nw kids magazine november 2011

SPOKANE | COEUR D’ALENE | SPOKANE VALLEY | SANDPOINT | DEER PARK

kidsnorthwest

MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER 20110

4

Are you ready

to Bounce off the walls?

• Birthday Parties

• airoBics classes

• dodgeBall

• corPorate Parties

• Family Packs1322 E Front Ave Spokane

WWW.JUMPSKYHIGH.COM(509) 321-JUMP

www.northwestkidsmagazine.com 3

9 Business Profile

nw

kid

s inside04NOVEMBER 2011

PAGE 4 MASTHEAD PAGE 5 EDITOR’S NOTE

16 Check out our this month’s book review by Newman Lake resident, Kylee B.

inside0

4

DEPARTMENTS

17OUR TOWN

Local events; a trip to Cataldo Mission; our first school spotlight; Local Business Profile, Famous Faces; our first Q&A

06

OUR PICKSCheck out the best of autumnal finds this month; Interesting read-ing for all ages

14

OUR KIDSGuide to skiing, boarding, and sledding; we have a new Grub Club member; Arts & Theater; youth yoga

18

OUR HEALTHCompare and contrast Obstetrics and Midwifery; Humor essay on learning to redefine success

23

OUR LIVESDouble Layered Pumpkin Pie; Learn how to save with Groupon; It’s a modern date night when you learn to geocache

25

OUR DIRECTORYLocal businesses make the world go round...so take a peek at some awesome resources in our area

30breath slowlywith the holidays approaching, stress levels rising, temperatures dropping and kids staying inside 99% of the time...there is no time like the present to explore youth yoga and its benefits

nwkids

Are you ready

to Bounce off the walls?

• Birthday Parties

• airoBics classes

• dodgeBall

• corPorate Parties

• Family Packs1322 E Front Ave Spokane

WWW.JUMPSKYHIGH.COM(509) 321-JUMP

4 northwest kids magazine

Subscribe!

Northwest Kids Magazine is published monthly.2600A E Seltice Way #306Post Falls, ID 83854 [email protected] ADVERTISING OFFICE: 208.457.7211

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSEmily Olson | Tammy Marshall | Mary Long | Lisa Smith Molinari

EDITORIAL INQUIRIES OR SUBMISSIONSNorthwest Kids Magazine welcomes editorial inquiries and suggestions. Please contact Emily at [email protected]

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from publisher. Photographs, graphics,and artwork are the property of Northwest Kids Magazine © 2011 Printed in the U.S.A. on Recycled Paper

PUBLISHERNorthwest Kids Magazine

EDITOREmily Olson

CREATIVE DIRECTOREmily Olson

MEDIA/EVENTS DIRECTORRebecca Templeton

Providing Compassionate and Dignified Private Cremation & Burial Services for your Beloved Pet.

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FAMILY PET MEMORIAL

Every pet deserves to be loved!

editor’s note

It all started one year ago...with the puppy on the left. That would be Angus. Angus is the first puppy from my brother, Pete’s, ambitious adventure into the

world of South African Boerboels. Angus had barely settled into his new home (in fact it was his first night) when I arrived at their house, met him, fell in love and began imagining my new life on the run having become a dog-napper. Thankfully, my brother, not wanting to see me turn to a life of crime, gave me permission to borrow Angus for the night and I knew instantly that my life would never be the same. Although Angus was adored by our brood, I had no choice but to return

him to his real family...but that is when the plotting and conspiring to have a boerboel of our very own began.

Fast forward one year and the first litter of bouncing, pouncing, plodding, tromping boerboel puppies have been born. It was clear that one of the massive babies was destined to become part of our family and two weeks ago we welcomed our boy, Hank, into the clan. (Handsome Hank, as we call him, is pictured at right at only 10 weeks old!) So far, we’ve learned a few surprising lessons about owning such a large breed dog such as: he can easily consume 3 cups of food every day, he can simply step up onto the couch, and most importantly we’ve learned that he was well worth the wait!

Enjoy this month’s issue, packed with great new local voices and interesting articles about what’s happening in our community today!

Thanks and see you next month!

Emily



Annie by CYTThe Bing TheaterSpokane’s Christian Youth Theater will be bringing out the sunny days during this production about a little orphan that will be performed from Nov. 4-13. The Bing, 901 W. Sprague cytspokane.com

Fall Folk FestivalSCC, Lair, 1810n N. Greene Look no further if you’re seeking something to do Saturday-Sun-day, Nov. 12-13-even if you’re on a budget. The 16th annual Fall Folk Festival features dancing on eight different stages, music, food and crafts for kids. Not only is this a learning experience for youth, it’s interactive and it’s free. Sat-urday, Nov. 12, from 11 am to 10 pm and on Sunday, Nov. 13, from 11 am-5 pm. 509-747-2640spokanefolklore.org

KPBX Kids ConcertThe Bing TheaterThe band Jive Five will perform WWII swing-era music during this concert on Saturday, Nov. 19, at 1 pm. Free. 901 W. Spraguekpbx.org 509-328-5729

Christmas Parade and Lighting CeremonyCoeur d’Alene Resort, 115 S. Second St., Coeur d’Alene Watch the lights come up and the Christmas spirit once again emerge this day after Thanksgiv-ing, Friday, Nov. 25. More than 1.5 million lights come on. Parade starts at 5:30, lights come on at 6 pm. Free. Visit local merchants for a free candle to light during ceremony. www.cdaresort.com 208-765-4000 ext. 21

Christmas Tree Elegance Tree LightingThe Davenport, 10 S. Post St. The ornately beautiful trees on the mezzanine with light up on Monday, Nov. 28 in the evening. Free. 509-455-8888

Holiday Fair Trade FestivalSandpoint Community HallSandpoint, Idaho An alternative shopping excur-sion that not only offers plenty of unique items for sale, but a little education experience on economy and where goods come from. On Friday-Saturday, Nov. 18-19. 208-255-4410

