Connect with us

Health

Covid-Friendly Activities With Baby | Vancouver Winter 2021

covid friendly baby activities vancouver, what to do with baby winter 2021, baby activity ideas at home, alicia fashionista

Some Covid-friendly activity ideas to fill your wake windows with your little ones this fall and winter 2020/2021!

(Please note, I will be continually updating this list as new ideas come up and rules change, so please check back)

I’m a first-time mom with an almost 10-month-old baby and am absolutely terrified of lockdown during these shorter, colder days. Pretty stressed about my baby’s lack of in-person social interaction and you know what? I’m also sad that this wasn’t the maternity leave I’d imagined.

I know a lot of parents out there are feeling the same way, so I reached out to my amazing community on Instagram asking for some activity ideas to fill those wake windows and you really delivered! I wanted to share these suggestions because it takes a village and not having full access to that village has been HARD. We’re in this together (but apart) and I hope this list is helpful in some way!

Now, let’s all keep in mind that everyone has different comfort levels during this pandemic. I know we’re all keeping a close eye on case numbers and of course trying to keep our families safe. Most of the below suggestions are online, but a few are in-person, following health orders.

Though I say it’s Vancouver-based, with some of these offerings being online, you can really be anywhere in the world. In terms of age-range, I’d say most of these are for newborns (probably 3m+) to about 2 years.

Are all of these online classes creating way more screentime than I ever imagined for my baby? Absolutely. 2020 has thrown everything off though, so if this is how we learn, then this will be how we learn!

If you have anything to add to this list, please let me know in the comments below.

MUSIC CLASSES

covid friendly baby activities vancouver, what to do with baby winter 2021, baby activity ideas at home, alicia fashionista

It’s so sweet how much little ones love music. Often songs are the ONLY way to calm Lucy and it has been that way from the beginning. She doesn’t even mind Adam’s off-tune singing LOL.

I’m trying not to purchase from Amazon too much, but I ordered this little musical set for Lucy and she is obsessed! I keep half of it out and will add the other items slowly. Again, if you can find these locally, it’s the better option. I just left the musical instrument purchase until the last minute and we needed it for our classes. Alternatively, if money is tight or you’re wanting to repurpose things around the home, you can also make some instruments yourself. We have a few containers filled with rice that are great little shakers, and two wooden spoons are very similar to rhythm sticks. There are tons of other ideas online, I’m sure.

When I asked the audience on Instagram for ideas, there were a ton of music class mentions. These are some as suggested by you and a few that we’ve joined!

Jumpstart

I signed us up for a Saturday morning Jumpstart Music and Movement Zoom class in the fall. They came highly recommended by my friend who I taught dance with for many years, so I very much trust her suggestion. Cheri was great, I could tell she had a musical background, works well with little ones and her rhythm work was awesome. From her classes, Lucy will actually repeat shaker, drum, and stick rhythms back to us, it’s simply amazing. Cheri of Jumpstart will be releasing her 2021 virtual class schedule soon, so keep an eye on her Facebook page!

VSO Mini Music Makers

The VSO School of Music offers online and in-person class options for little ones. They were doing a covered outdoor music class at Trout Lake, which Lu and I were attending with our Mom Group. Sadly, when the latest provincial restrictions came into effect, the remainder of our sessions were cancelled. Hopefully, things can resume in the new year, it was great doing a music class in-person but outside.

Music Together

One of you mentioned Music Together and it looks like they’re also doing online classes! I haven’t attended their classes myself but have bookmarked to possibly try in the future.

Chorus and Clouds

Of course, Chorus and Clouds came up as well! Since it took me so long to write this post (ahh, sorry parenting and working during a pandemic is mission impossible), we’ve juuuuust missed their winter 2021 class registration. My friend Leslie and her daughter attended the in-person small and distanced fall baby music class and she said it was great. Sorry again for not getting this out in time to sign up for the winter classes, but follow @chorusandclouds on Instagram so that you don’t miss the next one!

