Mountain Peeks

Fred Penner Is Coming To Town! (and you can win free tickets or a free CD!)

2010-02-24T21:01:00.000-08:00

One of Canada' most beloved children's entertainers, Fred Penner, will be performing in Nelson this weekend on February 28th at Nelson's Capital Theatre at 2:00 o'clock(250 352-6363) Fred is known for his wonderful, fun and loving stage presence and the delight he brings audiences of all ages. You can be sure that you will asked to sing and clap along to his upbeat, rhythmic melodies.

Many of you grew up watching "Fred's Place" on CBC and probably remember the log he used to crawl through to get onto the set and start his show. I know that my kids (who are now in their 20's) loved his show and all of his music. Their favourite song was "Sandwiches". (Remember? Sandwiches are beautiful, sandwiches are fine, I like sandwiches I eat them all the time) Anyway, we had a friend who worked at the CBC TV studio in Vancouver, and he invited us to visit Fred Penner on the set. My kids insisted on making a whole pile of "sandwiches" to bring along. Fred very graciously accepted them, even though they had gotten quite smushed by those excited little hands!

Bringing your children to a live musical performance introduces a whole new world to them. There is nothing quite like seeing a real person, not a TV or computer image, but a real live person up on stage singing and dancing and communicating with the audience. It's a great way to introduce "audience skills" to children in a safe a child friendly environment, and it gives them the idea that one day they may be able to be on stage singin and dancing as well.

HOW DO YOU WIN?

WIN FREE TICKETS TO SEE FRED PENNER!!!!!! or, if you are out of town, win a Fred Penner CD!. Just Enter the Mountainbaby Facebook Contest!

Mountain Baby is giving away two free tickets to the Fred Penner Concert, or, for those of you from far away, we're giving away a Fred Penner CD. Here's how to enter to win:

Tell Mountain Baby your favorite ways to spend special time with the little ones in your life. what do you like to do best together? What's your favorite memory of something you did together? share you ideas with other parents by posting them on our Facebook page......

Once you post your stories on our face book page we will enter your name into a draw to win 2 tickets to Fred Penner's concert Feb. 28th at the Capitol theater in Nelson, or a Fred Penner CD.

Hurry, The Dead line to enter is 6pm Feb. 26th.

We will contact the winner through Facebook after 6pm on Feb. 26th.

Oh Yeah, You’re Still Here….Romance After Baby Comes.

2010-02-11T13:40:00.001-08:00

Since you had your baby, sex is possibly the least appealing thing you can imagine doing. Try as you might, you’d rather change poopy diapers than get naked with your partner. You never thought you could feel this repulsed by something you once found so pleasurable. You, and pretty much every other new mother in the history of humanity.
Rest assured, you are not the only one going through this.

It makes sense. Your hormones are all over the place, you haven’t slept properly in weeks, your body isn’t recognizable in the mirror, you’re concerned your breasts may explode at any second, and no amount of ‘sensual massage’ is going to make you anything but drier than the Sahara during a drought. All in all, a decidedly un-sexy time.

Undoubtedly, this is going to put some degree of stress on your relationship with your partner. They don’t get it, and you don’t get why they don’t get it. Not to mention you’re both suffering from lack of sleep and having your lives flipped upside down and your roles changed by a new baby. Frustration, resentment, even jealousy may rear their heads in your interactions with each other. It doesn’t help that you’re reading and hearing everywhere what the “normal” amount of time is for couples to resume sex, and you’re both panicking about being outside the norm and feeling pressured to measure up.

Before you google magic herbal sex formulas, there are some things you can do to minimize the stress this situation causes, and maybe even to get back into the swing of things.

Communicate. You’re pretty confused by your body’s changes, imagine how hard it is for your partner to understand. Tell them about what your experiencing,and let them talk about how they’re feeling. There may be a lot of misunderstanding happening, so clear the air with a frank discussion.
Do things together that are intimate but not necessarily sexual, and not necessarily without your baby if you aren’t ready to leave him or her. If you’re breastfeeding, bring your partner into the experience by having them sit with you, burp or rock the baby afterwards, etc. Family bed may allow you to have more bonding time and a more restful sleep.
Be flexible. You might be eager to get back to “the way things were,” but the fact of the matter is, things aren’t going to be like that for a while. Part of the process of adjustment is accepting that fact for what it is, then you can work within your new circumstances. You may only have small windows of time to be intimate.
Do your best to avoid comparing yourself to arbitrary standards of normalcy; they do not reflect reality and have no productive value. Your body will tell you when it’s ready, not a book. That being said, reviving your sex life is going to take a conscious effort and some energy. Letting it fall by the wayside isn’t going to help your relationship get through the transition into parenthood.

This aspect of the many changes you experience when you become parents is rarely talked about. Just as it's hard to imagine what it's like to have a baby in your life until you actually do, it's also hard to imagine how that baby will affect your relationship.

So this Valentine's Day try to take a moment, however so brief, to look into your partner's eyes and remember that you love each other, light some candles with a take-out dinner, put on your favourite music and dance - even if you have to hold the baby at the same time.

Happy Valentine's Day

With Love from Chief Mom
Been there, done that, seen it all.

We Love you sale goes bag free!

2010-02-08T16:24:00.000-08:00

Love a Sale?

