Joey the Penguin booth will be at the Exhibition park for the Christmas Craft Village this weekend. A bunch of awesome Vendors will be selling their wares and getting everybody ramped up for Christmas. Hope to see some of you there.

Joey

Wish us luck and have a fantastic day!!!

Joey and the Gang at Ice Patch Hollow

Now that the weekend is here and all the families are preparing for the weekend of family fun, it is more important than ever to make sure that we as parents are able to maintain control of our homes.

In today’s fast paced world sometimes it becomes harder and harder to control the behaviour of our children, but here is an informative link from the good people of Parenting Ideas.Org offering 101 helpful ways to keep a ship shape castle.

http://www.parentingideas.org/articles/discipline/101-tips-for-improving-childrens-behaviour/

Have a fantastic weekend!!

Joey

Here are some fun and easy family activities our Ice Patch friends suggest. Try one or try them all and have some fun!

I think a spontaneous game of baseball would be loads of fun! (You all know it’s one of my favorite games.) If you don’t have the gear for baseball, why not try a good, old-fashioned kickball game. There’s nothing better than getting outside with some friends to play.

Hey gang – I love watching movies, especially when I’m in them.   Instead of watching a movie this weekend, why not make one of you and your family or friends. You could make up a mystery adventure or just film yourselves playing Joey’s game of kickball. Whatever it is, you’ll loves seeing yourselves on film after, and the memories will stay with you much longer than simply watching a movie made by someone else.

As for me, I like helping other people. Why not take this weekend to go through some of your old things you don’t need or wear anymore. Make it a family activity! Get a collection together to donate to a family in need or an organization that will get it to the people who could use it most. There’s nothing better than doing something for others.

How about making up your own pre-school review games? Parents and kids could work together to create some fun activities to get ready for the start of school. Make sure to have fun with it. Use fun colors and draw illustrations to go along with your review activities.

Personally I think it’s an absolutely must to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors. Why not make your own popsicles to enjoy on a warm day? You can simply freeze your favorite juice in icecube trays and enjoy like that.  It’s a nice treat on a hot day. Of course I also think a quick game of field hockey would do the trick!

I like to challenge myself whenever I get the chance. How about a nice long hike? Go further than you have before. Take it to the next level and pack your things for the day…maybe even camp overnight. You could always go for a nice long walk and then come home for a campout in the backyard.

Well I think that if you’re going to camp outside, then smores around the campfire are an absolute must. This works even if you’re not camping – and even if it’s rainy (you can do it inside over a fire). You’ll need graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate. Roast the marshmallows and squish on a layer of chocolate and graham cracker. Top with another graham cracker and you’re ready to go. Mmmm!

Whatever you do this weekend, make sure it’s something that makes you feel good about you. Sing a song at the top of your lungs, twirl around dancing in the backyard…express yourself and who you are!

That’s it from the Ice Patch Gang. Remember there will be many more summers, but make sure to enjoy this summer while you still can!

It’s Joey here.

Have you had your laugh today? Laughing really can do wonders. Have you tried it?

There are lots of ways and times to laugh.

In the morning first thing is one of the best times to laugh. Think of something funny, read a comic, tell yourself a joke (the kind that only you think is funny). Do whatever you need to do to start your day with a laugh. It’s worth it…and can last the whole day long!

When you’re having a bad day, stop and find something to laugh about…even if it’s yourself.

Have you tried a good game of wrestling lately? What about tickling feet? Both could be great options for turning a frown upside down.

Sometimes just calling up a friend for a game of catch or some fun in the sun will do the trick just perfectly.

Just remember that it’s always better to have a good day than a bad one…and having a good day is up to you.

So, start your day off right with a great laugh and then keep laughing throughout the day.

That’s just what I like to do.
~Joey

Summer is nearing an end, and hopefully all of you have enjoyed many adventures. Even though some of you are getting bored and are already looking forward to school starting so you can see you friends again, there are many fun things you can do over the next few weeks to have fun…and to keep your brain working, too.

Sometimes over summer if we don’t try to use our brains, we forget some of what we learned the last year. By doing some simple and fun thinking activities, we can make sure that won’t happen.

Try a few of these ideas over the next few weeks:

1. See if you can figure out the change you’re owed at the grocery store, or try to calculate the sales tax.

2. When you check the weather for the day, try calculating it in both Celcius and Fahrenheit.

3. Making a collage spelling out your favorite summer activites by cutting letters out of old magazines or newspapers.

4. Go for a nature hike and pick as many different leaves as you can find. Then come back and make a chart labeling what they are.

5. Challenge yourself to read as many books as you can in the next few weeks until school starts.

6. Write your own book with illustrations and binding. Then read it to someone younger than you.

7. If you’re in the car, work on a Word Find puzzle or even solve a dot-to-dot activity.

8. Make up your own mystery of “who took the bread from the counter” and leave clues so your parents or brothers and sisters can solve it (just make sure to do the activity outside so the breadcrumbs will be eaten by the birds and not be left on the floor).

9. Write a song and choreograph a dance that goes with it. Then perform it for your family. They’ll love it!

10. Ask questions. Everywhere you go there’s something new to learn.

I think if you start working on that list you’ll find that there’s a lot to learn and do for your brain…even in the summer.

Remember – keep thinking and keep learning!

Your friend,
Dunsford

It’s written by another dreamer named Julie Anne Ford.

