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November 28, 2008

Parent Club Calendar - Project Warmth

If you do one thing (one good self-less thing) this weekend; Project Warmth is the thing to do.

It is a step beyond donating gently used children's clothing at this time of year. Project Warmth puts together lovely packages which inspires the recipient to feel warmed to receive because of the care and attention that has gone into the package. The idea is to give something whilst allowing the recipient to maintain their dignity and self worth. The packages are delivered to the young mums at the June Callwood Centre (formerly known as Jessie's Centre).

Check out the Project Warmth website for what they will happily receive as gently used or new donations (on Saturday donations must be delivered directly to the church -- see below). If you feel inspired to volunteer they will gladly accept your help.

When:November 29 & 30 from 10am to 6pm
Where: Runnymede Presbyterian Church at 680 Annette St. on the corner at Willard Ave.

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November 27, 2008

Parent Club Review: Procter & Gamble (1 of 2)

Parent Club was asked to review a plethora of Procter & Gamble products designed to make family life cleaner and easier. Cleaner? Easier? Sign us up!

Swiffer Wet Jet.
This all-in-one-power mop sprays, cleans, scrubs and traps dirt. (Batteries and people are required). This light-weight tool was preferable to hauling the mop & bucket up from the basement. It easily navigated corners. Swiffer WetJet is safe on wood & laminate, ceramic tile, marble, stone and linoleum. The Parent Club panel tested Swiffer on three of those surfaces with great result.

The down-side to the Swiffer is that the kids will want a turn.
Febreze candle (apple spice & delight) Oh, they had us at candle! Lasting up to 30 hours this candle eliminates odours and freshens. Parent Club tested it under heavy conditions: smelly fish night. The candle eliminated the fish odour and left a pleasant lingering spice smell. A very comforting and warming fragrance for cold winter nights. This was a Parent Club test panel favourite!

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Mr. Clean is a good go-to cleaner for kitchens and bathrooms. This is a useful product come spring time for the spring clean of the outside play sets.


Mr. Clean Disinfecting Wipes with Febreze
Easy. Accessible. Effective. These wipes are fantastic for quick kitchen and bathroom counter top clean ups (think: before the neighbours come for dinner). Also, great for the disinfecting the microwave. The lavender vanilla Febreze freshness left a nice fragrance after the cleaning. This was the most-used product of the Parent Club test panel.

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November 26, 2008

Parent Club Updates

I am surrounded by loose strings...the blog needs to be updated, readers need to be updated, and I need to find lost mittens...so today is the day I start tying up all those loose strings.

  1. Blog update. Notice something different? Over there. On the left. The portfolio list is gone. The label list is back. I think, with the upcoming gift season, it's timely to be able to find all those lovely little Parent Club posts on teacher presents and activities to do with kids ideas.

    Parent Club started off as a living portfolio of my work but, thankfully, the portfolio has grown to a size where it deserves its own room. As such, over there - on the right - you will see a link for those Interested in my writing portfolio? - click HERE .

  2. Reader update. Several parents have asked me about how Strike Three - You're OUT turned out. Thing 2 attended the BFF birthday par-tay. As my prince charming put it...Thing 2 is NOT a bad child. Not a mean child. Thing 2 simply acts before thinking (as apparently prince charming did when he was a child). In the post, I called it "blackmailing" but looking back -it was parenting.

  3. Lost mitten update. We have so far, lost two complete pairs of very warm mittens. I have used Stuck On You labels but they are still M.I.A. Thing 1 and Thing 2 are resistant to mitten clips (they are for babies apparently). Strings are a choking hazard. Obviously putting them in pockets don't work. Poor little kittens who have lost their mittens...Anyone? Anyone? How do you retain mittens?!

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November 25, 2008

Habitat for Humanity Toronto Gingerbread Build


A Parent Club reader has shared that Habitat for Humanity's Toronto's Annual Gingerbread Build takes place this weekend; Saturday December 6th & Sunday December 7th, 2008. The reader shared that their young family attended last year and that it was a great family event for a greater cause.

Go to their site to purchase a kit. Each kit includes an all-natural, delectable decorating kit from Marie's Gingerbread Creations, and oodles of yummy candy and chocolate. Tax receipts may be requested upon receipt.

The "build" will be located at the Habitat Toronto Home Building Factory (Located at 1627 Danforth Ave.)

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November 24, 2008

Liqueur 44

Booze really shouldn't be on a parenting blog...but think of this one as a science experiement for the holidays. And heck yes, I'd let my kids participate by putting the coffee beans in the orange. I do not personally enjoy liqueur - but I like making things...and this looks like a good one to give as a gift or to consume with adults at a special occasion.

We are just shy of 44 days to have this ready for Christmas...but I'm still going to give it a try.

It is from Laura Calder's French Food At Home

44
1 x large organic orange, well washed
44 x coffee beans
44 x sugar cubess
4 cups vodka

Directions:
Poke the orange with a skewer and insert the coffee beans through the slits in the skin into the orange flesh.

Put the orange in a sterilized preserving jar (with an opening large enough to fit an orange through)

Add the sugar, pour over the alcohol, seal, and shake. Store in a cool, dark place, giving the jar a shake every day for 44 days. Filter the liqueur through a coffee filter into a serving bottle.

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