EVENTS

Going Deeper

November 2012

Owatonna Public Library Tale Time - Tuesdays 10:30am Family Story Time Thursdays 6:30pm

This happened almost two years ago; Norah is four now, growing and changing with every day that passes. She treasures different things now and her vocabulary has increased exponentially, but then, so has my thankfulness! * * * "I'm looking for my sweetheart," my daughter said again. I asked her which doll or animal she was referring to, seeing many strewn about on the floor. "My SWEETHEART," was all she could tell me. Inspiration: I asked her what color her sweetheart was. "Gray." But again I was dumbfounded because to my knowledge she had no gray playthings. Her plastic elephant or duplo cat? No and no. Later during the day, I noticed her beloved bunny blanket who likes to hide. And by "hide", I mean "be trundled along everywhere and often forgotten". I thought about how faded and worn Bunny had become since Norah was a baby. Currently, Bunny really enjoys "sharing" Norah's breakfast, and though he is laundered regularly, his fur is now matted... and grayish! Of course. In my judgmental mind, Once a pink bunny - Always a pink bunny, and it would never have occurred to me that a pink bunny would fall into the gray sweetheart category. But two-year-olds who share their papa's genes see bunnies differently. -Reagan Dregge "It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly..."

Lowe's Build & Grow Nov. 17th 10:00am

Norah & Bunny, 2008

Norah & Bunny, 2011

-from The Velveteen Rabbit, by Margery Williams

Are you looking for a fun outing with your children? Visit the newest store at the Medford Outlet Center, Toys R Us Express!

Hours: Sun 11am-6pm Mon-Sat 10am-8pm

A couple of weeks ago I took Samuel, my 23 month old son, out to the new Toys R Us Express store. Walking into the store we were immediately greeted by two kind and welcoming employees who began to show us around. Samuel was in his glory the entire time as he slowly walked each aisle as if every toy he had ever dreamed of was in that store! From a train set that was all set up and running around the track to the fire truck with flashing lights to the pretend broom & dust pan, watching the joy on Samuel's face was priceless! When we visited we were told not all the toys were out on display, yet I was delighted with how well organized the store was! I felt the prices were better then some of the other local big box stores and the product line was geared specifically for the Christmas Season. We walked away not buying one thing that day, but I believe Samuel's list to Santa got much bigger! -Maria Buck

Recipes for a Rainy Day

Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix from http://penniesonaplatter.com/2012/02/10/homemade-hot-cocoa-mix/#
3 cups nonfat dry milk powder 2 cups powdered sugar 1 1/2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder 1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips 1/4 teaspoon salt Check out the webpage above and you'll find links to more great homemade mixes, like [Starbucks!] Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa & Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice!

Mix all ingredients into a large bowl. Pour half of the mixture into the bowl of a food processor and process until the chocolate is finely ground. Transfer to an airtight container, then repeat with the remaining mix. Store in the airtight container for up to 3 months. To make the hot cocoa drink, mix 1/3 cup of the cocoa mix with 1 cup hot milk.

A Thanksgiving Tradition: The Thankful Tree

In case you've never heard of one, a Thankful Tree is a faith-building exercise, kid-friendly creative activity, and a simple yet meaningful Thanksgiving decoration! You can modify your tree to suit your family and home, but the basic concept is for each family member to add a leaf of something they are thankful for to the tree each night at dinner until the tree is full of leaves. The tree can be big or small, made from a bundle of twigs and branches or cut out of brown paper. You can mount it on a wall or display it on a table or mantle. The leaves can be patterned scrapbook paper, construction paper cut into a leaf shape, or even handprints.

Here are just a few imaginative ideas, you can find many more on Pinterest or Google:

Steering Sponsors Schedule

2012-2013 Steering Team Ashley Resler, Coordinator ahanson123@hotmail.com 507-213-6033 Julie Schultz, Coordinator juliemarieschultz@gmail.com 507-213-1421 Amy Macius, Finance amymacius@gmail.com 507-214-2797 Christy DeSaulniers, Discussion Groups & Mentor Moms christy@cnonline.net 507-413-0628 Reagan Dregge, Publicity aboveallshadows@gmail.com 507-414-2088 Jodi Ovrebo, Creative Activities jodi.ovrebo@gmail.com 952-994-3643 Anne Walsh, Service Team Leader annewalsh109@centurylink.net 507-475-1406 Joan Dotson, Moppets joanbleck@yahoo.com 507-363-6977 Allie Halverson, Moppets alyson04@hotmail.com 612-237-2453 Jessica Lightly, Hospitality jesshammitt@hotmail.com 414-241-7910 Thank You to our Sponsors! Platinum Sponsors NewLife Community Resler Construction Gold Sponsors Central Valley Cooperative Federated Insurance Mayo Clinic Health System Dotson Woodworking Inc. Main Street Dental Clinics Coyour Construction Bethel Church Cornerstone Church Silver Sponsors Access Tonna Lock Service Hometown Motors Costas Candies & Restaurant Owatonna Gymnastics Club Namarya Soap Legacy Signs Bronze Sponsors Owatonna Dental Care John Havelka - Edward Jones Dresser Family Dentistry Gnemi Appraisal Service

November & December Birthdays Kim Kubicek 11/2, Jessica Procopio 11/4, Elizabeth Veldman 11/7, Sarah Garcia 11/10, Julie Schultz 11/12, Brenda Nelson 11/20, Brooke Resler 11/20, Tabitha Pierce 12/19, Joan Dotson 12/23, Jamie Stanislav 12/31

Reminders 12/4 Breakfast: Arctic Ocean, Barents Sea MOPPETS Snacks: Southern Ocean 12/18 Breakfast: Greenland Sea, Atlantic Ocean MOPPETS Snacks: Norwegian Sea 1/1 New Year's - No MOPS 1/15 Breakfast: Indian Ocean, Arctic Ocean MOPPETS Snacks: Scotia Sea