Pumpkin Cream Cupcakes

Here is Michelle's recipe for the yummy cupcakes we enjoyed at the last meeting!

Pumpkin Cream Cupcakes:

1 pkg (2 layer size) spice cake mix
1 pkg (3.4oz) Jell-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 pkg (8oz) Cream Cheese, softened
1/4 sugar
1 egg

Heat oven to 350
- Prepare cake batter as directed on package. Add dry pudding mix and pumpkin; mix well. Spoon into 24 paper-lined muffin cups.
- Beat cream cheese with mixer until creamy. Blend in sugar and egg; spoon over batter. Swirl gently with small spoon.
- Bake 18 to 21 min or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool 5 min; remove to wire racks. Cool completely.

MOPS Mom's having way too much fun!

This was a great teambuilder! Each person had a piece of string tied to each hand and their string was looped through their partners string. The goal was to get yourself free with out untying or cutting the string. This symbolizes how we make our spiritual walk much more complicated than it needs to be. The solution to this was simple but nobody figured it out on their own.

They managed to get into some crazy positions trying to get out of this.

This was a trust game. You had to walk through an obstacles course with your eyes closed. The only thing you had for direction was your partners voice. With all of the ladies giving directions at the same time it was difficult to hear your partners voice among the noise. This is much like us trying to discern and follow the voice of God amidst the chaos of our lives.

Craft: Pudding Painting

Sara here... I just wanted to share a craft I did with my one year old daughter that suprisingly enough turned out to be a success. I have always wanted to do crafts with my kids but I wasn't really sure what you could do with a one year old. Someone told me about pudding painting so I decided to give it a try. I didn't really want her eating the boxed chocolate pudding so I made my own. It was really easy! I got the recipe from the Deceptively Delicious cookbook (which I love). Here is the recipe....

1/4 cup trans-fat-free soft tub margarine spread
1 cup avocado puree (it took one avocado for me..mash it with a fork and make it fine in the food processor)
1 cup confectioners sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup cornstarch
Directions: Melt the margarine on low in a medium saucepan. Stir in the avocado puree, sugar, cocoa powder, and vanilla. Cook mashing well with silicone spatula to smooth out any avocado lumps until mixture thickens about 3 to 4 min. Off the heat, gradually stir in cornstarch. Serve warm.

Mine was slightly lumpy but it was still really good. Couldn't even taste the avocado! I felt better about letting my daughter dig in knowing she was still getting some of her veggies. If you haven't tried this with your little one you should. Clean up wasn't even too bad and she had so much fun!

Cancer Walk and Curesearch Fundraiser

Laura, one of our lovely discussion group leaders would like to invite everyone to the Cancer Walk and Curesearch Fundraiser. Here is her letter.....

Can you believe the MileStones Walk is just 5 days away!!! After months of planning, we're about to see it all come together on a beautiful (we hope) fall morning! Bronwyn Philips, a friend of mine and the Chair for Team/Recruitment, is hosting a CureSearch MileStones walk "kickoff"/fundraiser night this coming Thursday, October 1 at the Tropical Smoothie Cafe in Cahoon Commons (it is in the little shopping center next to Walmart on Dominion Blvd. in Chesapeake). Tropical Smoothie will donate 15% of their proceeds between the hours of 5-8 pm from people that come in for our cause. In order to receive a portion of their proceeds, you will need to show the attached flyer when checking out. Please print it and bring it with you! Feel free to pass this e-mail & flyer around to as many people as possible. The only way people will know about this event is by word of mouth, so share with your inbox and friends! Post it on Facebook, too! We hope to see you this Thursday and again on Saturday at the Walk! If you haven't registered yet, please do so!

I could not attach the flyer but if you email Laura she will be happy to forward the flyer to you. Thank you so much for your supporting our MOPS moms!
gorneyfamily1@cox.net

We have officially started exploring Planet Mom together!

We had a great first meeting to kick off our MOPS year on Planet Mom. We had fun getting to know each other, eating a yummy breakfast, and enjoying fellowship with other moms.

Cosmic Cuties

Milkway Mama's

Lovely Luna Ladies

Galaxy Girls

The Journey Begins....

Our first meeting will be next Wednesday, September 16, 2009 in the gym. We ask that you arrive at 9:00 am to check your children into our MOPPETS program. Breakfast will begin at 9:15. We do not have a dress code, just come as you are and we hope you will be blessed.

Welcome to Planet Mom!

Planet Mom is a place where you are understood by other mom’s who on the same path you are. Life on this planet can be very difficult and overwhelming at times but the rewards received on this planet are out of this world! Becoming a mom changes the relationships in your life. When joining MOPS this year you will receive a copy of Lisa T. Bergren’s book, “Life on Planet Mom: A Down-to- Earth Guide to Your Changing Relationships.” Lisa shares ideas on how to enhance the key relationships in a mother’s life. We are so excited to explore Planet Mom with you this year!