Sunburst Lemon Bars

Taking to the mountains tomorrow for a picnic and Sundays always include my weekly treat of a scrumptious dessert so had to think of something easy to pack and remembered the Sunburst lemon bars that I made a while ago. Being a lover of anything tangy, just that name caught my eye when looking out for recipes and had to give them a go. These bars have a lovely shortbread biscuit-like base, and then topped with a super-tangy filling and then that lemony glaze on top…mmm....just heavenly…very simple to make and keep for a long time too…here's the recipe…Enjoy!!!

Crust

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 tsp. grated lemon peel

Filling

• 4 eggs
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp. grated lemon peel

Glaze

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 to 3 tablespoons lemon juice

Note: You'll need about two lemons for the juice/peel in this recipe. If you don't have enough lemon juice left for the glaze, add water until you get the right consistency.

Directions:
Heat oven to 180 degrees. In large bowl with electric mixer, beat flour, sugar, butter, and peel on low speed until crumbly. Press mixture evenly in bottom of ungreased 13x9-inch pan. Bake 20 to 30 minutes or until light golden brown.

Meanwhile, in large bowl with wire whisk, lightly beat eggs. Beat in remaining filling ingredients except lemon juice and lemon peel until well blended. Beat in 1/4 cup lemon juice and peel.

Remove partially baked base from oven. Pour filling evenly over warm base.

Return to oven; bake 25 to 30 minutes longer or until top is light golden brown. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

In small bowl, mix 1 cup powdered sugar and enough lemon juice for desired spreading consistency until smooth. Spread glaze over cooled bars. Cut into bars. Store in refrigerator, but allow bars to come to almost room temperature before serving.

Androulla xxx

Little Muse - July Program

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

The American Academy Junior School proudly presents 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'. Come and see our fantastic production of this scrumdiddliumptious musical. For details, call 99801141. Xxx

Zenobia Week

Zenobia Week Program of Events:

Choose your favourite activity and reserve your seat!
http://larnakaregion.com/uploads/files/Zenobia_Week_Flyer.pdf

Zygi Fish Festival

Zygi Fish Festival, 9th June 2014, from 17:00, at Zygi Fishing Shelter.

Festival includes: fresh fish tasting, traditional crafts, Cypriot music & dance.

Organised by: Zygi Community Council & Larnaka District Development Agency

Larnaca Community Church

Every year Larnaca Community Church runs a holiday club for Children aged from 6 to 11. Our theme this year is WEIRD ANIMALS! We charge 10 euro for the whole week and this includes a tee shirt and snacks!

Weird Animals will be a fast-moving week, with lots of fun and games, crafts, bible stories, songs and drama. We will run from 7th to 11th July, 9am-12pm.

If you would like to register your child please email me for details karenpekris@hotmail.co.uk

Spaces are very limited so book early to avoid disappointment :0)

International Children's Day

Windsurfing & Aqua Activities

Pierides Museum Activities for Children

The Pierides Museum exhibits a fascinating private collection of Cypriot antiquities 

acquired over the years from 1839 by five generations of the Pierides family, one of 

the most well known families of Larnaka. It is housed on an old family mansion house 

built in 1825. It includes exhibits from the Neolithic times, Copper Era, Mycenaean, 

Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Frankish, Venetian and Ottoman 

periods. This unique museum covers 9000 years of Cypriot art. 

1. Educational Programme ¨We are Archaeologists¨


It is a Summer Educational Workshop for children of 9-13 years old. Through

this interactive programme the children meet the ancient world and are being

introduced to the science of Archaeology. They are following the procedure of a

prober excavation, as archaeologist do and at last they participate in a mock

excavation. Through this “game”, which is based on the story of Goddess

Astarte and her sanctuary situated in Ancient Kitio, the children will trace and

discover a lost treasure and create art works to remind them of this experience.


Duration: 3 hours, 9:00 - 12:00

Language: English, Greek

Minimum number of group: 5 children

Maximum number of each group: 20 children

Cost: €10



2. Arts and Crafts


The children of all ages have the opportunity to work with several materials and

create art works such as t-shirts, pottery and sketches related to the museum

items. This experience will give the opportunity to the children to get familiar

with the museum and the world of arts through the ages and use their creativity

by creating souvenirs and gifts.


Duration: 1- 2 hours, 9:30 - 11:00

Language: English, Greek

Minimum number of group: 5 children

Cost: €10 

Contact details:

Address: Zinonos Kitieos 4, Larnaka

Tel: +357 24 814 555

Email: pieridesmuseum@bankofcyprus.com

Web: www.pieridesfoundation.com.cy

Food for thought - Paula Manoli-Gray

Once upon a time, children were given the best food in the household because parents knew that little growing bodies and minds needed the most nutrients. And if that meant that the parents went without the meat or fruit and vegetables, then so be it.

Fast-forward to today, and a strange phenomenon has appeared; the division of food into 'adult's' and 'children's'. Adults get to tuck into the real food and children get given the manufactured, toxic bomb of 'pretend food', because it is made into funny shapes and characters to appeal to immature palates… and also because it is cheap.

