It’s almost that time of year again when the kids get to take a week off school to enjoy the winter and pack in some exciting activities. A lot of people take this opportunity to go down South for the week, but if you’re like me you need some ideas closer to home that wont break the bank.

That being said there are a lot of activities going on in most communities that can get your family active and out of the house. Here are some of the activities I found:

1. YMCA March Break Day Camps-check your local YMCA because most of them offer day camps throughout the march break that have fun activities for kids. It’s getting them active and it’s a chance to meet new people.

2. Local Libraries offer a ton of activities for kids all year round and even more activities during the March Break. A lot of the activities provided by your local library are free and are worth checking out!

3. Check your local Community Center for events during the break. Most offer more public swimming, skating or drop in times for team sports. It’s a great way to stay active this March break.

4. Volunteer in your community. It’s a rewarding experience to help someone out and there are tons of places you can volunteer your time with your family this March Break.

For more great things to do with your family this March Break check your city’s local website.
If you have any additional ideas please  share them so everyone can take advantage of their March Break.

*Bumped to the top because its March break

Not sure if all you know about the great promotional Gifts That Grow codes that Pampers offers. The great posters here on Smart Canucks keep me up to date on all the new codes. Here are some of the promo codes that have been working:

welcomebonus089
welcome2gtg0809
ohamandaawgtg08
thriftymommygtg
startearningnow
jointhefungtg09
justbecause2009
xkcmyxfvd96vxvk
growwithvillage
welcome2village
gratuit89102009
welcome2gtg2010
gtgplay2usa2010
gtgteamusa2010

These extra points might be just what you need to cash in for that prize you have been waiting for.

Click her to check out the thread.

Thanks to luwebby for starting the thread.

Men’s hockey just won Gold in 3-2 overtime! That brings our medal total to 26. With 14 Gold’s, 7 Silver and 5 Bronze. We came third behind the US and Germany in medal ranking, but we did have the most Gold medals. This was the most Gold medals by any host country ever.

What was your favourite moment of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games? Perhaps it was when Alex Bilodeau won the first gold medal, Joannie Rochette winning that bronze medal for her mother, Jasey Jay Anderson winning the men’s snowboard parallel giant slalom gold medal, Jon Montgomery wining gold for men’s skeleton, Christine Nesbitt winning gold in women’s speed skating, Charles Hamelin winning gold in men’s short track speed skating etc etc etc. Maybe it was the opening game ceremonies, or just the overall “I believe” spirit that was evident in many of the competitions.

I am kind of sad to see the Olympic games end, I have watched more of these ones then any other olympic games, perhaps that they were in Canada, I just felt more connected to it. I can’t imagine being in BC at the time and seeing all the crowds of red mitts in the streets, it must have been an awesome experience for some of us. I thought Jon Montgomery’s win was one of the highlights, he was just soo ecstatic when he won, it was fun to watch.

Click here for all about the Olympics, ranking, medals etc.

… and if you don’t, I suggest you still buy it and:

So apparently the Pook Toque has been out for a while but this is the first I’ve heard of it. Interestingly enough the inventors originate from St Mary’s Ontario, a quick jog from Stratford, (Justin Bieber’s stomping grounds) which is fairly close to where I reside.

Whats a Pook Toque? A sock hat that has many moods.

Click here to see the video from the Vancouver Olympics. Or click here for a quick run down from You Tube

So… what do you think of it? Would you buy one? Do you already own one? I must say the many moods of the Pook Toque cracked me right up, I can’t decide If I like the bowler style or the executive the best!

Interested in ordering one? They retail for $26 including shipping. Also available are childrens versions and scarves etc. Click here to check out their site

Click on the image to see the full sized picture:

[via digg]

Woot woot! As promised this week I have the opportunity to offer Smart Canucks readers a chance to win one of three Michael Bublé Cd prizes!

First place - An autographed copy of Michael Bublés latest cd “Crazy Love” and a copy of each of his previously released Cd’s (4)!

Second and Third place will receive the “Crazy Love” Cd!

Before I get into the rules heres some information on Mr Bublé:

Crazy love, Michael Bublé’s first studio recording in two and a half years, features two original songs along with his always unique take on 11 standards from various eras. The multi Grammy and Juno Award winning artist hunkered down in recording studios in LA, Brooklyn, New York and his hometown of Vancouver for six months to make his “ultimate record about the inevitable roller coaster ride of relationships.” The album’s first single, “Haven’t Met You Yet,” was written by Bublé (with Alan Chang and Amy Foster). Additional tunes on the album include “Cry Me A River,” “You’re Nobody Till Somebody Loves You,” “Georgia On My Mind” and “Baby (You’ve Got What It Takes)” which was performed with Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings. Bublé also performs a duet with Canadian songwriter Ron Sexsmith on a version Sexsmith’s own Top 5 hit, “Whatever It Takes.”

