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Let Baby Drift to Sleep with Peaceful Panda – Review

Meagan Dalby
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77
Let Baby Drift to Sleep with Peaceful Panda – Review

We received the Peaceful Panda from Cloud b on the first day that I was at home alone with my 2.5 year old daughter and my 2 week old son. Talk about good timing! I really thought that this adorable plush would only be useful for the newborn as my daughter has never been very interested in plush toys, but the toddler loved the Panda from the moment we opened the package, and has insisted on sleeping with it every night since!

Peaceful Panda – Review

Peaceful Panda

Peaceful Panda Sings

My daughter loves how super soft Peaceful Panda is and that it sings some of her favourite songs, including Twinkle Twinkle and Rockabye Baby. I appreciated that the toy was ready to use straight out of the box. With batteries included, the only assembly required was inserting the sound box into the back of the plush and it was ready to go. No complicated instructions or manuals here.

Panda and H

When my daughter is not home, I’ve loved using the Peaceful Panda to nap the baby, using the soothing Heartbeat and Spring Showers sound effects. I have noticed that he naps longer with this toy, and it also helps to muffle other noises around the house, so he’s not as easily woken when I’m clattering around in the kitchen. The toy also includes a velcro strap on the back so it easily attachable to the side of a crib or stroller. The sound box also has an automatic timer so you can have the sound turn off after 23 or 45 minutes; no need to sneak in to turn it off or on!

Our family has really enjoyed the Peaceful Panda, and I’m sure it will be a well-loved comfort for years to come.

Clou b

For more information about Cloud b, you can connect with them on their website as well as on their Facebook and Twitter pages.

Disclaimer: I received the product from Cloud b in order to write this review. The views shared are my own.

4 Creative Ways to Get Picky Eaters to Finish Their Lunches

Pieces of Me
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9
4 Creative Ways to Get Picky Eaters to Finish Their Lunches

My kids are picky eaters. They try to negotiate what she would like to eat at meal times and how it should look in order for her to enjoy it. School lunches are the real challenges for her to want to eat. If they had their way, they would have nothing but junk food packed for their lunches every day. Since this will NEVER happen, my other half and I have become creative so they will eat their lunches during the school year. I am sharing with you some of the methods we found successful with our kids, and hopefully, they will help your picky eater want to finish their lunches as well!

4 Creative Ways to Get Picky Eaters to Finish Their Lunches

Breaking down meals

With our younger daughter, we found she did not like sandwiches. After scratching our heads as to what to do to get her to like sandwiches, we decided to give her deconstructed sandwiches. Basically, we would give her all of the parts of a sandwich, but we would add it to her lunch container. This way, she could see what she was eating. My daughter would also be able to make her own lunch combinations and eat the rest of it separately.

Ottawa Mommy Club Motts Fruitsations Food Art Photo

Keeping their eye on the prize

Kids are notorious for eating with their eyes. My daughter is no exception. She loves when her meals look bright and fun. There is more of a chance of her trying something new if it looks yummy. We try to do the following things to make her lunches look more inviting and fun:

  •  Cut sandwiches, cheese, and veggies into fun shapes your kids like so they are more willing to want to eat it with the help of a    cookie cutter or other shape making tools.
  • Find foods that are in their favourite colours and incorporate them into their lunches
  • Hide the nutrition into fun-looking foods such as brownies and homemade fruit roll-ups

They make lunches easier for her to eat and it also makes less waste for us to dispose of.

Have them help pick out the menu

When you go to a restaurant, you are rarely told what to eat, so why should it be the same where your children’s lunches are concerned? We ask our daughter to help pick out some options that she will actually eat for her lunches and that we can feel good about. If she is not sure, we then give her some advice.

One option parents can add to their children’s lunches this school year is Mott’s Fruitsations +Veggie fruit flavoured snacks. These yummy “gummie” treats contain fruit and vegetable juice from concentrate. Another great reason why Mott’s fruit flavoured snacks can make a great addition to your child’s lunch is that they do not contain any artificial flavours or colours. Each pouch of these fun snacks is only 80 calories and are available in two delicious flavours: Berry and Assorted. They are fabulous to pack for a lunch snack, to eat after school, or to have on-the-go!

Ottawa Mommy Club Motts Fruitsations Product Photo 3

Take a hands-on approach

We also find that having our girl help prepare her lunch helps her become less of a picky eater. She is so proud of herself for helping with what she has put together and loves showing her friends what she was able to make. This sense of accomplishment makes her lunch choices that much tastier to eat!

These tips are just some of the ways parents can try to get kids to eat their lunches in creative ways. Kids are picky eaters for so many reasons, and trying more than one approach is the best to get kids to actually eat what’s in their lunchbox. These options could also lead to your child becoming more confident in other aspects of their life, wanting to try new things they may have not wanted to in the past. I hope that these tips help your children to become more adventurous with their palettes!

Disclaimer: This post was generously sponsored by Mott’s fruit flavoured snacks.

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Staying Calm in the Midst of Kid Chaos

Lyne Proulx
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6
Staying Calm in the Midst of Kid Chaos

 

Staying Calm in the Midst of Kid Chaos

 

Staying Calm in the Midst of Kid Chaos

For most moms, life is hectic. Shuffling kids today care, school, sports; running to the grocery store; making breakfast, lunch, and dinner; not to mention making a living. Stress abounds, and it is very difficult to keep your cool when your daughter is crying because you gave her the orange spoon instead of the blue one. How can you stay calm in the midst of all that chaos and stress?

