A Summer Picnic - Fill Your Basket

WE have you covered from snacks and games to pack! As well as the Top 10 picnic spots in the city.

We are spending a lot of time outdoors and Summer is the perfect time for a picnic.  Whether you are feasting alfresco in your own back yard or lounging by a lake, I have some healthy go to recipes, games and packing tips to help you fill your basket. 

Fresh and in season strawberries are the taste of summer.  My kids love smoothies -- portable, fruity and fun.  I really enjoy this sweet recipe from Foodland Ontario.  It’s not too late to pick your own berries, a fun day out in itself.  Be creative and add new recipes when you have the time.  Teach your kids what foods are in season and promote them eating local.   This Wheat Berry Salad with Bacon and Peas can be made up the night before. 

MITK TIP  - freeze juice boxes or water bottles the night before to use as cold packs in your basket.  Use Thermos bottles to keep smoothie cold. 

Where to go, where to go?  Do you have a summer to do list of places you would like to see or things that you would like to do with your kids.  Why not set out on an adventure and pack up some healthy, locally sourced food for picnic fun.  

Still stuck for the perfect picnic spot?  Ottawa Magazine has compiled a list of the top 10 picnic spots in the city. 

Keeping the adventure alive is easy when you incorporate outdoor games and activities.  We often pack in Frisbee, hacky sacks, skipping ropes and bubbles.  We also play charades and compass games.  Scavenger hunts are fun too.

Wherever you land and whatever you pack, have a wonderful and fun-filled summer picnic.

Mother's Day

Pack a Picnic, Pick some Flowers, Give a Garden

This year, give your Mom the things Moms want most.  Give her the gift of your time.  A perfect picnic takes very little planning and is a cinch to put together. 

Plan a simple menu that the kids can participate in preparing.

Looking for what to prepare for your picnic?  With Rhubarb and Fresh Local produce popping up. Foodland Ontario offers these two easy to make and pack picnic items: Rhubarb and Granola Muffins along with Greek Orzo Salad. 

The kids are taking care of the fresh snacks of Fruit Kebobs, Cheese and Apples and Peppers with Hummus.  My kids are always so happy to be part of the planning and preparation. 

Put together some fun and games.

Make sure that Mom has some time to put her feet up.  A little relaxation and pampering should also be on the menu.  This is not her day to run after the kids or have to keep them entertained.  Pack a few balls, a Frisbee, shovels and pails, toy cars and butterfly nets and magnifying lense.  Extra points for bringing along a copy of Mom’s favourite book or magazine! 

WE share with CTV Morning Live you share a few tips on how to enjoy a great picnic with Mom this Mother's Day

https://youtu.be/pyabxGhqCC8?t=3

Pick your destination.

Looking for a shady forest area, a beach or a park? There are so many great spots so close at hand.  A few of our favourites are: 

• Watson’s Mill in Manotick
• Rideau Falls
• The NCC Arboretum
• Jock River Landing in Barrhaven
• Long Island Locks in Riverside South
• Rockcliffe Park
• Petrie Island in Orleans

 For a full list of Ottawa Walking trails head to :

https://www.todocanada.ca/25-of-the-best-hikes-in-and-around-ottawa/

Pick some Flowers

It would not be Mother’s Day without the perfect bouquet of flowers or a plant for Mom.  We always chose Ontario-grown cut flowers and potted plants. So much agriculture is done here in Ontario and flowers are just one product of many that we can be proud to say are grown locally.  This Mother’s Day and for any other special occasion, pick Ontario grown. 

Give her a Planting Box

With the May long weekend just around the corner, many Moms are anxious to get out into their gardens.  I think that a beautiful box of seeds and plants make a wonderful gift.  Find a pretty box, something recycled works for me, and have the kids decorate it. Shop online at your local nursery and pick up all of the supplies Mom will need to get her garden growing. 

I always like to put in a new pair of gloves, the latest little gadget, a few tomatoes plants and a new hat ;)

Happy Mother's Day

Julie 

Family Day Fun Challenge

Family Day is a great day to create family traditions. It is a day set aside for your family to be together; a day to avoid the hustle and bustle of our daily routines and enjoy the people who matter most, our families.

With so many fun things to do together at home or around the city, the possibilities are vast.  You can fill the day with some interesting Science Experiments or Step outside for some outdoor fun.

With family day being so close to Valentine’s Day and while I am still celebrating Heart month, This Family Day I put together some heart healthy challenges, In fact we have turned our Family Day into the Findlay Family Fun Challenge. 

We picked six categories, some of the sports you will recognize as those that will be showcased in the upcoming summer Olympics. Under each sport we have devised challenges to complete. Having been a Physed teacher for a few years and a coach throughout out my teaching career, I did have some resources stashed away. No worries once you see a few of the challenges your memory will come back!