Campbell House Holiday ToursThe MAC, 2316 W. First Ave. Decorated just like the famous local socialites did during the Victorian era, the English Tudor house next to the MAC Museum will smell of baking cookies and history. Opens for Christmas Friday, Nov. 25 through Jan. 1. $7; $5, seniors and students. northwestmuseum.org 509-456-3931

LOCAL EVENTSour community•

The Best Christmas Pageant EverSFCC, Spartan Theatre, Building 5, 3410 W. Ft. George Wright Dr. Spokane Children’s Theatre presents this classic favorite on Friday, Nov. 25, at 4 pm; Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 26-27, at 1 pm; Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 3-4, at 1 pm and 4 pm; Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 10-11 at 1 pm; and on Saturday, Dec. 10, at 4 pm. Tickets: $12; $10, youth. spokanechildrenstheatre.org 509-328-4886

A Christmas CarolSpokane Civic Theatre1020 N. Howard St.Charles Dickens’s most famous character will come to life on the Spokane Civic Theatre’s main stage. The meaning and wonder of Christmas will be revealed through the legendary Ebenezer Scrooge. Performances scheduled from Nov. 18-Dec. 18 on Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30 pm, and on Sundays at 2 pm. Tickets: $29; $27, seniors; $22, student. spokanecivictheatre.com 509-325-2507

School’s Out Day CampKroc Center, 1765 W. Gold Course Rd., Coeur d’Alene Ever wonder what you are going to do with your kids on those pesky school’s days off? The Kroc Center in Coeur d’Alene is there to fill the babysitter gap for you. On Friday, Nov. 11; Tuesday, Nov 22; and Wednesday, Nov. 23 they’ll be offering day camp for kids ages 6-13. Cost: $35, per day. kroccda.org 208-667-1865

Popovich Pet TheaterKenworthy Performing Arts Moscow, Idaho If anyone could herd a group of cats it would be Popovich. His pets mesmerize his audience and dazzle with their amazing tricks. Wednesday, Nov. 9, at 7 pm. Tickets: $25; $15, youth. The Bing, 901 W. Sprague. He will perform in Sandpoint on Thursday, Nov. 10, at 7 pm. Panida, 300 N. First St., Sandpoint, Idaho Call: 208-263-9191. He will perform in Moscow on Saturday, Nov. 12, at 3 pm and 7 pm. Tickets: $20; $15, youth 12 and younger. 208-882-4127 comedypet.com

A totally immersed environment. No this is not your grandpa throwing you off the dock and expecting you to swim. Jury’s still out if that just causes a fear of water anyway.

We’re talking about an alternative public middle school that’s also a city. Kind of like the games Life and Monopoly rolled together in a educational format where kids go home telling their parents they actually enjoyed their day at school.

Touted by West Valley School District as an experi-ential learning environment, kids walk through the school’s doors and into an independent city. They have to work in one of their pre-selected jobs, if they get in trouble they go to the courthouse where a jury of their peers provides a verdict.

In a test result performance overview on Education.com WVCS received a 7 out of 10 stars. The website used the Washington State standardized test results to calculate the rating. In the 2010 results for math and reading West Valley City School was about on par with the state average. In science they were ranked slightly below the state average.

Really though, test results aren’t everything. When I visited WVCS as an AmeriCorps member in 2007 I walked into the science room and was immediately immersed in the world of biology as interpreted by fish. The youth that showed me the room and who happened to have his City School job there knew ev-erything about the fish. He knew what they ate, their

natural habitat and even how they procreated. Lewis and Clark High School senior Katie Blevins at-tributes much of her teamwork skills and dedication to learning to the experience she received at WVCS. “It was a great foundation for the skills that I would need later in life,” Blevins says.

“The jobs really was a great idea. They teach you about tuition, managing a bank account and more. I really enjoyed it because it was almost like a city itself because there’s a bank, city hall, courthouse, cafe, a fish farm and many more jobs. I’m so happy that I went to city school because if I hadn’t I don’t think I’d be as successful as I am to this day,”she continues.

A school that not only teaches you the fundamentals, but teaches how to learn. Although still in the experi-mental learning phase, this public school has a wait-ing list to get in. WVCS recommends you call today to get on the list that will then lead to an interview process that will hopefully result in an admission. With a little more than 200 pupils in grades 5-8, this school’s teacher/student ratio stands at 24 to 1.

According to WVCS alumnus Blevins, the teachers give 200 percent to the students. “It prepared me for the real world in education. By attending a project based school they really teach you how to break things into parts so it’s not as stressful, because if I didn’t have those skills I would definitely be having some problems by now with time management and other things,” Blevins says.


CITY SCHOOL

by Tammy Marshall

ed

uc

ation

Life lessons, middle school and how West

Valley City School’s changing the way our

children learn.


cataldo mission

PARKS & RECour community•

An area brimming with autumnal beauty and steeped with history.

The oldest standing building in all of Idaho is found here, in the Coeur d’Alene’s Old Mission State Park. The Mission of the Sacred Heart or Sacred Heart Mission was constructed between 1850 and 1853 by Catholic missionaries and

members of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Sacred Heart Mission and the Coeur d’Alene’s Old Mission State Park provide an educational experience not found anywhere else, giving visitors an opportunity to examine the dynamics and complexities between Jesuit missionaries and the tribal people among whom they settled.

The park features the Sacred Heart Mission building, a restored Parish House and an historic cemetery. The visitor cen-ter includes a gift shop and an interpretive movie about the history of the Mission and the Coeur d’Alene Indians.

31732 S Mission Rd Cataldo, ID 83810

At The Table With Local Children’s Author

Kelly Milner Halls

Q When did you first decide to write children’s books?

