Let the Cold Winds Blow with the Columbia Whirlibird Interchange Jacket

   

I'm not sure about you, but since I've been a mom, things have been hectic. Getting out the door with young ones in tow is an adventure in itself. Once I've got the kids bundled up in their winter gear, I'm racing to get myself dressed quickly, before one starts complaining about how hot they are. I like to have something quick to throw on that is both stylish and versatile, no matter the weather.

Columbia's Women's Whirlibird Interchange Jacket is a great 3-in-1 coat for moms on the go. Whether it's fall, winter, or spring, you will get bang for your buck out of this multi-use jacket. 

During winter months, the jacket is used with the thermal & water repellent zip-in liner. During the fall or spring, you can utilize the jacket fully assembled, or simply use the liner, or outer shell, depending on your needs and preferences. 

The outer shell features a waterproof, but breathable seam sealed shell, thanks to Columbia's Omni-Tech technology. It has a removable storm hood, which is great during rain and/or wind, as well as underarm venting to help you cool down. The coat also has 2 deep zippered pockets on either side of the jacket. 

The inner liner features an Omni-Heat thermal reflective liner, and a nice quilted exterior. It also has a small zippered pocket on the inside of the front of the jacket, perfect for lip balm, bank cards, or your phone. Not only is this great if you are just wearing the liner on its own, it's handy for when you are using it along with the outer layer. As an avid Chapstick user, I like to wear it close to my heart, and have easy access. ;) It also has a pocket for your ski goggles. 

Overall, I really like jacket. I do wish the inside liner also had a drop tail on it like the outer layer does, to better keep my tushie warm. But I do get that if it did, it would affect the look of the inner jacket when wearing it alone. Plus, it does have an adjustable snap back powder skirt that I could use if I wanted to. Personally, I'm not crazy about the zipper on the outer shell. I would prefer it to be a larger sized zipper, typical to most jackets, which is smoother to do up. With that being said however, that is likely due to the waterproof & windproof feature, which seals out the elements. This particular zipper was a bit stiff initially, but I have noticed that it is softening up after some use, making it easier & smoother to zip up. It's a small price to pay if it guarantees you stray dry, and keeps the wind out on cold days.

While we haven't had any frigid temperatures yet this season, I have worn this jacket on the coldest day we've had so far, which was also quite windy. So far, it has kept me warm and I have not felt any wind cut through the jacket like I have with other winter coats I own. The adjustable storm hood and the adjustable cuffs are also great for keeping out the elements. 

The Columbia Women's Whirlibird Interchange Jacket comes in sizes XS-3X, and as previously mentioned, in a variety of colours. You are sure to find a style that suits your taste. I find that it has a nice roomy fit for additional layering on colder days, but is not overly bulky. It feels very comfortable and cozy to wear. Both layers are machine washable, which is super handy. As a mom, the last thing I need is something that needs to be dry cleaned!

I followed the size guide online and got the perfect size for me. If you are buying online, be sure to confirm your measurements to ensure the right fit. 

The Columbia Women's Whirlibird Interchange Jacket retails in Canada for approximately $250 for Regular sizes, and $280 for Plus sizes. In the U.S., Regular sizes retail for approximately $200, and $220 for Plus sizes. If you can get it on sale, it's a steal!

This coat is also available in Men's styles & sizes. 

***** 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. *****

The Monster Jam Tour is back in Canada for 2016!

   

The Monster Jam Tour is a family-friendly action packed show filled with 12 feet tall monster trucks. These 10,000 pound machines race around a track in side-by-side racing as well as their freestyle competition. They drive up and over obstacles and smash and crash! It's a rip-roaring good time!

In 2016, the Monster Jam Tour has 8 stops throughout Canada: 

Toronto - Rogers Centre, January 16th-17th, 2016

Winnipeg - MTS Centre, January 30th-31st, 2016

Edmonton - Rexall Place, February 6th-7th, 2016

Vancouver - BC Place, February 27th, 2016

London - Budweiser Gardens, February 27th-28th, 2016

Hamilton - First Ontario Centre, April 23rd-24th, 2016

Halifax - Scotia Speedworld, May 28th-29th, 2016

Calgary - Stampede Grandstand, September 17th-18th, 2016

Tickets prices are geared towards everyone's budget! At the Toronto show, tickets range in price on the low end from $15 for kids' tickets and $25 for adult tickets, all the way up to $135 for a Total Access Pass.  Tickets can typically be purchased from Ticketmaster or at your local venue. You can also purchase a Party in the Pits pass for approximately $10. 

For more information on Monster Jam from a parent's perspective, check out my review on last year's experience. 

See you there!

***** 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. *****

The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Dinnertime!

