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kwkids.com Newsletter - October 2008
Featured Activities & Outings for October
While September is a transition month, there is no doubt in October that fall is here! We are lucky to be living so close to Nature – just walking through the local trails or taking a short drive to the country, brings us back to nature and ourselves. October brings with it Oktoberfest activities along with the very popular Thanksgiving Parade, various harvest events, and the last chance to run around in shorts (maybe not?!).
- ‘Tis the time to visit local farms – harvest time is here! Various harvest events will be taking place this month. It’s an exciting time of the year for our farmers as they see their work come to fruition and as we experience the rainbow of colours that their work has created. Now is the time to go apple picking, select the perfect pumpkin at a pumpkin patch, or find your way through a corn maze. Kimglow Farms in Ayr has over 16 activities planned during their Family Fall Festival, including a hayride, a 6 acre alphabet corn maze, petting zoo, and haunted barn. Birtch Farms in Woodstock offers many fun fall activities such as wagon rides, scarecrow making, apple and pumpkin picking, corn maze and children's playground. Come to kwkids.com for more info!
- The anticipation of the new indoor playground for kids ages 0 – 5 has been growing during the last month. It’s official - the Busy Bees Playground will be opening on October 15! If you are planning a birthday party, now is the time to book it since the first 10 parties to be booked are offered at a 25% discount, and from the first 20 to be booked, a name will be drawn to win a free birthday party. I cannot wait to explore this new playground with my active 3 year old son!
- The 4th Annual Cambridge Breastfeeding Challenge will be taking place this Monday, October 6 at the Food Court of the Cambridge Centre Mall. All breastfeeding mothers are invited to join this event to nurse their babies/toddlers together! There will be a toddler craft table, refreshments and a small gift for all participants. Keynote Speaker, Michelle Buckner B.SW., LLC, Breastfeeding Buddy will be addressing this year's world breastfeeding theme 'Mother Support'.
- Children grow quickly during all seasons. 2nd Time Around – a popular second hand clothing store in downtown Kitchener (417 King St. W., located in the same building as Ziggy's Cycle & Sport) - will be holding its Customer Appreciation Day on Saturday, October 18th. Be sure to drop by if you would like to stock up on quality consignment clothing for your kids, maternity wear, books and/or toys. ALL CONSIGNMENT items (excluding winter outerwear) will be offered at a 25% discount. The store opens at 10am and stays open until 5pm. Get there early for the best selection!
- If your kids would like to explore their artistic side, consider enrolling them in the pottery classes starting tonight at Majestic Mud Pottery Studio. They are run by a wonderful teacher Shawna Morrisette who will make any kid feel special and happy within the group. Kids will not only learn to express their creativity using various handbuilding/wheelthrowing techniques; there will also be time for games, stories, songs and drumming!! It’s a truly great place for kids ages 3 to 16. Majestic Mud Pottery Studio also offers adult classes, birthday parties, camps and pottery studio field trips for local schools.
- Halloween is coming! Many exciting events – some scary, some just fun, will be taking place in and around town. Be sure to check our Halloween page for all listings.
Please visit the kwkids.com event & program calendar for full details on many upcoming events & programs or visit the October At a Glance page if you'd like to see a quick overview of events taking place during the month of October.
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Take Action!
Are you passionate about making this world a better place? Is there a cause that you would like more people to know about? Let us know about it and we may include it in the Take Action! section of our newsletter and website. This past month I was very disturbed to find out about the possible plan to take away land from farms near New Hamburg and make it into a highway. Thank you to all who signed the petition and/or wrote letters. Every voice truly counts!
| Ask the Pro - Family Finances Specialist
 The kwkids.com Family Finances Pro Steve from Bentley Financial returns with important information for parents. Visit the Family Finances section for more questions and answers on family finances.
October 2008 Question: We are a young couple and are thrilled to soon be welcoming our first child into the world. Our money is tight and we are wondering if you have any advice for ways to make the first year easier?
Answer: If you're careful, the cost of your baby’s first year can cost less than you think. You might be surprised to learn that you don't have to cut a single corner to wind up with a low price tag and your baby is better off with the bargain deal.
