As the long weekend is quickly approaching you may be stopping to think what local St. Albert and area activities you can do with the family this Easter.

1. Hop in for a photo with the Easter Bunny at St. Albert Centre:

Thursday, April 5th-Noon-2:30, 3-5, 5:30-7
Friday, April 6th-Noon-2:30pm, 3-5pm
Saturday, April 7th 11-1:30, 2-5pm

Plus, enter to win an Easter Basket of treats!
*Entry forms at Customer Service
http://www.stalbertcentre.com/events/

10 – 5 daily  > Admission Rates Please note: Advance Registration is not required for the Easter Egg Hunt, as it runs continously all weekend!

3. Hop to It! – Easter Monday at the Edmonton Valley Zoo

Monday, April 5
11am – 4pm

Spring is here and it is full of excitement and new life! You’ll have the opportunity to visit the different Easter babies, including chicks and bunnies in the indoor petting zoo. Watch some of the animals receive their very own Easter egg treats – will the animals eat the eggs, play with them, or smash them?

Drop by the craft station to create an Easter basket, butterfly wings, or butterfly antennae and then enjoy a variety of games and activities for young and old. A special butterfly parade will take the little ones on a magical “flight” around the zoo and everyone will enjoy learning amazing secrets about eggs with the hands-on science experiments.

For something completely different, check out the must-see spectacle: Flea-ster Circus. There will also be live music, face painting, Easter treats, animal encounters, and much more. It’s the perfect way to celebrate spring on Easter Monday!

Regular winter admission rates apply.

4.  NEW – It’s Popping up Puppets at the Muttart Conservatory

Monday, April 5
1 – 4pm

Spend a fun-filled family afternoon at Muttart Conservatory – just the thing to brighten up your holiday Monday after a long winter. We are celebrating spring with puppet shows such as Jack and the Beanstalk, plus a creative puppet workshop for kids to make their own puppets to take home. There will also be face painting and a petting zoo.

Don’t forget to check out the Feature Pyramid where the Tapestry of Colour display is awash with Tulips, Daffodils and Muscari.

Regular admission applies.

5. Vist the Candy Bouquet in St. Albert for all things Easter.  This specialty candy store carries a wide range of treats sure to please anybody’s sweet tooth.  Located downtown St. Albert at 12 Perron Street. Call (780)459-7022.

No matter where you go or what you do – have a HAPPY EASTER to you and your family from Modern Mama!!

Being a Modern Mama Member has amazing perks!  It gives you a full YEAR of not only discounts on Modern Mama events, there are many other perks AND partner discounts to be had, lots of them. Get this, they’re not just any partner discounts, they’re discounts at the hippest places in town that want your Modern Mama business and probably the only way you’ll get a discount with them!  Here are some amazing St. Albert Perks Partners and some great reasons to become a Modern Mama Member!!

1. Java Mama.  Java Mama Cafe is designed especially for parents, caregivers and children alike. They are a place where adults relax, meet-up with friends or plug-in to free WiFi to get some work done while little ones explore, imagine and create in our specially designed play area.  They offer gourmet coffee, a complete food menu, healthy snacks for child and baby, separate play areas and toys geared to each age group, birthday parties and a variety of classes and programs for moms and dads.  http://javamama.com/locations/StAlbert/index.html

2. Stork Avenue Boutique.  Stork Avenue Boutique is a children’s boutique in St. Albert that opened in 2008.  They carry a wide range of beautiful kids clothes, furniture, accesories, shoes, decor that is sure to please any parent and child alike!  http://www.storkavenue.ca/boutique-furniture-clothing-decor-for-infant-and-beyond.

3. Pure Photographics.  Pure Photographics is located in St. Albert and serves Edmonton and surrounding areas.  This local mom and professional photographer is extremely experienced in doing photographs of children/families, weddings, commercial and portraits.  Make sure and contact Karen Shukle for any of your photography needs!!   http://www.purephotographics.com/

4. Purple Lotus Massage Therapy.  Purple  Lotus Massage Therapy strives to offer a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere; taking into consideration the individual needs of each of their clients and treating them in their best interest.  Whether you have an injury, have been in a car accident, are pregnant, or just need some TLC, they are here to help you!  http://www.purplelotusmassagetherapy.ca/plabout.htm

5. Frosted Memories.  Frosted Memories specializes in birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, house warmings and retirements.  So whatever your cake needs may be, make sure and contact local mom and cake connoisseur, Joanna Benoit, to help create the amazing cake for your special occassion!  http://www.frosted-memories.webs.com/

 Check out all the local perks partners who are offering discounts in and around St. Albert at http://www.modernmama.com/st-albert/membership-perks/ and don’t forget to purchase your Modern Mama Membership to take advantage of these amazing perks at  http://www.modernmama.com/st-albert/join-now/!!!