Michael Bublé has sold over 22 million CDs worldwide. His previous album, the award winning Call Me Irresponsible (2007) was a number one album in over 15 countries. His 2005 CD It’s Time holds the record as the longest running title to remain on the Billboard Traditional Jazz charts - a full two years. It sat in the Number One position for over 80 weeks.

1. The contest will be open from Today until Thursday February 25th 2010 at 11am, and is open to all Canadians over the age of 18

2. Enter simply by posting a comment about Mr Buble

3. You can enter once a day, but only once a day ( We will disqualify if yo do not follow rules.)

4. Winners will be drawn randomly and posted on the blog on February 25 2010 at 12pm

5. Winners will be given my email address to provide home addresses so prizes can be sent out. You will have one week to get this information to me, failure to do so may result in a new winner drawn.

Good luck everyone, and oh ya… Save the last dance for me

I feel bad making 2 negative blog posts in a row so let me start off with the positives. I truly enjoyed yesterday’s Vancouver 2010 Opening Ceremony. Contrary to what I’ve heard before the event, it seemed very well organized. The music was awesome, the lighting effects were gorgeous, the poem was breathtaking, the fiddlers were astonishing  and I liked Sarah Mclachlan’s performance. The malfunction and the truck ride were disappointing but I’m not expecting perfection.

But what really caught my attention the most was the way our National Anthem O Canada was sung. I think Nikki Yanofsky has a wonderful and inspiring voice and I love her song “I believe”. However I think that our national anthem shouldn’t be sung in that slow jazzy style.  If that is her style then someone else should have performed it. 

Here is her performance (CTV keep removing the video so I added a vocal only version)

This is how it should have been performed. With passion and power!

Compare yesterday’s performance to how Carrie Underwood sang the US ’s Star-Spangled Banner during the Superbowl:

I just got a headache watching the Olympic torch being carried towards BC Place. The camera keeps shaking up and down as if it’s being carried by an amateur. Can’t they mount the camera on a bike or stabilize it somehow? This is 2010, can’t be that hard.

On a more positive note, who do you think will light the Olympic cauldron tonight?

For those of you who don’t know me, I’m from the London Ontario area. This past Thursday I went and saw Chantal Kreviazuk at Centennial Hall. Opening for Chantal was London native Meaghan Smith. What a wonderful surprise! Her voice was excellent and her only band member with her was her husband! They both played guitar and the music was heavenly. A mix of today’s easy listening and 20’s and 30’s music.

Click here to watch a music video by Meaghan Smith

Click here to view her website,  I highly suggest reading her biography, animator to musician!

Like her music? You can pre order her cd here at Amazon.ca for only 10.49!

Oh and btw Chantal also put on a wonderful performance! I would definitely recommend seeing her live! Another Canadian to be proud of!

We are all aware of the horrible earthquake that struck Haiti recently. There has been an outpour of donations and lots of media and news attention on this cause. Tonight, CBC has a special airing called “Hope for Haiti now” and the US has their own version as well.

We are all lucky to live in Canada and have the wonderful living conditions that we do, we should all help the less fortunate and give what we can. If you have money and want to help this cause, tune into these specials, which are on right now, or look online on how to donate and where.

Important Information for Canadian Donors: If you wish to generate dollar for dollar government matching funds and receive a tax receipt, donate to a canadian charity, you must go to http://www.cbc.ca

Click here for more information on how to donate.

I just came across this thread by meguwo in the deals section and thought it needed to be seen by as many people as possible.  It’s time to give back and here is a really easy way to make a big difference.

Hey everyone. I wasn’t sure where to post this, but I know the deals section gets a lot of views and I know how generous all of us are on Smart Canucks. I just received this in my inbox and its a great way to help out the surivors of the earthquake in Haiti.

It’s really easy. All you need to do is bring in your old shoes to any Soft Moc store across Canada between January 15-22. They will donate the shoes to help the survivors in Haiti.
I personally challenge each and every member of Smart Canucks that has a Soft Moc store near them to donate at least 1 pair of shoes. Everyone has to have an old pair of shoes that are no longer wearing. Just drop them off at your local shopping mall while you are running your usually errands. Take a picture and share it on this thread of your donation. Give a little, get a lot.

I know it’s hard for everyone to donate money, but this is a really easy way to donate and help. Most of us have old pairs of shoes just collecting dust in our closets! Or, the shoes your kids may have outgrown.

Seventy percent of Haiti’s population lives on less than $2 a day and half the 8.5 million population is unemployed.

There are more than 80 store across Canada! Find a Soft Moc Location Near You!

And here is the link to meguwo’s original post, so you can take her challange and post your donation pictures!

This isn’t a deal but I thought some of Bret Hart’s fans might like to know that he’ll be live on WWE Monday Night Raw for the first time since the Montreal Screwjob in 1997. WWE airs at 9pm EST today (Monday) on the Score.

