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in Alberta. WE NEED YOUR HELP! Please click on the Balloons to share your favorites with us!
All About Mud
Welcome to our inaugural issue of "Secret Tips For Busy Families" ezine!
I had the pleasure of meeting some of you face-to-face at the Calgary Family-a-Fair last weekend, so a big thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hi! We had such a great response and so much interest in our "Little Black Book for Busy Families!" while we were there. A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to tell us about their favourite Alberta kid friendly places and companies. Don't forget to to visit our web site at http://www.momsdadsandkids.com/ and let us know about any new spots you think we should know about.
I always have mixed feelings about April. As the weather gets nicer it's a great opportunity for my kids to spend some time outside, but we all know that April showers bring... MUD! So in honor of the muddy footprints covering my floors, I've packed this ezine with everything you'll need to survive this month, including the latest in cool mud gear, so your kids will be "seen" with you, a trick to your laundry room tactics, and of course some activities for you and your kids that will make getting dirty seem worth it.
I also found an AMAZING VIDEO about the importance of having FUN � NOW that I just had to share with you! Be sure to check it out!
And there are several opportunities to win some fabulous products throughout our email, so keep reading!!
Happy planning,
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Reality check!
While researching Mud � I was trying to get the low down on dirt, nowadays (sound like my grandma) on the Internet M. U. D stands for Multiple User Dungeon - Was I that Outta touch? The Japanese take mud SERIOUS. They make hikaru dorodango, or balls of mud that shine. Take a peek, you could use it as an ornament on your fireplace � and they do just that.
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GET DIRTY!
There must be something about mud that brings us back to prehistoric days. We go to spas and pay good money to let them put mud all over us and yet we freak out about our kids stepping in a puddle. After you see the video clip I've linked to, at the end of the email, you'll be getting your new boots on. So here are some funky mud things to do:
* Good old toothpick races:
Find a stream, take a colored felt pen and claim your toothpick and see who wins! (Not to be done in the streets) Create a start and finish line and then watch how fast the toothpick gets to the finish line. How many times does it get stuck?
* Mud Pies & Faces:
You'll need: old clothes, containers, plastic spoon, dirt & water, anything handy that could be used to decorate the pie or face.
1) Mix some dirt & water in a container to make the mud. Mix in some pebbles, strings of yarn, grass, or shredded paper to give it texture.
2) Line pan or bowl with some leave, pieces of tissue paper, pieces of wrapping paper or what ever you want to decorate the sides.
3) Pour the mud in the lined pan.
4) Sprinkle your mud pie with seeds, twigs, old flower petals (good reason for husband to buy flowers a few days before) or any other crafty decorations. Let the mud pie or face set until it dries and then pretend to have a tea & pie day, Maybe by some surprise treats to go with the tea.
* Mud Foot Prints:
You will need a mud puddle or you can use washable tempura paint; clean concrete or poster board, bare feet or shoes/boots with cool sole prints. If you are a really cool mom, you'll let them do it barefoot with on a poster board and you can keep it as a memory or poster for their rooms. Get the boots in the mud puddle, then carefully place both feet or boots on the clean concrete or poster board. Have everyone do it and then leave it dry. You can either write with 
chalk who's foot print is who's or later bring back the boots and check the soles to match up the foot prints.
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Mud Stains Are For Procrastinators!
Before kids, I used to send my tough stains to my mom to get out.
After Kids, I am convinced that the "Laundry Gods" invaded my body. Now it is almost an obsession for me to be able to "Get the Stain OUT."
My husband would throw just throw the offending item out, but I buy all kinds of stuff to "HELP" get the stains out. And I sure need them as you can see our whole family likes to get into the mud. Even Kasper our Dog has had his moments!
In my quest for the perfect stain remover, I emailed some of the obvious experts and got No Response! So Next I called my girlfriend Carla. She is known as that NorWex Girl and now I know why, she says:
"Mud Stains Are For Procrastinators!"
No.1 rule: Leave mud stains until they dry. For ground in dirt, brush to the surface, then scrape up as much as you can with a dull knife. Then vacuum. If the mud print is still there use a protein stain remover. Mud often contains road salt &/or rust. If salt is left behind mix equal parts of vinegar & water, dab mixture on using a towel & blot up with cool water. Let dry. If a rust stain remains try using table salt & lemon juice. Sprinkle salt on stain, squeeze lemon juice on it & put in the sun to dry. Test the lemon juice first as it can bleach some fabrics.
