Yummy Mummy

Calling All

Hockey Moms Now it’s your turn

Mom’s

Wish List Photo by AG Photography Gina Spanos | [email protected]

WCF November 2008.indd 31

10/28/08 12:28:23 PM

Wish List

Well, Moms, after all you do, you deserve a little holiday treat this season, too! Be sure to give your family a few hints by pointing out your wish list faves. Here are few ideas worth adding…

Eco Mama

Murder Mystery

Each one of these stylish diaper bags keeps ten plastic water bottles out of the landfill. Teflon and PVC-free, mom can not only look fabulous but also earth-friendly while toting all of baby’s gear. Lightweight and spacious, each bag comes with adjustable straps, a change pad and a see-thru wipe case. $110 at grassrootsstore.com.

Add a little excitement to the New Year. Everything needed to host a murder mystery is included in this parcel: invitations, instructions, character booklets, name tags, even themed recipes—all designed to ensure an evening guests are sure to die for. SRP $36.99. Call 1.877.592.7374 to find a retailer near you.

Relaxed Gaming

Vintage Love

Bundle Up!

Nothing says ‘I love you,’ quite like jewellery. Give Mom a little timeless appeal with a sweet Vintage Spyglass Necklass from Stella & Dot. This one is 14kt gold plated and 14kt gold vermeil. $98 at shop.stelladot.com.

It’s an investment, but a coat she can wear for years—even after baby. Nima’ma 3-in-1 M Coat is proudly Canadian-made, and covers the three stages of pregnancy: pre, post and during. Cost $480 (with a lifetime guarantee) at nimama.ca.

32

Here’s an excuse to steal your child’s Nintendo DS for a little quality “me time.” Zenses allows uses to transcend the stresses of everyday life and experience an active escape. With two gaming options, Ocean and Rainforest, Zenses offers modern women a chance to play cool games and solve puzzles inspired by either the waves of the ocean or the sound of raindrops and nature. SRP $29.99. Available most places gaming systems and Nintendo products are sold. gamefactorygames.com

WestCoastFamilies.com

WCF November 2008.indd 32

10/28/08 12:28:25 PM

$60 towa rds your own phot obook

Memory Holder You know how much she loves es to show off her family photos photos. Now give Mom the chance to display her favourites in a personalized photobook she creates herself. First, check out photobook.com for software that’s free and easy to use to get her started. Then, once complete, Mom can send in her project to be printed on acid-free paper, hand-sewn and professionally bound with either a hard or soft cover. Prices vary per project. Learn more online at photobook.com.

In next month’s Charm Her… With an Elements Life Bracelet, where Mom can sport personalized charms that proudly reflect her family and her life. Each piece is hand-stamped and polished, so order early to allow for delivery time. $85 at lucyann.ca. Includes one charm to start. Additional charms $25.

Non-surgical ways to look younger

Get Crafty If she’s a scrapbooker or crafter, Mom already knows just how messy things can get. Help her keep organized while preserving her supplies with Mable’s Labels Crafter Pack. With labels for everything from her beads to her adhesives, a pack of 49 labels costs $12 at mabel.ca.

Vasectomy Dr. Barry Rich has performed over 15,000 No-Scalpel Vasectomies (NSV) in his more than 14 years of experience. He introduced No-Needle Anesthesia for NSV in Canada and has the longest Canadian experience with the technique.

No Scalpel No Needle No Excuse Barry Rich, M.D. FREE online registration saves you time: have a consultation and vasectomy in a single visit.

