Category Archives: Upcoming Events

Willow Wish Hosts Annual Food Drive

I have had the honor of serving with Willow Wish since 2016. I am so excited for our annual “Christmas In July” Event! This year we are expanding to help more of our Arizona neighbor’s with a Food, Toy and Clothing Drive. With your help we can make a real difference for the families served by Matthew’s Crossing Food Bank and Helen’s Hope Chest.

We are collecting donations of non-perishable food, gently used clothing, or new toys that can be used for the Helen’s Hope Chest Annual Christmas Party. Please consider adding one extra item to your weekly shopping trip, or use our event as encouragement to clean out the closets of unused clothing.

Most Needed Items:

How You Can Help

We have several ways to support the “Christmas In July” Food, Toy and Clothing Drive. Thank you in advance for anything you can do to help us get the word out and have a successful event!

Share Posts And Images
We have a flier ready to go, and we will be creating images every week to share on social media.  If you have an active social media account and/or a newsletter or email platform that you use, please send us a note to request images you can share with your friends and followers.

Send an email to request images: hello@willowwish.org

RSVP On Facebook
Are you able to bring a donation the day of the event?  Whether you have a personal donation or a collection box from your business, let us know so we can plan for the goody bags we will be giving away the day of the event. 

RSVP HERE

Volunteer At Event
There are two shifts available if you are in town the day of the event and want to lend your hands at the sorting table.  We will have all the community boxes to sort as well as any donations that we receive the day of the event.  

Click HERE if you can volunteer at the event – thank you in advance for the gift of your time!

Help Us Promote Your Business or Community
Do you want to host an Event Collection Box? Let us know on the 2023 Promotion Form.  Host locations will be shared throughout the month of July on social media.

In addition, we will be preparing Gratitude Bags to give away to all the donors that come the day of the event.  We are happy to share your product samples or coupons.  We are also accepting ads and articles for our annual CHERISH publication.  Let us know if we can promote you the day of the event!

Click HERE for our 2023 Promotion Form.

Make A Monetary Donation
We get it – life is busy and we cannot do it all.  If our goal to help more families in Arizona through Matthew’s Crossing Food Bank and Helen’s Hope Chest (support for foster and kinship families) speaks to you and you want to help, you can make a donation through our Christmas in July Fundraiser.  All monies received will be split equally between both nonprofit organizations.  You will receive a receipt for your tax-deductible donation – we thank you for your support!

Click HERE to make a donation through our giving platform.

VIsit A Local Host To Drop Off A Donation
We already have a running list of businesses hosting collection boxes across the valley. You can make a donation during their business hours and/or if you are attending an event in their space. We welcome donations of non-perishable food, gently used clothing, or new toys that can be used for the Helen’s Hope Chest Annual Christmas Party.

About our beneficiaries:

Matthew’s Crossing Food Bank Did you know 1 in 4 children in Arizona will go to bed hungry tonight? Matthew’s Crossing offers three different hunger relief programs to help folks facing food insecurity.

Helen’s Hope Chest Mesa United Way created Helen’s Hope Chest to reduce the financial burden on foster and kinship families while creating a safe, welcoming, and dignified space for the children in their care. Helen’s Hope Chest offers a shop-by-appointment storefront where children in care come to pick out clothing, school supplies, and other basic needs free of cost.

Thank you for helping us make a difference for more Arizona families. We thank you in advance for your generous support.

Europe 2018 Fundraiser

Note from Puma, Night Owl, Charger and Otter:

We are embarking on an exciting adventure as a family in 2018.  All four of us are participating in a tour through Europe that will allow us to expand our horizons as we experience new cultures and languages. In addition to the educational opportunities, we will also be performing with our dance troupe, The Christian Dance Company, as we travel through several countries over the two-week trip in June.

Our Itinerary:

  • Zurich, Switzerland
  • Lucerne, Switzerland – Dance Performance
  • Zermatt, Switzerland
  • Venice, Italy – Dance Performance (on a raked stage!)
  • Salzburg, Austria – Dance Performance
  • Hallstatt, Austria
  • Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic
  • Prague, Czech Republic – Dance Performance

To help us achieve our fundraising goal, we are reaching out to the our audience and  inviting you to sponsor us on our trip.

  • Puma is now 13 years old. She is the current Dance Masters of American National PAC Solo Winner, placing first in her 2017 age group (9-12 years old).  Night Owl is 10 years old.  He and Ysabella are the current Dance Masters of American National PAC Duo/Trio Winners, placing first in their 2017 age group (9-12 years old).  Charger is 8 years old.  Otter is 6 years old.  All four of us participated in our church talent show and are the winners for our performance of “When The Saints Go Marching In”.  If you would like to see us dancing, please email our mom and she would be happy to send you some private links to view us in action on stage: sweetpeafamilies@gmail.com

Image: JLeigh Photography

LOCALS:

There are three ways you can help us if you feel called to do so:

  • Save us your clear plastic bottles and aluminum cans. We will happily pick them up and trade you some home-baked cookies as a thank you for your collection efforts that we can sort and turn into cash. Text our mom when you are ready for a pick up (Krystyna cell: 602-684-6567).
  • Buy a World’s Finest Chocolate Bar from us – we are selling them on the last Sunday of the month at our church, or at our dance studio on Saturdays. Bars are $1/each and come in 5 flavors: Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Caramel, Crisp, and Almond. Text our mom for the address and let us know what to save for you (Krystyna cell: 602-684-6567).
  • Make a tax-deductible donation to our studio through The Christian Dance Company, as it is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Our dance director will earmark your donation towards our tuition for the Europe trip. Anyone who makes a tax-deductible donation will be listed on our sponsor tee-shirt that we wear as we travel through Europe.  Email our mom and she will send you the mailing address (sweetpeabirths@gmail.com).

