Apr 30-May 6 (Ottawa)

Hey Ottawa👋 I'm coming out of my hardest season of motherhood yet. This time last year, I had a newborn and two kids under five. People would ask me "What's it like with three?" and I'd smile and say "Oh you know, more of the same — it's great!" Until it wasn't. Somewhere along the line my nervous system went into overdrive, and I've been slowly finding my way back. Finding my light again.

I have a hard time describing motherhood to friends who are about to become first-time moms. I want to warn them of the struggle, the joy, the loss, the peace. But I can't. Maybe I don't need to. It's the ultimate lived experience.

To every mom reading this: you are incredible. Keep going. To the world you are a mom, and to your kids you are the world.

Happy Mother's Day. 🧡

P.S. If this newsletter has made your week a little easier, pay it forward — share it with another parent who could use it. You'll earn Tim's cards and Amazon gift cards along the way. 🔗 Share your personal referral link! https://mayhemadventures.beehiiv.com/subscribe?ref=PLACEHOLDER  

What Ottawa is Talking About

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🍕 Pizza Nova: That's Amore Pizza for Kids Day — Tuesday, May 12 
Join Pizza Nova on May 12 across 146 Ontario locations for a medium cheese or pepperoni pizza for just $5.99 (in-store only). $1 from every pizza goes directly to Variety Village, supporting summer programs and camps for children and families. Delicious and meaningful!

🔨 Home Depot Kids Workshop — Registration Opens May 11 
Registration for the June 13 Home Depot Kids Workshop opens Monday, May 11 at 10:30 AM — Build a Goalie Game! Open to ages 5–12 at all locations. Register early to secure your spot.

⚠️ Children's Toy & Clothing Recall — Health Canada 
Various children's products have been recalled in Canada due to choking and flammability hazards — worth checking if you have little ones at home.

What to Do

Thursday, May 7

🎵 MayaSpoken: Jukebox Lunch Concert | FREE | All ages | 12:10–1:10 PM | National Arts Centre, Downtown Ottawa
A high-energy hip-hop and R&B performance designed to be accessible for families during the lunch hour. Pack a lunch and enjoy the public seating areas.

🌸 Holland Cross Spring Tulip Festival | FREE | All ages | 11:00 AM–7:00 PM | 160 Scott St, Downtown Ottawa
Eleven days of community magic featuring stunning spring florals, the Cirque du Soleil street team handing out free tickets and prizes, live performances, face painters, food trucks, and markets. Runs through May 18.

🎬 German-Language Film Festival: Hello Betty | FREE | All ages | 6:00 PM | Arts Court Theater, 2 Daly Ave, Downtown Ottawa
A free screening of the Swiss dramedy Hello Betty — about advertising pioneer Emmi Creola and the creation of culinary icon Betty Bossi. Doors open at 5:30 PM; complimentary snacks and drinks provided. Registration recommended.

🧩 Homeschool Social Club | FREE | All ages | 2:15–3:15 PM | Hazeldean Branch, Kanata
A monthly drop-in for home-schooled children featuring themed activities like LEGO and chess — great for building peer connections in the homeschooling community.

📸 Mother's Day Photo Studio | FREE | All ages | 10:00 AM–8:00 PM | Carlingwood Shopping Centre, Nepean
Professionally staged, themed backdrops available for family portraits. Self-service format — bring your own camera or smartphone. No appointment needed.

Friday, May 8

🌷 Canadian Tulip Festival: Heritage Kickoff | FREE | All ages | 10:00 AM–8:00 PM | Commissioners Park, The Glebe
The grand opening of the 2026 festival featuring 300,000 blooming tulips, cultural pavilions, the Tulip Legacy Tour, and the Korean and Dutch pavilions.

🌷 CIBC Tulip Trek | $5 | All ages | 10:00 AM–8:00 PM | Dow's Lake Pavilion, The Glebe
A family scavenger hunt through Commissioners Park — crack 6 clues, learn the history of the tulips, and save the flowers! Start at Dow's Lake Pavilion. Your receipt is your ticket. Runs through May 18.

🌸 Holland Cross Spring Tulip Festival | FREE | All ages | 11:00 AM–7:00 PM | 160 Scott St, Downtown Ottawa
Day 2 of the 11-day spring festival featuring live performances, the Cirque du Soleil street team, face painters, food trucks, and markets.

