Waves Indoor Waterpark Waves The Winter Blahs Goodbye in Niagara Falls Canada!

   

We visited Americana Resort's Waves Indoor Waterpark in Niagara Falls Canada this past weekend and had a great time. Americana Resort is located on the popular Lundy's Lane and their waterpark offers 25,000sq of water play! It features a one of a kind retractable roof that can be opened up during the warmer months, and is ideal for families, especially those with younger ones!

Upon arrival, you purchase your day passes from the front desk clerk. You head on over to the waterpark area and enter through the arcade. There you will find the change rooms that have approximately 5 single change rooms and 2 family sized change rooms. It would be nice if they had a couple more family sized change rooms as when we were there, there were a few families waiting in line to use them. If you have older children who can change on their own, they can take advantage of the single rooms which would speed up the changing process. There are 2 types of lockers in the change room area. The medium sized ones cost $2 per locker (as pictured) and the smaller ones cost $1. The smaller sized locker would easily accommodate one person's belongings for the most part.

Being a family of 4, and with it being winter, we required 4 of

the smaller ones to put all of our stuff in. One of those was for the diaper bag that we needed. We could have gotten away with 2 of the medium sized ones but they were all taken. During peak times, you might run the risk that they might all be taken as there were only a few left when we were there. It would be nice if they added another row of medium sized lockers especially for the winter months when everyone has so many more layers.  Be sure to bring a beach bag or something similar to hold your essentials such as diapers, cash for the snack bar, etc, as the lockers are one time use only. If you need to get something out of your locker, you will need to pay again. Fortunately, there are change machines in the area to get loonies and twoonies for the lockers should you not arrive with the proper change. 

In addition, I would strongly suggest bringing some flip flops or other footwear such as Crocs to wear between the change rooms and the waterpark, as you do walk through the arcade area to get back and forth. Day pass holders need to supply their own towels as hotel towels are for staying guests only, so don't leave those at home!

All of the water features at Waves are nestled closely together, which makes it easy for you to monitor your older children and/or to reunite or meet up with your friends and family throughout the day. The waterpark is best explained as these 5 areas:

#1 - The hot tub area accommodates approximately 16 people. 

#2 - The main water slide area contains 4 slides. The first two features a body slide and a tube slide. Most kids approximately 5yrs and up (& adults!) would enjoy these 2 slides. These were my personal favorites! Then there are 2 higher tube slides that are about 3 stories high. I didn't have the guts to brave these 2 in particular, but my husband and son did and they loved it! They described it as flying through a pitch black tunnel on a large inner tube and then getting spit out into the landing pool! This is a great area if you've got older kids!

#3 - The infant and toddler area is located in the back corner, which is a great place for it, in my opinion. Having 2 children who are a few years apart, my toddler will often want to copy what the older one is doing whether it is an appropriate activity for him or not. Having the larger play area for school aged children placed at the other side of the waterpark was great thinking. This way, the younger ones can play in this particular area without being tempted to utilize the playground structure designed and used by older kids. The infant and toddler section features bouncy swings within the water, toddler slides, and small toys such as balls for the kids to play with in this pool.  

#4 - The main pool area is where the waves happen. Literally and figuratively! It has graduated beach style entry, which is great for toddlers, and also includes basketball nets and balls for school aged kids or adults to play with. This pool becomes the wave pool at alternating intervals so that people who prefer the water without the waves can enjoy their time as well. The waves are quite strong, so be mindful of this when having younger ones such as toddlers and infants in the water at that time. 

#5 - The playground structure mentioned in #3 is a great place for school aged kids to burn off some steam! There are smaller sized water slides, sprinklers, small water cannons to spray people with and a large tipping bucket that spills over and splashes everyone when it fills to the brim with water. They also had a number of activities planned in the waterpark throughout the day to entertain the children. 

For your comfort, you will find a number of patio tables and chairs around these areas. You can even rent a private cabana for approximately $70-$140. Cabana rentals feature a TV, a mini fridge, towels, lounge chairs, and a hostess. Lifeguards were everywhere the day that we attended. It was comforting that have all those extra sets of eyes and ears even if it is ultimately a parent or guardian's responsibility to watch over their children. Lifejackets were available as well should you need one for your child or other non-swimmer. 