One of the things I love about the island is that food has yet to completely become fake. At present, you won't find the hugest selection of ready-meals and fake food in supermarkets like you would in the UK. I like the fact that if you buy a pre-packaged Cypriot burger or sausage, the ingredients will be mostly meat with some herbs, spices and breadcrumbs. Its European counterpart will have a long list of contents trying to pass themselves off as ingredients, with meat faring rather low on the list.

Many (Cypriot) children still get to eat at yiayias at lunchtime where real, hearty food is served, and of what I know of many nurseries, the food is real and traditional there too with dishes such as lentils, black eyed beans and pea casserole on the menu.

But the play places of the town are rapidly changing this and letting us down with their disgusting kids menus…

My son was recently invited to two birthday parties in play places. Kids were served a plate of nuggets, chips and mini pizza. Adults were served a buffet, which, whilst it had some fried rubbish, also had chicken skewers, salads and rice. I felt sick watching my son eat anti-nutrients whilst I got to eat some real food. But of course, I couldn't single him out so I let him eat it whilst trying not to look!

Children's menus – at play places and many other establishments – are littered with fried, reconstituted or manufactured dishes, given cute names to entice kids to eat, whilst mum and dad tuck into something fresh. Why can't these places simply have one menu that offers half portions for kids? I can resign myself to the fact that if my children are eating well at home, the occasional trip out for a bad meal won't damage them, but that is not the point; the issue is that we are not given other alternatives at some establishments.

There will be many reading this that do not share my views, and I often get teased by friends that I am too militant when it comes to my children's food. I do not accept my children being offered sweets and junk by other people and people have to start respecting mothers who want to be in control of their children's nutrition. We are not 'mean' mums because we want their food to heal and nourish rather than raise their sugar levels, suppress their immune system or make them hyperactive.

So, just as I accept the right of parents to give their children junk food – and I don't judge for it – I want others to be more tolerant to parents like me who want their kids to eat REAL food, and for eateries to recognise this with healthier options on their 'kids' menus.

Cyherbia - Lavender Fest !

From June 14th until 29th we'll be hosting the 3rd Lavender Festival at Cyherbia! You can enjoy the lavender gardens in full bloom, see the extraction of essential oil of lavender and try out our home made ice tea, cookies, liqueur and ice cream made with lavender. There will be a range of lavender products available in the herb shop and lavender craft workshops will be given in the tea room. A unique experience for the whole family to enjoy!

ThreeDots ArtLab

SUMMER ART LESSONS

Month: JULY

Days: MONDAY - FRIDAY

Time: 10:00 - 13:00

Ages: 4+

Cost: FULL MONTH: 200 euro (10 % discount for siblings)

2 WEEKS: 100 euro (10 % discount for siblings)

FOR MORE INFO CALL ON: 96 590 324

A fine balancing act

As the sun has now properly turned its dial up to 'hot' on the island, our town's popular hot spot of McKenzie is once again coming to life, which means I will now give it a wide berth!

It's just too trendy for me! I won't deny that the place looks great and it is lovely to see it so full of atmosphere and good times, but I personally miss the McKenzie of a couple of years back, which was a family beach lined with a mix of trendy and traditional; busy but not sardine-can busy. Its new incarnation plays its music too loud and leaves its sands littered with cans.

There is a fine balancing act between progress and tradition. We want to progress, we want to be modern, we want the latest things and the coolest places, of course we do. But we want to keep our identity too… our charm, our character, our customs, our original face. But we simply cannot have our cake and eat it too.

The danger of fighting so hard to keep the traditional is that we end up making the traditional false. We put the old in (metaphorical) glass cases so that we can preserve it, desperately trying to make it last, but in the process it becomes contrived. It becomes just a jewel on display. I don't want this! I want our Larnaca of old to naturally continue and for people to love it and cherish it so much that we don't have to fight to stop it dying – and in the process put it in a glass case. I want it to naturally, and normally just be part of the town.

I am not against modernisation or progress – without it we would still be riding donkeys and having to go to the toilet in a hole in the ground. Without it we wouldn't be getting our lovely new Piale Pashia, new bicycle lanes and attracting the trendy folk from all over the island to McKenzie. It's just such a fine balancing act and I don't know how long we can continue to juggle.

Larnaca is a fantastic blend of old and new, but my fear is that people will so embrace the new that they forego the old and we will eventually end up being some space-age town. We are not there yet, but the changing face of McKenzie is a small step in that direction, as sooner or later, the traditional restaurants that have been there for years just won't be able to compete with what the young and beautiful want. They will be ousted for yet another trendy place to take their spot and we will be left only with fast food and over-priced salads.

I have no conclusion to this comment, other than to encourage everyone to rediscover the roots of Larnaca – as well as enjoying the modern trappings – so that both can continue to co-exist, and so we can prevent the traditional from eventually being bullied out.

