VOLUME 13, NO. 03
MARCH 2004
The monthly newsletter of the San Francisco Mothers of Twins Club
Power of Early Reading
Lessons Learned from the Field
by Carla Hashagen, President
I have to confess, this is a recycled piece.
It was originally written in 2001, when my
twin daughters were 4½. It seemed appropriate to run it again—with a bit of updating—given the theme of this month’s issue.
Warren and I are firm believers in the
power of early reading, both as a stimulus
to learning and to the imagination. Here’s
some hindsight from our years of twin
experience.
Read often, read many books. In our
house, each girl picks one story for naptime
and one for bedtime. In addition there is
usually at least one story sometime in the
morning and one in the evening before
bedtime. That is a minimum of six books a
day. An important side benefit of reading is
that it also provides for lots of close physical
time—lap sitting or cuddling on the couch.
If you want truly intimate time, separate
your children for stories.
Sooner or later variety is important.
From years zero to two, our girls were often
content to read the same stories day after
day. New books were exciting, but not necessary. Eventually those same old stories got
boring—we could tell because attention at
bedtime was definitely flagging. Make sure
you have lots of new material—become
regular visitors to the library or trade books
with friends who have children of similar
ages.
Teach your children respect for books,
but be sure to tolerate honest error.
Spring Garage Sale
Turn Your Old, Outgrown Items Into Cash
by Robin Bennett, Garage Sale Committee
It seems like just last month we were having the Fall Garage Sale. However, another
wet winter has passed and the tulips and
daffodils are blooming once again. My boys
have grown out of yet another size of clothing and have outgrown far too many toys
to mention. So, I’ll be culling through their
stuff and cleaning and tagging and selling at
this spring’s Garage Sale.
If you haven’t sold at a Garage Sale before,
it can be a very positive experience. Not
only do you get cash for your outgrown
items (I’ve averaged about $300 for the two
Garage Sales I’ve sold at), but you also get
to meet other parents of multiples and just
socialize—at check-in, during a volunteer
shift, and at the Members’ Night.
As long as a seller works one shift, 70% of
what they make off their items goes directly
back to them. The rest goes to SFMOTC
to pay for the printing and mailing of The
Diaper Rag, the maintenance of Topica, philanthropy to parents of multiples who need a
little help, to the events we offer throughout
the year, and to the costs of conducting the
Garage Sale. Because the Garage Sales are
so successful, this is the only fundraiser our
members need participate in— very important in our very busy lives.
I invite you to fully participate in this
spring’s Garage Sale—sell, volunteer, buy,
and socialize. Details about the Garage Sale,
including how to sell, can be found beginning on page 6.
SFMOTC General Meeting Summary:
Choosing a Preschool
SFMOTC members packed the February
General Meeting to learn more about how
to choose the right preschool in San
Francisco’s extremely competitive market.
Lee Ann Slaton, MS, who has been the
Education Coordinator for Parents Place
since 1987, presented.
Ms. Slaton reviewed the types of preschools available—developmental to
Montessori to Regio Emilia. Ms. Slaton
emphasized that all types have lots of positives and that your choice should be based
on your comfort with the program.
Children used to spend just one year in
preschool before continuing on to kindergarten. Now, it’s not uncommon for children to spend three years at preschool. At
$10,000 to $12,000 a year per child, you
may decide that your child needs fewer
years in a preschool setting. However, be
aware that by delaying your child’s entry
into preschool, you may have a more difficult time getting into one of the more
popular preschool programs. Classes are
separated by ages. So, if the 2-year preschool program has 35 children, the number of slots for the 3-year program will
primarily depend upon how many of the
35 children decide not to come back.
If you couldn’t make the General Meeting
but are looking to find more information
about choosing a preschool, take a look
at http://www.jfcs.org—and look under
Parents Place.
sfmotc
A Member of the National Organization
of Mothers of Twins Club
letter from the editor
I don’t think I would be considered a neurotic mother. Just because I like hearing from
multiple experts on possibly every child-related subject doesn’t make me neurotic. Does it?
For example, if Alex or Parker start having an irritable period, I’m likely to look it up in
three or four books and send an email to Topica. Neurotic? Perhaps. Desperate? Probably
PRESIDENT
CO-VICE PRESIDENTS
TREASURER
SECRETARY
Carla Hashagen
Marlene Allen
Ellyn Weisel
more likely.
However, the one thing in my boys’ lives that I’ve never done any research on is books.
Marge Weiss
After all, I was one of those kids who put my head at the foot of the bed and reached my
Sarah Taft
arms out just so I could catch enough of the hall light to read my book. I was one of those
Hannah Goh
up until 3:00 a.m. to finish it. It just made sense to me to put books into the boys’ rooms
kids (and am now one of those adults) who can’t put a book down even if it means staying
AFFILIATES CHAIR
GARAGE SALE CHAIRS
MEMBERSHIP CHAIR
NEWSLETTER EDITOR
NEW PARENTS
COORDINATORS
MEALS FOR NEW MEMBERS
PHILANTHROPY CHAIR
SOCIAL CHAIR
WEBMASTER
Kimberly Azzolini
Robin Bennett
Becky Sorensen
and give them their own shelf of books in the family room when they were born. I didn’t
do it because I want them to start reading The Iliad to me at age 4. I did it because books
Kirsten Patel
are fun and open your mind up to a world you may never experience or, with children, re-
Robin Bennett
inforce the world you are just beginning to know.
