Baton Rouge Parents Magazine—July 2024

July 2024

JULY 2024

THE MAGAZINE THAT BATON ROUGE FAMILIES LIVE BY

Sweet Treats for Hot Days

Red, White, & Crafty

The Must-Have Birthday Issue

BRPARENTS.COM | JULY2024

@brparents.com

MEET OUR TEAM AMY L. FOREMAN Publisher EDITORIAL AMANDA MILLER Managing Editor

2023

AMANDA CIANI AUSTRIA COHN CAROL EVANS VICTORIA MIKOTA MADISON VOORHIES Associate Editors ART/PRODUCTION ALEX HERRING Senior Graphic Designer TOM GONZALES MADISON GRAHAM MCKINNA SPROLES Graphic Designers ADVERTISING CRYSTAL BARRETT

2022

KAYLA FRICKS GOMEZ MARTINE MELANCON RYN WHITESIDE Senior Account Executives CAMILLE CAVIN JADE GRAY JENNIFER HOFFMANN AMY PHILLIPS SHANNON VICARI Account Executives COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TERI HODGES Director of Community Partnerships ROXANE VOORHIES Community Outreach ADMINISTRATION BRANDON FOREMAN Chief Executive Officer LAURIE ACOSTA Director of Operations ALEXIS ALEXANDER Senior Executive Administrator SARAH MILLER Client Success Manager ELISABETH BARRETT KAYLEIGH MONTANA Client Success Specialists EMMY LOGAN Accounting Coordinator AMY PLAISANCE Founder

WHAT’S ON THE WEB

Plan the Perfect Family Picnic Grab a blanket, picnic basket, and the family for a fun summer outing. Practicing Pool Safety Keep your littles out of harm’s way in the pool. How to Raise a Grateful Child Teach your child the important practice of gratitude. Summer of Swimsuits: Teen Body Positivity and Acceptance Help your teen feel comfortable in their skin this summer.

freebies

Visit brparents.com and click “Promotions.” | Deadline to enter is July 15, 2024.

The Bourbon Street Band Is Back (signed copy) shares a story about the healing power of music. amazon.com

The Pretendables School Set includes a

whiteboard, storage, and supplies. fatbraintoys.com

OFFICE (225) 292-0032 11831 WENTLING AVENUE BATON ROUGE, LA 70816-6055

BATON ROUGE PARENTS MAGAZINE is published monthly by FAMILY RESOURCE GROUP INC. (FRG) and distributed free of charge. Subscriptions accepted. Only authorized distributors may deliver and pick up the magazine. Paid advertisements appear in FAMILY RESOURCE GROUP INC. (FRG) publications, including print and other digital formats. FRG does not endorse or evaluate the product, service, or company, nor any claims made by the advertisement. We reserve the right to edit, reject, or comment editorially on all materials contributed. We cannot be held responsible for the return of any unsolicited material. BATON ROUGE PARENTS MAGAZINE Copyright 2024. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission prohibited.

LAST MONTH’S WINNERS Look who won July’s Freebies: Crystal Simon won the BreathableBaby Cotton Sheets and Angie Wilson won Someone in Louisiana Loves You .

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inside

JULY 2024 • ISSUE 408

DEPARTMENTS

IN EVERY ISSUE 4 @BRPARENTS.COM 8 A NOTE FROM MOM 46 THINGS TO DO 54 THINGS WE LOVE 56 THE LAST WORD 58 SNAPSHOTS CONNECT 14 BOOK CORNER 16 CRAFT CORNER LIVE 20 MOM NEXT DOOR 22 THRIVE 24 FAITH 10 COMMUNITY 12 EDUCATION

Photo by Kleinpeter Photography

ON THE COVER 2023-24 Cover Kid Everleigh J. enjoys listening to songs from Disney and watching Elemental . She also likes to color, dance, paint her nails, tumble, ride bikes, draw, and take walks with her family. Everleigh is very caring, loving, funny, determined, and sweet. When she gets older, she hopes to become an artist or a dancer.

FEATURES

26 BIRTHDAYS THAT WON’T BREAK THE BANK Being frugal can be fun! Here’s how to throw an epic, budget-friendly birthday for your littles. By Victoria Mikota 29 BIRTHDAY LISTING Need a hand in planning your child’s next birthday? You’ll want this resource! By BRPM

34 PARTY PALOOZA Transform your child’s

birthday into an imaginative playground with memories that will last a lifetime. By Madison Voorhies 38 ROLLING TO SUCCESS Time to lace up the skates! We’re taking you inside the world of Junior Derby. By Amanda Miller

Photo by Kleinpeter Photography

42 COOL TREATS FOR HOT DAYS It’s heating up in Baton

Rouge. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered in the cold treats department. By Victoria Mikota

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a note from mom IN EVERY ISSUE

T here is one constant thing in everyone’s lives: their birthdays. They roll around each year like clock work, whether you choose to celebrate or not. Well, except Leap Year babies. I am curious how they celebrate since the actual day only comes around every four years. If any Leap Year babies read this, please enlighten me, so I am in the know going forward. I remember growing up and feeling so ready to become an adult and make my own rules. I was always ready for my birthday every Happy Birthday

local businesses you will need to help plan the best party for yourself, your littles, or friends. We even gathered a few themes to help you get started. Lastly, I want to say Happy Birthday to Baton Rouge Parents Magazine , as we make 34 this month! Also, let’s not forget to celebrate our Nation’s Independence Day. We cannot forget the men and women who help us enjoy our independence and freedom. Without all of the armed services, we would not be where we are today. Happy July,

year. However, now that I am an adult, I try to skip it, but my children won’t allow me that pleasure. We have a pool party each summer to celebrate me getting another year older, or this year’s theme “a tini bit older.” Don’t get me wrong, I love party planning. I always thought that would be a career path for me because it all comes so naturally. Picking themes is my favorite part of planning parties. Every July, we celebrate the magazine’s birthday, so it is only fitting that we turned this issue into our big birthday issue. We’ve got our extensive birthday listing that includes all of the

Amy L. Foreman Publisher

Email amylynn@familyresourcegroupinc.com to tell me about topics you’d like to see in future issues.

