Exercise

So I'm coming to terms with the final 3o pounds of baby weight and my answer is--SEIGE--NO WAY!! And, so, I joined the YMCA today. It's around the corner from Nicky's "new" school (Isabel Patterson at CSULB--and he starts next week so I don't have much to say yet except that I have a crush on the Assistant Director who is AWESOME) There's no spa, mints in the bathroom, or fresh hot towels...but it feels good there and the gym looks out over the pool (or CNN, your choice) If anyone goes there or wants to, JOIN!! There's a Kid's Club with energetic college students who showed me actual science and art activities they program, and they were super sweet/wholesomeesque. Feels much different than 24 hour's child world. I plan to be there Monday and Friday afternoons--like 4:00. And there's weekend rec swim for the kids. Anyone want to workout with me?

Ellen

Let's Bake!

On Sunday, September 21 Prep Kitchen in Rossmore is offering "Cupcakes that Taste as Good as They Look" (with Melody Brandon). Yes, it is $75 per person, but I had so much fun at the Cake Decorating class I took there, that I'm gonna do it! Melody starts with the best tasting cupcakes, then shows you how to use fondant accents and piping techniques to dress up your tasty treats.

• Peanut Butter Cupcakes with Milk Chocolate Frosting
• Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
• Candy Bar Cupcakes with Caramel Filling and Peanut Butter Frosting

Ya with me?!


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Make a Mug with Me?

I know, it's very last minute... but Color Me Mine on 2nd Street has Wednesday Ladies Night for $5 (plus the cost of your piece). Meet me there tonite at 7pm, and bring your favorite beverage - wine, coffee, whatever - and let's paint!


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Take some kid classes with us!

Just signed up for a bunch of classes through Parks and Rec and thought I'd share our class info in case any of you crazy cats can join us. Of course there are other class times on line as well. So here goes:

TAP AND BALLET 3-6yrs • $40/48
Half tap/half ballet. Kids learn a simple song and dance routine. Tap and ballet shoes required.
During the last class, we will have a show for family and friends. Children must be 3 years old by 1st class meeting-no exceptions. (5/6-wks) Instructor: Miss Pat 46304 • Tu • 11am-noon • 11/11-12/16(6wk) Wardlow

TALES AND TRAILS 18months-5yrs • $35 Puppets, songs and parachute are all part of this fun-filled class led by child development specialists Lynda Roberts and Pam Rogers. Parent participation required. $3 material fee. (4-wks) 46683 • F • 10:15-11am • 9/26-10/17 Nature Ctr

PRE SOCCER 4-5yrs • $95 Teaches the basic techniques of the game and builds self-esteem through participation and fun activities. Children learn to follow instructions in a nurturing, age appropriate environment. Shin guards are required after 1st meeting. Instructor: Kidz Love Soccer Staff. (8-wks) 46402 • Sa • 10:15-10:50am • 9/27-11/15 El Dorado W

and because I love Christmas...HOLIDAY ARTS, CRAFTS & GIFTS 2-7yrs • $24 Make beautiful arts, crafts, decorations & gifts for Thanksgiving & Christmas. Dress for a mess, parent participation required. Bring $10 material fee to 1st class. (2-wks) Instructor: Lynda Roberts. 46294 • Tu • 9:30-10:15am • 11/25-12/2 Wardlow

Pup up tent anyone?

Hi all, Does anyone have a canopy/tent I can borrow--the ones used for outdoor fairs? I don't usually need them, but this time there isn't one available. I'm looking to buy one, too.

Danke!
Priscilla

How was the first week at PCC?

Missing you guys and the "good old days." Wondering how things went the first week in the various groups. Looking forward to Tuesday coffees.

OH YEAH! I signed up for Sheila's Mindful Parenting class on Mondays. Who else is taking it?

Ciao,
P

Last Minute - but not too last minute to make some plans

Hey, all. Remember me? eh...ehhemm...grace?

I feel so lost in my working world. I haven't blogged, playdated, or even been good at returning calls. But I'm thinking of you all. And catching up on the last month of posts has been very satisfying.

