Raising My Boys

Date Night

2012-02-15T11:49:00.000-05:00

Do you know how long it's been since Hubs and I had actually went out together for a date night? Just the two of us?

Me neither. I don't think we even went out for our anniversary last September. Oh! Wait. While we were at Disney in October we dropped Little Boo off at one of the kids' clubs for a few hours and went for a delayed anniversary dinner at Shula's Steakhouse. And I was so sick I couldn't imagine eating red meat. So I had mahi mahi, which I am sure was stunningly good, but I couldn't taste a thing. I sniffled and coughed my way through our candlelit "romantic" dinner. At least Hubs enjoyed some special time romancing his steak. (That sounds bad.)

Since both of our birthdays are in January, we planned to go out for a nice dinner, just the two of us, on the 28th, because the Teen would be with us to babysit. Well, about half-way through making homemade pizza, Hubs asked, "Weren't we supposed to go out tonight?" Yep. We forgot all about our date. Even with built-in babysitting who had been assuming all along that we were leaving at some point. Being a Teen he didn't speak up. And since neither one of us felt like rushing about to get ready at that point, we stayed home with the kids. Again.

But we made a promise to each other that we would go out at the next opportunity. Because dates are important. Time alone together is important. And we just don't get enough of it.

Pollo con Mole

This past weekend we did it. We set the kids up with some KD (ha!) and we went down to Danforth Ave to try a Mexican restaurant we hadn't been to before. It was small and homey and served both Mexican and Peruvian cuisine. Restaurant La Cabana. Our server was also the owner, so we were made to feel very welcome and comfortable. The food was delicious, the servings generous, the prices very reasonable. And there was parking quite nearby, which was important as this was the first real wintery cold night we had had so far this year. Brrr.

Sangria for him, Pisco Sour for me

We toasted us and our belated birthday celebrations. We ate and talked and reconnected. I will admit that we did talk about the kids, but we also talked about so much more. We don't spend enough time together, just us two. We need to remedy that. You know, I kinda like him after all!

It will take effort I am sure, but we will remind ourselves that these date nights are important to us as a couple, separate from us as parents. We will make plans, and actually put them on the calendar so we don't forget about them!!

There are lots more restaurants to be discovered ...

Minimize Monday - Week 4 - Toys

2012-02-13T10:40:00.001-05:00

Monday! Time to brag about what I purged last week (which means over the weekend in my house - it's the only big task time I can find). This week I finally made a dent in the masses of outgrown toys we have sitting around.

There were broken toys that were only good for the trash. Not many though, which is good. The bin is going as well. The cover was broken in about 5 pieces.

There were toys with life still left in them, that just need a good home. The lower box went to charity. The top box will go to Once Upon a Child. Whatever they don't buy will go to charity as well. What they do buy will generate a few dollars to go into the new toy fund. Or the pedicure for Mommy fund. One or the other.

And, finally, there is a box of items that were missing some parts or instruction booklets. Once I find those, these will be gone. Pablo, Ming Ming and Elmo are still on the unsure list. They were so special to Little Boo I am considering saving them. But I think common sense will win out and they will head to OUAC with the other box.

The vetting of old toys is always difficult for my kids. But I make sure to talk with them about how they are very lucky to have so many great toys, plus the ability to get more. Not all kids are so lucky, so it's good for us to pass along toys to them once we're done playing with them. The Teen inherited pack rat sensibilities from Hubs, so it was really difficult with him. I've been trying to groom Little Boo since toddler-hood, so we'll see how it goes!

Did you remove any clutter or unneeded items from your life this week? I'd love to hear about how you are lightening your load. And if you've blogged about it, head on over to Mommy Moment and link up your post for us all to share!

The Splash 'n Boots Show Act 2 - Review & Giveaway

2012-02-11T16:46:00.000-05:00

This DVD is subtitled, "A Whole Lot of Awesome," and according to my Little Boo, that is spot on right. Splash n' Boots are a Canadian husband and wife duo, who began performing together in 2003, as students at Queen's University. Since then they have recorded 5 albums, produced 2 DVDs, toured across the nation as well as internationally, and been voted Canadian Children's Music Group of the Year! Whew! Currently they are being featured on Treehouse TV (4 year contract!), and are appearing in 4 half-hour Roll Play episodes, recorded from their recent tour.

The DVD plays like a variety show for the kids, and so it really keeps them interested. Moving from funny skits, like "Hide and Seek," to music videos, interspersed with appearances by children playing "Let's Pretend" and performing their stretches, this is an engaging 50 minutes of play.

Little Boo was giggling and singing along. He loved the catchy music and just couldn't keep still. I like that! This DVD does come with a warning label - "May cause laughing and spontaneous dancing" - and that is exactly what we found. And, as a grown-up (or so I'm told), I found this entertaining as well. It wasn't saccharin. It didn't talk down to kids or feel fake. These two really do seem to be having a great time. Their enthusiasm is infectious.

The extra features on the disc include the option to watch just the music videos, or to watch a series of their "Kitchen Jams." These are songs that the duo write in response to themes sent in by their fans. They record them live in their own kitchen. Very unique!

