We hope you've been anxiously awaiting the details about our Grand Opening Week events and our Fall-Winter schedule, and we're finally ready to unveil them. Well, this is a long newsletter, we know, but it's really worth it! So much of what we've been hearing you ask for is now available at MoCo!
See below for a week's worth of events planned to warm our new place with your smiles--we've been working hard to create a long list of new, fun and informative classes, groups and special events for for pregnant moms, babies, toddlers, preschoolers, moms and dads...we've got it all here under one roof!
Halloween Brunch ~ Car Safety Seat Inspections ~ Boot-y Camp ~ Itsy Bitsy Yoga Baby ~ Itsy Bitsy Yoga Tots ~ Halloween and Holiday Photo Shoots ~ Music and Movement for Toddlers ~ Sitters and Scootchers ~ The Motherhood Balance ~ Lunch with Lois ~ Bumps and Rumps ~ Nursing Beyond the First Year ~ Sing and Sign ~ Zinnia Designs Pottery ~ Member-Guest Open House ~ Family Party ~ Wine and Cheese Reception ~ Ribbon Cutting ~ Birth Circle ~ HypnoBirthing ~ and a visit from Senator Harriette Chandler ....and more!
Plan to attend a few of the events...and bring friends, family and neighbors with you!
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Special Events, Samplers and Classes to Celebrate the Grand Opening of Our Center in West Boylston
Saturday, OCTOBER 31
Special Event
Halloween Brunch 10 am - 2 pm
Bring your child or yourself or both in costumes and enjoy some complimentary Fall and Halloween-inspired drinks, snacks and sweets in the Shop. And if it's your first time at the new Mothers & Company, take a tour of our new center! Donations of non-perishable items for the Worcester County Food Bank will be welcomed.
Photographer Heather Fuller
will be there to do mini photography sessions of children in costumes (see info at right). Come on by!
Special Event
Car Safety Seat Inspections
10 am - 1 pm, FREE. Are you expecting a baby? Have a baby or toddler and just want to be sure their car seat is installed correctly? Did you know that inspectors attend a 40-hour course to become a certified inspector? There's so much to know--come learn some new things! A car seat inspector or two will be available for inspections between 10 am - 1 pm this day. Each car takes about 20-30 minutes, so please email Andrea at MoCo to make an appointment (on the half-hour).
Closing Early
So all of our Associate Mommas can celebrate Halloween with their families, we'll be closing at 3pm.
Sunday, NOVEMBER 1
HypnoBirthing (4-week series starts Nov 1, 6:30 - 9:30 pm, $200). Join others who look forward to a natural childbirth using this well-respected tool. Learn more about this class here and register ASAP! Includes book and 2 CDs. Facilitated by Amanda, a fabulously engaging and knowledgeable childbirth educator, birth doula, HypnoBirthing educator and mother.
Monday, NOVEMBER 2
Breastfeeding Support Group (always free) 11 am - 12 pm
Special Event
Chiropractic Care for the Whole Family at 7 pm - 8:30 pm with Dr. Karen Griffin (free) Come and find out how moms, dads and even the littlest family members can benefit from regular spinal checkups and a healthy nerve system. From pregnancy-related pain to colic and ear infections, we will discuss how spinal alignment can help us improve our overall health.
NEW Boot-y Camp Sampler (mommy fitness) (30 mins, free) 1:30 pm
Fun
interval training featuring cardio & weights followed by abs and
gentle stretching. Bring baby, or not. Coordination and rhythm not
required, but please get the okay from your doctor! Open to moms who
have been given the go-ahead from their midwife or doctor that it's
safe to exercise post-baby. Non-crawling babies welcome to attend and
can be incorporated into your workout if desired. Led by Cathy,
certified personal trainer and mom. Two 6-week series start Monday,
November 9 and Thursday, November 13 (register for one day per week or
two!). Classes run from 1:30 - 2:30 pm.
Tuesday, NOVEMBER 3
Election Day...don't forget to vote! Bring your kids so they learn about it!
Senator Harriette Chandler to Visit Mothers & Company! 10am Come say hello to your Senator and thank her for all she does for her constituents.
New Moms Group 11:30 am - 12:30 pm (free this week and your first visit) Join other new moms (babies under six months or so) to talk about everything that is changing in your universe. Get tips from each other and the facilitator. Laugh, vent, cry, whine, giggle or just zone...it's your time. Please note that New Moms Groups are now on Tuesdays at 11:30 and FRIDAY at 1 pm. Please see details on new program structure at right.
