Portable Chair Booster

Is my toddler the only one who no longer likes her high-chair?  She wants to sit on a chair like everyone else and a booster seat doesn’t cut it in her eyes.  I recently saw this amazing new product called the Kaboost.  It elevates any chair from beneath, helping your child sit comfortably and happily at the table.  It folds and is easy to take along to restaurants or friends’ homes.  I think it’s brilliant!  Retails for $49.   Check here for retail locations.

Great Bedding for Kids + Mamapicks Discount

When you wish upon a star, make sure your head is resting on something fabulous.  Wish Bedding is all about beautiful bedding for kids.  Established by two moms who were eager to provide a better selection of high quality bedding at affordable prices.  Allison + Natalie really know their stuff and can help you find the perfect combination for your child’s bedroom.  I found that the lines they offer are simply beautiful and there are so many options to choose from!  Something important that I learned while visiting the showroom is that many of their fabrics are Oko-Tex certified.  This means that the textiles do not contain chemicals harmful to human health.  As a parent, I worry about the plastic my children drink from and the types of food they ingest…but I never thought about the fabrics that they spend hours sleeping on.  Visit Wish Bedding’s online shop or make an appointment to see their showroom.  Mamapicks readers receive 10% discount on any purchase! Enter promocode: mamapicks10 at checkout.  Offer valid until Sept.30th, 2009

Free Bookplates

Thank you to the talented Helen Dardek (illustrator, designer and mom) for these great bookplates.  Use them to keep track of your kids’ books or add them to loot bags.  Click on the picture, copy to your desktop and print.  You can resize to make smaller.

This Weekend

On Saturday, July 18th, explore Bloor West Village and enjoy the petting zoo, pony rides, kiddy car rides, live music and shopping.  On Bloor St. West, between Jane + Ellis Park Rd.  The day kicks off @ 9:15am with a magic show and continues until 6pm.

40% off select items @ Earthchild

There is just something about Earth Child.  Upon entering this unique clothing store, I feel a sense of calm (except for today because there is a big sale).  White, aqua, beige, soft green and cotton-candy pink are the colours of choice for their children’s lines.  Clean, simple and stylish designs that are flowing, relaxed and comfortable.  Every summer, I eagerly await their 40% off sale…and it’s here!  I love their flare pants for girls and beautiful mix & match pieces.  Earthchild uses organic fabrics and the company is committed to manufacturing clothing in a socially and environmentally responsible manner.  A must see!  And if you are already in the area, cross the street for a cuppa at Le Pain Quotidien, an artisan bakery that serves the freshest bread and most wonderful baked goods.  It’s totally Europe.

Amazing Birthday Candle – Now Available

We were recently at a birthday party and when I saw this candle on the cake, I actually squealed.  When you light this little flower, fire shoots up from the centre,  it opens up and all the candles on the petals are magically lit! And it plays a birthday song too.  It’s a party on a cake!  Available in pink for only $6 at Mamapicks.  Drop me a line at info@mamapicks.com if you are interested.

When there is no toilet in sight…

A warm afternoon.  Husband comes home early so we can take the kids to the park.  Picnic blanket, dinner, and fruit all ready for a family picnic on the grass.  Kids play.  We smile.  We plop ourselves down on the blanket and begin to eat.  Bliss.   The Boy announces “I need to make a poop”.  No toilet in sight.  Husband grabs two kids and runs for the car.  I frantically collect our things and run.  We get home in the nick of time.  I search the internet for future preventative measures.

The very next day, I purchased this great On The Go Potty by Kalencom.  It’s compact and has short plastic legs that fold in to make it flat.  It comes with 3 disposable potty bags, each with a super absorbent liner.  With its own  carry bag, this potty is going everywhere with us this summer.  Available at My Aunt Elephant, a great store for babies and tots.  Mamapicks readers receive an additional 10% off any regularly priced item in the store.  The potty is currently on sale for $9.60.  What an inexpensive way to avoid a catastrophe!  A pack of ten extra liners cost $6.50.  Free shipping in Toronto + GTA on orders over $35 and pick-up option available.  Promo code: MAMAPICKS10

Downsview Park’s Free Movies Under the Stars

Downsview Park is offering free movies on Friday nights during the months of  July and August.  Bring your own lawn chairs and blanket.  Looks like the movies are quite appropriate if you have older kids so this could make for a really fun family night.  Movies start around 9pm.  Here’s the movie schedule:

• July 10: Hotel For Dogs
• July 17: Star Wars: The Clone Wars
• July 24: Kung Fu Panda
• July 31: City of Ember
• August 7: Space Chimps
• August 14: Horton Hears A Who
• August 21: Paul Blart: Mall Cop
• August 28: Meet Dave

If you haven’t been to Downsview Park, use this page to find your way there.

A Winning Gift Idea + Mamapicks Discount

These beautiful ukuleles were our best find at the Lawrence Village Street Festival.  We couldn’t walk past the display of all those colours without my son insisting on getting a blue “guitar”.  Grandma was there to ensure that The Boy got what he wanted and of course, The Girl got a pink one.  Since then, my little ones “play” their instruments and sing their repertoire of songs over and over again.  What kid wouldn’t love a real + beautiful instrument of their own?  Available in pink, blue, yellow, red, white and green (call ahead to see if your colour choice is in stock).  They even come with their own carry bag!  $31.99 each and the nice folks at Snider Music Centre on Yonge & Lawrence are giving Mamapicks readers 10% off! Just print this coupon and bring it along.  And BTW, these ukes make for a really nice accent piece in a child’s room when they are not in use.

$6.80 Play All Day Pass

This coupon is courtesy of 680 News and is valid for Saturday, July 12th.  You must pay at Ontario Place with Interac or Credit Card.  One per customer…but you can print as many as you like.

Table Top Playhouses

We celebrated our anniversary this weekend trying to enjoy brunch with the family.  Five adults, two kids.  No one sat for more than five minutes at a time as we all tried to mind my children and have a meal.  At one point, the kids were playing ever so quietly under the table and we all managed to have a conversation.  I thought to myself…wouldn’t it be nice if a family friendly restaurant designed tables that are like playhouses?  Parents sit and eat, kids play underneath.  While there is no such restaurant (anyone??), I did find someone who makes such playhouses!  Miss Pretty Pretty can create a playhouse to fit any size table.  Many playhouse themes available (such as the CupCakery, Royal Castle or Farm) and custom orders are always welcome.  Playhouses range $90 – $150 US.

Fun Times at the Bata Shoe Museum

There were so many wonderful outing to write about but due to the strike, many activities have been canceled.  Let’s hope for a resolution soon.  If you are looking for something fun to do this weekend and the weather continues to be iffy, this might be great for your family.  The Bata Shoe Museum has two fun weekend options.  On Saturday afternoons (11am-4pm), join Saturday Shananigans as you and your family explore the galleries and make shoe-themed crafts.  In July, the theme is Pirates!  On Paint-A-Clog Sundays (12pm-4pm) visit the museum and paint a mini-clog, try on shoes and explore the galleries.  A clog costs an extra $1.  These weekend family activities are recommended for ages 3-9.  Have fun!