesus Angel HernandezAlli HendersonDonquavious HillAuston HodgeJa’Quavion HollowayMichael HollowayTrinity HooksIvanah HourizeneJu’London JacksonJacoby JeffersonJayden JeffersonHelen JimenezAmanda L. JohnsonRiptavious JohnsonTaylor JohnsonAaliyah JonesHollis JonesJacoreus JonesMaLiyah JonesCheyenne LandmanMaKenzie LeeKenneth D LewisJanaya LockhartTakira LockhartJayden Logan Cohen LylesJaden McKelveySummer McKelveyAerial MillerKelian MitchellHarlee MorrisJaxon MorrisJordyn MorrisJaKayla MossMatthew MotternTyler LancasterDylan LandrethMadison Avery LarimoreMadison LeonardTakira LockhartBryan LugoJostin LugoHuntley MarshallMadeline MarshallWilliam MarshallJackson MathisPeyton MathisSawyer MathisDenzell McCray

Landon McGregorJackson MinorDe’Janique MitchellJohnna MitchellLy’John MitchellJara MontielJuan Alvarez MontoyaCulver MurphreeAiden NemanEthan NemanTrevor NemanCaroline Northcutt Kate NorthcuttElla Grace OgilvieGunter O’RearJack O’RearSadia O’RearRobert PackWilliam PackKentravion PattenJe’montez PattersonAlicia PeraltaAngel PerezLitzi PerezSarah PerezJalin PhillipsMarcus PhilpotMontrevious PooleEllie PrewettMarilyn PriceTyson PrinceGavin RainesXavi Daniel RamirezTiffany RassamountryEmily RayNoah RayDerick ReapMark “Tre” ReddenVictoria ReddenMyles RedmondCristian ReyesJamie ReyesSamantha ReyesJames Riley, Jr. Margaret RodmanAlejandro RodriguezJonah RodriguezJoshiah Rodriguez Jasper RogersJustine RogersTrae RowlandEmmie RuddGracie RuddJaLiyah RuddLillie RuddArvid SanchezHaley SawyerKamari ScottKeagan Shaw

ZayShawn SimmonsBrooklyn SingletonDonovan SparksAddisyn SpearsBrianna SpencerAaron SpiveyPaige SpragginsJasmine StokesTyParis StoryJeremiah StriblingKayla StriblingMcKenzie StriblingJonah StuddardIsabella StuddardTitus Studdard Sunjay SudanKydaelan SwansonTristan TatumCheyenne TaylorJavoris TaylorArianna ThomasAriel ThomasDestiney ThomasAllie ThompsonCaleb ThorntonEphraim ThorntonHannah ThrashJustin TiradoLa’dell TownsKierra TrammellNevaeh TuckerBrodie TurnerGracie ValdezOriel VinesTeresa Wagoner Bailey WardLillian WelcherLily WhiteDarius WhitlowJar’Keciya WilkersonAzyria WilkersonDylan WillardAshton WilliamsBraxton WilliamsAlecia WilliamsAlexis WilliamsJustin WilliamsKaydan WilliamsLila WilliamsAreona WilsonCarter WilsonDeyarlo Wilson, JrJayda WilsonCourtney WynnRyan Henry ZappKaden ZimdahlAugust ZuanichWilliam Zuanich

2320 MOORES MILL ROAD, SUITE. 250 • AUBURN, AL 36830 • (334) 887-0099

Congratulations to the Liles Smiles no cavity winners!


ment. After hours on call emergency service -334-821-4766 or 334-737-2364. Services offered- prenatal con-sults, newborn care, routine physicals, immunizations, acute care, laceration treatment, hospital care, in house labo-ratory and more.

Auburn Pediatric and Adult Medi-cine 861-A North Dean Road, Auburn. 334-887-8707. www.auburndoc.com. Monday- Thursday 8:00am-6:00pm, Friday 8:00am-3:00pm. Services of-fered- sick visits, newborn care, well child visits, immunizations, sports physicals and more.

Pediatric Clinic 2 locations: 2401 Village Professional Drive, Opelika and 260 East Glenn Av-enue, Auburn. 334-749-8121. www.thepedsclinic.com; Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm, After hour clinics avail-able. Provide primary care health services for infants, children and adolescents.

Pediatric Dentistry Associates121 North 20th Street, Suite 20c, Opelika. (334) 745-6443.

Parenting ProgramsAlabama Department of Public HealthAll Kids- Children’s Health Insur-ance Program. www.adph.org; 1-888-373-5437. A low-cost, comprehensive healthcare coverage program for children under age 19. Benefits include regular check-ups and immunizations, sick child doctor visits, prescriptions, vision and dental care, hospitalization, mental health and substance abuse ser-vices, and much more. Women, Infants and Children (WIC), 1-888-942-4673, a supplemental nutrition program for pregnant women, breastfeeding women, women who had a baby within the last six months, infants, and children under the age of five. One must meet income requirements and have a nutritional risk that proper nutrition could help to improve. Plan First Family Planning for Women- 1-888-737-2083, Alabama’s Plan First Program is a family plan-ning program for women ages 19 to 55. Family planning can help you and your family have a better life.

East Alabama Medical Center (EAMC) 2000 Pepperell Parkway, Opelika. www.eamc.org Prepared Childbirth Class- 6 week program that helps parents-to-be pre-pare for the birth of their baby, both physically and emotionally. Discus-sions in pregnancy, labor and delivery, post-partum, initial newborn care, and breastfeeding. Registration for this class should take place during the 6th month of pregnancy. To register, contact the Health Resource Center at (334)528-1260. Breastfeeding Preparation- 2nd Saturday of each month; 10:00am-12:00noon; 3rd floor dayroom EAMC. FREE class for new mothers or preg-nant women and their partners. The class includes information about breast-feeding, including techniques, storing milk, weaning, and helpful hints for working mothers. 528-1260Breastfeeding Support Group- Each Thursday, 12:00-2:00pm. 3rd floor dayroom EAMC; FREE group provides a comfortable place for breastfeeding mothers to share ideas as well as seek emotional support. Infant weight scale available. 749-3411.Small Wonders Program- designed to ensure that every Medicaid-eligible pregnant woman has access to medi-cal care, with the goal of lowering Alabama’s infant mortality rate and improving maternal and infant health. 1-877-503-2259.

The Parenting Assistance Line (PAL)1-800-962-3030. www.pal.ua.edu/in-dex2.php; A collaborative service of the University of Alabama Child Develop-ment Resources and the Alabama Chil-dren’s Trust Fund. When callers call the toll-free number, a parenting resource specialist will answer the phone, listen to you, then offer helpful information and support .Parenting is tough! Call for FREE confidential help. Parent Resource Specialists are available from 8:00am-8:00pm Monday- Friday.

Women’s Hope-Parenting Education Free Parenting Classes @ Women’s Hope. Daytime, Nighttime, & Weekend classes available. Call 334-502-7000

for more information and to register for upcoming classes. The following op-tions are currently being offered:Earn While You Learn - A DVD-driven parenting curriculum that can be viewed during the daytime by appoint-ment.Family Matters - A monthly meeting of parents that focuses on child issues and parenting skills.Couples’ Retreat - A weekend (Friday night & Saturday morning) that helps couples learn how to have healthy mar-riages.Fatherhood University - A nighttime crash course for expecting dads about the realities of fatherhood.24/7 Dad - A computer-based father-hood curriculum that can be viewed during the daytime by appointment.

Infant Classes & Play GroupsPremier Spirit Academy923 B Stage Road, Auburn. 821-7300. www. premierspiritacademy.com; Par-ent & Tot Class- ages 18 to 35 months. Each student is accompanied by a parent or guardian who participates in the learning of basic tumbling skills. Parents help their child on the equip-ment as well as their interaction with other children. This class also empha-sizes development of the child’s overall muscle tone, balance, flexibility and perceptual skills as well as listening, self-discipline and social interaction.

The Big Green BusA mobile gym serving Lee County. We bring the gym to you! 332-8333. [email protected]; Schedule a play group for children as young as 18 months. Children learn the basics of gymnastics, build coordination, strength, and agility and will learn the importance of listening, following directions, waiting their turn, and being rewarded for good behavior.

Auburn Mommies- a fun playgroup for local moms and kids in the Auburn, Alabama area. We meet twice a month for play groups and have a Mommy’s

Night Out once a month. Our group is focused on our children and making it a fun time for them, and developing great relationships! Our children range in ages from newborn to 4 years and all ages are welcome! All Mommies and Daddies are welcome too! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/auburnmom-miesinalabama/

Auburn Parks and RecreationJan Dempsey Community Arts Center, Auburn. 209-0171. Mommy and Me Music Class- Come dance and sing with your child! This is a fun and interactive class for par-ents or caregivers and children. Class includes dancing, singing, playing in-struments, and more. Based on research showing the benefits of music for brain development, this is part of The Music Class curriculum. For more information or class samples go to themusicclass.com.

Healthplus Fitness Center1171 Gatewood Drive #101, Auburn. 887-5666; www.healthplusfitness.com. Infant Swimming Resource™ - a na-tionally recognized survival swimming program which teaches infants and tod-dlers ages 6 months to 6 years using the ISR Self-Rescue™ method. ISR also provides parents with drowning preven-tion resources.Water Babies - Baby’s first swim lesson. American Red Cross Parent and Child Aquatics builds swimming readiness by emphasizing fun in the water. Parents and children class; eight 30-minute sessions that help children learn elementary skills, including water entry, bubble blowing, front kicking, back floating, underwater exploration, and more. Children must be at least 6 months old to participate.

Kindermusik at AUMC- Auburn United Methodist Church, 137 South Gay Street, Auburn. 826-8800. www.aumc.net; Kindermusik is the world’s leading music and movement program for children from birth to 7 years old. Offering all types of music, storytell-


for more information and to register for upcoming classes. The following op-tions are currently being offered:Earn While You Learn - A DVD-driven parenting curriculum that can be viewed during the daytime by appoint-ment.Family Matters - A monthly meeting of parents that focuses on child issues and parenting skills.Couples’ Retreat - A weekend (Friday night & Saturday morning) that helps couples learn how to have healthy mar-riages.Fatherhood University - A nighttime crash course for expecting dads about the realities of fatherhood.24/7 Dad - A computer-based father-hood curriculum that can be viewed during the daytime by appointment.

