This Mom Loves

Clutter Control #2: Beauty Products

2012-01-30T08:00:00.001-05:00

"Order is the shape upon which beauty depends."

Pearl Buck

Let's talk about order and beauty all at the same time with my second post in my Clutter Control series, where we will tackle our beauty products! (Yes, "we".)

I should warn you that the first couple of steps in my Clutter Control series are pretty much always going to be consistent: Dump everything out, and start pitching.

More specifically:

Before you even worry about expiry dates, make a pile of any products you don't like or use anymore. (If you can't remember the last time you used it, it has probably expired anyway.)

The Real Simple website shares a fairly comprehensive list of Expiration Dates for Beauty Products. I follow their guidelines for most part, except for perfumes. (I still have a bottle of Lancome Poeme, circa 1998.)

Obviously some beauty products can't be shared, but I put nonperishables like accessories or new(er) nail polishes in my classroom treasure box. Unopened goodies (in my case, a skincare line I decided I didn't need) can certainly be passed along to others. I often bring bags of such things (along with freebies I have received through the blog) to my book club meetings to share with my friends. It's hard for us to take a break from discussing the books long enough to think about something else, but somehow we manage. Because I get a high from getting rid of things, I do it fairly frequently so these purges aren't major for me. (I had also tossed a lot of eye stuff after the pinkeye incident of '10, so I didn't have a lot to worry about there.)

Now assess what you still have. Is there anything you can live without? Pare down to the bare necessities. Then decide where things need to be stored. There are great cases and systems available for makeup and beauty products, but since I have a pretty low-maintenance beauty routine, I find what works for me is keeping the special occasion items in a makeup bag and a couple of trays in my dresser drawer, and keeping my day-to-day products more accessible.

Some people swear by tackle-box type portable makeup cases, while others love a tray system kept in the vanity (with like items kept in the same tray), and I know several who use one of those plastic drawer system on wheels.

I recently simplified my routine so that I could keep my daily essentials displayed. I am normally an extremely efficient person, so don't ask me why I was carrying my makeup and contacts paraphernalia back and forth from my bedroom dresser to my ensuite washroom every day for 9 years. Well, actually I know why...I didn't want it out on any surface looking junky, and there was more room for storage in my dresser than bathroom vanity. When I went through it all I pared things down and repurposed a lovely tray (originally a wedding gift with a cream and sugar set) which actually looks quite nice.

So, now that you're organized again, a couple of tips to prevent getting overwhelmed:

If you want to use the last bit of shampoo or toothpaste, you actually have to use it at the time. You can't use three quarters of each bottle and then stash the last quarter away to "save it", and then open another bottle/tube. Finish one thing before opening another.

As for all of you makeup junkies out there, I firmly believe in the in-and-out rule. If you're buying a new lipstick, an old one has to go. Unless maybe you're a makeup artist and you can blame your ~~hoarding~~ collection on "work".

Some organizational gurus recommend putting a little sticker or label on the bottom of perishable products so you can remember when you purchased it and know when it's past its prime. Again, because my collection is minimal, I don't find this necessary, but for those with an entire arsenal, it might be something to consider.

Next up in This Mom Loves' Clutter Control series? The Linen Closet...with pretty impressive before-and-after shots.

Click here to catch up on Clutter Control #1: The Underwear Drawer.

Delicious Cookies and Cream Dessert

2012-01-28T08:00:00.001-05:00

Since I'm really getting into this macro photography thing, I wanted to share with you a pic of a delicious dessert I made over the Christmas holidays:

I also made it for a staff "Treat Day" recently, and when several people asked for the recipe, I promised to post it on my blog.

Here are the steps to making it yourself:

1. Purchase the box below.

2. Follow directions.

:-)

My Blogiversary, and Should I Wear It? Results

2012-01-26T08:00:00.019-05:00

Can you believe that my first post here at This Mom Loves was written two years ago today? Neither can I!

As a gift to you on my second Blogiversary, here are the results of my recent (and very popular) Should I Wear It? (Legwarmers Edition) poll (no, this photo isn't really me, though one of my friends will be much more impressed with these boots.):

Yes: 57%
No: 43%

There you have it! Thank you to everyone who voted and commented. It was a lot of fun to get your input. I'll have to see what other questionable items I can pull out of my closet to ask you about!

And just to show you how supportive all of my friends are of my blog, here is a man, dressed in his daughter's legwarmers, in solidarity with my cause:

I refused to post the full-body shot where you can see that he is also sporting an "I heart Kate" t-shirt. I am not kidding.

My New Dining Room Centrepiece

2012-01-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

After all the Christmas decorations were cleared away, my house looked refreshingly minimalist. However, one cannot go without a centrepiece on one's dining room table.

I decided to repurpose my glass trifle dish, but I needed something to put in it. At my mom's recommendation I got a bag of, well, decorative balls and stuff (not what it said on the label) from Home Sense for $9.99, randomly dumped it in, and here are the results:

The one downfall, of course, is that I can't serve trifle until I put out the Easter decorations, but I am confident that none of you come here for the cooking-related posts. I'm sure that now, with a post like this, I will be overwhelmed with requests to focus more on decorating. You just never know what you'll find at This Mom Loves...

This Mom Loves' 2011 Stats

2012-01-20T08:00:00.000-05:00

I thought some of you might be interested in seeing where my traffic came from in 2011, and which were the most popular posts.

I'll tell you right now though that I won't be divulging actual traffic numbers (though maybe I should have saved that piece of info 'til the end, to improve my "time on site" stats!)

I'll gladly announce that my age is 34, and I would be open to revealing my weight (although I am under the impression that a thin woman sharing her weight is not seen as helpful). I will not, however, tell exactly how much traffic I get, because I don't want to be compared to anyone else! My blog continues to grow in readers (my visits increased 250% from 2010 to 2011), subscribers, Google follower, and Twitter followers, and for someone with a full-time-plus job away from blogging, I have to be satisfied with that.

Traffic Sources:

#1 Google (organic)
#2 Direct
#3 Win-Free-Stuff.ca
#4 Facebook (I'm not even on it, but when celebs link to my momterviews there my traffic shoots up)
#5 Google (referral)

Search Terms:

#1 Marci Ien pregnant
#2 Marci Ien
#3 Marci Ien husband
#4 Laurie Gelman
#5 This Mom Loves

Top Giveaways (I won't link to them since they're all closed)

#1 Christmas Extravaganza
#2 Pampered Chef Bar Pan
#3 KitchenAid Food Processor
#4 $50 CSN
#5 BIC Prize Pack

Top Momterviews (links provided in case you want to catch up)

#1 Marci Ien
#2 Sarah Richardson
#3 Laurie Gelman
#4 Jamie Salé
#5 Gail Vaz Oxlade
#6 Cheryl Hickey
#7 Tracy Moore

Top Posts (not Giveaways or Momterviews, links provided)

#1 They Searched What?
#2 Marci Ien Welcomes Baby Number Two
#3 Perfect Parties Theme Five: The Rock Star Party
#4 Wednesday Words From Michael J. Fox (I think when people search images of his family they quite often end up here)
#5 Perfect Parties Theme One: The Polka-Dot Party
#6 New York City Day 2: Live With Regis and Kelly

If other bloggers have done similar traffic posts, feel free to leave the links below. I'd love to check them out!

And on a final note to the several people who have asked me how my posts can be e-mailed out at 9 a.m. when I'm supposed to be teaching: they are preprogrammed!! I usually have my posts set to go on at 8 a.m., and I have my Feedburner settings such that my e-mail subscribers receive them shortly after 9 a.m., when I am diligently working with my students!

My Holiday Season, By The Numbers

2012-01-18T08:00:00.002-05:00

Here's a quick breakdown of how I spent my holidays:

Books read: 3+1 (not a huge number, but we're not talking about light and fluffy reading material)

We Need To Talk About Kevin (Lionel Shriver): A- Kevin went on a killing spree at his high school. The book is letters written by Kevin's mother to his father, reflecting back on their time together right from the beginning. Very heavy, as the author seems to shun the adage that you shouldn't use a long word when a short one will do. Movie coming out this year. No way will it compare to the book.
Girl In Shades (Allison Baggio): B+ My latest book club selection, also serious (written from the perspective of Maya, whose mother is dying of cancer) but also a bit of a flashback for those of us who grew up in the 80's. This one would actually make a good movie.
Writing Essentials (Regie Routman): A This one's a teacher book, and I consider the author to be my educational soulmate. (She also wrote the equally brilliant "Reading Essentials".) In a nutshell: for kids to become good writers, they need to spend lots of time doing authentic (e.g. non-worksheet, non-prescribed-program, non-narrow-prompt) writing. One would think that would be obvious, but it isn't to everyone.
Since the holidays I read one more that I have to add: Sarah's Key (Tatiana de Rosnay) A-, which is a powerful bestseller about a fictional child in an unfortunately nonfiction situation: Sarah is a young Jewish girl in France during the notorious Vel' d'Hiv Roundup of 1942. When the police come to get her and her mother, Sarah locks her younger brother in a cupboard to keep him safe, vowing to come back for him later. Her story is intertwined with that of a modern-day Parisian journalist. (Just Googled it and realized it was also a 2010 movie...how did I miss that?)

Movies seen at the cinemas: 4

Alvin and the Chipmunks Chipwrecked: B- If you have to see a kids' movie, this one isn't too painful.
Mission Impossible 4 Ghost Protocol: B- Entertaining, but not as good as we had hoped
New Year's Eve: B- This is cute, but certainly not necessary on the big-screen. Rent it next New Year's.
The Muppets: B+ I had 4 kids coming home in my car and they all said they preferred this to The Chipmunks. I love Amy Adams and Jason Segal, and for all of you who have always wanted to see Chris Cooper rap, your time has come.

Movies seen at home: 7

Columbiana: B- But my husband would rate it much higher. I'd dial down the action a tad and beef up the backstory to improve my score
The Sound of Music: B+ A Christmastime tradition, and my girls love it. I learned what it feels like to swoon as I watched Captain Von Trapp's reaction when he realized Maria had returned...and I pretended that he was really looking at me. If only Christopher Plummer weren't 81. However, he is Canadian, which makes him seem that much more attainable.
Stealth: C+ 2005 war/sci-fi-ish movie with Josh Lucas and Jessica Biel. Didn't fall asleep.
I Don't Know How She Does It: C I have a habit of watching bad chick-flicks despite all warnings. It was still fine for some holiday fluff, but didn't come close to doing the book justice (you can't just combine different characters into one in order to simplify the plot), and as reported, SJP was very Carrie-Bradshaw-but-with-kids-and-a-demanding-job. There are also too many cheesy freeze-the-action-while-the-protagonist-talks-to-the-camera scenes.
The Bourne Series: A- We PVR'd them all, and watched them in the evenings (or, admittedly, on lazy afternoons). I'm excited that a fourth is coming out, but less than enthused that Matt Damon isn't it in.

Meals Eaten at Restaurants: 4

I swear, this is true. Now, I had several delicious meals at my parents' house and at at friends' homes, a potluck with my husband's family, and a couple of Tim's bagels, but we didn't technically "eat out" at restaurants a whole lot. I ran the dishwasher almost every day, which is always a good barometer of how much I am actually cooking.

Oh, and just to randomly end things on my new share-more-with-my-readers note:

Number of grey hairs plucked: 2

So far I have maintained that any hair-colour changes are strictly for fun. Those days may be coming to an end.

January Jingles: $100 Paypal Cash Up For Grabs!

2012-01-16T00:01:00.002-05:00

Giveaway open worldwide.

What better way to warm up this winter than with some retail therapy? I've teamed together with some other great bloggers to offer you a $100 Paypal Cash giveaway!

Please read the information below and use the Rafflecopter form to sign up (this is the first time I've used Rafflecopter here, so bear with me). You only need to enter this giveaway on one of our blogs, as we are all using the same form.

This contest will run until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, January 23rd.

Welcome to the January Jingles Paypal $100 Giveaway hosted by The Knit Wit by Shair and Multi-Testing Mommy.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

This event has been brought to you by the following blogs: The Knit Wit by Shair Multi-Testing Mommy Maple Leaf Mommy The Education of a Stay at Home Mom Talking MomCents HabitueTO Little Miss Kate The Spring Mount Six Pack Sober Julie Golden Charm Blog My Secret Home About a Mom Emilys Reviews Sadie Bakes A Girl Worth Saving funny things are everywhere This Mom Loves Raising My Boys Show Me The Prizes

Good luck!

Valentine's XO Frames Craft...and My Intro to Pinterest

2012-01-14T13:02:00.000-05:00

I should have listened.

Three of my coworkers were the first to try to convince me to join Pinterest, with a caveat: "It's really addictive!" they all warned. I resisted for a while, but finally gave in, and were they ever right.

I'll post more about Pinterest in the future, but already I love it. It's a great way for me to organize the wealth of information I gather online, and to find great stuff that others recommend.

Case in point: I went on Pinterest and searched for Valentine's Day ideas. Originally I was looking for something cool I could do with my class, but when I came across this "pin" for an XO Frames Craft from Tatertots and Jello, I was inspired to try it myself. (Links are below photo.)

Source: tatertotsandjello.com via Kate on Pinterest

So, first I "pinned" it to my "Valentine's Day" board, so I will always have it handy when I'm looking for it. Next I hit the dollar store and picked up supplies: 4 frames, 2 gift bags (I couldn't find wrapping/scrapbook paper that suited for me so I went with Valentine's-y bags, which make my product a little cheesier and less classic looking, but oh well) and a bag of clear glass beads. Total cost: $7 plus tax.

Then I grabbed my glue gun and made magic! (Okay, Jen from Tatertots and Jello made magic. I made a reasonable facsimile. Or a cheap replica, whatever; I still did it myself!)

The moral of the story is that Pinterest inspired me, and just might inspire you too! Click the button below to follow me on Pinterest.

Guest Post: Heather, Mesothelioma Survivor

2012-01-12T08:00:00.013-05:00

When I first heard Heather Von St. James' story I knew I she needed to share it with my readers. The specifics may be helpful to some, but the underlying message is inspiring for all.

I'll turn it over to my guest blogger, Heather Von St. James:

**********************

A characteristic I possess that family and friends have consistently pointed out to me throughout my life is optimism. I take that as a compliment. My rose-colored glasses help me see the world in a better light. My half-full cup takes little to runneth over. I took my positive outlook for granted until I was diagnosed with terminal cancer when I was 36-years-old. The diagnosis came just over three months after the birth of my only child and optimism pulled me through it.

The diagnosis came on November 21, 2005. That day, my doctor told me I have malignant pleural mesothelioma. I was shocked. Caught up in the joys of newfound parenthood, no one would have been prepared for that. Nonetheless, there I was, listening to my doctor tell me, "You have cancer." The obvious choice faced by everyone going through what I went through that day is to throw your hands up in defeat or tackle the problem before you. I was lucky. I had a pair of rose-colored glasses and a half-full cup. I decided to utilize them and fight. I had a baby girl that needed raising and I was determined to do it.

Those who have never been diagnosed with cancer will find the following odd, but it is true that cancer is both a good and a bad thing. Yes, it was horrifying. It was a worst-case scenario at the worst possible time. However, my life has taken on an even more positive spin. I have become stronger. I have become a fighter. I have perfected the art of making light of devastating circumstances. My rosy glasses are now rainbow-colored and I found the pot of gold. I found that even the most heartbreaking of circumstances could lend a person purpose -- purpose that they can share with others.

What saved me from fear and self-pity was not only optimism. It was an oath to help others like me. I wanted to give some of my hope to others. First, I went to the world's leading specialist on my disease. I joked that my tumor was Punxatawny Phil, given that my scheduled tumor removal surgery was on Groundhog Day in 2006. My family and I now celebrate Lungleaving Day in lieu of Groundhog Day. My lung left, but I made it through that day. We are celebrating the hope that comes with treatment and fighting.

Heather and her family

**********************

Heather Von St. James is a guest blogger for the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance.

Me, In Macro

2012-01-09T08:00:00.002-05:00

I've always been jealous of the clear, up-close photos I've seen on other blogs. My old point-and-shoot camera (a Canon PowerShot A75 purchased seven years ago) has a macro setting, but the results are pathetic. I decided to use my Christmas money (thanks Mom, Dad and Grandma) to buy a new camera that would allow me to take nice close-up pics.

The guy at Black's was very helpful. I told him I wasn't ready for an SLR, so he first showed me a point-and-shoot model in the $399 range. I asked what the next step down would be...and the price went way down to $209 (on sale for $139). He assured me that the macro quality was excellent, and that in fact he had used it to take wedding photos, including the essential close-up of the rings.

The display model had a dead battery, so he took a camera out of a box, inserted the battery, and let me try it out. Looked good to me (my tendency to overanalyze doesn't seem to apply when it comes to making purchases) and minutes later I was the proud owner of a Canon PowerShot Elph 100HS.

You will now be treated to a selection of close-up shots taken around my home which all represent me in one way or another. I will spare you any commentary, as they are pretty self-explanatory, and allow you to just enjoy my first attempt at macro photography. (Clearly I need to work on lighting and backgrounds, but cut me some slack.)

TANGLED EVER AFTER Short Film Premieres on Beauty and the Beast in 3D

2012-01-08T08:00:00.000-05:00

Disney's brilliance never ceases to amaze me.

