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May Madness

It is at my place.

The kids are just about "done" - in more ways than I can share with you; with playschool, they have started both T-Ball and swimming, we are renovating and painting, you should see how my son tried to "help paint" while my husband was doing the dishes and I was taking an online class, I'm still editing the book, got yard work to do, and of course laundry ever week, I hired cleaners to clean the house - that's a first- and Mother's Day is coming.
Wow, lots happing around here, what about your place? How many crazy things are you trying to accomplish at once? They say there is no such thing as a super mom and sometimes I am happy to know that, but sometimes I do feel a little like a speed demon who is a whirling dervish.

So this Mother's Day I want to be sure to smell the roses, hopefully I will get some, I know they aren't in the garden. I want to spend some time doing something fun with the kids, I want to hear the laughter, giggles and not have to say "NO, not now." I am going to make Mother's Day a day of "Yes's", I may have to think about how I word some things, but I am going to try to say "Yes" to my kids, not everyone else. I hope you can try this with me and feel that you are in the moment of being a MOM. A happy Mom, A mom who gets to laugh with the kids. We may be building snowmen here in Devon, but it will be Fun.

I am also so grateful for my MOM, who goes above and beyond helping me, teaching me and being a great Nana. Now I know why she seemed to "know everything' and always had eyes in the back of her head. She inspires me, and I love spring because it's when we plant the garden together and now I see her growing seeds with the kids. Thanks Moms.

So I wish you Joy, Laughter, Love and plenty of hugs to go around this Mother's Day, and if you pee your panties - it's all good. ~:-O

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Child Find Month of Hope
Here's a chance to protect your child

5,943 children were reported missing in Alberta in 2008.

Now that's a scary number!

56,102 children were reported missing in Canada in 2008.

That's even scarier!!

Name: Abby Mark
DOB: Sept. 9, 2002
Missing Since: Sept. 1, 2008
Missing From: Winnipeg, MB

May is Child Find's month of Hope and they are Moms, Dads and Kids Charity of Choice and 0.50 cents from every book sold goes directly to ChildFind Alberta. So be sure to get your new copy of The 'Little Black Book' for busy families. Brad, Vicky, Bern and all their volunteers, board members are dedicated to Keeping children safe from harm. I first approached ChildFind in October of 2008 with a crazy idea, about including fingerprint kits with our books and they listened. Brad Bostock, director of Child Find helped me understand what they do and why they are different and why they like to do the fingerprinting and why YOU Keeping your All about me ID kit with critical information including fingerprints of your child is more important than storing it and paying for that storage with other companies. They have since trained me how to be sure to get good, usable fingerprints in their id kits.

Last August I had the opportunity to meet Rodney Stafford, who's daughter, Tori, we heard about that was abducted in Ontario. When that case happened it never in a million years occurred to me how I was about to be touched and involved with someone who was going thru the ordeal of not ever seeing his daughter again. And to see the numbers of how many children go missing - well that just shouldn't happen; but it does and that's reality.

Please - I personally URGE you to make the trip to get your kids fingerprinted thru ChildFind and complete the kit so that if you ever have to refer to it and provide any one with information about your children that you have it. When something like that happens, Rodney says's it's hard to focus to get the right answer about tiny details that could make a difference.

You can show your support by wearing a Green Ribbon throughout the month of May - The Green Ribbon of Hope. The proceeds from the Green Ribbon Campaign help Child Find continue to assist & educate the general public about child exploitation and abduction. Click here to get your Green Ribbon today!

Child Find is a fabulous charity that helps protect children throughout the country by informing families about the All About Me I.D. Booklet and encouraging them to fill one out for each of their children. The All About Me I.D. Booklet includes: a recent photograph, a relevant information about the child, and a set of ink finger-prints. Child Find will be attending a number of events throughout the province where you may go to get your child an All About Me I.D. Booklet. Head down and protect your child today!!