Vasectomies performed at both Vancouver & Langley clinics

10-minute office procedure Covered by BC Medical

604-539-1915

www.nsv.ca November 2008

WCF November 2008.indd 33

33

10/28/08 12:28:28 PM

Calling All

Hockey Moms Now it’s your turn

By Brooke Sherwood

You might call yourself a hockey mom, but to what level? Sure, you’ve hit the rink at 6am, or earlier, to drop kids off at practice and you’ve sat through more than your fair share of OT’s, cheering rink-side with frozen fingers and toes. But, have you have laced up your own skates and hit the rink, stick in hand? Of late, it seems hockey moms are turning out in droves and ditching their yoga mats for gloves, sticks and skates as they take to the ice to play hockey for the first time. Female hockey is a growing and popular sport for women all over Canada. According to Hockey Canada, since 1990 female hockey has grown from just over 8,000 participants to over 73,000 nationwide, which demonstrates just how many ladies are exchanging time in the stands for time on the ice. We all know that exercise is vitally important to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, however many women have never considered the sport of hockey as a realistic option for themselves, despite their love of the game. But, why not? Anyone can play, so let’s squash some of the ugly rumors surrounding women and hockey:

1. Hockey is a man’s sport. Think again. The sport of hockey is not just considered a man’s game. Women’s hockey has been a growing sport for years, and the skill level has never been better. Cam Kerr, with BC Hockey, has been around the female side of the game for years. “I look at the 2007 Team BC, which competed at the National U-18 tournament in Kitchener, Ontario last spring. I could have easily replaced 16 of the 20 girls [with those] 34

I had on my 1995 Team BC’s Canada Winter Games team,” Kerr shares. “Our girls have improved that much.” And, that’s not all, according to Kerr ladies are enjoying the game later in life, too. “I had run into a few ladies in their mid to late 30s where I used to work who had taken up hockey for the first time. Every Monday morning they would come down to my office and relate, in detail, the events of their game from the weekend. They were like a couple of kids. I loved it!”

Mainland play during regular hours, often in the evenings or on weekends. Game times fit well into the suburban lifestyle, and generally allow for advanced planning to accommodate busy family schedules. Considering all of the running around you do, fitting in practice times and lessons for your kids, don’t you think you deserve a little something for yourself, too? At least, this activity is designed to keep you fit and active, both physically and socially.

2. I don’t know how to skate. It’s never too late to learn. There are many learn-to-skate programs for adults at local community centres, as well as learn-to-play hockey programs that are geared to women who are new to the ice and new to the game. Check your local recreation guide, or call your local arena for more information. Many rec centres even offer child-minding for the little ones, so there’s no excuse not to join. You can also always practice your skating by dropping into a public skate held at most arenas during the winter months for as little as $5 to $10, including skate and helmet rentals.

5. Okay, so where do I sign up? To get started, hockey moms often don’t need to look further than family and friends. Chances are someone you know already plays hockey, and you can speak to them about their experience and about getting started. You can also call any arena and ask if they offer a learn-to-play program or offer stick and puck sessions. The latter are open to the public at a drop-in rate (usually between $3 and $10), and allow you to practice skating and puck control without full gear. Imagine the fun you and a girlfriend could have trying this out together for the first time. You’ll only need to rent skates and a helmet, to borrow gloves and a stick (or pick some out secondhand at a store like Cheapskates or Sports Junkies in Vancouver), and bring a sense of excitement. Once you’re ready to join a team, don’t think twice—do it! There are many different skill levels in women’s hockey leagues that cater specifically to first-time players, so you don’t need to worry about looking like a newbie due to lack of experience. Simply bear in mind that it’s finally your turn to enjoy Canada’s favourite game on ice. After all, why should your kids have all the fun? YM

3. It’s a dangerous sport. There is no denying that hockey has a higher level of physical contact than tennis or lawn bowling, however the majority of adult hockey leagues do not allow body checking. League operators understand players have to get up, go to work and raise a family the following day, so safety has to be a top priority. In fact, you would be hard-pressed to find an adult hockey league in the Lower Mainland that allows body checking. On top of stringent rules in regards to body checking, or any other type of physical abuse, most adult leagues carry top of the line insurance as a service to their members.

4. The practice times won’t work with my schedule. Gone are the days of 5am practices—those times are reserved for your kids. Adult hockey leagues in the Lower

Brooke Sherwood, a program manager at Burnaby 8 Rinks, has played hockey since she was ten years old and currently plays in Canlan's Division One league for women. For more information or to sign up for a women’s hockey program, check out icesports.com.