When The Lion King came out in 3D in the fall, I debated whether to take my girls, considering we have the video already in the cupboard. I love the theatre so much that we went ahead, and the big screen and 3D magic really did add to the experience. (But let's face it, movies are expensive to begin with, let alone adding on the 3D cost.)

I've been excited about Beauty and the Beast being rereleased to theatres in 3D this Friday, and since it's one of my all-time favourite Disney movies (Belle is the absolute best princess, in my opinion) I had already planned on taking my daughters. I know there are many others out there, however, who have the same "Is 3D worth it when we own the DVD (or in my case, VHS)?" question in their minds.

To add a little incentive, When BEAUTY AND THE BEAST in Disney Digital 3D hits theatres on January 13th, moviegoers will also get their first look at TANGLED EVER AFTER, a new animated short film from TANGLED directors Nathan Greno and Byron Howard. The new short spotlights the royal wedding of Rapunzel (Mandy Moore) and Flynn Rider – a.k.a Eugene (Zachary Levi).

Greno and Howard bring back some of Disney’s most beloved characters when TANGLED EVER AFTER picks up where TANGLED left off. The Kingdom is in a festive mood as everyone gathers for the royal wedding of Rapunzel and Flynn. However, when Pascal and Maximus, as flower chameleon and ring bearer, respectively, lose the gold bands, a frenzied search and recovery mission gets underway. As the desperate duo tries to find the rings before anyone discovers that they’re missing, they leave behind a trail of comical chaos that includes flying lanterns, a flock of doves, a wine barrel barricade and a very sticky finale. Will Maximus and Pascal save the day and make it to the church in time? And will they ever get Flynn’s nose right?

Frannie and Maggie loved Tangled, and I know this will be a definite bonus for them.

Catch a clip of Tangled Ever After here:

Catch the new Tangled Ever After short film before Beauty and the Beast in 3D, in theatres this Friday January 13th.

Should I Wear It? (Legwarmers Edition)

2012-01-05T21:17:00.002-05:00

Okay, here's a quick post, but it requires reader input! (Just two clicks, I promise.)

In the fall I posted about all the great goodies I received for review from Secret, and mentioned that I didn't think I was ready to be the one to bring the legwarmer look back to my community. Here are a couple of quick pics of my attempt (for the purposes of this post only) and I want to know if you think a 34 year old woman (specifically me, not Sarah Michelle Gellar, Liv Tyler or Shakira) can and should go out in public like this.

Admittedly it's kinda hard to see the charcoal-coloured legwarmers, but the photos are still valid because I would only ever pair them with something that would keep them from standing out anyway. (The plum-coloured pair I received will never see the light of day.)

All you have to do is answer "yes" or "no" and submit. I honestly won't take any offense; this is purely for fun! I'll share the responses as soon as possible...which really means whenever I get around to it.

(Email subscribers: if you can't see the form, click on the title of this post which will take you directly to its web version where you can place your vote. Come on, people, humour me here!)

{Revised to add: In defense of my footwear, I did do a quick search for what sort of shoes/boots were being worn with this look, and went with the closest and handiest similar thing that I owned. It's more the legwarmers I'm wondering about!}

P.S. This post could also be called "Bloggers Without Makeup". I sacrificed vanity for your entertainment.

P.P.S. When I roped my husband into doing the photography, his first question was: "Isn't this an 80's look?" then "And it's back in style?", "Are you sure?" and finally "Do I get to vote on this poll?"

Clutter Control #1: The Underwear Drawer

2012-01-04T09:36:00.003-05:00

This year, I'm drawing on my ~~issues~~ strengths and launching a new series on Clutter Control. I'll warn you in advance that if you're of the "Thank God I don't have OCD tendencies like Kate does" school of thought, you'll want to skip over these posts. However, many of you have asked me about organizational tips and tricks, so for you, I offer my words of...sure, let's call it wisdom.

Personally, I find that it feels good to get rid of things. Very little actually goes to the landfill, as I recycle whenever possible and donate when appropriate (which won't be today) and I passionately subscribe to the theory that when your "stuff" is under control, you really do feel more peace.

Every couple of weeks I'll tackle a different spot, and if you follow along with me, I promise you'll feel better too. (You don't have to actually do it; you might feel better just making fun of me. Either way we all win!) Ready?

Clutter Control #1: The Underwear Drawer

For this challenge, you shall organize your underwear drawer, and those of your children (with their help if possible). It's up to you whether to tackle your partner's or not...or hey, maybe you can bring him in on the fun. There must be some sort of related reward you can work out.

Ready for a big This Mom Loves revelation? One of my New Year's resolutions is to take advantage of all of the nice "matching sets" kicking around in my dresser, instead of pulling out whatever is on top. Whew, I said it. As far as bloggers go, I'm not exactly an oversharer, and I am aware that sometimes my posts are lacking that personal touch because I am too private to go there. (A private blogger...is that an oxymoron?) So, talking about underwear is a big step for me...and if any of my student's parents make reference to this resolution, I will immediately have to remove this post.

Anyway, if you believe women's magazines (yes, people still read those) starting from the inside out, as far as garments are concerned, is supposed to make you feel more confident and attractive. I figured it can't hurt, and thus was inspired to begin my New Year's declutter with this area of the house.

Here's what you need to do to get yourself organized:

1. Dump the contents of the drawer onto a bed or floor.

2. Throw out anything faded, ripped or stained. Period. (Ha ha.) Actually, when I refer to stains, of course I mean kids' undergarments. I am blushing right now just at the thought that I am implying adult underwear could ever be marred in any way.

Now, if you want to darn your socks, go to it. I feel the guilty need to always acknowledge that some people's financial situations do not allow them to treat pantyhose as disposable (hey, I've used WiteOut at school to keep a run from spreading, but just long enough to get home) but I believe most of my readers can handle the financial implications of restocking the underwear drawer.

3. Throw out anything that no longer fits. (For the girls' underwear, I sorted it all by size, and then gave them instructions to let me know if anything feels tight in the future. My scientific method for determining what tights they should keep was that I grabbed the ones they wore on Christmas Eve, since I knew they fit, and used them as the benchmark beside all of the others to see what needed to be passed along.)

4. Throw out anything you don't use. If that sports bra has been in your drawer for five years and never seen a workout, perhaps it could go in your donation bag (which you keep in a designated spot in your home, of course), but unfortunately most of today's castoffs aren't worthy of passing along.

I just pitched a pair of garnet tights that were purchased to match my high school uniform kilt. Seriously. As the opposite of a hoarder, I can't even fathom how they have stuck around for 16 extra years. (Some might call them burgundy, but our school colours were the much more distinctive garnet and gold.) The only thing I can't seem let go of, perhaps for sentimental reasons, is the prescription support hose for varicose veins during pregnancy. (Apparently once I start sharing there's no stopping me.)

5. Replace everything that you're keeping in the drawer(s), grouping like things together. I sort socks by colour, and pair up matching "items". (I can bring myself to write "bras", but just can't bear to type the "p" word.) You can buy more expensive organizational systems at specialty stores, but I usually use shoe boxes or dollar store trays to keep things sorted.

6. Make a list of what you now need. Did you throw out your last pair of black tights? Is your son down to three pairs of wearable socks? (I don't know about you, but that would so not work with my laundry schedule.)

7. Go shopping! (Didn't I tell you this would be fun?)

8. Maintain. If you remove items carefully, and replace them after they're laundered, it shouldn't be hard to keep things under control. When folding clothes, do a quick scan for rips or stains that didn't come out in the wash, and pitch the items before they even make it back into the drawer.

As I mentioned in an earlier post about organizing my girls' rooms, I struggle with giving over control to them, so at this point I still put away their laundry and lay out their clothes each night, which means their drawers pretty much stay the way I put them. Another goal for me is to start to release some of this responsibility to my daughters (getting out their own underwear should be pretty easy) and I have already begun getting them to put their clean stuff away. How old should kids be to do this? I don't know.

I am showing you a photo here of one of my daughter's drawers...not my own. I am now making an effort to share more with my readers, but while I am running the risk that people from work will now be aware of my new resolution, I don't think they really need the visual to go along with it.

Feel free to send me your before and after pics or links to similar posts so we can all share in the drawer-organizing joy!

Yes, I am for real.

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Wednesday Words

2011-12-28T08:00:00.000-05:00

"Is it coincidence that we spend far more than our parents ever did on the restyling and improvement of our homes - homes in which we spend less and less time because we are out earning the money to pay for French chrome mixer taps and stripped oak floors? It's as though home had become some kind of stage set for a play in which we one day hope to star."

from "I Don't Know How She Does It" by Allison Pearson

I had never even heard of this bestseller until I first saw trailers for the (scathingly-reviewed, SJP-starring) movie. When a friend loaned me the book, I expected a chick-lit equivalent of the chick-flick previews I had seen, but I was very pleasantly surprised. It's actually heavier and more thought-provoking than I ever would have imagined as it churns up all of the mixed feelings about motherhood, marriage and work.

The film comes out on DVD on January 3rd.

Christmas Wishes

2011-12-24T08:00:00.001-05:00

"A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!"

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Big City Family Getaway

2011-12-22T08:00:00.002-05:00

Last weekend we took the girls for a little pre-Christmas getaway in Toronto. The highlights:

We stayed at the Marriott Renaissance Toronto Downtown Hotel (attached to the Rogers Centre) simply because we were looking for accommodations that were reasonably priced and reasonably close to the Sony Centre. We booked online and got an amazing deal. Our room was $139, and upon arrival we were told we had a $40 restaurant credit (which almost covered the Sunday morning buffet for the four of us). The room was huge: two double beds, and a separate area with a pullout couch and a second flatscreen TV. (This is where we put the girls. And where we were reminded that there is a reason they don't share a bed, or even a room, at home.) The bathroom was also spacious, with an unusually ample countertop perfect for beauty products. (Yes, it does take some help for me to achieve this look. Shocking, I know.)

The pool, shown below, was fantastic, and you can see the hot tub to the right. This is where I spent most of my time "supervising" as Daddy and the girls swam. Plus, it was unbelievably quiet. Except for a set of grandparents with a little girl whose visit overlapped a bit with ours, we were the only swimmers (using that term loosely for myself, of course) for over an hour.

Later in the afternoon we hit the Eaton Centre for a little bit of last-minute browsing. We even allowed the girls in the Disney Store, with very strict warnings that we would not be making any purchases, and any such requests would be met with removal from the premises. Of course Frannie found countless more items to add to her list, which is always oh-so-helpful when Mommy and Santa finished gift selections a month ago. We keep reminding her that Santa is so amazing, because he remembers things that kids ask for all year long, and has so many of his own great ideas too!

Decorations at the Eaton Centre

The girls took their first ever cab rides while downtown, and managed to entertain the drivers with their conversation.

Frannie (à propos of nothing): Do you have to be married to have a baby?

Cabbie chuckles.

Me: Um...usually people get married first, and then have a baby.

Frannie (yes, the five year old): Well, I want to have kids someday but I don't want to get married. Can I do that?

Cabbie laughs.

Me: Um...well, it is possible to do it that way, but...well, we believe...sometimes people...oh, let's talk about this when the time comes.

Maggie: Why is this man driving us? Where is our car? Why? Is this his car? Why are we in his car? Where is he taking us? Why? Is he going to wait for us? Why? Where does he live? Where are his kids?Why did you give him money??? (Thankfully the girls are now cultured enough that questions about skin colour and accents are far less common than they used to be.)

Then it was off to The Sony Centre for the Leahy Family Christmas. Yes, I grew up just country blocks away from the Leahy family (and shared their last name for the first 24 years of my life, which wasn't at all annoying. "Leahy, you say? Are you one of the ---?" "No. No, I'm not",) however we went all the way to the big city to catch their Christmas performance.

This band of 8 siblings (there are 11 in all, but 8 in this performance) is as good as it gets when it comes to their style of music, but I especially enjoyed all of the vocals and stepdancing to break up all of the instrumental (which appeals way more to my musician husband than to me). The highlight for me (and for our daughters) was when the grandchildren (as young as four years old) took to the stage to perform.

Frannie was particularly interested in comparing her own stepdancing skills to those of the six year old daughter of Donnell Leahy and Natalie MacMaster (catch my Momterview with her here), who is older than she is by three months. (Oh, who am I kidding, "comparing" was more what her mother was doing.)

I must admit that I made the mistake of telling the kids in advance that I had Smarties for later, which caused a few distractions throughout the first act, but generally speaking they were both captivated by the show until their bodies finally gave in to sleep near the end. (Frannie's snores added what I hope was a little 'je ne sais quoi' to a particular a capella number. She did manage to wake up for the fantastic two-generation finale.)

Leahy

Now, if this had been a girls' getaway instead of a family adventure, I would have made two other stops:

The Grace Kelly Exhibit ("From Movie Star To Princess: An Exhibition") at the TIFF Bell Lightbox

and

The Bata Shoe Museum, which I have wanted to visit for years. Perhaps I'll hit both during the holidays. (But not with my poor husband.)

(New readers, please note: despite what you may assume, I do not get paid by the parenthesis.)

Wednesday Words on Receiving

2011-12-21T08:00:00.001-05:00

As Christmas approaches, we make it a priority to talk to our children (and students) about the importance of giving. On the flip side, here is an interesting thought about receiving:

"Receiving is often harder than giving. Giving is very important: giving insight, giving hope, giving courage, giving advice, giving support, giving money, and most of all giving ourselves. Without giving there is no brotherhood or sisterhood.

But receiving is just as important, because by receiving we reveal to givers that they have gifts to offer. When we say, 'Thank you, you gave me hope; thank you, you gave me a reason to live; thank you, you allow me to realize my dream,' we make givers aware of their unique and precious gifts. Sometimes it is only in the eyes of the receivers that givers discover their gifts."

Henri J.M. Nouwen

One of My All-Time Favourite Books: "Before I Go To Sleep" by S.J. Watson

2011-12-16T08:00:00.001-05:00

The jacket sums it up better than I could:

"Christine wakes up every morning in an unfamiliar bed with an unfamiliar man. She looks in the mirror and sees an unfamiliar, middle-aged face. And every morning, the man she has woken up with must explain that he is Ben, he is her husband, she is forty-seven years old, and a terrible accident two decades earlier decimated her ability to form new memories."

This was a page-turner that I found impossible to put down. My friend Heather brought it to book club to share, and am I ever glad I snatched it up first.

At the suggestion of her neurologist, protagonist Christine begins to record her daily events, and the doctor prompts her every day to find her journal and reread the past entries in an attempt to relearn her life and jog her memory.

Published this year and classified as a "thriller", I found Watson's story (which just happens to be his debut novel) both compelling and disturbing, and could barely stand the suspense as I searched along with Christine for answers to her growing questions.

I'm sure my friend was amused by my mid-book wild predictions (can't share them here, as it I don't want to spoil the first half of the book for you) but as much as I thought I had things figured out, I was wrong. There are lots of twists and surprises to this one. It's a must-read.

Visit the author's website at http://www.beforeigotosleep.com/.

Natalie MacMaster: The Momterview

2011-12-13T15:32:00.000-05:00

Here's how Natalie MacMaster's website bio introduces her:

***

"Meet Natalie MacMaster: wife, mother of four and virtuoso Cape Breton fiddler.

You know her more as the latter than the former; an electrifying performer whose passionate proficiency on the beloved four-string amplifies the traditional East Coast sound for contemporary times.

It’s a signature sound that has resonated with world audiences through 10 albums, multiple gold sales figures and 27 years; numerous Juno and East Coast Music Awards; two honorary degrees (from Niagara University, NY, and Trent University) and an honorary doctorate (St. Thomas University); the Order Of Canada – and a reputation as one of Canada’s most captivating performers."

***

The gorgeous musician married fellow fiddler Donnell Leahy (of the all-sibling band Leahy) in 2002, and is now mother to Mary Frances (6), Michael (4 1/2), Claire (almost 3) and Julia (almost 1). No word yet on whether she's trying to compete with her mother-in-law's 11 offspring.

I recently had the opportunity to chat with Natalie about her brand-new CD, "Cape Breton Girl", as well as motherhood, house design, and her fashion fetishes.

This Mom: Do you think your music has changed since you've become a mom?

Natalie MacMaster: Yeah, I do. How? This is my 11th recording, and my mother said to me that the fiddling sounds more mature. It's been about six years since I've recorded in the studio, and incidentally my oldest daughter just turned six a few days ago. I'm sure as you go through more of life's experiences you're able to get deeper into things, but as far as me being aware of how my music has changed, there was a day when I was completely devoted to my music, and now I am completely devoted to my children. Music is something that happens because of the good for them and the good for myself, as opposed to it being all about the fiddle. It's not that way anymore. It's changed. I haven't gotten worse, my mother thinks I've gotten better. I think I'm just evolving.

TM: I hear you're homeschooling your kids. How is that going?

NM: It's going pretty well. I'm a teacher, I actually have a teaching degree. I've never used it, ironically now I'm teaching my own. This is my second year, and I'm on the road now so I usually school my six year old and my four year old from 9:00 to 12:00, four mornings a week and it's ever-evolving.

Natalie and Donnell onstage

TM: You recently built a new house. What are some of your favourite features?