Dare To Dream

Let nothing hold you back from
exploring your wildest fantasies,
wishes, and aspirations.
Don’t be afraid to dream big
and to follow your dreams
wherever they may lead you.
Open your eyes to their beauty;
open your mind to their magic;
open your heart to their possibilities.

Dare to dream.
Whether they are in color
or in black and white,
whether they are big or small,
easily attainable or almost impossible,
look to your dreams,
and make them become reality.
Wishes and hopes are nothing
until you take the first step
towards making them something!

Dare to dream,
Because only by dreaming,
will you ever discover
who you are, what you want,
and what you can do.
Don’t be afraid to take risks,
to become involved,
to make commitment.
Do whatever it takes to make
your dreams come true.
Always believe in miracles,
and always believe in you!

Happy Dreaming, everyone!
Your friend, Joey

It’s Gills, your friend the shark.

I had to ask my friend Joey to help me write this today. Writing is hard for me. Like the other day in school when my teacher called on me to read something and I could not do it. The letters did not make sense.

But instead of asking for help I made a joke about my friend Camille and laughed at her so at least someone else would feel as bad as I did.

I know that was not nice. I felt very sorry after, but I could not say “I’m sorry” because I was too ashamed.

Did any of you ever feel like that? Did you ever have a time when you just did not understand something and then you took it out on someone else?

I stayed after school, and the teacher helped me by myself. It was still hard, but I was able to do some of it. I felt very proud of myself, but then I realized how mean I had been to my friend.

I found Camille after and said I was sorry. She said she forgave me, but I still feel very bad. I hope I don’t do that again, but I say that every time and I keep doing it.

Maybe some of you could help me. Do you have any things that you do when you get frustrated and angry when you can’t do something?

If you can think of something, write a comment. With your help, I know I can start being a better friend and not feel like I have to make my friends feel bad just because I do.

I will look forward to your comments. Thanks for your help.

~Your friend,
Gills

It’s Edna here, and today’s blog is for you. Sometimes parents…especially moms…spend so much time taking care of everyone else that they forget to take care of themselves!

Does this sound like you?

Just the other day I found myself in an unusual state. I was irritable, edgy, stressed out and cranky. I couldn’t figure out why. I’d spent the day helping one friend move to a new ice hole, which was difficult but nothing out of the ordinary.

Finally it hit me…I was so out of sorts because it had been weeks since I actually did anything for myself.

My eyebrows were an absolutely disaster growing all over my face. My arms were starting to get flabby because I’d been cutting out my regular exercise to make room for helping my friends. Plus I hadn’t even ready my favorite book in weeks.

I knew I had to fix things right away because if I didn’t, I’d just get crankier and start resenting my friends.

So, what did I do?

First I made an appointment with my personal trainer at the Ice Patch gym. I mean really…these arms won’t stay looking this good if I don’t work at it, and I just feel bad about myself when they start feeling flabby.

Sure enough I felt better already.

Then I made the first reservation I could get at the Ice Patch Spa and treated myself to a complete facial and eyebrow wax, a full arm massage and an Antarctic body wrap – my very favorite!

I was definitely starting to feel more like myself.

Then to end the day, I told all of my friends that I had a date…with myself. I picked up my favorite beverage, put on my jammies, and snuggled up in my ice hole with my favorite book.

It was great!

Do you know the best thing?  Since I spent that time taking care of myself, I felt even better about helping my friends.

I guess I’ll have to remember to do that more often, and hopefully next time I’ll spend some time on myself BEFORE I get cranky.

I hope you’ll all do the same!

Your friend,
Edna

Today I spent some time with one of my new friends. Her name is Karen, and she’s a young seal pup. Karen is such a sweet-hearted seal, and she’s nice to everyone.

Today, though, Karen was very sad. In fact, she came up to me crying. Well, I’ll admit that consoling others is not my strong suit (you may be surprised to know that sometimes I get too caught up in myself to care for others). However, I knew that Karen needed someone to talk to, so I stepped up to do that job, hoping I would make her feel better.

Karen told me she was crying because the other seal pups had made fun of her. See, Karen has a very large black mole on the side of her neck. She’s very self-conscious about it and tries to hide it with big necklaces.

Remember how Rudolph felt when the other reindeer made fun of his red nose? Well, that’s exactly how Karen felt today.

The truth is that I know exactly how Karen feels. I’m always feeling insecure about the way that I look. I don’t feel pretty or in shape, and whenever people laugh I think they’re laughing at me.

I knew exactly what to tell Karen to help her feel better, because it’s what makes me feel better, too.

“Karen,” I said, “don’t pay any attention to those silly seals. Your mole is part of what makes you you, and it’s beautiful. Beauty is not skin deep; it’s who you are through and through, and you’re one of the most beautiful seals I’ve ever met.”

“Really?” she asked.

“Really!” I said.

And she smiled and gave me a great big hug.

Then I had a great idea. I said, “Let’s go out there and find something unique and beautiful about all of our friends. It will make them feel happy, too.”

So, we did.

Now for those of you who have ever felt like Karen, just remember…beauty is not skin deep. You are beautiful for who you are inside and out, and all the little difference that set you apart from others make you even more beautiful because they make you different!

Why don’t you try doing what we did? Making your friends feel happy makes you happy, too.  :)

~Your Friend,
Camille