Fun and Creative Do It Yourself Costumes for Halloween

Looking for a fun costume that isn't going to cost you a fortune this Halloween?  Here are some fun and very cute ideas that you can make yourself in no time!

1)  Bubble Bath - Cut a hole in the bottom of an inflatable baby bathtub (we used Munchkin's Inflatable Safety Duck Tub). Leave at least 2 inches for the rim

 

On the remaining bottom rim, punch two holes near the front and back. To make the suspenders from wide ribbon, measure your child from shoulder to waist and multiply by 2; cut two lengths of ribbon to that size. Thread through the holes, knotting the ends underneath to secure.

 

Blow up 15 white balloons and attach them with double-stick tape inside the tub and to the sides to make it look like bubbles are overflowing.

 

2)  Here comes the Sun - All you need is: an over-size yellow sweatshirt, orange and yellow felt, elastic, rickrack, pipe cleaners, fabric glue, a large safety pinShe's the sunshine of your life, so show the world! A basic sweatshirt is the start of this cheery costume. The smiling face of the sun is made from felt. A plain long-sleeve tee and yellow kneesocks or tights finish it off!





3)  Scuba Diver - Scouring pads, a soda bottle, and other household products give you a deep-sea diver's duds.

Scuba gear:
 3 yards black nylon webbing 1 yard self-adhesive Velcro  6 metallic scouring pads  2-liter plastic soda bottle  1 sports-bottle lid  Silver spray paint  4 inches black rubber tubing  18 inches cord-keeper tube Wet suit: Black hooded sweatshirt  Black tights or leggings  Black gloves  Plastic safety goggles 1. Cut a piece of nylon webbing 2 inches longer than your child's waist circumference. Attach Velcro pieces to each end for a belt. 2. Measure your child from front of waist, over shoulders, to back of waist. Cut two straps of webbing to this measurement. Glue one end of each piece of webbing to the center of the back of the belt, about 1/4 inch apart. Attach loose ends to front of belt, about 3 inches apart, like suspender straps.
3. Fold scouring pads into tubes and glue edges together. Glue tubes around belt to create diving weights.
4. Coat soda bottle and sports-bottle lid with spray paint and let dry, about one hour.
5. Glue a piece of webbing around bottom of soda bottle to resemble an air tank. Attach bottle to belt and straps with pieces of Velcro.
6. Wrap rubber tubing around the mouth of the soda bottle and glue ends inside cord-keeper tube.
Push other end of cord keeper into loop of painted sports-bottle top for a ventilator; tuck cord-keeper tube under webbing strap to hold in place.

For more fun ideas check out suggestions from our friends at Today's Parent

To learn more about what momstown Milton is all about - Click Here

To register for a 6 week FREE trial membership - Click Here 

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

Bobbing for Apples at momstown Milton Baby Sensory

Our Baby Sensory program is a very popular event here at momstown Milton!  These babies really know how to dig in and have fun.  They use all of their senses at this play group, and love to interact with one another while they learn.  Moms enjoy watching their little ones light up when they start to explore.

This week our babies had a splashing good time with colourful bobbing apples and bumpy fall gourds.  Bright orange, red and green was immediately interesting to their eyes, and once they discovered the water they REALLY started to have some fun!

Making the apples bob in the water with their hands and feet was a real thrill for these little ones!  Everyone loved using their mouths to explore the fruit and the gourds.  We wondered if the hard and bumpy gourds were soothing to sore gums because all of the babies had a great time with these colourful "teethers"!

Throwing the apples into the water to watch them splash quickly became their favorite game.  One of the little ones has a pretty good throwing arm, and he decided that throwing the apples across the room was even more fun!

As usual, our momstown Milton Baby Sensory group had a blast using their ears, eyes, hands, noses and mouths while exploring new and exciting things.  It is so great to see a baby light up when experiencing everyday objects in new ways.  Seeing an apple bobbing in water is a very simple activity but it opens the door to discovering new things about the world around us.  Join us at this fun group (but prepared to get messy!).

