tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82514253583255319532024-03-14T07:33:35.342-04:00Random Thoughts and Musings from the Island REVIEWS!Just a bunch of ramblings from a city girl gone country! Plus, some reviews, giveaways, and more fun stuff!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251507898309184477noreply@blogger.comBlogger277125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251425358325531953.post-24982629776937798142012-07-08T23:54:00.002-04:002012-07-09T00:06:05.154-04:0060 Things About My Mother<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSzlggQTn2b44fwoUos2L-ozVmsv4jTOkVlkpIjqceGISiHcOWdlaXIrTjucVNxHq4oidLcu3v6NoVYlRspdv7EDxQ4EGjk4hIJxAJ7ADp3vAVSqdJvpeH0UubG7zg7lsR7dasooPIuf8/s1600/21bday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSzlggQTn2b44fwoUos2L-ozVmsv4jTOkVlkpIjqceGISiHcOWdlaXIrTjucVNxHq4oidLcu3v6NoVYlRspdv7EDxQ4EGjk4hIJxAJ7ADp3vAVSqdJvpeH0UubG7zg7lsR7dasooPIuf8/s320/21bday.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Friends of mine are always in awe of how youthful my Mom looks. What can I say? We're Asian. Asians age pretty well! I'm not kidding. I still get carded, and I'm *ahem* 36 years old!<br />
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I cannot believe my Mom turned 60 on Saturday. She does not look a day over 40!<br />
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In honour of my Mom's 60th Birthday, we threw her a 60s themed birthday bash. Family and friends gathered for fun, food, and laughs. Au lieu of presents, she asked that donations be made for a charity back in her hometown in the Philippines. The money would go to feeding children in her hometown who have little to no food or money.<br />
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Yes, my friends. I'm part filipino, and filipinos do things BIG! We rented the hall, cooked up a feast, dressed up in 60s outfits, and even had a disco ball!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJChDn86gVYs74Fl9Av4Acw9S0xmIVrE4rpavJPdahLRILsWM7kNLSjz3A4vQAaW9kJdDIJ3UE2AKHFbVn-pccYdNysAco3-9sV_EmlqJzT0YwXcIPP8CwRauE28UnhFSRekzjARNkks/s1600/groovy1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJChDn86gVYs74Fl9Av4Acw9S0xmIVrE4rpavJPdahLRILsWM7kNLSjz3A4vQAaW9kJdDIJ3UE2AKHFbVn-pccYdNysAco3-9sV_EmlqJzT0YwXcIPP8CwRauE28UnhFSRekzjARNkks/s320/groovy1.jpg" width="274" /></a></div>
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In keeping with the 'Eating a Rainbow' lifestyle Hubs, Little One and I have, I made sure there were LOTS of rainbow foods! Check out the fruit (and cucumber) arrangement I made!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQOOsYYxRWuFc6bxwJMABfE4MARysCJ5UL06mlDCEa07N84Fl0OxvOiEFc6XItDMOCqTM4gBVjqttERhrJaqrhfIUysPbr3Eyff8cPpr7dywyREuYaGT90Ldfhtro2of87YCVn7SnUmjM/s1600/1mom1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQOOsYYxRWuFc6bxwJMABfE4MARysCJ5UL06mlDCEa07N84Fl0OxvOiEFc6XItDMOCqTM4gBVjqttERhrJaqrhfIUysPbr3Eyff8cPpr7dywyREuYaGT90Ldfhtro2of87YCVn7SnUmjM/s320/1mom1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhec4Sb-QKY-8bsnjy1HKFgJLXEnO0xSvQACjQOoHuuvHpdyQtoY3cyC6aUtg8f1-vYv8UtwqY-nci5McjS7P8zK15ncGTMYCJmoAAYgACIZP-ervoGFKQtEU-3z_cyZsCE-eCkMhlYxsg/s1600/1mom2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhec4Sb-QKY-8bsnjy1HKFgJLXEnO0xSvQACjQOoHuuvHpdyQtoY3cyC6aUtg8f1-vYv8UtwqY-nci5McjS7P8zK15ncGTMYCJmoAAYgACIZP-ervoGFKQtEU-3z_cyZsCE-eCkMhlYxsg/s320/1mom2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcaFS8NFh8cQIuOO-tqVFUuZQRLCFUOn84PYPh4cTiVNt3KhuJvrrkoDcAxR2e3gR41h0jgFpQuUUzD77Z-Skwg6WleT6rVHuLEkrPUOOMtBXGxUqAejnnzaEPMIVUa9SnEL40tKgWHs/s1600/1mom3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcaFS8NFh8cQIuOO-tqVFUuZQRLCFUOn84PYPh4cTiVNt3KhuJvrrkoDcAxR2e3gR41h0jgFpQuUUzD77Z-Skwg6WleT6rVHuLEkrPUOOMtBXGxUqAejnnzaEPMIVUa9SnEL40tKgWHs/s320/1mom3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-jND0lC3ttc4hUoIRMrke2oT__hW2SvfP7S9tpV2cZ4aZ0XfmJTWUIctwXIOJIWMK1zzZ7dYI3iT40i827Z_lPIrufZidhGJWpFGTOzX5-Gn6wws_XBn1svRefyskrJuWzmvqqmf4ZA/s1600/1mom4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-jND0lC3ttc4hUoIRMrke2oT__hW2SvfP7S9tpV2cZ4aZ0XfmJTWUIctwXIOJIWMK1zzZ7dYI3iT40i827Z_lPIrufZidhGJWpFGTOzX5-Gn6wws_XBn1svRefyskrJuWzmvqqmf4ZA/s320/1mom4.jpg" width="274" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4AiI_6CwZiPZsKifxrNR-kOD8AdX4ZbaqGfLoSKauAHopAgHKq3an5ntYdIEzwN6i2KlFVeMqMgb-GsAI9zn_M3oi3JNpa0a9XEN2luWcFynzA3v404HfKqg86Lo-Q3xO4iwOb3z0PoQ/s1600/1mom5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4AiI_6CwZiPZsKifxrNR-kOD8AdX4ZbaqGfLoSKauAHopAgHKq3an5ntYdIEzwN6i2KlFVeMqMgb-GsAI9zn_M3oi3JNpa0a9XEN2luWcFynzA3v404HfKqg86Lo-Q3xO4iwOb3z0PoQ/s320/1mom5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Check out the groovy cake <i>The Cake Lady</i> made! This is the coolest psychedelic, tie-dyed, VW van cake EVER!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivDWYUMguvvWuzcIYvKWGbdimTDVquc39ValaRqgFc2YxWasgj0CMbxdVABVpQyLsQ5FAcXigLW6oqGqAq6-8vVHvcxWBaIDZ8v36ZxhHGHfGtOJqcRR9yK0xSZnhZ-1pbqKNla15-z_U/s1600/1mom7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivDWYUMguvvWuzcIYvKWGbdimTDVquc39ValaRqgFc2YxWasgj0CMbxdVABVpQyLsQ5FAcXigLW6oqGqAq6-8vVHvcxWBaIDZ8v36ZxhHGHfGtOJqcRR9yK0xSZnhZ-1pbqKNla15-z_U/s320/1mom7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_QozWVz8I-vudjliC1D_6hTDjbL0XX45DDrVnV4ZSGk8sVpAGIWLUdHnezu1sz-KCzOS-hu4KjRky4BlxSmrRCtSSYBzOvH49ykCo8Ej306ANaT86Oj7I6ptLlcSEVf_78PvTP9hdeHk/s1600/1mom8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_QozWVz8I-vudjliC1D_6hTDjbL0XX45DDrVnV4ZSGk8sVpAGIWLUdHnezu1sz-KCzOS-hu4KjRky4BlxSmrRCtSSYBzOvH49ykCo8Ej306ANaT86Oj7I6ptLlcSEVf_78PvTP9hdeHk/s320/1mom8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I'm sorry, but I had to laugh. Check out the license plate at the back! Mom's initials "E.V.L." spell "EVIL"! Too funny!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawLfQYF2PYSpSTLyf-PS2Hb0KBogyRB8xvl5wH6B_xtq_Vy5FR6rLWvZ1XUXGVJSKNiMp1Tkth3dTQpuGee_J3SeGhyphenhyphen9gTrm3_SXdFHfBxgcWsuoq40GkTXeekr7icclVmUfnTbHvFm4/s1600/1mom10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawLfQYF2PYSpSTLyf-PS2Hb0KBogyRB8xvl5wH6B_xtq_Vy5FR6rLWvZ1XUXGVJSKNiMp1Tkth3dTQpuGee_J3SeGhyphenhyphen9gTrm3_SXdFHfBxgcWsuoq40GkTXeekr7icclVmUfnTbHvFm4/s320/1mom10.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2OOmCW4L4X23LUXbgcYghlqFTtnaA7TkDFmQNYkdbZrIN5muaEMoMcMm3d0gfOjwjz0XfglQg_43JUZUOqypo1B411mUQqvXAH39mQ8YHgsY7S2e4WOw1Gq6TlVghjyh6AgryEn9Vkw4/s1600/1mom11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2OOmCW4L4X23LUXbgcYghlqFTtnaA7TkDFmQNYkdbZrIN5muaEMoMcMm3d0gfOjwjz0XfglQg_43JUZUOqypo1B411mUQqvXAH39mQ8YHgsY7S2e4WOw1Gq6TlVghjyh6AgryEn9Vkw4/s320/1mom11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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My brothers, some aunts, a cousin, Dad and I pitched in to get Mom an iPad. She has wanted one for a while and I thought it would be nice to get her one. My brother, a teaser, asked me to tape a cotton make-up remover pad into the birthday card and write "Here's your EYE PAD. At least we made a donation (to the charity of her choice in the Philippines)!" Oh! We had her going for a while. It was pretty funny! I couldn't resist (I felt badly for her), so we gave her her iPad soon after! She was thrilled!</div>
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Here are 60 things about my mother:</div>
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<ol>
<li>She's very youthful</li>
<li>Her laughter is contagious</li>
<li>She is very friendly</li>
<li>She is a great cook, even though she claims otherwise</li>
<li>She was very strict with us when we were kids, but is super lenient with her grandkids</li>
<li>She loves the Beatles, the Bee Gees, and the Lettermen</li>
<li>She desperately wanted an iPad, but kept calling it an iPod!</li>
<li>She makes the best pancit (Filipino noodles)</li>
<li>She is ADDICTED to Facebook</li>
<li>She is obsessed with taking photos of her four amazing little grandchildren</li>
<li>Her first grandchild was born on her wedding anniversary</li>
<li>She hates being in the sun</li>
<li>She doesn't like to swim</li>
<li>She's got family photos all over her house (and I mean ALL OVER)!</li>
<li>She's a neat freak</li>
<li>Okay, maybe more like obsessive compulsive when it comes to the cleanliness of her house :)</li>
<li>She loves onion rings</li>
<li>She loves fish and chips, but it has to be British style fish and chips</li>
<li>She has 'theme songs' for each of her grandchildren</li>
<li>She has a bucket list</li>
<li>She'll do anything for those she loves</li>
<li>She stands up for what she believes in</li>
<li>She's very stubborn</li>
<li>She's really funny!</li>
<li>Up until a few years ago, she didn't know what "Cut the cheese" meant :)</li>
<li>She can crochet baby blankets</li>
<li>She taught me how to crochet and latch hook</li>
<li>She loves doing dishes by hand</li>
<li>She hates scary movies</li>
<li>She loves romantic comedies</li>
<li>She loves grocery shopping</li>
<li>Traveling is one of her passions</li>
<li>She's extremely organized</li>
<li>She loves her three kids very much</li>
<li>She's married to her best friend</li>
<li>I'm just kidding. I'm <b><i>not</i></b> going to make you read SIXTY things about my Mom! I'll stop right here :)</li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: purple;">H</span><span style="color: #e06666;">a</span><span style="background-color: white; color: cyan;">p</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: x-large;">p</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;">y</span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: x-large;">6</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;">0</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;">t</span><span style="background-color: white; color: lime; font-size: x-large;">h</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: magenta;">B</span><span style="color: #bf9000;">i</span><span style="color: #0b5394;">r</span><span style="color: #990000;">t</span><span style="color: #ea9999;">h</span><span style="color: #660000;">d</span><span style="color: #134f5c;">a</span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">y</span><span style="color: magenta;">,</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-large;"> <span style="color: #674ea7;">M</span><span style="color: #741b47;">o</span><span style="color: #45818e;">m</span><span style="color: #741b47;">!</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We love you very much!</span></div>
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{60s themed costumes from <a href="http://www.costumesupercenter.com/">http://www.costumesupercenter.com/</a>}</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251507898309184477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251425358325531953.post-83344179821496415362012-01-31T09:27:00.000-05:002012-01-31T09:27:23.226-05:00Winner!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguymW8wkiNykVFLK4O1C5ABxRu9M3_3-e7Rba0PmAdt1DkS6v05-06NeV-dROeUh6MWMHmw0bYGF5BxEYmYmpCB_ju-AMKlpSMjOgfr0uBT8XZrCxyeeQHkxYfc6r_iF-VstrF_FBZlFo/s1600/64792-Knight-Box_product_feature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguymW8wkiNykVFLK4O1C5ABxRu9M3_3-e7Rba0PmAdt1DkS6v05-06NeV-dROeUh6MWMHmw0bYGF5BxEYmYmpCB_ju-AMKlpSMjOgfr0uBT8XZrCxyeeQHkxYfc6r_iF-VstrF_FBZlFo/s320/64792-Knight-Box_product_feature.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><a name='more'></a><br />
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Thanks to everyone who entered the <a href="http://lifeonmanitoulinreviews.blogspot.com/2012/01/cardboard-knights-tale-and-giveaway.html" target="_blank">Cardboard Adventures Knight Giveaway.</a> A winner has been chosen via Rafflecopter. <br />
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<div class="linebox"><span>The winner is: </span><span>Entry #<u>81</u></span><strong>maria </strong></div><div class="linebox"><span>An e-mail has been sent to you. Please reply with your mailing information so your prize can be sent to you. </span><strong></strong></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251507898309184477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251425358325531953.post-57504486561805171192012-01-29T00:11:00.000-05:002012-01-29T00:11:51.954-05:00Bittersweet<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_8ymy2rCJ9iAmOUcH9kRjdoNh0E6Tqxnb0zBT1dF7aXmvtbU4j0NnXrYy7JQpTTLgrYbmFUUlTzYcZVxSDFH54fAcrAkD284Aq0g4TiyEEGx7-v4FspsGjbOZOyCUdkevkd673sOHlY/s1600/goinghome2009.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_8ymy2rCJ9iAmOUcH9kRjdoNh0E6Tqxnb0zBT1dF7aXmvtbU4j0NnXrYy7JQpTTLgrYbmFUUlTzYcZVxSDFH54fAcrAkD284Aq0g4TiyEEGx7-v4FspsGjbOZOyCUdkevkd673sOHlY/s320/goinghome2009.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Check out how<i> tiny</i> she was in that infant car seat!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">T</span></i>oday we celebrated the anniversary of <a href="http://www.lifeonmanitoulin.blogspot.com/2009/01/confessions-of-preemie-drama-queen.html" target="_blank">Little One's homecoming</a>. It may sound silly to most people, but when you're a parent of a preemie, every little miracle (like being able to <i>finally</i> take your baby home from the hospital) calls for celebration.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdWmc-EjZLP2Q_UhlPPAfZHMC7bS_M1v6g-krohOiygF40KshYjIhzP1rWnrU3HDafp7uFnuXpecolsp2Vc5AAsLLMvC1dblj59AvY5t-sxz4cpCy0pwn5Da1qQjypwXyQ81au1_Ne6c/s1600/cpap.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdWmc-EjZLP2Q_UhlPPAfZHMC7bS_M1v6g-krohOiygF40KshYjIhzP1rWnrU3HDafp7uFnuXpecolsp2Vc5AAsLLMvC1dblj59AvY5t-sxz4cpCy0pwn5Da1qQjypwXyQ81au1_Ne6c/s1600/cpap.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmQHn04lpGGRSi1ugr8_NE0EDQi0yFzKLOCoezMgmnIhTSx_KbmCJ_JjBzyAjVK-NKPiy39-EdeoCAPXrE3DC2ukKcimCYsp9mS7bgwDZR5wy3uCVRaJrTjvYtbPjl65P49RUxIwp7Nc/s1600/tiny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmQHn04lpGGRSi1ugr8_NE0EDQi0yFzKLOCoezMgmnIhTSx_KbmCJ_JjBzyAjVK-NKPiy39-EdeoCAPXrE3DC2ukKcimCYsp9mS7bgwDZR5wy3uCVRaJrTjvYtbPjl65P49RUxIwp7Nc/s1600/tiny.jpg" /></a></div>Three years ago today, we brought our little bundle of joy home to the Island. After seventy days in the NICU, two weeks in the Level II Nursery, and a transfer to the biggest regional hospital closest to us, we were finally able to have our baby home with us and in our arms.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqCavZ4azpHwuSdxast6tVqUw_PAc1PuxL1zYCp1LBGi8gcl7eptegqO8KhR8HyydnYqpBbf-7jakifQMI6o0MxbLunGh_lbwktLH68YeHzcW-XyfS1SlDAU15iGyNfY6c1p6v70ICXM0/s1600/daddy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqCavZ4azpHwuSdxast6tVqUw_PAc1PuxL1zYCp1LBGi8gcl7eptegqO8KhR8HyydnYqpBbf-7jakifQMI6o0MxbLunGh_lbwktLH68YeHzcW-XyfS1SlDAU15iGyNfY6c1p6v70ICXM0/s320/daddy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>No NG tube, no CPAP, no leads, no ventilator, no incubator/isolette...nothing. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXcrnuWHcL6l3eCxa_ikI0fa2B0CZEu_etU2QLtTyovyzSUwUrvw0-mYuNPyGvOT7TAoECad2pdy4DSUuJ9nn1ImWWQH1T2iDrMpoAEA_GVrRishLPB6O9zTUtt_kIw8WETgy2NgTsvTI/s1600/airambulance.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXcrnuWHcL6l3eCxa_ikI0fa2B0CZEu_etU2QLtTyovyzSUwUrvw0-mYuNPyGvOT7TAoECad2pdy4DSUuJ9nn1ImWWQH1T2iDrMpoAEA_GVrRishLPB6O9zTUtt_kIw8WETgy2NgTsvTI/s1600/airambulance.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">We were flown from Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto to Sudbury, where Little One had to stay at the hospital for a few more days before we could take her home. </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5i9WMZxO3kQMiRQ9P9NXzloD9Ynikg8hsmNzcBzC7ZG9kvetmWMF3qZx8JcUCWq3juOJEB4hfmxpMFi1lphTA4_7LtZZueK0x8BuIiiuDzM4hY18ibOunHpbHtL13zPTLVU0S8RGO2M/s1600/goinghome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5i9WMZxO3kQMiRQ9P9NXzloD9Ynikg8hsmNzcBzC7ZG9kvetmWMF3qZx8JcUCWq3juOJEB4hfmxpMFi1lphTA4_7LtZZueK0x8BuIiiuDzM4hY18ibOunHpbHtL13zPTLVU0S8RGO2M/s1600/goinghome.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRnsyQKE7oPrpjMifyRapIxfS6o8YvjNBC68lIEdKG3JJ1RJldKrVthVfH-PGhoIjD9yw6LhionOl_lmaKfVief7QZOhn3ljQ3QS22_9K_hFotm-9zCs0sXkiZVKB6IIsjDc7zONCHHk/s1600/finally.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRnsyQKE7oPrpjMifyRapIxfS6o8YvjNBC68lIEdKG3JJ1RJldKrVthVfH-PGhoIjD9yw6LhionOl_lmaKfVief7QZOhn3ljQ3QS22_9K_hFotm-9zCs0sXkiZVKB6IIsjDc7zONCHHk/s320/finally.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyW-1NTWLlZKW9HosbPolA1ZE0EwOvLHQdfwcOlDJdybSDJTFuYI2UajVzad_eB56U36aaZ0A0iNohhHFwtGF7fiQ7mjSnrr8kjXsU93u93QrpqmurLys7Os6LV6_pZbPMhcSJtKzrf-4/s1600/3months1daycorrected.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyW-1NTWLlZKW9HosbPolA1ZE0EwOvLHQdfwcOlDJdybSDJTFuYI2UajVzad_eB56U36aaZ0A0iNohhHFwtGF7fiQ7mjSnrr8kjXsU93u93QrpqmurLys7Os6LV6_pZbPMhcSJtKzrf-4/s320/3months1daycorrected.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">That was three years ago. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This is now.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3kVlSjf47IUCG9CoxyJAEp3jKRPHdEZ07g_Tj4REm0jUyKmx4T_KK76WX0kTG1sUlM0kTjBkJ45qtWvKDNRuolJxB9v0S1B2xsN4wQ8cfMODyaG75IbtPv7pn-FGNb1xp_lT3ZtH_hBc/s1600/BlackBerryPics+930.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3kVlSjf47IUCG9CoxyJAEp3jKRPHdEZ07g_Tj4REm0jUyKmx4T_KK76WX0kTG1sUlM0kTjBkJ45qtWvKDNRuolJxB9v0S1B2xsN4wQ8cfMODyaG75IbtPv7pn-FGNb1xp_lT3ZtH_hBc/s320/BlackBerryPics+930.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4bw_j3qf-za2WWqksgevf38iIDrgiebRukcmsLw0n4zvO6cQHA3C8-k3KANARvjnmFB58tc2lEnIFJBu3mNE5USYDkxPKPYMo27WNfaU7YzeQnNsgBZlUlJAAtv2ZwWb28doRoWDACKw/s1600/BlackBerryPics+922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4bw_j3qf-za2WWqksgevf38iIDrgiebRukcmsLw0n4zvO6cQHA3C8-k3KANARvjnmFB58tc2lEnIFJBu3mNE5USYDkxPKPYMo27WNfaU7YzeQnNsgBZlUlJAAtv2ZwWb28doRoWDACKw/s320/BlackBerryPics+922.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Just to give you some perspective, Hubby pointed out that this cheese weighs just a little less than Little One did at birth. I think this was 800 g or so. Little One was 980 g. That's just over 2 lbs of butter (or in this case, cheese)!<br />
<br />
Now Little One is a very busy, active, happy girl. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3ru1d9mS_4PXZj2df5LMCwd1e4cBBIMhaq0QONj1Ixkqiipn6KA3LC7coUynUsNQ6Jnfxx5Zwkv05k9f695o2MRews0A9yoGLP-iFhRVOKKRv6TUYx2_HmyerM7mp5s-oCAykG0AW00/s1600/BlackBerryPics+929.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3ru1d9mS_4PXZj2df5LMCwd1e4cBBIMhaq0QONj1Ixkqiipn6KA3LC7coUynUsNQ6Jnfxx5Zwkv05k9f695o2MRews0A9yoGLP-iFhRVOKKRv6TUYx2_HmyerM7mp5s-oCAykG0AW00/s320/BlackBerryPics+929.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Time seems to have flown by at the blink of an eye. </div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/lb_sQzp2aVA" width="420"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251507898309184477noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251425358325531953.post-61326430936114171652012-01-27T09:02:00.001-05:002012-01-27T09:05:54.935-05:00Total Paranoia & Addicted to #PresidentsChoice<b>Hubby:</b> So, you mean we wasted over $1000 on getting a new water purifying system installed in the house?<br />
<br />
<b>Me:</b> No. We didn't <i>waste</i> money. <i>You</i> drink the tap water. I<i> trust </i>our tap water. I do! I know it's perfectly good for us to drink! I just feel even better if it's filtered even more. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVwYMke96L_y84s6jy5OEV8LEOyyLuPe8BZeywSzgWidS-ZyOYe60tiWnxX3AgD-m25i-taT-yBiGkQPXs6464N3pgeQXrnMwvrtsh8kpadvHCBDkUtNiNhQvOE9B5VBcsgqaS_Ga3x_k/s1600/BlackBerryPics+926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVwYMke96L_y84s6jy5OEV8LEOyyLuPe8BZeywSzgWidS-ZyOYe60tiWnxX3AgD-m25i-taT-yBiGkQPXs6464N3pgeQXrnMwvrtsh8kpadvHCBDkUtNiNhQvOE9B5VBcsgqaS_Ga3x_k/s320/BlackBerryPics+926.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">H</span></i>ubby wasn't too happy when I came home from the Superstore with a <b>PC universal water filter system</b>/jug and a pack of 5 <a href="http://reviews.presidentschoice.ca/6584/G17405/reviews.htm" target="_blank">filters</a>. I had been on him about getting a new water filtration system in our house with UV filter, etc, etc, etc. We ended up getting the works done last year. Living on a farm, I wanted to spare no costs when it came to our drinking water. I was so happy and felt so secure in knowing that our drinking water was absolutely, positively safe to drink.<br />
<br />
