All posts in category Community Events

Summer Fun on a Budget

By Julie Patno, Manager, Center for Community Health and Wellness, Lowell General Hospital

Summer vacation is exciting, but has the summer boredom sunk in among your kids? Keeping kids busy all summer can be overwhelming and the costs can add up fast.

But don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be that way!

The Center for Community Health & Wellness at Lowell General Hospital put together a packet full of inexpensive ideas for you and your family to do, and plenty of programs offered in the Greater Lowell area with links for more information. You will also find information on special offers and even free admissions to local museums, parks, and even movie theaters.

Looking for some inexpensive ideas to keep your kids busy during their time off? Here is a preview of some of the programs, tips and ideas you will find in the complete LGH Summer Fun on Budget Packet

 Create your own Summer Budget Kit!

  • Large plastic bin or box hold all of the supplies
  • Craft supplies such as glue, contraction paper, watercolors, finger paints and scissors
  • Coloring books and crayons
  • Sidewalk chalk
  • Water balloons
  • Bubbles (liquid and wands)
  • Supplies to make a fort such as old sheets and pillows or card board boxes
  • Gardening supplies such as plastic pots, plastic shovels and free seeds from kitchen (dried beans, apple seeds, avocado pits)
  • Jump ropes
  • Hula hoops

Bookworm Wednesdays!   

Every Wednesday at 10:00am starting July 6th for six weeks

  • Bookworm Wednesday entitles kids to free admission to a select children’s film were they present a book report at a participating Showcase Cinemas, Multiplex Cinemas, or Cinema de Lux box office
  • Parents/Guardians and children under 6 years old do not need to submit a book report
  • This is a fun and rewarding summer reading program that was developed to encourage young children to read during the summer months

Remember keeping your kids happy and busy doesn’t have to be expensive. Want access to more Summer Fun on a Budget ideas, programs, camps and special offers in the Greater Lowell area?

Check out this link.  We’d love to hear your ideas too!

 

1 Comment
by jflojennings on July 25, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Community Events, Mom Tips
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Posted by jflojennings on July 25, 2012

http://mvmoms.com/2012/07/25/summer-fun-on-a-budget/

Getting Ready for Surgery

The thought of surgery can be scary for anyone. The Preparing for Surgery program at Lowell General Hospital helps young patients (and their parents) to feel comfortable and confident about their upcoming elective procedure. Before the surgery date, kids are invited to a dress rehearsal with a child-size “patient” Surgi-Sam, a stuffed monkey. Led by pediatric surgical nurses, children dress up as surgeons and preview the steps they will take – including pre-op, the operating room (OR) and the recovery room – experiencing the sights and sounds along the way. 

“The program really helps with the jitters that everyone tends to feel,” says general surgeon Michael Jiser, MD, of Lowell Surgical Associates. “Parents know what their child will see and do, and they are better able to provide reassurance before and after surgery. We find that the kids who participate in this program are more comfortable coming in and tend to do better afterward as well.” 

“Surgi-Sam [is] a crucial tool for small children undergoing surgery for the first time,” comments the mother of three-year-old Victoria who went through the Preparing for Surgery program. “It provides a secure and safe foundation for children that lasts a lifetime – what a smart and fun program!”

On the day of surgery, at both the main hospital and the surgery center, a hand-in-hand approach to care is used to begin and end things with a familiar face. A pediatric nurse welcomes the parent and child and brings them to the surgical area. A parent may accompany their child into the OR until surgery begins so that mom or dad’s face is the last they see before “going to sleep.” Then parents can be together with their child in the recovery room after surgery. Click here to watch a short video on Surgi-Sam and see him in action!

Any child who is scheduled for a procedure at the Surgery Center at Lowell General Chelmsford or the main hospital may attend this free Preparing for Surgery program. Reservations are required, and can be made by calling 978-275-1300 to sign up as soon as your child is scheduled for surgery.

