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cityparent.com
March 2021
BACON, EGGS AND CHEESE ELEVATE A CLASSIC RECIPE INTO
Lasagna
like no other
www.getcracking.ca
. S R E M R A F REAL . S E P I C E R L REA
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Huron County,
Ontario
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Bacon ‘n’ Egg Lasagna. . . . . . . . . . . Ingredients: 1 lb (500 g) thick-cut bacon 3 tbsp (45 mL) unsalted butter 1 cup (250 mL) diced onion 3 tbsp (45 mL) all-purpose flour 2 cups (500 mL) milk 3 ¾ cups (925 mL) grated Swiss cheese salt and pepper 12 lasagna noodles, cooked al-dente 12 hard-cooked eggs, sliced chopped fresh parsley
SERVINGS 6 TO 8 - PREP 30 MINS - COOK 23 MINS BAKE 45 MINS Spread ½ cup (125 mL) of the sauce in prepared Directions: baking dish. Top with 4 noodles in single layer, Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease 13-x 9-inch overlapping slightly. Sprinkle half of the bacon and (3 L) glass baking dish with 1 tbsp (15 mL) butter; set place half of the sliced eggs. Pour ¾ cup (175 mL) aside. of the sauce and sprinkle with 1 cup (250 mL) of Chop bacon into 1-inch (2.5 cm) pieces. In a large the cheese. Repeat layers once. Top with remaining skillet, on medium high heat, cook bacon for 10 noodles, sauce and cheese. minutes, just until it starts to get crispy. Remove with Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil slotted spoon; drain on paper towels. Set aside. and bake for 10 to 15 minutes until cheese is bubbly. In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, melt Allow lasagna to rest 15 minutes before serving. remaining butter; add onion and cook for 3 minutes, Garnish with parsley. stirring occasionally. Stir in flour and cook for 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in milk to combine; whisk Tip: Add a hint of maple flavour to this dish by in 1 cup (250 mL) of the Swiss cheese. Cook, stirring changing your choice of bacon. until sauce just begins to thicken, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; season with salt and pepper to taste.
.
Nutrients per serving (1/8 recipe): 630 calories, 39 g total fat, 800 mg sodium, 33 g carbohydrates, 1 g fibre, 6 g sugars, 38 g protein. Excellent source of vitamin A, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B12, pantothenate, selenium and calcium. Good source vitamin E, thiamin and vitamin B6.
REAL FARMERS REAL EGGS.
Check out this recipe and more at getcracking.ca
h c r a m contents 2021
PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER Leo Racioppo leo@mediaclassified.ca CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER John Racioppo john@mediaclassified.ca #L8Eɖ#4ɖ "# Mary Racioppo EDITOR Amanda Pereira
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FEATURE Virtual learning Bloom Class virtual learning
11 ON THE COVER
Bacon, eggs and cheese elevate a classic recipe into a lasagna like no other. www.getcracking.ca
FEATURE Resources:
The Growing Kit: Helping parent’s engage in meaningful, positive conversations with their young children
6
March 2021 | CITY PARENT
3
EDITORS NOTE
up front
HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY! March 17th, 1994 was truly a day to be celebrated. Another blessing and just like that “Dream #2 was born.” As a toddler he was very strong willed and my life at times was challenging. However, as he grew to manhood, he became a man any mom would be proud of. Born on St Patty’s day, he by far would almost have the entire world celebrating. People would be everywhere commemorating Saint Patrick’s Day and “Dream #2’s birthday! No mom worries here. A note about the actual Saint Patrick. He was abducted at the age of 16 in the 4th century by Irish pirates from his hometown of Roman Britain (a part of Great Britain that was ruled under the Romans) he was brought to Ireland as a slave. While a slave, he was called to Christianity escaping after six years back to his hometown and returning to Ireland in 432 due to a dream he had of teaching the Irish about God. He was captured several times, but he always managed to escape. St Patrick traveled across
Ireland for 20 years baptising people, building schools, churches and monasteries. March 17th, 461 or was it 493? His death date ϯö âÃďÃó ºÃÃâ »Üïó âæó ÏÐö æÌĶ »Ð¯Ü ¯Íà ¯û ûÏà time of his death. Some believe he lived to 100 where others will say he was 76. No one knows for sure and it’s unclear how he died. However, he left behind many legends, one being he wasn’t Irish. However, the Irish celebrate St. Patrick each year on March 17th, which spread around the world and over the years and into the North American new traditions and stories were born.
