Pay it Forward Today

Today is Pay if Foward Day.  I love to share this idea with my kids.  Last year, we paid for someone's coffee at Starbucks, donated books to the school and brought muffins to the teachers.  

Get your kids involved.  Pay if forward today. 

1. Put money in someone’s parking meter that is about to expire.
2. Pay for someone’s food behind you in line.
3. Bake some goodies for a new neighbour or any neighbour for that matter!
4. Let the person in line behind you go before you at the cash register.
5. Volunteer at a non-profit organization that helps the needy
6. Support a good cause either financially or physically
7. Visit an ill patient at a hospital
8. Volunteer at an elderly home or an animal shelter
9. Offer to baby sit for a family
10. Make a meal or help clean for a family who recently had a baby
11. Loan something to someone and don’t ask for it back
12. Put money in a street performer’s jar
13. Donate clothes, toys, books to a shelter for battered women and children during the holidays and/or anytime of the year
14. Donate time/money/energy towards a fundraiser for a school
15. Give your services pro bono
16. Help grow a community garden
17. Donate your hair to Locks of Love or other organizations that make wigs for people who need it
18. Plant a tree or clean up garbage at a park or the beach
19. Pay for a stranger’s meal at a restaurant
20. Pick someone at the bank, post office or grocery store and make a special card with your child and/or buy a gift to give to them

Julie

Happy Earth Day

Clean the Capital

In hounour of Earth month, the kids and I have donned plastic gloves and are carrying plastic bags on our walks to and from school lately.  We are joining the team to keep Ottawa Clean.   This year, Clean the Capital celebrates its 20th year of their annual city wide spring cleanup campaign.

I encourage you to join your friends, coworkers and neighbours this year to help clean up public property where we live, work or play. Together, we can keep Ottawa clean, green, graffiti and litter-free.

Build Fairy Houses

Inspired by some of her favourite movies and books, Meghan had the idea to build Fairy Houses in our backyard.  We have collected many items on our walks and while cleaning up our own yard.  So far we have sticks, bark, dry grass, pebbles, feathers and pine cones.  We will also use some papers and treasures from our recycle bin.   I have posted some ideas over on Pinterest

Legend has it that if you place a fairy house in your garden a fairy might come and live in it, bringing luck and magic to the garden and its owner.

To attract the fairies to your structure you can leave enticing gifts, such as crystals, silver, or gold. Fairies love natural things with a shimmer and a sparkle, but they do not like magnets or iron. Timing is important when connecting with the fairies. They are most active around a full moon, solstices, and equinoxes, so this would be a good time to leave them a small treat like fruit or sweets, especially chocolate. They love chocolate

Backyard Wildlife

With the fairies settled into their habitats, we have begun to think about the wildlife in our backyard that could also use some love and attention.

Water and/ or birdbaths

All wildlife need water and this is one of the easiest things for us to provide.  From simple dripping water to a container or an elaborate bird bath, outdoor enthusiasts big and small can attract birds, amphibians and small animals to their yards with this simple provision. 

Just pick a container and make sure it is kept full of fresh water.  It is also important to change the water and clean your dish or bath on a weekly basis.  This can be done using a scouring brush or a cloth.  If your container gets really dirty, a mild dish detergent will do the trick.  Be sure to rinse well. 

The best bird baths at our house are made using the three Rs.  Recycled plastic or metal containers hung over a branch make awesome bird baths.

Feed the Birds

We also love to feed the birds.  Here is a link to some fun feeders we have made in the past. 

Another great way to be kind to birds it to keep them from flying into our windows.  Suncatchers work well for this.   The easiest sun catcher ever can be made from old cds. 

Play in the Mud

Do you know what mudpuddling is?  We just found out that butterflies enjoy hanging around mud puddles, who doesn’t really?   The male butterflies look to mud puddles for salts and minerals to enhance breeding.  To attract these mudpuddlers bury a bucket to the rim, fill it with gravel or sand and keep it moist at all times. 

Get into the Garden

Now that it actually starting to feel more like spring it is not too early to turn your attention to your garden itself.  Gardening is one of our favourite warm weather passtimes and we start early getting prepared. 

It’s time to get out the planters and decorations.  For Earth Day, you can create some beautiful planters using recycled items.  Here are some great videos and ideas. 

Decorate your Driveway

Spread the word.  It’s Earth Day and we are taking it to the streets.  It’s so much fun to decorate our driveway using sidewalk chalk.  Now you can make your own and get the message out. 

Homemade Sidewalk Chalk

Difficulty: Average

Time Required: 30 minutes

Here's How:

You will Need

• A Mold
• 1 cup Plaster of Paris
• 3/4 cup Water
• Medium Sized Bowl
• Powedered Tempera Paint

Find a mold for your sidewalk chalk. Anything from a toilet tissue roll or small paper cup to fancy candy molds will work.

Mix together 1 cup of Plaster of Paris with 3/4 cup of water.

Add color to your mixture using powdered tempera paint.

Blend well and let stand for a few minutes.

Pour your mixture into the molds you chose.

Set aside and let dry completely.

Once dry you can remove your chalk from the mold.

Set it aside to dry for approximately 24 hours more.

Take your chalk outside and create fun masterpieces!

Tips:

Powdered tempera paint is available at most large craft stores.

Experiment with making swirled colors by adding the paint and stirring very little.

Drying time can take from several hours to a few days depending on the size of the mold you chose.