For those of you in St. Albert wondering what to do with their active and energetic toddlers during Spring Break, here are 5 local fun and exciting spring break camps happening in the City that will be sure to keep your little ones happy!!  Even though spring break is next week already,  there may still be spaces available!

1. Chapter – St. Albert.   Join them for FREE activities during Spring Break, Monday to Friday at 11am.  Register at Chapters.  Monday is STEP INTO SPRING DAY.  Have fun indoors as they get ready for the outdoors with activities inspired by Sunny Patch! Tuesday is BEACH DAY. Put on your sunglas…ses and join them for storytime, crafts and lots of fun. Wednesday is CUDDLE UP & READ DAY.  Stay in your PJs all day and get cozy for a storytime with your favourite plush toy. Thursday is SCIENCE DAY.  Make new and awesome discoveries! Join them for experiments and more as they explore the world around them.  Friday is CRAFT DAY Be creative! Have fun with Klutz crafts, Orb Factory and more as they let their imaginations soar.  Go to  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chapters-St-Albert/143856188987484 for more information.

2. Piano Stars Music/Craft Combo Activity Camp.   In their music/craft & activity camps they encourage kids to explore their creativity & practice their cooperation skills. The fun includes daily crafts & games including painting, puppet shows, relay races, treasure hunts, parachute games & even having a chance to compete in our games based on TV game shows (like Minute to Winit)!  Have you ever participated in a life-sized board game? They have that too! If you’re looking for a day that’s jam packed full of fun and adventure then this camp is definitely for your children.  For kids aged 5 – 12 and located at 27 Spruce Crescent, St Albert, Alberta.  Go to http://musiccamps.pianostars.com/camp_info.html for more information.

3. Glazing Pot Studios.  Glazing Pot Studio is a paint your own pottery studio featuring hand designed pottery, fused glass and clay creations.  Spring Break Art Camps are on Wednesday, March 28 to Friday, March 30 ~ 1 to 4 pm..  For ages 6 to12.  Pre-registration is required.  Contact http://glazingpotstudio.ca/ for more information.

4. St. Albert Family Resource Centre.   Young Einsteins.  For ages 3 to 5 years. Science is all around us! It’s in your home, it’s outside, it’s in the air! Children are naturally curious and eager to learn about everything and anything. Through teachable moments and interactive learning opportunities, children will discover just how fun science can be.  Runs Monday and Tuesday, March 26 and 27 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Call 780-459-7377 to register or for more info.

5. Dynamix Gymnastics Club.  Spring Break Camps.  Children will participate in gymnastics, free play, games, crafts and much more!!  There’s also family drop in on March 27th from noon until 1:00.  Before and Aftercare is available
Call for more info at 458-3153.

As I met my friend and her baby at the Enjoy Centre for coffee this morning we found ourselves in awe of this massive 2.43 hectare facility!  Their logo is to “reflect, relax, reconnect” and that is what we felt in this beautiful, calm and serene atmosphere.  There is an endless supply of services and stores such as Hole’s Greenhouses, Sandyview Farms, Amaranth Whole Foods Market, a Floral Studio, The Water Garden Spa & Wellness Retreat, Beautiful Home & Gift, Hillaby’s Tools for Cooks, and Prairie Bistro – just to name a few!  The Enjoy Centre “was designed to create a destination that is about living and life, not just gardening, to create a community of businesses that share not only a vision but also an accountability to the environment and to future generations.”  Holes Greenhouses was such an integral part of our community growing up as I’m sure the Enjoy Centre will be to my children.

My friend and I were both born and raised in St. Albert and we found ourselves reminiscing of how when we were in Elementary school, Lois Hole would personally lead our classes on tours when we went on a class field trip to Hole’s Greenhouses!  We could tell even then about how much Lois Hole loved children and how passionate she was about what she did.  Although we didn’t personally know her, she struck both me and my friend as being a very genuine person.

