tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26532579858323155752024-02-23T18:03:16.350-08:00Sweet Pea & Sugar PlumThings to do with kids.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger133125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2653257985832315575.post-50148463460120339422015-02-25T11:22:00.003-08:002015-03-10T18:02:09.602-07:00Free PlayDo you remember the time when your parents let you walk to school alone at the age of 9? Do you remember playing out on the streets in the woods with friends and without parents hanging around? Do you remember when you did death defying stunts, jumping off high places, climbing trees, racing on your bike and no one shouting, "Don't do that you could hurt yourself."? I know I do. Yet so many parents these days restrict their children from free play because of risks some of which have been perpetuated by the media and the alarming amount of cars on the roads and the sue culture.<br />
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In the <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/children/10654330/Streets-are-alive-with-the-sound-of-children-playing.html" target="_blank">UK they are closing roads</a> at certain times to allow children to play in a car free zone, allowing children to ride their bikes, to use chalk to create and play games and to build a sense of community in their areas, the sort of thing my parents had and so did I to some degree as a child. Even I have been become fearful of allowing my children to play out on our quiet street, I have to be able to see them, going past the driveway is simply a step too far. When I sit down and think about it, it makes me feel sad.<br />
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One of the things I noticed about moving to North America from the UK was the overwhelming amount of scheduled before and after school programs kids are involved with. Some get up at 5am to practice ice hockey some are playing soccer at 7pm at night, some do both. These children are young, the ones I have witnessed are under 8 years of age. It is an incredibly long day for kids, when do they get to rest their minds and enjoy their free time or have time to play, be creative without structure without adult guidance?<br />
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When my children went to school in the UK our after school activity would be to walk to the local park nearest the school and let the kids play. Sometimes a group of mums would take a picnic, let the children play whilst the mums worked together preparing the blankets and food and drinks. It was so much fun. we were outside, getting fresh air and it did all age groups a world of good. The kids could release some steam and enjoy time with their friends and the parents would get to know one another and build friendships that can at time be challenging when kids are rushed off to their out-of- school activities. I don't do this in Canada, kids are being rushed away, I am unable to build relationships with other parents because there is simply no time due to their children's heavy schedules, it sounds ridiculous, doesn't it?<br />
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The school my children go to in Canada has a wonderful forest that the kids are allowed to play in. They can climb trees, build camp fires, build art with sticks, splash in puddles, pick up worms, get outside and learn. They have to watch out for bears and coyotes and understand safety where wildlife is concerned, they observe owls, woodpeckers, hawks, eagles. We live in the suburbs, it is built up with lots of houses but there are places to go in search of nature. Not all schools have this luxury but I made a point of finding such a place for my children. Their creative play time is so advanced compare to where it was three years ago, it is a joy to watch.<br />
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Have you ever watched your kids play? Sometimes I would observe the children playing and watch them work together as a team, try and test new ways to do something and allow for idea generation from everyone in the group. It would soon become obvious who was the leader of the pack and how everyone naturally fell into place or how they would share the leadership role. This is what play should be about, no interference from over protective parents/adults, sometimes kids need to learn with their peers.<br />
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Some businesses are noticing the <a href="http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1024783/kids-are-getting-smarter-but-less-creative" target="_blank">upcoming generations are not as creativ</a>e, they are structured, conform to rules, because schools insist that they study hard, ready for tests, there is little creativity in that. I am already seeing more homework coming back with my child at grade 3, it is unnerving.<br />
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Why have we become so obsessed about structured time opposed to free creative play time? It certainly makes you think about what we are doing to our children in the society that we live in today.<br />
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Watch this awesome video about free play, it is inspirational.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2653257985832315575.post-11199717876727185222014-12-03T11:31:00.000-08:002014-12-03T11:31:03.601-08:00Creativity Can<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We recently went to the <a href="http://www.mastermindtoys.com/" target="_blank">Mastermind Toys</a> opening day in Coquitlam and they were handing out goody bags to the children. The packs contained some fabulous items including the<a href="http://www.creativitycan.com/" target="_blank"> Creativity Can</a>. The Creativity Can contains all the items you need to make something out of a glue, paper, pipe cleaners and more. It really gets the kids imaginations going. My kids were starting to ask me, "What can I make mum?" but I refused to give them any ideas, they need to learn to think for themselves, all I said was, "Create what you want, use your imagination, it is not right or wrong, just play." Within seconds both my girls were creating. </div>
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Here are some of the things they made. It may not make any sense to us but being creative doesn't have to make sense.</div>
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In the pack was a Playmobil game that hasn't been played yet.</div>
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A can that is about to be opened.</div>
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Reindeer's and butterflies.</div>
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Two wheel monster.</div>
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Being creative is fun.</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2653257985832315575.post-65375022259279300542014-10-31T16:23:00.000-07:002014-11-07T16:23:59.603-08:00Happy Halloween!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2653257985832315575.post-21241157911810057492014-10-27T16:29:00.000-07:002014-11-07T16:29:37.814-08:00A few Halloween Decorations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2653257985832315575.post-41664770505132257872014-10-01T17:31:00.002-07:002014-10-01T19:57:55.602-07:00Pumpkin Painting for Halloween.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is so easy for little ones and big ones. I got my inspiration from some paintings I saw in a local gallery and I went out and bought some acrylic paint from <a href="http://www.michaels.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-MichaelsCanada-Site/default" target="_blank">Michaels</a>. The store has a sale on so these paints came to 50cents each, Squeeze the paint over the pumpkins, these are mini hand sized pumpkins, great for kids to take to school for show and share. Let them loose with all the paints and away they go. </div>
