momstown Mississauga Weekend Family Storytime

momstown Mississauga moms and kids (and husbands & babies too) met this weekend for a Family Storytime program for the first time.  Simply Smart Childcare Centre (a new daycare centre in the Mississauga Road and 401 area) was kind enough to let us host our first weekend family program in their Toddler Room.

Family Storytime

Simply Smart Childcare Centre is holding a FALL FAIR coming up on November 17th. Its a free community event for Mississauga families and is open to the public. Everyone is welcome!

It was a great turnout. We gathered on the large blue carpet and sang some songs. There were musical instruments, shakers, tambourines for the parents and kids to help us get moving and shaking.

For our storytime we read a great book about fall & falling leaves and another book which focused on counting and rhyming. It was great to see all the kids of different ages and stages getting into the stories and songs. Our tiniest baby enjoyed zooming to the moon as much as the older kids, while our oldest toddler liked the book which had pictures made from everyday items.

We had a great craft provided by Simply Smart, a tea light lantern. The kids had a fantastic time painting the glue all over the baby food jars and sticking on different coloured tissue paper squares.
While the masterpieces were drying there were special snacks to enjoy and of course lots of toys and sensory items for exploration during our free play time.

Glue is fun! 

Mr. Independence

As we are building up membership at momstown Mississauga its great to have family events on the weekends to accommodate our working parents, and to meet the extended family. Part of the beauty of a momstown Mississauga membership is that if Moms go back to work and Dad takes a parental leave or another family member steps in to assume responsibility for the care of the kids, they are just as welcome at our programs. We may have the name momstown but we are certainly focused on Family.

Simply the Smartest Activity Book! 

If you have not yet checked out our membership it's only $45/year for the whole family ( that's right 1 child or 4!). Crafts are included, and we meet 20+ times per month. There is no better deal out there for fun and educational programs for kids which also includes family programming and mom-only activities like our mama's nights out programs. You can buy your annual membership here, with the holidays coming up its also a fabulous gift idea.

Mississauga moms and babies create special memories at momstown

This morning we met for our weekly momstown Mississauga Baby Basics class. We hold it each Thursday at Taima Zone in Mississauga. Our moms and babies today created some special water bottle shakers.

Sensory development starts from birth. Babies can experience the five senses, smell, touch, sight, hearing and  taste just as soon as they are born. It's our job as parents to help them explore and develop their senses as they grow.

DIY Water bottle shakers at Baby Basics! 

Water bottle shakers are a great activity, for any age of baby right up to older kids.
For babies bright colours, things that sparkle and of course a few heavier items to make a rattle are perfect. The crinkle of the water bottles is also a proven favourite... try choosing small bottles like these to fit in those tiny hands.

Shaking it up! 

Our smallest baby's older sibling was more than happy to show him how to shake! To engage older kids ask them to name the colours of the items they are adding. Counting is also a fun way to develop numeracy and engage while crafting! This little man loved adding the buttons and pom poms and at just over 2 he already knows all his colours!  

 

Serious business adding Buttons! 

Adding a variety of items some that float and sink is a great way to introduce some science principles into this simple craft.

Not a member yet? Sign up today for a 4 week free trial membership and meet some great Mississauga moms who are having fun and engaging with their kids at our 20 + events each month.  

Mississauga Families loved momstown's Fisher Price Halloween Boo Bash!

momstown Mississauga mamas and kids played and had fun at the Halloween Boo Bash yesterday hosted at Little Rascals Indoor Playground. 

The biggest hit of the party were the 7 toys provided by Fisher Price. The toy testing area was definitely the busiest spot and its impossible to say which toy was a favourite. 

Fisher Price Toys on Display

 Moms and Babies hard at work testing toys! 

The most exciting things about all this testing is that 7 lucky moms got to take the toys home! We chose winners for Best Costume for a Mom and Best costume for a kid. There were some really creative parents. 

This momstown mama came with her own Zoo A Giraffe and an Elephant! 

 Our two Best Costume winners - mom was a Zoo Keeper and the little guy was a Strongman! 

