Dream Big with Barbie Wishes from the Heart and Help Raise Money for @MakeAWishCA #BarbieWishes

 
Barbie Wishes from the Heart campaign is raising money for Make A Wish Canada, and you can be a part of it!  With the Holiday Season in full swing, what better time to send special wishes to family and loved ones and to teach your little ones about the spirit of giving in the process. 

Here's how to participate:  
Visit Barbie.com/MyDreams until December 31st and submit your heartfelt wish!  You can record a video or write it out to send in an email.  Remember to dream big, because with Barbie™ Anything is Possible!  You can submit as many wishes for family and friends as you would like, and share to your social media or forward them on to those you care about!  

For each eligible contest entry received between November 6, 2014 and December 10, 2014 @Barbie Wish from the Heart will donate $1 to @MakeAWishCA up to a maximum of $10,000.00

And it's as simple as that. 

Want some inspiration before you and your little ones go and make your wish?  Have a look at this adorable video.   Barbie invited girls to share their biggest wishes for themselves, and for someone they love over the holidays.  The end result is just precious! 





 

Prepare Healthy, Tasty Meals and Snacks With GLAD #GLADFreshFoodChallenge

GLAD Zipper Bags are a go to around here, for so many reasons. I use them to freeze bulk meats, home made soups, freshly ground coffee and more. But most importantly, I use them for leftovers! Because let's get real here for a second -- Leftovers really aren't my thing. They create additional dishes that need to be washed, they don't always taste that fresh and they take up precious room in my refrigerator! 

That's where GLAD comes in to save the day.  GLAD Zipper Bags are the perfect solution - They keep your food fresh for much longer than a bowl with plastic wrap ever could, and when you're done with them you can just toss them out, making this busy Mom's day a little bit easier.  Works for me!

I was recently asked to participate in the GLAD Fresh Food Challenge and keep my groceries fresh for a solid 2 weeks!  Here's what I did.

I purchased everything needed to make several days worth of salads, chopped up my ingredients and had them pre-made in GLAD zipper bags, ready in my fridge.  When dinner time rolls around, all you need to do is pull out a bag of still fresh greens, dress, toss and eat! 

I also prepared school snacks for my Little Miss ahead of time.  It's a simple, fast way to avoid waste before it's ever created in the first place.  I find with having snacks like cut up fruit and veggies, or meat with cheese (and crackers) ready to grab and go in the fridge, it's far more likely to get eaten. 

One night, I made spaghetti for dinner, then divided the leftovers into 2 servings for lunch the next day.  I portioned it out into 2 bowls and covered with Press & Seal.  That way I was able to quickly microwave the next day, and once again, left overs were used up and we had no waste.  Leftover pasta is one of my only exceptions to the no-leftovers rule, because I've never met a pasta that I didn't love. 

So what are your favorite ways to use GLAD products?  Do you save your leftovers?  Tell me about it in the comments!   

VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch Review - Fun For Kids of All Ages!

VTech has been a go-to brand for me for years. I remember in high school I was given this extremely cool looking VTech cordless phone for my bedroom (this was before cell phones were much of a "thing" because you know, I'm like old and stuff...)  I loved it!  It was small and cute, was this gorgeous translucent dark teal colour, had great features and even appeared in a few of my favourite teen movies at the time. 

When my kids were born, I began to look at VTech toys knowing they'd be of the same great quality and likely tons of fun, too!  I have not been disappointed yet.  We LOVE everything they have to offer.  The latest gadget to make its way into our home is the new VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch. 

I knew the watch would be neat, but it honestly exceeded my expectations!  My son LOVES it, and I won't lie, I have fun playing around with it too.  

