May 2008 Newsletter

President's Letter
News & Notes
Happy Birthday
Comings & Goings
Tips for Tots
Recipe of the Month

President's Letter

Yay, it’s finally May!!!!  I love this month; it actually warms up in May and we finally get to go outside regularly. Our calendar reflects the desire we all have to get back outside after our long winter hibernation; we have plenty of opportunities for you to get out and play with the little ones. And, of course, May is the month we celebrate mothers. I don’t know about you, but I personally celebrate my motherhood each and every day by spending quality time with Cecilia and every month by attending MNO and having fun with all of you--my Mommy friends! However you choose to celebrate, I hope you all have a wonderful Mother’s Day!

Funny story on the motherhood topic…..I was feeling a little frazzled the other day and Cecilia was really dawdling getting ready. I decided to let her stay in her pajamas and go downstairs to eat breakfast and watch some Barney. We usually get ready before heading downstairs, and after what happened on this particular day, I will stick to my guns on this. When it was time to go upstairs and get ready (for a trip to the park to play and have a picnic), she didn’t want to get ready and she let me know it.  In the middle of all of this, a friend called and I mentioned that we were both still in our pajamas even though it was well past 9:30 am. Fast forward through the tantrum and ensuing bribery, timeouts, etc…it took to get Cecilia dressed in a seasonally appropriate outfit and out the door. (Yes, I know, we should have stayed home, but really, I needed this equally as much as she did).  We get to the park and my friend says, “Oh, it must have been a rough morning since Cecilia’s still in her pjs”. WHAT??? I thought the outfit she chose was a normal t-shirt and shorts, but apparently all my hard work went for naught, since indeed, she was wearing pajamas.

This month is elections and June will kickoff the MOMS Club new year with a new board in place. Thank you to everyone who stepped up to the plate to run for office and to volunteer to be a coordinator. The club would not be so wonderful if it weren’t for the hard work, dedication and fun that each and every one of you brings. THANK YOU!

And, lastly, in an attempt to drive you crazy with yet another poem, an unknown author wrote:

When you’re a child, she walks before you
To set an example
When you’re a teenager, she walks behind you
To be there should you need her
When you’re an adult she walks beside you
So that as two friends you can enjoy life together.

Happy May!

Chrissie A.

News & Notes

We're having a book drive!
The MOMS Club of Springfield is holding a book drive for Books for America, a non-profit organization based in Washington, DC. Their mission is to promote literacy, life-long learning, and understanding by distributing donated new and used books of all types; movies; music and instructional compact discs; audiobooks and more to organizations serving disadvantaged communities and individuals.

Each year they donate tens of thousands of books and other items to disadvantaged schools, adult and youth literacy programs, youth centers, transitional homeless shelters, hospitals, assisted living communities for seniors, women's shelters, hospices, and more! 

Thank you in advance for your support!

They need: (All books must be in excellent to almost new condition)

  • Children's books URGENTLY needed!
  • Hardcover and softcover books of all types. This includes recent fiction novels (softcover fiction only – please no hardcover fiction (they are overstocked!); self-help; biography; art; photo; how-to's; history; gardening, cookbooks; religion, coffee table books, etc.
  • Textbooks – from the last 2-3 years only
  • Movies - DVD and VHS
  • CD's - music, instructional, etc.
  • Audiobooks on CD or cassette
  • Collectible items - rare and antique books, signed items, collectibles (items other than books - political memorabilia, figurines, stamps, etc.).  Books for America auctions these items to fund their programs. 

They do not need...

  • Magazines
  • Damaged, brittle, musty or yellowed (even slightly yellowed) books
  • Reader’s Digest Condensed Books
  • Reference materials published more than a few years ago (i.e. 1996 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records, computer books prior to 2002). 

Book Drive Date: May 14, 2008, 3:30pm

Place:  Local library
A librarian will read to the children and then take them on a “behind the scenes” tour of the library. Even if you are not donating books, join us for this special afternoon storytime and library tour!

RSVP:   Liz A.

Happy Birthday to You!

Children

Mia S. turns 5 on the 5th
Charlie and Joey C. turn 9 on the 7th
Benji C. turns 2 on the 18th
Jade V. turns 3 on the 20th
Jason H. turns 2 on the 22nd
Nate W. turns 4 on the 24th

Moms

Teresa N. - 1st
Angie F. – 10th
Tanja R. and Emily R. – 13th
Jeri Lynn A. – 26th

 

Stork Report

Congratulations to Brauna C. and family on the arrival of Hayden Wyatt on March13th!

