Mad About Multiples!

School-age Multiples Go Bowling

Our multiples are growing up! It's been a couple years since we put together an official GC event specifically for our school-age multiples - not from lack of funds or enthusiasm but from lack of well, enough school-age kids. Like many other multiples clubs, our membership changes from year-to-year and is usually mostly comprised of families with infants up to 3 years old - which is of course, wonderful. We all need those connections and relationships with other families in the same boat, especially with infants and kids in their earlier years.

This year, though, there are a number of us that joined around the same time a few years ago. And while many of us are struggling with the decision of where to put our kids for Kindergarten or 1st grade or whether to keep them together or if they're even ready to enter the K-12 system, we decided it was high time to have a little fun. Bowling was always a popular outing in previous years and this year was no different.

Halloween Party at Themefest

The annual Gemini Crickets Parents of Multiples Halloween party is always an amusing event. A colorful blur of about 90 costumed kids (plus their parents) filled the party venue at San Jose's Themefest. Orange pumpkins clung like vines to their mothers, black cats accessorized in neon pink and a couple of Little Red Riding Hoods cut a rug on the dance floor like you woudn't believe. T  n 1 and Th 2 (Thing 1 and Thing 2) thought it would be fun to pick away at the lettering on their shirts, leaving people to guess what they were, like a game of Wheel of Fortune. Buzz Lightyear worked the room at rocket speed. Who knew he liked to play Pacman, sing karaoke, wolf down cupcakes and sail aboard pirate ships? The guy was everywhere.

Recent Events for Gemini Crickets

If you're a member of Gemini Crickets Parents of Multiples of Silicon Valley, you have no doubt taken part in some of the great events we have had lately:

Field Trip to the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo:
This morning was a field trip to the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo. From their website: The Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo is a kid's place to think, create and play. All Junior Museum and Zoo exhibits allow children to become physically involved and immerse themselves in the essence of life, to poke, to prod, to pull, to pick up, and to smell. The Zoo is home to more than 50 exotic and native animals, of which at least half are brought into classrooms as part of the Junior Museum and Zoo's science outreach program with local schools. Some of the animals include bobcats, raccoons, jungle bats, hedgehogs, ferrets, snakes, and an owl. 

I went with my 4.5 year old twins and my 2 year old. (My parents came along as well, although it is such a small place, that I could have easily managed it on my own - after all, I took all 3 kids on my own to Children's Fairyland in Oakland a couple of weeks ago and it was just fine.) There were many sets of twins there from Gemini Crickets and even a set of cute baby triplets! What fun! These two cuties wore their Gemini Crickets t-shirts to show off.

Dad's Panel at the New & Expectant Parent (NEP) Meeting:
This is always a lively meeting and this year it did not disappoint! We had three panelists - Dads to 10-month-old-twins, 16-month-old twins and 7-month-old twins (plus a 3-year-old). Christine from the NEP team provides the following summary: The attendees (a group of 25-30) had a lot of good questions--some were around scheduling (should you keep them on the same schedule and how do you do it), feeding the babies (breastfeeding, bottles, etc and how the dads can help when moms are breastfeeding), questions on what the first few months were like, & how to give older kids attention with twin babies at home. A quick highlight of some of the tips that seemed to resonate well with the Dads in the panel were:

• Accept all the help that is offered to you!  Don't turn down any help!
• Outsource wherever possible (house cleaning, self prep dinners, gardner, night nurse)
• Get the babies on the same schedule.  The Panel suggested to wake the other baby when one baby is awake.
• Make changes related to older children before the babies come--such as changing rooms, starting school or day care (so the older child does not associate it with the babies' arrival and can get adjusted to the change)
• Listen to the Dads—they are trying to help!  When they say to take a nap and they will care for the babies, take advantage of the time and take a nap!! 
• Ultimately, do what works for you and your family—it is different for everyone and can involve trial and error to figure out what will work best for you!! 

There is a full list (8 pages!) of the Dad's Tips from this meeting, available to Gemini Crickets members on Big Tent. If you are not a Gemini Crickets member and would like to join, click here to learn more.

Movie Nights to Mama Mia and Sex in the City:

Akemi reports: Ok, so the parking at Santana Row is awful most summer evenings, but after I finally found a place to park, I was happy to be mingling with Gemini Crickets moms and their friends and friends-of-friends. When I arrived, Carla, our movie night planner, was busy greeting everyone as they settled in for drinks under a canopy of oak trees at El Jardin Tequila Bar. We had just enough time to savor our drinks and some appetizers before heading for the movies. At the Sex and the City showing, I didn't talk much, but I enjoyed the night immensely. If not for these movie nights, I don't think I'd ever put aside the time to go out to the movies. Now I can proudly say that I've been to TWO movies this year. That's a huge accomplishment for a mom of twins!

Bocce Ball Social:

Co-President Sally reports: We had a great turn out at our Bocce Ball kick-off social with about 55 members attending, the majority bringing along their partners which is always fun. After a few drinks at the bar & plenty of socializing, the Bocce Ball staff gave us some instruction on how to play the game. Before we could get started, the food was served so we all tucked in to some delicious calamari, bruschetta & anti pasti. The pizzas were devoured and, as is always the case, there were not enough desserts! We took over four courts and all had a very entertaining time, some taking the game more seriously than others...guys!