About the VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch
The VTech® Kidizoom® Smartwatch is the smartest watch for kids! Perfect for young photographers, this durable smartwatch makes it easy to take photos and record videos on the go. They can also use the touch screen to explore their creativity with fun photo effects, frames and filters. The watch helps kids learn how to tell time by letting them choose between digital and analog displays. They can also choose between more than 50 clock face designs. It also includes a timer and alarm with a variety of fun animations to choose from. A voice recorder lets kids record their voice and play with five voice-changing effects. The Smartwatch also includes four learning games with the ability to download more from Learning Lodge™ using the included micro USB cable, which can also be used to upload photos and videos as well as recharge the battery. The Kidizoom® Smartwatch is also splash proof, making it perfect for everyday play. (Splash and sweat proof. Do not submerge and not suitable for showering or bathing). More than just a watch, it’s the Kidizoom® Smartwatch. 

When my son first got the watch, he couldn't wait to wear it.  I set it up for him and let him go to town.  He loves the bright green colour, and how "grown up" he looks wearing a fancy watch!  This weekend he decided he wanted to wear the watch on our trip to the grocery store.  A few minutes into my stuffing veggies into the shopping cart, I realized he was video recording my every move!  He thought it was pretty hilarious. While the watch is age rated from 4-7 years, kids are pretty clever these days and the Little Man just turned 3 but he's got most features figured out.  My daughter just turned 6 and she enjoys the watch as well, but I find she tires of it a little faster and will move on to something else.  

I'm amazed at how sensitive the touch screen is.  Often times when toys are touch screen, you really have to press at the screen to get it working.  With the watch, the sensitivity is great and it only takes a gentle tap of the finger.  As well, the quality of the camera is surprisingly good.  The watch takes better photos than the two toy cameras my kids have to play with. 

Our verdict?  AMAZING toy!  It'd make a great gift for birthdays or Christmas.  Find out more about the VTech Kidizoom Watch and other VTech products here!

Happy Shopping ;)


 

#VeryBadDay Family Movie Pass Giveaway #Winnipeg

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day will be coming to theatres on October 10th, 2014!  I am so excited to see this movie, as it's based on one of my very favourite children's books.  

About the film:
Disney's "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" follows the exploits of 11-year-old Alexander (Ed Oxenbould) as he experiences the most terrible and horrible day of his young life - a day that begins with gum stuck in his hair, followed by one calamity after another. But when Alexander tells his upbeat family about the misadventures of his disastrous day, he finds little sympathy and begins to wonder if bad things only happen to him. He soon learns he is not alone when his mom (Jennifer Garner), dad (Steve Carell), brother (Dylan Minnette), and sister (Kerris Dorsey) all find themselves living through their own terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Anyone who says there is no such thing as a bad day just hasn't had one.

 

Lucky for all of you, I've got a family pass to the WINNIPEG advanced screening on Saturday, October 4th at 10am at Cineplex Odeon McGillivray to Giveaway! 

Contest open to Residents of Canada.  Winner must be able to attend Winnipeg screening on October 4th.  Ends Sept.28th, 2014.

Want to win?  Enter below! 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck! 

Hexbug Aquabot 2.0 Review

Hexbugs have become a favourite tiny toy around here.  My kids love setting up their battle habitat to watch them "fight" just as much as they enjoy watching the tiny "bugs" skitter along the kitchen floor while they hop away from them!  (And torment the dog.  And me while I'm trying to cook dinner.)

The new Hexbug Aquabot is a new way to have tons of fun with Hexbugs, only in water!  

About Hexbug Aquabot 2.0
The new water-born Angelfish and Hammerhead Shark are  packed with smart fish technology, added sensors and an inner glow that makes them appear more alive than ever before!  The hi-tech sensor allows you to wake the sleeping fish by tapping on the tank.  Each fish comes with its own bowl and removable background stickers.  

When we first opened our fishy and plunked him into his bowl of water, he swam around slowly and then stopped.  I panicked for a second, but then remembered we had a brand new set of power cells (batteries) to add to the fish.  Once we changed out the batteries, the fish was really able to move!  My kids get a kick out of it.  The fish now sits on the kitchen table and they've been taking turns playing with it, recording video of it and...well... talking to it. lol.  I don't believe they've given him a name yet.  It's neat to see how tapping on the glass bowl will "wake it up" -- A fun little toy!  I think it'd be super neat in the tub and can't wait to toss it in one day while the kids are bathing, and wait for the screams and laughter!