Reuse and Recyle around Town

General Junk

Capital Junk provides Full service junk removal for residential and commercial customers in Ottawa and Hull regions.  They  remove junk, from single items to multiple truckloads.   They say that up to 70% of their loads are recycled.

Books

Pack up your old books and head out to the book fairs.  Look for listings in your local paper.  Or consider one of donating your books to the Ottawa Public Library, Goodwill or Value Village .  Here is a list of places that accept used books in Ottawa. 

Toys

I can’t think of anything more recyclable than toys.  Gently used toys have the opportunity to bring joy to some of our littles earthlings.  I love to bring my toys to the children’s schools, local women’s shelters and the Goodwill. 

Women’s Clothing

Our first thought when deciding to recycle or donate used clothing is to take items to the Goodwill or Salvations army.  I have found a wonderful organization that accepts donations of clothing appropriate for business.  These items are then given to women who are  looking for jobs and can use the new outfits for interviews.  Dress for Success.  

Need more resources.  Visit Ottawa Start for a full list of recycling outlets. 

However you spend it and whatever you do, have a happy Earth Day. 

Julie

Earth Day, Earth Week or Earth Hour, as Moms we need to set the best example
for our kids. Living a ecofriendly lifestyle is important to me and to my
family.

Every small step we take and teach can do a large part to reduce waste,
clean our air and preserve our beautiful landscape. Getting the kids
involved makes twice the impact.

Here are some small, easy, green choices we can make in our homes.

Compost

Stop using disposable bags. Buy or make some new ones. Be sure to get out 
those fabric markers and let the kids write or draw their earth friendly 
messages for all to see. You can make your own using old t-shirts or pillow 
cases.

Stop using plastic disposable water bottles.

Wash laundry in cold water instead of hot.

Turn off lights when you leave the room.

Think about where you are going each day and plan to walk or ride a bike 
whenever you can.

Shop at your farmer’s market

Turn off your computer, cell phones and other electronics off completely at 
night.

Reuse scrap paper. Print on two sides or let your kids color on the back 
side of used paper. I call it “GOOSE PAPER.” Good On One Side

Before buying anything new, first check used Ottawa or Kijiji to see if you 
can find it gently used.

Support local restaurants that use locally sourced food. Here is a list of 
Ottawa area restaurants. http://www.savourottawa.ca/members.php#foodservice

Hang you laundry on the line to dry if bylaws permit.

Reduce the use of paper towels by using a cloth. Make rags out of old 
towels and t-shirts.

Shop at and donate to thrift stores

Kids in the Garden

When I am out in the garden or in nature with my kids, there is so much more growing than just the plants and flowers.  We are growing ideas, we are growing bonds and we are growing minds.  As a mother, I tend to keep all of those teaching moments hidden behind the glee of getting our hands and feet dirty and having lots of fun, but the learning is inherent in the soil.

It often happens to children - and sometimes to gardeners - that they are 
given gifts of value of which they do not perceive until much later.
-  Wayne Winterrowd

Gardening helps my kids learn about seeding, nurturing, growth and insects their habits.  In fact, gardens are sometimes like outdoor classrooms where curiosity comes alive.  Consider adding a children’s garden in your backyard. 

Set aside a small plot of soil.  One metre squared is big enough.  If this is not possible, window boxes or containers are great options for kids too. 

Like most kids, mine don’t have much patience and are always eager to see quick results for their efforts.  Sow fast germinating seeds or transplant plants that are quick to flower.  Make sure kids are part of the plant selection process. 

Add a few elements to your garden that will attract wildlife.  Think about hummingbird feeders, bird houses or bird baths or maybe even a toad home.

Don’t forget to make the tools kid sized and take the time to show your childrent how to use them safely.  You could also use everyday tools found in the kitchen such as spoons, measuring cups and pie plates.

Use natural fertilizers, weed killers and pesticides.

Visit your garden every day to see what’s happening.  Flowers opening, butterflies appearing and ladybug visitors are the best rewards for young gardeners.

Let the kids give garden tours when visitors come.  They should be proud of their hard work.

Keep a journal whether in a book or using photos.  Kids love to look back at their accomplishments.  Journals are a great tool to reinforce learning.  

Beat the Winter Blahs with some Spring Flowers

 

What a lovely winter we are having this spring.  If you are like me, you are waiting for the first signs of spring and likely have a bad case of the winter blahs.  I have decided to take matters into my own hands this week and bring a little spring into my house.  This cheery little flower patch is great fun to make with kids big and small.  We are going to hang ours on the front door to remind spring…. It’s time.  

You will need

Paper egg carton

Paint and brushes

Beads and sparkles

Glue gun and glue sticks

Empty cereal box

Green construction paper

Scissors

String

1 . Cut the top off the egg carton and cut out the individual cups. 

2. Cut down the side of each cup to make petals.  Cut about  2/3 of the way down the sides in four spots.

3. Fold the sections down to make four petals.

4. Squeeze paint out onto a tray or plate.

5. Paint the flowers in bright Spring colours.

6. Heat up the glue gun.

7. Pool a little hot glue inside the flower and fill with beads and sparkles.

8. Create a base for the wreath / patch using the cereal box.

9. Trace this shape onto the green construction paper or paint it green.

10. Glue the flowers to the base once both are dry.

11. Make a hole in the top of the base and use sting or ribbon to make a hanger.

 

12.  Hand your flower patch to remind Spring that it is time sprout.