Southern Sydney Multiple Birth Association

MBAW picnic moved from Shelly Park to Funarama at Kirrawee

2011-03-19T16:41:00.002+11:00

Due to poor weather. SSMBA's family picnic for Multiple Birth Awareness Week - tomorrow, Sunday 20 March 2011 - has been moved from Shelly Park in Cronulla to Funarama at Kirrawee.

All members will gain free entry as the Club will pay for entry.

See you at:
Funarama Play Centre
30 Waratah St
Kirrawee
from 10am to 2pm

See you there!

HOM playdate 31 Dec 2010`

2010-12-28T21:40:00.001+11:00

HOM play date is on this Friday at the Como Pleasure Grounds from 10am.

RSVP to peta.stevenson@mallesons.com or text 0438 289 743.

See you there!
Peta

Christmas Party deferred

2010-11-28T10:43:00.001+11:00

Dear all
Due to poor weather we have had to cancel the Xmas Party today. But do not fear, we will be holding a family event early in the new year so that everyone can catch up on news.
Best wishes
Your Committee

Peta 0438 289 743

Shire playdate today 14th July still on.

2010-07-14T08:37:00.003+10:00

Despite the grey sky I am going to brave it this time and still go to Camellia Gardens. I will be there from 10am.

See you soon,
Kellie

July Committee meeting

2010-06-29T20:32:00.001+10:00

The Committee meeting for July will now be held on Monday 5 July 2010 and not Monday 12 July 2010 as noted in the July issue of Multiple Messages.

Shire Playdate 24th June Cancelled

2010-06-24T07:47:00.002+10:00

Due to very wet ground, grey sky, morning showers still predicted, our playdate today at Como Pleasure Grounds is unfortunately cancelled.

See you next time,
Kellie

HOM play date moved to Miranda

2010-05-23T08:48:00.002+10:00

Due to poor weather today's HOM catch up is moved to Miranda Fair - meet at Gloria Jean's play area. Better luck with weather next month!
Peta

HOM family day 23 May 2010 still on

2010-05-22T20:16:00.000+10:00

Dear all
the family day scheduled for Sunday 23 may 2010 at gunnamatta bay is still on as at 8pm on saturday night.
rsvp on peta.stevenson@mallesons.com or 0438 289 743 if you plan on attending.
last minute changes will be posted here.
Peta

HOM play date a success!

2010-03-23T16:24:00.002+11:00

With lovely sunshine three families enjoyed the beauty of the Camellia Gardens yesterday, and here they all are?

Samantha Roberts with Jamilla, Tabitha and Jasper, Kyas Sherriff with Levi and Flynnt and Peta with Beatrix, Lily and Harper Cooke

HOM play date on tomorrow 22 March 2010

2010-03-21T21:57:00.001+11:00

The HOM play date is on tomorrow at the EG Waterhouse Camellia Gardens in Caringbah from 10am to 12.30pm. The gardens are on the corner of Kareena Road and President Ave, Caringbah, and we will meet at the "top" playground, near the tea house (reasonably priced eat-in or take away food and coffee). There is a wooden pirate ship, with slippery dip for the bigger kids. This area is fenced. Map is at: http://www.whereis.com/?id=421B8C3A6164A2
Please RSVP by text or email if you plan on coming. The forecast is for 24*C and sunny with showers.

AGM Results

2010-03-15T13:00:00.002+11:00

The SSMBA AGM was duly held on 8 March 2010.

The meeting opened at 8:40pm.

Present: Kim Birstins-Crabtree, Linda Allen, Danielle Hodgetts, Laura Muller, Jo Whitton, Maureen Bourke, Kris Longstaff, Peta Stevenson, Kerrie Goddard, Samantha Rose, Irene Hagstrom, Lisa Allen, Jacqui Lassau & Kellie Caspersonn

1. All current committee members stepped down from their 09/10 committee positions.

2. Elections were held with the following results:
President Samantha Rose
Vice President Laura Muller
Treasurer Kim Birstins-Crabtree
Secretary Minutes Lisa Allen
Newsletter Editor Peta Stevenson
Newsletter Distributor Jo Whitton
Expectant Parent Coordtr Jacqui Lassau
Membership Secretary Laura Muller
Librarian/Historian Irene Hagstrom
HOM Coordinator Peta Stevenson
Mum’s and Bub’s Coordtr Irene Hagstrom
Website Coordinator Kim Birstins-Crabtree
Equipment Hire Coordinator Jo Whitton
Area Representatives