Splash 'N Boots have their 6th album coming out soon. They are crowd sourcing the content for this one and have been soliciting suggestions from their fans. The song titles have been chosen, but they are still looking for the album title. You can head on over to their Facebook page for more info. The suggestions will be collected until they compile the list on February 13. And be sure to visit them online to check out their videos and tour dates. You can also visit their online store to purchase your own DVDs, CDs, and special Splash 'N Boots merchandise.

Woo Hoo! Would you like to win your own copy of The Splash 'N Boots Show Act 2?? Well, I think we can arrange that. One lucky Raising My Boys reader will receive their very own copy to love and enjoy. Get dancing!!

This contest is open to Canadian residents only, and will run through midnight (EST) February 25th. Please enter via the Rafflecopter widget below. Good luck!

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this DVD to facilitate this review. No other compensation was provided. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Giveaway Fever! $100 #winitweekend

2012-02-10T00:00:00.000-05:00

Are you ready for another giveaway? I have been bitten by the giveaway bug, so I've joined another multi-blog cash contest. (I'm sure this bug is related to my viewing of the post-holiday credit card bills. Ouch. I figure we are all in the same boat.) This one is the Win It Weekend Giveaway and you can win $100US in cash, via paypal (any paypal fees are the responsibility of the winner). Contest is open to worldwide entries and closes at midnight, Sunday, February 12 (hence the weekend thing).

Please use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter!

Thanks so much to Influential Media for organizing this contest.

If you are a blogger who would like to participate in this giveaway on a future weekend, you can head to Win It Weekend Giveaway to sign up.

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WW - Leap Turtle

2012-02-07T21:25:00.001-05:00

At Big Al's Aquarium Superstore

Valentine's Day $100 Cash Giveaway!

2012-02-07T08:43:00.000-05:00

This Lil Piglet and Tales of a Ranting Ginger, together with a group of the following fabulous Canadian bloggers are proud to present the Moola Love Valentine Sweeps cash giveaway running February 7th 12:00 am EST - February 14th at midnight.

I am happy to be taking part in this event. Hop around to the different blogs participating. I hope you find some new gems to follow! And best of luck in the giveaway!!

Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter to win $100 cash via PayPal.

Anyone with a PayPal account can enter to win this "lovely" cash prize; open worldwide!

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Pepsi & Popcorn at the Super Bowl #Cbias shop

2012-02-06T22:05:00.002-05:00

You may or may not know that we are big football fans in this house. Well, all of us other than Little Boo. He's not quite there yet. He just sees football as something that takes his Dad and brother and the big screen TV away from him for five months of Sundays each year. But the Teen didn't used to like it either, so we hold out hope. We are long suffering Buffalo Bills fans, so we don't usually have a lot invested in the Super Bowl, but we wouldn't miss it for the world. And this year we had to watch to root against the Patriots, so there was that (yay Giants!!)

The whole Super Bowl experience is heavily centred on food and drink of course. We used to host a BIG party, but the last few years we have preferred to relax with just our boys. The pre-game shows are on all day, while we snack and prep for kick-off. Dinner is always a finger food affair in front of the big TV. Basically a whole lot of delicious calories get consumed. So when I was offered the opportunity to participate in the #PepsivsCoke shop with Collective Bias, to pick up drinks and snacks for Super Bowl Sunday, well, it was a perfect fit!

I was tasked with the quest to head out to my local Metro supermarket in search of Pepsi products and Con Agra's Orville Redenbacher popcorn to round out our menu. (You can pop on over to Google+ and read/see how my late evening shop played out!)

Metro is my primary grocery shopping destination, since it is close, is open 24 hours, and it offers Air Miles. I prefer to shop alone after Little Boo is in bed, and I definitely appreciate the quieter store I find in the evenings.

And the Pepsi family of products are regularly found in our household. We do drink pop. Not daily, but we enjoy it as a treat. The Teen drinks a fair bit of Mug rootbeer. And all of my boys enjoy the variety of flavours available in the Crush line-up. These are a great treat and being allowed a glass of cream soda or orange pop can make a regular day seem like a special occasion to a kid. When Mommy and Daddy are enjoying a beer with a ball game, a glass of pop makes Little Boo feel like he is part of the party :)

In the popcorn aisle I was amazed at the many flavour options available. But the one that really caught my eye was the Spicy Nacho. Who knew! Microwave popcorn is a convenient snack to have on hand, and, if you don't dowse it in extra melted butter like we do, I think it's a healthier choice than a bag of chips. Hubs and I both really liked the flavour of this Spicy Nacho variety. It definitely had a bit of a kick, and it was flavourful enough that we weren't tempted to add that extra butter or salt. Little Boo found it a bit spicy for his 6 year-old taste buds, but that just left more for us. We enjoyed this as a treat in the afternoon as we watched all the lead-up commentary.

Part of our feast

For our Super Bowl feast we had the usual hot wings, plus sweet potato fries, and assorted nibblies. I also did homemade guacamole with not-at-all homemade tortilla chips.

