Yoga for Young Families

So if you live in any part of this neighbourhood you can't help noticing that there are yoga studios EVERYWHERE.  So maybe you want your child to take yoga...

Little Feet Yoga / Elation Centre

Once a month, starting February 12 (and then on March 11, April 22 and May 6 and June 3) - Catherine Lesage of Little Feet Yoga will be offering Creative Family Yoga at the Elation Centre, 360 Kirkwood Avenue North (essentially across from the Richmond Road Superstore).

A class for 3-6 year olds from 11 to 12;00. The class costs $20 for 1 parent / 1 child and $10 for each additional child.

Pre-registration is recommended and you can do so through http://www.littlefeetyoga.com/.  Catherine has been doing yoga in the neighbourhood at various locations for many years.  To see pictures of her classes and read more about her approach, visit her website.

Prana Shanti Yoga, 52 Armstrong St., near the Parkdale market

Prana Shanti offers

• prenatal yoga on Thursdays from 4:30 to 5:30, taught by Naomi Poole
• parent and baby yoga on Tuesdays from 11:00-12:00, taught by Naomi Poole
• children's yoga class for those aged 3 to 8 years old on Saturdays from 9:30 to 10:30 and taught by Jamie Reardon.

They also seem to have a child-minding service available on Thursdays from 9:30-1:00 for $7 per child (why do I feel like that should be in bright lights! Parents, do take some time for yourselves.).

Santosha Yoga

Santosha is unique in offering a pre-registered class for children with special needs.  Although the class has already started, check the website for more information and to find out future dates: http://www.santoshayoga.com/archives/7965. 

Classes are taught by Dianne Macdonald and are for ages 5-6, 7-8 and 9-10 year olds. For more information about Dianne, see http://www.communication-works.ca/ and for more information about the yoga program see http://www.everykidsyoga.com/

Dovercourt Shows the Love!!

Dovercourt is once again doing its utmost to provide what parents (and kids!) want. 

If you want a Valentine's night out or a quiet night in (and face it, who doesn't occasionally need a couple's night), then look no further than Dovercourt and their poster at this link: http://www.dovercourt.org/storage/pdfs/Valentines_datenight_2012.pdf

Drop off is 6-6:30 and pick up is between 8:30 and 9:00.  Best of all, Little Rays Reptiles will be doing a 1-hour show and that means that your kids will have a great time too. There will also be structured games, crafts and a healthy snack.

For more information on Little Ray (who is awesome) check out http://www.raysreptiles.com/

The program is FREE for children aged 3-12, but registration is required.  The course code is 76801.  As usual you can register in person at 411 Dovercourt Avenue, over the phone at (613) 798-8950 or online at http://www.dovercourt.org/

The Winter Festival Circuit...

Our neighbourhood hosts a lot of different winter festivals and from curling, to bonfires to sleigh rides they all have something different to offer.  Explore your neighbourhood a bit and get to know some people at your neighbouring parks!  If you have an event you'd like to see in this list, please e-mail kitchissippikids@hotmail.com or add a comment below.

Note that the festivals at Westoboro Beach, Dovercourt and Champlain Park have already taken place.

Friday, February 3 - Monday, February 20th

Winterlude - the Big One.  it's not in our neighbourhood but I can't talk winter festivals without mentioning Winterlude.  From Jacques Cartier Park to the Rideau Canal there are lots of great outdoor activities for kids, and the best ones are all free, so get out and take part. For more information see ttp://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/celebrate/winterlude/news/2011-10-24/winterlude-2012

Saturday, February 11 - Fisher Park

From 12:30-4 pm the Fisher Park Community Centre, located at the Fisher Park School, 250 Holland Avenue near the Queensway will host its winter carnival.  This one features a charity BBQ, sleigh rides, a scavenger hunt, shoot-to-win (I'm guessing that's hockey??), skating races, curling, snowshoeing and broomball.

Sunday, February 26 - Hampton Park

From 3 to 5 pm the Hampton Iona Community Group will be holding its annual celebration at Iona Park, just north of Iona, between Kirkwood Avenue and Island Park Drive.

Go Local Birthday Parties

It's not just produce that can be bought local.  Consider having your child's next birthday at one of these neighbourhood venues.  You'll save gas, you'll save time and you'll support these local businesses.  Please let me know if I've missed any!