Kimberly Azzolini
Karen Perlman
Pat Newberry
It’s been just amazing to see them progress. At 2 years, we can get through a long
Curious George or Winnie the Pooh book. We used to try to read Winnie the Pooh and the
Hannah Goh
Honey Tree to them. At first, we could only get through three or four pages—even with us
Karyn S. Campbell
bypassing all the text and just summarizing what was on the page. Now, they want it read
Fintan Coleman
Membership dues are $40 per year. For
more information please call 415.440.
TWIN or contact us at www.sfmotc.org.
word for word over and over again. We went to the Aquarium of the Bay just a few weeks
ago. At the end, I got them three books—two toddler books and one book for early readers.
They latched onto the early reader book, and still keep taking it off the shelf and spending
20 or 30 minutes looking through it.
My favorite reading moments are when things
Roster revisions should be forwarded
to club secretary Sarah Taft at
[email protected].
have quieted down in the playroom, and I go look
and they’re both sitting in their chairs reading a
book. That’s what I had hoped for when I introduced
Meals for New Parents. Dinner provided by the club for new moms
with twins under three months.
Contact Pat Newberry, 415.921.2879
or [email protected].
New Parents Group. Bimonthly meetings offer support through the most difficult time. Kimberly Azzolini, 415.386.7886
or kimmytwinmom@sbcglobal.
net. Karen Perlman, 415.397.6777
or [email protected].
Preemie Closet. Borrow clothes
from the supply handed on by
other members. Frances Trefny,
415.661.6742 or [email protected]
SFMOTC Email List. Members
with email access can participate in
online discussions with each other.
To subscribe, send a blank email to
[email protected].
them to books so early. When the boys were still in
their cribs, we used to put several books in there with
them for naptime and bedtime. Now that they’re in
their toddler beds, they have free access to the books
on their shelves. And, every morning, there are several books in their beds. This also lets us know when
Alex gets a little reading in, while Parker studies for his pilot’s license!
one of their favorite books of late has been retired and
a new one has taken its place.
I hope my boys continue their love of reading. Not
because children who read test better than children who do not read. No, I want my children
to love reading because they can pursue every dream, every passion, and every passing
fancy through reading and, while reading something they care about, discover something
they knew nothing about and feel it, live it, breathe it. There are three books that changed
my thinking about the world (To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, A Gathering of Old
Men by Earnest Gaines, and The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver). I won’t bore
you with how they changed my thinking. I just hope my boys are lucky enough to find
Editorial Correspondence. Send ideas
for articles or written articles to Robin
Bennett at [email protected].
Advertising Rates. Business cardsized ads are $15 per month. Quarter
page ads are $25 per month. Contact
[email protected] for ad placement and discount information.
Page 2
books that broaden their world.
“Lord! When you sell a man a book you don’t sell just twelve ounces of paper and ink and
glue—you sell him a whole new life. Love and friendship and humour and ships at sea by
night—there’s all heaven and earth in a book, a real book.” —Christopher Morley
Robin Bennett, Mom to Alex and Parker
THE DIAPER RAG
From the time our girls first handled paper
books, we used the rule that intentional tearing or abuse would result in the removal of
the book. If a book were otherwise torn, we
would briefly talk about how to treat books,
repair it, and move on.
Make sure that some books are easily accessible to your children. Keeping
books on a low shelf or having a basket of
books they may use freely will promote their
use of books. Let them have access to as
many books as you can–start with the board
and cloth books.
Encourage your children to talk about
the books you read. Let them retell some
stories to you when they want to. Our girls
have been “reading” their books for two
years—their version is often much more
entertaining than the original.
Read books about events in your lives,
or tie activities to the books you read.
When Warren was doing a lot of traveling
we found a wonderful book called “Where
Is Papa Now?” It is about a girl whose father
is a sea captain, gone for years at a time—it
made our 5-7 days without Daddy seem
like a walk in the park! One day we found
a book about children going camping–the
girls loved the book, and we devised a camping trip in the house, complete with blanket
tents and flashlights.
Expose your children to different versions of the stories. We started with one
book of short renditions of fairy tales, but
have since found many other versions of
favorites, and have now branched out to
parody as well. Having favorite stories also
makes storytelling easier. We now spend a
great deal of time on longer drives telling
stories—the girls know that Mommy’s version of Little Red Riding Hood is never
likely to be the same twice.
Teach your children about the different places that have books. Go to the
library and bookstores that welcome families—Borders Bookstores have reading areas
for children, Cody’s in Berkeley welcomes
children as does A Clean Well Lighted Place
For Books in Opera Plaza. Green Apple
Used Books on Clement St. has both new
and used children’s books. Many bookstores with good children’s sections also have
children’s events—Books, Inc. on Union St.
has story reading events, and Borders has lots
of events including live music (not always
child-centered, but definitely entertaining).
Most branch libraries have regularly scheduled family activities or story times. (Don’t
forget there are always books for sale at the
club’s garage sales.)
FEBRUARY 2004
Don’t be too worried when your children pick stories that you don’t like. If
there’s something that troubles you, talk
about it. If it’s a library book it will be
returned soon. If it’s really offensive, lose it.
Our girls have a collection of Golden Books
from Disney movies. It was a gift that I
didn’t hide well enough. We try not to ready
them at story time, instead leaving them in
the car where they are read on trips around
town. Many troubling stories can be skipped
if you read books before reading them to
your children.
Teach your children that books have
authors and illustrators. A friend of mine
told me she always included that information when she read a story, and we started
doing it also (around two years). Within six
months, if I forgot to read the author’s and
illustrator’s names, the girls would ask “who
wrote the story?” or “who did the pictures?”
Books make wonderful gifts. Our oldest daughter always gets a bag of books for
Christmas. Now our youngest daughters
look forward to the same thing. Books are
also part of every birthday gift we give our
children, and often part of small holiday
gifts as well. Most of the books are given to
both girls to share, but they also receive some
books which are just theirs, and which they
ultimately share with their sister.
