May Book Club "The Memory Keeper's Daughter"

Oh what a moral quandry this book presents - do you feel anger or empathy for David? Do you feel a sense of loss for Norah? Is there any way that you could see this complicated situation being amended?

I have found, in reading this story, that mid-way through I could very easily put it down and walk away from it. Having the book club discussion coming up, obviously I picked it up again and am glad I did. The story, despite its' emotional "stop" mid-way, picked up again quite nicely. I have learned from one book clubber that she experienced that same "stop". Did you?

Please join us for "The Memory Keeper's Daughter" May Book Club - details listed below. For more information or to register - email registry@gingerbreadlane.ca or call 905-271-2900

**Don't miss our Book Exchange April 30 - Bring Your Books In and Take Home Some Great Summer Reads - FREE!**

Where Are All The Baby-Wearin' Mamas?

Where are all you baby-wearin' mammas out there? We're about to start Boot Scootin' Baby and we need you to come out and dance! What better fun than to snuggle your babe in his/her carrier while you scoot your boot line dance to some of today's popular tunes. We're aiming our sights on 8 stompin' ladies to join us for some fun. Classes start on Thursday May 1 (9:15-10a) and run for six weeks. All levels of fitness and dance are welcome - don't be shy! Enjoy the Gingerbread Lane experience with a play and/or beverage from our own cafe - coffee/tea is free with each visit. We're waiting for you - email registry@gingerbreadlane.ca or call 905-271-2900 - can't wait to get the scootin' started!

FREE ADMISSION at The Oak Park Moms & Tots Show

Gingerbread Lane is happy to participate at the Oak Park Moms & Tots Early Learning & Childcare Fair this Saturday April 19 - we hope you'll come out and join us!

Where: Oakville Town Hall
When: Saturday April 19 (10-1p)
What:
* Preschools
* Early Learning Programs
* Performing Arts
* Support Programs
* Childcare Providers
* Literacy
* Learning Resources
* Children's Specialty Items

**FREE ADMISSION**

For more information please contact: Oak Park Moms & Tots 905-257-6029

Welcome Baby Time Show Parents!

Gingerbread Lane would like to welcome the families who visited the Today's Parent Babytime Show at the International Centre this April 11-13th. We hope you enjoyed your visit as much as we did and we're really happy you noticed our ad in the Baby Guide. As our website is being built we thought we'd introduce ourselves here!

Gingerbread Lane is a family community that houses an indoor playground, cafe, gift shop, activity space and quiet room. We host a number of mom-group get-togethers and, if you don't yet have a mom-group, we also create them for you. When you visit GBL, your admission for children under the age of 1 is free and you get to enjoy a complimentary coffee from our own Crumbs Cafe & Nut-Free Bakery. We like to take care of the parents who take care of the kids :) With adjoining quiet room, we're the perfect place to stop.

We have a lot of workshops, seminars and activities to participate in which make us a great place to gain some information, enjoy some recreation and relax with friends - both current and new. To receive updates on Gingerbread Lane news and happenings, you are welcome to join our Ginger Mail list - send your email address to tracey@gingerbreadlane.ca and start receiving Mail today!

Thanks again for stopping by - please check back for the full web-site in the next couple weeks - we've got lots to share with you! We're looking forward to your visit - there's a coffee waiting for you :)

Kindly,
Tracey Ibrahim, Founder

Mad Cap Summer Hats Have Arrived!!

We've sprung into summer with the arrival of our Mad Cap canvas sun hats - too cute and completely durable! Colourful hat bands and patterns to choose from, as well as, a new rain hat option. These durable, fun caps have been a favourite of Tracey, our founder, as she continues to wear (and wash and wear and wash and wear) her Mad Cap purchased in 1997!! Don't miss this fun selection - come check out our Gingerbread Gift Shop today.

And Not To Be Missed!!

Our Popos Ponchos are also here in time for the season. Cute ponchos for your little one in adorable ice cream flavours. Try our Chocolate Raspberry Truffle or our Cotton Candy - so many to choose from, it's hard to decide! Available in sizes 2, 3 or 4.

Gingerbread Summer Mini Camps - Registration Has Begun!

Gingerbread Lane's Summer Mini Camps are ideal for the family who wants some fun summer activity without the distance of a sleep-over camp. It is perfect for our youngest children (Age 3-8) as our camps are structured in half-days and booked by the week. Ideal for summer fun and complementing time commitments to other programs, your busy work schedule and/or your child's developmental level.

We have created a camp itinerary that includes music, arts & crafts and game activities, and each Mini Camp ends with an indoor camp-out - a unique and memorable experience for every child to cherish.

Our camp staff are Early Childhood Educators or Child & Youth Workers by profession and they bring to the Mini Camp experience a professional and appropriate supervision that gives you peace of mind.

Our camps are booked by the week and each are half-day only. Each camp hosts up to 5 participants per session, providing optimum care and engagement. You can book multiple sessions and for the weeks in between camps, we offer Happy Help Child Minding for that whole-summer service.

Weeks Available:
June 23-27 - Morning (8:30-12:30a) or Afternoon (1:30-5:30p)
July 7-11 - Morning (8:30-12:30a) or Afternoon (1:30-5:30p)
July 21-25 - Morning (8:30-12:30a) or Afternoon (1:30-5:30p)
August 5-8 - Morning (8:30-12:30a) or Afternoon (1:30-5:30p) - 4-Day Week
August 18-22 - Morning (8:30-12:30a) or Afternoon (1:30-5:30p)

Full roster of activities, costs, options available by request - email tracey@gingerbreadlane.ca or call 905-271-2900

An Excerpt From "Water For Elephants" - Book Club April 14th

An excerpt - P118, Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen
I open the orangutan's door and set a pan of fruits, vegetables, and nuts on the floor. As I close it, her long arm reaches through the bars. She points at an orange in another pan.
"That? You want that?"
She continues to point, blinking at me with close-set eyes. Her features are concave, her face a wide platter fringed with red hair. She's the most outrageous and beautiful thing I've ever seen.
"Here," I say, handing her the orange. "You can have it."
She takes it and sets it on the floor. Then she reaches out again. After several seconds of serious misgivings, I hold out my hand. She wraps her long fingers around it, then lets go. She sits on her haunches and peels her orange.
I stare in amazement. She was thanking me.
***********>


Why do I like this passage so much? It speaks to me metaphorically - I'll tell you about that at the Book Club - I'd love if you could join us. Send your registration to tracey@gingerbreadlane.ca or call 905-271-2900

Tracey