5 Simple and Fun #Valentines Activities for your Kids!

With Valentines Day just around the corner, I've been collecting activity ideas for my kids and my daycare. D is at the age where holidays - big or small - are a HUGE deal for her. She is so excited, I want to make every holiday as fun for her as possible! The smallest things make her happy, which is why I put together this list of simple Valentines crafts and activities for young kids.  Check it out, and get your kids into this LOVE-ly holiday too! :) 

1. Smitten Snowflake Hearts Tree
How pretty is this?!  The older kids will have fun cutting out the hearts, and putting the craft together.  Little ones can water the tree.  And bonus for you, it will look lovely on your dining room table for a while. :) Find the instructions HERE.

2.  Stained Glass Hearts
These stained glass hearts will brighten up your windows on a wintery day.  And this craft is easily adaptable to kids of varying ages.  The wonderful www.TeachMama.com gives you the instructions for this craft HERE.

 
3. Chocolate Dipped Oreo Cookies
Who doesn't love a sweet treat on Valentines Day?  Delight your little sweet tooths with these pretty (and pretty tasty!) chocolate covered Oreo cookies.  The recipe can be found HERE.

4.  Friendship Bracelet Valentines
I adore this idea from www.dandee-designs.com  What for a wonderful way to make those Valentines last.  Such a sweet sentiment behind these!  Older kids will have a great time putting these friendship bracelets together for their friends.  HERE are the details.

5.  Hand Print Heart Shaped Valentine
Even the newest munchkins can participate in this adorable Valentines craft.  What a great gift for family and friends!  Have a look at this adorable Handprint Valentine HERE.

Here's wishing you and your little ones a fantastic Valentines Day!  What are your plans for February 14th?  

xoxo,

Maple Leaf Monster Jam - Win a Family Pack (4 Tickets) #Giveaway #Winnipeg

Maple Leaf Monster Jam is coming to Winnipeg's MTS Centre on February 23rd - 24th, and I've got a family pack of 4 tickets to giveaway!  Here's a description of the show:

Maple Leaf Monster Jam®, starring the biggest performers on four wheels: Monster Jam monster trucks! The twelve-feet-tall, ten-thousand-pound machines will bring you to your feet, racing and ripping up a custom-designed track full of obstacles to soar over or smash through!  Monster Jam provides a massive night's entertainment tailored perfectly for your family's budget, and these colorful, larger-than-life beasts are sure to capture the hearts of both young and old. 

With a few more weeks of cold winter ahead of us, it's nice to get out and do something different to keep the kids (and the grownups!) entertained.  I've never been to Monster Jam or anything like it, but it sounds like a super exciting idea for an evening out!

Want tickets?  
Visit  www.TicketMaster.ca  
Use promo code MUM4 to get 4 Tickets for $44 on Weekdays OR $4 Off/ Ticket on Weekends.

Want to WIN tickets to the FEBRUARY 23rd 7pm Show? Enter below! 

Leave ONE comment for each entry!

1.  Tell me who you'll take to the show if you win.
2.  LIKE Born 2 Be Mom on Facebook
3.  Tweet this giveaway (Leave a link to your tweet.)

Contest open to residents of CANADA.  Ends Feb.06/13

Good Luck!  
_______________________________________________________________________

This giveaway is now CLOSED.  Congrats to winner Kathleen W!  

 

For The Adventurous #Toddler: Childproofing Tips

Let's chat about Childproofing - something that's always important, but far more necessary for the adventurous toddler! 

I've mentioned several times now about how my little man has become more and more "adventurous" in the last few months. My boy has been climbing everything from stairs to furniture since he was about 9 months old -- before he could even walk!  He's trouble. Cute trouble, but he's trouble. ;)

Recently, I've noticed that he's going for the bigger challenges. It's scaring me silly! The other day I had all of my daycare kids downstairs, and ran upstairs to grab them a quick snack. I was literally gone for 1 minute -- I came back downstairs to find this:

Ack!  Do you guys know how tall those cars are?!  The roof comes up to about the height of the top of a chair back (the pic does not do it justice at all.)  That's dangerous.  And what's worse?  Little Man was about to STAND UP on it!  Kid!  I don't want to be hauling you into Emergency!

Yesterday, though, yesterday was by far the most interesting and dangerous idea my son has had yet.  I was in the kitchen washing dishes, when my daughter called me from the living room to come quick.  I ran in to find my son sitting cross legged on TOP of the book shelf.  I nearly had a heart attack -- how scary!  I ran and got him, firmly told him "No climbing." and tried to distract him with something else.  He wasn't having it though, he tried to climb right back up.  That book case is now sitting out in the back yard ready to be disposed of on garbage day.  It's about 10 years old, wobbly and ready to go anyway.

