And The Winner Is...

Congratulations Nicola McVeigh! You are the winner of our May contest! We hope you enjoy your 1 year membership to momstown Whitby-Ajax!

Little Picasso's

Now that the warmer weather has returned, so has the momstown famous Picasso's In The Park. Picasso's in the Park gives children the chance to get outside and enjoy the sunshine; all whilst letting their imaginations run wild and their creative juices flowing. At the odd occasion we will host Picasso's in someones yard or indoors, all depending on availability and the weather.

Today momstown Whitby-Ajax mamas took the Picasso's event indoors. It's a scorcher out there, and we didn't want to risk the youngsters overheating. We wanted them to be comfortable and having fun. And so they did!

This month's curriculum was based around Butterflies & Bullfrogs. We set up two different crafts, as well as lined the tables with paper so the toddlers could let loose and paint.

The first craft was painting butterflies.

For the second craft we set-up stations for children to design and decorate a caterpillar. For this craft you need: scissors, washable paint, glitter paint, pom poms, glue, foam butterflies, 2 different colours of construction paper.

First you'll want to assemble the caterpillar. Choose a construction paper as the base, and use the other colour to cut out 3 circles. Glue those circles to the main sheet of paper. From there have your child draw on the feet, and whatever other 'parts' they wish for their caterpillar to have. Once done let your child run wild making their caterpillar colourful through the use of paints. There is no limitations on how much paint or colour to use!

It's so much fun to watch the children's minds flow when they are partaking in crafts. They really come alive in their creative and artistic moments.

I captured one child interested in the paint that was all over their hands as they finger painted.

Adorable.

Be sure to check out our calendar, and sign-up to take part in our next Picasso's event. We'd love to see you there. Not from the Whitby-Ajax community? Check out momstown.ca to find the community nearest you! Other chapters like momstown Guelph are hosting similar events all summer long.

Why I Love The Fisher Price Luv U Zoo Bouncer

Right before the birth of my son, my husband and I spent a good portion of an afternoon lugging out my daughters old swing and bouncer from storage, and setting it up. We had clearly remembered how much our daughter had loved them both, and just assumed that our son would share that same love. Our assumption couldn't have been more wrong.

Since birth our son has dealt with colic and silent reflux issues. He never  liked the swing or the bouncer. Wouldn't sleep on his own. Didn't like being put down. The only place he wanted to be was either on the breast or being held. Showering in peace just wasn't happening.

One day I was at my wits end and decided to head out to the store... I wound up coming home with yet another bouncer. Except this bouncer was different then the traditional one, it had an aquarium attached to it. The bouncer while it lulled Cam, it didn't soothe him the way it should have.

When I found out I was being sent the Fisher Price Luv U Zoo Bouncer to test out, I'm not going to lie... I felt skeptical. It wasn't that I didn't have faith in the product. I did. I just was at that point where I didn't think there was a means to an end.

The day the Luv U Zoo Bouncer arrived, I rushed to put it together. I can't even begin to tell you how easy this bouncer was to assemble. It had a limited amount of parts, and the instructions were straight forward and to the point. My son was having another one of his off days when I received the bouncer, and his mood was quickly enlightened upon being put in the Luv U Zoo Bouncer. He was so enthralled with the monkey, koala and giraffe.

He doesn't care much for the chair vibration or the music, but he loves to smack the koala and monkey to hear them rattle. It's adorable to watch him play and thoroughly enjoy himself in this bouncy chair!

The Luv U Zoo has truly been a lifesaver. I can finally get work done, shower, clean or cook dinner without having to hold, bounce or rock him. Who knew this bouncer would've become my extra set of hands?! Certainly not me!

I would highly recommend this product to anyone. It's the perfect baby shower gift or toy for an infant. You can pick it up at a lot of major stores, including Babies'R'Us; and it's fairly inexpensive.

Better yet... you can enter to win the bouncer over at our very own momstown contests page... So be sure to head on over to momstown.ca to enter to win the Fisher Price Luv U Zoo Bouncer!

It's truly an awesome product! I can't wait to use it at some of momstown Whitby-Ajax's upcoming Baby Babble Playdates.

Finding the 'Me' in Motherhood

As a Mom it is so easy to put yourself on the back burner. Once your little baby enters the world, you've quickly turned your attention to the new little bundle and their needs.You suddenly fail to remember that your needs are just as important, and deserve just as much attention.

How do you find the balance in motherhood? Do you take time away from being a Mom to focus on you? It certainly isn't easy... I know that much for sure! But it's achievable.

With both my children, the method that I found worked for us was E.A.S.Y. - Eat, Activity, Sleep, You. It's a very common sense approach; that allows for a relaxed and flexible routine. This routine is probably what helped me set boundaries and got me through the day. It ensured that I took time for myself... Even if that time was taking 20 minutes to have a shower. It's that 'me time' that got me through. That 'me' time is so crucial and important.

