MOPS at Church at the Crossing

MOMS go WILD

2008-07-21T18:46:00.003-05:00

at Crop night.

Here are the pictures of our out of control group.

and our crop tour guide.
We must have been eating too much candy!

August has two MOPS crops nights. Join MOPS moms on August 8, August 15 or both! Dinner, a door prize and other give-aways are included in the price.

MOPS CROP? $15.00. Fun times with MOPS moms? Priceless

Updated! THings to do this week:

2008-07-15T11:41:00.002-05:00

SEE a free/$1 movie!

See posting for movie times and venues

July 17th through 26th: Marion County Fair runs July 17th through 26th.

July 18th to August 17th: The Wiz runs July 18th to August 17th at the American Cabaret Theatre. The show is at 7:30pm Thursday through Saturday and 3pm on Sunday. Call (317)631-0334

July 19th through 26th: Hendricks County 4-H Fair. Fun, food and entertainment will be available July 19th through 26th.

Jul 22 11:00 am, Pike Branch (West)Animalia's Indy Adventures Animal Show
Families and children of all ages are invited to meet some of the animals and creatures seen in each of the Indiana Jones movies and have some wild, adventurous fun!

July 23: Enjoy a free Lunchtime Concert on the Canal. Blueprintmusic will perform on July 23rd from 11am to 1pm in front of the Indiana History Center.

July 25: Help Shatter the Silence on domestic abuse. Attend the B.I.G. Gala on July 25th to benefit the Rebirth Project... A nonprofit organization that assists victims of domestic violence. The event is at 7pm at the Ritz Charles.

July 25 Take your kids to a theatrical circus. The Colorful Hat will be at the Pike Performing Arts Center on July 25th at 7pm. To purchase tickets, call (317)216-5455.

July 25 Relax and listen to the Drums of West Africa at the Indianapolis City Market on July 25th.

July 26th: Take the entire family to enjoy an interactive and educational performance. Dance Kaleidoscope is on July 26th at 6pm and 8pm at White River State Park.

July 26th: Take the whole family to practice fly fishing or test your skills on an outdoor climbing wall. July 26th from 10am to 5pm is Outdoor Adventure Day at the Eiteljorg Museum. Call (317)636-9378

July 27th: Enjoy a free outdoor concert at Lions Park in Zionsville. The Indianapolis Symphonic Band will perform "Give My Regards to Broadway" on July 27th at 7pm. For concert information, call (317)726-1607

August 2nd: Learn how to capture the details of your travels. The Writers' Center of Indiana is offering a "You Are Here: Adventures in Travel" writing class on August 2nd from 1pm to 4pm. Call (317)255-0710 to sign up.

Now through August 24th: Explore art from a variety of other cultures. The "Two Worlds, One Language Through Art" exhibition runs June 29th through August 24th at the Indianapolis Art Center.

Ongoing:

Experience 19th-century life first-hand! Your family can spend the night at Conner Prairie in a historic farmhouse. Make your reservations for an "On the Farm Experience." For reservations, call (317)776-6006, (800)966-1836 or click here for more information. http://connerprairie.org/events/weekendonthefarm

And explore ancient tombs with Egyptian mummies. To Live Forever: Egyptian Treasures from the Brooklyn Museum runs through September 7th at the Indianapolis Museum of Art.

Glide past the many attractions inside White River State Park and enjoy a scenic trip around The Canal on a Segway Tour.

Koala's have returned to the Indianapolis Zoo. Now through September 1st the koalas are visiting from the San Diego Zoo. For more information, call 317-630-2001.

MOPS REGISTRATION FORM

2008-07-08T14:24:00.000-05:00

Hello ladies! I hope you are having a great summer. The MOPS steering team has met to begin planning the year, and we have some very fun meetings ahead! I hope you'll be joining us!

If you haven't yet registered and paid the $40 registration fee, now is the time. We will have a drawing for all the ladies who have registered and paid by July 22 for a Target gift card.

Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Space in our childcare rooms is limited, so be sure to secure your spot today!

The registration form is attached....or, we should have online registration set up on the church's Web site around July 14. You will still need to mail your check, though.

If you filled out a registration form this spring but didn't pay your dues, you'll want to pay them now to be entered in the drawing.

Checks should be made payable to Church at the Crossing and mailed to:
Dawn Schuler
8709 Appleby Ln.
Indianapolis, IN 46256

Print it off, fill it out, and mail to Dawn.

it will be up here on the blog waiting for you anytime you need it!

