Don't Forget!

Here are a few dates coming up to keep in mind:

~Oct 16 -  10AM Hayride at Merrymead Farms.  Contact Diane G. for more info.
~Oct 22 - 10:15AM Hayride at Freddy Hill Farms.  Contact Diane G. for more info.
  Oct 24 - 9-12AM Mommy Market at North Wales Elementary School.  $1 admission.
~Oct 28 - 9:30-11:30AM Playdate at Allison W.'s.
~Nov 13 - 8-11PM Crafting with Company at Covenant. 
~Nov 16-23 Operation Christmas Child National Collection Week (drop off boxes at Covenant)


We also are going to try to finish our service painting project in the Early Education rooms and if you can help us paint that would be great!  Here are a list of Sunday dates (almost every date is the 3rd Sun of the month except Dec) that we will be at Covenant at 6PM to paint:
10-18
11-15
12-6 (3rd Sun is too close to Christmas!)
1-17
2-21
3-21
4-18
Come if and when you can!

Humility & Forgiveness

Last Wednesday in our MOPS meeting, we watched a DVD that focused on humility and forgiveness and how we impact others around us.  The speaker talked a lot about the importance of community and that we participate in so many unique communities every day that are filled with all kinds of different relationships (MOPS, church, soccer, neighborhood, doctor office, etc.).  She also emphasized the need for us to be humble and forgiving when we are relating to other people because communities are so vital to us as human beings.

We then discussed in our groups the example of Jesus as a humble servant and what kind of amazing forgiveness He showed to us on the cross.  Are we quick to let go of minor issues or do we hold onto and simmer allowing relationships to be destroyed?  Are we willing to forgive people that have offended us like Christ has forgiven us?  Are we willing to humble ourselves and bear with other people's inadequacies and failures remembering that we also are grave sinners in need of a Saviour?

MOPS 2009!

Welcome back from summer everyone! We hope you all had a wonderful and refreshing summer and are ready to start up another MOPS year! Here are a few dates to keep in mind:

~Wed, Sept 16 ~ 9-11AM 1st MOPS meeting!

~Mon, Sept 14 - Sat, Sept 19 ~ Clothing Exchange at Covenant Church 9-4 M-F, 9-2 S and also open 6-8 PM T/R. Bring clothing/take clothing - all for FREE!!!

~Fri, Sept 25 ~ Apple Picking at Peace Valley Winery (more details to come)

~Wed, Sept 30 ~ 9:30 - 11:30 Playdate at Allison's - 215-412-2774 for directions/info.

~Fri, Oct 9 ~ 8-11PM Crafting with Company at Covenant Church

Menlo Carousel!

This past July, MOPS hosted a "bring your own dinner" family night at the Perkasie Carousel in Menlo Park. We had a fantastic turnout with lots of "regulars" to MOPS as well as lots of friends and family that don't normally attend our meetings. We would love to repeat this event next summer, so if you missed it this time - you'll hopefully get a second chance! Here are a bunch of pictures from the night...

MOPS Summer Activities

Here is a list of events that our MOPS group is hosting this summer...feel free to come to one or all...and bring friends along!!!

June 3 (Wed) 9:30-11:30AM Park Playdate at Branchwood. From church parking lot, turn left onto 63 and almost immediate right onto Morwood Rd. At stop sign, turn left to continue on Morwood and after about 1 ½ miles turn left onto Camp Rd (there are orange detour signs but that is the correct road – the park is before the roadwork). If you get the to fork on Morwood – you went too far.
**In case of rain – House Playdate at Lorraine R’s house. Lorraine’s phone is 215-256-0475 if you have any questions.

June 5 (Fri) 10AM Elmwood Zoo Fieldtrip. Rates are $7:75 (ages 2-12) and $10.75 (ages 13-64). If we have a group of more than 15 over age 2, the group rate is $6.75 but we all need to pay at the same time so we will meet at 10AM at the front entrance of the zoo. If you can’t make it until later – that’s fine too!

June 10 (Wed) 10AM Strawberry Picking at R&J Farm. From church parking lot, turn right onto 63, left onto 113, right onto Allentown Rd and R&J will be on your left a little ways down Allentown Rd.

**Raindate – Thurs, June 11 at 10AM.

June 17 (Wed) 9:30-11:30AM House Playdate at Laura W’s house. Laura’s phone is 610-287-2535 if you have any questions.

July 1 (Wed) 9:30-11:30AM Park Playdate at Plains Mennonite Church located on corner of 63 & Orvilla Rd. This church has a big park with an enclosed fence and is also very shady so we figured we’d give it a try!
**In case of rain – House playdate at Allison W’s house. Allison’s phone is 215-412-2774 if you have any questions.

July 15 (Wed) 9:30-11:30AM House Playdate at Julia S’s house. Julia’s phone is 215-362-9495 if you have any questions.

Aug 5 (Wed) 9:30-11:30AM Park Playdate at Branchwood (see June 3 above for directions).
**In case of rain – House playdate at Allison W’s house. Allison’s phone is 215-412-2774 if you have any questions.

