Mamapicks Newsletter – January 5th, 2010

Winterlicious!

The only thing that can make Winter a little warmer is good food.  Winterlicious is taking place Jan. 29-Feb.11th and it’s time to book your reservations.  Check out this website for a list of restaurants AND menus so that you know exactly what to expect.  In past we’ve had great lunches at Oliver & Bonacini (Bayview Village) and Auberge Du Pommier (Yorkmills & Yonge) but were very disappointed with Centro (Yonge & Eglinton) because of their very skimpy Winterlicious portions.  If you have any recommendations, please let me know!

What To Do This Weekend (Jan 2nd & 3rd)

I love that my kids have some friends who were born in the Winter months.  Four January birthday parties have shaved 8 hours off of our dreadful Winter weekends.  Hurray for winter babies!

Visit the 52nd Annual Toronto International Boat Show.  There will be an indoor lake, free boat rides and a Kids Boating Zone… all indoors at the Direct Energy Centre.  Kids 16 and under are free.  Saturdays, 10am-7pm and Sundays 10am-6pm, Jan. 9th-17th.

Visit Fantasy Fair at Woodbine Mall. We spent the day there last weekend and the kids had a great time at the indoor amusement park which is made to look like a Victorian village.  There is an antique style carousel, indoor ferris wheel, bumper boats and cars, express train and more.  There is also a soft play village with 3 levels and lots of slides. Open Sat. & Sun. 11am-7pm and someone just told me that if you come for the last hour, ride tickets are half price.

Go to The Wave Pool (Richmond Hill) or any other indoor pool.  Keep the family active and healthy.  Send your husband.
There are more ideas and events for the weekend on www.mamapicks.com

iPhone Apps for kids…and parents

We have all had those moments…when our kids need an instant distraction so that we can get something done.  In an endless line-up at the grocery store or while trying to make an appointment with the doctor, I have been known to shove my iPhone in my toddler’s hands in order to avoid a meltdown (mine).  I have decided to invest ($2) in some iPhone apps that are appropriate for kids and found this website called Tantrum Apps.  Don’t you love the name?  On this site you will find a number of quiz and sound applications that are bound to save you!  I really liked the animal sounds app…

15% off at the Gap

Valid until Feb. 1st, 2010.  Click on the coupon to print your copy.

Entertainment Book Promotion

A reader e-mailed me about this great deal for the Toronto Entertainment Book.  $19.99 + Free Shipping (down from $35).  You can order and view the coupons on this website.  Purchase a second book for only $15 – maybe you have a friend who would want one too.

The Cheesecake Factory

Following a recent visit to Los Angeles and four meals at The Cheesecake Factory, I decided that Canada is still missing one very important thing…this amazing restaurant.  If you are fans like me, you’ll be happy to get the (secret) recipe of their most popular dish, Chicken Madeira.  Check it out on www.mamapicks.com.