NM: Oh, that's a good question. We have stone on the front of the house and I love that. Also the function of the house. We put our laundry room on the second floor - we have a storey and a half- and all the clothing, bedding and towels are there. It's where we get dressed so it makes sense to have it there. It functions really well. I thought a lot about where to put the washrooms, so one would be accessible if the kids were playing outside, which drawer should the knives be in...and homeschooling, I took that into consideration as well. How to have homeschooling as part of my home, so I could put up the alphabet and things like that without it making the house look too much like a school. It's an open concept so you walk in and it's all right there, but this little room that jets off our main living space has all windows, so when you're standing in the centre you just see windows, but when you actually go into the room and look back, that wall is covered with alphabet, calendar, kids' art and all that, so you don't see it unless you're in there looking for it.

TM: I've already seen Mary Frances and Michael perform live with Leahy {the special appearances by the next generation always tend to steal the show}, and obviously they're exposed to a lot of music at home. My own daughter stepdances and I'm curious to know how much time your kids spend practising each day?

NM: It varies. The only one really doing that is my six year old daughter. We started my four and a half year old son on the fiddle at age four, but he's not really that ready for it. Not like our daughter was. So he's just playing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and plays maybe three times a week for ten minutes. The dancing is much shorter; maybe two minutes twice a week. He dances all the time and I don't want to thwart his enthusiasm. He actually dreads me saying 'Okay, Michael, try this'. He doesn't like that at all, so I don't make him very often. He's just not ready for it yet.

Mary Frances does piano, fiddle and dancing, so she practises them all pretty much every day. Probably five days a week for half an hour each.

TM: Do you think there is one instrument that kids should learned before any others to give the best musical start?

NM: It all depends on the child and what they like. Start off with anything and go from there. I have no preference. I'm sure there are people who study that sort of thing, but my own opinion is play whatever they want. They have to start somewhere, and as they get older they may be drawn a certain way.

TM: I read that you went through a phase when you were younger when you were very nervous about being on stage. How did you push through that?

NM: I guess just by knowing that nervous energy is an energy and thinking of how to make it something positive. If you're half asleep when you go onstage, that's no good. If you're nervous you have intensity running through your body. It's mind over matter I guess. Prayers too!

TM: What do you want people to know about your brand-new CD, "Cape Breton Girl"?

NM: I want them to know that I very much like it, and it is what I hoped it would be. It's very Cape Breton, which was the point, so it's for the hard-core Cape Breton fiddle enthusiasts.

TM: And was that always going to be the title?

NM: No, in fact I was going to call it "Our Water Runs Deep". I was convinced of that, and really liked the title. The reason why I changed it was because I was trying to find a title to suit the cover picture {see photo above}, and I could find all sorts of analogies about water running deep, like my roots, the blood runs deep, all of that. But the music on the record is so happy and light-hearted that to me the title didn't match. Cape Breton Girl is a title I've had for a long time and haven't used on anything, and it kind of resurfaced at the last minute after all the artwork was done.

TM: How would you complete the sentence "This Mom Loves..."?

NM: Well, the first thing I thought of was This Mom Loves tradition. I'm not just talking about the music. I love "traditional": furniture, the way we live our daily lives, Christmas, holidays, anything. Other than that, more materialistic things...This Mom Loves being blonde. I guess that would mean highlights. Can't get along without those. I do love shoes, and I like them with a heel. Nothing unique there! This Mom Loves the farm. The whole farming lifestyle. And I have a bit of a coat fetish. I love coats and jackets!

***

The new CD "Cape Breton Girl" is available now at your music retailer, through Natalie's website or on iTunes, and would be a perfect surprise under the tree of any Natalie MacMaster fan. {The great thing about my family is that my 78 year old Grandma and 5 year old daughter would be equally happy to find this gem in their stockings...and they both just might!}

Natalie's favorite place was also the theme of the book she put out last year, "Cape Breton Aire" which can be purchased online, at her live shows, and at some boutique shops.

Find out more about Natalie MacMaster on her website.

More Great Books For Kids (For Home and School)

2011-12-09T08:00:00.002-05:00

The Flying Canoe by Eric A. Kimmel, illustrated by Daniel San Souci and Justin San Souci

A French Canadian legend, "The Flying Canoe" tells the story of a group of lonely fur traders on Christmas Eve, far away from their families at home in Montreal. A stranger appears and claims he can get them home, but they must not speak until they get there. They climb into an enchanted canoe...and the rest is history.

There are many versions of this story, but this Eric A. Kimmel does an excellent job retelling it, and the beautiful illustrations draw children into the tale.

A nice seasonal treat.

If You Lived Here: Houses of the World by Giles Laroche

This one fits perfectly with the Grade 3 unit on Structures (and also ties in with Urban and Rural Communities). "Step into homes from around the world and discover the many fascinating ways people have lived and still live today. Uncover the reason why each home was constructed the way that it was, from houses built on maze-like streets (to confuse invaders) to homes built on wheels (to be able to travel in your home at any time!)"

The illustrations in this book are intricate bas-relief cut-paper collages, and provide a springboard for art lessons as well. Quality nonfiction isn't always easy to find, and I'd recommend adding this one to your collection.

Just a Second by Steve Jenkins

I'm always thinking like a teacher, and this book is perfect for teaching the concept of time. Did you know that:

In one second...a hummingbird beats its wings 50 times,
In one minute...a skydiver in a free fall plunges 3 1/4 km, and
In one hour..an adult takes about 900 breaths?

The book gives examples for each of these, as well as one day, one week, one month and one year. Some neat graphs and timelines are included at the back of the book. I'll be pulling this one out when I teach time later this year.

Winners...Many Winners!

2011-12-09T07:59:00.001-05:00

Congratulations to the following winners of the Christmas Extravaganza:

Secret Gift Basket: Jessica of Burlington, ON

Moonjar Moneybox: Bev of Winnipeg, MB

Rubbermaid Set: Valerie of Minto, NB

Rubik's Race Game: Lisa of Vineland Station, ON

My Friendship Bracelet Maker: Jonathan of Edmonton, AB

My Ribbon Barrette Maker: Lorie of Foxboro, ON

$50 Posterjack Voucher: Pam of Moncton, NB

Swagger Tags: Candace of 100 Mile House, BC and Bob of Longlac, ON

Very Cranky Bear Set: Angela of Beaver Bank, NS

Skechers Shoes: Kirsten of Calgary, AB

I am sorry to say that a couple of winners were notified by e-mail and given 48 hours to reply, and after several days went past without a response, new winners were chosen...so be sure to check your e-mail regularly!

And the winner of the KitchenAid Food Processor: Pauline of Saint John, NB

Enjoy your prizes, and thanks to everyone for entering!

Christmas "Treats" From Hallmark

2011-12-07T08:00:00.002-05:00

These treats may not be edible, but they're a sure-fire bet to spark that festive feeling! A couple of weeks ago, I received my latest Hallmark goody box, thanks to my role on their Press Pause Panel.

My two favourite items, for home and classroom use:

Merry-Okee Micro Karaoke (Christmas Karaoke Microphone) $19.95

This battery-powered microphone (3 AAA batteries ARE included) works like a normal mic, or changes your voice so you sound like an elf! A favourite with my students and my daughters, it also comes prerecorded with six favourite holiday songs, and is accompanied by a songbook with both original and silly lyrics. It's not super-loud, but still a good laugh for a small group (and a great way to encourage students to make oral presentations. How can you feel pressure when you sound like an elf?)

Rockin' Talkin' Santa Hat $19.95

Press the button on this adult-sized hat to make it move back and forth in sync with the words and music to "Santa Claus is Comin' To Town". A great way to make an entrance this holiday season!

Other great items for the kids:

"Jingle" Interactive Storybook and Story Buddy $29.95

My girls have the similar Watson the Raccoon Storybook and Story Buddy and just love it. Frannie can read the book now, and Maggie has memorized the key phrases so that they both can make the raccoon talk (without requiring an adult to read the book). This toy responds to certain spoken phrases and the recorded voice adds to the story. A Hallmark favourite and winner of two Dr. Toy awards, "Jingle The Husky Pup" is ready to bark, whimper and even sing when he hears the magic words.

Make-A-Wish Recordable bear $24.95

This adorable white plush has simple "Record" and "Play" buttons so you can leave a message for someone special! And even better: when you buy a specially-marked product like this bear, Hallmark will donate 25% of the sales to help make children's wishes come true all year round.

A Charlie Brown Christmas Recordable Storybook $19.95

Always a great idea, these recordable books are a nice way to read to love ones even if you can't be there. This one is a special Hallmark Edition of the Holiday Classic, featuring music. Join Charlie Brown and the whole Peanuts gang as they learn the true meaning of Christmas. Last year my parents recorded one of these Hallmark books for my girls ("The Very First Christmas"), and as soon is got pulled out this year with the Christmas paraphernalia they snatched it up again.

Wayne Gretzky Edmonton Oilers Keepsake Ornament $24.99

His Oilers sweater may be long retired, but true hockey fans will never forget. This might be the perfect gift for a not-so-little-one on your list, and is sure to find a prime spot on the Christmas tree.

Disclosure: I received the above-named items for review purposes as part of my role on the Hallmark Press Pause Panel. My students and daughters are enjoying a few, and the others were door prizes at our school's annual Family Movie Night. Opinions are, as always, my own.

Frannie's Spy Club: The Official Rules

2011-12-05T08:00:00.002-05:00

The following are the rules for my five year old daughter's "Spy Club". The members of the club fluctuate frequently, depending how they treat Frannie on any given day (there is an ever-changing list on her door where she crosses out and adds names accordingly) and I don't believe they actually hold meetings or do any real "spying", but the club is nevertheless of high importance (e.g. "Be nice to my cousin or you're out of the spy club," "Let me play with the puzzle and I'll let you in the spy club"). Membership has temporarily replaced the valuable currency of birthday party invitations, and related promises and threats.

Despite the random nature of the group, the rules are clearly posted in Frannie's bedroom (for her eyes only), and have not changed since first written:

1. Hans to yourself (I think this is a spelling error, and not a coded message to a secret Scandinavian member of the club, but I can't be sure)

2. No hrting uthrs felings (Trouble with vowel sounds, but seems to have figured out "ing")

3. Stic with a techr (Even for spy club, teacher supervision is apparently very important!)

4. Be gud (Better than "Be God". Wouldn't it be ironic if Rule #4 conflicted with Commandment #1?)

5. Duw good things (How she learned how to spell "good" between Rule 4 and Rule 5 is a Spy Club mystery)

6. Good to othrs (Enough said)

Now I have to go make snack or else I'm kicked out of the club.

Companies That Give Back: Crorey Creations, the Choose Friendship Company

2011-12-02T08:00:00.002-05:00

Earlier this fall I put out a call to companies, offering to post about any products donated to my school's annual Christmas Toy Drive.

The first takers: Crorey Creations, makers of My Friendship Bracelet Maker and My Friendship Bracelet Maker. (Two of each of these products have already been deposited in the Toy Drive Donation Bin.)

My Friendship Bracelet Maker

My Friendship Bracelet Maker's design innovation loom lets you create friendship bracelets quickly and easily! Includes 56 precut threads in 14 different colours, and the slide-out tray with inside storage keeps strings organized. This product has a travel-ready design, and comes with easy to follow instructions. You can even access bracelet patterns and free video tutorials online! Find more information on their website.

My Ribbon Barrette Maker

This one's a blast from the past! Girls can design and create their own 1980's retro-style braided ribbon barrettes! The box includes a ribbon loom with barrette holder, 8 barrettes, 16 ribbons in 8 colours and 128 tri-beads. The website has more info as well as an instructional video. I can clearly picture the light-pink and white versions of these barrettes that I had as a little girl. Definitely something to share with your daughter!

Thanks to Crorey Creations for helping make the Christmas mornings of four local girls a little brighter!

Wednesday Words on Miracles

2011-11-30T08:00:00.000-05:00

"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

Albert Einstein

Hot New Gift Idea: Teacup Piggies and Piglets

2011-11-28T08:00:00.002-05:00

This Christmas morning, my girls will both be finding a Teacup Piglet (retailing for approximately $10) under the tree. These little baby pigs (toy, of course: no mess, no smell,) come with names, birth certificates and accessories, and speak (25 responses, available in English or French) when their noses are pressed. If it says it’s tired, that means time for a rest in the teacup or tote. If you ‘wake’ it up too early, however, it may whine: “Why are you waking me up?”

You can also buy larger Teacup Piggies ($20) which also respond when you pet them, and sneeze when you touch their noses! Each toy has its own personality and is equipped with touch point sensors to encourage imaginative play through life-like interaction. Of course, you can also purchase fashion wardrobes separately.

Considered one of the hottest toys of 2010 by Chris Byrne, “The Toy Guy,” Teacup Piggies and Piglets are the latest craze in collectibles, and based on last year's success in the US, they are expected to be a hit in Canada. Apparently, they are not only taking the place of real-life pets for kids, but they’re also considered a hot, new collectible item by adults as well. (I'm not one of those adults.)

Check them out...available at retailers nationwide.

Disclosure: I was provided with the above-named items for review purposes. Opinions are, as always, my own.

Anastasia's Picks: Books For Kids

2011-11-23T08:00:00.001-05:00

Here are my ten year old niece's latest recommendations:

The Inquisitor's Apprentice by Chris Moriarty

This book is about a young boy who becomes a magic crimes policeman's apprentice, and goes on several adventures and tries to figure out who a master killer is. At the same time I liked and disliked the creepy parts. I like when I feel scared, but since I read it at night, I was a bit too scared. This book I recommend for 9 to 12 year olds, and I shall give it 3 stars.

The Chronicles of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg

I LOVE THE PICTURES IN THIS BOOK!! They are so beautiful and they inspired me to draw something of my own. This book is telling you about the illustrations of a man named Harris Burdick, and stories made up to go with them. This book is also a good writing tool, so teachers, take a look! I even made up a few stories. I didn't have any favourite parts, but I did have a favourite picture and story, "Oscar and Alphonse", with a picture of a girl staring down at two caterpillars. This book is for ages 7 and up. Five stars!!

Ivy and the Meanstalk by Dawn Lairamore

I really like this book because it's a twist from your average "Jack and the Beanstalk". This is a story about a girl who tries to get a harp back from a giantess, and keep her kingdom from being crushed by giant rocks. I like the jokes in this book. They made me laugh even though the story has a twinge of sadness. I didn't like the part where things go wrong. Although it's a book, I can't help thinking it's real. This book is for 8 to 12 year olds. I would give it three stars!!

The Cellar Door by Brett Gadbois

This is a story about a boy named Sam, who bumps his head and wakes up in a different world. There, a man named Franklin helps Sam out, and Sam makes friends with lots of people. He escapes from part-bird, part-people animals, and goes back home. I like the parts in this book where Sam changes into different things. I don't like the part where the evil crow-men capture Sam. This book is for 9 to 11 year olds. I would give it four stars.

Will Work For Food: Black Magic Chocolates and Two-Bite Pancakes

2011-11-21T08:00:00.002-05:00

So last week I talked all about being a PR-Friendly blogger, and the high standards I uphold for product reviews.

Today, I am writing a whole post about two very inexpensive products I found on my doorstep...just because they're yummy.

Black Magic Chocolates, in their black box with red ribbon, are being re-introduced just in time for the holidays. Six bucks for a box, and handy as a hostess gift, or perhaps something for your child's teacher (hint, hint).

My favourites are the "Dreamy Fudge" and "Whole Hazelnut Praline", while I allowed my husband to indulge in the "Raspberry Parfait" and "Orange Sensation"...too fruity for my taste!

Another tasty new item is "Two Bite Pancakes", available in Morning Maple and Chocolate Chip Flavours. With real maple syrup baked right in, these were a fast favourite of my girls. However, since "sugar" is the first ingredient, I justify them more as a dessert (or a quick grab-and-go snack) than a meal. These would be a delicious addition to a holiday brunch, and taste even better when warmed in the microwave. They're also a nice portion-controlled sweet treat (portion-controlled if you eat one, not one package!)

Did I make you hungry?

Why I Can't Give Up Naptime

2011-11-17T08:00:00.002-05:00

Every mom knows the importance of naptime. Even when the fog of sleep deprivation subsides, for some of us earlier than others, those precious hours still give us the chance to get something done without another human being attached.

When my girls were babies, the morning naptime was when I got on the treadmill and took a shower. Even before naps were well-established, I'd put the little one in the baby swing beside me, and she'd be out like a light. Experts strongly recommend against this, but I argue that it got them in the habit of taking a solid nap at that time.

When they took their afternoon snoozes, at first I'd follow the "sleep when the baby sleeps" adage, which never worked well for me, and then realized crossing something off the list was much more refreshing, so I would clean, organize, etc. (as much as I could without waking the baby. Vacuuming, of course, had to wait.)

If I was making appointments or running errands and leaving my kids with their Dad, grandparents or babysitter, I would always try to schedule things for the mornings, so I wouldn't lose out on those precious afternoon hours of repose.

During my second mat leave, the afternoon became my official freelance writing block, as I decided to start pitching parenting magazines, and ended up with a few contracts.

Between and after my leaves, there were (and are) still weekends and holidays with the girls at home for what sometime seem to be LONG days. Although the general practice at their daycare is to cut the afternoon nap around 3 years of age, Frannie has continued to have "quiet time" when at home for the past 2 and a half years while her sister naps, and I think it's one of the best decisions we ever made.

