One of the fun parts of coming to the Vancouver Island Baby Fair is the chance to win some pretty amazing prizes. Many exhibitors will have great prize draws in their booths, plus we’ve lined up some huge prize packages for the photo contest, baby races, and grand prizes at the door.

New Parent Grand Prize – Value: $1835

• April Showers Cakes – Neutral design diaper cake ($60)
• Awesome Mommies – One year Awesome Mommies membership & onesie ($60)
• Baby Oopies – Newborn size bamboo nighttime cloth diaper & matching wool diaper cover ($75)
• BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation – BCAA Gift Card ($50)
• Bellies in Bloom Maternity – Posh Plus nursing pillow ($70)
• Blue Sky Photography – Two hour maternity photo session plus five 5×7 prints ($225)
• Camosun College Prenatal Program – 12 hour prenatal class series or weekend ($165)
• Elements of Health Centre – 45 min. massage with Jane Podmore ($65)
• Elizabeth Belfry, RMT, CIMT – Initial 30 minute massage treatment or use value towards infant massage lessons ($67)
• Hip Baby Victoria – Gift Card ($50)
• Hudson & Saige – Gift Certificate ($50)
• JamTots Baby & More Store – Baby Kangas one-size diaper with hemp stuffer, one change pad and one wet bag ($56)
• Jennifer Jonker Photography – Newborn package: newborn session, 25 custom-designed birth announcements, two 5×7 portraits ($350)
• Momma Goose Baby Care – New Mom package: Belly Butter Bar, Herbal Sitz Bath, Recovery Care, All Better Balm ($56)
• Mothering Touch Centre – $30 Gift Card & $50 punch card for classes ($80)
• Norwex Enviro Products – Antibacterial baby hooded towel set & antibacterial body pack ($50)
• Rosemary Brown-Tucker, RMT – CranioSacral Therapy session for baby or child ($75)
• Snugglings – Organic cotton/bamboo blankets & bib ($52)
• Tokyo Baby – Two pairs Monkey pants & leg warmers ($58)
• Wee Woolies – 100% pure NZ merino swaddle wrap ($50)
• Wobabybasics – Cosy Me Gift Set: Sleeping Cocoon & Hold Me bodysuit wrapped in Eco box ($72)

Parent & Tot Grand Prize – Value: $1652

• Abby Sprouts – Gift Certificate ($50)
• Awesome Mommies – One year Awesome Mommies membership & onesie ($60)
• Baby Jones – Boots & Bracelets ($50)
• BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation – BCAA Gift Card ($50)
• Bellies in Bloom Maternity – See Kai Run shoes ($36)
• Creative Exposure Photography – Maternity/family session plus proof album ($225)
• Elements of Health Centre – 60 min. acupuncture treatment with Jonna Eggerer ($100)
• Elizabeth Belfry, RMT, CIMT – Initial 30 minute massage treatment or use value towards infant massage lessons ($67)
• Fill Your Own – Eco-friendly lunchkit: stainless steel drink bottle, 2 stainless steel airtight food containers, reuseable lunch bag made from recycled water bottles ($50)
• Hip Baby Victoria – Gift Card ($50)
• Hudson & Saige – Gift Certificate ($50)
• Huckleberry Baby Shop – Echoes in the Attic tote bag & $10 Gift Certificate ($55)
• JamTots Baby & More Store – KangaSac Litterless Lunch System: lunch bag, 2 sandwich bags, 2 snack bags & 2 ice packs ($53)
• Jennifer Jonker Photography – Family package: family session plus 3 high resolution digital negatives ($350)
• Momma Goose Baby Care – New Baby Package: All Better Balm, Bottom Balm, Massage Oil & Sun Defence ($56)
• Norwex Enviro Products – Cleaning pack: antibacterial enviro cloth, dusting mitt, antibacterial window cloth ($50)
• Rosemary Brown-Tucker, RMT – CranioSacral Therapy session for baby or child ($75)
• ROCKBEBE – Gift Certificate ($50)
• School House – Gift Certificate ($50)
• St. Margaret’s School – Back to School gift basket: SMS lunch bag, pencil case, markers, coloured pencils ($60)
• Tutu Faboo – Custom tutu, fairy wing set & fairy wand ($65)

Every visitor to the Vancouver Island Baby Fair will receive one ballot at the door, and may enter it for either one of the two Grand Prizes. Deadline for entry is Sept. 26 at 4pm (at the close of the fair). Winners will be drawn after closing and notified, plus will be announced in our e-Newsletter, blog and/or website.