Although I've been through the Childproofing process before, I thought I'd do a little bit of looking around to see if I'm missing anything.  My first kiddo was never as adventurous, and so I didn't have to worry about what she'd get into as much!  In my searches, I found this handy Childproofing Checklist, which includes what to do with your furniture:

• Remove clutter and move protruding furniture that your child could trip on
• Attach corner and edge guards to furniture that will become a hazard as child walks, climbs, and grows taller.
• Secure furniture that can topple (bookcases, chests of drawers) to the walls.
• Keep televisions on low, sturdy furniture, and push the set back as far as possible. Or mount your flat screen TV on the wall.
• Secure tall, unstable lamps behind furniture.

Do your toddlers climb or do anything dangerous like that?  How have you been teaching them to stay safe?  Give me your best childproofing tips!  :)


 

Magazine Subscription #Giveaway - Your Choice! #Canada

What are some of your favourite ways to beat the winter blues?  I love to bake fresh bread, have "dance parties" with my kids, and I really love to curl up under a blanket with a good book or a fun magazine.

I thought I'd throw a little something your way, to help you get through these last few months of frosty weather! ;)

Born 2 Be Mom is giving away one 1yr. magazine subscription of your choice.  You can choose between the following 4 options:

To enter, fill out the Rafflecoptor form below.  Contest is open to all Canadians, and will close on the 8th of February, 2013.


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Good Luck!

 

My 2013 Resolution... A little different than usual.

I've been thinking about this post for a few days now, and haven't really been sure how to get started.   Not long ago, I mentioned the fact that my New Years resolution is a little bit different this year.  It really is, and here's why...

While getting healthy is certainly on my to do list (it's been a long time coming, and I'm at the point now where it's really, really necessary) it's not at the top of my resolutions for 2013.  As a Mom to two young kids, the last few years have seen me completely wrapped up in life as a parent.  It's been wonderful, and wonderfully busy.  When you have a 4 year old and a 1 year old, you're getting up at night with a crying baby, calming tantrums in the afternoon, and constantly on the go.  It's been so easy for me to lose touch with some very important people -- my friends.  I recently received a very upsetting phone call.  A good friend of mine lost her Mom to cancer.  Having been there myself (I lost my Dad to leukemia 3 years ago) it just completely broke my heart.  I knew I had to be at that funeral to support my friend.  So... I left my kids with my husband, and I went. 

 Being there was one of the best decisions I've ever made.  It was so hard, but it truly opened my eyes.  The message within the service was about taking care of those around you, and never losing sight of what matters most in your life on earth: The people who you love.  I looked around the room and I saw so many of my close friends who I've grown up with... All in tears, all there to support somebody we care about.  It hit me that I haven't been doing a great job of taking care of them.  Aside from a few phone calls, Facebook messages and the occasional visit, I've hardly been in touch at all since my daughter was born.  As one of the first people in my group of girlfriends to have kids, I've always felt like my life is so drastically different from theirs right now.   And it is -- but that doesn't matter.  When it really counts, they have ALWAYS been there for me.  When I lost my Dad, they got together and sent flowers and well wishes, and they were all there during my Dad's funeral service to offer their support.  When I lost my twin girls one year later, they were there too; getting meals together for my husband and I, and getting together to clean up my garden and plant lilac bushes in memory of my daughters.  These friends whom I've known and loved for years deserve more from me.  So this year, my New Years resolution is to take better care of my friends.  Life is busy.  I can't change that, but what I can do is make an effort to call more often, send small notes and gifts, drop in more often even if it's just for a quick coffee, and to make more of an effort to know what's going on in their lives and be there when they need me.  

What are your New Years resolutions for 2013?
   

@Playskool Toy Finder: Cookie Monster Kitchen Cafe #Giveaway #ThisSkoolRocks

Playskool Toy Finder:

The Holiday Season is in full swing, and you may or may not be done your shopping. If you've got little ones to buy gifts for still, I've got some great news!  The Playskool Toy Finder is the perfect way to choose the right gift for your little person.  How easy is it, really?  It's so simple.  You visit the website and can select from a variety of categories such as characters, age groups, and even options like "Peeling Kids off the Couch" -- Yeah!!!  Then the Playskool Toy Finder will bring up a list of appropriate toys, which you can then select to read a product description, suggested age, and even play benefits (ie. Fine Motor Skills, Cognitive Benefits, etc.)

As a Playskool Brand Ambassador, I was given the opportunity to try out the Playskool Toy Finder myself and select a toy to give to my own kids!  It was such a breeze, and a lot of fun!  The Toy Finder came up with the Cookie Monster Kitchen Cafe -- A wonderful option for my 1 year old and 4 year old alike, as its suggest age is 18 months and up.

