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#FisherPriceMoms

We Are Collectors: Disney Planes by Mattel

December 21, 2013 By Lena

Before having two little boys, I had long since forgotten how important “collecting” is to children. Did you have a sticker collection too? It’s hard to find a child of the 80’s who didn’t!

However, collecting is much more than just assembling like-products. Children’s collections, whether they are stickers, stamps, cars or baseball cards, provide inspiration, knowledge and skills. They give children a sense of responsibility; a justified reason to spend their allowance wisely, and a sense of victory and accomplishment as hard-to-find items are crossed off their collector’s list.

(While I had multiple “Grape Stuff!” jelly on toast stickers, the “Looking Good!” gumball machine Scratch-n-Sniff sticker evaded me. I officially stopped collecting some 30 years ago, and it still bothers me.)

In addition to (obsessively) collecting Disney Cars 1:55 Die Casts by Mattel, the boys have recently started a new collection: Disney Planes 1:55 Die Casts by Mattel.

Yes, they’re based on the most popular characters from the movie, and are perfect for recreating all the great scenes. But if you’re looking at the figurines and thinking, “So What? They’re just planes…” – believe me when I tell you, they’re so much more….

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Filed Under: Family Tagged With: #FisherPriceMoms, Disney 1:55 Die Cast Planes, Disney Planes by Mattel

A Very Special Club

November 30, 2013 By Lena

One month ago, I published the following photo on Instagram:

“I’ve finally joined an exclusive club that I’ve longed to be part of. I’m an Auntie! Welcome to the world sweet baby. You are already so loved.”

It’s true! I’m an Aunt. An aunt to a baby GIRL. You know what that means – I’ve finally been awarded the opportunity to shop for pink everything. My niece is tiny, temperamental and too-cute-for-words. She is perfect.

I’ve often wondered if holding a sweet bundle of joy would kick start my own maternal longings – particularly because as the boys grow, I find myself wanting to keep them as my little babies forever. But alas, my ovaries have drawn a line in the sand and are firmly on the “no way” side; while I enjoy every moment with my niece, I’m happy with my life right now… diaper-free household included.

So, I get to cherish those newborn moments and then hand over the baby when she gets fussy. #Winning!

This afternoon, we spent an afternoon with family at Grandma’s. And of course, we all waited for the star of the show to arrive!  She was treated to a comfortable, portable place to stretch out thanks to the Fisher-Price Special Edition Rock ‘n Play Portable Bassinet. With a flat elevated sleeping surface and rocking motion to help soothe baby to sleep, it’s a great addition to your baby gear.

And with two doting older cousins, it’s no wonder our tiny angel feels safe and secure. Sweet dreams, little one!

I receive special perks as a part of my affiliation as a Fisher-Price Play Ambassador with Mom Central Canada.
The opinions in this blog are my own.

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: #FisherPriceMoms, Fisher Price, Special Edition Rock 'n Play Portable Bassinet, toy review

Imagine a Better Toy…

November 24, 2013 By Lena

When we first had kids, my husband and I were little prepared for what was ahead. The sleepless nights; baby’s refusal to eat; the time spent in doctor’s offices for runny noses and upset tummies. But through it all, we persevered, just as most parents do.

And as the boys grew, we in turn grew as parents. Now, I don’t Google every symptom, nor do I stress over peas left on the plate. My husband turns a blind eye to the scratches on the hardwood, and we rarely get worked up over stepping on a stray toy. (Except those die cast Disney Planes toys by Mattel. It’s like stepping on a bed of nails! Worst feeling ever.)

I fondly remember buying the boys their first Hot Wheels race car track. It was the first “non-baby” form of entertainment we owned, and we were deliriously happy to put it together. My husband and I looked at each other, both realizing at exactly the same time, that as the kids became older, their toys got better and better.

Of course, even at the time, we couldn’t imagine a better toy. Until we discovered Imaginext, that is.

“It’s a great age, this “pre-cool” period. Your child wants action and adventure—to feel like a big kid. But you’re careful about what they play with—and probably looking for toys that encourage imagination as well as being fun!

It could be a classic, familiar tale. Or an all-new adventure with heroes and villains, comedy and drama. You’ve seen how your child responds—getting caught up in the story, wondering what will happen next, taking charge and helping events along. With good stories, growing imaginations and themed toys, kids can see how they fit into the world. They get a chance to re-create real-life situations, learning about themselves and others. They develop thinking and problem-solving skills. And so much more.”

