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CSP Team

April 23, 2018

See you there! The Smarty Town Hall on Social Media Parenting 3.0 – Register Here

Do you feel like keeping up with your kids’ social media is a full-time job? You’re not alone. Parents today have it hard. We’re all playing catch up with the social media world and often feel overwhelmed by how to parent through it. Our first two Town Halls on Social Media Parenting were so successful that now we’re back to host our THIRD Town Hall on Social Media Parenting (we call it 3.0) where parents and experts in our community can come together to discuss kids and social media. We’ve got a host of experts for everyone plus time built in for small group discussion that will be relevant to your family’s needs – whether you’re holding off on social media and devices or all-in.

Charlotte Smarty Pants is partnering with Charlotte Christian School on April 29th at Charlotte Christian School for this event. All parents from preschool to high school and from any school are welcome to join in on the conversation. Our goal is to bring knowledge, relief, and empowerment to navigate the iGeneration. And guess what? It’s FREE.

We hope you join us because let’s face it: what happens in my kid’s school affects what happens in yours thanks to social media. Register here now.

Event Details:

When:
Sunday, April 29 from 2-4pm
Click here to register.

Where:
Charlotte Christian School
Center for Worship and Performing Arts
7301 Sardis Rd, Charlotte, NC 28270

What to expect:
We’ll start out as one big group then (2) 30-minute breakout session blocks, (4) breakout panels. Panels will repeat for the 2nd session block. When you register, you’ll be prompted to tell us what (2) breakout session topics you plan to attend.

Cheryl Perry

April 24, 2018

Smarty Review: Hunstad Kortesis Bharti’s HydraFacial

Honey, time marches on and eventually you realize it is marchin’ across your face. ~ Truvy, “Steel Magnolias”

Over the last few years, I’ve noticed that years of sleepless nights, endless carpools, and Nerf bullets are taking their toll on my face. I went from alive-and-thirty-five to flippin’ forty in what feels like the speed of sound. I’ve considered a peel, but am super nervous of the…well…peeling. Peels seem a little too invasive for me right now – I’m just not ready for the downtime – and I need a little something more than creams. So when our friends at Hunstad/Kortesis/Bharti (HKB) told us about their new Hydrafacial, a non-invasive, semi-relaxing facial that promises to cleanse, peel, extract, and hydrate skin, I was ALL IN. They were kind enough to provide me with a Hydrafacial in exchange for a review, and I couldn’t WAIT to tell Smartyland about it.

I was giddy with excitement the day of my facial. I hadn’t altered my schedule in anyway, so I was really hoping their promises of no downtime were true. My appointment was at HKB’s SouthPark office, which, in case you haven’t been, is simply gorgeous. My aesthetician was SO sweet and talked me through the whole process. I don’t have exceptionally dry or oily skin, but if you have some sort of specific skin need, she will talk you through the treatment process. The HydraFacial includes the patented 4-in-1 technology of Vortex-Cleansing, HydroPeel Exfoliation, Vortex-Extraction, and Vortex-Fusion and use four phases to cleanse, peel, extract and hydrate skin. It combines antioxidants, water, and skin nourishers, which include specialty serums chock full of potent peptides, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants. It also vacuums out skin impurities, dead skin, and toxins all while you lie there relaxing.

You know how good it feels to get your carpets cleaned? Yea, this feels better because no one can stomp across your face with dirty shoes and mess the whole thing up. And, you’ll actually GLOW for at least week. Read More →

Jennifer Voorhees

April 23, 2018

Smarty Review: Children’s Theatre of Charlotte’s Madagascar – A Musical Adventure & GIVEAWAY!

Our family foursome had the privilege of experiencing Madagascar – A Musical Adventure put on by the Children’s Theater of Charlotte. This was the first musical that we have gone to as a family. I was a little nervous as my six-year old and four-year old are big squirmers and have a difficult time sitting still longer than ten minutes. As the four of us found our seats, we took time to look through the program. I love musicals so I took some time to explain to my daughter what the program is for and who will be playing the characters we’re about to see.

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this musical for kids but let me tell you, I was super impressed with how vibrant, fun and interactive it was. One of the first things you do is jump out of your seat to learn some dance moves.