Most of all—enjoy. Reading time is some
of the best time we spend together each day.
Update—at 6.5 Years
My daughters are now 6 ½ years old.
They’re in first grade, and have been reading
comfortably since the last few months of
kindergarten. They too are voracious readers–not a day goes by that they don’t sit and
read at least once. What have we been doing
since I wrote this column two years ago?
We continue to read to our children
every day. Even though they can read for
themselves, we still have a family bedtime
story–most often a chapter book, but sometimes a story book.
The girls go to their school library
each week, where they always check
out books. We try to go to our local
public library every one or two weeks, and
let Caroline and Alix use their library cards
there too. (There is currently no late charge
for overdue books checked out on a child’s
card at S.F. public libraries!) We involve
the girls in the process of returning library
books–library books have a special place on
our bookshelves, and the girls read the list
of what is due and get the books ready for
return.
Once they began reading, we had the
girls read aloud to us. We’ve tried to make
time each day for the exercises or suggestions
their teachers send home. (Note, reading
aloud is definitely something that works best
with one child at a time.)
We have the girls read other materials.
When we cook together, we let them read
the recipe. When we have family recreation
time, we let the girls read instructions for
games, or postings at the park. We let them
get tour materials and read to us. In fact,
we just spent some winter time at Lake
Tahoe, and let the girls guide us around the
Donner Lake Nature Trail with the help of
the trail brochure (one copy for each girl!).
We let Caroline and Alix help with reading street signs when we are going somewhere new. They understand that reading is
EVERYWHERE.
We make time for family reading.
Sunday mornings before family breakfast,
Warren and I read the papers, and the girls
join with their own books, or sometimes
read a section of the paper with us. If there
is an article I think they will find interesting
I open the paper and mark it for them. We
sometimes make time in the evenings for
family reading–we build a fire, make sure
everyone has a comfortable place to sit, and
all dive into our own books. (Just because
you’re reading separate books doesn’t mean
you can’t sit close together and cuddle!)
Occasionally, Caroline and Alix choose to
read in bed in lieu of story time, and sometimes they read in one bed together before
we even see them on a weekend morning.
We give books to friends, and share
books too. Books are important to us, so
they are often the gift the girls choose to give
to a friend. We have friends who run through
books as we do, so we trade with them–a bag
of used books from the 3rd grader around
the corner is a huge treat.
Not all children learn to read quickly, but
they will learn to read. They will be more
eager to read if you make reading a part of
your family life. You may be eager for the
day you can read a paper and have your
children sit quietly next to you and read
too–it may not happen right away, but it can
happen if you encourage a love of reading in
your children.
Carla Hashagen
[email protected]
415-567-8521
Page 3
Read-Aloud at All Ages
by Robin Bennett
0 to 6 Months
6 to 12 Months
Infants 0 to
Infants at this age are
Few children learn to love books by themselves.
6 months have
beginning to interact with
Someone has to lure them into the wonderful
a lot to explore
their world—key word
world of the written word; someone has to show
in their envibeing interact. You may
them the way.
—Orville Prescott
ronment, and
not be able to read a page
they’re not likefast enough. In the beginly to start readning, your little ones will
ing from Goodnight Moon no matter how indicate they want the page turned. By the end of 12
many times you read it to them. However, months, they will most likely be turning the pages for
they are learning from the sounds you make, you. Go ahead and let them turn page after page and
and they are learning to hold books. You look at the pictures that interest them. Try to read what you can, even if it means making up
can even use reading the adult newspaper or your own story line. Don’t force the reading.
magazine out loud to them as a play activity
Towards the middle to end of this time period is when you want to start asking your little
with them. Honestly, it beats spending yet ones about what they see in the book. Don’t be too surprised when they point out objects to
another 20 minutes listening and dancing to you and imitate the funny noises you’ve been making all along.
Baby Einstein.
What Do They Like?
Of course, holding your children while
Infants 6 to 12 months pretty much like what the 0 to 6 month old liked. Board books
reading (one on each knee propped up against should definitely come into play, although they are still likely to me chewed on. Pick books
you) keeps them with colorful pictures that aren’t too complex. Your babies are just beginning to recognize
physically close. the world around them, so clear, colorful pictures will work best. If you haven’t done so yet,
If your little ones this is the perfect time to start a routine of reading—before bedtime, before naptimes, upon
want to grab the awakening, whenever it feels appropriate.
What Are the Good Stories?
book, you can
acquiesce or give * Goodnight Moon, The Runaway Bunny, and The Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown
them a teeth- • Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Eric Carle
ing ring to hang • I Can! Can You? by Peggy Parrish
onto until you’re
finished reading.
However, keep in
mind, the average
Along with walking will come restlessness. If you’ve built storytime into a sleep ritual, you
attention span for should be able to hold onto that. Start introducing picture books and introducing your chila 0 to 6 month dren to the world around them. Take your own photos of the things in your children’s world,
old is somewhere around three minutes.
label them, and put them in a photo album. Capitalize on your children’s interest in dogs,
What Do They Like?
trucks, farm animals, whatever it may be and buy picture books on the subject. Towards the
Infants this age just like trying to hold end of this age, you will want to start labeling the book—pointing out the author, illustrator,
books, and they certainly like sticking them and title.
in their mouths. Lots of cloth and plastic
What Do They Like?
books are key. In addition, you’re trying to
You may still have some chewing of books but it should dissipate. Start introducing tradistimulate your babies’ sight and hearing, tional books. You can even try introducing some interactive books, i.e. the lift-and-rip book.
so pick colorful pictures with rhymes and Children towards the middle to later end of this stage also like to hear a story over and over.
opportunities for you to imitate sounds.
