Oh Canada!

Image via Flickr

Get ready to celebrate our country on one of the busiest long weekends of the year! There is lots to do on Canada's 143rd birthday - here is our top 5 list of Canada Day activities for you and your family.

1. Bake a strawberry cake.

2. Make a paper pinwheel using this simple tutorial.

3. Head downtown for kid-friendly fun at the Canada Day in Squamish celebrations. The Family Fun Carnival runs from 11am-4pm and there will be a puppet show at Cleveland and Winnipeg at 3pm.

4. Enjoy a glass (or two) of Canadian wine. Our pick: Mission Hill 2008 Pinot Grigio ($15.99)

5. Face painting. While our first choice would be these Lyra Face Paint Pencils ($19) available at Lavish & Lime, here is a quick recipe for making your own non-toxic version:

1tsp cornstarch

1/2 tsp water

1/2 tsp cold cream

1-2 drops food coloring

In a small bowl combine cornstarch and water. Mix in cold cream. Add food coloring. Washes with soap and water.

Happy Canada Day!

Yogi Pops

Who can't mention little yogis without thinking of yogi pops! Always a favourite around here, we've got foolproof recipes for frozen treats that kids will love to make almost as much as they'll love to eat (and best of all, adults love them too).

Yogi Pops
1 cup plain yogurt
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries, strawberries or pitted cherries
2 tablespoons maple syrup*

1 teaspoon vanilla
*or 1-2 tablespoons honey

Put yogurt, fruit and honey (slightly thawed if frozen) in blender and blend to desired consistency. Pour into molds about 3/4 full and freeze until set (about 5 hours).

Tip: If you don't have popsicle molds, make your own using wooden popsicle sticks by filling small cups or empty yogurt containers about 3/4 full and covering with plastic wrap or foil, making a small slit to insert stick.

Peach Mango Popsicles
1 cup pureed mango
1 cup pureed peaches
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons sugar
lemon or lime juice to taste

Combine fruit purees in medium bowl. Heat water and sugar stirring until sugar dissolves. Add to purees with lime/lemon juice. Freeze until set (about 3-4 hours).


Chocolate & Coconut Frozen Bananas
3 large bananas peeled and halved lengthwise
6oz semi-sweet or milk chocolate
1/3 cup unsweetened or shredded coconut*
6 popsicle sticks

*or slivered almonds

Carefully push popsicle stick into cut half of each banana, leaving about 1 1/2 at the end. Transfer bananas to baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid, about 30-45 minutes.

Melt chocolate in double boiler or microwave for 1-2 minutes until smooth. Spoon melted chocolate over banana and spread with back of spoon to coat the surface. Roll in coconut. Return bananas to freezer and freeze until chocolate is set, about 10 minutes.

Enjoy!

Little Yogis

Image via Flickr

We're all for creating balance in our lives - especially where motherhood is concerned. We've found a few summer programs that will allow you to do just that.

Playful Outdoor Yoga

We love love love that everyone is welcome to practice in this large kid-friendly yard with fully equipped outdoor play area (and toys!). Did we mention we love this idea?

Monday 10-11am

July 5 - August 30

Location: 38805 Britannia Avenue

Cost: By Donation

Mom and Baby Yoga

A great opportunity to regain your core strength and meet other new moms.

Tuesday 1:30-2:30pm

Course dates: July 6-27 and August 3-31

Prenatal Yoga

This is perfect for easing the various discomforts associated with pregnancy while helping you relax and prepare your body for childbirth.

Course dates: July 6-27 and August 3-31

Cost: July $40/ August $50

Drop-in (space permitting): $13 per day

All of the above are offered by Sacred Light Yoga. For more information contact: Annie Martinello at sacredlightyoga@hotmail.com or 604 815 4324 or visit The Yoga Studio.

We feel relaxed already.

Top Picks: Summer Camps for Kids

Image: Greg Scheidemann

Now that school's almost out and summer vacation will officially be underway, we're rounding up our favourite local family-friendly spots and activities beginning with our top summer camp recommendations for your kids (and kids at heart).

