May 2009 Activities: Spring is here!

Mondays
Storytimes at Sellwood Library first week of May only: on hiatus until week of 6/15
- Toddlers (age 2) 10-10:30 May 4 only
- Book Babies (age 0-1) 11-11:30 May 4 only

Sellwood Community Center
Baby Play 9:30-11, infants, $1/child drop-in.
Indoor Playground 10:30-12, ages 1-5, $1/child. Infants and adults free.

Milwaukie's Ledding Library restarts storytimes in June.

Tuesdays
Preschool Roller Skating at Oaks Park; $5.50/child ages 6 and under, infants and adults free, 10:00-11:30. Includes children's beginning skating lesson and snack. Shoes and strollers welcome on the floor.

Sellwood Community Center
Toddler Gym 9:30-11, ages 2-3.5, $1/child drop-in.

Wednesdays
Preschool Roller Skating at Oaks Park; $5.50/child ages 6 and under, infants and adults free, 10:00-11:30. Includes children's beginning skating lesson and snack. Shoes and strollers welcome on the floor.

Sellwood Community Center
Indoor Playground 10:30-12, ages 1-5, $1/child. Infants and adults free. Gym

Ladybug Theater at the SMILE Station. Ages 2 1/2 and up, 10:30 am, $3.50/person, babies free. Reservations required--call 503-232-2346. May 6, 7, 13 and 14: The Pied Piper with Baby Bear. May 20, 21, 27 and 28, You Can't Stop Talking for Just One Minute.

Thursdays
Storytimes at Sellwood Library first week of May only, then on hiatus until 6/15
-Preschool (ages 3+) 11-11:30 May 7 only

Ladybug Theater at the SMILE Station. Ages 2 1/2 and up, 10:30 am, $3.50/person, babies free. Reservations required--call 503-232-2346. May 6, 7, 13 and 14: The Pied Piper with Baby Bear. May 20, 21, 27 and 28, You Can't Stop Talking for Just One Minute.

Storytimes at Woodstock Library on hiatus until June

Fridays
Storytimes at Sellwood Library first week of May only, then on hiatus until 6/15
- Toddlers (age 2) 10-10:30 May 8 only
- Tiny Tots (age 1) 11-11:30 May 8 only

Storytimes at Woodstock Library on hiatus until June

Sellwood Community Center
Baby Play 9:30-11, infants, $1/child drop-in. Mat room
Indoor Playground 10:30-12, ages 1-5, $1/child. Infants and adults free. Gym
Toddler Gym 12-1:30, ages 2-3.5, $1/child drop-in. Mat room

Saturdays

Sellwood Community Center
Baby Play (infants) 12-1:30 in Mat room, $1/child drop-in. Mat room
Indoor Playground (1-5 yrs) 12-1:45, $1/child drop-in. Infants and adults free. Gym

Special Events:

May 2: Storytelling with Sy James at Looking Glass Books; free, 10 am.

May 2: May Fair at Portland Waldorf School, 11-4, free. May Pole dance (at noon), music, crafts, food. All ages.

May 3: Felted Soap Bar Workshop at Spielwerk Toys. 10-11:30 am, requires registration, ages 4 and up.

May 8: Penny's Puppets at Milwaukie Grange: Red Hen and Fox plays at 10 and again at 11. The Milwaukie Grange located at 12015 SE 22nd (old River Road Parking in the Back, Big Yellow Building, follow Signs). $5 each or $17 for 4 people. Ages 1 and under are free.

May 9: Saturday Crafts at Ledding Library, Milwaukie. Free, ages 3 and up, 2 pm.

May 10: Mother's Day!

May 13: Sellwood/Moreland Farmer's Market opening day! SE Bybee & 14th, 3:30-7:30.

May 13: Spring Garden Starts at Spielwerk Toys, ages 2-6, requires registration. 3:30-4:30, $10.

May 15: Penny's Puppets at Milwaukie Grange: v plays at 10 and again at 11. The Milwaukie Grange located at 12015 SE 22nd (old River Road Parking in the Back, Big Yellow Building, follow Signs). $5 each or $17 for 4 people. Ages 1 and under are free.

