This weekend’s all about mamas, farmers markets (woot!) and fun.

Toddler at the Table from Vitamin K Consulting
Thursday, May 6th, 9 am – 11 am & 7 pm – 9 pm, Dunbar Community Centre, 4747 Dunbar Street, Vancouver
Registered Dietician Kristen Yarker-Edgar will take you through which feeding strategies are great for toddlers (hint: hiding vegetables in their food is not one of them). And we’ve checked and there are a few spots left for this workshop. You can register in advance through the Dunbar CC site: www.vitaminkconsulting.com

Lullaby League Mixer
Thursday, May 6th, 7 pm, Orb Clothing, 2028 West 4th Street, Vancouver
Need a sitter? This is a painless way to power through a whole whack of interviews in one fell swoop and hopefully find the right sitter for your family. But do register in advance, they usually sell out: www.lullabyleague.ca

Treetop Tales Story Time
First & Third Fridays each month, Friday May 7th, 11 am, Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre, 3663 Park Road, North Vancouver
Kids of two and up can enjoy a half hour of nature stories, rhymes and songs inspired by the season. Tack on a walk in the park before or after for a morning of natural fun: www.dnv.org

Nests, Wings and Things
Friday May 7th, 11 am – 12 pm, Renfrew Park Community Centre, 2929 East 22nd Avenue, Vancouver
This free introduction to local wildlife will intrigue little naturalists who will learn how animals adapt to their habitat and they’ll get hands on experience with a selection of animal skulls, bird wings and bird nests: vancouver.ca/parks/cc/Renfrew

Mindful Eating for Babies and Families Too
Friday May 7th, 2 pm, Whole Foods Market at Cambie and Broadway, Vancouver
Learn the practical basics for introducing whole foods to your baby from Victoria Pawlowski, registered dietician and family counsellor. Be sure to register in advance via email: vanessa.pratt@wholefoods.com

Kidz Zone
Saturday, May 8th – Tuesday, September 7th, various times, West End Community Centre 870 Denman Street, Vancouver
Add this to your summer list of things to do – they have a bouncy castle, volcano rock wall, obstacle course, nine hole mini golf course, mini cars and more, just for toddlers and preschoolers: vancouver.ca/parks/cc/westend

Trout Lake Farmers Market
Saturdays, May 8th – October 23rd, 9 am – 2 pm, North Parking Lot of John Hendry Park at Trout Lake, between Templeton and Lakewood south of the 13th Avenue Alley, Vancouver
The summer farmers markets are back, including the grand dame of them all – Trout Lake. Time to stock up on spring’s bounty: www.eatlocal.org

Kids Sale Benefiting BC Children’s Hospital
Saturday, May 8th, 9 am – 12 pm at St. Andrew’s Church, 1044 St. Georges Avenue, North Vancouver
Everything Team Finn raises with this garage sale will go towards their 2010 ChildRun benefiting BC Children’s Hospital: www.teamfinn.com

Mother’s Day Weekend at the Aquarium
Saturday, May 8th – Sunday, May 9th, 9:30 am – 5 pm, Vancouver Aquarium, 845 Avison Way, Vancouver
You can learn all about the Aquarium’s very own mamas – including Belugas and Cichlids – and win a special Beluga encounter to share with your mum, plus Bee Bop, the Aquarium’s mascot, will be on hand with special gifts for mums who swing by the Aquarium this weekend: www.visitvanaqua.org

Lonsdale Quay Market Artisan Farmer’s Market
Saturday, May 8th – Saturday, October 30th, 10 am – 3 pm, Lonsdale Quay Market, 123 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver
As well as bakers, jam makers, honey gathers, and salsa makers, you’ll also find jewellery, children’s decals, pottery, soaps and kids clothing at this market. Plus they have a book exchange, newspaper reading area and live music: www.northshorefarmersmarkets.com

Ambleside Market Artisan Farmer’s Market
Saturday May 8th – Saturday, October 30th, 10 am – 3 pm, parking lot behind the Police Station on Bellevue between 13th and 14th Streets, West Vancouver
Stock up on organic and conventional produce, baking, syrups, jams, jellies, honey, salsas, BC crafts, a book exchange, newspaper reading area, games table, kids play area and more: www.northshorefarmersmarkets.com

Spring Festival and Plant Sale
Saturday May 8th, 10 am – 4 pm, UBC Botanical Garden and Centre for Plant Research, 6804 SW Marine Drive, Vancouver
Gardeners of all stripes can find just the right plant for their gardening needs, plus there’ll be a food garden display, tours and speakers and children’s activities. And you can get 25% off tix to their very funny Greenheart Canopy Walkway: www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org

