Cheap things to do with kids for the Christmas break

So, you’ve already maxed out your credit cards buying gifts and goodies for potlucks and holiday gatherings. And, you’ve also booked the last of your vacation days for the year. Now, the kids are off. Oh, and so are you! What can you do without spending more than what you have budgeted for?!

To be honest, I would like to just chill over the holidays and finish that book I am reading! So, let’s add "not-so-tiring" to "budget-friendly" to the list of activities your family can do over the holiday break :)

1. Catch a movie. There are a lot of new movies out this season. There are actually 3 I would want to see! Movie houses are open on Christmas day and New Year’s as well (when most everything is closed!)

2. Free ice-skating. Skate for free at the Natrel rink at Harbourfront. Or check out your Community Centre for skating schedules—it’s either free on some days or kids pay under $5! I don’t actually skate but the kids do. Let’s see those months of skating classes pay off!

3. Drive around neighborhoods to check out some holiday lights. Niagara has a Festival of Lights and so does Downsview Park. Niagara is free (but quite a drive) and Downsview park charges per vehicle. I believe you can also walk through for a different fee. I have personally not seen the Trail of Lights at Downsview, but the Niagara one is nice.

4. And if all else fails (ie, you are stuck at home due to a snowstorm)--Games at home. Let the kids enjoy the gifts they got for Christmas. We got a few new boardgames and videogames (and am so excited for the kids to get their gifts!!!). Give the kids a chance to play with the toys they got and have some quality time playing Wii or Monopoly!

5. Oh wait, speaking of snowstorm…empty plastic containers + snow = snow forts for more snow play! And you can actually just do this outside your house! Hot chocolate with marshmallows after being in the cold makes the afternoon just perfect. Whatever you end up doing, low cost or not (catching a show, going away), I hope that your holiday will be filled with family get-togethers, love and laughter, and prayers and thanksgiving. Have a very Merry Christmas!

More decorating tips for homes with kids

Now, I hope you got something from the tips I posted previously. Here are some more tips to help you along:

Let it Hang. Now if you have houseplants that you do not want to be part of your toddler’s daily vegetable intake, chose some nice hangers and hang your plants. This is if the variety is lush enough to hang. Otherwise, refer to the previous tip and put them on a shelf.

Lighten up. If you want a little more challenge, try changing your light fixtures. Modernize your chandelier. If you haven’t made the switch to CFL (Compact Flourescent Light) bulbs yet, then now’s your chance to do something for the environment and save on your energy bills as well. You can also make the switch from floor or table lamps to pendant lamps or sconces. That will not only put the lights away from the children’s reach, but it will also change the ambience of your room.

Box it. Get decorative boxes or a trunk to put all the toys in. You can make these match your new look or your new paint. Putting toys away after play is not only good training for the kids, but is also a practical way to de-clutter. Not that you haven’t done enough cleaning and putting away things all day, but this is when you will need to find the extra energy at the end of the day. When the kids are asleep and the toys have been put away, you can have your space, even for just a few precious hours.

Conscious effort must be made to put away stuff. Do a check about twice a year for toys and other items that can be donated or recycled. That is the only way you will have some semblance of control over your house.

Soon enough you will be able to bring out the glass, the books, the fine china, and wonder, “Where did the time go?”  But before then, you can have your space somehow without banishing the kids from the room. Just one space, even if the kids have the rest of the house.

Decorate your home...even when you have kids

Now continuing that post I had last month about the home...the holidays got in the way :) And am sure your house just got another roomful of toys and other gadgets...

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While you may not have that HGTV, interior-designed space, it does not need to look like a toy store or a day care either. There can be a happy compromise. Granted that you will have to put away the precious (and sometimes fragile) knick-knacks for now, make this an opportunity to redecorate your home. A little retail-therapy might help keep you sane as well even when you are up to your ears with the clutter.  Here are some tips:

Unify. Think of a theme or a look you want. This will be the basis of your new decor. You need not go out and buy everything at once. On days when you are not at the grocery, toy store, or doctor’s office, you may chance upon that perfect piece—a painting, a basket, a non-breakable vase. Splurge a little. You deserve it. My husband and I found a nice painting only three years after we moved into our home. We did not just want to buy any painting or wall décor. We wanted art that would match the theme we wanted for our living room. It was well worth the wait. The painting not only serves as a nice focal point when we don’t want to look at the make-shift playhouse our daughter made out of pillows and chairs, but it also is an interesting conversation piece when we have guests over. If you can afford an interesting, original piece, then you can rationalize your purchase by claiming that this might inspire a future Picasso in your child.

