Christmas Old-Fashioned Style

By Angèle There are always a million things to do during the holiday season, but how much is really what matters to you? I know that for me, concentrating on the basics and creating traditions that my child (and her mother) look forward to every year is what matters. So if you’re looking for a simpler Christmas, even an old-fashioned Christmas, here’s a good place to start.

Heritage Villages Cumberland Museum (East of Orleans)

On a late Sunday afternoon last December, my daughter and I, along with friends, went to the Cumberland Museum to experience the Vintage Christmas Village of Lights.  We admired twinkle lights as we walked in the dark and sang carols on our horse-drawn wagon ride.  We then decorated gingerbread men in the old town hall (yes, we ate most of the icing straight from the bag), and admired the handmade decorations in the schoolhouse. Of course, after warming up with hot chocolate around the camp fire, we saw Santa in a very old, charming house. We left filled with Christmas spirit; it was an event to remember.

Needless to say, I plan on going back this year: http://www.ottawa.ca/en/rec_culture/museum_heritage/museums/cumberland/events/ http://www.facebook.com/cumberlandmuseum

Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in December, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Families (two adults and unlimited children) $18.

Upper Canada Village (South of Ottawa, in Morrisburg) We haven’t been to Upper Canada Village’s Alight at Night Festival yet, but if it’s anything like what we can do and see there during the summer, it will be impressive. Starting November 30th, we can go on a horse drawn wagon ride or on the lit up toy train, spot the Dickens characters and enjoy carollers in the old church or have a traditional Christmas dinner.  Or we can simply stand and stare at the twinkle lights for hours.

It’s definitely worth the drive from Ottawa. http://www.uppercanadavillage.com/index.cfm/en/activities/alight-at-night/

Angèle is a goofy mum to a daughter and a wife to an evil genius (retired, apparently). She’s also a social media strategist, a podcast host and a teacher in training.  In her other life, she’s a fan of fresh air, yoga, good friends, new places and keeping things simple.  She is the author of two blogs: More of Less (http://moreoflessblog.blogspot.ca/ ) and My C Word (http://mycword.blogspot.ca/ ).  PS. She often overshare. You’ve been warned.

Elf on the Shelf – Making Family Memories

by Gwen I am big on traditions in my home so I’m always looking for ways to create new memories with my children. Some of the fondest memories of my childhood revolve around the holidays, so when I heard about Elf on the Shelf, I knew that we could have lots of fun with it.

Elf on the Shelf has been around for many years, but the idea only became a household name when the digitally animated television special entitled An Elf's Story: The Elf on the Shelf premiered in 2011. Because of this TV special, Elf on the Shelf hit the big-time. Craziness ensued which caused stores everywhere to sell out, but we were lucky enough to snag ourselves the very last Elf on a Shelf from our Chapters Indigo store last year.

When our elf was “delivered” to us, the kids quickly named him Andy (because they think he resembles Andy from the Toy Story movies). The pictures in this post are of Andy and some of the trouble he got himself into last year!

Now, the whole idea around Elf on the Shelf is that he comes to live with your family in the weeks leading up to the big day. Each night he travels back to the North Pole to bring Santa a report on how the kids he belongs to behaved that day. When he returns each morning, he sometimes gets into a little mischief and this is the fun part.

There are many sites on the web showing different situations elves have gotten themselves into, so the sky is the limit when it comes to the fun things you can come up with for your elf. The true fun though, is seeing the kids find the elf each morning and giggling about the silliness they discover. And the best part of this whole thing? You will be creating holiday memories that your children will remember for a lifetime.

Keep your eyes open for the Elf on the Shelf television special, I am certain it will air again this year, and if you do decide you want to get your family its own elf, hurry, because they sell out fast!

Have fun!

Where to find Elf on the Shelf in Ottawa: Tag Along Toys Kanata Chapters/Indigo In store and online

Gwen is a mom of 2 and owns/operates Nayla Natural Care, an online store that specializes in carrying the best organic, natural and eco-friendly products.

Bouncing all over the place

by Amy I first ran into Brinkeetos at an event where they were doing dance demonstrations for the kids and my daughter joined right in. I made a mental note then and there to go in for a visit. I was reminded a few times when I saw friends on Twitter taking their kids there but it wasn't until recently that I finally got there.

Brinkeetos hosts daily drop-in play-times, you can drop your kids off for Brink Care or for Date Night and they offer classes for young kids as well.