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CONNECT

community

AUDUBON ZOO WELCOMES NEW BUNDLES OF JOY: SCREAMING HAIRY ARMADILLO PUPS Audubon Zoo is celebrating the birth of a special set of armadillo twins. These screaming hairy armadillo pups entered the world in February and can be found in the Zoo’s Nocturnal House, along with both of their parents. Dillo, their mother, will be taking care of her babies until they are weaned and fully independent. Currently, the screaming hairy armadillo babies have a diet full of bugs, fruits, and vegetables. These armadillos are native to South America–Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay–and get their name because hair covers part of their bodies, and they scream when threatened. ■ audubonnatureinstitute.org/zoo

25,000+ FREE ONLINE COURSES AVAILABLE

ALBERTSONS FUNDS NEW EMERGENCY RESPONSE VEHICLE FOR SALVATION ARMY OF GBR Due to a generous donation from the Albertsons Companies Foundation, The Salvation Army of Baton Rouge is now able to help assist local communities during the upcoming hurricane season and beyond. The food and drug retailer funded a new emergency response vehicle to help the organization deal efficiently and effectively with the natural disasters that often occur in the Gulf region. Mayor- President Sharon Weston Broome states, “Our potential is elevated when we have strong community partnerships like those Baton Rouge has with The Salvation Army and Albertsons.” This new Recovery Unit will provide healing and hope to communities impacted by natural disasters such as floods and hurricanes. ■ southernusa.salvationarmy.org

To help support lifelong learning and workforce preparedness, the State Library of Louisiana and Gale, part of Cengage Group, have partnered to provide public libraries across the state with access to online learning platform Gale Presents: Udemy. This platform is available at no charge and can be found in 334 public library locations across the state. The platform provides public library cardholders unlimited access to more than 25,000 continuously updated, on-demand video courses for personalized learning and upskilling across a variety of categories such as business, IT certifications, creative arts, personal finance, technology, wellness, generative AI, data science, project management, human resources, sales, accounting and finance, productivity, and more. ■ gale.com

The LSU Museum of Art will present Cherished: The Art of Clementine Hunter , from July 11 to October 13, in Baton Rouge. The show includes paintings and objects from the collections of the LSU Museum of Art, the LSU Rural Life Museum, the Alexandria Museum of Art, private collectors, and Hunter’s descendants. In her works, Cherished explores some of Hunter’s most repeated patterns, subjects, and motifs, including brightly-colored zinnias, church scenes, and women picking cotton, bringing together the many examples to highlight the subtle variations found in individual objects. This show also explores generational memories of many who have loved this artist throughout the end of her lifetime. ■ lsumoa.org CHERISHED: THE ART OF CLEMENTINE HUNTER

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A bill that allows Louisiana parents to use tax dollars to pay to send their children to a school of their choice is heading to the governor’s desk. The Louisiana Giving All True Opportunity to Rise (LA GATOR) Scholarship Program allows the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to create an educational savings account (ESA) program. This process is set to begin for K-12 schools by 2025. “This bill will give parents even more freedom in how their children are educated. Each child is unique and learns differently, and our LA GATOR scholarship will allow the money to truly follow the students to the educational environments that best fit their needs. It’s a great day for parental rights and freedom in Louisiana,” says state Rep. Julie Emerson (R-La). ■ gov.louisiana.gov MONEY TO PAY FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS LOUISIANA GOVERNOR TO SIGN BILL THAT LETS PARENTS USE TAX WOMAN’S NAMES NICU & BIRTHING SUITE IN SIMULATED HOSPITAL FranU recently held a naming reception for Woman’s Hospital to celebrate the partnership and their gift to the NICU and Birthing Suite in St. Francis Hall’s Simulated Environment Teaching Hospital. The NICU provides critical care for infants born prematurely or with life-threatening conditions, while the birthing suite has the world’s most lifelike childbirth simulator, Victoria. From early pregnancy complications, high-risk deliveries, and postpartum emergencies to non-gravid scenarios for general nursing care, Victoria simulates a full range of obstetrical events to facilitate teamwork and deepen critical thinking skills in learners of all levels. ■ franu.edu

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education CONNECT

It’s time! Mark your calendar for East Baton Rouge Parish’s Back to School Bash, happening Saturday, August 3 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This iconic event will be happening at none other than the Raising Cane’s River Center in downtown Baton Rouge. School’s almost back in session. Make sure to save the date! ■ ebrschools.org EAST BATON ROUGE BACK TO SCHOOL BASH 2024

Parkview Baptist School was invited to participate in the ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International) Art Festival in Slidell, La. on March 19, 2024 at the First Baptist School of Slidell. Three middle school and seven elementary students participated. All of the PBS students received ribbons for their efforts. Fourth grader, Ella Cheng, won Best of Show in the Elementary Division. Ella used water colors to paint a bee visiting various flowers. PARKVIEW BAPTIST SCHOOL STUDENT WINS BEST OF SHOW AT ART FESTIVAL

Gardere Community Christian School has launched a $2.6M capital campaign for phase one of “Living the Vision–Building Bright Futures. This phase includes a permanent multi-purpose building with a new kitchen and dining area, a large common room for gatherings and outdoor play, academic intervention rooms for individual and small group instruction, and dedicated art and music classrooms. In 2011, former Principal and Founder, Nancy Zito, began the school with 10 students and the following vision: To build a Christian elementary school in the Gardere community, providing the necessary education for children and their families to overcome obstacles and develop their God-given talents, strengths, and abilities. Thirteen years later, the school is bursting with 150 bright, happy children who are outperforming neighboring schools by nearly 300% on state standardized tests. GARDERE ANNOUNCES PUBLIC PHASE OF ITS CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