Someone wanted in on the wings

Here is my recipe for the guacamole. I have to admit that I am not big on recipes, and tend to throw things together that seem right for each other, and then taste test to re-balance the flavours if necessary. I'm sure I learned this tendency from my grandmother. But I took some time to think about what I was doing this time so I could give you some measurements to go by.

Guacamole
2 medium/large or 3 small ripe avocados
3 cloves garlic, pressed
1/4 cup sour cream
2 Tbsp lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon chipotle seasoning (or you could use chili powder)
generous dash cayenne
salt & pepper to taste
1/2 medium tomato, finely chopped (optional)

Cut avocados in half and scoop out the flesh into a medium mixing bowl. Mash to desired consistency.
Add garlic, lemon juice, sour cream, and seasonings. Combine thoroughly.
Toss in chopped tomato and mix to distribute.
Have a taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
Be sure to press one of the avocado pits into the guacamole. This will help to stop the guac from darkening.
Cover and place in the refrigerator overnight to allow the flavours to develop.

The finished product. Delish! Hubs was even impressed.

Did you watch the Super Bowl this year? For the football or the half-time show? If you did watch, I'd love to hear about your experience - party or low-key? Leave me a comment below!!

Disclaimer: This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. #CBias All opinions expressed are my own.

Minimize Mondays - Week 3

2012-02-05T23:24:00.000-05:00

Well, other than a couple of loads of recycling and the contents of the green bin, I really didn't get rid of anything this week. I had planned to go through three bins of old toys and determine which ones to pack away as keepsakes, which would go to charity, and which I'd try to sell at Once Upon a Child. But it didn't happen. The bins are sadly still full and still under my roof. I thought I should come clean about that and maybe that will motivate me to try harder next week.

But what I did do instead was chill out and spend lots of quality time with the family. Hubs and I introduced Little Boo to the Harry Potter series on Saturday afternoon. We just got the collection on Blu Ray, and we started Little Boo out with #1 The Philosopher's Stone. And he loved it. And we all loved just chilling on the couch on a Saturday afternoon. Which is a nice change from our usually hectic weekends.

So maybe what I got rid of this week was a little bit of mommy guilt :)

Lady and the Tramp on Blu-Ray Feb 7th, 2012

2012-02-04T12:29:00.001-05:00

Just in time for Valentine's Day, a classic love story is released from the vault, this time on Disney Blu-ray! Romance and adventure of the canine variety make for a super cute love story. Lady and the Tramp is one of my favourite Disney films, and I think we'll be updating to the BluRay Diamond Edition on February 7.

You can check out the official trailer here, and relive some of the memories:

To celebrate the re-release of this Disney Classic, Walt Disney Studios has provided some images and fun downloadable activities for your family. You can access these here.

Valentine's Day cards, Spot the Differences, Connect the Dots sheets, and a recipe for a romantic spaghetti & meatballs, are among the activities included. Enjoy!

Childhood Summers and #CampMemories

2012-02-02T22:08:00.001-05:00

Mint Brook Camp, 1981 - That's me in the brown suit in the lower left corner.

When I was 11, my best friend asked me, and our other best friend, if we would go to Mint Brook Camp with her that summer. Mint Brook was a week-long sleep-away camp, run by our church, and we were finally old enough to go. C's mom had volunteered there for years and both of her sisters had gone. Her middle sister would even be one of our counselors!

I can't tell you how thrilled I was when my parents said yes! The next months were spent in anxious anticipation of the first week of August. And the camp fun began the moment our parents put us on that yellow school bus and sent us off down the highway. The singing, oh the singing! The patience of bus drivers is truly remarkable. "I go to Mint Brook Camp so pit-y me. There's not a boy in the vi-cin-i-ty ..."

For us, camp meant freedom and adventure and fun and independence. Ten girls in each of ten little cabins, playing, singing, swimming, learning together for 7 whole days and nights. It was kind of like a week-long sleepover party. But with rules and daily cabin inspection and early morning wake-up calls to attend flag raising. We were all assigned daily chores (peeling vegetables, gathering firewood, mopping the dining hall, etc.), and we signed up for activities in 3 sessions each day (swimming, canoeing, crafts, and more). Every evening brought some type of activity, plus chapel, and campfire. Our days were full and definitely structured. But nothing felt like a burden. Every moment was filled with the laughter and joy of trying new things with friends new and old.

It's hard actually for me to pick a favourite memory. Everything to do with the water was amazing. Learning to paddle a canoe was certainly a highlight, as was the year that C and I were allowed to take our canoe up the river on our own, no counselor, with a younger camper in the middle seat. We knew every rock and log and shallow spot in that river. We knew which side of the island had the weaker current. And we knew just how close to the waterfall at the end of our paddle we could safely go (the bottom part of the waterfall, not the top, don't worry). We felt so mature and trusted.

And one night we slept under the stars certainly stands out. We all took our sleeping bags out onto the field and lay there staring at the night sky, looking for constellations. It was a perfectly clear night, and I had no idea before just how many brilliant points of light were up there. Truly gorgeous. That was an eye-opener and something you just could never experience in the city.

stock photo from dreamstime.com
Gosh I'd like to be there now.