You can find out more about the Hexbug Aquabot 2.0 here!

Happy Fishing ;)

Saving For The Future: RESPs and What You Need To Know #RESPwithRBC

It's a fairly universal fact that having kids costs money.  It's also the general consensus that parents want what's best for their kids.  So when Moms and Dads in Canada decide to have a baby, it's fairly common to think about the impact that a child (or an additional child) might have on family finances.  Obviously, one of the biggest factors at play in this is a child's Education. 

With the cost of College and University tuition on the rise, not to mention many people turning to Private or Home schooling for their children, the value of an RESP is maybe even greater than it's ever been.  Saving for our children's future is something that will benefit everyone in the long run.  Because let's be real here for a second - we are going to need some well educated leaders to look after us when we get old, no?  

It's important to know that the earlier you start saving, the better off you will be when it comes to helping your kids financially with future endeavors.   Just $25/ week over the course of 18 years can add up to $50,911.00 -- That's nothing to sneeze at!  But there are other ways to save, too.  Instead of having your child showered with an abundance of unneeded gifts and toys on the holidays, family members can contribute to an RESP as well.  And what's more?  You can receive free money from the government! The Canada Education Savings Grant will match up to 20% on the first $2,500 contributed annually. That could mean up to an additional $500 a year in your RESP, up to a lifetime maximum of $7,200!

I'll be honest.  I am not a "numbers" person, so when it comes to financial planning I often find myself sitting in a banker's office, or my financial planner's office with eyes glazed over, having to force myself to pay attention and to ask questions.  It's OK to ask a lot of questions when it comes to doing what's best for your kids.  And sorting this out now means that at crunch time (your child's graduation) you will have MUCH less to worry about.  All the help financial help you need to cover the cost of tuition fees, books and more will already be at your disposal thanks to your planning ahead.  Wouldn't that take a load off?

With advice from RBC, it's easy to start. No need to be overwhelmed. You have the flexibility to use the RESP for university, college, apprenticeship, non-credit courses etc., and if your child doesn't use the funds, you can use your contributions and earnings to fund your RRSP!

With all of that being said, I'll be setting up an RESP as soon as possible for my little "Chemist" and...erm... "Batman" in progress!  

You can find more great tips on saving for your child’s education here: http://www.rbcroyalbank.com/resp/ and rbc.com/education  

Enter here to WIN $500 towards your child's RESP with RBC. 

Do you have an RESP for your kids?  What are some of your best tips for saving for your children's education?  Tell me in the comments! 


Disclosure: I am part of the RBC RESP blogger program with Mom Central Canada and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Find The Perfect School Snack With Kelloggs Canada #KelloggCAInnovations

With school back session, I'm always on the lookout for the perfect snack to send along with the Little Miss for recess.  She's a picky pumpkin alright, but the one thing she does love is cereal.  So I was excited when our newest box from Kelloggs showed up on the doorstep containing a bunch of goodies perfect to send in her backpack! 

In addition to the Miss, I have a home daycare full of kids (including my son) who LOVE snacking.  There was no shortage of treats for these kids as well.

Here are some of our faves.

The new Rice Krispies Multi-Grain Shapes are seriously awesome!  Little Miss likes to fill up her Snack Taxi and throw it in her school bag to pull out during recess.  These are bite sized, not at all messy and they're great for little hands too.  The Handsome Mister will often take a small bowl full of these along for his wagon ride, to take his big sister to school in the mornings.  It makes a great breakfast on the go!  And I find because they almost melt in your mouth, they're great for older babies, too.

The other cereal my kids absolutely love, and it's totally cool by me, is the simple but delicious Original Special K Cereal.  Its crispy, yet light and airy texture and mild taste is great for kids who can be picky.  You can add it to baking, snack on it dry, or if you want to jazz it up a bit on a Saturday morning you can add Chocolate milk to it too.  (Not a bad little "sometimes" treat!  Just sayin'!)  The new cereal flakes are now "bigger and better" -- which my kids can attest to!