   

Ree Drummond, a.k.a. The Pioneer Woman, is best known for her cheerful demeanour and simple yet scrumptious recipes made from scratch. I am a huge fan of all things Pioneer Woman and was thrilled that she just released her latest cookbook entitled The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Dinnertime. 

My family and I have been watching her television show for the last few years and have made several of her dishes. Every single one of her recipes that I have tried has been delicious! And my kids actually enjoy watching her show. She always features stories about her family and various things going on at her cattle ranch, tying it into each episode. Not only are my kids being entertained while watching her, they are also learning valuable culinary life skills while doing so. 

The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Dinnertime is Ree Drummond's fourth cookbook. In this book, she breaks down more than 125 recipes over 400 pages in categories like Freezer Foods, 16 Minute Meals, Comfort Classics, Soups, Mains, Breakfast for Dinner and more.  Also featured in this book are useful tricks such as preparation tips, essential items for your pantry as well as measurement and oven conversions.  

If you've ever followed her food blog or personal website, you already know that all her recipes give step by step instructions & include photos of each step along the way. Having this format reassures you that you are in fact doing it right. This cookbook does the same, making her recipes practically foolproof. 

Whether you want to make your own enchilada sauce for one of her Mexican style recipes, or you'd like to stick to typical comfort foods like Chicken Pot Pie, there are a lot of ideas on what to make in this book.  There are also a number of economical recipes, such as Hamburger Soup, Black Bean Burgers and Tomato Soup with Parmesan Croutons. 

The Freezer Foods section gives quite a few meals suitable for freezing. One of the best things about this section is her meatball recipe. Not only does she provide the recipe for the meatballs themselves that can easily be frozen, she provides other recipes that include these meatballs. This way, you can make a number of entrees with them, and aren't stuck just using them for spaghetti and meatballs.

I like the cookbook. In typical Pioneer Woman style, she has included a number of pictures of the kids, the ranch and other photos throughout the book. It's quite enjoyable to peruse. I was hoping for all brand new recipes though, that I hadn't already seen on her show or online. With that being said, there are quite a few that seem to be new or previously unpublished. Or at least new to me. The only downside that I can see is that when it comes to the Mexican style recipes, those in smaller communities in Canada might have a harder time finding certain ingredients. But with a little ingenuity and the magic of the internet, you might be able to get most of those ingredients online, delivered to your door. If you live in the U.S. however, most of these items would likely already be staple in your supermarkets. 

Ree Drummond has also just released a new line of cookware and other kitchen items this past September. It is currently available in the US but I can't, can't, can't wait until it hits Canadian retail. Did I mention that I can't wait for it? Until then, I will just have to continue cooking her delicious meals using my current cookware. Insert sigh!

The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Dinnertime retails for approximately $29.99USD/$36.99CAN.

***** 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. *****

The Hot Wheels Ultimate Garage Play Set is the Hottest Garage in Town!‏

   

Hot Wheels has been a staple brand for many families since the 60's, and continues to produce creative race track sets and dinky cars. The Hot Wheels Ultimate Garage is one of their latest play sets and is their largest garage set ever made! It is a little boy's (or girl's) dream! 

The Hot Wheels Ultimate Garage is geared for ages 5-10 years, but personally, I think many kids 3+ would enjoy this just as much. In addition to the garage itself, the set includes 5 Hot Wheels dinky cars and 1 rescue helicopter. The garage has 36 parking spots spread out over 4 separate parking levels. Within the garage are several mini activity centres such as a fire hall, a gas station and a tune up shop which feature coordinated lights and sounds to enhance play.  There are other smaller, more basic centres throughout the play set such as a restaurant and other places to cruise around.  

The helicopter has a helipad to land on, which also has lights and sounds to compliment use. The helicopter has a rescue mechanism underneath for it to pick up and move the dinky cars around the playset or wherever your little one's heart desires.  There are 2 working manual elevators on each side of the structure to move cars up and down each level, which is great if you have more than 1 player. 

There are a number of entry/exit points on this play set, and 2 tall race track ramps. 1 is a side by side dual race track where a pop up sign will show who the true winner is. The other is a spiral ramp allowing you to race your car down from the fourth parking level and challenges you to beat getting bitten by the shark at the bottom. Will you be fast enough? 

This play set is assembled in typical Hot Wheels fashion, by clicking and snapping track and pieces together. It is easily assembled, but it will take you some time due to its size and various components. Besides the obvious, one of the best things about this play set, is that you can connect your existing Hot Wheels tracks to this one, and expand the garage even more! You could end up having an entire Hot Wheels community if you had a couple of other track sets to attach! For a demonstration on how this set is assembled, you can visit this Hot Wheels link on YouTube. 

