A newsletter for mothers and expectant mothers of multiples in the CNY area.

Issue #: 53 | 203 Members & GROWING | Fall 2016

October 2016

• 1: Semi Annual Clothing & Equipment Sale – Camillus Fire Department – 11am• 3: Mom’s Night Out – At Tully’s on Erie Blvd – Exchange 6pm – Social 6:30pm; Meeting 7 pm• 10: Columbus Day• 31: Halloween

November 2016

• 6: Daylight Savings Ends – Set your clocks & babies back 1 hour• 7: Mom’s Night Out – At Tully’s on Erie Blvd – Exchange 5:30pm – Social 6pm; Meeting 6:30 pm• 8: Election Day• 11: Veteran’s Day• 24: Thanksgiving

December 2016

• 4: Children’s Holiday Party – FPL Kids Kingdom – 9-11am• 5: Mom’s Night Out – At Tully’s on Erie Blvd – Exchange 5:30pm – Social 6pm; Meeting 6:30 pm• 21: Winter Solstice• 25: Christmas

VISIT US ONLINE:multiplemomsmingle.commultiplemomsmingle.wordpress.com

PLEASE NOTE: Meeting start days change once Daylight Savings Ends

2 | Multiple Moms Mingle Multitudes | Fall 2016

Fall 2016 | Multitudes Multiple Moms Mingle | 3

How long have you been planning children’s parties...

For as long as I can remember...but specifically for little ones….6 years! When the gals were just wombmates, we called them Sugar and Spice, so plans for a Sweet Shoppe 1st birthday party started before day one. A set of cupcake plates in Home Goods stared me down a month before they were born and everything just sort

Q&A with thePArTy PLANNINg

PrINcESS

Danielle M.

of exploded from there. I was raised in a huge Italian/Polish family with lots of big personalities {most notably, my party-loving Grandpa} who celebrated everything ranging from losing a tooth to it just being the first Saturday of Summer, so I have always been head over heels for a get together. My childhood was filled with celebrations and good friends/family around the table, so although I am certifiably loony/corny, it’s a joy to carry on the tradition! How do you begin with the theme...I see what’s popular with my gals, lock it down and keep an eye out year-round for party items {at discounted prices} that pair well with the big day. I keep a tiny notebook handy to jot down random ideas when they hit me, and I’m a big fan of snuggling up with Pinterest frequently.

Do you have help in planning/implementation...My hubs is a saint, and he joins in on the fun. We’ve formed a sort of tiny Party Crew over the years - our friends and fam have hopped on board to pitch in where comfy. {Ex: my mom knows she’s wrapping tables, my sister busts out her pasta salad recipe, my dad/FIL are on tent duty, my MIL props the backdrops, etc.}. Our favorite thing is to ask “big kids” to run the games because to the little kiddos, they are MUCH much cooler than moms or dads!

What was your favorite theme...Super tough to decide, but my fam and I were really drawn to the Country Western (Sheriff Callie) theme. Although I’m a loud + proud New Yorker, there’s something about the south that makes me swoon. Sweet tea, mason jars,

Interview by Natasha Zabek

4 | Multiple Moms Mingle Multitudes | Fall 2016

burlap, BBQ - all of it. {#dreamy} Kids enjoyed horseshoes, stick pony races, General Store loot, a Western town square, Lincoln log building, fake horsey rides, mug shot caricatures, etc.

Where do you get all of your supplies/materials...I’m a party supply addict, so I’m always on the hunt for odds and ends to add to my collection. No store...or garage sale!...is off limits. Occasionally, I’ll splurge on something if I can’t stop thinking about it or if I can’t DIY it somehow, but I’m a big fan of redlines and clearance sections. I try to stay on budget by always keeping weekly coupons handy for craft stores. The “day after” a holiday is also magical; best time to buy items of a certain color. I like to repurpose things we

already own into games...sand tables, play houses, baby pools, easels, etc.

How much time do you spend planning/ setting up...Parties make me incredibly happy, so they are always on my mind. It’s a 24/7 adventure. I prep a few things each week night leading to the party, and use the

garage for set-up space. Each item has its own area {decor, games, prizes, etc.} When it’s show time, everything is ready to be put in its place.

