Tag: children
SPROUTS – Early Spring Kid Gardening Fun
Brrr, it’s chilly. On those afternoons when the bright sun makes it tolerable, I stroll aimlessly around my garden with hopeful ideas of planting. My daughter and I sample a bite from a patch of oregano as it pokes its head out of one of my veggie gardens. In the front yard we marvel over [...]
6 Kids Books to Make the First Day of School Easier
I remember my first day of Kindergarten quite clearly. It was 1976 and my grandmother had made me the cutest ABC dress in the history of dresses. Oh, there was some drama – when my mother took me to get my haircut at the local beauty school and they had to cut most of it off [...]
Children’s Books About The Sweetness of Farm Life
Editor’s Note: As the dog days of summer set in, it may just be time to trade an afternoon in the sun for some sweet books in the shade. Here are a few that make our OBE all-time favorite list. First reviewed in 2008, they are the perfect mix of fun, sweetness and classic goodness. [...]
A Good Nights Rest – Bust Out The Lavender
Summertime sunshine, excitement and energy has made the regular bedtime routine at our house something right out of crazy town lately. It doesn’t seem to matter whether I start the routine at 6 or 7:55 p.m., it’s always well past 9 p.m. before sleep sets in and Ken and I can break from very long [...]
Earth Day – Top 10 Reasons to Eat Local
Editor’s Note: As we celebrate the Earth today, I have to admit that I am ALWAYS thinking about food. With 7 billion people on the planet, keeping everyone fed and healthy is a big issue that I often find myself trying to wrap my head around. That’s a lot to take in. But, what goes [...]
Family Crafts – New Year's Eve Crowns
New Year’s Eve is one tricky holiday to get the family involved with. Most of the long-standing traditions of the event portion of it revolve around activities not meant for kiddos, and generally the big project for this day is finding a baby sitter that doesn’t mind an extra late night. But, around our house, [...]
Kids & Tech – The Pack of Wild Dogs Syndrome
There’s a school drop-off conversation that keeps popping up over and over lately with the same results. Our young kids are spending more and more time playing video games and we as parents are starting to notice that these electronic universes are having a serious attitude altering effect on them. When they are stomping through [...]
Is It Me, Or Is Every First Grader a School Hater?
It’s one month into the new school year and the last 30 days have definitely seen their ups and downs. Whether it’s figuring out how everything works, making new friends or just trying to get the basics like snapping your snaps and zipping your zippers down, the early days of school days are emotionally exhausting [...]
Get Kids Car Seats Double Checked, You'll Be Surprised
Editor’s Note: This morning we have Comox Valley mom and car seat safety technician Jen Shapka with us to talk about how important it is to have your kids car seats installed properly – and to have them double checked. I’ve always been of the mind that our seats were in properly, until an ICBC [...]
Join Us Sunday for The Family Pumpkin Patch Party
As October just about settles in, that means it’s time to bust out the black and orange, start thinking about what you’re going to be for Halloween and – of course – head out to the pumpkin patch. OBE has always hosted a fun weekday Pumpkin Patch Party for the under 5 crowd. But, this [...]
My Kid Got Her Potty Mouth From Me
Ummm, yeah. There I was, dropping the big kid off at school, having a relatively normal, sane, happy-go-lucky sort of day when it happened. The teacher pulled me aside and asked me to consider making some adjustments at home. Gasp, I thought. What could we be doing at home that was making such an impact [...]
Out & About – Learn Your Community on Foot
If anyone took a straw poll on who loves their car, I would be waving my hand in the air like a crazy person. Since I got my driver’s license at the tender age of 16 I’ve been in love with the open road. Getting behind the wheel and heading anywhere gets me super excited. [...]
Books About Girl Power
Helping our kids form a positive self-image of themselves as well as helping them to see other kids as unique and interesting as well is one very serious challenge. From all of the competitiveness in our own daily lives, our own worries about weight, money, the right look, the perfect this and that, our kids [...]
Creative Kids – Fall Nature Collections
On the eve of Fall, I am feeling the energy inside me turn from summer beach nights to warm and cozy. You can see it in the kids too. They begin the process of preparing for Winter, even foraging and storing things up like the animals in the forest. It’s fun to see the collections [...]