Thanks to the American Heart Association (AHA) and sponsor Baton Rouge General Medical Center, Capitol Middle School now has a brand new CPR kit. These kits, valued at $750, include 10 blowup mannequins called “Mini Annies.” So far, 20 schools have received new CPR Kits, courtesy of the AHA and Baton Rouge General Medical Center. BATON ROUGE GENERAL MEDICAL CENTER DONATES CPR KIT TO CAPITOL MIDDLE SCHOOL

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SENIOR RECEIVES NATIONAL WWII MUSEUM’S BILLY MICHAL AWARD

Sawyer Herring, an incoming senior at Walker High School has been named the Louisiana winner for the National WWII Museum’s prestigious Billy Michal Award. This award is given to one student from each state for their American spirit in terms of leadership, teamwork, service, and perseverance. Sawyer serves as a junior docent at the LSU Rural Life Museum, a member of the Louisiana State 4-H Citizenship Board, an active leader of Senior Beta, and he is an avid artist and wood carving enthusiast. Throughout high school, Sawyer has served as a camp counselor and junior artisan of blacksmithing at an 1800s museum, helped create and implement a statewide adolescent mental health retreat, worked on an annual veterans appreciation art project, and volunteered at soup kitchens and homeless shelters throughout the state of Louisiana.

Two students from St. Joseph’s Academy, Claire Bodin, a sophomore, and Lola Avery, a junior, have earned a coveted spot in the 2024 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Held in Los Angeles, ISEF stands as the largest pre- college STEM competition worldwide. Amongst participants representing over 75 countries, Claire and Lola showcased their scientific prowess, underscoring their exceptional talent and dedication. SJA STUDENTS EARN SPOT IN SCIENCE & ENGINEERING FAIR

BRPARENTS.COM | JULY2024

CONNECT book corner

Happy birthday to you! Okay, well, maybe your birthday isn’t this month, but we can all agree that birthdays are the best! Cake, ice cream, presents…what’s not to like? Celebrate birthday bliss with these fun books about everything from birthday wishes to the birthday song!

YOUTH These picture books will have kids counting the days until their next birthday! Ten Rules of the Birthday Wish

How Many Sleeps Til My Birthday? by Mark Sperring

There’s much to learn in these non- fiction titles. Weird But True! Birthdays: 300 Fun-tastic Facts to Celebrate (National Geographic Kids) Unwrap 300 wacky facts and pictures showcasing the hilarious history, crazy coincidences, awesome astrological beliefs, and surprising statistics behind birthdays. Happy Birthday to You! The Mystery Behind the Most Famous Song in the World by Margot Theis Raven In 1889, Patty and Mildred Hill, two Kentucky sisters, wrote the words and composed the melody of “Good Morning to All” for their kindergarten students. Initially written as a simple greeting and welcome, they later changed the words, and birthday celebrations were forever altered.

Like every small bear, Little Pip can’t wait until his birthday! How will Daddy Grizzle explain just how many sleeps there are to go? Your experienced readers won’t be able to put down this hilarious chapter book! Battle Bunny by Jon Scieszka and Mac Barnett It’s the Birthday Bunny! No, wait…the Battle Bunny? After receiving a birthday book from his grandmother, Alex decides to hijack the surprise birthday party story and turn it into a battle between superhero and villain instead. Illustrations within illustrations and scribbled over text make for a doubly hilarious story that begs to be read over and over again. Are your kids up for some birthday trivia?

by Beth Ferry and Tom Lichtenheld Did you know there were rules to making a birthday wish? In fact, there are 10 rules! One rule, of course, is it must be your birthday. This charming picture book with endearing illustrations lays out all 10 rules of making a birthday wish. Maybe you know two or three rules, but do you know all 10? The Entertainer by Emma Dodd An entertainer in a big cuddly bear costume arrives at a little boy’s birthday party and delights the children with his antics and surprises, but is everything as it seems?

Book Corner is provided by librarians at the East Baton Rouge Parish Library. To learn more about the libraries in East Baton Rouge Parish, visit ebrpl.com.

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TWEENS AND TEENS These birthday-themed books contain just enough drama to keep your teens and tweens enthralled. 11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass After celebrating their first nine same-day birthdays together, Amanda and Leo, having argued on their tenth and not spoken to each other for the last year, prepare to celebrate their eleventh birthdays separately. But peculiar things start to happen as the day of their birthday begins to repeat itself over and over again. 11 Before 12 by Lisa Greenwald Best friends Kaylan and Arianna kick-start middle school with a list of 11 things they want to do to transform themselves

before their shared twelfth birthday party. You’re Invited by Jen Malone & Gail Nall

When 12-year-old Sadie is fired from her mother’s wedding planning company after a disastrous mishap, she starts her own party-planning business and recruits her three best friends.

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craft corner CONNECT

Spark Your Creativity: 3 Fourth of July Crafts

BY AMANDA MILLER PHOTO BY KLEINPETER PHOTOGRAPHY 2023-24 COVER KID EVERLEIGH J.

Celebrate Independence Day with these easy-to-make Fourth of July crafts. There’s a craft for every age, so everyone can show their support of the red, white, and blue this month.

FOURTH OF JULY TEE Materials White T-shirt Fabric Paint (Red & Blue) Paint Brushes Directions 1. Paint the child’s handprint with blue paint. Then, place the child’s hand on the front, top left of the shirt. The blue handprint will represent the stars of the flag. 2. Next, using the red paint, paint stripes to the right of the handprint. Leave space between each red stripe to represent the white stripes. 3. Let the paint dry before wearing!

STRAW FIREWORKS Courtesy of Crafty Morning Materials Bendy Straws Rubber Bands Blue and Red Paint Paper Directions 1. Stretch out the straws at the bend of the straw, and group them in your hand. 2. Bend the straws so they are sticking out in a firework formation. 3. Have someone wrap a rubber band around the bottom of them as you’re holding them. Let go and put another

rubber band right under the top. 4. Allow your kiddos to dip the straws into blue paint before stamping them onto your paper. Follow the step with the red paint,

and you’ll have your fireworks. DIY CLOTHESPIN WREATH Courtesy of Evelyn Romans Materials 12-inch Box Wreath Frame 64 Clothespins Spray Paint (red, white, and blue!)

