Hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving. At the Laguna Beach Parents Club we are thankful for our many members and all the volunteers that keep this wonderful community resource such a moving force. We sure do hope to see many of you at this year's 3rd Annual Montage Mom's Night Out on Wednesday, December 10, 2014.
Updates on Bluebird Park requested improvements
We're happy to report that we continue to receive forward momentum from the City and the Recreation Committee on our requests for improvements at Bluebird Park. Our signage on the fence reminding patrons to close the gates I am told has been approved and should be up or will be up very shortly. The City Manager is also moving forward with obtaining estimates for our request for a shade structure in the tots area and fencing where the park abuts Bluebird Canyon Road. These two pieces of the puzzle are still very much in their infancy but nonetheless have momentum.
We were informed by the Public Works Departments that the installation of a speed bump on Cress in the area of the main park entrance is not possible because it is a major thoroughfare. However, we do have an opportunity to make alternative suggestions in lieu of a speed bump. If you have such suggestions, please email them to me at jenniferleonti@gmail.com.
Check out some of our volunteer opportunities:
Upcoming Events
Updates on Bluebird Park requested improvements
We're happy to report that we continue to receive forward momentum from the City and the Recreation Committee on our requests for improvements at Bluebird Park. Our signage on the fence reminding patrons to close the gates I am told has been approved and should be up or will be up very shortly. The City Manager is also moving forward with obtaining estimates for our request for a shade structure in the tots area and fencing where the park abuts Bluebird Canyon Road. These two pieces of the puzzle are still very much in their infancy but nonetheless have momentum.
We were informed by the Public Works Departments that the installation of a speed bump on Cress in the area of the main park entrance is not possible because it is a major thoroughfare. However, we do have an opportunity to make alternative suggestions in lieu of a speed bump. If you have such suggestions, please email them to me at jenniferleonti@gmail.com.
Check out some of our volunteer opportunities:
- 2014 Playgroup Coordinator
- Calendar Coordinator
- Newsletter Coordinator
We have a new volunteer for our Sponsorship Coordinator Position - Rebecca Dennis-Meyer. A huge thank you goes out to her. This role provides funding for so many of our events and allows us to keep our membership dues to a minimum.
Exciting things are going on at the LBPC and we're so happy you're a part of it.
Upcoming Events
LBPC Events:
3rd Annual Montage Moms' Night Out
When: Wed Dec 10, 2014, 7-9 pm PST
Where: Montage Lobby Bar
30801 South Coast Highway
Save the Date for the 3rd annual LBPC Montage Moms' Night Out where we will don our festive holiday best and take over the lobby bar at the Montage for a champagne toast.
The Montage lobby will provide a beautiful holiday setting for a glass of bubbly and an opportunity to connect with your favorite Laguna Mommas. New to town, no problem, this is a great way to get out and meet some new friends!
Please RSVP!
December Book Club
When: Thu December 11, 2014, 7:30–9:30 pm
Where: Wine Gallery, 1833 South Coast Hwy #110
Contact: Kim Mattie, kim.mattie@gmail.com
Join us for the December book club meeting!!
We'll meet at the Wine Gallery where we will enjoy some refreshments and discuss this month's book (Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty). Food is available for purchase at the Wine Gallery. For a menu including food and drinks, go here:http://goo.gl/GQSzlC .
If you haven't attended before, we'd love to see you. Haven't read or finished the book? Totally okay - we understand the life of a mom can be hectic. Our meetings are generally a good time for local moms to get together, socialize and relax.
Food is available for purchase at the Wine Gallery. For a menu including food and drinks, go here:http://goo.gl/GQSzlC
For additional information about Big Little Lies go here:http://goo.gl/HoHI2e
Where: Wine Gallery, 1833 South Coast Hwy #110
Contact: Kim Mattie, kim.mattie@gmail.com
Join us for the December book club meeting!!
We'll meet at the Wine Gallery where we will enjoy some refreshments and discuss this month's book (Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty). Food is available for purchase at the Wine Gallery. For a menu including food and drinks, go here:http://goo.gl/GQSzlC .
If you haven't attended before, we'd love to see you. Haven't read or finished the book? Totally okay - we understand the life of a mom can be hectic. Our meetings are generally a good time for local moms to get together, socialize and relax.
Food is available for purchase at the Wine Gallery. For a menu including food and drinks, go here:http://goo.gl/GQSzlC
For additional information about Big Little Lies go here:http://goo.gl/HoHI2e
Also click here to check out our new forum for more events going on around town and beyond in December
The Fun Times We've Had Over the Last Month:
Sawdust Tree decorating workshop
What a wonderful turn out we had for this craft, and the ornaments were adorable and made with tons of LOVE.
If you haven't made it down to Sawdust to check out the tree, you should...it looks amazing and greets all sawdust visitors from it's front entrance perch.
A Morning Mom's Talk
The talk by psychologist, Lori Aleknavicius, and art teacher, Rebecca Faubion, on Wednesday November 12, 2014 was spot on. What a wonderful get together for moms to learn new tips and strategies for managing stress.
Dr. Lori spoke about the two most important rules to remember during the holiday season - to Stay Connected and Give Thanks/Notice the Positive.
