may/june 2012

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May | June 2012

SPRING intothe Lazy Daysof SUMMER

Why choose Primrose®? Just ask a mom.

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“My children are learning things I never imagined

they could learn at this point in their lives. My

preschooler can write his name and recite his

alphabet and numbers. I also have a 15-month

old who is learning his shapes and colors. It’s

just amazing how much Primrose is teaching

my children.” — Jude & Ethan’s Mom, Primrose Parent

The Right Foundation to Build Active Minds, Healthy Bodies, and Happy Hearts®

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Primrose School at Bridgewater 317.848.0123

Primrose School of Carmel 317.848.8771

Primrose School of Gray Eagle 317.577.9480

Primrose School of Noblesville 317.773.4900

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Primrose School at WestClay 317.873.0123

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4 HAMILTON COUNTY FAMILY | May/June 2012 www.hamiltoncountyfamily.com

ContentsMAY/JUNE 2012

Meet the StaffPUBLISHERMary Wynne Cox [email protected]

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTAssociate PublisherAdvertising SalesJennica [email protected]

ARTGraphic Designer | ArtistKrista [email protected]

SUPPORTAdvertising CoordinatorKaren [email protected]

Business Manager | AccountingRoxanne [email protected]

Public Relations and EventsWendy [email protected]

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSCarrie BishopDanielle MyersHannah HilliardJenn KampmeierKaren RingMary Susan BuhnerMindy IrishNicki TurnerSusan Bryant

PHOTOGRAPHERSHannah Hilliard

Contact Us:Hamilton County FamilyPO Box 40206Indianapolis, IN 46240(317) 417-3031 or (317) 710-6622

6 | GreetingsCelebrate, It's SUMMER!

8 | On the RadarMark your calendars for the 3rd Annual Ladies

Evening Out, plus a bevy of local farmers markets

10 | Real Moms: The SuperAllison Melangton

The president and CEO of the Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee shares her secrets on staying sane

12 | Center Stage: Catching AirHow one young lady is taking on Cystic Fibrosis

one leap at a time

14 | Preventing Summer"Brain Drain"

Ways to keep your child active and learning all summer

16 | Mommy MagicThe Mom Oath. You are awesome

19 | Fill Your BucketA recipe for success, you're worth it!

20 | The Last SummerPreparing your child (and yourself) for college

22 | Birthday PartiesBirthday party ideas your kids will jump for

26 |The NestA how-to on creating a patio fit for paradise

28 | Memory LanePreserve precious memories to get you

and your family through graduation

30 | In Our OpinionWhat does your perfect mother's day look like?

32 | Strollers & StilettosI sleep, you sleep, where do we sleep?

33 | To Do With Your CrewMark your calendars & get ready for fun family activities

12

Scan this QR code and instantly access Hamilton County Fam-ily from your smart phone or tablet de-vice!

Hamilton County Family Magazine is pub-lished bi-monthly. Copyright 2012. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.

On The CoverThe Snyder Family, Westfield IN[ ]

14

16

28

26


Mommy Magic, Mary Susan Buhner, shares her feelings on Mother’s Day. Karen

Ring brings us the heart warming story of Ava Peterson and her Catching Air inita-

tive aimed at taking on Cystic Fibrosis one leap at a time. We also have a feature

on Preventing Brain Drain from one of our new writers, Susan Bryant. Check out

some of the ideas to keep things in balance this summer.

I am excited because our summer promises to be delightful – filled with gradua-

tions, weddings, and some good down time. My goal is to enjoy the time away

from the routines and keep the calendar fairly flexible. I want to relive the memory

of the LONG summer of childhood that seemed to be everlasting. Make your sum-

mer an enjoyable and safe one, spent with friends and family!

And from one parent to another, Happy Mother’s Day and Father's Day!

Enjoy YOUR day!

As the end of another school year ap-

proaches, I am sure that many of you

share my thoughts. It is always with

mixed emotions that the last day of

school arrives. I am so excited for my

kids and for the summer that awaits us;

however, there is always a twinge of sad-

ness. Yes, the happiest day of my kids’

life is always a day that tugs at my heart!

Another year, another milestone, another

day closer to the day they “move on” and

need me less.

In this issue, we feature some great

articles. Allison Melangton, president and

CEO of the Indianapolis Super Bowl Host

Committee, is our Real Mom. Plus in

GreetingsMAY/JUNE 2012

Jennica ZalewskiAssociate Publisher

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On The RadarMAY/JUNE 2012

Local Farmer’s Markets

Ladies Evening Out!

Traders Point Creamery:Friday nights from 4:00-8:00 PM starting the first Friday in May through the last Friday in October. www.tpforganics.com

Carmel:The Market is held on the Center Green and is open every Saturday from the third Saturday of May through the last Saturday of October from 8 AM to 11:30 AM. carmelfarmersmarket.com

Fishers:Located on the grounds of the Fishers Train Station, the Market is held Saturday mornings May 26 through September 29 from 8:00 AM to noon. www.fisherschamber.com/chamber/Farmers_Market.aspx

Noblesville:Held in the Riverview Overflow Parking Lot, the 2012 market will run every Saturday from the May 19th to October 13th from 8:00 AM until 12:30 PM. www.noblesvillemainstreet.org

Westfield:Located on North Union Street one block north of Main Street. Friday nights beginning June 1st through August 31st from 4:40 PM - 7:30 PM. www.dwna.org/site/events/farmers-market

The 3rd Annual Ladies Evening Out event will take place on May 10 from 5:30-8:00pm at The Ritz Charles located in Carmel, IN. Enjoy shopping, pampering, scrumptious appetizers and signa-ture drinks. The first 50 ladies will receive a fabulous swag bag! Complimentary event with door donations to benefit March Of Dimes.

For additional Information, Facebook:LadiesEveningOut or www.ladieseveningout.com[ ]

Mark Your Calendar Get Involved Other

May 105:30-8pm

Ritz Charles

Christian Youth Theater (CYT) teaches more than just acting, singing, and dancing. CYT believes teaching students how to act on-stage is only a part of the job. Teaching them how to act in life is the more important goal. Bringing Art to Life is one way it’s more than “just theater.” For each stage production Bringing Art to Life combines a local organization and students with a unified mission to serve. CYT believes “students who engage in continued service will serve for a lifetime and will learn, ‘life is not about me.’”

Outreach, Inc. and CYT’s Aladdin, Jr. will be the 6th partnership in 2 years. Outreach, Inc.’s mission is to “Equip and empower homeless teens and young adults to achieve stability and independence.” The well-known tale of “Aladdin” begins with the homeless teen on the streets. Outreach, Inc.’s founder/CEO, Eric Howard is helping develop the partnership.

Outreach, Inc. and CYT will partner to host a benefit performance to spread awareness. The benefit will be held at the Creekside Middle School Auditorium the first weekend in June, where supporters can leave letters of encouragement for Outreach, Inc. graduates/GED recipients. To learn more about the letter campaign visit Outreach, Inc.’s webpage www.outreachindiana.org.

Teaching voice, drama, dance, and tech theater classes for students ages 4-18, CYT embraces students of all faiths and abilities. CYT Indy is a 501 c3 non-profit and is an affiliate of the San Diego, CA based CYT.

