Apr 25
Everyone,
This week’s question over at Multiples and More is about Moms of Multiples groups.
Are you involved in your local Mother’s (Parent’s) of Multiples club?
Yes! Our multiples club is enormous. I think they have close to 600 members. And if everyone only had twins, there would be 1200 kids between all of us! But there are several who have more than their multiples (like me) and several who have triplets. I couldn’t remember if someone had quads or more.
The ages of the kids range from not born yet to born in the 80s. It’s such a diverse group of people from all walks of life. And this diversity it what makes the group great. The more experienced moms can help the young moms with advice. The recent questions in our very active forum range from preschool questions, renting beach houses, recommending nannies or home improvement people, and a list of Buddhist Temples in the area. We also have a classifieds board where people can post things for sale and want to buy. It’s like our own private Craig’s list.
The club also has numerous activities through out the year. There’s always a play date going on. They have expectant parent teas for all the new parents to pair them up with families that have been where they are going. They have a big annual picnic (which we’ve yet to go to…it’s always on a Sunday and we do not do things like that on Sundays due to religious reasons) and always have a team for the March of Dimes.
The big kahuna of our club (I think anyway) is our semi-annual twin sale. See here for the latest ones I’ve been to. They sell close to $30,000 of stuff and it is enormous. This is where I buy most of the boys clothes. Before I had twins, I went to this sale and bought all of Butterfly’s clothes. She is now mostly too big for the sizes they offer but sometimes I find a few cute things for her. This is where most of our toys come from too. Seriously, it’s amazing.
Our club also participates in the Mid Atlantic Parents of Multiples Convention. My friend, who has 14 year old twin boys, tries to convince me to come every year. I imagine it’s a lot of classes and fun celebrating the joys of having multiples. Could be fun!
They also put out a preschool booklet that describes all the preschools in the areas, their numbers, their philosophies, etc. They are a great resource for not only the multiple community, but the non-multiple community as well.
I love belonging to this group. I get so many great ideas from their message boards, so many good quality clothes from their consignment sales, and so many fun things to do as a group if I wanted to. I know that if there is a huge problem, I’ll have this community to lean on.
Safire
SafireMCPOM
Mar 13
Everyone,
This weekend was that time of the year! Twice a year my twin moms group puts on a huge consignment sale. This morning was the spring sale. I didn’t get my act together soon enough to sell anything, but I’m always ready to buy something! So here’s the breakdown:
1 dress for Butterfly (which she stuck her tongue out over and refuses to look at)
6 boy shirts (really, I don’t need more shirts but these are so cute! Baby Batman and Cookie Monster were involved)
8 boy shorts
3 pairs of boy shoes (yes, three. 2 pairs of water socks [Professor has worn them to nap he loves them so much] and a pair of sandals. I couldn’t find another pair of the same sandals so I’ll have to actually buy those first hand)
1 pair of Butterfly sandals. Too small. Sad.
6 books (I am such a sucker for books)
1 DVD
1 set of lacing cards for Butterfly’s Sunday bag
All in all, I spent around $80. Awesome!
My friend Lala slept in the car while I shopped during the member time. Then we stood in line forever and chatted. We got her daughter some very cute clothes and a really sweet little white Easter hat.
I also saw a few people from my church so I walked around with them while Lala checked out. She is having her first baby and bought out the sale! 
A stroller, an exersaucer, a diaper bag, a boppy pillow, some clothes, a car seat, and a swing. I hope she’s all set for her new baby in the summer. We had a great time chatting (Lala too) after.
Last night I spent most of my evening sorting out shoes and having a great time. I always love going to this sale because it makes me feel so happy after. Everyone is very helpful and friendly. And I always love meeting new moms. One twin mom and I sat and chatted last night for about 20 minutes. Her girls are only a few weeks younger than my boys so we’re going to get together and have a play date.
For all you local moms, this is an awesome sale! It’s the best way to get gently used baby stuff. Half of the clothes I saw today were new with tags on them. The average price for a shirt at this consignment sale is about $2. I have bought all my clothes at this sale since the time that Butterfly was a few months old. Sad you missed this one? Don’t worry! There will be another one in September. I’ll remind you.
Because seriously, this room is stuffed to the gills with kid stuff. Any kind of toy, clothe, shoe, stroller, gear, anything!
And it’s super fun to shop at too!
Safire
Safireconsignment sales, MCPOM
Sep 12
Everyone,
Today was one of my favorite days in membership of my twin club. It was our semi-annual sale! I love going to this sale and getting all the things I need for the next 6 months. I think half, if not three fourths, of Butterfly’s wardrobe comes from this sale in years past. The boys are following suit with most of their clothes coming from here (and very generous friends…thanks guys!). In the spring I volunteered and had a great time. This time, I volunteered for longer and really enjoyed myself!