Take a deep breath…or 10. It may sound trite and overly simple, but it honestly does help. Getting more oxygen into your system helps your mind clear and gives your body what it needs to manage the stress response you are experiencing. If the kids are in a safe place, you may even step into another room or the bathroom for a minute or two to regroup.

Whisper. If your kids are at an eleven and you are trying to get them back to a 3, the worst way to accomplish your goal is to yell. Most often, they respond by getting even louder. Try whispering. Most kids will stop what they are doing and try to hear what you’re saying. Often, they will even lower their voices when they start speaking again.

Do a personal inventory. Are you hungry? Thirsty? Chances are good you’re tired, too. Moms are notorious for taking care of everyone’s needs but their own. If you are hungry or have not had enough water, your body is already stressed. Your physiological needs must be met in order for you to keep control of your emotions and moods. Keep a granola bar or apple and a bottle of water in your purse or the diaper bag so they are at the ready for those angry moments.

Keep perspective. Going back to the orange spoon, try to remember that to your daughter, the color of the spoon absolutely matters. She is finding her place in the world, and she’s searching for what she can control. Those big emotions she feels about the orange spoon are very real to her. Helping her realize that it is okay to want the orange spoon but it is not okay to yell at Mommy gives her the tools to sort out the appropriate reactions when she feels strongly about something. Being a kid is hard!

Most importantly, give yourself a break. You are doing the best you can. Hopefully these tips will help you stay more zen, but in those moments you slip and raise your voice or respond to a question more harshly than you intended, do not beat yourself up. One of life’s important lessons is that we all make mistakes, and it’s what you do with that mistake that builds character. When you feel up to it, pull your little man into your lap and let him know you’re sorry. Explain to him the emotions you were feeling that caused you to react the way you did. Give him a big hug and remind him you love him. And remember, you’re a great mom.

 

Photo credit: mdanys via Foter.com / CC BY

 

Homemade Granola Bars‏ Recipe

Lyne Proulx
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19
Homemade Granola Bars‏ Recipe

Granola is great for breakfast since it is filling and satisfying. It usually consists of rolled oats, nuts, honey and something to sweeten it up just a little, like brown sugar. This recipe is slightly different as it does not contain any oats. It is also a great snack for when you are hungry, but want a healthier alternative. Granola bars are such a great and versatile treat that it is also used for hiking, toppings for cake, toppings for yogurt, camping and much more.

Homemade Granola Bars‏ Recipe
Homemade Granola Bars‏ Recipe

I love to bake and try new things. With kids going back to school soon, I need something that is quick to make, they can grab while walking out the door and can even pack for their lunch. I decided to make my Homemade Granola Bars. When my kids were little, I would buy these buy the box at my local grocer. I soon found out just how easy they are to make and are much healthier, I stopped buying them by the box and make my own. This recipe is really fun to make and kids can help out.

Homemade Granola Bars‏ Recipe
Homemade Granola Bars‏

Homemade Granola Bars‏ Recipe

(Vegetarian, Gluten free, and Paleo recipe)

Homemade Granola Bars‏ Recipe
Homemade Granola Bars‏ ingredients

For this recipe, you will need the following ingredients:

Ingredients

  • 1 cup almond butter (or peanut butter, sun butter, etc)
  • 1 cup honey
  • 1 cup sunflower seeds
  • 1 cup dried cranberries or other dried fruit
  • 1 cup coconut
  • 1 cup almonds (Or other kind of nut, cashews, etc)
  • 1/2 – 1 cup cacao chips

Homemade Granola Bars is so easy to make! This is how you do it:

Directions

Homemade Granola Bars‏ Recipe
Homemade Granola Bars‏ ingredients

1. Using a food processor or chopper, grind or chop nuts. In a mixing bowl combine nuts, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, coconut and cacao chips.

Homemade Granola Bars‏ Recipe
Homemade Granola Bars‏ ingredients

2. In a sauce pan, over medium heat, combine almond butter and honey. Once combined and melted, pour over ingredients in mixing bowl. Mix together well.

Homemade Healthy Granola Bars recipe
Homemade Granola Bars‏

3. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and press mixture onto baking sheet to desired bar thickness.

4. Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes.

Homemade Healthy Granola Bars
Homemade Granola Bars‏

5. Store in plastic baggie or air tight container.

6. These also can be frozen and taken out as needed.

I hope you enjoyed my Homemade Granola Bars as much as my family and I did. If you make it, make sure to share with us on Facebook or Twitter! Also, check out all of our other Recipes.

Homemade Granola Bars Recipe
Homemade Granola Bars
Homemade Granola Bars‏ Recipe

Homemade Granola Bars‏ Recipe

Lyne Proulx
These granola bars are slightly different as they does not contain any oats. They are great as snacks when you want a healthier alternative.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 31 minutes
Total Time 46 minutes
Course Snack
Cuisine American, Canadian
Servings 16 small bars
Calories 323 kcal

Equipment

  • Food processor
  • Sauce pan
  • Baking sheet with parchment paper

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup almond butter or peanut butter, sun butter, etc
  • 1 cup honey
  • 1 cup sunflower seeds
  • 1 cup craisins dried cranberries or other dried fruit
  • 1 cup coconut
  • 1 cup almonds Or other kind of nut, cashews, etc
  • 1/2 cup cacao chips to 1 Cup

Instructions
 

  • Using a food processor or chopper, grind or chop nuts. In a mixing bowl combine nuts, sunflower seeds, craisins, coconut and cacao chips.
  • In a sauce pan, over medium heat, combine almond butter and honey. Once combined and melted, pour over ingredients in mixing bowl. Mix together well.
  • Line baking sheet with parchment paper and press mixture onto baking sheet to desired bar thickness.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes.
  • Store in plastic baggie or air tight container.
  • These also can be frozen and taken out as needed.

