The Get Ready For School Book/Game Series Supports PBS Kids!

 

With September approaching ever so quickly, school is on the minds of many. Especially so for those with children entering kindergarten for the first time. Some worry about how their children will handle being away from their parents and some will question whether or not their children are academically ready for what lies ahead.

DK Canada has a series of Get Ready For School books and games that aid in school readiness for early learners.  Whether you would like to work on your child's colours, numbers, or memory, there is a book or game to assist you in accomplishing these goals. They also include tips in each one that helps you and your child get the most out of what the books and games have to offer.  Purchasing any of the titles from this series also supports PBS Kids, which we all know has fantastic children's programming and resources.  

The items I sampled were:

Get Ready For School Games: Number Memory Games features a small interactive board book focusing on numbers from 1-10. The book helps in learning both numbers and counting and it comes with 40 photo cards. In addition to learning about numbers, these photo cards can be utilized to further teach your child through adding and subtracting, along with game play and other challenges for which the tips and instructions are included. This set retails for $9.99 in the U.S., and $10.99 in Canada. 

Get Ready For School Games: Color Match is very similar to the Number Memory Games set in that it has the smaller interactive board book which breaks down colours, shapes and the like. This set also includes 40 photo cards that feature pictures of a variety of coloured items to help further teach your child color concepts. There are cards with images of pencil crayons in various colours as well as a card with each colour displayed on it, with its corresponding spelling. They can also be used for game play and timed challenges, and the set comes with suggestions on which games to play with them. This set also retails for $9.99 in the U.S., and $10.99 in Canada. 

Get Ready For School: I'm Ready For School is an 18 paged board book which allows young ones to learn about colours, shapes and numbers. It features themes such as morning routines, eating meals, matching items like footwear, and the correct clothing for the weather. The 45 flaps throughout the book allow kids to satisfy their curiosity as to what's on the other side, all while learning. This book retails for $12.99 in the U.S. & $13.99 in Canada. 

For those with older kids, the Help Your Kids With Math book is chock full of visuals, explanations and aids on various mathematics starting with telling the time, adding, subtraction, multiplication and division, all the way to geometry and algebra. It also includes a section on personal finance, which I think is an important topic for children and youth. This particular book is suited for kids in grades 3 through grade 6. All of its 264 pages will be well used by me once my son enters those grades. Believe you me, math is not my strong suit, and this book will be immensely helpful not only for my son but for me as well! Help Your Kids With Math retails for $19.95 in the U.S., and $20.95 here in Canada. 

To discover the other titles in the Get Ready For School series, click here. 

Check out other titles specifically selected for DK Canada's Back to School Boutique! 

***** These views are mine, and mine alone. As with anything, you are responsible for assessing whether this item and/or activity is safe and suitable for your specific needs. InfoMommy does not make any warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, and assumes no responsibility and/or liability for any actions taken as a result of this blog post.*****

Graphic Abortion Images Around Children - The Right Way To Spread The Anti-Abortion Message? Not in My Opinion!

   

Whether you are for or against abortion, or lie somewhere in the middle, displaying very graphic images to children when you know that they are there is shameful! At least in my humble opinion. It's not about it being offensive to me, I can handle it.

For me, it's about how displaying these images to young children is going to help your movement. Perhaps I have followers that practice this form of protest or perceived education. I'm curious to understand how specifically you think this is the right way to spread the message. And how on earth you can honestly think that displaying these images with young children looking at them is OK. While I used to think that young children weren't the intended market, I have to question whether or not that is really the case. Are the protesters really trying to fuel the fires by having children ask their parents what the images are illustrating? Either way, I think the children are the collateral damage. If it is important to protect an innocent unborn child, should it not also be paramount to protect the ones that have been born? 

Before anyone asks me if I have my back up because I might have had an abortion - I haven't. I've always known that it was not the choice for me personally.  But who am I or is anyone else to judge others and the situations that they may have been in when they chose to go that route? Just like I don't know the circumstances, neither do the protesters. And if we don't know, who are we to be the authority? 

I'd also like to question the images that are being shown and what gestation the images are portraying. I have a feeling that many of the images I saw yesterday depict pregnancies that were a lot further along than most abortions, strictly for the purposes of sensationalism. At least from what I could tell. 

While walking down the street on a sidewalk yesterday, my child had to walk through a large pathway of  8-12 massive sized graphic images, each picture the same size or bigger than the hood of most cars. Can someone please enlighten me on how this is believed to be an acceptable method to promulgate the anti-abortion message? Can there not be any discretion around children? 

I'm open to having a discussion on any topic. But for me, this method of spreading the word turns me off completely from wanting to discuss this issue with the anti-abortion advocates I saw yesterday. It leads me to believe that I can't have a reasonable discussion with this type of proselytizing. Especially when I can't even do so with my children around  If you can't respect and care for my born child, how on earth are you going to respect me, no matter my beliefs on this issue? Truth be told, it has me questioning whether you really care for innocent unborn children at all. 

