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.

Teachers, parents, here is an awesome eco-activity that is sweeping through North American over 4 days in February (13th-16th) and its called The Great Backyard Bird Count.  If you haven’t tried bird watching or counting the number of same bird species in one spot, you are missing out.  Kids get so excited with this activity ~ it’s like a rock star enters the backyard when you see a group of birds you can name quickly…kids love it!  Anyone can participate during these 4 days because it’s a fun eco activity that involves bird watching, counting, and entering data online ~ perfect for kids (and adults) of all ages.  Why would you participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count 2009?  It’s fun, free, anyone can participate and it teaches your children to help birds. This event is now an annual event and creates a snapshot of which birds are where, across North America.  This count is important and actually helps scientists learn about bird populations, by knowing where the birds are.  For more reasons this count is important, click here.

How can you participate?

During one, two, three or all four days of this event, plan to count birds for a minimum of 15 minutes.  You submit a different checklist (checklist is online) if counting in different areas (backyard, beach, park, etc.) and a different checklist for different days.  You count the greatest number of same species birds that you see together at one time.  Record these numbers on your checklist (helpful to print a hard copy to use before entering the results online), then enter your numbers online via the website, starting on Feb 13th.  It will be active to enter your results until March 1, 2009.

Things you might need?

The best purchase I’ve made lately was visiting my local wildlife bird store and purchasing a book with bird species that populate the area where I live (West Coast).  My kids love looking through it and recording the different species we find then recording their discoveries in a bird journal.  See To Get Parents and Children Outside Enjoying Nature for more information.

Other helpful tools located on the Great Backyard Bird Count site are:

• Printable Tally Sheet. Input your postal code and the GBBC site will bring up a list of all the species you might encounter during your bird counting. If you click on the name of the bird, you’ll see a picture of the species and tons of information….an awesome tool!

• The entry form.  Best to print this off beforehand, then enter the information online later.

• Tips for attracting birds ~ from choosing bird food to selecting a bird feeder.

• Top 10 Birds from the 2008 Backyard Bird Count

• Games for Kids. My 5 year old completed the bald eagle puzzle and loved it!

• Stats for those into statistics. Wouldn’t it be cool to see British Columbia make the top 10 for checklists submitted in North America? Let’s go for it!

There are so many amazing things to start writing about for Christmas!  This coming week will bring articles about beautiful, natural, Etsy finds and greener options for the Holidays.  Locally we can kick off our weekend with the Emily Carr Student Art Sale. Thanks to Lauren from Whipstitch.Backstitch for reminding me about this wonderful event.  Get your Christmas shopping done for a spouse or that impossible to buy for person, as there will be a wide selection of paintings, photographs, t-shirts, pottery, collages clocks and of course Lauren’s vintage creations perfect for child’s room decor or to become your child’s next best friend.

Admission is free and it’s the perfect venue to help support local talented art students.  I’m betting the products are uniquely special and can’t wait to check it out!  Here are the details of this awesome sale. 

When:  Friday, November 21 from 1pm to 8pm
             Saturday, November 22 from 10am to 6pm

Where: Concourse Gallery, North Building, Emily Carr University. 1399 Johnston Street Granville Island