Being a momstown member gets you to try new things

Last month momstown Oakville's crafty mama event was card making.  While I do consider myself pretty crafty, I had never made cards before but had been the recipient of some home made cards (which were really lovely) and wanted to try my hand at making my own.  I often hear from members that one of the many benefits they enjoy as a  momstown member is the opportunity to try new things or visit new places that they would not have done on their own.  This is exactly what this card making night was for me!

One of our momstown Oakville member, is a Stampin' Up representative and brought all of our supplies for easy assembly.  Each of us made 10 cards to take home.

Lots of tools to make our cards!

We had a mock up card for each type we were trying to make which I found really helpful.  And while we were following a template, there was still lots of opportunity to make the cards your own by choosing the stamp you used (happy birthday, thank you or something more generic like 'smile').  I have to say that I was really happy with how my cards turned out!

My first attempt at card making!

We had a great group for our crafty mama night.  Add in some snacks, drinks, good conversation and it was a fun way to pass an evening!  I will definitely be adding another card making night to the calendar again soon.  I love that I now have a supply of beautiful cards to use for many occasions.  

As always, new members are welcome so register here to join us next time!  All  one year memberships purchased in 2013 also receive a Today's Parent magazine subscription for 12 months!

Science for Preschoolers With Magnets

In April the momstown Oakville Little Scientist program for toddlers and preschoolers explored our theme of the month (Little Explorers) using magnets.  First we investigated a whole tray of objects and tested out whether each one stuck to our magnet wands or not.  Our scientists sorted them into two piles - magnetic (which we discovered were all made of metal) and non-magnetic (made of things like cloth or rock or elastic or plastic).

Then we made some caterpillars dance!  Using glass jars with little bits of pipe cleaners, we waved our magnet wands around the jars, the pipe cleaner bits or "caterpillars" moved around the jar. momstown Oakville kids even did some magnetic painting!  Each child got a paper plate filled with a blob of yellow, blue and red paint.  We placed a paper clip on our plate, and then used our magnet under the plate to move the paper clip around, through the paint and all over the plate.  The colours all mixed and we made green, orange and purple and our plates looked like beautiful works of art!

Finally we played with 5 different magnetic toys - a magnetic bar and ball set which we used to build towers and shapes, a magnetic person with magnetic clothes that we could change, a fishing puzzle with a magnetic fishing rod and magnetic fish pieces, magnetic vehicles that we zoomed all over a metal baking tray, and plastic fish that we turned magnetic by using a paper clip which we could "fish" for using our magnet wand.

What a fantastic time experimenting with magnets!  Little Scientists is just one of our Top 10 momstown programs.  Sign up for your free momstown Oakville trial today and learn more about our 40+ monthly events, message board, member discounts and more!

Places To Go For Mother's Day Brunch In Oakville

Brunch is pretty decadent so what better way to spoil a Mom for Mother's Day than to treat her to a gourmet feast...and of course keep her from having to cook!  The Oakville area has some fabulous restaurants and here are some of our suggestions for Mother's Day brunch.

Jonathan's Annual Gourmet Mother's Day Brunch

Oliver & Bonacini Cafe Grill

Glen Abbey Golf Club

Il Fornello

Symposium Cafe

The Crepe Kitchen

Stoney's Bread Company

The Glen Erin Inn

For even more yummy ideas, click here for momstown Mississauga's list of the best places for Mother's Day brunch in Mississauga.

Hope you enjoy a delicious meal in celebration of Mom!

2013 Summer Camps for Oakville Kids

Live in Oakville or the Halton Region and looking for summer camp options?  Read on below for a comprehensive list of some of the great Oakville and area summer camps that your kids will love.

Brantford Circle Square Ranch

New experiences are what camp is all about! Ranchers try new and exciting activities that are challenging and tons of fun!  With lots of camps to choose from, for ages 5 - 16, different activities and focuses available, you are sure to find one that is the right fit for your kids.  Horseback riding is usually a favourite but kids also love the climbing wall, archery, swimming and crafts.  Staff provide a safe and supportive atmosphere, and provide the opportunity for each camper to have the best week of their summer! Located just an hour away from Oakville, this is a perfect spot for your camper's first sleep away camp.

Canlan Ice Sports
Check out their options for Hockey Camps and Sports Camp.  Ages 6 and up.

The Dance Exchange
Click here for information on Summer Dance Camp and read about their special Princess Dance Camp for ages 3-4 years old.

Edleun Discovery Days
Discovery Days Summer Program was created with the intention of fostering education, imagination and fun into a 9 week summer program, offered at every Edleun childcare centre across Canada. The program is a collection of 9 different themes, with varying age-appropriate games, activities, experiments and field trips. The purpose of the program is to inspire learning through variations of sensory explorations – in a summer setting!  Click here for more information.

Glenburnie Summer Camp
All campers will participate in our weekly, action packed, theme activities.  Camps fun from July 2 to July 26. Half day options for JK/SK aged children and a 4 day week option as well.  Click here for more information. Register by May 1st and save!

