Alphabet Play: S is for Sand

We love the alphabet at momstown Edmonton, and we also love the playground--especially in the summer! For a very cool and windy Alphabet Play this month, we focused on the letter S. Our theme happens to be "The Desert," and what do you find in the desert that you also usually find at the playground? Sand! We did a fun letter craft this month using sand at one of our favourite playground finds. It was really easy and fun to do! The kids painted an S shape using glue on a piece of construction paper then sprinkled sand on the glue. To finish it off, the kids glued down stars around their S. We made sure to practice saying "ssss" as we talked about the letter!

No trip to the playground with momstown Edmonton is complete without playing! Before sending the kids off to the playground structures, we played with the sand a little more. Each kid was given a small plate of sand which they got to practice making letter shapes in. Using sand or salt  to "finger write" in is a great way to have kids practice fine motor skills and is a great precursor to practicing writing. Just make sure they don't lick their fingers in the process!


Would you like to join us? Check out our programming here!

A Superhero Party For Super Kids

E and A have birthdays five days apart, so when it came time to plan A's first and E's third birthday party we decided to combine them and have one party. Like many other little boys in our momstown Edmonton family, E is really into superheroes. When I asked him what kind of party he wanted, he enthusiastically pointed to the pictures of superhero parties. I didn't want to focus on any hero in particular, so we went with a general superhero theme. It worked great! We used bright colours to decorate with and made sure to add in fun superhero accents. I even made a banner from a comic book I found at Value Village. 

Lunch consisted of sandwiches, pasta salad, fruit, and vegetables. I found some really great printables to jazz up the food (find them here). They just added that special little extra! For dessert, we had hulk chocolate chip cookies (just green chocolate chip cookies!), rainbow cupcakes, and a superhero rainbow cake. I made a simple white cake recipe (from here), added gel food coloring, and voila! A little bit of icing and some careful work with toothpicks and I think it turned out pretty neat and, most importantly, tasty!
 
I am not a huge fan of loot bags (see our blog on alternatives!), so I made no sew superhero capes for all of our party guests to wear and then take home. It was really easy to do (instructions here), and they turned out great! It just took some spray adhesive, felt, and time. I also printed out some masks I found on etsy (find them here) that the kids loved. It was so cute to see all the kids running around as superheroes! Since we held the party out on an acreage (with a trampoline), we didn't worry about party games. The kids just ran and jumped around the whole time!

The finishing touch was the piñata. I made a simple balloon piñata and painted it black. Then, I added the classic comic book "bam," "splat," and "bang" bubbles. The kids loved hitting it! And they all carefully chose their "prizes" once it broke open. I may have made the mistake of putting chocolate in it though and it had sat in the hot sun...oopsie! 

All in all, my boys had a great birthday party. All our guests left tired and happy! And after they left, my two superheroes played together until they were too tired to move.

Little Scientists: Plant Pals

momstown Edmonton loves getting dirty at Little Scientists! It's just way too much fun to dig in the dirt and get our hands dirty. We also love watching things grow around here. It's amazing how exciting kids get when they see those first little hints of green as the seeds sprout and pop through the soil! 

This month we decided to make some Plant Pals for our Little Scientists to observe. It's really easy and the results are even cuter. My son has LOVED seeing the grass grow in his Plant Pal. Every day he gets more excited as the grass gets longer. He can't wait to give it a haircut when it gets long enough. Want to make it with your own kids? Read below!




What you'll need:
-plastic cup (you could also use a washed out yogurt container or something similar)
-nylon sock/pantyhose (an old one with a run in it would be perfect, all you need is the foot part!)
-soil
-grass seed
-water
-googly eyes

What to do:
1. Sprinkle a small handful of grass seed into the empty nylon. 
2. Fill it up with soil. 
3. Shake all the soil down to make a sort of ball. 
4. Tie a knot in the nylon. The knot goes on the bottom of your pal!
5. Glue on googly eyes. 
6. Fill the plastic cup with water.
7. Place the nylon "ball" on the cup with the nylon hanging down. Make sure that your plant pal is "soaking" up the water. You might need to help it along at first by "squishing" it into the water a little.
8. Watch and wait for the grass to grow! Make sure you're keeping the soil moist! When the grass grows long enough, you may even be able to give your Plant Pal a haircut!