Child Find Events in May in Alberta:

CALGARY

May 7th & 8th
Forzani's Mother's Day Run & Walk at Mount Royal
4:00 - 7:00pm
9:00 - 12:00pm

May 25th
Canada Customs
11:00 - 2:00pm

May 29th
Calgary Children's Festival
8th Ave. Mall Downtown Calgary
9:00 - 4:00pm

AIRDRIE

May 21st
Airdrie Walmart
2881 Main Street
10:00 - 1:00pm

EDMONTON

Name: Dylan Koshman
May 29th DOB: April 11, 1987
Missing Since: Oct. 11, 2008

Missing From: Edmonton, AB

Safety Fair
Woodcroft Community League
13915 - 115 Ave.
11:00 - 3:00pm

LEDUC

Leduc Baby & Family Expo
Leduc Civic Centre
#1 Alexandra Park
10:00 - 4:00pm

SUNDRE

May 26th
Parent Link Centre
Sundre Community Centre
#3 310 Centre St. N
9:30 - 1:00pm

Click here to find other scheduled appearances for Child Find.

If you have any information regarding these missing Children.

Please contact your local police or call 1.800.561.1733
All Calls are confidential.

Click here to view all missing children.

Dominic Maryk
DOB: Jan 17, 2001
Missing Since: Sept. 1, 2008
Missing From: Winnipeg, MB

If you would like to make a donation to help Child Find continue to their work to combat those that prey on our children.
Click here to make a much needed donation.

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The Unbelievabra
Helps you look slimmer

This bra is amazing!! It eliminates the dreaded back fat and smooths out the muffin top and still provides full support. Click here to see this unbelievable bra. Visit the Bra Lounge to get one today.

The Bra Lounge also offers an Expecting Moms Registry. Go down to the store get sized and try on the styles and colours you want. They have bras, lingerie, lounge wear, and even swimwear then add them to your registry. To help friends and family buy you the perfect gift on your special day.

Bra Lounge
#11 - 4801 - 51 Ave.
Red Deer, AB
Call the girls at 403.347.3774

Note: Courtney and Sheena have just open their new location and it's amazing, and do they know their stuff. They are the "experts" in this area and if your in the area or want a new spring Bra, This is the place to go.

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Mother's Day is Approaching
Do you need ideas?

Make your Mom smile by sending her a card via e-mail. Click here to see the top 10 Mother's Day cards. To get more free virtual Mother's Day cards, click here. Don't like any of those? Click here for more free cards.

A craft for Grandma

These make the perfect Mother's Day gift! Take a little photo of your baby's face and cover it with a marble and ad a magnet. How easy is that? Then there is a picture on their fridge everyday to remind them how much you love them. Click here for complete instructions on how to do this easy craft by Kaboose.com. Don't forget to check out all their other Mother's Day crafts and ideas.

Gift Ideas

I am always searching for the perfect gift for my Mom just to show her how much I appreciate her. But it's hard to find a give to show her how much I love her. There just isn't a gift that can do that. So to me the perfect gift is to spend the day together. There are tons of Mother's Day events taking place throughout the province throughout the week and into the weekend. Click here to see our on-line calendar and check out all the fun activities. But I always want to take her a little something. So what to bring this year....

I've already taken flowers, hanging baskets, massage/esthetic gift certificates, garden aces sori es, a night out gift certificate, PJs, lotions, coupons... What's perfect this year?? With our new addition it has to be something special as it's the first year she's not only a Mom she's a Grandma too. Now that's a big deal!

So I found a couples really cool ideas for Moms AND Grandmas!!

Dimples makes this unique bracelet.
They are a Canadian company that makes earth friendly finger-print jewellery. They have a take home finger-printing kit and then you send it back and in 4-6 weeks...Waa Laa!!! You receive a beautiful bracelet with your wee ones finger-print as the charm. Click here for more information on this cool gift.