May your troubles be less, And your blessing be more. And nothing but happiness Come through your door. Irish Blessing Happy Birthday “H” and always remember “Que Sera, Sera, whatever will be, will be.
Mary Racioppo Editor-In-Chief, City Parent
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CITY PARENT | March 2021
cityparent.com
FEATURE
mental health
HOW FAMILIES CAN USE HUMOUR TO RELIEVE 8W# ɑ#4 N STRESS AND ANXIETY X8E H Z TRACY HANES After a year of dealing with online schooling, working from home and a restricted social life and activities due to COVID-19, parents and kids alike may be struggling to Ķ â¿ ûÏà ÌýââĒ Ðâ ÃďÃóĒ¿¯Ē ÜÐÌÃȨ As a Chinese proverb says, a good laugh banishes a thousand ĐæóóÐÃöȨ Hû¯â¿ NB Ìæó Hûý¿Ãâû XÃÜÜ ÃÐâÍ ɁHNHX ɂȣ ¯â 8âû¯óÐæɍº¯öÿ charitable organization teaching young people how to use comedy to deal with life’s challenges for öÃďÃâ Ēïóöȣ »¯â ÏÃÜðȨ XÏÃâ ûÏà pandemic made it impossible for HNHX ûæ »æâûÐâýà ÐâɍðÃóöæâ classes in Toronto-area schools and in-person camps, it pivoted to offer Canada-wide online Zoom »¯áðö Ìæó Ûпö ¯Íÿ ƴƴ ûæ ƴƺȨ B¯óÃâûö »¯â ¿æ ûÏà áæöû important thing for themselves and their kids right now is to ÜÐÍÏûÃâ ýð ¯â¿ óÃܯđȣ ö¯Ēö Hýà HûÃðÏÃâöæâȣ HNHX ðóÃöпÃâûȨ “Everyone is so mindful of how mental, physical, social and ÃáæûÐæâ¯Ü ÏïÜûÏ Ðö öýÌÌÃóÐâÍȨ Many people need an antidote to fear, and anxiety and humour is a Íóïû öæÜýûÐæâȨ Xà âÃÿ ûæ ܯýÍÏ áæóà ¯â¿ ĐæóóĒ ÜÃööȨɘ Kids learn faster and retain áæóà ĐÏÃâ ÜïóâÐâÍ Ðö ÌýâȨ Hæáà kids are natural comedians; others may have a different ‘fun print’ but can learn to develop healthy humour that can be a useful life öÛÐÜÜ Ðâ ¿ÃďÃÜæðÐâÍ óÃöÐÜÐÃâ»ÃȨ Here are a few ways parents »¯â ÏÃÜð ûÏÃÐó ̯áÐÜÐÃö Ķ â¿ cityparent.com
humour and relieve stress in ûÏÃöà ¿ÐÌĶ »ýÜû ûÐáÃöȣ öýÍÍÃöûÿ ºĒ HûÃðÏÃâöæâȢ ȡ â»æýó¯Íà Ûпö ûæ Üïóâ comedic skills and name and óÃĐ¯ó¿ ¿ÐöðܯĒö æÌ ÏýáæýóȨ This might include fun with words, puns and riddles, writing punch lines for stories, using exaggeration for effect (‘It was öæ ºæóÐâÍ ûϯû Ȥɚɂȣ XϯûɍÐÌ öûæóÐÃö ɁXϯû ÐÌ áæáö ϯ¿ âæ ĐæóóÐÃöȩɂ and creating light-hearted memes ȡ æÜÜûû ÌýââĒ »æöûýáÃö ¯â¿ ðóæðöȣ ϯûöȣ á¯öÛöȣ Ãû»Ȩ Ìæó Ûпö to play with ȡ Lýóâ æâ ûÏà áýöл ¯â¿ encourage kids to dance around