A In the early 1990s I wrote my first book, Dino-Trekking, which was a family book about museum exhibits featuring fossils. I was writing nonfiction for children’s magazines and newspaper sections, full-time. I was a freelancer. I didn’t make the final shift to books for young readers until 2003 when I wrote Dinosaur Mummies, a book about dinosaur fossils that included soft tissue along with bone.

Why did you pick Spokane to live?I had just gone through a very difficult divorce in Colorado and wanted a safe place to start over. I had one friend in each of four cities -- Austin, TX, Cleveland, OH, Tempe, AZ and Spokane, WA. I visited each town on assignment and fell in love with Spokane. I packed two daughters, two dogs, four cats, a ferret and a hamster into my Dodge Neon and headed west. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made. Spokane is ideal.

What is your favorite thing about writing books for youth?I studied journalism thinking I’d write for adults. But I don’t have that killer instinct. When I am forced to write about an adult who makes bad choices -- robbing a bank, selling drugs, swindling old folks -- I think, “Wow, does this person have kids at home?” I am haunted by the people hurt by the things their parents might do, so writing hard news wasn’t for me. Writing fun news for kids means I never have to hurt a single person’s feelings. It’s perfect for a mind-set like mine, which is basically “do no harm.”

Tell us about your latest release In Search of Sasquatch.I wrote a book called Tales of the Cryptids in 2006 that explored doz-ens of mysterious animals that might or might not be real. Most of them leaned more toward being fictional, but one stood out as espe-cially astonishing. Bigfoot. I thought it was a creature of hoax when I first tackled Cryptids, but as I did the research, I began to realize

Have you ever thought about switching genres?I have. I am a huge fan of YA or young adult literature -- fiction for teens written by authors like Chris Crutcher, Sherman Alexie, Rita Williams-Garcia, Christopher Paul Curtis and others. I am trying to learn to write those stories and my first short story will be published in January 2012 by Chronicle Books in an anthology I edited called Girl Meets Boy. It’s a whole other animal -- for mature audiences 14 and up -- not for younger readers because the stories are pretty rough. Fortunately, that book will be in the YA section under Milner Halls, so my younger readers are un-likely to find it.

What can we expect from you in the future?My primary passion will always be writing quirky nonfiction for kids. So my next book will be Alien Instigation, a look at UFOs for kids 9 and up, from Millbrook in January of 2012. After that, Hatchlings: Life-Size Baby Dinosaurs, for kids 7 and up, from Running Press in April of 2012. Fur-ther down the road, I’ll have a book about video games, one about a baby elephant and a book for National Geographic on animal rescue stories.

there was quite a bit of credible scientific evidence to suggest there Could be an unidentified bipedal ape in North America. I didn’t have room in a broader book like Cryptids to tell that story, so I wrote In Search of Sasquatch to expand upon that subject. It was such an amazing experi-ence. I loved it.

When you’re not writing what are you doing?When I’m not writing, I’m traveling to elementary and middle schools all over the country to speak to kids about the wonders of weird and the magic of following your dreams. I help them to understand writing and reading can be fun, and I love sharing my books and research with those kids. I also like to paint, work on my photography and visit places that simply amaze me.

by Tammy Marshall


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WHIZ KIDS Educational Toysby Tammy Marshall

Turn your TVs, video games, computers and other electronics off. Not because you have to, but because you’ll want to after a visit to Whiz Kids.

After a short hiatus when Whiz Kids sadly closed its doors at River Park Square, toy enthusiast Joy St. George purchased and reopened March of 2010 in the Skywalk Level of RPS.

You may not find your garden variety Toys R Us toys there, but you’ll find plenty of toys designed to delight and education youngsters of all ages.” I try to limit the toys that customers can get at Toys R Us and the other chain stores,” St. George says. “ I do have some plush Angry Birds, I’m currently running a promotion with the wooden Thomas the Train where the customer can get a ‘mystery train’ with the purchase of other Thomas items, and I have some Madame Alexander dolls that are the same size as American Girl dolls,” she continues.

In exchange for electronic games like LeapFrog, St. George recommends toys that involve interaction either between the parent and child or the child with a peer or peers. “Most of our toys are interactive – they are fun but with some sort of learning involved. The child follows instructions, often with a parent’s help, and builds a robot. Two children each have a puppet and talk back and forth, which sharpens their

communication skills plus brings out the imagination. The family plays a game such as Zingo and the young-er children learn how to spell DOG by looking at the picture of the dog and the word on their Bingo card. A baby discovers if she shakes a maraca, she hears a sound. An older child (or adult) follows the steps listed in the various origami kits and creates beautiful flowers or clever animals,” St. George says.

According to St. George, 90 percent of the items in the store are $20 or less. Which makes a day in the park or Mobius followed by a stop at the toy store, or even a stop for a birthday present comparatively inexpensive.

St. George says she loves the positive energy in the store and the looks of delight from the kids and espe-cially the giggles given by babies seeing the toy store

for the first time.

If the brilliant colors and menagerie of toys doesn’t light up your child’s face, Whiz Kids carries the recy-closaur by local artist Peter Thomas which is made of cardboard pieces that when assembled becomes a dinosaur replica. Thomas is known for his dinosaur sculptures he creates for First Night Spokane.

A little of everything, and a whole lot local.


Would you like to see your child here? If so, visit our website and submit your photo --be

sure to check back next month to see if you won!

facesFAMOUSczar

carson

zibby

ava simone

catie

madisyn

caden


Submit your child’s photo to be entered into our random drawing... great prizes for those who win! Start submitting today!

Elliot & Nolan are this month’s winners and will receive a FAMILY PASS to SKY HIGH SPORTS!

