Swarovski Crystal Wish Tree & Giveaway

Swarovski is hosting the Stars for Wishes Workshops at the Toronto Eaton Centre from 10:00am to 12:00pm running each Saturday until December 12th.

At the workshop, you and your family can create your own personalized ornaments under the light of the Swarovski Crystal Wish Tree. For $20, children receive a kit containing a large 8" frosted acrylic star and an assortment of colourful Swarovski crystals to create their ornament that they can take home, with all proceeds going toward The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada.

Each week, the workshops will be hosted by a special celebrity guest, accompanied by Mrs. Claus:

November 28th - Barbie

December 5th - Franklin The Turtle

December 12th - Kai-Lan

The Giveaway:

Swarovski is providing one lucky Parent Club reader the chance to decorate their ornaments with the Swarovski team and one of the special celebrity guests at Eaton Centre.* (Bonus: Swarovski will make the charitable donation to The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada on Parent Club winner's behalf.)

To Enter: COMMENT to this post on why the Swarovski Crystal Wish Tree attracts you? (winner will be randomly drawn).

Rules (because life has rules)

* you can comment once per day

* Tweet the contest on Twitter - @ParentClub - (comment again that you did so) = an additional entry

* Blog about this giveaway with a link back to Parent Club (comment that you did so)

* Giveaway open to residents of Ontario

Contest closes Dec. 1st

*Should the winner be out of town an in-home kit will be sent

Parent Club Review & Giveaway: Mastermind Toys

The What: Wobble Deck Electronic Memory Game available at Mastermind Toys

The How: It's active fun and surfing excitement! Play 3 great games indoors or outdoors on board Wobble Deck: Memory Match, Speed Play and Freestyle. Improve reflexes, balance, coordination and overall physical fitness...Match colours, numbers, sounds. ages 6 and up

The Why: Mastermind is a Canadian store with over 22 years experience in retail. It offers easy-to-use online shopping (with shipping across Canada and the U.S.) Bonus: FREE gift-wrapping and personal messages.

The Review: This game is addictive! Great for indoor and outdoor use - kids had a hard time waiting their turns. Only requires 3 AA batteries. Love the fact that it has 2 volume settings!

The Giveaway:

Mastermind is providing one Wobble Deck Electronic Memory Game as a giveaway to a luckyParent Club reader.

To Enter: Visit the Mastermind Toys website and then come back here and COMMENT about what you like most about Mastermind Toys (a toy?, ease-of-shopping, personal experience?) (winner will be randomly drawn).

Rules (because life has rules)

* you can comment once per day

* Tweet the contest on Twitter - @ParentClub - (comment again that you did so) = an additional entry

* Blog about this giveaway with a link back to Parent Club (comment that you did so)

* Giveaway open to Canadian and U.S. residents

Contest closes Dec. 1st

Check out the facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mastermind-Toys/192473975091

Parent Club: Radio Interview

Tune into C-FAX 1070 on Saturday Nov. 21st
10:33 am Pacific (1:33pm Eastern)

You will be listening to a chat between myself and Real Parenting Host Coreen Mae regading my recent everythingmom.com article on Teacher Gifts Under $25

Can't tune in? Listen to it live on the web HERE

Parent Club Review: Palmer's Lotion

The What: Palmer’s Cocoa Butter for Dry, Itchy Skin.

The How: This highly concentrated formula with Cocoa Butter, Vitamin E, Collagen, Elastin and soothing Lavender Oil, is widely recommended for stretch marks during and after pregnancy. This unique formula is specifically designed to restore your body to its natural, original firmness anytime, even after pregnancy or weight loss.
The Review: The product comes in a convenient pump and spray bottle. It’s a great feature as I find it helps to spread the product more evenly. Another product I’ve tried is a pour on, often leaving too much in my hands for the area I’m trying to massage.

Spraying on the skin, the Palmer’s product is lighter than I expected. It doesn’t leave you too greasy even though it does look truly like melted butter in the bottle. I find it sprays just enough to deal with during each application- so I’m not slip sliding my clothes on. I’m able to get dressed within minutes of spraying it on.

I’ve had sensitive skin in the past, but the Palmer’s product passes the skin test. My skin has been nice and clear during this pregnancy, and the Palmer’s product kept it that way.

While I’ve had my share of cocoa this pregnancy, a la hot cocoa, chocolate chip cookies, and my secret indulgence for fine, gourmet chocolate, I found that the cocoa-like smell in this product a turnoff. You may like it, my husband does, but I’ve had such a heightened sense of smell this pregnancy that the scent of this Palmer’s Cocoa Butter for Dry, Itchy Skin is a major turn off. I would much rather use a product that is entirely odour free. Fortunately for Palmer’s the smell isn’t pungent, and I found it does dissipate quickly. I doubt though that I would have been able to tolerate the smell earlier in my pregnancy.

When I do a review, I also like to see what product information the company adds beyond the bottle or box to its website. The American Palmer’s site is woefully basic and lacks much information. Clicking on the Australian link though provides a terrific experience giving you much more information on the products including what causes stretch marks and of course how to prevent them by using Palmer’s products. A Canadian website wasn’t on the link page, nor when doing a simple google search did one appear. There is a Facebook page, but it’s FB so not entirely organized.

So where is this product available? I’ve seen it out on display at my local Shopper’s Drug Mart and my grocery store. If you want to stick with one product during your pregnancy, this one has the right price point- less than $7.
(Parent Club Reviewer: 8 mos pregnant)

Writer, Mother, Whatever

This whole work/life balance thing is not balancing...I have recently had a lot of really interesting writing assignments. One for this magazine, another article on Teacher Gifts for Under $25 and a new newsletter for this great parenting resource.

In addition, the day-to-day growth of this famous on-line parenting magazine (a-hem - yes Parent Club) - freelancing writing life has been a wonderfully challenging, diverse, successful profession of late.

Unfortunately, "life" is tanking a bit.

Thing 2: Maman, where are YOU?
Me: In the office
Thing 2: it's dark
Me: the light bulb went out and I haven't changed it yet (and by 'I' I mean "I keep forgetting to ask my prince to change it")
Thing 2: why are you working at bedtime?
Me: because I have an article due (and I stopped working when you came home from school and then made snack and then supervised homework and then made dinner and unpacked the lunchboxes and then washed the dishes and then found clean underwear for you for tomorrow that was buried in the laundry which I haven't folded yet and then I put you in pjs
Thing 2: can I watch tv?
Me: sure...

It's like having two full time jobs. The profile I have on my twitter page sums it up:

Bio: Writer/Mother/sock finder/Blogger/laundress/Community Editor/mitten matcher/Researcher/nose wiper/buzz creator/Moderator/whatever...

Twitter Moms - Windows 7

I was recently invited, along with some other Power Twitter Moms, to an evening of demos of the NEW Windows 7.

Ruth from Microsoft made the presentation specifically with family-use in mind. Looking for a recipe on your computer but forget where you put it? You can quickly find it on your PC with Windows Search. Want to write a document and reference your research document at the same time? Snap can put two files side by side on your screen. Windows 7 has some fairly cool features!

Something else that was fairly cool about that evening. Being in the same room as some of my favourite Power Tweeting Moms - all brought together and hosted by the Yummy Mummy extraordinaire Erica Ehm.


(Photo: @YummyMummyClub, @Journeywoman, @Kathryn_Easter, @RachealMc,@kathybuckworth, @CLBuchananPhoto, @weewelcome, @YMCbuzz, @Parentclub, @CandaceDx, @WonderMoms, @cbadov, @BOREDmommy2, @fdnstudio, @averygoodyear, @amotherworld, @sarahcasm, @jackolantern14, @m_haughey, @MichCameirao, @SarahSB, @ruthm)

Disney on Ice - Promo for Parent Club Readers

Disney On Ice Coupon Code Details

Promo code for the Toronto shows MCC - with this code you can purchase four tickets for $44 Monday-Friday (excluding Friday evening) and $4 off tickets for all weekend performances.

• The tickets can be purchased from http://www.ticketmaster.ca and by entering the MCC code in the “MC promotion” box when purchasing tickets.
  
• Minimum purchase of 4 tickets required; additional tickets above 4 can be purchased at $11 each during the week and $4 off on weekends.
  
• Offer not valid on Rinkside or VIP seating.
  
• Cannot be combined with other offers. Service Charges, facility & handling fees will apply.

The Disney on Ice Princess Classics Giveaway!

Dec. 18 - Dec. 27 The Disney on Ice Princess Classics comes to Toronto.

Parent Club has 4 tickets for opening night on Dec. 18 to giveaway!

To Enter: Comment to this post about why you want to go(winner will be randomly drawn).

Rules (because life has rules)

• you can comment once per day
  
• Tweet the contest on Twitter - @ParentClub - (comment again that you did so) = an additional entry
  
• Blog about this giveaway with a link back to Parent Club
  
• Giveaway open to anyone who can get themselves to Toronto on Dec. 18 to see the show

Contest closes Dec. 1st

Also, there's a facebook page you can fan and share....they'll have extra giveaways and upcoming show info:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Disney-On-Ice-for-Toronto-Area-Families/50326833726?ref=ts

Parent Club Review: Barbie Fashionistas

The What: Barbie Fashionista Dolls

The How: With 100+ poses the Barbie Fashionista Dolls can stand alone. The Fashionista site has a fun video (you can print out a 'how to' poster for kids to follow the "do the barbie" dance moves).
The Review:Barbie is a classic toy. We often think of her as just a doll - but she is true open ended play where girls can role play without a necessary end (unlike a board game where you have to follow the rules and someone wins).

These Barbie Fashionista dolls are fab! They look cool (but not so cool like they look like they are selling something -- if you know what I mean...).

It is also so positive to see dolls of different colours ('cause the world isn't blond/blue eyed).

Every girl has a Barbie story...what is yours?

Car Seat Debate

Thank you to the Parent Club reader who sent this in...

"I have many car seats for my boys...8 in total - two in each of my cars and two for my parents car who watch the boys for us two days a week and two expired convertible booster seats, replaced just this week (and that is only counting the ones I currently have, not the two infant car seats I have already gotten rid of or or the three in one alpha omega I have long since passed on).

My issue is that these seats "expire", I believe they are only supposed to be used for 5 years...and then they should be disposed of...(another major issue I have...disposal of these items is disgusting...

option 1 - land fill

option 2 - ??? I don't actually know of any other option

My real problem here is that the seats are sold with the obvious intention of being used for two stages of a childs car seats needs, but you can't actually use them for the entire time they are needed if you don't want to use them past the expiration date. And also that there seems to be no real way to recycle the seats.

I found the following quote online "Dorel has been considering a car seat recycling program, Leckner says, but added that there has been no real demand from consumers for such a program.".

How can there not be a real demand from consumers for such a program?? I think we should demand it, in fact we insist on it!! I am so tired of all the work I do at home and work and in my community to make sure each piece of TRASH goes in the right bin, and then there just does not seem to be a right bin for these items...granted maybe I do have too many of them...but I would not need so many if they did not expire!!!

OK so that is the end of my rant...anything you think we can do about it? I found the statement from dorel to be both surprising and disappointing, in this age of green companies I am surprised any large organization would make such a statement and then to let it be posted on the Internet...how is it that this is not causing uproar among all of us green living parents!!!

The Transport Canada website presents their stand on car seat expiry dates HERE along with Canadian car seat manufacturers and 'useful life' expectancies.

Apparently, to dispose of a car seat one should "remove all harnessing, all padding, and place the shell and car seat parts in separate dark coloured garbage bags."

Parent Club - what do you think of car seats in Canada? - chime in through the comments...

Interview with Ann Douglas: Impact on life after Baby

According to a recent study conducted by Angus Reid, on behalf of Pampers,"69% of Canadian parents miss spontaneity - the ability to pick up and do whatever they want, whenever they want with their partner - after baby's arrival."

Parent Club interviewed Ann Douglas, author of The Mother of All Baby Books and parenting expert on the effects of a new baby on the family unit.

We discussed the life-changes with a new baby. The sleep deprivation. The exhaustion. The change of focus. How all this makes parents more emotional. It's a disruption in "normal" life (though, as we all know, "normal" goes out the window with every addition to the family).

Sleep deprivation can also contribute to a "what about me?" feeling. Parents can feel lonely. Resentful. Even depressed.

Ann recommends to recognize and welcome help from others. Look to your network of family and friends for support and a helping hand. It is hard to find time for yourself - but you need to make the time. For yourself. For re-connecting with the other parent.

It is ok to miss the spontaneity. It is also ok to miss the sleep. However, always remember that both eventually return to your life...in time.

Symptoms of H1N1

Always

sudden onset of cough and fever

Common

Fatigue|muscle aches|sore throat + headache|decreased appetite + runny nose

Sometimes:

Nausea|vomiting|diarrhea

Severe indicators

shortness of breath

chest pain

bluish or grey skin color

bloody or coloured mucus/spit

high fever last more than 3 days

sudden dizziness or confusion

Protection:
wash hands often|cough & sneeze into your arm|avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth|warm liquids

(Source: Government of Ontario - Public Health Agency of Canada)

Indigo Kids Round Table

Parent Club was invited to the Indigo Kids Round Table session where there was much discussion about kids and learning.

We just had to share it with the Club!

BOOKS

Did you know kids learn approximately 800 words per year?

The perfect bedtime story should be 5 minutes or less. Popular stories include: Dr. Zeuss, The Velveteen Rabbit, The Giving Tree, Where the Wild Things Are.

Board books with pleasing rhymes are perfect for infants and toddlers.

Robert Munsch is silly and fun.

Reluctant readers enjoy the Diary of a Wimpy Kids and Bones series.

Reading improves vocabulary which impacts elementary school results.

PLAY

Learning through play teaches reinforces to kids that they can handle the world. Playing peek-a-book teaches object permanence (is Mom still there behind her hands or gone forever?)

Open-ended toys (particularly for ages 0-6yrs) are important teaching tools for kids to learn/find things for themselves. Open-ended toys include: building blocks, balls, animal figurines, finger painting, etc. Kids need to learn how to create/build not just memorize facts. Parents often look for an "end result" (i.e. create the craft on the box) however a "whatever you get" result is also very valuable in learning and playing.

When gift-giving, keep in mind classic toys like board games which stimulate thinking skills yet are tons of fun. Monopoly for example teaches math (and is oodles of fun).

THE EXPERTS:

Kathy Buckworth - Moderator: award winning writer and all-around cool mom.

Dr. Kang Lee - Early Childhood Expert: Director and professor of the Institute of Child Study at the University of Toronto, OISE.

Kate Baldwin - Toy Expert: President of Brands in Balance with over 25 years of experience in the Canadian toy industry.

Minnow Hamilton - SavvyMom.ca: an on-line mom expert.

Trevor Dayton - Indigo Kids Expert: Vice President, Kids and Entertainment at Indigo Books & Music, Inc.

Toronto Symphony Orchestra - Young People's Concerts

THE WHAT: TSO Family Day

THE HOW: “The Listener” – Toronto Symphony Kids, TSO Harpist demo in lobby, Backstage “Meet and Greet” and refreshments with members of the TSO.

THE REVIEW: Walking through the doors of the Roy Thomson hall there was a craziness in the air. The kind of craziness that mixes a foyer full of excited children, anxious parents, loud voices, children crying, children laughing and harp music all together. It was quite overwhelming, but with an element of serenity that kept one from succumbing to the crazy.

Julie Spring of the TSO was playing a large some-hundred year old harp in the foyer of the auditorium prior to the show. She talked about different parts on the harp, its history and the different sounds and melodies that can be played. From there the focus moved to finding one’s seat in the auditorium and hoping that the kids behave. From the beginning of the show to the end, my kids (girls ages 5 and almost 3) were captivated. The 2 mimes throughout the show who were part of the ‘Magic Circle Mime Company’ helped keep most of their attention. They interacted comically with the symphony orchestra members and especially the conductor, Mei-Ann Chen.

The music play list kept the rest. Some of the songs played such as Bizet’s “Toreador Song” and “Dance of the Swan” from Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky were recognizable from shows like the Little Einstein's and the Wonder Pets. Other songs lent themselves to stimulating imagination, giving the feeling of flying through the sky or chasing after animals across the desert plain (yes my kids and myself have vivid imaginations…and the music certainly helped).

Although my kids are too young to truly appreciate the whole The Star Wars saga, the theme music for these movies by John Williams that was performed worked on it’s own merits to take my 5 year old from happily pretending we were floating in outer space to covering her ears and cowering in fear because the sounds made her think of ‘scary things about to happen”. That’s the essence of music. It evokes emotion.

I found this concert to be entertaining and educational for both myself as a parent and for my kids. The grandness of the spectacle, being in the auditorium, the whole orchestra on the stage, the larger than life sound was quite an experience to behold. Having the added bonus of going ‘backstage’ for the kids to see some of the instruments up close; play percussion instruments, work the bow on a huge upright bass, and even try their hand at expressing an emotion (such as anger and excitement) with the help of the mimes was loads of fun (especially for those watching).

This is definitely an experience I would love to make a tradition. It brings many elements of classical music and it’s appreciation together which is something that gets missed in everyday educational life. I sincerely appreciate this opportunity and assure you I would definitely do it again.
(Parent Club Test Panelist and children aged 3 and 5)