Our Valentines Mega Sale is Coming up!
Mark your calenders for Saturday February 13th. We will be having a giant, We Love You! clearance sale. We will send you details next week.

As part of the sale we will be encouraging people to "Love your Planet" by having two plastic Bag-free days. We will be supporting the hard work of the LV Rogers High School students who are organizing the Bag Free Day. Here is a link to the Facebook pageof these dedicated, caring young people, explaining what their campaign is about. If you desperately need a bag, for those two days they will cost 25 cents. All proceeds will go to the LVR plastic bag reduction program.

In the meantime the clearance on Columbia snowsuits, Kamik boots, Stride Rite shoes, Snowshoes, fall and winter fashions etc continues. There are also a few sale items on our website,www.mountainbaby.com

Amazing Response

2010-01-26T19:50:00.001-08:00

The Giving Keeps Going!

Thank you so much to everyone who has brought in contributions for our "Keep the Giving Going Campaign". We are so touched by your generosity and the beautiful quality of items you are bringing in to share with families in need. Family Place will be distributing the items on your behalf.

Just a reminder: this campaign will continue through the end of January. And if you bring in items you will receive 10% off your purchase at Mountain Baby.

So let's keep the giving going!

It's Literacy Week.

2010-01-25T19:55:00.000-08:00

Keep on Reading to Your Kids - Family Literacy Week is Here!

Want your children to learn to read? The greatest predictor of successful literacy is being read to as a young child. Many people think it's a waste of time to read to your baby or toddler, as they often just want to eat, throw, chew, or pull the book you are reading to them. But actually every time you read to them they are absorbing the idea of reading, as well as the sounds and rhythms of the language. You are providing them with ideas and concepts, new vocabulary, and an understanding of their world. And because reading to a child is a cozy, loving intimate experience children develop a positive and familiar relationship with reading.

Our local Nelson library is putting on a number of events for Family Literacy Week. Check out the schedule here.

For those of you in other communities, your local library is sure to have Family Literacy events this week as well.

January

2010-01-23T22:36:00.000-08:00

Keep the Clearance Clearing!
Our January clearance sale continues. All fall and winter clothes, Columbia Sportswear, Kombi mitts, Kamik winter boots and Little Bear Snowshoes are now 40% Off. Stock up for next year! We will see you in the store.

Green Eggs Ham and Spaghetti?

2010-01-08T19:52:00.000-08:00

Here's a great, easy, super fast pasta recipe that will help you get those veggies into your kids. This was an absolute all time favourite in my house. My kids loved the fact that their spaghetti turned green...like Green Eggs and Ham! This recipe is from "Whole Foods For the Whole Family", published by La Leche League International.

Green Spaghetti (or macaroni or rice)

1 package whole grain spaghetti, cooked and drained
1 bunch fresh spinach or 3/4 lb broccoli, chopped
1/4 -1/3 cup broth (you can use part of a bouillon cube)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
1/2 cup milk (of any sort)
4 Tbs butter or olive oil
(optional)1 clove garlic (if your kids like garlic, it gives a real "zing" to the recipe.)

Steam the spinach or broccoli until just tender. Put spinach or broccoli, with a bit of cooking liquid, (and garlic) into blender. Add warm broth and liquefy. Stir in cheese and milk. Presto! you have a great, tasty nutritious sauce.

Play with the ingredients; more or less cheese, broth, veggie combos etc. Another way to stay prepared for this is to puree fresh spinach and broccoli when they are in season and cheap or fresh from you garden as it may be, and store in 1/2 cup portions in the freezer.This is an excellent "Oh no! It's four o'clock" recipe

I do so like

green spaghetti!

Thank you!

Thank you,

Peyton Paghetti!

Warm and Outdoors!

2010-01-08T19:47:00.000-08:00

Get Active and Get Outdoors!

One of the best ways to stay healthy this season is to boost you and your families' immune systems with good, nutritious food and active play in the fresh air. Mountain Baby offers everything fromwarm woolly socks to technical long underwear, and cozy hats and balaclavas to keep your children warm, dry, and outside this season. There's nothing that will shorten an outdoor day faster than being wet, cold and miserable.
So have fun and stay warm and dry. We will see you outside!

Winter Clearance Sale

2010-01-08T19:42:00.000-08:00

It's time for our January Clearance Sale!!!!!

Right now we have all fall and winter fashions, all Columbia outerwear (snowsuits, hats and mitts) and Kombi mittens and gloves for25% off. Fall and Winter Stride Rite shoes as well as Kamik winter boots are 15% off. In addition, our Little Bear Snowshoes are 25% off. These snowshoes are a great introduction to snowshoeing and are designed for children 4-8 years old. With the discount they are only..... A great way for your kids to get fit, outdoors, and active.

SO come in and take advantage of these savings. There's still lots of winter left!

Help Us Keep the Giving Going

2010-01-08T19:32:00.000-08:00

Help Us Keep the Giving Going!

We spend all of December (and a good part of November-basically once the Halloween candy is gone), thinking about all the holiday preparations and all the gifts and all the spending. We run around, we get stressed, we get exhausted. Once the New Years cheer has worn off, the vacations are over, and the visitors have all gone home, we tend to power down and get into hibernation mode. We're back at work, it gets colder, and the days feel shorter.

