Lavender Alphabet Soup

Thought I'd share two fab new kiddy products that have recently come my way:

This little cutie is from the Sonoma Lavender company; a family-run farm in northern California where crops are grown and scented products are created for adults and children.  If you'd like a mini vacation, read about their idyllic location and family philosophy here. 

You probably already know that lavender encourages relaxation and restfulness; our daughter loves this mildly-scented, cuddly lamb whom  we've dubbed, "Lily the Lamb" in her honour. You can heat up the lavender sachet stored inside but we haven't done that; I'm pleased with the light scent.  The stuffed animals sell for $30 U.S. and you can purchase them via the Sonoma Lavender web site, linked above.

Hungry? Alphabet Soup is a three-person children's group based in Winnipeg. Their latest CD entitled, "You're It!" includes cute, upbeat ditties including, "My Lunch," "Spider-Mom" and "When I Grow Up." 

You can read about Alphabet Soup, listen to clips, upload MP3s and order their CD (for $15) via this micro-site. Feel good about supporting Canadian talent while entertaining your kids!

Wolves, Beavers and Talking Trees: Oh My!

  We just got back from Great Wolf Lodge in Niagara Falls, ON. On the trek: my husband, our son, Kash - 5 years, daughter Lily - 2.5 years and me. We had a fab time and can't believe how much we did in about 24 hours time.  When we arrived, the Lodge lobby was absolutely jam-packed. One patron told me that 500 people were checking out and 200 people were checking in.  I'm not sure that's accurate but I wouldn't be surprised if it was.

 

Luckily, the lines moved quickly and the accessories in the lobby - a talking tree, life-sized talking moose and bears; little hand-prints that make chipmunks jump up in tiny windows; views of the gift shop, waterpark, and restaurants - are well thought-out and kept our kids busy through the check-in process.

Our room was impressive and the kids were psyched about the "KidCabin Suite" which contained bunk beds, a twin bed and a TV/games console separated by a half-wall.  The other side of the room has a queen bed, a pull-out couch, another TV and a small patio outside.  There was more than enough room for four people. (Too bad our toddler did not want to sleep in her bed and was up, oh, about 25 times during the night).

Of course the Lodge's main attraction is the ginormous indoor waterpark. Truly awe-inspiring, I have to say my jaw dropped when we took a look through the windows connecting the waterpark to the lobby stairs.  I knew the waterpark was big, I knew it would be a blast but I didn't expect it to be quite as impressive as it really is.  The best aspects about the waterpark, to me, are:

• Diversity - my adventurous son (and husband) tried almost every slide, tunnel and "ride" offered in the park while our toddler and I still had lots to do. Many of the rides have height restrictions. 
• Safety - there were myriad life guards and Lodge staff on hand at every pool and every slide. We also brought our own life-jackets for the kids which added to our peace of mind.
• Temp - it was a balmy 84 degrees F inside the waterpark (although the trip from the water to the rooms was rather frigid as you need to leave your towels with the staff before leaving the park area)
• Bonding - we all had a great time playing together, laughing together and trying new things. I think we'll all remember the good times we had as a family in GWL forever.
• Ease - no driving, no parking, not even many long lines: the beauty of the Great Wolf Lodge waterpark is its ease.  Just throw on your suit, walk downstairs, and there you are!

The food (at Camp Critter restaurant) is nothing to write home about.  I was not expecting much - I realize that the Lodge has to appeal to the masses and there was a lot of generic kids food - French fries, chicken nuggets, pancakes, waffles, etc. but some of the other selections were pretty tasty.  I had roast beef (or was it flank steak?) and salad for dinner.  From what I gather, the prices are quite steep, too so you may want to pack your own snacks/meals and keep them in an in-room fridge (if available). At breakfast the next day, we had to wait 20 minutes just to get a table at Camp Critter so we entertained our own critters in front of the roaring fireplace, and doing more people watching.

Despite long lines and some inconveniences, we had a fabulous time.  Most of the staff were very helpful, the waterpark is utterly amazing, the kids had an absolute blast, the themed room really impressed the kids and we will definitely consider going again.

Have you been to the Lodge? Planning a visit? Let me know what you think.

