Dec/Jan 2012-13
Giving 50 Shades of Beige: Do You Get It?
From the Heart:
Inexpensive & Parent’s Fun Gift
Ideas Choice Awards: Winners Revealed!
Dear Child, All We Want is Freedom: A Teenager’s Perspective
Coming this spring... Our
2nd Annual Baby Guide 2013-2014 Check out our cu rrent issue online NOW at www.kamloop smomma.com
Your Local Guide to Everything Baby & Belly WANT TO BE PART OF IT? WRITE! Have something to say? We’re looking for informational and personal articles. ADVERTISE! Market to new and expecting parents? Reserve your ad space early to get year-long exposure!
Space is limited!
Book Early
& SAVE!
Book your ad space by March 1, 2013 and receive 15% off! Book by March 25, 2012 and receive 10% off!
Contact Yvonne at ads.kamloopsmomma@gmail.com or 250.320.9709
3
4
Another Child?
A
re you planning to have another child? This is a question I’ve heard a lot lately. I suppose it’s because my youngest is 2…and because EVERYONE around me seems to be pregnant! I always thought that I’d have 3 kids but the transition to two was…ummm…challenging. Picture running a new business with your husband working out of the country and a 3 year old who doesn’t understand why she’s not the center of the universe anymore. And I am not exactly a happy pregnant lady - I start waddling at 3 months and by 6 months I can hardly walk! But, most importantly, my children don’t sleep! Okay, my 2 Letter from a year old has finally started sleeping through the night. I’m still Kamloops hoping that my 5 year old will someday too! Momma Lately, however, I’ve been thinking about what several people have said to me: “The transition from 2 to 3 kids is a breeze compared to 1 to 2.” (I’m sure some people completely disagree with this!) I can see how it could be true. My first child was, how should I say it, ‘the opposite of easy going’? And being a first time parent, I was probably more uptight, plus I simply didn’t know what to expect. Enter my 2nd. Sure, sleeping’s been a challenge and eating is practically non-existent most days but, for the most part, she’s a dream. I wonder, though, if she really is that much easier than my first or if it’s me experiencing her differently. I know what to expect now. I know that the tantrums of the terrible two’s are nothing compared to the attitude that 3 and 4 brings. I know that she will eat, even if it is only every 3 days. I know that a good dance party can solve any woes. And I know how to laugh through the frustration. For instance, when my oldest had on-the-floor tantrums in stores, I was mortified. I’d either give in to whatever she wanted or stomp out to the car. When my youngest has them, I just let her do her thing and carry on. Yes, I got some looks when she was lying in the middle of the check-out line at a busy department store and I went ahead to pay, but I simply wasn’t going to buy her the doll she wanted and I wasn’t going to hold her kicking and screaming while I tried to pay. And maybe some people didn’t like the little smile on my face, but I’ve come to realize that it’s better to find the humour in situations; humour I wouldn’t have found as a first time parent. So my point is, if parenting the 2nd time around is this much easier than the first, would it be even easier with the third? (And is there any way to guarantee that your child will sleep through the night by 6 months old?!) What do you think? -- Courtney Charlton, editor To share your ideas and comments, contact us at info@kamloopsmomma.com or find us on Facebook!
On the Cover:
Ten day old Emily is the new bundle of joy to a very blessed family and a new friend to Troi Crombie. Crombie is a lifestyle photographer specializing in children and families. She now resides in the East Kootenays but will always call Kamloops home, having the opportunity to work in both communities instead of saying goodbye to Kamloops clients and friends. She is passionate about well documented life and love. For more information and available Kamloops dates, check out www.troicrombie.com.
5
A Look Inside Kamloops Momma...
7 Parent’s Choice Awards Winners! The Gellings
Ashton, 15 months
Ashley, 4
The Pattersons
10
Off the Beaten Path
12
A Love Story
14
A Day to Honour Family Values
16
All We Want is Freedom
18
Fit 4 Heart
19
50 Shades of Beige
21
The Enchanted Teacup
22
Wee Elsie
23
Headaches
27
The Secrets of Treasure Hunts
A cultural education Life Unfolding
Do you know what yours are? A teenager’s perspective
A fundraiser for the Heart & Stroke Foundation Do you get it?
Birthday party review
A photographic journey Common causes and quick fixes As told by the Easter Bunny
Resources:
13 Birthday Party Directory 20 Things We Love 24 Dear Aunty 26 Notes from a Boho Momma 28 Community Resource Directory 30 Community Events Calendar Torin, 4
Kamloops Momma is the fun, reliable publication connecting local families to each other and to our community. We provide information about regional events, resources and businesses, as well as articles intended to inspire, enlighten and empower parents and caregivers. As a local resource, we want our community to get involved. We encourage and accept submissions from any person, business, or organization sharing our goal to strengthen our parenting community. Kamloops Momma is published every 2 months and available for free at businesses and resource centres throughout our region. Readers can also download the magazine online and subscribe to have it delivered right to their door. 6
Kamloops Momma Magazine
Published by Courtney Charlton, editor Contact: info@kamloopsmomma.com 778.472.0020
Disclaimer: The publisher will not be responsible for errors or omissions. The opinions and views expressed herein are those of the contributors/writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of the publisher. All rights reserved. No written or illustrated part of this magazine may be reproduced, except brief quotations in articles or reviews, without permission from the editor and individual authors.
www.kamloopsmomma.com
The
Winners
of the
2nd Annual Parent’s Choice Awards
Activities Indoor Play Place: Tournament Capital Centre
Annual Event: Canada Day
Children’s Day Camp: Kamloops Gymnastics and Trampoline Club
Dance School: Academy of Dance
Children’s Birthday Parties: River City Gymnastics
Place to Take Kids on a Rainy Day: Tournament Capital Centre
Music School: Lee’s Music
Food Cake Shop: Sweet Spot Cupcakes
Children’s Menu: Red Robin
Ice Cream Shop: Marble Slab Creamery
Date Night Restaurant: The Keg Steakhouse & Bar
Family Restaurant: White Spot
Coffee Shop: Starbucks
Health Care Pediatrician: Dr. Trent Smith Family Physician: Dr. Jason O’Connell Dentist: Dr. Daryl Shinkewski
Alternative Health Care Provider: Dr. Jennifer Matthews Delivery Doctor/Midwife: Mighty Oak Midwifery 7
Services Community Support Group: StrongStart Preschool Programs: River City Gymnastics Daycare: Kamloops Kidz
Hair Salon: Chatter’s Photographer: Milk & Honey Photography Realtor: Chelsea Mann
Elementary School: Beattie School of the Arts
Fitness Instructor: Sabrina Sinclair Fit By Design
Spa: La Dolce Vita
Children’s Haircuts: First Choice - Walmart Plaza
Stores Bookstore: Chapters Children’s Clothing Store: Carter’s/OshKosh
Toy Store: Tumbleweed Toys
Consignment Store: Lizzie Bits Baby Co.
Direct-Sales Business: Discovery Toys Alison Gregory
Grocery Store: Real Canadian Superstore Pet Store: Petland Sporting Goods Store: Sport Chek
8
Home-Based Business: Kamloops Momma
2012 PCA Sponsors!
Congratulations to all of the Winners!
~ Thanks for sharing the
Things YOU Love
Beauty Has Endless Possibilities...
in the 2nd Annual
Parent’s Choice Awards!
