Bookclub for Kids at momstown Mississauga

Last week momstown Mississauga moms and kids gathered for our Tales for Tots program at Chapters. This monthly event is our bookclub for kids, sponsored by Scholastic Canada. momstown members meet at a variety of venues around the city for literacy themed programming for kids and new this January we are also now holding a literacy program just for babies. You can read more about it here. 

January's Book Club for Kids Book

The book this month was My Friend Henry by Philippe Beha. The story follows a little boy in search of his friend Henry throughout their neighbourhood, always missing him by a few minutes. In the end there is a fantastic surprise as the two are reunited. 

Crafting + Stories = Fun! 

After our stories and a few songs, the kids did some snowflake circle painting. Complete details for the craft can be found on our national site, check here. Once we were done, we did a draw for the book, so generously provided by Scholastic. 

Consider joining us next month for our bookclub for kids - sign up for your free 4 week trial membership and start getting out of the house and having some fun! Membership is $45/yr for the whole family and includes 20+ events each month. There is something for everyone! Register today. 

Top Toboggan Hills for Families & Kids in Mississauga

Here's the top spot to find the best family friendly Toboggan Hills in Mississauga. Our family are all huge fans of toboggans, sleds, crazy carpets, GT Racers and snow tubes. Our momstown Mississauga moms and kids love to slide in the snow. Here's our list from our own experience and our momstown Mama's recommendations for the top Toboggan Hills in Mississauga.

1.  "Kentucky Hill"  - Also known as Birchwood Park Toboggan Hill in South Mississauga
Click for a Google Map

To South Mississaugans this is known as Kentucky hill because it used to be beside the KFC in Clarkson! This is a huge hill so expect a workout! The slope is steep but there are hay bales to prevent sleds from going into the trees. Parking is available

2. Brookmede Park

There is Parking available at the Brookmede school. The slope is short and steep providing thrills with less effort!  Click here for a Google Map

3. Erindale Park

This is a great park in the heart of Mississauga. The hill is long and not as steep as Birchwood Park so more suitable for the toddler crowd. There is tons of free parking and wash rooms are available on site.
Click here for a Google Map

4. Green Glade Sr. Public School 

This is a steep hill located adjacent to the Rattray Marsh. There is parking available at the school and the hill is located behind the building.
Click here for a Google Map

All ready for some sledding fun! 

Do you have a hill that you or your family loves? Share it here on our Blog or on our Facebook Fan Page! 

New Baby Literacy Program at momstown Mississauga

This month we are starting our first in a monthly series of Mom and Baby reading programs at momstown Mississauga. Scholastic Canada is providing us with a new book each month to read to our Babies which will help us integrate one of our key momstown Pillars (literacy) more fully into our Baby Basics Program.  At the end of the program the book is raffled off to one lucky family. 

Moms at Baby Basics meet weekly at momstown Mississauga events for fun programs, and events to connect with each other. The events feature a mix of fun crafts, listening to speakers, our new reading program and of course singing with the babies!  

As with all momstown Mississauga programs there is opportunity to connect and chat with the other parents afterwards. We offer a free 4 week trial membership so sign up today and start having fun with your babies and kids! At only $45/family per year including 20+ events per month, that's an incredible value! 

This month one of our smallest babies (11 weeks) was the lucky winner of  I Love You! momstown Mississauga families had a great time today at our first Books for Babies as our class outline included fingerplays, songs, stories and of course parachute time. 

Consider joining us next month! 

Alphabet Play for Preschoolers - S is for Silly

momstown Mississauga moms and kids met last week for our signature momstown program  -Alphabet Play  at The Fun Side. Our morning started off with a circle time, where we sang a few songs, and talked about the Letter S.  

Silly Snakes! 

Our theme this January is That's Silly at momstown so the Letter S for Silly was a perfect compliment to that!  We had our bucket of items that start with S - from Spiderman to socks, to snowflakes - the kids discovered there are a lot of things that start with S. We read a silly book all about Smelly things (what else is sillier than smelly stinky rhymes) and then it was time to craft our silly snakes. 

