Ring those bells, baby

It’s the first door on the Advent Calendar! December 1. Time to hang the Xmas buckets on the girls’ bedroom doors.

What will they find inside, today? Well, a little chocolate and, for the activity, a picture of some Christmas cookies. I wanted to put up the trees tonight, but Hubby has an evening full of charity events and hockey games, so we’ll wait until tomorrow so all of us can trim the tree together. (It’s not just a sentimental ‘whole family’ thing—I just really, really hate putting up Christmas lights. Better him than me.) So, in his absence, the girls will don their adorable snowman and gingerbread man aprons and help me make five dozen cookies for a cookie exchange party on Saturday. Eek!

Better make six dozen---the kids are gonna want to sample the goods. Who am I kidding? I count myself among ‘the kids.’

Are you starting a Family Advent Activity Calendar this year? It’s such a simple way of making the festive season all the more fun! I'm gonna post up some suggestions for the calendar in a few mins, but first---a repost on the holiday calendar. Some new items have been listed here care of some readers, family and friends! Thanks for adding to the list, folks! ***

Enjoy your first day of December....

Santa Claus is coming to town
A listing of where you can go to visit Santa, take photos with him or share a bite with the Big Man in Red. There are other malls that I have not included on the list because information was not yet available.

· Ol’ Kris Kringle is at the Rideau Centre. Photo packages will be available for $15 each, with proceeds going to Door Youth Centre.

· St. Nick is at Hazeldean Mall. For $12, you can get four poses on a CD. He will also host two Christmas breakfasts at 8am on December 4 and December 11.

· Mr. Claus can be found at Les Galleries de Hull.

· Santa visits Bayshore Shopping Centre.

· Santa will be at St. Laurent Centre.

· St. Nick stops by Carlingwood Mall. Photos are $10 for a DVD.

· St. Nick can be found at Billings Bridge Plaza.

· Santa’s got a workshop at Place d’Orleans Shopping Centre. Digital photos!

· Père Noel visits Les Promenades de l’Outaouais.

· Visit with Santa at the CIBC bank located at the corner of Innes and Trim on December 10 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. There will be photos with Santa, refreshments and activities.

· ***The Jolly Ol’ Elf will host a brunch at the Rideau Carleton Raceway Entertainment Centre on Sunday, December 11 from 11am to 3pm. Adults $12.99, Kids 6-12 $9.99, Kids 5 and under, free. Santa will visit and be handing out treats.***

Jingle bell rock
A listing of holiday-themed (or in some cases, not holiday-themed, but just kinda fun!) parties, events or activities taking place throughout the city.

· Take a stroll down Taffy Lane in Orleans to see the amazing lights-and-decoration displays put up by residents. Can get crowded along the route, especially on weekend evenings, so park the car, bundle up and walk the route to really appreciate the displays. Truly a winter wonderland!

· Check out the Gingerbread House Exhibit and Silent Auction at the Rideau Centre (in the bridge) as of November 18. The event is sponsored by CMHC in support of Habitat for Humanity and features celebrity houses.

· Stop by the Chateau Laurier to see the CHEO Trees of Hope—corporate and group sponsored Christmas trees that will be sold with proceeds going to CHEO. The trees are found throughout the hotel and in the ballroom. They will be on display until January 4, 2012, so have a look and vote for your favourite!

· Check out the sumptuous Christmas decorations at Parliament Hill’s Centre Block, starting November 30. Nearly 40 trees are hidden throughout the building, including the 20-foot tree in the House of Commons foyer, and decorations in the Rotunda, Senate and Hall of Honour.

· Love to run? Take part in the Santa Shuffle in Tunney’s Pasture on Saturday, December 3 in support of the Salvation Army’s Christmas families. Involves a 5km Fun Run or a 1km Elf Walk. Open to individuals, families and corporate teams. Prizes in both adult and children divisions. There will be post-race refreshments, awards and prizes. Free event t-shirts to anyone with a minimum $50 pledge. Pre-registration discount.

· Ottawa Public Library – Carp Branch – will offer a Christmas puppet show on Saturday, December 3 at 1:30 to 2pm. Free.

· The Byward Market is lovely to visit anytime of the year, but starting on December 3, the Market will feature choirs and Dickens carollers on streetcorners every weekend from 12 to 4pm and free horse-drawn carriage rides from 1 to 4pm. Register early for the carriage rides in front of Moulin de Provence.

· Salsa Loca’s ‘’Christmas Celebration’’ will take place at Moussette Park on December 3 from 8:30pm to 1am. Tix are $7. Bring your dancing shoes!

· Build a wooden caboose on December 3, a coal car on December 10 and a train engine on December 17 for a whole train set at Lowes’ Build-and-Grow Clinic. Clinics begin at 10:00am and registration is required. Free.

· Samichlaus Party for children, hosted by Ottawa Valley Swiss Club on December 4 from 11am to 2:30pm. There will be crafts, games, treats, a talent show and visit from Santa (a gift for every child.) Free for members, $15 per child for non-members. All are welcome.

· *** “Royal Yoga” at Pranashanti Yoga. Need to get some Xmas shopping done? Sunday, December 4 from 1 to 2:30 pm, get kids to stretch out their sillies and play princess games and royal crafts. Crowns and costumes encouraged. No previous yoga experience required. $15 per person. ***

· Free admission day at the Bytown Museum on Sunday, December 4 from 1 to 4pm. Festive fun planned for this afternoon.

· Learn about gift-giving traditions from around the world at the Nepean Museum on Sunday, December 4 from 1 to 4pm. Try out new games, make gifts and enjoy holiday treats. Minimum donation of $1 per child.

· Visit the Children’s Museum at the Canadian Museum of Civilization at 2pm on Sunday, December 4 for a reading of the popular children’s book ‘’A Chanukah Noel’’ by the author herself. There will also be a craft activity. Free with museum admission.

· Enjoy a festive Big Band music at the ‘’Snowflakes and Starlight’’ Dance held at the Ron Kolbus Lakeside Centre (Brittania Park) on December 8 from 7:30 to 11:30pm. Featuring the Grey Jazz Big Band, tickets also include a light lunch and door prizes. Cash bar. Tickets are $19 in advance and $23 at the door. Adults of all ages are welcome!

· Lumberjack Breakfast at the Bytown Museum at 10:00am to 12:00pm on Friday, December 9. Reserve by December 3.

· Take the kids to Ottawa Family Cinema on Saturday, December 10 at 2:00pm to see “Rio” in 3D. Free admission! Door prizes!

· *** Snowflake Special and the Glebe Community Centre on Saturday, December 10 from 6 to 9pm. Face painting, games, crafts, sports, sleigh rides, refreshments and other activities. ***
· Build a wooden snowman napkin holder on Saturday, December 10 at Home Depot at 10:00am. For kids ages 4 to 12 years. Registration required. Free.

· The Ottawa Public Library will host a puppet show of “The Grinch” at the Beaverbrook Branch on December 10 at 1:30pm. For ages 3 to 7 years. Free.

· The Greenboro Branch will offer “A Wonderful Winter” program featuring songs, stories and crafts on December 10 at 10:30 am. For ages 3 to 6. Free.

· The Blackburn Hamlet Branch will feature a “Gifts of the Season” program for kids ages 7 to 12 years at 2pm on December 10. Kids will get to make a holiday gift for a loved one. Free.

· The Hazeldean Branch will also host a puppet show at 10:30 on December 10. Free.

· The Barrhaven Lions Club will be hosting a Children’s Christmas Party on Saturday, December 10 at 10am. There will be entertainment, a visit with Santa, storytelling by Mrs. Claus, a sing-a-long, a hot dog lunch and party favours. Free with food bank donation.

· Enjoy lunch with Santa at Upper Canada Village on December 10 at 1:30pm at the Harvest Barn. You will get a hot turkey sandwich combo (or hot dog combo for kids), decorate gingerbread men, make your own Christmas wrapping paper, see Santa, visit the Village Boutique and see the nighttime lights all for $37.50 for adults, $27.50 for seniors and students and $7 for children.

· Victorian Christmas Tea at the Billings Estate Museum on December 10 and 11 from 11am to 4pm. There will be several tea sittings throughout the day, with holiday music, Victorian crafts and—weather permitting—an outdoor bonfire. Tix are $11.95

· Mayor’s 11th Annual Children’s Christmas Party will be celebrated on Saturday, December 10 at the Aberdeen Pavillion at Lansdown Park from 2pm to 6pm. There will be visits with Santa and other characters, crafts at the Elves Workshop, carousel and train rides, face painting, musical entertainment, Beaver Tails and Papa Jack popcorn. OC Transpo will provide free bus shuttles to the party. Free admission with an Ottawa Food Bank donation.

· The Ottawa Public Library – Centennial Branch – will present their “Holiday Magic” program, featuring stories and songs for ages 3 to 7 on December 15 at 10:15am. Free.

· Family Movie Night at the Glebe Neighbourhood Activities Group will feature “Polar Express” on December 16 at 7pm. Free.

· The Ottawa Public Library – Sunnyside Branch – will “Celebrate the Solstice” on December 17 at 2pm. Will include crafts and stories for ages 5 to 9. Free.

