French Tales for Tots: Bonne nuit, Canada, sponsored by Scholastic Canada

With signs of winter still clinging to the first day of spring, the momstown Milton group headed over to the Indigo - Milton for French Tales for Tots - Contes pour les bouts d'choux for a fun and interactive story-time of Bonne nuit, Canada by author Andrea Beck, sponsored by Scholastic Canada on March 20, 2013. 

Settling down at the bright and cheerful craft station, the little ones and their families listened as Sam Kassam-Macfie, momstown Milton's very own mama, explained the 'star (étoile) and moon (lune) mobile craft that they were about to do. Each child would get one hanger and string would be attached to the hooks of the hanger with the help of family. On one string a moon shape would be attached and on the other, a star shape would be attached. From there, the little ones allowed their imaginations to explore and create. They busied themselves with sparkly glitter glue, markers and space-themed stickers  to create their very own unique and space-tastic mobile. 
 

 
After completing their mobile, the group gathered together around Madame Liz as she read Bonne nuit, Canada. The little ones were delighted with the story of a child saying good night to Canada's 10 belles provinces et 3 territoires. They exclaimed "Bonne nuit Canada!" with zeal and their good night waves were filled with enthusiasm. As we went through the provinces and territories, the children would eagerly share about their own family members who lived in different parts of Canada. 

 
Following the story, Madame Liz led the children in an animated en français rendition of "O Canada!" The children then listened as Madame Liz read a second book entitled Vive le Canada. Avid sing-a-long fans, the group then sang "Quel temps fait-il" (sung to the tune of When The Saints Come Marching In); "Petit Poisson" (The Little Fish), and "Scintillement" (Twinkle Twinkle Little Star). 

Our entertaining time together came to a close far too quickly but before we said au revoir to our amis, we held a draw for the Bonne nuit, Canada book and a lucky little girl won. She was so excited by her name being called that she started clapping and doing a happy dance! 

We can't wait to meet again next month for another French Tales for Tots - Contes pour les bouts d'choux.

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Written by Liz Marques Kogan - a momstown Milton member and mother of 2.  Her blog is: OrchidaForever. 

How did you announce you were pregnant?

You just got the most amazing news you have ever heard, "You are pregnant!"  Now it's time to share the news with your spouse, family and friends.  You can just come out and say "I'm pregnant" and that would be fine, but I have heard of some pretty unique ways to share the news. 

With our first, we just told everyone but with our second we let our daughter announce it.  She put on a t-shirt that said Awesome Big Sister.  It took some people a few minutes to notice what the shirt said but others got it right away.

Here are just a few other fun ways to announce.


© Courtesy of Wendy Bright Faust
parenting.com

1.  Take a picture of your oven with a bun in it or a picture of Prego tomato sauce (great to put on facebook or twitter to announce)

2.  Have a "baby" themed meal (baby back ribs, baby carrots, baby potatoes)

3.  Get a cake (or cookie) and announce it in the icing or use pink and blue icing to frost it

4.  Is it your parents 1st grandchild?  Get a Christmas or birthday card that says Grandma and/or Grandpa on it

5.  Take a group picture and instead of "Say Cheese" say "we're Pregnant!"

6.  Facebook/Twitter Status - OVbunEN

7.  Tell hubby with a card -
Blank card: $2
Fine point marker: $1
Home pregnancy test: $12
On the inside tape the positive hpt and write:
The look on your face when you realize you're going to be a dad...priceless"

8.  Give a calendar and circle the due date or if it is a photo calendar - take a pic of the pregnancy test and use that for the babies due date

9.  Replace the fortune in a fortune cookie with your own fortune

This Blog was written by Angela Hickman - mother of 2, momstown Milton member and blogger - Mommy TimeOut.
 

momstown Milton Culinary Chicks Get Cooking - Asian Style

On a stormy night on February 26, 2013, the momstown Milton mamas braved the cold and sought respite at Mary-Anne's cozy and inviting home to take part in an interactive and exciting Asian cooking class. 

What better way than to hang out with your fellow mamas, take part in a cooking demonstration, and then enjoy a delicious hot meal?

Mary-Anne prepared an Asian Pork and Noodle Skillet that wowed the mamas with how easy it was to make (the aroma of the Chinese 5 seasoning mix filled the kitchen beautifully) and at only $5 per serving, it's budget-friendly as well. 

MAKE AHEAD IDEA: This recipe works very well as a make-ahead as you can chop and prep the vegetables the night before and then just take everything out of your fridge when it's time for a momstown Milton mama to cook after a long day at work.

