Win 4 Tickets to Monster Jam!

Peachybuy.com does it again by giving Mamapicks more tickets to give away!  Top trucks from the Monster Jam series will entertain fans with jumps, stunts and thrills. Congratulations to Jessica who won the family tickets to Disney on Ice last week.  Who will be this week’s winner?

For those of you who don’t know, Peachy Buy is an amazing group buying deal site which is specially geared to moms. From savings on theatre tickets, admission to family attractions, camps, tutoring, baby and kid’s products, and more…the opportunities to save money on PeachyBuy.com are endless!

Today, Peachy Buy is offering Mamapicks readers the chance to win 4 tickets to Monster Jam at the Rogers Centre for the Sunday January 23rd, 2pm show.  Here’s how you win:

1.  Go to PeachyBuy.com and subscribe to their daily deal.

2.  Become a fan on their Facebook fan page.

3.  Tell me who you are going to take with you if you win.

The 10th person to write to me will be the happy winner!

YUM…

This makes for a great impromptu gift for a teacher, doctor, friend…when you quite suddenly feel the urge to show someone that you really appreciate them.

Fantasy Fair Family Pass

Only 3 days left to take advantage of this deal on WagJag.  It is a $35 saving and makes for a great family outing.

Rating Movies with Kids in Mind

My kids have gone to a couple of movies for toddlers (where have those gone?)…but they have never seen a real movie in full at the theatre.  I was thinking about Yogi Bear and Tangled for next weekend but need to be very careful.  My kids are easily frightened.  Disney on Ice was very scary for them.  The Boy still shakes when he sees Swiper on Dora and he is almost 5 yrs. old.

I found this great website (www.kids-in-mind.com) that gives parents ample relevant info about current movies so that we all can determine if a movie is appropriate for OUR kids, not someone else’s.  The website does not  assign an inscrutable rating based on age but 3 objective ratings for SEX/NUDITY,VIOLENCE/GORE &PROFANITY, on a scale of 0 to 10, and they explain why a film rates high or low in a specific category. Also, instances of substance abuse are included in the review as well as a list of discussion topics that may elicit questions from children.

Amazing!

PC $20 Coupon

Click on the coupon and scroll down to read the instructions.  Basically, you must submit a receipt from Loblaws or an affiliated supermarket.  Very easy to get to $60 with Pampers and Tide on the list!  Expires Jan. 31st.

High ratings for IKEA highchair!

Yes,  I too went for the deluxe Prima Papa with the first child.  It reclined and had cushions.  Cushions meant creases and the deluxe chair quickly turned into a state-of-the-art petri dish.  I am convinced that SARS may have actually originated in my Prima Papa that year.  Fast forward to Baby #3 and our awesome IKEA chair.  The Baby doesn’t seem uncomfortable and it’s so easy to clean!  It’s compact, comes with a tray and has that modern white look … LOVE IT!  Only $19.99 @ Ikea.

A Great Product and a Great Giveaway!

Whenever I want to spend real quality time with my children, we bake together.  There are so many teachable moments in baking and such great conversation, followed by lovely anticipation for that sweet treat at the end.  Baking is especially fun and relaxing when you  are well-organized and have everything prepared…sort of like Martha Stewart.  The reality is that we are often not prepared enough to have a stress free creative activity with our kids.  That is why Mamapicks is really excited about Crafty Cooking Kits that are new to the Canadian market.

Read more about the Crafty Baking Kit Giveaway!

What To Do This Weekend (Nov. 13th & 14th)

The Babytime Show is on this weekend.  If you are looking for baby gear, this is a great place to see everything.  If however, you are looking for family entertainment, last year there was hardly anything for kids to do (in the past there were lots of things!) and I was annoyed that we paid so much money to get in.  That being said, if you are looking for all of the up-and-coming baby products, it is great to see them all in one place!  Here is a coupon for the show.

