Pumpkin Fair 2014 - A day trip for everyone on Oct 4th!

Saturday October 4th - Mark your calendars ladies & gents. 
The Smoky Lake Pumpkin Fair is an annual event that has been happening for years and it is just a mere 1.5 hours drive North East of Edmonton. 

There are tons of things to do all day for everyone such as a Pumpkin auctions, farmers market, mini midway, petting zoo and so much more. There is also a food court set up with many delicious options and a beer garden as well. 
Plan to stay until at-least 5:30pm so you can see the epic pumpkin drop. 
(See video above) 

P.S. There are also convenient shuttle services offered throughout the day as well. 

~Enjoy~ 

Party in the Park! FREE fun for your Family this Saturday! Details inside.

Party in the Park 

Come and join Winnifred Stewart Association at Winnifred Stewart Park to celebrate summer! 

There will be hot dogs and refreshments served by FAT FRANKS, lots of games, face painting, and the ABCRC will be there with some activities and give aways! 

When: Saturday August 16th 

Time: 12pm-3pm 

Where: 12815 116 Aven (Winnifred Stewart Park) 

Cost: FREE

There is not catch all you need to do is RSVP by Friday to 

Tracy @ TraceyK@wsaf.ca or 780.453.6707

The in's and outs of the K-Days parade!

Friday is the K-Days parade and both Carter and I are super excited to be in the parade again this year. (Another reason my work is so awesome)

Last year Carter was a super star running along the side lines and giving hi fives to all the people sitting on the side walks. 
It's all he has been talking about since he found out he was going to be in the parade again this year!! 

For anyone who is planning to go, especially when travelling with children the more information you have, the better!! This is what I have learned over the past few years and hopefully you find it helpful too!  

What time to go? 
The parade starts at 10:00am and getting there early to stake out the perfect spot is ideal. If I were going to stake out a spot I would go for 9:15ish. 

Where to park? 
Taking the bus or the LRT downtown is the best idea! There is limited parking in close proximity to the parade because of construction (arena, road work, etc..) as well as many roads being shut down for the parade. Park and Ride is a great option. 

What to bring
Lawn chairs or a blanket to sit on the cement. 
Hats
Sunscreen
Snacks (The parade from start to finish can last up to 2 hours) 
Water bottles 
Money (If you want to purchase items from the vendors walking up and down the street) 
Camera 

Where to sit 
Check out the map of the parade, my favorite spot is by City Hall. Even though it is at the end of the parade, it is still my favorite place to sit. 
Locations that have natural shade will make the parade an enjoyable experience. 

If you see Carter and I in the parade, be sure to yell hi and have a great time!! 

A chance to win Four Ride all day passes for K-Days - Contest ends Friday July 11th @ 6pm!!

Are you looking to buy Ride All Day passes for K-Days? 
Close your wallet and check out this contest first! 

Macaroni Kid Edmonton is giving you the chance to win FOUR Ride All Day passes for K-Days! 
(Yes these include admission) 

Entering is easy and you can go here to enter. 

The contest ends Friday July 11th @ 6pm and the winner will be contacted via email. 

Make sure you read the rules to qualify. 
And if you don't already make sure you subscribe to Macaroni Kid. It is an awesome resource of all things family happening in and around Edmonton! 

Thursday date night at the Garden - Staycation idea #4!

Outdoor enthusiast unite! 
This will be a date night to remember! 

Enjoy a walk around the beautiful Devonian Botanic Garden until dusk every Thursday from now until the end of August! 

Dancing. Movie. Rumba. Games. 
Every Thursday also has a different theme so there is something for everyone.

Admission is affordable and includes the entertainment..  
$11/Adults $6/Students $8/Seniors $8/Friends of the Garden 
(Passes & coupons accepted for all Thursday's EXCEPT the movie night) 

The more you buy, the more you save.. 
If you know that you want to attend more then on of the date nights, there are multi-packs available! 

