I had the pleasure of hosting the Swarovski Stars for Wishes Workshop at the Toronto Eaton Centre on Saturday. And it was AMAZING.
Located at the base of the Swarovski Christmas tree (hello 40,000 sparkly, glittery, crystal Swarovski ornaments!) across from the Swarovski store there was a little workshop set up with little chairs and little tables all ready for little fingers to make wonderful ornaments.
Families made an easy yet fun acrylic tree ornament blinged out with real Swarovski crystals. The kits cost $20 each (no tax) and 100% of the funds go directly to the Children's Wish Foundation.
I, along with Mrs. Clause and Rory the Lion (the mascot of the Children's Wish Foundation) took to the mike (well, not Rory) to invite families to craft with their kids and create a tradition together.
It was a great way for families to pause from their busy shopping and connect. I even saw one mom say to the dad "Stay here and do this with the kids and I'll finish the shopping!" And others had the great idea of doing a kids' craft party with the ornaments as the activity and loot bag (and it all goes to such a good charity why not?!)
And if, as a parent, you need a teachable moment here: making an ornament is hands-on, electronic free, together time with your kids. They will find accomplishment and creativity in what they make. And it is a souvenir that you will bring out of the ornament box year after year and think "Remember when we made this...?" -- all for a good cause benefiting a children's chairty (teaching your kids to give to others).
I made an ornament with my 9 year old last week and she LOVED it. And I love the fact that it's unbreakable. And I'm thinking the gift box it comes in is so lovely that I might just ship it to the kids' Mamie in France as her Christmas gift.
I think making an ornament is a great family tradition to start this year. And a Swarovski sparkle makes it all the more wonderful.
Come hang with YMC bloggers at the Swarovski Stars for Wishes Workshop from 10am-12pm the following Saturdays.
November 26 - Sarah Gunn, Wall Candy
December 3 - Lisa Thornbury, Party Mummy
December 10 - Sharon DeVellis, Inside Scoop & YMC Editor-in-Chief
Remember you can craft the ornament right there or take it home to do during a quiet family time. Can't get down on a Saturday? The Eaton Centre Swarovski store is selling the gift boxed ornament kits in store now 'till Dec. 10.
This blog is proudly sponsored by Swarovski
Let's de-bug...oops...debunk the head lice myth right now - lice is not because of bad hygiene. It's not because your house is unclean. Lice happens. And when it happens in your house - you want to treat it - STAT!
Little girls are four times more frequently infested than boys. I will be the first to (reluctantly) raise my hand - I, Activity Mummy, have had two daughters who have had head lice. I was horrified when the school called me on lice check day. Horrified. Until, I saw the other moms driving in, head lowered in shame, to pick up they lice-ridden kids. Lice happens...to anyone.
"Head lice are wingless insects spending their entire life on human scalp and feeding exclusively on human blood" - wikipedia (head louse)
Eggs (or nits) are white and tear drop shaped found near the scalp (if you can blow it away its dandruff if it sticks it could be a nit). Found mainly behind ears and at the back of the neck because lice don't like light.
How To Treat Head Lice
Shave
Shave the hair of an infested head. Easy and quick - a good choice for boys...however for girls with long hair (like mine) not so much of a choice.
Comb and pick
Tedious, long and nit-picking (excuse the pun) combing and picking is absolutely required. But not just any comb - you want a fine metal nit picking comb - available behind the counter at the drugstore. Trust me on this.
Shampoos
There are many lice shampoos on the market but be a smart consumer parent and do your research on choosing between a natural lice shampoo or an insecticide shampoo (there is very strong data both ways) Personally, I chose to add a few drops of tea tree oil in shampoo which is a common all-natural lice treatment with no side effects.
Olive oil - maybe
Someone told me olive oil suffocates live lice...I don't know if this is true but what harm could oil do? I was told to pour a cup of olive oil on my daughters' long hair, put a shower cap on oiled hair and let it sit overnight (my kids could only stand an hour but we tried).
Laundry
Wash and heat dry anything the infested hair has come into contact with including; sheets, pillows, stuffed animals, blankets, jackets, hats, etc...
Call in a lice specialist. There are people who pick nits as a job - really. Professional and confidential they come to you.
Preventative
Tell your kids to not share hats, hairbands, hoodies or anything touching hair with friends.
Do a lice check in your house once a month.
Use tea tree shampoo.
Head lice happens. And it is one of the lesser parenting experiences. You feel so alone and ashamed when it happens in your house. I hope this post might help debunk the myth and point parents in the right direction of debugging.
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Write to the troops. Be it your child, their class or the girl guide troop...this is the address to use:
Any Canadian Forces Member
Op Attention
Kabul
PO Box 5140 Stn Forces
Belleville ON K8N 5W6
Print out FREE Remembrance Day colouring pages for the kids to colour (and hang in pride).
For older kids, have them wear a poppy to school (tip: use a back of a Canada flag pin to secure poppy pin and ensure it doesn't poke kids' skin)
Read "In Flanders Field" together
Read Winnie-the-Pooh and talk about Winnie's history. (True story: The character Winnie-the-Pooh was inspired by Winnipeg the Bear - a Canadian born bear adopted by a Canadian solider who became his regiment's mascot. Winnipeg (aka "Winnie") eventually found a home at the London zoo and among his fans was A.A. Milne's son Christopher Robin - and thus was born the Winnie-the-Pooh stories!)
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