Buskertainment on Yonge St.  If the weather is as mild as it was all week, this could be fun!  New to Winter Magic this year, Buskertainment will run from November 12th through to December 19th.  Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 2pm, walk throughout Downtown Yonge and stumble upon buskers of all kinds.  From caricature artists, to mimes, to stilt walkers, to illusionists – anything you can think of will be there.

The Bata Shoe Museum is launching their third annual ‘Warm the Sole’ Sock Drive  - bring a new pair of socks to donate and your admission is free! Bring your children aged 3 to 9 over to the Museum to paint a mini-clog, try on shoes, and go on shoe hunt in the galleries.

Miss Spider is playing at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga.

Check out more great weekend events on www.mamapicks.com

30% off at the Gap!

Print your coupon here.

Eynat Don Photography & Mamapicks Exclusive

Eynat Don is the incredible photographer of the above photos.  I met her this past Spring when she invited me over for tea and a shoot of myself and my newborn baby boy.  I was thrilled because I didn’t have any professional photos of my other kids when they were infants…and I was already well aware of how those precious few months of infancy go by in a blink.

Eynat’s studio is in her home and she works wonders there,  capturing spontaneous moments that are intimate and so real – you can almost relive them.  Isn’t that what good photos are all about?  She made me feel comfortable and I fell in love instantly with her warm and quirky personality.  She was 9 months pregnant then and climbing chairs and tables…anything for a good shot.

Read more…

Joe Fresh Coupons

3 great coupons to print!

Best Resorts for Families!

A great list put together by vacationstogo.com!

In Jamaica, Franklyn D. Resort was made for families with young children. Guests are assigned a “vacation nanny” who will look after the kids. This service is complimentary from 9 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. and evening babysitting is available for a fee of $6 per hour.

The Beaches resorts in Jamaica and the Turks and Caicos also are designed to please young guests. Little ones can meet favorite Sesame Street characters and older kids can join scavenger hunts, hang out at the soda bars, play Xbox games or enjoy karaoke nights at their own club. There’s also a nursery for tots up to 23 months old.

Read the rest of the list…

The Body Health Spa

Hairless.  Can you imagine a summer without a razor or waxing appointment?  Sounds like complete freedom to me.  This mama has taken the plunge and started IPL hair removal.  As always, I ask friends, do some research and all this brought me to The Body Health Spa and Treatment Centre.  It is not a regular relaxation spa, it is a centre that offers a wide selection of non-surgical treatments for both men and woman of all ages.  These include special facials, cellulite treatments, body wraps….and of course, IPL hair removal.

The spa is new, immaculate and relaxing with knowledgeable and friendly staff.  Upstairs you will see a teaching area – the fact that this spa trains staff from other spas made me feel really good    The technician  took the time to explain all of the details of the treatment to me with great patience.  The treatment itself was PAINLESS.  It is difficult for me to explain the sensation but there was definitely no pain involved (believe me, I was ready for pain and was even told by friends  to use skin numbing cream!).

I can’t wait for my next session and to be hairless by next summer.  Prices are really reasonable and Mamapicks readers receive an additional 20% off!

What To Do This Weekend (Sept. 18th & 19th)

Enjoy the 54th Annual Pioneer Village Festival on Saturday (10am-5pm).  Check here for activity schedule!

Visit Pumpkinland at Whittamore’s Farm.  Enjoy the best fall time entertainment around as Farmer Frank shoots and catapults pumpkins to unbelievable lengths at the Pumpkin Cannon Show, which runs several times each weekend day.  Kids will love the two-storey Tree Fort and Slide, along with the NEW Farm Bouncer, Tractor Track, Spider Web Tire Climb and so much more…

The Harvest Moon Festival will take place at the ROM.  This Asian festival celebrates the harvest moon and includes stories and crafts.  Click here for the event schedule.

You know I am a sucker for art festivals…kids love them too. Queen West Art Crawl is taking place this weekend.  More than 500 artists will exhibit their work in locations along Queen Street West from Bathurst to Roncesvalles. Parks, galleries, cafes, retail and design shops and studios will be getting into the act with art exhibitions and activities.

