Kamloops Momma April/May 2011
The free magazine for local moms...and dads too!
Spring Cleaning…
the eco-friendly way
Birds, Bees, and Kids in Their Threes Teaching sexual health to your preschooler
Mother ’s Day “Hint ” Guide! www.kamloopsmomma.com
My Daughter’s First Job
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y daughter got her first job. It has flexible hours, great pay, and will provide her with a great foundation for her future endeavours. So, you‘re probably thinking something along the lines of, ―I thought Letter your oldest daughter was 3?‖ Am I right? Well, she‘s almost 4 (gasp!) and it‘s just a natural fit with her lifestyle. She can work from whenever and wherever she wants and she gets to be in charge. a Kamloops Sounds like a perfect job, doesn‘t it? So what is this job fit for a four-year old? A Momma family fitness instructor. Yes, my daughter teaches fitness classes for families… her family. ―It‘s exercise time,‖ is a daily announcement in our house. She brings her dad and I into the living room, takes her position at the front of the ‗class,‘ and tells us what to do: ―5 lunges. Excellent! Now do 5 more!!‖ Pretty impressive for a not-yet-four-year-old, huh? She can do it all: burpees, hurdles, jumping jacks, planks. Of course, this means that we have to do them too; but we do them happily because she is just so darn cute (a heck of a lot cuter doing these moves than her dad and I). So where did she develop her skills? At a fitness boot camp for mommas and their little‘uns. For some kids, the class is a time to play with other children while their momma‘s get fit, but my daughter does everything right along with me. When I‘m running, she‘s running. When I‘m stretching, she‘s stretching. When I‘m balancing, she‘s balancing. When I‘m exhausted, she‘s exhausted. And most importantly, when I‘m proud, she is too. And, you know what the best part is? She‘s better motivation to get fit than any scale or measuring tape. So, as a thank-you, I pay her well. No, I don‘t bribe her with money (I only do this to get her to eat her vegetables!); Instead of cash, she‘s paid in hugs, kisses, laughs, and confidence. What more could a girl ask for? — Courtney Charlton, editor This Kamloops Momma and her daughters attend the Mommy‟s Wellness Workouts presented by Fit By Design. For more info, find Fit By Design on Facebook. To share your ideas and comments, contact us at info@kamloopsmomma.com or find us at facebook.com/kamloopsmommamagazine.
On the Cover: This sweet little cover model is no stranger to the camera. Vann is the son & muse of Lisa from Milk &
Honey Photography. Lisa's style is fun, whimsical, and upbeat. She loves to incorporate fun props, vintage chairs, cute hats and aims to make art that warms hearts! She is a natural light & studio photographer and photographs maternity, newborns and babies under 1.5 years of age. For more information, check out milkandhoneyphotography.ca
info@kamloopsmomma.com
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A Look Inside Kamloops Momma... Mikayla, 3.5 and Amber, 2 Photo: Cristalee Brinkworth
These Ain’t Your Momma’s Cloth Diapers
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The Great Cloth Diaper Change 2011
We Are Sowing
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Getting your children on the vitamin and mineral express
Holy Hana Banana
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Following a first-time mom from final trimester to 1st birthday
Dear Aunty Special
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Birds, bees, and kids in their threes Nicholas, 4 months
Like a 2.5 Year Old at Disneyland
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A child‟s view of the world
Photo: Megan Cody
The Mother’s Day Hint Guide
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Momma Makeover Winner!
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How to have your perfect Mother‟s Day
Ryan, 2.5 and Rylee, newborn
I Haven’t Done Anything that Scared Me... 17 One mom‟s story of „getting her body back‟
Of Kids and Hobbits
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A dad‟s perspective
Getting Giggly
Grayson, 2 and Charlee, 1
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A review of “The Giggler Treatment”
Wealth Planning 101
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The Loopy Family Special Report: Cam Rauschenberger
Photo: Jaime Welch
Spring Cleaning
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The dirt on cleaning products Emma, 4 and Sam, 8 months Photo: Lindsay Yargeau
Resources:
Birthday Party Directory
8 Community Business Directory 18
Get Connected
23 Community Events Calendar
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 two months and available for free at businesses and organizations throughout our region. Readers can also download the magazine online and subscribe to have it delivered right to their door. Subscriptions are available for $20 a year.
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Kamloops Momma Magazine Published by Courtney Charlton, Editor Contact: 778-472-0020 info@kamloopsmomma.com www.kamloopsmomma.com facebook.com/kamloopsmommamagazine 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.
These Ain’t Your Momma’s Cloth Diapers! By Courtney Charlton
Y
ou know the story about your grandparents walking 5 miles to school in the middle of a snowstorm (without shoes, of course)? Well, I got to listen to the cloth diaper anecdote too. ―When you were a baby, we had to use folded tea towels fastened with temperamental pins and covered with plastic pants. We had to change the diaper every hour, rinse it in the toilet, soak it, and then start the whole routine again.‖ The moral of the story: ―You are so lucky to have disposables!‖ I readily admit that tea towels, pins, and plastic do not sound like a lot of fun; but you know what is fun? A little baby bottom covered with cushy hearts, skulls, flowers, or stars. Cloth diapers have come a long way in recent years. Dare I say that cloth diapers have actually become chic? Velcro and button enclosures, hi-tech water15 month old Ava is stylin‟ in her proof, natural, and bum-friendly fabrics, and pink camo cloth diaper. flushable liners make cloth diapering easy, Photo: green, and economical—not to mention how State of Grace Photography darn cute and cozy they are. The cloth diaper community in Kamloops is thriving. We have locally made cloth diapers, a cloth diaper service, and the largest cloth diaper store in Interior BC, Lizzie Bits Baby Co. Jennifer Harabuk, owner of Lizzie Bits, used disposables for her first 2 children, but decided to go with cloth for her third because it made sense financially. ―It was very foreign but, as soon as we started, we realized how easy it is,‖ recalls Harabuk, ―The one downside was that there was no one locally to coach us.‖ So nearly 3 years ago she opened Lizzie Bits to fill this need locally. ―We‘ve seen an increase in cloth diapering families because it‘s a smarter choice financially,‖ says Harabuk, ―The environmental aspect has become the happy second reason.‖ For those curious about cloth diapers, but not sure if they are right for you, Lizzie Bits offers Cloth Diapering 101 twice a month to find out more. (And just for attending, you get $25 off a purchase of $100!) And for those cloth diaper enthusiasts, Lizzie Bits has joined forces with Delish Naturals and KamloopsParents.com to host The Great Cloth Diaper Change, a global initiative to set the record for the most cloth diapers changed at one time. ―Having this event is stimulating worldwide recognition that cloth diapering is on the rise.‖ ―We want to see the carbon footprint reduced,‖ says Harabuk, ―If we can contribute one small change, diapering is an easy way to do it.‖ Are you a cloth diapering momma or papa? Bring your little one to The Great Cloth Diaper Change for your chance to become a world record holder and help change the world too! The Great Cloth Diaper Change is April 23, 2011 from 8:30-10:30am in the lower level of the Lansdowne Village. The official „change‟ takes place at 9am. You can preregister at Lizzie Bits or online at www.lizziebaby.ca. There will be swag bags, prizes, vendors, and more. If you want to participate, but don‟t have your own cloth diapers, Snug-Glee Bumz Diaper Service will be renting theirs. www.kamloopsmomma.com
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We are Sowing: Getting Your Kids on the Vitamin and Mineral Express By Jennifer Sloan
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ast summer something occurred in our family. An extraordinary occurrence. My then 2year-old son, Cooper, asked for a carrot. And it happened more than once. Unprecedented! A vegetable? In your mouth? Touching your teeth? Your tongue? Into your tum-
my? Clearly the only explanation was that I had entered an alternate universe. You know, the kind where children eat what‘s in front them free from bribery (―Three more bites and you can have a treat after!‖) or coercion (―You have a choice: eat your dinner or go straight to bed!‖). The catalyst: our community garden. A small plot, really, but three rows of carrots, a couple of beans, some lettuce, tomatoes, squash, and peppers were enough to spark the curiosity of my, shall we say, choosy eater. So this year I‘m hopeful to recreate the success of last year, and perhaps expand into the realm of zucchini, or dare I dream, tomatoes? And how are we embarking on the project? The same way you can: with egg cartons (we choose the cardboard kind), scissors, a pencil, some clear plastic bags, seed starting soil, a spray bottle filled with water, and a few packages of seeds.