WestCoastFamilies.com

WCF November 2008.indd 34

10/28/08 12:28:42 PM

Bringing Walls

to Life A moment with our YM cover Mom Emma Thompson By Michelle Froese

There is a famous Walt Disney quote local mom Emma Thompson is drawn to, so much so that she has it posted on her Facebook account: “Find something you love to do, then learn to do it so well, people are happy to pay you for it.” “I just love that quote!” Thompson exclaims, and it could certainly be used to describe her life at the moment. A mom of two boys, Thompson—featured on this issue’s Yummy Mummy cover—has always had a creative side and a love for the arts. Although she earned A-level artwork in college, it wasn’t until designing her son Leo’s nursery back in 2001 that she considered turning her creative talent into a viable career. “I had always had an artistic flair,” she admits, “but soon discovered I loved the design aspect too! I decided to pursue my dream and returned to school to study professional interior design.” With both talent and education under her belt, Thompson took a business course, which she says was a key element of her success. Her goal: “To bring kids’ dreams to life through my art.” Thompson launched Dream Wall Designs, creating incredible wall murals for children’s rooms (everything from Spiderman to Dora the Explorer). “I decided early on to make this busi-

ness work without loans,” she shares. “It took a good few years (and spending of my husband’s money!) to get my venture off thee ground…but everything I did was with the intention of creating a Web site to show my skills.” Check out dreamwalldesigns.ca for a sample of her work. “Thankfully it is now paying back, and my husband is relieved!” smiles Thompson, who is grateful to have a career that allows her to stay home more often than not with her sons. “I try really hard to balance my business and family life. I always make sure I’m there to drop off my boys at school and, unless I have a mural project, I always pick them up and take them to their activities,” she says. “To me, it is really important that the kids have Mom around.” With Spidey and cowboys cleverly decked out on each of their bedroom walls, sons Leo and Ethan (now seven and four-yearsold, respectively) are undoubtedly happy to be at the centre of Mom’s life. The two are looking forward to testing Mom’s creativity again in the next month or so. “We are moving home in December,” explains Thompson, “and Leo wants a cool skater boy bedroom next, so check out my Web site in January for that one!” Fortunately, for Thompson, she never tires of her craft, even if it means working late

or long hours. “As art is my passion, I seem to be attached to my paintbrush,” she says. “I paint when the boys are at school; I paint when Fred (my husband) takes them to the movies; I paint when they are all tucked up in bed asleep!” Her advice to other moms contemplating melding their passion with entrepreneurship: “Follow your dreams, believe in yourself and stay focused!” Possibly easier said than done. But it seems Disney had it right. YM November 2008

WCF November 2008.indd 35

35

10/28/08 12:28:44 PM

Goings On!

Hip and Happenings in your town WACK! Art and Feminist Revolution Vancouver Art Gallery Ongoing until January, 10am-5:30pm Open Tuesdays & Thursday until 9pm Including works by more than 100 artists from 21 countries, WACK! spans the years 1965 to 1980, and is the first comprehensive, historical exhibition to examine the international foundations and legacy of feminist art. 604.662.4719 | vanartgallery.bc.ca

Alanis Morrisette Orpheum Theatre November 4, 7:30pm Live Nation presents seven-time Grammy winner Alanis Morrisette in support of her critically acclaimed album Flavors of Entanglement, live in concert with special guests. Tickets starting at $39.50. 604.280.3311 | ticketmaster.ca

The Imprentice The New Revue Stage, Granville Island November 4-8, 8pm When an all-powerful host, with impossibly bad hair, seeks an Imprentice, the contenders must show off their improv chutzpah in a riotous boardroom battle. Tickets starting at $25. 604.666.5784 | vtsl.com

The Power of Women Vancouver Convention Centre November 6, 8:30am-5:30pm A personal, professional and social networking event that brings together women to connect and interact in a powerful way. It is the ultimate gathering for achieving women. More details and tickets available online. powerwithin.com

