see you next year

I pray you and your families all have a wonderful Christmas & happy New Year. Tomorrow's forecast is cold and rainy so the park won't be a good spot & we have four runny noses at my house so we won't be able to make it.

We have lots of fun planned for 2010 starting with Monkey Joes 8 JAN. I'll send an evite out soon so we have an idea how many kids will be there- so we know our price 10-30 kids is $7 each, 30-60 $6 each. $5 per child 2 and under

they also have a group rate of $2 per child for a slice of pizza & drink-

Then 9 JAN is our next group babysitting night. Jennifer Martinez will host. She lives in Carolina Lakes which is north of Fayetteville- a little far out but there is a very nice movie theater in Sanford (no traffic like fayetteville) as well as a lot of nice restaurants down town. evite coming

then free park ranger lead visit to Clark Park 29 JAN,

our next clothing swap 26 FEB,

Fayetteville Museum of Art 19 Mar

Drink a glass of eggnog :) and Have a merry Christmas!

God bless!

Kristen

Last Fun Fridays in 2009

Next Friday 18 DEC 10 am park by the library on post

the following Monday 21 DEC- my boys and I are doing the free art attack at the Fayetteville Museum of Art. 485-5121

we have lots of great things planned in the new year- our next clothing swap 26 FEB

plus park ranger lead visit 29 JAN,

Fayetteville Museum of Art 19 FEB

Monkey Joe's day in JAN

Info

Hi! I'm excited about our party Friday- it will be great to see everyone, have yummy food, have our children well cared for next door! Please remember to bring exact change for childcare workers- $3 per child.

We're planning on a fun cookie cutter exchange- you know the kind where you draw numbers and can "steal" the present if you want. so bring it wrapped or in a bag to add to the fun. we wanted to do something a little different from the normal ornament exchange but if you can't find a cookie cutter- bring something Christmas-y. see you Friday!

Scion is giving  (a limited number) free toys to children of deployed Soldiers.  

 Soldiers log on to www.scion.com/holiday and request the toys for their children. 

 This is only for currently deployed Soldiers and ends 1 January 2010.  

If your Soldier is deployed or deploying, visit www.scion.com/thankyou 

to request a FREE care package to be mailed (CONUS or OCONUS).  

They have limited quantities available.  

we were listening to the radio this morning and heard an ad for

 drop in childcare by CiCi's in Westwood Shopping center. 

so I had to hunt for the info- here's the website for more info. 

http://www.goplaydate.com/fayetteville.aspx

Christmas Party/ Group Babysitting Night

Two great events coming up next week. Christmas party on Friday at Manna on Cliffdale. I sent out an evite. If you didn't get it, please email me at jaklew@aol.com. We have arranged for childcare so the ladies have more time for fellowship. Please RSVP by Monday so we can line up the right number of childcare workers.

Also Group Babysitting Night at Jami's house next Saturday. I sent out another evite for that. This is a great opportunity for fellowship time or time out. Enjoy these great opportunities this Christmas season.

Kristen

4 DEC Fun Fridays- post library park

Hi! I hope you all had wonderful Thanksgivings. We had a really good one.This Friday we'll meet at 10 at the park by the library on Randolph Street on Fort Bragg.

The following week (11 DEC) is our Christmas party. I sent out an evite today with the details- please RSVP by next Monday so we can turn in our childcare numbers. Don't miss this fun get together! Yummy food & great fellowship while our kids are cared for by great childcare workers.

Then 12 DEC is our next group babysitting night. Mark your calendars and decide if you want to stay in or go out. I'll send out an evite about that soon.

in case you missed it, here's the pumpkin brownies recipe again. One package brownie mix + 2 cups of pumpkin puree (or one 15 oz can). Follow package instructions - 5 minutes =

I ran out of pumpkin this week and used 1 cup of pumpkin butter, 1 cup of pumpkin, and the mix- my new favorite dessert. I may bring some next week.

Gillis Hill Farm Pictures

Gillis Hill farm was a lot of fun. Beautiful spot! we may have to go back in the spring.

Gillis Hill Farm 0930

Our tour will start a little earlier than usual Friday. Please be at Gillis Hill Farm a few minutes before 9:30. I know it's early but I hear it's tons of fun!! See you there.