Then I bought a PC universal water filter system and filters! They were on sale and I had been wanting to get a [insert name of popular drinking water filtration pitchers] for a long time. A pack of 5 filters for $7.84 (on special) was a much greater deal than the "other" leading brand. I went with the PC brand. The price was much better and I love and trust PC products.<br />
<br />
I do realize this whole thing with our drinking water is a bit excessive and is entirely psychological on my part, but I cannot help it. Hey, and if this makes me drink more water, then that's a good thing! Right? Yes, I have noticed that I've been drinking A LOT more water since I purchased it. I've been drinking more than a pitcher of water a day!<br />
<br />
Maybe because she sees me drinking (and loving) the water from the new pitcher, Little One has been drinking more water too. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGxLDpvW9vxnf7IC8qtlCvxr0VfxFEkbpczPn62oY2niQr2XSCr9ES7sneN2pHNmfwklFe0BYg5I60rAa5kmoddYnwKJd1exz_bLMuVrrgzuIeLJ6a__5wswtiwmhYtWtkIOhCF9VCGN0/s1600/BlackBerryPics+927.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGxLDpvW9vxnf7IC8qtlCvxr0VfxFEkbpczPn62oY2niQr2XSCr9ES7sneN2pHNmfwklFe0BYg5I60rAa5kmoddYnwKJd1exz_bLMuVrrgzuIeLJ6a__5wswtiwmhYtWtkIOhCF9VCGN0/s320/BlackBerryPics+927.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>It looks so pretty too, no? Check out those sleek contours! It's aesthetically appealing, right?<br />
<br />
Because I am a<a href="http://www.presidentschoice.ca/LCLOnline/" target="_blank"> President's Choice</a> fan, check out just one of my tea shelves in my "tea pantry"!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkB0HKNB9VjAf1yAjVK-xXC4cTgE7p2L5hlRZs6YFmqhAV4-rEx56nqQbWnHuAJxYZ_PBL8dS8XEe5g0cXBz2CjWDNvs4Pwd44zKSVYC1Mh850CuFMGxGLu4Z7kX-McHwvFjuaz0woSmQ/s1600/pcteas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkB0HKNB9VjAf1yAjVK-xXC4cTgE7p2L5hlRZs6YFmqhAV4-rEx56nqQbWnHuAJxYZ_PBL8dS8XEe5g0cXBz2CjWDNvs4Pwd44zKSVYC1Mh850CuFMGxGLu4Z7kX-McHwvFjuaz0woSmQ/s320/pcteas.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Among my favourites are the <a href="http://www.presidentschoice.ca/LCLOnline/products.jsp?type=details&keywords=tea&_requestid=610647&next=1&productId=prod1090065" target="_blank">PC Chocolatey Mint Black Tea</a>, <a href="http://www.presidentschoice.ca/LCLOnline/products.jsp?type=details&keywords=tea&_requestid=610647&next=1&productId=17799" target="_blank">PC Chai Tea</a>,<a href="http://www.presidentschoice.ca/LCLOnline/products.jsp?type=details&keywords=tea&_requestid=610647&next=1&productId=6980" target="_blank"> PC Green Tea</a>, <a href="http://www.presidentschoice.ca/LCLOnline/products.jsp?type=details&keywords=tea&_requestid=610647&next=1&productId=16958" target="_blank">PC Rooibos Tea</a>, <a href="http://www.presidentschoice.ca/LCLOnline/products.jsp?type=details&keywords=tea&_requestid=610647&next=13&productId=prod1090059" target="_blank">PC Mulled Apple Herbal Tea</a>, and <a href="http://www.presidentschoice.ca/LCLOnline/products.jsp?type=details&keywords=tea&_requestid=610647&next=13&productId=prod1450007" target="_blank">PC Organics Jasmine Herbal Tea</a>.<br />
<br />
See? I told you I was addicted!<br />
<br />
President's Choice really is worth switching supermarkets for!<br />
<br />
<i>Disclosure - This is not a paid/sponsored post. This time I'm just sharing how much a absolutely </i><i>LOVE President's Choice products!</i> <i>All the opinions on this blog are honest and my own.</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251507898309184477noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251425358325531953.post-89998346128455544482012-01-26T15:27:00.000-05:002012-01-26T15:27:17.052-05:00New Kid on the PTPA Blogaholics Block<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">W</span></i>e've got some exciting news brewing! One of the coolest things I wanted to share is that I am the <a href="http://www.ptpamedia.com/blog/index.php/2012/01/24/new-ptpa-blogaholic-on-the-block/" target="_blank">newest member of the PTPA Blogaholics</a>! {doing the happy dance}<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ptpamedia.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLNFStzzRqq7r6EFNDG7N4c0C85MyzbjiJ23Q1kr9ZeUmf7Bk34OPqHf_i4qeux_VFgl-MYELlXep3Pwcif8669OJv-VYMghfttpxinGQjj1-HQfB3XBTjaQ1_Xr6RqOfRrlxFNiLoio/s1600/ptpablogaholics.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Many of you are already familiar with<a href="http://www.ptpamedia.com/homepage" target="_blank"> PTPA</a>. For those of you who aren't, let me give you a brief introduction. PTPA (Parent Tested Parent Approved) has parents (Yes, <i>parents</i>!) as their product testers. Real life parents test and evaluate products and give their honest opinions. That's how the products earn the PTPA seal of approval.<br />
<br />
For me, doing research on what products are the best and the safest for my Little One is really important. What I value the most is honest opinions from parents just like me. Let's face it. Parents know what's best for their kids. With PTPA, it's just like getting feedback on products from your best friends or from other parents at play group. Very cool.<br />
<br />
Whenever you see the PTPA Winners Seal, you know it's a product you can trust for your family.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ptpamedia.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8E49ke6H0OiTF_qtRkVvNjjoh4ra-usjNTT9X2K7psuMydHOrjmslL7-ZS6jrbcj8lNX4IaDr9swQWU0zCxnZYMMt6VEArqoFZ13OYi-s9fVsHLeIoFSnc8bK70Jf1QAey3JoPrUJWOE/s200/ptpa.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Want to browse the some of the PTPA Winners? Click <a href="http://www.ptpamedia.com/product-listing" target="_blank">here </a>for the list of all the winners.<br />
You can join their growing community of over 40,000 parents and test products too! Just head on over and register!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251507898309184477noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251425358325531953.post-27877024980580157792012-01-24T13:10:00.001-05:002012-01-24T13:23:48.890-05:00KUNG HEI FAT CHOI!<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95hkAsByq0Ee1tTqn29xzYhYBsuPbYRyEmmVrkCvNzP1KNDwUc0_DKCtEWzHkkAeRiPCce50KjxA3TX107IOOvuESTq_hLmztjQQ7XWZmPJU0xVAZ6MkJqOQxxOwWwybmCzp84UVcf6Q/s1600/cheese.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95hkAsByq0Ee1tTqn29xzYhYBsuPbYRyEmmVrkCvNzP1KNDwUc0_DKCtEWzHkkAeRiPCce50KjxA3TX107IOOvuESTq_hLmztjQQ7XWZmPJU0xVAZ6MkJqOQxxOwWwybmCzp84UVcf6Q/s320/cheese.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">W</span></i>e celebrated Chinese New Year with friends and family last night.<br />
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I hosted a Chinese New Year dinner at our house and we will definitely be hosting one every year. With Little One being Chinese-Caribbean-Spanish-Filipina-Scottish-English-Irish, I really wanted to teach her about her cultural background and for her to embrace each aspect of who she is.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiuBmLLZwaVXDEUa9SF-Hiu8LVpIo8tyouKJYQGIieDxgqaFvyux5iCoWnlAPnSu3gANpxlFcDYvv8PQy2g7cLnAGuNX-u_yaoeciIPbMnYB3JrmjVDrEGH9OJkI6XNC45N2-SqbYYXuw/s1600/yum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiuBmLLZwaVXDEUa9SF-Hiu8LVpIo8tyouKJYQGIieDxgqaFvyux5iCoWnlAPnSu3gANpxlFcDYvv8PQy2g7cLnAGuNX-u_yaoeciIPbMnYB3JrmjVDrEGH9OJkI6XNC45N2-SqbYYXuw/s320/yum.jpg" width="320" /><span id="goog_1905576105"></span><span id="goog_1905576106"></span></a></div><br />
Getting the veggies ready for my Chow Mein. Little One<i> loves</i> noodles (aka: "Noonuls")!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidz93caOJ4LC7c-jZuvUN8wcZ2HQsqHEoXInM6Td802VIUrybFdWU2rZ4DtTRunQ0DULYA7vOuA_Ekl0SkTGTtTeg8z6m89Fkrliz7lG-Mphjsd1mZReZAfEGloSJyH7stP8PlqNUKl0w/s1600/veg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidz93caOJ4LC7c-jZuvUN8wcZ2HQsqHEoXInM6Td802VIUrybFdWU2rZ4DtTRunQ0DULYA7vOuA_Ekl0SkTGTtTeg8z6m89Fkrliz7lG-Mphjsd1mZReZAfEGloSJyH7stP8PlqNUKl0w/s320/veg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Garlic ribs! I was supposed to use pork ribs, but since we live on a beef farm, we had beef ribs on hand. That, and one of my friends doesn't eat pork, so I thought I'd make sure there was a meat dish that she could eat.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCrInzjKa1FFUhB6O-h0Gpo7KrYD4nVhXpH6S9wLyZpGLphE234qjn1q3hUbBMsyA-3BtTjRsHSly9OIi4y3J_hUXmpwdZYEBPDlRUE25ebApqDQu1fZNN39ofoJ_tAXKcSDwbcAIWZE/s1600/ribs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCrInzjKa1FFUhB6O-h0Gpo7KrYD4nVhXpH6S9wLyZpGLphE234qjn1q3hUbBMsyA-3BtTjRsHSly9OIi4y3J_hUXmpwdZYEBPDlRUE25ebApqDQu1fZNN39ofoJ_tAXKcSDwbcAIWZE/s320/ribs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I have to admit that I had <a href="http://www.lifeonmanitoulinreviews.blogspot.com/2012/01/celebrating-chinese-new-year-with-vh.html" target="_blank">the help of VH for our New Year's celebration</a>. The ribs were made with <a href="http://www.vhsauces.ca/" target="_blank">VH</a> Garlic Rib Sauce.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhb9JWD01wR12wqWLoOX34JkGQKKMCUVhUnqxoZEC1T86TUxCAKmXWiUrFlTETIVrrja4Du2G0ihcsN6-2CifbmB2BqbML70Hl08s2dXtgYcDjtnZgAMdfFuw2qKzzpeFNF4BciHx-Sm4/s1600/dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhb9JWD01wR12wqWLoOX34JkGQKKMCUVhUnqxoZEC1T86TUxCAKmXWiUrFlTETIVrrja4Du2G0ihcsN6-2CifbmB2BqbML70Hl08s2dXtgYcDjtnZgAMdfFuw2qKzzpeFNF4BciHx-Sm4/s320/dinner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Check out the awesome spread! I made four dishes (sweet and sour pork, garlic ribs, chow mein, and Hoisin Garlic pork, plus steamed rice).<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvxGh3O0xm2GR051jK8aZ0frePy7gBZh4cOkF7zgU726v84FTdnUWx2t42LxqramV7U9wVkGNR3wo4XRuo5ROmpyJ3HxT00M1rpFmIyiOt50sdd29MTPj4jg9DLlme3k0gCU_KZDLqhc/s1600/dinner2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvxGh3O0xm2GR051jK8aZ0frePy7gBZh4cOkF7zgU726v84FTdnUWx2t42LxqramV7U9wVkGNR3wo4XRuo5ROmpyJ3HxT00M1rpFmIyiOt50sdd29MTPj4jg9DLlme3k0gCU_KZDLqhc/s320/dinner2.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>Guests also brought Chinese New Year-inspired dishes. Among them were sesame dumplings, soup, pot stickers, fried rice, sweet and sour chicken, and <b>homemade fortune cookies</b>!!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4Q6cVxvJf0937dT5jDPAa5_C1ZKAAWHX4urAo59BIX2Vf6McqA3xXfqXEXJivvTKPw5hqipbMgjltwnWUX2czKzLReHH_Dt4oHTYFIZfreneJ3NXFZNU3E8j7JSMrN4p9GIgKbndJnU/s1600/fortune2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4Q6cVxvJf0937dT5jDPAa5_C1ZKAAWHX4urAo59BIX2Vf6McqA3xXfqXEXJivvTKPw5hqipbMgjltwnWUX2czKzLReHH_Dt4oHTYFIZfreneJ3NXFZNU3E8j7JSMrN4p9GIgKbndJnU/s320/fortune2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Can you believe it?! HOMEMADE FORTUNE COOKIES, people!!! I was totally blown away! My friend said she just went on YouTube, found a video recipe, and made this with her 3 year old! She made two batches. One regular and one gluten-free!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8QgC4wZeikvxQtlk4ajjvzujMBlvTvMjFKbf0cMnfvMLd8olSGa_EMgcKw8xpM6n26CIz7Bsw7hiDDKjIVJKsdn81i3Du_0fBBOcD3Rw2HWsSrfCKZAmYjWtEiUlKYrWia21CQCidZ8/s1600/fortune.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8QgC4wZeikvxQtlk4ajjvzujMBlvTvMjFKbf0cMnfvMLd8olSGa_EMgcKw8xpM6n26CIz7Bsw7hiDDKjIVJKsdn81i3Du_0fBBOcD3Rw2HWsSrfCKZAmYjWtEiUlKYrWia21CQCidZ8/s320/fortune.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Apparently, I'm going to live a long and happy life.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvD2uafROgV_6BGwDfVk0JkySV-E6we7VhsokFQb3t8hS81FQ2_3hXFydq7cAcRrpFaFK2Gp9PaMr3c3zi1xDsaRSCX1vtw2O2Mb0w-nkKOZ_p1-B_QMHyp-szKSk7eThm7jJGy1noaQ8/s1600/hoisin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvD2uafROgV_6BGwDfVk0JkySV-E6we7VhsokFQb3t8hS81FQ2_3hXFydq7cAcRrpFaFK2Gp9PaMr3c3zi1xDsaRSCX1vtw2O2Mb0w-nkKOZ_p1-B_QMHyp-szKSk7eThm7jJGy1noaQ8/s320/hoisin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhVef09ZgTfB1kyJaQYjJWDkgHvcV3g85NPC9ufF-_YSnhht4DMdgKWQXVOSsGGf3CdxDrWfrHWpPv5QA0qk3gShXZ5kYAhnkzbu3mGP7_oqY3JsLkJjRObZbAcf8Qj8lT2OR7gCEwWY/s1600/dragon2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Hubby's favourite dish of the evening: Hoisin Garlic Pork...also with the help of VH!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhVef09ZgTfB1kyJaQYjJWDkgHvcV3g85NPC9ufF-_YSnhht4DMdgKWQXVOSsGGf3CdxDrWfrHWpPv5QA0qk3gShXZ5kYAhnkzbu3mGP7_oqY3JsLkJjRObZbAcf8Qj8lT2OR7gCEwWY/s1600/dragon2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhVef09ZgTfB1kyJaQYjJWDkgHvcV3g85NPC9ufF-_YSnhht4DMdgKWQXVOSsGGf3CdxDrWfrHWpPv5QA0qk3gShXZ5kYAhnkzbu3mGP7_oqY3JsLkJjRObZbAcf8Qj8lT2OR7gCEwWY/s320/dragon2.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Artwork and decorations were made by my lovely and talented friend. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiThMU14Gk4e2YQwn5To3405Hg0hb7QDj8-Arjn_QZ79AwxEmBLOWByt42-dGKUuyEhvjDtm3KXkLEDL9YNGc2xUdw9o3iUOk1fFwoILdSMHzh-65oniietiS5NUFJcWx5xhz5aqX0GjW0/s1600/Dragon2012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiThMU14Gk4e2YQwn5To3405Hg0hb7QDj8-Arjn_QZ79AwxEmBLOWByt42-dGKUuyEhvjDtm3KXkLEDL9YNGc2xUdw9o3iUOk1fFwoILdSMHzh-65oniietiS5NUFJcWx5xhz5aqX0GjW0/s320/Dragon2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Happy New Year, everyone! May the luck of the Dragon grace you all this year!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_Mzn2_aMDbU64CpgXfCACtTzPeIJ4Jh4NX7gT3kfYm5dyRl2csF2vHCOfGP6h9ELMB_l7xLkUJclHY5rI_yVnL-Ah8EVdAhNdd9-g7T57tO3kJNGxDHv4_X8ol2hwAs9CSdViONes0M/s1600/moonfestival.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_Mzn2_aMDbU64CpgXfCACtTzPeIJ4Jh4NX7gT3kfYm5dyRl2csF2vHCOfGP6h9ELMB_l7xLkUJclHY5rI_yVnL-Ah8EVdAhNdd9-g7T57tO3kJNGxDHv4_X8ol2hwAs9CSdViONes0M/s1600/moonfestival.jpg" /></a></div><i>Disclosure - We were given an assortment of <a href="http://www.vhsauces.ca/" target="_blank">VH</a> products to help celebrate Chinese New Year. All the opinions on this blog are honest and my own. </i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251507898309184477noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251425358325531953.post-17786093865734552412012-01-22T11:26:00.002-05:002012-01-25T00:04:25.391-05:00#TimHortons - I Love You, but I'm SO Disappointed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguv7ZcLxzXheO9BImkcAyUSkeesclUBZxpnDbF7kfu2WdMT2ycZjMJkUBP6b4sPTIneXgu4snff8MnbbimkYFVwQEbqymFU0ObkTDZi3lGM6IrRRsNvMcCY3DTuz5DfrSzRXzg9rh-CeY/s1600/timhortons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguv7ZcLxzXheO9BImkcAyUSkeesclUBZxpnDbF7kfu2WdMT2ycZjMJkUBP6b4sPTIneXgu4snff8MnbbimkYFVwQEbqymFU0ObkTDZi3lGM6IrRRsNvMcCY3DTuz5DfrSzRXzg9rh-CeY/s320/timhortons.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Driving home from Guelph (where Hubby was speaking at the Beef Symposium at U of G), I was really looking forward to stopping at <a href="http://www.timhortons.com/" target="_blank">Tim Hortons</a>. We were six hours into our drive back home and Hubby asked which location I wanted to stop at.<br />
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I wanted to go to the one just off the highway on our way into Espanola. I really like that location. There's a lot of parking space, everything is fresh and tasty, and I can always expect the same friendly service each time I go there.<br />
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Not this time.<br />
Hubby stayed in the vehicle, since our 3 year old was sleeping. It was just after 11:30PM. I went in to get us some beverages to keep us awake for the r emainder of our drive home. The place was empty. There was just one other customer apart from me.<br />
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I stood at the counter, ready to order. I was really looking forward to our beverages! I waited....and waited...and waited. The woman behind the counter was standing at the cash right in front of me! I smiled, cheerfully said hello, and took out my wallet. Still nothing!<br />
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No acknowledgment of my presence, no hello, no "How can I help you?"...NOTHING!<br />
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I stood there in disbelief. Is she really ignoring me? Does she not realize there is a paying customer standing at the cash? Hello!?!?!<br />
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No. She didn't even serve me or speak to me. It's not like she was incredibly busy. There was only one man sitting at a table and waiting for her to make his sandwich! She surely could have at least taken my order.<br />
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She turned her back to me and proceeded to do something else.<br />
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Fine. I loudly zipped my wallet shut and stormed out. I did entertain the thought of saying something, but was too worked up and knew that I may not handle it so well if I did say something. No. I'd just fill out a comment card, stating my disappointment. Okay, initially, it wasn't disappointment. It was sheer anger.<br />
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I do know that this is not indicative of all Tim Hortons locations and I did mention that this is the one we frequent most often. Will I stop going to this particular location? No. However, I do hope that this is just an isolated incident. I hope I was just the only one this Tim Hortons employee disregarded and ignored.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrbKrnAtoTZFWQWq2_ODgvWrAL6WwPzNEgOK9QZN7wryabL0c2OgTf5oCHZ8jLKuaZLjqpH2HXafwlh5cad9wHQ7teOmZkrugoXvKfejniq0XMSHVh2NXD0kUdRBrELo1OroRt4BkIFvU/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrbKrnAtoTZFWQWq2_ODgvWrAL6WwPzNEgOK9QZN7wryabL0c2OgTf5oCHZ8jLKuaZLjqpH2HXafwlh5cad9wHQ7teOmZkrugoXvKfejniq0XMSHVh2NXD0kUdRBrELo1OroRt4BkIFvU/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> Photo via Google Images</i></span></div><br />
A paying customer! I am in shock and am completely stupefied! I understand that maybe she had something on her mind. Perhaps she was having a bad day. It <i>was </i>pretty late, but they have late hours of operation. Who knows? But, to send a paying customer storming out the door without even ordering? No, you're not going to lose business, but I do hope staff is trained how to work with the public. This was totally uncalled for.<br />
<br />
Hubby knew when he saw me storming out the door, that he wasn't going to get his coffee. On the 74 minute drive home to the Island, thoughts reeled through my mind. "I HOPE this was being videotaped and that her manager saw how terribly her service/performance was!" and "That was the rudest thing that has EVER happened to me!"<br />
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Bottom line: I still like Tim Hortons and I will likely continue to frequent that location. I just hope this is dealt with and that the manager makes sure that employees treat their customers the proper way. I can't even say that the service was horrible, because there was no service!!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251507898309184477noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251425358325531953.post-48659492596773381592012-01-20T00:00:00.001-05:002012-01-20T00:00:01.179-05:00Celebrating Chinese New Year with VH Sauces<div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA9CD2tOTAh-eW4Zq0-vuAp2Z01ZjbQxCoyrldNYwWY6TvVsG_-NpJbOcTCrHP8DDYpte9L8YfY-mjNgBOR33OQwKlyXxxRyWTpRn-VSjpnom0ZAufHb5EwDhlJbi-zVBUlY06VdJfFsw/s1600/dragon.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA9CD2tOTAh-eW4Zq0-vuAp2Z01ZjbQxCoyrldNYwWY6TvVsG_-NpJbOcTCrHP8DDYpte9L8YfY-mjNgBOR33OQwKlyXxxRyWTpRn-VSjpnom0ZAufHb5EwDhlJbi-zVBUlY06VdJfFsw/s1600/dragon.jpg" /></a></div>I am sad to admit that though I am part Chinese, I know very little about my heritage. Growing up in Quebec, my parents chose for us to focus on French and not Chinese or Tagalog (my Dad is Chinese and my Mom is Filipina).<br />
<br />
We sort of celebrated <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year" target="_blank">Chinese New Year</a>, but we didn't really know much about it. Not knowing the language, the history, or anything about our background left me feeling a disconnect from my culture. Now that I am older, I'm saddened by this.<br />
<br />