To ask my expert for advice on how to get your worst mess clean, contact Carla thatnorwexgirl@shaw.ca or check out her link www.roaringwomen.com/thatnorwexgirl
She can show you products that work and, best of all, are all natural (which means great for using around kids and pets).
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Does planning a family outing frustrate YOU? We want to know!
My frustration, and its the reason the book is being published, is about knowing or remembering where to find things.
When my friends call and want to do something, no one can think of any cool places to go at that exact moment. It's like our brain fell out of our heads.
When I get asked to go for lunch or we want to have a family dinner outing. I can never - at that exact moment think of anywhere to go.
Some place where they love kids, where it will be a fun experience, not a stressful eating experience. I'm looking for more than the average hamburger joint. We have a one year old so we still need a change table, and for us that�s important when picking some place. So I end up going back to the same places.
So what frustrates you and do you know really funky, great places to dine with children??
Tell us and you could win a Thermal MUD PACK with soap, 2 face packs, some moisturize and face scrub, hot of the plane from Rotorua, New Zealand.
Email us at Fun@MomsDadsandKids.com
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Just in case you need a reason to
get out there and play in the mud...
Every once in a while we need something to come along and remind us why it's OK to shut off the phone, walk away from the computer, and head outside to splash in the mud puddles. This video was my Ah Ha moment last week.
Randy Pausch is a married father of three, a very popular professor at Carnegie Mellon University. He recently appeared on Oprah.
At the beginning of the clip, Oprah says it's 11.32 min long, but I promise you it's worth every minute.Go to: http://www.oprah.com/health/oz/oz_20071022_350_106.jhtml and then click on "Watch Randy's famous "Last Lecture.". It may take a minute or two to load as it's such a popular video.
I hope you have the funnest day of your life!
Kimberly Schick-Puddicombe
Mom, Fun Finder, Publisher
P.S. If you loved this article, can you please pass it on to 3 of your favorite friends? They will receive great tips, affordable cool places to go, and they may even lose their Boring MOM Status when they sign up at Thanks a million!
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Recommended Rain Gear
Gorgeous Gummies
My son has these and everyone asks where to get them. They have themes for everyone's tastes. And don't forget to check out their matching jackets!
Can Moms Look COOL while getting dirty?
You can if you're wearing these boots! These will definitely be going on my 'must have' list. Oh and did I mention the Queen of England wears these boots as well. Click Here to see more styles. 
Pretty in Polk-a-Dots
Polk-a-dots are very IN this season. And what girl doesn't look adorable in an outfit like this.
For more girls gear click here.
Even the little ones can splash in the puddles!
Mountain Equipment Co-op has some great toddler rain suits. Click here to check them out. 
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Mark Your Calendar!
Earth Day is April 22.
What are you doing to celebrate this great Earth we live on? Send us your pictures, ideas or events and we might just feature your family.
April 14-26, 2008
Shopping Bag Exchange
Southgate Shopping Mall in Edmonton wants you to bring in 20 plastic grocery bags to Southgate Centre Customer Service and in return they will give you a reusable Southgate Centre shopping bag! All of the plastic grocery bags will be recycled into new plastic products. So Bring them in and do your part to help Mother Earth.
Do Your Kids LOVE Thomas the Train?
Then May 3, 4, 10, & 11th are sure to be exciting. They can take a 20 minute ride and meet Sir Topham Hat at Heritage Park in Calgary.
Click here to purchase your tickets. http://www.heritagepark.ca/thomas08/dowt_main.html
I'm sure they will sell out!
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Reserve Your Copy of The 'Little Black Book' for busy families!
The first 100 Pre-Orders get a 15% discount of The 'Little Black Book' for busy families. Secure your book by clicking here.
mailto:fun@momsdadsandkids.com with Yes in the subject line
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Win It!
Can you tell me what company uses this foot print as their logo and brand?
The secret company has so kindly given me a great tote bag and some coupons inside for the first person who emails me with the correct answer!
mailto:contests@momsdadsandkids.com with Secret in the subject line
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IN OUR NEXT Issue: You'll find out how to make clean mud, create fossils, make an edible mud pie.