Some schools around West Michigan have already gotten started, one of those is Dickinson Elementary in Grand Rapids.  We spoke with principal, LaTonya Ward, about how to start the school year off on the right foot.

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Back to school means back to packing a lunch.  Meijer has some simple and healthy ideas that your kids will love.

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Sending a child off to Kindergarten can be exciting and nerve racking for many parents.  Our Pine Rest blogger and clinical social worker, Kristin Kuiper, has some words of advice for parents.

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Many kids involved in high school athletics have been busy practicing this summer getting ready for fall sports.

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When it comes to back to school shopping, Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids has everything you need!  Check out some of their great fall items.

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It's going to be a great party!

While I enjoy seeing many come throughout the year to celebrate their birthday party at my place, its time for a party for me! This Monday, August 23rd from 5-8pm is the 10th Annual Cruiser Fest! Maranda is invited and has sent back her RSVP and I am hoping you join us! Since its my birthday I have arranged for the best deal of the year with a $15 wristband for unlimited activities. Come eat some cake, meet some special mascot friends of mine, give aways, prizes and more! And hey, if you’re looking for the winning word it’s Cruiserfest!  Now go to Craig’s Cruisers Facebook page and write the winning word on our wall and you’ll be registered to win 2 FREE wristbands for our Cruiserfest event.  Each wristband gets you the unlimited pizza, pasta buffet and all Cruiser activities.  Check out www.craigscruisers.com for details on the big birthday bash!

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On an average morning in my house you can hear my bellowing voice down the hall, “Sophia, time to get up.”  Or, “Come, on hurry up!”  And then, “Come on Soph now, we’re going to be late!”  Every morning is the same routine over and over again with the same outcome.  Often there is fighting, many times tears.  It’s like I’m stuck in that movie Groundhog Day and I’m Bill Murray living the same day over and over again.  You’d think I’d learn after all this time to just get up earlier or do some things the night before to make it easier, but no.

A recent article I read in Parents magazine has led me to the conclusion that things are going to change this school year.  Sophia will start preschool in only a few short weeks and I’m determined to make our mornings a little bit easier and less stressful….if I don’t hit the snooze for the millionth time.  Okay, okay, I vow to give this routine a try for at least a week because after reading these tips, I could benefit from every single one.

Here is what they recommend for families like mine who can’t seem to get it together in the morning:

The Night Before
-Choose an outfit for the next day.  Lay out the entire outfit before bedtime and let you child help pick it out so there is no backlash in the morning.
-Check the schedule to see what activities are scheduled the following day.  That way you can place any books you need by the door, sports uniforms, etc.

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This weekend on “Where You Live” we’ve got everything you need to get the kids ready to head back to school!  We’ll show you affordable fashions from Goodwill and simple solutions for packing healthy lunches from Meijer.  We’ll also get expert advise from our friends at Pine Rest to help calm your kids’ first day fears.  We’ll also make a trip to Belding to see how many students are already back to school preparing for fall athletics!  Plus, the chance to register to win a $100 Back to school shopping spree from Meijer!!  This weekend on “Where You Live”!  Catch it Saturday at 7:30 a.m. on WOTV 4 and Saturday at 6:30 p.m. on WOOD TV 8.

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It’s hard to believe that back-to-school time is upon us!  At Meijer we’ve been busy stocking the shelves with all the things your kids need to head back to the classroom.  From backpacks to pencils we’ve got it all!  Of course we also start to think about our meal routines and the chore of packing lunches.  Fortunately, packing a healthy, balanced lunch bag can be easy and affordable.   Just remember the basic ingredients for health – whole grains, low fat dairy, lean protein and colorful fruits and veggies.

Here are some delicious lunches that you and your children will feel good about:

Option #1:

Main item: Turkey Wrap

Brush a small soft whole grain tortilla or Flatout Bread with honey mustard; top with 1-2 ounces thinly sliced turkey breast, 1-2 ounces sliced Swiss cheese and five to six spinach leaves; roll up tightly.
Side dish: Baby Carrots
Snack: Red Grapes
Treat: Whole-Grain Granola Bar

Option #2:

Main item: Cheese and Veggie Sandwich
Spread 2 tsps. of prepared basil pesto on one slice of whole grain bread; top with 2 ounces of sliced mozzarella cheese and some thin-sliced tomato and cucumber; top with second slice of bread.
Side dish: Tomato Soup
Snack: Baggie of Popcorn
Treat: Vanilla Yogurt with Fresh Fruit

Option #3:

Main item: Chicken, Vegetable, Brown Rice Soup
Heat a can of reduced sodium soup (such as Campbell’s Select Harvest Chicken with Brown Rice) and pour into thermos container.  I like to add extra vegetables to pump up the nutrition.  Try some peas or mixed veggies.
Side dish: Apple Slices with Peanut Butter
Snack: Whole Grain Crackers
Treat: Low fat Chocolate Milk

Other delicious and nutritious ideas:

• Fill a small container with hummus and serve with whole-grain pita chips.
• Provide a baggie of sweet potato chips with a little cottage cheese or lite sour cream for dipping.
• Serve fresh apple slices with plain Greek yogurt that has been spiked with a little maple syrup.
• Send cinnamon graham crackers with sugar free applesauce cup.
• Serve whole grain pretzel sticks with black bean dip.
• Add a flavored yogurt cup with a small baggie of granola to mix in.
• Wrap a slice of lean deli ham around string cheese and shredded carrots.
• Stuff cherry tomatoes with lite vegetable cream cheese.
• Pack your own trail mix by combining whole grain cereal, dried fruits, whole grain pretzels and a few dark chocolate  morsels – place into snack baggies.

It’s important that kids have nutrient-rich foods to boost brain power and sustain energy throughout the day.  Use the NuVal nutrition scoring system at Meijer to look for the healthiest options down every aisle.

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I receive a lot of questions from parents of middle school and high school age children about ADD/ADHD. Some parents are exploring diagnosis, and some are working on helping their child manage this disorder. Sometimes children are off of their meds for the summer—which should only be pursued with your doctor involved. They are taking a “holiday” from medications—and the result is that families are really seeing the impact that this ADD has–not only on their children but on their family.

As the school year approaches, parents and doctors work together again to determine what will set their child up for success in the classroom—I often meet with parents during this time of strategizing. I am privileged to be apart of these conversations and want to pass along some tips for recognizing ADD/ADHD and also some recommendations for parents of children who have been diagnosed.

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