Swing Set recommendations

We are looking into getting a swing set for our kids this year. I wanted to know if anyone has any recommendations. My husband would prefer a wooden one that does not have canvas. What brands are good? What features do your kids seem to like the most? I have seen that some come with play houses, sand boxes, or monkey bars. They seem to come with all these extra things besides just swings and a slide! So many choices, just not sure what extras we should try and have.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Roller Skating Classes for Ages 2-6

I've been doing some research into sports around Albuquerque, and I just found about about this:
Thursday Pixie Class Skate
10am-11:30am
Admission $4 per child
includes skates and drink!
Ages 2-6 years old

It's held at Roller Skate City. It's a class to teach the basics of rollerskating with a gentle rink. And the best part: you don't have to skate! You can just observe. You can even leave if you want to! And there's no long term commitment--you just pay when you go. We'll definitely be doing this from time to time.

Free couch and love seat

Heidi J. (just baptized in the ward) is wanting to give her couch and love seat a new home ASAP.  You can find her number in the ward directory online (since she's new!).  Thanks!

Basketball tickets anyone?

Normally tickets are about $20 and up to go to Albuquerque's (minor league) basketball game, the Thunderbirds at the Santa Ana Star Center.  Since my children's performing group that I direct is the half-time show for the Friday night game at 7:30 on March 11th, I can get family and FRIENDS in for $5 a person. What a great deal!  Let me know if you want tickets, and I can get you some!  I need a count and money by Monday.  (February 28th) E-mail to make arrangements to pick txs up.

here's the flyer....

-Andrea R. 

Free Church Quiet Book Printables

Go here to view some free church quiet book printables. They are already in 4x6 format so you can just upload them to Costco or wherever and have them printed as 4x6 photos. There are also 8x10 Article of Faith posters that are super cute.

zumba

Tomorrow @ 6:30pm. See you there!

greetings for Doug

Hi Ward Family,
I hope the Thomas family doesn't mind, but I thought I'd share this easy way to send a greeting to Doug.  As many of you know - he is currently hospitalized in Chicago receiving some pretty heavy treatments. The hospital has a system for delivering cards to patients that you can send through your e-mail for free.

Here's the link:

http://www.nmh.org/nm/hospital+guide+visitors+greeting+cards

He is in room 1594 in the Prentice building.

Just a suggestion :)  Wishing the Thomas family well.

Haircuts?-EXTENDED to SATURDAY MARCH 5TH

Budgets are tight for most of us right now, that's why I am offering, for a few days only, Haircuts for Kids 12 years old and younger for $5.00, (yeah, thats right 5 buck-a-roo's) and only 10 dollars for 13 years old and older.

0-12= $5.00
13-~= $10.00

So now is the time to get your hair done if you need it. :D From Feb.23 -Saturday March 5.

Call or email me to set up an appointment (before the 5th of March). I hope that this deal will help out. :D

Kim Wag. -refer to ward list.
hairiamabq {at} gmail [dot] com

Lime Ricki Swimsuit Sale

Lime Ricki Swimwear's new line is coming out March 1st. Right now their site has some seriously cute suits for really cheap prices. The one pictured above is only $15, regular price was $60. Of course they don't have my size, but they might have yours. Go check it out!!!!

APS survey

Hey APS moms, Today is the last day to fill out the survey online. The survey is to determine how we should be making up the 4 snow days we had earlier this month. They wanted parental input, which isn't always asked for. Take advantage! It's available until midnight tonight.

These are the proposed options:

1. for students to attend school after the Memorial Day holiday as currently presented on the approved calendar, May 31 and June 1-3;
2. for students to attend school on May 31 and June 1, and the two days scheduled this semester for parent/teacher conferences;
3. for the school year to end on May 27, before the Memorial Day holiday, and to add 30 minutes to each school day through the remainder of the year; and
4. for the school year to end on May 27, have students attend school on the previously scheduled vernal holiday on April 22 (Good Friday) and for students to attend school on the two days previously scheduled for parent/teacher conferences, and for the school district to apply for a waiver of one day because of the state-mandated emergency closure on Feb. 4 due to the gas crisis.

Plumber?

Does anyone know of a good plumber? We have a leak under our kitchen sink and can't figure out where it is coming from. Leave a comment or email me at jennifer(dot)childers(at)gmail(dot)com. Thanks!

Crock Pots

I am looking for  5 large crock pots that I can borrow to keep food warm for the Blue and Gold Banquet this Wednesday night.  I would be happy to come pick them up!!