Aug 19 (Wed) 9:30-11:30AM House Playdate at Lisa F’s house. Lisa’s phone is 215-234-8339 if you have any questions.

Summer Boredom??? Not Anymore...

This past week at MOPS we all gave suggestions of things (mostly free or cheap) to occupy our kids' (and our!) time this summer...here's what I got...

~Free Regal movies! Regal Cinemas show FREE selected G & PG movies that start at 10AM each Tuesday and Wednesday on a first-come, first-serve basis (seating is limited to theatre capacity).

~Harleysville Duck Pond - near Harleysville Hotel & Subway (500 block of Main St (Rt 63)), kids can catch fish very easily, little bike path around pond for scooters/bikes. Kids under 13 do NOT need a fishing license (and neither do you as long as you are not really fishing).

~"Fish for Free" days - Sat. May 23 & Sun. June 7.

~dancingmeatballs.com - link to fun, free family events in the Philadelphia area. You can sign up on their website to receive weekly listings.

~Nancy's Cut Flowers - turn left onto 63 out of church parking lot and right onto Morwood Rd at Vernfield Market. Nancy's flower place is on the left right before the first stop sign.

~Sunflower Farm - follow above directions to Nancy's, turn left at stop sign to continue on Morwood and the farm stand will be on your left about 1/2 mile down the road.

~Perkiomen Trail - nice entrance by Spring Mt. Ski Resort with little park near-by

~Upper Schuylkill Valley Park - In one visit to the Park's Wildlife Center you can see Foxes, Deer, Raccoon, Wolves, Rabbits, Hawks, Owls, Turkeys, Pheasants and an assortment of farm animals -all for FREE!

~Trexlertown Zoo - not free, but another zoo to go to that is not as far as Philly

~Manderach Memorial Playground - Castle park off Ziegler Rd in Limerick, PA

~Kid's Castle in Doylestown - Castle park off Wells Rd in Doylestown, PA

~North Wales Castle Park - on Rt. 63 past Merck, across from police station, turn right in front of the pool

~check out your local libraries for all different activities/book clubs they may offer

~Septa train rides from Lansdale to Doylestown (under age 5 ride for free), several parks near train station in Doylestown (ask Debbie B for more info) or visit the Doylestown library.

~Michener Art Museum - Jim Henson & Muppets exhibit to show there this summer

~Crayola Factory - not free and a far drive as it's in Easton, but from what I've heard - it's well worth the trip

~visit Ikea and let your kids climb around the kids section or go to "Smalltown" while you shop (age/height requirements) and eat at their super cheap cafe.

~Peace Valley Park - located off 313/New Galena Rd in Doylestown. 6 mile bike trail around the lake as well as a nature center that offers classes and hiking trails. The park also has several playgrounds and bbq placespavilions to use for picnics.

~Perkiomen Watershed - offers summer classes for kids

~Camp Menolan - outside Quakertown, offers camp opportunites and more

~Saucen Valley Promenade - shopping for the moms and outside water area for kids to run through

~Captain Nemo's Aquarium - East Norriton, huge fish store with shark aquarium

~PA Steamers - take your kids to check out miniature trains!

~Sundae School - little icecream store in Hilltown and kids get a free mini train ride

~Merrymead Farm - Valley Forge Rd. in Lansdale, see farm animals, get ice cream, 3:30-6pm is milking time that kids can watch

~Freddy Hill Farm - Rt 63, Lansdale - little "zoo" kids can walk around, ice cream, mini golf, etc.

~Willow Creek Orchards - Collegeville, PA - pick your own all kinds of fruits/veggies, they also have a story-time (check with Deb Z.) but I couldn't find any info about it

~Plains Mennonite Church - fenced-in shaded park, located on Orvilla Rd in Hatfield

~Perkasie - park on 2nd street has free (or $1/child - not sure) shaded baby pool in a park, open daily 11-3, M-F from June 20 - Sept 7 (check with Sarah K for more details)

~Perkasie Carousel - $.35/ride, located at Menlo Park, Perkasie -3rd & Park St. Only open the following dates:

-Mon, May 26 11-5PM

-Sun, June 15 12-5PM

-Sun, July 6 12-8PM (Community Day, raindate July 13)

-Sun, July 27 12-5PM

-Sun, Aug 17 12-5PM

-Sun, Sept 7 12-5PM

-Sun, Oct 5 12-5PM (**Fall Festival in the park - tons of crafters plus petting zoo & pony rides!!!)

-Sat, Dec 6 12-5PM

***Let me know if I missed anything or recorded any info incorrectly!!!***

MOPS & POPS!

This past Friday night we tried our first ever date night and we had a really good turnout! The theme for the night was "dinner & a movie", and so we had pizza, salad, popcorn and candy for everyone to eat while watching the movie "Fireproof". The proceeds for this event all went to Covenant's Youth Group, who graciously watched all our kids while the rest of us enjoyed a night out (thank you!!!).