How to Make a Family Greenhouse Step 1: Gather up the kids and get all your materials out on a flat workspace and, if you can do it outside, even better – less clean up. Step 2: Have one person use the scissors to cut the lid off of your egg carton. This will become your water-catching tray. Step 3: Someone else can use the pencil to poke a hole in the bottom of each egg container in the other half of the carton. Step 4: A little set of hands can then fill the egg containers with seed starting soil (I got the special mix from the garden centre, but other options are available). Step 5: Take your seed package and read the instructions on the back. Most packs will give indication of how early seeds should be started before last frost date, so take this into account as you plan when to sow your seeds. Also, pay close attention to the time it takes for seeds to germinate so you know when you can expect to see some plants popping up. Have someone mark that date on your calendar. Quick Tip: If you are looking for speedy results, beans are always a good choice. Step 6: Time to plant! Your seed package will tell you the planting depth required, so follow that instruction and then give the seeds a light pat to set them in the soil. We tend to put two or three seeds into each egg cup, just to make sure a plant comes up. You can always thin them later if needed. Step 7: Take the egg cup part of the carton that is now full of soil and seeds and nest it inside the lid you cut off earlier. Step 8: Hand the spray bottle to someone you trust to spray the seeds (and not you!) and mist away. The idea is to get the soil wet, but you don‟t want to wash the dirt off your seeds. Step 9: Invite someone to place the egg carton inside a clear plastic bag and put the whole lot in a sunny window. Jennifer and her sons, Cooper, 3, and Finn, 16 months, spend the afternoon making a family greenhouse using egg cartons, soil, and seeds. Photos: Matt Sloan
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Voil‘a,, your own family greenhouse! Keep the soil moist (it can dry out quickly on sunny days), and watch your seedlings sprout. If they begin looking too long, or leggy, take the plastic off. In time, as you need to give a larger home for the root base, each container in the carton can be snipped apart from the others and then plunked into some new soil in a bigger pot and you can simply count your original cardboard as compost. If you‘ve used a Styrofoam egg carton, you‘ll have to carefully remove your plants before introducing them to their new abode. You‘ll still have to harden your plants off, which is fancy language for taking them outside a bunch of times before you actually plant them in your garden, or your planter, or your tea kettle (almost any container can work as a garden spot if needs be). Our first set of soon-to-be seedlings are already sitting in our kitchen window – a lovely crop of delicious strawberries, soon to be joined by butternut squash, rainbow tomatoes, red peppers, and even broccoli, in its bold fervour. Ambitious? Yes. But miracles don‘t happen on their own and if Cooper is going to warm up to veggies, this just might be golden ticket he takes to board that Vitamin-and-Mineral Nutrient Express just waiting to make its journey to his little tummy. And, who knows? With any luck perhaps the train will make a stop at your home too! Jennifer Sloan is a high school English teacher turned stay-athome mom to two busy boys, ages 1 and 3. Reluctant to retire that red marking pen, she scrutinizes her own work as a freelance writer and relishes in turning thought into print: nothing like being able to use several multisyllabic words in sequence and still be understood…
We asked you: What the most 'creative' thing you've done to get your kids to eat their veggies? ―Bribe them. With each bite they got an M&M all the way through it.‖ - Shannon G. ―Told my daughter to bite the heads off of her trees (broccoli). She will eat them every time now!‖ - Kendra H. ―Hidden them in other food - ex. pureed cauliflower in mac 'n cheese. Or made an awesome herb yogurt dip for raw veg. Then I don't even have to try! ―- Lynn R. ―Saladmaster - my son will eat any veggie!‖ - Kathy G. ―Gave him a little bit of dip for his veggies... now he eats ‗em up! We also never forced him to eat them but kept putting them on his plate so he could get used to the idea that even though it‘s not his favourite, it was an important part of his meal!‖ - Sarah C. ―I've danced for her...told her I would as soon as she was done all her veggies. Could be any weird behaviour, they love seeing their parents act silly.‖ - Tanya S. ―Well, at our house we planted purple beans , blue potatoes, purple carrots and had the kids help with the garden in hopes they would eat the produce.‖ - Lorna M.
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Birthday Party Directory Should your business be here? Contact our sales momma at info@kamloopsmomma.com!
~Following a first-time mom’s journey from the final trimester to baby's 1st birthday~
Holy Hana Banana…Oranges in Tube Socks? By Erin Brûlé
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e are just past the 7 month mark now, and I have to say, there have been some interesting revelations. Not really revelations (that makes it sound as though they are deep)....let's just call them discoveries. First, there was the 'fog-lifting.' You know when you meet someone, that special someone, and it turns your whole world upside down? You can‘t get enough of each other. You hardly see your friends. You stop trying to make new ones. You don‘t even notice if you have eaten that day. You fall off the face of the earth…and those times when you might actually “And my latest be around other people, you aren‘t discovery - she really there…you‘re still off in your won't be own little ‗private world‘ with your special someone. breastfeeding And then, one day, you wake up and forever. Which think, ―Oh, hello world. Nice to see you.‖ But no one is saying ‗nice to see brings me to you‘ back and you realize that you are a bunch of your connections oranges in tube missing because you have neglected them. socks.” And you've missed out on making new connections too. I read that at this stage babies become aware that they are an individual and not an extension of mommy. I wonder if this mommy is finally figuring that out too? Next, came forward movement. All my veteran mom friends tell me that the longer the baby doesn't crawl, the better. But, if you are a first-time mom, you know it is super exciting the first time your baby makes forward movement (or backwards!). Watching her scoot around commando-style around the room is very cool. What's not cool? Forgetting she can move and leaving the room for a minute. Talk about a serious adrenalin rush when you come back to find an empty place on the floor where you had set her down. GACK! Where did she go? As your mind races imagining 101 ways she might be in serious danger, you catch a glimpse of tiny flailing arms and a scrunched up face looking pissed off at you. PHEW! She's just lodged herself under the couch, now wriggling with all her might trying to free her trapped bum. Note to self: install baby gate. And my latest discovery - she won't be breastfeeding forever. Which brings me to oranges in tube socks. Yes. You read that right. This is what I was told I can expect once I am done breastfeeding. And, yes, I am referring to boobs here. The first time it came up in conversation was several years ago, long before I was thinking about children. At the time, I found the description hilarious. Someone else chimed that I needn't worry, because that's what push up bras were made for...only now I would have to fold my boobs to put them in the bra. A very strong visual of a red striped sock being folded up
7 month old Rya is on the move...sort of! Photo: Erin Brûlé and tucked neatly into a Victoria's Secret airlift bra burned into my brain. Then I forgot all about it. Until now. Now, my baby is starting to eat real food. And as excited as I am about this new stage, I am getting a little weepy about the idea of our special nursing time coming to an end. And I am getting even weepier about the impending boob folding! Mommies...please chime in here...is this just a myth? Please, please tell me it's a myth! To catch updates as Erin navigates the alien world of parenthood, and to share your stories, tidbits and advice, check in at loopymama.ca.
