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Living in the Moment

Fashionister of the Week: Cole

10/12/12

Fashionister of the Week: Cole

Little boys love discovering their world. I found this handsome explorer on safari at the zoo recently; his mix-and-match outfit totally caught my eye. Six-year-old Cole looked quite dapper in his madras plaid shirt, layered over a bright red T-shirt, and topped with stripped vest — all from Monsoon. Add them to these acid wash jeans and you've got a great look. Mom Laura says she loves Monsoon's quality, plus, they carry interesting fashion for boys. Look for them at The Shops of Saddle Creek in Germantown. Cole enjoys being active, whether its climbing onto hippos or hitting home runs in baseball. But he is also a reader and likes to play video games as well as hang out with his older brother. Life is good for this little explorer. Do you have...

Posted at 09:53 AM | Permalink | Comments

Special Anniversary Screening of The Sandlot at AutoZone Park

10/11/12

Special Anniversary Screening of The Sandlot at AutoZone Park

Do you remember the movie, The Sandlot? It's about a group of kids who gather for a summer-long game of sandlot baseball. This month, filmmakers are celebrating its 20th anniversary with a special screening at AutoZone Park. The film's screenwriter and director, David Mickey Evans, will be on-hand after the screening for a Q and A session.   When I got wind of this, I quickly texted my teenaged son to share the news. When he was around 10 or so, my kid was thoroughly caught up in the magic of this tale. We would watch it together from time to time and never fail to laugh at the boys and their antics, particularly the scene where they get chased through the neighborhood by the crazy dog. It seemed to touch on the many challenges of childhood: fitting in,...

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Let's Go: Climb the Wall at Bridges

10/10/12

Let's Go: Climb the Wall at Bridges

If you've toyed with the idea of climbing a rock wall but haven't quite summoned the courage, now's your chance. On Friday, October 19th, ClimBRIDGES opens their climbing gym to kids of all ages. Located at 477 North Fifth Street, the BRIDGES facility is open climbing nights from 6 to 9 p.m. Additional dates are Friday, November 2nd and 30th; and December 14; $15/adults, $10/children. While scaling a 30-foot wall might sound scary, it's actually a lot of fun, not to mention a good workout. Rock climbing tests your strength and endurance as you scramble up to the top of the gym. The climbing wall is a popular destination for families. Kids as young as 7 can become proficient climbers. We wrote about our experience here. The wall sports nine different...

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Read This: Daddy Calls Me Doodlebug

10/09/12

Read This: Daddy Calls Me Doodlebug

There seem to be plenty of “Mommy and me” board books out there for young readers, but relatively fewer “Daddy and me” books. So as a father, I was pleased to find Daddy Calls Me Doodlebug by J. D. Lester, illustrated by Hiroe Nakata (Robin Corey Books). Lester’s previous book was Mommy Calls Me Monkeypants, so this is the companion book for dads. These make popular baby shower gifts, and I can see why; the bright illustrations and cadence of the rhymes will interest younger children just as much as the details will interest older ones. The book opens as a father plays with his child, balancing it on his knee and doing “airplane.” I say “it” because the illustrator has cunningly made Daddy’s child a generic...

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Fashionista of the Week: Morgan

10/06/12

Fashionista of the Week: Morgan

Fashionistas are always stylish. But they also exude a certain sparkle that makes them stand out from the crowd. I saw that sparkle in Morgan, a fashionable 4-year-old I had the pleasure of meeting one day last week at the zoo. She loves the outdoors and was eager to see the animals. But she graciously struck a pose before dashing off. She was suitably dressed for her afternoon outing, with a ruffled denim shirt and bright red jeans from The Children's Place, accented with leopard print accessories. Don't you love her pig tails? She was most proud of her purse, brimming with pockets for carrying treasures. Morgan recently became a big sister. In fact, she was so excited when she heard the news she immediately began calling her brother Jason. "But we convinced...