Baby Races Grand Prize (Saturday) – Value: $452

• Abby Sprouts – Two onesies & $15 Gift Certificate ($45)
• Awesome Mommies – 6 month Awesome Mommies membership & onesie ($45)
• BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation – Graco booster seat ($40)
• Bellies in Bloom Maternity – Leather See Kai Run booties ($36)
• Elements of Health Centre – 45 min. massage with Jane Podmore ($65)
• Mothering Touch Centre – Gift Card ($30)
• ROCKBEBE – Crib Shoe- baby’s first running shoe ($30)
• Rosemary Brown-Tucker, RMT – CranioSacral Therapy session for baby or child ($75)
• Tutu Faboo – Matching fairy wings and fairy wand ($35)
• Wobabybasics – Take Me Out Gift Set: Hold Me bodysuit, leggings & bandana scarf wrapped in eco box ($51)

Baby Races Grand Prize (Sunday) – Value: $493

• Abby Sprouts – Two onesies & $15 Gift Certificate ($45)
• April Showers Cakes – Neutral design diaper cake ($40)
• Bellies in Bloom Maternity – Leather See Kai Run booties ($36)
• Bo Dene’s Art – Gift Certificate ($30)
• Elements of Health Centre – 45 min. massage with Jane Podmore ($65)
• Elizabeth Belfry, RMT, CIMT – Initial 30 minute massage treatment or use value towards infant massage lessons ($67)
• Mothering Touch Centre – Gift Card ($30)
• ROCKBEBE – Crib Shoe- baby’s first running shoe ($30)
• Rosemary Brown-Tucker, RMT – CranioSacral Therapy session for baby or child ($75)
• School House – Gift Certificate ($30)
• Wobabybasics – Ready for the World gift set: Tickle Me all-in-one, Messy Me burp bib wrapped in eco box ($45)

Babies aged 5-11 months race in heats of 4-5 babies. Winner of each heat will receive a Savvy Squirrel Coupon Book ($10 value) and will move on to the final race. Final race winner’s family will receive the grand prize.

Photo Contest Grand Prizes

A $10 donation to the Greater Victoria Down Syndrome Society will get your chid an on-site portrait shoot with Jennifer Jonker Photography, a 5×7 print from your session after the fair, and enter you in the contest. One winner will be chosen in each of two categories: Baby (0-24 months) and Child (2-6 years)

Winner of Baby (0-24 months) category:

• Jennifer Jonker Photography – Family & Baby session plus 4 high resolution digital negatives & 2 11×14 mounted portaits ($695 value)
• BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation – $100 “Room Makeover” Gift Certificate from Cloverdale Paints
• Become the poster child for our next Baby Fair in Victoria
• Appear on the cover of Island Parent Magazine

Winner of Child (2-6 years) category:

• Jennifer Jonker Photography – Family & Baby session plus 4 high resolution digital negatives & 2 11×14 mounted portaits ($695 value)
• ROCKBEBE – Gift Certificate ($100)

About a year ago I was honoured to win the prestigious SavvyMom Entrepreneur of the Year award – a national contest put on by the wonderful online publication SavvyMom.ca. What an incredible year it has been!

I have learned so much, and have received such amazing exposure as a business person and for my event, the Vancouver Island Baby Fair.

Now that the 2010 contest is coming to a close this weekend, I want to be sure to once again thank all the amazing friends, clients, colleagues and supporters who helped me win this contest, and who have helped make the Vancouver Island Baby Fair a wonderful event celebrating the growing family.

I’d like to thank all the Vancouver Island Baby Fair exhibitors who supported me, asked their customers to vote for me, hosted events for me at their stores to campaign at and also those who participated at the Baby Fair.

Huge thanks to all my friends, family, Twitter and Facebook friends, and all of the wonderful community on Kids In Victoria. It is because you supported me & believed in me that I was able to win this award and benefit from all the wonderful prizes.

Extra big thanks to Sarah & Minnow at SavvyMom.ca and to all the incredible businesses who provided the prizing – Ann from Clear Concept, Jeanette at Limelite PR, Martha from Canadian Nanny and Veronica from Eighty8 Online. Your wisdom and generosity has benefitted me in such a huge way. I could never thank you enough.

