Another Dimension: The KamloopsParents.Com Directory

Sep 03 2010

Posted by Elizabeth as One Parents Perspective, Ongoing Events, Parenting Resources, What's Going on in Kamloops

I’m thrilled that so many of you enjoy the crafts and recipes and other great things that are shared, here, on KamloopsParents.Com. I’t’s awesome to get to meet many of you, in person, at different events and activities throughout the city. It’s great to see families getting out and getting involved with the parenting community! I am always happy to post family-friendly events on the site so that other families can get ideas of what to do with their kids.

Did you know that there is another dimension to KamloopsParents.com? Have you checked out our directory? Over there, on the far right, there is a link that you should look at. There are numerous pages of family-friendly businesses and activities as well as different resources for play groups, hobby groups, interest groups, and a directory of parents working from home. Need a local photographer? Need ideas for a birthday party? Check out the site! I’m always working at updating the directory so if you know of something that needs to be added, or something that isn’t correct, just let me know!

If you or someone you know runs a family-friendly business or works from home and you would like to spread the word on KamloopsParents.Com, just let me know! You can e-mail me at elizabeth@kamloopsparents.com and we can arrange to get you promoted through the site. The business directory features free business listings and a number of affordable advertising packages on six month terms.

If you have any questions, just send them my way. If you want to get involved with KamloopsParents.Com, there are lots of ways you can! I accept guest submissions and articles, anytime. Reviews and Craft and Recipe Ideas are always welcome, too! Do you want to be a fitness-feature parent? Just e-mail me!

Well, did you go look yet?

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Getting Snuggly with Snug-Glee

Aug 27 2010

Posted by Elizabeth as Adventures in Parenting, One Parents Perspective, What's Going on in Kamloops

The cloth diapering community in Kamloops is booming. I’m thrilled to see that we, Kamloops parents, are taking steps to keep our city (and our planet) greener by significantly reducing the landfill waste of disposable diapers. However, not everyone is interested in dealing with the dirties. Honestly, diaper laundry is not my favourite. But! There is now an alternative in Kamloops.

Now, if you are interested in trying out cloth diapering but don’t want to look after the laundry… there is someone else who wants to do it for you!

Snug-Glee Bumz Diaper Service is new to Kamloops and Jason and Dawnica are committed to helping local families ease into the world of cloth diapering.

Dawnica and Jason ventured into the world of cloth diapering when their son was born. They enjoyed their cloth diapers so much and were pleased to discover that the dirty diaper duty wasn’t so bad. In talking about cloth diapering with friends and acquaintances, they discovered that there were a lot of people in Kamloops that wanted to try cloth diapering but didn’t want to do the laundry. They were surprised that there wasn’t already a diapering service in Kamloops and began to make arrangements to provide another option for local families.

There were a lot of challenges to getting all the licensing and arrangements made but engineer assessments and water quality testing were all passed. Dawnica and Jason are looking forward to building this business together and getting the chance to spend quality time with their son.

Dawnica explains a little bit more about the business:

“We offer a very convenient service in which we rent the diapers, then on a weekly basis, we pick up the dirty and drop of fresh clean diapers in their place. We’ve noticed there is also a misconception that clients have to drop the diapers off to us but we do the pick up and drop off. Our starter package has everything needed to start service including the diaper pail, liner and an info pack from local businesses.”

If you are interested in finding out more about cloth diapers and the cloth diapering service available in Kamloops, you can check out their website at www.snuggleebumz.com or you can visit their page on facebook.

For a limited time, Dawnica and Jason are offering NO HST on their service and starter package, so check it out, today!

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Call for Photographs

Aug 26 2010

Posted by Elizabeth as Ongoing Events, What's Going on in Kamloops

Residents are invited to submit their digital photo entries for promotional purposes and select photos will be chosen for this season’s Annual Calendar. The deadline for submissions is 4:30 p.m. 2010 September 30.

Participants are encouraged to enter their photographs focussing on healthy living, recreation and culture, events and scenic elements that identify and distinguish our city. Suggestions include citizens at work and play, landscapes, streetscapes, garden views, parks and cityscapes throughout all seasons, fall, winter, spring and summer. Scenes must be easily identified as Kamloops. Photos of people may be used only if a model release can be obtained.

Download a Photographic Release Form.

Residents of all skill-level and ages are encouraged to enter their photographs.

Entries must have been taken and owned by the participant.
Entries must be submitted in digital format.
Participants grant reproduction rights and permissions to the City to use all submitted images for projects such as the annual calendar, website, displays, publications, fund raising and promotional purposes.
Submission of entry implies acceptance of all above conditions.

