This month, I am hoping that the seeds we have sewn will produce a beautiful new crop of flowers to lead the MOMS Club of Newport Beach. Each of you help this garden grow. Which flower would fit your personality?

President: Sunflower
She is the largest flower – her face always follows the sun and you have her full attention.

Administrative Vice President: Gerber Daisy
She looks similar to a Sunflower but her job is smaller and she is always there when you need her. Her focus is on the smaller and more sensitive areas of our influence.

Membership Vice President: Rose
She is fragrant and very popular. She is the first impression and always makes a good one.

Secretary: Tulip
She is a cup shaped flower. Her petals are like wax paper. She is also a flower that speaks a message of thanks.

Treasurer: Bonsai Money Tree
She is a symbol of good fortune and is easy to grow in bright light.

Play Group Coordinators: Wild Flowers
They aren’t sure if they are ready to commit to the garden but – they are willing to give it a go and have some fun with some fellow wild flowers.

Helping Hands Coordinator: Stargazer Lilly
She is bold, beautiful and dramatic. But she is known for her expression of sympathy.

Newsletter Coordinator: Orchid
Detailed and beautiful in all she does. She is a representative of all the flowers in how delicate and simple her design is. Yet she is also very hardy and enduring.

April Witting
MOMS Club of Newport Beach President

While watching the Oscars, I was reminded that it is time for the MOMS Club to take some nominations for our chapter’s board, which begins in July.
The 10 nominees for BEST PICTURE & the BIG PICTURE of the MOMS CLUB:

Inception The MOMS Club wouldn’t be here without you! We have 4 board positions that we need to fill by mid-June, or we won’t have a club next year. The positions are: President, Vice President of Administration, Vice President of Membership, Secretary, and Treasurer. We are also in need of playgroup coordinators and a newsletter coordinator.

Black Swan Are you the unexpected leader? I know there are a ton of potential officers out there who are hiding under the folds because of shyness, modesty, or lack of confidence. So –that is why we need some of you to suggest or nominate a person who might be a fabulous leader. FYI – Nobody will be forced into a position… it is a choice to volunteer to do the job at hand.

The Fighter Some people enjoy kicking back and rolling with the punches. Others need to get in the middle of it. If you have some ideas that need to be shared or things you are dying to put on the calendar… Playgroup or Newsletter Coordinator may be the job for you.

Winter’s Bone Throw me a bone! If you know someone who might be a good potential officer, send me an email at aprilwitting@mac.com and let me know.

127 Hours It doesn’t take all that much time out of your daily schedule… I promise! However – inevitably you will become more involved and go to more events. In the end, you will get a lot more out of the MOMS Club!

True Grit It is time to dig in and make use of your talents. Hard work always pays off in the end.

Toy Story 3 It’s time to put away the toys and play with your friends! As a board member, you will add a board meeting to your monthly calendar. While you take care business, your kids get an extra play date with some new friends.

The Social Network If there is one amazing thing that happens when you become a board member, it is the friends that you will make. There is something special that happens when a group of moms work together to accomplish a common goal. Facebook isn’t the only social network!

The Kids Are All Right Your kids will truly benefit from your involvement. As your friendships grow deeper, theirs will as well.

The King’s Speech Well – that is my speech! The President’s Message and planning a few social events for my kids and yours has been the extent of my duties as the President. Since motherhood, I began to grow “soft” when it came to doing anything structured or creative. Being on the board gave me an outlet that helped me plan my job as a mommy like I would a normal job. Being the president not only made me a better mom but it also helped me prepare to go back to work. This was a safe and easy way to work my way back into a 9 to 5. Who knows… maybe I will even start a blog!

April Witting
MOMS Club of Newport Beach President

I am pretty sure my kids aren’t really sure what love truly is just yet. However, they are
surrounded by love – at least that is what I hope. Of course they LOVE their toys and their parents
(in that order). Hudson just wuvs waffles. I just LOVE the way he says wuv! But – the true power of
love has not been shown to them just yet. I mean…there are so many different ways to love and I
am sure they haven’t experienced them all just yet. In fact, let’s hope they don’t experience the
true power of love until much, much later in life.

