http://abilenemoms.com/data/assets/boards/abilenemoms This is a discussion forum. en Fri, 10 Sep 2010 11:29:57 GMT vBulletin 20 http://abilenemoms.com/data/assets/boards/abilenemoms/images/misc/rss.jpg http://abilenemoms.com/data/assets/boards/abilenemoms http://abilenemoms.com/data/assets/boards/abilenemoms/showthread.php?t=5940&goto=newpost Fri, 10 Sep 2010 03:10:47 GMT It's finally here! Beltway MOPS will hold it's first meeting on Monday, September 13 from 9:15-11:30 am at Beltway Park Baptist Church, 4009 Beltway South, Abilene 79605. We hope to you can join us for a great 2010-2011 MOPS as we explore Momology: The Art and Science of Mothering.



This year we have two payment options for the meetings. The first option is to pay for the semester up front. If you pay for the semester by the second meeting, you will get a free meeting. The cost for the first semester is $42 but will only cost $36 with your free meeting. Remember, you must pay by the second meeting to take advantage of this great deal. If you choose to pay by the meeting, it will be $6 per meeting. We can accept cash or checks. Please make checks payable to Beltway MOPS. If you have any questions, please email Angie at angiekjm@hotmail.com or see her at the first meeting.

For more information on anything else, please contact Heather Henson @ 910-818-7448 or hhbasnight@yahoo.com

We look forward to having you and your kiddos this 2010-2011 MOPS year! See you Monday!

This year's Bible verse:
“Even there Your hand will guide me, Your hand will hold me fast.” - Psalm 139:10


]]> Local Events BinaBina http://abilenemoms.com/data/assets/boards/abilenemoms/showthread.php?t=5940 http://abilenemoms.com/data/assets/boards/abilenemoms/showthread.php?t=5939&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Sep 2010 18:40:07 GMT Okay first playdate is on September 9th at the Grace Mueseum. From 5-8 p.m. Admission is free!!! Thanks Candi for planning September playdates. ... Okay first playdate is on September 9th at the Grace Mueseum.
From 5-8 p.m. Admission is free!!! Thanks Candi for planning September playdates. Do we have any volunteers for Nov or December playdate months? ]]> shiloh2005 http://abilenemoms.com/data/assets/boards/abilenemoms/showthread.php?t=5939 http://abilenemoms.com/data/assets/boards/abilenemoms/showthread.php?t=5938&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:12:25 GMT This looks like fun!!!! http://hideyourarms.com/2009/09/29/how-to-customize-recycle-t-shirts/ This looks like fun!!!!

http://hideyourarms.com/2009/09/29/h...ycle-t-shirts/ ]]> Crafty Corner Stelladora http://abilenemoms.com/data/assets/boards/abilenemoms/showthread.php?t=5938 http://abilenemoms.com/data/assets/boards/abilenemoms/showthread.php?t=5937&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Sep 2010 15:10:33 GMT With all the changes in the school lunches, and the fact that we had such a hard time with the lunch lady last year, I decided to make a real... With all the changes in the school lunches, and the fact that we had such a hard time with the lunch lady last year, I decided to make a real commitment to packing lunches for my 2 elementary kids this year. (It's completely uncool for a middle schooler to bring a lunch from home!) We have actually done really well with it but my 7 yr old has decided all she wants to take are pb&j sandwiches. I'm not even the one eating them and I'm sick to death of packing them for her. Does anyone have any good, fun lunch ideas to keep the girls from getting burned out on the same old thing everyday? ]]> Raising Kids in Abilene dcsmommy http://abilenemoms.com/data/assets/boards/abilenemoms/showthread.php?t=5937 http://abilenemoms.com/data/assets/boards/abilenemoms/showthread.php?t=5936&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Sep 2010 14:06:12 GMT As I was waiting for Justice in the pick up line I saw a little girl, probably 5 or 6, walking across the parking lot with her dad. I noticed she had... As I was waiting for Justice in the pick up line I saw a little girl, probably 5 or 6, walking across the parking lot with her dad. I noticed she had long brown hair with auburn streaks. At first I thought it was natural but than noticed how symmetrical the lines were. (Bad dye job, new style...I've no idea.) But I was a little surprised.

