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Moms, Dads and Kids is the Only |
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in Alberta. WE NEED YOUR HELP! Please click on the Balloons to share your favorites with us!It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year...
...and sometimes the most wonderful time of the year is the absolute craziest...
Have you got that crazed look in your eyes wondering how to get it all done?
SLOOOOOW DOWN...Enjoy the season, live in the moment. It is the time for preparation – in both our homes and in our hearts.
Take time to think about what Christmas means to you and your family and let that inspire you for the season.
The Little Black Book for busy families...NOW AVAILABLE!!
Head to your nearest Chapters, Indigo and Coles book stores to pick up your very own copy. Don't forget, if you’re an AMA member, you can purchase the book there with your membership and you'll receive a discount. This book makes a great stocking stuffer for friends, Moms, single Dads and Grandparents so they too can plan adventures with the kids.
Here are some inspirational family activities...
The Advent Calendar is about opening new doors – it has very simple origins with chalk lines that tallied the days and a small surprise behind each door. Here are some ideas to bring the advent calendar into your month.
1. Fill finger puppets with a small treat.
2. Mini stockings filled with little gifts like pencils, barrettes, a night light, a poem or verse.
3. Family Moment of the Day – Sometimes this time of year is so busy we forget to spend time together. Write out 25 things your family can do each day, make cookies, dance in PJ’s, and sing a song. Don’t make the activities difficult or you wont do them.
4. Good Deed of the Day – When all you hear is “I want,” it feels good to give from the heart. Write out 25 ideas that focus on things you can do for others, buy a toy for a needy child, donate clothes, make cookies fro someone else, visit or volunteer a hospital, shelter or nursing home. They love to see kids at Christmas.
5. Book of the Day – Plan your nighttime stories to include some special seasonal book, a theme story or listen to a special Christmas CD or program.
Slooow Down the Craziness...Real Tips for Busy Parents
And for MOM (aka Santa’s helper), here are some ideas on how we can plan to get through the season.
1. Make a gift list – keep it with you, even put a budget beside the name PRINT ME!! Click here to print this Christmas Wishlist(it will help when at the store and keep you on track). When that person is complete make a big check mark by their name, it will give you a feeling of success.
2. Wrap a gift or two each night after the children go to sleep or, if it’s for a friend or relative, get the kids to help wrap and try to anticipate what that person will do with the gift.
3. Make a list of “To Dos” that the family can help you with. Call it “Santa’s Workshop or Elves Express” They will love to help and watch how proud they will be.
4. To ensure your family still eats well during the rush of the season, see our Fabulous Find this month called “The Passionate Plate.” They are sure to make you feel good about getting a healthy dinner for the family.
5. Find a charity that your family can help. It’s a great way to teach the Spirit of Christmas, and that helps to tone-down the “I Want" list when they see that others simply "don’t have".
A Charitable Cause
Speaking of charities, I have just been speaking with Jessica Smith-Perry from the Bissell Centre in Edmonton and I was astonished to hear about the increase in homelessness...what got me even more was that there are over 125 children in Edmonton who truly have no place to go.
And I know the number increases when we look at all of Alberta. So here are some ways we can help those children. Visit the Bissell’s Centers Wish List to help these children receive a Present this year. Do you have time to volunteer on December 20th at their Family Christmas Party for the Families that rely on their programs, contact Bev at 423-2285 ext. 134 or by email, bzubot@bissellcentre.org for various ways to lend a helping hand. It's a great way to get into the spirit of Things.
Fabulous Find
Our Fabulous Find this week is one that will help ease the stress of family dinners during the holiday season. I was asked if I had 'lost that loving feeling' about cooking Christmas dinner, and really, it's the same as the daily dreaded question we all ask at about 4 pm, “What should we have for Dinner?"
I have heard about meal preparation, but this month we encourage you to try The Passionate Plate. They are one of our Mom’s favorite places submitted during our Fall contest and I can see why. While talking with Wade about the Children’s Classes they love teaching the kids the basic techniques and a safe way to work in the kitchen. But for us mom’s it’s the satisfaction of knowing you are serving the freshest of ingredients and a nutritious meals for your family all at the same time.
So they dare you to Cheat on Your Kitchen! Click here to learn more.
