Queen Creek, AZ

[Shellie]

I'm moving there from Chandler next month (hopefully!!!) and since I haven't really made any lasting friendships since moving to AZ from CA 3.5 years ago, I'm going to use this relocation as an opportunity to meet some other moms. I am looking at the MOMS Club (Queen Creek) and also have found a couple interesting groups at Meetup.com. I can't seem to find a homeschooling group, though...was told there was one and it's disbanded? Anyway, if you have any info I'd love to hear it!

Thanks

[Double Dip]

no info, but would be interested to hear what you find.

Which MOM group?

I just started looking yesterday but don't have time to followup with it yet.

My girls just turned 4 and I am not sending them to preschool next year. I am trying to find or start a smallish group of moms of 3-5 year olds who might want to do a preschool playgroup once a week. I started one in Alabama before we moved here and I also organized the toddler/waddler monthly playgroup for our twins club in Alabama.

How old are your children?

I am trying to plan my activities in the Queen Creek area to help save on my gas costs. We just moved from Alabama to Queen Creek at Christmastime.

Kristin

[Shellie]

Oh, neat. I have a daughter who turned 4yo in January. (But just one LOL!) I also have a 2.5yo boy, 10yo boy and soon-to-be 14yo girl.

My little ones aren't likely going to formal preschool either, though I've considered it. I much prefer playgroups and cooperative projects to formal preschool.

The MOMS Club I was referring to is this:

http://www.momsclub.org/

There are apparently two chapters in the QC area. The way the boundaries are defined puts me in the original Queen Creek group. The other one has a presence on Meetup.com and describes the boundaries:

http://www.meetup.com/MOMS-Club-of-San-Tan-Corridor-AZ/

I'm familiar with the organization because I started two chapters, years ago in CA.

Then if you search Meetup.com there are a couple other QC groups with *lots* of family and SAHM activities. I believe I'm going to my first tomorrow. :

I am thinking I may have to start my own homeschool group out there though. Unless I can find some hidden gem not listed online anywhere.

If you want to e-mail me, feel free. I'd love to chat about things to do!

Oh, and welcome to AZ!

[Double Dip]

Thanks for the links! I was looking at 2 different "MOPS" (Mothers of Preschoolers groups) and hadn't yet come across the MOMs group.

I am in Johnson Ranch so if the difference in the groups you posted is geographical, I'd be in the San Tan one.

My girls just turned 4 in January too. We really looked at preschool options when we moved here and thought I'd found the perfect fit. (long story) Mostly I figured I'd not have them go to preschool as I have so enjoyed just being involved with them and being a SAHM (the other option was really perfect us but fell through).

When we lived in WI, I was a teacher and we knew when we had our family I'd be a SAHM. We've lived in Alabama the last several years and I was very active in the twins group there. I met a lot of great moms and formed some friendships I treasure and am keeping in touch with those moms/children. However all of the activities/moms lived 45-60 minutes away and that gets tough to do all the time. I am thinking of just joining a mom group since the moms who I really connected to the most were more like me (SAHM AND had certain desires to also teach/live our values with our children as far as making other choices in our daily lives). I think now that we are over the infant/toddler stages the twin connection isn't as important to me as is the parenting style. It seems to me like the moms group you linked would be a good fit for us. I'll have to compare that to the MOP group I found.

I would love to meet up sometime - let me know if you want to also.

March & April are kind of crazy busy for us - that is another reason why I am waiting to get involved with a mom group right now.

There is a moms like me phoenix message board that has a homeschool group. I posted there but it doesn't seem very active. I wonder if you'd have any better luck since you have more experience to share? Maybe someone might have a contact for you?

Keep in touch-
Kristin

PS. What part of QC are you moving to?

[Becca951]

Don't mean to hijack a post....but I, too, have a 4 year old (turned 4 in December) that I am thinking about homeschooling next year (not liking the options up in our neck of the woods). I, too, would be interested in forming a group for my two girls to socialize with.

My Hailey is 4 and my Riley just turned 3. Would probably go ahead and start both of them on a personaized curriculum next fall.....

I am also lacking a good group of parents/moms to hang out with and most of the kiddos in my neighborhood are my stepsons' ages.....3rd/4th grade.

So....I'd love to be on the shortlist of potentials, too! I actually live in Pecan Creek but am willing to travel to join up with other preschoolers!

[Shellie]

Originally Posted by Double Dip

Thanks for the links! I was looking at 2 different "MOPS" (Mothers of Preschoolers groups) and hadn't yet come across the MOMs group.