Want to learn more about CYT’s classes, productions, and camps? Visit www.cytindy.org.Aladdin, Jr. will run June 7-10 at Creekside Middle School, Carmel.

Indy's Child parenting magazine is excited to announce that they will be partnering with March of Dimes on their very successful March for Babies event May 12 at the White River State Park Celebration Plaza. They will be holding the first annual Indy's Child Family Fair immediately following the walk. The Family Fair will have several areas with many different booths as well as entertainment stages, a fun zone, lots of food, free samples, and much more! It will take place on the large green grass area next to the White River (adjacent to the NCAA Museum). It is Mother's Day week-end, and they look forward to making this an annual Mother's Day weekend event in Central Indiana.

For more information visit: www.marchforbabies.org/team/indyschildmagazine

Family Fair @Walk for Babies

[ ]

Christian Youth Theater: Selfless Teen Performers

[ ]

SaturdayMay 12White RiverState Park


Allison Melangton may well be the hostess with the mostest. With one hand this Hamilton County mom can entertain hundreds of thousands of people while the other hand sprinkles excitement and hope throughout an entire community. As president and CEO of the Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee, Melangton has put Indianapolis on the map as one of the country’s best bets for large-scale events thanks to her team’s Super Bowl XLVI efforts.

As anyone who’s planned an event can at-test, it’s no small task. Even birthday parties take a good deal of effort and they typically involve only a handful of worker bees. Me-langton’s party on the other hand involved 40 host committee staffers, 60 associated lead-ership committees with 150 co-chairs, some 8,400 event-week volunteers, and numerous community partnerships. Try managing all that. Melangton did, and with a smile no less.

Real Moms

What’s her secret? If you ask her, it comes down to a supportive family and a tight circle of friends.

The Family Bond“I think to be able to survive the job that I’ve had and do it successfully, you have to have an incredibly supportive family, that includes your husband and children. That’s why it worked for us,” she said. She’s not kidding. From her first day on the job to the last it was full-court press with ten to 14 hour workdays seven days a week.

Melangton has been involved in Indianapolis sports growth for the last 25 years and knew the Super Bowl would be a very special opportunity for the community. Yet, before accepting the job offer she sat down with her husband and son. “We had a long discussion about the time commitment it would require to do this job successfully. We talked about it

The Super AllisonMelangton

very openly and honestly and decided that it was still a good decision to do it,” she said.

Her family understood and accepted they would have to take on more tasks around the house while she tackled this high-profile role. In her son Cameron’s estimation, it all worked out. “I didn’t have to step it up a whole lot. I had to stay on my grades because she wasn’t at the house all the time,” he said. The Carmel High School senior did and is now looking forward to attending Ball State University this fall.

While Melangton needed her two men to keep family details rolling along, she was no less devoted to her family. She was even able to make it to all of Cameron’s senior year soccer matches.

“One thing that’s very helpful in this day and age is the ability to be mobile with all the technology now. Cameron played a lot of

by: Carrie Bishop, mom of 3

“


The Super AllisonMelangton

soccer the last four years. I went to all his games and worked on my Blackberry or tablet,” she said.

Twenty years ago she knows this would not have been possible. Instead she would have been tied to her desk. “That is a huge advantage in being a mom these days and trying to work full time,” she said.

So like many working moms, she often went double duty, bringing her work to the soccer field. There she could read contracts, return emails on the Blackberry, and the like. “I spent a lot of time making to-do lists. I could sit out there and get away from the phone and computer and think about what I needed to accomplish,” she said.

On the flip side, Melangton sometimes brought home to work. For instance, when TODAY needed someone on hand during Super Bowl week who knew downtown Indianapolis well and had good connections to get ques-tions answered, Cameron fit the bill. She says it was a volunteer position but the teen was still up working each day at 4 a.m. “It was more torture than going to school,” she joked.

He says his work with TODAY was an experience he was thankful to have. “I learned a lot, like just how stuff comes together. At school we just sit there and learn about it, and I learned how it comes together, how ev-eryone has a piece they have to do,” he said. It sounds like it may have been the best field trip on record.

Staying SaneMelangton makes it all seem effortless, yet the flood of details she waded through must have been enormous. What kept her head above water she says was connect-ing every day with her husband and son. She found it important to take thirty minutes to an hour to reconnect with them. “As long as I could do that, then it was fine,” she said. They also came down and helped her a lot on weekends and of course during the event.

Melangton says close girlfriends and friends at church also helped keep her life sane during Super Bowl mad-ness. “The last year or so I wasn’t able to spend as much time with them as I wanted, but they took good care of me,” she said.

Some friends would often text her encouraging scrip-tures that she calls love notes. “They all pitched in for anything I or my family needed,” she said.

A Big WinWith the Super Bowl XLVI in her rearview mirror, she’s gained a gratitude for liv-ing in the state of Indiana. “We had so many people help us do so many things. There’s probably 20,000 people involved that made it happen. That’s a remarkable effort from across the state,” she said. She points to the Super Bowl Host Com-mittee’s Legacy Project, knit scarfs for volunteers and tree planting effort as all things outside the scope of traditional Super Bowl requirements. “What a remark-able state we have. I couldn’t be happier to live here,” she said.

For those who wonder how you can host the Super Bowl and still be a super mom, just ask her son. “I wouldn’t have any other mom. She’s a great mom. She never gets mad. She’s just really relaxed. She’s really understanding of every-thing...She’s the perfect mom I guess.”

Now that is the biggest win of all.

She never gets mad. She's really understanding of every-thing... She's the prefect mom I guess.

“ “

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Catching Air

When Ava Peterson soars gracefully through the air, her long, lean dancer’s legs extended in a gravity-defying split leap, it is truly a sight to be seen. Ava began the dance training that fostered her leaping ability when she was just 3 ½. Now in her 6th grade year at Noblesville Intermediate School, Ava is putting her leaping skills to work through her Facebook page, Catching Air, created to raise awareness and funding in the fight against Cystic Fibrosis (CF). CF is a chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive systems of roughly 30,000 people in the US, including Ava’s long-time friend, Fritz Mills, a student at Noblesville Middle School.

The fact that Ava is alive, much less leaping, is nothing short of a miracle according to Ava’s mom, Kirsten. As Kirsten explains, “When I had my 20 week ultrasound I learned Ava had a heart defect.” When

Ava was born several other abnormalities were detected: a missing kidney, malformed vertebrae, an inability to swallow properly, a malformed right hand…. But none of these issues would pose nearly the threat Ava faced when, at seven weeks of age, she contracted RSV. With her breathing compromised, Ava was admitted to the hospital to be put on a breathing machine so her body could fight the virus. During this hospital visit Kirsten faced every parent’s nightmare – the fear of losing her child. As Kirsten recalls, “She coded (lost heartbeat and respiration) twice. Once for a few minutes then ultimately for more than 45 minutes – a day I will never forget because as the minutes wore on I knew it was less likely to have a positive outcome.” Miracu-lously, Ava made a full recovery.

But her medical battles didn’t end there. Over the course of the next six years, Ava underwent two open-heart surgeries, hand surgery, the insertion of a feeding tube, and corrective spine surgery. She was eventu-ally able to have her feeding tube removed, but then, at age seven, her doctors deter-mined that Ava’s spine waspassing an acceptabledegree of curve and hey needed to lock sixvertebrae down with arod in order to preventdamage to her lungs.