Ceramics and Sand Art
Saturday May 8th, 11 am – 5 pm, Granville Island Kids Market, 1496 Cartwright Street, Vancouver
If you’re on the Island be sure to stop by the Kids Market and take part in a little bit of art: www.kidsmarket.ca

Fourth Annual Spot Prawn Festival
Saturday, May 8th, 12 pm – 3 pm, False Creek Fishermen’s Wharf, 1505 West 1st Avenue, Vancouver
If you like to eat locally then you’ll love this festival which celebrates all things Spot Prawn. The festival will also include wine samples, a kids’ play area hosted by the Vancouver Aquarium Ocean Wise Program, live music and more: bcprawns.com

CityFest 2010
Saturday, May 8th, 12 noon – 4 pm, Parking lot and skate park at Centennial Theatre, 2300 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver
There’ll be a skateboard competition, a youth art display, dance and drama performances, a live band showcase and a free BBQ and photo booth, all focused on youth: www.cnv.org

15th Annual Stone Soup Festival
Saturday, May 8th, 12pm – 5pm, Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street @ Commercial Drive, Vancouver
This annual tradition brings the community together to celebrate spring, food, the environment and the neighborhood. There is food, workshops, live music and theatre, crafts, a Latin American Mother’s Day festival and the piece de resistance, free soup: britanniacentre.org

Tacos for Trey Fundraiser
Saturday, May 8th, 3 pm – 6 pm, Lynn Valley Elementary School, 3207 Institute Road, North Vancouver
It’s the third fundraiser in honour of Trey Purcell, who has MPS Type II, also known as Hunter Syndrome. All proceeds benefit The MPS Society of Canada and there’ll be live entertainment, magicians, balloon twisters, face painting, tacos for all, margaritas for adults and a silent auction. Fun for a good cause. What’s not to like? www.treypurcell.com

My Mother’s Story
Sunday, May 9th, 2 pm, St. Andrew’s Wesley United Church, 1022 Nelson Street, Vancouver
Every year some Vancouver’s best-loved actresses come together to present this sell out show and share their stories of motherhood. If you don’t know what to do with your mother, or what you’d do without her, you’ll enjoy this show that’s been dubbed “inspirational, hilarious and unforgettable”: www.mymothersstory.org

Mini Med School X
Wednesday, May 12th, 7 pm – 9 pm, Chan Centre for Family Health Education, 938 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver
Do preemies become problem teens? These informative sessions are free but seating is limited so do register in advance by calling 604.875.2000 x5397: cfri.ca

Farther Afield:

Pajamarama
Thursday, May 6th, 6:45pm-7:30pm, Mission Library, 33247 Second Avenue, Mission
Don your PJs and fuzzy slippers before you head over to the library for bedtime stories, songs and puppet shows. Then all you have to do when you get home is brush their teeth and pop ‘em into bed: www.fvrl.bc.ca

How to Grow a Child’s Brain
Thursday, May 6th, 7 pm – 8:30 pm, Ladner Pioneer Library, 4683 – 51st Street, Delta
Brain-Based Learning facilitator Gary Anaka will be offering info and practical techniques for nurturing your child’s mental development: www.fvrl.bc.ca

May Day Celebrations in Port Coquitlam
Friday, May 7th – Sunday, May 9th, various times and locations, Port Coquitlam
On Thursday they’re celebrating May with the Tri-City R.E.A.C.H. Awards, from Friday to Sunday there’ll be rides and games galore in the Port Coquitlam Recreation Complex parking lot, Saturday’s the May Day Rotary Parade and on Sunday there’s a Mother’s Day Picnic and pancake breakfast. Phew. Check their site for all the details: www.portcoquitlam.ca

Tiny Treasures Kids Swap
Saturday, May 8th, 9 am – 1 pm, Albion Fairgrounds, 3684 105th Avenue, Maple Ridge
Browse through more than 100 tables of bargains and stock up on gently used baby and kids clothing and gear plus new and locally made items from creative businesses. Email tinytreasureskidswap@gmail.com or call 604.418.0632 for more info.

