Winter 2011

Winter 2011

priceless • take one!

Holiday

Gift Guide!!cove

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Fight the FluNaturally

When to Move Your Child to a “Big Kid Bed”

Early Dental Care

Dr. Shylon Mathew & Dr. Natalie Mathew-SancheCertiied Specialists in Pediatric Dentistry

Conveniently located on Hwy 97 at #225 - 1634 Harvey Ave, Kelowna, BC next to theParkinson Recreation Center and across from the Landmark Buildings!

778-484-KIDS (5437)www.ToothZoneKids.com

Get in the

ZONE at

ToothZone

Kids!Call 778-484-KIDS (5437)

and book your appointment today!

New Patients Welcome & No Referral Needed!

What sets us apart?

We offer...• Bright colorful chairs for kids• Video games in our fun-filled play area• TVs on the ceiling• A team that really cares for your kids!

ToothZone Kids is a pediatric dental office that specializes in the care of infants, children, and adolescents! ToothZone Kids has been specially designed to provide your child the best dental care in a safe, comfortable and Kid-friendly space!

Contributors: Katrina Ao, Michelle Collie, Michale Hartte, Rita Love, Heidi Smith Luedtke, Shylon Mathew, Natalie Mathew-Sanche, Pam Nease, Wayne Terai

Editor & Publisher: Colleen Bezeau

Advertising Inquiries: [email protected] Inquiries: [email protected] 1.888.373.5566

Okanagan Child is published four times per year by Bellhop Media Inc. Circulation: 15,000. Please note that this magazine is solely funded through the support of our advertisers and sponsors. Please support our advertisers! Opinions expressed in this publication may not necessarily reflect those of the Publish-er. All contents copyrighted ©. No part of this publication may be reprinted, quoted, copied or reproduced without the express written permission of the Publisher.

contentsarticlesFighting the Flu NaturallyImportance of the First Dental Visit by Age 1What Kids NeedLearning Beyond School

columnsEditor’s NoteGiveawaysFeatured ParentAsk the ExpertRecipes You’ll LoveStuff We Love: Holiday EditionMichelle Collie: What I Love About WinterResource DirectorySnap Happy

Winter 2011

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Fight the FluNaturally

When to Move Your Child to a “Big Kid Bed”

Early Dental Care

cover photo: Adrian Kids Photography www.adriankidsphotography.caE. [email protected]. 250.863.0176

6101416

348

121718202123

Winter 2011 Volume 3, issue 4

editor’s note

• Maternitycarefromconceptionto6weekspostbirth.

• Pregnancytests&confirmation.

• Noreferralneeded.• Physicianstaffed.

• Paps & Contraception advice.

778.755.5720 853AndersRd,WestKelowna

[email protected]

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Winter has arrived and we have a great new issue for you to enjoy! Make sure to enter the exciting giveaways that you’ll find featured on page 4. This time we have something for your little one and something for you too!

I hope you and your family enjoy the forthcoming win-ter months. If you’re looking for gift ideas, feel inspired by our Holiday Edition gift guide, and if you’re looking for some other ideas about what kids need, be sure to read Heidi Smith Luedtke’s feature article.

Happy Winter!

Winter 2011 l 4 www.okanaganchild.com

Giveaways

Located in the heart of Kelowna’s Cultural District, the Rotary Cen-tre for the Arts is a multidisciplinary visual and performing arts centre where the community can experience artists and perform-ers in action, or take part in courses and workshops in visual art, dance, theatre and music year-round.

• TheDustyFlowerpotCabaret:HardTimesHitParade (the-atrical dance extravaganza) Jan 19, 2012

• TheMississippiSheiksTributeProject“ThingsAboutCom-ingMyWay”(apocalyptic blues & country) Jan 27, 2012

• LouisePitre:FromBroadwaytoParis (Grande Dame of mu-sical theatre) Feb 11, 2012

• Chekhov’sShorts (humour & pathos) Feb 23-25, 2012• GoodLovelies(folk-roots, flirty bluegrass & western swing)

Mar 11, 2012• StevenPage (acoustic cello guitar) Mar 17, 2012• UBUNTU:TheCapeTownProject(spirited storytelling, mu-

sic & dance) Mar 23-24, 2012• HighBarGang (Appalachian folk, gospel, bluegrass & coun-

try) Apr 14, 2012 Prize Includes:• One pair of tickets to a showEntry Deadline: February 18, 2012Entry Location: Visit www.okanaganchild.com, select ‘giveaways’

*Genuine Handmade and Pre-fabricated Baltic Amber Teething Necklaces - available in chip, baroque and oval shapes and various colors* Genuine Handmade Hazelwood Teething Necklaces - available in baby, toddler, child, teen and adult sizes* Locally owned and operated for excellent customer service* A natural alternative to OTC drugs

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HOW TO ENTER:

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including how to earn

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Loadza Toyz in Orchard Park Mall, Kelowna and Cherry Lane Mall, Penticton are filling up with great products carefully selected for your children. It is independently run by a husband and wife team who take time to search out and source individual special toys. They are members of NETS (Neighbourhood Toy Association ) and are always conscious of toy safety and quality while sourc-ing their products. Loadza Toyz has something for all ages from newborn to adults. The staff are knowledgeable of the products and love to help you pick a special gift. Loadza Toys is the destination store for birthdays special occasions and Christmas. Children love the fun experience of Thomas Wooden Railway, Calico Critter, and Wow, all available for a hands on playtime while you shop.

2 Prizes!Boys: Puzzle, large Beanie Boo, Craft Volcano Making Kit, Playmo-bil Knight, Schleich Figurine, card game Pictureka.Girls: Puzzle, large Beanie Boo, Whipple craft, Playmobil Fairy, Schleich Figurine, card game Pictureka. Entry Deadline: February 18, 2012Entry Location: Visit www.okanaganchild.com, select ‘giveaways’

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It’s that time of the year again! As fall is here and winter is ap-proaching, not only am I lamenting the end of summer and feel-ing that familiar chill in the air, but I’m also seeing more and

more advertising and information in the news about the upcoming flu season. Many people are deciding whether they should get a flu shot this year, or, if they decide not to, what steps they can take to avoid/lessen flu symptoms.