May 16: Willamette Riverbank Cleanup: 9-1 at the river

May 16: Sellwood Playgroup Association Johnson Creek Park Cleanup, 9-11 am.
Bring work gloves, clothes that can get dirty and some snacks for the kids. This is also a great opportunity for all the Sellwood Playgroups to come together and do some community service. Some snacks from Parks will also be provided. Please e-mail Gaylen at gaylen_beatty@yahoo.com if you have questions.

May 16: Sellwood-Moreland Neighborhood Clean-Up Day, 9 am -2 pm at Westmoreland Park. Bring your E-waste, throw-away junk, scrap wood, yard debris, appliances, tires, unwanted furniture, metal, aluminum, styrofoam (block and bagged peanuts). Proof of residency required (driver's license or utility bill). $5-$10/sedan or small station wagon, $10-$15 for a small pickup, $15-$25 for a full-size pick up, $25 and up for larger vehicles. $15 charge for appliances with freon, $10 optional donation to recycle computer monitors. Five tires per vehicle are free, no tires over 21 in.

May 16: Llewellyn Tag Sale: 10-2, USBank parking lot SE Bybee & Milwaukie

May 16: Food Art at Sellwood Library. Free, 10:30 am-12 pm. Seating available on a first-come, first-serve basis with limited spaces available. Come create characters from fruits, veggies and other edibles inspired by the work of author and illustrator Saxton Freymann. Taught by author Addie Boswell.

May 20: Beeswax Flower Fairies and Elves at Spielwerk Toys, ages 4-9, requires registration. 3:30-4:30, $12.

May 22: Ladybug Nature Walk in Westmoreland Park. Take a hike with a naturalist and discover nature’s wonders. Preschoolers. 10 am. All May walks stroller accessible. $3 per child. Meet on the west side of park near intersection of SE 22 & Rex.

May 27: Sidewalk Chalk Workshop at Spielwerk, ages 18 mon. -3 yrs., registration required. 10-10:30, $7.

May 30: Performer Anne-Louise Sterry at Sellwood Library with interactive music and storytelling. All ages, free, 11-11:45 am. Seating available on a first come-first serve basis.

Welcome, Sustainability Fair Crafters!

We welcome those of you who are visiting after stopping by our craft booth at the Sellwood Middle School Sustainability Fair. If you are looking for a playgroup for your child, please read our FAQ and use the links on the right sidebar to locate the group for your child's birth year. Don't forget to scroll down a bit and take a look at our April calendar of fun family events in our neighborhood.

Here are a few links for crafts you may have seen today featuring recycled or Earth-friendly materials:

Books using a single page
Pamplet stitch book directions
Love Stems
Make a newspaper bunting
Flower Garland
Draw a chalk labyrinth

And for tons of amazing ideas about crafts using recycled materials we did not have time to do at the fair, visit this site.

Thanks for the great time today!

New Group Forming for '09 Kids!

The 2009 Playgroup is now forming and has its first playgroup set for April 28th. For location information, contact Jill Kulas. You can also use the 2009 Playgroup link on the right sidebar to visit their group webpage and sign up for updates on future '09 events.

Things to Do in the 'Hood! April 2009

Mondays
Storytimes at Sellwood Library:
- Toddlers (age 2) 10-10:30 
- Book Babies (age 0-1) 11-11:30 

Indoor Playground at Sellwood Community Center, 10:30-12, ages 1-5, $1/child. Infants and adults free.

Book Babies at Ledding Library, Milwaukie, 1 pm, ages 0-18 months, through April 27.

Tuesdays
Preschool Roller Skating at Oaks Park; $5/child ages 6 and under, infants and adults free, 10:00-11:30. Includes children's beginning skating lesson and snack. Shoes and strollers welcome on the floor.

Preschool Storytime at Ledding Library (Milwaukie), ages 3-5, 1 pm and 6:30 pm, through April 28.

Wednesdays
Preschool Roller Skating at Oaks Park; $5.50/child ages 6 and under, infants and adults free, 10:00-11:30. Includes children's beginning skating lesson and snack. Shoes and strollers welcome on the floor.