FREE ACTIVITIES

Check The Library

A lot of libraries are doing virtual programs right now, so it’s definitely worth it to look into the public library in your area. The VPL has a Zoom Babytime with songs and stories for your baby, which we enjoy on Fridays. We also do a little Mom share time so it’s a nice way to feel connected to other local Mamas. We’re wrapping up the Vancouver Public Library Nov/Dec sessions and I’m sure they’ll soon be doing sign ups for the Jan/Feb groups!

Strong Start

The school districts here have a program called Strong Start, which is designed for early learning development at no cost to families. Though usually drop-in, they’ve opened their in-person classes again but do require you to pre-register and follow their Covid-19 safety protocols. They do have virtual experiences as well.

Postpartum Drop-in Group

The South Community Birth Program (where we went for our pre and postnatal midwife care) offers weekly drop-in postpartum classes that are so great for new Mamas! They have gone virtual, hosted on Zoom, and I believe now open to the public (you could always check with them). A variety of topics are covered and I really enjoyed the connection and learning some new things, especially in those wild early days with a newborn.

Community Centre Parent and Tot Gym

Some community centres have opened up their gyms again for Parent and Tot playtime. I’ve seen varying information about these and I’ve personally haven’t been yet, but if it’s not free, looks like it is under $5. Your local community centre likely has other activities as well, best to check in with them and see if any programs are running for your little one!

LEARN NEW SKILLS

covid friendly baby activities vancouver, what to do with baby winter 2021, baby activity ideas at home, alicia fashionista

BABY SIGN LANGUAGE

I wasn’t sure what to expect from a baby ASL class, but Lee Ann of @signingbabies is an absolute delight. We just completed her 6-class Beginner Baby Sign Language Virtual Course and loved it. We opted for her Facebook course because then we weren’t committed to a set time. It has been so useful having access to the videos any time we want, we’ve definitely gone back and re-watched a few already. Lee Ann teaches at a great pace, repeats songs so they’re easier to memorize, and includes the names of class attendees so that the little bbs feel included. Lucy lights up every time Lee Ann is on the screen, she simply adores her. We’ve already registered for the next level in the new year, you can check out her virtual class options here.

SWIMMING LESSONS

A TON of parents on Instagram suggested swimming lessons. The pools seem to have strict protocols that follow the latest health orders and some of the lessons are as small as 2 or 3 people. The two most popular suggestions were definitely Pedal Heads and Aquaventures Swim, so if you’re lucky enough to snag a spot, let me know how it is! Lucy loved our outdoor pool adventures in the summer, so I’d be keen to try lessons at some point. Public pools are still open, so that is always an option for some unstructured time in the water as well!

Mandarin And Cantonese Classes

My friend just sent me these awesome Rhythm ‘N’ Rhyme Musical Adventures classes! They offer baby sing-a-long, storytime, and song and conversation classes in both Mandarin and Cantonese for ages 0-8 years. Looks like there are paid classes as well as some free drop-in. They are offering virtual classes over Zoom that came recommended to my friend. I will definitely look into some of their intro classes for us, would love for Lucy to be in touch with her heritage and able to learn some Cantonese. Maybe I could learn a thing or two along the way as well!

ART CLASS

Collage Collage has some very affordable and fun online art classes for the toddler crowd! I simply love how each class is inspired by a book, I might actually gift a few of these classes to my friends this holiday season. Everyone needs activity ideas during lockdown!

We’ve also signed up for a small and distanced in-person Chorus and Clouds art class for January. They call it the Infant/Toddler Art Club and I cannot WAIT to see what kind of “art” my baby will create. They do specify that this particular class is best suited for kids 10 months-2 years.

BABY REFLEXOLOGY

Suzanne (an RCRT) of Foot Guru Reflexology has a few great online resources for parents! Her Baby and Me Reflexology Course covers relief for teething pain, digestive upset (gas, colic, constipation, etc), sleep struggles, cold and virus symptoms, as well as skin conditions such as eczema, baby acne and rashes). So helpful and would make a great gift to a new parent or even to yourself! She’s also added a simple Baby Snooze Button guide, you can follow @footgurureflexology on Instagram for more (bonus, she’s also running a huge baby giveaway right now)!