Color your world. One way to revitalize your home and make your living room or personal space look fresh is to paint. A change of color will do wonders for your mood and might just make you focus less on the clutter. There are a lot of non-toxic, biodegradable paints available now, so a weekend or two of therapeutic labor (with the kids at grandma’s) might just do the trick. Think of this as a fun project for you and your partner. And when you go get your paint at the local hardware store, you can also pick up some color swatches to help you pick out the matching colors for your other decor. The wall color my husband and I liked thankfully came with the house so we did not have to repaint. That color also helped us pick the furnishing that would match our living room. 

Go waist-up. Get wall art and décor and hang them nicely beyond the reach of the kids. By the time they are tall enough to touch them, they should be old enough to not touch them. There are also nice, stylish hanging shelves available on which you can display the figurines and other articles you really do not want to put away. Make sure not to overdo it, or your shelf will be another source of clutter. Select pieces you really cannot bear to store. You may not have your whole living room back, but you can certainly have the upper half!

My wish: a safe Christmas for our children

I ask myself why the Connecticut elementary school shooting hits me more than the mall shooting and other recent tragedies. Is it because I am a parent? And of young children? Every time I tune into the news channel, my heart breaks for the children and the families of the victims. This tragedy hits me more than any other because to me, children embody hope. I know this is cliché, but they are indeed our future. This atrocity is like wiping out hope and erasing the innocence of those who survived. Where does that, as a society, leave us?

My children trust me to keep them safe. It is my obligation, my responsibility to keep them safe. When I take them to school, I am saying, “Go, it is safe. It is good for you.” After all, we go through pains to ensure that they are safe. We make sure they have proper winter wear, with hats, gloves, scarves because we don’t want to risk them getting sick. We make sure they hold our hands when crossing the street. We make sure the car seat is properly installed. But how can I protect them in school, when I am not there? When what could hurt my child is no longer just a bully? When places and things we once thought were safe for our children are no longer so, what is our recourse? Where do we find hope in that?

A sense of dread and fear fills me every now and then. I haven’t stopped hugging and kissing my kids since they came home from school yesterday. It is sad to think that something terrible has to happen for parents to realize how lucky they are to have their kids. This tragedy has made me look at things from a different perspective—that there are greater things beyond those that may annoy, irritate or disappoint us from time to time. I thank God for my kids (even if they do get on my nerves sometimes!). Christmas songs are more meaningful. Gifts, more precious. The severity and intensity of the events will definitely make it harder for New Year’s resolutions to fade.  And that hope might seem tiny, seemingly insignificant compared to the deep sorrow many families are facing right now. But it has to start somewhere. I have to take comfort in that.

A tribute to the home

Having wanderlust does not mean I do not like being at home. I love my home. In fact, I took up basic interior design a while back because I love decorating. I want to share with you this article I wrote a couple of years ago with some tips on how to deal with toys taking over the house. Happy decorating!

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Before kids, you probably had vases, lamps and candles, plants, an assortment of coffee table books, some nice throw pillows on a stain-free fabric couch. Once your bundle of joy arrives, baby stuff start taking over your household. It starts out all nice and cute in the nursery. Then, you bring the bouncer into the living room, maybe even the play yard. A toy or two or twelve find themselves into your bedroom to entertain the baby while you try to brush your hair or dress up. With the transition from milk to solids comes the high chair in the dining room and more toys to entertain the baby with while you try to get that last bite into him and not the floor. And with crawling comes all the safety gadgets. Gates are put up by the stairs and near the kitchen, corner guards get affixed on your entertainment unit, and doorknob guards come on. You do not want to be saying “No!” fifty times a day and scrambling to get that vase out of baby’s reach. And surely you do not want to restrict your child’s exploring nature, so you put most, if not all, your decor away. Picture a bouncer stationed on the corner of your living room, blocks and tea sets found under the armchair, remote controls hidden in the sides of the couch—do these sound familiar to you? You may have resigned yourself to accepting that you will not see a toy-free house for many, many years. Not that we take this against our children, nor do we pine away for our lives before kids. It just is. The presence of toys, chaos and clutter comes with the territory. Others may just actually love this happy chaos that children bring into the home. To a certain extent, we must accept that these toys will be around for quite a while. And more often than not, we just get used to the new landscape of our home.  Some items may be outgrown after a few months and are put away, but they will be replaced by something else. Guaranteed. In place of an activity gym or entertainment center, you may find a playhouse or a tent.  In place of a bouncer, you may find a tricycle or some other ride-on toy. 