· Join moviegoers for a movie and a show at the Ottawa Family Cinema at 2pm on Saturday, December 17. First, the movie “Arthur Christmas”—an animated film about the youngest son of Santa and his adventures. Followed by a stage show by Santa, his elves and some musicians. Each child will visit with Santa on stage and receive a gift. Treats for everyone. Tix are $8 at the door and $6 in advance for members and $10 at door and $8 in advance for non-members.

· Christmas Day Camp at Watson’s Mill (in the Carriage Shed) on December 17 from 9:30 to 3:30pm. Will include holiday-themed activities, crafts, games and guests. $25 each child or $20 for members.

· Tamir Family Chanukah Party on December 20 from 6:30 to 8:30pm.

· Menorah Lighting Ceremony on Parliament Hill on December 20 from 5:30 to 6:30.

· Winter Solstice Stargazing Party will take place at 7pm outside of the Canadian Museum of Science and Technology. Dress warmly!

· Christmas exhibits and children’s activities at the Osgoode Township Historical Museum on December 22 from 1 to 3pm.

· The Ottawa Public Library – Osgoode Branch – will celebrate with a “Gingerbread House” decorating program on Thursday, December 22 at 6:30pm. Free.

· A Chanukah Family Breakfast will be held on December 25 at the Soloway Jewish Community Centre from 10 to 12pm. Includes a light breakfast bar, donut and latke treats, and children’s activities. Pre-registration required. $10 per adult, $5 per child, age 2 and under, free.
· *** The 19th Annual Christmas Day Dinner with the Elvis Sighting Society of Ottawa. Join friends at the Newport Restaurant for entertainment, food and fellowship on December 25, 2011 from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm.***

Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings
A listing of holiday-themed performances, concerts and shows. This is, of course, in no way an exhaustive list. Just a sampling of the festive shows taking place this year!

· ***“A Christmas Carol” kinderconcert presentation at the National Arts Centre, from December 1 to December 4 at 9:30 am. Kids join Scrooge in an interactive and hands-on musical retelling of this kid-friendly version of the Christmas classic. Tickets are $18. ***

· The Pennsylvania Ballet presents “The Nutcracker” at the National Arts Centre from December 1 to December 4.

· ***The Annual Ottawa 67s Teddy Bear Toss at Lansdowne Park. Bring a new or gently used stuffed animal and toss it on the ice after the 67s score their first goal. Toys will be collected to add to the Toy Mountain drive. ***

· ***“Walk to Bethlehem,” a live nativity theatrical excursion, takes place on Friday, December 2 (6 to 9pm) and Saturday, December 3 (5 to 9pm), as hosted by the Hudson Community Baptist Church. A friendly guide will transport you back to ancient Bethlehem, providing you with shekels, and then escorting you through the city, past Roman soldiers, beggars and thieves. You and your party will meet angels and shepherds, and the Three Wisemen as you follow the path of the Holy Family. You will knock upon the Innkeeper’s door and present gifts to Baby Jesus in the manger and experience the First Christmas. Then, you will return to the 21st century to enjoy Christmas goodies, hot chocolate and carolling and the live animals. Free admission. Tours leave every 10 minutes. Dress warmly. ***

· ***“The Nutcracker” put on by the OYP Theatre School on December 2 at 7:30 pm and 2:30pm and 7:30 pm on December 3. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. The team will also be collecting new or gently used snowsuits and cold weather gear for The Snowsuit Fund.

· University of Ottawa Orchestra will perform selections from Handel and Beethoven at Saint Brigid’s Centre for the Arts on Friday, December 2 at 8pm. Voluntary contribution.

· The Cantata Singers of Ottawa will perform a selection of favourite holiday classics from Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, Part’s Magnificant and other festive music. Adrian Harewood will narrate. A preconcert talk will take place at 7:30pm and the event will end with a carol sing-a-long at 10pm. Knox Presbyterian Church on Lisgar Street on December 3. $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and $10 for students.

· ***“Northern Lights” – a choral selection of religious and traditional French Canadian, Acadian, Aboriginal and Appalachain songs. Friday, December 2 and Saturday, December 3 at 7:30pm at Orleans United Church. $20 a tix (14 and under are free). ***

· Watch ‘’A Little Princess Ballet’’ (adapted from the famous story of “The Little Princess’’) as performed by Les Petits Ballets on Saturday, December 3 at the Centrepointe Theatre. Tix are $20 for adults, $17 for kids under 12.

· ***Ashbury College Carol Service 2011 will take place on Sunday, December 4 at 4:30pm at the Mackay United Church in Ottawa. All are welcome to attend and listen to the carolling. ***

· University of Ottawa Choral Group will be performing a Christmas concert at Tabaret Hall (Room 112) from noon to 1:15pm on Wednesday, December 7. Voluntary contribution.

· ‘’Sing Noel’’ with the Goulbourn Male Chorus on December 11 at St. John’s Anglican Church in Richmond at 4pm. Tix are $15 for adults and free for anyone under the age of 16.

· The Goulbourn Male Chorus will also be performing ‘’Snack, Cider and Song’’ at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Stittsville on December 18 at 4pm. Will feature the Anglican Children’s Choir, the Yuletide Ladies Chorus and the Trinity Hilltop Ringers (bell choir). Free.

· Rag and Bone Puppet Theatre presents “The Story of Holly and Ivy”—a Christmas tale based on the popular book where an orphan girl dreams of a Christmas doll and the doll dreams of a girl for Christmas Day. Shows will at 7pm on December 16, at 1:30 and 3:30 on December 17 and 18. Tix are $10 or a four-pack for $32.

· ‘’Disney Live” presents three classical fairy tales in a musical show at Scotiabank Place on December 17 and 18. The stories will cover Snow White, Cinderella and Belle’s stories and will also feature Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy.

· The Ballet Jorgen will perform a Canadian version of the timeless holiday classic: “The Nutcracker” at the Shenkman Arts Centre on December 19 at 7pm and at 1pm and 7pm on December 20. Tix run from $35 to $50.

It’s Christmastime in the city
A listing of the parades and lighting ceremonies throughout the city.

· Vankleek Hill’s Parade of Lights is Friday, December 2 at 7pm.

· Richmond Santa Clause Parade is Saturday, December 3 at 11am.

· Pakenham’s parade is on Saturday, December 3 at 1pm.

· Manotick’s parade will take place on Saturday, December 3 at 1pm.

· Perth’s Santa Clause Parade is Saturday, December 3 at 5pm.

· Spencerville’s Starlight Parade is at 7pm on Saturday, December 3.

· Hawkesbury’s Christmas Parade is Saturday, December 3 at 7pm.

· Osgoode’s parade will take place on Sunday, December 4 at 11:30am.

· Picton’s Santa Clause Parade is Sunday, December 4 at 1pm.

· Almonte’s Santa Clause Parade is Sunday, December 4 at 1:30pm.

· Carp’s Santa Clause Parade is Saturday, December 10 at noon.

· Metcalfe parade will be Sunday, December 11 at 2pm.

· “Christmas Lights Across Canada” started with the Christmas lights display on Parliament Hill. Now, not only are 60 sites throughout Ottawa and Gatineau lit up with lights from December 1, 2011 to January 7, 2012, but 13 capital cities have joined in the program. The Illumination Ceremony, which takes place on the Hill on December 7 at 6pm will feature choirs, a candle-lit vigil, special effects show, and celebrity and musical guests. Free.

· “Light Up the Night” in Almonte is part of Wayne Rostad’s “Christmas in the Valley” festival. On Friday, December 2 at 7pm, the entire town of Almonte will light up with festive decorations to hold an outdoor holiday concert. It will feature local musicians, choirs, singers, puppeteers, a town crier, Snow Queen, Twinkle Fairies and the Big Man himself. Also, a fireworks display. Free.

· Starting Thursday to Sunday weekends beginning December 2 to December 18 and then nightly until January 7 (closed December 24 and 25) from 4:30 pm to 9:00pm, Upper Canada Village will be open for its “Alight at Night Festival.” The heritage town will be alight with half-a-million Christmas lights and will feature special programming. Horse-drawn wagon rides, train rides, shopping in the Village Boutique, the Sound and Light Spectacular at Crysler House, Gingerbread House Exhibit and Competition, carolling at the Church and enjoying a meal at the three Village restaurants is perfect for a family gathering or a corporate event. Adults $13, Seniors/students $10 and Children under 5, free.

· CP Holiday Train is North America’s largest, roaming food bank. It features a festively decorated commuter train that crosses the country (and some US states), stopping at small towns along the way to perform boxcar, outdoor concerts of some of North America’s rising stars and collect food bank donations along the way. The Holiday Train will be passing by Beaconsfield, Quebec on Sunday, November 27 at 1:30pm; Merrickville, Ontario at 6:45pm and Smith Falls, Ontario at 8pm. It will continue across the country until December 6th. Check the site to see if there’s a stop near you!

O little town of Bethlehem
A listing of local Christmas festivals.

· “Christmas in Merrickville” is a three-day festival, beginning with a Village Lighting Ceremony on Friday, December 2 at 5pm. Shops will stay open late to encourage local holiday shopping and carolling will take place. On Saturday, December 3 there will be a “Breakfast with Santa” event from 8:30 to 10:30am. $5 adults, $3 for kids. There will also be a “Cookie Walk and Weigh” from 9am to 1pm, allowing participants to fill up a box with baked goods, then pay by weight. $5 a pound. On Sunday, Handel’s “Messiah” will be performed at United Church at 2pm ($20 tix). The CP Holiday Train will pass by with its free outdoor concert at 6:45pm. All weekend, there will be a Home and Business Decorating Contest, a chilli tent available from 5 to 8pm ($5 a bowl), as well as street carolling, wagon rides ($3), free hot apple cider and hot dogs and marshmallows roasted over an open fire, Crazy Hat Contest, pet station, hamper collections, pictures with Santa, Christmas tree decorating by nursery school children, children’s activities and entertainment, silent auction, magician and street hockey tournament.

