Alex the “Pig”: A Tutorial

Sep 29 2009

Posted by Elizabeth as Adventures in Parenting, Crafting with Kids, Curled Up with a Good Book

This morning I was feeling a little sorry for myself and in a bit of a 39-weeks-pregnant-messy-house-fighting-a-cold funk. After my daughter went down for her nap, my four-year-old and I pulled out some books to read, together. One of his choices was this:We’ve read it a number of times and had seen that there were instructions, in the back, on how to make your own pig! H is in a stage where he wants to “make” everything that he sees, and “build” all kinds of diggers after reading our digger books from the library and so this fit perfectly. I thought I’d break out of my feeling-sorry-for-myself funk by trying a little crafting with him.Here are the instructions to make your own pig (or whatever it ends up being).1) Cut a 25 cm length of stocking, or a sleeve from an old knit sweater.. whatever you have lying around.2) Sew one end off with loosely stitched embroidery thread so that it can be pulled tightly and knotted.3) Turn it inside out and stuff it with fiberfill.4) Sew a button onto the knotted end.**My instructional pictures from here on out didn’t really work… all I got is my son – oops. So, you’ll see the parts I’m describing but only in the finished product.**5) Again with embroidery thread, sew a mouth, then eyes.6) Put a small ball of fiberfill into the body of the pig and knot some thread around it to form a foot. Repeat four times (unless you wanted a different number of legs, go ahead).7) Cut out two triangles to be the ears and sew them on.8) Twist off the open end into a tail, or tightly tie thread around the opening to close it off. We decided to make the tail into little strips so that it was kinda fuzzy.Voila!!Cool, eh? Our creation is definitely not very pig-like, but my son doesn’t care.His name is Alex. Alex, meet the world. World, meet Alex. Alex

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Breaking the Birthday Party Mold

Sep 21 2009

Posted by Krystal as Adventures in Parenting, Birthday Party Guide

It is time that we as parents stood up and said enough is enough. I have over heard and had more conversations about parents struggling with the birthday party dilemma than I care to count. It comes from both sides the host and the guest so none of us are off the hook. What do I hear most about? Presents and loot bags.

My daughter has a birthday party at the end of the week and I decided to put my foot down on these two topics. Firstly no new gifts. We stated on the invitation that guests were to give away something they didn’t use much anymore and thought my daughter might like, or to make her something or to find something somewhere to give her. We don’t really care where so long as it didn’t cost you much, isn’t cheap garbage and isn’t covered in plastic.

I’ve heard lots of variations on this such as book parties, SPCA donations, secret santa etc etc. And rightly so good on you parents. What kid needs 10 more $10 toys that will barely be played with because of their busy schedule and having too many already? I would much rather see that $10 spend on supper for their family. Heck if your child has a busy social life you can be looking at a significant expense just to attend birthday parties every month!

Second those darn loot bags. A fellow blogger put it best when she said ‘Stop the loot bag insanity!’ I know you agree with me. The plastic dollar store ‘goodies’ that your child revels in for all of about 3 minutes until after they are out the door. I’ve seen lots of parents get creative with this one and all the power to you parents! Good on you I say. Every time my daughter comes home with more plastic and candy I breathe a heavy sigh knowing where it ultimately will end up.

This year we are having a croquet and tea party with the girls. It is all very sophisticated and fancy for six year olds and they are tickled with excitement. What will the ladies be taking home with them? Why nothing less than a small token from their hostess: small packages of sun tea and a few crocus bulbs to put in their garden. I had thought about cookies and tea also or making all of the girls a pretty skirt to take home (it is what I do so it’s simple for me to say that).

Themed treats that can be integrated into the party are also a great idea, projects they made while there or something to remember the experience. Kids don’t need to go home empty handed. I remember one year a friend had the kids make magnetic picture frames and as each of their parents showed to pick them up she snuck a picture from the party into the frame! She took pictures the whole time and snuck off to print them as party favors.

We have put so much pressure on ourselves as parents in recent years. To do more, buy more, be the best and make it all picture perfect. It is nice to see that trend is starting to wear off. I encourage you to break the birthday party mold and be creative with your party so that it reflects you and your child’s beliefs. Teach them that a party is about more than ‘what did you get?’