What you will need:

• Waste Baskets
• Pots and Pans
• Balloons
• Racquets
• Skipping Rope
• Sock

1.  Volleyball

Towel Catch

Practices getting under the ball

Each player gets a towel. Hold the towel loosely between your hands at waist height. Ask your partner to place the rolled up sock in the middle of the towel. Pull your hand apart quickly and watch your sock ball shoot through the air to the other player. 

2. Tennis

Sock Toss

Practices the throw before the serve.

Roll your sock up and try the following challenges beginning with easy.

1. Toss to yourself

2. Toss and catch after 1 clap 2 (3,4) times 3. Toss and touch the floor

4. Toss to the left and then to the right, forcing you to move to catch.

Play the game

Get two racquets. We us badminton racquets. Use a balloon and start your own tennis game. Learning to score is half the challenge.  http://mitk.squarespace.com/storage/february-2012/Tennis%20Scoring%20Made%20Easy.docx

3. Track and Field

Long Jump

Using tape, measure each family member from head to toe. Challenge each other to jump as long as the smallest to the tallest person’s body. 

Skipping

Many challenges can be created here.

Jump only on your left foot, then only on your right, click your heels, Jump side to side. How many skips can you do in min/40sec/30 sec? Challenge yourself to more. Can you skip while walking?

4. Basketball

Hit the Target

Practices passing.

The target can be ‘X’’s on t-shirts or shapes made out of your skipping rope. Throw first from 10 giant steps away then from 20 giant steps away and so on. 

Sink it in the Basket

Get as many rolled up socks as you can find.  Set up your key.  Create a three point line with a rope and practice shooting  your socks from different points beyond the three point line.

Defense

Have a game of player in the middle using your sock ball or balloon.  Remember, when you receive the ball your feet can’t move.

5. Baseball

Practices all throws

Stair Toss

Start at the bottom of each stair and throw to each stair. Award points to certain stairs. Throw underhand or overhand.

S.P.U.D. 

Place a small bouncy ball in a sock.  Have each family member group closely tothere.  The person who is it, will throw the ball up in the air and shout the name of another player.  As the ball is tossed, each family member scatters to move away from the thrower.  After the catcher catches the ball, he is allowed to take five giant steps toward another player.  If they are able to touch that player that the other, the non-ball catcher player becomes it and gets the first letter of the word S.P.U.D.  If they are not, they take the first letter of the word S.P.U.D.  The loser of the game is the one who receives all of the letters of the word. 

6 Bowling

Set up recyclables in a pin configuration.  Plastic cups or 2 litre bottles make a good set of pins.

7. Golf

Use pots and pans to create an indoor course. Par three seems to work well.

You could also get outside for a game of frisbee golf.

Twist. The least scoring family or team members are in charge of the Heart Healthy Snack or Dinner. 

It’s amazing how easily you can add on to the challenge and create new challenges under each sport. For example;  you can manipulate sock golf into hit the target by collecting your mixing bowls from the kitchen and making them the basket. You can now go for the slam dunk or cross court dunk.

You can challenge your family members or you can invite other families for the challenge.

Give it a try and I would love to hear your feedback and suggestions. A special thanks to Heart Healthy Kids and theHeart and Stroke Foundation. 

If the day is too nice to stay inside. Have your bag packed for the day ready for the adventure. A thermos with a hot beverage will keep the family going.

This Easter - Step Outside the Basket

Scrambling around for something new to delight your kids on Easter Morning?  It may be time to put your basket aside and create some excitement with these alternatives to the traditional basket. 

April Showers

What kids does not love an umbrella?  Fill these colourful bubble umbrellas with springtime treats.  Layer the base with a little Easter grass and add books, DVDs, kids gardening tools, Lego, a little candy and a few fun toys that keep them busy for hours ;)

Pick a Theme

Every kid goes through stages. From Superheros to Barbie, Bubble Guppies to Shopkins there are times when our little ones just can’t get enough of a certain show, book  or character.  Easter is the perfect time to take advantage of a trend and wow them. This cute Shopkins basket incorporates a colourful tutu and matching hot pink accessories.  Super sweet without a lot of candy.  

Rainboots – Easter’s Answer to the Christmas Stocking

If you can fill a Christmas Stocking, you can fill a pair of little rubber boots to delight your bunnies on Easter morning.  Stuff the toes with colourful socks and spring gloves.  Add some silly sunglasses, a few treats, colouring books and pencils.  After breakfast, be sure to take a walk outside looking out for springtime puddles.  

Pool Party

Here’s a clever idea?  Use a pool towel and googles to create a cute little summer bunny.  Fill the rest of the towel with lip balm, sun screen, flip flops and a few Easter surprises.  