🎬 German-Language Film Festival: Hello Betty | FREE | All ages | 6:00 PM | Arts Court Theater, 2 Daly Ave, Downtown Ottawa
Second night of the free screening of Hello Betty. Doors open at 5:30 PM; complimentary snacks and drinks provided.

Saturday, May 9

🌷 Canadian Tulip Festival | FREE | All ages | 10:00 AM–8:00 PM | Commissioners Park, The Glebe
Day 3 of Ottawa's iconic tulip festival — 300,000 blooms, cultural pavilions, and family-friendly activities.

🌷 CIBC Tulip Trek | $5 | All ages | 10:00 AM–8:00 PM | Dow's Lake Pavilion, The Glebe
The family scavenger hunt continues — crack clues, explore the park, and save the tulips! Your receipt is your ticket.

🌸 Glow of Love: Mother's Day Market & Concert | FREE | All ages | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM | Shenkman Arts Centre, Orléans
A celebratory Mother's Day event featuring a local artisan market and family-friendly performances. Indoors — a great option if the weather doesn't cooperate.

🌱 Eastern Ontario Craft & Gift Mother's Day Market | FREE | All ages | 10:00 AM–3:00 PM | The Score, 2978 County Rd 43, Kemptville
40 vendors, door prizes, and raffles at this community Mother's Day market in Kemptville.

🌿 Gloucester Horticultural Society Plant Sale | FREE | All ages | 9:00 AM–1:00 PM | Orleans Fruit Farm, East Ottawa
Annual spring plant sale with a dedicated children's activity area and Master Gardener consultations. Great for pollinator education for young students.

🌱 Kids Plant a Seed Workshop | FREE | All ages | 10:00–11:00 AM | NFP Orléans, 1777 Tenth Line Rd, Orléans
A hands-on seed planting activity for kids run by Laura. Registration required — email [email protected] to reserve your spot.

🎩 Magic Show Fundraiser | $20 (or $50 for family of 5) | All ages | 1:00–3:00 PM | Trend Arlington Community Centre, 50 Bellman Dr, Nepean
A fun magic show supporting a local child who will hopefully receive life-changing therapy. Email [email protected] to purchase tickets in advance.

📸 Celebrate Mother's Day at Carlingwood | FREE | All ages | 11:00 AM–3:00 PM | Centre Court, Carlingwood Shopping Centre, Nepean
One free digital and printed photo for every family — no appointment needed, walk-ins only. Additional packages available for purchase.

🎳 Try Lawn Bowling! | FREE | All ages | 1:00–3:00 PM | Highland Park Lawn Bowling Club, 439 Golden Ave, Westboro
Curious about lawn bowling? Friendly members and coaches will introduce you to the game in a relaxed environment. Bring flat-soled shoes — all equipment provided.

🚴 TACA Community Bike Ride | FREE | All ages | 10:00 AM | Meet at 50 Bellman Dr, Nepean
A casual 40km group ride along Centrepointe and Pinecrest Creek pathways, the Ottawa River, Bayview, Dow's Lake, and the Experimental Farm. No sign-up required — bring a snack, water, your bike, and a helmet.

🏡 Richmond Village Community Garage Sale | FREE | All ages | 8:00 AM–1:00 PM | Village of Richmond, Rural Ottawa
A massive village-wide garage sale with hundreds of participating houses. Maps available at local coffee shops — a great family treasure hunt!

🌸 Holland Cross Spring Tulip Festival | FREE | All ages | 11:00 AM–7:00 PM | 160 Scott St, Downtown Ottawa
Another day of spring festival fun — live performances, Cirque du Soleil street team, face painters, food trucks, and markets.

Sunday, May 10 — Happy Mother's Day! 🌸

🌷 Canadian Tulip Festival | FREE | All ages | 10:00 AM–8:00 PM | Commissioners Park, The Glebe
Celebrate Mother's Day among 300,000 blooming tulips — cultural pavilions, family activities, and Ottawa's most iconic spring backdrop.

🌷 CIBC Tulip Trek | $5 | All ages | 10:00 AM–8:00 PM | Dow's Lake Pavilion, The Glebe
The perfect Mother's Day adventure — crack clues, explore the park, and save the tulips! Your receipt is your ticket.

