It's coming...

Hope you've been able to join us for some of our play dates this summer!  It's been fun to have time to keep up with friends, meet new people, and watch our children burn energy ;)

We're looking forward to our first meeting of the fall.  Mark your calendar for Thursday, September 13.  We'll meet at 9 am at Faith Evangelical Free Church.  Look for registration information in the next couple of weeks.

Happy Summer!

Summer Play Date Schedule

Summer 2012 Park Play Dates: 

Plan on joining us on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month this summer. 

We'll meet from 10:30-12:30 am.  Arrive when you wish, and stay as long as you can!

 

Dates are:

June 14--- University Park 

June 28-- Sertoma Park 

July 12-- Sherlock Park 

July 26-- University Park 

August 9-- Sertoma Park

August 23--Sherlock Park

Summer Parties :)

Hope you were able to join us for our May meeting!  We talked about all kinds of summer festivities.  If you'd like a handout of recipes and ideas, please feel free to message me at hunt16@msn.com.

Also, if you'd like to complete a year-end evaluation, we'd love to hear from you. Please message me, and I'll send you an electronic version to complete and return.

We're still looking for Discussion Group Leaders for the fall of 2012.  Let me know if you'd be interested!

The fashion show is over, but hopefully you were

inspired by what you saw!

We wanted to give you a little more “Springspiration” for this
season’s wardrobe, with 5 looks that are accessible, affordable, and on trend.

Each of these looks is complete with shoesand accessories,

but remember that these items can be used with many different
outfits so don’t let the total price tallies scare you off.

If you are working on smaller budget look for
some basic items and a statement piece or two with versatile accessories

that can dress up or dress down your look.
Check out some store-specific tips at the bottom!

Look 1
Every girl needs a simple weekender look and this fits the
bill for just over $90! Bright colors are all the rage right now,

so throw on a jade dress and grab a bright yellow
bag and you are good to go!

Look 2
Ringing in at $105, this works perfectly for a casual summer
day. Gold is making a comeback with these metallic earrings

and the espadrilles kick it up a notch!

Look 3
You’ve probably noticed the brightly colored skinny jeans
hanging on the rack in virtually every store these days. Don’t be shy, try on a pair!

These statement pieces are extremely versatile and can be dressed up or down

for any occasion. In this look, we’ve paired it with a whimsical
bird print blouse and nude pumps. Again we’ve added some gold accents,

and the orange shoulder bag pulls it all together.

The price tag on this one totals $165!

Look 4
As you saw in the last look, prints are in, and the bolder
the better. We’ve done this dress in two ways –

Add a little funk with cowboy boots and a thick brown belt,

or

Add a little spunk with some brightly colored flats, a
shimmery clutch and some peacock inspired jewelry.

Version one comes in at $113 and Version 2 is $101, but you
can snag both looks for $176.

Look 5
For an evening out with the girls, or a date night with your
man you need to get your glam on! A simple black pencil skirt is paired with

an on-trend peplum top and adorable pumps. The clutch brings out the color
of the tie on the waist and adding earrings and a ring with some bling class it
up! The final tally is $155.

If you are loving the looks but overwhelmed by the costs,
here are a few tips from a self-proclaimed cheapskate!

Target is a favorite of mine, and since I am already going
there for something most of the time, it’s easy to browse through

their racks if I’m in need of something.

Their clearance racks are pretty well organized and they have a mark down schedule.

Women’s Clothing on Tuesdays,

Health and Beauty items on Wednesdays

and Shoes on Thursdays,

so if you are watching a clearance item, keep this in mind!

Getting a Target Card can get you 5% off your purchase, but don’t go down that road

unless you have the discipline to pay off entire balance each month. http://www.mommysavers.com/2011/01/deals-at-target-clearance/

Kohl’s often has coupons in their ad for % off purchases.

These are coupons worth clipping! They also have “Kohl’s Cash”
in which you purchase items during an eligible period to earn “cash” that can
be used toward a purchase during a redemption period.

A Kohl’s card gives you access to extra discounts 12 times a year,

but it’s never a good choice if you carry a balance.

Old Navy is one of my favorite stores of all.

They also offer “Super Cash” which is the same idea as “Kohl’s Cash”.

By joining their mailing list, you receive many emailed coupons and alerts of store specials. Always take the time to complete their online survey,

it is worth the discount and helps them out as well.

Their clearance racks are a little overwhelming,

but if you can buck up and forage through it,

you can get some steals!

Also, if you sign up for an Old Navy card, you receive 10% off every Tuesday

and earn reward cash for every purchase!

Once again, do not sign up if you won’t be paying it off in full each month.

Happy shopping!

[Thanks to Sarah Homme and Sheena Collins for compiling and formatting these ideas!]

Open Steering Team Positions

Steering Team Positions available for next year:

Nursery Coordinator

Call and arrange child care volunteers for each monthly meeting. There are 9 meetings in the MOPS year. Offers encouragement and support to nursery workers, and coordinates snacks for children.

MOPPETS Preschool

- Coordinates and recruits teachers and helpers for each room

- Plans activities for each MOPPETS classroom

- Purchases craft supplies for MOPPETS

- Coordinates snacks for MOPPETS

Publicity

- Creatively publicizes MOPS meetings and events using our established website, Facebook page, and monthly newsletter.

Hospitality

- Creates a welcoming and attractive atmosphere for each meeting.

- Coordinates set up and clean up of food and decorations at each meeting

- Implements theme on tables throughout room

- Coordinates door prizes, birthday recognition, and new baby celebrations

- Coordinates annual spring tea in April

Note: Each of these positions are part of the Steering Team. Members of the Steering Team are responsible for attending monthly Steering Team meetings (on the first Thursday with childcare provided), and helping with table set up prior to each monthly meeting. Please talk to a current Steering Team member or email me (hunt16@msn.com) if you’re interested.