I continued at Mint Brook, spending a week there each summer until I was 17. My last two years I graduated from camper to counselor-in-training. I taught rowing to the girls twice each morning and led canoe trips in the afternoons. I taught them the campfire songs that had been taught to me, calmed their fears at night, or sometimes told them the camp ghost stories if I thought they could handle it. I organised nature walks and introduced the girls to the trails I had come to know over my years there by the river.

I grew up at that camp. I made friends and met family (literally - no less than two distant and one not-so-distant cousins I didn't know!!) And I made memories that I'll always have, even if I can't find the pictures to prove them! (Damn days before digital cameras and my need to capture every potentially bloggable moment ...) We started the Teen at sleep-away camp when he was 11 as well. And I can't wait to send Little Boo when his time comes.

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I'm participating in the Our Kids Camp Expo Blog Hop. Tomorrow, the fun is happening at Toronto Teacher Mom.

Join the conversation! Twitter: hasthtag #campmemories. Facebook: www.facebook.com/ourkidsnet

Looking for a March Break or Summer Camp for your child?

Don’t miss Canada's Largest Camp Expo!

February 26, 2012, 12:00 to 4:00pm, Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe Street, Toronto

• Find top March Break, Summer and Holiday Camps for kids and teens

• Attend free information seminars to help you choose and prepare for camp

• Learn about charities, discounts, bursaries and tax credits for camp.

Register for FREE admission and the chance to WIN $500 towards exhibiting camps: www.ourkids.net/campexpo

Cupid's Cash Giveaway!

2012-02-01T00:01:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Cupid's Cash Giveaway Event!

Kidsumers and Sober Julie Doing Life have partnered up with lots of different and wonderful bloggers to bring you a fabulous prize, just in time for the Valentines Day!

The prize is $300 USD in Paypal Cash!!!

Giveaway starts February 1st at 12:01 AM EST to February 14th at 12:01 AM EST. Giveaway winners will be announced through the Rafflecopter widget and notified by email by the end of the day on February 17th, 2012. Winners must reply to email notification within 48 hours of delivery, or a new winner will be chosen.

Participating Blogs:

Sober Julie Doing Life

Kidsumers

Nugglemama's Handful; Funny Things Are Everywhere; Between The Kids; Elegantly Said; Shopping in Your Pjs; My Little Review Corner; The Jolly Blogger; A Hen's Nest; Nolie's Place; Wisconsin Mommy; Raising My Boys; Humble Pie; Tara's View of the World; My Secret Home; Shasher's Life; Maple Leaf Mommy; Mommy Moment; Smookie Style; Thriftymommastips; Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar; Rants Reviews; Pixie Deals; Noteworthy; Country Mouse, City Mouse; Mommies Point of View; Bewildered Bug; Canadian Coupon Mom;

My Big Blue World; The Momma Stuff Blog; Number Crunching Momma; Family Tales Not Ties; Mom's Musings

*This giveaway is open to Worldwide entries

*There will be 1 winner chosen to win this giveaway

GIVEAWAY ENDS TUESDAY FEBRUARY 14TH AT 12:01 AM EST

GOOD LUCK!!!

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Good Luck Charm

2012-01-30T21:27:00.000-05:00

Little Boo was into the pipe cleaners at daycare again today. He very proudly announced that he had made a present for me, and he presented me with this lovely creation:

Apparently it started out as a flower, but he decided I needed a good luck charm instead. This little gem is to sit on my nightstand. To bring me luck and to protect me. "From Daddy's snoring."

Yup. We'll see how lucky it is tonight ....

Welcome Ms. Brown! #BrownIsComing

2012-01-30T19:00:00.000-05:00

Like my Ms Brown eyeglasses?
Do I look as classy as she does?

So, did you catch the big reveal on Facebook this afternoon? After some brief technical difficulties, the feed came through about 3:20pm. It was pretty cool to see the one and only Neil Patrick Harris introduce Ms. Brown to the world.

And did you notice her football shaped stage? An homage to her official TV debut to come this Sunday during the Superbowl I would imagine. I am guessing that we in Canada will have to wait until Monday to check out the commercial.

Looking pretty good for a gal 70+ don't you think?

Ms. Brown sent along this special autographed picture for us as a thank you for our interest in her reveal. What do you think?

Of course, the other big thank you is the M&Ms gift basket, valued at approximately $90. I consulted Rafflecopter this morning and am happy to announce the lucky winner - Karin D!! (entry #170) Karin and I have been in touch, and her basket of goodies will be on its way soon. Thanks to all who entered!

One Sweet Reveal: Actor Neil Patrick Harris rallies fans during the unveiling of a 20-foot statue featuring the first image of the sixth M&M'S character, Ms. Brown, at The Grove in Los Angeles, Monday Jan. 30, 2012. The statue had been hidden for the past six days while fans from coast to coast counted down to the statues unveiling. (Casey Rodgers / AP Images for Mars Chocolate NA)

Minimize Monday - Week 2

2012-01-30T01:21:00.000-05:00

This weekend I tackled the cupboard under my kitchen sink. The main issue under there (other than dirt) was the insane number of bags. We almost always use reusable bags, so I honestly don't know how we manage to collect so many plastic and paper bags. But we do, and they all get stuffed in this cupboard.

