momstown Oakville: Father's Day Picnic

The weather was perfect today for our momstown Oakville Father's Day picnic at Coronation Park. We gathered together to make a craft for Dad, enjoy some playtime and a picnic. And it was extra special because the Dads were with us!  It was wonderful to see so many Dad's join us today and meet the men that as one member pointed out "are the ones you know only from framed pictures in member's homes"!

Today we made rock family paperweights, perfect for Dad's desk.

We had a bit of a mess on our hands after we let the kids loose with all the paint and glitter. Thankfully we brought some HUGGIES Simply Clean Wipes which really wipe away paint and dirt easily.

After our creative work was done, we spread our blankets to enjoy a picnic. I brought some treats for all the Dads to share and the brownies and cookies were a hit. The cookie recipe is posted at the end of this blog post.

It was so nice to see all the momstown families come out and enjoy the day together. We had a lot of fun! Happy early Father's Day to all of our momstown Dad's.

Interested in joining us for our next event or program? Visit our website to sign up for your FREE 4 week trial! You can find lots of pictures of our momstown mama's out and about on our Facebook page.

Grammy's Chocolate Cookies
(recipe courtesy of Martha Stewart)

2 cups plus 2 tbsp of all purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 and 1/4 cups unsalted butter at room temperature
2 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
Sanding sugar for rolling

Sift together the dry ingredients.

Beat butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla and combine. Reduce speed to low and gradually add the flour mixture. Form dough into a flattened disk, wrap with plastic wrap and chill for about an hour.

Preheat oven to 350F. Shape dough into 1 inch balls and roll each ball in sanding sugar. Place on baking sheet about 1 1/2 inches apart. Bake until set, about 10 minutes. Let cool for a minute before removing them from the baking sheet. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Alphabet Play: `D` is for Dad!

'D`is for Dad, Duck, Dog, Dino and so much more! Our moms and tots explored the letter `D` this week at our Alphabet Play program with Sherri from Circle Time Parties!

We learned so many great things about the letter `D` including the sound it makes.  The timing was perfect that our June Alphabet Play was the letter `D` - Right in time for Father`s Day.
Sherri kept our kids so busy learning and having fun.  They practiced the alphabet song, did some show and share, worked on a `D`shaped puzzle, read some books, and did a craft!  WOW!  What a great morning.  Each child made a Father's Day card that looks just like one of Daddy's shirts - such a cute craft.

If you`d like to join us for our next alphabet play group, register for a FREE 4 week trial.   We are exploring the letter `E`next, but you can join in the fun anytime!

Mama fitness: Stroller Fit!

What a perfect way to start my Friday morning!  A stroller fit class right by the lake, with other moms, and a fantastic instructor Mieka Forte(yoga pilates fitness).

With young kids, my exercise and fitness has all too often not been a priority.  This class makes it so much fun!  We bring the babies along.  Many of the moms have 2 kids, and use a double stroller - some of the kids are even a little older.   It really does change your day to get a good workout in, and some fresh air for the kids.  Summer is so short - so let's take advantage of the sunshine!

If you are interested in joining us next time, check out our FREE 4 week momstown Oakville trial.  We have stroller fit on the calendar, as well as many other active events for our moms and tots.

 

A huge thank you to Lululemon Oakville for organizing these FREE community events for our Oakville moms. 

Mom's night out: crafty mamas

Our momstown Oakville moms love a good night out.  We have so many great options on the calendar from beach volleyball, running clinics, yoga, wine tasting, movies, to book club.  One of my favorite events is Crafty Mamas!  We get together every few weeks to work on different crafts.  Last night we did card making.  We are lead by one of our members who is an avid card maker.  She plans the cards, preps all the paper and brings along the supplies.  She's also there to lend a helping hand while we are learning new techniques.

I love that it gives me a couple of hours to chat and catch up with my friends.  We enjoy the company and a few treats.  I also feel so great that i go home with so many beautiful cards!  I haven't bought a card since I started attending these workshops.  My homemade cards are perfect for any occasion!

To find out what all the evening fun is about at momstown, join us for a FREE 4 week trial membership.  

How to find some balance in your life

Last week I had my Chakra's balanced.  Have you ever had this done?  The momstown Oakville mama's have spent some time recently trying to find ways to help us reduce stress, take some 'me' time, and find more energy to help us get our long 'to do' lists done.

I have had acupuncture, massages, mud wraps, facials and even tried meditation (briefly) so when the opportunity presented itself to have my Chakra's balanced, I was all for giving it a try.  The study of the chakras is a part of many philosophical and spiritual traditions, as well as many therapies and disciplines.   I went to visit Just IDEAS which is a unique holistic solutions providing organization to see what they could do for me.

There are seven primary power centres in your body, called chakras. The state of each chakra reflects the health of a particular area of your body. It also reflects your psychological, emotional and spiritual well-being. Every thought and experience you've ever had in your life gets filtered through these chakra databases. When Chakra energy is blocked or misdirected, emotional and physical illness can arise.