Are you interested in what momstown Edmonton has to offer? Check out our programs here!

5 Awesome Alternatives to Birthday Loot Bags

I'm not a fan of birthday loot bags, actually that's an understatement. I loathe loot bags. That small plastic bag is my nemesis. They're always filled with candy and tiny toys. When I pick up my kid they're already on a sugar high from all the treats and cake, the last thing I want is more powdered sugar dumped down their throats! And those itty bitty toys are choking hazards for my other kids and always end up scattered around the house. 

I've made a decision to stop the loot bag madness. I'm tired of shopping for junk that I know will get thrown out and I'm just hoping that other mamas join in the revolution. I've got some ideas for great take homes from birthday parties that don't involved jawbreakers or plastic rings.

1) A Single Toy - Try to find something in season, my sons birthday is the beginning of June so we always give a pack of sand toys. Less than $3 a piece and it's something I know will get some use!

2) Books - Got a great theme? Give a book to match! My son's first birthday will be a Oh! The Place You'll Go theme. We plan on giving everyone a Dr. Seuss book to take home.

3) Gift Card - Why not give a gift card for an ice cream treat at Dairy Queen or something similar! That way the child can go take their gift card and have fun paying themselves.

4) Crafts - Something they made at the party that's worth keeping, or a great craft kit they can take home and make!

5) Themed take home - The last birthday I went to was a Superhero theme. The mom made cute felt capes for the kids to wear at the party and take home! We still have these they're a great way to remember the party!

If all else fails, a handmade thank you card is always appreciated. All these items can be under $5 and are great alternatives and I promise that tiny bag won't be missed at all. 

Tales for Tots: Let it Shine

We just love reading at momstown Edmonton, and thanks to Scholastic we always have a great time at our Tales for Tots event. This month, we read "Let it Shine" by Maryann Cocca-Leffler. We just love this series of books, and have previously read "Let it Fall," "Let it Snow," and "Let it Rain." It's so neat to see how they all flow together, and it's a fantastic way to teach about the seasons! Like the others, "Let it Shine" was a hit! After reading, we did some brainstorming about summer and our desert July theme, specifically some of the things you would find in the desert. The kids came up with sand, snakes, and cactus. These responses were perfect because our craft was little cacti made out of play dough! Want to make your own mini cacti? Check out the directions below!

What you need:
-green play dough
-paper plate
-toothpicks

What you do:
1. Using the green play dough, form 2-3 cacti and place them on the plate.
2. Stick the toothpicks in the dough randomly.
3. For a little extra fun, spread some glue around on the plate and sprinkle some sand to really make it look like the desert!

Play & Social at The Fun Dome!

Our moms had a great morning playing at The Fun Dome! With plenty of toys, 3 inflatable bouncers, mini golf and carnival style games our kids were kept very busy!  I loved that there was comfortable seating, friendly staff and you just can't beat free coffee! The Fun Dome also offers private bookings for Birthday Party's as well! Check out all the party package details here!

I've listed some frequently asked questions below so make sure to read through them for drop in rates, rules etc.! 

FAQ’s about drop-in:

How much does it cost?

$7 for the first child, and $3 for each additional child from the same (immediate) family. Accompanying parents and all those under 12 months are free.

What are the available forms of payment?

We accept cash, debit and credit card for all purchases.

What is the drop-in schedule?

At this time, we will be announcing all days available for drop-in. Please refer to this page for updated information.

Can we leave for lunch and then come back later?

