Special Needs Fall Carnival Saturday, Oct 27th

Special Needs Fall Carnival

A FREE Event for Individuals with Special Needs and Their Families

By Mina Frannea

Especially Needed is an organization based on a vision that a community can exist where individuals with special needs are valued, respected and included. A community made up of caring people who serve as a support system as well as mentors to this wonderful group of children and adults. Especiallyneeded.org provides special needs families with information regarding local services and resources. This non-profit organization also hosts seasonal events where families with special needs children can have an opportunity to have fun and relax, and simply focus on spending quality time with each other.

This Saturday, October 27th from 5-8pm is their 3rd Annual Special Needs Fall Carnival at The Ballfields at Craig Ranch in McKinney (6151 Alma Rd., McKinney, TX 75070). This is a FREE event!

Halloween Crafts for Kids

Fall Crafts - Samantha conner

Halloween is the perfect time to get creative with your kids

 

by Samantha Conner

Since I am a ‘crafty person’, it was only a matter of time before my girls joined in on the fun. My first grader learned to scrapbook at age 3. I remember her preschool teachers being so impressed with her ‘scissor skills’. Over the years, as my passion for creating has grown, the girls have always been right there with me. Whether it is being thrifty at Goodwill or making modpodge frames, my girls aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty!

In the midst of my ‘home décor- type’ crafting, I always like to do some crafts that are just for kids too. And Halloween is the perfect time to get creative with your kids.  For inspiration, we found this great book at the library, “Fun to Make Crafts for Halloween”. You would be surprised at the number of ‘crafty’ books you can find in the youth section. And better yet—they are free!

Teaching Our Son to Go the Distance

Showing Our Kids the Value of Hard Work and Saving Money

by Lorraine Brock

Over the course of the last two years our middle son Caleb has been saving money for a car. It’s sort of a requirement in our home that our boys invest some of their own blood, sweat, and tears into such an important purchase.

All of our boys have had active schedules through their teen years including a choice to play competitive football. Our oldest son decided to stop playing his junior year, so he was able to secure a part-time job that allowed him to earn and save money for the past four years.

Halloween Safety: How to Keep Your Kids and Pets Safe for Halloween

halloween safety

Safety Tips for Kids and Dogs at Halloween

 

Here are some great tips on how to keep your kids and pets safe for Halloween from our friends at Guardian Pet Sitters.

Halloween is a fun time for kids (free candy, scary masks!) but if you have a dog it can be very stressful. When children come to your door, are you worried about your dog constantly barking at the doorbell? Is your dog worried about all these scary looking strangers intruding on his territory? Here are a few tips for you, your dog, and your kids to make Halloween as safe (and bite-free) as possible!

Disney in Concert: Magical Music from the Movies

Disney in Concert - Plano Symphony Orchestra

Presented by the Plano Symphony Orchestra

 

The Plano Symphony Orchestra’s 2012 – 2013 Season brings the smash hit DISNEY IN CONCERT: Magical Music from the Movies to the Eisemann Center at 8:15 PM on Saturday, October 20th, with a special matinée performance at 3:00 pm on Sunday, October 21st.

Art and Soul Art Studio

Paint Pottery Plano

Art & Soul

Art and Soul: Paint Your Own and/or Order Custom Painting

Julie Hart, owner Art & Soul

I view painting as an escape.  With our busy lives, painting at Art & Soul provides a “get-away” from it all.  Unlike the movies, one can visit with friends and family while engaging in a fun activity.  Many clients tell me how therapeutic painting is.  It is a chance to escape the stresses of everyday life and let your mind just go.  Everyone needs a place to just relax and let your mind go.  It is a special treat that allows your mind to go other places than your “to do” list.

I believe painting is an opportunity to embrace one’s originality.  If a painter stresses over their piece not being painted “perfectly”, I express to them that perfection is not the goal.  Perfection is what is purchased on an assembly line.  Original work, where the piece is painted with imperfections and all, is truly a “one and only” – nothing else like it.  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  Go for being different.  Paint outside the box.  Why does a piggy bank always have to be pink?  Again, using your imagination leads to the most  creative painting.

I love not having to think but to create; to just allow myself to put ideas, designs and colors together, and be inspired to paint it. I like to have pieces that are practical.  In other words, plates are great, but at home, I started running out of places to hang them.  I like to paint design items that are functional (tissue boxes, cookie jars, plant holders, etc.) and I want my customers to have the same variety of choices available at Art & Soul.