How long is your commute? #ontrack2018

Working full-time and commuting in a big city is hard. The reason my husband and I moved to Ottawa was that we knew we couldn't face the Toronto commute for the rest of our lives. I'd visited Ottawa several times, and was amazed at how fast I could get downtown on the bus. So it made sense that once we moved here, I would take the bus to get to work from the (many) apartments we rented around the city.

Add two kids into the mix, and fast forward 9 years. We're living in a lovely home in Orleans, and despite my occasional  lusting after "city life," we know that there's no way of moving out of the suburbs on one income. Plus, we love Queenswood Heights - an older neighbourhood with great schools, lots of green space, and a huge backyard for our huge vegetable garden.

Yesterday, when I took the #95 bus home, I realized that my ideal suburban life is looking bleak for the next three years. For those of you reading this from outside Ottawa, we are now in the process of building our first light rail line. Which means that the quick and easy Transitway (which carried buses from the suburbs to downtown in record time) is now closed until 2018.

Cue the crying.

I'm sure all parents would agree with me that time is precious. My girls are growing up so fast, and I want to be there for every moment. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately - I guess I'd rather not live as a cave woman and die at the ripe old age of 35), I live in the 21st century, and I have to make money to house, clothe and feed my family. And now that my commute has almost doubled in length, it means I have less time to spend with my kids. I get home on time for dinner, and then it's a hectic evening of walking the dog, cleaning the kitchen, bathing the kids and getting them to bed by 7:30 p.m.

I'm not writing this to bash OCTranspo or complain about light rail. In fact, I'm totally pumped that the city finally got its act together to make sustainable transportation a reality.

I'm writing this because I'd like to hear about YOUR commute. I don't work downtown, so the new express buses that bypass all of the mess is not an option for me. I have to transfer at Hurdman (side note: I'm also a cyclist, but I generally don't do the return commute, as 25 kms is a long enough ride for one day! So, I like to throw my bike on the bus and head home. And come October or November, cycling will no longer be an option.)

So leave me a message...tell me how you're going to get through the next 3 years. Have you found any shortcuts? Have any tips? Or have you abandoned the bus altogether and gone back to your car?

Signed,
The Disgruntled Commuter

Clip'n'Climb a great outing for your little climbers

My kids are climbers. Especially my daughter. I've been wanting to check out the Clip'n'Climb gym in Gatineau ever since my daughter scaled their wall in rubber boots at Kidfest this Fall and the experience did not disappoint.

The Clip'n'Climb is a part of Altitude Climbing Gym which is what you would think of more traditionally as a climbing gym. Located at 35 Boulevard Saint-Raymond in an old church (the high ceilings work well for them!) less than 5 minutes off the highway near the Casino, it was easy to get to and find. 

How it works

What's different about the Clip'n'Climb is that anyone can do it without any kind of formal training. When you arrive a staff person gives you all the information on putting on your harness and shows you how everything works. As opposed to more traditional climbing you don't need someone to spot you at the bottom because the pulley system does all the work.

You clip yourself in to the wall, wait for a staff person to ok you to climb, climb, and when you're done you simply push back from the wall slowly lower down.

The sessions are an hour and fifteen minutes, cost $15 and you need to book ahead of time. They're only open evenings and weekends as they keep full during week days with special groups and their own camp kids.

Climbing the walls

There are almost 30 walls (I think, I can't find the exact number) of all different levels of difficulty. All of my kids started out by trying the jungle wall and the bubble walls which we were told were the easiest.

Once they were comfortable on those walls they really got going, trying every different kind of wall possible and pushing themselves to (literally) new heights. Several of the walls have a button to push at the top. A couple of times my guys got nervous almost at the top and wanting to push the button is what got them all the way there.

She reached the button!

I also liked that they aren't all traditional walls. These green posts were the most popular climb in the gym for my kids - they all tried it several times over.

The staff were so helpful and friendly

What else do they do?

My daughter is such a natural climber I had several people come up to me and comment on it and ask how old she was. That started a good conversation with the staff about climbing programs in the other side of the gym and if they were a bit closer to us I would definitely sign her up.

They also host birthday parties (I'm definitely thinking of this for my daughter for next year!) and summer camps.

I put together a short video of our time at the gym. I'm so glad we had a chance to check it out. It's been on our list for a long time and instead of crossing it off we're just planning to leave it there because we want to go back soon!

Disclosure: We were given free passes to try out the Clip'n'Climb. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Music can change your child's life!

Kids in the Capital is delighted to welcome Monkey Rock Music as a sponsor to the blog. Misty got a chance to check out a class with her 2 year-old, but she doesn't need any convincing that a music program can have a huge impact on children's development!

In Grade 4 I got the chance to pick an instrument to learn in our school's music program. Our well-funded program had many possibilities. I chose the violin, but my teacher convinced me to go with the viola - a less popular version of the four-stringed instruments.

Turns out the viola suited me well. As someone who was shy, I liked being the harmony - playing in the background, but as a key piece of the orchestra. My first squeaks on that instrument led to a lifelong love of music. Although I stopped playing the viola in university, I went on to teach myself to play the guitar as an adult and continued piano studies for many years.

Research shows that children who learn music fare better in many other subjects (so THAT'S why I rocked calculus!) These children also have improved test scores, higher IQs, and better language development. And we all know the effects that music can have on our well being - the right song can calm us down, or lift us up.

Does that mean we should be putting our children in music lessons, even if they're not interested? NO! Forcing a child to practice an instrument or a type of music that they do not enjoy is pointless, and usually ends in the child giving up music altogether. What it does mean is that we can help our child foster a love and appreciation for music - in all its forms.

