Snow Land in Costa Mesa this Saturday!

Looking for a fun family activity in Costa Mesa this weekend?  

Head on over to the annual Holiday Snow Land hosted by Torelli Realty on Saturday, December 11, 2010 from 12 noon - 3pm.  It's free (except for concessions, etc.).  

Santa is scheduled to arrive at 12pm (via Fire Truck) and will be available for free pictures with the kids.  There will be hay wagon rides, cookie decorating, music a collection of toys for the Toys for Tots program and food collection for the Share Our Selves food drive.

The following schools will also be present:

-The Estancia High School sports teams will be raising money by selling donuts by Jess Gilman, (the officer who was recently profiled in the paper for his donut making), hot dogs, polish sausages, sweets, crafts, and more.

-TeWinkle Middle School is selling coffee, hot cocoa and snacks to raise money for their programs.

-Adams Elementary School is selling shaved ice to raise money for their PTA and recycling efforts

-The Indian Maidens will be selling popcorn and brownies to benefit their organization.

-The Estancia High School Cheer Team will be doing face painting and volunteering their spirit throughout the day.

Snow Land will be located at Balearic Park – 1975 Balearic Dr., Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Saturday, December 11, 2010.

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Inexpensive and Gorgeous Homemade Gift Kids Can Make

Finding a good gift for family members from the kids without breaking the bank (especially if you have a long list to buy for) is always tough.  A couple of years ago we started making our own ornaments to give as gifts. 

Here's a super simple and even toddler friendly way to make elegant ornament gifts:

At this time of year Michael's sells the clear glass packs of ornaments in a number of different sizes.  If you don't have any on hand, buy a variety of colors of paint (most paint works fine for this project).

Have the kids pick two colors and drizzle a small amount of paint in the ornament and have your child swirl the ornament until all or most of the clear has been covered.

Allow several days to dry, then you can also write with gold or silver pen a special message on the ornament, year, etc.  And Voila!  A fantastic gift that will be cherished forever.

These also make fantastic craft projects for room mothers to do with classes (we've also done this!).

(The above picture is actually of two ornaments made by my boys)

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Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes for Kids

Thanksgiving is a crazy time for all families and we are no exception!  Big family get togethers can be a time of chaos and many times the younger (but no longer babies) can feel left out eventhough they really want to contribute and help out.  By finding a couple easy and fun recipes, you can have the kids not just help out, but give them something to be proud of contributing to the family feast! 

Below are a couple super easy family friendly recipes that you can have kids assemble for Thanksgiving (you will need to supervise and be ready to assist) from Todd Adelman, Director of Nutritional Services for Block Institute, and co-author of the James Beard nominated book, Special Foods for Special Kids: Practical Solutions & Great Recipes for Children with Food Allergies.

We'll be trying these this year!

Stuffing
 (Yields four cups)

Ingredients:
16 slices bread, toasted with crust removed
½ cup celery, finely diced
¼ cup onion, finely diced
1 Tbsp. margarine
2 medium apples, grated
2 tsp. parsley flakes
1 tsp. dried thyme
½ tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. white pepper
½ cup chicken stock

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Cut bread into cubes & set aside in large bowl.
• Sauté celery & onion in margarine until soft.
• Add celery mixture & remaining ingredients to bread cubes.
• Toss until liquid is absorbed.
• Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
• Serve.

Serving suggestion: Add your favorite combination of dried fruit, nuts, etc.
Dairy Allergy: Use milk-free bread & milk-free margarine.
Gluten Allergy: Use gluten-free bread.
Egg Allergy: No substitutions needed.

Sweet Potato Boats
 (Yields 16 “boats”)

Ingredients:
8 medium sweet potatoes
2 apples, peeled & cored
¼ cup orange juice
½ tsp. cinnamon
1 Tbsp. margarine
½ tsp. salt
1 egg
16 marshmallows

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Slice potatoes in half, lengthwise.
• Cut small slit in center of potato.
• Bake for 45 minutes or until tender when pierced with knife.
• Scoop out pulp of sweet potatoes being careful to leave the skin intact.
• Add salt to pulp & set aside.
• Cut apples into thin slices.
• Toss apples in orange juice & add cinnamon.
• Sauté apple mixture in margarine over medium heat, stirring constantly until apples are soft & liquid is absorbed.
• Add apple mixture to sweet potato pulp & process (or mash) until smooth.
• Beat egg into mixture.
• Fill potato shells to rim.
• Bake on foil lined cookie sheets at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes.
• Slice marshmallows in half.
• Top each potato half with 2 pieces of marshmallow.
• Broil until golden brown.

