My Floors Are Always Dirty

My floors are always dirty.  Especially in the Spring and Summer.  Especially the kitchen floor.

 summer


You see, our back patio door opens off our kitchen, and we spend more time outside than inside when the weather is nice.  Our backyard is our oasis in the city- complete with trees, grass, and a sandpit.  The sandpit that we have may be the same kind that you have..... you know, the kind that sand seems to jump out of and stick to any child or dog within a 5m radius?  Yep, that kind.  This sand is then tracked into my house via the patio door via my kitchen floor.  Along with grass clippings, pebbles, sticks, twigs, rocks, bugs, dog food, flowers, grass seed, leaves, and all other backyard flora and fauna.


By day's end, my floors feel more like sandpaper than tile, they look more beige than white, and they sound more rough than smooth.  Out comes the broom and the steammop, and I have nice clean floors again between the hours of 8pm and 8am.


But the sand I clean up reminds me of the huge sandcastle my son built, and the pride I saw on his face.


The grass clippings remind me of the excited smile my daughter had when she felt the lawn on her bare toes, and the sense of wonder in her eyes.


The sidewalk chalk dust reminds me of the artwork that graces my driveway, and the creativity and imagination it inspired.


The twigs remind me of the fun our puppy had exploring his new environment.


So I will take the sand.  And the grass clippings.  And the chalk dust and the twigs.  Because a clean kitchen floor means far less to me than a day of backyard fun with the dirt to prove it. 

 

My floors are always dirty.  And I like it that way.

 

Post by guest bloger, Dr. Ashley Worobec from Burlington, Ontario.  Dr. Worobec is a sport-loving chiropractor who decided to start a blog to talk about things that are important to her.   She is also mom to two perfect lil’ people, wife to a perfect lil’ husband, an ART practitioner, medical acupuncturist, Crossfitter, marathon runner, foodie, lifelong learner, loyal friend, and a passionate soul. 

 

Posted by momstown guest on 05/21/2013 - 08:47
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Best Baby Shower Gift Ideas from momstown moms

Did you have a baby shower?  My cousin is pregnant and we're hosting a baby shower next month.  It got me thinking of the perfect gift for a new mom.  I loved going to our local baby store and registering for all the latest gadgets, cool accessories and adorable clothes, but when i had my first baby, I know that for me, the best gifts that i received was a baby bouncy chair and gift cards for take out!  After checking out my cousin's registry...I have decided to get her a year-long membership to our new momstown London chapter!  

 

baby shower gift ideas
We asked our moms on Facebook: What was your favourite baby shower gift that you received?

 


Sara- Maid service!

 

Dawn- My babe's collection of books! Instead of a card, each guest gave a book with a message inside with their gift. Not only does he have a bookcase full of books, each one has a special message from our loved ones!

 

Shaz- Gift certificate to our favorite restaurant.

 

Christina- A beautiful keepsake for baby, from my mom.

 

Lily- Baby Bjorn bouncer chair

 

Karen- diapers and wipes!

 

Gina- baby-wearing wrap that was perfect for me and for my hubby!

 

Meaghan- I got too many clothes for baby...a gift card to a clothing store is a much better idea for all the size changes i needed to make!

 

Ainsley- hand made blankets!

 

Linda- my friends all joined in to get me my glider!  I spent so many beautiful moments with my children in that chair.

 

Alison- a baby photo session from my photographer friend

 

Kate- Starbucks gift card. Now THAT gift came in handy!

 

Mary-Lynn- Baby monitor

 

Lindsay- cash and gift cards to Babies R Us, so I could get exactly what we needed when baby arrived!

 

Stacey-  wet wipe warmer, I thought it was silly, but we loved it!

 

Kim- Fisher Price My Little Snugabunny Cradle 'N' Swing!!

 

Jess- Nipple Guards

 

Candace- Freezer Meals and a fruit basket

 

Jennifer- my momstown membership!

 

photo credit: womantalks.com

 

What was YOUR best baby shower gift?

