Swine Flu

(submitted by Amisha)

Information for parents and caregivers:
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/parents.htm

Welcome Baby Evan Gabriel

Amy, Serge, and Gavin welcomed Evan Gabriel on Sunday, April 26. He weighed 7 pounds 4 ounces and was 20.5 inches long.

Question of the week!

What was the hardest thing you had to give up while pregnant?

Sending a BIG virtual hug to...

NMF member MELISSA and her soon-to-be baby girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Melissa, you are in our thoughts & prayers! Melissa is on bed rest right now and is staying sooooo strong and sooooo positive!

Hang in there!
XOXOXO

Question of the week!

What is your favorite item at Trader Joe's Grocery Store? Feel free to list a few of your favs! :)

April NMF Meeting: Gardening!

Our April meeting was on Gardening! Our own NMF member, Stephanie, gave an excellent presentation on how to start a garden, how to make it an educational/fun activity for kids, and tips on organic gardening. It was soooo informative! Steph did an wonderful job!! Each member walked away with a packet of information and an English Garden's membership card that is valued at $20.00. The card allows our members to receive 10% off of all of their English Garden purchases. Guests also received some fun favors including seeds for their gardens, gardening gloves and tools, and some sassy shopping bags.

Thank you to all of our guests who brought some very "meeting appropriate" dishes to pass. For example, Amy brought a pasta salad tossed with tons of fresh veggies and Jodi brought dirt pudding! :)

Meeting Overview:

Why Garden:

1. Exposure to sun boosts mental and emotional health.

2. Studies show that children are happier and healthier when given regular opportunities to go outside.

3. Gardening encourages empathy and close observation.

4. It is great exercise!

5. Create an outdoor classroom: Gardening encourages Entomology, Botany, and Physical Science.

6. Gardening equals happiness!

7. Gardening encourages good health and nutrition.

8. You have tons of yummy veggies at your finger tips! :)

The Basics:

1. Pick the perfect spot! A good garden needs 8 hours of uninterrupted sunlight.

2. Sizing up your garden! What size garden do you want to take on... 4x4, 10x10???

3.Proper soil preparation. The most important step!!!

How to start seeds:

1. Growing your own seeds gives you control over what you want to grow. Plus, doing your own seeds saves you money vs. buying a "starter plant" at a garden center.

Composting:

1. Often called "Gardner's Gold." You can buy compost or create your own.

Organic Gardening:

1. Organic gardening avoids the use of any pesticides and fungicides.

**This outline has been condensed for the blog. Steph's outline was much more thorough.

Looking Forward!

May Meeting:

Please join us for our traditional NMF Mother's Day Brunch! Last year was such a success that we decided to make it a mother's day tradition!Feel free to bring a special guest to this event. Your mom, grandma, or a special friend. This brunch is going to honor women who have played a special role in your life!

The brunch is going to be free for you and your guest! We are asking members only to bring a breakfast dish to pass. Coffee and juice will be provided.We are also asking NMF members to bring a small item for our fundraiser, Autism Speaks.

We are going to attempt the "Make it, Bake it, Fake it" fundraiser again. If you choose to participate, you would need to bring one item (or more) for the auction. All items will be on display throughout our brunch for members to view and after brunch we will have a fun auction.

Examples of items:

Make it: Any craft item, coffee mug stuffed with candy,gift basket, recipe cards, homemade cards or gift bags, etc.

Bake it: A dozen cookies, brownies, cup cakes, etc.

Fake it: A small toy, personal care items, books, cds, dvds, jewelry, a journal, games, anything for children, etc.

Basically, your donation is the item(s) you bring for the auction. Also bring some change and dollar bills so you can purchase items at the auction as well. We are hoping our guests will be interested in purchasing items too. All of the proceeds will go to Autism Speaks!

Please remind guests that they don't have to bring a thing!!! We want our important guests to relax and have a fun morning!

What to bring:

1) Breakfast dish to pass

2) An item for the fundraiser

Please RSVP by April 25th. Be sure to include your breakfast dish with your reply so we can avoid duplicates.

Hope you can make it! :)

It's that time of year...

(submitted by Kim)

Allergies!!! UGHHH!

http://www.babycenter.com/0_allergies_73.bc?scid=momsbaby_20090414:2&pe=2UuRbwd

Three words!

(submitted by Kim)

Three words to improve your relationship!

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/personal/04/14/p.words.to.improve.relationship/index.html

Question of the week!

(website submitted by Holly)

Do you have a favorite recipe that you would be willing to share with our group? If you need some good ideas, sign up for www.chefmama.com's weekly emails.

Welcome Ruby Antoinette

Maria and Dave welcome Ruby into the world...

April 7th at 12:30 p.m.

6 lbs. 1 oz.  20 inches

Story Time

(submitted by Amisha)

Story time every Tuesday at Pottery Barn for Kids! :)

http://www.potterybarnkids.com/cust/bookclub/content.cfm?&bnrid=3501670&cm_ven=Email&cm_cat=Book_Club&cm_pla=Retail&cm_ite=ret_find_book_club_info&cm_em=ames207@yahoo.com

Mom 2 Mom Sale

(submitted by Andrea)

"MOM 2 MOM sale " on Saturday,
May 2 at 10:00am.

Andrea says, "This Mom-to-Mom sale is an opportunity to purchase new/gently used infant, children's, and maternity items. Many great deals can be found on clothing, toys, strollers, furniture, and much more! Entry fee is $1. Invite your friends!!".

Event: MOM 2 MOM sale What: Retail

Host: Cross of Christ Lutheran Church

Start Time: Saturday, May 2 at 10:00am

End Time: Saturday, May 2 at 1:00pm

Where: Cross of Christ Lutheran Chruch

To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=74462791568&mid=3daf85G20be854dG15810b8G7

Daily Time Usage Calculator

(submitted by Kim)

This is really interesting! See how your time usage compares to the average person.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/03/30/how.busy.are.you/index.html

Question of the week!

How do you feel about mom-to-mom sales? Do you love them or hate them? What is the best "used" item you have purchased at a mom-to-mom sale?