Junior Chef: Hot Diggity Dog!

momstown Oakville kicked off a new event today, and it was a huge success!
We have started cooking with our little ones at Junior Chef. Today was called
"hot diggity dog", and we sure had some great looking dogs.

Our kids arrived in aprons, ready to create in the kitchen. This event is hosted
by Sherri from Circle Time Parties. So, while our creations were cooling, we
had some fun with music, shakers, and a story time.


Getting started, with our instructions. We had a hard time keeping them from eating all the ingredients!


A couple of finished dogs! complete with carrots or pickles for legs. They were great! The kids were so excited to put the finishing touches on their dogs!

A quick picture before she bites the tail off!

Circle time dancing!



Finished off with storytime.

Thanks Sherri, we all had a great time! Be sure to check out our momstown Oakville facebook fanpage for loads more pictures.

Momstown has another Junior Chef next month: sail away to snack time. We will be creating sailboats, and having loads of fun! If you'd like to join us, sign up on the calendar. Not a member? We have a 2 week free trial, so you can see what we're all about!

5 reasons I love Stroller Fit!

3rd baby? Don't worry, you'll lose all your baby weight so easily chasing 3 kids!
So, now I'm onto plan B.

My baby is 8 months old, and i've had no luck just losing the weight. So, I was looking for something to do, just to get active again, and start to feel better too.

Along came stroller fit! Mieka Forte from Clear Studio has been running stroller fit classes in Oakville.They are posted on the momstown calendar - and loads of fun.

As Mieka says "this ain't just a stroll in the park!"
I can't believe i never tried this before! I really love it.



Why do I love stroller fit so much? My top 5 reasons:

1. It's scheduled. So for me it requires a commitment (which is good). I know i need to be there at 10. So i am.

2. It's like having a personal trainer. Mieka pushes you harder than you can push yourself. Much better than being at the gym alone.

3. The great thing about this class is that it's geared to all fitness levels - you adjust what you do to suit your needs.

4. It's something fun for me to do with my baby. He giggles when i jog, and smiles at me when i do squats and push ups in front of him!

5. It's also just another great way for moms to get out of the house and meet other moms.

Oakville just happens to be a wonderful location for stroller fit. While i'm jogging, and exercising i can enjoy the scenery of life by the lake, as well as the much appreciated breeze, beautiful parks and trees.

Want to join me for stroller fit? Check out the momstown calendar with a free 2 week trial or momstown facebook fanpage. Mieka also has all the details on her facebook fanpage too.

Free Oakville Family Event - momstown's Birthday Party!

Who doesn't love a party?? momstown Oakville sure does!

All Oakville families are invited to our FREE family event to celebrate momstown's 4th Birthday!

Wednesday, August 10, 2011
10am - 1pm
Coronation Park (Gazebo area)
1426 Lakeshore West, Oakville

First 75 families receive a Loot Bag full of goodies!! Join us at this beautiful park for fun in our Bouncy Castle, Fitness and Gymnastics Demos, momstown Arts & Crafts, Circle Time, Parachute games, 2 dozen prizes and delicious Cupcakes. Bring a picnic lunch and spend a summer's day with momstown on the lake!


momstown Oakville's Awesome Birthday Activity Schedule:

10am

• Welcome Table Open for Sign-in


• Bouncy Castle from TA Bounce Events (open all party)
  


• momstown Arts & Crafts - Popular Picasso's in the Park Painting, Birthday craft, Super Why themed "A is for Alphabet" (open all party)


• Quiet Reading Zone by the Oakville-Parent-Child-Centre -OPCC set up with books and a cozy spot to chill out during the party


• From the Heart Imagery will be on hand taking candids & also mini family shots (sign up when you arrive for a spot!)
  

10:30am

• Opening Circle with Circle Time Parties

10:50am

• Mom & Tot Zumba Demo by Fitness 4 Life's Binu
  

11:10am

• Monkeynastix Gymnastics Demo for all the kids
  

11:30am

• Mom & Tot Yoga Demo by Power Yoga Canada

11:45am

• Delicious Birthday Cupcakes by Cupid's Cupcakes

11:50am

• Giant tortoise and lizard meet and greet by Safari Science
  

12:10pm

• Let's get active with Sportball

12:30pm

• Closing Parachute Circle time by momstown Oakville

12:45pm

• Big Birthday Prize Draws!!!


