Brookside MOPS

2012-02-02T21:41:00.001-06:00

Are you ready to Zumba?

Join us as we take a night to check out the latest craze to sweep the nation. Wear your comfy clothes and Zumba as little or as much as you'd like. Our certified Zumba instructor will lead us in Zumba fitness for about an hour. During this time, you can move a little or move a lot. You can check it out, take a break at the nacho bar or watch from the sidelines and catch up with your friends.

Invite a friend and join in the fun. Click here to register.

2011-11-09T07:00:00.000-06:00

How to Pack a Shoe Box

1. SHOE BOX

Use an empty shoe box (standard size, please) or a small plastic container. You can wrap the box (lid separately), but wrapping is not required. Most importantly, pray for the child who will receive your gift.

2. BOY OR GIRL?

Determine whether your gift will be for a boy or a girl, and the child’s age category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Print out the appropriate boy/girl label by downloading the labels here. (The front desk at Brookside will have labels available as well.) Mark the correct age category on the label, and tape the label to the top of your box.

3. FILL WITH GIFTS

Fill the box with a variety of gifts that will bring delight to a child. Some gift ideas include:
TOYS: small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, small Etch A®, toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries), Slinky®, etc. pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc. toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc. Hard candy and lollipops (please double bag all candy), mints, gum, T-shirts, socks, ball caps;A PERSONAL NOTE: In a separate envelope, you may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself or your family. (If you include your name and address, the child may write back.)

4. INCLUDE YOUR DONATION

Please donate $7 or more for each shoe box you prepare to help cover shipping and other project costs. You can give online by using our EZGIVE option, or you can write a check to Samaritan’s Purse (note “OCC” on memo line) and place it in an envelope on top of the gift items inside your box. If you or your family are preparing more than one shoe box, please make one combined donation.

5. DROP OFF

Place a rubber band around each closed shoe box and drop off at the front desk at Brookside on or before November 10.

For more information regarding Operation Christmas Child, please visit Samaritan's Purse.

Swiss Eggs

2011-11-09T06:30:00.000-06:00

Swiss Eggs
from Sarah G., 2/4 Hospitality Coordinator

8 oz of your favorite shredded cheese
1 tsp dry mustard
4 Tbsp melted butter, cooled at room temp.
1 Cup heavy cream
1/2 tsp salt, dash pepper
12 eggs
1 pkg frozen hash brown patties
1 lb diced ham

Line a 9x13 pan with has brown patties. Cover with shredded cheese and diced ham. Mix cream, salt, pepper, dry mustard and cooled butter. Pour 1/2 mixture over cheese. Beat eggs and pour on top of cream mixture. Add remaining cream mixture to top of eggs. Do NOT stir. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 min.

Beyond the Memory Box

2011-11-06T08:00:00.000-06:00

Beyond the Memory Box

by Nicki B., Creative Activities Coordinator

Moms: Below is the full article from our MOPS Minute Newsletter.

I hope you all enjoyed our last craft! It was fun to see you all get creative with your little white box. Who knew a little white box could bring so much inspiration and joy! I know many of you used the ideas we presented for your box. There were many “Prayer Boxes” and “Blessing Boxes” and “Caught Being Good Boxes” that left Brookside that day.

Here is another option that would make a wonderful gift for someone special in your life -- A Memory Jar! Decorate a jar (or a box) and fill it with slips of paper that contain memories about that person or things you love about that person. Maybe your slips of paper could big enough to have a picture too – sort of a scrapbook in a jar about your loved one. I don’t know about you but I would LOVE a gift like this!

You could also make it a family project and create a new tradition. Have everyone in your family fill the jar throughout the year with things that happen that they want to remember. Have them put their name on their memory and date it. Your 5 year old might have a memory every day. Your teenager might only write one every other week. Imagine how fun to look back at the end of the year. Then you can put those memories in an envelope or a photo album and start the New Year off again with an empty jar.

So grab a jar and start writing down those memories!

"Memory is a way of holding on to the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose." -- from the TV show The Wonder Years"

November 2011 Newsletter

2011-11-06T06:00:00.000-06:00

Click here for the November 2011 Newsletter.

Registration is Open for the 2011-2012 Year

2011-05-08T08:00:00.002-05:00

Welcome to Brookside MOPS! For those of you who have been at our MOPS Group before, we welcome you back. And please invite a friend or two because it just makes Momsense to find a group where you can connect with other moms. As we hear from MOPS International all the time - moms weren't meant to mother alone.

Our online registration is now open to anyone who would like to join our MOPS Group. We have two groups that meet. One meets on the 1st & 3rd Thursdays of the month and one group that meets on the 2nd & 4th Thursdays of the month. Our MOPS Year runs mid-September through April and our meetings are from 9-11:15 a.m.

To register for MOPS, either click the Momsense Logo at the top left of the page or click here. Then be sure to sign up for our email subscription so you receive all the blog posts. Most of our information is posted here including our upcoming park days throughout the summer.

We look forward to seeing you this fall!!

Photo Block Craft

2011-03-06T08:21:00.001-06:00

Thank you to all of you for your wonderful feedback on the photo block craft.

Our team is glad you enjoyed it! We have heard many of you are wanting to make more of these cute little blocks.We are happy to offer you the opportunity to purchase more blocks so you can make some for yourselves or as gifts.

The blocks are 35 cents each. To order you can email the number you want to the Brookside MOPS Email which is BrooksideMOPS at gmail dot com. You can bring your money to your next MOPS meeting.

If you need to write a check you can make it out to Nicki Byars. If you need them before your next MOPS meeting contact me to make arrangements to pick them up.

So think of all the great blocks you can make and let me know how many blocks you need.

(See photo block ideas below)

For those of you ready to tackle this project on your own here is a refresher for how to do them.

What you need:

4x4 wood blocks (mdf board works best; if you use another type of wood that is more grained you might need to prime it or paint several coats to cover the graining)
Sandpaper
Craft knife or sharp scissors
Favorite photo(s) – 4x6 work best but you can trim down larger ones
Scrapbook paper or something to decorate the other side if not using 2 photos
Acrylic craft paint (we used black but you can choose your color)
Glue (we used Beacons 3 In 1 Advanced Craft Glue - it costs a little more but is photo safe)

Directions:

Smooth out any rough edges on your blocks with sandpaper
Paint the edges of the blocks with acrylic paint (don’t have to paint the whole block since your photo will cover the face)
Put a thin layer of glue on the face of the block
Line up your photo and place onto glued face of the block
Turn the block upside down and press on it to help the glue bond
Trim your picture with a craft knife (steak knife or sharp scissors will work as well)
Repeat this process on the other side of the block using scrapbook paper or another photo

Other options and ideas:

Pre-drill some small holes in the back for picture hanging nails and hang them on the wall.
Have one side of the block spell out a word with monogram stickers or printed letters (i.e. FAMILY, CHRISTMAS, WELCOME, DAD)
Put a photo of your child on one side and have them draw a picture on a 4x4 piece of paper for the others side – great gift for Grandma
Write a note to your loved one on one side of the block and put a photo of you together on the other side
Take a larger photo and glue it to 4 blocks in a square and make a 4 piece puzzle photo

HAVE FUN!