At 4 a.m., Peaceful Parenting Goes Out The Window
I have daydreams of sleep. Seriously, I’ll be driving in the truck along the dyke road looking out at the Canadian Geese flying over the Courtenay Estuary or stopped at a light and fantasizing about what it would be like to have eight complete hours of uninterrupted rest. I thought, maybe, as the wee one [...]
Poetry For Little People
We spend a lot of time storytelling in our house. Whether it’s reading books, using our imaginations or making up a grand tale, it’s so much fun to see what we can create. But, the one thing I could never get myself or our oldest daughter into was poetry. I wanted to and tried hard. [...]
Kids Not Sleeping Well? Get Them Outside
I‘ve been reading a lot lately about how to help kids sleep better as I’ve been trying to figure out if it’s even possible to get mine on a somewhat matching – or at least complimentary – schedule. There’s everything from relaxation techniques (which so aren’t working in this house) to the old read-em-a-story trick [...]
Star Wars Books for Preschoolers
While at our local downtown bookstore the other day looking for some fun stories about heading back to school we found ourselves distracted by something neither the big kid or I could resist. There is one thing in our house that rates above all others – Star Wars. For years, our nephews who are a [...]
Fall 2011 NeighbourWood Walks Registration Is On
August has just about called it quits. So, that means that our annual month of staycation is nearly over, it’s just about time to get the older kids back to school and – one of my favorite parts – OBE’s Fall 2011 NeighbourWood Walks series is soon to begin. Every year we head out on [...]
Why Every Parent Needs A Will
Editor’s Note: Comox Valley family lawyer Pauline Rae of Nowicki & Rae is here today to discuss getting your affairs in order so that – in case something happens to you – your family is cared for. Writing a will is a hard thing to think about, but so very important. Pauline tells us why. [...]
There Should Be A Recipe To Make Kids Sleep In
I was talking with a paramedic recently who said that driving while sleep deprived is akin to driving drunk. It’s not entirely a surprise to me – although moderately alarming when you think that half of the Valley must be driving around in a daze with the kids in the back seat. Sleep is one [...]
Some Things Do Matter More Than Others in Childhood
It’s a matter of days now until Popop and Gramma Sharon park their car in our driveway. They’ve been on the road since the last week of June, making their way from one end of the continent to the other for a 3-month stay on Vancouver Island. When I tell friends that my parents are [...]
In the Land of Multitasking, Focus is King (or Queen)
Moms are the ultimate multi-taskers. There’s no such thing as getting one thing done at a time. There are noses to wipe, meals to make, jobs to work, arguments to break up. The list goes on and on. We all have become professional jugglers. Some days it works brilliantly, others not so much. In that [...]
Helping Families Create Lasting Memories in Tough Times
A few months ago our family made the trip over to Children’s Hospital in Vancouver for a long-awaited appointment at the pediatric plastic surgery clinic there. Our youngest daughter was born with extra fingers and we were thrilled to have the surgeon here refer us to the top pediatric surgeon in B.C. She specializes in [...]
The Value of Having Fun With Your Kids
I have something to admit. I’m not very much fun. I used to be, in fact it is fair to say that I may have used up all of my fun quota well before I had kids. I could say I don’t know what it is. But, really, I’m no fun because I have this [...]
80's Movie Cult Classics to Wow Your Kids With
Let’s just admit it, the weather sucks, and with Spring Break in full force it’s pretty darn hard to be inspired by Mother Nature. While there’s plenty of chance to go skiing, jump in puddles and do some animal watching, the wet tends to dampen enthusiasm. So, why not take a day or two this [...]
Family Health – What Do Parents Think?
I read an article years ago that has stayed with me. It said that we unconsciously choose friends who are on the same attractiveness level as we see ourselves. If that’s true, I must be smokin’ hot! My day is definitely looking up. And, if that’s true for attractiveness, I’m guessing that it’s also true [...]
Teen Talk – Toughening Up The Expectation Generation
They want it all. No. That’s not it. They don’t just want it all, they expect it all and know self-assuredly that they deserve it all. They want stylish clothes, the latest tech gadgets, and open access to music and information and activities. They want life to be happy, easy and, most importantly, entertaining. They [...]
Easy Handmade Toys – Felt Bean Bags
When it comes to making little kiddos smile or offering them something that will captivate them for hours, simple toys are often the best. Keeping the games as easy as tossing a bean bag and giving them soft textures such as felt make it all that more fun. When you head out to find bean [...]
