Christmas at Your House

What traditions do you have with your family?

What do your kids really look forward to?

At our house, we don't have a lot of set traditions, but the kids always help trim the tree and usually get a new ornament each year that is specific to them and what they've been interested in the previous year. Needless to say, I have a lot of Star Wars and Superheroes on my tree :)

They also love some of the Christmas Children's books I keep put away until December, like The Legend of the Candy Cane and a lot of Jan Brett books.

Your turn!

What Planet Are You On?

I've been thinking a lot about our last meeting and the presentation about Planet Me vs. Planet Mom. It was such a great picture to explain something that is hard to put into words.

If you are like me, you do feel pulled between planets all the time. Like right now, my 2 youngest are sleeping, and I'm so happy to be on Planet Me for awhile. But I know the baby girl will awaken at any minute, and I'll be yanked back to Planet Mom.

The thing I always remember is, Planet Me will always be there. It's not going anywhere. And I can come back -- maybe not as soon as I'd like -- but I WILL COME BACK! :)

How do you guys go back and forth with ease? Or maybe without ease? Do you feel, like me, that life doesn't go well if I'm on one planet for too long?

Back-to-MOPS-Picnic

It was great to catch up at our Picnic last week! As a Steering Team, we were looking at our numbers, and it looks like we'll have about 23 moms this year.

Here's a few faces you'll see next week at MOPS -- Tuesday, September 8th --

Try to arrive at 9:15, and we'll begin right at 9:30 (you don't want to miss brunch, trust me!)

New MOPS Mamas Erica H. and Rena B.
I won't call them "old" MOPS Mamas! Beth R. with baby J. and Nita R.

Alisa H. with baby E.,Nita R.

Front row: Jennifer E., and Amanda S. with baby J. Victoria W., Jada R., and Wendy N.

And that's me (Jeannie R) with baseball hat hair. :)

Back-To-MOPS Picnic

TUESDAY AUGUST 25TH

10:30 - 12:30PM

WILDCAT COVE PARK IN SPICER

BRING YOUR OWN LUNCH

PLAY!

CATCH UP WITH FRIENDS!

The REAL reason we all joined Steering Team

Well, there are many benefits, but come on, THE FOOD! Is there anything better than being served yummy goodies by our Mentor Moms? Darling Karna welcomed her home to us last Saturday for our annual Team Retreat.

Just a couple of the yum-yums: Bruschetta and Peach Cobbler.

Karna, please post this cobbler recipe!! Every time I see peaches, I think of it now....sigh...

We got a lot of planning done last week at Karna's and we're looking forward to an EXCELLENT year on Planet Mom.

See you on Tuesdays at Wildcat Cove! And mark your calendars for August 25th - that's our "Welcome Back Picnic" -- also at Wildcat Cove.

From Nita

Okay, ya'll, here is a "what's what" from sweet Nita! I (Jeannie) asked her to write down a few things that are working for her this summer. Stay tuned for more from your Steering Team! (See our new Steering Team at right)

WHAT'S WORKING FOR ME

by Nita R.

1. Keeping in touch ~ Facebook and e-mail is very important to me to keep in touch with others without any interruptions.


2. Family Organizing ~ (“The Rohlik’s Binder”) It’s something I’ve been working on this summer to help get us organized in our every day life. It is a binder that is divided into categories such as monthly calendar , finances, school/church activities, medical, grocery list/meal planning, vacations, mom’s stuff , home care , etc... I took this idea from the Hearts At Home Conference last year where they had a presenter who created “Mom’s Brain In A Binder”. I searched Yahoo for ideas and examples that I have used to format my own. I’m still working on utilizing it.


3. Family show ~ We enjoy watching the show “Wipeout”. We always get some good laughs out of it each week.


4. Memories ~ I take lots and lots of pictures to document my children’s lives. I also began writing a journal for each one to document special days in their lives or something fun that they said to me in passing. It’s a great way to remind me how special they both are in their own ways on those out of control days.


5. Game ~ Hyperdash is a great fast moving game for those days that the kids need to burn off energy. Last Christmas I got my daughter the younger version of it called Animal Scramble. Works great indoors for those gloomy, cold winter days.


6. Schedule ~ Even though it is summer time we have continued the early bedtime. Some days are hard but we appreciate the quiet time as husband and wife.


7. Cleaning ~ My favorite cleaning items are Clorox wipes and the magic eraser. The magic eraser helps to clean up those crayon marks that missed the paper.


8. Favorite Outside Toy ~ The bubble machine. It may be a lazy way out of mom blowing them but we have so much fun chasing hundreds of bubbles around the yard that blows continuously.


9. Office supply ~ My favorite office supply would have to be my highlighters. I use them to highlight appointments or events on the calendar.
　

Park Day Tomorrow!

Tuesday June 30th -- We'll meet at the Spicer Wildcat Cove at 9:30! Please come!

Can you relate?

This is what it is like to read to 4 children at one time. Basically impossible. But it makes for a fun photo-op! I'm sure someday when I'm an empty-nester, I'll look at these pictures and wish for these days again. At least, that's what they tell me!

Treasure these days, ladies. You are a blessed woman.

How was your Father's Day? If you're like me, I never feel like I can adequately honor and thank my husband for all he does, all he is. Hopefully we can let them know everyday in our attitude and respect (and other ways I can't blog about...) that they are THE MAN.

Anybody out there need some scheduled playdates? Leave a comment with your ideas. Miss ya'll!

Faithful Legacy

For the past decade or so, Lynnette has been a Mentor Mom at our MOPS group. We've been blessed tremendously by her presence. If you had the privilege of getting to know her, you might remember her open arms, always ready to welcome you with a hug, or her quiet, attentive way of listening to you open your heart.

Lynnette, Karna, and Karen (not pictured is Janae - another beloved Mentor Mom!)
Lynnette with Dana

As you leave MOPS, we want you to know how you've made our lives richer, Lynnette. And how thankful we are for your legacy of love in our group, our lives.

Welcome to Our New BLOG!!

Here's a place just for you, New London MOPS Mamas!

Check here for articles, updates, and pictures. Enjoy!