 

 

Emma's Lunch Boutique Bakery - Interview with Vanja Radivojevic-Savva

Elegant rose-, peony and orchid-decorated wedding cakes, Disney-inspired birthday cakes, cupcakes, cake pops, push pops, meringues, brownies, minions and the list of her repertoire could continue…

We have seen her sweet creations at birthdays, weddings, baptisms, business events, as she has been working on delicious and breathtaking sweet creations for the past few years from her home base in Larnaca. Vanja Radivojevic-Savva’s unique products adorn many special family or corporate celebrations and at the next Larnaca Parents Network’s monthly event on 21 May, 2014, she and her team at Emma’s Lunch Boutique Bakery offer a slice of confectionary expertise to those interested. Beata Pal-Christodoulou, an LPN mum went to see Vanja and asked her about her life as a cake-creator, a businesswoman and above all, a mum of two girls…

You are hosting a cake decorating workshop next week. Whom do you recommend this workshop for and what are the techniques, skills you will teach participants at this event? Will they be able to prepare and embellish their own cakes at home, following this session?

This workshop is great for beginner decorators. We will learn how to roll out fondant, how to cover cakes and create simple 3D designs. After this session you should definitely be able to decorate your own cakes.

How did the idea of opening your own bakery come to life? Were you always in the kitchen with your mum as a young girl? Was she your inspiration and role-model in becoming who you are now?

I never spent much time in the kitchen, besides helping mom or grandma with little things. I never really got into it until I got married and had to! Once I had kids, I wanted to make things as amazing, as they could be for them and I wanted to be the one doing it for them. That is how the “cake making” came about. My mom, however is my role model. She has been a private business owner since I can remember. She never gives up; no matter what, she does what needs to be done to the fullest and to the best of her ability. She is always ready to help. She is strong and kind and giving.

Was it an easy transition becoming self-employed after being an employee at a big company? How did you feel moving away from the corporate world and starting your own business?

Starting this business was a decision that came about because we came at a crossroads. I was working from home and we were getting so many orders that we had to make a decision. We had to decide whether to start turning down some orders to make a more manageable, leisurely schedule or going at it full steam and opening a shop officially. There was not much time to wonder about it, once we created a business plan and a feasibility study, we went ahead with it. I guess, being exposed to entrepreneurs, like my mom and dad, it was an easy transition. Although sometimes I wonder what I was thinking. Being employed by others is definitely an easier life.


How did your years on Wall Street help you in this new venture? What did you learn there that you can apply now?

Having a business background was an enormous help. The skills I gained, I still use on a daily basis. Experience with previous bosses definitely helped in deciding the kind of business owner I want to be. Generally, from making business plans, marketing, dealing with customers, etc., everything comes from that first invaluable experience.


What is one word that encapsulates your character?

I would say, being unrelenting - when I set my mind to something, I go for it and do not give up.


You have hired new people in your new shop. Does it mean that Emma’s Lunch could grow, despite the challenging economic climate in Cyprus? What is the secret of your success?

Emma's Lunch will definitely grow. We are eyeing a small internal expansion, to accommodate for the growing demand, as our little kitchen does not fit us anymore - although this is still in the examination stage. How we do it? It is consistency, attention to detail, respect and appreciation of our customers and of course having an amazing team you can rely on. I am lucky to have people I can count on in my team, they are the backbone of this business, because without them, I just couldn't do it alone and we would be nowhere. That is why hiring someone is a long and arduous process that requires a careful selection. We want to find people with skills or people, who can be taught the skills and be productive and not disruptive to the team.

How do you find the balance between busy working days and spending time with your family? How do you organize your days? Is there a typical day?

There is no such thing as a “typical day”. Each day is different and there is always a new challenge. The good thing about being your own boss is that you can create your own flexible schedule. So, I am lucky to be able to pick up the kids from school and take them to afternoon activities, be there, when they need me. Working 9-5 would not afford me such a luxury.

What has been the most challenging cake order?

I have to say it was the first Mickey Mouse Club House cake. It had a wooden structure as well! Once we managed that one, everything else was a piece of cake!

What has been the biggest disaster in the kitchen you have ever had?

I would not call it disasters, they are mistakes that happen, but can be easily corrected. Disasters for me are when cakes are out for delivery. I do not want anything to happen and if I get a call much sooner from delivery than it takes to get there, I always assume the worst.

What's your favorite cake to eat?

My favourite cake.... I can't eat cake.... especially when it is ready. It is because I have tasted all the crumbs before that, but I do love our amazing red velvet. Yum! My other favourite product of ours is the chocolate chip cookies. I cannot stop eating those. Whenever there is an order, I ask our baker to create extra!

Do you have a sweet tooth?

I do have a sweet tooth, I have always had... There is no way around it now.

How do you keep your family on healthy meals when you have a cake shop within arm’s reach, full of delicious sweets?

With my present work schedule it is very difficult for me to prepare meals at home as well. I am extremely lucky to have my mom and mother-in-law, because without them I don't know what I would have done. We go to my mother-in-law for lunch every day after school. It is a big family and she creates giant pots of food that is enough for everyone. It is even enough for unexpected guests that may come. So, there is always tasty and healthy food and enough for Lia, my younger daughter to take to school the next day. We eat dinner with my mom a couple of times a week and at weekends either at our house or hers. So, I have been spared of cooking for some time now. The challenge is limiting sweets, but as long as everyone is on the same page and all the food-providing family members know what to give and what not to give, we are ok. We are getting there, although, if I had to give anything sweet to the kids, it would be one of our cakes, because they are homemade. There are no preservatives, all true, fresh ingredients, so I prefer our cakes to store-bought chocolates.

