Read On at the Ilderton Library

Have you heard about Read On?

It's a book sharing club for Boys and Girls aged 7 to 10 at the Ilderton Library.

It runs Wednesdays (alternating weeks) from February to May from 4:30-5:30.

The next one is March 28th.

For more information or to register, drop in or call 519-666-1599.

Happy parenting,

Jean

Storytimes at the Ilderton Library

Storytime at the Ilderton Library runs seasonal sessions.

The Spring session starts on March 27th and runs until May 18th.

For more information, visit the Ilderton Library website.

Happy parenting,

Jean

Ilderton Skating Club Carnival

Come out and see the end of season ice show that will showcase all of Ilderton and area's skaters. Be a part of an exciting Ilderton Skating Club tradition as they celebrate another successful skating season.

Visit their website for more details about Ilderton's Got Talent! and see below for showtimes.

Happy parenting,

Jean

SHOWTIMES

Arena	Show Times
Medway Arena Skaters	Saturday March 31 5:00 pm
Komoka Arena Skaters	Sunday April 01 12:00 noon
Ilderton Arena Skaters	Sunday April 01 5:00 pm

Kids Road Trip Survival Kit

So I am going on a 14 hour road trip with a 3.5 year old and a 6 month old.  I know, I know, a little crazy.  Or am I?

I have never been on such a long drive with the two of them before and I am a little scared.  I am going without my husband and with my mother to boot!  Crazy I know.....

To keep my toddler happy I have put together a road trip kit to bide these long hours.

Inside this road trip survival kit you will find:

• Colouring books and crayons
• Colouring pages from the Internet
• Stickers
• Dry erase markers
• Printables from the Internet.  These include: Sign bingo, license plate games, mad libs, lines and dots, scavenger hunts, and tic tac toe.  I will be placing these inside a plastic sheet cover and using the dry erase markers on them so we can reuse them.
• Books
• Bubbles
• Vtech ABC Text and Go.  This is one of our go to electronic games.  I also have a small laptop with some kid shows on it, but that is my last resort that I like to keep hidden for extreme meltdowns.
• Aluminum foil for modeling
• Etch-a-sketch for drawing
• ABC magnets and a baking sheet.  The baking sheet is smaller and the magnets stay great on it.  This sheet can double as a table for her.
• Pipe cleaners for making fun shapes
• Chalk and black paper for drawing
• Treasure bottle - an empty plastic bottle filled with 30 small items and rice.  I have written down the items and she must try and find all thirty of them.  I found most of the items just lying around: Feather, penny, crayon, bubble wand, raisin, button, paper clip, marker lid, screw.
• Surprise packages -3 per day filled with a small toy or snack.  They will be given out every few hours and they are marked on a map. 

I also have the following in my emergency kit:

• iPod with adult and children songs
• Baby wipes for messes
• Plastic bags for soiled clothes and garbage.  I have these stored in an old paper towel tube that we can reuse for something else along the way.
• First aid kit with band-aids and Tylenol
• Handy change of clothes in case of accidents
• Pillow and blanket to make the car more comfortable
• Toys for hotel = cups to play in the bath, 1 book, and a stuffed animal
• White noise machine to calm upset children

So that's what we have prepared for this road trip and we have another planned for this summer.  I am hoping to figure out this round what works and what doesn't so I can improve my survival kit for future trips. 

What do you think I should add to the Kids Road Trip Survival Kit? 

Happy parenting,
Jean 

St. Patrick's Day Scavenger Hunt

I have always wanted to start some holiday traditions while my daughter is young and will enjoy them.  Since my daughter is three now, we can really get into the holidays!

For St. Patties Day, I wanted to do a great scavenger hunt.

I found this amazing one at Oopsey Daisy.  A mom created a treasure hunt for her son.  It comes with some great printable clues and a cheat sheet for the destinations.

I printed out the clues and glued them to green construction paper since I do not have a laminator.  I found a few candies in my secret candy stash and picked up some coins and a tiara from the dollar store.

I am really excited to see how this goes down on Saturday!

Do you have any St. Patrick's day traditions that you share with your children? Please comment if you do.