Not even a rod in herspine could stop Ava fromdancing. “Dancing is simplyin Ava’s blood,” Kirstenstates. In fact, it wasAva’s love of dance

that led to the creation of Catching Air. Kirsten and Ava were at Grand Central Sta-tion during a trip to New York City when the need to dance struck. Kirsten captured a picture of Ava leaping through the bustling terminal and it created a buzz on Face-book. Next came a leap at Potter’s Bridge in Noblesville – Ava’s favorite leap to date – in which she used the bridge’s railing as a launch pad to take her leap to new heights. As Ava recalls, “We were having so much fun with the leaps, our minds started think-ing of ways we could harness the interest of our friends and do something good.” Immediately Fritz came to mind.

Friends for seven years now, Ava and Fritz first met after Fritz’s mom, Jane, was re-ferred to Kirsten for advice on feeding tubes and a beautiful friendship blossomed from there. Over the years, Ava has watched Fritz endure hours of daily therapy and swallow as many as 60 pills a day to help manage his CF. Ava says, “Knowing what Fritz’s treatments involve every day is really humbling.” Despite his grueling regimine, Ava describes Fritz as, “a humorous, very humorous, extremely humorous friend who is unpredictable, wild, but will always lend a helping hand. I have never seen him without a smile on his face!”

With Fritz as their motivation, Ava and Kirst-en hatched a plan to offer publicity to local businesses by having Kirsten take a photo of Ava leaping in front of the business. The picture, along with a brief description and link to the company’s website, is then be posted to a community Facebook page.

by: Karen Ring, mom of 2

Center Stage

Ava Peterson & her friend Fritz

Taking on Cystic FibrosisOne Le ap at a Time


The only thing they ask for in return is a donation that goes directly to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. They had the idea, but they needed a name. It was Jane who came up with Catching Air. She explains, “What Ava is doing takes a great deal of athletic ability and Ava is a free-spirited kid. It reminds me of the kind of will and ability that extreme sport athletes have. They catch air when they ride – big air – just like she is catching when she leaps. Using that ability to raise money to fund research that will ‘catch air’ for kids with cystic fibrosis just made sense.” And how does Fritz feel about Ava’s efforts? “It makes me happy that people care about me. She is a friend who has been in pain so she knows what it is like. She is now helping a friend in pain," he says.

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Since Catching Air’s debut in January, Ava has raised more than $1,500. Her short-term goal is to raise $2,500 before the Cystic Fibrosis Foun-dation’s annual Great Strides Walk, which will take place in Noblesville on May 19th, but she intends to continue Catching Air as a long-term fundraising effort.

When asked what leap she looks forward to the most, Ava simply replies, “I can’t wait to leap for joy when they find the cure for Cystic Fibrosis because it is in our near future!”

You can follow Catching Air at www.facebook.com/CatchingAir. If you are interested in sponsoring a leap (individual as well as business sponsors are welcome), email Ava at [email protected]. To learn more about Cystic Fibrosis and the upcoming Great Strides Walk, visit www.cff.org/great_strides/cffactsheet/ and look for Fritz’s team: Fritz’s Fantastic Friends.


learning these skills more fun. Being allowed on the computer is enough for many kids to want to practice school work and savvy par-ents might even use time on academic web sites, such as ixl.com and BookAdventure.com, as a reward for good behavior.

Some kids may require an even more struc-tured approach to learning over the summer and benefit from one of the many tutoring centers located in Hamilton County.

It’s all in the packagingIf anything resembling a workbook will be a tough sell in your house, think of wrapping “education” in a more attractive package. We’re fortunate in our area to have a wide array of camps, classes and programs to stimulate a child’s curiosity in boundless ways. Trying new activities is a summer high-light for many children. Faidley says, “Last year was the first year my son was in 4-H and that was an amazing opportunity for him to learn and grow in so many ways.”

Preventing Summer“Brain Drain”

Learning to learn and learning what you love to do are worthy pursuits.

No more teachers,no more books

After a long school year, kids can hardly wait for a well-deserved break from months of homework, tests and projects (parents, too). Summer vacation shouldn’t be a complete academic hiatus, however. Research shows that unless students continue to practice math and reading skills over summer break, competency in these areas can easily slide and require reteaching in the fall. How can parents sneak in some summer education without kids declaring academic mutiny? Teachers and parents around Hamilton County share their perspectives on helping kids enjoy the “lazy days of summer” while still exercising some mental muscle.

Use it or lose itA little practice is all it takes to help kids retain what they’ve learned during the school year. Heidi Greer, first grade teacher at HSE’s Sand Creek Elementary, says, “While sum-mer is for fun, a lot of regression can hap-pen if skills don’t continue to be practiced and revisited. A short 30 minutes a day can go a long way.” Lisa Fischer, Rocket Read-ing teacher at the same school, says she can generally tell which kids have not been reading over summer break. “Those students

“ “

by: Susan Bryant, mom of 2

often will fall back in their reading level,” re-ports Fischer. Greer recommends parents try the popular Summer Bridge Activities books to keep skills sharp.

Beth Faidley, Fishers mom of three, has found the Summer Skills books by Tri-C Publications to be especially helpful. “These books were recommended by the school. I encourage my kids to do a lesson or two at a time. When the summer is over and they’ve completed the books, they get to purchase a special reward. This incentive works well to keep them on task.”

Workbooks are a summer staple for Holly Ives, mother of two in Fishers, as well. She adds, “My kids complete a page or two a day from the Summer Bridge books, which they enjoy, but probably the most important thing I do is just limit the amount of ‘screen time’ they have over summer. When TV is not an option, they tend to gravitate towards read-ing books, playing games and doing crafts. Also, when we take trips or go to museums, we always talk about what we’re seeing and doing, which stimulates conversations about math and science.”

For younger children, turning tasks like math or vocabulary flash cards into a game makes


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With the school schedule out of the way, kids have the time to discover a new interest or dive deeper into an existing one. Bill Kenley, Noblesville High School English teacher, feels the advantage of an academic break is that it allows kids the chance to pursue new passions with like-minded peers. “I hate the idea of taking the joy out of summer, so my suggestion would be to use this time for discovery, novelty and experimentation,” says Kenley. Summer is a great time for a child to find a new activity they love – or find out what they don’t love. “Last year our six year old went to ‘Broadway Camp’ and learned to sing on stage in a group. He wasn’t nuts about it, but now we know that. Learning to learn and learning what you love to do are worthy pursuits.”

Read all about itFor many adults, the thought of a lazy sum-mer day absorbed in a good book is a little slice of heaven. Kids can catch this enthusi-asm, too. The key is finding books or maga-

zines they truly enjoy. Even reluctant readers get lured in to material they find interesting. Parents don’t need to let on that their vo-cabulary, reading comprehension and critical thinking skills are growing in the process.

Fischer offers this advice to encourage young readers, “Keep it light and fun. Be creative. Always be asking questions! A child doesn’t have to know they are practicing. Have a child read to grandparents, a sibling or a friend. Try to make a game out of learning.”

Quantity can be just as important as quality when it comes to reading. Kenley notes, “As an English teacher, I would hope daily reading is a part of everyone’s lives. There is no sub-stitute for quantity when it comes to reading – simply doing a lot of it is the key issue.”

