The Down-Low on Doody

By Melissa Kids are expensive and we all like to save money, right? What if I told you that you could save upwards of $1000 per child with an upfront investment of just over $300 and a couple loads of laundry per week?

My friends thought I was crazy when we decided to use cloth, but cloth diapering these days is really easy! Now diapering my third child, I've long since crossed the line from "diapering for economy" to "diapering as a fashion statement" -- coordinating shirts and shoes to whatever cloth is on my baby's bum.

Cloth diapers are great for many reasons. They lessen the garbage sent to landfills, dramatically decrease the chemicals in contact with our babies' skin, and can save you a lot of money! Cloth can also reduce the incidence of diaper rash and encourage early toilet training.

Getting started is easy with prefolds and wraps. Prefolds are flat diapers "prefolded" to be thicker in the middle. Wraps are waterproof covers with velcro or snap closures. You need one wrap for every six prefolds. To use a prefold, fold it in thirds, place it inside the wrap, then fasten the wrap. Covers only need to be washed when dirty, otherwise lay them to dry for use at a later change.

When changing soiled diapers, shake any solids (aka "poo") into the toilet. They can then be stored in a waterproof bag until wash day. Bags work better than buckets because they can be washed right along with the diapers -- empty the bag into the washer, then drop it in too! It's best to wash every few days.

A basic diaper package:

2 dozen prefolds (7lb-20lb): $66 1.5 dozen prefolds (20lb+): $75 5 velcro wraps (6lb-18lb): $75 4 velcro wraps (18lb-40lb): $60 2 waterproof storage bags:  $30

Grand total: $306!

Melissa is mom to 3 busy boys, ages 8, 6, and 4mos. When not enthusiastically advocating the use of cloth diapers, babywearing, and the concept of "parenting through natural consequences",  she can be found blogging to maintain her sanity at refashionista and Urban Hippy.

Babynastics

by Amy My eight-month-old baby girl started kicking in the womb and she’s never really stopped moving. When she was really little we could keep her entertained on her playmat, and then with her Exersaucer and Jolly Jumper, but it didn’t take long for me to start looking for activities for her. She needs to burn a little energy.   She enjoyed her swimming lessons over the summer but since the only class I could have enrolled her this term would have been the same, I decided to look elsewhere. I started asking my Twitter friends about gymnastics classes. I took gymnastics when I was a kid and I enjoyed it and I thought she would like it too.   It was a Twitter mom that told me about the Ottawa Gymnastics Centre in Westboro. I had never heard of it before but a peek at their website gave me the information I needed. They had a program called Babynastics, specifically for the 8-15 month age group. The program promises rolling, swinging, bouncing and balancing – all things my daughter loves to do – in a completely padded environment.   The gymnastics centre is large, colourful and full of things to climb, roll around in, swing and bounce on. My daughter isn’t walking yet but she more than likely will be by the time the class ends in December and I’m happy that she will be able to take something different away from the class every week as her skills develop.   After one class I am already amazed by what she can do and I loved watching her face light up as we went around the gym. The other parents even commented on how much she seemed to be enjoying herself as the teacher swung her on the rings and when I bounced with her on the trampoline.   I would highly recommend the Ottawa Gymnastic Centre for other parents looking to burn a little energy in their kids. They’ve got programs for infants from 8 months to adults who want a little exercise. I do have to say that by the end of the baby girl’s half-hour class, I was sweating myself.

Amy is mom to 8-month-old Maggie and a 4 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 loves getting active with her family, including husband Joe who blogs about his dad experiences at Grover's Cape.

Their own library card

by Brie The library has a special place in my heart. My mom worked for a long time for the Winnipeg Public Library and so I spent many, many hours over the years sitting in a corner of which ever library she was working at with a big pile of books.

Even after my mom no longer worked in the Children's section she would still bring home her favorite kids books for us to read. Part of the excitement I had when I first started going to the library with my now 4-year-old girl, I first took her to story time at 5 weeks even though she had no idea what was going on, was being able to find the kids books I used to love to share with her.

Now we have hit another exciting milestone. The girl and her two-year old brother got their very own library cards! I even took pictures. For those of you that know me, you know this is a big deal because I never carry my camera with me.

This is the girl with her library card. She was very excited to finally get it in her hands. She even tried to write her name on the back. Unfortunately the space is pretty small and so she had some trouble fitting her larger letters on. So I helped. I also helped the boy by signing his card. He didn't appreciate that very much and insisted on signing it himself.

I had kind of assumed that my kids were too young for a library card, then I heard about Every Kid a Card. This campaign is encouraging kids to sign up for library cards. Until September 24th any kids 12 and under that sign up for a library card also get a City of Ottawa pool pass, a Every Kid a Card zipper pull, an invitation to the Big Wheels wrap-up event, a Ottawa Senators hockey card and a ballot to win fabulous prizes including a laptop, two Ottawa Senators tickets or a Sparty's Kids Club membership. My kids had to rip the envelope open as soon as they got it and deposit the ballet right away. I tucked the rest of the goodies in my diaper bag for later. And by later I mean a time where I can look at them quietly by myself.

Getting the kids their library cards was quick and easy. The hard part came when we went to leave. There was a serious of unfortunate events evolving too many books, my forgetting to bring a bag, the girl's determination to carry her books herself, the elevator being out of service and a steep flight of stairs. Finally the three of us and our books managed to leave the building but not before I cursed the architect for designing a library with such excellent acoustics.

Do your kids have a library card? How old were they when they got their first card? And most importantly, do you make them pay their own fines? :-)

Brie is the mom of a 4 year old daughter “the girl” and 2 old son “the boy”. You can read her blog at Capital Mom.