Circle Time Songs & Discoveries

After a story about SMELLY things and one about snowflakes, some silly snowman songs and some finger-plays we retired to the back party room of The Fun Side to do our S is for Silly Snakes craft.  

S is for Silly Snakes - Fun preschooler Craft

 As with all of our programming there was time for free play after the 'crafty-singing'  action. The kids let loose in the Fun Side's Toddler room where they played on the kid friendly toddler equipment. We meet 20x  per month for fun, educational & social programs like this! Sign up today to take advantage of our free 4 week offer, and start getting out of the house with your baby (& toddlers) and have some fun! 

Fun for All! 

Little Scientists - Mississauga Kids Discovering Science & Nature

momstown Mississauga moms and kids met this month to make Birdseed Cookies at our Little Scientists program.  Little Scientists is a monthly program where we discover science principals and learn about how things work.

Finished Birdseed Cookies

This month since it is the coldest part of winter we decided to feed our feathered friends and make Birdseed Cookies. We talked about what kinds of birds are around in the  winter in Ontario and our scientists coloured some bird pictures while we were waiting for the moms to melt the ingredients together on the stove. 

Messy Science Fun! 

Here's the recipe we used to make the Birdseed Cookies. Be aware of where you hang these cookies as the squirrels love to eat them too! 

Bird Seed Cookies

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup water
• 3 tablespoons corn syrup 
• 1  packet plain gelatin
• 3/4 cup  flour
• 4 cups birdseed ( we used a mix based on the types of birds in our Mississauga backyards)

Other Things You'll Need

• String 
• Cookie sheet
• Spatula 
• Cookie cutters
• Waxed paper
• Cooling rack
• Non-stick cooking spray
• Spray inside the cookie cutters with non-stick cooking spray and place them on waxed paper on top of a cookie sheet. Set aside.
• In a large non-stick pan, bring water and corn syrup to a gentle boil. 
• Remove pan from heat and stir in gelatin to dissolve
• Put flour into large mixing bowl, stir in hot liquid mixture until this forms a paste. Add hot water bit by bit to thin the mix into a thick batter consistency. 
• Quickly stir in bird seed and mix well until all the "glue" is evenly distributed among the seeds.
• While mixture is  warm fill  cookie cutters  with the birdseed, pressing firmly. It is important to press the mixture firmly to create a hard block of seed. I've found the simpler the pattern of the cookie cutter, the easier it is.  We used hearts. 
• After a minute or two gently shake the cookie cutters to release the shapes, and fill again. Recipe makes 8 - 10 depending on size of cookie cutter. 
• After a few minutes using a wooden skewer, gently make a hole in the cookie all the way through. 
• Once dry ( overnight ) cut out large pieces of twine to make hangers for the cookies, then hang them outdoors and watch for birds! 

Infant Massage at Baby Basics

This month momstown Mississauga moms and babies learned about infant massage from one of our own members who is a busy mom to an almost 2yr old and an RMT who works part time at a local Naturopath Clinic.   

Our RMT spoke to the  moms about the benefits of massage for babies, providing relief from gas pain and aiding in resolution of constipation as well as relaxation and parent-child bonding. The moms were shown the cues babies will give to show you what they enjoy and what signifies when they are done with the massage. 

Infant Massage

The moms of momstown Mississauga meet for Baby Basics classes weekly at Taima Zone where hear from local experts on Infant Development and local baby & child services (such as the massage therapy). We also our Baby Programming such as Sing, Rattle and Read or Books for Babies,  in addition to momstown's own Baby Picassos sessions that get our moms chatting and bonding over cute baby crafts!

Relaxed Babies after their massages

We offer a free 4 week membership to momstown Mississauga. Membership is only $45/year per family and includes all of our great programming and seasonal events. We meet over 20x monthly for fun events all over our city. Sign up here, and as a bonus for 2013 you will receive a 1 yr subscription to Today's Parent Magazine you can read all about this special promotion here.

