Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

Family

Thank You, Mom: Road to Rio 2016

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It takes a special kind of heart. It calls for fierce determination. An unwillingness to give up; a remarkable resilience, a selflessness marked in integrity and profound in perseverance.

Thank you, Mom.

Because it takes someone strong to make someone strong, this year, I’m pleased to partner with P&G as they support Canadian athletes at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, and celebrate the strength of moms who helped get them there.

Need a tissue? Don’t worry, I’ll wait. I understand.

Of course, my introduction could have also pertained to any one of our Canadian Olympic hopefuls; an immeasurably focused group of athletes vying for gold at this summer’s Olympic Games. …

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Fun in the Sun… with $500 in Fisher-Price Toys!

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Popping in today to tell you about an AH-MAZING summer contest from Fisher-Price!

Three (3!) Canadians will be treated to a Fisher-Price prize bundle valued at $500 each. Included: everything you need for an entire season of summer fun! (I’m looking at you, Jeep Wrangler!)
201606-SummerSweepsClick here to enter the sweepstakes. I really hope one (or all) of my readers nab this awesome prize. After you enter, don’t forget to check out the Fisher-Price Playtime Guide to find the best toys for any age. I have it bookmarked for all my gifting needs… and okay, to engage in a little nostalgia. How I loved being a Fisher-Price mom! Good luck all – contest ends July 3, 2016.

(Their) Dad, My Hero.

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From time to time, my husband and I chuckle about his father’s “well-meaning” advice.

It was shortly after we had returned from the hospital, just days into becoming a family of three. My husband’s parents had arrived for a visit with their brand new grandson. Ryder, a sweet but fussy infant, demanded constant crooning and attention. Needing a moment to collect myself, I passed our baby to my husband, declaring he was officially nominated for diaper change duty.

Later that evening, as I rocked Ryder to sleep, curled up in my arms, my husband relayed a conversation he’d had with his father.

“I was changing Ryder’s diaper,” he explained, “and my dad followed me into the room. He said, You shouldn’t be doing this. It’s the woman’s job to take care of the baby. You need to concentrate on work and let her handle everything else.”

For about two seconds, I seethed with rage. But as I looked up at my husband, ready to launch into my “oh-no-he-didn’t” diatribe, I realized he was laughing, shaking his head in astonishment. Because he no more believed in gender stereotypes than I did; beyond that, he wanted to take an active role in our son’s care and upbringing.

“Let’s not worry about dear old dad’s advice,” he concluded.
13398595_1733175216968258_1320105471_nToday, my husband is the father of two boys. He has changed diapers; he has drawn baths. He has cooked and cleaned and kissed boo boos and chased away monsters. He is an active role model for the boys and their hero – not just because he brings home the bacon, but because he fries it, too. …

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Our Ritual, Our Togetherness: Nespresso Evoluo

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Hands down, my husband and I are really, really bad at gift giving.

It goes something like this: I’ll say I don’t want anything, because I really don’t. He’ll ask and suggest and try his best to find a gift I’ll love – only to abandon all attempts and concede that when I want something, I’ll simply buy it myself.

He’ll say he’s good, there’s nothing he wants… except that $5,000 watch and the $2,500 audio system or a $10,000 European vacation. I’ll laugh and serve him breakfast in bed (maybe) and tell him I’ll think about his wish list (unlikely).

This year, I’ve decided to go back to basics, and think about the things that make us happiest; the products we use in our everyday lives that bring us closer and strengthen our love. For us, it’s our coffee ritual. Our morning coffee is a chance to go over the flow of the day; who will be home, who’s got the kids, who’s in charge of dinner and what needs to get done. Our afternoon coffee happens any time we can fit it in; if we’re both working from home, it happens around 2:00pm. If my husband is on the road, it may take place at 5:00pm. But we never have that second coffee alone – it’s part of our routine, part of our togetherness.

The only caveat: the coffee must be delicious, and it must be easily, quickly brewed. I’ve dabbled in single-serve coffee makers in the past, reluctantly sacrificing quality for convenience. “It’s so easy!” I’ve declared. “It’s so convenient!” I’ve parroted.