Coping with Momnesia
It’s something every mom laughs quietly about and completely knows the meaning of – momnesia. From forgetting where you put the keys (on the rack, where you always do) to mixing up the digits of your phone number or blanking so badly that you can’t even grocery shop properly – losing our minds per se [...]
The Wealthy Family – Put Heart Into Family Fun $$
When the economy is in a slump and times get tough, families want to start “cutting back” on their spending, and it’s usually the entertainment budget that gets chopped first. Does it really have to be that way? No way! Not if you have your money management system in place and you have a list [...]
Valentines Crafts to Make You Fall In Love
OK, I admit it. I have no creative juices left for Valentines Day this year. When I got the note that our kiddo’s Valentines party was tomorrow, we got to the card making in the easiest possible way and when my husband asked me if I was making heart cookies for her class I chirped, [...]
Books Filled with Day Dreams of Fairies, Butterflies and Sprites
I have always wished I could live in a magical world. Yes, magic lives all around us. But, I really, really think there should be a way to move between the world of the fairies, the sprites, the gnomes and even a goblin or two. Thankfully – since C.S. Lewis did not leave his wardrobe [...]
Ask A Midwife – Breastfeeding Restrictions & Pregnancy Pains
Editor’s Note: Good Morning. It’s time for our Ask A Midwife column from Plum Midwifery. We had four interesting and provocative questions posed to this team of midwives from women throughout the OBE community and are excited to share their insightful response. The Plum Midwifery crew includes Joanne Daviau, Amy Kelly, Emma Gledhill and Jessie [...]
Connecting Kids to The Year of the Rabbit
Gung Hay Fat Choy! Today is the official start of the 15-day 2011 Lunar New Year and, whether your heritage is Asian or not, giving children the chance to experience and understand cultural traditions is one of the most fun things about learning. Even in small communities where they may not be a big parade [...]
Helpful Hints for Art at Home
Editor’s Note: Matisse said Creativity takes courage. He couldn’t have been more dead-on. The ways people get their creative groove on define them in huge ways. They give people courage…a place to let all of their emotions spill out…and a voice to speak out, admire, honour or just simply reveal those things that mean the [...]
Book Review – You Are Your Child's First Teacher
I will be the first person to admit that I do not subscribe to any one style of parenting mostly because I have a deep and enduring aversion to parenting books. It’s not that they aren’t helpful and they surely provide people with important structure during a time when we all are humbled by how [...]
Mom-P-Inc – Is There Such A Thing as Planning Your Year?
Every year around this time I think that I should be in major life planning mode. Organization is the key to happy life, right? Well, I teeter on the edge of ultimate bliss and complete misery just thinking about how to change diapers, get dinner made and work at the same time. I know I [...]
Family Literacy Week Events In The Comox Valley
When we say “Literacy Last a Lifetime” it’s amazing how very base the ability to read well, tell stories and write like a champ are to having a rich, full, amazing life. Since time began, stories have guided us all and today after so many generations the stories of long, long ago ring as true [...]
Life Is…The Perpetual Parent Fail of the Loophole
Not too long ago, my son was playing with one of those gooey stretchy balls on a string. This play involved swinging it in his father’s direction and hitting him. My husband gave him the “if you do that one more time, I will take the ball away from you” ultimatum. My 3 year old [...]
Storytelling Anytime with Storynory Online
Since our oldest daughter was very little, she loved a good story. She combs the shelves at the library for new books on CD and will spend hours in the evening laying in bed and listening to a good tale – especially one that involves fables, magic, myth and a bit of wonder. Finding enough [...]
On Fatherhood With Daughters
Editor’s Note: This morning I am pleased to have Registered Professional Counselor and Comox Valley dad Brennan MacDonald here to talk a bit about what life is like as the father of girls. His lovely, warm perspective is one that brings it all together. Enjoy. I have the privilege and challenge of being the father [...]
Kid-Led Learning – Can "Normal" Families Homeschool?
When our oldest daughter was born, my mom asked me if I was going to consider homeschooling. I thought she had to be joking because why would we? We have no religious reasons and I am no teacher. Plus, I had heard more than a few stories about homeschoolers being “weird” and anti-social – how [...]
Life Is…Resolutions of a Working Mom Changing Gears
I’ve never been one for New Year’s resolutions. I think they are counter-intuitive to having a good time on New Year’s Eve. How can anyone have fun when they have vowed, after the worst hangover they will have all year, to now try and accomplish some tasks and goals that have proven to be at [...]
