Jenn in Toronto is working her way through our Rookie Mom Challenges with her son Sebastian and sent us this wonderful week of fun as her response to Challenge #17 (become the cruise director). A huge Merci to Jennifer for sharing her picks.

If you live in Toronto, here’s a superfun way to spend your maternity leave:

Monday: Mochas and music
Start the week off with some play and music for baby. Spend the morning at Lil’ Bean N’ Green. It’s a café and play space for babies over 4 months old ($5.00/day) . Babies and children can play with their equipment (hammocks, swings, reading corner), and if your little one is on solids, they sell local/organic baby food for less than $2 per serving.

In the afternoon check out a music class designed for babies. Most infant/toddler music programs allow you to come for a free demo class, and you can find many classes around the Greater Toronto Area. Play along with instruments as you learn new songs and build your repertoire. Some music programs to check out are:

• Fun with Music Together
• Rainbow Songs
• Kindermusik
• Lap Rhymes and Lullabies

Tuesday: the Arts
Find one of those paint-your-own-pottery places and go have baby’s feet painted. At the Clay Room you can select a piece (a trivet is always easiest and inexpensive), and they will help you stamp your baby’s feet onto the pottery. You can also buy a frame for the trivet to complete the look. Your piece will be ready for pick up one week after your visit.

Tuesday afternoons at 1:30pm, Gymboree runs a 0-6 month Play and Learn baby class. This class is also offered on Mondays and Thursdays. These classes are 45 minutes long and include songs, tactile and visual stimulation, tummy time, bubbles, puppets, a parachute, and parent discussions. There are also classes for older babies and children up to 5 years. Play and Learn classes are $88.14/month which include drop in gym times. They also offer a free preview class to new families. If you’re planning on getting a membership, keep an eye out. They have introductory specials from time to time so your first month is at a reduced rate.

Wednesday: Exercise then movies
If baby is older than 6 weeks, workout together at a Strollerfit class. These classes are offered by a number of different teachers and organizations throughout parks in the city. One class on Wednesdays at 10am is offered by Mom and Baby Fitness. The class is an hour long and is followed by a parent discussion. A single class is $20.00.

If you get tired just thinking about a Strollerfit class, maybe check out a mom and baby yoga class instead. Breathe Yoga Studio offers post-natal yoga classes on Wednesdays at 1pm at their Junction location. You can work on your core while bonding with your baby. This class has the added bonus of allowing you to attend when baby is as small as 3 weeks old. Drop in is $22.00.

In the afternoon, take your baby on a date to the movies. Movies for Mommies is a popular Mom and Baby movie group that has showings at theatres around the city on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at either 1 or 1:30pm. They provide stroller parking, a diaper changing station (with diapers and wipes), and offer free samples of other baby products. The cost ranges from $7.00 – $9.50 for you and no charge for baby

Thursday: Strolling and supper prep
Take a morning stroll in the city. High Park is always a hit. There are many paved pathways to walk along and enjoy. For older babies, Mike Holmes recently lead the building of a brand new beautiful playground after the original playground was burned to the ground in early 2012. If you go in April, be sure to check out the cherry blossoms. They’re only in bloom for a short period of time each year, and are a stunning sight to see.

Or check out the Toronto Botanical Garden, another stroller-friendly space to walk with baby. The gardens are open daily dawn to dusk.

Admission is free to both High Park and the Botanical Garden.

In the afternoon, pick up some food for baby at a Farmers’ Market. There are Farmers’ Markets daily at different locations around the city. Two great ones to check out on Thursday afternoons are at Dufferin Grove  and East Lynn Park. Both markets are open 3-7pm and if you’re in East Lynn Park, they even have a Kids’ Corner with sing-a-longs and crafts around 5pm.

In the evening, let your partner watch the baby while you prepare some meals in advance at Supperworks. Choose your entrees online and then book a session to go prepare these freezer-friendly meals. They are perfect for nights when getting dinner on the table seems like an impossible feat. There are three Toronto locations to choose from and this is also a fun outing to do with another rookie mom.  Ask about their Stork Special. For the first two months after baby is born, they will prepare your meals for you in advance and all you have to do is come pick them up. Added bonus – if you prepare your meals during an evening session, they’ll offer you a complimentary glass of wine.

Friday: Library and more
In the morning check out a local library. Many libraries offer morning Baby Time Story Time programs for babies birth to 18 months. Though advanced registration is required, this program is free and includes songs, stories, and rhymes for baby.

