Get outside this weekend!

Well, it looks like another brisk and sunny weekend ahead, so get the family out and about. Lots of adventures await in the Quinte region and you don't have to spend a dime!

Get a closer look at the many aircraft that have served our country at the National Air Force Museum of Canada. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.
 

RCAF Museum

Create a nature scavenger hunt and explore one of the many Quinte Conservation Areas.

Take in the sights, sounds and smells of a Farmer's Market! 

Belleville and Quinte West

Hike to the Mount Pelion Lookout and get a beautiful 360 degree panoramic view of Trenton.

Mount Pelion Lookout

The Bleasdell Boulder is believed to be the largest glacial erratic in Ontario. 

Bleasdell Boulder

Skip some rocks along the Belleville Waterfront Trail.

Pack a picnic, go somewhere new, take some photos, make some memories and above all, have a fun weekend, whatever you do.

 

Book Nooks!

"The more you read, the more things you will know.
The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."
~ Dr. Seuss

Creating a book nook for my children has been on my to-do list for, like, ever. I love the idea of a special spot just for them to curl up with a book, especially with the colder days coming. Here are a few cozy examples...

Mosquito netting + throw pillows = instant nook

A sunny window and cheerful cushions

This nook was an underused closet!

My kid's book shelves are a bone of contention. They are constantly spilling out of their shelves and stuffed back in spine first and upside down, so we can't read the titles. In my internet travels, I've found some great solutions for book storage...

Ikea Spice Racks

Books are easy to spot and add colour

It's a shutter!

Do you have a book nook or a special spot for reading?

Woodland Baby Shower

Today, I've put together a woodland themed baby shower, which can easily be adapted to birthday parties as well. There are no shortages of birds, owls, acorns and pine cones among the Christmas ornaments already in stores, which can be used as decorations or favours. Just add some natural elements and it's an adorable theme, that's easy to pull together.

cupcake picks, owl cupcake, invitation, blocks, pine cone garland, toadstool appetizers, favours, place card holder, baby blanket

Babysitter Basics

With Halloween over, we're about to be thrust into the holiday season and with that, impending parties and get-togethers. Today, I have a few babysitter tips and links to some checklists.

It's a good idea to ask a new babysitter to come early so that she can get acquainted with your children and your home. Your babysitter will appreciate knowing where to find everything she might need for the children. Discuss your house rules and expectations as you go. In the kitchen you can go over what the she and children are allowed to eat and where. Don’t forget to explain the TV, computer, and phone rules. If you allow your babysitter to have a visitor, discuss your expectations that any visitor respect your house rules.

Posting a checklist for the babysitter may give you some peace of mind. Here are a few helpful links:

Checklist #1

Checklist #2

Checklist #3

Checklist #4

Checklist #5 
(my favourite!)

Call home at least once while you are away to check on things and always call if you are going to be late. Make arrangements to escort your babysitter home at night - do not allow him/her to go home alone. 


How much to pay the babysitter depends on a lot of factors - from where you live, to how old the babysitter is, and how many children need to be looked after. Your babysitter may also set her own rates, or her references could help you get a picture of what you should be offering. How much do you pay your babysitter?

Happy Halloween!

It's finally here! Are you ready or have you already eaten all the candy? Halloween has always been a favourite holiday of ours. The chance to be someone else for a night, the mad creativity on display, the creep factor...what's NOT to like??

The Mad Hatter by Anna Bennett

Today, I'm featuring some fabulous up-cycled homemade costumes created by my friend Anna Bennett of Colourful Days and I'm going to throw in a couple of my own children from Halloweens past. And lastly, some photos from a tour around the city that my family took last night, looking for decorated houses. We didn't have to go far to see some really great ones!

Paul Stanley from Kiss by Anna Bennett

Spider by Anna Bennett

Paul Stanley, Skunk, Edward Scissorhands

Mad Scientist & Autumn Fairy by Cara Hunter

Mummy by Cara Hunter

Wolfman by Cara Hunter

Belleville Spooky Houses

Have a super fun night and be brave and be safe!

Pumpkin Pomp

Only 4 more days!! Are you carving your pumpkins this weekend? Today, I have a jack o' lantern inspiration board full of some interesting pumpkin carving alternatives to the classic triangle eyes and zig-zag mouth. While searching for images, I learned something new at Zombie Pumpkins;

"A quick rinse in the sink will give your finished pumpkin a hydration head start. To keep the design from shriveling, you can  coat the cut edges with petroleum jelly (like Vaseline) to seal in the pumpkin's moisture. When not on display, store your pumpkin in a cool place. You can also cover the pumpkin with plastic wrap, to keep it from drying out. If your design does start to shrivel, a soak in water for a few hours can bring it back to life." 

Another tip I found was to sprinkle the inside of your pumpkin lid with ground cinnamon, nutmeg or cloves for a festive scent.

There are hundreds of free pumpkin carving templates around the web, but I've included a few here anyway. Happy carving!

http://www.thebestkidsbooksite.com/halloweenpumpkins.cfm

http://www.ehow.com/halloween/templates.html

http://www.marthastewart.com/halloween-pumpkin-templates

http://www.bhg.com/halloween/pumpkin-carving/printable-pumpkin-stencils/ 

http://www.cyberhaunt.com/site/fun/carving/index.html 

Halloween Safety Tips

Costumes should be light-colored and flame resistant with reflective strips so that children are more easily seen at night.

Costumes should be short enough to avoid tripping.

   

Remind children to keep away from open fires and candles. (Costumes can be extremely flammable.)

   

Use face paint rather than masks or things that will cover the eyes.

   

Remind children to walk on sidewalks - not in the street. If there is no sidewalk, walk beside the road, facing traffic so drivers can see you.

   

Explain to children that trick or treating should be made along one side of the street first and then the other, and that it's best to cross the street only at intersections or crosswalks. It's unsafe to cross between parked cars or other obstacles.

   

Remind children to look both ways before crossing the street to check for cars, trucks and other vehicles. Never rely on traffic signals alone - use your eyes and ears to make sure it's safe to cross.

   

Provide yourself or the children with a flashlight to see better and to be better seen.

   

Have children plan their route and share it with you and the family.

   

Trick or Treaters should travel in groups of four or five.  Young children should be accompanied by an adult.

   

Visit homes that have the porch light on.

   

Make sure children know they should accept treats at the door and must not get into cars or enter the homes or apartments of strangers.

   

Remind children not to eat their treats and goodies until they are examined by an adult at home.  And candy should not be eaten if the package is already opened. If it looks suspicious, the police should be contacted. Small, hard pieces of candy are a choking hazard for young children.

   

Set agreed-to boundaries with your children.  Explain the importance of staying within them and arriving home on time. Children should trick or treat in one well-known area and not wander into unknown neighborhoods.

Drivers should drive slowly in residential neighbourhoods, reduce distractions and stay alert. Concentration should be on the road, not diverted by cell phones or loud music.

Halloween Safety Tips were found at www.redcross.ca.