We’re packing up the car again this weekend, heading down to visit family in southern Ontario. It’s been quite a while since our last road trip, and I cant’ wait to hit the road.
I don’t know whether car trips are getting easier now that the boys are getting older, or whether they’re just becoming better travellers, or whether I just stress less. Whatever it is, it’s working for me! I used to spend hours preparing for a car trip, gathering supplies like crayons, books, toys, and of course a good supply of DVDs. We’ll be hooking up the DVD player again, of course, and I’ll encourage the big boys to select a book or two, but I know most of the trip will be spent in electronically mediated bliss. The DS and the iTouch are charging as we speak!
Speaking of iTouch and iPhones, if you were at Blissdom Canada, you might have seen and even received one of these. Fisher-Price has just released a great new item, the Laugh and Learn Apptivity Case. If you’ve ever had drool-marks or goldfish smudges on your iPhone, you’ll love this one! From the Fisher-Price Canada site:
The Laugh & Learn™ Apptivity™ Case lets babies enjoy their very own apps while protecting mom or dad’s iPhone or iTouch! Simply place the Apple device into the case, twist the lock, and the electronic is protected from baby’s dribbles and drool. Download free Fisher-Price® Laugh & Learn™ apps from iTunes! Babies love to learn when their interactive touches control the action!
(Huh. I had no idea Fisher-Price had free downloadable apps.)
I love the idea of the Apptivity Case. It protects your iPhone/iTouch from sticky fingers, from being dropped, and from being lost. I have to tell you, even though Lucas is a little bit above the target age for this, I thought about keeping it just so I’d be able to find my phone more easily. I think I accidentally activated the invisibility shield app on mine, because I find myself calling the number every couple of days just so I can find the thing hiding out in the open or lost in the dark recesses of my purse.
But instead, I thought it would be fun to offer this up as a giveaway. Want it? You know you do! And wouldn’t it make a fun Christmas gift? Here’s how to enter:
The prize a new Fisher-Price Apptivity Case.
To enter, leave a comment on this post sharing an idea on how to keep kids entertained when you’re on the go — in the car, at a restaurant, waiting for an appointment.
Contest opens today, November 10 and runs through Wednesday November 16, 2011 at noon EDT.
One winner will be chosen via random.org and announced on this post by Thursday November 17, 2011.
You must be willing to share your mailing address with me to receive the prize.
Void where prohibited by law, including the province of Quebec.
Good luck!
(Disclosure: I am part of the Fisher-Price Play Panel and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. However, the opinions on this blog are entirely my own.)
Edited to add: Congratulations to Emily, lucky #1 and winner of the Apptivity Case. Thanks to everyone who played along!
So let’s imagine a hypothetical boy. He’s plenty bright, and gets reasonable marks in school. He’s a little scatterbrained, though, and a bit of a daydreamer. It’s quite possible that he has the same inability of his hypothetical mother to hold a thought in his head, except for when he’s exhibiting her other hypothetical tendency to obsess on things.
So our boy has just brought home his report card, which shows he’s doing well academically, but has for the first time been graded with a couple of “needs improvement” in some behavioural categories: responsibility and self-regulation. The hypothetical teacher has made observations along the lines of “difficulty assuming responsibility for and managing his own behaviour” and “he is encouraged to approach learning with a positive attitude” and “requires some reminders to fulfill classroom responsibilities and commitments.”
If he was having (hypothetical) trouble with academics, I would know what to do. Devote more time to study, help him, even hire a tutor. But what do you do with a child who can do the work, but only works hard enough to do the bare minimum required? How do you motivate a child to govern his own behaviour when you have to stand over him and nag to make sure the bare minimum gets done? And how the heck do you correct a behavioural problem that you yourself suffered through most of your own (hypothetical) academic career?
The hypothetical teacher and I will meet to discuss, but I’m thinking this problem may be inherent to a lot of boys. How do you work on focus and motivation and initiative? When learning comes easy, how do you get kids to put in more than the minimum effort required?
