Join Us
Not a member yet?
Register it's FREE and see all the family friendly businesses!
Membership is Free
Click to register
Login:
Password:
 
Forgotten Password?
Parents, tell us your favorite fun places! Click here!
List your kid-friendly business FREE! Click here! List your event FREE! Click here!

Moms, Dads and Kids is the Only The "Little Black Book" for busy families in Alberta. WE NEED YOUR HELP! Please click on the Balloons to share your favorites with us!

The 'Little Black Book' Online

The 'Little Black Book' Online
The book is on many shelves, but you can access our Online Directory of Family-friendly places on our website...for FREE!

Simply visit our website and join our Mom's Club and you can see all the great places and make your family's planning easy and fun.

Yes, you can lose your "boring Mom" status by finding a cool new place to visit..

---------------------------------

New Book coming

little black book for busy families cover image

Pre-Order your Copy and be the first to get 1000's of new business that love families.

Just $9.97

---------------------------------

Events Happening Around Alberta

FRANKLIN AND THE ADVENTURES OF THE NOBLE KNIGHTS
APRIL 9TH - 13TH

Buy tickets to this live theatre production. The show will be in Medicine hat, Calgary, Edmonton, and Red Deer. Click here to see the dates, times, and find tickets.

COCHRANE USED TOY & CLOTHING SALE
APRIL 10TH 10:00 - 2:00
101 RANCHEHOUSE ROAD

Head down and check out all the gently used items for sale.

CAMROSE NEW & USED BABY & CHILDREN'S SALE
APRIL 10TH 10:00 - 3:00
MASONIC HALL 5021 - 48 ST

More gently used and new toys and clothes for sale.

AN EVENING WITH RICK FREEZE: FROM BABIES TO PRESCHOOLERS: TEACHING YOUR CHILDREN TO READ
APRIL 15TH 7:00 - 8:30pm
NOTRE DAME SCHOOL, LEDUC

It's never to early as a parent to think about how you can enhance your child's learning and literacy skills. Click here to get more information and to see how to register for this event.

OKOTOKS MOM 2 MOM SALE
APRIL 17TH 9:00 - 2:00
FOOTHILLS CENTENNIAL COMMUNITY CENTRE
204 COMMUNITY WAY

Toys and clothes for sale. Get ready for spring or even next winter.

EARTH DAY AT CALGARY ZOO
APRIL 18TH 10:00 - 3:00

Come down to the zoo to see what you can do to make a difference. Click here for more information on this event.

Listings on our events Calendar are FREE.
visit www.MomsDadsAndKids.com
to see more events and to list yours

Thank you for reading our eZine.

back

Things to do with the Kids!
Thomas is Coming

So many things to do, there is no reason what so ever to be a bored. Check out all our events, try a new craft, take some photos - don't forget to print them. How many photos are on our computers?

This month you will hear so many options about how to save, being green, but remember to use this opportunity to teach the kids why it's important to do these things. I sometimes can't believe how my 3 year old thinks everything can be thrown away, and grandma of course comes from the "don't throw anything away" age so there is a happy medium. We just started a Worm Farm to help reduce waste, and everyone thinks it's crazy to spend $80 to get rid of waste, but the kids think our new 200 worms -who are all getting their own names - are now a great part of the family.

Enjoy Spring, check out how you can win Tickets to Thomas and stay in tune.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WIN a Day Out With Thomas
Fun for the whole family at Heritage Park

Thomas the Train will be visiting Heritage Park in Calgary May 8th, 9, 15th & 16th weekends.
Click here for more information.

Last year we went on Mothers Day and as you can see it was the Best Mother's Day I ever had. We rode Thomas and met Sir Topham Hatt. They had storytelling, live music, building with Mega Blocks, a maze the kids loved and much more. Click here to buy tickets.

We stayed at the Delta Calgary South and the kids absolutely loved the hot tub and water slides and because it was Mother's Day we enjoyed the amazing brunch also. They offered us a fabulous Thomas Package at a special rate with one nights stay at the newly renovated hotel and tickets to see Thomas. Click here to take advantage of this special offer.

