Friday, November 26, 2010

Trying Solids: Oooh Sweet Potatoes ... How Stefan loved you!

Serving Up Sweet Potatoes!



Today was a big day in our home, we moved from rice cereal to sweet potato. I was having a lot of apprehensions over what to start with, how to do it and when is the right time.

My little man is a good eater. He is primarily having breast milk right now with the addition of formula at night. But with him getting more and more hungry, the introduction of solids was calling me!

After a lot of discussion and reading, I finally got my whits together! And it was probably the easiest thing I have done in a long time.


Really there are 2 ways to do this: Bake or Boil!

* Bake method is 1 hour at 400 degrees Fahrenheit
OR
* Boil method is till soft (about 15 min).


I would beg to argue that the bake method would be better for nutrients not boiling out, but it is truly a personal opinion!

After this I simply cut the sweet potato into chunks about 1/4 of an inch thick and prepared these to be pureed. Fortunately I was given a baby food puree machine that can be purchased at any baby store. Other options are using your food processor or your hand mixer.

After some reading today, I did find that a few chunks are OK. I will link a few references below for further reading on this point. At the first try, I opted for using a fork in the bowl to get it to the correct consistency that I felt comfortable with.

After the hard work was done the rest was all about the GOOD TIMES!
I served up a bowl of the good stuff and let Stefan dig in & he absolutely LOVED IT!










Last but not least ... One Sweet Potato made 6 servings for the week to test the little mans allergies and liking for this new culinary creation!

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Lil' Page Turners, Tunes & What to do next week in the Tri-Cities?



 Lil' Page Turners            Tunes of the Week
      of the Week  
   The Cheerios Animal Play Book (Cheerios Play Book)           Snack Time


Super Cute book about animals       What could be better than kids 
that you match your Cheerios to!    music by a classic Canadian band.


What to do next Week?
(RSVP by clicking on the Links)


Thursday  - Walk @ Port Moody Rec Center 11 am
               - Share Toy Drive @ Port Moody Rec Center - 1 pm
               - Mom and Baby Boot Camp Drop In 
               @ Port Moody Rec Center 10:30 am
            - Learn to Run 5Km (tentative on weather) 
            @Rocky Point 1:30 pm


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

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Floor Mat for the Little Ones Play Area!

In my ongoing search for floor mats that have a bit more style for our family room, I have found the following that I wanted to share with all of you!

Skip Hop 20 Piece 70"x56" PlaySpot Floor Mat, Blue/GoldTadpoles 48 Piece Playmat Set, Pink/Brown
Wupzey Floor Mat, Blue Dot26-Piece Natural Foam Play Mat
4-Piece Comfort Step Padded Floor Fatigue MatsTadpoles 60 Piece 36 Sqft ABC Floor Mat, Pink/Brown

I have also seen these at Toys R Us in the basic colours if you are looking for your basic options!


http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2401632
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2401627


If you are looking for a way to clean your mats or flooring before your little one is up close and personal, try Tea Tree Oil. This acts as a fantastic antiseptic, germicidal, antifungal, antibacterial immune-boosting cleaner for your home. Try 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil in a spray bottle with two cups of water. Just give this a wipe after and you will avoid putting chemicals on the play area. You can also try using this mixture in your 'Swiffer Wet Jet'; once the bottle is empty just refill with this mixture instead for mopping.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Christmas is in the Air!

Looking for something to do with your little ones and the hubby? Vancouver & Coquitlam are filled with a ton of great things to do. I have covered a few of my favorites over the years and I would love to hear yours!






November 26, 2010 to January 2 (Closed Christmas Day) 3pm - 10pm (farmyard open to 9pm)
A great display of millions of lights in Stanley Parks forrest setting. 
I recommend getting down early to get a spot on the train or heading down later. This is a very busy event later in December and can make for some long lines. The photo options on this are well worth it and the hot chestnuts & hot chocolate are a great seasonal snacks. 

Santaland - Hours and Photo Information

November 20, 2010 - December 24, 2010
As usual, Coquitlam Centre will be offering digital photos with Santa throughout the holiday season. Photos will be available for pickup immediately following the visit with Santa, in Santaland. Packages start at $18.00. CDs are also available for $15 (with any package).
Santa will be available an hour after mall opening until an hour before closing; and must leave Santaland to feed his reindeer at approximately 3:00 pm everyday. 
Visit our Facebook page this holiday season for a chance to win VIP Santa Photo Packages!
His hours are as follows:
Saturday, November 20  12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Tuesday, November 23  
11:00 am - 6:00 pm
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Monday & Tuesday  11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Wednesday to Friday  11:00 am - 8:00 pm
Saturday  10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sunday  11:00 am - 6:00 pm

Starting Monday, November 29
Monday to Friday  11:00 am - 8:00 pm
Saturday  10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Sunday  11:00 am - 6:00 pm

Christmas Eve
Wednesday, December 24
10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Saturday, November 27, 11 am-5 pm 
Leigh Square in downtown Port Coquitlam


Buy or sell used childrens toys and clothes. Tables are $12 and go on sale Oct 16. In person registration only. Only used materials can be sold. No merchants or businesses. Sunday November 28 10:00am -1:00 pm Free Admission. Douglas Park Community Centre - 801 West 22nd Avenue. 604 257 8130.