WhatistheFlu?The “flu” is short for influenza. True influenza is caused by a spe-cific group of viruses that infect the upper airways. Typically the flu is transmitted through the air by coughs and sneezes. It may also be transmitted through contact of infected surfaces. Symptoms in-clude fever, body aches, coughing, sneezing and fatigue.

Here’s some good news: having these symptoms does not mean you have the flu! The group of symptoms are what is known as Influen-za-like Illness, or ILI. Actual influenza infection is one cause of ILI, as are the common cold and many other health conditions. The common cold has similar symptoms, but it’s usually much milder in intensity and usually does not involve a fever. Most cases of ILI are usually self-limiting, being dealt with by your immune system. A true diagnosis of influenza infection requires a swab and a lab test

confirming infection. Here is a two-step approach for the flu season, or should I say “ILI season”, whether you decide to get the flu vaccine or not:

ReduceYourExposureWhen someone coughs or sneezes, millions of bacteria and viruses get sent into the air (an “aerosol”). Yes, eww. However, since it’s a fact of life, to help minimize the spread of infection, when you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth with the inside of your elbow. “Cough in the trough” as they tell my son in grade school.

You can also get an infection by directly contacting another infect-ed person or an object. When someone with an infection wipes his nose or mouth with his hand, viruses and bacteria will be transmit-ted from nose/mouth to hand, and then onto anything he touches. Here’s some more good news, though: bacteria and viruses that cause ILI are generally pretty wimpy, so by washing your hands fre-quently with soap and warm water and by avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth, you minimize your exposure greatly.

BeefUpYourImmunityYour immune system is working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It’s during periods of physical, chemical or emotional stress that your immune system is depressed, and it can’t keep up with invaders such as bacteria and viruses. This is when those invaders can settle in and start to cause ILI. To complicate things, if you develop ILI and your immune function is low, you are more susceptible to de-veloping secondary infections.

Boosting your immunity can be accomplished in anumberofways…Vaccination – although controversial whether it is beneficial, most health care providers would agree that they are not 100% effec-tive. It is important to note that a vaccine is developed for certain specific strains of the virus, not all flu strains. Vaccinations can also be associated with serious side effects, like allergic reactions or Guillain-Barré Syndrome.

Natural herbal supplements – Echinacea (3 g/day) is one of the most popular herbal supplements shown to boost your immunity


HealthFighting the Flu

Naturallyby Dr. Wayne Terai

Health

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and speed up your recovery from ILI. Reishi mushroom extract (60 mg/day) has also been shown to enhance your immune defenses. Vitamin C (1-5 g/day), D (600 – 1000 IU/day) and zinc (25 mg/day) are also commonly recommended.

Chiropractic care – Misalignments of the spine can cause interfer-ence to the nerve system. Since the nervous system plays a major role in regulating the functions of all bodily systems – including the immune system – chiropractic care can significantly improve your natural immunity.

This winter don’t let the flu season (or should I say, ILI season) “bug” you. Make some informed choices for you and your family. Think about the 2-step approach to being as healthy as you can be.

This information is provided by Dr. Wayne Terai, B.Sc., D.C., a family practice chiropractor, Advanced Proficiency Rated in Activator Methods. He has practiced in Kelowna for 15 years, and has practice includes the new Kelowna Laser Therapy Clinic, implementing the BioFlex Low Intensity Laser Therapy (LILT). LILT is used to effectively treat injuries and chronic and inflammatory conditions.


By changing the way we eat,we control where our food comes from.

By saying NO to factory farming,we give a better quality of life for our animals.

By saying NO to GMO foods,we give a better quality of life for our families.

By choosing local and organic,we give strength to our farmers and our land.

Simply by choosing, we give strengthto our generation and our future generations.

It's time to take a stand, together.Live Well. Live Organic.

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Kamloops250.314.9560

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Rita LoveLife with a full house.

photo credit: Adrian Kids Photography

Abitaboutmyself...I am on Okanagan child, teenager, young woman, wife and now mother. I am truly grateful for my three precious girls - 5 year old twins Emmerson and Scarlett, and baby Charli who is just 18 months. And of course my husband Neil, who makes all of this our reality. We moved our family two years ago from the city to the country to give our children the life and opportunities that we be-lieve are best for them: room to run, play and explore everyday. We also moved to bring them the simple things in life than can be left behind in our high tech world. Don’t get me wrong, we still have a computer and cell phones, but we also grow gardens, make bread, and look after our small orchard. We feel so happy to have found our “forever” home for our family.

Myjourneytobecomingaparent...Our journey is as I am sure a lot of people’s are was hard at first. We realized about 2 years after trying to have children that due to cir-cumstance, our chances of having children were possible, but slim. We didn`t want to wait any longer to start our family, so we began fetility treatment (which at the time, had to be done in Vancouver, as Kelowna didn`t have their treatment centre yet). We started out very cautiously and took all the simple steps first. For us, it was a 1 in 6 chance with the first treatment we chose. Amazingly, the treat-ment worked and it looked like we were going to be blessed with our baby. Six short weeks later, we were told that we were going to

be having two babies! We were so surprised and excited as were had actually been told that it was going to be one baby.

After the girls were around 2, we decided we would like another child, but also that we were so lucky to have 2 healthy children, we would not seek help this time. Well I guess changes happened and we got pregnant. YAY!!! We were so excited, but unfortunately we lost the baby at 10 weeks. We were devestated but again relized how lucky we were to have our healthy children and this was a sign that possibly this child was not healthy. As our hearts healed we kept trying for another and again we got pregnant. YAY!!!! again.This pregnancy was so different with one child but was so reward-ing . I can`t begin to explain the difference it is to have one baby compared to two, but both are so rewarding in so many ways. I love having three children; they complete us as a family.

ThebestparentingadviceIhavetooffer...It’s a simple tip on parenting twins, given to me by an elderly lady who was a twin herself: Always give the girls the same things until they ask for something different. It truly works. As a mother it can be difficult to follow through with as you want your children to have their own identity. But this comes with time and there are a lot less tears and fighting if all is equal !