Repeat away. Repetition improves vocabulary, sequencing, and memory skills. At this time,
What Are the Good Stories?
you can start pausing to let your children fill
• Pat the Bunny Touch and Feel
in the missing words.
There are only fourty-four sounds
Book by Edith Kunhardt.
What Are the Good Stories?
• Spot’s Touch and Feel Day by Eric Hill
* Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do You Hear?
in the English language. And, all of
• I’m a Little Mouse by Noelle and
and Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You See?
those forty-four sounds—every endDavid Carter (touch and feel book)
by Bill Martin, Jr.
• Baby Face: A Mirror Book by Gwynne
• Where’s Spot? by Eric Hill (lift-and-look
ing, blending, and diphthong—can be
L. Isaacs and Evelyn Clarke Mott
book)
found in Goodnight Moon and Make
• Miffy by Dick Bruna (great picture books) • Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey
* The Spider and the Fly by Mary Howitt
• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Way for Ducklings and Charlotte’s
* A Child’s Garden of Verses by
• Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans
Web.
Robert Louis Stevenson
* Barnyard Dance by Sandra Boynton
* Books recommended by Carla
* Miss Spider’s Tea Party and Miss
—The Read Aloud Handbook
Hashagen, SFMOTC President
Spider by David Kirk
12 to 24 Months
Page 4
THE DIAPER RAG
2 to 4 Years
Your toddlers’ vocabulary is increasing at a tremendous pace. They will use their vocabulary to speak about 20,000 words a day, compared with a 15 year old who uses his to make
23,000. In addition to increasing your children’s vocabulary, you are stretching their attention spans and showing them where books come from. However, play is still the name of the
game. They will begin to create stories—using their stuffed animals and dolls—that align
with the books that have been read to them. They will sit with a book, turn the pages, and
read the story out loud. Don’t be surprised if your 4-year-old can quote word for word out
of a story—they’ve memorized it!
What Do They Like?
Your little ones are getting a sense of humor and will enjoy Curious George. They are also
looking for a variety of books, so a library card comes in handy. Their attention span is growing and longer stories can be introduced, as well as chapter books. They may even like a book
without words, just so they can make up the story.
What Are the Good Stories?
* Sunflower House by Eve Bunting
* Frog and Toad books by Lobel
* Little Donkey Close Your Eyes
• Amanda’s Butterfly by Nick
by Margaret Wise Brown
Butterworth (wordless)
* The Mitten: A Ukranian
• A Boy, a Dog, and a Frog by
Folktale by Jan Brett
Mercer Mayer (wordless)
* George and Martha books
by James Marshall
Dos and Don’ts of Read-Aloud
The following is an excerpt from The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease. This is a great resource
for introducing your children to a life-long love of books. Much of these two pages has been drawn
from it, but he also delves into why repetition is important, what makes a good read-aloud book, the
role television can play, and the role of the home, school, and public library.
• Do begin reading to children as soon as
possible.
children to see the pictures in the book
without feeling hurried.
• Do read and reread books that are predictable and contain repetitions for infants
through toddlers.
• Do bring the author, as well as her books,
to life. Consult Something About the Author
at the library, and read the information on
your book’s dust jacket.
• Do remember that the art of listening is
an acquired one. It must be taught and
cultivated gradually—it doesn’t appear
overnight.
• Do occasionally read above children’s intellectual level and challenge their minds.
• Do avoid long, descriptive passages until
the child’s imagination and attention span
are capable of handling them. There is
nothing wrong with shortening or eliminating them. Prereading helps to locate
such passages.
• Do remember that reading aloud comes
naturally to very few people. To do it successfully and with ease you must practice.
• Do use plenty of expression when reading.
If possible, change your tone of voice to fit
the dialogue.
• Do read slowly enough for the children
to build mental pictures of what they just
heard you read. Slow down enough for the
MARCH 2004
• Do add a third dimension to the book
whenever possible. For example: Have
a bowl of blueberries ready to be eaten
during or after the reading of Robert
McCloskey’s Blueberries for Sal.
• Do make sure fathers make an extra effort
to read to their children. Boys who were
read to by their fathers scored significantly
higher in reading achievement.
• Do lead by example. Make sure your children see you reading for pleasure other than
at read-aloud time. Share with them your
enthusiasm for whatever you’re reading.
• Don’t read stories you don’t enjoy yourself.
Your dislike will show in the reading.
• Don’t be unnerved by questions or interruptions during the reading. Answer their
questions patiently. Don’t put them off.
Don’t rush your answers. There is no time
limit for reading a book.
2004 Caldecott
Award Winner
The Man Who Walked
Between the Towers illustrated and written by
Mordicai
Gerstein
(Roaring Brook Press/
Millbrook Press) is a
true story that recounts
the daring feat of a spirited young Frenchman who walked a tightrope between the World Trade Center twin
towers in 1974. His joy in dancing on a thin
wire high above Manhattan and the awe
of the spectators in the streets far below is
captured in paintings that perfectly complement the spare, lyrical text. Two ingenious
gatefolds and horizontal and vertical framing put the reader high in the air with this
daredevil performer and emphasize the vast
space between the towers and their astounding height.
2004 Caldecott Honor Books
In Ella Sarah Gets Dressed illustrated
and written by Margaret Chodos-Irvine
(Harcourt, Inc.) a young girl stands in front
of her wardrobe to select her attire and
makes her OWN fashion statement. Elegant
in its simplicity, this perfect picture book
uses a “variety of printmaking techniques.”
