I let my kid go to the park by herself

I was really tempted to write "and you'll never guess what happened next" at the end of this blog post title. I just couldn't do it - click-bait headlines are my biggest online pet peeve (other than nasty trolls and stupid people.)

Because honestly, nothing happened. We've read the sensational headlines about the Maryland couple whose kids have been held by child protective services, after the 6 and 10-year-old were allowed to go play at the park alone.

Our house backs onto a park, so I can't say my daughter was totally out of my sight. I was busy trying to get some mushroom compost worked into the gardens, and she just wanted to play.

"Go on," I said. "If any grown-ups ask, just point over here and tell them I'm your mom."

No angry parents came to talk to me, and CAS wasn't called (phew). But the thought crossed my mind - because if it were me at the park, and I saw a little girl playing all alone, I'd be inclined to ask the same questions. 

We're so used to being with our kids at all times. If not us, then at least their teachers or daycare providers. The ramifications of leaving our children to play alone, even if it's what WE did as young children, could be devastating. And I'm not thinking of abductors or abusers - I'm thinking of the mom next door who's going to call the cops on me.

My daughter came back 15 minutes later, happy as a clam. She'd found a playmate, and had her share of fun while Mommy did the grunt work. Freedom and fun....oh to be a kid again.

I'm curious to hear from other parents - my daughter is 5.5 years old. Is she too young to be at the park alone?

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?