The musical is sweet, as you follow the four loveable characters: Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Gloria the Hippo and Melman the Giraffe (he’s super tall!) on an adventure of finding freedom outside of the Central Park Zoo. Marty’s birthday wish was to experience life outside of the zoo for a little bit. His friends get wrapped up in his adventure and learn a lot about friendship and living a little!

Carroll Walton

First time away from the kids is the hardest?

Chipper’s wife Taylor, Chipper, me, and B.B. Abbott, Chipper’s agent, standing in front of our ride

I am not one of those moms who has a problem leaving kids with a babysitter. I believe in balance. But somehow I got almost two years into parenting before I’d ever spent more than one night away from my son, and that was for my stay in the hospital having two more! (Our twin boys are six months old.)

Breastfeeding does that. I once took my mom and son on a work trip to Atlanta, so I could pop back to the hotel and breastfeed. So does living in the same town with family. Overnights don’t make much sense when people can sleep in their own beds.

But a little over a month ago, my former life came calling, beckoning me to take a trip out of town, and the only logical answer seemed like yes. Quick backstory: I used to be a sportswriter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The main beat I covered in my 17 years there was the Atlanta Braves. That led to an awesome opportunity to co-author a biography with Chipper Jones, their superstar third baseman. And this past January, Chipper was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. He’ll be inducted in a formal ceremony in July. In March, he got invited to Cooperstown, N.Y., home of the Baseball Hall of Fame, for a personal tour of the museum as part of an orientation for his induction weekend. He got to pick two writers to join him on the behind-the-scenes tour, and I was one of the lucky two.
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CSP Team

April 21, 2018

Smarty Summer Camp 2018: Carolina Flipz

Carolina Flipz’s summer camps are a fun-filled week your child will learn gymnastics skills, team bonding, artistic creativity, healthy living, independence and much more. This camp is not just for gymnasts but all athletes that like to flip around and have a fun time. It’s PERFECT for both boys and girls. Flipz’s USAG certified instructors maintain a safe and structured atmosphere for all kids to participate no matter what their gymnastics abilities may be.

Carolina Flipz’s summer camp’s awesome activities combined with its flexible structure make it one of the best camps in town. You can customize the days you want to come – whether it is 1, 2, 3, 4 or all 5 days. PLUS they have Water Day Wednesdays and nice, cool A/C during the dog days of summer. Here’s more info on Carolina Flipz summer camps:

Junior Camp

8:30AM-12:30PM | FOR AGES 3YRS-5YRS
*must be of age by the time they attend camp*
*must be potty trained*
This camp is specifically designed for Junior FUN! With age appropriate games and skills we take the time to make sure each child grows and builds CORE motor development and gymnastics basics. Read More →

Jenni Strazzulla

Smarty Mom: Josephine Hauser

“Note to self: when you connect with people who are good for you, you feel it. This is a big deal. Don’t forget to acknowledge how great it is to be around someone who lights you up. Tell them, even if you feel a little bit weird…” ~ Author Unknown

Smarties, the quote above describes exactly how I feel about this week’s Smarty Mom, Josephine Hauser. Meeting her for the first time felt like I was catching up with an old friend. I knew instantly we would walk away being friends!

In this interview, Josephine opens up about her daily life as a mother to three children, her son Jackson’s recent diagnosis with PANDAS, her very stylish blog The Style Hostess, her work as a Travel Agent and her position on the Lung Force Cabinet for the American Lung Association in Charlotte. Phew, she has a lot going on! And, I am excited to mention that she will be guest blogging on CSP about her family’s journey with her son’s recent diagnosis of Pandas.

Without further ado, let’s get to know my new friend, this week’s Smarty Mom, Josephine Hauser.
Read More →

CSP Team

April 20, 2018

From the Smarty Camp Corner: Take Flight This Summer at the Charlotte Cirque & Dance Center!

Dance, Circus and Theater come together for high flying fun at Charlotte Cirque & Dance Center!

Why sit indoors all summer long when you can fly? Safely, of course.

Kids and teens can build confidence, increase core strength and lifelong friends through a wide range of dance and cirque camps at Charlotte’s Cirque and Dance Center, one of the premiere cirque and dance centers in the Southeast, the school of Caroline Calouche & Co.