And it was. They were. But they weren’t Nespresso.
DSC_0513Nespresso revolutionizes the world of coffee with Evoluo. Using the unique and innovative Centrifusion and barcode reading technology of the VertuoLine system, Evoluo brews both large-cup, high-quality coffee and authentic espresso with ease and effortless maintenance. This technology guarantees that each precisely portioned cup of coffee is brewed to perfection and finished with a silky and generous crema – a sign of world-class coffee. …

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How to Have the Best Summer Ever!

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If the weather forecast is any indication, summer in Canada has unofficially arrived.

Welcome, heat!

Summertime is for long walks and short naps. It’s for picnics by the lake, ice cream by the side of the road and drinks on the patio. And for one lucky Canadian, it could be a much-needed family vacation.

Have you entered the Banana Boat Canada My Best Summer Hacks Contest? Think of your best tip for summer fun, and share it via Banana Boat Canada’s Facebook contest by submitting a photo and short description. Your Mommy Hack could be featured as the Hack of the Week,  plus, you could win $2,500 towards a summer vacation for the family!
12555915_1671703529777420_2084205620_nNow I’ve already shared three of my favourite “Mom Hacks” for applying sunscreen on kiddos, but you didn’t think I’d leave you with just a handful did you? Here are three more of my tried-and-true hacks for protecting my children – easy, peasy, lemon-squeezy! …

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Putting Women’s Health First: Shoppers LOVE. YOU

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Over the eight years I’ve been publishing my blog, I’ve had only a handful of guest writers. I suppose it’s inherent to my A-type personality; I have a hard time giving up the controls, opting to simply do things myself rather than depend on others.

(And, to be honest, I really do think I can do a better job. See! I’m not a martyr, I’m a snob.)

However, today I’m shaking things up. Did you know that in any given week, at least 500,000 Canadians will miss work due to a mental health issue? And one in eight women will develop depression at some point in their lives? Mental illness indirectly affects all Canadians at some time through a family member, friend or colleague.

It happens, we know that. But four in ten Canadian women say that they are too embarrassed to admit to mental health issues, and they have never sought medical help. Adding to the frustration, more than one third (38 per cent) of Canadians agree that if a friend or family member had a mental health issue, they would not know how to support them.

And that needs to change.

To put a spotlight on mental illness, I’m handing over the reigns to my husband; he’ll be giving me a much-deserved break today from my busy schedule as a mom and business woman so that I can have a moment for my own mental health. Everyone, please meet Michael Almeida!

Hi everyone, I’m Michael, Lena’s husband. I know it was really difficult for her to let me guest write on her blog (she’ll probably edit my submission for grammar) but today she’ll be able to sit in the backyard with her e-reader while I try to keep up the writing standards on this blog!
12115705_10156181176100182_127853852107564748_nAlmost 10 years to the day I proposed to this beautiful girl. It was love at first sight for me and from the moment I met her I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. She was always so happy and so positive and so sweet. …

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Safe Sun: What’s Your Hack?

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Moms, when was the last time you were asked for advice? Probably in the last few hours, yes? It’s the role of Moms everywhere to dole out suggestions, guidance, recommendations and direction. (Confession: I’m running out of synonyms.)

Of course, as Moms, we sometimes give unsolicited advice – but it’s well-meaning, I promise! It’s just too irresistible to mind our own business at times. And trust me, I’m not shaming, I’m totally guilty too! Pardon me while I instruct my husband on the correct way to load a dishwasher. He’ll welcome my opinion, I’m sure.

But tell me, when was the last time you were rewarded for sharing your best advice? And I’m not talking about being thanked with words of gratitude… I’m talking about surf, sand and sun. Saddle up, Moms, here’s your chance to WIN big!
BB-Hacks-Header_ENIntroducing the Banana Boat Canada My Best Summer Hacks Contest. What’s your top tip for summer fun? Share it and you could win $2,500 towards a family vacation!

