Missoula Roll Call

[Matt's Mom in MT]

I'm just wondering who all is in Missoula, what everyone does, etc.

I'll start. I'm currently a stay at home mom who is going back to school. My son is 15 months old and is totally the light of my life. I'm always looking to make new friends, especially real life ones!

Who's next?

[mariposita]

We might be moving there! If all goes well, our family will be moving to Missoula in April or May. I'm looking forward to going there. Is there a large AP community? I'd love to connect with some mamas before heading that way!

[MaWhit]

We'll be visiting from April 6-10. Let me know if you'd be interested in getting together for a playdate. :)

[redhdsunshine]

hi! i realize that this is a fairly old post, just wondering if you are still in missoula? i am in a similar circumstance and have been here four months now. would love to chat!

[MaWhit]

We don't live there yet, but will be moving there next summer. The kids and I are actually going to be there tomorrow (Thursday) night, all day Friday, and Saturday morning visiting. I'll check this thread again tonight, so let me know if you'd want to get together. We'll be going to the carousel and dragon park on Friday morning, probably around 10 or 11.

[alie]

Hi, I am living on the east coast now but my husband and I are originally from the west. We are moving to Montana next year, and would like some pointers. Right now we are considering either bozeman or missoula. What are the pros and cons of each, comparisons? Our friends live in bozeman and love it. Of course we love both but as people who live there, what's your take? Hope to hear answers! Thanks in advance.

[meagen]

Oh how I wish we were back there! We moved 14 months ago and hopefully will be back next summer. Missoula is more natural than Bozeman, I would say. Bozeman is nice, it just has more of an out-of-stater feel to me (no offense :) ) What I mean is it doesn't seem to have as much Montana charm. Missoula is just such a great mix of people, and the best school in Montana, but don't get me started on that, I'll write a novel. If, however, you are interested in an immersion education, please let me know! I miss Missoula daily and can't wait to get back!

[alie]

Thanks Meagan, I am pming you. Hey, my daughter is about the same age as yours! Thanks so much for responding. Does anyone else have pros/cons/ideas/input?

[redhdsunshine]

hiya whit, sorry i missed you. don't usually check this too much on the weekends---out playing with the babe and hubby:). hope you had a nice visit. the carosel and hollow are very fun!

a note to alie, we've lived in missoula for almost five months now, and here is my opinion as a newbie: seems like a great place to be a college student--LOTS of stuff going on after five and on weekends...a happenin' downtown, lots of great parks and play areas for the kids...seems like a younger town (not so many old folks that i have noticed), traffic is my biggest headache but then i moved from a town of about 5,000 so anything is heavy traffic comparatively! overall, i give it a big thumbs up for a town of its size.

[hnybee]

I just had to jump in!!! I dont live there but one of my best friends does and I saw the thread and had to stop by. She has two little ones exactly one year apart (they are both born in feb). When she came to visit me (in southern california) she was very impressed with the natural parenting I was into. She had always felt inclined to raise her kids this was but didn't have much support. I will have to direct her to this thread. She lives close to her sister in law, who co sleeps and breastfeeds. Ashley is very attached to little Luke.

I will have to point my friend (Carmella) toward this thread. She would love some AP friends and support. Especially since her two kids are so close in age....it's very stressful!

[mariposita]

We're in Missoula too! We moved here a little more than 2 months ago and love it. We actually think the traffic is great compared to Portland (where we moved from). It's a great community and lots to do and see. Very outdoorsy. Another MDC mama (stirringleaf) lives only 2 blocks away from me. So it seems like we're here, we should just get organize a get-together sometime!

[lianamamma]

Hey Missoula Mommas! We've recently arrived from Seattle and are looking to hook up with some moms and babes now that we are settled in. I have a 2 1/2 year old who can't get enough hanging, sliding and swinging in, so next time we are heading to the playground, we'd love to meet some new friends. We're missing Seattle, but lovin' Missoula! :toddler:

[MaWhit]

Still not in Missoula, but jealous of those of you who are. :) We got the market value assessment done on our house and will definitely be able to sell it for enough to make our move to MT a reality. We are hoping to buy somewhere around Florence/Hamilton... Hopefully not more than an hour from Missoula.

