New plan...

Pump it Up sent a message saying that it was closed at 11:45 - lovely.  Adrian and Solomon re-routed and are now playing at our house, if anyone wants to join us.

pump it up open jump

I am thinking about braving the roads and taking S to the 12-2 open jump at Pump it Up in Gaithersburg. Is anyone interested in coming with? If you trust me to drive your child, I could take one along with me and Sollo. Just let me know - first come, first served! Joanna

school closed - gaming?

If anyone wants to come over, and play some games - uno, go fish, skip bo, old maid, crazy 8s, whatever - just drop me a line.  we could use some entertainment this a.m.
Jessie

meet up in the park this pm?

Hi all,
is anyone interested in meeting up in a park (either Getty or Forest Grove) this afternoon? Around 2:30 or 3?
Michelle

Sligo Middle Open House

Hey everyone, I was meaning to send this out then it slipped my mind. At the Singer PTA meeting, the Principal from Sligo Middle mentioned that there are 2 Open Houses (one was TODAY, the other is on Wednesday, November 6th). Did anyone go today? I plan on going to the Nov. 6th one. It's from 8:30-10:30am.

pta meeting

Does anyone want to.carpool to the pta meeting at FS tonight?

monkeys on the roof

anyone going to bingo night?

SOS for play dates

Hi everyone,
I'm in search of a play date for Ryan this weekend -- Saturday afternoon, or Sunday morning or afternoon all work. We're open to hosting your child or sending Ryan over.

Aside from this weekend, I'm wondering if anyone is interested in a semi-regular play date. Our Sunday morning gatherings have long faded away, but we often find ourselves looking for ways to keep the kids occupied. Ryan in particular always wants to either have a friend over or go to a friend's house. I feel like I'm always trolling for play dates "well, I haven't asked Billy's mom in awhile, so maybe I'll see if they're free". (And I then start wondering, is it this hard for everyone else --  or is there something about either Ryan or our family that people don't like so I'm the one always looking for play dates? Or are other kids just more content to go to the park with mom and dad?). I'm starting to ramble on here so I'll stop -- but please let me know if there's interest for this weekend and in general!
Michelle

If anyone is around this afternoon...

I am going to take Solomon to the Baskin Robbins in Kensington since a percent of their profits are going to the FS PTA today.  We'll probably leave here shortly after he gets off the bus - around 4ish.

Joanna

Lego Swaps

After Sollo just finished a new lego set in one day, I realized that we need to find a new way to support this hobby -- one that involves spending less money and filling the world with less plastic.  So, I was wondering if any of you would be interested in swapping completed Lego sets so our kids can take them apart and rebuild.  I've been fairly manic about keeping the instructions and keeping all the pieces, so we have several that we could trade.  We would, of course, trade with the understanding that a piece or two may be missing.  Anyway, if you are interested and if your child is willing to part with his set, let me know.  I've floated the idea by Sollo and he seems okay so far.  We have a 3 in one house building set (you can take it apart and build three different styles); two Star Wars planes; a space shuttle; and several random vehicles.

Cheers!
Joanna

Sat, 7 Sept - Pool Party

Hi All.
 
Sat, 7 Sept seems to a be a good day to host an end-of-summer pool party at Kenmont Pool. 

Pool opens at 11am on Sat.  We will be getting there around 11/11:15am  We will likely break for lunch at 12 noonish and then swim for as long as we want afterwards.  (Note, adult swim is for 15 mins beginning at the :45 of each hour.)

Please let us know how many  willcoming and we will leave a guest list upfront.  We will likely order in Costco pizza.  Easy and quick. 

I highly recommend one adult per kid, or be ready to herd cats.  Because Kenmont has a pool and the playground, it is always each kid moving in opposite directions.

Some highlights:

3 pools:  Big pool including diving well, baby pool (shaded) and separate lap pool with 6 lanes.

Playground:  Great for 3+ years old and up.  All kids love to play there.  Again, shaded.

Tennis courts:  2, but we have yet to enjoy them given the herding cats comment above.

Basketball court that the 5+ year old kids like.  (Bring a ball if you would like to play.)

Clubhouse:  all purpose room with foosball and ping pong and snack shack.

 

Cheers.

 

Shawn

202-415-4016

 

=)

 

 

Shawn and I are drinking at my house at 8 pm

In case anyone wants to join us last minute....I'll be kicking people out by 11, since I have to get up early tomorrow, but feel free to come by any time!

What's happening after school with our kiddos

Hey everyone - I was going to send an email just to those of you I've spoken with recently about after school schedules, but I thought I would open it up to everyone, since I am excited about this idea.  There are a number of us who will be home with our kids after school certain days of the week, and I thought it would be helpful if we could share our schedules with each other for two reasons.  First, to schedule play dates - either simply for fun or to allow one or both parents to get more stuff done while the kids are playing.  Second, to help each other out with emergency back up care if any is needed.