 

RECIPE: Asian Pork and Noodle Skillet

Ingredients

2 medium carrots peeled

1 medium red bell pepper

5-6 green onions with tops divided 

2 pork tenderloin (can substitute chicken)

2 tbsp  sesame oil

2 tbsp Chinese 5 seasoning mix (can be found in the spice aisle of the grocery store) 

4 pkg oriental flavour Mr. Noodle package 

1 tbsp vegetable oil

4 cups water

Method
 

1. Cut carrots into julienne strips. Cut bell pepper lengthwise into strips. Slice green onions and put aside tops.

Demonstrating the pepper slicing technique

Mary-Anne's tip to Culinary Chicks: clean green onions very well

2. Trim fat and sliver skin from pork (Mary-Anne's tip to the Culinary Chicks: needs to be removed otherwise your meat will not be as tender). Slice pork lengthwise into 4 strips. Thinly slice strips crosswise. Combine pork, sesame oil, seasoning mix and two of the instant noodle seasoning packets into a bowl.

3. Add oil to skillet heat over med-high 1-3 minutes or until shimmering. Add the pork. Cook and stir 2-3 minutes or until browned. Remove and put aside.

4. Add carrots and bell pepper top skillet. Cook until tender. Add water and remaining seasoning packets, stir to loosen browned bits from skillet. Add noodles and white parts of onions. Cover and bring to boil. 4-5 minutes or until noodles are soft. Add pork; remove skillet from heat and let stand, covered, 3-4 minutes until pork is heated. Garnish with green onion.

 



The green onion paired with the red pepper add beautiful bursts of colour! 

 

Spooning the meal - almost time to eat 

Savouring their hot meal - mama heaven! 

Taking a peek at the recipe

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Written by Liz Marques Kogan, a momstown Milton member and mother of two children. You can check out her blog at: www.orchidaforever.blogspot.ca 

momstown Milton Spring Mom to Mom Sale

The shoppers were out bright and early Saturday morning.  Hundreds of mommies and daddies came out ready to spend their dollars and spend they did!  The momstown Milton Mom to Mom Sale was a great success.  There were tables and tables of children's clothing, toys and nursery items available and at very affordable prices giving our parents plenty to choose from.

The sale was from 8:30 - 11:30am at Wee Ones Childcare Academy located on Main St.  What a pleasant sight to see all the wonderful moms who came out on the chilly Saturday morning and were ready to shop at 8am.  The first 100 moms received swag bags filled with fun items and discounts from various local businesses including Laurie Goodman photography, Sharkey's Cuts for Kids, Stirling Montessori Academy and many more.  A special thank you also goes to our local businesses who kindly donated a number of door prizes including a free yoga class from Yoga Connections, a crochet hat from Niko's Nook and more.

 

 

The items being sold were in excellent condition and many well known name brands.  The children's clothing ranged from newborn to size 6.  The kids in attendance loved all the toys available for sale from little tykes cars, a fisher price kitchen, little peoples sets and more, there was something for all.  The moms selling items were a little nostalgic but were pleased to sell their items to other moms to help build new memories in their homes.  Just look at all the happy faces.

 

 

 

A special mention should also go out to the wonderful moms who decided to donate whatever items they had left at the end of the day to the Halton Women's Shelter.  That type of generosity is greatly appreciated and I'm sure it put a smile on many faces.

 

Keep your eyes and ears open for information for the next Mom to Mom sale that will be coming up in the fall. 

 

 

Not a member yet but would like to be a part of this amazing community and join in on the fabulous events? 

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This Blog was written by Angela Hickman - mother of 2, momstown Milton member and blogger - Mommy TimeOut.


momstown Milton: Mom Book Club Sponsored by Scholastic Canada - The False Prince

Literacy is one of the key principles of momstown's 6 Program Pillars. momstown encourages a foundation of early learning for children through interactive and engaging activities. Learning is essentially a part of our life's journey, it starts when we're young and continues on throughout the years.

With open minds and the book, The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen (the first book in a trilogy series) nestled on their laps, the momstown Milton mamas gathered together for our Mom Book Club sponsored by Scholastic Canada.

During the book chat, the momstown Milton moms expressed how intrigued they were by Nielsen's book revolving around a seemingly unlikely hero: Sage, a boy, who had fled his orphanage for a few hours in order to steal a roast. Sage was inevitably caught by a man named Conner; a shrewd individual looking to fulfill his own agenda. The story was set in the mystical kingdom of Carthya; a land shrouded in mystery.