Free/ $1 movies

2008-07-08T13:25:00.002-05:00

Shows start at 10:00 a.m. every Wednesday from June 25 - August 6. All admission proceeds* from AMC Summer MovieCamp will benefit Variety - The Children's Charity and the Will Rogers Institute.
Excluding tax.

Indianapolis: Castleton Square and College Park theatres

Movie Schedule**

July 23:Bee Movie

July 30:Surf's Up

August 6:TMNT

United Arts Theaters:

Village Park Stadium 17
2222 East 146th Street
Carmel ,IN 46033
317-843-1681

07/22/2008-07/23/2008
Mr. Bean's Holiday (G)
Night At The Museum (PG)

07/29/2008-07/30/2008
Pirates Who Don't Do Anything - Veggie Tales (G)
Alvin And The Chipmunks (PG)

08/05/2008-08/06/2008
Wallace And Gromit (G)
Firehouse Dog (PG)

Galaxy Stadium 14
8105 E. 96Th Street
Indianapolis ,IN 46256
317-570-5970

07/22/2008-07/23/2008
Mr. Bean's Holiday (G)
Night At The Museum (PG)

07/29/2008-07/30/2008
Pirates Who Don't Do Anything - Veggie Tales (G)
Alvin And The Chipmunks (PG)

08/05/2008-08/06/2008
Wallace And Gromit (G)
Firehouse Dog (PG)

Retreat pictures:meet the steering team

2008-07-03T13:51:00.005-05:00

Here is the 2008-2009 steering team:
Dawn & Kelly -- Co-coordinators
Natalie -- fundraising
Emma -- publicity
Stacy & Meredith -- creative activities
Nicole & Karla -- hospitality
Linda -- prayer & care
Krista -- finance
Sara -- discussion group leader
Josie -- outside activities
Stephanie & Melissa -- MOPPETS Curriculum

Here are some faces of our steering team as we planned away at Dawn's house. Some steering members were absent as they were on vacation.

Karla and Tracy, the creative thinkers

Dawn, our humble coordinator, leading from the floor with Krista, our financial guru next to her.

The motley crew. We won't look like this for most of the MOPS year because those tans will fade... Our enthusiasm will not fade though! Never you fear!

Adventures in Mothering

2008-07-03T13:43:00.005-05:00

You have lots to look forward to in the upcoming MOPS year!

This past weekend (Saturday, June 28) the steering team got together for an intense planning retreat from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the 08-09 year.

You can see our new steering team in all their glory at: http://catcmopsmouth.blogspot.com/2008/07/retreat-picturesmeet-steering-team.html.

We will continue to have a paid MOPPETS coordinator who hires the workers and takes care of logistics. Stephanie and Melissa will do curriculum & crafts for the kids, make name tags, maintain sign-in sheets, etc. This is a change from the way we did things this year.

In addition, mentor moms Gail, Lisa, Krista & Sherry will return next year. We will also add another mentor mom, Anita Casterline. Anita is the wife of CATC pastor David Casterline.

Keep checking the blog and we'll let you know who the new table leaders are. Please register now! We are waiting to see how many people are signed up so we know how many tables we will have. If you are interested in being a table leader and have not already told Sara Molendorp, please let her know.

We will let you know more about the plans for your 2008-2009 MOPS year soon! We are looking forward to your joining us on our mothering adventure!

Free Things to do: Story time

2008-06-27T19:04:00.000-05:00

Story time:

Preschool Storytime at Lawrence Library
Wednesdays 10:30 am
Age Level: Preschool

Baby Storytime at Lawrence Library,
Tuesdays & Fridays at 10:30 a.m.

Baby Storytime at Glendale Library
Glendale Branch (North)
Wednesdays 10:30 am
Age Level: Babies (Birth-2)

Toddler Tales at Nora Library
Nora Branch (North)
Wednesdays 10:30 am

Preschool Stories at the InfoZone Library
InfoZone Branch (North)
Wednesdays 10:30 am
Age Level: Preschool (3-5)

Preschool Storytime at Glendale Library
Glendale Branch (North)
Thursdays 11:30 am
Age Level: Preschool (3-5)

Preschool Storytime at Irvington Library
Irvington Branch (South)
Thursdays 10:30 a.m.
Age Level: Preschool (3-5)

prayer requests

2008-06-24T12:11:00.002-05:00

If anyone feels like posting a prayer request for the group, please let me know. I am starting a list.

fairy tales

2008-06-24T12:09:00.001-05:00

"Everyone's lives are a fairytale written from God's fingertips." - Hans Christian Anderson

MOPS CROP SCRAPTACULOUS!