This also may be a good opportunity to re-share our cell phone numbers so we can easily get in touch by call or text to arrange things last minute if need be.

Of course, our schedule is still not totally set, but for now, I will be getting S off the bus and staying with him on Wednesdays and Fridays.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays, Harry will be getting him off the bus, and dropping him next door with Evelyn so he can continue working from home - Harry could easily bring S to someone else's house on one of those days for a playdate, or in case of emergency, have your child here, or even with Evelyn.  We are still up in the air with Mondays - and Harry may end up switching his work at home day to Monday - but we'll keep people updated.  My cell is 202-251-0235.

Anyway, if people are interested in sharing as they know what is happening with their schedules, that would be great.

Joanna

Mamas happy "hour" at Jessie's house on Friday...

Hello all,

I'm having a happy "hour" at my house on Friday from 6 - whenever.  It's drop-in, so come by if you are in town.  It's just women though, sorry hubbies!  I also invited some of the usual Brisbane St suspects too, but you will recognize/know them from the park, etc :)

Thanks!
Jessie

toys for sale!

I meant to tell folks about this sooner, but just saw this posting on SS Mom's, which reminded me.   The store is on Metropolitan, across from the train station in Kensington.  While I honestly think the guy who owns the store is kind of an asshole (sorry), it's still a great store and it's where I buy all my toys for gifts, etc.  Good, local business.  

fun and games closing

Thu Jun 27, 2013 9:15 am (PDT) . Posted by:

"Melissa S. Polito" melissapolito

I was just in the store and was told that 8/3 will be their last day. So sad that we couldn't support an independent toy store. Anyway the whole store is 50% off except legos which are 20% off.

cancelling tomorrow's afternoon play

Hi all,
I only heard "no thanks" in response to my post, so I've made other plans for tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing everyone at Heather's next week!
Michelle

Sunday pm play/movie opportunity for dads

Hi all,
as Ed's belated Father's Day present, I'm giving him this Sunday afternoon off. Would anyone like to come over for playtime, around 2-4, and help me maintain my sanity? If it's nice, we can break out the kiddie pool, water sprinkler, etc.

And if any other dads (or moms!) are interested, Ed is going to try and see the latest Star Trek movie that afternoon. Please let me know if you're in for either the playdate or the movie.
Michelle

in case you are interested

For those of us sending our kids to MCPS next year, I thought some of you might be interested in this organization, which promotes healthier food in MCPS schools:   http://www.realfoodforkidsmontgomery.org

It looks like it does some good work and has some good tips (like, did you know that you can block your child's food debit card from being used to purchase snacks???).  There is a chapter set up at Flora Singer.

I still can't believe they are going to Kindergarten......

Saturday, June 29th at 3:30pm

Please join the Halwani Family

for a Pool/BBQ party!

Saturday, June 29th

3:30 pm

Please RSVP by Sunday, June 23rd:  HOGANHA@MSN.COM 

.

Camping: Fri 2 Aug through Sun 4 Aug

Dear All,

I think most folks have given their feedback on interest and availability for camping in August.  The first-ever playgroup camping trip is now scheduled!

We have booked 3 tent sites that back up to the open play field and play ground:  18, 20 and 22.  See the campground map for Pohick Bay.  All sites have water and electricity.  (We brought a fan for our tent last time... seriously.)  Total cost for the 3 sites is $233.

Campers can arrive as early as 1pm on Friday, 2 August.  Checkout is 11am on Sunday, 4 August.  We will coordinate closer to the trip so we can share the fun of cooking, etc.

Campers:  (Each family staying for 2 nights have their own site.)
Luc, Basa, Heather and Omar
Kurt, Gunnar and Jessie
Chace, Evan, Shawn and Jon
Solomon and Joanna (likely only 1 night, so can share a tent site)

Possible day visitors (to visit, do the waterpark, hang out, but not camp):
Quinn, Ryan, Michelle and Ed

Likely not able to come:
Moiduddins (at the beach)
Lehmann-Melgars (arriving back from vacation)

I am sorry not all families will be able to join in, but know that we will likely do another trip in October at a different playground so more families can participate.

Cheers.

Shawn

Playgroup Camping Trip -- who is in?

This summer before our kids transition to all their new adventures in K, 1st grade, new schools, new classrooms, who is up for some camping fun?

I recommend Pohick Bay near Lorton, VA and about 45 mins from here.  We have been twice and enjoy its fam-friendly camping.  Proposing Friday late afternoon/evening, 2 Aug through 11am Sunday, 4 Aug.  Alternate date Fri, 8 Aug through Sun, 11 Aug.

