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Show -NEWS- Covering what matters most Spanish Fork WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2007 • A3 Caring for children in an emergency Parties growing bigger each year There and Back Again Shirlene R. Ottesen My, oh my, oh my! How things have changed. I have justfinishedreading an article in a local daily paper that is the subject for this column. Now don't get me wrong — the way people spend their money is their choice, but this seems a little over the edge. Maybe you read the same article. It stated how children's birthday parties are getting out of hand. No more simple parties, with games and fun activities plus cake and ice cream. No way. Not anymore, at least for the people interviewed in this article. They have children pickedupinlimos, 120 invited guests, catered meals plus all the (expensive) presents. One father stated that the party for his two year-old cost $3,000! That's right, three thousand dollars. Even local party planners in our valley said that birthday parties, although not anywhere near those mentioned above, are getting more expensive. Parents feel like they have to give a party as good, or better, than their neighbors so that their children won't feel socially damaged. Well, I'm glad I'm not raising my children now, because our children would be scarred forever. Quoting from the article: "A couple of professors in Colorado and Minnesota noticed a trend in bigger birthday parties and wanted to help unite parents who were feeling the pressure to provide for their children. Janet Jacob, a graduate of BYU who is doing research at the University of Minnesota for her Ph.D. research, is a member of the Birthdays Courtesy photo / Rachel Kirk THE BIGGER THE BETTER: Birthday parties seem to be growing bigger and more extravagant each year. Without Pressure team and agrees that the bigger birthday parties of today are associated with cultural expectations set for parents by other parents and the belief that love is associated with things." To rent a tubing hill in Soldier Hollow near Heber, it costs $750 and that includes the use of a lodge and tubes, but not the food. One party flew in 120 guests for a young one's birthday. Onemotherwhoresponded to the Birthdays Without Pressure web site said, "This has to stop. We are raising a bunch of selfish children who think the world should just be handed to them on a silver platter." And that was supported by ayoung girl who was turning sixteen and said, "You're only sixteen once and you should be entitled to getting what you want, no matter the price." Another point made in the article was . the notion that those attending the party should receive a "goodie bag." The price for a goodie bag is endless. One little boy opened his bag and said, "Is that it?" Jeff Hill, an associate professor at BYU's school of family life said that birthday parties should focus on fun instead of things. "Bag the goodie bag," he said. Most of our children's birthdays were celebrated with family. Nothing fancy, just a nice dinner, a decorated birthday cake with the usual ice cream and a few gifts. Our children were all born in the 50's and 60 *s and so sometimes they had a swimming party at Arrowhead, a roller skating party at Park-Ro-She, or an indoor picnic roasting wienies in thefireplace.As they got older, I do remember going one time to the Hansen Planetarium in Salt Lake and bowling here in town. I found my mother's notes about my sixth birthday which would have been in 1938. There were several friends and family members present at . my party and some of my gifts were half-socks, a necklace, jacks, a blue ribbon, crayons, material for a dress, bloomers, a book, dolls, and a hanky. Each of my nine friends gave me 10 cents and one of my aunts gave me 26 cents for a grand total of $1.16. We live in a good time now, but I feel sorry for the kids nowadays who really have a lot. I was grateful for the gift of 10 cents and that is a value I will never forget. By the way, while we're on the subject of extreme spending, how about those all-day prom dates? It isn't enough to go to a dance and out to eat. It has to start about 10 a.m. (depending on where you're going). Maybe Park City, or Salt Lake or points South. Maybe golfing, skiing, four-wheeling, the Alpine Slide, etc. No limo rides for our family. It was a new dress and maybe a salon hair-do for the girls, a new sport coat for Paul, the dance, a picture and a visit to a nice restaurant. Good luck to all you parents. You have a tough job and I don't envy you. I was really impressed with this article and I think every parent needs to follow thenown values rather than those set by other parents, friends or neighbors. Ready or Not Dawn Van Nosdol I went to a training meeting the other day and there was a young mother with a cute little sevenmonth-old boy that was a tired. She took him out in the foyer