The Friendly Skies

I had a thought-provoking conversation with Marc Sorenson, Ed.D this week. Dr. Sorenson is a fitness/health expert in Utah and he was in the GTA to give a talk and promote his book which focuses on vitamin D deficiency.

So, what's the big deal about vitamin D deficiency? you ask. That's what I wondered, too, and I want to preface this entire post now by saying that I am not a medical professional and this information comes directly from a chat I had with Dr. Sorenson.  Now, that aside, I found our conversation and his revelations about sunlight, autism, sunscreen, cancer and the like quite shocking.

According to the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Marc Sorensen from October 21 to 23, 2008, 97% of Canadian Women Don't Know Vitamin D Levels:

"All Canadians should be asking their doctors about vitamin D and check their levels. This research shows us that Canadians continue to be misinformed and uneducated about the importance of vitamin D - and not knowing vitamin D levels is like not knowing your cholesterol levels, it can create any number of health issues down the road," said Sorenson. "Over 105 diseases, including breast cancer, osteoporosis and heart disease, are correlated to low vitamin D levels and the best source of vitamin D is the sun."

Dr. Sorenson has done a lot of research on this topic and advises that lack of vitamin D in pregnant women may also be associated with the onset of autism and that sunshine (not supplements or foods) is the BEST way to increase human stores of the vitamin. 

We also chatted about the dangers of sunscreen - that's right: the DANGERS - where some studies show that the chemicals in sunscreen may prove to be more damaging to kids' and adults' health than the risk of skin cancer.  All of this deserves a much longer, stronger look but as a mom and a journalist, I am very concerned and intrigued. 

If you're interested in checking out Dr. Marc Sorenson's books, visit his blog. There's a related Globe and Mail article here which supports the theory on vitamin D and the real importance of sunshine in our lives.

Please watch this special video.

I'd already been working on a blog post about a fantastic charity event for children with special needs when an email about The Teya Fund and an associated fundraiser pinged in my mailbox. I'm so glad I read the release and investigated further.  Please take the time to read about these charities, their fundraisers and the amazing people behind the stories.

First, I offer a snippet of insight from Randy Spiegal, the excutive director of Zareinu Education Centre of Metropolitan Toronto about the challenges facing kids (and parents of kids) with special needs.

Q: What are the most common challenges that parents of children with special needs face?

A: [Such] parents often find themselves outside their community.  When a child is born with special needs, the family [sometimes] retreats and focuses on putting one foot ahead of the next.  Parents need support, encouragement and access to the appropriate resources to deal with the challenges that they face.

Q: What challenges do children with special needs face?

A: With autism spectrum disorders (ASD) numbers now 1 in 160 children, there is a pressing need [to take action].  These and all children with special needs require access to therapy and education in centres that are non-judgmental and geared to their particular challenges.  All children want to be included and, more than anything else, need to be recognized simply for who they are. 

• On November 20th, the Zareinu Education Centre is hosting the Sunshine & Lollipops Fashion Show to raise money for the Centre. Visit Zareinu Education Centre of Metropolitan Toronto for more information and to purchase tickets.

________________________________________

I dare you to watch the video on the homepage of The Teya Fund and not be affected in a profound way. I'm feeling pretty choked up right now and in awe of Teya and her mother.

"Teya R. is an 11 year-old girl, who apart from being born profoundly deaf, was also diagnosed at the age of six months with an extremely rare neurological disorder called Cerebellar Hypoplasia. Basically this means Teya was born with limited neurological connections between her brain and her body. Her mother, Jeanette R., a young woman raising Teya on her own with little financial support, was told that Teya would never walk, and the first part of her life was spent on a feeding tube as she was unable to self feed. Teya’s prognosis from the medical community was that of a life confined to a wheelchair or walker, with little to no independence. Her mom, refusing to accept this bleak outlook, and recognizing a unique determination in her daughter sought an alternative for Teya."

• If you're in the Toronto area and have the time, please think about attending this fundraiser at the Bier Markt:

This cheery fundraiser is being held on Sunday, December 7th at the Bier Markt on The Esplanade in Toronto, to help an inspiring deaf and special needs girl to receive life changing physical therapy. Steamwhistle beer, snacks and entertainment are on the menu. There will be a special appearance by Bill Carroll from CFRB and the event will be hosted by Global news anchor Leslie Roberts.

