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Reader Question: Competitive Girls Basketball Team?

November 9, 2007 | Leave a Comment

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A reader is looking for a competive basketball team in Northwest Arkansas for her 4th grade daughter. 

Any suggestions?  Leave them in the comments or email me.

Posted by Terri Chadick | Filed Under Reader Questions 

Responses to House Cleaner Question

November 8, 2007 | Leave a Comment

I gathered several recommendations for house cleaners.  I personally use Diana Zecena.  Here are quotes from the emails I received recommending others.  If you are interested, email me and I will send you contact information for these house cleaners.

  • Amy Friddle has done a wonderful job of cleaning my house.
  • I use Details Cleaning Service.  Holly Barnes is the owner and she has a staff that can accommodate most needs.  I like it because if people leave or aren’t doing a good job, she handles it for you.  She also stops in and does "surprise" inspections to make sure they are doing a good job. 
  • I have cleaned houses and am looking for more to clean. I have references and experience.
  • I know of a lady in Elkins that cleans houses. She is a super nice Christian women that can be trusted with your life. I can send emails/phone #’s of those in need to her. Thanks!

  • I have a friend that just started a cleaning service. She is my Connection Group leader from church and is very dependable. I have a flyer from her on e-mail. Send me your e-mail if you want her information. My e-mail is rotlfan@hotmail.com

Posted by Terri Chadick | Filed Under Reader Questions 

Reader Question: House Cleaning Help

October 26, 2007 | 1 Comment

I recently received this question:

A friend and I are looking for a reputable, detail-oriented cleaning service to clean our homes.  Do you know of a person or service you could recommend?

OK readers, do you have any recommendations for house cleaners in Northwest Arkansas?  Leave them in the comments or email me. 

I use Diana Zecena.  If any of you would like her phone number, email me and I will forward it to you.

Posted by Terri Chadick | Filed Under Reader Questions 

Reader Poll: Baby’s First Haircut

October 7, 2007 | 3 Comments

I received a reader question from Lindsay asking for recommendations on the best place to get a child’s hair cut in Northwest Arkansas.  Specifically: 

I have a 14 1/2 month old who needs his FIRST haircut. I of course think this is a monumental occasion, so I want to take him somewhere that will A) do a good job B) be comfortable and fun for him and C) won’t mind me taking lots of pictures and making a big deal out of it! The problem is, I have no idea where to go!

My stylist doesn’t do kids hair but she said she heard of a place–she thought in Bentonville–that caters to small children. They give a certificate for the first haircut and the chairs are animal shaped. It sounds like the perfect place, I just have no idea what it’s called or where it is! The phone book was no help at all. So, I thought maybe you could poll the moms of NWA and see where is the best place to get a child’s hair cut???? 

Those who know me and my children realize that haircutting is not given the priority it deserves in my house — in fact, my mother always gets my boys haircuts when she comes to visit! 

So, I am asking my readers for recommendations.  Click here to leave a recommendation in the comments or email me directly at allsidesoflife@gmail.com. 

Posted by Terri Chadick | Filed Under Reader Questions 

Reader Poll: What are the Best Daycares, Preschools, and Mother’s Day Out Programs in Northwest Arkansas?

September 12, 2007 | 11 Comments

I have my own list of favorites, but which programs do you recommend? 

Leave your answers in the comments or email me directly at allsidesoflife@gmail.com.

Posted by Terri Chadick | Filed Under Reader Questions 

Reader Question Regarding Bilingual Preschools in Northwest Arkansas

August 31, 2007 | Leave a Comment

I received this reader question today:
I work in Bentonville and am in the process of adopting two baby boys from Guatemala, both a little over 1 year old.  I would really like for them to maintain their Spanish language and also learn English.  Do you know of any daycare/preschools in the Bentonville area that teaches the children in both Spanish and English?
Here’s my response. 
What a wonderful question!  I have a friend who is taking Spanish classes at NWACC for that reason.  I have also told her about the bilingual story times at the libraries in Fayetteville and Springdale.
As to your question, I am not aware of a bilingual preschool.  Many of the schools include Spanish in their curriculum, but not to the extent you are seeking. 
However, I do know Larson’s Language Center in Rogers advertises Spanish immersion programs and classes for children ages 2-12.  Here’s the current class schedule.  It looks like they have an immersion class for children ages 2-5 on Mondays from 8:30-2. 
I’ll post your question on my site to see if anyone knows of a bilingual preschool and keep my eye out for one.
Does anyone have other suggestions?  Leave them in the comments or email me directly.