It's hard for all of us, but much harder for some of us.

Living in the beautiful Nelson area can easily feel like a charmed existence, and we can forget too easily that there are many members of our community struggling to make ends meet--to put food on the table, to heat the house, to keep their kids in good warm clothes and happy with good quality toys.

Take a second, and look around your house; we bet there's a perfectly good toy your daughter has forsaken for the brand new one she got this winter; a snowsuit in the back of the closet that's still in good condition but hasn't fit for two years; a pair of yellow mittens that your son got for Christmas that he'll never touch because he only wears red.

For the rest of the month, you bring your unwanted or unneeded toys, winter clothes, books and games, or an item for the food bank, into Mountain Baby and we'll pass them on to an organization that's helping Nelson's families get through the winter. In return we'll give you 10% off your regular priced purchase.

Please be sure your donations are in good condition. Think of them as hand-me-downs; your community is kind of like your extended family, after all.

In the cold grey days of January the holiday spirit may feel like a distant memory. Show your neighbours in need that the spirit is still alive and well.

Help us keep the giving going.

Tips for preventing holiday "meltdowns"

2009-12-23T08:52:00.000-08:00

With all the excitement of the season, its easy for young children to get overwhelmed and fall apart just when you want them to be on their best behaviour. The sugary treats, travel, visitors, presents, shopping, changes in bedtime etc., all can become too much for young children.

Try to remember that young children, especially toddlers, thrive with routine and familiarity. They feel more secure and safe and more in control of their experiences. So take a close look at everything that is different about this time of year and see what small parts of day to day routine you can keep going. It may be wake up routine, a familiar bowl to eat from that you take with you traveling, well loved toys, songs you sing every day, quiet time just with you, or a daily walk together. The littlest familiarity can go a long way.

And remember that good nutritious food helps stabilize moods, especially if there are lots of treats around. Keep the healthy food coming and don't let your child's blood sugar drop too much from over activity and not enough nourishment. A lot of "bad" behaviour can result from low blood sugar and hunger. A little attention given to routine and nutrition can make a real difference in your child's (and your) holiday time. Enjoy!

Stripes - fun and colourful long underwear!

2009-12-21T22:01:00.000-08:00

Check out these multi-coloured, hi-tech polypropylene tops and bottoms from Stripes - perfect layering pieces for winter weather!

Kids just love Stripes long underwear. Not only does it keep them superbly warm, it is so much fun to wear!

Stripes long underwear is available online and in-store.

Happy Solstice to everyone!

2009-12-21T14:20:00.000-08:00

Now that winter is officially here (as opposed to just being here) we thought we'd send a little Canadian humour your way. For our friends in other countries, we're sure you'll enjoy learning about this fun and frozen nation!

Here's Jeff Foxworthy on how to tell if you are Canadian:

If your local Dairy Queen is closed from September through May,
You may live in Canada.

If someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance and they don't work there,
You may live in Canada.

If you've worn shorts and a parka at the same time,
You may live in Canada.

If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed a wrong number,
You may live in Canada.

If you measure distance in hours,
You may live in Canada.

If you know several people who have hit a deer more than once,
You may live in Canada.

If you have switched from 'heat' to 'A/C' in the same day and back again,
You may live in Canada.

If you can drive 90 km/hr through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching,
You may live in Canada.

If you install security lights on your house and garage, but leave both unlocked,
You may live in Canada.

If you carry jumpers in your car and your wife knows how to use them,
You may live in Canada.

If you design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit,
You may live in Canada.

If driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow,
You may live in Canada.

If you know all 4 seasons: Almost Winter, Winter, Still Winter, and Road Construction,
You may live in Canada.

If you find 2 degrees 'a little chilly',
You may live in Canada.

If you actually understand these jokes, and forward them to all your Canadian friends & others,
You definitely live in Canada.

Pressure rising?

2009-12-20T09:35:00.000-08:00

Don't let the stress of the season get to you.

There is just so much you can do. Make yourself a reasonable, manageable "to do" list that you have a genuine chance of completing. Putting too much on your list just makes you feel defeated and overwhelmed.

Look honestly at your list. What is really important? What can wait until next year when the kids are older? What is just "make work or feel guilty?" Cross off what isn't essential and ask the other adults in your life to help you complete the core "must do's".

This season is supposed to be about joy, love, and appreciation. Not stress and anxiety. So be easy on yourself and have fun!

Magnets are magical!

2009-12-19T09:32:00.000-08:00

Magnet games make use of the wonderful properties of magnets; mainly, things stick to each other... like magic! These magnet toys from Melissa and Doug are creative, imaginative, and make excellent travel toys (they stick together so it's harder to lose pieces!). Feedback in the store is that they all are very engaging and keep kids busy for long stretches of time! Another magical quality!

Take a look at our selection of magnetic toys online or in-store.

Bounce, roll, catch...

2009-12-18T09:00:00.000-08:00

Bounce, roll, catch...babies and toddlers love to play with balls.

They are great for hand eye coordination, cause and effect learning, interactive play, taking turns, spatial relationships etc. Plus they are so much fun. Nobbie Gertie Balls, and Polka Dot Gertie Balls are sure-fire favourites. Easy to hold, roll, catch and throw, (and also easy to wrap and mail) they are a timeless, inexpensive gift with fabulous play value. Available online and in-store.