What is the next step of growth, looking into the future? Could we see a network of island-wide shops of Emma’s Lunch bakeries?

That is definitely in the plans since day one. The challenge is choosing the right time and place. We have been open for 1.5 years now, so another shop is a bit further still.
What is your next personal challenge?

My next personal challenge is finding more time with my kids that doesn't have to do with driving them from place to place. I also would like to pull out of the cake-making process as much as possible to concentrate more on marketing and dealing with customers.


Thank you!


Emma’s Lunch Boutique Bakery Cake Decorating Workshop – LPN May event

When: Wednesday, 21 May, 2014 8pm

Where: Aradippou, Pavlou Liasidi 8, Shop 1 (behind Lidl)

What: the event will be showing participants how to cover cakes with fondant, create simple sugar roses and a fondant dog. You will be decorating your styrofoam Cake as you please with the designs you’ve created. You will learn basic cake decorating techniques. Bring your own rolling pin!

Cost of materials: 15 euro (including styrofoam cakes and fondant)

Length of class: 1.5-2 hours

Places are limited, please call Vanja to reserve: 99382652

No Caesarean again! - Natural Vaginal Birth after Caesarean in Larnaca by Veronika Christodoulides

Having a spontaneous natural birth, even after a caesarean, is usually no big deal. But for Larnaca or Cyprus, in a private clinic, it is. Cyprus has an average of 60% of caesareans in privateclinics and 45% in public hospitals. This is one of the highest rates WORLDWIDE. Something is going very wrong over here, and I very much doubt that all these women are asking for a caesarean, like everybody keeps saying. 

You can have a natural birth after a c-section in Cyprus, but it is not the standard thing to do, as I experienced with my last pregnancy. The medical details and statistics about Vaginal Birth after Caesarean (short VBAC) are available on the web. This article is about local information on therapies in Cyprus. Here in Cyprus, you need to know the right people who will direct you to getting the right information. With my first child I knew from books which therapies might help, but I did not know that there are people in Cyprus that do these and could help. This time round, I knew whom to ask.

The most important factor for having a natural birth was my strong wish that drove me. You have to speak about it with your doctor from an early stage on, since some doctors might not do VBAC. Then you have to make sure the reason why you had your previous Caesarean does not exist in this pregnancy. For me, it was the wrong positioning of the baby.

Like the first, my second baby turned head up around week 30. This time I took it more seriously since that was the reason for my caesarean. Bare in mind I was never 100% sure whether I could actually have a natural birth, until I came to the clinic with strong contractions to give birth. But with my baby's head up, I would not have even gotten that far. So when my private doctor Costas Christoforou saw my daughter's head up, he said that it is most likely my body is a certain shape, which will force all my babies into this position. Well it made sense, but I was devastated. I really wanted a natural birth for the sake of my baby and my body.

This is my personal road to a natural birth from a wrong positioned baby:



​


One method to stimulate a baby's movement is moxibustion. It relaxes the uterus and gives it more space to move. There is an anaesthetist who is also trained in acupuncture that does this in Larnaca,

Dr. Claire Hadjikakou. I had learned about her from Tina Poetis preparing for my first baby with her antenatal class, but I went to Dr. Hadjikakou too late with my first baby (after week 37). This time I was early enough, and my husband and I did this therapy at home every other day. Very relaxing for the belly, but the baby did not turn.

Of course I did pregnancy yoga and pilates twice a week which you can do with Rachel Petrou at The Body and Soul or with Anna at the Earth Spa or with Marina Kyprigenea at the Zogonos Holistic HealthCenter to stay fit, practice conscious breathing and to be prepared for my little birthing-marathon. There are also a couple of positions which you can do regularly which might help the baby turn. Well it might have worked for others, but not in my case. Having said that, I did not want to miss any of my yoga and pilates lessons!

The next person I turned to was Doula Claire Anne. She came to my house and took my wish for a natural birth seriously, which was great emotional support. She showed me a few helpful things but most importantly she introduced me to ElinePedersen- Chiropractor here in Larnaca. Here I learned about Webster technology and how chiropractic can help you during pregnancy. In short, when your pelvis, which is holding the uterus with the baby inside, is not in place, there might be some restrictions which stop the baby turning. This tension from the misalignment or previous scaring can cause tensions in the ligaments of the uterus which prevent the baby to get in the right position. After my first session I felt so much better. I was less tired, did not need to turn that much during the night and after the fourth treatment the baby turned. It was a bit more than two weeks before my calculated birth date and she was finally in place!

(Another option is an External Cephalic Version of the baby by a gynaecologist. It was not an option for me. If you go for this method, make sure that your doctor really knows what he/she is doing.)

In the end I gave spontaneous vaginal birth without any medication to a healthy girl.

Looking back at both of my experiences and for anybody who is hesitating: I recovered so much faster after natural birth. Yes, you have to be prepared and it is exhausting, but it is definitely doable and a very special experience. The c-section is fast and seems painless, but the physical and emotional trouble you have afterwards with the recovery is so much stronger and longer for both you and the baby. I remember not wanting to wear trousers for months, not because I did not fit but because they were bothering my scar, while I was back in my pre-pregnancy jeans only 2 weeks after my natural birth. And I am not even starting to write about the emotional sadness of me feeling after my c-section for month.


