Gymnasts in the making!

Our momstown toddlers joined the Milton Springers today for a parent and tot gymnastics demo. The kids were absolutely amazed by the gym. You could see their eyes widen as we entered the facility that was filled with a multitude of brightly coloured equipment that they had never been exposed to before. What a treat!





We started off the demo by doing a warm up session and then learned how to "present". For the girls, you place your feet together and then put both hands in the air like a "Y". For the boys, you place one arm at your side and one arm in the air. They were taught that they should perform this stance after completing each move.




After we had that mastered, we participated in a circuit style activity which allowed us to experience a variety of the equipment available. The trampoline, the foam pit and the climbing wall seemed to be the top three favourites!





The parents were thrilled that the little ones enjoyed themselves and got a great workout in the process! Our Milton mamas and tots would like to thank the Springers for a fantastic demo! We will see you again in September.

wordless wednesday - potty training

A Very Berry Day!

Our momstown Guelph, Kitchener-Waterloo, Burlington & Milton members all met up at Springridge Farm today to get in on the action of sampling the first batch of strawberries of the season. I was super excited since not only was this my first time at the farm but also my first experience ever picking strawberries in a field rather then a grocery store! I could tell Jaxon was ready for the experience as well since he would not let go of the basket.




We were transported to the fields in a wagon drawn by a tractor. As we made our way to one of the furthest fields, I couldn't help but notice the perfect rows of strawberries well spaced out for people to be able to pick from either side. I was rather surprised to learn that the rows were lined with straw. Jaxon wasn't too sure of his footing at first and walked very cautiously getting used to the feeling under his feet. I began picking the berries as he was trying to figure out his surroundings and didn't realize that he had decided to plop himself down right beside the basket and help himself to a couple of strawberries...stem and all! I just had to laugh and of course grab the camera to capture the moment.






After struggling to balance trying to fill the basket while keeping Jaxon out of it, I finally gave up and headed back to the pick up zone to be weighed in and cashed out. Note to self, bring along an extra person when taking a toddler strawberry picking if you want to leave with a full basket!




We finished off our day at Springridge by visiting the children's play area which included a petting zoo, haystacks to climb on, a maze, and a huge sandbox filled with tractors, trucks and all sorts of farm equipment. I can't wait until next week when we return on the weekend with our working mamas!

Exploring Mother Nature

Our momstown Milton little explorers went on a scavenger hunt today around the Mill Pond. Each toddler was handed a scavenger list of items that they would need to search for during our walk around the pond. They came well prepared with safari hats, butterfly nets and binoculars to aid in the adventure they were about to have.

It was amazing to watch the tots take in and observe everything that crossed their path. High or low, up and down, they left no stone unturned. Some took the search rather seriously and were determined to check off every item on the list, while others just took their time to smell the roses and absorb it all in.





We were rather lucky to see a few live creatures up close and personal! Wow check out the fuzzy caterpillar on the twig or the baby goslings that swam right by us. While others like the turtles sun bathing on the log or the fish in the pond we had to observe from a distance.





All in all, we had a great time identifying the items on the list and I'm pretty certain that at least one little keener found them all! Our next Little Explorers event is scheduled for July 7th. Hope you are able to join us on our exciting adventure!

momstown Milton takes on The Big Cook!

Our momstown Milton mamas were busy yesterday prepping and assembling enough meals to feed an army...at least that's what it felt like for our Big Cook Event! I make meals because I have to not because I enjoy it so to participate in this momstown chapter wide event was a challenge for me but one that truly paid off in the end!




We had some seasoned chefs in our group who made the most difficult meals look like a breeze. At one point, I wish I had a stop watch because I swear that one of our moms assembled a meal in less then a minute when she realized that she had rotated to the wrong station!

I was thankful for the wine that was provided to us by Chateau Des Charmes and the dips that came from Summer Fresh to get me through the evening. I am a stress eater so this provided comfort for me to help calm me down. I was also relieved to learn that I was not the only mama that felt like this..thanks Sheri for sharing and making me feel better : )



A big shout out to the mamas who ended up assembling my meals for me while I had to run home to get the bag of ingredients that I had forgotten on my kitchen table!


I went home with approximately 32 ready made meals for my 2.5 sized family in a matter of hours! This means I am going to spend less time in the kitchen and more time doing the things I love to do during these summer days for the next month! Gotta luv it!

momstown Milton Tikes learn Karate

Our momstown Milton Tikes visited Julie & Shawn at the Academy of Martial Arts this week for a karate demo. The class focussed on teaching the kids about discipline, respect and self defense. Before entering the dojo, we were asked to remove our shoes and line up in a straight line to bow and recite "Os" which is a traditional greeting to show respect and courtesy to the instructor.



We started off by warming up first to loosen up and get prepared to do some defensive moves. We learned a persuader, release, and a hit and run technique that could be used to try and get away from a stranger. First you start off with the kick and stomp, this is know as the persuader.



Then you make a fist, slide it down your arm forcfully while pulling your wrist that is being held away from the attacker "the release". It is encouraged that the child use an outdoor voice at this point and yell "Kiai" which is a spirited yell that helps channel all of their energy into the move.




The final step was the palm strike to the nose. Once the grip is broken it gives the child the opportunity to get away - the hit and run.




Both our parents and tots had a wonderful time learning the moves and gaining some insight on how to defend ourselves when presented with a dangerous situation. Thank you Julie and Shawn for taking the time to teach us such valuable life skills!

momstown summer standard!

Our little ones gathered at Lowville Park yesterday for our first of many Picasso's in the Park programs.Our momstown Milton members met up with momstown Burlington to create some wonderful, vibrant works of art and enjoy a day out in the sun.



Our theme this month is Construction so we used different mediums such as cars, trucks, loaders etc to wheel thru the globs of paint that was scattered all over the tables.


At one point, one of our tots discovered that the car he was playing with could be wound up and released to spin it's wheels. The paint splattered everywhere! What a mess, but that's what it is all about! Letting loose, letting go of your inhibitions and just allowing yourself and your child to explore and enjoy without worrying about the clean up afterwards!


Once our budding artists were done, we pulled out the giant parachute to sing some songs and play some games. I think the moms liked "sleeping bunnies" the best because it seemed to settle down the kids if only for a few moments!


Park play and a picnic in the park was a great way to wrap up the event. I can't wait until next month when we do it all again with different sensory equipment. You'll have to sign up to attend in order to find out what we will be using next!