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Dear Aunty Special:
Birds, Bees, and Kids in Their Threes By Erin Mitchell
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s a daycare lady for a group of mainly preschoolers, I Noon's almost 15 years of working with kids, she sees three get asked some pretty fantastic questions on a day-to- reasons why providing this information starting at as early as day basis. Most of them are fairly ‗ordinary‘ and are possible is crucial: usually based on the child's thoughtful observations and at1. ―Most importantly," Noon states, "studies from all over the tempts to make sense of a confusing world: how come we only world consistently show that children who are educated see pink in the sky at the end of the day, why do birds only about healthy bodies, healthy boundaries and healthy sexualtweet when it's sunny out (PS: this is the only kind of ity are more protected from child sexual abuse. Even if chil"tweeting" question I can answer), why dren are not asking questions yet (some does 3-year old Sean ask ‗Why?‘ all the never will), we need to give them infor“For most of us, talking about time? etc. mation about their bodies and help Very occasionally, however, I get a them to develop strong personal boundsexual health issues with our kids question that throws even me for a loop. aries. Sexual offenders (85% of which Such was the case not too long ago in is uncomfortable. We want our are known to the victim) prey on chilthe TCC pool change room when I was dren who aren‘t educated about their kids to stay innocent. No one asked, "Aunty, what happened to bodies and therefore lack the skills to Jaime's penis? Did it fall off when she wants their kids to grow up too differentiate between appropriate and came out of your tummy?" inappropriate touching. fast and, hey, most of us didn't Since poor ol' Jaime is the only girl in ―These children find it hard to say a daycare of boys, it's actually quite a exactly have a comprehensive ‗no,‘ especially to an adult, and may not logical question - preschoolers are report abuse for fear of getting in troutalk with our own parents when aware of gender differences and they ble. They are an easy target. In addition start to be curious about why the bodies we were kids.” to learning the concept of ownership of of girls and boys look and function difone‘s body, young children also need to ferently (like when it comes to peeing, learn technical terminology for body parts so that they can for example). accurately and clearly report abuse. Years ago, a parent told My own kids and I have recently had to have a little chat me that she worked at a daycare facility and, over the course about why it's not okay to touch your brother's penis/sister's of three weeks, a four year old boy told each care provider, vulva in the bath ("Anything a bathing suit covers is *your* ―My grandpa was playing with my toy.‖ It wasn‘t until a quick private spot and the only one who can touch it is you..."). thinking staff member called the parents in that they discovFor most of us, talking about sexual health issues with our ered in this family, the penis was referred to as ‗the toy.‘ kids is uncomfortable. We want our kids to stay innocent. No Tragic.‖ one wants their kids to grow up too fast and, hey, most of us 2."Unfortunately, children today are exposed at earlier and didn't exactly have a comprehensive talk with our own parearlier ages to all things involving sex. Racy TV for many of ents when we were kids. So is it important to have the basic ‗birds and bees‘ talk with us growing up, for example, was Fantasy Island at 9pm on a Saturday night. Now our kids can watch Sex and the City afpreschoolers? I mean, the BC Curriculum mandates sexual health education from K-12, so can't we just put it off until they terschool. The internet is a mine field, we hear ads for extra go to school? Not really. I had a chance to pick the brain of my extra large condoms on the radio, and don‘t even get me started on song lyrics these days! More than ever, we, as regood friend, Saleema Noon, one of BC's best and brightest sponsible adults, need to stay one step ahead of the game by sexual health experts ―In a society where we don‘t talk openly about sexual health arming our children with accurate information about sexual health before they get their questions answered on the playissues, I don‘t blame parents for getting stressed about the birds and the bees," says Noon. "It can be a daunting task just ground by older friends or worse, through experimentation. We need to teach them to think critically about what they to figure out where to begin teaching about sex, never mind hear (Mountain Dew does NOT kill sperm!), and this open actually talking about it with children!" However, based on
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communication helps parents to establish themselves early as their child‘s number one source of sexual health information throughout their development." 3. ―Young children are easiest to teach. They are excited to be ‗body scientists‘ and accept the information very matter-offactly. They haven‘t learned that it can be embarrassing to talk about bodies and sex and can name the penis like it‘s the elbow. No kidding. I can explain sexual intercourse to a group of Kindergarten and Grade 1 students and they look at me like I‘m talking about bicycle safety! By the time they get to grade 4 or 5, on the other hand, children are completely grossed out about anything to do with private parts, relationships and, especially, S-E-X. While teaching in a grade 5 classroom recently, a student asked me. ‗What possessed you to do this job?‘ He couldn‘t believe that I actually talk about sex all day voluntarily! So, as parents and educators, we have to surmount the embarrassment barrier before they can accept the information they need. This is not easy.‖ But what about overwhelming your child with information? Is there such a thing as too much, too soon? "The good news," says Noon, "is that young children only absorb information they are ready for…everything else just goes above their head. More good news - studies show that children who learn about healthy bodies at an early age from reliable adults in their life delay sexual intercourse. Now there‘s a reason to start talking!" So, what do we need to teach and when? Noon has provided the following list of what children aged pre-Kindergarten to grade 3 should know (in an ideal world!): That they have ownership of their bodies Scientific words related to sexual health (i.e. urethra, stool, penis, testicles, anus, vagina, uterus) That reproduction usually, although not always, happens when a man‘s sperm joins a woman‘s ovum by sexual intercourse All families are different (single parent, blended, divorced, gay, adoptive) The baby grows in the uterus The baby is usually born through the vagina Not to pick up used condoms or needles The basics about menstruation and nocturnal emissions (wet dreams) as clean and healthy processes Basic information about body changes at puberty For more information on talking to your kids about their bodies and for a list of resources to help you along, visit your local branch of the TNRD Library, click on Noon‘s website, www.saleemanoon.com, or check out www.sexualityandu.ca. It has sections for different audiences, including educators and health care professionals. Saleema Noon is a sexual health expert and founder of Saleema Noon Sexual Health Educators. She recently appeared in CBC‟s Passionate Eye documentary "Secrets" and has also been featured in Canadian Living, Chatelaine and Today‟s Parent magazines along with several other national publications. "Aunty" Erin Mitchell is a proud nurse, momma, and owner/ operator of Aunty's House Registered Family Daycare in Kamloops. She is currently working on a degree in child and adolescent psychology through TRU.