ȡ BÏæûæÍó¯ðÏ Ûпöɚ öáÐÜÃö ĐÏÃâ they are doing an activity they love ȡ Nöà ¿ÐââÃóûÐáà û¯ºÜà û¯ÜÛ ûæ ûÃÜÜ funny stories or to be silly ȡ X¯û»Ï »æáÿĒ öÏæĐö ¯â¿ öÐû»æáö öý»Ï ¯ö H»ÏÐûûɚö óÃÃÛ and Big Bang Theory and go on a laugh search ȡ Eï¿ Ûпö »¯óûææâɍÜÐÛà Íó¯ðÏл novels such as Captain Nâ¿Ãóð¯âûö ºĒ ¯ď BÐÜÛÃĒ ȡ BܯĒ ɗ æÜÜæĐ ûÏà .ï¿Ãó .¯ýÍÏûÃóɘ B¯óÃâûö »¯â ¯Üöæ ÃâóæÜ ûÏÃÐó ƴƴ ûæ ƴƺɍĒïóɍæÜ¿ö Ðâ ¯ HNHX æâÜÐâà camp, where trained comedian coaches will teach them how to use healthy humour to deal
with personal challenges and become empowered to be kind, Ðâ»ÜýöÐďÃȣ óÃöÐÜÐÃâû ¯â¿ ÏïÜûÏĒȨ LÏà program improves kids’ literacy skills in a fun way and develops ðýºÜл öðïÛÐâÍ öÛÐÜÜöȨ Nð»æáÐâÍ öÃööÐæâö Ðâ»Üý¿Ã 3¯ó»Ï óïÛȨ LÏà ýöý¯Ü áæ¿ÃÜ Ðö ûæ ϯďà ûĐæ ûæ Ķ ďà »¯áðÃóö ðÃó »æ¯»ÏȨ LÏà »æöû Ðö ɱƵƳƳ Ìæó ¯ 3æ⿯Ē ûæ óп¯Ē ďÐóûý¯Ü »¯áðȨ BóæÍó¯áö ¯óà ¯Üöæ æðÃâ Ìæó teachers and their classes, virtual æó ºóÐ»Û ¯â¿ áæóû¯óȨ To learn more about the online »æáÿĒ »¯áðöȣ ďÐöÐû öýöĐºȨ »¯ æó »æâû¯»û Hýà HûÃðÏÃâöæâȣ BóÃöпÃâû ¯â¿ æýâ¿Ãóȣ ¯û öýÃöûÃðÏÃâöæâʿöýöĐºȨ»¯Ȩ March 2021 | CITY PARENT
5
FEATURE
resources
THE GROWING KIT:
HELPING PARENT’S ENGAGE IN MEANINGFUL, POSITIVE CONVERSATIONS WITH THEIR YOUNG CHILDREN THE GROWING KIT CAN HELP CHILDREN EXPRESS THEIR EMOTIONS TO THEIR PARENTS IN A POSITIVE WAY.
6
CITY PARENT | March 2021
B¯óÃâûö ĐÐûÏ ĒæýâÍ »ÏÐÜ¿óÃâ »¯â Ķ â¿ it challenging to talk to their youngsters, ÃöðûЯÜÜĒ ¯ºæýû ¿ÐÌĶ »ýÜû æó ÃáæûÐæâ¯Ü ÃďÃâûöȨ Ðâ¿ÐâÍ ûÏà óÐÍÏû Đæó¿ö ûæ Ìæóáýܯûà òýÃöûÐæâö Ðâ ¯ ðæöÐûÐďÃȣ Ãâ»æýó¯ÍÐâÍ á¯ââÃó ¿æÃö âæû »æáà ïöĒ Ìæó ÃďÃóĒæâÃȨ ý¿ Hðóæýû Üææáɚö âÃĐ ðóæ¿ý»û LÏà óæĐÐâÍ -Ðû »¯â ÏÃÜðȨ Designed for children between the ages of zero to ten years, The Growing Kit consists of ƹƳ ¯ÌĶ óá¯ûÐæâ »¯ó¿öȨ LÏà Ķ óöû ƵƳ »¯ó¿ö ¯óà designed for parents to use with their children ûæ ÏÃÜð öû¯óû áïâÐâÍÌýÜ »æâďÃóö¯ûÐæâö ĐÏÐÜà ðóæáæûÐâÍ öÃÜÌɍÜæďà ¯â¿ »æâĶ ¿Ãâ»ÃȨ LÏà æûÏÃó ƷƳ ¯ÌĶ óá¯ûÐæâ »¯ó¿ö ¯óà ÐâûÃó¯»ûÐďà »¯ó¿ö ûϯû ûÏà ð¯óÃâû æó »ÏÐÜ¿ »¯â ÍÐďà æýû ûæ Üæďÿ æâÃöȣ friends, a