My park: The Tot Lot

by Donna

We live super close to a fantastic park.  Known around the Glebe as the Tot Lot, it is found at the corner of Fifth and O'Connor and has many things going for it:

1) It is entirely fenced. Yay for being able to let the kids run as they wish and not worry that they might wander away.

2) The structure is super friendly to tots and there are also swings, teeter totters, and a huge sand area.  The lot is kitty corner to a firestation, which is a huge draw when the trucks pull in and out.  I love seeing kids piled into the south east corner of the park, noses to the fence as trucks do their thing.

3) The park is super popular and a real focal point for families in the area. The last few weeks have been fantastic seeing families we haven't seen in months.  The kids have grown and it's been wonderful catching up.

4) For me, this park = the community I always wanted to have for my kids.  Besides all the informal chatting and sharing that goes on, weekly, a family picnic takes place during the warm months.  Pizza is usually ordered, and everyone brings food for sharing.  The kids have gotten to know one another over the last few years, as have the parents involved.  The mama who organizes the picnics has made a vocal argument on many ocassions that community has to be built, and these picnics at this park have been instrumental in the way I look at my neighbours and at this lovely little park.

5) We choose to live in a very urban area, to live in a walkable area.  This comes with a small yard, so the park has become an extension of our outdoor space.  We have had birthday parties there, family bbqs, and many many planned meetups.

6) Time flies when you're having fun, and I can't tell you how many hours have been spent at this little park.  It's my favourite place in the neighbourhood!  So come on by next time you're in the Glebe!  There's a good chance I'll be there, running after my two little ones. Hope to see you!

Donna is the mama of two lovely little gals, Big M and little m, 3.5 and 1.5.  She is the co-author of Kindred Crafters, a blog about crafting.

ABC: Challenging the photographer in me

by Lara Anyone who knows me knows that photos are my thing. I love taking photos; if I got good photos of an outing, it makes that outing all the more successful in my eyes.

But, I feel a bit blah about my photography lately. And I feel inspired by bloggers like Dani, Andrea , Anna, Amy, this list could go on forever, who take amazing photos! I want to do better!

This past weekend, however, with the challenge of finding some interesting photos for the Kids in the Capital header, I was able to get some great shots I feel really proud of:

So in the interest of getting more photos that I can feel proud of, I am going to set a challenge for myself:

In the next 14 weeks I will get at least one photo I am proud of in each of the categories (in no particular order) in my following ABC list. Every week I will present you with 2 of the photos (hmmm, maybe photos from two categories so I can show you more if I feel like it), as well as a photography tip I have discovered that I can share with you.

Art Books Climbing Discovery Eating Friends Green Hugging Inside Jumping Kisses Laughing Mealtime Night Outside Playing Quiet Riding Swinging Trees Umbrella Vehicles Wet Xcited (OH! Cheater!) Yellow Zoom

And I would love it if you would join me! I set up a flickr group where we can all share our photos with each other. Together we can not only share our beautiful photos but highlight some of the amazing spots in our fabulous city, from all its different angles.

Lara is the mom to 3.5 year old Kiernan and 10 month old twins Quinn and Juliette. You can find her at her blog Gliding Through Motherhood.

My park: Our neighbourhood park is more than a playstructure

by Isabelle My neighbourhood park is, to a large extent, the reason why my husband and I bought our house. At the time, we had a very active 15 month old boy. Although we felt that the proximity of the house to a playstructure would serve us well in the future, we had no idea just how much we would appreciate it. Now that our son is almost four years old, and our new baby daughter two months old, we couldn't imagine living anywhere else.

Our park, located in the Convent Glen neighbourhood of Orleans, is situated in the middle of a residential area. It is home to a large playstructure and a swing set that can be used by both toddlers and older kids.

As new residents of the neighbourhood, my husband and I spent many hours playing with our son, at first on our own, then gradually, with other parents and kids. And that is really when the park became a permanent fixture in our social lives. We made new friends, all with kids around the same ages, with whom to share the ups and downs of parenting. While the children play together, we chat about daycares, schools, and kid-friendly activities.

As the kids' friendships grow, so do their parents'. We visit each others' homes for playdates in the winter, and we organize multi-family outings. Recently, one mom has organized a picnic in the park for all of us. It's a new tradition that we hope to keep going throughout the summer. For us, there's nothing like finding a kindred spirit just a few steps away from your front door after a long day at the office or with the kids - and that is the true value of the neighbourhood park.

Isabelle is the mom of 3.5 year old Jay and two-month old Rosie. You can also find her at Dr. Peach's Blog.

Canadian Museum of Nature

by Brie

One of our favorite places to visit is the Canadian Museum of Nature. We are usually there at least once or twice a week. Part of the reason is that it is just a few blocks from our house. The other reason is that both kids love it.

The Museum is still under construction, with half of the building closed to the public. The grand reopening is scheduled for the end of May, with some exciting new galleries opening, like an earth and water gallery. Is it sad that I am seriously excited about the new exhibits? Until then the kids and I are happy to be amused with the exhibits we have already seen a million times.

When I go to the Museum with both of the kids we always start on the first floor with the dinosaurs, because that is the girl's favorite floor. We walk around and marvel at all the reconstructed dinosaurs while she gives them funny names. I always try to stop and watch the Ankylosaurus death-blow video. That is my favorite.

If I am there alone with my toddler, we start on the fourth floor so that he can play in the bird hospital. Both kids love to pretend to be doctors and help the injured bird. And drive the truck. They like that too.

I am looking forward to when the kids are older and I have a chance to stop and read the information posted throughout the museum. I know I could be learning a lot more than I currently am. But right now I am too busy watching them pretend to be seals about to be eaten by a polar bear (second floor).

After we have made the rounds we all like to stop in the snack room. I'll be honest, some days I think this is everyone's favorite part. In talking with a security guard I learnt that the new cafeteria, part of the current renovation, will have a focus on kid friendly and healthy, organic food. We may be spending a good part of future visits there!

I find the prices at the Museum very reasonable. Until the grand opening, when the prices will be going up, the cost of entrance is $5 or $13 for families. Kids under 3 are free. You can also borrow a Nature Card from some libraries which will give you free membership for a family of five. Or head over on a Saturday morning when entrance is free for all.

We ended up buying an annual family pass for $50 because we visit so often. It is probably the best investment we have made, especially over the winter months when we are desperate to find things to do with the kids inside.

Whatever you decide to do I do suggest you go. And say hi to Boogie the dinosaur from me. He's the one right inside the door. Don't worry, he's friendly.

Brie is the mom of a 3.5 year old daughter "the girl" and eighteen month old son "the boy". You can read her blog at Capital Mom.