and he softly sang, in a baby sort of way, to himself. It was very endearing to listen to him sooth himself to sleep. Small babies and young children are very quick to catch on to different ways to quiet and calm themselves, but their ways generally involve us to help them to feel safe. It is our responsibility to keep our children safe, especially during an emergency. What do we need to do to protect them? Well, it all depends on their age. Little babies need things like diapers, proper food, season appropriate clothing and non-stressed caregivers. In a crisis I know that it might be difficult to be calm and stress free, but your little babies can feel when things are out of whack and they can take on your stress. Do what you can to make things as normal as yoij possibly can and try to keep as much of a normal schedule as possible. As far as diapers go, I think that disposable diapers are great, but if that is what you are going to use, then make sure that you have a lot of them — I mean a lot. What you might want to do is have some cloth diapers on hand that you can wash over and over as a back-up. When my daughter was born they had disposable diapers, but I just didn't have the money to buy them, so I used cloth diapers. It is not that bad — really. I bought these blue disposable liners that I would place on the diaper after I had folded the diaper for use. If there was anything substantial in the diaper when I changed her, then I could just lift it out and flush it away without having to dip the diaper. It made changing diapers really nice and less expensive. I would suggest making your own diapers. This wav is cheaper and Top ten reasons for having that gym pass regular household bills, such as the 8. Everyone you know is always electricity or water, drive to the nearest there. You may spot a friend, a teacher gym, take a shower there and use an or even your Relief Society president. outlet for things such as phones and You could even play a prank on them. laptops. Replace the dumb bells your neighbor The top ten reasons why you should 5. It's a great place to run into is using with some rubber phony ones. buy a gym pass: famous celebrities like Brad Pitt, Arnold Watch them think they're strong. 1. Even if you go to the gym once a Schwarzenegger and Britney Spears. 9. You can work off that Big Mac, month, people will see the pass on your 6. If you do buy a gym pass, there's mejdium fries and Diet Coke that you key chain and think you're buff. now a reason to use those ugly sweats just scarfed down. No sweat! ... actually 2. If you do go to the gym, you can you bought on clearance at Penney's. there is. exercise until you have huge muscles 7. If you don't have a television and 10. When you run out of cleaning and then people will think you're buff want to view some ABC Family, just supplies, bring a small spray bottle and without seeing your key chain. bring headphones, turn your treadmill fill it with the gym's cleaning fluid. If 3. The gym's facilities usually include on so that you're walking a mile every someone asks you what you are doing, a hot tub and a day care center. Drop 20 minutes and watch. Stay there for just reply that you noticed the toilets in four hours. On the plus side, you'll burn the bathroom were a bit dirty and you're your kids off, sit in the tub and relax. going to go wipe them down. A- In the event that you can't afford calories. All That Jazz Jazlyn Crandall resident, Ronald Dunn and his wife, Patricia, have been called to serve as a mission president Kathleen Olsen with the exact mission to be announced later. Ron is the son Sorry to have missed of Jim and CaroleeJDunn, also last week's paper. Now we former long time residents of have a bit of a backlog on Benjamin. our Benjamin news. We ••• hope everyone had a happy Several Benjamin Valentine's Day. residents have been on ••• special trips to various parts Congratulations to of the country. Mike and Julie Ryan and Alese Anderson Hales spent several days in Stewart who were married Florida recently. They had on Friday, Feb. 2, 2007 in an enjoyable trip, but it was the Mt. Timpanogos Temple. a bit unsettling to have been A lovely reception honored in one place one day and them that evening at the have it heavily damaged the Benjamin Church. Alese is very next day with tornados. the daughter of Wayne and We're glad their timing got Michelle Anderson and she them out of harm's way. and Ryan are making their Lynn and Janet Hazel and home in Lake Shore. grandsons, Derrick and Nick, ••• enjoyed a Pacific cruise from Tyler and Nicole Olson Los Angeles, California to greeted their new baby boy Ensenada, Mexico. The ship on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2007. made stops along the way The little boy was welcomed including a visit to Catalina • by his older sister, Avery. Island. ••• Lynn and Karma WofLong-tuneformerBenjamin finden spent two weekends traveling north. One weekend they were in the Logan area visiting family members and the next they went to Rexburg, Idaho, where they were with most of their family. Bemice Woffinden traveled to Rexburg with them. Lloyd and Annetta Wilkey also spent time in southern Idaho where they tended grandchildren while their parents were away. ••• Remember the upcoming events which affect many in our community. Thursday, Feb. 22, at the Spanish Fork West Stake Center will be a Stake Relief Society Enrichment Night with the theme being centered on safety preparedness. All Relief Society members and priesthood holders are invited. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. and attendees are invited to bring any questions they may have. Spanish Fork West Stake will be holding stake conference on March 17 and 18.,The Benjamin wards will be providing the music for the Sunday session. Practices are well underway but anyone interested in singing in the choir is still invited to join. Practices are held each Sunday afternoon at 5 p.m. ••• To close this week's •column, I would like to pay tribute to my aunt, Gloria iean Bowen Hughes, who passed away on Friday, Feb. 9, 2007. She was bom and raised in Spanish Fork, attending school and being active in many things in the community. Even though she spent most of her adult life away from this area, she never forgot the dear friends she had acquired during her growing up years. She still has many family members and friends living here and she tried to keep track of all of them. She was a wonderful person full of love and caring and leaving us as a great example and with a great heritage. It was a privilege to be her niece. Finally, make sure that you have proper clothing for the little ones. Little babies can get cold very fast. Make sure that you can keep them warm. Have plenty of blankets that you can keep them wrapped up in and comfortable. Also have an alternate heating source so that they don't have to use all of their energy up keeping warm. You want them to stay comfortable so they don't stress themselves and get sick. Speaking of getting sick, I just want to let you know that as I am writing this article I am looking out for my health by eating some Dove Dark chocolate. The things that I do to stay healthy... Grandma's Recipes Chocolate Valentine Torte Benjamin residents travel across the country 'Round and About Benjamin you can make them a little bigger than what they sell. Clean cloth diapers can also be used for a variety of other things in an emergency: slings, bandages, etc. Also make sure to have cleansing baby wipes on hand, not just for their little tushies, but also for everybody else to use. This is for cleaning up in case you haven't stored enough water (Shame on you! You should have 2 gallons, per person, per day, for a two-week period. Get it storedl) Small children, especially babies, have very Special dietary needs. As they get older they can basically eat what we do as long as we smash it up, but if your child is still nursing, you need to make sure that you, the nursing mother, have plenty of water. If your child is drinking formula, then you not only need to have plenty of formula on hand, but you need plenty of drinking water (I am sure that by now you have your water stored and so I won't say anything.) Make sure that you have stored rice and not just wheat. Rice is easier on a child's stomach and you can use it for breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert and it is easy to eat and prepare. Also, make sure that you have baby medications that they might need if they start teething, get a yeast infection, come down with a cold or have a diaper rash. You will be sorry if you don't. Grandma's Recipes Betty June Ott | This torte would make a nice valentine dessert. It is easier than most torte recipes I have. I 6 egg yolks I1 l c . sugar 3/4 c. sifted flour , 1 tsp. baking powder I 1 tsp. salt . 6 egg whites 1 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar l t s p . vanilla I 3/4 c. grated unsweetened chocolate sweetened whipped cream ' . ' . I Prepare two 9" layer cake pans by lining with wax | or baking paper. Grease the paper. Beat egg yolks until thick and lemon colored. Beat in half the sugar. I Sift and mix together the dry ingredients. Stir into egg-sugar mixture. Beat egg whites and cream of •1 tartar until stiff. Gently fold in grated chocolate and vanilla. Carefully fold egg white mixture into egg yolk , mixture. Pour into prepared pans. Bake in 350 oven I 25-30 minutes, until no imprint is left when touched lightly with finger. Turn out of pans and remove I paper. Cool. Put together with sweetened whipped cream. Also put whipped cream on top of cake. | Garnish with flakes of dark chocolate. Variation: I have frosted the sides with whipped , | cream and put cherry pie filling on the top. Very good. 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