In the afternoon find an Early Years Centre that offers a Baby and Me program. The Toronto Danforth location has one on Fridays at 2pm and is also free, though advanced registrations is required. Each week an early childhood educator runs an interest program for moms and babies up to 12 months. Sample programs include Mom and Baby Yoga, Salsa Babies, Circle and Play time, Early Literacy, and each month there is at least one program with a public health nurse if you have any questions about yourself or baby.

Saturday: Me time
Saturday is all about mommy. Treat yourself to a spa service at Sunny Mummy Spa and Boutique. The first of its kind in Toronto, Sunny Mummy Spa is a child-friendly spa that also has a childcare room. Using Aveda products, they offer services such as facials, massage, manicures, pedicures, waxing, or a number of different packages designed for mommy. The spa is generally open 11am – 5pm or by appointment. Supervised childcare is available on site for an additional $5.00 per visit.

After your spa treatment, take your little one and indulge in some shopping. If you have little willpower when it comes to cute baby items, buyer beware. These stores sell adorable clothing, toys, and accessories for babies and toddlers:

• Silly Goose Kids
• Fab Baby Gear
• Baby on the Hip
• Jet Baby
• Moms to be and More

Finally, if you’re up surfing online during a late-night feed check out  www.babysteals.com. Twice daily they offer high-quality, brand name baby products at a significantly discounted price. Shipping to Canada is usually reasonably priced and quick.

Sunday: Pandas and monkeys
Spend the morning walking around the Toronto Zoo. There are stroller-friendly paths throughout the zoo, and baby will enjoy the new sights, sounds, and smells. General admission from May – October is $25, and children under the age of 3 are free. Generally, the zoo is open from 9:30 to 4:30 in the winter and 9:30 to 6pm in the summer or over March Break. This year, the Toronto Zoo is getting a panda exhibit with 2 giant pandas that will stay at the zoo for 5 years. It will be an amazing outing for little ones to be sure!

On a warm afternoon, put baby in some Splashers and check out one of the city’s many many splash pads. Splash pads are free, unsupervised water play areas located at various parks and playgrounds. They often include engaging water features such as shower heads and spray jets that will keep baby entertained for hours.

+++
Jennifer is a French and social studies teacher in Toronto on maternity leave this year with her son Sebastian who was born last May. She’s been working her way through the 52 Rookie Mom Challenges with Sebastian, her husband, Rob, and other rookie mom friends in the city. We can’t wait for the full report.

[Photos from Jennifer B and Yelp]

A reader from Toronto sent this video to us and I thought it was pretty cute.

Yes, I’m endorsing a product/service here. No, I am not being paid to do so.  It’s called Music Together and two past experieinces made me decide to recommend this activity.

Several of my friends had done Music Together for three consecutive “semesters” and then decided to skip a semester. During that period we met at the park during the time that many of us used to do Music Together and Sarah was saying how much she missed it, couldn’t wait til it started up again, and that not doing it made her see how much she values it. Our park-based playdate was simply filling the hole in her life left by abstaining from Music Together.

Ok, so Sarah (hearts) Music Together. Her enthusiasm made me think hard about how I feel about it. I had been thinking that it’s just too expensive, and then I decided that I agree with Sarah.

Later that day, I read that most North American families only know two or three songs to sing to their children when they are born, and one of them is often 99 Bottles of Beer. And here’s where I relate to how much value you get out of these classes. From Music Together, my husband and I have learned countless songs in that can be sung and re-sung in different ways. The class is designed to teach you, the parent, how to incorporate music into your kid’s life.* Each song can be changed around to include your kid’s name, interests or description of the activities you’re doing. Our teacher, Ryk, also gives great advice on using music to distract while diaper changing or putting on shoes. People, it works.

Julian was obsessed with the CDs that come with the class. He begged for us to put them on and then, as a baby even, would smile and wave when he heard the first song.

*The class is not about building music skills in your kid. In fact, they are welcome to sit absolutely still and silent. The parent or caregiver is the one participating. The theory is that you can develop musical interest and enthusiasm in children by enabling them to watch you have fun with sounds, songs and instruments. Given that we don’t have community music experiences in this culture, our kids will not pick up songs to pass down to their kids unless we make it happen.

So there you have it. My love letter to Music Together.

Find one near you.

And again, this is not an advertisement.

[Photo from Music Together's website]

Traveling to the Olympics with kids? Have fun!
Shana from Wee Travel tells us the best way to spend a week in Vancouver with little ones. Wee Travel (started by two moms who are sisters living on opposite sides of the country) rents baby gear and toys delivered to your door. All equipment is like-new and safety checked and sanitized prior to every rental. They also service Victoria, BC and Toronto.