The first child usually is the more difficult one. Despite fully breastfed we had colic, sleeping problems.... The second one now is such a happy baby. So balanced and she found her own rhythm with eating and sleeping so fast. All right, we also learned as parents and know now what we are doing: but I am sure in our case, our first child would not have been so difficult if she could have decided when to come out by herself - naturally.

So if they tell you to go for Caesarian because of a wrong positioning of the baby or a previous c-section and you want a natural birth - perk up your ears and see what you can do for you and your baby. Even if the baby does not turn, it is good to know that you did everything you can do and do not have to look back afterwards thinking, this could have been done differently.

If you are in a similar position and need support do not hesitate to contact me through the LPN or facebook or any of the people mentioned in the article.

The importance of family time

With today's busy lifestyles, many parents and grandparents want to spend more "quality" time with their children or grandchildren. But what is quality time? "Quality time" is time spent doing an activity that is meaningful to the parent and child. It is time when family members really get to know each other. Quality time is spent focusing attention on the other person and sharing thoughts and feelings.

Spending time with our children can be fun and educational for us and for them. Much of the child's basic learning takes place in the many informal situations that occur daily in the life of the family. These informal occasions for learning include all the times the family members are together doing ordinary things, such as getting dressed, talking over the day’s happenings, dealing with problems.

Children need to know they are loved unconditionally. The cry of children today is, "Love me for who I am, not what I do. Love me for being who I am, even when I am naughty, not winning, placing, and showing". That does not mean that you have to approve of everything the child does. What it does mean however, is that even though the child misbehaves, we still love and accept the child and provide support.

Children learn about families from the time they spend in their own families. They learn about birth and caring for another person when a new baby comes home from the hospital. They learn about loss when a family member dies. They learn about marriage and relationships by watching their mothers and fathers interact. By living in a family, children learn to share, how to stand up for their own rights, and how to love another person.

We help children develop positive self-esteem by communicating the value we feel for the child. Words of encouragement and love help provide children with the courage to try new things without worrying excessively about not being able to do them.

Dance Show - With Miss Gemma

DANCE SHOW next Sunday 1st June, 4pm-5pm FREE ENTRY!! 

All classes & locations coming together at The American Academy Junior School


Please come to support & bring your friends!! Thanks x

6 reasons mothers are important

 - If it weren’t for your mom, you wouldn’t be breathing right now. If nothing else, you should thank her for that.

 - Mothers are the emotional backbones of the family. They provide the holding place for everyone’s feelings and do their best to keep us from being hurt.

 - Who would kiss your boo-boos to make it all better if she weren’t around? Mothers have the magic touch (and kiss) to help us heal our wounds, physical and emotional.

 - Truly, our mothers worked hard and made sacrifices, so our lives would be better. There are not a lot of people willing to do that, so let her know you appreciate it.

 - Mothers are forgiving—so forgive her in return. Perhaps nothing will be as valuable a gift to both of you as forgiveness. Open your heart and drop your resentments. Now that’s love.

 - When you want to climb the tallest mountain, your mother will make your lunch for you. She is the one who will support your dreams when no one else will. She will also remind you to wear clean underwear.
Her boundaries made you a better person. You may not have liked some of her decisions, especially when you wanted to party with your friends, but she did keep you out of trouble. 

The importance of teamwork for children

Teamwork requires people to work cooperatively with others towards a shared purpose. For a team to work together effectively, it takes all members of the team to respect each other’s abilities and opinions. Teamwork is a highly social activity and involves much interaction and exchanging of ideas and actions. 

Being part of a team enables your child to move from more intrapersonal (individual) ways of thinking to interpersonal (communicating with others). It will help a child in all areas of their learning, and help them to feel part of a community, too. Working as part of a team will strengthen your child’s social and emotional skills, help develop their communication skills, and can improve confidence.

In school your child will experience teamwork in many different forms. Children may be asked to work in pairs, small groups, or larger groups on a variety of different things. They may be asked to work in teams for physical activities such as ball games or running games or more formal activities such as projects. Children also often form their own team activities during their play time.

While your child will experience plenty of team-based activities at school, it is important to continue the ethos of good teamwork at home. It can feel great to be part of a team, but if a child is excluded from a team it can be an upsetting experience. Make sure your child understands this and does not exclude others.

Teamwork can often inspire competitiveness with other teams – especially in physical activities. Encourage your child to be a good sportsman and a team-player.
Get children to work together on a project at home – it could be anything from a collective art project to performing a play. Encourage every child to decide on a role in the team.

Спектакль «Шел по городу волшебник»!!!

24 и 25 мая 2014 года Санкт-Петербургский детский театр сказки «РазДваТри» приглашает юных зрителей Кипра принять участие в невероятных приключениях вместе с героями спектакля «Шел по городу волшебник»!!! 

Хорошо бы найти коробок волшебных спичек, исполняющих любое желание. Раз…и сразу мама разрешает не чистить зубы. Два …и можно стать прославленным спортсменом. Три…и ты вдруг самый сильный человек в мире…Но принесет ли это радость? Может, не стоит надеяться на волшебство, а лучше всего в жизни добиваться своим трудом и талантом.