This is why I want to celebrate the <a href="http://education2.uvic.ca/Faculty/mroth/438/china/chinese_new_year.html" target="_blank">Lunar New Year</a>. I want Little One to appreciate, embrace, and learn about her Chinese background - even though she's Scottish-Irish-English-Filipina-Spanish-Caribbean-Chinese (in other words, "Canadian"!), I would love for her to be in touch with that part of her. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Mq-ST4-xWQHlKPF9HLrSt76wog0vSy-zJY_OH908-0bBjDmBRAkNKAfN9ZgzxNM78iwqA_a2DugIB9bvYt9dbMvrP51xNOjqLibXWoO83HUzjrPgO70zlAdhw8RZyvEZbeYhvN8bNAE/s1600/costume.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Mq-ST4-xWQHlKPF9HLrSt76wog0vSy-zJY_OH908-0bBjDmBRAkNKAfN9ZgzxNM78iwqA_a2DugIB9bvYt9dbMvrP51xNOjqLibXWoO83HUzjrPgO70zlAdhw8RZyvEZbeYhvN8bNAE/s320/costume.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>On January 23rd, we are ushering the Year of the Dragon with a Chinese New Year dinner. I am so excited that we are celebrating the Year of the Dragon. The Dragon is supposed to signify power, luck, success, and happiness! What better way to celebrate than by sharing a meal with friends and family?<br />
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<a href="http://www.vhsauces.ca/" target="_blank"><b>VH</b></a> is playing a key role in our celebration this year.<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">We were sent <a href="http://www.vhsauces.ca/VHSauce.html#flavoursorient_StirFryEN" target="_blank">VH sauces</a> to help in the creation of our festive meal. We received VH Garlic Hoisin Stir-Fry Sauce, Sweet & Sour Stir-Fry Sauce, and Medium Garlic Rib Sauce. </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgchfzh-pjqvo9yXrJFj2eWpQdamOajoeXRW5EyXIJKAhQiewyHsabue_RNUejU69ogoRIq5R1X1iFgBPf36xxgTwkJSG9sna7ftAjD6Ttv70Udqz5VALD49Yb1aPPUTJ4CGiT-9deW0Tw/s1600/hoisin.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgchfzh-pjqvo9yXrJFj2eWpQdamOajoeXRW5EyXIJKAhQiewyHsabue_RNUejU69ogoRIq5R1X1iFgBPf36xxgTwkJSG9sna7ftAjD6Ttv70Udqz5VALD49Yb1aPPUTJ4CGiT-9deW0Tw/s1600/hoisin.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I'm really excited about preparing our meal, but won't share what's on the menu yet! You'll have to find out about it <b><i>after </i></b>our New Year's celebration on Monday! I promise to include recipes and photos of the festivities!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg12vvdF04ERrevLDLZQlN4j9zBZggRU598MHzBt96eV54AEh9Dl6wYho5LL8ZIWxl1aCO3bgIY_s7TBztWNYtSqFJJU7LW1Z-DROQsvjOv_1GME_UsAoBrtXQBBoXR1_LQgnAeMmxMFz0/s1600/dragon2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg12vvdF04ERrevLDLZQlN4j9zBZggRU598MHzBt96eV54AEh9Dl6wYho5LL8ZIWxl1aCO3bgIY_s7TBztWNYtSqFJJU7LW1Z-DROQsvjOv_1GME_UsAoBrtXQBBoXR1_LQgnAeMmxMFz0/s1600/dragon2.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>In the meantime, here is one of the <i>many </i>recipes VH is sharing with you. I hope it inspires you to create dishes for your family that include a little Asian flare and a touch of the Orient with the use of their Sweet & Sour sauce.<br />
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Exposing children's taste buds to a variety of different ingredients and tastes is a good thing! Get them to try new flavours like a touch of ginger or something tangy or with garlic! Exploring a wide range of tastes may keep things interesting at the dinner table and maybe even the pickiest of eaters will enjoy their meal once they smell how aromatic everything is! Plus, sampling new foods is a great way to introduce kids to different cultures and teach them about the world around them. After all, food is a universal subject! Everyone enjoys talking about food!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGt5_LpaH8OfP37urmsGoXEpwz04CUtXzA-3O_0cm-YTG0Mf3Ft4Uuij9Udr0HFCM2Kjyq_DJiDTVyUXupGCjaKpexT-9vNMbPvwxcg1IEl0eUofPxQ3mGPFkjry-tRrSbyd3JuhA5BVY/s1600/chicken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGt5_LpaH8OfP37urmsGoXEpwz04CUtXzA-3O_0cm-YTG0Mf3Ft4Uuij9Udr0HFCM2Kjyq_DJiDTVyUXupGCjaKpexT-9vNMbPvwxcg1IEl0eUofPxQ3mGPFkjry-tRrSbyd3JuhA5BVY/s1600/chicken.jpg" /></a></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"></span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Chicken stuffed with Broccoli and Goat Cheese</span></b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Serves 4</span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Prep Time: 15 minutes</span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Cook time: 20 minutes</span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Total time: 35 minutes</span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">4 chicken breasts, skinless and boneless</span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">½ cup (125 mL) plain goat cheese (cream cheese can also be used)</span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">2 cups (500 mL) frozen broccoli florets</span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">2 tbsp (30 mL) vegetable oil</span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">1 bottle VH Sweet & Sour Sauce</span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">1.</span><span style="font-size: 7.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Place 1 chicken breast between 2 large pieces of plastic wrap, carefully pound chicken breast with the flat side of a meat tenderizer or rolling pin. Flatten breast to a 1/4 inch thickness, taking care not to tear the chicken. Repeat with remaining chicken breasts.</span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">2.</span><span style="font-size: 7.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Place broccoli in a small glass and add just enough water to cover the florets, microwave for 4 minutes. Drain and chop finely. Stir warm broccoli into goat cheese until well combined.</span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">3.</span><span style="font-size: 7.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Place ¼ of the cheese mixture at the base of the first piece of chicken, carefully roll the meat over the cheese, tucking in the sides to enclose the cheese. Use 2-3 toothpicks to secure. Repeat with remaining 3 breasts.</span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">4.</span><span style="font-size: 7.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">In a large sauté pan heat oil over medium-high, brown chicken on all sides, about 7 minutes. Add VH Sweet & Sour Sauce to the pan along with ¼ cup (60 mL) water. Cover and simmer until chicken is cooked through, about 12 minutes.</span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">5.</span><span style="font-size: 7.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Slice chicken and serve with sauce poured over top.</span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Tips</span></b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">: For a cheesier version stir ¼ cup (60 mL) finely diced cheddar cheese into the broccoli and goat cheese mixture before stuffing. Also, for ease of preparation veal scallopini or store bought tenderized chicken can be used.</span></div><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span>For some Chinese New Year inspired recipes to try at home with your family, check out the <b>VH Facebook page</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/VH?sk=app_305509382804427" target="_blank">here</a>!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_Mzn2_aMDbU64CpgXfCACtTzPeIJ4Jh4NX7gT3kfYm5dyRl2csF2vHCOfGP6h9ELMB_l7xLkUJclHY5rI_yVnL-Ah8EVdAhNdd9-g7T57tO3kJNGxDHv4_X8ol2hwAs9CSdViONes0M/s1600/moonfestival.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_Mzn2_aMDbU64CpgXfCACtTzPeIJ4Jh4NX7gT3kfYm5dyRl2csF2vHCOfGP6h9ELMB_l7xLkUJclHY5rI_yVnL-Ah8EVdAhNdd9-g7T57tO3kJNGxDHv4_X8ol2hwAs9CSdViONes0M/s1600/moonfestival.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><i>Disclosure - We received an assortment of VH Sauces to facilitate this post. All the opinions on this blog are honest and my own.</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251507898309184477noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251425358325531953.post-547894233826567762012-01-19T07:06:00.001-05:002012-01-19T07:06:00.533-05:00It's Official! #FisherPriceMomsI'm a <a href="http://www.fisherpriceplay.ca/" target="_blank">Fisher-Price Mom</a>!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fisher-price.com/ca/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsC2FSgtPFpRlFI8t2w1b6AIo82CFYHyNVcITTmRbzZW3ftH6w1e7bR2RL8lpTTEyZsbcuPN87cbrlcWMaOYC16l_SeBj0icikiWBarXQUMI_-zK6R-BqxkoOFjuXbhp2iNchmtBmD974/s1600/FisherPrice_Blogger.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Is it wrong to get so excited over a fantastic new blog button? I hope not, because I<i> am </i>excited! I get to learn more about the Fisher-Price company and its products, as well as<a href="http://lifeonmanitoulinreviews.blogspot.com/2012/01/keeping-your-child-occupied-in-cold.html" target="_blank"> share lots of exciting things</a> with readers! For example, did you know that Fisher-Price has a <a href="http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=280000&e=playandlearn&ccat=play_and_learn" target="_blank">Play & Learn</a> section on their site that offers lots of<a href="http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=280000&e=playandlearn&ccat=play_and_learn" target="_blank"> activities for your kids </a>(that you can do as a family) and they've even sorted them for each age group? Yes, all the activities are age appropriate for your child/children!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-sFGxnRbf0zqH2gi2X2i0wrlML_YvNSEGQ9H_uorXNwmER8cRMHyw-bMPA-hF_9uMRyDWaMQ3wPBbKKBcBs8mp_3JtR0TYesPn5KE6NNYe5X5lvr0ejESPeCsqHbtXbksRX4HjrAz1hI/s1600/BlackBerryPics+680.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-sFGxnRbf0zqH2gi2X2i0wrlML_YvNSEGQ9H_uorXNwmER8cRMHyw-bMPA-hF_9uMRyDWaMQ3wPBbKKBcBs8mp_3JtR0TYesPn5KE6NNYe5X5lvr0ejESPeCsqHbtXbksRX4HjrAz1hI/s320/BlackBerryPics+680.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Not only that! You can follow along with the rest of the <a href="http://www.fisherpriceplay.ca/" target="_blank">Fisher-Price Moms </a>on their blogs. This is a group of fabulous writers/mothers/ladies! Meet the original Fisher-Price Moms (<a href="http://www.growingyourbaby.com/" target="_blank">Lisa</a>, <a href="http://www.listentolena.com/" target="_blank">Lena</a>, <a href="http://www.myorganizedchaos.net/" target="_blank">Tammi</a>, <a href="http://abusymommy.com/" target="_blank">Jen</a>, <a href="http://www.everythingupclose.com/" target="_blank">Ilissa</a>, <a href="http://danigirl.ca/blog/" target="_blank">Danielle</a>, <a href="http://parentclub.ca/" target="_blank">Caroline</a>, and <a href="http://mafamilia.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Nadia</a>) on the Fisher-Price site <a href="http://www.fisherpriceplay.ca/moms/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
This year, some new additions were included to this dynamic bunch! Want to get to know them? Check them out!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.feistyfrugalandfabulous.com/" target="_blank">Tenille</a><br />
<a href="http://www.bitofmomsense.com/" target="_blank">Rebecca</a><br />
<a href="http://www.littlemissmocha.com/" target="_blank">Jen</a><br />
<a href="http://www.foreverinmomgenes.com/" target="_blank">Lisa</a><br />
<a href="http://www.herebewillers.com/" target="_blank">Emma</a><br />
<a href="http://www.heartsintohome.com/" target="_blank">Amy</a><br />
<a href="http://www.lifeonmanitoulinreviews.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Christine</a> (me!)<br />
<a href="http://www.myweeview.com/" target="_blank">Lynette</a><br />
<a href="http://www.kidsumers.ca/" target="_blank">Sheri</a><br />
<a href="http://www.mommymoment.ca/" target="_blank">Jody</a><br />
<a href="http://www.survival4moms.com/" target="_blank">Erica </a><br />
<a href="http://www.everythingmomandbaby.com/" target="_blank">Erica</a><br />
<a href="http://www.alotofloves.com/" target="_blank">Marilyn</a><br />
<a href="http://www.loulousviews.com/" target="_blank">Loukia</a><br />
<a href="http://www.cinqfourchettes.com/" target="_blank">Genevieve</a><br />
<a href="http://www.petitzucchini.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Marie-Andree</a><br />
<a href="http://www.eldarwensirfalas.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Maryse </a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251507898309184477noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251425358325531953.post-73327909840859607752012-01-18T05:08:00.002-05:002012-01-18T05:13:16.345-05:00Baby, it's Cold Outside! {Plus a Recipe!}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwsyOH5N-KbY-dWLtNFjYpB5QmiUTg0Yuqpt8mWFftlWIYwR16gClAAxQv55uYTOLgVcl9xl-SC7cTmBoigO6BefFahOC2gNaojPqEPb5wwvFQGLUbLcaHuuIqyn5OgiSLt2TpA0G4_Q/s1600/snow2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwsyOH5N-KbY-dWLtNFjYpB5QmiUTg0Yuqpt8mWFftlWIYwR16gClAAxQv55uYTOLgVcl9xl-SC7cTmBoigO6BefFahOC2gNaojPqEPb5wwvFQGLUbLcaHuuIqyn5OgiSLt2TpA0G4_Q/s320/snow2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">I </span></i>don't know why I foolishly thought we could bypass winter all-together. It seemed too good to be true. Not that I don't like winter or snow. I just don't like the cold!<br />
<br />
We didn't have a "White Christmas". In fact, winter started off without any snow. It was unusually mild until just recently. It was only yesterday that we got our first huge snowfall. I think it was somewhere in the neighbourhood of 8 inches! A friend's Facebook status told me it was 2 feet of snow though. Either way, it's still a lot of snow.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I'm not complaining. I love the snow. Freshly fallen snow is just so pretty. Up in the country, the snow on our property is fresh and white. It's not the slushy, black, stuff I remember from all the traffic in the city.<br />
<br />
Did I mention how much I love snow? I love playing in it and can't wait to go sledding/sliding with Little One. I can't wait to build snow forts and snowmen, and yes...even make snow angels! Okay, maybe I don't love having to clean my van off in the mornings or having to shovel the deck. I do love seeing Little One and my canine baby, Chance playing in the snow though. Unbelievably cute!<br />
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Another thing I love about winter? All the homemade soups I get to make! Granted, one can make soup any time of the year, but there's nothing nicer than coming in from the cold and having a bowl of hot soup to take the chill off!<br />
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Here's one of our favourites! Okay, so it's not intended as a hot soup!<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Vichyssoise Soup</span></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cWmhyphenhyphenAdrRyV3iQbJ91pZESTl5dCucHsJeyjjav1NIWCrU3aT6g7ibLfzsy2C5qGvcYOu7fYqFPAXjxrgaQxwqIiiEPWHKoSQBdQg6rRrBNo__VOZAw84T3vA-ZFfsKjp88SIZhq2HnA/s1600/soup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cWmhyphenhyphenAdrRyV3iQbJ91pZESTl5dCucHsJeyjjav1NIWCrU3aT6g7ibLfzsy2C5qGvcYOu7fYqFPAXjxrgaQxwqIiiEPWHKoSQBdQg6rRrBNo__VOZAw84T3vA-ZFfsKjp88SIZhq2HnA/s320/soup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Technically, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vichyssoise">Vichyssoise soup</a>, as its original name suggests (<span class="st">crème <i>vichyssoise</i> glacée),</span> is to be enjoyed chilled and not as a hot soup. It's known to many as a creamy chilled leek and potato soup. I may be committing a cardinal sin in French cuisine by serving it hot. I actually do chill it in the summer months, but in the winter, I like my soup hot! <br />
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At my bridal shower 7 years ago, my maid of honour put together a cookbook with favourite recipes from my female family members and friends. I still revert to that book for some of our family favourites. My aunt's Vichyssoise Soup recipe is in the book. Because it's her recipe, I will not post it. However, I will post another one similar to hers.<br />
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<u>Ingredients:</u><br />
4 cups leeks, sliced <br />
4 cups potatoes, diced (cleaned and peeled)<br />
6 cups water (I add chicken bouillon) <br />
Salt and pepper to taste<br />
1/2 cup creme fraiche or heavy cream (or milk)<br />
Chives, chopped (to garnish)<br />
Butter<br />
<br />
<u>Preparation:</u><br />
In a large saucepan, add butter. Add leeks and potatoes. Cook until transparent. Add water/stock. Puree or blend if you wish. Season with S & P and adjust to your taste. After chilling soup, stir in your cream or milk. Before serving, sprinkle chives to garnish.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251507898309184477noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251425358325531953.post-29056430249659914292012-01-16T16:30:00.002-05:002012-01-16T17:22:02.431-05:00A {Cardboard} Knight's Tale and a GIVEAWAY!<i><span style="font-size: x-large;"> O</span></i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">nce upon a time, there lived a brave and gallant knight. He saved princesses from the flames of an angry dragon, defended his kingdom from enemy forces...and all while wielding his trusty cardboard sword.</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50ikttAtPrT-kS3oIr08KP65Drlxim3Zpj7upKqinq8MDo8pBwz_qy1smdsfdI3_pE1WTXyBYtAjUY2D32u7dPrpROYbDNQV6weAnzvinemvZySIOejLeNer3_NO1AAV-hoK9E1s0UYE/s1600/knight4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50ikttAtPrT-kS3oIr08KP65Drlxim3Zpj7upKqinq8MDo8pBwz_qy1smdsfdI3_pE1WTXyBYtAjUY2D32u7dPrpROYbDNQV6weAnzvinemvZySIOejLeNer3_NO1AAV-hoK9E1s0UYE/s320/knight4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">R</span></i>emember last week when I posted about that great <a href="http://lifeonmanitoulinreviews.blogspot.com/2012/01/cardboard-adventures-knight-review.html"><b>Cardboard Adventures Knight</b></a> costume we received from <a href="http://www.orbfactory.com/"><b>The Orb Factory</b></a>?<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguymW8wkiNykVFLK4O1C5ABxRu9M3_3-e7Rba0PmAdt1DkS6v05-06NeV-dROeUh6MWMHmw0bYGF5BxEYmYmpCB_ju-AMKlpSMjOgfr0uBT8XZrCxyeeQHkxYfc6r_iF-VstrF_FBZlFo/s1600/64792-Knight-Box_product_feature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguymW8wkiNykVFLK4O1C5ABxRu9M3_3-e7Rba0PmAdt1DkS6v05-06NeV-dROeUh6MWMHmw0bYGF5BxEYmYmpCB_ju-AMKlpSMjOgfr0uBT8XZrCxyeeQHkxYfc6r_iF-VstrF_FBZlFo/s320/64792-Knight-Box_product_feature.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I mentioned how it provided hours of creative/make-believe fun for the kids. Well, in all my excitement, I forgot to mention that the good people at The Orb Factory are giving one of my lucky readers a <a href="http://www.orbfactory.com/Products/Curiosity-Kits-R/Cardboard-Adventures-Knight">Cardboard Adventures™ Knight</a> too! <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1bC6lxuQRXJ4eBtrTUO26q8bVbqB1PGv0sVNtwwpefhx1oUZbUBpK4SK_8PerYy9bKTKskcva43XvnVuYEH8gSKQcVEUOvqbLc38Vpw9B20z1JbE8rFrl3Rfj0O9juXeHNDbZtXTz50/s1600/knight2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1bC6lxuQRXJ4eBtrTUO26q8bVbqB1PGv0sVNtwwpefhx1oUZbUBpK4SK_8PerYy9bKTKskcva43XvnVuYEH8gSKQcVEUOvqbLc38Vpw9B20z1JbE8rFrl3Rfj0O9juXeHNDbZtXTz50/s320/knight2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgo_4NiSL6D7zT7X2K2Rdcc_LYwuXY7-3dNKP8I0OAnZreTip10k_zzs167eWmtqVVeBMVp16zGKuKorOldENTTaL19y71Etz27xsDAbMlmrZTobWCcWOcK8KqVPbU15Z0uG2ofAh0no/s1600/knight6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgo_4NiSL6D7zT7X2K2Rdcc_LYwuXY7-3dNKP8I0OAnZreTip10k_zzs167eWmtqVVeBMVp16zGKuKorOldENTTaL19y71Etz27xsDAbMlmrZTobWCcWOcK8KqVPbU15Z0uG2ofAh0no/s320/knight6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Okay, perhaps it wasn't so much as lapse of memory from excitement, but more a "Mommy Brain"/"Momnesia" moment! Hey, having a 3 year old is a good excuse for Momnesia, right?<br />
<br />
Do you want to win a <a href="http://www.orbfactory.com/Products/Curiosity-Kits-R/Cardboard-Adventures-Knight">Cardboard Adventures™ Knight</a> for a special little boy or girl in your life? Now is your chance!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIBdNXneAkEACCN-070j3UwnwcJ-nATWHfbO00LCE2a4eAFiLAAg8Kj01sC3oV9XqG2MXBCrKVqhCrmsSoMSb-y0J5FnFaMu5bZcb4iHWA1N9WrBpIjd53VJBsujBXIRYKWBKKfpZips/s1600/knight1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIBdNXneAkEACCN-070j3UwnwcJ-nATWHfbO00LCE2a4eAFiLAAg8Kj01sC3oV9XqG2MXBCrKVqhCrmsSoMSb-y0J5FnFaMu5bZcb4iHWA1N9WrBpIjd53VJBsujBXIRYKWBKKfpZips/s320/knight1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Enter the giveaway by filling out our handy dandy Rafflecopter form below.<br />
