tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50682208309659879602024-03-05T19:17:03.137-05:00Parent ClubParent Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06473048540475693889noreply@blogger.comBlogger825125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068220830965987960.post-83451060059420440262011-08-29T16:16:00.001-04:002011-08-29T16:16:00.664-04:00Outsmart the Grocery Monster | Theresa Albert<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9Qyu3zPCr_9JTmV9i8j85_2l2auNTAUor-Tb2yq_RZAbpM8zlAmECtG2u8m_cLGiluAFwuO3I51YGqnMGDSB_rs2sFT22UCTj54ouF7FX_AIkPIQHROdpSJGG00Oir9xinY96lbB/s1600/theresa+Albert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9Qyu3zPCr_9JTmV9i8j85_2l2auNTAUor-Tb2yq_RZAbpM8zlAmECtG2u8m_cLGiluAFwuO3I51YGqnMGDSB_rs2sFT22UCTj54ouF7FX_AIkPIQHROdpSJGG00Oir9xinY96lbB/s1600/theresa+Albert.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #990000;"><strong>Back to school</strong></span> means back to the grocery store where </span><a href="http://www.myfriendinfood.com/?p=3482"><span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;">the time and money you spend</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> are being manipulated on both subtle and blatant levels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once you know the magician’s tricks, you will find that you have only the items you want in your cart and a little more money in your pocket. Know that everything that happens from the moment you walk in the door is designed for your comfort (aka, to make you feel happy so you slow down and buy more). <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Behind the curtain: </span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Know what things cost! A sale isn’t always a sale if you don’t know how much your favourite eggs cost next door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Use online flyers or spend a few minutes with the ones delivered to your door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is $4.99 per pound a good price for eye of the round or is this sale tag enticing you to believe so?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You need a point of reference before you even enter. <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Read coupons carefully!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s the scenario:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>you picked up the 16 ounce can of tomatoes you thought the coupon was promoting only to find that it was the 28 ounce can? You find out your error at the register and what do you do? Buy the wrong one anyway that cost more than the brand you usually buy. <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.myfriendinfood.com/?p=3482"><span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;">Choose your store wisely</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">! Store marketers regularly monitor your habits and behaviours in while in the store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They lay out the store to maximize time spent and items purchase (and renovate “to serve you better” when they spot a dead zone that doesn’t get much action).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Frequenting one store will mean that you can put your fingers on exactly what you need and be able to compare from week to week how your grocery bill is adding up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Take a list! Some online flyers have wonderful email-able lists that can be built and sent to your own mobile (or someone else’s!) It helps to have a list that includes all of your items sorted by store aisle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing slows you down more than having to criss cross the store in search of one forgotten tin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Don’t smell the baked goods! You know that isn’t just a mistake, right? The smell from the in store bakery is purposely pumped back in to tickle all of your sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ok, so you can’t stop smelling but you can prevent it from enticing you by eating before you go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or pick up a package of chopped fresh veggies and munch on them while you stroll.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You didn’t get enough veggies today anyway, you may as well make it work for you. <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Don’t listen! The music is carefully chosen to suit the likely person in the store at a given time. Folksy romance tunes in major chords? Must be Friday night when the young couples or singles are shopping. This helps them feel all mushy and needy so that they seek comfort in the form of food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do yourself a favour, plug in your headset and listen to something angry to pick up the pace and knock out that sentimental drivel. <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Look up and down, not just straight ahead. The priciest items are set at eye level and the ones enticing the kids are down around your knees. Do look for in store signs that signal a price reduction (and go back to step 1) or </span><a href="http://www.myfriendinfood.com/?p=3482"><span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;">house brands that may cost less</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> and be the same darned thing that is in the name brand anyway. <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Halloween is 2 months away! You will see all the displays for this candy-fest now and you may think “hmm, if I buy them now, I won’t need to go searching later”. It’s a trick. You will (or some other little gremlin will) eat them now and still need to find them later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><hr /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Theresa Albert takes on the challenge of demystifying myths surrounding food and health. Millions learned just how smart and funny she is through her Food Network Canada Show called Just One Bite! She has authored two books published in both Canada and in the US: Cook Once a Week, Eat Well Every Day and Ace Your Health, 52 Ways to Stack Your Deck.</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">For more tips and tricks on how to eat well sign up for Theresa’s newsletter at </span><a href="http://www.myfriendinfood.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">www.myfriendinfood.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.parentclub.ca</div>Parent Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06473048540475693889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068220830965987960.post-52873974124115802792011-08-28T16:05:00.001-04:002011-08-29T14:14:45.403-04:00Norton 360 All-In-One Security Giveaway<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong><u>Back to School!</u></strong></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.symantec.com/norton/ps/images/boxshot_norton360v5-sml.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.symantec.com/norton/ps/images/boxshot_norton360v5-sml.png" /></a></div><strong>THE WHAT</strong>: <a href="http://antivirus.norton.com/norton/ps/3up_ca_en_navnis360.html?om_sem_cid=hho_sem_sy:ca:bng:en:e|kw0000000559|347970449">Norton 360 All-In-One Security (Version 5.0)</a><br />
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<strong>THE WHY</strong>: Because computer virus' happen<br />
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<strong>THE HOW:</strong> Kids can download, click or open attachments which contain nasty things like viruses, spyware, Trojan horses, worms, bots, and rootkits - nasty! And let's be honest people, parents can let those same nasties into the computer...one bad click is all you need.<br />
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<strong>THE GIVEAWAY</strong>: Enter to win your own copy of <a href="http://antivirus.norton.com/norton/ps/3up_ca_en_navnis360.html?om_sem_cid=hho_sem_sy:ca:bng:en:e|kw0000000559|347970449">Norton 360 All-In-One Security (Version 5.0)</a>.<br />
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<strong>THE ENTRY:</strong> <br />
Share in a <strong><span style="color: #cc0000;">COMMENT</span></strong> below your opinion about kids and internet security. (hint: visit the <a href="http://antivirus.norton.com/norton/ps/3up_ca_en_navnis360.html?om_sem_cid=hho_sem_sy:ca:bng:en:e|kw0000000559|347970449">Norton site</a> for product comparison about what features protect your computer and your kids)<br />
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<em>one entry per day</em><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><strong>LIKE</strong></span> Parent Club on Facebook = an extra entry*<br />