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They loved seeing the paints blend, drip and form shapes. I found it so much fun that I was inspired to create a personalised card using the same dribbling method. Acrylics take very little time to dry but I left these out to dry, undercover, overnight. It is a quick and easy project. They will look awesome for Halloween decorations and Thanks Giving table decorations. </div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2653257985832315575.post-49549329693717834112014-09-08T11:29:00.003-07:002014-09-11T16:49:48.377-07:00Home Schooling and Strike RantNow that I am having to home school my kids for the interim I am discovering where my kids are with their education. The report cards I receive tell me absolutely nothing, so much so I scan them, sign them and throw it away. I can't tell where they are at, if there are where they should be, is there anything I need to do to help them progress. I remember taking in a workbook that pre-schools have to put together during the child's time, it is something <a href="http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/" target="_blank">Ofsted </a>require. I showed it to my youngest's Kindergarten teacher and she told me this is the sort of thing we do in Grade K. What joy to know my child has to step back a year, not! But because we have moved and disrupted my kids education yet again, I respect that this is the way but I can't help but rant.<br />
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To start, the school that my kids go to do not have tests of any kind, not even weekly spelling tests, there is no homework other than reading daily and perhaps once a month a book is taken home and my eldest has to write about something she did. In England in Grade 2 my daughter was bringing home on a weekly basis maths, reading, spelling and projects to work on. My eldest daughter would be going into Grade 4 this year in the UK but in Canada she has to go into Grade 3 (they start later in Canada). I would like to say this has been of benefit to step back and redo a year but she found lessons boring and not challenged at all. By now she should know her 2, 5 and 10 times table plus more but she has forgotten some of what she learnt because she was not been taught this in her new school. The reading is coming along fine for both my kids, I love how they emphasize the importance of reading here, they read in the morning with parents and read at the end of the day and are expected to read more at home. The maths seems to be lacking which worries me so how they dare to say that BC has one of the <a href="http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Opinion+public+system+among+world+best/10113955/story.html" target="_blank">best public education systems</a> in the world, well, it beats me! I had never heard that before Christy Clark mentioned it on TV and if it is the best why has she put her kid into private school? I have a theory why they think this because a lot of parents in BC invest in after school programs that help their children progress.<br />
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I have a Grade 2 maths book for my eldest, I wanted to see where she is at before pushing her on to a Grade 3 level. She is not even half way through the book and she needs a lot of guidance from me. For example, it talks about hundreds, tens and ones and how to look at the larger numbers. Not done this in class, she told me. Then added numbers together with a number underneath the other and add them. Not done this either. As it happens she is finding it easier once I show her a few times. I don't understand why she has not been taught these very basic equations at her age because kids are able to absorb information at a young age easily. How is she ready for Grade 3 if she can't do Grade 2 equations? To me the education she received last year is below par.<br />
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We had extra tutors when we first moved out here but it looks like we will have them again particularly in the maths area. Hopefully when they are at middle school age we can afford to place them in an independent school because unions are nothing but a pain in the arse particularly when it hurts the kids.<br />
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As my neighbour said and he is not the first to say it to me, (his kids bar one go to an independent school and so does the one next-door-but-one for that matter), the schools here are over qualified babysitters. I purse my lips at this, I can understand why he says this but I am not sure I would go that far with the teachers here. I think they have a tough gig, and with language barriers, special needs, blended classes how do they manage and successfully teach kids at varying levels with various ways of learning? I guess that is why they are paid quite well from what I hear and with excellent benefits, who else gets a 8 weeks holiday in the summer, 2 weeks at Christmas, plus pensions, signing bonus, excellent starting salary straight out of university? No one I know, I can tell you. As one teacher recently said, those with extra learning needs get lots of attention, those who are very bright get extra attention those in the middle are self-sufficient and they are left to get on with it. How are they to become exceptional if the support for the middle group is not there? That is the problem with public schools infact that is the problem with anyone in the middle, middle class always get hit the hardest.<br />
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We are into the <a href="http://www.macleans.ca/news/b-c-teachers-strike-enters-second-school-week/" target="_blank">second week</a> of the strike and the one thing that is annoying me with the teachers strike in BC is, it started out as being about class sizes, extra assistants to help with the kids but as it turns out it is all about the money. I have spoken to many people on this topic and they support the teachers but if it is about the money then this is no longer about the needs of the children. After watching many news reports, reading newspapers both sides are to blame. The unions are now focused more on the money and <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/b-c-teachers-strike-premier-christy-clark-s-popularity-dips-says-poll-1.2759219" target="_blank">Christy Clark</a> is twisting the truth about what the teachers demands are. I have no sympathy with the teachers if it is about the money, I think, however, for most it is really about providing the kids with a better school system. Besides, the union is willing to bring in a<a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/1550328/bctf-president-jim-iker-to-speak-following-rejection-of-binding-arbitration/" target="_blank"> third party</a> but the stubborn Ms Clark and Education Minister Peter Fassbender who clearly wants education privatised is not willing to do anything, at all, except wait it out. Ms Clark's child is in a expensive independent school has no need to worry. She, like the rest of them have no clue what it is like to try and work and keep kids occupied and educated so that the kids are well balanced individuals ready to help boost the economy when it is their turn. It is short sighted of her to think that this will go away. In fact, long term it could have a devastating effect. I am not annoyed at the teachers because they are trying but the government are not doing anything, they are not willing to negotiate by any means.<br />
