CLF MOPS Blog

For Your Valentines...

2011-02-02T15:51:00.000-08:00

Take the survey on the right hand side of the blog so we can better serve you!

Here are some adorable free printable goodies for you to share with your valentines this month!

Cute little butterflies.. simply add lollipops!

4 different ones to choose from here

and one for the boys!

How cute! for the tea lovers..

Simplifying Grocery Shopping & The Benifits of Meal Planning

2010-10-06T08:22:00.000-07:00

If you are looking to cut down the stress of Grocery Shopping and add some organization to your week with Meal Planning check out the rest of article that was featured in the October Mops Newsletter:

Simplifying Grocery Shopping & the Benefits of Meal Planning

Yumm

2010-10-06T08:13:00.000-07:00

If you are a coffee lover of any kind you know that a sure sign of fall is the beloved Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks. Well I have good news. Now you can make your very own pumpkin spice latte at home.. with no special equipment needed besides your normal coffee equipment.

Here is the recipe from Apartment Therapy's The Kitchn:

Make Your Own Pumpkin Spice Latte

Also for those who are interested in making your own pumpkin puree here is a great step by step tutorial using fresh pumpkins from your garden or local farmers market:

Make Your Own Pumpkin Puree

Get Crafty!

2010-09-08T20:04:00.000-07:00

Here are a few cute and super easy crafts for you....

Magnetic Lunch Chart

Candy Bar Wrappers

ENJOY!

Mark your Calenders!

2010-08-11T10:02:00.000-07:00

MOPS is starting up again, for the school year. Our first meeting is September 16th, 2010! It's coming up fast, so get ready to have a great time, and share your experiences of motherhood with other Moms alike. Sit at the same table, or join a new one. Come for the first time, and your visit is FREE. Hope to see you there! Make sure you look for our group on Facebook!!

Toast Day!

2010-03-04T13:37:00.000-08:00

Today was toast day, sorry we didn't get this up ahead of time, but it's here now. This is the link that inspired this great day of MOPS. If you have ever wondered how to make food more creative and didn't think of toast first. After reading this you will! There are so many ways to create ANY tastey meal with toast. It's not just a breakfast food. Today we tried out some of the things that others had brought in, and some were quite good! So if you ever want to go back to this day and remember what you liked best or try some new things, here is the site to go to! http://www.mrbreakfast.com/article.asp?articleid=20

September Newsletter

2009-09-14T07:47:00.000-07:00

Here is the link to the Lunch Box Notes mentioned in the September Newsletter!

Printable Lunch Box Notes

A New MOPS Year!

2009-09-14T07:42:00.000-07:00

This comming thursday is our first meeting of the year! Dont miss it..

Thursday September 17th

9:00 am

Cost is $5.00

(your first meeting is free)

Bring a Friend!

Come enjoy great food, friends and fellowship with other Moms

MOPS Swim Night

2009-03-19T18:18:00.000-07:00

MOPS families are invited to swim at the YMCA in Port Edwards on Tuesday, March 31 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm. The cost is only $2 per family. Come join us!

Dry Cocoa Mix

2009-02-06T10:59:00.000-08:00

(from the February 5th craft)

4 cups dry milk
1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup cocoa
1/2 tsp. salt

To serve: combine 1/3 cup mix per cup of hot water

Correction for Winter Walk

2009-01-14T18:53:00.000-08:00

The previous post lists the wrong date. The winter walk will take place on Saturday, January 31st, from 10-11 am at Lake Wazeecha, South Wood County Park. I apologize for the mis-information. Hope to see you there... :)

NO MOPS January 15th due to school cancellations

2009-01-14T15:23:00.000-08:00

In Case of School Cancellations

2009-01-14T12:42:00.000-08:00

MOPS will be cancelled due to weather if any of the of the area districts has cancelled classes. Those school districts include Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools, Port Edwards, and Nekoosa.

Ladies Christmas connection

2008-12-03T08:23:00.000-08:00

See attached flier for details...