December 4, 2010 



This year, Heritage Square’s free holiday event Light up the Square is a lantern affair, complete with loads of fun activities and performances for the whole family. Make your own glowing lantern with which to deck Place des Arts’ Leonore Peyton Salon; bring a donation for the food bank to put under the “wish” tree, make an ornament to hang on it, and warm up with free hot chocolate at the Station Museum; partake in heritage baking and cookie and gingerbread decorating; enjoy yummy seasonal treats in the Noël Café; take a tour of Mackin Museum; and visit with Père Noël. The grand finale features a live presentation of the Christmas episode of Radio Maillard: a Vaudeville. Visitwww.placedesarts.ca for more information.

December 5, 2010 
This is a classic Christmas tradition with a visit with Santa, all the floats and Parades. Get down there early, bundle up and bring a blanket to sit on and wrap up in. 


I have volunteered several times to collect money and food for Vancouver Food Bank, so be sure to bring along some change and food! There are over 900k people that use the food banks to feed their families and they could use your help!
December 11 (9-11pm) 
Wilson Centre, Port Coquitlam Recreation Complex  (2150 Wilson Avenue)
 $TBA per person (0-3 years free)
Breakfast with the jolly old elf himself!



Join us for entertainment, crafts, face painting, and a sing-along.
Tickets available from:
  • Port Coquitlam Recreation Complex (2150 Wilson Centre)
  • Hyde Creek Recreation Centre (1379 Laurier Avenue)
  • Parks & Recreation Administration Office (1100 - 2253 Leigh Square; behind City Hall)
  • For more information call 604.927.7970.

Sunday, December 12 · 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Santa has arrived at Coquitlam Center and is now available for Photo's and dropping off letters for the little ones Christmas wishes!

I figure we should make an afternoon of it with the mommies and daddies! We can all meet at the food court by Dairy Queen at 2 pm. This way we can all grab a Starbucks or whatever your heart desires and head down to get pictures done. 

I would also love to hear what all of your big picks for the little ones Christmas gifts are going to be! Please share in your comments!


 Festival of Lights at Van Dusen Gardens

Dec. 10 - 24 2010


This has also become a tradition at our house, and with friends over the holidays. A large section of the park is dedicated to this lights display. There is also a light show that plays by the lake that play ever 30 min starting at 4:30. There is also 'Santa's Livingroom' that you can stop and have a picture with St.Nick!

Other great attractions (as posted on their site):
  • Santa's Living Room: Dec. 10 - 24 with Santa appearances 5:30, 6:30, 7:30, 8:30 p.m.
  • Svend and Jens, our Scandinavian Christmas Elves appear nightly in the Centre Court
  • Dancing Lights on Livingstone Lake: starting at 4:30 p.m. Two different shows - one show on the half hour and a different one at the top of the hour. Two different shows repeating in sequence throughout the evening.
  • Gingerbread Wood
  • Golden Chain Walk
  • Community Choir Concerts on the Deck at 6:00 pm and 7:30 pm, dates and choirs TBA 
  • Make-a-Wish Candle Shrine
  • Candy Cane Lane
  • Sparkling Spruce in the Centre Court
  • Candy Cane Express model train
November 27, 2010 to January 3, 2011
This holiday season experience the Magic of the North as you explore the fascinating Canada’s Arcticexhibit, transformed into a winter wonderland. You can join Santa’s helpers with holiday crafts, write a letter to Scuba Claus and sing along to holiday carols. 



December 19, 2010  12:45-4pm
December 24, 2010 Christmas Eve Skate  11am-2pm


Location Port Coquitlam Recreation Complex, 2150 Wilson Avenue
Drop in with friends and family to enjoy a festive skate featuring music, lights, and crafts!  Try your luck at the reindeer guessing jar and enjoy free hot chocolate, apple cider and some treats!http://www.coquitlamcentre.com/events/santaland-hours-and-photo-information

Friday, November 19, 2010

Page Turners Book Club Reading List



While we hope that everyone who comes to meetings reads the book, there is no obligation for you to finish it. Those that have read it will discuss and perhaps spoil it for you but you won't be turned away for not finishing it.

Let us know if this time works for everyone!

As for babies I was thinking babies are welcome especially if you are breastfeeding or can't find a sitter, but it is really a chance for moms to get away from babies and allow us to talk. If bab
ies are there we end up playing with them and entertaining them.



Event Link (Please RSVP)

January - Alyssa's House
The Girl Who Played with Fire (Vintage)
The Girl Who Played With Fire

March - Brittany's House
The Hunger Games: Book 1
The Hunger Games

April - Sharon
Book to be decided
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle: A Novel (P.S.)
Secret Daughter: A Novel

(Please Vote on the books listed above)

May - Jennifer's House
Stumbling on Happiness
Stumbling on Happiness

June - Raheel's House
The 19th Wife: A Novel
The 19th Wife

July - Helena's House
Book to be Decided

August - Kelly's House
Book to be Decided


Facebook Page Turners Event Link