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<i>Disclosure - We received a Cardboard Adventure Knight kit from The Orb Factory to facilitate this review. All opinions on this blog are honest and my own.</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251507898309184477noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251425358325531953.post-82100882418100957202012-01-16T11:33:00.001-05:002012-01-16T11:51:09.118-05:00One of My Biggest Fears<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwuOd1eP0CWSkgWztXMalc6wrTQiRggb_-lPR0NTpP9mj2QQe9i53xAZnzy481WFh04QUEcIlYUFWKpgam9bRvHywcw_hyphenhyphenFqIJZze8N3mQ3fEyysse_8l8oLqZ4hnyldO1JJ9aK0dcunM/s1600/fyb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwuOd1eP0CWSkgWztXMalc6wrTQiRggb_-lPR0NTpP9mj2QQe9i53xAZnzy481WFh04QUEcIlYUFWKpgam9bRvHywcw_hyphenhyphenFqIJZze8N3mQ3fEyysse_8l8oLqZ4hnyldO1JJ9aK0dcunM/s1600/fyb.jpg" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">I</span></i> know one cannot live one's life in fear. It's a terrible way to live. Having said this, I have to admit that I am a fearful person.<br />
<br />
When I was younger, I feared that I would never meet "the right" person to spend the rest of my life with. I was a serial dater and it was always with the wrong kind of men (ummm...make that "man-children"/boys).<br />
<br />
When I got married, and we didn't get pregnant right off the bat, I worried that we would never have children. A couple months passed, and we got pregnant. <br />
<br />
When we got pregnant, I worried that something bad would happen to our baby.<br />
<br />
Something did happen. My cervix was dilated when I was just into my second trimester. Little One was born 3 months early and spent the first 70 days of her life in the NICU.<br />
<br />
I feared that something would happen to her because she was born so early. It was the worst feeling in the world.<br />
<br />
Though I was scared, I still had faith that everything would be okay. By some miracle, we now have a happy, healthy, busy, active 3 year old girl who shows no signs that she was a preemie. One wouldn't be able to tell that she was born at 28 weeks and 980 g at birth.<br />
<br />
Today, my biggest fear is the possibility of having cancer. I don't know why I am so paranoid about this. Whenever I go to the doctor for a check-up, I get the nurse practitioner to do a breast check on me. I know how to do a self-examination. I do it quite regularly. Just the confirmation from someone else that there indeed is no lump found makes me feel huge relief. I dream about it and wake up having to check my breasts to make sure that there are no lumps. I've almost convinced myself that I will discover something there one morning. It's really irrational and it's driving me crazy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu38bvAjZoj4Rd7BDL-sukMov1Hqv5-eSP7iU1obt7FKKhw8q-R6mwVRjM2vO2c61O2_1BE_QnBijkkVWHjsihR1Jdixuti2N4MPHcTMRWbhMDxCBLi90tXxkL268K5FFBRqQ-DeZEUR8/s1600/bcc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu38bvAjZoj4Rd7BDL-sukMov1Hqv5-eSP7iU1obt7FKKhw8q-R6mwVRjM2vO2c61O2_1BE_QnBijkkVWHjsihR1Jdixuti2N4MPHcTMRWbhMDxCBLi90tXxkL268K5FFBRqQ-DeZEUR8/s1600/bcc.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Just recently, six (YES! <b><i>SIX!</i></b>) of my friends have been diagnosed with breast cancer. That is not a small percentage at all. It's alarming and scary. <br />
<br />
Friends of varying ages (between 30 and up) have been affected by breast cancer. I've been there through the chemo/radiation and some of them having to have a breast (or both) removed. The ups and downs, the trials and tribulations...all very real and very close to home. The worst part? Cancer does not discriminate. You can be the most active, healthy, wonderful person ever, and cancer can still strike.<br />
<br />
Perhaps this is why breast cancer is on my brain so much these days.<br />
<br />
Thankfully, there are a lot of great resources for women. Your doctor is a great person to start with. There's also <a href="http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/breastcancer/about.aspx">this website</a> that talks about breast cancer screening. <a href="http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca/">Women's Health Matters</a> is another fabulous site to check out.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55kW06_KUrHHalpt9offseXlcmaCx_1UadeGZFvs3FgoVJ4aFF4nbZAC_obl_2zZhcQ_P9YG_IJOKy6dekoHbe3r0cCvudaypjrdw7svxmsn132P6ha8RaAOxYR2aB0EBr5ql_XazUho/s1600/bca.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55kW06_KUrHHalpt9offseXlcmaCx_1UadeGZFvs3FgoVJ4aFF4nbZAC_obl_2zZhcQ_P9YG_IJOKy6dekoHbe3r0cCvudaypjrdw7svxmsn132P6ha8RaAOxYR2aB0EBr5ql_XazUho/s1600/bca.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><u>Things I did not realize:</u> "The tumour may be hard or soft and may sometimes be described as a thickening of the breast. Breast cancers are almost always painless.<br />
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women.<br />
One woman in nine will develop breast cancer by age 85. It is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women, after lung cancer. It is the leading cause of cancer death among women aged 40 to 55.<br />
The National Cancer Institute of Canada estimates that in 2007, an estimated 22,300 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 5,300 will die of it."<br />
For more information on breast cancer, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, surgery, and living with breast cancer, visit <a href="http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca/health-resources/breast-cancer-info-reviewed-by-doctors-research-treatment-symptoms-and-amp-diagnosis/">Women's Health Matters</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251507898309184477noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251425358325531953.post-22180095361502860342012-01-14T02:57:00.000-05:002012-01-14T02:57:30.233-05:00Cardboard Adventures Knight - Review<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">I</span></i> have a confession. I am the <a href="http://www.lifeonmanitoulin.blogspot.com/p/life-in-nicu.html">Mom of a Preemie Drama Queen</a>. Ever since her grand grand entrance into the world (at three months premature), Little One has decided that it's either go big, or go home. Everything she does, she does it with gusto. It's all drama in this household. "Spirited" is a very <strike>mild</strike> good way of describing her character.<br />
<br />
I also have to admit that my three year old has a closet filled with costumes. She's a drama queen, alright! There were days when I'd have to take her on errands to the bank, post office and grocery store, decked out in her lion costume. Other days, she'd <i>have to</i> dress up as a chicken and have a tea party with her stuffed animals. Then there are the fairy and princess moments.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Mq-ST4-xWQHlKPF9HLrSt76wog0vSy-zJY_OH908-0bBjDmBRAkNKAfN9ZgzxNM78iwqA_a2DugIB9bvYt9dbMvrP51xNOjqLibXWoO83HUzjrPgO70zlAdhw8RZyvEZbeYhvN8bNAE/s1600/costume.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Mq-ST4-xWQHlKPF9HLrSt76wog0vSy-zJY_OH908-0bBjDmBRAkNKAfN9ZgzxNM78iwqA_a2DugIB9bvYt9dbMvrP51xNOjqLibXWoO83HUzjrPgO70zlAdhw8RZyvEZbeYhvN8bNAE/s320/costume.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The good thing about having a closet full of costumes is that she can play dress up with all of her friends. She's got costumes for everyone and no one gets left out. Well, unless you're a boy and don't want to wear a princess fairy tutu.<br />
<br />
This issue has been resolved. Thanks to a fantastic company called <a href="http://www.orbfactory.com/"><b>The Orb Factory</b></a>, we received the <a href="http://www.orbfactory.com/Products/Curiosity-Kits-R/Cardboard-Adventures-Knight">Cardboard Adventures™ Knight</a>.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguymW8wkiNykVFLK4O1C5ABxRu9M3_3-e7Rba0PmAdt1DkS6v05-06NeV-dROeUh6MWMHmw0bYGF5BxEYmYmpCB_ju-AMKlpSMjOgfr0uBT8XZrCxyeeQHkxYfc6r_iF-VstrF_FBZlFo/s1600/64792-Knight-Box_product_feature.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguymW8wkiNykVFLK4O1C5ABxRu9M3_3-e7Rba0PmAdt1DkS6v05-06NeV-dROeUh6MWMHmw0bYGF5BxEYmYmpCB_ju-AMKlpSMjOgfr0uBT8XZrCxyeeQHkxYfc6r_iF-VstrF_FBZlFo/s320/64792-Knight-Box_product_feature.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>In a time when brave and gallant knights protected princesses from ferocious dragons and neighbouring enemies, this cardboard knight's armour was perfect! Our little ones have great imaginations and put this costume to good use!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIBdNXneAkEACCN-070j3UwnwcJ-nATWHfbO00LCE2a4eAFiLAAg8Kj01sC3oV9XqG2MXBCrKVqhCrmsSoMSb-y0J5FnFaMu5bZcb4iHWA1N9WrBpIjd53VJBsujBXIRYKWBKKfpZips/s1600/knight1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIBdNXneAkEACCN-070j3UwnwcJ-nATWHfbO00LCE2a4eAFiLAAg8Kj01sC3oV9XqG2MXBCrKVqhCrmsSoMSb-y0J5FnFaMu5bZcb4iHWA1N9WrBpIjd53VJBsujBXIRYKWBKKfpZips/s320/knight1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifRAWW7H1cq_Bu0hb5bA6S9LAGm91sAyP9KPhfZHN_wVCw4jtezMHGXRbzkdMpQtQ1WV-eqIHPOY15_tVn3tAw-fO6dP9-ZNynqceBNLfXMBprIxkCvtEYvlhJeBGvqc2CYbC_3oZ6Hlc/s1600/knight3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifRAWW7H1cq_Bu0hb5bA6S9LAGm91sAyP9KPhfZHN_wVCw4jtezMHGXRbzkdMpQtQ1WV-eqIHPOY15_tVn3tAw-fO6dP9-ZNynqceBNLfXMBprIxkCvtEYvlhJeBGvqc2CYbC_3oZ6Hlc/s320/knight3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1bC6lxuQRXJ4eBtrTUO26q8bVbqB1PGv0sVNtwwpefhx1oUZbUBpK4SK_8PerYy9bKTKskcva43XvnVuYEH8gSKQcVEUOvqbLc38Vpw9B20z1JbE8rFrl3Rfj0O9juXeHNDbZtXTz50/s1600/knight2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1bC6lxuQRXJ4eBtrTUO26q8bVbqB1PGv0sVNtwwpefhx1oUZbUBpK4SK_8PerYy9bKTKskcva43XvnVuYEH8gSKQcVEUOvqbLc38Vpw9B20z1JbE8rFrl3Rfj0O9juXeHNDbZtXTz50/s320/knight2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The box says this is suitable for children aged 4+, and with good reason. My friend and I pretty much assembled the knight's armour (okay, my friend did 99% of the assembly since I was snapping photos!). There were a few little pieces to affix and clasp so that the pieces fit together and stayed together. Do not assemble in the presence of very young children. You will lose your parts and pieces! We managed to collect all our missing pieces and all was good in the world again.<br />
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<br />
The greatest joy was the feeling of accomplishment Little One's "boy friend" (notice I didn't say "boyfriend") had when he personalized his sword and armour. The pieces for the sword are reinforced with additional cardboard. Thank goodness too! Little One jabbed the sword into the couch. She didn't render it useless since it was reinforced.<br />
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The costume provides <b><i>hours</i></b> of fun, imaginative play. We were pretty curious as to how the cardboard would stand up with a bunch of 2, 3, and 4 year olds. It was fine!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgo_4NiSL6D7zT7X2K2Rdcc_LYwuXY7-3dNKP8I0OAnZreTip10k_zzs167eWmtqVVeBMVp16zGKuKorOldENTTaL19y71Etz27xsDAbMlmrZTobWCcWOcK8KqVPbU15Z0uG2ofAh0no/s1600/knight6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgo_4NiSL6D7zT7X2K2Rdcc_LYwuXY7-3dNKP8I0OAnZreTip10k_zzs167eWmtqVVeBMVp16zGKuKorOldENTTaL19y71Etz27xsDAbMlmrZTobWCcWOcK8KqVPbU15Z0uG2ofAh0no/s320/knight6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50ikttAtPrT-kS3oIr08KP65Drlxim3Zpj7upKqinq8MDo8pBwz_qy1smdsfdI3_pE1WTXyBYtAjUY2D32u7dPrpROYbDNQV6weAnzvinemvZySIOejLeNer3_NO1AAV-hoK9E1s0UYE/s1600/knight4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50ikttAtPrT-kS3oIr08KP65Drlxim3Zpj7upKqinq8MDo8pBwz_qy1smdsfdI3_pE1WTXyBYtAjUY2D32u7dPrpROYbDNQV6weAnzvinemvZySIOejLeNer3_NO1AAV-hoK9E1s0UYE/s320/knight4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
For more information on the Cardboard Adventures Knight and Orb Factory, please visit: <br />
<span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span><br />
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<i>Disclosure - We received <a href="http://www.orbfactory.com/Products/Curiosity-Kits-R/Cardboard-Adventures-Knight">Cardboard Adventures™ Knight</a></i><i> for review purposes. All the thoughts and opinions on this blog are honest and my own.</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251507898309184477noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251425358325531953.post-52830469836689911092012-01-13T16:20:00.002-05:002012-01-13T17:22:48.027-05:00Chuck-E Cheese & Road Trippin' with a Newly Potty Trained Diva<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbNRyYVRSyov_nuCAJQsYLZPRm61yP_psQ1lhXqKcB_7CcUmpfzvgzB0UuhkANzGsPvu6rUykOTTUEPS8RpT3BuMx9xirH5t8b2VDVeG2cc3tcTBMNoauwy2Irc7k5VYg-GoQVLnzT3M/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbNRyYVRSyov_nuCAJQsYLZPRm61yP_psQ1lhXqKcB_7CcUmpfzvgzB0UuhkANzGsPvu6rUykOTTUEPS8RpT3BuMx9xirH5t8b2VDVeG2cc3tcTBMNoauwy2Irc7k5VYg-GoQVLnzT3M/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">L</span></i>ittle One was just toilet trained over the Holidays. I know the road to being completely toilet trained is sometimes a long one. Accidents happen. I get that. She hasn't had any accidents lately, but I secretly dreaded our 11+ hour drive. It wasn't so much the drive that had me worried (because we're used to taking lengthy road trips), but it was the having to stop at every other gas station or restaurant so she could use the toilet that stressed me out.<br />
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She's a fantastic traveler. She happily sits in her car seat and "reads" books, sings, tells us stories, plays with her toys, eats her snacks, sleeps, and now watches DVDs. That's an entire blog post on its own though. I've been boycotting getting a DVD player for the car because we don't like Little One watching <i>too </i>much TV. I caved on the holidays and got her one. More on that later. <br />
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Since we live on an island (far, far, <i>far </i>away from all our loved ones and relatives), we always have to make the long drives to see everyone. This time, we accompanied Grampy to Toronto to pick up Lola ("Grandma" in Tagalog/Filipino) at the airport. Toronto is only a 6 hour drive.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopaz30PxOYtF4oUY7d7a4VzMtQewpDYT3ZwMG5S6x6PFBnQmVmf5sisCCpb38Ma5_CrNTvCo0guEINagvQF_e0Wz2W8QV6iAZE_HKbN_3bKCi3Ey7ASCFp4aclWcD1WsCpLZ1csTknHY/s1600/lolaandrara.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopaz30PxOYtF4oUY7d7a4VzMtQewpDYT3ZwMG5S6x6PFBnQmVmf5sisCCpb38Ma5_CrNTvCo0guEINagvQF_e0Wz2W8QV6iAZE_HKbN_3bKCi3Ey7ASCFp4aclWcD1WsCpLZ1csTknHY/s320/lolaandrara.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> LOLA! I missed you! (Lola has been in the Philippines with Great-Grandma for a month)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_pcv3s462WcG7SQRLauoa_reJzkBWrzM0LuoBSmGu5lhd9n7LJ33gLBq5bfZhULgihPbtiMN3xZC2Da7FPU7Eqm0-NnUhubE1hQknpd2n4_dbswfw1x3LUkiaxVVBni1gixI8kBrPcc/s1600/grampy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_pcv3s462WcG7SQRLauoa_reJzkBWrzM0LuoBSmGu5lhd9n7LJ33gLBq5bfZhULgihPbtiMN3xZC2Da7FPU7Eqm0-NnUhubE1hQknpd2n4_dbswfw1x3LUkiaxVVBni1gixI8kBrPcc/s320/grampy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We also decided to visit Little One's 4 year old cousin and twincess cousins since Little One doesn't get to see her cousins often. Any chance I get get Little One a visit with her cousins, I'll take it. I grew up with my cousins, so having all of the kids living so far apart makes me really sad.<br />
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While visiting Little One's cousins, we took the kids to<b> <a href="http://www.chuckecheese.com/">Chuck-E Cheese</a></b> for the twincesses' 3rd birthday. It was an early/family celebration since we were in town. Little One and I had never been to Chuck-E Cheese before and I wanted to see what all the hype was about.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgk7fN1Xn1OCZej_zqEl01KS-bfbgUvPbDH2WJjfiX0RGQ_Wt_4mWWJWdpvRY78319tySyaPKlBVpBKmvDS8DZOQYB5hlXVtQxnadRG0VuLRFgqep0Ma-Cve2-BJM4jcEUwpE7LQnofR8/s1600/cc.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgk7fN1Xn1OCZej_zqEl01KS-bfbgUvPbDH2WJjfiX0RGQ_Wt_4mWWJWdpvRY78319tySyaPKlBVpBKmvDS8DZOQYB5hlXVtQxnadRG0VuLRFgqep0Ma-Cve2-BJM4jcEUwpE7LQnofR8/s320/cc.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5gKaMoIhl7hwPgW-HE68BpxmhSjJUXi0oE-lod61RaWrvYPHY-ghvTx16PuIdW7KhwLCZ6xrn_7hAkjxw8-Rrsjb_b5cIcoA3PWLQVe_Eb27PyHWs9OgoZ27ZgrNkpQoBGXs4RCZjHM/s1600/cc1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5gKaMoIhl7hwPgW-HE68BpxmhSjJUXi0oE-lod61RaWrvYPHY-ghvTx16PuIdW7KhwLCZ6xrn_7hAkjxw8-Rrsjb_b5cIcoA3PWLQVe_Eb27PyHWs9OgoZ27ZgrNkpQoBGXs4RCZjHM/s320/cc1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVg7l_sRoHk-887dwEr63HE7gdluXneRDB1J6DV4oOlY3TL3M1c6VJ5FAQqIz3G8bJ5hrYJFbs4aGvreubcW5uInx0d9gQU980otSbIK3ZOe27PbK7EIHiCrBOU4FCNWsmg9yWTtMLss/s1600/cc4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVg7l_sRoHk-887dwEr63HE7gdluXneRDB1J6DV4oOlY3TL3M1c6VJ5FAQqIz3G8bJ5hrYJFbs4aGvreubcW5uInx0d9gQU980otSbIK3ZOe27PbK7EIHiCrBOU4FCNWsmg9yWTtMLss/s320/cc4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It started off really well. Little One was excited to be going to Chuck-E Cheese for the first time! She was a bit apprehensive and thought it was "too noisy".<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSLf1Rtpkh0NrIyCchQ7BCbcdRa5Oh9_Uqhc_0TuNCM1Bexl_ewrDjoFjOCVJMpgS9K4AQvA-E60sXrhxfJXrG7WS3tgI119lh_OgdF_zyKEiQqHXxBoV1bAp9mBo1ZSxs69XaODVrxSc/s1600/cc2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSLf1Rtpkh0NrIyCchQ7BCbcdRa5Oh9_Uqhc_0TuNCM1Bexl_ewrDjoFjOCVJMpgS9K4AQvA-E60sXrhxfJXrG7WS3tgI119lh_OgdF_zyKEiQqHXxBoV1bAp9mBo1ZSxs69XaODVrxSc/s320/cc2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdry2KhZwYWeoQi64me35BZ8QNbKm9BGzALUFuOiPLrKtdWozzVI9eMXdtwSzlXBau9AXjgfEIKjRT4P9QztK9o7Vyu4Pgjm234Vin6GVoLVBwrKUq06LIuxGogm8kWKusH0XwYfuZjc/s1600/cc3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdry2KhZwYWeoQi64me35BZ8QNbKm9BGzALUFuOiPLrKtdWozzVI9eMXdtwSzlXBau9AXjgfEIKjRT4P9QztK9o7Vyu4Pgjm234Vin6GVoLVBwrKUq06LIuxGogm8kWKusH0XwYfuZjc/s320/cc3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>She had fun, but I think it was a bit of sensory overload for her. Then all hell broke loose.<br />
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Chuck-E Cheese entered the room.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9rWSEyCkj4K-Y6oJ2X2BTLUaML3l3Ymos_LKHCbC0ZAKHCNlAZEFPQZ1pGYqzMMeZmujVZpZSDfngqOqYMt0Yv3CF-us11g_jfxKE6rbwErT7bpYAd8-aBdEuSohje_qh3SsEsoyZOVI/s1600/cc5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9rWSEyCkj4K-Y6oJ2X2BTLUaML3l3Ymos_LKHCbC0ZAKHCNlAZEFPQZ1pGYqzMMeZmujVZpZSDfngqOqYMt0Yv3CF-us11g_jfxKE6rbwErT7bpYAd8-aBdEuSohje_qh3SsEsoyZOVI/s320/cc5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Little One was terrified. She backed herself into the corner of the booth we were sitting in. She looked like a trapped animal. It was so sad (okay, and a little funny - sadistic adults). Chuck-E Cheese left the room and then returned with a pail of tickets to throw around for the kids. When he returned, Little One freaked! She flew from her side of the booth, under the table and across to me. It was the craziest thing I had ever seen! She kept saying, "I want to go home now!"<br />
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Wow. She thought he was cute when she saw his pictures, but the man-sized mouse really scared her. Her cousins, on the other hand, were hugging him! I guess Disney World is going to have to wait for another couple of years. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVx-zYXlJqQ9KnV1WUUbqatk6SJd1ItQxXoq3U67l_8geXD8Ww7-W8b6g-GxAvtsi6ZRHsvXoBTio_3G8WrMkru7amlUCv9Jsqbv9zq2n8XrzgWZH1VoaGVjil8QZnX4fe_ci2VfwwYx8/s1600/cc6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVx-zYXlJqQ9KnV1WUUbqatk6SJd1ItQxXoq3U67l_8geXD8Ww7-W8b6g-GxAvtsi6ZRHsvXoBTio_3G8WrMkru7amlUCv9Jsqbv9zq2n8XrzgWZH1VoaGVjil8QZnX4fe_ci2VfwwYx8/s320/cc6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Three sleeping princesses - All tuckered out!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Our 11 hour drive home turned out to be a 13 hour drive because of the inclement weather. Snowy, slushy roads, reduced visibility, black ice...you name it, we had it. That, coupled with a wee one who has just learned how to use the toilet, made for an adventurous drive. I put a pull-up on Little One "just in case". I knew we'd be in between gas stations for a huge stretch of the drive. She refuses to use the potty and wants the toilet. She refuses to soil her pull-ups too.<br />