Today, we have holes in our drywall, and rips on our leather chairs. We have stains on our carpet, and dings in our hardwood. And we can attribute them all to our boys attempting to re-create situations that they’ve seen in their favourite movies with Imaginext toys. Because sometimes their greatest adventures are created in their own mind with an action figure in hand.

*Hot off the Press!*

This holiday season, Imaginext Rescue City Center is the hottest playset for gift giving! There’s so much to discover in this action-packed city. At the bank, kids can turn a figure left on a disk to open the vault door or turn it right to drop a gate to block the front door. Role play skills develop as kids create their own rescue adventures – from protecting the gas station, bank and hotel to manning the fire station, police station and hospital, there’s action around every corner!…

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Filed Under: Family Tagged With: #FisherPriceMoms, Imaginext, Imaginext Rescue City Center, Turn on the Adventure

OVERprotective

September 29, 2013 By Lena

Before we had baby, we decorated his crib with the most beautiful bedding set.
After we had baby, we were told that crib bumper pads were a suffocation hazard, and removed them immediately.

We swaddled baby tightly to keep him warm and comfortable.
When he developed heat rash, we never swaddled him again.

We hovered over baby when he sneezed one winter morning.
When the sneeze turned into a cold, we rushed him to the doctor.
When the cold sprouted a high fever, we rushed him to the hospital.

We read books about What to Expect while baby grew and developed.
We learned to expect the unexpected and threw the books away.

Before we had baby, we thought we’d be the coolest parents on the block.
After we had baby, we became the most neurotic.

We turned to Dr. Google when baby was sleeping.
When we couldn’t find an answer, we continued to Google while we should have been sleeping.

We bought the #1 Pediatrician recommended products without hesitation.
When we were told those products contained dangerous chemicals, we threw them all out.
We then spent a small fortune on certified organic everything.

Before we had baby, we thought we had it all figured out.
After we had baby, we figured we were wrong. Very wrong.

Of course, the above all pertained to our first baby. Yes, we were worrywarts. We were extreme. We were first time parents. We were OVERprotective.

Our second? I’m pretty sure he raised himself. And yet somehow, they both turned out right as rain.

Were you OVERprotective with your first? Do you remember some of the crazy lengths you went to?

 

I receive perks as a part of my affiliation with the Fisher-Price Ambassador program with Mom Central Canada.
The opinions in this blog are my own.

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: #FisherPriceMoms, Fisher Price, OVER...Moments, OVERjoyed Campaign

Top Toys for Tots: Put Baby in Control of the Fun!

September 29, 2013 By Lena

File this one under: Stuff I wish I had when my little guys were wee ones.

Ryder had a *small* obsession with the television remote. And when I say small, I mean that we’d often find it curled up with him in his crib. We honestly didn’t understand the fascination until we chatted with other parents who similarly noted the same affliction in their own babies.

Learn to sit. Learn to crawl. Grab the remote. Oh happy days.

To show you just how much we “drank the Kool Aid” (so to speak), for Christmas 2009 Ryder received his very own remote control. Seriously. It was a Best Buy special at $8.99 for a universal remote. BEST present ever.

However, I suppose if I really think about it, it makes perfect sense. It’s a handheld object with colourful buttons. Daddy and mommy reach for it multiple times per day, and when no one’s looking, it’s the perfect teething toy. The thing is – I actually needed my remote to perform a function, and when it’s drool-encased – or moonlighting as a sleep aid – it’s no good to anyone.

Enter the Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Click ‘n Learn Remote. Finally! I’ve seen toy telephones, toy computers and toy tablets. And now, introducing baby’s very own remote, with realistic styling, buttons to press, lively songs and light-up learning fun! Baby can click away to learn about numbers, opposites, colours, greetings and first words, and sing along to four songs, too.

Develop & Learn:

Light-up musical rewards
• Fun responses help baby understand cause & effect

Realistic styling
• Like a real remote control—inspiring early role play!

Lots of buttons to press
• Promotes development of fine motor skills

“Turn on the smiles and playtime joy with the Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Click ‘n Learn Remote! Volume control and “channel surfing” are a big part of the role play experience, inspired by the Click n’ Learn Remote’s realistic styling.