The Hot Wheels Ultimate Garage is quite large in size and takes up a fair amount of floor space. They don't call it "ultimate" for nothing! It's an ideal toy for siblings to share, or to play alongside a friend or two. The size of it allows one or multiple players to get the most out of this play set, practically guaranteeing hours upon hours of play. As always, I love toys that promote creativity, free of electronic devices and this one definitely does that. You could play simply with what is included in the set, and/or use your imagination to create all sorts of additional scenarios. It comes with an on/off button and can double as a storage place for 36 cars in the parking spaces and more in and around the base of the structure. It's also a fabulous starter kit given that it comes with 5 Hot Wheels cars and a helicopter! 

The Hot Wheels Ultimate Garage requires 3 AA batteries which are sold separately, and you will need a Phillips screwdriver to gain access and to secure the battery compartment. If you plan on storing this play set in its assembled state, it may pose a challenge due to its size. The box that it comes in is huge and comparable to the size of some flat screen TV boxes. You will have to get creative in wrapping the box if you don't want to use up a whole roll of wrapping paper. 

The Hot Wheels Ultimate Garage retails for approximately $149CAN/$100USD. Prices will vary from store to store. As always, I recommend using holiday sales and/or price matching to your full advantage to get the best price possible. While this play set is a bit pricey, it is like no other. Especially so given the fact that you can re-purpose existing Hot Wheels track sets by attaching them to this Ultimate Garage. When you factor in the going rate for things like video games, it's not all that much more and fosters imaginative play without using a device. 

All in all, I think this is a hit! 

This play set could very well be the ultimate gift this Christmas! 

***** 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 *****

Turbo Flip Thomas is Definitely Turbo!

   

Thomas the train has been a fan favorite in many a home over the years, including ours. I was curious when I heard about the Thomas & Friends Turbo Flip Thomas. Would it do what it claimed it could do? 

The Turbo Flip Thomas does not disappoint. When they chose to include the word turbo in the name, they weren't messing around! It flies quite quickly across a flat surface like hard wood floors, and has some real guts. I'm not a car racing enthusiast but I am going to steal and modify lingo from the racing world and say that this Thomas goes from zero to turbo in practically zero seconds! He is very responsive. 

The Turbo Flip Thomas goes forwards, backwards, pops wheelies, and does impressive back flips. He even knows when he's tipped over onto his side, saying phrases like "Uh, this is not part of the routine", and "A little help please?".  He is controlled by a remote control that is perfectly sized for little hands. It gives them the power to control Thomas & his tricks. The best part about the remote control is that if you lose it, or if your child is too young to maneuver it, you can still use the toy. You can get it to work pretty much the same way by depressing the numeral 1 on the side of the train. While it won't be completely controlled by the child like it would be using the remote control, Thomas will perform a sequence of pre-programmed stunts. 

Turbo Flip Thomas also has a light which projects train tracks in front of him onto the surface he's driving on. While it's not as visible during daylight, it does look pretty darn awesome in a darkened room or in low lighting!  Turbo Flip Thomas is geared for kids ages 3+, and both my sons enjoys this. The older one is able to maneuver the remote control better than my almost 3 year old and can pull off some pretty wicked stunts with this action packed little railway star. 

It seems quite sturdy overall, although the back door and the white engine steam on the top of the train that are used in the back flipping might wear out over time seeing as you have younger ones playing with it who are generally known to be less than delicate. I do find this toy to be quite loud, but it does come with an on/off switch. With that being said, whoever said Turbo meant quiet? While it does include the 4 AA batteries for Thomas, it does not include the 2 AAA batteries for the remote control device. Given the retail price of the toy, I would have liked the remote batteries to also be included. 

As previously mentioned, he boots it good across a flat surface. It does go pretty quick as well on low pile carpet but not as quick on medium pile.We don't have long shag in our home but my guess is that it probably wouldn't go nearly as far on shag, simply because of the type of carpeting.  Driving it over medium or longer pile carpet might also drain the batteries quicker as he would be working extra hard at reaching turbo speeds.

Turbo Flip Thomas retails for approximately $49.99USD/$59.99CAN. 

All in all, I think this toy is a hit! It's interactive and a real hoot. I'm sure it'll even amuse some of the adults! I'm starting to think that maybe I should be a toy developer... They must have a lot of fun experimenting and testing out their products as they go! 

***** 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 *****

Be the Sidekick with PAW Patrol - Mission Chase!

      

As most of you know, we are huge PAW Patrol fans. Chase has been the top dog for my boys from the get go, and they were pretty pumped to learn that there was a new interactive Chase toy on the market!

The PAW Patrol - Mission Chase toy is geared towards kids ages 3-6 years of age. The toy affords them the opportunity to work interactively with Chase on 24 different rescue missions which are based off real PAW Patrol episodes. While on these "missions", children are encouraged to assist Chase by using a variety of gadgets in his transforming backpack, while following Chase's 130+ phrases and instructions. 