Please take a few minutes to browse through the amazing mom entrepreneurs who are running to become the 2010 SavvyMom Entrepreneur of the Year, and show your support by voting! Voting closes at midnight (EST) on Sunday, Sept. 12.

I can’t wait to find out who wins – as the 2009 winner, I get to mentor the winner over the coming year!

It’s back! Our most popular e-Newsletter giveaway ever is back this week… the Strider running bike from West Coast Strider Sales!

As always, this giveaway is exclusive to people who receive our e-Newsletter – a monthly inside scoop on the Vancouver Island Baby Fair –  you can be the first to know about Baby Fair announcements and we always have a giveaway to offer to subscribers only.

In recent issues, we’ve given away subscriptions to Chirp magazine and a $50 gift certificate to Abby Sprouts…

In our next e-Newsletter going out the morning of Friday, Sept. 10, we’re giving away one of these cool West Coast Strider Bikes! To sign up, fill out the form over in the right-hand column of the blog, or visit our e-Newsletter sign-up page.

Strider Running Bike

Skip the tricycle and the training wheels!
Strider running bikes are two wheeled bikes designed to allow your child to teach themselves to balance on two wheels, without the interference of pedals or chains. Weighing only 6.9 lbs and with a seat that lowers to just 11″ from the ground, children as young as 12 months up to 5 years (50 lbs) can easily handle the Strider running bike and gain the confidence they need to balance on two wheels. Stand back and watch as they teach themselves to balance. You will be amazed!  Strider running bikes come in six vibrant colors: Red, Blue, Green, Pink, Orange and Yellow.

Your preschooler can come try out a West Coast Strider bike in the Kids Corner at the upcoming Vancouver Island Baby Fair, September 25 & 26, 2010 at Pearkes Rec Centre in Victoria, but in the meantime, check out their website for full details on these great bikes!

At each of our events, the Vancouver Island Baby Fair partners with a local charity to benefit from fundraising through donations at the stroller parking, face painting, and the photo contest. For the upcoming Victoria fair on September 25 & 26, 2010, we have chosen the Greater Victoria Down Syndrome Society. The following post was contributed by the GVDSS.

By Carol N.

The Greater Victoria Down Syndrome Society is thrilled to be this year’s charity of choice for the Baby Fair!  We are very excited to be able to advocate for our wonderful members, raise awareness about Down syndrome, and share in the joy and excitement of the Baby Fair with all of you!

This year we will have some art cards for sale at the booth.  The purpose of the art cards is to raise awareness about the GVDSS, while at the same time raise money to help support one of our very special programs:  Music Therapy, which is run in collaboration with Dr. Johanne Brodeur at the Victoria Conservatory of Music.

On a Personal Note:  Our Story

When our son Aidan came into our lives, many people said, “God gives these kids to special families.”  I didn’t contradict them, but I did think they had it backwards.  I felt very certain that Aidan would make us live a better life.  Now, four years later, I stand by that notion.

Aidan reminds us not to take life for granted.  He reminds us to celebrate life, give thanks for all that we’ve got, and not to sweat the small stuff.   Our family and friends rally around Aidan.

We celebrate each of his accomplishments – like walking at three years of age; trying to go potty; using sign language to communicate with us; putting words together; learning to drink from a straw; doing fingerplays and action songs; kicking a soccer ball;  cheering for his preschool teacher at circle time; and blowing a kiss to the check-out lady.

Since Aidan’s birth, I’ve had an opportunity to meet a lot of people who have a person with Down syndrome in their life.  I’m reminded that our children are all unique, and all special.  They are not cookie-cut outs of each other – they are as individual as you and me.  In each of those conversations, one thing has been consistent: not one of us would trade our children for anything; we love them just the way they are.

The new CIBC Westshore Banking Centre is returning as an exhibitor to the upcoming Baby Fair. They joined us last year right after they opened their doors to the public, and now they’re celebrating their first birthday.

And this branch knows how to throw a party!!

Come out and celebrate CIBC Westshore Banking Centre’s 1st year anniversary!

Bring the family down to enjoy a BBQ, bouncy castles, face painting, ice cream and cake, loot bags, massages for the parents, live music by Chikoro Marimba, and other family fun activities. The fun goes from 10am to 2pm this Saturday, July 24 at 550-2945 Jacklin Road (by Superstore).