Thanks,
Heidi C. (morsyd at gmail dot com)

monitor anyone?

Does anyone has a baby monitor I can borrow for next week only? My mom will stay with Harper and she is worried that she won't hear if Harper cries at night. doramthomas@gmail.com

Pampered Chef?

Does anyone in our ward sell Pampered Chef? I need to order a new cheese grater and my PC lady moved, e-mail me francesjean1111(at)msn(dot)com.

Girls 2T clothes

I have a bag of girls 2T (mostly winter) clothes that need a good home. A lot of them are doubles...I have twins, you know! Let me know if you are interested. My number is on the online directory or you can email me at aaronandjenparkin{at}yahoo{dot}com. Oh and there will be more to come!

Creative Memories

I am going to catch up on my scrapbooking if it's the last thing I do!!!!!!! But, I just realized that I need more Creative Memories 12 x 12 pages. Does anyone out there sell them or know how to get them cheaper than their website??? Thanks Susan T

Tupperware Taming

Does anyone have a great way to organize their Tupperware, preferably in cabinets? I have tiny drawers and tiny pantry.
I Thought I had an O.K. system in my last house, but I don't quite know what to do with it in my new house (and my husband did not think it was a good system in the last house either.)

GONE-Free Maclaren Twin/Double Stroller

Well, that was quick! The stroller found a new home in about two minutes. Thanks!

Christine B. was nice enough to give us this Maclaren Twin stroller to use a few months ago. I have recently purchased a new double stroller and Christine does not need this back, so it's up for grabs. It is in good shape and is really solid and sturdy. The frames on the sun shades are broken and that is why they kind of lean to one side, but they still work to block the sun. It does need a good clean-up. I think the seat covers are removable for washing purposes, but I'm not sure. If you are in need of a double stroller, send me an email, it's yours for free kesler999{at}msn{dot}com



Zumba

Zumba on Thursday @ 6:30pm

Hope to see you there!

:)

Book Group THIS Thursday!

Our monthly book group will meet this week.  All women invited.

*Thursday, February 17th
*Michelle Chapman's home
look me up on lds.org or e-mail at michechapman(at)gmail(dot)com
*7:30pm

We will be discussing Dale Carnegie's book How to Win Friends and Influence People.

If you have not read the book, but would enjoy a social night with fun ladies, please feel free to come anyway.  Our discussions of the books definitely don't take the whole time and we have a blast hanging out.

If you would like to bring a yummy appetizer or dessert to share, you are welcome to do so, but please do not feel that you can't show up without one.  All are more than welcome - even the book-less and treat-less :)

FREE night at the Radisson Hotel and Water Park

Sorry to be a blog hog lately. I feel like I have posted so much. But this is a good one! So you'll love me for it!

If you have a Facebook account...(or create one) do a search for the Radisson Hotel and Water Park ALBUQUERQUE page. Click "like" on it. If you have 100 friends also click "like" then you will get a free night stay there.

And don't forget to add me as a friend, too, please!

Once you have a 100 or more friends that like it then you print up a copy of the left side of your screen where it says, "100 friends like this" when you are on the Radisson FB page and bring it down to the hotel and show them and they will book a room for you right then and there. I think without taxes as well.

YOU MUST DO THIS BY THE 19TH!!!!!! Don't forget.

What if a bunch of us got a room the same night? How fun would that be!

Now wasn't that worth me being a blog hog?

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I had so many kind children and families respond to my ad for a dog babysitter. Thank you for being willing to help. I just took the first person who I spoke with. Some children called but I couldn't understand what their names were when they left messages and so I can't call them back. If your child called, please tell them that I said thank you so much - hopefully next time!

Thanks again everyone!

Free size 12 dresses

My Daughter Stasia out grew her Church dresses. If anybody is interested in the dresses let me know. My e-mail is adriananicholson22@gmail.com

My phone number is (505)728-7212. Adriana Nicholson

Calling All Crafters

I got this note home in Grace's backpack yesterday.  I thought it might be of interest to some of you crafty ladies:

Tierra Antigua Elementary PTA is going to be hosting their First Annual Craft Fair on Saturday, April 16th from 10am - 3pm.  It will be in the cafeteria.  Crafters and Home-based Businesses wanted!  The cost for a booth is $20 and a donated item of your choice to be raffled.  All proceeds will be used to help purchase extra school supplies for the classrooms next year.

If you are interested, the contact info is:   Jessica at 922-8979 or Jessica_pta(at)yahoo(dot)com

We need a babysitter...for our golden retriever.