To activate a mission, simply depress his badge. Chase will announce the mission and then provide instruction and direction on how to help him solve the issue. Inside of Chase's transforming backpack is a spring loaded net launcher. Simply depress the proper button on his backpack and it will release and shoot the rescue net, which flies a few feet. The other side of his backpack contains a real working searchlight which doubles as a megaphone. For those worried about noise from the megaphone, fear not - it isn't loud like a real one is! The searchlight is pretty cool during night-time play. Like the net launcher, the searchlight and megaphone are mobilized by pushing the appropriate buttons for activation. The gadgets can then be easily folded back into their slots, and secured by gently closing the backpack hatches.

Chase moves his head while talking and will sit and stand up. He also likes to howl in approval and excitement throughout play. Chase will help your child by telling them which gadget to choose if they initially choose the wrong one. This is great if your child gets easily frustrated. Chase encourages them to try again and succeed.  The toy also has an on/off switch, which most parents appreciate on children's toys. 

Some young children who have limited dexterity might have a bit of difficulty reloading the net until they get the hang of it. The searchlight is not super bright but I suspect that it was done that way to conserve battery power. Seeing as it's geared for kids ages 3-6 years, for me, it's not an issue. It would be nice if it came in a bilingual version but that might already be on the table for the next generation of this toy. It is quite large in size, comparable give or take, to the proportions of an adult basketball. 

Overall, the PAW Patrol - Mission Chase toy is pretty awesome! It is unique and interactive, and I'm sure kids will love it. PAW Patrol - Mission Chase requires 4 AA batteries to operate, and the batteries are included with this toy. It retails for approximately $79.99CAN/$59.99USD and is available at most toy and department stores.

While it is definitely not the cheapest PAW Patrol toy on the shelf, you can save yourself on the cost by watching out for holiday sales. This is the perfect time of year to save money on toys! 

***** 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.*****

How Are Babies Made? These Are the Books for You!‏

   

With all of the talk and controversy surrounding the new sex ed curriculum being implemented in schools across Ontario this year, it got me questioning how I was going to have these types of conversations with my own kids. I always knew the day would come when I would get questioned, and I knew it would probably happen in the most awkward of locations. After all, isn't that what kids do? LOL

While perusing resources and print materials online, I came across a book called What Makes a Baby written by Cory Silverberg. That led me to finding his other book Sex is a Funny Word.  I was starting to read up on it when Cory Silverberg just happened to be promoting his latest book on CTV's The Social. When co-host Cynthia Lloyst, a trusted sexual information guru raved about both of these books, I knew I had to get review copies so I could check them out for myself!

Cynthia Lloyst was right! At least in my opinion! 

What Makes a Baby is geared for kids from preschool ages up to about 8 years. This book is written in such a brilliantly simple way that allows it to be applicable to any child, no matter how they were conceived or brought into this world. Or what the child's religious or cultural standards and practices are. It is purely informational, and does not contain any reference to intercourse. It does explain birth, both vaginal and C-section, but is not graphic in any way. It does not contain any images of any genitalia. The birthing explanations are tastefully done. So no matter if you are more conservative, or more open, it is equally helpful. 

Sex is a Funny Word is geared towards those 8-10 years . Each chapter in the book starts off with a cartoon about the topic and ends with questions to spark more thought and conversation about what was covered in the chapter. The chapters cover topics such as what sex is, learning about your body, touch, boys and girls, and even covers things like having a crush on someone, love and relationships. Like What Makes a Baby, it is also simply written for this age group as well. It does not include information on ejaculation or menstruation but it does show cartoon images of what a penis and vulva (commonly known as vagina) look like and that hair will eventually grow there. It does talk about touching yourself, but it is very simply explained, and once again, is not graphic at all. 

From what I understand, the author Cory Silverberg will be working on a follow up book that will be geared towards ages and stages beyond the pre-pubescent years. I look forward to seeing that book as well, and would be a great tool for parents whose kids are moving into the pubescent phase of their lives. 

I love that these books are inclusive, no matter where you come from, how you were raised, how you were conceived, how you were born, or what the dynamics of each child's family is. It is broken down so simply that I wonder why it never occurred to me before to explain it this way. 

I highly recommend these books! Whether you purchase the titles, or get them from the library, they are great resources. Even if there was something in the book that you felt might be too taboo for you or that you aren't comfortable with your child reading, you can use them as tools for yourself. You can read them through on your own and pick and choose which topics would be most suitable and helpful for your particular family. You can also tailor the questions they ask you so that you can get the most out the conversation with your child when the time comes to do so, in a way that you feel most comfortable with.