• 

Awesome Door Prizes to be WON from Local Oakville Sponsors Once Upon A Child Oakville, Longos Burloak, Circle Time Parties, Reptile Party, Kathy & Kim Originals, Crockadoodle, Boston Pizza, Monkeynastix, Leya~Christine Linens, Kathy and Kim Originals!

MORE Door Prizes from National Sponsors Little Tikes, Clorox, Greenworks, President's Choice, Maple Leaf Foods, Hasbro, Life Choice Foods, Smashbox Cosmetics, SuperWhy/Kids CBC.

Goody Bags are have treats from Jet Baby, Little Rascals, Clorox, SmashBox Cosmetics, Life Choices Foods, SuperWhy, Crockadoodle, Once Upon a Child, Infant Organics, Our Kids Media, Do Re Mi, Boston Pizza, Dazzle Art, Power Yoga Canada & Fitness 4 Life Zumba. Get there early to snap up one of these 75 loot bags!

Keep up with the newest details (more prizes and partners to announce!!) on our momstown Oakville Facebook Page and online on our site and Message Board (register here for a free 2 week trial membership). Send any questions to Sarah or sign up to reserve your spot on our Facebook event, on our momstown calendar or by emailing Sarah.

Thank-you to our momstown Oakville sponsors - so glad you can celebrate with us!!!

Keepin' Cool in Oakville!

Well, momstown Oakville has found one way to keep cool with all this heat....keep having pool parties! It's keeping the kids and moms cool, we are having lots of fun, and i hear many kids are sleeping well:)

We had another great group of moms and kids out to our pool party. We have also noticed such an improvement in some of the kids confidence and ability. Lessons are great for teaching skills (and a must at our house), but don't underestimate the value of exposure and practise. Just getting the kids into the water to splash around, throw a beach ball and laugh with friends can make a huge difference in both confidence and ability in the water. Come out to our next pool party, and your little one will be splashing and blowing bubbles before you know it!

Remember, when you are having all this summer fun at the momstown playgroups: It is important to stay safe in this heat. Make sure the little ones are drinking plenty of water, and taking breaks in the shade or indoors where they can cool down. I've been surprised at how many breaks my kids needed to take today!

Check out our momstown Oakville facebook fanpage for more great pics of our pool party. Don't forget to "like" us while you are there!

For more info on the next pool party, or for a free 2 week trial contact Sarah.

My 4 legged friends

We have 2 dogs: Matti and Gunner. Yup. 1 just wasn't enough. In our pre-marriage, pre-kids stage we thought it would be fun.

Well, we've been married 6 years now, we've had 3 kids and yes we still have our 2 dogs. I have many "what was i thinking moments".

I do try to remember my excitement of picking a puppy from the litter, training, and bonding with the little bundle (when i had nothing better to do with my time).

I do enjoy watching my kids with these little furry friends. A few momstown Oakville members have recently asked me about my dogs, and said they are thinking of getting a dog - so I thought I'd weigh in with my "2 cents".

1. They are a lot of work. Training is demanding, and required if you are going to have a well mannered dog.

2. As a mom, I really do clean my fair share of diapers and accidents. Don't forget to bring your poop bags with you on the walk - you will now have another to clean up after!

3. They cost money. Vet bills add up - even for a healthy dog. We have annual checkups and needles, and if there is ever a health concern, the bills can climb!

But then my heart melts when I see my little girl with her dogs.....

1. My girls don't like to play in the basement alone. Unless a dog is with them. These dogs provide a great sense of security, and allow my kids a little more independence.

2. I've heard others say this as well: dogs sense things. When my kids are sick, the dog knows. They sit with the kids, all day if needed, keeping them company.

3. I love watching my girls learn responsibilities, and caring for the dogs. Cassidy is old enough to help with feeding. My kids are really proud to be dog owners, and often ask to take the dogs for walks.

Overall, I can't imagine our lives without these 2 little guys. They truly are a part of our family. I love it when people ask my daughter if she has siblings.

She always responds with "1 sister, 1 brother, and i have 2 dogs!"

I would love to hear your family pet stories!

Picasso in the Park

What a perfect sunny Friday for Picasso in the park. This event really does make me wish it was summer all year long. The kids just love running from the park to the splash pad, to the painting table. Babies all the way to the older kids just love this event, and the creations just keep getting better as the summer goes on! We have also been so lucky to have such great weather for every Picasso event.