Petpeeves



I guess my biggest one is when people ask, “What do you do all day?” “Hmmmmmmmm,” I think to myself, “They must not have three children of their own.” - lol!

HowImaketimeformyselfandrelax...Fridays are my favorite days. Knowing my children are snug in their beds, my husband and I light candles infront of a fabulous take-out dinner and enjoy some wine and a peaceful night of conversation. No tiny voices asking questions, no telephones, tvs, or computers - just us ! It was us that created what we have and us that have to keep it all together.

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WhatIwantmostformychildren...It’s simple ! I am them to be happy ! Happy no matter what life throws at them - Mama loves you, my angels.

MyfavoritepartaboutbeingaMom...Laughing, snuggling, teaching, learning, adapting, sharing, and knowing that this is only the beginning of my journey as a mother.


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Winter 2011 | 10 www.okanaganchild.com

It is important to note that children can begin to develop cavities as soon as their teeth erupt into their mouths. Therefore, it is es-sential that children see a dentist by their first birthday as getting

an early start on regular dental care can help steer your child toward a lifetime of good oral health. WhatisEarlyChildhoodCaries(ECC)? The most dramatic dental concern for infants and very young chil-dren is Early Childhood Caries (ECC) otherwise known as Baby Bottle Tooth Decay or Nursing Caries. ECC is an infectious disease that can begin as soon as the teeth erupt, often progresses rapidly, and can cause great pain to your child.1 ECC is characterized by se-vere decay of the primary (baby) teeth of infants or young children. This decay is associated with prolonged bathing or coating of the teeth with food and liquids (examples include milk, breast milk, fruit juices, etc).2 ImportanceofaDentalHome&aFirstVisitbyAge1! The good news is that tooth decay is most often preventable! How-ever, it is surprising that it is still by far the most common chronic childhood disease! In fact, it is 5 times more common than asthma, 4 times more common than early-childhood obesity, and 20 times more common than diabetes!1 This is why the Canadian and American Academies of Pediatric Dentistry (CAPD & AAPD) as well as the Canadian Paediatric So-ciety and the American Academies of Pediatrics (CPS & AAP) ALL encourage and promote the concept of a “Dental Home” by the child’s first birthday. A Dental Home provides you and your child with access to early preventive care that can guide you on how to avoid tooth decay. As well, a Dental Home allows for continued monitoring and early detection of problems, thereby avoiding more invasive, extensive, and costly treatments. The goal of a Dental Home is to have your child visit the dentist before there is a problem with his or her teeth. In many cases, a den-tal exam every six months will let your child’s dentist catch small problems early on when easier, simpler solutions are possible. As well, establishing early and regular contact between your child and their dentist will help make your child feel comfortable and reduce anxiety associated with visiting the dentist. Most importantly, it will help establish good dental habits for a lifetime!

OldGuidelinesvs.NewGuidelines Many of us have been told or have heard to bring our children in

Importance of the First Dental Visit by Age 1

Health

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achieve a lifetime of good oral health! If you would like more information on a child’s first visit to the dentist and what to expect, additional details and pictures of Early Childhood Caries, or other commonly asked questions, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page at www.Tooth-ZoneKids.com! 1 AAPD – Some Statistics on Recent Increases in Children’s Tooth Decay. http://www.aapd.org/media/ECCstats.pdf 2 CAPD - Hot Topics – Early Childhood Caries. www.capd-acdp.org3 CDA position on First Visit to the Dentist. http://www.cda-adc.ca/_files/position_statements/first_visit.pdf 4 AAPD - CDC report highlights importance of pediatric dental visits. http://www.aapd.org/media/pressreleases/PDVRelease.pdf

Shylon Mathew, DMD, MSc, FRCD(C) & Natalie Mathew-Sanche, DMD, MSc, FRCD(C) are Certified Specialists in Pediatric Dentistry and have created Tooth-Zone Kids Dental Centre to provide dental care for infants, children and ado-lescents in a positive and unique environment designed just for kids! For more information, please check out www.ToothZoneKids.com!


to visit the dentist by age 3. However, this is no longer sufficient as medical and dental professionals world-wide have realized that for infants and young children, dental examination and assessment at a younger age can lead to an approach based on prevention as opposed to treatment. The current guidelines now encourage the assessment of infants by a dentist within 6 months of the eruption of the first tooth or by one year of age.3

Early preventive care not only helps your child achieve optimum oral health, it is also a sound economic investment. According to the AAPD, “Some parents avoid taking children to the dentist to save money, yet studies show that the dental costs for children who have their first dental visit before age one are 40 percent lower in the first five years than for those who do not see a dentist prior to their first birthday.”4

PreventingToothDecayinInfants Below are some simple steps that you can take to ensure that your infant is on his or her way to a lifetime of good oral health, accord-ing to the AAPD1 and CAPD2: • Visit a pediatric dentist or general dentist no later than your

child’s first birthday • Parents and caregivers should start oral hygiene practices as

soon as their baby is born by using damp gauze to wipe the mouth and gums after feedings

• Begin brushing your infant’s teeth as soon as the first tooth ap-pears with an age-appropriate sized toothbrush

• Do not nurse or breastfeed for prolonged periods of time • Children should not be put to sleep with a bottle of milk, for-

mula, sugar water, or fruit juice • If your infant falls asleep while feeding (including breast-

feeding), their teeth should be cleaned or wiped before placing them in bed

• Children need assistance with brushing their teeth; as such, parents / guardians should help and supervise them until they are a minimum of eight years old

• Encourage children to drink from a cup by their first birthday GetYourChildonaPathtoGoodOralHealth! As parents / guardians, we take great pains to ensure our children’s safety and well-being. However, often times it is the simplest mea-sures that have the most significant impact (ex. seat belts, car seats, helmets, etc). The Dental Home concept can appear to be small and insignificant, however, it may be all that is needed to help your child

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Don’t worry.

Canacupuncturehelpwiththefinalstagesofpregnancy?

Yes, acupuncture is a safe and effective way to support the preg-nancy from 37 weeks and all the way to early motherhood. Whendone in a non-invasive manner, acupuncture helps regulate hor-mones, relax muscles and revitalizes the mind.