teacher, neighbour, or anyone they ÌÃÃÜ âÃÿö ÐûȨ LÏà ƵƳ ¯ÌĶ óá¯ûÐæâ »¯ó¿ö Ðâ»Üý¿Ã ¯ ¿¯ÐÜĒ ¯ÌĶ óá¯ûÐæâȣ ¯ òýÃöûÐæâȣ ¯â¿ ¯â ÃĒÃɍ»¯û»ÏÐâÍ ðлûýóà ¿ÃöÐÍâÿ ûæ ÏÃÜð »ÏÐÜ¿óÃâ ďÐöý¯ÜÜĒ пÃâûÐÌĒ ĐÐûÏ ûÏÃÐó ÌÃÃÜÐâÍöȨ Ē ðܯ»ÐâÍ ûÏà ÛÐû Ðâ Ìóæâû æÌ ûÏÃÐó »ÏÐÜ¿ ¯â¿ ¯öÛÐâÍ ûÏÃá ûæ pick a card, parents can let their child and Üï¿ ûÏà »æâďÃóö¯ûÐæâȨ LÏà ÛÐû Ðö ïöĒɍûæɍ use and transferrable so it can be naturally Ðâ»æóðæó¯ûÿ Ðâûæ ¿¯ÐÜĒ óæýûÐâÃöȨ The Growing Kit was launched onto ûÏà á¯óÛÃû Ðâ HÃðûÃáºÃó æÌ ƵƳƵƳ ĐÏÃâ children were heading back to school Ìæó ûÏà Ķ óöû ûÐáà öÐâ»Ã ûÏà ð¯â¿Ãáл »Üæöÿ ö»ÏææÜ ¿ææóö Ðâ 3¯ó»ÏȨ XÏÐÜà á¯âĒ ð¯óÃâûö ϯďà öûóýÍÍÜÿ ûæ â¯ďÐͯûà ûÏóæýÍÏ ûÏà 8W# ɍƴƼ ð¯â¿Ãáлȣ »ÏÐÜ¿óÃâ ϯďà ¯Üöæ öûóýÍÍÜÿ
ÃáæûÐæâ¯ÜÜĒ ¯â¿ áÃâû¯ÜÜĒ ĐÐûÏ ûÏà ÍÜæº¯Ü ¯â¿ óÃÍÐæâ¯Ü »Ï¯âÍÃö ºóæýÍÏû æâ ºĒ ûÏà ð¯â¿ÃáлȨ The Growing Kit is a useful tool that is ¿ÃöÐÍâÿ ûæ ÏÃÜð ̯áÐÜÐÃö öû¯óû »æâďÃóö¯ûÐæâö with their children about their feelings during ûÏÃöà ûóĒÐâÍ ûÐáÃöȨ The Growing Kit is not only an excellent tool to help parents talk to their children about the 8W# ɍƴƼ ð¯â¿Ãáлȣ Ðû »¯â ºÃ ýöÿ ¯âĒûÐáà ûæ Ãâ»æýó¯Íà »æâďÃóö¯ûÐæâ ¯ºæýû æûÏÃó ÐööýÃö æó ÃďÃâûö ¯ÌÌûûÐâÍ ûÏÃÐó »ÏÐÜ¿ ¯ö ĐÃÜÜȨ XÏÃûÏÃó ûÏà »ÏÐÜ¿ Ðö ϯďÐâÍ ¯ º¯¿ ¿¯Ē ¯û ö»ÏææÜȣ Ðö ûóĒÐâÍ ûæ ¯¿Úýöû ûæ ûÏÃÐó ð¯óÃâûɚö öÃð¯ó¯ûÐæâ æó ¿Ðďæó»Ãȣ ¿Ã¯ÜÐâÍ ĐÐûÏ áæďà æó »Ï¯âÍà æÌ ö»ÏææÜ æó âÃĐ ¿¯Ē»¯óÃȣ æó Úýöû ¯ö ¯ Đ¯Ē ûæ öû¯óû »æâďÃóö¯ûÐæâȣ the Growing Kit can help children express their ÃáæûÐæâö ûæ ûÏÃÐó ð¯óÃâûö Ðâ ¯ ðæöÐûÐďÃ Đ¯ĒȨ ý¿ Hðóæýû Üææá Ìæýâ¿Ãó ÜÐö¯ æÜÃÜܯ Ķ óöû »¯áà ýð ĐÐûÏ ûÏà пï ûĐæ Ēïóö ¯ÍæȨ "æÜÐöûл 4ýûóÐûÐæâÐöûȣ ÜÐö¯ Ðö ¯Üöæ ¯ áæûÏÃó ûæ ûĐæ ĒæýâÍ ¿¯ýÍÏûÃóöȨ HÏà öû¯óûÿ ýöÐâÍ ¿¯ÐÜĒ ¯ÌĶ óá¯ûÐæâö Ðâ ÏÃó æĐâ ÜÐÌà ûÃâ Ēïóö ¯Íæ ¯â¿ ÛâæĐö ÏæĐ Ðâď¯Üý¯ºÜà ûÏÃĒ ¯óà Ðâ Ðâ»óïöÐâÍ ÌÃÃÜÐâÍö æÌ öÃÜÌɍĐæóûÏ ¯â¿ öÃÜÌɍÜæďÃȨ ÌûÃó ÏÃó Ķ óöû ¿¯ýÍÏûÃó Đ¯ö ºæóâȣ ÜÐö¯ȣ Đ¯âûÿ ûæ ¿ÃöÐÍâ ¯â ÐâûÃó¯»ûÐďÃȣ âæû »æáðýûÃóɍº¯öÿ product that she and other parents could use ûæ öû¯óû »æâďÃóö¯ûÐæâö ĐÐûÏ ûÏÃÐó »ÏÐÜ¿óÃâȨ LÏà öÃâöæóĒ »¯ó¿ö ¯óà ᯿à æÌ ¿ýó¯ºÜÃȣ ĐÐðïºÜà á¯ûÃóЯÜö ĐÐûÏ ºóÐÍÏûȣ ÍÃâ¿Ãó âÃýûó¯Ü »æÜæýóöȣ ¯â¿ ÃĒà »¯û»ÏÐâÍ ðлûýóÃöȨ #âöûóý»ûÐæâö on how to use the cards are included with the ÛÐû öæ ð¯óÃâûö »¯â â¯ûýó¯ÜÜĒ Ðâ»æóðæó¯ûà ûÏÃá Ðâûæ ûÏÃÐó ¿¯ÐÜĒ óæýûÐâÃȨ LÏà óæĐÐâÍ -Ðû »¯â ºÃ ºæýÍÏû æâ ûÏà ý¿ Hðóæýû Üææá ĐúöÐûà ¯û ºý¿öðóæýûºÜææáȨ»æá