BABY FOOD CLASSES

I still don’t know what I’m doing with this whole solids thing. It’s actually been the ONE thing I feel least confident and relatively insecure about on this parenting journey. Everything else I’ve managed to remain fairly chill about, but when it comes to feeding Lucy, I find myself comparing a lot to other moms, anxious in the moment, and feeling a bit lost. Basically, it sounds like I’m selling myself on some baby food classes LOL. I’ve seen the Solid Starts guides recommended, as well as Feeding Littles classes. A few on IG were even enrolled to get certified to consult for pregnancy, postpartum and baby with Oh Baby. I know I’ll figure the food thing out, the journey just hasn’t been what I thought it would be, which is just so spot-on for 2020.

BABY AND MAMA YOGA

Brenlie of Nurture Natal Yoga is the best, I adored her prenatal classes as well as her Baby and Mama distanced outdoor classes at Dude Chilling Park in the summer. I really, really miss it. Brenlie has an online Baby & Me Musical Yoga package with 3 full-length classes that you can do from home. Do you have any baby and parent workouts that you love to do at home?

THE DAY TO DAY

covid friendly baby activities vancouver, what to do with baby winter 2021, baby activity ideas at home, alicia fashionista

Walks, Walks, Walks

Yes, of course, we all KNOW that fresh air helps us, but knowing and doing are two different things. On those days when it’s miserable out and you don’t feel like leaving the house, I promise that as long as it’s not so cold and stormy that it’s unsafe to do so, getting out for even just a short walk will be great for all. Honestly, I’ve even just opened the sliding door and stepped onto our patio for a few minutes for a little reset. Getting outside when you can is a must!

Lucy has always loved to watch the older kids play so we often take her to the park and she just watches them and babbles. We also do time on the baby swings if it’s nice enough out and have been using our handy Swing Thing insert which makes it a comfier seat for Lu. Now that it’s the holidays she also very much enjoys an evening light walk, which helps us with that last wake window.

Besides our usual neighbourhood stroll, my favourite local walks lately are Trout Lake (great for distancing as well), the Seawall (can get very crowded, I encourage wearing a mask), and Pacific Spirit Park (the perfect rainy day forest walk). Where do you love to go for your walks?

covid friendly baby activities vancouver, what to do with baby winter 2021, baby activity ideas at home, alicia fashionista

Step Up Your Home Play

The amount of creative Mamas out there is so wonderful! Y’all have the best ideas. There are a ton of posts on Pinterest with ideas for new at-home play and I started following some new accounts like Crafty Moms on TikTok (though, a lot of their stuff is bookmarked for when Lucy is a bit older).

There are apps with ideas as well, like BabySparks (someone on IG suggested it, I still need to give it a try) and Playfully. If your budget allows for it, a toy subscription, like Lovevery is an idea as well. We were lucky enough to receive one as a gift from my in-laws and it has been awesome. I don’t really buy much else and I love how all the toys were created with intention. It’s definitely made my life easier in terms of choosing toys.

If you have space in your home for it, there are cool options for older babies who are climbers. A friend on IG mentioned she was getting a pikler triangle for her little one and I also saw that Cushy Couch launched their play couch, which is made in Canada!

FaceTime Friends

I’m sure many are already doing this, but I definitely love to try to catch a grandparent, family member or friend on a video call if our wake window is dragging on. It’s sadly considered our social time these days, but a win-win for loved ones to get some Covid-friendly quality time with the baby and a moment for me to chat. Honestly, a lot of the time they just like to watch Lucy play. It’s extra fun for Lucy when we can FaceTime with other kids, she likes to watch them play and chat/laugh with them!

ANYTHING TO ADD?

Solidarity to all the other parents out there trying to make it work and keep your sanity (or at least some of it) while parenting during a worldwide health crisis. This is a hard year for everyone, but this gig is challenging in a unique way. Try not to let the guilt get ya, we’re all doing the best we can.

I hope this little list helped somehow and if you have any advice or ideas to add, please let me know!

The post Covid-Friendly Activities With Baby | Vancouver Winter 2021 appeared first on Alicia Fashionista.

