Girl's Night Out -> EVENT

Girls Night Out On the Farm
July 14, 2010
5:30-8:30pm
7256 Bell School Line
Milton, ON
RSVP: info@springridgefarm.com (open to everyone)

featuring Kathy Buckwork (famous author and all-around good lady)

gourmet food & wine

giveaways

Yo Gabba Gabba!

We attended the March 17th 11 am show for Yo Gabba Gabba's tour "There's a party in my City". I knew before getting to the Elgin theatre that this would be a huge deal for my daughter and her cousin but had no idea the mommies would also enjoy it.
The vibe in the theatre was almost euphoric for the sub 6 yr. old crowd as we shuffled past the busy merchandise concession to find our seats. Our kids were handed a pair of black rimmed paper glasses reminiscent of the style Dj Lance Rock wears. The girls immediately put them on and started to giggled and dance in their place. I felt like I was at a rock concert.

The lights dimmed and the stage came alive with a montage of video images and out walked the popular DJ Lance Rock onto the screen in his signature orange jumpsuit, fun fur hat and of course those black rimmed glasses. He placed his giant boom box down and said the namesake words: "YO Gabba Gabba" then he climbed out of the video onto the stage and introduce the cuddly creatures who perform the catchy songs that teach kids to eat different foods and that mistakes are part of growing up. Plex, a yellow robot, Muno, a cyclops, Brobee, a short two tone green fuzzy dude with long arms, Foofa, a combination cat/dragon and the sweet voiced pink flower thingy Toodee all groove to the hip hop beats that make this a different type of kids entertainment, a way to allow parents who grew up with the original Electric company and seventies esthetic to actually relate to this new/old style of cool for kids.

There was a special appearance by rapper Biz Markie who taught the audience the beat of the day and a performance by a surfer/ska band called the Aquabats.
 
Move over Barney, Yo Gabba Gabba is a hit!
 
(*Review by a Parent Club winner who wanted to share their Yo Gabba Gabba experience with the club.)

2009 TILLEY ENDURABLES ANNUAL SECONDS SALE.

Time to get some holiday shopping done early...2009 TILLEY ENDURABLES ANNUAL SECONDS SALE.

When: August 8th through August 16th.

Save 40% to 70% of a whole slew of top-notch items in discontinued styles, colours and some ‘seconds’. There’ll be Tilley Hats, men’s and women’s pants, shorts, shirts, skirts, Tilley Liberty Prints, TilleySilks and much more! As well, you’ll find special buys on brand name bags, jackets, vests and other travel accessories. Wheelchair accessible.

Location:
1100 O’Connor Drive

Nearest intersection is O’Connor Drive & Victoria Park
1100 O’Connor Dr. is south of O’Connor Drive & Victoria Park
Telephone #: 416.444.5861

Hours:
Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Earth Hour - Sat. Mar. 28, 2009

Nickelodeon is asking kids to turn out the lights during Earth Hour 2009 (8:30pm to 9:30pm). My question: Aren't most kids in bed by 8:30pm?

Kids might not get included in the actual Earth Hour but there are things which they can do to stop climate change/live a little greener/be kind to the environment.

• Don't fill a glass of water up and then not drink it. Instead of dumping water down the drain - water plants with unfinished water. [Ed. Note: was recently at a birthday party where Mom served bottled water with the pizza lunch. She re-capped the half-drunk bottles and took them home to water the plants]
  
• Turn out the lights when you leave a room. (energy efficient nightlights to ward away monsters very much allowed)
  
• Put plastics in the recycle box all-by-yourself
  
• Help Mom pack a litterless lunch for school

Family Day Activities

Family Day is Monday (if you don't know this - well then - surprise). I don't love Family Day because my prince has to take a floater day for it -- and we'd much prefer to have that day for some other eventful day...like flying to Mexico day or returning from Mexico day.

Last year, we put on our SuperParent Costumes and actually planned a family centred day. "Let's go the museum!" Stupid us. The line up was along Bloor and winded down Queens Park. In February. Stupid us. So we lined up of course (heaven forbid we bail - that wouldn't be a teachable moment would it?!).

It was crowded, busy and unpleasant. There is no point in spending a day together if you are going to be miserable.

So if you are headed out to a touristic destination:

1. Take snacks
   
2. Dress in layers
   
3. Expect crowds
   
4. Leave before anyone (including you) melts down

Here are some alternative Family Day Activities

1. Host a playdate
   
2. Be a playdate
   
3. Go for a family walk to a local restaurant
   
4. Stay in your pj's all-day-long-and-watch-movies-and-eat-popcorn
   

We'd love to hear your plans for Family Day. Share with Parent Club!

Diaper Disco Giveaway

Diaper Disco's Valentine Day Dance is the hippest family dance party for the -12 crowd and their ultra cool parents.

