Daycare Day at Prince of Wales Public School

Recently, I ventured into business with a great friend. We started a daycare with a vision of a "Back to Basics" approach. It is our belief that children should be children and enjoy the simple pleasures of life. We grow our own produce in season, play outside when we're not facing arctic temperatures and do yoga when we can. Our kids get dirty playing outside and we're all okay with that. In fact, we prefer it!

One of the other fun-tastic things we do, is take field-trips and get out into our local community. This past week, we took our daycare children to a special day put on by Prince of Wales Public School. Given the cold weather we have recently had- down to -22 at times, the school thought it would be a great idea to let the children have free run of the gymnasium on a PA Day. They also treated participants to snacks and the opportunity to play at their before and after-school YMCA childcare room. When we heard of this, we jumped at the chance to get the kids out and enjoy this special treat!

When we arrived, we were greeted by the Principal, Mr. Taugher and his staff of fabulous teachers and support staff. Everyone was smiling and happy to welcome us to their school. The children were very excited to play with hula hoops, bean bags, giant bouncy balls, floor hockey sticks and other fun equipment in the gym. Before we knew it, almost an hour had passed and the gang was still going strong and looking forward to a play in the YMCA program room.

After playtime,there were snacks and drinks available. The room was very colourful and warm. As a new daycare provider, it was nice to be welcomed by the area's YMCA with open arms. The visit also gave my business partner, Stephanie, and I a chance to network, ask questions and "talk shop" with these fabulous ladies.

This was the first time Prince of Wales Public School has hosted a "Daycare Day" and I hope it is something that continues annually. It gave our preschool aged children a chance to visit a school and feel like such big kids. It also gave us the opportunity to meet other local professionals who work in the same field, and overall, was a great winter outing.

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who participated and welcomed us into the school. For more information on Little City Charm Daycare,  Prince of Wales Public School or the Before and After-School programs from the YMCA, please visit the following links:

http://www.littlecitycharm.wix.com/daycare
http://www.ucdsb.on.ca/school/pow/
http://www.brockvilley.com/

The Fabulous Nanny Franny!

It was a Wednesday night,you know -  right in the middle of that mid-week slump. What's for dinner? I have been trying my hand at cooking lately and it hasn't turned out too badly....everyone has survived so far. The night before, my five month old sweet Baby R wouldn't give in and sleep , my two toddlers were up with the sun and frankly, I was exhausted.

About a month ago, we attended the Athen's Cornfest - a huge local success - and won a gift card for a local resturaunt, The Peacock. I had heard great things about their pizza from friends and have been told to try the Chinese food, as there is nothing better around! The lightbulb went off in my head and I decided I would convince Nick that we must go. I think after being my guinea pig for the last few nights, he may have welcomed the change.

Off we went, to the charming village of Athens, which stole my heart previously at the Cornfest,which had provided a welcoming and fun family environment. We unpacked the children and walked into the Peacock, hoping they wouldn't decide to close, seeing us with three small children. I was once a waitress after all, trust me - the sight of my brood would have sent me flying to take a break! Instead, we were welcomed by a lovely woman, who introduced herself to us as "Nanny Franny". Right off the bat, I could tell she had the type of personality that made you swear you were at her kitchen table having dinner. Never in my life have I felt such a warm reception at a resturaunt.

As we looked over the menu, my children were captivated. Looking around and then asking "Where's Franny? What is Franny doing?" They couldnt stop talking with her, and she was just as delighted and captivated with them! I'm not always welcoming of strangers invading my children's space, but I didn't once question Franny or think she was too overbearing. It just seemed natural. She told us tales of her own fabulous grandchildren and her family, took our orders with ease and brought our food so quickly, I was almost sure it was magic.

Once we were done eating, Franny asked if the girls could have jello as a treat for dessert. She brought them out lovely dessert cups topped with whipped cream and pink umbrellas! My kids were putting us up for adoption and moving in. As if that weren't enough first-class service, they were allowed a mini-tour of the kitchen and met the owner and chef, who was just as charming. On our way out, they sent us with a bag of their amazing eggrolls and homemade sauce.

As I go on and on about Nanny Franny and the exceptional service at the Peacock, I should also mention that this restaurant is everything we had heard about and more. It's a small place, not fancy but the food is comforting and delicious. If my waistline was more forgiving, I'd go weekly. With three small children, dining out is sometimes chaotic and not always in the budget , but we enjoyed our experience so much and will absolutely be back! If you are in Athens, or even if you aren't- take the small drive out there, it is worth the trip.

Athens' Cornfest a huge hit!

