Zen Parenting Dating Your Spouse Raising an Adventurous Eater

Transcription

Zen Parenting
Terry Riggins © 2010
Practicing mindfulness with your children
Dating Your Spouse
How to keep the flame alive
Raising an Adventurous Eater
Making food more fun for the little ones
February Monthly Meeting Preview
Infant & Toddler Sleep
Please join us Tuesday, February
8th when we welcome Karen
Pollak, well-known parent educator
and expert on infant and toddler
sleep. For over 12 years, Karen
has mentored thousands of sleepdeprived parents and helped them
achieve their sleep objectives in a
compassionate and practical way.
As the mother of three sons,
including fraternal twins, Karen is
well aware of the significant impact
that sleep deprivation has on new
parents. Her proven Babies2Sleep
system helps parents understand
what is getting in the way of their
baby/child napping productively
and sleeping through the night.
februar y 2011
Karen will present solutions to
sleep struggles including how to
teach children to have restorative
naps, fall asleep independently
and how to fall back to sleep when
waking at night or at naptime.
Karen’s practical and effective
solutions to day-to-day challenges
have helped new parents enhance
the quality of their family life and
establish positive relationships
with their young children.
We are fortunate to have Diablo
Foods as our sponsor for the
meeting. Join us and you could
win one (of four) $25 gift cards,
one $250 gift card or one $500
gift card – perfect for restocking
the shelves after the holidays.
Diablo Foods is a family run
gourmet market that has been
serving Lamorinda moms for over
40 years.
We would like to thank Tot Drop
(totdrop.com), the drop in preschool, and Ms. Karen’s Place
(mskarensplace.com), specializing in childrens hair cuts, for
donating raffle prizes for our
January meeting.
lamorinda moms meetings
are held the second
tuesday of each month.
meeting time:
7:00–7:30pm (social)
7:30–8:45pm
(program + announcements)
place:
Lafayette Veterans
Memorial Building
3780 Mt Diablo Blvd in Lafayette
We would also like to thank
Shutterfly, our November Monthly
Meeting sponsor. Shutterfly
generously donated more than
$500 in gift card raffle prizes.
Our Community Outreach Team
will be collecting donations for
The Bay Area Crisis Nursery
(BACN) at the February meeting;
see page 3 details.
page 2
lamorinda moms news
co-director’s notes
by jennifer mccosker & bridgette thomas
sizes too big, but that is another story).
Sex appeal: yikes, where did I put that?
In case you are wondering, we actually do
have a lot of fun together and have “romantic” dinners, just not usually in February.
Some of the nicest dinners we have are
when he comes home early and we all sit
down together or when we spend time at
the park as a family. A few months ago we
spent the weekend in San Francisco. We
got to see the D’Orsay Impressionist exhibit
that I had been dying to see and we ate dinner at a restaurant with tablecloths. I was
shocked to learn that people are actually
out and about after 9pm! And talk about
romantic, I got a weekend to myself just a
few weeks ago. My husband and son spent
the weekend with the grandparents. It was
fantastic to sleep as long as I wanted
and walk through a house without tripping on toys. I’ll never forget many,
many years ago, way before kids, I was
surprised with a pair of diamond stud
earrings and I wear them everyday.
When my daughter was born, I became
very fond of a certain pair of University of
Michigan sweatpants. Since my son was
born, I’ll admit I’ve worn them nearly every
day (yes, wearing them now) – usually to
sleep in, and then for the majority of most
weekends. Think I deserve to treat myself
to some grown up pjs? My husband might
appreciate them, too. He just took me
on our first weekend away sans kids to
celebrate my birthday. Struggling to pack
my bag, I realized the last time I really went
clothes shopping was 2007 -- before kids.
For the first time in six years, I feel good.
I’m not doing infertility treatments, I’m not
pregnant, I’m not camouflaging baby weight
with a newborn on my lap, and I’m exercising for the first time. I might hardly recognize myself this year? I hope. Old Navy, here
I come.
At the end of the day, for us, it’s the
everyday little things and sometimes the
big things that make our lives full of fun
and romance. This year, even if my husband and I won’t be planning a romantic
dinner, I am excited to take our son to
the Valentine’s Day party, help him craft
valentine cards and watch Dante the
Magician. Besides, my friend Nick says
that the only real holiday to celebrate in
February is President’s Day. Go Lincoln
and Washington!
Jennifer: At some point I get asked “what
are you doing for Valentine’s Day” and I
usually respond with a surprised, slightly
confused look. Do couples actually make
a big thing out of Valentine’s Day? I am
probably more like the stereotypical male –
huh!? What? Is that this weekend?
My husband and I have been together 14
years and I think we have actually celebrated Valentine’s Day twice. The first time was
when we just started dating and second
when I was pregnant just two years ago.
There were a few card exchanges in there
somewhere, I think. This attitude toward
Valentine’s Day probably started when we
were dating long distance (3,000 miles)
and couldn’t be together. My husband has
a general defiance against celebrating
anything when told to. (His nickname is the
Grinch, even though his heart is really two
Bridgette: Call me a Hallmark-holiday
enthusiast, I look forward to exchanging
cards with my husband on Valentine’s Day.
He may even get me some flowers (which
I would love!). With two kids and a busy
life, we tend to fall into the “actions speak
louder” mode of relationship operations.
It’s not every day we take time to tell each
other how much we love and appreciate one
another. So I think any reason to pause and
celebrate each other is great.
This year, I am stepping up my game. Is
it me or is it just impossible to be in the
mood for anything but sleep, when you have
a toddler and a baby at home? As I prioritized my new year’s resolutions last month,
one thing became clear: I want to reconnect
with my romantic, fun self. Here’s my plan
of attack…
Date-planning: I’m on it.
I want to have fun! I am kicking off the New
Year with a strong start: I’ve hired a babysitter for a new monthly date night. Whether
our dates include a short trek to Walnut
Creek, or a night out in San Francisco, it will
be fantastic for my husband and me to get
out more often and when we can, to really
shake things up. We love the television
show The Amazing Race, which inspired me
to post on the Forum my quest to find ideas
for local adventure dates. So many great
ideas were shared from ropes courses,
learning to drive a stick together, bungee
jumping, circus school, actually racing as a
couple (e.g. California Adventure Racing Association), indoor sky diving, trapeze class,
and rock climbing. There were also activities
we could experience with our kids, such as
small races (e.g. Urban Assault Ride), letter
boxing, orienteering, and geocaching. To
celebrate our recent wedding anniversary,
I booked two ziplining “flights” through the
Redwoods, which included an 80-foot rappel to the forest floor (check out Sonoma
Canopy Tours in Occidental). We had an
incredible time! There is something thrilling
about trying something new together, especially when it takes you out of your comfort
zones. Be sure to check out Dating Your
Spouse (page 6) for more fun date ideas.
However you chose to celebrate the loves
in your life this Valentine’s day, the most
important thing to remember is to be sure
to enjoy yourself.
february 2011
page 3
community outreach update:
november/december summary &
february donation opportunity
Thank you so much to everyone who was
able to give this holiday season. The Bay
Area Crisis Nursery (BACN) was so grateful for our November non-perishable foods
contributions as was the Family Giving Tree
for all of the money donated for gifts for underprivileged kids in the Bay Area. We had
outstanding participation and both organizations truly appreciate all that is given. All of
the donations went to great use this holiday
season.
In November, we collected:
1 cooler bag
1 giant jar of honey
1 jar of spices
1 box of cake mix
5 containers of baby formula
8 fruit cups
9 baby bibs
20 containers of baby food
26 containers and boxes of pasta
and grains
92 cans, containers and jars of fruits,
vegetables, soup, fish and pasta sauce
In December, a total of $916.35 for 35
gifts was received from Lamorinda Moms to
Family Giving Tree.
In February, the outreach team will be collecting Easter basket supplies and goodies to benefit BACN. The Easter basket
supplies they are requesting include Easter
baskets or buckets, Easter grass, clear basket bags, chocolate bunnies, peeps (individually wrapped packages of 3-6 peeps; not
the big packs) and Easter stickers. BACN is
also requesting other goodies to put in the
baskets such as bubbles, crayons, coloring
books, playdough and similar items.
Donations can be delivered to the LM
Valentine’s party on Feb. 5 or to the February monthly meeting on Feb 8. If you would
like to donate and cannot join us at either
event, you can also arrange to drop off your
donations with the community outreach
team. Contact Meredith Sousa at [email protected].
Thank you again!
Your Community Outreach Team,
Lisa Anderson, Stephanie Kusinski,
Amy McDonough and Meredith Sousa
preschool fair thank you
Our 13th Annual Preschool Fair held on
Tuesday, November 16th was a resounding
success. A record 42 preschools from
the Lamorinda and surrounding areas
participated. Over 125 members, spouses,
and outside guests spent the evening
chatting with directors and teachers. The
preschool fair would not be such a success
without the volunteers who gave their time
and energy over the past few months.
We first want to thank our Event Chairs,
Christine Gkatzimas, Dawn Capp, and
Yasaman Nazmi, who worked so hard
in reaching out to all the preschools,
publicizing the event throughout the
community, on-site planning, and creating
the very useful Preschool Information
Packet.
Thank you to our Volunteer Coordinator, Lori
Gillespie, who did a great job recruiting,
inside this issue
2 co-director’s notes
community outreach
preschool fair thank you
4mindful parenting
by jessica laversin
6 dating your spouse
by sally kay
valentine’s day party
8 raising an adventurous eater
by kayla kirkbride
10getting (re)attached to
our spouses
by brian kay, phd, m. div.
your life: connecting
as a couple
quiz: are you too comfy
with him?
bigtent reviews
12 books for kids &
local story times
top 5: valentine’s day crafts
14 february 2011 calendar
16 raising a powerful girl
communicating, and managing all our
volunteers.
18 community support & events
Thank you to everyone who helped out
by posting flyers around town, baking
and providing refreshments, setting up,
welcoming everyone at the registration
table, and cleaning up at the conclusion
of the event: Alicia Griffith, Pam Delaney,
Yasaman Nazmi, Camille Logan Weekes,
Adrienne Yang, Melissa Martin, Jennifer
Roberts, Tamra Aguinaldo, Shannon
Tierney, Kirsten Kaven, Cathie McDonagh,
Lynda Lurie, Susan Khan, Shannon
Breuner, Shannon Nelson, Jessica Reddy,
Michelle McMullen, Jennifer Petersen,
Jeanne Hughes, Blythe Bartos, Caitlin Jane
Baer and Colette Davis.
february open playgroups
And a special thank you to Denise Davidson
at Oakwood Athletic Club who so graciously
provided us with such a wonderful venue.
20 local bites
by emily schultz
cook’s corner
by emily desai
22 kids-related limited duration
‘flash’ sale websites
by alice warren
lamorinda moms’
bigtent guidelines
page 4
lamorinda moms news
february 2011
page 5
mindful parenting
by jessica laversin
I can’t count how many times I’ve encountered this scenario in the two years since
my son was born: In the grocery store
checkout line, a nice grandmotherly type
looks at my son in the shopping cart seat
and talks to him a bit before glancing at
me wistfully and saying, “Oh, I hope you’re
enjoying him. Mine are all grown up now
… it goes by so quickly!” Each time, I vow
to take her words to heart and really try
to slow down and enjoy this fleeting time I
have with my son while he is little – the hilarious things he says every day, the magic
of helping him learn about the world, his
sweet hugs and kisses and general endearing innocence.
The woman’s sentiment is often difficult to
appreciate, though, during the challenges of
day to day life; when we get home from the
store and my son melts down while I’m trying to prepare his dinner, and the constant
demands on my time, energy and patience
begin to wear on me after a long day.
Especially now that his baby brother is due
in a couple of months and my energy level
isn’t what it used to be, I find myself losing
patience and becoming short-tempered.
Some nights, particularly when my husband
is traveling for work, I find myself incredibly
relieved after my son is finally in bed, the
house is quiet, and I have a couple hours
to myself.
One of the biggest changes that comes
with having young children is learning how
to let go of rigid expectations, schedules
and to-do lists. I like for my living space to
be clean and organized and to know what’s
coming next, so I’m still coming to terms
with the fact that with a toddler around, the
house will never stay neat and tidy for long,
and any simple task or errand will undoubtedly take at least twice as long as I think it
should. Each age and stage with children
presents its unique challenges: I never
knew how obsessed with sleep I could
become until I had a newborn, and as the
weeks (and months) of sleep deprivation
wore on, it was easy to forget that this was
not, in fact, permanent. As a toddler, my
son, thankfully, sleeps soundly through the
night, but of course other unique two-yearold trials and tribulations (and tantrums)
have replaced the lack of sleep.
