Christmas Light Hunt!

This is really something you should plan far in advance, but hey! It's an idea to dream about for next year. Last week at MOPS we talked about finding good nieghborhoods of Christmas Displays. I wish I had brought my notebook and pen, because I would have written down every street mentioned that day!

Thankfully, my local newspaper gathers information and pictures for me, but for you guys; looks like you're on your own. However, if you are looking for a fun family event to do with your group consider doing a Christmas Light Hunt.

I'm planning to do this next year, so of course; my idea might need fine tuning. ;0)

1. Map out places you know will be good, and determine a place for the families to meet up. A good idea might be Mc Donalds with a playplace that way the families can have dinner together first. This is something you might want to start doing now; write down displays you see this year for next year's tour.

2. Be sure to pack walkie talkies. This way each family can stay in their own van (car, SUV, whatever) and head home when the time is right for them.. But everyone is still conversing with each others over the 'magic'.

3. Take a tour. Choose someone to be the 'leader' and follow the map.

Can you imagine, not having to 'unload and reload' your children for this event? hehehe~ if you happen to have that magical Dvd player too, you can watch christmas movies inbetween the "oooos' and "awwws"....

Craft Idea Cooki turkeys!

So this one is pretty easy! We used frosting to hold it all together.

2 fudge stripes cookies
1 cordial cherry chocolates
1 candy corn


Kids can easily put them together and since it's all food, even little ones can attempt to create turkeys! Pictures coming later on today!

Painting the Town Playgroup Style!

Do you remember the excitement of riding in the car on the way to zoo when you were a child? Was there a special place that your parent's or your school would make a trip to? There are alot of local attractions just waiting to be visited! Your playgroups do not have to be limited to your home! Check your phone book under the categories Attractions, or Children's or Entertainment , and you may stumble on local resources you didn't know about. Ask around from your members about fun places they go. Then call and ask the facility about having an event there! Things you'll need to know:


◦The capacity of the space if you will be secluded to one room
◦The price of admission, parking, etc.
◦Discounts if they are available
◦Operation days and hours
◦Ask about having a private play date at the facility
◦If food is allowed
◦What you are required/ or suggested to bring
Once you have a good idea about the venue, plan your event. You may want to coordinate it with the facility. By doing so, you can avoid a lot of potential problems. Some of the most common problems are

◦members getting lost or not finding the group
◦the staff of the facility being unprepared for the extra boost in attendance that day
◦The facility being closed due to operation changes, weather, or high attendance (facility gets filled)

With just a little bit of organization and a lot of researching (especially if you live in a small town), you'll find places to go without long travel. We'd love to hear about the places you've discovered (pictures too!) Send them in!

Wordless Wenesday: Halloween Photos

So I'm stealing an idea; I saw it on a photographer's website and had to take it! You know a picture says a thousand words, so here are our pictures from some of the halloween events this past October!

Do you have pictures of your group you would like to share? Send them to meetupdiva@gmail.com

Operation Christmas Child

So last week I introduced the adopt a family program; a program that will allow your group to 'adopt' a family. It's a close personal act of charity because you can see who it effects.  Personally it's charities like these that keep me going because I can see the appreciation; something I know as a mother I sometimes lack in my own household.

A few days ago, Stacie at The Amazing Mess wrote about a charity call Operation Christmas Child.

This is not the first time I've heard of the charity; however, this was the first time I really found out what it was.

This charity works better for my group because it makes it very accessible. Simply set up a play date to do the 'shoebox'. Stacie took it one step further. She included her address. The recipient actually responded! My guess is most would. Those who take the time to appreciate the small things usually don't have much;  and that is who you are reaching here.

So I'm taking on this charity instead this year. Play date at my house; everybody bring a shoebox items to fill it and their $7 (or more donation) to the charity (covers shipping), and I'll buy other items (extra envelopes, stamps, paper). Or people can go in on a shoe box together as well.

I'll give you updates on this project if I can! Tell me about your charities, I would love to feature them as well!

Introducing Your Leadership Team

The start of MOPs have come and gone for this year, and unfortunetly I missed our first formal event because my daughter decided to test my motherhood by getting the flu. I was really dissappoint to miss it, but as any mother would, I do what is needed of me.

This past event we introduced the Sterring Team. When we first talked about this, my coordinator asked for ideas on how to do this. We had several suggestions, and because I didn't attend the actual event I can't tell you which one the team choose, or how it went. But here is what we considered:

1. Match Baby Photos game
2. Unusual Fact Match
3. Featured sterring team member of the month

My suggestion was we play blindfolded musical chairs and every time someone is out they introduce themselves.



I wouldn't say it was well received, but I thought I would pass the idea along. Like I always say every group is different: What doesn't work for one may work well for another!

Charity: Adopt a family

One things that I love to see is how a group of people's lives. You can see it all the time: extreme home makeover (T.V.) , newcasts, habitat for humanity, salvation army, etc. What touches me the most is seeing the individuals gratefulness.

Adopting a family may not be the way to 'spread the love' as widely as possible. But I believe it is the most uplifting, and inspirational. This year I hope to adopt family for Christmas. Next I hope to adopt a family for Thanksgiving, and Easter as well.

Each member in your group can donate a small item or group together to buy larger items. I know one playgroup that donated a Christmas feast, two gifts for each child, a 'mom's care basket' (spa items), and a dad's vacation (recreational items for fishing). They also donated some basic supplies, like toilet paper, baby wipes, diapers, and and Albertson's gift card.

I can't imagine what a wonderful Christmas this must have been for this family. I can guarantee you one thing; they will never forget that playgroup.