So last night I was in charge of helping with the toys; getting them all set up in age groups (infant, toddler, preschool, games and puzzles, and outdoor toys) and putting them all together. Holy cow is this a lot of work. We had 5 of us on the stage in the school cafeteria where it is held running madly holding toys. I admit, there was a lot of silliness between us. We took our time to play with the interesting toys and mocked things like an electronic xylaphone. Seriously, regular xylaphones aren’t enough?!
By the end of the night, the tables were groaning with the weight of toys. The wire racks they had built to hold the toys were starting to bow and we were hoping that toys would not fall in the night. I made a stack of those activity tables for baby’s at least 7 tables high. We had a huge box of baby strollers, one of guitars (yes, they all needed their own box), and so many other things. The reason for me working toys was so that I could scope out what I wanted to buy today.
While all the other mom’s stood around and talked (that’s how I made several friends last year), we worked. I sweated so much but had a good time and I think made a few other friends this year. I was able to scoped out the rest of the sale and think of a few things to buy beyond toys. They even had clothes Butterfly’s size this year! (She is wearing a size 7, can you believe it?!)
So, want to know what I got?
First round:
Fisher Price House
Kettler Trike (for their second birthday)
magnetic dress up dolls for Butterfly
Little People garage
The house was SO big and hard to carry. The trike, which was an impulse buy, was awkward to push and the garage did me in. I spent 7 minutes in there, bought those things, took them to my car, and went right back in.
Second round:
4 overalls
2 jumpers
9 pants
9 shirts
2 winter coats
2 pants for Butterfly
2 sweaters for Butterfly
11 books
3 movies
one koala bear leash thing
Little People Circus
a construction sight
a fire house (all little people stuff)
I finally left because I couldn’t hold anything else. All of this cost me about $180 (with the above round), which is amazing I think.
Round Three:
My friend Lala came with me and slept in the car while I was shopping. She and I waited in line for the general public to be let in and did a lot of shopping in the girls’ clothes for her daughter Mimi. We met a very nice couple who was having their first baby and pretty scared. I don’t think I was that scared to have Butterfly. We talked to her about what to get and I directed her the best places to go once in the sale. We saw them standing in line later and they looked a little happier with a crib and a stroller bought.
Anyway, Lala bought about 12 things for her daughter. There was much debating on if we were getting the right color of purple for her and then bringing her total down to her budget.
I also bought another outfit and another book in this round.
One other thing I got was a double stroller for my good friend Anie. She really wanted one, and by the time I was over in the stroller section at 7:30am, most of the good strollers were gone. So I made the decision for them (again, really sorry Anie!) and bought them one of the last good looking ones. I figured if she didn’t like it, I could use it for a few months and sell it at the sale in the spring. Good thing she seemed to like it. But if she doesn’t, then she could sell it at the spring sale too! (Well, I’d sell it and give her the money.)
It was a great day at the sale! I’m beat though and off to bed.
Safire
Safireconsignment sales, MCPOM
Sep 01
Everyone,
So today my big project is to go through all the winter clothes I have for the kids and see what I need and what I don’t need. Why today, you ask? Well, it’s not because the weather has been GORGEOUS in the low 70s and sunny and supposed to be like this for the rest of the week. It’s because my twin mom’s group semi annual sale is coming up.
Are you ready to rumble?!
For all you local ladies, if you have kids from baby to size 7, this is THE place to get clothes, toys, books, movies, baby gear, and supplies. Seriously, the quality is amazing and the selection is huge. In fact, in the spring, the lines were so long they redid the layout this time. They are checking out in the hall and hopefully the lines won’t be so bad. (This is what I got in the spring sale.)
Do consider coming to this sale. It’s one of the biggest in the area with over 600 families selling things. It’s a $2 entrance fee and it’s open to the public at 9 am sharp. You’ll want to be there by at least 8:30am to wait in line to get in. This year, NO STROLLERS are allowed. And children are strongly discouraged. I am looking forward to a kid free morning, although I’m sure Juice is not as excited as I am.
The sale is at Julius West Middle School at 651 Great Falls Road in Rockville on Sept 12th. Check out their website here for more information.
I’m so looking forward to this sale! I need coats for the boys, and some toys for Christmas. It looks like thanks to the generous donations of friends and family I won’t need to buy many clothes for them this season. But I’ll be there! So local ladies, who’s coming along??
Safire
Safireclothes, MCPOM, twins
Mar 21
Everyone,
The sale this morning was great! I think I got some really good deals. I think I also got more than I should, since I went over my budget. Still, there is no way I could have gotten all of this for $140!