Tantalizing your taste buds! 
You can order some light fare from the Loft Patio Cafe or bring your own picnic... 
(BYOB is not allowed..sorry folks..rules are rules...but you can buy some bevee's there) 

There is free popcorn! 

Plan which night you want to attend, information is here! 

P.S
Date nights are rain or shine! (within reason) 

Canada Day celebrations, FREE pancake breakfasts, and firework.. OH MY!

Wondering what's happening in and around Edmonton for Canada Day?
Get the happenings here! 







CELEBRATIONS

Edmonton

Terwilliger Community League

Tomlinson Park 1765 Tomlinson Common NW

11:00am-3:00pm - Bouncy houses, games, fun & food trucks!!

2:30pm - Canada Day Parade. Stop off at the SWAG table and decorate your bikes, strollers, wagons etc..and enter to participate in the parade. 

More info here

City Hall 
1:00pm - 4:00pm 
Free music and activities for kids

Edmonton Valley Zoo - Celebrate their 55^th Birthday on Canada Day

11:00am-5:00pm - Canadian Geographic GIANT Floor Map games, crafts, cupcakes, and other activities TBA

*Regular admission prices apply*  

St.Albert
Canada Day Celebrations
Sir Winston Churchill Ave, St.Albert
11:00am-3:00pm - Wagon rider, petting zoo, cake, games, crafts, and other activities.  
4:00pm - 10:30pm - Family fun and dance, photo booth, and inflatable obstacle course. 
5:30pm -10:30- Kids carnival 
More info here

FREE/CHEAP PANCAKE BREAKFASTS

Edmonton
Alberta Legislature
7:00am-10:00am 

Sherwood Park 

Axiom Mortgage Solutions Pancake Breakfast & Stage Show

Community Centre (401 Festival Lane)
9:00am -11:30am

Bring a non perishable food item for the food bank.

More info here

St.Albert
Heritage Lakes Pancake Breakfast at Ecole La Mission
46 Heritage Drive 
9:00am - 11:00am 
More info here

Spruce Grove
Serving the first 1000 people 
$3 per plate! 
Jubilee Park 
510 Grove Drive
8:00am - 10:00am 

FIREWORKS
They are happening in Edmonton in various places, Sherwood Park, St. Albert, and Spruce Grove. 
All set for 11:00pm.  Get all the info here

DIY Coffee mug designs.

When I  was on Maternity leave with Sophie, Carter attended an art class called Petite Piccasco's through our local YMCA. One of the projects was drawing on a mug. We were suppose to bake the mugs at home but it never happened and then it was soon packed up because we sold our Condo. Fast forward to last week when we found it and it went into the sink to be washed.....and then it came out with 90% of the ink washed off. Since Father's Day is getting close, this was a perfect craft for Carter and Sophie to do for Kris.  

I chose to use Bic Markit Pens because when reading the back of the package it said that you could use them on damp surfaces. I figured this might be a better choice for something that needs to be washed...

I found $1 mugs at Walmart and preheated the oven to 450 degrees while we decorated our mugs. 

iOnce we were finished decorating our mugs I placed them on baking sheets and baked them for 35 minutes. When the time was up I turned off the oven, opened the oven door and let the cups cool down in the oven. There was some fading of the colours but it was slight and nothing extremely noticeable. **It is important to let the cups cool down gradually because if there is a sudden and drastic change in temperature there is a pretty high chance that the cups will crack or burst**

Once cool I put one of the cups in the dishwasher with a regular load and it came out with all the art creations intact. 

While Carter & Sophie made these mugs for Father's Day after the millionth time of Carter sneaking the cup from it's hiding place and saying "oh daddy we have a present for you" Kris got his Father's Day present 2 weeks early.. :/ 

 This was a perfect projects to do with kids,and this really is a multi age project.. the possibilities for ways to draw and decorate this are endless. 

Plus with the cups and markers together it came in under $20...and the markers can be used for so much more. 

Tips & Ideas 

Ensure that price stickers and glue for price stickers are removed. 