 

Comings and Goings

We’d like to welcome the following new members:

Suja C. and her son Rylan
Shannon K. and her twin daughters Chloe and Claire
Sarah M. and her daughter Brigid
Julie W. and her son Andrew

We’d like to bid a fond farewell and send best wishes to the following members:

No members leaving this month!

Tips for Tots
Practical advice from MOMS Club members.

Question of the Month (in honor of Mother’s Day): What is something nice that you do for yourself?

Advice: When my husband offers to make dinner or run errands for the family, I allow him to do this instead of the saying “I can do it.”  Then I thank him for being so thoughtful.

Advice: Personally I do not need to be pampered on Mother's Day; I have a greater desire to have a few hours to myself undisturbed.  When the weather cooperates on Mother’s Day we all go to the nursery to pick out some plants and I spend the whole day digging in the dirt.  I know it isn't glamorous, but it's something I enjoy and I am alone for hours to quietly think to myself and work in the garden.  Plus there is tangible proof of my hard work other then a pile of clean dishes or laundry.  All of these things usually don't occur on an ordinary day so I find the simplicity of it rewarding. 

Advice: On Friday nights my husband usually puts at least one, but sometimes both, kids down and I take about an hour to do all the girly things I don't have time to do during the week. I usually shave my legs and do my nails and wash AND CONDITION my hair. Occasionally I will even take a bath. Then I slip into some ultra comfy jammies and spend the night curled up with my husband. It is not superexciting but it is a chance to do some primping and be completely without the kids without having to actually leave the house! I really enjoy my Friday me time.

Advice: I get pedicures and massages once in a while and they are great.  I also go on a girls’ weekend every 4 or 5 months.  I am lucky to have a husband who is very supportive of this.

Advice: Every 3-4 months, I get my hair blown out, straightened and styled and then go to Ulta for some new make-up. 

Advice: Once the kids are put to bed on Saturday nights, my husband and I will put on our comfy pajamas, watch some TV, and have a couple of beers.  It’s something I really look forward to each week!

Advice: I disappear every so often to my bedroom and read for a little while (of course, hubby has to be home for this one or child napping).  Also, a pedicure or manicure are usually reasonably priced.  I just went for a mani-pedi at the nail place in Springfield Plaza (near Hard Times) and it was only $32.  I even get a Starbucks to treat myself on some days—with or without my child.

 

Craft Corner

Here is a new addition to our newsletter. Each month you can submit your craft idea (something you can do with your child/ren) to the Secretary and we will feature it in our monthly newsletter. Our first submission is from Wendy C. Thanks Wendy for the great suggestion!!

May 11 is Mother’s Day
wind chime made from terra cotta pot and arcrylic paintsHere is a craft you can do with your child for fun or even for grandma.

Help children paint a medium-sized terra cotta pot with arcrylic paints. Tie washers of varying sizes to string.  Attach the top inch of the strings with packaging tape to the inside basin of the pot, allowing the washers to hang down at varying heights within the pot. Tie a knot in a rope and thread through the drainage hole of the pot, trimming to desired length for display. Turn pot upside down and suspend for a one-of-a-kind wind chime.

Taken from MomSense Magazine.  May/June 2008.

 

Recipe of the Month

Mother's Day Bonnet CakeI don’t know about the rest of you guys but I REALLY enjoyed learning how to ice a cake at the last Mom’s night out...I am not much of a baker though so when I saw this recipe I thought I may just be able to pull this one off. Holly has a great icing recipe too, if you want to make yours from scratch!

Mother's Day Bonnet Cake
Recipe courtesy Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade Desserts, Miramax Books, 2003

2 purchased angel food cakes
2 (16-ounce) containers vanilla frosting
4 feet white wired ribbon (about 2 inches wide)
Assorted edible fresh flowers, stems trimmed

Place 1 cake, wide side down, on serving platter. Spread a thin layer of frosting over top of cake. Cut 1 (2-inch) wide wedge from second cake. Spread 1/4 cup of frosting over cut ends of second cake. Bring cut ends of second cake together, pressing to adhere. Place second cake atop cake on platter. Tear cake wedge into cubes. Fill hole in center of cakes with cake cubes. Spread remaining frosting evenly over top and sides of cake to

Past Newsletters:
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008