Infant Classes & Play GroupsPremier Spirit Academy923 B Stage Road, Auburn. 821-7300. www. premierspiritacademy.com; Par-ent & Tot Class- ages 18 to 35 months. Each student is accompanied by a parent or guardian who participates in the learning of basic tumbling skills. Parents help their child on the equip-ment as well as their interaction with other children. This class also empha-sizes development of the child’s overall muscle tone, balance, flexibility and perceptual skills as well as listening, self-discipline and social interaction.

The Big Green BusA mobile gym serving Lee County. We bring the gym to you! 332-8333. [email protected]; Schedule a play group for children as young as 18 months. Children learn the basics of gymnastics, build coordination, strength, and agility and will learn the importance of listening, following directions, waiting their turn, and being rewarded for good behavior.

Auburn Mommies- a fun playgroup for local moms and kids in the Auburn, Alabama area. We meet twice a month for play groups and have a Mommy’s

Night Out once a month. Our group is focused on our children and making it a fun time for them, and developing great relationships! Our children range in ages from newborn to 4 years and all ages are welcome! All Mommies and Daddies are welcome too! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/auburnmom-miesinalabama/

Auburn Parks and RecreationJan Dempsey Community Arts Center, Auburn. 209-0171. Mommy and Me Music Class- Come dance and sing with your child! This is a fun and interactive class for par-ents or caregivers and children. Class includes dancing, singing, playing in-struments, and more. Based on research showing the benefits of music for brain development, this is part of The Music Class curriculum. For more information or class samples go to themusicclass.com.

Healthplus Fitness Center1171 Gatewood Drive #101, Auburn. 887-5666; www.healthplusfitness.com. Infant Swimming Resource™ - a na-tionally recognized survival swimming program which teaches infants and tod-dlers ages 6 months to 6 years using the ISR Self-Rescue™ method. ISR also provides parents with drowning preven-tion resources.Water Babies - Baby’s first swim lesson. American Red Cross Parent and Child Aquatics builds swimming readiness by emphasizing fun in the water. Parents and children class; eight 30-minute sessions that help children learn elementary skills, including water entry, bubble blowing, front kicking, back floating, underwater exploration, and more. Children must be at least 6 months old to participate.

Kindermusik at AUMC- Auburn United Methodist Church, 137 South Gay Street, Auburn. 826-8800. www.aumc.net; Kindermusik is the world’s leading music and movement program for children from birth to 7 years old. Offering all types of music, storytell-

ing, movement, sign language and more. Ages newborn -7 years.

Opelika Parks and Recreation-Opelika SportsPlex, 1001 Andrews Road, Opelika. 334-705-5560.Parent & Me Swim-Designed for parents interested in acquainting their young children to the water in a fun and safe environment. Teaches infants, toddlers, and preschoolers’ water ad-justment, blowing bubbles, underwater exploration and many other skills. Ages

6 months-3 years. $45 per 8 class ses-sion.

PhotographyPicture Perfect by Candywww.pictureperfectbycandy.com; Candy Avera, 663-6643 and 501-1613.

Three Sisters PhotographyAndrea Newman, (770) 842-3842; Find her on Facebook or send an email to [email protected].


First, realize that children do develop at their own rate, and that guidelines are simply that-guidelines. Sing, nuzzle, and describe what you are doing as you get those wiggly limbs into a new outfit. Though worrying is par for the course, focus more on the joy that your baby brings. As you have concerns, write them down in a designated notebook that you keep in the diaper bag. Include your baby’s age, your observation, and why it alarms you. Perhaps there are patterns that will make sense to you or your doctor that you otherwise would have missed.

When you head to the pediatrician’s of-fice, be sure to bring this notebook with you. If there are concerns and there is no doctor visit scheduled soon, call. Parents need to listen to their instincts. Once at the doctor’s office, be sure to ask all of your questions, and if you feel you are not being heard by your doctor, calmly let your pediatrician know why you are concerned. Be open to what the pedia-trician has to say, but consider changing your pediatrician if you are not feeling respected. Another useful tip is to take notes on the infor-mation your pediatrician offers you. You can use this to comfort yourself if necessary, or in case you decide to go for a second opinion, you will have it if the next doctor asks.

If there is a concern that warrants explor-ing, your doctor may discuss meeting with an Early Intervention Specialist, and will provide you with the necessary information to contact one. This may be scary, however remember it is a positive step. Early Intervention is key for your child’s success. Research has proven time and time again (and I have seen this firsthand) that the earlier you detect a develop-mental delay in your child and begin therapy, the more likely your child will not require as many services later, if at all.

During this assessment process, you may meet with Audiologists to screen for hearing loss, a speech therapist, and an occupational therapist to look at fine and gross motor skills (the ability to grab objects or crawl are examples). One important thing is to trust the therapists to do their job. While demanding an answer is a natural reaction, it isn’t always best to do so. Depending on the diagnosis, therapy can be very specific, and it is crucial that the correct issue be treated.

This process can be incredibly emotional, but if I can offer any piece of advice, it’s to make sure you focus on staying positive. Talking about it may help you process the information, but then find fun things to do, talk about other things, and/or get a babysitter and go dancing. Your child is not the diagno-

What to Do If Your Concerned

Watching Milestones

by Julia GarsteckiA quick search for a book about baby milestones will find you over 850,000 titles. Why? Because we parents

need constant reassurance that our little ones are doing alright. Available by the week or month, most parents run through the list, compare it to their little bundle, and sigh with relief. Unfortunately, not all parents get to that sigh. When you see billboards advertising that 1 in 110 children will be born with autism, it’s impossible not to worry. As a new parent, what can you do? What should you look for? With help from Autism Speaks, the fol-lowing information will help you navigate your way through the worries of early parenthood.


First, realize that children do develop at their own rate, and that guidelines are simply that-guidelines. Sing, nuzzle, and describe what you are doing as you get those wiggly limbs into a new outfit. Though worrying is par for the course, focus more on the joy that your baby brings. As you have concerns, write them down in a designated notebook that you keep in the diaper bag. Include your baby’s age, your observation, and why it alarms you. Perhaps there are patterns that will make sense to you or your doctor that you otherwise would have missed.

When you head to the pediatrician’s of-fice, be sure to bring this notebook with you. If there are concerns and there is no doctor visit scheduled soon, call. Parents need to listen to their instincts. Once at the doctor’s office, be sure to ask all of your questions, and if you feel you are not being heard by your doctor, calmly let your pediatrician know why you are concerned. Be open to what the pedia-trician has to say, but consider changing your pediatrician if you are not feeling respected. Another useful tip is to take notes on the infor-mation your pediatrician offers you. You can use this to comfort yourself if necessary, or in case you decide to go for a second opinion, you will have it if the next doctor asks.

If there is a concern that warrants explor-ing, your doctor may discuss meeting with an Early Intervention Specialist, and will provide you with the necessary information to contact one. This may be scary, however remember it is a positive step. Early Intervention is key for your child’s success. Research has proven time and time again (and I have seen this firsthand) that the earlier you detect a develop-mental delay in your child and begin therapy, the more likely your child will not require as many services later, if at all.

During this assessment process, you may meet with Audiologists to screen for hearing loss, a speech therapist, and an occupational therapist to look at fine and gross motor skills (the ability to grab objects or crawl are examples). One important thing is to trust the therapists to do their job. While demanding an answer is a natural reaction, it isn’t always best to do so. Depending on the diagnosis, therapy can be very specific, and it is crucial that the correct issue be treated.

This process can be incredibly emotional, but if I can offer any piece of advice, it’s to make sure you focus on staying positive. Talking about it may help you process the information, but then find fun things to do, talk about other things, and/or get a babysitter and go dancing. Your child is not the diagno-

sis, nor does it define your family. It is a name used to determine the therapy your child will receive.

According to Autismspeaks.org, here are some signs to discuss with your pediatrician.

• No big smiles or other joyful expressions by six months or later• No back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles, or other facial expressions by nine months or later• No babbling by 12 months• No back-and-forth gestures, such as point-ing, reaching, or waving by 12 months• No words by 16 months• No two-word meaningful phrases without imitating by 24 months• Any loss of speech or social skills at any age

Many children with autism struggle with daily social interactions that other children do not. Even from infancy, a child with autism may avoid eye contact or not interact ways similar to their peers. A child with autism may pass on hugs and cuddling, or react to parents affections differently than expected.

Some children with autism may show moderate delays in language, others may not. Watch for your child’s ability to carry on a conversation. Can they banter back and forth, understand the give and take that is usual in ordinary conversations? Can they change their tone or vocabulary based on their audi-ence? Some children with autism struggle in these areas.

Another telling sign a child may be af-fected by autism is the behaviors they display. Rather than play chase with their cars, they may line them up instead. In fact, pretend play is very challenging for a child with autism. Repetitive motions may make them look different from their peers as well.

If your child experiences any of the above mentioned characteristics, contact your child’s physician. Also, for a more detailed list, visit the Autism Speaks website, www.autismspeaks.org.

Remember, if you are going through the process of discovering your child has a special need, there are many support services available. Surround yourself with excellent therapists and well meaning friends and fam-ily. You’ll be amazed at how strong you and your child can be!

Julia is an educator and freelance writer living in Bemus Point, New York. She is passionate about em-powering parents to be proactive in their child’s therapy. Contact her at [email protected].

What to Do If Your Concerned

Watching Milestones

by Julia GarsteckiA quick search for a book about baby milestones will find you over 850,000 titles. Why? Because we parents

need constant reassurance that our little ones are doing alright. Available by the week or month, most parents run through the list, compare it to their little bundle, and sigh with relief. Unfortunately, not all parents get to that sigh. When you see billboards advertising that 1 in 110 children will be born with autism, it’s impossible not to worry. As a new parent, what can you do? What should you look for? With help from Autism Speaks, the fol-lowing information will help you navigate your way through the worries of early parenthood.