Nutrition

Calories: 323kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 8gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.001gSodium: 4mgPotassium: 269mgFiber: 5gSugar: 25gVitamin A: 4IUVitamin C: 0.4mgCalcium: 87mgIron: 2mg
Keyword gluten free granola bars, granola bar recipe, granola bars, homemade granola bars, paleo granola bars, vegetarian granola bars
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Do You Really Need Life Insurance?

Andrew W Bradley
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6
Do You Really Need Life Insurance?

Most people understand how life insurance works and what it is designed to protect against. They may also have family commitments and people who they provide for and know that some sort of life insurance would protect their family financially, if something were to happen to them. However, it is still often a very difficult decision to make if you are trying to decide whether or not you need life insurance.

Do you need Life Insurance?
Girl looking at a statue

Life insurance can be a big commitment financially speaking. The premium can vary in cost but can be considerable, then there is also the issue that life insurance term often extends over many years. There are not many people who can say with certainty what they will be earning in ten or fifteen or twenty years from now.

Early termination penalties

There can also be early termination penalties for permanent policies, which means if you want to end the policy early, you will be financially penalized. This is generally more relevant to universal and whole life insurance policies that accumulate cash value.

Do you need Life Insurance?
Do you need Life Insurance?

Tax-Free savings

If you have permanent life insurance, then it will also be a method of tax-free saving for the future. This is a very popular concept, especially these days with the growing concern about the state of pension funds, but it again deserves careful consideration. There are many ways to save for the future, and by deciding to do so with a Universal or Whole Life policy still entails deciding that it is something that you want and are willing to pay for. If you do not need it, then there are probably more efficient ways of saving for retirement.

If you have a young family and are concerned about their financial security for the future, then life insurance will be a great opportunity for you to provide for these concerns. There are also many other benefits and advantages a life insurance policy can offer to your financial plan so it is best to meet with a licensed life insurance broker who can asses your needs and make sure you get the proper protection.

AndrewWBradley.ca Financial Services

Photo credit: Sidereal via Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND

Glamping it up at Parkbridge’s Parc La Conception

Andrew W Bradley
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8
Glamping it up at Parkbridge’s Parc La Conception

I have to admit when I first heard about “Glamping” I thought it was pretty silly. Now I’m not going to win Survivor or anything like that but to me tent camping wasn’t supposed to be a weekend at the spa. However, after spending 3 days in August this year Glamping it up at Parkbridge’s Parc La Conception near Mont Tremblant I have completely changed my mind about “Glamping” and I would happily go “Glamping” anytime.

 

Tent is already set up and ready to go.

 

Glamping it up at Parkbridge’s Parc La Conception

 

glamping carPacking the car to camping for a family 4 is not fun. Trying to stuff the tent, food, clothes, stove and everything else you need into a SUV takes a lot of calculated packing and patience.  There is always a tough decision at the end of leaving something at home or being able to look out the back window and it is always something fun that has to be left at home. When heading off to a ready-to-camp site you have room to bring all your fun stuff. My wife and I got into the car to go she looked into the back and asked me “Is it that all that we’re bringing?”

I looked at the packing list then the back of the car and replied, “Yup, that’s it.”

Parc La Conception Red River
Kids playing in the water in front of our camp site.

After crossing over the Ottawa River on the Rockland-Thurso ferry and a nice drive to the resort we were greeted by friendly staff at the reception desk and found our way to the campsite. When we pulled into the site it hit me – we don’t have to rush and get everything unpacked, tent set up, blow up air mattresses, get snacks for kids and all the other things involved in setting up you campsite. We simply got out, took what we needed from the car and we were done!

Ready, set glamping!

Everything we needed and more was waiting for us inside the tent – beds, small fridge, utensils, coffee maker, table and chairs. Our site had a barbecue, picnic table, fire pit and was right on the Red River were the kids played in the sand and in the shallow water. We had just started our vacation and already we were feeling relaxed and enjoying ourselves.

 

Parc La Conception
A visit from Mama and her baby ducks.

The next couple of days were great, we spent time playing in the water in front of our site, at the large beautiful beach and of course the kids wanted to play on the slide at the outdoor pool. The kids also enjoyed the cool outdoor playground playing with other kids and walking in the trails in the forest.

At night we had our campfire with the mandatory Smores and Jiffy Pop (my wife’s campfire specialty), looking for constellations and talking.

Campfire fun at Parc La Conception
Having some fun by the campfire. At night we enjoyed a quiet, comfortable sleep on our double bed – as opposed to our air mattress that decided to leak when we were camping two weeks later.

Parkbridge’s Parc La Conception was a great resort for our family to have our first “Glamping” experience. It was clean, had lots of activities for the kids, a beautiful sandy beach and a ready-to-camp site that had everything we needed.

If you’re a family that wants to spend your time camping and not packing, setting up and then packing it all up again or if you just want to try camping without having to buy all the camping equipment a read-to-camp site a Parc La Conception is perfect.

For more information on Parkbridge Lifestyle Communities or to book your next camping trip visit their website ParkBridge.com, follow them on Twitter @ParkBridgeLife or Pinterest ParkbridgeLife  and check Parc La Conception on Facebook.  

Happy Glamping!