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At one point, she got carsick. After changing her clothes, cleaning her and the back of the van, I gave her Gravol and that knocked her out. Poor thing. She did tell me, "Mommy, you saved me!"<br />
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Then she had to poop! We were nowhere near a rest station and she wouldn't go on the side of the road (it was also too dangerous to stop with the reduced visibility). Even with telling her she could poop in her pull-up if she had to, she wouldn't. She also said, "It's not good for me! Owwwweeeeeee! It's hurtin'!"<br />
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When we finally stopped, she was relieved. She said, "Mommy! You saved my life!"<br />
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<b><u>Things I've learned on this trip:</u></b><br />
1. I'm thankful I don't have to change any poopy diapers anymore!<br />
2. Trips take a lot longer when you've got a child out of diapers/pull-ups.<br />
3. Always carry Children's Gravol when road tripping!<br />
4. Chuck-E Cheese is a fun place, but can be scary and overwhelming for some kids!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251507898309184477noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251425358325531953.post-218483915240959422012-01-09T16:32:00.006-05:002012-01-17T10:36:46.864-05:00Thank You, Fisher-Price! Keeping Your Child Occupied in the Cold Winter Months<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">I</span></i> won't lie. When it's really cold out,<b> <i>I </i></b>don't feel like leaving our cozy, toasty warm house. Because we live in the countryside, it's quite a trek to get to Early Learning Play Groups sometimes. While I'm on a break from teaching for a few months (for family reasons), I <i>need </i>to keep my 3-year old occupied.<br />
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Little One's friends come over twice a week to play and socialize.<br />
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In the warmer months, playing outside is great on the farm! With a few hundred acres of land, it's a great way to<strike> </strike><stike><strike>tire out </strike>engage/entertain 3-year old kids! They either just run around, play with the barn cats, look for fairies in the nooks and crannies of our apple trees, go for walks, climb the rock cuts, supervised by me, of course. In the winter months, playing outside is just as fun. We can build snow forts, snowmen, make snow angels, etc. Sadly, we don't have any snow right now! </stike><br />
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Even though Little One loves the outdoors, sometimes the winter days can be too cold for her to venture out. Even <i>she</i> insists on staying in! This means I need to have lots of indoor activities to keep her occupied, having fun, and learning.<br />
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Most of the activities are ones I've stock-piled since I started teaching ESL in 1998. I've taught a few kindergarten classes AGES ago and have since added new activities to my repertoire.<br />
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Some activities we've done so far:<br />
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1. HOMEMADE SLIME!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLlCFaAv3hgccG_gwY2I_yZO39IczlYnE-xv3uWIZygX0IznbnVLYXX582TC3JxnfnPT-w13zZ7asNfH__NTxwgN9mqH2969StzFFE6phU8vF_bxgWt6M_RChh-dqVuAZSDj7s7MAnw/s1600/BlackBerryPics+756.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLlCFaAv3hgccG_gwY2I_yZO39IczlYnE-xv3uWIZygX0IznbnVLYXX582TC3JxnfnPT-w13zZ7asNfH__NTxwgN9mqH2969StzFFE6phU8vF_bxgWt6M_RChh-dqVuAZSDj7s7MAnw/s320/BlackBerryPics+756.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuBuRpK7behyphenhyphen7Zg_JbXEomE0BERVhnnu19_Vdo8MKjNAkuQ-k5WfKGQSf-MSGdWRLdOEzpodJzer2k4gABHtNdmGRGOXDhbHaEobQ65vvkXHyozjJEaqRDc-uEbAr0YXlCEfwfDOxGVA/s1600/BlackBerryPics+758.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuBuRpK7behyphenhyphen7Zg_JbXEomE0BERVhnnu19_Vdo8MKjNAkuQ-k5WfKGQSf-MSGdWRLdOEzpodJzer2k4gABHtNdmGRGOXDhbHaEobQ65vvkXHyozjJEaqRDc-uEbAr0YXlCEfwfDOxGVA/s320/BlackBerryPics+758.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0S-CrzqwIW6Yvthcb8vPeB6b8SvytYRoFAEP1Ub0d-OSX4mtLEhpxA2WA8CkdwjL3IJ7dfMdmSM-G4L_fCRFEj-OsucLBQU3hHbnD47_FNZyn2f8oqr2RKjX09HRHuT3Fzi9g00JrQw/s1600/BlackBerryPics+761.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0S-CrzqwIW6Yvthcb8vPeB6b8SvytYRoFAEP1Ub0d-OSX4mtLEhpxA2WA8CkdwjL3IJ7dfMdmSM-G4L_fCRFEj-OsucLBQU3hHbnD47_FNZyn2f8oqr2RKjX09HRHuT3Fzi9g00JrQw/s320/BlackBerryPics+761.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Homemade slime is oodles and oodles of slimy fun (for kids and parents)! It also teaches kids about what happens when you mix certain substances together! My little one was going around telling people, "I know how to make polymer!"<br />
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2. TACTILE RAINBOW MACARONI<br />
I dyed different types of noodles with food colouring and set them aside to dry. The kids played with them, put them into containers, bottles, etc. Then they had fun emptying them into bins. I saved the macaroni and the kids used them for crafts later on. They made pencil holders by decorating used/washed tin cans and glued the rainbow macaroni on them. They also made necklaces and bracelets with them.<br />
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3. HOMEMADE PLAYDOUGH<br />
It's not so much playing with the play dough itself that was fun. It was the process of making the play dough that was part of the excitement!<br />
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**If you want the recipes for any of the above or below, let me know :)<br />
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4. BAKING TIME<br />
Always a favourite indoor activity for Little One and her friends. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXip2Ry2H8idTc7Jriz-8WqAsNu7-cL90OE7yEzPp55dgLE40skOhFYyjIOUuhQakF6eZZMrCN1aQQrtpYpNDFXV2newoSEYmqY4tLKFtaVZCntWFeZ8TA734YpBRZyDmK1c1Dw_bYg/s1600/BlackBerryPics+754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXip2Ry2H8idTc7Jriz-8WqAsNu7-cL90OE7yEzPp55dgLE40skOhFYyjIOUuhQakF6eZZMrCN1aQQrtpYpNDFXV2newoSEYmqY4tLKFtaVZCntWFeZ8TA734YpBRZyDmK1c1Dw_bYg/s320/BlackBerryPics+754.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Whole wheat pastry flour & organic raw cane sugar cookies with fruit instead of icing. A friend of mine told me about this recipe she found online. It was great fun for the kids and I didn't feel so badly about Little One eating the cookies because they were healthier than regular sugar laden cookies.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgULJCYydmeLtRyOKq4DklPA4ykcVepouIqLipOTrDq7A5AE7pmUrF9Ke1jVqnfkUgTjIAyvbZPv6U72Bu3oNOlm3SwXQ6r_0ex5g_27expvF8VjuWrfm0Ac3v6OYzxM4X9gsu_iG8UpA/s1600/BlackBerryPics+752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgULJCYydmeLtRyOKq4DklPA4ykcVepouIqLipOTrDq7A5AE7pmUrF9Ke1jVqnfkUgTjIAyvbZPv6U72Bu3oNOlm3SwXQ6r_0ex5g_27expvF8VjuWrfm0Ac3v6OYzxM4X9gsu_iG8UpA/s320/BlackBerryPics+752.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Your not-so-sugar-free cookies below. Colourful, fun to make and decorate.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikrnciOp8B1iELdMkEalvIA2bxqBfGlzErPkG_r-b-SjsHRGRDUErx7NXRMvEONpSnV-fVbFJ-ZolN-c6HcZDwO00q4bCN-M5ybLNSEBGVxMUHg5omdmyWvDWbwiFNJOMc5eaH5mMeVQ/s1600/cookies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikrnciOp8B1iELdMkEalvIA2bxqBfGlzErPkG_r-b-SjsHRGRDUErx7NXRMvEONpSnV-fVbFJ-ZolN-c6HcZDwO00q4bCN-M5ybLNSEBGVxMUHg5omdmyWvDWbwiFNJOMc5eaH5mMeVQ/s320/cookies.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhZGgTSkCqf-74N0Bk4eXu4_q6fee90LOkrdVUbKpRZ27yfNjpha4C1hDZHxYxtlg5aKAcInIfKRltdbi-grhifHkSrdQ1MQZKquE-V9mXwSEZJBL2vowbtszZI0Z7puOFNkASVbgkg/s1600/Nov252011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhZGgTSkCqf-74N0Bk4eXu4_q6fee90LOkrdVUbKpRZ27yfNjpha4C1hDZHxYxtlg5aKAcInIfKRltdbi-grhifHkSrdQ1MQZKquE-V9mXwSEZJBL2vowbtszZI0Z7puOFNkASVbgkg/s320/Nov252011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
5. DRESS UP PARTIES<br />
My 3 year old has a closet full of costumes. I'm not joking when I say this either! She has ballerina, fairy, princess costumes, as well as a chicken, lion, and strawberry costume. She loves play dress-up with her friends.<br />
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When Little One's friends aren't over, this is what her play time looks like. Yes, tea parties with her Fisher-Price <a href="http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=280000&e=product&pid=58947">Laugh & Learn™ Say Please™</a> Tea Set and her stuffed friends. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnpHOA2DEByEo95WHLQ1n_wmDTTOR6rZyRjb-38OzL8ysIvywUB9w9v6QJb3x_ZEZZdJTKH6o_0yuXChxM5ohpa7JqsWI51_ziazWhePk7bJhsYvFX_AZamSHd0mKVY5iETSFZmiuhw/s1600/BlackBerryPics+672.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnpHOA2DEByEo95WHLQ1n_wmDTTOR6rZyRjb-38OzL8ysIvywUB9w9v6QJb3x_ZEZZdJTKH6o_0yuXChxM5ohpa7JqsWI51_ziazWhePk7bJhsYvFX_AZamSHd0mKVY5iETSFZmiuhw/s320/BlackBerryPics+672.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPM0fMXQLS7q2am6AbO51b9KvaMYbEoTyEy5GhZDdgAdPYCgMZvDAkrcZxdSiOa55i3S-6o4XpZ8M-QHk1WfHuoUuBpWHs0VPFrF6tcy8hEC0ujl_4VVc2KLRkNc2tA0fVQHOX24EoYA/s1600/BlackBerryPics+680.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPM0fMXQLS7q2am6AbO51b9KvaMYbEoTyEy5GhZDdgAdPYCgMZvDAkrcZxdSiOa55i3S-6o4XpZ8M-QHk1WfHuoUuBpWHs0VPFrF6tcy8hEC0ujl_4VVc2KLRkNc2tA0fVQHOX24EoYA/s320/BlackBerryPics+680.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I have got to say "Thank goodness for <a href="http://www.fisher-price.com/">Fisher-Price</a> and their<a href="http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=280000&e=playandlearn&ccat=play_and_learn"> Play and Learn Family Activities</a>!" Parents can go on there and click on their children's age groups to find activities that are age appropriate for them! How did I not know this before?!<br />
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I checked out the <a href="http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=280000&e=playandlearn&ccat=play_and_learn">3-4 Year Activities</a> and was impressed and excited to see all the activities they have listed for children Little One's age.<br />
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I am totally saving some of these ideas to use with Little One.<a href="http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=282320&e=activityDetail&cid=419676&cminAge=0&cmaxAge=72&ctypecode=np&ccat=play_and_learn&minRelAge=36&maxRelAge=48"> Recycle Art</a>, <a href="http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=282320&e=activityDetail&cid=419497&cminAge=0&cmaxAge=72&ctypecode=np&ccat=play_and_learn&minRelAge=36&maxRelAge=48">Storybook Theater</a>, and <a href="http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=282320&e=activityDetail&cid=419493&cminAge=0&cmaxAge=72&ctypecode=np&ccat=play_and_learn&minRelAge=36&maxRelAge=48">Sand and Water</a> are on my list of activities to do with Little One this month! I know she will love them! I'm making a point to try out all the other ideas listed there too!<br />
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Fisher-Price not only has fabulous products for kids of varying stages of development and growth, but they're also a great resource for parents to go to when in need of fun activities that will pique your children's interest! If you are looking for fun indoor activities to do with your children in the cold winter months, check out the <a href="http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=280000&e=playandlearn&ccat=play_and_learn">Fisher-Price Play and Learn Family Activities link</a>! <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsC2FSgtPFpRlFI8t2w1b6AIo82CFYHyNVcITTmRbzZW3ftH6w1e7bR2RL8lpTTEyZsbcuPN87cbrlcWMaOYC16l_SeBj0icikiWBarXQUMI_-zK6R-BqxkoOFjuXbhp2iNchmtBmD974/s1600/FisherPrice_Blogger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsC2FSgtPFpRlFI8t2w1b6AIo82CFYHyNVcITTmRbzZW3ftH6w1e7bR2RL8lpTTEyZsbcuPN87cbrlcWMaOYC16l_SeBj0icikiWBarXQUMI_-zK6R-BqxkoOFjuXbhp2iNchmtBmD974/s1600/FisherPrice_Blogger.jpg" /></a></div><i>“Disclosure: I am a Fisher-Price Mom and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.”</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251507898309184477noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251425358325531953.post-87851800298030302282012-01-06T12:54:00.002-05:002012-01-06T13:23:20.019-05:00Where's Da Beef?<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>S</i></span>ome of you may already know that I'm a<a href="http://canadianbeefinfo.wordpress.com/2011/11/11/my-life-as-a-farmers-wife/"> guest blogger on the Canadian Beef Blog</a>. I was not born into a farming family, but I married into one. I blog about life as a city girl living on a working beef farm. Hopefully, I can offer a unique perspective by linking city and country (coming from both worlds), let people know more about the beef farming industry (like debunk certain myths about beef farming!), and just share our adventures on the farm. Not only am I a city girl living in the country, but I'm also a Chinese-Caribbean-Filipina-Torontonian-Montrealer living on an island in Northern Ontario! This all makes for some interesting (and often comedic) blog fodder!<br />
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Here's my latest post - <a href="http://canadianbeefinfo.wordpress.com/2012/01/06/not-yo-standard-meat-and-potatoes/"><b>Not Yo' Standard Meat and Potatoes</b></a>!<br />
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<i>Pssst!</i> If you read the post, you'll see that I've included Hubby's favourite beef recipe! It's not just your standard steak and potatoes either! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtQfTZ7nH-n6ifrHNXZ7PeuPc0B4jmI0RK2j3N3SJxN5mEgxnkkjf8BNTGzj5NAo6AwfQZYVHn_IkACmU6F917DTFzgIUrnyUCodlxAVwngcypPG8TY4A5lFlsyO9-Z7OlatD8Iw-LpI/s1600/bulgogi.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtQfTZ7nH-n6ifrHNXZ7PeuPc0B4jmI0RK2j3N3SJxN5mEgxnkkjf8BNTGzj5NAo6AwfQZYVHn_IkACmU6F917DTFzgIUrnyUCodlxAVwngcypPG8TY4A5lFlsyO9-Z7OlatD8Iw-LpI/s1600/bulgogi.JPG" /></a></div>Follow Canadian Beef on their <a href="http://canadianbeefinfo.wordpress.com/">blog</a>, on <a href="http://twitter.com/CanadianBeef">Twitter</a>, and on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ILoveCanadianBeef">Facebook</a> too!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251507898309184477noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251425358325531953.post-72477043864385547232012-01-06T06:48:00.000-05:002012-01-06T18:49:38.902-05:00Pampers Prize Pack Winner!<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNKM8vqcjBLxutbnGJgjeQVYdzIZXWzB884-RRXUBfvMwh4UVRP9hCJAyjfsZj6Ry2p-Q7buthyphenhyphen90Qg9Sx7PjmSCsHJ5AmxbtekbkKBdHzFjopEBqhyD9T9kkCj-zAyW129WgZ4YJ-3RM/s1600/pampers3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNKM8vqcjBLxutbnGJgjeQVYdzIZXWzB884-RRXUBfvMwh4UVRP9hCJAyjfsZj6Ry2p-Q7buthyphenhyphen90Qg9Sx7PjmSCsHJ5AmxbtekbkKBdHzFjopEBqhyD9T9kkCj-zAyW129WgZ4YJ-3RM/s200/pampers3.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Thank you to everyone who entered our <a href="http://lifeonmanitoulinreviews.blogspot.com/201Entry%20#22Mary-Anne%20M.1/12/pampers-review-gift-pack-giveaway.html">Pampers Prize Pack Giveaway</a>! Thank you for also hanging in there and being incredibly patient with us while our beloved Rafflecopter was down. Good news is that the amazing folks at Rafflecopter have fixed the problem with my Rafflecopter form. If that wasn't good enough, I've got more news. We have a winner for our Pampers Prize Pack Giveaway!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirC2L1aA_-4ES3v2wklcrE1lGAi2CvDKyMgyDpnpBjd1vDJqayo9_pF6DM2qAGvXtgFR5JN8GcEMlKNkEv9u1dCjAr7N_6gdWwquBad_30BuFTXB1NogOJ1Pq6PVUDiItr23M2XZfJI04/s1600/pampers1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirC2L1aA_-4ES3v2wklcrE1lGAi2CvDKyMgyDpnpBjd1vDJqayo9_pF6DM2qAGvXtgFR5JN8GcEMlKNkEv9u1dCjAr7N_6gdWwquBad_30BuFTXB1NogOJ1Pq6PVUDiItr23M2XZfJI04/s200/pampers1.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Now, because our Rafflecopter form was down, some of you had to enter in the comments section. I had to take all the entries from the form and all the entries from the comments and randomly choose a number.<br />
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Our lucky winner is...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6Q3tllHu8fK8-MoFTbD0WtUU5CboYnsps5Allnyxqq2zirxNsFaQHc5crgFbANx_nbNyfz2Cgx8WoCHoYNJZj615o1iqPNlXR0Lw_T4vijUDBjKZB03m8I6KZA_Ma-EI5jtP-_oYG1s/s1600/pampers2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6Q3tllHu8fK8-MoFTbD0WtUU5CboYnsps5Allnyxqq2zirxNsFaQHc5crgFbANx_nbNyfz2Cgx8WoCHoYNJZj615o1iqPNlXR0Lw_T4vijUDBjKZB03m8I6KZA_Ma-EI5jtP-_oYG1s/s1600/pampers2.JPG" /></a></div><div class="linebox"></div><div class="linebox">Entry #<u>22</u><b>Mary-Anne M.</b></div><br />
Please check your inbox, as an e-mail has been sent out to you regarding shipping info. <br />
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Can I tell you how jealous I am? I absolutely love, love, <i>love</i> that Skip*Hop diaper bag! ;)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251507898309184477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251425358325531953.post-39215111920151701352012-01-02T17:31:00.001-05:002012-01-02T17:33:54.851-05:00Doggy Basket for Our Canine Baby #CBias #iLoveMyK9<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_tFRoj7sD3k/TwImZsJVB_I/AAAAAAAALrE/iVnjVw4b6F4/s1600/mb4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_tFRoj7sD3k/TwImZsJVB_I/AAAAAAAALrE/iVnjVw4b6F4/s320/mb4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <i><span style="font-size: x-large;">T</span></i>he other week, the family and I enjoyed a rare "day out" together. Many of you know that we live on a farm. Because we've got cattle and there are always <b><i>lots</i></b> of chores to do on the farm, we don't get to have a family day out <i>together</i> very often.<br />
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We spent the day in the "big smoke" and even had a chance to get some items for a <a href="http://www.lifeonmanitoulinreviews.blogspot.com/2011/12/shopping-for-our-beloved-canine-baby.html">doggy basket for Chance</a>. He's been a good pup and deserves some treats!<br />
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We decided to check out the new Walmart in Sudbury. We usually go to the one located at the New Sudbury Center, but wanted to see how the new Walmart fared. I am happy to say that the pet supplies section had a lot to choose from. There was a good selection of <a href="http://milkbone.com/">Milk-Bone®</a> and <a href="http://www.pupperoni.com/">Pup-peroni </a>treats, but no <a href="http://miloskitchen.com/">Milo's Kitchen </a>treats to be found.<br />
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We brought home Chance's goodies and Little One helped me make a doggy gift basket for him! In the basket, we added a stuffed animal (Chance loves his stuffed friends!), Milk-Bone® dog original biscuits, Milk-Bone® Oral Care Crunchy Bites, Milk-Bone® Soft & Chewy Chicken Drumsticks, Pup-peroni Lean Beef flavoured treats (with Omega-3 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat), and a doggy chew toy.<br />