(It will burn if you don't)

When baking the cups it smells a little- open a window or put on a fan

Pinterest is a great inspiration tool

For consistent and even designs use stencils or draw your design with a pen or pencil

The markers come off with a real good scrub if you get it on your skin

For many more ideas on what else to do with Bic Markit permanent pens check out this Bic Markit website.

Remember, if you like what you read don't forget to subscribe to receive emails from Just another Edmonton mommy. 

Cheap movies - find out where to see them!

This past Friday after Carter's soccer game we decided to go and see a cheap movie at Movies 12. 

Movies 12 has been around for a long time and it brings back so many fond memories. I can recall many Friday nights hanging out there with friends. 

The majority of the movies that are shown are not the movies that are just out, they are movies that have left the regular theatre and some may or may not have been already released on DVD already. There are some first run movies as well and admission for that is $11.00.

(FYI Frozen is playing there right now)

The best part is that you don't have to wait until the once a month movies happening on a Saturday morning to go to a movie that won't make you go broke. 

Children under 2 are FREE so paying for 3 of us to go to a movie, on a Friday night... was just under $12!!!! (Admission is $3.99)

Another great thing? Tuesdays you only pay $2.25 to see a movie.

But there is more...are you a Scene Card member?? (It's FREE)...if you are, you save 10% off of the admission price

You can sign up at the theatre or go here to sign up online

The theatre is located in North Edmonton @ 5074-103 Ave.

Want to know what movies are playing? Check out the Edmonton Movie Guide to find out the times and movies. 

Happy movie watching! 

P.S.

Think...air conditioning on that super hot day that you just can't handle anymore......

Happy 1st Birthday Cafe 'O' Play Sherwood Park !!

Today Cafe 'O' Play Sherwood Park is celebrating their 1st birthday! 
The event goes from 9am-2pm and the admission is $5! 
There will be cake, local prizes and a draw to win a FREE 2hr booking with Cafe 'O' Play! 
Something else exciting?? Mr.Milo will also be there!! 
Not sure where to go??
The address for Cafe 'O' Play Sherwood Park is: 50 Athabascan Avenue 


Happy Birthday Cafe 'O' Play!!! 


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Worm update & answering your questions

So a little before Mothers Day, I left my compost worm bin outside and then thought I killed the compost worms.. Big sigh of relief though... I found them on Mothers Day!!! They are alive and well and still too teeny to get an actual picture of..but they are there!

Since I wrote my first post about our compost worms I have had a few people send me emails about worm composting. (Disclaimer: I am not a worm composting professional I just have done some research..hello Google!..and also talked to people who have compost worms..share the knowledge!!) 

1. Doesn't it stink?

Nope, not so far and it has been about a month.  From what I have been told, if it starts to stink then you have a. too much food in there b. you are not burying the food in the dirt c. you need a bigger container.

2. What do you keep them in? 

A rubbermaid that is not clear (worms like the dark) and hubby drilled some holes into the lid. Easy peasy. You can buy actual worm compost containers if you want. You can also DIY so many - check out this website for a DIY compost bin. 

3. Do they try to escape? 

They haven't yet, they are way too small. And if you do find that you have worms trying to go AWOL then you have made their home too wet or too dry. I add a 1/4 cup when it looks a little dry, and add it to each corner. You may just also need a bigger bin. 

4. So how do you use it in your garden? 

First of all lay a flattened card board box on the ground. Now bring the bin out, take the lid off and set it in the sun fora 10 minutes or so. This is so the worms go to the bottom. You then take a layer off of the top and put it on the card board and let it sit in the sun so that if there are any worms in there they die. Then you use it as you would any other compost. 

5. Why do you put it in the sun? 

Well compost worms are called Red Wiggler worms. If you put them directly into the dirt with Earth Worms they will kill the Earth Worms. Let's not create an apocalypse k?  So basically the dirt goes into the sun to kill any potential worms.. 

Until next time!! :) 

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A lesson in preserves - Learn to make Jam and support local initiatives.

I have always wanted to learn how to make my own jam, but honestly the process intimidates me..(I am sure that goes for many). But what if there was a class that taught you how to make jam, by knowledgeable cooks and for an affordable price?? 