OUT-OF-TOWN or BUSINESSES:

  • If we use your products already, we will make sure our audience knows it – we are not asking for free or discounted products. We will call you out on our social media as we travel across Europe rehearsing and traveling in your line of dance wear. We are on Instagram (@sweetpeafamilies), Twitter (@sweetpeafams), Facebook, and our mom will be blogging about our experience when we arrive home (www.sweetpeafamilies.com).
  • Your sponsorship can be made as a tax-deductible donation to “The Christian Dance Company”, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization at our studio. Our dance director will earmark your donation towards our tuition for the Europe trip. Email our mom and she will send you the mailing address (sweetpeabirths@gmail.com).
  • Our sponsors will be listed on our sponsor tee-shirt that we wear while travel through Europe. If you decide to be one of our sponsors, please email your logo, as well as a release form to print your logo, to our mom at: sweetpeabirths@gmail.com

 

Thank you in advance for your consideration.  We are looking forward to experiencing this trip together as a family, and we appreciate your support to make this an adventure to remember.

Getting our sillies out for our photographer, Nancy Hall from Still n Motion Picture Company. We promise not to post too many silly pictures from the road!!

Coming up: Bradley Day Family Festival

Counting down…two days until the big event I have been working on.  I keep telling myself that after this weekend, life is going to get back to “normal”.  It has been an interesting season – sleeping more, writing less, putting a focus on the Sweet Peas first; allowing all other pulls on my time to roll away so that they have Peaceful Mama mothering and schooling them.  Late nights of blogging while the children are asleep is the “normal” I speak of…and after this season of Peaceful Mama reigning supreme, I may be re-evaluating that.

I won’t lie – this last week it has been hard to keep Crazy Mama at bay.  My default when I am stressed is to yell.  I had a great session with Jennifer Hoperich (Moxie Meditation) yesterday.  We talked through default reactions and “pie-in-the-sky” solutions.  She helped me articulate what would I like to happen instead of my default actions if all things were possible.  It was so neat to talk about best case scenario proactions – I had never thought about it that way before.  I am good at identifying what I do not want to do.  I cannot believe I missed the part of identifying behaviors to do “instead of” and focusing my gaze in that direction.

My whole intention these last few months was to allow my children to feel love, calm, and peace from me despite the pressures that come with planning a public outreach event.  In order to support that goal, after Jennifer and I did the processing work, I had hypnotherapy for the first time in my life yesterday.  All I know is that when I walked out of my session with her, I felt like 50 pounds of pressure had been lifted off of my shoulders – I felt lighter and unbelievably positive about my ability to handle the pressures of this weekend, and still being able to walk in “Peaceful Mama” mode all the way through until Monday morning.  (It’s easy to be Peaceful Mama when there are no pressures; it has been a whole different story when I am stressed.)  Today, I really believe I am going to be able to fulfill that intention and arrive on Monday with Sweet Peas that have been honored, loved, and treated with peace and calm in spite of the swirl of activity.

You can see the announcement for the event I have been planning at the top of the page.  It is shaping up to be A.Ma.Zing.  The event was imagined with the vision of celebrating Dr. Bradley and raising awareness of The Bradley Method®.  To that end, we have invited Rhondda Hartman, RN and author to be our keynote speaker.  She was Dr. Bradley’s colleague fro 25 years, and she created the exercise program we teach in Bradley Method® classes.  In addition to her keynote address on the life and times of Dr. Bradley, she is going to be teaching her exercise program.

You can read more about the event HERE – you will find links to the seminars, family activities, and raffle prizes on the blog.  If you can join us, please stop by and say hi.

Wherever you move through this weekend, walk in love and peace, friends.  I will be setting my intention for the same course – see you on the other side of Sunday.

This and That

Very exciting news to share…I had the honor of being invited to an event in Southern CA.  Wow!  It’s official…I will be at the Club MomMe Spring Family Fest next Saturday!! I am so excited…I get to “walk the red carpet” for the first time.  (Mad scramble through the closet happening later today all week!)  Puma asked if she could go – bless her heart.  I am confident that in a couple more years, she will absolutely be going with me to help with pictures and interviews.  That will be a day to look forward to!

I also wanted to share a link to a post I did over on Sweet Pea Births today.  We started our journey to a greener life when we were Bradley Method® students nine years ago.  It made us aware that we needed to read labels and avoid harmful substances.  I got complacent and figured that if a product was labeled “green”, “safe”, “natural”, “-free”, then it was safe enough to be brought into our home.

I have learned the hard way that corporations can put pretty much anything they want on the label.  It is up to us as the consumers to educate ourselves on the toxic ingredients and read every.single.label before we put it on our shopping cart.

If you are interested in seeing the breakdown of ingredients in baby wipes, click HERE.  As I did the research for this post, I was so grateful for the friends in our lives who aren’t afraid to get on their soapboxes and make us open our eyes and hearts to new ways of living.  We have used diaper wipes as often as ten times a day when our Sweet Peas are little, and many of us are used to keeping them in our bags long after a Sweet Pea is out of diapers because they are just so useful!

Now that we know better, and we want to teach our children to be good stewards of the environment, we are happily entrenched in our cloth wipes and cleaning spray solution.  So consider me the friend on the soapbox, and please take a look so that you and your Sweet Pea can eliminate another set of toxins from your everyday exposure.

*Steps off SoapBox*

Once it’s up, I will post a link to the interview with the wonderful MomMe’s organizing the Club MomMe Spring Fest.  Be sure to check in on the SPB blog tomorrow to see what kind of family fun can be had in the Valley of the Sun, aka Phoenix, AZ.

HAPPY FRIDAY 🙂

Upcoming Events and Other News

Happening over on our Sweet Pea Births Blog this week:

Events for Friday, February 7th HERE with storytimes today and free concerts.

Events for the weekend (Feb 8-9) HERE listing one of our favorites – the animal encounter at the Audubon Society, plus info on the Renaissance Festival and free kid’s crafts.

We have gotten word that some insurance-company provided breast pumps are failing…HERE is our research into that and suggestions to communicate with your insurance company.

Wishing you all a great weekend!  We will not be on-line very much between teaching class tonight, the opening of The Lego Movie, dance classes, student playgroups, birthday parties, a horse show, a committee meeting, a class reunion and a bonus class for our students…praying that Peaceful Mama makes it through the weekend.