· Manotick’s “Olde Fashioned Christmas” will be held on December 3 and 4. The quaint village will be transformed into a Village of Yesteryear. There will be strolling Dickens carollers, a Saturday parade at 1pm, wagon rides, face painting, a Victorian penny sale, Christmas Market at Watson’s Mill, apple cider and hot chocolate and cookies, breakfast with Father and Mary Christmas on Sunday at 9am (family games, crafts, pics with Santa) and a sunset carol sing-a-long at the mill at 4:30pm on December 4. (Dress warmly!).

· Spencerville will be celebrating it’s “A Country Christmas Remembered” from December 2 to 4. Some events require a passport (a family passport is $15), but others are free to attend. There will be a parade, a lighting ceremony, decorating and gingerbread house contests, juice jams, storytelling, children’s entertainment, karaoke singing, talent shows, concerts, traditional turkey and roast beef dinners, breakfast with Santa, elf mascots and wandering minstrels, wagon rides, cookie sales, craft shows, Santa’s workshop, a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, fireworks, a family skating party, art exhibits and a rural ramble.

O’er the hills we go, in a one-horse open sleigh
A listing of places throughout the city where you can go for a sleigh ride.

· Beckett’s Creek Farm

· Lucky Luc Carriage and Sleigh Services

· Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm

· Smithvale Stables

· Pinto Valley Ranch

· Captiva Farms

· Happy Trails Riding Stables

· Fulton’s Sugar Bush

· Hazeldean Mall – Sleigh rides will be held there on weekends in December, in front of the Zeller’s entrance. Food donations required.

· Byward Market – Free sleigh rides on December weekends. Register early in front of Moulin Du Provence.

· Sparks Street Mall – Free sleigh rides

· Westboro – Free sleigh rides

***Kanata Centrum City Walks - Free sleigh rides***

An old Christmas card
A listing of fun Christmasy activities you can do from the comfort of your own home.

· Write to Santa. Send him a letter or your Christmas wishlist, via Canada Post, before December 19th and he’ll write you back. No postage necessary, just be sure to include a return address. You can also send him an email. In honour of 30 years of this letter-writing tradition with Canada Post, check online in late November to see Santa on YouTube, reading some of the letters he received this year. One of them might be yours!

· Send your children a video message from the North Pole. Santa will personalize a video message with your child’s name, favourite toys and other information. You can even include a photo of your child for an extra effect. Free—and fun!

· ***Another personalized video message from Magic Santa. Good for sending to your spouses, siblings and friends, too. Also, free! ***

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

I know, I know it’s only just November and we’ve barely removed the poppies from our lapel, but I received a lot of feedback from readers who enjoyed my ‘catch-all’ events listing for Halloween, so I’ve got another one for you here for the holiday season—and believe it or not, the holiday season begins this weekend! (Er...update...last weekend!)

I know I’m always looking for fun and festive ways of celebrating the season, seeing the city, meeting new people and trying new things. I can’t be the only one! So, if you are looking for a parade to kick-off your festive season, a glittering gala to attend or a simple way to spend some quality time with the kids, check out my list. I’ve divvied up the events into categories and added info where available. I’ve also noted what events are free.

I’m going to try to keep this list updated for the season, so if you know of an event that seems like a good fit, please let me know and I’ll include it here and then will repost it weekly throughout the season. Unfortunately, I won’t be advertising concerts, church fairs and craft shows, ‘cause let’s face it—there’s a helluva lot of them and no way I could do justice to that list!

Happy celebrating!

Santa Claus is coming to town
A listing of where you can go to visit Santa, take photos with him or share a bite with the Big Man in Red. There are other malls that I have not included on the list because information was not yet available.



Ol’ Kris Kringle celebrates his arrival at the Rideau Centre on Saturday, November 12 from 11 to 1pm. Photo packages will be available for $15 each, with proceeds going to Door Youth Centre.

· St. Nick will be available for photos at Hazeldean Mall following the parade on Saturday, November 12 from noon to 2pm. For $12, you can get four poses on a CD. He will also host two Christmas breakfasts at 8am on December 4 and December 11.

· Mr. Claus will be dropping by Les Galleries de Hull at 10am on Saturday, November 12. The party begins at 9am, however, with face painters, clowns and fiddlers.

· Santa arrives at Bayshore Shopping Centre on Sunday, November 13 at 9:00am. A tree-trimming jamboree will take place with photos with Santa (from 9 to 9), holiday choirs and Dickens carollers (9 to 2), face painting and balloon artists (in front of Winners from 9 to 3), stiltwalkers and puppets (10 to 3), Mrs. Claus cookies (9 to 3) and Santa’s Letter Writing Helper Workshop (in front of Mrs. Tiggy Winkles from 1 to 3).

· Santa makes his first appearance at St. Laurent Centre on Sunday, November 13 at 9:00am. A pancake and pyjama breakfast will welcome him to the mall from 9 to 10. Tickets are $7 each with proceeds going to the Ottawa Food Bank. Santa will then make his way to Centre Court for photos until 4pm.

· St. Nick arrives at Carlingwood Mall on Friday, November 18 from 11am to 8pm. You can visit the Carling Woods display to visit and take photos with Santa ($10 for a DVD). Kids will receive a plush Rocky the Raccoon, Carlingwoods feature creature. There will be face painting and music. Anyone who brings a food bank donation will also receive a festive shopping bag.



· Santa Paws will be coming to the Westgate Shopping Centre on Friday, November 18 (and staying on through the weekend) to take photos of your pets with the Big Man himself. Cost is $15 (or $10 for OHS animals) and proceeds go to the Ottawa Humane Society.

· St. Nick will arrive to fanfare at Billings Bridge Plaza on Saturday, November 19 at 1pm. A party will take place from 1 to 2:30pm, with photos continuing until 4pm.

· Santa’s workshop begins at Place d’Orleans Shopping Centre on Sunday, November 20. A VIP pass for $5 will allow you to participate in face painting, gingerbread house building and a photo of the Big Man himself. Space is limited, so register early.

· Père Noel arrive at Les Promenades de l’Outaouais on Sunday, November 20. To celebrate, the mall will be offering a Sonia Yaya show at 11am, followed by an autograph session (does anyone know who this is? Does she really need an autograph session?!?). There will also be magicians, musicians, clowns and le p’tit Train des Promenades.

· Santa Paws returns, this time to the Lincoln Fields mall for more pet photos from November 25 to November 27. He will also make appearances at the Ottawa Humane Society the three weekends in December leading up to Christmas.

· Visit with Santa at the CIBC bank located at the corner of Innes and Trim on December 10 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. There will be photos with Santa, refreshments and activities.

Jingle bell rock
A listing of holiday-themed (or in some cases, not holiday-themed, but just kinda fun!) parties, events or activities taking place throughout the city.

· Take a stroll down Taffy Lane in Orleans to see the amazing lights-and-decoration displays put up by residents. Can get crowded along the route, especially on weekend evenings, so park the car, bundle up and walk the route to really appreciate the displays. Truly a winter wonderland!

· Check out the Gingerbread House Exhibit and Silent Auction at the Rideau Centre (in the bridge) as of November 18. The event is sponsored by CMHC in support of Habitat for Humanity and features celebrity houses.

· Grand Opening weekend for the new Mayfair Theatre in Orleans. For a great price, you can check out the “Back to the Future” triology, the original “Muppets” movie (followed by “The Great Muppets Caper”) and “Gone with the Wind.” Will also be featuring a "The Great Escape" comedy/magic/juggling show by The Cow Guys at 1pm all weekend long. Price is $12 for adults, $5 for kids under 12 and $10 for all seniors and Mayfair members. Proceeds going to prostate cancer research in support of "Movember."

· The North Grenville Municipal Centre offers Family Movie nights every Friday. November 18 will feature “Super 8” and November 25 will be “Another Earth.” Free.

· Stargazing party at the Helen Sawyer Hogg Observatory at the Canadian Museum of Science and Technology on November 18 at 9:00pm. Free. Dress warmly!

· Build a wooden Santa’s sleigh at Lowes’ Build-and-Grow Clinic at 10:00am on Saturday, November 19. For ages 5 and up. Registration required. Free.

· Celebrate National Children’s Day at the Nepean Museum on Sunday, November 20 from 1:00 to 4:00pm. Play Victorian games, crafts, celebrate being a child and everything that makes you special. $1 minimum donation.

· The Ottawa Waldorf School in Stittsville will be hosting a Christmas Fair on November 20 from 10am to 3pm. Celebrate in an atmosphere that evokes Christmas past. A market with local vendors, a café serving homemade dishes, a children’s store for kids’ gift shopping, candledipping crafts, a puppet show and an enchanted Cookie Cave full of surprise.

· Enjoy a local talent show and Christmas concert at the “An Evening of Sharing” in Rockland on Friday, November 25 at 7pm. Admission is free with a cash or food donation to stock local food banks. Variety show with singing, dancing and musical interludes.