Ladybug Theatre at the SMILE Station. Shows begin at 10:30 am with doors opening at 10:15. Ages 2.5 and up--reservations required, please call 503-232-2346. April 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 and 16 see Baby Bear and the Three Little Pigs; April 22, 23, 29 and 30 features The Tortoise and the Hair [sic].  $3.50/person.

Indoor Playground at Sellwood Community Center, 10:30-12, ages 1-5, $1/child. Infants and adults free.

Toddler Storytime at Ledding Library (Milwaukie), ages 1-3, 6:30 pm, through April 29. 

Thursdays
Storytimes at Sellwood Library:
-Preschool (ages 3+) 11-11:30

Ladybug Theatre at the SMILE Station. Shows begin at 10:30 am with doors opening at 10:15. Ages 2.5 and up--reservations required, please call 503-232-2346. April 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 and 16 see Baby Bear and the Three Little Pigs; April 22, 23, 29 and 30 features The Tortoise and the Hair [sic]. $3.50/person.

Storytimes at Woodstock Library:
-Tiny Tots (age 1) 9:30-10 Go to rear door for entry
- Toddler (age 2) 10:30-11

Fridays
Storytimes at Sellwood Library:
- Toddlers (age 2) 10-10:30
- Tiny Tots (age 1) 11-11:30

Storytimes at Woodstock Library:
-Toddler 9:30-10 (age 2) Go to rear door for entry
-Preschool (ages 3+) 10:30-11
-Tiny Tots (age 1) 3-3:30

Indoor Playground at Sellwood Community Center, 10:30-12, ages 1-5, $1/child. Infants and adults free.

Saturdays
Storytimes at Woodstock Library:
-Book Babies (age 0-1) 10:30-11

Indoor Playground at Sellwood Community Center, 12-1:45, ages 1-5, $1/child. Infants and adults free.

Saturday Crafts at Ledding Library, Milwaukie. Free, ages 5 and up, 2 pm. Visit website for schedule.

Special Events:

April 4: Alphabet Book Craft at Sellwood Library
10:30-11:30, free, registration required. Call 503-988-5234 to register. Learn a simple fold-and-cut process with a single sheet of paper to create an 8-page-book. Next, add a decorated cover with a letter on it. The parent and/or child will then search through old magazines, posters and other materials to find pictures of things that begin with that letter. Over time, parents can make a new book for each letter, helping the child learn their letters in a creative way.  

April 4:  Preschool Storytime with Sy James at Looking Glass Books, 10 am, free.

April 4:  Handprint Tiles at Haggis McBaggis, 10-4 pm, ages 7 days and up.  Info on pricing and styles available here.

April 4:  Saturday craft at Ledding Library, Milwaukie. 2 pm, ages 5 and up. 

April 4 and 5: Trillium Festival at Tryon Creek Park; all ages, fre, 10 am-4 pm April 4 and 5. www.tryonfriends.org . Enjoy guided nature hikes, children's crafts, vendors, plant sale, entertainment and more.

April 5:  Mandarin Storytime at Woodstock Library, 1-1:30 m, ages 3-7 with an adult, free.

April 7:  Spielwerk Craft Social, Colors of Spring.  Free, 10-11 am, 18 months and up.  RSVP here if you plan to attend, and bring some spring nature items to share (blossoms, seeds, etc.)

April 10: Penny's Puppets at Milwaukie Grange; Super Donkey Saves the Day, 10 am and repeats at 11 am, $5 each, 4 guests for $17. Free under 1. 12015 SE 22nd Ave.

April 11:  SMILE Easter Egg Hunt--bring a few cans of food to donate to the 

Food Bank.  Free, Westmoreland Park, 10 am.  Meet at the south end, opposite the parking lot area.

April 11:  Crafts Table at Staccato Gelato, free, 9-11:30 am, all ages

April 11: Saturday craft at Ledding Library, Milwaukie, 2 pm, ages 5 and up.

April 14: Parent & Child Watercolor Painting at Spielwerk, ages 18 months-4yrs. $10, 10-11 am, register here.