However – I am going to assume that each of you have experienced the real deal at least once in
your life. And it is quite powerful. I am not talking about the baby-making love that created your
children – although that usually goes with it. I am talking about the fact that when you are in love
- the world is a perfect place. How did that emotion change the fact that you hated your job, your
life, your looks and everything in-between? Wow! If only we could tap into that magical feeling of
love when we are miserable about one thing or another. It is somewhere within our reach… I just
know it.

Now as mothers… we have the results of the baby-making love and out of it comes another kind
of love that makes us bend over backwards for those adorable kids of ours. We are stretched so
thin… we would have never imagined the lives we juggle now during those single days when we
thought we were miserable. Now we would do anything for our kids and why you ask? It must be
that magical emotion of LOVE!

So – I have to say. Maybe there really is a reason for celebrating Valentine’s Day. Maybe it isn’t just
a commercial holiday filled with cards and candy. LOVE – It is a fabulous emotion! We just need to
tap into its intoxicating behavior more often than once a year.

Let LOVE burn a fire under you this year and do something unexplainable for the benefit of LOVE.

XOXO
April Witting
MOMS Club of Newport Beach President

This Month:
General Meeting: Valentine’s Party with “Free” Young Music Co. presentation
MOMS Night Out: Dinner at Roman Cucina

So – what exactly does it mean to be happy? Isn’t that what we are all in pursuit of?
Will setting goals and eliminating procrastination really bring you happiness?
It’s a start but – I think real happiness comes from being content with where you
are at this very moment. But how do know when you’re happy and if you’re not,
how do you find happiness? I bet your 2 year old can remind you how to find
out. Just sing, “If you’re happy and you know it” with them one time.
I think letting everyone know just how happy you are is a good way to keep
the happiness coming.

Americans tend to go after happiness like it is some sort of commodity. Getting
everything you want in life will not necessarily make you happy. At least that is what
I tell my children in a toy store… but do I live by that standard? I have heard from a
very wealthy couple that seems to have it all that some of their best years in life were
when they were dirt poor and borrowing their way through medical school.
They were so excited when they found a pretty decent sofa in their alley for
“free”. Happiness is sometimes found in the small details or the ones you think
you are sure to forget! So – having less and enjoying the things you have is another
way to find this happier you.

I have always found happiness when I feel I am where I am supposed to be.
Déjà vu sometimes makes me feel that way. If I have dreamed it before… then it must
be meant to be. Another example of this is what my husband likes to call “God winks”.
They come in different forms but they give you the feeling that something in the universe
has an eye on you and is pointing you down a specific path. For example: the day that my
husband asked me to marry him, he picked me up for our date and as I got in the car the
song “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” came on the radio. He has always referred to me
as the Peanuts character “Lucy” for my determined and slightly bossy nature.
The diamonds were obvious. It made that moment even more meant to be. At that very
moment, he was sure of himself. It was a sign that whatever track we were on,
it was the right one.

So – in the end, I think happiness is not always the one thing you want to achieve or
the one thing you just have to have. It is those little life moments along the way to the
big life moments that make you feel just perfect where you are.

So – here is to The Happiest New Year Ever!

April Witting
MOMS Club of Newport Beach President

General Meeting: Music Together “Free” Demo at Newport Park Clubhouse: Catalina Room
MOMS Night Out: “Free Taste” of Dream Dinners

I love the holiday jingles that only come on the radio at this time of the year. I thought I
would take a few lines from my favorite songs and show you how they still relate to us
today.

I wanna Hippopotamus for Christmas… Well you are gonna get one! The leftover turkey is
wrapped up and stowed in the refrigerator, the Thanksgiving pies have been devoured and
holiday season is in full swing. We are moving from the cold turkey-stuffing-cranberry
sauce sandwich to a much richer food fashioned with chocolate, topped with chocolate and
served with hot chocolate.

Making a list and checking it twice… Since we are Santa Claus, we should take a little tip
from the big guy in red. This is a good way to stay on track and keep in budget. (If only I
had thought of this before black Friday!) Write down everyone you plan to buy a gift for
and the maximum you plan to spend. This will help you manage your holiday budget. Feel
free to omit someone who has been naughty this year!

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth… This goes along with your budget. Stay on
budget and your husband won’t fly off the handle! (You know I am kidding but – I couldn’t
resist).

Don’t Fa-la-la-la-la behind and forget your holiday cards… I have a new tradition that just
sort of happened on its own. I send Holiday cards out every-other year. Of course this
tradition happened by accident. Now that I have accepted it I really enjoy letting myself off
the hook by-yearly. Unfortunately this year is a DO YOUR HOLIDAY CARDS Year!