1322 E Front Avenue Spokane(509) 321-5867

WINNINGPHOTO

hailey

brannon

sasha

adrianna

gracie anne

olivia


our picks•

•Gobble ‘Til You Wobble...ADORABLE THANKSGIVING PLACE-MATS from Etsy.com

•Cool Turkey Cedar Chipsfrom etsy.com

•Plush gourd for soft decorationSOFT PUMPKINfrom Etsy.com

•Fanciful Dog CollarsCONES AND BONES from Etsy.com

•Thanksgiving review decorWOOD DECORATIVE BLOCKfrom Etsy.com

hauteAUTUMN

our picks •

•Baby’s first turkey bone rattleMAKE IT SHAKE RATTLE from Etsy.com

•Can you dig it? baby onesieMY FIRST THANKS-GIVING OUTFIT FROM ETSY.com

•Have a thankful heart blockRUSTIC THANKS BOARD From Etsy.com

•Twisted PapersSombre door cardfrom Etsy.com

16 northwest kids magazine16 northwest kids magazine

Reader ReviewHas your child recently read a great book? Submit their book review atwww.northwestkidsmagazine.com.

StuckOliver Jeffers

Stuck is about a boy named Floyd, who got his kite stuck up in a tree. That may not sound all that exciting at first, but wait until you see the methods Floyd uses to try to get his kite out of the tree and the bigger mess he creates while trying to solve his dilemma.

This is one of those cozy books you read to your child at bedtime over and over again, while admiring the illustrations and giggling throughout the story. Both you and your child will also enjoy the childlike font used in the book.

Hereville-How Mirka Got Her SwordBarry Deutsch

Spunky, strong-willed, eleven-year-old Mirka Hirschberg isn’t interested in knitting lessons from her step-mother, or how-to-find-a-husband advice from her sister, or you-better-not warnings from her brother. There’s only one thing she does want: to fight dragons!

Granted, no dragons have been breathing fire around Hereville, the Orthodox Jewish community where Mirka lives, but that doesn’t stop the plucky girl from honing her skills.

October Selections

READER REVIEWour picks•

Kylee Behar

Photo by Beautiful Photo Studio

The Call of the WildJack London

As Reviewed by Kylee Behar, age 10

The Call of the Wild, by Jack London, is perhaps one of the best books I’ve ever read! It is about a dog name Buck who is stolen and put on a train and sent to Alaska. Once Buck is in Alaska there is a dog fight and a dog which he had made friends with was killed. Scared, Buck ran away and got lost in the forest. Finally Buck was found by the same dog which killed his friend.

This is a very sad, but heartwarming story about a dog.

ca

lm

calm

Youth yoga is quite different from adult yoga in so much as the benefits to be achieved for children

don’t involve them resembling a movie star they’ve seen, nor does it abide any social pressure they may have to be “zen”. Rather, the benefits are the achieve-ment of peace and calm. Yoga is very therapeutic and has a tendency to resolve conflicts both in our body and in our mind, even conflicts we may not have been aware of. With winter now at our heels, it is imperative to provide activities which our kids can participate with indoors. You and your children may just find that yoga is the pleasing, quiet, calm activity which brings you closer.

YOUTHYOGA



The weather is turning! And for the better. Time to put away that windbreaker and get out your ski mask and neoprene gloves and hit the slopes!

skiing, boarding, & sledding...

that’s right...it’s winter!

49 Degrees North Mountain ResortFamilies love 49! For their out-of-the way bunny hill, little kids and beginners adults can practice their skiing before they hit the big slopes. Unlike many other resorts, the beginners area isn’t corralled right next to the ski lodge, where thoughtless skiers could easily crash into the little ones. Lift tickets: $54; $45, youth; $10, 6 and younger. Slopes expected opening: Friday, Nov. 25. 3311 Flowery Trail Rd., Chewelah, Wash. Visit: ski49n.com Call: 935-6649

compiled by Tammy Marshall

Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation AreaLook no further for the right location to introduce your child to the wonderful world of skiing. Every Saturday morning at 10 am during ski season, on the top of this quaint ski mountain, kids from age 6-17 will be introduced to the world of skiing by certified instructors for free! That’s right for free. Register by January 21, 2012 to guarantee a spot for next season. Call ahead to see if they can’t squeeze you in for this season. Generally the first to see snow, Lookout opens around Thanksgiving. I-90 to Montana Exit 0 takes to straight to the mountain. Mullan, Idaho Visit: skilookout.com Call: 208-744-1301

Mount Spokane Ski and Snowboard ParkConveniently located less than 30 miles from Spokane’s downtown, this family-friendly mountain may be known for its night skiing, but is also a great place to get your kid off the bunny hill. The advanced parts of the hill are great for learning to maneuver and the lodge awaits your dis-mount from the hill and into a mug of their hot cocoa. Cost: $45; $35, free 6 and younger. 29500 N. Mount Spokane Park Dr. Visit: mtspokane.com Call: 238-2220

Schweitzer Mountain ResortCertainly a fabulous mountain, this resort offers excellent skiing. Go for the mountain, but don’t forget the shops down below in the wonderful town of Sandpoint. Everything on this mountain is state-of-the-art from high-speed quads to ten lifts. 10000 Schweitzer Mountain Rd., Sandpoint, Idaho Visit: schweitzer.com Call: 877-487-4643

Silver Mountain ResortNot just a mountain, but an activity destination. If one kid prefers skiing and the other one disdains the cold, rent one of their condos and while kid one hits the slopes kid two will have a blast in their warm indoor water park. 610 Bunker Ave., Kellogg, Idaho Visit: silvermt.com Call: 866-344-2675


Mount Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park

29500 N. Mount Spokane Park Dr.

Schweitzer Mountain Resort10000 Schweitzer Mountain Rd.,

Sandpoint, Idaho

Silver Mountain Resort610 Bunker Ave., Kellogg, Idaho

Cherry Hill Park15th St. and Hazel Ave., Coeur d’Alene

Don’t forget about sledding and tubing. These places offer up some winter fun without all the expensive gear.

Manito Park1800 S. Grande Blvd. Spokane, Wash.