We found the temperature in the waterpark to be a bit on the cool side when we were there. It wasn't freezing by any stretch of the imagination and was warm enough for everyone to enjoy themselves. We were just expecting it to feel warmer than it did. Their website indicates that they keep the waterpark at a year round temperature of 84F, which it may have actually been. It was overcast for the time we were there and probably feels hotter when the sun is beaming through the retractable roof. With that being said, it was definitely warm enough. 

Waves Snack Bar is open for typical snack bar items and is fully licensed. Restaurant and snack prices at venues such as these are always pricey. Needless to say, I found the prices there to be the going rate for any type of family attraction. We had the pizza and it was quite good! I saw someone else ordering a salad and it looked fresh and appetizing as well.  No outside food or drinks are permitted inside the waterpark, so you will either have to come prepared, or bite the proverbial bullet and spend the extra money on snacks and/or meals while there. To view menu items and costs associated, click here. 

Waves typically opens at 10am and closes around 9pm. Times can vary throughout the year and they do set aside some days for maintenance, which forces a full waterpark closure. Be sure to call ahead so that you can plan to attend when the waterpark hours are amenable to your needs. 

There are 3 indoor waterparks in Niagara Falls, Canada. Only 2 of them allow you to buy day passes and Americana's Waves Indoor Waterpark is definitely the most cost effective. An All Ages Full Day Pass costs $26.95 per person 12 months of age and up. Children under 12 months of age are free. If you are a Niagara Falls Canada local, you can get your day pass for $15.95. If anyone plans on attending after 5pm, you can get a pass at a discounted rate of $19.95. These prices do not include taxes and may vary slightly during peak times. As always, check for promo codes or other discounts before you book. After all, my motto is "why pay more if you don't have to?" LOL

All in all, my family and I think this is a great choice for families with younger kids, or those on a budget. You will have a splashing good time and you will kick the winter blahs to the curb! Happy splashing! 

***** 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.*****

    

45 Indoor/Outdoor Winter Activities For You & Your Kids!

    

I don't know about you, but pre-kids, I didn't mind occasionally hunkering down and hibernating during the winter. But now that I have kids, I've learned that it's best to keep them busy even if it's frigid outside! So here's a list of things to do together to make this winter fun and exciting, and help keep the cabin fever at bay!

Outdoor Activities:
1) Go ice skating.
2) Go tobogganing.
3) Go tubing.
4) Go cross country/downhill skiing.
5) Learn how to snowboard.
6) Learn how to curl.
7) Go snow shoeing.
8) Go ice fishing.
9) Go snowmobiling/skidooing.
10) Play outdoor hockey.
11) Feed chipmunks, squirrels and birds.
12) Plan a night to see the Northern Lights/Aurora Borealis.  
13) Build a snowman.
14) Build a snow fort.
15) Build a bonfire in a safe and appropriate outdoor space.
16) Roast hotdogs & marshmallows on the bonfire.
17) Build your own outdoor skating rink.
18) Make snow angels.
19) Take a hike! Literally! LOL
20) Decorate the snow/snowman with food coloring.
21) Check out local conservation areas/provincial parks for winter activities.

22) Try dog sledding.
23) Google winter carnivals in your area.
24) Check out local maple syrup festivals in late winter.
25) See if there's a winter farmer's market in your area.

Indoor Activities:
26) Have your kids research their ancestry.
27) Make homemade hot chocolate.
28) Check online for winter themed crafts.
29) Play a board game.
30) Put a puzzle together.
31) Play dress up and act out a play or favorite story.
32) Print off some online coloring pages of your child's favorite character.
33) Bake a special treat like cookies or banana bread.
34) Go online and research age appropriate magic tricks to try out.
35) Have a family dance party and/or dance competition.
36) Get tickets to an indoor sports event.

37) Get tickets to ride on your local Santa Train.

38) Make sock puppets then put on a puppet show.

39) Take an old box and shape and decorate it into a puppet theatre.
40) Check out local Chinese New Year festivities.
41) Visit local museums, especially those with children's activities.
42) Explore your local indoor playgrounds.
43) Teach your kids a new craft like knitting, painting, etc.
44) Take in a movie at the theatre, or plan a movie day at home.

