Embracing Connection and Festivity: A Recap of Recent Mom's Group Events (November & December 2022)

Hello wonderful moms of our community! It's time to take a moment to reflect on the heartwarming and exciting events we've had the pleasure of sharing in recent months. From invigorating meetings to delightful playdates and memorable moms' nights, our group has truly been a hub of connection, growth, and celebration. Let's dive into the moments that made these past months so special.

Meetings that Nourished Body and Mind

Our meetings have been a true source of inspiration and rejuvenation. In November, we delved into the world of wellness with a invigorating yoga session. Kudos to Amber for leading us in a fantastic yoga experience, where we all donned our workout gear and embraced the peaceful energy of collective movement.

November also included a hands-on meeting hosted by Brittany, where we made Christmas and Holiday ornaments using old music sheets to bring home some holiday cheer! The group enjoyed the hands-on activity and the opportunity to connect with one another. 

As December approached, we turned our focus inward for a session of meditation and relaxation, which included the joy of a toy-purge and toy exchange! A much-needed respite during the holiday season, this meeting left us feeling centered and ready to take on the joys and challenges ahead. 

Play Dates that Created Lasting Memories

Our play dates have been an absolute blast, offering our little ones a chance to explore, learn, and bond. In November, we ventured to the Murray Hill Library for enchanting story times that captivated our children's hearts and sparked their imaginations. Twice in the same month – that's how much our kids loved it!

We also brought a touch of holiday magic with Wake Up Santa at Orange Park Mall – an event that filled our kids with glee as they welcomed the festive season.

Our coffee play date at an indoor playground was a wonderful opportunity for both kids and moms to interact, relax, and enjoy some well-deserved downtime.

December was all about embracing the holiday spirit. We watched the timeless classic "Elf" during our Classical Movie Night – a heartwarming experience for both moms and kids alike. The festive cheer continued with events like "Christmas in Avondale," "Clark House Park," "JAX Illumination," and the "Downtown Scavenger Hunt." These moments painted our days with joy and memories.

Moms' Nights: A Time for Laughter and Camaraderie

Our moms' nights have been the perfect remedy for busy schedules – a time to unwind, laugh, and build strong friendships. In November, we jingled and mingled at Ashley's place, sharing stories, laughs, and even some dance moves.

December brought the "Drop & Shop" moms' night, where we had the chance to run some last-minute holiday errands while bonding with fellow moms.

One of the highlights of the season was Kate's Fourth Annual MOPS Christmas Treat Exchange. The delectable homemade cookies and desserts that everyone took home were a delicious reminder of the love and camaraderie that defines our group.

From yoga poses to story times, coffee chats to holiday adventures, our recent events have strengthened our bond as a community of supportive and empowering mothers. As we step into the new year, let's carry forward the lessons learned, the friendships forged, and the memories created during these heartwarming events.

Stay tuned for more exciting events on the horizon. Here's to the power of togetherness, growth, and celebration – the essence of our amazing mom's group!

  

Falling Into a New Season of MOPS!

Hello Fall of 2022! It's a new season of MOPS! We are excited to get the group back together for a fresh series of meetings, playdates, mom meet-ups, and family nights. We are also super excited to welcome so many newcomers into our beloved mom group.

This new semester started off with a leadership meeting at Anne's house. The leadership team includes Kate Wakefield Spilsbury (Coordinator), Lucy Bravo (Mentor Mom), Khristi Vee (Membership Coordinator), Amber Kearney (Nursey Coordinator), Anne Spencer (Prayer Coordinator), Lynn Marie Marquez (Play Date Coordinator), Brittany Herbst (Moms Nights Coordinator), and Ashley Saoud (Technology Coordinator). 

Our MOPS theme this year is "We Go Together," which couldn't be more fitting as we all reemerge and reconnect coming out of COVID lockdown. If togetherness with other Moms is what you crave, togetherness is what MOPS is all about!