Maybe it’s bringing the beach to your own backyard… a slick trick to soothe a scraped knee… or a crafty creation for cooling off. Perhaps it’s just a great way to slather on the sunscreen before the kids slip out for some fun in the sun. Whatever it is, share it via Banana Boat Canada’s Facebook contest by submitting a photo and short description. Your Mommy Hack could be featured as the Hack of the Week,  plus, you could win $2,500 towards a summer vacation for the family! …

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Mom Hacks: Smart Sun Protection!

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Ah, summer. How I’ve longed to feel the hot sun on my shoulders, the sound of children playing in the streets… the scent of sunscreen in the air. It feels like ages since I last felt your divine presence.

Wait a minute… I was in Orlando, Florida last week. It was hot, and it was fabulous.
IMG_2312 (2)Now, most of us are aware of the importance of wearing sunscreen all year round to protect our skin. UVA rays are present even on cloudy (and snowy!) days, and although exposure doesn’t cause burning to the skin, it is absorbed much deeper into our dermal skin layers and can cause ageing, pigmentation and cancer. …

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(Almost) Picture Perfect

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We took 18 family photos today at Hollywood Studios and this was the best one. Once in a while, I’m asked why I don’t put my kids in modelling. This would be why.Life isn’t picture perfect – not even when you’re on vacation. Kids will be silly, and throw tantrums, and push parents to their limits. They’ll fight and refuse to eat and splash water in each other’s faces even after the giggles have turned into tears.

You’ll ask yourself more than once why you even bothered to spend your hard-earned money. All you wanted to do was make memories with your children, but they’re behaving like a bunch of lunatics, not showing an ounce of gratitude for your generosity and sacrifices.

And then, just when you’ve reached your breaking point and you’re ready to head back to your hotel room, you’ll see wonder and delight etched across your child’s face as they discover something new, make a new friend or experience a moment of magic.

And just like that, you’ll decide that it’s worth it. It’s all worth it.

We have two more days left in our Walt Disney World vacation and we intend on making the most of our time here. I’ll be back later this week! In the meantime, have a wonderful day, friends!

Listed… Loved… Lost. The Role of FOMO in Home Buying.

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It’s a time in our lives we try not to dwell on, and yet, it’s also a lesson we won’t soon forget.

That time we entered two bidding wars on homes for sale… and lost.

Thinking back, I recall the sense of urgency we felt when we first found what we believed to be our “forever home”. In a booming neighbourhood, close to the best schools and just the right modern styling to suit our tastes, it was love at first sight – and we fell, hard. As fates would have it, a similar property was also for sale, just one street over – ensuring we’d have two chances to score the home of our dreams.
virtual-tour-203394-02“You should visit soon. Homes like this sell on average in 3 days. There is an 75% chance that this home will be sold within one week of listing.”

Okay, no pressure. I mean, I wasn’t quite ready to pack up my house, but of course we’d find a way. And since the boys were still relatively young, changing schools wouldn’t necessarily impact their social development. …

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Insurance That Fits

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I remember it like it was yesterday, even though it happened eight long years ago. Having just celebrated my baby shower – and my 30th birthday – I sprawled out in the family room, staring up at the ceiling.

“We’ll need a will,” I called out to my husband, “and an RESP…. and life insurance,” I finished, mentally listing all the things I knew I had to figure out in anticipation of our first child.

“And we’ll get to it,” he assured me, one eye on the baseball game.

That night, I lay awake in bed thinking about worst case scenarios. I chastised myself for worrying about things that were unlikely to happen, but nevertheless, my feeling of unease grew throughout the night as I tossed and turned in bed. The next morning, unwilling to put it off a moment longer, I made several appointments to get my affairs in order before our baby arrived. A will was drafted; an RESP was created; life insurance was purchased. I felt ready for the birth of our child.

(But, ready for motherhood? Never. That’s a whole other story!)
289054_10150756961090182_4711909_oSignificant milestones, like the birth of a baby, are the perfect time to re-evaluate your financial and insurance options. When one is anticipating life, I know it can be difficult to think about anything else. However, in the past few years alone, the passing of a few friends has been a grim reminder of how precious life is… and how life goes on, for children, spouses and even parents. …

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Kids will Flip for Flip4Gold!

