Happy Winter...Children's Book: Frederick

Who scatters snowflakes? Who melts the ice?
Who spoils the weather? Who makes it nice?
Who grows four-leaf clovers in June?
Who dims the daylight? Who lights the moon?

Four little field mice who live in the sky.
Four little field mice...like you and I.

One is the Springmouse who turns on the showers.
Then comes the Summer who paints in the flowers.
The Fallmouse is next with walnuts and wheat.
And Winter is last...with little cold feet.

Aren't we lucky the seasons are four?
Think of a year with one less...or one more!
borrowed with love from: Frederick by Leo Lionni

Cheery last season of the year to you and yours.

Reiki Class Sunday January 3rd 10am to 3pm

Molly Fitpatrick has a Reiki Class planned for Sunday January 3rd, 2010 from 10am to 2pm. The cost is $50 for the class and $10 for the reiki handbook. In the class you will learn about the history of reiki, the symbols and their uses, and how to give a full reiki treatment. She will facilitate guided visualization and group meditations. You will also get the reiki attunement and practice time. The attunement is the actual process whereby you will be able to give reiki treatments. The class will be at Nurture-1614 NE Alberta St. Portland OR 97211. Please RSVP by 1/2/10 by emailing her at mollybunny@gmail.com or calling 503-341-1372. Space is limited to 6 participants. Seasons Greetings!

Mama Mantras

At a four-year-old's birthday party, I managed to have a very helpful conversation with my friend and colleague, Rebecca York, about the challenges we both worked through during the early postpartum days. As we talked about the difficulties of bonding with a baby when one is struggling to stay afloat, Rebecca mentioned an affirmation that was helpful for her during that time. She said she posted it on sticky notes all over the house, had it written on index cards, and would say it gently to herself as she held her baby.

Rebecca's mama mantra was:

My child/family and I are connected with love.

Rebecca is a social worker with a private practice offering counseling to women. Her specialty is pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and life transitions. Thank you, Rebecca, for sharing your mantra.

My child/family and I are connected with love.

Mother Nature's Holiday Light Display

If the crisp clear skies stick around through to Monday morning, we might get a chance to see a spectacular natural holiday light show in the sky. According to NASA, the Geminid Meteor Shower will peak on December 13th and 14th and the new moon will create ideal conditions for viewing the wondrous sight. Some of my friends have already reported seeing a few meteors.

NASA meteor expert, Bill Cooke, recommends watching at around midnight Sunday night to Monday morning. So if you are up late soothing a wee one, snuggling with your sweetie, or enjoying some quiet mama-time, "Make hot cocoa. Bundle up. Tell your friends. [Because] The best meteor shower of 2009 is about to fall over North America on a long, cold December night."

A few videos to share

These videos have been passed along on Facebook, and I would like to pass them on too...
You can see several more of my personal favorites on our community website.
Enjoy...

Reminder: Tea & chat with Joanne Edwards at Mothergarden Dec 7

generously sponsored by
Mothergarden, Nurture's growing free drop-in group for parents & children, invites you to share tea, cakes, and your wishlist for Portland parenting resources with Joanne Edwards on December 7 from 10:30-noon.

About Joanne:
"I have recently moved to Portland from New Zealand with my husband's work – we've been here four months and I'm looking to set up my company Small Beginnings. My background is nursing and health visiting (UK based community nurses with extensive extra training who support families and communities), working with teenage parents and teaching infant massage. I have an extensive range of training, skills and ideas - this is where you come in…

"I would love to meet with lots of Portland mums and dads to hear stories about having babies and children in this city and country (it's all new to me and very different to what I'm used to). I would like to hear what's great about it, what's not so great and what services you would like to see added to make it better. I would also like to tell you a bit more about me and my ideas and experiences from other countries.

"Please join me at Mothergarden for cups of tea, cakes and chats (if you can't make it and still want to be involved please email me at joanne@smallbeginningsgroup.com). Thank you in advance for your time and sharing. I look forward to meeting you. ~Joanne."

Mothergarden is held every Monday from 10:30-noon at Nurture, 1614 NE Alberta St. Parents, partners, expecting parents, and anyone who is interested in creating a parenting community are all welcome. For more information: www.nurturepdx.com/mothergarden. Thanks also to our generous sponsor, Grasshopper.

Mustache Therapy (and more) at Green Bean Books

My children and I popped over to Green Bean Books (Nurture's neighbor!) to indulge in a bit of book buying, but we also got in a bit of therapy while we were there. You see, Portland book lovers have been sprouting facial hair and belly laughs (=good therapy), thanks to Jennifer's magnificent Instant Disguise Machine ("Facial Hair in a Flash!"), and we joined in the fun. Okay, so my youngest was a bit freaked out by the idea, but her brother happily added her mustache to his $.25-incognito-mug. Look for us (see picture above) on the mustache montage wall...aren't I looking wise with that white stache??

There is so much to discover over there, little nooks, crannies, and creatures tucked away all over the store; my children love it there! You can also buy, trade, or sell books over there: they offer 25% of our selling price in cash or 30% of our selling price in trade credit (for your used children’s books and adult best sellers that are in good condition. They reserve the right to reject any book that they feel they cannot sell, of course).

Yay, Green Bean Books! Thank you for widening our smiles!