The days are getting shorter and the light is low in the sky, but it’s been such a beautiful, mild autumn that almost all my pictures were taken outdoors this week.
On the weekend, I had the great pleasure of meeting the Pietersma family. Have you ever seen the Victorian tinsel and gorgeous tin stars that Lee Valley Tools carries at this time of year? I am totally addicted to the stars and they’re one of my favourite holiday decorations (that may creep out into the house for everyday decorations one of these days!) After our session, I was delighted to find out that this family makes all those stars and the tinsel. Isn’t that awesome? It’s not every day you meet a tinsmithing family! (And also? Incredibly charming. I hope my boys grow up to be as polite as these big boys were, and the twins were good as gold as well.)
No big story to this one. It’s a vine snaking over the brick wall of one of the many cobblestone courtyards in the Byward Market. I just liked the colours and form.
Speaking of colours and form, more low-hanging fruit — erm, leaves.
I saw this tableau out of the corner of my eye and very surreptitiously grabbed this picture shooting from the hip. I loved the pattern of the boots but didn’t want to freak out the strangers wearing them by being obvious about taking pictures of their feet!
I wonder if there’s anything worth examining in the fact that I am fascinated by things that grow in ditches? I’ve admired these weedy things for weeks. I love how the setting sun plays in the puffiness of whatever they are — kind of a cattail/wheat/bullrush thing? (I am such a city girl.)
We had such a good time on Halloween that I ended up with a bunch of snapshots, and only mediocre ones at that, but together they paint a pretty good picture of the fun we had. (Halloween this year further reinforced my theory that it’s actually still 1975 in Manotick. The boys ended up with things like full-sized chocolate bars and cans of pop in their loot bags, and at one point a pumper truck from the Ottawa Fire Department was driving around the ‘hood handing out candy! And also? I beamed with pride for days after watching how well-mannered they were in trick-or-treating, and hearing people comment on their well-manneredness and cuteness. We’re doing something right!)
And speaking of Halloween, did you hear about the Giant Pumpkin Rampage?
It was an epic struggle but Farmer Brown finally managed to get the giant pumpkins back into their cages under lock and key. God help us if they ever escape again…
Here’s an interesting theme that has come up more than once in recent conversations and I thought it would make a good question for the bloggy peeps. I was taking pictures of a family recently, and the client mentioned a particular photo of the boys that she’d admired. She then said something about how the boys always seem so well-behaved and willing to pose for my camera, and how did I get them to do that?
I laughed. I might have snorted. It was hard not to guffaw. I was thinking about that particular photo, and the day we took it, and how just a few minutes before I snapped it, I’d been harranguing them, nearly growling with frustration. “Honest to goodness, I ask so little of you, could you not for JUST ONE MINUTE behave yourselves and STOP TORTURING EACH OTHER?” By the end, I was definitely using my shrieky voice, the one you try not to use on the front lawn. Yeah.
Would you have guessed it?
And then there’s this one. See that expression on Tristan’s face? I think I threatened him with a time out until he was forty if he didn’t smarten up and get that look off his face. (The great irony is that even though I was ready to blow a gasket with frustration at the time, I’ve come to love this picture and it’s now one of my favourites. But I was on the dark road between exasperated and furious at the time.)
So the snapshot is a carefully constructed illusion, really. It shows what I want you to see, not the reality of the situation. Which ties really nicely into a conversation I had via e-mail with someone who has been lurking on my blog (and a few others, from the sounds of it) for quite some time. She was wondering about the way bloggers filter our lives for online consumption, and whether by not addressing or glossing over the ugly bits (I love how she called it “the yelling and tantrums and defiance and moments of sheer bad parenting”) we bloggers might be painting an idealized version of family life — one that is not only unattainable but also unrealistic. She was careful to say that she liked how I do address those frustrations and bad times, and other bloggers do, too, but that many do not. In fact, she said, she’d almost stopped reading some blogs because of this. She said that of course bloggers have no responsibility for the mental health of our readers, but wondered if I’d ever had the sense that some people might idealize our lives.
