Child's Life March Contest

Just one more week to enter our most popular contest to date. This month enter to win a Manicure/Pedicure from Markham Village Spa - valued at $70. Click here to enter.

Baby Keepsakes from the Royal Canadian Mint

Looking for something a little different to celebrate a babies birth? The Royal Canadian Mint has a number of special Baby Coin Sets for 2007. These coins will last a lifetime and also make a unique gift.

2007 Baby Coin Set

Welcome Baby with this commemorative set of Canada’s traditional uncirculated coins featuring a heartwarming touch - a coloured design of a baby rattle on the 25-cent coin. Record the details of Baby’s arrival with the insert card provided. $19.95 CDN

2007 Baby Lullabies CD and Sterling Silver Dollar

This unique baby-themed sterling silver dollar combined with a CD full of soothing lullabies (including melodies by Bach, Brahms and Mozart) and a picture frame creates a touching and lasting keepsake. $34.95 CDN

2007 Premium Baby Coin Collection

With a unique sterling silver dollar featuring a baby rattle enhanced with gold plating. This 7-coin set also comes with an exclusive baby-themed bronze medallion and a Certificate of Authenticity with space to record baby’s details, housed in a beautiful leatherette case. $89.95 CDN

All of these sets are available to buy online at www.mint.ca/baby

bugzbitz II

Tuesday was the first warm day of the year - arriving one full week before the official start of spring! It was great strolling outside without a jacket, we decided this was the perfect day for our trip to the zoo! So off we went to spend the afternoon...

First stop was the bugzbitz II exhibit inside the Toronto Zoo educational building not far from the main gates. bugzbitz II is a special event for March Break, and the boys were anxious the view the creepy crawlys inside.

I made an error in judgement when I parked our wagon underneath two potted trees with my hair brushing up against the leaves. When I turned around I noticed people pointing fingers at the very same tree and saying 'look do you see it?" (click image to magnify). Almost invisible at first glance, the trees were covered in giant leaf like creatures - stick bugs! After thoroughly brushing off my hair and jacket (just in case!) we made our way around the room to view the other critters. The exhibit featured giant cockroaches, beetles, centipedes and a huge spider! Yikes! Even my 6 year old was - in his words – 'creeped out'.

At the art and activity tables kids were encouraged to draw bugs, play with oversized toy bugs, watch a bug movie or learn about bugs on an interactive screen. There was even a whole wall of 'bug art' - a beautiful composition made out a variety of beetles and other giant insects (click image to magnify).

The rest of the zoo added to a great day also, I can't remember seeing so many animals out to view and so playful too... it must be that spring is finally in the air!

More info: www.torontozoo.com

~Justine