Now that I have a infant and a toddler, 'me time' certainly has a whole new meaning. My body craves 'me time' daily. It took me a while to figure out a way to satisfy the craving without spending too much money. I would have loved to get my hair done more frequently or go to the spa... But let's face it, it just isn't in the budget. One day I was sitting around, having a bad day, feeling like a sloth when it dawned on me... I needed to get out and be more active. I wound up enrolling at a local gym. So now 3 to 4 days a week, I head over to the gym  when the hubby gets home from work... I have my me time all while focusing on getting my pre-pregnancy body back (what is that again?)... I'm tackling two goals at once, and feeling happier and better than I ever have!

What have you done lately to find the 'me' in motherhood?

Wordless Wednesday: Luv U Zoo Smiles

Baby Book Club

Last week we met up for our monthly baby book club.This month's theme was Butterflies and Bullfrogs. In connection with theme we thought it was only fitting to read The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.

 Did you know starting in June that Baby Book Club will be sponsored? Yep, that's right!! Starting in June, Scholastic Canada will be sponsoring our monthly Baby Book Club. Next month we will be reading Hot Rod Hamster by Cynthia Lord.

Be sure to sign-up for this event, as we'll be raffling off an extra copy of this book to one of our attendees. To sign-up visit our calendar. Not a member yet? Visit momstown Whitby-Ajax to register today!

Wordless Wednesday: Generations

(Note: This picture was taken in 2008. A year before my daughter was born. In a few weeks time, we'll be heading to visit my Great Grandmother for her 90th birthday. My Great Grandmother means the world to me. I used to spend my Summers staying with her. My daughter will soon be able to meet not only her Great, Great Grandmother, but also the woman who has been such an inspiration to me! I can't wait to snap a 5 generation photo.)

Mom to Mom Sale Pickering VIP Pass Giveaway

Exclusive giveaway to momstown Whitby-Ajax Facebook fans:  Enter for your chance to win 1 of 6 individual VIP passes to MOM to MOM Sale Pickering - Saturday, May 21, 2011. Passes include free admission and priority entry. To enter visit & "like" the Mom to Mom Sale Pickering Page and leave a comment on their wall saying that "momstown and I are excited about this sale". Good luck!!!

Happy Mother's Day from momstown!

momstown.ca is celebrating Mother days with a free GIFT to our mamas!!

From May 1st to May 10th momstown is offering a “gift” with purchase or renewal of membership. momstown offers over 25 local events, a 24/7 message board to get answers to your parenting questions from local neighbourhood moms like you and exclusive member privileges.

Spend $45 for our membership and receive exclusive discounts from our fabulous partners valued over $150*!! Discounts from Mabel’s Label, Name Your Tune, Gingerbread Monkeys and Photobook Canada .. just to name a few! Happy Shopping!!

momstown is now offering even more events, discounts, and interactive features than ever!

* Offer valid with a purchase of a new (or renewal) 12 membership and expires May 10, 2011.


To purchase a membership visit our membership store or email info.whitby-ajax@momstown.ca! Not a member head on over to momstown Whitby-Ajax to register now!

momstown Facebook Fan Party!

It's a party! Join us tonight for another one of momstown's great Facebook Fan Party's!

This interactive party on momstown.ca's facebook fan page is not only about winning great prizes, but to join in on some great conversation. Connect with other like minded mom's and maybe you'll learn about some great new products from companies that are sponsoring this event! Even better, maybe you'll win one of these great prizes!

This party goes fast. Questions will be posted and you have to answer the questions in order to have your name entered to win that prize. Remember to refresh your page frequently to see the current posts and questions.

Who can attend: Everyone! You don't have to be a momstown member. 
When: 8:30 pm - 10:00 pm (EST time)
Where: momstown.ca's Facebook Fan Page

If you're interested in learning more about momstown and what it's all about, check out their website to see if they have a chapter in your area, or visit momstown Whitby-Ajax if you live in the in the Durham Region! Sign up for our newsletter here on our blog and we'll keep you posted as we work hard to continue to plan some great events for us moms and our kiddies!

Got a product geared to moms, babies or young kids? If you're interested in sponsoring the next momstown Facebook Party, contact Christy at christy.lawson@momstown.ca

Hope to see you tonight at the party!

Mother's Day Made Simple

Looking for something to do with Mom? Why not take her to Boston Pizza Ajax? On Mother's Day - Sunday, May 8th - Boston Pizza makes Mother's Day simple! She can enjoy your favorite comfort meal and submit a ballot for a chance to win some awesome prizes. For more information visit our calendar!

Get Out and VOTE!

Who would have thought when this election began that the election race would have been so tight, and not by who pollsters would have thought. The NDP have made quite the comeback and Jack Layton has turned into a Canadian rock star! Although the Conservatives maintain their lead things sure are tight, and every vote will count!

So mamas get out there and vote! Make your voice heard and shape the world that we will live in. All you need to vote is proof of address and a valid Canadian ID. If you have just moved and your ID has not been switched bring a piece of mail with you that has your current address on it.

Not sure where to go to place your vote click here Vote.ca it is super easy. Enter your address and voila it will give you a map of where to go. It even lists who the candidates in your area are and links to their personal sites.

You can also find out where to vote at the Elections Canada website.

So get out there and vote! Polls open from between 7:30 and 9:00 am and most are open for 12 hours, no excuses!


Voting day doesn't mean that your kids can't be included. Check out some voting themed arts and crafts on over at momstown arts & crafts. Who said voting can't be fun for the whole family!?