Maybe it's just me, but at such a young age kids hair is still so healthy. I just don't like the idea of coloring my child’s hair so young. No doubt we'll have this discussion soon and I may change my mind. But I'm thinking this is something for the teen years and not grade school. (I was in my late 20’s covering gray… I’d prefer she waits till then.) ;)

How about you? Is it no big deal or something for a little bit more mature kids? ]]> ChristineCMoore http://abilenemoms.com/data/assets/boards/abilenemoms/showthread.php?t=5936 http://abilenemoms.com/data/assets/boards/abilenemoms/showthread.php?t=5935&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Sep 2010 12:33:40 GMT *Guest blogger Kate Tuttle (http://www.momlogic.com/topics/?s=Kate+Tuttle):* There is a battle brewing nationwide. It centers on school...

Guest blogger Kate Tuttle: There is a battle brewing nationwide. It centers on school lunch programs and whether or not they should offer flavored milk as well as plain milk.
Getty Images



On one side of the argument are those who say that kids who don't like white milk should have the option to drink chocolate or strawberry milk, because even though those milks have a much higher sugar count, they still deliver the calcium and Vitamin D for which milk is most valued. (And hey, they're better for kids than soda pop or fruit juices.)


On the other side are those who argue that the high sugar of flavored milks makes them an unhealthy choice that schools shouldn't be promoting. Kids who won't drink white milk should drink water, they say.


And then there are the folks who don't think schools should be offering milk at all; they claim that milk has been promoted as a necessary food by the powerful dairy lobbies, not based on nutritional evidence.


It should also be noted that the concept of milk as a healthy food has increasingly found itself at the epicenter of various food battles, whose factions range from those who say "cows' milk is for calves" and that kids should only drink soy or nut milks, to those who think cows' milk is OK, but only if it's raw, unpasteurized or organic, to those who feel that offering milk is a very efficient, cost-effective way to get calcium and Vitamin D into young kids.


Where do you stand on the dairy wars?


Read more: http://www.momlogic.com/2010/09/food...#ixzz0z2ElpuwE

1EFE67B0-E0B6-FDED-6574-CFEC6D4261D3
1.02.28 ]]> The Great Mom Debate Momto3 http://abilenemoms.com/data/assets/boards/abilenemoms/showthread.php?t=5935 http://abilenemoms.com/data/assets/boards/abilenemoms/showthread.php?t=5934&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 23:02:31 GMT Well you all know that i have been having problems with my land lord and the house i am living in. I just this morning had to pay up front for my... Well you all know that i have been having problems with my land lord and the house i am living in. I just this morning had to pay up front for my sewage to be unclogged and then come to find out that the reason that the drain was clogged was because there are tree roots growing in the sewage line. I am tired of making investments in to a house that is not even mine, I was looking in to house and found that there are none here in ablilene that are willing to allow my very well behaved dog. I found an appartment that is just about the same a month with all utilities included and allows a dog. My question is am I crazy for even considering moving in to an apartment from a house? ]]> jjmarquez18 http://abilenemoms.com/data/assets/boards/abilenemoms/showthread.php?t=5934 http://abilenemoms.com/data/assets/boards/abilenemoms/showthread.php?t=5933&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:25:48 GMT I've seen a big upswing in direct sales and multi-level marketing the last few months. I figure it's due to school starting back up and Christmas just around the corner. We moms, especially those that stay at home and have limited 'fun' money need all the help we can get... but is selling stuff for others worth it?

I ask this with real sincerity. I have 'heard' of those that have done well, but I have never meet someone who did more then make their money back from the initial buy in. It doesn't matter if it's cooking utensils, home decor, make-up, candles, etc, I've seen more friends buy in, get their set up, party till they burn out (usually 6-months or less) and then continue buying the product at a discount for themselves and friends until their contract ends. Seems to me the only one making real money is the company and the 'consultant' is happy to break even.

On the other hand, those I see succeeding are those making and selling their own stuff. I've known people who have made anything from baked goods, scrapebooking items, clothing, crochet/knitting, jewelry, photography, etc and have done very well for themselves and they didn't have to have parties, pay out to some big company located hundreds of miles away, and there was no push to reach goals or have others under them to sell and "make them money".