All the public libraries in Westfield, Noblesville, Carmel and Fishers offer summer reading programs that give incentives for children to read. Bookstores like Barnes & Noble also provide rewards to motivate young readers.

A (parental) mind is a terrible thing to waste

As we all know, the greatest teachers children have are their parents. If kids see us enjoying crossword puzzles, doing Sudoku, reading a good book or trying a new activity, they get the message that learning is a lifelong pursuit – and an enjoyable one. Encouraging this philosophy not only helps our kids when they return to school in the fall, but for the rest of their life.

Check out some of these websites for fun educational activites to keep that "brain drain" at bay.

XtraMath.org

ixl.com

BookAdventure.com

Reading.ecb.org

Starfall.com


How Mother’s Day is typically celebrated by moms and how Father’s Day is typically celebrated by dads is as differ-ent as men and women are across the board. Don't get me wrong, I love my husband. We have been together for 22 years and married for over 16 years. Yes, I married my high school and college sweetheart (do I hear an awww?). Howev-er, depending on how you look at it, the benefit (or detriment) of being together for so long is that you lose the ability to always be polite in everyday circumstances. Can you relate?

Celebrating Mother’s Day and Father’s Day is no different. I used to be "polite" about it. I am not anymore. Which makes me contemplate, how did I get to this point? After thinking about it, I decided there were a number of factors that contrib-uted to my Mother’s Day metamorphosis: I have aged; I am no longer a “new mom”, rather “experienced” or “seasoned”; and I now lack the time and energy to be “polite” all the time to my family unit. Recognizing these things, I realized it wasn’t Mother’s Day itself that had changed, it wasn’t my husband

that had changed, it was me. I had changed along the journey of motherhood over the years. I was as surprised as any...

It used to be, on Mother’s Day I delighted in being woken up at the crack of dawn by my three young daughters. They would pile on my bed and smother me with little kisses. Even-tually somebody would start to cry or get their “feelings hurt”, which would prompt us all to swiftly get out of bed and start breakfast as a distraction. Tradition had it back then that my girls (6 and under) would help make breakfast for mommy on Mother’s Day. (That is code for little precious hands making one gigantic mess.) Nonetheless, I didn't mind. I loved it. We would then hurry upstairs to get dressed for church. I barely rinsed off with no time to wash my hair. I would sit in church feeling exhausted. After church we would go on a family walk and maybe plant some flowers together in the front yard. All things I loved doing, but something was starting to shift each May and I could not put my finger on it. I started to feel guilty. There, I said it. I started to daydream about what I really want-ed on Mother’s Day. It required no trip to the mall – no money at all, actually. And yet it was priceless to me. It was TIME...time by myself on Mother’s Day. That felt so weird to me that, in fact, for years I ignored what I would daydream about – sleeping in on Mother’s Day (alone in my bed after 6AM), not cleaning up after breakfast and, to top off the morning, taking a long hot shower (by myself) where I actually had the time to wash AND condition my hair AND shave my legs before going to church.

Then, it happened. I started to notice the man I married and loved and his ability to NOT feel guilty about anything he want-ed on Father’s Day. The difference is he has owned it from day one of being a dad. No guilt and no apologies. Every Father’s Day he gets up and goes for a run, we go to church

MommyMagicby: Mary Susan Buhner, mom of 3

The Mom Oath

I am AWESOME


as a family and he goes to play golf. He is not even that passionate about play-ing golf, but he looks forward to doing it every Father’s Day. We cook out as a family and ta da...he is recharged and happy. Duh!

So with that, I started to take note from my own husband on how to handle this transition. I just owned it. The joke of it is nobody was fazed by it. Totally okay – no big deal. The joke is on me, I guess. So the lesson is, don’t feel guilty for wanting time for yourself this Mother’s Day. Take a walk while your kiddos bicker. Take a shower and enjoy conditioning your hair for three whole minutes! As women and moms, sometimes guilt just comes along with the territory. But, take it from me – once you get past it, it can set you free!

So with that and in the spirit of Mother’s Day I encourage you to take the official “Mom Oath”. Own it, live it and know how amazing and awesome you are on Mother’s Day and every day!

Own it, live it and know how amazing and awesome you are on Mother’s Day and every day!

“ “

Mary Susan Buhner is a Life Coach for Moms and author of

“Mommy Magic: Tricks for Staying Sane in

the Midst of Insanity.” Visit her website at: www.Mommy-Magic.com

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Today I tried my best. Although I feel exhausted and sometimes defeated by the time I have put away the laundry for the 84th time, I vow to celebrate how awesome I am as a mom. No need to focus on the fact that I have not gone to the bathroom alone in years – I am awesome. I believe that staying up until midnight labeling every item of clothing my child owns before she goes to camp will make a difference before they trash their “camp clothes” – I am awesome. I will not feel guilty that my kids have only consumed chick-en nuggets and mac n’ cheese the past two weeks – I am awesome. I be-lieve that starting my Christmas shopping for my kids in July is not crazy, but a necessity in order to get it all done by December – I am awesome. I vow not to get depressed and shake my head when it takes them 1.2 seconds to unwrap all the Christmas gifts I so lovingly wrapped – I am awesome. I will not allow the fact that my college degree is being put to use as a chauffeur (without any tip) to bother me – I am awesome. I promise that sounding like my mother when I discipline my kids doesn’t make me feel like I am losing my mind – I am awesome. I vow to let go of the notion that perfection can be maintained everyday - I am awesome. I will, from this day forward, enjoy the moments of imperfection and NOT feel guilty - I am awesome!

Happy Mother’s Day!

The Mom Oath

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We’ve all been taught to be wary of any get-rich-quick scheme or health and fitness plan promising amazing results. But if I could package a product with four main ingredients and sell it in a bottle with the label of “You’re Worth It!!” would you go for it?

Whether you’re saving for a big purchase, attempting to get out of debt, trying to lose some weight, or simply moving on to a new season in your life, I am giving a 110% guarantee that this product will help you make progress toward your goals.

The ingredients have been added in four varying parts and have been tried and tested in the lab of life. Simply making the purchase and putting it on the shelf won’t do it….you have to use it with intention!

Ingredient Number One: A splash of It’s Ok To Focus On YouWe’re often taught to put others first, but you can’t fill the bucket of other people if there’s nothing in your own bucket initially to pour out! What commonly happens is we get into a pattern and forget to take care of ourselves. We get so outward focused that we lose sight of wanting to work on the one package we’ve each been given.

Making yourself a priority encompasses not only a total well being, but also a willingness to look at how to improve and change. That means focusing on your strengths and weakness-es and making plans on how to be and do better. One of my favorite people, Pastor Paula White, often says, “You can't conquer what you don't confront and you can't confront what you don't identify.” So, what is it you’re wanting to go after and change? And are you willing to keep the focus on you in order to stay the course?

Ingredient Number Two: A big, huge scoop of Keeping The CalmWe need to learn how to get off the fast track, slow it down and just listen. It could be that we’re heading down the wrong path and we haven’t taken time to listen to where we’re supposed to be. What are you listening to? Taking the time to press pause, connect, reflect and possibly redirect is an equal opportunity ingredient with great benefits!