Again with the snorts of laughter. Idealizing THIS? Ha! It’s especially snort-worthy since I feel like I’ve been in a bit of a bad place as far as my own patience levels are concerned lately. But it’s such an interesting question, don’t you think? I have noticed that some bloggers do only blog about the good stuff, and there’s a whole lot of blogs I avoided especially a couple of years ago when blogging about what an awful parent you are was chic.
This ties in really well with a theme I’ve been considering recently, which is the idea of the identity we portray online and how accurately that matches the person we are. I think that over the years I’ve actually become more like the character version of me I created online: more confident, more outgoing, and generally a better version of me. Is that weird? I wonder how much of that is just maturity, and a direction I would have gone anyway, and how much of that is a kind of “fake it ’til you make it” sort of development, where I’ve actually convinced myself that I am less of a geeky dork than I really am.
I also find this an interesting topic because I’m still struggling to find a comfortable place in my blogging between disclosure and protection. As the boys get older, I’m finding their stories are less mine to tell, and while I’d absolutely LOVE to tell you the story of the conversation I had about reproduction recently (it ended with one boy exclaiming “AWKWARD!” in a singsong voice when he got an inkling of what the actual mechanics were, and gosh I’d love to tell you more!) but– I’m not sure I can tell those stories with same blissfully ignorant abandon I used to, back in the day.
Anyway, there are half a dozen themes in here I would have liked to explore a bit more, but I want to know what you guys think. Do you think there is balance in the parenting blogosphere? Do bloggers paint a realistic portrait of family life, or do they idealize it? Should we be cognizant of how the stories we tell might be perceived and internalized? Have you ever been self-conscious about how you portray your family — or yourself? How closely does your online persona reflect who you are offline?
Ho! Ho! Holy Christmas, can you believe it’s that time of year again already?! Time for the 6th annual Christmas/Santa/Holiday Parade round-up! Wheeee! (I’ve pinned this post to the front page for the Christmas season.)
Did you know that a truly dedicated Santa fan could visit sixteen holiday parades this season in Eastern Ontario alone? Or that the busiest weekend for multiple parades is November 25 through 27, with a dozen parades over three days – from Brockville to Gatineau! If you’re up for the challenge, here’s this year’s schedule, in chronological order:
Kanata Santa Claus Parade
Saturday, November 12 2011, starting at 10:00 am. The parade will proceed onto Castlefrank Road, turning onto Abbeyhill Drive and on to Hazeldean Mall.
Kemptville Kinsmen Santa Claus Parade
Saturday, November 19 2011, starting at 1:00 pm. The parade will begin to travel east on Clothier St. before turning right onto Prescott St. Floats will entertain parade-goers the length of Prescott St., before turning right into the University of Guelph-Kemptville Campus.
Ottawa Help Santa Toy Parade
Saturday, November 19 2011 starting at 5:00 pm. The parade will start at the National Archives on Wellington street, head east on Wellington Street and then turn right on Bank Street. It will continue south on Bank Street then turn left on Laurier Avenue, continue east on Laurier Avenue past City Hall and onto the Queen Elizabeth Driveway. New toys (no used toys, please) and cash donations will be collected by the Ottawa Firefighters.
Gatineau Santa Claus Parade
Friday, November 25 2011, starting at 7:00 pm. A tradition that goes back several years, this light-filled parade that departs from the Aylmer marina attracts crowds from the entire region.
Brockville Santa Claus Parade
Saturday, November 26 2011, starting at 2:00 pm.The Brockville Rotary Santa Claus Parade will start at North Agusta Road and Pearl Street then travel West on Pearl Street E. to Park Street, South on Park Street and lastly, West on King Street to Gilmore Street. The parade will feature many floats, bands, horses, clowns, community groups, dignitaries and finally the star attraction, Santa himself. Volunteers will collect non-perishable goods, snowsuit donations and letters to Santa.