Worried about "leaks" when traveling?

2009-12-16T08:54:00.000-08:00

Worried about "leaks" when you're visiting friends and family?

The Priva Bed Pad is an excellent traveling companion that your hosts will appreciate. Many kids have accidents at night when they are sleeping in a strange bed, and the Priva Pad will keep your hosts' bed nice and dry. It sits on top of the sheets, and if there's a leak, just take the pad off. No need for sheet changes!

Available online or in-store.

Warm Wooly Socks for Wintery Wanderings!

2009-12-15T09:15:00.000-08:00

Keep those little feet warm when out in the snow and cold. These great wool socks from Wigwam, are soft, comfy and very insulating against the cold. Cold feet can make kids miserable and can cut short their playtime outdoors. Warm socks make a world of difference! Available online or in-store in toddler to youth sizes.

Reduce, reuse, recycle and be creative this Christmas!

2009-12-14T08:41:00.000-08:00

It's fun to make your own Christmas Crafts with recycled materials!

Have a pile of old Christmas cards around? Try making little mini puppets with them. Have your kids (or help your kids if they are little) cut out their favourite pictures from old cards - Santa, reindeer, animals, snowmen, etc. Spread glue on a popsicle stick and glue the picture on. Voila! A little puppet. Make up stories together using the characters. Good creative fun and a great lesson in recycling.

Another recycling idea: take the lid from a cottage cheese or yogurt container. Use a hammer and nail to poke a hole through it so you can hang it. Take an old photo of your child that you don't mind cutting. You will want a photo that has your child's face small enough to sit it the middle of the lid. Cut the photo to the shape of the lid and have your child glue it in. Then take cotton balls and glue them around the photo. Dribble glue on the cotton and sprinkle glitter on it. Voila, you have an ornament you will always treasure.

Holiday crafts are always fun and children treasure the things they made themselves the most! We'd love to hear your favourite recycled craft ideas - please feel free to leave a comment!

Puzzled for a gift idea?

2009-12-14T08:11:00.000-08:00

Puzzled? Let a puzzle solve your gift dilemma!

Puzzles are fun, educational, challenging and oh so satisfying when completed. Kids of all ages enjoy puzzles and love to do them over and over. They feel a real sense of accomplishment when everything fits. Puzzles encourage eye-hand coordination, shape and colour recognition, spatial understanding, whole and part relationships, problem solving, mathematical reasoning etc. An excellent gift idea for girls and boys!

We have a wide assortment of puzzles available online and in-store.

Swish down the slopes with confidence!

2009-12-13T08:50:00.000-08:00

Swish with confidence as your child learns to ski with great ski learning aids!

Take the worry and anxiety out of teaching your child to ski (and getting him or her on the lift) with these wonderful, innovative ski training aids. Designed by serious, competent and experienced ski instructors, these skiing aids allow your child to have a real piece of the ski action while you have real peace of mind!

This fabulous Ski Trainer Harness combines the usefulness of a lift handle with 2 detachable learn-to-turn ski leashes, both comfortably attached to a useful little backpack. Ski Tip Clips help your child hold the snowplow position. The ski trainer harness and ski tip clips are also available as a set.

Available online or in-store.

Skip, skip, skip to my Lou with the Super Skipper!

2009-12-11T17:37:00.000-08:00

The Super Skipper will have your kids jumping and hopping!

It offers a great way to get that high energy harnessed indoors (or out if you're not having winter right now!) and it helps your kids stay fit and active. You can give it a go as well! The Super Skipper rotates around and kids have to jump over it as it moves by them. Lots of encouragement for coordination, reflex development, muscle building, cardiovascular health as well as sharing and taking turns.

The Super Skipper is available online and in-store. Want to receive our daily gift guide blog post? Subscribe to our rss feed.

"I made it myself"

2009-12-10T11:02:00.000-08:00

Craft kits give children a great sense of accomplishment and satisfaction and they make great holiday gifts. "Make your Own" craft sets as well as bead sets and other creative activities can all inspire the budding artist in your child.

Click here to view our great selection of craft kits online or visit us in-store.

Pizza? Sandwich? Fruit or veggie?

2009-12-10T09:44:00.000-08:00

Wood food is good food for hours and hours of imaginative play.

Kids love to imitate what you do. It's how they learn about the world and their place in it. They watch what you do and want to do it too. And what do they probably see you do the most? Cook and serve food. This wooden food from Melissa and Doug is sure to be a sure fire hit with your kids as they play at being grown up and doing what they see as among the most important things that you do!

We have a number of different play food sets available online and in-store.

Wedgits: an award-winning toy

2009-12-06T10:10:00.000-08:00

Which toy has been called "a manipulative masterpiece"? It's Wedgits!

Wedgits are definitely one of the best, most engaging, most creative, most educational, most fun and most award-winning toys ever made. Loved by girls and boys alike, the bright colours, fun texture and interesting shapes combine to make Wedgits an absolute hit with anyone 2-102.

Check them out! We have a number of different Wedgits sets available online and in-store.