10 Wooden Stars White Craft Paint Foam Paint Brushes

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Rubber gloves Hot Glue Gun Wreath Hook, String or Ribbon Directions 1. Divide the clothespins equally and spray paint the clothespins red, white and blue. 2. Spray paint the wreath frame red, white, or blue. Spray paint the small wooden stars white. 3. Clip the clothespins to the wreath. 4. Using the hot glue gun, attach the wooden stars to the blue clothespins on the wreath. 5. Use a wreath hook to hang the finished wreath.

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mom next door LIVE

Bukky Harthoorn

BY VICTORIA MIKOTA PHOTO BY KLEINPETER PHOTOGRAPHY

Occupation: Project Development Supervision at EXXONMOBIL Husband: James Harthoon Children: Livi, 15; Jeddy, 13; Joanna (Jojo) 9; Gideon, 8; and Benjamin, 4 Hobbies: Reading, hanging out with friends, musical theater, walking, and cooking Indian food

BUKKY: Coming home and spending time with my family, going on a nice walk with a kid or my husband. WHAT DOES A NORMAL DAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU? BUKKY: Come to work in the morning, lots of meetings and coordination, get home by 6 p.m., help with getting everyone ready for dinner, clean up, hangout with the family, bedtime, and sometimes I work a little after dinner. WHAT’S A COMMON CHARACTERISTIC IN YOUR WORK ETHIC AND PARENTING? BUKKY: I am a go-getter. I like to go do it and get it done. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE JOYS AND CHALLENGES OF BEING A MOM?

Meet Bukky Harthoorn, a modern working mom with a heart of gold. Originally from Nigeria, Bukky has made Baton Rouge her home for over 15 years. By day, she’s a project development supervisor at ExxonMobil. While she loves chemical engineering, her true passion lies in family and community. Alongside her husband, James, and their five children, Bukky is a regular attendee of Community Bible Church and volunteers regularly at a local assisted living facility, spreading joy wherever she goes. Their family story took an exciting turn with the adoption of their youngest son, Benjamin–a testament of the family’s love and devotion. Whether Bukky’s cooking up a storm in the kitchen, cheering her kids on at sports events, or enjoying to their animals, Bukky’s warmth and kindness shine through in everything she does. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE DAY?

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BUKKY: Growing and learning, watching the children have fun. Maturing and being able to see them grow in maturity. Some challenges would be kids bickering. We are trying to do life together and it can be exhausting dealing with arguing– imagine five kids talking at once. Having time to spend with each child and being intentional with my five kids individually is also a challenge. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PARENTING STYLE? BUKKY: I am originally from Nigeria and a culture where respect is big. With this context, I demand respect. We try. The expectation is that we try. We work hard to have the time for other things. We want to be able to thrive and instill things into our BUKKY: Checkers, UNO, card games. We love to play games. We like to play tractors. We’re an outside family. Our kids like to play in the pond and climb trees in the backyard. We have turkeys and geese, and baby ducklings, and my children enjoy playing with the outside animals. We also have parrots and dogs. HOW ARE YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN ALIKE AND DIFFERENT? BUKKY: It depends on the kid. My littlest is a definite go-getter–I can see myself in her in that space. The older two like math, and I love math. My girls like to bake. They love to read, and I love to read. We are very avid readers in our family. WHAT’S SOMETHING YOUR CHILD HAS TAUGHT YOU ABOUT YOURSELF? BUKKY: Patience. I am not as patient as I think I am. They teach me about plants, animals, and history. The rest of my kids teach me how to improve on being patient and gracious. WHAT’S ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE VACATION SPOTS? BUKKY: The beach. Florida, 30A area. Singapore and Malaysian islands. kids that they need as adults. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO AS A FAMILY?

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DATE NIGHT WITH YOUR HUSBAND? BUKKY: We just like to go somewhere quiet for dinner without five kids interrupting. WHAT DO YOU THINK IS ONE OF THE KEYS TO SUCCESSFUL PARENTING? BUKKY: Prayer and asking the Lord for guidance, protection, and wisdom to raise the children well. DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR OTHER PARENTS? BUKKY: Make the time to have conversations with your kids. Get to know them and process life. ANY ADVICE FOR OTHER BUKKY: Let your kids understand what you do. Bring them to work if you can and introduce them to your work. It’s important your kids have an appreciation for what you’re doing. All they see is that mommy is busy and has a lot of meetings. We’re problem solvers. It’s good to show them your work and what you do and experience it. MOMS WHO ARE ALSO ENGINEERS? Q&A I can’t stop watching… my kids playing in the yard. I love singing along to… worship music and Nigerian pop. My favorite dessert is… dark chocolate. And I love cake. My favorite cake is berry chantilly cake. I also love bread pudding. My favorite food is… Indian food and Nigerian food. I love

Thai food, too. Spicy is key. My favorite holiday is… Christmas. My guilty pleasure is… Jane Austen books. My favorite book is… Jane Eyre .