Once you leave the fun dome, you will have to pay to re-enter. If you are getting hungry while at the Fun Dome and not quite ready to leave, there are snacks available for purchase, or you are permitted to bring some nut-free snacks with you.

What will be included?

The entire play area of the FUN DOME is included in your drop-in fee. This includes 18 hole mini golf, giant inflatable slide, jumping castle, carnival games, riding cars, and more!

Can we drop off our children?

No, direct supervision of your children is required at all times.

Can we bring food?

Yes, you may bring in snacks, as there will be some tables and seating to accommodate this. Please ensure that all food is nut-free ONLY in consideration of those with nut allergies. There will be snacks available for purchase as well. Please note that no microwaves are available for heating up your food.

What should we bring?

Socks, as we are a socks-only facility. (There will be some socks available for purchase if you forget.) Your items (including sippy cups) should also be labeled.

What ages is the Fun Dome intended for? 

The Fun Dome is ideal for those aged 12 years and under, though parents have also been known to have lots of fun playing our 18 hold mini golf and assisting their children on the inflatables.

Aside from the various forms of play, are there other activities at The Fun Dome?

We have a room designated for those looking to spend some time creating! We current have some different summer inspired crafts ready for the making and ample colouring sheets too.

Et Tu Sponsored Junior Chef & Pool Party

momstown Edmonton moms and preschoolers had a fabulous Junior Chef experience at our annual pool party this month when Et Tu sent in salad kits for us to sample. These kids got to rip up pieces of romaine lettuce, poor all the ingredients and were happy to eat something they made themselves! They are so easy and quick you can prepare your family meal with your toddler/pre-schooler helping out, and it will be fun! We proved that at this sunny Junior Chef event! 

I was talking to a mom at the event and she said Et Tu Salad Kits are the go to in their house since testing them out with our momstown minds program.  Et Tu Salad Kits help you be prepared to create a meal that's easy, quick and delicious! Never needing to worry about having all the ingredients as it's all in the box is definitely an advantage! 

Little Annie Kidzline Edmonton and Sherwood Park: Kids & Baby's Formal Wear at Affordable Prices!

Little Annie Kidzline was born in the Winter of 2008 in Edmonton, Alberta. They are a retailer of fashion forward children and infants clothing, footwear and accessories. Items are stylish and of high quality at a reasonable price. They take a lot of pride in providing new moms and dads gifts for their child. Not to mention excited grannies, grandpas, aunts and uncles.

With one store in Millwoods Town Centre and a brand new location in Sherwood Park this store is definitely a hidden gem! Their formal wear for little ones is so affordable and comfortable.  I've personally bought flower girl dresses (pictured) as well as toddler suits (pictured) from Little Annie Kidzline and they are exceptional quality! Whether it’s an anniversary, wedding, graduation or birthday, Little Annie Kidzline has got you covered. 

Products include:

·Baby clothing and accessories by Little Annie KidzlineTM
· Baby socks and Baby Swaddle by Little Annie KidzlineTM
· Organic Just For Kids body care by Chartreuse
· Organic body care by Matter Company
· Organic Kidz Stainless Steel baby bottle

· Urban class footwear by Little Soles
· Christening and Communion wear and accessories
· Formal Little Suits and Dresses for wedding, graduation, prom and birthdays
· Brand names Disney, Marvels, Bags, Rare Editions, Amy Bayer, BCX girl, Premarox, Bonnie Baby, Bonnie Jeans, Bluberries, Modit Shoes, Euro Baby, TotCare, Hello Kitty, Dora the Explorer, Disney Princess, B-Wear, and a lot more..
· Casual trendy wear

· Baby Bedding set by Little Annie KidzlineTM
· Baby gifts set for baby showers
· Diaper cakes and diaper bags

Visit them in store and like them on facebook for product updates! 
Sherwood Park - 916-C Ash Street
Edmonton - Mill Woods Town Centre #502, 2331 66st

Junior Chef: Cheesy Biscuits

Our Junior Chefs in momstown Edmonton had another great experience at The Pan Tree this month! On the hottest day of the summer, we got to do some baking in a fantastically air conditioned location. Glorious! Our momstown Edmonton chefs made delicious Cheesy Biscuits. They loved being able to grate the cheese and knead their dough. And they turned out so yummy! This would be a great recipe to use for breakfast sandwiches!