Winning photographs will be used for promotional purposes and may appear in news articles, magazines, the City’s web site photo displays and the City of Kamloops annual calendar.
Submitting Photos
Please submit only digital photographs. To submit your photos please email them in batches, no more than 5 at a time, to Business and Client Services or burn them onto a CD and drop it off:
Attention: Business and Client Services
City Hall
7 Victoria Street West
Kamloops BC V2C 1A2

For more information and details please contact:

Quinn Savage – 250-828-3803
Paul de Zeeuw – 250-828-3615

Logo Contact
Business & Client Services
7 Victoria Street West
Kamloops, BC V2C 1A2
ph (250) 828-3572
fax (250) 828-3578
email info@kamloops.ca

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Good Form: The Kamloops Disc Golf Experience

Aug 19 2010

Posted by Elizabeth as Adventures in Parenting, Family Time, Fitness for your Family, Fitting in Fitness, Kids Can Do It Too, One Parents Perspective, Reviews, What's Going on in Kamloops

“Frisbee?” Nope. This is different. The designs might be just as interesting as you might see on a frisbee, but these are discs. Golfing discs, to be precise (and I’m probably not, it’s been a while). A good golfer carries a bunch of clubs and wields them well. A good disc golfer does the same, only he doesn’t get a cart, nor a rolling bag. They are carried. And some of ‘em are heavy!

Now, I have always enjoyed playing “frolf” as we call the extreme frisbee golf that we play while camping, but disc golf isn’t quite the same. The target is a basket with chains instead of a random tree branch or the side of the tent. The discs are designed to be used for different throws and distances and the course is quite phenomenal.

Last month, the kids and I met up with some very friendly disc golfers (Carrie and Rob), from the Kamloops Disc Golf Club, to get a lesson in disc golf. We got to try out a whole bunch of different discs, learned the proper form that we need to use and saw some great demonstrations, then we got to play around in the practice area for a bit.

When we were feeling ready for it, we headed out onto the course. We only tried a few “holes” but it was such a good time! The kids enjoyed getting to try something new and exploring the grasslands of Rose Hill. I enjoyed learning more about and improving my game and seeing the kids get better at it, as well.

Carrie and Rob were terrific. I felt lucky to have met people that were so patient and helpful with my kids. They were always encouraging and able to tell when my kids were “done”. We were thoroughly impressed by the skill and form of our coaches, too!!

The Kamloops Disc Golf Course is located up at Rose Hill. If you are interested in getting out and trying out disc golf, contact one of the members of the club and Carrie and Rob are very excited to see new club members and to see families enjoying the course and the sport. If you think that you would like to play a game sometime, just get a few people together (even one other person) and head on out there to try it. You can bring your own discs, or arrange with the KDGC to rent or borrow. I’m game to get out there again with the kids. Are you?

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Today is the last day to get in on the Lia Sophia giveaway from Dionne Newman. Thanks, Dionne. Do you want to win? Enter now for your chance!

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Looking For Answers: Big Little Science Centre

Aug 12 2010

Posted by Elizabeth as Adventures in Parenting, Family Time, One Parents Perspective, Ongoing Events, Reviews, What's Going on in Kamloops

I’ve said it before. I’m a geek. It’s not a bad thing: I just love finding out cool new things. I love playing and watching my kids learn stuff, too.

It’s so amazing to see them discover something new and to see how they develop the framework for their understanding of the world, as they ask questions and see “what happens, next?!” It really brings that feeling of pride in your children (that you have, as a parent) to a whole new level when you watch their little faces as they make a new discovery and share it with you!

We had a KamloopsParents.Com event in July, at the Big Little Science Centre. The BLSC is located in the Bert Edwards School of Science and Technology on Windsor Ave on the North Shore of Kamloops. It is open for the summer (until August 28th) with special hours of 10am to 4pm, Monday to Saturday. It is definitely a fabulous way to spend an hour (or two, or three, or four).

There are so many cool displays that you (ahem, I mean the kids) can check out and discover. From fun glasses that change your vision a little bit (or a lot) to balancing birds.

From musical marble towers to walking ducks.

From magnets to human-power. From… I could go on, but I really just want to encourage you to get there and check it out! All summer long, the Big Little Science Centre has a special show happening, daily, at 1:30pm!

The BLSC has themed activities every week, throughout the year. They will resume their regular hours on September 9th, but until then you can catch these great themes:

Monday August 16 to Saturday August 21: “Don’t Rock the Boat!” The object is to build a simple boat that floats; or is it to sink the boat? Depends on the children!

Monday August 23 to Saturday August 28: “Anchors Away” Try your hand at building a balloon-powered boat to roam the high seas (of our kiddie pool).

We love The Big Little Science Centre! It’s a great way to spend a family-day. If you like, you can even like their page on facebook to get updated with all their great activities and events!

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Saturday’s event has been cancelled as our guide has had to leave town. I’ll keep you posted in case it gets re-scheduled.

Don’t forget that there is a great family event happening on Saturday, August 14th! David Williams, from TRU, will be leading a kid-focused tour of the Horticulture Gardens at TRU. Bring some water and a hat and maybe a picnic lunch, as we meet at House 10 (by the CAC) at 10am to start our tour. Please RSVP if you are planning on attending, just so that we can guess how many hand lenses we need to provide. However, if Saturday morning rolls around and you are looking for something to do, you are welcome to just show up, as well!

Also, remember that you can enter the giveaway from East Side Mario’s once every day until 10pm tonight! Comment, now, or e-mail me to win!!