IceROK Jewellery Launch Bodacious (4393 Main St) November 6, 6-9pm Join in an evening of prize draws and live entertainment at the Vancouver launch of the jewellery line IceROK—where a percentage of sales will be donated to the YWCA Vancouver’s youth program ‘Welcome to My Life,’ which helps Grade 7 girls in their transition to high school. Goodie bags for the first 50 guests. E-mail [email protected]

Ballet BC: The Faerie Queen

Child Safe CPR/First Aid

Toast to the Coast

Queen Elizabeth Theatre November 6-8, 8pm

Nannies on Call, Vancouver November 9, 9am-5pm

Vancouver Aquarium November 14, 7-10pm

Brimming with lust and the confusion of love, scheming selfishness and mischievous magic, this is one of Ballet BC’s most popular and whimsical works featuring live music. Tickets starting at $35.75. 604.732.5003 (ext 207) ballet bc.com

Career and personal development opportunities. The first course will be CPR taught by a Red Cross certified instructor. Cost $80. Pre-register 604.734.1776 nanniesoncall.com

Cornucopia Food and Wine Celebration

Immerse yourself in the after-hours world of the Aquarium and sample wines from BC wineries while enjoying delicious fare from Ocean Wise restaurants. Proceeds benefit Ocean Wise and other Vancouver Aquarium conservation programs. Tickets $65. Buy online vanaqua.org

Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre November 11-14, 10am-9pm, November 15, 10am-7pm November 16,10am-5pm

4010 Whistler Way, Whistler November 6-10, 10am-3pm Featuring a sumptuous variety of hands-on classes, glamorous gala tasting events and sizzling after-parties, Cornucopia offers something for both the experienced connoisseur and those seeking to better appreciate the epicurean delights of wine and food. whistlercornucopia.com

Choosing Your Path: Motherhood and Leadership

Circle Craft Christmas Market

Start making your list. More than 260 Canadian artisans will gather under the sails to present their wares at Western Canada’s largest one-of-a-kind gift fair. From clay work and handmade trinkets to the hottest fashion trends and jewellery designs, there’s plenty to choose from, including treats and eats. 604.684.8266 | circlecraft.net

Ikea Coquitlam November 7, 9:30–11:30am

Jewellery Making: Wired and Wrapped

Join speakers Cybele Negris of WebNames.ca and City of Coquitlam Mayor Maxine Wilson as they share their experiences and insight into choosing your path in leading fulfilling lives at work and at home. Cost $26.25. 604.817.9111 | momcafe.net

Surrey Museum November 13, 7-9pm

BC’s Creative Expo Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre November 7, 9am-9pm November 8, 9am-6pm This is the largest consumer, educational, hands-on trade show in BC, offering over 100 classes in scrapbooking, quilting, fibre arts, beading, knitting and crafts. Advanced tickets $10 to $15 online. 604.572.0699 | bcscreativeexpo.com

Elements Gala Four Seasons Hotel November 8, 6pm Enjoy top-notch cuisine from Dominique and Cindy Duby of DC Duby Wild Sweets and Four Seasons executive chef Rafael Gonzalez, along with auctions and live cooking demonstrations. This is a charity event that will support the Canadian Society of Intestinal Research. foodvancouver.com/event

Learn to make beautiful works-of-art while using semi-precious gemstones and wire. This class is suitable for beginner and intermediate levels. Cost $40 for two sessions. Supply fee $18. Pre-register 604.592.6956 heritage.surrey.ca

Garden Spa Skincare UBC Botanical Garden Reception Centre November 14, 6:30-8:30pm Incorporate herbs from your garden into your skincare. Make and take home a chamomile face cleanser, aloe toner, herbal body cream and a hydrating facial spray. Cost $50. Pre-register 604.822.3928 ubcbotanicalgarden.org

