March 2014 Newsletter by MOPS-EdmondFPC

march 2014

ENTS

M O T H E R S O F P R E S C H O O L E R S First Presbyterian Church // Edmond, Oklahoma

being present in your child’s day Adapted from article by Tricia Goyer, read full article here: http://www.thebettermom.com/2013/06/28/40-ways-to-be-present-in-your-childs-day/

The true gifts of life lie in the moment. That is why we call it the present. ~ Author Unknown In the midst of a busy day it’s easy for mamas to think of our children as “tasks” rather than as “hearts” we need to connect with. “If young children live in the present and adults spend most of their time in the past or in the future, we have abandoned our children to some degree,” says Becky Bailey, PH.D., author of I Love Your Rituals. How often are your children present but abandoned in your day? Do you expect them to be able to entertain themselves so you can get your work done? Do you use the television or video games to keep your kids occupied more than you should so you can focus on your work? We must give our children attention—real, focused, positive attention. When our child’s love tank/attention tank is full, then he or she has fuel to feed other positive relationships. Each moment in our day we have the choice to be present. Our children will not only benefit from it, but we will reap the rewards. Ways to Be Present in Your Child’s Day: • Sing “This Little Piggie Went to Market” as you put on your child’s socks. • Make eye contact when your child asks you a question. • Use different voices when reading a bedtime story. • Play horsey ride. • Take a deep breath and say a prayer thanking God for “right now.” • Get on the floor and invite your child to join you. • Create a gratitude journal with your kids and add to it through the day. • Put down your smart phone. Set it aside and pick it up and check it once and hour. • Write things you appreciate about your kids on post-it notes and repeat these things often. • Add a sprinkling of love to your child’s lunch. Ask, “What is one thing I can do to show my child I love him/her during this meal?” • Ignore the dishes, the laundry, the vacuuming for the first hour of the day and start the day off with your child. • Teach your child a finger play you knew as a child. • Find ways to say “Yes” rather than “No.” • Start again if a moment’s not going right. Call out, “Do over!” • Teach your child a simple chore. • Slow down. Take twice as long as you plan on doing

something, and do it with your child. • Tell your child about an experience you had when you were his/her age. • Soak in your child’s stories. Ask for more details. • Ask your child what he/she would like to do for ten minutes. Set a timer and have fun. • Go into the yard and see what type of creatures you can find. • Play Simon Says. • Tell your child than you are so thankful he/she is part of your family. • Bring out your photo album and share a special memory. • Offer a hug. • Ask your child to help you with whatever your working on. • Go on a lunch date. • Visit the library. • Memorize a Bible verse together. • Turn off the Television • Forgive yourself. Don’t let your mind wander to the past and all the ways you’ve messed up as a parent. Give that to God. • If you find yourself thinking/worrying about the future file that away for later when your kids are in bed. Better yet, give that to God, too!

moppets news Due to security changes at First Presbyterian Church Edmond, the back staircase by the children’s area will be locked during MOPS. Please use the main staircases and elevators by the sanctuary. We are taking snack donations for our MOPPETS program. Please only bring SUNSHINE BRAND CHEEZ ITS or NABISCO HONEY MAID GRAHAHMS because of allergy precautions.

M O P S E D M O N D F P C . B L O G S P O T. C O M

F RO N T

Gift tag with the recipe

B AC K

Make your own laundry detergent for yourself or cut out the tag to give as a gift!

R EC IP E IN G R E D IE N T S

H OMEMA DE

Laundry Detergent TO

FROM

1 (4 lb 12 oz) box of Borax* 1 (3 lb 7 oz) box of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda* 1 (3 lb) container of OxyClean* (Optional but highly recommended.) 2 (14.1 oz) bars of Zote Soap* (We chose to do pink for the scent but the white would be just fine. You can also use Fels Naptha.) 1 (4 lb) box of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda** Optional: Bottles of fabric enhancer. We prefer Scentsy Washer Whiffs*** (4 bottles) or Purex Crystals* (two 55 oz bottles). It makes your laundry smell amazing. *Found in the detergent aisle **Found in the cooking aisle ***Available at Scentsy.com D IR E C T IO N S

1. Grate Zote Soap with cheese grater or food processor. 2. Mix all ingredients together in a large bucket. 3. Use 2 -4 Tablespoons per laundry load.

TOMATO BASIL PARMESAN SOUP

From http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com

ingredients H OMEMA 2 (14 oz) cans diced tomatoes, DE with juice 1 cup finely diced celery 1 cup finely diced carrots 1 cup finely diced onions 1 teaspoon dried oregano or 1 Tablespoon fresh oregano 1/4 cup fresh basil 4 cups chicken broth ½ bay leaf T O ½ cup flour 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese ½ cup butter 2 cups half and half, warmed FROM (substitute milk for less calories) 1 teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon black pepper