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LIVE thrive

A Hopeful Outlook on Life

BY VICTORIA MIKOTA

T he Greek term metanoia signifies a change of mind, a fundamental transformation of outlook, and a new way of loving others and God. This philosophy is one of the foundations of the faith-based residential facility, Metanoia Manor, in Baton Rouge. Metanoia was the idea of Father Jeff Bayhi in 1992. He was passionate about human trafficking prevention and wanted to provide a safe haven for girls and young women affected by this modern-day enslavement. This idea came about during a trip to Rome, where he spoke with a religious congregation who had a few nuns who were willing to participate in his idea. It took Bayhi more than a decade to open Metanoia, but in 2018, the building was constructed and five nuns–known as hospitaler sisters of mercy–eagerly joined him in the house. Since 2018, the manor has grown. Now, the house hosts a counselor, executive director, office Kelly Tourere. “They’re trained nurses and social workers, and have been here since the beginning.” While many adolescent homes operate on an emergency basis, Metanoia Manor does not. In fact, the home doesn’t take girls in right away when they’re recovered from their situation. Instead, Metanoia is part of a network with other residential homes for adolescents around the country. The homes share information about girls throughout the country who need a place to live. These girls could be located in places such as state custody, a behavioral health care facility, or on juvenile probation. Metanoia has a transformational seven-step model, which highlights the many ways the facility helps girls to reach their fullest potential. The model, known as the Metanoia Model, has seven distinct categories: Restoration, Physical manager, additional direct care providers, and up to 11 young girls, and of course– nuns. “They’re the backbone of the home,” says Executive Director

Health, Spiritual Health, Mental Health, Life Skills, Education, and Transition. In short, the residents will attend classes, learn valuable life skills, and gain future employment skills so they can become self- sufficient and independent when released from the program. “We’re program-oriented,” says Tourere. “The girls are on a structured schedule where they take classes, learn basic skills, and

apply for scholarships for college.” At the manor, girls attend school, go to therapy, and eventually graduate from the manor’s program. Many girls have gone on to finish high school and some begin college classes before even entering college. In a safe environment like Metanoia, girls are more

browsing habits, and do their best to ensure the girls are protected from cyber threats like cyberbullying, sexual harassment, and other inappropriate online advances. In addition to learning about safe browsing, the girls in the home learn about budgeting, money management, financial literacy, employment skills, and other important advice that sets them up for success in the future. In addition, Tourere says, “We take them out into the community in places where there might be less structure. This allows them to be able to test their own ability to be safe.” In addition to providing a nurturing safe haven for girls at risk, Metanoia also does a good bit of outreach in an attempt to raise awareness for human trafficking. This includes teaching teachers about the signs of human trafficking and spreading awareness at community events. One major outreach opportunity was when WAFB asked Metanoia Manor to speak about the signs of human trafficking and share an educational piece on the news. The home is always on the lookout for opportunities to participate in community- wide outreach. The Metanoia Manor is just one way that Father Bayhi’s idea lives on in the community. “Father Bayhi had the idea and then that idea culminated into a home. The biggest impact was building a home so that girls can be saved,” says Tourere.

creative. “They draw, sing, and paint, and bloom so much when they’re safe.” The girls attend therapy twice a week and also partake in group counseling.

“ They draw, sing, and paint, and bloom so much when they’re safe. ”

The Metanoia staff eat lunch and dinner with the girls, and spend a lot of time mentoring them. While the environment is exceptionally safe, some girls struggle with the structure of the facility. In fact, cellphones and internet browsing are not allowed. “It’s a structured environment that some are able to adapt to. We do our best to help every girl fit in at our home.” Once the girls reach the age of 16, the staff in the home teach them how to drive through driver’s ed classes. In fact, someone donated a car to one of the students once they graduated. Each girl and each situation is different. As with any residential facility, it begins with trust. It starts with the girls trusting the staff and with staff trusting the girls. After graduating from the program, the girls will be allowed to access the internet and create social media accounts. It’s up to the staff to instill safe

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LIVE faith

How Can Children Make Faith Their Own?

BY PASTOR ANDREW SCHRIMPF OF CROSS OF GLORY LUTHERAN CHURCH PHOTO BY FREEPIK.COM

W hen God brought the Israelites out of the land of Egypt and made them his children, he had a lot of instructions for them, which are summarized in the 10 commandments. But how were the Israelites going to make these commandments their own? The Lord tells us how in Deuteronomy 6:6-9 – “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” Today, the same question arises. We have the Word of God, the whole story of Jesus written out for us, but how can

a child make this faith their own? In the verses above, notice who has most of the responsibility, parents! When parents are teaching their children the Word, when they talk about it regularly, even having symbols such as the cross or a verse in a picture frame hanging on the wall, children will notice these things. They will begin to ask their own questions: “Why do we go to church every week? Why do bad things happen to us? What is the resurrection?” And before you are even aware, they are making faith their own! This may be a daunting task for parents, especially if your children begin asking questions you are not sure how to answer, but you’re not alone. God has also given his people earthly shepherds, pastors who have been trained in the Word for years, just like the disciples, in order to help both

parents and children grow in their faith. Classes are offered by pastors to guide children on their path of faith, to impress the Word on their hearts, so that when they are older, they will know how to apply those truths to many different situations. What a beautiful thing it is when children are brought to the Lord in order to learn from him, making faith their own. Just as Jesus told his disciples, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these,” Matthew 19:14. May we as parents never impede our children in making faith their own. If you don’t know of a church that has classes for your children or doesn’t have one, feel free to reach out to us here at Cross of Glory. We’re here to help!

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Birthdays that Won’t Break the Bank BY VICTORIA MIKOTA PHOTO BY KLEINPETER PHOTOGRAPHY 2023-24 COVER KID ANGEL M.

C andles: Check

HAVE A COOKOUT What better way to celebrate your special kiddo than with lots of homemade food and a cookout or BBQ in the backyard? You can make an entire day of celebrating with fun lawn games, pool time, hotdogs and hamburgers, and fun in the sun. At the end of the day, turn up the heat and make s’mores around a fire pit. THROW A PARTY AT THE PARK Community parks are a great place to host large gatherings, like birthday parties! Many of the community parks in Baton

clown, or even an extravagant birthday dress. It’s time to really rethink birthdays. Here’s how you can throw a memorable birthday party on a budget. Thank us later. HOST A SLEEPOVER Probably one of the most exciting events in a young child’s life is the opportunity to have a group of friends stay the night. If you want to make your kid’s eyes light up, buy the group a pizza, give them free rein in the living room, and sit back as your child makes their favorite birthday memories.