Homemade Sand Timers

2011-02-18T07:00:00.000-06:00

How many times have you uttered the words “just a few more minutes and then…”? The concept of minutes for our preschool aged children is hard to understand given they have no concept of time. I came across sand timers while working in some preschool classrooms and found them to be very beneficial. They give children a visual reminder and count down of the time left before a one activity ends or a new activity begins. I have found good use for them in letting my child know how long she has to sit in time-out, how long she has until her friend gets a turn with the toy, to countdown to clean up time or bed, etc….

The timers can be easily made at home. You will need: Two small soda bottles of equal size, Clean, dry sand Tornado tube or twist tube Stopwatch Marker, metal washer, glue (Tornado tubes can be found online fairly cheap).

Peel the labels off the soda bottles. Wash them inside and out then let them dry completely; this may take up to several days.
Fill one of the clean, dry soda bottles half full of clean, dry sand. Screw one end of the tornado tube or twist tube into the top of this bottle, then screw the other bottle into the free end of the tornado tube. You should now have both bottles joined together at the neck by the open tube.
Turn the bottles over so the bottle with sand in it is now on top. The sand will flow down into the bottom bottle. Use the stopwatch to time how long it takes. Adjust your level of sand as needed to make a timer for the specific time amount you are looking for.
You can choose to place a metal washer inside the tornado tube so that when it is screwed onto the bottle tops, it will slow down the flow of sand. Another option is to place some glue around the ridges of the bottle tops so that when they are screwed onto the tornado tube they will dry and not be able to be removed.

A Mom's SOS

2011-02-06T13:30:00.001-06:00

SOS by Holly Rowlette

www.MOPS.org

Sometimes it is hard to ask for help, isn’t it? As strong women, we want to be super moms. We want to look like we have it all together and can do it all. Work, volunteer, clean house, cook dinner, organize play dates, manage the house. And when challenges come (sick child, deployment, money gets tight, loss of a job, childcare falls apart) we resist asking for help and even refuse friendly offers. We still want to have it all together and act like we can persevere.

I learned this lesson a few years ago when a friend offered to watch my kids. I kindly declined. She reminded me that I would be robbing my kids of a fun time with her kids, robbing her of the blessing of helping me and robbing myself of some much-needed down time. And she was exactly right. From that moment on, I have been less fearful of what others will think if I ask for help.

This week, let your friend be the blessing. Let her bring you a meal, watch your kids, drop off some groceries or help you fold laundry. Say it with me … “I’m a mom and I can’t do it all!” Say it again if you need to.

Oatmeal Cinnamon Cookies Jar Mix

2011-01-24T07:00:00.001-06:00

Here's the recipe we made for the last craft. It fits into a Mason Jar. Enjoy!

MOPPETS Snacks

2011-01-17T07:00:00.001-06:00

Just a friendly reminder that if you didn't bring a snack yet for MOPPETS, it would be terrific if you could bring a box to the next MOPS meeting. Also, if you would be willing to bring an additional box of snacks, we know the kids would be happy to eat them.

Please do not bring anything with peanuts or chocolate or eggs as we
have children with those allergies

Don’t know what to bring?? Here’s a list of yummy ideas:
©
Goldfish
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Animal Crackers
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Ritz Crackers
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Ritz Bits, Pretzels
©
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Cheese Nips
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Teddy Grahams
©
Snak Stix
©
Munchems

Graham Crackers
.

Newsletter: Messy Mondays

2010-12-20T07:00:00.000-06:00

Messy Mondays

by Nicki B., Creative Activities Team Leader

OK, so I am a total neat freak! I like things in their place. I enjoy organizing my closets frequently. I like things clean. I DO NOT like messes. I am constantly following my children (and my husband) around with antibacterial wipes. I cringe when my daughter brings home glittery projects from school and when my son . . . well . . . he’s all boy so whatever he does tends to be untidy.

But getting messy is a part of being a kid and art activities tend to be messy. Messy art gives children a chance to explore art for art’s sake and kids LOVE the process of creating just as much as they love the end product. So I do not like messes but I LOVE LOVE LOVE being creative and doing arts and crafts. Therefore, I have to work to stay sane while teaching my kids to express their creativity.

If you are like me and the idea of mess and muck leaves you in a cold sweat, then consider making one special day a week (or once a month if that is all you can handle) where your child can enjoy some messy fun. Just prepare for the mess, expect the mess and know you will have to clean up the mess. You can call it “Messy Monday” or “Crazy Craft Day”. Old newspapers, deeply discounted seasonal vinyl tablecloths, and old T shirts are your best friends. Cover the table, your kids and the floor and just plan to do all the messy activities at once. Finger paint, plant seeds, make slime – do it all in the same day. If you’re going to get messy, you might as well make the most of it.

By setting aside a time for art when it's okay to make a mess, you allow your kids the chance to really get creative. They can learn so much about mixing colors, consistency and texture simply by playing and crafting. So push up your kids' sleeves and get a bucket of water and some towels and get squishy, slimy and have some fun!

Here are some great messy art activities to get you started.

Icky Foam – Fill a gallon size zip-lock bag 2/3 of the way with shaving foam, add a tablespoon of paint, and seal the top. Your child can squish the paint and foam together (through the bag) to make cool patterns and designs, and slowly the white foam turns to color.
This foam is non-toxic, so children can play with it outside of a bag. Give them a big flat surface to scoop it onto, and let them go to it. You can make various colors of foam by simply adding food coloring to the mix before you whip it.

Cornflour Goop - Slowly add 1 cup of cold water to 2 cups of cornflour in a bowl. Stir until the water is absorbed by the cornflour. Add food coloring if desired. Play with goop in large containers with spoons, cups, hands, sticks, etc.

Salt Crystal Goop - 1 cup flour, 1 cup water, 1 cup salt, food coloring

Mix all the above together and put into squeeze bottles. When it dries, the crystals shine.

Indoor Sandbox – Use a Rubbermaid/plastic sweater box as an indoor sandbox. You can fill it with dried beans of any kind, dried pasta, dry rolled oats, popcorn kernels, or uncooked rice. Toss in some cups, spoons, and sand toys. Want to increase the mess factor? Fill the box with goop, soapy water, or shaving cream.

Scratch and Sniff Jello Art – Use a glue bottle to draw designs on construction paper. Sprinkle the glue with jello and let it dry. Shake off the excess Jello and enjoy your yummy smelling scratch and sniff works of art.

Remember, there is no mess that can't be fixed, so relax and enjoy!

Newsletter: Excuse Me, What Free Time?

