urbanMamas Portland

Clients often ask me for tips on taking great photos of their kids at home.  So many people have great cameras now and get frustrated because their photos don't turn out the way they'd like.

The easiest tip I can give you to get started taking photos of your small kids is to GET DOWN.  Get down to their eye level!  This will make such a huge difference in your photos and emphasize their eyes so much more.  After all, they are GORGEOUS, aren't they?  It's such an easy thing to do, and so often I see parents taking photos of their small children from up above, and even if your child is looking up at the camera, you still won't capture as much emotion and personality as you will if you GET DOWN and shoot from their eyeline.

The other huge thing is this:  STOP TELLING YOUR KIDS TO SAY CHEESE!  Instead, keep your camera up to your eye and have a conversation with your child, all the while snapping away as they're talking.  If you do this often enough, they'll get used to it and won't even bother cheesing it up for you anymore.  That's when the magic happens!

Good luck, and email me with the fun photos you get from GETTING DOWN!

amyvining@me.com

http://www.amyvining.com

"Need ideas of help planning your child’s birthday party? There is a new party planner & party space that is unlike anything  in Portland!

Specializing in wholesome birthday parties for younger children aged 1 up to age 8.


Because is is hosted in a fully licensed Waldorf preschool it is already set up & ready for your child’s imagination!

There is a dress up corner, dolls, trains, blocks, natural & open ended toys, rocking horses & boat, table & chairs their size & an outdoor play space! Outside we have a play structure, trikes, bunnies & chickens the children can feed!

This space can fit up to 10 children & 10 adults.

Many ideas to choose from, like:

* A Fully planned and hosted, including food, cake, paper plates & cups, decorations. Basically all you have to do is show up & everything is taken care of!

For the full hosted party with food, cake, games, a puppet show, or specially created birthday story about your child in oral story telling fashion or in a puppet show! You can choose a theme, & party bags, invitations & thank you cards sent out via email. That is a 2 hour party & starts at $425, depending on your requests.  It is all very unique to each child & parents wishes.

Or, another option is you do everything & just rent the space. The space rental is $125 & all parties are available weekends only or possible evenings.  The usual time is 1.5 to 2 hours.

Special food can be ordered for allergies as well. We only serve vegetarian & organic food here.

This is an eco certified center with no harmful chemicals or pesticides ever used inside or out.

The center is in an old 1906 Portland home in the beautiful & historical inner SE Hawthorne district.

Your party can include age appropriate games, songs, circle times & circle games, simple puppet show bread baking, play dough, book making, crafts, crown making, cup cake decorating are just a few of the ideas! Do you have an idea?

Our goal here is to have a simpler party that is stress free & fun & wholesome!

I am a trained Waldorf teacher and grandmother of 3. I have been teaching young children for 20 years. I have also hosted many birthday parties & was asked to start my own birthday party hosting business recently & have decided after much research, Portland parents want this! Portland children need this.

I am here for you to help you plan your child’s birthday & take all the stress out of the planning so you can just enjoy your little one & your friends & family.

This is a mellow alternative to what is currently being offered.

So, if you want a low key, wholesome, natural birthday, this is the place!

Call me or email me for more info so we can start planning your child’s party!"

**As of right now, I am booked until after Jan. 6th.

Theme ideas:

* Princess or fairy tea party
* Pirate Party
* Sports Party
* Farm Animal Party
* Gnome party
* Garden Party
* Cupcake party
* Baking Party
* Painting Party
*Crafting Party
*Childrens Book exchange Party
* Zoo animal party
* Luau

* Music party

Call Carrie at 971-404-9291

Custom Children's Aprons... Perfect for the little cook in your life! Choose from many different fabrics & designs...

Please contact me for fabric & design options: www.erudishauser@yahoo.com

Constructed in a smoke-free & pet-free home, from 100% cotton fabric, with adjustable neck and waist ties. Our handmade aprons are available in three sizes:

Small (size 3-4)
Medium (size 5-6)
Large (size 7-8)

Care Instructions:
Machine wash in cool water with a mild detergent. Lay flat or tumble dry on cool heat.

Consider making your apron a part of a set!

Aprons for Children: $12
Aprons for Adults: $18

**Special... Adult & Child Sets: $28**Special... Adult & Child Sets: $28

Other Options

custom dark denim (above), dark chocolate with cupcakes, modern chocolate with bright flowers, black & white swirls, black & white dots, Route 66 retro cars, apples & pears (above), lovely lemons (above), ...etc. 

Too many to list... Please email for photos!