Padstow-Milperra Irene Hagstrom
St George Peta Stevenson and Maureen Bourke
Sutherland Shire – East - Vacant
Sutherland Shire- West - Kellie Caspersonn
Playgroup Coordinator Maureen Bourke
Birthday Book Kerrie Goddard
Social Secretary - Vacant
Breastfeeding Contact Jo Whitton and Jacqui Lassau
Bottle feeding Contact - Vacant
School Age Contact - Vacant
Premature Birth Contact - Vacant

3. Handover of committee member responsibility from outgoing committee rep to incoming committee rep to take place over March/April.

Meeting closed at 9:30pm.

AGM 8 March 2010

2010-02-22T08:29:00.002+11:00

The SSMBA Annual General Meeting will be held on Monday, 8 March 2010.

Where: Sutherland Baby Health Centre, Old Princes Hwy, Sutherland
When: 8pm, Monday 8 March 2010

Please contact Linda or Peta if you have any queries. Further details at www.ssmba.amba.org.au.

HOM play date 22 Feb 2010 cancelled

2010-02-22T08:28:00.000+11:00

Hi All

Today's play date is cancelled due to illness of all intending attendees. The luck of it!

See you at the play date on 22 March 2010 - and hopefully at the AGM before that.

Regards
Peta

HOM mix up

2009-11-17T16:54:00.002+11:00

Apologies to anyone who arrived at the scheduled HOM play date at North Cronulla yesterday to find the organiser absent - I was struck down by a nasty gastro and decided best not to share with you all!

We will have a great final play date for 2009 in December - will try again for North Cronulla, and I hope to see everyone at the Xmas Party on December 13th.

best wishes
Peta

St George Playday Today (Friday)

2009-11-06T09:12:00.001+11:00

Hi all,

Play day will go ahead at McRaes Reserve Penshurst.

Yeah
Maurs

2009-11-05T21:13:00.002+11:00

St George area play date is on this Friday, 6 November 2009

Hi All
Just a reminder that the St George area play date is on this Friday, 6 November 2009 at McRaes Reserve Penshurst.

We will be there from 10am

ALL members are welcome!! McRaes Reserve cnr Railway Pde & Grove Ave - see map at http://www.whereis.com/?id=180BD9D7933CB7&intref=emailmap

If you are planning on attending please either email or let me know on 0412 820 941 If there is a change in plan, I will SMS those that have RSVP'd as well as posting a message on the SSMBA blog at ssmba-amba.blogspot.com.

IF the weather is yukky, we can meet at the Funhouse at Mortdale (indoor Playcentre)
35 Barry Ave Mortdale

Looking forward to seeing you there.

Regards
Maureen Bourke

Upcoming Expectant Parent's night - 11 November 2009

2009-11-03T08:28:00.002+11:00

The next SSMBA Expectant Parents Night will be held on Wednesday 11th November 2009:

Sutherland Baby Health Clinic
Old Princes Highway, Sutherland
(opposite Westpac)
7:15pm for 7:30pm start

Come along, learn more about our club, meet other pregnant mums & dads and get some hints & tips from those of us already bringing up multiples.

Supper will be provided.

Look forward to seeing you there.

Please RSVP- by Sunday 8 November 2009 to
Tamara Sprod 9543 7764 or 0405 330 273 t_bruhn@hotmail.com

Feeding the ducks at the St George playdate

2009-10-06T22:42:00.002+11:00

St George play date
Bicentennial Park, Rockdale
2 October 2009

Todays Play Date Cancelled - 9th September 2009

2009-09-09T07:43:00.001+10:00

Unfortunately my two are sick so I will have to cancel todays playdate at Cooper St Reserve in Engadine. I will try to rearrange another date later in the month.

Sorry for the short notice

Jo x

Today's HOM play date

2009-09-07T09:53:00.001+10:00

Hi All
Today's HOM play date at Carss Park is postponed until next Monday, 14 September 2009 due to rain in the area.
Regards, Peta

St George play date in Rockdale today - going ahead!

