Blog Archives

Cape Cod Children's Museum Sweet 2016 Annual Gala

3/29/2016

Cape Cod Children's Museum Sweet 2016 Annual Gala
Saturday April 9, 2016
6:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Willowbend Country Club
Register for your tickets

Join the Cape Cod Children's Museum for a trip through Candy Land at their
Sweet 2016 Annual Gala!

The journey begins with a cocktail reception and passed hors d'Oeuvres along with games, raffles and an incredible array of silent auction items, including complete travel packages to Las Vegas, South Beach, and New York City!

The festive dinner program features our 2016 Rising Star award, Live Fund-a-Need auction to support renovating the Music Room exhibit, and a decadent dessert and elaborate candy display to satisfy every sweet tooth.

Special Performance by Comedian Chris Zito!

An original mainstay of the early Boston Comedy scene, Chris Zito has appearanced on Comedy Central, USA Network, A&E, and NESN. He currently co-hosts the Zito & Kera morning radio show on Mix 93.1.

Chris expresses his love of family life through an autobiographical journey of the trials, tribulations, and yes, the joys of marriage and family.

Audiences enjoy Chris Zito’s clean, funny, and upbeat approach and constantly find themselves laughing out loud while nodding in recognition at themselves!

Nibbles the Book Monster Book Review and Activities

3/28/2016

Nibbles the Book Monster Book Review and Activities
By: Molly

Nibbles the Book Monster written and illustrated by Emma Yarlett is brand new book for 3-8 year olds. Nibbles is this adorable yellow ball with arms, legs and horns coming out of the ball who likes to nibble things. He will nibble anything but his favorite thing to nibble is books! In the story Nibbles munches through different fairy tales including Jack and the Beanstalk and Little Red Riding Hood and in doing so he changes the fairy tale. The illustrations are quite elaborate with lots of thing to look and find including the running away Nibbles on one of the pages. Because of the way the book was written with Nibbles influencing other fairy tales the book is well loved by many age groups including me. The book also has various sized text, flaps and cutouts which pull in and engage the reader even more. Nibbles has quickly become a favorite book in my house with me and my three and five year old kids.

Follow Up activities:

Reread the book:
*Stop on the second page ask what else Nibbles might nibble though?
*On the 6th page find Nibbles, snakes, a bunny, a ladybug, worms, tentacles, a mermaid tail, arms, a flower, footprints, a plant, The Gruffalo book, Press Here book, Meg and Mog book, The Jolly Postman book and The Very Hungry Caterpillar book.
*After you finish the book asks how Nibbles changed the fairy tales.

Craft project:

Get white sheets of paper, a piece of cardstock, stapler, scissors, markers or crayons, old catalogs or ads with books in them and a glue stick.
Draw a about 2” by 2” Nibbles on the cardstock and cut him out (see picture)
Using the white paper make your own Nibbles book by drawing on the white paper, pasting book pictures on and adding words (if you want) then cut holes in the pages where Nibbles nibbled through (make sure the holes are big enough for Nibbles to fit through).
Staple the book together and read or look at the book together.

Molly Hubner
Usborne Books & More Independent Educational Consultant
I am always looking for people to join my Usborne team, host parties (Facebook or home), or just share these wonderful books! For more information visit https://w4728.myubam.com or contact me at mollyhubner@gmail.com .

Dario and the Whale Review and Interview with Cheryl Lawton Malone

3/21/2016

Dario and the Whale Review and Interview with Cheryl Lawton Malone
By: Molly

Dario and the Whale by Cheryl Lawton Malone is a brand new children’s book that takes place on Cape Cod. It is the story of a migrant boy Dario and a right whale who become friends. Dario comes to the Cape not knowing anyone and he does not speak English; the feeling of not belonging is something most can relate to. The story reads like a song making the repetitive simple text soothing. The use Portuguese words in the story is a nice touch. The beautiful illustrations are calming, deep and rich which enhances the story being told. As a fellow Cape Cod lover this book makes me wish for warmer days and to drive to the National Seashore with the kids to look for whales!