Happy parenting,

Jean

Our Favourite St. Patrick's Day Crafts

With St. Patrick's Day coming up this weekend, I was on the hunt for some great crafts to get my 3 year old into the spirit.  Here is some of the best on the web:

Check out the following links to get more info about these great projects:

1. Rainbow Cupcakes
2. Gifts for St. Patties
3. Handprint Clover
4. Tissue Paper Shamrock
5. Handprint Leprechauns
6. Rainbow Prints
7. Leprechaun Cookies

Have you found any amazing St. Patrick's Day crafts that you want to share?  Post a comment.

Happy parenting,

Jean

March Break at the Library

The Ilderton Library is hosting a trip around the world for kids this March Break.

Don't miss out on this fun, free adventure which is open to all school-aged children.

Enjoy crafts, activities and snacks from the following countries:

Monday - Brazil
Tuesday - Kenya
Wednesday - Kenya
Thursday - Japan
Friday - Ireland


See the Library's website for hours.


What are you doing this March Break?


Happy parenting,
Jean

 

Easter Egg Hunt - April 7th at 10am

The Optimist Annual Easter Egg Hunt is taking place on Saturday April the 7th at 10am at Heritage Park.

• The hunt begins at 10am sharp but arrive by 9:45 to be ready
• The Easter bunny will arrive at 9:45am
• Children ages 2-8 are welcome to participate
• This event will take place rain or shine
• Remember to bring your Easter baskets 
• This is a free event provided by the Optimist Club but food for the food drive is a welcome donation

Visit the Optimist Website for more information:

www.ilderton.optimistcanada.ca

Happy parenting,

Jean

Parent/Child Mother Goose Singalong

Are you running out of songs to sing with your children?

Register for the Mother Goose singalong at East Williams School in Nairn -Located at 4441 Queens Ave. RR#1  Ailsa Craig,  ON

This program runs from Wednesday March 28th to Wednesday May 2nd from 9:30-10:15am.

You must pre-register by calling the Early Years Centre at 519-666-3227.

My favourite song is "you are my sunshine", what's yours?

Happy parenting,

Jean

9 Great Easter Crafts

So a friend of mine recently introduced me to Pinterest and I am totally hooked!  With Easter coming up, I thought I would share with you some great Easter crafts I have found on the site.

To find out instructions or recipes for these, please visit the following sites:

1. Paint Chip Easter Garland
2. Bird Nest Cookies
3. Black and White Sheep Centerpieces
4. Egg Carton Bouquet 
5. Baby Birds in Nest
6. Egg Carton Spring Wreath
7. Rice Krispies Easter Eggs
8. Ice Cream Bunny in Waffle Basket
9. Cereal Treat Easter Eggs

You may also want to visit my Pinterest site where I have amassed many ideas for the kids.

Happy parenting,

Jean

Step into K!

The Perth Middlesex Ontario Early Years Centre is offering a Kindergarten prep program called Step into K!  It prepares children who are entering JK or SK this fall.

It runs Wednesday May 9th - June 13th from 1:15pm to 3:00pm at the Early Years Centre located at 40 Heritage Drive, Ilderton.

Parents are required to stay on site but will be in a separate room.  Parents will receive information and hear from guest speakers.

Children will participate in activities that will reinforce literacy, make new friends, and experience classroom routines.

Spaces are limited.  Call to register - 519-666-3227

Happy parenting,

Jean

Visit A Sugar Shack

Come out and see how maple syrup is made!  What a cool activity to do with the kids.  If you visit Rolling Ridge Maple Products, you can see how the syrup is made, taste some and bring some home.  If you come on the weekend, you can also stay for a pancake brunch at the Vanneck Church.

Vanneck Church Is serving Pancake Brunch on Weekends in March with pancakes, sausages, scrambled eggs, and baked beans.

Hours: 

Sat 10am - 2pm 

Sun 11am - 2pm

Cost:

Adults $9.00

4 - 10 $4.00

3 and under Free

The Church is located at the intersection of Vanneck and Ilderton Road.

Happy parenting,

Jean

Looking for Contributors

Do you have something to say about Ilderton?  Have your say on this blog since we are looking for guest contributors.

Contact Jean if you're interested!

Happy parenting,

Jean

Ilderton Baseball

Registration is now open for the 2012 Summer Season for Ilderton Baseball.

They offer a mixed beginner program for kids aged 4- 9, a girls program aged 10-22 and a boys program aged 10-19.

The games play at Heritage park baseball diamond - located at Hyde Park Road and Ilderton Road.

To register, visit the Ilderton Baseball website.

Get your kids active and have fun!

Happy parenting,

Jean