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“I hate math,” my seven-year old says, pushing his homework aside.
“But you’re so good at it!” I counter, trying to find the right level of enthusiasm.
“It’s boring,” he replies, as if it’s obvious.

Truth is, math IS boring. Arithmetic, with its rules and repetition, goes against everything my free-spirited little dreamer embraces. He loves colours, musical notes and a world that’s lit in bright, vibrant technicolour. (Translation: he’s like every other child growing up with technology at his fingertips.) And today, there’s no shortage of educational apps and games available, created to make learning fun and assist in the development of essential skills.

One such app is Flip4Gold, a math game consisting of four rows of nine tiles each using dice and flash cards to create multiplication, division, addition and subtraction equations to be solved.
IMG_2190Now, you may be thinking – Another educational app? What makes this one different from the others? Well, it’s simple: Flip4Gold concentrates on strengthening one core skill – mental math – and does it really, really well. …

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I Survived March Break.

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I survived two spilled milks (one on my bedroom rug). I survived twenty-two temper tantrums. I survived one lost remote control, four late night arguments, forty-six rounds of “he called me ____” or “____” or “____” and six broken boxes. I survived another March Break.
DSC_0150Sure, kid, you’re cute. Now get out of your box house, rip off those sunglasses and go to school. Yes, I know you’re sad that the holiday is over. No, you can’t stay home with mommy for one. more. second.

K BYEEE!

Do It Yourself: Baby-to-Be Baskets

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I’ve always been hands-on when it comes to gifts for little ones, and if I can make it myself, I prefer the personal touch. For a while after my first son was born, I went through a phase of creating custom scrapbook pages for fellow new parents. It was therapeutic and a great way to have a little time to myself, especially after spending most of the day (and night) with a newborn.

Later, I discovered the simple joy of putting together baby-to-be and new baby gift baskets. Using novelty items like teddy bears, weaved in with necessities like body and bath products, it was a great way to add a personal touch to gift giving.
Aveeno Baby-Soothing ReliefAlthough it’s been some time since I’ve created a baby basket, the principals remain the same! Pictured above, a “Welcome Baby” basket from The Basket Company.

If you’re creating your own baby-to-be or new baby basket, here’s what you need to do.

1. Select a theme. It can be as simple as girl or boy-themed, or a little more imaginative, like a “Baby Essentials” basket for new parents or perhaps a “Calming” basket to promote good sleep vibes. Choosing a theme for the basket will make it easier for you to decide on the contents and establish a spending budget. …

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A Parent’s Wish. A Child’s Future. Because it Matters.

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When I was a young girl, the script went something like this:

You need to study hard and go to a good school and get a stable job in an office.

That, my friends, is the extent of the career counselling I received from my parents. And I don’t blame them for their lack of inspirational advice; they were simply following a cultural norm, one that dictated that children should be fed, clothed and educated – with the fervent hope that their post-secondary education would lead them to a cushy, 9-5, “white collar” job.

(Do we still use that term in 2016?)

So I did it. I went through school, I landed the office job, and I proceeded to establish a career – one that, at first glance, seemed glossy and full of promise, but in reality, was far from perfect. Because I carried a chip on my shoulder.

I was angry at my parents for putting education on a pedestal without considering my passions and aspirations. I was angry at myself for complacently following along, lacking the appropriate motivation to challenge the status quo. I was angry that I couldn’t get a raise, couldn’t lose 5 pounds and couldn’t find a way to rewind the clock.

In the end, I got it “write”.

This is a picture of my two boys on their first day of school last September.
IMG_0413 (2)Who will they become? What will they be? As I watch them grow, mature, and find inspiration in the world around them, I’m full of hope for their futures. Because whether they choose to be an actor or an analyst, a fashion designer or a fire chief, the world is their oyster and the opportunities are endless. And, unlike generations before me, I don’t have a set expectation of what defines success. …

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Wayback Playback: 2010 Edition

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This morning, searching through my blog for a recipe (Mangia Meatballs!) and trolling in the archives for a makeup review, I randomly stumbled on a post that I published on October 26, 2010 entitled, “Life is Good.” The post was short and sweet:
img_3513“It’s 8:23 PM. I’m getting the boys ready for bed… Life is Good.