It’s easy to get caught in a spiral of negative
thinking and feeling that life will always be
this chaotic. Lately I’ve become interested
in learning more about the practices of Zen
and mindfulness and how they can help
make me calmer and more centered as a
mother. A principle from Zen Buddhism that
we would do well to remember as parents
is impermanence; everything in life is
fleeting and doesn’t last, and the joys and
challenges of parenthood are no exception.
Coming up with a mantra – a simple word or
phrase (for example, “this too shall pass”)
to remember and repeat to ourselves when
things get tough may be a helpful way to
disengage from the drama and keep some
perspective.
Our society is so “go-go-go” and achievement oriented that we’re practically conditioned to become stressed out when we
feel we aren’t getting enough done and that
there’s never enough time to accomplish all
we “need” to. This feeling is exacerbated
if we have our own perfectionist tendencies on top of that. “One of the greatest
obstacles between you and happiness is
stress,” says Chris Prentiss in his book Zen
and the Art of Happiness, “Events or …
situations do not contain stress, although
they seem to. Stress comes from the way
you relate to events or situations.”
And when we’re stressed, it’s easy to
become impatient with the child who’s poking around the house while we’re trying to
get out the door or lingering over his lunch
as we’re mentally going over all the tasks
we could (or “should”) be accomplishing.
Babies and toddlers simply don’t share our
sense of time urgency or have any concept
of adult responsibilities, but instead of getting caught in an endless – and futile – cycle
of frustration, maybe we can learn from
them. Kids have a wonderful natural ability
to be completely present in the here and
now, which defines the Buddhist practice of
mindfulness. They’re not worried too much
about the future or stuck ruminating on the
past. As parents, we’re often so caught up
in the small and mundane details of life
that we miss the present moment – and the
everyday joys of our children – entirely.
To counteract the stress of our super-busy,
overscheduled modern lives, and avoid
the pitfalls for parents and kids – anger,
anxiety, and decreased ability to learn and
remember – that come with it, we can make
a conscious effort to practice mindfulness.
Mindfulness can not only affect the way we
parent, but can change, for the better, how
we experience our entire lives. Christine
Carter, executive director of the Greater
Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, and
the featured speaker at one of Lamorinda
Moms’ monthly meetings last year, included
a section on mindfulness in her book
Raising Happiness. According to Carter,
a recent scientific study in which parents
practiced mindful parenting for a year found
dramatic benefits for both parents and their
children. Along with decreasing stress and
increasing pleasure in parenting, “over the
course of the year-long study, the behavior
of these mindful parents’ kids also changed
for the better; they got along better with
their siblings and were less aggressive, and
their social skills improved,” Carter says.
Sounds great, but how do we begin practicing mindfulness in our daily lives with our
children? “For me, the keys to mindful
parenting are as follows,” Carter says,
“First, notice what is happening (and what
you’re feeling and thinking) and, second,
accept what is going on without judgment.”
It sounds simple enough, but (as we know
from raising kids), changing any behavior
or habit requires constant attention and
practice. Carter says in her book that even
though she has extensive training in mindfulness practices, she still struggles and falls
short. Emotions will sometimes take over
and tempers will flare. But beating ourselves up about our failures hardly allows
us to remain in the present moment! It
would be more productive to consider how
we might have handled a difficult situation
differently (or more mindfully) and then
move on.
“Mindfulness is all about grounding ourselves in the present where, when you’re
really there, there are no frustrations, there
are no worries, there are no anxieties,”
says Scott Rogers, director of the Institute
for Mindfulness Studies and author of
the book Mindful Parenting: Meditations,
Verses, and Visualizations for a More Joyful
Life. He notes that as parents we tend to
think and worry about what might happen
in the future and regret the mistakes we’ve
made in the past. The Zen of parenting
is about finding ways to pay attention to
and appreciate the here and now of the
moments with your children. These moments, after all, are the ones we’re likely to
remember once they’re grown, and we just
might one day become that grandmother in
the grocery store.
More mindful parenting resources
Rogers suggests trying simple meditations
in your everyday life to appreciate the “here
and now” of moments with your children,
such as:
When walking, pace your steps to your
heartbeat and recite, “With every step/
My child’s heart beats.”
When hugging your child, imagine
yourselves as one and recite, “I return/
To myself/One heart.”
For more, visit themindfulparent.org/
meditations.
Carter recommends Myla and Jon KabatZinn’s book Everyday Blessings: The Inner
Work of Mindful Parenting. Also check out
greatergood.berkeley.edu for articles,
videos, podcasts and other resources on
having a happier, more meaningful life.
steering committee 2010–2011
Co-Directors
[email protected]
Jennifer McCosker (events)
Bridgette Thomas (communications)
Treasurer
[email protected]
Fredericka Drum Gorham
Membership Coordinators
[email protected]
Lauren San Mateo
Jennifer Quinteros
Haidee Wong
Volunteer Coordinator
[email protected]
Lori Gillespie
Neighborhood Zone Coordinator
[email protected]
Bridgette Thomas
Monthly Meetings Coordinator
[email protected]
Michaela Caughlan
Newsletter Editor-in-Chief
[email protected]
Irena Ellis
Playgroup Coordinator
[email protected]
Jennifer Seelig
Discount Coordinator
[email protected]
Darien Destino
Mom-Dins Coordinator
[email protected]
Alice Warren
Advertising Coordinator
[email protected]
Michelle Swager
Calendar/Event Postings
[email protected]
Jennifer McCosker
newsletter production
Editor-in-Chief – Irena Ellis
Newsletter Submissions
Copy Editor – Alice Warren
All Lamorinda Moms members are
encouraged to contribute articles,
reviews, tips, and information about
upcoming community events.
Staff Writers – Jessica Laversin,
Sally Kay, Kayla Kirkbride, Emily Schultz,
Emily Desai, Alice Warren, Joanna Lowen,
Lindsay Vignoles, Hannah Preece,
Bridgette Thomas, Jennifer McCosker
Email submissions to:
[email protected]
Design & Production – Irena Ellis
Deadline: 1st of each previous month
Distribution Manager – Michelle Swager
Display Advertising
Advertising Chair – Michelle Swager
If you would like to place an ad, please
email: [email protected]
Photographer – Terry Riggins
Deadline: 1st of each previous month
The views expressed in this newsletter are those
of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the
views of the Lamorinda Moms, its Steering Committee, or its members. Advertisers appearing in the
newsletter pay a fee to advertise their products and
services. Lamorinda Moms’ publication of the advertisements does not constitute an endorsement
of the service providers or the services or products.
Patrons should seek referrals or conduct necessary
background checks to their satisfaction before
hiring a service provider or purchasing a product.
page 6
lamorinda moms news
february 2011
dating your spouse
alone with your spouse.
by sally kay
Give Yourself Permission
for the Workout Department
If you’re married with young children (as
if you are reading this, I assume you are),
Valentine’s Day could mean as little as
a box of candy and a peck on the cheek
before you both fall asleep at 9:30. But,
this month is a good time to remember that
dating your spouse keeps things healthy,
at a minimum, and at its optimum, keeps
things interesting and fun. When dating your
spouse, your married mama mental health
must be maintained. Here is a look at what
you should consider to keep the flame alive
(even just a tiny bit).
Next is the workout/swimsuit department,
which we each may approach with
confidence, guilt, or walk-by-quickly-withoutlooking trepidation. This department
represents how we are taking care of
ourselves. Date night is the time to slip
into something a little more interesting
than typical work wear or yoga pants. Look
the part of a date, if possible. Even if that
means lip gloss and clean pants.
But taking care of yourself also means
doing other things during the week that
make you feel like a good date. In the baby
haze, it may sound impossible, but try to
read the news or a novel (I got through Anna
Karenina at 15 minutes a night for about
a year and a half post-partum). Exercise
when you can, to keep your spirits and your
confidence up, even if that’s running up the
A visit to the top floor of any Nordstrom is a
good way to measure your married mama
mental health. I always find myself laughing
at the ironic combination of options housed
here and taking note of where I gravitate
depending on my mood. These seemingly
innocuous departments represent the
many concerns (er, anxieties) of the modern
mother. By keeping the considerations
in a healthy balance, your chances are
increased that you’ll be a really great date.
Unlike those carefree days of no
commitment, dates with your spouse aren’t
always fun. I’ve sat grumpily with more than
a few martinis thinking, well why are we out
anyway when all we’re doing is worrying
about our future or stressing about work
or the kids? That’s not a fun date! For a
particularly dim season, my husband and
I intentionally didn’t go out to eat for dates
stairs with a basket of laundry or squeezing
in a visit to the gym during work lunchtime.
Get an early morning pedicure before a date
or catch up with an old friend on the phone.
Taking care of yourself will give you more
enthusiasm to share time with your date.
Don’t be Afraid of the
Intimates Department
Finally, of course, is the lingerie
department. This is the section we should
all visit more often but we may view as
intimidating or unnecessary. The intimacy
department reminds us that dates chip
away at the ever-threatening mama
isolation, emotionally and physically. It’s so
easy as a busy mom to start dividing off
parts of ourselves that we think are failing,
unattractive, stressed, and keep them
hidden. To really connect with a date, we
should explore different ways to build that
trust and emotional intimacy. We have no
excuse for a boring date in the East Bay
with all there is to do!
My husband and I almost always do dinner
and a movie. You’d think it would get boring,
but it never does. I will say, however, that
shaking it up with laser tag, the symphony,
concerts that we’re almost too old for,
really do open up parts of our personalities
that we’ve put away and are pleasantly
reminded of. Challenge your spouse when
they claim they don’t need to go out, they’re
just as happy surfing the Web next to you
on the couch (mine tried that).
Happy Dating!
Hopefully you are now fully convinced to
make dates a regular and interesting part
of your marriage. And when you stroll the
top floor of Nordstrom, check to see if
you’re keeping your married mama mental
health in balance. As for me, we’ll probably
do a little box of candy on Feb. 14 and fall
asleep at 9:30. But on Saturday night, I’m
guessing Thai and a movie.
❤ LAMORINDA MOMS ❤
Valentine’s Day Party
Too Grown up for Juniors Department
At the top of the escalator, we find the
juniors section, Brass Plum, where the
clothes may still look cute, but if we’re
honest, are no longer meant for our
demographic. Perhaps you had a fabulous
dating life filled with flirtations and suitors
when you were young, but those B.P.
styles are just not substantive enough for
a committed relationship. Dates used to
be filled with exciting getting to know you
conversations, first kisses, and perhaps the
unfolding of new love. Dating your spouse is
necessarily not this. You’ve likely known this
person for years, and you’ve been through
childbirth classes and sleepless spit-uppy
nights. Though the mystery has faded,
dates are now a time to continue exploring
who your spouse is becoming. I guarantee
neither of you are the same person you
were when you met.
page 7
because we didn’t have anything positive
to talk about, sticking to activities that
didn’t require conversation. However, if your
schedule is packed and this is really the
time either of you needs to share what’s
on your mind, it’s better to do the work.
Putting it off until you’re in a noisy house or
before bed probably won’t make it any more
enjoyable. Sometimes, a date might just be
maintenance to check in with each other.
And that’s okay.
More Complicated than
the Kids Department
Walking further on the top floor, we find
the kids’ department, where it’s so easy
to find something since the clothes always
make the (2T) bum look great with no
discouraging dressing room experience.
Babies don’t often mind if you pick out their
clothes or tell them their hair looks funny.
Spouses are more complicated. On a date,
your spouse might think it appropriate to
wear a Ramones t-shirt when you put on a
cocktail dress. He might want to go see an
action flick while you have French food in
mind. Kids cry, babysitters are hard to find.
Sometimes, practically and emotionally, it’s
just a pain to get out the door.
I’m always surprised at how many women
don’t feel comfortable leaving their children
with a sitter for dates. Once your child is old
enough, it’s healthy for both them and you
to learn to trust a family member or sitter
for some time apart. If sleep is a problem
(as with one of mine), go out early before
bedtime, from 5-8pm. If you can’t afford a
sitter, find another mom with whom to trade
nights. If you’re afraid your child will cry
the whole time you’re away (they probably
won’t), start with an hour coffee date and
give the sitter a big tip. If all else fails, buy a
hot tub and bring out the baby monitor.
The point here is that we can find a hundred
reasons why we shouldn’t leave our kids.
But by choosing to stay in, we neglect a
vital relationship by avoiding time alone
with our spouse. When my kids inevitably
ask “Whyyyy do you have to goooo???”
my husband says, “Your mom and I go on
dates because we love you and want to be
good parents.” Keeping your relationship
strong keeps your family strong and
teaches your kids what that looks like.
If you find yourself continuing to make
excuses why you can’t leave the kids,
consider that it’s possible you might be
unintentionally avoiding intimacy and time
When:
Time:
Where:
Saturday, February 5, 2011
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Oakwood Athletic Club, Lafayette
Join us at this year’s Valentine’s Day Party
for crafts, cookies & comedy with Dante the Magician.
