Little Scientists - Discovering Shadows and Light with Shadow Puppets

Our Little Scientists explore Light & Shadows!

In honour of Earth Hour when we will all be turning off our lights, our momstown Milton  Little Scientists had fun learning about light and shadows.

We started off with a short video about a hippo who discovers his shadow when the sun shines, and notices it goes away when the sun goes behind the clouds. The kids had fun doing an experiment with a toy tree and a flashlight. We saw how the tree cast no shadow without light shining on it, and then how the shadow appeared when we shined a light on the branches.

 

The group headed to the basement for some more fun with shadows. To play with shadows in the basement, I hung up a white sheet from the ceiling. The little scientists had fun making shadows with their hands and bodies, illuminated by flash lights. By turning on a bright light behind the sheet, our basement was transformed into a shadow puppet theatre! We used shadow puppets cut out of black paper in the forms of flying saucers, aliens and planets. We saw how the shadows got smaller and bigger as we moved them farther from and closer from the source of light.

  

Playing with shadows is a fun and free activity that can be done anywhere. Kids are fascinated by shadows, and teaching little ones about how shadows are formed can be helpful in reducing bed time fears.

Thanks to our Little Scientists for bringing their curiosity to our group today!

See you next month when we will be Little Explorers, exploring the world of birds!

 

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momstown Milton Culinary Chicks make South of the Boarder Microwavable Meatloaf!

On a rainy night on April 9, 2013, the momstown Milton mamas donned their rain coats and congregated together around Mary-Anne's kitchen to take part in an interactive and exciting  cooking class to learn how to make a flavourful Mexican-inspired meat loaf. 

The Culinary Chicks  cooking program is a great way for mamas to have a night out all the while taking part in a cooking demonstration. The best part? They get to enjoy a hot scrumptious meal at the end.

SOUTH-OF-THE-BORDER MEAT LEAF

 

(Recipe from The Pampered Chef) 

Ingredients:

 

1 cup finely chopped green or poblano pepper (finely chopped)

1 medium onion (finely chopped) 

1/2 cup finely crushed authentic restaurant-style tortilla chips (approx 1 1/2 cups whole chops) 

1 cup ketchup

2 tbsp Chipotle rub

1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef

1 egg

1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese 

Chopped fresh cilantro (optional) 



Get right in there and get messy!

 

Method

 

1. Finely chop pepper and onion. 

Place chips into large resealable plastic bag; very finely crush to measure 1/2 cup crumbs. 

Combine ketchup and chipotle rub in small bowl; stir. 

In another bowl combine pepper, onion, tortilla chips crumbs, 3/4 cup of the ketchup mixture, beef, egg and 1 cup of the cheese; mix well. 

2. Place meat mixture in a deep baking dish, form into an 8 1/2*4 1/2 loaf. Microwave, covered, on HIGH 14-17 minutes or until thermometer inserted in centre of meat registers at 145F. 

3. Sprinkle remaining cheese over meat loaf; cover and let stand 10 minutes before slicing. Sprinkle cilantro over meat loaf, if desired.

Yield: 6 servings 

At only $2 per serving, this dish is incredibly budget-friendly as well! 



Applying the finishing touches.

Bon appovecho! 

Cook's Tips: 
 

Meatloaf can be baked, uncovered, in a 400F oven for 65-70 minutes. Brush with sauce 15 minutes before end of bake time. 

If desired, 2-3 tbsp chopped, canned chipotle peppers can be substituted for the chipotle rub. 

Culinary Chicks: Mamas Cooking Together! 

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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 kids take a journey to Ireland!

A group of momstown Milton mamas and kids recently took a trip to Ireland during our Trip Around The World program.  We started off by looking at pictures of the country and learned why it is called "The Emerald Isle" (all the rain makes everything very green!).

We talked about the symbols of Ireland, the flag and the shamrock.  We had two crafts today.  We created Irish flags with green, white and orange paper.  

 

We also did some paint stamping using cut peppers and potatoes cut in the shape of shamrocks.  While we worked on our crafts we listened to some Irish music.

