Meet the Steering Team!

I wanted to take a minute to introduce everyone to the 2011-2012 Steering Team.

First up is my new favorite person, someone who can make me laugh out loud with just a few words, Liz Brown!

Cori: Hey Liz Brown. What are your kids' and husband's names?

Liz: I'm married to Stanton. My kids are "Drama Queen" Audrey (4), "Hot Mess" Alyssa (19 months)

Cori: What's your steering position? How long have you been in MOPS?

Liz: MOPS crafts gal - one semester

Cori: Only one semester?! What a fast learner you are! What's your favorite movie? Favorite Book? Favorite song?

Liz: Book: Can a year's worth of People Magazine count as a book??
Movie: When Harry Met Sally
Song: I THOUGHT it was "Pumped Up Kicks" until I just recently found out that song is about killing people, so I'm currently searching for a new one!

Cori: What's your favorite thing to do when you have three hours to yourself?

Liz: So sad - but I usually run to McDs for an iced tea then go meander Hobby Lobby or Target. Blissfully slow and not annoyed!

Cori: What about your favorite thing to do with your kids?

Liz: My favorite place with the kids is Wonder Wild in the heights. It's an indoor play area with a trampoline in the back and a blow-up slide in the front. They also have a true "toddler" area with a ball pit and other goodies. Both girls run out all their energy and I get some MAJOR people watching in, which is so fun! Watching other moms with their kids is so entertaining! Love!

Things to do with kids this summer

Ya'll. It's summer. That time of year that all kids eagerly look forward to...and parents dread.


If you're anything like me, by now you're looking for things to do with your kids so they stop driving you nuts. I find that if I plan just one thing every day, I can muddle my way through the rest of the day. I'm not talking about sending Small Fry off somewhere once a day (although wouldn't that be nice?!). I mean planning to do one thing together once a day.

It's hard. I know. And most days we spend a LOT of time in front of movies. But, I have a list of things I'd like to do with Small Fry. I thought I'd share it here and if you have any other suggestions, PLEASE leave a comment.


1. Story Time at the library - The Fort Bend Library system has storytime at least once a week at every branch. It usually lasts about an hour and includes singing songs, listening to books, watching a short film and making a craft. Check out the library website to see the monthy calander for each branch.

2. Playing with the computers/reading books at the library - Claire loves sitting at the computers and playing games. She could play for an hour at least. I love sitting next to her and reading while she plays. We usually then find a book to take home.


3. Make and paint with glimmer paint - I'm crafty. That means Claire thinks she's crafty too. Which it totally fine with me, but I don't like spending money on kids crafts supplies. Disney Family Fun solves that problem with homemade glimmer paint. I had all those ingrediants in my pantry and only had to get bottles for her to paint with. Easy, and cheap!

4. Make stamps - How easy is this? I have hundredes of those little foam stickers, and Claire LOVES to use stamps.

5. Make chalk using water and cornstarch - Mix equal parts cornstarch and water into an old muffin tin. Add food coloring and mix. Then, use foam brushes to paint on the sidewalk (or yourself!).
6. See a movie. Cinemark in Rosenberg, or Edwards MarqE on I-10 are two options. We practically lived in the theater last summer. Hey, the movies are $1 each, and it's always cold there. I get Claire a Kid-pack for $5 which includes popcorn, a drink and candy (which she doesn't eat), and I pack a bottle of water for me. Sure, it's loud in there (there's always a lot of rustling and talking and babies crying), but Claire got to see The Wizard of Oz today.









7. Better than movies? Take the kids to see a play at the Fort Bend Theater. The shows aren't too long for kiddos (usually about an hour) and I think it's so important to teach kids about theater. Yes, that may be because my husband was a HUGE theater nerd in high school. Either way, the prices are a little higher than the movies, and the shows aren't as frequent, but it's a great time.