Or better yet WIN tickets to see Thomas!!!

We are giving away a full hotel and Thomas package from Delta Calgary South as well as 4 tickets to see Thomas from Heritage Park. Send us a picture of your little guy or gal on a train, standing near a train, or playing with their train set to newsletter@momsdadsandkids.com. The deadline for this contest is April 30th so get your photos in quickly!!



Please Note: All videos or photos sent in are the property of Moms, Dads and Kids and may be used for marketing purposes on our Website or in our publication.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wiggles Winners

big big show in the round poster image

And the winner is.....

Terri! She will be taking her son Alex, 2 years and daughter Natalia, 15 months to go see the Wiggles in Edmonton for Alex's 3rd birthday. Enjoy Alex and Happy Birthday!

AND...

Natalie, Baron Cymbulk, Chelesa Hanson, will all be taking her kids to go see the Wiggles in Calgary!! Have fun!

Enjoy the Show everyone!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
School Librarian Day
April 21st

Librarians are one of those people on a school's staff that are often forgotten but are definitely an important part of the school community. Depending on the school your children attend librarians have many responsibilities. Their main responsibility is keeping the library clean and organized which is an almost impossible task in an elementary school. Kids are so excited about books they take everyone they can get their hands on off the shelf and it never gets put back in the proper spot.

A lot of librarians are also responsible for teacher resources and keeping them organized and let me tell you from experience - teachers are often just as bad if not worse than the students at keeping things organized. Other jobs which have fallen on librarians plates that I have worked with are: finding resources and books for teachers, laminating, morning announcements, computer assistance, websites, lunch/recess supervision, book fairs/orders, and I'm sure there are more creative things they do. So it's not just checking out books and reading to kids anymore! Librarians are a vital addition to a school.

So show your appreciation for your child's librarian on Wednesday, April 21st. It doesn't have to be anything big - just a card or picture drawn by your child, daffodils, seeds for their garden, Timmy's gift card, just make sure to acknowledge what a fabulous job he/she is doing!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Renovation Sale
End of April Sale!

Douglas Fir Resort logo imageThe Douglas Fir Resorts & Chalet is having a renovation sale at the end of April.

Their waterslides will be shut down for maintenance April 26, 27, 28, & 29 but to compensate they are offering MomsDadsandKids members 50% off their rooms during these dates!
Click here to book a room now. Use the Access code "BREAK" to get your special deal.

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fun at the Mall
Local Kids Clubs

Southcentre Mall in Calgary, 100 Anderson Road SE, has a monthly Comfy Kids' Club for kids ages 1 - 6 years old.

They hold it the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 9:30 - 11:00 in Centre Court.
It's a drop in program.
The next one is coming up soon - April 14th! This month you're supposed to wear green to help celebrate Earth Day and participate in Earth Day crafts, games, and have some Earth Day treats.

While you're there to forget to check out the NEWLY OPENED Bo Bebe store near Starbucks!! They have some fabulous stuff.

Southgate Mall in Edmonton, 5015 - 111 Street, Kidshop Kids' Club is run a little differently.

Their club is for kids ages 3 - 10 years and you must register at their Customer Service for this FREE club you'll have to fill out a short form and then you will receive a membership card which entitles you to discounts and certain stores, newsletters, birthday cards sent to your child, notification of events, contests, etc.

Click here for more information.

Parkland Mall in Red Deer at 67 Street & Gaetz Avenue, have a few kids programs to offer.

They have Parkland Play and Learn where you can visit with other families and do crafts and activities the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month in the Food Court from 9:30 - 11:00. Click here to see the dates this is offered.

They also offer Babies Day Out for Kids under 24 months where the children can play with toys and the Moms can visit and enjoy snacks and refreshments every 4th Tuesday of the month from 9:30 - 11:00. Click here for more info and dates this is offered.