Monkey Rock Music does just that - they teach young children to love music, not to play it. Their classes are located all over the city and cater to different age groups - from babies all the way up to four years of age. My daughter and I got a chance to check out a class the other week, and she loved it! And you know what? I loved it too! There was no pre-recorded music - just a guy with his guitar, and a giant bag full of fun instruments that the kids could play. And I really liked that adult songs were incorporated into the mix, which kept it fun for the "big kids."

In addition to classes located all around Ottawa (and stay tuned for an expansion to Montreal!), Monkey Rock Music will come to your home to host a class or participate in your child's birthday party. Just like the classes, an instructor will bring along their guitar, bag of instruments and a special rainbow parachute! You can request your child's favourite songs ahead of time, and the instructor will get the kids up and moving to the music.

If that weren't enough, this amazing musical team is available for live bookings! You can catch Monkey Rock Music at stage shows  - a monthly show at Greenfield's pub in Barrhaven, and Broadway Bar and Grill or Boston Pizza in Ottawa South. Dinner can be ordered for the whole family, and the shows run from 5:30 - 6:30 pm. As well, you can book the team for special events (MRM recently played at CHEO's Teddy Bear Picnic!)

So skip the piano lessons for now, and work on fostering your child's love of music. You (and your child) won't regret it!

Things to See and Do in Peterborough

When my parents announced that they were moving out of my childhood home in Scarborough to a town just outside of Peterborough, Ontario, my brother and I were a little perturbed. Would they enjoy living in such a small town? What is there TO DO in Peterborough?

Fast forward ten years, and my parents are now happily situated in the north end of Peterborough. We visit regularly with our children, and we've had time to explore and discover this amazing city. Did you know that Peterborough is recognized as one of Canada's most eco-conscious communities? There are extensive walking and cycling trails, community gardens, and even a zoo! Peterborough's attractions make it an ideal destination for traveling with kids. 

Visiting Peterborough with Kids

Saturday farmer's market

I thought Ottawa had an awesome farmer's market, but this one takes the cake! So much great food, and everything moves indoors for the winter. I also find the prices to be much better compared to Ottawa!

Riverview Park and Zoo

Within walking distance from my parent's house, this has been our primary destination when visiting. There are many small and large animals to check out, as well as a giant slide, a huge playground, and an old train ride.

Canadian Canoe Museum

A fantastic museum full of unique watercraft. Your kids will love the hands-on galleries, scavenger hunt and puppet theatre!

Beavermead Park

A public beach, playground and great picnic spots! This is just one of all the great parks in Peterborough, and I encourage you to check out more at the City of Peterborough's website.

Play Street

We were visiting one rainy weekend and were desperate for something to do with the kids. I did a quick Google search and came up with this place - an indoor play place along the lines of Cosmic Adventures (but MUCH smaller and a lot quieter!) The girls loved the slides, but their favourite part was playing make-believe in the small houses at the back. The place was very clean, and there was a section at the front where you could sit and have a drink and snack.

I know I've probably missed a TON of great kid-friendly places in Peterborough, so let me in on the secret - where do you go with your kids in Peterborough?

Walter Baker Park in Ottawa

We're all about parks right now...why? Because we want you to get outdoors with your little ones in Ottawa this summer! Thanks to Tracy Noble for checking out Walter Baker Park. If you'd like to add your two cents, consider filling out our survey on your favourite Ottawa parks!

Four years ago I wrote a brief post on Walter Baker Park in Kanata. My daughter was almost three at the time and it was her favourite local park – four years later, it still is. Throughout the summer months, my daughter can often be found running up and down the toboggan hill (or rolling down), swinging on the tire swing or playing pirates on the larger play structure.

Visiting the park has shown me how much she has grown up! I no longer feel the need to keep my eye on her to make sure she doesn’t climb so high that she is afraid to climb down, nor do I watch to make sure she doesn’t venture to the splash pad on a cold day (she no longer finds being wet on a cold day as funny as it used to be). Now I just ensure she is within eyesight or that I know where she and her friends are exploring next (there are lots of places to explore at Walter Baker Park).

We continue to visit Walter Baker Park for many reasons. In addition to having a splash pad, as well as two sets of swings and two play structures (one for the younger kids and one for the older kids), it is located on a vast green space, which means kids can run and play safely without having to worry about vehicular traffic. There are also bathrooms available within walking distance (the Kanata Recreation Complex is located onsite). It has ample parking, which is always a good thing with kids in tow. The park also has large trees - the big oak tree located by the toddler play structure is my daughter’s favourite - which provide the perfect shade for picnics. There are numerous picnic tables and benches conveniently located within eyesight of the play structures and swings.  There is also a covered picnic table area for a larger gathering and an even larger gazebo located near a walking trail that is a great place for an impromptu dance party.

Walter Baker Park is a great park for children young and old – and adults too! The park’s recent addition of an outdoor fitness circuit (located beside the splash pad; on the other side of the trees) is a great place for adults to get some outdoor exercise of their own! It is a full body workout and each piece of equipment includes directions and ideas on what exercises you can do with the available equipment. Between this and a run up and down the big toboggan hill, Walter Baker Park has everything you need for a full body workout!

Walking to the top of the toboggan hill is a family tradition. At the end of our park visit, we always walk up the hill and take in the view. You can see the Canadian Tire Centre among many other things in the Kanata area.

Walter Baker Park isn’t a park I see us outgrowing any time soon. It has something for everyone and only continues to improve as time marches on.