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by lghwell on September 20, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Community Events, Healthcare
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Posted by lghwell on September 20, 2011

http://mvmoms.com/2011/09/20/getting-ready-for-surgery/

TeamWalk Music Video

 

Ignite Hope and Inspire Courage by joining Lowell General Hospital’s TeamWalk for CancerCare, Sunday, May 15, 2011 at the Tsongas Center at UMASS Lowell!

Click here for more information or to register or call 978-937-6434.

TeamWalk is unique because all proceeds stay in our community to help cancer patients with the fundamentals they need most. Since it began in 2000, TeamWalk has raised more than 4.2 million dollars and has helped more than 12,000 people at the Cancer Center at Lowell General and beyond. TeamWalk provides transportation to and from treatment, prescription medication not covered by insurance, living expenses, wigs, prosthetics, medical supplies, and the region’s most extensive array of support groups open to cancer patients and their families.

Whether you walk, volunteer, or sponsor, you can truly make a difference when you join Lowell General Hospital’s TeamWalk for Cancercare!

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by jflojennings on April 8, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Community Events, Healthcare, Uncategorized
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Posted by jflojennings on April 8, 2011

http://mvmoms.com/2011/04/08/teamwalk-music-video/

Free SIDS Training Course

Lowell General Hospital is providing a free SIDS training course that will define sudden infant death syndrome, discuss risk factors as well as identify safe sleeping positions and environments.  This class is open to expectant parents, new parents and childcare providers.  The course offers a certification required for childcare providers.

The course is offered on February 8th and April 6th, both evenings from 7-8:30pm. Click here for more information.  The course will be led by Merrimack Valley Moms guest blogger Amy McCabe.

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by jflojennings on February 2, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Community Events, Mom Tips
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Posted by jflojennings on February 2, 2011

http://mvmoms.com/2011/02/02/free-sids-training-course/

Tips for a Fun Family Halloween

By Meredith McKay

YIKES!  Halloween is only a few weeks away.  What will your children be dressed as?

Photo courtesy of Amy McKenney

My daughter Mia has decided she wants to a Pirate, a Giraffe and most recently an Elephant. I still am not sure what she will be wearing on October 31st but I would like to share “My Personal Tips” for parents regarding Halloween Costumes.

BE FUNNY, while you still have the chance to be.

If you are the parent of an infant or young toddler, then you are lucky enough to dress your child up as anything you desire. Before long your kids will want to pick out their own costumes and you won’t have a say in what they wear!  How adorable is James in his white Elvis inspired jumpsuit?

Photo courtesy of Maura Graham

For some reason, I don’t think James will be asking to dress up as “The King” in a few years.  And when will you ever get the chance to dress your child as an adorable Sock Monkey?

Photo courtesy of Wendy Campbell

BE WEATHER APPROPRIATE, no jackets required!

I checked with The Old Farmer’s Almanac and the weather for October 31, 2010 in the North East Region is going to be sunny and cool.  I always hated that my Mom made my sister Jen and I wear a coat under or over our costumes. I felt it ruined our whole disguise.

Case in point: all I see is our coats in these photos. Thanks Mom!

Photo courtsey of Lori McKay

Photo courtesy of Lori McKay

Luckily, costumes have come a long way since the vinyl short sleeve get-ups I wore!  A lot of costumes are now made out of cozy materials such as fleece that can be worn alone.

Ben keeps nice and toasty in his Man’s Best Friend Costume!

Photo courtesy of Bryan Reynolds

And Charlie is snug as a bug in her fleece hooded bumblebee costume.

Photo courtesy of Melissa McCullough

BE JAZZY, use makeup and accessories to jazz up costumes.  Add your own unique touches to personalize store bought costumes.

Malia and Leila look extra gorgeous with their purple false eyelashes, temporary hair color and plastic spider accessories!