Disclaimer: They don’t actually sleep together. Ryder would eat Reid. But they do enjoy snuggling in Ryder’s truck-inspired bed, and Ryder enjoys wearing his truck-themed pajamas. I love my boys, I am thankful for my many blessings, and Life is Good.”

Ugh! This simple post and picture made me weepy to the extreme! First, because they DO sleep together now, and have shared the same double bed for over two years. Second, because just this past weekend, my husband and I were shopping for two twin beds. At almost 6 and 8 years old, it’s time to give them their own spaces (although they still want to share a room, which we’re fine with). …

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Snow Time Like the Present.

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Last week, chatting with my girlfriend who resides in Los Angeles, she gently chided me about our famous Canadian winters.

How much snow, so far? Nothing to speak of, really.
Didn’t you have an epic snowstorm recently? Actually, that was New York. We’re good here.
Isn’t Toronto one of the coldest places in Canada? One word: Prairies.

Now I know I’m not qualified to speak to January’s temperatures as I spent almost half the month in the Caribbean, but this snowman (snow worm? snow totem pole?) that the boys made this past Tuesday was actually our first of the season!
12728597_1756142027953057_1757163740_nWhich begs the question – if we’re waiting until February to make a snowman, what impact does our current climate have on future generations? Should we chalk this up to a mild winter, or be mildly alarmed about global warming? I guess my question today is, how concerned are you about the effects of the Earth’s climate system?

I know, I know, deep thoughts for a Thursday morning. Yet I can’t shake the feeling that one day, I’ll look back at this picture. I’ll stare at the smiling faces of my boys with their snowman, and be truly terrified about the world we live in.

Today, I’m going to take some time to learn about climate change, something I admittedly know next to nothing about. Of course, the fact that it’s downright freezing in Toronto today gives me some solace that we’re not about to melt… at least not yet.

Celebrate Family Day! WIN a Disney Infinity 3.0 Prize Pack!

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NOTE: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

With Family Day in Ontario just around the corner, I’m sure many families are either a) packing their bags for a mini vacation or staycation, or b) scrambling to find something for the kids to do!

This year, I’m firmly in camp “b”. That’s why I’m so happy my boys love Disney Infinity 3.0! Disney Infinity 3.0 gives my children endless amounts of freedom and opportunity to create their own stories and play experiences, starring their favourite Disney Characters. So, next weekend, we’ll stay in our pjs, eat copious amounts of popcorn, and engage in a galactic battle… Star Wars-style!

And, you can too! My friends at Disney Interactive want YOU to have an epic Family Day weekend! We’ve teamed up to give my readers the chance to win a COLOSSAL Disney Infinity 3.0 Prize Pack. The bundle includes 10 items – including Star Wars Rise Against the Empire and Star Wars Twilight of the Republic power discs – and is valued at $240!
Giveaway_ListentoLena (2)One lucky reader will win: PS4 Disney Infinity 3.0 Starter Pack · Rise Against the Empire Play Set · Darth Vader Figure · Darth Maul Figure · Chewbacca Figure · Ezra Bridger (SW Rebels) Figure · Sabine Wren (SW Rebels) Figure · Zeb Orrelios (SW Rebels) · Power Disc Pack: Star Wars Twilight of the Republic · Power Disc Pack: Star Wars Rise Against the Empire. WHEW! What a prize! …

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Rediscovering Nature: Embracing Canadian Winter

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I’m not an outdoors person; I don’t pretend to be and I don’t apologize for being elements-averse. After all, why camp in the woods when you can, I don’t know, be served breakfast in a hotel bed? Why paddle through a lake when you can lounge on a pontoon? And *why* spend a minute – never mind hours – outdoors in Canadian winter, skiing down a mountain as the wind whips past your face?
DSC_2067aBecause my kids want to. And as we rediscover nature, we’re discovering a love for the outdoors.

For the past six months, encouraged by Nature Valley and their #RediscoverNature campaign, we’ve been doing our best to get outdoors. From a trip to Niagara Falls to a recent weekend in Mont Tremblant, we are embracing the elements and getting reacquainted with Mother Nature. …

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