2008-06-13T23:52:00.002-05:00

The MOPS CROP at Archivers was absolutely wonderful!

Natalie, Dawn, Sarah, Stacy, Josie, Emma and a friend of Josie's were at the MOPS table.

When we arrived we were given some scrapping goodies, then we hit the a dinner of chicken, macaroni, veggies, cookies and candy. One of the Archivers people did a demonstration for card making. We each had a chance to make the card before the evening ended.

Drawings were held hourly and Sarah and Josie won prizes! Whoo hoo!

It was great value for money, I got to chat with friends, and.... I got scrap booking done!

The date for the next MOPS CROP might be changed. We will be getting info to you soon.

HGTV coming to Indy

2008-06-12T16:03:00.002-05:00

HGTV’s My House is Worth What? is coming to Indy. APPLICATION LINK HERE: http://www.pietown.tv/Shows/mhiww_applicationowners.html

Visit the MOPS blog for more information

Fridays at Broadway Park, Indianapolis

2008-06-08T09:17:00.001-05:00

Here is a map on how to get there (You will have to be able to know how to get to College Avenue to be able to use the map).

On the Fridays that there is no other MOPS park date, you are welcome to join some BR area moms at Broadway Park this summer.

1st MOPS park date a big SPLASH!

2008-06-06T16:14:00.001-05:00

Lots of moms (10 + ?) showed up at Broadway Park on June 6 for our first MOPS Summer Park Date (TM).

Broad Ripple MOMS are invited to come back to Broadway Park on the Friday mornings we don't have official MOPS Summer Park Dates. ANYONE CAN COME! Not just the BR area moms. We will be there though.

Visit the blog to see pictures.

Fruit Salsa and Cinnamon Chips, Veronica

2008-06-04T14:23:00.001-05:00

Fruit Salsa and Cinnamon Chips

Dice the following fruit:
2 large Golden delicious apples
3 Kiwi
½ lb Strawberries
6 oz. Container raspberries
6 oz. Container blackberries

Mix all fruit with:
2 Tbsp White sugar
1 Tbsp Brown Sugar
3 Tbsp Raspberry preserves

For flour tortillas:
Butter flavored cooking spray
2 cups cinnamon sugar mixture (less cinnamon than sugar)

Cut the tortillas into fourths. Spray each side of the tortilla with cooking spray, then dip each side in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Lay flat on a cookie sheet. Cook for about 7-10 minutes at 350 degrees, or until golden brown.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins by Stephanie

2008-06-04T14:21:00.001-05:00

Yield: 1 dozen

Ingredients:
1 2/3 cups flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup canned pumpkin
2 eggs
1 stick (8 tablespoons) butter or margarine - melted
6 ounces chocolate chips

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all dry ingredients in a bowl - mix well. Combine all wet ingredients in another bowl. Add wet ingredients to dry and mix gently just to combine everything. Add chocolate chips and mix lightly until just combined. Bake in a greased 12 cup muffin pan for 20 to 25 minutes. Do not over bake. Test w/toothpick. They should still seem a little underdone when removed from the oven.

FREE DINNER (there is such a thing)

2008-05-27T14:30:00.000-05:00

Nationwide(participating locations):

Penn Station
Tuesdays

Denny’s:
Tuesday and Saturday 4- 10pm

Fazolis:
Tuesdays 5- 8pm

Indianapolis:
Chick-fil-A on 82nd
Wednesdays 4- 8pm

Noblesville:
Skyline Chili
Fridays 5- 9pm

Greenwood:
Sunshine Cafe
All day Tuesdays

Oriental Buffet & Grill
Monday Nights

Lonestar Steakhouse
Tuesday all day. Saturday 11-4

2008 End of Year picture

2008-05-20T08:08:00.002-05:00

visit our blog to see the pictures better. Right click on the picture to save it.

Have a Sane Summer, Emma Kalinowski

2008-05-19T14:32:00.000-05:00

Do you remember the excitement you felt as a kid when school got out and the summer stretched ahead of you full of promise, fun, and relaxation? Well, it is possible to resurrect that feeling. It is not easy, but it is possible.

To make your summer relaxing fun and memorable, we have put together some tips to help you out.

Carmel has a great Farmer’s Market: http://www.carmelfarmersmarket.com/ . It is open 8-11:30 from 5/31 to 9/27. If the fresh fruits and veggies aren’t enough to entice you –here are some of our favorites: fruit slushes for $1, breakfast brats for the hubbies, kettle corn, fresh cut flowers, and tasty baked goods.

I celebrate summer by going swimming nearly every day!