We agreed that it must run in the family because I told her the story of when I was in University I was assigned a project to do in an earth and atmospheric science class.  I had called the infamous Hole’s Greenhouses to see if I could interview somebody and ask them a few questions and they told me to just come on down.  Sure enough, when I showed up that evening, Jim Hole personally took an hour out of his evening to interview and answer some questions for me.

When the Enjoy Centre first opened a friend and I decided to meet there one day to tour the facility and see what everybody was talking about.  As we sat down for coffee and looked around us, I saw Jim Hole sitting down and talking to a group of about 10 people they had just hired.  Certainly a massive facility as this had human resource staff to talk to and train the staff, but he personally took the time to speak to these new staff members.  About an hour later on that same day my friend and I were walking around the upstairs of the Enjoy Centre when I turned to my friend and asked her if she new how to get downstairs.  Sure enough a voice behind us began to show us the way.  When I turned around it was Jim Hole giving us directions and describing all the various services the Enjoy Centre had to offer. 

Being born and raised in St. Albert, Hole’s has always been such an integral part of our community.  I am absolutely confident that a huge part of their success has been because of their passion for what they do, their vision, their genuiness, their commitment to the community and the personal attention they give to each and every individual whether it is a 6 month old, 19 year old in University or a 33 year old with her children.  These are very rare, unique and special qualities to find in any business.

The Enjoy Centre’s goal is to “create a unique, efficient, innovative and sustainable environment that encourages helpful and meaningful experiences for everyone”.  In my opinion, they have succeeded beyond expectations!

If you would like a wonderful morning out with some other moms, a tour of the Enjoy Centre, a coffee/tea and a treat, a gardening demonstration and talk and a gift from the Enjoy Centre register for the ‘Enjoy Centre Event’ at www.modernmama.com!!

Looking for something to do this weekend in St. Albert?  Here are a few suggestions of local activities to do with the kids:

1. Toboganning at 7 Hills: Located behind Ecole Father Jan School on Mission Avenue, 7 Hills is one the best places in the City to go toboganning with the family.  It is a great activity to do outside, it’s no cost at all except maybe for the hot chocolate afterwards, and it’s fun for the entire family!

2. Outdoor Skating:  St. Albert has a wide range of outdoor skating rinks (18 to be exact).  For a list of locations, ice conditions and available ice time go to http://www.stalbert.ca/outdoor-rinks.  Again, there is no cost at all, the entire family can enjoy an activity outside and it’s great exercise for everybody!

3. St. Albert Bowling Centre: Located at 14 Inglewood Drive, St. Albert Bowling Centre has 5 and 10 pin bowling, neon bowling, bumper bowling, mini golf and a games room.  It’s also a great place for birthday parties!  When was the last time you’ve been bowling? 

4.  Servus Place Water Play Centre: Families love the Water Play Centre!  It’s a great way to spend an afternoon inside.  They have over 25 spray and water features, a river ride and two giant water slides.  You can also relax in their sauna and steam rooms, or their two large hot tubs.  For a list of prices and aquatic times go to http://www.servusplace.ca/index.php/facilities/aquatics

5. Java Mama:  Too cold outside?  If you’re seeking an outing to bond with your child you can jump in and play!  It is a place where adults can relax, meet-up with friends and your little ones can explore, imagine and create in their specially designed play area. http://www.javamamastalbert.ca/.

Do you have any other family-friendly, local activities to do this weekend?  Please feel free to leave any comments!

Have a great weekend!

So you’ve gotten past the first 6 months of sleeplessness and worrying if your little one is eating enough or what percentile they’re in for their weight and height.  You stop to think, wow, the past 6 months have gone by so quickly and it’s hard to believe in another 6 months you’ll be back to work!  Work!  It’s so hard to even imagine trusting somebody enough to leave the most important thing in the world to!  And besides, your baby still seems so small to even understand the concept of you going back to work while they’re left with a complete stranger!  I think most people will agree though, in today’s day and age it’s very difficult for a lot of families to survive on a one parent income.  Which brings us to the next question…where do I even start to find a daycare, dayhome or nanny?

