Park Playdates, Potluck Style

The older my children get, the less and less time it seems I have with my friends.  You think when school is out for summer, that you could catch up, but I almost seem busier then.  With this in mind, last year, I set up a playdate at a park and asked everyone who came to bring a little something for the snack table.  This is such a great way to see your friends (and lots at one time), for your kids to see their friends, get fresh air, and have some great treats...heck you might not have to make lunch.  Below are a few tips to help you plan yours....

• Choose a date.  I don't like to do weekends because the parks seem way too busy.  You are so pre occupied watching your kids that you don't get a good visit in.

• Choose a time.  Early mornings work the best.  It is still not too hot out, people with younger children won't miss their bedtimes, and the park is usually quieter.

• Choose a park.  Choose a park that you are familiar with and know.  It should also be central for everyone.

• Send out invites. I find that creating an event on Facebook works the best.  People can post on the wall, you can post a link for a map on how to get to the park, and you can get a good idea of who is in and who is not.  Don't forget to ask everyone to bring a little something for the snack table.  Include your cell phone number so people can call you if they get lost on the way.  You probably want to send out the invitation at least a week in advance so people can plan to come.

• Send out a reminder.  A day or two before your playdate, send out a reminder email.  I know that with all that is going on, I totally would forget my head if it wasn't attached.

• What to pack.  Before you head out, you should have some essentials with you.
• Paper plates
• Napkins
• Knife
• Two garbage bags.  One for garbage and the other for recycling.
• Sunscreen and Bug Spray
• Plastic table cloth.  You never know what condition picnic tables are going to be in.
• Wet wipes
• Outside toys like soccer balls or a frisbee.
• Weights....like balloon weights or a paper weight.  Use these to hold down your plastic table cloth, plates, and napkins.

• Arrive Early.  Come early and set up.  You can also scope out the site.

• Have Fun!

You've got my Pinterest!

I was over at a friends house for a BBQ last weekend and heard about this website called Pinterest (www.pinterest.com).  They were talking about how you can "pin" these ideas to your own personal boards, look up anything thing that might interest you, or find out information you need.  The best way I can put it is that it is like your "favorites" button for your Internet, but with visuals that is shared with 1000's of people.  You can follow other people and people can follow you.  For example, you may be interested in cooking, you can follow someone who posts recipes.  For someone like me who like to plan birthdays months in advance, I can get some really great ideas or plan a meal for a bunch of people.

Things to know:

• You have to be invited to join the website by an already existing member.

• Highly addictive.

Splash! A great summer project for Calgary kids

This is such a great program!  It works with kids of all ages too.  We are a little behind the eight ball on this, but they gave us the ballots that we missed.  Below is some of the info off the Calgary Public Library's website.  The link is listed below for more details!  Happy reading.

How do I sign up?

Come into any of our 17 Library locations, starting June 16th, to register to play Splash: 2011 TD Summer Reading Club, a joint initiative with Library and Archives Canada.

How much does it cost?

It's FREE! Kids 12 and under can also sign up for a FREE library card so they can take home some great books.

How does it work?

When you sign up, you will receive an activity booklet, a poster, and your first of nine weekly reading logs. Weekly reading logs will be released every Thursday starting June 16th. Every time you complete a weekly reading log, you will receive a sticker that you can add to your poster!
There is a ballot on each weekly reading log for you to record your own summer reading and to enter our weekly draws. This year's grand prize is an underwater digital camera - the Fujifilm Finepix XP15 - with each of our 17 Library locations giving one away!
The program ends August 31st, so remember to get your ballots in on time!

Who can play?

Babies, preschoolers, and children of all ages can participate this summer. There will be special books and prizes for kids 0-4, with fun activities for kids and parents to do together.

Why join the Summer Reading Club?