We paint with water on the driveway and sidewalks. Your paint supply is abundant and the kids have a blast. The only additional tip, dress them in clothes you don't mind getting soaked.

Conner Prairie has classes for kids ages 2 and up with a parent, and the Children's Museum also does classes for kids (I think) 18-36 months with a parent and ages 3-5 without a parent in the class.

There's a farmer's market near my house every Thursday in the summer. I take my kids and we pick out produce for that night's dinner (and the week). I don't cook anything for dinner, except the produce, we bought that day which makes for an easy dinner prep and a healthy meal. Sometimes, dinner is simply corn on the cob, peaches, and sliced tomatoes! YUM!

We eat dinner outside until it gets too cold.

CATC has a camp this summer. I am sending my kids!

Make your own snack bags to keep in the car so they are easy to get when you are on the run. Put some combination of your kids’ favorite in small Ziploc snack bags.

When my kid is cranky I take him for a bike ride. I can’t hear him complaining way back there.

Freeze yogurt tubes so that when you are out, they are cool.

Two words: Free movies. Lots of Indy theatres have free movies in the summer in the mornings. These are G or PG rated.

Get a bunch of canvas bags of different designs/colors. Designate one for the library, one for the pool, one for school/camp, one for church, etc. Color code the bags and have everything you need in them. Tie membership cards/library cards to the handles.

Invite a MOPS friend over. Your kids might already be friends!

Going to park dates with my MOPS friends helps me keep sane!

Money Matters, Natalie

2008-05-19T14:31:00.001-05:00

Money really does matter to the health and survival of our MOPS group and to our programming and missions.

2008 was a great year for the Kids’ Stuff Sale! We sold more than $19,000 in merchandise. We made more than $5,000 for our MOPS ministry. The money we made will help to offset our childcare costs.

God is good and blessed our hard work with a great outcome!

Thanks to all the MOPS moms who helped to make this happen by serving on the committee, volunteering during the sale weekend, being a seller, or shopping the sale!

We couldn’t do it without all of you.

Front Porch Play

2008-05-19T14:28:00.001-05:00

After a week of playing outside virtually all day every day, I once again have a tremendous appreciation for the way in which the simplest things in God’s creation can entertain our kids. With this in mind, I have some suggestions for outdoor play during the summer months. I am the queen of “free” or “almost free.” You can combine fun with lots of ‘teachable moments’, even if, like me, you aren’t a teacher. If you don’t know an answer, use it as a chance to research at the library, online, etc. after you play.

Water Play: Who doesn’t enjoy water on a hot day?
Younger child
* Take a shallow plastic container and a wood or plastic table out in the shade. Fill it with water and add many kitchen gadgets. Let your child explore what happens to the water with each. If she puts dirt or plants in, that’s part of the fun—and learning. Try making a simple boat from an egg carton or other container—perhaps adding sails made out of sticks and paper.
* Water the grass and entertain your child simultaneously
* Get out a bucket and an old, paintbrush. Let your child paint with water on the driveway or sidewalk.
Older child
* Build more elaborate boats for your water table and see what floats and what doesn’t and then come inside to research why one material or shape works better than another.
* Take an old shower curtain, drop cloth, or long plastic sheeting material and put it on a sloped part of the yard. Put the hose at the top and anchor the top of the sheeting—and turn the hose on a gentle stream.
* Buy an inexpensive wading pool. Let them play with everything from sand toys, kitchen gadgets, soft balls, Duplos, Fisher Price, or Playmobile toys (and let them make up water adventures—from cooking gourmet meals to deep-sea diving/treasure hunts
* Find a shallow stream or creek, put on your grubbies and your rain boots, and go wading. Take some disinfectant, some gardening or work gloves and a plastic bag in your pocket or in a fanny pack. See if you can find any interesting rocks, fossils, fish, etc. and let your child pick out a favorite item (not a fish!) to take home. If you see trash along the way, pick it up with your gloves and use it as a chance to talk about the importance of caring for the environment.
Chalk anyone?
Younger child
* Get some chubby chalk and let your little artist go to town. Let her watch what happens to the colors on the cement when they get wet.
Older child
* Have your child help you to build a city or countryside with chalk—including buildings, street signs/traffic lights, speed markers, railroad crossings, bridges and so on. Let your child walk or ride through the town—being sure to follow the signals. Assign someone to be the police officer. Too many tickets and you land in jail! This is a good way to teach traffic safety, too: bicycle hand signals, which side of the street you should walk/ride on, how to cross the street and so on. A good rain or hosing off will wash it all away so you can start fresh another day.
Nature explorer
Younger child
* Point out different things you see in the sky or in your yard: clouds, the sun, trees, grass, plants, flowers, birds, bugs, etc. Ask your child questions about what he sees (color, shape, size) and what he likes or doesn’t like about each thing. This is also a good chance to talk about how God made each of these things and how it shows us His love.
Older child
* Get some basic books on trees, birds, bugs, flowers, etc.—whatever is of interest to your child. Build a simple birdhouse (you can buy kits inexpensively at craft stores) and let your child decorate it or put out a birdfeeder. Watch the creatures that come into your yard and teach your child (and perhaps yourself too) to recognize different varieties of wildlife.
* Buy a bug vacuum, butterfly net, or use a jar with holes in the lid to capture some little critters to observe, then let them go. Or, just enjoy some time watching the ants or other ‘creepy crawlies’ on your sidewalk and see what they do when you place obstacles or food in front of them. You’d be amazed at how interesting this is for your 4- or 5-year-old—and you might be surprised that you, too, are interested!
* Get out your paper, glue, scissors, crayons, markers, etc. and let your child pick up sticks, leaves, and so on from the yard and make nature collages. If you can, make them outside on a patio, picnic table, etc. to reduce mess and help your child to enjoy the ‘natural’ part of the experience. If you like, talk to your child about what the items are and anything you know about the item (such as nuts being the ‘seed’ that makes new trees and how that happens) as your child makes his artful creation.
* Buy a kite from Dollar Tree and go to a park. This is a definitely a joint activity (they’ll need help) and you can use it as an opportunity to talk about wind, air currents, and so on.