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With all that is going on has anyone listened to what the<a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/1549599/watch-parents-rally-against-teachers-union/" target="_blank"> parents</a> want? All we ask is our children be back in school, educated, learning and developing, being with their friends, having a routine in place. They need the support to mature. <br />
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I have a good routine with my kids, a lesson plan in place, places to visit, after-school activities, extra tuition planned, the one thing they do miss is their friends. I think this strike will make parents re-think their child's learning needs. I got to say, this whole thing is frustrating and could end up a big mess and the kids might not be back in school this side of Christmas. Bloody mess.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2653257985832315575.post-27606338244351886032014-09-03T21:27:00.001-07:002014-09-03T21:38:24.063-07:00Back to School?If you live in British Columbia and do not send your kids to an independent school then you know the pain parents are going through currently. June 17th was the last time kids were in school, two weeks before they broke-up for summer and it is September 3rd and a there seems to be no end to the strike. I have looked desperately for an independent school but they do not have space for both kids, I can get one or the other in but not both. I am also looking for alternative help, <a href="http://www.kumon.ca/" target="_blank">Kumon</a>, <a href="http://cities.sylvanlearning.com/ca" target="_blank">Sylvan</a>, that can help with extra studies but these are also expensive alternatives and the $40 per child per day only covers half the cost. We did have a tutor that came in from <a href="http://tutordoctor.com/" target="_blank">Tutor Doctor </a> but the issue we had was we had a wonderful tutor who loved to teach maths but she left to take a full time job and we had an alternative who preferred English. It was fine but I did not like the disruption of changing tutors just as my child was getting into a rhythm.<br />
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I am acutely aware that if I do not help my kids along sooner than later then they will fall behind quickly. The schools here in BC have long summer holidays and it has been proven that skills are lost during long summer breaks. Throughout the summer my children have been reading, the summer program at the library has been very useful. One of the things I lack in is teaching my kids is maths, mainly because it does not come easily to me and my mental arrhythmic is appalling due to lack of practice during my younger years plus I was not taught well from the start. My husband on the other hand whom was privately educated and went to a prestigious school in England, oozes confidence and has a much better handle on many subjects but he is so busy with work that he is unable to help my cause (when I say busy, it is seven days a week, lucky to get a few hours of his time). I can't complain my husband is earning money to keep a roof over our heads. Also, it is harder to explain the value of money nowadays because we use cards so often to pay for goods. I do give my children cash for chores and try to teach them to save which seems to be working. The problem with taking my girls out so they can understand how to use money and calculate what change they will get; in Canada until you get to the till you have no idea what the actual cost is. This is due to the tax(es), they do not appear on the ticket. So if my kids look for something worth $2 then we know they need more but because we do not know what tax amount to calculate before we get to the cashier because the government tax many items differently depending on what it is. It is challenging to teach and get a grasp on how much one needs to pay. It is ridiculous. In England what you see on the label is what you pay making it easier to see what amount you have in your hand and handing the money to the cashier and if there is change it can be calculated beforehand. <br />
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So to make these challenges less of a problem I have purchased a number of exercise books and games; crossword puzzles, word search, paint by number, bingo, Monopoly, educational books, maths books, reading and writing and sketch books for art projects. Here are a selection:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfNWsce_4SzWGKQQwm8rV9tMXnywqYPdT3iYad2Lm_LRoBXRrZ7Kvk2sjXIOrw77yWrml31b9TSGYcF7IqOIcggnIpRc7FttyWsJDlhe386v0Yd58pWB9x4e6nWVyJnCADZSfL6zGyEO4/s1600/IMG_3023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfNWsce_4SzWGKQQwm8rV9tMXnywqYPdT3iYad2Lm_LRoBXRrZ7Kvk2sjXIOrw77yWrml31b9TSGYcF7IqOIcggnIpRc7FttyWsJDlhe386v0Yd58pWB9x4e6nWVyJnCADZSfL6zGyEO4/s1600/IMG_3023.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4 Cats Art History Books</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvQOMmxDr9-0bi3g64I57rUqgypbyvc-t77RVJ5ja2JtFXfw5Jy0_hqNldJ1zu7awJvCb5PeAPXpLRzLYTraV94jo2K6VoLN51ydaaLIsohUF8Z1jtKhAW8evBaYeLdnMae_EDqmo0p0_l/s1600/IMG_3024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvQOMmxDr9-0bi3g64I57rUqgypbyvc-t77RVJ5ja2JtFXfw5Jy0_hqNldJ1zu7awJvCb5PeAPXpLRzLYTraV94jo2K6VoLN51ydaaLIsohUF8Z1jtKhAW8evBaYeLdnMae_EDqmo0p0_l/s1600/IMG_3024.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4 Cats Art History Books</td></tr>
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The books below were bought from the Dollar store for $3 each. They are great and the kids love them too.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh432avhfShUyO8pLvVZv8-cic7Et-iYOi6PFONPag0G_idjv0icitZktKh1EnxsVQoyN4nSfDAc_TTI61SfzE7voVmi8v2PIsFXFUzXZiYcJUhVPFWwYI2_vYpMyh4WmNHYHiCg3F85o30/s1600/IMG_3025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh432avhfShUyO8pLvVZv8-cic7Et-iYOi6PFONPag0G_idjv0icitZktKh1EnxsVQoyN4nSfDAc_TTI61SfzE7voVmi8v2PIsFXFUzXZiYcJUhVPFWwYI2_vYpMyh4WmNHYHiCg3F85o30/s1600/IMG_3025.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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There are also a number of TV shows that help. My kids love <a href="http://www.scholastic.com/magicschoolbus/" target="_blank">The Magic School Bu</a>s and <a href="http://horrible-histories.co.uk/" target="_blank">Horrible Histories</a>. There are also some good websites that I have yet to explore.<br />
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Putting a lesson plan in place will help too. Kids love routine so for my 6 and 8 year old my plan looks something like this:<br />
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8am Breakfast<br />
9am Quiet reading and read to me individually<br />
9.30am English activity, word search, writing practice, reading aloud etc (depends on age)<br />
10am playtime and snack<br />
10:30am Maths activity, counting games, card games, Bingo, exercise book, times table<br />
11:00am Art or Physical activity<br />
11:30am help to prep food for lunch, set table<br />
12:00 eat, clear table, play<br />
1pm Read, writing, drama, physical activity<br />
2pm Learning about art, history, science experiment<br />
3pm play<br />
4pm help with preparing food or setting table or chores in general.<br />