April 14: Math Fun with Frog and Toad
Ages 3-7 with an adult, free, Sellwood Library, 3:30-4:30, free.

April 18: Elephant and Piggie Party at Sellwood Library. Ages 4 and up, 10:30-11:30. Activities, crafts and dress-up for children. Free.

April 18:  Storytime with Sy James at Staccato Gelato, 10 am

April 18:  Sensory Storytime at Woodstock Library, 9:30-10 am.  For all preschoolers, particularly those with sensory integration issues. 

April 25: Sustainability Fair at Sellwood Middle School. Free, 10 am-2 pm. Music, crafts, puppets, worm bins, planting and more activities for kids. Bike corral for bike and stroller parking. Come by the Sellwood Playgroup Association craft booth to say hello!  Volunteers needed!

April 24: Penny's Puppets at Milwaukie Grange; Turtle and Rabbit, 10 am and repeats at 11 am, $5 each, 4 guests for $17. Free under 1. 12015 SE 22nd Ave.

April 25:  Kids' Concert with Gabe Salo at Staccato Gelato, 10 am, free

April 25: A Hop, Skip and Jump musical program at Sellwood Library
Join award-winning singer/songwriter and recording artist Pam Donkin as she leads songs, chants, fingerplays and movement activities. 1-1:30 and 2-2:30 pm. Free.

April 26: Felted Soap Bar Making at Spielwerk, 10-11:30 am, ages 4-12. $16, register here.

Local Parenting Class, April 20-May 18

POSITIVE PARENTING CLASS
Presents: “Redirecting Children’s Behavior”

This course is based on the work of Rudolf Dreikus,M.D., a therapist, researcher and author of Children: The Challenge. The course is endorsed and recommended by pediatricians and mental health professionals internationally.

Through hands-on-learning, with teacher lead discussions and role-play;
We have fun learning practical skills to:
* Increase Self Esteem
* Develop Internal Motivation
* Discipline Without Scolding
* Eliminate Power Struggles
* Increase Mutual Respect
* Be Both Kind and Firm
* Reduce the Hassles, Tantrums and Tears
* Respond Effectively vs. React Emotionally
* Feel Calmer and Increase the Joy in Being a Parent/Teacher

FIVE WEEKLY CLASSES:
Mondays, April 20th - May 18th
5:30 - 8:30

LOCATION:
Violet Garden Waldorf Preschool
818 SE Lambert St. Porltand

COURSE COSTS:
$150 per person, $275 per couple
includes book and workbook

QUESTIONS AND ENROLLMENT CALL:
Jody Bothe, M.Ed. 503-230-0089

Free Sustainability Fair-We Need Your Help!

We are going to need all of your help on SATURDAY, APRIL 25TH, so please save the date!

Sellwood Middle School is planning a free Sustainability Fair that day from 10-2, and they have asked the Sellwood Playgroup Association to participate as part of a community partnership. This is a great opportunity for the playgroups to support the older children in our community as well as to introduce our kids to one of their future school options. Exciting things are happening at the middle school, including the building of a greenhouse to raise native plants for Johnson Creek Park and Oaks Bottom and possibly to grow vegetables for the school's lunch program. The plan is also for the greenhouse to be available for use by the community during the summers. The Sustainability Fair (part of a grant by SE Uplift) is the kick-off event for the greenhouse, but will have a lot of other great activities, too, and the planners are very focused on having things for young children to do at the event. There are a number of ways you can participate in the days ahead as well as on the 25th, so please look them over and let me know which things you can do:

1) Help with set up, clean up, or staffing a SPA craft booth on the 25th. The slots will be one hour shifts running from 9:30 am- 2:30 pm (9:30-10 and 2-2:30 are for set-up and clean-up)--just email me or call me (my contact information is below) to let me know which shift you can cover Please let me know one back-up in case your preferred time is full. Think about signing up with a friend! It will be a great chance to catch up with friends and neighbors. There will be middle school students trained by the Red Cross in babysitting assisting children with crafts--we need adults to help keep the booth organized, answer questions, supervise a veggie-vehicle ramp and help children with crafts. We may be working with a volunteer from SCRAP on crafts they have organized, or may be running a children's recycled craft booth on our own. Please plan to have a friend or partner available to watch your children while you work your shift--maybe pair up with a friend to switch shifts and childcare responsibilities. Your children are welcome to work on crafts while you do your shift, but someone should be available in case they finish before you are done or are drawn to another area of the fair while you are still supervising the booth.