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Yes, this is one lucky puppy!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ugdx6jC_7kI/TwInLhIAjtI/AAAAAAAALrU/QFdM6gwS0KM/s1600/mb6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ugdx6jC_7kI/TwInLhIAjtI/AAAAAAAALrU/QFdM6gwS0KM/s320/mb6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mommy's little helper</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KRE7akYp_Sg/TwImyTLm8HI/AAAAAAAALrM/sWfRvdKLK0Q/s1600/mb5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KRE7akYp_Sg/TwImyTLm8HI/AAAAAAAALrM/sWfRvdKLK0Q/s320/mb5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i>Little One was pretty impressed with herself. She picked out all the goodies for Chance herself (with the help of Mom and Dad, of course)!</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h0kcRb2_43g/TwInlQ8WWnI/AAAAAAAALrc/v2yTzpgttVU/s1600/mb7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h0kcRb2_43g/TwInlQ8WWnI/AAAAAAAALrc/v2yTzpgttVU/s320/mb7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i>Chance, the very happy recipient of this doggy gift basket, was willing to show us every trick he has in his repertoire (which isn't very much)! :) </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CkokZGYy714/TwIllb_qjSI/AAAAAAAALq0/Pn1GC7MxDJE/s1600/mb1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CkokZGYy714/TwIllb_qjSI/AAAAAAAALq0/Pn1GC7MxDJE/s320/mb1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We love our canine baby...and he loves his Milk-Bone® Doggy Basket!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-axhffklNDp0/TwIl9IkRwVI/AAAAAAAALq8/9ftnkS_Oo7Q/s1600/mb2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-axhffklNDp0/TwIl9IkRwVI/AAAAAAAALq8/9ftnkS_Oo7Q/s320/mb2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>You can view all the photos of our excursion by viewing my <a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/106372328538455808776/albums/5691597850949391841?authkey=CJ-719Wc07mGdA">Google+ album</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Disclosure - This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for<span style="color: #336633;"> </span><a href="http://www.collectivebias.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #336633;">Collective</span></a><a href="http://www.collectivebias.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #336633;"> </span></a><a href="http://www.collectivebias.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #336633;">Bias</span></a></i><i>. All opinions on this blog are honest and my own. </i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><i>#ILoveMyk9 and #CBias</i></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251507898309184477noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251425358325531953.post-40055387395011188602012-01-02T13:21:00.002-05:002012-01-02T23:45:24.296-05:002011: A Year in Review<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6LHlz5iw95qWe4pWyAAjr9nV3AA5Rh6nvpsJKna3hgTgPIpVGnZLhlfNJL0bVRXrC06ZwPXFF_a-zNozI4MCjfdaoNuVuQDs93GRLl8MoosyYREIvWtP2BSNUY8XSPWtR8D0xj1kFTSQ/s1600/June2011+067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>2011</i></span> has been an eventful one. We've experienced some amazing highs, some moments of frustration, and moments of sadness. Like my father always says, "You can't appreciate the good if you don't experience the bad".<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">January</span></i><br />
Balancing family, the farm, freelance jobs and teaching ESL proved to be more difficult than I thought. Thankfully, I have some <a href="http://lifeonmanitoulin.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-husband-superhero.html">very supportive family members</a> (thanks to my Hubby, Lola, Grampy, and MIL). I also have great friends who help me get through even the toughest, most challenging moments of mommyhood. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>February</i></span><br />
There were moments when I thought I was <a href="http://lifeonmanitoulin.blogspot.com/2011/02/mommy-needs-time-out.html">going to completely lose it</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRB5R490xsYncFhJT_924jvKcVCERZLVnAYr-1NduJpAiqOnT9n2yblcOkn6btV8rLZZfMwI0XBtO-JYTuNrH7jlDmQL5qUUAy0RygfgKFoXEjX5LP5ykiVzn60A3i8r6XloYe7GpdV-w/s1600/March+2011+085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRB5R490xsYncFhJT_924jvKcVCERZLVnAYr-1NduJpAiqOnT9n2yblcOkn6btV8rLZZfMwI0XBtO-JYTuNrH7jlDmQL5qUUAy0RygfgKFoXEjX5LP5ykiVzn60A3i8r6XloYe7GpdV-w/s320/March+2011+085.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> I don't think I ever told anyone (except my husband and my best friend) how difficult a time I was having trying to keep things together. I struggled immensely with trying to balance motherhood and all the zillions of other things I had on my plate (like work, committees, farm, house, and everything else). To this day, I am still amazed at how women all over the world just do it and not get burnt out. I don't believe it has to be an either or decision - motherhood or work. I believe the two can be happily married, but it is a challenge. It's a lot of figuring out <i>how</i> to do both and do them both well.<br />
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Little One moved into her "big girl" bed.<a href="http://lifeonmanitoulin.blogspot.com/2011/02/everythings-changing.html"> Everything is changing</a>. I'm not sure if I'm ready for all this change.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">March</span></i><br />
I try to always trust my gut instinct. Thank goodness too. I was almost a victim to an <a href="http://lifeonmanitoulin.blogspot.com/2011/03/always-trust-your-gut.html">online scam </a>where this person tried to swindle me out of my money by posing as an ESL student in need of assistance. Luckily, I'm not that gullible. Luckily, I do my research. I just hope he/she/they don't take advantage of any other good, kindhearted people. If you see a suspicious-looking e-mail, always report it. I hope the police can nail this person. It just makes me sick to think of all the unsuspecting people who have already fallen victim to him.<br />
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Little One is still as <a href="http://lifeonmanitoulin.blogspot.com/2011/03/alive-by-five.html">busy as can be</a>. Some days, I wonder if I'll be alive by the time she's five. <br />
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<a href="http://lifeonmanitoulin.blogspot.com/2011/04/how-did-i-end-up-here.html"><i><span style="font-size: large;">April</span></i></a><br />
We said <a href="http://lifeonmanitoulin.blogspot.com/2011/04/parting-is-such-sweet-sorrow.html">goodbye to my ESL student</a>. I taught him for eight months. It was really sad to say goodbye. Little One was particularly fond of him and thought he was part of the family. It's amazing that he saw her from not really talking to all of a sudden speaking in sentences. I love that Little One is exposed to people from different cultures. <br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">May</span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Little One's vocabulary has <a href="http://www.lifeonmanitoulin.blogspot.com/2011/05/oh-mother.html">increased tenfold</a>. I've been learning how to cook more Korean dishes. That's one of the great things about teaching ESL. My students learn English and they learn about Canadian culture. In return, I learn so much from them (like cooking <a href="http://www.lifeonmanitoulin.blogspot.com/2011/05/korean-beef-bulgogi.html">Korean Bulgogi</a>)!</span><i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>June</i></span><br />
Hubby and I celebrated<a href="http://lifeonmanitoulin.blogspot.com/2011/06/its-been-five-years.html"> five years of marriage</a>.<br />
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We took Little One to the <a href="http://lifeonmanitoulin.blogspot.com/2011/06/happiness-is.html">Mount Sinai Hospital NICU/Preemie Picnic</a>. Hard to believe our healthy, happy, fiercely independent toddler was once a 980 g baby. It was a very emotional day. It was great to meet up with some of the nurses, staff, and other NICU parents who helped us through Little One's first few weeks of life.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">July</span></i><br />
Every now and then, I am reminded of how blessed we are to be living in our little corner of Ontario. Though I sometimes miss my city life, I am reminded of how breathtakingly beautiful Manitoulin Island is. We're surrounded by beaches and we're not too far from<a href="http://lifeonmanitoulin.blogspot.com/2011/07/weekend-in-pictures.html"> Tobermory</a>. I took my students to Tobermory for a class trip. The glass bottom boat tour and the shipwrecks were a hit with the students.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6LHlz5iw95qWe4pWyAAjr9nV3AA5Rh6nvpsJKna3hgTgPIpVGnZLhlfNJL0bVRXrC06ZwPXFF_a-zNozI4MCjfdaoNuVuQDs93GRLl8MoosyYREIvWtP2BSNUY8XSPWtR8D0xj1kFTSQ/s1600/June2011+067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6LHlz5iw95qWe4pWyAAjr9nV3AA5Rh6nvpsJKna3hgTgPIpVGnZLhlfNJL0bVRXrC06ZwPXFF_a-zNozI4MCjfdaoNuVuQDs93GRLl8MoosyYREIvWtP2BSNUY8XSPWtR8D0xj1kFTSQ/s320/June2011+067.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i><span style="font-size: large;">August</span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">August is always a busy time of the year on the farm. Our students learn a lot here. They don't only learn English, but they learn about <a href="http://lifeonmanitoulin.blogspot.com/2011/08/fields-of-barley.html">where their food comes from</a>. </span></span><br />
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Little One won the Cutest Baby contest over at <a href="http://www.photocaptiva.com/">PhotoCaptiva</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggG8GBWNj6Gi_FjhjjL3yAVunaW3yBHoGzZVKzI96tNQfZTquCKvAA7qNlu2onPIwJzlDOgi2L83w_n_J0CCQ_hFr_D0adTyBL7PXrBOQG_Lt59E76k0bSy3M7fx9-SCbBkLC7QtDO3hM/s1600/photocaptivawinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggG8GBWNj6Gi_FjhjjL3yAVunaW3yBHoGzZVKzI96tNQfZTquCKvAA7qNlu2onPIwJzlDOgi2L83w_n_J0CCQ_hFr_D0adTyBL7PXrBOQG_Lt59E76k0bSy3M7fx9-SCbBkLC7QtDO3hM/s320/photocaptivawinner.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am excited to say that I am a recipient of the <a href="http://lifeonmanitoulinreviews.blogspot.com/2011/08/im-mom-central-canada-blogger-grant.html">Mom Central Canada Blogger Grant</a>! What an incredible honour!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprXaZDr50hb-lzgis2sLNtK_a3EnkRMmZfEs-YuiIfS5ETVT1oAkuTD9qPFRW_A40GwWZPlIIs-BOo4ZTvUXmUBQam759GrWPOKgSFLtglX6Q4EAkclBjhyphenhyphenItEiMa3Z0vZPPbGLzY2LM/s1600/MCCgrant.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprXaZDr50hb-lzgis2sLNtK_a3EnkRMmZfEs-YuiIfS5ETVT1oAkuTD9qPFRW_A40GwWZPlIIs-BOo4ZTvUXmUBQam759GrWPOKgSFLtglX6Q4EAkclBjhyphenhyphenItEiMa3Z0vZPPbGLzY2LM/s1600/MCCgrant.JPG" /></a></div><i><span style="font-size: large;">September<span id="goog_2099093375"></span><span id="goog_2099093376"></span></span></i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnsHnw85ZY3j6cvhdkk6koPf9m22FEehFc2qDsqzu-hpH4kkCL8budeV0dVoHxizY8HJMh1QJ87gmzdgHs739TlHLLPGfH_l1PKtKrAs0G02CHpIWEqYkUj9pMNmNwEqhWhIZybaFYt8E/s1600/sccto.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnsHnw85ZY3j6cvhdkk6koPf9m22FEehFc2qDsqzu-hpH4kkCL8budeV0dVoHxizY8HJMh1QJ87gmzdgHs739TlHLLPGfH_l1PKtKrAs0G02CHpIWEqYkUj9pMNmNwEqhWhIZybaFYt8E/s1600/sccto.JPG" /></a> </div>I was invited to the She's Connected Conference in Toronto, where I was able to network with brands, meet some fabulous ladies, learn more about the social media world and what brands are looking for in social media women, and just hang out with some of my favourite Tweeps.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZEPcf5sq2nvQnq2bvUHoFvg8bTcOB1jP3H3KBec2ANUUn3bsXfWN7ovN6peicg-ZJoCyr2fn7hnrKG-5bwFaaC8g6DfdhCtwl-cL82sIOrC9u79-qaxQjUYYyfThLSGnhKAD0Hkf2gQ/s1600/SCCTO2011+022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZEPcf5sq2nvQnq2bvUHoFvg8bTcOB1jP3H3KBec2ANUUn3bsXfWN7ovN6peicg-ZJoCyr2fn7hnrKG-5bwFaaC8g6DfdhCtwl-cL82sIOrC9u79-qaxQjUYYyfThLSGnhKAD0Hkf2gQ/s320/SCCTO2011+022.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbFF1RrdCqweUrvWOlGWtFX6HyJA1At3z_xL09aPFiWwLw29-rZhsW65HWw82wPTBj9jwhw1NoDKPbVhfWa55QZ4Z29BX8k8p0HV6SOvb4ZlthDFNLNOscrIGd2bMepEdxOsvbmXwdyEw/s1600/SCCTO2011+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbFF1RrdCqweUrvWOlGWtFX6HyJA1At3z_xL09aPFiWwLw29-rZhsW65HWw82wPTBj9jwhw1NoDKPbVhfWa55QZ4Z29BX8k8p0HV6SOvb4ZlthDFNLNOscrIGd2bMepEdxOsvbmXwdyEw/s320/SCCTO2011+004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Okay, I was a bit starstruck when I got to meet one of my favourite TV cooking personalities!Yes, it's Christine Cushing! Does this woman ever know how to cook!? Amazing!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0Wa7V1XAtZ1oMLpE0pvAz_GQwwvysLTU64R54sEPTz-R2OYgrmE0Sk5SSThH-LZQQNaT0z01PN_XGChxGlO_Zj_DTiQIHIVoxulANxzLw-wU1EfuWxDfvV0waUoVPCSC5gfqeoprqnQ/s1600/SCCTO2011+026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0Wa7V1XAtZ1oMLpE0pvAz_GQwwvysLTU64R54sEPTz-R2OYgrmE0Sk5SSThH-LZQQNaT0z01PN_XGChxGlO_Zj_DTiQIHIVoxulANxzLw-wU1EfuWxDfvV0waUoVPCSC5gfqeoprqnQ/s320/SCCTO2011+026.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Little One was weaned from her soother/pacifier. We went to Montreal for my godson's baptism and I conveniently forgot to pack her soothers. She was forced to go cold turkey and hasn't looked back. It was a brutal few days and she kept asking for it. Okay, she kept crying <strike>screaming</strike> for it! She survived and hasn't had it since.<br />
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I was given the opportunity to be an official food blogger for Food Network Canada's reality TV show, Recipe to Riches! <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZyBSwnQ2krf23g2ov3OfkuxPy0Q8Uc-rcbCV0SbG5b3k8GWkpOwDfCaS4p-EfubaQ47AU0mA-M9jf5EMqL_u5zXUJPf41baLOJqkVa_Rj2qSVTFG3Z8s0-elQCyb9m8Oi4TzEcvRh6k/s1600/Recipe_to_Riches_002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZyBSwnQ2krf23g2ov3OfkuxPy0Q8Uc-rcbCV0SbG5b3k8GWkpOwDfCaS4p-EfubaQ47AU0mA-M9jf5EMqL_u5zXUJPf41baLOJqkVa_Rj2qSVTFG3Z8s0-elQCyb9m8Oi4TzEcvRh6k/s320/Recipe_to_Riches_002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="http://lifeonmanitoulin.blogspot.com/2011_10_01_archive.html"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>October</i></span></a><br />
We learned that a good friend of ours died. He and his wife used to come to the Island every Fall and spend a week with us. The news had me so depressed. With each announcement of the passing of friends, I am more and more aware of how finite life on earth is. With loved ones and family members getting to the age where death or serious illness is not surprising, I think about my grandmother in the Philippines and wish she could be closer to us. It makes me really sad to think about losing family members. <br />
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I won a Toshiba Tablet from a ShesConnected Twitter party. Love, love, love! <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGBRjbLJB8LirQD8V9Gl12AtO6FMRhcFo-qZUQ8F2YC6iRcD-9W8wU-weGecyvY4c1rBIDcLmt2jQV-r6rCLmNt6yqsXikBqPt2gd_da6svtJ2weV9gmpTME6A9_SwZVCmV6MxMsar8g/s1600/BlackBerryPics+696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGBRjbLJB8LirQD8V9Gl12AtO6FMRhcFo-qZUQ8F2YC6iRcD-9W8wU-weGecyvY4c1rBIDcLmt2jQV-r6rCLmNt6yqsXikBqPt2gd_da6svtJ2weV9gmpTME6A9_SwZVCmV6MxMsar8g/s320/BlackBerryPics+696.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i><span style="font-size: large;">November</span></i><br />
Little One turned three years old. 11/11/11. Lucky year, maybe? She seemed to have gone from my sweet little preemie to all of a sudden a little girl. She feeds herself, dresses herself, and wants to do everything herself. I have to be honest and say that I really, really miss the baby years. It's true when people say, "cherish these moments forever, because they grow up fast". They really do.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjglgv67Zt2RqnW3knLoSH-Nf_TwRzPE0MK-dGw19ZutAo38God-hPPz7pKAvXrtMb6NDDkaeWCO5XJ_ke-rVV8zZtn5h-DiPcpSdY5xRFzmGe-mPsLrYoqvF2lC5_XT-fh1cco1nQXRQ/s1600/RA2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjglgv67Zt2RqnW3knLoSH-Nf_TwRzPE0MK-dGw19ZutAo38God-hPPz7pKAvXrtMb6NDDkaeWCO5XJ_ke-rVV8zZtn5h-DiPcpSdY5xRFzmGe-mPsLrYoqvF2lC5_XT-fh1cco1nQXRQ/s320/RA2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I was selected as a #ToshibaBrandAmbassador! Thank you, ShesConnected!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN92JNxMB_fAY6Aw4kW65QVddMZwVoQFU5FHKK4kM7YUKHKa2yqQ-IMSs1IKxLPgcThJy-pFyMZbeyAiCV706dt-OgaIqREtqyrS68_lf_PBidejs2gVXJ4bPXbCNTPe8NEP7Vv2dWzcg/s1600/Toshiba_HH_BrandAmb_125x125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN92JNxMB_fAY6Aw4kW65QVddMZwVoQFU5FHKK4kM7YUKHKa2yqQ-IMSs1IKxLPgcThJy-pFyMZbeyAiCV706dt-OgaIqREtqyrS68_lf_PBidejs2gVXJ4bPXbCNTPe8NEP7Vv2dWzcg/s1600/Toshiba_HH_BrandAmb_125x125.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">December</span></i><br />
I attended the taping of Recipe to Riches' season finale. I also had dim sum with Melaney Gleeson-Lyall as well as a coffee date with Melissa Lam (Recipe to Riches contestants). Through the Twitter world, we've become friends (online and offline).<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbYZpHom0YH7zdbDp26poG_qcBfSsHI_o_QwUVmV5SEnVEKfC9kW8-p8A0dQHv-g6zRYq6RedAEAaqnr43ITBEuMoM0K8da_mB1SsaYw-qJBQjAiU2nOVQT4BnXp3o8OA-7z9Egs1snM/s1600/BlackBerryPics+835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbYZpHom0YH7zdbDp26poG_qcBfSsHI_o_QwUVmV5SEnVEKfC9kW8-p8A0dQHv-g6zRYq6RedAEAaqnr43ITBEuMoM0K8da_mB1SsaYw-qJBQjAiU2nOVQT4BnXp3o8OA-7z9Egs1snM/s320/BlackBerryPics+835.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Grampy and Little One enjoyed dim sum with Melaney in Chinatown as well!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPz0nES1A_Aqd7mjT7jZcFSfd0UmZ9SQ2xPyZnNHhhK1iv8olJA9Q9YdTYhmtf4r5tn7ewuOs-maeibn7k3trMRPY_WycAI2kJe3xu_wYs31vu5ONWenfa-Rqet_kKcnU1hB6MmBXm54/s1600/BlackBerryPics+838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPz0nES1A_Aqd7mjT7jZcFSfd0UmZ9SQ2xPyZnNHhhK1iv8olJA9Q9YdTYhmtf4r5tn7ewuOs-maeibn7k3trMRPY_WycAI2kJe3xu_wYs31vu5ONWenfa-Rqet_kKcnU1hB6MmBXm54/s320/BlackBerryPics+838.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>With Melissa (Banana Chocolate Wow Cake) and Brad (Maple Pouding au Chomeur) at the taping of the finale.<br />
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I was selected as one of the <b>#FisherPriceMoms!</b> So excited! Thank you, Mom Central Canada!<br />
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We also started a new tradition with our friends - Olde Fashioned Christmas! A few friends with children Little One's age will celebrate each Christmas (well, the weekend before Christmas) with a potluck party and good times for all. The kids made Christmas ornaments, the adults had a good visit, and before the night was done, the kids exchanged homemade presents with each other.<br />
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Little One seems to be completely toilet trained. After a few weeks of <a href="http://lifeonmanitoulin.blogspot.com/2011/12/by-george-i-think-shes-got-it.html">potty <i>re</i>training</a>, a few set backs and accidents, she seems to have finally mastered peeing and pooping in the toilet. She is so proud of herself! I am so proud of her. I am also so relieved for myself. That had to be the most frustrating two weeks of my life.<br />
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BabyBro came to the Island to spend Christmas with us. One week is definitely too short. He's only been gone two days, but I already miss him.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Looking forward to another wonderful year with friends and family. May the New Year be a very happy and healthy one for everyone.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251507898309184477noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251425358325531953.post-75375907150849379372011-12-29T16:11:00.001-05:002012-01-02T15:55:06.739-05:00Shopping for our Beloved Canine Baby #ILoveMyk9 and #CBias<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n63gnLseuEg/TvzFbeLeHHI/AAAAAAAALmc/Cg3QNAipzys/s1600/IMG_0182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n63gnLseuEg/TvzFbeLeHHI/AAAAAAAALmc/Cg3QNAipzys/s320/IMG_0182.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>T</i></span>here's something you need to about me. I <i>love</i> making gift baskets. I make them for bridal showers, baby showers, welcoming new babies, Christmas, and for other occasions. There's something so fun about gathering up amazing (<i>and</i> useful/practical) little items and arranging them creatively in a decorative basket (or other vessel like a bowl, storage box, etc) for the recipient to enjoy. To me, gift baskets show that the giver has put considerable thought into making the gift.<br />
<span id="goog_1292249935"></span><span id="goog_1292249936"></span><br />
<br />
This is true of not only gifts for my human loved ones, but for my canine baby as well.<br />