Time to re-read my notes to myself about what I learned from Blue Russ!!

Here are a couple of images of the sensory bin we will be using at playgroup today and tomorrow.  We liked the pink, red, and white.  Then, Night Owl had the idea of adding purple so we tried it – we all like the way it turned out.
Soft:
Cotton balls
Foam hearts
Puffy hearts

Hard:
Cups
Spoons
Heart Containers

Size:
Lima Beans and Navy Beans in Big, Little and Medium

Ridges:
Cups
Puffy Hearts

Also have tea lights, scoopers and pourers for measuring and pouring.

BLOG Valentine Sensory Bin.2 BLOG Valentine Sensory Bin.1

Fun Family Event – Chandler, AZ

Are you in or around the Chandler, AZ area?  If so, there is an amazing educational/family/food event happening this weekend.  We are planning to get there to give the kiddos a chance to see some cowboy-style living in action!

You can find all the event details HERE

For a listing of other weekend family events, be sure to check our post today over at Sweet Pea Births.

UPCOMING EVENTS Oct 5-6, 2013

Who is loving these cool, crisp mornings??  In addition to scheduled events this weekend, scroll down to the end of the post to find links to local farms that are hosting harvest festivals this month.

There are three fun Fire Safety events coming up this weekend – check them out – some require registration for attendance.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2013
Gilbert Farmer’s Market
7:00 am – 11:00 am
222 N. Ash St
Gilbert 85234
480-583-0101

Roadrunner Farmer’s Market
8:00 am – 1:00 pm
3502 E Cactus Rd
Phoenix 85032
623-848-1234

Phoenix Public Market
“our Open-Air Market is a natural gathering place that celebrates neighborhoods and the neighbors. It offers an eclectic high-quality mix of: Fresh in-season fruits and vegetables, produce, flowers, jams, baked goods, dried beans, free-range eggs and honey, Live plants and unique local arts and crafts, Tasty hot foods, music, and more”
Open Air Market @ 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
721 N Central
Phoenix, AZ

Kids’ Clinic at Home Depot
Celebrate Fire Safety Month with The Home Depot and build our awesome Fire Rescue Plane!  This is a FREE hands-on workshops; designed for children ages 5 – 12.
Offered the 1st Saturday of every month at all The Home Depot. Please do not arrive before 9:00 a.m.
Home Depot @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Register on-line HERE

Train and Carousel Rides
Come out for a day of old-fashioned fun at the railroad park.  Enjoy the shade provided by the park’s many large trees.  Kids can play at various play area including a covered playground with water sprays.  Train and Carousel Rides $2.00/each; free for kids under 3 with paying adult.
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park @ 10:00 am to 6:30
7301 E Indian Bend Rd
Scottsdale 85250
480-312-2312

Dad & Toddler Storytime
Dads can enjoy stories with their favorite toddler
Mustang Library @10:30 am – 11:00 am
10101 N. 90th St.
Scottsdale, 85258
480-321-7323

Family Storytime
Share books, stories, songs, rhymes, and music in a fun interactive program that builds early literacy skills. This program is designed for children birth to five years old accompanied by a favorite adult. What is your child learning? Children who love books and stories become more successful readers. Space is limited. Free tickets are available 30 minutes before the program begins.
Ironwood Branch Library @ 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM
4333 E. Chandler Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ, 85048
PHONE: 602-262-4636

IKEA Crafts for Kids
Kids make crafts in the store’s children’s department.
IKEA @ 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
2110 W. Ikea Way
Tempe, AZ, 85284
480-496-5658

Free Crafts for Kids
On the Farm Puppets
Children bring their favorite farm animals to life…as they decorate these colorful stick puppets!
Lakeshore Learning Store @ 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Find your local store HERE

Star Wars Reads Day!
Join us for Star Wars Reads Day, a celebration of all things Star Wars. We’ll have activities for the whole family, from Storytimes and crafts to costume contests.
Chandler Fashion Mall @ 11:00 AM
3111 W. Chandler Blvd #2054
Chandler, AZ 85226
480-792-1312

Fish Feeding
Come see an 18,500 gallon freshwater aquarium that offers an up-close view of trophy-sized catfish, bass, striper and blue gill.  Feeding includes an informative presentation about the fish.  Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 pm and Tuesdays at 6:00 pm.  Also, every day kids can help us feed the trout in our Trout Stream at 1:30pm.
Bass Pro Shop Trout Stream @ 1:30 pm
Bass Pro Shop Aquarium @ 2:00 pm
1133 N Dobson Rd
Mesa 85201
602-606-5600

SMoCA
Bring the family and enjoy free admission to the art exhibits.  “SMoCA brings art, architecture and design to Arizona to challenge expectations. We are not a museum filled with random selections of art from the past; rather we engage the thoughts and concerns of the present. The ideas that interest, trouble and perplex you are the same that artists investigate in exhibitions at the museum.”  Tim Rodgers, Director, SMoCA
Every Thursday (12-9p), and on Friday and Saturday evenings (5-9p).
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art @ 5:00 – 9:00 pm
7374 E. Second Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
480-874-4666

Free Outdoor Concert – Tempe
Bring the family out to enjoy great live music performed by a variety of musicians.  Choose from two stages of entertainment.  For more information click HERE
Tempe Marketplace @ 7:00 pm
2000 E Rio Salado Pkwy
Tempe 85281
480-966-9338

Free Outdoor Concert – N. Phoenix/Scottsdale
Bring the family out to enjoy great live music performed by a variety of musicians.  Choose from two stages of entertainment.  For more information click HERE
Desert Ridge Marketplace @ 7:00 – 9:00 pm
21001 N Tatum Blvd
Phoenix 85050
480-513-7586

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2013
Ahwatukee Farmer’s Market
9:00 am – 1:00 pm
4700 E. Warner Road
Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-919-0914

Train and Carousel Rides
Come out for a day of old-fashioned fun at the railroad park.  Enjoy the shade provided by the park’s many large trees  Kids can play at various play area including a covered playground with water sprays.  Train and Carousel Rides $2.00/each; free for kids under 3 with paying adult.
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park @ 10:00 am to 6:30 pm
7301 E Indian Bend Rd
Scottsdale 85250
480-312-2312

Railroad Rides
Ride scale model trains through the Adobe Mountain recreation area.
Maricopa Live Steamers @ 12:00 – 5:00 pm
22822 N. 43rd Ave
Phoenix 85310
www.maricopalivesteamers.com

LEGO© Craft at Pottery Barn
Pottery Barn Kids has partnered with LEGO© City to bring you another exciting event!  Kids are invited to celebrate Fire Safety Month and build a mini LEGO© City Firehouse they can even take it home for free!  Space is limited and RSVP is required.  Call or visit your local store to reserve your spot today.  Event for children ages 4-12, must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Pottery Barn Kids @ 12:00 – 4:00 pm
Find your local store HERE

Fish Feeding
Come see an 18,500 gallon freshwater aquarium that offers an up-close view of trophy-sized catfish, bass, striper and blue gill.  Feeding includes an informative presentation about the fish.  Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 pm and Tuesdays at 6:00 pm.  Also, every day kids can help us feed the trout in our Trout Stream at 1:30pm.
Bass Pro Shop Trout Stream @ 1:30 pm
Bass Pro Shop Aquarium @ 2:00 pm
1133 N Dobson Rd
Mesa 85201
602-606-5600

Harvest Festivals
Gilbert, Arizona – Mother Nature’s Farm  http://www.mothernaturesfarm.com/
Queen Creek, Arizona – Schnepf Farms  http://www.schnepffarms.com/
Wilcox, Arizona – Apple Annies  http://www.appleannies.com/

LIBRARIES:
Chandler, AZ http://www.chandlerlibrary.org/
Glendale, AZ http://www.glendaleaz.com/Library/index.cfm
Mesa, AZ http://www.mesalibrary.org/
Payson, AZ http://www.paysonlibrary.com/
Phoenix, AZ http://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/default.jsp
Peoria, AZ http://library.peoriaaz.gov/polaris/default.aspx
Scottsdale, AZ  http://library.scottsdaleaz.gov/
Tempe, AZ  http://www.tempe.gov/index.aspx?page=1588

Monterey, CA http://www.monterey.org/library/Home.aspx

To submit your event:
Please follow this format (same as above).  Anything that is not “copy-paste” ready may not be posted – it will depend on how much time I have between homeschooling and loving on four littles.
Event Name
Description & Cost
Location Name & Time
Address
Contact Phone Number
Send your event information to krystyna@sweetpeabirths.com

Disclaimer:
The material included on this site is for informational purposes only.
It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation.  Cassandra Okamoto, Krystyna and Bruss Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided.

UPCOMING EVENTS Sep 30 – Oct 1

We are enjoying the cooler weather by schooling outside.  Which events will you be checking out this week?  We are super excited for the return of the Chandler Farmer’s Market on Thursdays!!

Save the date for an awesome weekend at the Rio Salado Audubon Center in October.

Monday, September 30
Prenatal Yoga
The Nest at Babymoon Inn @ 6:00 pm
220 E Lexington Ave
Phoenix AZ 85012
602-314-7755

Tuesday, October 1
Tumbleweed Tots
This indoor play area is designed for children 5 years of age and under to play under parental/guardian supervision. This fun, safe and clean area will have plenty of toys, equipment and activities that are sure to keep the kids entertained. There is a maximum of four children per adult. Fee included in all TRC family passes.
Tumbleweed Rec Center @ 9am – 11am
745 E. Germann Rd.
Chandler, AZ 85286
480-782-2900

Story Time at Pottery Barn Kids
Kids of all ages are invited to come to the store for story time every Tuesday.  Members receive an official book club passport at their first story time, plus a special gift after attending five story times.  To locate a store near you, click HERE
http://www.potterybarnkids.com/customer-service/store-locator.html
Chandler Fashion Center @ 11:00 – 11:30 am
Nordstrom’s Wing
3111 West Chandler Blvd.
Chandler 85226
(480) 899-7155

Homebirth Circle 
Come join the beautiful space and share thoughts about life, babies and love.  The circle is open to any adult and lap babies only.  Feel free to bring a healthy snack to share. Freedom and The Seed Office @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
123 Baseline Rd, Suite 205
Tempe, AZ
480-528-1689

Fish Feeding
Come see an 18,500 gallon freshwater aquarium that offers an up-close view of trophy-sized catfish, bass, striper and blue gill.  Feeding includes an informative presentation about the fish.  Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 pm and Tuesdays at 6:00 pm.  Also, every day kids can help us feed the trout in our Trout Stream at 1:30pm.
Bass Pro Shop Trout Stream @ 1:30 pm
Bass Pro Shop Aquarium @ 6:00 pm
1133 N Dobson Rd
Mesa 85201
602-606-5600

Wednesday, October 2
Breastfeeding Photo Shoot
Babymoon Inn will be hosting breastfeeding photo shoots with Photography by Jenn on October 2nd and October 5th.   Cost is $90 if we have 6 moms (we need at least 6) and $80 if we have 7 or more shoots. Shoots will be 30 minutes in length and start at 7 am, with the last shoot starting at 11:30 am.
If you want to take a peek at Jenn’s amazing work check out photography by jenn.  Jenn will do breastfeeding photos (which are GORGEOUS), photos of baby, or family photos.
The event is posted on the Babymoon Inn Facebook page. Time slots are listed in the event under the comments.
Wednesday (10/2)
Saturday (10/5)
To reserve a time slot please comment that you are taking that time slot. It will be first come, first serve on slots.  Once you have a time slot, you will need to make a deposit to finalize your session. Jenn accepts PayPal or credit card to hold your spot. Michelle at The Nest will be posting the link to make your deposit shortly.
If you have any questions, feel free to email Michelle at michelle@babymooninn.com.
The Nest at Babymoon Inn
220 E Lexington Ave
Phoenix AZ 85012
602-314-7755