Finally, there is a Kid's Club which runs the 2nd Thursday of the month. The next one is April 15th! This is where kids under 5 can enjoy stories, crafts, snacks, and refreshments. This runs from 10:00 - 11:00 am. Click here for dates and more info.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Time for new Summer Clothes
Take them into Cater Tot Consignment

CaterTot logo image

Do you need room in your closet? Go through all your kids clothes and get rid of the ones that don't fit. Cater Tot Consignment is now accepting gently used summer clothing. They will take anything up to kids size 6. So clean out your closet and make room for some cute new outfits. Click here to get more information. And while you're there dropping of your clothes check out the new items they have to add to your closet.


Cater Tot Consignment
2002 Luxstone Boulevard SW
Airdrie, AB
403.912.2700

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Want to Have Lunch?
Bossy Mamas meet for lunch

I would love to have lunch with you! I'll be having lunch at the Delta Edmonton South with many other Edmonton area mompreneurs on Sunday, April 18th. Come join me for a delicious lunch and make some connections, and hear two inspirational speakers. For MomsDadsandKids members the special price is $40 for afternoon full of visiting, learning, and fun. To save your spot at the special price email me at newsletter@momsdadsandkids.com.

bossy mama logo image

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Take care of our Earth!
Recycling Near You

These days recycling can't be any easier. Some cities have city run pick-up. How lucky! Those of you that don't here is a way you can make the Earth a greener and more healthier place for both you and your children. You can recyclerecycle logo image more things now than ever before! So make it a family affair and teach your children how to recycle. The Alberta Recycling offers a variety of different pick-ups, there's hazardous waste, paint, tires, electronics, batteries, cell phones, etc. Click here to find a recycling location near you.

Did you know anything that is rechargeable is recyclable? Click here to get more information and to find a depot near you that will accept your rechargeables.

Do your part to keep our environment clean and beautiful!

On April 24th, for all residents of Calgary and surrounding area, Southcentre Mall is having their annual Recycling Round Up. In the parking lot they will be collecting electronics and gently used household items for recycling. Click here for more details.

Great Find!!!

Get rid of your bottles and milk containers and make a charitable donation all at the same time! Recycle Enterprises is located in Edmonton and offers FREE regular scheduled pick-ups.

All the money they make goes to the Winnifred Stewart Association, click here to learn about what they have to offer. Their Beverage Container Recycling Program couldn't be easier, click here to sign up now. They also offer Green Goods which are either made from recycled products or used to reduce waste. Click here to see their Green Goods catalogue. To check out the Recycle Enterprises website, click here.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Public Shredder
Do you need to get rid of personal papers?

ama logo image

There are AMA Shredding events throughout the province to help protect your family from identity theft.
You can drop off your papers at designated locations throughout the province for safe and immediate destruction. They also have other information available on how to protect yourselves from identity theft.

You don't even need to be an AMA member. Click here to find a location near you.

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Green Craft
Earth Day is April 22nd

I want to thank Carla for letting me know about this cool Earth Day craft on Kaboose.com. Get your whole family working on making one and you can have tons of fresh herbs to use in your cooking all year long. My mouth is watering picture of herb potsjust thinking about it!

These cool herb pots are a simple craft you can make over Easter/Spring break and you can even get your herbs planted. Click here to see how to make this fun craft. Kaboose.com has loads more Earth Day activities as well. Click here to check out more Earth Day fun.

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Don't Forget About Your Siblings!
April 10th is National Sibling Day

~ Siblings are the people we practice on, the people who teach us about fairness and cooperation and kindness and caring - quite often the hard way. ~Pamela Dugdale

Call your brother or sister and tell them how much they mean to you!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kimberly Schick-Puddicombe

Thanks so much for the emails and ideas.

I am so excited about our new book and some of the new places we found that we will be sharing in every ezine with you.

Enjoy your kids, hug them and look in thier eyes, they are full of unconditional love and new ideas.

My kids make me a better person - they always call me on my "mom moments" and I love them for that.

Although the purple felts on the white carpet was a particular "mom moment" they reminded me "Mom, we are just kids and don't know everything."

How is that for quick thinking?


 

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/

Join Our Team! kimberly@momsdadsandkids.com