Mom-P-Inc. – Managing Your Business During Major Life Events
One of the big questions I get right now that isn’t newborn related is “How’s the business going?” It’s not an easy question to answer, really, as I have a lovely delusional state that I like to live in where I can leap tall buildings, sit on 14 committees, care for an infant, educate a [...]
OBE's Top 5 Animated Family Movies of 2010
Editor’s Note: OBE’s in-house movie critic Ken Henderson is here this morning to pass along his top family movies of 2010 and why. It’s been a great year at the movie theater. It took him a while to make his picks. Enjoy! What a year for kids animated films, it seems the industry is finally [...]
Family Financial Re-Solutions for 2011
Does setting resolutions for the New Year really work? Take a look at the word itself…it has the word “solutions” within it. That is what setting resolutions is all about; coming up with solutions that will actually work in 2011 and taking action on them. As a family gearing up for the holiday season, celebrations [...]
Crafty Holidays 2010 – Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments
This season is about great smells for me. I love a house scented with cinnamon and nutmeg. But, figuring out how to keep that scent around is kind of tricky. I saw several crafty moms making these very cool cinnamon applesauce ornaments this year and wondered how the heck they could possibly work. But, it [...]
Holidays 2010 – The Comox Valley Nutcracker Tradition
It’s that time of year again when Comox Valley children return to the stage. While planning all of the fun watching the faces of children as they open up their Christmas gifts, the joy and the excitement are like gifts back to the giver. You can join in this joy through the story of The [...]
Classic Holiday Reads for the Whole Family
I get seriously sentimental this time of year for the classic goodness of stories from holidays gone by. If there was a story I loved from my childhood, it definitely gets read in our house. Bust out the Frosty and Santa Claus is Coming to Town Golden Book collection. Hello to The Muppets, Sesame Street [...]
Santa Claus is in Town
As kids of all ages are starting to get down to the business of making their lists for Santa this year, it also starts to become imperative that we as parents know when and where Santa will be hanging out this year in order to make delivery of said lists possible. Not to mention, there [...]
Family Recipes – The OBE Holiday Cookie & Candy Exchange
Well, I figure since I am not going to be magically discovering the space in real life to bake this year, I ought to do the annual cookie exchange electronically. Over the years, we have amassed some seriously tasty recipes for sweets of all kinds that go perfectly in the cookie exchange pile. So, here [...]
Movie Review – How To Train Your Dragon
Editor’s Note: As the holiday season kicks in, it’s also a great time to pick up the hot movies of the season as well. Resident movie critic Ken Henderson will be here throughout the month to review movies, offer up favorites and more. He’s here today reviewing one of the hottest animated films of the [...]
And Then There Were Two
People keep asking me “How does it feel to be the mother of two girls?” My answer after four weeks is still “I’m a mom of two girls?” The whole thing remains a bit too surreal to be reality. I had never thought of myself as the parent of an only child. But, after 5+ [...]
3-D Books for the Scientist Kid In Your House
As we move into the holiday season, I am working on making sure that our 5 year old gets her full dose of science nerd as she is so into owls and dinosaurs right now that our entire universe seems to have wingasaurus tendencies. She also loves books just about as much, but finding age-appropriate [...]
Winning the Lottery Without Knowing It – Universal Children’s Day
Editor’s Note: Today Comox Mom and UN Aid Worker Kelly Flynn is here to help us learn more about Universal Children’s Day and why people across the globe are working to care for children everywhere coping with war torn conditions and other threatening situations. Kelly’s personal perspective is one that moves me to action every [...]
Sunday Morning Walks – Fungus Amongus
Moving into these last couple months of the year can be kind of a drag as the weather turns cold, gray and blustery and we start thinking more about hibernating rather than spending lots of quality time outside. But, it turns out that late Fall and Winter on Vancouver Island are actually the most fantastic [...]
The Techno Family – Tune In, Turn On with Limits
Too much of anything is bad for you they say. Everything in moderation. You shouldn’t drink too much water, you shouldn’t eat too much food and you shouldn’t watch too much TV. The problem is determining just how much is too much-it’s just so indefinite. Mostly it’s a personal feeling that we know when we’ve [...]