To learn more about what momstown Milton is all about - Click Here

To register for a 6 week FREE trial membership - Click Here 

If you are a business that would like to sponsor our events or advertise with us please contact info.milton@momstown.ca

Submitted by Paula Porter, a momstown Milton member and

 mother of two amazing girls.

A Trip to South Africa for momstown Milton!

Last month we travelled to beautiful South Africa with our momstown Milton Trip Around the World group!  South Africa is a wonderful country and we discovered that several of our families at the event had travelled there before.  Everyone arrived to the sound of wonderful African music.

We started the day by playing a game to identify some of the amazing animals that you can see while on safari at one of South Africa's many game parks.  Each explorer was given the national flag to hold up when they knew the name of the animal on the screen. We identified lions, zebras, giraffes, impala, guinea fowl, jackals, water buffalo and more. Everyone enjoyed shouting out their answers!

We then got to look at and touch some beautiful treasures from South Africa!  The kids and moms alike got a kick out of my collection of African fertility dolls, and had fun guessing which ones were male and which were female.  These dolls are said to increase the chances for conception when they are placed in the house!  We also looked at some incredible beaded animals - an elephant and a lion.  Our final treasures were two tiny clay guinea fowls, our inspiration for our craft today!

The group moved to the table to start our craft - guinea fowls.  These birds are a common site in parks and back yards in South Africa.  They are comical looking birds with large black bodies speckled with white dots, blue necks and red heads.  They run fairly quickly on spindly legs.

       
Once we were done our craft we had a snack of South African oranges, and rooibos tea. Our little explorers enjoyed some play time and then it was time for home!

What a great trip we had!  Looking forward to our next destination!

To learn more about what momstown Milton is all about - Click Here

To register for a 6 week FREE trial membership - Click Here 

If you are a business that would like to sponsor our events or advertise with us please contact info.milton@momstown.ca

 

Submitted by Paula Porter, a momstown Milton member and

 mother of two amazing girls.

Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids - Turkey Napkin Rings

Gobble Gobble Gobble!  October is here and our momstown Milton theme for the month is the humble turkey!  Our Recycled Treasures group meets monthly to create wonderful crafts from items found in the recycling bin!  This week we made adorable turkey napkin rings from cereal boxes and toilet paper rolls.

The crafty kids love working with glue!  Everyone had fun selecting their circles of cardboard - one large one for the tail, three medium sized circles for the body and wings, and two small circles for the head and waddle.  

 

The children got to practice their cutting skills, turning one of the circles into "wings" by cutting it in half.  This part definitely required some assistance from moms, as we had several younger artists at the group today!

 

The children looked at the sample craft to try and figure out how to glue their own turkeys together.  Some followed exactly while others took a little more artistic license!  Once they added some googly eyes and a beak, the turkeys really "came to life".  The last step was to cut a toilet paper tube and glue it to the back of the turkey, completing the napkin ring.  The turkeys were all held together with a clip while the glue dried... a perfect time for a snack and some playing together!

Everyone was thrilled with their turkey napkin rings!  They worked out beautifully and will look wonderful on the table at Thanksgiving!  A few of the moms said they were thinking of making a whole set!  This is a great way to use colourful boxes. 

We're looking forward to our next Recycled Treasures group.  You just never know what fun stuff we will be creating!  This group is one of many fun and educational groups that are free with your $45 annual membership to momstown Milton.  Join today!

To learn more about what momstown Milton is all about - Click Here

To register for a 6 week FREE trial membership - Click Here 

If you are a business that would like to sponsor our events or advertise with us please contact info.milton@momstown.ca

Submitted by Paula Porter, a momstown Milton member and

 mother of two amazing girls.

Lots of laughs at our Scholastic Sponsored Baby Basics Program while reading "Giggle!" by Caroline Jayne Church

There is nothing more infectious than the sound of your little baby giggling and laughing, and that is what our mamas and little ones were able to experience at Baby Basics: Books for Babes with momstown Milton held at Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids.