2009-09-03T21:22:00.002+10:00

Hi All.

Despite the forecast for showers it is clear ov er Rockdale as at 10am so we are going ahead. We will be there from 11!

Regards
Peta

August HOM play date

2009-09-03T21:20:00.002+10:00

At Shelly Park, Cronulla, 18 August 2009.

The Blanning, Cooke and Hodgetts trios!

August St George play date

2009-09-03T21:14:00.003+10:00

At Ruby Wing Reserve, Mortdale
4 August 2009

HOM playdate postponed

2009-08-11T09:57:00.001+10:00

The HOM playdate scheduled for this morning at Shelly Park, Cronulla has been POSTPONED until next Tuesday, 18 August 2009, due to the bad weather conditions.

See you at Shelly Park between 10.30am and 1pm.

Regards
Peta

St George play date CANCELLED

2009-06-16T10:22:00.001+10:00

Today's St George play date at Bexley Park is cancelled due to bad weather. Apologies for the late notice.

See you on Friday 10 July 2009 at Kogarah Park.

HOM playdate 11 June 2009

2009-06-13T14:59:00.003+10:00

A small but enthusiastic crowd (ie my family) attended the HOM playdate at Shelly Beach Cronulla on 11 June 2009. Clear blue skies smiled on us but a brisk wind kept us on the move. A beautiful part or the world.

Next HOM playdate is at Carss Park on Tuesday, 7 July 2009.

Cheers

Peta Cooke

CANCELLED - Play Date at Burnum Burnum Reserve, Woronora - 20th May 2009

2009-05-20T07:19:00.003+10:00

Due to the wet weather we are cancelling our Play Date at Woronora today . The weather forecast predicts rain, getting heavier as the day progresses.

Hopefully see you on Wednesday 3rd June - meeting at the Forget Me Not Cottage Tea Rooms at Woronora Cemetary, Linden Street, Sutherland. Meet at 11am for coffee and then go for a walk with the prams and children. RSVP jo_paul@btopenworld.com

Sorry for the short notice

Jo

Next Play Date - Wednesday 20th May 2009

2009-05-18T10:22:00.004+10:00

Everyone is welcome.

Date: Wednesday 20th May 2009
Time: 11am.
Place: Burnum Burnum Sanctuary, River Road, Woronora ( I think it used to be called the Jannali reserve)
Bring: Picnic, rugs etc

We'll meet near the playground. As you come off the bridge (from Sutherland direction) and into Woronora, you cross the river and the sanctuary is on your left hand side before you get to Prince Edward Park Road. There is plenty of parking, BBQs, toilets, playground, ducks to feed etc

Please RSVP and provide mobile numbers, so that I can contact you if there are any changes.

The weather forecast is for showers, so the plans may change, I will let those who RSVP know by email or phone and also update the blog at 8am on Weds.

Hope to see you there

Jo x

jo_paul@btopenworld.com

Next St George Area - Playday

2009-05-15T20:02:00.003+10:00

St George Area Playday - Everyone is welcome

Our next Playday is Tuesday 19th May 10:00am

Steamroller Park (inside Oatley Park)
Mallard Drv Oatley (enter via Oatley Park Ave)

Contact Maureen Bourke for any questions
thanks and I hope to see you there.

Play Date - 6th May 2009

2009-05-13T17:04:00.008+10:00

We had a good turn out to our playdate at Cooper St Reserve, Engadine on the 6th May 2009. Luckily the weather was kind to us and it was good to get out in the sunshine after the rainy weather we have had.

There was Nina Sampson with Harry & Josie, Tatum Thomas with Maddison, Byron & Riley, Dayna Knight came to her first SSMBA playdate with Nathan & Harrison, Michelle Pickett with Roman & Ryder, Kellie Caspersonn with Emily, Alex & Rory, Sue Steer with Samantha, Matthew & William, Kristen Hardman with Noah, Cooper & Abbie and I was there with my two Aidan & Rebecca and helping me out were my mum and dad.

The younger ones, played on their blankets whilst we watched the older children run around and play in the playground. The mums of the younger bubs managed to relax and have a chat but once they start running, you can't keep your eyes off them, so Sue, Kristen & Tatum were kept very busy.