Contact Craig for more details - craig.pratt@cibc.com

Building Toys – The Perks

Guest post written by Carmen Markowski, Discovery Toys Team Leader

If we took a poll of everyone in North American age fifty years and younger, I wonder what percentage of people have played with Lego at some point in their life? I’m going to guess it’s somewhere between 85-95%. I think it’s safe to say, most of us have had some experience with building toys. My own brothers had a huge box of it and I can remember being around nine years old when, my little brother and I would sit for hours creating fantastic structures. It’s pretty easy to see the benefits a building toy can offer a child…fine motor skills, problem solving, creativity, cooperation (especially when you have to share the building pieces!). However, what does that mean in the day-to-day life of a child?

I feel like I understand so much more about the perks of building toys now that I’ve seen my own son go through his early years.  Luke had very busy hands as a toddler, so playing with building toys was a great release for him and a good break for me. It meant he wasn’t tearing my house apart! His first building toy was simple wooden blocks. Playing with the blocks meant he had to focus his attention for several minutes in order to complete the task of creating a structure. He was only two years old, but he definitely needed practice in this area! Building blocks were just the beginning to his career as a builder. I found he enjoyed many different building sets from ages 2-5 and spend a good portion of his play time building.

I must admit, I had a concern about Luke during those early years. Although he would sit and color once in awhile, I was hard pressed to get Luke to have an interest in writing words or printing letters. The school teacher side of me imagined my children having lots of experience in writing before entering school and unfortunately this just wasn’t the case for Luke.

Luke surprised me in his kindergarten year. His printing: neat, well-formed letters. Writing did not bring any stress to him because he found it easy! He was good at it and he enjoyed it. Coloring: he pressed hard and worked within the lines. Could it be, he was a natural in these areas? That’s always a possibility. The teacher side of me says, for a child to have some skill in writing and coloring upon entering school, they would have had lots of experience at home with writing and coloring OR doing some other activities which developed the child’s fine motor skills. Well, we know which route Luke took!

So building toys…yes, they develop fine motor skills, offer problem-solving experiences, opportunities for creativity and cooperation. They’ll also help a child focus their attention on an activity for an extended period. And should your preschooler be waiving off the pencils and crayons, it could help them develop the skills they need for printing/writing. A skill they will be expected to develop quickly upon entering our school system. Thank goodness for toys!

We would love to send out a BIG thank you to all the exhibitors, presenters, children’s performers-Will Stroet and Music With Marnie & the families who participated in the Vancouver Island Baby Fair this past weekend in Nanaimo, BC!

A huge congratulations go to Tara Smith from Campbell River BC, winner of the Expecting Parent Grand Prize and also Congrats to Maureen Luney, a soon to be grandma from Victoria, BC who won the New Parent Grand Prize! Each prize was valued over $1300 with contributions from several of our exhibitors.

Check back for info on the Photo Contest! Winners will be announced in early July!

If you missed the fair please take a look at our exhibitor list or mark the date in your calendar of our next Vancouver Island Baby Fair which takes place September 25 & 26 at Pearkes Arena in Victoria BC.

Every person who attends this weekend’s Vancouver Island Baby Fair at Beban Park in Nanaimo will have a chance to enter for free into one of two grand prize draws, plus there are great prizes to be won for participating in the Photo Contest and Baby Races!

Grand Prize #1: Expecting Parent Package – Value $1323

• Abby Sprouts – $50 Gift Certificate
• Arbonne International- $50 Gift Certificate
• Creative Memories - $100 Gift Certificate
• Etheridge Photographic - Photo Session- includes $50 print credit (Value $200)
• Gary Anaka - Book: Your magical brain: How it learns best
• Hard Candy Baby Boutique - $100 Gift Certificate
• Huckleberry Baby Shop - $50 Gift Certificate
• Hudson & Saige - $50 Gift Certificate
• Nicole Williams Photography - “1-2-3” Photography Package: Maternity, newborn & 6-12 month portrait sitting plus 8×10 enlargement & online album (Value $199)
• Organic Family Natural Home – “I am Organic” Onezie, All Natural Baby Bliss Salve, Monster Away Spray & Sun Bliss Sunscreen  (Value $57)
• Sacred Baby - Sacred Baby Pouch Sling (Value $65)
• SeaSide Studios - Portrait session, 11×14 enlargement & 10 5×7 digital prints (Value $300)
• Tokyo Baby - Leg warmers & 2 Kids Monkey Pants (Value $58)