Baker’s Delight

Older kids love to bake and create in the kitchen.  This bright mixing bowl is filled baking supplies and equipment for hours of fun.  Include different pastel cupcake liners, spatulas, measuring cups, an apron and boxed mixes to try.  You never know, you may find an extra treat on your Easter dinner table.  

Movie Night

Don’t forget Movie night.  The pandemic has us settling into more movie nights Find a big popcorn containers.   Fill them with everone's favourite candy, popcorn and gift cards.  

Mom in the Know has everything you need to get your Easter Weekend Hopping!  

Mom in the Know |  Post a Comment |  Share Article 

Scrambling around for something new to delight your kids on Easter Morning?  It may be time to put your basket aside and create some excitement with these alternatives to the traditional basket. 

April Showers

What kids does not love an umbrella?  Fill these colourful bubble umbrellas with springtime treats.  Layer the base with a little Easter grass and add books, DVDs, kids gardening tools, Lego, a little candy and a few fun toys that keep them busy for hours ;)

Pick a Theme

Every kid goes through stages. From Superheros to Barbie, Bubble Guppies to Shopkins there are times when our little ones just can’t get enough of a certain show, book  or character.  Easter is the perfect time to take advantage of a trend and wow them. This cute Shopkins basket incorporates a colourful tutu and matching hot pink accessories.  Super sweet without a lot of candy.  

Rainboots – Easter’s Answer to the Christmas Stocking

If you can fill a Christmas Stocking, you can fill a pair of little rubber boots to delight your bunnies on Easter morning.  Stuff the toes with colourful socks and spring gloves.  Add some silly sunglasses, a few treats, colouring books and pencils.  After breakfast, be sure to take a walk outside looking out for springtime puddles.  

Pool Party

Here’s a clever idea?  Use a pool towel and googles to create a cute little summer bunny.  Fill the rest of the towel with lip balm, sun screen, flip flops and a few Easter surprises.  

Baker’s Delight

Older kids love to bake and create in the kitchen.  This bright mixing bowl is filled baking supplies and equipment for hours of fun.  Include different pastel cupcake liners, spatulas, measuring cups, an apron and boxed mixes to try.  You never know, you may find an extra treat on your Easter dinner table.  

Movie Night

Don’t forget Movie night.  The pandemic has us settling into more movie nights Find a big popcorn containers.   Fill them with everone's favourite candy, popcorn and gift cards.  

Mom in the Know has everything you need to get your Easter Weekend Hopping!  

SPRING IS IN THE AIR!

SPRING PROJECT #1

Providing a supplemental food will help ensure birds have enough energy to stay warm. Calorie-rich black sunflower seeds and preservative-free suet are great choices. Place feeders at different heights to attract different species. Platform feeding areas attract jays and grosbeaks, while titmice and finches enjoy hanging feeders. Ground feeders like mourning doves and juncos will take care of any seeds that fall from elevated feeders.

1. Continue to stock feeders. Early foods are still scarce, and there is still the possibility of snow.
2. Place raisins and other cut-up fruit in bare spots under a tree to please early birds like robins.
3. Set up and fill a bird bath once temperatures are above freezing.
4. Put out hummingbird feeders so early arrivals have a source of nectar while flowers are scarce.
5. Leave scraps of yarn or cut hair in your yard for birds to use as nesting material.

Cookie Cutter Bird Feeders

what you’ll need:
-3/4 cup birdseed 
-1/4 cup water
-1 small envelope of knox gelatine
-twine or string
-cookie cutters, molds or mason jar lids
-wax paper

what you’ll do:
-mix together the envelope of gelatine with 1/4 cup of water and bring to a simmer while stirring. continue stirring until the gelatine is dissolved.
-remove from heat and let cool for a minute.
-stir in the 3/4 cup birdseed. adding a little more if there is liquid still in the bottom of the pan.
-lay your cookie cutters out on wax paper and fill half way with the birdseed mixture.

-cut your twine, knot the end and push the knot down into your birdseed.
-continue filling with birdseed, covering the end of your twine and knot.
-push the birdseed evenly into the cookie cutter until it’s full.

-allow them to dry overnight. turning them over every now and then.
-remove from the cookie cutters and hang them in your trees.
-then wait by the window to watch for your first guest.

Thanks to eighteen25 for the idea

Bagel Bird Feeder

1 day-old bagel
Lard
Birdseed
Jute or string (for hanging

Spread entire bagel with lard. Place birdseed on a paper plate. Roll the bagel in the birdseed. Tie jute or string through the hole of the bagel to hang the bagel. The birds can eat the whole thing!

 

This is easy & fun for a children's project. Tie this in a tree somewhere near a window if possible. Children love to watch the birds have the snack that they helped to make!

Pine Cone and Peanut Butter Bird Feeder.