Санкт-Петербургский театр сказки «РазДваТри» - лауреат европейских фестивалей пантомимы и клоунады, неоднократный дипломант фестиваля «Театры Санкт-Петербурга - детям». 

Рекомендованный возраст: от 4-х лет и старше.
Продолжительность спектакля: 1 час 10 минут (без антракта).

НЕ ПРОПУСТИТЕ ЗАГАДОЧНОЕ ПРОИСШЕСТВИЕ В ГОРОДАХ: 

Никосия - 24 мая в 11.00 (Театр SATIRIKO-большой зал) ,
Лимассол - 24 мая в 18.00 (театр Agios Athanasios),
Ларнака - 25 мая в 11.00 (театр SKALA), 
Пафос - 25 мая в 18.00 (театр MАRKIDEO).

Стоимость билетов 12 евро.
Дополнительная информация по телефону: 96 30 2770
И на сайте: www.magictheatre.ru

The importance of family travel

"Are we there yet?" What parent has heard that little voice coming from the backseat of the car five minutes after driving out of the garage at the beginning of a long trip and hasn't sighed and asked themselves, "Is this all really worth it?" When it comes to taking your children along on trips, the answer is "absolutely."

In fact, going on trips with your children is without question one of the single most important parenting activities that you can ever do. There is simply no substitute for travel. It's an enormous teaching opportunity for your children in a myriad of ways. Not only is traveling with your kids the best possible way for parents and children to bond with each other, it inevitably provides a host of teachable moments.

The first important value that travel provides for your children is that it teaches them how important they are to you. Inevitably, when you take your kids with you on a trip, it is a simple yet direct way of communicating their importance in your life. As you undoubtedly know, children learn a thousand times more by actions than they do by words.

Telling them that they matter to you, that you love them, that they are important in your life is all well and good (and of course you ought to do it), but there is no substitute for the message that is communicated to them in their guts and in their souls by the fact that you have chosen to spend one of the most valuable things you own -- your time -- with them.

They learn not by the words that you say, but by the things that you do with them that show then that they matter, that they are significant people to you and that you are willing to spend your time and money to include them in a special part of your life.

Park Life - By Paula Manoli-Gray

I live opposite and next door to two parks and should consider myself lucky really, especially with two young children, but the reality is not so idyllic.

For one, the two parks are of the old-school variety, despite being only eight years old. By that, I mean they have the same, standard, dated toys as every other park in my area; slide, swings, roundabout and seesaw, all in the same boring metal, same basic design and same colours. But that is not a reason to be ungrateful, nor would I be if the parks were a) maintained properly by Aradippou municipality and b) not desecrated and destroyed by the hoodlums in my neighbourhood.

These parks – along with a myriad of their kind across Larnaca neighbourhoods – are a sorry sight to see. They are so dilapidated, overgrown and vandalised that we actually give them a wide berth, opting instead to get in a car and drive to some of the nice new ones with their elaborate play structures, landscaped gardens and less-standard toys. What a shame when we have two parks directly next door and opposite to us.

My ex-pat neighbour once remarked to me that he could not understand why we have so many parks. There is a law that a certain percentage of land in built-up areas needs to be 'green', therefore, you will find multiple parks in areas like mine, which are relatively new to development, with literally one every couple of hundred metres. At the time I didn't particularly like his comment and put this down to him not having young children. But I can see now that he is right. We do not need a park every few steps we take, especially when they are all the same and battered. Yes, we need green areas, but they should be just that – lush, green forests and gardens, with some, good quality parks intermittently. These fewer but better parks should have exciting, sturdy toys, be maintained by the municipality and above all, vandalism should not be tolerated.

As we speak, in the park directly opposite to my house, the hoodlums of the neighbourhood have smashed the slide to pieces, along with a bench. Furthermore, they have built a den with all manner of household junk (I won't ponder where it has come from) and are still letting off bangers and fireworks even though Easter is long behind us. They scream and chant late into the night.

Whilst I fully agree that children will be children and should have the freedom to shout and build and explore and, and, and… there is a fine line between them doing this and becoming a nuisance and pest. We all share the neighbourhood so why are their parents not checking up on what they are doing? Why do they allow them to run around till late at night letting off fireworks and smashing things up? What a sad indictment of society if they don't actually know that this is happening, although I suspect they do and turn a blind eye because it is not actually in their own property that the destruction is taking place.

As much as I love my neighbourhood in Aradippou, these parks are a shameful, ugly blot to our community, as are the disrespectful and aggressive children that destroy them.

First appeared in The Cyprus Weekly, 10/05/14

Family Fun Day in aid of breast cancer charities

Soulla's Saturday Morning Library will be holding its annual Family Fun Day on Saturday, May 17 at the American Academy Junior School premises, from 9.30am – 1pm

The annual event is organised as an offshoot of Soulla's Saturday Morning Library, an English library of children's and adult's books, which is run by Soulla Sophocli every second Sunday of the month - also at the Junior School. Aside from the library, Soulla holds fundraising events throughout the year in memory of her colleague Cathy Ioannou, who succumbed to breast cancer in 2009, with all proceeds going to various breast cancer charities.