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It gives you a guideline and of course you can mix it up with outings and day trips that they rarely get in a school environment. It helps to get kids back into a routine and I can tell you they will love you for it.<br />
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If you have any suggestions, books, Educations shows, learning sites on the web, I would love to hear.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2653257985832315575.post-55331215657823335082014-08-28T06:00:00.000-07:002014-09-03T21:56:28.106-07:00Whistler Vacation Before School Starts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I love Whistler. This place is amazing no matter the season. Skiing is fantastic and summer is so much fun. There are camping grounds, hotels, B&B to accommodate many budgets.</div>
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We stayed in a cabin at <a href="http://www.whistlercamping.com/accommodations/yurts/" target="_blank">Riverside Resort</a>. There is a small park for kids, a putting green, bike rental on site a cafe and food store and wonderful trails along the river. Just 1.5K to Whistler Village, a lovely walk along the trails or a short bike ride just watch out for bears. There are cabins, yurts, RV site, camping at very reasonable prices. We were meant to stay in a yurt but my eldest started to panic about toilet breaks at night so we decided it best to get a cabin with a shower room. I would have booked us in a hotel but I could not cancel. Nonetheless, it was a lovely spot and lovely and quiet at night. We could sit out on the deck and the kids had a ladder the climb up and down to their loft bedroom, the loved it so much they didn't want to play in the park the ladder was novel enough.</div>
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In Whistler Village</div>
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Bungy trampoline. </div>
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Amazing scenery I love the colour of the rivers, milky light blue.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2653257985832315575.post-30587777150301644042014-08-20T08:50:00.001-07:002014-08-20T08:50:19.544-07:00Summer Activities<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This summer has been a blast. We have done so much I can barely remember it all.</div>
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One of the goals was to get both kids cycling on two wheels. My youngest went to <a href="http://www.pedalheads.com/" target="_blank">Pedalheads </a>to gain confidence cycling and within a week she was on two wheels. My eldest did it all by herself at home. </div>
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Harrison Hot Springs was our summer destination. We had glorious weather and spent plenty of time on the beach building sandcastles. </div>
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The kids have been to swim camps, <a href="http://www.spca.bc.ca/" target="_blank">BCSPCA </a>camp and Kids on the Go camp and they have loved them all.</div>
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Our last trip we will be heading off to Whistler before going back to school.</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2653257985832315575.post-15994808257665154662014-07-20T11:50:00.002-07:002014-07-21T18:00:12.589-07:00River Market New Westminster<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Yesterday we decided to go somewhere we have not been before, <a href="http://rivermarket.ca/" target="_blank">River Market</a> in New Westminster. We wanted to eat somewhere different than our usual places and discovered this market. It runs parallel with Columbia Street by the Fraser River. It is a lovely walk, watching the tug boats feeling the cool breeze.</div>
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When we arrived there was an artisan fair on and there were some lovely jewelry designs and hats and hair accessories to be found. The girls and I chose an item from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/chlonaart" target="_blank">Chlona Art's </a>stall. She has some wonderful pins, hair accessories and earrings at very reasonable prices.</div>
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There are many events on at the River Market; Zumba, bands, Lego, they even have a circus school.</div>
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It is amazing what is on your doorstep and sometimes we never venture to it. </div>
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Outside there is a mock-up tug boat for the children to play in. It has all the controls used in a boat that can be flicked, switched and pressed.</div>
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The tallest tin soldier. He is huge.</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2653257985832315575.post-6359900231950942622014-07-16T03:30:00.000-07:002014-07-16T03:30:01.324-07:00Reading Club for Kids<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Week 3 of reading club infact we are now on week 4. Where has the time gone? These are just a few books we picked-up from the library. Some classics, some new and some I have never heard of before. It is wonderful to discover new books not just the children but for me too.</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2653257985832315575.post-3721536018403108432014-07-15T14:46:00.002-07:002014-07-16T14:04:17.937-07:00Summer Holidays<div style="text-align: center;">
My absence is telling, I am having way too much fun on these glorious hot days that I have no time to write posts. Going to the beach, bike rides, booking mini-vacations, fun at the spray parks, going to the library, oh the joys of summer. Visiting Farmers Market is our new Sunday activity, I am hoping we can start riding our bikes to the local market but I am a little worried to take the kids because the roads are far too busy. Picking flowers, eating raspberries, making our own pizza dough and adding all its trimmings, eating s'mores are my kids new favourite foods.</div>
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What have you been doing with the kids this summer?</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2653257985832315575.post-88689875362560056702014-07-11T11:03:00.003-07:002014-07-11T11:03:57.457-07:00A Day at the Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0-7yQ4A6_9zRnP5L5ttiIPL4e1fNliHwCSPSDZ6vJbXMGgWx7Vy_SVjjP8UdnCUCB3F_Z3VwPAgT2QXowPYTlnilmdwaJYp-KeR3h00IDKBXieP9sD5BHIWBcORpbqKaq6LyXcILxVPSr/s1600/fish+and+chips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0-7yQ4A6_9zRnP5L5ttiIPL4e1fNliHwCSPSDZ6vJbXMGgWx7Vy_SVjjP8UdnCUCB3F_Z3VwPAgT2QXowPYTlnilmdwaJYp-KeR3h00IDKBXieP9sD5BHIWBcORpbqKaq6LyXcILxVPSr/s1600/fish+and+chips.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Fish and Chips and Pajo's</div>
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Blue Mountain Park</div>
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Port Moody</div>
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Watching the sailing boats go by.</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2653257985832315575.post-83817012352970167922014-07-06T16:10:00.001-07:002014-07-06T16:15:10.976-07:00Farmers Market with the Children<div style="text-align: center;">
Taking the children to the farmers market is a great way for them to see how food should really be. Not in tins, not in a room full of bright lights and branded sale signs but a place where you can be outdoors (preferably but not always the case) and shopping how we used to shop. Fresh goods, homemade jams, flowers, herbs (you do pronounce the H in herb!), ice cream, popcorn, kids crafts and if you are lucky there may be some entertainment. </div>