Studies show that children may lose reading skills over the summer months. However, children who continue to read during this time maintain and even gain literacy skills. Reading opens doors to a world of imagination and knowledge. Enthusiastic readers make better students and will develop an association with books and learning that will last a lifetime. By visiting the Calgary Public Library regularly and participating in the summer reading program, you will help your child develop and sustain these crucial skills.


http://beta.calgarypubliclibrary.com/blogs/summer-reading-club/how-do-i-play

Kids Birthday Gift Ideas

This weekend we have four birthday parties to attend, 3 of which, are for 6 year old boys.  I do not like to give toys as gifts unless I know for certain that the child really wants it.  I prefer to give somewhat useful gifts.  Now this is not very fun for kids, as you can imagine, but it is all in the packaging.  I also think a themed gift is great as well.

For the boys this weekend I went with a "Movie" theme.  I got them each two movie passes, which include their snacks and food, and piled a bucket from Micheal's full of popcorn, Smarties, Twizzlers, Bubble Gum, Ring Pops, and other goodies.

I wend on the computer and found some movie clip art, wrote happy birthday and their name, and printed them.  I then cut them out and glued them to a thicker stalk paper.  I wrapped the bucket of goodies up in a cello bag from Micheal's and tied lots of ribbon around the top.

Here is what they look like finished.

This is unlimited options where is come to these kids of gifts:

Bedtime Bucket (my personal favorite).  Princesses for girls or Cars for boys are always great!

• Tooth brush
• Tooth paste
• Book
• Pj's
• Shampoo
• Body Wash
• Bubble Bath

Crayola Bucket

• Crayons
• Coloring Book
• Paints
• Smock
• Paint Brushes
• Pencil Crayons
• Finger Paints

National Geographic Kids Almanac 2012...so great!

I was at Costco the other day and, in the kids book section, saw the National Geographic's Kids Almanac 2012 for $9.98.  I had quickly looked through one at my friends house before, it was really interesting, so I picked this up for my kids.

Reading everyday is mandatory in this home.  Every night before bed, all four of us snuggle into our (me and Ivan's) bed and read.  I have started to read this Almanac to them, maybe 6-8 pages a night, and they are loving it.  Simone and Donovan both listen quietly and look at the pictures.....they are both truly interested.  Not only are they learning a ton, but me too!

This is definitely a great thing to have as it discusses current global issues, politics, animals, a little of everything.  I am thinking of picking another one up and putting it into both children's memory boxes so they can look back each year and see what things were like when they were little.

Girls Club

Some months back one of my great friends asked if I wanted to be in her girls club, some people call it the "Time of the Month" club.  I had no idea what this was.....here is how it works:

You invite 11 girls to join your club, for a total of 12 girls.  You all meet once a month, we meet every second Tuesday of the month, for a total of 12 months. Each girl brings a pre determined amount of money, we do $40.00, and puts it into a pot.  All the girls write down their names on slips of paper, and at the end of the night, someone draws a name.  That name is the winner of the pot.  The winner of the pot host's the next meeting.  The money must go towards something just for them...clothes, art, shoes....NO ONE ELSE.  You also have to show everyone what you got at the next meeting.  Once someone wins the pot, they can not enter their name in the draw again, but you do have to pay every month  This allows everyone to win.

We like to meet in the evening after the kids are asleep, around 8 pm ish.  We started out doing a pot luck, everyone brings a munchie, but we had way too much food.  We then just asked half the girls to bring food at a time, and alternated every month.

This is such a great thing.  You get to hang out with your friends, meet new ones, talk about ANYTHING.

I say, start a group today.  If you do, I want to hear about it!

To all the ladies in my group, thank you for the laughs, the advice, and support!  You all rock!

Organic yummy food delivered to your door.

We may not ALWAYS eat the healthiest food here in the Nash home, but we are defiantly trying to buy organic and local where ever possible and within budget.

Currently, we are using a company called Spud's.  It is so great!  We get most of our fruit, veggies, bread, dairy, and meat from there.  They deliver right to our door.  I can still grocery shop for Ivan even when I am away!

Anyways, if you are interested, the link is http://www.spud.ca/.  If you use the coupon code: CRCAL-NASTAA you will receive $25.00 in free groceries.  I thought I would pass that along.  Totally worth checking out.  They also support gluten free and other special dietary needs.

Happy shopping...from home!