Books for Babes which encourages reading early on with your child, has always been very popular with the baby basics program held on Wednesdays, but thanks to Scholastic Canada, books for babes has been packing a full house.

 

Giggle! Written by Caroline Jayne Church is an adorable board book complete with a button that your little one can press to hear the giggles of babies. The illustrations along with the feel good rhymes found in the story put a smile on our adorable audience of tots and their mamas. As Miss Tracey read the book, the older babes were captivated by the sound of giggles, and had a lot of fun pressing the button to hear it again and again with the same surprise and excitement each time.

 

 

A Sing-a-long followed the reading of Giggle! Here are the fun silly songs that our mamas had a blast singing with their little ones. 

Apples & Bananas

I like to eat, eat, eat apples and bananas

I like to eat, eat, eat apples and bananas

I like to ate, ate, ate ay-ples and ba-nay nays

I like to ate, ate, ate ay-ples and ba-nay nays 

I like to eat, eat, eat ee-ples and bee-nee-nees

I like to eat, eat, eat ee-ples and bee-nee-nees

I like to ite, ite, ite i-ples and by-ny-nys

I like to ite, ite, ite i-ples and by-ny-nys 

I like to ote, ote, ote oh-ples and bo-no-nos

I like to ote, ote, ote oh-ples and bo-no-nos

I like to oot, oot, oot oo-ples and boo-noo-noos

I like to oot, oot, oot oo-ples and boo-noo-noos

 

5 Little Monkeys

Five little monkeys (Hold up 5 fingers)

jumping on the bed. (Jump up and down)

One fell off (Hold one finger and then roll your hand down towards the floor)

and bumped his head. (Tap your head with your fist)

Mama called the doctor and the doctor said, (Put your pinky to your mouth and thumb to your ear like a telephone)

“No more monkeys jumping on the bed” (Put a hand on your hip and wag your index finger)

Repeat until you get to one little monkey 

Shake My Sillies Out! 

Gotta shake, shake, shake my sillies out

Shake, shake, shake my sillies out

Shake, shake, shake my sillies out

And wiggle my waggles away 

I gotta clap, clap, clap my crazies out

Clap, clap, clap my crazies out

Clap, clap, clap my crazies out

And wiggle my waggles away 

I gotta jump, jump, jump my jiggles out

Jump, jump, jump my jiggles out

Jump, jump, jump my jiggles out

And wiggle my waggles away 

I gotta yawn, yawn, yawn my sleepies out

Yawn, yawn, yawn my sleepies out

Yawn, yawn, yawn my sleepies out

And wiggle my waggles away

I gotta shake, shake, shake my sillies out

Shake, shake, shake my sillies out

Shake, shake, shake my sillies out

And wiggle my waggles away

And wiggle my waggles away

 

After the sing-a-long , Giggle! was passed around to the group where each mama got to spend time taking their little one through the story and pressing the giggle button.

 

 

 

 

The book was a HUGE hit with our babes, and thanks to our generous friends at Scholastic Canada, two lucky babies were able to add this book to their home library. Congratulations Taya and Kayia.

 

Like the book said “Laugh out loud or just giggle, feel a tickle in your middle” that is exactly what our momstown Milton Baby Basics group got to do!

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

 

Written by Jacqueline Bellmore, momstown Milton Member.

 

 

Family Expo presented by Milton Mall and momstown Milton

Join us at the Family Expo on Saturday October 19th as we celebrate what Milton is all about - FAMILIES!
 