8. Indoor playgrounds are my best friends. Sugar Creek Baptist Church (13333 SW Freeway)has a great one, as does Memorial City Mall. Sugar Creek is close and it opens early (around 8, I think), which works out really well since Claire gets up super early. She's not a fan of playing at these places by herself, but she's usually good for at least an hour. Plus, it's free! Memorial City Mall has a really good playground too, and it's far enough away from the food and carosal that she doesn't even know that's an option.


9. Go Ice Skating. Again, super cold at the ice rink in Sugar Land. It's $10 for a two hour free skate, which it a little steep, but maybe this is how you treat your kids after a week of cleaning up their room. There's also a rink at Memorial City Mall.


10. Go Rollar Skating. Am I the only one who used to rollar skate on friday nights when I was a kid? This is before rollar blades - I'm talking about 4 wheels. We played games like Limbo, 4 corners and Shoot The Duck. I thought I was so cool when I became old enough to be dropped off by myself. Dairy Ashford has a toddler skate for kids under 7. Pay $5, and bring a wheeled "vehicle" (but no bikes) and kids can go nuts. Awesome.


11. Bounce. Drive on down to my hood near the 'Shire and hit up Bounce U for open bounce. There's not a lot of information on the website, but I think I remember that you call the location, see if there's open bounce (which they have if there's no parties), pay $7 and let your kids go nuts. Claire LOVES the bounce houses, and she's usually pretty good by herself. The last time we went, she had the whole place to herself.


12. Feeling crafty? Check out One Pretty Thing for a whole list of crafts to do with kids. My favorite? The homemade watercolors.

Any other ideas? Let me know!

2011 - 2012 Meeting Dates

Hey ladies! I hope everyone is having a great summer. I wanted to take a minute and post our meeting dates for next year. I'm also going to try to figure out how to have these on the sidebar. That way if you can't remember the dates, you can come check them out!

Interview with a Mom

1. What's the name of your business?

Liz's Latest

2. What do you sell?

Personalized party decor - mainly cupcake toppers and name banners - but I can do whatever we can brainstorm! I've made party hats, party favors, recycled crayons, and coordinating chocolate bars. I'm tackling photo cubes next week for a 1st birthday party!

3. What made you start your own business?

I was ordering a lot of stuff for my girls' birthdays, and every time something came, I thought to myself, "I could do that." I started crafting when my second child had colic and I was miserable and stuck in this house! Modge Podge has a surprisingly calming effect! The more I did, the more I enjoyed it! Plus, my oldest daughter is incredibly crafty, so it gives us time to just sit and work together!

4. What's your favorite part of owning your own business?

Being creative and having an actual "to do" list! I LOVE to check something off a list! I like to feel like I accomplished something on any particular day and since my house never stayed tidied up, the clothes never stayed clean, and the food never stayed uneaten, I needed an outlet!! Starting this little business has helped my Type-A-ness immensely!

5. What's your favorite product?

My favorite thing is all the toppers. I add photos, sayings, embellishments - for no extra charge. They really make a party even more special, and it is SO MUCH cheaper than purchasing a custom cake! You could make the cupcakes yourself, or get Kroger to make you some (at $0.54 a cupcake - it's a deal!) then you plop in one of these toppers. I also just started doing some for sporting events and they are a huge hit!

I can do any character, show, etc. and I also can do any team, from professional to your son's little league team. A big favorite is the "Thank you" toppers that I am in the process of making for the teachers. My husband took them to work for his team members - it's such an easy way to show you care!

6. Do you have any promotions going on now?

I usually charge $14 per dozen, but make an order by April 1st, I'll do it for $12!

Thanks Liz, for the interview. If anyone is interested in these products, email Liz at LizBrown2002@hotmail.com

[cori]

Meeting Recap 25 Feb 11

I hope everyone got to know something new about someone at the last meeting. Even though it gets loud and I end up without a voice after, I really like Mops Speed Dating. I always get to meet someone that I haven't before. What was your favorite question? What did you learn?

But, I'm getting ahead of myself. Friday, Charlotte talked about anger. She said, "We are human. The world is not perfect." Matthew 22: 37-38, James 1: 19-20, Psalms 86: 15. All these verses talk about being quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger. It's something that I have to work on every day.