Do you have a question for “Aunty” Erin? Please contact her at cdnnurse1995@yahoo.ca. www.kamloopsmomma.com
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Like a 2.5 Year Old at Disneyland By Janet Whitehead
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f we could live life like a 2.5 year old at Disneyland, we'd go to magical places and be entirely in the moment. We wouldn't be rushing to get to see everything; we'd be happy to just be wherever we are. We'd trust those that guide us, even as we go somewhat cautiously to rather loud, dark and exciting places. We'd just cover our ears if it's too noisy and, if we ended up somewhere that scared us, our guides would cuddle us, speak soothing words, and we'd know that we are safe. They'd even remind us that we can stand tall, announce our self and say, "You can't scare me!" Or we'd learn to growl like a tiger at tigers that growl at us because that's quite fun too. When we are tired in the middle of the day, we'd just cover our head with a blankie and nap. When we wake, we'd wonder what's for dinner and we'd know that food will arrive. It's okay if it isn't shaped like a mouse, but it's funny if it is. And we just aren't going to eat a thing if we aren't hungry, no matter how much someone might want us to, unless it‘s fresh buttered popcorn. And ,oh! The excitement when we really see magical beings, whether they are faeries or princesses or great big fuzzy bears. Sure, we've never doubted their existence, but we'd be
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so pleased to meet them here. And they'd be pleased to meet us too because they run into many people who don't believe in them, so it's lovely when we arrive and know that they are real. We'd be so intrigued by the stories told in castles that later we'd re-enact them and make up our own stories with little toy characters – loving every minute of our imaginary play. We'd notice as we walk that we have a really lovely shadow and we'd run and hop with it in the middle of the street, so entranced we wouldn't even notice the other people trying to get by us. And they wouldn't mind that we might hop right in front of them because, well, they are in a magical place too. When we don't feel like dancing, we'd say so. And when we do, we'd grab our Nana and dance together twirling and singing and laughing. We'd climb mountains, swing on rope swings, and try to scale anything that looks like it has a foothold. In the moment, practising our balance on a little wall has the same value as a wild boat ride. But the wild boat rides are delightful...full of mystery and intrigue and waterslides. "Oh my! I love that song," we'd think. Then we'd sing "Yo Ho" and "Once upon a Dream" whenever and wherever we feel like it. And if we wanted to, we'd ride a gilded horse over and over and over again and no doubt be crowned 'Princess of the Carousel.' Yes, others would happily acknowledge our joyful spirit. We'd be full of wonder and laughter as we watched Aladdin and Jasmine and Genies dance and sing; and the next day we would hug Jasmine dearly because now that we knew her story, we would feel just that much closer to her. When streamers and glitter are tossed in the air during magical parades, we'd run to gather them before the cleaning people could get to them! Then we'd twirl and scrunch and toss our streamers into the air before giving them to our guides for safekeeping. When we'd travel to a little island, we'd be happy to sit in the dirt and talk to the ducks because they are as magical as the faeries. And when someone announces, "Look! A treasure chest!" we'd notice it's full of flat round things and we'd yell, "Cookies!" because we'd know that would be the ideal treasure for us. If we lived our life like a 2.5 year old at Disneyland, we'd be in awe of how bright and beautiful and exciting and full of cookies the world can be. And we'd never doubt even a moment that our guides are looking after us while we get to experience all the wonder and magic and adventure that the world holds. And we'd laugh as we hugged our guides often, and giggle as we hugged ourselves too. Janet Whitehead is a Certified Life and Creativity Coach and facilitator of Muses for Mommies. www.musingsandmud.com
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The
Mother ’s Day (Remember, it ’s May 8)
Hint Guide
this is our Mother‟s Day gift to you. Yes, it might M ommas, look like just a shiny piece of paper, but it‟s really the key
to your perfect Mother‟s Day. Do you want to sleep in, go for a family hike, and spend the evening playing board games? Or would you prefer a day at the spa and dinner at your favourite restaurant? And, more importantly, do your loved ones know what you want? Fill in this guide and casually leave it out for them to see…or, heck, just make it simple and give it to them! (Okay, husbands, partners, kids: this is clearly for you too! No more trying to decode what a woman wants...just a little reading and you’ll know)
In the Morning... If I could sleep in as late as I wanted, I would sleep until I’d love to wake up to
My favourite breakfast is
GIFT IDEA #1: Handmade Coupons Handmade coupons are a great, inexpensive way to show mom that you care. All you need is paper, a pen, or a computer, and a little imagination. What does the mom in your life want? A clean house? An evening with friends? A massage? Why not give her a coupon for it? * or just cut out the one below! I’d love THIS coupon:
Special Coupon
for
Mom
Good for an entire day without cooking or cleaning * The cooking and cleaning will be provided by your very appreciative family as a thank-you for all that you do for us!
"To the world you might just be one person, but to one person you might be the world." GIFT IDEA #2: Photo Bouquet How about a bouquet of flowers that mom will treasure forever? This is a simple craft idea that‟s fun for kids and perfect for mom. You will need paper, a glue stick, scissors, tape, pipe cleaners, photos and markers/crayons (optional). Instructions: Cut photos into circles for the center of the flowers (use faces of loved ones) Colour paper (optional) Cut flower shapes out of paper, layer different colours of paper if you want Glue photo circles onto the centre of each flower Tape a pipe cleaner to the back of the flowers Tie with a ribbon or place in a vase
Things I love: Massages Friend Time
(circle as many as you want)
The Spa
Flowers
Hiking
Jewellery
Movies
Restaurants
Poetry
Chocolate
Family Time Clothes
Home Cooking Board Games
„Me‟ Time
Books
Handmade Gifts Picnics
Shopping
The one thing that I want, but would never buy myself is:
**My perfect Mother ’s Day would be:
The Momma Makeover Contest Winner!
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ast issue, Kamloops Momma put out a call for a momma in need of a makeover. By submitting a photo and telling us her biggest fashion faux-pas, our winner was chosen. Okay, we had so many deserving mommas that we couldn‘t decide by the photo or faux-pas alone, so we had to resort to random.org for help! Nonetheless, we found our winner: Danielle Campbell. So what did she win? A facial and make-up by Beauty Has Endless Possibilities, hair by Pure Evolution Salon, clothes by the Ruby Room, and a photo shoot by Kathleen Ferguson Photography. Yes, Danielle is one lucky momma...but we know this mother of 2 little ones deserves it all! Danielle‘s makeover transformation will be featured in our next issue. For now, take a peek at some entries below. Want to see more? Find us on Facebook!
Thanks SO much to our amazing sponsors:
Beauty Has Endless Possibilities
“I have gone grocery shopping with pyjamas bottoms with teddy bears on them and my long black dress jacket.” - Danielle’s fashion faux-pas
When I was younger I was teased a lot because of my poufy hair. So I shaved the sides and let the top and back grow. In the end I had a Billy Ray Cyrus 'do before I even knew who he was. - Tanya Yeah...peed pant....My daughter spilled water all over me at dinner....did that stop me from grocery shopping on the way home? Nope. - Sara
And thanks to every momma who shared their worst fashion moments with us!