The Passionate Plate
5012 104A Street
Edmonton, AB T6H 6A2
Email: inquiries@thepassionateplate.com
P. 780.430.1122.
Events Around Alberta
Here are just some events happening this week, for a more detailed list of events for the Month of December visit our Calendar
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"A CHRISTMAS CAROL"
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A Holiday Spectacle … a Family Tradition
MacLab Theatre at
The Citadel Theatre
9828-101A Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta
Box Office: 780.425.1820
The Citadel's Christmas tradition continues with this astounding retelling of Dickens' classic, A Christmas Carol. Whether you are seeing it for the ninth time or for the very first time, we invite you to experience the magic, warmth and spirit of the holiday season that comes from sharing this timeless tale with family and friends.
Suitable for children 7 years +.
Date: December 1-23, 2008
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"ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS" AT HERITAGE PARK
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Saturdays and Sundays
December 6-21, 2008
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
* Outdoor Skating Ring and Antique Portrait Studio
* Wonderful Christmas Shopping
* Free Wagon Rides
* Gingerbread Cookie Decorating
* Traditional Storytelling
* Outdoor Games
Heritage Park
1900 Heritage Drive SW
Calgary, Alberta Canada
Phone 403.268.8500
Email Us
Visit Website
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ST. ALBERT DOWNTOWN CHRISTMAS LIGHT UP FESTIVAL
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Experience old-fashioned Christmas spirit at this event which features our community Christmas tree light-up, Santa Claus, Christmas carolers, horse-drawn wagon rides, food & beverage samples, prize draws, children's crafts, ice sculptures, and much more! Crafts for kids, Santa Claus, Carolers, free samples of food and drink, sleigh rides, and the second annual polar bear contest.
Date: December 4, 2008
The fun starts at 6:30 pm with the official light-up at 7:00.
Cost: Free to the public.
Phone: 780.459.1724
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HIGH RIVER CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR
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128 5 Ave. S.E.
Phone: 403.652.4042
Come and see all the great gift ideas from art, handicrafts, pottery, jewelry, clothing and unique woodwork for that hard to shop for gift. It is held at the Highwood Memorial Centre.
Friday Dec. 5 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday Dec. 6 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
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THE GRINCH AND CRAZY CHRISTMAS
IN CARSTAIRS
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Carstairs Goes crazy this Christmas when the Grinch tries to steal away the season by persuading the town Children to stop festivities and remove the decorations on the trees in Memorial Park. The "Guns of the Golden West" will be there to protect the little ones, tear down the Grinches grand plans and town.
The whole town will go crazy with celebration including performances in the park, unique Christmas shops open through the wee hours of the night. The town will come alive with events including: outdoor skating, a bonfire and hot chocolate to keep everyone busy and warm. The night will round up with fireworks.
Date: December 5, 2008
Open: From 6:00 pm.
At the Gazebo in Memorial Park.
Cost: Free.
Visit Website
Email us
403.337.3341
403-335-7367
Prairies 2 Peaks website
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ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE
PARADE OF LIGHTS
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The Town celebrates the Christmas season with a Parade of Lights. The parade has over 50 floats with each float having a minimum of 500 lights. Fun for the whole family.
www.rockymtnhouse.com
town@rockymtnhouse.com
Tollfree: 1-800-565-3793
Date: December 6, 2008 at 7 PM
Come early for a great spot.
Directions: Parade will be on Main Street and HIghway 11.
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SANTA CLAUS PARADE DRUMHELLER
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Drumheller's annual Santa Claus Parade is one of the highlights of the holiday season. Taking place in the early afternoon, it's a fun filled time for all.
Phone: 403.823.8100
Date: December 6, 2008
Cost: Free
Directions: Parade goes through downtown Drumheller.
"Call Out" for Bissell Centre
SOME CHILDREN NEED MORE THAN PRESENTS DURING THE HOLIDAYS
The Bissell Centre strives to share joy during this time of need. They need new toys for young kids as well as for kids who are 12-18 ...who tend to be the hardest to get donations for.
An easy way to give is with the click of a mouse through their Giving Program, including delivery of your gift to the Centre. It's as easy to give as a 'Click of the Mouse"
If you have gently used items that you can donate they will accept them at The Dress Shop (see website for times to donate) .
Click the above image to see their Giving Program Christmas Catalogue.
If you have any ideas or family traditions, tips or ideas that you would like to share with us, please email Sharon
Enjoy Everything this Holiday Season has to offer you and your Family, Best Wishes from all of us at Moms, Dads and Kids
Kimberly Schick-Puddicombe