The CFL is back in town

My husband is a huge CFL fan. He had season tickets to the Renegades and as soon as the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group started taking deposits for the new team they were trying to bring here he put down deposits. By the time we actually went in to choose our seats we had to buy a third one since we had a daughter in between. We've taken my daughter to Senators games in the past but I wasn't sure how she would react to a football game when it was finally time for the Ottawa REDBLACKS home opener. Turns out the kid is a HUGE football fan. She got right into it chanting DE-FENCE and Let's Go RedBlacks. It was awesome watching her and her daddy cheer together as the team pulled out the game by one point.

If you're a sports fan these are great games. The team loves the crowd and the crowd loves the team.

Now, a few things you should know if you're thinking of taking in a game with your little ones:

• There is lots of beer flowing in the stands, some people drink too much. Not so much in the first game we went to, which had a tight scored but at the second one I definitely noticed it.
• There will be swearing. I don't think my four-year-old paid any attention to it, but I certainly noticed it.
• It is loud. If your kids can get into and cheer right along it will be awesome, but if they get scared or nervous around that kind of thing be aware and at least prepare them.
• It is crowded. There are always people walking up and down the stairs and you will be constantly getting up to let people past you to get to their seats. The stadium can hold over 24,000 people and they've been selling out. If you're child gets nervous in crowds it might overwhelm them. If your child is older have a plan on where to meet if you get separated.
• It is not cheap. A bottle of water is over $3, a hot dog is around $4, a bag of popcorn is $8. You don't have to eat at the game but if you're planning on it take lots of cash.

Now, loosen up your vocal chords and get out there to cheer on the city's newest sports team. Go RedBlacks!

Community Cup 2014

It's hard to make connections in our community. We're busy people, with jobs (sometimes multiple jobs!), kids, pets, housework and financial worries. But building a community to support yourself and your family is a marvelous way to make friends and find others to lean on when times get tough. I've built my own community here in Ottawa in many different ways, and participating in groups and events has been instrumental in helping me find other like-minded parents to hang out with.

That's why I was excited to hear about the Community Cup, taking place this Saturday (June 28th) at Brewer Park.

The Community Cup is a not for profit, multicultural initiative that integrates volunteerism and sports. Initiated and hosted by the Catholic Centre for Immigrants in 2005, this volunteer driven, major event in Ottawa, is primarily a fun and engaging way to help newcomers and non-newcomers connect in a barrier free way that celebrates diversity and welcoming communities. The Community Cup is now an annual community festival, featuring soccer, multicultural dance and music, international food, a citizenship ceremony, events for the kids, and more.

In this day-long event, there will be:

• A 64 team co-ed recreational 7-on-7 Soccer Tournament with 4 divisions starting at age 7 and up.
• A Community Tent hosting 25 Ottawa-area non-profit and community service organizations
• Live Entertainment and Music with hints of Multicultural flavours
• Live streaming of the FIFA World Cup matches
• A Kids Zone for ages 14 and under providing non-stop activities, games, crafts, entertainment and a youth soccer challenge.
• Soccer Skills Challenge hosted by the Ottawa Fury and CKCU. Come meet the players!
• An Interactive Demonstration Sports area presented by various sports clubs/groups to learn and try out new sports and find out how to get involved. All abilities welcomed.
• A Canadian Citizenship Ceremony (1pm to 2pm). Witness and welcome newcomers to our great country.
• Experience delicious Local Food provided local vendors and food trucks.

And bonus? You can pop over to the Ottawa Farmer's Market for some fresh fruit and veg!!

Check out the website for more details, and comment below if you end up attending! Have fun!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=examfJRI5EE

Summer is HERE: Ottawa Events Round-Up!

OK, so maybe summer isn't here for another four days, but we're close! It certainly feels like summer. And with only four days of school left (for the French Catholic board), my husband certainly knows that summer is coming ;) As a SAHD, he will be the one in charge of summer fun! With summer comes many great events in and around Ottawa. I've heard of SO many things going on this weekend that I just had to get it all written down and clear in my mind :) I think we'll only be able to pick one or two events to attend, but I'd love to hear about what you're doing!

Teddy Bear' s Picnic

Lemonade Standemonium

Ottawa Dragonboat Festival

Carivibe Festival

Ottawa Fringe Festival

Beechwood Solistic Stroll

Boomerang Kids Charity Strollerthon

Glowfair Ottawa

and of course, we can't forget the Ottawa Farmer's Market!

Phew, that was a lot....have I missed anything?

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I almost forgot the ice cream festival! Ice cream is very important :)

Running with kids

A great way to teach your kids how to be active is to run with them. When you're ready you can sign them up for race. There are many events around the city with distances suitable for little ones or if you have a jogging stroller you can take them that way.

My oldest did his first race in the stroller when I was pregnant with the youngest. Last year was their first race - a 1K in my neighbourhood. It doesn't sound far, but when you're 2 and easily distractable, it is!

Both kids crossed the finish line (the oldest in the pack, the youngest was the absolute last one to finish) and collected their medals. You should have seen their faces - the sense of accomplishment and pride. I will admit to shedding some tears.

This year we've already done one race with them - a 1 miler - and have signed them up for another 1K later in June.

There are so many options in Ottawa - from walking and running races to triathalons and more. A great program is Somersault which does all sorts of types of races and distances, but most big runs have a short family one as well. The Ottawa Running Club lists all the local races.

I encourage you to try out a race this summer. See if it's something your kids enjoy and maybe spark a love of running. If nothing else, you'll get out one day for a fun activity with your kids.

Have you signed your kids up for a race?

Summer of Awesome

I love Summer of Awesome posts! My friend Amanda from Little Lotus Yoga recently posted hers, and reminded me that I needed to get my butt in gear. Summer is fleeting, and before I know it, the winter boots are being pulled out and I'm lamenting all the activities I missed over these warm months. Well not this year, Summer! This year, I'm taking charge.

My husband is currently a stay-at-home Dad, and I think he's looking forward to the summer like he looks forward to an appointment with the dentist - so, not very much :) He's a bit nervous at the thought of my oldest at home full-time. She's a tad high energy, and needs a lot of stimulation. So I figure this Summer of Awesome post is helping Daddy as much as it's helping me. I'm sad I'll be stuck in the office while they take part in some of these activities, but we're saving the best stuff for the weekends!

So without further ado, here they are, not in any real order (except obviously some festivals that have specific dates):

Petrie Island

CHEO's Teddy Bear Picnic

CHEO's Great Canadian Lemonade Standemoneum

Mosaika

Canadian Agriculture Musuem

Museum of Nature (Creatures of Light)

Bluesfest

Gatineau for a hike

Old Chelsea for ice cream (after the hike of course)

Day Trip to Lac Philippe

Bon Echo (camping!)

MS Bike Ride to Cornwall

Navan Fair

Folk Fest

Swimming! Anywhere, and everywhere (splash pads included)

It doesn't seem like a lot, but the summer weekend calendar is filling up fast. Time to get planning!