Underhill ParkHartson Ave. and Fiske St. in Spokane near the Ben Burr Trail

Fernan Saddle11 miles north of Coeur d’Alene on the west side of the Panhandle National Forest

HolmbergEast side of Five Mile Prairie near Whitworth University


AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY

yourchildhere

yourchildhere

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yourchildhere

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The Grub Club

3. Meat’s browning...

GRUBCLUB

Signature snack created by Chef Sara Brantingham.

Fruit, yogurt and don’t Forget the Sprinkles!

bon appétit

garret taylor masonmason sara

Take fruit (we used seasonal apples), top with your favorite yogurt and dash with sprinkles.

An easy and mostly healthy after-school snack that kids can make themselves.

Put some sprinkles on top and that will make even the pickiest of kids give it a second look. Sometimes that’s all you need.


ARTS & THEATRE our kids •

Some specialists feel that when kids are in-volved with art they learn better academically and socially. I think if you ask the kids though, Art is just fun and you know we all like to do what’s fun.

So, maybe you have an artist on your hands, what do you do now? Is this just a case of let’s create something and mom will love it, or does your child have the “gift?”

My mom always took a couple of drawings when we were kids and framed them and put them on the walls, she even did that with some of my kids art. What she also did was provide them with some artistic guidance and a lot of art materials. My kids aren’t “artist” artists, but they do have an artistic branch that I know was a little seed planted by my mom.

It turns out, she was doing it right. To feed the potential talent of your young ones, keep lots of age appropriate materials around: paper, paints, crayons, pencils, glue stick, clay, dough and turn off the tv and see what happens.

As Cecile Charles at the Gallery of Thum says, “if your child is obviously talented, enroll them in an art class, something that will give them direction and the basics.” She also has some other suggestions, like having them compete in age specific contests and enter something in the Spokane Interstate Fair to let them see what competition is about. Take them to art galleries and artistic events to see what else there is to think about. Let them take some art history classes to give them a solid footing in the world of art.

There are a lot of classes on different art sub-jects offered around town. The City of Spo-kane Parks and Recreation provides a long list of art related classes that your child can take or you can take with your child for $15 and up. www.SpokaneParks.org

The Gallery of Thum offers classes in painting, crafting, sewing and clay, with prices ranging from $15 - $45 per class. www.GalleryofThum.com

If your child is in to more than just drawing or painting, then www.TheArtCoop.net might be the place to go. They provide classes on things like beading, felting, making concrete leaves, and making cool stuff out of used stuff. You need to have enough people ready to take the class with them, but you won’t be disap-pointed!

The key thing is to know that artistic ability is in everyone. Even if they don’t seem creative, creativity comes out in different ways for dif-ferent people, and the best thing to do is to just encourage it. As Cecile told me, “The spark brought out by the desire to be involved in cre-ating is what teaches children to think outside the box. Thinking outside the box is what fos-ters other creative thinking and can improve other learning skills, even if the child is not bent on creating art.”

I need to go by some crayons now.

Art is such a big word, it

encompasses a whole lot more than just

paint or paper. Art is something that

grows the more you feed it.

by Tia Wooley


HUMORour kids•

Octoberby Lisa Smith Molinari

About a million years ago, I had a career. I had a briefcase, an office, a secretary, and a view from the 24th floor. I did research, argued motions, interviewed clients and attended the firm holiday party. My name was on the wall in the lobby.

But then, when I least expected it, something happened. That something was an incessant, unrelenting thing called life.

Two years after being unexpectedly blindsided by love, I found myself sitting on my Navy husband’s bachelor couch in our dumpy base house, in a state that did not recognize my law license, nursing our new baby while watching Maury Povich interview people who’d been abducted by aliens.

At first it was kind of fun, getting to relive all the times I played house as a kid, except that the babies really filled their diapers and I also had to do the boring stuff like making sandwiches and cleaning toilets. I never really thought it all through, and truly believed that I’d get back to my career at some point.

Fifteen years, seven moves, and two more babies later, I’m still making sandwiches and cleaning toilets, and the opportunity to get my career back simply never came.In the meantime, I’ve discovered that long term housewifery does not always provide one with the obvious sense of achievement that a career offers. In fact, the daily drudgery of housework and mothering is highly susceptible to being completely taken for granted. We do not get bonuses for sparkling floors, pay raises for fresh laundry, or promotions for perfectly steamed green beans.

So, we veteran housewives must seize our ego boosts where we can get them.

Recently, my son, Hayden, started his sophomore year at his new high school, and I pack his lunch every day as usual. But this time, I decided to bump it up a notch.My usual routine was to roll up three slices of deli chicken breast and place them onto two slices of whole wheat with a leaf of lettuce and a slice of Swiss cheese. To reward my son for working hard at football practice, I decided to double the meat, adding tender slices of ham and roast beef to the chicken. Two slices of pepper jack and extra lettuce made the sandwich so thick that I had to put it into a quart-sized storage bag.

On our way home from football practice that evening, Hayden, who is firmly entrenched in that infuriating stage of teenagedom characterized by an almost complete lack of normal conversation, said, “Hey Mom, I really liked that sandwich.”

My heart nearly skipped a beat.

Over the next couple weeks, I continued crafting thick, meaty sandwiches, sometimes substituting cheeses, adding spicy slices of pepperoni, or a fresh sub roll. Instead of waiting for accolades, I had taken to eagerly asking him how he liked the sandwich on our ride home from football practice. He would answer in typical teenage brevity, but always communicated his appreciation.

Then one day, Hayden told me that his football buddy commented on how meaty his sandwich was, and that he wished his mom made sandwiches like that.

The Sandwich Queen


I couldn’t believe my ears and was exhilarated by my new sense of culinary superiority.

Call me pathetic, but the seemingly insignificant compliments gave me a renewed sense of purpose, and a slight spring in my middle-aged step as I packed the lunches each morning.