Interview with Cheryl author of Dario and the Whale
Before Cheryl started her writing career she was a lawyer for 20 years. Then about 10 years ago she left the legal world and enrolled in a MFA at Lesley University. After finishing her program at Lesley she had the pleasure of spending a month at the Norman Mailer Writers Colony in Provincetown, MA. It was during her time in Provincetown the inspiration for Dario and the Whale occurred.

The inspiration for Dario and the Whale happened one early morning in April when Cheryl and her dog were out for a walk on Race Point Beach. A Right whale appeared 15 feet from the shore head out of the water Cheryl stared at the whale month wide open and her dog barked. The barking caused the whale to lift itself further out of the water it’s big eyes connecting with Cheryl stare frozen in that moment. It was that connection with a whale that the story of Dario and the Whale originated from.

Cheryl knew that she wanted her book to end with that connection of a child with a whale and from there she worked backward to create a story. She wanted the story to read in verse and have the parallels of the seasonal whale migrating and thus an immigrant boy. A Brazilian boy made sense as there are lots of Brazilian immigrants in the cape today but it also ties in with the Portuguese fishermen. The name Dario came from a little boy Cheryl had the opportunity to meet while she was volunteering as a tutor in Boston.

In addition to two picture books Cheryl is working on getting published and a middle grade novel in verse about a girl and a wolf she is writing she also teaches writing seminars. For more about Cheryl and Dario and the Whale you can visit her website and her book can be ordered online at most large book retailers as well as purchased locally at Eight Cousins Books, Brewster Bookstore or a local Barnes and Nobles . Hopeful Cheryl will be doing some events on the Cape this summer. Until then definitely pick up a copy of Dario and the Whale.

Molly Hubner
Usborne Books & More Independent Educational Consultant
I am always looking for people to join my Usborne team, host parties (Facebook or home), or just share these wonderful books! For more information visit https://w4728.myubam.com or contact me at mollyhubner@gmail.com .

How Things Get Done in the Real World

3/15/2016

Please join us in welcoming our newest Cape Cod Level Sponsor, Cape Cod Academy!

How Things Get Done in the Real World

Resourcefulness. Being able to make a case. Aligning peoples’ interests. Sustaining a commitment. Persevering in the face of challenges. Recognizing a need. Making disciplined choices. These are the skills and habits of people who make a difference in the world, people who get things done.
When CCA or another school refers to its “service learning” curriculum or program, we indicate that we teach students not just the importance of volunteering, or even considering and serving the needs of others, but also reflecting on what is important to a person, who one is in relationship to the world around him, and strengths and opportunities he or she has. We also teach students to think critically about problems, what they stem from, and how different approaches might change the situation.

I am proud of this program and the forms of all its activities, including:

The service learning components of our grades 6-12 Seminar Program
Our Community Service Organization, which dedicates over 500 hours per year to community needs
The Senior Service Learning Project which, for over 20 years, has channeled the talents and concerns of every graduating CCA senior into 80 hours of direct work with local not-for-profit organizations
CCA’s Entrepreneurship Program and the ways that the seminars teach students skills that are equally applicable to social entrepreneurship as they are to building a business enterprise

CCA isn’t training students for careers in not-for-profits, or teaching a certain political orientation, or suggesting that students need to commit their lives to community activism. But, local not-for-profits and local issues are a great laboratory for learning how things do or don’t get done in the world.

This winter, CCA students are hosting Coffee Houses to raise money for local not-for-profits and preparing for the annual Shelter from the Storm benefit concert.
These are multiple-year, sustained commitments that now raise over $20,000 a year (and over $84,000 in the last eight years.) One of the things I appreciate about the Coffee House effort is that students bring local agencies to campus to deliver their pitch for why that organization should be the recipient of the benefit fundraising. During this process, students refine their ability to discern value, purpose, and efficiency just as much as they learn about local issues affecting health, the economy, society, and our environment. They learn to make tough decisions among compelling options.

CCA actively inspires students to consider others--to listen for their voices, to see their experiences--to respect others and the complexity of a world that resists simple solutions. We teach students that learning is edifying in itself but also prepares them to do and act, to lead and rally others, and find a better way. We are teaching them how to get things done...better.
--Tom Trigg, Cape Cod Academy

Usborne Very First Reading Set Review

3/14/2016

Usborne Very First Reading Set Review
By: Molly

Usborne Very First Reading Set is a collection of 15 books that help teach young children learn to read. Each book builds on the skills the previous book(s) have introduced. The set of books comes with a parent's’ guide plus each book contains a story, fun puzzles that reinforce the skills introduced in the book and parent notes to guide the you in the skills being introduced and how to support early reading. The first seven books are shared readers where the adult and child take turns reading the text; in the first book the adult does most of the reading but by the seventh the child is doing most of the reading. The stories are silly and interesting with colorful illustrations. Both my five and three year old are excited to “read” them; my daughter is not reading get so even the first book is a stretch. In order to really move to the next book you must master each book. Thus she has only read Pirate Pat. Some of the other titles include The Dressing-up Box, Dog Dairy and Mr. Mystery. What I think is great about these books is they help inform the adult how to help their child in their reading, encourage shared reading, there are activities included and the stories are interesting unlike a lot of first readers out there. There is also a website that has more information for adults about supporting reading and extra activities for the child to do. Plus if your child is showing prereading skills like letter recognition, starting to learn letter sounds Usborne has a free game called Teach Your Monster to Read which is tons of fun and includes higher reading levels as well.

Molly Hubner
Usborne Books & More Independent Educational Consultant
I am always looking for people to join my Usborne team, host parties (Facebook or home), or just share these wonderful books! For more information visit https://w4728.myubam.com or contact me at mollyhubner@gmail.com .

Cape Cod Kids' Treasures Consignment Sale A Success and Must Attend Event!

3/11/2016

By: Amy

I was invited to attend the PreSale event for the Cape Kids’ Treasures Consignment Sale in Osterville this evening to see what the buzz was all about. The sale takes place this weekend in Osterville, behind Wimpy’s Restaurant in the old Savant building. It was started by Dawn Atsalis, a local mom of two, began in the fall of 2010 and has thrived since. I have never attended this biannual event until this year. I was very impressed and they have found a new customer with me. I would suggest getting there early this weekend as this is a must attend event and very popular.

Moms can opt to either come and shop, cosign, volunteer, or any combination of those mentioned. There are over 29,000 items for sale and the items consist of kids clothing, toys, swings, cribs, changing tables, strollers, toys of ALL kinds, DVDs, books, shoes, hats, pack and plays, baby carriers, basically almost anything you could possibly need. They do accept cash as well as credit cards. We highly recommend leaving the kids at home for this sale event as you will not want to be distracted while you see the amazing deals!

One of my major problems when shopping for my son is it can be tough in stores finding a good selection. It is usually hit or miss at most places but I have found where all the great stuff goes, the Cape Kids’ Treasures Sale. I found some amazing pieces at some pretty fantastic prices at this sale and I’ll be sharing some of those finds tomorrow on this post. I also found an amazing girls section too! I was able to purchase a whole upcoming season wardrobe for my son, a few presents for family members and a few extra items as well for a total that did not break the bank. I am thrilled to have discovered this sale finally, better late than never.

I have to give a thank you to local rep, Nicole McFarland, who is a tax associate from HR Block at the Bell Tower Mall in Centerville. She handed out little mom survival bags which included water (a must have while shopping), crayons, and a few other things that you will most likely find as a standard in my purse. You are given the option to grab a bag before you enter. I suspect there are a limited number so it would be a good idea to bring one of your own or you can opt for a tote, which they provide a few.

Some of the great things you may not know about this event is that they also give back to local non profits. They accept all sizes of diapers. They collect the diapers and bring them to A Baby Center, where the diapers can be distributed to needy moms. The consignors also have the option after the event ends to come and take back their merchandise or let it be donated to A Baby Center, Safe Harbor Shelter (for women & children) in Hyannis, Angel House in Hyannis and Cradles to Crayons as well as other local organizations.