Balaclavas

2009-12-06T09:54:00.001-08:00

Tired of hats flying off your baby or toddler's head? Try out the good old fashioned balaclava. Balaclavas not only keep heads, cheeks, ears, chins and necks warm, they are almost impossible for even the most determined toddler to take off! Made from soft, organic merino wool, they can be worn on their own or under a snowsuit hood. Available online or in-store.

Best playdough ever - a fun homemade gift!

2009-12-06T09:45:00.000-08:00

Here's a classic playdough recipe that's easy to make and lasts a long time. It's non toxic and is way cheaper that buying commercial playdough. Wrap it in wax paper, put it in a box or gift bag, and it's a great present! Kids of all ages (and adults too!) love the soft squishy feel of playdough. It's a fabulous tension reliever, encourages imagination and creativity, develops hand and finger strength and dexterity and is just plain FUN! When I taught in preschools and daycare, I always had one table set up just with playdough and assorted accessories (rolling pins, plastic knives, cookie cutters etc.).

Here's the recipe :

1 cup white flour
1/2 cup salt
2 tablespoon cream of tartar (available in the spice and/or baking section) - this is a critical ingredient. don't leave it out!
1 tablespoon oil
1 cup water
food colouring

Mix first 4 ingredients in a pan. Add water and mix well. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, for 3 – 5 minutes. Dough will become difficult to stir and form a “clump”. Remove from stove and knead for 5 minutes–add food coloring during kneading process. Play dough will keep for a long time stored in a covered plastic container or plastic sandwich bag.

If your children are 2 and up they can help you make this playdough - all the more satisfying to them if they made it themselves!

We'd love to hear your ideas for homemade gifts for kids - please feel free to leave a comment and share your ideas!

The perfect gift

2009-12-05T21:26:00.001-08:00

Here's a beautiful story from Judy, owner of Mountain Baby and our "Main Mountain Mama", about the perfect gift and the magic of the season.

In late November, a mother and daughter came into Mountain Baby to find a birthday gift for a friend's child. While the mother was waiting to pay at the till, her daughter wandered over to the costume display and was standing below a pink, shimmering fairy dress.

“This is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” she said, her eyes wide with awe and reaching up to gently touch the sparkling silver wings that fanned out from the dress. She turned to her Mother and pleaded, “can I have it, please? Please?”

“No, we’re here to buy a birthday present, that’s all for today,” she replied, wishing she could say yes, wishing it was that easy. She was trying to be a full-time Mother while working part-time. There weren’t enough hours in the day to make that work as well as she wanted, and not enough money coming in to buy all the Christmas presents she’d like to. But how do you explain that to your little girl?

“But I want it! I really, really want it!” cried her daughter.

Her mother couldn’t buy it but she couldn’t say no again, not looking into her child’s tear-filled eyes. So she said, “maybe Santa will bring it for Christmas.” The second it came out of her mouth she regretted it. She knew Santa wasn’t going to come down the chimney with a fairy dress in a box tied with a bow, not with a paycheque this small.

Behind the till, I watched all this transpiring; I watched both Mother and Daughter wanting something so badly that they just couldn’t have, and watching their hearts break because of it.

I leaned over the counter and said quietly to the mother, “what if you just paid a little each week and picked it up in time for Christmas?” The mother’s face lit up. She could make that work. She told her daughter again, this time with much more conviction, that Santa would bring it.

“But how will he know where to find it and what it looks like?” asked her daughter, distressed. I came around the counter and knelt down to her height.

“I talk to Santa all the time,” I said. “I tell him exactly which dresses and toys kids want.”

“But how will you remember that it’s this one? What if you forget?” I reached up and brought the dress down to her.

“Why don’t you tell me what this dress looks like and I’ll write it down and give it to Santa just to be sure?”

She touched the dress carefully like it was the most precious garment in the world, looked over it inch by inch. She began to describe it to me, in the most precise detail; the different shades of pink, the places where it shimmered, the shape of the wings, the way it felt to the touch. I read it back to her and asked her if I got it all right. She nodded and smiled wide.

Every week for a month, the mother came in and put a little money towards the dress. She beamed when she told me how excited her daughter was for Christmas, and how glad she was that the magic of Santa Claus was going to be so real for her daughter this year. She knew her daughter would live in that dress, would treasure it until the wings fell off and the pink faded. She finally picked it up on Christmas Eve.

After the Holidays the mother came in to tell me what a special time Christmas had been for her and her daughter. The dress was all she could afford that year, but it was enough; her daughter was so happy to have the one thing she had really, really wanted that it didn’t matter if there were 2 or 10 presents under the tree.

In the advertising frenzy leading up to the holidays and in these tight economic times, it’s easy to worry that you aren’t going to make your children happy with enough gifts. But remember that it’s not always about quantity; the right gift, the one your kid had at the top of his or her list mailed to Santa, is worth a whole pile of presents. Let us help you pick the perfect presents for your kids, your grandkids, your nieces and nephews; presents that will last for many Christmases to come, that make the magic of the season come alive for the little ones in your life.

Great toys for toddlers

2009-12-05T10:17:00.000-08:00

Toddlers just want to GO!

Toddlers are movers and shakers with an amazing capacity for a short attention span. They move from place to place, object to object. Check this out, taste it, squish it, throw it, move on to the next thing.

So, what makes a great toddler gift? Every toddler needs a good sturdy ride-on toy that allows him or her to move and explore in new and different ways. The John Deere Tot Tractor or the Radio Flyer Classic Wood Tiny Trike are old time reliable favourites for a toddler's first set of wheels.