Abbie helped out by feeding Josie her bottle.

Our next playdate is Wednesday 20th May at 11am at Burnum Burnum Sanctuary, River Road, Woronora.

Hope to see you there Jo x

HOM Playdate

2009-05-13T15:20:00.004+10:00

There was a great HOM playdate at Peter Depena Reserve, Dolls Point on 12 May 2009, with:

Danielle Hodgetts and her girls Breanna, Chloe and Mikayla with friend Laura
Narrelle and Adam Blanning with Liam, Joel and Ethan
Andrew and Peta Cooke with Lily, Harper and Beatrix and nanna Neta

Here's a photo of the Blannings and Cookes rocking the boat.

Cheers

Peta

May Committee Meeting

2009-05-12T13:18:00.001+10:00

We had our committee meeting last night at the Gymea Hotel. We're trying to find a suitable winter location, somewhere indoors, warm, able to get a hot/cold beverage and able to hear each other speak!
Whilst the hotel would be a great place to meet for a social night out it wasn't so good for a committee meeting as it was very busy and thus very noisy. Next month we'll be back to the Royal Hotel, Sutherland unless anyone has any better suggestions. We did have a fun night though and much was discussed.
We have planned our first Family Day for Sunday 21st June at Miranda Centenary Park and our first Parents Night out for Monday 20th July at the Gymea Hotel, as well as the regular Area Rep playdates, Mums'n'Bubs group and Playday!
We're still looking to hold a kids disco, probably in September and a 'Nearly New' sale in October. We'll be explaining more about these events in the coming weeks.
We talked a bit about fundraising and Jo Whitton had drafted a great letter to send to local MPs asking for their support in order for us to produce and distribute our much needed newsletter.
Our first large event is coming up at the end of this month, 27th May. It's the New Mums Lunch for which Maureen Bourke is heading-up the sub-committee. For those of you who have been invited to this event, you should have received your invitation in the post and we really do need you to RSVP in order for us to know catering numbers. I can vouch that this is a fabulous event and one very worthwhile attending. I made some great friends from meeting other parents at the lunch I went to a couple of years ago and it was brilliant to know that I was experiencing the same ups and downs as other multiple mums which really helped me through the first few years!
Here's a photo of us having fun at our meeting -

(L-R: Linda, Laura, Sam, Maureen, Danielle, Jo, Kat, Peta)

First Committee Meeting with SSMBA's 2009 Committee

2009-05-01T13:34:00.002+10:00

The newly elected committee for 2009 had their first committee meeting, Monday 20th April. There was much discussed by a very enthusiastic group of members and many new and exciting ideas were put forward.
It was agreed the committee would again organise a New Mums Lunch, to be held either late May/early June; family days will keep running (one to be held each quarter), as well as regular parents nights out (again, aim is for one per quarter, more if attendance is good).
The discussion of new ideas included:

Refresh SSMBA Constitution
Refresh SSMBA Website
Advertising policy to be devised
Online social calendar to be completed/published
Greater use of SSMBA Blog
Kids Disco - last years very successful, aim to hold another in Sept '09
Organise a 'Nearly New Sale' - aim for Aug & Dec
Competition for new SSMBA logo design

Please remember that Committee Meetings are open to all our members to attend. For details of monthly meetings please refer to the calendar page at the back of the newsletter. The next one will be held on Monday 11th May, 8pm at Gymea Pub, Gymea...who needs an excuse to come out for a drink?!

We ARE going ahead with Xmas Picnic

2008-12-07T08:16:00.000+11:00

Just to let you know our 2008 SSMBA Xmas Picnic is going ahead. According to the radar on Weatherzone (http://www.weatherzone.com.au)/ the showers are clearing and it looks the sun might very well make an appearance! The temperature forecast is 26ºC, currently at 19ºC.
The ground will be a bit wet but shouldn't be muddy so please bring your picnic blankets or something to put on the ground that you can sit on.
For those of you who have beach wind shelters/small tents, bring those along to sit under in case of a small shower...however, those showers should be gone very soon!

Mrs Clause has been on the phone to tell us that Santa is already on his way there and will be joining us sometime later on. Our clowns are still coming and of don't forget we will be selling boxes of Krispy Kremes!!!