PS – We also didn’t invite every kid in the class. I know, I know, for shame on us but I can’t host 20 kids and besides my daughter isn’t friends with every one in her class. We invited six kids because that is how old she is. That was the norm when I was in school and you collectively as a peer group knew that was how parties worked. A six year old’s social circle is only so big after all.

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Healthy Living Expo

Sep 20 2009

Posted by Krystal as Event Calendar

September 20, 2009
10:00 am	to	3:00 pm

The City of Kamloops is preparing to host the second annual See It! Try It! Do It! – Healthy Living Expo. This free, fun and interactive event for family’s will be held at the Tournament Capital Centre Sunday, 2009 September 20 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. We will be inviting exhibitors to set up booths on site to share their information on how they help to support family health, sport and wellness our region.

Last year 110 exhibitors attended receiving over 1500 visitors!

We are looking for a great cross over of agencies, sport groups and businesses to help more of the community see what a wide range of healthy living choices we have in the Kamloops region. The entire facility including the Canada Games Aquatic Centre will be open to the public free during that time.

Here is just a sample of who you may see at our event to show how they can support your family’s health and wellness:

City of Kamloops Recreation Programs
Interior Health Authority Services
Interior Community Services
Sport groups
First Nations and Other Multicultural Groups
Addictions Counseling Services
Healthy food choices promoters and businesses
Health support agencies such as the Canadian Cancer Society
Health Services such as Chiropractors and Massage Therapists
Entertainment groups

The exhibitor booths will offer fun & interactive activities, games or health related screenings to engage you and your family in learning about how to lead a healthier lifestyle and better quality of life.

Come on out and See what the Kamloops region has to offer your healthy lifestyle. Try out some samples of healthy snacks, or try a new sport or fitness activity. Then Do incorporate more of these great activities and healthy habits into your life to improve your family’s health, wellness and quality of life.

See it! Try It! Do it!

Exhibitors
If you wish to be an exhibitor for the Healthy Living Expo please visit our Exhibitor Information section.

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Earth Care Vegetarian Potluck

Sep 19 2009

Posted by Krystal as Event Calendar

September 27, 2009
5:30 pm	to	7:30 pm

They are back after a lovely summer break

Bring your family and a vegetarian or vegan dish to serve 6 with recipe.
Your own plates and cutlery.
A creatively made nametag!

Dinner is a 6.00 doors at 5.30
$2 donation.

Following dinner is a discussion this month’s topic is ‘Making it Happen – Creating your own Destiny’ by Ronald Tronson

702 Columbia – See you there!

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Kamloops Provincial Winter Fair

Sep 18 2009

Posted by Krystal as Event Calendar

September 25, 2009
8:00 am	to	7:00 pm
September 26, 2009
8:00 am	to	7:00 pm
September 27, 2009
8:00 am	to	5:00 pm

The 4H kids would love to show you what they’ve been up to all year long so come on down to the KXA this weekend and check it out.

Our 2009 Fair promises fun and entertainment for everyone. Display buildings, food court, and livestock classes will open at 8:30 am Friday September 25 and run until September 27, 2009. The finale will be a livestock auction of market beef and lambs on September 28, 2009, beginning with the Royal Bank Buyer’s Breakfast at 7:30 am; the auction starts at 9:00 am.

Provincial Winter Fair endeavors to involve the community in many ways. Children from the age of three are encouraged to use their imagination by experimenting in the basic arts such as drawing, colouring, and painting. Adults are encouraged to show their skills in original arts with the same type of art classes, adding pottery, linocuts, porcelain and fabric painting. Amateur photographers are invited to display their as well. Quilting, wool and fibre weaving, spinning, knitting, crocheting and specialty stitch work all contribute to the community talent pool. These are beautiful and creative works of art. As our fair grows in popularity, we attract more participation by the community. Download our Spring Catalogue to see all the classes.

This year our catalogue added interesting classes for Women’s, Men’s, Youth and School Groups. Check them out and see the loot for winners.

For more info http://www.provincialwinterfair.com