Friday, May 10, 2013

Best spots for Mother's Day Brunch in Winnipeg


Whether you're looking for Mother's Day brunch in Winnipeg that's fancy or family-friendly, we've got five great spots to recommend that will suit different tastes and budgets - and treat mom with a brunch that she doesn't have to cook herself!



Cora's is tried and true for brunch - sure to please the whole family and at great prices, too!




Sunday brunch at Buccacino's is all you can eat for $14.99 - great deal right in the heart of Osborne Village! Click here to make a resevation.




Looking for something upscale? Try the Current restaurant at Inn at the Forks. A special Mother's Day brunch buffet is available from 9am to 3pm - reservations required.




For a family-friendly option that won't break the bank, try the homey Southdale Village Family Restaurant. Check out a recent review that recommends this family-owned, cosy place for Mother's Day.

 Storm Bistro at the Winnipeg Art Gallery offers a Mother's Day brunch with two sittings available. Enjoy delicious food while enjoying the penthouse view and rooftop sculpture garden.



Do you have a favourite brunch location in Winnipeg for Mother's Day? Let our readers know!

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Things to do in Winnipeg for families this spring and summer!

Winnipeg is an amazing, family-friendly city - its parks, open spaces, and entertainment offer tons of options for family outings. Whether it's a day a the park or a jam-packed outing to the amusement park or museum, Winnipeg has it all for families to enjoy!



Assiniboine Park boasts open spaces, a Zoo, and children's programs year round! Click here to learn more about this outdoor treasure in Winnipeg and how you and your family can enjoy its offerings.




Kid City is Winnipeg's ultimate indoor play centre with 2 locations in Winnipeg. Summer camps, birthday parties, and drop-in play - click here for full details.

The Forks is at Winnipeg's heart, in the centre of downtown and has something for everyone, from shopping to dining to seasonal events. For an event calendar to help you plan a visit, click here.



A visit to Tinkertown in the summertime is fun for the whole family - and starting in May Tinkertown is open on weekends too - click here for a full schedule of when you can take advantage of the rides, amusements, and games for all ages!


The Children's Museum is one of Winnipeg's best places for hands-on, educational fun for children! Drop-in or take advantage of workshops and special events. For more information, click here.

What's your favourite family fun place in Winnipeg? We'd love to hear from you!

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

momstown Winnipeg is for sale!


 

momstown Winnipeg seeks entrepreneur!

The momstown mission


Our mission is Connecting neighbourhood moms. One community at a time.

momstown.ca is a social networking, media and event company geared for moms with children aged 0-6 years old. The dual goal of each momstown chapter is to connect neighbourhood moms both online and in-person with over 20 local, in-person events monthly. Additionally, as a media company we invite and integrate brands and local advertisers into our mom dialogue.

momstown is here at the right time and the right place. momstown is part of the social networking wave that is changing the way the online world operates and how society is behaving, learning and most importantly, parenting.


Join the momstown movement

We’re looking for moms, like you, to join the momstown movement.

Are you searching for a business that is flexible and family friendly? Are you passionate about children, parenting, and connecting with like-minded mothers? How about internet-savvy, enthusiastic, self-motivated and leadership driven? Are you looking for an income, a fulfilling way to contribute to your family and an at-home business you can be proud of?

momstown is a dynamic small business to run - fun event planning with revenue earned from advertising sales and membership fees. It's perfect for a mom who wants to continue being the primary parent while owning a family-focused and mommy relevant business. momstown may be the right choice for you.


A bit about momstown

momstown is the original Canadian mom network, the only mom ‘website’ to plan regular events and achieve massive reach within the social media sphere.

Initially launched in August 2007 in Burlington, Ontario, with a focus to create a more integrated moms group, momstown was an immediate success because it met a relevant need in a unique and modern fashion. Our teacher-developed momstown educational curriculum is focused on early literacy, community involvement & local parents.

Today, with strategic partnerships with CBC Kids, Scholastic Canada and a study commissioned by the University of Waterloo on the benefits to mothers brought by momstown, we are not the only ones to recognize the value that momstown brings to a community.

Our national network of momstown influencers and bloggers, with real-life neighbourhood connections, is the host of hundreds of monthly community events for moms and is unique gem in Canada.