Check out more great weekend events on www.mamapicks.com

Nesting Blocks from Mastermind Toys

Nesting Blocks are an absolute must-have!  Perfect for a one-year-old’s birthday…and will still be a hit when they are three.  Kids love building towers and this set in particular is beautiful.  Get there early on Saturday before they run out!  Click on the coupon to print your copy.

Old Navy 30% off coupon

Use this coupon ON TOP of the existing 30% off sale that is currently on at Old Navy until Sept. 23rd.  Coupon can be used for one item.

Slow Cooking!

Just in time for the new school year, your best investment will be a slow cooker.  I bought one 6 years ago and it sat in a box in the garage and thankfully, Sears wouldn’t take it back.  Last year, I opened the box and started slow cooking.  I must say that nothing feels better than throwing together a few ingredients in the morning and having a savoury dinner ready by the afternoon with no work in between.  Nothing.

For a great recipe and slow cooking websites, read more…

Let’s shop like our American friends…

My American friends don’t remember what it’s like to shop at a store.  They order everything online and return most of it too.  With free shipping and returns, I can see the convenience.  Now available in Canada for Gap, Old Navy & Banana Republic.

Incredible Picnic Blanket

One of the best gifts I ever received with my first baby (The Boy), is still in use today and is so great for summer excursions.  It is the Tuffo Water Resistant Outdoor Blanket with case.  It is gorgeous, functional and comfortable.  Perfect size.  It even comes with us on the plane…to pad the airplane floor the kids sleep on.  For trips to the park and to the lake, we love our picnic blanket.  The only drawback is that you have to fold it a certain way for it to fit back in the case.
Different patterns available at the Safety Superstore ($44.95).  Makes for the PERFECT shower/new baby gift.  Available through Amazon.com for those of you who frequent the US for $32.99.

What To Do This Weekend (Aug. 21st & 22nd)

Friday to Sunday, visit the Shops at Don Mills presents another Festival in the Square, this time with Latin flair. Come and experience this free street party celebrating Ontario’s Latin cultures with live passionate musical performances on our main stage, salsa dance lessons, children’s activities, and delicious Latin food such as Colombian paella and the ever popular Mexican Tacos!  The great thing about this outdoor mall is that it is beautiful, you can pretend that you are in Los Angeles and there is a water fountain/splash area where kids can play!  Bring towels and extra clothes…and please don’t forget to visit Anthropologie, the greatest store in the universe.

Join the walk or family carnival & BBQ with Labour of Love: Walk for Women & Babies on Sunday, August 22, 2010 at 9 a.m.  The Women & Babies Program at Sunnybrook is moving from Women’s College Hospital to its new, state-of-the-art home at Sunnybrook’s Bayview campus!  After the walk, go to the McLean House Park for a barbecue and family-themed carnival. If you can’t make it to the walk you may attend the carnival by making a donation on the day of the event. At the carnival kids can play games, dance, jump on bouncy castles, watch magicians, have their face painted, create crafts and much more!  The website says that there will also be a Barney concert.

Two weekends left to enjoy free programming at heritage sites such as Colborne Lodge, Fort York National Historic Site, Gibson House Museum, Mackenzie House, Montgomery’s Inn, Scarborough Museum, and Todmorden Mills Heritage Museum and Arts Centre. Programming at the sites features music, drama, crafts for kids, heritage recipes to taste and other fun for the entire family.

Check out more great weekend events on www.mamapicks.com

Cootie Catchers for a rainy day…

Draw! Pilgrim is a great blog that I like to frequent!  Making and playing with this Cootie Catcher will keep them busy in these final days of summer…  Print the template here.  See instructions there.  Thank you to Draw! Pilgrim for sharing this downloadable treat!

Gymboree Friends & Family Sale

Valid now through August 22nd.  Click to print your copy!  Sale is on everything…time to stock up for the new school year.