We look forward to seeing you all there.
Merry Christmas from the SSMBA 2008 Committee

Family Day Picnic 23rd November is CANCELLED

2008-11-23T09:36:00.000+11:00

Due to the cold, wet, windy weather we are cancelling our Family Day Picnic.
Sorry for the short notice but we've been holding off to see if it brightened up a bit but think it's just too cold to sit outside for any length of time today. Weatherzone is showing there to be plenty of showers around - http://www.weatherzone.com.au/local/local.jsp?lt=aploc&lc=1283

Hopefully see you at the SSMBA Christmas Party at Carss Bush Park, Blakehurst on Sunday 7th December.

Family Day Sunday 19th October 2008

2008-10-17T20:19:00.000+11:00

We are recommencing the SSMBA Family Day's this Sunday, 19th October. As our very first location was such a success we have decided to hold it there again - at Stanwell Beach Park from 10am.

Note: the park we are going to is on Station Street - see map below.

We will be meeting at one of the undercover picnic area points (that is, if we get there early enough to grab one!) and will have our SSMBA banner blowing in the wind so you can see where we are! There is a great playground for the kids with a little bike track, bbqs, picnic tables and plenty of spots to throw down a picnic blanket.

All parents of multiples are welcome and we look forward to seeing you there. Please note, if it is torrential rain on the day then we will unfortunately need to cancel this event. However, you can contact Katrina Carroll (0400 356 928) on the day to confirm if Family Day is going ahead if the weather is looking a bit dubious.

CDSE Grant News!

2008-06-24T21:04:00.000+10:00

Yesterday we received notification from Simon de Munck, General Manager of Club Rivers stating our CDSE grant application had been successful. The application was submitted by SSMBA in April this year asking for financial assistance for the production and distribution of our 2008/09 newsletter.
Mr de Munck said, "I am happy to report that Club Rivers has considered your application favourably and decided to fund your entire application to the tune of $5,000.00 – well done!"
Linda Allen, SSMBA President said, "Thanks to Vice President, Katrina Carroll and helpers for their great work. Our application requested funding to ensure continued circulation of our newsletter to not just our members, but now also to medical professionals, family support groups, baby health centres and the many others that provide services to multiple birth families in our community."
Katrina Carroll, SSMBA Vice-President, thanked Mr de Munck on behalf of the committee and added, "We should be able to do so much more for our members now, raise SSMBA's profile and thus increase awareness of our existence! Our committee feels very passionate of our club's importance within the community and this shows we're not the only ones. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to apply for the grant."
Needless to say, there was a flurry of email between the SSMBA committee and Mr de Munck expressing gratitude and general elation!
What fantastic news!!

June's Family Day

2008-06-22T14:44:00.000+10:00

Well, the cold weather and illness must have got to people today as we only had three families come along to Family Day (the Allen, Carroll and Gardner families) . However, we still had a great time and as always, the children loved every minute of it.
The sun was out and kept us warm for most of the time but by 12:30pm it started to cloud over, the wind picked up and so we decided to pack-up, go home and let the kids have a sleep...boy, did they wear themselves out!
The park is a good size in order for you to let your children roam whilst keeping a watchful eye over them and allowing you to be at a safe distance where you can get to them quickly if need be. It was busy without being over-crowded and certainly a location we will use again in the future.
We will not be holding a Family Day in July due to the cold weather and lack of indoor, inexpensive venues.

(Samuel Carroll & Ruby Allen enjoying some time together!)

(L-R: Linda Allen, Isak Allen, Skye Gardner, Alex Carroll, Susie Gardner, Sophie Gardner, Ruby Allen)

Congratulations to the Muller Family!

2008-06-20T13:40:00.000+10:00

Laura and Scott Muller had their twin girls yesterday, a little early but all OK. Olivia Grace weighing 2.16kgs and Sophie Lauren weighing 2.15kgs. Born at approx. 3:20pm yesterday afternoon. Everyone is doing well, including big sister Georgia.
Congratulations and we can't wait to see some photos!

(Laura pictured on the far right with 12month old Georgia at Monday's coffee morning!)