Serve immediately.

Milk allergy: Use milk-free margarine.
Gluten allergy: No substitute needed.
Egg allergy: Substitute 1 ½ tsp. egg replacer mixed with 2 Tbsp. of water for egg. Use egg-free marshmallows.

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Fabulous Yet Frugal Friday - A Day of Education Fun for Next to Nothing!

Fabulous Yet Frugal Friday... A Day of Educational Fun for Next to Nothing!

We recently headed up to the California Science Center in Los Angeles (in the Exposition Park area, right next to the USC campus).  I was completely floored by how amazing it is.  As a family we could have spent hours and hours there.  Admission is absolutely free (parking cost is $8 and there is plenty of parking).  Special exhibits like the current Mummy exhibit and the IMAX movies cost extra, but there is plenty to explore without either of those.  We've now taken several trips to the Science center... so I'm going to break them up in to several posts because there really is that much to talk about!

The first exhibit we checked out was the Exploring Trees Inside and Out Exhibit, sponsored by DoubleTree Hotels.  The special (and not to be missed) exhibit runs through September 26, 2010.  We spent hours exploring.  There's a large variety of tactile learning stations for kids of all ages (that includes the parents!).  One aspect I loved is that there is one way in to this area and one way out, so parents can take a break, keep an eye on the exit and know that your little ones are safely exploring.  This totally comes in handy if you have a number of kids who like to head in different directions.

There is a giant tree play structure for the kids to explore.

There is an animal sound interpreting station.  Did you ever know where the Katydid name came from?  Listen in to its natural sound and you will!  (ok, so I'm a little biased towards this cricket, always thought it was named after me...)

We found this cute little hidden squirrel..

There's a birdhouse building station, a scent station, a picture creating station and giant acorn fort for kids to explore.  It's just a great place to allow the kids to explore on their own and to enhance your childs' love for nature.

We loved loved loved our afternoon there.  Have you stopped by the exhibit yet?

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Mootopia at Hurricane Harbor - Six Flags

Last weekend we were invited to head up to Hurricane Harbor - Six Flags to experience Mootopia first hand.  Mootopia is the new campaign by Got Milk? Aimed at reminding people how improving your health can be as simple as drinking milk (instead of things like soda).

So what is Mootopia?  At a number of locations throughout California you can stop in and experience the Mootopian awareness for yourself.  At the Hurricane Harbor location you can stop in for FREE massages (the reactions of people were priceless when they asked how much the massages were), free milk, shade, and misting fans.  Other stations consist of hair and manicure stations, free smoothies, free t-shirts and other fun items.

Locations & Dates for Mootopia in California:

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Water Park - in Valencia, CA
Every Saturday and Sunday through Labor Day weekend (includes Friday July 16th, July 23, July 30th and Monday September 6th)

Hermosa Beach - AVP Volleyball Tournament
Sponsorship Village, North Side of Hermosa Beach Pier
July 16-18

Sacramento Area:
July 30- Aug. 1
California State Fair Grounds
South Side of Building 5 (outside)

San Francisco Area:
August 13-15
Walnut Creek  at the Broadway Plaza Shopping Center
Promenade Area Next to Fountain

Fresno Area:
Riverpark Shopping Center - Fresno
August 20-22

For more information about Mootopia and the locations you can go here.

For more pictures from our adventure at Mootopia check out this Whrrl story:

More check-ins at Six Flags Magic Mountain

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Terramor Water Park - Wordless Wednesday

Also known as the Red Bucket... it is a favorite for kids in Ladera Ranch 

(you can read my posts about it here and here).

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Ambassadors of the Environment Program at the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel

"People protect what they love...

teach the children to love the planet and they will protect it." 

