We wrote about the Ottawa Lumière Festival awhile back, and all of the fun activities they had leading up to it. But because there was a pretty long lead time we wanted to remind everyone it's happening this Saturday. Will you be there? I plan to be!
by Krista So when I saw that the Billings Estate was offering twice weekly afternoon sessions all about bugs and catching bugs, I figured it was perfect for the little man who loves bugs. I played hooky from work this last Wednesday, and took Woo to catch some bugs!
We arrived at the appointed time, and I learned some valuable lessons about advance preparation. The link that I had seen for the class (not the official site) was pretty vague on details, and I took that to mean that we should just show up. Apparently we should have pre-registered for the class, and it was now full. I asked if there was any way that they could squeeze us in, as we were unlikely to be able to stay for the entire session, and I was about to have a very sad three-year old if there were no bugs. Cancellations were likely, so we were allowed to stay, but this was when I learned the second lesson about advance preparation, that the class was geared to children aged six to eight. I felt confident that Woo would enjoy part of the class, so I assured them that we would leave if it was not appropriate.
Most of the parents left at this point, but I joined the few that stayed with the group. We were led to a classroom where they taught about this week's bug. The lesson was on ants, and the teacher started off by telling the children about the development from egg, larvae, pupa, to ant, fielding the many questions that were asked throughout her talk. Woo was very keen to learn all about the ant, and remained very attentive in class. When the lesson was finished, we were told that we would make an ant house for the ants that we catch, so that we could bring them home. Woo was very excited by this, and eager to catch some bugs!
The children were given bug nets and led outside, where they were told to look for ants, moths, butterflies, spiders, and beetles. The ants were located to their newly constructed homes, and there were jars to store any other bug that was caught. The chaos that ensued was great - any time that a new bug was spotted, the group of children all converged on that spot until it was caught. They then dispersed until a new bug was spotted. The ants proved difficult to catch, but all of the children seemed to be pleased with the adventure. Woo was happy to have caught several bugs, including an earwig, an ant, and several beetles.
I am glad that we stayed, despite Woo being under the recommended age. I definitely needed to accompany him on the excursion, but he did really well, and really enjoyed himself.
The last lesson is up this week on Wednesday, August 25, from 2:00pm - 4:00pm at a cost of $6.00 per child. I recommend you check it out if you can - it's on spiders!
Krista is married to Willy and mom to a 3 year old son, Woo, and 1.5 year old daughter Goose. You can find her on twitter @kgraydonald
by Lynn I grew up in the Kitchener-Waterloo area of Ontario, and there are a couple of farmers' markets there that are legend in my mind. We'd go several times a summer and it was always so cool -- looking at all the produce, getting fresh meat and to-die-for cheeses, scamming the odd baked treat out of my mother. Going to market was a lot of fun for me and ever since we've had kids of our own, I've been looking for a market to call home.
This summer we gave the Carp Farmers' Market a spin, and it was pretty good. There's no question the food was plentiful and varied and amazing. We bought some of these multi-coloured carrots, which I think are kind of a scam, but still got the kids excited about vegetables, so can't argue with that.
It's not a huge place but there are dozens of stalls selling all kinds of goods. Even though there's not a lot of walking, it's very stroller friendly, so feel free to bring one along - to hold your kid or your purchases. It's free to get in and parking is free, but you'll need lots of money on hand as this is a cash-only kind of place, and also, it's not the Superstore. Things are on the pricey side - bunches of carrots were going for around $4, the last strawberries of the season for $5, giant zucchini were around $2. Much more than you'd pay at the supermarket, but I can promise you that the food is a) fresh, b) local, and c) delicious.
Also, there are lots of really different fruits and vegetables here, and that makes it fun and interesting. Almost everything was organic, as well.
I don't know how to shop at a farmers' market. I'm not usually there to get groceries, I'm there to explore and pick up anything that looks really tasty or unique. So as a result, we filled a whole bag with veggies and it did cost a pretty penny. But oh, SO GOOD.
We happened to be there the weekend of the Garlic Festival, which meant there were at least five times as many people as usual, and SCADS of garlic.
There's lots of other things to buy there, too, like chocolates, cakes, fresh baked bread, flowers, elk or buffalo meat, pies (I bought a sausage roll, I LOVE sausage rolls), fudge, and crafts.
I bought my girls a fun cookie on a stick and YUM.
You can also buy ready-to-eat food there, like pulled pork on a bun, freshly cut french fries, and gelato.
So, was it fun? I loved it, but the market got mixed reviews from the kids. My five-year-old daughter, Gal Smiley, is a bit of a foodie and was really excited to see all the different foods. It's pretty hard not to feel like the trip was worth it when one of your kids is standing there saying, "Mommy, can we PLEASE get the beets? PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE?" So, there's that.