So the question remains how to find a suitable family to adopt. Start with your church's officiant. Many of them are already hearing the cries for help as people seek out help from God.  If you can't find one from there, you can contact the salvation army, or other safe harbor shelters for a referral. I make it a point not to pick moms from within the group simply for the fact that I continue to think of this project as a community outreach program.

I would be extremely happy if this year we could provide a simple gift for our family; anything else would just be a plus. I can't wait to see the looks on their faces!

How to run a clothing swap

Everything that clothed my daughter when she was a baby was usually brand new. Now with three kids, new is not normally the option. Thankfully between consignment sales, yard sales, and thrift shops I clothe my children (and myself) affordabley. Gosh they grow quick!

But if your town is so small that you do not have a local sale or shop, playgroups can still save the dollar by having a clothing swap! Here is a how to:

• Let you members know as you would traditionally. They need to know what they can bring (or can't), how they should seperate it, and when and where to bring it. Be sure to let them know if they can or cannot take home their belongings if no one takes them (my suggestion is that you have a donation pick up after the swap; if they were willing to give them away to someone in the playgroup, then they should be willing to give them away otherwise. It makes it easier on you this way--you'll find out why below.)
• Determine how much space you need and what areas will be for what colthes. Should there be divisions of girls and boys? Should infant colthing be seperated by months?
• Have clear markings the day of where items should be placed. Have enough room for each pile--twice. A space to hold the items, and a place to put them as moms dig through the pile.
• Make sure to have garbage bags on hand- the moms will probably bring bags for their items, but it's good to have some just incase they wind up getting more.
• If there are concerns about keeping the swap fair, each memeber can take only the amount of item they bring in. Most of the time, moms wind up taking much less.
• Decide who gets what turn. In cookie swaps I've been too, we take turns looking in the pile by drawings. The first drawing (in order of birthdates) everyone picks one item. The second drawing (in order of oldest child) everyone picks two items. etc......

Once everyone has a fill of items, the remainder can be donated or saved (for a yard sale fundraiser or for the next swap).

In your town: Petting Zoos!

If you are living in a large metropolis area in the united states, you are bound to have a petting zoo within two hours of your city. I say that with confidence because even though we do have one in our area, the business is not the best with customer service or organization. Trust me, we've tried it three times. Each time the playgroup has left with a bad taste their mouth.

So I have been on the hunt for a petting zoo relatively close to our city. The long search had left me discouraged, and disappointed. Until one day, I was at a local grocery store, and noticed a flyer for "kids day". I noticed it was going to have a petting zoo there. At first I thought it was the local petting zoo, but I figured it did not hurt to ask. The least they could tell me it that it is the same petting zoo we've been using.

So I asked.

This petting zoo is also close to our home, and is not an 'officail' business. But it had everything a petting zoo could offer. The ladies were amazing! This kids had a great time.

A few weeks later I noticed an ad on craigslist about a kids day at a local day care. Kind of like a promotion for business, but nonetheless it also offered a petting zoo. So I once again asked. Turns out the event used someone who had two rabbits, a tortoise, and a duck. OK, maybe it's a horse shy of a petting zoo, but still the kids would have fun.

My point is, you don't have to have an actual petting zoo around to get the petting zoo experience. Keep your eyes peeled, and you may find petting zoos in your own backyard. Ask around; word of mouth leads you to wonderful things.  If all else fails maybe someone will have an uncle or grandparent to raises llamas, and goats. Kids are not really too picky about the animals they see.

Party in the House!

Yesterday I received an email from house party notifying me of my chance to enter the fisher price play date house party!

My jaw dropped when I saw the hostess receives

5 new Fisher-Price toys:


Go Baby Go! Stride-to-Ride Dino

Laugh & Learn Learn & Move Music Station

Laugh & Learn Learning Kitchen

Lil' Zoomers Spinnin' Sounds Speedway

Fisher-Price Stack ‘n Surprise Blocks Musical Croc Block Wagon

10 Brillant Basics Rock-a-Stack® Toys

10 Fisher-Price Day and Night Diapers sample packs

Apply for this House Party and if you are chosen, please share your event stories with us!!!!!!!!!! Happy Playing!

Take it to the Park!

It's obvious that one place any mother and child can meet other families is the community parks. When it comes to mothers group meeting at parks frequently, it can get a little boring. Adding interest into a park play date is not as hard as it may seem, in fact, it's easy!

The first thing you'll have to think about it what your parks have to offer. Do they have grassy areas? Sand areas? Water areas? Sometimes the amenities won't accommodate what you are hoping for, so make sure you include obstacles in your plan. After all, you can't fly a kite in a wooded park, and the temptation of a community splash pad at the park might distract your toddler from a planned craft.

I have a personal park kit for those times when park play dates seem to drag on. Here's what is in it:

Parachute and accessories
Bubbles
Pop up Tents

Picnic blanket, snacks, bottled water

Hula hoops
bug kits
sand toys

balls

buckets

We'll go into details later in the blog, but if there is something you want more details specifically on, just let me know in a comment.

The important things you want to know about parks:

1. They are public, and anyone can use them. You cannot force anyone to leave unless they are breaking the law.

2. If you did not reserve a space with parks and rec, you may be forced to leave the area of the park if someone else did.

3. Know what the weather is. I am really bad about this. I cannot express to anyone how important this is because it will save the last minute changes.

4. Also, know that no one can make you move if they don't have a written permit to use the space or have a badge that says they have the authority. Just keep in mind, because parks are a popular place for moms groups to meet. Consider this though: Instead of separating, try asking if they'd like to join you. After all, it is all about getting together to talk and play.  If you are lucky enough to schedule the same time and place then how about the more the merrier?!