—————————————-
By: Alicia
Title: Covid-Friendly Activities With Baby | Vancouver Winter 2021
Sourced From: www.aliciafashionista.com/covid-friendly-activities-with-baby-vancouver/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=covid-friendly-activities-with-baby-vancouver
Published Date: Fri, 18 Dec 2020 19:19:35 +0000

Read More

Continue Reading

Health

How To Have The Perfect Day For Yourself

This original article was first published here: How To Have The Perfect Day For Yourself

Do you keep pushing yourself to do more and more, and do you feel guilty when you stop? If so, you’re not alone, but you might be causing yourself some health issues. It’s far better to take some time for yourself and relax than it is to keep going, but knowing that and doing that are two different things.

The fact is that if you never take any time for yourself, you’ll burn out, and that’s going to affect your health and happiness even more. So why not take a perfect day to yourself and relax, have fun, and re-energize? It will help you more than you could know, and you’ll have a good time too. If that sounds like a great idea, here are some things you could do with your day to make it perfect. Read on to find out more.

Wake Up Early

Wake Up Early

If you want a day to relax, the idea of waking up early might sound like a bad idea when sleeping in might be something you don’t normally get to do, but if you wake up early, you can do more with your day, and you won’t feel guilty for wasting any time.

The best thing to do is to go to bed at a reasonable time the night before. In that case, it will be easier to wake up early, so plan ahead and make sure you get a good night’s sleep. Not only will you get more done, but you’ll feel healthy and energized too.

Do Something Fun

Drive a ferrari

You don’t have to do anything at all on your day off when you have your home all to yourself, but if there’s something fun that you do want to do, this is the perfect opportunity to do it. You might want to go and see a movie that none of your friends and family are interested in, or perhaps you want to go for a walk in the woods and enjoy nature in peace and quiet. Maybe you want to rent a luxury car in Montreal and go for a drive in the city, enjoying the fact that you’re doing something just for you that you’ll look back on and feel happy about in years to come.

Whether you do nothing at all or you plan a day of activities, just make sure you’re enjoying what you do and that you’re not getting overwhelmed and stressed, or the good you did by taking some time to yourself will quickly be undone again, and you’ll be back to square one.

Disconnect From Technology

Digital detox

As tempting as it might be to spend time on your day off scrolling through social media or checking emails, try to resist and do anything else instead. Social media can be fun and even good for business, but it can also be bad for people’s mental health, so disconnecting and doing other things is a much better option.

When you’re not constantly distracted by notifications and worrying about missing out on things that other people are doing, you’ll be able to enjoy the present moment much more. When you’re more mindful – which is what enjoying the present moment means – you’ll become less stressed and more relaxed, and your day off will be worthwhile.

Please visit: Men Style Fashion for more articles like this.

—————————————-
By: Men Style Fashion
Title: How To Have The Perfect Day For Yourself
Sourced From: www.menstylefashion.com/how-to-have-the-perfect-day-for-yourself/
Published Date: Fri, 01 Sep 2023 08:31:33 +0000

Read More

Continue Reading

Health

10 Loungewear Pieces That Will Keep You Comfortable And Stylish

The beginning of the 2020s saw people spending more time at home than ever before. The pandemic shone a spotlight on the clothes we wore while lounging around the house, and if you’re anything like us, you probably realised just how much time you spend slumped across the sofa in the same old moth-bitten sweater and gym shorts.

Lockdown is now (thankfully) well behind us, but it has left in its wake a newfound appreciation for good-quality loungewear, and an understanding that the clothes you wear behind closed doors are every bit as important as the ones that venture out of the house.

Chilling at home is an important part of a healthy, balanced lifestyle, and having some decent garments to do it in makes it all the more enjoyable. We’re talking comfy, cosy pieces that feel great to wear, but that won’t leave you looking like a complete slob when you have to nip out to the shop or greet the pizza guy at the door.

Here are the key pieces you might want to consider.

Dressing Gown/Bathrobe




There are few pleasures in life greater than swaddling yourself in a gigantic fuzzy dressing gown to drink your coffee on a lazy Sunday morning.

You can throw this thing on in the absence of clothes when you emerge from the shower. You can pop it on over your PJs while you shuffle around the kitchen eating toast. You can even spend an entire day in it, nesting on the sofa, surrounded by calorific snacks on a day off.