I hope to be there. What about you?

World Kindness Day

World Kindness Day is November 13th, a date conveniently close to Remembrance Day (November 11th).  I first heard about this annual occasion a few weeks ago via a communications rep @ The Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto. The museum is hosting a very creative event called Warm the Sole which kicks off on World Kindness Day:

An online auction will feature socks knit by Casting Off the Cold and decorated by celebrities including CBC's Steven Sabados and Chris Hyndman and Ralph Benmergui, Degrassi: The Next Generation stars...So You Think You Can Dance, Canada host Leah Miller...and others.

I'm always searching for ways to involve my kids in volunteering or just to teach them about the world around us and to appreciate what we have. This PDF document from the World Kindness Day web site (which, to be honest, is a rather confusing site) showcases all kinds of inspiring ideas including:

• Donating books to grade-school children with little personalized notes inside the books
• "Drive-by" flowering where a few teens got an idea to leave wildflowers on their neighbours' car windows
• An aunt and uncle who gave their nieces and nephews $10.00 each and asked them to perform an act of kindness and report back on the results
• A post office worker who secretly paid the extra money needed to speed up the delivery of an elderly woman's holiday package

Do you celebrate World Kindess Day? What do you do yourself or with your kids to showcase this imporatant event? If you've done something in the past or are planning to start this year, please let me know. Enjoy this special week.

Mama Cards and Midwives

Just a quick "service-y" post today...

You know that situation where you're at the park, your kid befriends another child, they bond, play, laugh and have a great time. Then, at the end of this impromptu playdate, you find that you have no paper, no pencil and no chance of reconnecting with the mommy-child duo you've just met? Mabel's Labels has come out with these super cute "mama cards" that'll save you from those situations.

Pick one of their funky designs, add your contact info (including, "mom of..."), and voila! You've got a playdate-ready biz card you can keep in your pocket or the stroller. $29.00 CDN for 100 cards.

On another note...

I received an email from a TV producer in Edmonton, AB who's looking for a midwife to appear on an early morning talk show.  If you are a midwife (or know someone who is) in the Edmonton area, please contact me if you're interested and I'll pass on the details.

 

How do you do it?

I'm a WAHM (work-at-home mom) for the most part.  Even with my extremely flexible lifestyle, we're still pushed to the brink in terms of time almost every day. Our mornings involve making (and encouraging the eating of) breakfast, diaper and clothing changes, making lunches, cleaning up as well as remembering those niggling little school or pre-school related details: "Is it 'music day' today? We need to include your music folder." Or, "Your school picture money is due TODAY?" Or, "Where did we store those winter boots and hats again?"

Amidst this early morning chaos, my husband needs to shower, dress and eat breakfast so he's ready to drop the kids off at a morning program AND get to work on time.  Meanwhile, I'm still in my PJs (most days) and I don't shower, eat breakfast or start working until everyone's left the building. How do families with two parents who work out of the home do it all?

Just today, I was talking to a fellow freelance writer and we were contemplating the seemingly undo-able scenerio where both parents work out of the home (or a single parent does it all) and have to contend with:

• making and attending dentist and doctor appointments,
• preparing dinner,
• cleaning the house,
• getting paid work done,
• helping with homework,
• cutting the lawn,
• caring for sick kids,
• booking vacations or holidays,
• caring for kids on PA days
• arranging playdates or fundraising activities
• booking and planning birthday parties
• grocery shopping
• ...and the list goes on and on...

If you're a family with two working parents (or a single parent) how do you do it all? I'd love to know!

Well, must go: I'm off to pick up child #1 from one program and drop him off at his regular school for the afternoon!

Great Expectations

This book came to me a few weeks ago and I've been reading it on and off since then.  Originally I thought: why would I want to read tales of labour, birth, pregnancy and new motherhood when I'm finally on the outer cusp of that (intense) period in my life?  However, Great Expectations: Twenty-Four True Stories about Childbirth, edited by Dede Crane and Lisa Moore, is a collection of emotional, funny, heart-wrenching memoirs and anyone who is interested in parenthood or who loves a good read will be moved.