This is an event for Lamorinda Moms members and their children only. A separate email invitation will
be sent via email (and posted on our BigTent site) to RSVP and receive an e-ticket for the event.
Thanks to Oakwood Athletic Club for providing the space for this event.
RSVP AND BEAT THE LINES
There will be an accelerated check in process for
those who RSVP on BigTent. All members who
RSVP will be sent an “e-ticket” prior to the event.
Print this e-ticket, bring it to the registration table
and show your membership card or fob to speed
up the process. If you miss the opportunity to
RSVP you are still welcome - just show your
membership card or fob at the registration table.
VOLUNTEERS
We need volunteers to make this event a
success. Volunteers can sign-up for the following
tasks: Set-up (2 needed), registration table (4
needed), craft tables (8 needed), refreshments
(4 needed), clean-up (2 needed). Please contact
Lori Gillespie at [email protected] if
you are interested in helping out.
DONATIONS FOR
BAY AREA CRISIS NURSERY (BACN)
Lamorinda Moms will be collecting Easter basket
supplies and goodies. Requested Easter basket
supplies include: Easter baskets or buckets,
Easter grass, clear basket bags, chocolate
bunnies, peeps (individually wrapped packages of
3-6 peeps each; not the big packs), and Easter
stickers. Requested Easter basket goodies
include: bubbles, crayons, coloring books, play
doh, and similar items.
Donations can be made at both the Valentine’s
Day Party (Feb 5) and at the February monthly
meeting (Feb 8). If you would like to donate
and cannot join us at either event, you can also
arrange to drop off your donations with the
community outreach team. Contact Meredith
Sousa at [email protected].
Donations will go to the Bay Area Crisis Nursery
(BACN). Their mission is to stop child abuse and
bridge the need for emergency childcare while
providing support and resources for both children
and parents. BACN is a short term residential
care facility for young children of families in a
time of personal crisis. They service families
with parents who care but temporarily can’t cope
with overwhelming, stressful life emergencies.
They are the only crisis nursery in our area and
have approximately 1,000 admissions per year.
They are 100% privately funded and services are
provided at no charge to the families.
SAFETY
Please be aware that all parents are responsible
for their children’s safety as Oakwood will
remain open to their members, although this
is an event for Lamorinda Moms members and
their children only.
page 8
lamorinda moms news
february 2011
page 9
raising an adventurous eater; yet another
naïve moment in my quest of motherhood
Recently my kitchen has become a
warzone of tactical moves and clever
strategies. Just me versus my cunning
opponent, my one year-old daughter. With
Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” coursing
through my head, I strap on an apron, and
tie back my hair - it’s go time. Tonight’s
challenge: getting this bundle of joy and
laughter to eat some spinach. Indeed a
mighty quest. I plot my plan of attack.
I chop, I steam, I puree; it must be
undetectable. Now the moment of truth,
she takes the first bite … and goes back
for another!! Victory is mine! I do a little
dance, for tonight I have outsmarted my
one year-old.
While some children seem to be born
with a mature palette, ready and willing to
delve into new flavors and textures, others,
and I think I can safely say most others,
are what we celebrate as picky eaters. As
parents, we want the best for our children,
and this desire extends to the dinner table.
How can we teach our children to not only
like healthy foods, but also choose to eat
these foods on their own? With childhood
obesity on the rise, developing these
healthful habits early on will only better our
chances of beating Generation XL.
So where do we begin? Let’s talk baby
food.
Feeding Your Little One
Baby food is your child’s first taste of the
real world. These initial months of purees
are a great opportunity to challenge your
child to explore a variety of flavors. While
early introduction of an array of foods does
not ensure an adventurous eating toddler,
it certainly does not hinder your chances.
Making your own baby food is a great way
to add a larger variety of wholesome food
combinations to your child’s menu, while
also saving money. If you are not ready
to make the full plunge into homemade
baby food, try supplementing with some
more creative combinations that you
can’t find in the store. The website
wholesomebabyfood.com is a great
resource for recipes, alternative menus,
solid food charts, storage information,
thawing and freezing techniques, snack
ideas, and answers to frequently asked
questions. While there are dozens of baby
food making gadgets, rest assured in
knowing that all you need for a successful
at home operation is a food processor
or blender and a safe means of storing
and labeling food. Diapers.com is a great
resource for buying these few items.
The “Fresh Baby Food Storage Trays”,
essentially an ice cube tray with a tight
fitting cover, are perfect for making small
portion sizes for a beginning eater. The
“Juvenile Solution Baby Cubes” store a
bit more food and are easy to throw in a
lunch box as your child begins to eat out
and about. As your child grows out of the
two ounce serving container, graduate to a
small sized glass or plastic food container.
For labeling baby food, simply write on a
piece of masking tape with a permanent
marker, making sure to include the date
it was made, the expiration date (varies
depending on food type), and contents.
Having a food processor in the house
also makes for some on the spot quick
meals. Just toss in whatever you made
for dinner, vegetables included, add a bit
of breast milk, formula, cow’s milk, or
water (depending on the needs and age of
your child), and blend away, adding more
liquid until you have reached the desired
consistency – a perfect and easy meal! If
dinner is spicy, simply set aside a bit of
the meal before adding that spicy kick,
and dinner is made for the whole family.
And don’t be afraid to let your child explore
those unusual flavors like curry, he just
might surprise you!
Feeding the Stubborn Toddler
Now it’s time to bring out the big guns and
confront the opinionism of toddlerhood.
Let’s look at two main philosophies that
address tackling the picky eating monster.
The first is to set dining rules and stick to
them, and the second is to use deception.
In the article “Raising an Adventurous
Eater”, published in Parenting Magazine,
author Celia Barbour shares seven rules
her family uses to assist in the ongoing
battle of vegetable versus child:
1. Don’t be a short-order cook: At
mealtime, the rule stands at “this is
what’s for dinner. If you don’t like it, that’s
fine; you don’t have to eat it. But there
isn’t anything else.” And remember the
by kayla kirkbride
American Academy of Pediatrics states
“in their Guide to Your Child’s Nutrition:
‘Children will not become ill or suffer
permanently if they refuse a meal or
two…”
2. Don’t dumb down food: While kids do
in fact tend to have “naturally sensitive
palates,” don’t encourage a desire for
blandness with plain noodles and bread,
but instead branch out by adding hints of
garlic and herbs.
3. Champion vegetables: In a culture
where dinner plates are centered upon
oversized portions of meat and starches,
vegetables are often a meager side dish.
Barbour encourages cooks to incorporate
vegetables into main dishes such as an
eggplant based casserole or vegetable
based pasta sauce.
4. Champion the family table: Again and
again studies show that family dining can
drastically improve relationships, eating
habits, and overall well being. Remember
to role model for your kids by not answering
the phone or watching television during
meals, but instead focus on the family.
5. You have to try one bite: Just like the
book “Green Eggs and Ham”, kids often
refuse to try something simply by the
unfamiliarity of it. While Barbour suggests
this rule, she also notes not to force your
child to finish something that genuinely
makes him or her gag.
6. If all else fails, use bribery: Barbour
resorts to these classic lines when all else
seems to fail, “no dessert if you don’t
eat your dinner” and “no seconds until
you clean your plate”. Another interesting
bribery tool I found, unrelated to this
article, was to create a sticker chart to
track the new foods your child has tried.
Each time they try a new food, they get a
sticker, and after so many stickers, they get
a prize (such as picking out new stickers or
going to a special park).
B, and phytochemicals) or toasted wheat
germ (excellent source of fiber, vitamin
E, and vitamin B) to yogurt, pasta sauce,
cottage cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches,
and baked goods. You can add it to just
about anything and your child will never
know.
7. Save room for dessert: Remember to be
adventurous with dessert too! Try freezing a
yogurt container, or fresh yogurt with diced
fruit, granola, and honey, or a homemade
juice popsicle.
Inspiration for Adventurous Eating
Whether these rules fit your family or not,
Barbour writes, “you have to stick to your
guns. Kids learn quickly just how hard they
need to cry or how loud to scream until you
cave – or that you won’t. And once they
realize that, the rest, as they say, is gravy”
(parenting.com).
Let’s return to the second philosophy,
using deception to tackle the picky eating
monster. This is where we moms and dads
become magicians, where we learn to
make our kid’s favorite foods with a twist
of what they seem to despise. Since kids
are heavily guided by their senses, we need
to follow three basic principles: the food
needs to taste good, look good and smell
good. With those tools under our belt, we
should hopefully succeed … cross your
fingers!
An easy place to start is by adding healthy
foods such as vegetables, protein, flax, etc,
to foods you know your kids already love.
That way you are simply adapting recipes
rather than completely changing everything
about your child’s eating style. Try adding
spinach and zucchini to pasta sauce, add
colorful vegetables to stir-fry, serve mashed
cauliflower instead of mashed potatoes,
make vegetable breads instead of sweet
fruit breads, add a handful of spinach, kale,
or tofu to smoothies, or try loading up pizza
and calzones with vegetables. If your child
notices the chopped vegetables, puree
them into things such as pasta sauce or
pizza sauce. A recent creation in our home
is vegetable macaroni and cheese. With
whole wheat pasta, and a rich cheese
sauce, steamed and pureed vegetables
(such as spinach and carrots) are hardly
even noticeable. Works like a charm. Also
try adding ground flax seed (excellent
source of fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin
To help inspire adventurous eating within
your home, check out these fun resources:
B
abble.com is a great parenting website,
full of creative cooking ideas. From baked
crispy chicken fingers with apple fries
to kale chips to black bean burgers,
this site will help you discover new and
adventurous ways to eat.
With seemingly endless delicious recipes,
including mini peanut butter sammys on
oatmeal flax crackers, crunchy cinnamon
granola bars, and brown buttered
cauliflower pasta, onehungrymama.com
is easy to navigate with meal/snack
ideas categorized by age group, food
type, and occasion.
T akebackyourtable.com is another
fantastic blog with creative spins on
traditional foods such as savory ricotta
and spinach pancakes, cheesy chicken
spinach roll-ups, soy and citrus baked
tofu, and banana oatmeal squares.
Here you will also find some great baby
food purees and baby snacks including
roasted cinnamon sweet potato white
bean mash.
Another way to encourage kids to become
adventurous eaters is to simply make food
more fun. Bento lunch boxes are a great
way to get creative with meals. Check out
parenting.com under the recipes tab to
see some serious bento box talent. With
the use of reusable silicon cupcake cups,
you can arrange a variety of colorful fruits
and vegetables in their own individual
containers. Add fun toothpicks with a cute
note, such as “have a sweet day,” or use
them to create mini shish kabobs. Use
cookie cutters to add shape and character
to sandwiches or cheese and meat slices.
Instead of a traditional peanut butter and
jelly sandwich, substitute whole-wheat
zucchini bread (substitute unsweetened
applesauce for butter/oil for an even
healthier version), or try a cucumber and
cream cheese sandwich. Add creative
homemade dips to make vegetables all the
more appetizing, such as peanut butter,
yogurt, hummus, chickpea, or avocado
dips.
A Quick Vegetable Nutrition Highlight
Dark leafy greens are among the best
foods you can eat. Low in calories and
sugar, vegetables such as kale, broccoli,
collard greens, mustard greens, spinach,
and turnip greens, are loaded with
vitamin A and C, iron, calcium, folate, and
antioxidants (health.kaboose.com, 1).
Orange vegetables such as acorn squash,
butternut squash, carrots, pumpkin, and
sweet potatoes are a great source of
vitamin C, A, K, B6, folate, potassium,
magnesium, iron, and fiber (1). Dry beans
and peas such as black beans, garbanzo
beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, soy
beans, and tofu, are rich in fiber, folate,
and protein (1). Starchy vegetables such
as corn, potatoes, and green peas, are
higher in sugar but still provide vitamins
C and B, as well as fiber, and iron. Other
vegetables such as artichokes, asparagus,
brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower,
celery, cucumber, eggplant, green beans,
peppers, tomatoes, beets, turnips, onions,
and mushrooms are packed with vitamins
and minerals necessary for healthy growth
and development of a strong immune
system (1). To create an even more
balanced diet, try to incorporate a variety of
colored vegetables in your weekly menu.
May You Champion the Vegetable
While this may not be true for your family,
having kids in the house has been a great
motivation for my husband and me to
take a closer look at our eating habits.
Since I too find myself embarking on this
challenging journey of more healthful family
eating, I have little to offer in form of advice
and personal experience. Thankfully, we
have each other to toss around ideas
and vent frustrations. But when you have
those nights after planning and preparing
a deceptively delicious meal, only to have
it sit on your child’s plate untouched, know
that many of us are right there with you.
