Posted in LVHM Monthly

Coming up: Self Control

Self control.

Do you have it?

June’s Monthly Family Connect meeting will focus on helping children and parents with strategies to promote self control. The infamous marshmallow study done with children helps identify children who have self control is our inspiration. The longitudinal study revealed that children who possess self control:

  • Score higher on college entrace exams
  • Are less likely to abuse substances
  • Are less likely to be impacted by obesity
  • Have better social skills

If your family is attending our Family Connect event this Wednesday, June 19th, you’re in for a treat! The kiddos will go through our own marshmallow study, hear a story on self control and discuss strategies they can use to have self control daily. Adults will have a similar discussion focussing on how we can help our kiddos learn and practice self control at home.

See you on the 19th!

Posted in Sip and Mingle

We’re Sipping and Mingling

In all the fun, we forgot to take pictures! Except for this one.

Remember these? Some of us actually brought ours. If you remember, last year the ladies of LVHM ordered them.

Our first LVHM Family Connect Sip & Mingle was fun, entertaining, and rather productive. It seems that when you get men and women together over drinks (alcoholic and otherwise), we actually have rather insightful points of view and we make progress on ideas and initiatives! This was another opportunity in-line with our theme of acceptance started in May to get to know each other better and provide an inclusive environment here at LVHM.

Aside from getting to know each other better, we talked about how to make our community better. For starters, we talked about the obvious–the Clubhouse. The basement is still closed off. Some of our neighbors were brave enough to go down there. It’s awful! Odor is an understatement and mold still everywhere. Good then it’s secured…for now. And there are concerns about the lack of work being done to remediate the basement. With AC running, there are concerns that it’s not really safe for us to keep meeting at the clubhouse. We’ll make sure to confirm that before our next event with the HOA/DR Horton.

Then we all talked about the future. Our community is growing and our clubhouse isn’t. All present were in agreement that if we could, we should expand the clubhouse. We discussed various ways that could be done and talked about space allotment. While the issue of expanding the clubhouse was brought up to DR Horton already, we’ll continue to pressure them with our concerns. It’s a large under taking and the reality is that it may not happen with DR Horton owning the HOA. But once homeowners take over the HOA, it will probably be one of many ideas we address quickly. Having a play space for kids and a room with a TV and a gym was mentioned.

Food was amazing! Again, apologies for the lack of pictures. Irene Sansone made some amazing Italian meatballs with chicken and lamb. Trust us when we say they were divine. Most of us picked up something on the way in, which is totally fine. These Sip & Mingles aren’t meant to add to your plate (couldn’t helpt, sorry). Homemade treats are not required, although we do love tasting your beloved favorites.

And for fun…

In honor of being a more inclusive community and having couples attend the Sip & Mingle, the idea of getting new wine tumblers was brought up. For the men, we’re thinking beer-ware and fun wine tumblers for the ladies. We’re going to start the process of sourcing these and taking orders soon so stay tuned .We already have a company that can assist.

The men in attendance did bring beer and the ladies enjoyed wine. Now there were those in attendance who did not drink alcohol. Sparkling water with lemon and bottled water was on hand for those who didn’t want to drink wine or beer. Others brought their own beverages. Our Sip and Mingle doesn’t require drinking alcohol. We’re more focused on the mingling and less on what you’re sipping.

For the next Sip & Mingle, we’re going to include families. We want to make this easy for all neighbors to participate and having kiddos there would have been fine. From past events, we’ve provided games and activities and the kids enjoyed themselves while the adults visited. Stay tuned for our announcement on July’s Sip & Mingle date.

Posted in Potluck Events

A Delicious LVHM International Day

June 1, 2019 was a first for our community. It was a first that we hope to repeat again. Embracing our diversity, families gathered at the clubhouse for delicious food and fellowship. We met new neighbors and visited with familiar faces. Children played and made new friends.

We have some talented chefs! Families eat well at LVHM. Thank you to all of those who shared their delicious native dishes. And for a treat, here are a couple of recipes.

Achappam

Neighbor Nisha Savanhu made these delicous, gluten free, dairy free treats. Here’s a recipe. Here are the irons to make beautiful shaped cookies.

LVHM Family Connect was founded on bringing together our community and breaking down barriers that segment us as neighbors. Events like this International Day and other events we have planned do that. With these, new friendships form and we are stronger together. Our children develop bonds with each other that they can rely on at school in social circles. And as parents and adults, we can lean on each other to celebrate life and help one another.

Our next potluck is July 4th. If you’re family is staying in town, we’d love to celebrate with you.

Posted in Potluck Events

LVHM International Day 6/1

They say Gwinnett County is the most diverse county in Georgia. If our neighborhood is any indication, that is true. We have families from all over the country, from all parts of the world. Members of our community are native to Georgia, but also come from the midwest, New York, California, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida and other states I know I’m missing. We have families from various parts of India, China, Taiwan, Japan, Romania, Egypt, Canada, various countries in Africa, Korea, Brazil, Mexico, Columbia and others.

To kick off summer and this theme of acceptance from our inaugural Family Connect event, please join us June 1st at from 12:30- 4 pm for a community potluck that embraces our diversity. You are encouraged to bring a dish specific to your family origins or simply a family favorite. You’ll meet new neighbors or get reacquainted with familiar faces. Plus, you’ll get to learn about other cultures and foods native to our families.

Food will be inside the clubhouse on the main floor unless the basement is open by then. We’ll start packing up food by 4 pm, but you’re welcome to linger poolside. Please keep in mind that there are families with food allergies to dairy and nuts. Make sure to label food. It’s bring your own drink, but we’ll try to provide water.

Events like this teach our children acceptance. They teach them to be kind to others and embrace the diversity in their own backyards. Hope to see you all there!

Posted in LVHM Monthly

How it all Started– Acceptance

It’s simple, or I think it is. The place we come home to should be inviting, loving, and peaceful. Several of us here at LVHM expressed a desire to do more to bring us together. Our kids are going to school together. We see each other at the pool. But do we really stop and get to know each other? Wouldn’t it be lovely to connect as a family with other families?

LVHM Family Connect was born out of that desire. We started with our first weekday meeting on acceptance, May 14th. We introduced ourselves and played a game led by Cheryl Vanderpool. Then the kiddos went off Andreea Cojocariu for their activity and Nisha Savanhu led the adult discussion.

The kids talked about times when they didn’t feel accepted by others and then rehearsed a skit they performed for adults. We had 8 kids ranging from age 4-8. They were so adorable and had fun playing and engaging with new friends.

The adults discussed acceptance. The biggest takeaway from that discussion was that we need to do more to be more welcoming of new neighbors and promote a sense of community. Right after that event, you may have noticed new events popping up on our Facebook page. Here’s a full list of community events so you can RSVP and let us know you’re coming.

LVHM Family Connect started off as the name for our once a month meeting, but it’s become more than that. It’s turning into something beautiful, full of love, (and yes) acceptance, and a way for all of us to serve our neighbors. We’d love for you to join us!