We've scoured the web to find some fun events in the community for you and your Little!

2012 World of Motorcycles Expo

Do you and your Little like motorcycles? Do you want to see motorcycles from around the world!?! Well this weekend you can! The 2012 World of Motorcycles Expo is here and it’s an all ages event, held at the Agriplex Western Fair District!

Show Times:           

Friday February 10, 2012 (4pm-10pm)

Saturday February 11, 2012 (9am-6pm)

Sunday February 12, 2012 (10am-5pm)

Where: The Western Fair District (845 Florence Street)

Location: Agriplex

Phone: 519-319-5339

Admission Fees:

$15 for General Admission

Kids 12 years and under are FREE

Website

Western Mustangs Basketball!

Tip off for the Women’s Basketball game is at 6pm

Tip off for the Men’s Basketball game is at 8pm

Both teams will be taking on the McMaster Marauders for a regular season match up at Alumni Hall on Wednesday February 15^th.

For inquiries, please call: 519-661-3551

Website

Egypt: Gift of the Nile

You and your Little will travel back in time at the Children’s Museum and see models and artifacts of ancient Egypt! Together you can translate hieroglyphics and have your picture taken with the museum’s very own sarcophagus! You can even crawl into a pyramid! The exhibit runs from January 20^th until April 1^st.

Location: The Children’s Museum is located at 21 Wharncliffe Road South

Phone: 519-434-5726

Admission is $7 per person....* Don’t forget your Match card

Website

While you are out at these events or anytime you and your Little are having fun snap some pictures and send them our way! Your match hangout could be featured in our blog!!

How does your match get featured?

Send an email to: Marina Brkljaca (marina.brkljaca@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca) with photos and a brief write up about the day you and your Little had.

"At Lerners we don’t just talk about community service, we’re actively engaged in it in a variety of ways."- Lerners LLP

And, right now Lerners is showing Londoners how committed they are!

Lerners has launched their new Facebook page! And, to celebrate that Lerners will be featuring charities on their Facebook page.

Why is this so exciting!?!

Big Brothers Big Sisters of London & Area is their first featured charity!!!

What does this mean??

For every visitor who "likes" the Lerners' Facebook page, Lerners will donate $1 (to a maximum of $2,500).

For the month of February get all your friends, family and co-workers to 'like' Lerners' new Facebook page and support Big Brothers Big Sisters of London & Area!

What your 'likes' will do?

Through our mentorship programs, BBBSOLA facilitates life-changing relationships which inspire and empower young people to reach their full potential — helping to create strong and resilient community members. 

NINETY-ONE percent of Littles feel better about themselves after being matched with a mentor

There is so much to do in the community!  And, it doesn't even have to cost you a dollar! Take your Little to one or more of these FUN & FREE events happing this weekend!

Take your Little to the Starry Night Skate!

Description: Enjoy a free skate with your Little! Oxford Learning at Storybook Gardens is holding the skate from 6pm-8pm on January 20th. You can skate under the stars and see the animals! You may even win a door prize! All you have to do is bring a non-perishable food item for the London and Area Food Bank! You can skate and support a worthy cause! If you have questions call: 519-472-3321

Address:1958 Storybook Lane

website

Celebrate Canada's Heritage!

Description: You and your Little can discover the finest Inuit and North American Aboriginal Art together at The Innuit Gallery. Celebrating 27 years of excellence.  The Innuit Gallery specializes in carvings in stone, whalebone & antler, Inuit prints, jewellery, and paintings. This FUN experience is FREE!! If you have questions call: 519-672-7770.

Address: 201 Queens Ave.

Hours of operation:  

website

Check out the Market!

Description:The Covent Garden Market was formally established in 1845 and is one of London's cultural landmarks. You and your Little can check out what's new and fresh at the Covent Garden Market! Maybe you can treat your Little to a tasty snack from a local vendor!  And, don't forget your skates! You can skate right in front of the Market!

Address: 310 King Street

Hours of operation:

website

Celebrate history!     *This event requires a small fee*

Description:Take your Little to The Banting House National Historic Site of Canada! Not only can you celebrate the great discovery, but you and your Little can also learn about the life of Sir Fredrick Grant Banting!  Here are a list of the permanent exhibitions at Banting House: London - the birthplace of insulin, Banting as the co-discoverer of insulin, artist and war hero, the Royal Visit and the Flame of Hope. For questions about Banting House call: 519-673-1752.