Cheesy Biscuits

1 C flour
I T baking powder
1 T sugar
1/4 t sugar
1/4 C margarine (cold)
1/2 C milk
1/2 C grated cheese (whichever type of cheese you like, we used cheddar)

1. Heat oven to 425 F/230 C
2. Measure and mix dry ingredients
3. Cut in margarine using a pastry blender or two knives.
5. Add cheese and mix.
4. Add milk a little at a time using a fork until a soft dough forms.
5. Knead on a floured surface until dough is not sticky.
6. Roll dough to 1/4-1/2 inch thickness.
7. Cut out biscuits.
8. Place on ungreased cookie sheet 2 cm apart.
9. Place in oven on center rack and bake for 10 min until bottoms are golden brown.  

Would you like to come and cook with us? Check out momstown Edmonton's programming here!

Breakfast Television Tropical Party Ideas with momstown.ca & Tropics Juice!

momstown had the pleasure of appearing on Breakfast Television this morning on location at Taste of Edmonton.  At momstown we were inspired by Tropicana Tropics Juice to host tropical party's for our kids in the backyard or even in the house on a rainy day! Watch the whole Breakfast Television segment here! 

Tropics Juice from Tropicana is like a vacation in a glass! With so many varieties it's a great way to start the tropical theme! Garnish some fancy glasses with fruit, little umbrellas and colourful straws like these!  

Next, step it up a bit and make some neat snacks, this palm tree made out of banana, kiwi and peaches are so cute! Try to make a smoothie with Tropics juice, just add ice and some vanilla greek yogurt to make it creamy! Another option is homemade snow cones, crushed iced topped with Tropicana tropics juice! These are delicious ways to get the kids imaginations rolling with being in a tropical destination. With 2 servings of fruit in every glass, it a fantastic opportunity to get vitamins like calcium and potassium into their diets as well!

Then you can make these homemade lei's out of paper and yarn! Use items left over from birthday party's like crepe paper, just tie strips of crepe paper around string to make a grass skirt! When moms are having fun, kids are having fun! So put on the lei and hula shirt too, turn on some Hawaiian music from youtube and dance with your kids! I know this would definitely be a departure from the everyday routine around this house! What a great what to get the kids to use their imagination this summer!

Join momstown at Rundle park for our Tropics Juice Bar and Tropical Party on July 29th at 10am! Sign up here! 

K-Days Affordable Entertainment & Fun for the Whole Family!

Of course we all go to K-Days for the awesome midway and rides but there's so much entertainment for families that is complimentary with your admission! With admission being FREE for kids under 6 this is a great affordable place to take your family this year!

Kids Town was a highlight last year and it's bound be just as fun this year! Kids Town within K-Days is a program that offers learning components coloured with fun activities that excite, entertain and educate children in a playful atmosphere. Catering to children ages 2-14, Kids Town is a place where you can feel the fast-paced buzz of the city and the quiet hum of a working farm in just one entertaining and educational stroll. It’s a place where visitors are encouraged to take an active part in the community and work in the Construction Zone, Post & Doctor’s Offices, Library and Art Gallery while in the city and learn the true meaning of ‘From Farm to Fork’ while at the ranch.

One of my kids favourite part of K-Days was The Farm! Where they get to learn all about where their breakfast, lunch and dinner comes! The kids can enjoy potato planting, along with visits inside gardens, barns and tractor pits. Not only is it a lot of fun, but kids will come away learning the true importance of agriculture and the true principles of “From Farm to Fork”.