Photo courtesy of Shannon Williams

Face makeup is a great way to make any costume really stand out.  You can even make your own.  Here’s a recipe from FamilyEducation.com:

Materials
Bowl
1 tablespoon solid shortening
2 tablespoons cornstarch
Water (optional)
Natural-based food coloring (you can find this at your local Whole Foods that carries all-natural, non-petroleum-based food coloring items or you can make your own natural food coloring with items you may already have stored in your kitchen!
Small jar or plastic container
Directions
In a bowl, mix shortening and cornstarch until smooth.
Add food coloring one drop at a time until you get the desired color.
Use a clean sponge or fingers to apply paint to a large area or use a small clean brush to apply thin paint- with a little water first.
Remove with soap and water.
Store covered.

BE FRUGAL, even if you can’t sew a homemade costume.  Don’t spend outrageous amounts on $ on store costumes.

Last year my daughter Mia (the pumpkin) and my niece Madison (the ladybug) were outfitted in costumes straight from Marshalls for under $20. These costumes came with the striped long sleeve tops and leggings that both girls were able to wear again with other outfits!

Photo courtesy of Jen McKay

Photo courtesy of Jen McKay

BE AN ENFORCER of the costume rule for older kids.  If you are the parent of an older child, please, please tell them to dress up or at least make an effort to wear some part of a costume, even if it’s just a mask.  There is nothing worse than a group of high schoolers at your door in no costume holding out a pillowcase for candy!  Explain to your tweens and teens how annoying it is to the candy givers.

Teenager Kaleigh looks cute, funky and cool in her Guitar Girl Costume. What an awesome big sister for taking adorable Adeline out trick or treating!

Photo courtesy of Erica Souza

BE A PART OF THE FUN.  Make Halloween a Family Affair with theme costumes.  My friend Kerry Ecklekamp loves, loves, loves Halloween and outdoes her family theme costumes every year.  Her husband Curtis even joins in on the fun too!

Thank you to the Ecklekamps for allowing me to feature their family Halloween photos over the years!  Kerry and Curtis dressed as The Incredibles.  I think they were more excited for Halloween than their son Quinn!

As their family grew, so did their theme.  Here they are as the gang from Scooby-Doo:

Doesn't Kerry make the best Velma?

And in a galaxy far, far away…

Han Solo, Obi Wan, Darth Vader and Princess Leia

Kerry is pregnant with their third child and I can only imagine what the family will be donning this year!

Do you know what your children will be wearing?
Do you have any costume tips you’d like to share?

3 Comments
by jflojennings on October 6, 2010  •  Permalink
Posted in Community Events, Meredith McKay, Mom Tips, Mommy Blogs
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Posted by jflojennings on October 6, 2010

http://mvmoms.com/2010/10/06/family-halloween/

People in our Childrens’ Lives

By Jane Marshall

Being Mrs. Massachusetts has given me opportunities that I will cherish forever.  The best part is that I have been able to share so much of my year with my daughter, Sierra.  Taking her to appearances, seeing her interact with people and having fun has been such a highlight!  Having people react to her the way they have, has been such a joy to see.

Sierra Making a Grand Entrance

The one thing I want to teach Sierra from a very young age is that even though we all look different, we are all the same deep down inside.  I want to make sure that she can interact with children of all ages as well as adults of all ages.  It has been one thing to have family and friends that a child becomes comfortable with and to build those relationships that become a constant in her life.  On the other hand, I have enjoyed watching Sierra interact with people she’s never met before at an event.  Sometimes she’s been shy, and other times she’s become a total ham.  I especially enjoy when I see her with kids or with older people.

One of my best memories is of Sierra meeting a little girl from Texas named Danielle.  She came to Boston to take part in a study at Children’s Hospital.  Danielle is 8 years old, and is afflicted with Cockayne Syndrome, which causes rapid aging amongst children.  I loved the absolute innocence of both girls playing in the back seat of the car while in their car seats.

Girls Being Girls

At one point, they were holding hands and giggling together.  At the American Girl store you could see them both taking in all the dolls just like any other little girls would.  Both girls enjoyed having lunch with their moms and a few other special guests that afternoon.  I have pictures of them in their strollers, just being little girls enjoying the experience.

