Flash back to nearly 11 years ago when MP was a new mom. Her go-to resources included a few friends who recently had babies, babycenter.com, a collection of parenting books on the bedside table and her obstetrician. If an event existed to expose her to everything her community had to offer new parents, she would have jumped at the chance to go.
Archive for the ‘parenting’ Category
Meet Darcy Sauers: The Woman Behind the Portland Mom & Baby Expo
Posted in Events, Giveaways, parenting, Sponsors, tagged babywearing, car seat safety, community resources for Maine parents, cute potato sponsors, cutepotato.com, Darcy Sauers, dover doula, giveaway, islandport press, kid-friendly events portland maine, Kristi Hayes-Devlin, Maine Bureau of Highway Safety and car seats, parenting resources in Maine, Portland Expo, portland public library, postpartum doula, seacoast, southern maine babywearers, ticket giveaway, Wrapsody on April 5, 2017| 3 Comments »
Maine Forest Playgroup
Posted in Adventure, parenting, Parks, Trails, tagged Baxter Woods Park, Breakwater School, community programs, Courtney Cronin, Cumberland Land Trust, cumberland maine, cutepotato.com, emily griffith photography, experiential learning, Jessieland Nature Preserve, kids, maine, Maine Forest Playgroup, outdoor inspired play, outdoors, portland maine, slow parenting, start your own playgroup on November 21, 2016| Leave a Comment »
MP recently met with Courtney Cronin, a Portland-based mother of two who is the founder of Maine Forest Playgroup, a parent-powered program that encourages families to enjoy the outdoors together. Designed for children ages one to five, the group meets on Friday mornings at nature preserves, parks, and beaches in and around Portland.
Courtney started the group in December 2015. As a mother to an infant and an active toddler, she wanted a playgroup that would engage them both. A lifelong love of the outdoors, coupled with years of community outreach experience, gave her the tools she needed to start. Courtney organized the initial playgroup meetings on her own, offering an outdoor activity and a fun, new location for families to meet each week. Before long, word about Maine Forest Playgroup spread and parents began volunteering to facilitate group outings. Courtney says at least a dozen kids and parents show up on Friday mornings, no matter what the weather. (more…)
Secrets of Super Cool Parents (Dylan Drake, The Camper Clan)
Posted in Family, parenting, tagged adventure cycyling, Camper Clan documentary, Community Halloween Party Old Orchard Beach, cute potato, cutepotato.com, dylan drake, electric bicyles, Family, family adventures, family road trips, fried lobster roll, Guinness World Record, Hoss & Mary's, missoula montana, old orchard beach maine, preparing for family trips, road trip challenges, secrets of super cool parents, the camper clan, The Grand Beach Inn, tips for frugal travel, tips for traveling with kids, Tomas Corjito, Travel on November 7, 2014| 1 Comment »
Today marks the first post in a new Cute Potato series that highlights creative, adventurous parents. MP recently had the opportunity to speak with Dylan Drake—mother, designer and organizational guru behind the Camper Clan—about her family’s decision to journey 6,200 miles across America by electric bike to break the Guinness World Record (4,176 miles)!
During husband Tomas Corjito’s daily rides, Dylan follows behind in their van with daughter Eva, age 4, and son Coco, age 2. Her day requires some serious planning: dealing with weather, mapping out routes, finding economical places to stay, and above all, entertaining the kids!
While traveling across country is a challenge, the family has prior road trip experience. In June 2013, they set off on a yearlong journey across the Americas from Tomas’ native Argentina to Dylan’s home state of Montana. The incredible experience fueled Dylan and Tomas’ desire to take on a bigger challenge, and share it with the world.
Their World Record adventure started in Missoula, Montana—the family’s hometown—in August 2014. If all goes as planned, the trip will end in Key West Florida in January 2015. Dylan and Tomas hope the trip will help promote sustainable transportation and encourage travel with young children.
MP chatted with Dylan after the family’s short visit to Maine about the ups and downs of life on the road.
MP: Before we start, I have to ask, what was your impression of Maine?
DD: I’ve never been to Maine, but I’ve always wanted to visit. We spent Halloween in Old Orchard Beach.