Check out some more information to know including hours, sale times, etc. This is definitely an event to mark on the calendar and be sure to consign as well as attend because you will get more bang for your buck!

Times worth noting for this weekend:

New Moms Presale
Friday, March 11, 2016 from 7-9pm
Public Sale Dates
Saturday, March 12, 2016 from 8am - 6pm
Sunday, March 13, 2016 from 10am - 2pm
Half-price Sale Dates:
Saturday, March 12, 2016 from 3pm - 6pm (select items)

Happy Shopping!

Have you attended this sale? Did you find some great deals too?

Springing Forward

3/10/2016

By: Rebekah Thomson, Pediatric Sleep Coach

Today’s post will come as good news to many of us who are ready for spring and/or fed up with our children’s early rising. Daylight saving time starts next weekend. At 2:00am on Sunday, March 13th, we will turn our clocks ahead one hour. The start of daylight saving time assures us that spring is indeed on the way, even if it is still 28 degrees outside.

What does this mean for our children’s sleep? Generally speaking, it’s a good thing. Children who were waking up at 5:30am will now be waking at 6:30am, a far more civilized hour. However, those with late sleepers, will need to rouse their child so they don’t sleep the morning away.

What should we do in anticipation of the time changes? We’ve got two options. One is to do absolutely nothing. Just go with it. On Saturday night, put your child to bed at the usual time and allow her to wake at her usual time (though of course, the clock will read an hour later – i.e. 7am instead of the usual 6am). For the next few days, naps and bedtime may all feel a bit too early. For example, if your child’s bedtime is 7pm, you will be putting her to bed at the “new” 7pm (which will feel like 6pm). However, with a consistent bedtime routine and other good sleep habits, she will adjust within the week. This is a great option for families with early risers.

Alternatively, you can transition your child more gradually to her new (earlier) bedtime. For the few nights following the time change, rather than putting her to bed at 7pm (which will feel like 6pm), split the difference and make her bedtime 7:30pm. Then shift bedtime back to 7pm. Naps and meal times will need to be adjusted as well. This method is usually recommended for young babies and children with already early bedtimes and/or struggling with naps.

Regardless of what approach you opt for, exposing your child to morning sunlight (if you can find some!), focusing on good naps, a predictable and calming bedtime routine (without screen time), room darkening shades if needed, and following your child’s sleepy cues will make the transition smoother all around.

Also remember that if your child was waking early due to another reason (nap deprivation, too long of a wakeful window between nap and bedtime, etc.), it’s likely that the early rising will return in a few weeks. If so, take a look at this piece I wrote for Cape Cod Mommies a while back. Hopefully it will help you identify and tackle the root cause.

Sweet dreams and happy (almost) spring,
Rebekah
www.countingsheepmv.com

Cape Cod Academy Offers Exclusive Tickets to Cape Cod Moms for SteveSongs Concert!

3/8/2016

Cape Cod Academy, one of Cape Cod Moms PREMIERE Blog Sponsors has offered the Cape Cod Moms audience FREE tickets to attend a SteveSongs concert on:
Wednesday, April 13 from 4-5pm
at Cape Cod Academy!

Click here and register now. Be sure to use the code "ccmoms2016" to register (green button). This is only open to our readers until March 14th, after which they will be made available to the public, so get your tickets fast!

The Local Scoop in Orleans Review and Interview

3/7/2016

The Local Scoop Review and Interview
By Molly

The Local Scoop
34 Cranberry Highway
Orleans, MA
508-255-0101
Thursday, Friday and Monday 12-9
Saturday and Sunday 12-10

The Local Scoops is a frozen yogurt and ice cream bar located in Orleans. One Saturday afternoon around 2:30 my husband, two kids and I headed to The Local Scoop. When we arrived there was a birthday party in progress so the space was crowded (only two small tables available for customers). At The Local Scoop you create your own frozen yogurt delight and pay by weight.