[northstar]

I have been in missoula for about two years now, but with school and two kids and a hectic family life I have not made many AP friends. I would love to connect with like-minded mamas.

Any bilingual families out there? My partner is Spanish, and we try to speak a lot of spanish and french with our 5 year-old - it would help a lot for himto be around other bilingual kids.

[mariposita]

Hi there. We live in Missoula and are raising our son in both Spanish and English. I have lived in many Spanish speaking countries, so wanted to pass that along to our 2 1/2 yo. I also know that stirringleaf's dh speaks only in Spanish to their son. So we're out here! I'd love to get together with all the Missoula MDC families sometime, although coordinating it might be difficult since I'll be out of the state for half of the month.

Let's talk more and actually get together everyone! :)

[meagen]

Northstar-
Have you looked at the Missoula International School for your son? It's a Spanish-Immersion school and it's wonderful. Of course I may be a bit biased because I used to teach there ;)

Anyway, we miss Missoula so much, and can't wait to get back!

[northstar]

Hi, Meagen. We did consider the international school (my cousin taught there a few years ago, too) but behaviorly ds seems to need the specific structure of the montessori program that he's in. We may look into the international school again in a year or two. Thanks for the input.

Mariposita and others - yes, let's talk and see about meeting some time. I love these boards when I get a chance to get online, but that is so rare these days. Anyone interested in a play day at a park while the fall weather still allows?

[CrunchyClark]

I'm from Helena, but with a recently deployed hubby (Army), we're looking for some fun day trips! We like to come to Missoula to do some shopping and visit. I used to live there in 1994/95 while I went to the U.

[mariposita]

Okay, so life's finally calmed down (a little) and I'm back from all my trips, so does anyone want to get together sometime soon? I really need to get to know some people here in Missoula.

I'd love to get together sometime before the holidays, if possible. Otherwise sometime in the new year would be great too.

It looks like we're going to have to put DS into daycare 3 days a week. Does anyone know anything about This Little Piggy? It's only 2 blocks from our house, which would be nice. Plus, when I called them, they focus on natural fibers, organic and local food, make all food from scratch, and like natural light. It sounds great, although it's expensive. Anyone else know about them or other daycare people in Missoula (DS will be 3 in February). Thanks!

[northstar]

Hi, Mariposita.

I would be interested in getting together - my life will calm down after I finish final exams next thursday the 16th. You must live near us if you're close to This Little Piggy. Maybe we could rendezvous at the west side park if the cold isn't too much for everyone. (We will probably be at the park for awhile tomorrow - saturday - too. We go most saturdays)

I checked into This Little Piggy a couple years ago and I was really impressed by what they and others told me, although I never visited. They were full and had awaiting list though.

You might also ask Child Care resources for their list of liscenced and unliscensed care providers. Sometimes you can find a SAHM with an earthy, attachment focused approach.

You might also check to see if the little dipper is still operating. It was an older woman who was into Waldorf doing day care in her home. Good Luck, and keep in touch about getting together.

[MaWhit]

Hey, everyone. We're still putting our house on the market in the spring to move to the Missoula area, and I have a few questions.

Can anyone recommend a good realtor? Or warn us away from one? What about home inspectors? Mortgage lenders/brokers?

And any idea what the pay rate for skilled/experiences carpenters/cabinetmakers (not construction, but rather cabinets, trim, doors, etc) is in and around Missoula?

And any idea how long it takes to drive from Missoula to Connor? (south)

[farmlife]

it's been a long time but I still miss Missoula on almost a daily basis. I was there from 94 -97. what a great place to raise kids! looking forward to visiting next summer....

[kangamom]

Its been a while since I've posted, but I'm in Missoula!

[damyen's mommy]

I live in Arlee. A town 17 miles north of Missoula does that count ?
:D

[tribalmax]

Ok, so if you subscribe to the other Missoula/MT threads, this is going to be redundant...

But I rarely check this forum unless I get notification of a new post to something I have subscribed to...and I just want everyone to get the word...

There is a new holistic moms network forming in Missoula!!

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?p=4428366#post4428366

I hope to see everyone there! It should be lots of fun!

Rachel