@AndrewWBradley

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Protecting Your Kids from Household Electrical Dangers

Lyne Proulx
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2
Protecting Your Kids from Household Electrical Dangers

We owe a lot of our modern conveniences to electricity and it’s fair to say that life would not be the same without it. But just because electricity is very helpful, it’s crucial that we remember it is also potentially very dangerous. This is something you always need to keep in mind when working with it and it’s even more important when you have young children in the house.

In fact, electrical safety should be right at the forefront of your mind when you’re looking into ‘child-proofing’ your home and when you begin the process, you’re likely to find that there are many potential hazards that you hadn’t previously recognized.

You may think that your home is child-safe but what about those power outlets? What about the wires behind the TV? What about the lamps, which might present a potential fire hazard?

This infographic from Transfer Electric of Toronto is a quick reference that will help you to quickly identify the plethora of electrical hazards that might present themselves.

6-steps-to-electrical-childproofing

Key Points

There are several key points that will hopefully be immediately apparent when looking at this infographic.

They are:

Power Outlets: 79% of people will at some point have an accident in the home due to power outlets! Toddlers are especially at risk, seeing as they have an insatiable curiosity and are at just the right eye-level for power outlets to be appealing.

Secure Electronic Appliances: Electrical appliances from televisions, to games consoles, to lamps can potentially be a fire hazard if they are pulled off of a shelf and onto the floor. Securing them down is a good way to avoid accidents.

Supervise Children: The best way to keep your children safe is simply to supervise them at all times. This way you can make sure that they aren’t playing with things they shouldn’t be. If your children are in a room full of electrical items and gadgets, just make sure that you’re in that room with them. This is also good for your gadgets themselves!

Keep Electronics Away from Children: Better yet, just keep the electronics away from your kids. One way to do this is simply to put them high up on a shelf where they won’t be able to reach them.

Keep Batteries Secure: Small batteries can be dangerous, especially if swallowed or damaged. Keep them out of reach in a locked drawer!

Prevent Fires: All these electrical safety tips should help to prevent fires and anything that is a potential fire hazard should be kept well away from children!

So, how does your home stack up?

5 Tips to Get Your Kids to Do Their Homework

Lyne Proulx
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4
5 Tips to Get Your Kids to Do Their Homework

 

5 Tips to Get Your Kids to Do Their Homework

 

5 Tips to Get Your Kids to Do Their Homework

One of the questions that make parents feel like a broken record is “Did you do your homework?” Some kids’ grades suffer because they forget about or simply choose not to do their homework. Try these tips in your home to turn the tide and save frustration on both sides.

  1. Ask your child what she needs. Think about how you feel after a long day of work (whether it’s outside the home or in). Do you need some time to recharge your batteries before starting dinner or doing the laundry? Your child is no different. Being well-behaved all day and focusing on learning is hard work, and for many children, going right into homework after returning home is not an option. Whether it’s resting in her room for 30 minutes, playing in the backyard, or reading a book for fun, allowing your child time to decompress will make the rest of the evening less of a battle.
  2. Create a routine, with your child’s input. Schedules will always be an important part of life, so ask your child to help you plan what the evening routine looks like. After you figure out what he needs to recharge, build the rest of the schedule from there. Perhaps next comes 30 minutes of homework, dinner, baseball practice, the rest of the homework with a snack, then some uninterrupted time with Mom or Dad before bed. A regular bedtime to ensure enough sleep will also help meet your child’s physiological needs.
  3. Put the homework in order. There is an order to the school day, so why not do the same for homework? If he is an instant gratification kid, encourage him to start with the easiest homework, do the hard stuff in the middle, and end with something a little easier. If your child prefers delayed gratification, try hardest, easier, easiest. You may need to play around with the order to see what your child prefers.
  4. Be involved! Parents who did not enjoy school often feel they cannot contribute or help with homework. Try just being present. If you have work to do in the evening, pull out your tablet or laptop and work in the same room as your child. If your child is struggling with a subject that is not your forte, ask her to tell you what she learned from the teacher about it. If she still doesn’t understand, and you cannot help, ask her to write a list of questions to ask the teacher the next day.
  5. They say it takes a village, so use the village! Consider asking your friends who may be strong in certain subjects if they are willing to assist your child. If that’s not an option, you may look into hiring a tutor. The school may have recommendations, or you could look into local or online options. If your child has a hard time with a subject, giving him support will decrease frustration and also teach him an important life lesson – we all have our strengths, and it is not a sign of weakness to leverage others’ knowledge.

Homework does not have to be a nightly battle. Start incorporating these tips into your routine, and within a couple weeks’ time, you will see a difference. Don’t lose heart if it doesn’t happen right away, but give it some time before throwing in the towel. Your child (and his or her grades and teachers) will thank you for it in the long run.

 

Photo credit: Chris Yarzab via Foter.com / CC BY-NC

5 Ways to Prepare Your Kindergartner for the First Day of School

Lyne Proulx
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5
5 Ways to Prepare Your Kindergartner for the First Day of School

Going back to school is tricky for any kid, but the nerves associated with the first day of a kindergartner are even more pronounced for little ones starting (not to mention their parents!). Consider these 5 Ways to Prepare Your Kindergartner for the First Day of School and making the transition a little easier.

5 Ways to Prepare Your Kindergartner for the First Day of School

How To Get Preschoolers Ready for Kindergarten

Visit the school

Fear of the unknown is one of the main components of first-day jitters. Spend some time this summer walking around the school building and playing on the playground (if it is not enclosed). Point out anything you see which your child might remember later (“See that neat bench? It looks like the one at Grandma and Grandpa’s house!”). Some familiar landmarks and memories made with you near the building could help ease fears when school begins.