Nielsen's entertaining storytelling skills as showcased in her work were greatly appreciated by the momstown Milton group. It was relayed during the Mama's Book Club conversation how, as children,  we tend to imagine ourselves as someone fascinating harbouring a secret identity.

In Nielsen's book, the idea of boys being cast to play the role of a prince (one of the group would be chosen by Conner as part of his master plan) may seem highly appealing, yet ironically, it wasn't appealing to Sage, a complex boy keeping a deep secret of his own.

momstown Milton had an incredibly enjoyable evening and the moms were grateful to Scholastic Canada for providing such a captivating and endearing read for the Mama's Book Club discussion!

Memorable quotes by our momstown Milton moms about The False Prince:

"The style was easy-to-read and definitely a great book for a rainy or snowy day with a nice cup of tea. :)" 

"I really enjoyed the character development and the relationship building between the boys themselves as well as how they get along with their master Conner." 

"I think that this book was really good, and I think that anyone who's looking for a light but interesting book to read should definitely consider this one."

Interested in joining us? Purchase your membership here for just $45 a year. All one year memberships include a 12 month subscription to Today's Parent magazine in 2013!

Register here for your FREE Trial and come out and meet our incredible group!

Written by Liz Marques Kogan - a momstown Milton member and mother of 2.  Her blog is: OrchidaForever. 

Starting your financial plan doesn’t have to be scary!

Getting Started On Your Financial Future

Right now is an exciting time when you’re beginning to create the life you want to live. You are starting a family and building your career. And of course, you’re already thinking about your dreams for the future.

Where ever your life takes you, living well means being financially prepared.  By starting to plan now, you’ll be ready for what’s around every corner.

Starting your financial plan doesn’t have to be complicated or scary. It’s just a matter of taking the right steps to turn ideas into actions.

1.       Write down your most important financial goals and set a timeframe for when you’d like to reach them (e.g. this year, in 5-years, in 15 years, etc)

2.      Make a monthly budget, including a regular amount to add to your savings and investments  and stick to it!

3.       Look for ways to consolidate debts, reduce debt payments or pay-off debts more quickly so that you have more money to put towards your financial goals.

4.      Prepare for the unexpected; if you’re ready for it, it will be easier to deal with.

5.      Don’t be afraid to ask for advice!  An advisor can help you better understand your needs and the solutions available to you.

6.      Create a realistic plan to meet your goals – and make it happen!

 

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

·         A well-rounded financial plan should include savings and investments, along with insurance protection solutions.

·         The sooner you get started, the sooner your savings and investments will start working for you.

·         An RRSP is a smart way to start saving for retirement, but you can also use it to help make the down payment on your first home.

·         Your mortgage is one of the biggest financial obligations you’ll have – and there are many ways you can protect it if you’re unable to meet your payments.

·         As your family grows, the group benefits offered by your employer might not provide the amount and type of coverage you need.

Financial planning isn’t just for the wealthy.  In fact, the best way to get more out of your money is by having a solid financial plan in place.

If you want to know more contact me and ask about Sun Life’s Money For Life^TM  program.

 

momstown Milton kids learn to make Pizza Dough

Today our momstown Milton Junior Chefs had a great time making their very own pizzas from scratch!

After washing our hands and putting on our aprons, we got to work on our pizza dough. The Jr Chefs took turns measuring out the ingredients:

3.5c flour

1.5 envelopes instant yeast

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp salt

1.5c very warm water

1 tbsp olive oil

The dry ingredients were mixed together, then the water and oil were added. The ingredients were incorporated with a rubber spatula, making sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl.

Once the dough started to come together, the kids took turns putting flour on their hands to keep from sticking, then dug in to help mix the dough. The next step was to turn the dough out onto a floured table top and start kneading! We learned how to hold our hands together for kneading the dough, then got to work!

 

After the dough is kneaded and feels smooth and elastic, it is put in a clean oiled bowl and left to rise in a warm spot for at least 2 hours (ideally 3+). Cover the surface of the dough with plastic wrap, and place a kitchen towel over the bowl.

Our Junior Chefs were lucky to have magic dough on hand that had already risen, and each chef was given a small portion for making their own personal pizzas. Mamas were on hand with rolling pins to help the little ones put flour on the table and roll out their dough.
 

The fun really began as we started to top our yummy pizzas. The chefs used sauce, shredded cheese, pepperoni and green olives.

The pizzas went into a 500 degree oven for about 7 minutes.The Junior Chefs enjoyed eating their delicious creations. Everyone did such a wonderful job today!