-Jean Michel Cousteau

Hearing him say that in person at the launch event for the Ambassadors of the Environment program at the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel echoed a sentiment I have felt for many years.  As an ocean loving Mom, you've probably noticed I have a tremendous amount of posts that relate to the ocean or nature in some way.  I always find myself heading to the beach when I need to just relax from a crazy day (or week or month!).  Teaching my kids to love the ocean is very important to me.  

I am so excited to hear and share information about some of the AMAZING programs that are being offered at the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel, CA. The Ritz Carlton is partnering with the Ocean Futures Society to bring these amazing programs to Orange County. 

You don't have to be a guest at the hotel to register for them.  Everything from sustainable gardening, snorkeling in the nearby kelp forest (Ever seen the murky water off Dana Point?  I had never realized THAT is actually a kelp forest!), organic cooking, underwater photography, tide pooling, boogie boarding, whale watching and much much more.  The programs are very reasonably priced and with the world renowned hospitality of the Ritz Carlton, you know your kids will have an amazing time!  Go here for more information about these amazing programs.

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Irvine Lanes Bowling 50% Discount - Hurry Though!

So you may have noticed the nice green box over on the right hand side of the site (below the Facebook Fan Page box), recently Screamin' Coupons contacted me asking if I'd like to advertise local deals to my readers. I was pretty skeptical at first but after looking in to it I realized they are AMAZING local deals (you normally have to act fast before they disappear!) and I knew when I wanted to take advantage of the deals... you would too!  For example take a look at today's deal at the Irvine Lanes... you can't beat it!

So be sure to check back daily to see what local deals (like massages, facials, surf lessons and dinners) you can find!

(Disclaimer... Screamin' Coupons is an affiliate program, but I thought the amazing well below retail deals were worth participating and advertising to you!)

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Kids Restaurant Week - Amazing Deals at The Melting Pot in San Clemente!

Did you know it is Kids Restaurant Week?  It's a great time to head out to some of your favorite restaurants where there's everything from special menus to amazing prices for kids.  Love Fondue?  Head down to The Melting Pot in San Clemente where the following kids meal is only $10! 

OC KIDS WEEK MENU

Kids (5-11years old) can enjoy the Little Dipper Deal

LITTLE DIPPER DEAL

Drink included: Summer Splasher (Sprite with your choice of Mango, Blackberry, Cherry or Kiwi Monin syrup) or regular soda.

APPETIZER

Pepperoni Pizza Fondue or Mac N’ Cheese Fondue

ENTREE COURSE

Teriyaki Sirloin, Chicken Breast, Ravioli and Shrimp

Served with a variety of vegetables

DESSERT COURSE

Campfire S’mores Milk Chocolate Fondue or Oreo® Cookie Dark Chocolate Heaven

$10 per Child

No splitting or sharing. Minimum purchase of individual entrée required

for every three Little Dipper Deals.

The Melting Pot is located at 647 Camino de los Mares, San Clemente, CA, 92673.

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Universal Studios Hollywood - Fabulous Yet Frugal Friday

I'm always looking for ways to save money but still enjoy what Southern California has to offer.  For this week's edition of Fabulous Yet Frugal Fridays, I wanted to be sure you guys didn't miss out on the amazing deal at Universal Studios - Hollywood that ends April 30th.  By paying $69/per person to enter the park, you get the REST of 2010 free simply because you are a Southern California Resident.  No blackout dates.  This is a fantastic deal especially if you have kids ages 6 and up.  There are just enough attractions to fill your day, but you'll feel like you can get to everything in a day.  Our family has become huge fans of getting to the park as it opens, spending a few hours and leaving as the park gets busy (this is also a great approach for Disneyland, Sea World, San Diego Zoo and San Diego Wild Animal Park). 

Our favorite rides at Universal are The Simpsons Ride, Jurassic Park (not my favorite- I don't like the drop), the Backlot Tour (surprise hit with the kids) and Shrek in 4-D.  Definitely missing the ET ride and Back to the Future though...

For more information about hours of operation and the buy a day- get the rest of the year for free deal can be found here.

Over the next couple of weeks I'll be sharing some of the great deals you can find for local attractions to maximize and plan ahead for summer vacation!

