Nonviolent Parenting on it's way to LB

Hi All,

As some of you know, I recently became a certified parent educator for the Center for Nonviolent Education and Parenting. I am writing here with two questions:

1) Does anyone know of a venue for teaching a 10-week class series? (My hope is to have it low/no rent-I'd be willing to waive the class fee for someone who could host it). I currently have about 10 people interested, but if interest continues to grow, I am anticipating needing room for 20-40 people.

2) Anyone interested in the class? If you would like to learn more about nonviolent parenting, check out the website at www.cnvep.org (and read their blog, it is FUNNY).

Thanks!

Update on Class with Shaila

Ok mommies (and daddies too)... Shaila loves the idea of guiding us in a parenting class. However, in her wisdom, she has suggested that it wait until Spring. That way we can all get a bit more settled with so many of us starting new preschools, kindergarten and in general just adjusting to the new changes at LBCC. We will most likely meet twice per month during eight week sessions. I'll keep you all filled in as we progess.

In the meantime, I am still in need of our support forum - so here's my suggestion:

We determine one or two evenings per month (I would like Tuesdays from like 7pm-9pm?), we meet at someone's house (I am happy to offer mine although its tiny - I think we can fit perhaps 8 of us?) or maybe a church (it might be wise for someone other than me to pursue this option, although the First Congregational Church of Long Beach might be an option -they seem very nice and have a public meeting space I think... )

We can create a list of topics (ie: discipline, sleep, siblings, etc...) and just talk about parenting for a couple of hours a month... We can do this until Shaila is ready in the Spring - and best of all, it will be free!

Any takers?

CANCEL PLAYDATE at KIRA's

Sorry all, need to cancel Thursday morning playdate
Kira

THURSDAY AT KIRA's

Playdate Thursday morning - my casa. Bring suits & towels. Inspired by our amazing Priscilla, I will also have craft tables under the shade. I'll make smoothies.

10:00 am to whenever

The Beach

So, is anyone doing the bay on Fridays, like last year? Reece is finally out of school and I am ready to fill our schedule with activities!

Ma bwudda's name es HAY-DUH-SIN!!!!

so Lucy has been flagged by Ms Cook as having speech delay issues. after an initial screening at our neighborhood school confirming her "Articulation errors", getting assistance over the summer has not been so easy. all the teachers are off for the summer. So we are pursuing a parallel option until Fall by heading over to Cal State where people learning to be speech therapists can experiment on my poor child. I keep vacillating between let the girl figure it out in her own time and the key fact that early intervention is key in this arena. The problem is Lucy can smell a lesson (or speech from me) coming a mile away and usually tunes it out. So I don't want to ruin her willingness to work with therapists by getting set up with a nimkumpoop (technical term for someone who doesn't understand kids) who don't know what they're doing.... anybody had experieince with speech therapy and have any advice? I'm trying to stay away from being the one working with her because I am untrained and impatient (perfect storm)

$1 Wednesday Morning Movies - I'll play hookie for that!

Starting June 25th AMC is doing a $1 Movie on Wednesday mornings. The first one is Mr. Magorium's Magic Emporium. My cousin, Mollie, said that there were some mature underlying themes -- like what happens when someone dies -- in this movie that made her son sad. I wonder how this would be for my sensitive girl?

Viv hasn't actually been to the movies yet...just turned 3, and I think the time is ripe! I will try to play hookie to get to a few of these even though Viv has preschool on Wednesdays. Anyone else up for a morning movie?

Parenting with Grace

Grace

given name:
Grace is a feminine given name (Grâce in French), from the Latin gratia, meaning 'effortless beauty'.

noun:
Simple elegance or refinement of movement.
Courteous goodwill.
An attractively polite manner of behaving.
The free and unmerited favor of God.
A divinely given talent or blessing.
The condition or fact of being favored by someone.
A period officially allowed for payment of a sum due, or for compliance of a law.
A short prayer of thanks said before or after a meal.


Verb:
Do honor or credit to someone or something by one’s presence.


In moving away from being associated in any way with the LBCC, someone came up with "Parenting with Grace". I think the title is very fitting. Thank you Grace for starting this blog, and lets all strive for a little grace with our parenting.

Does anyone go 24 hours?

I'm on a roll! Cleaned the house, finished the laundry (well, almost), cooked a real dinner, set up my excursion calendar for the summer and even posted several comments on this here blog! When I get like this, Scott likes to tease, "I'm glad you took your meth today." LOL!