20 NOV and Pics

This Friday is our trip to Gillis Hill Farm. http://www.gillishillfarm.com/

This will be our first time there but I've heard it's a great place to visit and very different from West Produce. The forecast looks great for Friday. Hope to see you.

Then we'll take a week off for everyone to enjoy Thanksgiving with family and meet again 4 DEC. I'll be sending evites out soon for our Christmas party 11 DEC at Manna and our next babysitting night 12 DEC at Seanda's. Thanks so much to Vicky for opening her home last night- definitely a great way to get to know each other and help others out at the same time. Who wants to host Jan and FEB?

Here's my pumpkin recipe of the day- Pumpkin brownies. One package brownie mix + 2 cups of pumpkin puree (or one 15 oz can). Follow package instructions - 5 minutes = almost guilt free yummy pumpkin brownies! super easy and good too!

13 NOV McDonald's

Looks like the park will still be cold & wet in the morning so we're going to meet at McDonald's in Spring Lake right outside the Butner Gate 10 am. Hope to see you there!

I sent an evite out this week about the Gillis Hill Farm trip for next Friday. please RSVP by Tuesday so I can give them an idea how many people we'll have.

see you soon!

Kristen

Rainy Days/ Group Babysitting

Hello all! Looks like rain for Friday. If it stays rainy Friday, we will meet at McDonald's in Spring Lake right outside the Butner gate. I'll update the blog Thursday night.

It's not too late to RSVP for the group babysitting night this Saturday at Vicky's house. It would be a great blessing if one or two more people could stay in Saturday night so we can bless the ladies who would like to go out this time. Email or call me or Vicky for more info. jaklew@aol.com 568-4050

More reasons to sign up besides blessing others- get to know new friends, let your kids play with someone else's toys, she's getting yummy pizza!

Our group babysitting nights will be the second Saturday of each month. Thanks to Vicky for hosting this Saturday-

Please let me know when you can host in upcoming months- 12 DEC, 9 JAN, 13 FEB

Very Yummy Soup

Southwestern Pumpkin Soup

3 cups chicken stock
1cup whipping cream
1 15-oz. can pure pumpkin
3 tbsp. dark brown sugar
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. ground coriander
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
3/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
Chopped Fresh Cilantro for Garnish

Bring chicken stock and whipping cream to a boil in a heavy medium pot. Whisk
in canned pumpkin, brown sugar, cumin, chili powder, coriander and nutmeg. Reduce
heat to medium and simmer until soup thickens slightly and flavors blend, about
15 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Ladle soup into bowls and garnish
with cheese and cilantro.

Nov 13th- Rosehill Park

This Friday we'll meet at 10 am at College Lakes Park. This is the park on Rosehill very close to North Regional Library (on the north side of town.) 945 Rosehill Rd http://www.fcpr.us/parks.aspx (this website has the location of all the Fayetteville parks & lots of great info on upcoming events.) Hope to see you! Bring a friend.

Friday 20 NOV we'll be at Gillis Hill Farm for another hayride. I've never been but I hear it's really nice (and has yummy ice cream!) I'll send out an evite later today.

Our group babysitting nights will be the second Saturday of each month. Thanks to Vicky for hosting this Saturday- please RSVP today if you haven't already.

Please let me know when you can host in upcoming months- 12 DEC, 9 JAN, 13 FEB

Our Christmas party will be at Manna at Cliffdale 11 DEC. We will have childcare ($3 per child) so Moms can fellowship together while our children enjoy playing together under the watchful eye of Manna childcare workers. More info to follow- yummy food, fun games, great people. Don't miss it! Thanks Melony for helping put this together!!

Then Monday 30 NOV my kids and I signed up for Art Attack 10-11 am 2-5 yr olds come work with parent on a piece of art. Register at Fayetteville Museum of Art 485-5121. It's free! Even if you don't go Monday, you should check out their websitehttp://www.fayettevillemuseumart.org/

Pumpkin Butter

We love this in our oatmeal, on toast, or part of our trail mix sandwiches (cream cheese, granola, and pumpkin butter on bread)

Ingredients

• 1 (29 ounce) can pumpkin puree- or bake and puree your pumpkin from West Produce
• 3/4 cup apple juice
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground m
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Directions

1. Combine pumpkin, apple juice, spices, and sugar in a large saucepan; stir well. Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes or until thickened. Stir frequently.

end of October fun

for those looking for something fun this weekend,
Just wanted to remind everyone of our upcoming event at the Gillis Hill
Farm!!
Please go to their website and click on the flier to get more info!

www.gillishillfarm.com

The Gillis Hill Fall Harvest Festival will be:

Saturday, Oct. 31
9am-3pm
Activities will include:

Hayrides
Antiques and Craft Fair
Walking Tours
Blue Grass Music
Home Made Ice cream
Pony Rides
Cotton Candy and Fresh Popcorn!!
Bring the family out for a day at the farm!!

