Libraries gear up for summer
Do your kids enjoy reading or being read to? Or do they sometimes need a little encouragement or incentive?
The Metropolitan Library System has just the reward – the 2010 summer reading program called “Make a Splash – Read!”
Children from birth through sixth grade can win prizes in June and July at any Metropolitan Library branch. Kids can be read to or read on their own. For every reading goal completed (8 books, 800 pages or listening to 8 hours of reading), a child can enter drawings for big prizes like a Nintendo Wii or digital camera. Kids also get smaller rewards along the way for the first two goals achieved.
There also will be shows at several library branches throughout the program. Go to metrolibrary.org or contact your local branch to find out when performances are.
On Monday, more information about the summer reading program will be available on the website as well.
Also, the Metro Library System is seeking volunteers to take their books out into the community to read to children at elementary schools, after-school programs and summer programs. This is a great opportunity to create lifelong readers out of children who may not get enough exposure to books or reading for enjoyment.
The library system released a video explaining the “Come Read with Me” volunteer program. Click here to watch the video.
Happy reading!
-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com
Safety can be fun!
Just ask the people who put together the Warr Acres Safety Fair.
This Saturday, May 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., there will be tons of safety fun in the parking lot at 3800 N. MacArthur. Kids can meet members of the Warr Acres Police and Fire departments, the Bethany Fire Department, EMSA, Medi-Flight, OG&E, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Department and much more.
Activities will include a moon bounce, face-painting, a dunk tank, safety demonstrations (including a really cool smoke trailer demo), car seat checks, health checks, emergency vehicle walk-through and more.
So bring the kids to Warr Acres Saturday for some great safety fun!
For more information, go to cityofwarracres.com.
-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com
Camps for preschoolers
If you’re like me, you may be trying to find somewhere to put your preschooler this summer if their day care is closed for a week or you have a sitter going on summer vacation. Believe it or not, there are actually some pretty interesting camp options for the 3- to 4-year-old set.
Here are some of the camps being offered this summer (costs vary-click on websites or call for more information):
Oklahoma Children’s Theatre, Oklahoma City
606-7003
Dates: June 1 – Aug. 13
Preschoolers travel through time and learn performing arts basics. Camps conclude with a performance. Other camps available for up to age 12.
oklahomachildrenstheatre.org
Casady School Summer by the Lake, Oklahoma City
749-3192
Dates: June 7 – Aug. 13
Over 100 programs are available from pre-K to high school.
casady.org
Fine Arts Institute of Edmond
340-4481
Dates: June 7-Aug. 13
All types of artistic camp classes for age 2 through 8th grade.
edmondfinearts.com
Oklahoma City Zoo, Oklahoma City
425-0218
Dates: June 7-Aug. 6
43 themed camps offered for ages 4 to 15.
zoofieldtrips.com
Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, Norman
325-4712
Dates: June 7 – Aug. 6
Summer Explorers program is for ages 4 to 14.
snomnh.ou.edu
Ginger’s Kindermusik, Oklahoma City
722-2379
Dates: June 21-25 or July 19-23
Themed camps for children from birth to age 7 and piano keyboard camps for ages 7-8.
gingerskindermusik.com
Mad Science of Central Oklahoma, various locations
285-9643
Dates: June 21 – Aug. 6
Camps for kids age 4 to 12 include Secret Agent Lab, Science AdventureQuest and Little Agents Academy.
madscience.org/okc
Oklahoma City Museum of Art
236-3100
Dates: June 1 – Aug. 6
Themed camps for ages 4 to 16 focus on permanent exhibits and special exhibits.
okcmoa.com
Heritage Hall Day Camp, Oklahoma City
749-3002
Dates: June 1-July 23
Camps for ages 3 and older include enrichment, creativity, technology and sports options.
www.heritagehall.com
Victory School of the Arts, Warr Acres
440-2186
Dates: June 21 – Aug. 7
Classes offered for age 3 and older in all types of dance, tumbling and guitar.
victorydance.tv
Unpluggits Playstudio, Edmond
340-7584
Dates: June and July
Camp sessions have a superhero or dinosaur theme.
unpluggits.com
If you know of any other fun summer camps available for preschoolers, comment here or email me.
Happy camping!
-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com
Happy Mother’s Day
The second Sunday in May is my favorite day of the year.
Not for the gifts, or the special deals moms can find around town. Not for the flowers or for that nice dinner out. But because it’s a day set aside to cherish our own moms and our children. It’s the one day a year many of us can celebrate having a mother and being one at the same time.