Making life a little less hairy…

I first heard about Haircuts on Wheels shortly after having The Baby.  The Girl & The Boy needed haircuts and nothing seemed more daunting (and annoying) than getting them all in the car on time, waiting for the hair dresser (because let’s face it, we always have to wait), keeping one kid busy while the other is getting the haircut…and intermittently nursing an infant.

I called Kimberly and set up an appointment (I also rescheduled a couple of times which didn’t phase her because she is a mom and knows what it’s all about).  She arrived on a sunny afternoon with a huge smile and it was like Mary Poppins landed in my house.  Read more…

Gogog’s Crazy Bones Series II

Mamapicks feels a little silly that she didn’t know about Gogo’s Crazy Bones.   But now she does and everything is ok.  If your kids are crazy about them, you can pre-order series II and get $10 off a box of 30 flow packs at Indigo.ca.

The Mamapicks Newsletter is BACK

Thank you to all my loyal readers for your patience during my little hiatus.  The Baby is a plump and sweet 3-month-old.  Whoever said that adding a third child to the family is easier than adding the second?   And thus, the Mamapicks newsletter will now be a monthly feature.

Stay up-to-date with Facebook updates by becoming a fan, and be sure to check the website daily for deals and other goodies!

What To Do This Weekend (Feb. 27th & 28th)

Woofstock! Join thousands of dog lovers and their four-footed friends at the largest outdoor festival for dogs in all of North America.   Woofstock is a free admission non-stop party that takes place at the historic St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood.  Sat & Sun. 10am-6pm.   If you want to punish me, take me to this event and put me next to a drooling dog with quivering black gums.  I dislike all dogs….oh well.

The Spellbinding Science of Perception @ The Science Centre
This is one of a number of new summer programs at the museum.  This workshop will demonstrate how science is key to understanding what’s going on in a magic show.  Visitors will witness, learn and practice simple close-up magic, based on math and psychology principles.
Sundays in July ( July 4, 11, 18, 25) in the Weston Family Innovation Centre, Level 6.  Three workshops daily at 11:30 am, 1:30 pm and 3:00 pm.

Strawberry Picking at Whittamore Farm will start this coming Saturday, June 12th.  They are plump and juicy!  They should last for 4 weeks and are $ 1.90 per pound.  You can bring your own containers or we will sell containers on the farm.  Always call our Crop Report at 905-294-3275 or visit the website’s Crack of Dawn Report before heading out to the farm.

Jack & the Beanstalk is playing at Solar Stage Theatre (Yonge & Sheppard).  If the forecast still shows rain, a play might be a great choice.

Check out more great weekend events on www.mamapicks.com

Teacher Gifts

In December, I surveyed teachers about their favourite gifts.  The winners were gift certificates to malls and spas as well as personalized stationary.  Losers were soaps, candles and chocolates…

Two personalized notepads from Honey Bunch are currently $23 for the pair and ship in 2 days.  Each pad contains 40 sheets.  Order this week and receive a furochic wrapping cloth for free.  Simply enter the code furochic at checkout.  What’s that?  It’s a cloth you use for wrapping gifts instead of paper.  Don’t worry, I didn’t know either!

Get organized for camp…

Mamapicks loves Mabel’s Labels!  You can label everything from shoes to clothes with your child’s name.  Very important if your child is going to camp soon.  Enjoy 15% off your order with coupon code KIDS.

Lickety Sips

While I was at Walmart buying 20 boxes of diapers last week, I came across these popsicle molds in the “patio dish” aisle.  There are a few great things about these…the lids close properly, it’s a great way to get vitamins into your kids by using real fruit juice, AND near the end when popsicles get all melty, your kid can simply use the straw to slurp the mess away.  Only $2.47 for a set of 4.  If you have any great home-made popsicle recipes, do tell and I will share them here.