45) Cut out old fashion paper snowflakes and paper dolls.

Enjoy your winter! :)

***** 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.*****

8 Ways My Kids Are Trying To Kill Me!

   

Have you ever been frustrated with your kids? Have you ever felt like they were wearing you down? Even if they weren't trying to do this on purpose, they were succeeding regardless of their intentions? 

Same goes for us! In fact, just this morning both of our kids were up at 4am! If it ain't one, then it's definitely the other, and we are both so tired!! We groaned this morning when being woken up by our one son asking if he could go downstairs to play. Really? What part of 4am did he think was play time?

Watch out everyone, they were born to get us! LOL 

Here are 8 signs that your children might be trying to kill you too!

1) Sleep Deprivation - It's not a coincidence that this one is listed first! It's the absolute worst way our kids are trying to torture us! Some wake up early, some won't go to bed, some wake up multiple times through the nights... You know what I'm talking about! Then you throw in some kids who have night terrors, screaming like mad only even they aren't awake  - just you!

2) Strategically Leaving Toys Around The House - There's nothing like stepping on a piece of Lego, or a dinky car (or for those of you with daughters, maybe it's a Barbie purse or other deadly accessory!) in the middle of the night when dealing with issue #1! Or when you turn the lights out and are heading upstairs to bed! It's like they are just waiting there at the top of the stairs... Waiting for you to curse or let out a blood curdling scream that wakes them up if they weren't already awake, all so they can giggle at you!

3) A Punch To The Crotch (A.K.A. Birth Control) - For those Dads out there, you know what I'm talking about! Little toddlers running around and clocking you right in the gonads. Not on purpose of course, as they can't control their impulses at that age. Or can they? Is it a secret conspiracy to make sure you don't reproduce any competition? Or are they just excited to see you? And if they have an older sibling, was it their idea? Conspiracy I tell ya!

4) Exposing Parents to Biohazardous Materials - Whether it's a sick kid who pukes on you, craps on you, or sneezes and coughs on you, they're out to get us! Have you ever seen a kid crap on you or throw up on you (or around you) at a convenient time? Nope! It's all a huge nasty surprise!

5) Causing Injury To Us While Picking Them Up - Have you ever seen someone ergonomically pick up their child? I haven't! I'm not so sure it's possible to pick them up the way you'd pick up a heavy box. Never mind a toddler who's throwing a tantrum and you have flailing limbs in your face! And Dads beware of those flailing feet! All I know is I've pulled more than one muscle in my back through the years of a being a parent and not only have I suffered pain, I've had to pay for a chiropractor to fix it!

6) Preventing Us From Eating Or Getting Nutrition - If I had a nickel for every time my meal has been interrupted by one of our kids, I'd be rich! Whether it's because they're done first, don't like what you made, whether they've just accidentally (or even worse - purposely!) spilled something all over the floor, spilled their drink, you forgot to put ketchup on the table, your baby needs to breastfeed, or one of the other multitude of reasons! Or that you are so tired, that you just want to shove down the 1st food item you see, regardless of its nutritional make-up.

7) Refusal To Let A Parent Sit Down - Have you ever been just about to plant your butt cheeks onto the couch to sit down and finally take a "break", only to be bombarded by your kids out of nowhere? I'm telling you, as soon as they see you start to sit down (or God forbid, lie down!) they're on to you!

8) Silence Is Not Golden - Contrary to what the song title from the 1960's implies, silence is NEVER golden! Not unless they are actually sleeping! Silence means they are up to something. Do not trust silence. I promise you, you will probably regret it if you ignore it!

If you can relate to any or all of these conspiratorial theories, then your kids might just be trying to kill you too! The crazy part is that I wouldn't have it any other way! (Although I might say so at 4am!) But once my eyes are fully open and my brain clears from the fog of extreme early morning wakings, I take them into my arms and celebrate the blessings that are my children.  Here's hoping that I will get some sleep again at some point in my life! Until then, it's all about survival mode and enjoying every moment of 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.*****

    

How Random Acts of Kindness Can Help You! 30 Tips to Get You Started!

   

The proof is in the pudding this morning, when it comes to doing random acts of kindness!