Be good for goodness sake… or you’re going to get sand and cold rocks! This is what Ruby
thinks you get if you are naughty (like Hudson). Where did they come up with this saying?
I am sure that getting a lump of coal in your stocking was a blessing in the old days! It
would keep the home fires burning, right? Well – needless to say, the last thing a kid wants
is to be left off the toy list. In fact, it is the only thing keeping Hudson in line this season.
Thank goodness the terrible two’s are almost over!

I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus… let’s just take a moment and think about this one!
There is a bit of romance to this image. So – Yes, I would meet Santa under the Christmas
tree, wouldn’t you? Well – maybe if he helps wrap the presents and get the kids to bed!

Are you Frosty or a Jolly Happy Soul this season? Well – we will have a craft that you can
purchase at our Holiday Party for a couple of bucks. It’s a personalized snowman, to take
home and put on your mantle. The proceeds will go to buying a Christmas Tree for a local
Women’s Shelter.

Here comes Santa Claus, Here comes Santa Claus, Right down Santa Claus lane. He doesn’t
care if you’re rich or poor he loves you just the same… Lets not forget that this season is
really about giving. Unfortunately not all of us have it as good as others. So – lets come
together and join in the spirit of giving by donating to Toys for Tots. Be sure to bring your
unwrapped toy to our Holiday Party this year.

Cheers and pass the Eggnog!

April Witting
MOMS Club of Newport Beach President

This Month:
General Meeting: Christmas Party at Villa Balboa Clubhouse
MOMS Night Out: SOL Cocina Happy Hour and Dinner

Every Thanksgiving during our big feast, my family takes turns sharing what they are
thankful for this year. It is something I start to think about every November because I don’t
want my thankful heart, to sound too cliché. But the truth is, the things we truly are
thankful for are quite obvious: husbands, children, our extended families and friends, being
a mom, our health, and the many grown-up and kid toys we are blessed to have. However,
the only way to feel the weight of that thankfulness is to (God-forbid) loose one of those
things and then get it back again. Autumn brings each of a chance to evaluate the things we
truly LOVE without having to loose them in the process. I challenge each of you to start
writing little notes of your treasures and put them in a box or jar to open and share with
those you love this Thanksgiving.

Hope you all have a fabulous Thanksgiving! From my family to yours…

April Witting
MOMS Club of Newport Beach President

P.S. While writing this note I had an epiphany of sorts about the opportunity to teach our
children the value of thankfulness. Each time I take away a toy as a way of disciplining my
children… I always feel so guilty. (I know it is absurd, but I do). Now I know that I am only
making the toy that much more sweet to my child. From now on, when I return the toy I
am going to make sure they understand the feeling of thankfulness.

This Month:
General Meeting: All Club Park Pay at “private park” – Coastal Canyon Park
MOMS Night Out: Mani/ Pedi at Pazazz Nail & Spa

Tis the season to take the kiddos to the Pumpkin Patch!
(See the calendar – Tanaka Farm field trip).

Fall is officially here even though it doesn’t feel like it. It is Pumpkin time… So start eating
your fill of pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, pumpkin pancakes, and pumpkin seeds!
Eat, eat, eat! This is where it all begins, right? It is going to be a holiday downhill slide
from this point forward.

My family loves Halloween! My husband gets really into pumpkin carving. He usually
carves a couple pumpkins per week starting on October 1st. The kids love it because it
means dressing up like their favorite make-believe character and lots of parties!
Of course, the candy at the end of the month doesn’t hurt their cause! I have to say
that I enjoy dawning a wig or big green wart from time to time. But – what I think we
all love about October is that the holidays are back! They took a long summer vacation
and now they will be back in full swing for Halloween!

So – gather up your costumes and your candy bags… Stop cleaning out the cobwebs and
decorate them instead with a big hairy spider. October is here and it is time to
spook while having a hoot!

We have so many fun things to do this month. Of course we have our annual Halloween
Party where one of our lucky members will win an original pumpkin designed by my hubby.
We are going to go to Oktoberfest this month for Couples Night Out. Bring your own
steins if you dare!