Sometimes, I’d receive a bonus with my son’s usual mumbled words of praise. Like the day he told me that the school security guard noticed how thick his sandwich was, and ordered Hayden to bring in an extra one for him sometime. And the time his JV football coach called him over during practice and said, “Hey, I heard your mother makes you a big deli sandwich every day for lunch; so when are you going to bring one in for me?”

Sure, it’s true that the closest thing I have to an office has a washer and dryer in it. And yes, it is rather ironic that I used to have a secretary but am now Secretary of the Football Boosters Club. And even though my name is no longer posted in an office lobby, my name is the one my kids utter when they want a tissue, help with their homework, a snack, someone to hear about their day at school, or a hug.

While I may never make Senior Partner of a Law firm as I had planned over 20 years ago, I’ve attained a status I never expected. I’m Head Nurse, Accountant, General Manager, Commander in Chief of the House, and thanks to recent events, The Sandwich Queen. Sure, my scepter may be a toilet bowl brush and my carriage a mini-van, but I don’t mind, because I know I am loved by my people.

Lisa Smith Molinari is a columnist and Author of “The Meat and Potatoes of Life” blog at http://themeatandpotatoesoflife.com

Northwest Ob-Gyn’s Newest Providers

Sarah Hammil, MD.UROGYNECOLOGY

ARNP, CNM

Ob-gyn

Shelley Northern

Kathryn Miles, MD.

Fellowship Trained Urogynecologist Providing compassionate care with the latest medical procedures and treatments for urogynecology and gynecology

Certified Nurse-Midwife Promoting a continuous and compas-sionate partnership throughout pregnancy and postpartum. Guest columnist at Northwest Kids Magazine.

Trained in Obstetrics and Gynecology Dr. Miles particularly enjoys helping adolescents and young women with all of their gynecologic needs and obstetric care.

3 women covering

3 aspects of women’s healthcare and joining

14 providers with over

30 years of experience at

105 W 8th sUITES 6020 & 6025 Spokane, WA

(509) 455-5050www.nw-woman.com


our health•

How to decide... OB or Midwife?

by Emily Olson

If you are like most of my friends and myself, when you found out that you were expecting your first child there was a sudden onslaught of new information...almost as if this information was for a secret club and you didn’t know the right handshake until the pregnancy test came back positive.

Well, now you’ve been granted “all access” to this new world of information...but what does it all mean? In addition to the land-slide of medical terms you’re quickly trying to assimilate into your vocab, there is a new calendar to wrap your brain around, moods to contend with and last but not least...an general information overload.

So, let’s try to make it a little simpler, just this once. We wanted to know why a mom-to-be would elect to go with a Nurse-Midwife vs. an Obstetrician and decided to get to the bottom of it by speak-ing with one of each (both amazing ladies, moms, and healthcare providers). Here is what we found out about how the two of them often work together to compliment each other’s practice and pro-vide you with the best care possible.

OVERVIEW:

What is a Nurse-Midwife?A nurse midwife is an advanced practice registered nurse who has had extensive training in obstetrics usually earning a Masters Level degree. Some nurse midwives can have their own private practice, but most work in hospitals, family planning centers, and the public health service.Midwives are revered for their practice of treating a birth as more than just a medical procedure and helping mothers remain connected with the experience throughout pregnancy, labor, delivery and postpartum.

What is an Obstetrician?An obstetrician is a medical specialist who focuses on labor and delivery. Obstetrics is actually a surgical sub-specialty, meaning that an obstetrician attends surgical training and then specializes in the care of pregnant women and in surgeries which are related to labor and delivery, such as Cesarean sections. He or she typically works in a hospital environment, so that if a laboring mother experiences compli-cations during the course of labor, she can be rushed into an operating room for treatment. The non-surgical version of this medical specialty is midwifery.

Do Nurse-Midwives and Obstetricians work together well?YES! In fact Midwives often feel it necessary to work with an OB in the event a pregnancy moves from low risk to high risk. The key, of course, is the “low-risk” part — which means young, healthy mothers with routine pregnan-cies and no complicating variables like multiple fetuses or a history of delivery problems. These are the only kinds of cases midwives are intended to handle.

What is the scope of a Nurse-Midwife’s care capabilities?The nurse-midwife is educated and trained to provide a broad range of health care services for women and newborns. CNM functions include diagnosis (taking a medical hystory, doing a physical assessment, ordering labora-tory tests and procedures), managing therapy (outlining care, providing prescriptions, coordinating consultations and referrals), and activities that promote women’s health and reduce health risks.

As with the nurse practitioner profession (NP), CNMs are legally allowed to write prescrip-tions in some states but not in others.

Dr. Katie MilesMD., OB/GYN

Shelley NorthernARNP, CNM

These are my amazing contributors who helped set me straight on the basics. Both women practice out of Northwest OBGYN in Spokane and are very, very helpful at answering questions.

Dr. Miles is board eligible in obstetrics and gynecology. She graduated from the University of Washington Medical School in 2006. She completed residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Rochester in New York in 2010. While pro-viding comprehensive OB/GYN services, Dr. Miles particularly enjoys providing education and care to adolescents and young women.

Shelley earned her Bachelor in Nursing from Johns Hopkins University in 1994. She worked as a labor and delivery nurse before obtaining certificate in nurse-midwifery from the University of Washington in 2008. Shelley is accredited by the American College of Nurse-Midwives. She is from the Skagit Valley in Western Washington.


WHAT’S FOR DINNER our lives •

Double LayerNo-BakePumpkin Pie

INGREDIENTS4 ounces cream cheese, softened1 tablespoon milk1 tablespoon white sugar1 1/2 cups frozen whipped topping, thawed1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust1 cup cold milk2 (3.5 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix1 (15 ounce) can solid pack pumpkin puree1 teaspoon ground cinnamon1/2 teaspoon ground ginger1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

A fluffy cream cheese and whipped topping layer is spread onto the bottom of a graham cracker crust. And then comes the pudding, pumpkin and spice layer. This luscious pie is then chilled and garnished with ginger-

flavored whipped topping. A must-try for all of the die-hard and not-so-die-hard pumpkin pie lovers.