You just can't scrub the kitchen floor with a child around. Even at age five, you know she will feel the need to walk across it way too early. You can't wrap gifts (or attempt to throw out "precious" objects) with little eyes watching. You also can't catch up on great PVR like Blue Bloods and Grey's Anatomy with little ears listening. Plus, there's my schoolwork to consider. It's not recommended that you write report cards with your own children in the background, as you're bound to subconsciously type in a "mommy, mommy, mommy!" where it really shouldn't go. And there's the blog. If "quiet time" was not a rule in our household, "This Mom Loves" would cease to exist. Even if I weren't such a productivity-based kind of Mom, I still think having some time apart is healthy for all of us.

And really, what's so bad about spending two hours in a well-stocked children's room? Frannie has a wealth of toys, books, CD's, and drawing and colouring paraphernalia, and I think it's important for her to learn some independence, and how to keep herself entertained.

I share this tip with some people this and they react like I'm a child abuser, "locking" my child (as per her request, the door isn't even closed tight) in her room on weekend afternoons.

But seriously, wouldn't you love for someone to tell you that you absolutely must stay in your room alone for two straight hours on a Saturday afternoon? As long as I could have my reading material and toys (by which I mean Blackberry and Netbook; keep it clean ladies), I would absolutely be in heaven. I would also come out very refreshed for the remainder of the afternoon and evening, which often involve Mass, meals out, visiting, and later nights. (Despite the impression you might be getting, I really do cherish family time!)

Although three year old Maggie's afternoon nap has officially been cut at daycare, I still refuse to change our home routine (and she still falls asleep quickly every time I put her down). Even when she outgrows the sleep, she'll still enjoy quiet time just like her sister. It's nice to know that we can come and go in the afternoons for special occasions, and not have to worry about grumpiness or out-of whack routines, but if we don't have to be anywhere else, the girls have to be in their rooms.

Go ahead, call CAS on me right now. At least my floor is clean.

Want the New KitchenAid Food Processor?

2011-11-15T08:00:00.002-05:00

Contest open to Canadians.

I know, I know: it's ironic that my biggest single-item giveaway yet is a cooking-related product. But man, what a product!

Up for grabs for one very lucky This Mom Loves winner is the new KitchenAid 13-cup Food Processor, perfect for holiday meals! Yes, you read that right. I'm giving one of these babies away, with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $399.99!

Key Features of the Food Processor:

New external adjustable, stainless steel slicing disc provides ultimate versatility
Dual shredding disc easily flips the disc from 2mm to 4mm to achieve ideal slicing thickness
Large 13-cup (2.75L) leak-proof work bowl, plus chef’s bowl and mini bowl
Ultra Wide Mouth Feed Tube™ adjusts to 3 different sizes to accommodate foods of varying sizes, including whole potatoes and cucumbers
17 precise food processing options for speed-controlled slice, shred, chop and puree functions plus three maximized slice, shred and puree/chop blades and bonus dough, egg whip and Julienne blades
4 speed-controlled functions
Comfort design side handle allows easy viewing while the food processor is in use

The Food Processor comes in Contour Silver, White and Onyx Black...and it's almost enough to make me want to cook. Almost. But it would look fantastic sitting on my counter...

I know many of you are absolutely in love with your KitchenAid mixers, and this new product will be added to your holiday wish lists, I'm sure!

To enter, please fill out the form below and click submit. Easy enough! Extra entries if you follow This Mom Loves publicly through Google Friend Connect or Twitter, or subscribe through e-mail (see sidebar to sign up). The contest will run until Tuesday November 29th at 11:59 p.m. EST, after which time a winner will be chosen through random number generation.

Good luck!

Are PR-Friendly Bloggers Sellouts? Discuss.

2011-11-09T08:00:00.004-05:00

A friend recently sent me the link to a ParentCentral.ca article entitled: "Big brands are lining up to harness the clout of online moms". The piece discusses the incredible influential power that mom bloggers hold, and how companies are understandably lining up to partner with (or take advantage of) them.

For several years now the debate has raged over whether you're a "real blogger" if you review products, or accept paid advertisements. One blogger quoted in the article asserts: “I feel (blogging) is no longer democratic and I’m sad to say that. If I go onto a blog and I see they have ads or sponsors I don’t trust their voice."

As far as advertisers go, I am confident in my theory that when they pay for a piece of sidebar real estate, that's what they get, with no inappropriate affect on any of my other content. Another blogger mentions how hard this is, as when someone is paying you money, you do stop and think before mentioning them or their competitors in your posts. Stopping and thinking is, in my mind, seldom a bad thing. Letting that affect your actions (i.e. your writing) in the long run does, understandably, prevent you from being authentic.

When I started blogging, I couldn't wait to do reviews and giveaways, because in my mind, that meant I had hit the big leagues. Someone thought I was "good enough", or at least popular enough, to warrant using my blog as a promotional tool. But I can truly say that I have never accepted a product for review if I wasn't interested in it, and there have been a great many that I have sampled, and then refused to write about. Loyal readers know that I mention this often, because am very aware of the reputation some mom bloggers get as sellouts, and certainly don't want to be perceived in that light.

Things have evolved in the almost two years since This Mom Loves began. Now I find that I field 20-30 e-mails a day from companies and PR reps. Many are just press releases, some with the "contact us if interested in samples or further information" line...and the samples are never forthcoming. If the correspondence begins with "Dear Kate," I take the time to read it. One PR assistant really did her homework and mentioned something from one of my recent posts in her first paragraph, which certainly caught my attention. The "Dear Blogger" or "Hello Everyone" emails might get skimmed, but I don't take them nearly as seriously.

The part of the ParentCentral article that resonated the most with me was: “'Good writing deserves to be rewarded, and women have historically undersold themselves,' says May Friedman, assistant professor of social work at Ryerson University and co-author of the 2009 book Mothering and Blogging: The Radical Act of the MommyBlog."

I'm starting to assert myself a bit more in terms of working for nothing. For example, I'm too set in my cleaning routine to try out a new household cleaner and spend the time writing about it, just for the thrill of the free bottle.

Another motivator for me not to go overboard with PR is that I also want to keep enough of a mix of content that I'm not doing more product reviews than I am discussing parenting, education, and entertainment - the original pillars of my blog.

Running giveaways is a fantastic way to attract readers, and I find many sign up to follow me through Google Friend Connect, Twitter, or e-mail in order to get extra entries, and then remain on those lists. Are they loyal readers, passionate about my work, and anxiously awaiting each new instalment of This Mom Loves? Likely not. So some of my pride is strictly because of the popularity contest aspect. However, having your "stats" up increases your further opportunities. (On a completely unrelated note, be sure to enter my Christmas Extravaganza Giveaway, ending November 25th!)

My favourite part of blogging, as many of you know, has been the opportunity to conduct "Momterviews" with famous Canadians. While some (like the wonderful Marci Ien of Canada AM, who generously gave of her time to a beginning mom blogger) are kind enough to do me a favour, many of my Momterviews have been born through PR reps contacting me, as their clients had something (new show, book) to promote. If I had few readers, and just waxed poetic on the ins and outs of my daughters' days all the time, I wouldn't be sought out for that sort of opportunity. I'm also going to go out on a limb and add this: I have no interest in reading blogs solely about strangers' kids. My own two keep me busy enough. Entertain me or educate me, or I'm gone.

Some bloggers (and readers) believe that a quality blog is all about the (not-product-related) editorial content. As much as I would like to think that I am a font of wisdom with deep thoughts to impart on you all on a regular basis, there are days that Jack Handey* would have me beat, and I might as well just tell you about some good children's books (games/beauty products/shoes) I've come across. The ParentCentral article states that three quarters of active online women rely on blogs for product information. Why not share what I know?

I deal with a few book publishers (Scholastic Canada and Thomas Allen Ltd. being two who are very supportive; no compensation was provided for a mention in this post) and as a teacher as well as a mother, I really don't understand what's wrong with free books, as long as I tell the truth about them. (Which I always do. I would wager a guess that I mention only 15-20% of the books that I receive, and my contacts are very clear on my interests and standards.)

Organizations have been created solely to link bloggers with advertisers, and my affiliation with Mom Central Canada means that I am provided the opportunity to apply for certain partnerships (I think I've only been rejected once, and I'm sure it's because they were looking for a Facebook presence that I don't have). Sometimes, this just means I get a free product in exchange for sharing the news, though usually there is compensation in the form of gift cards. Disclosure language is always required (which I use for all my reviews, not just those through Mom Central). But again, I only apply when it suits me. Right now I'm part of the "Barbie I Can Be" campaign, and while I know I will be compensated (I'm not sure if I was even given an amount when I signed on, but the gift cards are usually worth $25-100) I actually feel strongly about sharing the information or I really wouldn't bother.

Believe me, it's not worth the time it takes me to do the product testing or research associated with a campaign and then pore over the post just for a gift card. My blog is not a money-maker in any sense, nor do I need it to be. I have a well-paying full-time job, with overtime galore, so my hobby ("activity or interest pursued outside one's regular occupation and engaged in primarily for pleasure", ) has to actually bring me that pleasure inherent in its definition.

I would never trade the connections that I have made, in the blogging world as well as the corporate world, due to my PR-Friendly status, or the incredible knowledge I've gained about advertising, marketing, and small and big business.

I sleep well at night knowing that This Mom Loves is exactly what I want it to be. (Actually, I rarely sleep well, but it has nothing to do with the ethics of blogging.)

So, you tell me: am I a sellout?

*Deep Thoughts By Jack Handey: "Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. That way, you'll be a mile from them, and you'll have their shoes."

New Parenting Website: Barbie I Can Be

2011-11-03T08:00:00.002-04:00

I was thrilled to find out recently that I've been chosen to be part of the new "Barbie: I Can Be" campaign, to help promote a new website that will help Moms with the task of raising their daughters so that they are smarter, stronger, happier, and more fulfilled. You can find this great new site at http://www.bethevoice.ca/.

Computer Engineer Barbie

Leading Canadian Parenting Coach, Terry Carson (http://www.theparentingcoach.ca/) will provide perspectives, wisdom, and experiences with visitors who, like all of us, want to become better at parenting. Each month, she'll be sharing new themes and parenting tips and ideas.

(In case you think I'm ignoring the elephant in the room, I'd like to point out that on the website, one reader already commented on the whole "Barbie's-unrealistic-body" issue! You'll have to surf over to find out more.)

I'm sure we all second-guess ourselves in terms of how we're raising our daughters (or sons). I was lucky enough to have a fantastic mother to look up to, and I certainly followed in her footsteps. I've written before about how she inspired me and made me believe I could "have it all": a fulfilling career and a family.

I also had the example and support of two wonderful grandmothers and several special aunts. My mom's sister is only eight years older than me, and was more like my own sister than an aunt. I could count on her for hand-me-downs (I especially loved the magazines: Teen, YM and Seventeen) as well as advice. And of course I am very well aware of the impact that teachers can have on their students, and Mrs. Clancy (who taught me in Grades 3 and 4) definitely left a lasting impression with me. In fact, I'm pretty sure that I loved Mrs. Clancy so much that it made my own mother a little jealous!

I think the whole idea of the "I Can Be" theme is great, and when I look back on my childhood, I can recall exactly what my ambitions were: wife, mother (preferably of girls), teacher, homeowner and writer. (Yes, I was that boring. Although "movie star" made a fleeting appearance on the list.) What can you do when all of your dreams come true other than get down on your knees and thank God? I have to admit though that gratitude is unfortunately elusive sometimes, considering that each of those roles comes with strings (of varying thicknesses, lengths and entanglements) attached.

Although I often feel guilty (I've mentioned I'm Catholic, right?) for not being an in-house entertainment director or constant playmate for my girls, some of the important values that I want to instill in them (see website for more on values) are strength, independence, creativity and curiosity. I feel confident that they are on track with those, despite (or because of) my aversion to hovering.

I must be doing something right (or making things look too easy!) since my five-year old tells me regularly she wants to be a mommy, teacher and writer like me. She also insists that she will do all this while still living with me. We have time to negotiate that part.

Be sure to check out the new Barbie I Can Be website at http://www.bethevoice.ca/.

Disclosure: I am participating in the Barbie I Can Be campaign by Mom Central Canada on behalf of Mattel Canada. I will receive compensation as a thank you for my participation. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Winners: Skechers Shoes and Tween Titles From Scholastic

2011-11-03T07:59:00.002-04:00

Congratulations to the two most recent This Mom Loves winners:

Skechers Shoes:

Tracy from Victoria, BC

Klutz Tween Titles from Scholastic:

Andalene from Eganville, ON

Congratulations, ladies...and be sure to enter the Christmas Extravaganza, everyone!

Christmas Extravaganza 2011: Hundreds of $$ in Prizes!

2011-11-01T08:00:00.004-04:00

Giveaway open to Canadians.

Let me be straight with you: you don't want to miss this contest. By filling out the form at the bottom of this post, you have the chance to win one or more of hundreds of dollars' worth of terrific products, just in time for Christmas. Enter now (extra entries if you follow This Mom Loves publicly through Google Friend Connect, e-mail or Twitter) and let your friends and family know about it as well! Sure, it's more competition...but you still could end up finding one of these great gifts under your tree! There will be a winner chosen for each prize, and all names remain in the entire draw.

Up for grabs:

Secret $100 Gift Basket

This gift basket will contain approximately $100 worth of Secret's newest products (I reviewed their Fall line of hosiery recently here). The winner will receive a variety of coloured and patterned tights, as well as some of Secret's great shapewear.

Moonjar Moneybox Classic

My oldest has one of these, and uses it regularly. It's a fantastic way to teach your kids about money, and the important values of spending, saving and sharing. Find out more at http://www.moonjar.ca/. Retail value: $29.95.

Rubbermaid Goes Pink Collection

Last month, Rubbermaid went pink to help support the Canadian Breast Cancer society. Now just in time for Christmas, they're giving one lucky This Mom Loves reader a care package of their pink products worth $25. Included will be 1 Refill Reuse bottle and 16 food storage containers (4 each of 760mL Round, 1.2L Deep Square, 669mL Square, and 284mL Twist and Seal). Products are available for purchase at Loblaws and WalMart.

RUBIK's Race

You all know the RUBIK's Cube, and now there's the RUBIK's Race, bringing a retro twist to holiday giving. This ultimate face-to-face game challenges players to get their brain and fingers racing to match the given pattern of nine coloured squares faster than their opponent. Like the original RUBIK's cube, the game requires skill, speed and logic...but this time as a race against another player! RUBIK's Race is suitable for children ages 5 and up, and requires no electricity or batteries. Suggested retail price: $19.99.

My Friendship Bracelet Maker

My Friendship Bracelet Maker's design innovation loom lets you create friendship bracelets quickly and easily! Includes 56 precut threads in 14 different colours, and the slide-out tray with inside storage keeps strings organized. You can even access bracelet patterns and free video tutorials online! Find more information on their website. This prize is worth $30.

My Ribbon Barrette Maker

This one's a blast from the past! Girls can design and create their own 1980's retro-style braided ribbon barrettes! The website has more info as well as an instructional video. When my girls are older, I am so getting them one of these. This prize is worth $30.

$50 Voucher For Posterjack

Is there any better gift for loved ones than a photo gift? Posterjack.ca offers great Christmas ideas like posters, canvas, acrylic and metal prints, and collages...all created with your own photos! Upload your image and select a product and size...simple as that! Sophisticated technology and high-quality materials help capture a memory that will be treasured for a lifetime. One lucky winner will receive a $50 voucher to be used towards the product of her choice. Everyone else should check out their Photo Prints and other creative ideas, whether you're thinking of a gift, or a unique way to display your own holiday photos after Christmas!

3-Pack of hot new Swagger Tags (2 sets up for grabs!)

A SwaggerTag is an identification tag that reflects your personality and helps you keep track of your gear. By customizing SwaggerTag with your own photo, image or logo, you can let everyone know it’s your stuff. You decide what personal information to include and your SwaggerTag reveals the information only if it is opened. Water, weather and impact resistant, with strong attachment points and ties to ensure it will stay with your gear, SwaggerTags are available in six distinctive colours.

I received one of these for review, and it's a neat little gadget...and a perfect stocking stuffer! Whether you want to make sure your kids' backpacks or sportsbags are identified, or you have a family member or friend who's a frequent flier, there's sure to be someone on your Christmas list who would love to be surprised with one of these!

One winner will receive a set in "girl" colours (Gecko Green, Hot Pink and Mustang Purple) and another will receive the "boy" set (Dolphin Blue, Dragon Red and Spider Grey). Each set is worth $18. Find out more at http://www.swaggertag.com/.

The Very Cranky Bear Gift Set (2 sets to be won!)

My friends at Scholastic Canada are offering up two of "The Very Cranky Bear" gift sets. The set includes a mini hardcover copy of the cute story by Nick Bland and a cranky bear stuffed toy. (Each set is worth $19.99).

Skechers Shoes of Your Choice!

Yes, that says "of your choice"! One lucky winner will receive any pair of Skechers shoes selected from http://www.skechers.com/! You could go with the Tone-Ups or girls' Twinkle Toes, both of which I reviewed in the past couple of months, or maybe there's a special guy in your life who would love to find a new pair of shoes under the tree. The choice is all yours, and this prize is valued at up to $120!