Like many of you, I am completely in love with being a mom. It has brought the greatest joys imaginable and every day I wake up and know how truly blessed I am to have my little boy there. It’s the kind of love that is truly unconditional and unwavering. The kind of love that lets you know you’d do anything for your children. And it’s the kind that I celebrate in my own way every day, not just on Mother’s Day.
Mother’s Day makes me stop and think about how much my own mom has always loved and sacrificed for me. Although if you ask her, she wouldn’t call them sacrifices, but just “the things that moms do.”
So give your kids the biggest hug, not just this Sunday, but every day. Cherish those little gifts they’ll give you that they made with their own two hands. Call or visit your own mom. Tell her how much you love and appreciate her. Let her know how much you’ve learned from her. And enjoy your special day.
-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com
SpongeBob birthday party was FUN ….. Was it overboard?
Don’t want to overload you on birthdays … But we partied with SpongeBob last week for Cade’s 5th birthday.
I fretted over how to have everything “just right” – SpongeBob cake, pineapple decoration, SpongeBob balloon, yellow utensils, SpongeBob napkins & tablecloth, “Crabby patties” (mini hamburgers) … my family would have enjoyed the visiting time without any frills.
A few hours before the party, I realized I had gone a little overboard. 
Birthday parties can be so stressful if you take them too seriously.
I don’t remember EVER having a kid birthday with friends when I was growing up. Although, I did attend two: One was a sleepover (I had to sleep with the light on), and the other had the most magnificent cake: a doll cake draped in green and white icing. All the little girls took turns passing the cake around and taking a bite from the hem of the dress. … Can you say GERMS?
When my oldest daughter turned 5, I joined the birthday parade. It was that “keeping up with the Joneses” mentality. And, I continued this insanity when my second daughter turned 5. Here is a sampling of the birthday parties we’ve had:
- At home with treasure hunt, silly string and cake … fairly inexpensive
- Sleepover (with 12 girls!) … exhausting …. juice and drinks spilled all over carpet, door knob broken off of bathroom door, fights among girls, crying birthday girl.
- Mall shopping … this would have been fairly inexpensive, but I had the bright idea of giving each child $10 … and then they needed more … and then they were hungry.
- Gymnastics … a little pricey, but it was “handled” by the instructors, and we had a cake and gift room, so this was a hit.
- Neighborhood park … who would have thought all 30 of the daycare classmates would have attended? Overall, a great success, but the number of presents were obscene. Looking back, we should have donated or said no presents. But my daughter was in heaven. There was an expense to reserve the pavilion, but it was such a beautiful day that all the kids had a great time. (We did this twice. The second time, hardly anyone showed, so you never know. That’s why RSVPs are so important to parents!)
- Overnight stay at a downtown hotel (Do you really want to take out a second mortgage on your home for a party?) This was a big hit with the girls … TV all night, dogpile on the couch and chairs for sleeping, swimming pool, water taxi ride through Bricktown. All of this would have been perfect, except for the chin injury in the hotel exercise room. Note to parents: Don’t let three 11-year-olds get on a treadmill, even if they say they’ll be fine.)
Looking back, our parties weren’t much different from other parties my kids’ friends had. And I’m glad my kids enjoyed the fun and time with friends and family.
But I still remember the simply iced white cake decorated with animal crackers that my mom made for me. The gift also was very modest. No ponies or jumping castles or skating rink or hotel rooms.
And I loved every birthday.
– Linda Lynn
It’s all four fun!
A year ago, I shared with readers the changes that came with my son turning 3. (Click here to read last year’s post.)
Well, for the past month or so, my son has been asking me if he’s 4 yet. He just couldn’t wait to change his age. Last weekend, he finally got his wish. He even got up the morning after his birthday and said “I need to go look in the mirror and make sure I’m still 4!”
As with other ages, the changes just keep coming. This past year:
Sports become the biggest deal. You would not believe how serious tiny tots soccer can be. Just ask the dads yelling from the sidelines.
There’s the first dental visit. And I’ve already gotten the talk about orthodontia work in his future. I guess I should start saving for braces now.
He mastered the art of manipulation. You would not believe how smart kids get between 3 and 4. They know how to play on your every emotion, twist your words, and somehow always find a way to get what they want.