Birthday Party Invites: Check Most Fun Day of Your Child’s Life: Check?

If your kiddo’s birthday is coming up, you may feel a bit of excitement and a tinge of sadness. Your sweet baby is reaching another yearly milestone and going into a whole new chapter of their life, and it’s your job to make sure this celebration is remembered for years to come. But, c’mon, you’re not a Kardashian! You can’t just negate all of your important payments to put a down payment on balloons, a party

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Rouge have splash pads, tennis courts, disc golf, and other fun outdoor activities for kiddos and the whole family to enjoy. HOST A BACKYARD MOVIE NIGHT A backyard movie night is the perfect way to bring together friends and family and do an activity everyone will enjoy. For this night, we recommend a projector so that everyone can see the big screen! For added fun, you can make a snack table inside where kids can choose from candy, chips, and other sweet or salty snacks. To keep the bugs away, we recommend bug repellent tiki torches! GO ON A SCAVENGER HUNT Scavenger hunts are a fun way to engage and entertain your child’s guests without breaking the bank on entertainment options. If you want to add a fun twist to the scavenger hunt, add unique prizes throughout the hunt! OTHER COST-SAVING METHODS SKIP THE POST OFFICE To cut costs at the post office, we recommend making digital birthday party invitations through Canva or another design platform. This way, instead of

mailing cards, you can just send them via email or text! ORDER SUPPLIES ONLINE Party stores often have ludicrous markups on items you can buy in bulk online. Instead of wasting money on cheap items, consider buying party supplies in bulk from stores like Amazon, Walmart, or even Sam’s Club. Bonus points if you can reuse the items for future events. UPCYCLE OLD PARTY FAVORS Birthday parties often have unique themes that require extensive planning and thorough brainstorming. However, most items like hats, streamers, decorations, and noisemakers can all be reused. Consider taking careful care of your party favors at this year’s party, so you can reuse them again for years to come. BAKE YOUR OWN CAKE We’re not saying you have to be Betty Crocker over here, but baking your child’s cake would save a significant amount of money–especially if they have specific decoration requests in mind. If baking from scratch isn’t your thing, buy a box cake! If you want to spruce up a box cake, substitute buttermilk for water for

a firmer, less-sweet cake. Then, you can make your own buttercream. Et voilà! USE CRAFTS AS PARTY FAVORS If you want to save money on party favors, opt for a personalized craft that guests can take home with them. You can search for specific crafts that match your child’s theme, or come up with your own ideas. EMBRACE FREE ACTIVITIES Save money on entertainment and entertain your kiddo’s guests with free activities. Here are a few easy go-to ideas:

■ Keep-Up-the-Balloon ■ Musical Chairs ■ Hot Potato ■ Charades ■ Red Rover ■ Three-Legged Race ■ “Simon says”

While you may not be a Kardashian, your child definitely views you as a superhero of sorts and will more than likely appreciate any effort you put into making their birthday a special one. Remember, it’s the thought that counts! ■

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BY BRPM PHOTO BY KLEINPETER PHOTOGRAPHY 2023-24 COVER KID RYLAN P. Birthday Listing

With this guide, you’ll have a variety of bakeries, entertainment, venues, and party supplies to choose from to get you started planning your child’s next birthday.

BAKERIES Cake Goddess LLC 14241 Airline Highway, Suite 108 Baton Rouge, LA 70817 (225) 751-8002 facebook.com/cakegoddessllc CounterSpaceBR 7575 Jefferson Highway, Suite D Baton Rouge, LA 70808 (225) 456-5002 counterspacebr.com Crumbl Cookies 6555 Siegen Lane, Suite 10 Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70809 (225) 228-0120 crumblcookies.com/batonrouge Eloise Market and Cakery 320 Lee Drive, Suite D Baton Rouge, LA 70808 (225) 223-4153 eloisemarket.com Gambino’s Bakery 8646 Goodwood Boulevard Baton Rouge, LA 70806 Great American Cookies and Marble Slab Creamery 9730 Bluebonnet Boulevard Baton Rouge, LA 70810 (225) 456-5923 gacandmarbleslab.com Insomnia Cookies 128 W. Chimes Street Baton Rouge, LA 70802 (225) 314-7150 insomniacookies.com Les Amis Bake Shoppe 11826 Coursey Boulevard Baton Rouge, LA 70816 (225) 293-8115 lesamisbakeshoppe.com Nothing Bundt Cakes (225) 928-7000 gambinos.com

3535 Perkins Road Baton Rouge, LA 70808 (225) 924-9002 nothingbundtcakes.com Panaderia Las Delicias

ambrosiabakery.com Ambrosia Bakery has been serving Baton Rouge since 1993, home to the Original Fresh Strawberry Cake and more delicious treats. The Blue Rose Café & Bakery 11950 Cloverland Avenue Baton Rouge, LA 70809 (225) 439-9015 thebluerosebr.com Tredici Bakery 5078 Capital Heights Avenue Baton Rouge, LA 70806 (225) 448-5216 tredicibakery.com ENTERTAINMENT Art Academy 16113 Highway 44, Suite B Prairieville, LA 70769 artacademyla.com (225) 276-8229 Art Academy offers parties using techniques including drawing, painting, and sculpture, providing a customized art experience for all ages!