I've not yet read all of the twenty-four stories included in this book but certain paragraphs and experiences from the stories I have read, stand out.  In Congratulations! It's A Toaster, Caroline Adderson offers a witty take on the matter of maternity wear: "My clothes no longer fit, and I had to dip into that green garbage bag of pastel hand-me-downs passed on by friends and friends of friends. This garbage bag of unflattering, out-of-style maternity wear is as much a fact of pregnancy as edema and Braxton-Hicks contractions, and receiving it, a rite of passage." Anyone who's been pregnant likely relates to that sentiment.

In Earth Mother, Joan Clark writes about her four births - two healthy baby boys, one baby who subsequently dies from encephalitis and the adoption of her baby girl.  As a new mother in the 1960s, Clark's transformation into a "mother bear" surprises her: "The ferocity of maternal love took me by surprise.  It was visceral, primeval." She also shares shocking stories about "medieval labour rooms" and a horrifying comment from one doctor about her deceased son.

Curtis Gillespie writes about childbirth from a man's perspective in Helpless. When his wife's second pregnancy goes awry, he ponders the role of men and fathers in the birthing process: "Men are just hangers-on, basically, delivery-room roadies...it's all going to go ahead whether he is there or not, whether he is supportive or not, whether he displays his caring and sensitivity and massage skills and ice-chip skills...that baby is coming out of that woman now, today and nothing's going to change that."

If you're looking for an excellent read or want to buy a meaningful gift for the mother- or father-to-be, definitely consider this book. Great Expectations is $21.95 CDN and can be ordered online through the link at the top [search on the publisher's web site] or in bookstores.

To snip or not to snip

Part of my job as online editor for ParentsCanada.com is to moderate our ParentTalk forums.  I'm pleased to see that more parents (and parents-to-be) are joining in the conversation - the forums are busy these days. 

Today I came across one thread on the subject of circumcision. It gets pretty heated as this topic will always be controversial: mix newborns + medical treatments + religion = you'll get a passionate debate flowing.  Until I read this thread and a related article on ParentsCanada.com, I didn't know that circumcision was no longer covered under many provincial health plans.  That fact, coupled with new info on the process and the possible outcomes makes this decision a tough one for many people. 

My husband and I thought about this very carefully before our son was born (in fact it's one of the reasons we decided to find out our baby's gender even though we always knew in our hearts he was a boy) and there was some debating between our family members, too.  In an effort to maintain our son's privacy, I won't divulge our final decision but it's safe to say we're pleased with it.

What do you think?

Putting the 'fun' back in fundraising?

It's only October and already my school-aged son is selling three different products for public school and Beavers.

As a school fundraiser, he (read: me) is selling magazine subscriptions at discounted prices; a portion of each sale goes to the school for extracurricular activities, BBQs, special speakers, field trips, etc.  As a magazine junkie and someone who's quite computer-savvy, this fundraiser's not too much of a stretch: I purchased magazine subscriptions online for myself, my husband, our kids, my parents and some friends (as holiday gifts).  It was quick and easy and the discounts were quite substantial. Still, we received the magazine sales package with its, "Be excited about reading!" and "Your purchase helps support our schools!" verbiage at the very beginning of the school year - perhaps in the first week.  Is this how we're bolstering education - by having five-year-olds lug fundraising packs home to tired parents?

At Beavers, which again only began in September, Kash is selling flavoured popcorn in large tins (which looks divine!) at fairly hefty prices. This one has me even more confused: we're paying for this activity (Beavers is Boy Scouts for young kids by the way), and he only attends once a week for one hour.  So, why do these little guys and girls (again, meaning me and my husband) have to fundraise? I understand the need for more cash and I understand the need to teach children about raising money for charity but I can't say I'm behind all of these endeavours. I'd rather have Kash and his classmates go on fewer trips and attend fewer special events if it means less selling.  Besides, we can only ask our neighbours, parents, friends and colleagues to buy so much stuff. 

So, um, anyone wanna buy some chocolate-covered popcorn? Only $30.