Hormones are key to reproductive, growth and developmental changes. During pregnancy our bodies also produce hormones to relieve pain, stimulate labour, and lactate. This process is influ-enced by our nervous system. When we are under more stress our bodies may be too overwhelmed to listen to some important chem-ical messengers. The controlled stimulation from acupuncture qui-ets unwanted stress and encourages what’s natural to proceed.

Muscles and ligaments are responsible for stability and movement.Pregnancy tends to strain the pelvic floor, abdominals, and back.Acupuncture prepares these muscles for labour by ensuring ad-equate blood supply and neural communication.

Instincts have guided women through pregnancies for generations.Carrying a child is an excellent time for a women to turn her at-tention inward and recognize her needs. A calming acupuncturesession offers some much needed quiet time. It’s a chance to re-charge, focus, and prepare for the challenges of birthing and the rewards of motherhood.

Katrina Ao, Registered Acupuncturistwww.cherryblossomacupuncture.com

Whendoyourecommendmovingmychildtoa“bigkidbed”andwhy?

The best time to move your little one to a “big kid bed” is on their THIRD birthday! I know, it sounds like a long time to wait but most little ones are not ready to understand the responsibility of their new “freedom” until somewhere between age two and half and three.

So, if you are expecting a second baby, use the bassinet for the new-born for the first 3 months or so. You do not need to be worried that the older one will be “jealous” of their younger sibling when you move them to the crib. People have also used playpens either for the older or the younger one as an interim solution.

Another reason that parents move their little ones as early as one year old is that they feel that their little ones “hate their crib” and would be so much more comfortable in a bed that looks like ours. I can completely understand that logic, but it is not safe for your child. It is better for your little one to learn to LOVE their crib and sleep safely, happily and peacefully throughout the night. I also un-derstand that by age two, children seem like they are ready. Some are already toilet independent, dressing themselves and showing great signs of independence. If you move your child too soon, you will be faced with a variety of challenges - resisting bedtime, jump-ing out of bed repeatedly, and safety issues to name a few.

The last reason parents often move their little ones too early is for safety concerns. Their little one has jumped out once and they are scared that they will get hurt. Instead of moving them to the bed prematurely and creating more problems, it is better to teach your child to stay in their crib and love being there. Put down a soft mattress so they don’t get hurt and then please contact me for some simple, easy and gentle strategies if this happening to you. Not all kids attempt to jump out. To help avoid this from happening to you, make sure to never encourage your little one to climb in! If they are allowed to climb in … they will think it is OK to climb out!

When you wait until close to age three, sit down and explain to your little one on the importance of staying in their bed at bedtime and throughout the night. Be clear with your expectations. It should be a very easy transition for all of you! About a week or so before you make the move you can talk about them becoming a big kid and


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Mostofthehealthycookieormuffinrecipescontainnuts,whicharenotallowedinmyson’sschool.Canyouhelpmewithagoodalternative?

Yes, just replace the nuts in your favorite recipes with seeds! My personal favorite is Chia seeds. Chia seeds are an incredible ancient superfood that has made a comeback. “Chia” is actually the Mayan word for strength. To learn more go to: http://www.naturalnews.com/022468_chia_seeds_food.html#ixzz1ZlzhGbYX

Michale Hartte, BASc (Nutr), NNCPClinical Nutritionist | www.fitnhealthynutrition.com

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My son’s holiday wish-list is longer than Santa’s arm. And it’s (partially) my fault. “Kids are not always able to distin-guish between what they want and what they need,” says

parent educator Nancy Samelin, M.S., author of Loving Without Spoiling. “Parents have to do it for them.” I’ll admit it. I buy him small toys at the supermarket. And a pretzel at the mall. I rent the latest DVD releases, and take him to see monster truck rallies and NASCAR. Sometimes I tell him “no more dessert,” then give in to his pleas for pie.

“The way to cure the ‘gimmes’ is to know the difference between what our kids need and what they want,” says Samalin. “In this ac-quisitive, competitive culture, it’s often hard for parents to tell the difference.” Wants and needs become synonymous when parents grant every wish. Kids develop a sense of entitlement, so they beg or throw tantrums when wants aren’t immediately fulfilled. Refo-cusing on what kids need can help parents bring indulgence under control. When parents meet these needs consistently and gener-ously, kids have what their hearts desire.

Structure. Knowing what to expect diminishes stress. Parents need to set a schedule and stick to it. Same goes for family rules. “You can find a balance between firmness and flexibility,” says Sa-malin. Decide which rules are non-negotiable – those related to fundamental values, health and safety top Samalin’s list. On matters of personal preference and style, offer options. When kids know what isn’t up for discussion, they stop negotiating.

Support. It’s scary to try a new sport, take a challenging class, or reach out to another kid who might respond with rejection. Kids need a secure base of exploration to facilitate risk-taking. Be avail-able to consult on kids’ concerns. Offer compassion. Coach your child to solve his own problems by asking “how could you handle that?” Kids need to know parents believe they can handle them-selves and that we’re there to assist.

Undivided Attention. Spending special time with your child doesn’t require a trip to the science center or a Disneyworld vacation. It requires you. Give your child 100 percent of yourself, even if it’s just for ten minutes. “You may be great at multitasking at the office, but your child won’t feel you’re really involved with him if you’re loading the dishwasher or checking e-mail while playing a game together,” says Samalin. No parent dies wishing they’d spent more time on Facebook.

Apprenticeship. Playing with toys isn’t the only way to have fun. Let kids help with cooking or laundry. Yes, it takes a little lon-ger and the results are messier. But carrots peeled by a preschooler taste sweeter than the ones you prepped yourself. Teach your child to check the oil or change a tire. Paint or play guitar side by side. Host a mother-daughter book club. Those are the memories they’ll truly treasure.

Silliness. Let go of the need to act like a grown-up for just a few minutes, and watch your kids’ eyes light up. Wear a goofy hat. Walk like an Egyptian. Turn up the car stereo way too loud. Bury yourself in a pile of leaves. Sneak a surprise into kids’ lunchboxes or eat a picnic dinner in the living room. Kids are under a lot of pressure to do it all and to perform flawlessly. Share the joy of a good belly laugh.