On my 30th Birthday in Las Vegas I wore a tight hot pink tube dress with sky high, glitter heels, and to suck in my loose mommy tummy, I wore my big white onesie undies that are up to my chest. As the night went on and the more drinks I had, as I danced my dress rode up and everyone in the bar seen this big white onesie under this sexy pink satin dress!!!! I am sure they were expecting a sexy thong, but instead seen my big mom undies! - Kristie
I Haven’t Done Anything that Scared Me in Awhile... By Tania McCartney … except have a baby. But I have been thinking about that for out of me. The last time I tried a a long time and, thankfully, had nearly a year to prepare for step class I tripped over my step and generally made an ass her arrival, which was not without its panicked moments. It of myself. Yoga moves slowly; it‘s much easier to follow. was recently the idea of working out, or the much-motherMuch to my surprise, I had a blast! It is an intense workout used, ‗getting my body back,‘ that really sent me into a tailbut I really enjoyed following my breath and listening to my spin. body. I loved the focus that it took to get into the routine and For the last few years I have been practicing yoga and riding my bike exclusively as my physical activity. I worked out the smooth rhythm that emerged once I got it down. And, most importantly, I could laugh at myself when I couldn‘t. in a gym a lot in high school and shortly thereafThere is something of a spin culture. People ter, but for a long time I have avoided the gym and its contraptions, preferring what I thought “How could I love were chatting, whoo-ing, and egging each other on. Obviously, this is much different than a was a more natural way of building muscle and my body so much as yoga class, but I found it encouraging. I can‘t staying in shape. And, eventually, as is the to go back! case with so many people, yoga became much a large, curvaceous wait And I also had a realization: I don‘t have to more than a way of staying in shape. get my body back - it didn‘t go anywhere. The pregnant women Physical activity is something that has been truth of the matter is that our body is never the important to me for a long time. I am keenly and be so ashamed same from moment to moment, let alone day to interested in how the body works and what it is capable of. It has always made me feel vital of the soft belly left day. Its composition changes based on what we eat, breathe, and even how we deal with and invigorated, but this also has a darker behind? It was this the stress in our lives. So how can I expect my side. I suffered from an eating disorder as a body to be the same after such a huge change? young adult and this pattern of body dysmorvery tissue that Slowly, over many years now, I have become phia has stayed with me to some degree. I was housed and nurtured more compassionate with myself. Perhaps it is obsessive about the gym. However, when I most difficult to practice the yogic precept of began practicing yoga regularly, I began to my baby.” Ahimsa (non-harming) on oneself. I figure I am feel better about myself than I ever had. doing pretty well, but in the meantime I strive So why do I feel so badly now? It‘s a pattern to see where I can go physically and if I can get there in a and now that my life has presented me with a series of new happier, healthier way. challenges and entirely new parameters, it can be very easy I am most interested to see how beginning a stronger work to slip back into old patterns like an old pair of shoes. out regime will blend with my yoga practice. I am finding that How could I love my body so much as a large, curvaceous I am accumulating a lot of tension, acquiring new patterns of pregnant women and be so ashamed of the soft belly left behind? It was this very tissue that housed and nurtured my ba- movement, and yes, bad habits caring for a new baby. How do I strengthen my body and tone up without building on the by. strain that is already there? I am willing to try some new I don‘t have time for long practices to build up to harder things and even be bad at them, as much as that might scare poses, longer meditations to ease my mind and, much to my me. I am curious where it will lead and what I will learn. I‘ll let dismay, there is very little bike riding going on. I miss bike riding more than anything else! So what to do? I renewed my you know how it goes. Tania is a certified yoga teacher and the mother of a very membership at the gym. Before, the gym was just a place that I went to for the occasional yoga class or to work up a sweat busy 14 month old daughter. Thank goodness for yoga! She when the weather was inclement. But I now had a new goal: to teaches prenatal, parent and baby, and beginner hatha yoga at get my body back. Let's Move Yoga Studio and the YMCA. She is dedicated to sharSo I decided to try my first spin class yesterday. I was terriing the benefits of yoga with other moms and writes about her fied and, truthfully, I expected to hate it. I just needed to see adventures in yoga and parenting at groundedandsound.ca what all the fuss was about. Fitness classes scare the bejesus
Yoga Mom Tip #1: When you are not super busy (come on, I know there are a least a few moments) pick up and support your babe with the non dominant side of your body 3 times throughout the day. This action will begin to cultivate mindfulness of a physical habit and give relief to some woefully overused muscles. www.kamloopsmomma.com
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Community Business Directory Health and Wellness
Books
Aina Eco Spa
At Second Glance Books
Let us take you away… Massage therapy and aesthetics using organic and natural products 248 Victoria St. 250.319.4111 ainaspa@live.ca www.ainaspa.ca
When you think books, think second first! 448 Victoria St. across from Downtown Library 250.377.8411 atsecondglance@telus.net
Ashley Leighton, RMT
Children’s Stores and Services
Optimal Health Therapeutic Massage Pain and Stress Management, Relaxation, Injury Prevention, and Sports Massage. 250-376-3070 www.ohtmassage.com ashley@ohtmassage.com
The Kids Room New owner, same great quality and service! Brand name clothing, shoes, and toys Geox, Striderite, Roxy, Blu, Mexx and more! 460-500 Notre Dame Dr. 250.374.5022
Fit By Design Precision Fitness Training...for Body and Mind Family Friendly Boot Camp Sabrina, sinclairs1@shaw.ca 250.851.2095 Look for us on Facebook!
Lizzie Bits Baby Co. Go Green! Use Cloth! Cloth diaper specialists. Unique children‘s items. High quality children‘s consignment. 205-450 Lansdowne 250.374.8706 lizziebaby.ca
Let’s Move Studio Yoga - Dance - Wellness Classes, workshops, and events letsmove@gmail.com 250.372.9642 www.letsmovestudio.com
Largest selection of NEW and USED items Nursing bras, Harley Davidson, Robeez & more! Over 10 000 quality consignment items! 3-700 Tranquille 250.376.1914 & Facebook
Musings and Mud Coaching Studio Life Coaching with a creative twist! Workshops, workbooks, and so much more! Janet L. Whitehead, certified professional coach janet@musingsandmud.com 250.376.8402 www.musingsandmud.com
Mulberry Bush Kids Stuff Inc. Gently Loved Consignment & New Items Infant to Adult Clothing, Baby Furniture, the largest inventory of Robeez, Melissa & Doug www3.telus.net/mulberrybush 250.374.2501 Now on Facebook!
Snug-Glee Bumz Diaper Service
Home-Based Sales Businesses
Happy Baby, Happy Planet Service includes diapers, pick-up, delivery, and laundering all for a low weekly cost.
250.554.9722 www.snuggleebumz.com
Tumbleweed Toys Sahali Mall Specializing in the highest quality dolls, costumes, music, art, crafts, gifts, books, educational games, puppets, science kits 250.372.3500 www.TumbleweedToys.ca
Daycare Little Saplings Daycare (Licensed) Natural play-based, nature inspired learning ECE Certified Care Provider Spaces avail. for kids ages 3-4, Mon-Thurs Contact Lorissa at 250.372.1796 littlesaplingschildcare@yahoo.ca
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Discovery Toys, Alison Gregory Discovery Toys Educational Leader 250.851.2270 aligregory@telus.net discoverytoyslink.com/aligregory Teach. Play. Inspire.
Discovery Toys with Sara Boyes 'Inspiring you to play and grow with your children' 250.376.7220 thismama@ymail.com www.discoverytoyslink.com/saraboyes Teach. Play. Inspire.
Ladybugz Slings n’ Things Baby products you‟ll get attached to! NEW soft and sustainable bamboo ring slings. Custom orders welcome! Shannon, 250.319.4437 LadybugzSlings.com
Home-Based Sales Businesses Cont’d
Parent Resources Cont’d
Moms Helping Moms – work from home
The Loopy Family Coupon Book Because it‟s fun to be frugal! 2011Coupon Book Now Available! 250.574.1258 info@loopyfamily.ca www.loopyfamily.ca
Perfect opportunity for moms and others
www.lookaround.ca
choiceofwellness@gmail.com
Welcome Wagon
Sleepsacks by McSew
Are you expecting, or do you have a baby under a year old, moving, or getting married? Welcome Wagon has Programs, and/ or basket gifts for you! Call Pamela Lee for more info! 250.573.2823
100% cotton flannelette Readymade or custom ordered, made in Kamloops by me! Jane at McKnit@hotmail.com 250.828.2309
Indoor Activities
Prenatal and Postpartum Care
The Fun Factor Family Fun Centre & 3D Pirates Adventure Golf
Mighty Oak Midwifery
Family entertainment headquarters! See our ad for Kamloops Momma specials! 910 Tranquille Rd funfactor.ca 250.554.3111
Personal, professional, woman-centered maternity care. Now accepting new clients! 250.377.8611 www.mightyoakmidwifery.ca
Game-On Interactive Fitness
Parenthood in the Making
Putting the Fun into Fitness. All Ages, All Abilities, All FUN! 444 St Paul St 250.374.4263 www.gameoninteractivefitness.com
Childbirth Services Susanne Pytela, B.S.W. DONA trained birth and postpartum doula 250.572.6383 susanne.pytela@gmail.com
Thompson Rivers Midwifery
Music
Holistic Maternity Care. Fully funded under your BC Care Card. Choose Home or Hospital Birth. Now accepting new clients! (250)-572-0632 thompsonriversmidwifery.com
Music for Young Children Music for Young Children is a national music program designed to build solid musicianship in young students; starting as young as 3! Kamloops Symphony Music School 250.372. 5000 www.myc.com
Tiny Blessings Prenatal Expecting? Let us teach you what to expect. Prenatal education focusing on late pregnancy, labor & delivery, breastfeeding, & newborn care. www.tinyblessingsprenatal.com 250-819-0510
Kamloops Symphony Music School Group classes and private instruction for all ages and levels. Station Plaza #3-510 Lorne St. 250.372.5000 info@kamloopssymphony.com
Photography and Art
Parent Resources
Ann Weninger Photography Specializing in newborn, baby, family, prenatal, wedding, children and vintage inspired photography. www.annwphotography.ifp3.com
Kamloops Connexions A drop in coffee group for moms looking for a little mommy time. Childcare provided for a small fee. Fridays 9:30-11:30, Southwest Community Church, 700 Hugh Allen Drive 250.828.1114 coffee-connexions@hotmail.com
The Art We Are Artisan Market Local art, comfy couches, unique, delicious and (mostly) healthy food! New Location! 246 Victoria St. 250.828.7998 theartweare@gmail.com
KamloopsParents.com The online resource to all things familyfriendly in Kamloops. Sign up for our monthly newsletter! www.kamloopsparents.com elizabeth@kamloopsparents.com
There’s more business listings!