Cheerful, bold colors outlined in white
emphasize Ella Sarah’s
freedom and confidence.
What Do You Do
with a Tail Like This?
illustrated and written
by Steve Jenkins and
Robin Page. (Houghton
Mifflin Company) is an
innovative guessing book that delivers a fun
and playful science lesson on 30 animals’
body parts: ears, eyes, mouths, noses, feet
and tails. The artist uses exquisite cut-paper
collage to detail basic forms combined with
clever placement of the spare text to create
an interactive visual display.
In Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus
illustrated and written by Mo Willems.
(Hyperion), a persistent pigeon asks, pleads,
cajoles, wheedles, connives, negotiates,
demands and uses emotional blackmail in
attempts to get behind the wheel. Pigeon
will not take no for an answer, and puts
the reader on the spot, using an escalating
series of tactics. Perfectly paced, every line
and blank space in the deceptively simple
illustrations are essential.
Page 5
Spring 2004 Garage Sale
Times & Dates
Sellers’ How-To Guide
Thursday, May 13
5 - 9:30 p.m. Sellers Drop-Off
SFMOTC’s Spring 2004 Garage Sale will be held May 13—May 15. As parents of multiples,
most of us have quite a bit of clothing, toys, and gear to pass on to other families of multiples—and singletons. And . . . we have a lot of clothing, toys, and gear to purchase for the
upcoming developmental stage of our children. So, start collecting, cleaning, and tagging
those items. The Garage Sale is just weeks away!
Friday, May 14
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sellers Drop-Off
6:30 - 9:30 p.m. Members Night
Saturday, May 15
8:30 - 9 a.m. Sellers Sale
9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Public Sale
4:30 - 5 p.m. Sellers Pick Up
Selection
The SFMOTC Garage
Sale is aimed at providing
clean, good quality items for
the pregnant mom and children
from infant to 5 years of age. If
items are priced fairly and are
in good condition, they tend
to sell. All items go through a
strict quality control process
when checked in. During
this time, your items will be rejected if
they are on the Not Accepted Item List.
New This Year
• Order tagging supplies online
at http://www.fetpak.com.
• The Thursday 1 - 3 p.m. and
Saturday 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
shifts have been changed from
half-credit to a full credit each.
• Volunteers who work either
the Friday 1:30 - 6 p.m. shift
or the 5 - 9:30 p.m. shift will
be allowed to pre-shop from 6
p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Friday.
• Kimberly Azzolini, Buyer
Champion, SFMOTC New
Moms Group, Mom to Sofia
& Francesca (20 mos)
• Kirsten Patel, Volunteer
Champion, SFMOTC Membership Chair, Mom to Macy
& Avery (20 mos)
• Lisa Travaglini, Seller Champion, Mom to Gabriela &
Bianca (13 mos)
• Pat Newberry, Logistics,
Meals for New Parents, Mom
to Jane & Kate (4 yrs)
• Robin Bennett, Public Relations, Diaper Rag Editor,
Mom to Alex & Parker (2 yrs)
Page 6
•
•
•
•
•
Items sell for more money if they are clean and,
therefore, look like new.
So, take the time and clean
your items well. See the
SFMOTC web site for
cleaning tips.
After cleaning, package them:
Socks should be grouped and placed into
plastic bags.
• Shoes. Use plastic ties or string the tag
through the shoes to keep together.
• Clothes. Because clothing is hung on
racks for display, all clothing needs to be
on hangers. Be sure to safety pin pants to
hangers so they don’t slip off.
• Equipment. Strollers, car seats, cribs,
mobiles, etc. sell better if their original
packaging and instructions are included.
Plan on spending a little extra time during check-in to assemble bouncy seats,
swings, and other small gear items.
• Toys. Bundle items in a plastic bag. Be
sure that all parts are securely attached.
Shoppers like to examine the goods and, if
your items are not securely attached, they
will probably get scattered—decreasing
the likelihood your item will sell.
Underwear (Unless in unopened original packaging.)
Pacifiers, Teethers, Bottle Nipples (Unless in unopened original packaging.)
Stuffed Animals
Stained and/or Dirty Items
Broken Items or Items Missing Parts
Reminder: Please refrain from
selling items through Topica
([email protected]) between
Saturday, March 18 and
Saturday, May 15.
Preparation
Spring GS Committee
• Becky Sorensen, Seller Champion, Mom to Max & Remy (2
yrs)
Not Accepted Items List
Pricing
•
•
•
• Equipment. This includes strollers, exersaucers, baby carriers, cribs,
portacribs, etc. Start
with 50% of the original
price in mind. Increase
slightly if the item is in
excellent condition and
in high demand. Decrease to
25% if the item is not in excellent
condition nor is a popular brand.
Toys. Remember that when it comes to
clothes and toys, people are looking to
buy only if they spot a real bargain. Small
toys, such as rattles, books, shape sorters,
etc., are very competitive in pricing because there are so many of them available
for sale. Small baby items are often priced
at $ .50 or $1.00. Only great toys—and
these are rare—can command a price of
$10.
Clothing. Bargain. Bargain. Bargain.
THE DIAPER RAG
Tagging
All items checked in should have a completely filled out tag attached to them. You can obtain tagging supplies (tags, tagging
guns, and fasteners) from SFMOTC’s Tagging Representatives or online at http://www.fetpak.com. The SFMOTC Garage
Sale web site (http://www.sfmotc.org/garagesale.html) has the item number and description of the tagging supplies you
need. PLEASE take a look at this. It is imperative that the tags you use are the same colors (white or green), size (1 3/4 x
2 7/8), and style (perforated, two sections) as the one pictured here. If in doubt, get your tagging supplies from a tagging
representative. See the SFMOTC Garage Sale web site for contact information for the Tagging Representatives.