9
Off the Beaten Path: A Cultural Education By Teresa Wiedrick
I
baby siblings, others gathering firewood and water for a full day, and where learning to read and attending high school was a privilege, the question was beyond something to ask. It was not a right for most children to be taught anything; it was an honour to go to school. One afternoon, we went on a field trip - we were going to school. Our four children, aged three to eleven, and our house helper, Agnes, took a Toyota sized taxi, along with four other people, to an even tinier village twenty minutes away. We then walked fifteen min“The kids learned that quality of life is not utes, past woven maize silos, shambas (fambased on what you own. Good books, new ily farms), wandering cows and sheep, and unkempt, runny nosed children. We stopped people to meet, even if you don’t understand the at the only private school in the area, started language, are what make an interesting life.” three years ago. The village chief’s wife had a vision to care for the littlest children of the village while mothers were at work. Quickly, of the year. We’ve travelled to not-so-exotic places, sometimes the hundred fifty person school developed on the mountainin our towns’ backyard. We’ve been south to Vancouver Island, side. Two squatting latrines were available to all. A four person north to Fort St. John, east to Canmore, and even north to Inuvik. brick outhouse was under construction, but money had run out. This time, though, we were planning exotic: a trip to Kapsowar, The principal eagerly welcomed us into his office, without appointment, serving us Fanta sodas. He shared his hope for each a rural mountain town in northeast Kenya. of his schoolchildren: that they would perform well as their We’d often been asked why we homeschooled: weren’t the final pre-high school exam would determine their high school kids missing something educationally or socially? In Kenya, as we watched uniformed primary kids walk an hour for their placement, which would then decide their college placement, seven a.m. school start, five year old children piggyback their which would finally determine their place in society. Hmm, can’t help saying that it made me sad that the culture functions the way it does, but if those were the only options for my children in a developing country, I, too, might want my child in school, performing well on tests, not wandering the countryside searching for spare beans for today’s meal. But I’m not from a developing country, and I’d like to think that ingenuity and ambition have lots of potential. I’d like to believe that children, given some direction and discipline, will chart their own path. That’d be why I didn’t bring the math workbooks, cursive practice or a host of other schoolish things. The education is in the cross-culture. It’s an immersion in the language, the food, the social faux-pas, the music, and people’s stories. We had a guest speaker every time we talked to someone. They introduced us to chapatis, chai tea, cabbage and beans. They introduced us to shaking hands warmly with strangers, directly looking into people’s eyes, and acknowledging every child. They introduced us to sharing, even when there was asked why I was not bringing the kids’ studies on our two month trip, ten time zones away. School was not out yet; it was only the beginning of April. No explaining that home educating ones children is a lifestyle, not a conventional school option. We’ve been rooted in Kamloops for the last three years. As my husband gave up his small town medical practice, he pursued a shared position, so we could explore the world half
10
was almost no food in the straw hut kitchen. They introduced us to the Kenyan shilling and bartering. They taught us to slow down, understand that more is not more, and to appreciate what we already have. The kids also had a solid dose of what it’s like to be different. They were white. Toddlers in the market would burst into tears seeing our washed out skin. They’d not seen muzungus before. Walking past schoolyards, swaths of uniformed kids running toward us, yelling muzungu, muzungu (white person, white person) and giggling ferociously, unaware that laugh transcends language. My kids didn’t enjoy it, but I would stop, let them greet us, shake hands, and let them touch my skin, and occasionally sing to them Jesus Loves the Little Children, all the children of the world, red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight, even the grown-up kids like me. Our children were introduced to new skill sets. In Canada, for privacy and legal reasons, our kids could not spend a day with dad in the hospital emerg assessing patients. In Kapsowar, however, they each took daily turns doing rounds on pediatrics and the male medical ward. One day, we even put on adult scrubs and masks and headed to the operating room. Daddy could show them what he does for patients in the OR: intubations, IVs, and anaesthetics. The kiddos could watch their first surgeries: thyroidectomy, exploratory laparotomy and orthopedic repair of a broken arm. The sprawling intestines weren’t a hit. Our kids learned about road safety in a whole new way. The surroundings were hilly, presently green, and ripe for ankle sprains. The tan brown dust or muck stained the clothes and shoes. But no matter what puddle you must step through, or wild chickens you must climb over, the motorcycles on this continent demand immediate attention: get off the road if you want to live. There are no sidewalks and the vehicles have the right of way. The kids learned about food availability and scarcity. Most Kenyans can tell you what they ate during their childhood, not a broad array of possibilities as we North Americans can share. Rather, the daily menu plan: chai and bread for breakfast, beans and cabbage for lunch, and ugali (maize porridge), collard greens and, if you were lucky, sheep stew for dinner. When I grew up, I was told to finish my plate, because the Ethiopians were starving. I couldn’t resist asking if African kids were picky too. Turns out, they don’t always eat their dinner either. Even for those of us with means, the grocery store is still a rough three hour ride away. It was a treat to have a bag of carrots or apples. Though unaccustomed and not so curious to make new friends with new foods, we all tried many new foods, because we were hungry. We learned to be more thankful for our food, even if it was beans, again. We’ve learned to manage airports. The children have learned to follow the leader, dad in front with his suitcase, then the four little ducklings, and mama duck guarding the end. We managed eleven airports. They got a thrill out of customs and security. Belt off, back pack in separate bucket, wait for a parent on the other side and walk through with hopefully no beeping--except twice, when two of our children were patted down. The kids know how to pack. Seven outfits, one teddy, one blanket, one e-reader and one music player. Ta da. Simple and sweet.
We didn’t always know what to do when we outsourced our daily routine. The kids were bored at times. To enable local jobs, we had a house helper and a cook. The kids verbalized that having work makes them enjoy play more. I have learned when travelling that toys aren’t necessary. The girls sewed dresses, baked brownies, bread, and treats of all sorts. The kids learned that quality of life is not based on what you own. Good books, new people to meet, even if you don’t understand the language, are what make an interesting life. Soccer balls were popular, though, available only when muzungus came to town. Preschool children wandered about the neighbourhood for hours. When a surprise mid-day thunderstorm found a few little ones playing in our yard, I scootched everyone to the verandah of our brick and mortar home. At lunch, when I realized the rain would not let up, we went inside for chai and quick bread. I asked our house helper if their mothers would be worried. She giggled; they wouldn’t be worried, they assume the kids are safe, and they would have an interesting story to share later. Our kids have many stories to share now too. Hannah, Madelyn, Rachel and even toddler Zachary, have come home appreciating everything from cheddar cheese to chores to pedestrian safety laws. And I’d say that we most definitely extended our study year to include two extra months in school.
11
Life Unfolding:
By Sara Schreiner, Life Unfolding Photography oung mothers sit in a coffee shop sharing stories about their kids. Little love stories; that’s what the mothers are telling. One mom hesitates as she starts to tell her story; a simple story about her daughters first Halloween. Her stories are often followed by an uncomfortable silence. She has lots of love stories. Stories about her son’s first hockey game. Stories about a little girl who talks nonstop and leaves her mom wanting to pull her hair out. How the kids fill her purse with juice boxes and Pokemon cards. Stories that are being written every day. But she has other stories. The ones that can create an awkward silence around her if she tells them to listeners who don’t know her well; listeners that don’t know what to do with the hearing of them because most mothers don’t know how to imagine an ending like hers. The ending is tragic but the stories are beautiful. In the telling of the stories, Rebecca’s daughter is present to her listener’s the way she is always present to her Mother. Love stories aren’t forgotten with the loss of a child; parents never stops thinking about their daughter. I never met Ella. I know she was a ‘little goober’ and she liked to be sung to: The Ants Go Marching and You Are My Sunshine. Ella was the star at her Mom and Dad’s wedding. She was snuggled, she laughed and she smiled. She was and still is loved. I know because Rebecca taught that group of young moms a
Y
12
A Love Story
valuable lesson: to sit and listen and make regular conversation around a love story that ends suddenly; to laugh at the funny stories and cry at the sad ones; to share Ella’s love stories just as we share our own. There are never the right words. But tragedy often becomes the focus of a life when it is lost. By overcoming our own fear we welcome a mother to tell little love stories and remember that a child didn’t just die but that she lived. We are given the greatest gift when we are allowed to share another’s love story. Rebecca’s greatest story is a simple one. She was holding her daughter and she remembers thinking that she needed to remember this moment, truly breathe her daughter in, because someday Ella would grow up and wouldn’t want to be held this way. She could feel her tiny heart beat and took the time to imprint the way she felt in her arms, the sound of her little sighs and the way her hair smelt. Ella’s life is a gift: a simple love story that can stop a busy mother, like me, in her tracks; a love story that can make a mother pick her own child up and breathe him in, the way he smells, and the weight of him in her arms. Happy Valentine’s Day, Ella ~ yours is a most beautiful love story. * LIfe Unfolding celebrates Ella’s life in the weeks leading up to Valentines day. For the third year in a row the city of Kamloops has ensured these photo sessions are sold out. Thank-you for celebrating Ella’s life with us. Thank you Rebecca and Andrew for letting us be a small part of continuing the love story.
Advertising Feature
13
A Day to Honour Family Values: Do you know what yours are?