With more than 25 sing-along songs, tunes and phrases – each controlled by baby – there’s a new lesson with each push of a button. Smiles will fill up the room as baby learns numbers, opposites, colors, greetings and much more. Turn the volume up and down or switch channels to hear a new station and lots of realistic sound effects, too. Baby will love being in control of his very own learning experience!

Pressing a variety of the Click ‘n Learn Remote buttons promotes the development of baby’s fine motor skills. Fun sounds and phrases teach baby colors, numbers, shapes and more! There are light-up musical rewards, too, as pressing buttons for fun responses helps baby understand cause and effect relationships. Learning couldn’t be more fun!”

The BEST part – the Click ‘n Learn Remote retails for just $11.99! So, hours of fun and learning is incredibly affordable too. Put this one on your holiday list as a must-have!

 

I receive perks as a part of my affiliation with the Fisher-Price Ambassador program with Mom Central Canada.
The opinions in this blog are my own.

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: #FisherPriceMoms, Fisher Price, Laugh & Learn Click 'n Learn Remote, toy review

Blue Carpet: Thomas & Friends King of the Railway

September 17, 2013 By Lena

Live in the Greater Toronto Area? Know a Thomas & Friends Fanatic?

Courtesy of Fisher-Price, I’m giving away twenty (20) family passes of four to the Blue Carpet Screening of Thomas & Friends King of the Railway!

WHAT: Blue Carpet Screening of Thomas & Friends King of the Railway
WHEN: Saturday, September 21st at 10:30am
WHERE: Cineplex Cinemas Yonge-Dundas, 10 Dundas Street East
WHY: Because I’m a #FisherPriceMom, and have awesome perks to share!

“Join Thomas & Friends as they embark on a legendary movie adventure! The engines meet new friends and discover suits of armor; coats of arms and legends of long-ago heroes. Then their bravery is put to the test when their new friend Stephen goes missing. Will Thomas find him in time? Will the engines discover the truth about the Island of Sodor’s biggest mystery? It’s a crusade of knightly proportions in this epic movie!”

*EDIT* Thank you! All tickets have been claimed!

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: #FisherPriceMoms, family movies, GTA, Thomas & Friends King of the Railway

Public Service Announcement: Hot Toys Ahead

August 31, 2013 By Lena

It’s rare that I make Public Service Announcements (PSAs), but sometimes, a girl’s just gotta tell it like it is.

So here’s the deal: in the past few weeks, I’ve posted reviews for super popular toys and shared information about new toy characters. And then it occurred to me: this is only scratching the surface. Because as a Fisher-Price Mom, I tend to go through their lineup of toys from time to time. Okay, obsessively. And you know what? They’ve got a TON of new toys available that really, y’all should know about. Toys that your kiddos will recognize from popular television shows. Toys that mimic real-life and encourage pretend play.

Hence, my PSA.

Hear ye, hear ye! The following toys are just a sampling of the amazing new products available from Fisher-Price:

Mike the Knight Glendragon Castle Playset

Full of adventure and excitement, Glendragon Castle is home to Mike the Knight. Now kids can help their favourite knight-in-training, Mike, protect the Kingdom of Glendragon and be the best knight he can be! With surprises around every corner, the Glendragon Castle playset features three levels of two-sided play. Flip Mike’s bed to reveal his armor and a secret chute leading down to his trusty horse, Galahad, just like the show! Use the ladder to access the second level, where Evie’s Potion Room contains a revolving door that spins to the outside of the castle. Mike can also slide down the included zip line, open the drawbridge, and begin his next knightly quest! For even more excitement, kids can press the red shield on the inside of the castle wall to lower the drawbridge and hear over 20 sounds and phrases.

With 10 play pieces (including Mike and Galahad figures), surprise features, fun sounds, and three levels of play, the Glendragon Castle Playset brings medieval excitement to life! Requires 3 AAA batteries.

Octonauts Octopod Playset

Sound the Octo-Alert! It’s time for Barnacles and Kwazii to set off on a new mission! Send the figures sliding down from the pods and into the Launch Bay where they can report for duty and ready the Gup-A for their rescue mission! Place Kwazii or Barnacles inside the Gup and turn the lever to launch the vehicle down the escape hatch and out of the Octopod! Lift and lower the rescue tools to bring creatures back to safety.