Hello Mamas!  Ring in the New Year with a resolution for your health and wellbeing, too!  I offer personal training, fitness education and diet advice (ehem, not dieting advice) in private sessions or small groups. 

 

Need to buff up, tone down, increase strength and stamina or decrease size?  Let me help. 

 

Why you?

--Ready to end the yo-yo diet cycle and learn how to nourish your body with healthy foods and movements.

--Ready to work on posture and form to avoid injury, rather than add to the list of aches and pains.

--Ready to establish routines that will stick, rather than try fads that will fade.

 

Why me?

--8 years of personal training experience, 5 running my own health and fitness business.

--Smaller, much less intimidating, private studio, in NW Portland

--Newly graduated Naturopathic physician, completing my first year of residency while continuing my training business. 

--I have extensive experience and research in women’s health and fitness and I am ready to share it with you, to help you reach your goals. 

 

Contact me for pricing and times available for the New Year!  I look forward to working with you!

 

PS:  I am also looking for yoga instructors, massage therapists and other alternative practitioners for pregnant women to ad to my referral network...PLEASE let me know who you have been to, enjoyed, and recommend!

 

Leslie Fuller, ND, CPT

afullerlife@gmail.com

Owner: A Fuller Life, LLC

Baby sign classes are through Signing Time Academy (if you're familiar with Signing Time with Alex and Leah, its the same Signing Time!) and are for ages birth to 3. With a parent, of course! I've got everything in order, have my location reserved, done a practice class with some friends, and now all I need are some kids for my first class! It starts January 6 at 2:00, in Beaverton (really close to the Beaverton library) For my grand opening, I'm offering 20% off tuition, and students can buy the Baby Signing Time DVDs for 50% off! Classes are 8 week sessions. My website is www.littlesigningstars.com and you can learn more about Signing Time Academy at www.signingtimeacademy.com

 
The Northeast Family Cooperative will be holding an open house on Sunday, Dec. 13th from 10-4.  There will be holidays crafts using recycled materials (appropriate for all ages with parental assistance) and music with Tyleena Winslow of Sound Roots Music. Please bring your family and join us!

The Northeast Family Cooperative is a community of families sharing goods, resources, talents, and skills in order to support one another in seeking a sustainable lifestyle: socially, emotionally, financially, and environmentally.

We are located at 4932 NE 30th, just south of NE Alberta. For more information: www.nefamilycoop.wordpress.com or email nefamilycoop@gmail.com

“The best photographic moments happen during everyday events.”

What better place to create Christmas memories than the Benson Hotel’s beautifully festive lobby? And what better way to capture these moments than with candid photos from local art photographer Christina Weber?

Spend the afternoon relaxing by the fire, delight in the sparkle of the tree, sip a hot toddy or some cocoa while the kids enjoy gingerbread cookies and storytelling with Christina taking their photographs on both color and b&w film. Come bring your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or even your friend’s kids and celebrate the holiday with us!

Where: The Benson Hotel, 309 SW Broadway, http://www.bensonhotel.com

When: Saturday, December 12, 1:00 to 5:00pm

*The session fee is only $40 per child.
*Prints and images are purchased separately.
*Proof viewing will be at the Benson Hotel lobby on Wednesday, December 16th from 5:30 to 7:00.
*You may order your own combination of prints or digital images.
*Prices are on her website, http://www.christinaweber.com, and Christina also offers matting and framing services.

Since the holiday is approaching soon, Christina can send gift cards to your intended recipients, if needed.

About the artist:
Christina Weber is a Portland-based art photographer offering candid, freestyle portraiture of children, families, and celebrations. She works on location, capturing kids being themselves, in their favorite places, doing their favorite things. Still enamored with her 35mm camera, she prefers the depth and range of color and b&w film for her portrait photography.

Nikky Breathable Poly Diaper Covers
From the Babyworks website (http://babyworks.com): These Nikkys diaper covers have been our top selling diaper cover for years. Customers like them because they are a practical combination of breathable and waterproof. These diaper covers are lightweight and stretchable for comfortable, long wear, and are nearly as breathable as the wool Nikkys. The technology is that the pores of the fabric are large enough to allow air to pass through, but not moisture. Because they are made of synthetic fabric, they they rarely feel wet and dry very quickly.
The covers retail new for $14.50 each.
Five Size S (3 months), like new: $7 each
My son grew so fast, we barely used them.

Prices are firm.

Contact Becky at rowbecky@hotmail.com

Hey, Mamas.

Anyone have baby legs or similar that they'd like to pass on?  I like the re-use movement, and I'd love to re-use yours!

SANDY B., arequita@gmail.com