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So, are you convinced that it's worth your while to take a few seconds to enter the This Mom Loves Christmas Extravaganza 2011? Simply fill out the form below, and click "submit". The Extravaganza will run until Friday, November 25th at 11:59 p.m. Eastern, after which time a winner for each prize will be chosen through random number generation. Good luck!

Flashback: Make It A Green Halloween

2011-10-21T08:00:00.000-04:00

How the time flies. It was two years ago that Peterborough, Northumberland and Lakeridge Kids first published my "Green Halloween" article, with tips for celebrating the holiday without harming the environment.

I will admit that I haven't embraced all of the advice I shared (I'm not much of a 'homemade-costumes' kind of mom, and living in the country requires some carbon emissions in order to trick-or-treat) but I am a big fan of pumpkin seeds, my girls use reusable bags, and we are sure to recycle as much packaging as possible.

As for tangible goodies over edible treats...the jury's still out on this one. Obviously there are downsides to junk food, but as a clutter-phobe, I'm not sure we need any more stickers, erasers, etc. around the house...and once November 1st hits, anything Halloween-themed goes away. (Okay, fine, I also want the kids to bring home candy because they're still young enough that I can steal some. I said it!)

Check out the article, and try to find even one tip you can use as your goal for this year's Halloween.

Wednesday Words on Balance

2011-10-19T07:55:00.000-04:00

Judging from the responses I received from my recent article on Work/Life Balance, this issue stuck a chord with many. For all you fellow jugglers, I offer these words, which may give you a slightly different perspective today:

"My candle burns at both ends
It will not last the night;
But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends -
It gives a lovely light."

Edna St. Vincent Millay

Heartland's Michelle Morgan: The Momterview

2011-10-17T08:00:00.003-04:00

You may know Michelle Morgan as "Lou Fleming" on the hit CBC show Heartland. Averaging over a million viewers an episode, this Alberta-based show is the network's most popular family drama.

Not only did her character give birth at the end of last season, but Michelle is a new mom in real life as well. Somehow she found time to chat with me about Heartland, her daughter, and the ever-popular "balance" question.

The cast of Heartland

This Mom: You've been open about how you moved around a lot growing up, and what a challenge that was for you. How did you handle that, and how did the experience help you?

Michelle Morgan: It always just was, and it actually got to the point that when we didn't move for a few years, I got restless. And I'm still like that. If I'm in the same place for a long time, I get a bit restless, and I need to sort of shake things up. But now that I've had a child, I'm actually really excited to plant some roots and have a home. I've never really had that instinct before, so it's an interesting change for me.

TM: You studied drama at the University of Toronto. Do you feel having that background has benefited you as an actress, and that it's something that actors should have?

MM: It's funny, because Tommy Lee Jones is an actor who, for example, never did any acting classes and says you don't need it, and he's an exceptional actor. So I don't think it's necessarily for everyone, but what I would say is having that training, especially in the theatre, gives you a really strong foundation and builds your confidence. The thing that happens is that some actors are amazing, and they have no training but they have tons of confidence when they're young and full of energy, but sometimes they lose that confidence and they have nothing to fall back on, whereas when you have your training, you can go back to what you've learned. You've got techniques: breathing, physical, vocal, and you can go back to that, which I think is something I need, for myself anyway.

TM: You've done some Q and A's through the Heartland blog, and mentioned how you've auditioned for many roles you didn't get, which I know is true of all actors. Is there a particular "one that got away" that you still think about?

MM: Sure! Really early on I auditioned to play the lead in Gilmore Girls, so I used to see that show on TV all the time and think "Oh, man!" And I watched that actress's career and always thought that would have been a good one. I auditioned for a role that later went to Zooey Deschanel in The Assassination of Jesse James and it was a small part, but when I auditioned for it, the auditioner really made me feel like I got the part, as they do sometimes. She was like "That was excellent! Good job! Wow!" and she seemed so impressed with me that I walked home thinking "Oh my God, I got it!" But of course I didn't. So when I went to see the movie of course that was in my mind!

TM: When Heartland began five seasons ago, did you ever anticipate what a success it would be?

MM: No! When you film a pilot, you never know if it's even going to air. A lot of them just get shelved and nothing ever happens with them, so to be in the process of filming Season Five...no, I never imagined! It's been so exciting, and what a gift to be working on a project that has had this kind of longevity.

TM: Switching gears a bit now to your pregnancy...I know you were very happy with your doula experience. Can you tell us a bit about that?

MM: I didn't know what a doula was until I got pregnant, but my best friend-slash-naturopath said "This is what you need, it's support for the mother," and it was so great for me. I managed to have a natural birth without any drugs and I found the birthing process really difficult, and there were many points where I thought "I cannot do this!" and it was my doulas who gave me the strength and the physical support, like actually leaning on them, that actually got me through it.

TM: You've said that next time you'd like to try a home birth?

MM: I think I would. The midwifery program I worked with has just started a home birthing program, and I think that I would like to do that. I feel like if I was in the comfort of my own home, it would make the process easier for me.

TM: I assume your pregnancy was written into the show?

MM: No, actually it was a total fluke! I knew that I was going to be pregnant on the show, they told me a season ahead, so I knew it was coming, and then I found out I was pregnant, so it just worked. Isn't that funny?

TM: Heartland held a baby-naming contest for your character's baby - and had tens of thousands of entries! {Catherine Marion Minnie Fleming won out.} How did you choose the name Mara for your daughter?

MM: Well, we were going through a million names and couldn't settle on anything, and I thought of Mara because it was my Grandmother's nickname, so it was a name that I liked, and I had talked about it with Derek, and he was like "Yeah, I like it," but we didn't settle on anything. Then when Mara was born, the midwife said "What's her name?" and I looked at Derek and said "Mara?" and he said "Yeah!" so we kind of agreed on it when she was born.

TM: Mara is over six months old now. What are her latest milestones?

MM: She's just grown her two bottom front teeth, and she just started eating solids, which she enjoys. She's also starting to get up on her hands and knees. It's so fun to watch her right now. Her dexterity has increased so much, you can just hand her anything and she'll play with it and bang it around. It's so great to play with her.

TM: I've read that this season Lou will have to struggle with going back to work early for financial reasons. You can certainly relate to the quick return to work. How did you manage it?

MM: Mara was only eight weeks old, and I was not ready to get back to work, but that's when the show started filming, so that's what I had to do. It was probably one of the most challenging times of my life but it's gotten a lot easier now that Mara's sleeping through the night, and I've got a great full-time nanny so things have gotten a lot easier, but it was very difficult at first.

TM: On your blog you wrote about being very active before and during your pregnancy - yoga, etc. How has that been going since Mara was born?

MM: Well at first I would be lucky to find time to do a little yoga at home by myself, but right now I just got out of a swim at the local rec centre, so lately I've been finding a little bit more time to do those things. It's hard for moms. At least moms I know. I mean definitely the first thing I sacrificed was time for myself. It's hard to find that time to do things like exercise and do yoga but I'm trying!

TM: I recently wrote an article about work-life balance...and whether "balance" is even the right word to use. How do you find you're doing with that? Do you think it's even a realistic goal?

MM: What I like to say is every day I am trying to achieve that balance and I have yet to achieve it. It's always a challenge, every day. You know, you just have to try to make things work. Enjoy the time you have with your family, your child, your husband, and when you're at work try to focus on that and enjoy that, and every day is different. You have to take it as it comes.

Michelle icing her baby shower cake.

Can you believe her own baby shower was the first one she'd ever attended?

TM: What are your work aspirations after Heartland, if someday the show should end?

MM: I would really like to just be challenged and to play a character that's completely different from Lou. A complete departure would be fun. I would love to do some straight-up comedy in the vein of 30 Rock or Arrested Development, that's always something that I've loved, and I'd love to do some theatre. I haven't done any since I started Heartland and I miss that.

Michelle with baby Mara Carmen

TM: You identify yourself as Chilean-Canadian. What aspects of Chilean culture do you hope to pass on to Mara?

MM: I'd love for her to speak Spanish. And she's gotta learn to make a proper Chilean salad! She has to soak her onion in hot water and slice up the tomato! I'd love for her to have the cooking, and also to know my family. When I grew up, every few years we would go down to Chile and visit my family and I'd love for her to be able to do that too.

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Next came the part where I said "That's all my questions, thanks for your time,." etc. However, the interview took an unusually nice turn when Michelle then said "Tell me about yourself!" She asked me about teaching, and my family, wrapping up with: "And you keep a blog! Good for you! I know from keeping my pregnancy blog that it's a lot of work. It may not seem like it, but keeping a blog takes a lot of time!"

Thanks for a great chat, Michelle, and for sharing your pics with us as well!

*****

Season Five of Heartland premiered on September 18th. Find out what you've missed on the Heartland website, and catch new episodes of this multi-generational saga Sundays at 7 p.m. on CBC.

You can follow @MichelleMorgan_ and @HeartlandOnCBC on Twitter, and learn more about Michelle at http://www.michellemorgan.net/.

Free Movies at Cineplex: October 22nd

2011-10-14T06:45:00.000-04:00

As a huge movie-lover (who has passed the quality on to both of my daughters) I thought the following was worth sharing. In a nutshell: free movies and $2 concessions...and it's all for a good cause! Read on for details!

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SAVE THE DATE FOR FREE MOVIES! October 22nd is Community Day at Cineplex. Join us on the morning of Saturday, October 22nd at all Cineplex Entertainment theatres for Community Day in support of Starlight Children's Foundation. Doors open at 8:30AM with a great selection of FREE movies beginning at 9:00AM. Plus, enjoy a regular popcorn, regular fountain drink and selected candy for only 2 DOLLARS each with 100% of the proceeds donated to Starlight Children's Foundation! For more information, please visit: http://www.cineplex.com/Promos/Starlight/Community.aspx

About Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada:

For more than 20 years Starlight Children’s Foundation has been dedicated to improving the quality of life for children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses and life-altering injuries. Through a broad array of in-patient, out-patient and online resources, Starlight works hard to support seriously ill children and their families from diagnosis through the entire course of medical treatment and beyond. Whether it’s a trip to the zoo, a toy-filled playroom or an exciting sporting event, Starlight’s mission is to bring fun, joy and giggles right where they are needed the most!

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My local Cineplex is showing great films like Yogi Bear (3D), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1, and Green Lantern. I have a feeling my two will be voting for a rescreening of Happy Feet. See you at the movies!

Tween Titles From Scholastic: Giveaway

2011-10-13T08:00:00.002-04:00

Giveaway open to Canadians.

Later this month I'm running a Beauty and Self-Esteem workshop for girls at my school (based on the Dove Real Beauty Campaign) and Scholastic Canada generously donated two copies of each of the following Klutz activity books for girls as draw prizes. Even better for you, they are also giving away a set of these books to one lucky This Mom Loves reader!

Me and My Friends: The Book of Us ($18.99)

"This is a book about you and your friends. And you and your friends get to complete it together. Leave no page untouched by your personal brand of brilliance. You'll find out more about your friendships than you ever knew you didn't know. Comes with keepsake envelopes and a perpetual birthday calendar. Includes activities for 2, 4, 8 or even 12 girlfriends to do together. Comes with funny quizzes, fill-in-the-blanks, doodle how-to's, messages in code, and tons more. Fill it out today, keep it forever!"

My [Not-So] Perfect Life: A Fill-In-The-Blanks Journal ($21.99)

"This book celebrates a tween's real-life, bumps and all. The journal is filled with friendly, funny prompts to help document the good and bad of real life. Think about it: if everything were really perfect, what would there be to write about?" Comes with a glittery pencil.

The Truth About My Name and What It Reveals About Me ($18.99)

"A clever little book of secrets, games and fortunes, all centering around your name. Learn how your initials reveal your inner awesomeness, discover your vampire name, make up tricky nicknames and more. Plus, personalize the five included metal charms with your own designer monogram!"

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All you have to do to enter to win these fantastic books (retail value $60!) is fill out the form below, and click submit. The contest will run until Thursday, October 27th at 11:59 p.m. EST, after which time a winner will be chosen through random number generation. Good luck, and thanks to Scholastic for their support! (By the way, I know we're not even through Halloween yet, but keep in mind that any tween girl would love to find these books under the Christmas tree!)

Halloween Goodies From Hallmark

2011-10-11T08:00:00.000-04:00

As part of the Hallmark Press Pause Panel, I am lucky enough to receive care packages with samplings of their seasonal goodies, and I recently tore into my Halloween delivery.

Contrary to my clutter-phobe identity, I also have a cheesy side to my personality, and enjoy strategically placing holiday-themed items throughout my home. (Regular readers know that I decorate early, and take everything down pretty much by midnight on the day of the holiday.)

A couple of Hallmark items which will be added to my décor this year:

"Hokey Pokey" Skeleton ($14.95 with purchase of 3 cards): featuring sound and motion, this glow-in-the-dark skeleton "puts his whole head in" as he sings the hokey pokey song in a spooky voice. (Maggie gets a big kick out of this one.)

"It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" Book With Sound ($9.95 with any Hallmark purchase): Based on the beloved television classic, this new special book edition captures the story for all ages. Push the buttons to hear your favourite Peanuts characters!

Hocus Pocus Treat Presenter ($14.95 with purchase of 3 cards): Open this "book" if you dare, and hear unexpected, cackled greetings. It's too small to hold our household treats on Halloween night, but I plan to use this as my classroom "treasure box" leading up to the holiday.

An item I didn't receive which is now on my wishlist:

Hocus Pocus Countdown Calendar ($12.95): This wooden ghost and pumpkin calendar will count down the days until trick or treat time. Great for young kids, and again something I could use in my class.

Head to Hallmark, and pick up a new Halloween goody of your own. Be sure to tell them I sent you! Just kidding. They would have no idea who you were talking about.

Disclosure: I received some of the above-named items as part of my role on the Hallmark Press Pause Panel. Opinions are, as always, my own.

Work/Life Balance...I Don't Know How Anyone Does It

2011-10-06T08:00:00.002-04:00

Is there any mom out there who truly feels that she maintains a perfect balance between work and home? If so, she probably doesn't need to read my new article, "Work-Life Balance" from the October issue of Peterborough, Northumberland and Lakeridge Kids...but I would still love to hear from her. If she exists.

In the article I also mention that parents who have to miss bedtime may want to try recordable books, so I thought I'd share a couple of specific titles. Hallmark has some great ones:

The Disney books, like "What Makes a Princess?" and "Lightning McQueen and His Winning Team" ($29.95)

Or, in the reverse, you might want your child's face and voice to travel with you, in which case you might want to have the little one record a message inside one if these:

"Kids Say The Cutest Things" or "Baby Talk" ($24.95):

Gotta go. My husband/daughters/students/family/friends/treadmill/blog/lesson plans/marking/writing project/bathtub are calling me. Who do you think will win?

Disclosure: I received a recordable storybook for review purposes as part of my role on the Hallmark Press Pause Panel.

Wednesday Words

2011-10-05T08:00:00.001-04:00

"Let us not become weary in doing good,

for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

Galatians 6:9

Skechers for Kids: Twinkle Toes and Hot Lights Review and Giveaway!

2011-10-03T08:00:00.001-04:00

Giveaway open to Canadians.

Frannie had the good fortune of inheriting her mom's big feet. At age five with a shoe size of 13 1/2, you can imagine how often we have to buy new shoes. When Skechers asked me if I wanted to try out their new Twinkle Toes line for girls, I didn't think twice.

The Skechers Twinkle Toes line features sequins, lights, and colorful tattoo designs. When it comes to the boys, there is the Skechers Hot Lights line - these sporty sneakers feature smooth leather, synthetic and metallic mesh fabric, zigzag straps, and flashy lights.

Frannie loves the light up design, and finds the shoes very comfortable. As soon as she saw them she wanted to start wearing them to school, but the only glitch was that her pair is the regular lace-up style, and my little girl hasn't mastered the tying of laces. (Though they do come with two neat interchangeable lace colours.)

No fear though, as my friend Crystal over at 3 Jewels In My Crown posted about QuikSnaps a few weeks ago, so I picked some up and solved that problem. (The laces tie into the QuikSnaps, which the child only has to snap together - no lacing required! See photo below.)

My apologies to Frannie's teacher for the frequent flashing light shows...but at least there's no audio involved! (Please, Skechers, do not take that as a tip that you should design shoes with sound. Please.) And coming from a teacher: if you think your kids already have their school shoes and you're set for now, just a reminder: they'll be complaining that they're too tight by Christmas!

It should be noted that these are not the controversial "Shape Up" toning shoes for girls; just a regular funky sneaker style. (Though I have to say that for grown-up ladies, the Tone-Ups are fantastic, as I wrote about here. )

And yes...Skechers is offering one Canadian This Mom Loves reader a chance to win a gift certificate for a pair of Skechers Twinkle Toes or Hot Lights shoes (retail value $40-50)! All you have to do is fill out the form below. Contest will close on Monday, October 17th at 11:59 p.m. Eastern, after which time a winner will be chosen by random number generation. Good luck!

Secret's Fall 2011 Collection: Which Personality Are You?

2011-09-28T08:00:00.003-04:00

I recently received a parcel full of Secret's new Fall 2011 collection (I know, my life is rough), and the first thing that came to mind as I examined the all of the leggings, tights, pantyhose, and (yes) legwarmers, was that there's certainly something for everyone.

