HRM Parent Blog

The Princess Tea Party is an afternoon of everything princess (and pirates!). This annual event happens each year on Mother's Day and is a fundraiser for the Children's Wish Foundation. Includes a tea party, stage show, princess parlour, entertainment, Silent Auction, lots of princesses and fun, fun, fun. Not to leave the boys out there is also a pirate portion of the event as well! Arrgh matey!

The fun is on Sunday May 9 at the World Trade & Convention Centre. The draw bridge opens at 1:30pm and closes at 5pm. The last we heard there's only 170 tickets left, so get your tickets now. $35 per person. For tickets or more information call Lisa at 468-3044.

Fancy feeling the love with your family this weekend? Here's some Valentine's event ideas just for families that I've come across. For Valentine's events for the grown-ups, check out the Coast's list. And if you know of any events that I've missed, please feel free to add them in the comment section below.

Be My Valentine Craft Table: This one has been happening everyday since the beginning of February and ends on Sunday. Stop by the craft table any time to make a valentine for your special someone. At Alderney Gate Library. Free.

Hugs & Kisses: At Keshen Goodman Library, you can cuddle up with a loved one and listen to sweet stories, songs and rhymes. Then, make a Valentine’s Day card to take home. 10:30-11:15am, Saturday February 13. Free.

Valentine's puppet shows: The puppet shows on Saturday at the Spring Garden Road library (10:30am) and Sackville library (2:15pm) are Valentine themed and free!

Dance Your Love: Barefoot Ecstatic Dance: This one is just as much for the grown-ups as it is for the kids. Children are welcomed at this dance event. 7:30-9:30pm, Saturday February 13 at DANSpace in Halifax. $10 or pay what you can.

Hearts for All: Create some special valentines for your art and also for special people you know at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia's Family Sunday. Go early - supplies ran out towards the end last year, so I'm told. 1-4pm, Sunday, February 14. Free for members; non-members pay regular admission.

Family Valentine's Party: Enjoy mini-updos, minicures, tattoos, face painting and more. 3-4:30pm, Sunday February 14 at Sharkey's Cuts for Kids in Bedford Commons. $10 per family of 4. Additional kids at $3.

Today Alex and I spent the afternoon at the Discovery Centre with friends. I'm a big fan of the Discovery Centre - it's a bit like a second home to us, and we visit it often, spending long afternoons there enjoying the various exhibits, both old and new, and the warm welcome from familiar faces. I think today was our third visit since the Wheels, Wings and Wave exhibit opened in January. I am now congratulating myself on finally posting about it - third time's a charm, like they say.

Wheels, Wings and Wave is a fun LEGO exhibit at the Discovery Centre until April. Amazing structures and replicas have been built using LEGO - space shuttles, airplanes, the Titanic, and even a race car big enough for kids to sit in! The kids enjoyed building with LEGO and racing their inventions down the race tracks.

It was difficult to get good photos with my little camera, but hopefully these will give you the idea. 

 

Part of a LEGO city

 

Much more impressive in person - all built from tiny LEGO bricks!

 Building the perfect LEGO racing machine

Who won? The blurry bits towards the bottom are the LEGO racing cars. Please excuse the bad photos!

This exhibit is definitely worth a visit or three. The Discovery Centre Shop now also has a good selection of LEGO kits and will be adding more to their selection in the future.

If you think you will visit the Discovery Centre often, consider purchasing an annual membership - a family one costs $75. Or use your ABC Family Card and get a free child admission with an adult admission, and receive 10% off purchases from the Discovery Centre Shop too. Kids two and under are always free. 

More information on hours, location and rates can be found on the Discovery Centre's snazzy new website.

I know to most people if you mention 'the Games' right now, they probably think of the Olympics, but this week there's another celebration - the countdown to the Halifax 2011 Canada Games!

The Countdown Celebration begins tomorrow, Thursday, February 11, which is one year from the Opening Ceremonies of the Games, and runs until Tuesday February 16. This day is "Nova Scotia Day", with celebrations at the 2010 Olympics and, of course, here in Nova Scotia.

So what does this mean for local families? Free family fun! Such a nice ring to it, no?

There are free parent and tot skates at Gray Arena in Dartmouth on Friday February 12 at 1-3pm and on Monday February 15 at 2-4pm, and at LeBrun Centre in Bedford on Tuesday February 16 at 10-11am. On Saturday February 13 at 3:30-5pm there is a free family swim at Cole Harbour Place. There are also free public skates and open swims at various locations - click here and here for details. 

On Tuesday, February 16 there is a big celebration down at Grand Parade from noon-1:30pm that sounds like a lot of fun: "A pick-up game of street hockey like you’ve never seen before, featuring the talents of local athletes, celebrities, volunteers, politicians, and 2011 partners. Live music and video displays will pump up the lunch hour as we celebrate Nova Scotia Day and end our One Year Countdown Celebration with a bang."

It seems to be a week to be out and about, as live sports demos and interactive games will be popping up in unexpected places around the HRM. Where? Can't help you there - it's all very hush-hush, I'm afraid. Follow the 2011 Canada Games on twitter or become a fan on Facebook to be let in on the secret. I'll also be passing on what information I come across on HRM Parent's Facebook fan page and twitter account, but of course follow the 2011 Canada Games if you want to be sure you don't miss out.

For more information, check out the 2011 Canada Games website.

Santa has arrived in the HRM! For the traditional mall Santa experience, check these out:

• Bedford Place Mall: Mondays and Tuesdays 2-4pm; Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 6:30-9pm; Saturdays, 10am-noon, 2-4pm; Sundays 1-4pm
• Sunnyside Mall: Thursdays and Fridays 6-8pm; Saturdays 10am-12:15pm and 1-4pm; Sundays noon-2pm and 2:30-4pm. Donations accepted for Feed NS.
• Halifax Shopping Centre: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 10am-2pm and 3-7pm; Sundays noon-4pm. Free photos with Santa will be available via email & 4x6 prints with a $5 donation to children in need.
• Mic Mac Mall: Mondays to Saturdays 10am-8pm; Sundays noon-5pm

Other Santa opportunities include:

• Santa on Quinpool: 1-3pm, Saturday December 5, 12 and 19. No waiting in line!
• Santa at Sharkey's: Please come and meet Santa on the 12th of December from 2pm to 5pm. Get a photograph with Santa for $5 and give him your Christmas wish list. Click here for more details.
• Breakfast with Santa at the Kinsmen Community Centre in Sackville: There will be children's activities, great breakfast food and of course a visit with Santa himself. Click here for more details.
• Breakfast with Santa for the Canadian Cystic Firbrosis Foundation: Buffet breakfast, face painting, Mr. Shuffles the Balloon Magic Clown, storytelling, goodie bags, and photos with Santa. Trinity Restaurant, 1333 South Park Street on Saturday, December 12 from 10am to noon. Tickets are $10 each and must be purchased in advanced. Seating is limited. All proceeds benefit the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. For more information please contact pamela@cfnovascotia.ca or call 425-2462.

I'm sure there are more out there, so please do post a comment below with any more Santa events that you know of! Have fun!