WAM Happenings
Spring Edition 2017
Letter from the WAM President
The Great WAM Park Playdate Challenge
Dirt. If you are like me you have done extensive research on the topic of: the benefits of playing in the dirt. And after skimming part of that eye-catching article on Facebook and becoming something of an expert, we have learned that there are chemicals in dirt (if I recall correctly it’s from a combination of unicorn and Pikachu droppings) that facilitate the release of feel good hormones. By the way those benefits of dirt play are for both children and adults alike. Or course the reason we take our kids to the park is so we can play in the dirt with them…not sit on a bench chatting with another mom, telling our kids to “GO PLAY!” so we can get back to complaining about their bowel habits. Which leads me, in the most direct manner, to the epic title of my “blurb”, The Great WAM Park Playdate Challenge. Below is a list of parks that my girls and I really like but I know, for an alternative fact, that there are at least a million parks in this area. The challenge is to see how many different parks we can hit this Spring! So pick one of the parks below or introduce us to your favorite and host a playdate at whatever time of day your kid is happiest… or better yet when they or you most need to get out and “play in the dirt”!
- Veirs Mill Park
- Wheaton Regional
- Capitol View- Homewood
- St. Paul Park
- Kensington Heights
- Randolph Hills
- Cabin John
- General Getty
- Meadowbrook (visit the horse stables nearby)
- Nature playground behind Brookside Gardens Nature Center
- Pleasant View (Crossways Community School)
- Reinhardt Park (behind Kensington Safeway)
- Woodside Urban Park
- Watkins Regional Park- AKA Wizard of Oz (walk along the trail to check out the animals at Old Maryland Farm)
See you at the park,
Claire Barry
Mom to Sylvia & Hazel
WAM President
We Need You!
- Preschool Fair Committee
Carrie and Allison put together a phenomenal Preschool Fair last year and are ready to do it again.. with your help! Many hands make light work! Please help make the largest WAM fundraiser a success this year by offering your time and skills. Can you help create and distribute a flyer? Spread the word through online media? Work the registration table at the event? Coordinate chair rental? Please consider joining the Preschool Fair Committee and taking on a small role in this important event! Contact Claire to express interest in joining the committee or learning more about how to assist. Cisbarry@gmail.com
WAM Board Members 2016-17
WAM Board meetings are the 2nd Tuesday every month at 7:30pm in the Starbucks at Target at Wheaton Mall - everyone is welcome to come discuss the direction WAM is headed.
Secretary- Kate Spigler katespigler@hotmail.com
President- Claire Barry cisbarry@gmail.com
Treasurer- Brianna Schnaar brischnaar@gmail.com
Website- Carrie Swann carrie.swann@gmail.com
Helping Hands & Smart Sacks- Elise Colella Lee ecolella@gmail.com
Playgroups- Katya Tregub-Emrick katya.tregub@gmail.com
Newsletter- Kim McEachen kschmidt077@yahoo.com
Membership- Nicolle Singer nicolle.singer@gmail.com
Service- Sheree Marambio sheree.marambio@gmail.com
Activities- Theresa Manthripragada empressterri@yahoo.com
WAM Valentines Day Party 2017
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the post-jumping snacks and also to those who brought donations for A Wider Circle.
SPOTLIGHT ON PLAYGROUPS
- Schedule changed and you no longer can attend your current playgroup?
- Did not feel connected with the playgroup you initially were matched with?
- Wednesdays seem to happen too fast and too often and you couldn't make it WAY too many times and now just too embarrassed to show up?
Did you know it takes only 3 members to start a new playgroup? If you are currently not in a playgroup, or need/want to change/start a playgroup, just let me know, no questions asked. Explore your options. Try something different. Start anew.
Playgroup Coordinator = Katya - katya.tregub@gmail.com
Specialty Playgroups
WAM is a diverse community of amazing families! Do you feel like you only really know the moms and kids in your playgroup? Wouldn't it be great to meet other parents with common interests? WAM is trying something new with Special Interest playdates! These are opportunities for kids across any age to play together and for parents to get to know each other better. These are not educational or support groups and have no agenda. They are open to everyone whether the topic of interest applies directly to your family or not. Special Interest playdates may be a one time meeting or perhaps something folks decide to put on the calendar and host more regularly.
So far we have had...
- Bi/Multilingual Kids - contact Sheree sheree.marambio@gmail.com
Whether you speak more than one language at home, are interested in your kid(s) learning another language, or are curious about this topic, all are welcome! - LGBTQA families - contact Nicole, nframe02@gmail.com
Whether to meet similar families, discuss topics of interest, or for parents who have questions about talking to their kids about LGBTQA families, all are welcome. - Social and Political Activism - contact Beth digregorioe@gmail.com
Even the littlest community members can learn about civic engagement and human rights! All are welcome!
Get to know other families who may have shared experiences with healthcare, behavioral, therapeutic, or other supportive services. Children of all abilities should play, learn, and grow together! All are welcome!
Other possible ideas: Breastfeeding, Single Parents, Military Families, At-Home Dads, Saturday Playdates, WADs (Wheaton Area Dads).