CLF Christmas Musical Presented

2008-12-03T07:45:00.000-08:00

“Stranded for Christmas”

A blizzard, slick roads and pressure to get to Grandpas for Christmas are the makings of the 2008 Christian Life Fellowship Christmas Musical production. This year’s production includes heartwarming drama as a young family deals with the stresses and surprises of the Holiday season. This enjoyable story line is enhanced by familiar Christmas music selections expertly performed by the Christian Life Fellowship Choir and soloists.

A catered dinner is available on Thursday December 11 and Friday, December 12 at 6:00 pm prior to the musical. Tickets are $11 and must be purchased by Dec. 4th. Seating is limited.

Homemade cookies and punch are served after each performance and nursery and preschool care is provided each night for the musical.

The first three performances, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, December 11, 12, 13 will be held at Christian Life Fellowship in Port Edwards at 7:00 pm. The Sunday night performance, December 14 will be held at Grove Elementary School at the corner of Grove and Lincoln Streets in Wisconsin Rapids at 7:00 pm.

For more information Call Christian Life Fellowship, o the corner of Hwy 54/73 and 7th Street in Port Edwards, at 887-3565 or visit us at www.clfonline.org

Winter Walk Planned for February 1st

2008-12-03T07:39:00.000-08:00

Come and join us for a winter walk at beautiful Lake Wazeecha. As we walk through the trees we will learn about what animals do during the chilly winter months. We will look at where animals go, what they eat, and how they keep warm. After our walk you are welcome over to Emily Conner's house for hot chocolate and treats.

To get the Lake Wazeecha, take the Expressway out past Home Depot. Take a right on 48th Street where you will see Bud's Corner Mart. Take a left on Whitrock and a left on 64th Street. We will meet at the boat launch. You could also take Griffith to 64th Street, take a left, and drive straight to the boat launch.

Time was not available at the time of this post, so stay tuned for further details!

REMINDER: What to bring on December 4th

2008-12-03T07:37:00.000-08:00

If your child is in the 4-6 year old classroom this year, please be sure to bring in his/her booster car seat and leave it by the front doors in the hallway at the kids wing entrance.

PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOUR CHILD'S SEAT IS CLEARLY LABELED!

Thank you!

Edgewater Nursing Home Field Trip

2008-12-03T07:33:00.000-08:00

Each year Sandee Boyles and her faithful volunteers take a field trip to visit the people at Edgewater Haven Nursing Home in Port Edwards with the 4-6 year old class. This year the trip will be on Thursday, December 4th during our regular MOPS meeting.

We are asking that moms and kids of all ages bring in small, UNWRAPPED gifts that the children can pass out while visiting the residents of Edgewater. Some examples are travel sized shampoos, kleenex, lotions, soaps, deoderants, toothpastes, mouthwash, body wipes, stationary and envelopes, pens, stickers, stamps or general greeting cards.

This trip brings much joy to those who are visited as well as to our own children. Thank you for helping make it a great success!

Creative Activity Info this Thursday...Oct. 16th

2008-10-14T08:29:00.000-07:00

MOPS Accessory Swap
October 16th

Bring in your high quality, gently used accessories for our first ever accessory exchange. This includes shoes, scarves, jewelry, belts, purses/bags, hats, and even those cosmetics and lotions that just aren’t your style. Open up those closets, dig in those drawers and bring in your unused treasures!

When you arrive at MOPS, please see Cari Payne and her creative activities team so that they may take care of your accessories. The team will be organizing and displaying these fine accessories in the back room (where the free table normally is...sorry ladies, no free table this week). The display will not be open for browsing until after the discussion topic time. We can't wait to see what wonderful new things everyone will pick up that is just right for them.

Introducing the GREAT MOPS COOKOFF!

2008-10-14T08:25:00.000-07:00

This year at Mops we’ll be having a number of fun cooking topics to look forward to. So Moms…. get your aprons on…. dig out those cookbooks…. dust off those gadgets…get your pots cracking and get cooking!!! Plus, we are excited to announce something completely new in MOPS this year.