4 pairs of soft soled shoes, size 12-18 months
Noah’s Ark with animals
Little People Zoo with animals
Little People van with a random person
2 travel beds, one for the babies and one for Butterfly
10 one piece outfits
9 pairs of shorts
4 shirts
1 movie
7 books
2 crib lights
3 pairs of pjs…oops
I was in and out in about half an hour. I got some really cute thing one and thing two shirts. And a few of the outfits I got still had the tags on them! I those I bought for $2 each. Very nice.
I just barely got the pictures in from this year’s sale. Check them out HERE. (I’m in a few of them…see if you can pick me out by the boy clothes on the right in my big green coat.) They said over 660 people from the public shopped, and over $47,000 dollars in gross sales. It’s the biggest sale they’ve had yet! The amount of stuff available is really amazing. I had a good time shopping and volunteering. I will definitely be doing it again in the fall!
Hey, I may even go out on a limb and sell a few things this time.
Safire
Safireconsignment sales, MCPOM
Mar 20
Everyone,
This morning we were able to get to a St. Patrick’s Day party with my play group at our friend’s new house. It was beautiful and made me want to move to some place bigger. She has an amazing play room and bathtub…funny how those two things stick out in my mind.
We were the last to get there and the first to leave. This fact did not escape Butterfly’s notice and she was royally put out. She has so much fun playing with those girls. We’ve known each other since the kids were around 8 weeks old so they have really grown up together.
Tonight I volunteered at the MCPOM sale helping everyone set everything up. I was in the boy clothes section and met a few other twin mommies, both with boys very close in age to mine! There are a TON of good deals at this sale. I am excited to be there early. Things I have my eye on: a travel bed for someone on The Ultimate Road Trip 2009, shoes for the boys, swim diapers, several Little People sets, and of course, clothes. The clothes I will go through during the sale but I had to scope out the toys before hand.
I got a cute red shirt that says, “Got Multiples?” on it. Next year I’m seriously considering being on the committee that organizes the sale. Why? Because you get to shop FRIDAY night. Might be worth all the time to do it!
I had to laugh when I pulled into the parking lot because it looked like a car dealership. And the only thing they were selling was VANS. Rows and rows of VANS. I took our little beater car (named Beau) and it seemed very out of place.
I’m off to bed now so I can be sure and be up by 6am. I’ve got to feed the boys before I go, and I want to leave the house by 6:30am so I can be sure to be there on time to shop at 7am. Wish me luck!
Safire
Safireconsignment sales, MCPOM, play group, St. Patricks Day parties
Mar 14
Everyone,
It’s that time of year! My Moms of Multiples group is getting ready for their spring sale. I am very excited to go this year! I decided that I would volunteer 4 hours of my time and then I could go in at 7am, instead of 8:30am. I don’t have a 4 hour block I can do together, but I can do 2 hours together. This year I am helping to set up the sale the night before (honestly so I can scope out what I want to get more than to help, but I think everyone there does that). The other 2 hours I spent today, papering cars with our flyer at the local kids stores in town.
Remember what I got last year? And check out these pictures of last year’s sale. This is a totally awesome sale and I’m really hoping to get the word out to everyone. Not only to help out my other Multiple Moms, but for everyone else too. Babies go through so much stuff so fast. This is a great way to stretch that budget! It’s $2 for non-members and everything is half price from 11:30-12:30pm. I am going at 7am this year but I would be happy to stay and help my local gals shop! (Tell me what you are looking for…I’ve got a running list and I can tell you on Friday if they have what you want. This means you Anie and Melissa and Candis and Kathy!)
This year I am looking for the following for the boys:
more soft soled shoes
8 pairs of shorts (I have 8 shirts from friends’ kids)
3 or 7 one piece outfits (I loved these on Butterfly and I have an odd number)
4 or 6 pjs
for Butterfly:
2 play dresses (one blue, one pink per her request)
6 shorts
6 shirts
4 pjs
It seems odd that I don’t need a whole lot (a huge thank you shout out to Lolli and everyone who gave me their baby boy clothes…it’s been a huge help!) but I guess you don’t need a whole lot for summer. Winter has so many more accessories. This year I’ll spend my saved money on trips to the pool and sunscreen instead.
I’m also going to check out the awesome toy section they have and see what I can come up with. I’d love some more Little People for the kids, since that is what they play with the most. Also, new books will be a welcome change for our daily reading. Also, I’d love to see if they have any travel gear for our big trip in June.
Other things I’ll get but refuse to buy used are swimsuits for Butterfly (the boys already have 4!), specific Sunday clothes that Butterfly requested and I’m getting stuff for the boys to match…they are going to hate me when they are older!, and sandals for Butterfly. I already have sun hats for everyone and a few things I bought on clearance last year.
So, to recap. Go to the Sale! Click HERE for all the ins and outs.