But there are days when you just find yourself wanting a change from the routine. You find yourself wanting a makeover either for yourself or your home. Some days, you just need an adult space as you try to remember that you are not just a mother, a caretaker, or your children’s playmate. There is hope. You can still reclaim a space for yourself (or for you and your partner). Somehow. This new life with the kids doesn’t mean the house has to revolve around them alone. It is still possible to have a personal space, even for just a few hours. And not necessarily only when you are expecting guests.

I have some tips coming up in the next few posts. Until then...

Making our Halloween traditions

Hubby and I were raised in a place where Halloween was an activity limited to exclusive villages and clubs. Growing up, there were times when we participated in trick-or-treating, but those were more of the exception. It was no biggie if the day just passed without any fanfare. I guess we should be glad that the event was not too commercialized back then.

When we had kids, we put in more effort into making family traditions around fun occasions. Luckily enough, we are raising them in a place where we have a lot of opportunity to do this.

Our Halloween celebrations have evolved as the years passed. I’d like to share with you some steps we took to ensure the kids looked forward to having fun activities together-- and more than just getting candy.

1. Select costumes—For the past 3 years, we have been donning family costumes. We would decide on a theme and have each member of the family wear a costume in keeping with that theme. We would do a mix of DIY and store-bought (and hand me down!) costumes. I try to make sure that the costumes are either warm or big enough to accommodate layers of thermals. After all, we want to get bone-chillin’ action, but not literally!

2. Find the perfect pumpkin—This is our chance to check out local and not so local farms (and here is where wanderlust comes in, haha!). There are a lot of places which offer more than pumpkin picking. Fall harvest and other fun activities are available at some locations for a fee. Check out your region listings for farms. The patches can be muddy, but we always have fun searching for the perfect pumpkin. We pick pumpkins with a flattish side since this makes it easier to draw the design.

3. Decorate pumpkins—Some years we carve our pumpkin, while some years we just draw on them.  What do we do to non-carved pumpkins after Halloween is over? We cook them! There are a lot of Pumpkin recipes out there! Other times, when hubby wants to flex his creative muscles, we carve our pumpkin (or rather, HE carves them—I have to give credit where credit is due, after all). Of course, the pumpkin design we choose has to be in theme.

4. Go trick-or-treating—This is my kids’ favorite activity. No surprise there. We usually go to a couple of places for trick-or-treating. After all, we have to make the most of our costumes! The girls know that they cannot have any of their loot until after I had sorted the candies. I established that rule early on.  And while the candies with damaged packaging go straight to the trash, there are usually still enough sweets left for the kids and mommy (hey, I did a lot of work, too, so I deserve a treat!)

5. Repeat next year—I’m sure that as the years go by, these Halloween celebrations will still change. They can only get better! Happy Halloween!

Charlie Brown is good, man!

Can a 7 year old and a 4 year old appreciate this Stratford festival play?

My girls have, so far, been to only a few plays--school productions, children’s theatres, and the Ross Petty production of Wizard of Oz.  My younger one was 3 when she started watching plays.  It was quite a feat to have her sit through a whole play considering how tough it was to have her watch Kung Fu Panda 2 in the movie theatre.  

Our excursion to Stratford happened to coincide with the city’s annual Festival, so I took the opportunity to continue my children’s exposure to something I truly enjoy—watching plays.   I didn’t think they’d appreciate Henry V, so You’re a good man, Charlie Brown it was going to have to be. 

Decades ago this play ran in Broadway and the West End with its very simple backdrops and wardrobe. But it's probably not what I would line up for given other choices. As for my kids, they cannot really totally relate to Snoopy.  Their exposure to Peanuts is limited to the Thanksgiving or Halloween animations aired on TV.  However, I was truly amazed that while the whole play was composed of several vignettes with musical numbers, the kids actually enjoyed it.  My 7-year-old, DD#1, was immersed in the comedy and transfixed not only at what was happening on stage but also the dialogue.  Meanwhile, DD#2, still being weaned from afternoon naps, managed to overcome her restlessness during the first act and actually watched the second.  Needless to say, some of the humor could be more fully appreciated by mature audiences, especially audiences who used to read Charles Schultz.