· St. Andrew’s Church on Wellington will be hosting a Scottish Tea and Bazaar on November 26 from 1 to 3:30pm. It will feature attic treasures, art collectibles, handicrafts, Christmas items, baked goods, books, jams, jewellery and a silent auction.

· Visit the Sugar Plum Fair as hosted by the Ottawa School of Dance on Saturday, November 26 from 9:30 to 2pm. The winter fair will feature baked goods, fine arts, fruitcakes, crafts and other vendors. Proceeds go to the charity’s outreach programs.

· Stop by the Chateau Laurier to see the CHEO Trees of Hope—corporate and group sponsored Christmas trees that will be sold with proceeds going to CHEO. The trees are found throughout the hotel and in the ballroom. They will be on display until January 4, 2012, so have a look and vote for your favourite!

· Check out the sumptuous Christmas decorations at Parliament Hill’s Centre Block, starting November 30. Nearly 40 trees are hidden throughout the building, including the 20-foot tree in the House of Commons foyer, and decorations in the Rotunda, Senate and Hall of Honour.

· Love to run? Take part in the Santa Shuffle in Tunney’s Pasture on Saturday, December 3 in support of the Salvation Army’s Christmas families. Involves a 5km Fun Run or a 1km Elf Walk. Open to individuals, families and corporate teams. Prizes in both adult and children divisions. There will be post-race refreshments, awards and prizes. Free event t-shirts to anyone with a minimum $50 pledge. Pre-registration discount.

· Ottawa Public Library – Carp Branch – will offer a Christmas puppet show on Saturday, December 3 at 1:30 to 2pm. Free.

· The Byward Market is lovely to visit anytime of the year, but starting on December 3, the Market will feature choirs and Dickens carollers on streetcorners every weekend from 12 to 4pm and free horse-drawn carriage rides from 1 to 4pm. Register early for the carriage rides in front of Moulin de Provence.

· Salsa Loca’s ‘’Christmas Celebration’’ will take place at Moussette Park on December 3 from 8:30pm to 1am. Tix are $7. Bring your dancing shoes!

· Build a wooden caboose on December 3, a coal car on December 10 and a train engine on December 17 for a whole train set at Lowes’ Build-and-Grow Clinic. Clinics begin at 10:00am and registration is required. Free.

· Samichlaus Party for children, hosted by Ottawa Valley Swiss Club on December 4 from 11am to 2:30pm. There will be crafts, games, treats, a talent show and visit from Santa (a gift for every child.) Free for members, $15 per child for non-members. All are welcome.

· Free admission day at the Bytown Museum on Sunday, December 4 from 1 to 4pm. Festive fun planned for this afternoon.

· Learn about gift-giving traditions from around the world at the Nepean Museum on Sunday, December 4 from 1 to 4pm. Try out new games, make gifts and enjoy holiday treats. Minimum donation of $1 per child.

· Visit the Children’s Museum at the Canadian Museum of Civilization at 2pm on Sunday, December 4 for a reading of the popular children’s book ‘’A Chanukah Noel’’ by the author herself. There will also be a craft activity. Free with museum admission.

· Enjoy a festive Big Band music at the ‘’Snowflakes and Starlight’’ Dance held at the Ron Kolbus Lakeside Centre (Brittania Park) on December 8 from 7:30 to 11:30pm. Featuring the Grey Jazz Big Band, tickets also include a light lunch and door prizes. Cash bar. Tickets are $19 in advance and $23 at the door. Adults of all ages are welcome!

· Lumberjack Breakfast at the Bytown Museum at 10:00am to 12:00pm on Friday, December 9. Reserve by December 3.

· Take the kids to Ottawa Family Cinema on Saturday, December 10 at 2:00pm to see “Rio” in 3D. Free admission! Door prizes!

· Build a wooden snowman napkin holder on Saturday, December 10 at Home Depot at 10:00am. For kids ages 4 to 12 years. Registration required. Free.

· The Ottawa Public Library will host a puppet show of “The Grinch” at the Beaverbrook Branch on December 10 at 1:30pm. For ages 3 to 7 years. Free.

· The Greenboro Branch will offer “A Wonderful Winter” program featuring songs, stories and crafts on December 10 at 10:30 am. For ages 3 to 6. Free.

· The Blackburn Hamlet Branch will feature a “Gifts of the Season” program for kids ages 7 to 12 years at 2pm on December 10. Kids will get to make a holiday gift for a loved one. Free.

· The Hazeldean Branch will also host a puppet show at 10:30 on December 10. Free.

· The Barrhaven Lions Club will be hosting a Children’s Christmas Party on Saturday, December 10 at 10am. There will be entertainment, a visit with Santa, storytelling by Mrs. Claus, a sing-a-long, a hot dog lunch and party favours. Free with food bank donation.

· Enjoy lunch with Santa at Upper Canada Village on December 10 at 1:30pm at the Harvest Barn. You will get a hot turkey sandwich combo (or hot dog combo for kids), decorate gingerbread men, make your own Christmas wrapping paper, see Santa, visit the Village Boutique and see the nighttime lights all for $37.50 for adults, $27.50 for seniors and students and $7 for children.

· Victorian Christmas Tea at the Billings Estate Museum on December 10 and 11 from 11am to 4pm. There will be several tea sittings throughout the day, with holiday music, Victorian crafts and—weather permitting—an outdoor bonfire. Tix are $11.95.

· Mayor’s 11th Annual Children’s Christmas Party will be celebrated on Saturday, December 10 at the Aberdeen Pavillion at Lansdown Park from 2pm to 6pm. There will be visits with Santa and other characters, crafts at the Elves Workshop, carousel and train rides, face painting, musical entertainment, Beaver Tails and Papa Jack popcorn. OC Transpo will provide free bus shuttles to the party. Free admission with an Ottawa Food Bank donation.

· The Ottawa Public Library – Centennial Branch – will present their “Holiday Magic” program, featuring stories and songs for ages 3 to 7 on December 15 at 10:15am. Free.

· Family Movie Night at the Glebe Neighbourhood Activities Group will feature “Polar Express” on December 16 at 7pm. Free.

· The Ottawa Public Library – Sunnyside Branch – will “Celebrate the Solstice” on December 17 at 2pm. Will include crafts and stories for ages 5 to 9. Free.

· Join moviegoers for a movie and a show at the Ottawa Family Cinema at 2pm on Saturday, December 17. First, the movie “Arthur Christmas”—an animated film about the youngest son of Santa and his adventures. Followed by a stage show by Santa, his elves and some musicians. Each child will visit with Santa on stage and receive a gift. Treats for everyone. Tix are $8 at the door and $6 in advance for members and $10 at door and $8 in advance for non-members.

· Christmas Day Camp at Watson’s Mill (in the Carriage Shed) on December 17 from 9:30 to 3:30pm. Will include holiday-themed activities, crafts, games and guests. $25 each child or $20 for members.

· Tamir Family Chanukah Party on December 20 from 6:30 to 8:30pm.

· Menorah Lighting Ceremony on Parliament Hill on December 20 from 5:30 to 6:30pm. All are welcome.

· Winter Solstice Stargazing Party will take place at 7pm outside of the Canadian Museum of Science and Technology. Dress warmly!

· Christmas exhibits and children’s activities at the Osgoode Township Historical Museum on December 22 from 1 to 3pm.

· The Ottawa Public Library – Osgoode Branch – will celebrate with a “Gingerbread House” decorating program on Thursday, December 22 at 6:30pm. Free.

· A Chanukah Family Breakfast will be held on December 25 at the Soloway Jewish Community Centre from 10 to 12pm. Includes a light breakfast bar, donut and latke treats, and children’s activities. Pre-registration required. $10 per adult, $5 per child, age 2 and under, free.
Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings
A listing of holiday-themed performances, concerts and shows. This is, of course, in no way an exhaustive list. Just a sampling of the festive shows taking place this year!

· A musical version of the 1954 holiday film “White Christmas” will be performed at the Centrepointe Theatre from November 11 to November 20.

· Arthur L’Aventurier will rediscover the magic of Christmas in his “L’Aventure de Noel” on Saturday, November 12 at 3pm at the Desjardins Hall in Gatineau. Tickets are $16.

· Ginette Charbonneau will be talking about the rites of Christmas across time and across the world in her lecture at Maison de la Culture in Gatineau on November 17 at 7pm. Free.

· Handel’s ‘’Messiah” will be performed at St. Matthew’s Anglican Church in the Glebe on November 18 and 19. Tix are $23.50 for adults, $15.20 for students. (Why not round these fees up?!?!)

· The Pennsylvania Ballet present “The Nutcracker” at the National Arts Centre from December 1 to December 4.

· University of Ottawa Orchestra will perform selections from Handel and Beethoven at Saint Brigid’s Centre for the Arts on Friday, December 2 at 8pm. Voluntary contribution.

· The Cantata Singers of Ottawa will perform a selection of favourite holiday classics from Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, Part’s Magnificant and other festive music. Adrian Harewood will narrate. A preconcert talk will take place at 7:30pm and the event will end with a carol sing-a-long at 10pm. Knox Presbyterian Church on Lisgar Street on December 3. $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and $10 for students.

