Bird Day Fair 2015

Ever wondered about those birds that hang out in your backyard? How to imitate those bird calls or the best techniques for bird watching? Or even what it’s like to be a bird?

Find out the answers to these questions and more at Nature Canada’s Bird Day Fair!

Ottawa’s third annual Bird Day Fair will take place on Saturday May 30th, 2015 at Andrew Haydon Park. It will be a day to “Welcome back birds” in a public celebration of International Migratory Bird Day in the national capital region’s own Important Bird Area (IBA). 

The event is free and fun for all ages.

•    Be sure to check out Little Rays Reptiles! They will present their "Endangered Ontario" show at 1:15pm on the main stage. The show will feature 2 birds of prey, 2 ferrets, 2 snakes, 2 turtles and an amphibian and a fox - all from Ontario of course!
•    Falcon Ed is back this year by popular demand with their live raptors. See these impressive birds up close at the Falcon Ed booth. 
•    Get creative and help us build bird nest large enough to roost in! Be sure to look the part by making your own bird mask, or getting your face painted. 
•    Learn about bird banding, a method that scientists use to study birds, by joining the early birds to observe bird banding, or get banded yourself by the experts at the Innis Point Bird Observatory booth. 
•    Meet local groups working to protect nature, wildlife and learn how you can get involved in nature conservation every day
•    Join experts on guided nature walks. No experience necessary. 

The Bird Day Fair is a celebration of the incredible migration journey of birds. Some birds travel as far as 25,000 miles round trip from their breeding grounds in the Canadian arctic to their wintering grounds in South America. 

For more information on what is happening at the Bird Day Fair check out the event page. 

Stay up to date on what is scheduled by joining the Facebook event! 

If you are interested in volunteering at this event, please contact Sarah Kirkpatrick-Wahl at skirkpatrik-wahl@naturecanada.ca.

Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend

by Brittany

One of my favourite times of year in Ottawa, Canada’s Capital City, is Ottawa Race Weekend. Since moving to Ottawa there has been only one year (2013 - when my daughter was born the same week as the race) that I was unable to participate in or observe the runs.  

There is so much energy in the city at that time. The camaraderie of runners and spectators alike, and the excitement and buzz surrounding the week leading up to the actual weekend, always reinforces exactly why I was so drawn to this city. 

This year I am adding a special twist to my Race Weekend participation. I am not just running for me, but I am combining my love for running while representing Kids in the Capital as part of the FIRST EVER Scotiabank Media Challenge and Scotiabank Charity Challenge. 

My efforts (with your HELP!) over the next 4 weeks will be about training, fundraising and sharing how the CHEO Foundation plays an important role in our community.

What’s the CHEO Foundation?

The sole purpose of the CHEO Foundation is to raise funds to help support the work of the  Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. Donations help the hospital provide a wide variety of pediatric programs, research, state-of the art equipment, medical and nursing education, and assistance for families in crisis. 

TO learn more about the Foundation and the Children’s Hospital, and what they both have to offer click here. 

How can You help? 

• Consider making a donation, no amount is too small. Here is the link to my fundraising page!
• Spread the word! Social media is having a profound effect on making our local communities aware of what’s happening. Please share this post with your family and friends, or tweet to us at @BrittHameed and @kidsincapital and we will be sure to connect! 
• Support the Ottawa Race Weekend runners on race day! Check here for the scheduled times and we will be looking for you all in the crowds! 
• If you would like to contribute directly to Cheo Foundation,  click here for details on how that’s possible. 

My Commitment to You and the CHEO Foundation? 

• Update regularly on training and fundraising progress via Kids in the Capital, my personal blog and/or our social media platforms! 
• Tweet (@BRittHameed) throughout the event (and possibly en route!)
• Stay tuned for a post-race and fundraising recap!

———————
Brittany is a Canadian mama on a journey to live a healthy lifestyle and to share what works in the world of health and fitness for her and her family. Check her out on her blog, My Mama Journey, and over on twitter and instagram!

Pip, Pop and Pug: The Pipe Cleaner Family

This is the story of Pip, Pop and Pug, the Pipe Cleaner Family. They live in Ottawa, Canada, and recently experienced the worst winter imaginable. Spring hasn't been much better. In the background of certain images, you will notice a curious creature of the toddler variety.

Pip is so sick of shoveling snow

It never ends....the piles just get bigger

Almost as though the snow drifts have a life of their own...

WHAT THE...the snow DOES have a life of its own!!

AHHHHHHH!!!!

"It's a Snowdrift Monster! Save yourself Pug!!!"

"Gahhh, Mfffgggrrllll"

"Jesus Pug, could I get a little help here?"

After a lengthy battle, Pip reigns as Queen over the now melted snowdrift monster.

ONE MONTH LATER....

"Ahh, finally...going outside with a light scarf on. The sun is shining!"

