La Crescent

Notes and News

BETTER MOMS MAKE A BETTER WORLD.

Volume 2, Issue 2 November 2008

Celebrations!
Benjamin David Vonk was born on Oct. 8, 2008, at
Five of our MOPS moms
(son of Beth and David) 11:27 a.m. She weighed 6
have welcomed new
lbs. 13 oz. and measured 19 Upcoming Events
additions to their families  MOPS ON NOV. 20,
1/4 inches long.
in the past two months. DEC. 4, AND DEC. 18.
Check out these new
MOPPETS!  GIANT MOPS PLAY DATE
AT THE FAMILY RESOURCES
CENTER IN LA CROSSE ON
Chloe Rose Wieser CONGRATULATIONS to THURSDAY, NOV. 13
(daughter of Emily and Ben) Theresa Campbell, FROM 9 TO 11 A.M.
was born on Sept. 12, 2008, now Theresa Coogan,
at 11:41 a.m. He weighed 7 for her recent marriage to  2ND ANNUAL MOPS
lbs. 11 oz. and measured 20 Dan Coogan on Saturday, FUNDRAISING AUCTION
1/2 inches long. Nov. 1, 2008. We wish you DURING OUR DEC. 4
many wonderful years with MEETING
your husband!
Jonathan Martin Holub
(son of Heather and Marty)

was born on Sept. 2, 2008,

at 8:44 a.m. She weighed 7
lbs. 3 oz. and measured 19 Inside this issue:
inches long.
CELEBRATIONS! 1
Audrey Bea Skaudis
(daughter of Amanda was born on Sept. 28, 2008,
and Darin) at 12:45 a.m. He weighed 8 RECIPE OF THE MONTH 2
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS
lbs. and measured 20 3/4
inches long. 7th Becky Kiesau 2
FIND GREAT CHRISTMAS
11th Maggie Kowalski GIFTS AT THE AUCTION
19th Heather Johnson
Elizabeth Karen
DON’T MISS THE GIANT 2
“Ellie” Witcik MOPS PLAY DATE
(daughter of Elizabeth
and Mike) MENTOR MOMS’ CORNER 3
was born on Sept. 9, 2008,
at 8:45 p.m. She weighed 8
lbs. and measured 20 3/4 IMPORTANT RESOURCE 3
inches long. NUMBERS

CHEAP BIKES AND 4

HOMEMADE BABY WIPES
Recipe of the Month: Caramel Apple Bars submitted by Beth Vonk
Ingredients: 1. Heat oven to 400 F. Mix apples. Sprinkle with
1 c. packed brown sugar brown sugar, butter, and reserved oat mixture; press
1/2 c. butter or margarine, shortening in a large bowl. lightly.
softened Stir in 1 3/4 c. flour, the oats,
1/4 c. shortening salt, and baking soda. 3. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or
1 3/4 c. all-purpose flour Reserve 2 cups of the oat until topping is golden brown
1 1/2 c. quick-cooking oats mixture; press remaining oat and apples are tender. For
1 tsp. salt mixture into ungreased 9x13 36 bars, cut into 6 rows by 6
1 tsp. baking soda inch pan. rows while warm. Store
4 1/2 c. coarsely chopped covered in refrigerator.
peeled tart apples 2. Toss the apples and 3
(3 medium) Tbsp. flour; spread over Makes 36 servings
3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour mixture in pan. Heat Prep time: 20 minutes
1 (14 oz.) bag caramels caramels over low heat, Total time: 50 minutes
stirring occasionally until
melted; pour evenly over

Find Great Christmas Gifts at our Auction on Dec. 4

Our MOPS meeting on Dec. 4 Because the auction is a decorating, fitness training,
will include an exciting fundraiser for our group, we cake decorating, etc. Feel
auction as a fundraiser for are looking for donations free to be creative.
our group. Last year the from businesses or individuals
auction was a huge success, who would like to contribute Please bring your donations
and many of the moms went their products, time, or to the Nov. 20 or Dec. 4
home with treasures as well services. Examples could MOPS meetings. In addition,
as great gifts for family and include handmade items such e-mail Maggie Kowalski at
friends. as quilts, scarves, hats, or [email protected]
jewelry; gift baskets; home to let her know what you’re
Last year the auction was business donations (such as planning to donate. Also,
held in March. This year the items from Pampered Chef or consider placing a minimum
auction will be on Dec. 4 to another company); or a gift bid and retail value on your
provide a great way for our certificate for services that item or service. Thanks for
moms to do some Christmas one provides, such as your help with the auction,
shopping. photography, home and happy bidding!

Don’t Miss Our Giant MOPS Play Date on Nov. 13

You won’t want to miss our Family Resources is located website:
all-MOPS giant play date at at 1500 Green Bay St. in www.laxfamilyresources.org
the Family Resources Center La Crosse.
in La Crosse on Thursday,
Nov. 13 from 9-11 a.m. Join For more information about
us for a fun time with other the services offered by
moms while the kids play with Family Resources of La
a great selection of toys. Crosse, check out their