Do you have an idea for a special interest playdate? Let me know! Claire - cisbarry@gmail.com
Spring Cleaning Tips
- MOMs recycle bins - photos below by Sarah J
- I have been in a continuous fight with my "beloved" stainless steel appliances and the ways to keep them clean. Until recently I read in Real Simple to use microfiber cloths and vinegar - just wet the cloth with vinegar and wipe along the grain to prevent smudges. Katya (she also submitted baby maid below)
- I like the Kon Mari method although she needs a chapter on kids' stuff! I did a major purge of clothes, toys, books, and household items after reading "The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up" and now before I buy stuff I ask myself - Does it bring me joy? I think I've cut back on purchases since then. Anyway, the less you have, the less there is to clean and organize! Sheree
Have other spring cleaning tips? Post them on the WAM FB page :)
MOM's Recycle Bins
Snack Bags (foil lined)
Brita Filters
Batteries
Squeeze Pouches/Caps
MOM's Recycle Bins
Glasses
Beauty Products
Shoes
Get the KIDS involved
Need SPRING BREAK day trip ideas, books about music, recipes, seasonal activities, etc?
Helping Hands
Meal Ideas from WAM parents...
- I really liked a polenta and bean dish with roasted veggies from Carrie. Sylvia asked for seconds! That was almost 3 years ago and I still remember it! Claire
- I am getting meals right now! It's awesome :) :) :) (thank you everyone!) We've gotten tacos a couple times with various fillings that is a favorite. Soup, pasta, or chicken and rice are other things we have gotten. I would say when I have given in the past I worried about what kids would eat, but as a recipient I find any meal is a meal I don't have to cook! It's helpful even if Aidan only eats some of it and end up eating PB&J for dinner. Jo Ann
- I try to do meals that I can easily make a double recipe and feed my own family too.
We got TONS of meals when Peapod was in the hospital. WAM saved us with the miracle of endless gluten-free vegan meals! Some of the most memorable were simple meals with an ethnic twist: Mediterranean sweet potatoes and beans; Indian lentils, tofu and rice; Korean vegetable noodle salad; Mexican bean and rice casserole; falafel with pita, hummus and salad. Carrie - I make rice and beans with coconut milk or drumsticks - usually a pretty safe bet. Last year when Felix was born it was so great to get meals that were not just yummy but also carb-conscious! Katya
- Definitely make enough to feed your family too! I try to make a crock pot meal that provides options for assembly for the family - especially when there are kids. I also try to throw in some extra snacks for the kids. It's been said - when I received meals, everything was awesome because it was not something I had to worry about and my family enjoyed the variety and freshness. Kim
- I received some WAM meals and I was amazed with the variety and deliciousness of what other people cook for dinner. I really enjoyed fresh veggies and fruit because that's what runs out first when I don't have a chance to go grocery shopping. I agree, just relax and make what you usually fix for your family. Sheree
- So as you all can see, if you have some dietery restrictions due to health or moral/religious beliefs there is enough knowledge among WAMies to give you a Helping Hand! Also, as Jo Ann said: it's a meal you did not have to cook. And oh boy, we have very good cooks among us! And for those who have been hesitant about cooking a meal for another family: it is not that complicated! As Carrie does, you always can just double the recipe that works for your family! Win-win! Katya
WAM Mini-March on Brookside
***Heaps more photos from the march were shared on the WAM Facebook page. If you want to join the secret FB group let Carrie know - carrie.swann@gmail.com ***
Oh Sh*t My Kids did that!?!?!
Toilet paper unraveling and drawing on the walls - thanks Claire, April, and Mary for sharing this round.
When your kids sneak crayons into their room at nap. All of the walls look like this. Who needs wallpaper or paint! ------>
Got any others to share? Post them on the WAM FB page.
WAM Service Projects
On November 21, 2016, WAM had a service playdate to collect food donations to serve two families that participate in the YMCA's Linkages to Learning program with our local schools. We had a total of 10 moms participate, and twelve children attended the playdate. We gathered two large bags of food items for a delicious, traditional Thanksgiving meal, along with cash donations to provide each family with $25 Giant store gift card to help purchase a turkey. The kids also got crafty and made hand turkey "Happy Thanksgiving!" cards to go with the baskets. We received lovely thank you notes from one of the families and from the program coordinator.
For WAM's December service project, we held a used book swap and donation drive with nine moms and their children participating. Together we donated 80 books to the Friends of Library Montgomery County in Rockville.
In the month of January, 23 WAM members created 42 mugs to donate to the Meals on Wheels program. The mugs contained snacks, treats, and cards that will be delivered to recipients of meal assistance from the Central Maryland Meals on Wheels program. As you can see, the mugs were adorable and we had a lot of fun putting them together.
For the February service project, even the littlest volunteers helped at A Wider Circle to sort the two giant boxes of household items collected at the WAM Valentine's Day Party. (picture attached)
For March's service project, WAM is collecting new or gently used bras, professional wear, and formal dresses and accessories to donate to local non-profits. You can drop the items off at Sheree Marambio's house by March 31 or come to the March 28 playdate.
For April's service project, please start collecting manufacturer's coupons (from magazines and newspapers) for the coupons for Troops (Troopons) project! Must be MANUFACTURER'S coupons that are unexpired or that expire in April 2017. More information forthcoming.
Welcome to the World!
Nicole Vitelli, Elizabeth in November
Mabilia Rastello, Jeremiah in November
Ann Jackson, Victoria in JanuaryYuliana Gonzalez, Alba in February
Vanita Penn, Anjali in February
New Members - Welcome!
Monya Hudsick-Obando
Ashly Nealon
Sarah Thompson
Lucy Reimer
Sarah Brooks
Danielle Miller
We currently have 102 members plus 8 alumni, and 186 kids among us.
Wheaton Area Moms
Email: wheatonareamoms@gmail.com
Website: http://www.wheatonareamoms.org/
Phone: 00000000000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/234406673318785/