Clearly, they have accomplished one thing besides angering me with exposing their inappropriate propaganda to my children - it's got you and I talking about it!

***** These views are mine, and mine alone. As with anything, you are responsible for assessing whether this item and/or activity is safe and suitable for your specific needs. InfoMommy does not make any warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, and assumes no responsibility and/or liability for any actions taken as a result of this blog post.*****

Marvel Universe Live Is Universally Spectacular!

   

We just got back from Marvel Universe Live here in Toronto at the Air Canada Centre and it's pretty cool!

While comic superheroes are not really my thing, I'm learning to embrace all things masculine now that I have 2 boys. And I'm quickly discovering that all things perceived as masculine aren't always that. There are plenty of female superheroes too and what kid (both big and small) doesn't love a superhero?Whether it's a cartoon, a comic or a movie, my older one is into it all! 

Marvel Universe Live is a unique live-action original play chock-full of action, special effects, martial arts, aerial stunts & pyrotechnics that unite over 25 of the Marvel characters as part of the storyline. Whether you are a fan of Spider-Man, The Avengers or some of the others, this dramatic performance is sure to impress. It hasn't been hailed as the most technically advanced show ever for nothing! Even the amazing motorcycle and dirt bike stunts are exciting to watch! My personal favorite was Captain America riding around the stage on his motorcycle, and seeing Spider-Man perform aerial stunts. It's downright cool!

Marvel Universe Live runs for 2 hours, with a 15 minute intermission about 45 minutes into the show. The show itself is quite loud, especially so when the pyrotechnics were set off. I saw quite a few toddlers crying during the show and covering their ears. Their parents were taking them out and it seems that they were frightened by the noise. I didn't find the storyline to be too scary for the littlest ones, I truly think it was the loud special effects that was upsetting them. Because of this, and knowing that my 2 year old would have been the exact same way, I think the show is more suited for kids ages 4yrs and up. Even then I would suggest bringing noise cancellation earphones in case they find it to be loud, as the venue itself only sold foam earplugs, at a cost of $2. While the price is nominal, I don't think they would have been strong enough for a toddler or preschooler. If a child is under 2 years of age, they can be admitted free so long as they sit on your lap for the duration of the show. If they are 24 months and older, they would require their own ticket. With that being said, I wouldn't bring kids under 4yrs of age to the show because of the previously stated noise levels. 

Be sure to have your kids dress up as their favorite Marvel character! We saw dozens of little Spider-Mans, Iron Mans and Captain Americas roaming around the ACC. It was adorable to see these enthusiastic fans about, and a great way to get more bang for your buck out of an old playtime or hallow'een costume. 

Marvel Universe Live is currently travelling across Canada to a number of cities, and making quite a few stops across the U.S. throughout this year and in 2016. It will be coming soon to those in the U.K. as well.  At the ACC, the tickets ranged from $20 children's tickets, all the way up to $150 for Gold Level. The average price of a ticket was about $25-$60, depending on your seating choice and availability. These prices change from location to location, so please inquire at the venue closest to you for specific pricing in your neck of the woods.

Marvel Universe Live is offering a 20% discount off tickets purchased using promo code MULOC, so be sure to take advantage of those savings! Like any attraction, save as much as you can on the tickets, as the souvenirs are atrociously expensive, at least at the ACC. For a youth t-shirt, you are looking at $40, and for 2 drinks and 1 popcorn, you'll be forking over about $18. Face painting was $15 per design and you could get your photo taken with what seemed like a cardboard superhero for $25-$30. They had snow cones in themed cups for $15-20, and a whole slew of other memorabilia.  

Marvel Universe Live is here in Toronto until Sunday, with the following showtimes:

Friday, August 14th - 7pm

Saturday, August 15th - 11am, 3pm & 7pm

Sunday, August 16th - 11am & 3pm

For more information on Marvel Universe Live, visit their website, and follow them on Twitter and on Facebook. 

***** These views are mine, and mine alone. As with anything, you are responsible for assessing whether this item and/or activity is safe and suitable for your specific needs. InfoMommy does not make any warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, and assumes no responsibility and/or liability for any actions taken as a result of this blog post.*****

Race To The Rescue With the Paw Patroller!

   

My kids love Paw Patrol, and like many, love to re-enact Paw Patrol rescue missions.  We previously received the Lookout Playset as well as Chase's Cruiser, Marshall's Firefightin' Truck and Rubble's Digg'n Bulldozer. They still enjoy playing with those items, but were particularly excited to get the new Paw Patrol Paw Patroller so that they can transport the pups and their vehicles to the next assignment! 

The Paw Patrol Paw Patroller is geared for children 3yrs and up. It does require 3 LR44 watch batteries, which thankfully are included. The only assembly required was to place the 2 front seats into the cab of the truck, and affix the stickers.  