The following seven primary chakras are commonly described:
1. Root Chakra (ovaries/prostate)
2. Sacral Chakra (last bone in spinal cord, the coccyx)
3. Solar Plexus Chakra (navel area)
4. Heart Chakra (heart area)
5. Throat Chakra (throat and neck area)
6. Third Eye Chakra (pineal gland or third eye)
7. Crown Chakra (top of the head; 'soft spot' of a newborn)

I laid on the floor while, Shibani, my facilitator did her work.  I could actually feel energy, almost like a force, over the areas she was reading, even though she wasn't physically touching me. When I had my Chakra's read, the two areas that were blocked were my Back Heart Chakra and my Third Eye Chakra.  My Heart Chakra was open which means I freely give love and support.  My Back Heart Chakra was blocked indicating that have trouble receiving love and support (ding, ding, ding...why is it so hard to ask and accept help??)  My Third Eye Chakra being blocked indicates that my mind is not clear and that perhaps I may be wrestling with things in my mind.  Also accurate.  Shibani asked me to repeat some phrases over and over again to help unblock the Chakra's that were blocked.

I enjoyed this experience and am happy that momstown Oakville members will have a chance to learn more about balancing their Chakra's courtesey of Just IDEAS at a Mama's Night out on June 19th.  Interested in joining us?  Sign up for your FREE four week trial today!

You can also book an individual session with Just IDEAS and receive a special discount when you let them know you heard about their business through momstown!  In addition to Chakra work, they also focus on reducing stress and increase your energy level.  Be sure to contact them soon so you don't miss this great offer!

Celebrate Father's Day with Style

*This is a guest post by Andrea from Garvey's Fine Men's Wear.  Thank you to Garvey's for sponsoring our Father's Day Contest! Visit our Facebook Page and tell us why a Dad in your life deserves to win! Contest closes June 10th.*

As the daughter in a father/daughter business I am fortunate to have many reminders of the impact a father has in our lives. My Dad isn’t only my business partner, but I’m blessed to call him one of my best friends and confidantes. Over the years he has taught me many valuable lessons about the world we live in and  walking confidently in the direction of your dreams. If you want the world to take you seriously, you have to take yourself seriously. And although we would like to think we have evolved past superficiality, the truth remains that a first impression comes from your appearance and the way you carry yourself.

There is a cultural shift in the way men are dressing these days. No longer are men required to wear suits and ties everyday making it easier to become complacent with an outdated and ill-fitting wardrobe. Nothing will age a man faster than wearing something long after it has gone out of fashion.  Pleats, cuffs,   three-button suits and anything boxy or baggy are all under scrutiny. The trend now is tailored, fit flattering and streamlined. Think George Clooney. Casual doesn’t mean sloppy and it doesn’t mean giving up on style. Wearing a tailored sport coat over a checked sport shirt with a pair of premium denim jeans is the more casual take on the classic blue blazer and taupe pant combination.

Let’s face it, some men need more help then others and Father’sDay is the perfect excuse to give your dad, husband, or brother that mini-makeover they desperately need.  Try out a 7-Downie Street Sport Shirt in a pink stripe and contrasting paisley cuff and collar, or pick up a pair of Alberto pants in a stretch micro-fibre jean cut that he’ll be more comfortable in than those old high waisted jeans.

You can never be too overdressed. When in doubt, dress up and stand out! You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the compliments you receive. The old adage, “dress for the job you want” is more relevant than ever before. A picture really is worth a thousand words.

Happy Father’s Day.

*Help your Dad, Husband or Brother brush up on their style and enter our Father's Day Contest sponsored by Garvey's Fine Men's Wear!  Visit our Facebook Page and tell us why a Dad in your life deserves to win!  Contest closes June 10th.*

Reflections of a entrepreneur and a momstown mama

Whew!  Last weekend was the spring momstown National conference held in Burlington, Ontario.  My mind is still in overdrive - but in a good way.  This was my first conference as I just joined the team in February and so I didn't really know what to expect.

What I have learned about myself over the last few years is that I thrive on feeling like I am making a difference.  My second job out of university was at a non-profit organization and that has forever influenced the way I feel about work and how I spend my time.  I have tried other types of jobs and careers, but it never resonates with me or makes me feel the way I feel when I know I am making changes for the better.

And every person in the conference room this weekend (all 24 of us!) has that same feeling that I do.  We are making good things happen and its powerful and rewarding and inspiring and fun! There are three new chapters opening today and it was amazing to see their eyes wide with excitement as they learned all there is to know about momstown.  It's so much bigger that what it looks to be.  So much bigger!  They took to their blogs to capture their thoughts and I wanted to share their beautifully written posts since I don't think I could say it any better!

momstown Victoria
momstown Mississauga
momstown Brampton

What I can say is that I continue to be amazed at the support that comes from the Oakville chapter.  We've had a lot of new moms join us recently and they are peppering the message board with lots of questions.  From breastfeeding to gas pains to everything sleep, there has not been one other member who passed judgement.  The message board was filled with responses, lots of positive ideas and stories to share and almost every member congratulated these new moms on reaching out and asking questions and letting them know that they are happy to help.  These new moms got all this without leaving their living room!  It was there for them at 3am, it was there for them after a rough feed, it was there for them if they were feeling blue.   And as they get more comfortable with leaving the house, we are ready to welcome them to any event they wish to attend.  All moms need this type of support, it can make such a difference!

momstown is taking Canada by storm, that's for sure.  The positive energy that resonates from this organization is getting almost impossible to ignore.  I feel lucky to be a part of the momstown team.  We get support, motivation, inspiration and the occasional kick in the pants from our head mama's but this is exactly the type of organization I want to be a part of.  I look forward to continuing our work to connect local moms with each other, their community and to all the tools and resources that help us all become stronger and happier parents.

The momstown team!

I invite you to come and see what all the fuss is about, it's time to call yourself a momstown mama!  Take advantage of our FREE 4 week trial and join the momstown movement!