Oh, and one more thing.  I need to throw out a big ol' YUM-O for the Chocolate Krave cereal!!! My husband and I didn't share this one with the kids at all.  We happily chowed down ourselves after the shorties were in bed.  In case anyone happens to be wondering, it makes a really good dessert!  Call me crazy but next time I think I'll toss a handful on top of some vanilla ice cream and just live for the moment.  Mmmmmm. 

Do your kids have a favourite Kellogg's cereal to snack on?  Tell me about it in the comments!
 

 

Stylin' At School With Staples Canada #Review

The school year is off to a great start and my kids couldn't be more thrilled!  I feel incredibly lucky to have two kids who happen to really love learning new things, and just love school in general. 

This year, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Staples Canada to get both of my kids set up for the year ahead in absolute style.  We were able to choose new backpacks and lunch bags for the kids, to make sure they both have everything they need.

Staples has such an amazing selection of school supplies!  They've become my go-to place at the beginning of the year, because I know that I'll find everything I need in one stop - no running all over the city for extra items, and on top of that they always have incredible sales too. 

My kids and I chose their items online and had a lot of fun doing it.

The handsome mister is off to preschool and looking good with his new Lug brand backpack and lunch tote!  

And the little miss is off to Grade 1 (I'm not sure how that happened so fast?!) with this WAY cute pink Foxy Jeans brand backpack, and a Ketto brand lunch bag.  The lunch bag was packed full of pizza , fruit and yogurt and sent off to school this morning, so is not making a photo appearance at this time!

Both kids love their great new bags!  Grade 1 is an important milestone around here as it's the first time my sweet girl has to stay at school for a full day, and stay for lunch.  She was nervous about it at first, but now it's become something she looks forward to.  Yesterday she told me she signed up for a "drumming course" at lunch time - how cool is that?  The fun, easy access lunch and school bags mean she can get her items in and out, eat quickly and move on to fun activities with her friends.  Plus, she told me she's been given lots of compliments on them from her friends - which is kind of a big deal when you're 6.  ;)

I appreciate the great quality items and the excellent prices Staples has to offer when it comes to school supplies, now and throughout the school year.  As mentioned, it has and always will be our go-to stop for Back to School shopping!

Check out Staples.ca for these items, and any other back to school necessities.  

And enjoy the year!


 

Shick Intuition Advanced Moisture Razor - Reader #Reviews

Recently, I was able to provide a selection of readers with the opportunity to try out the Shick Intuition Advanced Moisture Razor and submit their reviews for a chance to WIN at Born 2 Be Mom. Here are their reviews!

___________________________________________________________

"I consider myself pretty lazy, probably because I have 2 little ones and barely have any time for myself, so this razor is perfect for lazy girls like myself. I really like that when I need to shave, I don't have to lather any cream. I can just wet my legs, shave and I'm ready to go. At first I wasn't sure if the big moisturizing bar would get in the way of a close shave, but it didn't. In fact, this razor gave me a very close shave without nicking myself!  I also really like how my sensitive skin isn't irritated during the shave and kept my skin pretty moisturized. My biggest plus isn't even the razor, but rather the holder that comes with it. I have a pretty small bathroom and anything that I can stick on the wall high up and away from the kids makes it even better!"  -- Jeannie L. 

"I love this razor! I love the convienece of not having to use any shaving cream/gel when shaving my legs, as the conditioning bar on the razor does a great job! I used it in the shower,and with water it became very sudsy and let me shave smoothly with no knicks or cuts. I have shaved about 3 times so far and the conditioning bar is still hardly worn down, so I`m thinking it will last a while. I would prefer the razor to be a little smaller as I find it a little bulky for my hands, but overall I love it and will probably purchase it when I need a new razor.  It is also great for overnight trips, or short vacations,as you do not need to bring any shaving cream with you,just the razor. I also love the suction cup holder, so I can attach it to my shower wall and out of the way."  -- Karla S. 