Dairy-Free Betty – Pulled Pork with Tangy Crisp Coleslaw
Today I am bringing a little down South cooking your way, of course with a few delicious twists! This is the perfect meal to throw into your crock pot when you know you are going to have hungry people taking over your home, a delicious change from all the turkey meals we are about to [...]
Creative Kids – Learning Through Baking Bread
When I was a kid, spending the day in the kitchen with my mom or grandmother was always a treat. It meant a chance to eat leftover cookie dough, make some of our favorite pastries or just spend some time together without worrying about what the world outside that kitchen was doing. My brother and [...]
Mom's Book Review – The Idle Parent
Editor’s Note: This morning Comox mom Robin Blackburn gives us the low down on one of the hottest parenting books on the market right now – The Idle Parent by Tom Hodgkinson. The book tackles a touchy topic and asks us all to look at why we parent the way we do. Robin breaks it [...]
Real Life Motherhood – Worry & Love Through Childhood Milestones
Editor’s Note: Good Morning. Today, Comox mom Merrilee Bouchard joins us with a sweet personal story about the trials and tribulations of mom life when it comes to helping your kids through major milestones. Enjoy! It’s amazing the difference a few months can make in the development of a child. When my daughter Ava turned [...]
The Tales of Storyteller Naomi Steinberg
Editor’s Note: Good Morning. Comox Valley mom and writer Traci Skuce is here today to share with us how storytelling as taught by the lovely and engaging Naomi Steinberg has taken her family so many places. Now, Steinberg is back in the Comox Valley to teach folks how to take that journey of imagination for [...]
Ask A Midwife – Caffeine, Heartburn, Fish Oil and Flu Shots
Editor’s Note: Good Morning. It’s time for our Ask A Midwife column from Plum Midwifery. We had four interesting and provocative questions posed to this team of midwives from women throughout the OBE community and are excited to share their insightful response. The Plum Midwifery crew includes Joanne Daviau, Amy Kelly, Emma Gledhill and Jessie [...]
Build Your Kids Confidence & Comradery Through Choir
Editor’s Note: Good Morning. Comox Valley Children’s Choir Musical Director Wendy Dyck is here this morning to share her experience on how getting your kids involved in community choirs can be a great experience of a lifetime. Get those toes tapping and voices singing! Here she is: There are a dizzying array of activities for [...]
Halloween Safety Tips from Street Smart Kidz
Editor’s Note: Good Morning. As Halloween is nearly upon us, Steven Baird from StreetSmart Kidz Canada has dropped by this morning to remind us of all of those important holiday safety tips for keeping everyone healthy on fright night. Here he is: The excitement of Halloween is already upon us. The stores are full of [...]
Comox Valley Halloween Family Events Round-Up
This weekend is all about the spooky good times around the Comox Valley. Here is a listing of some of the great family-friendly Halloween events happening across the region. It’s such a fun time, with all of the great costumes that kids come up with and smiles. The region has lots of safe spots for [...]
Upcycling Kids Costumes
We often giggle at our house that we are like the drop-off point for all things strange, weird and probably usable in a costume a some point. So, when Halloween comes around, it has been a darn long time since we hit the costume rack at London Drugs. Some years, the get-ups have been crazy [...]
Your Healthy Nature – The True Markers of Family Health
I’m guessing that if you’re reading this article, you have an interest in your own health, or your family’s health, or your bored and blindly searching the internet, or you’re related to me. Whatever the reason, I’m glad you’ve kept reading this long. As the writer of this column on healthy nature, I feel compelled [...]
The Wealthy Family – Spooktacular Saving System for Families
“Hey, Mom! I want to be Cinderella… ummm, or maybe Hannah Montana!” and the list goes on and on as kids get excited about Halloween and can’t wait to pick the BEST Costume ever. My kids pay for their own costumes and each year they get more creative as they strive to save money on [...]
DIY Kids – Homemade Modeling Clay
It may be all of the nesting I’m doing right now. I’m sure it has a lot to do with the fact that we are making heavy use of the Oak Meadow kindergarten curriculum for school this year (very Waldorf-centered). But, we are seriously into making our own art supplies when possible these days. We [...]
Sunday Morning Walks – Fall Seed and Leaf Walks
With misty October mornings, a bit of a chill and gorgeous sun breaks settling us all into the Fall season, nothing seems more lovely and even a bit cozy than taking a walk through the forest or along a local creek with the family. The colors of the season, which are just now starting to [...]