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The weather wasn't great today but who cares? My girls were very helpful picking out the produce, paying for it and carrying it in the bag. As a reward they got some popcorn. </div>
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We attended one of the <a href="http://www.bcfarmersmarket.org/" target="_blank">BC Farmers Market</a> in Coquitlam. There are many around that are local to everyone but I think next time we will try somewhere a little different. I find shopping this way more fun than going to the store plus you need cash and it is much better passing money over, infact it teaches kids that we do not always use cards to pay for things and understand the value of it.</div>
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When we returned home I asked the girls to help prepare some of our goods, wash and cut the zucchini, peel the parsnip, prepare the asparagus and place the flowers into a vase. They loved helping and getting involved. Infact they have been very good helpers today.</div>
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Where do you shop?</div>
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"Can we have ice cream pleeeeeeease? We will try and smile for you."</div>
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A discussion on who holds the bag of popcorn.</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2653257985832315575.post-49025937533465694132014-07-05T13:38:00.001-07:002014-07-05T13:38:35.775-07:00Cycling<div style="text-align: center;">
There is nothing more enjoyable than going outdoors and enjoying nature. Recently my eldest has managed to learn to ride without training wheels but this is the first time we have managed to cycle together and we both loved it. The Colony Farm trails are nice and flat and not at all busy which makes it a perfect place to teach the little ones the rules and etiquette of cycling. She loved pressing her bike bell to let people know she was there, she did not like bugs flying near her face which resulted in her falling off and nearly going down an embankment. This is why it is important to be outdoors more, they need to learn to get used to the creatures that surround us and understand that we get in the way as much as they do. She did enjoy seeing the butterflies and the dragonflies not so much the wasps! Once she got over the idea that they are flying past us or just bumping into us she got used to it. It takes time.</div>
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What are your weekend outdoor adventures?</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2653257985832315575.post-58909135087222979762014-07-02T17:47:00.000-07:002014-07-02T17:49:23.672-07:00A Girls Night In.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The beauty of having two girls is that I get to have a pamper night with them and the older they get the more fun it will be. There is nothing wrong with them experimenting with make-up and beauty products as they get older because women need to know these things. I do not wear make-up all the time and I do not spend ours fawning over my appearance but now and again I like to pamper myself and now I have my daughters who can join in . Poor daddy gets to sit and watch while we paint our nails (he hates the smell too) and brush our hair and talk nail colours for next time.</div>
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The limit for the kids beauty night is bath, hair, nails and tattoos. But for them it is more than enough, it pains them to sit still while their purple painted toe nails dry. </div>
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For myself I replaced the tattoo with a face mask which scared the heck out of the kid at first, they thought I looked like a skeleton. While I waited for the green mud to dry the girls wanted a glittery fairy tattoo placed onto their arm.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNPERNqIsMnccLmQxdiShSJRlBTNGOdkXOK0-pYxPV1AL6QlacZY9K-SlgN6ZqemhYo9E5ZnXy05jWhyT34gIAM2nZ4Iq4liTLGlyoeS6YTsU2Qdo0b9VgdEXkEZY0BAa7usd8hJRY5ZH/s1600/IMG_2677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNPERNqIsMnccLmQxdiShSJRlBTNGOdkXOK0-pYxPV1AL6QlacZY9K-SlgN6ZqemhYo9E5ZnXy05jWhyT34gIAM2nZ4Iq4liTLGlyoeS6YTsU2Qdo0b9VgdEXkEZY0BAa7usd8hJRY5ZH/s1600/IMG_2677.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nails</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFNV2ioMn1pYFRos84MtsKs7KruTWS3vAVELLuVMKFV6W4vbU8SB84xbN1Z_Ulsj-dPhd9NY1pwN1-WN-NpluHKaxvtlTwcaKymKwMp6mt_C_O-Rqmyl1X-datI-8N8OYtGFejwku3IMuZ/s1600/IMG_2686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFNV2ioMn1pYFRos84MtsKs7KruTWS3vAVELLuVMKFV6W4vbU8SB84xbN1Z_Ulsj-dPhd9NY1pwN1-WN-NpluHKaxvtlTwcaKymKwMp6mt_C_O-Rqmyl1X-datI-8N8OYtGFejwku3IMuZ/s1600/IMG_2686.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely fairy tattoo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBzk7ZA9mFXxpmzMM6PEdDZB5ZK139PM-XhEh9FZjCAJAk2E_4AXRv89OnrcMLNWDfCQGynu41absIVuyIZkW0gBDO4P_ebnu505B2mjwhYHqreMBs1FJx9tSZzAmQsxHGyGnD63vwtwq/s1600/IMG_2687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBzk7ZA9mFXxpmzMM6PEdDZB5ZK139PM-XhEh9FZjCAJAk2E_4AXRv89OnrcMLNWDfCQGynu41absIVuyIZkW0gBDO4P_ebnu505B2mjwhYHqreMBs1FJx9tSZzAmQsxHGyGnD63vwtwq/s1600/IMG_2687.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glittery tattoo</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2653257985832315575.post-77133349449093517082014-06-30T03:30:00.000-07:002014-06-30T03:30:02.339-07:00Birthday Celebrations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I am not sure how a birthday ends up being a drawn out week event but somehow we manage to do it each year. Both my kids are summer babies. It is very hard organising parties with school friends when everyone is on vacation so I have to arrange a party for friends before they break up for the summer then one with extended family and a day when we go out as a small family unit. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZeUk-d1YWaWgoF9T-GRzTAgwJCiaGYpBExRCOZs78IC-SzLBgxNJMGleJnRvVwEKKvbnoNbQ0KE9QY61d_hieAuJzMub8TqZoKW-ikj5UzixIJ_sJlBalIS2zb39aG12vsIRjizXfc_Ht/s1600/IMG_2518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZeUk-d1YWaWgoF9T-GRzTAgwJCiaGYpBExRCOZs78IC-SzLBgxNJMGleJnRvVwEKKvbnoNbQ0KE9QY61d_hieAuJzMub8TqZoKW-ikj5UzixIJ_sJlBalIS2zb39aG12vsIRjizXfc_Ht/s1600/IMG_2518.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few of the presents</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Gji2YHBCZ3yXl2JFLdAe3YvQnJSQWUYYcB2yeUNq2qO2HjdjZ7AfWLEDnW-DJVkGPnpkIVserraHV3bZRU4NmEON7bo1MKbmzIXzHiRlVTOM67INg2Panb8cxqCcpnYDZ5q8V4-1WqQf/s1600/IMG_2567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Gji2YHBCZ3yXl2JFLdAe3YvQnJSQWUYYcB2yeUNq2qO2HjdjZ7AfWLEDnW-DJVkGPnpkIVserraHV3bZRU4NmEON7bo1MKbmzIXzHiRlVTOM67INg2Panb8cxqCcpnYDZ5q8V4-1WqQf/s1600/IMG_2567.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every girl likes Frozen</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBC9KCEuTvnqBoBOSudX1YJ0uppamBWK3fTldrs7hKT79t50OLutshR7KRNpEA1ifJl3QoDh_LgP2m1EzRqw5BKuVF2Dohv77GlAX2YSZh278C8IvOyLhfW7SxOY6lm9VLlb7W0ZGmUWB/s1600/IMG_2579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBC9KCEuTvnqBoBOSudX1YJ0uppamBWK3fTldrs7hKT79t50OLutshR7KRNpEA1ifJl3QoDh_LgP2m1EzRqw5BKuVF2Dohv77GlAX2YSZh278C8IvOyLhfW7SxOY6lm9VLlb7W0ZGmUWB/s1600/IMG_2579.