By Janet Whitehead
F
inally, a holiday in February. Family Day has been officially designated in BC on the second Monday of the month. In Canada, Family Day originated in Alberta in 1990 with the intent of it being a day to honour family values. That’s nice. The B.C. government has given us an opportunity to honour our family’s values. We could simply be grateful for the day off work, or perhaps we could take this up a notch, and celebrate our family’s unique values. But here’s the thing; if I happened to ask you right now, “What are your family values?” could you clearly give an answer? Most people could not. Yet, it is our values -the concepts and beliefs that we hold most strongly - that have the power to inspire us and guide our actions. In a nutshell, if we are living our lives staying true to our personal and family values, we are happier; even in the midst of difficult times, we can find ‘happy.’ The challenge is that without a clear picture of our values, we have nothing to ‘check in’ with while the rest of the world tries to guide our actions and tell us what our values should be. ‘Personal values,’ ‘family values,’ ‘core beliefs’… Big topics, but they all become just ‘buzz words’ when there’s no opportunity to find yours. So here’s two opportunities for you to play with. In each, you are invited to explore your personal values. They are, after all, informing your family values.
Got Values? Option #1 1. Circle 15 items on the list that have meaning to you. If the entire category fits, circle that. If not, circle the individual words that do fit. 2. Cross off five of those items, leaving the top 10. 3. Cross off 5 more to reveal your 5 top personal values. Tips: Be flexible and be creative- If other words come to mind, write them down and circle them. Be okay with discovering values from the past are no longer top - remember, we are ever changing beings and the process of letting go those values can be very freeing. ADVENTURE Risk, Daring, Excitement, Experiment BEAUTY Grace, Radiance, Attractiveness INSPIRATION Encourage, Influence, Stimulate CONTRIBUTION Assist, Service, Strengthen CREATIVITY Vision, Imagination, Resourcefulness, Originality, Perception, Inventiveness DISCOVERY Learning, Innovation, Observation EXPERIENCE Knowledge, Intelligence, Wisdom FAMILY Quality time, Quantity time, Nurture, Dedication to LEADERSHIP Guidance, Influence, Support MASTERY Proficiency, Excellence, Expertise PLEASURE Sensuality, Relaxation, Delight RELATEDNESS Family, Community Cooperation, Connection COMPASSION Tenderness, Presence, Responsiveness, Empathy SPIRITUALITY Awareness, Acceptance, Consciousness, Religious, Enlightenment TEACHING Education, Instruction, Inform ACCOMPLISHMENT Victory, Winning, Achievement, Acquire HARMONY Serenity, Order, Constancy, Stability INTEGRITY Honesty, Truthfulness, Authenticity, Dependability PLAY Fun, Playful attitude, Delight, Laughter
14
Got Values? Option #2 Build your list from personal experiences. Think of a moment in your life that felt especially good. (For example, a moment that was awesome for me was completing a waterski pass that was above and beyond anything I’d done before.) Ask these questions: · What were you doing? · Who was present? · What qualities or values were you displaying? Feel free to write whatever comes to mind, including the amusing, strange or even concerning answers. Those are often the intuitive ones that lead to more clarity. Repeat these questions with as many good moments as necessary to form a good list and see if you can come up with 5 personal values from this process. But what about the family values? Using the same exercises, explore the values of individuals in your family. Invite them to participate if they are old enough. (Ideally your spouse joins in) Do a little guessing if the children are very young, but don’t eliminate having a look at the possibilities of what already inspires them. With Option #2, think of a moment in your family’s life that felt especially good. Follow that with the same questions and process to see if you can come up with 5 family values. I know, I know… seems like a lot to do to explore the whole dang family, and “seriously,” you might be thinking, “will I convince my spouse to participate?” But it is the first EVER Family Day… wouldn’t it be awesome to have a better idea of what inspires your family and then plan your day to celebrate that? And there’s one more thing to know: simply by reading this article, you may find answers coming to you over the next few days about your values and your family values. Sometimes things are that simple.
“The B.C. government has given us an opportunity to honour our family’s values. We could simply be grateful for the day off work, or perhaps we could take this up a notch, and celebrate our family’s unique values.”
15
All We Want is Freedom: A Teenager’s Perspective By Emma Styles
N
ot all teenagers have the best relationship with their parents. Being a teen is hard enough without the dramas that occur at home. Parents seem to be constantly nagging at us kids to finish homework, go to bed at appropriate times and to do our chores. All teenagers want is freedom. Of course there has to be some limitations, but expecting a teen to put effort into things they dislike is only going to grant you disappointment. Some kids need to be asked to do something before they do it. I mean, you can’t expect doing the dishes to be the first thing on their minds, can you? All most parents want is what’s best for their kids. Unfortunately, no matter what you do, a child often finds something that they don’t agree with. For example, parents expect kids to spend seven hours at school, do homework after school and
16
then do a ton of chores every single day. The worst part is when parents pull the, ‘I have to work, too!’ card on you. We teens aren’t as mature as adults are. Sitting at a desk for seven hours every day can be exhausting. The last thing teenagers want to do after working at school all day is more work. We automatically think that because our parents are older, they should be able to handle stuff on their own. Another thing that we kids are bothered by is bedtime. At age thirteen, we don’t need a set time to go to bed. We can’t just lie down whenever and fall fast asleep, right away. We will fall asleep when we get tired. Some kids might not get enough sleep, but that’s their problem. Taking away electronics during the night helps absolutely nothing. Without them, we will still find ways to stay up. We will write, draw, read; anything that will
occupy us until we feel the need to sleep. Parents always seem to find something wrong with the way their kids sleep. You sleep in, your parents get upset. You don’t get enough sleep, your parents get upset. To be honest, all we kids want is to make our parents happy, but we want a little freedom, too. We want to sleep until noon on the weekends, be free of chores three times a week and do our homework on our own time. All we want from our parents is a little reassurance that you trust us to be responsible for ourselves. Emma Styles is a thirteen year old student at Beattie School of the Arts. She has been writing since age nine and hopes to continue writing throughout her life.
Birthday Party Directory
Fit 4 Heart By Sabrina Sinclair
FEBRUARY 9TH, 2013 2 - 4 A.M. RIVER CITY GYMNASTICS 1764 Valleyview Drive (Ralph Bell Gym)
I
am a passionate person; I live my purpose! I believe that everyone deserves to live a healthy life filled with physical activity and healthy foods. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Currently, 59% of adult Canadians are either overweight or obese. Adults who have unhealthy weights are at increased risk of heart disease, cancer, strokes and type 2 diabetes. During the month of February, the Heart & Stroke Foundation ties in with Valentine’s Day and the idea of Heart’s & Love to increase awareness of the risk factors leading to heart disease & strokes. It floods the media with education and information to help Canadians learn how to live healthier lives and decrease the risk of these conditions. Here are the facts: • Every day, heart disease and strokes lead to nearly 1,000 hospital visits. • Heart disease and strokes rob Canadians of nearly 250,000 potential years of life. • Heart disease and strokes kills more women than men, a fact that many women may not realize. • Today, less than 10% of children meet recommended physical activity guidelines and less than half eat the recommended fruit and vegetables for optimum health. Over the past 20 years I have joined in with family focused fitness activities to help raise funds for the Heart & Stroke Foundation and awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle. This year I am happy to partner up with River City Gymnastics for our Fit 4 Heart Event. On February 9th between 2-4 p.m., we invite all families to join in for fitness classes and drop in gymnastics. The event is by donation to the BC Heart & Stroke Foundation. For more information please visit us on Facebook at Fit By Design.