Lot's to do to keep everyone entertained including:

 

Fitness Stations:

Monkeynastix Milton - obstacle course
Rugby Tots - active play station
Firepower Kids - walk the wire

Entertainment:

Hitherfield School - Face Painting
Par-T-Perfect: Bouncy Castle with Ball Pit, Balloon Artist, Popcorn


Activity, Music and Craft Stations:

Milton Community Nursery School
STEM Educational and Hobby Labs - Robotic Lego Alligator, Beebots and more!
Energy Events - craft station
Grade Learning - Milton - henna tatoos
The Halton Resource Centre - Bean Bag Toss
Bullseye Child Safety - Cars Raceway


Stations for Mom:

Supperworks - yummy samples
Tupperware from Annette - sorting and shapes activity
Pure Magic Vacations - Bubble station


Health and Wellness: Prenatal and Postnatal

Halton Doula Group - Baby Footprint Craft
Sleepwise - chat with Jillian -sleep expert
Living Green Nutrition
Hearsay Speech and Hearing Centre
Vitality Center - Pampering Station
United Way Milton - items for sale to raise funds


Scheduled Events:

9:30am - Registration, Door Prize Ballots and Swag Bags at momstown table

10:15am - 10:45am & 1:00pm - 1:30pm - meet our Special Guest Mickey Mouse - bring your camera! FREE photos with Milton Photo!

10:30am - Register for Diaper Derby at the momstown table
(crawlers only) *Preregister and just show up at 11am!*

11:00am - Diaper Derby - Let the races begin!
Winner will be awarded $500 worth of diapers!

12:00pm - Q&A with Jillian - Sleep Consultant from Sleepwise


 

 Preregister to receive an extra ballot for the door prize table.

Prize Giveaways Include:

$150 Gift certificate from Monkeynastix Milton
5 Class Kids Pass from Firepower Kids
Heartbeat Bear from UC Baby
A Free Session with Rugby Tots
An Early Literacy Reading Gift Basket from Hearsay Speech and Hearing Centre
one month of free tutoring services (twice a week) and a free assessment from Grade Learning

and tons more...............

 

Delicious Recipes for Thanksgiving Turkey leftovers!

Thanksgiving is around the corner and it is time to enjoy that yummy turkey dinner.  The only problem is what to do with all the leftovers.  Here are a few delicious recipes to help you enjoy the bird for a few extra days.


Help Yourself Turkey Tacos

Ingredients:

• 1 lb (454 g) lean ground turkey
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) chili powder
• 2 tsp (10 mL) dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp (2 mL) each salt and pepper
• 4 green onions, chopped
• 1/4 cup (60 mL) chili sauce
• 8 taco shells
• 1 cup (250 mL) shredded lettuce
• 2 small plum tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cup (250 mL) shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) light sour cream
• 1 small avocado, peeled, pitted and chopped

Preparation:

In large nonstick skillet, sauté turkey over medium-high heat, breaking up with fork, until no longer pink, about 4 minutes. Drain off fat.
Add garlic, chili powder, oregano, salt and pepper; sauté over medium heat to blend flavours and evaporate liquid, about 6 minutes. Stir in green onions and chili sauce. Scrape into serving bowl.
Meanwhile, heat taco shells in microwave oven at medium (50% power) for 30 seconds.
Serve meat mixture and bowls of lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream and avocado for everyone to spoon into taco shells.

Slow Cooker Smoked Turkey and Noodle Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 smoked turkey leg, (about 1 lb/500 g)
• 1-1/2 cups (375 mL) chopped carrots
• 1-1/2 cups (375 mL) chopped celery
• 1 cup (250 mL) sliced mushrooms
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 sprigs fresh parsley
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 tsp (2 mL) dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp (2 mL) pepper
• 3 cups (750 mL) sodium-reduced chicken stock
• 1 sweet red pepper, diced
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) frozen peas
• 2 cups (500 mL) small pasta, cooked

Preparation:

Remove skin and meat from turkey leg. Reserve bone; discard skin. Cut meat into bite-size pieces; set aside.

In slow cooker, combine carrots, celery, mushrooms, onion, parsley, bay leaf, thyme and pepper. Add turkey bone, stock and 3 cups (750 mL) water. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or until vegetables are tender.

