Ah summer!

Ah the glory days of summer! They are almost upon us as we wind down school, and wind up all things summer.  From BBQ-ing, to going to the beach, to hanging out at the pool, summer is a time that makes us all a little more carefree and a little more, dare I say it, happy?

I've posted earlier about things that are going on in London during the summer - there are lots of great festivals and fun activities for the family to do.  And while I am very compelled to constantly be planning something to do, I also feel like I want to sit back and smell the proverbial roses this summer and just let summer "be." I want to be able to feel zero guilt if I decide to laze on my hammock while my kids happily play in the yard.  And you know what? I want to laze on my hammock even if the kids are complaining about being bored, and whining about how hot it is outside.  Yup. It's hot kids. Go turn on the sprinkler because we don't have a pool and mama's not getting out of the hammock right now to take you to one - is this wrong? I don't think so.  I've provided my munchkins with lots to do in our pool-less backyard (giant playhouse included) and I don't see why they can't figure out some fun and cool things to do without me constantly planning for them and getting them more stuff that will amuse them for some outside summer fun.

That being said, I'm going to, sort of, go back on my word of not telling kids what to play by compiling a list of things that bring us back to a "slower" time.  A time when summer would stretch out endlessly between that last, glorious day of school to the dreaded 7AM wake up call, the first day back. To defend myself, this list uses as many things from home as possible - no need to whip out to the store to buy stuff.  So here are a few things that I think kids and adults alike can enjoy and do for the sake of "doing," instead of planning.  As always, feel free to add in the comments below.  I'd love to hear about your sweet memories of fun!

• Impromoptu campout:  Grab that playtent and let the kids (and yourself, if they are small) spend a night outside.  Forgot to buy the ingredients for smores? Don't have a sleeping bag? Grab any snack from the cupboard, blankets from the couch and bring them into the tent - just being outside at a weird time of day makes anything seem extraordinary!

• Make a fort outside:  Blankets, pillows, tarps, ropes, beach umbrella... grab anything that could create a fun play space for the kids.  Bonus if you have trees with boughs low enough that the kids could attach their blankets to them.

• Beachball soccer:  Have the kids kick as hard as they can and the ball still won't be turfed into the neighbours lawn.  Even more fun if you throw a sprinkler into the mix - watch for slippery grass though, no need for accidents!

• Sidewalk chalk:  Not just for sidewalks!  If you're cool with it, have the kids decorate your shed, fence, side of the house. lawn chairs, or interlocking brick and create graffiti style fun all over! Make sure the chalk washes off easily afterwards with a hose since I've had some interesting results of "sidewalk chalk" NOT coming off, even after the most torrential downpour. 

• Picnics:  Take lunch outside or maybe into that fort you created. 

• Arts'n'Crafts picnic:  Throw down a blanket and take outside whatever craft your kiddo is into. Lego, playdough, cut and paste, beads, anything goes and always seems more fun under a tree or in an outdoor fort. Throw on some music, and have snacks in bowls for them to munch on while working away. Tidy up is simple by tucking the corners of the blanket in and gathering the mess in the middle.

• Watch the sunset : Grab a bowl of popcorn and have a seat as the sun goes down - especially if you have a great western view.  You'd be surprised at how many great conversations can pop up as day slowly turns into dusk.

• Dance party:  Bring some tunes outside, invite the neighbourhood kids and have a great time dancing! If you want to fancy-it-up, throw some balloons and streamers  into the mix.  Throw around some water balloons or turn on the trusty sprinkler for some cooling-off dancing.  Again - watch for slippery grass!

Photo courtesy of CC Lewis

There are so many options for enjoying summer in your own backyard. Take the time to sit back and literally, relax. It does wonders for making a person feel great. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go and enjoy my hammock whilst doing nothing at all. 

Have a great day, London.

Disclaimer: Locally Urban Mom is not responsible for any harm that may come to individuals partaking in the abovementioned activities, or damages that may be incurred to property. As always, the opinions expressed are solely those of the Locally Urban Mom's.  Locally Urban Mom does urge you to get out there, stay safe and have some fun :)

Strawberry Fields forever

If you haven't already noticed - the grocery stores and markets are starting to offer some yummy local produce including fresh, green asparagus and delicious, sweet strawberries. Mmmm. But if you have some time, and I personally suggest you find some, head on over to Heeman's, located at 20422 Nissouri Rd in Thorndale, just East of the London Airport.  It's a gem of a place that I've mentioned before in an earlier post on gardening (made so much more fun by coming to places like this!)


So, what does Heeman's have to offer? Only the best strawberries in London (in my humble opinion).  You can go and pick up a quart, or a flat, or more, of delicious freshly picked strawberries or you can go pick them yourself.  Right now, the U-Pick isn't open, but will be in late June/early July.  Just in time for the end of school! Check out their schedule on their website (see the link above).

I went with my kiddos last Friday during the PD day, and there was a lineup at 11am to buy strawberries!  While you are there, you can grab a strawberry sundae as well.  My little ones don't necessarily like to shop, but they love to peruse the aisles of flowers offered here - the greenhouses in the back have a fantastic selection of perennials, annuals, shrubs, herbs, trees, vegetable plants... you name it, they have it.  There's a beautiful pond/rock garden area where you can sit and enjoy the view (or your strawberry sundae), and if you're keen on learning about gardening or just don't have a green thumb and want some help, they have a gardening school and great workshops that they offer year-round, find the link here.  I find their prices super reasonable and the whole experience of going to Heeman's just a whole lot of fun.  Plus they are as local as you can get and have been around forever (well, since 1963 anyway!) and the staff is uber helpful (I always end up striking a conversation with them when I'm there... chatterbox that I am).