This year's event – the sixth one running - will once again offer a variety of entertainment and activities for all the family, with past events raising over €5,000. There will be stalls selling items such as toys, books, make-up, sweets, jewellery and handicrafts, with the €10 stall fee going to charity.

Children's entertainment includes a bouncy castle (without a fee to use), face painting (€2), cookie decorating and kids crafts, use of the playground, and a children's theatre production from Little Muse Theatre. Kicking off the event at 9.30am, Little Muse Theatre's play will be Harold and the Blue Pen, which is suitable for even very young children at half an hour long.

There will also be a raffle (tickets €1 each), with prizes donated from the community, including manicures, massages, cinema tickets, gym membership, dental exams, jewellery, a photo shoot and carvery meals, amongst others.

Soulla says everyone is welcome: "This year's Fun Day promises to be another great, affordable day out. Come along, join in the fun and find out more about the library!"

Alongside the support for breast cancer charities, the event will also be supporting the Larnaca Parents Network (LPN) collection efforts for needy families. Founder of the LPN, Sharon Mckinley and her team will be collecting clothes, toys (new or second-hand in good condition), as well as dry food, baby food, nappies and the like. The LPN collection for the needy is in conjunction with Larnaka Municipality's efforts and the Municipal Market. Sharon is an avid supporter of the library and says: "Please support us by bringing along any of your unwanted clothes /toys and household items, and we would like to thank everyone for their continued support during this difficult period, which many local and foreign families are finding themselves currently in. The LPN also supports and thanks Soulla for her fantastic contribution to the community through the library."

There is still time to book a stall, donate a prize for the raffle or volunteer to bake a cake/s. Volunteers to sell raffle tickets are also welcome. For any of the above, or for more information, contact Soulla on: 99801141 or via the Facebook event page: Family Fun Day – Soulla's Saturday Morning Library.

The library itself – which runs bimonthly – is in its sixth year and is open from 9.30am – 11am. During its opening hours there is a story and song time session for children (at 9.30am), and thereafter (from 10am) there is time to browse the books, which includes over 600 adult's titles. Yearly membership costs €10 (for two books at a time), or €20 for a family membership (six books at a time), and the Story and Song Time session incurs a minimal cost of €1 per child which covers refreshments.

Curves blood donation day - plea for donors

The Larnaca branch of women-only gym Curves will be holding a blood drive on Wednesday, May 14, 6-8pm at its premises, as part of an island-wide blood drive held by the chain.

The blood drive is open to everyone; women, men, members and non-members, and everyone who is able to donate blood is encouraged to do so.

Taking place at the gym, which is located near the Electricity Authority, medical staff and equipment from Larnaca hospital will be set up with four donors able to give blood at a time.  Refreshments and snacks will be provided by Curves.

This is the first time the gym is holding a blood drive, and owner of the Larnaca franchise - Stella Kyriacou - is proud that the gym can contribute to the community: "The island has a general shortage of blood in its blood banks and donations are always urgently needed. Everyone who is able to should donate blood as they will literally be saving lives. We are very happy to be able to do our bit and hope to make this an annual event. We will gratefully welcome anyone and everyone who is able to give blood to our premises on Wednesday and hope we can all come together to make a real difference."

Those who wish to donate can turn up on the evening, but are advised not to drive themselves back as the donating of blood can sometimes cause temporary dizziness or weakness. A form will need to be filled in before donating, which can be done then and there, or can be obtained from the gym in advance to fill in at home and bring along on the day.

For more details, you can visit the Facebook event page: Εθελοντική Aιμοδοσία/Blood Drive, or contact the gym on: 24623203.

The importance of play for kids

Play allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength. Play is important to healthy brain development. It is through play that children at a very early age engage and interact in the world around them. Play allows children to create and explore a world they can master, conquering their fears while practicing adult roles, sometimes in conjunction with other children or adult caregivers.

As they master their world, play helps children develop new competencies that lead to enhanced confidence and the resiliency they will need to face future challenges. Undirected play allows children to learn how to work in groups, to share, to negotiate, to resolve conflicts, and to learn self-advocacy skills. When play is allowed to be child driven, children practice decision-making skills, move at their own pace, discover their own areas of interest, and ultimately engage fully in the passions they wish to pursue.

Ideally, much of play involves adults, but when play is controlled by adults, children acquiesce to adult rules and concerns and lose some of the benefits play offers them, particularly in developing creativity, leadership, and group skills. In contrast to passive entertainment, play builds active, healthy bodies. In fact, it has been suggested that encouraging unstructured play may be an exceptional way to increase physical activity levels.

Children’s developmental trajectory is critically mediated by appropriate, affective relationships with loving and consistent caregivers as they relate to children through play. When parents observe their children in play or join with them in child-driven play, they are given a unique opportunity to see the world from their child’s vantage point as the child navigates a world perfectly created just to fit his or her needs.

New discussion group on natural parenting

A new discussion group on natural parenting, Pathways Connect – Cyprus, held its first gathering last week where an article on the importance of community for children's development was discussed in an informal setting.