This is a game of trial and error, patience,
and understanding that you are bettering
your child’s future. From my kitchen to
yours … it’s game time.
page 10
lamorinda moms news
getting (re)attached to our spouses
by brian kay, phd, m.div. (on staff at community
presbyterian counseling center, danville)
Lamorinda residents may have a particular
advantage when it comes to reviving
intimacy in our lives. We live in the shadow
of UC Berkeley, a true hotbed in recent
years for the promising psychological field
of “attachment theory.” As the theory
goes, the quality of our early childhood
attachment to a primary caregiver can be
categorized as either “secure”, “avoidant”,
“preoccupied”, or “disorganized”. These
childhood patterns are strikingly predictive
of the ways that we handle (or mess
up) intimacy in our adult relationships.
Attachment research now suggests that
about 40% of us grew up being “insecurely
attached” to a primary caregiver, which
means that the caregiver was not fully
present to us as either a safe haven from
other stressors or as a secure base from
which we drew the boldness to explore
our expanding worlds. Even the securelyattached 60% of us who experienced what
has been called “good-enough parenting”
don’t get away completely unscathed
by attachment losses of our past. By
adulthood, all of us have been imprinted
with what theorists call “internal working
models” of how close relationships
function, models that can account for some
of the degrees to which we end up either
emotionally avoidant, or overly pleasing,
controlling, touchy, or affectionate.
Attachment theory suggests that all of
these adult relational patterns are learned
strategies to either gain intimacy when we
sense it lacking, or to avoid losing intimacy
when we fear it is threatened. Since we
marry people with their own attachment
histories, we often trigger unpredictable
combinations. Have you ever found yourself
in a shouting match (or even in a silent
withdrawn slump) that began simply as a
discussion about which restaurant to go
to? Likely, you were partly activating each
other’s early anxieties about attachment
security. Knowing this fact alone can help
us extend some patience to our spouses
when they seem touchy, as well as remind
us to accept some of the responsibility for
moments when we are upset ourselves.
Even better news: our past attachment
experiences are not our destiny. With my
clients I often emphasize two particular
qualities of loving adult relationships that
have the power to change our past models
and revive adult intimacy. I almost hesitate
to label these qualities, since so many of
the good words have been watered-down by
sentimentality or Hallmark cards. Risking
that, here are the words to describe the
kind of adult love that changes the impact
of our attachment history: 1) self-giving; and
(2) forgiveness.
First, in a reciprocal self-giving relationship,
both partners are regularly giving and
receiving aspects of one other, even in
mundane ways. Many aspects of the self
can be given to another as an act of love
(giving of our time, giving of our physical
presence, giving of our possessions), yet a
particularly powerful gift is of our attention.
Focused attention is the narrowing of our
cognitive energies on one person or event.
Try this: after dinner, give your partner your
undivided attention for just ten minutes.
Ask about their highs and lows of the day,
sexy app
source: cosmopolitan
Want to spice up
your Valentine’s
Day and every
day? Cosmo’s
Sex Position
of the Day app
($2.99) is now
available on both
the iPhone and
Android-enabled
devices. This mobile version of the
Kama Sutra has approximately 120
sex positions.
How long has it been since your last bikini wax (or trim)?
Add 1 point for each month
Have you ever asked him to pop a hard-to-reach-pimple?
Add 2 points if yes
Do you routinely let him see you while wearing a shower cap, zit
cream, or whitening strips?
Add 1 point for each yes
Scoring:
0 to 2 points: In his eyes, you’re effortlessly gorgeous. Way to
We are happy to report the Reviews section
of BigTent is up and running!
* Why You’ll Love It: Hints to help
you make the most of the position
and what to look forward to
* Colorful Illustrations: “Tasteful”
visual that helps you understand
what the position should look like
To download the app, check out
the Android Marketplace from your
handset or visit the iTunes app store
if you have an iPhone.
source: babycenter.com
Make a specific plan to spend more time together. Figure out what
Being super-laid-back -- at least when it comes to your grooming
routine -- can put the brakes on sexy. Tally your score to find out if
you’re overly cozy.
* Carnal Challenge Ratings: The
more flames a position has, the
higher the difficulty
your life: reconnecting as a couple
Acknowledging these feelings — first to yourself and then to your
partner — is the first step toward doing something about it. Let your
partner know that you miss him or her. If you’re feeling this way,
odds are good that your mate is, too, and will be relieved that you’re
bringing it up.
source: helen fisher, phd, author of why him? why her?
bigtent reviews
* Erotic Instructions: Your step-bystep guide for how to execute the
position
you miss most about being together and make reclaiming those
experiences a priority. Schedule time to spend together, whether it’s
a weekly date night or another special ritual. Come up with a special
code phrase that either of you can use when the talk is revolving too
much around the baby or what you have to get done at home.
Re-evaluate ways to divvy up infant care and housework. Not only
will this reduce your workload, it will create more time for you and
your partner to spend together doing something fun. You’ll also see
yourselves working as a team.
page 11
just for fun quiz: are you too comfy with him?
Features include:
... continued on page 22
Having a baby is a seismic event in a couple’s life together.
Because the brunt of the day-to-day adjustment often falls more on
one partner, it’s all too easy to start feeling estranged.
february 2011
keep him guessing.
3 to 4 points: You’ve kept some maintenance a myster y. Now
sweep the rest under the rug.
5 points or more: You’re nearing turn-off levels! Book a wax, get
a zit-fighting body wash, and do up-keep on his boys’ night.
Did you know?
According to Cosmopolitan, research shows that couples who
bond with other pairs feel closer to each other. This weekend,
invite your favorite couple over for a few rounds of Say Anything
($20.75, Amazon). With questions like “What would my pet say
about me if it could talk?” this game will get the crew connecting.
by carly soto
You can now search for and write reviews
about your favorite places, services and
products. We encourage you to search
this section for other members’ reviews
before you post a forum topic, (such as
requesting a good dentist or plumber, or
recommendations on local preschools).
Likewise, if you have an opinion to share
please take a moment to write a review. We
hope to eventually reduce forum topics of
this nature (e.g., “can anyone recommend a
good pediatrician?”) as the Reviews section
grows.
We’ve imported the Best of Lamorinda
Winners of 2009 as listings, and the 2011
winners will appear soon.
Please see below for details and instructions on using the Reviews section. If you
have any questions or concerns about the
reviews section of BigTent, contact Carly
Soto at [email protected].
The Reviews section can be found by
logging into BigTent and clicking on “my
groups” in the top menu bar. Choose
“Lamorinda Moms” and then click the
green “reviews” tab.
To FIND a review:
Once on the reviews tab you can search
two ways: “Find a Review” or “Browse by
Category.”
To search using “Find a Review”: type a
keyword and a zip code and click “Go.”
To “Browse by Category” click the service
or product category you are interested
in. Note that the default “Show All”
will search all listings, even if a review
doesn’t exist.
F rom these results, click on the name of
the item/service you want to read reviews
about. You may also write a review from
this page.
Note: if you type “2009” or “2010” in the
‘name or keyword’ field, you will bring up
the Best of Winners.
To WRITE a review for a SERVICE
(childcare, home services, day spas,
restaurants, travel, education): ·
Once on the reviews tab click “write a
review.”
Choose “place or service,” type a
keyword (can be general as in ‘preschool’
or specific as in ‘oakwood’) and your zip
code. The system automatically searches
our club’s reviews and Google Maps.
To WRITE a review for a PRODUCT (toys,
baby and maternity items, jewelry, or
recipes):
Once on the reviews tab choose
“product,” a keyword (such as ‘boppy’ or
‘skateboard’) and a category. The system
will return any postings that have already
been made about an item fitting your
description.
Click on the green “write a review” link
next to the result, or scroll down to click
on “Add a listing.”
Be sure ‘Product’ is selected for the
Listing Type (it defaults to “Service”) and
type the name of the product.
You must choose a category this listing
falls under (such as ‘Kids and Baby’, and
then you can choose a subcategory (such
as ‘Breastfeeding’).
Type your review at the bottom of the
posting and click “Submit Review.”
Click on the green “write a review” link
next to a preferred result.
A few additional notes about the Reviews
section:
If a review already exists for your listing,
you must first click on the name of the
listing, then write your review.
The “Free Price Quotes for Local Service
Providers” section is offered as a separate
service offered by RedBeacon. It is not
endorsed by BigTent but please feel free
to use it if you’d like to solicit price quotes
from local service providers.
If you don’t see your listing in the search
results, scroll down to click on “Add a
listing.” You must choose at least one
category, and you have an option to
choose a subcategory. Clicking the green
‘OK’ link after choosing your category
allows you to add more categories.
Type your review at the bottom of the
posting and click “Submit Review.”
The “Browse by Neighborhood” section
is based on a Google Map search engine
built into BigTent. BigTent is working on
adding additional towns/neighborhoods into
this section in the future to increase the
usability for its members in the future.
page 12
lamorinda moms news
valentine’s day books for kids*: i love you more than...
by lindsay vignoles
Love You Forever
by Robert N. Munsch, Sheila McGraw
Since Love You Forever was first published
in 1986, millions of parents have
lulled their children to sleep with these
affectionate words. The simple message
of a mother’s love for her child, “I’ll love
you forever / I’ll like you for always / As
long as I’m living / My baby you’ll be,” will
quickly become a family favorite. Even at
age 2, my son seems to understand the
message and curls up close for a read
despite his boundless energy.
Valentine Mice!
by Bethany Roberts,
Doug Cushman (Illustrator)
“Skip! Hop! Zip! Nip!” The energetic
characters from “Halloween Mice!” frolic
across a wintry landscape to deliver
valentines to all their woodland friends.
Lively rhymed text filled with sounds
that are fun to say aloud, and a simple
mystery—what happened to the littlest
mouse?—that is happily solved, make
this an excellent book to share with a
very young audience.
Mommy Hugs / Daddy Kisses
by Anne Gutman, Georg Hallensleben
These simple board books demonstrate
the affection between parents and
their children with a variety of snuggling
animals in simple, impressionistic
paintings. The colorful pictures of
common baby animals snuggling with
their mommies and kissing their daddies
seem to resonate with babies and
toddlers alike. It’s one of the few stories
that captivate the attention of my 2.5 year
old and my 9 month old at the same time
– a real selling point if you ask me!
*h
ttp://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/
valentines-day-childrens-books-toys-kids-dvdsmusic/379000659/
You Are My I Love You
by Maryann K. Cusimano,
Satomi Ichikawa (Illustrator)
This book describes the simple
adventures of the day in the life of parent
and child, using simple rhyming prose
and an oversized teddy bear to illustrate
a day full of smiles and giggles, messes
and meals, boundless energy and wellearned naps. As the teddy bear and child
make their way through the day, the elder
bear is always described in terms of
wisdom and patience, while the offspring
is ebullient and unpredictable, “I am your
parent; you are my child. I am your quiet
place; you are my wild.” This is also a
personal favorite – I combined different
verses to make the inscription in my
son’s first year photo album.
I Love You More
by Laura Duksta,
Karen Keesler (Illustrator)
A new board book version of the New
York Times bestselling picture book I
Love You More is perfect for the youngest
readers who need to know that they are
loved. Told in verse, a mother and her
son exchange messages about how much
they love each other. Cleverly fashioned
with a picture of the earth in the middle
surrounded by the words “I love you
more than anything in the whole wide
world,” the book is two stories in one. It
is reversible from each cover, each story
ending in the center with the picture of
the world. When the boy asks his mother
“Just how much do you love me?” she
replies in terms of the highest flying
bird, the tallest tree, the longest path,
the prettiest flower…” and so forth. He
whispers in reply “I love you more!” and
next we see the whole wide world.
february 2011
local story times
Monday:
DRUMMM OneBEAT DRUM CIRCLE, a participatory
drumming experience, at the Walnut Creek Library,
on 2/7 at 4:00pm. For children of all ages.
Tell It: Tales for Preschoolers at the Orinda Library,
on 2/28 at 11:00am. A Storyteller brings adapted
folktales and myths to life for ages 3-5.
Family Storytime & Craft at the Ygnacio Valley
Walnut Creek Library, on 2/28 at 7:00pm. Hear
about turtles and make a turtle puppet. Ages 4
and up.
Mother Goose Time at the Lafayette Library, 10:15
and 10:55am for 1 to 3-year-olds (not on 2/21)
Preschool Story Time at the Lafayette Library,
11:30am for 3 to 5-year-olds
(not on 2/21)
Tuesday:
Toddler Lapsit at the Orinda Library,
10:00 and 10:30am for 1 to 3-year-olds
Peek-a-Boo at the Orinda Library,
Pajamarama Family Story Time...bring Teddy!
at the Lafayette Library,
7:00pm for all ages.
Peek-a-book Storytime at Walnut Creek Library,
10:15am for ages 1-2
Toddler Storytime at Ygnacio Valley Walnut Creek
Library, 11:15am for ages 2-3
Cuddle Club at Walnut Creek Library, 11:30am for
ages 0-12 months
Celebrate the Chinese New Year on 2/15 at
Moraga Library, 4:00pm for ages 4+.