So in all honest, can selling stuff for others really make you money or is it better to skip the middle man and make/market/sale your own stuff? ]]> The Great Mom Debate ChristineCMoore http://abilenemoms.com/data/assets/boards/abilenemoms/showthread.php?t=5933 http://abilenemoms.com/data/assets/boards/abilenemoms/showthread.php?t=5932&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 12:53:34 GMT Would you eat at a Restaurant that posted a sign that read "Screaming children will not be tolerated"?

CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WECT) - A restaurant in Carolina Beach is stirring up controversy over a couple of signs reading, "Screaming children will not be tolerated."

The owner of the Olde Salty restaurant, Brenda Armes, is tired of having her customers complain to her about children misbehaving and screaming when others are trying to enjoy a quiet meal.

Armes says the signs have worked.

"It has been a good thing for us," Armes said. "It has brought us in more customers than it has ever kept away."

Gary Gibson was dining at the restaurant for the first time and agrees with Armes.

"It's not very enjoyable when you hear a bunch of kids screaming. It's nice to see a sign like that up," Gibson said.

While many are for the rule, some families are against it.

"I've never seen a restaurant say, don't bring your screaming kids in here," said Ashley Heflin, who is a mom of two. "You can't help it if your kids scream."

Armes says that if a child is screaming, a restaurant employee will ask the parent to take them outside to calm down. They will not be asked to leave the restaurant for good.

"We want to attract the type of people that come in knowing they aren't going to have to sit behind a table with a bunch of screaming children," Armes said. __________________ ]]> The Great Mom Debate Momto3 http://abilenemoms.com/data/assets/boards/abilenemoms/showthread.php?t=5932 http://abilenemoms.com/data/assets/boards/abilenemoms/showthread.php?t=5931&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 12:22:09 GMT This is a great article! How do you feel about school fund-raisers?? From Politicsdaily.com ...]]> This is a great article! How do you feel about school fund-raisers??

From Politicsdaily.com

Let's be honest. My 5-year-old and 7-year-old don't need to worry about résumé building.

The school year has just begun and already the children's backpacks are full of school fundraiser information that presumes my little ones would be effective salespersons.

I understand that schools are in greater need of additional funding today than perhaps at any other time, but I refuse to spend my very rare free time hawking over-priced items I wouldn't willingly buy on my own.

We are bombarded by pleas to buy products and have our children sell them to benefit PTAs, home and school associations and athletic or social clubs. No one disputes that school programs need additional funding, but acquiring these funds selling overpriced products that people often do not need or want is easygoing extortion. (Not to mention that in the end, I will be the one selling the wrapping paper, cookie dough, pizza, candy and magazines.)

The guilt factor is huge and, really, how many times can you hit up the grandparents, neighbors and family friends before they start to cringe? (Many employers are banning solicitations of all types from the workplace, including fundraisers, so co-workers are no longer easy-target buyers.)

The pressure for children to sell products is even more intense when incentives are offered for the biggest sales. This complicates matters even more for parents who don't want their children to sell the products. Even if you can convince your child the prizes are of marginal value, school-wide and individual class rewards further entice participation. What if your child's class doesn't get the pizza party or the school misses out on pajama day because you haven't allowed her to participate in the fundraiser? Welcome to peer-group pressure by proxy.

The fundraising industry is a booming business, and car washes and bake sales aren't cutting it anymore. The most popular fundraisers sell products, mush of them of questionable value. Shockingly, schools (and other nonprofits) only get 20 percent to 50 percent of profits from these sales. Most of the money goes to the fundraising company itself, which makes the case that children involved in these efforts benefit from boosted self-esteem, a sense of teamwork, and even an enhanced résumé. Even if that were so, I wouldn't want the trade-off of seeing my preteens selling goods door-to-door.