"I love that the Schick razor is surrounded by the built in shaving cream, which is convenient and saves me time to use a separate shaving cream. Usually when I use other razors, I need to apply lotion afterwards due to dryness but after using this Schick razor with shea butter, it moisturizes my legs really nicely and save me the step of applying lotion. Furthermore, the packaging of this razor is much better than their previous all plastic packaging as it is more environmentally friendly. I would definitely recommend this razor as it saves me time and makes shaving much more enjoyable." -- Cassey C.

 "The built in shaving soap is really handy and the suction cup attaches this bigger than average razor nicely to the tile in the corner of my tub.  The larger size also gives me a good grip. Initially I thought I might use it only for travel but for now it has replaced my regular smaller sized shaver.  Thanks for the razor and refills!" -- Birgit G.

"The razor itself is packaged in a nice box. I think the inner packaging of the razor itself was a little too excessive.  The concept of the soap around the blades was unique and did provide some moisture lather. The problem with the razor I found was when I went to clean the hairs out of the blades by tapping it against the side of the sink, the blade head fell off. Of course since it was wet and lathered it was rather slimy to reinsert the blade head back on. Again I rinsed it under water and went to tap it against the side of the sink to get the hairs to fall off and again the blade head clunked off. This was rather disadvantageous with a lot of hair to shave to keep repeating this process. "-- Roger S. 

"The Schick Intuition Advanced Moisture razor is everything I've ever wanted in a razor. The four blades and the moisturizing solid work together to make shaving so quick and comfortable! There is no need to use slippery shave gel or go over your legs again and again. My skin was left feeling soft and smooth with no irritation in record time. The scent was really pleasant and I love the thick, easy-to-grip handle. This razor is now a permanent fixture in my shower!"  -- Jonnie H. 

"Despite its larger size, this razor felt comfortable in my hands and I appreciated the rubber grips on the handle to give me greater control of the razor.  The shea butter shave bar smelt wonderful, a fresh and clean scent.  While shaving with this razor I just wet it in the shower and proceeded to shave. The shave bar lathered up and eliminated the need for a shave gel.  I was leary about getting a close shave as I felt the shave bars would prevent a close shave.  However I was quite surprised that I got a close, comfortable shave.  My legs felt soft, moisturized and were hair-free.  I was quite impressed with this razor and would definitely recommend it to others to try."  -- Amy M 

"I think the idea of a conditioning bar and razor in one is a great innovation by Schick! It really saves time especially on those busy mornings. However I think the actual product is a little lacking, too bulky and my hair gets stuck in the razor itself. I do like the packaging of the product, and the fact that it comes with a replacable blade/conditioning bar. The conditioning bar works great at lathering and makes my legs really smooth." -- Maelin C. 

Thanks to all of you for all of the fantastic reviews!  Good luck!

#Giveaway - Enter to Win a Family Pass to A Day Out With Thomas: The Thrill of the Ride Tour in #Winnipeg

I am so excited to share this one!  

Little engineers won’t believe their eyes—or their ears!  For the first time ever at Day Out With Thomas™, Thomas the Tank Engine™ will be able to talk to his fans.  Boys and girls will be cheerfully greeted by the #1 Engine when he pulls into The Prairie Dog Central Railway for Day Out with Thomas™: The Thrill of the Ride Tour.

This fun-filled event offers little engineers and their families the opportunity to take a ride with Thomas the Tank Engine, star of the popular Thomas & Friends® series, meet Sir Topham Hatt®, Controller of the Railway and enjoy a day of Thomas-themed activities including arts & crafts, storytelling and more.  This is the first time Thomas the Tank Engine has returned to the area in many years.   

If your favourite kids are anything like mine, they will LOVE this!  I have been wanting to get my two shorties over to Prairie Dog Central for a while now - so what better excuse than to meet Thomas the Train himself?  My handsome little Mister will be in awe.  

Would you like some tickets to take the family?  Find out more information about the event here: 

Tickets for Day Out with Thomas: The Thrill of the Ride Tour 2014 are on sale now and available by calling Ticketweb toll-free 866-468-7630, or by visiting www.ticketweb.com/dowt or www.pdcrailway.com.  Ticket prices are $22 plus tax for ages 2 and up (service charges and fee may apply). 