Last night our 1 year old was up a number of times throughout the night and we were so exhausted this morning when we woke up. I woke up pretty grumpy and my body may have been present to get my older one off to school, but my brain was still practically asleep! You know those nights when you have little ones, when you have the worst sleep and waking up you might as well be a zombie in a bad movie! LOL 

Well that was me this morning. After I dropped off my son at school, I headed over to the nearest coffee shop drive-thru for some "fuel".  When I went up to the drive-thru window to pay for my order, the cashier told me that the man in front of me had already paid for my order. After shaking off what I thought was a dream, I was pleasantly surprised to realize that this actually happened! It then occurred to me that I too could pay for the next person's order! Hopefully they would continue to do the same, brightening a number of people's day, with what started out as the purchase of one single hot beverage. We all have the power to make a difference in this world - be it big or small! Imagine!

I pulled out of that drive-thru feeling happier, lighter and more awake - and I hadn't even started drinking my caffeine filled drink yet! When I got back home, I started bringing in our recycling bins from garbage day, when it donned on me... I would bring in my neighbors' recycling bins too! Not to my own house, LOL but to their front steps and/or garage doors. And so what if they found out it was me or had no idea who did it for them? It might just be the thing that changes their bad day on a dime, and gets them to ponder what they can do to pay the kindness forward to someone else!  That man buying my cappuccino this morning got me seeing things differently. And I'm hoping it'll do the same for you!

I've already started to think of other things that I can do to brighten up someone else's day. Things that don't even cost a cent! Or barely anything! It's easy to simply think of ourselves and our immediate needs everyday when we are all caught up in the fray of life. But performing these small things each day help us to look further than ourselves and spread joy to others that may really need just one simple shred of kindness! And the joy spreads to yourself as well! Involve your kids, if you have them, and you've got a win-win situation. Just another way to help teach them thoughtfulness and compassion!

So I urge you to do random acts of kindness wherever you see an opportunity! Connect with someone! When you open yourself up to seeing what others' needs might be, or how you can contribute to making someone else's life better if even in the smallest of ways, take advantage! Because not only does it brighten up that person's day, it also feels absolutely amazing to do simple things for others! Especially when it's a secret as to who did it! That can make it even more fun! ;)

Here are some ideas to get you started! 

1) Buy a person's coffee who's behind you in line when at the drive-thru.

2) Bring in someone's recycling bins.

3) Bake some muffins/cookies and share with an elderly person or shut-in who might not normally get homemade treats like those! Kids can get involved in this too!

4) Smile and say "Good Morning" when passing by someone. 

5) Compliment someone on what they are wearing or a great job they are doing.

6) Show some gratitude by simply saying "Thanks so much!".

7) Offer to help someone load their car if you see they are struggling.

8) Let someone go first either in a line at the grocery store, or someone trying to change into your lane on the roadway.

9) Lend an ear to a senior who might just need that 1 person to talk to that day.

10) Pay for someone's meal at a restaurant.

11) Have you kids draw a card for someone that simply says "Have a great day!" and includes a drawing.

12) Make a donation, (either in-kind or monetary) to your local food bank.

12) Volunteer at an organization in your community that aligns with a cause that you feel close to.

13) If you see someone paying for something regular price at your grocery store that you know is on sale, offer to show the cashier the sale price on your smart phone, so they get a better price.

14) Take more time to show appreciation for what people do for you, whether it's your spouse, a cashier, the garbage man or someone like your doctor! 

15) Leave some change in a vending machine, coin laundry machine, or on top of the parking meter. Or if the meter is going to expire, pop the coin right in!

16) Cut your neighbour's lawn while you are doing yours. (Assuming they aren't particular about it gets done).

17) Pick up garbage on your neighbour's lawn that might have blown onto their property.

18) Recognize and praise one of your co-worker's extra efforts, or a job well done. Same goes for your child. 

19) Speak to the manager when you've had excellent customer service, not just when you're unhappy with something.
20) If you have something you no longer need, pass it along to someone who can make use of it. 

21) Shovel snow for someone who needs the help, like a local senior, or for your neighbour in general. 

22) Offer to buy or give a construction worker a bottle of cold water on a hot day or a cup of coffee on a cold day. 

23) Offer to buy a homeless person a sandwich or a coffee, donut, etc.. Or share some homemade treats. 

24) Hold the door open for someone. 