Posted by Heather Hamilto... on 05/19/2013 - 18:28
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Fireworks Safety Tips for Families

This weekend marks the first long weekend and first fireworks of the warm weather.  While many of us are looking forward to the extra day off work, preparing for a great BBQ or even opening the cottage, the kids can't wait for the fireworks!

 

fireworks safety tips

 

The best way to enjoy fireworks is at a professional or public event (see momstown community blogs for your local details), but if you are hosting a display at your home, here are the tips that all families should remembe to ensure a safe and exciting night. 

 

1.  KidsHealth.org recommends that kids should never play with fireworks. Things like firecrackers, rockets, and sparklers are just too dangerous. If you give kids sparklers, make sure they keep them outside and away from the face, clothing, and hair. Sparklers can reach 1,800° Fahrenheit (982° Celsius) — hot enough to melt gold.

 

2.  Buy only legal fireworks (legal fireworks have a label with the manufacturer's name and directions; illegal ones are unlabeled), and store them in a cool, dry place.

3.  Always use fireworks outside and have a bucket of water and a hose nearby in case of accidents.

 

4.  Little kids might be nervous about the loud noises.  Be prepared for a strong reaction, if this is your child's first experience.  Have noise reducing earphones to make it more enjoyable.

 

5.  Long weekends often mean a few alcoholic bevvies, be sure that the person who is lighting the fireworks, has NOT been drinking. 

 

6.  Pets have sensitive ears and can be extremely frightened or stressed during the fireworks.  Keep pets indoors to reduce the risk that they'll run loose or get injured.

 

7.  Point fireworks away from homes, and keep away from bushes, trees, leaves and flammable substances.

 

8.  Fill a plastic bucket with sand and place the fireworks in there to light it.  Be sure to keep a hose handy.

 

9.  Soak all fireworks in a bucket of water before throwing them in the trash can.  Do not let kids touch fireworks.  Even AFTER they have been lit.

 

10.  Light one firework at a time (not in glass or metal containers), and never relight a dud, recommends SheKnows.com.

Don't forget that if a burn does occur, remove clothing from the burned area and run cool, not cold, water over the burn (do not use ice).

 

Have fun this long weekend, staying safe will ensure that its BLAST!

  

Staying indoors or want some other ideas for long weekend fun?  momstown has other fabulous activities, crafts and books for Victoria Day and Canada Day!

 

Posted by Heather Hamilto... on 05/17/2013 - 07:29
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Gardening Tips for Beginners- Using Planters

I was an avid gardener from when I was a small girl working alongside my mom in the garden.  I remember when my first was about 8 months old, I kept him so active for the morning hoping he’d sleep for at least an hour so I could find some peace in the garden and he woke up after 20 minutes! Really buddy, give your mom a break! Three children later, I’ve honed some tips to share with you to make your outdoor living space easy and look great!

 gardening tips- planters

 

My number one tip when time is at a premium and you still want a lovely outdoor space, planters are a mom’s best friend. You can make a deck and garden come alive with a burst of colour by using a few annuals in a container that can bring an unexciting space to life.  Planters can reflect your style and personality. Mix and match container styles, sizes and colours for that eclectic bohemian look,  a Mexican villa comes to mind. Or have the same style of planter in the same colour to have a consistent, minimalist look like a New York restaurant terrace.  If grouping containers, raise one behind another to have a tiered affect. The key to keeping planters looking nice through the season is water everyday but don’t overwater and make sure the container has drainage!

 

When creating a planter or container, remember to;

 

1.  Use light mix potting soil that retains moisture – specifically designed for containers. 

 

2.  Plant closely together so the soil doesn’t show. 

 

3.  Add a variety of plants that include green foliage plants. This will add contrast to the flowers and colours that bloom.   You can start with a tall spiky plant that will add height to the planter in the middle and then work around from there. Some plants I found easy to work with and have constant bloom are chrysanthemums, petunias, begonias and trailing impatiens grow abundantly and spread nicely.

 

4.  Deadhead the flowers throughout the season and your container will flourish.

 

With a few containers, some candles or lanterns placed where little hands can’t reach, you can create a comfortable, enjoyable ambiance perfect for entertaining or simply a respite from the daily demands of your hectic pace of life!