We’re having the Great MOPS Cook-off with the finale on the last MOPS meeting of the year. The entire MOPS group of ladies will vote on the #1 dish of the year!

We are asking all tables to get together outside of MOPS for special food and fun. Your Discussion Group Leader will be coordinating a time with the moms at your table to each bring your favorite dish, you know, the one that everyone knows as “yours” because it is so good and they cannot get enough. Bring it to your get together so that you will have 5,6, maybe even 7 or 8 dishes to sample that evening. Then, vote for the best. That dish will be your table’s contribution to the Great MOPS Cook-off on the last MOPS meeting in May. We ask that you come then with your table having made enough of that amazing dish for everyone to try.
Our last day of the year will be one of fun with plenty of taste testing and recipes to pick up. We’ll have special prizes. Plus we’ll be posting updates and photos on the MOPS blog at www.clfmops.blogspot.com. So keep checking in.

Don’t miss out and don’t keep the fun to yourself. Invite a friend for this fun year ahead.

So, come on. Get together with your table and have some fun! It is cook-off time!!!

Fall Walk This Saturday

2008-10-14T08:19:00.000-07:00

Saturday October 18th from 10-11 am at Nepco Lake County Park: Bring the whole family along to join other MOPS families in a fall walk.

October is a time of change and beauty in nature. Lead by Emily Connor, we will be exploring the beautiful changes in trees, get a close up look at a special tree, discover what is inside a tree, and explore the beauty at the tops of the trees.

The activities will be best for ages 2.5 to early school age but all are welcome. Nepco Lake is located on Griffith Ave. We will be meeting on the playground. Hope to see you there!

Bread and Soup Day sign up

2008-10-14T08:18:00.001-07:00

Soup and Bread Day on November 6th

Dust off those stockpots and pull out those ladles. Autumn is in the air and good hot soups are on the menu. MOPS is celebrating fall and family with a Soup and Bread Day on November 6th during our regular meeting. Sample soups of the season and go home with ready to bake Cheesy-Garlic Biscuits to serve your family. If you would like to bring a soup, sign up with Cari Payne at 424-1491 or cmpayne2@gmail.com.

Things to bring on November 6th: small mixing bowl and a cookie sheet

Reminder of First Day

2008-09-14T16:35:00.002-07:00

Hello Fellow MOPS Moms,

Just a quick reminder that MOPS starts this Thursday. If you are a returning MOPS mom, and know that you would like to remain with your table leader from last year, please contact them to have them reserve a spot for you at their table. We will be placing the calendar magnets on each spot that is "taken" at the tables to help us know where space is available for newcomers.

Also, if you haven't registered yet, or aren't sure, please contact me (jessicafoley77@gmail.com) or Brenda (brendaplum@hotmail.com) to fill out the proper registration forms. We can email them to you and you can bring them in the first day. This will save lots of time!

If you have filled out all your registration forms, you may go straight to the table with the name tags and pick up the tags and head to sign your children in in their respective classrooms. Please note the age and classroom changes effective this year. Once you get to your child's classroom, simply check the box next to their name, under 9/18, and fill out any special instructions on the form provided. (Please use the mailing labels in the folders as needed to add new instructions as needed.)

We look forward to seeing you all in just a few days!

2008-09-14T16:35:00.001-07:00

Revisit the MOPPETS guidelines...

2008-09-01T20:18:00.000-07:00

If you read the MOPPETS guidelines prior to 9-1-08, please check back to that post as updates on some of the information has been changed. Room assignments have also been made, so be sure to check that out as well!

See you in 17 more days...

SERA park pics

2008-08-14T14:29:00.000-07:00

Here are a few more!

SERA Park Pictures

2008-08-14T14:20:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pictures taken at the SERA park day yesterday! Thanks Amy!