· Watch ‘’A Little Princess Ballet’’ (adapted from the famous story of “The Little Princess’’) as performed by Les Petits Ballets on Saturday, December 3 at the Centrepointe Theatre. Tix are $20 for adults, $17 for kids under 12.

· University of Ottawa Choral Group will be performing a Christmas concert at Tabaret Hall (Room 112) from noon to 1:15pm on Wednesday, December 7. Voluntary contribution.

· ‘’Sing Noel’’ with the Goulbourn Male Chorus on December 11 at St. John’s Anglican Church in Richmond at 4pm. Tix are $15 for adults and free for anyone under the age of 16.

· The Goulbourn Male Chorus will also be performing ‘’Snack, Cider and Song’’ at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Stittsville on December 18 at 4pm. Will feature the Anglican Children’s Choir, the Yuletide Ladies Chorus and the Trinity Hilltop Ringers (bell choir). Free.

· Rag and Bone Puppet Theatre presents “The Story of Holly and Ivy”—a Christmas tale based on the popular book where an orphan girl dreams of a Christmas doll and the doll dreams of a girl for Christmas Day. Shows will at 7pm on December 16, at 1:30 and 3:30 on December 17 and 18. Tix are $10 or a four-pack for $32.

· ‘’Disney Live” presents three classical fairy tales in a musical show at Scotiabank Place on December 17 and 18. The stories will cover Snow White, Cinderella and Belle’s stories and will also feature Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy.

· The Ballet Jorgen will perform a Canadian version of the timeless holiday classic: “The Nutcracker” at the Shenkman Arts Centre on December 19 at 7pm and at 1pm and 7pm on December 20. Tix run from $35 to $50.

It’s Christmastime in the city
A listing of the parades and lighting ceremonies throughout the city.

· Kanata/Hazeldean Mall’s Santa Claus Parade is Saturday, November 12 at 10am.
· The Kemptville Kinsmen Santa Claus Parade will take place at 1pm on Saturday, November 19.
· Ottawa’s Help Santa Toy Parade is on Saturday, November 19 at 5pm.
· Cornwall’s Santa Claus Parade is on Saturday, November 19.
· Barrhaven Lions Club Santa Claus Parade is Sunday, November 20 at 5:30pm.
· Gatineau’s Santa’s Parade will take place Friday, November 25 at 7pm.
· Aylmer will have a parade on Friday, November 25 at 7pm.
· Brockville’s Santa Clause Parade is Saturday, November 26 at 2pm.
· Westport’s parade is on Saturday, November 26 at 2pm.
· Carleton Place Santa Claus Parade is at 5pm on Saturday, November 26.
· Pembroke’s Christmas Parade is Saturday, November 26 at 5:30pm.
· Orleans’ Santa’s Parade of Lights is Saturday, November 26 at 6pm.
· Gananoque’s Christmas Parade is Saturday, November 26 at 6pm.
· Embrun’s Santa’s Parade is Saturday, November 26 at 6:30pm.
· Stittsville will have a parade on Saturday, November 26 at 7:30pm.
· Smith Falls’ Santa Clause Parade is Sunday, November 27.
· Russell’s Christmas Parade is Sunday, November 27 at 1pm.
· Casselman’s Christmas Parade is Sunday, November 27 at 1:30pm.
· Clarence-Rockland’s Christmas Parade of Lights is at 4:30 pm on Sunday, November 27.
· Vankleek Hill’s Parade of Lights is Friday, December 2 at 7pm.
· Richmond Santa Clause Parade is Saturday, December 3 at 11am.
· Pakenham’s parade is on Saturday, December 3 at 1pm.
· Manotick’s parade will take place on Saturday, December 3 at 1pm.
· Perth’s Santa Clause Parade is Saturday, December 3 at 5pm.
· Spencerville’s Starlight Parade is at 7pm on Saturday, December 3.
· Hawkesbury’s Christmas Parade is Saturday, December 3 at 7pm.
· Osgoode’s parade will take place on Sunday, December 4 at 11:30am.
· Picton’s Santa Clause Parade is Sunday, December 4 at 1pm.
· Almonte’s Santa Clause Parade is Sunday, December 4 at 1:30pm.
· Carp’s Santa Clause Parade is Saturday, December 10 at noon.
· Metcalfe parade will be Sunday, December 11 at 2pm.

· “Christmas Lights Across Canada” started with the Christmas lights display on Parliament Hill. Now, not only are 60 sites throughout Ottawa and Gatineau lit up with lights from December 1, 2011 to January 7, 2012, but 13 capital cities have joined in the program. The Illumination Ceremony, which takes place on the Hill on December 7 at 6pm will feature choirs, a candle-lit vigil, special effects show, and celebrity and musical guests. Free.

· “Light Up the Night” in Almonte is part of Wayne Rostad’s “Christmas in the Valley” festival. On Friday, December 2 at 7pm, the entire town of Almonte will light up with festive decorations to hold an outdoor holiday concert. It will feature local musicians, choirs, singers, puppeteers, a town crier, Snow Queen, Twinkle Fairies and the Big Man himself. Also, a fireworks display. Free.

· Starting Thursday to Sunday weekends beginning December 2 to December 18 and then nightly until January 7 (closed December 24 and 25) from 4:30 pm to 9:00pm, Upper Canada Village will be open for its “Alight at Night Festival.” The heritage town will be alight with half-a-million Christmas lights and will feature special programming. Horse-drawn wagon rides, train rides, shopping in the Village Boutique, the Sound and Light Spectacular at Crysler House, Gingerbread House Exhibit and Competition, carolling at the Church and enjoying a meal at the three Village restaurants is perfect for a family gathering or a corporate event. Adults $13, Seniors/students $10 and Children under 5, free.

· CP Holiday Train is North America’s largest, roaming food bank. It features a festively decorated commuter train that crosses the country (and some US states), stopping at small towns along the way to perform boxcar, outdoor concerts of some of North America’s rising stars and collect food bank donations along the way. The Holiday Train will be passing by Beaconsfield, Quebec on Sunday, November 27 at 1:30pm; Merrickville, Ontario at 6:45pm and Smith Falls, Ontario at 8pm. It will continue across the country until December 6th. Check the site to see if there’s a stop near you!

O little town of Bethlehem
A listing of local, small-town Christmas festivals. Perfect for a weekend getaway!

· “Christmas in Merrickville” is a three-day festival, beginning with a Village Lighting Ceremony on Friday, December 2 at 5pm. Shops will stay open late to encourage local holiday shopping and carolling will take place. On Saturday, December 3 there will be a “Breakfast with Santa” event from 8:30 to 10:30am. $5 adults, $3 for kids. There will also be a “Cookie Walk and Weigh” from 9am to 1pm, allowing participants to fill up a box with baked goods, then pay by weight. $5 a pound. On Sunday, Handel’s “Messiah” will be performed at United Church at 2pm ($20 tix). The CP Holiday Train will pass by with its free outdoor concert at 6:45pm. All weekend, there will be a Home and Business Decorating Contest, a chilli tent available from 5 to 8pm ($5 a bowl), as well as street carolling, wagon rides ($3), free hot apple cider and hot dogs and marshmallows roasted over an open fire, Crazy Hat Contest, pet station, hamper collections, pictures with Santa, Christmas tree decorating by nursery school children, children’s activities and entertainment, silent auction, magician and street hockey tournament.

· Manotick’s “Olde Fashioned Christmas” will be held on December 3 and 4. The quaint village will be transformed into a Village of Yesteryear. There will be strolling Dickens carollers, a Saturday parade at 1pm, wagon rides, face painting, a Victorian penny sale, Christmas Market at Watson’s Mill, apple cider and hot chocolate and cookies, breakfast with Father and Mary Christmas on Sunday at 9am (family games, crafts, pics with Santa) and a sunset carol sing-a-long at the mill at 4:30pm on December 4. (Dress warmly!).

· Casselman’s “Christmas Festival” will take place from November 24 to November 27. There will be a number of different events taking place throughout the weekend, including a bowling tournament, Christmas market, outdoor cinema (Friday at 5:45pm, bring chairs and dress warmly!), four-on-four hockey tournament, choir and rock concerts, disco skating (Thursday from 6pm to 7:30pm), spaghetti dinners, wine and cheese, horse and buggy rides, a parade, face painting, bonfire (Saturday, noon to 7pm), visits with Santa Claus, Santa Claus’ workshop, the official lighting ceremony and more.

· Spencerville will be celebrating it’s “A Country Christmas Remembered” from December 2 to 4. Some events require a passport (a family passport is $15), but others are free to attend. There will be a parade, a lighting ceremony, decorating and gingerbread house contests, juice jams, storytelling, children’s entertainment, karaoke singing, talent shows, concerts, traditional turkey and roast beef dinners, breakfast with Santa, elf mascots and wandering minstrels, wagon rides, cookie sales, craft shows, Santa’s workshop, a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, fireworks, a family skating party, art exhibits and a rural ramble.

My Christmas wish
A listing of unique Christmas gift or décor ideas.

· Gourmet fruitcakes made by Cistercian Monks from the Oka Monastery will be on sale at the Notre Dame Basilica Cathedral on November 19 and 20. Large cakes (in decorative tins) will sell for $22, while small loaf-shaped cakes will sell for $15. On sale at the back of the church after mass.