Ingredient Number Three: Two dabs of Creating Healthy HabitsThis is the catalyst that really makes the mixture bubble! We are what we repeatedly do, and if we could look at your last 24 hours, we’d likely get a glimpse of how your next day is going to go as well. The key to a lot of people’s success towards reaching their goals and potential in life is their discipline towards their dedication. We all have the same amount of time in our day, it just boils down to how we each choose to use it. Are you happy with your choices and are they lifting you up or dragging you down?

Ingredient Number Four: A nice, big pinch of Cut Out The ExcusesI will never forget hearing in a Noblesville Weight Watchers meeting the phrase “Excuses are the nails that build a house of failure”. Excuses are such a hurdle to our potential that can quickly become a road block in keeping us from getting to the next step. Can you make a vow to yourself to get real, be honest and keep the E word out of your patterns?

With the season of Mother’s and Father’s Day upon us, this would make a nice gift to yourself! “You’re Worth It!!” isn’t ordered over the phone or the internet, but rather in your daily choices and planning little by little over the course of your lifetime. It works slowly and methodically because anything that’s worth the change doesn’t happen in an instant. It’s a slow payment process towards results that are immense and VERY rewarding!

When you combine these four ingredients and activate them on a daily basis, your doors open, progress is made, and you reach new levels you never thought or imagined you could. Will you begin your purchase today? The sky’s the limit….Live Big!

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Fill your Bucket: “You’re Worth It!”by: Mindy Irish, mom of 4


It’s coming. That day you’ve been antici-pating for eighteen years. Your firstborn will be leaving home to start college.

The Last Summer

As the final months dwindle before your nest becomes a little emptier, the range of emotion you feel as a parent probably changes daily. Some days are filled with wistful reminders that this summer may include your last family vacation, the last evenings all your kids hang out together or even the last time you tell your senior “good night” in their own bedroom. Other days you’re grateful this will be the last time you have to coerce a teenager to be part of a family vacation, thankful to break up less sibling squabbles and relieved to enforce the last curfew. Whatever the situa-tion, a child leaving home is a major life transition for all members of your family. How can you navigate this bittersweet time?

“All my life I dreaded the thought of my kids leav-ing home,” says Kim Candler of Fishers, who has successfully launched three kids off to college. “When our last child left home, my husband found a picture of us when we were first married, with no children yet, and taped it to my computer. He said, ‘We were happy before kids and we’re going to be happy when they’re gone.’ I saw this picture every day and it was an important reminder that we could now focus on each other again.”

Choosing a positive perspective during this process is what Beth Gilstrap, Geist mother of a senior heading for Indiana University in the fall, focuses on as well. “We have times when we’re all out for dinner and realize that pretty soon we will need one less seat. It’s sad, but then we will make a toast to that! It means something good – we’ve attained an important goal and our son is off to start a new adventure soon.”

Grace Layton, marriage and family therapist at Life Solutions in Carmel, agrees that viewing a child’s departure in the right light is critical. “It’s so important to have a positive attitude about the experience. When a child goes off to college, your relationship will change but it won’t end.” She also stresses that your son or daughter see the faith you have in them to succeed in this new phase of life. “Kids identify with what their parents are feeling and will take their cues from them. They need to see that you are confident in their ability to handle what lies ahead.” Parents who manage this transition well also lay the groundwork for younger children to feel good about the experience when it’s their time to leave home.

Although siblings may miss an older brother or sister away at school, life at home without them can have its benefits. As Gilstrap notes, “We spent so much time focusing on the college application process for our son, that my daughter is looking

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forward to some attention being directed now on her.” Sibling dynamics also have a chance to evolve in a new way when one leaves home. Candler says, “Our three kids are very close in age so when they left home, they could visit each other at school. They were no longer each in the next bedroom. It was a new way to relate to one another. They could be appreciated as peers rather than just siblings.”

In the big picture, it helps to remember what college represents. “These are the most ex-citing years of their lives. They’re deciding on a career, possibly meeting a future spouse and living in a new place,” says Candler. “It’s very exciting to see how their life will unfold, who they will be.” This feeling is echoed by Gilstrap. “This is when our son’s life begins. This is his first opportunity to put to test all the things he’s learned, make his own deci-sions and be in charge of his own life. He’s so excited. And we’re so excited for him. He can now embrace this thing called ‘life’ that we have been alluding to for eighteen years.”

Although this time is bittersweet for parents and children, as with most life changes, a positive attitude makes all the difference. “Life is going to start teaching our son les-sons more than his father and I – and that’s okay,” says Gilstrap. “We love the person we’ve been building for eighteen years. We can’t wait to see what he does.”

These are the most exciting years of their lives. They’re deciding on a career, possibly meeting a future spouse and living in a new place...

“ “


Oogles n Googles and Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation have teamed up to offer you incredible birthday parties. Choose from a variety of themes that will razzle and dazzle you and your guests as your child is whisked away into imaginary fun. Our Waterpark parties will have you twisting, turning, and splashing in excitement as you spend an amazing day at the Water-park with friends and family. Also, ask about our after-hours FlowRider® parties, new this year.

Contact Oogles n Googles at 317.228.9177

Carmel Clay Parks

While birthday parties are a great way to bring family and friends together to celebrate your child’s special day, the planning involved can leave even the most orga-nized of parents feeling overwhelmed. Thankfully, help is out there. Whatever your child’s interests – from pirates to pottery, trampolines to tutus – Hamilton County is teeming with venues ready to help make your child’s birthday wishes come true. Below are just a few of the options you have to choose from:

BirthdayParties

The Creative Escape provides a party area, supplies, glazing and firing for a minimum of 8 painters. Painters will enjoy getting creative and painting pottery from a wide variety of animals, figurines, mugs, vases, and boxes on our "Party Wall". A member of our staff will be available to assist with paint instruction and cleanup throughout the party. In addition, the party honoree will receive a Special Birthday Plate to commemorate their special day. Other options include Mosaic Parties for ages 8 and up and Glass Fusing Parties for ages 12 and up.

Visit www.thecreativeescape.comfor more information

The Creative EscapeWith a Gymboree birthday party, you get the use of our entire center with our unique developmentally appropriate PlayScape, fun activities, your choice of one of 14 themes, and an energetic teacher all to yourself. A Gymboree birthday party is guaranteed to be memorable and best of all...we clean up the mess! At Gymboree, birthdays are fun for everyone. We plan an exciting party filled with games, songs, and age-appropirate activities for up to 20 children and their parents.

Visit www.gymboreeclasses.com or call 317.574. 9626

Gymboree

MonartOur parties include a guided drawing lesson (birthday child picks the subject) and all art supplies, with time for treats. Guests take home a completed art piece. Parents and kids who love art love our parties!

Visit www.indydrawingschool.comfor more information

Snapperz offers amazing birthday packages. Choose from activities such as the climbing wall, bungee trampoline, bumper cars, bowling, laser tag, laser frenzy and more. Snapperz will assign a Personal Party Host and provide all the supplies needed to make your child’s party complete. Snapperz puts the fun in birthday parties that your child deserves and the personal touch that you as a parent want!

For more details, please visit: www.snapperzfun.com

SnapperzPretty & Posh Parties is Indy’s professional and mobile party service for girl’s parties! We offer affordable and glamorous parties including dress up, tea and spa parties, as well as custom parties available to suit your budget. And a Pretty & Posh Party wouldn't be complete without our incred-ible extras like make your own sugar scrub sundae. And the best part? We bring everything to you! No stress and no worries!

