This and That...

Who doesn't like to get free stuff? Proctor and Gamble distributes free samples of their products four times a year...and this is one of those times! Get your free product samples here . There are more that are specifically for men here. If you like coupons, they have those too, here.


The County of Huron announced today it has opened three new dental clinics, specifically for "families in need". The cost of dental care can be astronomical for families, especially those without employee benefit plans. Most often families feel they have no choice but to go without regular dental care, as they simply can't afford it. We are lucky enough in this house to have an employee benefit plan that covers part of our dental care fees, but if we didn't, I doubt very much we would visit the dentist as regularly as we do. The three new dental clinics are in Wingham, Clinton and Hensall and there is an eligibility process. You can read more about this new initiative here. If you know a "family in need" who would benefit from this information, please pass this on to them. If you are a "family in need" call the toll free number given for more info, and I hope it will be of help to you.


Do you live in Huron County and have a child starting school for the first time in September 2011 or know someone who does? Rural Response for Healthy Children's Kinderoo Program is now accepting registrations for its Summer 2011 Program. Kinderoo is a School Readiness Program that runs for 3 hrs a day, 3 days a week for 6 weeks in the summer. The program runs in various communities throughout Huron County. You can learn more about Kinderoo here. Makenna was a part of this program the summer before she started JK, and we both loved it. The child attends on their own, you drop them off and pick them up. It takes place in a Kindergarten classroom of a local school, quite possibly the school they will be attending that Fall. Children meet other kids who will be going to the same school in the Fall, get used to school expectations and routines, learn where the bathrooms are, where to hang their coats and backpacks, and are able to explore the playground too. Parents and children both are able to practice the morning routine of getting up, ready and out the door, and parents and children both get used to the idea of separating for the day, some for the first time in that child's life. I am a huge promoter of this program, both as a staff member from this organization, but also as a parent whose child has been through it. I know many of you readers have been through Kinderoo as well in past years and would love for you to leave a comment on this blog with your thoughts. They will help those parents who are about to enter the school system for the first time. For more info and to have a registration package emailed to you, call the RRHC office (Local and Toll Free Numbers listed on the website link above).


Another "Pre Kindergarten warm up" that you can attend with your child is the "Getting Ready for K" sessions held at your local Ontario Early Years Centre. Each centre will have their own date, time and set up. OEYC - Goderich is holding their "Getting Ready for K" night on May 17 2011. You can learn more about it here. Pre - Registration is required. In recent years, parents travel around the room to different centres with their child, playing together and completing various fun activities, which give the parent a sense of what the expectations of the child will be in Kdgn. Some centres have the Kdgn teachers join them for the evening, allowing families that first informal "meet the teacher time". If you live outside the Goderich area and are interested in this type of eveing in your area, call your local Ontario Early Years Centre to find out if and when one is being held in your area. The Huron County OEYC number is (519) 482 8505 and covers Wingham and North Huron, Clinton and Central Huron, Seaforth and Huron East, Exeter and South Huron, as well as the Goderich area. You can learn all about Huron County Children's Services here and among other things, view the schedule of every professional playgroup taking place across the county on any given day of the week.

I signed Makenna up for a Children's Yoga class (Thanks Laura!), offered at our local YMCA. It runs for 1 hour on Saturday mornings. She really liked it and is keen to go back. If you are in or around Goderich, here is the facebook page for it. I am a big believer in Yoga I did it everyday throughout both pregnancies. It's good for so many aspects of your health, and your child's health.For everything from better balance to better sleep, yoga can help.


Finally - are you a Mom who runs? Check out this blog. I passed it on to a couple friends today and the response was very positive. I have quite a few friends who are mothers and also love to run, so I thought I would post it here for all of you.

Have a comment? Leave it on the blog!