directions

R EC IP E

IN G R E D IE N T S

1 (4 lb 12 oz) box of Borax*

1.) Add tomatoes, celery, 1 (3 lb 7carrots, oz) box of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda* chicken broth, onions, 1 (3oregano, lb) containerbasil, of OxyClean* (Optional but highly and bay leaf to a large slow cooker. recommended.) 2.) Cover and cook on LOW 2 (14.1 oz)for bars5-7 of Zote Soap* (We chose to do pink for hours, until flavors are blended and the scent but the white would be just fine. You can vegetables are soft. At this point also use Fels Naptha.) I added all of the vegetables toArm a & Hammer Baking Soda** 1 (4 lb) box of blender and blended until smooth. If Optional: Bottles of fabric enhancer. We prefer Scentsy you have a hand immersion blender Washer Whiffs*** (4 bottles) or Purex Crystals* (two that would work great. If55you preferItamakes your laundry smell amazing. oz bottles). chunkier texture you*Found can leave it as is aisle in the detergent or even blend just some of it. Return **Found in the cooking aisle blended veggies back to the slow cooker. ***Available at Scentsy.com 3.) About 30 minutes before serving prepare the roux. Melt butter D IR E C T IO add N S the flour. Stir roux constantly over low heat in a skillet and 1. Grate Zote Soap with cheese food soup. processor. with a whisk for 5-7 minutes. Slowly whisk in grater 1 cupor hot Add 2. Mix all ingredients together in a large bucket. another 3 cups and stir until smooth. Add all back into the slow UseParmesan 2 -4 Tablespoons per warmed half and half, cooker. Stir and add3.the cheese, laundry load. salt and pepper. 4.) Cover and cook on LOW for another 30 minutes or so until ready to serve. Serve with warm rolls and a green salad.

Laundry Detergent

CLEANING ..................... checklist......... spring

kitchen

clean out fridge & freezer clean oven remove & clean stove burners & knobs clean out & wipe down drawers & cupboards discard old spices mop floor & baseboards on hands & knees wipe down top of fridge clean behind fridge, if possible

bedrooms

wash all bedding, including mattress pads, bedskirts, and comforters replace or wash pillows go through closets, switch out seasonal clothing rotate & flip mattresses, if necessary

laundry room clean behind washer & dryer remove front lint plate and clean thoroughly

www.simplykierste.com

general

dust ceiling fans dust ceilings and corners of walls dust/clean vents & fans clean blinds wash windows, inside & out vacuum out windowsills, rinse screens dust/clean all light fixtures wash walls & baseboards vacuum or wash draperies & curtains wash or beat rugs wash down doors & light switch plates clean/shampoo carpets change air filter safety inspection: smoke & carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers vaccum out couches & chairs vacuum/use lint roller on lamps vaccum out sliding glass door tracks clean out medicine cabinets, safely discard old prescriptions

This article & printable is adapted from http://simplykierste.com/2013/03/spring-cleaning-checklist.html The words “spring cleaning” might strike fear deep into your heart, but it is totally doable and you will love the difference it makes in your home. Here are some tips to get started. 1. Make a list! If you know what you need to do, and have a place to check it off, you will be much more successful. It’s wonderful to see yourself making progress, and staying organized in the process. Print out the printable above, and keep it in a binder, or even place in a frame and use a Sharpie or dry erase marker to check items off. 2. Have a plan! Once you have your list in place, decide which tasks are going to be done when--make a schedule. Spreading it out makes it so much more doable and approachable, and you won’t feel like it’s going to consume your whole life. Part of your plan can be to enlist help--kids can be great helpers!

3. Get prepared! Make sure you have everything you need ahead of time, and then once you start, you won’t have to stop or put it off. You can use a cleaning caddy and keep all necessary cleaners and supplies in it. It’s so handy to store, and then to carry from room to room. 4. Maintenance! Once everything has been checked off on your spring cleaning list, plan to maintain it through the year.

Want to contribute an article, recipe, devotional, tips or anything else to the newsletter? Are you interested in writing a guest blog post for the MOPS blog? E-mail us at mopsedmondfpc@gmail.com with your ideas.

MARCH/APRIL 2014 9

MOPS MEETING

Chasing James St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Open Streets OKC

Super Sprowtz Show

Community events March 15 // FREE Chasing James Concert 11-11:30 a.m. / Green Bambino (5120 N. Shartel) A kid-friendly band of local moms.

March 15 // St Patrick’s Day Parade in OKC

11 a.m. / Chesapeake Energy Arena Starts on Reno near the Myriad Gardens and concludes in Bricktown.

March 17 // FREE Super Sprowtz Show

11 a.m. / Myriad Gardens Join Colby Carrot, Brian Broccoli and Erica Eggplant for their fun, interactive Super Sprowtz tour as they lead the audience through super hero training camp featuring songs, dancing and games.

March 21 // Lil’ Kickers Open House

10 a.m. - Noon / SoccerCity OKC Allows children to sample Lil’ Kickers classes and meet the coaches. Includes fun activities for kids. Ages 18 months-9 years. FREE and open to the public.

March 28 // H&8th Night Market

7 - 11 p.m. / SoccerCity OKC Features a family- and pet-friendly street festival built around gourmet food trucks, live music and more. This event occurs monthly, on the last Friday of March, April, May, June, July, August and September. www.h8thokc.com

MOPS MEETING H&8th Night Market

Lil’ Kickers Open House

Kids Fest & Education Expo

MOPS MEETING

March 30 // Open Streets OKC

12 - 4 p.m. / NW 23rd from Western to Robinson Includes bicycle helmet fittings and giveaways, a gymnastics set-up, an inflatable goal kick, a pop-up playground, high-energy dance fitness and more, as well as food trucks. www.openstreetsokc.com

April 5 // Kids Fest & Education Expo

11:30 - 4:30 p.m. / Cox Convention Center A high-energy expo atmosphere, entertainment on the stage, inflatables, roaming costumed characters, great door prizes and much more! $5 adults, children ages 18 & under are FREE. www.metrofamilymagazine.com/Web2014/MetroFamilys-2014-Kids-Fest/

Alisa Nelson Studio *Paintings*Custom Art* Children’s Art*Art Lessons*

alisanelsonstudio.com facebook.com/AlisaNelsonStudio alisa@alisanelsonstudio.com 405-921-1883