Don't Throw out Those Holiday Cards!

This is such a neat program. This timely article is a re-post from MamaCheaps.com (run by a talented, nationally-recognized blogger who happens to be local to our area!).

Are you looking for a small way to make a big difference for some very special children? You are probably familiar with St. Jude’s Hospital. St. Jude’s is a pediatric research hospital that provides treatment to children- regardless of whether the family is able to pay for services or not. No one is denied service and everyone who walks through the doors receives cutting edge treatment.

The St. Jude’s Ranch for Children is another amazing facility for kids in need.“For more than 40 years, St. Jude’s Ranch for Children has provided a safe, nurturing home and therapeutic residential treatment services to more than 1,000 children in Nevada and Texas. St. Jude’s Ranch is making a difference by creating new lives with new skills for abused, abandoned and neglected children of all races and faiths.”

Recycled Card Program
Send your used cards (Christmas, birthday, any type!) to the children at St. Jude’s Ranch. The kids there will cut the fronts off of the old cards and affix new backs, creating new cards! The cards can be purchased on their website.

Who does this program benefit? It benefits all of US by encouraging us to “go green” and recycle. It benefits the children at St. Jude’s Ranch by teaching them about recycling and earning some spending money!

St. Jude’s Ranch is accepting used, all-occasion cards YEAR ROUND!

You can mail your donations to:
St. Jude’s Ranch for Children
Recycled Card Program
100 St. Jude’s Street – Boulder City, NV 89005
877-977-SJRC (7572)

Some card donating tips:

• All types of greeting cards, including Christmas are used.
• Only the card front can be used (please check to be sure the back side is clear of any writing, etc.)
• They can not accept Hallmark, Disney or American Greeting cards.
• 5″ x 7″ size or smaller is preferred.

St. Jude’s Ranch for Children: Recycled Card Program (Send Your Old Christmas Cards Today!) is a post by MamaCheaps.com.

Register Now: Several New Kids' Programs Announced!

The New Year is just around the corner and you know what that means... lots of registrations to remember!

Here is a sampling of some of the many children's programs that are now open for registration, or will be in the coming month:


Too Important Not to Mention:

• North Penn School District Kindergarten Registration
• FREE Car Seat checks at Montgomery Twp Fire Dept. and Grandview Hospital

Special Events:

• Pre-New Year's Eve Party at Gymboree 12/30, 6-7:30pm. Ages 0-5.
• Montgomery Township 300th Anniversary Celebration Logo and Slogan Contest, Entries Due 1/2.
• Family Fun Night - PJ Party at Harleysville Books, 1/13.
• Veggie Tales Live Show, 3/10, Branch Creek Community Church. Tix on sale now.
• Children's Dental Sealants Program, 3/29. Free exam & sealants for ages 6-14.

Recreation Programs:

• Hatfield Twp Parks & Rec: Music for 4 & under & Fencing for 8 & up 
• Montgomery Twp Parks & Rec: Lego Robotics, Chess, Art & Music Classes for ages 6 mos & up!
• North Penn YMCA Winter Session (1/2 - 2/26)

Sports:

• Hatfield and Nor-Gwyn T-Ball, Baseball & Softball 
• North Penn Small Sided Soccer
• NP Squires Football & Cheerleading

Full details on these any other programs and events are available on the the Register Now page.

Preschool Expo Deadlines Extended

THE 2012 NORTH PENN AREA PRESCHOOL EXPO is coming soon!


As of this post, seventeen local preschools and other educational centers have registered...is your school on this list?

Bright Horizons (North Wales)
Castle Academy (Skippack)
Childworks (Kulpsville)
Christ United Methodist Church Preschool & Playtime Express
Congregation Beth Or
Happy Days Preschool at Central Schwenkfelder Church
Kindercare (Lansdale/ North Wales)
Kinder Works
The Little Gym (Hatfield)
The Malvern School (Glen Mills)
Milestones in Music - SILVER SPONSOR
North Penn YMCA
Play & Learn (Lansdale) - SILVER SPONSOR
St. Stanislaus Parish School
The Tutoring Center (Lansdale) - SILVER SPONSOR
Twin Spring Farm Educational Impressions
Twin Spring Farm Day School (Ambler)

The registration deadline has been extended, but you must notify North Penn Under Ten of your intent to participate by this Friday, December 30th! Spaces are now limited and remaining tables are being sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Payment must be received by January 3, 2012.