18
50 Shades of Beige:
I get it. Actually, I don’t. And chances are, neither are you! By Anita Gould Laye
L
adies...let’s just be honest with one another, shall we? While 50 Shades of Grey might have steamed up some bedroom windows for a week or two last spring, my informal poll concludes that after children arrive, sex sort of falls off the to-do list. And when it does occasionally happen, it would best be described as ‘beige.’ Now, I’m not talking about a small sex hiatus for the ‘two months’ after giving birth when ‘they say’ it might not be comfortable to have sex. I’m talking YEARS later...when it just doesn’t seem to be on the ‘to-do’ list. (Side note: who the bleep came up with the 2 months figure? It took a freakin’ YEAR before my girlie bits felt like they were back where they belonged!) But, let’s say you WERE lucky and your vajajay was ready to ‘leap back into action’ after your baby arrived. Were YOU ready? Was sex even on your radar? If not, you most certainly are NOT alone. So why does that happen? Do kids suck the sex drive out of us? It’s possible. But, I have another theory. Actually, I have two. After kids, a strange (and very complicated) tango of emotions begins between partners. When you are pregnant, people always tell you, “You’ll never love your husband more than when he becomes the father of your child.” I agree. BUT - they fail to also tell you, “You’ll never hate your husband more than when he becomes the father of your child.” Now, it’s not that you actually hate him
or that he ‘really’ hates you. (I hope!) But after having a child, emotions are high and sleep hours are low. You and your partner are winging it every day, scared you’re making a decision your child will need to go therapy to correct. And you are both slightly defensive. Um. Maybe a lot defensive. You both put your energy into this new role. And you completely forget about those previous roles you had...when you had real names (other than ‘mama and daddy’)...and, you had sex. Ah. Sweet, sweet memories. My second theory...it just gets harder to fit it in (no bad pun intended...I swear!) Night time romps never happened in my world - even before kids. By 10 PM, I want to sleep. But have you tried to fit in a late morning romp with a toddler in the house? Uh. Late morning ROMPER room maybe. But there sure the heck isn’t any adult action going on. What’s the solution? Beat’s me! So I did what anyone does these days to find answers, I ‘Googled it’ And here are five tips I stumbled across that are supposed to help me ‘rediscover my sexy side’ (and then hopefully, I’ll rediscover sex!) #1. Flirt with your spouse. (I’ll try it. But I’ll expect some strange looks when I’m suddenly giggling at his every quip, and touching his arm as he talks...chances are, he’ll check my coffee cup for signs up Bailey’s) #2 Get scentual. ‘One of the easiest ways to recapture past sexiness is to hunt out a fragrance you used to wear”
(hm...I’m not entirely sure a splash of ‘Exclamation!’ is going to steam up my bedroom windows, but I’m willing to give it a shot! Do they still sell it at Shopper’s Drug Mart?) #3. Take up Yoga You will get more in tune with your body and “the pelvic floor is strengthened, giving greater control and more orgasms.’ (Is that why yoga people always look so damn happy! I figure this one is worth a shot – even if it doesn’t help with sex, it SHOULD help me stop peeing my pants! Sigh. Another thing no one REALLY tells you about before having children!) #4. Give each other massages (Personally, I think this will just end with sleep...but, it can’t hurt to try. Unless he ends up giving me a Thai massage...perhaps I better suggest a back ‘rub’ instead!) #5. Scheduled ‘maintenance’ This post tells me I should ensure I am shaving my legs regularly, waxing and tweezing. I think it is dubious this will actually lead to more action. Well, at least it didn’t tell me to go out and get vajazzled. (Yes...this word really exists.) One final article suggested heels. I don’t think they’ve seen me walk in heels. Perhaps one of these tips will work for you. I sincerely hope that this Valentine’s Day you are able to flirt your way into a little hanky panky. But if you don’t, take solace in the fact you aren’t alone – because sometimes, just knowing you’re not alone is all it takes to feel better (well, that and a couple C batteries!) ;-)
19
Things We Love... For the Newborns:
WeeBaby Hip Diapers by HipKiddo
Why do we love it? Let’s face it: one-size-fits-all diapers rarely fit preemies or newborns. WeeBaby diapers are designed specifically for 4-14lbs. They are slim and even have a front snap down option that leaves room for the umbilical cord. $12, Lizzie Bits Baby Co.
Photo: Classic Blue Photography
For the Kiddos:
Bamboo Washcloths by Nuggles Naturals
Why do we love it?
Tired of baby washcloths that are a millimetre thick? These bamboo terry washcloths are so soft and absorbent. They’re great for bath time, mealtime, or even diaper changes. (You might even love them so much that you’ll keep them for yourself!) $9.99, Nuggles! Cloth Diaper Co.
For the Early Learners:
Learning Mats by Melissa & Doug
Why do we love it?
We love the huge selection of doublesided plastic educational mats from Melissa & Doug. Each wipeable mat helps kids develop age-appropriate skills like letter and number recognition, writing, telling time, and even geography! $5.99, Tumbleweed Toys
20
Do you make or sell something that you think we’ll love? For more information on how your product could be featured here, contact us at info@kamloopsmomma.com!
Birthday Party Review: The
Enchanted Teacup
By Yvonne Dmyterko
L
ast year my daughter, Hadley, went to a spring break day camp at the Enchanted Teacup. She danced and played with the princesses: it was instant love. Ever since she’s wanted to celebrate her birthday with a princess. So for her 5th birthday, we surprised Hadley with a party at the Enchanted Teacup. We picked Hadley up from school and drove straight to the party. Hadley was stunned and excited when we arrived at the cute purple building. We were greeted by Princess Belle in her gorgeous golden gown, flowing brown hair, and beaming smile. When the other 5 guests arrived, Belle took the eager girls into her castle. The whimsical room has everything a little princess could want: princess books, music, dressing table and, of course, dresses and accessories! Each girl took turns choosing a princess dress to wear. The selection of high-quality costumes is fantastic: every size, every princess (or even Fairy!). Miraculously, each girl chose to be a different princess: Ariel, Belle, Cinderella, Jasmine, Rapunzel, and Sleeping Beauty. To complete the makeover, each little princess chose a crown, necklace and purse, and put on some princess makeup. Then the party really began! Belle led the girls in some games, including princess-style four corners and pass the present with a disco ball. The girls had a great time collecting little prizes to fill their princess purses. Hadley’s favourite part of the party was the next surprise: the arrival of Sleeping Beauty, her most beloved princess! The look of joy on Hadley’s face when Princess Aurora walked in the room was priceless. The girls in their royal chairs, gathered around Sleeping Beauty as she delighted them with a song. Then they learned to dance like princesses. The girls twirled, skipped, waltzed, and giggled. After making bracelets and opening presents, it was teatime! The tea party table was wonderful; complete with adorable pink, purple, blue and green princess chairs, china teacups, a floral chandelier and centerpiece, royal valance, and draperies. The princesses poured tea (juice) and served cake; a cake truly fit for a princess. The two-tiered masterpiece was designed by Teresa of Sweet Spot Cupcakes. It was so beautiful, we didn’t want to cut into it. The chocolate cake tasted just as good as it looked! Even the fondant was delicious, unlike some others I’ve tried that seem to be just for looks. When it was time to go, both Hadley and I left the party grinning. It was everything a little girl could dream of…and everything a mom could hope for; fun and stress-free! The princesses and shop owner took care of absolutely everything. Yes, the party really was definitely enchanting. The Enchanted Teacup offers parties in a variety of themes, including Princess, Fairy, Monster High, Mad Hatter, Diva and more! Included with the standard party is a character hostess for the entire time, craft, dress up costumes and accessories, party games and activities, invitations, a small goodie bag, and an absolutely beautiful venue. They also offer private tea parties for 2 to 3 guests with a character hostess, and special events like the upcoming Easter Mad Hatter Tea Party! They are located at 410 Tranquille Road. For more info, call 250.376.8327, visit their website, www.enchantedteacup.com or follow them on facebook to keep up to date on their public appearances and events. To see more of Sweet Spot Cupcakes’ unbelievable custom creations, visit www.sweet-spot-cupcakes.com, or find them on facebook. They are located at #8 - 1415 Hillside Drive, 250.574.6251.
21
Wee Elsie:
A Photographic Journey By Reagan Day
T
o argue that parents should take more pictures of their kids seems a bit like arguing that the sun is hot. Almost all parents take a lot of pictures of their kids! But in addition to the obvious reasons parents take pictures – to capture fleeting moments, as mementos for your kids when they’re grown, for grandmas who live far away – I worry that the benefits to the, uh, momtographer are overlooked. Photographing your kids every day is a great way to become more present, more observant and, importantly, more cheerful as a mother. I’m not a professional photographer, but photography is my creative outlet. I think that no other creative endeavour dovetails so well with parenthood. My daughter is my muse. Taking pictures of her allows me, in the midst of the drudgery of motherhood, to do something for myself. It helps me to remember that, as I write the history book of our family, through choreographing shots or selecting which photos are preserved, I’m really documenting my life’s work. I’m bestowing value on everyday moments that, once gone, are gone forever. I’m giving my work the acknowledgment that so many moms wish we could get from someone else. Photography also forces me to slow down, to notice details. I don’t take snapshots. (Ansel Adams famously said, “You don’t take a photograph, you make it.” While that’s a stylistic choice, it’s one I agree with.) For me, slowing down and composing a thoughtful image is the best way to be more present in motherhood. Instead of removing me from the moment, it allows me to participate in a meaningful way. It draws my eye to the minutiae that might get missed or otherwise wouldn’t be remembered. I think the best reason to take photographs is that it allows me to see beauty in the mundane. A lot of what moms do every day is pretty routine. But even on the most terrible day, there is a tiny shaft of beautiful light. Part of my job as a mother and photographer is to find that light. (That’s a photographer’s way of saying that there’s always a silver lining, I guess.) I’ve spent the last two years diligently documenting my daughter’s young life at www.weeelsie.com. The discipline of taking photographs itself can be a grind, but when I look at what I’ve produced, I’m really proud of my work. I am passionate about documenting my family’s life. I am also a better mother when I have a creative outlet, when I slow down, and when I look for beauty every day.
