Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! 2009 has just begun and before we know it the holidays will be over and everyone will be back into their regular routine.

This past year was filled with so many new adventures for me and my family! A family visit to Disney (with a 7 month old that just started crawling), my little ones first tooth, first words, first steps, my oldest turning 10 (she thinks she's 16) and of course I joined the momstown.ca team as Community Manager in Barrie. It was a venture that I jumped into without much thought since it revolved around kids and planning events and would be great to get out to be social! These were all things that are right up my alley! It was one of the greatest moves I have made in years! Through momstown, I have formed some of the greatest friendships, found a circle of women who truly understand and can sympathize with what sleepless nights, teething, baby barf and poopy diapers are all about. I have also learned some great lessons about life, people and about being a mom.

Since 2008 was a great year for momstown in Barrie, I am excited to see what 2009 will bring.

I hope everyone is as ready as I am for the New Year.

See you around momstown in 2009!!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

This is probably the last blog before Christmas so I wanted to take the time to wish all of you a very safe and happy holiday season.
Christmas is just a few days away and Im sure all of you are finishing up wrapping, or packing to head out of town to be with relatives. Whatever your Christmas plans, take some time to enjoy your family and maybe even take a little time for yourself!

Its has been a great 5 months with the start up of Momstown Barrie. Both Karrie and I have had a blast planning and attending events and getting to know our members on a more personal level. The New Year will bring with it lots of new and exciting things here in Momstown! We look forward to meeting some of our new members, planning some fun and exciting events and seeing where 2009 takes us!

From all of us at Momstown, Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday and all the best for a fantastic 2009!

Let it snow let is snow, let it snow( well not really)

I know we live in Barrie and we get more snow up here than places like Toronto, but come on, this is getting out of control!
Not only has today's storm, made driving hazardous, had winds gusting like crazy and it was freezing out, it cancelled out Secret Santa gift exchange and dinner, that was planned for tonight at Gio's on Anne St.
It was very disappointing to have to cancel and let me tell you, I was trying to remain optimistic all day long, thinking it was going to pass or clear up. When it reached 4:30 and Gio's called me to ask if we were coming or not, I knew I had to make the call. I was looking forward to having a night out, good food and tons of fun with the gift exchange!
Not to worry though...... Our fun will take place on January 9th, 2009 at Gio's. We will pretend it is still Christmas, do the gift exchange and eat some good food with friends. I actually think it will be a bit more relaxed with the holidays over. No one has to worry about what they could be wrapping at home or how much they still need to get done before Christmas Eve.
So, I hope to see all of you at the " Rescheduled Secret Santa gift exchange and dinner" on January 9th.
Lets hope for better weather next time around!

Momstown Barrie Christmas Party!

WOW!! what a morning it was at the Momstown Barrie Christmas Party.

We had an amazing turn out with close to 70 people in attendance. The kids were dressed in their Christmas best and the food was a plenty. From Chili to Christmas cookies, there was something for everyone.

When the moment finally arrived and Santa walked through the door, the children's faces lit up and the volume in the room rose to a new level. Everyone did a great job waiting patiently for a turn to sit on Santas lap. Some went willingly and some had to be forced or ripped from their mothers hip, but all in all Santas visit was a huge hit! Everyone was given a plush dog to take home, for their memories of our first Momstown Christmas party.

We would like to thank you all for your generous donations of toys for Christmas Cheer. We have two boxes full of toys to donate on behalf of Momstown Barrie. We raised $22 on our 50/50 which will go toward purchasing some toys for Christmas Cheer as well.

On behalf of the Karrie, Carolyn and myself I would like to extend a huge thank you to all of our wonderful members and their families for making this event a huge success.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and all the best for the coming year.

Decembers Meet and Greet

Our monthly Meet and Greet was lastnight, and although it was a small group of Moms this time, it was still a great night. We sat by the fire place at Casa Cappuccino and got to know each other a bit better. We discussed some different issues, like Childcare, Breastfeeding, sleeping and tons of stuff inbetween!
Our Meet and Greets are so different each month, depending on how many Moms we have come out, and what is on everyones mind!
See you all at the January Meet and Greet!

Dear Santa Plates

Thanks to Lisa ( Monty) for opening up her home on Thursday night and showing us how to make the "Dear Santa Plates".

Once we got the china pens working and stencils straight, the plate making was underway. Although some of us had more trouble than others with the pens ( and have the black hands to prove it), a great time was had by all as we sat around Lisa's living room and began our plates. Then is was off to the painting table, where it was a bit quieter as everyone was busy following the outline and making their plates come together. BJ was determined to make it a master piece and she succeeded!

It was a great night, and we all walked away with a Christmas keepsake and some fun memories we will remember each year, when we bring out the "Dear Santa Plate" to leave our cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve.

Its hard to believe its December already! the count down is on until Santa arrives.

This month is filled with excitement for everyone, kids and adults a like. Whether it is the excitement of baby's first Christmas, or the first year your child really understands that "Santa is coming", or just the memory of your childhood at Christmas time. Its a season filled with new and old memories for us all.

Our calendar is filled with lots of exciting things to get us all ready for the big day. We will be doing lots of crafts, some carol singing and welcoming the man in the big red suit at our Momstown Christmas Party. We are looking forward to making some new Christmas memories with you and your family this holiday season.