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COOL ˍ HLN
Krux LED work lamp in white from Ikea Adorable and practical. Your kids will enjoy the whimsical design and parents will appreciate that Ikea’s lighting products go through some of the world’s strictest safety tests. $40. ikea.ca
FINDS
WORDS BY SARA DUCK
Lenovo Chromebook Duet This smart 2-in-1 device with a detachable screen switches from laptop to tablet mode quickly – making it the essential family device for learning and playing. Every Chromebook comes with the Google Family Link app, allowing parents to set restrictions, such as screen time, and digital ground rules. And it also features a 10-hour battery life for an extended screen time experience. $370. bestbuy.ca
Play wireless headphones in safari yellow by Buddyphones One way to keep your child engaged with learning is by tuning out their background noise. These headphones have a built-in, volume-limiting circuitry that caps the sound at 85 decibels, the level recommended for kids by the World Health Organization. Adjustable headband and hypoallergenic cushion mean they can listen in comfort. $69. indigo.ca
Blue light glasses for kids by Yaroce Are you worried about the amount of screen time your children are experiencing at the moment? Screen fatigue is real. One of the things you can do to help your child is encouraging them to wear blue light blocking glasses. These glasses help ease eye strain, reduces glare and can decrease their risk of macular degeneration. $32 (for two). amazon.ca
CILQUE The Cilque brand, founded in 2010, is focused on silk sleepwear. The products are made from 100% Mulberry silk, and this year marks the release of the new Marble pillowcases, eye mask, and scrunchies. Ultimately promoting better hair health and shine. Prices Vary cilque.com