If you live in St. Albert you will quickly discover the shortage of daycares and the huge existing waiting lists.  I remember calling a daycare when my son was 3 months old to put him on a waiting list and the daycare said there was a 2 year waiting list.  I asked how that was even possible and they said people were placing their names on the list when they found out their due date!  I couldn’t believe it!  You find out you’re having a baby and you’re already overwhelmed by everything you have to do to prepare for their joyous arrival and now you have to search for a daycare before the baby is even born!  In my search for daycares in St. Albert I found the YMCA to be a very credible, reputable, caring daycare that goes above and beyond the expected requirements of a daycare.  http://www.edmonton.ymca.ca/Locations/YMCALicensedChildCare/YMCALicensedChildCareEarlyYears/CitadelYMCAChildCare/

Another option in St. Albert is a dayhome.  I have found it’s a lot easier to find dayhomes than daycares in this City.  Dayhomes can be advantageous whereas you don’t have as many children and your child can often get a little more one-on-one attention.  Many dayhomes are not registered so you have to be careful in which ones you choose.  However, I have many friends who have chosen wonderful dayhomes and have absolutely loved the postive impact it’s had on their child.  Your children getsto socialize with other children while still maintaining that home environment.  I found the Child Development Dayhomes Agency was extremely helpful  in my search for availble, registered, St. Albert dayhomes and in addressing any concerns or questions I may have.  http://www.childdev.com/

A third choice for childcare in St. Albert would be a nanny.  I have one friend who has a nanny and she speaks the world of her.  Her children have developed a very close relationship with their nanny, the parents are able to maintain more control over their activities, meals and manners while staying in their own home environment.  Unfortunately you don’t get the same kind of socialization with other kids as you would in a daycare or dayhome, however, she’s very diligent about her kids having playdates and joining programs and activities where there’s other kids to play with.  She also states that her kids get the benefit of not picking up any of the negative behavior (no manners, talking back, etc) from other kids.  NannyServices.ca is a great place to look for full or part-time nannies, live-in or live-out, to meet your specific requirements and qualifications. http://www.nannyservices.ca/default.asp

If you would like to find out in detail about prices, waiting lists, pros and cons, questions you should be asking and the process of finding a daycare, dayhome and nanny please register for the Childcare Choices Event at http://www.modernmama.com/st-albert/upcoming-events/

The most important lesson from this blog that I unfortunately learnt the hard way is that you can never START TO EARLY in your search for childcare!

Money and budgeting is often the topic of conversation with my husband and I as I’m sure it is with most families.  With me being on two consecutive maternity leaves and being a stay-at-home mom we’ve come to the conclusion of just how important it is to save money and budget for our children’s futures!

Saving Money…

Upon our return from the grocery store today my husband and I couldn’t help but discuss the crazy amount of money we spend on groceries each month.  Our two boys are only 17 months and 3 years old and I can’t imagine what our grocery bill will amount to when they’re teenagers!  Our grocery bill, dare I say it, amounts to on average $250 a week!  That’s $1000 a month!  Imagine the potential money we could save if we could find a way to cut down our grocery bill.  Well have I got the solution for you!  I’m sure you’ve all heard about the newest craze.  Heck there’s even a show on TLC about it!  It’s called Extreme Couponing!

If you’re anything like my husband and I, the notion of going up to pay for your groceries and presenting a wad of coupons to the cashier would make me slightly embarassed and apologetic to anybody who is behind us in line, waiting to pay.  And who has the time these days to devote to searching for deals in flyers and on the internet 24/7?  I guess you have to weigh the options of how much time you put into searching for deals versus the amount of money you’re actually saving.   Besides, I wouldn’t even know where to begin and how to learn the ins and outs of extreme couponing.

Here’s where Lori comes into play.  Lori, AKA Frugal Edmonton Mama, is a twenty-something mother to one (almost two) and has found the perfect balance between Frugal and Fabulous. She has learned that you don’t have to sacrifice what it is that you want, or the quality of items that you buy – you simply have to learn the techniques and timing to get the best prices for these items.  She posts about Edmonton and surrounding area deals, Canadian coupon codes and the deals that can be found out and about in YEG.  Using coupons, promotions and sales, she can teach you to find that inner-frugal mama or dad!  Lori offers extreme couponing classes and can be reached at frugaledmontonmama@gmail.com!

Budgeting For The Future…

The whole notion or idea of budgeting for the future makes me cringe and has the miraculous ability to give me an instant headache…lol.  Not to mention the fact that there’s 100 other things I’d rather be doing than sitting down and writing out a budget.  But we all know the importance of making a budget and saving for our children’s education.  When I was in University, and I hope I’m not dating myself too much, my tuition was upwards of $5000 a year and that’s not even including books.  I can’t even imagine how much tuition will be when my children are in University.  We’re crossing our fingers they will qualify for some form of scholarships! Lol.