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(Should your business be one?)
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Brianna Munro Something different from your normal studio photography www.briannamunro.com briannamunro@live.ca
Milk & Honey Photography Lisa DiGeso milkandhoney@mail.com www.milkandhoneyphotography.ca
Troi Crombie Capturing “The Real Thing” Engagement|Maternity|Newborn|Family 250.819.4746 troi@troicrombie.com troicrombie.com
Twist of Fate Yarns A Momma Friendly shop for your knitting & spinning needs. Classes, drop-in knitting, & events! 778.471.5562 twistoffateyarns.com 2020– F Falcon Rd *By Falcon Lanes Bowling.
Real Estate and Investments Ron Armstrong Primerica Representative Helping families become financially independent with our complimentary services 250-819-9533 rarmstrong@primerica.com
Nicole Crichton, Mortgage Consultant Finding a mortgage that works for your family Evening & weekend appts available 250-319-9542 niccrichton@telus.net www.nicolecrichton.com
Ken Featherstone, Realtor Bringing Families Home Royal LePage Westwin Realty Personal Real Estate Corp. 250.374.1461 kenfeathetone@royallepage.ca
Of Kids and Hobbits: The Rebirth of Imagination By Chris Carrier
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eing a parent is undoubtedly the hardest job I‘ve ever had. It seems like I‘m always entering a new phase of my child‘s growth and, with each new phase, new challenges are born. Everyone who has a family knows of the stresses of raising a family - running around like a chicken with your head cut-off, paying the bills, keeping everyone safe, healthy and happy. My daughters are on the verge of teen hood, which I‘ve heard is a heck of a time, so I‘m really going to enjoy the phase they are in right now. It‘s a time of exploration, imagination, and learning for myself and my daughters. It‘s also a time to create a connection that hopefully will get us through those teen years! For my family, stories are an “Being a dad can be important way to connect to each other. I grew up reading very challenging, but Tin Tin, Asteryx and Obemy life as a father is a lisque, and an assortment of English and French comics and great little story that chapter books; all stories that I keeps unfolding in front can‘t wait to share with my daughters. What will they think of me.” of Tolkien‘s Middle Earth or Rawling‘s Hogwarts? What will they think of Hobbits, Smeagol, orc‘s, Harry and Hermione? For now, my girls share the stories they are reading with me: Flat Stanley, Chirp Magazine and Les Explorateurs. The characters they meet come to life not just for them, but for me as well. Both of my daughter‘s love to dress up and become the characters they read about. Mom and Grandma keep the costumes coming and keep the girl‘s in a constant state of creative play. They became Spot when they were younger and are now onto being Tinkerbell, Kung Fu Panda, Shrek, and most of the animals that cohabitate our planet. For me, as a wanna be writer, I find my daughter‘s imaginary play fascinating. It has led to our family sharing gut busting laughter and giggles. Not ordinary laughter, but one
Kim Livingston, Mortgage Specialist You take care of the kids, let me take care of your mortgage. The Mortgage Group 250.571.2480 kamloopsmortgagegroup.com
Small Business Consulting KG Creative Consulting Fresh new approach to helping you succeed! Specializing in small business marketing, promotions and events. Mompreneur packages and promotions available. Visit www.kamloopsevents.ca for full details
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of those deep belly laughs, where you can‘t stop laughing. The kinds of uncontrollable laughter where milk squirts out of your nose, or brings you to the verge of tears, or you come close to peeing yourself. I love when we laugh like that. One of the great gifts I‘ve gotten from my kids is the rebirth of my imagination. As I see them play and I listen to the elaborate scenarios and games they come up with, I am endlessly entertained. They have Chris, Coralie, Myra and Brynn play become the foundation on a snow hill that inspired the “Ginormous Hill” story Chris wrote for of the stories that I write. his children. When my daughters asked me to build a big snow hill to slide down in our backyard, I wrote a story about a Ginormous Hill. When a new family moved into our neighbourhood, I wrote a story of the day the kids ended up covered from head to toe in mud.
When I published the children‘s story, ―Dragon Problems,‖ last year, both girls‘ were thrilled beyond words when they saw their names in the dedication. They even drew their own version of that story when it came out. Though they are not the characters in the book, it was loosely based on their personalities. I guess what I‘m trying to get to is this: I get a lot out of being a father besides the love, joy, friendships, heartache, worry, smiles, hugs, and everything else that I can‘t think of good or bad. Being a dad can be very challenging, but my life as a father is a great little story that keeps unfolding in front of me. I find the pace a little tough some days, while on other days our story is quite ordinary. But more often than not, some days are absolutely magical and extraordinary. I continue to write stories using the funny little quirks and events that occur in my family. Sometimes when I get too caught up in the hustle and bustle of work or school, I lose sight of paying attention to that. When I get to slow down, I get to cherish the little events, the days playing in the mud, the days where we build worm cities, or the days where we simply enjoy each other‘s company. Chris Carrier is a husband to Coralie and a father to Maya and Brynn. He lives in Kamloops, B.C. where he currently works with the City of Kamloops and studies Architecture and Engineering Technology at TRU. In his spare time, he likes to hang out with his family and the family pets, and write stories among other artistic pursuits. Chris‟ first book, “Dragon Problems,” was published last year and can be viewed at www.hurpublishing.com.