When: Saturday, February 14, 2009 - 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The Diaper Disco combines the fun of a dance club with the social interaction of a play date for parents and their children.

Enter the Parent Club giveaway for a family pass for 4 to this coolio event.

Here's how to win

• Visit Diaper Disco.
  
• Then come back to Parent Club and comment to this post (or e-mail Parent Club) and tell us what draws you to the event.

NOTE: The location of the event is Whitby, ON. Contest only open to those able to boogie on over to Whitby on Feb. 14th. A winner will be declared shortly after Feb. 1st.

A portion of proceeds of Diaper Disco will be donated to the Valentine Neonatal Care Unit (NICU) at Mount Sinai Hospital. Click here to find out more about this incredible charity.

Check out www.diaperdisco.com for more details and ticket information.

East End Children's Centre Auction

This Saturday night is the East End Children's Centre annual charity auction. This is a fan-ta-bu-lous charity for children. The centre has three locations which offer FREE programming to parents and caregivers of children aged infant to 6 years old. FREE snack, FREE circle time, FREE meeting place, FREE arts & crafts. It is such a valuable resource for new parents to find support and friendship -- and also for experienced caregivers to get out to a child-friendly destination. I have sat on the Volunteer Board of Directors for the children's centre for a few years now. I am a whole-hearted supporter!

As most Canadian charities - they have financial limitations that aren't quite met by the donations, funding and granting available. As such, the charity auction is a BIG and valuable event.

I will be attending the event - you should too. Go to the EECC website to get the details of the event.

The Hon. Jack Layton and City Councillor Janet Davies will be the live auctioneers. Silent auction, raffle (for leaf tickets) and fun in between.

Halloween Head's Up

Head's Up - Halloween's coming! The scary movies are starting on the "family" channels. The witches costumes and creepy masks are popping up in practically every store. It's a good time of year...during the day.

Then at night, all those scary images become a bit more - real - for little kids. Even my big Thing 1 - gets nervous at bedtime wondering "Are ghosts real?".

In the coming weeks, here at Parent Club, we will be noting some Halloween Events, costume ideas and activities...with special notes referring to the items as appropriate for all ages, older kids or little children.

This all comes from Halloween two years ago - where we trick or treated in our 'hood. A big, costumed, man popped out of bushes to scare the living daylights out of Thing 1 and Thing 2. For the first time, ever, in my life -- I got really mad at a stranger - mad enough to speak up; "Take off that mask right now and show my kids you are a just wearing a costume. You don't scare little kids. What are you THINKING?!"

If you have a Halloween tip you would like to share email us: info@parentclub.ca

The Toronto Fall Home Show - Mommy's Day

The Toronto Home Fall Show had an great concept by having Mommy's Day presented by the good folks at sweetmama.ca. Throughout the run of the show; children 12 and under are free and admission is $12 per adult (but you can save $2.00 when your purchase tickets online at the Home Show site).

As promised, the Better Living Centre, Exhibition Place offered a stroller friendly environment. It was disappointing however, that they did not provide a partitioned off, private, diaper change and baby feeding area.

The workshop schedule had a nice array of parent-buzz topics like; Mom and Baby Fitness, Home Organizing 101 and Cupcake Decorating. The "Sweetmama-fy Your Home" workshop presented by the sweetmama.ca editors informed all on the hottest kid gear which is hip, practical, and stylish. Two products which stood out;

Combi Transitions High Chair $159.99, www.sears.ca

Potty Bench $34.99 USD, Boon Inc, www.booninc.com

You can see all the sweetmama-fying products on their website at Sweetmama.ca.

Though the home show had mostly home renovation and decorating booths we did manage to find two which were very interesting to the members of the Parent Club.

muralunique.com stopped us in our tracks. Beautiful, Canadian made, murals (actually wallpaper - but have the look of texture and custom artwork). Very reasonably priced, you can buy the wall paper on-line and have it shipped right to your door.

Doudoubebe.com was also a stand out in the booths. Friendly staff were well informed about their organic products. Parents should definitely check out this Canadian mama and baby online shop!

The Fall Home Show runs until September 21st.

MOMMY’S DAY AT THE FALL HOME SHOW

MOMMY’S DAY AT THE FALL HOME SHOW
This Friday September 19, 2008
Better Living Centre, Exhibition Place

Enjoy this stroller-friendly environment where sweetmama.ca presents Mommy's Day at the Toronto Fall Home Show. Special workshops are being presented especially for YOU. Not to be missed!