I have another plan: Opting out. I will make a cash donation directly to the school and not participate in the fundraisers. For those who want to follow suit, attach a letter to your check explaining that your family opposes the fundraising method but not the cause. With a cash donation, 100 percent of your money goes directly to the source, eliminating the middlemen and all the time wasted on the sale, pickup and delivery of products. It also safeguards important relationships and allows your family to focus on other activities like school work, athletics or just spending time together. ]]> Raising Kids in Abilene Momto3 http://abilenemoms.com/data/assets/boards/abilenemoms/showthread.php?t=5931 http://abilenemoms.com/data/assets/boards/abilenemoms/showthread.php?t=5930&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 12:17:41 GMT The West Texas Fair and Rodeo starts Tomorrow night! What is your favorite thing to eat at the Fair?? Is it Aggie fries? I love corn dogs and funnel... The West Texas Fair and Rodeo starts Tomorrow night! What is your favorite thing to eat at the Fair?? Is it Aggie fries? I love corn dogs and funnel cakes! ]]> Momto3 http://abilenemoms.com/data/assets/boards/abilenemoms/showthread.php?t=5930 http://abilenemoms.com/data/assets/boards/abilenemoms/showthread.php?t=5929&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:51:06 GMT I collected unicorns and rainbows! I also collected Madame Alexander dolls that I have passed down to Madison. Drew loves to collect model airplanes... I collected unicorns and rainbows! I also collected Madame Alexander dolls that I have passed down to Madison. Drew loves to collect model airplanes and has tons of Legos! What did you collect as a kid? Did you collect stamps? Coins? ]]> Momto3 http://abilenemoms.com/data/assets/boards/abilenemoms/showthread.php?t=5929 http://abilenemoms.com/data/assets/boards/abilenemoms/showthread.php?t=5928&goto=newpost Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:36:54 GMT I would appreciate reviews and recommendations on breastpumps. I would like to breastfeed but if I am not able to or if I do not want to breastfeed... I would appreciate reviews and recommendations on breastpumps. I would like to breastfeed but if I am not able to or if I do not want to breastfeed exclusively, then I do want to pump. I do not qualify for WIC and the thought of renting a breastpump scares my hubby so I am not gonna push renting one. I've been looking a the Medela Pump in Style Pump, do you think that would be a good choice? ]]> Mom-to-be pri6lo http://abilenemoms.com/data/assets/boards/abilenemoms/showthread.php?t=5928 http://abilenemoms.com/data/assets/boards/abilenemoms/showthread.php?t=5927&goto=newpost Tue, 07 Sep 2010 13:22:17 GMT Let me just say I post WAY too much stuff in this section!! :)


Okay, my confession and now 'issue' is that since M&M were about 4 months old I've been putting them to bed with a milk bottle. Matter of fact, the only time they get a bottle is when they go to bed. (4 X's a day)
It has been AWESOME!! The first 3 1/2 months was exhausting for me with the babies tag teaming their fits, but once they could hold a bottle, I could hand them one, lay them down and they would suck it down and pass out. NO LIE!
I hate to give it up but started to give them 1oz juice with 7oz of water so that the milk wasn't sitting on their teeth all night, but now they want 2 bottles at night. I guess instead of pacifiers they have their bottles. *sigh*
We're transitioning them to sippy cups and showing them how to hold them up while sitting up and though the progress is slow it seems to be working well for Mercy. Marshall on the other hand still wants to roll back on his back and drink. He reminds me of a bear when he uses his feet to help tilt the bottle/cup up. (He even does this when playing with toys.) ;)
I'm not really all that worried, I know we'll transition them soon enough, but man what a blessing 5, 6 even 7 hours of sleep have been. Sure hope the transition goes smoother then I anticipate. :( ]]> True Mom Confessions ChristineCMoore http://abilenemoms.com/data/assets/boards/abilenemoms/showthread.php?t=5927 http://abilenemoms.com/data/assets/boards/abilenemoms/showthread.php?t=5926&goto=newpost Mon, 06 Sep 2010 17:50:12 GMT I am so tired of junk mail!! Emails are one thing, but i get so much via usps and i've had enough. I still open up every mail i get, but I am seriously consdiering just running it through the shredder without opening it, I'll start with the ones that have a 0% on the cover of it because I am not interested in another credit card offer..
Are you tired of junk mail too? And good thoughts about junk mail? Do you just toss it in the trash without even opening it? ]]> The Coffee Shop pri6lo http://abilenemoms.com/data/assets/boards/abilenemoms/showthread.php?t=5926