These topics can be extremely awkward for some, if not most parents. Save yourself the hassle and check out the books! I highly doubt you'd be disappointed! 

What Makes a Baby retails in both Canada and the US for $16.95. Sex is a Funny Word retails for $23.95USD/CAN. 

***** 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.*****

New Baby Alive Gear is Simply Adorable!

   

I've got boys, and I love the life. However.... every once in a while, I see something adorably pink and think about what it would be like to have a daughter. There are so many adorable things geared towards girls!

I recently received some really cute Baby Alive items that many kids would go crazy for. 

The Baby Alive Travel System is simply adorable, and is quite life-like. The streel framed stroller features a shopping basket, a retractable canopy and even has swivel front wheels like a real buggy. It comes with a plastic moulded car seat that clicks into the stroller to form the travel system. The stroller fits dolls up to 18", and the car seat fits a smaller doll up to 16". This item retails for approximately $49.99 in the US, and $59.99 here in Canada. 

The Baby Alive Play Yard is one of items that warms my heart. Like the travel system, it is life-like as well. It comes with a mobile that has a heart, star and moon hanging from it, and is easily put together by connecting the steel bars into plastic connectors. This play yard can accommodate a doll up to 16" in length and retails for approximately $29.99 in the US. In Canada, it retails for about $34.99.   

The Baby Alive 3-in-1 Swing & High Chair Combo allows for the swing to be converted to a high chair, and the seat portion to be carried as a standalone car seat. The swing actually move back and forth to soothe the doll and the high chair is constructed of steel click-to-connect tubing. This item retails for approximately $24.99 in the US, and $34.99 in Canada. 

The Baby Alive Tickles 'n Cuddles Doll is as sweet as sweet can be. This doll is dressed in a cute fleece sleeper, and comes with a bottle & rattle. When she drinks from the bottle, she makes little slurping sounds and giggles when she's tickled. The more you "tickle" her, the more she giggles. When fed her bottle, her fits of giggles will quiet down. She also enjoys playing with her rattle, will move her arms and legs, and can also hiccup. She's really quite adorable and comes in both a Caucasian and African American version. This item retails for approximately $39.99 in the US, and $44.99 in Canada. 

All of these items are geared towards ages 3 years+. They are all simple to assemble thanks to the easy click-to-connect system and would no doubt bring a lot of joy and delight to many a child. 

With the exception of the Tickles 'n Cuddles Doll, all aforementioned Baby Alive items do not come with their own doll. For that reason, I do find the travel system in particular to be a bit on the pricey side at $49.99US/$59.99CAN. With that being said, these items do seem quite sturdy and the fabric is not only adorable but durable. I am sure that they are worth the money, especially when purchased on sale. Plus you don't have to have a Baby Alive doll to use these products, you just need to make sure that a pre-existing or more cost effective doll is under 16" long so as to fit the car seat, etc. 

Given their price point for me personally, these items would be a great special occasion gift like a birthday or for Christmas. They would be especially great for kids expecting a new sibling. The recipient would likely enjoy "taking care" of their new baby alongside the new addition to the family. 

As I've previously said in other reviews, I'm all for interactive items that teach life skills and keep kids off of their devices. In addition to the pricing for the travel system itself, the only thing I personally would change is to have the play yard be collapsible like a real one, and to add a bit more diversity with regards to the Tickles 'n Cuddles doll. While many Baby Alive dolls in general come in a variety of complexions, it would be nice to have the same selection available on the market for the Tickles 'n Cuddles doll. Right now, it only comes in a Caucasian and African American version. 

These Baby Alive products are available at both Toys R Us in Canada as well as in the U.S. 

I'm sure these Baby Alive products will be on many a child's Christmas list this year, so be sure to watch for them on sale to get the most bang for your buck!

***** 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.*****

    

The Easiest & Cheapest Way to Get Rid of Fruit Flies

   

Fruit flies are plentiful this time of year and I can't stand them flying around my kitchen. The best way that I've found to get rid of them is both easy and free, and you can't get better than that!

You basically put a ripe banana peel or some cut up fruit inside a cup or glass, seal it with taut plastic wrap and poke small holes into the plastic wrap so that they can get inside. In my experience, the riper the fruit - the better, especially overly ripe banana peels. You can use a toothpick or another tiny implement to poke small holes into the top. You don't want the holes to be too big, or they will be able to get back out.  Use a rubber band to seal the plastic wrap tightly. 

Leave it sitting out on your counter or wherever they are most concentrated. Then occasionally bring it outside and empty the contents into a shopping bag tied tightly so the flies can't escape back into your house, and throw the bag in the trash. Or alternatively, set them free out of the container while outside and reseal the plastic wrap for reuse. Keep doing this until all the fruit flies are gone, which for me typically takes a couple of days. 