Father’s Day Gift Idea

This is a personalized hand-stamped golf marker set which could be perfect for the dad in your family.  It’s my daily Etsy find.  However, I have to admit that I don’t know what the hell a golf marker is.

DIY CD Case Project

Loved this idea of using plastic CD cases to display a favourite photo.  Check out the Country Living website for more details on how to do this yourself.

What To Do This Weekend (Feb. 27th & 28th)

Toons for Toddlers is a great family cinema experience for little ones (ages 2-5).  Enjoy reduced sound, better lighting and special features.  $5 pp.  This weekend, see In The Night Garden – Fun in the Garden.  For details about various times and locations, check the website.

Saturday is opening day for the new Bat Cave a the ROM.  Bigger, better, scarier.  Families will be able to view more bats and highlights include an audio-visual show that explores cave formation, how bats use echolocation and more, and a spectacular dramatization of bats in flight during a nightly exodus for food.

If your kids are into trains, there is a great opportunity to see the Model Railroad Show at the Model Railroad Club (in Liberty Village) on Sunday, Feb. 28th.

Something to do at home?  Bake cookies with your kids…  always fun, quality time!

Check out more great weekend events on www.mamapicks.com

New To This World

Love this fine art print, personalized for a newborn.  Created by an Australian designer (Freya Art & Design)…found on Etsy, of course.

Free Weekly Meal Plans

What’s for dinner?  Ugh.  It’s not about whether you love to cook…it’s about being organized.  I do like to cook but figuring out what to prepare every day and making sure that the ingredients are in the house overwhelms me sometimes. Not to mention that I prepare separate dinners for my husband (who is a carnivore) and my kids (who have the pickiest palates).

I have been using Wovenfare’s free weekly meal plans for quite a while now and I love the great recipe ideas and the weekly grocery list.  I don’t normally use the whole plan, but pick and choose the recipes that appeal to us.  I am going to start publishing their dinner ideas right here on Mamapicks every Thursday.

Here are this past week’s recipes:

Stuffed Pork Tenderloin, Cilantro Beef Meatballs with Sour Cream Sauce, Roasted Salmon with Butter, Dill and Garlic, German Style Pork Steak with Red Cabbage, Mediterranean Pizza, Chicken Fingers with Honey Mustard.

Bon Apetit!

Time to replace your pots & pans?

My mom recently got it into my head after pointing out that some of my pans were scratched and that Teflon is hazardous.  I am not much of a “green” mama so I am no expert on this kind of stuff.  Sometimes I even question recycling because I do want the weather to get warmer, I really, truly do.  However, the thought of Teflon in my kids’ scrambled eggs freaked me out.  I was on the lookout for a new set and found this great deal on Sears.ca.  Save $400 on this Henckel’s 10-piece set of pots & pans.  Regularly priced at $599.   Available for $199 until Feb. 26th.

Best of 2009 Series: Tree House Beds

I think I need to start a new category.  Things I want but can’t have.  These amazingly-amazing loft beds are from a Danish company called Kids Factory.  Their site is in Danish with no English options but I can tell you in very plain English that these tree-house beds are very expensive and that shipping would be a bitch.

Turn your child’s handwriting into a font!

The Boy is now writing.  He mostly writes lists of the names of the kids in his class.  He often makes a dotted outline of a letter for himself (just like on the worksheets at school) and then goes over the dots.  It’s quite charming.  I recently thought about capturing his handwriting style as it develops over the next few years and decided to look for a way to create a font for my computer called The Boy.  I found a website which generates personal fonts.  All you have to do is give your child (or anybody else you want to create a font for) the printable sheet to fill out the letters of the alphabet.  Then, you scan the sheet and the program generates the font for you.  This costs $9.95.  Click here to try it, it’s quite simple…and it’s a really nice way of saving your child’s handwriting, using it for various projects, and sharing it with them when they are older.