Snow on Tuki's face

On March 24 - March 28 we need someone to watch our golden retriever. Just look at that adorable face!

You must be willing to either: come to our home and play with her and feed her EACH day. Or keep her at your house. She is 4 and is PERFECT with children. She is fun to play with and loves to go on walks. BUT her hair gets everywhere! If any OLDER children or teenagers would like to earn $25 please let us know.

Thanks, The Boyles

Free fax machine

Mandy H. is giving away a fax machine if anyone would like it! See ward list for contact info.

Put your dancing shoes on!

Zumba tomorrow morning 8:45 at the chapel! 

Thursday Zumba Time Change

I am sorry to do this, especially at such late notice. We have to change our Zumba time to 6:30PM. As many of you know we are sharing the building with the West Mesa Branch and they need it on Thursday for there sports night. I know many of you might not be able to make this early time window and I apologize, but I hope that things can work out for you to come get a great workout. :) Thank you, Sisters!

Hope to see you there!

Jessica

Love Floats

Thought I would share this darling Valentine's idea if you are looking for something to give teachers, friends or the sister's you visit...

Supplies Needed:

Glass cups  ...  any style or size...can be bought at the dollar store

Styrofoam balls cut in half (make sure you get a size to fit the glass you bought)

Pixy Sticks for the straw

Candy for the bottom of the glass (Hot Tamales, M&M's, Conversation Hearts, Sweet Tarts, Kisses)

Wrapped Salt Water Taffy (White would be preferred choice, but can do coordinating Valentine's colors)

Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Directions:

Fill the glass with candy, right up to the top.  Make a hole in the styrofoam and slide pixy stick through.  Hot glue styrofoam half to top of the glass.  Hot glue taffy to the styrofoam ball in layers starting at the bottom and working your way to the top.  Very easy and a fun project to do with the kiddos!

Happy Valentine's Day.

Thursday Night Zumba Class

Hey Ladies! I am going to start a Zumba class this Thursday the 10th. We will meet at 7:00PM (this is a night class). Bring friends, family and all that would love to try out Zumba. All are welcome.

Hope to see you there! :)

Email (in ward directory)

or call me (362-4536) if you have any questions.

Jessica Pickett :)

Homes needed for 2 small dogs

This gal rents from us and her husband died suddently the week before Christmas.  She found a new job, which requires travel, and has to move back to TX, so she is looking for good homes for her small dogs.  If this hasn't yet been posted, could you please?

-Cindi R.

Loss of Heat

Attention... Ventana Ward Families... If you are having difficulites heating your homes or preparing meals for your families please contact a member of the Bishopric or the Relief Society Presidency. Check on the families that you home/ visit teach and repoprt any concerns. Please be aware of the State of Emergency called for by Govenor Martinez. For more information see video clip at KOAT.com.

Cupid's Chase

Is anyone else running the Cupid's Chase 5K on Saturday Feb 12th? Here's the website, I thought it'd be fun to get a race time in at the beginning of my training, to compare to later.

Renee' W.
Here's the website: http://www.comop.org/cupidschase/albuquerque.html

Favorite layering shirts

Any of you who like to wear SHADE or MODBOD shirts, they are having a little expo at Sam's Club for the next couple of weeks with similar clothing called MODBE and they are made by DOWNEAST OUTFITTERS.  They have long sleeve, half sleeve and layering tees as well as other styles of clothing.

Zumba TOMORROW!

Zumba at 8:45 tomorrow at the chapel!

Granola

If you are like us then we are spending the day at home enjoying the snow and trying to keep warm! Something we like to make on cold days is Granola. I will warn you that once you start eating it, it is hard to stop because it is so yummy. I hope you like it too! It is a basic recipe that you can add to depending on your tastes. Enjoy! Amy:)


Coconut Granola

*Makes about 7 cups of granola

3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup slivered almonds
3/4 cup shredded sweetened coconut
1/4 cup plus 2 TBS dark brown sugar
1/4 cup plus 2 TBS pure maple syrup
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 tps salt
1 cup raisins

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. In a lrg bowl, combine the oats, nuts, coconut and brown sugar. In a separate bowl or liquid measuring cup, combine maple syrup, oil and salt. Combine both mixtures by slowly pouring the liquid over the oatmeal mixture and stirring well. Divide in half and pour onto 2 cookie sheets, spreading out into and even layer on each sheet. Cook for 1 hr and 15 min. until golden. Remove from the oven and transfer into a large bowl, slightly breaking up the clumps(I personally like the clumps the best). Add the raisins and gently mix until evenly distributed.