Auburn Public Library749 East Thach Avenue, Auburn (334) 501-3190; www.auburnalabama.org/LIBRARY/

Weekly Programs:**There will be no storytimes Dec. 25-27 or Jan. 1-3.**

Baby Time – Tuesdays @ 10 a.m. Ages Birth – 18 months First Steps Storytime – Tuesdays @ 10:30 a.m. Ages 12–24 months. (Beginning January, First Steps will be discontinued.

Please join us for Baby Time or Toddler Time.) Toddler Time – Wednesdays @ 10 a.m. Ages 18 – 36 months

Preschool Story Time – Thursdays @ 10 a.m. Ages 3 – 5 years

Monthly Programs:**There will be no programs Dec. 23-29 or Dec. 30-Jan. 4.**

Puppet Show – Tuesday, January 8th at 3:30 p.m. – Ages 3-10 American Girl’s Club – Thursday, December 20th and January 17th at 3:30 p.m. – Grades K-5

Legomania – Every Saturday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. – Ages 4-12 – Join us for “free play” with Legos®. **There will be no Legomania Dec. 22 or Dec. 29.**

Special Programs: Poetry Workshop – Wednesday, January 16th from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. for ages 8 - 14 years -- Join the library and the Live Poets

Society as we learn about and create concrete poetry. Holiday Musicale – Thursday, December 20th at 6:00 p.m. – All ages – Please join us for a musical celebration of the holiday season! Winter Reading Program – Registration for our Winter Reading Program is December 1-31st. Children will receive one prize from the treasure chest for every hour spent reading. At the end of the program, all children who meet their goals will be awarded a grand

prize! The Winter Reading Program ends February 28th.

Lewis Cooper Memorial Library200 South 6th St., Opelika (334) 705-5380; www.opelika.org

Story Time With Tim – Mondays, 10-10:20 a.m., for ages 2-4 Story Quest – Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. for ages 4 and up

Cooper Fun House – Last Friday of month, 3:30 - 4:45 p.m., for grades 3rd-5th. Join the Crew as we play games, have fun and win prizes!

Library Teen Thing – A positive peer group for teens to promote reading and actions to become a citizen with character. Every other Thursday, 6:30-7:45 p.m., for ages 13-17

**The Library will be closed on Tuesday, January 1st and Monday, January 21st.**

Public Library Activities A Page in a BookBest HairAlmost every child gets one of these: a full head of hair. For some, their

hair’s an easily managed affair, tame and controllable. For others (and their parents), their crown is capped with a wonderful mop of trials and tribulations. Teaching kids how to take care of their hair, how to be still for their first haircuts (or at least not scream) is a rite of passage just like learning to tie shoes. The fol-lowing books feature hair, and the taming of same, through stories new and old. Comb through these titles and take a little (book) off the top.

Even Monsters Need Haircutsby Matthew McElligott

When the full moon rises and most kids are settling into bed, one young son of a barber slips out of bed and into his Dad’s shop to care for the hair of a distinctly different clientele. Once a month, and with some help, the barbershop is redecorated and re-stocked to service monsters of every sort who, after all, have their own hair care needs. Just like his father’s regular customers, some custom-ers always want the same thing (Frankenstein’s flat-top), while some heads of hair (or reasonable facsimile of) are more of a coiffure challenge. With dry humor and brightly-rendered monsters, the illustrations offer up smart details that a sharp reader will pick up and enjoy with repeat readings.

I Won’t Comb My Hair!by Annette Langan, Illustrated by Frauke Bahr

Tanya has several things she sometimes doesn’t like to do (don’t we all?). Maybe she some-times doesn’t want to wear boots when her sandals are so much prettier, or go home, or go shop-ping. But Tanya knows one thing ALL the time: She doesn’t want to comb her hair…ever. Her exasperated parents (and neighbors) get a regular earful of Tanya’s “I WON’T comb my hair!” So her mane grows and froths, becoming a jungle of hair that soon looks very inviting to wildlife, who quickly take up residence among the roots of her tresses. She can’t see what’s living up there, but she can hear them. The more sound they make, the more Tanya realizes that taming her hair is the best solution to her fear of the jungle that her head has become. Readers will enjoy Tanya’s promotion from jungle guide to (hair) landscape management!

RapunzelRetold and Illustraeted by Rachel Isadora

Adhering closely to the story’s origins, Rachel Isadora takes Rapunzel to the lush surround-ings of Africa in this rich re-telling of the story that centers around a captive girl locked in a tower with only her long locks of hair to connect her to the rest of the world – for good or ill. Africa’s warm color palette and distinctive wildlife set the stage for Rapunzel’s flower-laced dreadlocks to tumble from the tower toward a young African prince on the savannah below. Illustrated with earthen colors, and a collage of printed and palette papers, the patchworks of color render the story into baser shapes that allow the reader to flesh out the images and story with their imagination. Perfect for fairy-tale fans who want to take a broader journey in the fairy-tale landscape.


Find more A Page in a Book recommendations at www.PageBookReviews.com.


Auburn Public Library749 East Thach Avenue, Auburn (334) 501-3190; www.auburnalabama.org/LIBRARY/

Weekly Programs:**There will be no storytimes Dec. 25-27 or Jan. 1-3.**

Baby Time – Tuesdays @ 10 a.m. Ages Birth – 18 months First Steps Storytime – Tuesdays @ 10:30 a.m. Ages 12–24 months. (Beginning January, First Steps will be discontinued.

Please join us for Baby Time or Toddler Time.) Toddler Time – Wednesdays @ 10 a.m. Ages 18 – 36 months

Preschool Story Time – Thursdays @ 10 a.m. Ages 3 – 5 years

Monthly Programs:**There will be no programs Dec. 23-29 or Dec. 30-Jan. 4.**

Puppet Show – Tuesday, January 8th at 3:30 p.m. – Ages 3-10 American Girl’s Club – Thursday, December 20th and January 17th at 3:30 p.m. – Grades K-5

Legomania – Every Saturday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. – Ages 4-12 – Join us for “free play” with Legos®. **There will be no Legomania Dec. 22 or Dec. 29.**

Special Programs: Poetry Workshop – Wednesday, January 16th from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. for ages 8 - 14 years -- Join the library and the Live Poets

Society as we learn about and create concrete poetry. Holiday Musicale – Thursday, December 20th at 6:00 p.m. – All ages – Please join us for a musical celebration of the holiday season! Winter Reading Program – Registration for our Winter Reading Program is December 1-31st. Children will receive one prize from the treasure chest for every hour spent reading. At the end of the program, all children who meet their goals will be awarded a grand

prize! The Winter Reading Program ends February 28th.

Lewis Cooper Memorial Library200 South 6th St., Opelika (334) 705-5380; www.opelika.org

Story Time With Tim – Mondays, 10-10:20 a.m., for ages 2-4 Story Quest – Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. for ages 4 and up

Cooper Fun House – Last Friday of month, 3:30 - 4:45 p.m., for grades 3rd-5th. Join the Crew as we play games, have fun and win prizes!

Library Teen Thing – A positive peer group for teens to promote reading and actions to become a citizen with character. Every other Thursday, 6:30-7:45 p.m., for ages 13-17

**The Library will be closed on Tuesday, January 1st and Monday, January 21st.**

Public Library Activities A Page in a BookBest HairAlmost every child gets one of these: a full head of hair. For some, their

hair’s an easily managed affair, tame and controllable. For others (and their parents), their crown is capped with a wonderful mop of trials and tribulations. Teaching kids how to take care of their hair, how to be still for their first haircuts (or at least not scream) is a rite of passage just like learning to tie shoes. The fol-lowing books feature hair, and the taming of same, through stories new and old. Comb through these titles and take a little (book) off the top.

Even Monsters Need Haircutsby Matthew McElligott

When the full moon rises and most kids are settling into bed, one young son of a barber slips out of bed and into his Dad’s shop to care for the hair of a distinctly different clientele. Once a month, and with some help, the barbershop is redecorated and re-stocked to service monsters of every sort who, after all, have their own hair care needs. Just like his father’s regular customers, some custom-ers always want the same thing (Frankenstein’s flat-top), while some heads of hair (or reasonable facsimile of) are more of a coiffure challenge. With dry humor and brightly-rendered monsters, the illustrations offer up smart details that a sharp reader will pick up and enjoy with repeat readings.

I Won’t Comb My Hair!by Annette Langan, Illustrated by Frauke Bahr

Tanya has several things she sometimes doesn’t like to do (don’t we all?). Maybe she some-times doesn’t want to wear boots when her sandals are so much prettier, or go home, or go shop-ping. But Tanya knows one thing ALL the time: She doesn’t want to comb her hair…ever. Her exasperated parents (and neighbors) get a regular earful of Tanya’s “I WON’T comb my hair!” So her mane grows and froths, becoming a jungle of hair that soon looks very inviting to wildlife, who quickly take up residence among the roots of her tresses. She can’t see what’s living up there, but she can hear them. The more sound they make, the more Tanya realizes that taming her hair is the best solution to her fear of the jungle that her head has become. Readers will enjoy Tanya’s promotion from jungle guide to (hair) landscape management!

RapunzelRetold and Illustraeted by Rachel Isadora

Adhering closely to the story’s origins, Rachel Isadora takes Rapunzel to the lush surround-ings of Africa in this rich re-telling of the story that centers around a captive girl locked in a tower with only her long locks of hair to connect her to the rest of the world – for good or ill. Africa’s warm color palette and distinctive wildlife set the stage for Rapunzel’s flower-laced dreadlocks to tumble from the tower toward a young African prince on the savannah below. Illustrated with earthen colors, and a collage of printed and palette papers, the patchworks of color render the story into baser shapes that allow the reader to flesh out the images and story with their imagination. Perfect for fairy-tale fans who want to take a broader journey in the fairy-tale landscape.