Strongman wouldn't take a photo with  his barbells - this is the toy he won!

There were lots of activities and fun craft and sensory stations to keep the kids busy - plus delicious treats.  The Fisher Price toys were the clear favourite. 

Rescue Hero's Firetruck with Billy Blazes

Winner of the Little People Disney Princess Songs Castle

Winner of the Disney Sing Along Choo Choo

Master Moves Mickey Winning Family!

Sensory Fun with Pumpkins! 

Creepy Craft Station

There were also some great activities at the party.  Sensory fun with OOEY GOOEY Pumpkins, Pumpkin Bowling, and of course what party would be complete with out some snacks! 

Frankenstein Pudding Cups! 

Seeing all the kids running and playing in costume was terrific! There were two sets of twins, baby chicks and ladybugs, a teensy tiny cow, a small Junior Chef (we'll have to have him to our monthly cooking program) Princesses and a couple of Orcas plus many more.  

Thanks to everyone who came out and celebrated with momstown Mississauga.  We had a great time!  Want to join our next party?  Purchase your membership here.  Hope to see you soon!

Now Hiring Advertising Sales Representatives for momstown Mississauga

momstown.ca is an on-line network for neighbourhood moms wanting to connect for support, conversation and just plain fun! With a fantastic event calendar and lively message board, momstown.ca is a great way to get involved with your community while having a blast with your kids! They say it takes a village to raise a child, we say it takes a town!

Are you looking for a way to channel your creative energy? Are you a positive, out-going person inspired by parenting, early education and community? Are you looking for a fun, flexible, part-time job? Then joining the momstown Mississauga team could be the answer for you!

Job Description – Advertising Sales Representative

momstown Mississauga is currently seeking self-motivated, energetic and enthusiastic individuals for a  rolling 6 month contract position as an Advertising Sales Representative. In this exciting role you will be responsible for selling online advertising and sponsorship opportunities. Your work will entail finding and building up relationships with potential and existing advertisers and effectively pitching for advertising budgets. You'll make sure that booked campaigns are run smoothly and are reported on in a timely manner.

This is a part-time role working out of your own home with flexible hours. We’re currently looking for up to two Ad Reps for our momstown Mississauga chapter.

Responsibilities:

        Sales

o  Responsible for selling online advertising and sponsorship opportunities

o  Generate sales leads, cold calls, develop client relationships

o  Prepare and present proposals to new and existing clients

Administrative

o  Maintain client log

o  Collect ad artwork from clients by deadline

o  Complete monthly ad tracking/booking sheet

o  Track monthly sales and invoice momstown Mississauga for monthly commission 

o  Load all ads onto momstown Mississauga ad server by deadline

Qualifications:

• Outgoing, dynamic leader who is creative, organized, highly self-motivated
• Strong communication & interpersonal skills
• Strong computer skills and internet savvy
• Must have a reliable computer with internet access
• 2 + years experience in sales and /or marketing

Pay Structure:

• Independent Contract work – 6 month rolling contract
• Highly competitive commission based
• 
  

If this sounds like the right opportunity for you, please submit your resume and covering letter, no later than Wednesday November 21 2012 to info.mississauga@momstown.ca

Check out our website at http://mississauga.momstown.ca

Now Hiring: momstown Mississauga Event Coordinator

momstown Mississauga is an on-line network for neighbourhood moms wanting to connect for support, conversation and just plain fun! With a fantastic event calendar and lively and message board, momstown.ca is a great way to get involved with your community while having a blast with your kids! They say it takes a village to raise a child, we say it takes a town!

Are you looking for a way to channel your creative energy while having the flexibility of choosing your own hours and working from home? Do you have an entrepreneurial spirit but still want to spend time with your family and be compensated for it? Then joining the team at momstown Mississauga could be the answer for you!

Job Description – Event Co-ordinator

momstown Mississauga is currently seeking a creative, self-motivated, and energetic individual for a  rolling 6 month contract position as an  Event Co-ordinator. In this exciting role you will coordinate & execute fun and educational events and field trips for mothers and young children aged 0-6 years old.