Saturday I filled two big bags full and got them out of that cupboard, my house, and my life.

Doesn't this look lovely now? Can you picture how bad this was with all those extra bags stuffed in there? I did keep the bag container full, but I'm clamping down on the reusable bag use by my family to try to keep this under control. The little blue trash bin in there is for battery disposal, by the way. Dead batteries get collected in there to go to special battery recycling. I am lucky to have a drop-off point for these at my office!

I'm also getting rid of three old phones and a broken Tassimo. These were on their way to the crawlspace, "just in case," but I came to my senses. Phones are going to the Sally Ann. Tassimo is going to the trash. Yes, I could try to have it fixed, and perhaps this is not the best environmental decision. But it was the right one for me just now.

Our Morning Smile

2012-01-26T21:55:00.004-05:00

When I was a kid, cereal was a huge part of our morning. I know there were sugar cereals available, but we always had either Rice Crispies or Corn Flakes. Sugar cereals were for special treats, purchased in those little multi-packs once or twice a year when we were a bit older.

And how did we eat our cereal? Hot. Yes indeed. I didn't know that you could serve cereal with cold milk until I was about 7 years old. Mom always heated milk for us, and that's how we had our Rice Crispies. We still got the Snap! Crackle! Pop! and I loved it. Then my brother and I spent a summer weekend with our neighbours at their cabin. We slept in a loft, and it was so much fun staying up "late" giggling with our best friend. When we got up in the morning, her mom served us cereal (I can't remember what kind) and poured cold milk all over it. I was appalled! It was such a communication disconnect and her mom had no idea what was wrong. When she realised, she laughed and encouraged me to try it. I was converted - so much crunchier and just as yummy.

Now I am happy to serve a variety of cereals to my family, all cold other than oatmeal. Cereal makes for a quick, nutritious breakfast that is inexpensive to boot. A bowl of cereal plus milk comes in at about 50 cents a serving!

Oddly enough, Raisin Bran is at the top of Little Boo's fave cereals list. I didn't think we'd go for it, being bran and all, but he does love raisins, and he's a pretty healthy eater. Hubs loves Raisin Bran as well, so we keep stocked up.

I have a new favourite cereal, thanks to a care package from Kellogg's, which I received as a welcome to their new "Kelloggers Network." I am officially in love with the new Special K Oats & Honey. Sweet and tasty, made with whole grain wheat & oats, milled corn and rice, it gives me 2g of protein and 2g of fibre. And it's delicious!

Did you know? Kellogg Company was founded in 1906 as the Battle Creek Toasted Corn Flake Company, by W.K. Kellogg. The very first box of Kellogg's cereal was made of entirely recycled material.

Whether you like your cereal hot or cold, for breakfast or dinner or a late night snack, it makes a quick tasty meal.
What's your favourite?

Disclosure: I am a part of the Kelloggers Network. I received a gift of product as a welcome to my membership. I was not required to write about this product, the Network, nor to complete a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Review - Juicy Fruit Desserts

2012-01-24T20:31:00.000-05:00

I am not a big chewer of gum, and when I do partake I generally look for something minty, usually to cover up something I ate for my lunch. But I agreed to try the new Juicy Fruit Desserts gum when the offer came, because I know the Teen enjoys gum, and all the boys in my family like the original Juicy Fruit flavour.

This gum comes in three flavours - Orange Creme Pop, Strawberry Shortcake, and Apple Pie. They all taste amazingly dessert-like, with truly long-lasting flavour. I popped in a stick of Orange Creme Pop before a drive to my mother-in-laws, and over half an hour later there was still good flavour. This gum tastes much like a creamsicle. The Teen's favourite is the Apple Pie. You could see the shock on his face when he found he was really enjoying it, and it really does have the apple, cinnamon and even a hint of pastry taste! I think he had low expectations going in. The Strawberry Shortcake is probably the least favourite around here, though Little Boo does like it. It's a bit sweeter tasting than the others, but still good.

I think this gum could be a good choice for a quick sweet fix for anyone with a sweet tooth, but trying to watch their sugar and calorie intake. The sweet flavour should serve to quench late afternoon sugar cravings.

Overall, I am impressed, though I probably shouldn't be surprised at the quality of this gum, seeing as it is from Wrigley's and part of the trusted brand Juicy Fruit. These new flavours don't disappoint.

You can visit Juicy Fruit on their Facebook page.

WW - Bunny Tracks

2012-01-24T19:08:00.000-05:00

We apparently had a little visitor while we were at work and school. It was cool to come home to bunny tracks in the snow on our deck. I'm always amazed at the wildlife in our neighbourhood.

#BrownIsComing

2012-01-24T07:30:00.000-05:00

There's some excitement brewing in the chocolate world. (Actually, a chocolate world would be pretty exciting now, wouldn't it? Yum.) Anyways, after 70 years of working behind the scenes, there's a new girl in town, ready to take her turn in the spotlight as the newest M&Ms Spokescandy. Ms. Brown is coming to town and will be introduced to M&Ms fans across Canada in a special, live Facebook reveal event on Monday, January 30, 2012.