Patience. Kids who struggle with transitions or who want to get parents’ attention often drag their feet and delay progress when parents are in a rush. “Dawdling comes as naturally to young kids as breathing,” says Samalin. As often as possible, slow down. Live in the moment. Walk next to your son, not ahead of him. Catch a snowflake on your tongue. Listen to your daughter’s favorite song. Small moments are significant.

Realconversation. Parents spend a great deal of time telling kids what to do: “Clean your room,” “Don’t forget your sweatshirt,”

What Kids Needby Heidi Smith Luedtke


“Tell your dad it’s time for dinner.” But kids need to be heard. Make it a point to have a real conversation with your child each day. Ask questions. Listen deeply. Share your experiences. Getting to know your child as a person – and letting her know you – shows love in a profound way.

Saying “no” to some of kids’ wants means you are choosing to lavish them with the structure, support and affection they need. And those are the gifts kids grow on.

Heidi Smith Luedtke is a psychologist and mom who enjoys crashing toy cars, mak-ing pumpkin cake balls, and blowing raspberries on the baby’s belly. You can read her blog on parenting as a leadership experience at www.LeadingMama.com.

10:00am - 12:00pm

When the Virtual School Society (VSS) launched its “Cyber Safe with Steve Dotto” initiative targeting parents, it believed that

the best way to combat internet danger was to find a way to get stu-dents, teachers, parents and the community all working together. It seems to have found a great champion for a significant part of the student-focused component in Vernon Secondary School’s media and social studies teacher, Mike Sawka.

Barristers, Solicitors, Notaries Public

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Recipes You’ll

LOVE

Everyday, we send our kids off to school hoping they will learn something – anything - and develop into knowledgeable suc-cessful adults. And while we deal with the daily details of

that thing called life, we sometimes forget to encourage learning at home.

Parents are a child’s first teacher. Even after they’ve started school, there are still several opportunities for learning as a family. Kids look up to their parents and mimic many of the daily routines. Spending just 15 minutes a day with them can go a long way to help children develop a love of learning and improve their literacy skills.

In honour of Family Literacy Day, happening across Canada on January 27, 2012, here are some fun activities to do at home as a family to make learning fun for everyone:• Establish a night to enjoy activities such as puzzles, crosswords

or board games. Switching the activity each week keeps the en-joyment level high.

• The brain is like a muscle – if you don’t use it, you lose it. Get-ting active can help strengthen the mind, so play hide-and-seek, tag or catch outside with your children.

• Use your imaginations by creating stories together. You lead with the first sentence and then go back and forth building on the story. Your child uses their imagination and creativity

while together you create a living story. Do this while complet-ing chores to help time pass faster!

• Together, act out the family’s favourite book by reading a page together and then acting out what was written. If the kids have friends over, they can engage in this activity and then put a play on for their parents when they are picked up.

• Still waiting for the lasagna to cook in the oven? Read together while you wait! Pick up a book, magazine or newspaper and open up a world of possibilities.

All of these activities can be done after dinner, outside in the back-yard or before you go to bed. By the time they’re done, you’ll be sur-prised how short 15 minutes really is! Spending time doing learn-ing activities at home is crucial. Practicing these activities will help develop a love of learning for both parents and children, and help to develop important literacy skills.

While we may not think of it, most of the time spent at home can be seen as a learning activity between you and your child. Even time spent doing the dishes, eating dinner or having a bath can all have a focus on learning without you noticing.

For more information, including literacy tips and activities and event listings, please visit www.FamilyLiteracyDay.ca.

Learning Beyond School

Imagine… achievements far beyond a great report card.REACH HIGHER WITH KUMON MATH AND READING.

Realizing your child’s potential means more than bringing home a good report card. With Kumon he goes as far as his ability takes him — even to advanced study, so he can be truly amazing.

KUMON MATH & READING CENTRE OF KELOWNA • 250-808-6284 2041 Harvey Avenue, Kelowna (Located at New Life Church)

©2011 Kumon Canada Inc.

FREEPlacement

Test!

SweetPotatoandLeekSoup

Prepare sweet potatoes by pre cooking. Simply pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F. Remove skin and slice sweet potatoes to about a ¼ inch in thickness. Place into an oven-proof dish and mix in about 2 tbsp coconut oil or grape seed oil and 1 tsp Celtic or Himalayan salt. Bake for about 30 minutes and set aside.

Ingredients:• 2 tbsp coconut oil or grape seed oil• 2 medium size sweet potatoes (see above for pre cooking in-

structions)• 1 tbsp olive oil or butter• 6 leeks, white ends chopped • 4 stalks of celery, chopped• 3 carrots, chopped• 1 zucchini, grated• 4 tomatoes, cubed• 4 garlic cloves, minced• 2 tsp Celtic or Himalayan salt• 4 cups chicken stock • 1 tbsp raw coconut butter (optional)• 3 tbsp dried basil (or more to taste)• ½ tsp dried thyme• ½ tsp dried chili peppers• juice of 1 ½ limes

Directions:On medium/low setting, saute leeks in olive oil until tender (about 15 minutes). Add celery, carrots, zucchini, tomatoes, garlic and salt. Stir and continue cooking for about 10 minutes making sure the vegetables do not burn. Add some chicken stock if necessary. Next, stir in remaining ingredients (except the lime juice), add in the pre cooked sweet potato. Turn up the heat to a gentle boil. Once the soup has reached it’s boiling point, turn down heat to minimum, add in the lime juice and simmer. Serve either immediately or let it simmer for about 1 hr to allow the herbs to impart their incredible flavor.

If you like this information, check out Michale Hartte’s, BASc (Nutr), NNCP new book, “The Fit n Healthy Plan – The nutritional diet & lifestyle plan made easy!” found online at www.fitnhealthynutrition.com

DeliciousButter‘nHoneyBiscuits(grain-free)

Yield: about 6 large biscuitsPreheat oven to 325 degrees F

Ingredients:1 cup Hubbard squash, previously cooked with skins off½ cup butter, melted½ tsp Celtic or Himalayan salt½ tsp baking soda½ tsp baking powder½ cup ground seeds (flax, chia, pumpkin, etc)2 level tbsp of coconut flour1/3 cup unpasteurized, raw honey2 eggs

Directions:• In a food processor, mix in all ingredients• Line a tray with parchment paper and with a ¼ cup measuring

cup, measure the mixture onto the tray (leave about 1 inch in between each biscuit).