          

Photo Courtesy of Simply Beautiful (Ball Horticultural Company) and www.potluckcreativecontainers.com.

 

Guest Post by Claudia Harvey, Co-Founder of Dig It Apparel Inc.  As seen on CBC’s Dragons’ Den www.digithandwear.com

Posted by momstown guest on 05/14/2013 - 13:27
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Mom's Taxi Service Coverage

driving IBC

As the spring/ summer activities for my kids start, I’m feeling like a taxi driver more than ever. Everyone is in a hurry and not everyone is driving in the most courteous manner (road rage anyone? Or kids crying in the backseat?).  Thank goodness that it is the law that all drivers must have insurance!


Lately, I’ve been thinking about my insurance premiums because it is renewal time for me. What do I get for my money? How does my insurance company figure out the cost of my premium? Would I be better served by a government run insurance industry? So, I researched the answers at http://getintheknow.ibc.ca


With a privately run insurance industry I get to choose an insurance plan that fits my family from a number of competitive offers. For instance, I can have a deductible that makes sense for me and discounts for multiple vehicles and for customer loyalty. Also, I can seek suitable compensation for unforeseen circumstances such as the loss of future wages due to an accident caused by someone’s careless driving. I can determine how my family is protected. 


My premium dollars are covering the true cost of insuring my family.  Rates are approved by the provincial government based upon accident frequency. In fact, the insurance industry already functions within the rules and regulations set by the provincial and federal regulators. I get the benefit of healthy competition in the industry with the assurance that there are checks and balances provided by government. Sounds good to me and…I’m covered!

 

IBC

Although this post has generously been sponsored by Insurance Bureau of Canada, the opinions and language are all my own, and in no way do they reflect Insurance Bureau of Canada.

Posted by Publisher on 05/14/2013 - 11:15
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Mother's Day After the Loss of a Child

mother's day after the loss of a child

 

Being a mother is the hardest job in the world. 

 

Being a mother to a son that you have lost is heartbreaking and yet I find myself struggling with this each day, especially at Mother's Day. 

 

I struggle with being a mother to my two boys, while in my heart, I have three sons.  There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think of Zack and the impact that he had on our family and on who I am as a mother.  There are several moments in the day when I literally stop and imagine how life would be, had he not died two years ago.

 

Sometimes it’s in the simplest part of the day, like packing only two lunches for school or walking into the bedroom that used to be his and seeing only one of my twins waking up in the morning.

 

Sometimes it’s having only four of us at the dinner table or driving in a car without his car seat in the seat behind me.

 

Sometimes it’s when I cuddle with Jayden and imagine that I have Zack’s arms around me or when I see our Elmo doll collection and I imagine the smile that they used to bring my sweet boy’s face.

 

Sometimes it’s when I’m asked how many children I have and I feel torn about what my answer will be this time and how much I feel like sharing.

 

Sometimes it’s when the kids are all playing on the street and I miss chasing my little devil as he rode his red car down the sidewalk, giggling all the way.

 

Sometimes it’s when I see the face of another child with special needs or hear about their little victories.  I remember how precious those daily miracles were with Zack, and I yearn to feel that joy again.

 

Sometimes it’s in the quiet moments when I can look through old photos and videos and see his face or hear his laugh again, while I look for signs that he is still with me.

 

The difficult part is that you can never undo being a mom to your child.  It is not only what we do, but who we are. 

 

I am STILL his mother.  I always will be.  For the rest of my life, as I become a mother to two teenage boys, watch them graduate, get married and even start their own families, I will also forever be the mother of a 3 year old little boy, who remains in my heart.

 

mother's day

Heather, Ty, Jayden and Zackie's mommy xo

 


I was honoured to have been nominated for the Walmart Mom of the Year in 2012.  Nominate a Mom who inspires you, for this year's Mom of the Year from Walmart Canada.

 

Posted by Heather Hamilto... on 05/06/2013 - 15:05
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