So come on out, grab a few quarts of delicious, local strawberries, walk around and find a new plant or flower to brighten up your yard.  I guarantee you'll have a great time and leave with a smile (and maybe a strawberry stain or two!).

Have a great day, London.

Takin' a walk on the wild (or not so wild) side...

This time of year always brings people out to the streets, parks and local outdoor places. Especially if you feel like taking a stroll. Walking is great for the whole family and there are so many neat places to explore in this city that, in many cases, can only be traversed by foot.  I highly encourage you and your little ones to explore a nearby park/forest in your area and see what it has to offer - you'll be surprised at how many beautiful pockets of woodland London has hiding amongst the buildings and nestled in neighbourhoods. 

Let's chat about the more public places for a minute.  London has so many parks!  Springbank Park down in Byron (South West London) is a big hit for walking/biking/rollerblading/skateboarding along the Thames.  It has lots of areas for soccer, BBQing, picnics, a splash pad and a few climbers for the kids.  It also houses the infamous Story Book Gardens, home of local London fun for the past few decades (see the link to StoryBook here).  There's Harris Park and Gibbons Park - both located downtown and great for more splash pad fun (splash pads open Victoria Day weekend and close Labour Day weekend).  At many of the parks you can find tennis courts (Gibbons Park being one of them), basketball courts, and always a picnic table area where you can enjoy some food and sunshine.  Local neighbourhoods have many Optimist Parks that house climbers for kids, more splash pads and even outdoor pools.  Check out the link to most of the major public parks in the city here.

Image courtesy of: www.london.ca

Feel like taking a walk through London?  There's a fantastic walk and bike path that offers you a leisurly stroll or a true hike through the forest city.  It basically starts in Byron (the neighbourhood located in South West London) in Springbank Park, and you can follow it all the way downtown and up to Western University.  There are beautiful views of the river, and lots of options for people that don't just feel like walking: You can bike, rollerblade, take your dog, scooter, or even skateboard(although  watch for the signs that warn you where it might be prohibited to use certain modes of transport depending on the part of the path you use).  Find the map to this bike path and more great places to hike here.
There are also so many gems of trails in our city that are lesser known and so much fun to walk! Medway Valley is a great place to take the kids and has breathtaking views of the Medway Valley Creek that has carved its way through the valley and meanders through gorgeous rocky precipices from Fanshawe/Wonderland area all the way to the Elsie Perrin Estates, down the road from Western University.  See a map of the trails here.  Be forewarned: Dogs must be on leashes and bikers aren't allowed here since the trails can be fairly narrow (I tried to take my kiddo in a running stroller through there once.  No dice.  It's best to take your itty bitties strapped to your back in a hiking-safe carrier).

Fanshawe Lake is a more well-known hiker's paradise (out in the North East end of London. See link here) but still a lovely as you can choose the trails that go along the lake itself.  There are various trails to choose from with various levels of difficulty.  Plus a great campground not far away that you can use for a day, or for a few weeks at a time. 

Know about the Komoka Trails? Then you'll also know about the gorgeous scenery to take in there as well.  Another beloved spot for locals that live in the Komoka/Kilworth/Byron area, it is a great walk and is great for young families too.  Check out the link here.

Warbler Woods is a small woodsy area located, again, in the Byron area of town.  If you are feeling like a workout, take a run through this forested area - there are two giant hills that go through this forest and give you a great bang for your workout buck (see the ESA link below for more info). 

Sifton Bog is also a great place to check out, if you want to pick some wild apples and maybe even see a deer or two.  It's located in the Oxford/Hyde Park/Riverside area of town.  The official entrance can be found off of Oxford Street West, just across the street from the TD Bank and Super Store area (see the ESA link below for more info).

There are fun clubs that have been around for while that offer nature walks, and group walks where you can meet other people and chat while strolling through our lovely city.  See the links for some of these options here:

Nature Walks

Home Hiking London TVTA

For more information on other great hidden-away places, check out the following link on London's Environmentally Significant Areas (ESA's).  There are so many to choose from, there is bound to be one near you that you can stroll through with your family. Please read their guidelines, however, since many of these areas contain species you might not want to encounter by yourself... or at all...plants and animals alike.   

So get out there, London, and walk your way through this gorgeous, forested city of ours.  Just be sure to always read the warnings, signs and follow all rules while out there to stay safe and always be sure to have a way to communicate with others in case of an emergency.   

As always, feel free to share in the comments below, or on our facebook page (click here), about the places YOU like to go for a walk in London.  I'm sure I've missed a few gems :)

Have a great day, London!

Image courtesy of www.london.ca

The abovementioned information is for entertainment purposes only. Locally Urban Mom is not responsible for misuse or any harm incurred when using pathways and trails that have been suggested in the blog post.  Locally Urban Mom does urge everyone to be careful, and use prudence and safety guidelines when using the aforementioned trail and park locations