Little Feet Big Dreams
Big Dreams Summer Camp encourages children (ages 4-8) to learn and explore through themed weeks and creative activities. Join our exciting, action-packed day camp with field trips to Laser Tag, Kidsportplex, Putting Edge Mini Golf, 5-Pin Bowling, and African Lion Safari.  Freshly prepared lunch and snacks included, bus transportation to and from field trips included as well and ample space for indoor and outdoor play! Contact Pat at 905-829-9393 for more information and to register.

The Little Gym
Camps start July 2 and can go until August 30th with a different theme every week!  For more information, click here.

Little Rascals
Lego and Art themed camps with options for ages 3 - 12 years old.  Half day and full day options.  Click here for more information.

Monkeynastix Burlington
Monkeynastix encourages children (ages 3-8) to explore and discover the world through their senses and bodies with fun, exicting movement education and camp programs.  Our day camps include Monkeynastix lessons, sport development lessons, free play & exploration along with daily organized arts and crafts. Camp available June 24 - August 16, full day and half day options as well as the option to choose just specific days.  Click here for more information.

Oakville Soccer Club Summer Fun Camp
Half day options for ages 4 & 5.  Full day options for ages 6+.  Camp includes some adventures such as bowling or swimming.  More information and registration details can be found here.

Royal Botanical Gardens Summer Camps & Programs
Click here to find out more about the summer camps which include half day and full day options for kids aged 3 to 13!

They also offer many summer programs such as their Junior Gardener's Club
Saturdays, May 11, 25 to June 22, July 6 to August 17; 9:30 a.m. to12 p.m. at RBG Centre/
Hendrie Park. Fee: $150 (Members 10% off).  In its 66th year, this popular program is for 8- to 12-year-olds. The group wraps up on August 17 with a flower and vegetable show, and awards night.  Click here to register!

The Sports Training Academy
Offers 5 different SUMMER SPORTS CAMPS for your children - multiple sports camps, gymnastics-cheer camp, hockey camp, golf camp and a junior academy for campers ages 2-5 years of age.  Prices go up in June so register soon!  Check out all the details here.

momstown Oakville's Mom and Baby Program

I think its pretty common to hear the advice that one of the best ways to ease into motherhood is to find a support network.  momstown Oakville's mom and baby program, Baby Basics, is the perfect way for new moms to connect in their community.  When I had my first child, my sister who was also on maternity leave at the same time as me but with her second child, was my life line!  We chatted every day and she was a wealth of information and support for me.  But she lives in Toronto and I live in Oakville.  While I valued the support she gave me, I also knew I needed to make friends and connections in my own community.  And so I joined momstown Oakville when my son was 4 months old and started going to Baby Basics and can say that it was one of the best decisions for me and my kids!

momstown Oakville's mom and baby program meets once at week at Ellephysio.  We usually have a guest speaker who comes in to talk about topics relevant to moms with babies and we also do some fun baby art and, of course, always have time to chat and connect with each other.

Some of our recent speaking topics have been:

• Baby Wearing (learning how to use slings and wraps)
• Tips from a Sleep Consultant
• Baby Proofing
• Postpartum Depression
• Using Sign Language to Communicate with Baby
• Springtime Flowers
• Baby Art:  Footprint Robins

We'd love to have you join us!  momstown Oakville's mom and baby program is included in your membership of just $45 a year!  Your membership includes access to all of our events, our member discounts and our 24/7 message board.  Some other events you may enjoy with your new baby are Bucket Baby Brunch, Sip n Strolls, Shake, Rattle & Read and Picasso's in the Park.  Sign up here for your free 4 week trial.  All memberships also include a one year subscription to Today's Parent magazine!  There are so many good reasons to become a momstown member - we hope to see you soon.

My Mom's Sour Cream Coffee Cake Recipe

This Sour Cream Coffee Cake recipe will forever remind me of my mom.  This was a staple in our kitchen growing up - we always had some for Christmas morning and there was usually always one in the freezer ready to take out at any moment when friends stopped by.  My mom would always bake one ahead of time and bring it when we traveled to the cottage or went boating in the summer on the Great Lakes.  Am pretty sure my brother would still eat an entire cake in one sitting - its so yummy!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup sour cream
13/4 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

Topping
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoon butter, melted
*want to make this extra special?  Double the topping ingredients!

Preheat oven to 350° F. Cream butter and sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, stirring well after each addition. Add vanilla and stir in sour cream. In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients and stir into wet ingredients until just incorporated.

In another bowl, combine all ingredients for topping. Pour half of the coffee cake batter into a greased 8-inch square cake pan. Sprinkle half of the topping over cake and cover with remaining batter.

Sprinkle the top with the remaining topping and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until a tester inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.

This cake is amazing served warm right out of the oven.

Free Prenatal Event In Oakville for Moms To Be

Calling all pregnant women in Oakville!  momstown Oakville is pleased to be hosting a free mom to be event - check out all the details below!  Come out and meet other expecting mamas, have fun and learn about some of our great community resources.  Enjoy cupcakes from Cupid's Gourmet Bakery and refreshments.

Win Awesome Prizes Such As:

Cord blood and peristem collection kit valued at $120

$50 Gift Card from Oakville Place

Sleep Support Package from Good Night Sleep Site

Baby Bath and Body Products from Fisher Price

One year momstown Oakville membership

RSVP to info.oakville@momstown.ca