· Fresh holly sale - hollies have been cultivated in BC and will be sold to anyone across the country until November 25 in support of Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind. For $42, you get 10 holly sprays (8 green and 2 variegated), 2 pinecones, and 2 cedar boughs. The items will be beauty and nature into your home and luck into your lives. Buy for yourself or have it delivered as a gift. Will include a gift card.

O’er the hills we go, in a one-horse open sleigh
A listing of places throughout the city where you can go for a sleigh ride.

· Beckett’s Creek Farm
· Lucky Luc Carriage and Sleigh Services
· Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm
· Smithvale Stables
· Pinto Valley Ranch
· Captiva Farms
· Happy Trails Riding Stables
· Fulton’s Sugar Bush
· Hazeldean Mall – Sleigh rides will be held there on weekends in December, in front of the Zeller’s entrance. Food donations required.
· Byward Market – Free sleigh rides on December weekends. Register early in front of Moulin Du Provence.
· Sparks Street Mall – Free sleigh rides
· Westboro – Free sleigh rides

An old Christmas card
A listing of fun Christmasy activities you can do from the comfort of your own home.

· Send a Canadian soldier some holiday spirit. Make or purchase a holiday card, address it to ‘A Canadian Solider’ with a message of thanks and seasons’ greetings in it, add a Tim Horton’s gift card to it and send it Red Fridays Foundation of Canada in Ajax, Ontario by November 15th. One of the 4,000 soldiers stationed abroad will be delighted to enjoy a cup of tastes-like-home coffee and a donut over the holidays thanks to you.

· Write to Santa. Send him a letter or your Christmas wishlist, via Canada Post, before December 19th and he’ll write you back. No postage necessary, just be sure to include a return address. You can also send him an e-mail. In honour of 30 years of this letter-writing tradition with Canada Post, check online in late November to see Santa on YouTube, reading some of the letters he received this year. One of them might be yours!

· Send your children a video message from the North Pole. Santa will personalize a video message with your child’s name, age, favourite toys, and other information and then send it to you by e-mail. You can even include a photo of your child for an extra effect. Free—and fun!

Haunted (local!) happenings

I’ve been wanting to do this every season for years now, but it always seems like life gets in the way and my endless reams of notepaper goes missing. This weekend is the last weekend of October—and presumably (at least for us Canadians!)—the last real weekend of fall. Frost has been gathering on the windowpanes, mittens are dangling from winter coats and a prediction of snow on Hallow’s Eve has got all of us just waiting for the other fur-covered boot to drop!

So, the end of another season—and once again, not a moment too soon for me! I’m already waaaaaay over Halloween. Yeah, you heard me. I bought my first Xmas album a week ago and I’m already planning out the Christmas card photo. Hot cocoa, wood-burning fires, even wore my new winter boots to work the other day. Sure, it was warm—but I was totally rocking the Fa-la-la-la vibe!

Anyhoot—reining myself back in here—if you have kids all eager to give their princess dresses and ghoul masks a dry-run, then I’ve got the list for you! If have a hankering for something spooktacular this weekend, Ottawa is definitely the place to be. Here’s a pretty comprehensive list (yes, I know, I do a lot of research. Yes, you are all amazed by how I find all this stuff, yadda, yadda....) of the haunted happenings in the area this weekend. Find yourself some fun!

Happy Boo to You!

Halloween Hoopla
• Fiery Faces at 2825 Dumaurier Avenue, Ottawa. See a light display of hundreds of carved jack-o-lanterns in support of Ottawa’s Boys and Girls Club. Nightly displays from October 28 to October 31 from 6:00pm to 10:00pm. Family Fun Day from 12:00pm to 5:00pm on Saturday, October 29 with Ray’s Reptiles, pumpkin carving and cookie decorating. Free, but donations accepted.
• Bat Hunt at Canadian Children’s Museum. Find all of the bats hidden throughout the museum and win a special Halloween treat.
• Happy Halloween at Canadian Children’s Museum. October 28 from 9:30am to 11:30am. Costumes parade, make a mask, decorate a trick-or-treat bag and take in a show.
• Sesame Street Halloween Party at Canadian Museum of Civilization. Sunday, October 30 from 1:00 to 3:00pm. Dress up in best costumes and visit the Grand Hall. Treats, cool crafts, DJ for a dance party and appearances by Elmo, Cookie Monster and Abby Cadabby.
• Pumpkin Patch Parties at Gymboree (373 Vantage Drive, Orleans). Friday, October 28 at 6:15 to 7:15pm. Open to everyone ($12 for members, $15 for non-members). Treats, crafts, costume parade, games and more.
• A-BACH-cadabra! at the National Arts Centre. Follow Samara, the Witch as she and the orchestra set out on a Halloween adventure to discover the music of Bach. Dress up for this special concert. October 29 to November 1.
• A Barnyard Halloween at Canada Agriculture Museum. Trick-or-treat scavenger hunt through the barns; take a wagon ride; make caramel apples, pumpkin desserts and other treats in the kitchen; and decorate your own pumpkin (extra fee) and take it home. 9:00am to 5:00pm.
• Halloween at the Canadian Museum of Nature. October 29 and 30. Creepy Crawly Show ‘n Tell in the Theatre, scavenger hunt through the galleries, airbrush temporary tattoos in the mezzanine.
• Vintage Halloween Hijinx at Cumberland Heritage Village Museum. Kids trick-or-treat around the village, play old-fashioned games and learn about the history of the holiday. October 29 and 30 from 10:00am to 5:00pm. $7 per adult, $5 per student and senior and $18 per family. • My Little Pony at St. Laurent Mall. Not really spooky—but had to share. My Little Pony characters (with a special appearance by Chuck the Truck) will be doing free 30-minute shows. Can meet and take photos with Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash and Applejack at 11:00am and 2:00pm on October 29 and October 30 in the courtyard. Free.
• Trick-or-Treat with the Mayor at City Hall. Saturday, October 29 at 5:00pm to 7:30pm. Safe and fun haunted house trick-or-treating in the Heritage Building, followed by ghoulish tales in Andrew Haydon Hall and a pumpkin parade at Jean Pigott Place. Admission is a donation for Ottawa Food Bank’s Baby Supply Cupboard (formula, diapers, wipes, food, etc.).
• Spooktacular Open House at Tiny Hoppers (Orleans). Saturday, October 29 from 9:00am to 12:00pm. Dress up, enjoy baked treats, games, colouring contests, free play and draws for a birthday party and summer camp.
• Halloween Party at Billings Estate. Sunday, October 30 from 11:00am to 4:00 pm. Spooky crafts, trick-or-treating, costume pageant and scary games. $6 per person, $10 per pair and $16 per family.
• Halloween Haunted Community Centre at Dovercourt Community Centre. Monday, October 31 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. Includes treats, a ‘friendly’ house for the little ones and a ‘scary’ house for the brave of heart. Free.
• Mini Hottie Halloween at Midway Family Fun Park. Grand re-opening of Canada’s largest entertainment centre and Hot 89.9 will broadcast live at this Halloween party. Dress up, come play black light minigolf and bumper cards, take part in the balloon drop and costume contests. Sunday, October 30 from 10:00am to 4:00pm.
• Bring Your Mummy to Bayshore Shopping Centre. Monday, October 31 from 1:00pm to 8:00pm. Movie Zone in front of HMV will play four Halloween movies throughout the day, popcorn supplied by Kernels and gift card prizes by HMV. Storytime by Cole’s employees four times throughout the day with illustrations on large screen. Refreshments by Timothy’s. YMCA craft table. Trick-or-treating, courtesy of Mrs. Tiggy Winkle’s, starting at 3:00pm. Free.
• Wickedly Westboro Street Party. Saturday, October 29 from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Family zombie walk with makeup and drama lesson from Ottawa’s School of Speech and Drama, pumpkin-carving at Your Independent Grocer’s, neighbourhood scavenger hunt, trick-or-treating and reusable bags, magicians, jugglers, psychics and palm readers on street. Sidewalk sale from participating retailers. Free.
• Halloween at Place D’Orleans Shopping Centre. Monday, October 31 from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Free face painting and crafts in Laura Court. Trick-or-treat at participating retailers. Free.
• Halloween at Rideau Hall. Trick-or-treaters will be led through several ‘Mad Scientist’ experiments on the pathways at Rideau Hall. Monday, October 31 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. Free shows--and treats!
• Halloween at Michael’s Craft Store. Saturday, October 29 from 11:00am to 2:00pm – a costume parade, crafts ($) and free face painting. Sunday, October 30 from 1:00 to 3:00pm – free make-and-take craft from Crayola. Ages 3 and up.
• Halloween at the Currency Museum of the Bank of Canada. Saturday, October 29 (from 10:00am to 5:00pm) and Sunday, October 30 (from 1:00pm to 5:00pm). Spooky crafts, scavenger hunt, activities and a bilingual magic show and workshop.
• Spooktacular at Hazeldean Mall. Stop by the Lottery to get special bag and trick-or-treat from 11:00am to 2:00pm. Free.
• Trick-or-Treat to Win at Carlingwood Mall. Purchase a trick-or-treat backpack from the mall ($10) and receive a ballot for the Kid’s Crooked Play House on display. Then, on October 29 and 30 (from 10:00am to 4:00pm) trick-or-treat with participating retailers and be entered to win the house. All proceeds go to Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada.
• Halloween events at Ottawa Public Library branches. Each branch of the Library has a different Halloween-themed storytime or party (with games, crafts, costumes and treats) taking place over the Halloweekend. Check out the website and find your local branch to see what they are offering.