Vancouver is a gorgeous city summer and winter (even when it rains!).

MONDAY — Le Petit Spa
Start the day off right with Mondays for Mums at Le Petit Spa. You’re always running for everyone so fight the exhaustion. Try out Le Petit Spa’s amazing Mummy and Me Spa Package. They offer a Reflexology Treatment for Mum – 30 minutes, an express pedicure – 30 minutes and reflexology for baby – 10 minutes. All for $80.

TUESDAY — Granville Island
First tourist stop is definitely Granville Island. Babies will enjoy the busy sounds and sights of the market and older kids won’t want to leave the Kids Only Market. (You do this first as it’s probably a place the kids will want to go back to so you can use it as a bribe if necessary!)

There are many things to do in the market: The Adventure Zone is a great climbing activity and Camelot Kids is a wonderful toy store. They are very selective with their picks so you can select from top-notch toys.

After an exhilarating couple of hours playing, walk over to the Granville Island Market for some great eats. Lots of different foods to choose from for everyone in your family. Lee’s Donuts is a great treat, as is Terra Breads. Fresh fish, meat and poultry are in abundant supply and always fresh. There are too many great spots to name them all here. Admission is free.

WEDNESDAY — Stanley Park and Vancouver Aquarium
Stanley Park has great walks for strollers and toddlers alike. Be sure to check out the garden paths and the lovely views.

If you have time and money, the Vancouver Aquarium is a “must see”. You can watch the beluga and dolphin shows and my son’s favorite is Tag the sea lion. He is humongous and fun to watch, especially at feeding time when he is on “best” behaviour. If you stand right up next to the glass you’re sure to get wet!

There are hands-on activities downstairs and an array of beautiful fish. Another favorite area is the tropical garden where the birds fly around freely. At certain times of the year the butterflies have hatched and there are hundreds and hundreds flying about. Sometimes they will land on your arm! Children under 3 get in free.

THURSDAY — Science World [bummer: closed 'til March 8 2010]
Science World is unbelievable for every age — babies in a front-carrier will get an eyeful (not recommended for strollers) and toddlers will be in awe. Most of it is “hands-on”. We can easily spend a whole day in there. Depending on age, you can also go to the CN Imax (top floor) and check out the movie. It’s on a gigantic screen and you almost feel like you’re right in the movie. For a lunch break the White Spot, right in Science World, is a nice treat. The Triple-O burger is legendary! Their gift shop has some pretty unique items as well. Children under 4 are free.

FRIDAY — Aldergrove Zoo
Ready for more animals? The Aldergrove Zoo makes you feel like you are in another country! Lions, tigers, giraffes, and almost every animal you can think of. They have these great bike/carriages that you can rent for a family of four. The zoo is spread out over a very large area and there is a little train you can take around. Be prepared to do lots of walking- it’s worth it. The zoo is about an hour outside of Vancouver.

SATURDAY — Shopping
Perfect day for shopping! Be sure to check out Robson street, 4th ave, Commercial Drive and most certainly Main street (between 17th and 25th avenues). There are lots of unique, funky little stores for everyone to enjoy. South Granville also has a nice selection of stores and the Chapters on the corner of Broadway and Granville is a great place to unwind. You can browse through books while sipping your coffee (Starbucks is inside if you are so inclined) while your little one plays at the train table upstairs. It’s especially nice on a rainy Saturday and they often have story time in the kids’ section as well. Call ahead to confirm times.

SUNDAY — Kits Beach
You have to hit at least one beach during the week. Kits Beach is the perfect one for a number of reasons: great playground, wonderful people watching, gorgeous views, tasty food, and a really nice walk that can go on forever if you choose. The Watermark Café is there and if you want something less “restauranty”, there’s take-out at the side of the restaurant.

Shana suggests another great resource for the family-friendly happenings in Vancouver is FindFamilyFun.com.

Another week of fun activities for moms and babies courtesy of Kristi at Ciao Bambino. If you’re a local mum, why not be a tourist in your own town for a week?!

Just visiting? Stay at the posh Hotel Manoir Victoria, which has a special entrance for strollers and an indoor pool.

What’s not to love about a city that makes you feel like a femme français? Your bébé and you can live like Europeans (visiting Americans will enjoy that their dollar will actually have value!) in this charming little city in Eastern Canada.