My drugs of the week are REST and EXERCISE! I can't believe it! I'm actually going to the gym again! I didn't realize that 24-hour fitness at Lakewood Mall (note the title of this post) has an exercise program 4 days a week (Monday-Thursday) that begin at 5:30 am! I've been in pain wondering how in the world I would get out to get a real work out without kids in tow (it's a little trickier and pricier with three). It is forcing me to get to bed by 11:00, though, a good change, really--just can't do much earlier than that!

So if you're in the same boat, belong to this gym (or care to join), and can get out at that hour, it sure helps to have an exercise buddy--Abbieeeee?

Priscilla

Long Beach Municipal Band Concerts in the Park begin NEXT WEEK

Hiya! Hoping we can all meet up for a few of these events for dinner/picnic and live music in the park. We go religiously every year. Have thought about going to the LA PHIL concerts on the green this year, but with gas prices (OUCH!)...

First Long Beach concert is next Wednesday (june 25) starts at 6:30 at Los Cerritos--Kira, wondering if that works for you. It's our favorite venue, though a trek for us. It's your area, but not your off day.

I avoid the Marine Stadium concert on Thursdays--way too congested and no play ground. Fridays is at El Dorado (Shady Park area on Studebaker). That's a good one, too, but next week is DQ (Don Quixote for you nonliterary types hee hee hee) discussion so I won't make it to that one.

I'm definitely going to Los Cerritos on Wed evening--I'll arrive at 6:00 PM and pick a spot on the hillside to the left side of the band (slightly behind the speakers and stage if you're facing it). It's a great spot because it's between the play ground and band stage, and not in the path of the blaring speakers! My cell is 562-243-2723. Give me a call if you arrive and want to connect.

CIAO!

Priscilla

Reminder for play date Thursday from 10 on

Hiya folks,
I'll have a bunch of arts/crafts for kids to work with. It'll be totally unstructured--so each of the kids that wants to make something will get a tray to fill up after combing thorough all of our "stuff". If you have a glue gun, bring it along. I have lots of cardboard objects kids can use as their base. If you have any interesting objects you'd rather bring for this recycled art project, then please do so. Gabe made an awesome sculpture once out of an old baby shoe boot! Also, if you have beads or stones or any other embelishments you'd like to pair down, then bring those, too: )The rest of the outdoor and first floor indoor space will be open for kids those who are done or uninterested in the crafting. The family room will be for younger tots, but there's the play room for the older ones.

Please let me know if you're coming. I'll have fruit, chips and dips and drinks for everyone, but bring along any other stuff you'll need for lunch.

Please let me know if you're coming.

Thanks!Priscilla
562-243-2723

Splash Away at Loralei and Ethan's Casa

Tuesday, June 24th at 12:00

Bring your suits if it is hot. We will have water painting, chalk drawing, and small water slide kiddie pool. I will provide drinks and pizza.

Call me if you need directions

430-3094

POSSIBLE CLASS with SHAILA...need input!

In an effort to retain the wonderful support community from our parent participation lectures, I have approached Shaila with the idea that she lead us in a class.

She would be open to it with the caveat that the prep time on her part would not be extensive (she has five classes in the fall and busy busy boys) and we give her more info on what exactly we want... I would like to ask her to really just guide us and give us her pearls of wisdom. I think she was an amazing, patient and thoughtful guide when she subbed for lectures last year.

I would be willing to procur a space, collect fees (I'm thinking $160-$180 for an eight-ten week class with a minimum of 13 participants), and create a topic outline with all of your input.

Shaila wanted to know what we were thinking as far as :

length of time? format? expectations? start date?

please post comments so we can get this rolling.

I for one am certainly in need of that regular parenting reminder that we got every week... I always felt like a more thoughtful parent when taking the parent ed classes... and I would love it if we could entice our favorite guru to help us!

Mom's Night Out 06/30/08

It's time again to get out... Monday, June 30 6:30PM @ A Mexican Affair on 7th/Bellflower/PCH.

Hope to see you there!

Housekeeping

Now don't let that title fool you -- I'm not doing any vacuuming, dusting or even laundry folding on my Sunday. I am, however, attending to the needs of my beloved blogging mommies...Here are the changes I have made (after repeatedly attempting to log in, and then having to reset the password and hunt down the blogger reset email in my spam folder!)

• "Categories" (aka "Labels") added to static column at right screen - now, we need to decide how to label our posts for some continuity, see my suggestions at the end of this post
• invited Kelly, Sharon, Teresa and Lisa (uh, you last two ladies received invites previously, check bulk/spam folders)

Now, categories...At the bottom of your Post screen, there is a white field that says "Labels for this post: e.g. scooters, vacation, fall." You can click 'Show All' to see the other labels (or categories) that other bloggers have used. If you label your post, the label will show up in the static bar, and someone can click the label to see all those posts, in chronological order, recent to past. At the least, I suggest we use the following labels:

• Last Minute Invite
• This Week

When you post an activity that is time sensitive, use Last Minute - and moms looking for a today or tomorrow activity can sort for those (the past dates will still show up, but the most recent will be at the top).