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How to Spend $100 a Week on Groceries for a Family of Four!

Another Fabulous Yet Frugal Friday Post...

I spend $100/ a week on groceries for our family of four (yes, that includes lunches for the kids at school)!  It all started a few months ago when I got tired of how high our grocery bill was getting with multiple "quick stops" in to the local grocery store to pick up things here and there.  It had to stop.  I'm not sure if my biggest motivation was saving money or if it was just being organized for the week so we weren't scrounging around for last minute dinners.  An added side bonus is my husband now cooks most of the dinners!  Don't believe me? Well, as you'll see below the dinners are easy, fast, healthy and super easy on the budget.

So you're probably wondering what my trick is?  Well, once a week I grab my reusable grocery bags and head to Fresh & Easy.  I buy 3-4 of their prepared dinners, tons of veggies for side dishes, super yummy packaged salads for my lunches and plenty of snacks to add to the kids lunches.  And yes... all this for $100 a week.  Don't believe me?  Check out my recent receipt below.  I pointed out some of the key dinners & school lunch main dishes.  One of the things I love the most is the prepared family size dinners, they take about 10 minutes to cook (oven or microwave) and when paired with salad or other veggies, it's a complete meal.  Homemade hamburgers (loaded with onions, spinach & garlic) are great main courses for the kids school lunches.

Would you love to only spend $100/week on groceries?  Try out our plan for one week... and I'm pretty sure you'll be hooked too!  Be sure to come back and comment about your experience!

(Also check out this post on Holiday Dinners for under $20!)

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Picture the Park - Free Family Acitivity in OC this Weekend

If you're looking for a fun activity here in Orange County this weekend...This Saturday, April 17th between 12 and 3pm the Orange County Great Park will be hosting its Picture the Park event to kick off the 3rd annual Imagination Celebration.  It's a free event designed for the whole family (in particular for kids ages 5-12).  Kids will have the opportunity to learn about gardening from UC Extension Master Gardeners, learn about the water cycle and take part in recycled art craft making.

Admission and parking is free (park at Hangar 244). 

Also be sure to check out "Tool Time" on May 1st and Movie on the Lawn May 15th!

More information about upcoming events at the Orange County Great Park can be found here.

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Universal Studios - Wordless Wednesday

Be sure to take advantage of the buy a day- get the rest of the year free at Universal Studios... You need to purchase them before April 30th!

(Post about our recent trip to Universal Studios Hollywood should be up later this week)

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Butterfly Exhibit at San Diego Wild Animal Park

We recently had the chance to head down to the San Diego Wild Animal Park to check out the Butterfly Exhibit (now through April 18th).  If you haven't had the chance to see it, I highly recommend you do before the exhibit ends (there is no additional cost for this exhibit and admission to the San Diego Wild Animal Park is very reasonable).

I think what was most amazing about the exhibit was how many of them landed on people.  There were some people with multiple butterflies just hanging out on them (including one totally unaware baby!).  If you are interested in having butterflies land on you, I highly recommend wearing brown, royal blue or bright yellow.  I noticed the butterflies landed on those colors mostly.

Be sure to check out some of the other posts I've written about how to plan your day at the San Diego Wild Animal Park here and here.

Below are some of the images in the Whrrl story since there were too many to include in the post!

More check-ins at San Diego Wild Animal Park

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Free Planet Earth Episode Download on iTunes!

I'll never forget when the BBC documentary - Planet Earth first came out on tv.  We actually upgraded to HD tv to specifically watch Planet Earth.  I'd heard it was amazing and it did not disappoint!  We as a family spent many many hours mesmerized watching the series.  The kids loved learning about the different animals all over the world.  My husband and I loved watching the breathtaking views of different places all over the world.

To celebrate Earth Day (April 22, 2010) and the release of the Planet Earth Series on iTunes, they are offering the first episode as a free download April 12- 26, 2010!  Additional episodes can be purchased for as little as $1.99 each. Click here to download the episodes.