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<strong><span style="color: red;">TWEET</span></strong> this giveaway mentioning: <a href="http://www.parentclub.ca/">@ParentClub</a> = an extra entry*<br />
<strong><span style="color: red;">FOLLOW</span></strong> Parent Club on google friend connect (GFC) = an extra entry* {at bottom of main page}<br />
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<span style="color: red;"><strong>BLOG</strong></span> about this giveaway with a link back to to this post = an extra entry*<br />
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*Comment separately that you did so<br />
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<b>THE RULES (because life has rules)</b><br />
<br />
Open to Canadian residents only (sorry rest of the world!)<br />
Winner will be randomly chosen using a random generator<br />
Winners have 48 hours to claim their prize or a new winner will be drawn<br />
<hr /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Disclaimer: Parent Club recieved a copy of Norton 360 (review to come). No financial compensation nor baked goods were received.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.parentclub.ca</div>Parent Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06473048540475693889noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068220830965987960.post-30591544117261441912011-08-25T09:00:00.019-04:002011-08-25T14:44:39.706-04:00KRE-O Giveaway<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXBOeadLumUgCmLqcVZ3huckJK89tFhN7_gLqHsgzGo0aXOCANvPoahuDnAJjxboTUTbo4jAcdDz9JS8pF8TIRUmkxV1JBTSfAI8q82XJTS96HYitWSve1J_R_Kqc3r6g33UYduNo/s1600/KREO_LOGO_TRANSFORMERS_A.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="96" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXBOeadLumUgCmLqcVZ3huckJK89tFhN7_gLqHsgzGo0aXOCANvPoahuDnAJjxboTUTbo4jAcdDz9JS8pF8TIRUmkxV1JBTSfAI8q82XJTS96HYitWSve1J_R_Kqc3r6g33UYduNo/s320/KREO_LOGO_TRANSFORMERS_A.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>THE WHAT:</strong> HASBRO's new line of construction toys - </span><a href="http://www.hasbro.com/kre-o/en_US/"><span style="font-family: inherit;">KRE-O TRANSFORMERS</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>THE HOW:</strong> It's the new cool of construction toys.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>THE BONUS:</strong> Plan a visit to </span><a href="http://www.fanexpocanada.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Fan Expo</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1f497d;"> <span style="color: black;">happening on August 25th</sup> – 28th (Metro Toronto Convention Centre) and visit the KRE-O booth! Families</span> </span></sup>will have the chance to get their picture taken with Bumblebee, guess how many KRE-O bricks it takes to build the 8 foot Optimus Prime and put their construction skills to the test.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUKgO02Yquh9pa2Yqi4ksx_jBQaD8eSJFFnbm_Ku1ZSdZDzd4K_TBoG0-MF-6Jap5YixnMv-C_UwZJ_TyRQLHEnCz9uEwrflvnxZFpcfz8sb-nBIRVZkcv39p_9fIJNAHldYyRQfWS/s1600/Optimus+Prime+Robot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUKgO02Yquh9pa2Yqi4ksx_jBQaD8eSJFFnbm_Ku1ZSdZDzd4K_TBoG0-MF-6Jap5YixnMv-C_UwZJ_TyRQLHEnCz9uEwrflvnxZFpcfz8sb-nBIRVZkcv39p_9fIJNAHldYyRQfWS/s200/Optimus+Prime+Robot.jpg" width="141" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><strong>THE GIVEAWAY:</strong> <span style="color: red;"><strong>2 KRE-O Prize packs up for grabs!</strong></span> Approx total value = <strong>$105.00 each</strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal"; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><b><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif";">PRIZE PACK #1</span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 1in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal"; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif";">Optimus Prime with Twin Cycles </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 1in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif";"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal"; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif";">Megatron </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 1in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal"; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><b><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif";">PRIZE PACK #2</span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal"; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif";">Sentinel Prime </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif";"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal"; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif";">Bumblebee </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif";"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal"; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif";">Prowl </span></span></span></div><br />
<strong>THE ENTRY: </strong><br />
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<li>Visit <a href="http://www.hasbro.com/kre-o/en_US/">http://www.hasbro.com/kre-o/en_US/</a> and browse the construction sets (there are 12!), game, kreons and videos and <strong><span style="color: orange;">COMMENT</span> below which KRE-O product appeals to your child</strong>. </li><br />
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<li><em>one entry per day</em></li><br />
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<li><strong><span style="color: orange;">LIKE</span></strong> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Parent-Club/243365412358600">Parent Club on Facebook</a> = an extra entry*</li><br />
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<li><strong><span style="color: orange;">Tweet</span></strong> this giveaway mentioning: <span class="screen-name screen-name-HasbroCanada pill">@HasbroCanada</span> <a href="http://www.parentclub.ca/">@ParentClub </a>= an extra entry*</li><br />
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<li><strong><span style="color: orange;">Follow</span></strong> Parent Club on google friend connect (GFC) = an extra entry* {at bottom of main page}</li><br />
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<li><span style="color: orange;"><strong>Blog</strong></span> about this giveaway with a link back to to this post = an extra entry*<br />
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*Comment separately that you did so<br />
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<strong>THE RULES (because life has rules)</strong></li><br />
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<li>open to Canadian residents only (sorry rest of the world!)</li><br />
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<li>No double winners. 1 winner = 1 prize </li><br />
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<li>Winners have 48 hours to claim their prize or a new winner will be drawn<br />
<hr /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Disclaimer: Parent Club will receive a KRE-O construction set to review (post to come). No financial compensation or baked goods were received.</span></li><br />
<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.parentclub.ca</div>Parent Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06473048540475693889noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068220830965987960.post-2325922661088206272011-08-25T08:19:00.002-04:002011-08-29T14:16:16.101-04:00What makes a good toy? | #playpanel<div>When I think about the "good toys" in our house - they aren't the ones in the toy box. The "good toys" are the ones out on the floor - played with everyday. From what I see from the attraction of my 7 month old...a "good toy" is musical, brightly coloured and durable (read -- he likes to <em>bam bam bam</em> his toys).<br />
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I had the chance to ask <span style="font-family: inherit;">Dr. Kathleen Alfano, Director for the Fisher-Price Child Research Department <em>(cool job points to her)</em> her thoughts on "good toys" specifically...</span><br />
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<strong>Is it wrong to offer higher aged toys for infants/kids - hoping they will be more challenged (and learn more sooner?). Or should parents stick to age-specific toys? – Caroline</strong><br />
<br />
<em>-If a toy is challenging and it brings the child back to it again and again then it is a good toy.</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>- If a toy proves to be too challenging, it is up to the parent to be the child’s cheerleader to encourage them to try again. - Dr. Kathleen Alfano</em><br />
<br />