Address: 422 Adelaide St. N.

Hours of operation: Tuesday to Saturday: 12:00pm to 4:00pm

Admission:

Adults: $5

Seniors & Students: $4

Children (under 5): FREE

Family: $12

Group: $60 

website

Register now, so you don't miss out on this FUN & FREE event!

On Family Day (February 20th) Ed Holder (MP for London West) is holding his annual Skate for Kids at the Western Fair on one of its ice pads.  It's a free event. But, you have to register in advance to ensure ice time.

The first skate will start at noon and end between 1:30pm and 1:45pm. 

The event will be held on "Rink D" of the Western Fair Sports Centre, located on 316 Rectory Street.

Cookies, hot chocolate and coffee will be provided.  *Please keep in mind that the Western Fair does not guarantee gluten-free or nut-free products.

Please note: Appropriate waivers will need to be completed by or on behalf of all skaters participating.

Skaters are encouraged to bring voluntary donations for the Food Bank. Not, only can you have fun with your Little, but you can also give back to the community! 

To register call: 519-644-0011

I was first introduced to my Big Sister Trisa when I was nine years old and she was twenty-five I won't deny she wasn't what I pictured. But then we started to get to know one another and she turned out to be more than I had pictured or expected. Now, eight years later I can't believe that our time as Big and Little Sisters is almost done. But I am not sad, I am happy. I am happy because they helped me find this incredible woman that taught me that I don't have to get married and have children, I can have whatever life I want. She taught me independence, strength, generosity, heroism and love in a way no other woman could. She made me the young woman I am today.

~Little Sister Alycia

What does being a mentor mean?

 A mentor is someone for a young person to rely on. They are a friend who provides care, stability and support for children and youth through their developmental years. Mentors teach their Little, that the Little is important, deserves respect and are worth loving.

Mentors are:

• Responsible, trustworthy and stable role model
• Caring and compassionate
• Energetic
• Good listeners
• Fun and Outgoing
• Patient and Kind
• Open to different points of view
• Believe in the capabilities of others  

What mentors do:

Just by being that consistent role model, Bigs change the trajectory of their Littles' lives. Not only do mentored children have greater success in life and school, but they also develop a greater sense of:

• Self-Esteem
• Confidence
• Social Skills
• Physical Growth
• Emotional Health
• Morality
• Sense of Trust and Belonging. 

Click here for details if you would like to be a mentor.

Click this link to watch a video about mentoring.

Check out these fun and free winter activities!

There’s something for everyone!

Make paper snowflakes! – Just because it doesn’t look like winter outside, that doesn’t mean you can’t get in on the winter fun! Click this link for insturctions. And, let it snow, by making paper snowflakes!

Have a games’ night! – With temperatures dropping well below zero, it gets chilly fast! Why not stay in and play games. Some great games are UNO, Checkers, Sorry, Monopoly, Life...the list goes on! There is so many fun games to choose from!

Go ice skating together! – Dress warm, lace up those skates and take to the ice at one of your local outdoor rinks!

Read a book! – Why not check out the local library together and read books that have a winter theme!

Get creative! – Why not colour some winter pictures! Click this link to choose a picture or two or more! 

Send us pictures of your winter fun with our Little and you could be featured on our blog!

The snow is here and its important to remember these stay warm safety tips when you are out with your Little enjoying the winter season!

Layer it up!

The best way to stay warm and toasty is to dress in layers! So, wear a sweater over your long sleeve. And, don’t forget your long johns and warm socks!

Hats are cool, and keep you warm!

You will stay warmer if you put a hat on before going outside. A lot of body heat actually escapes through your head, and that’s why a hat is always the best bet! And, while you’re at it, put on scarf to keep your neck warm. Just make sure its tucked into your coat.

Stay hydrated!

You lose a lot of your body’s water when you’re outside breathing in the cold air. So make sure to drink water!

Take a break!

Sometimes when we are out having fun in the snow we ignore how cold our body gets. If your teeth start chattering and your body starts to shiver, go inside and warm up with some hot chocolate, apple cider or some yummy soup!

Frostbite is not your friend!