Planet Jill makes fantastic lockets!!
You can get them in necklaces, bracelets, key chains, rings, belt buckles, a something blue ribbon pin, pins, cuff links, book marks, paper weight, money clip, letter opener, magnet, trinket box, the possibilities are endless! You might want to even keep this in mind for Father's Day. The item pictured is their 2 piece locket necklace with engraved monogrammed coin. Click here to see their WIDE variety of items.

Citrus Silver Products is another Canadian company. They make sophisticated pendants stamped with words of your choice. You can put your child's name, birthday, nickname, get one for each child or get their names all on the same pendant. Click here to see all the styles of pendants you have to choose from.

I hope this makes your shopping a bit easier.

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Time For Camping
You need to stay warm

The Princess and the Pea has the perfect item to keep your little guy or gal warm while camping this May Long weekend. The NorthFace Tigger sleeping bag has special features just for kids, for example, the reduced zipper length and no elastic cord in the head area. This sleeping bag is good to -7 degrees Celsius! So your little munchkin will be nice and cozy even if the snow flies again.

The Princess and the Pea
9654 - 142 St.
Edmonton, AB
780.488.7748

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Largest Education Fair
For Parents, Students, and Teachers!

This is Alberta's largest Education Fair for parents, students, and teachers.

Join the Calgary Education Fair as they celebrate their 5th anniversary with resources for pre-school students all the way up to post-secondary students. There is something for everyone. Click here to see all the events of the day. Visitors can enjoy performances on the fair stage, take part in workshops, browse through a wide range of exhibitors, and much, much more. See all this and it's FREE!!

Click here to register for free admission.

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Are You Up for an Adventure?
Be an archaeologist for a day

Who doesn't love digging in the dirt?

These unique programs allow visitors of all ages to discover the excitement of digging at the Bodo Archaeological site in the Wainwright/Provost region. This adventure is unique because of the size of the site and the sheer number of artifacts recovered. Artifacts include: arrowheads, stone tools, bone tools, pottery, and a large amount of bison bones. Wouldn't you be the coolest ever if you took your child looking for bones?!?

Dig with an Archaeologist! - Currently booking weeks of July 26 - 30 & August 9 - 13. Some dates are still available in June.

Arrowhead Day Camp - For ages 5 - 10, become an archaeologist for a day. Discover basic archaeology through fun hands-on activities. At the end of the day you get your very own certificate. July 7th & 16th, August 4th & 13th

Buffalo Bones Day Camp - For ages 10 - 15, discover archaeology for a day! Learn basic hands-on field techniques with an archaeologist. July 9th & 14th and August 6th & 11th.

Traditional Life Ways Family Camp - Experience what Aboriginal life was like on the Canadian Plains. Camp includes workshops and hands-on projects for the entire family. August 27th - 29th

Click here for more Buffalo Adventures.

Call 780.842.9247 to register.

This is one of our Cool New places we found. You and the kids are going to LOVE IT, watch for us doing a Fun Finding Friday here this summer and come join us. If you're interested email me and I will keep you posted on the dates. Fun@momsdadsandkids.com

I am so excited every time I open up my email and see a email from a mom subscriber.
You send photos, great places ideas, and I even get a few tears from some of the moms who share what or how they have used the ezine or book to plan thier days.

I truly can't thank you enough for taking the time to share something with me. So please keep them coming, tell me what we can do for you or how to imporve what we find and what your frustrations are. I recently met a mom who's daughter is really tall and she is frustrated at finding the right clothes that are age appropiate and not to "sexy" So if you have any ideas or places that she might find helpful, please email me and we can help her.

Thanks

Kimberly
Moms, Publisher and Fun Finding Expert

P.S.: A warm "Welcome" to all the new subscribers who have joined our Moms, Dads and Kids community! I'm thrilled that you are on board. You're going to love all of the great stories, cool tips and fun-finding ideas!

P.P.S.: Are you on Twitter or FaceBook? Let's connect online! Visit us at www.twitter.com/busyfamilies or at http://groups.to/momsdadsandkids/