🎨 IndigoKids: Mother's Day Create & Paint | $17.99 | All ages | 3:00–4:00 PM | Chapters Kanata, Kanata
A guided workshop where children paint a customized gift tote for Mother's Day. Fee includes all materials; registration via TicketScene required.

🎨 IndigoKids: Mother's Day Create & Paint | $17.99 | All ages | 1:00–2:00 PM | Indigo South Keys, Nepean
A personalized, hand-painted Mother's Day tote bag workshop. Registration includes the tote and all paints — one spot per family.

🍄 Mother's Day Edition: Family and Fungi | $ | All ages | 10:00 AM–1:00 PM | South March Highlands, Nepean
A guided nature walk and mushroom identification session for families celebrating Mother's Day. Wear trail-appropriate footwear and bring water and bug spray.

📸 Celebrate Mother's Day at Carlingwood | FREE | All ages | 11:00 AM–3:00 PM | Centre Court, Carlingwood Shopping Centre, Nepean
One free digital and printed photo for every family — no appointment needed, walk-ins only.

🌸 Holland Cross Spring Tulip Festival | FREE | All ages | 11:00 AM–7:00 PM | 160 Scott St, Downtown Ottawa
Celebrate Mother's Day at the spring festival — live music, markets, food trucks, and family activities.

Monday, May 11

🎵 SoulRhythms Dance Workshop | FREE | All ages | 7:00–8:00 PM | National Arts Centre, Downtown Ottawa
An interactive, bilingual workshop exploring African and Caribbean culture through movement and dance. Comfortable clothing and water bottles recommended.

🪶 Powwow Workout with Amanda Fox | FREE | All ages | 12:00–1:00 PM | National Arts Centre, Downtown Ottawa
An Indigenous arts workshop teaching traditional powwow steps in a fitness-oriented format. No experience required.

🎬 Family Movie Screening: Freaky Friday | FREE | All ages | 6:00–8:00 PM | St-Laurent Branch, East Ottawa
A screening of the family-friendly film Freaky Friday in the branch's dedicated community theatre space. Part of the Lundi cinéma series.

🧶 Mother's Day Keepsake Craft Event | FREE (members only) | Ages 0–4 | 10:30–11:45 AM | IKEA, 2685 Iris St, Nepean
A gentle, hands-on craft event for babies and toddlers — create a special keepsake gift for Mom, with songs and a special story. Free LWAB membership required to register.

🎳 Try Lawn Bowling! | FREE | All ages | 7:00–9:00 PM | Highland Park Lawn Bowling Club, 439 Golden Ave, Westboro
Evening session — friendly members and coaches will introduce you to the game in a relaxed environment. Bring flat-soled shoes; all equipment provided.

🚔 Police Week Community BBQ | FREE | All ages | 4:00–7:00 PM | Andrew Haydon Park, 3127 Carling Ave, Nepean
Meet your local Ottawa Police officers over a free community BBQ with games, frozen treats, popcorn, and specialized OPS units on display. Part of Police Week 2026.

Tuesday, May 12

📚 Book Club by the Beach | FREE | All ages | 2:00 PM | Britannia Beach, Trolley Station, 2805 Carling Ave, Nepean
A casual outdoor book club meeting at Britannia Beach — this month's read is My Friends by Fredrik Backman. RSVP to [email protected].

🚔 Police Week Community BBQ | FREE | All ages | 4:00–7:00 PM | Elmvale Mall, 1910 St-Laurent Ave, East Ottawa
Free community BBQ with games, frozen treats, popcorn, and a chance to meet your local Ottawa Police officers. Part of Police Week 2026.

🎭 Arising — Canadian Irish Dance Company | $ | All ages | 7:30–9:00 PM | Shenkman Arts Centre, Orléans
A high-energy professional Irish dance performance suitable for young students and families. Part of Shenkman's spring showcase series — pre-book tickets online.

Wednesday, May 13

👶 PJ Party and Storytime | $5 | Ages 0–18 months | 10:30–11:30 AM | Indigo Pinecrest, 2735 Iris St, Nepean
A cozy PJ Party and Storytime featuring Smooches — come in your favourite pajamas for songs, rhymes, and a love-filled circle time. Registration includes a $5 Indigo gift card. Free LWAB membership required.

Thanks for reading! See you back here, next week!