22
Headaches:
Common Causes and Quick Fixes By Dr. Sarah Brise
W
e all know how hard a New Year’s Resolution is to keep if you’re not feeling 100%. Unfortunately, lifestyle changes, work routine, or daily activities are all common causes or chronic or recurring headaches. Before you head to the medicine cabinet for painkillers, check out these common causes and try one (or a few!) quick fixes. 1. Dehydration – Many of us get so busy during the day that we forget this simple but very important step: DRINK WATER! Make sure you’re drinking at least 8 glasses per day, at regular intervals throughout the day. 2. Low blood sugar – Going right along with dehydration, do you get so busy that you forget to eat, or maybe go too long between meals? Make sure not to go longer than four hours between healthy meals or snacks. And junk food doesn’t help – a snack high in sugar can cause your blood sugar to spike, which in turn causes a blood sugar crash later on with a nasty headache to go with it. 3. Caffeine Withdrawal – Ok, maybe you’re trying to cut back on caffeine in the new year- good job! Headaches are normal as your body adjusts to the lack of caffeine, and they should subside in a week or two if you stick it out. You can try cutting back the caffeine gradually or switching to weakly steeped green or black tea to wean yourself off slowly and decrease withdrawal symptoms. 4. Change in diet/food craving – The New Year is a great time to break bad eating habits, and a popular route is to kickstart new healthy habits with some sort of nutritional “cleanse” that may cut out things like sugar, wheat, dairy, and processed foods. Any major or sudden change in diet can cause symptoms like nausea, headache, diarrhea, and low energy. Just like with cutting out caffeine, these symptoms can last 1-2 weeks. You can lessen these symptoms by making small changes to your diet over time. 5. Eye strain - If you spend a lot of time in front of a computer or reading, eye strain can cause headaches. Make sure to take a break from reading/screen time at least once every hour, and see your optometrist if you feel like you have to squint or strain in order to see properly.
6. Muscle tension – Stress causes muscle tension, which causes headaches, which causes more stress…… it’s a vicious cycle! Most people don’t realize that a lot of the time the muscle tension isn’t just contributing to your headache, it IS your headache! It sounds strange, but when your neck or upper back muscles are tight and strained it often causes your brain to interpret those pain signals as coming from your head. It’s often referred to as referred pain or trigger points. Taking time to stretch tight and sore muscles can help, as can regular exercise. If you still feel like your muscles are tight and sore, you may get headache relief from muscle or joint treatments: you can see a chiropractor, massage therapist, physiotherapist, or other health care practitioner. 7. Jaw (TMJ) problems – Jaw problems go hand in hand with muscle tension. Jaw clenching, grinding, or problems with bite causes muscle strain around the jaw and neck, which again can refer pain to the head. You should discuss jaw problems with your dentist. Also, manual therapists (example: chiropractor, massage therapist, physio) can also work on jaw muscles both inside and outside the mouth to relieve muscle tension. 8. PMS/Hormonal – These are larger issues that you may want to investigate if other approaches have not been helping. You may need to consult with a Naturopathic or Medical Physician. On a final note, if you suffer from chronic or recurring headaches, you may get relief from manual therapy. Manual therapy consists of hands-on treatment of joints and/or muscles and includes: chiropractors, massage therapists, and physiotherapists. It’s important to work with your health care practitioner(s) to figure out the cause(s) of your headaches in order to plan appropriate treatment. Dr. Sarah Brise is a chiropractor, kinesiologist, and certified Active Release Techniques ® (A.R.T.) provider at Kamloops Active Health. Dr. Sarah can be reached for an appointment at 250372-8856, email sarah@kamloopsactivehealth.ca, or visit www. kamloopsactivehealth.ca for more information.
23
Dear Aunty...
Answering questions about you and your child’s health
D
ear Aunty, I *may* have slightly over-indulged over the holidays (read: completely, most-certainly over-indulged). My friend recommends a cleanse—the one with the water/lemon/honey drink particularly. What do you think? Is there a better one? Thanks, -L. Dear L: You’re certainly not alone in feeling you “over did it” in December. I had about a dozen letters this month from folks asking about cleanses, diets and supplements to help with slimming down after the holidays, including one from a grandfather who was considering a regimen of diet pills. Believe me, I get it – I spent two weeks eating nothing but butter in all its glorious forms. HOWEVER, I absolutely cringe when folks tell me they are going to basically starve themselves for a week to “clean” their systems of “toxins” (What “toxins” are they planning on “cleaning”, exactly?! YIKES!). So, since I’m hopelessly biased and not at all qualified as a clinical dietician, I thought I’d seek help from HealthLink BC Registered Dietician and Manager of Resource Coordination, Lori Smart. While I was busy figuring out which BC wines pair best with butter, Lori was good enough to spend time between Christmas and New Year’s researching, reviewing and answering your questions and concerns in a researched and unbiased way. Thanks, Lori! You rock. See below for all of her excellent advice. * Is there any evidence that our bodies need occasional “cleanses”? There is no evidence to support that detoxification diets or ‘cleanses’ provide a benefit to our bodies. The liver, kidneys and intestines are designed to cleanse our systems of toxins and waste. The idea of using a detox diet, pills or physical method of cleansing the system is not supported by evidence. * Are there any pros/cons to these “cleanses”? Individuals should seek advice from their physician or dietitian before attempting a cleanse or detox diet. Bottom line: there are no documented benefits to attempting a “cleanse” or detox diet at this time. Safety concerns and potential side effects are dependent on the specific product, detox diet regime, duration of diet and frequency of use. However, some of the more common side effects can include: · Muscle loss, slowing of the metabolism and resulting weight gain when the diet is completed and the individual returns to prior eating patterns. · The removal of healthy bacteria in the colon which can affect digestion and the immune system. · Extreme hunger, irritability, lack of energy, low blood sugars, fatigue, fainting, dehydration, headaches, nausea, diarrhea, body odor and mood swings due in large part to the low intake of food and calories associated with these types of products and diets. · Nutritional deficiencies such as: iron, calcium, zinc, vitamin C and others, which can lead to fatigue, stunted growth in children and osteoporosis if used frequently and for long periods of time. · The progression of underlying illness or health condition if individuals do not seek proper advice from a health care professional.