Itsy Bitsy Yoga BABY Sampler (20 mins, free), 1 pm Led by Sarah (photo at right). Sarah is a mom and yoga teacher an d also certified by the nationally-acclaimed Itsy Bitsy Yoga organization.
NEW Itsy Bitsy Yoga TOTS Sampler (20 minutes, free), 2 pm Led by Sarah For kids from crawling to 2 years. A Friday Itsy Bitsy Yoga Tots starts November 13 at 10 am
Special Event
Swine Flu: the Chinese Medicine Perspective (free)
7 pm - 8:30 pm Join others who are concerned with swine flu and learn about how doctors of chinese medicine/acupuncturists see it.
Speaker: Dr. Jacqueline Raicek, who has a private practice on the 2nd floor of the Three Rivers Building (home of Mothers & Company).
Wednesday, NOVEMBER 4
Special Event
Holiday Photo Shoot by Sleaque Photography
(see info at right...reserve your session today!) 9:30 am - 2:30 pm
Sitters, Scootchers & Crawlers Sampler (20 mins), 11 am
This group is for ba bies who are sitting on their own or are beginning
to explore by rolling, scootching or crawling. These developmental
milestones bring many changes and we spend time each week discovering
fun activities to stimulate the budding adventurers. Led by Melanie, a mother, occupational therapist and professional Salsa instructor who specializes in infant and child development. Learn more here.
NEW Music & Movement for Toddlers Sampler (30 minutes), 11:30 am
For parent (or caregiver) and child, 1-3 yrs. Experience the joys and benefits of creative movement, music, rhythm and song! Come and enjoy a class where you and your child can interact with others, sing songs, move to different kinds of music (classical, R&B, jazz, swing, etc) and play with fun props that keep us moving and improvising! Led by mother and music specialist Patti Lahey, who has 25 years of experience leading families in music and movement.
NEW Bumps & Rumps Sampler
(mommy-to-be fitness) (30 minutes, free), 7 pm For those expecting a baby. Led by Cathy, a certified personal trainer and mother (and mother-to-be herself!) with 20 years of experience in group fitness instruction and personal training. Keep your beautiful baby bump and bod in shape with an hour of cardio and strength custom designed for your prenatal needs. Meet up with other mummy-tummies for a great workout! Doctors' permission required; waiver form signed by participants is required.
Thursday, NOVEMBER 5
NEW The Motherhood Balance Sampler
11:30 - 12:30 (free*) A moms group which takes the former Thursday New Moms Group time slot. Come chat about how your life is changed, compare notes with other new moms and learn from the super-experienced mommas that lead the group. Laughter is guaranteed... Facilitation of the group is shared by Lois Freedman and Cindy Morningstar. Lois is a mother of two and maternal mental health counselor with 20 years of experience counseling women and mothers. Cindy has a degree in early childhood development and is the mother of 13 children (ranging in age from 24 years to 16 months). Drop-in $10 for members, $11 for non-members. Refreshments provided. First time is free!
NEW Lunch with Lois Sampler
(30 minutes, free) 12:30 - 1:3 0 pm
Is motherhood not all smiles and giggles for you? Are you finding it more challenging than anything you've ever done before? This group is designed especially for moms who are feeling like being a mom and/or connecting with their baby is harder than they had expected. A four week series starts November 19 and costs $55 for non-members, $49.50 for members. Register now to reserve your spot--having a set group of people enables moms to get to know each other and each session builds upon the last session.
Facilitator/Counselor Lois Freedman, MEd, CCE is a therapist, childbirth educator, perinatal consultant and author of Birth as a Healing Experience: the Emotional Journey of Pregnancy through Postpartum.
For more than 20 years, Lois has counseled women coping with anxiety,
grief, traumatic birth experience, loss of a child, cesarean section,
mother loss, miscarriage, infertility and death of a loved one. In
addition to her private practice, Lois offers a range of classes and
workshops for expectant parents and new mothers. Lois has a special
interest and expertise in preparing women and couples for VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean).
Our Lunch with Lois (LWL) series runs November 19 - December 17 (4 weeks, $50). Lois will also be available on Thursdays for private consultations related to VBAC preparation, counseling to pregnant women, new mothers, and many other women who are experiencing difficult transitions, losses and anxiety. more at Mothers & Company. Contact Lois directly for more information.