Find out if the school has a mascot or fun theme days and start to celebrate it

Will your child be the mascot like a Tiger when she starts school? Cut out a tiger face shape from orange construction paper, along with black stripes, eyes, and a nose. Have your child help you make her tiger to be the mascot of her bedroom. Talk about what makes a tiger neat, and remind your child that she also has many of those attributes. You can also have fun with choosing clothing and hair accessories for pyjama day, funny hair day, etc..

Write a story to help set expectations

Even if your child has been at a full-day pre-school or daycare, a school setting will be a bit different. Write a story personalized for your child to create behaviour expectations and decrease fear. Use pictures of your child, the school building, and even the teacher, when you learn which class your child will be in. Keep the story brief, write it from your child’s perspective, and explore how your child might feel and what they should do about those feelings. “In August, I will start kindergarten. I feel nervous about the first day, but I know my teacher, Mrs. Smith, will help me feel comfortable. I will make new friends, but I will still have all of my old friends to play with too.”

Have your child pick out something new for the first day

Whether it is a first day of school outfit, a new backpack, or new shoes, something novel for the first day will create some excitement for the day to arrive. If money is tight, now is the perfect time to head to a children’s secondhand store or browse neighbourhood garage sales to see what gems you and your child can find. You can also see our article on How to Save More on Back to School Shopping for more tips!

Start the school-day schedule at least a week in advance

If your child likes to sleep in, begin waking him at the time he will need to get up for school. Eat breakfast, snacks, lunch, and dinner on the school-day schedule. It is hard to mimic the activities that will take place at school, but by at least helping to shape the structure of the day, your child will be used to it before the first day arrives.

By starting to have conversations now with your child about kindergarten, the new school and routine, you are setting him or her up for success. Most children respond best to order in their lives, and minimizing surprised should also help to minimize negative responses and behaviours. In the meantime, enjoy what’s left of your child’s last pre-school summer!

Mickey’s Sport-Y-Thon Activity Games

Lyne Proulx
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6
Mickey’s Sport-Y-Thon Activity Games

Disney came out with a new Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey’s Sport-y-Thon DVD for your kids to enjoy!

Share the excitement – and a sky-high view of the action – as sportscasters Pete and Donald Duck broadcast live from above in the Sport-Y-Thon Blimp! Who will earn a prized Golden Mickey Medal? Help our heroes discover that with teamwork and good sportsmanship, everybody wins! Jam-packed with over two hours of song-filled fun, Mickey’s Sport-Y-Thon will have you calling for an instant replay!

Mickey’s Sport-Y-Thon DVD

Put on your sneakers and get ready for the greatest sporting event ever! In Mickey’s Sport-Y-Thon join referee Goofy and all your Clubhouse Pals from earth and outer space as they compete in wonderfully wacky games.

Mickey’s Sport-Y-Thon Activity Games

Mickey’s Sport-y-Thon Activity Games!

To download, simply click on the photo above and print the pdf!

Have fun!

Hawaiian Sea Foam Punch Mocktail Recipe

Lyne Proulx
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15
Hawaiian Sea Foam Punch Mocktail Recipe

This Hawaiian Sea Foam Punch Mocktail recipe will be a big hit for kids of all ages!

Hawaiian Sea Foam Punch (Virgin)
Hawaiian Sea Foam Punch (Virgin)

Have you ever attended a birthday party and noticed the punch that looked like it had foam over the top of it? Or even the punch that has huge ice cream balls in it? They all look so delicious to me and they are always so refreshing. One thing that always bugged me, though, is that all the recipes I found online where to make the huge punch bowl size, instead of an individual pitcher like I was hoping to find. After tons of googling and not finding what I needed, it was time to go on a short conquest to make the perfect Hawaiian Sea Foam Punch Mocktail for kids recipe.

Hawaiian Sea Foam Punch Mocktail Recipe

This easy mocktail recipe is perfect for a hot summer day. Best of all, you don’t have to call over all your friends and their relatives to drink it all. Of course, if you wish, this drink can be doubled or tripled to be served at a party. If you have younger kids, let them pull up a chair and help make the “foam”, they will surely get a kick out of that! This is the perfect mocktail for kids.

Just a few helpful tips:

  • You can make the drink ahead of time, but wait until you are ready to serve to add the “foam”.
  • Mix it up with different flavours.
  • Having a party? Use a drink colour that corresponds with the party theme.

Now to make my Hawaiian Sea Foam Punch is extremely simple and only uses a few ingredients:

Servings size 1/2 gallon pitcher

  • 8oz Pineapple Juice
  • 8oz Mango Juice
  • 16oz Blue Raspberry Kool Aid
  • 8oz Coconut Water
  • 8oz Papaya Juice
  • Ice
  • Lime Sherbet
Hawaiian Sea Foam Punch (Virgin)

Are you ready to make this simple mocktail blue punch? Here is how:

How To Make Hawaiian Sea Foam Punch

In a large pitcher add all Juices and coconut water and stir to combine. Now add your Blue Raspberry Kool Aid (pre-made as per directions). Add ice till full to chill. Stir again.

In individual glasses, fill 3/4 of the way with ice. Pour your punch until 3/4 of the way full. Top off with 2 small scoops of lime sherbet.

I hope you enjoyed my Hawaiian Sea Foam Punch as much as my family did. If you make it, make sure to share with us on Facebook or Twitter! Also, check out all of our other Recipes.