While it can be a bit unsightly to see the flies flying around in the cup while on your counter, you'll be amazed at how quickly they will be eradicated. That is, until the next time you bring produce into your home! If you don't want to see the flies inside the cup, then consider using a cup or container that you can't see through. 

After all, out of sight is out of mind!

***** 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.*****

Explaining Death to Children

   

With the heartbreaking deaths of 3 young children along with the grandfather this past weekend at the hands of a drunk driver, I wanted to share a resource that might help you when talking to your children about death. 

To the parents and family members of these children and their grandfather, I wish you peace and solace at this most difficult and unimaginable time. May each one of these angels rest in peace. My heart breaks for you. 

Explaining death to anyone is a hard topic to take on, especially when you're trying to explain it to children.

How do you explain something that you yourself aren't factually sure about? No matter your belief, the truth is, that no one present here on earth really knows what happens when we pass. So if that's the case, how on earth do you begin to answer what happens when little ones pose the question? What do you say if you aren't religious? 

I lost my mother quite a few years ago to a debilitating terminal illness. I struggled to understand why this would happen to her. What would really happen when she passed on? Though I still don't know the answer to those questions, I, as well as my family members found solace in a story about waterbugs & dragonflies which was shared at her funeral. 

While the story was originally written for children, it also gave me comfort as a new adult. In addition, it has given my family the dragonfly - our symbol to remember her by and to remind us that she really is watching over us. Whether it's a dragonfly ornament on our Christmas tree or seeing a dragonfly pass by outside, it's a reminder that she's with us. I think that can be very comforting to a child who has lost a loved one. I can't tell you how many times we've had pleasantly odd things happen involving a dragonfly. Whether it's a complete coincidence, or she is sending us a message that she's still around, we appreciate the feelings of comfort that these moments spark.  

I love that the story helps put death into perspective for youngsters. That it can provide them with moments of comfort, knowing that their loves ones are watching over them. 

If you find yourself needing to address concerns, worries or upset in your children, consider this story as an option: 

Waterbugs & Dragonflies: Explaining Death To Young Children - by Doris Stickney

Down below the surface of a quiet pond lived a little colony of water bugs. They were a happy colony, living far away from the sun. For many months they were very busy, scurrying over the soft mud on the bottom of the pond. They did notice that every once in awhile one of their colony seemed to lose interest in going about. Clinging to the stem of a pond lily it gradually moved out of sight and was seen no more.

“Look!” said one of the water bugs to another. “One of our colony is climbing up the lily stalk. Where do you think she is going?” Up, up, up it slowly went….Even as they watched, the water bug disappeared from sight.

Its friends waited and waited but it didn’t return…

“That’s funny!” said one water bug to another.

“Wasn’t she happy here?” asked a second…

“Where do you suppose she went?” wondered a third.

No one had an answer. They were greatly puzzled. Finally one of the water bugs, a leader in the colony, gathered its friends together.

“I have an idea”. The next one of us who climbs up the lily stalk must promise to come back and tell us where he or she went and why.

“We promise”, they said solemnly.

One spring day, not long after, the very water bug who had suggested the plan found himself climbing up the lily stalk. Up, up, up, he went. Before he knew what was happening, he had broke through the surface of the water and fallen onto the broad, green lily pad above. When he awoke, he looked about with surprise. He couldn’t believe what he saw.

A startling change had come to his old body. His movement revealed four silver wings and a long tail. Even as he struggled, he felt an impulse to move his wings…The warmth of the sun soon dried the moisture from the new body. He moved his wings again and suddenly found himself up above the water. He had become a dragonfly!!

Swooping and dipping in great curves, he flew through the air. He felt exhilarated in the new atmosphere. By and by the new dragonfly lighted happily on a lily pad to rest. Then it was that he chanced to look below to the bottom of the pond. Why, he was right above his old friends, the water bugs! There they were scurrying around, just as he had been doing some time before.

The dragonfly remembered the promise: “The next one of us who climbs up the lily stalk will come back and tell where he or she went and why.”

Without thinking, the dragonfly darted down. Suddenly he hit the surface of the water and bounced away. Now that he was a dragonfly, he could no longer go into the water…

“I can’t return!” he said in dismay. “At least, I tried. But I can’t keep my promise. Even if I could go back, not one of the water bugs would know me in my new body. I guess I’ll just have to wait until they become dragonflies too. Then they’ll understand what has happened to me, and where I went.”

And the dragonfly winged off happily into its wonderful new world of sun and air…….

***** 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.*****

Mad for Madd Gear's Kaos Pro Scooter!

   

I recently came upon Madd Gear's MGP Kaos Pro Scooter while perusing the sports department of a local department store. It was the first scooter that I personally had seen in stores that was designed and meant for kids 8 years and up. My son had just recently outgrown his original 2 wheeled scooter, and it was very timely for us to traipse upon this one. 