8th Annual Carleton Place Santa Parade
Saturday, November 26 2011 starting at 5:00 pm. Thousands of spectators, over one hundred floats, and one jolly St. Nick will meet downtown Carleton Place on Bridge Street for the largest Santa Claus parade in the Ottawa Valley. This year’s theme is ‘A Christmas Gift.’
Pembroke Santa Claus Parade of Lights
Saturday, November 26 2011, starting at 5:30 pm. The theme of this years’ parade is ‘Twelve Days Of Christmas.’
Orleans Parade of Lights 2011
Saturday, November 26 2011 starting at 6:00 pm. Once again the Ottawa Professional Firefighters Association will be hosting Santa’s Parade of Lights on St-Joseph Blvd. in Orleans. Toy and cash donations will be collected by firefighters along the route.
Arnprior Parade
Saturday, November 26 2011 starting at 6:00 pm.
Embrun Village Santa Claus Parade
Saturday, November 26 2011 starting at 6:30 pm.
Stittsville Parade of Lights 2011
Saturday, November 26 2011 starting at 7:30 pm.
Smiths Falls Santa Parade
Sunday, November 27 2011, time unknown.
Russell Village Christmas Parade
Sunday, November 27 2011, starting at 1 pm.
Rockland Christmas Parade of Lights
Sunday, November 27 2011, starting at 4:30 pm. Parade runs on Laurier Street
Vankleek Hill Christmas Parade of Light
Friday, December 2 2011 at 7:00 p.m. Watch for Santa on his float! Visit with Santa before the Parade! Santa’s village will be from 4:30 to 6:45 p.m. at The Review, 76 Main Street East, Vankleek Hill. Santa will be on hand with his helpers and will have goodies for each little visitor! The street lights will be turned off for this Special Occasion. Come out and enjoy the Christmas Spirit. (Hey, did you know Vankleek Hill is the Gingerbread Capital of Ontario?!?)
Richmond Santa Claus Parade
Saturday, December 3 2011, starting at 11:00 am. Later that night at 6 pm, enjoy the annual “Lighting of the Park.â€
Osgoode Santa Parade
Saturday, December 3 2011. Don’t miss “Christmas in the Village” while you’re there!
Manotick Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 3 2011, starting at 1:00 pm.
Pakenham Santa Claus Parade
Saturday, December 3 2011, starting at 1 pm. The Pakenham Santa Claus Parade is always a wonderful event that takes one back in time. The parade begins in front of the Stewart Community Centre. Santa and Mrs. Claus will make their way to the Upper Hall of the community centre following the parade where they will be available to meet with children of all ages. Complimentary hot chocolate and hot dogs will be served. There is also free public skating from 2 to 3 pm following the parade.
Perth Santa Claus Parade
Saturday, December 3 2011, starting at 5:00 pm.
Hawkesbury Santa Claus Parade
Saturday December 3 2011, starting at 7:00 pm. Let yourself be carried away by the magic of this beautiful tradition which will unravel on Hawkesbury’s Main Street.
Picton Santa Claus Parade
Sunday, December 4 2011, starting at 1:00 p.m. The parade route begins McFarland Drive (at the Beer Store) and continues through Main Street to the intersection of Highway 33, Talbot & Lake Streets (at the LCBO), there will be great viewing along the entire route.
Almonte Santa Claus Parade
Sunday, December 4 2011, starting at 1:30 pm. The parade begins at the Almonte Community Centre Parking Lot. Santa and Mrs. Claus will make their way to the Upper Hall of the community centre following the parade where they will be available to meet the children. Hot chocolate and hot dogs will be served compliments of the Almonte Lions Club. There will also be free public skating from 2 to 4 pm. Enjoy an afternoon of celebration and fun.
