Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

The Mom Connection Visits The Curiosity Connection!

Thanks to everyone who made it out today!
We missed everyone who wasn't able to join us, but don't worry- we had a TON of fun and will plan to visit again!

A Christmas Recommendation from Holly

Holly very enthusiastically recommends The Very First Noel as a great Christmas movie for kids (and adults!).

A Night in Bethlehem

When: Sunday, December 13, 2009
4 pm- 7 pm
Where: First United Methodist

From the First Church Website:

“Don’t be afraid! I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people.” Luke 2:10

Sunday December 13 plan to travel back in time to ancient Bethlehem. Bethlehem gates are open from 4-7 p.m.

Come taste, see, and smell, what daily life was like when Jesus was born. Hear what is happening in the city from the townspeople, merchants, Roman soldiers, and the census taker. In the ancient marketplace, you will find shops and activities for all ages as you interact with the people of Bethlehem – so bring the whole family.

Follow the star with the shepherds and discover the great joy in the stable. Hear from Simeon, Anna, and three Wise Men about what a special baby means to them.

If the smells of the marketplace make you hungry, stop and eat. A mission meal of grilled cheese and tomato soup will be available throughout the evening. Proceeds will benefit First Church youth missions. While you eat learn about several missions on display. You’ll want to support the alternative gift giving ideas and ways you can make a difference in the lives of someone else today.

Invite your friends and neighbors to come and experience a Night in Bethlehem. All are welcome!

Please Join Us!

December Outing: Curiosity Connection

Please join us Friday, December 18th @ 10:00 am
at the Curiosity Connection at the

Pennsylvania State Museum.

Watch for emails about possible carpooling. If you are not on our email list, but are interested in coming to this event, please send us an email at themomconnection@gmail.com

Mom's Night Out at the Crimson Frog!

In this busy time of year it's easy to get caught up in the hectic pace of life. In an effort to be sure that we're taking time to enjoy the simple pleasures of the season, we will be meeting for a Mom's night out at the

Crimson Frog Coffee House
Thursday, December 17th at 7:00pm


Please try to join us for a relaxing evening of coffee, tea, hot chocolate and chatter. We look forward to seeing you there!

December Meeting: Let's Party!

Our December meeting will be held Friday, December 11th @ 9:15 am.
We will be meeting in the Fellowship Hall (downstairs where we met last month).

As in past years, our December meeting will be a Christmas party! Be sure to join us for delicious food (I've heard rumors of chocolate fondue!), great fellowship and a lot of fun!

Please bring a wrapped gift ($5 limit) for our gift swap. We've always had a lot of fun trying to guess what is in each package!

As always, childcare will be provided.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Christmas Gift Idea

Ever since Nate was born I have been talking about keeping a journal, but something about all those blank journal pages staring at me were so daunting... I kept telling my friend Angelique that I wished I would write down just one thing a day that Nate did or said. But I just never got around to doing it.

In October, Angelique and I were in a little store in Philly when we stumbled upon this journal. It's a 5 year journal designed for the writer to journal just one line a day! Each page in the journal represents one day of the year (Jan 1, Jan 2, etc.) and each page has a space for 5 one-line entries to made in 5 consecutive years.

It's perfect! I keep it by my bedside and each night I write down one thing that Nate did or said that day that was new, or cute, or just simply made my heart happy. It's been so easy to keep up with because it's just one line!

This would be a great gift for any mom, dad, or even an older child. Even if they can't write yet, they can tell you what the best part of their day was and you can help them write it down. I think this would also be a wonderful way to keep track of "God Moments" that happen throughout our days.

The One Line A Day Journal is available at Amazon.

Submitted by Amy

Tip of the Week: Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs

Easy Peeled Hard Boiled Eggs

1. Bring Refrigerated Eggs to Room Temperature

2. Bring Pan of Water to Vigorous Boil

3. Add Eggs w/spoon to avoid cracking

4. Boil Vigorously for 15-20 minutes

5. Drain the Hot Water

6. Shake the Eggs in the pan until they crack

7. Add Cold Tap Water immediately after cracking the eggs and peel away easily.

Submitted by Gwen

Buttercream Icing Recipe and Cupcake Directions

Buttercream Icing

1 cup solid vegetable shortening

1 tsp. flavorings (vanilla, almond or butter or combination)

1 pound Confectioners sugar

3 Tbsp. water or milk

Beat shortening on low speed until smooth. Add flavorings and milk or water. Beat on low speed until smooth. Add confectioners sugar (1 cup at a time). Beat on low speed until smooth. Try not to use a high speed-you'll get a huge mess in the kitchen!!

This recipe makes a medium consistency icing which is good for decorating (like the pull-out grass and turkeys).

If you need to ice a cake or cupcakes, add one more Tbsp of water or milk to the above recipe to make a thin consistency icing. Always ice your cake/cupcakes in thin consistency!! Medium consistency would be hard to spread and you would end up tearing up your cake.

Printable Directions for Pumpkin Patch Batch Cupcakes

Printable Directions for Our Fine Feathered Friend Cupcakes

Printable Directions for Falling Snowflakes Cupcakes

Move Over Martha Stewart!

The cutest little decorator!

Just for Butts

Aubrey does not like shopping with me anymore. Well, it's more I don't like shopping with her. She loves to go but thinks the stores are for running around and knocking things over. The other day I absolutely had to run some errands and had no choice but to take the kids. So I told her if she was good I would get her a surprise.

Now, I am not the kind of Mommy that bribes her every time we go in the store (not that I object to it if you have the money, but I'd be broke! j/k) but this day I decided because I had to get somethings done I would bribe her.

Well we got done with our shopping, out last stop was Babies R Us and she really did need new underwear. (she just finished potty training YEAH) I told her she could pick any undies she wanted as her surprise. So she picked the Ariel ones and we headed towards the check out. Well then the tears came and the quiet sobbing. I asked her what's wrong? So she says to me, " Mommy, undies aren't a surprise. They're just for butts."

Submitted by Becky

November Meeting: Cupcakes with Holly!

Ready. Set. Decorate!

At our November meeting, our very own Holly Wales will be showing us how to decorate cupcakes! We will provide the supplies, but be sure to bring a container along to take home about 4 cupcakes!

The meeting will be held on Friday, November 13th @ 9:15 am. We will meet in the church kitchen, which is located in the basement (use the steps directly outside of our usual meeting area). As always, childcare will be provided.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Some More Pumpkin Fun!