Pass this info along to all your friends!! This is a great opportunity
in our own county!!!

Blessings,
Kelly Rogers
P.S. The Pilgrim's Journey will be open during the festival,operating
during its regular hours: 11am -5pm.

Please share this with your friends!!!

If you were forwarded this message and would like to be added to our mailing
list please send a blank email to "list-subscribe@thepilgrimsjourney.net"
and your address will be added.

And tomorrow night we are going to the Cedar Falls Baptist Church Fall Festival 5-8 pm on North Ramsey. Bounce house, food, fun, giving away free money(just kidding and seeing who read this far down!)

There really are a lot of fun things to do around Fayetteville you just have to look a little. Like next Sat the Cape Fear Botanical Garden has story/ craft time- we're planning on going at 1030. It's free but call 486-0221 for reservation

and this Tuesday afternoon we're going to skip our naptime (shocking for me) to go to the preschool program on birds at Clark Park Nature Center 2-3 pm. there are lots of other things listed at http://www.fcpr.us/activities_guide.aspx

6 Nov Mazarick Park

Hi! What a fun morning. We had a great turnout (over 70 people with our group), great fall weather (thanks to God for hat answered prayer), yummy cookies (thanks to Leslie), a fun craft to take home (thanks to Mallory), and tired kids (thanks to all the fun!) I got some cute pictures which I can post to the blog- if you do not want your child's picture posted there, just call or email me and I'll leave it off. and if you have a fall recipe, please post one on the blog.

Vicky said she would host our next Group Babysitting Night Nov 14th. We'll get an evite out this week. Time to let those who stayed in go out! And I know the folks staying in have fun too!

Next Friday we'll be at Mazarick Park(1638 Belvedere Ave off of Bragg Blvd) http://www.visitfayettevillenc.com/greatoutdoors/display/20/Mazarick+Park

Please remember to pray for Ayana's mom who had severe abdominal pain and a vomiting episode this week. She went in for testing this morning.

Also pray for Page and her daughter. Mia has a series of 3 tests beginning Sunday. Pray for Page to be filled with peace while Mia is undergoing the tests and help the doctors find what's wrong.

Please remember our blog www.mannafunfridays.blogspot.com

I'll keep it updated with where we're meeting and you can share that website with any friends.

Kristen

http://jaklew.blogspot.com/

30 Oct West Produce

This Friday we're real excited to go on a hayride at West Produce. $5 per person. we'll meet there at 10 am. Bring a lunch if you want to picnic together in the play area after our hay ride. We also want to do a recipe swap- bring a favorite fall recipe (you can bring samples if you want :)

23 Oct

Today was a lot of fun. It was great to see everyone who came. I hope those of you who were sick are feeling better. We had tons of cute kids and yummy food. Here's the 2 pics I took today- two of our super cute babies and one of the awesome pumpkin cake Mallory made.

Next Friday 23 Oct we'll meet at 10 am at the park by the library on post.

Then 30 Oct is our West Produce hay ride. I'll send out an evite with info. I had some problems with my distro list last week and missed a couple people. I am very sorry. If you don't receive an evite from me, please email jaklew@aol.com or give me a call 568-4050.

Potluck/ Costume Swap

Hi! We're looking forward to our get together at my house Friday. If you didn't get the evite, send me an email at jaklew@aol.com and I'll send you one.

Next week 23 October we'll meet at 10 am at the Park on Fort Bragg by the library

Oct Fun Fridays

Hello everyone! I hope you're enjoying this wonderful weather we're having (even if it's hard to figure out what to where- long sleeve or short!)

This Friday 9 Oct we'll meet at the big park on Pope Air Force Base right next to the air field at 10 am. I'll be out of town but I hope lots of you go have fun playing at the park. In case of rain, meet at McDonalds in Spring Lake (right outside the Butner gate.)