One of our beloved members “Beastmaster” passed on in December, losing the battle to Cancer. His sister is Koala from the site whom many of you know on a first name basis.

Beastmaster (Gary)  was a loved member of our forum and absolutely loved Ferrets.

He was a major part of a  Ferret website and is only 500 votes away from reaching his goal of gold for this year of 5000. In his memory please take a quick moment to vote and reach this goal by the end of 2009.

Go to his ferret website and vote

Thanks so much. Here’s the conversation on the forum

While doing my boxing day shopping at staples I noticed a sign saying that although the price of stamps is going up .03 cents in January, you can still get stamps for .54 at staples!! So no need to go stock up on stamps! I didnt get a chance to see if the offer has an expiry or anything due to all the insane boxing day shoppers screaming and pushing.

Ah Christmas. I wasn’t feeling very Christmassy this year. The tree was decorated, the presents were bought (some even wrapped), the donations that were supposed to make me feel warm and fuzzy were done, the fridge was full of food. But something seemed missing. It’s a fake tree . . . maybe that’s it. Or maybe it’s because none of my Christmas music transferred to my new computer and I can’t be bothered to get more. Or maybe this dullness is the reason I can’t be bothered. I felt like something magical should be happening. And well, now I am just really really hoping that it does. 

There has been a tragedy. And now, because my heart aches, I feel more Christmassy then ever. I feel an intense need for prayer, for family, for closeness. I feel Christmassy because in my heart if I believe in Christmas, if everyone believes in Christmas, then I can believe in miracles. If I believe in Christmas then I can believe in purpose, I can believe in hope. In light, In the power of love and the giving spirit.

So a heartfelt Merry Christmas to everyone. May your day is filled with love, peace and the spirit of Christmas.

Blueegg

This little cartoon picture has always been one of my favourites… I think I’ve spent way too much time analyzing every aspect of physics involved and how well it would perform practically. Yes I’m a nerd 

Click on the image to see the full picture:

Removed the post since it seems like it’ll just cause too much drama and offend many people.

Sorry!

If you could choose one store that currently does not ship to us Canadians what would your choice be? Old navy? Gap?  Target?  Theres a ton to choose from!

So, I got this idea that we can post what store we want to start shipping here and I’ll email them a link to this blog if theres enough interest. Maybe we can sway companies. It’s worth a shot!

I’d choose The Childrens Place.

By Janet C.

Hey Boo! These is a summission for the Christmas contest.
 
The following is true.
 
First I have to say that my family and I are very very close.. although the we are seperated by the miles we talk 2-3 times a day.
 
Back in Christmas 2005, my hubby & I booked airline tickets to visit our families in Newfoundland (we live in the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario). We only informed my brother, my Aunt Joan and hubby’s sister. The rest of our family DID NOT know any of the Christmas plans.
 
I informed my parents that we sent our Christmas gifts to the family via Canada Post (but of couse we kept them until we flew in on December 21). My Dad would visit the mail box everyday and no gifts..he went as far and going to the Canada Post post office and informing them there SHOULD be a parcel for him. but there was no parecel.  My Mom on the other hand was not really in the christmas spirits, she really wanted to see me and my husband for the holidays. We explained to her that we just couldn’t get time off work and all the flights we booked up. (Meanwhile we booked the flights back in September of that year).
 
So on Decemebr 21 we arrived in the afternoon and my brother picked us from the airport. The plan was to suprise my family at my Aunt Joan’s. My Aunt Joan had invited all my family at her house for supper, which is nothing out of the ordinary. My hubby and I landed and we went to my Aunt Joan’s  We called while in route, Aunt Joan never let on that it was us on the phone. So after supper everyone was watching the local 6:00 news (in their basement reckroom). We came in the front upstairs door and my Aunt Joan said to my family so that must be her son coming home for something that he forgot.
 
Hubby and I went downstairs and walked into the room and my parents went into shock!! :0
 
My Dad started to cry like a  baby!! (the last time I saw my Dad cry was when my Grandfather died 8 years ago)  My Mom sat up and sat down - she didn’t know what to with herself. Both my parents couldn’t believe that we were there. At one point I thought my Mom had a heart attack for the suprise we gave her! She went all white and couldn’t speak!! Everyone started to cry, everyone was sooooooo happy and overjoyed!!! Mom then said “Oh I must go home and get home and get ready for Christmas!” You never seen a women move so fast to get home and prepare Christmas “tasks.
 
We gave the Christmas gifts on Christmas day and my dad started to laugh… rememebering all the times we travelled to the post office for the Christmas parcels.
 
Hubby and I left my Aunt’s house and started to visiting our friends and families that night. We surprised so many individuals that night, but surprising my parents was the best!!
 
That was one of the best Christmases ever!!!!
 
Thanks!
Janet

[pic source Gregor Halbwedl]