With summer soon coming to an end,  attending The Athens' Cornfest was a great way to celebrate and welcome the approaching autumn. A parade, a steam engine to cook the corn and a ton of local vendors, it was the perfect Saturday morning. Don't worry though, we aren't ready to put away our flip flops just yet!

My three year old was up at 7:00 a.m. and had already picked out her best "Cornfest"outfit. I am not sure she understood where we were going, but she sure was excited! Explaining there would be a lot of outdoor fun, we compromised on a pink ensemble, stowing the tutu for a later date. Once we woke daddy and all got ready, it was off to catch the parade.

Admittedly, it's been awhile since I have been to Athens. Although not far, there is usually not a reason for me to visit this town. Upon arrival, I quickly realized this was a place I'd have to come back to more often. The town has a charm about it, with beautiful hanging baskets lining the thoroughfare and well-kept shops. We could not find a place to park on the main street, so we turned up a side street and thankfully found a spot. Once the strollers were loaded up, we were ready to have some fun!

The first place we stopped was the raffle table for the Elizabethtown-Kitley Firefighters. They had an adorable "firehouse" for kids as the prize. The guys were very friendly, agreeing to smile for my picture and talk to the kids. Who doesn't love a man in uniform? Next up we spotted the always popular "Bouncy Castle". Quickly, my daughter was in line to have her turn. We started to get hungry and headed towards the steam engine that was cooking the local corn. It was delicious, easily the best corn I have had all summer.

 

 

 

 

We continued on to the paintball gun shooting range, Little Ray's Reptiles, checked out the vendors and finally ended up at the pony rides. This was the creme de la creme for my girls. Even my 4 month old was wide-eyed upon seeing the petting zoo and her big sister atop a pony.Everywhere I looked, there were happy families. With our youngest, people stop all the time to adore her cooing and her smiles, today was no exception. There were so many adorable babies and smiles everywhere- we were in good company.

 

 

We left a few hours later, exhausted by all the fun and a bit surprised by what this festival had to offer. Who knew this small-town Cornfest could hold their own with the best of the bigger festivals? A huge congratulations to the Cornfest Chair, Hendrick Pape and his hard working team. Our family had a great day and we hope to attend for many years to come!

Cheap eats & local treats!

Monday night, what’s for dinner? I took to Twitter to find a few ideas using the popular hashtag #WFD  There was nothing that jumped out at me, until I came across local resto, Buds on The Bay and remembered I had a promotional certificate for a free steak dinner. We only had our oldest daughter with us that night (pre-baby Remy's arrival!) and decided to pop in and check out the new menu and use our certificate. 

When we arrived it wasn't busy and we were quickly seated. It soon became clear that everyone had the same idea to jump on-board this fabulous promotion.  Our daughter had the grilled cheese and garden salad from the kids menu, Nick ordered a turkey sandwich on artisan bread with apple slices and a side of soup and I used the certificate and had the 8oz. Steak, mushrooms, rice and asparagus. We didn’t wait long, which was great because we were very hungry. 

The presentation was fantastic, the portions were not sparse and above all the food was delicious! Our picky tot ate most of her dinner, Nick raved about his healthy choice, which made me happy as it didn’t come smothered in gravy and I finished my dinner happily full.  I think Buds hit the nail on the head with this promotion as the restaurant was filling up with patrons as we were heading out.  Every month they have something new to offer and if you are looking for a family and budget friendly dinner out, head down to Buds on The Bay and enjoy!

It seemed to be the week for great dinners and deals. The following Saturday evening, The Augusta Township Volunteer Firefighters held a fundraising pancake dinner at the North Augusta Fire Hall. The cost was $5.00 per person and children were free. 

Along with my grandparents, Nick and I took our oldest and headed out to support the men and women who volunteer everyday to protect us and our community. This is a cause that is near and dear to our hearts, as my father-in-law is a volunteer fireman in Quesnel, British Columbia and has put his life on the line many times over to help others. I also have a few friends who volunteer on the Augusta Fire department so we wanted to come out and show our full support.

It was clear that the small town of North Augusta has big heart. Everyone was out to show their gratitude for their local volunteers. Cars lined the roads and the hall filled up quickly. Upon entering, the smell of fresh, local maple syrup filled the air and the tables were packed with happy families. Sparky the Dog was in attendance greeting the children, which I thought would thrill my daughter. Instead she clung to daddy and waited patiently for her pancakes. Although there was a good turnout, the line moved quickly. So many pancakes, sausages, homemade beans....I couldn’t wait to dig in.We found a free spot, settled in and enjoyed this comfort food treat. Before I realized it, our plates were empty!  