National Geographic Kids Club 
The Chandler Fashion Center Kids Club is a great opportunity for your child to learn in a fun, interactive setting.  Meet in the Gap wing near the Food Court now through mid-November!
This week’s theme: It’s fun to watch what animals do at the zoo. Some may roar, spit or burp and others may find some water to squirt.
Chandler Fashion Center @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
3111 W Chandler Blvd
Chandler, AZ 85226
(480) 812-8488

Music Time
Enjoy singing, simple instruments and movements with your child.  For children ages 5 and under and their caregiver.
Bookmans Mesa @ 10:00 – 10:30 am
1056 S. Country Club Dr.
Mesa, AZ 85210
480-835-0505

Inn Mommies: Explorers Playgroup 
Rhyme Time with the Explorers: This is a wonderful group where you can come and meet other new moms and their babies. Bring your lunch if you like, the Babymoon Inn coffee and tea bar will be open!
Join us as we sing a few songs and rhymes before we get out a variety of toys to play. Get ready to Twinkle Twinkle and Itsy Bitsy Spider.
This playgroup is for moms and babies of all ages that are exploring their world. Pregnant moms are also welcome. It is open to women that have given birth in all settings: home, at Babymoon Inn, or in a hospital. Siblings are welcome in the Explorers group.
We meet at The Nest at Babymoon Inn which is across the street from the birth center.
The Nest at Babymoon Inn @ 10:00 am
220 E Lexington Ave
Phoenix AZ 85012
602-314-7755

Dignity Healthcare Breastfeeding Support Group
With the exception of major holidays… For more information, please call the ResourceLink toll-free 1 (877) 728-5414, Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5:30 pm
Chandler Regional Medical Center @ 11:00 am to 12:30 pm
1955 W Frye Rd
Chandler, AZ 85224

Phoenix Art Museum
It’s never to early to start art appreciation with your Sweet Peas.  You can enjoy PhxArtKids, an interactive space for children, along with galleries of art showcasing American, Asian, European, Latin American, Western American, modern and contemporary art, and fashion design.  The Phoenix Art Museum offers free admission every Wednesday afternoon and on First Fridays.
Phoenix Art Museum @ 3:00 – 9:00 pm
1625 N. Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-256-7539

Phoenix Public Market
“our Open-Air Market is a natural gathering place that celebrates neighborhoods and the neighbors. It offers an eclectic high-quality mix of: Fresh in-season fruits and vegetables, produce, flowers, jams, baked goods, dried beans, free-range eggs and honey, live plants and unique local arts and crafts, tasty hot foods, music, and more.
Open Air Market @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
721 N Central
Phoenix, AZ

Thursday, October 3
Tumbleweed Tots
This indoor play area is designed for children 5 years of age and under to play under parental/guardian supervision. This fun, safe and clean area will have plenty of toys, equipment and activities that are sure to keep the kids entertained. There is a maximum of four children per adult. Fee included in all TRC family passes.
Tumbleweed Rec Center @ 9am – 11am
745 E. Germann Rd.
Chandler, AZ 85286
480-782-2900
Tuesday/Thursday

Little Critters Story Time with Ranger Amy
Ranger Amy Ford reads a children’s book aloud Every Thursday, and a themed program centered around the story follows. Activities can include live animals, songs, crafts and puppet plays. The program is held in the air-conditioned Visitor Center.  Price: $6/vehicle
McDowell Mountain Regional Park @ 12:30 – 1:30 PM
16300 McDowell Mountain Park Drive
Scottsdale  85259
480-471-0173

Chandler Farmer’s Market
This Farmers Market hosts a variety of vendors including produce, baked goods, salsa, jams and honey, olive oil, seafood, granola, beauty products, and much more!  The Craft Market will be held once a month on the first Thursday of each month.  Come find hand made and hand crafted items from local artisans.
Dr. AJ Chandler Park @ 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm
3 South Arizona Avenue
Chandler, AZ
480-855-3539

Friday, October 4
Mesa Community Farmers Market
May include depending on season: fresh produce, baked goods, jams & jellies, salsas, spices, natural pork, beef and fish, hand-made craft products, lotions and soaps. Free admission, free parking. Accepts AZ Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers. Located near downtown Mesa and cafes, coffee shops, museums, and antique stores.
Rendezvous Green @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm  June – Sept: 9am-Noon, Oct.-May: 9 AM – 1pm
263 N. Center St.
Mesa, AZ 85201
602-290-5067

Dignity Healthcare Breastfeeding Support Group
With the exception of major holidays… For more information, please call the ResourceLink toll-free 1 (877) 728-5414, Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5:30 pm
Mercy Gilbert Medical Center @ 10:00 am to 11:30 am
3555 S Val Vista Dr.
Gilbert, AZ 85297

Storytime at Barnes & Noble
It’s Halloween fun with lift-the-flap surprises as we read ‘What Am I?’ Halloween by Anne Margaret Lewis.
Barnes & Noble @ 10:30 am
3111 W. Chandler Blvd #2054
Chandler, AZ 85226
480-792-1312

Fun Friday
Children 1 to 4 and their caregivers can enjoy themed events, including hand motion songs, singalongs, dancing, stories and games. Activities are designed to enhance musical, social, physical and memory skills. Caregivers must remain in the store.
Microsoft Store @ 10:30 – 11:15 am
Scottsdale Fashion Square
7014 E. Camelback Road, Suite 1288
Scottsdale, AZ, 85251
480-308-0800

Food Truck Friday
Phoenix Public Market @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
721 N Central
Phoenix, AZ

Enchanted Island Family Night
There’s never a charge to enter Enchanted Island. You simply pay for the rides you want to ride on, the games you want to play, and the food you want to eat.  Friday nights, enjoy special pricing for unlimited rides: $6.50 for Children or Adults Wristbands
Enchanted Island Amusement Park @ 5:00 – 9:30 pm
1202 W. Encanto Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85007
602-254-1200