24
· The development of an unhealthy relationship with food. Individuals may become too focused on weight loss and avoiding food rather than on basic healthy eating. · Vomiting and allergic reactions from some herbal ingredients. If individuals are looking for information on herbal ingredients, they can go to Health Canada’s Licensed Natural Health Products Database at http://webprod3.hc-sc.gc.ca/lnhpd-bdpsnh/index-eng.jsp. While cleanses and detox diets are potentially safe for healthy adults – those that do not have a prior health condition or illness – these types of diets should be avoided by: · People with diabetes, low blood sugars and those that have eating disorders · Growing children , teens and pregnant women, and · Older adults *If a person decides to do a “cleanse” anyway, what do they need to be aware of? If someone is considering a cleanse or detox diet it is recommended that they consult their health care provider prior to beginning. A doctor or dietitian will be able to provide the possible benefits and risks of doing a cleanse depending on their current health status. If individuals understand the risks and proceed with a cleanse or detox diet it is recommended that they: · Have a minimum of 9 cups of fluid per day. This includes water, milk, broth soups, coffee, tea, juice. It is important that individuals do not become dehydrated. · Include some form of carbohydrate, for example fruit or 100% fruit juice to preserve some muscle mass and maintain basic body functions. This will be important for the cleanses and detox diets that involve some degree of fasting or restrictions on eating. · Take a multivitamin and mineral supplement every day. * A bit of preventative medicine: Can you give us some general tips for keeping our bodies running as smoothly as possible in the ol’ colon department? Three basic tips to keep our bodies running smoothly: · Have a minimum of 9 cups of fluid per day. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables every day. · Stay as active as possible. If anyone has any questions about healthy eating, food choices or how to manage a chronic condition they can contact Dietitian Services at 8-1-1 to speak with a dietitian. * Do diet pills work? Are there any dangers to be aware of? Bottom line: anyone taking these supplements or considering their use should talk with their doctor or other health care provider. There is not a lot of evidence to show that dietary supplements have a significant positive effect for losing weight. Some, combined with a reduced diet and regular physical activity may help to promote weight loss; however, there is no effective substitute for eating healthy and regular physical activity. The key thing to remember about these products is that Health Canada regulates these products for quality, safety and effectiveness. Regulations for these products vary from country to country. If a product has been deemed unsafe, or banned in Canada, then there is enough evidence showing that there is a
risk to health and safety. Dietary supplements marketed for weight loss can often interact with other medications, supplements or foods and cause side effects. They can present a significant risk for some people with health conditions or diseases. The side effects will differ depending on the supplement and the main ingredients. It is best to speak with a doctor or other health care provider to make sure that the product is safe. The safety concerns and side effects vary depending on the product. Ephedra/ephedrine for example is not recommended for weight loss. It can pose a high risk to health by increasing heart rates and blood pressure, and interacting with other medications. Serious side effects such as heart attack and death have been associated with the use of diet pills that include ephedra. It should also not be taken with other stimulants like caffeine. Individuals wanting to lose weight can certainly consult with a dietitian at 8-1-1 and contact the Physical Activity Line (PAL) for free advice on being active. Toll Free Number: 1-877-7251149 | Lower Mainland: 604-241-2266 info@physicalactivityline.com. * Are there any dangers associated with rapid weight loss? There is no evidence to state that there are dangers associated with rapid weight loss unless an individual has a preexisting medical condition that may be affected by a change in weight. For example, some medications are prescribed based on what an individual weighs; rapid weight loss without the advice or supervision of a physician can alter the effect of the medication and may pose a health risk. Slower weight loss increases the likelihood that an individual will be able to maintain that weight loss over time. Rapid weight loss resulting from low calorie diets or the elimination of certain food groups may be difficult to maintain once the individual returns to prior eating patterns; they may regain weight that is lost. There is no specific number to indicate how often individuals regain weight but it is fairly common unless lifestyle changes, healthy eating behaviours and regular physical activity are adopted and kept. * Is there anything “wrong” with eliminating an entire food group (like carbs)? Many people decide to eliminate a type of food such as carbohydrates or fat with the hope that it may stimulate weight loss. When it is done for this purpose weight loss does not occur because of the elimination of a type of food but from less intake of food overall. This means that generally people are eating fewer calories. Eliminating a group of foods can lead to deficiencies in nutrients and put pressure on the body to adapt to the lack of energy or nutrients coming in from foods. It is not recommended that individuals eliminate whole food groups. If there are concerns around certain types of foods then we recommend that the individual consult with their physician or dietitian to talk about how best to include a variety of other foods to make sure that nutrient requirements are met. For example, restricting or eliminating carbohydrates (from grains, fruits, some veggies and dairy) could lead to: · A loss of energy for the brain and body to function. Restricting carbohydrates can lead to the loss of muscle mass, headache, dizziness, weakness, fatigue and constipation. · A loss of nutrients such as: o B vitamins that are important for metabolism and other body functions o Magnesium which is important for heart, muscle and kidney function o Potassium which is important for heart function and healthy bones
· A diet very high in protein which could put pressure on the kidneys to get rid of the wastes associated with protein metabolism. A balanced diet with a variety of healthy foods is the best option. *Give us your best tips for healthy weight loss There are a lot of tips for healthy weight loss. I have included five below to get people started. The first thing to try is to write down what you eat and drink and how much of each so that you can see on paper what this looks like. Include every nibble and sip that you take during the day. This will help you to know where changes can be made. Basic tips for healthy eating include: 1. Eat breakfast or have a snack within 2 hours of waking up. This helps stimulate the metabolism and prevent us from over eating during the rest of day. 2. Watch your portion sizes. Eating a large meal does not mean that you will eat less later in the day. Using a smaller plate or bowl can help. 3. Eat lots of fruits and veggies during the day. These are often lower in calories and have more fibre. 4. Eat high calorie foods (cookies, pastries, etc.) less often and in small amounts. Try not to keep these in your pantry or cupboard as they are more tempting when they are close by. 5. Stay active. Healthy weight loss happens when healthy eating is combined with activity. *What about kids? My tween wants to follow my diet with me. Is that okay? Children should not be put on a “diet” unless it is medically necessary by their doctor. If their weight is a concern then a doctor and dietitian need to be involved to ensure that the child’s growth and development are maintained. Putting children on “diets” can result in an unhealthy relationship with food and lead to disordered eating patterns in teenage years and adulthood. * How important is it for adults to model healthy attitudes towards food and body image for their children? Extremely important: Children learn from those around them and when adults model healthy behaviours, children are more likely to adopt those behaviours and keep them later on in life. The key is that the behaviour modeled by adults needs to be consistent. Lori Smart is a Registered Dietitian and the Manager of Resource Coordination at HealthLinkBC. For more information: www.healthlinkbc.ca.healthlinkbc.ca or call 8-1-1 to speak with a dietitian.
Do you have a question for ‘Aunty’ Erin? Contact her at cdnnurse1995@yahoo.ca.
25
Notes from a
Boho Momma By Amanda Barker
H
ello Mommas! As February arrives, I’m shocked that my New Year’s resolution to eat a Paleo style diet (grain free) is still intact, and amazingly my birthday came and I found a delightful alternative to my usual chocolate cake and ice cream. You may have heard the term “Paleo” before, but for those of you who haven’t, I’ll give you a quick rundown. A Paleo diet consists of what our hunter gatherer ancestors would have eaten (which happens to be foods our bodies naturally thrive on) such as meat – grass fed or wild is best, organic vegetables, nuts, seeds, berries and fruit. Small amounts of organic dairy and sweeteners like honey and coconut sugar are also permitted which makes eating this way very tolerable and even enjoyable. When I was eating gluten free, but using many nongluten grains as a substitute, it continued to feed my cravings for a carbohydrate rich diet which only made me want more simple carbs, leaving me never satisfied. With a Paleo style diet, my blood sugar stabilized and when I eat at meal times I feel satiated sooner and don’t feel the need to reach for cookies afterwards. I realize that we are all different and should eat according to our own bio-individual needs, but this sure has worked for me! I have much more energy, lost a few pounds and I am not counting calories! The following recipe was my alternative to birthday cake this year. It is soft like bread pudding and is best served with ice cream, my favorite being ‘So Delicious dairy-free coconut ice cream’.
{
Banana Coconut Cake:
2 mashed bananas 6 eggs separated 2 ½ cups desiccated coconut 4 tbsps coconut sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract ¼ tsp sea salt
}
Mix egg yolks, coconut sugar, vanilla and salt together, and then add the mashed banana and coconut and mix. Whip egg whites until stiff peaks form, and then fold egg whites into mixture. Pour into a bundt pan and bake at 200 C for approximately 60 minutes. Sprinkle cake with shredded coconut and enjoy! Amanda Barker is a herbalist, doula, CBE, and owner of Ovio Organico skin care and Boho Birth. abarker54@gmail.com.
26
The Secrets of Treasure Hunts
I
As Told by the Easter Bunny
n a rather enchanting forest, our fantastical journalist curled up near the Easter Bunny, pen in hand, prepared to write as quickly as possible before the Easter Bunny disappeared back into a world of eggs and chocolates and planning for the delight of millions of children. Yes, the Easter Bunny had chosen, finally, to reveal his secrets to successful treasure hunts. “If you could see what I see,” the Easter Bunny commented, “ as millions of children’s eyes sparkle with surprise and wonder on Easter Morn, you’d know why I’m sharing my secrets. Yes, I can do the work at Easter, but look at all the rest of the days of the year that others could do the same thing!”
