Parent:Wise Austin - 2010-03

Dream Come True: An Amusement Park for Special Needs Kids

Brian J. Stankiewicz — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:03:45 +0000

By:

Hannah Diller

Imagine a theme park where a family of four could get in for fifteen dollars – for the entire day. Imagine arriving by public transportation or enjoying free parking right outside the park’s entrance. Imagine bringing your own food and drinks through the gate, rather than paying extortionist prices for less healthy options. Imagine never waiting longer than ten or fifteen minutes to board a ride, and never worrying about losing a child in the crowd. Imagine a place where people of all levels of physical and cognitive ability are welcome and even celebrated.

Open your eyes. You’re at Morgan’s Wonderland.

About:

Hannah Diller is the Parent:Wise Sizzle Sights columnist (although she took a break from that this month to write this article). She and her family live in Austin.

Editor's Note-The Power of Dreams

Brian J. Stankiewicz — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:08:31 +0000

By:

Kim Pleticha

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.

—Harriet Tubman

There’s a lot to be said for dreaming big.

Parlez Vous Teen?

Brian J. Stankiewicz — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:16:48 +0000

By:

Michele Ranard

I live with teenagers. Which means I speak a second language.

The other morning at breakfast, the 15-year old mentioned sorrowfully he may have “tossed a fork.” Because I have grown so accustomed to feeling clueless for what my kids and their friends are talking about (“Dude, that song is way sicker with that stupid hotness yo!”), I assumed “tossed a fork” was new lingo for “blew chunks.”

Turns out my son had literally thrown a piece of cutlery in the trash on accident.

About:

Because Michele Ranard is paranoid, she still agonizes that ‘tossed a fork’ is secret code for…something. She is a professional counselor, tutor, and freelancer with a cheeky blog at www.cheekychicmama.blogspot.com.

Spring Break Without Breaking the Bank

Brian J. Stankiewicz — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 04:21:05 +0000

By:

Jennifer Taylor

If you’re like me, you can’t wait for Spring Break to get here – a whole week of relaxing with your sweet children. You can relax and have fun, take picnics, play games, and just love each other. But then, memories of past Spring Breaks full of bickering siblings come trickling back. “He took my toy. It’s my turn to be Mario. She keeps touching me.” Now that you think about it, 10 whole days with your children at home may have you running for the hills. Lucky for you, we have some tried and true inexpensive day trips to break up the monotony, keep you sane, and your kids happy without breaking the bank.

About:

Jennifer Taylor is pinch-writing for Sizzle Sights columnist Hannah Diller this month, while Hannah took time off to write the cover story. Jennifer is a freelance writer who enjoys getting out with her kids (despite the occasional bickering!). She and her family live in Austin.

Oh to be Eight Again

Brian J. Stankiewicz — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:11:49 +0000

By:

Monica Wilcox

Oh to be eight again…

To march from room to room clapping my hands under each raised leg.

To go a weekend without brushing my hair.

About:

Monica Wilcox is a mother and a freelance writer who is soaking up her second childhood! She and her family live in Austin and online at www.femmetales.com.

Regards to the Man in the Moon

Brian J. Stankiewicz — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 13:20:28 +0000

Book Author:

Ezra Jack Keats

Reviewer:

Daniele VanDenBossche

A little boy is upset because the kids call his dad the Junk Man. His dad tells him that all the junk he has “can take you right out of this world” with a little imagination.

Along for the Ride

Brian J. Stankiewicz — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 13:15:38 +0000

Book Author:

Sarah Dessen

Reviewer:

Daniele VanDenBossche

Auden is a loner by nature, an academic who relieves her insomnia by driving around town at midnight.

Conspiracy 365: January

Brian J. Stankiewicz — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 13:11:12 +0000

Book Author:

Gabrielle Lord

Reviewer:

Jeanette Larson

It’s a bit of a gimmick, much like the television show 24, but teens will love this new series. On New Year’s Eve, 15-year-old Cal Ormond discovers that his life has changed forever.

About:

Jeanette Larson: Books Editor, teaches children’s literature for the School of Library & Information Studies at Texas Woman’s University

Atlas of Firsts

Brian J. Stankiewicz — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 13:07:32 +0000

Book Author:

Clive Gifford

Reviewer:

Jeanette Larson

Many children go through a stage where they are fascinated by firsts. This highly illustrated atlas will feed that fever for elementary school readers.

About:

Jeanette Larson: Books Editor, teaches children’s literature for the School of Library & Information Studies at Texas Woman’s University

A Spotlight for Harry

Brian J. Stankiewicz — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 13:01:26 +0000

Book Author:

Eric Kimmel

Reviewer:

Jeanette Larson

In this partial biography, Kimmel provides a slightly fictionalized account of a single episode in the childhood of master magician Harry Houdini.

About:

Jeanette Larson: Books Editor, teaches children’s literature for the School of Library & Information Studies at Texas Woman’s University