2) We also need some things! Do you have a child's table and chairs we could borrow for our youngest crafters? Having some child-sized work areas set up would help them participate fully. We could use a bale of straw donated--I think they're about $15 at Witchita Hardware. We also need a large plank or board if anyone has one around that could be used as a ramp (like the veggie ramp at the Muddy Boot festival if anyone has been). Please let me know if you can meet any of these needs. I may send out another email as we get closer to the date if we need craft supplies like scissors to borrow, glue, etc. or need a pre-fair work party to prepare materials.

3) Help with decorations (see below).

4) Attend! This is going to be a fun community event for family members of all ages. Plan to spend some time at the fair making crafts, seeing demonstrations, enjoying music and finding out information about sustainable living. The event planners are discussing milk-carton planting for kids, a puppet show or recycled-materials puppet-making with Mudeye Puppets, multiple music performances and other kid-friendly activities.

If you can't attend on the 25th, please help us with prep work and decorations in advance. Plan a craft day with your child to make some of the following recycled crafts to help decorate the SPA craft table:

Love Stems
(If they survive the day, 'love stems' will be delivered to Sellwood Landing Assisted Living for May Day after the fair is over)

Flower Garland

Peanut garland

Deliver your crafts to my house the week of April 20th (email for address or directions). Thank you!

We look forward to hearing from all of you about how you can help SPA and Sellwood Middle School make this a successful event for our community. Thank you in advance!
Kirstin McAuley
SPA co-founder and '05 Coordinator
ktmcauley@gmail.com

Things to Do in the 'Hood! March 2009

Mondays
Storytimes at Sellwood Library:
- Toddlers (age 2) 10-10:30 (except March 23)
- Book Babies (age 0-1) 11-11:30 (except March 23)

Indoor Playground at Sellwood Community Center, 10:30-12, ages 1-5, $1/child. Infants and adults free.

Tuesdays
Preschool Roller Skating at Oaks Park; $5/child ages 6 and under, infants and adults free, 10:00-11:30. Includes children's beginning skating lesson and snack. Shoes and strollers welcome on the floor.

Preschool Storytime at Ledding Library (Milwaukie), ages 3-5, 1 pm and 6:30 pm

Wednesdays
Preschool Roller Skating at Oaks Park; $5.50/child ages 6 and under, infants and adults free, 10:00-11:30. Includes children's beginning skating lesson and snack. Shoes and strollers welcome on the floor.

Ladybug Theatre at the SMILE Station.  Shows begin at 10:30 am with doors opening at 10:15.  Ages 2.5 and up--reservations required, please call 503-232-2346.  Playing "Goldibear and the Three Locks" March 4 and March 11th, "Loose with Mother Goose" March 18 and 25th.

Indoor Playground at Sellwood Community Center, 10:30-12, ages 1-5, $1/child. Infants and adults free.

Toddler Storytime at Ledding Library (Milwaukie), ages 1-3, 6:30 pm

Thursdays
Storytimes at Sellwood Library:
-Preschool (ages 3+) 11-11:30, except March 26

Ladybug Theatre at the SMILE Station. Shows begin at 10:30 am with doors opening at 10:15. Ages 2.5 and up--reservations required, please call 503-232-2346. Playing "Goldibear and the Three Locks" March 5 and March 12th, "Loose with Mother Goose" March 19 and 26th.

Storytimes at Woodstock Library:
-Tiny Tots (age 1) 9:30-10 Go to rear door for entry
- Toddler (age 2) 10:30-11

Fridays
Storytimes at Sellwood Library:
- Toddlers (age 2) 10-10:30, except March 6 and 27
- Tiny Tots (age 1) 11-11:30, except March 6 and 27

Storytimes at Woodstock Library:
-Toddler 9:30-10 (age 2) Go to rear door for entry
-Preschool (ages 3+) 10:30-11
-Tiny Tots (age 1) 3-3:30

Indoor Playground at Sellwood Community Center, 10:30-12, ages 1-5, $1/child. Infants and adults free.

