Mar 09 2010
Posted by Elizabeth as Adventures in Parenting, Crafting with Kids, Parenting Resources
Some days, the usual appeal of colouring in their colouring books just doesn’t cut it with my kids and I want to make it special and different for them. The colouring books (of which we have too many, of course) are the same as they always are and the felts are the same, too. So, we look for something new to colour. This helps me out and helps the kids out, too. We wander down to the computer and set out , together, to find some images that the kids might like to colour. The kids decide what they want to search for and we search in Google Images for cartoon image of their object of choice. Once they see all the choices that are there, they pick which they would like to colour. I just print it out in grayscale, so that there is no colour, and set them up to go!
Today, we have a bee, a bear and a puppy!
** Don’t forget to enter Lizzie Bits’ Putumayo CD giveaway!! You have until Thursday night to get your entries in. You need to create a wordpress account in order to do so, but it’s simple enough to do. Good luck!!! **
Mar 05 2010
Posted by Elizabeth as Adventures in Parenting, Birthday Party Guide, Reviews
A couple years ago I was given a CD of children’s music for Christmas by one of my aunts. This particular aunt has children of her own that are now older and all the hand-me-downs that I have received from her have been awesome. The toys have been exactly what my kids would love to play with. The used books have been of the highest quality. I knew that this music was going to be good. So, we popped it into the CD player and, within seconds of the first tune starting, we were a-boppin’. That CD? Putumayo Kids -Animal Playground.
The Wee Hairy Beasties and their hilarious lyrics in the song “Animal Crackers” had us hooked. ”I’ve got ants in my pants. I’ve got butterflies. I’m cryin’ crocodile tears, from my puppy dog eyes.” I quoted that from memory-ha! The next song… even better. Asheba, from Trinidad singing “No More Monkeys”… I loved the beat, the lyrics and the kids were dancing up a storm. Song after song, Animal Playground did not disappoint. It was awesome. We learned about animals, enjoyed animal-themed music and enjoyed listening music in other languages. Animal Playground features music from all over the world by many different artists. It is an awesome album of great music. The very best part is… it’s not the only one!!
Lizzie Bits Baby Co (at #7 – 111 Oriole Rd, Kamloops) carries Putumayo Kids and we have visited Lizzie Bits and picked up a number of other albums, as well. Putumayo Kids has 18 amazing albums for kids! These are albums that you can all enjoy in the car. Justin and I sing along to and enjoy every. single. song. (even if we don’t know the lyrics because of the language or can’t understand the accent of the singer – who says you have to know what you’re singing?) We are so lucky to have this awesome music for our kids. The message is powerful: that the world is a wonderful and amazing place and that there are so many wonderful cultures out there that we can learn about and enjoy elements of. We have chosen to invest in this music because it brings culture into our home when we can’t necessarily go out and get it. I mean… a trip to the Caribbean or “Caribbean Playground”? The latter is much more affordable on my budget! We love listening to each and every album we have. Putumayo doesn’t only release “Playground” albums (fun and dance-it-up tunes), they also have a series of “Dreamland” albums that are more mellow music. ”Celtic Dreamland” is a down-time favourite in our house.
I only recently found out that there is also a whole (huge!) selection of albums that are geared at an adult audience. We borrowed “Women of Africa” from my aunt (yes, the same one that got us hooked in the first place) and fell in love with that, too. The experience of listening to a Putumayo album is a wonderful experience. You get to relax and enjoy a more adult variety of tunes, but that kids still enjoy listening to, as well. Lizzie Bits (at #7 – 111 Oriole Rd, Kamloops) is carrying a variety of these as well. I can’t wait to get my ears on our next Putumayo selection!
Putumayo World Music donates part of their proceeds of every album to worthwhile non-profit organizations around the world. Lizzie Bits is currently carrying the French Caribbean and the Caribbean Playground albums which, each, have 100% of their sales going towards the Red Cross. Go on into the store at #7 – 111 Oriole Rd (Valleyview) and check out the fantastic selection of Putumayo World Music albums that are being carried. These are an awesome birthday gifts. I’d recommend picking up a few to have just in case of last-minute gifts!
In addition to carrying these wonderful albums, Jenn at Lizzie Bits has graciously given me a copy of Putumayo Kids Animal Playground to give away to one lucky KamloopsParents.Com reader!! What do you have to do to earn a chance at the album? Just leave a comment saying that you read this review!! Make sure that you include your e-mail address so that I can contact you if you win.
