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What's Going On
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Playgroups USA Kid Jams
'Summer to Remember'
Children's Concert a Huge Success |
Playgroups USA Kid Jam Children’s Concert has better than expected attendance and raises money for Trillium Family Services
Portland, OR, September 17th, 2007 -- Hundreds of kids and adults attended the first Playgroups USA Kid Jams Children’s Benefit Concert ready to dance, sing, laugh and learn at the Portland Children’s Museum on September 15th, 2007.
The children in attendance thoroughly enjoyed Penny the Puppeteer’s opening act, ‘Celebrate!’, as Frank the Mouse hosted a silly cast of characters with music and dance. Then, singer/songwriter Nancy Stewart performed her award winning music with brightly colored bags of instruments and props that really got the audience singing and dancing. Event sponsors managed fantastic booth displays and made huge efforts to bring tremendous value to the event. It truly was an experience the whole family enjoyed!
Proceeds from the Kid Jams event benefited Trillium Family Services. Trillium Family Services is one of Oregon's most comprehensive providers of mental health services for children and families with therapy programs to address most mental health needs.
A special thank-you to all of our event sponsors, staff and volunteers!
Staff and Volunteers: Jodi Van Lom, Jeff Van Lom, Cindy Foster, Brandi Duke,
Carol Morgan, Barb Hoven-Hafdahl, Marcy Fletcher, Gail Grodem, Sharon Mueller,
Introductions: Derenda Schubert, Ph.D., Chief External Affairs Officer of Trillium Family Services
Puppet Act: Penny’s Puppet Productions
Music: Nancy Stewart
Balloon Creations: Dennis Tracy
Sponsors: Presenting Sponsors; Booster Juice, Gymboree Play & Music, Le Petit Dauphin Swim School, Little Scoops, Once Upon a Family, The Play Boutique, Pizza Schmizza, Media Sponsors; NW Kids Magazine, Portland Metro Parent, Goody Bag Sponsors; Baby and Me, Café Sip n Play, Clif Bar, Dream Dinners, Entrees Made Easy, Itsa Belly Baby Concierge, New Seasons Online Grocers, P.B. & Ellie’s Café, Pass It On, Portland Early Learning, Pump It Up Jr., Pumpkin Noodle, Smarty Parents, Stubby Pencil, Sugarplum Photography, The Lime Lab, Usborne Books, Word World-PBS, Zenana Spa
Special Thanks: The staff at the Portland Children’s Museum
Video by: Dave Unitan Productions
Photos by: Dimples Photography
To learn more about our sponsors, see the city resource pages under Portland, Oregon or Click Here!
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Some New Playgroups
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Walking Toddlers
(kids under 3 years old) (All Welcome)
Moms and Tots of Georgetown
Thursdays @ 10:00 am
Georgetown, TX 78628
Click here for more information
Walking Toddlers
(kids under 3 years old) (All Welcome)
A LUNA Moms Club - SE Portland (no fees)
Fridays @ 10:00 am
Portland, OR 97086
Click here for more information
Pre-Schoolers (all ages) (Moms)
Lakes Area Moms
Wednesdays @ 9:30 am
Commerce Twp/Walled Lake area, MI 48382
Click here for more information
Babies Under 1 (All Welcome)
Baby Signs (R) Playgroup (no fees)
Fridays @ 10:00 am
Rocklin, CA 95765
Click here for more information
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If you would like us to publish your playgroup in 'The Peanut',
send us your playgroup link. Submit here!
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Activity Corner
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Fall is in the air and the holidays are
right around the corner. Start off the season with planning a playgroup outing at one of your local pumpkin patches that offers a hay or corn maze. Kids can enjoy finding their way through the maze and exploring their options while working together with their playgroups friends to work their way to the end. Reward the group with some warm apple cider!
If your city doesn't have a local corn maze, then try playing a game of who can find the smallest or biggest pumpkin in the pumpkin patch!
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Contest Winner
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Congratulations Christie Rust of Vancouver, Washington!
Winner of a junior classic weekday Birthday party and basket valued over $200.00 at Pump It Up Jr.
Pump It Up Junior is a new, revolutionary Inflatable Party & Play Zone for little ones ages 6 & under. Bounce, Jump, and Slide in an indoor facility with newly designed interactive inflatables specifically designed for your little ones! |
Dear Playgroups USA
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Question: How do I email the members in my playgroup?
Answer: You can email individual members by clicking on the envelope icon next to the member's name on the "Members" page. Or, you can email all members by clicking on the button below the members' profiles at the bottom of the page.
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Moms Choice Article
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Playgroups: Not Just for Kids but for Moms too!
Life before children was less complicated and in many ways just easier to navigate. Of course there were challenges, I’m not going to pretend there weren’t. Making it through graduate school with 40 hours a week in class and three times that in homework was tough, but I managed to live what I thought was a balanced life visiting friends and family and staying on the dean’s list (not to mention Friday nights living up the single’s scene in NYC). I have always relied on my internal drive for perfection and resourcefulness and it usually worked for me. Even after I was married and my career as a costume designer had me working on two or three shows at a time, I was able to keep my life and myself together. Yes, I got nervous, yes I got stressed out, but I always knew how to find solutions to problems and get the job done well with a sense that no matter what, I could do it and do it well.
Then (inhale) my first daughter was born (exhale). A stranger I knew nothing about, had no skills to deal with, and who, honestly, terrified me, had just moved into my house. She demanded food, clothing and shelter. I didn’t even speak her language, and trying to decipher every cry and movement was like trying to learn Chinese.
Click here to read more of this article
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Special Offer for Playgroups USA Members
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The Tessy & Tab Reading Club is designed to help children age 2-6 build the Six Skills for Early Literacy.
To learn more about The Tessy & Tab Reading Club visit www.tessyandtab.com.
Playgroups USA members will receive 1 free month (2 extra issues) when you enter the coupon code Playgroups07 when placing your order before December 31, 2007. |
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Event Announcements
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Pass It On Consignment Sale
Fall/Winter Sale - October 11-13, 2007
National Guard Armory, 848 NE 28th Ave, Hillsboro OR 97123
Open to the public:
Thursday.......9am–7pm
Friday...........9am–5pm
Saturday.......9am–1pm
Pass It On is a children's consignment sale that happens twice a year. It's an opportunity for parents to sell gently used (and new) baby, kids, and maternity clothes, plus toys, furniture, equipment, and more up to teen age.
Click here for more information.
If you have a favorite event you would like to tell us about please email us at newsletter@playgroupsusa.com.
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Testimonials
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Playgroup better prepares a child for socialization when starting school. Children in playgroups overcome shyness when they participate in the group each week and better acquaint themselves with children around their same age before entering school. .
-Mom of three and School Teacher
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Children Develop Social Skills
Build Self Confidence
Make New Friends 
Parents/Caregivers Share Ideas 