Sierra & Daniell

Another very fond memory is when we attended a fashion show at an assisted living facility.  It was very difficult to get Sierra off of my hip that day.  As I got changed and put her into a pretty summer dress and walked out into the room to model, I was able to pet her down without a problem.

Sierra Being Social

In fact, she waved to everyone saying, “Hi!,” which was one of her new words at the time.  I loved the fact that her waving to everyone brought out so much happiness in the residents!  After the show was over, we got a chance to mingle with the residents and there were two ladies in particular that Sierra took to and with her few words, waves and smiles made the ladies giggle so much.  In fact, I was asked if I could sell her to them or create another just like her.  This was a huge compliment to me because here was this little girl just 13 months old providing entertainment to these ladies, and showing how simple and happy life can be.

I believe that our children develop into the people they become from what they learn at home, and also what they become exposed to outside of it.

It starts in the home to teach them to accept others no matter how same or different they may be.  It is ok to look, learn and understand.  I choose to share this year with Sierra because I have personally learned so much myself, and although she is so young, I think that this is the time where they’re so impressionable and it is where differences can be made for future years.  If these types of situations become a norm in her life, I firmly believe that as she gets older, she will be much more accepting of differences from one person to another and accepting of all types of people.

The Life of the Party

I think that a great way to expose our children to these types of things is to volunteer as a family for different organizations. You’ll be rewarded by the experience and probably learn some pretty valuable things in the journey called life.  You can take part or volunteer at a walk for a cause, visit a senior center, visit a boys and girls club, the Special Olympics and so many others.

Setting a good example and getting to do simple things are the most important things that we can do for our children.  And in this economy, where it’s not easy to go out and do extravagant things, you can still go out and do something different, all while making a difference.  Take lots of pictures because years down the road, you’ll have lots of stories to tell for sure!

2 Comments
by jflojennings on September 28, 2010  •  Permalink
Posted in Community Events, Jane Marshall, Mom Tips, Mommy Blogs, Uncategorized
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Posted by jflojennings on September 28, 2010

http://mvmoms.com/2010/09/28/people-in-our-childrens-lives/

Chocolate, Salsa, Wine and a Dancing Dog

Happy Friday, Merrimack Valley moms!  Just a quick post about a fun event happening tonight.  Salsa dancing is Hot, Hot, Hot. Don’t believe me?  Ask this dog:

Okay, the dog’s doing the Merengue, but it’s still amazing.  And here’s your chance to make your hips do things you thought they could never do.  No matter what, you’ll have a great time.  Learn new dance moves while enjoying three things that are good for your heart: exercise, red wine, and dark chocolate!

Friday, September 24th from 6:30-8:00pm.

Click here to register online.   To register by phone, call 1-877-LGH-WELL (877-544-9355).

Presented by George Lacerte of Steppin’ Out Dance Studio in Lowell.

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by jflojennings on September 24, 2010  •  Permalink
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Posted by jflojennings on September 24, 2010

http://mvmoms.com/2010/09/24/chocolate-and-salsa-healthy/

Baby Bargains Made Easy

By Sabina Chen

I love a good bargain, but I hate shopping.  I’m not a big fan of malls and I don’t have the patience to comparison shop.  So when the topic of second-hand shops came up in one of my moms’ groups, I listened.  Someone recommended Gently Loved Baby in Salem because, unlike other consignment stores, the merchandise was carefully selected by the owner and her staff.

So on this fellow mom’s recommendation, I stopped by Gently Loved Baby to check it out.  Everything is clean, bright, and well organized.  The merchandise is quality, brand name clothes for a fraction of retail price.  In addition to clothes, there are toys, books, and a good selection of baby gear—strollers, high chairs, some furniture.

That first day, I bought two hats for $1 each.  I came back a few weeks later when Milo started outgrowing his clothes and found some more bargains—I bought four outfits for under $10 total.   These days, I find myself stopping in every other week or so and usually leaving with another bag full of clothes for under $10.  Milo is a well dressed baby.