2010-12-13T07:00:00.040-06:00

Excuse Me, What Free Time?

by Kristin L., 2/4 Publicity

I remember expecting my first child, and looking forward to 12 weeks off work for maternity leave. I was making plans of online classes, organizing years of pictures into albums, and redecorating the family room. After he and I came home from the hospital, I don’t think I brushed my teeth regularly for weeks. What was I thinking? Ah, the innocence of life before kids. Remembers when YOUR needs and wants came first? Me, either.

Skip forward three kids (and a fourth on the way). Time is a luxury spent mostly on family and other obligations. After school runs, practices, birthday parties, and grocery shopping, I get to clean the house, do laundry, cook, and do homework (how do we forget algebra?—oh, yeah…I haven’t slept since 2004). Then, the guilt trips start. Can you help with the church fundraiser? Serve on PTO? Work an extra MOPS shift? Make 200 cupcakes for a bake sale? My husband thinks I like baths. I am actually crouching in the fetal position in our bathroom, trying to hide from my commitments!

But the truth is, doing volunteer work is one of the best things you can do for yourself, and your kids. Let’s face it. There is never enough time in a day. A wise friend of mine (one of those women we love AND hate—house always perfect, kids well-behaved and clean, and they are all involved in everything) told me that the busier you are, the more time you actually have, because you don’t waste it. You prioritize and don’t mess around. You may not catch up with everything on your TiVo, but that really isn’t what life is about, is it? She is right. And she is setting a fabulous example for her kids.

Children are important, but should not be the center of the universe. And neither should you. You spend some of your valuable time helping others. For those of you feeling guilty thinking about leaving your husband and children to volunteer—don’t. A break to work with other adults and talk about something other than potty training or ABCs makes you enjoy them more when you get back.

As most of you know, I do a lot of charity work for a variety of organizations. Some of you think I am crazy, which is only partly true! I don’t get to watch much TV. My house is a mess and I don’t cook as much as I want to. But you have to prioritize. The kids don’t care about the house. They love PB and Js. And they have learned at an early age that being dragged along to help Mom make a difference is fun. I want them to become community leaders as well as scholars and athletes.

We can get so wrapped up our day-to-day existence, we don’t step out and look around at the bigger picture. We are so busy being Mom that we forget we have to keep being ourselves, too. For those of us who used to get our identity from our jobs (remember talking to grown-ups and dressing up every day?), we should remember that we will be better role models if we can do a little of both. Take some time for yourself, and then take a little more time to help someone else. You will find that it helps you , too. So, help at school. Or step out of your circle even more and pick an organization you are interested in. Maybe one that helps kids? Or the hungry? Or the sick? You will be amazed how good it feels. And the laundry will be there waiting for you. It’s OK to wait a day to do it. Trust me. Just try it—you have some time.

If you are interested in getting information about some organizations we volunteer with, contact me at the Brookside MOPS Email. Many involve a only few hours and you can bring your kids if you want!

Swept Up or Swept Into the Christmas Season?

2010-12-06T07:00:00.011-06:00

Swept Up or Swept Into the Christmas Season?

by Elissa V., 2/4 Mentor Mom

As I am beginning to get swept up in the business of the holiday season, I am trying harder this year to be intentional about what the reason is behind my activities and calendar getting filled with activities hat only happen this time of year.

Our family calendar seems to be filled from dawn until dusk with activities and events, some of which are purposeful and some of which are just plain fun! I love fun, especially Holiday Fun! Decorating the Christmas tree, cookie baking, gift-wrapping, gift giving, singing silly holiday songs and serious ones too! Shopping for stocking gifts….oh how I love to fill a stocking. But somewhere in the midst of all of this I have to try to keep my heart as well as the hearts of children focused on the reason behind the celebrating.

This can be a difficult task with younger children at home. Especially with the over kill on marketing the best, most wanted, high tech, got to have Christmas gifts!

To tray to combat this tendency to fill my day and get swept up in the Craze of the Holidays, we have a tradition of an Advent Tree. It not only adds Holiday Cheer to my kitchen, but it helps our family take a few minutes out of a busy day to center our hearts on the Celebration of Jesus’ birth.

It is pretty simple and inexpensive. Here is a list of the items you will need.

24 small boxes, wrapping paper, ribbon, 24 gift tags numbered 1-24, scripture verse for each day (see attachment) and a piece of Christmas candy or chocolate for each of your children for each day.

To prepare:

Put one piece of candy for each of your children in each box, (if you have 3 kids, 3 pieces of candy in each box), wrap each box and tie with ribbon. Number each gift tag 1-24 and place corresponding verse on the back of each tag. Attach a gift tag to each box. Place boxes under the tree.

Each night read the verse that is on the gift tag and explain to your child the meaning behind the verse. If your child is old enough to read have them read the passage from the Bible. Open up the box and enjoy the candy/chocolate. There is no box numbered 25, on that day explain to your child that the gift for the 25^th is the gift of God’s Son who was born on that day!

I have given a list of the scripture that we use (click here for the verses), but you can simplify the verses or just tell part of the Christmas story found in the book of Luke each night!

Merry Christmas…I pray that your Christmas is filled with blessings beyond measure and overflowing with the love of God’s Son!

Homemade Laundry Soap

2010-12-02T07:00:00.013-06:00

We made Homemade Laundry Soap earlier this fall. Below is the card we attached to the baggies and the recipe.

Recipe for Homemade Laundry Soap:

2 cups Grated Ivory Soap or Fels Naptha (approx. 1 bar grated with finest side of hand held grater)

1 Cup Borax

1 Cup Washing Soda (please do NOT use baking soda, washing soda is found in laundry asile)

Mix together and store in a sealed container or baggie. Use 1 Tbsp for regular loads and 2 Tbsp for heavy loads. Save to use in HE machines.

Please be aware that this is a non-sudsing formula. It will clean your clothes, but will not produce bubbles or suds.

Newsletter: Thinking of Him

2010-11-29T07:00:00.000-06:00

Thinking of Him

by Brandi, Co-coordinator

Here I am-a MOM! And not just ANY mom, but a mom of 4 precious little children. "Wow!" (A while back, my kids brought to my attention that the word "MOM" is the upside-down version of the word "WOW"! Now I understand!) I recently decided that "WOW" was my favorite word, and
this is why: "WOW!" Who knew I would need to accomplish so much in a given day caring for four kiddos? "WOW!" Who knew I would have to become so incredibly balanced and efficient when I became a mom? I mean, the cooking, the cleaning, the reading of stories, teaching, playing, driving, shopping, the checkbook, bathing, dressing, the laundry--(oh the LAUNDRY!)-the list just doesn't quit! "WOW!" That really is a lot of stuff to be in charge of in a given week! What a huge responsibility that God has entrusted me with! "WOW!" My head seriously hurts by the end of the day...I think I have a headache! :)

But what about my husband? I am always so busy thinking of my children and what they need, that sometimes my husband's needs are left unmet. Now, I know what you MIGHT be thinking, but the "needs" I am referring to are his SPIRITUAL ones. It often seems so natural to fill my prayer time with the requests I have for my children or with those received from family and friends. But what is often forgotten are prayers for my husband. Do you know how instrumental a woman can be in changing a man's focus in life? Do you have any idea how you can boost your husband's confidence through prayer? Do you realize that you are your husband's biggest cheerleader and that God hears the desires of your heart for your husband before the prayers even come to mind?