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large bowl, whisk together cream cheese, 1 table-spoon of milk, and sugar until smooth. Gently stir in whipped topping. Spread into bottom of crust.

2. Pour 1 cup of milk into large bowl, and thoroughly mix in pudding mix, pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. When thickened, spread over cream cheese layer.

3. Refrigerate 4 hours, or until set.

PER SERVING (8 servings total): about 356 cal, 16 g fat (4 g sat. fat), 18 mg cholesterol


MONEY MATTERSour lives•

Does $100 per week sound like a lot for take-out? Well that is the con-servative estimate for American families...the real number could be out of this world. Hello Groupon!


Want to try the new Pho restaurant across town but not sure you will like it. Or maybe you want to take in a movie at the Art House Cinema. A great way to try new things in your community is to use Groupons. Chances are you’ve heard of Groupon before but if not, allow us to intro-duce you.

Groupon, a Chicago based company started in November 2008, offers steep discounts for local attractions in your community. You can receive 50%-90% off the costs of local restaurants, exercise classes/gyms, beauty and entertainment. Groupon can offer these steep discounts because they use the buying power of the masses to secure the lowest cost for their offers.

Here is how it works; once you register for an account with Groupon.com, you will begin to receive emails with the Featured Deal of the day. The “deal” is on when the set number of groupons have been sold. Groupon Featured Deals can expire when a set number of groupons are sold or once the clock on the deal has ended. If you are interested in purchas-ing the Featured Deal, just click “Buy Now”. You will receive an email informing you that your groupon is ready to use. You can either print the groupon or use an electronic version when redeeming. Be sure to check the Groupon restrictions to make sure you are still interested. It is as simple as that. Now trying new restaurants, exercise classes, and enter-tainment in your community is more cost effective than ever.

by Mollie OlsonGroupon?!?

South Hill at Lincoln HeightsE 3154 29th Ave • Spokane, WA 99223

Valley at Liberty LakeE 23505 Appleway Way, Ste 204 • Liberty Lake, WA 99019

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‘Tis better to be groomed.... than dressed up like a buffoon.

Dog Grooming 509.489.2886corner of Wall and Nebraska


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DATE NIGHT our lives •

GEOCACHING - a modern date

At its simplest level, geocaching requires these 8 steps:

1.Register for a free Basic Membership.2.Visit the “Hide & Seek a Cache” page.3.Enter your postal code and click “search.”4.Choose any geocache from the list and click on its name.5.Enter the coordinates of the geocache into your GPS Device.6.Use your GPS device to assist you in finding the hidden geocache.7.Sign the logbook and return the geocache to its original location.8.Share your geocaching stories and photos online.

Geocaching is a real-world outdoor treasure hunting game. Players try to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, using GPS-enabled devices and then share their experiences online.


Dr. Tracy Ridgeway920 N. Spokane StreetPost Falls, ID 83854(208) 819-6472

Pooch Parlor5602 North Wall StreetSpokane, WA 99205-6436(509) 489-2886

SCRAPS2521 North Flora RoadSpokane Valley, Washington 99216-(509) 477-2532

Celebrations713 W Garland AveSpokane, WA 99205(509) 327-3471

Madeleine’s Cafe & Patisserie 707 W Main AveSpokane, WA 99201(509) 624-2253

White Box Pies Bakery28 E Sharp AveSpokane, WA 99202(509) 927-8850

Coco Belle CakesSpokane, WA 99204(208) 661-6865

Mad Batter Bakery210 W PacificSpokane, WA 99201Happy Cake Co.1312 N Mullan RdSpokane Valley, WA 99206(509) 924-8455

Desserts by Sara10502 E Montgomery Dr Ste 3Spokane Valley, WA 99206(509) 922-6039

Sweetwater Bakery119 E 3rd AvePost Falls, ID 83854(509) 326-0806

Pastry and MoreNorthern Lights MallCoeur D Alene, ID 83814(208) 667-3808

Sweet B Cupcakes501 E Sherman AveCoeur d’alene, ID 83814(208) 704-2506

Bakery by the Lake314 N 3rd SCoeur d’Alene, ID 83814(208) 209-3129

14th and Grand Salon1337 S Grand BlvdSpokane, WA 99202(509) 624-7263

Open Adoption Services1623 W Gardner AveSpokane, WA 99201(509) 328-6274

Mark Iverson, Adoption Attorney900 N Maple St Ste 201Spokane, WA 99201(509) 462-3678

Adoption Services2201 N Government WayCoeur D Alene, ID 83814(208) 667-1898

Sticker Planet610 West Hubbard AveCoeur d’ Alene, ID 83814(800) 557-8678

Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts1003 N 4th StCoeur D Alene, ID 83814(208) 667-8103

In Control Hobbies2700 E Seltice Way Ste 1Post Falls, ID 83854(208) 457-8166

Bear Paw Quilting600 W Kathleen AveCoeur D Alene, ID 83815(208) 664-1554

Sew EZ Too603 W Garland AveSpokane, WA 99205(509) 325-6644

The Top Stitch3808 N Monroe StSpokane, WA 99205(509) 328-7397

Quilting Bee12117 E Mission AveSpokane Valley, WA 99206(509) 928-6037

A Child’s Dream Come True1223 Michigan StSandpoint, ID 83864(208) 255-1664

Adele’s Sewing Center516 Oak StSandpoint, ID 83864(208) 263-9646

Kootenai Humane Society11600 North Ramsey RoadHayden, ID 83835(208) 772-4019

Spokanimal710 N Napa StSpokane, WA 99202(509) 534-8133

Advertise Herecall

208-457-7211 or visit us online

northwestkidsmagazine.com

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BakeriesArts & Crafts

DIR

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TO

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Adoption

Animal Care

Animal Care

Beauty Salons

Rejuvenate your life through preventative maintenance.