8290 Siegen Lane #C Baton Rouge, LA 70810 (225) 636-2452 bakerylasdelicias.business.site Smallcakes Cupcakery & Creamery 18135 E Petroleum Drive, Suite D Baton Rouge, LA 70809 (225) 831-1856 smallcakesbatonrouge.com Sweetime Bakery

13711 Coursey Boulevard Baton Rouge, LA 70817 (225) 615-8005 sweetimebakery.com The Ambrosia Bakery 8546 Siegen Lane Baton Rouge, LA 70810 (225) 763-6489

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Basics Paintball LLC 9285 Cockerham Road Denham Springs, LA 70706 (225) 678-4366 basicspaintball.com Baton Rouge Cheer Academy 2052 Dallas Drive Baton Rouge, LA 70806 (225) 221-6584 brcheeracademy.com 40011 La Rochelle Road Prairieville, LA 70769 (225) 313-9493 beourguestroyalparties.com Cajun Cuties Mobile Petting Zoo and Pony Rides PO Box 615 Greenwell Springs, LA 70739 (225) 247-8726 instagram.com/thecajuncuties BR Cheer Academy is your one stop shop for all your cheer and tumbling needs. We offer tumbling privates, camps, and clinics. Be Our Guest Royal Princess Parties A mobile petting zoo and pony ride business offering animals for birthday parties and any occasion. Serving Baton Rouge and surrounding areas. Mud Pies & Masterpieces Baton Rouge, LA (225) 954-4774 Once Upon A Time Princess Parties 7610 Old Hammond Highway Baton Rouge, LA 70809 (225) 267-7233 onceuponatimepartiesal.com Party Trains 2 Geaux (225) 369-0018 partytrains2geaux.com Petite Princess Company 25817 Royal Birkdale Drive Denham Springs LA 70726 (225) 347-1981 petiteprincesscompany.com Serenity Sprinkles Kids Parties 33135 La Highway 16 Denham Springs, LA 70706 serenitysprinkles.com We offer a range of services, including decorations, themed cakes, bounce houses, and more. Our team will handle everything, from setting up to cleaning up, so you can relax and enjoy the party. Sequestered Escape Room Adventures 5525 S. Sherwood Forest Boulevard

Baton Rouge, LA 70816 (225) 831-4441 sequesteredescape.com

Baton Rouge, LA 70816 (225) 257-9481 jeauxjumps.com Magical Momentz Events (225) 244-0231

Challenge your mind, test your teamwork and push your resourcefulness. Do you have what it takes to escape? SipEcup225 1833 Beaumont Drive Baton Rouge, LA 70806 (225) 335-1149 sipecup225.com Twinkle Entertainment (225) 955-4753 twinkletheclown.com Two Peas in a Spa (504) 505-8359 twopeasinaspa.com PARTY SUPPLIES Animated Art Balloon Decor and Entertainment animatedart.us Ayahuma Events 5561 N. Allegheny Court Baton Rouge, LA 70817 (225) 936-1616 Balloonatics of Baton Rouge (225) 955-1948 facebook.com/batonrougeballoons BalloonMania of LA 1130 S. Range Avenue, Suite A Denham Springs, LA 70726 (225) 271-4473 balloonmaniaofla.com Balloons By Theryl (225) 268-1486 balloonsbytherylllc.com Baton Rouge Bounce House Rental (225) 228-0620 bradic.org Bayou Funtime Inflatables 3637 Conrad Drive Baton Rouge, LA 70805 (225) 250-6939 bayoufuntime.com Bouncing Off The Walls Inflatable Rental

magicalmomentzevents.com O’Seaux Fancy - Yard Cards 3623 Monticello Boulevard Baton Rouge, LA 70814 (225) 266-0601 oseaux-fancy-llc-yard-cards.business.site Party City 7054 Siegen Lane Baton Rouge, LA 70809

(225) 361-2394 partycity.com

Parties Start Here 3150 Valley Street Baton Rouge, LA 70808 (225) 381-8488 Party Time 3350 Bluebonnet Boulevard Baton Rouge, LA 70809 (225) 927-3270 partytimebr.com

Birthday celebrations are made easy at Party Time. Find everything you need, all in one place, from decorations and tableware to birthday sashes and balloons. Plasencia Printing & Party 15336 Old Hammond Highway Baton Rouge, LA 70816 (225) 256-1515 decorplasencia.negocio.site PoshPOP Gourmet Popcorn Zachary, LA (225) 268-8000 poshpop.shop Posh Pop Gourmet Popcorn offers innovative, gourmet flavors created by young founders, fostering community connection through unique snacking experiences via parties, sporting events and custom gifts. Starlite Creations

8221 N. Parkland Drive Baton Rouge, LA 70806 (225) 356-1363 starlitecreationsballoons.com Social Butterfly Events 9530 Interline Avenue Baton Rouge, LA 70809 (225) 615-4794 socialbutterfly-events.com The Sleepee Teepee

9643 Interline Avenue Baton Rouge, LA 70809 (225) 612-5978 bouncingoffthewallsbr.com Jeaux Jumps Bounce Houses & Event Rentals 1765 O’Neal Lane #529

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BRPARENTS.COM | JULY2024

(225) 278-9547 thesleepeeteepee.com The Ultimate Party Store 311 S. Range Avenue Denham Springs, LA 70726 (225) 664-9446 ultimatepartystores.com Whoopeee Party Rentals (225) 999-5454 whoopeeerentals.com VENUES Airborne Extreme Denham Location 730 S. Range Avenue Denham Springs, LA 70726 (225) 999-1999 airborneextreme.com Gonzales Location 14552 Airline Highway, Suite A Gonzales, LA 70737

(225) 275-7577 celebritytheatres.com/birthdaypartiesbr Chee Chee’s Playroom 11111 Park Place Drive, Suite A Baton Rouge, LA 70818 (225) 202-6871 cheecheesplay.com GymFit Baton Rouge 4343 Rhoda Drive Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70816 (225) 293-9301 gymfitbr.com Jump-N-Jive 17573 Old Jefferson Highway #3930 Prairieville, LA 70769 (225) 744-3011 jumpnjiveparty.com Knock Knock Children’s Museum 1900 Dalrymple Drive Baton Rouge, LA 70808 (225) 388-3090 knockknockmuseum.org Louisiana Art & Science Museum 100 S. River Road Baton Rouge, LA 70802 (225) 344-5272 lasm.org Celebrate your child’s next “trip around the sun” at the Louisiana Art & Science Museum and Irene W. Pennington Planetarium! Main Event 6401 Bluebonnet Boulevard, Suite 660 Baton Rouge, LA 70836 (225) 508-3050 mainevent.com Operation Imagination 4606 Jones Creek Road, Suite 100 Baton Rouge, LA 70817 (225) 239-5636 operationimagination.com Painting and Pinot 7248 Perkins Road Baton Rouge, LA 70808 (225) 223-6101 paintingandpinot.com Each Painting and Pinot Birthday Party in our studio includes custom We even have add-on options to really make your party Pinterest worthy! If you prefer to party at home, we can bring the fun to you with our “In home” parties. Pinspiration Baton Rouge 5830 S Sherwood Forest Boulevard, digital invitations, cupcakes, lemonade, tableware, and an art project for each child.

