Having a Baby or Just Gave Birth? Three Freebies for You
If you’re expecting a new arrival or just gave birth you can sign up for these free programs – even if you’re planning on breastfeeding or signed up in the past. You can always donate anything you don’t use to someone in need.
The Nestle Baby Program
Includes a bag, can of formula, babybottle, pack of newborn Huggies diapers, rice cereal, and coupons.
Enfamil New Beginnings
Includes a can of formula, ready to feed bottle, single serve packs for baby and toddlers, and coupons.
Similac Club
Includes a can of formula and coupons.
After signing up you’ll receive coupons by mail, which is great if you’re formula feeding, or if you’re not it won’t be hard to find someone to take them off your hands. They’d also be good for coupon trading. I also got one phone call from Similac following up, but telling them you’re breastfeeding gets them off your back quick. They were extremely kind and polite.
FREE Lego Magazine
Have a Lego lover on your hands? Subscribe to the free Lego magazine. Depending on the child’s age they’ll either get the regular Lego magazine or Lego Jr. The magazine will come monthly for two years. Each issue is packed with content like comics, colouring pages, and building instructions. Just be careful – they also send the annual Lego sets catalogue!
Even if your kid isn’t into Lego they will still have fun reading this and actually getting mail. Click here to sign up for the 2 year FREE subscription!
Why Playstation Plus is a Great Deal
Have some gamers in your house? If you own a Playstation 3 or Playstation Vita you’re probably aware that they offer a variety of free services such as online play, Netflix (with subscription), and other content you’d have to pay for on the Xbox 360. All you need to buy are the games… But that can really add up, especially if your kids only play them for an hour before getting bored.
Enter Playstation Plus. So what will it’s $50 a year pricetag get you?
- 18 FULL game downloads. The games cover a wide range of genres so kids are parents will get something they enjoy. Notable titles include Little Big Planet 2 and Infamous 2.
- Monthly free games. That’s right, new free games are added each month. As long as you’re still a member you get to keep any free games you’ve downloaded in the past when new ones come out. Over a year this could get you 30+ free games.
- Extra discounts. Every week games and content are discounted for plus members. When certain games go on sale, they get discounted farther for plus members. Sometimes you can preorder games at a discount.
- Full game demos. You get to download the entire game and play an hour of it so you can experience any part of the game you want to see. This is a great way for kids to try before they buy without having to pay $10 a video store (if you can still find one).
- Extra features. Automatic updates and game downloads while you sleep, syncing game data to a cloud server to play on different consoles or share with Vita, exclusive content downloads, and early demos.
With video games costing upwards of $70 each it’s hard to find a deal like this. You can find more about Playstation Plus here. Or, if your considering adding a PS3 to your home this system comes with a year of Plus.
Monster Cookie Recipe
I don’t make monster cookies often since they require a lot of expensive ingredients. Easter M&Ms were half price at Walmart the other day so I picked up two big bags. You can make spring monster cookies too!
Preheat oven to 350c
Combine
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup shortening
1/4 cup water
1 tsp vanilla
3 cups oatmeal
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
Pinch of salt
1 cup M&Ms
Drop and flatten on a cookie sheet and bake for about 8-10 minutes.
Canadian Government Eliminating Tariffs on Baby Clothes
The first time I ordered from Gymboree online I was shocked. It was only a few clearance items, but when I went to pick it up I had a nice border fee waiting for me. Suddenly not such a good deal.
Up until a few days ago Canadians were paying a whopping 18% tariff on baby clothes. That’s the stuff you import yourself and the stuff you buy in store. They’ve completely eliminated this fee in hopes to make baby clothes more affordable. It’s unclear which sizes are considered “baby clothes” or how this will affect consumers but it seems to be a step in the right direction for families. Also included in the new budget is eliminating tariffs on some sports equipment. You can still expect to pay 5% GST on your imports.
If you were planning on ordering baby clothes from other countries now is the time! Maybe get some cute European fashions?
Indoor Activities for Kids Under 6
Here’s a roundup of the local activities you can bring your baby, toddler, or preschooler to in Cold Lake. With the exception of holidays, these are open daily or weekly depending on the program. Listed in order of price.
The Parent Link Centre (Pictured above)
They have a lot of toys, an indoor play structure, planned activities, crafts, and lots more. This is a fantastic facility! And this program is FREE!
Located at 5607-54 Street, Cold Lake, Alberta
Friday mornings are located at the Cold Lake Energy Centre Playroom
Open Monday-Friday
9:00 am – 11:30 am and 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Cold Lake Public Library
They do storytime and crafts for babies/toddlers and preschoolers. These programs are FREE!