We have lots of great things coming up- evites to come- it really helps if you would RSVP

-costume swap/ potluck at my house 16 October

-first group babysitting night 24 Oct. 5-9 pm start thinking about whether you want to go out (by yourself, with your hubby, with friends, with each other) or stay in and help watch kids and enjoy a night together.

-hay ride/ picnic at West Produce 30 Oct ($5 each and you get a good size pumpkin along with the hay ride and fun with friends!)

2 Oct Fun Fridays

What a great clothing swap. If you missed it, make sure you come to our next one in March! I think everyone who participated was blessed.

We had a good get together Friday at Honeycutt Park too. This week we'll meet at the park beside Thornmockton Library on Fort Bragg. at the park beside Fort Bragg Throckmorton Library. Building 1-3346, Randolph Street. In case of rainy weather, we'll meet at McDonalds in Spring Lake (right outside the Butner gate).

Those without military ID, it's still easy to get there. Just enter the Randolph gate from Bragg Blvd. Show your driver's license, insurance & registration. The library is just past the intersection of Randolph & Knox.

10 am. My boys and I will have lunch there- hope to see you!

25 SEP- Honeycutt Park

Hi! I'm looking forward to our first Fun Fridays get together this fall cell cycle. It will be great to see old friends and meet some new people. I am really looking forward to getting to know each of you. We will get together for the first time this Friday 25 SEP at 10 am at Honeycutt Park which is off Fort Bragg Rd. at 352 Devers St. The park is near FTCC between Morganton & Bragg Blvd on Devers. All the Fayetteville parks are listed with a link to a map athttp://www.fcpr.us/pk_neighborhood.php

Please feel free to invite your friends to come with you. This is a very open group- we want to connect moms with other moms while kids have fun playing with other kids.

Bring any snacks or lunch for you & your children. I will bring a sack lunch for me & my boys and eat in the gazebo around 11:30. We'd love to have lots of you stay and join us! We are praying for good weather but will go to Fascinate U children's museum on Green Street if rainy.http://www.fascinate-u.com/

Clothing Swap Thursday 24 Sep

we're having a clothing swap Thursday 24 Sep. This is a great opportunity to bless each other and get the things we all need. For more info, email me at jaklew@aol.com

Brief Break

We will take a few weeks break before starting back 25 September. I'd encourage you to come to Manna church 5117 Cliffdale Fayetteville, NC Sunday 13 Sep between 6:30 and 8:30 pm for My Manna connection night. Fun Fridays will have a display set up there along with lots of other cell groups for the fall. Finger foods, drinks, and childcare will be provided. If you want to be on our Fun Fridays email list for the fall, send me an email at jaklew@aol.com.

Enjoy your Labor Day weekend. see you 25 Sept at Honeycutt Park.

21 Aug- Splash Pad

Come on out this Friday at 10 am for our last trip to the Splash Pad. I'm planning on bringing lunch for me and my boys.

In case of rain, we'll meet at Fascinate-U.

Splash Pad
500 Fisher Street at Christina Smith Park
910-433-1572

Fight the heat with a splash of water! Come enjoy the pad as water sprinkles from a rainbow of colored arches. Onlookers can relax under the shaded tables near the splash pad. Open to the public and fun for all ages. The Pad closes on September 30.

Monday-Friday, 3 pm-6 pm (it opens at 10 now that school is out)

Saturday -10 am -6 pm

Sunday - 1 pm -6pm; free admission

that is off 301 across from the pwc. It is a park that has a playground, rest rooms, picnic area and a nice set of sprinklers. It is free to go and the sprinklers are nice if you have little ones but don't really want to go to a pool. There are an assortment of sprinklers they can run thru, under and over. The pad where the water is has a fence around it with just one way in or out (right next to the rest rooms). The last time I was there you had to bring your own chairs or blankets to sit on the grass around the sprinklers but to me that isn't a huge deal.

From Fayetteville Observer:

The small, water-toy filled Splash Pad, located at Christina Smith Park, sits just outside downtown Fayetteville. Despite its small size, the Pad packs a punch with its water fountains, sprayers and cannons, all for free.