NEW Boot-y Camp Sampler (Mommy Fitness)
(30 minutes, free) 1:30 pm. Fun
interval training featuring cardio & weights followed by abs and
gentle stretching. Bring baby, or not. Coordination and rhythm not
required, but please get the okay from your doctor!Open to moms who
have been given the go-ahead from their midwife or doctor that it's
safe to exercise post-baby. Non-crawling babies welcome to attend and
can be incorporated into your workout if desired. Led by Cathy,
certified personal trainer and mom. Two 6-week series start Tuesday,
November 10 and Thursday, November 13 (register for one day per week or
two!). Classes run 1:30 - 2:30 pm.
Natural Childbirth 6-week evening series starts; a few spots still left! Register now and join Jeanette (childbirth educator, doula and owner of Mothers & Company) as she guides you and your partner toward having an amazing birth!
Friday, NOVEMBER 6
NEW Nursing Beyond the First Year
(always free) 11 am - 12 pm A new weekly playgroup for those who continue to nurse/breastfeed children over one year old. Come meet other moms who are "still doing that", as so many people call it...commune with other like-minded mommas, ask questions, laugh, and enjoy watching your children play with each other.
New Moms Group 1 - 2 pm (free this week and your first visit) Join other new moms (babies
under six months or so) to talk about everything that is changing in
your universe. Get tips from each other and the facilitator. Laugh,
vent, cry, whine, giggle or just zone...it's your time. Please note
that New Moms Groups are now on Tuesdays at 11:30 and FRIDAY at 1 pm.
Please see details at right.
Special Event
Member-Guest Open House, 3 - 5 pm
Are you a MoCo Member? See info above (right column).
Special Event
Birth Circle for Women Only (free), 7:00 pm. Come tell your birth story and listen to others tell their stories. Expectant moms, experienced moms, grandmoms and young women all welcome. Come laugh, shed a few tears, learn something and just relax! Light refreshments served but feel free to bring something to share
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 Saturday, NOVEMBER 7, the big party day!
Come
during the day or the evening for the big party to celebrate our Grand
Opening in style! During the day, there's a building-wide Open House,
Tanya from Zinnia Designs is back to put your child's hands or feet in
clay to make an amazing holiday gift or family keepsake (see info at
right), and MoCo has a big party planned from 4 - 9 pm (see below for
details).
Baystate Parent Magazine is focusing more on babies and toddlers and there is a great Gift Basket sitting here at MoCo that you can enter to win (must be in the store to fill out the entry form). A grand-prize winner will receive the basket and 3 winners will win a gift certificate to Eyebrows by Elena. Come in and enter! And come on November 7 for the moment when a representative from Baystate Parent will be here to draw the winners!
Special Event
Three Rivers Building Open House, 10 am - 1 pm
Come
and meet the Three Rivers team of practioners! Burdenko Method
Practioner and building-owner Susan Lauring; Chiropractor Karen
Griffin; Acupuncturists Michele Roy and Jacqueline Raicek; Massage
Therapists Leo McCarthy and Jeanne Coleman; Holistic Health Counselor
Paula Denencourt; and Jeff Meyers of HealthWays Yoga. Mothers &
Company will be open during this time as well, but our party starts at
2 pm (see below).
Sing and Sign Together Everyone,
10:30 - 11:45 am, $35 per family. For parents and caregivers with
babies from newborn to toddling (if you
think they'll be happy in your lap or near you for singing and signing
during class).
During this class, parents will will go over the benefits of signing in
American Sign Language (ASL), explain how to sign, teach some basic
signs, sign and sing some songs, read and sign a book. Led by
Courtney, who is fluent in ASL and leads a fun and interactive class!
Special Event
Family Party, 2 - 5 pm
Stop
by with our without your kids and enjoy a non-alcoholic drink, a snack
and just hang out and explore our new digs, chat with the MoCo Mommas,
see friends from moms groups or classes, shop and generally just enjoy
a break during a busy day. During this party, Tanya Chin from Zinnia Designs will be here to do hand and foot-prints in clay (see information at right).
Special Event
Wine and Cheese Reception, 6 - 9 pm
Come
schmooze with the MoCo Mommas and Poppas, check out our new space and
just enjoy some time out of the house with other grown-ups (but if you
want to wear your baby, that's cool, too).
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To register for any of these events (although many are just drop-in), call (508) 835.6666 or watch for our Shop to have all of the fee-based events to be included so you can register online.
