Tewinkle Park Playdate

Here are some pictures from this morning's park playdate at Tewinkle park in Costa Mesa. The chair swings were the highlight!

Etsy Workshop

Hello All, I know some of you have expressed interest in starting up and Etsy shop. There is a free workshop at the Costa Mesa Technology Branch Library that I think will have lots of valuable information. I have never been to a workshop here but I have heard the library workshops are really good.
Info Below:

ETSY - eBay For The Creative

3033 South Bristol Ave., Suite Q
Costa Mesa 92626
(714) 754-4431
Branch: Costa Mesa Technology
Saturday, May 1st at 10:30am

Learn about a website where both the creative and collectors can buy and sell handmade and vintage goods online. Learn how to become an ETSY member and increase your income by employing your inner creativity. Registration is required but FREE.

Turtle Rock Nature Center

We had a wonderful morning at the Turtle Rock Nature Center. It is gorgeous! The kids had fun playing in the creek, chasing the ducks and playing on the playground. Next time, we'll have to go on the little hike with the kids. Here's a few pictures. If anyone else has any pictures of this morning, feel free to post them.

Breastmilk Donation?

Just checking to see if any of you have any breastmilk you'd be willing to donate in the next day or 2. There's a girl named Tessa who is taking strong antibiotics the next 5 days and is needing to supplement her baby with other milk besides her own. She lives in Westminster but her husband could come and pick it up. Reply in the comments section if you have any to donate. Thanks!

Race/Walk/Bike to save the ocean this weekend

28.9 Miles from the mountains to the ocean. Race along the Santa Ana River Watershed and help keep our oceans, waves and beaches clean.

Join Surfrider Foundation Newport Beach Chapter - for the 3rd annual Rock Water race on Saturday March 20, 2010. The race covers 28.9 miles starting at head of the Santa Ana River trail at the border of Orange and Riverside Counties and finishes at the Santa Ana River mouth in Huntington Beach CA.

What is a WaterShed?
A watershed is any river, gully, canyon or pathway that drains to the ocean. Watersheds are everywhere and anything on land can find its way to the ocean via a watershed. This means that if you throw something on the ground it may eventually end up in the ocean. Drop a cigarette butt or plastic fork, and it will end up in the ocean, on our beaches, or in the stomach of a fish, sea bird or other marine animal.

Race Rules:
• Race Date: March 20, 2010
• Race Start: 9:00AM. Teams are expected to check in at the start by 8:30 AM.
• Team entries are accepted.
• Teams may consist of up to 7 members.
• Teams may consist of: runners and walkers only; bikers (beach cruisers and mountain bikes, no road bikes) and skateboarders only; or a mix of both.
• At least half the members of a mixed team must complete their leg on foot (running/walking). 3 of 7 if there are 7 team members.
• Each team must have a team driver and vehicle to transport team members to relay changes.
• Prizes will be awarded for teams finishing first in each category.
• Irvine MINI will donate $1000 to Surfrider Foundation - Newport Beach in the name of the team that collects the most trash during the race. Trash can be collected by all team members at any time during the race (not only team members on the trail).
• The prestigious wooden spoon will be awarded to the team finishing last overall.
• After Party at Fred’s on Main Rd, Huntington Beach from 2:30 PM.

Race Entry Fee:
The race entry fee is $100 per team. The entry fee includes a RockWater race shirt for each team member.
Drinks tables will also be available at locations along the route. The race finishes at the Santa Ana River Mouth, where a beach clean up will be arranged and prizes awarded.

How to enter the race:
Register your team by pressing the Register Team Button. You do not need to have your team in place already.

Please reference your team name when payment is sent. PayPal or Credit Card Payments are accepted. Details of change over points and the race route can be found once your team is registered.

http://www.surfridernb.com/site/rockwater-2010

Baby Stuff Garage Sale

Patina said she saw this on Craigslist for anyone interested:

The Saddleback Mothers of Multiples Club is hosting its semi-annual Baby & Kids' Clothing & Gear Sale on March 13th from 8:15 to 11:15 am at Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Hills. This is a HUGE sale for any and all parents (not just of multiples) with a GREAT selection of baby and kids' clothes, toys, furniture and more. There will be 50 sellers (all with twins/triplets, so you know there will be tons of things for your babies and kids)! It’s worth coming to check it out. Indoors - Rain or Shine

Saturday, March 13, 2010 - 8:15 am to 11:15 am

Geneva Presbyterian Church of Laguna Hills
24301 El Toro Road
Laguna Hills, CA 92637-2799

CASH ONLY

Dangers of Plastics and Cell Phones?

Safety Topic

I had a request from Shirin to do a topic on cell phone radiation, and include any research that has been done on how harmful or not it is. I thought we could also do some other safety topics under that discussion, like safety or harmfulness of plastic. Does anyone have any info. they'd like to contribute to the safety topic or would anyone like to research this topic and present info. to the group on it. We could have several of us contributing. Let me know in the comments section if you'd like to contribute to the discussion we may have one Monday if there's enough interest.

Thanks!
Julie

Non-Violent Parenting

This past Monday we were very fortunate to have guest speaker Terry LePage from opendoorcommunication.org come and speak on Non-Violent Parenting.

What is non-violent parenting? Terry says it is,"The shocking idea that we put love and connection first in our parenting. We give kids the respect that we want them to learn and model when they grow up."

Terry spoke mostly about the importance of giving our children empathy before limits are set with them. She emphasized taking several minutes if possible to empathize with our children, and see the event from our children's perspective. If a situation entails "big emotions," waiting to have a discussion with our young child until the "big emotions" have been let out can be most helpful. It is difficult, if not impossible, for a child to hear any guidance while they are having "big emotions."

To hear more of Terry's talk and the Q&A session, here's the video clips:
Non-Violent Parenting - Part 1 - what is non-violent parenting?
Non-Violent Parenting - Part 2 - specific questions
Non-Violent Parenting - Part 3 - more specific questions

Thank you, Heather C. for videoing! Also, thank you to Lisa for letting us use your stroller as a tripod!