Product Description & Play Benefits: 

Order up! A big batch of fun is cooking in the Cookie Monster Kitchen Café! There are “treats” to “feed” Elmo and Abby Cadabby, a stove burner with sizzling sound effects and a sliding window for serving hungry customers. It’s a play café little chefs will love!  Fine Motor Skills - Child manipulates toy in active play.  Imagination - Child is encouraged to engage in imaginative play, Cognitive Learning and Social & Emotional Development. Functions include vocabulary exposure and healthy eating habits

 
Bring On the Fun!:

It's neat to see that both of my kids can appreciate the toy on a different level.  The Cookie Monster Kitchen Cafe has given my kids the opportunity to play together, which is pretty unusual at this point.  D enjoys "cooking up treats" in the kitchen, while L enjoys feeding the characters and watching the cookies fall into the oven, then going back for more.  It's been great watching the two of them interact together while playing with this super fun toy! 

And here's the BEST NEWS EVER!  I'm giving away a Cookie Monster Kitchen Cafe to one super lucky Born 2 Be Mom reader.  Woohoo!  I'm so excited to bring this giveaway to you guys.  Giveaway is open to residents of Canada, and ends on the 28th of December, 2012.


a Rafflecopter giveaway
 
 

#Christmas Nostalgia - Sharing #Traditions With My Kids

The kids and I have spent this past week getting ready for Christmas.  There's still time, but last year I was so last minute with everything (probably in part because I had a 3 month old baby) that this year I felt like I had to make up for it.  D and I have been busy painting little wooden Christmas ornaments, setting up the tree and stringing lights together.  It's been so much fun sharing these things with her, and watching her eyes light up with excitement every time we talk about the holidays.

Recently, my Mom invited my family and my brother's family over for dinner, to present us with some gifts.  I wasn't sure what she could possibly have for us so close to Christmas, but we went over and enjoyed a fun night watching my two kids and my 9 month old niece play together.  Just before it was time to go, Mom walked out with two wrapped presents - One for me and my kids, and one for my brother and my niece.  She told us to unwrap them at the same time. What was inside completely blew me away... It was magical.  It was childhood and Christmas and love and memories and joy.  Actually, it was a felt Advent calendar, but it brought all of those wonderful feelings along with it.  When I was a child, probably no older than 2 years of age, my Mom made this felt Advent calendar for me.  You've probably seen the design before, it's been a popular craft for Moms and Grandmas everywhere.  :)  A huge, sparkling green Christmas tree and 24 little pockets - each one filled with a new ornament to velcro on to the tree, one day at a time.  I remember my Mom making this, up late at night, gluing sequins and sewing little bells and creating each one so carefully.  When my brother was born, she made one for him too.  A stocking, to be filled with little ornaments and tiny presents.  Gorgeous!  Recently, Mom pulled these calendars out of storage and she tidied them up, fixed up the falling off bits and made them sturdy again to give to her grandchildren.  I was so touched! 

Sharing this fun tradition with my daughter has been awesome.  She loves the calendar and can't wait to stick her ornament up every morning.  I hope this is something we'll be able to take care of, and pass down to her own children some day.  I hope that some day, it will mean as much to her as it does to me.

Do you have any ornaments or decorations that you've passed down to your own kids?  Any special pre-Holiday traditions that you share?  Tell me about them :)


 

#Winnipeg Princess Parties: A Little Girl's Dream Celebration #Giveaway

Planning a child's birthday party can be a huge headache sometimes. You want the event to be well organized, fun and of course memorable for your little one and their guests!  That's why Gillian MacDonald, owner of Winnipeg Princess Parties is the right person for the job.  Little princesses local to Manitoba are going to flip out when they start attending Winnipeg Princess Parties events across the city and surrounding areas, for their friends and family. 

Here's what Gillian had to say, when asked about why she began the business, and what she loves about it:
"I'm a big kid at heart with a serious love of the Disney princesses.  I adore little girls and what better way to make them happy than being able to make their special days even more magical!"

That sounds great to me!  I know for a fact that my 4 year old daughter would LOVE a party like this! Winnipeg Princess Parties offers party packages starting at $125 (includes a 60 minute performance, Princess Introduction, and 2 options from the provided list.)   Parties are available in Winnipeg and surrounding areas.  (40 km outside the city  is included but further accommodation can be made upon request.)  Options for Princess Parties include the following:

- Manicure/pedicure
- Hair with princess clips (clips included)
- Tiara Craft ($10 additional charge)
-  Temporary Tattoos
- Princess cupcake or cookie decorating
- Princess make up
- Photo opportunity
- Letter or pictures to their favorite princess
- Dancing
- Story Telling


Here are some pictures from a recent party....

 
How adorable is that?!  What a fun idea for a little girl's party!  I know so many kids who would be totally into this.  And lucky for you guys, Winnipeg Princess Parties is very generously offering one lucky reader a gift certificate for $50.00 towards a Princess Party of your own.  Woohoo! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway