At the #YMCOscar party

Last night I attended the #YMCOscars (Yummy Mummy Club Oscar party).  What is in Erica's hands summed up the night.  It was all tweets and sips - and a riduclously fun night out.

Invitees were asked to bring a small appetizer (named in Oscar spirit).  I brought Crouching Tiger Hidden Spinache triangles (and wore an asian dress as an homage to the theme).  @cbadov (everythingmom.com managing editor) made her own oscar and shortbread envelopes! 

Though the lead up to the night was intimidating (Read: What do I wear?), it showed the power of mummies (we made #YMCOscars a national trending topic for the night - how'd you like them apples!?)

As for the movies, well I've only seen UP (and saw that because the kids were bugging me).  Now, I have a solid rental list (thank you Oscars) which will pair well with the smartfood popcorn clusters that came home with me.

NEWS: Yummy Mummy Club

I am thrilled to be joining the Yummy Mummy Club team - writing the regular blog Nick of Time: sanity saving suggestions on how to entertain your kids and avoid meltdowns.

In my first post, I write about entertaining kids when they are sick (yes, click that).

I'll still be writing regularly here on parentclub.ca as well as my featured blog Home Base on Today's Parent so visit regularly!

(yummymummyclub.ca creator/publisher Erica Ehm and parentclub.ca creator/publisher Caroline Fernandez)

Mom's weight, eating and body image

I have been thinking about this post for a while.  Partly inspired by my friend (you know who you are) and Phat Mummy (aka Maria who writes an awesome blog over at the Yummy Mummy Club about weight and mummydom).

If you know me, have met me, or saw me on the TTC platform - I am a skinny, slight, slender-ish person.  Always have been.  Always.  My confession: I have a digestive disorder, IBS-D, which is unreliable, embarrassing and the ball on my friggin' chain.

So when, someone says "I hate you -  you're so skinny" (hello mom!) I accept it (though - would you say this to someone on the other side of the scale?! "I hate you - you're so fat" no - you wouldn't because it is a faux-pas to talk about someone being heavy - however skinny girls - they are hate-worthy).

See the thing about IBS-D is that I don't get the nutrients of my food.  An exciting event, stress, certain foods...can all make me drop pounds.  I lost 4 lbs at an all-inclusive resort (and don't say "I wish I could do that" because I call liar liar pants on fire - you don't want this - you eat and nothing stays in - you can't go out into the world - you are in pain - you are embarrased - you have no control over your life).  I never know when or for how long an IBS crisis will strike.  So at that all-inclusive resort - I ate rice and chicken - for 7 days - and still the IBS thunderstorm descended. 

Through my teen years, I delt with my IBS by not eating until it was "safe" (read: I'll eat when I get home and there is a bathroom at the ready).  So I got the anorexic tag.  (Elaboration: I still don't eat when I go out - it is years and years of habit management - I don't need comments, advice or snorts about "that's how you stay thin" - no this is how I manage having a life and going out into the world - everyday - of my life).

In September 2007, I weighed 99 lbs (my prince had suffered a pulmonary embolism and the stress of it sent a brutal thunderstorm) - I looked horrible (so my mother-in-law kept telling me).  Weighing so little also makes one really friggin' tired - not good when you busy leading two little children through life.

I've been to a nutritionist, counsellors, doctors and naturopaths.  I have a prince who loves me so much that he points out the washrooms to me whenever we go out in the world.  I have family & friends who don't snort when I have a liquid lunch while they eat at a restaurant. 

I must say - there was a hiccup in my grand food management plan.  When my kids started saying "I'll eat when Mommy eats" when we went on a family field trip (we all know, by now, I'm not going to eat - not because I'm on a diet but because when I have an IBS thunderstorm it is sudden and raging - and that can't happen when I am the only caregiver on a family field trip - I have to have control over my body).  So, I eat a couple bites of a granola bar while I supervise the my kids eating a full and balanced lunch. (and before anyone gets rant-y on me: I eat full & balanced meals all the time - at home - in front of my kids - they know I get thunderstorms - we don't talk about #diets, #weight or #gettingfat.  We talk about #being active, #healthy food and #going out).

I am inspired by my friend and Phat Mummy because I connect on the other-side-of-the-scale to their weight, eating and body images.  I support anyone who makes the decided-effort to take off - or put on - weight in a healthy fashion.  In my little opinion, everyone has an imperfect body and we can chose to accept it, manage it or change it -- but I don't think anyone should be hated because of it. 

I'm trying to teach my kids that weight doesn't matter - it's how you feel in your own skin which counts.

Parent Club Review: Purex 3 in 1

THE WHAT: Purex® Complete 3-in-1™ Laundry Sheets are new on the market to make laundry easier. Each sheet contains a load’s worth of detergent, softener and anti-static all in one.