What recommendations do you have for others as they begin to party plan...“You do you” is my favorite phrase. If you like your parties big and bold - go for it, sweets. If you want it sweet and simple - high fives, doll. All that

Fall 2016 | Multitudes Multiple Moms Mingle | 5

Welcome newest members:

Samantha Pilger, Jessica Newman, Lauren Sloat, Justina Northrup, Mary Bartran, Andrea Panebianco, Melissa Baker, Amanda Fuller-Bulawa, and

Kati Bucktooth.

We currently have 203 members & growing!

matters is that you’re celebrating. So, live it up however YOU want!

How much input do your children have in the planning process...A ton! I love to take their lead and see their little imaginations at work. Example: The day after their 3rd birthday party, all they talked about was a Dora 4th Birthday party. For months, I collected several bins worth of stuff to pay homage to that tiny explorer. Then the Ice Age hit {a.k.a. FROZEN} in late December 2013. They sent Dora packing the first time Olaf graced the screen. They didn’t let up about switching the theme for a month or so, so to Arendelle we trekked. {#AdiosTrollBridgeDreams} I’ve always asked them to shop with me, stuff goodie bags, tape things,

TWIN gIrLS: Bayleigh Anne 7 lbs 4 oz and Skylar Josephine 8 lbs 4 oz born on July 11, 2016 to Liza & Larry VonHoltz.

TWIN gIrLS: Ellie Kate, 5 lbs 12 oz and Mina Reese, 6 lbs born on July 29, 2016 to Danae & Ben Tallini.

Bg TWINS: Hannah Lynn, 5 lbs 10 oz and Hadyn Charles, 5 lbs 7 oz born on August 4, 2016 to Jodi & Timothy Spacek and big sis Halley.

Bg TWINS: Beckham Oak, 6 lbs 10 oz and Sienna Jade, 5 lbs 8 oz born on August 30, 2016 to Samantha & Brian Pilger.

TrIPLET BOyS: Landon, 3 lbs 10 oz Austin, 3 lbs 6 oz and Mason, 3 lbs 7 oz born on September 5, 2016 to Kali Hamilton and Matthew VanEpps and big sister Madison.

Bg TWINS: Ryder Christopher, 3 lbs 6 oz and Hunter Aurora, 3 lbs 4 oz born on September 5, 2016 to Amanda & Christopher Bulawa.

6 | Multiple Moms Mingle Multitudes | Fall 2016

MMMs EXPEcTINg 1 MOrE:

MULTIPLE MOMS TO BE:

Amanda Fostveit, Expecting a singleton, Oct ‘16Melissa Walter, Expecting a singleton, Oct ‘16

Katie Matthews Barnes, Expecting a singleton, Nov ‘16Laura Aloi, Expecting a singleton, Dec ‘16

Lori Murphy, Expecting a singleton, Dec ‘16

Crystal Doody, Expecting Twins, Oct ‘16

Erin Ponticello, Expecting Twins, Oct ‘16

Jessica Newman, Expecting Twins, Dec ‘16

Justina Northrup, Expecting Twins Dec ‘16

Rebecca LaValley, Expecting Twins

Mary Bartran, Expecting Twins, Dec ‘16

Kati Bucktooth, Expecting Twins, Feb ‘17

set out plates, etc. in hopes to instill a love of celebrating.

Where do you have your parties...I have summer babes, so we go to backyards or parks with shelters/playgrounds nearby.

What is your #1 must have for all parties you plan...Tattoos. It seems like they last forrrrevvvver and it takes a magic spell and special prayer to scrub them off, but it’s exactly why I love ‘em! Kids can look down at that arm candy long after the party is over and hopefully they’ll remember a super fun day with our birthday gals. {Aside from kid’s parties... go heavy on the chips and dip.}

The entire family is invited to join us at Kids Kingdom for the Multiple Moms Mingle Childrens Holiday Party. The club will provide the facility fee, partial admission, food and drinks.

• Members pay $5 per child over 3: http://bit.ly/MMMover3

• $2 per child under 3: http://bit.ly/MMMunder3

• Non-walkers are free.

• Adults are free.

• The private party is from 9-11am. All day admission is included. Use paypal links to pay.

• Please RSVP to this event page and here: http://bit.ly/MMMholidayrSV

• Payments are non-refundable.

• Socks are required for both children and adults.

2016 cHILDrEN’S HOLIDAy PArTy!