April Witting

MOMS Club of Newport Beach President

This Month:
General Meeting: HOO HOO’s Spooky Halloween Party at Frogg’s Bounce House
MOMS Night Out: Oktoberfest at Old World Village

Don’t Miss the Tanaka Farms Field Trip!

Women instinctively nest when our baby’s arrival is near. But that is only the beginning.
Planning for your child’s future may begin the second that you start expecting but, as far
as I know, it never ends.

Most of us are at the early stages of parenting. We are lucky enough to have been on the
receiving end of this circle of life, where we have learned to make decisions that are
uniquely ours. However – some of the choices we make are very similar to those around us.
For example, each of us chose to be a member of the MOMS Club. Whether we knew it or not,
this was a way that we started to plan for our little ones to meet others. It is our effort to help
foster positive relationships at an early age that will help our kiddos develop into the little
people that they will someday become. Childcare is another area that will come up one-way or
another. Who is the very best person to care for our children when we are away? It takes a lot
of trust to hand our children over to another individual even if it is only for a couple of hours.
If our kids are nearing the pre-school or elementary age, we will probably shop around for
the best option that is right for our kids whether it is developmental or academic. These are
just a few of the decisions that we will make for our kids as parents.

What do we hope all of these decisions are going to do for our children? For me, I am hoping
to teach my children to confidently stand on their own two feet and to be responsible
members of society. I want them to feel safe and secure in the world they live in. I hope
that they will have solid character and be able to stay true to who they were designed to be.
Of course the list goes on. But – who knows what the future has in store for our kids or us.
How do we ensure that our kid’s well-being and future is secure?

This month, we have an amazing opportunity to learn more about Planning Ahead.
Michelle Reese Johnson with Ameritrade is our guest speaker at this month’s General
Meeting on September 8th. Estate planning is a way to invest in our kid’s future and
ensure that our family will be in good hands.

With that food for thought, maybe a little escape is in order! We hope you will join us as
we journey through Italy, India, and Indonesia. Our MOMS night out is coming up
fast… September 2nd is MOVIE NIGHT. We will be going to see EAT LOVE PRAY!
Join us for the EATING part of the evening around 6ish.

Start Planning Ahead, Check out what is on the calendar for September!

April Witting

MOMS Club of Newport Beach President

This Month:
General Meeting: AmeriEstate teaches on Estate Planning for your kids at a member’s house
MOMS Night Out: Dinner (Chaparosa Grill) & a Movie: Eat, Pray, Love at The District AMC

I don’t know if any of you are going to get a chance to travel this summer…
sometimes it is only a state of mind. This August, I am lucky enough to join the ranks
of family travelers going out of state. I am joining my parents and sister’s family on a trip
to Breckenridge, Colorado. I call it Camp Grandparents!

After the cool and cloudy July we’ve been having, I was so happy to go somewhere else
that feels more like summer. The kids are getting a chance to play with their cousins in the
fresh air. They are releasing all that energy that causes scuffmarks on the walls the other 9
months of the year. Ruby and Hudson are now old enough to have the stamina for small hikes
and bike rides via a toddler carriage. Grandpa has been busy teaching them how to fish and
they are catching bigger and better fish than the ranks of us. It is the basic man vs. wilderness
survival lessons topped with spooky stories on the deck before bedtime for the next 2 weeks.

So whether you are traveling or not, take a moment to catch a few rays of sunshine while
sipping your favorite summer beverage*. It may only be a few minutes of peace and quiet but
it will be worth the trip in your mind. Let the MOMS Club of Newport Beach supplement your

summer with some fun kid-friendly excursions. Be sure to take your little naturalist to our
General Meeting this month at the Environmental Nature Center for a guided nature hike
where we will discover new things about plants, animals, and California.

Cheers!
April Witting
MOMS Club of Newport Beach President

* Pepper-Mint Limeade
Ingredients
4 limes, juiced
1 cup white sugar
2 sprigs fresh mint
½ gallon water
1 fresh jalapeno pepper, sliced

Directions
In a large pitcher, stir together the lime juice and sugar until dissolved.
Stir in mint sprigs, and mash with a wooden spoon to release some of the oils.
Pour in water, and mix well. Mix in jalapeno slices. Put a lid on the pitcher.
Refrigerate 8 hours, or overnight.

This Month:
General Meeting: Environmental Nature Walk
Couples Night Out: Bowling at Lucky Strike