I posted a little more than a month ago for a last minute get together. Must have been too last minute cause I didn't get anything put together. So, in advance of my next Last Minute opening...I'd like to say I'm looking for some reconnecting time next Monday and Tuesday (25th and 26th, I think). I'm taking a week off work, but my mom is taking Viv on Monday, and Lou and I will join her mid-week. I'm looking forward to some mom and Lou time, and I'd love to catch up with y'all. I'm hanging with Lou and Jude on Monday morning. Could I twist anyone's arm for an It's a Grind hang? Or maybe coffee at Livingston Park (or is it under construction?).

Any-hoo...miss you all. Look forward to connecting.

I have the best guys for hire!

In case anyone is looking for reasonably priced and high quality workers for home improvement projects, please ask me for references!

If you ever need someone who does AWESOME tile and/or cement work, framing, or plumbing, lemme know. Times are tough these days for these guys and I want to make sure that I spread the word about them. Not only do we give them thumbs WAY UP for work well done, but they have received rave reviews from the dozens of friends and neighbors who've used them as a result of our reference.

And of course, if you need a nanny or house keeping service LOOK NO FURTHER than Betty Rivero. She's #1 and has been working for Brenda and I over the course of five years.

I can give any of these numbers out as necessary, so please call.

Priscilla
562-243-2723
prism.sanders@verizon.net

Can we borrow your bike rack this weekend?

We are going to Santa Barbara for a lovely Todd/Mary-only weekend (even though frankly I wish I was going alone or with a good girl friend. but isn't that why you go away with your husband - to learn to like him again - away from the unwashed dishes and trash he refuses to take out). We need a bike rack to cart our bikes up there so we can bike along the ocean and find a nice patch of grass to make sweet sweet love on. Please call if you can help!

Help...I need a GREAT dentist!

So my cracked tooth is giving me hell. And yes I know I should have gone a month ago, but I don't like my dentist...and I'm a scaredy-cat. So, please let me know if you have a GREAT dentist (note I used all uppercase on the word great, so no "He/She is a really good dentist", I need GREAT!!!...I have crappy teeth and did I mention I'm a scaredy-cat...) thanks kfk.

FYI Hola Niños is ready-2-go

Hi all,
Pass the word along to your friends with little ones ages 2-3.5. Hola Niños will be starting September 19 for six consecutive Fridays from 9:30 to 10:20 for $60. It's offered through Parks and Rec and is in the new Fall catalog.

Danke, I mean gracias!

Priscilla

Our Fall schedule: Join us when you can!

Hiya ladies,

As I mentioned in my reply to Heather, the Sanders will no longer be at PCC. It's a mixed feeling, mainly because I'll miss seeing you all and your kids regularly. On the other hand, I was so offended at the handling of summer session (and we didn't even participate) that we called and cancelled this week. We even bailed on parent-ed because the incentive isn't big enough to lock two days at that place.

Here's how our schedule is shaping up to be--I'm laying it out to you all in hopes that you might be able to join us from time to time!

M: Between 9:30-11:30 Isaac, Sophia and I will be at the Belmont Pools open swim until it gets too cold outside.

T and Fr: Isaac is at Little Sunshine House half day; we'll probably enroll Sophia in a parks class and book play dates; stay home for lots of art; go on field trips together, whatever!

W: Isaac, Sophia and I will alternate every week with a library visit or museum.

TH: "Lucy Fun days", Lucy is at our house and we're definitely in! Art, yoga, baking, crafts, of course stories and more stories! The fun starts at 9:00, so give us a call.

My cell is 562-243-2723; last minute calls are welcome! Let us know your availability so we can know when to hassle you!

Love,
P

Is it time to come home yet??

Well, it's been a month and a half since we got to Calgary and I have to say, at the moment, I'm ready to move home!! It's not that the view of the mountains isn't lovely, or that the thunderstorms aren't cool, or that experiencing the Motherland for the longest time since 1991 hasn't been interesting, BUT... it ain't Long Beach. I'm not home, and I MISS IT!!

I miss you guys ... seeing you at the CDC (ok, granted it's summer at the moment, but when we left we'd just finished...), seeing people I know and can talk to on a regular basis ... having other mommies to hang out with and talk to .... Just running into people I know while out and about. Oh, and moms' nights outs!!

I miss my orange tree, my house and my yard. This house is nice, and it IS big, but it isn't ours.

I miss Trader Joe's like you wouldn't believe!!! The closest one is in Montana, about a 4 1/2 hour drive from here, and I'm seriously thinking about a road trip.