Toy Car & Cruise
Race Hot Wheels on a 30-foot long track with an electronic start and a timer. Kids 12 and younger receive a free Hot Wheels car. A custom Hot Wheels show is included along with a car cruise featuring full-size automobiles.
Hobby Town @ 6-10p
1817 E. Baseline Road
Gilbert, AZ, 85233
480-621-7765

Phoenix Art Museum First Friday
It’s never to early to start art appreciation with your Sweet Peas.  You can enjoy PhxArtKids, an interactive space for children, along with galleries of art showcasing American, Asian, European, Latin American, Western American, modern and contemporary art, and fashion design.  The Phoenix Art Museum offers free admission every Wednesday afternoon (3-9p) and on First Fridays.
Phoenix Art Museum @ 6:00 – 10:00 pm
1625 N. Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-256-7539

Free Outdoor Concert – Tempe
Bring the family out to enjoy great live music performed by a variety of musicians.  Choose from two stages of entertainment.  For more information click HERE
http://tempemarketplace.com/events/live-music/
Tempe Marketplace @ 7:00 pm
2000 E Rio Salado Pkwy
Tempe 85281
480-966-9338

Free Outdoor Concert – N. Phoenix/Scottsdale
Bring the family out to enjoy great live music performed by a variety of musicians.  Choose from two stages of entertainment.  For more information click HERE (http://www.shopdesertridge.com/events/full-calendar/)
Desert Ridge Marketplace @ 7:00 – 9:00 pm
21001 N Tatum Blvd
Phoenix 85050
480-513-7586

Coming up this Saturday:
Star Wars Reads Day!
Join us for Star Wars Reads Day, a celebration of all things Star Wars. We’ll have activities for the whole family, from Storytimes and crafts to costume contests.
Chandler Fashion Mall @ 11:00 AM
3111 W. Chandler Blvd #2054
Chandler, AZ 85226
480-792-1312

LIBRARIES:
Chandler, AZ http://www.chandlerlibrary.org/
Glendale, AZ http://www.glendaleaz.com/Library/index.cfm
Mesa, AZ http://www.mesalibrary.org/
Payson, AZ http://www.paysonlibrary.com/
Phoenix, AZ http://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/default.jsp
Peoria, AZ http://library.peoriaaz.gov/polaris/default.aspx
Scottsdale, AZ  http://library.scottsdaleaz.gov/
Tempe, AZ  http://www.tempe.gov/index.aspx?page=1588

Monterey, CA http://www.monterey.org/library/Home.aspx

To submit your event:
Please follow this format (same as above).  Anything that is not “copy-paste” ready may not be posted – it will depend on how much time I have between homeschooling and loving on four littles.
Event Name
Description & Cost
Location Name & Time
Address
Contact Phone Number
Send your event information to krystyna@sweetpeabirths.com

Disclaimer:
The material included on this site is for informational purposes only.
It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation.  Cassandra Okamoto, Krystyna and Bruss Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided.

UPCOMING EVENTS September 28-29, 2013

Do you have any special plans this weekend?  We are looking forward to celebrating some birthdays at our house, so you can count on seeing us at the grocery store!  Wishing you all a fun and memorable weekend with your Sweet Peas!

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2013
Museum Day Live!
Visit a museum for free Saturday, Sept. 28, during Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day Live! In Arizona, 30 museums and cultural institutions are participating. To get in free, you must present a ticket. Visit smithsonianmag.com/museumday to request the ticket, which will be e-mailed to you. Print it and take it to get free admission. One ticket per household, per email.

Apple Harvest Celebration
Celebrate the peak of the apple season with tree-ripened Red Delicious, Golden Delicious and Rome Beauty apples. Experience the fun of picking your own apples, or select from already picked apples. Come early to enjoy the delicious “All You Can Eat” pancake breakfast served with hot apple topping or cider syrup, served each day from 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM. Apple-smoked burger lunches will be served from 11:30 AM – 3 PM. Free wagon rides will take you to the orchards for picking; Asian pears will also be available for picking. Homemade apple pies are baked fresh daily, and don’t miss the delicious “apple crumb pie ice cream”, made in an Amish ice cream freezer. Hot roasted sweet corn will be available at the farm location.  FREE admission
Apple Annie’s Orchard @ 7:30 am – 5:30 pm  http://www.appleannies.com/
2081 W Hardy Rd
Wilcox, AZ. 85643
520.384.2084

Gilbert Farmer’s Market
7:00 am – 11:00 am
222 N. Ash St
Gilbert 85234
480-583-0101

Roadrunner Farmer’s Market
8:00 am – 1:00 pm
3502 E Cactus Rd
Phoenix 85032
623-848-1234

Phoenix Public Market
“our Open-Air Market is a natural gathering place that celebrates neighborhoods and the neighbors. It offers an eclectic high-quality mix of: Fresh in-season fruits and vegetables, produce, flowers, jams, baked goods, dried beans, free-range eggs and honey, Live plants and unique local arts and crafts, Tasty hot foods, music, and more”
Open Air Market @ 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
721 N Central
Phoenix, AZ

Dragonfly & Butterfly Bash!
Dragonflies, damselflies and Monarch butterflies rule the wetland habitats at Veterans Oasis Park during the late summer. This special event celebrates these beautiful insects through guided nature walks, hands-on crafts and presentations! Walks are approximately 20 minutes in duration and the terrain is easy. Last walk will depart the EEC at 11 a.m., due to the late summer heat. Don’t miss this fun-filled, family-friendly special event! Pre-registration is not required; drop-in anytime!
Veterans Oasis Park @ 9 a.m.-noon
4050 E. Chandler Heights Rd.
Chandler, AZ 85249
480-782-2890