 

After our crafts, we talked about Irish folklore.  We learned that leprechauns are a big part of the folklore of Ireland.  Leprechauns are fairies, and they have specific jobs: they cobble fairy shoes, and they guard riches.  They are honest but very sneaky.  If you catch a Leprechaun they have to give you their gold... but they are crafty!  We read a story called "Clever Tom and the Leprechaun", the story of a man who gets outsmarted by a Leprechaun.

 

We finished off our trip to Ireland listening to Celtic music and eating Irish scones with butter and jam!  Thank you all for coming along on our journey!  

 

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Submitted by Paula Porter, a momstown Milton member and

 mother of two children.

How Motherhood has changed me

After having my first child, one of the phenomenons that marvelled me was the raging effect that my hormones experienced post-partum. I recall sitting on my front porch with my swollen belly and voraciously reading pregnancy preparation books. I would talk to well meaning family and friends during the day and obsessively scour websites late into the night. Yet, there I was, stupefied in the midst of grappling with the emotions of new motherhood; crying without explanation at the mere viewing of a harmless TV commercial.  

Evidently, from the moment I saw the pitch black hairs on my first daughter's sweet little round head, my life was forever changed. Before her entrance into the world, I would have visions of not being able to hold her properly, that I would allow my clumsiness to takeover and she would be left to the mercy of my pitiful ineptness. 

Photo credit: depthsoflove.blogspot.com

And while I hesitate to use a term that I know has been used many times before, I will take the risk and use it again...it was all just natural. Once she was placed into my arms, it felt right, as though my arms were a snug pocket custom designed for her. My fears of dropping her dissipated and my protective instinct prevailed. An instinct that has marked the greatest transformation in becoming a mother. 

I still have my own fears as I go through my adventures in life, however, they do not even compare to the worries that sometimes overcome me when I think of my two children. If their school bus is a few minutes late, I start envisioning scenarios that fill me with angst. When I see the school's name appearing on my cell phone, the rhythm of my heart beat increases its pace and my "hello" is breathlessly brusque. 


It is in those precious moments that understanding casts its light in my mind's eye. I begin to empathize with the fears that seized my mother when at the age of 8, I decided to play in the park one snowy afternoon after school instead of coming straight home. As I watched with my pert nose pressed up against the window, I'll never forget seeing the tears streaming down her face as she walked up the front porch stairs (having assumed I'd gone missing), before realizing that I was indeed home.

The bittersweet stresses that come with motherhood are indelible. I live and breathe the touching knowledge that my life changed that one fateful day when beautiful being(s) entered my life, and a pure innocent love overcame me and I became eternally besotted. 

  

Photo credit: mirror.co.uk

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Submitted by Liz Marques Kogan, a momstown Milton member and

 mother of two children. Her blog is OrchidaForever. 

April 2013 Community Events for Families in Milton

Slowly but surely Spring is coming.  It's time to put away our scarfs and mittens and get outside.  There's lots going on in Milton this month, so get ready to enjoy this sunny weather!

Springridge Farm, Fun Farm Yard Opens
Monday, April 1st
9am to 5pm
Springridge Farm, Milton

Kid's First Show
Saturday, April 13th
9am to 4pm
Milton Sports Centre

Earth Day Tree Planting
Saturday, April 20th
9am to 1pm
Kelso Quarry, Milton

Fiesta!  Milton Concert Band
Saturday, April 20th
Starts at 8pm
Milton Centre for the Arts

Milton Mall Kids' Club:  Make and Take Your Own Bird Feeder
Sat. Apr. 27th
10am to 12 noon
Milton Mall

(This post is written by Karen Bivand, a momstown Milton member who has a 2 year old son, Eric. For more Milton community events, check out her blog at: www.exploringmilton.com. Photo from:  Paul Brentnall / FreeDigitalPhotos.net)  

momstown Milton Baby Basics Celebrates the Canadian Game with "My First Hockey Book" sponsored by Scholastic Canada

Last month we celebrated, “The Good Ol’ Hockey Game” at our momstown Milton Baby Basics – Books for Babes, at Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids.  Scholastic Canada provided us with the book, MyFirst Hockey Book by Ian Crysler and the babies enjoyed looking at all of the large photograph pictures of children playing hockey both on the ice and at the playground. 