Hawaiian Sea Foam Punch (Virgin) Recipe
Hawaiian Sea Foam Punch (Virgin) Recipe

Hawaiian Sea Foam Punch Recipe (Virgin)

Lyne
This drink is very easy to make and is perfect for a hot summer day. If you have kids, let them pull up a chair and help make the “foam”, they will surely get a kick out of that!
3 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 12 minutes
Total Time 12 minutes
Course Recipes
Cuisine American, Canadian
Servings 6

Equipment

  • Glasses
  • Ice cream scoop
  • pitcher

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz Pineapple Juice
  • 16 oz Blue Raspberry Kool Aid
  • 8 oz Mango Juice
  • 8 oz Coconut Water
  • 8 oz Papaya Juice
  • Ice
  • 2 scoop Lime Sherbet

Instructions
 

  • In a large pitcher add all Juices and coconut water and stir to combine.
  • Now add your Blue Raspberry Kool Aid (pre-made as per directions).
  • Add ice till full to chill and stir again.
  • In individual glasses, fill 3/4 of the way with ice.
  • Pour your punch until 3/4 of the way full.
  • Top off with 2 small scoops of lime sherbet.

Notes

  • You can make the drink ahead of time, but wait until you are ready to serve to add the “foam”.
  • Mix it up with different flavours.
  • Having a party? Use a drink colour that corresponds with the party theme.
    • Keyword cupcake recipe, Hawaiian Punch, Hawaiian Sea Foam Punch, mocktail, punch
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Find a Bit of Magic with The Irish Fairy Door Company – Review

    Pieces of Me
    -
    76
    Find a Bit of Magic with The Irish Fairy Door Company – Review

    Fairies have captivated the imaginations of my kids for a few years now and they love watching and drawing them. They want to know what makes them fairies, how they get their magic and what it is like to be a fairy. The Irish Fairy Door Company wants to make these inquiries a bit easier to obtain by creating fairy doors for these magical creatures to enter the human world! These products are recommended for children 3+ years old.

    Find a Bit of Magic with The Irish Fairy Door Company - Review

    The Irish Fairy Door Company -Review

    The Irish Fairy Door Company was created two years ago to bring Fairy magic from Fairy Valley to children’s homes. Globally, The Irish Fairy Door Company has helped over 500, 000 fairies move into human homes, as well as classroom, gardens, and woods. There are six different door colours to choose from for fairies to us to enter and leave the human world through.

    Here are the items my family received to get ready for our new addition:

    • A fairy door
    • A fairy clothesline with clothes on it
    Find a Bit of Magic with The Irish Fairy Door Company - Review

    My kids were so excited to find out that we were going to have a fairy come into our home. They could hardly wait to open up the packages to set up our door for our fairy to enter our home. They had fun choosing a name for our fairy (we came up with Sammie), registering our fairy’s name and signing our Family/Fairy Lease Agreement (NOTE:  online activities should be done with a parent present). Why is there a lease agreement? Well, fairies can be a bit mischievous. They have to agree to live up to the rules that Queen Kate and the National Fairy Council created to make sure they do not cause trouble.

    We set up our fairy door and clothesline in our children’s room. They could not wait for Sammie to visit our home and be a part of our family.

    Find a Bit of Magic with The Irish Fairy Door Company - Review

    The next morning, they found a surprise: Sammie had come! How do we know this? The key that magically opens the fairy door was found empty and Sammie has signed the lease agreement. They were so happy that they had a new friend! They even left presents for Sammie to shrink and add to her fairy home on the other side of her door.

    Whimsical world of fairies

    The website for The Irish Fairy Door Company has so many other tidbits for parent and children to see and learn about the whimsical world of fairies. Families are able to

    1. Read Magical Matters where they can learn more about the Fairy World and get messages from Queen Kates and the National Fairy Council
    2. FAQs for those fairy questions you are curious about finding the answered
    3. Fairy Stories from Fairy World
    4. Shop for accessories to make their fairy feel more like home in our world
    5. Fairy Facts
    6. Fairy Trails (where families can go on paths of different fairy doors to find out which fairies lived behind which doors).

    Our children really loved the magic and wonder The Irish Fairy Door Company brought to our home. They get to have a new friend to play with, they can find out more about this wondrous world through the website and they can move the door around so the fairy can explore our home and make it feel more at home with us. These items created a fantastic experience that will make many memories for years to come!

    For more information about The Irish Fairy Door Company, you can connect with them on their website as well as on their Facebook and Twitter pages!

    Disclaimer: I received products from The Irish Fairy Door Company in order to write this review. The views I shared are my own

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    The Teeter Totter of Life – The New Paradigm to “Work/Life Balance”

    Natasha
    -
    2
    The Teeter Totter of Life – The New Paradigm to “Work/Life Balance”

    Do you ever feel the pressure to “do it all?” Like you should be in two places at one time – be with your kids and be at the office? Hang out with your friends or take a yoga class? Trying to balance work and life can create tremendous amounts of stress, anxiety and pressure and ultimately can cost us our health and happiness. 

    What if there was another way of living without striving for balance between work and life? What if we just lived our life the way we wanted to live without the need to separate between work and life? What if you can have the life you want without compromising your health and happiness? 

