Ottawa: The Savvy Guide to March
You just can’t count on March for anything. Sometimes it rains, sometimes it snows. It’s not always winter but it’s not yet spring. Neurotic, perhaps, but there is still lots to do. Here’s our guide to making the most of the month.
DO
Plant some seeds indoors (vegetables or herbs work well) in preparation for spring planting.
Why? It’s nice to watch something live and grow while everything outside looks a bit bleak. The real fun will happen when you transplant your new friend outside and watch it flourish and bear fruit (or vegetables).
GO
To Barnyard Break.
Why? It’s an annual event! The Canada Agriculture Museum launches its new spring season with this fun event where you can participate in demonstrations and learn about farm animals. Warm up with wintery recipes on March weekends and suggest names for the Museum’s newborn calves. March 1 to 7 and March 13 to 21.
GET
A really good doormat like this one or this one.
Why? Because March is the worst month for trekking dirt and mud through the house. A good mat can help save your floors (and your sanity).
PLAY
The Tray Memory Game.
Why? It’s genius in its simplicity, fun and cheap. It might even help your kids develop their minds (back to the genius part).
READ
Manhood for Amateurs: The Pleasures and Regrets of a Husband, Father, and Son by Michael Chabon.
Why? Because Michael examines what it’s like to be a man today, and if you don’t know (chances are you don’t), you’ll enjoy this witty biographical series of reflections, regrets, and re-examinations. It’s funny, too.
SURF
www.onepotato.net
Why? It’s a wonderful resource to find a select collection of children’s book recommendations from a dad who just loves children’s literature.
GREEN IT
Cut back on at least one car trip a week—to school, work or to the store for milk—and walk with your kids instead.
Why? It’s good exercise, it lessens your carbon footprint and you’re teaching your children that helping our planet is about making choices. You might even enjoy the time walking together.
HELP
Live a fairytale, just for the day, and help raise funds for the Children’s Wish Foundation on Saturday, March 13.
Why? This fairytale-themed event for mothers and their daughters (aged 4 to 10) will feature manicures, hairstyling, cookie decorating, caricature sketches, a cardboard castle, and more. Nibble on finger foods and sip ‘Princess Punch.’ Tickets are $5 per child and $10 per adult.
DEAL IT
Keep the kids entertained on the go with Super BabyGO!, our fave mobile app for toddlers and beyond.
Why? Because at the bank, in the grocery store or on an airplane, Super BabyGO! turns Mom or Dad’s smartphone into an entertaining and educational tool. Your child will love pressing the keys, seeing colorful letter blocks, numbers and animals dance around the screen and hearing the respective sound being pronounced in English, French and Spanish. You’ll love that all your device information is safe (the app blocks the rest of your phone’s functions while in use) and you don’t have to remember to bring an armful of toys everywhere you go. Now that’s savvy. Savvy Special: enter code SAVVYMOM at www.zeebu.com for the $1.99 price (that’s 50% off) until March 5.