And this one's really just for adults! If you have a few hours to kill on Saturday night this Halloweekend, why not take part in a Guinness Book of World Records attempt? Check out Thrill the World Ottawa. It is the world's largest attempt at a flash mob-type dance to Michael Jackson's "Thriller." Over 160 cities around the world will be taking part at precisely the same time. Here, in Ottawa, the event takes place in front of the giant spider sculpture (fitting, no?!) in front of the National Art Gallery downtown Saturday night at 10pm (there is also a 10am dance on the same day that will not be a record attempt, but will act as a rehearsal and great YouTube fodder). Registration is required and begins at 5:00pm at the U of O campus. There is a mandatory two-hour dance rehearsal (with instructions for the dance), followed by costume and makeup. Guinness officials and media present at 10pm dance, so there will be lots of photo ops and surprises. Even if you can't dance, might be worth checking out just to see the two-minute show!

Pumpkin patches and haunted houses
• Pumpkin Festival at Ferme Proulx. Wagon rides through a mysterious forest to the haunted shack and the cemetery of former employees. Cornfield mazes, children’s shows, playground structures and inflatables. Weekends 10:00am to 5:00pm.
• SKreamers at Ferme Proulx. Not for the faint of heart—or the thin of wallet. For $20, you can visit the Haunted Barn of Terror and go on the Scary Wagon Ride. Not recommended for children under 10. Nights from 7:00pm to 10:00pm.
• Chills for CHEO at Funhaven. Ottawa’s best haunted house experience with 100% of proceeds going to CHEO. New permanent location at Funahaven, a new entertainment centre in Ottawa. Offering two haunted houses—Magic Manor for kids under 10 ($5 for kids, accompanying adults for free) and Crypt of Torment for all adults ($10 each). Weekend days 1:00pm to 4:00pm and evenings 6:00pm to 10:00pm. Volunteers and donations always appreciated!
• Cannamore’s Spooky Wagon Ride in Embrun. The Ottawa area's premier Spooky Wagon Ride! Children's activities, petting zoo, games, pumpkin patch and Halloween characters. Evening wagon ride is not recommeded for young children.
• Saunders Farm in Munster. Halloween shows and musicals, hayrides, playground obstacles, corn mazes, pumpkin patches and other farm fall attractions. Evening ride not recommended for young children.
• McMaze in St. Andrew's. Farm activities with a special focus on corn mazes! Open until Halloween.

Ghost tours
• Ghost Hunting at Billings Estate. Psychic Connie Adams teaches you how to search for ghosts around the estate. Saturday, October 29 at 7:00pm, $15, ages 8 and up. Sunday, October 30 at 7:30pm. Advanced registration required.
• Haunted Walks of Ottawa in the Market and Sparks Street Mall. A lantern-lit, nighttime walking tour of all of downtown area's most haunted locations. Special tours for Halloween. Call for pricing and times.
• Ghost Walk at Pinhey’s Point. Creepy storytelling at haunted heritage house. October 29 at 7:00pm. Ages 12 and up. $15 pp. Reservations required.
• Horaceville Haunt at Pinhey’s Point. Creepy storytelling in the cemetery, followed by a séance with psychic. October 30 at 7:00pm. Ages 16 and up. $20 pp. Reservations required.
• Haunted Tours at Canadian Museum of Nature. Castle tour at night, led by a storytelling ghost guide. Select nights. Approximately 90 minutes in length. Children $10.75, students/seniors $16.75, adults $17.75.

Magic machine

So, two weeks exactly since our Disney wish trip return. I'm not even sure how to feel now. I think I'm still a little sad, actually.

Sad, you say? How could I possibly be sad after coming home from the Happiest Place on Earth? Well, simple. I'm here---not there.

I've got the wish trip blues. I won't even call it 'Disney blues'---for it was far more magical than just any trip to Disney could be. It was Make-a-Wish and DISBoards and Give Kids the World blues. All of these amazing organizations that went out of their way to make every moment of that trip and the months that led up to it, pure magic. We will never experience that level of kindness, generosity and good fortune again. And, it makes me a little sad to think that our lives may have to return to normal. To days when the only pixie dust we'll be able to find will be in the pages of our photo albums and our autograph books.

And, now I'm sad because the trip is over. I need time to mourn the end of our fairy tale. It's time to get back to reality--to laundry and swim classes and cable bills and publishing week at work. But, I'm not ready. Ugh.

Let me explain. I've been planning this wish trip with our Make-a-Wish representatives for months. I've researched, I've joined online forums, I've watched videos, read books. I put so much energy into the plans. You name it, I did it.

I found a group of 'FairyGodMailers' online and had someone send the girls a postcard from Disney a few weeks before our trip. (The idea is that when you go, you have to pay it forward. I sent two cards to Hope and Grace in North Carolina. Hope they liked their cards!) It's a wonderful little initiative. Adds a bit of fairy dust to the mail and get the girls excited about the trip!

Then, thanks to the kind-hearted friends I made on the Disneyboards (DISBoards), my daughters were selected to participate in the Big Give. It's basically a program in which volunteer crafters (many of whom are former wish trip families) choose a family to 'gift' with custom clothes for the wish trip. They sew beautiful princess dresses or create personalized t-shirts and then send them, along with stickers and colouring books and travel essentials, to the girls. It was....amazing. For about a month, every day the girls would receive a package or two, filled with surprises. They were spoiled. Rotten.

B has inherited her love of getting the mail from me, so this was just pure delight. We'd get so excited, waiting all morning for the mailman to come, then rushing to the box to to see what today's package could contain.

Such thoughtful and clever gifts! Personalized autograph books and adorable I-Spy bags. A crocheted mermaid doll. A princess picture frame. Books and stickers and Ariel socks. And, such beautiful handmade clothes! Cinderella ball gowns and Ariel pettiskirts for Brooke. Minnie Mouse hats and cupcake bibs for Avie. Matching jungle twirl skirts for Animal Kingdom. Orca-printed dresses for Sea World. Matching hair ribbons and Cat and the Hat aprons. The girls were definitely the best-dressed kids in the park. Honestly, people came up to me (at least a half-dozen every day), asking where I bought such beautiful clothes. I could have been handing out business cards. The girls looked amazing and I didn't have to pack a single piece of clothing for them. It was all a bit overwhelming!

It was just more kind-hearted wish trip magic.

And, then there was the Make-a-Wish (MAW) reveal party! The MAW wish grantors came to the house, accompanied by the sweetest man imaginable--Wayne, Brooke's wish grantor. They brought cake and balloons and presents galore. They flooded our house with good wishes and hugs and tears and laughter. Cameras whirring, bulbs flashing, princess tissue paper fluttering to the ground as the girls dug into gift bags and treats and passed out hugs and kisses for such generosity.

When the party first began and Brooke caught the first glance of the princess balloons, Brooke looked at me and asked quite wide-eyed: "Is it my birthday?"

It wasn't, but it sure felt like it was. Like it had been her birthday and Christmas and every holiday and childhood celebration all rolled into one. When the guests left, I sat there stunned for about an hour. I wiped away the happy tears and just mulled over the kindness that had been heaped upon us. Magical.

So, the lead-up to that amazing trip, was....incredible. Mindblowing. Awesome--but not awesome in that 'cool!' sense, but in the original, awe-inspiring way.

And, then--on September 8, 2011, at 5:10 a.m.--a white stretch limosine pulled into our gravel driveway to whisk us away to Magic Kingdom and Give Kids the World. To take us to relive our childhood and to celebrate life and merriment and innoncence and victory over disease. And, for one week--one week that passed by much too quickly--we forgot what real life was like.

It was magic.

There are not enough qualifiers and adjectives in the English language to describe that trip. To explain just how fortunate we feel, how blessed to have shared such an amazing experience with our children. Or how it felt to watch Brooke's face light up when we turned that first corner and the castle's magnificent fairy-tale silhouette filled the horizon. Or to describe the joy in Avie's laugh as she ran into Donald'd Duck's furry arms for the fourth time. Or to share the emotions I felt watching as the starstruck shyness that comes when a nearly-four-year-old meets the princess she's been dreaming about for over a year falls away and she throws herself in for an embrace.

All that magic, all that bliss--how can I ever convey it with words? What I need is some sort of new-word machine into which I could I could shake all of the the 'imagination,' 'sparkle,' and 'glitter' words from the dictionary. Then I'd throw in a cup of pixie dust, dump a bucket of love and kindness, add a batch of strawberries for sweetness and hit the 'blend' button. After some whirring and beeping, the machine would churn out a new word, so fresh the plastic seal would still be intact. I'd peel away the plastic and voîla! The perfect answer to the simple "How was your trip?" question.

I'm not very good with electronics and short on time these days, so it'll be a while before I get to work on such a machine. For now, I'll just say it was magic.

Pure magic.