God is SO good and SO faithful! Words cannot describe the complete 360 that has occurred in my husband since we rededicated our lives to Christ a mere four years ago. I have prayed for the typical things for him; to be a great dad, for good health and protection. But in the past couple of years I have gone so far as to boldly ask God to give Brian the time to really KNOW his family, the desire to be the spiritual LEADER of our household, to build his confidence in ALL that he does, and to bless the WORK of his hands. I've also asked God to change Brian's priorities, to allow others to appreciate his work, to desire alone time with his kids, and to develop a servant's heart! Do you know that NOT ONE OF THESE PRAYERS HAS GONE UNANSWERED? It is amazing the changes in a man who's wife persists in praying for him. It has been an incredible journey to watch my husband transform into the new man that he is!

My best advice to any woman is this: We all know that our God-given blessing of being a mom is a hard and toilsome (though rewarding) task, but always find time for your husband in your prayer life. Pray specifically for him weekly, or try praying for him daily! Sometimes I dedicate an ENTIRE day to him just so I can lift him up in all kinds of prayers and requests, not to miss a thing. To see God working THROUGH your husband is an incredible sight! To see God's glory REVEALED through your husband is such a blessing and amazingly fulfilling! To see God IN your husband is a delight, one that you will cherish all the days of your life! I challenge you to pray passionately for your husband this week and see how God responds to your requests! The only word that comes to my mind is, "Wow!"

Overnight French Toast

2010-11-22T07:00:00.001-06:00

Overnight French Toast was made by Michelle, 1/3 DGL. This recipe and many others are found at her website Intolerant Offspring. Her recipes remove many common allergens. This recipe was delicious!!!

Overnight French Toast

1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup margarine
1 tbsp. light corn syrup
12 slices bread, crusts removed
1 1/2 cups rice milk
6 large eggs
1/4 tsp. salt
2 tsp. cinnamon

Combine brown sugar, margarine, and corn syrup in small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Allow mixture to boil 5 minutes until slightly thickened. Pour into 9x13 pan, coated with cooking spray and spread until mixture covers the bottom. Arrange bread slices in pan, double layering bread. Whisk eggs, rice milk, cinnamon, and salt. Pour over bread. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Bake uncovered at 350 for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown and bread is puffed. Serve warm.

Cheesy Tex-Mex Egg Casserole Recipe

2010-11-20T17:00:00.002-06:00

Thanks to Maya from the 1/3 group for sharing this recipe for her Tex-Mex Egg Casserole. It was yummy!

Cheesy Tex-Mex Egg Casserole

6 eggs
1/2 cup flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. salt
1 cup milk
8 oz. cottage cheese
3-oz. pkg. cream cheese, cubed
can diced green chilies
2 tbsp. butter
1 1b. Monterey/Pepper Jack cheese, shredded

Beat the eggs in a large bowl. Add flour, baking powder, salt and milk, beating until smooth. Beat in the cottage cheese. Stir in cream cheese, chilies, and cheese. Pour into well-greased and floured 2-quart baking dish. Dot with butter. Bake @ 350 degrees for 45 minutes, uncovered. Serves 6 (or a slew of hungry MOPS Moms).

Newsletter: Take a stand for Thanksgiving

2010-11-18T22:00:00.005-06:00

Take a Stand for Thanksgiving

by Sara E. 1/3 Mentor Mom

I feel a little sorry for Thanksgiving. It is a holiday created to encourage us to pause and be thankful for the many blessings in our lives. But, the fourth Thursday of November seems to have evolved into something so opposite. There is the push to make it a pig-out day, or a football day, or just a day to relax and prepare for Black Friday's shopping mania. Poor Thanksgiving gets squashed between the nonsense of Halloween and the chaos of Christmas.

Maybe your home can take a stand for lowly Thanksgiving. Maybe you, sweet MOPS mama, can be the filter to keep the media hype to a minimum. You have the ability and the influence to encourage a true spirit of thanksgiving in your family for the month of November. Dare I challenge you? Would you like a few hints?

Make a Thanksgiving tree. Collect a bare tree branch from the backyard. Use leaves from your yard or purchase fake autumn leaves from a craft store (if you want to save them). Write for your children (or have them draw pictures) on the underside of the leaf some of the things they are thankful for. Attach leaves to the branch to make a pretty indoor tree. Variations: hang leaves from a ribbon or cord stretched across the mantle or doorway.

Have Thanksgiving story time. There are many great Thanksgiving picture books at the library. Check out a few and introduce your children to Squanto, the Mayflower, pilgrims and God's provision. Variations: act out the story after hearing it several times, costumes encouraged but optional.

Have Thanksgiving craft time. Every preschooler needs to make a hand-turkey. Use up those often-ignored colors of construction paper in the package--orange, brown, and yellow make great Indian headdresses or turkey feathers. Check online for easy and fun ideas.

Have Thanksgiving food (not including the Thursday feast). One of my children's favorite fall traditions is to cook and eat a pie pumpkin (smaller and darker than a jack-o-lantern pumpkin). Clean it out as usual. Fill with your favorite meatloaf recipe. Bake in a pan with 1 inch of water for an hour or until pumpkin flesh is soft and meatloaf is cooked through the center (use a meat thermometer to test). Don't forget to save the seeds to roast.

Have thankful time. Spend a few minutes at bedtime taking turns telling each other what you were thankful for that day. Variations: Each child tells a sibling why they are thankful for him/her. Take turns around the table at dinner time.

I am thankful for you, ladies, who are purposefully pouring into your children's lives. I know you are thankful for your sweet kiddos and the precious privilege you have been given to raise them. I pray that Thanksgiving is welcomed into your home this year with expectant hearts and grateful attitudes, no matter how it looks.

NEWSLETTER: Soap Pump Craft Information and How To

2010-11-13T20:30:00.005-06:00

Soap Pump Craft (and ordering opportunity)

by Nicki B. 2/4 MOPS Mom, Creative Activities Coordinator

Thank you for all the great feedback on the soap pump craft! Many of you have asked where to get the bottles for this so you can give them as gifts.

The bottles were ordered online from Container and Packaging Supply. They were $0.85 each.

Hobby Lobby sells similar bottles for $1.49 - they have white pumps. They do run sales on soap making supplies every few weeks (30% off usually) so watch the paper or check online.

Container and Packaging Supply has a "small order fee" if you don't order $50 worth of product and we will be putting in another order for any MOPS Moms that want to order additional dispensers.

If we all go in together on the order we can hit that minimum. To help cover the shipping costs the bottles for this order will be $0.90 each. I would like to place the order before Thanksgiving so everyone will have them in time to prepare them for gifts for Christmas.

If you would like to order some bottles please email Nicki via Brookside MOPS by MONDAY NOV. 22nd. Please type SOAP PUMPS in the subject line. I will make arrangements to get payment from you before the order is placed.