Saturdays
Storytimes at Woodstock Library:
-Book Babies (age 0-1) 10:30-11

Indoor Playground at Sellwood Community Center, 12-1:45, ages 1-5, $1/child. Infants and adults free.

"The Faeries and the Cake Baker" at Brooklyn Bay Childrens' Theatre. 10 am Saturdays through March 21st, ages 2-9, $7/ticket, ages 2 and under free. 1825 SE Franklin, Bay K. See directions online at www.playafterplay.blogspot.com. For reservations call 503-772-4005

Saturday Crafts at Ledding Library, Milwaukie.  Free, ages 5 and up, 2 pm.  Visit website for schedule.

Sundays
"The Faeries and the Cake Baker" at Brooklyn Bay Childrens' Theatre. 2 pm Sundays through March 22nd, ages 2-9, $7/ticket, ages 2 and under free. 1825 SE Franklin, Bay K. See directions online at www.playafterplay.blogspot.com. For reservations call 503-772-4005

Special Events:

March 1: Mandarin Storytime at Woodstock Library
ages 3-7 with adult, free, 1-1:30 pm

March 5:  Free Collage Craft Social at Spielwerk's new craft cabin!

Ages 2 and up, meet at Spielwerk at 10 am for 1 hour social.  Bring a craft supply to share.

March 6: Penny's Puppets- How to Catch a Leprechaun
10 – 10:45am, Milwaukie Grange #268 (12015 SE 22nd (old River Road- yellow building Parking in back), repeats at 11 am
buy tickets at the door, cash or check only
$5.00 each or 4 guests for $17.00.

March 6: Fractured Fables at Sellwood Library, 10:30-11:30 am. Free tickets available 30 min. before the program.

March 7: 10 am storytelling with Sy James at Looking Glass Books, free.

March 7:  Kids' Concert with Gabe Salo at Staccato Gelato, 10 am, free.  Donuts, egg sandwiches, waffles and coffee for sale. 

March 7:  Misty Mamas free bluegrass concert, 2 pm, Ledding Library, Milwaukie.  

March 14:  Craft Table at Staccato Gelato, 10 am, free.  Donuts, egg sandwiches, waffles and coffee for sale. 

March 14:  Storytime with Raquel at Haggis McBaggis, free, 10 am. Stories and songs for little people.

March 15:  The Doll House Tea Room Open House.  Girls are invited to dress up (more than 175 dresses to choose from).  Lemonade, tea and coffee served. For girls ages 4 and up.  noon-2, free.  3223 SE Risley Ave., Milwaukie

March 19:  Bread-making for Children and Parents at Spielwerk's new craft cabin!

$15/parent-child pair, materials and take-home instructions included.  10-11:30 am, meet at Spielwerk.

March 21:  Storytime with Sy James at Staccato Gelato, 10 am, free. Donuts, egg sandwiches, waffles and coffee for sale.

March 24:  Join an educator from SCRAP to craft and decorate your own paper crown. Woodstock Library, 4 pm.  Free tickets for seating will be available at 3:30.

March 27:  Felted Easter Eggs at Spielwerk's new craft cabin!

Ages 4-8 (younger may attend with a parent), $15, 3:30-5 pm, meet at Spielwerk. 

March 27: Penny's Puppets-Where is Lilly the Caterpilly?
10 – 10:45am, Milwaukie Grange #268 (12015 SE 22nd (old River Road- yellow building Parking in back), repeats at 11 am
buy tickets at the door, cash or check only
$5.00 each or 4 guests for $17.00.

March 27:  Ladybug Nature Walk at Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge
Take a hike with a naturalist and discover nature’s wonders. Preschoolers. 10 am. All March walks stroller friendly. $3 per child. 503-823-3601.

March 28: Zoo animals at Woodstock Library, 3-4 pm, free