Family Calendar December2012/January2013Ongoing:A2Z Local Homeschooler’s AssociationFor homeschooling families in the Auburn/Opelika Lee County area of Alabama. A2Z Loop is an all-inclusive support group open to all homeschool families in the Auburn/Opelika area regardless of differences in beliefs, cultures, nationality, race, religion, or method of home schooling. For more information call 334-728-1162 or email: [email protected] BalletThe Alabama Ballet presents George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, Dec. 14-23. Leslie Stephen Wright Center, Birmingham. www.alabamaballet.orgAlabama Dance CouncilAlabama Dance Festival. Jan. 18-27. Birmingham.www.alabamadancecouncil.org/Alabama Mentor’s Foster Parent Training ClassesOffered in the Opelika Auburn area. Call 334-705-8877 x 18 to register or email: [email protected] Shakespeare Festival• A Christmas Carol. Through Dec. 23.• Macbeth. Jan 25 - May 18.Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Montgomery. www.asf.net.Birmingham Civil Rights InstituteHelen Keller Student Art Show of Alabama. Jan. 27 - Feb. 24. Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. www.bcri.org.Bosom Buddies (a breast cancer support group) Meets at The Health Resource Center the first Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. (334) 528-1260. www.eamc.org.Callaway Gardens21st Annual Fantasy In Lights. Through Dec. 30. The Southeast’s most spectacular holiday light and sound show with more than eight million twinkling lights celebrating the holiday season. Drive your car or ride the Jolly Trolley to experience scenes like March of the Toy Soldiers and Snowflake Valley. At Robin Lake Beach, enjoy Twas The Night before Christmas and The Nativity, light and sound shows enticing passers-by to stop, reflect and enjoy.www.callawaygardens.com.Center for Puppetry ArtsThrough Jan. 6. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.Jan. 8-27. Brother Coyote and Sister FoxAtlanta. www.puppet.org.Christmas in CamelotOpelika neighborhood. 4:30-10 p.m., Through Dec. 31. The magic of Christmas comes alive throughout Camelot with the many large Christmas Cards, painted under art teacher, Roslyn Stern, by Opelika High art students. The neighborhood lights are adorned with lighted wreaths and all the houses are decorated with the wonders of Christmas. This drive-through event begins at sundown. www.opelika.com.Expressions of a BraveHeart Program A fine arts program for teens and young adults with special needs (ages 11-21), sponsored by Opelika Parks and Recreation, utilizing Auburn University faculty and students, as well as community volunteers. Two 30-minute sessions of art, dance/creative movement and music will be offered and participants will select 2 of the 3 classes. Expressions meets every 2nd and 4th Monday twice a month for 1.5 hours. Opelika Sportsplex, 334.705.5560. www.opelikasportsplex.com.Jan Dempsey Community Arts CenterWinter Invitational 2013

Jan. 7 - Feb. 15.Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine ArtThrough Jan. 26. 1072 Society Exhibition.Jan. 26 - May 4. Bauhaus Twenty-21 Exhibition. Jule Jan. 26 - May 18. Auburn Collects: Works from the Collection of Dwight and Helen CarlisleCollins Smith Museum of Fine Art.www.jcsm.auburn.edu.Lee County Parents of Chinese Children helps children understand, see and grow up with other families that look like their family (white parents/Asian child). The group is 100% free! We try to eat out at Asian establishments monthly and have playdates. Families that are waiting to adopt are welcome! We accept any families with adopted children from all Asian countries. Contact Melody at [email protected] for more information.McWane CenterWinter Wonderland. Through Jan. 6. Jan. 11 - May 11 The Ice Age in IMAX. Birmingham.www.mcwane.org.Meditation Garden and LabyrinthCome and Find the Quiet Center... in the Meditation Garden and Labyrinth, provided as a community service by Village Christian Church, 700 East University Drive, (across from Auburn Early Ed.). 334-887-5111. Try the practice of walking meditation or simply sit and enjoy the sights and sounds. The garden and labyrinth are always open and guests are always welcome.Montgomery Zoo Christmas Lights FestivalThrough Dec. 31. 5:30-9:30 p.m. A winter wonderland of thousands colorful and sparkling lights with Santa and more! www.montgomeryzoo.com.National VillageChristmas Light Show at National VillageOpelika. Through Jan. 6. 5-10 p.m. www.nationalvillage.com.Old Alabama TownWinter Warmth Tour of Old Alabama Town. Jan. 1-31. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. www.oldalabamatown.com.Opelika-Auburn Newcomers ClubA club for new women in town which offers fun social activities, meets for lunch on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Call Joan at 501-4974.Springer Opera House• Annie. Through Dec. 23. • A Tuna Christmas. Through Dec. 23. • Steel Magnolias. Jan. 21-31, Feb. 1-2. Columbus. www.springeroperahouse.org.Virginia Samford Theatre9 to 5: The Musical. Jan. 24 - Feb. 10.Birmingham. www.virginiasamfordtheatre.org.

Parents Support & Moms GroupsAuburn Mommies, a fun group of moms in the Auburn/Opelika area that meet weekly for playgroups and Mommy and Me walking twice a week. We also have a Mommies Night Out once a month. Http://groups.yahoo.com/group/auburnmommiesinalabama/.Breast Feeding class meets the second Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon on EAMC’s third floor. Call 528-1260 to register.La Leche League, a support group for nursing moms, meets the first Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m. @ Holy Trinity Episcopal in Auburn. For more information call Josie at 257-3950.Lee County Autism Support Group meets every

other month. Call Julie Brown 887-3903 or Florence Evermom 887-5005. Covenant Presbyterian Church on Shelton Mill Road in Auburn.MOMS Club of Auburn, a group of stay-at-home moms that meets about twice a week to provide support for each other and fun interaction for kids. New website is www.auburnmoms.com.Moms In Touch. Do you worry about your children? Come experience how you can replace your anxiety and fear with peace and hope by praying with other moms. Moms In Touch International gathers moms together for one hour, once a week, to pray specifically and scripturally for our children and school. Won’t you join with us in prayer for this next generation? Please contact Julia Farrow at [email protected] for information about our local groups. For more information about Moms In Touch International, visit www.MomsInTouch.org.Teen Moms (for moms under 20) is a ministry that connects trained adults with pregnant girls and teenage moms. Support meetings, classes, job preparation, devotions and games. Call Laura Fuller at [email protected] or 334-501-5637. www.insideyfc.com.

Mom’s Morning OutAuburn United Methodist Church, Children’s Day Out Program, every Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m.-12 noon. $10 per child for the entire morning, $2 each additional child. Attendance will be on a first come-first served basis. Contact Barbara Dawsey at 826-8800 for more information.Trinity United Methodist Church (Opelika) Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:45-12. $15 per child.

Support GroupsCare N’ Share GroupCaring for a family member or friend can be rewarding, but it is not easy. Whether you are the caregiver for your grandchildren, provide care to your parents or spouse or a dependent child, this group is for you! Learn from each other, ways to cope with the everyday stresses of caring for someone you love. We will also give you tools and resources to help you on your journey. Last Monday of each month through November. 7 a.m., or Noon CST (choose the one that works best for you). Registration preferred but not required. This program is supported by the Opelika SportsPlex, Lee-Russell Area Agency on Aging, and Hospice Advantage EAMC.Food Allergy Support of East AlabamaThe Food Allergy Support of East Alabama group offers support through the sharing of information and resources. We are also working to increase awareness of food allergies in the state of Alabama. For more information, visit our website at www.foodallergysupporteastal.org or call Barbara at 334-826-3082; [email protected]. GRACE - Post-Abortive Support GroupAre you struggling with feelings of regret or sadness from having a pregnancy termination in your past? Do you feel like you can’t share these struggles with anyone? Would you like to find healing and forgiveness? You are not alone. Women’s Hope Medical Clinic wants to help you! You are invited to take part in our GRACE abortion recovery group. This confidential group gives you the opportunity to process the grief of your termination in a safe and non-judgmental setting. If you would like more

information about the times, dates and location for this group, call or e-mail Sherry at Women’s Hope: 334.502.7000 or [email protected] Don’t let the regret of the past rob you of the joy in the future. Call us today. We are here to help.

SportsAuburn University GymnasticsJan. 11.Auburn University Men’s BasketballDec. 18, 22, Jan. 2, 9, 19, 26.Auburn University Women’s BasketballDec. 19, 22, 29, Jan. 3, 10, 17, 31.Auburn University Swimming & DivingDec. 18, 19, Jan. 10, 18, 19, 20, 26.Auburn University TennisJan. 19, 22. www.autigers.comCottonmouths HockeyDec. 21, 29, Jan. 3, 4, 8, 15, 20, 25, 26.Columbus Civic Center. www.columbusciviccenter.org.

Tuesday, December 18A Christmas Carol presented by the Opelika High Theatre SocietyOpelika Center for the Performing Arts. 7 p.m. Admission: $5 for students and $7 for adults. 334-745-9715.

Wednesday, December 19Auburn Mommy and MeBig Dog Running Co, Auburn. 10-11 a.m. Social time, story time, music/movement, arts & crafts. Ages 9 months-3 yrs. Free! 334-209-2580.A Christmas Carol presented by the Opelika High Theatre SocietyOpelika Center for the Performing Arts. 7 p.m. Admission: $5 for students and $7 for adults. 334-745-9715.

Thursday, December 2045th Annual Collinwood Luminaries Sponsored by Collinwood Neighborhood in Opelika. 5-9pm. Public can drive through the candle lit roads commemorating the path of Christ’s birth with live scenes along the way.Safe Kids Helmet Give-AwayWalmart, Gateway Rd, Columbus, Ga. 3:30-5:30 p.m. www.safekidscolumbusga.com.A Christmas Carol presented by the Opelika High Theatre SocietyOpelika Center for the Performing Arts. 7 p.m. Admission: $5 for students and $7 for adults. 334-745-9715.Weeki Wachee Mermaids Return to Georgia Aquarium! www.georgiaaquarium.org.SCUBA Santa at the Georgia Aquarium. www.georgiaaquarium.org.

Friday, December 21Cruising with SantaThe Harriott II Riverboat. Montgomery. 6:30 p.m. www.funontheriver.net.Weeki Wachee Mermaids Return to Georgia Aquarium! www.georgiaaquarium.org.


December2012/January2013other month. Call Julie Brown 887-3903 or Florence Evermom 887-5005. Covenant Presbyterian Church on Shelton Mill Road in Auburn.MOMS Club of Auburn, a group of stay-at-home moms that meets about twice a week to provide support for each other and fun interaction for kids. New website is www.auburnmoms.com.Moms In Touch. Do you worry about your children? Come experience how you can replace your anxiety and fear with peace and hope by praying with other moms. Moms In Touch International gathers moms together for one hour, once a week, to pray specifically and scripturally for our children and school. Won’t you join with us in prayer for this next generation? Please contact Julia Farrow at [email protected] for information about our local groups. For more information about Moms In Touch International, visit www.MomsInTouch.org.Teen Moms (for moms under 20) is a ministry that connects trained adults with pregnant girls and teenage moms. Support meetings, classes, job preparation, devotions and games. Call Laura Fuller at [email protected] or 334-501-5637. www.insideyfc.com.

