Neighbourhood Memories #KCT

The warm weather has hit us! We are mostly happy about it (I'm looking forward to getting the air conditioners installed ;) But mostly, we're getting excited to do lots of fun things outside!

When I was growing up, we lived in the country, so our backyard was our playground most of the time. On special days, we would drive into town and visit a park that had big teeter tawters that were so fun to go on with my parents and siblings! When we moved into the city about half way through elementary school, it was a whole new experience for us to have friends' houses close enough to walk to, and a community park within walking distance!

I can remember when our community park got a "makeover" and how cool it was to see the new things they were adding and updating. Now that I've got my own kids who are the perfect age to visit parks, we are lucky to have a park practically in our backyard! When we first moved here it was pretty outdated and worn down, so you can imagine our excitement when they ripped it out and put a brand new one in! I've seen this happen to an old park we used to visit when I was little, living in the country, too! (They've even added a new splash park to it which is a big hit with my kids when we're in my home town, visiting Grandma & Grandpa ;)



There is so much fun to be had in your own neighbourhood! Where do you like to go, to spend your time in your neighbourhood? Do you have a place in your community that needs an update? If so, I have good news!

You can nominate YOUR community to win $25,000
to create something new or make something better!



Kraft Canada & TSN are doing their 5th-Annual Kraft Celebration Tour!
Each winning community will also host one of 10 live broadcasts of Canada's most-watched sports news program, TSN, as part of this summer's cross-country tour from August 16-25th!

To get you thinking about the possibilities,
here are some of the projects that the tour has helped happen in the past:
- building a skateboard park
- upgrading a sports field
- improving a boxing facility
- renovating a community youth centre

You can nominate your community online at kraftcelebrationtour.ca until June 7th!
Winners will be announced on June 30th.

To nominate your community, you'll submit a short essay and up to five photos explaining why your community deserves to be a part of the Kraft Celebration Tour and how the $25,000 community award will go towards the creation or improvement of a local community space. The essay should also touch upon how the award would help promote community spirit, a passion for sports, and an active lifestyle.

So, head over there and check it out! You can also visit their facebook page.

Disclosure – I am participating in the Kraft Celebration Tour Blogger Campaign. I received compensation as a thank you for participating and for sharing my honest opinion. The opinions on this blog are my own.

21 Principles

I am loving the book that I'm reading right now!
It's called 21 Principles by Elder Richard G. Scott, published by Deseret Book.

I've taken my time reading it, just soaking up the information and experience contained in it. This book is a treasure- I know I'll be reading it again. It's a book that will be filled with my own notes and underlined sections. Maybe it's just a topic that's been on my mind a lot lately, but I think it's more than that. I love the way it's written- straight forward, clear, and full of little tips.



Each chapter is on one of the 21 principles that Elder Scott shares that he has learned in his life, in regards to living by the spirit. The chapters are pretty short, but they are packed with goodness! You could spend a lot of time on each chapter, really thinking about the things you're reading and pondering how to apply them in your own life.

It's a great collection of helpful insights, all in one place. I would definitely recommend this one!

This book is available as a hardcover book, an ebook or a book & ebook together.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for review purposes from Deseret Book. All opinions expressed here are my very own.

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Alexander Steven (A Birth Story)

Almost a month ago now, I was privileged to attend the birth of my newest nephew. It was the second homebirth I've had the opportunity to attend and once again, I went away amazed and feeling blessed to have been able to witness such a huge moment for a family.

On Sunday I saw my sister-in-law, Betsy, at church. She let me know that she had been having regular contractions, but nothing too intense yet. That evening we decided I would go out of town a bit for a family dinner and that my girls would go to my parents' house overnight (Ken was out of town at a conference). It's a good thing we did that because my brother-in-law, Steve, called me at 5:15am to let me know that they had called the midwife and I could plan to come over soon!

I arrived at their house shortly after that (and just like Laura's birth, I was there before the midwife). I went up to see Betsy who was calmly focused, laboring in her room alone while their son, Donovan, slept in the next room and Steve hurried around, getting things ready.



Soon the midwife arrived and then my mother-in-law (who is a Doula and would also be attending).
The midwife got set up while Linda (our mother-in-law) helped out, doing whatever she could to help Betsy to be as comfortable as possible. This is the second time that I've been impressed at a birth, with how the mother seems to just retreat into a calm, focused place- sort of "away" from everyone else. She remains focused on what she has to do while everyone else scurries around doing whatever they can to offer assistance!

May 2013 Sharing Time & Week in Review

Here's May's Sharing Time Linky & a review of the last 2 weeks' posts:
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This week I posted:
Newborn Photos I took of my nephew, Xander.

A CD Giveaway (which you should go, enter!)



and reminisced about my cute kids, then shared details about a fun contest.



Now, on to the link party- can't wait to see the new ideas you'll add!





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Pure Joy #BestLittleLaugh Contest

Pure Joy.
Don't you love those moments?
When you can just feel the joy your kids are experiencing? :)

One of my favourite things to watch my girls do is dance. They just get into their own little worlds and look like they are thoroughly enjoying themselves! Even more, I love to watch them dance with Daddy! That inevitably turns into some sort of ride- Daddy lifting them up above his head while they gracefully pose, arms outstretched, toes pointed :)

I gathered a few photos of my girls over the years that just make me smile
because I love to see them so happy!



On this topic of joy, today I’m here with news from Fisher-Price about the launch of their new Laugh & Learn site! It’s a fun part of the FisherPrice.ca webpage where you can find webisodes, games and activities for your kids that are all centered around early learning.

Fisher-Price is celebrating the launch of this new site by hosting a contest called the Best Little Laugh! The contest celebrates all those insanely-cute, over-the-top-adorable smiles, giggles and laughs.



So, go back through your videos & find those cute moments that you captured of YOUR kids!
You can find the contest here: www.fisherprice.ca/bestlittlelaugh

Disclosure: I am part of the Fisher-Price Blogger Campaign with Mom Central Canada and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.