Monday: Sip & Shop
Get your caffeine buzz while your petit chou (this means “little cabbage” but never mind that—it’s an adorable term of endearment nonetheless) listens to French conversation. It’s tough to choose from the city’s 100 cafés, restaurants and bistros, by my fave is L’Omelette (66 rue Saint-Louis). Not so much for the ambiance (although there’s nothing better than an open-air window seat overlooking the street) but for The. Greatest. Café au Lait. In. The. Universe. Whittle away an hour or two then pop in and out of local shops on rue St. Louis.

Bring your sturdiest stroller—these cobblestone streets can be killers. Need a bathroom break or diaper change? Every bistro and hotel along the way has clean, accessible bathrooms, with the exception of the Chateau Frontenac, where you need a room key to open up the door to its swanky washrooms.

Tuesday: Gourmet Eats & Fresh Air
Head to J.A. Moisan Epicerie Fine, North America’s oldest grocery store. Stock up on two or three varieties of cheese, strawberry jam and a loaf on fresh bread. Uneasy because your French is weak at best? Worry not. Even in local stores where English is but an afterthought, employees are friendly and gracious and will find a way to help you figure out what you’re trying to say. Stroll your spoils along the city’s fortification walls and find a lay down a blanket on the massive grassy knolls of Artillery Park.

Wednesday: Views & Performers
Live the high life on the edge of Haute Ville, or “Upper Town.” Stroll your darling along the newly renovated Terrace Dufferin and gaze out at the calm waters of the St. Lawrence River from this high perch on the cliffs. Secure an outdoor café table for two at any of the cafés across the street and indulge in crepes with fresh fruit or a vibrant salad. Remember how to get here because you’ll want to return after dark, when street performers break out their juggling and flame throwing gear to enrapture you and your cherie.

Thursday: Galleries & Cannons
Now go way down to the other side of town—Basse Ville, or “Lower Town.” The streets are lumpy and bumpy, so strap on a Baby Bjorn or personal carrier. You can take the Casse-Cous (Breakneck Stairs) if you’re daring, but you’ll be much more comfortable in the Funicular, an outdoor glass elevator. Poke your head into the art galleries, pick up a few locally crafted jewels and—if your baby has already turned into a toddler—head over to UNESCO-sponsored playground on Place-Royale filled with pirate ships and cannons.

Friday: Out & About
Drive over to the Parc Aquarium du Quebec. It’s small enough to manage without an extra adult hand and your stroller will sail over the meandering outdoor paths and through the indoor exhibits. Sit outside in the park/playground zone and sniff the flowers that line the gardens. Before evening hits, make a reservation for a fine French dinner at Café de la Paix.

Most restaurants here are well-versed in the art of lingering, so carve out a few hours to savor every course. If your baby does nothing but coo during the evening hours, feel free to bring her along because many local restaurants here are friendly to offspring. Want to relax over wine, doing nothing more than gaze into your honey’s eyes? Book a sitter. Either way, your senses will be indulged and you’ll be feeling like a belle Parisienne in time for the weekend.

Other rookie-maman forays into Canada: Ottawa and Vancouver.

——
Kristi from Ciao Bambino shared these wonderful activities with us. Find baby-friendly and toddler-ready places to stay at their global family vacation guide. Bon voyage!

Cori Howard, author of Between Interruptions: Thirty Women Tell the Truth About Motherhood wants to encourage us all to write down our “momoirs”.

To get started:

1. Get a notebook and to keep it with them at all times. You never know when you might find a spare few minutes, or when and where your little angel might fall asleep. Having a notebook means you’re a mobile writer and all moms are mobile!
2. Have faith in your own story. There’s a lot of writing on motherhood out there, but each of us has a unique perspective and a one-of-a-kind experience and almost all the moms I know, never tire of hearing new stories.
3. If you get stuck and don’t know where to start, to just pick a topic: preschool, the dinner table, saying goodbye, faith. Those usually spark some amazing stories in my classes.

She also tells us:

In the crazy, overwhelming chaos of everyday life as a mother, there is so much to write about, and so little time. From memorializing your daughter’s sentences to your inner struggle with your post-baby identity, there are a millions stories you want to remember. The first thing I did upon becoming a mother (after the identity crisis, the ambition crisis and the marriage crisis sort of subsided) was write a book, an anthology about all this struggle (Between Interruptions: Thirty Women Tell the Truth About Motherhood).

After receiving dozens of emails from women wanting to know if there was a sequel and if I was interested in hearing their stories, I decided to start teaching “momoir” classes, helping women get their personal experience with motherhood into well-crafted words, whether it’s for themselves or to publish in a magazine or as a book.

