Momstown Conference 2011: We have an amazing year ahead!

Our momstown leadership team met last weekend for our semi annual momstown national conference. What a team we have! It was my first opportunity to meet some of the leadership team members and i have to say that i was truly impressed by each and every one of them. Each team member comes from a very diverse background, and brings different interests and skills to the group. With all of us combined as a team, we are an incredible force!


Although we would have enjoyed socializing all weekend, we really had to get to work, as we had 3 days packed with informative workshops and brainstorming sessions. We met at the offices of Jan Kelly Marketing in Burlington where they had an incredible space for us to use. We attended workshops lead by Jan Kelly Marketing, Allison Burke of Impressions Public Relations and seminars on blogging and marketing.


I am the type of person who needs to constantly be learning new things, and thinking about what's next. This entire weekend was perfect for me! There was so much information, brainstorming and excitement i was totally exhausted by bed time, but couldn't sleep as my brain wouldn't turn off!!


After our workshops, brainstorming and planning sessions we had a day planned to meet with momstown strategic partners. We spent time with Kid's CBC at their offices in Toronto. We then headed out to Fisher-Price offices to learn about their organization, and their exciting plans for 2012!


I left this conference so inspired by everyone I work with here at momstown. I am also so motivated to make momstown Oakville the best that it can be! We have some great events and contests planned for 2012, and i'm so grateful to be part of such an amazing organization of incredible leaders.


If you are already a member, you will be excited to see what we have planned for 2012! The events, contests, and information that momstown has to share will make for an exciting year. If you aren't already part of the fun, why not join us for a free 2 week trial! Momstown has so much to offer!

Wild West with momstown!

Our momstown theme this month was "Wild West" and we had a party to celebrate!
Our new member meet up was a busy place this month. We had lots of new faces, and some great new kids!



Our kids LOVED the Wild West craft. We made foot and arm print horses! They really had alot of fun tracing their feet and arms, and cutting it out. With a little glue and crayons, we had horses! To practice lacing skills we punched holes and used wool to make the horses mane.


We also read our scholastic book "Are You A Horse?" at this event which was a huge hit with moms and kids!

To learn how to make these horses, or for other great Wild West craft ideas check out momstown Arts & Crafts.
If you'd like to see what the fun is all about, sign up for a 2 week free trial and join us at our next new member meet up.

Red Cross Infant CPR and Momstown

A huge THANK YOU to the Canadian Red Cross for hosting our momstown event yesterday. Moms (and kids) from Oakville and Burlington joined together for an infant CPR class. November is CPR month at the Canadian Red Cross, and what better time to learn some new skills, or to brush up with a refresher course. Our moms were able to bring their kids along, which made for a very popular event. Kids played quietly, while moms learned.

Our morning was so informative, and gave moms some confidence and skills to better handle an emergency situation with a child. We learned what to do if your child is choking.



There were also some great demos to teach infant CPR.


Plus lots of great first aid general tips that every mom should know.

The Canadian Red Cross challenges everyone to get the training they need to help save a life. Momstown is grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a great initiative. Click for additional information about the Canadian Red Cross or check out momstown Oakville for more information about further upcoming courses like this one!

Are You A Horse?

This months Scholastic book was "Are You A Horse?" by Andy Rash. Our moms and kids LOVED this book. It went right along with our Wild West momstown theme this month. Our kids were giggling as cowboy Roy tried to figure out what a horse was! He was asking every animal and cactus along the way.


Our group was so enthusiastic, they were shouting at the cowboy as he ventured through the book. This book was a great way to introduce kids to "describing objects". Cowboy Roy learned that a horse is a living thing, and animal, and has 4 legs.



Congratulations to baby Jacob who is taking this book home to enjoy with his mom!
Scholastic Canada donates a book to momstown every month. If you'd like to join us for our next event, sign up for a 2 week free trial at momstown Oakville. If you'd like to find other great books to enjoy with your little cowboys and cowgirls, check out our momstown arts and crafts for Wild West Books For Kids - Book Review.