Milo models his outfit, bought for $2 at Gently Loved Baby.

The owner of Gently Loved Baby, Simone Vermette, says,

“I started to shop consignment stores out of necessity.  My daughter outgrew three pairs of tap shoes in one year.”

She had to dig through dusty bins to find her bargains, but she soon became a fan and visited second-hand children’s stores wherever she traveled. When her employers down-sized her out of a job, Simone decided to take a chance opening up her own business and Gently Loved Baby was born May 1, 2009.

“I tried to open up the kind of resale store that I wanted to shop in, bright and clean, with the aisles big enough for your stroller, the bathroom with a changing table.”

When I asked about how she selects the merchandise, she explained the difference between consignment and resale.

“We’re mostly a resale shop.  We pay money up front for the used items people bring in, so we won’t take it unless we’re pretty sure we can sell it.”

The store is doing well and has also become a good community resource.  They have hosted play dates, cupcake decorating parties, and informational Q&A’s sessions about topics such as cloth diapering.

Simone has no regrets and, after having to commute into Boston for her previous job, now enjoys the 1.5 mile commute from Methuen.  She feels more connected to her community.   She smiled at Milo, who was playing in a second-hand exersaucer at our feet.  “I love seeing the babies.  It’s the best thing about my job.  I get to see every new baby in town!”

Owner Simone Vermette with Milo. Meeting babies is the best part of her job!

Gently Loved Baby is located at 356 S. Broadway, Salem, NH.  Ph: 603-952-4760.  Hours: Mon – Sat, 10-6; Sun, noon-5.  Click here to visit them online.

3 Comments
by jflojennings on September 7, 2010  •  Permalink
Posted in Community Events, Mom Tips, Mommy Blogs, Sabina Chen
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Posted by jflojennings on September 7, 2010

http://mvmoms.com/2010/09/07/baby-bargains-made-easy/

Enjoy the Long Weekend, Moms

How are you celebrating the long holiday weekend with the family?  Whether you’re staying in town and grilling in the back yard, having a picnic in the park, enjoying the first weekend of college football or taking advantage of all the sales – and who says it can’t be some of each? – Merrimack Valley Moms hope you have a wonderful and safe Labor Day!

If you’re new to the blog, please read through the posts to get to know us a little better.

Sabina Chen’s back on Tuesday with a great post on finding some baby bargains!

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by jflojennings on September 3, 2010  •  Permalink
Posted in Community Events, Meet the Mommy Bloggers, Mommy Blogs
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Posted by jflojennings on September 3, 2010

http://mvmoms.com/2010/09/03/enjoy-the-long-weekend-moms/

Fall Favorites

By Amy Dienta

My favorite season is fall. I love the temperature, the crunch of leaves under foot and the smell in the air!

And the best fall tradition is enjoying your local farm. Going on a hayride, picking a pumpkin or apples and going through a corn maze are all a few of the local flavors to savor.

A few of my local farms are:

Smolak Farms:  Hayrides, petting zoo, pick your own apples and a playground.

Parlee Farms:  Annie’s animal barn, berries, apples and homemade desserts from Mary’s kitchen.

Drew Farms:  Apple Picking and tractor rides on the weekends.

Another awesome thing about fall is the fairs. We are lucky enough to have many local fairs from August until early October!

A family favorite is the Deerfield Fair from Sept 30, Oct 1-3.  We have a great time every year.  The fair has a carnival, horse shows, animal shows, a circus and singers.

You can enjoy local foods, art shows, cattle pulling, animals, tractor pulling and, my son’s favorite, Demolition Derby at the Topsfield Fair, October 1-11th.

Be sure to call ahead or check websites before going.  What are your favorite fall activities?

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by jflojennings on August 30, 2010  •  Permalink
Posted in Amy Dienta, Community Events, Mom Tips, Mommy Blogs, Uncategorized
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Posted by jflojennings on August 30, 2010

http://mvmoms.com/2010/08/30/fall-favorites/

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