We're thrilled to be in our new space and expect you will be, too...we'd love to see you.
The Mommas of
Mothers & Company
P.S.
Mothers & Company will close early on 10/31 (at 3pm) and is closed
on Veteran's Day (November 11) and closed on Thanksgiving (11/26). We
will also be closed December 25 - January 3. While we enjoy time with
our families, we hope you'll be enjoying time with yours. |
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YOU'RE INVITED to the BIG PARTY...
it lasts a whole week! Come on over to MoCo...more than 20 events designed just for you!
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Are you a MoCo Member? Members
are invited to a special Member-Guest Open House on Friday, November 6
from 3pm - 5pm. Light refreshments will be served. Members will
receive an additional 5% off of products and classes (on top of their
membership discount) and if they bring a guest, their guest will
receive 10% off. Excludes cloth diapers. Valid only during this
event, in person.
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HEATHER FULLER PHOTOGRAPHY
to Take Photos of Your Costumed Little Ones
| MoCo's very first client, photographer Heather Fuller,
will be there to take professional photos of children in costumes (and hey, go
ahead, make our day--YOU can dress up and be in the picture, too!). Contact Heather directly to for a timeframe for your 10-minute session. $50 per family includes 2 4x6 photos and 1 5x7. Heather uses available light and flash for her photos, so no backdrops or props will be present (but feel free to bring them!).
Heather is happy to do groups of kids together, too. Get your playgroup together!
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November 4, 9:30 am - 2:30 pm
Holiday Photos Portrait Day with Sleaque Images
Call 413.427.4698 to schedule your child's photo sitting.
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Zinnia Designs
Clay Hand & Foot
I mprints Here
2 - 5 pm, November 7
Would you like to capture impressions of your little one's hands or
feet in clay? Book your appointment on November 7th during our "Grand
Opening" event! Tanya Chin, a local ceramic artist will be creating decorative and
very personalized ceramic tiles with impressions of your kid's hands
and/or feet all ages welcome. Prices are based on a single tile: 1
imprint= $40, 2 imprints $60, 3 imprints $80, 4 imprints $100. Many
designs and colors to choose from and new ideas are welcome. You can
see more examples at www.zinnia-designs.com. To book your appointment
between 2-5 pm or if you have any questions please contact TANYA directly. These tiles capture a moment in time
that you'll treasure forever! What a great gift for the grandparents or keepsake for your home.
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| Map to the
New MoCo
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It's really not far...it's in the
center of West Boylston,
near the intersection
of Routes 140 and 12.
It's near Route 290,
near Route 190...
we hope to see you!
Click HERE for the map.
* New Moms Groups: New Program Structure.
Our Tuesday morning and FRIDAY afternoon New Moms Groups are now fee-based (first visit is always free).
- Member 5-session card: $30
- Member Drop-in fee: $7
- Non-member 5-session card: $35
- Non-member Drop-in fee: $8
Tea, water and snacks are always included, comfortable seating and comfy playmats for the babies are always included. We also have extra environmentally-friendly cloth diapers if you run out. Come join other moms and chat about sleep, diapers, feeding and anything else that is rocking your world in good and challenging ways!
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Oh, but these great events continue...
While we've got your attention, here are a few more special things we've got planned for November:
Tuesday, November 10
NEW Pakachoag Music Sampler Bring your children (aged newborn through age four, accompanied by parent or caregiver) to sample Pakachoag Music School's popular Music Together program. Come find out why Pakachoag has been a leader in early childhood music development for over 25 years, and how you, as a parent, can help your child achieve 'basic music competency' during the critical early years. Four Tuesdays from 1 - 1:45 pm, Nov 10 & 17 and December 1 & 8. Led by Julie Holston Quimby. Register through MoCo, $55. Questions about the program? Visit www.pakmusic.org or call the school at (508) 791.8159.
NEW Prenatal Yoga 7 - 8 pm, $80 for 6-week series. Led by Sarah Whiteman, mother, yoga teacher, doula-in-training and childbirth educator-in-training. Did you know your placenta works better when you exercise?
November 12
 Tea Time for Mommas of Multiples
(2:45 - 3:30 pm, once per month, free). Now facilitated by Cindy
Morningstar, a mother of THIRTEEN children (including a set of twins!)
Join her and other moms of multiples and share the joys and challenges
that come with your multiple blessings!