<snip>
I would love to meet up sometime - let me know if you want to also.

March & April are kind of crazy busy for us - that is another reason why I am waiting to get involved with a mom group right now.

PS. What part of QC are you moving to?

Sounds great--would love to get together. March/April promise to be crazy here too with landscaping, moving, etc. But I'm always up for a quick park visit or coffee run. We will be in Pecan Creek South which is on Ocotillo/Ironwood (or whatever it's called that far south...I've only been there three times so far and can't keep the names straight). I got your e-mail so I'll keep in touch!

Originally Posted by Becca951

Don't mean to hijack a post....but I, too, have a 4 year old (turned 4 in December) that I am thinking about homeschooling next year (not liking the options up in our neck of the woods). I, too, would be interested in forming a group for my two girls to socialize with.

My Hailey is 4 and my Riley just turned 3. Would probably go ahead and start both of them on a personaized curriculum next fall.....

I am also lacking a good group of parents/moms to hang out with and most of the kiddos in my neighborhood are my stepsons' ages.....3rd/4th grade.

So....I'd love to be on the shortlist of potentials, too! I actually live in Pecan Creek but am willing to travel to join up with other preschoolers!

Welcome aboard, Becca...the more the merrier.

We're moving to Pecan Creek South (I hope...several things have fallen through for us so I'm afraid to sound too certain LOL). I have a 4th grade boy too.

This is really promising as we already have 6 littles ones we can get together (and mostly girls as my 2.5yo is a boy).

[Double Dip]

This sounds great-

We looked at some houses in Pecan Creek- seemed like a nice area.

I have some company that is coming in March but they haven't finalized the dates yet.

Let me know if you plan to get together - as soon as I know when my company is coming I can plan ahead.

[KMK_Mama]

Welcome to QC!!

I'm in the Ironwood/Ocotillo area as well...we've been out here for a little over 3 years. I've tried some of the playgroups and haven't been happy with them....I got so sick of the DRAMA! I'm not homeschooling, but I just wanted to say, Hello!

[Double Dip]

Went to a great preschool storytime at the Queen Creek library on Ellsworth & Ocotillo and then to the park-

maybe we can meet up sometime.

[KMK_Mama]

Originally Posted by Double Dip

Went to a great preschool storytime at the Queen Creek library on Ellsworth & Ocotillo and then to the park-

maybe we can meet up sometime.

I just got a membership to the library. Although I thought the $50/year fee was quite ridiculous.

I really need to check the schedule for all the activities they have too. I haven't gotten around to that yet.

[Shellie]

Hey QC Mamas!

Our house almost fell through but we finally closed about a week ago (phew!) and now we're trying to get moved (there's so much to do!). Just wanted to reconnect so we can get-together soon.

$50 to use the library? Is that the one in QC that's part of MCLD or another? Cause I have a MCLD card and it was free. LOL

[Double Dip]

I did join the San Tan MOM group but have been busy with family visiting so I haven't been able to attend much yet. I like the women & children I have met there so far.

& yes the library is in Maricopa County so if you already have a card -KEEP IT!

pm me when you get settled if you want to meet up sometime.

[KMK_Mama]

Originally Posted by Shellie

Hey QC Mamas!

Our house almost fell through but we finally closed about a week ago (phew!) and now we're trying to get moved (there's so much to do!). Just wanted to reconnect so we can get-together soon.

$50 to use the library? Is that the one in QC that's part of MCLD or another? Cause I have a MCLD card and it was free. LOL

Yeah, the library is in Maricopa which is why I had to pay a fee. Even though it's the closest library to me and I'm only 5-10 minutes away, I am in Pinal. : They assured me that everyone has to pay for the library through taxes, I just had to pay in cash instead. Uhm, yeah lady but I had to pay in cash AND in taxes. LOL

[azfiresmbm]

Originally Posted by KMK_Mama

Yeah, the library is in Maricopa which is why I had to pay a fee. Even though it's the closest library to me and I'm only 5-10 minutes away, I am in Pinal. : They assured me that everyone has to pay for the library through taxes, I just had to pay in cash instead. Uhm, yeah lady but I had to pay in cash AND in taxes. LOL

Thought I'd chime in , I work with the city of Queen Creek and get asked this question ALOT !

Even though your mail and such say you live in Queen Creek you really don't .