Mom’s Morning OutAuburn United Methodist Church, Children’s Day Out Program, every Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m.-12 noon. $10 per child for the entire morning, $2 each additional child. Attendance will be on a first come-first served basis. Contact Barbara Dawsey at 826-8800 for more information.Trinity United Methodist Church (Opelika) Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:45-12. $15 per child.

Support GroupsCare N’ Share GroupCaring for a family member or friend can be rewarding, but it is not easy. Whether you are the caregiver for your grandchildren, provide care to your parents or spouse or a dependent child, this group is for you! Learn from each other, ways to cope with the everyday stresses of caring for someone you love. We will also give you tools and resources to help you on your journey. Last Monday of each month through November. 7 a.m., or Noon CST (choose the one that works best for you). Registration preferred but not required. This program is supported by the Opelika SportsPlex, Lee-Russell Area Agency on Aging, and Hospice Advantage EAMC.Food Allergy Support of East AlabamaThe Food Allergy Support of East Alabama group offers support through the sharing of information and resources. We are also working to increase awareness of food allergies in the state of Alabama. For more information, visit our website at www.foodallergysupporteastal.org or call Barbara at 334-826-3082; [email protected]. GRACE - Post-Abortive Support GroupAre you struggling with feelings of regret or sadness from having a pregnancy termination in your past? Do you feel like you can’t share these struggles with anyone? Would you like to find healing and forgiveness? You are not alone. Women’s Hope Medical Clinic wants to help you! You are invited to take part in our GRACE abortion recovery group. This confidential group gives you the opportunity to process the grief of your termination in a safe and non-judgmental setting. If you would like more

information about the times, dates and location for this group, call or e-mail Sherry at Women’s Hope: 334.502.7000 or [email protected] Don’t let the regret of the past rob you of the joy in the future. Call us today. We are here to help.

SportsAuburn University GymnasticsJan. 11.Auburn University Men’s BasketballDec. 18, 22, Jan. 2, 9, 19, 26.Auburn University Women’s BasketballDec. 19, 22, 29, Jan. 3, 10, 17, 31.Auburn University Swimming & DivingDec. 18, 19, Jan. 10, 18, 19, 20, 26.Auburn University TennisJan. 19, 22. www.autigers.comCottonmouths HockeyDec. 21, 29, Jan. 3, 4, 8, 15, 20, 25, 26.Columbus Civic Center. www.columbusciviccenter.org.

Tuesday, December 18A Christmas Carol presented by the Opelika High Theatre SocietyOpelika Center for the Performing Arts. 7 p.m. Admission: $5 for students and $7 for adults. 334-745-9715.

Wednesday, December 19Auburn Mommy and MeBig Dog Running Co, Auburn. 10-11 a.m. Social time, story time, music/movement, arts & crafts. Ages 9 months-3 yrs. Free! 334-209-2580.A Christmas Carol presented by the Opelika High Theatre SocietyOpelika Center for the Performing Arts. 7 p.m. Admission: $5 for students and $7 for adults. 334-745-9715.

Thursday, December 2045th Annual Collinwood Luminaries Sponsored by Collinwood Neighborhood in Opelika. 5-9pm. Public can drive through the candle lit roads commemorating the path of Christ’s birth with live scenes along the way.Safe Kids Helmet Give-AwayWalmart, Gateway Rd, Columbus, Ga. 3:30-5:30 p.m. www.safekidscolumbusga.com.A Christmas Carol presented by the Opelika High Theatre SocietyOpelika Center for the Performing Arts. 7 p.m. Admission: $5 for students and $7 for adults. 334-745-9715.Weeki Wachee Mermaids Return to Georgia Aquarium! www.georgiaaquarium.org.SCUBA Santa at the Georgia Aquarium. www.georgiaaquarium.org.

Friday, December 21Cruising with SantaThe Harriott II Riverboat. Montgomery. 6:30 p.m. www.funontheriver.net.Weeki Wachee Mermaids Return to Georgia Aquarium! www.georgiaaquarium.org.

SCUBA Santa at the Georgia Aquarium. www.georgiaaquarium.org.Christmas CookiesCovington Rec Center. Ages 3-6 yrs. $7 fee. 1-2 p.m. 705-5560.

Saturday, December 22Sensory Sensitive Screenings Movie Life of Pi Sponsored by The Autism Hope Center and Carmike Cinemas, Whittlesey Blvd, Columbus. 11 a.m. Register www.autismhopecenter.com.F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum Christmas Open HouseMontgomery. www.fitzgeraldmuseum.net.Bedtime in BethlehemHilton Terrace Baptist Church, 2236 Warm Springs Rd., Columbus. 6:30 p.m. Following the program, we will have a “Happy Birthday, Jesus” party with fun and games for all! Join us for all or part of this evening as we teach our children the “Reason for the Season.” (706) 975-2833.Holiday Hayride with Santa: Stories Around the CampfireFDR State Park, Warm Springs, Ga. 5:30-7:30 p.m. $2 per person, ages 4 and up; Parking passes are $5 per vehicle. Rides are 15-20 minutes long. Afterwards, join us at the campfire for marshmallows, hot chocolate and stories read by the Harris County Library staff. Bring a roasting stick.Cruising with SantaThe Harriott II Riverboat. Montgomery. 6:30 p.m. www.funontheriver.net.Breakfast In Santa’s WorkshopMcWane Science Center, Birmingham. 8:30-10 a.m. www.mcwane.org.Polar Express Pajama PartyMcWane Science Center, Birmingham. 4:30-6 p.m. www.mcwane.org.Weeki Wachee Mermaids Return to Georgia Aquarium! www.georgiaaquarium.org.SCUBA Santa at the Georgia Aquarium. www.georgiaaquarium.org.

Sunday, December 23Polar Express Pajama PartyMcWane Science Center, Birmingham. 4:30-6 p.m. www.mcwane.org.Weeki Wachee Mermaids Return to Georgia Aquarium! www.georgiaaquarium.org.SCUBA Santa at the Georgia Aquarium. www.georgiaaquarium.org.

Wednesday, December 26Auburn Mommy and MeBig Dog Running Co, Auburn. 10-11 a.m. Social time, story time, music/movement, arts & crafts. Ages 9 months-3 yrs. Free! 334-209-2580.

Thursday, December 27Community Kwanzaa CelebrationBirmingham Civil Rights Museum. 6 p.m. www.bcri.org.Kids Day Out CampCovington Rec. Center. Ages 6-9 yrs. $20 fee. 8 a.m.-12 noon. 705-5560.

Friday, December 28Holiday Field Trip to Montgomery ZooSponsored by Auburn Parks and Rec. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Grades 3-6 invited. Register at Auburn Parks and Rec by Dec 21. 501-2946.Totally SportsCovington Rec Center, Opelika. Come enjoy flag football, basketball and more! 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Ages 5-12 yrs. Fee $20. 705-5560.Kids Day Out CampCovington Rec. Center. Ages 6-9 yrs. $20 fee. 8 a.m.-12 noon. 705-5560.Cold Moon RambleFDR State Park, Warm Springs, Ga. 7-8:30 p.m. Free. Ages 7 yrs and up. Awaken your senses to a night trail walk lit by the full moon, stars, and lights from the valley below. Bring a flashlight and water. 1 mile hike – easy. 706) 663-4858.www.centralchristianchurchga.org.

Saturday, December 29Young Eagles DayFree Airplane Rides for Kids! Columbus Airport. Ages 8-17. 8:30-11:30 a.m. (weather permitting). 706-324-2453.Zac Brown BandBJCC. www.ticketmaster.com.

Monday, December 31New Year’s Eve Party CruiseThe Harriott II Riverboat. Montgomery. 10 p.m. www.funontheriver.net.New Year’s Eve CelebrationRiverfront, Montgomery. 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m. Live entertainment by Groove Merchants and Creativity. Fireworks at midnight!

Tuesday, January 1Hank Williams 60th Memorial CelebrationOakwood Cemetery Annex. 10 a.m. Music following at the Hank Williams Museum on Commerce St., Montgomery. www.thehankwilliamsmuseum.com.

Friday, January 4Atlanta Ballet presents CinderellaGwinnett Performing Arts Center Duluth, Ga.www.ticketmaster.com.Opelika UnpluggedThe Event Center Downtown, Opelika. 7 p.m. Performance platform for singers and songwriters. $5. www.eventcenterdowntown.net.

Saturday, January 5Atlanta Ballet presents CinderellaSee Jan. 4 for details.BBVA Compass BowlLegion Field, Birmingham. www.bbvacompassbowl.comWWE RAW World TourBJCC. 7:30 p.m. www.ticketmaster.com.Red Nose Half Marathon 2013Uptown Columbus. www.bigdogrunning.com.Sensory Sensitive Screenings Movie Dino TimeSponsored by The Autism Hope Center and Carmike Cinemas, Whittlesey Blvd, Columbus. 11 a.m. Register www.autismhopecenter.com.


Sunday, January 6Atlanta Ballet presents CinderellaSee Jan. 4 for details.

Friday, January 11Professional Bull RidersBJCC. 8 p.m. www.ticketmaster.com.Fun Night Drop-InOpelika SportsPlex. 6-8:45 p.m. Ages 3rd-5th graders. $15 registration, $5 per visit. 705-5560. Friday Night Drop-InOpelika SportsPlex. 7-9:30 p.m. 6th-8th graders. $20 registration, $5 per visit. 705-5560.