PlayDay

2008-06-19T22:34:00.000+10:00

We had 10 families at this weeks Venetia Street PlayDay, with around half having not previously attended - it was great to see so many new families! The day was predicted to be cold and wet but turned out to be fantastic with plenty of sunshine.
The ages of the kids ranged from under 12 months right through to nearly school age - and all seemed to have a great time! The mums and dads got to have a coffee and chat, while the kids played with the toys inside the hall or outside in the sandpit, rollercoaster or slippery dip. The kids just love the swings and there's often squabbles, particularly between siblings, on whose turn it is next.
Many of the new attendees commented they will come again next fortnight so it promises to be another great day - hope to see you there!

3rd Committee Meeting of the SSMBA Year

2008-06-16T22:24:00.000+10:00

We're well into our 2008/09 year and are raring to go. We had a good turn-out of committee members at our third GM. We've had 8 new membership and 6 membership renewals this month. We now have printed our very own SSMBA leaflets explaining all about us which we are trying to distribute everywhere we can think in order to raise our profile, gain members and thus help and support as many families of multiples as possible. If you can help with this distribution please let us know.
We talked about the Family Picnic Days, the success of the first one and how in the winter months we won't hold them as we cannot find a suitable and affordable indoor venue (weekends seem to be so busy at indoor venues). We are, however, going to hold an under 5's afternoon disco which we'll open up to family and friends of SSMBA members.
We've had a couple of vacant committee positions filled but there are still some roles needing to be filled - please see July's newsletter for details.
There was much discussed with regards to fundraising, grants and sponsorship and the many ongoing projects and ideas we have. In fact, we have so many ideas, we’ve decided we need to get together to spend some time prioritising and scheduling just what we are going to be doing in the next few months.

As we value our members input and ideas, we would like to open these discussions up to all members and are therefore going to hold a discussion meeting (with kids in tow!) on Friday 29 June from 10am. So if you’ve got some time to spare, or would just like to catch up for coffee,feel free to drop by!

Fundraising Meeting
1377 Princes Hwy, Heathcote
Friday 29 June from 10am
Contact Rebecca on 9548 2724 for details.

S/land Shire East Coffee Morning

2008-06-16T12:57:00.000+10:00

As we don't currently have an SSMBA Area Rep. for the Sutherland Shire East, Katrina Carroll and Rebecca Young are filling in until someone can be found. We may actually have someone who's interested in this role but we need 2 rep.'s for each area so please let us know if you're interested in taking on this easy but crucial role.
We decided to hold the coffee morning indoors as the weather has been so unpredictable. The location was Amigos play cafe in Caringbah.
We had 7 mums come along with their children, twins and siblings in tow and it was a fantastic few hours. We even had a couple of pregnant mums come along to have a chat and see how it is looking after lively, active twins!
The cafe is a little bit narrow in parts which can make it difficult to get around with a double stroller but it is do-able and the cafe staff are extremely helpful. There is an indoor play room which has a brilliant padded/netted climbing frame which is suitable for children from approx. 12months-4years. There is a big outdoor area with some more great play equipment and a deck with tables and chairs for you to enjoy your beverages and snacks in the warmer months (lovely coffee btw!).
It was lovely for the mums to be able to have a coffee in the warmth without worrying about their children wondering off too far. We all had a good natter whilst easily keeping the kids entertained.
Roll-on next month when Rebecca is holding the next Shire East (everyone welcome) coffee morning at the same place, on 21st July from 11am! Don't forget your SSMBA membership card as we get a '2 for 1' entry saving which makes this location very affordable.
Hope to see you there.

PlayDay

2008-06-05T16:39:00.000+10:00

With the weather staying damp and dismal PlayDay seemed just the thing to give our children a change of scene...

We had a fab time using the indoor play area and setting the kids the challenge of seeing how many puzzles they could get through before getting bored with them.

It was a great chance for the parents to catch-up and have a relaxing chat where they could keep a close eye on their children without having to run around.

Sutherland Shire West Area Coffee Morning

2008-06-03T16:28:00.000+10:00

Well, unfortunately this coffee morning was a bit of a wash-out. With the weather the way it was and infections seemingly raging, nearly everyone seemed too busy to meet up or wanted to stay at home wrapped up in the warmth and dry.
However, there were two families who decided they wanted to meet-up, the Rask's and Carroll's. They met-up at the Carroll household and the kids all seemed to have a great time tiring each other out...just what Nisette and Kat needed after a few days cooped-up with their kids on their own!
Hopefully next months Shire West coffee morning will bring a dry day and lots of members wanting and able to meet-up.