 

 

Some of our Babies came in full spirit wearing their hockey gear and or sports clothing. 

To help get the rest of us in the mood we sang, “The Hockey Song” by the late Stompin’ Tom Connors and assisted the babies in the “Hockey Pockey” (A version of the Hokey Pokey). Both of which they enjoyed doing the actions and moving to the beat.  Here is a copy of the lyrics incase you would like to sing them with your little one.

The Hockey Song by Stompin’ Tom Connors

www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/s/stompin_tom_connors/the_hockey_song.html

Hello out there, we're on the air, it's 'Hockey Night' tonight.

Tension grows, the whistle blows, and the puck goes down the ice.

The goalie jumps, and the players bump, and the fans all go insane.

Someone roars, "Bobby Scores!", at the good ol' Hockey Game. 

:: CHORUS ::

OH! The good ol' Hockey game, is the best game you can name.

And the best game you can name, is the good ol' Hockey game. 

Second Period.

Where players dash, with skates a flash, the home team trails behind.

But they grab the puck, and go bursting up, and they're down across the line.

They storm the crease, like bumble bees, they travel like a burning flame.

We see them slide, the puck inside, it's a 1-1 hockey game.

(Chorus)

Third Period. Last game of the playoff too!

Oh take me where, the hockey players, face off down the rink.

And the Stanley Cup, is all filled up, for the champs who win the drink.

Now the final flick, of a hockey stick, and the one gigantic scream.

"The puck is in! The home team wins!", the good ol' hockey game. 

(Chorus x3)

Hockey Pockey

http://edamonth.homestead.com/HockeyPockey.html 

You put your right hand in, You put your right hand out,

You put your right hand in and you shake it all about.

You do the hockey pockey, And you turn yourself around.

That's what it's all about. 

You put your  left hand in, You put your left hand out,

You put your  left hand in and you shake it all about.

You do the hockey pockey, And you turn yourself around.

That's what it's all about. 

You put your right leg in, You put your right leg out,

You put your right leg in and you shake it all about.

You do the hockey pockey, And you turn yourself around.

That's what it's all about.

You put your left leg in, You put your left leg out,

You put your left leg in and you shake it all about.

You do the hockey pockey, And you turn yourself around.

That's what it's all about. 

You put your right side in, You put your right side out,

You put your right side in and you shake it all about.

You do the hockey pockey, And you turn yourself around.

That's what it's all about.

You put your left side in, You put your left side out,

You put your left side in and you shake it all about.

You do the hockey pockey, And you turn yourself around.

That's what it's all about.

You put your whole self in, You put your whole self out,

You put your whole self in and you shake it all about.

You do the hockey pockey, And you turn yourself around.

That's what it's all about.

 

My First Hockey Book begins by showcasing a family that supports each other as they practice their skating, cheer their siblings on as they play the game and even finish with a warm cup of hot chocolate.  Our moms really enjoyed the teamwork and cooperation that Ian Crysler displayed in this book as the big brother, “gives tips” to his siblings of how to skate as well as handle the puck and both teams celebrate a “great game” by shaking hands.  The second half of the book illustrates how a group of children meet regularly at the playground to have a game of ball hockey on the pavement.

My First Hockey Book is a Board Book, which allows the little ones to turn the pages more easily, and has full-page photographs that help to tell the story.  Some of our babies were extra intrigued by the large photos of real people (versus illustrations) and shared their joy with babbles and shrieks of delight.

After listening to Miss Jen give a read aloud of the book, each baby got a chance to flip through the pages and enjoy a second read.  Since Scholastic Canada generously donated the book to our momstown Milton Books for Babes program, we were able to raffle the book to one lucky baby.  Now she officially has her own First Hockey Book.

Thanks again, so much Scholastic Canada for allowing our little ones to learn about,  “the best game you can name, the GOOD OL’ HOCKEY GAME.”