No. Your seller initials should appear on the mailing label of this Diaper Rag. If not, please contact
Becky Sorensen ([email protected]) to obtain your seller initials. Your seller initials need to appear
on both sections of the tag.
Style. Indicate a brief description of the item, such as red sweatshirt, green leggings, etc. Be sure to
provide the color of the item if appropriate. Sometimes tags do fall off, and this helps us match tags up
with tagless items—ensuring you get revenue credit for the sold item. Be sure to include it on both the
upper and lower portions of the tag.
Size. Items must have a size. If a size is not indicated, guess. Your item will be difficult to sell without
a size. If your item has a European size, convert it to a US size. Be sure to include it both on the upper
and lower portions of the tag.
Price. You set your own prices, so indicate what you would like for that item. The only restriction is
that we ask you to price everything in 50-cent increments. If they are not priced in 50-cent increments,
the cashier at the Sale will round the price down. Somewhere on the upper tag you can indicate the
original price or any other marketing information. However, ONLY place the selling price on the lower
portion of the tag.
Red Dots. At 1:00 p.m. Saturday, everything withOUT a red dot goes on sale for 50% of its listed
price. So, place a red dot on both the upper and lower portion of the tag to ensure your item is NOT
sold 50% off its listed price.
Available Shifts
Thursday
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.* Transport. Full Credit.
1:30 - 5:30 p.m. Set up
5:00 - 9:30 p.m. Set up
Friday
9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Set up
1:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Set up
5:00 - 9:30 p.m.
Members’ Night Sale
Saturday
8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Public Garage Sale
9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Public Garage Sale
1:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Public Garage Sale &
Breakdown
4:30 - 6:30 p.m.*
Transport. Full Credit.
Volunteering
SFMOTC members who sell at the Garage
Sale are required to volunteer for a minimum
of one shift. If you sell at the Garage Sale but
work no shifts, 60% of your revenues will go
to the Club. By working just one shift, your
contribution is decreased to 30%. Working
two shifts will decrease it to 25%, and working
three shifts will decrease it to 20%.
Please do your part. If you sign up for a shift
and then find you can no longer make it, try
to find a replacement. We’ll help you out until
May 1. If you cancel after May 1, it is your
responsibility to find a replacement.
We’re trying to make Volunteering a fun and
social thing to do. We’ll have a volunteer station for check-in, and we’ll be providing meals
at those shifts where appropriate.
Contact Kirsten Patel (kirsten_patel@hotmail.
com) to sign up for your shift(s). There are only
a finite number of volunteer slots per shift, so
sign up early.
* This is a NEW shift and involves transferring items from storage to the Garage Sale site and from the
Garage Sale site to the storage. Ideally, you would have a large SUV or minivan. This does involves some
lifting of items, such as collapsed racks. This is a great shift for Dads.
MARCH 2004
Green Tags were introduced at the Fall
Garage Sale and were
a great success. By using green tags, instead
of white tags, you are
letting us know that
you would like to automatically donate those
items. Therefore, you
do NOT have to come
back to the sale to pick
up those items. If you have a large supply of
white tags from the past, you do not have
to obtain green tags (although they are free
of charge from our tagging representatives).
You can make a large mark with a green
highlighter through the entire tag—easily
seen on both sections of the tag.
Picking Up
Between 4:30 and 5:00 p.m.,
you will need to come back to
the Garage Sale and pick up your
unsold items. Items not picked up
by 5:00 p.m. will be automatically donated.
The exception to this is if you have tagged
your items with Green Tags, indicating you
would like to have your items automatically
donated anyway.
Page 7
Page 8
THE DIAPER RAG
SFMOTC: Messages
From: [email protected]
Subject:
To: [email protected]
Eating at 8 Months?
I am interested to know what some of you are feeding your 8 mo. olds or if any of you can remember
what you fed them. I’m doing the following and just wonder if they are getting the right amount
of solid food vs bottle:
At around 7:00 am my little people get an 8 oz. bottle; they are too hungry to deal with solids.
After their morning nap around 10:00 am I feed them 2 tbsp. of oatmeal and the same amount
of fruit per each baby. After I offer each a 6 oz. bottle. They may or may not finish it. After their
second nap around 2:30 pm they get an 8 oz. bottle. Then they might take a catnap around 5:00
pm and when they wake up I feed them 2 tbsp. of rice cereal and the same amount of a vegetable
per baby. Afterward I offer a 6 oz. bottle. Does this sound about right? Should I be increasing the
amount of solids and cutting back on the bottles? My pediatrician said I should be increasing solids
to 3 times per day by 9 mos. but he was vague about the amounts. I think they can have bread,
cheese or crackers now too? Should I introduce eggs or meat? Any advice on what to feed, what
brand, how much and how often would be appreciated. —Sandy
Book Resource: Super Baby Food
Super Baby Food has loads of information
and ideas. It’s a bit hippy-dippy which may
annoy some people (I love it) but there’s a
good chart that shows you what they can be
eating by what month, and what to look out
for. As for the eggs, I know they shouldn’t eat
egg whites until they are a year old.
It is very useful and includes what foods
you should be introducing when and why. It
also has a lot of recipes and ideas for the first
few years. I would be lost without it.
What Others Do
First of all, there’s no need to worry so
much about precise amounts. That’s the
beauty of feeding them in the beginning; as
long as they’re still taking bottles your nutritional bases are covered. That said, I just
feed mine until they don’t want any more.
Some days that’s a lot, other days it’s next
to nothing.
In the morning, we have two breakfasts.
First, they take a bottle and then about 45
minutes later they sit down for real food.