Missy mentioned a new fundraiser we're going to start in April - 31. I'm super excited about it. Check out the online catalogue and add some great products into your April budget!

Kim mentioned that her multiples group is holding a garage sale this weekend, March 5th from 8am - 11am. The sale will be held at Westbury United Methodist Church (5200 Willowbend).

I also wanted to link to a blog post that our very own Stasi McAteer wrote. It's all about children and church and I think it's worth a read:

Here it is.

That's all for this week. Don't forget the party at Jill's on the 8th. She'll send out a reminder soon, I'm sure.

Have a great week!

[cori]

Kids Say the Darndest Things...

Recently I've been amused by the things my kids say...

When they've locked their car door and I ask them to unlock it (the driver door is unlocked, don't worry!), I hear " I did it for a reason!!"

When they've watched a little too much of PBS's Sid the Science Kid, I hear "Mom! I took my shoes off in the name of science!!"

But today, I hit the moment I was hoping would never happen. As a mom, I've always wished that my children would learn whispering and empathy before they learned to ask about everything, but I believe that's not the case for any child. We had gone to HEB for our weekly shopping trip (you know, the usual meat, fruit and four gallons of milk trip), and we were checking out. The man sacking our groceries is frequently working, and is extremely friendly. The only thing of note, is that he only has one hand. He is actually quite talented at working with both his right and and his left handless arm, and I'm always in awe of his dexterity (you see where this is going...)

I asked the man if he would give the kids an HEB sticker (the ones used for large items that aren't bagged) since I forgot to print them extra produce stickers and "price them" like I usually do. Naturally, he uses the handed arm and the handless one with ease and gives each kid a green sticker. I make sure the kids use their good manners and thank him, and head off with my basket of groceries. As were rounding the end of the checkout counter, behind the nice man, Claire asks in what is quite possibly her loudest speaking voice, "Why that man doesn't have a hand?"

I answered "I don't know" fairly quietly, so she asked again. I'm sure the man hears that all the time, and I love the innocence of my children, but I don't look forward to the rest of these uncomfortable encounters!

Anyone else have an embarrassing story to share along these lines?

~Kim

MOPS LOVE MEET

Love was in the air for this MOPS session held on Feb 11^th.

The Care Team announced we have 5 rockin' rollin' babies born and a lot more coming up. Dinners are always welcome for our tired moms. If meals can be delivered to their homes GREAT, if not please let the care team know and a meeting point can always be arranged.

Finance: Dues of $50 due for this semester. Please make checks payable to CUMC.

Fellowship: Mamma Mia is coming up and for those that signed up and have not paid $47 is due.

Prayer Devotional: Charlotte lead us with an inspired LOVE theme reading from 1 Corinthians 13 where the Word reminds us Love is patient and Love is kind. Charlotte shared the Hebrew word for love which is 'Ahava'

Family Fellowship: Gymtex on Sunday 2/20 from 4pm-5pm. For groups less than 14 it will be $8 and for more than 14 will be $7. Afterward everyone is invited to Skeeters for dinner. Spread the word, if you have a meal and at check out mention “MOPS” 20% will be donated back.

Crawfish Broil April 9^th at Susan Bourgeois house at 4pm. Details to follow.

Mommy Saver Cards – all unsold cards are due back. Any cards that were sold the funds are due by next meeting.

Hospitality: Please email your “Moms Favorite Things” to Lauren Merkel.

Publicity: We are in the process of interviewing moms with their own businesses. If you run your own business email Cory.

We listened to Nicole Cole a leading speaker on how to put that spark back in your marriage and have fun with it. She shared ideas from recreating date night at home with candles, rose petals and removing ALL pictures of your little angels from your bedroom, to changing ones attitude! She gave a lot of good ideas as well as adding humor.

Thanks to Chemistry for being the hosting table. Our next meeting is Feb 25^th. Geology will be hosting.