The December Man Performance Works, Vancouver Starting November 20, 8pm Engrossing, heartbreaking, and dramatic. Colleen Murphy’s “The December Man” received the 2007 Governor General’s Literary Award in Drama and the 2008 Canadian Authors Association Carol Bolt Award for Drama for this play. Adults $26. 604.684.2787 | greenthumb.bc.ca tickets.ticketstonight.ca

Christmas Craft Fair Bonsor Recreation Complex November 21, 2-7pm November 22, 10am-3pm Only new, personally handcrafted items are sold here. Come see what folks around the Lower Mainland have spent all year creating. Admission is free for buyers. 604.439.1860 | burnaby.ca

Crash and Burn Yuk Yuk’s, Vancouver Until November 25 Every Tuesday night, 8:30pm Every week five new comics will burn up the stage followed by some pros just aching to try out their new material on you. Tickets $5. yukyuks.com

Holiday Craft Fair Trout Lake Community Centre November 29, 10am-4pm Find perfect gifts for your favourite people at this annual craft fair. Tables available for crafters to sell their wares on a first come first serve basis. Admission by donation. 604.257.6955

36 WestCoastFamilies.com WCF November 2008.indd 36

10/28/08 12:28:59 PM

Marketplace

wn

Oe]WX_hj^ZWofWhj_[i Wjoekh^ec[ehWjWijkZ_e A magical comedic fun-filled show, with one of 30 costumed characters. Performing: Singing, Dancing, Magic, Animaloons, Joking Puppets & Face Painting. For: Parties, Holiday Celebrations & Promotional Events.

736★0876 / 729★4987 www.castletopcharacters.com

J^[c[i"]eeZ_[iWdZW\kdoe]WYbWii `kij\eha_ZiWdZ\Wc_b_[i <ehceh[_d\eehjeXeeaWfWhjo"YedjWYj i^Wdded6Y[_XWjh[[oe]W$Yeceh,&*)'(#&*/)

mmm$Y[_XWjh[[oe]W$Yec

All Wrapped Up Party Supplies Birthday Party Supplies & Favours Everything you need to create a memorable birthday party for your child, conveniently delivered right to your door.

Personalized gifts, West Wes W st candy st wrappers and C Coast oast favours for every Favours party and event.

birthday parties, toddler play area, jungle gym, restaurant and more! Licensed daycare now available at Kidzone

Over 40 popular licensed themes including: Spiderman, Strawberry Shortcake, Dora the Explorer and many more.

(604)574-6127 www.allwrappedup.ca

www.westcoastfavours.com

#105 - 4351 No. 3 Rd Richmond, BC, V6X 3A7

604-999-7609

Keyboarding! Rhythm! Singing! Composing! Theory! Ages 2 & Up! Parents Participate! Small Groups! Fun!

1-800-828-4334 www.myc.com

Music Together Phoenix Song

holiday wish list. Dreaming of a stress-free holiday season?

Classes for infants to kindergarteners... and the grown-ups who love them

Clear your space. Clear your mind. Enjoy the beauty this season has to offer. 604-836-0683 or e-mail [email protected]

bond with your child • develop musical skills & have fun! locations in UBC and Richmond

respect. reclaim. revitalize. your space.

www.visualgirl.ca

604-327-5165 | www.mtphoenixsong.com

edit, organize and plan your way to a more meaningful home

The #1 Music Education & Movement Classes for Children New Born to 7 Years Old 4VSSFZ
8IJUF
3PDL
%FMUB
t


www.abcmusicfactory.com

Amanda’s Horse Camp 1 on 1 Quality Riding Lessons

• Horse safety • How to care for your horse • How to ride safely • How horses talk to you Prices start at $25

(604) 462-0851 or 778-999-6952 www.amandashorsecamp.ca

Amanda's Horse Camp.indd 1

4/11/08 5:33:20 AM

E-mail [email protected] to reach over 50,00 families in the Lower Mainland each issue. November 2008

WCF November 2008.indd 37

37

10/28/08 12:29:03 PM