Yogurt is a great one for this, especially this
brand at Safeway called Yo Baby Organic.
I would wait on the meat, but try the eggs.
Cheese is great, and my kids love crackers,
but these things are for when they’re ready
for finger foods.
In the meantime, you can prepare them for
eating bigger foods by feeding them avocado
and banana mashed into larger chunks. I also
started with the Cheerios as a finger food
pretty early, and Trader Joe’s Veggie Booty is
another favorite.
Book Resources: Child of Mine:
Feeding With Love and Good Sense
You are in charge of what you offer them
MARCH 2004
and when you offer it. The kids are in
charge of what they eat and how much.
Some days kids eat a lot and some days they
hardly touch anything. They will regulate
their hunger/intake! Give kids what you eat,
modified obviously for their oral development/teeth/etc. I had one tough kid and one
easy kid with respect to eating - just take all
the emotion/stress out of it and things will
go fine—they will get enough!
Tried & True Tips
4. I’ve read that you should not feed egg
whites before 1 year because of the change
of allergy. Soft cheese and bread are good
finger foods to start with
5. They may or may not eat meat right away,
but you could probably try.
Book Resource: Mommy Made: Home
Cooking for a Healthy Baby & Toddler
The book has lots of recipes, but I mainly
liked a two-page chart of a suggested order
for food introduction. Of course, other
sources had somewhat different lists.
I just picked this one to help me out. We
started the boys on solids at 6 months and
introduced things very slowly. I don’t have
any suggestions on amounts; some days they
ate a lot, some a little (which continues to
this day). I think we switched to solids 3x/
day around 9 months.
Other Book Resources
First Meals has great pictures and wonderful recipes.
Feeding Your Child For Lifelong Health
Editor’s Note: This is a summary of only
a few of the responses Sandy received to her
question. To read all the responses—many very
detailed—look at the Topica archives. Search
under summary and eating.
My girls are 19 mos and this is what I
remember:
1. We started giving Cheerios
about 8 mos.
2. We began three
www.marthabruce.com
times per day
415 822 7581
earlier than 9
mos, but that is
probably a good
starting point.
3. I used to let them
eat what ever
amount of cereal
they wanted, and
since I mixed it
with formula they
were getting the
formula nutrients.
For other food,
I used to offer
1 jar per meal.
Sometimes they
each ate more,
sometimes less.
Their consumption of formula
3 sessions during baby’s first yeardid go down,
infant, sitting & standing
which is normal.
Martha Bruce
Photography
Maternity Portraits &
Baby Collection Packages
Page 9
Look Who’s
Having a
Birthday!
Turning 1
• Joshua, Kyle & Vivienne
(03/13)
Kevin Thaddeus Paulson & Brian Miller
• Eli & Sima
(03/17)
Shana Sturm & Ira Fabricant
• Karly & Sierra
(03/27)
Carrie & Randy Wonzer
• Hannah & Sophie
(03/31)
Ruth Shevelev & Jonathan Miller
Turning 2
• Declan & Gavin
(03/06)
Dawn Siegal & Fintan Coleman
• Milo & Charlie
(03/11)
Alison Fennings & Dennis Wetherall
• Julia & Sophia
(03/19)
Tara Reilly & Bob Tung
Spring Has Sprung!
Spring has always had a very special place for me—especially considering I was born on
the first full day of Spring and was named after the first sign of spring, a Robin bird. So, I’ve
tried to get my creative juices flowing again after a long, rainy winter and come up with some
crafts and activities that teach my 2 year olds about Spring. When teaching about a holiday
or event, I try to stay focused on one thing and just expand on the theme with several activities. This spring, I’m going to focus on the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly.
But, I’ll also throw in a little about how things grow.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
You’ll need an hour or so to prepare for this. Find a green sock and
purchase large pieces of multicolored felt. Make a caterpillar out of the
green sock. You’ll want it long enough to stretch up your arm. Add a
red felt mouth, squiggly eyes, and pipe cleaner antennae. Then from the
appropriate colors of felt, cut out one red apple, two yellow pears, three purple plums, and
so on, ending with a brown chrysalis. In the center of each felt object, cut a round hole large
enough for the puppet’s head to fit through. You’ll also need a butterfly. Now, act out the
reading of The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.
For a short, physical activity, you can have your children move like a caterpillar around the
room. You could also have them act out the following poem:
A creepy crawly caterpillar that I see (shade eyes)
Makes a chrysalis in the big oak tree. (make body into a ball)
He stays there and I know why (slowly stand up)
Because soon he will be a butterfly. (flap arms)
The Beautiful Butterfly
Time to make a beautiful butterfly. If you’re not quite sure about the mess made with
Julia & Kirt D’orazio
paints and markers, and your children still like to eat their crayons and clay . . . try colored
• Ariel & Talia (03/22)
sand on contact paper. At most, you’ll be sweeping up sand—not that big of a deal. For
Diana Urman & Alex Kishinersky
those who like the paint . . . Fold a sheet of light-colored paper in half. Show the children
how to paint on only one side of the paper. The paper can be folded again and pressed. The
result will be an asymmetrical painting. Antennae can be added using crayons and markets.
Then make a bracelet by stapling together the ends of a narrow strip of
colored paper. Staple the butterfly’s body (after drying) to the bracelet.
The paper circle will slip over the children’s hands and the butterfly will
New Parents Group
fly as they wave their hands and move to music. I’d complement this with
Expecting & New Parents with Children <1 Year
a book about butterflies—Are You a Butterfly? by Judy Allen and Tudor
Humphries.