We're currently looking for up to two Event Coordinators for our momstownMississauga chapter. 

Responsibilities:

• Event Co-ordination
• Creating and customizing events from designated momstown curriculum
• Personally running & attending a minimum of 2 events per month: renting facilities, buying & prepping supplies, running activities
• Act as a membership ambassador and liaise with members 
• Provide event photos for post event promotion  
• Social Media support

Qualifications:

• Outgoing, dynamic leader who is creative, organized, highly self-motivated
• Strong communication & interpersonal skills
• Vested interest in children and parenting
• Comfort with leading circle/storytimes and craft activities for children
• Should live in and have strong ties within the Mississauga community
• Event planning background an asset
• Must have a valid driver’s license & reliable vehicle
• Must be comfortable with social media 

Pay Structure:

• Independent Contract work – minimum 6 month term
• Hourly rate up to 12 hours/monthly

If this sounds like the right opportunity for you, please submit your resume and covering letter to info.mississauga@momstown.ca no later than November 20th, 2011.

Please visit our websitemississauga.momstown.ca and our head office's website for more information about momstown

momstown Mississauga's Bookclub for Kids: Tales for Tots

This month at our book club for kids we were reading and crafting at Chapters. We meet monthly for a craft and Storytime with books provided by our Sponsor Scholastic Canada.

momtown Mississauga's Scholastic Book Club for Kids: October Selection

Each time we start off our session with a fun craft. This month's centered around a seasonal Alphabet Craft. We made B is for BATS and talked a little about other items that start with the letter B.

Halloween Theme: B is for Bats! 

At momstown our commitment to Early Education is one of our foundations. By incorporating programs which focus on literacy and developing the whole child we set ourselves apart from other 'moms groups'. 

Spooky Bat! 

Getting Crafty! 

By meeting at Chapters we are allowing members of the public to experience our great momstown programming and find out more about what we have to offer to Mississauga moms!

3 eyed Bat! Googlies are Popular 

See the name on this bat? Mommy did this one as her little one was too distracted! 

Our winning Family got to take home the book! 

Scholastic books are great for the whole family with thousands of titles many of which are Canadian. Are you interested in joining us? We offer a free 4 week trial membership so sign up today and start having fun with other like minded moms who want to get out of the house, make some friends and give their child a great start! 

Cooking with kids in Mississauga: Healthy and Fun Pumpkin Muffins!

At our Junior Chef Program this month,  momstown Mississauga moms and toddlers baked some delicious Pumpkin muffins.  We meet each month to get our kids cooking and trying new foods and healthy recipes! By making some small changes to the recipe we made it healthier.

Our "big kid" helped the little ones to measure! 

The kids were quite young, so there was lots of interest in smelling the spices, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. 

Even a few sneezes. They even got to try the Pampered Chef mixer out - to save on dishes you can mix up all the wet ingredients right in the hand mixer. 

mixing up the eggs and the pumpkin

We had some cute aprons too for momstown Junior Chefs! They were able to mix and play without getting too messy!

Jr.Chef hard at work! 

Sampling was encouraged! By letting the kids add a few chocolate chips and other fun ingredients, they were very excited to try the pumpkin creations. Chocolate chips, pumpkin seeds, coconut, even mini marshmallows are fun things to add into recipes. A little goes a long way.  

chocolate chip samples

The finished product looked and smelled as good as they tasted. Kathy our nutritionist who leads this momstown program each month, showed us some simple tips to make the recipes healthier and lower fat! 

The more fibre (from whole wheat flour) the better the muffin! You can also substitute applesauce in place of the oil in muffin recipes. This adds more flavour and cuts out the fat.   

delicious pumpkin muffins! 

Do you cook with your children? If you are worried it may be too messy join other momstown Mississauga mamas and get the kids cooking in our Junior Chef program. We meet once a month to create a fun and healthy snack. The mess is on us! All of this is included in your yearly membership $45! 

Sign up today for a free 1 month trial membership and start having fun today.