Here's more information about how they created the series:

"This jaw-dropping, 11-part series from the BBC’s Natural History Unit presents the epic story of life on Earth. Series producer Alastair Fothergill and his team spent four years in production, over 2000 days in the field, using 71 cameramen filming across 204 locations in 62 countries to capture the ultimate portrait of our planet. It has garnered legions of fans and universal critical acclaim with Oprah Magazine saying “It is the most beautiful, wondrous and truly majestic series - the best thing I’ve ever seen on TV.” Using a budget of unprecedented proportions and captured on HD cameras, Planet Earth is among the highest rated and best selling HD programs ever made. It offers stunning visuals perfect for any HD television or HD handheld device like the Apple iPad which launched on April 3rd."

So be sure to log in here to iTunes to take advantage of this opportunity to dowload a free episode of one of the most amazing shows ever made (just my opinion, yes I got the dvd pack a couple years ago and still love watching it).  Having a few episodes handy on your iTouch, iPad or iPhone is a great and educational activity to have at your finger tips to entertain the kids when you need it!

NOTE: All images and video © BBC.

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Scooters Jungle Open Play Times This Week

Looking for something to do in South Orange County this week?  Pop on over to one of the open play times at Scooters Jungle in Aliso Viejo for some guaranteed fun for the kids!  I've written several posts about the fun birthday parties we have hosted for the boys there over the years, but if you're just looking to pop in and let the kids explore here are their upcoming open play times for this week:

• Tuesday 3/30/10- Family Fun Night 5:30- 8:30pm.  Cost is $9 per kid, $4 per adult.  Adult supervision is required.  You can also buy pizza by the slice ($2 each) with free lemonade and snacks.
• Wednesday 3/31/10 - Toddler Time 10:30 am-12:00 pm.  $7 per child, and that includes admission for one adult (additional adults are $2 each).
• Thursday 4/1/10 - Toddler Time 10:30 am- 12:00 pm. $7 per child (includes one adult), additional adult $2 each.  Toddler passes are available for $60 and it includes 10 visits.
• Thursday 4/1/10 - All Ages Open Play 5:15pm - 7:15 pm. Cost is $8 per child and includes entry for 1 adult.  Adult supervision is required.

Be sure to bring socks!

For more information check out their website here.

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Wordless Wednesday...

Because I can't get enough beach pictures in...

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Live Frog Display at the Muzeo in Anaheim

Last week I was invited to take the boys to an exhibit I KNEW would be a smash hit in their books... A LIVE frog exhibit at the Muzeo in Anaheim.  Frogs: A Chorus of Colors will be running at Muzeo now through September 5, 2010.  Over 150 LIVE exotic frogs are on exhibit.

My kids really enjoyed seeing all the different varieties of frogs, and watching the movie about the race to preserve the frogs species with Jeff Corwin.  I am very appreciative for the "virtual" frog dissection station (thank you for not making me re-visit high school Biology class...).  There are 15 live frog habitats, 12 interactive stations and it's just plain cool!  My two favorites were the Jabba (the Hut) frog and the colorful vibrant blue frogs.

Fun Frog Facts:

• The world's largest frog is the Goliath frog of West Africa.  It can get up to 7 pounds.  You can see the skeleton of one on display at the exhibit.
• There is evidence that frogs pre-date the dinosaurs!
• There are more than 4, 900 species of frogs worldwide and they estimate that there are an estimated 1,000 more to be discovered.

So if you're in Anaheim and looking for a way to spend a couple of hours on a fun but still educational adventure... pop over to the Muzeo.  it is located at 241 South Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, CA.  Admission is $13 for adults, $9 for children 12 & under, and free for children under 3.  It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m..  For more information call them at (714) 956-8936 or visit their website.

For more pictures, here's the Whrrl story we created about the event.  Including photos of my boys getting to feed the frogs!

More check-ins at Muzeo Center for Arts Knowledge Entertainment & Culture

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Moshi Monsters at the LA Zoo?

Recently we attended a fantastic event up at the LA Zoo to showcase and introduce a few bloggers to the World of the Moshi Monsters.  My boys got the chance to explore and play around with the Moshi Monster who resides in Monstro City online world while I asked some questions about how it all works.