For more details, please visit: www.prettyandposhparties.com

Pretty & Posh PartiesTake your party to new heights at Sky Zone! Sky Zone offers 3 different Birthday party packages designed to meet your needs. With each package you will get one hour of jump time, a private party room, pizza, cake, fountain drinks, invitations and a t-shirt for the Birthday boy or girl. Plus you will be assigned your own personal party host to minimize the hassle and maximize the fun!

For more information, visit www.skyzonesports.com

Sky Zone


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Snapperz offers amazing birthday packages. Choose from activities such as the climbing wall, bungee trampoline, bumper cars, bowling, laser tag, laser frenzy and more. Snapperz will assign a Personal Party Host and provide all the supplies needed to make your child’s party complete. Snapperz puts the fun in birthday parties that your child deserves and the personal touch that you as a parent want!

For more details, please visit: www.snapperzfun.com

SnapperzPretty & Posh Parties is Indy’s professional and mobile party service for girl’s parties! We offer affordable and glamorous parties including dress up, tea and spa parties, as well as custom parties available to suit your budget. And a Pretty & Posh Party wouldn't be complete without our incred-ible extras like make your own sugar scrub sundae. And the best part? We bring everything to you! No stress and no worries!

For more details, please visit: www.prettyandposhparties.com

Pretty & Posh PartiesTake your party to new heights at Sky Zone! Sky Zone offers 3 different Birthday party packages designed to meet your needs. With each package you will get one hour of jump time, a private party room, pizza, cake, fountain drinks, invitations and a t-shirt for the Birthday boy or girl. Plus you will be assigned your own personal party host to minimize the hassle and maximize the fun!

For more information, visit www.skyzonesports.com

Sky Zone


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TAKE YOURBIRTHDAY PARTYTO THE SKY!

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Whether gathering with friends around a cozy fire to stargaze at night or catching some warm rays during the day, we want to take advantage of these gorgeous Indiana days and nights. Often the warm weather de-lights with the days running into one another, and after a cold harsh winter we are ready to live outside.

We want to feel just as comfortable in our outdoor living spaces as we do in our indoor spaces. Creating a “Patio fit for Paradise” can be a challenge, but there are simple things you can do to create this luxurious atmo-sphere.

Whether you have a concrete patio, wood deck, or screened sunroom, you need to think about the floor plan for the space. Gen-erally these areas are not divided with walls like your interior rooms, so you have to get creative with the arrangement. Think about your space and then create three distinct areas – a dining area, a conversation area, and a lounge area.

The dining area can be as simple as a bistro set or pub table, or it can be as elaborate as a large dining table that might seat a twelve-person dinner party.

The Nest

The conversation area could be composed of lounge chairs or a couple of ottomans for guests to sit and chat.

The lounge area might include sunbathing chairs, a hammock, a modular sectional, or reclining chairs. All should be comfortable with cushions and outdoor pillows that are plush and, more importantly, weatherproof. Sunbrella Fabrics are outstanding for outdoor fabric selections – they resist fading from the sun and clean up nicely from spills or stains.

Interior details should not be left out when designing your outdoor living space. Include chandeliers, outdoor lamps on end tables, and floor lamps in corners for ample light-ing. Add a pop of color with weatherproof artwork canvases, which can be placed on easels, hung on exterior walls of the house, or installed onto tree trunks.

An area rug will also help define the floor plan – decide on a bamboo, sisal, or woven rug, all of which clean up fantastically. Accessories and candles will help to create the ambiance of an interior space nicely. Seasonal flowers and greenery in planters placed in key areas will soften the space and help give the space


by: Danielle Myers , ASID,RID, mom of 2

The Nest Creating a PatioFit For Paradise

a “homey” flair. Including the element of water is also essential for the relaxing Zen many of us desire after a long day.

Don’t forget the little ones either; they need their own space to enjoy these sunny days. Give them an area all their own with picnic tables, a space for chalk writing, bubble blowing, and all sorts of pint-sized fun!

Come July you might be asking for some relief from the sun’s rays. There are a variety of options for every budget from freestand-ing umbrellas that can be set in a corner to pergola’s that can have fabric woven over the top to a permanent cabana that can have the option of being open to the outdoors or closed off with curtains or sliding doors.

Creating your paradise can be accomplished no matter what size or type of space you have. Including some of these simple tips in your space will take you away to another place each time you step outdoors.

Now get outdoors. Create your space. Relax and enjoy.


Memory Lane

Preparing for graduation and dealing with all of the deadlines and events that come along with it is enough to send the healthiest person’s blood pressure through the roof. However, there are countless ways to stay relaxed, be prepared and soak in all the excitement and fun that this new chapter will bring. Remem-ber, this is a big change for everyone. Graduates are apprehensive and excited; parents are proud and nervous; and younger siblings can be left feeling lonely and confused. Do everything you can to preserve the past but prepare for the future and upcoming memories.

There are several things that should be on your to-do list this summer. In addition to sending deposits for university housing and buying a dorm room mini refrigera-tor, here are a few things to consider adding to the list: family photos, vacation, family blog and scrapbooking or digital picture sharing. Some of these ideas can be done on your own; others will require a little help from the family. Time is the

last thing that any of us have to spare, but at this stage in life carving out time to be together is essential.

Everyone seems to snarl their lip at the thought of family photos for so many reasons. All your kids can remem-ber is the time five years ago when they all had to wear matching holiday sweaters, and the talk on the way to the photo session was all about how to “act happy” and stand this way with your head tilted that way. This time around, choose a photographer with a lifestyle approach, dress in your favorite outfits and just have fun! Maybe let the kids wrestle a little, jump in the air or shoot some hoops. When the prints are ready, put a big one up somewhere in the house, send one off to college and put up a sibling picture in the kids’ rooms.

For the ultimate in family time, plan a vacation! Sit down as a family and discuss your favorite vacation memories, then break out the old embarrassing vacation photos and videos from years ago and have a good laugh. Use these memories to help plan the perfect summer vacation and create even more memories. After your college student is away from the house it becomes much more difficult to plan around everyone’s schedules. It would be rare for Spring Breaks to coincide, and let’s face it…sometimes college students find alternative things to do on breaks. Don’t bother with putting the past vacation pictures back in the cabinet just yet; you’ll need them again soon when you put together the vacation memories pages in your scrapbook or scan them for your online photo album.

Staying up to date with a scrapbook can seem daunt-ing to some but the internet has made this a seamless and simple process. It’s virtually free to have an online scrapbook, picture-sharing site or blog, and its reach can be as wide as you desire. A blog is a great way to keep family and friends updated on your latest happenings. You can update as often as you wish from anywhere and even share the responsibility with your college student or older children to post updates or recent photos. If you are look-ing to keep the younger siblings involved, scrapbooking is an amazing way to get kids active in preserving memories. Together you can select paper, stickers and photos and

Preserve Precious Memories to Ease Your Family Through Graduation

by: Hannah Hilliard, mom of 2capture the memories


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come up with quotes or little notes to add to the pages. It is so much fun to reminisce and go through online journals or scrapbooks together.