The Paw Patrol Paw Patroller allows for up to 6 vehicles and pups to be displayed when the patroller is fully opened into a command centre. When closed and in transport mode the patroller can hold up to 3 vehicles and their pups. It comes with a sticker sheet to embellish the Patroller, as well as Ryder and his ATV. The Paw Patrol Paw Patroller features 5 sounds from the show that change each time the button is depressed. It has the sound of a vehicle backing up and running as well as honking, and also the tone Ryder sends to the pups' collars to mobilize them. It also has the sound of a hoist being elevated, which can go alongside the Paw Patroller's real working elevator used to lift the pups to the upper level of the Patroller. On its upper level, you will find a landing pad for Skye's helicopter, as well as a holder for Zuma's hovercraft propeller fans. The cab of the truck has 2 front seats allowing for Ryder to drive, and for some of the other pups to ride up front with him.  The elevator could be a bit difficult to latch on the upper level for the younger ones, but I'm sure they would get the hang of it quickly. Overall, it seems well constructed and fairly sturdy, particularly when it's in transport mode. The only thing I would add to the Paw Patroller vehicle itself is volume control, so that you can adjust how loud or how quiet the sounds are. 

The Paw Patrol Paw Patroller retails in Canada for approximately $79.99, and in the U.S. for about $59.99. It is available at various retailers such as Toys R Us, Walmart and Amazon. At this price point, particularly with regards the Canadian MSRP, it would have been nice to have all of the characters and their vehicles, or at least RoboDog, included as a complete set.  Though it does specify on the box that it includes Ryder and his ATV, the packaging could be a little bit misleading, as the images on the box show all of the characters and their vehicles inside the Paw Patroller. This could easily lend to someone assuming they were all included if they weren't carefully looking at the box and its contents. I suspect that the toy company likely didn't include all of them because the individual vehicles have been on the market for quite a while now and likely wouldn't be needed for most consumers. With that being said, the Paw Patrol Paw Patroller is an interchangeable toy and can also be used with just about any smaller sized vehicles such as dinky cars, which can further expand your child's creativity. And they will love it! In my mind, this is like Barbie & her camper. They go hand in hand and belong together. I suspect that it will be on many a child's Christmas list this year! 

For those in the U.S., the Paw Patrol Tour might be coming to a city near you this summer! The Paw Patrol Tour will be visiting state and county fairs from California, to Wisconsin, to Texas and many other stops in between from July 25th to October 4th, 2015. The tour will feature the Paw Patroller truck and trailer along with visits from Chase & Marshall. There will be giveaways, activities for the munchkins, as well as visits from popular Spin Master and Nickelodeon characters like Sick Bricks, Little Charmers, and Chubby Puppies!  Unfortunately this tour is not yet available in Canada, but I can promise you that if it does, I'll spread the word! My kids would be over the moon for it! 

***** These views are mine, and mine alone. As with anything, you are responsible for assessing whether this item and/or activity is safe and suitable for your specific needs. InfoMommy does not make any warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, and assumes no responsibility and/or liability for any actions taken as a result of this blog post.*****

Make Your Own Ouchie Kit!‏

   

Now that summer is here, everyone is out and about taking in all that the season has to offer. Whether you're hitting up a park or playground, accompanying your kids on a bike ride, or taking advantage of a local splash pad, you never know when one of  your brood is going to wipe out, or otherwise acquire an owie. 

Having a small ouchie kit that you can carry with you in the car, diaper bag, or stroller can make your life a lot easier when you need to apply minor first aid, or assuage a booboo that is more psychological than physical. Especially if you are a bit far from home on foot on a walk, hike, bike ride or visit to the playground!

While you can purchase first aid kits, they are often bulky and contain a number of items that you would likely never use. I keep one of these in my trunk and at home just in case. But for outings with the kids, I like to carry a small sized version with just the essentials, so that I'm not bogged down with even more things to carry around. We all know our purses and diaper bags already have enough stuff in them! The best thing about making your own ouchie kit is that you can tailor it to include items specific to your family's needs. 

Here's what I include in my ouchie kit: 

• A plastic container or fabric pouch for the items
• Band-Aids in various sizes, including themed ones like Spiderman or Barbie. (They help a lot with booboos!) 
• Polysporin/Neosporin or other antibiotic ointment
• Travel sized peroxide for cleaning up any scrapes or cuts
• A couple sterile gauze pads
• A roll of adhesive first aid tape
• A roller bandage with the clips
• Eye drops if your child is known to have seasonal allergies that might flare up unexpectedly
• Epi-Pen or other epinephrine injector if you child has allergies to nuts or outdoor hazards like bees & wasps
• A pair of latex or non-latex gloves

Comment below if there is anything else you carry in yours that would be a great addition for others! 

Have a safe and happy summer! 

***** These views are mine, and mine alone. As with anything, you are responsible for assessing whether this item and/or activity is safe and suitable for your specific needs. InfoMommy does not make any warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, and assumes no responsibility and/or liability for any actions taken as a result of this blog post.*****