Welcome!

Hello! Welcome to the North Creek Presbyterian Church MOPS Blog! A place to share words of encouragement, recipes ideas, book recommendations and more! Please let me know if there is anything you would like me to share on this blog, or any ideas you have! Just email mopsncpc@gmail.com.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Meet our Mom of the Month, Jenny! (MOPS Coordinator)

What is your favorite thing to do with your husband?
Just my hubby? We like to go to movies at Cinebarre (no kids and they serve
you while you watch a movie) and we also love to have a nice dinner out. The
Loft and Five in Edmonds are a couple of our favorite date night spots.
 
When are you most relaxed and what are you doing or not doing?
I am most relaxed when I am getting a massage or when I am curled up reading
a book (that hardly ever happens)!
 
How do you wear your many hats and keep things in harmony?
I don't always keep things in harmony... But I do try to strive for balance.
When our family seems like life is going just a bit too fast or crazy, my
husband and I try to take stock and see if we need to cut something out.
Balance and quality of life are important to us.
 
What is it like being a mom to two boys? 
I LOVE it! My boys are kind, silly, and creative guys. We have a lot of fun
together and they love their Mommy! This is a very sweet season of life.
 
Is there any parenting or marriage advice you received that was particularly
helpful?
Treat each other kindly, laugh often, and err on the side of grace.
 
What does your family like to do together?
We're big fans of parks - and for my boys the BEST parks also have train
tracks so you can watch the trains go by. We are often spotted at the
Edmonds Marina Park (or as my oldest named it when he was little, the "Train
Boat Park") on a day off from school. 
 
What are some parting words for your fellow mamas at MOPS?  
Oh... I get teary just thinking about it! I have loved the past 4 years in
MOPS and my life is forever changed by it. Thank you for helping me feel
confident in my parenting, for being my friend, for helping me know I am not
alone, for praying for me and my family, for supporting me through some hard
times... and for cheering me on in this next chapter of life.  God has truly
blessed my life through MOPS and I know he will continue to pass that
blessing on for many more years and mommies to come! I am so proud of our
MOPS group and I will keep in touch!!

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Playdate Etiquette

Have you ever thought about playdate etiquette? 

We all have our expectations about how one should conduct themselves while in another person's home, or in our home.  Have we thought about how our toddlers should emulate our values of being a polite guest or gracious host?

First of all, none of us would like it if someone came over and starting going through our drawers and shelves and pulling things out... or getting on our ipad or phone and asking for our password to check our email.  You would kick them out of your house!  So, I think it is fair to say that when a toddler has all of their toys descended upon by a child or children, they are likely to get a little defensive and well, some toddlers, quite angry.

Here are some ideas when hosting a playdate:
1)  I think it is fair to say your child's lovie or favorite toy are off limits from other children.  You could tell your child ahead of time that you are going to put these away for after the playdate.  Keep them in a "safe place" so your child knows where to find it once everyone has left.  (This is if you know that your child will be particularly upset about sharing this very favorite item.) 
2)  Have your child help you pick up a few toys before your guests arrive.  Have them pick up the number of the age they are... for instance, if your child is three, have them pick up three toys.  This teaches your child the value of preparing for guests, being hospitable, having pride in your home.
3)  Have an easy and healthy snack for children during the playdate.  Explain your rules of keeping the food at the table.  It will make clean-up much easier.
4) Relax, make you and your girlfriend some coffee and offer a snack.  Enjoy the children playing and hopefully you can get in a few sentences to catch up!
5)  If children are fighting over a toy, leave them for a minute and see if they work it out.  If a child is being very unjust, intervene by: a) putting the toy in time-out, b) having children take turns (Amy gets it for a minute, then Jenny gets it for a minute) c) separate the children to different rooms for a break to play by themselves.  Above all, with siblings and friends, make playing together a privilege.
6)  If you have naptime or need your mommy break, let your guest know before arriving, for example say "we can do a playdate from  10am to 12pm". 

When a guest at a playdate:
1)  Bring a snack or drink to share!
2)  Teach your child to say please and thank you and manners of not jumping on furniture and keeping food contained in the eating space.
3)  Clean up after yourself and your children when you leave.  Teach your child the value of leaving a place better than you found it.

Thank your host for hosting, do not stay longer than two hours unless previously agreed you will stay longer.  Two hours is enough time for a host and her children to have friends over.  Obviously, if you want to have a long playdate, discuss ahead of time.  If it is a long summer day and you want to have lunch and sprinkler time outside, keep it going!

Friday, April 5, 2013

Happy Spring! Tulips in Bloom!

Looking for a fun family time that is very Springy?!
Check out The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival!

http://www.tulipfestival.org/

We went last year and it was fun.  A great photo opportunity, too!  I would recommend bringing your own picnic lunch to have with your family.  It is a little crazy in the tents.  If you have toddlers that like to run off, well... just bring your own lunch and have it outside on a blanket.
We went to Tulip Town.  It was good, we may check out another site this time.  Bring cash for parking as well.  Follow the line of cars when you get off the exit and you will find a bunch of farms.  Enjoy!