• Baobab Tree Drumming http://www.baobabtree.org/
• Capital City Dance http://www.capitalcitydance.ca/
• Carlingwood Y http://www.ymcaywca.ca/locations/Carlingwood+Y/
• Dovercourt Recreation Centre http://www.dovercourt.org/
• 4CatsArt http://www.4cats.com/
• Fisher Park Community Centre, 250 Holland Ave., hosts birthdays on Saturday from 1 to 4.  Call the Centre for more information and reservations (613) 798-8945
• Gotta Paint http://www.gottapaint.com/
• J.A. Dulude Arena http://www.rinktime.com/skating_rinks/on/j_a_dulude_arena_skating_rink_arena_ottawa_on.cfm but to book the time and room you actually have to call the City Recreation Dept.
• Little Feet Yoga (at Elation Centre, 360 Kirkwood Ave. N. or a location of your choice) http://www.littlefeetyoga.com/
• Ottawa Family Cinema http://www.familycinema.ca/
• Ottawa Gymnastics Centre http://www.ottawagymnasticscentre.ca/
• Ottawa Music Vocal and Dance Performance Academy http://www.ottawaconservatory.com/
• Ottawa School of Speech and Drama http://www.ossd.com/
• PC Cooking School http://www.pccookingschool.ca/LCLOnline/cookingSchool_home.jsp?province=ON&city=Ottawa
• Soloway Jewish Community Centre http://www.jccottawa.com/pages/birthdayparties.html
• West Park Bowling http://www.filsdiner.ca/westpark/index.asp

February 7 Open House: Westboro Nursery School

The Westboro Nursery School is hosting an Open House on Tuesday, February 7 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at 411 Dovercourt Ave. (in the Dovercourt Recreation Centre). Bring your children to visit the classroom and meet the teachers. Registration for September 2012 opens on February 14 and registration packages will be posted on the school's web site http://www.westboronurseryschool.ca/ on February 7.

The school is a parent co-operative preschool for 2 1/2 to 5 year-olds staffed by registered Early Childhood Educators. The hands on, play-based curriculum includes an introduction to French, sign language, school readiness, music, daily outdoor play and more.

ANZAC Biscuits

(This is reposted from last year and again, I'm a day late!)

Belated Happy Australia Day!  Yesterday I made ANZAC Biscuits, named after the Australian and New Zealand Army Corp who were given them went sent to fight in World War I. 

A former Australian-Kitchissippi resident (Kathy) - who used to live on Fraser Avenue and who Chaired the Broadview School Council before returning with her family to the land downunder gave me the recipe over a playdate a few years back. 

The coincidence is that - although I didn't know it at the time - yesterday was Australia Day.  So in case you ever feel the need to be adequately prepared for Australia's national holiday, or for ANZAC Day (their April 25th equivalent of our Remembrance Day), I'll share the recipe.

The cookies are yummy, my kids enjoy them. and they're easy to make.  The only caveat - they aren't low fat or low sugar - and rightly so since they were intended to be the source of lots of calories and lots of energy.  They do have a long shelf life - important when sending overseas - and do not include eggs, as poultry was scarce in wartime.

Ingredients:

1 cup rolled outs
3/4 cup dessicated coconut (unsweetened)
1 cup flour
1 1/2 teaspoons bicarbonate of soda (ie. baking soda)
2 tablespoons boiling water
1 cup sugar (they are quite sweet so you could probably reduce)
125 g of butter (1/2 a cup)
1 tablespoon Lyle's Golden Syrup (dating back to 1881, this is a British import http://www.lylesgoldensyrup.com/ and apparently something of an icon; you can find it at the larger grocery stores; other syrups may work equally well)

Directions

Combine oats, coconut, flour and sugar. Melt butter and add golden syrup.  Mix  baking soda with boiling water and add to butter mixture.  Stir into dry ingreients.  If dough is too dry add another tablespoon or so of hot water until it holds together.

Spoon or roll into balls and place on greaced or lined trays, with room for spreading. 

Bake in a slow oven (150 C or 300 F) for 20 minutes.  Let cool on the baking sheet for a little bit until they harden enough to move to a cooling rack.

The recipe makes between 20 and 36 depending on the size of the cookie!  Consider your audience.

A Little Encouragement for the Team

My son was in a hockey tournament this past weekend. He's 8 years old and in the Novice C division of the West End Hockey League. 

His team - the Spitfires - made it to the finals and he was thrilled.  They worked hard and only lost by one goal in the third period.  For the kids and their fams it was as much of a nailbiter as any Stanley Cup game. 

Before thee semi-final game, Jesse Winchester of the Ottawa Senators took time out of his practice to come and talk to them.  Really nice!