Well, I happen to be a fantastic cheerleader...I was all <em>"yay!"</em> when he touched... <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1dd25O6qK3yp7JuXOrJ6iEn6moscOdRPy7eOkJTtBaRaqHwIF6TI-twuUff8E0aPPFxvXGjkBo1DpQbzKFO3Dcere3fE2hs1-1Bq_Uak9qlSZvGYb3VUi8K6BEM__UFSzRlKNAKbB/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=2341&e=detail&pcat=gobabygo&pid=63020">Go Baby Go!™ Poppity-Pop™ Musical Dino</a><br />
<a href="http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=10&e=product&pid=63348">Topzy Tumblers™ Twirlin' Tumblin' Fun Park™</a><br />
<a href="http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=2341&e=detail&pcat=lil_zoomers&pid=55217">Lil’ Zoomers™ Spinnin’ Sounds Speedway™</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>And touched...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4YojRDGpVL5Exf85UXZAoPWy0DH1Eu91JNOkpQHV1fFreB93MxjNIWXsBO4h6ZZhmXUVMAXfHpX_LQbYqj_8R1b-pgji-XHpvTUz8ktXJoQ3ZfYrvyeKi_iiZOTuGuvbELp0GdAB/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=2341&e=detail&pcat=bulnl&pid=52060">Laugh & Learn™ Learning Workbench </a> (yes, I keep it in packaging - baby likes to hang off it) <br />
<a href="http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=2341&e=detail&pcat=gobabygo&pid=42970">Go Baby Go!™ Bat & Wobble Penguin</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
And touched some more...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwFyETLYjEcmndDut8taGQ6-9odvLJxbw5wlj08GXulqdv4VhpU1brIb6O7ND4bos47gJvbcE7ffKI47ny0SrfwOoBfepJzItl8EdHvThhyUsB_bkedx6iqt91jeUH1d0ORUEqvG4/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Circa 2000 Fisher-Price Little People Farm, Fisher-Price Zoo, Fisher-Price tri-lingual toy, Fisher-Price musical stacker</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Do you see a recurring theme in our "good toys"?! In our house, for more than 10 years, "good toys" have been open-play toys. Toys that attract them to touch (ok - hit in my son's case), discover, manipulate, sort, stack, hide, find, watch, play, laugh and enjoy. <br />
<br />
I think it's interesting to share that Dr. Alfano notes the areas "good toys" should hit include:<br />
<br />
<strong><u>4 Areas of Development</u></strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<em>Physical (first year and a half - two years)</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>Cognitive (ABC’s, understanding directions (sit/eat/bed)</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>Communicative (softer- Parents are key in this area)</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>Social/Emotional (softer- Parents are key in this area)</em><br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">*When Fisher-Price develops toys, they try to incorporate all 4 of these stages.</span></em><br />
<br />
We are offering an assortment of physical, cognitive, communicative toys (not so much social at this point). We are finding as the days go on...baby boy is learning how to play which is helping him grow. <br />
<br />
And he is most attracted to the musical toys...those are his "good toys"...and they are all over the living room floor. <br />
<br />
Where they belong ;-)</div><div><hr /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Disclosure: I’m part of the Fisher-Price Play Panel and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.parentclub.ca</div>Parent Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06473048540475693889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068220830965987960.post-86502627289501202572011-08-24T11:15:00.002-04:002011-08-24T11:15:00.876-04:00Keeping the kids busy | #LMDConnector<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.lifemadedelicious.ca/~/media/Images/Article/Crafts_Games_Kids_busy_you_happy.ashx" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" qaa="true" src="https://www.lifemadedelicious.ca/~/media/Images/Article/Crafts_Games_Kids_busy_you_happy.ashx" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crafts: Kids=busy. You=happy <br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>In the final stretch of summer vacation and some parents may be tapped out of kid activity ideas (me included some days!). <br />
<br />
Over <a href="http://www.lifemadedelicious.ca/">HERE</a> they have some easy activities and <a href="http://www.lifemadedelicious.ca/">easy recipes</a> for kids - like that fruit loop liquorish string necklace pictured over there.<br />
<br />
I also like the idea of <strong>cereal art.</strong> Have the kids gloop and loop white glue on a piece of coloured construction paper and then stick Cheerios on the glue for a 3D piece of artwork.<br />
<br />
And I happen to know there are some cereal <a href="https://www.lifemadedelicious.ca/?showModal=regForm#">coupons </a>(yes, click that)...around the web that should help keep kid activity costs down.<br />
<br />
And as an aside: now that Thing 3 is able to munch Cheerios (5 teeth = 7 months) our new restaurant activity is allowing the kids to give him one Cheerio at a time at the table. Keeps kids busy and baby busy too! Win - Win.<br />
<hr /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.parentclub.ca</div>Parent Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06473048540475693889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068220830965987960.post-48214851302796709492011-08-22T07:40:00.002-04:002011-08-22T07:40:00.478-04:00Parent Club Profiles | Julie Cole<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5yMjB_RzTbEw1DuBsQOOqH4cDHKFXxpYxGcnXE8_SmeM6TJFUpCCdmi8h5Zhz87yPPhq73-QG4GNg2Os_JhiVFhrRW0UO-jhV2lQGdb6dy0VY6SoeNNXUD-5ScIM6VOPqE53gRebj/s1600/julie+cole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5yMjB_RzTbEw1DuBsQOOqH4cDHKFXxpYxGcnXE8_SmeM6TJFUpCCdmi8h5Zhz87yPPhq73-QG4GNg2Os_JhiVFhrRW0UO-jhV2lQGdb6dy0VY6SoeNNXUD-5ScIM6VOPqE53gRebj/s320/julie+cole.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><strong>Name please.</strong> <br />
<br />
Julie Cole<br />
<br />
<strong>Your Website?</strong><br />
<a href="http://www.mabel.ca/">http://www.mabel.ca/</a><br />
<br />
<strong>What's your specialty? (work-wise - you're probably pretty special at a lot of things)</strong><br />
I have three business partners and we are each responsible for different departments within our portfolios. I focus on Sales and I am also the Company Spokesperson.<br />
<br />
<strong>What's your shameless plug? (books, blogs, bling, etc.) </strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR19GrwmSqBL91peAc3XUaf2J15xemwVgEPP_PVgZLPZksJ2YW75sSfsqexRwum_VFni7fTE3gMKSX90hgZPXTJ1kCZbmYnFKDehcLycPBRZXw_fxHlfUREKMNNdUc6FYdSGkryWbB/s1600/mable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR19GrwmSqBL91peAc3XUaf2J15xemwVgEPP_PVgZLPZksJ2YW75sSfsqexRwum_VFni7fTE3gMKSX90hgZPXTJ1kCZbmYnFKDehcLycPBRZXw_fxHlfUREKMNNdUc6FYdSGkryWbB/s1600/mable.jpg" /></a></div>Mabel’s Labels is the leading provider of labels in North America. We have won many awards, including the coveted Momentum Award, RBC Women Entrepreneur of Canada Awards 2009. We have been featured on The View, Live with Regis and Kelly, The Racheal Ray Show, Breakfast Television, The Marilyn Denis Show, and many others. <br />
<br />
<strong>Best thing about your work:</strong><br />
Being in a position to engage with our community of customers and Mabel fans. That interaction is what makes this fun!<br />
<br />
<strong>Parent or not a parent?</strong><br />
Parent x6 <br />
<br />
<strong>Share a typical Tuesday (really we want to hear how you "do it all")</strong><br />
<br />
Are you ready to be exhausted?<br />
<br />
During the school year:<br />
<br />
7:00am – kids get up, 3 biggies off to school bus at 7:45am<br />
<br />
I feed three little ones, quick email check and tweet.<br />
<br />
8:30am – nanny Hazel appears and takes over, I head into office for a Manager’s meeting. If that’s my only meeting for the day, I head home afterwards<br />
<br />
12:00noon - I drive the kids in JK and SK to school for the afternoon. Baby sleeps, I work on my laptop. <br />
<br />
3:10pm – 5 kids come bursting through the door. We go through agendas, homework items, get people fed and changed for the evening activities which include dancing, Scouts, violin, hockey and any number of other things they are into. I also pack up school lunches for the next day immediately after they return home from school.<br />
<br />
8:00pm – throw 6 tired kids into bed, and hop back on the laptop. I usually go to bed around midnight.<br />
<br />
<strong>Do you blog?</strong><br />
But of course!<br />
<br />
I blog at Mabel’s Labels at <a href="http://www.mabelhood.com/JulieCole">www.mabelhood.com/JulieCole</a><br />
I blog at the Yummy Mummy Club at <a href="http://www.thebabymachine.com/">http://www.thebabymachine.com/</a><br />