Posted by Terri Chadick | Filed Under Reader Questions 

Reader Question

August 27, 2007 | 1 Comment

I received this question over the weekend:
I am a single parent who works PRN so my schedule is always different.  My sitter has become unreliable and I have had to turn work down way too much due to this.  Do you know where I may be able to find a sitter who is available at all hours??  Also, I am looking for a Play Group to take my son too preferably on weekends.
Here’s my reply.
I would contact Rhonda Duckett with Life Made Simple (www.lifemadesimple.net).  She has a great list of sitters.  Talk to her and tell her your situation.  She will work with you to find a solution within your budget.  You might also try Sitter City (there is an ad for them on the left side of my webpage).  Although it is a national service, last time I checked there were lots of local sitters listed.
As to the playgroup, try www.moms.meetup.com and search for playgroups in northwest Arkansas.  I know the NWA Playgroup has lots of members and is led by another All Sides of Life reader, Katie Zweig.  I’m not sure if there are any that meet on the weekends. 
If you cannot find a formal playgroup that meets on the weekend, try your local library.  The storytimes and other family events can be a great way to meet other moms and give you son an opportunity to interact with other children.
Any other suggestions?  Leave them in the comments or email me directly at allsidesoflife@gmail.com

Posted by Terri Chadick | Filed Under Reader Questions 

Reader Question: Who is a good local tailor?

August 18, 2007 | 6 Comments

Alannah asks:

Where can I go for simple mending or tailoring?  Who is reasonably priced and good?  I have a pile of skirts and pants needing to be re-hemmed and zippers replaced, etc.

Any suggestions?  If so, please add them to the comments or email me directly.

Posted by Terri Chadick | Filed Under Reader Questions 

Reader Question

May 31, 2007 | Leave a Comment

An All Sides of Life reader is looking for a gymnastics class for her 2 year old son (they live in Fayetteville).  My son’s preschool (Montessori Children’s House in Fayetteville) offers movement and tumble time classes during the school day, so I have not scheduled any outside lessons.

Do any readers have recommendations or suggestions?  If so, comment on this post or email me directly at allsidesoflife@gmail.com.

Posted by Terri Chadick | Filed Under Reader Questions 

Responses to Reader Question About Things for Kids to do This Summer

May 8, 2007 | Leave a Comment

I received several excellent responses to the reader question about things for her grandkids to do this summer while spending time at her cabin on Beaver Lake:

Rebecca says:

We’re big on board games in our family. We started when the kids were little, and they still play now that they’re big. Parlor games are also fun, and most kids nowadays have never played them before. Charades, 20 Questions, Dumb Crambo… Cards, jacks, dominoes — again, the video game generation often has never even played them. Older folks often think these things are old hat, but to the kids, they’re brand new.

Corinna adds:

Maybe buying him a skateboard or inline skates so he can learn a new skill and work on perfecting it while on vacation (if he doesn’t know how already).

Susan suggests:

My granddaughter and I have enjoyed making stepping stones for my garden.  Take a disposable pie pan or other foil pan, follow instructions on Kwikcrete sack and fill pan with concrete.  Before it dries, press handprints, marbles, rocks, shells or other items you have had fun gathering together (permanent ones; not leaves) and allow to dry.

Actually, leaves can be pressed into wet concrete and when it dries the leaves can be scraped away, leaving a fossil-like print.

Be sure to put initials and date on this wonderful keepsake.

One more thing….don’t forget to wear rubber gloves.  Concrete was not made for hands!

Ginger recommends:

Something my 3 kids always love is building a fire pit and
hanging out around the "bondfire", cooking hotdogs on a stick,
smores, marshmallows.  And just throwing small sticks into it.  Also,
sparklers around the firepit are fun as well.  Of course, parental
supervision is a must, but we always sit around there, eating,
talking, and laughing…..

These all make me ready for summertime.  Any other suggestions?  Comment to this post or email me directly at allsidesoflife@gmail.com

Posted by Terri Chadick | Filed Under Reader Questions 

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