December 2015/January 2016 TPC Newsletter by Taieri Parents Centre

December 2015/January 2016 Newsletter

PO Box 129, 17 Green Street, Mosgiel

parentscentretaieri@gmail.com www.taieriparentscentre.co.nz Dec 2015/Jan 2016

Inside this issue: TPC Christmas Party

Pg. 8

Situations Vacant

Pg. 9

Upcoming Events

Pg. 11

Summer Holiday Car Seat Check

Pg. 13

Homemade Ornament Recipe

Pg. 15

Photo Competition

Pg. 19

Entertaining kidsâ&#x20AC;Ś while lying down

Pg. 21

Congratulations to Leslie Pijpker and Stephanie for their winning photo featured on the cover! For other entries and next monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s photo contest theme, see Page 19. Disclaimer: Opinions and articles in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect policies of Parents Centres NZ Inc. Content featured in this newsletter has been credited to its source material, contributors maintain original copyright. Advertising features are explicitly stated and do not imply endorsement by Parents Centre NZ Inc.

Taieri Parents Centre

Letter from the editor: Kate Jones

Wow it’s been a busy week, month, make that the entire year! I can’t believe how quickly 2015 has gone. There’s been some awesome memories (hurray New Zealand Rugby World Cup Champions!) and lots of changes and new experiences. For the Jones family, it’s been pretty cool to watch our bright-eyed baby girl transform into an independent toddler. My bulging stomach blocking the view of my keyboard also reminds me to announce that we’re also getting ready to welcome Baby #2 in February, so lots to look forward to (and still prepare for!) in the New Year. We loved seeing some of our members’ favourite memories from 2015, check out the submissions for the Photo Competition on Page 19. We’ve also got some big plans for the Taieri Parents Centre in 2016, look out for details for events during the year in our February/March 2016 edition. Some of our services will be taking a break until the beginning of Term 1, but you can still attend Bumps and Bubs which will be resuming on January 14th, 2016. But before we sign off for the year, I just want to remind you all there’s the TPC Christmas Party to look forward to on Sunday December 13th, more details on Page 8. If we don’t get a chance to catch up with you there, everyone at TPC would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas, safe and happy Holidays, and best wishes for the New Year.

Cheers, Kate

Dec 2015/Jan 2016

President’s Report Kim Timperley MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! Eden here……..My Mama is so busy at the moment that she forgot that she had to write her Presidents report so I thought I’d help her out and write it for her. I’m only 20 months old so lucky for me this thing has spell check. Mama says that everyone on committee has really worked their butts off this last 6 months and that they all deserve a really big present from Santa. I’m not really sure who Santa is but Mama says he brings nice things to good people and give lumps of coal to bad people. I hope I don’t get any coal……it sounds yuck…….ANYWAY….

A HUGE THANK YOU To all the committee from Mama. She thinks she’s very lucky to get to work with such a great group of mama’s who care so much about making parenting a positive experience for all of the rest of you. Also thank you to everyone else who helped out with events over this last year – it helps a lot!! Oh guess what?!.... Mama says Santa is going to be at the TPC Christmas Party so I guess we will all get to meet him then. Are you excited? There’s going to be games and food and a bouncy castle!! I can’t wait to meet all of you…….I’ll be the cute one in a pretty dress. Just in case you can’t remember, it’s on

Sunday the 13th of December at the Taieri Rugby Rooms and it starts at 9:30am. There’s probably not a lot else that I can talk to you about really. It’s time to put the Christmas decorations up and enjoy lots of happy family time together in this beautiful weather that we’ve been having. Don’t forget to SLIP SLOP SLAP and keep your babies sun safe. Our skin is very delicate when we are young. Mama will be back in business for the next report I think….although I quite like being able to talk to all of you so maybe she’ll let me do it again. 2016 is looking like it’s going to be an exciting year for TPC! So until February, Merry Christmas everyone and have a safe and happy New Year.

Love from Eden. Xxx

Taieri Parents Centre

Advertisements Dec 2015/Jan 2016

$25 off for TPC members

Advertisements 5

Taieri Parents Centre

Our Weekly Services

Dec 2015/Jan 2016

Music & Movement Music and Movement classes aim to provide a fun and stimulating environment for your child to benefit through sound, movement and music and an opportunity for you to meet and socialise with other parents. The appropriate Music & Movement class for your child is dependent on your child’s level of confidence, stage of development and class numbers.

Jigglers Classes are held every Monday during school term. 9.30 – 10.00am: Little Jigglers (walkers)

10.00 – 10.30am:

Morning Tea

10.30 – 11.00am:Baby Jigglers (NB to crawlers) Music Gym Classes are held every Friday during school term.