Author Oliver Chin to read his new children’s
picture book The Year of the Rabbit.
Wednesday:
Lapsit at the Moraga Library, 10:00am for babies
6-24 months
Toddler Lapsit at the Orinda Library,
10am and 10:30am for 1 to 3-year-olds (not on
2/16 or 2/23)
Toddler Time at the Moraga Library, 11:00am
for 2 to 3.5-year-olds
Preschool Storytime at Ygnacio Valley Walnut Creek
Library, 10:15am for ages 3-5
Toddler Storytime at Walnut Creek Library,
10:15am for ages 2-3
Thursday:
Mother Goose Time at the Lafayette Library,
10:15 and 10:55am for babies
11:30am for preschoolers
Friday:
Puppet Show at The Storyteller Book Store in
Lafayette, 11:00am
Saturday:
You can double check library dates and times at
www.ccclib.org
Please call The Storyteller Book Store to confirm
dates/times: 925.284.3480
page 13
top 5 : valentine crafts to do with kids
by hannah preece
If you are seeking inspiration for crafts to do
with your little ones on a rainy February afternoon, why not try out a few of these Valentine
ideas. All of them have easy steps that allow
your little ones to really get involved. You will
find you need lots of paper hearts. To save
time remember to bundle a few layers of
colored paper together and cut out several
hearts at once.
Circle of Love Door Wreath
Make a cardboard ring by tracing around a
large plate for the outside and a small plate
for the inside. Then cut it out. Make hearts by
folding color paper in half and cutting out the
heart shape. Let your child help you to stick
the hearts onto the cardboard ring. Stick a
photo of each family member on to the centre
of each heart. Tape a loop of string onto the
back. Older children will enjoy decorating the
hearts before sticking them onto the wreath.
You can substitute writing family members
names on to the hearts for pictures. If you
can get the whole family involved to decorate
their own heart you can make a memento to
treasure for years.
Paper Heart Flowers
As your children get older you one day realize
that you need a special vase just to store all
the handmade flowers you will receive over
the years. Here is another one to add to your
collection. Cut out a small colored circle from
card or construction paper. Glue paper heart
petals to one side (point in) then glue the
flower circle side up to a craft stick/or rolled
up green paper tube. Add green hearts for
leaves. By selecting hearts of different colors
and sizes children can create their own unique
flowers. Valentine messages can be written on
the stick/tube.
Heart-Shaped Sugar Cookies
Buy or make some sugar cookie dough and
cut out heart shapes and cook per instructions. Supply the children with icing and
sprinkles and let them decorate their own
hearts. These make great gifts... if you can
stop the kids from eating them!
Small Paper Hearts With
“Eye Heart U” Messages
Cut colored paper into card size pieces/quarter sheets. Let your little Picasso decorate
the paper any way they want then cut out
little heart shapes. Write valentine messages
on the other side and hide around the house
for members of the family to find. You can
also make little faces that say I love you by
using a simple method of drawing the left
eye with a dash for the right eye, a little heart
for the nose and a capital U for the smile.
This is easy enough for many preschoolers to
do and they enjoy writing their own notes.
Salt Dough/Playdough Heart Shapes
Making shapes out of dough is always fun for
children. The simplest way to make a heart
is to roll a long sausage and then shape into
a heart. The advantage of using salt dough is
that you can cook it in the oven and then paint
or decorate it for a more lasting memento.
Happy Valentine’s Day crafting!
are you a
new member?
We have a new member social
scheduled for the Spring.
Want to help us plan it? We
would love to hear from you!
Please email us at
[email protected]
page 14
lamorinda moms news
february 2011 calendar
1 : Tuesday
Guided Meditation Class
at The Nurture Center
Lafayette
11:00am – 12:30pm
Each class begins with
gentle stretching, breathing, grounding and clearing.
Take time for yourself to
relax and revitalize in a quiet
atmosphere that takes you
away from life’s pressures
and leaves you with a sense
of peace. Payment is on a
donation basis with $10
being the suggested offering. Reservation needed to
attend.
www.nurturecenter.com
2 : Wednesday
Toddler Lapsit at the
Orinda Library
10:00 – 10:25am,
10:30 – 10:55am
Stories, songs, and fingerplays for one to three yearolds and their caregivers.
FREE
http://ccclib.org/locations/
orinda.html
3 : Thursday
Dance-a-long Disco
Party at SadieDey’s
Café
Oakland
11:30am
FREE with admission
http://sadiedeyscafe.com
4 : Friday
Octopretzel at PlayCafe
Oakland
6:00 – 7:00pm
An engaging evening family
concert featuring original
songs plus folk favorites
and puppets too.
$7
http://playcafellc.com
5 : Saturday
LAMORINDA MOMS
VALENTINE’S PARTY
Oakwood Athletic Club,
Lafayette
10:00am – 12:00pm
February Feathers at
the Hayward Shoreline
Interpretive Center
Hayward
11:00am – 12:00pm
The birds of the marsh
depend on their wings for
flight, warmth and camouflage. Take a look at feathers and the important role
they play. For ages 3-5 and
their caregivers.
$5
www.haywardrec.org/hayshore_weekends.html
Farewell to the
Monarchs
Ardenwood Historic Farm,
Fremont
11:00am – 3:00pm
Learn about the migration
and life cycle of the winter
resident butterflies through
slide and puppet shows
for all ages. Then make a
fluttery monarch wand and
fly it out to the monarch
grove to say goodbye to the
butterflies until next year.
www.ebparks.org
Welcome the Year of the
Rabbit with Stories
Orinda Library
3:00 – 5:00pm
An afternoon of storytelling
to start off the Lunar New
Year. At 3:00, Megumi will
share favorite folk tales
from Japan. At 4:00, Clara
Yen will tell stories from
Chinese grandmothers, old
and new.
orinda.html
6 : Sunday
Dinosaurs Alive
Tien Megadome Theater,
Chabot Space & Science
Center, Oakland
12:00pm & 3:00pm
A global adventure of science and discovery -- featuring the earliest dinosaurs
of the Triassic Period to the
monsters of the Cretaceous
“reincarnated” life-sized for
the giant screen. Audiences
will journey with some of the
world’s preeminent paleontologists as they uncover
evidence that the descendents of dinosaurs still walk
(or fly) among us. From the
exotic, trackless expanses
and sand dunes of Mongolia’s Gobi Desert to the
dramatic sandstone buttes
of New Mexico, the film will
follow American Museum of
Natural History paleontologists as they explore some
of the greatest dinosaur
finds in history. Through the
magic of scientifically accurate computer-generated
animation, these newly
discovered creatures, and
some familiar favorites, will
come alive in a big way!
www.chabotspace.org
Valentine’s Day
High Tea for Kids
Botanical Garden,
UC Berkeley
1:00 – 2:30pm
Enjoy a special celebration
of herbs and flowers at this
afternoon tea party. You’ll
use your senses to explore
these fragrant edibles,
talk about their uses and
benefits, and see how they
grow. Make fresh teas and
herb finger sandwiches.
Also make valentines from
pressed botanicals to take
home.
$20
http://events.berkeley.edu
7 : Monday
DRUMMM OneBEAT
Drum Circle
Walnut Creek Library
4:00 – 5:00pm
A participatory drumming
experience. Drums and
other child-friendly rhythm
instruments are provided for
all attendees. The group is
led in celebratory, energizing, drumming fun. Beat
those winter blues away!
Fun for children of all ages
and their families.
FREE
walnutcreek.html
8 : Tuesday
LAMORINDA MOMS
MONTHLY MEETING
Lafayette Veterans Hall
7:00 - 9:00pm
Tyke Explorers
Discovery Lab
Chabot Space & Science
Center, Oakland
Feb. 8, 15 & 22
10:00am
Expand your preschooler’s
universe by enrolling in the
Tyke Explorers Program.
Kids get to bring a special
grown up to share in the
excitement of science and
space. Classes are a combination of instructor-lead
lessons and self-guided,
hands-on experimentation
and exploration.
$12; Members, $9
www.chabotspace.org
9 : Wednesday
Lapsit at the
Moraga Library
10:15am
Books, bounces and
rhymes. For ages 6 months
to 24 months.
FREE
moraga.html
10 : Thursday
Let’s Get Crafty at the
Lafayette Library
3:00 – 4:00pm
Make an “OWL...Always
Love You” valentine card for
someone special. It’s fun to
be crafty!
FREE
lafayette.html
A Special Sweet Thursday with Po Bronson
Lafayette Library
7:30 – 9:00pm
Po Bronson discusses his
book Nurtureshock: New
Thinking About Children.
FREE
lafayette.html
11 : Friday
Vienna Boys Choir
Bankhead Theater,
Livermore
8:00pm
The Vienna Boys Choir is
a world-class ensemble
that delights music lovers
across the globe with its
purity of tone, distinctive
charm and a diverse, crowd
pleasing repertoire that
encompasses Austrian folk
songs and waltzes, classical
masterpieces, beloved pop
songs, holiday favorites and
medieval chant.
www.livermoreperformingarts.
org
12 : Saturday
Music for Families
with the San Francisco
Symphony
Davies Symphony Hall,
San Francisco
2:00pm
Bring your family to hear the
San Francisco Symphony in
kid-sized classical concerts
designed for families - great
music, fascinating musical
discoveries, and priceless
memories.
www.sfsymphony.org
13 : Sunday
Lunar New Year
Celebration
Oakland Museum
of California
12:00 – 4:30pm
Celebrate the Year of the
Rabbit with a day of Asian
New Year traditions. Watch
an exciting lion dance and
mochi pounding with Kagami
Kai; be surprised by international champion magician
Chin-Chin; hear author Oliver
Chin read his delightful
stories and watch history
come alive with storyteller
Charlie Chin; learn the art of
the Japanese bento box and
how to make Vietnamese
spring rolls; make your own
art for the New Year, and
more. Bring the whole family
and celebrate the Lunar New
Year at OMCA!
http://museumca.org/
Cowgirl Tricks with
Karen Quest
The Berkeley JCC Theatre
1:00 – 2:00pm
Karen is a unique fun-filled
Vaudeville-style Western
Comedy Act complete with
Trick Roping, Whip Cracking,
Music and Lots of Surprises!
Karen engages audiences
with her special brand of
Western humor. Don’t miss
this one-of-a-kind performer!
$8
www.thebuddyclub.com
14 : Monday
Creatures of the Abyss
at the Lawrence Hall of
Sciences
Berkeley
Ongoing, February 12 – May 8
Immerse yourself in the
ocean and atmosphere that
sustain us. From stunning
views of ocean currents and
dramatic earth storms as
seen from outer space, to
revealing looks at the dark
depths of the seas, experience these dominant, yet
often hidden, features of our
world as never before.
FREE with admission
www.lawrencehallofscience.
org
15 : Tuesday
Year of the Rabbit: Tales
from the Chinese Zodiac
Moraga Library
4:00 – 5:00pm
Family storytime program for
ages 4 and up. Celebrate
the Chinese New Year and
join author Oliver Chin as he
reads his entertaining new
children’s picture book The
Year of the Rabbit. Enjoy the
sixth story in his popular
annual series Tales from
the Chinese Zodiac and the
amazing adventures of a
rabbit named Rosie! Then
enjoy a fun arts and crafts
activity - get handouts of
your favorite animals to
color in, dress up, and take
home!
FREE
moraga.html
Leung’s White Crane
Lion Dance Troupe
Danville Library
4:00 – 4:30pm
Leung’s White Crane Lion
Dance Troupe is here for a
return engagement performing their famous and aweinspiring Lion Dance and
february 2011
drumming with the balance
and acrobatics for which
they are famous! Celebrate
the Lunar New Year with
this famous dance known to
drive away evil spirits.
FREE
danville.html
16 : Wednesday
Pajama Math at the
7:00 – 7:45pm
Wear your jammies and
come for stories, games &
activities full of mathematical merriment & number
nonsense. For families with
children ages 3 and up.
walnutcreek.html
17 : Thursday
Magic by Alex at the
4:00 – 4:45pm
Alex Ramon has performed
as a principal illusionist for
Disney LIVE! Mickey’s Magic
Show, and just finished two
years as the ringmaster for
Ringling Brothers Zing Zang
Zoom! circus. This is a magical chance to see doves
materialize, cards vanish,
objects float and a rising
star up close and personal.
For ages 5 and up.
walnutcreek.html
18 : Friday
Physical Comedy and
Juggling with Unique
Derique
The Village Theater, Danville
10:00 – 10:45am
Having won numerous
awards for his body percussion and juggling comedy,
Derique is a world-famous
one of a kind performer!
He has made numerous
television appearances and
travels the world performing
his famous and remarkable
“Classy Clown” show.
www.thebuddyclub.com
19 : Saturday
Kinder Music’s Annie Jr.