I am super excited to hear about the local Not for Profit group Fruits of Sherbrooke and their new jam making classes being offered through the Westmount Community hall. 

For $50 , two very knowledgeable cooks help you to learn two jam making methods (Traditional & Freezer) AND you get to take home 8-10 jars of your finished product when you're done. What else do you take home?? Knowledge! The ability to be able to preserve in your own home because you know how to! Plus, jam makes great gifts! (Christmas, wedding favors, shower favors...) 

So how do you sign up? You can check out the dates and times that the Fruits of  Sherbrooke is offering the classes here. Don't see a date that works for you or do you already have a group of people that want to learn how to make jam? You can contact Fruits of Sherbrooke @ 780.244.0129 or through email info@fruitsofsherbrooke.ca

Want to try the Fruits of Sherbrookes talents?? See which Farmer's market they are at that is closest to you here. 

You will not be disappointed!!! 

My favorite birthday party venues

We have attended our fair share of children's birthdays in the last 4 years. We have also had to rent space for Carter & Sophie's birthday as our small condo couldn't even fit our immediate family let alone friends and extended family.

This year was different - we had room.  However, there are still people out there that are looking for places to hold their children's birthday parties and I definitely have some favorites!

1. Millwood's Recreation Center- We had Carter's first birthday here and rented the play room upstairs for after swimming. Awesome, warm pool, lots of space, and the party room has lots of kids stuff to play.
The City of Edmonton unfortunately messed up with my original pool booking plans so we actually got the Millwood's Recreation Center for free, but if you were to rent it for an hour of swimming and the party room it would cost about $300.

2. Next Community Church - We had Carter's 2nd & 3rd birthday here. Such a great place! It is the old location of the St. Albert movie theatre which was renovated into a church. The cool thing about this place is that they kept one of the theatre's so you can have a movie screening as well as a play area with enough space for a lot of children plus jungle gym. All of this costs $195 for 3 hours.  For an extra fee of $50 you can also rent the games room which has pinball, video games, air hockey, and foosball. The rental also includes use of the pop machine. (These are birthday party rates, other uses are other fees)

3. The Toy Hutch - We have been to a few birthdays here and it's a great place. It's clean (which is always a plus on my side) and both Sophie and Carter love the bouncy castles. EVERY time we have been here the kids have fallen asleep on the ride home. It's that much fun.

4. Fountain Park Recreation Centre - I had never been to this pool until we were invited to a birthday party there earlier this year. I actually prefer this pool to the other St.Albert pool. You can rent the pool for a private party or you can host a party during public swim hours and rent a meeting room or the preschool play room for cake & presents afterwards.

Do you have a favorite place to host birthday parties, that is not on the list?

The day of Birthdays.

This weekend was crazy!  Saturday night was spent baking over 50 cupcakes for Carter and Sophie's kid birthday party and preparing our crock pot chilli for the extended family birthday party on Sunday evening. I am not sure what I was thinking when I decided to have 2 birthday parties in 1 day but Kris and I rocked them both and we successfully hosted 90 people in our house!!

The Kids Party

We were excited to have Mister Milo from Wonder Why Entertainment and he was awesome.
(And affordable)

We feasted on some pizza, veggies, and also had some tasty cupcakes (recipe to come soon)

One of the greatest things about it all - we were able to host in our home. Words I never thought that I would be able to say so soon.

With a little break in between and some time for Carter to play outside with a friend and cousins, Sophie took a much needed nap. And then it was on to prep for the next party.

The Extended Family Party

This party while there was still a lot of people in our home, was a tad bit more relaxed as there were significantly less children. 

On the menu  

Basic Chilli in bread bowls  

Coleslaw with ginger dressing. 

Blueberry Sour Cream Coffee Cake 

Another success and at the end of it all Carter & Sophie went to sleep, happy and feeling very spoiled and mommy and daddy went downstairs and had some drinks.
Honestly though - I can not wait to do it all again next year. ;)