Protective clothing is key in preventing frostbite. What is frostbite? Frostbite happens when your body’s tissues freeze. This is likely to happen when your skin is exposed to the cold air. If you are outside and notice you can’t feel your fingers, toes, cheeks, ears, or nose, it could mean you have frostbite. So, that means it’s time to go inside. And, NEVER put hot water on frostbite or press something warm against it (i.e.:  a heat pad), but warm water is okay.

These tips were found on kidshealth.org. Click this link to learn more.

Thank you for great 2011!

We are excited to see where 2012 will take us!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The end of year is almost near! And, with 2012 fast approaching the talk of New Year's resolutions is gaining speed! But, adults aren't the only people that make resolutions! Kids do too! But, you don't hear much talk about what a young person could make as a New Year's resloution.

Why not talk with your Little on your next hangout about what a New Year resolution is and give them some ideas of what they could do. It's important to remember that a New Year resolution is all about starting the year with a positive outlook. We've made a top 10 list of kid-friendly New Year's resloutions. And, the cool thing about this list is, that you can be a part of it too!

1. I will clean up after myself
2. I will learn a new sport (i.e.: basketball, soccer, dance, etc.) ***You can do this together! Learn a new sport together!
3. I will drink more milk and less pop
4. I will be nice to other kids
5. I won’t fall to peer pressure
6. I will eat healthy, more fruits and vegetables and less candy ***You can do this together! Make healthy creations in the kitchen!
7. I will help out more around the house
8. I will take up a new hobby (i.e.: painting, photography, collecting, etc.) ***You can do this together! Take a class together!
9. I will read more ***You can do this together! Why not be your own book club!
10. I will help my community by volunteering more ***You can do this together! Volunteer with your Little in the community!

What is your New Year's resloution?

a fun and safe Holiday Season!

Here are five classic holiday tunes!

I bet after reading the first verse of each song, you will break out into song! How can you not!? They always get me in the holiday spirit!

Winter Wonderland:  

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening,
In the lane, snow is glistening
A beautiful sight,
We're happy tonight,
Walking in a winter wonderland.

Let it Snow:

Oh, the weather outside is frightful,
But the fire is so delightful,
And since we've no place to go,
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Jingle Bells:  

Dashing through the snow
On a one-horse open sleigh,
Over the fields we go,
Laughing all the way;
Bells on bob-tail ring,
Making spirits bright,
What fun it is to ride and sing
A sleighing song tonight
Jingle bells, jingle bells,
Jingle all the way!
O what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh

Santa Claus is coming to town:  

You better watch out
You better not cry
Better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town

He's making a list,
And checking it twice;
Gonna find out Who's naughty and nice.
Santa Claus is coming to town

Frosty the Snowman:  

Frosty the snowman was a jolly happy soul,
With a corncob pipe and a button nose
And two eyes made out of coal.
Frosty the snowman is a fairy tale, they say,
He was made of snow but the children
Know how he came to life one day.

What is your favourite holiday song?

Normally, we are all braving the cold right now. But, instead we are avoiding the rain! So, turn your rainy day hangout into a cooking adventure!

Try these fun and festive recipes with your Little, courtesy of Nick Jr.! We've got a full menu for you -- from appetizers to desserts!

Appetizers:

Cheddar cheese popcorn: Cheese and popcorn – the best of both worlds! Click here for recipe.

Chicken Vegetable Noodle soup: Nothing beats a homemade chicken noodle soup! Click here for recipe.

Entrees:

Dora’s Turkey Chili-Stew: The perfect warm and hearty dish! Click here for recipe.

Smiley Faced Latkes: This is one fun plate of potatoes and veggies! Click here for recipe.

Desserts:

White Chocolate Pretzel Sticks:  White chocolate and peppermint covered pretzels makes an ordinary snack, an extraordinary dessert! Click here for recipe.

Dora’s Caramel Holiday Cookies: Shortbread and caramel! Need I say more! Click here for recipe.

Beverages:

Max & Ruby’s Strawberry Tea: A truly berry-licious tea! Click here for recipe.

Hot Mulled Cider: This apple and cinnamon drink, just smells like the holidays! Click here for recipe.

Hot Chocolate: This is a classic, especially around the holidays! Click here for recipe.

BON APPETIT!

Send pictures with a blurb about your night as chefs to marina.brkljaca@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca and get featured in our blog!