January Newsletter

We hope that you and your family are already having a great year. Clearly, getting the newsletter out earlier in the month didn't top our resolution list. But we are committed to creating even more opportunities this year for you to find support and friendship among other families who live, work or attend school in Laguna Beach. We have so many ways for you to meet other parents and kids, including playgroups, a book club, Mom’s (and Dad’s) Night Outs and family events. Also, if you’ve been looking for a way to get more involved in the community, we would love to have your help. Our next monthly meeting is this Thursday, January 31 at Megan Cauley’s house from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. Come enjoy some sangria with other friendly moms and contribute ideas or find out how you can volunteer. You can RSVP and get location details here: http://www.bigtent.com/home/calendar/event/75698628

The Parents Club finished 2012 strong. Nearly 20 dads showed up for our Dad’s Night Out at NEApolitan to watch football, enjoy beer and pizza, and hang out together. Everyone had such a great time that we will be planning more DNOs for this year. Normally, we would post a photo of the dads posing with their arms around each other, but they were too cool for that. So just imagine their happy smiling faces instead.

We want to thank all of you who contributed to our holiday Adopt-a-Family efforts and Staci Bina for coordinating. We were amazed by how generous our members are. The Parents Club collectively adopted 26 families from the Boys & Girls Club, Southwest Community Center in Santa Ana and the local area. Members also contributed more than $1,000 in gift cards to six teens from a local shelter. This year, we will continue supporting a charity at each of our major events. Please let us know if you have a worthy cause in the area that is special to you.

Looking ahead, we already have some fun events planned for 2013. Keep the New Year celebrations going at our Chinese New Year party on Thursday, February 21 from 11:30 to 3:30 at Alta Laguna Park. Help us usher in the year of the snake with themed food, crafts and more. If you’re really in the party spirit, dress your little one up. Please RSVP on Big Tent so we can have enough supplies for everyone: http://www.bigtent.com/group/calendar/event/75438929?trackback

Maybe you’ve resolved to read more this year? The Book Club should be great motivation. Almost every month, there’s a chance to discuss what you loved or hated about that month’s pick while enjoying a glass of wine and good company. Don’t worry; even if you don’t finish the book, they’ll still let you in the door. The book for February is Emily Giffin’s Where We Belong. See Big Tent for details on time and location. Also, keep an eye out for a list of the next six books, which will be coming out shortly.

Throughout the year, our playgroups — based on the year your child was born — are an easy way to get out of the house and meet other parents and kids. We recently have had some new coordinators generously volunteer to take over and wanted to introduce them to you.

2008 and older
Allison Sladeck was born in LA, raised on the East Coast and came back to the West Coast seven years ago. She has a six-year-old daughter, is licensed to sell real estate and loves dance and martial arts. As the kids get older, it’s difficult to accommodate everyone’s schedule, but Allison would like to plan at least one outing per month at a different time and day of the week. So far, planned activities for this year include a Nirvana Grille cooking class, a balloon ride at the Great Park, Cho’s Academy of Self Defense and park playdates.

2009/2010

Tiffany Frey recently moved to Laguna from the East Coast (the East Coast must hate us for stealing all of their moms) and has found the playgroups a great way for her and her four-year-old son to meet new friends. She is looking forward to creating opportunities for the 2009 and 2010 kids to learn, develop and play together this year.

2011
Megan Wilson grew up in Laguna Beach and is happy that she gets to raise her two-year-old son here, too. She is working on her thesis at CSUF in southern California archaeology and expecting another little one in June (congrats, Megan!). The playgroup meets every Wednesday at 10 at Bluebird Park, and Megan also is planning fieldtrips to Pretend City, the Discovery Science Center and Irvine Regional Park.

2012
Jennifer Leonti says she’s a little bit of South Laguna mixed with New York. Her son is 9 months old and they’re both excited about this year’s playgroup and exploring different parts of Laguna.

We hope to see you at an event or playdate soon!

We would like to thank our following sponsors. "Like" the Laguna Beach Parents Club on Facebook to keep up on club-specific offers.