Ms. Brown, a strong, intelligent woman with a sharp wit and an unmatched knowledge of Milk Chocolate, has worked as the Chief Chocolate Officer at Mars Inc. since 1942. But now she is ready to join the rest of the M&Ms Spokescandy team to tell the world about her product.

??????????

According to the press release,
"Canadian fans will have the unique opportunity to watch Ms. Brown be revealed for the first time during live events streamed on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mmscanada. The makers of M&M'S® will unveil her first-ever images during special events being held at The Grove in Los Angeles, as well as M&M'S® World in New York City on Monday, January 30, 2012, at 3:00 p.m. ET."
This event will include a sneak peak at a TV ad, set to air in Canada starting February 6. So, what are you doing at 3pm EST on January 30? Come on by the M&Ms Canada Facebook page and get your first look at this lady of mystery.

You can follow Ms. Brown on Twitter, and follow the hashtag #BrownIsComing for insights leading up the reveal day.

Hot off the press- image of the yummy prize!

To celebrate the launch of Ms. Brown, Mars Inc. is offering an exclusive Ms. Brown giveaway package (valued at approximately $90) to one lucky Raising My Boys reader. This contest will run until midnight (EST), Sunday, January 29, with the winner to be announced right after the big reveal. Entries will be accepted through the Rafflecopter widget below. Canadian residents only.

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Minimize Monday - Decluttering My Life

2012-01-23T21:40:00.000-05:00

The lovely Jody, over at Mommy Moment, is on a mission to de-clutter her life. She has declared each Monday "Minimize Monday" and will be updating us each week on her progress.

I happen to be on that same mission and have entered my major post-Christmas PURGE mode. So, I've decided to join Jody and will post on my purging efforts here each week.

For Week One, I am happy to report that I cleaned out the front closet and amassed a big pile of Little Boo's outgrown footwear, plus some old sneakers of mine, all in pretty great condition still. These have gone to the Salvation Army Thrift Store down the road from us, so they can do some good for someone else.

Also, in the process of putting all of the Christmas decorations away, I cleared out a lot of old boxes from the crawlspace and sent those to recycling. We have a bad pack-rat habit of accumulating cardboard boxes because "we might need them some day." Especially ones that look like they would make a good disguise for wrapping gifts.

They're gone!!!!

I feel lighter already.

Lice and You

2012-01-22T23:03:00.001-05:00

Itchy yet? The dreaded note came home from school again yesterday. There is a case of pediculosis in Little Boo's Kindergarten class. That would be "an infestation of lice," for the uninitiated. And, as anyone who has had to deal with these blood-sucking critters knows, lice ain't fun.

Male (left) and Female (right) head lice. Image from Wikipedia.

Head lice is most common in preschool and elementary-aged kids. And it has nothing to do with poor hygiene. The lice spread by contact from one head to the next, or by being transferred via sharing personal items like brushes or hats. They could also (much less likely) be transferred via upholstered furniture or pillows or the like. According to the Mayo Clinic, adult lice can live just two days without food (your blood) and the nits (their eggs) require the temperature they enjoy from their perch so near the human head. This is why spreading from furniture or personal items happens less often than from head to head contact.

Intense itching is really the only physical symptom to notice, other than the appearance of actual lice or nits. If you or your child suspect you have lice, you need to carefully pick through the hair to look for physical evidence. Nits usually are found attached to the shaft of the hair, very close to the scalp. They may look like dandruff, but, unlike dandruff, they are not easily removed. Adult lice are pictured in the image above. (shudder) They can usually be found behind ears, or at the nape of the neck. They are tiny!

It may be easier to search for lice in wet hair. Use a fine toothed comb and carefully comb through and separate at the roots. I remember my parents using a nit comb on my very long hair when I was a little kid. It was not a fun experience. One of the benefits of having a boy is that it is socially acceptable, and even cool, to shave his head. This is my primary louse-prevention strategy. Hubs is follically challenged, so he shaves his head too, making it a viable option in Little Boo's eyes.

Mommy's Louse-Prevention Strategy

We will be doing daily inspections for a total of 10 days. We're about half-way through and nothing yet. The shaved head should save us, as we don't think the lice will be happy laying their eggs on such short hair. But we'll still keep an eye out.

Should we find anything, Little Boo will need to stay home from school until all evidence of the critters is gone. There are a number of non-prescription shampoos and treatments available at your local drugstore - just ask your pharmacist. If the over-the-counter products don't do the job, your physician can prescribe something heftier.

For those who would prefer to stay away from chemicals on their wee ones' heads, there are many home remedies to try. Many folks swear by tea tree oil, both as a louse killer and a preventative measure. You can add a few drops to your child's shampoo for prevention, or add it directly to their head if lice are present. Olive oil, mayonnaise, or vaseline, applied to the head at night and covered with a shower cap or plastic wrap, are touted as being able to drown or suffocate the the adult lice.