A good bathrobe is the perfect partner for all of these situations and more, so make sure to arm yourself with a good one in a cosy towelling fabric. Some of our favourites come from Derek Rose, Missoni Home and The White Company.

Drawstring Pants




A good pair of drawstring pants is one of our favourite style cheat codes. They allow you to enjoy the comfort and practicality of a pair of pyjama trousers or jogging bottoms while masquerading as something much smarter.

This makes them perfect for days spent around the house when it may not be appropriate to go full goblin mode, such as when WFH.

Check out the 24 Trousers from L’Estrange – one of our favourite options in this category.

Cashmere Jumper




Investment pieces aren’t usually part of the conversation when it comes to loungewear. That’s understandable. After all, who wants to pump a big chunk of their cash into something that’s never going to see the light of day?

But that’s where a cashmere jumper is different. This is one of the few pieces that can seamlessly transition from Netflix binge to formal function.

It’s comfy and cosy for lounging around, but it’s also luxurious and smart enough to team up with tailoring. And it’ll happily do everything in between those two extremes too.

Boxy Hoodie




We’re staunch advocates of the importance of a good fit, but when it comes to loungewear, you don’t necessarily want everything to be tailored to perfection. There’s a time and a place for baggy, boxy, loose-fitting clothes, and that’s when you’re chilling at home.

A heavyweight boxy hoodie is perfect for throwing on while you’re nesting at the weekend or on cold evenings after work. Go for something plain and well made so it lasts.

We always recommend Camber. It’s a USA-based brand that specialises in heavy-duty blank tees and sweats, and it’s hoodies are some of the best in the game.

House Shoes




You should always take your shoes off when you’re in the house, unless they were specifically designed not to be. ‘House shoes’ is an admittedly pretty broad term that can include anything from slippers to clogs.

They’re what you put on to schlep around the kitchen or take the bins out, and they really came into their own during lockdown.

Birkenstock has a bit of a stranglehold on this market with the Boston, but take a look at other styles like Reeboks Beatnik or The North Face’s Tent Mule too.

Heavyweight Joggers




Don’t waste your money on sub-par sweatpants. If you want them to last and be as comfortable and cosy as possible, spend the extra cash and get a proper heavyweight pair.

Not only will they stack better on top of your best sneakers far more effectively than a flimsy pair, but they’ll be much better at keeping you warm in the winter months.

Again, take a look at what Camber has to offer in this department. Otherwise, Carhartt WIP and Reigning Champ make some stylish options.

Oversized T-shirts




We’ve established why boxy hoodies are great for chilling in, and that same logic applies to tees too. Baggy T-shirts are just comfier, and that’s exactly what you want when you’re lounging around at home.

Instead of buying ones that are a few sizes too big, you could opt for some deliberately slouchy tees like the ones from Uniqlo U, which have dropped shoulders and a wide fit, but still sit at the right length for your torso.

Merino Socks




Merino is a wonder fabric that insulates amazingly, wicks moisture and dries fast. It’s also super soft and comfortable, all of which makes it a prime candidate for socks.

Buy enough pairs to rotate and never look back.

Traditional Pyjama Set




The modern loungewear landscape is dominated by sweatpants, hoodies and crew necks, but a good old set of traditional PJs is still as good an option as ever, and something well worth arming yourself with if you like to save on your heating bill in the winter months.

Some of the brands making the best versions include Derek Rose, Hamilton + Hare, Desmond & Dempsey and CDLP.

Sweat Shorts




Sweatpants are comfy, but they might be a bit too warm for the summer. That’s where you’ll want a pair of sweat shorts. These stretchy bad boys are essentially cut-off joggers.

They’re made from the same comfortable fleece-backed jersey cotton and are perfect for chilling in the warmer months.

The post 10 Loungewear Pieces That Will Keep You Comfortable And Stylish appeared first on Ape to Gentleman.