My three-year-old really loved the band that was playing there and wanted to stay and dance all day; she also liked looking at all the food and she sure did love her cookie on a stick. She likes crowds and shopping in general so she was happy and REALLY didn't want to go home. So there's that.
My seven-year-old son was uber-cranky and begged to go home the entire time. He sulked and frowned and was a general killjoy. It didn't help that due to his food allergies, he couldn't eat any of the ready-made food there, and couldn't have a cookie on a stick. He did ask for some carrots and a cabbage, though. So, there's that.
Overall, I think the market is good for the kids - it's good for them to see different foods, to talk about buying local, and to learn about what it means to be a farmer. It's not exactly a Big Fun kind of place, but it's interesting in a field-trip kind of way. It's certainly way better than a trip to the Superstore.
And for lunch on market day, we had sweet little baby grapes that taste like candy, purple carrots, unbelievably fresh strawberries, and rosemary bread with flavoured oil for dipping. So, there's THAT.
So I think I'll give the Carp Farmers' Market a Summer of Awesome Should Do - and know that I'll personally be going back for more. The market is open Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., and you can get directions from their website.
Lynn is mom to three tombliboos aged 7, 5, and 3, and blogs over at Turtlehead.
by Lara For years I have noticed the small fairs that pop up around the city in the summers... the traveling fairs with the midway rides. And I admit, I wondered who went to them. I'm sure it stems from the fact that rides nauseate me so I have no personal interest in them.
Last year, when Kiernan was almost 3 we decided to check one out though - and he loved it! He didn't stop talking about it for months in fact! So this year, when one popped up near our house we headed out again, and at almost 4 it was a blast!
We bought him the $20 bracelet that gave him unlimited access to the rides, something that never would have occurred to me if my friend hadn't done it first. After that, the kids were off. Round and round the mirror/glass house and the climbing slide house (those are the technical terms, I'm sure! :)
The operators of the rides were really nice about letting parents go in to help the kids if things were difficult without any extra cost (even getting to ride the bumper cars!) - although I'm not sure that's true of every fair.
I don't have a schedule of traveling fairs of course, but if you were like me and weren't sure whether they were worth taking young kids to - they are! Keep your eyes open, or hit the bigger fairs (Navan, Gloucester, the Ex, Victoria day, etc) Maybe I'll see you there!
Lara is mom to 3.5 year old Kiernan and 1 year old twins Quinn and Juliette. You can read her blog at Gliding Through Motherhood.
by Lynn Before we get into today's event, a couple of quick updates on my Summer of Awesome list:
And now, to the changing of the guard. We were headed downtown for the Busker Festival (great for kids, by the way - if you missed out, book it on your calendar for next year's Civic holiday weekend), and so we thought we'd catch the changing of the guard on Parliament Hill first. I was amazed when we took the kids to the Hill last year - they actually really enjoyed it. We didn't do the tour, but the kids loved running around on the huge lawn, checking out the Centennial Flame, going up the tower (there's a separate line for that, you don't need to be on a tour to go up), checking out the cats and the view from the back of the building, and imagining all sorts of princesses and knights that live in "the castle."
So adding really cool soldiers, pipers, and marching to the mix should only make it even better, no?
Um, no.
The kids were pretty excited for about three minutes. They liked the drums and the bagpipes and the marching in formation. The entrance parade, where they march up Wellington from Elgin street, captured their attention.
But what came next was about 30 minutes of standing around. There was occasional unexplained shuffling, and the odd yelling of unintelligible orders. A few bigwigs walked up and down, inspecting the bayonets and guns. It was pretty low key, to say the least.
After about 10 minutes, our kids were either asking for a snack, asking to leave, or poking the kid next to them.
After about 20 minutes, they were all begging to go home.
By the end, seven-year-old was swearing up and down that he was NEVER coming to this event again. It sure does make for pretty pretty pictures, though.
So overall, although Parliament Hill itself is a big hit with the kiddies, the changing of the guard was a flop. Not only were the kids bored witless, I had to deal with my husband telling me, "I told you so!" about 50 times. Gah.
The changing of the guard takes place on Parliament Hill every day in the summer at 10 a.m., up until August 27. My kids are young and fidgety, but you might be able to sell this event to kids that are more 10 to 12 years old, and more interested in Canadian history. If you do have older kids and decide to give this a go, be sure to arrive at least 15 minutes early, as two guides will give an English and French description of what the changing of the guard means, and what is going to happen. The best spots to view are along the Wellington Street side, closer to the East Block - so you can watch the entrance parade as it comes up the street - or up right in front of the Centre Block, where you can be close to the band and see the entire formation laid out in front of you.
Whatever the age of your kids, make sure you leave room for the tower, and the cats, and the running, and the princesses. Now that part of Parliament Hill, I can give a Summer of Awesome Should Do.
Lynn is mom to three tombliboos aged 7, 5, and 3, and blogs over at Turtlehead.
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