Aquatics

We're all for giving our little ones the skills they need to enjoy all of the outdoor swimming spots we have to offer so water play tops our list. But because the weather doesn't always cooperate, Brennan Park offers a range of programs throughout the summer for babies and tots from 6 months to 15 years.

Critters and Crafts: 3-5 years

Who doesn't love bugs, plants and crafts? Lots of outdoor exploration in this program for your little adventurers. August 9-13, 9am-12pm at Brennan Park.

Cost: $94.oo

Wild Wild Wilderness: 9-13 years

Outdoor fun close to home! Little campers learn to canoe, swim in local lakes, go horse-back riding and hike local trails. August 3-6, 9am-3pm at Brennan Park. Cost: $230.00

Let's Get Messy with Art and Science: 3-5 years

Let them make a mess you don't have to clean up! Your little chefs will have a chance to be creative with art, recipes and experiments. July 6-8, 9am-12pm at Brennan Park. Cost: $90.00

Spots for the above are still available. To register visit Brennan Park online.

5-Day Discovery Camp: 7-12 years

A great introduction to summer camping! Little campers get to experience traditional camp activities like archery, high/low ropes and campfires as well as recreational activities such as climbing and mountain biking at their own pace. July 3-7 at Camp Summit. For program information and registration visit Camp Summit online.

What are you looking forward to most this summer? Ah yes, the sun.

Biker Chic

This weekend marks the 15th annual Test of Metal 67km cross-country mountain bike race and while our littlest bikers are no match for the course, we've rounded up some of our favourite bikes so they can start training early.

Run bikes let your child use and develop balance, speed up the learning curve to transition to a two-wheeler and are a great alternative to training-wheels. The Norco '10 Run Bike ($120) is geared towards 2-5 year olds and is a cross between a bike and a scooter. Made from strong, light-weight aluminum, it features foam wheels, an adjustable quick-release saddle, adjustable handlebars and soft grips for little hands. And it comes in pink, too. Norco's Alloy Run Bike ($139) has all of the above but is made with rubber tires for extra grip. Find them at Corsa Cycles, 830-1200 Hunter Place, Squamish.

The Adams Run Bike ($89) is a great affordable first bike. It features a strong and lightweight steel frame, ball bearing headsets and wheel bearings, a long saddle for multiple sitting positions, and an adjustable saddle height to fit children from 2.5-5 years of age. The durable foam wheels don't wear and the handle bars are easily adjustable. Available in pink and blue. Find it at Tantalus Bike Shop, 40194 Glenalder Place, Squamish.

Our eco-friendly pick is the very attractive Skuut ($145) wooden balance bike weighing 10lbs with an adjustable seat range from just over 13.5"-16.5" to fit most 2-5 year olds. It won't be the best on the trails, but the wood is protected by a lacquer veneer coating (just don't leave it outside for too long as with it being made of wood it is susceptible to warping from too much exposure to the elements). Find it at Rain City Bikes, 2518 Manitoba Street, Vancouver.

And finally, what little biker wouldn't be happy with his or her very own mod scooter? The Kiddimoto Brit Pop scooter is made from 100% renewable birch wood with a foam seat cushion and hand grips built for your 3-6 year old (they make superbikes, choppers and scramblers too). Sadly, this does not come in our size. From $160. Find it at Simon's Bike Shop, 608 Robson Street, Vancouver.

Test of Metal pre-race fun starts tonight at 6pm. Kid-friendly activities will include a bouncy castle, mini-obstacle course and a mini-trials area for your little bikers. Vroom, vroom!

Top to bottom:

Kiddimoto Brit Pop

Skuut

Adams Run Bike - Girls

Norco 10' Run Bike - Boys

Children's Health Fair at Brennan Park

Bugs, Bubbles and Butterflies is the theme of this year's Children's Health Fair at Brennan Park, Friday June 18 where local moms will find lots of information on everything from childcare to dental and vision checks for your child as well as games and face painting for the little ones (we hear you can shop there too).

Brennan Park Preschool will also be hosting their open house from 10am-12pm (Fall registration began last Friday and as of this morning there are still morning and afternoon spots available).

This free event runs from 10am-1pm and donations to the food bank are appreciated. For more information visit Brennan Park online.

See you there!

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Enjoy!

Lori and Rachel