Saturday, January 122nd Annual Bama ShootoutBirmingham Jefferson Convention Complex. www.ticketmaster.com.Professional Bull RidersBJCC. 8 p.m. www.ticketmaster.com.Second SaturdayLee County Historical Society Museum, Loachapoka. 1-3 p.m. www.leecountyhistoricalsociety.org.Cultural Crossroads SymposiumOld Alabama Town, Montgomery. www.oldalabamatown.com.9th Annual Red Nose RunHomewood. www.rednoserun-bham.com.Lowe’s Build & Grow Clinic: Mystery Kit10 a.m. Free. Opelika. www.lowesbuildandgrow.com.Diamond Cheer & Dance CompetitionDothan Civic Center. www.diamondcheeranddance.com.

Sunday, January 13Southern Bridal ShowBJCC. 12-5 p.m. www.eliteevents.com.Professional Bull Riders Pro Touring DivisionColumbus Civic Center. www.columbusciviccenter.com.

Monday, January 14Couponing 101 ClassTutoring and Test Prep of Auburn. 6:30-8:30 p.m. www.couponingwithjackie.com.Professional Bull Riders Pro Touring DivisionColumbus Civic Center. www.columbusciviccenter.com.

Tuesday, January 15Cold Weather TreatsCovington Rec Center. Ages 3-5 yrs. $7 fee. 3:30-4:30 p.m. 705-5560.Blue Man GroupFox Theatre, Atl. www.atlanta.net.

Wednesday, January 16Blue Man GroupFox Theatre, Atl. www.atlanta.net.

Thursday, January 17CSU Theatre presents Diary of a Worm, a Spider, and a Flywww.theatre.columbusstate.edu/productions.Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky ThunderEnterprise High School Performing Arts Center. 7 p.m. www.coffeecountyartsalliance.com.

Blue Man GroupFox Theatre, Atl. www.atlanta.net.

Friday, January 18Gala Dinner to Honor Albert and Jule Collins SmithAuburn University Hotel and Conference Center. 6 p.m. www.jcsm.auburn.edu.CSU Theatre presents Diary of a Worm, a Spider, and a Flywww.theatre.columbusstate.edu/productions.Parents Night Out ‘Pirate Night’Opelika SportsPlex. 8-12 yrs. 705-5560.Friday Night Drop-InOpelika SportsPlex. 7-9:30 p.m. 6th-8th graders. $20 registration, $5 per visit. 705-5560.Blue Man GroupFox Theatre, Atl. www.atlanta.net.Log and Timber ShowGeorgia International Convention Center. www.atlanta.net.

Saturday, January 19Teen Scene Field Trip--Wilderness Survival 1019 a.m.-6 p.m. Ages 12-15 yrs. Join Auburn Parks and Recreation and the staff from Little River Canyon Field School in Fort Payne, AL to learn hands-on methods of basic survival skills dealing with water, shelter, food, fire, and getting found. Participants must be registered by Thursday, Jan. 3. $15 fee. Melissa Weldon, 501-2946.AORTA Auburn Classic Half Marathon & Children’s Half MarathonAuburn. All runners will start and finish at Cater Lawn on the campus of Auburn University, touring through the quaint homes on Gay Street, past the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art, and then touring the beautiful campus of Auburn University. The revised course will pass by the city’s most iconic landmarks including Jordan Hare Stadium, Heisman Drive, and the beloved Toomer’s Corner oak trees. Our half marathon participants will also enjoy a tour of the School of Veterinary Medicine and enjoy cruising down the newest paved running & biking paths in Auburn. Come run with us and have your photo taken with the Heisman statues or finishing the last leg of the race under the Toomer’s Oaks!www.auburnrunning.org.Columbus Symphony Orchestra presents Music in a Time of WarRiverCenter for the Performing Arts. www.rivercenter.org.Alabama Horse Council Horse FairGarrett Coliseum. www.alabamahorsecouncil.org.CSU Theatre presents Diary of a Worm, a Spider, and a Flywww.theatre.columbusstate.edu/productions.Trains, Trains, Trains! Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History. Kennesaw, Ga. www.atlanta.net.Blue Man GroupFox Theatre, Atl. www.atlanta.net.Log and Timber ShowGeorgia International Convention Center. www.atlanta.net.

Sunday, January 202013 Quantum of Auburn Bridal ShowAuburn University Hotel and Conference Center. 334-745-4656.

Red Tails DayTuskegee Airmen National Historic Site. 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., & 2:30 p.m. www.nps.gov/tusi. Free.Alabama Horse Council Horse FairGarrett Coliseum. www.alabamahorsecouncil.org.CSU Theatre presents Diary of a Worm, a Spider, and a Flywww.theatre.columbusstate.edu/productions.Willie Nelson with Lukas Nelson and Promise of the RealThe Tabernacle, Atl. www.atlanta.net.Blue Man GroupFox Theatre, Atl. www.atlanta.net.Log and Timber ShowGeorgia International Convention Center. www.atlanta.net.

Monday, January 21Dr. Martin Luther King Unity BreakfastBirmingham Civil Rights Institute. 7:30 a.m. www.bcri.org.Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service in Macon Countywww.nps.gov/tuin.Robert E. Lee Birthday Celebration With guest speaker. First White House of the Confederacy. 11 a.m. Free. 334-215-0078.Live Owl Education ProgramDean Rd Rec Center. Auburn. 7:30 p.m. Register by Jan 18. Melissa Weldon, 501-2946.Waterfowl Family Bird WalkMcWane Science Center. Birmingham. 8 a.m-12 noon. Free ages 5 and up. On this full day trip we will travel to Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, a waterfowl hot spot, to locate and identify some of the waterfowl that have migrated here or congregate in this diverse habitat giving us a grand view of many species of birds. www.mcwane.org.

Tuesday, January 22Bark In The Park: Dog Parade & WalkFDR State Park. Warm Springs, Ga. 1-2:30 p.m. Bring your canine friend (festive attire encouraged) and join us for an easy forest romp. New sounds, sights, and discoveries for all of us! Dogs must be on a 6-foot leash. You do not have to have a pet to walk with us. Free. 706) 663-4858.

Wednesday, January 23St. Louis Brass Quintet, Guest ArtistGoodwin Recital Hall, AU Campus. 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $5 for students. www.auburn.edu.Justin Bieber-Believe TourPhilips Arena, Atlanta. www.atlanta.net.

Thursday, January 24Dance by DesignA celebration of dance—inspired by the work of Auburn University Theatre scenic and lighting designer Fereshteh Rostampour, and featuring choreography by Adrienne Wilson and guest artists Karola Lüttringhaus and Duane Lee Holland. Join Auburn University Theatre’s student dance ensemble for a captivating evening of choreography featuring a host of different styles. 7:30 p.m. www.auburn.edu.Live Owl Education ProgramDean Road Rec Center. Register by Jan 18. Melissa Weldon, 501-2946.

Opening Convocation/Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday CelebrationTalladega College. www.talladega.edu.St. Louis BrassAlexander City Arts, Benjamin Russell High School. 7:30 p.m. www.alex.k12.al.us.Birmingham Boat ShowBJCC. www.birminghamboatshow.com.

Friday, January 25Dance by DesignSee Jan. 24 for details.Birmingham Boat ShowBJCC. www.birminghamboatshow.com.Atlanta Camping & RV ShowAtlanta Expo Center. www.atlanta.net.Full Freedom: A Conference for WomenSpecial guest speakers Sharon Jaynes and Gwen Smith. Lakeview Baptist Church, Auburn.www.lakeviewatthewell.com.Birmingham Opera presents Madame ButterflyWright Center at Samford University.www.operabirmingham.org.Rangers in Action demonstrationHurley Hill Demonstration area, Fort Benning. This highly coordinated performance will awe and thrill you as Rangers detonate explosives, jump from helicopters into the water, rappel down and up towers, race down zip lines, and participate in hand to hand combat. 10 a.m.Pike Piddlers Storytelling FestivalBrundidge, Al. www.piddle.org.

Family Calendar December2012/January2013

www.asms.net

Ready to leaRn without limits?ASMS is the state’s only fully

public and residential high school for highly motivated students.

Free tuition, rooM, boArd, & bookS.

251.441.2100


Red Tails DayTuskegee Airmen National Historic Site. 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., & 2:30 p.m. www.nps.gov/tusi. Free.Alabama Horse Council Horse FairGarrett Coliseum. www.alabamahorsecouncil.org.CSU Theatre presents Diary of a Worm, a Spider, and a Flywww.theatre.columbusstate.edu/productions.Willie Nelson with Lukas Nelson and Promise of the RealThe Tabernacle, Atl. www.atlanta.net.Blue Man GroupFox Theatre, Atl. www.atlanta.net.Log and Timber ShowGeorgia International Convention Center. www.atlanta.net.

Monday, January 21Dr. Martin Luther King Unity BreakfastBirmingham Civil Rights Institute. 7:30 a.m. www.bcri.org.Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service in Macon Countywww.nps.gov/tuin.Robert E. Lee Birthday Celebration With guest speaker. First White House of the Confederacy. 11 a.m. Free. 334-215-0078.Live Owl Education ProgramDean Rd Rec Center. Auburn. 7:30 p.m. Register by Jan 18. Melissa Weldon, 501-2946.Waterfowl Family Bird WalkMcWane Science Center. Birmingham. 8 a.m-12 noon. Free ages 5 and up. On this full day trip we will travel to Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, a waterfowl hot spot, to locate and identify some of the waterfowl that have migrated here or congregate in this diverse habitat giving us a grand view of many species of birds. www.mcwane.org.

Tuesday, January 22Bark In The Park: Dog Parade & WalkFDR State Park. Warm Springs, Ga. 1-2:30 p.m. Bring your canine friend (festive attire encouraged) and join us for an easy forest romp. New sounds, sights, and discoveries for all of us! Dogs must be on a 6-foot leash. You do not have to have a pet to walk with us. Free. 706) 663-4858.

Wednesday, January 23St. Louis Brass Quintet, Guest ArtistGoodwin Recital Hall, AU Campus. 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $5 for students. www.auburn.edu.Justin Bieber-Believe TourPhilips Arena, Atlanta. www.atlanta.net.

Thursday, January 24Dance by DesignA celebration of dance—inspired by the work of Auburn University Theatre scenic and lighting designer Fereshteh Rostampour, and featuring choreography by Adrienne Wilson and guest artists Karola Lüttringhaus and Duane Lee Holland. Join Auburn University Theatre’s student dance ensemble for a captivating evening of choreography featuring a host of different styles. 7:30 p.m. www.auburn.edu.Live Owl Education ProgramDean Road Rec Center. Register by Jan 18. Melissa Weldon, 501-2946.