In addition, Dr. Lori schooled us on a fun way to get the family talking -- Colored Candy Go Around. Using a colored food snack item like Skittles or colored goldfish, you hand out a set amount of snack items to each participant (we used 10 total). The participants separate their snack items by color and then the go around begins. Each color has a set question that each person is to answer. For example, yellow means you are to share good things about your family and red means you are to share things you worry about. Once all players have completed one color the next color question is discussed until all colors have been completed. This is a great activity to facilitate open sharing and connection between family members. It is also fun to make up your own questions for this game and change it from time to time for variety.
It's a great time to reflect and be thankful. Dr. Lori introduced the “I’m Thankful For” activity with the Thanksgiving theme and noted how this can be used at Christmas as well with an “I’m Thankful For” Tree. With this activity, the point is to note things (with words or drawings) that you are thankful for. Dr. Lori provided an example from her daughter that noted things such as horses, bees and family that she was thankful for.
Miss Rebecca introduced a fun way to keep kids entertained during many of the 'waiting' activities that occur during the day - waiting for dinner, waiting at a restaurant, waiting for the doctor, whenever bordem may strike. "Simon Says Drawing" is perfect. Give your kids a piece of paper and guide them through the game by asking them to draw a circle, lots of little bubbles, a square, large squares, lots of lines, etc. You can also reverse roles and have the kids say the “Simon Says” part while you draw. They'll love being in charge!
Miss Rebecca also taught a paint and reveal activity. We used an art canvas (or stiff paper will work) and wrote a message using tape (think painters tape, but masking tape works well). Next, we painted over the tape and once dried removed the tape to reveal the message. So fun for adults. Wicked FUN for kids. The artist tip of the day reminded us to use colors on the palette that are close on the color wheel so to not make mucky color combinations (like when you give your kids the primary colors and they inevitably combine them to make brown and the only paint they are left with is brown. Just leave out one of the primary colors and the kiddos will continue to make a variety of colors as they mix and match and play.) Miss Rebecca noted how this art activity can be used as a great coming together for a parent and child and can also be given to others as creative family gifts.
*Dr. Lori and Miss Rebecca tied these art and play activities back into the themes of remaining connected and being mindful so to see the positive during the chaotic holiday season.
*Dr. Lori welcomes any email communications on these topics from LBPC members and would be more than happy to give more direction to anyone who would like it.
Lori Aleknavicius has a doctorate in clinical psychology from Argosy University in Orange,
California. She and her psychologist-husband, Patrick, started their own private practice, Inner Fokus, in Duluth, Minnesota in October 2010. They have since opened a second location in Newport Beach, California in January 2014. Dr. Lori mostly works with children, adolescents, families and couples. She specializes in treating people with eating disorders, anxiety disorders, mood disorders and relational disorders as well as children with behavioral problems. IN addition to conducting therapy, Dr. Lori writes for OC Mom Magazine and Parenting OC Magazine and she teaches psychology courses at Pepperdine University. Lori Aleknavicius, Psy.D. 949-393-4219 www.innerfokus.com lori@innerfokus.com
Rebecca Faubion is the owner of Artful Everyday, a Laguna Beach art school for children. She holds an EdM in arts-in-education from Harvard University and has over a decade of experience teaching art in public, private and after-school settings, for both
children and adults. She has also worked as an arts administrator, First grade teacher, and associate pastor. Rebecca Faubion, EdM 949-274-5553 www.artfuleveryday.com
Don't Forget:
Meals for New Parents
We offer a free meal prepared by a local restaurant to any LBPC family bringing home a new baby. The family can choose from several menu options. The Club takes care of ordering the food, picking it up and delivering it to the families doorstep. Yum Yum!
Contact Becky Didato at beckymaewilliams@hotmail.com
Birth Announcements
Have a new baby and want to share your excitement with the club. Email jenniferleonti@gmail.com to have the announcement appear in our next newsletter.
We need your help!
Meals for New Parents
We offer a free meal prepared by a local restaurant to any LBPC family bringing home a new baby. The family can choose from several menu options. The Club takes care of ordering the food, picking it up and delivering it to the families doorstep. Yum Yum!
Contact Becky Didato at beckymaewilliams@hotmail.com
Birth Announcements
Have a new baby and want to share your excitement with the club. Email jenniferleonti@gmail.com to have the announcement appear in our next newsletter.
Our parents club is 100% run by volunteers. It takes a lot of people to pull off our events, manage the calendar, monitor the website and keep everyone happy! Please join us at our monthly meetings to help keep with wonderful community organization thriving.
We VERY MUCH need help with the following:
- 2014 Playgroup Coordinator - If you have a 2014 kiddo and would like to coordinate please contact jenniferleonti@gmail.com. This is a great way to meet other moms and give back to this wonderful network.
- Calendar Coordinator - We are looking to fill the position of calendar coordinator. This person will help keep the club members in "the know" about events going on in our community by posting their findings on our bigtent calendar. Huge thanks to the newly prego mama that has been carrying this torch!
- Newsletter Coordinator- Looking to flex your writing skills instead of your coloring skills? Here's your opportunity.
Thank you to those folks who have recently stepped up to continue to make this club go 'round.
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