THE HOW:  Simply drop laundry sheet into washer, the detergent is released during the wash cycle. Once wash is complete, transfer the laundry sheet with clothes to dryer. The stripe is heat activated by the dryer to soften and remove static.

THE GOOD:  Simplicity and Sustainability.  Simple because no more measuring.  Sustainable because you are not purchasing separate products which lessens the amount of household garbage and plastic which goes to landfill.

Click to get a coupon for Purex Complete 3-in-1 sheets

Read me...

Read my EverythingMom.com article on tips for what to look for in a camp

Going to Riu Bachata

Our stay at the Riu Bachata, in Puerto Plata was well researched.  We had key points that absolutely had to be met:

• Family Friendly
• All-inclusive
• On the Beach
• Close to the airport
• Budget Friendly

The Bachata had it all.  Our room was comfortable and quiet.  Two double beds were perfect for our family of 4.  The Bachata provided a large complimentary container of distilled water in our fridge which came in handy for drinking and tooth paste spitting.

The breakfast buffet had cereal, pancakes, crepes (kids' favourite) and more.  The kids could eat hamburgers and hot dogs at the lunch buffet while we parents ate paella and chicken.  There were also 2 sit-down restaurant choices (a pasta restaurant and a steakhouse) for dinner options. 

We had the option of the daily activities at the Bachata or visiting the sister hotels Riu Merengue and Riu Mambo (a short walk). 

Daily activities included formal events like: ping pong tournament, darts, water aerobics, kids club activities, water volleyball and more.  The entertainment team was inviting to both grown ups and kids.  Informal activities included; swimming, beach fun and the swim up bar (kids loved asking for orange juice!).

Unfortunately, there was a jagged piece of ceramic tile, submerged on the bottom step of the pool, and my daughter gashed her foot.  She was rushed to the on-site medical office where a doctor promptly attended to her wounds (stitches required).

We informed front desk immediately of the issue with the pool. 

The next day, when we asked front desk about borrowing a wheelchair for our child, we were told we could rent one from the pharmacy.   We noted her injury was because of negligence and as such a wheelchair should be provided.  It was. 

We informed our on-site Sunquest representative of the injury. He inspected the spot where the injury had occurred, at which time a Bachata employee was quick inform us that the jagged tile had been removed. It had.
However, our vacation was fairly ruined by this injury as said child was in pain and unable to go in the water and sand. We were disappointed that the Riu Bachata did not follow up with us regarding the injury nor did they take any steps to make amends.


Really too bad...because we were having a lot of fun at the hotel...

Dominican Republic and Me

Back from our unplugged family vacation.  Leave it to me to lose 4 lbs in 7 days at an all-you-can-eat, all inclusive, holiday (le sigh).  

However, overall, it was a great getaway.  Here is a quick round-up:

Our Dominican home (our top floor room faced the Atlantic Ocean)

Our Dominican setset (we watched for Pirates but Johnny Deppe didn't show)

Dominican beach (not shown: my prince boogie boarding - I tried but the darn board kept getting away and hitting me in the face [not elegant].) 

We did a day trip into the outback (we be adventurers!)

Laughed out loud upon reading this

Oh, and it isn't MY family's vacation unless there is a medical emergency...(to be continued...)

Lion on the Beach

Parent Club is still at a resort - somewhere - south.   Somewhere sandy, spanish and sunny. 

Which reminds me of the beach memories of 'ole.  Like remember the story of when my prince picked up a prostitute on our family vacation in Cuba? 

This is my Lion on the Beach story.

My little family was lion (get the jiggy spelling?...Lying?  Lion?  ok - moving along)...we were on the beach.  For days and days we hung out on the beach in Valencia, Spain. 

One day, I volunteered to go to the grocery store and get supplies (my sunburn was THAT bad by then) while my prince took the kids to the beach. 

When we met up later the kids were in competition to tell me about the "naked man" who apparently got a ticket.  (Note: this beach was "top optional" for both sexes but bottoms were a must.  Aside: yes I wore a top & bottom - I can't even imagine THAT sunburn if I didn't).

So my two kids saw naked man walk in and out of the water with his bits & pieces.  And they saw the police officer give him a ticket (because he was lion on the beach with his bits & pieces).  To this day - the kids remember that vacation story. 

Some trip memories stick.

Packing List for Family Trips

Whether it be a trip south or a trip up north...here are some tips for packing for the family.  You might remember my Yummy Mummy Club article on "Double Duty Packing" - this post is more reading on that subject.

• Passports?  You can download Canadian Passport applications and renewal forms online.  (Bonus: they now mail passports to you so you only have to go to the office once!)
• Drugs. (not the illegal kind)  Always take your medications with you on the airplane.  When travelling with kids it's helpful to carry along your trusted kid-pain/fever medication (Tylenol, Advil, etc).  Other helpful drugs: kid antihistamines (to reduce swelling for bug bites) and gravol.
• Pens & Paper.  No mother ever said "geez, I wish I hadn't brought those pens and paper".  Bring them!  They are great bordom busters (think: tic tac toe), teachable moment tools (think: travel journal for the kids) and important for leaving notes for your spouse as to why they are waking up alone with the kids (Think: went to the gym)  

On subject yet aside: read my other Yummy Mummy Club article on Hot Travel Tips for family trips...it starts like this..."DON’T pack the naughty drawer. The only thing vibrating in the night should be your phone (and really you should turn that off)."

Family February Get-Away

We are heading out on a family February get-away next week.  Why?  Because of THIS, also because it is my prince's birthday (a big one) and some family time sans blackberry is very much needed.

We knew we wanted an island -- a warm Spanish island.  I had some other family requirements too:

• Location - not a long plane ride from Canada
• Activities - no shooters in the pool thank you
• Accomodation - comfortable yet kid friendly
• Entertainment - (see no shooters above)
• Budget - friendly

After considerable research, I decided RIU Hotels & Resorts was a fit to all our requirements.  On the beach, daily kids' club activities, many food options - something for everyone in the family. 

We've had our Hep A & B shots, I've got bug spray to ward off malaria-mosquitos and sun hats are at the ready.

Oh, and as you all know - I'm compulsive at making teachable moments (seriously, there should be an intervention). So I created my own crossworld puzzle (click the link to go to the cite - bookmark it for your next trip) and made an english/spanish vocab. sheet  (phrases for Thing 1 and cartoons + words for Thing 2). 

Aside: one year we went to France, the teacher sent homework to do on the plane.  The last thing I wanted on my vacation was to cut and paste (as IF the airline would let us bring sissors on the plane!).  However, my crossword puzzle and vocab. list are specific to what WE will be doing, seeing, celebrating on our trip.  (and for those who know me "where are the bathrooms?" is, of course, one of the translated phrases - along with a picture of a toilet).

Parent Club Winners

Here are your random winners for the: "E is for Ethics" - by Ian James Corlett (published by Simon & Schuster Canada)

Loukia
Sarah S.
billiondollarprincesss
vivaglampink

Congrats to all! Please e-mail info(at)parentclub.ca with your mailing information to have the books delivered to your door. (remember to tweet @ParentClub that you won!)

Keep Reading

The January blahs aren't keeping me down people...oh no...we must drudge on...

Perhaps some upbeat reading is in order...

Read my "New Year, New Leaf" article over at wondermoms.ca

Find some inspiration for this weekend in my article on "Winter Break Activities" over at everythingmom.com.

My latest Home Base blog on todaysparent.com is on "Accounting 411" all about freelancers getting their accounting house in order (my actual house…forget it…never will be in order).

And finally, if paper-based copy is better (because it is hard to take a laptop into a bubble bath) pick up a copy of December's Blush magazine (available at West Coast Kids, UC Baby and Please Mum) for my feature article "Breathe clean and easy: Natural cleansers for your home"

Blaming January

Dear January:   It's all your fault  ~from: moi

Reason the kids are melting down = January

Reason we are all tired = January

Reason the laundry fairy doesn't visit = January

January is the leech of the calendar - it just sucks.

January just seems to take more energy to get off one's duff than the rest of the months.  Extra effort to get out of the flannel sheets (flannel to me is what beer is to Homer Simpson).  Extra push to tackle the laundry mountain.  Extra coaching to get the kids to do their homework.

Perhaps my grey mood is because I am thinking of THIS and THIS these days (February was the due date...not that I should be harping...I know I shouldn't be harping).

Is it wrong to blame January?...because it feels so right...

P.D. Day Activities

This Friday is a p.d. day (which some of us realized just yesterday).  For working parents p.d. days are a bit of a crunch because child care (the paid or unpaid kind) needs to be sourced out.

If a parent is at home (or choses to be at home) that day we've come up with a few activities to enjoy:

• Grocery shopping for lunch (not your whole week's grocery shopping - just for lunch - give kids a list [give pre-readers pictures] of what to buy for lunch.  It can be a fun activity of giving your kids the opportunity to find and seek healthy foods.
• Indoor playplace (actually should be last on the list because they get so busy on p.d. days - but the kids like them)
• Movie date (what is more of a treat than having a friend come over, eat popcorn and watch a movie...in the middle of the day?!)
• Skating (public skating rinks = FREE)

Please share your favourite p.d. day activities in the comments...(we LOVE coments and we love activity ideas!...)