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The Most Wonderful (Or Not) Time of the Year: Back to School as a Parent

Thursday, September 9th, 2010

The immunization forms have been photocopied, a small forest of trees worth of paperwork has been filled out, the pristine supplies are nicely arranged in the backpack and the first day of school outfit has been carefully chosen. The kids are heading back to school in the Fraser Valley.

There are lots of things that people will tell you about back to school time. The newspapers, blogs, online lifestyle magazines cover Back to School lunches, best deals on school supplies and every other aspect of making sure your child succeeds in school. Your friends and family pitch in with ideas on before-and-after school care, extracurricular activities and tutoring. The malls trot out the styles in July (and somehow, we’re already seeing Halloween decorations now).

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FV Frugal Fun: Library Adventures!

Monday, September 6th, 2010

Let’s face it – getting ready for back to school can be an expensive time of year. Between the “must have” new clothes and those expensive graphing calculators, the left over budget for entertainment can be fairly small. That’s why this month, we bring you a Fraser Valley Frugal Adventure that’s fun and completely free of charge: your local library!

Not just for booklovers anymore, our Fraser Valley libraries have changed greatly in the past few years. Between the 18 libraries from Hope to White Rock, you can be sure there is always something entertaining taking place at any one of the locations. From Jazz Sessions and Poetry Nights at the Clearbook Library in Abbotsford, to Conversationlist Spanish Lessons in Maple Ridge, libraries have become a great place to gather, meet new friends, and be entertained.

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Back to School!

Thursday, August 26th, 2010

We’re just a few weeks away from the start of school in the Fraser Valley. The start of school can feel overwhelming – so many details! – but here are our quick tips for heading back a bit smoother for everyone. Unfortunately, we can’t help you with carpool.

Start the school routine a week early. Most of us get a bit laid back about bedtimes and mealtimes during the long summer days so a few days of going to bed on time and getting up at school time will hopefully reduce the wailing and gnashing of teeth when the alarm goes off.

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Back to School Tips with Abby Tutors

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

This summer has gone by so fast and in just 2-3 weeks school starts again. Whether your kids are in high school or just starting preschool, it is important to help them transition from the lazy days of summer to the busy fall filled with school, homework and extracurricular activities. We asked teachers, parents and owners of Abby Tutors, Ron & Marilyn Peters for some back to school tips.

Q: How you can you prepare kids for the transition from summer to back to school?

A: Before school begins, get your kids started on a schedule of sorts, if you don’t already have them on one. For instance, get them ready for early morning academics by having them do some type of school work right after breakfast.  A good reminder for parents is that during the school year, have your kids do homework right after they’ve eaten and are ready for an activity while their minds are fresh and they aren’t hungry or tired.

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Beyond PB&J: Healthy Lunch Alternatives

Wednesday, August 11th, 2010

It may be hard to believe, but we’re already just a few weeks from the start of school. Despite its popularity, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches can get monotonous after awhile.  We’ve uncovered a few alternatives for lunches as you start to gear up for back-to-school planning.

Most experts recommend including a protein source, a vegetable (cooked or fresh) and a fresh seasonal fruit along with water or 100% juice to ensure a balanced lunch.

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Keep Your Pets Safe This Summer

Saturday, July 24th, 2010

We are all aware of the dangers of too much sun and take steps to prevent sunburns and heat exhaustion. Luckily, our bodies are equipped with defensive mechanisms, like sweating, to prevent us from getting too over-heated. Unfortunately, some animals like cats and dogs can only sweat through their paws and can be at extreme risk for heat stroke when the weather is warm. We asked Lisa Robinson, Owner of Elemental Canine which offers nutritional advice, top quality food and unique accessories, for some summer pet safety advice.

Q. How can you tell if your pet is over-heated and what is the best way to keep them cool?

A. Panting is your first clue that your pet is over-heating!

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51 Family Fun Things to do in the Fraser Valley This Summer

Friday, July 16th, 2010

Whether you prefer outdoor adventures, homemade fun, water play, heritage and cultural visits, fairs and events or a combination of them all, we’ve got your hook up.  But this couldn’t possibly encompass everything that there is to do in the Fraser Valley this summer so make sure you share your favourite spots or activities or events in the comments.  Where is your favourite family hangout?  What do you do with the kids when it’s warm outside?  Share your favourite things to do in the Fraser Valley!  Also be sure to check the Fraser Valley Pulse events page often; we add new fun and exciting things to do every week!

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Interview: Summer Cycling with Fort Langley Cyclery

Monday, June 21st, 2010

Now that Summer has officially arrived in the Fraser Valley, we can break out the bikes and get some vigorous exercise or go for a leisurely stroll with the family.  Do you own a bike?  If you do, should you bring your bike in for maintenance before heading out? For some tips on biking we turned to Tim Vanpopta. Tim and his brother Jon own Fort Langley Cyclery: a bike store, rental and bike repair service shop.

There are so many different types of bikes, how do I know which one is best for me?

The biggest issue to decide on before purchasing a bike is what you will use it for.

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Hiking Teapot Hill with the Tinies

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

On one of the rare sunny days this spring, we took our tinies hiking. We chose an easy hike since our eldest, Anne, isn’t yet four years old and our youngest, Joseph, is just 21 months. The popular trail at Teapot Hill in Cultus Lake was our destination. We hadn’t hiked it before and were lured by the promise of a relatively easy 5K with an elevation gain of 250m which seemed equally reasonable for Anne’s skinny legs and our backs as we took turns lugging our sturdy toddler up the hill in the carrier.

For me, hiking used to be about the view at the top; the payback, if you will, for the climbing. I was usually on a mission to get where I was going, rarely dawdling. When there is somewhere to get to, well, then baby, let’s get there. So I charged up the mountain, eager for the goal to be accomplished.

That was then. And this is now.

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8 Family-Friendly Ways to Welcome Spring in the Fraser Valley

Thursday, April 15th, 2010

It’s spring in the Fraser Valley! I know this because today, I have seen pouring rain, hail, snow and bright blue sky with sunshine. So, to celebrate, here are a few simple ways to welcome spring as a family.

Visit a farm.
Introduce your children to our local farmers and let your children discover that baby animals are even cuter in real life.

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