MacKenzie King Estate

by LaraI have a friend whose parents have a photo on their wall that was taken when she was just wee... probably taken in the late 70s or early 80s.  It's taken in this circular window with her and her brother's face peeking on through.

I think that was my first introduction to the MacKenzie King Estate, and everyone who knows me knows that a great photo op will push a potential activity way up the list in my books!

I've been meaning to head out there for eons and this year I managed to convince Sara that we should haul the kids up into the Gatineau Hills on an impromptu trip to the Estate.

(Tip 1 - the map on their site makes it appear closer than it is.  It isn't THAT far, but expect about half an hour from Ottawa)

The Estate was William Lyon Mackenzie King's home and he donated the land to the government when he died. It is a fabulous place to go for high tea and to walk around the beautiful gardens. (you know, if you're into that kind of thing ;)

We thought it was far more fun to explore  the ruins. The ruins? That's right. MacKenzie King built ruins on his property, because he thought they would be a relaxing place to go and read and relax. Pretty nice eh?

And the ruins are where the photo ops begin. Or more accurately, where the climbing begins!

Those were all taken in the ruins of the "old abbey".  There is also a fake Arc de Triomphe and a variety of other interesting features on the grounds.

We decided we would then take a hike in the woods towards a waterfall. It's a beautiful walk, but hilly and definitely good exercise for two mamas pushing double strollers!

(Tip 2: you can't make it all the way down to the waterfall with a double stroller. Also, we hear it's more of a trickle than a waterfall, at least at this time of year)

That being said, the boys had a blast running around in the forest, looking for streams and wild animals!

This tunnel was "scary" so we had them pose looking scared before we went back in :)

It was a great excursion and we can't wait to go back when the Fall colours are in full swing.

And that circular window? I didn't get any fabulous photos in it I'm afraid because Kiernan was a bit too afraid to sit back there by himself.

(Tip 3 : Signage leaving the Estate is not clear - look at a map before you leave instead of relying on instinct. Or you might, you know, end up in Aylmer instead of downtown :)

Lara is mom to 3.5 year old Kiernan and 1 year old twins Quinn and Juliette. You can read her blog at Gliding Through Motherhood.

Spoiled Sugar is giving it away!

The giveaway is now closed! The winner has been contacted. Are you ready for this? It is going to be good.

We are excited to be hosting a giveaway for one of our sponsors, Spoiled Sugar!

Have a boy? You could win: your choice of beanie (excluding the owl, two snack bags, a onesie of your choice, a bib and a pacifier clip or an extra bib. Have a girl? You could win: your choice of beanie (excluding the owl), a snack bag, one “Cindy Clips” of your choice, one “Sassy Clip Halloween Clip” of your choice, a bib and a onesie.

Since we wanted to be able to tell you how fabulous Spoiled Sugar products are and not just show you, Brigitte provided Kids in the Capital with a collection of items to review. Thank you to one of our bloggers Chantal for undertaking the arduous work of reviewing for us! Here's what Chantal had to say:

I was privileged to be asked to review some products from Kids in the Capital's sponsor Spoiled Sugar. I received a bag full of goodies.

 My apologies for the terrible photo. My camera is being challenging these days, maybe some day I will be asked to review a DSLR... a woman can dream can't she! LOL

Okay Back to Spoiled Sugar.

Spoiled Sugar owner Brigitte Cusson is the busy Ottawa mom of a 4-year-old boy and 10 month old triplets. You read that right, triplets. She started the store as a way to source handmade unique items for her triplets and to share them with the rest of us. Her store is chock full of adorable items. I was particularly drawn to the wooden teething toys and the sippy cup straps!

I couldn't wait to put the onesie on my boy. He is so cute in it. He doesn't use a pacifier but recently has begun to throw his toys out of his car seat when we are out driving. The clip has come in super handy for this and it is so cute. My 5-year-old is anxious to use the snack bag to bring his snack to SK on Monday. He loves the guitar theme. He was extra happy to see his brother wearing a bib made of the same material. I go through so many bibs I am glad to have this one and I love the soft terry on the reverse side for wiping up my boys face when we are done eating.

Thanks Chantal!

Since Chantal has three boys and no girls I volunteered my 4-year-old to try out the hair clips that Brigitte is including in the giveaway. There was a point where my girl would rip a clip out of her hair as soon as I put it in, but I am happy to say we have moved past that. I think the cuteness of these clips helped too.

My girl wore the two little button barretts to hold back some of the shorter strands of hair at the front of her face from when I decided I would cut her hair and ended gave her too much bang. Oh, and from where she also decided to cut her own hair. But let's not talk about that.... This little clips would be perfect for babies and girls with short or fine hair.

She also loved the butterfly barrette. At the beginning of the day she wore it clipped right above her ponytail elastic. As the day wore on and her hair started slipping free, I just moved it and clipped back some of those short strands of hair.

Want to try some of the great products from Spoiled Sugar yourself? Then visit Spoiled Sugar and leave a comment here about the item or product you loved best. For additional entries into the giveaway:

- Sign up for the Spoiled Sugar newsletter and receive two extra entries - Be a fan of Spoiled Sugar on Facebook and leave Brigitte a comment telling her your most wanted item for Christmas - Be a fan of Kids in the Capital on Facebook - Tweet I entered the @kidsincapital giveaway to win an awesome gift pack from @SpoiledSugar - Follow Spoiled Sugar on Twitter

The Spoiled Sugar giveaway is open to all Canadians. The winner is eligible to select their fabric and colour choices from all in stock merchandise, however custom orders are not being accepted for this giveaway.

 The giveaway closes on September 18th at 9pm.