Monday, January 7

THE FAIRMONT FIVE family resolutions

It's a new year and plenty of people are already hard at work making their resolutions a reality. I have a few personal resolutions (lose those last few stubborn pounds of baby weight, read more, exercise...) but when you're a mom, there's no changing your life without changing the life of your family.  I love the opportunity a new year affords to take stock of things and begin, again, at the tough work of being the best mom I can be. I'm planning to channel this resolution-making energy into some doable goals for me and my family in 2013.  Here are some tips I found helpful from Dr. Phil for making my list of Family Resolutions:
  1. Take inventory and prioritize. If you want to turn chaos into harmony and rhythm in your household, you have to be willing to challenge everything. Nothing is sacred. You may have to change your lifestyle, rearrange your schedule or drop some of your commitments in order to fully benefit your family. Are your children involved in too many activities? Are you so busy you never have time alone with your spouse? Ask yourself what's really important to you and your family.
  2. Learn to delegate. Oftentimes, mothers take it all on themselves when their children are old enough to lend a helping hand. You can't do everything. It's admirable, but not realistic. Divide up the labor and responsibilities so you're not so worn out all the time. Give your kids specific tasks that they can each be responsible for. Your kids will appreciate it. It'll make them feel helpful and you'll have more to give them in return.
  3. Create family rituals. Plan something fun for everyone to look forward to. Pick one night a week for game night. It's the time to de-stress, decompress, relax and have fun together without the TV on or the phone ringing. Do your children like to bake? Bake something new every week. Find special things to do every holiday or birthday. Your kids may roll their eyes, but their ears still work and they'll be grateful for the time together. 
  4. Make each child feel special. Make a commitment to have "dates" with each of your kids. Find one thing you can do that's unique to each child that you don't do with the other kids. Know that you are very important to your children. The time you spend with them is vital to who they become as adults. 
  5. Nurture your relationship with your spouse. One of the most important things you can do for your children is to take care of their mom and dad. Don't stop being friends and lovers because you've become parents. Schedule in date night for just the two of you. Remember why you fell in love in the first place. 
Image above from Design Sponge: New Year’s Resolution from Sierra of Poppies & Posies

Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools

Wednesday, December 19

THE FAIRMONT FIVE educational winter break activities



Winter break is a much needed time for kids to let their minds and bodies relax from the everyday school grind. But if you want to make sure your children stay alert and engaged, here are five places to visit that are both fun and educational.

Visit beautiful Laguna Beach the first Thursday of every month and enjoy a free walk through the town's galleries with Main Beach in the background. Arrive between 6pm and 9pm and a shuttle bus will pick you up from the Laguna Art Museum.

Head to the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana to really get your "hands on" some science! Have a blast with more than 100 science exhibits that you can actually touch. Hours during winter break are 9am-6pm and children (ages 3-14) are $12.95 and adults (ages 15+) are $14.95. There is also a yearly family membership for $99.

The Fullerton Arboretum is the largest botanical garden in Orange County. It boasts 26 acres with 4,000 unique and unusual plant species from around the world. Enjoy its ponds, streams, and wildlife together as you walk and enjoy the tranquility of this beautiful oasis in the city. Visit 7 days a week 8am-4:30pm.

For some sports fun take the Angel Stadium Tour. Get behind the scenes and visit the Angels dugout, visitors clubhouse, the press box, and dugout suites. Call in advance to make a reservation. Kids cost $3 and adults $5. 

It's always fun to go to the zoo. And we have one right in our backyard. The Santa Ana Zoo focuses on the animals and plants of Central and South America and is known for its extensive primate collection with over a dozen species from around the world. It is open daily from 10am-4pm and costs $10 for adults and $7 for kids.

Contributed by Darcy, Fairmont Private Schools 

Monday, December 17

SHORT STORY choc toy drive


On Friday, December 14 Santa Claus led an entourage of Harley Davidson Riders to each of our campuses to pick up Fairmont's CHOC Toy Drive donations. Our children had a blast watching the motorcycles roll in and then going to see Santa. 