12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Andre & Maxine
(03/20)
2nd & 4th Tuesday of the Month
Day One – 3490 California Street
Entrance is on Locust. Parking in building.
Contact Coordinators: Kimberly Azzolini
(415.386.7886)
or Karen Perlman (415.397.6777)
Grassy Easter Basket
About ten days before Easter, give each child a four-cup section of an
egg carton to use for a basket. Let the children spoon potting soil into the
cups of their baskets. Then let them sprinkle on grass seeds and add small
amounts of water. Place the baskets in a sunny spot and have the children
water them regularly. By Easter the baskets should be filled with real grass.
Complete the baskets by adding pipe cleaner handles and tying on bows.
If you’re not ready for potting soil, you can sprinkle grass seeds or alfalfa
sprouts on a wet sponge and in a few days they will begin to sprout.
Coyote Point Toddler Tuesdays in March
I discovered as I was sending this to the printer that Coyote Point
is actually focusing on caterpillas and butterflies during their Toddler
Tuesdays the month of March. The next one is March 26 and is filled
with activities—crafts, storytimes, etc.—for the 18 month old to the
three- and four-year-old. Children can make butterflies, pot some seeds,
paint a large butterfly, do bug prints, and so much more. Coyote Point
is off Hwy 101 in San Mateo. If you haven’t been, it’s a fabulous place to
visit with multiple children.
Page 10
THE DIAPER RAG
The Multiples’ Kitchen
by Kirsten Patel,
SFMOTC Membership Chair
It is always a challenge to find meals that both our 18 month olds and my husband and I will
enjoy. Chicken strips or nuggets seem like a no-brainer for kids, but this recipe satisfies the
whole family. Parsnips are an often overlooked vegetable that have a flavor kids usually like.
I mix them with carrots because as we all know, everything is better in pairs. Both recipes
are adapted from Ina Garten’s Barefoot Contessa Family Style cookbook.
Parmesan Chicken Strips
1 ½ pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts (3-4)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
½ tsp freshly ground pepper (the salt and pepper are optional for the child servings)
2 large eggs
1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Unsalted butter
Olive oil
Lay the chicken breasts on a cutting board and slice each diagonally into four or five strips.
Combine the flour, salt and pepper on a dinner plate.
Beat the eggs with 1 tablespoon of water on a second plate. Combine the bread crumbs
and Parmesan cheese on a third plate. Dredge the chicken breasts on both sides in the flour
mixture, then dip both sides into the egg mixture and roll in the bread crumbs mixture,
pressing lightly to coat.
Heat 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large sauté pan and cook
the chicken strips one breast at a time on a medium-low heat for about 3 minutes on each
side, until just cooked through. Add more butter and oil and cook the rest of the chicken
breasts.
Sautéed Carrots and Parsnips
1 pound carrots
1 pound parsnips
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 ½ tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Peel the carrots and parsnips and cut them diagonally in ¼ inch slices. Place the vegetables,
1/3 cup water and the salt in a large sauté pan and bring to a boil. Cover the pan and cook
over medium-low heat for 7-8 minutes (cook about 5 minutes longer depending of your kids
ability to chew). Add the butter and sauté for another minute, until the water evaporates and
the carrots are coated with butter. Remove from the heat and add the parsley.
Look Who’s
Having a
Birthday!
Turning 3
• Clara & Allison
(03/02)
Lisa Winston & Phil Kennedy
• Baxter & Ashley
(03/14)
Lyanne Melendez & Simon Spark
• Patrick & Brannan
(03/16)
Fay Darmawi & Peter Iskander
• Jennifer
(03/20)
Laurie & Stephen Moore
• Kailee
(03/24)
Anda Kuo & Michael Shlipak
Turning 4
• Daniela & Ines
(03/01)
Grace & Anthony Schwartz
• Daniel & Elijah
(03/24)
Ruth Snyder & Jay Goldman
Turning 5
• Isabel & Katarina
(03/10)
Robin Reese & Patrick Owens
• Maya & Lucas
(03/18)
Edna & Clifford Lee
• Max
(03/20)
Leslee Subak & Linda McAllister
• Nicholas & Will
(03/26)
Hannah Goh & George Tanaka
Turning 7
• Connor & Matthew
(03/18)
Michelle & Michael O’Driscoll
• Antonio
(03/20)
Grace & Anthony Schwartz
SFMOTC’s New Members
Due in March
Due in June
Other Parents
• Karin Petersen & Michael
Raubotham and
siblings Jesse & Ian
• Emily Katz Kishawi & Eyad
Kishawi
• Pamela & Paul Riley
Twins due March 1, 2004
Due in April
• Ruth Bond & Seth Miller
Twins due April 23, 2004
• Nina Beck & Shaun Murphy
Twins due April 27, 2004
Twins due June 4, 2004
• Jane & Charlie Nunn
Twins due June 16, 2004
• Beth & Nicholas O’Neill
Twins due June 23, 2004
Due in July
Alec & Fiona
born September 15, 2003
• Diana Moissant
Alexander & Violet born
November 1, 2003
• Irene & Lance Lee
Caleb & Alexandra born
December 16, 2003
• Kim Nguyen & Art Yoshi
Twins due July 20, 2004
FEBRUARY 2004
Page 11
SFMOTC Events—March 2004
Sunday
Monday
7
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
9
10
11
12
13
16
17
18
19
20
New Parents
Group
12:30 p.m.
14
15
St. Patrick’s Day
21
22
23
24
30
31
New Parents
Group
12:30 p.m.
28
29
SAN FRANCISCO MOTHERS OF TWINS CLUB
3440 25th Street, Apt. 203
San Francisco, CA 94110–3873
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•Rea
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Spring Begins
25
26
27