When I first saw the hand painted notebooks from local artist April Lacheur I instantly knew what my Mother’s Day pick would be.  These days, who can resist an affordable, one-of-a-kind, unique, hand painted, and locally supported artist and beautiful mother’s day gift?  Certainly I can’t, and when you check out her amazing portfolio (right down to her signature tree trunks) you’ll understand my excitement. And for those Mommy Footprint readers that aren’t local to my West Coast roots, April has done her sourcing of the notebooks locally so if you are ordering them from another Province or State, she’s already looked after keeping the footprint light.

First a small glimmer into the product that caught my eye and inspired me to write about these notebooks.  Most of you know I’m a very practical person and I think the price point for these usable and unique pieces of art is great!  The journals come lined or un-lined and can be found here on April’s site and were sourced at Those Great Little Books that have a very cool and eco story all on their own! Read the story about Sandy’s Book and you’ll quickly understand the very cool things this company can do with notebook design and creativity! Back to April – check out these amazing functional (and original) journal covers with her lovely hand painted designs.  Just a perfect gift for a busy mom who would love the first page to be filled with notes from her husband or children about why she is special.

While you are on April’s site you might also notice her hand painted totes – another great gift idea(PVC-free) for mom this year with another great price point under $30.

It’s also very cool to watch the evolution of April’s paintings. Her latest from her Facebook updates is just wonderful and fills me with happiness. This is what the West Coast has looked like over the past few weeks with the beautiful cherry blossoms…combined with the whimsical tree trunks that are truly April’s signature:

My thanks to April for the earthy inspiration and for helping us learn that words like local, hand crafted, hand painted, and unique don’t have to be translated into the word expensive.

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Earthy Mother’s Day Ideas

Earth Day is coming and I’ve been comparing this year’s Earth Day buzz to Christmas. It might even be busier in our household than any December I can remember – the emphasis on April 22nd is apparent in every corner of the community this year.

Also helping keep me on my toes, I was approached to guest write for an amazing online newsletter called Savvymom with a series of 2 articles on greener options for families. The article titles are Eco Fun: Storm Drain Marking and Tips to Improve Your Home’s Health. Both of these articles have some great ideas for both parents and children wanting to make a difference in their community and home. One thing I’ve learned with writing at Mommy Footprint is any steps you make to help the environment will reward you with improving your family’s health. If you are wanting to talk to your children about Earth Day and why it’s important, but don’t have time for any big projects, simply make a change in your home and explain that you are helping the Earth and helping improve the quality of your family’s environment. Big or small changes – they all matter and are important.

I have a small role in helping plan a Earth Day Fair this year and am feeling very inspired about community and family involvement. To find an Earth Day event in your neighbourhood, click on the link at Earth Day 2010 (US zip codes only). For people in Canada click on the Earth Day Canada site for events.

My advice for parents wanting to participate or encourage their children this April 22nd is pick something you all find inspiring. If you have wrapped your mind around trying to reduce the amount of toxic materials in your life, discussing with family this month is a great start. I found this puzzle today from the artists at Just Hatched in the US that really celebrate Earth Day everyday with their commitment to using more sustainable materials to create toys. I wanted to share an example of something so simple. and earthy. and inspiring. Surrounding our lives with better choices for the environment the other 374 days of the year is also a great pledge to make. Keeping your family footprint lighter with supporting local, sustainable choices, made with natural materials just feels so good!

Have fun planning your special mark with your family this Earth Day.

It’s been a long day for my boys, Grandma, and myself because like many families in the ‘burbs’ of Vancouver today, we woke up very early to catch a glimpse and show our support for the 2010 Olympic Torch relay. The flame has been winding it’s way throughout communities in Vancouver, BC, and will make it’s way to light the olympic cauldron Friday, Feb 12th. It’s so interesting to see the excitement, passion, and huge Canadian pride that is standing on every curb and lining streets to cheer on the Olympic volunteers and the proud torch bearers. The Olympic spirit is alive in this city and the torch is fuelling the Olympic message and what you take away after seeing it is different for everyone.

Although the moment passed quickly of the young man running past us carrying the torch, I’ve felt extra purpose in my day and motivates me to up my game with challenging my children to become more active and participate in sporting activities that Canada is known for. I got to have precious 1-1 time with my 6 year old son later in the morning going ice skating with his Kindergarten class. Feeling the cool air as we skated around the ice rink with Angelo in my arms was amazing. These are the changes I can make in my own life – choices and past-times that are important to heritage. I realized that things you practise and enjoy as children stays with you your entire life. I haven’t been on skates in years and it felt wonderful to be enjoying the ice with my child. Such exhilaration mixed with a sense of peace and nature.