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

12:00 - 1:00 pm – Mom and Baby Fitness | Trina Lambe
1:00 - 2:00 pm – Home Organization 101 | Brenda Borenstein
1:00 - 1:30 pm – Cupcake Decorating | SAM'S CLUB Kid's Corner
2:00 - 3:00 pm – Sweetmama-fy Your Home | Sweetmama Editors
2:00 - 3:00 pm – Perfect Place Setting | Mary Dobson
3:00 - 4:00 pm – Chandelier Revitalization | Janette Ewen
3:00 - 3:30 pm – Cupcake Decorating | SAM'S CLUB Kid's Corner
4:00 - 5:00 pm – Fitness Success Coaching | Trina Lambe
4:00 - 5:00 pm – Entertaining for Large Groups | Chef Christopher Ennew
6:00 - 7:00 pm – Professional Painting Techniques | Sandra Gayle
6:00 - 7:00 pm – Fall Food Trends | Chatelaine's Food Editor Victoria Walsh
7:00 - 8:00 pm – Fall Decor Trends | Chatelaine's Virginie Martocq


* The first 500 moms will receive free goodie bags!
visit: www.fallhomeshow.com
to take advantage of discounts for buying tickets on-line.

TD Summer Reading Club

This year’s TD Summer Reading Club theme, LOL (Laugh Out Loud) is designed to encourage the enjoyment of reading amongst children. All participants receive a FREE reading kit containing a colour poster, sticker sheet, and a logbook to keep track of their progress. To encourage participation, many local libraries will offer reading games, challenges and discussions, book-related crafts, author visits and storytelling sessions.

This is the 13th year TD has partnered with the Toronto Public Library to bring the reading club to children. TD has pledged $2.7 million investment to continue the program into 2011. In fact, the reading club is offered by libraries across the country - not only Toronto.

The program is available in English and French; a great incentive to continue language education outside of the classroom. The program is targeted to kids 4-12 years of age.

What kinds of books are age appropriate? Look at Oprah's Kids Reading List, the 2007 Governor General's finalists for children's literature or check out chapters.indigo

Parent Club Calendar

• Luminat'eau: Carnival H2O, Harbourfront Centre
  
• Ontario Model Soldier Society Show and Competition at Fort York Free admission.
  
• Canada's National Ballet School Costume Fitting Demonstration & Hands-on Demonstration - 2-3pm at Bata Shoe Museum
  
• Yonge Lawrence Village Day 2008. Free admission.

Father's Day Events

• 97.3 EZ Rock will give the first 99 Dads FREE admission to the Zoo on Father’s Day!
  
  
• Father's Day Royal Brunch at Casa Loma
  
  
• Father's Day 5K Run/Walk, The Distillery District
  
  
• Free Kids Workshop at Home Depot (check your closest location for times)

Other Weekend Ideas

• Take Dad to Rona or Home Depot (Dad seems to like it there)
  
• Swim for free at a city run indoor pool
  
• Have a play date (or hire a babysitter and have your own date)
  
• Take a nap (or send someone for a nap)

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

Dad's Day - This Sunday

The Dad in my house gave up watching a Euro Cup game over the weekend. Why? Because Thing 1 and Thing 2 wanted to go to the community environment day (they remembered the face painting from last year). So he pulled a wagon and made a memory with his kids instead of cheering (well, in our case, - yelling -) at the players on TV.

Thank you Papa.

I was reminded (by that Papa) that a short time ago; Parent Club was offered to review TiVo (digital-video recorders (DVRs) - for the non-tech parents; TiVo allows you to record TV...(like soccer games)...and watch your recorded show on your schedule (like after the kids come home from face painting). I turned down the offer because I didn't have the parent time for TiVo -- forgetting that the other parent in the house may appreciate watching his shows on his schedule.

The folks at TiVo did a tv viewing poll to see what Dads are secretly watching when they have TV time;

Dancing With the Stars – 33%
Grey’s Anatomy – 24%
Desperate Housewives – 22%

hmm, not soccer games?! I bet the Dads who are watching Dancing With The Stars are sharing the couch with the kids. Modern Dad wants to be engaged in his kids' lives. Not cheering from the sidelines. Not staying home to watch the game (well, as long as it isn't' the quarter finals, semi finals or plain ol' finals).

Parent Club Calendar

• Last chance to shop at the Samko Sale (see sidebar left for details
  
• Luminato Festival of Culture & Arts www.luminato.com
  
• Sanctuary Song - Berkeley Theatre
  
• Scottish Music Festival, Yonge-Dundas Square FREE
  
• Woofstock, St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood. Outdoor festival for Dogs. Really!
  
• Evergreen Spring Plant & Garden Fair at the Evergreen Brick Works. Workshops, demos and organic. Free shuttle bus from Broadview station.
  
• Animal Adventure at the Ontario Science Centre with Safari Steve. 2:30pm Free with regular admission.
  
  Other weekend choices (which are FREE)
  
  
• mow the lawn (while the kiddies play outdoors)
  
• clean the toy room (ugh)
  
• walk, bike or wagon to a local park
  
• plant something with the kids (recommend strawberries - yum!)

