the online vacation!

I'm going to go into withdrawl.... likely complete with shakes, nerves and headaches.

NO computer or internet while on vacation. We're talking 9 days with no laptop cuz I'm talking a break where no computers are allowed!!! 100% Family Time. I might even read a book (get out! really!)

If you see me here or on momstown online -- don't enable me -- shoo me off!! Same goes for FB / Twitter -- send me away!!

I'm really looking forward to the break - no computer also means no calculator, no spreadsheets and no work. But alas, my momstown work drives a fine line between business & personal so a real vacation... well, I shudder at a screenless Sunday, not quite sure how to handle 9 whole days.

Some addictions are hard to overcome... :0

Catch up with ya July 6th...... I'll let you know how this mama did without her trusty online momstown pals. See if I can experience something without the mental note "oh that would be a good blog" -- oh this runs deeper than I realize... a break will be very,very good for me.

Unplugging in 6 hours -- count down is on!

momstown mystery winners!

Our first ever momstown MYSTERY online scavenger hunt is complete and the winners are in! Each was drawn randomly and then had submited all correct answers to the 13 momstown mystery clues...... drum roll....

Stacey Trask - Georgina: Organically Hatched Gift certificate $50

Heather Di Loreto - Markham: Paul's Patches Gift certificate $50

Lisa Fedor-Gould - Burlington: Sleepy Wrap Beige wrap

Keri Wade - Barrie: Overtime Designs Gift certificate $50

Holly Farrow - Newmarket/Aurora: Bugalug $75 Giftcard

Jeanine Garlow - Oakville: Trelia Bike Seat $139.95

Samantha Tkachuk - Oakville: Magz-Bagz Messenger bag w/chg pad $85

Julie Thurlow - Burlington: Danna Bananas Prize

Kelly Youngblut - Burlington: Growing Growing Gone Gift certificate $50

Chrissy Nickel - Barrie: She She Impressions Stamp Gift

Amy Faulkner- Newmarket/Aurora: OffSpring Baby Gift certificate $50

Sarah Armstrong -Burlington: Distinctive Expressions Gift

Lindsey Love- Barrie: Teach My Toddler Teach my Toddler package

The sponsors will be in touch with you to get you your fantastic prizes! Congratulations for solving the momstown mystery!!

your very own princess dress...

Today is our (8th!) wedding anniversary and this afternoon I was trying to explain to my daughter what that meant. When I told her I married Daddy she corrected and told that "actually Daddy married you".

She has a bridal gown that Grandma made her for the dress up trunk so I helped her get all dressed up in it with her veil and combed her hair and explained I wore a dress like this....

"Where's your princess dress now Mommy?"

My first thought was to say it's "away" but then I thought well, I never boxed it or did anything fancy to it so I pulled it out of the closet and MAN did the kid's face shine! She was soooo impressed that I had a real, true princess dress right there in my closet all this time! The magical powers of being a mommy...

Of course, then I had to try it on -- it's been 8 yrs and 2 kids and well... it doesn't fit. Not that I expected it to as classicly I was my smallest ever on my wedding day but I was secretly hoping it would do up.

Uh, no. But it looked nice from the front and the veil looked pretty good too once I removed my ballcap (!).

I spent an hour hanging out with Lauren in the dress (on the floor!) and dancing and eventually showed Daddy when he got home. When Andrew woke up from his nap he was not an immediate fan (who are you?? where is my casual mom?) But then loved stroking the fabric and looking at the beads.

Not a bad afternoon for an expensive bag of fabric that's been hanging for 8 years...


Inspired? Hold a wedding dress party! momstown held on & it was such fun giving our dresses an encore and with a bunch of moms (& wine!) - no one can zip up the back either which feels good to be in such company!!

our monthly contest

Check out our monthly contest this month sponsored by mammamio and enter to win the SuperMama Kit!
You can enter to win once each day and of course, you can't win if you don't play!

a glass slipper!

Thank-you (sincerely) to the fellow Ballet Mom for the sweet glass slipper you gave my daughter at ballet yesterday - Lauren really loves it.

But why did you have to send your daughter with a pretty wrapped gift today for all the kids in the ballet class? And on the 2nd last class? Does this mean next week we all have to bring in gifts for all the other girls? Plus the teacher?

Where was the memo I missed - is this really required? This type of thing also happens at nursery school and don't get me started on birthday party loot bags. It just adds even more pressure on all the moms! Our kids are already borderline over-indulged and really have everything they need without all these extra trinkets. Nevermind the extra time (and money) to support these little gifts in every activity that really are just excess in our kids lives.

I find squeesing Lauren into her ballet leotard enough of a hassle without now figuring out what ballet themed gift we need to share with everyone next week in return! Maybe I'll stand my ground and do nothing next week, but then my kid could be the only kid without a fistfull of gifts to hand out and she'll be crushed...

Moms - we're united in the mom union -- help keep the expectations (and gifts!) LOW!

dumb grocery bags

Someone posted on one of the momstown message boards about the new need for reuseable bags at the grocery store - and does it seem truly environmental or just another cash grab?

Thought provoking because knowing I have to pay does raise my awareness (a good thing) and encourages me to bring my plethora of new reuseable bags (when I remember them, but that's another thing).

I guess I like the new system BUT what really ticks me off is now when we bring our bags, if it was a store that used to have a bagger, they no longer help you bag your groceries!!? Come on! I pay for the bags but you decrease my service too???

Honestly, if I have 2 kids with me sometimes my main driver over what store to go to is based solely on if they WILL help me with my cart full of (expensive!) groceries. I mean, I'm willing to pay the upcharged price on my full cart of food vs the box store just to have the 5 minutes of help on the way out.

Moms - I know you understand this. With a crazy 18 month old who has perfected the undo of the strap by the end of the trip now trying to climb out, an almost 4 yr old fascinated by the balloons and candy at the checkout (allergic to nuts - do not touch!!) and I'm trying to pay and I have to bag my own freakin' groceries and then I'm feeling awful because I'm holding up the whole stupid line of senior citizens because I can't get them packed fast enough between yelling "come back here" to wandering kid #1 and "stop climbing" to kid #2....

Then I drop my wallet with change scattering and start to sweat.............

Just pack my bags dammit. I came here so you'd help me! I'll pay the 5 cents if you pack them and get me the heck out of here...

Whew - sorry that was a rant. dumb grocery bags. Forget saving the planet, save the moms!