25) Leave a little love note inside your child or your partner's lunch bag. 

26) Contact your child's school principal or counsellor to see if there are any needy families. Find out what in particular might be helpful and provide that anonymously. 

27) Donate your old winter coats that are still in good condition to a local charity that ensures they get to those in need. Particularly so for kids' coats! 

28) Buy or pick someone some flowers. 

29) Offer to pick up a few items at the grocery store for an elderly neighbour or shut-in. Or for a neighbour in general.  

30) Encourage others to do random acts of kindness and share how it brings you joy and brightens your day!

Hoping your day gets brighter like mine did! :)

***** 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.*****

   

Cool Coolers Puts the Extra-Cool In The Nathan Lunch Bag!

   

Who doesn't try to make sure their kids' school lunches (& their own!) stay cool until the lunch hour? Who hasn't had their child come home with a warm yogurt, cheese or other products that were wasted because they weren't kept at the proper temperature when they didn't get eaten? We usually stick a cooler pack in our child's lunch, and most of the time, we can salvage whatever perishable items may not have been consumed that day.

I recently found out about Fit & Fresh's Cool Coolers and they are just that - COOL! Literally & figuratively!  These playful designs are slim enough so they barely take up space in your kid's lunch bag and keep food cool! Not only do they come in the Cool Coolers Cars design, but they also come in Sunglasses, Penguins & Squares! There are 4 non-toxic & BPA-free ice packs to a pack and they retail for approximately $7.99, making them a great investment in both keeping your child's lunch cool, but also in helping to reduce food waste. Simply wipe clean and throw in the freezer and re-use as necessary!

Fit & Fresh also has a great selection of lunch bags both for your kids and for yourself! Those Cool Coolers would fit into their Nathan Kids' Insulated Lunch Bag perfectly, if it didn't already come with its own ice pack! The Nathan Kids' Lunch Bag is made of 12oz cotton that you can tell is very durable just by touching it. It seems much more durable, is much more insulated, and has a deeper cavity than most other mass market kids' lunch bags out there, while still being a comparable size. The extra insulation along with the ice pack is another way that you can ensure cold food stays cold until lunch time, and even possibly salvage any leftovers that are kept at the right temperature throughout the day.

It has a mesh pocket inside to hold the ice pack snugly and has a front Velcro pocket, and a zippered back pocket that would be perfect for cutlery, etc...

This non-toxic, PVC-free, BPA-free lunch bag comes in both the Surf Sketch design as pictured in this product review, as well as a Flames pattern. It is easy to clean by simply wiping down the PEVA-lined interior, and is opened and closed by zipper. It is 9" tall, 4 1/2" deep and 7 1/2" wide.

At $14.99, the Nathan Kids' Insulated Lunch Bag with Ice Pack is a great value. You can shop online at Fit & Fresh's website, or find their products at various retailers!

***Now, here's 100 School Lunch Box Ideas on what to fill it with!***

Happy munching everyone!

***** 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.*****

35 Free Activities + 10 Bonus "Almost" Free Ideas of Things to Do With Your Kids This Summer!

   

After the initial elation regarding not having to make any more school lunches for a few months passed, I was quickly met with the realization that I hadn't thought too much about what exactly we were going to do all summer long to keep the kidlets happy & occupied!

So I started to compile a list for myself and thought I'd do the same for my you, my loyal InfoMommy followers, as I know that you're likely in the same boat too! (Ahhhh, wish I was on a boat right now! LOL)

So here's InfoMommy's list of FREE things to do to amuse yourselves this summer, along with a couple of bonus almost-free activities too!

FREE:
1)  Take a trip to the local library to rent books, movies, video game for free! (Some communities are even offering free transit to those en route to their local library, which makes it a double bonus if transit is something different for you and your kids!)
2)  Park hop to check out all the different playgrounds in your area!
3)  Hop around to all the Splash Parks in your community and don't be afraid to get in yourself! ;)
4)  Organize playdates with friends and other moms!
5)  Join online mommy groups on Facebook etc to be in the know if things arise for free in your neighbourhood and to meet up with other like-minded families!