What better place to follow up on the lessons of The Farm than where all of our food ends up? Representing the fork of “From Farm to Fork” the Save-On-Foods Grocery Store offers up an entertaining treasure hunt for its young participants—each of whom receive their own grocery list, which they have to complete for a special prize!

Entertainment

The line-up for entertainment this is phenomenal! I will definitely be catching a few of these airconditioned shows with the kids on a hot afternoon! All these shows are included with your admission and kids under 6 are FREE! 

Will and his Backyard Band

Popular kids' entertainer Will Stroet and his Backyard Band will be performing multiple shows daily at K-Days from July 24-28. Catchy and kinetic, Will and his Backyard Band perform a high-energy musical show in English and French with fun actions and sing-along choruses. Will is also the star of Will's Jams, airing nationwide on Kids' CBC. To listen to Will's music and videos, visit www.willmusic.ca and www.willsjams.ca.

Little Buckaroos
Brought to you by award-winning children’s performers Splash N Boots, this western-themed show is sure to get all the cowboys & cowgirls line dancing and having a great time.
Showtimes:
July 19 to 21 at 2:30, 4:30 & 8 p.m.
July 22 & 23 at 4:30 & 8:00 p.m.

Thomas the Tank Engine

Everyone’s favourite British train takes the stage at K-Days in an entertaining song-filled show hosted by Sir Topham Hatt and Driver Sam.
Showtimes:

July 19 & 27 at 1:30, 3:30 & 6:30 p.m.

Angelina Ballerina
Through 30 years worth of cherished storybooks and now a popular animated series, Angelina Ballerina has proven herself to be a feisty little mouse capable of dancing her way into the hearts of little girls everywhere.

Showtimes:
July 21 & 26 at 1:30 p.m.

July 22 at 6:30 p.m.

My Little Pony

Twilight Sparkle, Applejack and Rainbow Dash are the stars of this live-action recreation of the wildly popular animated series and toy line, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. Join them as they sing, dance and prove the message found in their show’s title.

Showtimes:

July 23 at 6:30 p.m.
July 25 & 28 at 3:30 & 6:30 p.m.
July 27 at 1:30 & 6:30 p.m.

Barney & Friends
The world’s most famous purple dinosaur comes to Kids Town in an interactive, live musical performance that will have both children and adults singing and dancing.

Showtimes:

July 21 at 1:30 & 6:30 p.m.
July 22 at 3:30 p.m.
July 24 at6:30 p.m.
July 26 & 28 at 1:30 p.m.

Bob the Builder
Bob and his Machine Team prove that “The fun is in getting it done!” during this entertaining stage show featuring one of the most beloved children’s characters. 

Showtimes:

July 23, 24 & 27 at 3:30 p.m.July 26 at 6:30 p.m.

Little Ray's Reptiles
“Venom” is the theme of this year’s Little Ray’s Reptiles display. That means everyone will get an up close look of some of the world’s most famous venomous creatures, featuring spiders, scorpions and a wide variety of snakes, including one of the only two King Cobras on display in all of Canada

Showtimes:
July 19 to 21
Exhibit Hours: 12 to 10:30 p.m.
Show Hours: 3, 5 & 7 p.m.

FREE Nursing Cover, Car seat Canopy, Baby Sling & Nursing Pillow!

I love getting a deal and so do our momstown mamas! I always get compliments on my Carseat Canopy, when I tell people I got it for free they are shocked. There is no catch with these items, they're free you only pay the shipping! I've ordered each of these products and they're great quality! I actually liked my nursing cover from uddercovers.com more than the one I spent $50 with my first baby! Just enter the promo code "YOURGIFT" and each item will be discounted!