Lesher Center for the Arts,
Walnut Creek
Feb. 19, 1:00pm & 7:00pm;
Feb. 20, 5:00pm & 7:00pm
Based on the popular comic
strip, “Little Orphan Annie”,
Annie Junior tells us of a
spunky Depression era
orphan determined to find
her parents, who abandoned her years ago on the
doorstep of a New York City
Orphanage run by the cruel
page 15
Miss Hannigan. In adventure
after fun-filled adventure,
Annie foils Miss Hannigan’s
evil machinations, befriends
President Roosevelt and
finds new family in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his
personal secretary Grace
Farrell and a lovable mutt
named Sandy.
$8
www.lesherartscenter.org
20 : Sunday
Imagination Movers Live
at the Fox Theater
Oakland
1:30pm and 4:30pm
The wildly popular New
Orleans-based rock band for
kids of all ages will travel
coast to coast playing their
most popular songs and
bringing the magic of the
Imagination Movers television series’ Idea Warehouse
to life performing in a series
of 100 shows across the
nation. Concert goers can
expect special appearances
from Nina, Warehouse
Mouse and other characters
from the TV series.
www.thefoxoakland.com
21 : Monday
Discovering Primates
Day at the Oakland Zoo
10:00am – 3:00pm
Bring the entire family and
discover the wonderful world
of primates at the Oakland
Zoo. Leap like a lemur,
swing like a siamang and
learn all about apes, monkeys and prosimians! Make
enrichment for a chimpanzee, meet a primate keeper,
get your face painted and
enjoy a Wildlife Theater
show – all in the name of
helping chimpanzees in
Uganda.
FREE with admission
www.oaklandzoo.org
22 : Tuesday
Pajamarama at the
Lafayette Library
7:00 – 7:30pm
It’s family storytime and you
are invited to hear stories,
sing songs and learn new
fingerplays and rhymes.
Wear your jammies and slippers and don’t leave Teddy
behind!
FREE
lafayette.html
23 : Wednesday
Toddler Time at the
Ongoing, every Wednesday
10:15 – 10:45am
For children ages 2 & 3
with their caregivers. Short
picture books, finger plays
& fun literacy building activities.
FREE
walnutcreek.html
24 : Thursday
Mother Goose Storytime
at the Lafayette Library
Ongoing, every Thursday
10:15 – 10:40am,
10:55 – 11:30am
This interactive storytime for
children birth to 3 includes
stories, songs, fingerplays,
puppets and early literacy
tips for parents and caregivers.
lafayette.html
25 : Friday
Establishing Good
Sleep Habits
Day One, Walnut Creek
10:30am – 12:30pm
Designed for the pregnant
family and those with babies
up to 4 months of age,
the goal for this workshop
is to prepare parents with
knowledge and an understanding of healthy sleep
for newborns. Taught by an
experienced sleep consultant, this workshop will help
new parents and parents to
be to understand the unique
sleep patterns of babies,
the differences between
newborn and adult sleep,
realistic expectations for
sleep based on age of baby,
and learn routines that can
help establish positive sleep
associations early on and
therefore good sleep habits.
$39 members; $55 nonmembers
www.dayonecenter.com
26 : Saturday
Farm Chores for Kids
at Ardenwood Historic
Farm
11:00am – 12:00pm
There’s lots of work to do on
the farm. Help grind corn,
gather eggs, and feed the
farm critters as we do our
daily farm chores.
www.ebparks.org
27 : Sunday
Bay Area Children’s
Theatre presents Little
House on the Prairie
Front Row Theatre,
San Ramon
Saturdays & Sundays,
Feb. 19-27
2:00 and 4:30pm
When the Ingalls family
leaves their little house in
the Big Woods of Wisconsin
for the unexplored prairie,
the only thing they can count
on is each other. Laura,
Mary, Ma, Pa, Baby Carrie,
and their trusty dog, Jack,
load up the covered wagon
and head West, hoping
for a better life, but their
journey takes them through
flood waters, fevers, and
encounters with the nearby
Osage tribe.
www.bactheatre.org
28 : Monday
Folktales with Paulette
at SadieDey’s Café
Oakland
11:30am
FREE with admission
www.sadiedeyscafe.com
page 16
lamorinda moms news
february 2011
page 17
raising a powerful girl
source: PBS Parents (www.pbs.org/parents)
How do you raise a powerful girl and
what does that mean?
Powerful girls grow up feeling secure in
themselves. They learn to take action,
making positive choices about their
own lives and doing positive things
for others. They think critically about
the world around them. They express
their feelings and acknowledge the
feelings and thoughts of others in caring
ways. Powerful girls feel good about
themselves and grow up with a “cando” attitude. Of course, strong girls may
(like all of us) have times of insecurity
and self-doubt, but these feelings aren’t
paralyzing because the girls have learned
to work through their problems.
Powerful girls will grow up to lead full,
valuable lives.
Here are some [PBS] experts’ ideas to
help you raise powerful daughters.
Encourage your daughter
to pursue a passion.
“Full engagement with an activity she
loves will give her the opportunity to
master challenges, which will boost her
self-esteem and resilience and affirm
intrinsic values rather than appearance,”
says Rachel Simmons, author of Odd
Girl Out. “Having a passion lets her go
shoot baskets or play an instrument, for
example, instead of being swept up in
online drama.”
Let her have a voice in making
decisions.
“Whenever possible, let her make
constructive choices about her life.
Let her choose her own clothes, within
appropriate limits. Give her a voice
in what after-school activities she
participates in and how many she wants
to do (as long as it works for the rest of
the family, too). Remember that knowing
what she cares about most will come
from trying some things and finding she
doesn’t like them, as well as from finding
things she loves to do,” recommends
Jane Katch, Ed.D., author of They Don’t
Like Me. “Your daughter might need to
make a commitment for a short time for
an activity (one soccer season) but when
that’s over, it’s okay to try something
different!”
Identify the values most important
to your family.
“Consider the ways you convey these
values, especially by example. What
are the moments in your daily life when
you can model the values you want your
daughter to learn?” asks Simmons.
“What traits and strengths do you
want your daughter to develop as she
grows?” asks Meg White, M.A. “See if
these qualities are reflected in how you
parent.”
Encourage her to solve issues on her
own rather than fixing things for her.
“When parents take over, girls don’t
develop the coping skills they need to
handle situations on their own. Ask your
daughter to consider three strategies
she might use to deal with a situation,
and then ask her about the possible
outcomes. Let her decide what she
wants to do (within reason). Even if you
disagree with her choice, you give your
daughter a sense of control over her life
and show her that she is responsible for
her decisions,” says Simmons.
Encourage her to take physical risks.
“Girls who avoid risks have poorer selfesteem than girls who can and do face
challenges,” says JoAnn Deak, Ph.D.,
author of Girls Will Be Girls. “Urge your
daughter to go beyond her comfort
zone – for example, encourage a girl
who’s scared to ride her bike downhill
to find just a small hill to conquer first.”
Catherine Steiner-Adair, Ed.D., co-author
of Full of Ourselves: A Wellness Program
to Advance Girl Power, Health and
Leadership, agrees. “It’s important to
help even non-athletic girls develop some
physical competence and confidence
when they’re young. Whether it’s through
team or individual sports, girls need to
form a physical relationship with their
body that builds confidence.”
Get girls working together.
“Girls who work cooperatively in school
or who problem-solve together do
much better in taking large risks or
facing challenges. These girls report
an incredible sense of accomplishment
and feeling of competence, both of
which give a huge boost to self-esteem,”
says Deak. “Encourage your daughter
to participate in team-building activities
or join organizations that rely on
teamwork.”
and sense of fairness, help them identify
and hold on to their strong feelings, like
anger, and encourage them to practice
more direct, positive ways to effect
change in their relationships,” says
Brown.
Let your daughter know you love her
because of who she is, not because of
what she weighs or how she looks.
Make regular time to listen to your girl.
“Encourage your girl to eat in healthy
ways, but don’t over-obsess over what
she eats. Listen to her opinions (about
food, and other things) and show
appreciation for her uniqueness, to
help her develop herself into the person
she wants to be,” says Steiner-Adair.
“Comment on the way she carries
herself into a room or the ideas she
is expressing before commenting on
her looks. She needs you to know her
insides and validate the developing
person within, as well as noticing her
emerging young womanhood,” adds
White.
Allow her to disagree with you
and get angry.
“Raising a powerful girl means living
with one. She must be able to stand
up to you and be heard, so she can
learn to do the same with classmates,
teachers, a boyfriend, or future bosses,”
says White. Lyn Mikel Brown, Ed.D.,
and Sharon Lamb, Ed.D., co-authors of
Packaging Girlhood, write, “Girls need
guidance about how to stay clear in their
disagreements, and they need support
for not giving up their convictions to
maintain a false harmony. Help girls to
make considered choices about how to
express their feelings, and to whom.”
Steiner-Adair notes that “Not all girls
will want to do this, especially shy girls,
but you can still help them develop the
skills.”
Address girl fighting when you see it.
“Talk with girls about relational violence
(such as gossip, rumor-spreading and
exclusion) as well as physical violence
(hitting or fighting). But don’t assume
all girls are mean, and avoid saying
‘girls will be girls’ when you witness girls
engaging in exclusive cliques and clubs.
Instead, affirm girls’ relational strengths
“By creating consistent, predictable
times when she knows that you are
receptive and available to listen -- like
riding in a car, taking a walk, or just
sitting reading -- you will eventually be
let into her inner world. Let her use you
as a sounding board to sort out what
she is going through, without solving
problems for her. The answers that come
from within her are the ones she will
eventually live by,” says White.
Listen more than you talk.
“When we talk to girls, they often
experience it as us talking at them, and
they not only stop listening, they stop
thinking and reflecting. But when we
listen to them, they have to think about
what they are saying, and they tend
to reflect more. And we need to keep
an open dialogue -- we can’t dismiss
their chatter about ups and downs of
friendship as trivial, and then expect
them to talk to us about the important
stuff,” says Lawrence Cohen, Ph.D., coauthor of Mom, They’re Teasing Me.
Limit your daughter’s exposure to the
media and popular culture when she is
young.
“This will give her more time to develop
her own ideas, creativity, and imagination
from her direct first-hand experience. As
she grows, media messages will start to
get in, so having rules and routines from
the start can help your daughter control
her own experiences as she gets older,”
says Diane Levin, Ph.D, author of So
Sexy So Soon.
Help her process the messages
in the media.
“Help her avoid the narrow focus on
appearance and consumerism that often
dominates the media. By helping your
daughter process the messages she
sees on the screen and develop her own
ideas about them, you can prepare her
to better resist the media’s pervasive
stereotypes,” says Levin. “Help her
notice the bigger picture -- for example,
how looking like her latest teen idol
can be fun but also connects her with
a lot of other stuff she might not have
noticed or thought about. Wonder aloud
about more general patterns you see,
like how all those little purses hanging
from everything might make it seem that
all girls, even three-year-olds, are into
shopping,” add Brown and Lamb.
Talk with her about the differences
between sex in the movies and loving
relationships in real life.
“It’s important to talk with your
daughter about sex and sexuality in
ways appropriate to her age and your
values,” says Levin. “As she gets older it
becomes increasingly important to help
your daughter understand the difference
between sexualized images in the media
and healthy sexuality. Through give-andtake discussion, you can help her begin
to understand the difference between
the media’s presentation of sex and
sexiness. You can talk about how sex
is frequently portrayed without love,
intimacy or emotion, or as part of caring
relationships. When your daughter is old
enough, you can begin to discuss what a
mature, healthy, loving relationship -- in
which sex is a part -- is all about.”
Acknowledge her struggles but keep a
sense of perspective.
“We have to acknowledge the pain our
daughters are experiencing, so they feel
heard and accepted and empathized
with. But we also need to put it into
perspective, to stay calm and listen
to what they are experiencing without
projecting our own experiences onto
theirs. Your daughter is having a different
experience than you did, even if there
are surface similarities,” says Cohen.
“After all, she has something you didn’t
have: you.”
Enjoy her!
“Having a powerful girl can be exciting
and energizing. Find activities you both
enjoy and do them regularly together.
Maybe you both like cooking or having
breakfast together, hiking or reading
books,” says Katch. “Try to keep this
connection as she gets older -- if times
ever get tough, you’ll appreciate this
special bond you share!”
page 18
lamorinda moms news
february 2011
page 19
community support + events
mom dins
What is Mom Dins? Mom Dins is a
wonder ful program that assists mothers
in need after the arrival of a baby. Our
goal is to make sure that moms have
at least four to six dinners provided
to them by playgroups, friends or
neighbors so that they can focus on
their new bundle of joy.
Want to Help? Mom Dins is not only an
mom dins team
Alice Warren:
[email protected]
Zones: Sleepy Hollow, Wagner Ranch
Anne Knight:
[email protected]
Zones: Glorietta, Happy Valley,
Rheem
easy and rewarding way to volunteer,
but is a fantastic way to meet other
moms and give back to others in your
neighborhood. If you are interested
in providing a meal to a new mom
near you, please contact momdins@
lamorindamoms.org. Preparing/delivering
one meal completes your two-hour
volunteer requirement for the year.