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Party table</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIW8uObRe_bDInqQ0mav5rWmDjpfzHPJx6Bn4q9LXQDjp_P5KSaLy3LzQDSrBbGnzHoJer6VPCWU8m66-fA6-H-tBuCx-YMWSyV9bAD5obVzdHNDSO7muqwUg3wLRZtJooazld5F0PYZxp/s1600/IMG_2582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIW8uObRe_bDInqQ0mav5rWmDjpfzHPJx6Bn4q9LXQDjp_P5KSaLy3LzQDSrBbGnzHoJer6VPCWU8m66-fA6-H-tBuCx-YMWSyV9bAD5obVzdHNDSO7muqwUg3wLRZtJooazld5F0PYZxp/s1600/IMG_2582.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homemade gluten free cake</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ryzV2U9UopAkJmbm2Fw0iF94iGA312QUvKSBsCuHnPMO9_5mZvy4VRbGmbF_DWZFUShsqlj8INdhq7IjA53uq8Ud35GUpEjblfbIqxwi5DdEKUy5B2UJ4LxCkuoGRvkg5G5f_o0GZnyu/s1600/IMG_2614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ryzV2U9UopAkJmbm2Fw0iF94iGA312QUvKSBsCuHnPMO9_5mZvy4VRbGmbF_DWZFUShsqlj8INdhq7IjA53uq8Ud35GUpEjblfbIqxwi5DdEKUy5B2UJ4LxCkuoGRvkg5G5f_o0GZnyu/s1600/IMG_2614.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pass the parcel</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZCEkcWbFy-M9CDUxlr-wXxy7SBtOL1I23_aj6WvTLXMpPjAzKEwretCBxTV5yo9jiCI95fuDbfeCHjzldoRVsEaglLmLttF1s4AlOflFX2hYioTbSZwpuwxdHySMsQQARaB2U8t6TD8l/s1600/IMG_2548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZCEkcWbFy-M9CDUxlr-wXxy7SBtOL1I23_aj6WvTLXMpPjAzKEwretCBxTV5yo9jiCI95fuDbfeCHjzldoRVsEaglLmLttF1s4AlOflFX2hYioTbSZwpuwxdHySMsQQARaB2U8t6TD8l/s1600/IMG_2548.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the gifts</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2653257985832315575.post-90879343831204794922014-06-28T21:58:00.000-07:002014-06-28T22:00:33.872-07:00The Love of Reading<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4JGh4ch0AAvY5ClFr03RnzNu_rcE0-X_1q-h0NxTASvsjpOvhXUCTUdMzWWKlZEi7nez5TGAJ0Xa1d42sBEnDQmwRjFVc79ZO2bckh2_4SAmG5tZlflSTWgy5Tlw4SdXGnV6fsga9Vy1/s1600/IMG_2673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4JGh4ch0AAvY5ClFr03RnzNu_rcE0-X_1q-h0NxTASvsjpOvhXUCTUdMzWWKlZEi7nez5TGAJ0Xa1d42sBEnDQmwRjFVc79ZO2bckh2_4SAmG5tZlflSTWgy5Tlw4SdXGnV6fsga9Vy1/s1600/IMG_2673.JPG" height="200" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Judy Moody and Friends</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMgY5fpGsN9od-qCzxjsziTqLSUXZhuMrrblKqBukfR7-xx18q3Nvz6Wo_JLGPTnCE822Zbe1TivPfnrL47mLEq7ghi8tOU9PmKf7uw1oFyboiQB-6mm79I17jGocHjoaOfKTeNDq8F-z/s1600/IMG_2672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMgY5fpGsN9od-qCzxjsziTqLSUXZhuMrrblKqBukfR7-xx18q3Nvz6Wo_JLGPTnCE822Zbe1TivPfnrL47mLEq7ghi8tOU9PmKf7uw1oFyboiQB-6mm79I17jGocHjoaOfKTeNDq8F-z/s1600/IMG_2672.JPG" height="200" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robert Munsch</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2wU_dRdOLjwgVxI4_7MSx_NQMUKs9IPY-hWAPSYkceX2VBed2ZmJOachEY8sPZyB6eY-YE_qXRMncmR0UNDchlxZ9-kzH7fU7urRS2x4hLROm3cw5j_1_GmS6XGH4BStz76dbWb3t0Ky/s1600/IMG_2674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2wU_dRdOLjwgVxI4_7MSx_NQMUKs9IPY-hWAPSYkceX2VBed2ZmJOachEY8sPZyB6eY-YE_qXRMncmR0UNDchlxZ9-kzH7fU7urRS2x4hLROm3cw5j_1_GmS6XGH4BStz76dbWb3t0Ky/s1600/IMG_2674.JPG" height="200" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magnetic book markers</td></tr>
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Gosh! How things have changed. If I had had access to the internet as a kid I would have been glued to it. There is so much information to learn that I think my studies would have been that much better. I think I would have loved reading more too. I say this because there are some wonderful children's book authors who have the most fabulous websites and interactive pages to make the books come alive in a way that I could never have imagined as a child.<br />
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The list I have provided is a sample of sites I think are fantastic for kids and not just for kids who love to read but also encourage them to read books more. The authors have excellent reviews from their readers as an added bonus.<br />
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I have yet to read any of David William's books but I recongnise him from the television. I also know him from a book that has had great reviews, Gangsta Granny. Check out his <a href="http://www.worldofwalliams.com/" target="_blank">site </a>it is wonderfully colourful has videos, games and competitions. You may recognise the illustrator too, <a href="http://www.quentinblake.com/" target="_blank">Quentin Blake</a>.<br />
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Quentin Blake is also known for illustrating books for <a href="https://www.roalddahl.com/" target="_blank">Roald Dahl.</a> Not only is there a website for Roald Dahl and his books but there is also a <a href="https://www.roalddahl.com/museum/visit" target="_blank">museum </a> which sadly I never got to go to. My kids love The Enormous Crocodile, we use a crocodile puppet and change the names to our kids names and they love it.<br />
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Both my children and I love <a href="http://winnie-the-witch.com/" target="_blank">Winnie the Witch</a>. Valerie Thomas and Korky Paul are the creators to these wonderful stories. The books are wonderfully illustrated and the website has printable drawing and colouring activities and party game ideas and how to dress like Winnie. Kids love to dress like Winnie the Witch and have Wilbur the cat by their side.<br />
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<a href="http://robertmunsch.com/" target="_blank">Robert Munsch</a>. You can't not like his books. His website is fantastic too. The kids love Smelly Socks, Mud Puddles, I Have to Go and more. Our Canadian family whom are mostly made up of teachers love to buy the young children in the family these books. And why not? They are truly lovely stories. <br />
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<a href="http://www.judymoody.com/friends/" target="_blank">Judy Moody and Friends</a>. Great reading book for kids who are ready for long chapter books but still want pictures. My eldest has yet to start reading her first Judy Moody and Friends series she has many other books on the go. But from what I can see she will love it.<br />
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I want to name more but there are just too many. These are just to wet the appetite for the love of reading.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2653257985832315575.post-73518131023874229392014-06-27T03:00:00.000-07:002014-06-27T03:00:08.882-07:00Science for Kids<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
One of the birthday gifts my eldest received was a science kit. The science kits are awesome for kids. The <a href="http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/?gclid=CjkKEQjw5qmdBRCn--70gPSo074BEiQAJCe7zRndQjd_J8SJPrQmMgX4fktiZVKjzaihm5olrZr8BLvw_wcB" target="_blank">Steve Spangler</a> Science creations can come in individual packs or single packs. I have bought these products before and my kids love them. The one my daughter received had a a number of experiments, each one with at least two options. There are crystals that expand but first you need to add the colour tablets in first to colour the water then add the crystals. Watch it fizz, expand and change in colour. There are colour beads that change in different types of light. Snow that expands but it must be measured correctly or it can get slushy! Dry sand even when wet and a dino that expands in water and over a period of time. There is a leaflet that explains why and how it works. </div>
