Father's Day Present Ideas on a Budget

Father's Day is just around the corner. Time to think of a present from the 'kids'. The days of buying dad a tie are long gone (I hope)! But what to get your husband can be quite challenging. I can think of a lot of things, but my budget is small. Very small. Pretty well, non existent small. I'm just starting up momstown Winnipeg, so this Work at Home Mom isn't exactly bringing in the steady income yet. And I can't exactly ask hubby for some money for his own present.

What I would really like to buy him is a getaway for two (us without the kids). But that is certainly not in my budget. He's been wanting to start working out again, but a gym membership isn't in my budget either. So this Father's Day I am going to teach my daughter that the meaning of giving isn't about fancy, shiny objects, or expensive trips. It's about giving from the heart.

So I went to momstown's arts and crafts blog to get some inspiration. And today we got crafty! My favourite craft also brought tears to me eyes. A beautiful poem that shows the innocence of a child and the importance of teaching your children the right path in life. I choose this because in my eyes my husband is doing a bang up job of this. He couldn't be a better role model.

momstown Oakville made this Father's Day Art: 'Walk a Little Slower' at their Craft Kids Playgroup. It's my favourite. We had a blast making this today. Bella and Benji got their feet all full of paint!

We also printed some alphabet letter templates to spell out DAD, courtesy of Kiboomu! We painted one set, and the other set we took an idea from momstown's D is for Dad post and made it our own. We didn't have photo's so we just took a bunch of coloured paper, had fun ripping it into pieces and pasted the pieces onto the letters. I'm running out tonight to buy some frames and we'll have some beautiful art for daddy's office!

There are lots of different arts and crafts ideas that you and the kids can do this Father's Day. Check out more ideas on the momstown blog.

What Do You Really Want For Mother's Day?

Mother's Day is coming soon. My husband mentioned to me today that he had to go to the mall with my daughter some time tomorrow to run an 'errand'. Yes, he remembered! But does he know what I really want for Mother's Day. What I really want is not in the mall.

You can't buy what most mom's really want. Don't get me wrong. We'll be happy with a bought gift. We'll be even happier with a made gift. What's more thoughtful then a gift made with love! Check out momstown's Art's and Craft's blog for some ideas. You may want to casually leave the 10 Homemade Mother's Day Gift's blog page open on the computer for daddy to see!

Egg Carton Flower

I do want to spend Mother's Day with my children. But I also would love to have some 'alone' time. When you are a stay-at-home mom with a newborn, personal space is non-existent. A break for me is having someone watch the kids while I clean the bedroom or get groceries. Oh 'alone' time. How I miss you some times. It's not uncommon for my daughter, the baby and my dog to climb on my lap at the same time. Although I love the feeling of being so loved and wanted, I do miss being alone sometimes. And there is actually one gift that would be on the top of my list this year. Sleep! I have a 3 week old baby at home, so sleep is a luxury now a days. I know that this isn't very possible with the hungry baby boy I have at home. But even 4 hours! How I'd love a good 4 hour stretch! Here's to hoping my baby boy gives me the greatest gift of all this year!

So mama's, what is on the top of your wish list this year? Perfume, flowers, brunch, being alone, being together, home made gifts? What will make your Mother's Day perfect?

"Egg"stravagant Easter in Winnipeg

March has come and gone and still no baby. Looks like he'll be an April baby. Hard to believe it's April with all the snow still on the ground!

But that's okay. April is one of my favourite months! It's all about spring cleaning, flowers, and of course Easter! And what better way to start teaching my daughter all about Easter then with some Easter crafts!

So I checked out momstown.ca's blog for some inspiration and ideas. I found a craft that was perfect for my 2 year old toddler and was absolutely adorable! It's called the 'Egg Carton Easter Chicks'. You can find the instructions for this craft and lots more on the arts and crafts blog. 

Some other great craft ideas to check out:  

Cotton Ball Bunnies
"Stained Glass" Egg window hanging
Old Fashioned Egg Painting
Easter Egg Mosaic
101 Uses for Plastic Eggs 

We can't wait to launch here in Winnipeg. Look out for our Easter Egg Hunt next April! But until then, here are some great local events around Winnipeg to celebrate spring and the Easter season as a family: 

Fort Whyte Alive has an Easter Craft taking place Saturday, April 23 from 1 pm - 3 pm. They are also putting on an Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday, April 24 from 12 pm - 2 pm. The cost for the Egg Hunt is $3/child, Members: free. They also have a brunch before hand that cost $26.50, Members are $23.50 and children under 10 cost $15.

The Western Canadian Aviation Museum is putting on an "Egg"stravagant Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 23 from 10 am - 12 pm. $5/adult, $2 for members, children under 2 are free. 

Some more great events that I wanted to share with you:

Easter Eggstravaganza (YMCA Winnipeg)

West Portage YMCA - When: Sat, April 16 from 11am – 1pm 
Elmwood YMCA - When: Sat, April 16 from 1pm – 3pm 
YMCA Downtown - When: Sun, April 17 from 6pm – 8pm