Thanks in advance for your support.
thank you! thank you!
The following LM Moms volunteered
their time and culinar y skills to bring
these new moms (in bold) a meal.
Jenifer Balducci: Anne Knight, Jennett
Leong, Jen Letulle, Jenny Staelin, Erin
Stevens. Thank you Anne Knight for
coordinating.
Emily Schultz:
[email protected]
Zones: Contra Costa, Los Perales,
Springhill
Vanessa Bratcher: Eva Elder, Ann
Elliott, Danielle Ginestro, Ryley Katz,
Sara Mark. Thank you Emily Schultz for
coordinating.
Heidi Kuss:
[email protected]
Zones: Alameda, Burton Valley,
Del Rey
Lisa Coburn: Joanie Dillon, Lisa Gunter,
Erica Kain. Thank you Emily Schultz for
coordinating.
Rebecca Ricksen:
[email protected]
Zones: Camino Pablo, Lafayette
Mariessa Doherty: Lydia Abreu,
Sophie Callahan, Alison Stein, Lisa
Stemmler. Thank you Emily Schultz for
coordinating.
Elizabeth Hennessee: Lydia Abreu,
Pauline Chang, KC Kruchko, Barb
Laurenson, Kristine Rasmussenm.
Thank you Heidi Kuss for coordinating.
Michelle Kong: Eva Elder, Abby Levin,
Kiley O’Meara, Diana Ronai, Jennifer
Seelig, Rashmi Shukla, Jennifer Wong,
Jaia Zimmerman. Thank you Anne
Knight for coordinating.
Gretchen LaRotanda: Sophie Callahan,
Sierra Culber tson, Heidi Kuss, Rebecca
McAuliffe, Erin Rigney. Thank you Heidi
Kuss for coordinating.
Kieran Apte Gera on October 27,
weighing 6 pounds, 8 ounces and
measuring 19.7 inches.
Jacqueline Obradovic: Kelly Demar,
Janet Knudsen, Julie Mercer, Heidi
Oriol, Jessica Grilli Smith. Thank you
Emily Schultz for coordinating.
Nicole and Oliver Portet welcomed
Sylvia Rose on October 27, weighing 7
pounds, 2 ounces and measuring 20
inches.
Nicole Portet: Ellie Attwood, Marcia
Mar tin, Claire Smith, Lititia Truslow,
Nicole Younts. Thank you Anne Knight
for coordinating.
Gretchen and Mike LaRotonda
welcomed Eli Wilson on October 30,
weighing 7 pounds, 8 ounces and
Kristina Sands: Jen Deleplane, Jemma
Kalberg , Megan Moore, Anna Sall,
Fredi Yahoo. Thank you Anne Knight for
coordinating.
Claudia Sherman: Tamra Aguilnaldo,
Joanne Batt, Laura Bergerson, Kimmie
Bonnar, Natalie Williams. Thank you
Alice Warren for coordinating.
Lisa Stemmler: Bella Buster, Diane
Johnson, Anne Schmidt, Anna
Stevenson. Thank you Anne Knight for
coordinating.
expecting moms
Are you Due? Is your par tner going
back to work when the baby is only a
few weeks old? Is your mother-in-law
leaving after only a few weeks? Then
the Mom Dins team is here! If you
need help, please contact momdins@
lamorindamoms.org before baby
arrives. We will send you a form that
will help us organize your meals. Once
we have your form, we’ll take it from
there. Congratulations and we look
for ward to hearing from you!
new arrivals
Jenifer, Dave and sister Sage Balducci
welcomed Jacqueline Quinn on October
21, weighing 7 pounds and measuring
20.5 inches.
Kristina and Jon Sands welcomed
Harper Mae on October 23, weighing 6
inches.
Lynn Marie and Troy Auzenne
welcomed Vaughn Anthony on October
30, weighing 7 pounds, 6 ounces and
Lexi, Jason and brother Jefferson
Bieber welcomed Brook Cassidy on
November 2, weighing 6 pounds, 3
ounces and measuring 19.5 inches.
Lisa and Jeff Coburn welcomed Jack
Charles on November 5, weighing 7
inches.
Jacqueline, Zo and brother Quincy
Obradovic welcomed Vaughan Isaac on
November 15, weighing 8 pounds, 5
Vanessa Bratcher and her husband
welcomed Teagan Sienna on November
17, weighing 7 pounds, 13.5 ounces
and measuring 19.5 inches.
Lisa, Andy and brother Ryan Stemmler
welcomed Brandon Beal on November
measuring 20 inches.
Elizabeth and Justin Hennessee
welcomed Connor James on November
Danielle and Sean Gallagher welcomed
Lauren Beth on December 11, weighing
7 pounds, 6 ounces and measuring 21
inches.
Brandyn, Dane and brothers Beck and
Bo Iverson welcomed Damon Truett
Thomas on December 12, weighing 8.5
pounds and measuring 21 inches.
community events
LM Valentine’s Day Party
When: Saturday, Februar y 5, 2011
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Where:Oakwood Athletic Club,
Lafayette
Page 7 for more information.
Moraga Farmers Market
Moraga Center, Moraga Rd.
and Moraga Way
Sundays, 9:00am to 1:00pm
Open year round
Walnut Creek Farmers Market
North Locust St.
Sundays, 8:00am to 1:00pm
Open year round
Free admission to the SF MOMA
(Museum of Modern Art)
San Francisco
First Tuesday of ever y month
Free admission to the Exploratorium
The Palace of Fine Arts
San Francisco
First Wednesday of ever y month
Free admission to the
Bay Area Discovery Museum
Sausalito
First Wednesday of ever y month
Free admission to the
California Academy of Sciences
San Francisco
Third Wednesday of ever y month
february 2011 open playgroups
by jennifer seelig
Do something especially sweet for your little Valentine this February
- join one of Lamorinda Moms’ fabulous playgroups! The little ones
love to socialize with their peers, and playgroups are equally fun for
the grown-ups.
You’ll find a list of our “open” (active and accepting new members)
playgroups listed below. Please keep in mind, because of
newsletter publishing deadlines, it is possible that any of these
playgroups have since reached capacity or have dissolved. Of
course, It’s equally possible that new playgroups formed after the
newsletter has gone to print!
If you see a group that interests you, please send an e-mail to
[email protected] and I’ll connect you with the
appropriate leader. Don’t see a playgroup that meets your needs?
E-mail me a bit about what you’re looking for and I’ll do my best to
find the appropriate match for you and your little one(s). Be sure to
indicate in your e-mail whether you’d be willing to lead a new group.
Child’s Birthday
Day
Time
Leader
Early/Mid 2009
Thursdays
3:00 p.m.
Amy
Late 2009
Fridays
3:00 p.m.
Maggie
Late 2009
Sundays (1-2x/mo.)
11:00 a.m.
Jen & Danielle
Late 2010
TBD
TBD
Leah
Expecting in 2011
TBD
TBD
Caitlin
Michelle, Darrell and sister Kylie
Kong welcomed Amanda Reese Kong
on October 24, weighing 7 pounds, 13
Kids & Caregivers (all ages welcome)
Thursdays
10:00 a.m.
Carly
Walking Moms
TBD
TBD
TBD
Preschoolers (3s and 4s)
Wednesdays
3:00 p.m.
Sarah
Anjali Apte and Nikhil Gera welcomed
Parkmead Neighborhood (all ages)
TBD
TBD
TBD
To join a playgroup, please contact Jennifer Seelig at [email protected]
page 20
lamorinda moms news
page 21
cook’s corner : dipping chocolate
local bites : artisan bistro
by emily schultz
by emily desai
code is business casual, although I saw
some men in jeans the night we ate
dinner there. Artisan Bistro is perfect
for a romantic dinner for two, but is also
informal enough to accommodate a family
with young children or a large group.
The patio in front of the restaurant is
quite large and with heaters and a small
fountain, it’s perfect for dining with kids
on a warm night.
John Dory Entrée, Artisan Bistro © 2010
Last year I told myself I should find a new
and creative way to celebrate Valentine’s
Day, but somehow time escaped me
and I didn’t realize it was anywhere near
February 14th until my son brought
home a bag full of Valentine’s cards
from preschool. So at the last minute I
booked a reservation at Artisan Bistro
in Lafayette to celebrate Valentine’s Day
with my husband. Fortunately we had
a wonderful, romantic dinner and I won
points for picking such a great restaurant.
february 2011
If you are like me and are struggling to
find a memorable Valentine’s dinner this
year, I highly recommend Artisan Bistro.
Artisan Bistro is tucked away in a small
remodeled Craftsman house at 1005
Brown Avenue set back from Mt. Diablo
Blvd. in Lafayette (925-962-0882). The
menu is somewhat pricey ($20-$30
per entrée) so we celebrate special
occasions there. The restaurant is also
2011 Michelin Guide recommended, for
those of us keeping track. The dress
thank you, somersault snack company!
Lamorinda Moms would like to thank Somersault for making a
generous contribution of snacks to our monthly meetings.
Somersaults are the creation of a handful of Bay Area
natural foodies, who, disenchanted by unsatisfying
snacks, wanted a nourishing, tasty and nutritionally
impactful option for active adults just like them. Their
quest led them to the discover their # 1 ingredient,
sunflower seeds - the new nut! Somersaults offer the
perfect blend of protein, fiber and balanced nutrition
with an excellent crunch and delightful flavor, yet with
less calories and fat. You can find Somersaults at Peet’s
Coffee & Tea, Whole Foods Market, Raley’s/Nob Hill, and
Lunardi’s. Enjoy!
The food is not only delicious but it
is wonderfully prepared. One of the
restaurant’s specialties is the sautéed
wild John Dory. Before Artisan Bistro I
never knew John Dory was a fish, nor
had I eaten it. It’s a very tasty, light fish
and the chef prepares it perfectly. The
menu also features sunchokes which are
not something you see on most menus.
The baby beet salad was light, extremely
fresh and combined delicious ingredients
including goat cheese, endives, apples
and walnuts. I also highly recommend the
French fries with aioli (might as well live it
up, right?) and any one of the desserts.
The restaurant has an impressive
wine list and a small bar with delicious
cocktails. Artisan Bistro is open for
lunch and dinner and serves brunch on
weekends. Also be sure to sign up on
the restaurant’s email list to get notice
of their special wine dinners and other
special events.
Since Valentine’s Day is one of the
biggest candy and chocolate holidays, a
fun way to involve kids in making treats
is by dipping and decorating! Every time
I visit, my mom and I whip up a quick
batch of melting chocolate and raid
the pantry for things to dip. Things that
work really well are long pretzel sticks,
cookies (especially Oreos or simple butter
cookies), dried fruits, roasted nuts, large
marshmallows. Then, use sprinkles,
gummy candies, nuts, tiny chocolate
chips, mini M&Ms, marshmallows...
anything your little assistant would enjoy
using for extra sweet decoration.
Dipping Chocolate
1 (12 oz.) pkg. chocolate chips
2 tablespoons butter
Add about 1 inch of water to a large
saucepan, place a glass or stainless steel
bowl over the top. Make sure the bottom
of the bowl is not touching the water.
This is called a double boiler. Put the pan
over low heat and let the water simmer.
Place the chocolate and butter in the bowl
and allow them to melt, stirring gently to
incorporate.
Spray a few pieces of wax paper or
parchment with nonstick cooking spray.
When your creations are dipped, place
on the sheet to decorate then let the
chocolate set. The spray should keep the
chocolate from sticking once dry.
The Food Network website has a great
list of ways to get kids involved when
baking or cooking with them. Here are
a few ideas: When making a simple
batter, place a recipe’s ingredients in a
resealable bag, seal it and let your child
mix by squishing it up. Cut a corner of
the bag to pour batter out. Think beyond
sprinkles. Let your child place gummy
bears, animal crackers, peanut brittle or
other fanciful treats on cakes. Use food
coloring to teach about colors. If making
orange, let your child add the yellow and
red drops to the bowl, then stir until the
mixture becomes the desired color. Cut
fun shapes out of a sheet cake using
cookie cutters. Turn zip-sealed plastic
bags into a pastry bag. Cut a tiny corner
off to let just enough icing flow so kids
can write on their cakes.
Make cleanup easy and fun! Big kids can
gather up dirty dishes while you put on
their favorite song.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
We need your help
Lamorinda Moms is a volunteer-run
organization managed by an extraordinary
group of moms (plus a few dads, too).