Getting Giggly: A Review of “The Giggler Treatment” By Coreena McBurnie
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personally love Roddy Doyle's novels. The Irish author normally writes adult fiction, so when I ran across ―The Giggler Treatment,‖ I scooped it up for my seven year old son. That night I started reading it to him and, well, let's just say the humour was right up his alley. The story had both of us laughing our heads off. He was quite capable of reading the story himself, but we could not resist the fun of reading it together. All 102 pages take place in the few moments it takes Mister Mack to step or not step (I don't want to give the ending away!) in a mound of dog poo. This sounds implausible, but Roddy Doyle pulls it off beautifully. He creates a wonderful tension and children cannot wait to read the next chapter as Mister Mack's foot inches its way closer to the poo. Where does this poo come from? Well, it turns out that there are Gigglers out there who can expertly camouflage themselves. Their mission is to punish adults who are mean to children by making them step in dog poo, and a large amount of this dog poo comes from an obliging, and now rich, dog named Rover. There is so much in this story for kids to love: poo, punishing adults, Gigglers who are on their side, silliness, page turning tension and lots of laughs. When we were done, my son started making a list of the friends he wanted to lend it to. To me, that is the best recommendation; to have enjoyed a book so much that you cannot wait to share it with others. And the best part is it‘s the first in a trilogy called ―The Rover Adventures.‖ Hint: if your child likes and can read Captain Underpants, they will probably like this. But it is not only for boys, several of the girls in my son's class have read ―The Giggler Treatment and loved it.‖ Coreena McBurnie is a mother of 3 and an advocate for the written word. She reviews books, shares writing resources, and helps children and adults get involved in novel writing. Coreena has her Masters in Classical Studies. Her blog is coreenamcburnie.blogspot.com www.kamloopsmomma.com
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GET CONNECTED: A guide to local parent-child groups * Want to know more about these programs? Check out our previous issues at www.kamloopsmomma.com! Attachment Parenting
2/month - days vary 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 Dr. Southwest Community Church 250.828.1114 coffee-connexions@hotmail.com
Kamloops Wiggles and Giggles Monthly, times vary locations vary Adoption Playgroup
Deanna Jones, jones_A@telus.net
Next Steps
Fri, 1-2:20 Kamloops Public Health Unit 519 Columbia St. 250.851.7300
Parent-Child Mother Goose
various times 519 Columbia St 250.554.3134 interiorcommunityservices.bc.ca
StrongStart Programs Bumblebees
Dragon Flies
Eagles’ Nest
YMCA Child Interactive Centre
More Low or No Cost Activities: Big Little Science Centre 250.554.2572 City of Kamloops Pools 250.828.3655 Family Game Night @ All A-Board Games 250.377.0745 Farmer’s Markets 250.682.7975 Friday Family Fun with Literacy 250.554.3134 Home Depot Kids Workshops 250.371.4300 Kamloops Children’s Museum 250.828.3576 Kamloops Gymnastics and Trampoline Club 250.374.6424 The Knack at Michaels’ Craft Store 250.571.1066 Library Storytime Downtown: 250.372.5145/ N. Shore: 250.554.1124 Preschool Skate 250.828.3387 Secwepemc Museum and Heritage Park 250.828.9749 Story time at Chapters 250.377.8468 Young Naturalists’ Club 250-573-3127
Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, 8:30-11:30 Wed, 12-2:30 Arthur Hatton Elem., 315 Chestnut Ave. 250.376.7217 Mon-Fri, 8:30-11:30 Marion Schilling Elem., 2200 Park Dr. 250.376.2027 Mon-Fri, 8:45-11:15 South Sahali Elem., 1585 Summit Dr. 250.374.2451 Mon-Fri 9-12 Southwest Y/CCRR Unit E, 1420 Hugh Allan Dr. 250-372-7791
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Mr. Clean Might Not Be So Squeaky After All: The Dirt on Cleaning Products By Krystal Clark
Krystal‟s daughter, Mikaela, loves to clean just like her mommy. It‟s a good thing they use natural cleaners!
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othing smells as fresh as a recently cleaned bathroom or freshly scrubbed floor. If you`re like me, you`ve spent hours scrubbing by hand every nook and cranny, Vimmed up to the nines with your I-Pod cranked, singing along with angsty Fiona Apple or trashy Ke$ha pop tunes as you enjoy the scent of sparkling clean surfaces. Amplify that by a billion if you`re pregnant and nesting, where that NEED to scrub that spot behind the toilet wakes you from a dead sleep at 3:20 am. MMMMMmmmm, you think to yourself as you inhale deeply, taking in that lemon-fresh scent of [insert national cleaning company brand here] multipurpose cleaner. Now THAT‘S clean. Pure. Good. Safe. No. Sadly not. Rather the opposite. This is the great deception. We have been led to think that suds = soapy and that if you aren‘t reeking like bleach, you haven‘t done your job. Serious chemicals live under our sinks, in our garages, and just metres from where you tuck in your babies with a kiss on the forehead. Even our kid-safe
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Photo: Terry Clark shampoos contain formaldehyde, the very same substance that your grade 10 Science dissection frog was pickled in to keep it fresh and ready for your scalpel. I don‘t know about you, but that‘s not exactly what I have in mind when I think ‗clean.‘ Have you ever taken a gander at the actual label directions for most floor/surface cleaners? They actually recommend that the user wash their floor/surface and then go back and rewash to remove the cleaner from said place. Why, you ask? Because the chemical sitting on top of that floor is unsafe to be left there. If you think about what comes into contact with your kitchen floor on a daily basis, this is rather shocking for a mom to really think about. Think of your skin as the largest and most porous organ in the body and how many hours in the day that your bare feet are in contact with that floor. Not to mention your baby‘s knees and chubby hands, fingers that are constantly being sucked on, that sandwich that your preteen just called ‗10 Second Rule‘ on that accidentally fell off the counter... and those are just examples of the human inhabitants of your home. Pets are especially susceptible to chemical poisoning and, if you have pets, you know that Pedro is more than willing to do the ―cleaning up‖ of the after dinner scraps off of the kitchen floor. I know; it is a lot to think about and we haven‘t even touched on the actual statistics for accidental poisonings of small children and the effects on fume inhalation of solvents, bleach and cleaners on the human brain and organ systems. But I digress. There is good news, so take heart mommas! There are much gentler and as equally effective alternatives to these
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dangerous concoctions and most of the components are already residing in your pantry. Vinegar is for more than just fish and chips or red velvet cake! This cleaning powerhouse is a fantastic fabric softener when added to your rinse cycle [don‘t even start me on what the chemicals dryer sheets do when paired with the high heat of your dryer], a natural antibacterial for your bathroom floors, toilets, counters, and walls, removes soap scum, cuts grease on vent hoods, descales your coffee maker, showerhead, and dishwasher, and is the best window cleaner out there. Pair that with baking soda and you have a bathroom scrub, drain de-clogger, volcano experiment for a science fair, and easy toilet cleaner. Use caution with surfaces that scratch easily, but otherwise, you have nothing to fear but clean itself! For a quick and easy everyday antibacterial cleaner, see the Basic Vinegar Clean and Shine recipe. I use this for spraying down my counters after cooking. You can also make a bathroom cleaning paste out of a few tablespoons of borax, a half cup of baking soda, a tablespoon or two of liquid soap, a dash of vinegar, a cup of hot water and a drop of two of tea tree essential oil. Use gloves to protect your hands and make sure you test surfaces before you start. Other than that, these recipes are incredibly easy to use and simply rinse off afterwards. And microfiber cleaning cloths are worth their weight in gold, especially ones with silver woven through them for antibacterial purposes. Those puppies really work! The benefits your family will reap from going greener in your cleaning products are incredible and the money that you save will make it that much easier on your budget. These ideas aren‘t just for hippies and vegans anymore; green is mainstream! Embrace it! Trash the chemicals and enjoy good health in so many aspects of your family life. From having a germ –free house naturally to knowing that your kids will be just that much safer, it‘s so worth it to make the switch. So here‘s to you, Mr. Clean. We‘re on to you and don‘t let the door hit you on the way out. Krystal Clark is a mom of 2 and owner of Delish Naturals, handcrafted body care using organic, natural ingredients.