The Secrets Shared:
Scan the area, inside and out. Look for corners and crevices and even crooks of trees where a clue can fit. Plan on about one clue per age of the child… with flexibility as years pass. You may discover one child loves a ton of complex clues, another would prefer one simple clue. The trick that comes naturally to Easter Bunnies, but not so much to mortals, is placing the clues correctly so that a child isn’t floundering in the middle of a hunt with nowhere to go, or worse… finds his final basket of treasure before the clues were all revealed! Here’s how to master the clue placement: Write a crazy fun clue (‘How to’s’ below) that will lead to the next clue location. ON THE BACK of each clue make a tiny note of where that clue will be hidden. Seems logical enough without writing on the back? Not so! Miss this step, and well, you should see how often Easter Bunny helpers put the clue in the wrong spot and little children are left scratching their heads! It can help to sketch a map of the route that is planned. The first clues always love to be posted on bedroom doors, or hidden in breakfast cereal boxes or a pyjama pocket. Place the rest of the clues quietly in their correct spots the night before the treasure hunt. A nice balance of inside and outside clues is fun, but remember to protect those outside clues from wind and rain and small animals who might steal the chocolates nestled beside the clue. Happens all the time: a job hazard but simply do the best you can. Most important: Remember to put the basket of treasure in its final spot!
Ideas for Crazy Fun Clues:
Riddles: What’s black and white and often noisy? (piano) Letter scrambles: EDGIFR (fridge) For early readers: D B E (bed) Rhymes: A funny place for chocolate, this spot, Because it can be very hot (oven) Fill in the blanks: Hurry, hurry, don’t be late, You’ll find a clue at the backyard (gate) Personal stories: Remember out hiking and you broke a lace? Where is that now? Off you race! (still in the shoe) Performances: Sing four lines of your favourite song, my dear, And then your clue will magically appear! (Mom finds it in her pocket) Sketched maps with X marking the next clue spot. Sketched picture of where the clue is hidden. (fireplace, tree etc) Acronyms: Four Red Inspired Dogs Got Everything. (Eventually, they will figure out it’s the first letters that spell the location. Fridge) Magic: a simple swoosh of your….. But before he could finish his sentence, the Easter Bunny disappeared! The fantastical journalist rolled up her notes, tied them with a star studded ribbon and set off to deliver the Treasure Hunt Secrets to the world, beginning with the mailbox of Kamloops Momma. Tied to the ribbon was a note: “With wishes for a giggling good time.”
27
Community Resource Directory Birthday Parties & Events Kamloops Film Festival
Parent Helpline 1.888.603.9100
March 7-16, 2013 Paramount Theatre www.kamloopsfilmfest.ca
Food and Beverage
See p. 17 for our Birthday Party Directory
Organic and Natural Foods Grocer 5-1350 Summit Drive 250.314.9560 www.naturesfare.com
Nature’s Fare Markets
Smooth Effects Laser Hair Removal The leader in laser hair removal #8-1390 Hillside Dr. 250.372.2261 www.smootheffects.ca
Yoga Loft
Yoga for You.Yoga for Your Family.Your Yoga Community. 201- 409 Seymour Street Kamloops Child Development Papa’s Candy Shop 250.828.6206 250.319.8583 Society Safe and inclusive child care and The sweetest little place...in Sahali Center info@youryogaloft.com early learning programs Mall. Old fashioned candy, custom candy www.youryogaloft.com www.cdckamloops.com 250.376.2233 buffets, gift wrapping, and full service Home-based Sales and Services River City Gymnastics candy shop Sahali Mall 259.377.0986 Gymnastics and mutli-sport facility Beneath the Monkey Tree papascandyshop@telus.net 778.471.5767 www.rivercitygymnastics.ca Vintage-inspired handmade treasures... Sweet Spot Cupcakes with a modern twist. Children’s Retail Visit us for delicious, custom holiday 250.819.8478 treats. Cookies, Cakes, and cupcakes! Lizzie Bits Baby Co. beneaththemonkeytree@gmail.com 8-1415 Hillside Dr 250.574.6251 Cloth diapers, unique children’s items, Bunches ‘n Bundles www.sweet-spot-cupcakes.com high quality children’s consignment Custom gift packages for all occasions 205-450 Lansdowne 250.374.8706 Health & Wellness featuring items from small local compawww.lizziebaby.ca Amanda Chow, Zija nies 250.318.5368 Mulberry Bush Discover the remarkable nutritional value bunchesandbundles@gmail.com Gently Loved Consignment & New Items and therapeutic qualities of Zija. Creative Memories 1304 Battle St. 250.374.2501 250.434.5454 Denise Swoboda, Unit Leader www3.telus.net/mulberrybush amanda_walcer@hotmail.com Photo-safe scrapbook albums and more! amandachow.myzijastory.com Nuggles! Cloth Diaper Co. 250.578.8589 Cloth diapers from $8-$18! Beauty Has Endless Possibilities... deniseswoboda@telus.net Providing quality cloth diapers for a rea- Shannon-Lee, aesthetician and makeup www.mycmsite.com/denises sonable price. artist specializing in Brazillian waxing, Discovery Toys, Alison Gregory 250.574.2416 www.nugglesbaby.com custom facials, and makeup artistry. Discovery Toys Team Leader 250.819.2988 www.shannon-lee.com Tumbleweed Toys 250.851.2270 aligregory@telus.net Safe, Sustainable & Inspired toys, games, shannnon@shannon-lee.com discoverytoys.com/aligregory puzzles and more. Sahali Mall Fit By Design McSew 250.372.3500 www.TumbleweedToys.ca Family Friendly Fitness Jane McMillan, Seamstress & Knitter. 250.819.0822 Construction Specializing in sleepsacks, infant acceswww.kamloopsfitbydesign.com sories, knitted/felted accessories and Oswell Construction Ltd. Kamloops Active Health alterations. Tel: 250.828.2309 Mobile: He could do it..but wouldn’t it be nicer Chiropractic. Rehabilitation. Massage. 250.319.8808 McKnit@hotmail.com to spend the weekend with you and the 865 Seymour St. 250.372.8856 Moms Helping Moms – kids? 250.819.1979 www.kamloopsactivehealth.ca work from home oswellconstruction@gmail.com Kix for Chix Perfect opportunity for moms and others Dance Ladies non-competitive kickboxing for www.lookaround.ca EVERY woman! Academy of Dance choiceofwellness@gmail.com 250.819.4121 www.kix4chixkamloops.ca Now offering Adult Zumba! Music 3 - 953 Laval Crescent Call now about summer school. 310 Camonsun Cres. 250.314.9974 Musings and Mud Coaching Studio Kamloops Symphony Music School www.theacademyofdance.ca Workshops, workbooks, personal coach- Group classes and private instruction for all ages and levels. 250.372.5000 ing with a creative twist. Family Resources Janet L. Whitehead, certified professional Station Plaza #3-510 Lorne St. Big Brothers Big Sisters coach janet@musingsandmud.com Medical Services 821 Seymour St 250.374.6134 250.376.8402 www.musingsandmud.com BC Nurse Line 1.866.215.4700 Child Care Subsidy Program Thrive, Charlene Vandeen Assistance with day care costs Royal Inland Hospital 250.374.5111 Independent Consultant 1.888.338.6622 Walk-in Clinics: Why just eat when you can thrive! Interior Community Services Host a tasting party, join my team, or shop Northshore Treatment Centre 250.554.3134 on my website! 700 Tranquille Rd 250.554.4265 prepareyourvillage@gmail.com Ministry of Children & Family Summit Medical Clinic fb/PrepareYourVillage 250.819.1151 Services 250.371.3600 5 - 1380 Summit Drive 250.374.9800 Prepareyourvillage.shelfreliance.com
Childcare and Preschool
28
Community Resource Directory Kamloops Urgent Care Clinic