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VIVIER Vivier creates premium skin care products to form, maintain, enhance, and moisturize your öÛÐâ ºĒ »æáºÐâÐâÍ ö»ÐÃâûÐĶ »¯ÜÜĒ proven ingredients for the maximum results. A line of cleansers, age-defying serums, exfoliants, moisturizers and masks to sunscreens is now available to meet all of your needs. Prices Vary vivierskin.ca
Magic Bag Parent-Tested, Parent-Approved, the Magic Bag is sure to be your best friend always there when you need it. Use hot or cold the Magic Bag is therapeutic. Made of 100% cotton and contains organic Canadian oat grains. Recommended to those who suffer from restless nights, anxiety or aches and pain. Comes in a variety of sizes Price $9.99-$34.99 magicbag.ca March 2021 | CITY PARENT
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9
FEATURE
explore
FRIDAY HARBOUR WORDS BY ANDREW HIND
Friday Harbour, a 600-acre, $1-billion waterfront resort at Lake Simcoe’s Big Bay Point, is one of Ontario’s newest and most exciting developments – an ‘urban cottage lifestyle’ destination 20 years in the making. Minutes from Barrie, the fourseason resort’s centrepiece is a 1,000-boat state-of-the-art marina — the largest in-land marina in Canada. So far, 1,000 housing units have been built at Friday Harbour, including luxury townhouses that sit on ‘islands’ in the marina and midrise condominiums in the Europeanstyle pedestrian village. When complete, the community will have 3,000 units. 8â ¯ ºÃ¯ýûÐÌýÜ ¿¯Ēȣ ĒæýɚÜÜ Ķ â¿ crowds strolling contentedly along the 4.5 kilometre village boardwalk, enjoying the relaxing vacation-like atmosphere. Some stop in for a coffee at Starbucks (soon to be joined by Zaza Italian coffee bar) or a bite at one of several exciting restaurants, which »ýóóÃâûÜĒ Ðâ»Üý¿Ã Ķ âÃɍ¿ÐâÐâÍ " Fine Foods; Avenue Cibi e Vini, an Italian restaurant with pasta 10
CITY PARENT | March 2021
so right Nonna would approve; the waterfront Beach Club, with casual vibes; Mediterraneaninspired Fishbone Kitchen and Bar; and Beavertails. Others pop into shops to browse, while the more adventurous among the crowds are headed to the Outdoor Adventure Centre to swim in the pool, play basketball, or paddleboard or kayak on Lake Simcoe.