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We were going to put together a Doggie Gift Basket for a friend's new puppy. Dog treats are a fabulous incentive for puppy training. However, my toddler was adamant about giving the gift basket to our own "puppy". Though Chance is no longer a puppy in years, he's still our beloved canine baby.<br />
<br />
Since we had to drive my brother to the airport in Sudbury, we decided to make a day trip out of it and head to Walmart to pick up the dog treats for the doggie basket. The drive from the Island to Sudbury is over 2 hrs each way. We made a few stops along the way.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">"Is we goin' shoppin'?!?!" She gets a little excited at the prospect of going shopping. *sigh* </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Ovd9wi20gA/TvzEB5AfbiI/AAAAAAAALjg/dGoHS-ltwGg/s1600/IMG_0137.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Ovd9wi20gA/TvzEB5AfbiI/AAAAAAAALjg/dGoHS-ltwGg/s320/IMG_0137.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Driving off-Island to get to the mainland.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ux0FtQHzmjI/TvzENiPirJI/AAAAAAAALjw/Qj-HfZ1a2uQ/s1600/IMG_0138.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ux0FtQHzmjI/TvzENiPirJI/AAAAAAAALjw/Qj-HfZ1a2uQ/s320/IMG_0138.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Crossing the Swing Bridge</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JhfitwXUczE/TvzELFG5d_I/AAAAAAAALjo/NgWOWaG2e-k/s1600/IMG_0139.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JhfitwXUczE/TvzELFG5d_I/AAAAAAAALjo/NgWOWaG2e-k/s320/IMG_0139.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6-voq5klC90/TvzEUMYzS9I/AAAAAAAALj4/LrhV5qlB9aE/s1600/IMG_0140.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6-voq5klC90/TvzEUMYzS9I/AAAAAAAALj4/LrhV5qlB9aE/s320/IMG_0140.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">We needed to make a few stops along the way. First stop was to get Hubby's new work boots. He goes through a new pair EACH year! At $200 a pop, it gets pretty pricey. This said, good footwear is not something to skimp on.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t7fw7gETjRk/TvzEXqUp_zI/AAAAAAAALkA/UC6XZK0YbYE/s1600/IMG_0147.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t7fw7gETjRk/TvzEXqUp_zI/AAAAAAAALkA/UC6XZK0YbYE/s320/IMG_0147.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ilo2CCMzAdA/TvzEaZCV_AI/AAAAAAAALkI/-3a3t4ynPbM/s1600/IMG_0148.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ilo2CCMzAdA/TvzEaZCV_AI/AAAAAAAALkI/-3a3t4ynPbM/s320/IMG_0148.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BYZHtKvMF1Q/TvzEc9KTugI/AAAAAAAALkQ/uKrcCJBbVew/s1600/IMG_0149.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BYZHtKvMF1Q/TvzEc9KTugI/AAAAAAAALkQ/uKrcCJBbVew/s320/IMG_0149.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xtr9829GdY0/TvzEfdW3ZFI/AAAAAAAALkY/jULc62QToNM/s1600/IMG_0157.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xtr9829GdY0/TvzEfdW3ZFI/AAAAAAAALkY/jULc62QToNM/s320/IMG_0157.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">More driving. See the paper mill in Espanola? Little One calls the town "Stinky-nola".</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--n0jQig7GTE/TvzEifNaTUI/AAAAAAAALkg/ACKA4L6jDm0/s1600/IMG_0159.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--n0jQig7GTE/TvzEifNaTUI/AAAAAAAALkg/ACKA4L6jDm0/s320/IMG_0159.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> We had a few items to buy at Walmart. This was our niece's first time at the new Walmart in Sudbury.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5fSL1CIQdg/TvzEl1oe7iI/AAAAAAAALko/-hcYxD2Q3Pg/s1600/IMG_0161.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5fSL1CIQdg/TvzEl1oe7iI/AAAAAAAALko/-hcYxD2Q3Pg/s320/IMG_0161.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pSjJ3Hekn14/TvzEoMEWm3I/AAAAAAAALkw/iZnEtkxpGww/s1600/IMG_0163.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pSjJ3Hekn14/TvzEoMEWm3I/AAAAAAAALkw/iZnEtkxpGww/s320/IMG_0163.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sITqh9KJQBE/TvzErH3AhTI/AAAAAAAALk4/D4orVW6UccQ/s1600/IMG_0164.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sITqh9KJQBE/TvzErH3AhTI/AAAAAAAALk4/D4orVW6UccQ/s320/IMG_0164.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Since it was Boxing Week, we were lucky to catch all the Boxing Week sales. Some prices were reduced to 50% and even 70% off the original price!</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hubby wanted to get a few items at Walmart, since he says the prices seem to be better there for many of the items he needs. He picked up some jump drives for the computer and stuff for the vehicle.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JT-WJiKYFj0/TvzF5-SnMuI/AAAAAAAALns/MZYIQ4avpGM/s1600/IMG_0192.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JT-WJiKYFj0/TvzF5-SnMuI/AAAAAAAALns/MZYIQ4avpGM/s320/IMG_0192.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pxemWYAZ_l0/TvzGTmxx9eI/AAAAAAAALoY/RGury1cnEOI/s1600/IMG_0202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pxemWYAZ_l0/TvzGTmxx9eI/AAAAAAAALoY/RGury1cnEOI/s320/IMG_0202.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>My</i> mission was to get some doggie treats. You can't see the look of confusion on my face in this photo, but it's definitely there! I always get so disoriented in busy places. Funny, since I'm<i> from</i> the city! Island living has definitely made me more aware of crowds and I've learned that I don't like busy, bustling places with lots of traffic anymore. Ha!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b21SLEfiuEk/TvzEun-QrxI/AAAAAAAALlA/Ij6Ct9vxziM/s1600/IMG_0165.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b21SLEfiuEk/TvzEun-QrxI/AAAAAAAALlA/Ij6Ct9vxziM/s320/IMG_0165.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Follow the signs...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TwrT8RbFee4/TvzF1lGwyyI/AAAAAAAALnk/JMQScqDjqtI/s1600/IMG_0191.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TwrT8RbFee4/TvzF1lGwyyI/AAAAAAAALnk/JMQScqDjqtI/s320/IMG_0191.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Is we makin' a dog basket for Chancey, Mommy?" </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wspf7Tl4HCs/TvzExixbqAI/AAAAAAAALlI/4bcX6lcN0PM/s1600/IMG_0166.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wspf7Tl4HCs/TvzExixbqAI/AAAAAAAALlI/4bcX6lcN0PM/s320/IMG_0166.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hsy6-jeRigE/TvzE0JOAEGI/AAAAAAAALlQ/tlfPRDs2Y7o/s1600/IMG_0172.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hsy6-jeRigE/TvzE0JOAEGI/AAAAAAAALlQ/tlfPRDs2Y7o/s320/IMG_0172.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">AHA! Here we go! Walmart has a huge selection of dog treats! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3fty73bgY4Q/TvzE2jM-McI/AAAAAAAALlY/ECSJSQuZZvw/s1600/IMG_0174.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3fty73bgY4Q/TvzE2jM-McI/AAAAAAAALlY/ECSJSQuZZvw/s320/IMG_0174.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7uxBF694zW4/TvzE5OF50SI/AAAAAAAALlg/NbeFvdAPp7A/s1600/IMG_0175.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7uxBF694zW4/TvzE5OF50SI/AAAAAAAALlg/NbeFvdAPp7A/s320/IMG_0175.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-djC4fPN-QFs/TvzE8kTT4nI/AAAAAAAALlo/fM3CNdS8Rb8/s1600/IMG_0176.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-djC4fPN-QFs/TvzE8kTT4nI/AAAAAAAALlo/fM3CNdS8Rb8/s320/IMG_0176.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2-cpFjU7e00/TvzFBMu0B3I/AAAAAAAALlw/6sNAEOUr2ts/s1600/IMG_0177.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2-cpFjU7e00/TvzFBMu0B3I/AAAAAAAALlw/6sNAEOUr2ts/s320/IMG_0177.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I was really impressed with the selection of <a href="http://milkbone.com/">Milk-Bone®</a> treats Walmart carries. The selection was huge! </div><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; color: #555555;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jOSJ2nn6ep4/TvzFEHSc9EI/AAAAAAAALl4/z6i9aLydObU/s1600/IMG_0178.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jOSJ2nn6ep4/TvzFEHSc9EI/AAAAAAAALl4/z6i9aLydObU/s320/IMG_0178.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqD2gBbc7hw/TvzFIoB_zDI/AAAAAAAALmA/7XHmv7r00D0/s1600/IMG_0179.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqD2gBbc7hw/TvzFIoB_zDI/AAAAAAAALmA/7XHmv7r00D0/s320/IMG_0179.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6XtYgcl3_c4/TvzFM2S9nhI/AAAAAAAALmI/7k2VaYUBZiw/s1600/IMG_0180.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6XtYgcl3_c4/TvzFM2S9nhI/AAAAAAAALmI/7k2VaYUBZiw/s320/IMG_0180.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E8fAPEe5WCU/TvzFXt7S7nI/AAAAAAAALmU/AseXpdPdAEA/s1600/IMG_0181.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E8fAPEe5WCU/TvzFXt7S7nI/AAAAAAAALmU/AseXpdPdAEA/s320/IMG_0181.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Chance loves his<a href="http://www.pupperoni.com/"> Pup-peroni</a> treats! </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"> Not only were there lots of <a href="http://milkbone.com/">Milk-Bone®</a> treats, but there were tons of <a href="http://www.pupperoni.com/">Pup-peroni</a> treats as well! The prices and selection were great! The only thing was that we couldn't find any <a href="http://miloskitchen.com/">Milo's Kitchen</a> items at all! We searched and searched...and searched! We still didn't find any.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IBaXYflcPfg/TvzFeLllm8I/AAAAAAAALmk/ev8KPiwbHSw/s1600/IMG_0183.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IBaXYflcPfg/TvzFeLllm8I/AAAAAAAALmk/ev8KPiwbHSw/s320/IMG_0183.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UnVc0OBX2cI/TvzFhS6oiDI/AAAAAAAALms/7332-GN8-lE/s1600/IMG_0184.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UnVc0OBX2cI/TvzFhS6oiDI/AAAAAAAALms/7332-GN8-lE/s320/IMG_0184.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Promoting good oral care is important for me. I want everyone in our family to have healthy teeth and gums...even our canine baby. Whenever I get Chance treats, I try to make sure they're good for his teeth. I read the ingredients to make sure they include things that are helpful in maintaining good health. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6T1TJ9YRUKc/TvzFlJ6GxgI/AAAAAAAALm0/Q-85--uPWt0/s1600/IMG_0185.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6T1TJ9YRUKc/TvzFlJ6GxgI/AAAAAAAALm0/Q-85--uPWt0/s320/IMG_0185.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XKcqFs8QKuo/TvzFng7UPlI/AAAAAAAALm8/NHReaJ8-Ri0/s1600/IMG_0186.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XKcqFs8QKuo/TvzFng7UPlI/AAAAAAAALm8/NHReaJ8-Ri0/s320/IMG_0186.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> A doggy also needs something to play with :) Chance loves his "stuffies". He's pretty gentle on his stuffed animals. Somehow it seemed so wrong to give him Lamb Chop to chew on! It's just too cute!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8BzLeM5qcUI/TvzFqH6sXSI/AAAAAAAALnE/E9SHVn9MTu0/s1600/IMG_0187.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8BzLeM5qcUI/TvzFqH6sXSI/AAAAAAAALnE/E9SHVn9MTu0/s320/IMG_0187.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> Our niece found something that looked like it was already dead.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lX0ebroH2d8/TvzFtA9HB4I/AAAAAAAALnM/y2oKPMpn7ro/s1600/IMG_0188.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lX0ebroH2d8/TvzFtA9HB4I/AAAAAAAALnM/y2oKPMpn7ro/s320/IMG_0188.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Little One found "Cheese". Having never been introduced to the likes of Sponge Bob (thank goodness!), she thought it was cheese. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GxFKOccRfg4/TvzFv8w-iGI/AAAAAAAALnU/Qu-5pK6Jb4E/s1600/IMG_0189.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GxFKOccRfg4/TvzFv8w-iGI/AAAAAAAALnU/Qu-5pK6Jb4E/s320/IMG_0189.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s-qiTg-cU-I/TvzFy457LaI/AAAAAAAALnc/j0SHJ6yDLVA/s1600/IMG_0190.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s-qiTg-cU-I/TvzFy457LaI/AAAAAAAALnc/j0SHJ6yDLVA/s320/IMG_0190.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_ocKnCBNgs8/TvzF8uVWHkI/AAAAAAAALn0/j6lj3IGWu2w/s1600/IMG_0193.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_ocKnCBNgs8/TvzF8uVWHkI/AAAAAAAALn0/j6lj3IGWu2w/s320/IMG_0193.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3J2cNH3M3qY/TvzF_eVJuqI/AAAAAAAALn8/oUzVuXSLwwA/s1600/IMG_0195.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3J2cNH3M3qY/TvzF_eVJuqI/AAAAAAAALn8/oUzVuXSLwwA/s320/IMG_0195.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-arEZJWQ3XwE/TvzGCj1J4fI/AAAAAAAALoE/hcJ_sHzsQd0/s1600/IMG_0198.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-arEZJWQ3XwE/TvzGCj1J4fI/AAAAAAAALoE/hcJ_sHzsQd0/s320/IMG_0198.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Ae9MOwwfDs/TvzGHCDaNwI/AAAAAAAALoM/-zQn_PRekN0/s1600/IMG_0199.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Ae9MOwwfDs/TvzGHCDaNwI/AAAAAAAALoM/-zQn_PRekN0/s320/IMG_0199.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> Check out time wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Walmart is always busy on the best of days, and since this was Boxing Week, there were tons of people out shopping. We got all the things we needed and the crowds weren't too bad. It was an enjoyable experience. The only thing I'd like to see for next time would be some Milo's Kitchen treats.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm just so happy we were able to get most of the items on our list! You can view all the photos of our excursion by viewing my </div><a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/106372328538455808776/albums/5691597850949391841?authkey=CJ-719Wc07mGdA">Google+ album</a>.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Just a few other photos from our family day out :) </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DvzopMYSYqE/TvzGdekzQPI/AAAAAAAALow/VdQE6i7OtBI/s1600/IMG_0206.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DvzopMYSYqE/TvzGdekzQPI/AAAAAAAALow/VdQE6i7OtBI/s320/IMG_0206.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">A little farewell dinner at Osaka Sushi. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vip93N61V4E/TvzGaJL9ZyI/AAAAAAAALoo/XQvBzjk4G6g/s1600/IMG_0205.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vip93N61V4E/TvzGaJL9ZyI/AAAAAAAALoo/XQvBzjk4G6g/s320/IMG_0205.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kxyhcg4sKIo/TvzGXd6dPFI/AAAAAAAALog/3mCHC6N94WM/s1600/IMG_0204.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kxyhcg4sKIo/TvzGXd6dPFI/AAAAAAAALog/3mCHC6N94WM/s320/IMG_0204.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DNdwkvOTPaw/TvzGkM5rTEI/AAAAAAAALpA/jrGxoUILd0g/s1600/IMG_0209.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DNdwkvOTPaw/TvzGkM5rTEI/AAAAAAAALpA/jrGxoUILd0g/s320/IMG_0209.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I don't want <i>TheGodfather</i> to go back to Toronto, Mommy!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cHLaJ3odrt0/TvzGhPqw7ZI/AAAAAAAALo4/KCwQ2B7lipk/s1600/IMG_0207.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cHLaJ3odrt0/TvzGhPqw7ZI/AAAAAAAALo4/KCwQ2B7lipk/s320/IMG_0207.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">So hard to say goodbye :( </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rvfLPO9aVSw/TvzGnOR_-LI/AAAAAAAALpI/KF2NloPYgCQ/s1600/IMG_0210.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rvfLPO9aVSw/TvzGnOR_-LI/AAAAAAAALpI/KF2NloPYgCQ/s320/IMG_0210.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Disclosure - This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for</span><a href="http://www.collectivebias.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: none;"> </span></a><a href="http://www.collectivebias.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #336633; font-size: 12pt;">Collective</span></a><a href="http://www.collectivebias.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #336633; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></a><a href="http://www.collectivebias.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #336633; font-size: 12pt;">Bias</span></a></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>. All opinions on this blog are honest and my own. </i></span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>#ILoveMyk9 and #CBias</i></span><a href="http://collectivebias.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #000099; font-size: 12pt;"></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><a href="http://collectivebias.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #000099; font-size: 12pt;"></span></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251507898309184477noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251425358325531953.post-58431206843535901072011-12-27T21:00:00.001-05:002011-12-28T00:24:40.356-05:00#CBias and #EqualCanada - The Search for Equal Continues<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tklfKcAuz9M/Tvql7QVaC6I/AAAAAAAALAg/dKwWdvRCBDY/s1600/310944_10150953547340023_843475022_21561546_438457356_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tklfKcAuz9M/Tvql7QVaC6I/AAAAAAAALAg/dKwWdvRCBDY/s200/310944_10150953547340023_843475022_21561546_438457356_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"> M</span></i>y husband wanted to take me to a new place for my birthday.<span> </span>Little did I know, he and my friends had planned a surprise birthday party for me.<span> </span>Spruce Glen Bakery and Café is a new coffee shop on Manitoulin Island.<span> </span>They are currently closed on weekends in the Winter months, so I had no idea that we’d be heading there.<span> </span>My friend’s father and his wife own the café and agreed to open it for my birthday.<span> </span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal">Many of my favourite people were there to celebrate my birthday. My Dad even showed up, when he told me in the morning that he was going fishing! Everyone was in on the surprise party.<span> </span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal">It totally took me by surprise! </div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dkcPkkh_FBE/TvqgIeVH_MI/AAAAAAAALAM/vVvJVPSqNgg/s1600/Spruce+Glen+5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dkcPkkh_FBE/TvqgIeVH_MI/AAAAAAAALAM/vVvJVPSqNgg/s320/Spruce+Glen+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f4GtQmsF83g/TvqgG6NwVFI/AAAAAAAALAE/0fuqHBpeEcI/s1600/Spruce+Glen+4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f4GtQmsF83g/TvqgG6NwVFI/AAAAAAAALAE/0fuqHBpeEcI/s320/Spruce+Glen+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal">Spruce Glen is a quaint and cozy spot for a nice cup of gourmet <span> </span>coffee, specialty tea, and a bite to eat.<span> </span>The owners start their day very early in the morning to make sure all the baking is fresh for their customers.</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal">I had a Soy Chai Latte, my husband had an Americano, and Little One had *gasp* a Jones Soda.<span> </span>We don’t usually give her soda, but it was a treat. There were tons of scrumptious baked goods to feast on. Spruce Glen, though a new establishment, has already built a reputation for having delectible freshly baked breads, flat breads, turnovers, and other pastries.</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GVin-xsde1o/TvqgCz2_1lI/AAAAAAAAK_0/tYfvFB_Qkbw/s1600/Spruce+Glen+1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GVin-xsde1o/TvqgCz2_1lI/AAAAAAAAK_0/tYfvFB_Qkbw/s320/Spruce+Glen+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal">While we were there, I took the opportunity to check whether Spruce Glen Bakery Café offered Equal Sweetener. I looked, and only found sugar and one other sweetener.<span> </span>This was the third time I set out to find Equal and I guess the third time was not the charm. </div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal">My father uses low calorie sweeteners for health reasons. It's nice for him to have alternatives to sugar when he's out and about.</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"> </div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Wingdings;"></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Wingdings;"></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Wingdings;"></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Wingdings;"><span></span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal">I asked the owner if he carried Equal and if he would consider it. He said it was not something they really thought of and that they served the other sweetener because it seemed to be the one most people wanted.</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2A7XI2uAj-E/TvqJM4r3ORI/AAAAAAAAK-8/JT7WAXmNodQ/s1600/316763_10150953564975023_843475022_21561581_1994448285_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2A7XI2uAj-E/TvqJM4r3ORI/AAAAAAAAK-8/JT7WAXmNodQ/s1600/316763_10150953564975023_843475022_21561581_1994448285_n.jpg" /></a></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal">Because this is a new establishment, they do not have any comment cards or online comment section to fill out. They don’t have a website yet, but they do<span> </span>have a Facebook page. I was not able to fill out a comment card, but I did have a chance to talk to the owner.</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iQKBb5G9-7o/TvqgKwPqLYI/AAAAAAAALAU/QIMyY_y6vS0/s1600/Spruce+Glenn+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iQKBb5G9-7o/TvqgKwPqLYI/AAAAAAAALAU/QIMyY_y6vS0/s320/Spruce+Glenn+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ARtD_mJCTNw/TvqgFOZawiI/AAAAAAAAK_8/TGcJD8IC6ik/s1600/Spruce+Glen+3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" height="203" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ARtD_mJCTNw/TvqgFOZawiI/AAAAAAAAK_8/TGcJD8IC6ik/s320/Spruce+Glen+3.jpg" width="320" /></i></a></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i>Here's the owner with his adorable granddaughter.</i></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal">Much to my dismay, I have to report that no Equal sweetener was found at this location. Overall, the experience was amazing. Perhaps a few options to choose from in the sweetener area would be a good idea later down the road. This is a very new venue, and they are doing a smashing job! Also, comment cards would be a good idea. Mainly so I can tell them over and over how great their coffee shop/bakery is!</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal">If you find yourself on Manitoulin Island, please stop by Spruce Glen. Their coffees, teas and treats are fabulous and the service is always great.</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal">SPRUCE GLEN BAKERY CAFE </div>2392 WIKWEMIKONG WAY, WIKWEMIKONG<br />