Harbour View Branch is located at 1301 8th Ave. and Grand Centre Branch is located at 5513 B 48th Ave.
Baby Rhyme Time (Ages 0-2)
Harbour View Branch ONLY - Mondays
10:00 am – 10:30 am
Preschool Story Time (Ages 2-5)
Wednesdays at Grand Centre Branch and Thursdays at Harbour View Branch
Starts at 10:30am
Busy Little Hands Playgroup
This is a volunteer run drop in program where your can visit with friends and kids can play with a variety of toys/centres. Drop in cost is $1 per family.
Located at the MFRC on base – Use the childcare entrance.
Monday, Wednesday and Friday
9:00 am – 11:00 am
Open Play
A huge variety of play equipment including trampolines, balance beams, and jungle gyms. This requires pre-purchase of a punch card at the JJPARR, $20 for 5 punch pass, 1 punch per child.
Located at Mackenzie School on base.
Fridays until May 31, 2013
9:15 am – 11:15 am
JJPARR Parent and Tot Swim
Parent and tot swimming in the little pool. This program requires membership and fees vary, aprox. $20 per month.
Located at the JJPARR on base
Monday to Friday
11:30 am – 1:00 pm
The Energy Centre Playgound
Drop in Play at equipment. You have to either have a family membership or pay drop in of $3.50 per child.
Located at the Cold Lake Energy Centre
Monday to Friday
6:00 am – 10:00 pm
Hanging Butterfly Craft
As we were making these butterflies it was snowing outside, but at least it’s cheerful in the house! These butterflies are super easy and cute, but you’ll have to help little ones a lot. Even my 5 year old struggled feeding the string through the straw.
1. Get a blank piece of paper, heavier paper is better but I used regular paper.
2. Paint the paper entirely with watered down paint.
3. Sprinkle salt all over the paper while the paint is still wet.
4. This is the hardest step, wait for paint to dry.
5. Shake off excess salt.
6. Fold paper in half with the painted side facing out. Glue together.
7. Fold in half again.
8. Draw and cut two butterfly wings on the fold so when you open the paper you get a full butterfly.
9. Cut a the end off bendy straw just above the bendy part then cut a slit through the bendy (bumpy) bit to make the feelers.
10. Feed a string through the straw and knot or add a bead and knot at the end.
11. Glue straw to the butterfly and let dry.
12. Hand up anywhere your house needs more butterflies!
Homemade Playdough Recipe
This is recipe I used, which yielded more then enough playdough for one child. Pictured is the recipe doubled, minus a chunk my kids forgot to put away that we discovered.
3 cups flour
1.5 cups salt
6 tsp. cream of tarter
3 tbsp. oil
3 cups water
Food colouring – to be added later if using multiple colours or added with everything else if you’re only doing one.
Mix all ingredients into a large pot. Over medium heat, stir constantly until the dough peels away from the sides and thickens to playdough consistency. Put playdough on a floured board and knead until it resembles playdough. I added more flour so it would be less sticky. Let cool and store in an airtight container, it should keep for at least 3 months.
If you’re looking for a cheap and no cook alternative you can also use just salt, flour, and water.
1/4 cup salt
1 cup flour
1/4 cup water
Knead them together, adding more water as necessary. This will not keep as long or be as nice as the recipe above.
The Beehive Thrift Shop – The Best Store in Town!
The Beehive (pictured above) is my favorite place to shop. Hands down. They have the best prices of any thrift shop I’ve been to, while still being clean and organized. They also allow for consignment items so you can make money or get higher quality things. The store is completely volunteer run too! The staff have been there for years and they’re all kind and welcoming. It’s also very child friendly.
You can find them on base behind the Tempo.
They’re only open 3 days a week for 2 hour blocks so here are their hours:
Tuesday – 1-3pm
Thursday – 7-9pm
Saturday – 10-12pm
The last 3 open days of each month are bag days and since they’re closed for the summer all of June is bag day as well! I go early to stock up on clothes for the kids.
Cold Lake Public Library Indoor Garage Sale June 1/2013
Cold Lake Public Library is having an indoor garage sale on Saturday, June 1st, 2013. If you like garage sales like I do it’d be a good idea to mark your calendar. The sale runs 10am to 3pm.
You can also book a table for this event for just $10.00! To register visit the library and bring $10 cash before May 15th. Space is limited so register early.
What a great way to make some extra money without the hassle of having your own garage sale, or shop in one spot!