Sunday, December 4

9 - 11 am

FPL Kids Kingdom

Fall 2016 | Multitudes Multiple Moms Mingle | 7

PLAygrOUPS & ZOO TrIPSContact: Karen Atherton, Logan Blask, Christine Gentry & Shelley Canavan

Playgroups are being formed throughout the year. Please contact the committee if you’d like to schedule a play date at your home or even a park. Please check the MMM Calendar for other upcoming play dates.

Paid Members, did you know we now offer discounted tickets to Billy Beez? Go to www.multiplemomsmingle.com for more information.

PrEEMIE cLOSETContact: Andrea McCarthy & Jen Harte

Our preemie closet is full and available. Contact Andrea if you need to borrow it.

PUBLIcITyContact: Danielle Murray & Cheryl Meany

Meeting information was sent to several media outlets including radio, television and newspapers.

SEPArATION/DIVOrcE SUPPOrTContact: Kathleen Anderson, Ann Canastra, Donna Campbell, Andrea McCarthy, Ashley Lyon & Lisa Vona

STATE rEPrESENTATIVEContact: Kelly Carter

TEE SHIrT OrDErINgContact: Melissa Walter, Isa Hubbard, & Kim Rouselle

Want an official MMM tee? Contact Melissa for more information.

TrAUMATIc BIrTH/BErEAVEMENTContact: Nicole Miller, Ann Canastra, Amy Friers, Rachana George, Amy Hall, & Jennifer Mazur

A donation from MMM has been made to the Reesspecht Life fund and kindness cards have been ordered for our members. The Reespecht Life Fund was started by a family that lost their 22 month old son, Rees. Kindness cards are a reminder to be kind and pay it forward.

WELcOMINg cOMMITTEEContact: Jen Harte

HELP WANTEDConsider your own talents and interests as well

as how much time you will be able to invest. If your children are over 1 year of age we ask you to join a committee and help support our organization.

• Big Sisters (contact Lori M or Nicole K)• Crouse NICU Donations• Children’s Holiday Party• Adult Holiday Party• Christmas Giving

ADULT HOLIDAy PArTy Contact: Brenda Geiger & Ann Canastra

BIg SISTErSContact: Nicole Kopiasz & Lori Murphy

We offer a “Big Sister” to paid MMM members that are pregnant and/or are new moms of multiples during the first 3 months after giving birth. We pair you up with a member that has multiples like you have (or will have). The idea is for the big sister to check in with her little sister often—to offer support, advice, help, etc. as needed. The little sister can also contact her big sister as needed. Please contact Nicole or Lori to get hooked up with a “big sister” today! If your multiples are over a year old and are interested in becoming a “big sister” contact the committee today.

cHILDrEN’S HOLIDAy PArTyContact: Kelly Carter

cLOTHINg & EQUIPMENT SALEContact: Kari Shanahan, Margaret Sheen, Althea Martinez Strife, Tiffany Gush, Megan Duhaime, & Heather Peterson

Spring sale info coming soon.

cHrISTMAS gIVINgContact: Megan Duhaime

FAcEBOOK gArAgE SALE PAgEContact: Kristen Klaben, Alisa Dunn, Amanda Fosberg, & Jodi Hayes

LIBrArIANContact: Cyndi Rizzo

Worried about “what to expect?” Interested in learning more about twins and triplets? Scared to start potty training? We also have a wonderful selection of books on being a multiple, and new siblings. Please contact Cyndi if you are interested in donating or checking out any books, videos or magazines from our library.

MEETINg PrOgrAMSContact: Nicole Surace & Nicole Ginsburg

MEMBErSHIP/DIrEcTOryContact: Mary Wood

Accepting renewals for the 2016 – 2017 membership year. PayPal links available on club’s website. The MMM directory gets distributed via email bimonthly.

NATIONAL rEPrESENTATIVEContact: Tracy Blumer & Amanda Fosberg

NEWSLETTErContact: Whitney Daniels, Jen Harte, Amanda Allen, Natasha Zabek, Sarah Schultz, & Mary Wood

Have an idea for a great article? Please contact someone from the newsletter committee.

NIcU DONATIONSContact: Megan Duhaime

NOMINATINg cHAIrPErSONContact: Christine Coomes

committee roll call

EXEcUTIVE BOArD:• Kelly Carter, President & Founding Member• Mary Wood, Vice President• Tracy Blumer, Treasurer• Jen Harte, Recording Secretary• Stacey Stroble, Corresponding Secretary