Add red pepper, peas and turkey meat. Cover and cook on high until vegetables are tender-crisp, about 15 minutes. Discard bay leaf and parsley. Stir in pasta.
Additional information : Tip:?If you can find only a large turkey leg, use 2 cups (500 mL) meat for this soup and the rest in pastas, salads or sandwiches.

Turkey, Sage and Squash Pot Pie

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pkg (450 g pkg) frozen rolled butter puff pastry, thawed
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) butter
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 rib celery, chopped
• 1 acorn squash, (about 500 g), peeled and cubed (about 4 cups)
• 1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt
• 1/4 tsp (1 mL) pepper
• 1/3 cup (75 mL) all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (500 mL) sodium-reduced chicken broth
• 3 cups (750 mL) shredded cooked turkey, white and dark meat
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) thinly sliced fresh sage
• 1 pinch nutmeg
• 2 cups (500 mL) fresh baby spinach
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) 10% cream

Preparation:

On parchment paper, unroll pastry; cut lengthwise then crosswise into 4 equal sections. Brush with egg. Transfer paper with pastry onto baking sheet; bake in 400°F (200°C) oven until puffed and golden, 16 to 18 minutes.

Meanwhile, in Dutch oven or large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat; cook onion, celery, squash, salt and pepper until squash is tender, 7 to 8 minutes.

Stir in flour; cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Gradually stir in broth and bring to boil; reduce heat and simmer until thickened, about 8 minutes.

Stir in turkey, sage and nutmeg; cook until turkey is hot, about 4 minutes. Stir in spinach and cream; cook until spinach is wilted. Ladle into bowls; top with puff pastry.

Looking for more?  Check out these yummy recipes and more on Canadian Living or momstown.ca
 

To learn more about what momstown Milton is all about - Click Here

To register for a 6 week FREE trial membership - Click Here 

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

Think Twice Before Buying Cosmetic Contact Lenses This Year For Halloween

Thinking of buying a pair of really cool looking cosmetic contact lenses you saw in the store this year as part of your Halloween costume?  Better think twice before popping them into your eyes.   

 

We know that Halloween is a popular time for people to use decorative contact lenses to enhance their costumes. From blood-drenched vampire eyes to glow-in-the-dark lizard lenses, decorative contacts can certainly add a spooky, eye-popping touch.  But very few people know the risks that come with these types of lenses. Most people believe that decorative lenses do not require the same level of care or consideration as a standard contact lens because they can be purchased over-the-counter or on the internet.  Consumers need to know that contact lenses are a medical device, and that there is no such thing as a ‘one size fits all’ contact lens.  There are a whole range of ocular problems associated with improperly fitting lenses and lenses purchased without a prescription from an Optometrist.  In some cases, severe eye infections have been reported in as little as 24 hours of wear time.  

Tips for parents and consumers about cosmetic contact lenses for Halloween: 

• Go to an Optometrist for a proper contact lens assessment to ensure you have contact lenses that fit properly and are the right type for your eyes.  Lenses that are not properly fitted can scratch and cause damage to the eye.

• Never buy decorative contact lenses from someone that does not ask for a prescription. 

• Never wear lenses that are torn or discoloured. Contact lenses should always be inspected to make sure that they are safe to wear. Cosmetic contact lenses purchased from a non-regulated source could be defective, used, expired or not approved for wear in Canada.  

• Never share lenses with someone else. Swapping contact lenses significantly increases the risk of contamination and the spread of infection.  
  
  
• Do not sleep in contact lenses unless your Optometrist has provided you with an appropriate extended wear lens.  Over-wearing contact lenses can cause oxygen deprivation to the eye, which can cause long-term vision problems. 

Milton Optometry recommends comprehensive eye exams every year, and welcome infants, toddlers and children of all ages to our family-friendly office!  Visit www.miltonoptometry.ca or phone 905-636-9500 to reserve an appointment for your family.