RESP’s are a great tool to help save for your child’s education.  The Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) is a tax-sheltered plan that can help you save for a child’s post-secondary education. It combines flexibility, tax-deferred investment growth and direct government assistance to help you reach your education savings goals for your children. Rick McDonald from RBC Royal Bank can help you plan a strategic budget while you’re on maternity leave or whether you have a 1 parent or 2 parent income.  With the high cost of education, many parents, grandparents and other family and friends are recognizing the need to save well before the expenses become a reality.

To find out more about extreme couponing, RESP’s, budgeting and Wills & Guardianship register for our Money Talks/Wills & Guardianship event on March 1st at http://www.modernmama.com/st-albert/upcoming-events/!

If you are new to St. Albert or looking for different activities to do with your toddlers here are 6 local things you can do that will keep you both busy while encouraging their developmental growth!!

1.  St. Albert Public Library.  The St. Albert Public Library has many programs that will help create and develop great reading, imagination, and social skills for  your child.  Their Babies and Tiny Tots program, Two Year Olds program and  Three Year Olds program gets little ones and grown-ups together for rhymes, fingerplays, songs and simple stories. The lively atmosphere keeps the children and their caregivers moving and participating. The Three to Six Year Olds program is an interactive program that will have everyone’s toes tapping and hands clapping. These  programs offer stories, fingerplays, musical activities and a craft for children ready to attend independently. Please call (780)459-1530 or go to http://www.sapl.ab.ca/page/childrens-programs for more information!

2. Dynamix Gymnastics Club.   Toddler programs at Dynamix Gymnastics Club allows for your children to have fun in an unstructured group setting.  The skills they develop here is often the foundation for many other sports.  Your child will be learning safety along with various motor gross activities such as swinging, bouncing, rolling, jumping and climbing  They will be using bars, beams, vault, trampoline, floor, foam pit and rings to practice these skills.  They will also be participating in various eye/hand activities with the use of hoops, parachutes and balls.  Please contact (780)458-3153 or go to www.dynamixgymnastics.com for more information.3. 4Cats Arts Studio.  Here your toddler will develop their creativity as they create and explore clay, painting, paper mache and puppets.  They will also create a variety of pottery products using various handbuilding techniques and tools.  They will learn to use a potter’s wheel and ‘throw’ a claypot!  4Cats kids will also be able to create imaginative works using professional quality arts materials.  Kids get to work in a variety of mediums, taking inspiration from the works of artists!  Please contact (780)458-5577 or go to http://www.4cats.com/stalbert for more information.

4.  Fountain Park Pool. Kids Connection, Splash Matters, Mess Matters and Preschool Plunge are just a few of the programs available for Toddlers at Fountain Park Pool.   Your little one will enjoy doing crafts, reading stories, having free time to explore in Frolic’s Classroom and Adventure Centre.  This interactive indoor playgroud is designed to promote your child’s motor skill development.  Last but not least your child will get to end the class splashing around in the pool! These programs will keep your toddler active and always learning!  Please contact (780)459-1553 or go to http://www.stalbert.ca/fountain-park-recreation-centre/ for more information.

5. DanceCo.  Offers classes such as Beginner Hip Hop and Preschool Dance.   Preschool dance is an excellent introduction to dance, which includes jazz, tap, ballet, and creative movement.  These classes are offered daytimes, evenings, and weekends and the classes are 1/2 hour in length.  They encourage all their dancers to grow and learn at their own pace, and yet also focus on the importance of teamwork. Life skills such as good manners, strong work ethic and respect for others, are incorporated into dance classes.  Please contact (780)460-1899 or go to http://www.danceco.net for more information.http:

6. Kindermusik. Your child will learn to listen, move, play and grow.  Kindermusik is about kids, parents, and teachers—coming together and having a great time! It’s about helping you grow closer to your child and enriching their environment and development. Kindermusik thrives to give your child a lifelong love of music and a foundation for learning.  Please contact http://www.kindermusik.com/ for more information.

Not sure which programs your child might like?  Want something different to do each week?  Register for our ‘Mama & Tots…ready, set, go!’ program.  It’s a 6-week ‘on the go’ program for moms and their tots ages 1-4 years.  Moms and tots meet on Wednesday mornings at various times and locations in St. Albert.  Register at www.modernmama.com/st-albert/upcoming-events/!!