What a great day!

2008-05-25T21:56:00.000+10:00

It was a fabulous day. The weather was so good; the park wasn't too crowded (but we still could have done with a fully fenced area); we all had a ball.
We had 12 families who came along which was a fantastic turn-out for our first Family Day. The coffee van was put to good use as was the children's playground. A big thank you to Linda who brought along a bubble-machine which made a couple of appearances each time the kids seemed to wander too close to the car park!
I know all my Carroll boys had a fantastic time and what's even better is that they went out like lights tonight as soon as their heads touched the pillow...including their dad :-)
I, for one, am certainly looking forward to the next FD on 22nd June and hope you'll be able to join us then (details in June's newsletter and on the blog nearer the time).
Look forward to seeing or hearing from you soon -
Kat Carroll

Family Day is going ahead

2008-05-25T07:30:00.000+10:00

It's 7:30am and here in the Carroll household we're getting ready to go to Family Day. Weather looks OK, bit chilly at this time in the day but according to the Weatherzone (http://www.weatherzone.com.au) radar there isn't a drop of rain in the sky!
So we'll hopefully be leaving in an hour to get to Stanwell a bit early so we can grab an undercover area - just to be on the safe side!
See you there
Kat Carroll

Family Day this Sunday, 25th May from 10am

2008-05-23T16:37:00.000+10:00

Announcing SSMBA's first Family Day!
We believe there are some of our members who find it difficult to attend coffee mornings or playdays during the week. We appreciate that a lot of mums have gone back to work, the little ones are starting preschool or big school and feel that by starting up a Family Day once a month it will give all our members a better opportunity to catch up with each other.
This coming Sunday, 25th May, we will be holding Family Day down at the beach at Stanwell Park from 10am. Note: the park we are going to is on Station Street - see map below.
We will be meeting at one of the undercover picnic area points (hopefully we will get there early enough to grab one!) and will have our SSMBA banner blowing in the wind so you can see where we are!
There is a great playground for the kids with a little bike track, bbqs, picnic tables and plenty of spots to throw down a picnic blanket. We have also booked a coffee van to come along and don't forget we'll be holding our SSMBA merchandise winter sale!
All parents of multiples are welcome and we look forward to seeing you there.
Please note, if it is torrential rain on the day then we will unfortunately need to cancel this event. However, you can either contact Katrina Carroll (0400 356 928), Nisette Rask (4294 4114), or, this Blog on the day to confirm if Family Day is going ahead.

Pregnancy, Babies and Children's Expo

2008-05-23T13:47:00.000+10:00

Rebecca Young and Katrina Carroll attended the PBC Expo at Sydney Showground last weekend to man the AMBA stand. If you were there you would have seen Rebecca on Saturday and Katrina on Sunday.
They both had fun chatting to all the pregnant ladies, their partners and peeking
at all the little newborns.
Katrina said, "I found it exhilirating talking to all the pregnant women and a lot of prospective dads too. I had forgotten just what an exciting time it was being pregnant with your multiples and it was fun to be able to share those feelings again with so many nervous but excited people. It was hilarious though cos so many people wanted to know about breastfeeding twins and I have absolutely no idea on that one cos I wasn't able to! Thank goodness I'd attended an Expectant Parents night recently so I could pass on some tips from our other mums who had breastfed successfully."
Some of the other tips they were able to pass on included; wearing support-pants after a c-section so you don't get an over-hang, using the AMBA community forum (you'll see the side link on our blog page for this) and also Nicki Wright's wonderful idea of having a 'to do list' on your fridge so any visitors can just take a look at it and automatically give some much needed help without you feeling guilty about saying what needs doing.
Keep a lookout on our blog and in our newsletter for future conferences, expo's and the like.

Saturday 17th May - Night Out without the kids!