What To Do This Weekend (Feb. 20th & 21st)

I am happy to report that a 90,000 sq. ft. INDOOR BIKE PARK recently opened in Markham!  There are designated areas for all skill levels.  You can bring your own bikes or rent equipment on site.  Doesn’t this sound like fun??  Check out the website for more information.  If you go, let me know what you think!

The Wave Pool (Richmond Hill) is a fun outing!  Keep the family active and healthy.

Woodbine Fantasy Fair at Woodbine Mall is a great indoor treat for the kids.  This is Ontario’s largest indoor amusement park and kids just love it.

Check out more great weekend events on www.mamapicks.com

Free Movie Tickets

This coming weekend, get 2 free Cineplex entertainment tickets with a $75 spend at Shoppers Drugmart.

Bath For Baby

We are slowly bringing out the equipment for Baby #3 and I am reminded of my favourite products for newborns.  This bath with a stand that folds, can be easily transferred from one place to another and folds up nicely.  It removes the need for a spacious counter or kneeling over the big bath.  To drain the bath, my father-in-law bought a long and flexible plastic tube from Home Depot and attached it to the draining hole of the baby tub.  Something that never occurred to us!  I think we were quite prepared to lift and throw out the water daily…thank goodness for grandparents.  As far as I know, this model is only available at Dearborn Baby.

Tiny Love Toy Recall

Last week, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with Tiny Love, announced a voluntary recall of the the company’s wind chime toys. Consumers should stop using the recalled products immediately.  Please note that the image above is only one of a variety of toys recalled/ If the toys break apart, metal rods are exposed which pose a danger to infants and kids.  For more information, please see the Health Canada advisory.  To get a replacement toy, call Tiny Love at 1-888-791-8166.

Best of 2009 Series: Table 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.

Sippy Bowls

After seeing these bowls at a friend’s house, I couldn’t help but fantasize about my kids eating their cereal and then sipping up all the milk.  I looked everywhere and couldn’t find them.  I am even on a waiting list at Cayne’s.  Today, by chance, I found them at Walmart (Thornhill location) for $2 a bowl!  Don’t look for them in the baby/kid section…look for them somewhere much more obvious…at the edge of the bedding aisle where tons of (Dora adorned) sippy cups, plates and cups lie waiting.

What To Do This Weekend (Feb. 13th & 14th)

Ummm…this one sounds like the weekend winner for our family  – Toronto’s Kids-fest, Canada’s largest indoor inflatables show.  Located at the International Centre in Mississauga and open Saturday, Sunday and Monday.  The $8 admission (for ages 2+)  includes three stage shows.  In order to enjoy the inflatables, you must purchase a ride bracelet for an additional $15.  A little steep.  Click here for location and hours of operation.

I am happy to report that a 90,000 sq. ft. INDOOR BIKE PARK recently opened in Markham!  There are designated areas for all skill levels.  You can bring your own bikes or rent equipment on site.  Doesn’t this sound like fun??  Check out the website for more information.  The place is open on Family Day.

Little House on the Prairie is playing at the Canon Theatre until Feb. 28th.  This was my favourite show as a kid and I can still hear the end-of-show music in my head has the Ingles girls run down that green hill.  Thank goodness you can’t hear me now.

Check out more great weekend events on www.mamapicks.com

25% off @ Chapters/Indigo/Coles

Click on the coupon to print.  Valid until Feb. 14th.

Paper Lanterns

These paper lanterns are surprisingly simple to make!  Even if you don’t celebrate Chinese New Year this weekend, I think they make for a fun project on a cold day.  All you need is paper (shiny is nice but not a must!) and fasteners.  Click here for detailed instructions.  This idea comes from a newsletter that I really love and receive weekly in my Inbox.  Kids Craft Weekly provides you with great ideas and simple projects that you can make at home with your kids..and it’s free.

Etsy Find:  Custom Stamps

From an adorable Etsy shop called Craft Pudding (gotta love the name!), come these amazing custom stamps for girls and boys.  What kid wouldn’t love their own stamp?  You know those hard-to-shop-for 9-11 year olds?  This might be a great birthday gift for one of those…  Mention that you heard about it through Mamapicks in the ‘notes to seller’, and receive a free surprise little stamp along with your order.