MOPS April Events

Monthly Meeting:

Spring Tea/Fashion Show

Thursday, April 12 from 9 a.m.-11 a.m.

Location: Faith Free Evangelical Free Church

We welcome you to see featured fashions from True Colors, Adley Anne’s, Lillian’s, and Glamorous Re-Runs. Enjoy brunch, door prizes, and visiting. Also, we’ll be inspired by three fantastic speakers. You won’t want to miss out. Please take time to RSVP either to Sona or to Facebook, and invite a friend!

Moppets...

Will be looking at the parable of the lily, doing an egg craft, and having other spring fun!

Play date

Mondays at Splashers:

Monday, April 16 from 9:00 am-1:00 pm

1000 South 42nd Street, Grand Forks, ND

Please join us at Splashers. They have offered us two cabanas, and have said food will be available for purchase, especially as lunch time nears.

As before, the cost is $6 per person 4 years and above. Under 4 are welcome, and free. If you have questions, please be in touch. To answer a previous question, husbands are welcome, if you are so lucky as to have one available to help you! ;)

The other date will be:

May 14

The set up and cost will be the same each time, so if you can't come in April, perhaps another date will work for you.

Please feel free to share this invite with others. I'll post invites for future dates about two weeks out from each date.

Mom’s Night Out

Tuesday, April 24, 7:30pm - 9:30pm

The Garage (2314 Library Circle) across from

Faith Evangelical Free Church

We’d like to invite you to come as you are

(and when you can!). We’ll be having some

casual snacks, relaxed visiting, and you’re

welcome to bring a project to work on or a

game you wish someone would play with you.

But, if you just want to visit, just bring yourself.

If you have a favorite appetizer, snack or

dessert you’d love to bring, please let us know.

Hope to see you there!

MOPS March Events

Don't spend the month snuggled up, come join us for some inspiration ;) Spring really is coming...

March MOPS Meeting: Simplifying Home Organization

Thursday, March 8, from 9 am-11 am at Faith Evangelical Free Church

Please join us as we discuss some ways to keep hearth and home running a little bit more smoothly. We'll be hearing from our own Jennifer Thorson who blogs at http://www.thepurposefulmom.com/ in case you want to preview her expertise!

Our meeting will include break-out sessions at each table to generate and share tools and sympathy ;)

We look forward to a time of encouragement, as we look at how being purposeful in our homes gives us more time for our relationships with Christ, our husbands, and our children... and, maybe even a few minutes to savor a cup of coffee too!

Hope you're able to come!

Mom’s Night Out: 
Sunday, March 11, 2012



5:00pm until 7:30pm

American Indian Center, 315 Princeton, Stop 8274 on the UND Campus, Grand Forks, ND

We're excited to offer an Italian Cooking Class with Jeff Slivkoff. Jeff is a former bistro owner, who now shares his expertise on a smaller scale. The class will be held on Sunday, March 11 from 5 pm-730 pm at the American Indian Student Services Building on the UND campus (address above). The menu will include an appetizer, main dish, and dessert. Here is a sample: Chef’s Tasting Menu | 11 March 2012 Pizza: Pizza Margherita, Pizza Napoli, another option possible Bruschetta: Roasted Bread rubbed with Garlic and topped with Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Tiramisu Veloce: Classic Italian dessert Ladyfingers and Mascarpone Cheese Caffe con crema: Espresso and Cream The cost will be $25 per person if paid by 3/8 and will rise to $30 per person on 3/9. We need have a minimum of 7 paid RSVPs, and the class will be full at 20 people. The cost will cover both instruction and the delicious meal. Please both RSVP by emailing me hunt16@msn.com (for our count), and send your check to Jeff Slivkoff at 501 Reeves Drive, Grand Forks, ND, 58201. If you want to plan to attend with friends, and mail several checks together, feel free ;) If you have questions, please let us know. Mondays at Splashers: Monday March 12 from 9:00 am-1:00 pm Please join us at Splashers. They have offered us two cabanas, and have said food will be available for purchase, especially as lunch time nears. As before, the cost is $6 per person 4 years and above. Under 4 are welcome, and free. If you have questions, please be in touch. To answer a previous question, husbands are welcome, if you are so lucky as to have one available to help you! ;) The other dates will be: April 16 May 14 The set up and cost will be the same each time, so if you can't come in March, perhaps another date will work for you. Please feel free to share this invite with others. I'll post invites for future dates about two weeks out from each date. Thanks! ____________________________________________________________________________________ March Play date: Thursday, March 22, 2012 from 9am-11 am at Faith Evangelical Free Church Our Circuit of Fun will include: 1. Kid Fit (taught by Heather Boudreaux) for kids three and older 2. Baby Boot Camp (taught by Dori Hardee) for mama-centered fitness utilizing baby/non-walker. Older kids can do the fitness portions. Please bring your baby carrier. 3. Story time 4. Craft table 5. Move and Groove (taught by Lysa (Music Therapist) good for all ages to sing, dance, and play instruments. 6. Others may be added. Each station on the circuit will be about 20 minutes, and you'll have the opportunity to try out three with a mid-session snack and bathroom break. The same classes will be repeated in each session. Our stations will be spread out among the rooms downstairs at Faith where MOPPETS generally meets. There should be an opportunity for kids (and mamas) of all ages and interests. Thanks so much to all the experts who have been willing to share their skills for this event! Please be in touch with questions.