For more information, contact us or visit the North Penn Preschool Expo page. Don't miss your chance to be a part of the first North Penn Preschool Expo (and save a place in your budget for the next one in January 2013!)!

WHAT: 2012 North Penn Area Preschool Expo

WHEN: Saturday, January 7th, 2012, 10AM - 1PM

WHERE: Hatfield Volunteer Fire Company, 75 North Market Street, Hatfield

Of course, this will also be on the North Penn Under Ten calendar!

Winter Break Events at Lansdale Library

 School’s out, but the learning continues at the library!

On Wednesday, December 28th at 10:30AM, therapy dog, Onya, will be visiting the library for children to practice their reading skills. Onya is a Siberian Husky who loves to listen to stories about snow.

Then, join us as we Ring in the New Year at Noon again this year on Friday, December 30. The party starts at 11 a.m. with a holiday movie. Then socialize for a few minutes until the countdown begins. Snacks and noisemakers will be provided. This is a great alternative to staying up until midnight!

For more information, visit the Lansdale Public Library on-line or the North Penn Under Ten calendar.

North Penn Preschool Expo Updates!

THE 2012 NORTH PENN AREA PRESCHOOL EXPO is coming soon!


As of this post, more than a dozen local preschools and other educational centers have registered...is your school on this list?


Bright Horizons (North Wales)
Castle Academy (Skippack)
Childworks (Kulpsville)
Christ United Methodist Church Preschool & Playtime Express
Happy Days Preschool at Central Schwenkfelder Church
Kindercare (Lansdale/ North Wales)
The Little Gym (Hatfield)
The Malvern School (Glen Mills)
Milestones in Music - SILVER SPONSOR
North Penn YMCA
Play & Learn (Lansdale) - SILVER SPONSOR
St. Stanislaus Parish School
The Tutoring Center (Lansdale) - SILVER SPONSOR
Twin Spring Farm Educational Impressions
Twin Spring Farm Day School (Ambler)



Admission is FREE, so come have some fun!

Highlights include:

• Information tables from a variety of North Penn area preschools AND other providers of preschool programs
• FREE Child ID kits made while you wait from NY Life. Give yourself a little peace of mind.
• FREE Samples from Zeigler's YUM!
• FREE balloon creations from the beloved Smiley The Clown!
• FREE goody bag for every family including literature for all of the above schools and several more schools, coupons and special offers!
• And much more to be announced in the coming weeks!

Remember to bring your new and gently-used stuffed animals for donation to Stories for Seniors.

The registration deadline has been extended to Thursday, December 29th to allow for a few additional schools to participate, but only a few spots remain! Remaining tables will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. Payment must be received by January 2, 2012.

For more information, contact us or visit the North Penn Preschool Expo page. Don't miss your chance to be a part of the first North Penn Preschool Expo!

WHAT: 2012 North Penn Area Preschool Expo

WHEN: Saturday, January 7th, 2012, 10AM - 1PM

WHERE: Hatfield Volunteer Fire Company, 75 North Market Street, Hatfield

Of course, this will also be on the North Penn Under Ten calendar!

Special Holiday Hours at Jumpin' Jack's

Looking for a way to keep the kids active during their Winter Break? Wishing they would burn off all the sugar in those chocolates and candy canes while bouncing off someone else's walls?

Jumpin' Jack's to the rescue! A mother herself, owner Darrah Rosado has planned special extended open bounce hours so that you and the kids can have some good, clean FUN this week and next (without breaking any furniture or aggravating any relatives)!

The North Penn Under Ten calendar has been updated to reflect these special hours, but here is the low-down:

 

12/22 & 12/23- 10am-8pm
12/24- 10am-3pm
12/25- CLOSED
12/26 through 12/28- 10am-5pm
12/29 & 12/30- 10am-8pm
12/31- 10am-5pm
01/01- CLOSED

Happy Hoppin' Holidays, North Penn!!

