The People In Your Neighbourhood

by Erin We have great neighbours.

Did this happen by chance? Maybe, but we did put some thought into it when we were looking for our current home 2 years ago.

One Sunday Hubby and I were making our usual rounds of open houses when we found it...our new home (or so we thought). We were so excited! The price was right and the newly renovated kitchen was just the icing on the cake. As we drove home we discussed putting in an offer. In his excitement Hubby suggested that we get in the car after supper and drive over to "our new neighbourhood" to go for a walk.

As we set out on our walk that evening I knew almost immediately that this place was not for us. The look on Hubbys face told me that he felt the same way. It just didn't feel right, not to mention the groups of teenagers roaming the streets smoking and using not-so-nice language (at 6 pm!).

After that Sunday we took a whole new approach to house hunting. When I would find something that looked promising I would drive around the area at different times of day (I was on mat leave so I had some time on my hands). I wanted to see if the people who lived in the surrounding homes had kids our age. I wanted to see if the people were talking to each other and if they were out in their yards in the evenings. When I was "researching" our current home I felt good about it, even before I saw the inside of the house.

We are so grateful we went for that Sunday evening walk.

Several evenings a week the kids will get together and play street hockey while parents either supervise or join in on the action. During the summer there were many impromptu barbeques and backyard playdates. If Hubby is away I know there will be someone to mow the lawn and keep an eye out for us. If we are away for the evening our neighbours will take care of our dog, and we do the same for them. We get some great hand-me-down toys and clothes too.

It is great to go outside your neighbourhood to find things to do, but it can also be pretty awesome to have a hockey tournament right outside your front door, a gourmet meal in a nearby backyard and a helping hand being offered before you even have to ask. 

If you don't know your neighbours - go meet them! I hope yours are as great as mine.

Erin is mom to 2 (almost 3) year old “Miss K” and 7 month old “Mister J”. You can read her blog at My Suburban Adventure

Sunday October 17th 10am- 3pm The Glebe Community Center 175 Third Ave @ Lyon St in The Glebe

Coping with Colds and Other Yucky Stuff

by Pam

Ah, fall. It is one of my favourite seasons with great vegetable harvests, gorgeous leaves and happy kids back to school. And then there is the downside – the return of the germs.

I’m home today with my youngest. Fever, cough and grumpiness seem to be on the menu today. Luckily I have been handling these bugs for a while now and have got some ideas on how to make the recovery more pleasant for everyone. Here are some of the handy hints I’ve learned. Maybe it will help with your kids when they're under the weather!

1. Be prepared. I am awesome at procrastinating but have learned not to put this one off. Get that medicine cabinet stocked with whatever you think you’ll need for sickness basics for your family. For us it is Tylenol and Motrin in both tablets and liquids (because sometimes they just can’t stomach the tablets), cold and/or cough medication, and anti-nausea and allergy medication. Make sure your thermometer is working and disinfecting wipes are handy. I keep a lined container and washcloth ready under the bathroom sink in case a delightful stomach bug suddenly visits. Better safe than sorry.
2. Keep up with the paperwork. Did I mention I procrastinate? Well, I’m learning. Keep your family doctor’s number, info on walk-in clinics, Telehealth (1-866-797-0000 in Ontario) and health cards in easy reach. Knowing the last time your child had the same illness or when he/she was last immunized may be important and you don’t want to be fishing around for this information while sleep deprived.
3. I LOVE warm therabags (bean bags) to help with sore tummies and general comfort. Crafty people could make one like this. We warm it up for a little over a minute in the microwave and the kids cuddle it for comfort. Hot water bottles are nice too with a little cover on them.
4. Layer up the bed. Yep, sick kids don’t always make it to the bathroom or bucket in time. No fun for anyone, but having a waterproof mattress pad layer between clean sheets makes clean up fast and hopefully all will be back to sleep in no time. Keeping beach towels handy for pillow covers helps too.
5. Keep that cupboard stocked too. You don’t want to have to run out to the store with a sick child in tow if you don’t have to. Soups, applesauce, Pedialyte, crackers, lollypops for sore throats and the like can be a great comfort to the little ones.