The atmosphere is a big part of Friday Harbour’s appeal. Still, there’s more, according to Peter Gorin, a property owner who manages a Friday Harbour Facebook page and who plans on opening a toy/candy store there in the near future. “It’s an all-season resort, which means it’s ideal for anyone either wanting a vacation home or looking to make it their
primary residence. Friday Harbour is low maintenance, turn-key option – it doesn’t come with the constant upkeep and concerns of other alternatives, such as owing a cottage,” he enthuses. “It’s also close to the city and easily accessible by highway or GO train. Finally, it has a tight knit, community feeling to it; it’s easy to get to know people, make new friends and create amazing memories.” Outdoor living is a big part of Friday Harbour’s appeal. Walking and biking trails – perfect for snowshoeing in winter - thread through a 200-acre Nature Preserve. The Nest, an 18-hole golf course designed by Doug Carrick to meet with Audubon International environment standards, is one of Canada’s most exciting new courses. Friday Harbour was designed from the ground-up with respect for its lakeside environment. Village runoff is pumped to a pond on the golf course and used to irrigate the greens, wildlife habitats have been preserved, and numerous
endangered butternut trees were planted. As a waterfront resort, summer is naturally the highlight of the Friday Harbour lifestyle experience. But every season has its appeals, including winter. “Obviously, everything has been affected by COVID-19, and FH is no exception, but despite that the resort has continued to come up with ideas for safe recreation during the winter months,” explains Gorin. “This year, they will have a Winter Outdoor Adventure Centre, an iceskating trail along the Boardwalk to the Harbour Master building, a skating rink, and an illuminated trail in the Nature Preserve. As the resort grows, more activities and events will be added.” Friday Harbour will see growth in all aspects – by next summer, the Boardwalk stores will be fully occupied, and watch for a hotel in the coming years. Though still in relative infancy, Friday Harbour is well on its way to its stated goal of being Ontario’s premier urban lifestyle cottage resort and a hub for Lake Simcoe’s 4500 cottages. cityparent.com
FEATURE
virtual learning
BLOOM CLASS VIRTUAL LEARNING WORDS BY EMILY PADAN Created during the pandemic, Bloom Class emerged into the virtual education space in April 2020. A team of extraordinary teachers on a mission to foster growth mindsets in children and teens through thoughtfully created group classes as well as private lessons catered to ûÏà öðûÐĶ » âÃÿö æÌ Ã¯»Ï »ÏÐÜ¿Ȩ With a holistic approach, the educators at Bloom Class teach classes ranging from math and science to English, French and Spanish as well as coding, arts, debating, entrepreneurial skills, cityparent.com
cooking, music and more. Most importantly, for every class booked, they plant one tree with their One Tree Planted partnership. In just under 8 months, they’ve already planted over 1200 trees. With core values in sustainability, equity and inclusion, the Bloom Class team prioritizes creating trusting long-term relationships with students and parents. With a collaborative approach in mind, they facilitate your child’s learning process with tailor-made classes based
on their personality and learning style meanwhile, instilling the importance of bettering the planet. Students receive »ÃóûÐĶ »¯ûÃö æâ»Ã ûÏÃĒɚďà ðܯâûÿ 10 trees, another at 20, and again at 50, creating a sense of pride in their efforts to make the world a better place. With educators from Canada, the U.S, Ecuador and Singapore, the Bloom Class team has created incredible virtual extracurricular programs for students between the ages of 3 and 14. Some upcoming programs include Yoga