The details: 500 Fisher St. Call the J.S. Spivey Recreation Center at 433-1572. Admission: Free
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday
Food: There is no snack bar, but visitors are allowed to bring food, which cannot be eaten inside the Pad.
Picnic area: Benches sit under a canopy next to the Splash Pad. Visitors can take their food there. The area can be rented out, though, so if it’s too crowded, find a shady spot just outside the Pad to enjoy your snacks.
Lifeguards: There are no lifeguards on duty, so no children under 10 years old are allowed

Change for 14 August

Looks like we're going to get some more rain tomorrow so we're going to change plans and head to Monkey Joe's. I signed up our group so we'll get the group rate. (it's $7 a kid instead of $8- just tell them you're with Fun Fridays when you get there. If you're planning on coming tomorrow, send me an email jaklew@aol.com, groups of 31 or more are $6 a piece and I could change our group size to that.

we've never been but I hear it's a blast for the kids and relaxing for moms. Bring socks for your kids. They have a concession stand there. here's the link

http://www.monkeyjoes.com/Walk-Ins-FAQs.aspx#1

102 Westwood Shopping Center

Fayetteville, NC 28314

(910) 423-5637

14 Aug

Come join us this Friday at Carolina Lakes Beach at 10 am. Bring a snack to share. Send me an email at jaklew@aol.com to RSVP and get directions.

I hope to see you! (In case of rain, we'll go to Fascinate-U.)

Beach 7 Aug

Come join us this Friday at Carolina Lakes Beach at 10 am. We'll have hotdogs there. Bring a snack to share. Send me an email at jaklew@aol.com to RSVP and get directions.

I hope to see you!

Splash Pad 31 July

Hi! by popular demand, Fun Fridays will be back at Splash Pad (500 Fisher St) again 31 July. Don't forget 7 Sep we'll be up at Carolina Lakes. Send me an email for more info.

jaklew@aol.com

See you soon!

Kristen

24 July- Splash Pad

Come on out to the Splash Pad this Friday at 10 am-

In case of rain, we'll meet at Fascinate-U.

I copied this great info from http://fortbraggbusykids.blogspot.com/2009/06/splash-pad.html- check out that blog for more info on fun things in Fayetteville.

Splash Pad
500 Fisher Street at Christina Smith Park
910-433-1572

Fight the heat with a splash of water! Come enjoy the pad as water sprinkles from a rainbow of colored arches. Onlookers can relax under the shaded tables near the splash pad. Open to the public and fun for all ages. The Pad closes on September 30.

Monday-Friday, 3 pm-6 pm (it opens at 10 now that school is out)

Saturday -10 am -6 pm

Sunday - 1 pm -6pm; free admission

that is off 301 across from the pwc. It is a park that has a playground, rest rooms, picnic area and a nice set of sprinklers. It is free to go and the sprinklers are nice if you have little ones but don't really want to go to a pool. There are an assortment of sprinklers they can run thru, under and over. The pad where the water is has a fence around it with just one way in or out (right next to the rest rooms). The last time I was there you had to bring your own chairs or blankets to sit on the grass around the sprinklers but to me that isn't a huge deal.

From Fayetteville Observer:

The small, water-toy filled Splash Pad, located at Christina Smith Park, sits just outside downtown Fayetteville. Despite its small size, the Pad packs a punch with its water fountains, sprayers and cannons, all for free.

The details: 500 Fisher St. Call the J.S. Spivey Recreation Center at 433-1572. Admission: Free
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday
Food: There is no snack bar, but visitors are allowed to bring food, which cannot be eaten inside the Pad.
Picnic area: Benches sit under a canopy next to the Splash Pad. Visitors can take their food there. The area can be rented out, though, so if it’s too crowded, find a shady spot just outside the Pad to enjoy your snacks.
Lifeguards: There are no lifeguards on duty, so no children under 10 years old are allowed

Fun Fridays!

Hi! I saw the Manna Mommies blog and thought it was a great idea to keep everyone posted on what fun things we're up to. And an easy way to get info to new people.

so here's what we're up to the next couple of weeks:

17 July Big T's This Friday we'll meet at Big T's- it is right on the lake in Hope Mills where the parks and rec does all their events. I'm going to pack a lunch. you can also buy lunch there. Jess Badders said the hawaiian shaved ices there are very cheap and yummy too. There's a playground, shaded area, a lake which kids can wade or swim in.

Big T's At Hope Mills Lake

3609 N Main St
Hope Mills, NC 28348-1936

(910) 487-6700‎

24 July we'll meet at Splash Pad at 10 am- hope to see you!

Splash Pad

500 Fisher Street at Christina Smith Park
433-1572