D minus two days

So, I haven't written in months. I feel the weight of that, trust. But, right now, I am too panicked about the immediate future to care. In just two days time, we'll be leaving in the dark of night, climbing aboard a plane to catch a flight to Orlando for Brooke's wish trip to meet Ariel and the princess crew. Should be an amazing experience--if we don't all die of gastro beforehand. That's right. I am on day two of a nasty bug that has definitely made me it's bitch. I hate to be sordid, but that's the brunt of it. I don't think I have been this miserable since the day I gave birth to Brooke--and that ended beautifully, with me smiling down at an 8.8 lb little bundle of joy. There will be no reward for this pain, however. And, no amount of soda crackers, can keep back the nausea. I have it all--shakes, headache, achey muscles. Right now, I'm just praying that the virus goes away before Thursday--and that it doesn't affect any of my family. I can't imagine battling this illness in the happiest place on earth. So far, Hubby shows no sign of illness. And, he's--thank God--one who rarely gets ill. When he does, give him 12 hours and he'll be as good as new. Avie looks like the one who started us on this merry little adventure. She had gastro last week and the diarrhea dragged on for days. However, she is her smiley, happy self right now with simply a mild case of the sniffles. I can live with that. Brooke--and this is the one who really worries me--is fighting off a cold. She, too, is just as happy as can be, with no signs of getting worse. Sniffles and coughs. Pray that it does not get any worse. I'd love to keep writing about how I was suppose to spend yesterday packing and getting ready for our trip, and how I needed to go into the office today to finish up some projects, but the fact is that the toliet is once again calling for me.

For shame

I'm so delinquent with my postings it's ridiculous. I've managed to go an entire summer without posting up so much as a photo. Sad. And, there has been no lack of interesting events taking place. A week in Muskoka, a beach vacay at Wasaga, BIG GIVES, Brooke's Wish Day celebration, school supply shopping, preparing for our Disney wish trip, prepping for my Walk of Smiles....and the little bits of ordinary life in between.

To tide you over until I have time to get back at you--if you are even still tuning in and frankly, I wouldn't blame you at all if you had already forsaken me. I kinda forsook (?) you first. An eye for an eye and all that. Anyways, here are some recent pics of Miss Bee and Miss Aviecakes.

I present to you, Miss Bee meets Miss Avie for tea. They greet one another as only grand dames of sophisticated culture and impeccable--and never ostentatious! oh no!--taste should. Aren't they lovely?

Diagnoseversary

When I sit down to write a blog post, I often wonder how much of our lives to put out there. How much do you really want to know? What parts of my life should I share?

What may seem trivial and mundane to a reader might be a momentous occasion in our household. Do I bother to chronicle the lemonade ice cream, courtesy of President’s Choice, we tried for the first time this weekend? (It was heavenly—pink and creamy and so tart that your cheeks suck in and your eyes squint at the mere thought of swallowing it. Mmmm.)

Do I mention that the adorable baby Crocs Hubby snatched up at the Dollarama keep falling off Avie’s feet. As tiny as those shoes are, they are still too big for her!


Should I mention that we have already had a record strawberry haul, in that this week alone, Monique and the girls have picked (and then proceeded to eat!) three mixing bowls worth of berries?


Do you really want to know about Brooke’s sniffling the other night that kept both her and I awake until 1:30 a.m.—or how I’ve lost my maternity leave paperwork amidst a growing pile of bills and invoices and other things that are on ‘to be filed’ list? (Aw, man....I was supposed to look up that Service Canada access code again today. Ah, crap!)

I guess that’s what’s great about blogging. I can keep track of what’s important to me and you can choose whether or not you want to hop along for the journey.

You may have noticed that this is my 100th post. I’ve really been toying with what I should write for this post, as I thought it should be a reflection of who I am or what this blog is supposed to represent, what it has become and what it will come to be in the future—but, let’s face it, I just don’t have the introspective quality or the energy to be that philosophical. It’s a pretty shallow pool o’er here.

But, fittingly enough, today is her diagnoseversary. (I did not coin the phrase myself, I stole that word from someone on the DisBoards. I'm adding that to my personal dictionary, for sure.) A year ago today, Hubby and I were faced with our worst fear—our child was sick. She had cancer. She would need to undergo major surgery and an intense chemo treatment schedule. Her hair would fall out. She would lose weight. Turn pale. Feel tired. Catch every illness under the sun. She would have to make weekly trips to the hospital. She would need to take nasty meds that would make her puke.

I won’t lie to you. The thought of that day still makes my stomach queasy. I hope that the vividness of the day will begin to face, but I don't think I'll ever really get rid of the fear that the cancer could come back. Although each passing scan makes the next more bearable, I know I will never be able to put that notion completely out of mind.

It was a year ago, but I remember it as clearly as if it had just happened. I remember catching "My Sister's Keeper" on the movie channel a few days before, and crying uncontrollably as I watched one sister battle renal cancer and the other insisting she would give up her own kidney if her sister would just continue to fight. The tears were many more than is typical for me in watching a movie. It seemed an omen, to me. A sign I could not shake.

I remember bathing the girls with Hubby one night before the tests began and telling him "You know, this might be the last time we have healthy kids," as he poured bubbles over their heads to laughter. He told me I was being paranoid--and blamed it on that movie I'd just seen and some residual post-partum emotions.

It wasn't. It was mother's intutition. I see that now.

I knew something was wrong. That's why I called the doctors to begin with. And, I knew it was more than just a UTI. I'm glad I followed my gut and went to the ER that night rather than wait until September for an ultrasound. It didn't let me down, although it sure as hell gave me the scare of my life.

No, I won't ever be able to forget that early Wednesday morning, when I received the call. An ultrasound spot was available at noon at CHEO. Could I make it?

Well, I wasn't about to miss it.

I had just bought popsicles at Wal-Mart, when I got the phone call. We had gone out after Avie's immunizations to buy party hats for the twins' party that weekend. We were about to go home, but as the appointment was in an hour and a half, I just decided to go straight to CHEO.

I remember thinking that my popsicles would never make it in the heat and I would come back to a gooey, melted bag of groceries if I didn't act quick, so Brooke and I sat in the parking lot and devoured as many popsicles as we could. I threw the rest of the box out when we got to the hospital.

I can still smell that scent of hospital cleanser and Purell that permeates the halls of CHEO, as we entered 'the train room' (radiology) for the ultrasound test. I can still envision the discoloured Sesame Street characters peeling off the wall of the ultrasound room, the crooked bird mobile swaying lazily over Brooke on the table. I can remember thinking that I should go to the dollar store and buy some new vinyl stickers and give them to reception to brighten up this fading room.

Time seemed to stand still in that dark, quiet room. Just the sounds of jelly being squirted, quiet giggles from Brooke, noisy snoring from Avery and the clicks of the machinery as the tech twisted knobs and tapped keys. I can still see the surreal flash in Hubby's eyes as his darted over to mine and we communicated silently our daughters' slumbering bodies.

This is taking too long. What is he looking for? Something's wrong, isn't it?

I can remember swallowing hard when Jerry, the ultrasound tech turned to us and told us to go back to ER and wait for "someone to come talk to you about the results there." That didn't seem like normal procedure to us. If there hadn't been anything, it would have been a "You'll get results next week. Have a good day" instead.

I can still feel my pulse quickening as we fairly flew to ER, anxious to find out anything. I can still see the nurse at reception shake her head at me. With a newborn who had just been immunized that morning, she wouldn't let me into the ER waiting room where we might pick up an infectious disease. I went around to the front entrance of the hospital with Avery, while Hubby and Brooke stayed behind.

I can still feel the knots in my stomach, the plastic handle of Avie's carrier cutting into the flesh of my upper arm, the plushy fur between my fingers of the monkey I bought in the gift shop, just knowing that this monkey would be hanging from a hospital bed.

It couldn't have been more than 20 minutes. I had time to pick up a magazine and a granola bar, trying to force myself to read and eat to keep from staring at the numbers tick by on my cell phone. I remember the wild look in my husband's eyes when he came looking for me. The breathlessness of his words, the way he cradled my eldest in his arms as if he would never let her go.

I can still hear the sounds of the rolling office chair scratching around on the floor as we wheeled around the waiting room trying to keep a bored two-and-a-half year-old busy, while waiting in agonized impatience for the doctor to arrive. The way the door opened and he slipped in and closed it quietly behind him. His young face, pained with the thought of having to tell us that news. The hesitation in his voice.

I wonder if we are the first family he has ever had to say that to?

I can still feel the prick of the tears that began welling in my eyes as he spoke. I remember trying desperately to suck back the tears, while Brooke wiggled in my lap. And, most of all, I hear her little voice, as she turned around to pat my cheeks with her tiny, warm baby hands and told me "Don't cry, Mommy. Don't be sad."

Those memories won't ever go away. But, they needn't be the only ones that are tied to this diagnoseversary.

This day also marks the day when we started to cure my daughter's illness. When we found and removed the tumour that would have eventually killed her. This day was the beginning of a completely different perspective on life for us. I like to think that this day changed our lives in a good way--we are better people for having undergone the dark days that followed the diagnosis.

And it has just been a year. We are very fortunate--some cancer patients are on treatment for years. Leukemia treatment plans, for example, can last as long as three years--that's an insane amount of time for families to carry such burdens. Three years? Can you imagine how financially, emotionally, physically draining that must be for everyone involved? I can't even fathom it.

Brooke only underwent chemo for six months. She never had radiation. She never had any blood transfusions. She never had any hospital admissions. She never caught any of the illnesses that are typical with low-immunity systems. Overall, she had it easy.

And, the biggest blessing of all? She has graduated into the post-treatment clinic just after New Year's. The hospital visits are fewer and farther in between. Brooke is beginning to forget the nurses' faces. Today, she is cancer-free.

I think I'll toast to that.