Safire
SafireMCPOM
Dec 09
Everyone,
Want a Wii Fit? So do I. Magpie Musings is giving one away. (Don’t forget about my own giveaway here!) The rule is you are supposed to post an exercise story on your blog and then how a Wii Fit would change your life. So here is my story:
I have a very vibrant (read willful) 3 year old and almost 8 month old twin boys. I do not go to the gym because of the sheer magnitude of getting out of the house. When I do get out, it’s an hour long preparation on my part to be anywhere near on time for anything. And that prep has to start after I get myself all ready. And if the boys are awake during that prep, forget it! I will be late and flustered and sweaty. Except now it’s cold here and so I’m more icy than sweaty.
My timeline:
1 hour before: start packing diaper bag. Experts say to just keep the bag stocked and ready to go or stock it when you get home. I can never do that. I use stuff out of the bag during the day. So I have to wander around the house picking up things like my slings, toys, wipes, diapers, and snacks for the 3 year old. Most of the time she tries to help pack the bag and I get places and realize I’ve “forgotten” some of it. (She likes to be helpful and take them back out and put them away.) This step takes anywhere from 5 minutes to 45 depending on how helpful she is and how much stuff I need on any particular outing.
30 minutes before: decide on stroller. This can be tricky. Am I going to be doing a lot of quick in and out of the car? The car seat stroller would be better. Am I going to be doing a lot of walking? BOB might be best. Is it a small space? Then I better take the car seat stroller. Once I’ve decided on the stroller, I have to switch them out of the back of the van. Because I never seem to need one stroller over and over. I seem to flip flop between the two. So in heading out the door to the van (which is hopefully parked in the closest parking spot in our lot, still a good 20 feet away) my 3 year old decides she wants to come and help too! So I have to find her socks, fight with her to get them on (no I want to do it…tries…will you help me?…I help…no I want to do it myself…tries…will you help me? maddening!) She decides she wants to wear her boots after she has one shoe on and will not let me help her along. She can get her coat on but can’t start the zipper. I have to start only the first 2 or 3 teeth so she can zip the rest up. Crying and pouting will ensue if you zip more than you’re allowed. I throw shoes and my coat on and lug BOB out to the van. BOB weights around 23 lbs so it’s quite a load. This takes at least 15 minutes.
15 minutes before: get the boys ready. In the summer, it was easy to snap them into their car seats in minutes and go. Now that it’s freezing cold here, they have to have coats on. Someone always needs a diaper change. Sometimes they need a whole outfit change. They both need to be stuffed into their coats. I put Pirate’s hat on at least 3 times between now and walking out the door because he has learned to take it off and thinks it’s funny. Coats on, in car seats, all set. Whew. I might be on time. I look around for the three year old and find that she has taken off every article of clothing from the waist down and her coat because she had to go potty and it’s hot. Round up her scattered clothes, fight with her to put them on, and get yelled at for forgetting her mittens.
15 minutes after we were supposed to leave: finally start to walk out the door. One or both of the boys have been crying because it’s hot in their coats in the house but outside they are fine. Haul both of them (over 17lbs now) and their car seats (which weigh around 5 lbs each), one in each hand, to the van. Consider doing a few arm curls with them to strengthen my arms and decide against it. Have you lifted those things? They are heavy!
Help all three kids into the car. Wrestle with the 3 year old’s straps and finally get her buckled in. Realize I’ve forgotten the diaper bag. Mad dash back to the house, pick up the bag and run back to the van. Realize both the boys have pulled their hats around so they can’t see and are screaming. Fix that. Give 3 year old a crayon or whatever toy she wants and take off her mittens. Put them back on because she is cold. She takes them off, and cries. I finally give up and we are headed out.
In the coarse of getting ready, I have lifted close to 75 lbs (total), walked at least half a mile, and have ice sweat running off my forehead. There is no way I am going to the gym to get all sweaty and tired and then have to do this again to get home.
How could a Wii Fit change my life? I wouldn’t have to do this to get to the gym. Which means I might actually exercise. And then my arms might actually be strong enough to start carrying the boys everywhere without the car seats. That is coming up soon.
Help me Magpie. I’m facing a long winter inside with 3 very small people. I need some yoga to help me deal with it.
Safire
PS- Want to know about my twins group? Go here and click on “Multiples Support Groups” on the right hand menu. It’s about 2 minutes long. I’m not in it, but it’s a glimpse into what my life is going to be like next year with twin toddlers.
PS- Want to hear my boys mentioned in a food podcast? Go here. We are mentioned about half way in. And honestly, their expert didn’t say anything I didn’t know before. So yay, things are going well! The boys now LOVE their solid food and I’m glad I stopped and started again when they were a little older.
Safireblog fun, daily stuff, exercising, MCPOM
