HRM Parent Blog

"Anyone can give up.  It's the easiest thing in the world to do.  But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's the true strength" ~ Unknown

This week's Time Well Spent is dedicated to one HRM Parent's "Playdate with a Purpose".  A great event that will get you and the kids out of the house for a bit of fun, snacks, crafts and hope for the future.  Sarah is a strong mom with a mission to raise money for MS in support of her husband's recent diagnosis.  Here's a exert from her blog on the event:

I'm Sarah, the mommy behind "Team Daddy". My husband Jeff (Will & Olivia's Daddy) was diagnosed with MS three years ago and since then we've been dealing with its impact on our family and our future.

We are tired of sitting back and letting MS dictate how we live our lives. That's why we're raising $10K for the MS Walk. We can't do it without your help though. Which is why we're inviting you to join in the fun.  On Sunday, May 15th Go Active Kids has generously donated their facility for a Playdate with a Purpose - a fundraiser for Team Daddy.

Bring your kids, your nieces & nephews, your godchildren, your big and little brothers, the kids you babysat when you were a teen, your surrogate kiddos, your grandchildren, the kids next door - heck, we don't care. It's only $5 a kid - you could charter a bus and we'd welcome you at the door with open arms.

In addition to the amazing indoor play structure and toys, we'll have snacks, raffles for awesome prizes, crafts and a lot of hope for a future that's full of more fun than fear.

Please tell your friends to tell their friend, who will tell the mommy she walks with on every Wednesday, who will tell the gals in Strollerfit, who will rave about it at the library, who will mention it at the mall, who will tell the mommies at Costco who will go home and force the daddies to take the kids for the day on May 15th so they can get a pedicure. As they walk out the door without a care in the world the daddy will happily head to Go Active Kids for easy play.

Spending time with the family is even better when it's for a good cause.  Help Team Daddy out this weekend by attending their Playdate with a Purpose, 'like' them on Facebook for updates,  visit their blog or email them at teamdaddyms@gmail.com if you're interested in attending the event.  

We didn’t let the yucky weather stop us today and tucked inside the theatre to see HOP – the newly released family movie about the son of the Easter Bunny.  The girls totally enjoyed it and there were a few good laughs for the adults as well.  If you’re looking for something do this weekend – be sure to check it out.

For the hobby enthusiasts in your house, hop in the car and head to the Shearwater Aviation Museum for the 13th annual Spring Hobby Show.  With aircraft, armor, ship and railway models, a model contest and Lego display, it’s sure not to disappoint. 

As always, check our out ever growing events calendar for other great things to do.

Whatever you and the kids choose to do this weekend - we hope it’s safe and fun!

This weekend take advantage of all the season has to offer and head to one of our great farms for a sugar experience you’ll not soon forget. 

Sugar Moon Farm is one of Nova Scotia’s year round maple destinations.  They are open on weekends for brunch, tours of the sugar camp, tastings and awesome hiking trails.   It’s a busy time of year there so be sure to check out their site for some helpful tips on making your visit a great one. 

At Ross Farm Museum they don't actually tap a lot of trees but their Wonders of Maple Syrup event offers loads of fun with the sweet sticky goodness – including sampling maple candy – yum!

Not up for a Road Trip?  Our events calendar has other great ideas for things to do in HRM this weekend.

Whatever you and the kids choose to do this weekend, we hope it’s safe and fun!

Gandhi once said that you must “be the change you want to see in the world” and Winnipeg’s Colin Harris is doing just that.  He’s the co-founder of Take Me Outside , a non-profit organization that’s focused on getting kids outside and active. 

His latest project finds him running across Canada to encourage youth to get outside, be active and reconnect with nature. It’s an amazing initiative that’s only really just begun but is already making an impact.  

We were lucky enough to have just had him here in Halifax for a week, speaking with students at Eastern College, Westmount Elementary, Oxford School, Brookhouse, Southdale and Armbrae Academy – getting the students outside for anything from a game of tag or simply splashing in puddles to demonstrate how fun it can be to put down the video games and get active. 

His adventure continues on throughout the rest of Canada – running 5 days out of the week, visiting at least 35 schools (and counting), meeting with tens-of-thousands of student – inspiring youth, making a difference and promoting change!

Yoy may already know him, your kids may have met him when he visited their school, you may already be following him on facebook or reading his blog ….but are you up for taking on his challenge?  Don’t worry – he’s not asking you to run a marathon a day like he is…he simply wants you to commit to getting your family outside to get active and reconnect with nature.

It’s easy to get involved…simply choose one or more of his parent challenges make the commitment then get out and get active! Even though our daycare gets the kids out for a walk or play nearly every day, as a family we’ve committed to ½ hour 3 times a week.  We kicked it off tonight with a play in the back yard which was great considering I sat behind a desk for the majority of the day!! 

Thanks for stopping in Halifax Colin.  We’ll be following the rest of your Take Me Outside adventures and cheering you on the whole way - Good Luck!

Isn't it crazy how the weekend is always so busy?   Seriously,  between trips to the rink and the dance studio, birthday parties, errands, sleepovers and laundry - there's just never enough time.

Well - this weekend we say skip  the laundry and go PLAY!  The Discovery Centre has a fantastic exhibit of giant versions of classic games like dominoes and bowling that you really have to see to believe.  Total fun for all ages and since it's not here for too much longer, you'll want to check it out soon.

You can always take in a movie at Empire Theatres as well - from Rango for the little ones to Never Say Never (in 3D)  for the Justin Beiber fans, there's definitely something for everyone this weekend.

Of course you can always check out our events calendar for other great things to do around HRM.  Know of an event that we haven't included? Please email meghan@hrmparent.ca with the details.

Whatever you choose to do, we hope it's safe and fun!!