• Bake for about 25 minutes.

Serve alongside your soup or as a stand-alone snack.

Tasty variation:To make cinnamon apple cookies, simply replace the honey with 1/8 cup of real maple syrup, add in 1 tsp ground cinnamon and 1 chopped apple to the contents of this recipe, mix in all ingredients in your food processor and fold in some raisins in the end (if you like). Bake and serve warm!

Recipes You’ll

LOVE


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Contact your Indepdendent Epicure Consultant today!Jenn [email protected]

Discover the delicious possibilities of an Epicure career!www.epicureselections.com

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Zoe Parker778.478.1011

Face Painting

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Imaginations run wild and the culinary creation possibilities are endless! Featuring knobs that click and a sink that holds water, this kitchen will let your little one cook up hours of fun.

raspberrykids.com$139.99

Make outdoor play easy for your little one with these booties from Stonzwear with skid-resistant soles. You can even add cozy sherpa-fleece liners for warmth. The tough-est part is picking your favorite design.

stonzwear.com$44.99

Help your kids clean up their act with these cute animal storage bins. Well sized for storing toys, books or laun-dry. Made of a heavy organic cotton canvas, this bin is tough enough to hold whatever you throw in it but cute enough to complement the best dressed home.

chickenlittle.ca$39.95

These clever straps mind your kittens’ mittens while they’re on and off. They feature a centre snap to keep them in a pair when kids aren’t wearing them, so they never get lost. Avoid mitten loss with these nifty clips!

clippo.ca$18.00

Add some pizazz to your nursery with these adorable decorative pillows. Lots of great designs and patterns to suit every taste!

feltfantasia.com$29.99

It’s a fast-flying, finger-flicking challenge for one or more. Your child will engage in pattern recognition, puzzle resolution and hand-eye dexterity. Shake up the case, pick a card and race a friend or the clock.

www.discoverytoyslink.com/learningthruplay$21.50

STUFF WE

LOVE

Holiday Edition


Holiday Edition

“Eat, Pray, Love” this holiday sea-son. The original dress was seen inthe movie Eat, Pray, Love and now has arrived in Kelowna at Scally-wags. Designed and made by Red-fish Kids Clothing in Vancouver BC. 100% preshrunk cotton.

Scallywags$72.00

Ensure your little one stays cozy and warm all winter long with these beautiful 100% or-ganic cotton, Canadian made sleepsacks from Big Fat Hen.

organicallyhatched.com$79.99 Retro rubber belt in funky fresh colors. One size fits all,

easy to cut and adjust to size. They’re even narrow enough to fit toddler belt loops. To amp up the fun factor, the buckle snaps easily off and on making it fun to mix and match colors. epic jr.

$30.00

www.todayiatearainbow.com

Ages 3+TODAY I ATE A R a i n b o w !

Kids Need a MINIMUM ofFruits & Vegetables

Everyday!5


Perhaps it is shallow that what I think of and look forward to most about the changing seasons is a change of fashion. If you intend to judge me by my cover, well, at least I will try

and look nice.

I know when I think of winter I should be getting excited about to-bogganing with the family, or that rosy-cheeked feeling that comes after skating outdoors, but all I want to think about is the coziness of my teal wool toque that keeps my ears warm and the comfort of my long black winter coat. Of course, the thought of maybe finding a crumpled up $20 bill in the pocket (like I did last year) makes me happy too.

Sure I like to ski and build snowmen but the only thing that makes me long for winter is squishing my fuzzy-socked feet into a stylish pair of boots. Yes, I enjoy the feeling of making tracks in fresh snow, but if I’m going to step out in winter I want my feet to stay warm and look nice too.

And what does all this have to do with parenting and kids? Well, it brings me to yet another like-mother-like-daughter moment. My daughter recently exclaimed, “What I love most about winter is my sweaters, a new winter coat, and wrapping a scarf around my neck. And I really love mittens. And boots. And fuzzy socks.”

Uh oh. I’m in trouble. Better start saving for miss-talks-a-lot’s cloth-

ing allowance now! But at least now that she’s old enough to think about herself, I have more time to think about me.

When my children were little there was nothing I enjoyed shopping for more than cute kids’ clothes. My husband would send me to the mall for ‘mom time’ and would be aghast when I’d come home with a bag of things for the kids and nothing for myself.

I loved how small and soft it all was. I found great pleasure in find-ing an adorable dress, or a super cute sweater. Even better would be finding the perfect piece on sale! When they were little it was all about the kids.

I can’t pinpoint when it happened, but at some point over the years, I found myself again. Or rather, found the me that enjoys my own comforts of winter (spring, summer and fall).

It wasn’t the switch back to novels from parenting books, or listen-ing to my own music rather than sing-a-long songs, that led me to the realization that once again I was more than just a mom. In fact, it was the switch from shopping for them to shopping for me that caused me to discover that I, too, was important.

As parents, we spend a lot of time focused on our children and what they like, want and need. It is an instinct to forgo one thing so that they can have something else. I recently saw a joke where when a mom realized there were only three slices of pie left for her family of four she proudly declared she never liked pie anyway.

I laughed when I read it because I’d go without my slice of pie too, if it meant fitting into my jeans.

Thankfully, my kids enjoy picking out their own clothes and acces-sories now too, which means I can spend more of my time hunting down perfect mittens and hats for me.

Of course, once I’m perfectly outfitted for winter and warmth I can start to focus on some of the things that the rest of you enjoy about winter, like skating, skiing, tobogganing and throwing snowballs. But rest-assured, while I’m cozied up in a warm sweater while read-ing a good book by the fireplace, my mind will wander to sundress-es and flip flops come spring and summer.

If you are still caught in the stage of spending all your shopping time and budget on your children, haven’t read a good book in ages, and can’t remember what it sounds like to listen to music that doesn’t always rhyme, do yourself a favor and visit your old favorite store and try a few things on. You’ll be amazed at how good it feels to focus a little on you.

