I'm certain I can't be the only one who finds themselves looking at the listless strawberries (can fruit be listless?) in the grocery store and longing for spring and summer.
This is an unusual state for me - I'm one of those weirdos who likes the rain and the cloudy days, but since having children I've realized two important things about our drier seasons: first, the produce is better and cheaper (that's important when you have children who can consume berries faster than Hoover vacuums) and second, playing outside is a lot more fun when it can be accomplished without a half hour of wrangling small, squirming bodies into a full complement of rain-proof gear.
Sadly, the truth of the matter is that there's still plenty of winter ahead of us. It is, after all, just the start of February. The Metro Vancouver rain festival doesn't end for a few more months yet.
So, in the spirit of boosting fellow parents who may be feeling a little listless themselves, here's a few up and coming events in the local area that may help pass the time.
GET SKATING
In Burnaby, check out the Valentine's skate on Feb. 11 from 12: 30 to 3 p.m., at Bill Copeland Sports Centre, 3676 Kensington Ave.
The event includes ice skating, face painting, Valentine's crafts and games. Regular admission and rental rates apply. Call 604-297-4521 for more info.
BEAT THE COLD
This is fitting, considering the time of year and my complaints about the cold weather - and, better yet, it can be done anywhere.
Feb. 9 is National Sweater Day, an annual event organized by the World Wildlife Federation to encourage people to turn down the heat (and lower energy consumption) and put on a sweater instead.
They're encouraging people to put on bright, colourful sweaters to make a statement and show support for climate change action.
So dig into the back of the closet and find that old, gaudy, crazy sweater.
And, while you're at it, take a photo of yourself, your family, your co-workers or friends in your big sweaters and send them my way at cmyers@ burnabynow.com and I'll include them in our online photo galleries.
Information, including packages for schools and businesses, is online at www.sweaterday.ca.
WIN-WIN
This is what I call a winwin event: fun for kids and helpful for parents.
On Tuesday, Feb. 7, the Healthy Kids Preschool Fair runs from 9: 30 a.m. to noon.
With free admission, the event - aimed at kids newborn up to five years, and their parents - has exhibits, information resources and free activities.
Health professionals will be on hand, as well as free screening for hearing, vision, speech and dental, and resources on child development.
For kids, there will be face painting, art station, a preschool room, fish pond and snack room.
It's also a chance to meet fellow parents with children in the same age range.
For more info, call 604415-3557.
The fair is being held at Cameron Recreation Complex, at 9523 Cameron St.
Send ideas about family events to Christina by email, [email protected]. You can also follow her on Twitter, @ChristinaMyersA, or check out her parenting blog at www.burnabynow.com.