We're all about encouraging our kids to ditch their devices and get out for some fresh air and exercise. While out youngest doesn't really use a device as of yet, the oldest one does.  Heading out for a bike ride or scooter ride is one of the few things that he doesn't put up a fuss about when it comes to ditching devices. 

The MGP Kaos Pro Scooter is pretty cool, although I suspect that's not what the "cool" kids are saying these days! LOL Ours is black in colour, and has a badass skull on the front. As previously mentioned, it's geared towards kids ages 8 years and over who are between 60-220lbs. The scooter has some weight to it, and feels very strong and sturdy. It is super simple to assemble out of the box in only 3 easy steps, taking about 5 minutes to put together. It's practically skate park ready. Be sure to remember to keep the Allen key that is included, in case you need to make any tightening adjustments down the road. 

The MGP Kaos Pro Scooter has a high tensile steel one piece MGP Y Bar handlebar which rotates 360 degrees, and also features an extruded double clamp to keep the scooter fastened together. It has pro-spec reinforced forks and 100mm polyurethane wheels with alloy cores and a K-1 bearing set. It comes with a steel flex brake system and a 4" wide deck with MGP design skull grip tape already on it. It also has MGP pro squid grips on the handlebars. While I am not all that tech savvy when it comes to scooters, I am starting to learn a lot more about them. And who knew that I'd ever know what grip tape or a deck was when referring to a scooter! I've been avidly learning to embrace these things, now that I have boys. :) 

For my son personally, this scooter is a great fit. He thinks the scooter is awesome and loves riding it around and trying out new tricks. His friends think it's pretty cool too. As with any sporting activity, be sure that you and/or your children wear proper safety equipment designed for the activity and that they are using their scooter & safety equipment safely. Items like a helmet, knee pads and elbow pads are a must, especially for beginners. For me, a helmet is just non-negotiable. Period. End of story. No matter the age.  

The MGP Kaos Pro Scooter retails in Canada for approximately $150CAN. There is a more cost effective style available on the market called the Madd Gear Whip Pro Scooter which retails for approximately $100CAN. The Whip also comes in a variety of colours. These Madd Gear scooters are available in Canada at your local Walmarts, Mastermind Toys, mom & pop scooter and skateboard shops, as well as on websites like Amazon and EBay. If you were so inclined, there are also higher end ones available through specialty shops.

***** 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.*****

Visiting LEGOLAND Toronto From A-Z

   

We love going on excursions with the kids, and are partial to those that promote physical activity and brain stimulation. We recently visited Toronto's LEGOLAND Discovery Centre located inside Vaughan Mills Shopping Centre and had a great time. 

LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto has been open for a couple of years now, and continues to be a busy place. While it's geared to kids ages 3yrs to 10yrs, they offer activities enjoyable for both young and old. Whether you are a toddler playing in the DUPLO Village, or a grandparent building a LEGO masterpiece out of the numerous LEGO pieces in the LEGO Racers: Build & Test area with your grandchild, there is something for everyone. 

In addition, LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto has 2 amusement park rides. Kingdom Quest Laser Ride drives around on a flat guided track.  While on the ride, you shoot your laser gun at various threats to the princess you are trying to rescue. It is a bit dark inside so it could be a bit frightening to some of the younger ones. The second ride is Merlin's Apprentice, which is a wizard type theme. It is sort of a pedal bicycle ride that flies around and goes up and down while you peddle the "bike" trying to create a potion. Both of these rides do have height restrictions, which can be found by clicking on its respective link. The LEGO Fire Academy, which is a 3 storey jungle gym, also has a height restriction of 4 and a half feet tall. This area alone will keep them busy and active for quite some time and give them the opportunity to work off any wiggles. Be sure to bring socks for this activity as kids will not be permitted entry to this play area without them. Socks can however be purchased on site for $1/pair though, if you forget to bring them. 

The LEGO 4D Cinema plays 3D adventure LEGO shorts with special effects like rainy drizzle, snow flakes and more! It's pretty cool and the films are short enough that most toddlers would likely enjoy them too. MINILAND is really impressive. Here you will see several displays of iconic Toronto and Ontario attractions built with LEGO pieces. From the Rogers Centre, to the CN Tower, to Niagara Falls, there is so much in between. You will be amazed by all the detail put into these displays. It's really quite something! 

Many more activities abound, and this is definitely a family attraction that you don't want to miss. Entry fees can add up if you are a family with a few children, but if you financially compare it to the cost of going to the movies or an amusement park for example, it's not all that much different in price. Plus your children benefit from physical activity, as well as the thought and creativity that goes into many of the activities available there. Adults and children 3 years and up pay the same ticket price. Walk up tickets are $22 each and if you order online tickets, you can pay as little as $17.60 each depending on the time and date you choose. Kids two years and under are free. If you have a child who's 17yrs or under and wanted to go on their own, be aware that they need to have an adult accompany them into the facility. They can't go in on their own even if they are in their teens. 