The show was like a re-enactment of a Peanuts Treasury with no actual plot.  Those who missed this show can actually catch the animated version on film.  What pulled the play together, however, were the actors, who were great. The girls especially loved Snoopy’s performance, particularly his classic "fights" with the Red Baron.  Crabby old me liked Lucy.  Charlie Brown and his gang did not disappoint.  Even the younger generation who did not really grow up with them had fun.  It was a nice play, overall, and one that I am happy that the girls got to see. In a few more years, we can progress to Shakespeare –maybe we’ll start off with a comedy when we go back to Stratford.

Avon theatre

The girls already love watching Sound of Music on DVD and listening to the music of Wicked. They also watched (and enjoyed!) a Lés Misérables special on TV a few weeks ago.  They wouldn’t go to bed until after Eponine had sung “A Little Fall of Rain.”  So, I am quite confident they will enjoy many more plays in the future. I cannot wait to watch all my favorite shows all over again with them. Now, this is what Happiness is…

Mommy's first day of school

My daughter turns to me and asks, “Is it first day of school yet?”

And so begins her new life--as a kindergartener. I have been trying not to think about her going to school even as I mechanically prepare for her school stuff. Months before, we had attended Kindergarten night and school bus introduction, bought the backpack, lunch box, and outfits. I scoured the internet on snacks and lunches I could prepare for her. But I tried not to REALLY think about it. She was no longer going to be MY baby. She was going to have her own world and I wouldn’t be the only one in it. OK, ok, her dad shared her world, too. Friends have told me that the kids are fine and that they have a blast in school, it is the parents who have difficulty letting go. I agree. I got some books to get my daughter psyched up and excited about school while I tried to hide my anxiety. It worked. She was excited, but I had mixed emotions. I was both excited and a little bit sad. We read the “Kissing Hand” together and I had to do a quick run to the bathroom to keep her from seeing my eyes well up with tears.

We made the most of that last summer going on many day trips. But of course, it had to end and we all had to face the first day of school. Camera in hand (and a pack of tissue in my bag), we set off for school. The parents were allowed to hang around for a few hours on the first day. Whether it was intended for the kids or for the parents (or maybe to give the teacher some help), I would say that this was a fantastic idea! It eased the transition. Not long after we arrived, my daughter was off exploring her classroom and checking out the different play areas. I told myself, she would always be my baby and my heart’s fears were replaced with pride. “There goes my girl!” I thought. I wasn’t as much of a wreck as I thought I’d be. I was brave and strong. I hoped deep inside she was thinking, “There goes MY mom!”

Sound the Alarm: Nutrition crisis in the Sahel

Crops have failed in eight drought-hit countries of West Africa, leaving families with almost nothing to eat.  Right now, one million children in the Sahel are at risk from severe malnutrition and time is running out. Please share this message and, if you can, make a donation to save a child’s life.

As a mother, images and news of suffering children touch me deeply. When I learned about the situation in the Sahel, I knew I had to do what I could and I started by spreading the word. My family is very blessed to be able to dine in many wonderful places and to travel.   I try to make sure that we remember this and that the kids appreciate our many blessings. I always call their attention to a World Vision spot on TV so they are not shielded from realities. I showed them this video about what is happening at the Sahel. While I do not expect them to give up their dessert or toys, I am hoping that somehow they grow up a little more conscious of the many sufferings in the world. Maybe they can also help in their own way.

I did not post any links for donations in this page. If you noticed, you cannot even click on the posters to donate. Instead, I will direct you to unicef.ca where you can learn more about what is happening and how you can make a difference. You can also help by spreading the word through your social media channels to your friends and family.

Your support can make the difference.

Remembering Hong Kong

My first plane ride was to Hong Kong when I was 7 years old. I have vague memories of the whole trip but since I had a plated picture (yes, those plates with pictures which are displayed on the shelves!) of myself about to ride a cable car, my recollection of the whole trip is--riding a cable car. No memories of Buddhist temples or ferries or rickshaws. My daughters were each 6 months old when they rode the plane for the first time. I doubt they will recall any of those trips, but as my mom said, I will remember them.

For bigger trips (or slightly costlier local ones), hubby and I often consider if the kids would remember the experience. If the trip was for them and  if they were too young for certain activities, then we would postpone the adventure. If the trip was for us, then, off we would go (especially if kids stay and eat free!). Traveling with kids is a whole other story but I always say that these trips and outings bond us together and create family memories.

As for the plate, I threw it out when we were packing our stuff to migrate to Canada. I have some yellowing prints of that trip left, but the bulky plate is in a landfill in Manila.