Michelle Collie is a wife, mom, freelance writer and child chauffeur who lives in West Kelowna, B.C.

by Michelle Collie

Kiki the Eco Elf

250-549-1234

Magic Show Face painting * Music

Dress-up * GamesAnimal Balloons

Birthday Parties

What I Love About Winterby Michelle Collie

Attractions&Recreation CityofKelowna-Recreationwww.kelowna.caCity of Kelowna, Recreation and Cultural Services offers programs and activities for individuals of all ages and abilities in neigh-bourhoods throughout Kelowna, including swimming, dance, karate, sports, Mom & Baby programs and more.

DavisonOrchardswww.davisonorchards.ca3111 Davison Rd.Open Daily May 1 - October 31st.Davison Orchards is a three generation farm which grows 70 acres of fresh produce, offers Orchard tours, and has many great activates for children includingfarm animals and the New “Crazy Cow Kids Corral” play area. Fresh baking, spe-cialty foods, country gifts, & so much more!

MapleSpringsBibleCampwww.maplesprings.ca

YMCA-YWCAoftheCentralOkanaganwww.ymca-ywca.comThe YMCA-YWCA is a trusted charity committed to building strong kids, strong families, and strong communities. The Y proudly operates the Kelowna Family Y, the H20 Adventure and Fitness Centre, 3 out of school care centres, a childcare and preschool, and the Y Career Contact Centre for Youth.

Birthdayparties FacetoFaceFacePaintingAll [email protected]

KikitheEcoElf250.549.1234

BreastfeedingClinics/Support La Leche Leaguewww.lllc.caKelowna, BC: First Wednesday of the Month, 7pm, 630 Cadder Avenue (The Par-ent Place) Penticton, BC: Third Tuesday of the Month, 10am, Penticton Health UnitVernon, BC: First Tuesday of the Month, 10am, Vernon Alliance Church, 2601 - 43rd Avenue

OkanaganBreastfeedingCoalition330 Ellis St., Penticton, BCwww.okanaganbreastfeeding.org

Rutland Health Centre Breastfeeding Centre155 Gray Rd , Kelowna, BC 250.980.4822

ChildCare - preschools, daycares, nannies BuildingBlocksEducationalChildcareLtd.buildingblockseducare.com

778.478.1818

InternationalNanniesandHomecareMake your life easier with a nanny. 250.862.4949www.internationalnannies.com

MosaicLearningAcademy2463 Pandosy St., [email protected]

Nannysitterswww.nannysitters.caKelowna’s premier nanny and babysitter agency. Specializing in providing thorough-ly-screened local childcare professionals. Nannysitters is fully licensed, bonded and insured.

OkanaganMontessoriwww.okmontessori.comWe provide a prepared environment where children are guided through activities by trained Montessori teachers. Children learn as they experiment with and actively participate in activities.

Carpetcleaners OxyDryThe better way to clean your carpet.www.oxy-dry.caVernon 250.260.6061Kelowna 250.860.4595Penticton 250.493.4093

ChildcareResource&Referral Kelowna Child Care Resource & Referral1890 Ambrosi Rd, Kelowna, BC 250.763.3536

Penticton Child Care Resource & Referral 330 Ellis St., Penticton, BC 250.492.2926

Vernon Child Care Resource & Referral 3300- 37th Avenue, Vernon, BC250.542.3121

ChiropracticCare BurtchChiropractic,Dr.WayneTerai250.860.4518229-1634 Harvey Avenue, Kelowna BCDr. Wayne Terai is a Doctor of Chiropractic practicing in Kelowna for over 15 years, helping Okanagan families be well without the use of drugs and surgery.

DentalCare ToothzoneKidsDentalCentrePediatric Dental Office that specializies in the care of infants, children and teenagers.778-484-KIDS#225 - 1634 Harvey Ave. Kelowna, BC

ClothDiapering BootyBoutiquewww.bootyboutique.ca

1.888.594.5204We offer eco-friendly diapering solutions for the modern family along with a Try Before you Buy program!

[email protected] help families with all their natural parenting needs including cloth diapering. Whether you choose to let us do the dirty work for you, you need help troubleshoot-ing your system or you are on the hunt for products, we are here to help!

Doulas Doula Services Association, BC604.515.5588www.bcdoulas.org

Education AberdeenHallwww.aberdeenhall.comAberdeen Hall is an independent, non-denominational university preparatory school for boys and girls from preschool to senior grades. We offer a safe and balanced learning environment, individual attention and specialized instruction to enable your child’s to reach his or her full potential.

CSFSchoolswww.csf.bc.caThe Couseil scolaire francophone de la C.-B. offers French language public educa-tion across the province. It has schools in Kelowna and Penticton and elsewhere in the province.

SylvanLearningReading . Writing . MathSchool success is a phone call away! Kelowna 250.861.1255Vernon 250.549.2443www.sylvanbc.ca

Resource DirectoryResource Directory

Check out local cutieson Page 23

in our

section!Snap Happy


Employment BecomeaTeaConsultantGet paid to par-tea! [email protected] Zacharuk

PowerMoveOneWork from home, moms helping moms!www.powermoveone.com

Finances Freedom55FinancialTo find out more about how we can provide permanent insurance and provide for your child’s future, give us a call today at 250.763.1114 Chantal Diaz: ext. 233Daniel Bussiere: ext. 256

Health&Wellness EpicureJenn Hobbs, Independent ConsultantCall today to learn more about becoming a consultant! Save money and spend less time in the kitchen with Epicure’s amazing products.www.epicureselections.com

MaternityCareWestside853 Anders Road, West Kelownainfo@maternitycarewestside.com778.755.5720www.maternitycarewestside.com

Nature’sFareMarketswww.naturesfare.comKelowna, West Kelowna, Vernon and Penticton

OkanaganNaturalMedicinewww.oknaturalmedicine.comDr. Shelby Entner and Dr. Chris Spooner offer natural family medicine, allergy testing, herbal medicine, nutrition, ho-meopathy, laser therapy, hormone health,

Resource Directoryprolotherapy, iv medicine and vitamin injections.