Suite A-2 Baton Rouge, LA 70816 (225) 663-6713 pinspiration.com Skate Galaxy 12828 Jefferson Highway Baton Rouge, LA 70816

skategalaxy.com (225) 756-2424

Skate Galaxy offers party packages that include skate rentals, food, and drinks, making it a convenient and stress-free option for parents looking to host a memorable birthday celebration for their child. Sky Zone Baton Rouge 10111 The Grove Avenue Baton Rouge, LA 70836 (225) 224-8545 skyzone.com/baton-rouge The Little Gym of Baton Rouge 5735 Essen Lane, Suite 100 Baton Rouge, LA 70809 (225) 427-9019 thelittlegym.com/batonrougela The Party Porch at Little Learners Outdoors 14747 Terrell Road Baton Rouge, LA 70816 littlelearnersoutdoors.com/parties Top Golf 10955 N. Mall Drive Baton Rouge, LA 70809 (225) 372-3725 topgolf.com/us/baton-rouge Tumbles South Baton Rouge 9828 Bluebonnet Boulevard, Suite A-10 Baton Rouge, LA 70810 (225) 663-6361 southbatonrouge.tumbles.net UpTown Climbing 10505 Coursey Boulevard Baton Rouge, LA 70816 (225) 831-1117 uptownclimbing.com Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park 170 Bass Pro Boulevard Denham Springs, LA 70726 (225) 304-4655 urbanair.com Young Chefs’ Academy 7970 Jefferson Highway, Suite E Baton Rouge, LA 70809 (225) 928-2022 batonrougela.youngchefsacademy.com

(225) 307-4412 airbornex.com All Star Lanes

9829 Airline Highway Baton Rouge, LA 70816 (225) 924-0124 allstarlanesbr.com Bowling birthday parties are a fan favorite of kids everywhere; let us help create memories for a lifetime! Blue Zoo Baton Rouge 6401 Bluebonnet Boulevard, Suite 1123 Baton Rouge, LA 70836 batonrouge.bluezoo.us BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo 3601 Thomas Road Baton Rouge, LA 70807 (225) 775-3877 brzoo.org BrushFire Art Studio 125 N. Range Avenue, Suite D Denham Springs, Louisiana 70726 (225) 664-4994

brushfireonline.com Celebration Station 10111 Gwenadele Avenue Baton Rouge, LA 70816 (225) 258-1787 celebrationstation.com

Offers a variety of amazing attractions, including bumper boats, go-karts, mini golf and more. Celebrity Theatres 15365 George Oneal Road Baton Rouge, LA 70817

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Party Palooza 7 Immersive Children’s Birthday Party Ideas

BY MADISON VOORHIES PHOTO BY FREEPIK.COM

F rom transforming your backyard into a prehistoric jungle to turning your home into a royal tea party fit for your littlest prince or princess, we’ve curated seven unforgettable party themes that promise to make your child’s special day truly magical. Dive in, and discover creative decorations, engaging activities, and themed treats that will ignite imaginations and create memories that last a lifetime. 1. OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHT For the more lowkey child in your family, try hosting a movie theater birthday party at home! This doesn’t have to be hard, and you can add a few extras to take your blockbuster birthday party to the next level. Start by setting up your screen, whether it’s an inflatable movie screen or a simple white sheet, and set up a quality projector. Arrange cozy seating areas with blankets, pillows, and maybe even inflatable loungers. Serve up theater classics like freshly-made popcorn, sizzling hot dogs, nachos, and candy at your DIY concession stand. Decorate the area with string lights and other cinema-themed

décor for a movie night the kids will never forget. 2. SPACE ADVENTURE Any child at any age can be a space ranger with this out-of-this-world theme! A space adventure party requires celestial decorations, like glow-in-the-dark stars, planet cutouts, and rocket ship models. You can set up activities like a rocket ship building station, a space treasure hunt, or even a planetarium show. Costumes may also be encouraged to enhance the immersive experience. Not only does this theme captivate children’s imaginations, but it transports them to outer space for a day of exploration and fun. The possibilities for space-themed snacks are also seemingly endless if you add treats like Moon Pies, Star Crunches, and “asteroids” (cheese balls) to the menu. 3. DINO EXPEDITION Transform your backyard into a thrilling prehistoric jungle for the ultimate dinosaur expedition party! Think lush greenery, towering dinosaur cutouts, and authentic- looking faux fossils scattered about.

Create a realistic excavation site where budding paleontologists can dig through sand or dirt to unearth dinosaur bones and fossils, adding a dash of adventure with explorer hats and vests so kids can truly embody their inner archaeologists. This party theme is an engaging blend of fun and education, perfect for curious minds. Elevate the excitement with a hands-on science lesson by baking a spectacular volcano cake that erupts with sweet surprises. This dinosaur adventure will transport your little ones back in time for a day of discovery and delight! 4. SUPERHERO TRAINING CAMP Turn your child’s birthday bash into an epic superhero training camp with a DIY obstacle course or a thrilling ropes course at a play center. Deck out each little hero with custom capes and masks, and set up action-packed missions that foster teamwork and problem-solving. Bring the adventure to life with vibrant decorations in your child’s favorite superhero colors and logos, plus dramatic cityscape backdrops. This dynamic, action-packed adventure encourages kids to embody

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