A sample of our upcoming events include:

• New & Expectant Parents Meeting on Equipment on Tuesday, September 9th at 6:15pm at Saratoga Library - NOTE: prospective members are always welcome to join this meeting for free. Babies are welcome and dinner will be served!
• General Meeting on "Creating Resilient Families" (by Gloria Moskowitz-Sweet from Parents Place on Tuesday, September 9th at 7:30 pm at Saratoga Library
• Fall Family Picnic on September 21st (this is a members-only event - be sure to RSVP today, if you haven't already)

If you're not a member yet, join us today! Even if you can't make events easily (hey, we know how it is!), there is a great support system and network on our Big Tent group. Forum discussions, playgroups, newsletter articles and used clothing and equipment sales are just a few of the other benefits of membership with Gemini Crickets.

Moms Summer Fiesta - The Reason I Joined

A couple months ago, we (Gemini Crickets) held the annual Moms Summer party which our ever creative party coordinators turned into a Mexican Fiesta. As I perused the photos from the event and reminisced about the night, I just had to smile. The annual moms summer party was the very first club event I ever attended (over 4 years ago). At the time, I was trying to decide which moms of multiples club to join in the area as there were two that seemed convenient. In the end, I joined both but stuck with this one over the last 4+ years. And the moms summer party seems to be the one party during the year that reminds me why I'm glad I joined this club.

Of course it was a great party (Wendy, Tina and company could do no less) with a fun theme, delicious Mexican food and a mouth-watering, array of colorful desserts to tempt even the most stalwart dieter in the group (who, I'm sure, took a break from the daily regimen to sample *just a few* tasty morsels here and there). The location couldn't have been more beautiful (thanks, Barbara!) and inviting. But the best part of the evening is always the moms - the ones I knew and couldn't wait to catch up with and the ones I met who I look forward to seeing at more GC events.

Annual Moms Holiday Dinner Party 2008

Another fabulous night out with the ladies at the annual Moms Holiday Dinner. Fine wine, exquisite cuisine and great company. An evening to savor and enjoy at Viva Restaurant in Los Gatos.

Original Gemini Crickets Club Blog post.

A Winter Wonderland For The Gemini Crickets Family Holiday Party

Living here in the Silicon Valley where it almost never snows, we can't exactly step out the door and experience a winter wonderland. But with the chill of an overdue winter finally in the air, the twinkling lights of all those decked out houses finally feels just about right. I'd love for my twins to discover the joys of an old-fashioned winter. I want to watch their faces as their feet sink into the crunch of new fallen snow. I want them to behold the sight of sleighs lined up outside a cozy, snow-covered cabin. Cue the Bing Crosby tunes and let's celebrate winter!

True, Silicon Valley is no stand-in for the wintry slopes of Lake Tahoe. No one gets all fuzzy with Norman Rockwell nostalgia when they head to Silicon Valley for the holidays. And while we can't ice skate in the glow of The Tree at Rockefeller Center, we can teeter on ice skates in the shadow of palms at San Jose's Downtown Ice, adjacent to Christmas in the Park. We may be in balmy Silicon Valley, but we can certainly sample a bit of wintertime fun.

So when Gemini Crickets POM of Silicon Valley announced plans for a family holiday party at the library come winter wonderland, I went all dizzy with excitement. After all, who doesn't love a party? The Gemini Crickets Halloween party had been a rolicking success and with the same awesome event team planning the holiday party, I knew this was a must-attend event. The only catch was the start time of 3pm, smack in the middle of my kids' naptime. My plan was to tire my kids out in the morning, put them to bed early, and hopefully have them wake up in good moods in time for the party. Of course, only part of my plan worked. My kids spent the morning running around and exhausting themselves (a good thing) and they went down for naps early (another good thing), but then they awoke in horrible moods (not a good thing). But several outfit changes (mom, kids) and mood swings (mom, dad, kids) later, we piled into the mini-van and headed to the party, our moods turning cheerful as I cranked the holiday tunes.

Mr. David to Rock Gemini Crickets Family Holiday Party

Mr. David, a great rock n' music kids performer, will be rocking the Gemini Crickets Family Holiday Party this Saturday, December 8th. Mr. David performs all over the Bay Area and we're lucky to have him. Many Gemini Cricket moms listen to Mr. David even when they're not with the kids. We're so looking forward to Jumping in the Jumpy House with you, Mr. David!

Be sure to check out Mr. David's holiday CD too.

I Love A Parade!

I love a parade - the whistles as the leader strikes up the band, the tramping feet of the high school drill team, the colorful floats with festive holiday themes, and the crowds! Oh, the crowds lining the streets smiling and waving as the parade marches by – the scene is crazy…and spectacular!

For the first time, Gemini Crickets participated in the annual Los Gatos Children’s Christmas and Holiday Parade (the 51st!) and I’m sure it won’t be the last. Over 15 families of multiples marched along Santa Cruz Avenue in downtown Los Gatos. Strollers, tricycles and wagons adorned with garlands, holiday paper and ornaments were perfect props for the precious twins dressed in festive seasonal attire or Gemini Crickets Mini Member t-shirts. Babies as young as 4 months to preschool-age kids meandered along the parade route smiling and waving to the small town crowd.

Fun and exhausting, we’re all looking forward to doing it again next year. Happy Holidays!