TodayIAteARainbowwww.todayiatearainbow.comToday I Ate a RainbowTM is a chart that makes eating a rainbow of healthy fruits and vegetables FUN for kids! This hands-on tool makes it easy for parents to set up healthy eating habits.

Lawyers GordonandCompany102 - 1433 St. Paul Street, Kelowna, BC250.860.9997With over 30 years of professional experi-ence, Gordon and Company offer an extensive range of serices including all types of litigation, family law, wills/estate disputes and personal injury.

Midwives Midwives Asscoation of BC604.736.5976www.bcmidwives.com

OnLineParentingSites KelownaNewParentwww.kelownanewparent.comKelowna New Parent is Kelowna’s best resource for all things baby! Check out in-formation on activities, play groups, dining,

daycares and much more.

TrueCuddlesEach week we bring you one baby or toddler product, in limited quantity, at up to 75% off retail!www.truecuddles.ca

Parent&TotStorytimes TheOkanaganRegionalLibrarywww.orl.bc.caThe ORL is your most economical, sustain-able and relevant source for information and entertainment in the BC Southern Interior. Visit us at one of our 29 branches or at www.orl.bc.ca

Photography&Portraits AdrianKidsPhotographywww.adriankidsphotography.cainfo@adriankidsphotography.caKelowna photographers Jon + Jenny bring their fresh and creative style to kids portrait sessions. Visit them online or give them a call to book your kids session.

PublicHealthServices/Nurses Kelowna Health Unit1340 Ellis Street250.868.7700

Penticton Health Unit740 Carmi Avenue250.770.3434

Rutland Health Unit155 Gray Road250.980.4825

Summerland Health Unit12815 Atkinson Road250.404.8050

West Kelowna Health Unit160 – 2300 Carrington Road250.980.5150

Vernon Health Unit1440 – 14th Avenue250.549.5700

Retail ABCAmberTeethingNecklacesGenuine, handmade baltic amber teething necklancesVernon, [email protected]/people/abcamber

AngelBabiesKidsShoppe375 Main St., Penticton, BC250.493.8823Calling mamas-to-be, parents and grand-parents! With a great mix of consignment (maternity & kids) and new clothing, products & gear, Angel Babies is a must visit for young families.

ChickenLittle4407 - 29th Street, Vernon BCwww.chickenlittle.caChicken Little is a great place to shop for your kids, grandkids, family and friends. For shopping 24 hrs/day, visit us online at www.chickenlittle.ca

EpicJr.Trendy clothes for kids infant to preteeen.Epicjr.com778.478.98982079 Enterprise Way

FeltFantasiawww.feltfantasia.comDecorate your little one’s nursery with fantastic felt wall art or canvas art.

LoadzaToysToys for all ages.Orchard Park Mall, Kelowna and Cherry Lane Mall, Penticton (opening Summer 2011). www.loadzatoys.com250.717.8209

Sleep SleepSensewww.sleeptsense.net/kelownaGive you and your family the gift of a good night’s sleep with the Okanagan’s only licensed & local Sleep SenseTM Consultant. Call Pam at 250.575.6988 or visit www.sleepsense.net/kelowna

SupportServices AboriginalInfantDevelopmentProgram442 Leon Ave , Kelowna, BC 250.763.4905

ACHIEVEBCToll Free: 1.800.514.0554Website: www.AchieveBC.ca Advice on prenatal care, nutrition and de-velopmental guides. Parenting tips and in-formation on stimulating your child’s mind and body through reading and play. Learn more about the services offered through the Government of British Columbia by calling the toll free number or visiting the website.

AssociationfortheBenefitofChildrenwithDisabilities250.763.4663

BC24-HOURNurseLineCall: 8-1-1Website: www.bchealthguide.com BC Nurseline gives you 24 hour, 7 day toll-free access to registered nursed specially trained to provide confidential help on the telephone. Available to answer medical enquiries free of charge - carecard required

BCCouncilforFamilies204-2590 Granville St , Vancouver, BC1.800.663.5638The BC Council for Families works to help create healthy families in a healthy society. Our goal is to empower families. We provide educational resources on topics such as parenting, childhood development, parent-teen relationships, work-life balance, suicide awareness and more.

BCLionsSocietyforChildrenwithDis-abilities250.763.0899

BigBrothersandSisters-Okanagan151 Commercial Dr , Kelowna, BC www.bigs.bc.caBig Brothers Big Sisters of the Okanagan provides children and youth ages 7 - 12 (‘Littles’) with volunteer adult mentors (‘Bigs’) who provide a positive influence in their lives.

WelcomeWagon1.866.856.8442www.welcomewagon.caIt’s time to call your Welcome Wagon rep-resentative. She will bring new congratula-tions and gifts for the new baby and family.Perhaps it is shallow that what I think of and look forward to most about the chang-ing seasons is a change of fashion, so if you intend to judge me by my cover, well, at least I will try and look nice.


Watch for our next issue...

Spring 2012arriving this February

Snap Happy

Share . . . Smile

OR...post your photos on our facebook wall!www.facebook.com/OkanaganChild

Every child should feel good about school.

Reading • Math • Writing • Study Skills

Our highly personalized approach builds the skills, habits and attitudes your child needs to succeed in school and in life.

1.800.EDUCATE | Okanaganwww.sylvanbc.ca

Call today.Start tomorrow.Achieve forever.

• Develops independent work habits • Improves attitudes • Motivates learning • Provides feedback for parents and teachers

SHARE YOUR SHOTS! Upload your pictures to our

photo gallery at

www.okanaganchild.com under the

‘Kids’ menu and we’ll share some in

every print issue!

FUN FOR THEWHOLEFAMILY!

■ 3 Waterslides

■ Wave Pool

■ River Run

■ Children’sWater Play Area

■ Olympic Length50 metre Pool

■ Fitness Centre

Featuring Canada’s 1st

FlowRider®

An Ocean Wave Surf Simulator

h2okelowna.com4075 GORDON DRIVE, KELOWNA 250.764.4040

A city owned facility proudly operated by

Winter 2011

Documents

toothzone kids

kids needlearning

kids video games

adrian kids photography

shylon mathew

dental visit

pediatric dental office

best dental care