Opening Convocation/Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday CelebrationTalladega College. www.talladega.edu.St. Louis BrassAlexander City Arts, Benjamin Russell High School. 7:30 p.m. www.alex.k12.al.us.Birmingham Boat ShowBJCC. www.birminghamboatshow.com.

Friday, January 25Dance by DesignSee Jan. 24 for details.Birmingham Boat ShowBJCC. www.birminghamboatshow.com.Atlanta Camping & RV ShowAtlanta Expo Center. www.atlanta.net.Full Freedom: A Conference for WomenSpecial guest speakers Sharon Jaynes and Gwen Smith. Lakeview Baptist Church, Auburn.www.lakeviewatthewell.com.Birmingham Opera presents Madame ButterflyWright Center at Samford University.www.operabirmingham.org.Rangers in Action demonstrationHurley Hill Demonstration area, Fort Benning. This highly coordinated performance will awe and thrill you as Rangers detonate explosives, jump from helicopters into the water, rappel down and up towers, race down zip lines, and participate in hand to hand combat. 10 a.m.Pike Piddlers Storytelling FestivalBrundidge, Al. www.piddle.org.

Fun Night Drop-InOpelika SportsPlex. 6-8:45 p.m. Ages 3rd-5th graders. $15 registration, $5 per visit. 705-5560. Friday Night Drop-InOpelika SportsPlex. 7-9:30 p.m. 6th-8th graders. $20 registration, $5 per visit. 705-5560.FoodBlogSouth 2013Rosewood Hall, Homewood. Conference for food bloggers, writers, photographers, and social media gurus with workshops, discussions, speakers and networking opportunities for attendees and sponsors. www.FoodBlogSouth.com.

Saturday, January 26Dr. Cory Mixdorf, Guest Trombone RecitalGoodwin Recital Hall, AU Campus. 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $5 for students. www.auburn.edu.Brian Stokes MitchellOpelika Center for the Performing Arts.. www.eastalabamaarts.org.Kids’ Art Club ‘Bauhaus Brouhaha’Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. 10 a.m. Art Club is open to all students k-12. Art Club sessions are free, but require preregistration. Please call 334.844.3486 to preregister. Sessions are open studio so parents are asked to stay at the museum. www.jcsm.auburn.edu.Prattville Mardi Gras CelebrationDowntown Prattville. Autauga County Courthouse. 1-5 p.m. www.prattvilleal.gov.Dance by Design

See Jan. 24 for details.Birmingham Boat ShowBJCC. www.birminghamboatshow.com.Full Freedom: A Conference for WomenSee Jan. 25 for details.10th Annual ASF Armchair AuctionAlabama Shakespeare Festival. www.asf.net.Birmingham Opera presents Madame ButterflyWright Center at Samford University.www.operabirmingham.org.Pike Piddlers Storytelling FestivalBrundidge, Al. www.piddle.org.Young Eagles DayFREE Airplane Rides for Kids! Columbus Airport. Ages 8-17. 8:30-11:30 a.m. (weather permitting). 706-324-2453.Birmingham Feline Fanciers CFA All Breed Cat ShowZamora Temple, Birmingham. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.www.Birminghamfelinefanciers.com.Atlanta Camping & RV ShowAtlanta Expo Center. www.atlanta.net.FoodBlogSouth 2013See Jan. 25 for details.

Sunday, January 27Birmingham Boat ShowBJCC. www.birminghamboatshow.com.Bridal ExtravaganzaDothan Civic Center. www.dothanciviccenter.org.Kontras QuartetMontgomery Museum of Fine Arts. 3-5 p.m. www.montgomerychambermusic.org.

December2012/January2013

www.asms.net

Ready to leaRn without limits?ASMS is the state’s only fully

public and residential high school for highly motivated students.

Free tuition, rooM, boArd, & bookS.

251.441.2100


Birmingham Opera presents Madame ButterflyWright Center at Samford University.www.operabirmingham.org.Pike Piddlers Storytelling FestivalBrundidge, Al. www.piddle.org.Birmingham Feline Fanciers CFA All Breed Cat ShowZamora Temple, Birmingham. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.www.Birminghamfelinefanciers.com.Atlanta Camping & RV ShowAtlanta Expo Center. www.atlanta.net.

Monday, January 28Catch Me If You CanRiverCenter for the Performing Arts. 7:30 p.m. www.rivercenter.org.

Tuesday, January 29Catch Me If You CanRiverCenter for the Performing Arts. 7:30 p.m. www.rivercenter.org.Bark In The Park: Dog Parade & WalkSee Jan. 22 for details.

Wednesday, January 30Pangaea Chamber Players, Guest ArtistGoodwin Recital Hall, AU Campus. 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $5 for students. www.auburn.edu.

Thursday, January 31AU Concert and Jazz Bands ConcertAuburn Performing Arts Center. www.auburn.edu.

Looking Ahead... Feb. 1. Friday Night Drop-In. Opelika SportsPlex. 7-9:30 p.m. 6th-8th graders. $20 registration, $5 per visit. 705-5560.Feb. 2. Millbrook Mardi Gras Festival and Parade. http://www.millbrookrevelers.org.Feb. 2. Teen Scene Field Trip to Cloudmount Ski Resort. Meet at Dean Road Rec Center. 5a.m. – 6 p.m. Fee $55. Ages 12-15 years. Melissa Weldon, 501-2946.Feb. 2. AAA Alabama Travel Show. Grand Conference Center, Birmingham. Free. 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. www.aaa.com.Feb. 2. Millbrook Mardi Gras Festival & Parade.11th Annual Mardi Gras Magic Ball & Gala. Pike County Cattlemen’s Complex, Troy. 7 p.m.-midnight. www.colleyseniorcomplex.org.Feb. 4-5. Clifford The Big Red Dog -- Live! RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. www.rivercenter.org.Feb. 6. Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Touring). Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. 7:30 p.m. www.ticketmaster.com.Feb. 7 - 9. 24th Annual Daddy-Daughter Date Night. The Lexington Hotel. Dads and daughters, enjoy an evening of dancing, refreshments, pictures, and surprises! $30/couple & $5/additional child. www.auburnalabama.org/parks. Dana Stewart, 501-2939.Feb. 8. Performing Arts Series ‘Billie Jean Young’. Central Activity Center, Phenix City. 7-9 p.m. www.phenixcityal.us.Feb. 9. Alabama Wildlife Center Wild About Chocolate. Rosewood Hall, Homewood. Valentine Gala featuring a variety of chocolate concoctions, appetizers, beverages, auctions and more. Benefits the Wildlife Center. 6-9 p.m.www.awrc.org.Feb. 9-10. Alabama Wildlife & Outdoor Expo. Dothan Civic Center. www.dothanciviccenter.org.Feb. 10 - Mar. 4. Sleeping Beauty presented by the Montgomery Ballet. Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. www.montgomeryballet.org.Feb. 15. Parents Night Out ‘Beach Ball Night’. Opelika SportsPlex. 8-12 years. 705-5560.Friday Night Drop-In Sweetheart Dance. Opelika SportsPlex. Girls, invite that special guy! King and his court will be presented. Entertainment by Ozz! 7-9 p.m. Ages 6th-8th grade. .www.opelikasportsplex.comFeb. 16. Dandy Dads Dinner Dance. Opelika SportsPlex. $30 per couple, $5 for each additional daughter. Includes meal, corsage/boutonniere, activities and entertainment. 6-8 p.m. www.opelikasportsplex.com.

Please send your calendar events to kendra

@auburnopelikaparents.com by the 5th of the month. It’s FREE!

Parenting on the Plains

What Parents Need to Know About InstagramBack when I first started writ-

ing about kids and social media, there were two primary players... Facebook and Twitter. But guess what parents? Times have changed. Enter the latest and greatest social media phenomenon. Instagram. If you’re one of the many parents who have been bamboozled by your kid into thinking that Instagram is only a photo editing app, then I’ve got news for you. It’s just as much of a so-cial media site as Facebook and Twitter. So if your tweens and teens are using it, then you need to know what it’s all about. Pronto.

First things first. What is Insta-gram? It’s a free application that allows users to take pictures and share them with other Instagram users. Fun ef-fects can be applied to the pictures that you share and users are encouraged to interact with other users by “liking” and commenting on photos. The Instagram app is available on the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch, as well as Android camera phones. Currently Instagram boasts over 100 million users, including a whole lot of kids. That’s where you come in Mom and Dad.

Here are 3 things you need to know if your child is an Instagram user:

Age Requirements. I have heard some parents say, “My child isn’t old enough for Facebook, so they are on Instagram instead.” Well, guess what? You have to be 13 years old for both Facebook and Instagram. Why? Because just like Facebook, Instagram is a social media application designed for adults. It is not policed or monitored, other than prohibiting the posting of nude, partially nude, or sexually suggestive photo-graphs. Don’t get me wrong, Instagram can be used safely by older kids. But as a parent, you’d be wise to keep in mind that the application was developed for an adult user.