Best of 2009 Series: Love This Shelf!

This shelf caught my eye today.  It is called The Toy & Crayon Shelf and it’s made by a sleek Spanish furniture company called Nine To Nine.  The neat thing about the shelf is that it comes with ready made holes for those stuffed animal legs.  Isn’t it an adorable idea?  So…I was thinking…you can buy an IKEA Lack shelf for not-so-much and drill big holes in it.   And VOILA!  You’ve got yourself an awesome shelf for your nursery.   If any handy mama/papa takes this project on, be sure to send me a photo.

Printable Birthday Invitations

I know, invitations are something you might not want to invest in…but what about $10 for a package that includes as many as you need as well as a whole bunch of other stuff?    That’s the idea behind purchasing a printable birthday package from Happy Papers.  They do the art and you do the printing!  A birthday set includes invitations, circular labels, rectangular labels and tags.  A non-personalized birthday package costs only $5.  Receive the PDF file in your inbox and print as many as you like.

What To Do This Weekend (Feb. 6th & 7th)

The City of Vaughan’s 21st annual Winterfest (Sunday, Feb. 7th, 10:30am-3pm, Vellore Village Community Centre) will feature the following family events:

• Free Kidz Zone with rides and a really nice selection of activities (all day)
• A special story telling concert by Robert Munsch on the outdoor (what??) Tim Horton’s stage @ 11am.
• A tribute to Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus (1:30pm & 2:30pm)
• Autograph signing session with Maple Leaf’s goalie, Jonas Gustavsson (2pm)
• Meet & Greet Sesame Street characters (10:30, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm)

Admission is free.  Click here for the Winterfest brochure and see more about the Kidz Zone offerings.

Check out more great weekend events on www.mamapicks.com

Hyper Parents & Coddled Kids

There is a CBC documentary that may be of interest to you coming up on Feb. 4th @ 9pm on CBC-TV.  Hyper Parents and Coddled Kids explores the parenting trend termed over-parenting and its impact on children.  I’ll be setting my PVR, which by the way, has changed my life almost as much as my children have.

Valentine’s Day Craft

Martha has done it again.  Check out this cute DIY card for Valentine’s Day.  Click here for more information.

Two Great Family Shows Coming Up…

I didn’t know anything about the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga until Chantal Kreviazuk performed there a few years back and we went to see her intimate show (it was amazing).  The Living Arts Centre is a place where community members of all ages come to delve in arts related courses, programs and entertainment.  It’s like a super-high-class community centre.

The Living Arts Centre’s Wiggle Club, showcases great performances for kids.  There are two coming up in March that you may want to buy tickets for:

• Robert Munsch (1pm & 4pm , March 17th)  Tickets are $20-$30.
• Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny (March 28th, 3pm) Tickets are $15-$25

Click here to find out more information about these and upcoming shows at this venue.  To buy tickets offline, call the box office @ 1-888-805-8888

I think show tickets are an amazing birthday gift for a child and accompanying adult if you are looking for an original gift .  If your own child is celebrating a birthday in March and you want to do something unique, you can have the birthday as part of the above performances…  Call 905-306-6158 for more info on birthdays.

Best of 2009 Series: 31 Awesome Cake Ideas

My husband and I always (well, we’ve only had kids for three years…) liked to create our children’s birthday cakes from scratch.  It’s a fun project to do together.  The Boy’s cakes have always been based on a story that he loves like The Very Hungry Caterpillar.    See the unbelievable ideas in this Parenting showcase of 31 cakes. I like the detailed explanations on the photos of the cakes that reveal their nifty tricks.  You’ll need to scroll down for those!