As you enter the store the frozen yogurt dispensers are right in front of you. You can start by sampling any of the 10 different yogurt on tap that day. Once you have decided on one, two or all 10 flavors you get the desired cup size and start dispensing your yogurt. Mary the owner tries to use as much organic, local, and pure/natural ingredients she can at her shop. After you have gotten all the yogurt you want you head over to the toppings area. The topping combinations are endless from pure blueberries and strawberries to local peanut brittle or kit kat pieces and everything between. Mary really wants to encourage people to think about and really taste and enjoy what they are eating so on the wall above the dry toppings there are charts for food pairing, flavor wheel and seasonal toppings.

After you have completed your masterpiece you take it over to the cash registered to be weighed and pay. Also available to purchase are hard ice cream, ice cream cakes, Cape Cod Pops, Chloe Fruit Pops, smoothies, frappes, coffee (french press), crepes, hot chocolate, brownie baked alaska and lots of local goods. And if your kids need to burn off some energy after their ice cream there is a mini golf putt putt outside that is free.

My kids love going to The Local Scoop and making their own sundaes! My daughter (5y) favorite part today was adding the peanut butter cups and my sons (3y) was the chocolate frozen yogurt. I like that I get to try the flavors before and add exactly what I want plus the fact that the yogurt does not have all the additives you usually find in frozen yogurt. There are dairy free (vegan) options too.

The birthday parties at The Local Scoop look like a lot of fun. The party guests get to do blind taste test of different frozen yogurts and toppings (encouraging the kids to really think about what they are tasting and to take their time and enjoy it). After that I saw them mixing ingredients together (I assume an ice cream or yogurt base). Then the birthday guests went outside to play mini golf while the table area was cleaned up. At the end all the kids made their own frozen yogurt creation and sang happy birthday to the birthday girl.

Interview with Mary the owner of The Local Scoop:

Me: Could you tell me a little about yourself?

Mary: I am passionate about food and people. I have a dual career - one in food & technology. A founding member of the Slow Food Cape Cod group, sharing our vision of a food system that is “good, clean and fair”. As a food writer, I published a cooking newsletter called "Gourmet Mom” and wrote for Family Fun & Working Mother magazines. Developing recipes and sharing ideas with other moms.
On the technology side, I work with large organizations developing business solutions and strategies, enterprise class systems.
On a personal side, I have raised 3 boys, 2 cats and have a wonderful partner in my life, who supports all of my crazy initiatives, and thinks of a few crazy ones himself.

Me: How did you get into the ice cream business?

Mary: It was something I dreamed about my whole life …. I jumped in and have not looked back. During my dream phase, I educated myself at Penn State Ice Cream University, Malcom Stogos, CIA and BU, as well as working in other establishments in New England.

What do you offer at The Local Scoop and what makes it unique?
The experience of “make your own sundae” with over 60 toppings to choose from - it is a destination spot. In addition, we source product locally, when available, and offer many frozen desserts using an organic base - non GMO, real milk, cream and natural stabilizers. We have an area dedicated to local food artisans on the Cape, and feature their products in our frozen desserts.
We showcase taste - mix and match different ingredients to create a taste sensation.
We also cater to all dietary needs - Organic, Gluten Free, Vegan and Sugar Free
And then there are our Crepes - homemade Nutella&Banana, European, Cinnamon Sugar… all gluten free

Me: I hear you do birthday parties can you let me a little about them?

Mary: Yes - we offer a party package, we teach the kids how to make ice cream, birthday child picks the flavor. We also do blind folded taste tests, and the kids get to make their own Sundaes. Weather permitting we have mini putt putt outdoors.
We also do birthday parties for adults - still same idea, however geared toward adults.

Me: What else do you offer at your store?

Mary: Custom artisan pops - using organic frozen yogurt or ice cream, dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with local goods - see attached menu. We collaborate with other food artisans on the Cape and create one of a kind creations.

Me: Is there anything else you would like to tell us about?

Mary We have a “Pop Mobile” where we go out to festivals across Cape Cod and SoWa in Boston.
We also can cater to private parties, weddings, events.