Page 2
Volume 2, Issue 2
Mentor Moms’ Corner: Organizing Tips from an Unorganized Woman
By Lisa Cravillion black with big buckles. be good for me to have
While it looks great and I get electronic reminders, too. I “WHEN PEOPLE
I confess. I am a rabid list teased a lot about it, I don't figured it's impossible for me FIND OUT HOW
writer, and a rapid list loser. like digging in it for my mints to lose a desktop computer,
or cell phone or whatever. so it's feasible that having MANY KIDS I
I plan and plan, and scribble
lists, notes, reminders, then I Diving into the black hole can reminders on said computer HAVE, THEY
usually lose them. This is be frustrating, so I went on may be useful. To that end,
VERY frustrating for me. My eBay and found a marvelous allow me to share one of my USUALLY SAY,
dear mom is quite organized, purse organizer. Now favorite computer reminder ‘YOU MUST BE
and for whatever reason, I everything has its place. I programs.
didn't inherit her abilities with love it. Best of all I can SO ORGANIZED.’
that, or with sewing (rolling transfer the organizer from LetterMeLater.com is a
HA! NOT SO!”
eyes and remembering the bag to bag in seconds. fantastic free service that
failed apron attempt in 8th allows me to compose email
grade Home Economics). In my purse organizer I reminders to myself to be
Fortunately I did inherit her decided to place a cheap-o sent at later dates. I created
goofy sense of humor, planner from the Dollar a free account, then
cooking skills, and now finally Store, as well as a small proceeded to write myself
a bit of a green thumb, but notebook, three or four pens, various reminder emails. I
that's another story. mints, cell phone, wallet, lip made a few Letter Me Later
gloss, and reading glasses. notes to remind me of library
When people find out how The idea behind the planner book due dates and things
many kids I have, they usually was to use it whenever like that. (Let me just say
say, "You must be so someone talked to me about how sobering it is to have a
organized!" Ha! Not so! I upcoming events. It has large library fine... grrrr!) I
tend to be very easily helped some, and keeping created a free separate
distracted, and what happens the small notebook in the gmail account for use with this
is that instead of doing what purse has been great, service, then set the email
should be done, I spend a lot too. Now if I would only account to forward all mail to
of time thinking about things, remember to check the purse my main account. Voila`!
jotting them down, and planner and transfer Works like magic.
spinning my mental wheels. information to the main
calendar in the kitchen. Regardless of my ineptitude,
This past year I decided to I hope my tips might actually
organize my purse. I love Since I spend a good amount work for others. Enjoy!
big bags and I cannot lie. of time on the computer most
My biggest, shiniest bag is days, I decided that it would

Important Resource Numbers

Life can be tough, and we all Focus on the Family offers Dave Ramsey offers
need people who will offer a free Christian counseling on financial wisdom and sound
listening ear, a hug, or a all family-related issues. advice for getting and
word of encouragement in (800) A-Family (232-6459) staying out of debt.
difficult times. We hope you www.focusonthefamily.com www.daveramsey.com
find MOPS to be a safe
place where you can share Catholic Charities of La Birthright of La Crosse offers
the struggles in your life. In Crosse provides a variety of support and confidential help
addition, here are a few support and counseling in crisis pregnancies.
resources that others have services to our region. www.birthright.org
found to be helpful: www.catholiccharitieslax.org (608) 782-0373
(608) 782-0710

Page 3
La Crescent MOPS Notes and News

BETTER MOMS MAKE A BETTER WORLD.

La Crescent Evangelical Free

Church
1675 County Road 6
La Crescent , MN 55947
Coordinator Maggie Kowalski
Phone: 507-482-6378
E-mail:
[email protected]

Check out our blog!

LaCrescentMOPS.blogspot.com.

How to Find a Cheap Bike

And now, the long-awaited them up to sell. He lives at
information about how to find 615 Main St. in La Crescent.
a cheap bike. Just ask Leo Feel free to stop by his house
“Frenchy” Chaput, who or call him at (507) 895-
rescues old bikes and fixes 6094.

Recipes for Homemade Baby Wipes

Recipe #1: Cloth Wipes wipes container, put as many greatly reduced.
submitted by Erin Donahue wipes in there as will fit, and
To begin, find a round,
pour the wipes mixture in.
2 cups water plastic canister with a tight
You can also put wipes in a
1 dime-sized squirt of lid. I found a good one at
wipe warmer if desired.
babywash Target in the food storage
4 drops lavender essential oil There are many ways to use aisle. Next, pour the water,
2 drops of tea tree oil cloth wipes. Some moms baby wash, and baby oil into
(discourages mold and keep their wipes dry, put the the canister, then swirl to mix.
bacteria growth) mixture in a water bottle,
Next, use a freshly
and squirt wipes as they use
Optional: 1 or 2 drops of sharpened knife (not a
them. Whatever works!!
grapefruit seed extract, serrated/bread knife) to cut
especially helpful for battling the roll of paper towels in
yeast!! Recipe #2: Paper Wipes half. Dip the straight edge
submitted by Katie Mudd of the roll into the solution for
Watch for skin sensitivities,
1 2/3 cups water a few seconds, then turn the
and if you suspect a
2 Tbsp. baby wash roll over and leave the roll
sensitivity, omit the tea tree
2 Tbsp. baby oil jagged-side-down in the
and lavender and GSE.
a roll of paper towels, cut in solution for several minutes.
For no-sew wipes, cut 6 inch x half Before using, remove the
6 inch squares of fleece. For cardboard tube. Pull wipes
flannel or sherpa wipes, one Note: I use Bounty Select-A- from the middle of the roll
may want to hem the edges. I Size paper towels. When and tear off as needed.
take an empty disposable purchased in bulk, the cost is