Grand Prize #2: New Parent Package – Value $1396

• Abby Sprouts - $50 Gift Certificate
• Apples to Oranges Consulting - Selection of gluten-free, dairy-free snacks & goodies (Value $50)
• Arbonne International - $50 Gift Certificate
• Bellies In Bloom Maternity - See Kai Run Adelaide Boots (Value $54)
• Core Essentials Personal Training & Rehabilitation – One month (8 sessions) Baby Stroller Bootcamp Classes (Value $95)
• Hard Candy Baby Boutique - $50 Gift Certificate
• Mabel’s Labels - Big Combo label package (Value $55)
• Hudson & Saige - $50 Gift Certificate
• Maman Bidule - $65 Gift Certificate
• Nicole Williams Photography - Family portrait sitting, 12×18, 2 8×10 & 4 5×7 prints (Value $395)
• Oma Gosh! Designs - $50 Gift Certificate
• SeaSide Studios - Portrait session, 11×14 enlargement & 10 5×7 digital prints (Value $300)
• U-Weight Loss Clinic - U Weight Loss protein powder: Whey Vanilla Flavour (Value $60)
• West Coast Strider Sales – 1x 750ml stainless steel water bottle, 1x 250ml stainless steel water bottle and a childs size WestCoast Strider T-shirt plus $20 gift certificate (Value $50)

Baby Races Grand Prize (Saturday, June 5) – Value $285

• Arbonne International - $50 Gift Certificate
• Bellies In Bloom Maternity - See Kai Run booties- Ainsley Sandal size- 12-18 months (Value $39)
• Gary Anaka - Book: Your magical brain: How it learns best
• Mabel’s Labels – Camp/School label package (Value $34)
• Peekinz Baby - Footed playsuit with Peekinz pocket (Value $30)
• Tupperware - Divided feeding dish, sippy cup, Ideal bowl and snack cup (Value $30)
• Water’s Edge Organics - Natural wood teether & organic cotton onesie 6-12 months (Value $50)
• West Coast Strider Sales – Gift bag with Strider t-shirt, kids water bottle, adult water bottle & frisbee (Value $30)

Baby Races Grand Prize (Sunday, June 6) – Value $344

• Arbonne International - $50 Gift Certificate
• Discovery Toys - “My blankie” book & yellow fleece blanket & $10 Gift Certificate (Value $45)
• Gary Anaka - Book: Your magical brain: How it learns best
• Kit n’ Caboodle Quality Children’s Consignment - $30 Gift Certificate
• Nicole Williams Photography - Portrait sitting & 8×10 enlargement (Value $105)
• Playpants - Playpants Original Bloomers in “Sail” & “Cocoon” (Value $32)
• Tupperware - Divided feeding dish, sippy cup, Ideal bowl and snack cup (Value $30)
• West Coast Strider Sales – Gift bag with Strider t-shirt, kids water bottle, adult water bottle & frisbee (Value $30)

Plus the winner of each Baby Race heat will get a $10 Gift Certificate to Hard Candy Baby Boutique!

Photo Contest prizes

A winner will be chosen in each of two categories: 0-24 months and 2-6 years old. Winner in each category receives a $300 Portrait Package including a portrait session, 11×14 enlargement & 10 5×7 digital negatives from SeaSide Studios – our official Photo Contest photographer!

Footage shot at the 2009 Vancouver Island Baby Fair in Victoria, BC.

Many thanks to Gerry Reimer Productions for shooting and editing the video!

We are very excited to announce our upcoming giveaway in the next issue of our monthly e-newsletter going out May 5th!

Skip the tricycle and the training wheels!
Strider running bikes are two wheeled bikes designed to allow your child to teach themselves to balance on two wheels, without the interference of pedals or chains. Weighing only 6.9 lbs and with a seat that lowers to just 11″ from the ground, children as young as 12 months up to 5 years (50 lbs) can easily handle the Strider running bike and gain the confidence they need to balance on two wheels. Stand back and watch as they teach themselves to balance. You will be amazed!  Strider running bikes come in six vibrant colors: Red, Blue, Green, Pink, Orange and Yellow.

Your preschooler can come try out a West Coast Strider bike in the Kids Corner at the upcoming Vancouver Island Baby Fair, June 5 & 6 in Nanaimo but in the meantime, check out their website for full details on these great bikes!

Just in time for summer, we will be giving away one West Coast Strider bike in the colour of the winner’s choice in the May issue of our e-newsletter, “Inside the Pea Pod” so subscribe today (right hand side of our blog) for your chance to win!