Often as your college student heads off to this exciting new stage of their life, it is the younger sibling that is left struggling to cope. Fishers resident Rendi Brooks is preparing her younger children for a fun summer before their oldest son heads to Indiana University. “Our youngest son is taking it hard; he’s finally starting to grasp that he will be coming back for visits and not leaving forever,” she said. There are some creative ideas to help ease this transition. You can send off your graduate’s favorite t-shirts and have a t-shirt quilt made as a gift to a younger sibling. This may help when your younger child feels lonely and misses their big brother or sister. There are also inexpensive books available with audio recorders. Your graduate could audio record a short story or message to a younger sibling. Framing a high school jersey is also a nice gift for a sibling to hang in their room.

Yes, sending a child off to college is a big, often scary, step for all involved. Implement-ing ways to preserve precious memories can be a fun, sanity-saving way to help ease the transition.

Stay up to date with a scrapbook


A "perfect Mother's Day"...a day where the day-to-day

rituals are null and void. They don't exist! Going to the

movies with my kids, reading more than a few chapters

of a great book (during the day instead of late at night

when everyone else is in bed and I'm too tired), and I'm

sure what would be my favorite...my husband making

my favorite meal for me. It's the little things that make

the biggest impact.

A perfect Mother's Day would

be sunny and warm (not too warm).

Sleep in and wake to breakfast in

bed... Hike in the woods with my hus-

band and 2 boys, receive some fresh

flowers, go to the gym, get a massage

and have a casual family dinner and

watch a good movie.

My ideal Mother's Day would involve

no domestic duties - cooking, cleaning,

or laundry - and just spending time relax-

ing and playing outside games with my

children and husband..

Angela R. Mom of 2, Carmel

Jennifer, mother of 5, Noblesville

Jessica, mother of 3, Westfield

Danelle, mother of 3, Carmel

Melissa, mother of 2, Fishers

In Our OpinionMAY/JUNE 2012

When asked “Tell us about your perfect Mother’s Day”,

our Mom Panel responds:

My perfect Mother's Day is to sleep in...and wake

up to an empty house. This is what I asked for last

year, so my husband woke up with the kids and

took them out for the day. I had mimosas and read

a book on the deck, went out for lunch and had a

lovely, quiet day all to myself. I adore my children,

but sometimes having a break from them is neces-

sary to recharge the mommy battery

The perfect Mother's Day would include great weather, ev-eryone 'unplugged' and the family having fun together. Mother's Day doesn't have to mean that there is a focus on me, but more of a great day reminding me why I love being a Mother.

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for the chance towin great prizes!

LIKE US!

familyHAMILTON COUNTY

at

www.hamiltoncountyfamily.com


The bedtime routine is probably one the best times of the day for me. It is a time when Zane and I can connect one last time before the day ends. As he has gotten older, this process has become much easier and enjoyable. We start bedtime around 8:00pm and it typically takes about 30 minutes for him to fall asleep. Now, with that being said, he is a very hands-on child in terms of reading books, talking about the day, discussing our schedule for tomorrow and so forth. Once the lights are out, he is asleep for almost 11 hours. However, sometime he does not fall asleep or wake up in his own bed; sometimes he falls asleep and wakes up in my bed. This brings up the dreaded topic of a parent co-sleeping with their child(ren).

I personally never had an opinion on this prior to becoming a single mom. I also never had an opinion on how you should feed your child, discipline and so forth. I figured that they were not my child(ren) and I was not raising, feeding, providing or paying for anything of theirs so what right did I have to say anything about how their parents were raising them. (NOTE: all within positive means of raising a child and not hurting them.)

Then along came Zane… and my sleeping habits have forever changed. I have the best sleeper and cuddle bug ever. However, some of that does come at a price. Due to being an entrepreneur, I do not sleep many hours. I typically sleep between 4-5 hours a night and I do love those hours! Sometimes those hours may be inter-rupted with the little pitter patter and then a huge jump onto my legs, then my belly, followed by a “Mom, can you cuddle with me?” How can I say no to that? I know that the experts, doctors and people with larger degrees than mine will chime in and say you should place the child back into their bed. My response is… Really? Why? Why should I deny a child the comfort and love that he/she so desires? Maybe it is because I am a single mom and I do not have a male partner that lives with us. Maybe I would think differently if that were the case.

Far too often I read and hear about this topic. It is a topic that many people are pas-sionate about and one that leaves many families torn between what they “should” do and what they want to do. When it comes right down to it, I personally feel that each of us became parents and had children because we wanted to. The unconditional love that children give us is what we should want to embrace ourselves in. I know that the proverbial clock is ticking and the time will come when Zane will no longer relish in our cuddle time, morning hugs or good-bye school kisses. However, until that day happens, I plan to love and enjoy him as much as I can, even if that means being wo-ken up at 3am to remove his foot from the middle of my back. The foundation years of a child’s youth are the ones that we need to embrace the most and enjoy regard-less of your parenting ideals!

Jenn Kampmeier is the single mom to her vibrant son, Zane. She is a serial mompre-neur and resides in Westfield. She can be reached at: [email protected]

Strollers & Stilettos

Jenn Kampmeier, MS. Ed, BS ‘MomPreneur’Mom Since 2005

I Sleep, You Sleep, Where do We Sleep?


To Do With Your CrewMAY/JUNE 2012

May |thurs 10

Plan to attend this event where YOU are the focus. We will host over 80 vendors with various types of products. Drinks and appetizers will be served as well.

Time: 5:30pm - 8pmPrice: FREEWebsite: www.ladieseveningout.comPhone: 317-846-9158Location: Ritz Charles12156 Meridian St. | Carmel, IN 46032

3rd Annual National 'Moms'& Ladies Night Out

May |thurs 17

For Grades K-4. Join us for our annual Race Party. Registration requested.

Time: 10amPrice: FREEWebsite: www.hepl.lib.in.usPhone: 317-579-0304Location: Hamilton East Library (Fishers)Five Municipal Dr. | Fishers, IN 46038

Annual Race Party

May |sat 12

Join March of Dimes and Indy's Child Magazine on Mother's Day weekend as we walk for Stronger, healthier babies! Registration for the walk begins at 9:00am and the walk starts at 10am. Cool down after the walk and enjoy more fun at Indy's Child Family Fair! Enjoy games, giveaways, live music and performances as well as education for mom and babies.

Website: www.marchforbabies.org/ team/indyschildmagazine

Phone: 317-722-8500Location: White River State Park801 W. Washington St. | Indianapolis, IN 46204

March for Babies and Indy'sChild Family Fair

May |sat 19 & sun 20

Featuring 220 artists, select food vendors and live entertainment on the grounds of the Indianapolis Art Center, the BRAF directly benefits Art Center programs. This year the event will provide more options for kids and a more in-depth art experience for all fairgoers.

Time: 5:30pm - 8pmPrice: Adults: $12 ($15 at gate) Child (ages 3-12) $2Website: www.indplsartcenter.orgPhone: 317-255-2464Location: Indianapolis Art Center820 E. 67th St. | Indianapolis, IN 46220

Broad Ripple Art Fair

May |sat 12

Engage the whole family in the excite-ment of the 500 Festival. At 1:00PM, kids ages 3-12 are invited to join us for the Chase 500 Festival Rookie Run. It’s a non-competitive fun run where everyone goes away a winner.

Time: 12pm - 4pmPrice: FREEWebsite: www.500festival.comLocation: Downtown Indy1 Monument Circle, | Indianapolis, IN 46202

Chase 500 Festival Kids’ Day

May |fri 11 - sun 13

The Plant Sale will feature different varieties of plants, herbs, flowers and heirloom tomatoes, sure to make your mom’s garden beautiful this spring.

Time: fri 4pm -7pm | sat/sun 10am - 5pmPrice: FREE admissionWebsite: www.connerprairie.orgPhone: 317-776-6000Location: Conner Prairie13400 Allisonville Rd. | Fishers, IN 46038

Mother’s Day Plant Sale

May |fri 25

Summer camp counselors will also be on hand to help lead activities for the children. A DJ will be on site to provide music. No registration required! For families of all ages (children must have parental supervi-sion).

Time: 6pm - 8pmPrice: FREEWebsite: www.fishers.in.usPhone: 317-595-3458Location: Billericay Park Building 12690 Promise Rd | Fishers, IN 46038

Splash Pad Season Opening

May |mon 28

Join us as we sing and dance to classic sing-a-longs, as well as new tunes performed by Indiana artists.

Time: 10am - 11amPrice: FREEWebsite: www.carmelclayparks.comPhone: 317-848-7275Location: West Park2700 w 116th St. | Carmel, IN 46032

Kids Koncert: Mic the Music Man

May |sat 19 & sun 20

Create a memory sure to last a lifetime when you experience the Civil War for yourself. A battle reenactment will take place each day.

Time: 10am - 5pmPrice: $14/adult | $13/seniors 65+ | $9/youth (ages 2-12) | free for membersWebsite: www.connerprairie.orgPhone: 317-776-6000Location: Conner Prairie13400 Allisonville Rd. | Fishers, IN 46038

Civil War Days


Beaches, sunbathing and fun are the perfect combination for summertime! Our annual Beach Bash is a fun way to enjoy summer. Activities include great music, games and tons of fun in the sun!

Time: 11am - 12pmPrice: FREE | limited to first 200 to arriveWebsite: www.hamiltoncounty.in.govPhone: 317- 770-4400Location: Morse Park and Beach19777 Morse Park Ln | Noblesville, IN 46060

June |fri 01

Stress free camping…it does exist We provide the fun, food, and night-time entertainment. What are you waiting for? Wipe that old dirt off your tent and meet us at West Park.

Time: 4:30pm - 11amPrice: $10 per personWebsite: www.carmelclayparks.comPhone: 317-848-7275Location: West Park2700 w 116th St. | Carmel, IN 46032

Family Campout

June |wed 13Beach Bash

June |fri 22

This year, we will read Draw Me a Star and focus on what happens during the day at Ritchey Woods versus what happens at night. This evening is geared towards families with younger children. Pre-registration is required by 6/15.

Time: 6pm - 8pmPrice: resident $4 | nonresident $6Website: www.fishers.in.usPhone: 317-595-3458Location: Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve 10410 Hague Road | Fishers, IN 46038

Eric Carle Night Hike

June 05 - July 17

Join Fishers Parks & Recreation for seven Tuesday evenings of fun and fellowship as we celebrate the Fishers Summer Concert Series' 10th anniversary! Bring a picnic and lawn chairs or blanket to enjoy family friendly music for all ages.

Time: 7pm - 9pmPrice: FREEWebsite: www.fishers.in.us/ parks/summerconcerts

Location: Fishers Town Hall

1 Municipal Dr | Fishers, IN

Fishers Summer Concert Series

June |thurs 07 - sun 10

In this musical comedy, Aladdin is back as the "street rat" of Agrabah who winds up the unlikely owner of his very own Genie who grants him 3 wishes!

Time: 7pm - 9pmPrice: $11 student/senior | $13 adultWebsite: www.cytindy.orgPhone: 317-407-5452Location: Creekside Middle School 3525 West 126th St. | Carmel, IN 46032

Disney's "Aladdin" the musical

June |sat 23 & sun 24

With over 50,000 attendees from all over the U.S., this free family event hosts art & craft sites, business booths, fireworks, 5K Run/Walk, live music, national UFO Major Disc Dog tournament, children & teen tents, two parades, a street dance, food vendors, free games booths, and so much more.

Price: FREEWebsite: www.fishersfreedomfestival.orgPhone: 317-595-3195Location: Roy G. Holland Memorial ParkOne Park Dr. | Fishers, IN 46038

24th Annual FishersFreedom Festival

June |mon 25

Join us as we sing and dance to classic sing-a-longs, as well as new tunes performed by Indiana artists.

Time: 10am - 11amPrice: FREEWebsite: www.carmelclayparks.comPhone: 317-848-7275Location: West Park2700 w 116th St. | Carmel, IN 46032

Kids Koncert: Ruditoonz

June |sat 16

Enjoy a day outside creating a master-piece and working together to create a bat box. You can also explore the many trails at Ritchey Woods at your leisure. Most appropriate for children ages 6 and up. Pre-registration is required by 6/1.

Time: 2pm - 3:30pmPrice: resident $20 | nonresident $30Website: www.fishers.in.usPhone: 317-595-3458Location: Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve 10410 Hague Road | Fishers, IN 46038

Dad and Lad Bat Boxes

June |sat 16

This summer brings the 31st year of Marsh Symphony on the Prairie! Your ticket gives you admission to world class music, and we allow you to bring all your own chairs, blankets, food, and drink making this the BEST value for outdoor entertainment in Central Indiana.

Time: 8pmPrice: see website for ticket pricesWebsite: www.indianapolissymphony.orgLocation: Conner Prairie13400 Allisonville Road | Fishers, IN 46038

Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue

June |sat 09 - sun 10

Puppet shows, participatory plays, take-home crafts and even a few surprises are in store for visitors during the grand re-opening weekend celebration!

Time: 10am - 5pm

Prairietown Grand Re-Opening

Price: Included with museum admissionWebsite: www.connerprairie.orgPhone: 317-776-6000Location: Conner Prairie13400 Allisonville Rd. | Fishers, IN 46038

For questions and facility tours

contact SHEILA

317.769.4335

new building Open September 2012

baca-ZLocated on 3 acres

in the beautiful

Anson Development

Large Motor Room • Spacious Playground

Media Room • Shower • Life Skills Area

Serving children and young adults ages 2-20

PhD and Master level Consultants

overseeing state-of-the-art ABA programs

5801 South 650 East

Whitestown, IN 46075

Currently located in lower level of Eagle Church

www.thebaca.com

BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS CENTER FOR AUTISM

B A C A

©2012 IU Health 03/12 HY03112_49208” x 10.5” Full PageBuilt at size (100%)

©2012 IU Health 03/12 HY03112_4920

Our downtown Indianapolis location provides highly skilled physicians and the peace of mind that comes from our unsurpassed care. Riley at IU Health North Hospital in Carmel offers a depth of expertise in 23 different specialty areas.

Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health offers nationally ranked pediatric care at two convenient locations—Indianapolis and Carmel.

2011 U.S.News & World Report rankings

Find your strength at iuhealth.org/riley

INDIANAPOLIS | CARMEL

Two locations. One primary focus: your child.

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