509.251.0373Gift CertifiCates available!

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Koi Salon319 W 2nd AveSpokane, WA 99201(509) 747-3263

Fringe Salon & Boutique2622 E 29th AveSpokane, WA 99223(509) 315-8138

Brickhouse Massage & Coffee Bar14222 E Sprague AveSpokane Valley, WA 99216(509) 891-1999

True Colors Salon12016 E Sprague AveSpokane Valley, WA 99206(509) 924-3119

Lather Salon & Spa1710 N 4th StCoeur D Alene, ID 83814(208) 664-1325

Zi Spa & Salon1859 N Lakewood DrCoeur D Alene, ID 83814(208) 765-9400

Tangerine Boutique1019 West 1stSpokane, WA 99256(509) 413-2169

Swank BoutiqueSpokane, WA 99207(509) 468-1839

Cues707 W Main AveSpokane, WA 99201(509) 838-5837

Coco Boutique14700 E Indiana AveSpokane Valley, WA 99216(509) 921-5592

Runway210 E Sherman AveCoeur d’Alene, ID 83814(208) 667-1100

Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry602 N Calgary Ct Ste 201Post Falls, ID 83854(208) 777-9331

Molly Gunsaulis DDS15404 Springfield Avenue #102Spokane, WA 99201(509) 922-1333

Dr. Dance Dentistry for Kids1027 W Prairie AveHayden, ID 83835(208) 772-2202

Specialty Items

Day Spas & Massage

Urbana Day Spa168 S Division StSpokane, WA 99202(509) 747-7076

Highlands Day Spa4365 E Inverness DrPost Falls, ID 83854(208) 773-0773

Grassroots Wellness Spa1303 S Grand BlvdSpokane, WA 99202(509) 474-0213

Serenity Spa & Salon1727 E Francis AveSpokane, WA 99208(509) 487-5555

Northwest Pediatric Ophthalmology105 W 8th Ave Ste 512Spokane, WA 99204(509) 838-6686

Northwest OBGYN105 W 8th Ave Ste 6020, 6025Spokane, WA 99204(509) 455-5050

Ajuva Medical Spa9425 N NevadaSpokane, WA 99208(509) 468-7546

North Spokane Womens Health235 E Rowan Ave #102Spokane, WA 99207(509) 489-2101

Spokane Obstetrics & Gynecology105 W 8th Ave #6060Spokane, WA 99207(509) 838-4211

Healthcare for Women980 W Ironwood Dr #101Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814(208) 765-1455

Dayspring Midwifery Service1076 W Hayden AveHayden, ID 83835(208) 772-2823

Pediatric Health

Womens Health

Montessori Certified Pre Schools9009 N Wall StSpokane, WA 99218(509) 466-6959

The Nurturey Child Care Center116 W Indiana AveSpokane, WA 99205(509) 328-5677

Pavlish Playhouse & Preschool404 E 30th AveSpokane, WA 99203(509) 624-1286

Berg’s Junior Shoe Shops818 W Sprague AveSpokane, WA 99201(509) 624-2342

Wee Ones Wear6821 N Division StSpokane, WA 99208(509) 328-7768

Other Mothers14214 E Sprague AveSpokane Valley, WA 99216(509) 927-3429

Lollipop Lemondrop23129 E Mission AveLiberty Lake, WA 99019(509) 927-2005

Babies & Beyond4025 N Government Way Ste 7Coeur D Alene, ID 83815(208) 676-8687

North Bowl125 W Sinto AveSpokane, WA 99201(509) 328-7090

Laser Quest202 W 2nd AveSpokane, WA 99201(509) 624-7700

Triple Play175 W Orchard AveHayden, ID 83835(208) 762-7529

Splash Down11023 E Mission AveSpokane Valley, WA 99206(509) 924-3079

Wonderland Family Fun Center10515 N Division StSpokane, WA 99218(509) 468-4386

Silverwood Theme Park27843 N Highway 95Athol, ID 83801(208) 683-3400

The Garland Theater924 W Garland AveSpokane, WA 99205(509) 327-1050

Dentists/Orthodontists

Entertainment

Boutiques

Childrens Academy2231 West Ironwood Center DrCoeur d’Alene(208) 665-0630

Creative Kids2225 West Seltice WayPost Falls, ID 83854(208) 773-1301

Kinder-Magic218 Miller AvenueCoeur d’Alene (208) 676-1968

Little Learner Child Development 15321 E Mission AveSpokane Valley, WA 99037(509) 926-0515

Child Care

Sports & Recreation

Wild Walls Climbing Gym202 W 2nd AveSpokane, WA 99201(509) 455-9596

Sky High Sports1322 E Front AveSpokane, WA 99202(509) 321-5867

Skyhawks Sports Camps6311 E. Mt. Spokane Park DrMead, WA 99021(800) 804-3509

Jump and Bounce15310 E Marietta Ave Ste 2Spokane Valley, WA 99216(509) 892-6655

Sew Precious Babywww.SewPreciousBaby.com

Dentists/Orthodontists

Kidds Dental1327 N Stanford Ln Ste BLiberty Lake, WA 99019(509) 891-7070

Dr. Scott Ralph Orthodontics3154 E 29th AveSpokane, WA 99223(509) 892-9284

Pediatric Health

Coeur d’Alene Pediatrics9095 N Hess StHayden, ID 83835(208) 772-8940

Northwest Spokane Pediatrics5901 N Lidgerwood StSpokane, WA 99208(509) 483-4060

Children’s Clothing

Beauty Salons Child Care

Schools

I Can Do It Learning Center(208) 773-4773www.icandoitlearningcenter.com

Home Improvement

Rainbow InternationalSpokane/ Coeur d’Alene(509) 444-5851(208) 762-1252

nw kids magazine november 2011

Documents

new life

ave spokanewww

new home

e seltice way

modern date night

masthead page

private cremations

editors note16