The "Animal Instinct" line (with ad copy like "make an outfit roar by displaying a little animal magnetism") is definitely for the gals who are a little wilder than I am. I just don't find that my day job teaching at a Catholic elementary school is the right fit for the Sheer Zebra Pantyhose or the Leopard Mesh Tight (I may save them for nighttime)...although with a long enough skirt, I think I might be able to do the Leopard Legging underneath. These styles are definitely edgy and eye-catching, and retail for under $12.50.

Next, we come to the "Colour Block" line. Very retro and right on trend...which I guess I am not, but you fashion-conscious gals will be all over the bright tights ($7.50 each) in shades like "Deep Teal", "Sangria" and "Chilli Pepper". I realize I am totally giving up any hope of being called a fashionista by admitting this, but I tossed a couple of the brightest colours into my "Halloween" bin. They'll come in handy for something. If any other boring old schoolmarms are interested, the line does come in "Dark Charcoal" and "Black", both of which have already found their way into my rotation. (Note: I like to think I dress fairly well, but considering that this is the first time I have used the label "fashion" for a post, obviously I don't blog about the subject much!)

Finally, we come to the "Sweater Appeal" line, which I found very...well...appealing. All in a soft grey, there's a "Heather Tight", a "Floral Circle Tight" (I feel like kicking things up a notch with a pattern is still appropriate for my workplace) and a really cute "Sweater Cuff Legging", featuring a chunky little cable-knit cuff. These three styles are all available for under $12.50, and will be seen regularly in my classroom this winter. (Except on yard-duty days, when only long pants will cut it.)

And though I really, really, hate the cold, I still don't know if I'm ready to pull off (or, more accurately, pull on) the "Light Rib" or "Cable Rib Leg Warmers". They're under nine bucks, available in white, plum, charcoal and black (fairly safe colours, even for me) but I don't think I have it in me to set this trend locally. Though I could be encouraged to follow it, should someone else start it, for the sake of the extra warmth. (Hint: if any of my friends or coworkers would like to borrow a pair of mine to get the ball rolling, feel free.)

Leave it to a pantyhose company to set me straight about style for this season!

Something else noteworthy about all of the Secret products is that they're comfortable and durable, especially given the reasonable prices.

Secret's Fall 2011 Collection is available at retailers across Canada.

Which personality are you?

Disclosure: I received samples of the products for review purposes. Opinions are, as always, my own.

Calling All Family-Friendly Companies and PR Reps!

2011-09-26T08:00:00.001-04:00

Christmas is only three months away, and I have just begun putting together two exciting holiday features that you won't want to miss!

The "Christmas Extravaganza" at This Mom Loves will feature reviews and giveaways of great Christmas gift ideas, not just for kids, but for grownups too! If you want to promote a family-friendly item that one of my readers would love to either find or place under her tree, this is the place to do it.

"Companies That Give Back" will profile products (including photos, descriptions, prices and websites) which are donated through This Mom Loves to my school's annual toy drive. This could include gift ideas from infants right through to teens.

If you're interested in jumping on board either of these features, please email me at katewinn77 at yahoo dot ca for more info. Don't miss out on a great advertising opportunity, and a chance to give back!

Wednesday Words For Women

2011-09-21T08:00:00.004-04:00

Sometimes I quote scripture, sometimes famous philosophers...but today's gems are just for fun!

There must be quite a few things a hot bath won't cure,

but I don't know many of them.

Sylvia Plath

Genius is of small use to a woman

who does not know how to do her hair.

Edith Wharton

Anastasia's Picks: Scary School and Unlikely Friendships

2011-09-19T08:00:00.002-04:00

Two enthusiastic recommendations from my ten year old book-reviewer niece, "Anastasia":

Scary School by Derek The Ghost (and Scott M. Fischer)

This is an amazing book. I mean, it's hilarious! It's monsters mixed with humans! There are several funny stories with creepy people to go with them, like Mr. Spider Eyes or Mr. Snakeskin! My favourite part is when it explains how the "writer" of the book died. I didn't find any parts that weren't interesting. This is one of my all-time favourite books!

Unlikely Friendships: 47 Remarkable Stories From The Animal Kingdom by Jennifer Holland

Unlikely Friendships is an adorable book. This book is about animals making friends with other animals. The pictures are cute and the stories made me smile. The pictures are for any age to look at. The book is for ages 10 and up to read. This would be a lovely thing to put up in your room, so if you're sad you can look at the pictures. I would rate it a full-on five stars.

Thanks, Anastasia!

Sweet Spammers: An Open Letter

2011-09-16T08:00:00.002-04:00

Dear Spammers,

To begin, I must thank you, because so far you have not overwhelmed my blog with your attempts-at-free-advertising comments, and I have not yet had to resort to using word verification or other time-consuming methods of slowing you down.

A few of you though have taken a shot, and your efforts are nothing short of entertaining. For example, those of you who go flat out for the kill and hope for the best, with no attempt to disguise your comment. Case in point:

"Great place to get for (sic) bankruptcy public records at lowest cost and fastest delivery on internet." (This was left on one of my "recommended reading" posts.)

Some of you see a natural opportunity, and you know what? If my post is about a butterfly party, and you actually sell related party supplies, I actually don't have an issue with sharing your information. That's okay.

There are mom bloggers among you who are just innocently eager to share your own projects, and I can handle a few "Love your blog! Please come visit my (fellow mom blog) site" comments. (I left a few of those myself back in my early days. You know, WAY back in 2010.)

However: "Love your blog! Please come visit my (erectile dysfunction drug) site"...not so much.

Those of you who amuse me the most are the spammers who try to kill me with kindness before dropping your absolutely apropos-of-nothing link:

"Nice blogging. My review is very good example." (Link is to a site for a venture capitalist.)

Then there was "Eric" (probably not his real name): "I discovered your web site via Google while looking for a related subject, lucky for me your web site came up, its a great website. I have bookmarked it in my Google bookmarks. You really are a phenomenal person with a brilliant mind! Please Visit ------ -------- Training Class." Maybe there are bloggers who get so many comments that something like this would just slip through...but not I.

"I really like your blog its really nice. I really enjoy here. and Your article its so unique its amazing. Thanks a lot for sharing.Keep blogging." Aw, shucks...thanks, "Cheap Essay"! Sarcasm warning: as a teacher, I can't wait to promote your essay-writing service. Though based on your comment, I question whether your customers are really going to get their money's worth...

As with all spam in general, a weaker command of the English language tends to be a giveaway:

"Randomly explain each things very detail in this blog, thank you." Is that supposed to be a compliment? (Link is to a party supply site.)

But here's my favourite one yet:

"What an exciting experience! Hilarious! Delightful! True! Wonderful stuff! Thank you!" (someone selling... well, something) But what a nice ego boost!

If any of you (spammers or regular readers) would like to leave a similar comment without trying to make money off it, I promise I will post it with pleasure.

Sincerely,

This Mom

Marci Ien Welcomes Baby Number Two

2011-09-06T08:14:00.000-04:00

Canada AM's Marci Ien tweeted on Sunday:

"Dash Joel Ien Exeter was born at 7:40 this morning. 6 pounds, 14 ounces. Thanks so much for all your support these past months."

Dash joins big sister, seven year old Blaize, who said: "Thanks for having my little brother, Mama. I've waited a long time."

A pic of Dash with Marci's niece, Melayna:

Congratulations, Marci! We are all so happy for you and your family!

For more on Marci, check out my first ever Momterview (for which she will always have a very special place in my heart), and follow her on Twitter!

Back To School Inspiration

2011-09-05T08:00:00.001-04:00

"Education is not the filling of a pail,

but the lighting of a fire."

William Butler Yeats

Fellow teachers and parents...throw away those pails, and let's get ready to light some fires!

Quagmire Kids ColorFusion Clothing

2011-09-03T08:00:00.003-04:00

Just in time for back-to-school, Frannie received a Quagmire Kids heat-sensitive color-changing ColorFusion shirt to try out...and if you're looking for a kid-pleasing item to spice up your child's fall wardrobe, look no further.

We were sent the purple/pink polo for review, which means the shirt is purple, but when activated by body or external heat, it turns pink.

When Frannie first tried it on, she thought it was cute before she even realized that there was a trick to it. As her body warmed (or when her sister planted a hand on her!) the shirt became spotted with pink. That morning she went for her back-to-school haircut and the heat of the hairdryer changed the item's color completely...no purple to be seen.

After laundering it for the first time, I realized the shirt had gone totally pink, and I freaked out, thinking that perhaps I wasn't supposed to wash it, but I realized that the heat from the dryer had worked its magic (and by the way, all items are indeed machine washable).

Boys' and girls' styles run from size 4 to 14 (I find they fit a bit slim, but you don't want to go too baggy or you'll lose some of the effect) and retail for a reasonable $25 - $39.

ColorFusion does come in adult sizes, but I'm pretty sure that's not for me. People don't need to know where my hot spots are!

You can purchase ColorFusion from http://www.quagmirekids.com/, http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/, or from The Bay (Queen St., Toronto.)

Disclosure: We were sent a shirt for review purposes. Opinions are, as always, my own.

Winners: Pampered Chef, Scholastic, Skechers

2011-09-03T07:59:00.000-04:00

Pampered Chef Large Stoneware Bar Pan:

Jessica of Brantford, ON

Scholastic Back-To-School Books:

Kathleen of Windsor, ON

Skechers Shoes:

Pamela of Kitchener, ON

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Congratulations, ladies! Enjoy your prizes, and thanks to everyone for entering!

ET Canada's Cheryl Hickey: The Momterview

2011-08-31T08:00:00.005-04:00

My readers know very well that I am a huge entertainment junkie, and what better place to get all the news than Global TV's Entertainment Tonight Canada?

I recently had the opportunity to chat with ET Canada's gorgeous, talented (and most importantly, Ontario-born!) host, Cheryl Hickey.

This Mom: You're a busy mom like all of my readers, with one big difference being that you're on national television every day! Can you take us through what a typical workday is like for you?

Cheryl Hickey: Usually I wake up at about 7:00 to "mamamama"; that's my alarm clock. Lately it's been "mama backhoe", because that's his big word right now. Then I go in and see my son, and we have a bottle and cuddle time, and then off to shower.

Usually I'm at work by 8:30 in hair and makeup, or as I call it, "restoration", and I go into a morning line-up meeting where we talk about what's happening with the show, what stories have broken overnight, some of the local stories we're working on. Then back into hair and makeup and between 10 and 10:30 I go into my office and catch up on e-mails and phone calls and things like that that I need to do.

Next I go into the voice booth and start voice-overs for the show for probably 20 minutes, then I jump into wardrobe and throw on my clothes and we start the show at 11 and do that until usually 3:30. Right now my schedule is condensed and I'm working until about 1:00 and then I go home to my son.

Work has been really great in that I was working part-time for a little while. To everyone at home it looks like I'm working full-time, but we've managed to condense my day so I can be home with my son. My husband {Kevin Foley} works a very busy job and he's not around a lot, so this way works out much better.

TM: You're around fame on a daily basis, but are there any celebrities who still make you feel starstruck?

CH: I think after doing this for a little while you realize these guys are just people like all of us, and they get really nervous before big events, and you can see it in their faces when you're on the red carpet. But sure, there are still some stars you get excited to see, like your Julia Roberts and Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, certainly. They're all pretty big.

TM: Is it common when interviewing a celeb for you to be told in advance that certain questions are off-limits, or are you generally open to ask whatever you want?

CH: Most of the time whatever you want to ask, but I would say that over the years, the number of publicists coming up to you saying "We don't want you to talk about this, we don't want you to talk about that," is definitely increasing, I think because their privacy is being taken away by all of the sites on the internet, the sort of 24 hours people watching, so there are certain things where they just don't want to talk about it.

TM: You always look amazing on the air. Do you have choice in your wardrobe?

CH: Oh yeah. I think Meg and I have developed a really fantastic relationship in that she knows what I feel I can wear and what I can't wear. Like any woman, you sort of know your body and you know what works and what doesn't. Every once in a while I'll wear something and think "Oh, jeez, why did I do that?" Meg will get a selection of clothes and I walk in and put on what I think works and then I'm out.

Cheryl and Kevin

TM: What can we look forward to with ET Canada's coverage of the Toronto International Film Festival this year?

CH: We're going to be all over it, of course! We'll be at all the really big red carpets, and we have a really great room set up to do some one-on-one intimate interviews with everybody and we've got a couple of really good parties with a ton of celebrities coming, and we'll have our cameras rolling of course so we can show everyone the next day. And we'll show all of the prep that goes in to it, and the big swag rooms, and how people get ready for big events like this.

Cheryl rocks her baby bump with ET co-hosts Rosey Edeh and Kim D'Eon

at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival (just weeks before Jaxs was born)

TM: How old is Jaxson now?

CH: {You can hear the smile in her voice as she answers} He's going to be two in October!

TM: And what is he into these days?

CH: Everything to do with construction and trucks. One of his first words was backhoe. They're doing some construction on the street in front of our house, and have been doing it for quite a while, so every morning he wakes up and he's totally excited to look out the window. He says "backhoe", "dumptruck", "front loader", so that is all very big. Also Baby Einstein. The Rocket. Loves it.

Cheryl and Kevin, http://www.houseandhome.com/

TM: Do you foresee any siblings in his future?

CH: You know, if we're lucky enough, that would be great. Absolutely. It would be wonderful for him to have a brother or sister, but you know, you can't really plan those things. It's not really up to us.

TM: We might think it us, but someone else may know better! Speaking of kids, I've read that you're a big proponent of sleep, as am I. Some people seem to to be able to get by on very little. Why is it so important to you?

CH: I think you become delirious if you don't get it, quite frankly, and it's hard to function. I think anyone who has been sleep-deprived knows that you have to have it. You don't function nearly as well. And I had a colicky baby, and I realized relatively quickly that it's really difficult not sleeping. I also think I did things wrong by not napping when he was napping. Sleep is huge.

Cheryl shared this pic on Twitter when Jaxs was two months old

TM: What do you and your husband like to do for family time?

CH: We make sure our weekends are always family time, because we're so busy during the week. My husband runs his own company, a production company with Vernon Wells, and anybody who runs their own company knows that you work long hours. It's much different. A lot of the time he's not home for dinner, it's just Jaxson and I, so on the weekend it's family time. In the summer we go to every splash pad we can find! We have a really big backyard so we make sure to do lots of fun sports outside. We go to the beach. He's big into the beach and swimming, so anything with water.

TM: How would you complete the sentence "This Mom Loves..."?

CH: I have a steamer and blender that you use to make your own baby food, and I still use it to this day to steam all of his vegetables and things like that, so I love that! I got it at Williams Sonoma, and it's green. {The Beaba Babycook Baby Food Maker, pictured below.} I also use a couple of really beautiful creams and oils that I love for my son because he has sensitive skin. We have a ladybug that shines moons and stars on the ceiling at night and that's a great way to soothe him, and he loves it. And I love his hands and feet!

Thanks, Cheryl!

To stay up-to-date with entertainment news, both worldwide and from here in Hollywood North, be sure to catch ET Canada weeknights on Global TV at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT.

You can also follow @ETCanada and @CherylHickeyETC on Twitter.

Our East Coast Vacation: Highlights and Lowlights

2011-08-29T08:00:00.001-04:00

I bring you now the highlights and lowlights of our East Coast (i.e. Ontario to Quebec to New Brunswick to PEI and back) adventure:

Lowlights:

We realized right before we left for the 16 hour journey that the in-van televisions were not in working order. Had to stop at Canadian Tire along the way to buy new ones. Tried to install new ones; they were defective. Went back in to return them, left receipt in van. Figured it all out, and discovered that we had left our DVD in the returned system. But believe me, it was ALL worth it. You just can't drive that far with kids without TV's. Other tips: Children's Gravol works for car sickness. We also kept a small cooler in the front of the van with cheese strings, granola bars, cut up strawberries, etc. to keep snack breaks to a minimum.

French Mass in Shediac. Not because it was French, or Mass, but because the priest used the word "pouvoir" and Maggie very loudly demanded to know why he said "poo"! Other than that, it was actually a bit of a cultural highlight for me.

Did I mention it was a 16 hour journey? We did it over two days, stopping in Quebec on the way down and the way back, but it's still a lot for two children, a driver daddy, and a not-so-patient mommy.

Highlights:

The "cottage" was more of a "huge beach house". My parents had a room, the girls shared one, and we got a huge room with ensuite and jacuzzi tub! We woke up every morning to this view of our private beach:

Crystal Palace: an indoor theme park for kids in Dieppe, New Brunswick with rides and games. Buy the wristbands and everyone rides all day.

Shediac, New Brunswick: This is where we resided for the week, and it was a fantastic little town. We were there for the Acadian festival, so the girls and I got matching bracelets (which, despite my awareness of the Acadian culture and reasons for their symbolic colours still made me feel strangely Texan). Though the parade was brief and unremarkable, we did get a photo of Canadian Liberal leader Bob Rae and his wife with local MP Dominic Leblanc (below). This may not be a big deal to you, but my 78 year old grandmother has quite a crush on Leblanc.

Acadian flag

History lesson in a nutshell: "Acadia" refers to portions of Quebec, the Maritime provinces and Maine which were originally part of New France. In the 1700's, residents who refused to swear unconditional oaths of allegiance to the British Crown were deported. Many have since returned, but a large number settled as far south as Louisiana, where "Acadian" was eventually pronounced "Cajun". Learn something new every day, don't you?