The pouches of soap we used were purchased at Walmart. We used Dial Pomegranate Tangerine and Dial White Tea and Vitamin E, but you can use any type of hand soap.

The transparency inserts were copied at Fed Ex/Kinkos for $0.75 a sheet and cut down to size - there were 6 on a sheet.

The template is being made available to you by clicking here however you could do your own - customizing this gift even more with the recipients name at the top "Nicki's Hands" OR maybe a special quote or Bible verse or other message. The ribbons were also purchased at Hobby Lobby.

Other ideas overheard during craft time at MOPS: Hand sanitizer, Shampoo, Adding peppermint extract, Adding other scents available at Hobby Lobby or craft stores.

Thanks again for the feedback! There will be a lot of happy teachers, family members and friends getting your cute soap creations this year!

Bottle Info for ordering on your own:

The bottles are B320 8 oz. Clear Madera Boston Round - $0.42 and the pumps are DP034 | 24-410 Black Ribbed Pump with 7 1/2" Dip Tube - $0.33

You have to trim the dip tube with scissors to get it to fit into the bottle - they make them to fit in many of their different sizes of bottles.

$10 small order fee for orders not meeting $50 minimum. Shipping charges also apply.

Newsletter: Mothering--no other job like it

2010-11-09T07:00:00.009-06:00

Mothering--There's no other job like it: Getting to Know Our Mentor Mom

by Elissa V. (Mentor Mom for 2/4 MOPS)

I have been married to my high school sweetheart Scott for 22 years. We met when we were 11 and 12 years old in Southern California. I grew up there and went to college in Denver. I studied Behavioral Science and minored in elementary education. Scott and I moved to southwest Texas after we were married where Scott was in Pilot Training for the Air Force. I taught school for 2 years there before we yet again moved to South Dakota where I continued to teach until I had our oldest daughter Meghan. Meg is almost 20 years old and is a secondary ed major with a concentration in English. Matthew closely followed Meg 2 years later and is now almost 18 and is a senior. He is also wanting to follow in his dad’s footsteps and is interviewing for Air Force ROTC next week in hopes to study whatever and become a pilot like his dad. God being God decided to shake our lives up a bit and sent us a wonderful bonus baby Ryan. He is 8 years old and is all boy filled with lots of energy and pretty much always covered in dirt or some sort of debris from playing outside!

Along the way I have lived in New York, New Jersey, California, Texas (two separate times), South Dakota, Missouri, Alabama and Nebraska! I love Nebraska…there is no other place like it!

Scott just recently retired from the Air Force after 22 years and our feet are planted here for at least a year here. Hopefully longer if God so wills. It has been great him having a normal job from 7am-5pm with occasional lunch dates during the week and no deployments to crazy countries that I cannot even begin to pronounce their names!

I am the typical stay at home mom..running here and there and trying to juggle everyone’s schedule. I am a substitute teacher taking a few months off while I process through the transitions we are making this year. My “yeses” have become more “can I think about it?” to “no!”

I love to scrapbook, but cannot find the time to do it! I love coffee and Dove milk chocolate. I love the very simple things in life of just sitting and enjoying the company of a friend, walking along the beach at sunset, I do not mind sand between my toes at all, walking thru the forest with my kids. I absolutely love, love, love, love, love spending time with Scott. I have never met anyone who can make me laugh as hard as he can.

Most of the time I love being a mom and a wife. Although draining at times, I cannot imagine it any other way. I pray that I can help anyone who is in the trenches of mothering to encourage and spur on to fulfill this incredible calling as a mom. There is no other job like it in the world and I would not trade it for anything!

My favorite verse is “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22

Newsletter: MOPS Saved My Life

2010-11-08T07:00:00.002-06:00

MOPS Saved My Life: Getting to Know Our Mentor Mom

by Sara E. (Mentor Mom for 1/3 MOPS)

"MOPS saved my life." Of course that is a bit of an exaggeration...but not much! My husband and I had just moved to Omaha from Seattle exactly one year before our sweet baby Ruth made her appearance. We had only recently decided to make Brookside our home church and I had no friends. So, here I was, at home all day with this adorable, needy baby. My husband was on the road being a salesman and supporting his girls. I was lonely, exhausted, lacking confidence in my "mommy abilities" and desperately needing someone to understand me. A new acquaintance at church steered me toward MOPS and I went. At MOPS I met women just like me who understood me and didn't frown when I showed up with spit-up stains on my shirt. I was inspired to be the best mommy I could by the mentor mom's encouragement and practical advice. I got my needs met through food and conversation and friendships that will last forever.

So, now here I am, giving back to the organization that gave me so much. As the Mentor Mom, I don't have all the answers and I haven't done it all perfectly. But, I believe in mothers who are striving to be the best mommies they can be and I hope to encourage them through this season of motherhood.

Just to give you a bit of background, here's my life in short. I was raised the eldest of three girls on a farm in South Dakota. My mother died of cancer when I was 14, and my dad subsequently remarried and gave me 2 older step-brothers. I graduated from South Dakota State University with a degree in Pharmacy. My sister and I moved to Seattle and there I met my husband, David (also from South Dakota). We lived in Seattle for about 3 years before moving back to Omaha to be closer to family.

We quickly had 3 little girls to fill up our house in Dundee. Ruth was born in 1996, Ellen came 20 months later in 1998, and Maren was almost our millennium baby in January 2000. I thought I had it all together with 3 girls in 3 1/2 years. But, looking back at pictures from that time, it is obvious I was a long way from together. Doesn't lack of sleep cloud your memory and distort your perception?

My girls are now 14, 12 and 10. I have homeschooled them up through fifth grade and the older two are thriving in junior high and high school. Maren and I still do school at home and she comes to help play with your kiddos on MOPS mornings. We have moved out to West Omaha and my husband has been promoted to branch manager and doesn't travel anymore. My hero-dad died just a year ago, but I have close extended family of sisters and step-brothers who between us have 12 (soon to be 13) kids.

When I get free time, I love to cook, read, sew. I purposely make time every day for Bible study, working out, and talking to my girls. My favorite date with my husband is playing tennis and then eating a very unhealthy but great-tasting meal. I think mothers of preschoolers are the most precious people who have the biggest and most rewarding job on the planet. My hope for this year is to come along side of you and cheer you on. I hope this glimpse into my life has made me a bit more approachable because I want to be here for you.

Newsletter: Even there... (Psalm 139:10)

2010-11-01T07:00:00.001-05:00

"Even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast." Psalm 139:10

by Deana R. (1/3 Discussion Group Leader)

Psalm 139:10 is the theme verse for MOPS this year. If you read the entire Psalm it speaks of how God knows each of us – every word, thought, action – every single thing! And He is there for us – through everything! He is guiding us, He is holding us!

Being a mom is such a blessing. It’s a gift, honor, privilege that God has given to each of us. It’s also such a comfort to me to know that He is there for me! Sure there are times when things can be frustrating, but He is guiding us and holding us even in those times.

I have four kids and when I think of how much I love them and how I love holding their hands, it gives me a glimpse of how much God loves me and is holding my hand! Praise God because we are fearfully and wonderfully made! Give thanks to Him for being our forever friend and loving Father!

What a great start to the MOPS year. It’s nice to see many wonderful faces and know that all those people are moms dealing with the same kinds of things as you!

Newsletter: It happened to me...

2010-10-25T17:00:00.014-05:00

It happened to me...

by Mandi H. - Coordinator

It happened. I didn’t think it would happen so soon, but it did. My oldest, Ella, is now a Kindergartner. I blinked and she grew up. There are some great memories and some not-so-great memories of my firstborn. Sometimes I felt like I was on the mountain, feeling great, lovin’ this mom thing and then there were the times I felt like I’d never get out of the valley and that I couldn’t take anymore.

I remember some advice I received many times from moms that had walked the road before me…”Enjoy the time you have with your kids as it goes by too quickly”…yeah, yeah, yeah…I’d heard it before. Truth is I didn’t believe it until this fall when I realized my oldest would be gone all day, every day from now on. Up until this point, I felt at times that I was always looking forward to the next stage in her life – I can’t wait until she sleeps through the night; I can’t wait until she can feed herself; I can’t wait to be out of diapers; I can’t wait until she goes to school. I was wishing away time with her for selfish reasons or because it was hard…wishing away precious time with my little girl. Time I will never get back and never have again.

Being a mom is hard and it’s a thankless job. We do it though because ultimately we love our kiddos and can’t imagine life without them. They make us laugh, cry and teach us about humility. I’m choosing to live in the now and enjoy my three girls to the fullest. Taking time to be with them; laugh with them; cherish them…not wish them away.

Reimbursement Form

2010-09-01T07:00:00.001-05:00

If you are on the Steering Team and have a receipt to submit for reimbursement, please print and fill out this form, attach your receipts to the form and submit to Melinda Smith at Brookside.

As a reminder, checks are cut by Brookside once a month at the end of the month.

Thank you!

What to Expect at a MOPS Meeting...

2010-08-29T13:30:00.003-05:00

Welcome to MOPS at Brookside Church. We are excited to have you join us on this journey of Motherhood.

If you are not yet a member of a MOPS group, we hope will consider making Brookside MOPS your MOPS home. To register, please click here. This year, we are excited to announce that moms who are new to Brookside MOPS will have their registration fee waived.

Here's what you can expect on a MOPS morning at Brookside.

You can drop off your children starting at 9:00 a.m.
After your children have been checked in, please come upstairs where you can have some breakfast.
Our Mentor Mom will share with us about a topic relevant to moms, wives or women.
Following her sharing time, we will break into our Discussion Groups to discuss the topic of the day.
Finally, we have a craft most weeks.

We look forward to meeting you and having a great MOPS year.

Time for some "Summer Fun"!

2010-06-09T14:50:00.001-05:00

Kids already driving you crazy this summer? Then head on out for some fun activities!

Summer Fun 2010 is a list of activities and events in the Omaha area for your family to enjoy all summer long. Always make sure to double check websites for each event and activity to confirm information.

All current members of Brookside MOPS should have received a copy in their Summer 2010 newsletter via snail mail. If you did not receive one, please e-mail us.

Do you know of a fun activity or event that was left out of our list? Then leave a comment and let everyone know about it!

Have a safe and fun summer!

Timeout

2010-06-08T12:35:00.002-05:00

Check out the PDF versions of "Timeout," our 2009-2010 newsletter. New issues will be uploaded as they are printed.

September 2009
October 2009
November 2009
December 2009/January 2010
February 2010
March 2010
April 2010
Summer 2010

All current members of Brookside MOPS should have received a copy of the newsletter via snail mail each month. If yours never arrived, please let us know.

Kids eat free!

2010-03-11T15:17:00.002-06:00

Here's a list of restaurants in the Omaha area that have kids eat free deals or reduced prices. Please remember the list is subject to change. Always check with the restaurant first to make sure the deal is still offered.

If you know of any deals that aren't listed here (or are incorrect), leave a comment or e-mail us, and we'll make sure it gets added!

EVERYDAY
Denny’s: kids eat free, 4-10 p.m.
IHop: free kids meal with adult entree, 4-10 p.m.
Roja: Happy hour in back room, $1.50 tacos, $2 margaritas, half-price appetizers, 5-6:30 p.m.

MONDAY
Upstream (170th & Center): kids eat free with adult entree
Doc & Eddie’s (168th & Harrison): kids eat free
Texas Roadhouse: kids eat free, 1 per adult entree
Sam & Louie's (downtown Elkhorn): buy one pizza, get one free
Grandmothers: $.99 kids meals
Grisanti’s: kids eat free with adult entree, 4-10 p.m.
Julio’s West (123rd & Center): kids eat free
Sizzler: for each adult salad bar you get two free kids salad bars
Spaghetti Works: kids eat free, two children per one adult entree
Summer Kitchen: kids eat free
Fudrucker’s: kids 12 and under eat for $.99, drink included, 4-9 p.m.
Buffalo Wild Wings: kids 12 and under eat for $.99, 5-8 p.m.
Hectors: kids eat free with paid adult meal
Old Country Buffet: one kid eats free per adult meal purchased
Quaker Steak and Lube (Council Bluffs): kids eat free, two kids per adult

TUESDAY
Traditions Food, Sports and Spirits (formerly Indigo Joe’s): one free meal from the kids menu per paid adult meal, 5 p.m. to close
Applebee’s: order one adult meal and get two kids meals for $.99 each
Doc & Eddie’s (168 & Harrison): kids eat free
94/95: $.99 kids meals
Grisanti’s: kids eat free with adult entree, 4-10 p.m.
Paradise Bakery: kids 12 and under eat free after 4 p.m., two per adult entree
Fazoli’s: kids eat for $.99 with 1 adult entree from 5-8 p.m.
Sizzler: for each adult salad bar you get two free kids salad bars
Summer Kitchen: kids eat free
China Buffet: kids 10 and under eat free with adult entree
Fudrucker’s: kids 12 and under eat for $.99, drink included, 4-9 p.m.
Godfathers: kids 10 and under eat free buffet, 5-8 p.m.
Lonestar: kids eat free with adult entree, drink included
Valentino's: kids eat free buffet all day

WEDNESDAY
Pepper Jax: kids eat free, 4-9 p.m.
Doc & Eddie’s (168th & Harrison): kids eat free
Sizzler: for each adult salad bar you get two free kids salad bars
Perkins: free kids meal with adult entree, kids 12 and under, 4-9 p.m.
Old Chicago: starting at 4 p.m., kids make their own pizza

THURSDAY
Applebee’s: for each adult entree get two kids meals for $.99 each
Paradise Bakery: kids 12 and under eat free after 4 p.m., two per adult entree

SATURDAY
Perkins: free kids meal with adult entree, 12 and under, 4-9 p.m.

SUNDAY
Red Zone BBQ: kids eat free
Valentino’s Buffett (138th & P): kids eat free buffet all day
Planet Sub: free kids meal with adult entree

A coloring bonanza!

2010-01-25T16:26:00.004-06:00

Do your kiddos like to color, but their coloring books are looking rather tattered? Then check out the thousands of coloring pages online that are available for you to print out. These are just a few of the sites that are out there:

Crayola
Coloring Book
PBS Kids
Nick Jr.
Playhouse Disney
Coloring Book Pages
Coloring Book Fun
Family Fun

If you're looking for a particular scene or character to color, then just Google the character's name and "coloring page" to find specific pages. For example, here's a list of Veggie Tales pages.

And don't forget to print some pages out for yourself. Coloring is therapy for us weary moms!

Put that snow to good use!

2009-12-08T19:35:00.003-06:00

With all the snow that's outside your door right now, you should have more than enough to make a batch of this seasonal favorite. This is a simple recipe to make with your kids!

Snow Ice Cream

1 gallon snow
1 cup white sugar
1 tbsp. vanilla extract
2 cups milk

When it starts to snow, place a large, clean bowl outside to collect the flakes. When full, stir in sugar and vanilla to taste, then stir in just enough milk for the desired consistency. Serve at once.

-- Allrecipes.com

Cancellation policy

2009-12-07T15:37:00.007-06:00

Now that winter has settled into the area, we wanted to remind you of our cancellation policy. If the Millard or OPS districts cancel school (or has a late start) due to inclement weather, we will not have MOPS that morning. If you're ever unsure about whether we have cancelled, check here. We will post the cancellation on this site, as well!

In the Loop

2009-05-28T12:20:00.007-05:00

Check out the PDF issues of the 2008-2009 newsletter, "In the Loop":

September 2008
October 2008
November 2008
Dec. 2008/Jan. 2009
February 2009
March 2009
April 2009
Summer 2009

These are a few of our favorite things ...

2009-05-08T08:30:00.004-05:00

Connie and Diane shared with the 1/3 ladies a few of their favorite things:

Favorite radio stations
Klove, 88.1
KGBI, 100.7

Favorite drink
Connie: Crane Coffee's Skinny Vanilla Latte

Favorite book
Diane: "The Wednesday Letters" by Jason Wright
Connie: "The Power of the Praying Parent" by Stormie Omartian

Favorite treat
Diane: Frosted sugar cookies from Eileen's Colossal Cookies, 1110 S. 71st St. and 14532 West Center Road

Favorite undergarment
Connie: Spanx (can be found at Von Maur)

Favorite websites
Diane: http://www.cooperstowncookie.com/ -- homemade cookies and candies in the shape of baseballs and baseball caps. Fun for the sports fan in your family!
Connie: http://www.familyfun.com/, http://www.thegrocerygame.com/ and http://www.chefscatalog.com/

Favorite Burt's Bees product
Connie: Lip gloss
Diane: Lemon Cuticle Cream

Favorite kitchen gadget
Diane: Press & Seal wrap
Connie: Pampered Chef small cutting board with knife

Favorite stores
Connie: Francesca's Collections at Village Pointe and Jean Marie's at 144th & Maple
Diane: Nell Hill's in Atchison, Kan.

Favorite cookbook
Connie: "Everyday Italian" by Giada De Laurentis
Diane: "Deceptively Delicious" by Jessica Seinfeld

What are some of your favorite things? Share with us! Leave a comment!

Ways to handle stages in kids' lives

2009-04-13T10:40:00.005-05:00

By Connie Lusk, 1/3 Mentor Mom

According to a research article by Dr. A. Gesell, a psychologist and pediatrician, there is plenty we can do to help and soothe a child when he’s feeling overwhelmed.

18 months: Your little one may become difficult, cry easily and throw temper tantrums with little or no warnings. I read that your child can be struggling to communicate her needs but doesn’t have the skills to make sense of her feelings or the language to get them across to you.
What you can do: Be patient! Hug, cuddle and talk to him/her in soothing tones. Offer them choices of 2 and prepare them for any changes by telling them what is going to happen before the actual event. Studies have shown that between the ages of 18-24 mos., toddlers look to their moms for comfort when upset.

2½ years: (The Defiant Stage) Your toddler wants to do the opposite of what you want him/her to do, which makes for a lot of “nos.” They have trouble making choices and seek comfort in having the same lunch every day or wearing the same PJs every night, for example. Experts say this stage is when your child is trying to learn independence while at the same time forming a sense of self.
What you can do: Be patient! Establish consistent routines; shorten visits to child-unfriendly places; provide distractions to help them keep their cool.

3½ years: Your preschooler may be scared and insecure one day, then stubborn and willful the next. This is a clumsy phase both emotionally and physically as they struggle with coordination. Fears often develop during the preschool years. Their imagination takes off which makes it hard for them to decipher between reality and fantasy.
What you can do: Be patient! Talk with your child about his/her fears. Teach her/him words that match the different emotions. Encourage the use of words when they are angry or frustrated.

4½ years: (Unpredictable Stage) There will be times when he/she acts like a 4-year-old and others when they act like a 5-year-old, as they struggle with bouts of insecurity and changing emotions. Self esteem is a big issue in this stage.
What you can do: Be patient! When upset, distract your child by doing something like singing his/her favorite song or counting all the red things in the room. Let him/her know that they matter to you by asking, “How can we make you feel better?”

Magnet directions

2008-11-26T10:07:00.002-06:00

Here are the directions to the magnet we made as our Creative Activity during our MOPS meetings earlier this month.

Supplies

Clear stones (2 lb. bag in the Wal-Mart craft area for $1.88)
Button Magnets --1/2-inch or 5/8-inch size (found at Michael’s or Hobby Lobby, $5.99 for 50 of the ½-inch size at Michael’s or packages of 12 for $1.49)
Scrapbook paper
Aileen’s glue (found at any craft store)

Directions
Trace around the magnet on the scrapbook paper. Cut out the traced circle, spread glue on the front of the circle and place on stone. Spread glue on the magnet and place on top of the scrapbook paper. Let dry overnight, the stone will appear fuzzy, but will dry clear.

You can also use faces from pictures or plain-colored scrapbook paper with letter stickers on it.

"Fuel for Your Day" resources

2008-11-18T09:11:00.002-06:00

Here are some of the resources used by the Mentor Moms in their recent talks about "Fuel for Your Day."

Books
Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld
The Sneaky Chef by Missy Lapine
Eat This, Not That! For Kids! by David Zinczenko and Matt Goulding
Once A Month Cooking by Mary-Beth Lagerborg and Mimi Wilson

Magazines
Taste of Home
Simple & Delicious
Cooking For 2
food & family

Websites
Relish!
All Recipes
Kraft Foods

Library
They have a huge assortment of cookbooks.

Newspaper
The Wednesday paper has recipes plus all the grocery ads.

Handouts from the meeting
Breakfast recipes
Fuel for Your Day quiz

Do you have more ideas? Feel free to leave a comment or e-mail us!

"The Birth Order of Children"

2008-11-17T10:10:00.000-06:00

Maternity Clothes
1st baby: You begin wearing maternity clothes as soon as your OB/GYN confirms your pregnancy.
2nd baby: You wear your regular clothes for as long as possible.
3rd baby: Your maternity clothes ARE your regular clothes.

Preparing for the Birth
1st baby: You practice your breathing religiously.
2nd baby: You don't bother because you remember that last time breathing didn't do a thing.
3rd baby: You ask for an epidural in your eighth month.

The Layette
1st baby: You prewash newborn's clothes, color coordinate them, and fold them neatly in the baby's little bureau.
2nd baby: You check to make sure that the clothes are clean and discard only the ones with the darkest stains.
3rd baby: Boys can wear pink, can't they?

Worries
1st baby: At the first sign of distress -- a whimper, a frown -- you pick up the baby.
2nd baby: You pick the baby up when her wails threaten to wake your firstborn.
3rd baby: You teach your three-year-old how to rewind the mechanical swing.

Pacifier
1st baby: If the pacifier falls on the floor, you put it away until you can go home and wash and boil it.
2nd baby: When the pacifier falls on the floor, you squirt it off with some juice from the baby's bottle.
3rd baby: You wipe it off on your shirt and pop it back in.

Diapering
1st baby: You change your baby's diapers every hour, whether they need it or not.
2nd baby: You change their diaper every two to three hours, if needed.
3rd baby: You try to change their diaper before others start to complain about the smell or you see it sagging to their knees.

Activities
1st baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics, Baby Swing, and Baby Story Hour.
2nd baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics.
3rd baby: You take your infant to the supermarket and the dry cleaner.

Going Out
1st baby: The first time you leave your baby with a sitter, you call home five times.
2nd baby: Just before you walk out the door, you remember to leave a number where you can be reached.
3rd baby: You leave instructions for the sitter to call only if she sees blood.

At Home
1st baby : You spend a good bit of every day just gazing at the baby.
2nd baby: You spend a bit of everyday watching to be sure your older child isn't squeezing, poking, or hitting the baby.
3rd baby: You spend a little bit of every day hiding from the children.

Swallowing Coins
1st child: When first child swallows a coin, you rush the child to the hospital and demand x-rays.
2nd child: When second child swallows a coin, you carefully watch for the coin to pass.
3rd child: When third child swallows a coin, you deduct it from his allowance.

Thanks to Joy Kaeding for sharing this with us!

Chicken Enchilada Dip

2008-11-10T12:43:00.004-06:00

And the winning recipe from the Mom's Night Out is ... Emily Jackson's Chicken Enchilada Dip!

Great job, Emily! Super yummy!

Chicken Enchilada Dip

1 lb. chicken, cooked (or you could use canned chicken)
2 cups mayo (You could use about 1-1/2 cups. Two could be too much depending on the amount of chicken you have.)
1 (8 0z.) package of cream cheese, softened
1 can green chiles
1 small jar (or half a large jar) roasted red peppers
1 bag sharp Cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together softened cream cheese and mayo. Add the chicken, green chiles and red peppers. Put in dish, add cheese to the top. (I also put a little of the cheese in the mixture to make it cheesier.)

Bake for 30 minutes until it is bubbly and the cheese is melted. Great with tortilla chips or tortillas!

Airline travel tips

2008-11-06T11:42:00.004-06:00

As promised in the November issue of "In the Loop," Robyn Roberts has compiled a list of airplane travel tips and a list of even more helpful travel tips.

With peak travel time just a few weeks away during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday breaks, hopefully your trips will go smoother this year!

Thanks, Robyn, for all your extra hard work!

"I am Yours" video

2008-11-05T10:16:00.004-06:00

This video is incredibly powerful! It's a dramatic interpretation of Casting Crowns' "I am Yours."

A big thank you to Heather Reid for sharing the link with us!

(Don't forget to pause the jukebox at the bottom of our website before you hit play on the video!)

Subscribe to our website via e-mail

2008-11-03T08:29:00.001-06:00

Do you forget to check our website for updates? Don't worry, we've made things easier for you -- subscribe to our updates via e-mail!

Just click on this link and enter your e-mail address or go to the box on the right side of our website and enter your e-mail address there.

Our updates will come directly to your inbox! This way you won't miss any important information. How easy is that!?!

The Mom Song by Go Fish

2008-10-30T12:53:00.002-05:00

Here's a video to brighten your day. Enjoy!

(Don't forget to pause the music at the bottom of our website before playing the video!)

Moms never stop working!

2008-10-22T14:28:00.002-05:00

Used with permission.

Check it out! Autumn books

2008-09-23T09:23:00.004-05:00

Now that fall is here, it's the perfect time to curl up with your kiddos and read a book!

10 Great Books to Teach Your Kids About Autumn
Compiled by Jena Meyerpeter, 2/4 MOPS

1. "Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf" by Lois Ehlert
2. "P is for Pumpkin; God’s Harvest Alphabet" by Kathy-jo Wargin and Yawen Ariel Pang
3. "Pumpkin, Pumpkin" by Jean Titherington
4. "Clifford’s First Autumn" by Normal Bridwell
5. "Mouse’s First Fall" by Lauren Thompson
6. "Autumn Walk" by Ann Burg
7. "Red Are the Apples" by Marc Harshman and Cheryl Ryan
8. "The Pumpkin Gospel" by Matt Whitlock
9. "The Apple Pie Tree" by Zoe Hall
10. "It’s Pumpkin Time!" By Zoe Hall

Creative Activity: Luggage Tags

2008-09-18T12:44:00.008-05:00

So you want to make more of the oh-so-cute luggage tags -- the craft for the Sept. 18/25 meetings?

Here's a PDF of the directions. Happy crafting!

2007-2008 Recipes

2008-08-26T20:22:00.004-05:00

We've compiled a list of popular recipes that were served at MOPS meetings last year. Thanks to all the ladies who took the time to contribute!

If you have a recipe you would be willing to share, please e-mail us! We would be happy to post it on this website.

Sweet 'n' Crunchy Mix

2008-08-18T11:13:00.003-05:00

If you've brought a recipe to a MOPS event and had several people ask you for the recipe, feel free to send it to us, and we'll post it on this site.

Here's a link to the recipe for Sweet 'n' Crunchy Mix. It was a hit at the Steering Team Retreat!

We're on Facebook!

2008-07-29T13:31:00.001-05:00

Did you know that Brookside MOPS has a Facebook group? Stay in touch with your MOPS friends in cyberspace! The group is open to all current and former members of Brookside MOPS.

In order to join the group, you must create a profile on Facebook and then request to join the group or be invited by a current member. (We've chosen for the group to be "closed" in order to keep the creepy crawlies out!)

If you've never been on Facebook, it can be a lot of fun ... and addicting!