We have all been enjoying the Woodinville Toddler Group so far this year. There are so many new things to learn, and we are all enjoying exploring alongside our classmates and fellow parents. The teachers, Susanne and Tina, are so wonderful in all they teach, and their patience with everyone is outstanding. Every class has a class coordinator who tirelessly works to make sure that the class is informed of the activities happening throughout the week, the class is organized, and all the parents are aware of the parent education topics and evening events. Not only are the class coordinators amazing at keeping the rest of us on track, but they are also dedicated, involved parents in our classes. Here are some of the things our class coordinators are saying about the Woodinville Toddler Group:

“The first few weeks of WTG have been busy and fun! Mia has grown so much from last year and this is her favorite place to be. She loves bringing home art from school to hang up on the art wall alongside her brothers' stuff!” – Shelley, Thursday AM Class Coordinator

"I really appreciate that this program offers children a routine--especially since I find it difficult to stick to routines at home, and I know how beneficial they are to children.  Also, even though many aspects of the class offer children regularity, the class environment (toys, activities, etc.) is always new each week!  This is also fantastic because it keeps things fun for tots and parents alike." – Resa, Wednesday PM Class Coordinator

“It's the first day of Woodinville Toddler Group, and as I pull into the parking lot, I wonder how Sebastian will react to returning to class after having the summer off. After we enter the building and we see Tina and the familiar hallway, he's off, running through the gate to play and explore. Turns out, I wasn't the only one who missed Toddler Group.” – Florence, Wednesday AM Class Coordinator

“We are loving toddler group this year!  Circle time, the sand table, and outdoor play are just a few of my daughter's favorite activities.  We look forward to our Mondays at toddler group and my daughter is excited to get in the car when I say it's time to go to school.” – Carly, Monday AM Class Coordinator

“Nearly every day my two and a half year old twins ask, ‘We go to school today?’ They love and look forward to coming to toddler group every week!  Some of their favorite things to do are playing in the sand table and riding on the toys in the hallway (the tractor is a favorite!).  But I think the most favored [avtivity], because they talk about it the most at home, is circle time. They love all of the fun songs and games that Teacher Tina does.  I have learned so much and grown as a parent through the Parent Ed!  It gives me more confidence in my parenting and the values our family has developed.” – Mary Ann, Friday AM Class Coordinator

“It's been so fun to watch my almost two-year old recognize that we are at school, interact with his friends, sit through the snack, and engage in circle time. None of this would have happened at this time last year in the Wobblers class. What a difference a year makes!” – Christi, Thursday PM Class Coordinator

“Luke is enjoying class so far. It's been fun watching him play with his friends from class last year and also form new relationships with new faces. I've enjoyed watching the changes in his development from the end of school last year to the start of school now.” – Sonja, Tuesday PM Class Coordinator

In addition to all the wonderful things that the class coordinators are saying about the classes, we would like to share some other exciting news and reminders with you. We have been working very hard through the beginning of the year on a number of fun, easy ways to do fundraising to benefit the Woodinville Toddler Group. Our first two sales of the year, Chinook Books and WTG shirts, have been very successful. Other ways that we can raise money for WTG will come up throughout the year. Also in October, if you, a family member, or friends work for Microsoft, remember that October is Microsoft’s Giving Campaign. Many of the companies in this area are wonderfully generous and will match donations that you make to non-profit organizations. Woodinville Toddler Group is one such organization. Microsoft, for instance, will match donations made throughout the year, but in October they work especially hard to give to wonderful causes and non-profit organizations, as well as encourage their employees to make donations both of money and their own time. If you or your family members work for such a company, please make sure to fill out any paperwork following donations made, so that WTG can benefit twice from the same donation. This is one easy way to bring in some extra funds.

Our next big WTG fundraiser is coming up in just three weeks. We have a Craft and Rummage Sale inside WTG/ Northshore United Church of Christ on Saturday, November9, from 10am-3pm. Two really easy ways to support WTG’s Craft and Rummage Sale are by donating items to the rummage portion of the sale and by coming and shopping at the sale for wonderful, special, unique items. We will have a number of crafters/ vendors selling items such as: Thirty-One (purses and bags), crocheted hats, hair bows and clips, books (Usborne and an author in person), sewn items, pottery, jewelry, greeting cards, doTerra (essential oils), polished rocks, accessories for moms and babies, and paintings. With the holidays just around the corner, this is a perfect event to bring your family to and a great way to spend a Saturday. If there is anyone who wants to help (or any last minute vendors), please contact me at: wtgmarketing@gmail.com.

Another really easy way that WTG can make some extra money with very little effort put forth by you is by shopping on Amazon. On the Woodinville Toddler Group website (WTG link), at the bottom of the homepage, you will find a link to Amazon. Each time you shop at Amazon, please go to Amazon by clicking on the WTG’s link. (Starting from this link will not affect any previous account settings.) A percentage of each sale goes to WTG if the shopper starts from the link on our homepage. The more that is purchased using the WTG Amazon link, a higher percentage of funds will go towards the Woodinville Toddler Group.

A final easy way to help WTG is to share your great experiences at the Woodinville Toddler Group with your friends or families who may want to join in the future. Remember that currently, our only class that has space is our Wobblers Class, which meets on Wednesdays from 11:15am-1:15pm. This class is for children currently aged 9-18 months. We would love to have people come for a FREE trial Wobblers Class to see how amazing our program is, and hopefully to join our WTG community. Please encourage anyone you know who may fit in our Wobblers class to take advantage of this wonderful offer. Keep spreading the word about WTG!

We hope that you are enjoying the Woodinville Toddler Group as much our class coordinators and their children. Thank you for all your support and help in raising money for WTG, it goes to such great things for everyone.

Here are some of our upcoming events, please read your emails for more information about them:

·         Thursday, November 7, from 7pm – 8:30pm, Melissa Benaroya is speaking about Fostering Empathy at the Lake Washington Institute of Technology

·         Saturday, November 9, from 10am - 3pm – Craft and Rummage Sale at WTG, please donate items and come shop for great gifts (for yourself or others)

·         Thursday, November 14, from 6:30pm – 8:30pm, Book Group with Tina at the Barnes and Noble

·         Monday – Friday, November 25 – 29 – WTG is closed for Thanksgiving Break

·         Monday, December 2, from 6pm-6:30pm and again from 7pm-7:30pm, Casper Babypants is performing at WTG for WTG families only!

·         Monday – Friday, December 2 – 6, Winter Tuition is due