ONTARIO, P0P 2J0<br />
Phone: (705) 859-3638<br />
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For more information about Equal Sweetener, please visit: <span><span style="font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the</span><a href="http://www.equal.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Equal</span></a><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">website,</span><a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/EqualCanada" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">@EqualCanada</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> twitter page and</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/EqualCanada?ref=ts" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="color: #0068cf; font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Equal Canada on Facebook</span></a>.</span><br />
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<i><span><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Disclosure - </span></span><span><span style="font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for</span><a href="http://www.collectivebias.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="color: #336633; font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Collective Bias</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. #CBias. All opinions expressed on this blog are my own.</span></span></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251507898309184477noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251425358325531953.post-55375605362834071502011-12-27T09:34:00.000-05:002011-12-27T09:34:21.901-05:00Pampers Review & Prize Pack Giveaway!<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNKM8vqcjBLxutbnGJgjeQVYdzIZXWzB884-RRXUBfvMwh4UVRP9hCJAyjfsZj6Ry2p-Q7buthyphenhyphen90Qg9Sx7PjmSCsHJ5AmxbtekbkKBdHzFjopEBqhyD9T9kkCj-zAyW129WgZ4YJ-3RM/s1600/pampers3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNKM8vqcjBLxutbnGJgjeQVYdzIZXWzB884-RRXUBfvMwh4UVRP9hCJAyjfsZj6Ry2p-Q7buthyphenhyphen90Qg9Sx7PjmSCsHJ5AmxbtekbkKBdHzFjopEBqhyD9T9kkCj-zAyW129WgZ4YJ-3RM/s200/pampers3.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>N</span></i>o one ever told me how difficult it would be to be a parent. It's <i>the best </i>experience in the world, but at times, the most challenging. Lately, I've been feeling a lot of heat from everyone regarding potty training. I've been getting flack from all directions about how children should be potty trained as soon as they hit two years old. In all honesty, I think there's no magic age when children are "supposed" to be potty trained. Some potty train earlier than others and some later. It can be a stressful experience for both toddler and parents. Why add to the stress? <br />
<br />
I started potty training Little One over the summer and she was doing remarkably well. Two weeks ago, she just decided that she wasn't having anything to do with potty training. She refused to sit on the potty, she only wanted to wear diapers, <i>and</i> she said things like "I'm a baby, Mama! I'm just little!"<br />
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We have been going from weeks of her not wearing a diaper and only wanting to wear her Dora or Strawberry Shortcake panties (or being completely naked!) to weeks of her not wanting the potty and only wanting the diaper or training pants/easy-ups. <br />
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<i>Frustrating! </i><br />
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I heard from other moms that sometimes toddlers have set backs, they can go back and forth for a while, but once they're ready, they're ready. In the meantime, we will make sure to have diapers on hand.<br />
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When I was asked to review<a href="http://www.pampers.ca/en_CA/proddetail/id/910827"> Pampers Cruisers 3-Way Fit</a> diapers, I was more than happy to take the opportunity to check out what the product had to offer. It couldn't have come at a better time too.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirC2L1aA_-4ES3v2wklcrE1lGAi2CvDKyMgyDpnpBjd1vDJqayo9_pF6DM2qAGvXtgFR5JN8GcEMlKNkEv9u1dCjAr7N_6gdWwquBad_30BuFTXB1NogOJ1Pq6PVUDiItr23M2XZfJI04/s1600/pampers1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirC2L1aA_-4ES3v2wklcrE1lGAi2CvDKyMgyDpnpBjd1vDJqayo9_pF6DM2qAGvXtgFR5JN8GcEMlKNkEv9u1dCjAr7N_6gdWwquBad_30BuFTXB1NogOJ1Pq6PVUDiItr23M2XZfJI04/s320/pampers1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Pampers is a brand trusted by many parents. It is also <a href="http://www.pampers.ca/en_CA/proddetail/id/910826">the brand that the hospital used</a> on Little One when she was in the NICU. Yes, <a href="http://www.pampers.ca/en_CA/home">Pampers</a> has diapers that fit even the tiniest of preemies! Well, Little One was so little that the nurses had to fold her diaper over so it would fit. Still, the fact that Pampers was the brand the hospitals used and trusted, was something that always stayed in my mind when thinking of which kind of diapers to use.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ2v2_Pa56IA-qqODxkMz2oGiDDcP66BcYoUzJJX724QkR9gTgcIKU7KidnQL5KPxC7qajODl7Nm2-xbBlCBd6T28r0Ho3Oa-V11NB3rdT_BDgexx9DgX67rim6BhtyFMkamI6NkRSzog/s1600/pampers4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ2v2_Pa56IA-qqODxkMz2oGiDDcP66BcYoUzJJX724QkR9gTgcIKU7KidnQL5KPxC7qajODl7Nm2-xbBlCBd6T28r0Ho3Oa-V11NB3rdT_BDgexx9DgX67rim6BhtyFMkamI6NkRSzog/s200/pampers4.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><h4 class="NprdGrnb">Pampers® Cruisers diapers</h4><span class="hSpacer12"></span> <br />
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<ul class="pad10L"><li> 3-Way Fit gives babies our best fit ever so they have the freedom to play their way</li>
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<ul class="pad10L"><li>Pampers Cruisers diapers offer up to 12 hours of leakage protection</li>
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<ul class="pad10L"><li>Now with the quilted softness of Swaddlers</li>
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<ul class="pad10L"><li>New Sesame Street graphics feature your favorite characters on every diaper</li>
</ul></div></div>Pampers Cruisers 3-Way Fit does live up to its word. The fit is quite possibly the best fit on Little One so far. Because it adapts to fit the waist, legs, and bottom, it gives her the freedom to roam around and be as active as she wants to be...and not have any leaking if she does pee in her diaper.<br />
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Pampers recently launched its Canadian Facebook Page which will feature product information, meaningful discussion, tips, and news specifically for Canadian parents. You can visit the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/PampersCanada">Pampers Canada Facebook Page</a> and join in the discussions! "Like" it, and share it with your friends!<br />
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To celebrate the exciting launch of the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/PampersCanada">Pampers Canada Facebook Page</a>, Pampers is giving one of my lucky readers an amazing Pampers Prize Pack! The Prize Pack includes a beautiful Skip Hop Deluxe diaper bag (with changing pad) along with Pampers diapers!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6Q3tllHu8fK8-MoFTbD0WtUU5CboYnsps5Allnyxqq2zirxNsFaQHc5crgFbANx_nbNyfz2Cgx8WoCHoYNJZj615o1iqPNlXR0Lw_T4vijUDBjKZB03m8I6KZA_Ma-EI5jtP-_oYG1s/s1600/pampers2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6Q3tllHu8fK8-MoFTbD0WtUU5CboYnsps5Allnyxqq2zirxNsFaQHc5crgFbANx_nbNyfz2Cgx8WoCHoYNJZj615o1iqPNlXR0Lw_T4vijUDBjKZB03m8I6KZA_Ma-EI5jtP-_oYG1s/s1600/pampers2.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Isn't this diaper bag gorgeous?! I am in love with this diaper bag! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><u><span id="goog_6489678"><strike>TO WIN</strike></span></u></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strike>Simply<b> fill out the Rafflecopter form below</b> to enter the giveaway. If you are having difficulty viewing the Rafflecopter form, just refresh and it should load. Make sure to <b>leave a comment in the comments section</b> of this blog post (below).</strike></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strike>Good luck, everyone! This giveaway is open only to residents of Canada. Giveaway ends at 12:01AM on January 2, 2012!</strike></div><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>**Edited to add:** </b></span></span></i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Because of the issues readers have been reporting regarding the Rafflecopter form freezing, we have extended the giveaway deadline. The giveaway ends on January 6, 2012. <span style="background-color: #ffd966;">Instead of filling out the Rafflecopter form, please leave a comment in the comments section at the end of this post for</span><b style="background-color: #ffd966;"> each </b><span style="background-color: #ffd966;">entry. </span></span></span><br />
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<b><u><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">TO ENTER:</span></span></i></u></b><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Visit the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PampersCanada">Pampers Canada Facebook Page</a> and tell me what you like about the page! This is a mandatory entry. (2 entries)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">While you're on the<a href="https://www.facebook.com/PampersCanada"> Pampers Canada Facebook Page</a>, "like" them and tell them I sent you :) (2 entries) </span></span><br />
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<i>Disclosure - I was given a package of Size 4 Pampers Cruisers 3-Way Fit diapers and wipes to facilitate this review. All the opinions on this blog are honest and my own.</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251507898309184477noreply@blogger.com43tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251425358325531953.post-61591412326607054802011-12-27T09:09:00.000-05:002011-12-27T09:09:41.323-05:00Bibiray's Organic Kids' Couture - Giveaway Winner!<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXYX5xaSnSPiNe-HdVH1JpM3DwmdgFa4zDlf9uAdgXvF8NhxEuFuxHtPLwFrZZraCyANvfm4-sXFVy3kJ4gWggqe7RCBgYitZBt33jaqCJfaqGoHUIED3IajkDsqO0SxpXdcz6jYvIQ0o/s1600/bibirays_logo.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXYX5xaSnSPiNe-HdVH1JpM3DwmdgFa4zDlf9uAdgXvF8NhxEuFuxHtPLwFrZZraCyANvfm4-sXFVy3kJ4gWggqe7RCBgYitZBt33jaqCJfaqGoHUIED3IajkDsqO0SxpXdcz6jYvIQ0o/s320/bibirays_logo.JPG" width="320" /></a><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></i></div><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">W</span></i>ant to know who won the <a href="http://lifeonmanitoulinreviews.blogspot.com/2011/12/bibirays-organic-kids-couture-review.html">Bibiray's Giveaway</a>? <br />
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Congratulations to<b> SJB (entry #73)</b>! You have won a <a href="http://www.bibirays.ca/">Bibiray's </a>Adjustable Organic Knots Dress! Please check your inbox, as an e-mail has been sent to you.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsH2GSpBoH0TY3gQJswjcaCwZl2ZdBNNvP-UhnDakF9jSQAA8F9eQOO4CzpoXlCpNkvyB7B-mxQypkOG9SAujgtsZQfi2oIiBHW7RtIfAGp-nGnr6mK6eHGsEngVlQgP4QG_vjn9WI4k/s1600/BlackBerryPics+813.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsH2GSpBoH0TY3gQJswjcaCwZl2ZdBNNvP-UhnDakF9jSQAA8F9eQOO4CzpoXlCpNkvyB7B-mxQypkOG9SAujgtsZQfi2oIiBHW7RtIfAGp-nGnr6mK6eHGsEngVlQgP4QG_vjn9WI4k/s320/BlackBerryPics+813.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Your little one is going to love her new dress! Mine wants to wear hers <i>all </i>the time! She loves the neat design and all the colours. There's also a <i>huge </i>pocket sewn into the dress that Little One loves toting all her special little toys in.<br />
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I love the fact that the dress is made of organic cotton and that it grows with my child. Adjustable organic clothing is such an amazing idea!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmu22NzJBkjnzZ8lrn59nEnT7rOynxIPlakL-6O0r644CddjKiaUc6sLxAegjU9gqaxtP_ES2_KKYbV1dAzwkzANC-3UKxWQ5QuDBb8cW27DM8vJtlwBnznRzMuAW0XFQYi-SdM66G6kA/s1600/BlackBerryPics+816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmu22NzJBkjnzZ8lrn59nEnT7rOynxIPlakL-6O0r644CddjKiaUc6sLxAegjU9gqaxtP_ES2_KKYbV1dAzwkzANC-3UKxWQ5QuDBb8cW27DM8vJtlwBnznRzMuAW0XFQYi-SdM66G6kA/s320/BlackBerryPics+816.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway! Wishing you all a Happy New Year!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251507898309184477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251425358325531953.post-74095931228065996162011-12-25T15:34:00.000-05:002011-12-26T15:37:02.286-05:00Happy Holidays<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v2UIRmd23fo/TvjaxxWJz1I/AAAAAAAAK8k/v7VPmHOtE0M/s1600/thumbs_MCNAUGHTON_0322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v2UIRmd23fo/TvjaxxWJz1I/AAAAAAAAK8k/v7VPmHOtE0M/s320/thumbs_MCNAUGHTON_0322.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251507898309184477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251425358325531953.post-18859383943479190052011-12-24T16:31:00.007-05:002011-12-29T12:06:15.132-05:00It's the Most Wonderful Day of the Year<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">C</span></i>hristmas is my favourite time of the year. As a child, Christmas was always my favourite day of the year! I remember all the excitement of the Holiday Season. I always looked forward to the decorations, the food, the music, the time spent with family and friends, the giving of presents that came from the heart, and just being with my loved ones. My entire family would get together in one house (all twelve cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc). My cousins and I would wait for Santa to arrive, we'd open presents, and have a giant sleepover! The holidays were always about family. <br />
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Christmas is even more special now that we have a little one of our own. It's even more exciting now that she is three years old and is aware of what is going on. She was super excited that Santa was coming to our house and that he was going to bring her a doll house.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3LARclSrqus/TvyOaANFWNI/AAAAAAAALAs/gs6iSi23qMM/s1600/BlackBerryPics+889.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3LARclSrqus/TvyOaANFWNI/AAAAAAAALAs/gs6iSi23qMM/s320/BlackBerryPics+889.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>That meant a Santa Claus suit was required.<br />
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Thankfully,<b> WholesaleCostumeClub.com </b>has a variety of <a href="http://www.wholesalecostumeclub.com/christmas/santa-claus-suits">Santa suits</a> to choose from!<br />
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We received the Regal Premiere Plush Santa Suit Costume for Adult (#23330) from Wholesale Costume Club for review purposes.<br />
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I was really impressed by the quality of the costume. The Santa suit was a rich, plush material. It was really soft! The sizing was perfect (except the hat was a bit snug on my husband's head!). I love the detail, right down to the boots!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xe0wNqcT47U/TvyOggV1ijI/AAAAAAAALA0/mpvc6kRl1pw/s1600/BlackBerryPics+883.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xe0wNqcT47U/TvyOggV1ijI/AAAAAAAALA0/mpvc6kRl1pw/s320/BlackBerryPics+883.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T4sOFX1OxDM/TvyPNpWkmII/AAAAAAAALBM/MLzr6ddRMpw/s1600/BlackBerryPics+887.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T4sOFX1OxDM/TvyPNpWkmII/AAAAAAAALBM/MLzr6ddRMpw/s320/BlackBerryPics+887.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dyPEPKJKzns/TvyO03XaWZI/AAAAAAAALA8/O0VeMjG1f_M/s1600/BlackBerryPics+884.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dyPEPKJKzns/TvyO03XaWZI/AAAAAAAALA8/O0VeMjG1f_M/s320/BlackBerryPics+884.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The Santa wig and beard were not included. I wish I had remembered to order them! <span id="goog_155220288"></span><span id="goog_155220289"></span><br />
WholesaleCostumeClub.com has more than just Santa suits! They've got lots of other<a href="http://parents.berkeley.edu/advice/holidays/xmas.html"> Christmas</a> costumes for the entire family! They've got a huge selection of not only costumes, but accessories, masks, wigs, and everything to make your costume complete! All this, and below regular retail prices!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2FG-TmSauRE/TvyPDWubecI/AAAAAAAALBE/aqzJjGTttEM/s1600/BlackBerryPics+885.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2FG-TmSauRE/TvyPDWubecI/AAAAAAAALBE/aqzJjGTttEM/s320/BlackBerryPics+885.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>I also love that it's "same day shipping" if orders are placed before 3 PM<i> and </i>they ship to Canada! U.S. customers will love that Wholesale Costume Club has a flat rate shipping price (no matter how big your order is!) of $5.99 (standard U.S. ground shipping) and $6.99 (expedited U.S. ground shipping)!<br />
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We've been extremely pleased with our orders and will be using Wholesale Costume Club again for our costumes! We've got a big 60's themed party coming up for my mom's 60th birthday in the summer! Everyone will need costumes! Guess what we'll be ordering? <br />
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<i>Disclosure - We received a Santa suit from wholesalecostumeclub.com to facilitate this review. All the opinions on this blog are honest and my own.</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251507898309184477noreply@blogger.com1