Amazing what these Olympic games are doing with the spirit in our city – people are electrified and can’t wait for opening ceremonies tomorrow. I didn’t plan on writing about the games at all, but I’ve been so consumed with thinking of the thousands of people that happily lined the street today in the pouring rain without a second thought to weather, time of day, or the process of patiently waiting to catch sight of a flame. It’s such a powerful symbol that has different meaning and message for everyone. All the ‘ney sayers’ seem to have quieted down and it’s time to showcase our beautiful province of BC – I can’t wait to see the Olympic stories and how they unfold.

What has the 2010 Olympics meant to you and your family? Please post and share.

It’s not often I write about a local attraction only for parents in Greater Vancouver (the reason for 2 posts today) but with the marathon moms have been on the past week, there’s a wonderful opportunity for Vancouver moms to relax with a fabulous night out.  It’s the 2nd annual Mom’s Night Out, this Friday, September 18th at Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street.  Doors open at 6:00 and mommies can hang out until 11:00. The Family Book hosted this evening last year to celebrate their new edition of The Family Book (now in it’s third year) and provides a great opportunity to stroll around with wine appies, makeovers, live music and more, all while browsing local merchants featured in the Family Book for free.  You must register online for free admission by going to www.thefamilybook.com and clicking on Moms Night Out!

The Family Book hits stores this September and the Moms Night Out is the kick-off to this coupon book which offers discounts that the entire family can use (mainly maternity, baby, kids, early teens and parents).  It has deals and savings worth more than $3000 in the Greater Vancouver Area and Fraser Valley area.  A beautiful feature is the online coupons they offer – how easy and convenient!  This inexpensively priced book has become a bit of a ‘must have’ in the Greater Vancouver area for parents looking for a way to save money, but still support their own community.

The 2 Suzanne’s from Green Planet Parties will be at the Mom’s Night Out this Friday night – we wouldn’t miss the opportunity to chat with local moms and check out what’s new and hip in the world of moms and family. In fact – we’ve got a little corner of fun for ourselves to showcase our new line of back-to-school and Halloween items.  So if you decide to come down and take in a little girlfriend time, please stop by and say hi!

For further information on ‘Moms Night Out’ or the Family Book, check out their website at www.thefamilybook.ca.  The Family Book 09/10 edition will be available for sale at the door for only $10 and you can use the coupons at the Mom’s Night Out event.

Parents are always looking for creative ways to keep kids happy in the car or when cabin fever strikes on a rainy day.   A great solution is to turn up the music and dance it out with Bobs & Lolo.  Your kids will love the fun songs and won’t realize how much they are learning from the wonderful messages within the lyrics.  Lucky local families can check out this talented duo live at the 3rd annual Family Fair this Sunday (more details below).  Parents from afar might not have heard of these talented gals from BC’s West Coast ~ they are the very special Bobs and Lolo.  They have recently become more accessible with their debut on Treehouse (a national TV network) back in January.  But you don’t need to live on the West Coast to purchase their CDs as their wonderful, inspirational music is widely available online.  Looking for fresh, wholesome, non-commercial, educational, and FUN songs for kids?  Bobs & Lolo sing lyrics with creatively crafted messages about recycling, health, caring about the earth, bugs, science…do I need to say more? Click here for a listing of online stores and retail shops that carry their amazing CDs or DVDs. Click here to listen to a sampling of their award-winning songs. A few titles in this listing include: Friends, Snappy Snacks, Muscles, I Love Bugs, Recycle With Me, and more…..simply adorable.

Lucky families in the Tri-City, Greater Vancouver area, because as parents we know our luck when we hear about a local Bobs and Lolo performance because it’s always a great time for our kids!!  This Sunday while your kids are happy and dancing to Bobs & Lolo, parents can check out the awesome companies showcasing their products and services geared with families in mind.  The event is called the ‘Family Fair’ and it’s happening this Sunday, March 1st, at the North Road Executive Plaza Hotel in Coquitlam. This is the 3rd year for this successful event and during the fair times of 9:30 – 4:00, Bobs & Lolo will be performing 3 times!  Along with the live entertainment, there will be family friendly activities, a Discovery Toy corner, a magician and many tables from exciting local businesses.  How do I have the inside scoop on this?  Green Planet Parties will proudly be displaying our eco-friendly party supplies and gifts ~ a great chance to check us out!  This fair will be a fabulous opportunity for parents to view the unique product lines of estore businesses that have tables at the fair. 

Thanks to Oodles Family Clubhouse we’ve all got a great way to spend this Sunday March 1st!  Children under 12 are free and adults are only $3!  Tables range from the RCMP offering free Child ID Kits to finding more eco-friendly diapers with the folks at G Diapers, to finding a peanut free cake to go along with those beautiful green party decorations & tableware <wink>.  There are also fantastic prizes. See you there ~ and please come by the Green Planet Parties table and say hi.