I miss NPR.

I miss curbside recycling! (Calgary does not yet have curbside recycling in 2008!!) I have to haul everything to big collection bins the city has kindly installed in parking lots near grocery stores.

I miss living somewhere where I know where I'm going (most of the time) and that isn't a winding suburban maze where all the streets and houses look the same!

Ok... I feel a little better now. I miss you guys and everything in LB so much. I miss having grownups to talk to who aren't the supermarket checkout lady (not that those ladies aren't nice).

But other than that, we're all fine here. The kids have enjoyed attending 2 -3 days of day camp a week. We had a great camping holiday. And we're gearing up for school. I'm looking forward to both kids being in the same place again, and I'm sure it's just a matter of time before I meet some new mommies.... They won't be you guys, but they will do for a while.

The Right Thing To Do?

We live on a busy street in Long Beach. Our kids sleep in the two front bedrooms, they sleep only a few feet from the sidewalk across our small front lawn. We live in a part of Long Beach that has a conservative Republican Congressman.

I want to put up a "Vote No on Prop 8" lawn sign. Should we not?

Proposition 8 is the anti gay marriage amendment that is coming onto the CA ballot this fall, btw. Gay rights is something we feel very strongly about. It's one of those hot button political issues that just seems like a moral and legal slam dunk to me. Everyone deserves equality under the law. To me this is not a radical or provocative sentiment...but I know it is to a lot of people.

When I mentioned to my husband that I was getting us a sign, he paused and said he wasn't all that comfortable with the idea. I was floored. He said 'you know I agree with the sentiment, but we live awfully close to the OC and Broadway is really busy...' "THAT'S THE POINT!" I said, failing to remain calm, You can't just stand up for justice when everyone agrees with you!"

But then. Then he painted a picture of the 2 AM screaming at the house or someone throwing something at Miles' or Lydia's window. At first it just made me angry. We can't back down from doing the right thing because we're scared! But is it fair to drag a 4 year old who can't understand that stuff into it? Of course it's possible that nothing would happen, but we've had stuff stolen from our front porch and we've got some neighbors with very opposite views from us on most issues like this.

Help me out. Are we being paranoid? Are we being crazy to even think about doing it? What would you do?

Which one do you want?

Looking to trade some child care this Fall and save some cash while nurturing lifelong friendships (heh heh)? I'm looking for someone to receive/love-on Bear on Tuesday mornings and Lucy on Thursday mornings from 9 - noon. Anyone want to bring me some of your chillins in the afternoon for 3 hours as a swap? Pretty please? Call me to discuss!!

FUN THING TO TRY...

My friend Missy sent me this amazing site where this guy draws crazy inky monsters (don't worry, not super scary ones, just super funny ones)...

Here is our first dAiLY mONsTEr.... and second and third...

TRY IT...

preschooler friendly (read: shallow) swimming pools

Hi All,

I am looking for a pool that has a very shallow (2-2 1/2 ft) shallow end. We have one that we go to and it works out great for a non-swimming 3 yr old. I am looking for a pool where my 6 yr old can practice his new swimming skills and where my 3 yr old feels safe to walk in the shallow end...

Thanks! Wanna join me?

Trip to Los Anheles (with sp. accent) for FABRIC!

A while back a few had talked about going to la. Anyone up for a mommy-only morning to for fabric hunt? I need to do some major shopping to gear up for the holidays. I'd like to go asap, but the earliest would be next weekend (16/17).

Let me know...
P

Main Library likely to shut down?!

Folks, I've heard it all, now! With no plan for a new one (other than the thought to rebuild one someday...), the Mayor of Long Beach and our City Manager have proposed to close the Main library for an indefinite amount of time. According to an acquaintance that contacted the mayor's office, this is likely to happen!

I can't write more on this at the moment, but the short of it is that if you're as appalled by this thoughtless solution to a budget crisis, please contact Mayor Foster's office asap.

Story:
http://www.presstelegram.com/search/ci_10089133?IADID=Search-www.presstelegram.com-www.presstelegram.com

Priscilla

Wanted: Infant Car Seat

But not for me...

My sister-in-law is due with her second baby the first week of September. They gave away their original infant car seat and clearly that was a little premature. Does anyone have one that they are soon to get rid of? Anyone? Anyone?