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I give this kit a 10 out if 10. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnk4TaVIEN7ftxSV4rM-pIWyOuH0XYVFovOACJBqG2M1Ne8o5JKf8f7mbB8JsEju3wbcw0eUZwKKqy2exifGtvRxYjZhgsLuk-QOWjmYxWbFKK41sFpu_-DGZSgXgjDWjsn5Sw-Bvl4ux/s1600/IMG_2427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnk4TaVIEN7ftxSV4rM-pIWyOuH0XYVFovOACJBqG2M1Ne8o5JKf8f7mbB8JsEju3wbcw0eUZwKKqy2exifGtvRxYjZhgsLuk-QOWjmYxWbFKK41sFpu_-DGZSgXgjDWjsn5Sw-Bvl4ux/s1600/IMG_2427.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqonngsaFjoPz6BFYKfPgz0Xo0tIlF4m7kfj3GcpERv3kv8TpZAurV4T6hTAY3n2FeBRtQUcy6xjBvBOpedHk1O3F6gmxAONqS130kd8WYh6h4Uy7FSXOVBxrTfTIzxOpt4nd5npolM6Eg/s1600/IMG_2429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqonngsaFjoPz6BFYKfPgz0Xo0tIlF4m7kfj3GcpERv3kv8TpZAurV4T6hTAY3n2FeBRtQUcy6xjBvBOpedHk1O3F6gmxAONqS130kd8WYh6h4Uy7FSXOVBxrTfTIzxOpt4nd5npolM6Eg/s1600/IMG_2429.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYLUZmrhosUbdizmwszV_1VIY4miT4VMkVbWIRv_jdIzlyEIwf9HDCAvBFgIcSlGoFVCJcn1myGXEEW1QCxApEwOY20HlWRKButcPAm4x61mkqtdnud5mNZGOgDhpyTeYDDx2450iWcSb8/s1600/IMG_2443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYLUZmrhosUbdizmwszV_1VIY4miT4VMkVbWIRv_jdIzlyEIwf9HDCAvBFgIcSlGoFVCJcn1myGXEEW1QCxApEwOY20HlWRKButcPAm4x61mkqtdnud5mNZGOgDhpyTeYDDx2450iWcSb8/s1600/IMG_2443.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2653257985832315575.post-44180752260885288122014-06-26T18:20:00.001-07:002014-06-26T18:22:52.783-07:00An Outing with Friends at Colony Farm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A few days earlier we decided to go out as a group to Colony Farm. It happened to be a beautiful, sunny , bright Vancouver day. Nothing more lovely than meeting with friends and ending with a picnic and a play. </div>
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This time we started off by the communal gardens. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFreY4nsrNTvojGVT2OYQ_GRxHSZ40NGnspqDp1Fa2472-oaqngG0ZKuW-xClcEcN2uivEnPwysoP2hx-KDNPTLBwOu8PXMWLdqh7T63ESmfqx8AqI-4T5WBY5uiCl9Z5VEWvpjvgPJaro/s1600/IMG_2473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFreY4nsrNTvojGVT2OYQ_GRxHSZ40NGnspqDp1Fa2472-oaqngG0ZKuW-xClcEcN2uivEnPwysoP2hx-KDNPTLBwOu8PXMWLdqh7T63ESmfqx8AqI-4T5WBY5uiCl9Z5VEWvpjvgPJaro/s1600/IMG_2473.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Beautiful day.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_VRNjGeZw4JRFDMAv3Sge0fws7H3B5Pw3k58pEXqe-4eYaUfdKdGf2AlaJ-miaWxDg4-klcKC6jkrGEdCooKLM204RSDBHUt7ca8pJA2r6NdmfR_51CIfhLolroqrzJjC1WfYTvu-sCe/s1600/IMG_2511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_VRNjGeZw4JRFDMAv3Sge0fws7H3B5Pw3k58pEXqe-4eYaUfdKdGf2AlaJ-miaWxDg4-klcKC6jkrGEdCooKLM204RSDBHUt7ca8pJA2r6NdmfR_51CIfhLolroqrzJjC1WfYTvu-sCe/s1600/IMG_2511.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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The communal gardens are very well maintained, some grow fruit and veg and flowers. There is a lovely feel to the place and it was a great place to start and end our walk. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwN4EFrMFvt6NZ_o9uVLiDrMzpA0ycEjPc9Is5BrYWmfDIAuDt8xZNofcJZDL2x2uih-P2q1AwljpbfwAgCpP-YcyHCWUkmwkzm8oQU-XpipThtEGwtwd-xbmTL_vq_icRUmHNSJmDFNq/s1600/IMG_2485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwN4EFrMFvt6NZ_o9uVLiDrMzpA0ycEjPc9Is5BrYWmfDIAuDt8xZNofcJZDL2x2uih-P2q1AwljpbfwAgCpP-YcyHCWUkmwkzm8oQU-XpipThtEGwtwd-xbmTL_vq_icRUmHNSJmDFNq/s1600/IMG_2485.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Taking a break.</div>
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On our way back, there was some serious conversation going on here.</div>
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We ended our walk by the gardens. Thankfully there are toilets and a picnic area with a large grassy area for the kids to play and they are always within eye range. They particularly liked the long grassy area. </div>
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A fantastic day was had by all. </div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2653257985832315575.post-59032781740226374722014-06-25T03:30:00.000-07:002014-06-25T09:13:46.338-07:00Kids Book Club<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3PpwU2xtpZI2QEn7aiYzjRb8sVd5NW4hM9jKYeZxATaqNN8RIb_WkKjknLtI1LXUGjNLqcyd7Q5Tr_j9qjS3nfWlGr9N8YPQ7ykl6KH4s_ThGFoek4S6NxjyNyV1nBWQ0r57Uk0ZIkkC/s1600/IMG_2135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3PpwU2xtpZI2QEn7aiYzjRb8sVd5NW4hM9jKYeZxATaqNN8RIb_WkKjknLtI1LXUGjNLqcyd7Q5Tr_j9qjS3nfWlGr9N8YPQ7ykl6KH4s_ThGFoek4S6NxjyNyV1nBWQ0r57Uk0ZIkkC/s1600/IMG_2135.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reading for my 5 year old</td></tr>
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My youngest chose this book and what a great book to start the summer reading program. Infact both my kids chose several books from the library but these ones stood out from the rest. She loved, Hooray for Reading Day and she was able to read most of it with me. My eldest daughter also enjoyed this book and it took her no time at all to read it. But her reading is now at another level and one of the books she chose was, Charles Dickens and Friends.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiualwGTCmUA279LXJiP5lRAf3kO_dA-bZrJyeOUDQ6EsP34h_E1Z2VHj1yo4MsyPIWfngb3lld5OW8YqOCmKXWN2IvEJ189d07qH3rFkndKLKsGXVMraxlMzknhG2FeEx2P7PTHSPdI30_/s1600/IMG_2145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiualwGTCmUA279LXJiP5lRAf3kO_dA-bZrJyeOUDQ6EsP34h_E1Z2VHj1yo4MsyPIWfngb3lld5OW8YqOCmKXWN2IvEJ189d07qH3rFkndKLKsGXVMraxlMzknhG2FeEx2P7PTHSPdI30_/s1600/IMG_2145.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reading for my 8 year old</td></tr>
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This Charles Dickens book is written like a comic strip and is a very condensed version of the classics. Oliver Twist is one of the stories and did this story ever draw up a conversation! The first words out of my eldest's mouth was, "I don't like this book the people are mean". I gave her a snapshot of the era and why the author wrote these stories and how children were treated in the Victorian period and it was not a nice time for the poor. My daughter was appalled and couldn't quite believe people could be so aweful. She then went to her little sister and told her what the book was about and how dreadful she thought it was.<br />
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I was so happy to hear her talking about the book, learning something from it and asking questions. I can only hope this will spark a love for reading.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2653257985832315575.post-79032496816532425812014-06-24T20:48:00.001-07:002014-06-24T20:48:16.626-07:00First Aid Kits for Kids - Me4Kidz<div style="text-align: center;">
I was in my local pharmacy store when I stumbled across a travel sized first aid kit for kids. It is a little bigger than a glasses case and includes stickers for being brave kids (I assume), band aids, sanitizes, gauze and a large band-aid. It is a really handy kit for taking out on day trips and packaged in a nice bright colour. There are a number of colours to choose from however the store I went to only stocked orange and green. When supplies run out it will be easy to refill. The easy to grab box which fits nicely in a small-ish sized bag will keep everything in one place and keep the dirt out.</div>
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I haven't used it yet. The only thing I would add to it is <a href="http://www.polysporin.ca/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Brand&utm_term=polysporin" target="_blank">Polysporin </a>or <a href="http://www.boots.com/en/Savlon-Antiseptic-Cream-30g_2279/" target="_blank">Savlon </a>cream. Come to think of it I am not sure I can get Savlon in Canada but I do have some at home.</div>