PS - Looking for last minute gift ideas? Open-Play Bounce Passes to Jumpin' Jack's make a great gift! Purchase 10 bounce passes & get 2 FREE or purchase 5 passes & get 1 free!

Preschool Christmas Eve Worship Service

Back by popular demand (don't you love that phrase?)... Christ United Methodist Church will be offering a special Christmas Eve Worship service for young children and their families on Christmas Eve afternoon.

As they arrive, young children will have the opportunity to choose to dress as an angel, a shepherd, a wise person, or remain a 21st century observer for the service. An interactive drama will tell the story of the first Christmas as children play their chosen parts and adults join in singing Christmas carols. A birthday cake for Jesus and congregational candle lighting (with small electric candles for the children) will welcome the Christ child on a level young children can understand. Please call the church office for more info, 215.855.1643. No reservation necessary. All are welcome!

Tuesday Night: Menorah Lighting, Dial Santa & More!

Amidst the holiday madness, are you remembering to check the North Penn Under Ten calendar? If you do, you'll see some great holiday-themed happenings for today, Tuesday, December 20th!

Lansdale's Menorah Lighting Ceremony begins at 6:30PM at Railroad Plaza. This annual event, sponsored by the Lansdale Borough, includes "music and history to celebrate the Jewish meaning of the Holidays."

Then, from 7 to 8PM... Think its too late to get those requests in to Santa this year? Think again! The Lions Club of North Wales will be having its annual "Dial Santa" night! Please call ONLY between 7:00 and 8:00PM. 215-699-4836

Tuesday will also offer your last chance to view the Lansdale Business Association's Festival of Trees (801 West Main Street - next to West Main Diner, open 5:30 to 7:30PM), a lovely indoor display of Christmas trees, each sponsored and decorated by a different Lansdale business. Admission is free and everyone can vote for their favorite display. We had a hard time choosing between the Lansdale Public Library's clever handmade ornaments, the Henning's tree which was encirled by a model train the kids could operate themselves (eventually had to drag them away when it was time to leave!), and the Milestones in Music tree which features a snowflake and picture for each student enrolled in their Lansdale studio programs and lights that represent the 1,200+ students enrolled in their daycare programs.

For more details, visit the North Penn Under Ten calendar.

A Special Assignment Awaits Your Kids' Stuffed Animals

Think Special Agent Oso is the only stuffed bear capable of helping others? Think again.

Its time to give some of that collection of plush friends that's growing in your child's closet their marching orders.

Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with Patricia Gallagher, founder of the Stories for Seniors project, and a woman whose life and actions have inspired and enriched the lives of thousands of older adults and their families.

Most notably, the Stories for Seniors project distributes new and gently-used stuffed animals, as well as, lap blankets, and fun trinkets such as tissue paper corsages, bubbles, pinwheels, and small dollar store type items to seniors in our area. But, there is far more to the program than simply handing out goodies to the appreciative recipients.

Ms. Gallagher visits with the elderly living in nursing homes, AIDS Hospices, retirement communities, Veterans Hospitals, shelters, cancer support groups, life recovery groups and other places where people are in need of hope, comfort and encouragement. She asks probing questions ("Who was your first real love? What was your favorite book, when you were a child?"), inviting the seniors to share their personal history; something which, for many of them, happens all too infrequently. By her best estimate, Ms. Gallagher believes that approximately 60% of these older adults do not receive regular visitors. 

That means that three out of every five seniors are living without regular face-to-face interactions with friends or loved ones.

The niece of one recipient offered her thanks. “My Aunt Sarah could not speak, wandered around and was just a shell of the person she used to be. There was one thing that she had to hold on to every night – her Charlotte doll. I think the residents who received the stuffed animals today will hold on to them just like my Aunt Sarah did. Just imagine the comfort of that soft fur. People with dementia are like children in a lot of ways.”