But, from all I've been reading, it seems that the only surefire way to get rid of lice is the good old-fashioned nit-picking. Comb and pick out the adults and the nits. Painstaking, time-consuming, and possibly painful. But effective. We have been lucky so far, and I hope we won't have to actually test out methods ourselves!

For more information on head lice/pediculosis and its prevention, detection, and treatment, please visit the Mayo Clinic's website. They are my go-to internet source for any health-related questions.

For an in-depth survey of what works and what doesn't in terms of treatment, I recommend this article by John Hoffman in Today's Parent, from 2007. It provides a careful look at a number of options that may or may not work or be necessary.

I have to go scratch for a while now. I hope it's just psycho-somatic....

What about you? Have you had a run-in with lice and your kids? How did you treat it? What worked and what didn't??

(Mayo Clinic, Wikipedia, and Today's Parent websites all provided insights for this article.)

Six Year Olds RAWK!

2012-01-21T10:26:00.001-05:00

I left Little Boo eating his cereal and watching TV, to go get my shower.
When I came out, he had put his bowl and spoon in the dishwasher, turned off the TV, and was happily playing a video game downstairs. Which he set up himself.

He made his bed this morning too. I didn't ask him to do any of this. I'm pretty impressed.

We're working on his coffee making skills too (first Tassimo lesson was this morning). But overall I am totally stoked and proud of him for how independent he's becoming. He wants to be helpful and do his part around the house, and, what's even better, at six he is skilled enough to complete tasks well, without making more work for me.

I think it's easy to sometimes forget that our little kids are growing up, learning new things, and becoming more and more competent. I need to remind myself to let go and allow him the space to do these "chores" on his own, in his own way.

The more he does, the more he learns. He feels his own competency, and that makes him proud of himself and encourages his self-confidence. Decreasing my workload is just a side benefit.

What chores do your kids do? At what age did you start assigning chores or responsibilities to them?

Get Your Heart On with YMC and Becel

2012-01-17T23:07:00.002-05:00

Last week I went a bit outside my comfort zone and attended an event at a fitness centre. It was a collaborative effort from the Yummy Mummy Club, The Motion Room, and Becel, and it aimed to raise awareness about women's heart health.

You may not realise, but heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of death for Canadian women, and we need to be aware of our risk factors, including high cholesterol, obesity, and inactivity. Once we are aware, we need to take steps to protect our health (and our lives) by making positive changes or continuing on our already healthy path.

Yummy Mummy Club founder, Erica Ehm, has been taking these steps to work on her health and fitness at The Motion Room since their body composition test told her she has too much bad fat on her body, in relation to necessary fat and muscle. That bad fat is not good news.

The Motion Room was crowded with women ready for a work-out and to get their cholesterol tested
then discuss the results with a dietitian. Heart-healthy snacks, including smoked salmon on whole-grain bagels, and fruit kabobs were on the evening's refreshment menu.

The body composition test told me that I am obese.
What this really means is that I have too much bad fat, like Erica .

The Motion Room can use ultrasound to capture an image of your muscle mass. This is my tricep. The blue is muscle (outlined by the trainer with red). The dark area above the blue is fat. This imaging can be used to track the development of muscle throughout your training. The dark area of fat should decrease and be replaced by blue muscle. Then you know your training is achieving the results you're looking for.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation presents some sobering statistics:

- Women are 16% more likely to die than men, following a heart attack.

- Stroke kills 32% more women than it does men.

Wow. These really are women's diseases.

But there are many steps we can take for prevention, including lowering our cholesterol, staying physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, reducing stress, and monitoring our blood pressure. Not smoking should go without saying.

According to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, "Women who are 30 per cent over their healthy body weight are two to three times more likely to develop heart disease." This is sobering for me, as my body composition test put me in this range. Thankfully, I have excellent blood pressure, good cholesterol levels, and no family history of heart disease. So, I have some points in my favour. But diet and activity levels are against me. I'll be working hard this year to take some small, and then larger, steps to get me on a path to good heart health.

Incorporating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains into my diet. Reducing trans and saturated fats. I'll try to reduce my salt, as it contributes to high blood pressure. And I'll be working my way up to a more active life. 30-60 minutes of exercise a day is recommended, but the Foundation suggests even starting small with 10 minute walks every other day will help. They offer a HeartWalk Workout guide to help get started.

What do I want you to do? See your doctor. Talk about your risk factors. Have your cholesterol and blood pressure checked. Educate yourself.

For lots more information on heart disease and stroke, warning signs, prevention, and risk factors, please visit the Heart and Stroke Foundation's The Heart Truth site. Your heart will thank you!

"The bottom line is that awareness—of your risks, of the warning signs, and of prevention and treatment options—is your best defense against heart disease and stroke." (HSF)

La Creme Cow Spreadable Snack Cheese

2012-01-16T22:49:00.000-05:00

I'll bet your snack cupboard is pretty well stocked for your little ones. But what about your own snacks? Do you try to snack healthy? Are you looking to try something new?