If you want to learn more, or read some of the new stories written by Cori’s students, check out: TheMomoirProject.com. Canadians can find in-person classes in both Toronto and Vancouver too! Or grab her book, Between Interruptions: Thirty Women Tell the Truth About Motherhood.

Related activity: Track your new mama milestones

Rookie Moms is heading North to Canada. Our local correspondent, Kim-Anh, suggested a week’s worth of fun ideas for moms and babies in Ottawa.

MONDAY
Avoid the weekend crowds by going shopping with baby on a weekday! Many Ottawa shopping centers offer special facilities for changing and nursing baby. St-Laurent Shopping Centre, Rideau Centre, and Place d’Orleans are just some of the local shopping centres that offer private nursing rooms, some with stalls and rocking chairs.

Strollers (single and multi-kid) are available at most if not all shopping centres. And should you forget to bring anything – you can always buy it there! Shopping centres offer many interesting things for baby to look at, and can be an especially good escape from excessively hot or cold weather.

TUESDAY
Take baby to the movies and catch a flick you would otherwise miss! Every second Tuesday at the Barrhaven Cineplex movie theatre, recent movies are shown at 1pm in a special “Stars and Strollers” screening. Movies are shown at reduced volume, with dimmed lighting, changing stations, and a theatre full of understanding parents should baby decide provide ongoing commentary on the movie you’re watching.

Stars and Strollers is also available on Wednesdays at SilverCity Gloucester and Thursdays at the Coliseum.

WEDNESDAY
Take baby to the library. If it’s been a while since you’ve been to the library, you’d be surprised at what’s available at your local library. Many stock a huge selection of children’s books and offer baby/toddler activities. Programs include storytelling, songs, and toddlertime are available at many Ottawa branches on various days of the week, including the Main/Central branch downtown on Wednesdays.

Some branches require advance registration – check your local branch for details. If you live in the South part of Ottawa, check out the brand-new Greenboro District Library with a huge selection of children’s books and DVDs, a kids play area, a wading pool out back, and tons of computers.

THURSDAY
Take in some fine arts at the National Gallery of Canada. The permanent exhibition includes some of the finest European, Canadian, and contemporary artwork. The current featured exhibitions bring in some of the most interesting international exhibits. The gallery is stroller-friendly and they also provide strollers free of charge.

Admission for children under 12 is free; adult admission is $6 but is free on Thursdays after 5pm. Enjoy lunch at the cafeteria, picnic at nearby Major Hill’s Park, or take a short walk to dine at one of many cafes and restaurants in the Byward Market.

FRIDAY
Strollercize with baby and meet some other new moms by attending one of Boomerang Kids’ free Strollercize classes. Between their two locations, classes are available 5 days a week from 10:15 to 11:15 – Mon/Wed/Fri at their Bank Street location and Tue/Thu on Richmond Street.

After class, go grab a bite to eat or a coffee at the many restaurants and cafes in the surrounding areas of both locations. Meeting up at the store also gives you a great excuse to check out their impressive selection of quality second-hand toys and clothes priced just right.

SATURDAY
Take in some fresh air and the great outdoors by exercising on stroller-friendly trails at Gatineau Park. The Pioneer Trail is a 1.3 kilometre gentle stroll accessible from the Welcome Area of the park near Gamelin Boulevard. The Hickory Trail also offers a shorter, half-kilometre flat trail with a picnic area.

Both trails are equipped with interpretation panels to help you discover natural wonders along the way. The website includes trail maps and directions.

SUNDAY
Spend the day exploring beautiful downtown Ottawa. Park for free at the City of Ottawa lot at 234-250 Slater Street (near Bank Street) and start your day right with an amazing brunch at Eggspectation (Bank and Laurier). Enjoy a stroll and the shops on Sparks Street, with many opportunities for food stops along the way.

Those wishing to venture further can head north on Bank Street to Parliament Hill to get a glimpse of Canada’s political hub. The Byward Market is a short stroll from there – where you can explore tons of shops, restaurants, the Farmer’s Market, and indulge in a quintessential Ottawa treat – a BeaverTail pastry. The Rideau Centre is a baby-friendly rest stop nearby.

Thanks so much to Kim-Anh for sharing her ideas with us. Merci beaucoup a Kim-Anh de partager ses idées avec nous.

Jayashri from Toronto and YuvaStudio.com suggested that parents should play songs in other languages for their babies.

Our album recommendation: Manu Chao’s Proxima Estación: Esperanza… and turn it up loud!