Haney Farmers Market
Saturdays, May 8th – October 9th, 9 am – 2 pm, Memorial Peace Park, 224th Avenue, Maple Ridge
Sure they have seasonal produce but you’ll also find live music, children’s crafts, art exhibits, cooking demos and more at the market: www.haneyfarmersmarket.org

Burnaby Farmers Market
Saturday, May 8th  – Saturday, October 30th, 9 am – 2 pm, City Hall Parking Lot, 4949 Canada Way Canada Way & Deer Lake Parkway, Burnaby
Be sure to BYOB (that’s bring your own bag) and fill it with conventional and organic produce, prepared foods and local crafts. There’s also a kids play area, community tent, used book exchange, games table and more: www.northshorefarmersmarkets.com

Car Trunk Sale
Saturday May 8th, 9:30 am – 2 pm, Bill Copeland Sports Centre 3676 Kensington Avenue, Burnaby
Load up your vehicle with your used goodies, stake a spot in the parking lot and take part in this huge garage sale. Or just come and browse: www.burnaby.ca

Nature Tea Party
Saturday May 8th, 10 am – 1 pm, Surrey Nature Centre, 14255 96th Avenue, Surrey
Treat mum naturally with cookies to decorate, a cup of nature-inspired tea and nature walk to finish off your morning:   www.surrey.ca

The Great Salmon Send-Off 2010
Saturday May 8th, 10 am – 2 pm, Stoney Creek Community School, 2740 Beaverbrook Crescent, Burnaby
Send the salmon off on their journey, check out environmental and art displays and learn how you can help prevent water pollution:  vcn.bc.ca

Annual Plant Sale & Mother’s Day Tea
Saturday, May 8th – Sunday, May 9th, 10 am – 5 pm, London Heritage Farm, 6511 Dyke Road, Richmond
It’s the farm’s famous Mother’s Day tea that includes special baking and tea served in this 1890s farmhouse. Rumour has it that mums will leave with a little something special too – and that’s not including perennials, organic veggies and herbs, seeds and more from their plant sale: www.londonheritagefarm.ca

dandelion KIDS First Birthday Party
Saturday, May 8th, 10 am – 6 pm & Sunday, May 9th, 11 am – 6 pm, Suter Brook Village 1 – 101 Morrissey Road, Port Moody
The dandelion KIDS store in Port Moody is turning one and they’re celebrating with 20% off everything in both their stores, plus cupcakes, door prizes and a planting craft for kids at the Port Moody store. Skateboard store Bobby Paul will be throwing a street party in the Village on Saturday from 1 to 4 as well: www.dandelionkids.ca

Coquitlam Farmers Market
Sunday May 9th, 9 am – 1 pm, Dogwood Pavilion Parking Lot, Poirier & Winslow Streets, Coquitlam
Celebrate the season with farm fresh local produce, meat, fish, dairy products, plants, crafts, live music and lots, lots more: www.makebakegrow.com

Salmon Send-Off
Sunday, May 9th, 11 am – 3 pm, Tynehead Regional Park, Surrey
Meet at Tynehead Hatchery (96th Avenue entrance between 160th and 168th Streets) and then release salmon fry, enjoy children’s activities, walk along the river and enjoy a BBQ lunch: www.metrovancouver.org

Mother’s Day at Kilby Historic Site
Sunday, May 9th, 11 am – 4 pm, Kilby Historic Site, 215 Kilby Road, Harrison Mills
Kids can paint with an artist, craft a candle or crown or design a necklace for mum. Plus you can enjoy a meal at their restaurant, check out the farm animals and more: www.kilby.ca

Mother’s Day Tea
Sunday, May 9th, 12 noon – 3 pm, Port Moody Station Museum, 2734 Murray Street, Port Moody
Savour tea and scones from COBS Bread on their 1921 railcar while enjoying music from the 40s and learning how to make yarn dolls. You can also plant a vegetable and you’ll leave with a free flower for your own garden: www.vcn.bc.ca

Celebrating Moms
Wednesday, May 12th, 10 am – 1 pm, Mission Leisure Centre 7650 Grand Street, Mission
Kids from zero to six are invited to a free children’s celebration with themed crafts and activities: www.mission.ca

Saleema Noon, Sexual Health Educator
Wednesday, May 12th, 6:30 pm – 8 pm, South Burnaby Parent Participation Preschool, Rumble & Gray Avenue, 7551 Gray Avenue, Burnaby
Known for her presentations that make sexual health accessible to kids and their parents, it’s always great to get a chance to hear Noon speak. Call 604.831.0783 or email admin@southburnabypreschool.com to reserve a spot. Tickets are $10.

Renewal:  A Retreat for Mothers
Thursday, May 27th – Sunday, May 30th, Hollyhock, Cortes Island
We had to throw this one in given that it’s Mother’s Day weekend.  It’s farther afield and it’s not happening till month end but it’s a great opportunity to renew your whole self with an insightful retreat for mothers (and only mothers). There’ll be group discussions, journaling, movement and quiet time. This just might be the perfect gift to give yourself: www.mamarenew.ca

And we wanted to remind you to always call or visit the website for event info before you head out just in case any changes have been made since we posted it.  And of course, have fun!