9.30 – 10.15am: Music Gym (3 – 5yrs) 10.15 – 10.45am:

Morning Tea

10.45 - 11.15am Music Gym (2 1/2 - 3yrs) Parental participation is required in all classes. Current Taieri Parents Centre members: FREE Non-Members: $25 per term ($10 for each extra child enrolled) All enquiries: Donna Christensen 489-8360, dave.donna@vodafone.co.nz

Taieri Parents Centre

Let's all get together with our families and celebrate the silly season!! Order of the day will be: - Start at 9:30am with a morning tea provided by TPC - During morning tea Santa will pay a visit and he will have a little something small for all the children. - After morning tea, the playgroup and music children will perform for us. (If your child is part of this part of the day then please ensure you are there by 10:15am) - Following the concert, we will have a few fun family games for adults and kids alike! - Once everyone has worked up an appetite, we will have a BBQ lunch to end the festivities. PLEASE NOTE: TPC will put on a sausage sizzle (including bread and sauce) but please also bring a plate of something savoury or sweet to help with catering. REMEMBER NO NUTS PLEASE! I hope to see all of you there and lets keep our fingers crossed for sunny weather! Oh and there's also going to be a bouncy castle!!!

Dec 2015/Jan 2016

Situations Vacant HEY YOU!!! YES, YOU reading this notice… can you help? These are the roles we currently have available on our committee and we would love to see them all filled. If you think you could be interested in one of the roles listed please contact Kim Timperley on 027 4243476 or parentscentretaieri@gmail.com

1. MARKETING & PUBLICITY MANAGER – approx. 3 hours a week To raise the profile of Parents Centre in the community and assist in retaining and increasing Centre membership. Organise advertising and press releases for the Taieri Times & Star, flyers and posters around town (ideally you would be able to make the flyers and posters as well so some computing skills would be preferable) and keeping the noticeboard up to date. 2. FUNDRAISING AND EVENTS CO-ORDINATOR – variable depending on the event Main organiser for events (with lots of support from other committee members), and keeping members informed about what is going on. Ensure activities and events are listed on Facebook; organising events (scheduling, booking venue, organising marketing etc.). You would not be on your own making these events happen, but would be the key person ‘in charge’, delegating and making sure nothing is overlooked. 3. TREASURERS ASSISTANT – as Treasurer needs Buddy and assist the treasurer with the day to day handling of monies and possibly paying bills. A good lead into the treasurer’s role. 4. ADVERTISING/SPONSORSHIP CO-ORDINATOR – approx. 1 hour each week (or less) Coordinator of advertising for our newsletter and liaising with the Publicity officer. You would be responsible for maintaining a register of newsletter advertisers; keeping in contact with advertisers regarding their ads and forwarding ads to the newsletter editor for each issue; passing billing information to the Treasurer; liaising with potential new advertisers; maintaining the membership discount scheme.

Taieri Parents Centre

5. SUBCOMMITTEES – these assist the main roles and usually take much less time - FUNDRAISING & EVENTS SUB-COMMITTEE Take ownership of a fundraising event or be part of a team helping to organize and man activities/events as they arise. - NEWSLETTER SUBCOMMITTEE Take ownership of a section of the newsletter - the recipes, an article or column and prepare that section for each issue. Or just liaise with the editor over what they need help with for each issue. Endless opportunities - as little or as much as you like!

NEW PROGRAMMES We want to start running the following programmes for our members but we need facilitators! 1. BABY AND YOU FACILITATOR Facilitator for the “Baby and You” programme for mums with babies age 0-3 months. You would be responsible for liaising with the CBE coordinator and speakers to schedule courses; marketing the courses appropriately; being present at the sessions as a hostess and facilitator. This role is a great way to meet other mums. The course runs for 3 sessions approximately 5 times a year. 2. MOVING AND MUNCHING FACILITATOR Facilitator for the Moving and Munching programme for mums with babies aged 612 months. You would be responsible for liaising with speakers to schedule courses; marketing the courses appropriately; being present at the sessions as a hostess and facilitator. This role is a great way to meet other mums. The course runs for 3 sessions approximately 4 times a year. 3. TINIES TO TOTS FACILITATOR Facilitator for the Tinies and Tots programme for mums with babies age 10 -18 months. You would be responsible for liaising with speakers to schedule courses, marketing the courses appropriately, being present at the sessions as a hostess and facilitator. The course will be run for 5 sessions 2 times a year.

Dec 2015/Jan 2016

TPC Upcoming Events TPC Christmas Party Taieri Rugby Football Club Music and Motion Last day of term

Sunday, December 13th 9:30 am - 2:00 pm More details on Pg 8 Monday, December 14th 9:30 - 11:30 am

TPC Playgroup - End of year shared afternoon tea

Wednesday, December 16th

TPC Bumps and Bubs - Final session of year (resumes 14th January 2016)

Thursday, December 17th, 1:30 - 3:00 pm

TPC Committee Meeting TPC

Taieri Parents Centre

Tuesday, January 5th , 7:30 pm

Childbirth Education Classes

Mel Harkness 03 488 1955 tpccbe@gmail.com

Dates for 2016 January: 24, 30, 31 (fully booked, wait list only) March: 6, 12, 13 (fully booked, wait list only) April 2016: Open, please contact Mel for details Dec 2015/Jan 2016