Popularized by Cirque du Soleil, aerial dance incorporates the use of silks, trapeze, lyra (aerial hoop), rope, sling or net to dance in the air. The art form continues to evolve and is gaining recognition as a fitness program.

Summer Programs at the Charlotte Cirque & Dance Center (CC&DC) begin June 11 and are available for ages 6+ who are newbies and for those with experience in dance, acrobatics and aerial dance. All programs are 9am – 5pm and last 1 – 3 weeks. The week-long camps are a great fit for youth and teens who want to have a unique summer experience in a safe and supportive environment. Read More →

Jenni Strazzulla

Fitness Friday: Let Pure Barre Spring you back into shape!

Smarties, is your body in need of spring tune-up? Has this lo-o-o-o-o-ng stretch of cold weather put your body into hibernation mode? It is finally starting to feel like Spring outside and you know what that means – it is time to shed those winter layers!

Our friends at Pure Barre are ready to help you shed those layers and show off a newly sculpted Pure Barre physique. Whether it is your goal to have long lean legs in a pair of shorts, toned arms in a sleeveless top, a lifted seat with a pure barre ledge in a pair skinny white jeans, or flat toned abs in a bathing suit – Pure Barre is here to help you! You can choose the isometric magic of a classic Pure Barre class or the fast paced dynamic movements in their Empower class. Either way, Pure Barre is your secret weapon against the muffin top or as I like to call it the “spare tire.”

Classic Pure Barre is a 55 minute total mind body workout! Each class is designed to be effective for people at all levels of experience and fitness. The positions and movements are basic. It is how deep you work in them that makes the difference- and trust me, it makes a world of difference! The instructors love to say, “You can always get your leg a little straighter, a little higher, 3/4 bend is almost straight…” You may not think much of it; but, those little adjustments can amp up your personal results. My advice – dig deep, the pay off is beyond your expectations.

Every class, the instructor changes the music and moves. They do an AHH.MAZ.ING job keeping each class fresh and challenging. You never know what to expect; however, you are always guaranteed a workout that yields results and targets the areas you really want to work on – your abs, hips, waist, arms and seat. Read More →

Jen Plym

April 19, 2018

Smarty Summer Camp 2018: Jami Masters School of Dance Summer Program

This summer our Smarty friends at Jami Masters School of Dance (JMSD) have an enchanting schedule of camp themes perfect to keep your dancers entertained and twirling throughout the whole summer!

Jami Masters School of Dance is located in the back lot of Park Road Shopping Center and offers a variety of summer dance camps available to children two years old to third grade. Campers will discover acrobatics, art, dance, drama, ballet, cheer, hip hop, jazz and more. All campers will receive a JMSD Summer Camp T-Shirt and families are invited for a special performance on Fridays.

What I love about JMSD is their low-pressure philosophy:

To instill the love of dance in all of their students. They encourage each child to be the best they can be, and do this in a loving, caring, nurturing, and noncompetitive environment. Through careful, supervised dance training, students gain confidence and charm while developing stronger, healthier bodies. Read More →

CSP Team

Smarty Scoop On Weekend Events April 20-22

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Carolina Flipz Open Gym
Carolina Flipz
11812 Carolina Place Parkway, Pineville, NC
April 21, 5:00pm – 7:00pm, Ages 6-18, $10 members, $15 non-members
Summary: Registration required, please call (704) 544-4511

Pet Palooza Festival And Walk
Independence Park
300 Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte, NC
April 21, 10:00am – 3:00pm, All ages, $35 registration fee for the walk
Summary: On Saturday, April 21 the Humane Society will hold our annual Pet Palooza Festival & Walk for the Animals event at Independence Park. We look forward to once again hosting thousands of Charlotte’s pet lovers for a day of fur-raising fun!

Tuckfest
U.S. National Whitewater Center
5000 Whitewater Center, Charlotte, NC
April 19-22, See website for schedule and ticket prices
Summary: Tuck Fest is a multi-day festival that celebrates the outdoor lifestyle through competitions, exhibitions, demos, and live music at the U.S. National Whitewater Center (USNWC). The festival features a variety of outdoor competitions that include trail running, kayaking, biking, climbing, stand-up paddle boarding, obstacle, and adventure racing. The name “Tuck Fest” comes from the Tuckaseegee Ford and Trail, a historical landmark located at the USNWC. Read More →