The John Deere Tot Tractor is available online and in-store. The Radio Flyer Tiny Trike is not currently available through our website, but if you call us at our toll-free phone number (1-888-990-2292), we'd be happy to answer any questions and arrange shipping.

Big blocks, little blocks, square blocks, round blocks...

2009-12-04T08:07:00.001-08:00

Big blocks, little blocks, square blocks, round blocks, wood blocks, cardboard blocks - all kids love blocks! Blocks are a timeless gift that have been a favourite with children for centuries.

Blocks are a classic "open ended toy" - there is no right way to build with them and the creative possiblilites are endless. They help children develop eye hand coordination, small muscle development, balance skills, problem solving skills, reasoning and mathematical thinking, undestanding of cause and effect, and learning about a wide range of concepts such as more, less, here, there, up, down, over, under, big, little, and on and on. Every preschool, every day care and every kindergarten has blocks for a reason.

Check out these different kinds of blocks for kids of all ages avaiable online and in-store:

Classic wooden ABC 123 blocks with a storage pouch, from Melissa & Doug.

ABC block cart, from Melissa & Doug.

Jumbo cardboard blocks, from Melissa & Doug.

Planning for a low stress holiday

2009-12-04T07:35:00.000-08:00

Getting anxious about the holiday season? There's a great old saying... "People before things". Take some time to think about what's really important about the holidays for you and your family. Keep those things central in your planning.

If you have a young baby you're probably tired most of the time. Limit how much you take on this year. Be realistic with people about how much you can really do. Consider potluck Christmas dinners, smaller gatherings, less travel, fewer presents. A frazzled, exhausted, stressed out Mom is NOT what families need to create lifelong happy memories (it's amazing how many people remember their mothers being totally strung out at Christmas).

So start planning now and take a serious look at what you can comfortably handle. When your children are older you'll be able to do more. Taking care of yourself is a great holiday gift for your family.

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Zoobie Zoobie Zoobie Do Wah Wah!

2009-12-03T08:27:00.000-08:00

They're jazzy, they're cool, they make great gifts for any child between newborn and 6. They're Zoobie Pets, the three-in-one toy that's a cuddly stuffy, a comfy pillow and a cozy blanket. Take them anywhere and everywhere you go. Zoobies have won multiple awards and are loved by all. Choose your favourite Zoobie Pet as a friendly companion for your little ones. (So hard to choose...we love the new Very Hungry Caterpillar Zoobie!) Zoobies are available online and in store.

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Get down with down

2009-12-01T22:21:00.000-08:00

Here's a great gift idea that's practical for families who want to be outdoors: fabulously warm down jackets and bunting bags.

It's cool to be chill but not chilly! Check out our kid and baby sized super warm down outerwear. Made by Molehill Mountain Equipment, they are tough, beautifully made, and life time warrantied. Down is an amazing insulator: soft, light, and ever so cozy and warm. What baby wouldn't want to be tucked into a soft down bunting bag? And how cute are these tiny down jackets for the toddler and preschool sets? Check them out online (click here for bunting bags and here for jackets) or in-store.

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Mountain Baby Gift Guide

2009-12-01T10:49:00.000-08:00

December is gift giving time and we want to "Tweet" you to a range of ideas for great gifts for the little ones in your life. Every day we'll present some products for different ages that we think are great. Some will be fun, some will be practical, all will contribute to your child's well being and healthy development. We will also offer suggestions for ways to build holiday traditions, ways to stay sane during the season, ideas for enjoying the colder days and general helpful parenting tips.

So, check back daily for gift ideas for kids of all ages and some different perspectives on celebrating the holidays. Follow us on twitter for daily gift guide tweets!

If twitter just isn't your thing, you can also sign up for the rss feeds for this blog as well.

Wasn't that a Party!

2009-11-20T13:28:00.000-08:00

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who came out to help us celebrate our 15th birthday. What a totally happy time it was. We were thrilled to see so many of you there, and we were so impressed with how well all the children did in the midst of all the excitement. Everything went remarkably smoothly - there wasn't even a single cake mishap!

And I, Judy, personally want to thank all of the Mountain Baby staff for working so hard, being so organized and keeping all the activities flowing and easy. Thanks to Lindsay for coordinating the whole event and organizing the hand prints on the sidewalk. The hand prints look great and they will be there for years to come.

Thanks to Bobbi for meeting, greeting and helping customers who wanted to make purchases, and for being her smiling friendly self. Thanks to Amanda for assisting everyone with everything and making sure things went smoothly. Thanks to Craig and Will for taking photos and videos and helping out wherever needed. Thanks to Shannon for making sure everyone got a present. Thanks to Jen for the great face painting. It was amazing how patiently all the children waited. They just stood quietly and waited their turn. Pretty impressive.

And last but not least, thanks to my daughter Elena for writing that wonderful history of Mountain Baby in honour of our 15th birthday. She was only 10, and her older brother Aaron was 12 1/2, when Mountain Baby (Comfort and Joy), started. Now they are "launched" and out in the world.

We have some great photos we'd love to share with you. There are two collections on flickr to check out. The first is our photo montage with all the pictures you sent in of your children. The second is the collection of photos from the party. There are also a few videos on our youtube page. Enjoy!