2008-05-23T13:31:00.000+10:00

Last Saturday night a few of us got together at EngadineRSL for a chat and a few drinks - minus the kids !! The conversations included toilet training our kids (I picked up some great tips!), how to get our little ones to eat veggies (or just get them to eat food in some instances) and how us girls can make our boobs look bigger and more uplifted (lots of hilarity from this and a bit of show and tell too!).
A good time was had by all and as one mum put it, "it is sooooo refreshing to hear most of you are living the same as us and wondering if life will ever resemble normality again!"
The next night out is promising to be bigger and better - but we might just wait for it to warm up a bit more.
We had (left to right) Nisette Rask, NatalieArmstrong, Kristen Hardman, Sue Steer, Nicki Wright, Rebecca Young, Tenielle McGuire, Linda Allen, Katrina Carroll (taking the photo) and her husband Brendan who put on a brave face after being duped into being the only husband there, but managed to escape early!

Committee Meeting update

2008-05-14T21:34:00.000+10:00

So our '08/'09 SSMBA committee had its 2nd committee meeting on Monday night. There was much to talk about, lots to catch-up on and some great ideas were discussed. For those of you who aren't in the Shire-West area, our rep. for that area (also our HOM rep.), Sue Steer, has written a letter to the council regarding the lack of fully fenced playgrounds. She has requested the council provide complete fencing and gates on some of the parks in the Sutherland Shire. Thanks so much, Sue for pursuing this very important issue. We'll let you know if Sue gets a response from the council and if SSMBA are going to get involved in this matter further. We've had some great feedback from the 'new-look' newsletter - great job Rebecca! I nearly missed mine in the post 'cos it looked so different and what a fantastic read. Members also seem to like the idea of having a monthly Family Day so we're looking forward to seeing what kind of turn-out we have on the 25th May. Another item of discussion was about the possibility of holding seminars for our members throughout the year - we need some topic ideas though so let us know what topics you would like us to cover. One member, who is a developmental psychologist, has offered to do a short talk on literacy and has suggested it would be good to tie this in with a Book Look fundraiser. We'd love to hear from you if you have any ideas or could offer some such service. We're also wanting to hold at least one, possibly two, accredited first aid courses. One of our very own committee members recently had a very harrowing experience with one of her twins where she needed to perform resuscitation on her child. She will be sharing her story with us in one of the newsletters so I'm not going to say too much here but she's highlighting the need for all of us to know these basic but extremely important first aid techniques. I know there was more discussed but we're not going to give away too many secrets this early in the game! Just keep watching this space, reading the newsletter and coming along to events...

(Photos of PlayDay, 24th Apr. & 8th May '08)

S/shire West Area Playdate

2008-05-08T13:34:00.000+10:00

Monday 5th May
What a lovely Monday morning for a change - it was fantastic to see that the sun out.
It turned out very nicely for the mums and multiples that came along, a very fast running Sue with triplets: Sam, Matt and Will (2 and a half); Samantha with her daughters Tabitha and Jamilla: happy first birthday girls for Friday...and especially happy birthday for you Samantha on Wednesday; Katrina Carroll with sons Samuel and Jacob ( 2 and a half) and Alex ( 9 months) who loved having a play on the blankets and swings; Tiffany Robinson with Holland and Griffin ( 18 months) who had lots of fun on their bikes; Rebecca Young with Amy , Lily and big brother Jake who loved having a play at the park and me with two of my boys Christian and Tristan ( 15 months) who loved running in opposite directions.
The parks equipment is great for all ages but unfortunately it is only marginally fenced for such a busy road and with a car park right there too, so its another spot that you really have to keep an eye on your little ones- we all really discovered this when the council garbage truck sped into the grounds without a care for the very busy park! This is why it is really important that we get behind Sue Steers approach to the council to completely fence our local parks....especially as we are all in the same boat trying to watch more than one child at a time! Really looking forward to seeing you all again at next months play date, hopefully the warmth will still be in the air for outdoors!
Take care and Happy Mothers Day Mums
Regards
Leticia Wilson and Sue Steer
Sutherland Shire West Area Reps.

Welcome to our Blog!

2008-05-08T13:24:00.000+10:00

Well, hello everyone!
Welcome to SSMBA's 2008 blog.
This is where we'll add regular updates throughout the month of what we've been upto as well as sneak peaks of the coming newsletters.
Hope to see you at one of our events soon..