I wasn't sure what to expect but when we walked in we found a beautiful, clean play room full of fun.

Everything is safe and padded and my daughter could hardly decide what to do first. There was the climbing wall, the ropes to hang from, the ball pit, she ran through all of it.

Her favourite part was the two large pieces of elasticized fabric hanging from the ceiling on one end of the room. She climbed in and threw herself around and loved every minute. Now when she wants to go to Brinkeetos she asks to go to the "Jolly Jumper play place."

The best part was that while she ran around experimenting I sat on the sidelines without any worry at all that she might hurt herself.

The staff are friendly, the cost is reasonable given the amount of energy my daughter can release in a short time there. Brinkeetos will be a mainstay for us as the weather gets colder.

Amy is mom to two year old Maggie and a 6 year old schnauzer named Henry. You can read her blog at amyboughner.ca where she writes about motherhood and anything else that’s on her mind. She also shares a blog with her husband at boughner.ca where they talk together about parenting a daughter.

A night at the National Arts Centre

by Ali One of the most fascinating things for me as a mom is experiencing the world through my daughters’ eyes. I remember the first time they met princess “Belle” in Disney World. They were literally speechless. But that was quite a few years ago, so when I won tickets to see the Broadway touring company’s production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, I was a bit hesitant to suggest that we all go together.  But, since it was a Broadway musical, I did suggest it and despite a few eye rolls, I think both girls were pretty excited to go.

While both my daughters have been to the National Arts Centre before, it’s always quite an experience. From getting dressed-up, to taking the escalator up from the parking garage to the bustle of movement in the lobby pre-show, it always seems a bit like an otherworld occurrence. Walking through the lobby, watching all the different types of people coming together to see this show, I could sense the anticipation building as we entered the buzzing theatre to find our seats.

I love that moment when the lights dim and the curtains go up. No matter what show you’re seeing, the excitement of possibility is palpable in the air. From the moment the music started, I think I spent more time watching my girls faces than I did the stage. Based on the 1991 Disney animated film, Beauty and the Beast has been adapted from a movie fairy tale to stage production that is a mix of color, music and song. From the opening stanzas until the last strains of music ended, both my 10 and 12 year old were mesmerized by the whirl of color, the flurry of dancing and the captivating music.

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is the classic story of Belle, a young woman in a small town, and the Beast, who is really a prince spellbound by an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved by another, the curse will end and he will be transformed to his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity. The play is pretty much the same as the movie, which was a staple in our household about 6 years ago.

Despite the fact that we have all seen the movie over and over again, it was so different seeing on stage. One of the best parts for me was seeing my daughters’ astonishment at the confetti falling on the stage during the “Be Our Guest” scene. My eldest called it a “fireworks of confetti.”  My younger daughter’s face light up every time Lumiere’s hands did. We all loved watching the performers on stage in right front of us. They thought it was pretty cool that one of the performers was even a kid. Thanks so much to Kids in the Capital for giving me and my girls this incredible opportunity. It’s something that we will all cherish for a long time to come.

Have you taken your kids to see any full length shows at a theatre? 

Ali is a psychotherapist, blogger, social media enthusiast and chocoholic. She is also a Dance Mom to two awesome girls. She is the owner of Second Act Consignment Dancewear and creator  of Therapy Stew. She blogs at AliGoldfield.

My Little Pony at St Laurent Shopping Centre (giveaway CLOSED)

Last year we were lucky enough to get to partner with St Laurent and Kidomo when they brought My Little Pony to town and we're excited to be doing it again this year! Since my kids were all young, these mall appearances by their favourite tv celebrities (we've seen Toopie and Binou, Miss Spider and Cars) have been fun (and free!) activities for the kids.  You get excited along with all the kids as you're sitting on the floor watching these cartoons characters come to life to entertain you kids.

My Little Pony will be at St Laurent this coming weekend, at 11 am and 2pm on Saturday October 27 and Sunday October 28.  Stop by (get there early to get good seats) and enjoy the fun show and kids' activities.

GIVEAWAY

3 lucky Kids in the Capital readers will get a special VIP family pass to visit with the ponies!

Simply leave us a comment telling us if you've ever attended a show like this at one of our local malls or not and you're entered.

And watch our Facebook page because we'll be giving away another 3 passes there this week!

Contest closes October 24 at 11pm.

Good luck!