By contributing time to your club you
will get to know the smart, fun group of
women that make this club an amazing
organization. There are a variety of ways
to volunteer, from an hour at one of our
events, to making a dinner for a new
family. We are currently looking for people
to help in the following capacities:
• Advertising Coordinator
• Advertising Strategy short-term
project participant*
• BigTent Administrator
* these opportunites are most flexible/
can be completed during hours that work
best for your schedule, and may be ideal
for working moms
• Neighborhood Zone Chair*
Please contact us at volunteers@
lamorindamoms.org with your area(s)
of interest.
• Newsletter Writer*
Thanks!
• Discounts Coordinator
• Egg Hunt Volunteers
• Volunteer Coordinator
page 22
lamorinda moms news
kids-related limited duration ‘flash’ sale websites
by alice warren
When I was first a new Mom, I often found
it challenging to get out of the house. I
soon learned the magic of diapers.com.
That website made my day for at least a
week when I first learned about it! And then
of course again every time my package
showed the day after I purchased it…
and for free! If you haven’t tried it, I would
highly recommend it. But be warned…
My obsession with online shopping for
baby & kids’ clothes and gear started with
diapers.com and blossomed from there …
to limited duration sale websites. Limited
Duration ‘Flash’ Sale Websites provide
invitation-only access to top children’s
quality apparel and gear at insider prices.
Membership is free and members enjoy
savings of up to 70% off retail prices. Each
day, these sites feature several sales,
typically organized by brand. Most sales
start in the morning and last 36 hours.
Below are a couple of my favorites:
Gilt.com/sale/children is my favorite of
these types of sites. It typically offers 2-3
new sales per day. The sales open at 9am
Pacific and last only for 36 hours. They also
have sections that offer sales for women,
men, home, and travel. Actually, this site
was founded by two of my business school
colleagues, one of whom is a new mom
herself! The reason I like this site the best
is because of its user interface. You can
scroll over the item you are interested in
and it’ll tell you what sizes are available –
no wasting time clicking through to another
page. They also have a calendar on the
bottom on the children’s home page that
tells you what sales are coming. Lastly, their
shipping is fairly quick.
After Gilt, Theminisocial.com is my next
favorite. The founders’ vision for this site is,
“To feature the most sought-after brands in
the children’s market at exclusive prices.”
It has 3 sales per day and I’ve found that
its brands range from popular to more
boutique, which is one of the reasons I like
it. I get good deals on those brands I’m
looking for but also get a little bit of the
treasure hunt aspect with brands I wasn’t
yet familiar. Another interesting facet to
this site is its “social” side. To date, the
company has donated over $10,000 to
various children’s charities like Shoe4Africa,
The Smile Train, Childrens Hospital Los
Angeles, SPD Foundation, TransFair
USA, The Skin Cancer Foundation and
Baby2Baby.
Zulily.com rounds out my top 3. It has
at least 5 sales per day and each sale
lasts only for 36 hours. This site offers
sales for babies, children as well as for
mom. In addition to clothes, it also offer
discounts on toys, books, and gear. The
only downside is that its shipping time can
be quite long.
Totsy.com’s sales include mom and kids
aged 0-7 and last 48-72 hours. While it
typically features smaller, lesser known
brands, its breadth is also greater. Totsy
features prenatal care products, baby
gear, travel accessories, bedding and
bath, children’s clothing, toys, DVDs, and
educational toys. The company prides itself
on being 100% eco-friendly. With every
purchase you make through Totsy, they
getting (re)attached to our spouses
ask about their emotional experience of those events, make eye
contact throughout, don’t cut-in with advice, and don’t multitask in
any way. The simple gift of attention subtly communicates “I’m here
for you; what might seem trivial to others about you actually matters
to me; I’m interested in you.” When we regularly receive the loving
gift of another person’s attention, our early experiences of being
overlooked are slowly overwritten, and an amazing array of personal
and relational strengths begin to emerge.
Second is forgiveness. Forgiveness may be the most important
currency of love, especially as a way to transform our entrenched
expectations about intimacy. Some spiritual traditions have always
put forgiveness on center stage, but recent psychological studies
are now catching up. In terms of attachment theory, forgiveness
demonstrates that even if you hurt me, I will not seek to reject or
abandon you. And when I find that you continue to accept me in
plant one tree in the name of your child to
help reduce the effects of deforestation.
Hautelook.com is my sister-in-law’s
favorite. She’s got great style so I’ll have
to check that one out soon. She also
let me know about Lilluxe.com, which I
just signed up for and so far so good.
RueLaLa.com was the first of these sites
that I discovered and they used to be
my favorite, but they only have sales for
women and men, no kids stuff.
The sites listed above have multiple brands
with multiple offerings per sale. However,
there are a few sites that feature only one
bargain item at a time until the item sells
out. The two I’m most familiar with are
Mamabargains.com and Babysteals.com.
Babysteals.com sells one baby or maternity
product every day at up to 80% off until it
sells out. Its mantra is that “It’s not just a
deal, it’s a steal!” Their sale opens twice
daily at 8am & 8pm Pacific and if you don’t
check within the hour, forget about it, the
offer is gone! Mamabargains.com also
offers only one bargain item at a time until
the item sells out, but as soon as that item
is sold-out, they post the next sale. They
gear their products for parents and children
ages 0 – 10.
A couple of last tips… There are indeed
some good deals to be had, but also
beware that many of these brands are
quite pricey to begin with. Also, shipping is
often not super speedy. These sites are not
diapers.com, however, they have indeed
kept this new mommy quite happy and well,
quite broke. Happy shopping!
continued from page 10
spite of my mistakes, blemishes, even moral failures, many of my
entrenched internal working models are challenged and replaced.
I will slowly become less guarded, retaliatory, or ashamed. Even
though my past attachment figures might have left me, hurt me, or
ignored me after I disappointed them, here you remain. Forgiveness
doesn’t mean ignoring offenses, but it at least means foregoing
revenge, that is, swearing off any attempt to make our partner
pay for the way he or she has hurt us. Forgiveness may not even
directly win back an estranged partner, but it at least begins to
transform the forgiver in ways that make it possible to relate in new
ways.
Your attachment history does not predestine your relational future.
Loving acts of self-giving and forgiveness can begin to rewrite that
history, and re-attach you to your spouse in ways that your history
alone would have never predicted. I encourage you to give it a try.
february 2011
page 23
lamorinda moms’ bigtent guidelines
In 2010-2011, we received many
questions regarding appropriate uses
of the Lamorinda Moms’ (LM) BigTent
Forum, Classifieds and Reviews. We
thought it would be helpful to post
the BigTent Guidelines here in the
newsletter as we kick off the New Year.
Unfortunately, there is not an easy way
to reference the Guidelines in BigTent,
other than when you join or re-new your
membership. (BigTent is currently working
on this feature.) The Guidelines are also
posted in the Files tab for your reference.
Lamorinda Moms Guidelines are very
similiar to fellow groups like Berkeley
Parents Network and Golden Gate
Mothers’ Group.
1. PURPOSE OF THE FORUM
The Forum within BigTent is a discussion
board for parenting questions and advice,
a general information resource exchange,
and for Lamorinda Moms’ (LM) business.
This is not a place to advertise local
businesses.
2. POSTING
Members should assume that any
information posted to the BigTent LM
forum will be accessible to all other
members. Your subject line should be
clear and concise. Member identified
posts, except anonymous posts, are
not reviewed due to the real-time nature
of the Forum. LM does not monitor the
contents of the messages, confirm validity
or accuracy of information posted, and is
not responsible for any of the messages
posted. The messages express the views
of the author of the message, not the
views of Lamorinda Moms.
3. CONFIDENTIALITY
Member email addresses and other
information is confidential and for the
personal use of members only.
4. REPLYING TO MESSAGES:
Be considerate and polite to others as
parenting situations can be sensitive.
When appropriate, please respond
to the individual poster not to the
discussion list.
5. WORK/BUSINESS RELATED POSTS
Posts that promote your own business,
including discount/sale referrals, are
not allowed. You may promote your own
business or your employer in response
to another member’s question as long
as you disclose your affiliation. Please no
job openings or job seeker posts except
as appropriate to caregiver or general
parenting discussion.
6. SOLICITATIONS
Solicitation posts of all kinds, including
commercial, religious, political,
organizing, fundraising, chain messages,
and donation requests, are not allowed.
7. SPECIAL OFFERS FOR LM MEMBERS
No special offer related posts are allowed
in the Forum. To recommend a special
offer to be posted to the LM Deals link,
please send an email to discounts@
lamorindamoms.org.
8. POSTS FOR EVENTS
No event related posts are allowed in the
Forum. To post an event to the Events
tab, please send an email to publicity@
lamorindamoms.org. Submissions will be
reviewed and posted to the Events tab/
LM calendar as appropriate.
9. NO UNSOLICITED COMMERCIAL
RECOMMENDATIONS OR COMPLAINTS
No unsolicited commercial
recommendations or complaints are
allowed except as appropriate to
caregiver or general parenting discussion.
Recommendations should be posted in
the Reviews section.
10. FLAGGED FOR MODERATION
The LM BigTent forum is not moderated.
However, any user who feels that a
posted message is objectionable is
encouraged to flag the post so it can
be reviewed by LM Co-directors. The LM
Co-directors have the ability to remove
objectionable messages and will make
every effort to do so within a reasonable
time frame. If it is decided that a member
has violated Forum Rules, the member’s
future posts may be moderated.
11. CLASSIFIED POSTS
For sale item, items wanted, services
offered and services requested must be
posted in the Classifieds section. You
may offer your service and/or discount/
sale referrals from your own business
or that of your employer’s as long as
you fully disclose your affiliation and any
personal benefit from the sale.
12. RECOMMENDATION &
REVIEW POSTS
Recommendations or reviews of products,
services, and places must be posted in
the Reviews section. You must disclose
any affiliation and/or personal benefit
of a recommended or reviewed product,
service, or place. See page 11 for more
information.
page 24
lamorinda moms news
february 2011
page 25
Orinda Optometry Group
Donald C. Schmitt DDS &
Randall R. Wiley DDS Inc.
300 El Cerro Blvd Danville
837-8218
2879 Willow Pass Rd Concord
685-0513
www.kidstoothdoctor.com
since 1985
Dr. Kristine M. Eng • Dr. Weylin G. Eng
Dr. Kelly S. Shintani
Cooing, Sitting Up And Crawling Are
Signs That Your Baby Is Growing.
Did you know your baby’s vision has stages of
development too?
InfantSeeTM provides eye health and vision
assessments to infants six to 12 months of age
at no cost to you.
Ask us about making an InfantSee appointment
Additional Services:
Comprehensive Eye Examinations • Optical Dispensing
Surgery Co-Management •FREE Infant Vision Assessments
Vision Therapy • Courtesy Discounts • Contact Lenses
Laser Vision Correction • Emergency Visits • Low Vision Services
20 Orinda Way • Orinda, CA 94563
Phone: 925.253.1320 • Fax: 925.253.1939
www.orindaoptometrygroup.com
LOVED
TWICE
DONATE BABY CLOTHES
TO NEWBORNS IN NEED
ZUMBA
at Orinda Community Center
Achieve long-term benefits
while having fun!
Contact Rigel Cedeño for high or low
impact zumba classes information.
Tel: 925-899-0831
e-mail: [email protected]
Started by a local mom,
our non-profit donates baby clothes to
underprivileged newborns upon departure
from the hospital - right here in the Bay Area.
Drop off clean used baby clothes &
blankets in sizes newborn to 12 months to
Cool Tops Cuts for Kids
3367 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, CA 94549
www.LOVEDTWICE.ORG
page 26
lamorinda moms news
Activities:
Language
Developmental
Music
Arts/Crafts
Cultural
Cooking
Gardening
Field Trips
Guided Play
february 2011
page 27
Celebrated Immersion Program
8 Years of Educating Children
Native Spanish Speaking Teachers
Teachers:
· Preschool · Extended Care · Classes
· Developmental Kindergarten · Summer Programs
7am to 6pm · Snacks · Year Program · 2 to 6 Years
Argentina
Colombia
El Salvador
Guatemala
Mexico
Peru
explore, discover and learn!
children’s classes • summer camps
birthday parties • scout tours • family programs
Lamorinda Moms receive $2.00 off each
regular admission through June 30, 2011 with this ad
Best in The Bay
925-952-9903
Enrolling Now
www.KissProgram.com
(925) 935-1978
1931 FIRST AVE., WALNUT CREEK, CA 94597
www.wildlife-museum.org
BOOKKEEPING SERVICES
Dawn King
20 years experience with all types of businesses.
Small Business and Personal books. Financial Statements.
Quickbooks and Excel expert.
925-933-0553
[email protected]
IT’S OKAY TO ASK
FOR DIRECTIONS
With so many paths to choose, it’s easy to
get lost on your way to feeling secure with
financial decisions. The right directions
can make all the difference. We can help
you create a road map that will get to
where you want to go.
Are we a good fit? Let’s find out.
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Zen Parenting Dating Your Spouse Raising an Adventurous Eater

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