6)  Set up a sprinkler in your yard!
7)  Head to a local beach!
8)  Have a picnic!
9)  Get in touch with parents of your child's school buddies to set up a playdate!
10) For older kids, keep a journal every day of their summer experiences and activities that they've done throughout the summer, including pictures, leaves, etc!
11) Switch up your water table by putting sand in it, or vice versa! (Or try getting a cheap one off Kijiji!)
12) Inquire to see if the arts community in your area are putting on any free child-friendly concerts throughout the summer!
13) Attend or call your local Early Year's Centre both for activities to do there and also to find out what they know going on in your community!
14) Make sock puppets with leftover material or an old sock, buttons, etc!
15) Make a puppet theatre out of an old box for your sock puppets!
16) Ask to see if any organization in putting on outdoor movies throughout the summer months!
17) Have a Lego building competition to see what everyone comes up with! You can either let them come with whatever they want or give them a theme!
18) Go to a Lego store if you have one in your area, as they often have free builds, or a free play area within the store for your kids to use!

19) Get your kids to wash your car for/with you! (Double bonus! LOL)
20) Have a drawing competition outside with sidewalk chalk! (Or inside with paper if it's a rainy day!)
21) "Paint" the sidewalk with water using old paintbrushes and a bucket of water!
22) Make your own giant bubbles and bubble wands!
23) Call your local Fire Dept, Police Station or Safety Village to see if they have any kid related events throughout the summer and/or if you can organize a tour of the facility! (ie: Cops & Fishing, etc)
24) Use sidewalk chalk to draw different hopscotch designs!
25) Play board games and/or swap some with other friends to change up what games you have available to play! (Or hit up garage sales for them!)
26) Bake something! (Some websites/apps let you enter key ingredients that you have on hand and gives you recipe suggestions.)
27) Check out the internet for kid-friendly science experiments using household ingredients that you already have.
28) Plan some random acts of kindness for those in need! Or just because!
29) Check out your local Home Depot or other building supply store to see when their free children's build clinics are!
30) Check out your local craft store like Michael's to see when their free kids' craft workshops are!

31) Create an alphabet or number treasure hunt where the kids have to find something for each letter/number! (Double learning bonus!)
32) Crank up the music and have a dance party! Switch up the genre of music and change your dance moves! (Double bonus for burning calories at the same time!)
33) Check out your local greenhouses to see if they have any kid play areas or activities!
34) Build a fort inside with couch cushions and blankets or sheets!
35) Make your own play-doh!

ALMOST FREE BONUS IDEAS:
1) Buy some reading/writing/counting activity workbooks at the dollar store to keep up with what they have learned throughout the school year or help prepare them for Kindergarten!
2) Play-doh! (If you have to go out and buy some! Dollar Stores often have it now!)
3) Tour some of your local conservation areas
4) Visit local farms with child friendly attractions and activities
5) Take an outing to the dollar store to get some cheap craft supplies
6) Buy a white board & dry erase markers and re-use them to draw silly faces or play pictionary (Small ones are great for road trips!)
7) Play a round of mini-putt golf!
8) Buy some wooden birdhouses or other items from the dollar store to put out in your yard.
9) Hopefully a bird will move in, giving you another bonus activity - birdwatching! (With or without binoculars!)
10) Get some take-out and make yourself an impromptu picnic!

ENJOY!!! :)

***** 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.*****

   

Help Dealing with Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease (Coxsackie A Virus)

    

***I am not a doctor. The information I am sharing is from personal experience only. You should always seek medical advice and confirmation from your doctor before assuming your child has this virus or any other medical condition.***

'Tis the season once again for Hand Food & Mouth Disease (A.K.A. Coxsackie A Virus)! I am active on and with all sorts of mom groups and it seems that this virus is coming back with a vengeance this summer in lots of communities. So, in making lemonade out of what was lemons for me a while back, I thought I'd share my experience and knowledge with you, for you to consider and to discuss with your doctor should you think your child has this virus.

Unlike its name, this is not a disease, but is actually a virus. And not unlike any other virus, it needs to run its course. My son had this twice within a few months of each other a few years ago and the first round was so brutal that the doctors at our family health clinic told us it was the worse case they have ever personally seen. Most children, so I'm told, have the worst part of the virus for 1-3 days. Ours lasted for 10 days. And that's not including getting rid of the rash entirely either. The second time he had it, it was over and done with in about 2-3 days, with minimal discomfort, "easy peasy" as my son would now say. (Ya right!)