Lunch by the River, June 2008

2008-08-14T14:00:00.000-07:00

MOPPETS Guidelines for 2008-2009 (Revised 9-1-08)

2008-08-14T13:42:00.000-07:00

Guidelines for MOPPETS

* All children must be in the correct class for their age. No child will be allowed into a classroom with a brother, sister, friend or cousin if their age is different than that of the class. Children’s rooms are divided into the following age groups for the purpose of safety, age appropriate activities, and overall order in this busy area of our program:
0-6 months: Room 101
6-12 months: Room 111
12-18 months: Room 104
18-24 months: Room 108
2-2 ½ year olds: Room 105
2 ½-3 year olds: Room 106
3-3 ½ year olds: Room 202
3 ½-4 year olds: Room 204
4-5 year olds: Room 203
This age is determined by the public school’s age cutoff date of September, 1 (half birthdays based on March 1st). Any classroom reassignments will be made at the discretion of the MOPPETS team leader. Your child will remain in his or her classroom for the entire MOPS year, from September through May, unless you are otherwise notified.

* It is required that all of your child’s personal items be labeled prior to drop off. The following items must be labeled: Diaper bags, bottles, sippy cups, blankets, security items and pacifiers (pacifier clips are strongly recommended in addition to labeling them). If your child is to be fed a bottle, please mark clearly the amount that is to be served along with preparation instructions if it is not already mixed. For the safety and health concerns of all the children in the MOPPETS program, no child will be issued anything that has not been properly labeled with their name on it.

* There will be a place to leave “special instructions” with your child as they are checked in to their classrooms. Let the MOPPETS workers know on this instruction card, what you would like for them to do in order to, for instance, calm your fussy baby, etc. For example: “If Susie cries for more than 10 minutes after I leave- after she wakes- whatever-please have someone come and get me.” Or “Susie takes a 4oz bottle of formula after she wakes from her nap.” Other information that can be included on this card is allergy info, potty training instructions, activity restrictions, etc. Please update this information as often as needed by using the labels provided in the classroom folder.

* Please leave all personal toys in the car.

* PLEASE do not bring sick children to MOPS. If your child has had a fever in the last 24 hours, they should not be brought to MOPS. Also, no runny noses, unless the fluid is clear and baby is teething. No contagious rashes. Please be considerate of the other children, mothers, and our MOPPETS volunteers.

* If your child has been exposed to any communicable diseases that you were not aware of at the time of the MOPS meeting, please contact Sandee at 421-3969.

* There is a $2 charge for each child brought to MOPPETS that is not your own. This extra charge should be paid for at the registration table down in the Fellowship Hall where the moms check in. Please notify Brenda that you have brought daycare children, and the number of children you have brought with you. Please, no more than two extra children as space in MOPPETS is limited. In addition, you must fill out a registration form prior to the child attending MOPS with you.

MOPS Guidelines for 2008-2009

2008-08-14T13:39:00.000-07:00

Guidelines for MOPS 2008-2009 Year

* The dues for each MOPS meeting are $5. Please stop by the registration table at the beginning of each meeting to sign in. For your convenience, we are continuing to offer our punch cards which can be purchased for $20. This card is good for 4 meetings. You can bring that card to every meeting to have punched, or you may file it with Brenda at the registration table.

* Our meetings are from 9-11 am. Drop off for the MOPPETS in the children’s wing begins at 8:45, and all children should be picked up immediately following the meeting at 11am.

* No children will be allowed in a MOPS meeting with the exception of babies 12 weeks and younger. Please be considerate of the other mothers in the meetings. If your baby is fussy, please tend to his/her needs quietly. You may reenter the meeting at any time if you need to leave to calm a crying/fussy baby.

* A private nursing room is provided in the nursery in the kid’s wing if you prefer to have a private, quiet breastfeeding space.

* Please silence your cell phones and other electronic devices during the meeting. If you need to be reached during the meeting, please quietly take the call in another room so as not to disrupt the other moms, or the speaker.

* When a speaker is up in front, please give them your attention. Please do not talk amongst your tables while the speaker is speaking.

* MOPS will be cancelled due to weather if any of the of the area districts has cancelled classes. Those school districts include Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools, Port Edwards, and Nekoosa.

Where does my five dollars go?