I love that we keep this event so simple. Paper. paint. and a few paint brushes. It really allows the kids to create whatever they want. My daughter collected feathers from all around the park (yes...at first all i could think was "gross"). Then she started dipping them in paint, and creating really great patterns on the paper! Many of the kids don't even bother with the paint brushes, they just jump right in with their hands! A few today were just using the rocks on the ground to stamp patterns on the paper. It really does allow the kids to use their creativity and imagination - and the scene around the park sets the perfect tone.

Next Picasso i'm going to plan ahead to bring a picnic lunch for me and the kids - we never seem to have enough time in the morning to do everything:)

We have more great pics posted on our momstown Oakville facebook fanpage. Check them out, and don't forget to "like" us while you are there!

Want to join us for the next Picasso in the Park. Register for a free 2 week trial at momstown Oakville, or email sarah.mclaughlin@momstown.ca for all the details.

Hope to see you soon!

momstown Oakville's Birthday - you're invited!

We're thrilled to invite you to join us to celebrate momstown's 4th BIRTHDAY!

Wednesday, August 10th
10am-1pm
at Coronation Park in Oakville

Open invite to all to join us. Ideally, we would love to know if you're coming so email Sarah but not required. Everyone is welcome to join us for birthday fun activities, crafts, special guests, loot bags and more. Additional details to be confirmed in the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned to our momstown Oakville Facebook fan page for more details.

wordless wednesday: my little teacher

Crafty kids playgroup: Beach days

Well, the cards stacked against us, but momstown Oakville still had a great time! We lost our location at the last minute, so we relocated to a member's home. Then the air conditioning broke, and we moved outside before we melted! Good thing most of the kids came dressed for our beach day theme - they were ready for some outdoor play!

Beach balls, slides, and a few snacks. The kids didn't seem to mind the change of plans:)

Moms still had a good chance to catch up on news, and overall, it was another great momstown event!

Our craft was from the momstown arts and crafts. We made sea creatures to go along with our beach day theme. We made octopus, crabs and star fish out of egg cartons! The older kids loved the painting part of the craft! If you are looking for more great beach themed crafts to do with your kids this summer, check out momstown arts and crafts blog.

Want to join us for our next crafty kids new member meet up? Register for a free 2 week trial membership. We'd love to see you out at our next event. Next month our crafty kids and new member meetup will be all about music!

Splash!

Did you hear the splash? That's the sound our momstown Oakville kiddos were making today at our playgroup pool party!.
A pool makes for a great playdate for large groups. Kids get loads of exercise, great socialization, and moms have a chance to catch up too.

This was an all ages event for the kids, we had a couple of little babes swimming and splashing around. There was also a group celebrating "no school" and making a big splash! Everyone was safe with so many types of floaties, water wings and life jackets!
We were threatened by mother nature a couple of times, but we didn't back down, and it turned out to be a perfect pool party.
Kids were jumping, splashing, and having a great time. We kept the water warm to keep the mamas happy - and even with the overcast weather, a great time was had by all.

It was actually warmer in the pool than it was out - which didn't make getting out very pleasant! All the more reason to stay in the pool a few more minutes.
Kids worked up and appetite for snacks, dried off and then played some more.
I hope we tired everyone out, and mamas had peaceful nap times in the afternoon.
We have more great playgroups and outdoor fun scheduled this summer. For a 2 week free trial, and to find out more about our next pool party, email sarah.

wordless wednesday

Summer Fun!

Today was the first official day of summer vacation, and momstown Oakville started off bright and early with Picasso in the Park!
Our kiddies created some amazing art, and then headed straight for the splash pads and sand.
We had a few new faces join us today - lots of fun. We even had a couple of artists painting for the first time:)
My 5 year olds plan for the day was "i'll wear my bathing suit to paint, then i don't have to waste any time getting ready for the splash pad!"
Momstown Oakville has more Picasso in the Park events, and lots of other fun pool parties, park playdates, and craft get togethers. Want to get your kids out of the house this summer? Email Sarah, for a free 2 week trial. Momstown also has loads of great craft ideas that you can do right in your own backyard! Check out our momstown arts & crafts for some inspiration!