The Tale of Mountain Baby

2009-11-13T11:17:00.000-08:00

Here's the tale of How we Grew. (written by Judy's Daughter Elena)

We at Mountain Baby have watched hundreds of kids in our community grow from chubby-cheeked newborns in their parents' arms, to boisterous toddlers running around our store, to young adults passing by our shop's windows on the way home from high school. Mountain Baby is about to turn fifteen; we, too, have come a long way.

Fifteen years ago Mountain Baby was conceived in Judy Banfield's living room, where she sold nursing pillows and toys and taught women how to breastfeed their babies on her family's couch. It was born November 1994. It was a tiny little thing; a narrow space on a side street; a miniature version of a business. She named it Comfort and Joy. It was awfully cute, and she knew it had the potential to grow into something amazing, but it certainly couldn't take care of itself yet. In those early years it developed important skills and learned a lot. It also fell down a lot, made a lot of messes, and caused a lot of sleepless nights. You know how babies are.

By the age of 3 it was standing on its own two feet, and it had outgrown its baby clothes. When it saw a bigger space on Baker Street it pointed and shouted "MINE!" and you know it's hard to convince a toddler that something is not, in fact, his or hers. So they packed up and moved.

Judy now had the room to create the kind of space she'd always wanted, where she could share the knowledge she'd acquired as an Early Childhood Education instructor, a La Leche League leader, a Lactation Consultant, a preschool teacher, and, of course, a mother; where parents could come for advice and feel comfortable, supported, and valued; where kids could run around freely, touch and play with whatever caught their eye. The business was becoming part of the fabric of the town, contributing to many local events and organizations. Nurtured by an amazing community of loving and involved parents and relatives seeking out the best products for their kids, it was growing up and coming into its own.

To accommodate the growth spurts, Judy moved to an even larger space on Baker Street. The new store was, and is, totally family-friendly with its little kids-sized toilet, change table, spacious nursing room, play stations all around, and ample room for backpacks and strollers.

Comfort and Joy was then faced with the usual questions of the teen years: Who am I? Where do I fit in? It was time for a new identity. Judy saw that the business needed to better reflect the changing needs and interests of its customers; they were more focused on the health and fitness of their families; they wanted to instill a love of nature and the environment in their children, who would grow up with the reality of Climate Change; they wanted to do activities that deepened family ties. Thus Comfort and Joy became Mountain Baby, carrying many of the same great products, but specializing in quality outdoor gear for babies, young children and families.

Mountain Baby has aged gracefully, maturing beyond its years and now selling worldwide through a brand-new, up-to-date website that connects families all over the globe. Judy and her staff search the world for unique, outstanding products, researching each one thoroughly and wherever possible supporting small, family owned businesses.

None of it would have been possible without the support of our customers and our incredible community. You've been there for us as we've changed and grown, just like we've been there for your kids as they did the same. Whether you've been visiting us since those humble beginnings in that little narrow shop on Ward Street or you've just recently just found us online, you are like our extended family and we are honoured to play a role in your lives.

ELENA BANFIELD, NOVEMBER 2009.

You're invited to a party!

2009-11-11T19:09:00.000-08:00

Please join us on Saturday, November 14th from 12:00 to 3:00 to celebrate our 15th Birthday!

We want to celebrate with you and thank you for your continued support.

Here's the schedule:

12:00 to 1:00
Live and lively accordion and clarinet music from the superfun local band, Heavy Shtetl. They'll get you and your kids dancing!

1:15 to 1:45
Happy Birthday time! We'll sing Happy Birthday and have small goodies for everyone. (Parents please note: we will be serving small pieces of cake that contain wheat flour and sugar. If your children cannot eat these please bring a replacement snack. We will happily serve it to your child!)

1:45 to 2:45
A fun and exciting full our of Kindermuzik with Ruth Langevin and Dorothy Fraser. Songs, dances, stories, poems, fingerplays, instruments and fun!!!

12:00 to 3:00
Face painting for all with our very own Jen!

12:00 to 3:00
Let your kids leave their mark! We would love your child's hand print on the sidewalk outside our store. We have found a totally non-toxic milk based paint that is safe, even if eaten. How great to have a little hand print you can show your child in years to come! (washing facilities will be right inside the door!)

9:30 to 5:30
We'll be showing the photo montage of our customers and families. How magnificent all those little ones are!

Our full staff will be on hand to say "hi!" (even the ones who usually hide out in the back!)

It's a photo contest! Yay!

2009-10-20T16:03:00.000-07:00

Even though it starts getting chilly, Fall is an exciting time full of changes and new things; the leaves are turning colour, the kids have gone back to school, and Mountain Baby has a brand new website!

To celebrate the time of year and the launch of the new and improved mountainbaby.com, we're holding our very first “Mountain Baby of the Season” contest. We want you, our valued customers, to join in the fun. So, we are happy to announce:

The Mountain Baby of the Season Contest!

The theme:

It's fall. Crisp cool air, leaves turning colour, back to school or starting school, and HALLOWEEN!