Healthy Tilapia Recipe To Get the Kids Eating Fish!

This parmesan tilapia recipe is a great way to add more fish to your diet. If you have picky eaters at home this might be your answer to getting your kids to love (or even try) fish. 

At momstown Mississauga we focus on nutrition as one of the 6 Pillars of our Programming. We have a cooking with kids program each month called Junior Chef, where we prepare simple snacks and meals to get the kids into the kitchen, trying new foods and  getting excited about cooking.  

Here is a kid friendly recipe to try with your family to help you add more fish to your diet.

Yummy healthy dinner... 

Easy-Cheesy Tilapia
 
Serves 4 (adults)

Ingredients:
6-8 Tilapia Fillets

1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese
3 Tbs Mayonnaise (light)
3 Tbs Butter, softened * 
1-2 Tbs lemon juice to thin the mix. Fresh is best but the squeeze one is ok too!
1 tsp Basil
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp onion powder
Pinch of Parsley

non stick spray or olive oil for pan

Mix all ingredients in a  bowl with a whisk. Set aside.

Parmesan Topping 

Preheat oven to broil setting. Spray broiling pan with non-stick spray or brush pan with Olive Oil. Arrange the tilapia fillets on the pan.

Broil each side 2 - 3 minutes depending on the thickness of your fish. After the second side is broiled and the fish is white and has firmed up, remove pan from oven. 

Working quickly, spread 2 tsp of the mixture on each fillet, focusing on the centre.

Broil 2-3 more minutes or until the fish is fully cooked, the mixture has browned and spread over the fish. Serve immediately with rice and a side of green beans or steamed broccoli.  

* if you want to reduce the fat you can use cream cheese, even a flavoured brand though you should reduce/modify the spices if you choose a flavoured cream cheese)

Today's Parent Subscription Now Included in Your momstown Mississauga Membership!

There’s never been a better time to join momstown Mississauga! When you purchase or renew a full year momstown membership in 2013, you receive a BONUS subscription to Today’s Parent! 



 

Bonus Today's Parent Magazine

As soon as you found out the great news  that you would be a parent, I bet you started to research everything  there is to know about what you need to get prepared. Well now you can sit back and relax because the two greatest parenting resources out there have joined together to bring you everything you need as a new (or an experienced ) parent in your community.

momstown and  Today’s Parent will now deliver right to your mailbox (and your computer)  all the latest and greatest in parenting advice, craft ideas and inspiration as well as connecting you with all the local events, businesses and services in your neighbourhood. It is a perfect combination of online and in-person support from your local momstown and the great community that you will meet in person - coupled with the helpful tips, ideas, advice and special offers that come with a Today’s Parent magazine subscription.

Included in your membership to momstown Mississauga is now a one year (12 issues) subscription to Today’s Parent! This includes all new memberships as well as existing membership renewals, and applies only to full year momstown memberships ($45). This special offer is available from January 1^st to December 31^st, 2013, inclusive.

Already receive Today’s Parent? Then your subscription will be extended for one additional year!

Click here for full details and mark your calendars to renew or sign up soon!

Share this special offer with your friends and family and find out more about our momstown Mississauga referral program here. 

Bonus Today's Parent Magazine

momstown Music - Preschool Songs for Moms Kids & Babies

momstown Music is a monthly program at momstown Mississauga where we sing songs for preschoolers, do finger plays, recite kids rhymes and play with the parachute, all in an intergenerational setting.

Our moms, tots & babies meet at Specialty Care in Mississauga which is a long term care home. It is a great setting, they have a phenomenal team of recreation staff who work tirelessly to engage and support the residents in their care.

This month was our best program yet! We sang songs that all the residents as well as the kids knew - (ie. old school ), followed by some silly snowman songs since That's Silly is our theme of the month. All this fun was followed by some parachute play.  