Contributed by Alyssa, Fairmont Private Schools 

Friday, December 14

FRIDAY FOLDER december 14


Ryan S., Emaad R., Lauren J., and Ozi O., hold down the trumpet section during the 
Historic Anaheim Winter Instrumental Concert on Wednesday. 

Condolences for the Victims of the Connecticut Shooting 
We at Fairmont send our sincere condolences to the victims of the tragic Connecticut school shooting. We mourn those students' and teachers' lives that were lost in this terrible act of violence. We would like to ensure our Fairmont parents that your children's safety at school continues to be our utmost priority, and we thank you, as always, for entrusting us with the education of your child.

Weekly E-Newsletters 

December Lunch Menus 

Contributed by Alyssa, Fairmont Private Schools

Wednesday, December 12

SNACK TIME cures for the common cold



On average, children have six to eight colds per year. As flu and cold season approaches, it may be wise to stock up on some old time remedies and maybe introduce some new ones. Though you can't actually "cure" a cold, you can improve the way you feel with some simple foods --- see below for some tips that may be worth your while.

Chicken soup is a traditional favorite that has been used to soothe colds and the flu as far back as the 12th century.  Studies have shown that chicken soup can ease the symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections, including congestion, stuffy nose and cough. Hot fluids also help to keep nasal passages moist, prevent dehydration and soothe a sore throat.

An exotic food once reserved for royalty, mushrooms contain powerful substances including antioxidants and vitamin D that help support the immune system. The majority of mushrooms contain immune building compounds but the Maitake and King Trumpet variety are especially high in these compounds. Use mushrooms as a pizza topping, add them to an omelet or pasta sauce, or include in soups for virus-fighting benefits.

Laboratory evidence indicates that garlic contains antimicrobial and antiviral properties, however, research proving the effectiveness of garlic against the common cold remains limited. Still, it may be worth a try, especially if garlic-infused foods helps improve a stubborn appetite and gets a child to eat.

Drinking hot tea is soothing to mucous membranes while spicy tea such as ginger tea, may temporarily help “open” nasal passages making it easier to breathe.

Flu and cold season have arrived. Is your kitchen pantry cold-remedy ready?

Image via Discover Magazine 

Contributed by Leslie K. Kay-Getzinger, MS, RD, Nutrition Management Services 

Monday, December 10

THE FAIRMONT FIVE playful gift ideas

The holiday season is here!  Are you feeling the pressure?  I can't help with everything on your to-do list, but I'm happy to let you in on a secret we recently pinned to our Pinterest board (the cutest holiday gift guides for kids you'll find anywhere south of the North Pole).  Whether you're shopping for a budding scientist or a ballerina-to-be, you'll get plenty of great ideas for gifts that delight this season and for many moons to come.  Here are a few themes to guide you:

  1. Play
  2. Read
  3. Music
  4. Imagine
  5. Scientists and Explorers

Photo from A Lovely Lark

Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools

Friday, December 7

FRIDAY FOLDER december 7


Anaheim Hills Preschool Sing Along 

North Tustin Cheerleaders Take 1st Place in Regional Championship

Highlights From This Week
Congratulations North Tustin Cheerleaders! 
For the second year in a row, our North Tustin Cheerleaders have won first place in the Southern California Regional Championship! Now they will move on to the state and possibly national level to continue competing.  We are wishing them lots of L-U-C-K! 

CHOC Toy Drive 
The spirit of the holiday season is underway, and our Annual Toy Drive kicked off this week. We would appreciate if you could help us by donating a toy for a boy or a girl who is at CHOC - Children's Hospital of Orange County. These children would truly benefit from receiving a special gift on Christmas morning and all year long. You can drop your donation off at your campus now until December 14th. The toys will be picked up by the Orange Coast Harley Davidson's Chapter. They will come to all of our campuses on Friday, December 14th via motorcycles! Thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity.

Winter Concerts 
The holidays are just around the corner, and our campuses are all abuzz with holiday cheer! Our annual winter concerts have begun, and they've been a great success so far! You can read re-caps of the 1st and 2nd Grade Performances at the Historic Anaheim Campus and the Preschool Sing Along at the Anaheim Hills Campus (pictured above) in this week's newsletters. 

We still have lots of performances coming up! Check out your campus' newsletter for the dates and times.