Pathways Connect was set up by mum of two, Veronika Christodoulides, with the aim of connecting like-minded parents to discuss topics on family wellness, based on magazine articles in Pathways to Family Wellness Magazine. The magazine - which is published by The International Chiropractic Pediatric Association – 'provides a professional, first class approach to introducing Family Wellness to parents'.

The meetings in Larnaca are held the first Friday of every month at 8pm and everyone is welcome. During the meeting, one article from the latest issue of the quarterly magazine is discussed. The meeting is held at Theo's Drawing Room, (5, Agias Elenis), in a relaxed environment with refreshments and nibbles, although attendees are also welcome to bring their own bottle of wine or snacks.

The first meeting attracted around 10 parents and was a great success. The article discussed was 'Why Children Need Community' by Peter Gray, Ph.D, where the author says: "Our indigenous roots reveal that children want and need to move beyond attachment to their parents."

Veronika says of the venture: "The purpose of Pathways Connect is to learn and build solid relationships with other families concerned about conscious choice and family wellness.

"Sometimes it is difficult, if you choose to go against mainstream, then you need some emotional support. One example is that today in Cyprus, most people bottle-feed their children. But before formula milk was invented, babies were all breastfed. So if you decide to breastfeed, which is basically the most natural thing in the world, you sometimes don't find enough people around you to support or understand your wish. Then it is much harder."

The group is a bi-communal project that will take place all over the island in the future. Meetings in Nicosia will start on Thursday, June 5 and in Kyrenia on Saturday, June 21.

For more information, or to attend the next meeting, contact Veronika on: 99992477, or visit the Facebook page: Pathways Connect – Cyprus.

Παράσταση Θεάτρου Σκιών από τον καραγκιοζοπαίχτη Χαράλαμπο Χαραλάμπους

Παράσταση Θεάτρου Σκιών από τον καραγκιοζοπαίχτη Χαράλαμπο Χαραλάμπους

Παρασκευή, 23 Μαΐου 2014, 7:45 μ.μ.
Στο Ιατρικό Μουσείο Κυριαζή

Στη ΛάρνακαΟδός Καραολή και Δημητρίου 35
(Πάροδος Ερμού, δίπλα από Γκαλερί Αμμόχωστος)

Τηλέφωνα επικοινωνίας:
97606424
99651857

Ο Καραγκιόζης Γιατρός


Shadow Theatre Performance by puppeteer Charalambos Charalambous

Friday, May 23, 2014, 7:45 pm

Medical Museum Kyriazis Larnaca

Street Karaoli and Dimitriou 35 (Ermou Lane, near Famagusta Gallery)

97606424
99651857

Dr Marios Karagkiozis

FREE ENTRANCE

Dialogue in Greek

Russian Theatre

24 и 25 мая 2014 года Санкт-Петербургский детский театр сказки «РазДваТри» приглашает юных зрителей Кипра принять участие в невероятных приключениях вместе с героями спектакля «Шел по городу волшебник»!!!

Хорошо бы найти коробок волшебных спичек, исполняющих любое желание. Раз…и сразу мама разрешает не чистить зубы. Два …и можно стать прославленным спортсменом. Три…и ты вдруг самый сильный человек в мире…Но принесет ли это радость? Может, не стоит надеяться на волшебство, а лучше всего в жизни добиваться своим трудом и талантом.

Санкт-Петербургский театр сказки «РазДваТри» - лауреат европейских фестивалей пантомимы и клоунады, неоднократный дипломант фестиваля «Театры Санкт-Петербурга - детям».

Рекомендованный возраст: от 4-х лет и старше.
Продолжительность спектакля: 1 час 10 минут (без антракта).

НЕ ПРОПУСТИТЕ ЗАГАДОЧНОЕ ПРОИСШЕСТВИЕ В ГОРОДАХ:
Никосия - 24 мая в 11.00 (Театр SATIRIKO-большой зал) ,
Лимассол - 24 мая в 18.00 (театр Agios Athanasios),
Ларнака - 25 мая в 11.00 (театр SKALA),
Пафос - 25 мая в 18.00 (театр MАRKIDEO).

Стоимость билетов 12 евро.
Дополнительная информация по телефону: 96 30 2770
И на сайте: www.magictheatre.ru

The Importance of Teaching Manners to Kids

What Manners Do
At the heart of good manners is a respect for oneself and others. Good manners convey a sense of respect for the sensibilities of other people. When you say “thank you,” you’re taking the time to make the other person feel appreciated. Saying “please” respects a person’s right not to do what you’ve asked (it’s not so demanding with a “please” attached).

Manners and the Future
You do your children such a big favor when you teach them good manners. From bosses to girlfriends, good manners can make or break an opportunity. For instance, if your child is up for his first job and his credentials match another candidate’s, the more polite and mannerly candidate may end up with the job.If your child wants to ask a particular girl out, she may refuse a relationship if your child has bad manners.

The Big Picture
It’s not just your child’s future that is affected by her manners; it’s her parents’ reputation and, ultimately, the civility of the culture and society in which we live. While no one is perfect, imagine a culture where good manners just don’t exist – not a pleasant thought! Good manners set a standard of behavior against which other behavior can be measured, which helps keep order and civility in society.