We attend 3 farmers markets in the summer - Chatham, Orleans and Truro.
Our Cape Cod Pops can be found not only at The Local Scoop, but also at Chequessett Chocolate in Truro, East End Market in Ptown, Cape Cod Beer in Hyannis, Capabilities Farm in Dennis, and at the Firebird Games in Orleans.
We made the short list - 10 Best Places to Get Ice Cream on Cape Cod
and Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence. The Local Scoops Yelp Page

The Local Scoop is definitely worth checking out! I know my family really likes it and will continue going there for special treats. I know I want to try the banana pop. Have you been; what is your favorite treat there?

I will be holding a storytime at The Local Scoop Sunday 3/20 from 1-1:30

Molly Hubner
Usborne Books & More Independent Educational Consultant I am always looking for people to join my Usborne team, host parties (Facebook or home), or just share these wonderful books! For more information visit https://w4728.myubam.com or contact me at mollyhubner@gmail.com

Financial Friday: The Individual Shared Responsibility Provision

3/4/2016

Financial Friday:
The Individual Shared Responsibility Provision
By: Gary M. DellaPosta, CPA

The individual shared responsibility provision requires that you and each member of your family have qualifying health insurance, a health coverage exemption, or make a payment for any months without coverage or an exemption when you file. If you, your spouse and dependents had health insurance coverage all year, you will indicate this by simply checking a box on your tax return.

In most cases, the shared responsibility payment reduces your refund. If you are not claiming a refund, the payment will increase the amount you owe on your tax return. Here are some basic facts about the individual shared responsibility provision.
What is the individual shared responsibility provision?
The individual shared responsibility provision calls for each individual to have qualifying healthcare coverage--known as minimum essential coverage--for each month, qualify for an exemption, or make a payment when filing his or her federal income tax return.
Who is subject to the individual shared responsibility provision?
The provision applies to individuals of all ages, including children. The adult or married couple who can claim a child or another individual as a dependent for federal income tax purposes is responsible for making the shared responsibility payment if the dependent does not have coverage or an exemption.
How do I get a health coverage exemption?
You can claim most exemptions when you file your tax return. There are certain exemptions that you can obtain only from the Marketplace in advance. You can obtain some exemptions from the Marketplace or by claiming them on your tax return. You will claim or report coverage exemptions on Form 8965, Health Coverage Exemptions, and attach it to Form 1040, Form 1040A, or Form 1040EZ. You can file any of these forms electronically. For any month that you or your dependents do not have coverage or qualify for an exemption, you will have to make a shared responsibility payment
What do I need to do if I am required to make a payment with my tax return?
If you have to make an individual shared responsibility payment, you will need to use the worksheets found in the instructions to Form 8965, Health Coverage Exemptions, to figure the shared responsibility payment amount due. You only make a payment for the months you did not have coverage or qualify for a coverage exemption. If you need assistance, please call.
What happens if I owe an individual shared responsibility payment, but I cannot afford to make the payment when filing my tax return?
The law prohibits the IRS from using liens or levies to collect any individual shared responsibility payment and they routinely work with taxpayers who owe amounts they cannot afford to pay. However, if you owe a shared responsibility payment, the IRS may offset that liability against any tax refund that may be due to you.

Visit our website for more great information and free tax calculators!

Gary DellaPosta is a CPA and founder of the firm. A graduate of Bryant University, he is a member of the American Institute of CPA's as well as the Massachusetts Society of CPA's. In addition to providing accounting, tax and advisory services to individuals and businesses, he also provides litigation support to attorneys and has been recognized as an expert in numerous Massachusetts' courts. Mr. DellaPosta serves on the Board of the Barnstable County Mutual Insurance Co., where he serves on the audit, investment and employee benefit committees. He is a Director at The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod, where he serves on audit, governance, and personnel committees, and is a former director of Eastern Bank and Plymouth Savings Bank. He is also the former Treasurer of the Community Health Center of Cape Cod and is a former trustee of Heritage Museum & Gardens. Visit his website for more info

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