Creative Parenting – Fostering Kids Healthy Obsessions
This Summer, I was reading through one of my favorite everyday education websites and came across an article about kids and their obsessions. I’ve always wondered what could possibly be good about letting kids get sucked into the craziness of Webkins, Pokemon, anything at all that sent a kid reeling when they couldn’t have the [...]
Homeschooling – Meet Learning Outcomes without Cracking A Book
We are so very new to homeschooling – sort of. That may not really make sense. But, while we haven’t been doing math problems or practicing our writing for very long, our adventures with our now kindergartener have always been about learning. When we formally decided to become home learners and jump in with the [...]
What's For Dinner…Mom's Not Cooking – 10 Un-Dinners
Admit it, by the time 5 p.m. rolls around every day the last thing on most of our minds is “Oh it’s a lovely day and I’ve been dreaming of this moment during which I can wrangle the kids, remember that I didn’t get half of the groceries I needed and still make the most [...]
Easy Fall Kids Crafts – Apple Wreaths
On the eve of Fall settling in to the Valley, we definitely don’t have to wonder when the rains will set in. While it’s great to get outside on these misty days and do some puddle jumping, crafty afternoons full of hot chocolate, muffins and glue sticks seem a bit more user friendly as we [...]
The Wealthy Family – Be the CEO of Your Home Inc.
Editor’s Note: Good morning and welcome to the debut of OBE’s new financial columnist, Kim Deep. We are particularly excited to have Kim join the team here as the CEO of Kidz Make Cents is one of the leading experts in Western Canada helping families and kids get their finances in order. Kim joins us [...]
Family Traditions are Good for Your Health
Editor’s note: Ah, Friday. Time to wind down and get in that weekend head space. New columnist Erica Fyvie makes her debut on OBE this morning as she leads us back in time a bit to those moments in childhood that became the stuff of tradition in our families – inspiring us to create some [...]
Back-to-Preschool 2010 – Handmade Kids Belts that Rock (Giveaway)
The preschool crowd headed back to school last week too, many of them with droopy pants. It’s not an easy gig, trying to find clothes that fit all of the different shapes and sizes that tiny people come in. But, when your kids are tall and thin or just moderately slight even the pants that [...]
Mom-P-Inc. – Sanity Savers for Busy Moms
On these drizzle-filled, chilly Fall mornings, easing into the day seems like a lovely luxury to have a few moments to ourselves as parents. It seems like we are forever running around trying to meet the needs of everyone else. Unfortunately, that all starts over again with the arrival of Monday morning. But, there may [...]
Native Northwest Coloring, Learning and Board Books
Since our daughter was very young she’s been drawn to the cultural art of people around the world. Whether it be Egyptian, Inca or B.C. Coastal First Nations, the colors, depictions and stories of cultures have kept her wrapped up and me searching for age-appropriate, authentic learning tools. Not such an easy task. Recently that [...]
Back-to-School 2010 – Breakfast, The Most Important Meal
Editor’s Note: As your groggy crew rolls out of bed this morning and gets ready for another day of school, it’s time to consider what we are putting into our systems to fuel up for the busy school year ahead. Dr. Heather Manley – a Canadian naturopath now living in Hawaii – is here this [...]
Kids Learning Crafts – Homemade Lace-Up Cards
Good Morning and happy first day of school for kids in B.C. As many kiddos head back into the classroom there’s a huge crew under 5 or homeschooling who will wake up this morning, stretch, eat breakfast and look at us with that “Let’s do something!” look in their eyes. Don’t gasp too deeply. We’ve [...]
Comox Valley Weekend Planner – KidsFest 2010
The end of summer is officially here. Yes, the weather is gorgeous and the sun is bright. But, I always know that those laid back days on the beach and in the park are winding down because it’s time for the final family festival of the season – KidsFest. Mark your calendar and get your [...]
Time to Give Your Kids Immune System A Boost
Editor’s Note: While we are gearing our kids up for getting back to school, one thing that’s easy to overlook is getting their insides ready to go as well. The school year is what we refer to as the “Goo Season” around our house where the kiddo brings home everything that the classroom can hand [...]