Carp Santa Claus Parade
Saturday, December 10 2011, starting at 1 p.m. Parade Route starts at The Diefenbunker (3911 Carp Rd) and follows Carp Road to Juanita Street to Langstaff Drive, then turns right onto Donald B. Munro Drive to Carp Road finishing back at the Diefenbunker.
Note: I had to drop a few towns this year as I couldn’t find any information about Metcalfe, Gananoque, Cornwall or Rockland. If you have any info about these parades, please let me know and I’ll update the listings!
And don’t fret if you can’t make it to the parade – how about one of these other fun family events with a holiday theme in our region?
Santa’s Arrival Pajama Party at St Laurent Mall
Stay in your PJ’s and welcome Santa to the St Laurent Mall on Sunday, November 13th from 9 – 10 a.m in the food court. Santa will stay at the mall until 4 p.m. that day. Festivities include a pancake breakfast, holiday craft-making, live music and prize giveaways, including Ottawa Senators tickets. Tickets are $7, free for kids under age two, but all the proceeds go to the Ottawa Food Bank.
Christmas Lights Across Canada
Each year, the National Capital Commission coordinates the Christmas Lights Across Canada program. The Christmas Lights program was launched in 1985 to brighten the Ottawa winter, and at first the lights were only on Parliament Hill, but over the years the program expanded. Now, Ottawa and Gatineau glow each winter with more tha 300,000 Christmas lights at over 60 sites along Confederation Boulevard. The program also includes all 13 provincial and territorial capitals, making it Christmas Lights Across Canada. You can watch the lighting ceremony on Parliament Hill on Thursday December 1, starting at 6 pm. Here’s my shivery, embarrassingly amateur video of the 2006 lighting ceremony (you can see why I’m a photographer and not a videographer!!)
Upper Canada Village: Alight at Night
Over a quarter million lights adorn the heritage buildings, trees and fences of Upper Canada Village creating a one-of-a-kind magical backdrop for its annual Alight at Night Festival… a true winter wonderland! See the lights Thursday to Sunday from 4:30 pm to 9:00 pm starting December 2, 2011, and then nightly from December 19 – January 7 2012. (Closed December 24 & 25, 2011)
Manotick’s Olde Fashioned Christmas
Saturday December 3 and Sunday December 4, 2011. The Village is transformed into a Village of Yesteryear. There will be a Victorian Tea and Penny Sale, horse-drawn wagon rides, pictures with Santa, face painting, strolling carollers and more. I’m looking forward to the Sunset Carolling at Watson’s Mill!
2010 Canadian Pacific Holiday Train
The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train hits the rails again in November, visiting over 140 communities. Since the program’s inception back in 1999, more than $5.6 million and over 2.45 million pounds of food has been collected in Canada and the United States. The goal of the Holiday Train is to collect food and money for local food banks and to raise awareness in the fight against hunger. At each event, the Holiday Train provides a box car stage, a line up of great musical talents and a corporate contribution to the local food bank. The community, in turn, is encouraged to donate food and funds, all of which stays in the community. Local stops include Smiths Falls at 8:00 pm on November 27 and Perth on November 28 2011 at 9:40 am.
Trees of Hope at the Chateau Laurier
Visit the Chateau Laurier for the tree lighting ceremony and silent auction November 28. The silent auction features over 300 items and the trees will be on display throughout public spaces of the hotel from Monday, November 29th to Wednesday, January 5th. During this time, the public is invited to drop by , vote on their favourite tree, and make a donation to CHEO.
Alexandria Festival of Lights
November 26 to January 1st, from 5 to 10 pm nightly. This is a community event that not only brings forth colorful trees but unique and individual displays from businesses, schools, and local organizations. There is no entrance fee into the festival for either the exhibitors or the public. Events include wagon rides, pictures with Santa and a scavenger hunt, plus fireworks on New Year’s Eve.
If I’ve missed anything, or if you’d like to share information about your family-friendly Ottawa Christmas or Holiday event, please feel free to leave a comment or e-mail me at danicanada (at) gmail (dot) com and I’d be happy to add them to this post!