Time saving tip for mamas: For made ahead pizza crusts to have on hand in the freezer, simply roll out personal sized pizzas, bake in 500 degree oven for 3 or 4 minutes (don't let them get brown or crisp, you will be baking them again when you assemble your pizzas). Cool on a rack. When completely cool, stack them up and freeze in a Ziplock bag. When you need one, take it out of the freezer, top it and bake in a 500 degree oven for 5-6 min. This recipe makes enough for 12 kid size pizzas, or two family sized pizzas.

Bon Appetit! See you next month at our Junior Chef program!

 

We would love to have you join us for our Jr. Chef Program next month. A fun way for kiddies to learn measurements and practice mixing and chopping!

Register here for your 6 week FREE trial.

Momstown Milton moms and babies enjoyed our Fisher Price Baby Basics Program!

As large snowflakes hit the ground and the cold wind bit into our cheeks, the momstown Milton mamas and their babies sought refuge in the Sharkey's Cuts for Kids - Milton and were in for a spectacular Baby Basics (newborn-12 months) program.

Sponsored by Fisher Price, the momstown Milton families got to try out amazing products: the Say Please Tea Set, the Ocean Wonders Aquarium, Laugh 'n Learn Click 'n Learn Remote, and the My Little Snugabunny Cradle 'n Swing.

For some extra special fun and learning, there was a make-your-own-bunny craft centre (more about the "feet dipping into paint" experience a bit later...) and a tactile centre in which the babies got footloose and fancy free and experienced different textures with their bare skin.

So let's talk about the dynamite time everyone had at the Baby Basics program sponsored by Fisher Price! 

It took the little ones no time to engage in their very own tea party (putting their role play and social skills to work) with the Say Please Tea Set (the little tea bag sitting in the pot was greatly admired). Soon we could see small hands learning the delicate manner of clinking teacups and nibbling on the tasty looking treats! Little laughs and smiles of delight were heard and seen everywhere as the buttons on the tea pot were pushed and sing-along songs and phrases were heard.

 

 

 

Young eyes became mesmerized by the underwater adventure of the Ocean Wonders Aquarium. A real stimulation of the senses. The babies curiosity surrounding the big bright orange fish was quite evident. It was a wonderful way to enhance learning through discovery. For those moments as they were entranced with the Ocean Wonders Aquarium, they were no longer babies on a play-mat but daring seafarers!

 

Switching gears or should we say remotes, the babies got to unleash the little remote lover in them (and act just like mommy and daddy at home) through the Laugh 'n Learn Click 'n Remote.  As the babies eagerly pressed buttons, they were developing their fine motor skills. The babies also got a chance to learn colours, numbers, shapes and more through the fun sounds and phrases of the Laugh 'n Learn Click 'n Remote.

For those babies looking to unwind for a little bit (some even caught a cat nap!), there was the My Little Snugabunny Cradle 'n Swing. The soft, rich fabrics and canopy helped baby feel safe and secure. And we all got such a thrill watching little ones admire their own reflection in the mirror ball! This product is extremely versatile: The side-to-side cradle motion provided a soothing experience and for those babies looking for a little more stimulation, the head-to-toe swing motion was perfect! With the My Little Snugabunny Cradle 'n Swing, the momstown Milton mamas were able to create the ideal experience to suit their little one's needs.

 

 

 

When it was time to get crafty, the babies settled down with their mothers to create their very own bunny! They dabbed eyes and noses with Bingo markers, drew on whiskers with markers, pasted cotton-balls for fur. And here comes the best part. The bunny ears! The moms took off the little babies socks and the babies got interactive with their art by having the paint put on their tiny feet and then pressed on the bunny craft to make the ears.

Remember the tactile centre mentioned earlier? Well, on square boards were different fabrics and materials: cotton, shredded paper, burlap, bubble wrap, cotton baton, sandpaper and tinsel. Coos, smiles and laughter ensued as the babies felt the sensations of the differing textures.

 

 

The Baby Basics program ended on a very high note as the four fabulous Fisher Price products were drawn as prizes! The super lucky winners were:

Tracey M. (Laugh 'n Learn Click 'n Remote)

Heather R. (Ocean Wonders Aquarium)

Patty (Say Please Tea Set)

Shaunet (My Little Snugabunny Cradle 'n Swing)

 Did you know that momstown Milton's mom and baby program - Baby Basics - meets once a week to connect moms with babies 0-12 months? Interested in joining us? Purchase your membership here for just $45 a year. All one year memberships include a 12 month subscription to Today's Parent magazine too!

 

Register here for your FREE Trial and 

come out and meet our incredible group!

  

Written by Liz Marques Kogan - a momstown Milton member and mother of 2.  Her blog is: OrchidaForever.