Same goes for adults. An adult arriving on their own will not be admitted into LEGOLAND without a child, ensuring to the best of their ability that everyone attending the venue is there with the best of intentions. While this might seem to exclude adults who are big kids at heart and want to take advantage of the LEGO building and other activities, LEGOLAND does host adults only nights which accommodate their interests. 

It takes most people about 2-3 hours to fully experience LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto, but you can stay for as long as you like once you are in. Be aware though that there are no in and out privileges, and no outside food or drink is allowed to be brought in except for baby food, formula, milk, and/or food for children with allergies. There is however, a snack bar cafe which offers a variety of items ranging from sandwiches to snacks on site if need be. Prices and items available in the cafe can be found here. 

I'm a big proponent of the early bird getting the worm. This is especially applicable for me when attending LEGOLAND. It gets busy fast and they do have a max capacity where they can't let anyone in until others have left. So be sure to get there early. From what I understand, if you order your tickets online, then your time is guaranteed. In my opinion, it's also a great idea to be there right at opening if you have young children. It can get quite hectic inside on a busy day and kids by nature are easily distracted and could wander off. Getting there earlier allows you to keep a better eye on them. 

If you are visiting LEGOLAND and have an infant, there is a family washroom and plenty of places to sit down if you needed to feed or nurse your little one. The place is very stroller friendly and is fully wheelchair accessible from what I could tell. 

While it's not a venue that we would visit frequently simply because of the cost, it is something that is a must see and do! Your family will have a lot of fun whether you've embraced your inner Master Builder yet or not.

***** 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.*****

The School Years Memory Keeper Is A Great Way To Chronicle!

   

Growing up, my mother kept a school journal for us kids documenting each grade from elementary school through high school. The journal included our report cards, some artwork, as well as data on what we wanted to be when we grew up, who our teacher was, etc.

I've always wanted to do the same for my children. While it's been on my mind for the last few years, it seems that life just gets away from you. Instead of making it a priority to find a suitable book, I've been stuffing my oldest son's school work and report cards in a cupboard. Shameful, I know! :)  With back to school season upon us, organizing & chronicling all this stuff now and in the future has since re-entered my mind. 

While searching online, there were a few options, most with a lot of limitations. I came across the School Years Memory Keeper by Publications International, and found it to be the best option suited for my needs. First off, it is unisex & includes pages for Preschool, all the way to Grade 12. It is about the size of a 12x12 scrapbook, and will allow you to comfortably put 8x10 sized school photos, school work and awards into the pockets without having to bend them. You can easily put in a bit larger sized projects as well, but you'd have to bend and fold them to fit the pockets.  On the front cover, you can include one wallet sized image of their school pictures for each grade, making it easy to see right from the cover whose book it is. Not to mention that it's wonderful to easily look back and reminisce about how they've changed as they've grown. 

The School Years Memory Keeper is hardcover, and has 24 storage pocket pages constructed of sturdy thin cardboard type material.  There is lots of space to store precious artwork not only inside the many pockets, but also directly onto some of the pages. There are also some designated sections where the kids could draw something directly in the book each year, which would be comical to look back on. Just remember to get the younger ones to tell you what their drawing is so that you can document it, and look back knowing what the picture actually is! 

Throughout the book there are also special areas for each grade to document their growth, personal interests, friends, teacher information, feelings, school pictures and much more. For the older grades, there are also sections to document favorite bands, music, websites, blogs and a special page for Grade 12 which includes goals and things to remember about high school. 

Kids grow up so fast, and time flies by. Before you find yourself digging out of years of artwork, report cards, awards or other academic keepsakes, stay on the ball and start organizing it now! It's a wonderful memento for both you and your child and will be appreciated for years to come. I still look at mine and cherish the memories and the time and energy my mother put into making these for us. 

The only thing I wish it had was a section for each grade where the child can indicate what he or she would like to be when they grow up. It's funny to look back and see what I wanted to be over the years and what I've chosen to do professionally. I've easily solved this minor inconvenience by writing it myself directly onto the page. 

The School Years Memory Keeper retails for approximately $30, and can be found on Amazon and at various big box and mom & pop shops throughout Canada and the U.S. There seems to be a few different designs available on the market for this album, but this one in particular is my favorite as it can be used for either gender and is a bit more stylish in design. It's also a thoughtful gift idea and I got one for each of my kids. 

I'm proud to say that the organization has begun and I now have an empty cupboard! :)

***** 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.*****