How You Can Help
At this time, Ms. Gallagher is completely out of stuffed animals for her nursing home visits. If you have any new or gently used stuffed animals to share, they will go to a very worthy cause - being cuddled by senior citizens in local facilities. You may contact Patricia Gallagher via phone (267.939.0365) to arrange to drop them off at her home in Chalfont. We will also have a collection bin at the North Penn Preschool Expo next month (extra motivation for post-holiday purging!).

Another fun way to help is to make tissue paper corsages for the seniors. Individual parent-child teams have worked together on this fun and inexpensive project, as have entire classrooms and scout troops. For only about $2, you can make 50 corsages! The senior recipients love pinning the corsages to their sweaters or attaching them to their walkers and wheelchairs. A tutorial can be found on Ms. Gallagher's site. (It actually looks pretty simple - even to this not-so-crafty blogger!).

"Sometimes it is just the little things that can brighten a person’s day," says Gallagher.

If you would like to read more about this and other inspiring projects, Ms. Gallagher has a wonderful blog where she describes some of the experiences she has had in her work with the elderly and some additional ideas for how our own families can become involved.

For your future reference, these volunteer opportunities will be listed in the Giving Back section of the North Penn Under Ten site along with other service projects and donation requests. If you are aware of other needs in the North Penn community, please let us know!

Modell's Coupon Benefits You...and TYA!

Gotta go to Mo's? Make sure you bring this coupon along!

Get 15% off your total purchase (regular & sale-priced) and Towamencin Youth Association (TYA) gets 5%! Offer good at Montgomery, Willow Grove, and Warminster locations.

The Virtual Mommy Market Ends Tonight!

Have you finished your holiday shopping yet?

The Virtual Mommy Market closes in a matter of hours, so make sure you take a quick peek at all the wonderful and unique gifts available for purchase while you still can!

Here's a reminder of what you can find:

GIFTS!  Books, custom embroidered gifts and apparel, pretty candles and other scented gifts, lovely accessories, handmade nursing covers and blankets, gift cards, handbags and totes, and more!

FOOD!  Need something tasty yet simple? Get inspired with some fun new gadgets! Or, sit back and let a pro bake for you!

FUN!  The kids will be wound up and ready to wiggle! Sign them up for some fun so they can get sporty, get physical and make new friends! And for you? Well, you can paint the town red...and get your friends' and family members' faces painted...any color you wish!  (Just make sure you get some photos of the little ones to preserve those memories!)

ESSENTIALS! Shop for safe household products from home. Snag a spare swing to keep at Grandma's house or other baby gear. 2012 is right around the corner...have you made plans to protect your family's future?

STRESS!  Yes, in all seriousness, this time of year can be incredibly stressful! Take time for yourself, lean on others, and find a place to turn to when you need to talk to a pro. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health! (And, as they say, "When Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!")

All of these vendors live in Eastern PA - almost all of them live within the North Penn School District. When you shop online through the Virtual Mommy Market, you're shopping locally and supporting a North Penn family in the process! Now, how cool is that?

Happy Shopping, North Penn Friends! The Market will be going off-line at midnight so hurry!

U. S. Toy Coloring Contest!

Holiday Fun at Jumpin' Jack's!

Does all this Christmas cheer have your kids climbing the walls? Fear not! Jumpin' Jack's has just what you need to wear out the kids, squeeze in some face time with the big guy in red, finish your shopping, AND, at the end of the day, enjoy some quality family time!

There will be two chances for you to squeeze in a visit with the Jolly Old Elf while simultaneously burning off some of your kids' boundless energy when Santa comes to Jumpin' Jack's! This Sunday, the 11th, and next Sunday, the 18th, the Jolly Old Elf will be there to meet, greet, and pose for photos with the little ones from 11AM to 1PM!

While you're there, scoop up some gift certificates for super-easy, sure-to-please gifts for all the young ones on your list. Heck, given the free Wifi and the awesome ability to tire out the kids, they'd probably be great gifts for the parents on your list, too! Buy five weekday or weekend passes and get one FREE!

Lastly, if you are a fan of Jumpin' Jack's on Facebook, you may have already heard the news...every Thursday night in December is Family Night! Open Bounce hours are extended to 8:00PM so you can enjoy some fresh, hot pizza and have a fun family dinner that the kids will love!