The residents, recreation staff and momstown Mamas got the parachute flying, while the kids ran around to the name game & after our balls from the popcorn game.

Parachute Fun

After the singing was all done, we retired to the craft table, to make some snowmen, dressing them up with yarn hair and all kinds of other embellishments. 

Snowman Crafts! 

We meet 20x a month for fun programs, as well as mom's nights out like our bookclub or new member meet & greet. Consider joining us in 2013 and receive the additional benefit of a Today's Parent Magazine Subscription. A full year subscription is included with every annual membership or renewal. You can sign up for your free 4 week trial or purchase your membership here. 

momstown Mississauga's Top 5 Silly Snowman Songs

Here at momstown Mississauga we have a theme for every month of the year! This January we are working on That's Silly!  Since its wintertime we're going to be making lots of snowman crafts -  we needed some snowman songs to compliment our Art & Music programming.   

 Here is our Top 5 Snowman Countdown !

 

1.    I'm a Little Snowman (sing to the tune of I'm a Little Teapot)

I'm a little snowman, short and fat.

Here are my buttons, here is my hat.

When the sun comes out, I cannot play.

I just slowly melt away!

To make the song even more fun - add some actions! Pat your tummy for the buttons, Put on your top hat and of course sink down to the floor when you are melting...

2.    The Snowman Song

I am a little snowman.

I am so fat and round.

I started from a snowflake

that fell upon the ground.

I have two buttons for my eyes,

a great big scarf of red,

I have a carrot for a nose,

a hat upon my head.

3.    Chubby Little Snowman  (Poem)

    

A chubby little snowman

Had a carrot nose

Along came a rabbit

And what do you suppose?

That hungry little bunny,

Looking for his lunch,

ATE the snowman's carrot nose...

Nibble, nibble, CRUNCH!

  

4.    The Five Little Snowmen

Five little snowmen sitting on the ground, (stomp feet on floor)

The first one said; 'oh my aren't we round' (make circle with arms)

The second one said; "'there are snowflakes in the air"(point and wiggle fingers)

The third one said; "but we don't care." (shrug shoulders)

The fourth one said; "lets run and run and run. (Run in place)

The fifth one said; "I'm ready for some fun." (Smile Big)

Whew went the wind (blow) and out came the sun (point)

And the five little snowman knew their fun was done. (Hang head sadly)

5. Another Silly Snowman Song

I am a snowman made of snow (stand still)

I stand quite still at 10 below.

With a big long carrot for a nose, (indicate body part)

And worn out shoes to make my toes.

I have two apples for my eyes,

And a woolen coat about this size. (measure)

I have a scarf that's warm and red. (circle arms around neck)

And a funny hat upon my head. (touch hands to head)

The sun is coming out, Oh dear! (make circle overhead w/arms)

The sun is melting me I fear (begin to sink to floor)

Oh my, I was so nice and round,

Now I'm just a puddle on the ground! (curl up on floor)

Here’s a Blog with 11 snowman crafts from our momstown.ca parent site.  Do you like what you see? Sign up for our Free 4 Week Trial Membership and start having some fun with other Mississauga moms and kids!

Happy Noon Years Party!

December 31st momstown Mississauga hosted our First Annual Noon Year's Eve Party! Thank you to The Fun Side for letting us host our party at their family friendly centre.



Silly Party Hats

The kids had a great time on the slides and gigantic climber, running sliding and playing!
We had crafty fun making Silly New Years Party Hats, and then a countdown and Apple juice toast at "noon" to ring in the New Year!



Ringing in the "Noon" Years with Style

We had a great year opening up in 2012, and there are so many exciting things coming up for us during 2013! If you made a resolution to get out of the house, be more active, do more fun things with your kids, or to meet new friends - then joining momstown Mississauga can help you fulfull your New Years Resolutions! We offer a Free Trial Membership so sign up today and start having fun in 2013 with our momstown Family!