For more information and directions, contact the Ticket Office at 204 832 5259 or visit www.pdcrailway.com.

For information on Thomas & Friends, visit www.thomasandfriends.com

Follow Thomas & Friends on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thomasandfriends and Twitter @ThomasParent.

  

Want to win tickets?  Enter below!  

(Please note tickets will be for the Monday-Friday dates only, based on availability.)  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Imagination Movers: Back in Blue Ticket and Prize Pack #Giveaway #IMCanadaTour

The Imagination Movers: Back in Blue tour is coming to a city near you, and I have some amazing prizes to giveaway!

About the show:
This fall, Disney Junior and the Emmy Award-winning Imagination Movers will bring a thrilling rock concert spectacle to kids and parents across Canada. Stopping in 16 cities from coast to coast, the Imagination Movers ‘Back in Blue’ Tour kicks off in the west on Saturday, Sept. 13 in Victoria, BC, and concludes on the east coast on Thursday, Oct. 2 in Glace Bay, NS. The fun-filled show features the Movers’ trademark catchy pop rock, lots of audience participation, an insane number of high fives and even a healthy dose of flying toilet paper. There will be guitar solos, drum solos, corny jokes and even an appearance by the Movers’ little buddy, Warehouse Mouse. Tickets are currently available for purchase online through DisneyJunior.ca.

My kids love the Movers!  We've been big fans for a long time - their silly energy is infectious and we love dancing along with them when we watch the show.  Can't wait to see them live!

Would you like to join the party?!  I have 2 incredible prize packs to give away! 

FAMILY TICKET PRIZE PACK - One set of 4 tickets, and an autographed 8x10 to be picked up at will call. 

MOVERS BUNDLE PACK - Digital download of the Movers’ latest album: Back in Blue, a Movers t-shirt, and an autographed postcard to be mailed to the winner.

The contest is open to residents of Canada.  Ticket winner may choose from the following cities:

Victoria, BC
Vancouver, BC
Kelowna VC
Calgary, AB
MedicineHat,AB
Moose Jaw SK
Winnipeg, MB
Thunder Bay, MB
Peterborough ON
London, ON
Kingston ON
Sudbury ON (4:30p show only)
Mississauga,ON
Ottawa, ON
Glace Bay NS

 Contest ends on August 4th, 2014.  I will draw 2 winners, the first being for the tickets and the second for the bundle pack.  Enter below.  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck!

  
 

Earth To Echo Premiere #Winnipeg - 2x Family Pass and Prize Pack #Giveaway

Earth to Echo is a film about friendship and adventure, a modern day ET story.  The advance screening is on Saturday, June 28th at 10 AM at Polo Park Cinemas.  Born 2 Be Mom is giving away 2 Family Passes (2 passes with 2 admissions each) AND a couple of cool Swag bags for the kidlets!  

About EARTH TO ECHO:  
In Relativity's PG summer family adventure movie, Tuck, Munch and Alex are a trio of inseparable friends whose lives are about to change. Their neighborhood is being destroyed by a highway construction project that is forcing their families to move away. But just two days before they must part ways, the boys begin receiving a strange series of signals on their phones. Convinced something bigger is going on, they team up with another school friend, Emma, and set out to look for the source of their phone signals. What they discover is something beyond their wildest imaginations: a small alien who has become stranded on Earth. In need of their help, the four friends come together to protect the alien and help him find his way home. This journey, full of wonder and adventure, is their story, and their secret.

The GIVEAWAY:

2 winners will each receive an Earth To Echo swag bag, filled with T-Shirts, Bike Spoke Lights, Lollipops, Movie Posters and a Family Pass (4 Admissions) to the June 28th Screening of Earth To Echo at Silver City Polo Park @10am in WINNIPEG.  Prize is available for Local Pickup ONLY.  I will arrange with you via email to pick up your prize at a time that is convenient for you!  

Enter Below -- And Good Luck! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway