Summer is in full swing and it's starting to heat up. Use the Business Directory and Events Calendar to keep you cool and the kids on the move.
Don't forget about FREE kids movies at the Boardwalk & Bossier Corners 9, $1 Movies @ TinselTown, Movies + Moonbeams Outdoor Movie Screenings, Kids Screenings @ The Robinson Film Center, Programs at Walter B. Jacobs Nature Center, Jubilee Zoo, to name a few affordable "must dos".
Here's some quick links to area resources:
Summer Fun Ideas... |
Bargain Fun + Parent Tips
Family Favorites |
REGISTER FOR eNEWSLETTERS to receive Summer fun ideas in your Inbox from SBfamilies.com.
---The SBfamilies.com Team
Parents, it's time to sign your kids up for Basketball!
YMCA Basketball:
Y basketball season begins January 9 and runs through March 6th. Boys & girls 3 to 14 years old. Registration ends November 20th. Price: $38-$89, depends on age and YMCA membership). Register at the Broadmoor YMCA or Downtown YMCA OR online at www.ymcanwla.org. Got questions? Broadmoor staff has answers 674-9635
SPAR Basketball:
The season is scheduled to begin on January 11, 2010.
SPAR will offer age divisions from 6-18 yrs. old (based on the child's age as of December 31, 2009). Registration information is available online at www.myspar.org (Click on "Athletics") or at the SPAR Athletics Office - call 318.673.7748, 318.673.7749 or 318.213.0433.
BPAR Basketball:
BPAR season begins January 9, 2010. Registration ends November 14th, 2009 and December 8th for 13-14 year olds. Visit Bossier Parks and Recreations website for more details and to download the registration form and Schedules.
Here is a list of where Parents and kids can get flu shots in coming weeks. Shots are also available through private physicians. (www.shreveporttimes.com):
YOUTH SPORTS REGISTRATIONS:
YMCA Spring Soccer
now through Jan. 23
BPAR Spring Soccer
now through March 17
SPAR 2009 Youth T-Ball, Machine Pitch,
Baseball & Softball
Coaches Meeting - Feb. 17
Entry Deadline - March 20
Season Begins - April 6
Little League Shreveport
Spring Baseball/Softball Registration
now through Feb 7
Little League Bossier
Spring Baseball/Softball Registration
now through Feb. 21
Learn more and view a listing of Shreveport-Bossier Youth Sports Teams & Clubs.
Parents were asked to tell us a funny story about how their little one has shown great courage. Here are a few of our favorites...
Molly Ann has always been afraid of going to school and being around large groups. So, this year, by pure goodness, Winnie and the crew came on the day we were getting dressed for school. The episode was about being nice to friends and sharing. She looked straight at me and said, "Mommy, I need to go get lots of friends to share my giggles with" It was the sweetest thing I've ever heard and I use it all the time on days she says she scared or doesn't feel like going to school. "Go share your giggles!"
Carrie
Aw man, my kids are great! They show courage every day just by being children! They are amazing and are not afraid of anything! When my son Hagen started Pre K three in August, I was ready to cry a river, build a boat and take him as far away as I could. When we got to his classroom he remembered where his seat was, walked in set his stuff down, picked up a crayon and began his day... big as Texas he smiled and said love you mom see you later!! And that was it!! They day my son started school and I realized I would be the one looking for courage and strength from my son for years to come!!
Amanda
My grandchild visited Disneyland and volunteered in Tomorrow land to stand up against Darth Maul in a light saber fight. The character was pretty fierce that came out on stage. Bigger kids went running off the stage but not Peyton who is a tiny seven years old and stood her ground.
Linda (Grandmother)
My four year old daughter Brianna shows courage everyday when she wakes up every morning and endures the morning routine that Mom and Dad takes her through in getting ready for school.
LaTravia
Julia is always shows her courage when we go to see her pediatrician :)
Sabrina
He is scared of swimming lessons so he cries to get out the funny part is that he still does what the teacher tells him to do while he is crying and after lessons he tells me how much fun he had. At least he is trying!!
Rhonda
Daxton was afraid of the vacuum cleaner. He screamed in terror every time I rolled it out of the closet. I decided to leave it out in plain view, so he would get used to it. After a while I noticed that every time he passed the vacuum he would give it a kiss. I guess he was making friends with the enemy. He loves the vacuum now.
Michelle
Shilo, my 2 year old daughter, and I were playing in the front yard and she decided to walk on our neighbor's sidewalk. She went about 20 feet away, stopped, and looked back at me, and then waved. She walked a little further, stopped, looked, and waved again. She was pretty far. This was the most distance ever between us. I was so proud of her. This happened a couple more times when all of a sudden, "BOOM", the kids next door popped some fireworks. The noise scarred her and understandably, tears followed. Well it didn't slow her down. Shilo is now 3 and loves to wave at me saying "Bye" as she walks away.
Shannon
In May of this year, my four year old son recently underwent surgery to his neck for rare cysts. After the surgery, the cysts reoccurred. He had to have them drained seven times while he was awake. You would think that he would be afraid to go the doctor, but he demonstrated more courage than I ever could have imagined! On Oct. 22, he will have another surgery to remove another cyst in his neck. When talking about the upcoming surgery, he says, "Mama, I am ready for God to heal me". He is so courageous and fully believes God will heal him. I am so proud of my little boy, John Cason Gray.
Casey
Katie never lacks courage. Most recently during intermission, while at the opera, she boldly walked up to some notable people in Shreveport and began and grown up conversation about the opera they were watching.
Judith
When my daughter was younger and needed a band aid she would try to put a band aid on every one including the dog!
Melissa
We were visiting a church out of state on a mission trip who was giving children opportunities to share songs or scripture they had been learning. My barely 3 yr old had recently memorized a block of 4 verses that she thought she was eager to share with this large group of strangers. When she got up with the microphone, she said it so fast you couldn't understand a word she was saying, but you knew that she did!
Amiee
My daughter's kindergarten experience turned out to be a nightmare in more ways than one. She continued to have residual anxiety throughout the first of the year and became withdrawn and not her usual bubbly and friendly self. She eventually begged us to be home schooled, which we chose to do. We worked hard over the rest of year to build up her self esteem and courage to try school again. We enrolled her in first grade this school year and were moved to tears on her first day when she insisted on going in by herself. "I'm a first grader now, Mom!" she admonished me that day. I am consistently amazed at her daily moments when she chooses to take a leap of faith. She is my brave hero.
D. May
My 2 year old son is an explorer in the shadow of greats like Lewis and Clark, Vespucci, Columbus, and Cortez among others. Like these trailblazers of their era, Owen is driven to conquer new lands regardless of their native inhabitants. On one such expedition, Owen set his sites on a large mound of Earth in the distance which begged his footprint and domination. He charged forward aboard his trustee vessel, known to the uninitiated as a red tricycle. Faster and faster he sped towards the beckoning mountain of dirt. He dismounted his shiny steed and grinned with pride as he planted his foot upon the undisturbed spot. As he gloated, he began to feel the bite of pride as the venom of 28 angry natives pierced his skin. Yes, Louisiana fire ants are an unforgiving bunch. As Owen healed over the next few days, his mind replayed the mistake he had made. Some children might have shown emotional scares for years to come, but not Owen. Merely a few weeks later with great courage, he lured his me close to another colony of ants. With great amazement and focus, he peered on the movement of these mortal enemies. He seemed to silently study their movements as if to learn more of their habits. Like other great explorers before him, Owen knew that the experience gained from such a horrible event would only serve make him stronger and wiser.
Lara
When I took my children to get their flu shots, my son Cameron and his sister Summer were a bit afraid. Right before the nurse was about to give them their flu shots, Cameron said, "Wait" and he said a prayer asking God to give him and his little sister courage to be brave during their shots. Then he held his sister's hand and was a very big boy, no tears! Summer however, cried for just a bit.
Kristy
My daughter has just started preschool this year. This is the first time that she has been away from her momma since she has been born. We got to go to class with her the first day of school to make it a little easier, but the second day they were on their own. All morning long she was telling me that she was going to be a big girl and she wasn't going to cry. I prepared for the worst thinking that she is such a momma's girl she would cry her eyes out and I would not be able to leave. We got to the door she looked up at me with not a single tear she said, "Now Momma don't you be sad because I am a big girl and I will be back real soon as soon as my school is done." She was more worried about me. Oh there were tears shed alright, but only by me as I drove away.
Jana
When my oldest daughter was 4 she was so scared of Santa Claus, we went to the mall and I wanted to get her picture with him. I tried to explain that Santa is good and how he will bring her presents for Christmas. Well when it was our turn she walked up toward Santa she stood about two feet from him and said "excuse me Mr. Santa, I am sorry I can't sit with you, but would you please bring me some presents on Christmas if I just wave to you from here." She was so funny and so brave to even speak to him. So no picture on Santa's lap just one with him in the background.
Jennifer
One time during a hospital stay, Amanda had to be transported to Arkansas Children's Hospital. Her doctor came to see her off and comfort her. While they were loading her in the ambulance, she was patting her doctor on the back telling him that it would be okay, not to cry. It was too cute!
Renee
My little one seems fearless! He experiences new adventures daily with such pride and joy. It's Mom who has had to muster up the courage to let him go.
Jenny
I took my 2 year old daughter to the dentist for the very first time recently. I could tell she was really scared when we first got there. The dentist was so sweet though and talked to her, counted her teeth, etc. My normally chatty girl hadn't said a word the whole time and then all the sudden she proudly announced to the dentist and the hygienist, " I 'bloss' " ( or "floss" for those that can say their "f's.") I was so proud of her for how she relaxed and even felt compelled to inform the doctor about her dental care routine.
Elizabeth
I have a 2 year old very independent young lady whom insists on doing things by herself. One evening she needed her teddy bear which was down the dark hall and in her dark bedroom. Typically she isn't afraid of the dark but this one time she stood at the entrance to our hallway for several minutes talking to herself before finally taking off down the hall. Finally she ran down the hall and into her room yelling "I not scared...I not scared!! Mommy, I not scared!" She came back with her teddy bear and a huge grin....
Celia
My daughter saw a stray little dog walking along a busy street, after we got to my friends house she asked if she could go get the dog down the road and take it home. So I let her and she coaxed the dog to her, it was very scared because of all the cars going by, then she read the dog's collar and we called the owners and they were so happy to get their little dog back.
Theresa
My little one has shown great courage by attempting to put baby powder on. My daughter worked so hard at it that the powder ended up in her hair and covered her entire body. How could I be mad at her sweet innocence? She was just two years old at the time. My courageous daughter.
Angela
Last week we put our fall scarecrows up in the yard. My son, Carson, is three years old and he is a little bit afraid of the scarecrows. Every morning we have to walk past them to get in our van. He always stops at the end of the sidewalk and looks at them for a minute then he runs past them as fast as he can and hops in the van.
Karen