Nursery - When you're putting together your baby's nursery, it can be difficult to resist splurging. Instead of splurging on the color-coordinated wallpaper and curtain set, consider this: For less than $20 dollars you can stencil the nursery walls. Stencils are practically idiot proof: head to your local craft shop, pick up a brochure and supplies and do a trial run on posterboard.
Furniture and Car Seats - There are two items on which you should spare no expense: your baby's crib and car seat. Do not buy either these items used - they may not be up to current safety standards. To ensure your child's safety, educate yourself first. Check out what consumer reports say about the various brands, talk to other parents, decide what you want and shop at reputable stores for the best price. The rest of your baby's furniture can be purchased new or used. Make sure used furniture isn't painted with lead-based paints. You don't need a separate changing table. Try using a padded surface on top of your baby's dresser or even the floor.
Diapers and Baths - Cloth diapers can be as expensive as disposables if you use a service. If you launder them yourself, cloth diapers can save you money. Costs can vary widely so it's difficult to estimate costs. Talk to other mothers, and decide what feels best to you. Bathing your baby is relatively inexpensive. Spend $20 on an infant tub or take your baby into your own bath. Baby soaps and shampoos cost about the same as adult versions and are gentle on your baby's sensitive skin. In the first few months, you don't need to bathe your baby every single night. A bottle of liquid baby soap should last several months.
Dressing Baby - You don't have to buy your baby many clothes at first. You'll most likely receive most of what he needs as gifts. Before your baby is born, you should buy just one outfit for coming home from the hospital. After you see your baby's size and the size of the pile of presents waiting for you at home, you can buy whatever is still needed. Buy 3-to-6-month sizes; they'll be a big at first, but you'll be amazed at how quickly your baby grows!
Toys and Strollers - Toys are also budget breakers. In the first few weeks, your face is more exciting to your baby than expensive toys. You'll probably get lots of toys from friends and family. When your baby is 3 to 4 weeks old, you can evaluate what you've received and see if there is something else your baby really needs. Expensive strollers are often more of an inconvenience than they're worth. The estimated cost for a stroller is $150 to $300. Consider buying a sling instead. Most cost about $60. A well-designed sling can be used through toddlerhood. Your baby loves to be close to you. A sling keeps him near the warmth of your body and the reassuring sound of your heartbeat.
Feeding Baby - How you feed your baby can have a major impact on your finances. Breastfeeding is free, but there are sometimes a few 'start-up costs' involved. You might need a lactation consultant and a good breast pump can cost as much as $200 to $300. Formula can run as high as $1,500 in a single year. Formula feeding means you'll need a full supply of bottles and nipples, a bottle scrubber and a sterilizer. Soy formulas are more expensive than dairy versions and ready-to-pour canned liquid costs more than powders you have to prepare.
The expenses related to a new family can be quite taunting. Bentley Financial can help you explore the many strategies available to make it easier when starting a family. If you would like further information, please email Bentley Financial at info@bentleyfinancial.ca or call us at 519-404-4864 (1 888 88 BENTLEY toll free).
| Ask the Pro - Naturopathic Doctor
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 Dr. Joanna Thiessen George Street Naturopathic Medicine answers another question asked by one of the kwkids.com visitors. Visit the Ask the Naturopath page for more questions and answers on naturopathic medicine.
October 2008 Question: My daughter is 9 months old. She is small for her age and the doctor recommends I give her more fats to eat. He has suggested homo milk but I read that milk is a common allergen so I was hoping to hold off on giving it to her until she was over a year. Do you have any other ideas?
Answer: Thank you for your question. I agree with you that cow's milk is a common allergen and therefore I do not recommend it for 9 month olds. Also, the fat in cow's milk is a saturated fat which is not health promoting - saturated fats are associated with heart disease. There are other food to consider such as: avocado, flax seed oil (give her 1 tbsp per day, mixed into pureed foods after they have been heated), chicken, fish, and ground seeds such as pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds and sunflower seeds. Fats are important but you should focus on healthy, polyunsaturated fats (the fats in plants and fish) since intake of these will not put her at risk for health problems in the future. Good luck.
In health,
Dr.Joanna Thiessen (ND, Doula)
Disclaimer: The information presented herein is not a prescription and does not substitute the consultation of a health care practitioner. |
Enjoy the fall colours and happy exploring!
Jana
Tel: 519-571-8827
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