Our National momstown team - Spring 2012

A momstown License Includes

  • Exclusive license to own and run your momstown geographic territory
  • Revenue from all local membership fees, local advertising via online, newsletter & email advertising, event sponsorships, & social media campaigns.
  • Territory specific, social networking Website, up and running from Day one
  • License to run proprietary momstown event programming complete with in-depth 5 year momstown national educational curriculum.
  • momstown Training & Business Support
momstown is a turn-key operation, ready to be fueled by your vision and energy for your community.


momstown Testimonials

"momstown is the most vibrant mom community in Canada today. They've been able to take the best of the 1980's support group and carry that into the high-tech era for modern moms today."
Ann Douglas, Author & Parenting Expert

Having been around since momstown’s beginning, I’ve seen its team in action at national meetings and watched it grow from one chapter into a vibrant, licensed business. Momstown is a great step for any new entrepreneur who wants to work for herself, provide beneficial service to her community and stay rooted in family life. We need more momstowns in Canada!"
Julie Cole, Co-founder of Mabel's Labels

"It's been a privilege seeing Momstown grow over the past little while. My instructors have developed a lovely relationship with Momstown owners all across Canada. I love that there are businesses like Momstown that allows women to be their own bosses, that is why I started my business as well. From one mom entrepreneur to another I can honestly say that joining a strong team of people like Momstown will be a wonderful experience."
Laura Berg, President and Founder of My Smart Hands


Learn more here about the momstown business and how to become a momstown entrepreneur. Please fill in the licensing interest form here and/or email info.winnipeg@momstown.ca for further information.


Interested in what our current team thinks about the momstown entrepreneur opportunity?




Sunday, September 16, 2012

Status change of momstown Winnipeg

Big changes for momstown Winnipeg: The past licensee and owner of momstown Winnipeg, has left the business suddenly,  as of September 15, 2012. Unfortunately, without an active owner, there is no other choice than to close momstown Winnipeg. 

Effective September 17th 2012, momstown programming and interactive program pillars will no longer be in effect. All past membership dues were collected and earned locally, therefore, to obtain a pro-rated refund for your membership, please contact the previous owner directly.

momstown.ca has been open for the last 5 years and our goal has always been, and continues to be, to connect neighbourhood moms. This objective is true to our values and makes this situation with momstown Winnipeg extremely hard as we know how important the relationships are that you have made with other momstown moms.

Our team  at momstown HQ and momstown licensees from other chapters in Canada have been brainstorming together on how to help you, the moms of momstown Winnipeg,  stay connected during the closure. We’ve decided that from September 17th onwards, the chapter will be “dormant” until a new owner is found and re-opens the business.

What does this (ie: dormant chapter state) mean to you as a member?
  • The website will remain live for current members to use and chat on the message board
  • The calendar will be culled of all momstown programs (ie: Jr Chef, Art & Play etc) but if you were hosting an event and still wish to do so, you are more than welcome to let us know and we can post it on the calendar
  • Memberships will halt. New people who register for momstownunfortunately, will not be activated and will be informed the chapter is dormant until future announcements.
  • Your current active membership will allow you into the momstown Winnipeg site, if your expiry is pending, please contact us and we will extend it until a formal sale of the business is made.
  • Once there is a new owner announced and a date set to re-open  momstown Winnipeg, you will be sent an email immediately with all the exciting details. We hope to have a new owner before the end of 2012.
  • Once the re-opening date arrives, your existing time on your membership will be voided (since your  old pro-rated membership should be paid out) a new membership will need to be paid to the new owner for the future programming.
  • The momstown Winnipeg Facebook Fan Page and this blog will remain live with limited updates posted. The monthly newsletter will stop, but you will still get the national newsletter.
  • Owners from momstown Edmonton and Team Leaders for momstown West, Janine & Kristin, are your current ‘go-to’ for any questions, contacts or help. They will check in on the message board regularly. They are not the new owners of momstown Winnipeg but will lead the sale process and eventual training of a new owner.
  • If you are keen to get involved to volunteer or help out during this transition, please contact us.
  • If you or someone you know, is interested in joining momstown business family, you can contact us either via Janine or Kristin or you read more about the licensing program here.
Thank-you in advance for your continued support and patience as we manage this transition. momstown is truly is committed to keeping moms connected and we feel this is a positive solution to a very unusual circumstance.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Babies In Bloom with Ms. April

Yesterday momstown moms had a chance to check out Babies In Bloom for a special preview of the Play School Program offered by Ms. April. The session was so popular that we quickly filled up 2 sessions, with a wait-list of eager moms wanting to check out this very unique Play School. 

