A Message From Sherri Killins

OPEN GYM TIME!!

Wow! We have been having a wonderful time at the YMCA in Greenfield during the CNC's Open Gym time.  I have been thrilled to see the families that have made the trek to jump, bounce, balance, climb and roll around for an hour on the chosen Sunday afternoons.

Many have commented that they wished they had tried this sooner...."lot's of fun!"

Come join us for the following Sundays and shake those sillies out....get rid of the grumpies....get out of the house.....get moving!

All from 2:15-3:15
January 8 and 22, 2012 
February 26, 2012 
March 11, 2012
April 1, 2012

Family Time

This past Sunday 31 of us (adults and children) took a walk led by Dawn Marvin Ward to explore/hike around Ruggles Pond in the Wendell State Forest. We could not have asked for a more beautiful day. The sun was shining and the breeze was blowing just enough to make the biting insects bearable.

We observed what was NOT poison ivy, precious lady slippers, the difference between tea-berries and partridge berries ( I never knew!!), listened for and pretended to be birds flying across the meadow, beavers and their lodge, frogs and a Dad catching a frog (Thanks Dan!), woodpecker holes in a dead tree and Dawn's friendly chipmunk.

It was a wonderful to spend a morning with so many parents and children. Thank you for spending time together and with me!

The Beginning and The End

Much of our programming revolves around our ongoing playgroup and story hours in our 5 towns (Erving, Leverett, New Salem, Wendell and Shutesbury). As the school year nears the end some of those ongoing programs do as well. It is the beginning of the summer season and the end of the school year. It leaves some of us wondering what we will be doing on Wednesday mornings or Friday, etc.

Well....we have a solution! Some of the libraries will be continuing a story time. Shutesbury will still have Julie on Monday mornings and Leverett has their summer time story hour person, Georgie, returning again to continue Wednesdays. The library in Erving will be holding special story hour times on Wednesdays as well.

Dawn Marvin Ward at Leverett CNC Story Hour

We will also be trying something new this summer. We will be offering Playground Playdates at local playgrounds. All are welcome to join us! We will be distributing the schedule soon. So...as the end of the usual schedule and school arrives....come join us for the beginning of some summer fun! Stay updated by visiting the CNC Website .

Mother's Day

Mother's Day is this weekend.
I always wonder what the day will bring. I am a mother to 3 beautiful children and have been for over 19 years. It is amazing how the time goes by so quickly. Some years I wish for more sleep and some pampering. Other years I wish for more time with my children-to just be with them- life gets too busy. Then, I have to admit....there have been times I have wished for just a little 'me' time....peace and quiet, but when I get it I miss my hub-bub and crazy life that it is hard to enjoy the peace and quiet.
Oh to be a Mom. <3

MotherWoman and the Nields have a wonderful song and video to share with us.

May you find a way to spend the day that fits you.

Happy Mother's Day!
Gillian

Alpacas in the Sun

We joined the Alpacas in the sun today at the Craigieburn Alpaca Farm in Shutesbury owned by Steve and Susan Rice. They graciously (the alpacas and  Susan and Steve) welcomed us as we discovered more about the alpacas.  Aren't they cute?!

Baby Chicks, Ducks, Bunnies, Turkeys and Sunshine!

I enjoyed a fabulous trip to the Diemand Egg Farm today. It was wonderful to see so many families who joined us for a chance to explore the Diemand Egg Farm. This farm is a local, family farm that is located in Wendell. We had 70 children and adults learn about how the Diemand Egg Farm is more than just eggs. Members of the family help raise turkeys, beef cattle, meat chickens, laying chickens, ducks, and other friendly creatures to keep visitors happy such as a mini-horse, mini-donkeys and goats and sheep as well. Annie, one of the farmers, gave us a tour of the farm.  The kitchen at the farm was busy with families gathering a snack after our tour....yummmm....cookies, turkey and gravy, maybe a sandwich or soup!
If you missed this trip you have a chance to get to the farm next weekend. Saturday, April 16th, from 10-11 the Diemand Farm is holding their famous, annual Egg Hunt.