Want another chance? Go to the Lizzie Bits facebook page and become a member of the group to learn about great sales and new items in the store. Leave me a comment telling me that you are a member.
Last chance… leave another comment telling me an item that you saw in Lizzie Bits Baby Co’s online shop!
You can also enter the draw by e-mailing your comments to elizabeth@kamloopsparents.com
This random draw will close at 12pm (Kamloops time) on March 11th. The winner will be contacted by e-mail. This draw is open to Kamloops and local area (with 2 hours driving time) residents only. Good luck!
Mar 02 2010
Posted by Elizabeth as Adventures in Parenting, Crafting with Kids
Welcome to Tutorial Tuesdays with KamloopsParents.Com
On Tuesdays you will be able to try out some fun hands-on crafty activity with your kids. March’s activities will be created by Dawnica Flatt, a Stampin’ Up demonstrator, Early Childhood Educator and Mom of one little guy. If you have any questions, you can leave them as comments on this post, or contact Dawnica at dabsanddots@gmail.com
Enjoy!
This is a great project to make with your kids to motivate them to do their weekly chores and it helps you, the parent, stay organized! We all know that positive reinforcement helps motivate so why not try this project! The Calendar stamp set from Stampin’Up! is very versatile and can be used for so much more than just calendars.
Chore Chart Piece Setup



Feb 25 2010
Posted by Elizabeth as Adventures in Parenting, Parenting Resources, What's Going on in Kamloops
Spring Break is around the corner and there are lots of programs available for school-aged children that will be out of school for the week.
Here are some of the programs available:
March 8 – 12th, 9am to 4pm, $125 per week or $30 per day. Register for one day or the whole week.
March Break day camp at the Museum with the Museum’s Educator covers a whole week jam-packed with activities to explore around town along with a ‘home base’ at the Museum for crafts, games and exploration.
Pre and post care is available (additional cost) from 8:30 am – 5 pm. Space is limited.
Kamloops Museum and Archives – 250.828.3576
To Register: 250.828.3500 #143182
March 8th to 12th, 8:30am to 4:30pm, $150 for first child, $130 for second child of the same family
Participants are asked to bring their own lunch. Participants get to spend the days learning untraditional sports that are lead my high level coaches. We invite guest speakers in to share their skills and experiences with out campers. These guests often include Olympians, the Kamloops Blazers, Olympic hopefuls, high level coaches, and other sport experts. With an emphasis on Olympic values, our campers have fun and learn about the importance of sport and physical activity. The camp will be held at Lloyd George Elementary.
To Register: 250.828.3500 #146682
March 8th – 12th, Ages 8 – 18
The Henry Vandenberghe Memorial Fund is available to students in financial need with a strong interest in the arts.
Call 250.372.3216 for more information
March 8th to 12th
Ages 4 – 6, 10am to 12pm, $63
Ages 7 – 12, 1pm to 3:30pm, $125
Extended care available
Call 250.377-2400 for more information
Leaping Lizards Ages 6 – 12
March 8th to 10th, 9am to 12pm, $65
March 11th to 13th, 9am to 12pm, $65
Call 250.372.0645 for more information
March 8-12, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm daily
This camp will focus on the Arctic. Camps are for kids age 6-12.
Call 250.573.3242 ext. 228 for more information.
March 8th to March 12th, from 8:30am – 3pm, $35/day, discounts for the whole week and for online registration.
Rockstars: 5 – 6 years, Rockstars will play outdoor games (weather permitting); please remember your outdoor shoes.
Gymstars: 7 – 13 years, Gymstars will swim every afternoon; please remember your swim suit and towel.
Please bring two snacks and a lunch (nut free please).
Call250.374.6424 for more information and to Pre-Register (required)
If you know of another program that I have missed please, contact me and I will add it. Thanks!
Also, keep your eyes peeled… on March 4th there will be a post dedicated to some great Spring Break activities for you and your family!
March 8th to 12th from 1 – 4pm, cost: regular pool admission.
Ocean Pacific invites children ages 7 and up (and sized right for the equipment) to drop in and try out SCUBA, Snorkel, and Kayak! There will be fun games and prizes, as well.
Mon – Fri Laps and Leisure 6:00am to 11:00pm
Mon – Fri Deep End/Waterslide 1:00 – 4:00pm and 6:30 – 9:00pm
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