IMPORTANT QUESTION: Is anyone else dying to be an administrator (to invite other blog authors, and design the blog site)? Please step forward and you'll be immediately blighted (that's blog-knighted)

REMINDER: THURSDAY PLAYDATE AT KIRA's

Playdate at my house THIS Thursday June 12 (around 9:30-ish). Bring bathing suits and towels. I'll have snacks.

e-mail me if you need my address...kira@tangarang.com

(see Abby & Brenda, I can be responsible... :)

Kira

Scheduling Our Schedules

Um, hello? Anybody out there own a calendar? From my limited understanding of the upcoming playdate events, we have two consecutive Thursdays scheduled. Please let me know if this is correct:

• Thursday, June 12 - Pool Party at Kira's
• Thursday, June 19 - Craft Party at Priscilla's

I would also like to ask who may be interested in a cooking class at PREP Kitchen, details are:

Friday, July 18 • 6:30-9p
Girls Night Out
$75 per person.
BBQ onion & smoked gouda quesadillas w/ pea shoot mini salad
Grilled Asian flank steak
Girl Scout roasted potatoes and Corn on the cob
Roasted pineapple w/pink peppercorns
Passion-fruit pineapple sorbet and macadamia nut brittle

LOOK WHAT I MADE at my own darn house for free mommy!

Okay ya'll, we've turned our garage into a mini LOOK WHAT I MADE out of protest for how expensive it is to go to LOOK WHAT I MADE! I also took my kids to the junk art guy at Viento y Agua cafe--$25 a head!! Everyone has a right to earn a buck, but I can't afford that for three.

So amigas, many things came to fruition this weekend that allowed me to do this. We cleaned out our garage and conosolidated all of the bazillions of artsy stuff into one space. If you're in and with Kira's permission to borrow next Thursday's slot for a play date at my house, please bring the kiddos for play, art, and a healthy dose of tether ball for the mommies--I was quite good, so look out!

We also have plenty of indoor space to move around and if anyone can bring a kiddie pool, we can have that too on our patch of grass.

Hope to see you here: ) Email me if you're in for the address.

Priscilla

CDC News

For those of you who aren't at school this summer and for those who are but who missed the incredibly tiny sign in the corner, Thursday will be Ms. Hurtie's last day at the Center.

Hurtie was incredibly supportive and helpful to us when we were working on lowering the fee increase last semester. She has paid a political price for that.

If you're around in the next couple of days, please stop by and say goodbye, I know she'd appreciate it.

Help!

Last night Burk and I had a date, we were heading out for a movie and dinner to celebrate our anniversary. Our anniversary was actually May 27th, but that was right in the middle of the Strep/Ear Infection/Bronchitis plague of 2007, so we put it off.

Long story short, we only made it to the movie {Indiana Jones. It was fun} because lil' girlfriend would not stop crying for the babysitter. It would seem that Lydia Has Opinions. Part of the problem is that we don't go out much so we don't have anyone she is used to. Seeing as how I am unwilling to go through the next 4 years of my life without going out to dinner with my husband, it's time for us to get her used to somebody.

Our regular sitter just told us that she is moving to Texas and we are completely without backup. So. Do any of you have a sitter you'd be willing to share? We're not looking for a regular nanny, just someone who can do a Saturday night now and then but often enough that the kids can come to trust her. (I realize this is sexist, but seriously. How many guy babysitters do you know?)

Any thoughts?

PS - Here's another one. When we got home Lydia was actually fine. Turns out it wasn't that she wouldn't stop crying, it was that she wouldn't stop crying if she wasn't being held and she didn't want to be put down in her crib to sleep. Should the babysitter have 'made' us come home because she wanted to earn her $15/hour watching TV on the couch and not holding a baby? Oops, I just gave away my opinion, didn't I? What's yours?

Anyone having fun with Hand-Foot-Mouth virus?

Boy, who doesn't love that nifty Coxsackievirus A16? Lou has been up 2 nights in a row with a fever up to 102 f. I remember how stymied I was when Viv got it (and I just thought she turned into a super-grumpy teether - lots o'drool). I vividly remember the Aha moment in Shaila's old LAC infant bungalow (Gosh, I miss that place). It was the summer session and we had a big group. Lot's of new faces for me. In fact, that was the special summer I met Abby and Jack. And the special summer Abby got hand-foot-mouth along with Jack. Belated condolences, Ab. More than 1/2 the class was out for some of the semester with Coxsie (as I affectionately call it). Here we go again.