    The New Paradigm to “Work/Life Balance”

    The Teeter Totter of Life - The New Paradigm to "Work/Life Balance"

    Balance

    Striving for balance in life creates a separation between work and life. This separation has us believe that one is enjoyable and the other is not and as a result we need a break from it – we need to “ balance” between what we like to do and what we don’t like to do. If we created work we loved to do, however, would we have to create balance? What if we just redefined what it means to “ work” and we made money by doing what we loved to do. To balance means to have an even distribution of weight. Is this possible to have an even distribution of our time across different experiences? Being a parent and a CEO at the same time? Being at yoga and having lunch with a friend? No! So what do we do instead?! If we aren’t trying to attain balance in life or if we don’t need to balance our life, then what does our time look like ?

    A metaphor I like to use instead of work/life balance is the Teeter Totter ride of life. Sometimes, we are teetering more on the parenting side and other times we are tottering on the “work” side. Having “balance” between professional and personal life will have you always trying to attain this idea that you need a break from one and when you aren’t “balancing” you are going to feel anxious, guilty and/or overwhelmed. This is how many women and mothers feel; they are trying to do it all in balance – at the same time and if they aren’t, guilt and overwhelm sets it.

    The Teeter Totter of Life - The New Paradigm to "Work/Life Balance"
    Children playing on a teeter totter

    If, however, you see your life as a teeter totter ride, there is room for flexibility and freedom and won’t necessarily set you up for feelings of overwhelm because you know that when you are with your child, you are with your child and when you are with your client, you are with your client. You are teetering on one side, but you know you will be tottering on the other side as well at another time. There is time for both! The trick is to get clear of what you want your time to look like. Teetering and tottering gives you permission to be present in one area more than another because you know that you are going to teeter on the other end at another time. – You can still have it all and do it all just not all at once! What a relief!

    New Paradigm

    There are two important points to address when discussing this new paradigm. First, get clear with what you want to do with your precious time? Do you want to work part-time? Full-time outside the home? Do you want to be part-time or full-time inside the home? Do you love what you do? Or another question is are you doing what you love? If for example, you love spending half your time with your child and the other half of your time creating art or teaching or consulting, then do that. When we become clear of what we love to do, our time spent doing that makes life fulfilling and much easier to be away from our children. If you choose to work outside the home and aren’t doing what you love, guilt and a lack of energy will consume you and your children. When you are making money doing what is your authentic truth, you won’t feel a need to “balance” because there is not one thing you dislike doing. Rather, you will feel the need to divide your time between the experiences you want to have in life – NOT divide between what you like to do and what you don’t like to do.

    The Teeter Totter of Life - The New Paradigm to "Work/Life Balance"
    A boy walking towards a teeter totter

    The second part to address is the importance of presence. When we are present with the task at hand, it is a win-win experience for all. If you are with your child then be with your child. If you are working with a client then be with the client. There is no greater gift we can give to people then our time. When we have decided how we want to divide our time, it is much easier to allow ourselves to be present because we know that we have prioritized time for the other things we love too. If you want to be a present parent to your child, but also want to be present with you clients, you can do this, but not at the same time. You can’t “balance” your presence with your child and also with a client simultaneously. You can only do one at a time. So do one at a time. Choose times that work for you and your particular situation. When you are with them, be with them. Trust me, they will thank you!

    An added bonus of living the teeter totter ride of life is that we are indirectly teaching our children to do the same as well as everyone else around us. When we are living our authentic truth and doing what we love (whatever that is) as well as prioritizing time with ourselves and our kids, we are showing others what is possible and important; we are teaching them to live life – NOT “balance” between what you don’t like to do (work) with what you do like to do (spend time with family and friends). This is your life! 

    Do more of what you love and teeter/totter your time. If we are cultivating a life based on what we like, then balance isn’t required. A teeter totter ride is! Being with clients one day and then heavy teetering with kids another and so it is life! Allow your work to be an extension of who you are and a demonstration of what you are capable of. Allowing your children and all those around you to see you living your life in such an inspiring, courageous way will give other people permission to do the same! What a great gift to give our children!

    The Teeter Totter of Life - The New Paradigm to "Work/Life Balance"
    The Teeter Totter of Life – The New Paradigm to “Work/Life Balance”

    Your life is what you create it to be, so choose wisely of what is important to you and do more of that! Always.

    With Love,

    Natasha

    Photo credit 1

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    15 Frozen Summer Treats For The Family

    Lyne Proulx
    -
    10
    15 Frozen Summer Treats For The Family

    We have compiled a list of 15 Frozen Summer Treats that feature a few of our favourites to make and some that we have not tried yet, but are planning to in the future. These treats that I have featured are fun for the whole family and we can even let younger kids join in on the fun in making them.

    Frozen Summer Treats

    I remember when my kids were little, we would always walk to the corner store and let them pick out their favourite ice cream. Some days they would pick out a fruity popsicle, and other days they would pick out a chocolate sundae cone. Now that they are older, it is a little harder to get them to hold my hand as we skip down the road to the store. They are more willing to make their own fun summer treats, ahh the life of having future bakers in the house. Every week we get together and search Pinterest for fun and easy treats that we can make using the ingredients we have in the house. My kid’s asked me “Why don’t we make a list of all of our favourites and work down the list every week”. That was such a wonderful idea, how come I didn’t think of that?!

    What is your favourite frozen treat? Comment below!

    15 Frozen Summer Treats
    Frozen Treats

    15 Frozen Summer Treats

    Enjoy the cinnamon-sugar taste of cinnamon into a cold, frozen dessert with this snickerdoodle ice cream. You’ll need an ice cream maker for this one!

    For a healthier alternative to ice pops, try these 3-ingredient homemade pops! Super simple to make in bulk, and a refreshing treat for all ages.

    Vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free – this simple frozen hot chocolate is a great way to drink hot chocolate on a hot day.