Friday, November 13
Special Event Show Us the Science, Give Us the Choice: Vaccination Information Night 7pm, Free. Presented by Michael Morgan, Doctor of Chiropractic. Dr. Morgan recently attended the National Vaccine Information Center's conference near Washington, DC. Bring your questions and an open mind. This is neither an anti- or pro-vaccination event. Vaccination is a personal decision. Take this information into consideration as you figure out what is right for your family.
Saturday, November 14
CPR for the Whole Family 9:30 am - 12 pm, $30 per person. CPR is something EVERYone needs to know. Register every member of the family that is old enough to do CPR on an adult, infant or child. What a great thing to do together on a Saturday morning! Certification available for an addit ional $15 per person and an additional test with the instructor, MoCo Co-Founding Momma Kim Packard.
Infant Massage 10 - 11:15 am, $35 per family. Led by Laura Trendel, a mother, occupational therapist and infant massage instructor. Written guides and a bottle of massage oil included.
NEW Bellydance for Everywoman 1 - 3 pm. $20 per person Join local bellydancer, mother and expectant mother Brooke Bishara as she guides all us girls in how to shimmy and rock as we learn more about how bellydance was actually designed and created for women's eyes only...take back your belly! No experience or belly-baring required. Just come to have fun. Bring a friend, neighbor, mother, grandmother and/or teenager! And please note, there are NO mirrors on the wall in the room...it's a girls' afternoon out!
Cloth Diaper Workshop 3:30 - 5:30 pm Back by  popular demand, this workshops walks you through the benefits and quirks of each cloth diaper, accessories and how to wash them and live day-to-day with them. This workshop will rock your world and help you understand how easy, cheap and fun it is to use cloth diapers! $10 per family (if you purchase $75 or more worth of diapers and diaper accessories after the workshop, your $10 will be applied to your purchase). The MoCo Shop will stay open exclusively for CDW participants after the workshop. Led by Sarah Whiteman, MoCo Managing Momma and our Cloth Diaper Guru. FYI, we're also planning a workshop on Elimination Communication...stay tuned!
Wednesday, November 18
Movement & Comfort for Labor 7 - 9:30 pm. $45 per couple. Labor is physically and emotionally challenging - whether you are
looking forward to medical pain relief or an unmedicated birth
experience. This class will augment what you learned in childbirth
class and give you more time to practice positions and comfort measures
with your labor support person. If you haven't taken a childbirth class
then this will give you strategies to help you cope with the sensations
of labor.
Saturday, November 21
Mini-Sessions for the Holidays with Cydney Scott Photography 10 am - 2 pm More information coming soon.
NEW Music & Movement for the Family 10 - 11 am, $20 per family. All ages welcome. Led by Patti Puracchio Lahey.
NEW Zentangle for Everywoman 1 - 3  pm, $30 per person. Create beautiful images from repetitive patterns. It's meditative. It's fun. You can do it during this workshop, at home, a few minutes here or there, outside, or with others. Come learn the art and discover your own style. No talent required. Fee includes materials for in-class use and home use.
For more information, see http://www.zentangle.com/index.php
Daddy and Me 3:30 - 5:00 pm
Join other dads and chat about what it's like being "Dad", learn from each other and enjoy watching your baby interacting with others. $10, includes light refreshments. Facilitated by a cool dad, Mike Morgan (he's also a chiropractor). Besides, while you've got baby with you, mom gets to be out doing something relaxing for herself (send her to Zentangle from 1-3 while you have baby and then keep baby with you for Daddy and Me!).
Monday, November 23
NEW Pregnancy: Your Questions Answered 6:30 - 8:30 $30 per person Are you expecting and feeling like you have so many questions? You're growing a baby and there's so much to know. How do you eat "right"? What foods should you include in your diet, which ones are best to avoid and do you need supplements? What are all the tests your doctor or midwife are doing? What are the best books? Should you consider cloth diapers? How do you prepare for breastfeeding? What childbirth class is right for you? WAIT--how do you just stop worrying about all this stuff and just center yourself so you can ENJOY your pregnancy??!? Join certified nurse-midwife Donna Papazian as she faciliates this group, answers your questions and encourages you to share your knowledge with other mothers-to-be.
NEW Sing & Sign Baby 9:45 - 10:45 am 4-week series, starts November 30 $55 family
NEW Sing & Sign Toddler 11 am - 12 pm 4-week series, starts November 30 $55 per family
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