Blog Out Loud 2010

by Lynn The Ottawa blogging scene is great. There are so many local bloggers who are smart, funny, and wise. There's an endless array of great people out there, and great reading.

Best of all, everyone online here is so supportive -- we read each other, we comment on each others' blogs, we help each other through the rough times and laugh with each other in the good times. It's easy to feel as though some of your best friends are bloggers -- even if you haven't had the chance to meet them in person.

Blog Out Loud is a chance to finally put a voice to the words you've been reading online. It's a get-together for Ottawa-area bloggers, a social evening for us all to hang out, exchange URLs, and buy each other a drink. Don't be shy! We're all new here.

And there's more! Around 20 local bloggers will be reading out loud. Oh yes! They'll pick their favourite post from the past year and bravely take a turn reading at the mike. You'll hear all sorts of different stories, from the likes of Dani at Postcards from the Mothership to Rebecca of A Little Bit Of Momsense to Kids In The Capital's very own Brie. Entertainment and fun for all!

And on top of all that, several local photo bloggers will be showcasing their stuff at Blog Out Loud, too. Come and see some beautiful works of art -- and maybe show some of your own stuff, too. We still have room for more photo bloggers, and all are welcome.

Blog Out Loud (or BOLO, as it's affectionately called) is on Wednesday, July 7th, from 7 p.m. to around 10ish. It's at Irene's Pub on Bank Street, just a block or so north of Landsdowne Park. Irene's has a full menu, so you'll be able to eat there - I hear their veggie burgers are awesome. And you'll be able to share a pint or two with your favourite blogger. Hope to see you all there!

Lynn is mom to 7-year-old Captain Jelly Belly, 5.5-year-old Gal Smiley, and 2.5-year-old Little Miss Sunshine. She blogs over at Turtlehead.

Strawberry picking at Proulx Farm

by Vicky

We seem to have started a little family tradition of strawberry picking each year at Proulx Farm in Cumberland. This year's strawberries were sweet and delicious, and I have two baskets in the fridge waiting to be eaten.

I would recommend going early in the morning before it gets too hot out. Lather on the sunscreen, and bring a hat and a water bottle, as it gets quite hot in the fields. I wouldn't recommend bringing a stroller because getting it on and off the tractor isn't that easy, but I did see a few families with strollers in the field. I opted to bring a carrier for my daughter and my husband and I shared wearing her on our backs while we picked (talk about a leg workout!)

For a $2 admission, you get a basket and a ride on a tractor that takes you out to the fields. Riding the tractor is one of the highlights of the day! When you finish picking berries, the kids can play on the play structures, with the tractors in the tricycle park, or even visit the small petting farm.

In all our visit to Proulx Farm lasted about an hour and a half, but it was an enjoyable experience for everyone!

The cost for strawberries is $1.35/lb ($2.97/kg). Proulx Farm is open from Monday to Friday 7am-8pm, weekends from 7am-5pm and on Canada Day from 7am-5pm.

Strawberry picking season continues until mid-July. Raspberry picking season runs from the end of June to early August immediately following the strawberry season.

(Photos taken by Lara)

Vicky is the mom to 3.5 year old son named Joel and 9 month old daughter named Mieka. You can read her blog at blog Some Kind of Wondermom.

Question of the month #2

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 in a future question, leave it in the comments too! Question of the month 2:

The first few months of parenthood are some of the hardest.  For first time parents, it's the unknown.  For second timers, it's learning how to deal with a newborn while still dealing with the older kid(s). There's no way to make it easier, but we've all come up with tricks to make things a bit easier.  Here's your chance to share them with others!

What advice/tips/tricks/reassurances would you give to parents of a newborn? What do you wish you had been told as a new parent?

Canada Day Craft

by Sara Now that my four-year old is done preschool for the year I am in craft-planning mode.  I work from home, which means there is a 2 hour window every afternoon that I need to fill when I work and he needs to be kept busy.

We like to decorate our house for all of the holidays and celebrations so our craft yesterday was a Canada flag.  I chose it because aside from sketching out the side bars and his hand (as the maple leaf) it required minimal mom intervention.  We used red paint but it can also be done with crayons, markers, or finger paint, for the younger kids. 

1.  Outline the Canada flag on a large piece of white paper.  The outline of a hand makes a great maple leaf!

2.  Cover your table or art space, especially if its new (like our table) and you don't want red paint everywhere (which I don't).  Our dining room table is still wearing its badge of green honour from our St. Patrick's day craft.

3.  Fill in the red spaces with paint, glitter glue, tissue paper, markers, crayons, red stickers, red feathers, or construction paper. 

4.  Hang in a place of prominence for all to admire.

Happy Canada Day!

Sara is mom to a 4-year-old firefighter and 2-year-old monkey.  You can find her at her blog, My Points of View

Canada Day Fireworks

by Vicky Are you thinking about taking the kids to see the Canada Day fireworks on Parliament Hill this year? If you are hesitating because the thought of pushing a stroller or keeping a small child close by among thousands and thousands of people all rushing to catch the free OC Transpo bus freaks you out just a little bit?

Here's a tip, there is this little place with a pretty much unobstructed view of the fireworks, without the throngs of people pushing you from side to side at the end (and no, I don't mean watching them on TV at home in your living room).

The Minto Bridge near the New Edinburgh Park is a great place little place to watch the fireworks. There are lots of wide open spaces to set up blankets or chairs, or you can find yourself a spot on the bridge like most people do. Street parking in New Edinburgh is free, but it may be hard to find a spot close by so you may have to walk a bit. But the best part is not having to deal with the crowds on Parliament Hill, and making a quick exit down the Vanier Parkway back to the 417!

We haven't been back to watch the fireworks since having kids.  But at the time, we lived in New Edinburgh, and this was always a great place to spend the evening on Canada Day! Keep in mind that there are no bathrooms close by (but lots of shrubs in New Edinburgh park for a pee pee emergency!)

The Minto Bridge is on Maple Island, behind the old Ottawa City Hall.

Will you be watching the fireworks? What is your favorite spot?

Vicky is the mom to 3.5 year old son named Joel and 9 month old daughter named Mieka. You can read her blog at blog Some Kind of Wondermom.