Avonlea Village in Cavendish, PEI: Anne of Green Gables fans would LOVE this authentic village, complete with buildings, wagon rides, and costumed actors. (Wristbands were good for two days, so if you get rained out, you can always come back.) Gift shop note: the large Anne dolls can cost more than $40 (and will likely just sit on a shelf). I talked Frannie into the $6.99 figures of Anne, Diana and Gilbert which have already been fodder for hours of interactive play. Check out our little girls-of-Green-Gables in the dressup building:

Anne of Green Gables - The Musical in Charlottetown, PEI: Frannie was absolutely enthralled, and it even kept the attention of three year old Maggie (who had no shortage of - loud - questions throughout the performance. "Why did she do that? Where is he going? Who is that boy? Why is her last name Green Gables?")

The World's Biggest Lobster photo op in Shediac. Just because it was cheesy.

Quebec City. Arguably the most beautiful city in North America, it never fails to take my breath away. My girls and my brother's children were particularly captivated by the street performers. Though I cherished all of the family time, I wouldn't recommend trying to navigate the narrow European streets as a group of ten with a double stroller. It's more a "divide and conquer" kind of place. No historical reference intended.

It was fantastic to spend so much quality time with family, including my parents, brother, sister-in-law, niece and nephew. I mean, the girls coloured Grandpa's fingernails with markers and played Princess Yahtzee with Grandma...you can't get that every day. (Usually Grandpa does his own nails. Ha ha.) I am the type of person who has a very hard time slowing down (so the Internet access was an absolute must) but even I was proud of myself for just taking some time to stop and smell the seashells. (Though I don't recommend that particular olfactory sensation. There was a "mystery smell" in our van upon our return, and a couple of days later the same overwhelming smell was in Frannie's room. When I walked in one morning and gagged, she told me "It's just the seashells!" They have since found a new home.)

Coming home. Or as Maggie put it: "Our real home!"

In Memory Of Luke Thomas: July 11, 2011 - July 12, 2011

2011-08-23T08:00:00.008-04:00

Luke should have been born today.

Dear friends of ours, after a great deal of time spent hoping to be blessed with a child, found out they were finally expecting, and due August 23rd. The news was shared, and joyful preparations were made. An ultrasound confirmed that it was a boy, and Luke's name was chosen (though kept secret from even his parents' closest friends!)

On July 11th, six weeks before his due date, Luke's Mommy noticed that he wasn't as active as he had been, and subsequent testing showed that he was in distress. He was born via emergency C-section (at a fighting weight of 6 lbs, 3 oz), and whisked away for observations. Later in the day, his parents received the devastating news that Luke had suffered from a very rare, spontaneous in-utero condition where the blood flow reversed and went from baby to mom, with fatal consequences. This tragedy was not foreseeable, or preventable.

After blessing his grandparents and aunts and uncles with time to meet him, Luke passed away on July 12th, 2011.

It's not right, and it's not fair. Not that two warm, smart, generous, loving people, the best parents a child could ask for, don't get to bring home the baby they were expecting. Unfortunately, we are not granted the privilege of understanding why.

Luke's Mommy naturally struggles with the "what-ifs". I'm sure you can join me in reassuring her that, while we would all question ourselves just as she does (guilt is a requirement of joining the mommy club, of which my friend is now a member) we all know that she couldn't have handled things any differently. In fact, I feel that she was gifted with a special awareness of her own body that day which allowed her to meet her son, as doctors have told them that babies with this condition are usually stillborn, their problem rarely caught in time to bring them into the world alive.

"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." Psalm 30:5

I truly believe that prayers for Luke's perfect little soul are unnecessary, and that he saw heaven in the moment of his final breath. I do ask, though, that you pray for Luke's strong and brave Mommy and Daddy, that they may continue to forge ahead through the darkness of the night, and that the morning will bring them unimaginable joy.

Back To School Books From Scholastic: Giveaway

2011-08-21T08:00:00.003-04:00

Giveaway open to Canadians for 7 days only!

I love Scholastic. When my PR contact asked me if I wanted to take a look at some back-to-school books, I was very specific: I'd be interested in some kindergarten-appropriate titles for my daughter, and an early chapter book that would appeal to my Grade 3 class. She certainly delivered! Here's what I have to say about these three picks...which, of course, you can enter to win below.

Eddie Gets Ready For School by David Milgrim

This one's a picture book, written in checklist form. Be forewarned that it's definitely not a real step-by-step for your kids, unless "drink root beer" and "put cat in backpack" are normal morning instructions around your house!

The illustrations are also funny, and kids can look to see how the pictures don't align with the words (e.g. "Get dressed" to Eddie means a pair of underwear on his head and a superhero cape!)

Bailey by Harry Bliss

This is another funny picture book, with speech and thought bubbles to spice up the story. As the jacket describes:

"Bailey is not your average dog. In fact, he's top dog at Champlain Elementary School. And with Bailey around, school has never been so unpredictable --- or so much fun! "

Although Bailey attends school with regular kids, he's certainly different...especially since he eats his own homework! It's actually a bit of a neat lesson about how the other students accept and love him anyway.

Marty McGuire by Kate Messner, illustrated by Brian Floca

This is an illustrated book with lots of short chapters, all about third grader Marty McGuire...who would rather spend recess catching frogs in the pond than playing dress-up with the other girls.

My daughters really enjoyed hearing this story, and it will be a read-aloud for my class in September.

I'm always looking for books about Grade 3 students...and I'll never forget when I bought one with "Third Grade" in the title, didn't preview it, and had to think on my feet to change the story as the main character spilled the beans about the Tooth Fairy! (Don't worry...my students had no idea!) Now that I've read "Marty McGuire", I know it's a safe bet! Plus, it's the first in a series, so maybe I can hook a few kids in. Click here to check out the author's website.

If you're interested in receiving these books for little school-goers in your life, just fill out the form below. Extra entries for following me through GFC, e-mail or Twitter (links in my sidebar) or following @scholasticCDA on Twitter.

This will be a quickie contest, and will close on Saturday, August 27th at 11:59 p.m. so the prize can be sent to the winner ASAP in order to celebrate back-to-school. Good luck!

First Day of Preschool: 5 Tips For Avoiding Tears and Tantrums

2011-08-19T07:31:00.000-04:00

Today's timely post is brought to you by Maisie Knowles, the founder of BestBabyStuff.com, a website reviewing only the best baby products. I'll turn things over to her!

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Back to school is just around the corner. For many toddlers, it'll be the first day of preschool and the very first day they're away from mom and dad. My oldest daughter is starting preschool in the fall and just the thought of her going off to school for the first time gets me teary eyed.

How will I handle dropping her off at her first day of preschool? Better yet, how will she deal with her first day? If I know my daughter, I won't be the only teary eyed person at the classroom door. Not only will there be some weeping, but possibly a tantrum or two while I peel her off my leg and try to make a get away.

To help make a smooth transition into the school year, I sat down with veteran moms and asked them how to survive the first day of school.

1. Tour the school with your child before the first day.

A tour will help your preschooler become familiar with her surroundings before getting dropped off by mom or dad. While visiting, meet the teacher, visit your child's cubby, and get introduced to other children in the class. Make sure to act excited about everything you see. Your enthusiasm will help your child become more enthusiastic about school.

2. Go shopping with your child.

Yes, brave the toddler tantrums, grab your coupons, and take her to the store. Getting your child involved in picking out their own school supplies, backpack and clothes will help her mentally prepare for school. Give her the freedom to choose those gaudy, pink, sparkly shoes she loves. Tell her that she can wear them to school and show them off there. You can also have your child help you cut out or search for coupons for her school supplies. She'll enjoy finding coupons for her items and will learn a simple lesson in savings. For a full list of places you and your child can search for coupons click here.

3. Let Her DIY

On the first day of school, allow her to pick out her outfit, help pack her lunch, and prep her school bag. Remember to be over enthusiastic about all her choices and be super duper EXCITED ABOUT EVERYTHING BECAUSE IT'S HER FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!!! HIP HIP HOORAY!!!!!

4. Saying Goodbye

Now for the hard part -- leaving your precious, screaming, teary eyed child at school. Give her a hug, kiss and a big smile at the classroom door. Wave goodbye and walk away. Don't show any hesitation because, if she sees your uncertainty, it'll make her uncertain about staying there.

5. Take It Easy Afterwards

The first day of school is over, but there's one more tip for surviving the first day. Don't plan on doing anything after school. Your child will likely be exhausted, so take it easy. Plan a nap and put together an easy dinner. The rest of the day, talk about what she experienced during her first day. Be upbeat about everything she tells you; remember she'll have many more school days when you'll both want to share the excitement.

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Thanks, Maisie! This year is Frannie's second at school, so it's not as monumental for me. However, next September Maggie will start JK, which will then be all-day, every day at our school, and Frannie will be in Grade 1...so both girls will be full-time students! That's a tough one to wrap my mind around!

You can check out Maisie's site at BestBabyStuff.com.

Skechers Fitness: Review and Giveaway!

2011-08-16T08:00:00.002-04:00

Yes, you can win a pair of Skechers shoes here! Giveaway open to Canadians.

So, lately I've been rockin' my new pair of Skechers Tone Ups. I'd seen the ads for these shoes, and jumped (so to speak) at the opportunity to try them out.

Skechers Fitness has a full range of shoes, which come with a variety of benefits:

The Shape-ups Line is designed to help you reach maximum potential (toning muscles, improving posture, burning more calories) while doing anything from exercise to errands. Three popular styles:

The Radius Trainer: designed for a high-intensity workout with maximum calorie burn

Evolution: a flexible walking shoe designed to incorporate maximum muscle action in each step

Liv: a lightweight walking shoe with an emphasis on guiding movement back to your natural gait

The Skechers Resistance Runner is a lightweight shoe designed to help burn more calories and create a more fluid stride for long distance runners, and also reduce injuries and enhance speed. (If I actually keep up with the running program I started at the beginning of the month, I may consider purchasing a pair of these babies.)

The Tone-Ups Fitness Shoe, which I received (tagline: "Make your bottom half your better half"), is designed to help empower healthy living and achieve results by increasing calorie burn, toning thighs and calves, and firming buttocks. (With a picture of Kim Kardashian on the bag, I couldn't help but focus on the potential booty-benefits!)

One of the secrets to this shoe is what they call the "Kinetic Toning Pods", which "create a bi-axial instability that may require muscle activation to maintain balance"...which in less technical terms means you feel a bit like you're going to fall over, so you have to use your muscles to keep you up! (Which is why I love this particular shoe for walking, but agree with the Skechers people that it's not suitable for running or other high-impact activities. There are other styles for those!)

After walking in my Tone Ups, I definitely feel a tightness in my thighs and calves that I don't usually feel after walking in my usual shoes. I haven't noticed anything in my butt...definitely no Kardashian fullness happening here yet!

I use them on the treadmill as well as outside, and I would definitely recommend them. Even if there were no truth to their extra-toning claims, they're reasonably priced and attractive, and everyone needs a good pair of walking shoes.

Each Skechers style is available in different colour combinations, and the prices range from $85 to $120 Canadian.

Okay, okay, on to the good stuff. Up for grabs here is a pair of Skechers shoes OF YOUR CHOICE! One lucky This Mom Loves reader will receive a gift certificate for a Skechers store to purchase the style and colour that suits her needs...all you have to do is fill out the form below and click "submit". That's it! Extra entries for those who follow me through GFC, e-mail or Twitter (you can find all of those options in my sidebar). You also get a bonus entry if you like Skechers Canada on Facebook. Oh, and I will actually check to be sure you do follow/like...so please be honest and save me some time!

The contest will run until 11:59 p.m. Eastern on August 30, 2011 after which time a winner will be chosen through random number generation.

Good luck, and get fit!

Better World Books: Buy a Book, Help Save the World

2011-08-13T08:00:00.004-04:00

Better World Books is a book-shopping website...with a twist.

Here's some info I received about them:

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“Goodnight Moon” saving the world? Do-gooder online bookseller supports literacy and the environment

For years, “do-gooder” moms and book lovers have shopped Better World Books for its big discounts and even bigger impact on the environment and literacy.

And now the company has some seriously good news to share.

But first – for those who don’t already know – here’s how it works.

Better World Books collects discarded books from libraries and campuses around the country, and sells them on BetterWorldBooks.com. For every book they sell, a cut of the money goes back to the library or campus it came from, and another goes to non-profit literacy organizations like Books for Africa.

Consider the fact that they sell millions of books every year – and those dollars start to add up.

Since its launch in 2003, Better World Books has raised millions for libraries and literacy – and in a few days, it will hit the TEN MILLION dollar mark! They’ve even got a cute ticker on the homepage “counting up” to $10 million…looks like it’s just a few days away.

That huge pile of cash is in addition to Better World Books’ contribution to the environment – the company’s business model has helped divert over 40 million books from landfills!

To celebrate its big milestone, the company is planning an exciting announcement on August 15. Check http://www.betterworldbooks.com/ then to find out what it is!

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I checked out their site, and it's a very cool concept. You can definitely buy children's books, but they also sell textbooks, and lots of fiction and nonfiction for us gals. You can find my recently-recommended "The Help" under Beach Reads, and they also have a section for "Big Screen" adaptations (e.g. "Water For Elephants", another of my favourites). Their categories are even helpfully subdivided, so when you click on "Parenting, Family and Relationships", you can then choose more specific topics like Adoption, Baby Names, Toilet Training ,etc. (My recommendation to the site: you need a "Sleep" subcategory!)

When you click on a title, you are given options of what condition you want to buy the book in (Used Very Good, Used Good, Used Acceptable), with corresponding prices. Most of the novels I checked out were in the $7 - 8 range.

You can also shop their 5 for $30 bargain bin!

Right now, the collections are based on Georgia and Indiana, with the goal of expanding to new states. They aren't collecting in Canada (yet). However, they offer FREE worldwide shipping.

Take a look: http://www.betterworldbooks.com/. I think it would be neat to explain this concept to older kids, and have them choose some books themselves. By the time of this post, hopefully Better World Books will have hit the $10 million mark...and on August 15th you can find out the details of their big announcement!

Samsung ST30 Camera and Mamarazzi!: Reviews

2011-08-11T08:00:00.003-04:00

I've been shopping around for a new camera lately, and was excited to get the chance to review the new Samsung ST30. I mean, first of all, check out all the cute colours:

But what you can't see in the picture is that this camera weighs in under 90 grams, and is a pocket-sized 82 x 52 x 17 mm.

Some selling points, in my opinion:

It has a Smart Auto feature for point-and-shoot fans like myself, but all sorts of different settings (portrait, night, etc.) for those who want to get a little more specific.
It takes videos.
There's a rechargeable battery (just plug the camera in to a power source to recharge)
It's very easy to hook up to a computer, and comes with Intelli-Studio software on the enclosed CD-ROM.
The Samsung ST30 is easy on the pocketbook, retailing at under a hundred bucks.

I found that the display screen didn't do the photos justice, as they turned out much sharper and with better colours on the computer screen and when printed at a photo lab, so don't be fooled if you test drive one and aren't thrilled with what you see on the display.

This camera takes a MicroSD card, which is not included.

I know you're just dying to see samples of my work, so I won't keep you in suspense any longer. (These shots are completely unedited.)

I took some close-ups (my adorable nephew and godson on his first birthday):

Mid-range (Frannie's now-clean room!)

And some distance shots (the gorgeous beach at Bon Echo Park).

If you're looking for a compact, reasonably-priced yet high-quality camera, this is the one for you. (And did I mention the pretty colours?)

To go along with this great new camera, I was recently sent a new book: Mamarazzi: Every Mom's Guide To Photographing Kids by professional photographer and self-proclaimed mamarazzo Stacy Wasmuth.

This fun guide combines humour with solid know-how. There are sections to help casual photographers like myself, but lots for the more hardcore mamarazzi who want to play with their settings, investigate different gadgets, etc. The book is interspersed with tip sections from other photographers as well. Some highlights:

Techniques for capturing genuine expressions instead of cheesy smiles (there's even a chapter called "No cheese, please!")
Tips for every age and stage, from pregnancy/newborn to teens
Basics of composition, lighting exposure, focus and white balance
Camera settings and lenses

In a nutshell, the two best features of this book:

1. The GORGEOUS photography. You'll get tons of ideas for your own kids' shots, and enjoy the experience of savouring all of the fantastic work in the book.

2. The "voice". This is no textbook, and Stacy knows her audience. I laughed out loud at lines like "Does all this sound a bit like Charlie Brown's teacher: 'Waah, wah, waah, waaah'?" (after a particularly technical explanation) and "...wait for the magic moment and (cue Emeril's booming voice) BAM!"

It's like a private tutorial from your best girlfriend, who just happens to be a professional photographer.

So...pick up Mamarazzi and the Samsung ST30 and capture the rest of your family's summer memories!

Disclosure: I was provided with a loaner camera and a copy of the book for review purposes. Opinions are, as always, my own.

Pampered Chef Review and Giveaway

2011-08-09T08:00:00.014-04:00

Giveaway open to Canadians.

You all know I'm not a cook. If I can eat out or get someone to cook for me, then I'm a happy woman. But I realize that, for many reasons (a: I'm not rich, b: my mom lives too far away and c: if my husband did ALL the cooking, I would be too indebted to him), I am called upon to make meals on a regular basis.