Before I figured it out, I was stumped by what was going on with Lou. Teething? Cold? Growth spurt? It came to me in a flash this morning when Lou woke up (at 5:30am, geez Louise) and the drool was prolific. And he kept putting his hold hand(s) in his mouth. I ran down stairs and googled hand foot mouth disease, and got this swell description. After reading the description I remembered my husband commenting on Lou's unusual lack of appetite for the last few days. Light bulb moment.

Hope the rest of you get off with a warning. We'll see you when the drool stops.

Let's take Fran's Fall class Parenting with Partners

It's time to register and I would love to be in learning environment with my husband where I might have a chance to get him thinking strategically about something other than work or golf. It's for 6 Saturdays from 1 -4 starting from 9/29 through 11/9
But who cares if you have to miss a few. If you are thinking about joining, give me a jingle cause I probably won't do it alone (even though todd will be there....)

The class is 3-LEC(74027)

Karla..ask Abby

Abby...Give Karla some sleep advice...you guys seem to have it dialed in. I know routine and simplicity are key, but what exactly do you guys do to get your itty-bitty's to bed by 7:00pm?

k

Exercise Anyone?

It's the opportunity of a LIFETIME! Well, maybe the opportunity of a week? My MS walk team (really only my friend Rita and I, and Grace if she can get a hall pass) is doing a training walk on Sunday, June 8 at 8:30am. We walk from Huntington Beach pier to the boarder of Newport Beach. It sounds far, but it's only 7 miles. Grace did the 7 miles with me last week, so you can ask her if it was torture or not.

Bring:

• hydration system (camel back/water bottle carrier)
• sunscreen
• hat
• good walking shoes
• powerbar/trailmix

If you want to come, meet me at my house at 8am and I will drive you there. Comment here if you are interested!

Can something this sexy be ok with my husband?

Wow! I can almost feel my hot technologically up-to-date blood coursing through my veins as I read all these sassy posts. I love this. And I am so up for the family camp thing I can't stand it. Grace, pick a week, tell us the dollar amount and let's require a 25% deposit due to you by December 1st if we're serious.

Kira, how we gonna get your address besides cyperstalking you?

Ideas for CATEGORIES

Here's a list of categories we might want to use to make it easy to navigate...Grace I think you have to do this from your end...

Activities (where we can post open playdates and/or outings like P's museum visits)

School News (self -explanatory)

Local Happenings (a place to post festivals, camps, etc...)

Mom Announcements (girl's night out, help with new mama dinners, etc)

At Home Tips (playdough recipes, how to organize your schedule, etc)

Parenting 101 (or Saint Shaila please hear us... sleep, food, discipline, tv, etc...)

Other (random thoughts)

THOUGHTS EVERYONE?

Grace Rocks!

Thanks for doing this.

Here's my first Mama post: Started Summer School - Where is Everybody?

Summer Session at LBCC is definitely a quiet one. But, both of my wee-ones are quite happy to be out of the house and back into the groove of things at school.

I know that a lot of you are not doing school this summer, so I was thinking about a Thursday outing so we and our kids can stay in touch and stay sane through the hot months... So starting next Thursday (June 12) lets meet at my casa around 9:45/10:00...we have the little pool so bring suits and towels. I have snacks.

kfk

Idyllwild Family Camp

My mom is talking up Idyllwild Family Camp for summer 2009. I didn't even know something like "Family Camp" existed -- I thought that was only in the movies, like in Dirty Dancing. I would love to do this. I would love for something like this to become a tradition. And how cool if some other families we from LB did it, too?!?

Check it out -- apparently Summer 2008 is booked. Registration for Summer 2009 is in February.

One note: My mom, who teaches art and ceramics at Carson High, just told me that the first time she ever tried ceramics was at Idyllwild's camp! She's an awesome ceramicist today. Wonder what this camp may uncover, inspire in our kids?!

First Order of Biz

Okay, gals - comment away on the name and the "rules.

I'm going to figure out how to make the blog open to "guest" posters, so everyone can log in and start a new post.

Some of the benefits that I foresee in using a blog, instead of a yahoo group: we can comment on each topic, and see all comments on one screen; each comment (be it an essay or a one-liner) will not fill up our inboxes (maybe I'm the only one with a disorganized, over-flowing inbox!); Easy to post cool pics, and makes reading more the info more fun.

Rules? I'm not hypersensitive about cyber-security (not that I post my ssn and name/address all the time). But my lack of cyber-concern may be a fault. I'll defer to y'all.