Posted at 09:34 AM | Permalink | Comments

The Bodine School Celebrates Its 40th Anniversary

10/04/12

The Bodine School Celebrates Its 40th Anniversary

It was a day of celebration for faculty, families, students, and friends who gathered to commemorate The Bodine School's 40th anniversary. Under a bright blue sky, a 200-plus crowd spilled out from under a white tent as they applauded the visionary work of Bodine's founders, Richard and Virginia Bodine, who started the school in memory of their only son, Rick.   Bodine's student ambassadors greeted visitors. Some, like eighth-grader Rachel Robertson & fourth-grader Magen Sauer, served cake.   The celebration ushers in a new era at the school, one that Head of School Josh Clark anticiaptes will "shine a light" on teaching those with learning disabilities. When Bodine first opened its doors in 1972, there was no other school...

Posted at 10:23 AM | Permalink | Comments

Read This: Little Red Riding Hood

10/02/12

Read This: Little Red Riding Hood

Whether it’s fairy tales, or “Mother Goose” nursery rhymes, preschool is a great time to read the classics with your children. Some of the darker tales can be a bit Grimm (yes, I had to go there), so it’s nice to find a version that retains the storyline but with a new spin. With this book, it is the illustrations that hold appeal. Little Red Riding Hood, as retold by Harriet Ziefert with illustrations by Emily Bolam (Puffin Easy-to-Read), was chosen from the library shelves by my daughter for its colorful front cover and amusing artwork, especially the illustrations of her favorite villain, the Big, Bad Wolf. I recommend this title because, in my years of reading children’s books, I’ve been perplexed by the way many traditional stories...

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Germantown's New Bobby Lanier Farm Park Offers Family Fun in October

10/01/12

Germantown's New Bobby Lanier Farm Park Offers Family Fun in October

From meeting farmers and taking garden tours to exploring storybooks, the newly opened Bobby Lanier Farm Park in Germantown offers a wide variety of activities guaranteed to engage everyone in your family. FUN FOR AGES 3 TO 5 If you've got preschoolers, check out Discovery Fridays (through October 26th), at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. You'll meet the farmer, visit farm animals, and take part in drop-in discovery activities that foster learning. There is also Saturday Storybook Walks through October 27th. This self-guided program combines a children’s story with a walk on a designated route around the Farm Park. Staff will be on-hand to provide trail maps and instructions. FUN FOR AGES 6 TO 12 Looking for an after-school activity for your 6- to 12-year-olds?...

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Hey St. Jude Sends Upbeat Message

09/27/12

Hey St. Jude Sends Upbeat Message

Have you seen the latest St. Jude video? It's a recording of the Beatle's tune, "Hey Jude," sung by its children and a host of A-list celebrities. It's just another way St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is trying to raise awareness about the work they do treating childhood cancer — this time via Twitter at #heystjude. Everyone gets into the act, from kids, their parents, and staff, to stars like Betty White, Michael Jordan, Keith Urban, Jennifer Anniston, Robin Williams, and more. Marlo Thomas tells how her brother was the driving force behind the new campaign at Huffington Post. St. Jude: A home-grown hospital on a world mission — right here in Memphis.

Posted at 07:33 AM | Permalink | Comments

Teens From Stax Music Academy To Sing in Berlin, Germany

09/25/12

Teens From Stax Music Academy To Sing in Berlin, Germany

Talented teens from the Stax Music Academy will show off homegrown R & B  next weekend in Berlin, Germany. Standout students will provide live entertainment for the opening reception of “Memphis Exhibition Berlin” at Gibson Guitar Showroom in Berlin on September 28th. Organized by Berliners Clemens Gubernath and Jacqueline Mende, the exhibit showcases Memphis music with film clips, photos, clothing, as well as other memorabilia that traces the history of Beale Street and the Sun and Stax Records labels. It’s an exciting opportunity for the nine musicians, who were selected by their teachers for the honor. The group includes Brandon Chornes, drums, Tia Henderson, vocalist; Justin Hicks, vocalist; Alan Maguire, bass; Carl Maguire, drums; Tangela Matthis,...

Posted at 09:04 AM | Permalink | Comments