In our experience, it came on practically out of nowhere. He was fine in the morning and then early afternoon he got a high fever and got super cranky. It was a Friday afternoon and I thought that maybe he was getting an ear infection as he had no other indicators besides the fever and crankiness. So we took him in later that afternoon, and when they routinely checked his mouth, they could see tiny little pin prick type marks on the inside of his mouth and on his tongue. We would  never have noticed it initially as the dots were so small, seen only when a flashlight was shone inside.

The night wore on and the rash on his hands, feet, lower legs and inside the diaper started. It was so itchy for him and the Benadryl seemed to do little for it. And then the mouth sores turned into blisters. That was when the "real" discomfort and pain started. Just when you thought the blisters were going away, you'd see new pin prick spots forming in a different area of the mouth, letting you know that you were far from done with the virus!

During the time that the blisters were forming and bursting, he would not eat, and would drink barely anything. And I mean ANYTHING! Not water, not treats like pop, chocolate milk, pudding or ice cream. All he could do was cry and lie around lethargically, while drooling excessively. When he would close his mouth, it would put pressure on the blisters, causing even more discomfort, so his mouth would be wide open just drooling all over. It was horrible to see him in such pain. We were piggy backing Tylenol every few  hours with the Advil for the pain, which we had to force feed him via a medication syringe. It was the only way to get it down! How upsetting it was to see him in so much pain and then have to hold him down and force feed him the meds. We had to do that very carefully, only giving a few mls at a time to the inside corner of his mouth with the plastic syringe so that he would not choke on it, or spit any of it up. Otherwise we'd have no idea how much of the pain reliever he would have actually gotten down.  And then we'd apply Calamine Lotion to the outer rash on outer body, which also didn't do too much to alleviate the itchiness.

That was, until I cam across another mom on a parent forum who had amazing advice. She told me about Magic Mouthwash. (This link gives various combinations, but is for adults FYI.)  It was a prescription preparation that was originally made for children with mouth sores from cancer treatments. (Or so she told me.) It is now used occasionally for other sores in the mouth. My doctor had never heard of this, nor my local pharmacy, so I contacted the pharmacist at the pharmacy inside The Hospital for Sick Children and inquired with them. They faxed me their "recipe" for it, which at that time was a combination of Benadryl, Mylanta and Lidocaine. (It might be something different now.) I brought that in to the doctor. She provided me with the prescription and I had to take it to a compounding pharmacy to get them to mix it up for me. (This is sometimes not covered by drug plans, so be sure to inquire.) To use the Magic Mouthwash, you'd either have to take a Q-Tip and dab it into the solution and apply to the sores in their mouth, or allow them to swish it around in the mouth and spit it out if they were old enough and willing to do that given their pain level. While it's not 100% the answer, it is something that is helpful in numbing the pain inside the mouth for a while.

With regards to the itching, that mother also told us to bathe our son frequently throughout the day in the Aveeno Medicated Oatmeal bath mix that can be bought at any pharmacy type store. (Hope Aveeno appreciates this free plug! LOL) You just have to make sure it's this Medicated one designed for poison oak, rashes etc. It comes with individual pouches inside the box and we would put about 1/2 a pack into a few inches of water. (Depending on your child's ages and size, you'd have to adjust the amount of oatmeal and water after consulting with your doctor and/or pharmacist to ensure that this is compatible with your child - and NEVER leave your child unattended in this bath or any other bath!) We would do this several times per day and it was the only thing that seemed to mostly alleviate his itchiness, in addition to the Benadryl and Calamine Lotion when he got out of the bath. Then it was back again for another oatmeal soak a few hours later. (Note: Make sure to rinse your tub out after each bath, otherwise you will end up with small clumps of oatmeal that is brutal to clean afterwards - trust me! Even if it is all absorbed into the water, the oatmeal will settle while the tub is draining - and as if you need anything else to do while this is all going on!)

Once the rash started to dry up, it got very dark and noticeable and eventually got a bit scaly until they finally faded away. At this stage, a salt water bath with just a bit of epsom salts or something might also be helpful in healing up the rash on the outer skin, but NOT in the mouth, as that would lead to stinging. His fingernails also started to peel a while after the rash went away, but that did not bother him (or us!) in the least. Once the last of the mouth sores were starting to clear up, it was much smoother sailing. Can I get an Amen?!

He started willingly drinking chocolate milk. We don't usually buy this, but this was definitely at "special" occasion if you will, and we let him go to town on that for a while as he really needed to get re-hydrated. Dehydration is usually the biggest concern with this virus due to reduced amount or refusal to eat/drink.  One thing to very mindful about is not to offer them juice or any other beverage or food item that might be acidic, as this will sting their mouths causing even more pain. Just think of something like mustard or vinegar when you have a canker, only a million times worse, I'm sure. Ouch!

This virus is spread via feces, pus from the blisters, saliva or other droplets expressed through coughing, sneezing an/or drooling. It is most prominent in kids under 5, although anyone older than that can get it (and yes, that also means you, so wash those hands man!). It is quite contagious and it is said that the infected person is usually the most contagious during the 1st week of the virus, but it is theoretically contagious for weeks afterwards. It usually starts off with a fever, which it did in our case, and then moves on to the mouth blisters which then ulcerate, and the rash that can be on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, legs and groin area. (In our case it was also up the wrists and parts of the arm as well, and around the outside of the mouth.)

For those who are in the midst of it, I wish you quick healing. For those of you who are scared or concerned about getting it, the only real thing that I know of is to practice good hand washing techniques family-wide, especially after diaper changes, as well as during and after going to places where other kids typically frequent. And for those of us that have already experienced this dreadful virus, may that be the last the time we ever experience this ever again!

And to the virus, I say loudly "GO COXSACKIE YOURSELF!"

***** 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.*****

   

Ride & Relax in This Awesome Little Tikes Wagon!

 

Now that spring is finally upon us, I want to share a product with you that I think is awesome! The Little Tikes Ride & Relax® Wagon is every parent's dream for a children's wagon, and is the epitome of practicality and fun! The most exciting and unique feature on this wagon is that with a simple flip of 1 side of the wagon, it instantly transforms into a bench!

 It's suitable for children approximately 18 months to 10 years of age, and comes with 2 seatbelts. It features QuietRide wheels, which are not completely silent but are much quieter than some wagons and other ride ons out there. It also has 6 cup holders, which is perfect for hot days when you want extra drinks with you to keep everyone hydrated.

In the middle section of the wagon, you can either flip up the flaps to create seats or keep the flaps closed and use it as a storage place or cooler. The kids can sit in it no matter which way you want it! When the flaps are in the seated position, the flaps provide great back support to the kids sitting in the wagon, and allows their feet to rest on the bottom. When using as a cooler, you will appreciate the drain plugs in the bottom for easy drainage and cleaning.

Once you are done using it as a children's wagon, you can actually use it as a flatbed utility wagon to haul items around your yard, etc. With a weight limit of 250lbs, most can easily take a seat and rest

on the wagon themselves while the kids play. It also allows for your older child to sit on the wagon along with your little one. I know my bigger child was excited about this as he has been told that he's too big for our former wagon. Not to mention how much stuff you could haul around once it's a flatbed with this higher weight limit. The wagon itself weighs 32lbs and is easily cleaned with soap and water.

The extra long handle can effortlessly be folded underneath the wagon to allow for better storage and transport. Some of these Ride & Relax wagons come with an umbrella that attaches to the side to assist with sun protection. Mine didn't come with this feature, so I cannot speak to how sturdy the umbrella would be in windy conditions. But it is a fabulous idea to help keep the little ones out of the sun. You will also find some reflective decals with your package to affix to the corners of the wagon to assist in making it a bit more visible in lower light conditions.

It took me about an hour in total to assemble, however I'm quite confident that it would take someone experienced assembling these items about 30mins or so. I usually leave tasks like this to my husband, but this time, I wanted to see how long it would take the average Mom to assemble.

In Canada, this wagon retails for approximately $130, and the Deluxe version with the Umbrella retails for approximately $150.

The only thing I think it's missing is locks for the wheels, as you have to be cautious that the wagon doesn't roll or blow away with you, being that it is such a smooth ride. That and maybe a cold drink or two! :)

Happy spring everyone!

***** 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.*****