July 2012 Newsletter

Once we become adults and start working, summer can lose just a little bit of its luster. But having kids helps bring all of the magic back. There are few things better than watching the look of joy on their little faces as they run for the water at the beach or spend long afternoons playing with friends at BBQs and pool parties.

The Laguna Beach Parents Club has so many amazing events planned to help you make the most of this beautiful beach summer. These are great opportunities to spend time with your Parents Club friends and meet new ones, especially if you are new to the area or just had a baby. Read on to learn more about the smorgasbord of activities, ranging from a rooftop Mom’s Night Out and our annual family BBQ to a fire station trip and finger painting bonanza.

In June, we honored the dads with a Father’s Day Craft at the Boys & Girls Club. We had dozens of kids and moms show up to take pictures and paint frames that the dads can display proudly for years to come.

The annual Parents Night Out was also a huge hit. We took over GG’s Cafe for a child-free night of eating, drinking and socializing. Yes, many of the parents in Laguna Beach were a little “under the weather” the next day, but it was well worth it. 

 

We have an action-packed July planned. Please, please, please RSVP on Big Tent for these events so we can prepare accordingly.

Moms, what better place to enjoy a much-needed break than Nirvana Grille’s rooftop Bliss Bar? Join us for a casual Mom’s Night Out on July 12 from 7:00 to 9:00. Chef Lindsay Smith-Rosales will be providing “Lite Bites,” as well as private outdoor seating. If you’ve never attended an MNO before, make this your first one! This will be a laid-back event perfect for relaxing and chatting with other moms.

For all kids born in 2009 and 2010, we have an outing your fire truck-obsessed child is going to love. Join us at the fire station downtown on Friday, July 13 from 3:30 to 4:30. The firefighters are going to give the kids a tour, show them the trucks and even let them try on fire gear, so don’t forget your cameras. The event is limited to 12 kids, so you MUST RSVP on Big Tent under the 2009 or 2010 playgroup in order to attend.

All kids are invited to the Finger Painting Bonanza, which we promise will live up to its name. Meet us Wednesday, July 25 from 11:00 to 1:30 at Alta Laguna Park. We will have large sheets of paper and paint for the kids to create their masterpieces. The final product would be ideal to use as custom gift-wrap for grandparent gifts. You’ll also be able to make smaller hand- and foot-print portraits perfect for framing. We can pretty much guarantee your kids will get messy, so bring clothes that you don’t mind getting paint on.

Coming up in August ... mark your calendars for our annual BBQ at Bluebird Park on Friday, Aug. 10 from 4:30 to 7:30. We’ll provide some tasty BBQ and a vegetarian option, a keg and entertainment. Please bring a dessert or side dish and beverage of your choice, if beer isn’t your thing, as well as a blanket. We’ll be setting up a gated “drool zone” full of toys for the non-mobile little ones. They’ll be able to roll around with their friends while the new parents chat and swap tips. 

Be sure to check out all of the non-Parents Club events around town this summer. The Music in the Park series at Bluebird Park begins on Sunday, July 15 and runs through August 26. You can start setting up after 3:00 and the shows start at 5:00. Sawdust and Festival of the Arts also have ongoing events. Take the kids to Sawdust during the day to run around and listen to live music or take a picnic to the Art, Jazz, Wine and Chocolate Tasting every Thursday from 5:30 to 7:30 at Festival of the Arts beginning July 12 and running through August 30. You’ll probably see a friendly, LBPC member in the crowd.

We frequently post around-town events and sponsorship discounts on our Facebook page, so be sure to “like” the Laguna Beach Parents Club.

Do you need something to read this summer? Pick up the book club selection for September, The Rock of Tanios by Amin Maalouf. You still have two whole months to read it. Meetings are the first Wednesday of each month. Check Big Tent for the location.

For those of you looking for a way to simplify dinner time, check out the Meal Prep Class at the Laguna Culinary Arts (845 Laguna Canyon Road). The group will be meeting on Tuesday, July 17 from 7:00 to 9:00 to prepare meals to take home while enjoying a glass of wine. You can make five four-serving meals for $150 or ten four-serving meals for $250. Dishes include salmon Provencal, cuban chicken and BBQ pork chops. E-mail Chef Evan at evan@evanssupperclub.com to reserve a spot. You can find the Supper Club menu online at EvansSupperClub.com.

Finally, we’d like to welcome the newest addition to our LBPC family. Congratulations!

Taisha Azqueta, Cagin Senturk and daughter Sofia would like to announce the arrival of their baby boy, Attila Hector Senturk Azqueta on May 24. He weighed 9 pounds and measured 20 1/2 inches.  

Don’t forget that we deliver meals to the families of new babies through our Families Helping Families program. If you’re pregnant or have just had a baby, contact Kami Marshall (kamibmarshall@gmail.com) to receive a delicious meal from a local restaurant.

If you’re looking for an easy way to volunteer, let Kami know that you’re interested in delivering a meal. This doesn’t have to be an ongoing commitment; if you pick up and deliver one meal, it would be a huge help. The families are always so appreciative and you get to spend a few minutes with an adorable newborn. 

Happy July!