What to do and how it works:

Send us your favourite photos that celebrate your children and the season. Submit as many as you want, just be sure to include a caption with your children’s first names, ages, and the location (city, province/state, country). Send photos to Craig, our web administrator, by November 5, 2009 at craig@mountainbaby.com. Please put "Fall photo contest" in the subject line. Entries will be shared on our Flickr group.

Once we receive your photos we’ll place them under one of the following categories. We will have many categories of winners. In fact, no one will lose, because we're a little kids site and want to foster fun and cooperation. So we will take your entry and place it in one of the following winning categories:

Just too cute
So funny
Great costume
How silly can you get?
Breathtaking
Ahhh! AHHH!
We're having so much fun!
Oh no!
In the great outdoors
We’re not sure where to put this photo, but we love it!

Judging criteria and prizes:

As long as you and your kids have fun participating in our contest, you’re all winners in our books and we think you deserve a prize!

Grand Prize: Since this is our first contest, you will receive 5% off your next purchase just for entering! You will receive a one time coupon code (one per family).

Bonus prize: The bonus is you get to have fun with your babies and children while recording and sharing your wonderful moments with kindred spirits in the mountainbaby.com community.

So snap away and enjoy your kids, family and the beautiful season!

Going, going and going

2009-09-30T22:53:00.000-07:00

Today I was walking along the lakeside pathway in our local park and passed by the exercise circuit. Two five year old girls were using one of the machines and one says to the other:

“This is so much fun. You run and you run and you don’t get anywhere!”

“Wow” I thought, as I stopped in my tracks. How many of us could say that about our own lives…just running and running and not getting anywhere… and think that that’s fun?

The joy of being around children is that they remind us that just doing, just being, just enjoying without any concern about outcomes is, well, fun! That sometimes it’s important to allow ourselves to stop worrying so much about accomplishments, meeting goals, following agendas, and just delight in what life offers.

I had a lot of work waiting for me at home. But after hearing those two excited little girls, I decided to walk down to the beach, sit in the sand, watch the sun, the water and the birds and just “not get anywhere”.

It's Alive !

2009-09-29T15:39:00.000-07:00

So after literally a year in the making, the brand new version of the website just went live. Take a look at www.mountainbaby.com and have a wander around. Lots of great new photos to see, and live inventory so you know what we can ship. This new version has been a lot of fun (and work!) to build, we hope you enjoy it.

We'd love to hear what you think of it. Comment below....

Me Too Clip-on Portable Highchair

2009-03-23T12:27:00.000-07:00

Your child can sit at the table with you; anywhere!

This is one of those little things that are ideal for people on the go. If you have spent any time traveling, you can really appreciate the advantages of having a lightweight, fully collapsible, clip-on highchair that can go everywhere you go.

This is not a new idea, but has recently been adapted from a 20 year old European concept for the North American market by redesigning the seat to meet the highest safety requirements.

The seat clamps onto tables from 3/4″ to 2″ (19cm to 50cm) thick and creates an instant highchair anywhere. This is in the range of most picnic tables which is the way that I used mine the most. Great for travel, visiting somebody’s house, or camping. One use I’ve seen here in town is taking it to a restaurant; you never know if they have a highchair, or if they do what sort of condition it’s in…

The clamp-on seat weighs 2 lbs and collapses to a mere one inch thick, so it will fit in most diaper bags and backpacks. The nylon seat makes the chair easy to clean and the frame & clamps are made of aircraft quality aluminum with a rubber flange to provide a secure grip. Overall one of the sturdiest highchairs you’ll ever use; of any design.
Get it at Mountainbaby.com

It's still Cold Up Here - Heading South?

2009-03-03T12:39:00.000-08:00

Up here in the the wilds of British Columbia, it’s still very much winter. But lately i’ve seen a rash of locals fleeing for warmer climes in pursuit of some relief from the snow. Only a few months of winter (and we get such a perfect winter), and everyone starts looking for sun and surf. At Mountain Baby we’ve had to dig though the back, pulling out sunhats and sunglasses, sunscreen and lifejackets. I’ve put away my speech on layering systems and started imparting the wisdom of sun protection. In this day and age, most people (and parents especially) know all about the long term affects of the suns rays. And I don’t mean darker skin so that you can show off to your friends that you’ve been on holidays.
Remember:

It’s a lot easier to get them to cover up if you lead by example; wear a hat, put on sunscreen.

Waterproof sunscreen does not mean all day, keep an eye on it. Or wear some sunprotected clothing (look for at least a 40 spf rating).

Those big floppy hats may look a little silly, but sure beats dealing with a child in pain all the way back on the plane…

Kids will be kids. They want to play, not worry about their skin; that’s your job. If you have any questions about how to protect your children, drop us a line; we’d be glad to help.

The best Stroller Sunshade - Ever!

2008-08-30T11:24:00.000-07:00

Keeps your child out of the sun. Fits EVERYTHING. Packs up small. What more do you need?

Place over any canopied stroller, jogger or pram with the front curve of the hoop facing forward. Easily-adjustable, RayShade is a quick and easy way to extend the protective shaded area under any stroller canopy. As the angle of the sun changes, you can quickly adjust the RayShade forward or back to provide your child with the right amount of sun protection.
Tested and rated at 50+ UPF and water repellent to protect your child from all but the worst weather. When you don’t need it, you can fold it back out of the way, or scrunch it up and it almost disappears.
Get it at MountainBaby.com