2008-08-14T13:35:00.000-07:00

Many people often ask the question “why do I have to pay to attend MOPS? Where does my five dollars go?” Well, the answer is, “many places, actually!”

As our MOPS chapter’s charter church, Christian Life Fellowship pays an annual administrative renewal fee of $120. There is also a $23.95 per MOPS mom registration fee that is paid to MOPS International each year. This membership fee is required by MOPS International, and provides each registered mom with a year’s magazine subscription, encouraging emails, and all the goodies that are included in their annual gift package. Those of you who filled out a pre-registration form should have already begun receiving your MOPS benefits.

The remainder of the dues money goes to purchase MOPPETS snacks and juice for your children each week as well as the MOPPETS teaching materials used in each of the classrooms. Other administrative costs involved in running a program such as ours include the need to purchase craft supplies, room decorations, door prizes, newsletter costs (postage, paper and printing) and many other miscellaneous expenses that we incur.

As you can see, there are many places that your $5 per meeting goes! We are so very blessed to be chartered by such a generously supportive church. CLF pays for many of the items that the $5 per meeting dues do not cover, including the coffee and teas, food service supplies, and most importantly, the use of their amazing facility. Because of CLF’s unwavering support of the MOPS program, we have been able to keep this weekly dues amount to a minimum for many, many years.

Clarification

2008-07-06T21:00:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to clarify the CERA park day...the pool doesn't open until 11:00 am for swimming...thanks Amy!

MOPS goes tech savvy!

2008-07-06T17:01:00.000-07:00

Greetings MOPS moms!

This is our first attempt at keeping up with the world of blogging, to keep you informed, and to keep me on schedule! :)

Stay posted for frequent announcements and other info regarding our MOPS Fall Start up schedule as well as other MOPS news.

Below are a couple of reminders of upcoming events that we have planned for this summer yet. You won't want to miss them!
Jessica

Thursday, July 10th: MOPS goes to the Wisconsin Rapids Zoo!
* Meet at 10 am and tour the zoo with your kids. Bring a picnic lunch if you'd like! See you there! (Led by Cari Payne)

Sunday, July 13th: Mike and Sharon Hansen Benefit Picnic
2-6 pm at the Grand Rapids Lions Park

* There will be plenty of food and activities, including a raffle and silent auction to raise funds for Mike, who was diagnosed with a very serious, and currently incurable form of cancer.
* If you are able, please bring a baked good to contribute to the bake sale. Items can include oversized cookies, brownies, breads, muffins, etc. These can be brought to CLF or directly to the benefit. Please contact Julie Overturf at CLF for details. 715-887-3565
(Sponsored by Dick Neuville Dealer Employees)

Sunday, July 20th: MOPS family picnic
4 pm at Riverside Park in Nekoosa, plan to eat around 5 pm
* Please bring a dish to pass and your own meat to grill. Grill Master Brian Plum will be available to assist you with your grilling needs! Plates, napkins and condiments will be provided. Bring your own beverage
* We will not hold the picnic if it is raining. If you have a question regarding whether the picnic will be held, please call Jessica's cell at 323-0397 for a recorded message with details.
(Led by Toni Butz)

Thursday, July 31st: Lunch by the River
11:30 am-1pm
(Led by Toni Butz)

Tuesday, August 5th: KASH Park, Stevens Point, WI
* Meet for a morning of play at a playground well worth the trip to Stevens Point! (Led by Elizabeth Whelan)

Tuesday, August 12th: KIDS from Wisconsin performance at the PAC
* Contact the Daily Tribune for tickets and show times! A show you won't want to miss!

Wednesday, August 13th: CERA Park
Meet at 10 am
* Swimming is available for a small charge ($1 per person by New Page...this is new this year). There's a playground, picnic area, a softball field, and mini golf are all available. I believe that you may also fish from the shore if that suits you and your family!
* Please mention at the check in gate that you are with the MOPS group, and that Amy Fuller is your groups leader for the day.
(Led by Amy Fuller)

Thursday, August 21st: Lunch by the River
11:30 am-1 pm
(Led by Toni Butz)