There’s a new shyness. He went to the doctor today and cried because he “didn’t want to be naked.” This was the same boy who was only too content running around the house in his underwear. So out came the hospital gown … one covered in Bugs Bunny and the Tasmanian Devil, of course.
Don’t call him “baby.” I used to be able to call my little man “baby” whenever I wanted. Now, I get a lecture every time. “I’m not a baby. I’m 4.” I have to admit, it broke my heart just a little.
Baby or not, they really do grow so fast. I can’t wait to see what else this new age brings.
And by the way, he’s already asking when he gets to turn 5.
-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com
Help prevent child abuse
According to Oklahoma Department of Human Services, there were more than 11,700 confirmations of child abuse and/or neglect in Oklahoma in 2008. In 2007, 39 died as a result of abuse or neglect. To read the full report, click here.
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and there are a lot of events and programs planned to bring awareness to this devastating problem.
The Kelsey Briggs Foundation is having a Child Abuse Prevention/Family Safety Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Woodland Park in Shawnee. OU football players will be there and there will be car seat checks, live music, guest speakers, booths, food and much more. Click here for more information.
At UCO, Building a Blue Ribbon Tree will start at 8 a.m. April 14 with volunteers tying blue ribbons at 8 a.m. along the trees of Broncho Lake. At 11 a.m., children from UCO’s Child Study Center will lead a parade. Visitors will then be encouraged to tie blue ribbons on trees to represent children who have been abused. For more information, contact Kaye Sears at 974-5786 or ksears@uco.edu.
You can also build a blue a ribbon tree in your own neighborhood. Anyone can do this, anywhere. Click here for more information.
The Oklahoma County Kids Task Force has an abundance of information on child abuse prevention, helpful programs, referrals and hot line. They also have opportunities for volunteers to get involved in the fight against child abuse. Go to http://okcountykids.org.
Anything we can do to just help one child is worth it. Let’s cherish our little ones and remember just how young and innocent they are.
-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com
A big thanks to the OKC Fire Department
On Monday, my son gave me quite the scare. I was talking to another parent at his day care while he and his friend played in the cubby area of the classroom. He was tugging on his friend’s shirt and when his friend broke free, my son fell backward and hit his back on the cubby.
I was consoling him (he was crying pretty hard) when all of a sudden his eyes glazed over and his body went completely limp and lifeless in my arms. I tried shaking him to snap him out of it, but he was completely passed out. His teacher called 911 and he woke up about a minute later, disoriented and crying.
When the EMT/firefighters arrived, they checked him thoroughly. They put him at ease by talking to him about things he could relate to so he wouldn’t be so frightened. In the end, they think he just hyperventilated from crying so hard. His doctor wants to run more tests, but hopefully, that’s all it was.
After about 45 minutes, when all seemed back to normal, the firefighters invited my son and his friend to go outside and see their fire truck. You can only imagine the excitement on the boys’ faces.
They gave them stickers, blew up rubber gloves, showed them the super-humongous ax and let them sit inside so they could show them all the bells and whistles.
Then came the best part.
“We’re taking them with us.”
I thought the firemen were joking.
Then the doors to the truck closed, and off they all went for a ride through the parking lot, flashing lights and all. Their first ride ever in a real fire truck. I think that made my son’s life complete. I don’t remember ever getting to ride in a fire truck. But these two boys would surely be the envy of all their classmates the next day.
So to the Oklahoma City Fire Department: You guys have the biggest hearts. Thank you so much for taking the time to turn a scary situation into something my son will always remember. Thank you for putting this smile on my boy’s face.
-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com
Summer Adventure Expo coming to OKC
Ready to get some new ideas for summer fun? Then head down to the Sheraton Hotel downtown from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 18, for the annual Oklahoma Summer Adventure Expo.
There will be engaging hands-on activities for kids, visits from Rumble the Thunder mascot and the Thunder Girls, door prizes, discounts from vendors, a performance by the Sugar Free All Stars, and plenty more to see and do. The entertainment stage schedule will be posted on the site soon.
For more information, click here.
-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com
Learn how to be an early childhood leader
The Oklahoma City-County Health Department is beginning an Early Childhood Leadership Institute on April 1 from 6 to 8 p.m.
According to their Web site, if you have ideas about what our community needs to be a better place for families or want to learn more about why the early years matter and what you can do to help, then this just might be perfect for you.
It meets for 5 evenings, from April 1 to May 13. Free child care is provided as well as dinner.
For more information, call Smart Start Central Oklahoma at 523-3519 or click here.
-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com