Most importantly, have fun with your child!

MOPS MUGS

2008-05-19T14:27:00.002-05:00

Who you gonna call? by Emma Kalinowski

2008-05-19T14:26:00.002-05:00

When the day is long
and the sun is hot..
who you gonna call?
MOPS MOTHERS!

When the kids are screaming
and your tears are streaming...
who you gonna call?
MOPS MOTHERS!

nee nah nee nah nee nah dadada

I’m not afraid of no kids!
nee nah nee nah nee nah dadada

I’m not afraid of no kids!

Back Yard Play Ideas from The Wiggle and Giggle Busy Book

2008-05-19T14:19:00.000-05:00

Sled Pull – load up your sleds with dolls or plush animals and pretend to be horses pulling carriages. have a race.

Rope Games – Lay a long rope in a pattern on the grass. Have your child walk along the “tightrope” without falling off. Also, lay the rope in a closed shape like a circle. Have your child think of how many ways he can move in and out of the shape.

Long Jump – Mark a start line with rope or string. Have your child stand at the line and jump forward as far as he can. Mark the spot. Let him try repeatedly to beat his farthest jump.

Balloon Tennis – Use paddles or racquets to bat a balloon back and forth with your child. In addition, you could see who can bat a balloon in the air the longest.

Soccer skills – Turn a large box onto its side and use it as soccer net. Practice kicking the ball into it.

Golf – Dig a small hole in the ground and bury a tin can so the top of it is flush with the ground. Give your child a putter, wrapping paper tube, plastic toy shovel, etc. and let him putt balls into the can.

Bola – To make a bola, insert a rubber ball in to the toe of a sock. Tie a knot in the sock just above the ball, then tie a rope to the sock. Lie on your back and start spinning the bola. When the bola is spinning at a consistent speed, have the child jump into its path and try to jump over it as it comes around.

Cat tail tag – Played like tag with a piece of yarn or string hanging from the back of the players pants to be pulled out.

This Way and That – Sing the song with your child to the tune of “The More We Get Together.” Move around the yard in different ways: Did you ever jump on two feet, did you ever skip in circles, did you ever walk on tiptoe, etc.
Have fun!

MOPS MUGSHOTS

2008-04-17T18:29:00.002-05:00

Williamsburg Bread

2008-04-17T16:42:00.001-05:00

Williamsburg Bread from
Rebecca’s Kitchen
Rebecca Bodine, Table Leader

Ingredients:
2 pkg. crescent rolls
2 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
1 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 egg, separated

Topping:
1/2 c. sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
4 oz. pecans, chopped

Instructions:
• To form bottom crust, press one package of rolls in bottom of greased 9x13 inch pan, pinching perforations together.
• Beat together cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and egg yolk until creamy and spread over bottom crust.
• Press out remaining rolls to fit pan.

• Cover cheese mixture with top crust.
• Beat egg white slightly and brush over crust.
• Sprinkle topping.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes or until crust is golden brown.
• Refrigerate when cool.
ENJOY!