Oh What Fun It Is To Live in North Penn This Weekend!

Have you made any plans for this weekend yet? Skip the shopping, baking, planning, and wrapping...and have some real fun!

The fun starts tonight with the lighting of the Lansdale Christmas Tree at Railroad Plaza at 6PM (in conjunction with First Friday). Santa will arrive at 6:30 PM to lead the Christmas tree lighting countdown.

Immediately following the lighting will be a screening of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" at the Lansdale Public Library.

After that, stop by the Festival of Trees which opens at 7:00PM. The Festival of Trees is a new display, sponsored by the Lansdale Business Association, featuring Christmas trees that have been donated and decorated by local businesses. More than a dozen trees will be on display including one from Milestones in Music (Silver Sponsor of the upcoming North Penn Preschool Expo!) which will have a snowflake and picture for each student enrolled in their Lansdale studio programs. The lights on the tree represent the 1,200+ students enrolled in their daycare programs. Wow!

Saturday is full of fun options!

• Montgomery Mall offers a breakfast with Santa with seatings at 8:30 and 9:15AM Saturday morning. The event is free for Kidgits members but you must call today (Friday) to reserve yours (or quickly join Kidgits so you can then reserve yours!). Call 215-362-1600 for more information.
• The Home Depot is offering a Kids Workshop where your child (ages 5 - 12 recommended) can make a FREE snowman napkin holder from 9AM to Noon.
• Your child can get a FREE picture with Santa at Plains Mennonite Church while you peruse handcrafted gifts from over 85 artisans at the Holiday Craft Show benefiting Stray Cat Blues. Open 9AM to 3PM. For more info visit www.shoppingforacause.net or call 215-362-2083.
• Towamencin Fire House will be hosting Santa from 10AM to 2PM with photo opportunities available for a $5 to $7.
• If you are up for a short drive, the Ambler Theater will be showing "Elf" on the big screen at 11AM! (Oh, how I love that movie.) Buy your tickets now and save yourself some time tomorrow. Following that, Ambler will be holding its annual Holiday Parade at 1PM. What a fun day trip!

Come Saturday evening, there is even MORE fun to be had. (Perhaps an afternoon nap will be in order!)

• Hatfield will be holding a Community Caroling event and Tree Lighting at 7PM, followed by refreshments and camaraderie at the Hatfield Fire House (Main Station - some location as the upcoming Preschool Expo!) A fun family outing for sure!
• Or, if you're looking for some grown-up time, The Little Gym has your back! Another aptly named "Parents Survival Night" will be held Saturday night at their location in Hatfield.

Let's hope you sleep well Saturday night because on Sunday...

• Girl Scout Troop 71030 will be holding a Santa Breakfast at Applebee's at Ralph's Corner from 8AM to 10AM. Breakfast is just $5 for kids Under Ten and adults are $7. Tickets can be purchased at the door, or you can email Monica at GSTroop71030@gmail.com to ensure that you get your seats. All ticket sales and donations will help them raise funds for their weekend trip to the 100th Girl Scout Birthday Celebration & Singalong in Washington DC. Wow!
• Last, but certainly not least, Christ United Methodist Church in Lansdale will be holding an Alternative Gift Fair from Noon until 2PM. Back for its third year, the Alternative Gift Fair offers a one-stop shopping experience for gifts that truly give. Representatives from approximately 20 local, national and international organizations will be on hand, each with their own "honor cards" that you can give as gifts. Simply select the charity or charities that you wish to support from a long list including such organizations as MANNA on Main Street, Amazing Tails, Community Housing Services, Laurel House, North Penn Boys and Girls Club, The Peak Center, Habitat for Humanity and many more. We will be posting more on this later, but keep this shop in mind as you check off your list of gifts this year.
• One last thing a little further out of town...There is a Philadelphia Sportscard and Memorabilia Show going on all weekend at the Valley Forge Convention Center.

Phew! I'm a bit tired from typing all of that...and the fun hasn't even started yet!

Believe it or not, there are even more events on the North Penn Under Ten Calendar in addition to all of this!

Happy Holidays, North Penn!!