November is CPR Month

Did you know that November is CPR month at the Canadian Red Cross?

The Canadian Red Cross challenges everyone to get the training they need to help save a life. Momstown Oakville and Momstown Burlington are joining together for a fun filled and educational morning of learning. Whether it's your first time learning CPR, or just looking for a refresher course, this is a great time to do it!
Our moms will be learning some great skills: what to do if your child is choking, demonstrations of infanct CPR, plus some general first aid.

Remembrance Day in Oakville

"Mommy, why is everyone wearing a red flower on their coat?"

Remembrance Day is a memorial we should all be talking with our children about especially since they have, luckily, been sheltered from war. I explain to my children that the poppy is a sign of 'thank-you' to all the brave soldiers for looking after us. That explanation seems simple yet deep enough for them to understand the basics.

It is important to recognize this day with our children and what better way to start a discussion than with a craft or storytime? momstown has many ideas on how to bring our the teachable moments


Remembrance Day Crafts:
In Flanders Fields Bingo Dabber Poppies
Preschool Poppy Painting
Paper Poppies


Remembrance Day Books for Kids
A Poppy is to Remember
H is for Honor
Boo Boo Bear's Mission
Pepper's Purple Heart: A Veteran's Day Story
Where Poppies Grow


Looking for a local service or parade to attend on November 11th?

Oakville Remembrance Day Parade
Church and Navy streets / Cenotaph at George's Square
Hosted by Oakville Legion Branch 114

10:15 a.m: Veterans depart from Church and Navy streets and march along Lakeshore and up Trafalgar to the Cenotaph at George's Square.

11 a.m: Ceremony at George's Square includes two minutes of silence and a wreath laying ceremony. After the ceremony, veterans march back to Church and Navy.

Remembrance Day in Milton
The traditional Remembrance Day Milton Service will be held Friday, Nov. 11 at Evergreen Cemetery on Ontario Street. The march will begin at 10:45 a.m.

Remembrance Day Services in Burlington
9:00 a.m. - Sunrise Remembrance Day Service, Spencer Smith Park

Burl-Oak Naval Veterans are holding a 30 minute ceremony at the Naval Ships Memorial Monument in Spencer Smith Park at Burlington's Downtown Waterfront. All are welcome to attend.

10:30 a.m. - Remembrance Day Parade begins at Central Public School (Down Brant to Elgin - Elgin to Locust - Locust to Ontario).

11:00 a.m. - Remembrance Day Service at the Cenotaph, City Hall

The Royal Canadian Legion is holding a 45-60 minute ceremony at the Cenotaph, just outside City Hall (426 Brant St.). All are welcome to attend.

Our momstown Hamilton mama Andrea comes from a military family, her father served and her nephews are currently enlisted. Read here about what Remembrance Day means to her.

Our thanks and full appreciation to all veterans who have served or who are serving Canada on our behalf. Thank-you for your bravery.

Win a clean house!

I love a clean house but cleaning is not my thing. I'm good at making messes, not so good at cleaning them up. Ditto for my 3 kids. Thank goodness I'm married to Mr. Neat (who also goes by his alter ego Mr. Dishman).

I bet all moms love a clean house too even if we hate cleaning it. One of the most common comments on our momstown Oakville message board is about cleaning - for ways to get it done quick or to recommendations for a good referral.

"I am surrendering the cleaning (part of my "I can't do everything and be everything to everybody" makeover)."

"Best money I've ever spent is on a cleaning lady."

"How often do you clean the bathrooms? I can't keep up with the mess!"

Which is why this month's momstown Oakville contest is so exciting -- it's a FREE CLEANING SERVICE from Sunrise Cleaning Services.

One lucky winner will get her house cleaned top to bottom in 3 hours. Wouldn't that be agreat holiday gift? A sparkling clean house for all your guests?

Enter HERE to WIN! You can enter daily!