Hopefully any illnesses will be few and far between. Do add any ideas of your own to share. I’d love to hear what works for you.

Pam is Mom to Owen (9) and Laura (7) in Barrhaven.  They provide plenty of material for her blog, Easily Amused as she enjoys life with family and friends in beautiful Ottawa.

Costume Swapping for Halloween

by Laura October 9th is National Costume Swap Day in the United States.  This green event is promoted by Kiwi Magazine, Green Halloween, and Swap.com.  It is a simple idea to save money and the environment too.  Children are encouraged to swap costumes and keep old ones out of the landfill. 

Some children lose interest in dressing like Luke Skywalker or Cinderella.   My kids are happy to reuse costumes but this year they have both outgrown their outfits.  I am not handy with a sewing machine or a glue gun and have purchased costumes in the past.  Instead of spending money or trying to create something in the wee hours of October 30th, simply trade/borrow costumes with fellow trick-or-treaters.     According to the National Costume Swap website, “swapping half the costumes kids wear on Halloween would reduce the annual landfill waste by 6,250 tons, equal to the weight of 2500 mid-sized cars”.   In addition, swapping reduces packaging, transportation, and manufacturing impacts too.     A costume swap can be as simple as sending an email to friends/classmates, or organizing something larger at a brownie/cubs meeting, local library or recreation facility.  I imagine that even folks with little interest in eco-friendly ideas might be keen to save a few dollars.  It is a win/win idea.    Why limit it to children’s costumes?  Adults attend Halloween parties and dress up to hand out treats at the door.  I wonder if my pal Kelly is growing tired of her pink pig costume and would like to dress this year as a defeated Leafs fan?  Perhaps our neighbour Steve wants to swap his vampire cape with my husband and dress as scary mask guy.   Oh, the possibilities are endless.

Although it is not a national event in Canada, a costume swap puts a fresh spin on an old tradition.   It is an opportunity to make a difference, save money and enjoy some holiday fun.   Happy Halloween!

Laura is a wife and Mother to beautiful 8 and 10 year old girls.  She describes herself as an eco-advocate and moderate neat freak with a recessive frugal gene.  Laura provides light-hearted commentary for every day, practical green living on her blog the Mindful Merchant.

Sunday October 17th 10am- 3pm The Glebe Community Center 175 Third Ave @ Lyon St in The Glebe

Noodle Box

by Sara

On February 14, 2008 I bought a Rubbermaid container and 4 bags of alphabet pasta.  It was our Valentine's day present for the, then almost-two-year-old, firefighter.  We filled the container with the noodles and several of his favourite construction vehicles and voila, our very own construction site!  Eight years ago the total cost for everything was less than $20.

Many years later we still have the same box and the same noodles.  Although many have been sacrificed to the dog and vacuum. 

The noodle box is a toy that is kept behind closed doors.  I bring it out for the firefighter when I am working.  He will put the lid beside him and take out all the toys he doesn't want to use.  He will play happily for 30-45 minutes.

The monkey also loves the noodle box but he needs be supervised as noodles usually end up spread far and wide.  I find the fewer toys I leave in the box, the more creative (and less disastrously messy) the play is.

It makes for a great rainy day or "I need 15 minutes to get dinner ready" activity).  We also have a rubbermaid container filled with Moon sand and assorted scooping and digging toys.

Do you have any sensory box activities at your house?

Sara is a photographer and mom to three boys - find her at Sara McConnell Photography

Question of the month #5: Favorite books

Kids in the Capital is all about parents in Ottawa helping each other out by sharing tips and advice. Each month we ask a parenting question and we want to hear all the gems of advice you have to share. Just leave your answers in the comments! And if you have a question you’d like to see be a future question, leave it in the comments too! Question of the month #5: Favorite books

Now that kids are back in school it is all about reading, writing and arithmetic! As a family that loves to read, our house is filled with books. Some we've bought, some are gifts, some I need to return to the library before I get a fine. Despite all the books we have I am always on the look out for a great new book.

Do you have a favorite kids book? Do your kids have a favorite book that they want you to read over and over? We want to hear your recommendations for great books for kids of all ages!