     
Here's exactly what you'll pay at the checkout for Canadian shipping:

Nursing Pillow -$15.90
Carseat Canopy - $15.90
Nursing Cover - $12.90
Seven Sling - $13.90

A New Destinations for Young Families at Cafe O'Play Sherwood Park!

momstown Edmonton & Area had a fantastic day celebrating the Grand Opening of Cafe O'Play in Sherwood Park! I know there are a ton of mamas who are excited about having a new place to bring the kids for some free play! My favourite thing about Cafe O'Play is the quality of the food, coffee and snacks for the kids. It's nice to know that I am feeding my kids wholesome food while visiting a indoor playground! 

Photo Credit: EC Photography

The new Cafe O'Play in Sherwood Park is a great space for even new walkers, you can see the entire play area from any seat at the Cafe which offers peace of mind when you have a toddler running around! 

Hour of Operation: Monday-Friday 9:00am-3:00pm
Location: 50 Athabascan Ave Sherwood Park

Follow their facebook and twitter page for fantastic special events and promotions! They're currently featuring a New Moms Mixer on Monday afternoons and are also open until 8:00pm on for Thank You Thursdays for all the working moms out there who want to bring the kids to play in the evening! 

Photo Credit: EC Photography

Saville Community Sports Centre - Family Fun Drop-In!

 Saville Community Sports Centre is offering a fantastic new Family Fun Drop-In Program! This program offers children a chance to burn off some energy through ladder ball games, hula hoops, bean bag games. At $8.00 per family of 4 this program is a fantastic way to beat the heat this summer! 

Enter to Win A My Little Pony Equestrial Girls Doll!

Introducing My Little Pony Equestria Girls!  A magic mirror connects the world of My Little Pony to Canterlot High, where some things change, but true friendships remain magical! The mirror is a portal to a magical new land with high schools instead of castles, and where six pony friends become real girls with a love for fun and fashion. Rainbow Dash is sporty chic, Rarity shines with girly glamour, and Fluttershy dazzles in her own graceful style. Playful Pinkie Pie wears outfits fit for a party, while Twilight Sparkle shows off her smart style, and Applejack loves to look country chic.

Straight from the halls of Canterlot High, the My Little Pony Equestria Girls dolls are best friends with a flair for fashion and fun!  Each doll in the collection comes stylishly dressed in an ultra-chic look and features her signature ‘cutie splash,’ a unique design similar to the cutie marks on their pony alter egos.  Each doll sold separately.

Coming soon to DVD:  My Little Pony Equestria Girls movie on DVD August 6th at major retailers across Canada.

Keep checking the My Little Pony Equestria Girls website for upcoming information and fun activities.

 

By entering this Contest, you acknowledge that you have read, understood and accept the terms and conditions below.

No purchase necessary. Contest closes August 6th, 2013 at 11:59pm EST. Open to residents of Canada (excluding Quebec), who are of legal age. Limit one submitted entry per person/email address. Odds of winning depend on the total number of eligible entries received online by the contest closing date.  One winner will be chosen randomly and contacted by August 10th, 2013. Winner will not be able to select specific doll characters.

 © 2013 Hasbro. MY LITTLE PONY Equestria Girls is a registered trade-marks of Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Picassos in the Park: Handprint Camels

It was a beautiful hot day for our Picassos in the Park event, and July has been all about the desert at momstown Edmonton! What a perfect combination! We continued our park hopping fun and headed to MacEwan Park for some painting and playing. Our craft this month was a handprint camel (inspired by this post). We painted, played with the infamous parachute, and sang some songs. The kids all had a blast! Check out below for directions to make it with your own kids. 


Handprint Camel

• Mix some yellow, green, and red paint on a plate. You want to get a dark orange colour.
• Then paint your child's hand and press down on the paper to make a handprint.
• Rotate the paper so your child's fingers are pointing down. 
• Paint the neck and the head using your child's thumbprint. Then paint the hump at the palm of your child's print.
• Draw the tail and ear with a brown pencil or marker. Take a black marker and draw the wide feet with two toes. Draw thick and long eyelashes. Now draw the nose and mouth. Let dry.