Basic Vinegar Clean and Shine Antibacterial Formula Use this solution as you would any other store-bought antibacterial cleaner. It‟s safe and saves a bundle! 1 cup white vinegar 1 cup water 5 drops of liquid soap Add mixture to a spray bottle and use for cleaning kitchen and bathroom surfaces such as appliances, mirrors, stainless steel sinks, laminate counter tops and tile. You can add a tablespoon of coarse salt directly on your sponge to act as an abrasive when using this formula on kitchen and bathroom sink fixtures. Vinegar can be irritating to the skin, so please use gloves. * Important note about special counter surfaces such as granite: Do not use this mixture on stone surfaces, as acids can etch and damage the stone. Follow your particular manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. Recipe from back-to-basics-cleaning.com
Lizzie’s Journey Continues... By Troi Crombie Two-year-old Elizabeth Harbaruk and her parents continue to make trips to BC Children‘s Hospital for chemotherapy treatments as Lizzie continues to battle cancer. Only now, Lizzie makes the trip to Vancouver and back in style with a new iPod- just one of the donations that have been made to her and her family. It has kept Lizzie entertained with Lizzie falls asleep after watching games in the hospital a movie on “Lizzie iPod”; one of and in the car. The Harthe many generous donations baruk‘s are amazed at Lizzie and her family have rethe continuing support ceived. of their friends, family, Photo: Jenn Harabuk and strangers in the Kamloops community. During one of the Harbaruk‘s more recent trips to BC Children‘s Hospital, Lizzie underwent surgery to have a partial nephrectomy. Her right kidney was removed and in it they found two Wilms tumorsone was 2 cm in diameter and the other was 5 cm. Lizzie‘s left kidney was biopsied and it was confirmed that in it are nephrogenic rests-the pre-groupings of Wilms tumors. In a sense, at this moment she could be considered ―cancer free,‖ but if those nephrogenic rests in the left kidney went untreated, they would develop into Wilms tumors like in the right kidney. Lizzie has three more trips to Vancouver to make-two for chemotherapy treatments and one for an evaluation. It looks like Lizzie will be done treatment mid-May and we can only hope and pray that it is for good. Lizzie continues to be strong. She is now bald and beautiful. As she gets taller, she only looks thinner than what the chemo has already made her. Jenn and Chris still have to constantly keep in mind that Lizzie‘s immune system is compromised and they dream of a day when she plays with other kids without worrying she could catch every bug out there. It is 362 km from the Harbaruk‘s front door to BC Children‘s Hospital in Vancouver. The Harbaruk‘s have made this trip over a dozen times already and have three more trips to go. That is over 10,000 kilometres and over 150 hours of driving. This means time off work for both Jenn and Chris as well as hotel costs. This is where donations of money, peoples‘ time, and iPods have really been appreciated. They are so thankful for everyone‘s thoughts, prayers, and concerns.
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ent? coming ev p u n a e v Ha it in our We’ll put r lendar fo Events Ca 20 8.472.00 Free! 77 a m .com downe St. kamloopsmom info@kam a.com loops.shambhala.org, opsmomm lo m a 250.376.4224 (free) .k w ww
Community Events Calendar
pital @ Wildlife Park, per Change, 9am, lower level McCracken Pub, 250.828.7100 Lansdowne Village, preregisApr 13/May 11: Moms Morn- ter at Lizzie Bits, 250.374.8706 Apr 5 : The Knack Free Fami- ing Out 9:30-11:30, Mighty Oak or lizziebaby.ca Apr 1(Cont): BIG Little Sci- ly Events Easter/Mother‘s Apr 23-Oct 39: Downtown Midwifery, 202-322 Victoria ence Centre Thurs/Fri 3-5 pm, Day crafting, various times, Street, 250.377.8611 (free) Farmer’s Market Sat 10-4. 250.554.2572 Michaels Craft Store, Apr 13: Riverdance, 7:30 pm, Wed: Victoria St. between 4th+5th. Market starts at 8am Apr 1 (Cont): Family Drop-In 250.571.1066 (free) ISC, 250.828.3492 Sat: St. Paul between 2nd+3rd Storytime North Kamloops Apr 6 (Cont): Family Game Apr 14: Discovery Toys MysLibrary: Fri 10:15 -10:45, KamMay 1: The Daily News BooNight, Wed 5:30-8:30, All Atery Hostess Party, 7 pm, loops Library: Sun 1:00 -1:30 Board Games, 334 Victoria St., RSVP to aligregory@telus.net gie Walk, Run, or Stroll, Riverside Park, dailynewsbooApr 2 (Cont): Chapters Craft 250.377.0745 250.579.2483 gie.ca and Storytime Saturdays 11April 9: Kids' Stuff Swap, Apr 15-17: Kamloops Home 12pm 250.377.8468 (free) 9 – 1 Calvary Community and Leisure Show, McArthur May 5: The Funny Honeys Fundraiser for Walk to End Apr 2: Spring Kick Off and Church 1205 Rogers Way Island Sports Centre, Women‘s Cancer, Westsyder Nature Fair feat. Bobs and kamloopsparents.com 250.376.4213 Pub, 250.579.2483 Lolo, BC Wildlife Park, Apr 9/May 14 : Family Fun Apr 16: Kamloops Earth Run, 250.573.3242 May 7: Tournament City Days at the Kamloops Muse- 10 am, Riverside Park, Apr 2 (Cont): Shambhala um, 1:30-3:30, $2 (pre-reg.), www.earthrun.com/kamloops Derby Dolls Game McArthur Island Curling Rink, 6pm Meditation Mon/Thurs 7 pm, 250.828.3576 Apr 17: Love to Lizzie Fund- www.tournament Sat 12pm, 433b Lansdowne St. Apr 9: The Rotary Food Drive raiser at Fintastic’s Cuts for cityderbydolls.com kamloops.shambhala.org, 250.376.2252 Kids, Pledges for head shaving 250.376.4224 (free) May 8: Mother’s Day festiviand $5 colour extensions, Apr 9/Mar 14: Home Depot ties, BC Wildlife Park, Apr 3 (Cont): Family Drop In Kids Workshop 10am, ages 4- www.kamloopsevents.ca 250.573.3242 Sundays Kamloops GymnasApr 17/May 21: Child Passentics and Trampoline Club, Sun 12 250.371.4300(free) May 12-14: Live MADness Apr 10: Beaming Bright Book ger Safety 11-3pm Free at clin- Music, art, and dance, Down4-5:30pm, 250. 374-6424 ic. $5 by appt or visit. Lizzie Bits Signing, w/ Lynn Cox,12-4 , town (free) Apr 4 (Cont to May 25): Baby Co. 250.374.8706 Rhyme Time for Babies and Chapters, 250.377.8468 (free) May 15: Scotia Bank MS Apr 18/May 16: Held in the Toddlers North Kamloops Li- Apr 10/May 1: Moms with Walk, ISC, www.mswalks.ca Wings of Angels, Pregnancy brary: Mon 10:15 - 10:45, Kam- Cameras Monthly photogand Infant Loss Support Group. May 18: International Museloops Library: Mon 10:15 Wed raphy group for moms, 7-8:30pm, Pregnancy Care ums Day, Kamloops Art Gal10:15 (free) ivansara@telus.net Centre, 250-376-4646 (free) lery, free admission Apr 4: The Sun Life Amazing Apr 10/20/May 18/29: Cloth Race 9 am, Riverside Park, Diapering 101 Weds 7-8, Sun Apr 18-May 23: Downtown Art May 20 - Sept 31: North Walk 250.372.7323. Shore Farmer’s Market Spirbenefits Juvenile Diabetes re- 1-2 Lizzie Bits Baby Co., it Square, Fri. 4-8. search, 250.374.0599 250.374.8706 (free) Apr 22-25: Easter Eggscitement, BC Wildlife Park, Apr 4 : Shambhala Open Apr 10: The Funny Honeys 250.573.3242 House, discover ―Basic Good- Dinner/Show, fundraiser for ness,‖ 7-9 pm, 433b LansAnimal Health and Rehab Hos- Apr 23: The Great Cloth Dia-
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May 21-23: Outdoor Action Adventure Weekend, BC Wildlife Park, 250.573.3242
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