People whole live in Pinal County but have the name Queen Creek,, don't really live in the town of Queen Creek .
The U.S. post office gave you a town to better their postal service.

You live on Pinal County land (an unincorporated part of the county)

All your taxes go to Pinal County (not the town of Queen Creek)
So you do not pay taxes to help our library or fire or police !!
Your taxes do not support Maricopa county
Your taxes support Pinal county
Your taxes pay for Pinal County library , fire , police , etc ..
This is why you pay a fee to use Maricopa County facilities.
You can go to the Apache Junction library or Coolige library or Casa Grande library and not pay a fee because they are based in Pinal County .

[KMK_Mama]

Originally Posted by azfiresmbm

Thought I'd chime in , I work with the city of Queen Creek and get asked this question ALOT !

Even though your mail and such say you live in Queen Creek you really don't .

People whole live in Pinal County but have the name Queen Creek,, don't really live in the town of Queen Creek .
The U.S. post office gave you a town to better their postal service.

You live on Pinal County land (an unincorporated part of the county)

All your taxes go to Pinal County (not the town of Queen Creek)
So you do not pay taxes to help our library or fire or police !!
Your taxes do not support Maricopa county
Your taxes support Pinal county
Your taxes pay for Pinal County library , fire , police , etc ..
This is why you pay a fee to use Maricopa County facilities.
You can go to the Apache Junction library or Coolige library or Casa Grande library and not pay a fee because they are based in Pinal County .

I know, but it was still $50. I wasn't arguing and trying to get out of paying it, she was telling me that I don't pay for the library through taxes and I do, but those libraries are TOO FAR for me.

[arnellathon]

Welcome to Johnson Ranch!

Hi Shellie! I was ridiculously pleased to read your post. We moved here from San Diego 5 years ago and also have yet to make lasting friendships - maybe we can hang out? I have two sons, age 13 and 7 months (quite the age span, I know!) Where in Johnson Ranch are you? I'm in Torrey Park, half way between Walker Butte and Indigo Sky pool. Can't wait to hear from you!

[Shellie]

Hi Ladies

Things got crazy right after we moved and I haven't popped in here in ages! I am definitely interested in making new friends--I've had a huge hiccup in our social lives due to H1N1 (long story involving my medically fragile dd) but we are trying to choose activities that don't directly expose her to other kids in an enclosed situation.

Just thought I'd post and see if anyone from this area is still active and possibly meeting up!

[Mama2Rio]

Hi Shellie... i too, just moved to Johnson Ranch, and really don't know anyone out here! We moved from chandler about 2 months ago. maybe we can start some kind of ap moms group out here, which i really would love to do, but i don't have the funding to start something on meetup ... so maybe we can use mdc to start some meetups/playgroup or something. My dd is 16 months old, very active and loves other kids...

[Shellie]

Originally Posted by azfiresmbm

Thought I'd chime in , I work with the city of Queen Creek and get asked this question ALOT !

Even though your mail and such say you live in Queen Creek you really don't .

People whole live in Pinal County but have the name Queen Creek,, don't really live in the town of Queen Creek .
The U.S. post office gave you a town to better their postal service.

You live on Pinal County land (an unincorporated part of the county)

All your taxes go to Pinal County (not the town of Queen Creek)
So you do not pay taxes to help our library or fire or police !!
Your taxes do not support Maricopa county
Your taxes support Pinal county
Your taxes pay for Pinal County library , fire , police , etc ..
This is why you pay a fee to use Maricopa County facilities.
You can go to the Apache Junction library or Coolige library or Casa Grande library and not pay a fee because they are based in Pinal County .

So funny that you should mention this because a few months ago they changed our city to "San Tan Valley." It's so odd to be so close to QC and do a lot of our shopping, etc. there but not be eligible for any of the services, etc. I did get my $50 library card through MCLD. I have no idea where the closest Pinal Cty library is.

[Shellie]

Originally Posted by Mama2Rio

Hi Shellie... i too, just moved to Johnson Ranch, and really don't know anyone out here! We moved from chandler about 2 months ago. maybe we can start some kind of ap moms group out here, which i really would love to do, but i don't have the funding to start something on meetup ... so maybe we can use mdc to start some meetups/playgroup or something. My dd is 16 months old, very active and loves other kids...

Hey, do you want to co-mod something on meetup for AP moms? I already have an account there and would not cost a cent more to add another group. LMK There are some great groups out here but I'd especially love an AP group.

It sounds like you and I moved from the same general area.