Touch A Truck 2010 - July 18th

If there was ever an event that is just as amazing for kids as it is for parents, Touch A Truck is it! Touch A Truck is a once a year chance to interact with vehicles of all shapes and sizes. From Army vehicles to the remote control lawn mover the city uses.

From Garbage trucks to the Fire Engines. Last year my then 8 year old found the Rogers Mobile TV Studio amazing.

He loved the Army Jeep and even found the Book Mobile interesting. My 5 year old loved the Garbage truck and the construction equipment. He got a plastic fire hat from a fire fighter that we still have (we could use a replacement, hopefully they are there again this year). My husband found the Police bomb squad fascinating (many Dads were hovering around that one) and I enjoyed looking at the smiles on my boys faces. It was a wonderful way to spend a morning.

This year they expect to have over 50 cool vehicles to climb into and enjoy. I took the following out of the Mothercraft Ottawa press release about this years event:

Bring the whole family to a fun filled day where everyone is encouraged to explore the mighty machines, beep horns, pull sirens and explore the inside of their favourite rig or machine. We have some exciting new trucks and equipment in our line up this year. And even more fun including: • “Strongman” demonstration. • Maria Hawkins and band • Hintonburg Hip Hop dancers • Close up magic from Rising Star • Face painting, crafts, Magic and balloon making artist are just some of the activities that await you!

One thing to remember is that if you have a child who is sensitive to loud noises, this event may not be for you. There is a whole lot of horn honking going on. Last year my oldest child proclaimed that they should rename the event "Honk A Horn"! LOL

TOUCH A TRUCK will be located at Lincoln Fields Shopping Centre, 2525 Carling Avenue on JULY 18Th, 2010 from 9 AM to 2 PM. Admission is $5 per person with a $20 maximum per family.

Its all for a good cause as all funds raised from Touch A Truck directly support the prenatal and parenting programs of Mothercraft Ottawa.

Photo Credit to my sister Joanne

Chantal is a mom of 3 boys,  8yo D, 5yo M and 6mo D2. When she finds time she blogs at TwoHandsFull.

Joanne the proud mom of Amélie (8 years old) and Mathieu (4 years).  She is new at blogging and you can find her at Our Money Pit.

An old museum is new again

by Chantal As residents of our nation's capital we are all so lucky to have access to many wonderful national institutions.  The Canadian Museum of Nature is one of the finest in our region.  My family and I have always enjoyed this museum and, like many others, were very excited to see what kind of exhibits it would house once all the renovations (which seemed to take forever, but it was only 6 years) were completed.  My sister and I braved the museum on its grand opening weekend (although not on Saturday, we aren't that crazy).

The first place we headed was the RBC Blue Water Gallery.  We just had to see Tallulah the Blue Whale and we were not disappointed. 

Our two younger boys (both 5) loved the imaginative play coast guard ship and spent quite a bit of time with their lab coats on driving through the arctic. Next we headed the Special exhibits section to see the "Frogs: Chorus of Colour" exhibit.  In order to get to the frogs exhibit you have to walk through the "Canadian Wildlife Photography of the Year" exhibit.  My sister and I were surprised at how much the kids enjoyed looking at the photos, many of which were taken by young Canadians.

The frogs exhibit was so cool!  All the different colours and sizes, they were mesmerizing.  Surprisingly my 5 year old was taken by a computer program that simulates dissecting a frog (I say he will be a doctor when he grows up, let me live my dream). These two special exhibits (along with Aqua which we didn't go to this visit) are open until September 6th 2010.  Be sure to get there before they close, September seems like a long way away, but it will pass by in a flash!

There is a new Cafe, the Nature Cafe on the first floor where you can get food.  It is a nice addition in case you don't bring your lunch.  On opening weekend the Nature Cafe was overrun with people so we headed outside to a special opening weekend BBQ. The terrace outside the Cafe is beautiful and next time we may just pack our own lunch to enjoy out there.

In the basement where the cafeteria used to be, there is an exhibit called Animalium. I was busy nursing D2 while we visited the Animalium so I will let Joanne tell you about it:

If you are looking for the old creepy crawly exhibit head to the Animalium and you will see all your old favourites - beetles, cockroaches and meal worms.  They are all there where the kids can get a good look at them - there is also a great seating area where you can take a break and look at interesting books on bugs.

With the entire museum open after 6 years of partial closure it was nice to enjoy all the space. Even with all the people who were inside the museum I found most exhibits easy to navigate. The busiest exhibit by far was the Fossil Gallery, but that could be a function of the fact that it is on the main floor and is the first exhibit most kids want to see. I had my stroller with me but I parked it in the coat check room and carried D2 in the sling. No need to wait for elevators and navigate a stroller through the crowded halls.

It is a very impressive renovation and the atrium is beautiful The only thing our kids missed from the "old" museum was the dinosaur has been removed from the main entrance. Other than that, the new museum was a hit from start to end!

The museum is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays: 9 to 6 and  Thursdays, Fridays: 9 to 8

Visit the Plan Your Visit page on their website for admission prices.

For some frugal fun the Museum has free admission every Thursday night from 5-8pm.

Chantal is a mom of 3 boys ages 8, 5 and 5 months. She usually blogs at TwoHandsFull but is currently taking a blogging break to enjoy time with her baby boy!

Joanne the proud mom of Amélie (8 years old) and Mathieu (5 years).  She is new at blogging and you can find her at Our Money Pit.

A Gym Tale - Birthday Parties and play

by Chantal A Gym Tale is a play gym located in Barrehaven.  My 4 year old son had already attended two birthday parties there and when it came time to decide where to host his party he insisted his be there as well.  We have fluctuated between parties in our home and out.  I like the idea of a party outside our home, but often the cost was a deterrent.  We have had D's (almost 9 years old) parties at a glow in the dark mini-put location, and a skating rink.  Both were okay as far as I was concerned, the kids loved them but they were busy stressful for Kevin and myself.   M had never had a party outside our home.  When he suggested A Gym Tale we decided to agree. With D2 just 3 months old, we  could use all the help we could get.  A Gym Tale impressed me.

The party was two hours long.  It started with 30 minutes of free play in the play structure area.  While the kids had a blast running and playing I looked around and was very impressed with how clean the structures were.  The second half hour was spent in the "Enchanted Forest" which is a fenced off play area.  Your Party Champion joins you in this play area and the kids spend a fun filled 30 minutes doing activities based around your chosen theme.  M's theme was Star Wars.  We then moved into our private party room where the kids enjoyed their lunch and M opened his presents.

There were a few things that impressed me about the party at A Gym Tale.  First and foremost was the Party Champion.  This was not just a facilitator who brought you the drinks and hot dogs when it was time to eat.  This was a real deal party host.  Our host was so enthusiastic and fun.  She did a great job of getting the kids to run around the obstacle course and getting them all pumped for the battle with the space alien!  It was 30 minutes of pure fun.  When we moved into the private room she took care of the food, drink and the cake.  She then organized the kids for the gift opening and added a nice touch of having each gift giver sit next to M while he opened their gift.  When the gift opening was done we still had 10 minutes on the clock.  She could have easily just sent the kids back out to play but instead she got out some props and did some magic tricks for the kids.  My husband and another parent helped out when needed but she was completely in control.  Considering I was alternately holding and nursing a 3 month old I found the Party Champion made this party worth every penny.

A Gym Tale isn't only about birthday parties.  They have drop in play, play groups, nursery school, after school day care and even Kids (read: parents) night out activities.  If you are interested definitely check out the web site for more info.  I know we will be going back there for some drop in play time. I envision me and few other moms chatting at the table area while our kids play happily. Yes I do!