Special Promotion: Alphabet Prints

These gorgeous alphabet prints by Penny People Designs are the type of find that I want to share and keep to myself all at the same time.  My son has one in his room and I can’t help but admire it every time I see it.  I love the concept, the colours and of course…I am 100% into anything personalized (in case you haven’t noticed). The prints come in two sizes and fit into an IKEA  Ribba frame which makes framing so simple.

Lindsay, the talented Toronto-based designer of the prints, just sent me information about an amazing promotion.  For every 13×19 print that you buy, you will get one free.  That’s a $25 saving!  Shipping is $13, but will include as many prints as you like.  To take advantage of this promotion, go to the online store and only place in your cart, the amount of prints you would like to buy.  Upon checkout, enter the promotion “Buy1 Get 1 free” in the notes to seller, as well as information about how you would like to personalize your free print(s).  This promotion runs until Feb. 3rd, 2010.  Please note that everything on Etsy is in US funds.

What To Do This Weekend (Jan 30th & 31st)

Wintercity Festival takes place this weekend and next.  Here are some highlights that are appropriate for kids:

• The National Film Board of Canada is holding free hands-on animation workshops for Winterfest on Saturday and Sunday (12:30-3pm).  Little filmmakers will learn how to create an animated film using clay, paper and stop-motion techniques. Saturday mornings with a different theme each week! Admission is only $5 per child and the accompanying adult is free.  Register at 416-973-3012

• Glacialis: The Ice Orchestra – Jesse Stewart creates and plays music on instruments designed and built out of ice!  Performances take place at Nathan Philips Square on Sunday, Jan. 31st at 5, 6, & 7:40pm.

• Enjoy skating at the outdoor skating rink at Nathan Phillip’s Square.  Skate rentals and indoor change rooms are available.  All kids under 6 need a CSA approved helmet. Rink Hotline: 416-338-RINK (7465)

• Winter Carnival takes place from at the square 4-8pm (Sunday) with traditional winter carnival games, circus acts and family entertainment.

Thinking about registering your kids to camp this summer?  This Sunday (1-4pm), go to the OCA 2010 Summer Camp Fair - hosted by the Ontario Camps Association, Canada Camps for Parents magazine and The Toronto Star.  The fair takes place at Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel (Leslie & Hwy 7).  More than 30 camps will be on hand to talk to families about summer camp.

Moo!

Those of you who know me, know that one of my favourite finds (ever!) are mini-cards by a printing company called Moo.  They are very sturdy little rectangular cards that you can print anything on.  I print photos of my kids…and Mamapicks business cards.  You can use 100 full colour photos, designs or text to make business cards, mom-calling-cards, or gift tags for only $19.99.  Mini cards can be kept in a sleek plastic mini-card holder which makes for a great gift.  Definitely more original than wallet photos!  Moo makes it easy to create with their friendly interface and great prices.  Get 10% off on your first order with this code until Jan. 31st: RKZCMU

Book of the Week (ish)

There is No Such Place as Far Away is one of my all-time favourite books.  It is a beautiful and timeless keepsake for both adults and kids alike.  The author is Richard Bach, who wrote Love Story.  With beautiful water-colour illustrations throughout, this powerful story chronicles a spiritual journey through storms and mountains, to attend the birthday party of Rae Hansen, a five-year-old girl.  The message is that if you want to be with someone who is important to you, you are already there.  This book is a great gift for a child or adult who is moving away.  It really shows how there is no such place as far away when you are friends.

Play-Dough Recipe

If you are home this weekend and are looking for another way to keep the little ones busy, make your own coloured play-dough!   Give your kids cookie-cutters, a garlic press, toothpicks and other utensils to keep them busy. Put the following ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat.

• two cups white flour
• ½ cup salt
• 2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• ¼ cup cream of tart
• a drop of food colouring

Once the mixture is smooth, let it cool and let them play.

Best of 2009 Series: The Best Double Stroller

Two years ago, I was on a mission to find the perfect double stroller for my newborn and 18 month old.  In November, 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 just came out this month.  Here is a list of retailers that carry the Baby Jogger product line.