    This pink sherbet punch is a simple, two-ingredient drink great for parties and special events. It’s sweet, pretty to look at, and fruity!

    No ice cream maker needed for this delicious chocolate-y s’mores ice cream. There’s also a gluten free alternative.

    This recipe combines three of my favourite things; Funfetti, Cake Batter, and Ice Cream. What more could you really ask for in an easy to make sweet treat?! 

    To make the popsicles a step above frozen lemonade, these include real, fresh fruit, which is so refreshing on a hot day! A recipe is included if you want to make homemade lemonade.

    Three rich, flavorful layers make up these ice cream cupcakes. You can mix and match layers and flavors depending on your favorite flavors. What a unique birthday party dessert!

    These ice cream cookie dough sandwiches aren’t simply two baked chocolate chip cookies sandwiching ice cream. Instead, they’re layers of egg-less cookie dough we know and love.

    Combine ice cream and chunky and creamy chocolate for this homemade ice cream that will satisfy any sweet tooth. Although the recipe calls for an ice cream maker, there is an alternative recipe if you don’t have one!

    You’ll need a popsicle maker for these frozen treats. They only call for five ingredients, and you can easily make the recipe your own with your favorite fruits.

    As an alternative to cake pops for your next event, try these frozen ice cream sandwich pops!

    Low carb, sugar-free, and dairy free, this frappe can be as homemade or “store-bought” as you’d like. It’s also easy to personalize according to your tastes.

    Low-calorie, light, and refreshing – these watermelon kiwi ice pops are simple to make for a hot day!

    Fresh strawberries make up this ice cream that takes about 10 minutes and 5 ingredients to make this ice cream.

    I hope you enjoyed our list of 15 Frozen Summer Treats. With the temperature reaching record breaking stats, these are the perfect way to stay cool during the hot summer days. Let us know which one you liked the most below. If you make any of these, let us know by sharing with us on Facebook or Twitter!

    Indoor Skydiving Experience at iFly Toronto (Review)

    Lyne Proulx
    -
    9
    Indoor Skydiving Experience at iFly Toronto (Review)

    On a recent press trip to Toronto with my daughter, one of the activities scheduled was a visit to iFly Toronto! Since I have back problems, I decide to forfeit the experience, but my daughter did have a blast. You will find below our review of the Indoor Skydiving Experience at iFly Toronto was!

    20160319_004_1 (Small)

    Experience at iFly Toronto Thrilling Indoor SkydivingiFly Toronto is an indoor skydiving school that offers lessons, team building events, a Bodyflight Academy, and birthday parties. In the flight chamber, you live the experience of your first simulated freefall parachute jump. It is a extremely safe and indoor skydiving is accessible to everyone starting at 4 years old. The best part is that you don’t require any previous flying experience!

    iFly Toronto

    My daughter mentioned that she didn’t not have the impression that she was flying, but more like floating. You are actually lifted by the air flow in the flight chamber. The most difficult step is to stay in a stable position as this allows you to move around the vertical wind tunnel. By moving your hands, arms or legs slightly, it can change your body position from stable and floating to belly flat or sideways on the floor of the chamber. Her entire flying experience was 1 minute twice, but we were at iFly Toronto for 2 hours to register, take part in the in-class training with Q & A, fly with our group, and a review session with the instructor.

    iFly Toronto Experience

    The staff and the instructor were extremely courteous, friendly and knowledgeable. They made the experience amazingly enjoyable and memorable! To remember your time spent at iFly Toronto to the fullest, you can purchase photos and/or a video of your experience in the flight chamber!

    Everyone in good health can enjoy indoor skydiving, buy you should follow these flying criteria before booking your package:

    • You have checked with your doctor first if you have a history of heart, neck or back problems.
    • You weigh under 230 lbs, or 104 kg. (If your weight exceeds 230 lbs, visit their 230+ Package section.)
    • You are not pregnant.
    • You have never had a dislocated shoulder. If you have, you need to contact them.
    • You are not under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.
    • You are not wearing a cast.
    • Your participating child is more than four (4) years old and able to wear a properly fitting safety helmet.
    • If you are 18 years of age or older, you have read, understood and signed the Participant Undertaking and Risk Acceptance Statement.
    • If you are under 18 years of age, you must be accompanied by your parent or guardian to complete your registration.
    iFly Toronto- in the chamber

    They supply a fly suit and all the necessary equipment, including safety goggles (which allow you to wear your glasses or contact lenses), a helmet, and earplugs. They recommend that you wear:

    • A t-shirt with no collar (Not a polo type shirt)
    • Athletic pants or shorts
    • Socks
    • Running shoes with laces
    • If you have long hair, bring an elastic to tie your hair

    Packages include:

    • In-class training with an instructor
    • All the necessary equipment for flying
    • Question and observation period
    • 2, 4 or 10 flights per person, the equivalent of the free-fall portion of 2,4 or 10 skydives
    • A review session with your instructor
    20160319_004_39 (2) (Small)

    Overall, my daughter thought it was one of the most thrilling and fantastic experiences she’s ever lived. The adrenaline-filled rush of flying without having to jump out of a moving airplane and use a parachute was truly unforgettable. It was entirely safe, and the instructor was incredibly helpful to guide you into a better flying position and to realign your body if you were out of place. Even the slightest movement could alter the way you flew. Bending your legs too much could send you flying downwards instead! Flying upwards, however, was riveting! For the thrill seekers and the ones who would never consider parachuting, iFly is definitely an experience of a lifetime! Who wouldn’t want to (safely) conquer gravity?