Parent Club Interview; Sanctuary Song

Parent Club had the opportunity to interview one of the players in the children's opera Sanctuary Song which opens this weekend in Toronto.

Xin Wang plays the character Sydney the elephant.

Parent Club; Opera is a new thing for most kids. What is the difference between a children's musical show and an opera?

Xin: For me, the biggest difference is the style of singing. Opera is sung without amplification most of the time. and the vocal technique is therefore different. an opera singer can sing in a musical show, but not every mucial theatre singer can sing an opera.

P.C.; Are there any scary parts in Sanctuary Song that parents should be aware of? (i.e. loud noises, scary characters)

X.; A bit, the elephants got captured by a poacher/hunter and there is a action of a gun shooting the elephants.

P.C.; Knowing that friendship is an important part of Sancutary Song; what feelings, in your opinion, will children take away with them from this story?

X.; Kindness, tenderness, patience, and most of all, the understanding of the other's need to be let go is what will help all of us to be better friends to our fellow earthlings.

P.C.; What is the origin of this opera?

X.,: It's inspried by the film urban elephant, and because the elephants described in the opera are asian elephants, there are asian components in the music

P.C.; How do you prepare to "become" an elephant?

X., Love for elephants, and watching how they move. especially their bum and their trunk

Parent Club Calendar

• Sho, Mo and the Monkey Bunch are doing a FREE show on Sunday, June 1st, 1:45pm (45 minutes). Factory Theatre Courtyard
  125 Bathurst Street @ Adelaide
  
  This is part of the FREE LABCAB FESTIVAL a family event this weekend which celebrates music, dance, theatre, comedy, art, stories, spoken word and more. Check out their website for the complete line-up.


• Billy & Buster's Birthday Party, Ontario Place


• Brick Works Nature Walk, Evergreen Brick Works
  550 Bayview Ave, between the Prince Edward Viaduct (Bloor/Danforth) and Pottery Rd., 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm.


• Arts in the Heart, Yonge Dundas Square. Open market.


• Ride for Heart - Sunday June 1st. Keep in mind parts of the DVP and Gardiner will be closed this day.

Theatre for Children

Wanted to let you know of a children's opera coming soon to Toronto (early June). Sanctuary Song presents the story of an Asian elephant poached at a young age from the jungles of Indonesia. She recalls her remarkable life in captivity far from home as her keeper of 22 years leads her on a journey to sanctuary in the hills of Tennessee.

Through voice, dance, music and video this piece is suited to families because of its messages of friendship & communication.

Parent Club will be interviewing special someone from this opera. You won't want to miss it!

Thanks to the Parent Club reader who shared this event information; Sho, Mo and the Monkey Bunch are doing a FREE show on Sunday, June 1st, 1:45pm (45 minutes). Factory Theatre Courtyard
125 Bathurst Street @ Adelaide

This is part of the FREE LABCAB FESTIVAL a family event this weekend which celebrates music, dance, theatre, comedy, art, stories, spoken word and more. Check out their website for the complete line-up.

Safe Kids Week 2008

Safe Kids Week kicks off this week. According to Safe Kids Canada over 2,000 Canadian children are injured and another 30 killed due to child pedestrian incidents. The average child pedestrian was killed within 5 km of his home...while crossing the street at an intersection. Pile up 30 t-shirts, 30 pairs of shoes, 30 sunhats...that's a whole class of children killed.

Drivers need to respect the speed limit on residential streets. Slowing down will save a life. Stop multi-tasking while you drive too. Stay focused on the road so that when a child runs out on to the street to retrieve a ball -- you will be ready. According to the Safe Kids Canada media release; "Before the age of 12, children lack the cognitive ability to follow one set of rules and apply them to multiple situations, and their capacity to use information is not fully developed". This means though you teach your child NOT to chase that ball onto the street....they just might do it anyway.

For more information about Safe Kids Week go to their website at; http://www.sickkids.ca/safekidsCanada/

Parent Club Calendar

Doors Open Toronto runs Saturday and Sunday. Very family friendly!

Arts at the Heart - Yonge Dundas Square - Saturday and Sunday. Open market of craftsmen and artists

Great Strides at the Toronto Zoo. Walk for charity. Collect min. $25 in pledges and receive entrance to the Zoo, map, walk activities, FREE lunch, loot bag for the children and a special performance by Franklin the Turtle (at 10am)

Children FREE at Medieval Times until end of May

Doors Open Toronto - this weekend

The official guide to Doors Open Toronto is available today (Thursday May 22) in The Toronto Star. Guides are also available at Access Toronto Counters, Canadian Broadcasting Centre, Doors Open official kick off at the Royal Ontario Museum (admission FREE on Friday by the way), and all Doors Open event locations throughout the weekend.

This year there are over 150 buildings to visit and explore. And by the way - it is all FREE. Most places are family friendly and offer guided tours.