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The company name is <a href="http://www.me4kidz.com/" target="_blank">me4kids</a>.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me 4 Kidz</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAC7NdvTdlEQLiXiNdQq8B2pRr33jqTvJMzMPyrF-_AM2ROMNSua-vjwP7rcdCe81RbY7wBGWkG_o-1zGxgiK7xA7eXgHtZbHhSWI21t-_GXcG9hMtNYoVWJtYUlm5KmCjT6WtPskXOP7Q/s1600/IMG_2439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAC7NdvTdlEQLiXiNdQq8B2pRr33jqTvJMzMPyrF-_AM2ROMNSua-vjwP7rcdCe81RbY7wBGWkG_o-1zGxgiK7xA7eXgHtZbHhSWI21t-_GXcG9hMtNYoVWJtYUlm5KmCjT6WtPskXOP7Q/s1600/IMG_2439.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Contents</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrTrDdrbfIx-YGJ0n009ryycpCVfDbTzsFqfmEg1ZZ5kK84LYwgmJvhBboLU-tUeT2DxHSwW8zlv-heLfBAd6SSgU5uVE2UlK5CVtsLj6vyX-UPI4rt1rNpd_9Q1fOaHNSP-8cXMpexs2/s1600/IMG_2440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrTrDdrbfIx-YGJ0n009ryycpCVfDbTzsFqfmEg1ZZ5kK84LYwgmJvhBboLU-tUeT2DxHSwW8zlv-heLfBAd6SSgU5uVE2UlK5CVtsLj6vyX-UPI4rt1rNpd_9Q1fOaHNSP-8cXMpexs2/s1600/IMG_2440.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We started to personalize ours.</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2653257985832315575.post-3465555996475968492014-06-23T03:00:00.000-07:002014-06-23T03:00:08.969-07:00Baking with Kids<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Lemon Cakes. Nothing more lovely than lemon cakes drizzled with lemon icing. We used a heart-shaped silicon mold hence the shape. I used the recipe from <a href="http://theboywhobakes.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Boy Who Bakes</a>. Ed Kimber won the 2010 <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b013pqnm" target="_blank">The Great British Bake off</a> and has gone from strength to strength. He has some amazing recipes and they always taste good and are easy to follow. </div>
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The kids love to help in the kitchen particularly when I am baking sweet things. It is a great way to get them to understand how to measure and weigh, learn a little about food science and best of all learning how to cook. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdpMmPuwVh7SP5dhNLWyNByzQrhaheAMX1mRldtYLxhaxwE_WcAyRSOmXSbNfwY4yywSReIAgWdgygmM30AQlTt0B1oDsKtj9Oqy9-K_QkYz8YyDmOR01_vnnvdoz7vEuZhV9s02geKdZK/s1600/IMG_1994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdpMmPuwVh7SP5dhNLWyNByzQrhaheAMX1mRldtYLxhaxwE_WcAyRSOmXSbNfwY4yywSReIAgWdgygmM30AQlTt0B1oDsKtj9Oqy9-K_QkYz8YyDmOR01_vnnvdoz7vEuZhV9s02geKdZK/s1600/IMG_1994.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgeW0x5jfFUZF89lK75NWwJYfLI9zaXDMilzKTNwCiD7-GOT06g3f8tVF9uAvTi5-31ryspk6fT54S_FQg5-mzVbOEg1Agq-KON04zNrEfCsQwgzdih0w_czcnewM16T7gWWJk1R9E4sE5/s1600/IMG_2007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgeW0x5jfFUZF89lK75NWwJYfLI9zaXDMilzKTNwCiD7-GOT06g3f8tVF9uAvTi5-31ryspk6fT54S_FQg5-mzVbOEg1Agq-KON04zNrEfCsQwgzdih0w_czcnewM16T7gWWJk1R9E4sE5/s1600/IMG_2007.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlz5j8wLrIAkt2x3lJMcFJ7-TFqwPnlkXBDlsYNyCXIoIU5x7p1uwXksTZahXxTbPgIwRSuT7ocwAglGyRICix_CvTJ6aIFG81qp5Io4bbJqpfrqAYdVn1JytpCkAX_4kDnuui-F7F_vxn/s1600/IMG_2011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlz5j8wLrIAkt2x3lJMcFJ7-TFqwPnlkXBDlsYNyCXIoIU5x7p1uwXksTZahXxTbPgIwRSuT7ocwAglGyRICix_CvTJ6aIFG81qp5Io4bbJqpfrqAYdVn1JytpCkAX_4kDnuui-F7F_vxn/s1600/IMG_2011.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2653257985832315575.post-61183647758183006432014-06-21T20:32:00.001-07:002014-06-21T21:02:53.361-07:00Planning a Kids Birthday PartyI have been planning a birthday party for the past two weeks. I am not sure I would call it planning as such, I had a list in my mind of things to do and what to buy. I can organise large corporate events but organising a kids party fills me with fear, it is not necessarily the planning it is the idea of having to entertain ten kids.<br />
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I asked my friends what they do and I have been given various ideas. There are parents who hire venues and let the organisers sort it all out, buy the pizza and cake in. Go for a picnic at a park but have a plan for wet conditions. The home party, I am doing this, where you make your own food or buy it in and organise your own entertainment.<br />
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My home based party will have homemade cake, banners, sandwiches, crisps (UK term crisps, N.A term is chips), fruit and popcorn. This is a very British thing to do. I am keeping to what I know. I have planned this party around hot weather and because of the strikes the kids could not have sports day so I have my own version of it. There is a badminton set for four players, a trampoline for four at a time, a large paddling pool, water guns, skipping, hula hoops and a few other things. We have tried out the badminton set as a family and it is tonnes of fun. Key thing is to give them an activity or two to do have some food and cake and a party bag to take home.<br />
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Other than keeping the kids safe and doing my best to entertain them generally the best thing to do is to go with the flow but have at least an idea of activities to keep them entertained. I have a few back-up plans like musical chairs and pass the parcel and regardless of the weather the kids are going outside!<br />
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I will post the party event and let you know how it went.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Party hats and paper straws</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birthday Banner for decoration</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Party bags</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shop bought cupcakes to go around my homemade cake</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flowers for decoration</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2653257985832315575.post-79799551316301320002014-06-20T18:17:00.001-07:002014-06-20T18:17:12.488-07:00Kids Summer Book ClubOur <a href="http://www.library.coquitlam.bc.ca/default.htm" target="_blank">local library</a> is running a summer reading program where children have to read for 20mins everyday and write down in their little booklet the books they have read. After seven days of reading they go back to the library and receive a sticker. The program runs for seven weeks and if they read everyday and complete their booklet each child receives a reading medal.<br />
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I think this is a wonderful thing to get kids using libraries and keeps them reading while not at school. My kids are super excited about it all too. Since we have signed up they have read three books per day. One short so they can read to me, a book where I read to them that is a little longer and a book where they sit quietly on their own. My eldest reads just fine but my youngest needs more help with reading but she is picking it up fast. If I read a bigger book with my youngest she will help me read it and she shouts out the words she knows. My eldest will read out loud too, it is nice to listen to them read and it gets them used to reading fluently infront of an audience.<br />
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We are working on week one and I will post books and reviews as we go each week.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0