A good friend of mine, who has now dedicated two years to the Augusta Fire Department, came by to say hello and to offer us a tour of the fire truck that was just purchased by the department. We jumped at the chance.  Our oldest, with Daddy in tow quickly climbed into the back of the new truck to check it out. She was in awe of how big the truck was and thought it was very cool to have her own tour. A huge thank you to my friend Jake, who took the time to help us get involved, answer questions and make it important and easy for our three year old to learn about the courage and dedication that our friends, neighbours and family members show when they volunteer with their community fire departments.  If you get the chance, head out and support these wonderful people in their next fundraiser. 

This week we realized there are so many delicious places in the area that don’t require breaking the bank with our growing family! More importantly, these local establishments and events give us an opportunity to experience our community together while still making (somewhat!) healthy food choices. 

p.s. Due to some technology-related hiccups, I was unable to post pics of our great meal or visit to the North Augusta Fire Hall....keep an eye out, I'll share as soon as possible!

Looking for some fun winter activities for the family?

This time of year, it's often hard to find family activities. As the weather gets colder we tend to retreat indoors and get out in our community less.

I am constantly looking for new things to do together as a family, which keep us active. Being six months pregnant, having a 2.5 and a 1.5 year old and a spouse that travels half of the month usually poses some challanges to that endeavour. Lately, I have been resourcing friends, other moms, blog sites and The Brockville Tourism website for inspiration and ideas. There really is an abundance of activities and programs out there, it's just knowing where to find them. This prompted me to think: If I'm looking, other families will be too. I hope the information and links below will be as helpful to you as they have been to me. There are so many wonderful things in the area to enjoy. Just because the hot weather retreats doesn't mean we have too aswell. Enjoy!

Globe Trotters: Tuesdays at 10:00am at the Cardinal Public Library. Open to all ages, this program offers information from around the world. New craft ideas, book readings, songs and so much more. There is also a Facebook group if you want to learn more.

Winter Fun Day: January 28th at the Mac Johnston Wildlife conservation area from 11am-3pm. There are dog sled races, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, various activities for children and food and refreshments. The cost is $5.00 per person.

Brockville Public Library: Toddler Tales. January 24th- February 28th from 10:30am-11:00am. Stories, songs and games for children. Call (613)342-3936 to pre-register.

Bowl for Kids Sake: February 25th. The Big Brothers and Big Sisters Bowl for Kids Sake takes place in Kemptville at the Kemptville Bowling Center and February 26th at The Brockville Bowling Ally. Put a team together and support a great cause! For more info call (613)345-0281.

Brockville Tourism:  Always a great source of information for community activities. check it out at http://www.Brockvilletourism.com

Enjoy all that winter has to offer Brockville - stay active and support your local community!

"It's Amma Time"

The word "Amma" is very special in our family. It's the name my oldest daughter gave to my mother in place of the traditional "Grandma". It also means "date night" to her father and I.

Friday afternoon came and I recieved a glorious message from my mom: " Weather looks ok, I'll come pick up Lo for the night and then take her to the movies Saturday afternoon. You and Nick have a date night and meet at our place tomorrow  for dinner". I can't lie, my parents are very supportive and always jump at the chance to spend time with the girls so Nick and I can have "us" time. We love our children but it essential to take time out for each other now and then as well.

We decided that Brockville was the perfect place for a night on the town, with many options for dining and entertainment. We opted for Boston Pizza for dinner, as my fabulous in-laws gave us a generous gift card for Christmas. Nick travels a lot for work and frequents Boston Pizza so he knows the menu well and really enjoys the perogie pizza they have. I, on the other hand, am six months pregnant and have been craving steak, which, thankfully, is also on the menu. Our starter was a delicious bread that was covered in garlic and cheese, perfect for a cool winter night. Nick really enjoyed his pizza and he recommends it to everyone. I will however caution you when ordering this.  He lovingly offered me a bite and neglected to mention it had some serious heat. Thankfully I had my water nearby. My steak dinner was a bit disappointing. I ordered it "medium" and while the chef did an excellent job meeting this request, it was however, seasoned a bit too much with pepper, which took away from the taste. I chose the fresh veggies as my side. In addition, when my plate arrived they too were cold. The restaurant was busy at this time and the servers were doing a great job attending the tables. Our server checked on us many times and kept the drink refills coming. Upon having some of my water I noticed a large crack in my glass. We stopped the hostess on her way by, which is when we were met with an odd response. She looked at my glass and confirmed she saw the crack and then continued on her way. I thought maybe she was going to bring another water, but as time lapsed we realized she wasn't coming back. Thankfully our wonderful waitress checked on us again and when we showed her, she immediately removed the glass and brought a new one. All in all, dinner was a positive experience. The atmosphere was fun, the staff were friendly and attentive and the food was okay. We will be back again, but I am looking forward to trying some different menu items.