Our Avian Friends
This program introduces the hobby of bird watching. It details the needs of bird watchers, from equipment to how to become a good “birder”. Discussion of bird traits to look for as well as how to listen to bird sounds are included. Major bird orders and specifics to consider when engaging in identification are detailed. The program also has some short beginners quizzes to test the new “birder”s skill. Lots of pictures and ornithological information. Slide Show.***Special Guest Speaker, Joe Ford. Joe is a native of Missouri. He holds several degrees in education and a Masters Degree in Natural Science from the University of Oklahoma. He has been an educator on the junior high, high school and college levels. After 42 years in the teaching field he retired to Sun City, Arizona. He is a board member in the Sonoran Audubon Society and a member of the Sun City Rockhounds, among many of his other interests.  $6/vehicle
Cave Creek Regional Park @ 9:00 am – 10:30 am
37900 N. Cave Creek Parkway
Cave Creek, AZ 85331
623-465-0431

Train and Carousel Rides
Come out for a day of old-fashioned fun at the railroad park.  Enjoy the shade provided by the park’s many large trees  Kids can play at various play area including a covered playground with water sprays.  Train and Carousel Rides $2.00/each; free for kids under 3 with paying adult.
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park @ 10:00 am to 6:30
7301 E Indian Bend Rd
Scottsdale 85250
480-312-2312

Family Storytime – Tempe
Family Storytime complete with songs, movement activities and finger plays that encourage early learning. Program aimed for ages 0-3 but siblings are welcomed and encouraged to attend.  **Held the LAST Saturday of every month.**
Tempe Public Library – Storytime Room @ 10:30 am – 11:00 am
3500 S. Rural Rd
Tempe, Arizona 85282

The Princess, the Unicorn & the Smelly Foot Troll – Puppet Show
The Great Arizona Puppet Theater presents a puppet show featuring rod marionettes. Enjoy an original story about a princess who decides not to invite the smelly foot troll to her birthday party.
Tempe Public Library – Meeting Room A @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
3500 S. Rural Rd
Tempe, Arizona 85282

Dad & Toddler Storytime
Dads can enjoy stories with their favorite toddler
Mustang Library @10:30 am – 11:00 am
10101 N. 90th St.
Scottsdale, 85258
480-321-7323

Family Storytime
Share books, stories, songs, rhymes, and music in a fun interactive program that builds early literacy skills. This program is designed for children birth to five years old accompanied by a favorite adult. What is your child learning? Children who love books and stories become more successful readers. Space is limited. Free tickets are available 30 minutes before the program begins.
Ironwood Branch Library @ 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM
4333 E. Chandler Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ, 85048
PHONE: 602-262-4636

Free Crafts for Kids
Make-Your-Own Accordion Book
Kids put together this accordion-style book…then write and illustrate their very own tale!
Lakeshore Learning Store @ 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Find your local store HERE

Water Park Fun in Chandler
Enjoy the zero-depth pool area with interactive play area, water vortex, current river and two water slides.  Cost is $2.25 for adults and $1 for children ages 2-17
Hamilton Aquatic Center @ 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm
3838 S Arizona Ave
Chandler 85248
480-782-2630

Meet The Teacher Event
Baby Basics 4 U will be hosting this event to introduce you to their line-up of class instructors. Check out the store’s amazing products, tour the parent education room, and meet all the great instructors!
There will be a FREE sign language story time, giveaways, as well as lots of great information & resources on everything baby!
Baby Town @ 2:00 – 4:00 pm
3787 South Gilbert Road
Gilbert, Arizona 85297

Fish Feeding
Come see an 18,500 gallon freshwater aquarium that offers an up-close view of trophy-sized catfish, bass, striper and blue gill.  Feeding includes an informative presentation about the fish.  Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 pm and Tuesdays at 6:00 pm.  Also, every day kids can help us feed the trout in our Trout Stream at 1:30pm.
Bass Pro Shop Trout Stream @ 1:30 pm
Bass Pro Shop Aquarium @ 2:00 pm
1133 N Dobson Rd
Mesa 85201
602-606-5600

Autism Family Swim
Children with autism and their families are invited to swim at Hubbard Family Swim School’s Mesa Riverview location on the fourth Saturday of every month. All ages are welcome. There are two heated 90-degree indoor pools, each 4 feet deep with ledges and steps for exploration and fun. Showers and a changing area are available. Lifeguards will be present and all swimmers, regardless of aptitude, are encouraged to participate. Call or send an e-mail to info@hubbardswim.com for questions and to sign up in advance.  $5 per family
Hubbard Family Swim School @ 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Mesa Riverview
1061 N. Dobson Road, Suite 101
Mesa, AZ, 85201
602-971-4044

SMoCA
Bring the family and enjoy free admission to the art exhibits.  “SMoCA brings art, architecture and design to Arizona to challenge expectations. We are not a museum filled with random selections of art from the past; rather we engage the thoughts and concerns of the present. The ideas that interest, trouble and perplex you are the same that artists investigate in exhibitions at the museum.”  Tim Rodgers, Director, SMoCA
Every Thursday (12-9p), and on Friday and Saturday evenings (5-9p).
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art @ 5:00 – 9:00 pm
7374 E. Second Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
480-874-4666

Free Outdoor Concert – Tempe
Bring the family out to enjoy great live music performed by a variety of musicians.  Choose from two stages of entertainment.  For more information click HERE
Tempe Marketplace @ 7:00 pm
2000 E Rio Salado Pkwy
Tempe 85281
480-966-9338

Free Outdoor Concert – N. Phoenix/Scottsdale
Bring the family out to enjoy great live music performed by a variety of musicians.  Choose from two stages of entertainment.  For more information click HERE
Desert Ridge Marketplace @ 7:00 – 9:00 pm
21001 N Tatum Blvd
Phoenix 85050
480-513-7586

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2013
Apple Harvest Celebration
Celebrate the peak of the apple season with tree-ripened Red Delicious, Golden Delicious and Rome Beauty apples. Experience the fun of picking your own apples, or select from already picked apples. Come early to enjoy the delicious “All You Can Eat” pancake breakfast served with hot apple topping or cider syrup, served each day from 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM. Apple-smoked burger lunches will be served from 11:30 AM – 3 PM. Free wagon rides will take you to the orchards for picking; Asian pears will also be available for picking. Homemade apple pies are baked fresh daily, and don’t miss the delicious “apple crumb pie ice cream”, made in an Amish ice cream freezer. Hot roasted sweet corn will be available at the farm location.  FREE admission
Apple Annie’s Orchard @ 7:30 am – 5:30 pm
2081 W Hardy Rd
Wilcox, AZ. 85643
520.384.2084