Looking Ahead... Feb. 1. Friday Night Drop-In. Opelika SportsPlex. 7-9:30 p.m. 6th-8th graders. $20 registration, $5 per visit. 705-5560.Feb. 2. Millbrook Mardi Gras Festival and Parade. http://www.millbrookrevelers.org.Feb. 2. Teen Scene Field Trip to Cloudmount Ski Resort. Meet at Dean Road Rec Center. 5a.m. – 6 p.m. Fee $55. Ages 12-15 years. Melissa Weldon, 501-2946.Feb. 2. AAA Alabama Travel Show. Grand Conference Center, Birmingham. Free. 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. www.aaa.com.Feb. 2. Millbrook Mardi Gras Festival & Parade.11th Annual Mardi Gras Magic Ball & Gala. Pike County Cattlemen’s Complex, Troy. 7 p.m.-midnight. www.colleyseniorcomplex.org.Feb. 4-5. Clifford The Big Red Dog -- Live! RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. www.rivercenter.org.Feb. 6. Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Touring). Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. 7:30 p.m. www.ticketmaster.com.Feb. 7 - 9. 24th Annual Daddy-Daughter Date Night. The Lexington Hotel. Dads and daughters, enjoy an evening of dancing, refreshments, pictures, and surprises! $30/couple & $5/additional child. www.auburnalabama.org/parks. Dana Stewart, 501-2939.Feb. 8. Performing Arts Series ‘Billie Jean Young’. Central Activity Center, Phenix City. 7-9 p.m. www.phenixcityal.us.Feb. 9. Alabama Wildlife Center Wild About Chocolate. Rosewood Hall, Homewood. Valentine Gala featuring a variety of chocolate concoctions, appetizers, beverages, auctions and more. Benefits the Wildlife Center. 6-9 p.m.www.awrc.org.Feb. 9-10. Alabama Wildlife & Outdoor Expo. Dothan Civic Center. www.dothanciviccenter.org.Feb. 10 - Mar. 4. Sleeping Beauty presented by the Montgomery Ballet. Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. www.montgomeryballet.org.Feb. 15. Parents Night Out ‘Beach Ball Night’. Opelika SportsPlex. 8-12 years. 705-5560.Friday Night Drop-In Sweetheart Dance. Opelika SportsPlex. Girls, invite that special guy! King and his court will be presented. Entertainment by Ozz! 7-9 p.m. Ages 6th-8th grade. .www.opelikasportsplex.comFeb. 16. Dandy Dads Dinner Dance. Opelika SportsPlex. $30 per couple, $5 for each additional daughter. Includes meal, corsage/boutonniere, activities and entertainment. 6-8 p.m. www.opelikasportsplex.com.

Please send your calendar events to kendra

@auburnopelikaparents.com by the 5th of the month. It’s FREE!

Parenting on the Plainsby Dr. Polly Dunn

What Parents Need to Know About Instagram

Dr. Polly Dunn received her Ph.D. from Auburn Uni-versity in 1999. She is a Licensed Clinical Psycholo-gist and currently serves as the Director of the Auburn University Psychological Services Center, a position she has held for over ten years. Dr. Dunn is also the founder of www.ChildPsychMom.com where she blogs about what works and what doesn’t in her hectic life as a child psychologist, wife, and mom of four.

Back when I first started writ-ing about kids and social media, there were two primary players... Facebook and Twitter. But guess what parents? Times have changed. Enter the latest and greatest social media phenomenon. Instagram. If you’re one of the many parents who have been bamboozled by your kid into thinking that Instagram is only a photo editing app, then I’ve got news for you. It’s just as much of a so-cial media site as Facebook and Twitter. So if your tweens and teens are using it, then you need to know what it’s all about. Pronto.

First things first. What is Insta-gram? It’s a free application that allows users to take pictures and share them with other Instagram users. Fun ef-fects can be applied to the pictures that you share and users are encouraged to interact with other users by “liking” and commenting on photos. The Instagram app is available on the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch, as well as Android camera phones. Currently Instagram boasts over 100 million users, including a whole lot of kids. That’s where you come in Mom and Dad.

Here are 3 things you need to know if your child is an Instagram user:

Age Requirements. I have heard some parents say, “My child isn’t old enough for Facebook, so they are on Instagram instead.” Well, guess what? You have to be 13 years old for both Facebook and Instagram. Why? Because just like Facebook, Instagram is a social media application designed for adults. It is not policed or monitored, other than prohibiting the posting of nude, partially nude, or sexually suggestive photo-graphs. Don’t get me wrong, Instagram can be used safely by older kids. But as a parent, you’d be wise to keep in mind that the application was developed for an adult user.

Privacy Settings. If you’re on Insta-gram, particularly if you’re a kid, there’s one feature that you need to activate. The privacy setting. The default is set to public sharing, which means that your pictures are public to all Instagram users. To change the default to private, go to the “Options” menu and click “ON” for “Photos Are Private.” This means that only your followers can see your pic-tures. They are private to anyone else. If there’s one thing you take from read-ing this article, I hope it’s to know how to keep your photos (and those of your children) private!

Followers. My kids know that if they are on a social media site then I’m going to be there with them. I’ll be their “friend” on Facebook and “follow” them on Instagram. It’s amazing the stuff you learn about your kids through their social media pres-ence. More impor-tantly, this allows you to monitor their actions online and opens the door to lots of good conver-sations about safe social media use. You’ll have to make your own account, but I promise it’s painless and will be well worth it in the long run. Another social media rule I recommend is that you only allow people to follow you that you actually know in real life. You wouldn’t want strangers following you or your children around town, so they

certainly shouldn’t be following you online either!

Just like keeping our children safe in the real world, keeping them safe online takes time and energy. But we’d all be wise to remember the old saying ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.’ For more social media safety tips, visit me at www.childpsychmom.com.

Auburn-Opelika Parents I January 2013 Advertising: 334-209-055248

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Les Miserables

MPAA Rating: PG-13Overall: BViolence: C Sexual Content: ALanguage: A-Alcohol / Drug Use: CThe MPAA has rated The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey PG-13: for ex-tended sequences of intense fantasy action violence, and frightening images.

For the few, like me, who have not enthusiastically read the book, you can anticipate a road trip movie of massive proportions -- think Lord of the Rings with a little more humor and not quite as much blood. The tale opens with Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) reminiscing to Frodo (Elijah Wood) about a time, 60 years ago, when he became the very unwilling 14th member of a Dwarf army determined to regain their lands from fierce invad-ing dragon named Smaug. Led by the legendary warrior Thorin (Richard Armitage) and under the guidance of the wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen), the little group battles a new foe around every corner... and in every scene. Orcs, goblins, trolls, giant spiders and a variety of other nasty nemeses populate the screen en masse giving much opportunity for epic scenes of swordplay.

Undaunted, they hope to find their way to the Lonely Mountain where the dragon lays amongst their riches and gold. Of courses the trip will also provide some pivotal meetings, the most notable being Bilbo’s discovery of Gollum (Andy Serkis) deep in the goblin tunnels where the young hobbit also comes across the emaciated being’s most precious possession -- The Ring.

Perhaps the greatest issue with this film will be the question of its ap-propriateness for some of the youngest admirers of the novel. Unlike reading a book, where a child’s imagination is limited by his or her own experience, this movie often details battle scenes with fairly explicit imagery. Decapita-tions leave heads rolling, arms are sliced off and countless humans and other beings meet their deaths in massive battles. While the violence is a bit less explicit than the previous Lord of the Rings movies, and blood effects are minimal, there is still plenty here to keep children up at night. As well there are frequent jump scenes and moments of peril.

Fans will undoubtedly love what they discover here, and so they should. This is a massive undertaking and while the story isn’t complete, there are positive messages about extending ourselves beyond our comfort zones and committing to a greater cause.

What Parents Need To Know About The Hobbit... Violence: Dragons attack a castle causing mass destruction and implied loss of life. Many large battles take place between humans and other mythical creatures, resulting in many deaths and some explicit injuries including decapitations and dismemberment (one creature’s arm is sliced off -- we see the stump afterward). Large creatures capture dwarves, rope them to a spit and attempt to cook them over a fire. The movie includes some scary “jump” scenes and depictions of characters in nearly continual peril. Sexual Content: None noted.Profanities: A single humorous colloquial reference is made about male anatomy.Drugs/Alcohol: A character smokes a pipe with an unknown substance, and at one point he offers it to another character to calm his nerves..

MPAA Rating: PG-13Overall: BViolence: C- Sexual Content: C-Language: C+Alcohol / Drug Use: C+The MPAA has rated Les Misérables PG-13 for suggestive and sexual mate-rial, violence and thematic elements.

Despite the incredible musical score and a song designed for comic relief, Les Misérables deals with mature themes in desperate times. The por-trayals of child abuse, prostitution, and a bloody rebellion may make this story too explicit for many younger viewers. However the unnecessary inclusion of a moment of sexual activity during the sole scene of comedy is the greatest factor in not being able to broadly recommend this film. But for adults and older adolescents, the narrative of Jean Valjean’s unjust imprisonment and ultimate redemption remains as forceful as ever.

Released from jail after serving nearly two decades for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his starving family, Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) finds the outside world as inhospitable as his prison cell. Forced to carry papers that identify him as an ex-criminal he can find neither work nor friend until a generous priest invites him to sleep inside a church. As repayment for the hospitality, Jean waits until his host is asleep and then stuffs the church’s silver into a bag before stealing away. When he is apprehended by the local authorities and returned to the Bishop of Digne (Colm Wilkinson) the man of the cloth, rather than revealing the truth, instead chides Jean for forgetting the silver candlesticks and sets him free. This one act of kindness in an otherwise cruel world offers a rebirth to the broken man.

Years later as a successful businessman living under the alias of Monsieur Madeleine, Jean has the opportunity to reciprocate this kindness by offering mercy to one of his former employees who is driven to despair and prostitution by her vicious coworkers. As Fantine (Anne Hathaway) lies dying, Jean promises to find her daughter Cosette (played by Isabelle Allen and Amanda Seyfried) and raise her as his own. However, even while the reformed man attempts to fulfills his promise, he is haunted by his past in the form of Inspector Javert (Russell Crowe), a zealous police officer with an aim to find and punish Jean for breaking parole.

With strong moral dilemmas and personal heart wrenching dramas, Les Misérables’ complex characters and scenarios can push audiences to consider their own level of human compassion. Just leave the kids at home for this heavy tale.

What Parents need to know about Les Misérables...Violence: Corpses are seen, along with numerous sick and impoverished people. Characters engage in a sword fight. A child is subjected to cruel treat-ment. During a standoff, frequent gunfire is depicted and numerous characters are shot and killed (with blood shown in the streets). An explosion is set off. A child is gunned down. A police officer is captured and threatened with death by the rebels. A man commits suicide.Sexual Content: An employer makes sexual invitations to an employee. Prostitutes wear revealing clothing. A man hires a prostitute (brief sexual activity shown). Later a clothed woman is shown atop a man. A woman rubs a man’s private area and male buttock nudity is briefly shown.Language: The script contains several vulgar and sexual comments, profani-ties, some terms of Deity and scatological slang.Alcohol / Drug Use: Characters smoke and drink.

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Auburn-Opelika Parents January 2013