Activities:
We offer a variety of activities to meet the needs of both mothers and children...
Playgroups: (once a week)
Playgroups offer our children the opportunity to learn how to socialize with others not only by playing with other kids, but by watching the way we moms interact with each other. Playgroups generally meet once a week, but are individual in that choice. Members meet in each other's homes or parks. Some may actually plan activities for the kids while others may want to just get together and let the children have free play. It's all up to each playgroup to decided how they'd like to approach their playtime. We offer playgroups grouped by the children's age. Age range for each group initially is within one year. That may change as siblings are added to the group. Each Playgroup Coordinator is a volunteer for the club who keeps track of which members belong to their group and makes sure that everyone is placed in a playgroup that is comfortable for them.
Business Social: (once a month)
The Club meets once a month to enjoy a potluck, vote on club related issues, and listen to guest speakers which attend to address issues relevant to our members. Topics range from: Car Seat Safety; Non-verbal Ways to Communicate With Children; Kids and the Law; Breastfeeding; Dealing with Emotions, Infant Through the Toddler Years; Infant Care (heath care issues); Home-schooling; Preschool Education; Yoga; Meditation; and much more. Kids are always welcome to attend meetings. A nursery staffed by fellow MOMS Club members is also available for use during the meeting. This is an excellent opportunity each month to touch base with members that you may not usually run into. Plus, the most important aspect of our club is having the members provide their input into how the club is run.
Mom's Night Out: (once a month)
Do you feel like you need to get out once in a while? Host a Moms Night Out! Once a month, members meet at different locations and have a "Girls Night". These can happen at restaurants, somebody's home, movie theatres, pottery studios, bowling alleys, etc. Most of the time children are at home with Dad or a babysitter, but you're welcome to bring nursing infants, of course.
Cooking Club: (once a month)
Come to a Cooking Club meeting and bring a yummy dish with enough copies of your recipe to go around! Examples of themes: Summer BBQ, Cheese, Husband's Favorite Dish, Cookies, Mexican Fiesta, Everyone Loves Italian, etc... YUM!
Gardening Club: (once a month)
Feel as though you should be using your green thumb more? Or want to see if you you can figure out a way to turn it green and not kill every houseplant you own (except those spider plants of course... they usually live through everyone!) Join this group, and you may have a very attractive front yard soon!
Sewing Circle: (once a month)
There are some mothers who have visions of completing a homemade quilt for their little ones before they start walking... some actually do it too... but there are also those moms who still have their material folded nicely in the shopping bag stashed away in the closet. This group meets once a month to help motivate each other to get sewing projects done while giving the them someone to talk to in the meantime.
Book Club: (once a month)
Did you just finish a wonderful book that you feel you need to share with others? Or wish that you had? This group meets once a month and shares their opinions about the current book on their list. You can find some very interesting discussions here!
Cloth Diaper Support Group: (once a month)
This group gets together to discuss the benefits of cloth diapers compared to disposables and helps anybody new to using them. It is always nice to have someone a phone call away who are going through the exact same thing you are.
Field Trips: (once a month)
Let's get out of the house and go see some things! Examples of previous field trips have been: Chaffee Zoo (in Fresno), Firestation, Police Station, Hilmar Cheese Factory, Castle Air Force Base Museum, etc...
Clothing Swap: (every six months)
Can't bring yourself to just give away you child's ADORABLE outfits they've outgrown? How about if you were to receive some in return? Would it make it any easier? We have put together a Swap where you can exchange -- or "Swap" -- your cute or useful items that you just don't need anymore. If you think there is any chance of another mom liking what you have, donate it to us. If you're looking for something specific, come on by. Whatever is left afterwards usually gets donated to a local charity.
Helping Hands: (when needed)
Helping Hands are MOMS Club members who generously offer their time and efforts to another member who may be in special need (recovering from the birth of a new baby, surgery, family emergency, etc.) Efforts include anything from providing meals, helping out with siblings in the household, running errands, etc. To volunteer or request the assistance of Helping Hands, please contact the Helping Hands Coordinator.
Park Days: (once a week/month -- weather permitting)... (not meeting at this time)
Parks during the summer months -- Be aware of hot play equipment in the summer, especially with the delicate skin of our little ones! Try to find shade whenever possible or carry a beach umbrella with you. The worst times to play outside in the summer are between the hours of ten am and five o'clock pm due to heat and UV rays. Always be sure to use sunscreen and wear a hat!!
Parks during the winter months -- We all know that the kids don't slow down when the weather cools or it rains. Here are few tips for helping MOMS and kids alike enjoy park days during winter months.
1. Keep extra towels in the car to wipe down play equipment and keep your car seats dry. Even if it hasn't rained, the dew at night will make most of the play equipment wet.
2. Bring extra changes of clothes.
3. If available, a waterproof mat for snack time or a vinyl tablecloth to use as a blanket for sitting.
4. Jackets or sweatshirts.
5. Rain gear and galoshes
Mommy Walkers: (once a week)... (not meeting at this time)
Need to get in motion? Join Mommy Walkers and have great conversation while getting in shape!
Scrapbooking Club: (once a month)... (not meeting at this time)
Do you still have that unfinished scrapbook laying around? Or planned on starting one, but never found the time? Come join our Scrapbooking Club at a local church one evening and get your creative side out! This group not only consists of current members, but alumni too!