The basics: 

• Moshi Monsters can be adopted (for free) on the website, but you can upgrade your membership for a small cost and that allows you additional features.
• Your Moshi Monster needs food & entertainment.  To gain Rox (money in the Moshi World) you need to complete online challenges and puzzles.  You are only allowed to do each puzzle/challenge once a day to discourage children from playing all day long on the site.
• Moshi Monsters.com is 100% monitored by a diligent (yes, I met one of them!) team of people to ensure there is no inappropriate creation of monster names, or posting of personal information on the message board.  If you name your monster something inappropriate... I hear it will get changed to something over the top cutesy.
• Parents you will need to help your children set up their Moshi Monster account and I highly recommend having the emails sent to your account.  Then you are able to monitor everything that comes in (but honestly, my sons have been exploring the site for several weeks on their own and I have yet to see any other emails than the set-up ones because my boys don't go on the message boards).
• Your children's contact information is completely hidden to any other children on the site.  One thing that is clear to me is that the team behind the scenes is as passionate as making it a safe social networking site for children as it can be.
• Moshi Monsters.com is great for children ages 6 and up, depending on how computer savvy they are.  Both my boys adore the site and are eager to log in and "level-up" the allotted once a day.

Take a look at some of the very educational yet still fun games the kids can participate in to gain more "Rox"...

I asked Brett to report back to me about what he likes about the site and this is what I got, word for word (he hand wrote it on a sheet of paper for me and I have made zero grammatical/spelling changes...  :)

"Moshi Monsters are cool because at the new market place has clothes get them and you will be able to dress up your monster.  I like gift Island because you can send gifts to other monsters.  And I like the post because you get to shake rox trees and color your monster.  And I also like the underground disco.  And the Entire Moshi Monster Island too!"

-Brett

* Information was provided to us at the event and I received 1 month upgrades to VIP on the Moshi Monster site plus other small themed goodies, but even without those, my sons were requesting to upgrade and we will be renewing those on our own dime because the boys enjoy the site so much!

 Here's the Whrrl story about the event. (There were too many pictures to include in the post!)

More check-ins at LA Zoo

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Vancouver Olympics are Here!

It's time for the Winter Olympics again!  Most years I honestly don't know if I am more excited to watch the actual sporting events or learn more about the host country! 

As a child I did a tremendous amount of world traveling with my Mom.  I feel so blessed to have experienced as many cultures as I have.  My experiences abroad have forever affected who I am as a person and how I approach every aspect of life.  I have felt & seen the obvious oppression of the citizens of Leningrad (yes, I was there before it went back to being St. Petersburg.  Beat that Sarah!), participated in a tribal ceremony on Fiji, sailed through the Panama Canal, fed real Reindeer in Lapland, watched & heard real glaciers fall in to the ocean in Alaska, been to New Zealand and can really testify that it sure looks like there are more sheep than human residents.  Those experiences are ones I will most likely not be able to give to my children by any other way than sharing the story with them.

I find the human interest stories about the host country to be enlightening and a great teaching opportunity to share with my children.  I hope you will do the same to learn more about the city of Vancouver and Canada itself.  You see, I have this special bond with Canada.  My husband was born in Canada (I actually lived in Canada for a couple years!).  One thing that strikes me about Canadians is what polite people they are.  Canada is next door to us, but sadly many Americans know far less about Canada that many other countries, even though Canadians know a great deal about our countries' history.

So as the Winter Olympics of 2010 begin, take a few minutes to note who the Prime Minister of Canada is (Stephen Harper), that the Capital is in Ottawa and it is only a short drive from the United States (most Canadians only live within a couple hours drive of the Northern States!), the national language is English & French and no you don't have to hunt your own dinner or live in an Igloo.  There are Starbucks & Safeway Grocery Stores on just about every corner just like we have here in the US.  One of my favorite tidbits of information that has my sons laughing endlessly is that there really is such a thing as Polar Bear jail in Churchill, MB!  The polar bears roam the streets raiding garbage cans much like raccoons or bears do here, so they have special rangers who humanely trap them and release them far away from the towns.

Below is a great video I found on YouTube showcasing some of the sites and culture of Canada.


Come back and share neat insights you have learned about Canada from watching the Olympics!

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