Coquitlam Mommy Newsletter

Lil' Page Turners            Tunes of the Week

      of the Week  

                  

Love this bedtime book!              This is a Classic Album that will take you 

                                                 back to your childhood!

What to do next Week?
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Events For The Week of December 20-25:

Monday December 20th

Kinder Cafe (Play Date) - This is a new Cafe that offers a play area and a coffee/snack bar. They just opened in Port Moody and looks pretty good. Pre-crawlers are free and $5 per crawler. 

2010 Festival of Lights - VanDusen - A fantastic festival of lights! One of my favorite things to do during the holidays! Pack up the kids and get ready for a fantastic night of photos! There are a few stands for food down here as well if you are wanting to grab a bite. 

Tuesday December 21st

Movie and Play Date for the little ones! - New Release for the Week is: Elf - Will Farrel. There are 3 rows of seating; so we will move the little ones to the middle and the ones that want to chat to the back row. This way the mom's wanting to watch the movie can hear the TV. If the kids are back two rows... you also can keep them from watching the boob tube.

WINTER SOLSTICE LANTERN FESTIVAL 2010 - Celebrate the Winter Solstice which marks the longest night of 2010 on December 21, 2010. In Vancouver, the day is marked through the Winter Solstice Lantern Festival with celebrates its 17th year in the city. One festival spanning across five neighbourhoods: Yaletown, Granville Island, South East False Creek, Chinatown and the East Side offers performances, lantern making workshops, labyrinths of light and the spectacular Lantern Processions which make their way to sites across the city. Don't miss this spectacular evening event celebrating the 2010 Winter Solstice!

Wednesday December 22nd

Gymboree Get Together (Free Session for First Timers) - Free class at Gymboree PLay and Music Level 2. Gymboree Play & Learn 2 (6-10 months) Wed 12:30 PM - 1:15 PM

Thursday December 23rd

Indoor Walk at Port Moody Rec Center - Walk inside on the Port Moody track. We can also move downstairs after for the drop in at they gym if you are wanting to let the little one crawl around a bit!

Friday December 24th

Christmas Eve - No Events

Check out Coquitlam Mommy Page on Facebook for more events and discussions or our Coquitlam Mommy Blog

Local Classes for your Little One by Raheel Shaharyar

Reviewed by Raheel Shaharyar (Member of Facebook's Coquitlam Mommy Page)

As a new parent I knew how play is important for the development of a child. But wasn't sure how to play with a baby? I knew music was good for them but it took me 4 months to learn Baby Beluga!

So I signed up for a class. I tried out a few of the various ones offered in the Tri-cities, and have a short summary of what I found:

Jump Start Music and Movement
This class was a lot of fun and we partook in it when Liyana was 5 months old and a little more interactive. We learned a little infant massage, sign language and sang and danced to some fun songs. The only thing that bothered me about this class that it was ages 0-18 months. I felt that the age range was too great, with some babies barely able to lift there heads and others crawling and walking around the room. Since the babies are encouraged to roam and explore the parent was often singing by themselves while their baby crawled over to visit with someone else. It was distracting.

Boogie Babies (POMO Rec Ctr)
This class was almost exactly like Jump Start. The only difference was the songs we sang and the activities we did. I preferred it to Jump Start simply because it was closer to home. The age range however is again 0-12 months so you have babies walking and crawling all over the place. It really made me appreciate Gymboree with each level play group tailored to a specific age.

Gymboree Play and Music
I signed up to try a level 1 free class for this when Liyana was just 3 months old. I found it to be pricey when all we did was sing a few songs, give baby a massage and do some exercises to improve neck control.

I have been told by various friends that Gymboree is actually great for babies older then 6 months as they have a gym area and they help you do activities that improve a child's mobility, allow the babies to play side by side and help dexterity. I plan on signing up for level 2. Liyana is crawling and moving and I think she will benefit most from this class.

I think it's great that you can try a class for free with no pressure to sign up. If however you sign up for a class at the end of the free one you get a discount on your first month.

Mother Goose (Newport Village)
These classes are free and offered through West Coast Family Resources. They are great! You learn songs, rhymes and stories from two great ladies. You are given a song book only at the end of the 8 weeks of class. The idea is to teach parents the songs through repetition each week similar to the way a child learns.

In short, I think the perfect combination of play is to attend Mother Goose along with a paid class best suited to your child's needs and personality.

Toy Ideas for Babies First Christmas!

Wow, it is really hard to think of what to buy a 6 month old baby with everything being marketed to us as parents. I have now searched countless websites the last few days and trying to find the perfect list of gifts to share with family members and friends wanting to get my little man something. After all this I feel like my eyes are bugging out.

Here are a few of the standout's I came across!

A few puzzles laying around can always keep them busy, and getting those little minds working! Two piece puzzles, sliding beads and stack-ables are a great way to get them playing.




Teasers to get them walking, crawling and chasing things around! This little chicken that drops the eggs was too cute. I also have purchased this Vtech Move & Crawl several times for little ones birthdays, and they love it!


Tub time is always filled with great memories and a wonderful idea when thinking of gifts.



Babies first doll is a nice gift and this Stella doll has a magnetic contact points to match with the accessories. This is a soft plush set that is great for your little one excited about their own baby.


Teethers for the first few months is nice for new parents to keep their little one busy


Exersaucers were a great discovery for us at 4 1/2 months. Once brought home, my son gave me this look like he had been waiting forever for this. He also had a huge love for his Jolly Jumper. After taking him out of either he is wanting to be still play and begs to be distracted by something else. A lot of people do prefer the jumperroo model for safety. Once again this is a personal choice.



Sleep is the gift that keeps on giving! Giving the little one a crib pal to cuddle up with can make the biggest difference for a baby.



Nothing is more fun that playing make believe & educating your little one about food and cooking!



Teaching your little one the joys of music can be a great gift and one that may grow into a little musician.


Buy Now

There is just so many options out there for your little one. The biggest thing to remember is not to go too crazy. You will have many years to go overboard. Keep in mind that your child is developing quickly and you may want to be looking for something that is a few months ahead developmentally in order to replace the current toys. Another thought would be to keep in mind what will work for your interaction with your baby. If you are someone that is active, keeping this in mind for stroller and car activities may be a thought. If you are taking up swimming or going on a trip in the upcoming months, this may also help you come up with some ideas. Just keep it to things you will want to play with yourself, will get you a few minutes to grab a shower or just simply keep the little one happy and learning!

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