Mamapicks Newsletter – Nov. 17th, 2009

Educational Toys For Less + Mamapicks Exclusive Discount!

The Kids’ Treasure Box is one of those amazing finds I want to keep to myself and tell you about all at the same time.  These two lovely mompreneurs sell high quality educational toys for under $10.  Hard to believe, I know!  The Kids’ Treasure Box carries a great selection of workbooks, puzzles, toys and games that parents and teachers will love.  I just purchased a plastic tub of wooden primary lacing beads ($6) for The Girl and a number of puzzles for holiday gifts.  Great educational loot-bags are also available for $3-$5.  Call or e-mail for an appointment or visit their upcoming Open House in Richmond Hill (See map) on Nov. 29th, 7pm – 10pm.  For more information, please call 416-471-0060.  Mamapicks exclusive discount: receive a $10 gift of your choice on every $5o spend when you mention MAMAPICKS!

What To Do This Weekend (Nov. 21 & 22)

Go to The Wave Pool (Richmond Hill) or any other indoor pool.  Keep the family active and healthy.

See a show with the kids – Pinkalicious and Broccoli & Sonshine are great options.

Go to Woodbine Fantasy Fair at Woodbine Mall.  This is Ontario’s largest indoor amusement park and kids just love it.

Enjoy a visit with the usual suspects: ROM, AGO, Ontario Science Centre.

Spend the day at Grandma & Grandpa’s house.

Invite friends for breakfast and prepare an arts & crafts table for the kids to keep them busy.

Can you tell that this is a not-so-exciting weekend in Toronto???

The Perfect Double Stroller!

Two years ago, I was on a mission to find the perfect double stroller for my newborn and 18 month old.  Last week, at the Babytimes Baby Show, I finally found it.  I gasped.  How dare they come up with the perfect stroller 2 years too late???

Introducing the City Select for families on the grow.  Made by Baby Jogger, it is a multi-functional stroller that comes with a frame (like the Bugaboo) which allows parents to mix and match seats, bassinets and car seats in order to customize the stroller.  It easily converts from a single stroller to a double.  Simply snap on a second seat!

This stroller is coming out in the New Year and is definitely worth the wait (already available for pre-order online at a few US stores).  I’ve seen it in action and the thought of having 16 options in one stroller nearly made me cry in a good way.

Best Teacher Gifts!

The holidays are a great time to show teachers (you know, those special people who take care of your kids for 8+ hours a day and teach them important things?) how much we appreciate their hard work.  Mamapicks asked thirty teachers about their favourite gifts and let me tell you, teachers are a consistent bunch!  Here are the winners:

• Gift Certificates, namely Tim Hortons, Starbucks, Indigo, and Yorkdale Mall.
• Personalized Stationary
• Movie Passes

Please resist buying candles, picture frames, mugs and chocolates….and oh ya, from my own teaching days, I NEVER ate anything baked by a kid.  The most important part of your gift is your card – a few personal words from a parent or child letting a teacher know that he/she make a difference fills the heart and recharges the batteries.

10% off Edible Arrangements!

Yum!  No matter how many times people have seen these, they always seem to be a little bit in awe of edible fruit arrangements.  Order any product before Dec. 1st (for delivery between Nov. 20-Dec. 31) and receive 10% off.  Use promo code EBSP2009.

Thyme Maternity Sale

If only I could find maternity pants that would stay put…  The woes.  Sale runs until Dec. 5th.  Check here for store locations.