<br />
<strong>Do you tweet? </strong>Who doesn’t?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/juliecole">@juliecole</a><br />
Mabel’s Labels can be followed <a href="http://www.twitter.com/mabelhood">@mabelhood</a><br />
<br />
<strong>Link to a post/portfolio/recipe piece you think shows your most supreme skills:</strong><br />
This is a tough one! I recently wrote a post that many parents could relate to: <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mabelhood.com/?s=Mrs.+Judgy">http://www.mabelhood.com/?s=Mrs.+Judgy</a><br />
<br />
<strong>Wallflower or social butterfly?</strong><br />
I’m a pretty social gal!<br />
<br />
<strong>Name 3 people you would like to meet-in-person from Twitter (add why so we can follow them too)...</strong><br />
This is tough! I think I’ve met most of the twitter folks I love! I’ll give you a couple of friends who are definitely worth a follow because they are interesting and engaging:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/tothink">@tothink</a><br />
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/phdinparenting">@phdinparenting</a><br />
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/anissamayhew">@anissamayhew</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.parentclub.ca</div>Parent Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06473048540475693889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068220830965987960.post-83599242080364854432011-08-20T21:51:00.000-04:002011-08-20T21:51:00.223-04:00The Trouble With Change<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMQCol6Ena4SutNhyphenhyphenUdqN_TAn__v3hv2rPwxusNMWcg3sdwnlecWZD0_qtZBPR_zuySXcd3MqN-nxO1uwfRN4vdEAT0BL_dEhJAMDxUbJErcYCw5LDBvgNamUtU75JvgSQ693ISYd/s1600/pcbutton2011.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMQCol6Ena4SutNhyphenhyphenUdqN_TAn__v3hv2rPwxusNMWcg3sdwnlecWZD0_qtZBPR_zuySXcd3MqN-nxO1uwfRN4vdEAT0BL_dEhJAMDxUbJErcYCw5LDBvgNamUtU75JvgSQ693ISYd/s1600/pcbutton2011.png" /></a></div>Can I tell you a secret? Shhh...just between us...Parent Club is being re-designed right now as we speak....and it scares the bejesus out of me.<br />
<br />
Never one who wholly embraces change (let's face it...I run away from change...Olympic style running) this is a big deal in my little world. <br />
<br />
On the one hand, I realize that everything - even Parent Club - must change and grow (there is a French saying <em>"if you don't change - you die"</em> morbid but true I suppose).<br />
<br />
Change is scary. The day I put my then 3 year old on a school bus for her 1st week at Maternelle (kindergarten in the French school system)...well I cried...and lost sleep...and feared the change. <br />
<br />
The day I went into give birth to Thing #3 I was worried about the change in our family in jumping from 2 kids to 3 (10 years apart!). <br />
<br />
And with both examples above - the change was beyond fantastic. And I'm (pretty) sure that changing Parent Club to a bigger platform will be fantastic too.<br />
<br />
But still the bejesus in me is shaken...some things never change. ;-)<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.parentclub.ca</div>Parent Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06473048540475693889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068220830965987960.post-26517764392846483852011-08-20T07:08:00.001-04:002011-08-20T07:08:00.937-04:00Bean bag boss<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="http://beanbagboss.com/skin/frontend/base/theme153/images/logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="46" qaa="true" src="http://beanbagboss.com/skin/frontend/base/theme153/images/logo.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://beanbagboss.com/">http://beanbagboss.com/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>THE WHAT: <a href="http://beanbagboss.com/">Bean Bag Boss</a> - an online store of...you guessed it...bean bag chairs<br />
<br />
THE HOW: Tough exterior, washable with a damp cloth, kid-friendly and parent comfy!<br />
<br />
THE WHY: Bean Bag chairs are great for reading, chilling out, tv watching, napping...geez we could go on...but we'd have to change position in the bean bag.<br />
<br />
THE REVIEW:<br />
<div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj540UY_hQ4rAdiFB_-bjxNH-GH8-18t0Zg84HKpZ-kONE2_ki3FX5is6PoyZE1wFt0yTOj0pQmXfBuc9eaLYrwRP0mM3d65moPrmbWIV6SWKlSgKBP1C97w9rEJTzohGzs-MBmsiqK/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj540UY_hQ4rAdiFB_-bjxNH-GH8-18t0Zg84HKpZ-kONE2_ki3FX5is6PoyZE1wFt0yTOj0pQmXfBuc9eaLYrwRP0mM3d65moPrmbWIV6SWKlSgKBP1C97w9rEJTzohGzs-MBmsiqK/" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Out of the plethora of bean bag choices, <a href="http://beanbagboss.com/">Solid Colors, Patterns, Plaids, Faux Leather, Lamé</a> we chose a chocolate brown (pictured above). The on-line order was quick and easy. To our surprise, the Fedex (FREE Fedex shipping!) came within days of our order.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Dibs has been called often on who gets to sit in the bean bag boss (read: we all love it). And yes, it is durable and washable - proved my kids smearing brownies all over the boss on very first sitting (argh!!) it washed super well with a damp cloth (and yes, the kids had to clean it themselves - they made the mess).</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">If you were looking for a bean bag chair for the living room, kids' room, university room or wherever...look no further...Parent Club recommends the Bean Bag Boss.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Find them on Facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/BeanbagBoss">BeanbagBoss</a> or follow them on twitter: <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/beanbagboss">beanbagboss</a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><hr /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Disclosure: We were provided a Bean Bag Boss for this hands-on review. The opinions are authentically and honestly our own.</span><br />
<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.parentclub.ca</div>Parent Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06473048540475693889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068220830965987960.post-70347396153866452082011-08-19T06:51:00.000-04:002011-08-19T06:51:28.111-04:00Tablets for Tots - part deuxIn the Parent Club <a href="http://www.parentclub.ca/2011/07/tablets-for-tots.html">Tablets for Tots</a> post we presented a break down of the benefits of <a href="http://www.parentclub.ca/2011/07/tablets-for-tots.html">Apple ipad,</a> <a href="http://www.parentclub.ca/2011/07/tablets-for-tots.html">Blackberry PlayBook</a> and <a href="http://www.parentclub.ca/2011/07/tablets-for-tots.html">Samsung Galaxy Tablet</a> specifically for family (and tot) use. <br />
<br />
The folks at Motorola didn't want to be left out (and why should they?) and offered a hands-on experience of the...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtxxQh-D5wU1gzpst_Y6XOkMcgaaWa_2m7vIwlvT5MEUxOJo5wW1OU09F8rsK_e2ioxABm3EsUqkz-wwN1jW9ur-YSiJml30M7xPRrsoDL-_GE0EZ5WHq8f1Ln_ItwJ5B2jfnR746/s1600/motorolla+xoom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtxxQh-D5wU1gzpst_Y6XOkMcgaaWa_2m7vIwlvT5MEUxOJo5wW1OU09F8rsK_e2ioxABm3EsUqkz-wwN1jW9ur-YSiJml30M7xPRrsoDL-_GE0EZ5WHq8f1Ln_ItwJ5B2jfnR746/s1600/motorolla+xoom.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Motorola Xoom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The Motorola Xoom is the perfect size for gaming and watching movies. Definition is great. Kids can easily maneuver the screen to change between applications (better than I really). <br />
<br />
It looks lighter than it is. The off button is at the back so little hands won't mistakenly power off. Definitely a grown up tool that is kid-friendly. Favourite apps on this android were piano and drawing. <br />
<br />
Note: being an android device you need a google gmail id to set-up.<br />
<br />
The tablet market is full of great devices for mobility, entertainment and education. Now...just to find an organization app to schedule it all in...<br />
<hr /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Disclosure: Parent Club was lent a Mortorla Xoom for hands-on review (and yes, we reluctantly gave it back). The opinions on this review are our authentic own. </span><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.parentclub.ca</div>Parent Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06473048540475693889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068220830965987960.post-80110072925382799052011-08-17T16:47:00.000-04:002011-08-17T16:47:04.511-04:00How much should I pay a babysitter?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvNYua30VNh0CcQFtTf4pdhqQGCf5GiOZ2oSFxvC9bLf0NwKWxIHjy43-ABHNG9Py4fvGZkCLEQDaskzxMs_BQaRTFDwOs4XUAkJGVd1LGx8KKRxDyxfvRtRbyH4qQr992bdB98DP/s1600/pcbutton2011.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvNYua30VNh0CcQFtTf4pdhqQGCf5GiOZ2oSFxvC9bLf0NwKWxIHjy43-ABHNG9Py4fvGZkCLEQDaskzxMs_BQaRTFDwOs4XUAkJGVd1LGx8KKRxDyxfvRtRbyH4qQr992bdB98DP/s1600/pcbutton2011.png" /></a></div>From the Parent Club archives (and timely following <a href="http://www.parentclub.ca/2011/08/funny-mummy-real-babysitting-101-course.html">The Real Babysitting 101 Course</a> post)<br />
<br />
We invite you to read one of the top-ten most read Parent Club posts: <a href="http://www.parentclub.ca/2009/05/how-much-do-you-pay-babysitter.html">How much to pay a babysitter?</a><br />
<br />
Here is the question of today Parent Club -- <a href="http://www.parentclub.ca/2009/05/how-much-do-you-pay-babysitter.html">How much do you pay a babysitter?</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<em>Some of you may have loverly grandparents who babysit free-of-charge (or siblings/extended family/whatever) - or - some of you may have great neighbours who are willing to watch your kids for a couple of hours for a future return of service. </em><br />
<em>I have never known a teen babysitter to actually set a fee - they have left it up to me to set a price. I try to overpay -- so that the teenager A.)books me first if ever I call for a babysitting day B.) takes especially good care of my krazy kids C.) I know most of the parents of our babysitters and well, there is a point of not looking cheap...</em><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.parentclub.ca/2009/05/how-much-do-you-pay-babysitter.html">Click</a> to continue reading (and the comments are full of great tips on paying babysitters!)<br />
<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.parentclub.ca</div>Parent Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06473048540475693889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068220830965987960.post-60839044584968923862011-08-15T21:39:00.000-04:002011-08-15T21:39:45.648-04:00Funny Mummy | The Real Babysitting 101 Course<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgthOUf4EV-l6N4aLXUFcAQtcP8CStv4lJf2Q6LEYVcZi7H8r7_P68HnyCoCP-Zk_JYLtS2Ppts5jjSTG6wW8Lmo5WTl7lZyXVnT6h8TnbRiOX1HIh-2Hf5bVCG8QozIIb0pp_uYbNA/s1600/kathy+buckworth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgthOUf4EV-l6N4aLXUFcAQtcP8CStv4lJf2Q6LEYVcZi7H8r7_P68HnyCoCP-Zk_JYLtS2Ppts5jjSTG6wW8Lmo5WTl7lZyXVnT6h8TnbRiOX1HIh-2Hf5bVCG8QozIIb0pp_uYbNA/s1600/kathy+buckworth.jpg" /></a></div> Like many 12 year olds, my daughter recently completed her “Babysitting Course”, which in theory will enable her to venture forth into the world of watching other people’s children with insight, knowledge, and experience. However, after having reviewed the course materials and grilling her on the information that was shared, I do believe that as a mother of four I should share some vital facts which seem to have been left out of the course content.<br />
<br />
<br />
<li>Changing a diaper on a teddy bear, life sized baby doll or stuffed Elmo is nothing like changing the diaper on a real life, pooping baby. In order to replicate this activity without borrowing an actual baby, you could practice by stuffing an angry octopus into a small plastic bag. About 14 times. For one change. And if you think the squid ink is bad, well…</li><br />
<br />
<br />
<li>Most children do not like going to bed. Most babysitting jobs span the exact timeline of getting children into bed. This is not an accident by the employing parents. They may have in fact secured your babysitting services entirely to avoid putting their own children to bed, for one night. A refusal to go to bed by the child, coupled with the 114th reading of GoodNight Moon will wear down even the most patient of parents. They’ve decided it’s your turn. Good luck. Wear protection.</li><br />
<br />
<br />
<li>Parents will tell you that as long as the kids are safe, happy, and healthy (and put to bed on time, as per the last point), they aren’t fussed if you make a mess doing arts and crafts, feeding the kids, or playing games/building forts. This is a lie. We all hate coming home to a messy house and if you need to leave Junior in front of the television or video game for half an hour before we get home, it’s fine with most of us if it means all the couch cushions are back in their rightful spots.</li><br />
<br />
<br />
<li>Parents who tell you outright that they try to limit their children to only half an hour of television per night are most likely to be the ones who let their kids watch television non-stop all week and are trying to lower their child’s average hours of viewing for that week, all in one night, courtesy of you. Good luck with that. Start building that fort.</li><br />
<br />
<br />
<li>Use the “Well I’m just going to call your Mother and ask her” threats wisely. Kids catch on to this really quickly (just like the fake calls to Santa and the Easter Bunny). Practicing a fake one-way conversation with fake angry Mom is good practice for any babysitter. Do some role play with your friends.</li><br />
<br />
<br />
<li>It’s not always a bad thing if the parents don’t have the money to pay you on the spot when they get home. Most of us feel so guilty that we made you wait for your money that we top up even more the next day when we drop it off. And never say “It’s too much.” We know what the real cost is of watching our own kids. It’s not too much. Reading GoodNight Moon one more time? Now that’s “too much”.</li><br />
<br />
<hr /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Read Funny Mummy every month and follow Kathy on Twitter at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/kathybuckworth">www.twitter.com/kathybuckworth</a> Visit <a href="http://www.kathybuckworth.com/">http://www.kathybuckworth.com/</a></span> <div class="blogger-post-footer">www.parentclub.ca</div>Parent Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06473048540475693889noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068220830965987960.post-27668144379319727122011-08-12T12:13:00.000-04:002011-08-12T12:13:28.411-04:00Baby Food On The Go | #TravelTipCarrying around infant cereal in a baggie but no recipient to use for feeding? Here's a smart travel tip: <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgx7p1NRh3jo2ObuZo3F2tv6wjSfO_ttH7UUdNBkzax8zo-ed48SbTUaKvUwGvY0KVey9HpJfGyEhn_a3G1My5GTaJ_JxygkLqoAp65G1OSbHNRA-BJOI7ZbuhPP5wkEwNMdouwDR/s1600/motts-applesauce1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgx7p1NRh3jo2ObuZo3F2tv6wjSfO_ttH7UUdNBkzax8zo-ed48SbTUaKvUwGvY0KVey9HpJfGyEhn_a3G1My5GTaJ_JxygkLqoAp65G1OSbHNRA-BJOI7ZbuhPP5wkEwNMdouwDR/s320/motts-applesauce1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yes, we eat Mott's</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Wash your old applesauce containers and <span style="color: red;">recycle</span> <span style="color: red;">reclaim</span> and <span style="color: red;">re purpose</span> them as your on-the-go baby food bowl. <br />
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Won't matter if your lose it on your travels. Easy enough to rinse out to wash. It makes life easier for busy parents!<br />
<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.parentclub.ca</div>Parent Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06473048540475693889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068220830965987960.post-59083160382808549242011-08-11T17:01:00.000-04:002011-08-11T17:01:34.790-04:00General Mills Free Towel Giveaway Winner | #LMDConnector<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV7XXVk1mJpUJsz6hBN7wmCSp5o1NXr3YH3ftEwxvX0YJCa2w-okRg2oe1Sr3U9cN12dGsUrUZXBRte9HqgTBtcM0UWLGbFc0Mc6y7oubrLvNfkUQ2olSudjf5_Jv6jPLyB7LBp5lS/s1600/LMD+towel+giveaway+winner.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV7XXVk1mJpUJsz6hBN7wmCSp5o1NXr3YH3ftEwxvX0YJCa2w-okRg2oe1Sr3U9cN12dGsUrUZXBRte9HqgTBtcM0UWLGbFc0Mc6y7oubrLvNfkUQ2olSudjf5_Jv6jPLyB7LBp5lS/s1600/LMD+towel+giveaway+winner.JPG" /></a></div>153 D.Calvert said... <br />
<br />
Tweeted<br />
<br />
http://twitter.com/dewinner/status/97088074533703680<br />
<br />
calvert0 at telus dot net <br />
<br />
<br />
29 July, 2011 7:36 PM <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Thanks to the other 225 entrants for participating! Check back soon for other giveaway opportunities.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.parentclub.ca</div>Parent Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06473048540475693889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068220830965987960.post-88471926974103891552011-08-10T11:34:00.000-04:002011-08-10T11:34:30.763-04:00The Travel ItchRight before I go on a trip en famille - I get a travel itch. It's a worry-ing, nervous, anxiety-ish type of itch (it's the way I am). <br />
<br />
And those who know me - know my worries go straight to my tummy. Never a good thing. Especially when travel approaches.<br />
<br />
So instead...I focus (almost imprint) on something to BUY for a trip. (I'm not a buy buy buy type of girl usually - I'm fairly un-splurge-ous).<br />
<br />
Trip before last I had to buy this:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKGDPWkRqlYQR7vV3ufHbPHdE_K4ddG0BehEKQHw1TOVoiSskLmynBUQr7CtlX7Z6qhyZxQJVDV7vnqMldfmoFxbl1-Lt2oPw0iOkTrBaGN6o5blEDnP5xJDRGfTU7FDGFQosebJW/s1600/pleasemum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKGDPWkRqlYQR7vV3ufHbPHdE_K4ddG0BehEKQHw1TOVoiSskLmynBUQr7CtlX7Z6qhyZxQJVDV7vnqMldfmoFxbl1-Lt2oPw0iOkTrBaGN6o5blEDnP5xJDRGfTU7FDGFQosebJW/s1600/pleasemum.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Please Mum Puddle Jumper - it is great</td></tr>
</tbody></table>And that coat was perfect for chilly, rainy walking! (and shipping was free and it was on sale...so really it was meant to be!).<br />
<br />
Going to the cottage, I learned about...and had to BUY<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprl00vft-Y_JB43lbnpW-wKmSLUoho1D26ngLp5GrdmdY2FiDlqtb6JiRxeQXh_xwpsoSqoNNiS40pGaapL6XD8lMztw-K71PUcplfdHiHpVYLkzBjOwkxXq1oLoQ3o1uE25Jrk7r/s1600/gopod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprl00vft-Y_JB43lbnpW-wKmSLUoho1D26ngLp5GrdmdY2FiDlqtb6JiRxeQXh_xwpsoSqoNNiS40pGaapL6XD8lMztw-K71PUcplfdHiHpVYLkzBjOwkxXq1oLoQ3o1uE25Jrk7r/s1600/gopod.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Go-pod - it is le great</td></tr>
</tbody></table>And the babe LOVED hanging out in that go-pod (and I loved packing it - super portable).<br />
<br />
Are these itches so capricious? When it's the kids who benefit? And if it helps direct my energies away from my tummy....can't be bad right?...<br />
<br />
And so leaving this weekend on another trip and I have a bit of an itch...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlwUh453M79kJbaclE9AK3AaWq_09dqzREy5_FgFKxKkAqsx5AXcbxcr7wfjK1U7faG8OZqjIcGgf-2Czp0BWA8faxJRgyDT8-bNzua72SKo93eEqYpwZHndUANZpMQXBo0AgYSUVR/s1600/pliko.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlwUh453M79kJbaclE9AK3AaWq_09dqzREy5_FgFKxKkAqsx5AXcbxcr7wfjK1U7faG8OZqjIcGgf-2Czp0BWA8faxJRgyDT8-bNzua72SKo93eEqYpwZHndUANZpMQXBo0AgYSUVR/s1600/pliko.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peg Perego Pliko 3 - kijji-ing it right now<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="left">If you've got an itch you have to scratch right?...</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.parentclub.ca</div>Parent Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06473048540475693889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068220830965987960.post-46676785610197344332011-08-08T15:00:00.002-04:002011-08-08T15:00:02.378-04:00Eating Local | #LMDConnectorYou might not know this but I interviewed the authors of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_100-Mile_Diet">100 Mile Diet</a> for Canadian Girl magazine a few years ago. (Side note: 100 Mile Diet is a book written by a Canadian couple who decided to eat only what was produced within 100 miles of their home for a year...needless to say they went without chocolate).<br />
<br />
However, what they did eat were seasonal foods picked at their freshest and with the lowest food-miles. Worth a year without cocoa.<br />
<br />
I am a big farmer's market city girl. And local berries are my family's latest farm to table treat.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5RJ-1EOrs32QnkDkpPRO0u_C5UprpKibpwxN7yCGYi7WXQueN2l5LMOaJx5d_vI-9DBOpoQUrwvwrjoC6i-gcFdeffQ_VPbEmaGmu5lygsmomjiCskfWM-bT0wu5DcXg0Qu0pAHm9/s1600/262266_10150295584810560_696275559_9508014_7953388_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5RJ-1EOrs32QnkDkpPRO0u_C5UprpKibpwxN7yCGYi7WXQueN2l5LMOaJx5d_vI-9DBOpoQUrwvwrjoC6i-gcFdeffQ_VPbEmaGmu5lygsmomjiCskfWM-bT0wu5DcXg0Qu0pAHm9/s320/262266_10150295584810560_696275559_9508014_7953388_n.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div>You can find some <a href="http://www.lifemadedelicious.ca/">easy recipes </a>for cobblers, crisps and more at that link. <br />
<br />
I've already made my yearly double batch of Ontario strawberry jam...local and delish!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic; font-size: xx-small;">Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.parentclub.ca</div>Parent Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06473048540475693889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068220830965987960.post-33283703566443209112011-08-08T08:38:00.000-04:002011-08-08T08:38:00.460-04:00Sense and resentenabilityI am of two minds these summer days. One mind is much enjoying "Camp Mom" (where I am full-time caring, hangin' and activity-izing my 2 big kids and 1 small babe). It's a good life.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEU8CIgnOAFkx7_eEkOTfItJBTBvd0Eqiw_S4Jz8EWY11L6D8RXxFeicRY0aniZjzbWVaarDScAxf8uiZMO4TX5WQP0Vq1q4yD3KKekacg8KfCiF8Al0VKfPDyNujWozGvY4MKMWR/s1600/cmpsilho.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEU8CIgnOAFkx7_eEkOTfItJBTBvd0Eqiw_S4Jz8EWY11L6D8RXxFeicRY0aniZjzbWVaarDScAxf8uiZMO4TX5WQP0Vq1q4yD3KKekacg8KfCiF8Al0VKfPDyNujWozGvY4MKMWR/s200/cmpsilho.gif" t$="true" width="176" /></a>But that other, sneaky and stealth mind is resentful of no "me time". I miss writing. I miss networking. I miss talking with other grown-ups. <br />
<br />
Good Gandhi - growing humans is a rewarding and amazing experience. I wouldn't trade it for the world (or George Clooney). And, no I wouldn't want to go back to full-time-out-in-the-world-paid-work and put these 3 humans in daycare. I do know I have a good life - and am grateful for it. Staying home with them is a privilege.<br />
<br />
But it's also a job.<br />
<br />
A big job.<br />
<br />
An all encompassing job.<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And I struggle to find time to write my <a href="http://yummymummyclub.ca/caroline-fernandez-in-the-nick-of-time">Nick of Time</a> column over at <a href="http://yummymummyclub.ca/">yummymummyclub.ca</a>. And pop in to <a href="http://www.fisherpriceplay.ca/">http://www.fisherpriceplay.ca/</a> and share dear son's latest milestones. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And I remind myself that when I wrote about <a href="http://www.parentclub.ca/2009/04/life-lessons.html">life lessons</a> and <a href="http://www.parentclub.ca/2009/07/re-calculating-parenting.html">re-calculating parenting</a> and <a href="http://www.parentclub.ca/2009/08/mourning-baby.html">mourning a baby</a>...that there is a bigger picture. And I tend to dwell in the details.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So I push the 2nd sneaky stealth mind to the side. There will be days and years of "me time" "writing time" and "grown up time" in my future. Right now, I must appreciate the growing years because I know they fly so fast...</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.parentclub.ca</div>Parent Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06473048540475693889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068220830965987960.post-84185127145684102702011-08-06T14:17:00.003-04:002011-08-09T13:42:09.624-04:00<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fisherpriceplay.ca/wp-content/themes/fp-1.1.1/img/en-CA/feature-boxes/win.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.fisherpriceplay.ca/wp-content/themes/fp-1.1.1/img/en-CA/feature-boxes/win.png" t$="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fisherpriceplay.ca/">http://www.fisherpriceplay.ca/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Do you know you could WIN a $400 prize pack over at <a href="http://fisherpriceplay.ca/">fisherpriceplay.ca</a> just for sharing your child's milestones?<br />
<br />
I shared my milestones <a href="http://www.parentclub.ca/search/label/%23playpanel">HERE</a> (well, not MY milestones...dear son's milestones...my milestones are full night's sleep and a fresh shower these days).<br />
<br />
Moving on...share your milestones, meet the Fisher-Price Moms (do you spy me there)? and browse the toys that will help your babies play laugh grow.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaasoGD3TsncUyOgCnjrTJyew-7WiFwhPW0n-6fNH0qs2Tfi8Kvel995nm9fP2xbg_r7WgUhH2EmCzPWoDEDfPDJghLLIt4BJjXg4MsLEjbikLxrZrHbJSb-iSbMUMUN38fXdY-0o/s1600/Fabric-Wall-B-Front_50%2525%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaasoGD3TsncUyOgCnjrTJyew-7WiFwhPW0n-6fNH0qs2Tfi8Kvel995nm9fP2xbg_r7WgUhH2EmCzPWoDEDfPDJghLLIt4BJjXg4MsLEjbikLxrZrHbJSb-iSbMUMUN38fXdY-0o/s400/Fabric-Wall-B-Front_50%2525%255B1%255D.JPG" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Disclosure: I am part of the Fisher-Price #playpanel program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.</span> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.parentclub.ca</div>Parent Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06473048540475693889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068220830965987960.post-6496838083438360012011-08-04T14:15:00.002-04:002011-08-09T13:42:30.042-04:00Brilliant Basics is a go-to toy | #playpanelI have been trying (so unsuccessfully) to get things done around the house. My almost 7 month old wants, whines, and wills me to entertain him. And I get <strike>frustrated,</strike> <strike>resentful</strike>, derailed. I'm not sorry <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsV3qSbl3o2PF1lEeSFCegPL5NhNt-xKDjwLtGKPbGLqfbWYUBwxcsAWlkc7fHhoBnEtAYZe4Zs9SzyuK2uIm98r-lfJN0LQXMZaS3SCIySyb0wBo82ZBHJ5XWX1FfROm9cB4JhHai/s1600/imagesCA7V8W08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsV3qSbl3o2PF1lEeSFCegPL5NhNt-xKDjwLtGKPbGLqfbWYUBwxcsAWlkc7fHhoBnEtAYZe4Zs9SzyuK2uIm98r-lfJN0LQXMZaS3SCIySyb0wBo82ZBHJ5XWX1FfROm9cB4JhHai/s1600/imagesCA7V8W08.jpg" t$="true" /></a>that I have this wonderful baby to entertain. I just get frustrated in that my house looks like a tsunami hit. Everyday. <br />
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Enter in the <a href="http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=2341&e=detail&pcat=bubrilliant&pid=38691">Fisher-Price Brilliant Basics Blocks</a> and I have found the magic key to unlocking a bit of time to get things done concurrently with entertaining the babe.<br />
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These blocks are just the right size for his little hands to hold, bop (on his highchair) and drop on the floor (he looks for where they've gone). I place the bucket on its side on his highchair tray and he's happy to play with the handle, pull out the different shaped blocks and hit them on the table making tap tap tap sounds. And I can wash the dishes!<br />
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What's best about these blocks is that they are really easy to grasp. My son - not co-ordinated at this age - can pick-up, turn and play with the 10 blocks very easily.<br />
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The simplest toys are always the best right?<br />
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Now he's not at the shape sorting age yet nor can he stack them up...but this is a toy that will grow with him to when he hits those milestones. <em> (Aside: I've seen my 10 year old sorting the blocks through the shape-sorting lid - siblings can play with this toy too!)</em><br />
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It's great to have a go-to toy to play with when Mom just needs to get the dishes (or whatever) done. This is our go-to toy right now. And it's brilliant.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Disclosure: I am part of the Fisher-Price #playpanel program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own. </span><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.parentclub.ca</div>Parent Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06473048540475693889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068220830965987960.post-40923988477260473782011-08-04T13:54:00.000-04:002011-08-04T13:54:51.300-04:00FREE RIO screening in Toronto<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBagkqbtK5C4lPhXebeZ0A1ZT7xrnv6vR_JwdkdKC7OnBrwMiwgTVTghe0MgTYWcEEn474sMronnQ5d9z5rFhFz4gMUPfgB_6LzbVgajYLLMF-j_MlaKtcvZ_TnkcEsH4bkYtjerr/s1600/rio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBagkqbtK5C4lPhXebeZ0A1ZT7xrnv6vR_JwdkdKC7OnBrwMiwgTVTghe0MgTYWcEEn474sMronnQ5d9z5rFhFz4gMUPfgB_6LzbVgajYLLMF-j_MlaKtcvZ_TnkcEsH4bkYtjerr/s640/rio.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Dear readers, rsvp directly to <a href="mailto:Nicole.McKnight@Ketchum.com">Nicole.McKnight@Ketchum.com</a> to reserve your seats for this free screening. <br />
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I can tell you, we've seen RIO, great music - no scary parts - funny dialogue.<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.parentclub.ca</div>Parent Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06473048540475693889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068220830965987960.post-90557284594164366062011-08-04T13:35:00.000-04:002011-08-04T13:35:33.257-04:00FREE Concerts at Ontario Place<span style="font-family: inherit;">FREE Family-field trip alert for this weekend!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">THE WHERE: Echo Beach outdoor concert venue - Ontario Place</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">THE WHAT: </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Friday August 5, Canadian indie-rockers Sloan will take the stage at 9:30 pm, with opening acts starting at 7:30 pm</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Saturday August 6 will feature a double-bill performance. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">4 pm Toronto Concert Orchestra</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">9 pm Platinum Blonde</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The concerts are in partnership with Live Nation and free to guests as they enjoy free admission to the grounds of Ontario Place throughout the summer, which is presented by CTV. For more information about Ontario Place’s 40th Anniversary Concert Series please visit </span><a href="http://www.ontarioplace.com/concerts"><span style="font-size: x-small;">www.ontarioplace.com/concerts</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> or </span><a href="http://echobeach.ca/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">echobeach.ca</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.parentclub.ca</div>Parent Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06473048540475693889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068220830965987960.post-91336106917666940422011-08-03T09:57:00.001-04:002011-08-09T13:42:54.738-04:00Boy Meets Penguin | #playpanel<div>One day a boy meets a penguin and well...his life changes. Ok maybe "life changer" is an overstatement...but it certainly makes playtime a whole 'nother world of fun. The wobbly, woozy, <a href="http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=280000&e=product&pid=58699">Go Baby Go!™ Bat & Wobble Penguin</a> is a boy/penguin relationship that no parent can put aside. <br />
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The penguin makes silly, funny, musical sounds which make my dear son sqee and squeel with excitement. He loves to bop it while lying down and kick it (not so gently - thank goodness it's sturdy) when he sits. <br />
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It can change his mood from whiny to "what's that?!". He even giggles (which is the coolest sound EVER).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQrojgHUeRraplft2lwNU8VL3OIHTYqpU2o4iGfWNnn5hZGO55OJphXqbqWOuwN7zmljusvmyI6lZ8lZZPQqV_3l_KmkirxzE4nxlBo6d8MjBtWrc4-HGrM3x4ITzzdur5lYJQYzg/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boy Meets Penguin<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Disclosure: I am part of the Fisher-Price #playpanel program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own. </span><br />
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</tbody></table></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.parentclub.ca</div>Parent Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06473048540475693889noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068220830965987960.post-57465959465066612972011-08-02T18:11:00.002-04:002011-08-02T18:13:47.633-04:00Parent Club #UltimateSandwichI was challenged to come up with the #UltimateSandwich by @<a class="user-profile-link user-screen-name" data-user-id="36696461" href="http://twitter.com/#!/MC_Canada"><strong><span style="color: black;">MC_Canada</span></strong></a> and @<span class="at-text"><span style="color: #2d76b9;"><a href="mailto:and@Black_DeckerUS">Black_DeckerUS</a></span></span> <span class="at-text">using my <span style="color: #351c75; font-family: inherit;"><strong>mad cooking skills</strong></span> <em>(ok more frustrated than </em><span style="color: #351c75;"><strong>mad</strong></span><em>...my kids are picky!)</em> and a Black & Decker Convection Oven. </span><br />
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<span class="at-text">I, dear readers, have actually already eaten the ultimate sandwich. And it was in France. And you know those French people know a thing or two about ultimates of food. </span><br />
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<span class="at-text">But first I had to make breakfast.</span><br />
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<div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijv828ZjW5ZZ6QtAcqPT1VpSZKvxEfl0b0OLYCMkedzirTybfeBm_2eUpxwo6aphZ7j7lvQle-m6Rf2FDoL-lcioI6Pjvo4ikaxpfByyKWakCirwL8U4TLpiIgP99pBT4gif5MTmtX/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">choice du jour: lightly toasted</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div><span class="at-text">And then lunch happened.</span></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6KBLHfiwxn_gq0IX_mg5xrxbNTpcHrK6wPeRqOVVdRWm02VO6fcOtGKqDQgPeZi2uFptTW4iYionQGWsvD-AyKPkkThES9BK_EgP1YKqguXJ0qppRk9C_RaVBw5IVqQmCeYvI95y3/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">don't judge nutritional value of baked pizza</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>My Parent Club #UltimateSandwich took 20 minutes from oven to table with the using the 3 of the 4<span style="color: #990000;"><strong> functions</strong></span> of the Black & Decker Convection Oven (and I would like to personally thank the makers for the <span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong><span style="color: #990000;">easy-view</span><span style="color: #990000;"> glass door</span></strong></span> which made waiting for dinner entertainment for my kids along with the <span style="color: #990000;"><strong>ready signal bell</strong></span> because at minute18 the baby started crying.)<br />
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<strong>3 Main Ingredients to le best sandwich you've ever eaten:</strong><br />
<li>demi baguette<br />
<li>steak haché <br />
<li>frites<br />
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While I <strong><span style="color: #990000;">baked</span></strong> the demi baguettes (3 fit in the oven at the same time! woot woot) - I browned the ground beef adding garlic, salt & pepper and a whole lot of <em>"Dinner's coming please go watch TV". </em><br />
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10 min. bread is baked. <em>"Guys it's coming!"</em> Put French fries on the <span style="color: #990000;"><strong>bake pan</strong></span> in oven <em>"Almost ready.."</em> Cut the bread in half to <span style="color: #990000;"><strong>toast</strong></span> for crunchy goodness. Picked up crying baby with one hand and smeared mayonnaise on the toasted crunchy goodness bread with the other. Now cooking one-handed (literally) popped the fries back in to <strong><span style="color: #990000;">warm</span></strong> while I assembled le sandwich.<br />
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Done! <strong>Sandwich steak haché frites</strong><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKSHfAWFJiUezj3CpS7MOFP1AGkxROyPVtQz7qqGogCLCuomkhkKvIBhhRTrV9xHKTG0aWgU3irlU5pWQMLxvWqK5YPZGrNFrKaLucjlDGDkOdx32ZxqmaywriPZa3c0tkl_Hj4BV/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">le #UltimateSandwich inspired in France and eaten in my house last night</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;">French fries inside a baguette married with mayonnaise and fresh beef - it looks so wrong but tastes so right. And the Black & Decker Convection Oven <span style="font-size: x-small;">(available in Canada in August 2010)</span> made it so easy. </div><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Disclosure: I created this post as part of the Black & Decker Ultimate Sandwich contest as part of a Mom Central Canada program. I received a Convection Countertop Oven Courtesy of Applica Canada Corporation, exclusive licensee of Black & Decker Home. The opinions on this blog are my own.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.parentclub.ca</div>Parent Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06473048540475693889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068220830965987960.post-15560720442317050402011-07-27T08:14:00.002-04:002011-07-27T08:14:00.899-04:00Parent Club Blog HopI'm le cottage-ing this very moment - thus what better time to host a blog hop!?! Why? Because I can come back and read what YOU'VE been up to this week.<br />
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As always - please keep links family-friendly. Old bloggy friends (well, you aren't that old...you look youthful reallY) and new bloggy friends invited to hop along.<br />
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Should you wish to grab mon button...<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.parentclub.ca/" target="_blank" title="Parent Club"><img alt="Blog Design, Custom Blog Designs" src="http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af319/laralheis/Custom%20Designs/87a86025.png" /></a> <center><br />
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<center><textarea cols="13" id="code-source" name="code-source" rows="3"><center><a href="http://www.parentclub.ca"><img border="0" src="http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af319/laralheis/Custom%20Designs/87a86025.png"/></a></center></textarea></center></center></center><br />
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</script><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.parentclub.ca</div>Parent Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06473048540475693889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068220830965987960.post-35708606978928439242011-07-26T08:52:00.001-04:002011-07-26T08:52:01.871-04:00#TravelTuesday Tip: Airport playgroundsTravelling with kids? Research your airports and learn about the in-house playgrounds. That's right! #TravelTuesday tip: airports have playgrounds.<br />
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Toronto Pearson has a children's slide and play structure in front of several gates in the international departure area.<br />
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Frankfurt airport has a climbing slide in a restaurant on the 2nd floor as well as a play area (with Disney movies) in the airport.<br />
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Paris has a kids video game console in the international departure area. <br />
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I know this all first hand from many trips where the kids needed to stretch their legs and play after a +8 hour flight. When the kids are jumpy and mommy's tired a playground is a life saver!<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.parentclub.ca</div>Parent Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06473048540475693889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068220830965987960.post-82181724741664702462011-07-24T17:11:00.000-04:002011-07-24T17:11:53.965-04:00Hamilton Beach Bébé Products Make Life EasierTHE WHAT: <a href="http://www.toysrus.ca/search/index.jsp?fv=TRUSCA%2F2567270&f=Taxonomy&keywords=hamilton+beach">Hamilton Beach Bébé Mini Blender</a> and <a href="http://www.toysrus.ca/search/index.jsp?fv=TRUSCA%2F2567270&f=Taxonomy&keywords=hamilton+beach">Hamilton Beach Bébé 3 Cup Food Chopper</a> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://trusca.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pTRUCA1-9123781t130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://trusca.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pTRUCA1-9123781t130.jpg" t$="true" /></a><a href="http://trusca.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pTRUCA1-9123780t130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://trusca.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pTRUCA1-9123780t130.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">THE HOW: Dishwasher safe, this mini blender and food chopper are the new parents' best friend. Small enough to fit on the kitchen counter without being cumbersome yet powerful enough to get the job done. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">THE WHY: Because making baby food from scratch is family-budget-friendly and really just easy! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">THE REVIEW: Both tools were used to make a week's worth of baby food and the result was easy, fast and perfect. The elements wash up in a jif (yes, I use words like jif). The chopper was fairly quiet (a big WIN for when making baby food with baby in the kitchen - quieter is better). The one touch blender was even so simple and safe that my 8 year old was able to "make" baby food for her brother. (Also, works great for smoothies for the whole family!)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">PARENT CLUB RECOMMENDED.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.parentclub.ca</div>Parent Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06473048540475693889noreply@blogger.com0