with Amanda, Our World Through the Eyes of Monet, Musical Storytelling, Coding Club, Stay Organized, Book Club and their newest addition: Dreaming Big. If you’re looking to book a class or an extracurricular activity with Bloom Class and you don’t know where to start, you can visit their website: bloomclass.co and book ¯ ÌóÃà ƴƸɍáÐâýûà »æâĶ ¿ÃâûÐ¯Ü »Ï¯û with the founder Emily, to learn áæóà ¯â¿ Ķ â¿ ûÏà óÐÍÏû Ķ û Ìæó your child. Follow us on Instagram at bloom.class March 2021 | CITY PARENT
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Simon and Chester Super Detectives By Cale Atkinson A humorous story for the early reader. On a rainy day, two friends, Simon, who’s human and Chester, who’s a ghost, are bored from ºÃÐâÍ ÐâöпÃȨ LÏÃĒ ¿Ã»Ð¿Ã ûæ ¿óÃöö ýð ¯â¿ ðܯĒ ¿ÃûûûÐďÃöȨ LÏÃĒ ÏÃ¯ó ¯ öæýâ¿ ¯â¿ Ķ â¿ ¯ »ýûà ÜÐûûÜà ðýÍ â¯áÿ EæĒȨ "æĐÃďÃóȣ ûÏÃĒ ¿æâɚû ÛâæĐ ÏæĐ EæĒ Íæû Ðâ ûÏà Ïæýöà æó ĐÏÃóà Ïà came from, considering there’s no dog that lives in the house. ÍÃö ƹɍƼ ʽ BýºÜÐöÏÃó Lýâ¿ó¯ ææÛö ʽ ƹƷ ðÍö ʽ Price $16.99 CDN HC
I Love You to the Moon and Back By Amelia Hepworth # .æďà Zæý ûæ ûÏà 3ææ⠯⿠¯»Û Ðö ¯ ĒæýâÍ child’s cardboard book that makes it easy for little hands to hold. A beautiful non-gender ºÃ¿ûÐáà öûæóĒ æÌ ÏæĐ ð¯óÃâû¯Ü Üæďà Ðö öÏæĐâ throughout the book with actions like bath ûÐáÃȣ ðܯĒûÐáÃȣ ¿æĐâûÐáÃȣ ÏæĐ á¯âĒ ûÏÐâÍö Đà do that mean and shows us, love. ÍÃö Ʒʕ ʽ BýºÜÐöÏÃó LÐÍÃó L¯ÜÃö ʽ Ƶƻ ðÍöȨ ʽ Bóлà ɱƴƳȨƼƼ 4 " 14
CITY PARENT | March 2021
LÏÐö Ðö óæÍ By Harriet Evans This is Crab By Harriet Evans This is Owl By Libby Walden
This is Frog, Crab, Owl are interactive books from the series “This is…” Tremendous fun reading while learning all about these animals from how they move, to how they eat, and what they like. A creative way for your child to absorb knowledge while having fun. ÍÃö ƶɍƹ ʽ BýºÜÐöÏÃó BýÌĶ ⠯⯿¯ ʽ Ʒƻ ðÍöȨ ʽ Price 19.99 CDN HC
Crocodiles need kisses too. By Rebecca Colby A heartwarming story that shows different animals and how they need love and kisses— even the dangerous ones. A story with rhythm Illustrated with big »æÜæýóÌýÜ ðлûýóÃöȨ ÍÃö ƵɍƸ ʽ BýºÜÐöÏÃó WÐÛÐâÍ ææÛö Ìæó ZæýâÍ Eï¿Ãóö ʽ ƷƳ ðÍöȨ ʽ Bóлà ɱƵƶȨƼƼ 4 "
The Boy Who Loved Everyone By Jane Porter Jane Porter writes about a little boy named Dimitri who loved everyone, and everything, Ãđ»Ãðû âæ æâÃȣ ÃďÃó óÃûýóâÿ ûÏà ÍÃöûýóÃȨ Ðâ¿ out how the “I love you” can also be said by ûÏà ¯»ûÐæâö Đà ¿æ Ìæó æâà ¯âæûÏÃóȨ ðæĐÃóÌýÜ word you can say and see. A wonderful bedtime story that is an easy way for a toddler to learn and understand the true meaning of love. ÍÃö Ʒʕ ʽ BýºÜÐöÏÃó ¯â¿ÜÃĐÐ»Û ʽ ƶƵ ðÍöȨ ʽ Bóлà ɱƵƵȨƼƼ 4 "
.ÐĿ Üà BÃæðÜÃȨ ÐÍ óïáöȨ Andy Warhol/Stevie Wonder Ē 3¯óЯ #ö¯ºÃÜ H¯â»ÏÃĕ WÃͯó¯ öÃóÐÃö æÌ Íóïû öûæóÐÃö ûϯû ÐâöðÐóà ĒæýâÍ children to dream big no matter their circumstances. Excellent for bedtime to dream on afterwards when you tuck your little one goodnight. #â ûÏÐö öÃóÐÃö æÌ Ì¯áæýö ðÃæðÜÃȣ Ēæý ĐÐÜÜ Üïóâ ÏæĐ ûÏÃĒ ºÃ»¯áà ̯áæýö ºĒ ÌýÜĶ ÜÜÐâÍ ûÏÃÐó ð¯ööÐæâö Ìóæá ûÏÃÐó »ÏÐÜ¿Ïææ¿öȨ Age 3-7 | Publisher Frances Lincoln Children’s ææÛö ʽ ƶƵ ðÍöȨ ʽ ɱƴƻȨƼƼ 4 " cityparent.com
A CAR SEAT’S JOURNEY WITH ATMO
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1 LESS SEAT, 1 WORLD 2 KEEP™
Zoo Connectionz Bring the Zoo into your home, business, or community group and learn about the wonderful wildlife while having a little fun too! The Zoo offers multiple ways of connecting with the animals and learning all about them from the comfort and safety of your device. Visit torontozoo.com to plan your Zoo Connectionz today!