Spring 2010 Schedule of Activities

    ·    Friday, April 30

    12:30pm-2:30pm         
    Mother's Day Tea

Let’s celebrate the coming of spring with an old fashioned tea party (the non-political kind!).  We will meet at the Families through Adoption offices, 354 Norwood Grand Rapids, 242-9696 (click on highlighted information for Mapquest directions).

Bring your favorite tea and 1 dozen cookies to share.  Punch is provided.  The children will make hats, and show them off in a hat parade (if you have any extra faux flowers laying around, please bring them too!)

Each child can make May Day Basket to take home.  Cost is $2.00 to cover flowers and baskets.

RSVP by  April 19th. (Email Christy to RSVP - address is on right sidebar)

UPCOMING EVENTS ~~~

·      Friday, May 14, 12:00pm-3:00pm      
     John Ball Park Zoo

Zoo time again.  Back by popular demand, we will meet at the zoo for lunch (buy there or pack your own) and an afternoon of fun.  Meet just inside the front gate by the John Ball Statue.  If you are late we will eat up top looking over the monkey exhibit.  Rain date May 21^st.  

RSVP by May10th. (RSVP by emailing Christy - address on right sidebar)

·      July  – We are planning a trip to Chicago for the Dragon Boat Festival. (July 24, 2010)  More information to follow, because I am still doing research.   I do need feedback as to whether or not you all are interested in a overnight trip.  Please let me know asap so I can proceed.  Jennifer Newkirk is going to Co-chair with me.  Ideas welcome!

UPDATED Fall Playgroup Information!

Tuesday, November 10       10:00 am - noon      Clay Art Studio      4485 Plainfield Ave NE #205  (click on address for directions)   (949- 7299)
             Paint your own pottery.  Make foot or hand print plates and Christmas gifts (lots of items for   
             $4.00!) plus $4.00 per painter.  This is really fun!  She gives us a great group rate and
             the studio to ourselves.   Snacks and drinks welcome.  RSVP to Christy at  
             jcmi7107@earthlink.net ASAP!

FRIDAY, December 11         12:30 pm - ??          Frederik Meijer Gardens     1000 East Beltline, NE (click on address for directions)   Note: this is a change from the originally scheduled date of Tuesday, December 8. PLEASE ALSO NOTE THAT THE TIME HAS CHANGED!


             Christmas displays. Please bring a new wrapped book (one per child) for a Christmas book
             exchange. If you can also bring one pair of new mittens to donate to our "Mittens for the
             Mission" project  through WCSG 91.3.  RSVP to Christy at jcmi7107@earthlink.net by Nov.
             30th.  Please click HERE for rate information.

PLEASE SEE POST BELOW FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT A MANDARIN LANGUAGE OPPORTUNITY!

Mandarin Language Class Opportunity

Are you interested in having your toddler/pre-schooler learn or retain Mandarin?  Are you interested in learning this fascinating language alongside your child?


Well, have we got an opportunity for you!


For five weeks, beginning on November 13 and running through December 11, you and your child can join other parents with their children and learn basic Mandarin! Our teacher, Laura Hunsburger, spent a year in China becoming immersed in the Mandarin language and is now offering classes for children along with a parent.


Here's a little more information about Laura:

I am originally from Grand Rapids and graduated with a Bachelors in Art from the University of Michigan. My academic background includes arrange of course work in the language and linguistic fields, including studies on language acquisition in children with a focus on the experiences of families who have adopted from China. After completing my degree, I lived in China for one year. During that time, I studied Mandarin and volunteered at a local orphanage, working specifically with children with disabilities. God opened my heart to the children of China, and it is a great joy to work with your children and perhaps provide a way for families to continue building connections with the rich heritage of their birth.

Classes will be held on Fridays, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm, and the cost for the 5 week session is $50 for parent and child, $5 for an additional child.  Classes will be held at the office of Families Through Adoption, 354 Norwood SE, Grand Rapids MI. Click on address for Mapquest directions. 

Laura needs a minimum of four families in order to hold this class. Please call Char at 616-242-9696 or email her at Charlanning@sbcglobal.net with questions or to reserve a place for you and your child/ren.

Upcoming Fall Playgroup Events

Tuesday, October 6  10:00 am - noon    Grand Rapids Township Park (no rain date)
            please RSVP to Christy at butterflycasa@yahoo.com by October 4

Tuesday, October 20    12:30 pm - 2:00 pm     Koetsier's Greenhouse, 1601 Spaulding SE (click on address for directions)
            Pumpkin painting, games, hay ride, no scary stuff.  Rain or shine.  $5.00 per child
            (10 child minimum)  RSVP  to  Christy at butterflycasa@yahoo.com by Oct. 10 ( I know this is
            afternoon, it is the only day I could get except open day Friday).

Tuesday, November 10       10:00 am - noon      Clay Art Studio      4485 Plainfield Ave NE #205  (click on address for directions)   (949- 7299)
             Paint your own pottery.  Make foot or hand print plates and Christmas gifts (lots for $4.00)
             $4.00 per painter.  This is really fun!  She gives us a great group rate and studio to ourselves. 
             Snacks and drinks welcome.  RSVP to Christy at butterflycasa@yahoo.com by Nov.1st.

FRIDAY, December 11         12:300 pm - ??          Frederik Meijer Gardens     1000 East Beltline, NE (click on address for directions)   Note: this is a change from the originally scheduled date of Tuesday, December 8 PLEASE ALSO NOTE THAT THE TIME HAS CHANGED!


             Christmas displays. Please bring a new wrapped book (one per child) for a Christmas book
             exchange. If you can also bring one pair of new mittens to donate to our "Mittens for the
             Mission" project  through WCSG 91.3.  RSVP to Christy at jcmi7107@earthlink.net by Nov.
             30th.  Please click HERE for rate information.

Just a side note, our trip to Chicago this December has been postponed to a later date.   More later on our options.

Many have asked for a "Just for Moms" night out.  Char and I were thinking it would be great to get together and have time to discuss any adoption/parenting  concerns,  or just have fun.  We can meet at Char's office and bring an appetizer.  Char and I will provide drinks (non-alcoholic mind you).  Let me know what you think.  

See you soon,

Christy
jcmi7107@earthlink.net

Welcome to the official site of the Mommy & Me Playgroup!

Welcome to the new home for the Mommy & Me Playgroup!

Our group is for China adoptive families who are in the Grand Rapids Metro area, and this is the place where we will post information about upcoming playgroup activities (along with directions and admission prices, if any).

Please bookmark this site and check it frequently, though we hope to have it linked to the CCGGG (Chinese Cultural Group of Greater Grand Rapids) webpage.

We'll continue to post photos at the secure invitation only Shutterfly website. If you are a member of the Mommy & Me Playgroup and have not been invited to view the photos of our activities, please email Kelly at us3ch2@aol.com for an invitation.

Let the fun begin!