Prior to our first meeting of the semester, we held an open house to give new moms the opportunity to come meet members in the group and learn more about MOPS. It was a successful event that allowed us to meet a handful of new moms and support them in joining the squad. 

Our kickoff meeting, led by Kate, and gave us the chance to reconnect with each other after the summer break, and to get to know some of the new members better. We played some fun ice breaker games and got to socialize over coffee and breakfast.

The next meeting gave us a chance to roll-up our sleeves in the kitchen and prep some freezer meals for those "I can't even" days. Anne led the charge and set-up 5 recipes for the group to follow. Khristi took the lead on prepping freezer meals for special delivery to Ginny, with love.

September was also marked by a slew of fun playdates, family nights and moms nights. Events this month included a family night at the Cummer, a playdate at Lynn's house (it's a kid's paradise, recommend going to the next one!), playdates at Trinity while we beat the heat, story time at the Murray Hill Library (I hear this once had a cult following, SO much fun!), Clarke House playground, and a mommy and me meet-up for the Kid Cow & Me at Chic-Fil-A. 

As we moved into October, the first meeting of the month was centered on honoring the moms who have lost a baby during infancy or pregnancy, led by Lynn. The group shared some of their personal journey's, and then painted rocks for Owensrocksjax. 

The following meeting was a Halloween brunch, led by none other than Amber. Amber brought all the fun Halloween themed brunch décor and supplied the group with home-made waffles made in a Halloween waffle iron! The group had fun playing games and talking about plans for the upcoming holiday. (Oct 20)

October was also peppered with a host of fun events. Encanto movie on the Jumbo Shrimp field, playdate at the Zoo, Chronicles of Narnia, Fall Festival Movie Night at Ortega Methodist, Mom's night out at The Garage, more story time at the Murray Hill Library! 

Overall, it was a fantastic start to this new season of MOPS with a fabulous group of women. Can't wait to see what the holiday season brings to our group next!

Dog Days of Summer

Beat the summer heat by catching up with what we've been up to. Maycember about did us in, thus the lag in posting! Let's recap our spring first. Our first March meeting, Calligraphy by Cami taught us hand lettering techniques. It was something new and different for a chilly spring morning.

Spring break threw a wretch in our second meeting of the month plan. We spiced it up with a rainy day at MOSH then Mellow Mushroom pizza.

When the Trinity Indoor playground was closed one day, we discovered a new indoor playground right down the road at the Evangelical Temple off I-10.

For our first meeting in April we did a group yoga class. It was such a hit that we went to the studio to make it a girls night with some hot yoga. I love how the yoga meeting always seems to be perfectly timed when we need a breather the most. Some of us get into it, nailing the poses. Some of us spend the whole time in downward dog deep breathing. Something for everyone!

Hot Mom Yoga!

One Tree Hill play date

Celebrating National Donut Day with a Donut Playdate!

The second meeting in April, Erin Pruett, Licensed Mental Health Counselor came to help us get in the right headspace before summer hit and kids came home. Talk about perfect timing!  We play dated on a road trip berry picking and hiking ravines. Celestial Farms and One Tree Hill are always huge hits. We saw the Magic School Bus at the Florida theater. Last minute park play dates seem to always be the best attended. That's the phase of life we are in, I guess. If we plan it, something will come up. A great way to beat the heat are the free splash pads around town. 

   

Our last meeting was Tacos and Testimonies where we celebrated each other and discussed what MOPS has done for us this year. It's such a powerful meeting, even if you have to evacuate the building due to a gas leak...

And now it's summer. And it's hot. Our houses are a mess. We've done lots of library story times. We haven't gotten together for a moms night out, which we all need. Kate tried to put together one. Anne has another one on the calendar in a few weeks, "We made it through the summer!" Registration is out! Watch the theme video here and come join our group! Let's do this TOGETHER!

The libraries around town do some amazing kids programs!

Murray Hill splash pad