Back-to-School 2010 – Back Care Begins with the Backpack
Editor’s Note: Good morning. When it comes to back-to-school health, there are some basics that every parent needs to know. One of the most important is how to help kids take care of their backs – especially as they lug their gear to school on their shoulders each morning. Cumberland chiropractor Dr. Colin Wilson is [...]
Register for the Fall 2010 NeighbourWood Walks
Good Morning. As you start planning your Fall schedules, it’s time again to think about heading out into the forest, giving your kids some time to explore outside and log some quality adult contact too. It’s time to get your family registered for the Our Big Earth NeighbourWood Walks as we are getting things kicked [...]
Back-to-School Craft – Daily Schoolwork Organizers
Whether your kids are off to public school in September or you’re gearing up the house for another year of homeschooling, getting them into a routine that allows them to be organized, know a bit of what they are learning about every day and feeling confident that they are getting all of their school work [...]
Ease the Wallet with Consignment
When it comes to heading back to school, one of the fun annual rituals that gets the whole family out of the house is scoring some great clothes for the school year. New clothes are so much fun. Just the sight of something fresh and unfamiliar in the closet can inspire. But, the bill for [...]
Books To Make Sure Your Readers Are Ready
If there is one bit of advice that teachers and veteran parents alike pass along this time of year, it’s that moving your kids back into school mode is made a bit easier with a trip to the book store for some pre-classroom reads. We’ve reviewed some great tween books for the older crowd this [...]
Keepsake Crafts – Canvas Height Chart
Editor’s Note: Good Morning. As you work your way back into back-to-school mode, establishing some fun, creative and memorable traditions for this season is all about being able to take a look back from one year to the next. Today, crafting mama Vanessa Falle is on site with a tutorial for a gorgeous canvas height [...]
Top 10 Herbal Remedies for Kids
Editor’s Note: It’s nearly the middle of August and one thing that I have heard resonating throughout parenting circles this year is how tough summer has been on our kids (and our own) immune systems. During a season when we’re all supposed to be spending lazy days on the beach or at backyard picnics, many [...]
Kids Crafts – Night Owls
Good Morning. Our daughter, for just about as long as I can recall, has had an owl for a best friend. She and her snow owl stuffy have traversed the wilds of the beach and forest. They’ve gone on great magical world adventures and kept each other company every night. This year, two new owls [...]
Crush of the Month – IPhone Apps for Moms
If there is one organizing, information layer, connective and fun piece of technology in my life that I have come to love, it’s the IPhone. Long-time avoiders of all things cell phone related (we spend enough time in the office, couldn’t bear the thought of having people be able to find us all of the [...]
NeighbourWood Walks – Join OBE for A Week At The Beach
With all of the busy fun of the season, it’s been challenging to get a Summer NeighbourWood Walk series pulled together. Now it’s gotten all the way to August and organizing our normal 8-week walk series seems nearly impossible this year. But, that doesn’t mean we have to skip the fun all together! In fact, [...]
Safety First – First Aid for Wasp and Bee Stings
Like just about any other parent, I totally freaked when our daughter was stung on her arm and back by a wasp at a backyard gathering a few weeks ago. A large swath of dark, red rash took over her lower arm, scaring me so badly that we went directly to the walk-in clinic where [...]
Racial and Sexual Discrimination and Our Kids
Good morning. While Tuesdays are normally reserved for creative fun, today I wanted to take the time to address a very serious issue within our community that cannot be overlooked – not even momentarily. Racism and homophobia are incredibly destructive, divisive and emotionally charged issues that permeate our society today. In the news, they are [...]
Out and About – Picking Blueberries under Blue Skies
It’s the season I wait for all year. Not summer. No, it’s blueberry season. And there is one lovely U-Pick blueberry farm in Comox that you can hit for the next six weeks or so and snack down on those tasty blue morsels – Blue Haven Farm on Anderton Road and Idiens Way. If you [...]
Healthy Summer – Tips to Keep Kids Safe In The Water
I admit it, I’m going through a phase. You know, the one where everything that used to be fun and carefree now completely terrifies me when it comes to participating in it with a kiddo in tow. …and I only have one. Yikes! One of the biggest concerns now that the sun has returned from [...]
Summer Kids Crafts – Pressing Flowers
The whole Comox Valley seems to be in bloom right now. I don’t know if it was the cold spring or the incredibly hot temperatures of the last week. But, that wow of color and scent is off the charts. For the tiny person, she’s in heaven searching for ways to talk me into picking [...]
