Spring is in the Air!

Ahhh! Spring is in the air! Though there are still 2 weeks until it's officially Spring, the weather we have had this past week has been very Spring like and very welcomed by all!

As the snow melts, the temperatures rise and the kids ask to play outside, moms and dads everywhere are happy to head outdoors for walks, bike rides and play time!

March is still a mystery though, the weather man is predicting that there is still snow to come, but in the meantime we will embrace this warm weather and dream of Spring and not too far off Summer!!!

momstown Barrie has lots of great events for March! Healthy eating month brings us a healthy Dinner Club night and Salad Mania! Crafts and play days fill the calendar as we get ready for Spring and Easter! A Hawaiian Luau and an Easter Egg Hunt at the farm round off the month and get us ready for April!

Be sure to visit us at barrie.momstown.ca and check out the calendar for all the events coming up this month!

Nanny Robina comes to Barrie!

The moms of momstown Barrie were treated to a visit from Nanny Robina, well known guest of The Mom Show.

The weather had been full of snow and the roads slick, but moms came out by the dozens to hear what Nanny Robina had to say!

As the witty and endearing Nanny began to speak everyone listened in silence. The silence didn't last long though as everyone settled into the comfort of her humour and boisterous manner. Her easy personality made everyone feel at ease and no questions went without answer.

From sleep to bullying, picky eaters to potty training, we talked about it all.
How do you get your toddler to stay in their own bed? Was it normal for their child to prefer to sleep on a cold floor rather than a warm bed? Is it ok if their child prefers to snack all day instead of eating meals at the table with the family? How do you discipline a child that finds joy in pushing their sibling down? How do you get your child to poop on the potty? And the questions went on from there!

Each questions came with an informative and insightful answer... coupled with a witty and often hilarious anecdote from her years of experience.

The moms all left with ammunition on how to tackle their unsuspecting children... Thank you Nanny Robina!

Busy Weekend

This weekend is a busy one with Valentines Day and Family Day. It is a weekend to spend time with loved ones and take time out to just do "family things".

Im not a huge fan of Valentines Day, to be honest. I feel its a day for card and flower companies to make lots of money. I have always told my husband NOT to buy me flowers as he will pay double the price on Valentines day, just wait until mid week and get me some for 1/2 the price. I don't need flowers just one day a year to know that he loves and cares for me. I know I sound like a scrooge but I just feel its over rated.

Now Family Day on the other had, I think is important! Not that everyday shouldn't be "Family Day" but I think its one day that everyone should take the time and make it just about family. Turn off the computers, put aside that phone call and just snuggle up on the couch watch a movie or go skating. Spending family time together doesn't have to cost money.

Enjoy your day with the family tomorrow!

Did he see his shadow?

So today is Groundhog day! what was the groundhogs prediction? Well from what I heard, we are looking at six more weeks of winter!

To be honest Im not so sure you can take what a groundhog sees with any truth, but its a nice way to get yourself through the rest of winter.Regardless of what "Willie" says, we will have more snow,more cold and more days you just want to stay inside and watch the weather from the warmth of your home!

As you can tell I am done with winter! Every year I feel the same at this time of year, I just want to pack our bags and head to the warmth of an island, just to get a break from the bitter cold. It hasn't happened yet, and its not likely to. So I bundle up, brave the cold and long for warmer weather to come. It will be here soon enough I know.

It won't be long before the summer is here, and we are talking about what about what a horrible winter it was, while basking in the sun... one thing is forsure, I NEVER complain about the heat!

What makes you happy?

A new year is well under way, the winter blahs are lingering and we are all trying to get through the days with a smile on our face.

So what makes you really happy? What makes you stop and smile? What makes you lie in bed at night and feel content?

I know the common answer for most will be their kids. And it's true for me too! At the end of the day, no mater what obstacles I encountered, how many rude people I spoke to, how many bad things happened, my kids can always make me smile. The love of my girls is something that I can never get bored with or ever be able to shake off... they are always there to make me happy and give me a reason to get through the day.

Maybe this is why we have kids. Maybe kids are here to remind us that nothing is ever so bad that a hug, giggle or sloppy kiss can't fix.

Sure we all have days where our kids make us want to scream, but our anger or frustration never lasts. Their innocence and light hearts can break through even the worst moods.

So the next time you are out with your kids and they are having a tantrum, running loose in a store, or wiping their runny nose on their sleeve, and encounter that lady without kids who says, "Why would anyone want to have kids?", just smile and shrug your shoulders, because you know that when the tantrum stops and the kids are calm you will be showered with hugs and kisses by the sweetest little beings on earth.

Nothing beats being a mom!!!!

momstown memberships ON SALE!!
6 months FREE!!
One week only!




What mom doesn't love a good SALE?!

momstown is having a ONE WEEK ONLY Membership SALE!

Sunday, January 17 - Sunday, January 24

$45 for 18 month membership!
$30 value for FREE
(memberships normally are $45 for 12 month membership or $30 for 6 months)

That's SIX extra months of fabulous events, thrilling moms nights out, educational mom & tot programming, interactive access to our chatty and supportive message boards, and special momstown member discounts. It's a value of $30 for FREE!

If your New Year's Resolution was to 'get more involved' then momstown is the answer to make that happen!

Click on the community name to go directly to your local site. If you are renewing then sign in and click on the membership store (top right corner) to renew for $45 + gst. To purchase a New Membership, first register and the option to pay comes up at the bottom of the form. You can pay the $45 + gst online with PayPal or send in a cheque via the store, directions all online.

Regardless of when your renewal is up, your new 18 months will be added onto your expiry date. The first 12 months will automatically be added on and your local momstown team will tack on the extra 6 months manually.

Buy now and relax knowing your membership and local connections are taken care of until 2011! We're thrilled to have you as a member as we continue to grow and help even more local moms connect & thrive.

Thank-you momstown! You all make momstown a wonderful place to be, to parent and to grow.

momstown.ca
Neighbourhood Moms. Connected.

2010 off to a great start!

I think everyone can agree that this new year is off to a great start so far, momstown included!

The new year brings a renewed energy for everyone, the stress of the holidays is over and people can now shift their focus on to other things.

At my home, the new year has brought us many new things. My youngest has started gymnastics, her first structured program and she potty trained herself in just a few short days. A great way to star the new year!!! My oldest is back in the full swing of school and is heading into competition season for baton. And for myself, only 8 and half weeks until our new addition arrives... this will be our biggest change, challenge and triumph for 2010!!!!

Momstown has some great things starting up to kickoff of the new year too!!! Playgroups are starting back up, the momstown Biggest Loser Challenge is going to kick off for a 3rd time and some other great new events and partnerships are in the works.

If you haven't joined us at momstown yet, now is a great time to do!!! Log on and find out how to get your free trial and start getting out, getting active and making friends for 2010!!!