Ahwatukee Farmer’s Market
9:00 am – 1:00 pm
4700 E. Warner Road
Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-919-0914

Train and Carousel Rides
Come out for a day of old-fashioned fun at the railroad park.  Enjoy the shade provided by the park’s many large trees  Kids can play at various play area including a covered playground with water sprays.  Train and Carousel Rides $2.00/each; free for kids under 3 with paying adult.
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park @ 10:00 am to 6:30 pm
7301 E Indian Bend Rd
Scottsdale 85250
480-312-2312

Railroad Rides
Ride scale model trains through the Adobe Mountain recreation area.
Maricopa Live Steamers @ 12:00 – 5:00 pm
22822 N. 43rd Ave
Phoenix 85310
www.maricopalivesteamers.com

Fish Feeding
Come see an 18,500 gallon freshwater aquarium that offers an up-close view of trophy-sized catfish, bass, striper and blue gill.  Feeding includes an informative presentation about the fish.  Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 pm and Tuesdays at 6:00 pm.  Also, every day kids can help us feed the trout in our Trout Stream at 1:30pm.
Bass Pro Shop Trout Stream @ 1:30 pm
Bass Pro Shop Aquarium @ 2:00 pm
1133 N Dobson Rd
Mesa 85201
602-606-5600

Baby Bear Goes to School Puppet Show
Enjoy a charming musical puppet show about a baby bear that is excited for his first day of school.  For children of preschool age through second grade.  $9/adults, $6/children, Under2/Free
\Great Arizona Puppet Theater
302 W. Latham Street
Phoenix, AZ 85003
602-262-2050

LIBRARIES:
Chandler, AZ http://www.chandlerlibrary.org/
Glendale, AZ http://www.glendaleaz.com/Library/index.cfm
Mesa, AZ http://www.mesalibrary.org/
Payson, AZ http://www.paysonlibrary.com/
Phoenix, AZ http://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/default.jsp
Peoria, AZ http://library.peoriaaz.gov/polaris/default.aspx
Scottsdale, AZ  http://library.scottsdaleaz.gov/
Tempe, AZ  http://www.tempe.gov/index.aspx?page=1588

Monterey, CA http://www.monterey.org/library/Home.aspx

WATER PLAY & SPLASH PADS
AHWATUKEE
Mountain Vista Park: spray pad, splash pad area open daily, approx. through October 1st from 5:30 am – 11:00 pm
13647 S. 50th Street (48th Street and Knox Road)
Phoenix, AZ  85044
(602) 262-6111 (South Division)

CHANDLER
Splash Pads Closed for the Season

GILBERT
Splash Pad at San Tan Village
The Splash Pad, located in the Children’s Play Area, is now open.
Through September 30 @ 9:00 am – 6:00 pm daily
2218 E. Williams Field Rd.
Suite 235
Gilbert, AZ 85295
(480) 282-9500

SCOTTSDALE
Chesnut Park is open year-round from 8:00am to 5:00pm.  Chesnut Park is a 5-acre park, which includes picnic areas and two ramadas. Additional amenities include two lighted tennis courts, playground, spray pad, large open grass areas, and restroom facilities.
4565 N. Granite Reef
Scottsdale, Arizona 85251
General: (480) 312-2771

TEMPE
Spray pads are conveniently located in the following parks.  Hours: 9:00am-7:00pm (Daily, Monday-Sunday)
Jaycee Park (located near the Westside Community Center)
817 West 5th Street
Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 350-5200

Esquer Park (just east of the Loop 101 and north of Apache Blvd.)
2407 E McArthur Dr
Tempe, AZ 85281

Hudson Park (south of Apache Blvd on Cedar Street between Rural & McClintock)
1430 S. Cedar St.
Tempe AZ

Do you have an event you want to add to our list?  We are happy to list your event in our weekly blog posts.  Any event, class or meeting that fits into our philosophy of pregnancy, childbirth and parenting will be posted.  We reserve the right to decline requests that do not promote healthy families and peaceful parenting.

To submit your event:
Please follow this format (same as above).  Anything that is not “copy-paste” ready may not be posted – it will depend on how much time I have between homeschooling and loving on four littles.
Event Name
Description & Cost
Location Name & Time
Address
Contact Phone Number
Send your event information to sweetpeafamilies@gmail.com

Disclaimer:
The material included on this site is for informational purposes only.
It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation.  Cassandra Okamoto, Krystyna and Bruss Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided.

Upcoming Event: Healthy Happy Baby Expo

I am so excited to announce the Healthy Happy Baby Expo coming up next Saturday, September 21, 2013.  We sat down with organizer Kim Swayman, owner of the Healthy Baby, Happy Earth store in Glendale, AZ.  Please read our interview with her over on Sweet Pea Birth‘s today.

Although it is billed as a “Baby Expo”, there will be plenty there for parents of older children.  Along with the usual fare of Breastfeeding Q&A, babywearing, and car seat safety, some of the other sessions are:

  • Protecting Your Little Explorer – Session taught by Nancy Dastrup, owner of Arizona Childproofers
  • Helping Siblings Adjust – Taught by Youth Etc. – Valley Clinical Services
  • Nutrition – Baby’s First Year- Presented by Lisa Ingermanson RD,CLC – Easter Seals Southwest Human Development
  • Fostering a Love of Reading – Offered with Michelle Clark from Babymoon Inn – she is known for creating early literacy play spaces in over 20 libraries and for providing training on early literacy across the country

Check out the complete listing at the event website, http://www.healthyhappybabyexpo.com.  I just got a note from Kim that the Comfort Measures Class offered by my colleague is full, and we are adding a second session.  It is definitely a great idea to pre-register for these free classes, save your seat, and get the most out of your day!!

Will we see you there?  We will be there in the afternoon after we teach our Bradley™ “Next” class.  Leave me a comment and let me know if we should look for you.