Now for the exciting part: the movie! We have been looking forward to the new Sherlock Holmes movie and the Galaxy Theatre in Brockville didn't disappoint. We thought perhaps with the holidays just being over and it being a small city, the theater would not be busy. This was not the case, as the theatre was buzzing with people excited to see all the new releases. We did not wait long to get tickets or treats and we scored some great seats even though it filled up quickly. The movie we chose was fantastic, although I am a tad biased with my unrequited love for Robert Downey Jr. The local theatre did not disappoint either, with its comfy seats, ample parking and selection of great movies. I urge you all to flock to the theatre and take in a movie.

Saturday we headed to my parents' house to celebrate Nick's Birthday. My mom always makes special dinners for the occasion. We arrived to their house and were met at the door by our daughter with lots of hugs! She was really excited that she and Amma had just come home from their own movie date. About an hour into our visit, dinner was ready. Fajitas, one of Nick's favourite meals.Dinner was amazing but no birthday is complete without DQ ice cream cake. C'mon the kid in all of us likes it! It was a great evening and just one more reason we love our family time so much.

Brockville, once again you have provided us with a great local experience and I am pleased that we get to enjoy the amenities you have to offer. Our biggest thanks goes to our parents, who cared for our oldest daughter and spoiled us with the gift cards to enjoy the night out. It's nice to be surrounded by our children and lots of love, but every now and then we love that couple time just as much.

Baby Bingo and Ginger Beef

I woke up early Saturday morning, not just because it was a busy day ahead, but because it was the highly anticipated "date night" that couples with small children only dream about.

It seems I wasn't the only one excited about the day, as both girls and my spouse were also wide awake with smiles from ear to ear. This, I thought was odd, as the night before was met with travel and crankiness, as we had returned from the Santa Claus Parade well past bedtime. I'm one to count my blessings, so I enjoyed this moment of bliss and got ready for the day.

We had some errands to run and limited time to do so. Today was the day, after months of planning, that I would throw a baby shower for my friend and colleague, Monica. We hurried out the door by 8:00am, headed to pick up an amazing diaper cake, custom-made that I had ordered a while back. After the pick up, we headed to the store to grab the cake and the decorations and zoom home to clean before my house would be taken over by approximately fifteen nurses, office staff, a cook, friends and family members and two adorable babies. Anyone who has ever thrown a baby shower knows the sheer chaos (and fun) it can bring. Throw two toddlers into the mix while trying to get ready and you have yourself a small breakdown. Thankfully my spouse is amazing and took the kids out for the afternoon. With the food prepared, flowers and candles about, I was ready to host.

With a great turnout, fun games and a lot of laughter, I'd say the shower was a success!

After everyone had left the baby shower, it was time to get ready for that highly coveted date night. I tend to have a bad habit of overbooking myself and today didn't prove to be any different. I had one hour to polish myself up and hit the town with my dashing date!

We were scheduled to be at the Ivy restaurant, in Ivy Lea on the outskirts of Brockville, for hors d'oeuvres and a wonderful dinner to follow. Neither my spouse or I had ever been and after checking out the menu online we were both really looking forward to the experience.

We arrived on time, a sheer miracle and were not disappointed by the ambiance that greeted us. The Ivy had undergone renovations not too long ago and not one detail was spared. From the grand entrance way with exposed beams to the magnificent fireplace in the dining room, I thought I was in heaven.

We started with goat cheese and spinach in a phyllo pastry, moved on to bite sized chicken satay and ended the mouth watering hors d'oeuvres with spicy samosas. These were just the start! Upon being seated we were given a starter menu with many delectable choices. Both my spouse and I chose the ginger beef served with baby greens and an onion vinaigrette drizzle. This had to be the highlight of the menu, it was the most tender and flavourful thing I had ever eaten. Being pregnant, I still wake up days later, craving this dish.

Moving on to the main course we again chose the same, porterhouse steak served with root vegetables and truffle french fries. For anyone who is not familiar with truffle fries, I have no idea what they are, only to say they look like french fries but taste like nothing you have ever eaten.

Normally I am not one to shy away from the dessert menu, but after all that food I just didn't have room. My spouse on the other hand, all 6 foot 3, 220 pounds of him, found the space and ordered the renowned sticky toffee pudding. When it arrived, my curiosity got the best of me and I had to try a bite (or three). WOW! I am truly lost for words. It was packed with flavour and yet looked so dainty.

I have no idea who the chef at the Ivy is, all I can tell you is that if you have not been, it is a must! From the moment we walked in the door to the moment we left, not one detail was spared. The service was phenomenal and the food is easily the best I have ever had. I'm still dreaming of that ginger beef.