Therefore, I am a fan of any item that makes it easier for me to feed my family, and Pampered Chef is one-stop-shopping for all sorts of time-saving tools. Some of my favourite goodies:

the apple corer and wedger, which slices through apples, removing the core and leaving kid-friendly wedges

the ice-cream dipper, which works like a charm every time (no digging your fingers in to dislodge the ice cream)

the classic batter bowl, perfect as a mixing bowl, measuring cup, or for baking the always-a-hit Barbie-skirt cakes (and it comes with a lid)

I have to admit I was very lucky this year, because one of the girls in my class was the daughter of my Pampered Chef Consultant...so two of those three items were received as teacher gifts!

In case you've never heard of Pampered Chef, the products are sold through direct-sales parties hosted by trained consultants. Some people think their stuff is expensive, and some items are (cookware, knives, etc.) but the quality and guarantees can't be beat, and there are a ton of more budget-friendly items. A couple of weeks ago, I held a cooking party in my home (I know, the irony) with ten guests, and I ended up earning $245 worth of free Pampered Chef loot. My choices:

vegetable peeler
large round stone with handles
egg separator
large cutting board
medium cutting board
stoneware pan - 12 muffin
pie plate
large serving spatula
all purpose spreader
basting brush
pizza cutter
tongs for Cool and Serve

(Yes, I got ALL THIS just for having the party at my house...and a free veggie wedger for having 10 purchasing guests, and a choice of products at 60% off and 50% off.)

The stoneware is one of their best products as far as I'm concerned. My first ever purchase was a large stoneware bar pan (which you can enter to win today -- your own, not mine!) This can be used for meat, baking, etc...and the most beautiful feature is that it cooks evenly,and there is no need to flip your food! More adept cooks will love it for fresh meat and home-baked treats, while I find it's fantastic for frozen fish, chicken strips, and cookie dough! My Pampered Chef Consultant has mentioned that she likes to put a whole slew of bacon on it (overlapped, whatever) and it will cook to perfection.

Thanks to Mandy, the aforementioned Consultant and great teacher-gift-giver, I am giving away one large stoneware bar pan to a lucky This Mom Loves winner! The prize is shown below, and is valued at $45! All you have to do to enter is fill out the form below and click "submit". The only question I'm asking is your favourite Pampered Chef product...if you have one! If you don't own any Pampered Chef (yet!) you can say that too. Be sure to let me know if you follow This Mom Loves through GFC, email or Twitter for extra entries.

If you're interested in Pampered Chef, feel free to check out Mandy's website. If you happen to live in our area, she'd be thrilled to host a party for you, or get you started on your own Pampered Chef business. No matter where you live in Canada, she can hook you up with the right contacts to help you, whatever your needs may be.

This contest will run until 11:59 p.m. Eastern on August 23rd, after which time a winner will be chosen through random number generation.

Good luck, and get cooking!

Back To School Big Spenders

2011-08-07T08:00:00.015-04:00

I received this press release today, and thought I'd share it. There's some subliminal (Visa) advertising, and it's pretty easy (Visa) to see who (Visa) commissioned the (Visa) study, but I don't mind throwing them a free plug. My CIBC Classic Visa and I have been quite close since first year university, and I pay the balance in full each month (of course!) so I don't believe they've ever actually taken any of my money. Really, I owe them!

FYI: To date, I have purchased a $10 lunch bag for each girl (Frannie: Hello Kitty, since we couldn't find Star Wars, Maggie: Dora), and that's it. And that was debit, not Visa, and in-store, not online. I'll get Frannie a first-day outfit, and she needs a few pairs of pants since she has her mother's legs, but I'm not going crazy with shopping. Now, my own back-to-school-as-a-teacher shopping is another issue!
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Ontario Residents Survive Back-to-School Stress with Online Shopping:
Visa survey looks at Canadian back-to-school spending habits

(Toronto, ON) August 2, 2011 –This summer, eCommerce will see a boost as Canadian consumers will be looking to the web for their back-to-school shopping preparations in order to keep stress low and avoid lineups in-store and Ontario residents lead the trend with an average anticipated back to school online spend of $259.

This year’s back-to-school shopping survey revealed that 29 per cent of Canadian consumers dislike the crowds at brick and mortar stores. To avoid this, they are heading online for cheaper prices (54 per cent), better sales and promotions (48 per cent) and because it is faster and more convenient (38 per cent).

“As parents and students prepare to return to the classroom, the stress of back-to-school shopping can take a toll. Forty five per cent of those surveyed suggest the best way to stay stress free when back-to-school shopping is to start early and 27 per cent said shopping online is the second best way to keep the stress level low,” said Stephanie Wallat, Visa Canada. “We are seeing Canadians take advantage of the convenience that online shopping offers and Visa makes it easier and secure when purchasing those back-to-school must-haves.”

According to a July 2011 survey of online shoppers commissioned by Visa Canada, Canadian shoppers plan to spend an average of $404 online and in-store between now and Labour Day on back- to-school items with Ontario shoppers planning to spend the highest average of $447. Clothing is the back-to-school shopper’s most popular purchase, and 48 per cent of respondents are planning on adding to their wardrobe online. Other online items Canadians are looking for include school supplies (41 per cent), computers/software (36 per cent) and footwear (32 per cent).

“Shoppers in the market for back-to-school deals should also visit Visaperks.ca for coupons and special offers at merchants like GAP Kids, adidas and Lenovo,” adds Wallat.

Back-to-School (BTS) Online Shopping: Canadian Cross Border Shopping

Interesting variances also exist in how respondents’ perceive online back-to-school shopping in Canada and the US. British Columbia has the highest incidence of US online shopping with an average of 36 per cent, compared to 24 per cent in the Maritimes and 25 per cent in Ontario. Of all Canadians polled, 49 per cent found there is more variety in the US, while 37 per cent stated the store they were looking to purchase from was not available in their area.

Online layers of security also reduce stress.

Visa cardholders who want to shop online can count on several layers to protect them when online shopping:

• Verified by Visa, a password-based security program designed for online shopping, has been adopted by more than 378 million Visa cardholders and 430,000 merchants around the world. Adopting Canadian merchants include Air Canada, WestJet, Via Rail, Best Buy, Future Shop, Dell, Telus, Cineplex, Tim Hortons, Aldo, Suzy Shier, Bluenotes, and La Senza. CVV2 or the “three-digit code”, which is the number printed on the signature panel on the back of a Visa card. It helps to prove to the merchant that the cardholder has the card in his or her possession when ordering online or over the phone.

• Visa E-Promise, which assures Visa cardholders that if they have not successfully resolved a dispute with an online, phone order or mail order merchant, they can contact their Visa card issuer directly to initiate action to resolve the credit card charge in question.

• Visa cardholders are also covered by Visa’s Zero Liability policy, which means cardholders are protected against fraud if a lost or stolen Visa card is used to purchase goods in person, online, by mail or by phone.

For more information about Visa’s Zero Liability Policy and the Visa E-Promise, please visit http://www.visa.ca/.

“Visa’s layers of security offer added protection and peace of mind for online shoppers using Visa cards, letting them shop online with confidence wherever and whenever they want,” said Wallat.

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So...how about you? How much money do you think you'll be spending on back-to-school? Do you shop primarily online or at brick-and-mortar stores? (Tech-savvy as I am, for me "going shopping" means actually "going" somewhere.) And most importantly, did you catch the subtle advertising within the survey results?

Our Las Vegas Long Weekend

2011-08-04T08:00:00.010-04:00

So last week my husband and I made our first ever trip to Sin City...and it was a blast!

First things first, I got a Vegas-appropriate Shellac manicure: bright pink with sparkles. It's not a rule per se that you have to look like a showgirl in order to enjoy your experience, but I figured a little taste of it couldn't help but get me in gear!

To make the timing work out, our flight down was with Air Canada, which is the only airline we had ever used. I assumed that the choose-your-own movie on board was a standard airplane feature, but we flew American Airlines on the way home, and didn't even have our own TV's!

We booked a couple of months in advance through Expedia, and got the best hotel deal at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino...and wow! It could safely be called a resort, as it was huge, with a variety of food options (upscale and casual dining choices, all-you-can-eat buffet, and a food court complete with McDonald's and Starbucks).

Our room was in "The West Wing", which is known for its modern-style accommodations. However, we did feel like we were far away from the action, and had a bit of a walk through the building just to get anywhere. The more old-style-Vegas rooms are closer to the casino, restaurants, etc...but I'm sure they don't have TV's embedded in the bathroom mirrors! (Have I already mentioned TV twice in this post?)

West Wing Room

One recommendation I would make is to stay at a hotel where you are seeing a show. The MGM Grand is relatively far south on the strip, and it ended up being a fair hike to each of the three other hotels we hit in the evenings. (Not an unreasonable walking distance, but the 45 degree Celsius heat and a pair of heels affected my perception.)

Apparently Vegas is always hot, but we were there during a heat wave...which made the MGM Pools even more of an attraction. There are 5 large pools (some designated adults-only), 3 jacuzzis, 5 bars, and a lazy river. Honestly, I could have spent days just lounging outdoors...and that is very out of character for me.

Seriously.

We arrived on a Friday afternoon, and after checking in and unpacking, we explored the hotel and then headed up the strip towards the Wynn Las Vegas Resort. We intended to check out their dinner buffet, but the line was too long and we were worried about time, so we did a pizzeria thing instead, and a bit of shopping. I now own cute pink Wynn Las Vegas flip flops, and a nice Garth t-shirt. (Yes, I like to work out in cheesy souvenir apparel.)

The concert was at 8:00, which to East-Coasters like us felt like 11 p.m. (I'm sure my fellow book club members are incredulous as they read this, as I usually break up the meetings around that time, as I need my sleep. And by "break up", I mean I leave to go home to bed, and everyone else remains to talk about me.)

First we stopped for the requisite concert-poster shot, and I have to tell you, our fellow tourists were so friendly on this trip. My poor husband had to keep fighting people off when they offered to take pictures of the two of us together. His short answer: "Oh, no, thanks." (The long answer: "Oh, no thanks. My wife is a crazy blogger, so I know these pictures will end up online and I don't want to be in them.")

I actually used the word "fanatic" instead of "crazy" when I first wrote the sentence above, but then I worried that you, dear reader, might be skimming my work (for shame!) and think that I said "fantastic"...which sounds a bit cocky. Even if it's true...but I digress.

Garth Brooks was fantastic. I knew it was just going to be him and his guitar, so even though I'm a huge fan, I expected something fairly simple. However, he still managed to put on quite a show all by himself, with not only his own music, but samples of various genres and artists that have influenced him all the way back to his childhood, and even some stand-up comedy thrown in for good measure! If you love Garth, you will definitely love the show. If you're more a country-come-lately fan, then maybe not so much...and avoid it if you're anything like a girl who passed us in the hallway and was overheard asking "Is he that guy who sings Achy Breaky Heart?"

The buzz after the show included comments like "That was way better than I thought it would be!" and (you need to visualize big blonde hair and a southern drawl for this one): "I've seen a whole lot of shows, but this was one of the best. It was so intimate!" You really did feel like you had Garth Brooks right in your living room for a chat and a jam session. But be forewarned: he does a lot of first verse and chorus, and then moves on to another song...so don't be disappointed if the second verse is your favourite and you don't hear it. And definitely don't start belting out a line, assuming that it's coming, because then when it doesn't you might feel embarrassed. I'm just sayin'.

We cabbed it back for the sake of my blistered feet. Oh, and Vegas isn't like New York, where you can just hail a taxi randomly on the street. They line up at the hotels, and you have to line up too and wait your turn for one...so they're not necessarily a time-saver, more an indulgence for the lazy (or sore-footed).

Saturday we "slept in" (although the time change confounded my system all weekend), and dined at "The Grand Buffet". You might assume that I'm wearing flowy summer dresses in these photos because of the heat, but it's actually because of their capacity for expansion. Buffets in Vegas are incredible! After breakfast, we spent a couple of hours at the pool with some books and magazines.

In the afternoon, we explored the hotel further and checked out the Lion Habitat. For all of you animal-rights advocates, I'd like you to note that there are more than 30 lions brought in interchangeably from their as-natural-as-possible habitat off The Strip, so no one lion actually lives in the casino. A couple of times per week, each animal gets gussied up and brought in to town, to be shown off for a few hours (which, let's admit, is the same thing we do with our own children).

Later in the day, we headed to a very VIP, celebrity-packed event at The Venetian. (Rural Ontario mom bloggers get incredible perks, you know.) Can you believe all of the amazing people we met?

Bradley Cooper and me

Chatting up Will Smith

Saying hello to Angie and Brad

Striking a pose with Eva Longoria

Okay, for the sake of journalistic integrity, I should be a bit clearer. When I say we were at "The Venetian", I am actually referring to a business located at The Venetian called "Madame Tussaud's". And when I say it was packed with "celebrities", I probably should have prefaced the word with "wax figures of..." But you get the idea!

Honestly, did any of them fool you? I thought the first two were pretty good. Now that you know the truth, here are a couple more fun (and even less believable) shots!

Watch out, Faith Hill!

Simon Cowell judges my performance (Randy found it "pitchy", but at least Paula thought I looked pretty!)

My first interview with Oprah (I'll be pulling this one out for sure when I have my first real interview with O)
Alright, enough of my corny, pop-culture-addicted fun.

We returned to The Wynn, not because it's our last name only spelled differently, but because we were dying to try their dinner buffet, and there we stuffed ourselves to the point of pain. I am a picky eater, but I managed to fill my plate three or four times before sampling five different desserts.

Somehow we managed to walk over to The Mirage for Cirque du Soleil Love: Songs of the Beatles. I have to admit that Cirque du Soleil isn't really my thing, but this show felt more "Broadway Musical" than it did "Acrobatic Contortionists" (which is a good thing)...and how can you go wrong listening to Beatles music for an hour and a half?

On the walk back from The Mirage, we stopped at The Bellagio to witness their famous fountain show (add it to your list).

Next stop: The Nine Fine Irishmen pub at the New York New York Hotel. The live music was awesome (if you're in to Irish music, of course).

Sunday we buffeted and pooled it again, explored the lobbies and attractions of several other themed hotels along The Strip, and enjoyed fine dining at a quaint little place called The Outback Steakhouse. (Sometimes you just want the familiar!) That night was the grand finale of the trip...Celine Dion, live in concert! Yes, we saw Garth and Celine both - our tastes are eclectic. It was funny leading up to the trip, when we would tell others our plans for Vegas, they would either say "Garth! Wow!" or "Celine! Wow!"...but never both!

For this show, I wore appropriate footwear (because ladies, if you can't wear gladiator sandals to The Colosseum at Caesar's Palace, then where can you wear them?)

Celine did not disappoint. It was quite a contrast to the Garth Brooks performance, as she shares the moving-parts stage with a 31-piece band, and her music is enhanced by high tech lighting and screen projections (e.g. adorable footage of her three children). I won't spoil any surprises, but there are some interesting duets, and she covers songs of other artists as well. I felt like a lot of her fast stuff was missing, as it was more a flowing-ball-gowns-and-ballads kind of show. But we got to eat special Caesar's Palace M and M's during the performance, and had a great professional photo taken of the two of us in the theatre...for only 45 bucks. What a steal!

Speaking of money, you probably want to hear all about our experiences at the slots and tables. Sorry, we didn't have any! Well, we each spent $20 at the slots right before the concert, just to be able to say that we gambled...but it didn't last long! Here I am spending my last pennies at the Sex and the City machine:

I would totally recommend Las Vegas for a couples', girls' or guys' getaway. As for bringing kids...while there are tons of things for older ones to see and do (pools, tourist attractions, shopping, activities), they may cramp your style depending on what you're going for (e.g. they aren't allowed around the slots/tables, there's a lot of walking, etc.) Definitely not a trip for babies...and I think my 3 and 5 year olds are too young to get enough out of it. I would, however, consider going back with the girls when they hit the tween years and we would all be able to enjoy it together.

Feel free to ask if you have any questions, or if you've been to Vegas, add your own tips and tricks to help others plan their trips!

"The Help" by Kathryn Stockett

2011-08-02T08:00:00.000-04:00

If you haven't read it yet (and I realize most you probably have), then read it. Simple as that.

I'm no bandwagon jumper (in fact, when dealing with a two year old book, even a #1 New York Times bestseller, you might say I am chasing the dust behind the bandwagon) but this book easily makes my Top Ten Books Of All Time. (Which, granted, may not mean as much to you when you learn that Sweet Home Alabama is on my list of Top Ten Movies Of All Time.)

On a recent camping weekend, I forced my own family as well as my brother's to put off the trip to the beach for an extra hour so I could sit and finish the book. I physically could not tear myself away from it. What really happened to Constantine? Would Stuart change his mind? What was the terrible awful thing that Minny did? How could I go to the beach and pretend like everything was okay without the answers to these questions???

(In case you honestly have no clue about this book, it's about a white socialite and a group of black maids in 1962 Jackson, Mississippi who join together "to write, in secret, a tell-all book about what it's really like to work as a black maid in the white homes of the South".)

Can't wait to see if the movie (out in August) enhances the experience or ruins it. I'd love to hear what others thought of the book...even people with ~~questionable~~ different taste, like my mother who didn't like it at all.

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"The Help" by Kathryn Stockett