a peek inside the fishbowl

OK Ottawa. This one is just for you. And there’s a pretty quick turnaround, so you have to act fast!

I’ve written about the TD Canada Trust Family Adventures series at the NAC before. To summarize: it’s a great opportunity to enjoy some excellent family time AND experience something unique and special and WHO KNOWS your kid might be the next Boris Brott. (!)

The NAC always puts on a great show for kids, don’t they?

This giveaway is for four tickets to the February 20th performance in the Family Adventures series. This one is extra special. It’s a party! The NAC orchestra is celebrating its 40th anniversary and they’re spreading the joy.

Join internationally acclaimed film star and comedian Eugene Levy and revisit highlights of favourite family concerts, featuring NAC Orchestra musicians who made their debuts as young soloists, a birthday choir with singers who have grown up with the NAC Orchestra, and the Baobab Youth Performers in a rousing African drum and dance performance.

You can read more about it here.

Do note:

• This is a 60-minute bilingual concert performed without intermission
• In my experience, this kind of show is best suited for ages 5 and up (but all ages are welcome!).
• Little ones will enjoy free learn-and-play activities organized by the Friends of the NAC Orchestra. This part begins 45 minutes prior to each concert, so get there in time!
• Gifts of non-perishable food for the Ottawa Food Bank are appreciated!

Heh.

This was taken at Lime Kiln Trail in the Stony Swamp area (near Bell’s corners). It’s one of our favourite trails here in Ottawa. We’ve been coming here for a few years. (You can see a couple season’s worth of pics in this Flickr set.)

We fed the birds, poked around a bit, and got to talking to a pack of near-professional geocachers (one lady had 5500 finds under her belt). We went with them to find a hidden treasure nearby. It was very cool. It was hidden in a snow-covered ammo box, which you can see here.)

They were sweet. One of the ladies in the group gave each of the girls a little hand-knit finger puppet.

Also:

• I posted a great little Valentine’s Day giveaway yesterday. If there’s a baby in your life you might want to check it out.
• There’s a different giveaway coming up today. I’ll be posting details this afternoon (so check back!)
• It’s Family Day today and we’re off to do family stuff. Gotta run!

First of all, let me say that I am very happy to be posting this giveaway on Valentine’s Day. I love the idea of wearing your baby close to your heart.

Sakura Bloom is giving away two slings from the Pure collection to two lucky Canadian readers (one sling each). Yay!

The slings are linen – from the Pure collection – and are top sellers in Canada.

I love the look… so simple and elegant. I wish these had been around when our girls were small!

Since I’m choosy about what I give away here at the Fishbowl (and my own babies are way past the babywearing stage) I ran the Sakura Bloom brand by some babywearing friends. They confirmed that their slings are gorgeous and are great quality.

Some good to know info (this is from the Sakura Bloom website):

Naturally antibacterial, cool to wear, and perfect for all climates, linen is also easy to care for and becomes softer and stronger over time. Handcrafted from a single layer of linen, each sling is lightweight, breathable, and adjustable.

All Sakura Bloom slings are machine washable in cold water on a gentle cycle, fully reversible, designed to fit all body shapes and sizes, and easy to use with newborns and toddlers. Each comes with a detailed booklet with instructions, tips, and many photos. Whether a special treat for yourself or a gift for a friend or loved one, each of our slings is beautifully packaged and sent with care.

Pretty awesome, isn’t it?

Here’s what you need to do:

• Check out the Sakura Bloom website. Come back here and leave a comment. Tell us what colour of Pure sling you’d pick if you win. (Personally, I love the black one. Or maybe the orchid? So hard to decide!) If you’re keen, I’d love to hear your thoughts about babywearing – why is it important to you?
• Please make sure you leave a valid email address. If I can’t contact you by email OR if I don’t hear from the winner within 36 hours I will do another random draw and give the prize away to someone else.
• One entry per household please.
• Canadian entries only – thank you!
• I’ll do a random draw (using random.org) at noon (EST) on the February 21 2010, so entries must be posted by that time.

Thank you Sakura Bloom, and good luck to you all!

p.s. I have another giveaway coming up tomorrow. If you (a) don’t have a baby on the way or (b) your kids don’t fit into a sling anymore, this will be a good one for you!