Are you planning on travelling over the festive break? Make sure you get our car seat technician to check your car seats! Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always wise to get a health check done on your car; this INCLUDES your car seats. Keep yourselves, and your children as safe as possible! If you are a member this service is FREE!!! Contact Claire to book in ASAP â&#x20AC;&#x201C; times book up quickly. tpc4carseats@gmail.com 0274605534

Taieri Parents Centre

Dec 2015/Jan 2016

Christmas Craft: Homemade Ornaments

Ingredients/Equipment Needed 1 cup flour (self-rising flour should not be used as it will cause the ornaments to bubble up while baking)  1/2 cup salt  1/2 cup water (or more as needed)  Rolling pin  Cookie sheet  Drinking straw  Holiday shaped cookie cutters Acrylic paints  Paintbrush  Glitter  Ribbon  Parchment paper 

Taieri Parents Centre

Instructions: 1. Preheat oven to conventional bake at 120 deg C. Measure flour and salt, then add them to medium mixing bowl and stir. 2. Add water 3. Mix thoroughly. Sprinkle parchment paper with flour and knead dough until itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s soft and pliable. Add more flour if itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ultra sticky. 4. Using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll dough to ~1/2 - 1 cm thickness 5. Cut out ornaments using cookie cutters 6. Place cut outs on ungreased cookie sheets 7. Using your straw, cut out small holes for the ribbon to hang the ornament 8. Place ornaments in oven and bake for 2-3 hours or until completely dry. Flip once while baking, then remove and allow to cool completely before decorating. 9. Once they have cooled, decorate ornaments using paint, glitter, glued pieces, etc! 10. To make ornaments last for many Christmases, can spray with non-toxic varnish spray 11. Alternatively, you can also use food colouring to dye dough and make pressed hand or feet ornaments of your little ones

Credit: http://www.mommypotamus.com/how-to-make-salt-dough-ornaments/

Dec 2015/Jan 2016

TPC Playgroup

Leap Trampoline Park

Taieri Parents Centre

Orokunui Ecosanctuary

Dec 2015/Jan 2016

Entertaining Kids… While Lying Down It’s the holidays. You’re tired, it’s hot, and there’s lots of yummy food and adult beverages to consume. You can still get your rest and relax a bit while simultaneously entertaining your brood, here are some tips: Editor’s Note: Just so it doesn’t seem like TPC is being extra lazy (ok, maybe a little lazy) there are literally thousands of links and Pinterest boards on this topic. Even the uber-conservative Baby Center website has 40 tips for keeping parents sane entertaining kids while lying down. So don’t feel too guilty, you’ve earned it ;)

Guess what’s on your butt. Yes, it really is something you can do with your kid. Lie down on your stomach, either on the bed or the floor, and have your child place something on your butt and you have to guess what it is. They’ll crack up at the idea and the fact that you’re saying ‘butt.’ 2. Make a tent. Set up a tent made out of sheets and you can pretend to be camping out. If you have the means, set up a radio player with nature sounds. You’ll get to lie down (what else do you do in a tent?) and your kid will have tons of fun. 3. Play some board games or card games together. If you don’t mind thinking, board / card games are great because you get to keep still without running around too much! 4. Encourage a show. Have your child or children dress up and put on a show for you. 1.

Taieri Parents Centre

5. Colouring/sticker books. You can lay on your stomach on the floor, have your kids do the same, and have a couple of colouring books between you. 6. Guess my drawing. When lying down relaxing, you can draw something and have your child guess what it is. Then have him/her do the same thing and do your best to guess what s/he drew for you. This activity can go on for a while if you want it to. 7. Fetch. If your child enjoys chasing things, you can simply toss a ball or small toy (in the house or yard, your choice) and have him bring it back to you. Increase language skills by describing colours and shapes. Ok dogs do this too, but my daughter loves it. 8. Do some music beats. Make sounds like a drum and then see if your child can join you. Together you can make some pretty interesting music together. 9. Doctor/Patient: This game is perfect for when you need a good rest on the couch. Pretend that you are a patient and your child is a doctor who is going to nurse you back to help. 10. Day at the salon: Get your little one to help you brush your hair, massage your legs with lotion, or even walk on your back. Cheap and easy spine alignment, no chiropractor needed! Philip multitasks by petting the dog, lying down, and playing “where’s my nose?”

Dec 2015/Jan 2016

Photo Competition - Best of 2015

Thank you to judge Rachel McNeill! 21

Taieri Parents Centre

The winner of each competition will receive a $25 voucher from Mosgiel New World and will be featured on the cover of the newsletter. To Enter: email your photo to tpceditor@gmail.com, entries must be received by January 13th!

Next photo competition theme: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Slip, slop, slap, and wrapâ&#x20AC;? Dec 2015/Jan 2016

Please ask in the cafe for our colouring in pack to keep the kids amused