Well, Parmalat Canada has brought a new product onto the market. La Creme Cow is a new line of spreadable snack cheese geared to adults. It is available in three delicious flavours: Original, Light, and Parmesan & Peppercorn. The cheese is presented in individually wrapped wedges, making it really convenient for snacking on the go (throw a couple in your lunch!) or for just grabbing a small bite without the worry of having a large block of opened cheese going bad.

I received a lovely gift basket from Parmalat, along with a selection of the La Creme Cow cheeses to try. I have a group of dear girlfriends who get together every Friday evening for some relaxing and chatting and fun. Yes, and wine and definitely snacks. So I decided I had the perfect group here to taste test La Creme. We put together a plate with the three varieties and some crackers, and we dove right in. Everyone had some samples. Then some more samples. Yes, they went over well. One of the girls has declared this her new favourite snack.

The clear taste winner of the evening was the Parmesan & Peppercorn. It has a wonderful flavour with a great peppery kick. The mild, smooth taste of the Original also went over well. The Light version wasn't a favourite, though it wasn't terrible. I found it a little sweet-tasting. It has 43% less fat than the Original, so if fat is a concern for you it is a good choice. And there are 20 fewer calories per wedge. Both the Original and Light are one Weight Watcher's point, so if you are following that plan, there is no points benefit (a couple of the gals mentioned this.).

You can see the difference between the Light (on the left) and Original

My gals suggested a delicious and quick breakfast recipe using this cheese. I tried it Saturday morning and was really pleased.

Scrambled Eggs in a Mug

Break a large egg into a microwave safe mug

Pierce the yolk with a fork and lightly scramble

Add one wedge of La Creme Cow cheese

Microwave on high for 30 seconds

Remove from microwave and mix with a fork

Microwave on high for an additional 40 seconds

Salt, Pepper, and enjoy!

I made this with the Original cheese, but I think the Parmesan & Peppercorn would be even yummier. I chopped the wedge of cheese into three to make it melt more quickly. Along with half of a toasted bagel with butter, this made for a quick and satisfying breakfast.

For entertaining, this mild and creamy cheese spreads easily on crackers and makes a great base for a multitude of toppings. How about trying the Parmesan & Peppercorn with smoked salmon topped with dill!

La Crème Cow spreadable cheese can be found in the dairy section of your local Loblaws or Metro

grocery stores nationwide and is available in the following formats:

- Original (12 pk, average retail price - $5.49)

- Light (6 pk, average retail price - $2.99)

- Parmesan & Peppercorn (6 pk, average retail price - $2.99)

Would you like to try some for yourself? Parmalat is offering up a $100 gift basket like the one pictured above, to one lucky Raising My Boys reader. You can enter via the Rafflecopter widget below. Best of luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

January Jingles $100 Giveaway

2012-01-16T00:01:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the January Jingles Paypal $100 Giveaway hosted by The Knit Wit by Shair and Multi-Testing Mommy.

Could you use a little extra cash after the holidays? I know I could. This cash giveaway runs through January 23, on multiple blogs. Visit us all for multiple entries (and to be introduced to some great blogs you might not have met before). The winner will receive $100 deposited to their Paypal account once the hosts have confirmed their entry. Don't have a Paypal account? Just visit paypal.com to sign up.

Happy hopping! And good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway This event has been brought to you by the following blogs: The Knit Wit by Shair, Multi-Testing Mommy, Maple Leaf Mommy, The Education of a Stay at Home Mom, Talking MomCents, HabitueTO, Little Miss Kate, The Spring Mount Six Pack, Sober Julie, Golden Charm Blog, My Secret Home, About a Mom, Emilys Reviews, Sadie Bakes, A Girl Worth Saving, funny things are everywhere, This Mom Loves, Raising My Boys, Show Me The Prizes.

Dads & Boots

2012-01-14T10:23:00.002-05:00

Yesterday Hubs picked up Little Boo from daycare before coming to get me at work. When they arrived I noted that my sweet 6 year old was wearing sneakers. In the snow.

Where the heck are his boots!? Oh, ok, there's boots there next to the seat. We'll live.

Oh look there are his snowpants. The ones that are supposed to stay at daycare. Ok. At least Hubs is trying. (Internal sigh.)

But when we got to our destination, that's when the trouble started.

Those aren't his boots.

Like, really. They're some other kid's boots. Some other kid who may be without boots now for the first fun, snowy weekend of the winter.

Seriously.

It was too late to go back to daycare. I crossed my fingers and prayed the boots were at least the right size, so the other kid could take our boots. Nope. No such luck. 3 sizes bigger. My stomach flipped.

"Hon, these aren't his boots."
"What?!"
"His boots are camo and match his coat."
"But they have his name inside, don't they?"

Mommy takes a look, and yes indeed, they have his name inside. On the tag, right next to the too-big size and the Made in China. His name is the STYLE NAME of the boot.

Pray for me.

I feel absolutely horrible about all this and really hope the true owner of these boots has a spare pair at home. Or maybe they planned to stay indoors by the fire all weekend. (We are in an extreme cold weather alert after all.) Moral of the story - label your kids' stuff. And have a show and tell at the beginning of each season with other family members to make sure they can recognise the important pieces.