Pip and Pug are off for a walk

Despite the sun, it's pretty windy out there....and frickin cold!!

Pip is glad she brought her umbrella

Umbrellas are no match for hurricane winds

Finally, a warm day for Pip and Pug.

Pip can tend to her garden, and Pug can wee on the flowers

Pip, Pop and Pug can enjoy biking once again

And of course, walkies!

All photographs are exclusive property of my infinitely talented husband, Tom Stacey.

DIY Home Design: Wall Art

Confession: we moved into our home 5 years ago, and we just got around to painting this month! 

The original 1980s wallpaper stuck around for so long because we've been raising two young kids - wet paint and young kids do NOT go together.

So now, my darling husband has almost completed the transformation. We have a beautiful grey colour, with a slightly darker shade on our biggest wall. Grey is amazing, because you can add a lot of colour accents to your rooms.

We recently found this antique table on the Orleans Buy and Sell Facebook Group

With the walls painted in such a neutral tone, we see the need for some huge splashes of colour. I've always dreamed of commissioning several pieces of art, but sadly that is not in the budget.

So I'm relying on my somewhat limited artist skills, and I've decided to paint my own canvas. I was somewhat of an "artiste" in my younger days - let's see what I can do now ;)

My husband and I created a Pinterest board with all of our ideas: check it out here! 

Have you ever created your own wall art?

Boomerang Kids

by Vicky

In our house the organization and management of kids clothing is my job. And it’s a big job! It started when I was pregnant with my son who is now 8 years old, and I received two enormous Rubbermaid bins full of baby clothing. So began my journey into sorting, washing, folding, labeling and storing kids clothing to be passed down, worn in the next season, donated or sold.

I have bags, bins and boxes in closets and in the basement, in a somewhat organized, yet chaotic system. My husband has no idea how it works, and what goes where. One box for clothing that has been outgrown, another bin for things that are still too big, bags to be donated and more bags full to pass along to friends. Now that I have three kids, I am using a secret weapon to help me stay on top of the ever increasing mountain of clothing organization! Boomerang Kids.

If you haven’t consigned with Boomerang Kids yet, you need to! Consigning your kids clothing is a great way to get those bins of clothing out of your basement and make a bit of cash. Boomerang Kids only accepts clothing that is no more than 5 years old, and in excellent condition, so here are some tips to help you get started before you consign.

While sorting your clothing at home:

• Look for clothing items that are in excellent condition (no stains, tears, broken zippers etc)
• Only clothing that is less than 5 years old
• Name brands only, Boomerang Kids doesn’t accept house brands from Walmart, Target (like Circo, Cheerokee, or George)
• Check the website to find out what items are currently being accepted, and make sure you are bringing in appropriately seasonal pieces

Set up an account:

• Walk in and set up an account at the self-serve kiosk, you don’t need an appointment.
• Your Boomerang Kids account is where your commission is deposited; you can use it to shop in the store and also online!
• You can check our balance and see your items in stock or sold online, using your account.
• You receive 40% of the purchase price on clothes and toys and 50% for equipment. 

Once you’ve set up your account, you then leave your items to be sorted by a friendly sales person. They will be examined quickly while you wait. Anything that can’t be sold will be donated to several local charities, unless you choose to have it returned at your drop off.  Your items will be priced and photographed before they are available to purchase in store or online.

As a shopper, I can appreciate that only the best, current brands and the highest quality will be available for me to purchase in store. Also, when you shop online, you can choose in-store pick up and that saves you the shipping fees.

Boomerang Kids is also a great place to bring toys, books and baby equipment, and accepts 10 of each at a time. Toys and equipment must have working batteries and be no more than 10 years old. It’s always best to bring the items in and have a staff person look it over if you aren’t sure if it’s an acceptable item, or you can check the list of acceptable items online: http://www.boomerangkids.com/buy-and-sell/
 
As a mom of three, I make a trip to my neighborhood Boomerang Kids weekly.  The staff is friendly, the washrooms are clean, and there’s always new items to browse. As I continue to consign my kids clothes and earn money, I rarely pay for my purchases.  Boomerang Kids makes it easy, convenient and nearly effortless to sell your stuff.  I highly recommend consigning as it keeps your clothing out of landfills and lets you make a bit of cash while you are doing it.

Boomerang Kids also offers great in store events, like free strollercize, Zumba and other workshops!

Visit a Boomerang Kids location closest to you in:
Orleans
Kanata
Barrhaven
Westboro
Old Ottawa South
Gatineau
 
Vicky is a mom of three kids, Joel (8), Mieka (5) and Leo (18 months). She's an occasional teacher, and also runs her own business as a Peekaboo Beans Play Stylist, where customers can shop from her pop up shop www.peekaboobeans.com/vicky 
vicky@peekaboobeans.com 
(613)218-6699