#4 - 910 Columbia Street 250-371-4905
Online Resources Access Kamloops
A regularly updated directory connecting people with a variety of not-for-profit resources. www.accesskamloops.org
KamloopsParents.com
The online resource to all things familyfriendly in Kamloops. www.kamloopsparents.com elizabeth@kamloopsparents.com
MakeChildrenFirst.ca
Map of Family & Breastfeeding-friendly businesses in Kamloops 250.554.3134 www.makechildrenfirst.ca
Parent-Child Groups Attachment Parenting
2/month - days and locations vary 250-376-4723
Family Tree Drop-in
Mon and Wed 9-4 283 West Victoria St. 250.377.6890
Healthy Beginnings
Tues 9:45-11:45 / Thurs 10:30-12:30 Interior Indian Friendship Society 2355 Parkcrest Ave. 250.554.3134
Kamloops Connexions
Fri 9:30-11:30, 700 Hugh Allen Drive S.W. Community Church 250.828.1114 coffee-connexions@hotmail.com
Kamloops Wiggles and Giggles Adoption Playgroup
Monthly, Deanna, jones_A@telus.net
Next Steps
Fri, 1-2:20, Kamloops Public Health Unit 519 Columbia St. 250.851.7300
StrongStart Programs (during school year)
Bumblebees
Wed, 12-2:30 Arthur Hatton Elem. 315 Chestnut Ave., 250.376.7217
Dragon Flies
Mon-Fri, 8:30-11:30 Marion Schilling Elem., 2200 Park Dr. 250.376.2027
Eagles’ Nest
Mon-Fri, 8:45-11:15 South Sahali Elem., 1585 Summit Dr. 250.374.2451
YMCA Child Interactive Centre Mon-Fri 9-12 Southwest Y/CCRR Unit E, 1420 Hugh Allan Dr 250-372-7791
Prenatal and Postpartum Care
Welcome to the Babyhood
Your resource for child passenger safety and cloth diaper education. Jennifer Harbaruk 250.572.1717 www.welcometothebabyhood.com
Photography Captured Memories Photography
Children • Engagement • Family • Graduation • Maternity • Newborns • Weddings www.captured-memories.ca hrsayers@gmail.com 250.320.6558
Life Unfolding Photography
Photography for all your little wild things Moms with Camera’s facilitator www.lifeunfolding.ca
Birth Matters - Jodi Anderson
Milk & Honey Photography
Doula and Childbirth Educator birthmatters.doula.prenatal@gmail.com 250.372.3733 250.819.2099
Lisa DiGeso milkandhoney@mail.com www.milkandhoneyphotography.ca
Boho Birth
Real Estate and Investments
Doula services & prenatal education Amanda Barker 250.376.8331 bohobirth@gmail.com
Breastfeeding Centre
Drop in breastfeeding info and help Kamloops Health Unit 519 Columbia St 250.851.7300 Mon 1- 4, Thurs 9 - 12
Chelsea Mann, Realtor
Century 21 - Desert Hills Realty 250.571.6666 chelsea@chelseamann.ca www.kamloopshomes.net
Karen Lanoue
Canadian Scholarship Trust Boost your post-secondary education savings by $7200 *Aqua Prenatal * Watsu * Prenatal Journey karen.lanoue@cstresp.com 250.573.2299 * Pregnant Pauses Ken Featherstone, Realtor Free Consultation ph: 250 374 7383 Royal LePage Westwin Realty Mighty Oak Midwifery Personal Real Estate Corp. 250.374.1461 Personal, professional, woman-centered kenfeathetone@royallepage.ca maternity care. 250.377.8611 250.828.7829 www.mightyoakmidwifery.ca
CBWellness.Com Pregnacy Programs
Tiny Blessings Prenatal
Prenatal education focusing on late pregnancy, labor & delivery, breastfeeding, & newborn care. 250-819-0510 www.tinyblessingsprenatal.com
Women’s Clothing The Ruby Room
New & Recycled Fashion 265 Victoria Street 250.828.7829
Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, 8:30-11:30
29
Community Events Calendar
presented by:
Visit www.KamloopsParents.com for a complete, up-to-date calendar of family-friendly events! February 1(Cont): Connexions Southwest Community Church, 9:30-11:30am ($5 with childcare) February 1(Cont): Storytime Kamloops Library 10:1510:45am (free) February 1(Cont): Family Storytime North Kamloops Library 10:15-10:45am (free) February 1(Cont): Big Little Science Centre Thurs/Fri 3-5 pm, Sat 10-4 ($10 family)
February 2: LEGO Club North February 7(Cont): Afterschool February 18/March 18: Kamloops Library 1:00-2:00pm Club North Kamloops Library Kamloops Infant and Pregnancy Loss Support 3-4:00pm (free) (free) Group 205-535 Tranquille Rd, February 9: Fit For Heart February 3(Cont): Family 7 – 8:30pm 250.376.4646 Fit By Design and RiverCity Storytime Kamloops Library 1-1:30pm (free)
Gymnastics 2-4:00pm
February 9: Seasonal Craft February 3: Dirty Feet Snowshoe Fun Run Stake Lake Club Kamloops Library 2:003:30pm (free) (www.dirtyfeet.ca) February 4(Cont): Tiny Tunes February 9: Cupid’s Ball Family Dance Barnhartvale Kamloops Library 10:15Community Hall 6-10:00pm 10:45am (free) February 4(Cont): Tiny Tunes ($5, kids under 5 free)
February 2: Visions Farmers North Kamloops Library 10:15- February 10: Kamloops Indoor GranFondo& Family Market Sahali Mall 10-2:30pm 10:45am (free) February 5/March 5: Mom’s Festival Tournament Capital February 2(Cont): Chapters Centre 10-4:00pm Morning Out Mighty Oak Craft and Storytime Saturdays 11-12pm (free) February 2/March 2: Home Depot Kids Building Workshop Home Depot, 1012am, free February 2: Yoga North Kamloops Library 11:0012:00pm February 2: Family Art Saturdays Kamloops Art Gallery 1-2:00pm
February 20: Family Fun Skating Night Sun Peaks Resort 5-6:30pm (free) February 23: Dim Swim Canada Games Aquatic Centre 6-9:00pm February 27: Family Fun Skating Night Sun Peaks Resort 5-6:30pm (free) March 2: Fit for Fundz Zumbathon Extavaganza St. Ann’s Academy Gym
February 10: Valentines Skate March 2: Visions Farmers Memorial Arena 10-4:00pm Market Sahali Mall 10-2:30pm February 5(Cont): Mother ($2) March 3: Dirty Feet Snowshoe Goose North Kamloops Library February 11: Family Day Fun Run Sun Peaks Resort 6:15-7:15pm (free) (www.dirtyfeet.ca) February 6(Cont): Tiny Tunes Skate McArthur Island Arena 11-1:00pm ($2) March 3: Bump-It! The Kamloops Library 10:15Midwifery, 11am – 1pm (free)
February 13: Schools of February 6(Cont): Rock-a-Bye Choice Info Night Henry Baby North Kamloops Library Grube Education Centre 6:30 – 8pm 10:15-10:45am (free) February 13: Family Fun February 6(Cont): “Story Skating Night Sun Peaks Dog” Program Resort 5-6:30pm (free) Kamloops Library 10:45am (free)
3-4:00pm (free) February 6: Family Fun Skating Night Sun Peaks Resort 5-6:30pm (free)
Ultimate Baby Shower Trade Show Event Sahali Mall 104:00pm
March 10: Kamloops Young Naturalist Club Explorer Day 1-3:00pm (ynckamloops@gmail. com)
February 15: Pro-D Day Skate March 16: Visions Farmers Brock and Memorial Arenas Market Sahali Mall 10-2:30pm February 15: Pro-D Day Camp March 17: St Patty’s Day Skate Kamloops Gymnastics and Memorial Arena 11-1:00pm Trampoline 9-3:00pm ($30) ($2) February 15: Pro-D Day March 17: St. Patrick’s Day Camp RiverCity Gymnastics Ski Parade Sun Peaks Resort 9-3:00pm ($35 full day, $20 half 4:00pm 250.578.5542 day) March 18-22: Annual Spring
February 7 (Cont): Shambhala Meditation Thurs 7:00pm, 433b Lansdowne St. February 16: Visions Farmers kamloopsshambhala. Market Sahali Mall 10-2:30pm org 250.376.4224 February 16: LEGO Club February 7(Cont): Kamloops Library 2:00-3:30pm Mother Goose (free) Kamloops Library February 17: Kamloops Young 10:30-11:30am (free) Naturalist Club Stargazing February 7(Cont): at Inks Lake 6:30-8:30pm Storytime Kamloops (ynckamloops@gmail.com) Library 1:30-2:00pm (free)
30
Have an e vent? Tell us abo ut it and w e’ll put it in our Co mmunity E vents Calendar for FREE! info@kamlo opsmomm a.com Find us on Facebook !
Break Canada Games Aquatic Centre 11-9:00pm March 18-22: Spring Break Day Camp Kamloops Gymnastics and Trampoline 9-3:00pm March 23-24: 2013 Western Cdn Open Highland Dancing Championships TCC, 250.572.5667 rhe.green@gmail.com
32