The first thing we all commented on when we entered the facility was the tranquil environment. It was lovely! It felt like a spa for children. 


The Play School program provides families a unique, enriching, indoor play and learning environment.


It is designed for children... allowing them to explore, including climbers and rocking toys all for 0-3 years of age. These materials encourage children to develop their gross motor abilities that include the ability to crawl, sit, stand, and walk in a fun and safe play space.




Total class time is 2.5 hours, which includes Circle Time... singing songs, finger plays, educational games and bubble play. Ms. April explained to us just how important circle time was to children as it assists in them accepting transitions, helps them work as a group as well as builds their confidence and social skills.

Ms. April explained to us the Montessori philosophy, how it benefits the child and showed us examples through hands on interaction with each of our children. It was incredible to see my child sitting and playing (and learning!!) with ONE toy. I'll be the first to admit that my home is filled with way too many toys and my children quickly lose focus, jumping from one toy to the other. 



Babies In Bloom is an amazing and unique concept. It is a perfect place for children who are not in a daycare or preschool setting to attend as it allows them to prepare for kindergarten and the school years. It also allows children to work at their own speed and development. Not to mention providing networking and peer support among parents, which we all know is so necessary! The sessions are also flexible in that parents, grandparents or nannies can attend with the child. 

The next session starts this October. Be sure to visit the open house this Saturday, September 15 from 11 am to 1 pm. momstown members, be sure to show your momstown badge to receive a special discount! Members save on the registration fee for the fall session.

For more details on Babies In Bloom and the different programs offered visit www.babiesinbloom.ca



Monday, September 10, 2012

The Biggest Loser Has Been Crowned!

12 weeks, over 20 moms. One common goal. To shed the pounds and be fit and healthy.

momstown Winnipeg started a Biggest Loser Competition during the summer. Moms got together every couple of weeks to go over success stories, challenges, and to weigh-in and measure themselves. To be part of it, members had to pay in $20 (enough to keep you motivated) to have a chance to win it. Two winners split the pot. Winner of the total % of weight lost and winner of the total % of inches lost. The fabulous Baby Boutique, Lux for Sprouts, graciously hosted us. We even got to leave our scale and measuring tape there in case any mom wanted to pop in throughout the summer to weigh-in on her own time.



It was a challenge alright. We all found summer to be a tough time to eat healthy. Something about vacations, hot summer days, drinks on the patio, and BBQ's that make it extra tough. Some of us, myself included, dropped out. Slowly the mom's remaining in the competition went down in number. And leave it to momstown to have a contestant withdraw because she is expecting. Best reason to withdraw from a weight lost competition!  :)

So here were the remaining Biggest Loser Contestants, weighing in for the finale.


Prizes courtesy of Lux for Sprouts and Candies & Dolls!


So who was crowned the Biggest Loser?


Congratulations to Micheline and Carmyn! Micheline won for the greatest % of weight lost and Carmyn won for greatest % of inches lost.


Look at all that money that they won! Well deserved ladies!

Monday, August 27, 2012

Little People Disney Princess Songs Palace from Fisher-Price is a Hit!

This month the kids and I were lucky to get to review the Little People Disney Princess Songs Palace from Fisher-Price. It was a hit with the kids. From the moment it arrived at our door steps they were eager to test it out. The looks on their faces when I showed them the box was priceless!

Set up was nice and easy. I actually assembled it with the help of my 3 year old. My 16 month old kept stealing the pieces but we managed to set it up in no time!


Both kids played together. I watched as they created a story of their own, chatting away and moving the Princesses around, through the doors and up the tower!


My daughter has spent hours playing with this toy. She has since claimed it to be hers and she finds some quite time entranced in a make-believe world of princesses. What little three year old wouldn't love this toy!


Of course my son tries to get in there when big sister isn't looking. Poor little guy!


Want one of your own? You can enter to win this Fisher-Price Disney Princess Castle here. By hurry it ends August 31, 2012. Good luck!