Family Barbeque!

It's hard to believe after the week of rain we've just had, but the weather on the long weekend was perfect for our Family Softball Game and Barbeque!!

First we hit the park for some family fun on the ball diamond.  It turns out the shale was newly redone - so after the kids had fun kicking up some dust, we decided to move over to the grass to save the mama's sanity & washing machines.  The game was short-lived, and not really much of a game - but the kids had fun, and that's all that really matters!

Once the park on the other side of the fence was spotted there was no turning back...

So we packed it in and hit the playground for some more fun.  The dads chased the kids, while the moms enjoyed some uninterrupted time to chat.  We all marveled at how nice it was to play at the park when dad is around to do the chasing!

We then returned to Jill's house to have a visit with the 4 week old puppies.  Oh what a hit!  They are just so cute there are no words!!

After the puppies retired for the evening, it was time to eat!  So we hit the backyard for some hotdogs, hamburgers, salads & deserts!  It felt so nice to eat supper from a paper plate with my toes in the grass - it's about time!!  Check out the message board for our desert recipes (yum!) - and don't forget the momstown meals blog for lots more great summer recipes. 

The kids had tons of fun running around, and reaking havoc on Jill's basement.  But we didn't mind - because we were sitting in the sun, and it was her house ;)

We had so much fun that we've decided to do this once a month through the summer months.  Join us in June for a Father's Day Picnic!  You can assure your husband that there will in fact be other dad's there - it's Father's Day afterall!

Bullfrogs & Butterflies

This month, our theme party at momstown Central Alberta was all about bullfrogs and butterflies!  We even had two beautiful butterflies flutter in just to join in the fun!

We made some cute butterfly crafts out of coffee filters.  Check the momstown Arts & Crafts Blog for how to instructions.

Then we had some tasty treats - yum!

And the kids played and got creative with the puzzle mats while the moms visited.

Our craft party for June is all about construction - so bring your little ones down for some fun, and a chance to win a copy of Hot Rod Hamster by Cynthia Lord courtesy of Scholastic Canada!

Moving Mountains

I've seen mountains being moved this week by an amazing group of women... mostly moms of young kids!  It's been an amazing thing to be a part of.

Our fellow momstown mama Jo Dumont and her team at Jo Dumont Fitness Training have done an amazing job with their Slave Lake Needs Everything Donation Drive!  JDFT is a very small business with a staff of only 5... yet they literally moved mountains this week!  Mountains of clothing & supplies... but still, mountains!!  Jo, Shelley and their team deserve some huge props for turning their gym into a warehouse for a whole week - and coordinating all aide efforts from all of Central Alberta!!  Even much larger businesses with far more resources & contacts in the community brought their contributions to JDFT - and the ladies there didn't even blink.  They just worked harder, rallied the community and got it done.  Other than some support from a few local radio stations - there has been a big lack of media coverage for this huge accomplishment.  So I'm just doing my part to put it out there - well done ladies!!  You are rockstars!

I've also seen lots of other momstown mamas working tirelessly this week!!  Big shouts go out to Jordana (serously lady - you and your family are hardcore!), Brenda, Tina, Robin, Cassi, Jill, Niki, Sheri, Sannah, Amy, Jenn, Melanie and all of the others that I might not have crossed paths with.  Some brought their kids in with them to teach them firsthand that helping others in need is SO rewarding!

They're headed up to Athabasca this morning with a whopping 5 semi-trucks FULL of donations - that have all been sorted and boxed up in their small gym.  Thank-you Jo for teaching us all what stepping up truly looks like!!  You are amazing!

Infant & Child First Aid & CPR Seminar with St. John Ambulance

We're doing it again!  Just for momstown!  We're pleased to announce round two of the Infant & Child CPR Sessions by St. John Ambulance, the leader in nation-wide CPR and First Aid training provides a brief 90 minute session on what you need to know to save your child’s life.

Do you know what to do if your infant or child is choking? Not breathing? Maybe you have your First Aid certification from years ago and need a refresher? Knowing the basics in an emergency can save a life.

Our workshop is led by an instructor from St. John Ambulance – Canada’s standard for excellence in first aid and CPR services. Our instructor will cover infant and child CPR, choking and prevention.

And guess what?  The best part of this offering is that its FREE.  That's right, all momstown members can attend these session at no charge.

Not a momstown member?  No worries!  Register now for a free trial membership and join us at our sessions.

Need more inspiration to join and take this workshop?  Read about a fellow momstown mama's experience highlighting the importance of learning the basics.

Donate to Slave Lake Fire Victims

Donate to Slave Lake Fire Victims

Our friends at Jo Dumont Fitness Training are accepting donations for the people of Slave Lake - who have been displaced from their homes due to forest fires in the area, which have destroyed half the town.

Donations of gently used household items are being accepted at the following locations:

Jo Dumont Fitness Training - #1 7810 50th Avenue

Kidz Rock Active Wear - # 5579 47th Street

Growing Like A Weed - 5202 54th Avenue


More details are available on the
Facebook Event

Park Hopping Playdates!

We welcomed spring to Central Alberta this week with the kickoff to our weekly Park Hopping Playdates!

The fog burned off just in time, and we took over the playground at Kin Canyon for some fun in the sun with bubbles - and of course, lots of fun in the playground.

I'm pretty sure my 2 year old went down the slide at least 25 times... and I had to drag him out of there!

We'll be meeting up at a different park in the Red Deer area each week through the spring, summer and as far into the fall as the weather holds up.  We'll be incorporating different themes every other week - including our ever popular Picasso's In The Park.  Check out our event calendar for details - and join the fun!

April Winners

Congratulations to the moms that took home some great prizes in April:

Elissa O. was the winner of our monthly contest - she won a $50 Gift Certificate from Wee Piggies & Paws.

Mandy R. (and her various partners) reigned surpreme in our Skyball Tournament.  She won a 12 pack of child passes to The Collicut Centre and shared them with the group.

Michelle L. dominated in our message board contest this month by starting the most new threads and making the most posts.  She won a My Baby's World book from Discovery Toys Central Alberta.

Kristin M. was the lucky winner of a $50 Gift Certificate to Original Joe's at our monthly Mom's Night Out/New Member Meetup for April!

momstown Membership Madness!

momstown Membership Madness!  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.    Spend $45 for our membership and receive exclusive discounts from our fabulous partners valued over $150*!!  Click Here to Purchase!  You'll receive discounts from Mabel's Labels, 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!  We offer 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. * Offer valid with a purchase of a new (or renewal) 12 membership and expires May 10, 2011.