We would love to have you join us for our Baby Basics - Books for Babes program sponsored by Scholastic Books. A fun way to introduce Early Literacy to your infant and to connect with other moms.

Register here for your 6 week FREE trial.

This blog was written by: Jennifer Green momstown Milton member and mother to a beautiful baby boyl

Cooked Spaghetti! A Fun Sensory Activity for Babies!

Our momstown Milton Baby Sensory group had a wriggly, squiggly time exploring cooked spaghetti!  

The babies had a blast playing with the pasta and playing with each other!  They couldn't resist having a taste,  some a single strand and others, a mouth full.  The group started out gingerly touching the pasta, but in very little time they were playing with gusto!

The mamas had a great time watching the faces of our little ones light up as they felt the slippery spaghetti with their hands and feet.  We heard lots of giggles and saw some great smiles. We got a little carried away when we thought it would be funny to give the babies pasta wigs...they had mixed reactions!

Playing with cooked and coloured spaghetti is an inexpensive way to have some good sensory fun with our little ones.  I have enjoyed this activity with babies as young as 5 months, but also with my 3.5 year old.  It looks like it would be a messy activity, but it isn't!

This is how you do it:

Boil 1lb of spaghetti in a large pot. Once it is cooked, drain it and separate into a couple of bowls; Add about 1/2 tsp oil to each bowl and some Wilton gel food colouring (start with a small dab, add more if needed). The oil helps keep the colour from running onto clothes (though make sure to use a spoon while you are mixing the colour into the spaghetti!).  Aside from being a tad oily, no colour leaked onto clothing or hands!  We used a plastic table cloth on the kitchen floor and added some toys and tools for fun.   

Looking forward to our next Baby Sensory group!!  Hope to see you there!

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Submitted by Paula Porter, a momstown Milton member and mother of two.

Mama's Chicken Stew

My mother came to Canada from her native São Miguel, Azores (Portuguese island), when she was 13 years old. Cooking was always a big part of our lives and remains so to this day. One of my favourite recipes was one she would make from a cookbook called Portuguese Homestyle Cooking by Ana Patuleia Ortins. 

It's a chicken stew that truly embodies the definition of comfort cooking. The kitchen is enveloped in delightful aromas created by the onions, garlic, tomatoes, bay leaf, and of course the chicken itself.

Whenever I'm feeling nostalgic and want to bring back a little bit of my childhood and heritage into my home, I make this one pot wonder.  

Portuguese Chicken Stew

INGREDIENTS

* 4 tablespoon olive oil
* 1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
* 1 large very ripe tomato, peeled, seeded and coarsely chopped
* 1/2 tablespoon sweet paprika
* 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
* 1 bay leaf
* 1/2 cup white wine (optional)
* one 2 1/2 to 3 pound (1,1 kg to 1,4kg) chicken, cut up
* 3 1/2 cups water
* 1 1/2 cups converted rice or other long-grain rice (I've used basmati)
* 2 teaspoons coarse salt or to taste
* 1/4 teaspoons black pepper to taste
* 1/2 cup peas, frozen or fresh, shelled (I've also used broccoli) 
* 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley


PREPARATION


1. Heat the oil in a 5-quart Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add and then sauté the onions until they become a light golden colour. 

2. Put in the tomatoes, paprika, garlic and bay leaf. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer until the tomatoes are soft and partially dissolved, about 15 minutes.

3. Pour in the wine, if using, and simmer for 2 more minutes. Add the chicken and water, adding extra water if needed to just cover the chicken. Recover the pot tightly and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer the chicken for 15 minutes.

4. Toss in the rice, salt and pepper. Stir, recover, and continue to simmer for another 20 minutes. Stir in the peas and 1 tablespoon of the parsley. Simmer for 5 minutes more or until the meat is nearly falling off the bone. 

5. Remove the pan from the heat. Let the stew stand for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional parsley. The rice should be tender and the liquid should be absorbed. 

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Submitted by Liz Marques Kogan, a momstown Milton member and

 mother of two children. Her blog is OrchidaForever.