—————————————-
By: Paddy Maddison
Title: 10 Loungewear Pieces That Will Keep You Comfortable And Stylish
Sourced From: www.apetogentleman.com/key-loungewear-pieces/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=key-loungewear-pieces
Published Date: Fri, 01 Sep 2023 08:00:56 +0000

Read More

Continue Reading

Health

Discover The Latest Olsen Clothing Canada Collection -Trends and Styles

This original article was first published here: Discover The Latest Olsen Clothing Canada Collection -Trends and Styles

Fashion is ever-evolving, with everyone constantly on the lookout for trendy wear. A mix of culture and modern design signifies class and style. Everyone has their unique take on what constitutes “fashion,” but most would concur that it reflects an individual’s sense of personality via their attire.

It’s reasonable to suggest that clothing has the potential to incorporate different spiritual and ethnic customs. However, finding current cuts and cultural aesthetics in one place can be like finding a needle in a haystack. Worry not, as we bring you a clothing store, Olsen Canada, with in-house designs that consist of a contemporary lookbook with a hint of elegance.

We have created a comprehensive review of the service below to look deeper into their diverse range of clothing and facilities. Let’s get right into it.

A Stylistic Analysis of Olsen Clothing Canada

Olsen Canada is an acclaimed name with their persistent style inspiration and a long line of fashion wear curated since 1995. They design apparel with expert skills, considering client tastes and distinct preferences.

European fashion inspires the 16 collections that come out every year. From lovely linens to strong statement pieces, they specialize in providing effortless looks. Everything you could need, from casual and formal, from dresses to blazers, can be found in a single accessible location.

Made with premium eco-friendly material, Olsen Clothing Canada has something for everyone. Taking into account that art is the essence of life, they have in-house designers who introduce runway-worthy cuts and colours to make you stand out in the crowd.

Maintaining a feminine vibe in their outfits, the materials they utilize for their clothing line are top-notch with a wear guarantee, making it appealing and long-lasting with comfort in place. Moreover, they have 24/7 staff to assist their customers with queries or concerns, making them reliable.

Oslen-fashion

Diverse Product Line

They have everything in store, from collection-based and free-style outfits to pick and choose from. Their collections include Effortless Ease, Season Favorite, Vintage Holiday, Designer Choice, and several others.

Olsen Canada does not restrict its designs to a specific demographic; instead, they have a unique set of clothes and flattering cuts to suit any body type and age. From their capsule collection to versatile statement pieces, their apparel is one of a kind.

Quality Clothing

With an inclusive body type and style quotient, Olsen Clothing Canada makes sure to provide the highest-grade fabric. They ensure that the cloth is soft and comfortable and can be used over a longer period to offer high value for money.

Eco-Friendly Apparel

Their designers also introduced a line of high-quality clothes made of biodegradable material. This is an effort to reduce the carbon footprint and waste from landfills. Their environment-conscious efforts make them a step further than regular clothing brands.

Express Delivery

With many convenient physical store locations, customers can easily order from their online website.

  • By navigating through their intuitive UI, you can scroll through their website and skim through all their categories.
  • After selecting the items you want to buy, you can add them to your cart.
  • Here, you must provide personal information, such as name, contact, and address details, and select a payment option.
  • You will receive your order with their express delivery service in a few business days.

Accessible Customer Service Representatives

Besides having a line of premium quality clothes, their customer service is exemplary. By writing to them, you can quickly get in contact with their customer service team for any sort of questions you have. Their customer staff is informative, highly responsive, and has problem-solving abilities regarding orders.

Concluding Note

Style is individualistic and translates an individual’s personality; clothing helps portray this. Women are always looking for feminine yet classic, modern clothes that are easily accessible; Olsen Clothing Canada specializes in this. With their current designs and trendy cuts this company proves to be one of Canada’s most fashion-forward clothing lines. We hope this article was informative and helped you understand more about Olsen Clothing Canada in detail effectively.

Please visit: Men Style Fashion for more articles like this.

—————————————-
By: Men Style Fashion
Title: Discover The Latest Olsen Clothing Canada Collection -Trends and Styles
Sourced From: www.menstylefashion.com/discover-the-latest-olsen-clothing-canada-collection-trends-and-styles/
Published Date: Fri, 01 Sep 2023 11:57:21 +0000

Read More

Continue Reading

Trending