They have a huge open playfield and small playground.  Our kids rode their bikes for hours around the campground circle road.  The waterpark is .25 miles away and is pretty cool.    Small hikes to the river and another playground (less than mile away).  Water and electric hook ups at most sites.  I liked the idea of backing up to the playground so it is easy to watch kids so recommend sites 15, 18 and 20.  Sites 16 and 17 could be overflow.  (No guarantee on availability yet.)  You can get two tents on each site, but it is not too expensive to get your own site.

For those who do not have tents, you can rent a tent from the park (or borrow one from our fam).  Cabin camping is also available, just a short walk from the tent sites.

Who is in?

Save the Date- Saturday, June 29th

Will you be in town over Memorial Weekend?

if so... Play Group at the Halwanis!

Saturday, May 25th.   10am

Flora Singer kindergarten info

Hi everyone,
my neighbor told me that Flora Singer was having registration for kindergarten orientation, so I called this morning and got the scoop. There are 2 parent information sessions -- one on April 5 and one on another day that I admit to forgetting -- I signed up for the 5th. Both days are at 9am.

The parent/child orientation sessions are on May 2 and May 3. The afternoon slots for the 3rd were already filled up, so I signed up for 2:15 on the 2nd. They have morning slots available both days (or at least they did when I called a little while ago).
Michelle

Still on for 2 pm, and looking for milk....

I have a big thing of good hot chocolate, but no milk.  If anyone has milk they want to bring, we can make the kids hot chocolate.

Thanks!

Snow Day Playgroup?

Assuming school is cancelled tomorrow, does anyone want to come over in the afternoon?   2 pm?

Saturday the 16th evening tot group

Hi everyone,
Come celebrate St.Patrick's Day at our house on Saturday, March 16. We'll start at 4:30. We'll provide dinner -- the menu is still undecided. We will have Irish soda bread made by Ed, who is 3/4 Irish, so I feel like we're sufficiently authentic! Please let me know if you'll be able to make it.
Michelle

Sunday at the Moiduddin house?

Hello! Would anyone be up for coming to our place on Sunday morning? 10am as usual.
Emily

soccer

Just wanted to know what, if any, plans folks had for soccer this Spring?

Thanks,
Joanna

visiting FSE

Hey folks - I wanted to let you all know that I called Flora Singer today to ask about coming in to observe the kindergarten classes in session.  After sounding a little put off and asking why I wanted to do this, the secretary put me on hold and then came back with two very specific dates and times on which there were already scheduled observations.  So, if you are interested in observing classes in session (which apparently you are legally entitled to do as long as you are doing it with the school's permission and at their convenience), just call them.  We are going in on Feb. 28th at 9:30, and there is apparently a session tomorrow at 9, though they do want to know ahead of time if you are coming.

Cheers!
Joanna

Spring Break Camp at Silver Stars

I am thinking about signing Sollo up for the Spring Break Camp at Silver Stars on Wednesday, March 27th and Monday, Apr. 1st.  Anyone else interested in joining us?

Sunday am at our house

Hi all,
since Solo's b-day party is postponed, come on over to our house for an old-fashioned Sunday morning tot group.  The usual 10 am.  Please let me know if you think you can make it.
Michelle

stupid question

Do you guys hold on to outgrown toys or do you get rid of them?  I am totally in the getting rid of things mindset, but my sister-in-laws have held onto a lot of their toys -- not all necessary, but definitely ones that they liked.  Solomon now benefits from this by way of hand me downs and by having fun stuff to play with when he visits them.  While I like the idea of helping future young relatives, it seems crazy to hold onto stuff.  Are they the crazy ones or am I?

kindergarten readiness panel

I just registered for the panel below - anyone want to join me?

SSDS is hosting their annual Kindergarten Readiness Panel

Tuesday, January 29 7:30� 9pm

Silver Spring Day School --Hamilton Hall

Marvin Memorial United Methodist Church

33 University Blvd. E, Silver Spring, MD 20901

Kindergarten has been revamped since we were kids! Join us to hear about a typical day, curriculum changes, and county policies and services. Learn what you can do to help your child make a successful transition into kindergarten.

Guest speakers:

Sarah Krehbiel, MCPS kindergarten teacher

Becky Spirtas, MCPS parent of triplets

Dr. Jennifer Pleasure, psychologist and parent, who specializes in working with young children.

Amy Cropp, Supervisor, Child Find/Early Childhood Disabilities Unit, MCPS

Spaces are limited and registration is required

Program Fee: $10

Babysitting (up to 2 children): $10 (Additional children - $5 each)

FREE for teachers with valid ID

FREE for 3 parent volunteers (Contact staggerpaw@aol.com)

Register online at www.ssds-coop.org