The Octopod includes over 10 play pieces including: Removable Octo-Alert plays phrases and sounds; Launch the Gup-A out of the Octopod; Lift and lower the rescue tools to bring the sick creatures back to the Octopod; Includes Octopod, Barnacles, Kwazii, mini Gup-A, removable Octo-Alert, fiddler crab, sea turtle, stretcher, anchor, barrel and net….

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Filed Under: Family Tagged With: #FisherPriceMoms, Fisher-Price playsets, toy review

ROAR! Imaginext Monsters University Scare Factory

August 27, 2013 By Lena

Attention Scarers…. there’s a new monster in town: Monster Reid. And he’s here to collect screams from little kids all ’round the world. Better watch out! He packs quite a roar. After all, he’s learned from the best – the scariest monster ever – the one and only Sulley. Introducing the Imaginext Monsters University Scare Factory.

Do your kiddos love Monsters Inc. and Monsters University? Then they’ll adore this playset, which includes Mike, Sulley, 3 doors, 2 canisters, 3 pieces of mail, mail cart, garbage can and broom – essentially, everything you need to recreate the scare floor! Fisher-Price, you’ve done it again :)

Experience what a day with Mike and Sulley would be like at the Scare Factory. Visit the mail room and help sort packages; go to the Scare floor to operate the doors moving through the factory. Place a scare canister on the holder, rotate the disk and watch it fill…

The boys love their playset and have an amazing time immersing themselves in pretend play. If I had but one complaint – there are a LOT of little pieces (mail, canisters, etc) and they tend to get lost and show up in the strangest places. Hence, don’t be surprised if you find a small, plastic broom between your couch cushions.

The set retails for $44.97 and can be purchased at popular toy retailers across Canada.

Now if you’ll excuse me – I’m off to collect the little children’s screams. ROAR!

 

I receive perks as a part of my affiliation with the Fisher-Price Ambassador program with Mom Central Canada.
The opinions in this blog are my own.

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: #FisherPriceMoms, Imaginext Monsters University Scare Factory, toddler play, toy review

Meet the NEW Little People Friends!

August 25, 2013 By Lena

My boys are alike in many ways. They love to watch movies; have a affinity for loud, destructive noises, and have a sweet tooth that often keeps them up way past bedtime.

However, in many ways, they’re so, sooooo different. Ryder is the sweet, sensitive one. He’s always in tune with people’s feelings, and will reason the heck out of everything – even if the question is, “would you like red grapes or green?” You could say that he’s a bit of an overthinker.

Reid, on the other hand, is my wrecking ball. He’d rather seek forgiveness than ask permission, and is unabashedly selfish. He shoots from the hip and could definitely spend a little more time thinking things through.

Every child has their own unique personality, which is why Fisher-Price has created FIVE new Little People characters! The Little People brand introduces toddlers to a bunch of buddies who are ready for anything, because adventures are even more fun when they’re shared. This diverse group of playful pals has personalities toddlers can relate to – from energetic and curious to imaginative and sensitive. The redesign allows children to get to know the personalities behind the characters, and identify with their interests, hobbies and favourites.

Want to meet them? Without further ado, introducing…

…

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Filed Under: Family Tagged With: #FisherPriceMoms, Fisher-Price Little People Friends, toddler play

Beach Bums… Summer Toys for Summer Fun

July 30, 2013 By Lena

We live in the city, approximately 2.5 hours from the nearest decent beach. You know; clean(ish) water, boardwalk fun, rented cottages galore. And even then, our beaches border lakes and bays – think Lake Simcoe, Lake Erie, Georgian Bay… but never Lake Ontario (eww). Hence, a day at the beach bears a slightly different connotation than say, Lauren Conrad of The Hills jumping into the North Pacific Ocean.

Translation: Ontario beaches excel at mediocrity.

Give me a sparkling, blue ocean. Miles and miles of white sand. Gentle waves lapping at the shoreline. The intense smell of sea air. Give me a real beach.

(Dear British Columbia and The Maritimes: I am jealous. Signed, Lena.)

Last year, we introduced our boys to the beach bum life by way of our Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas cruise with Fisher-Price. At our stop in Cozumel, Mexico, both Ryder and Reid laid eyes on a beach for the very first time. And they loved it!

Rolling in the sand, jumping in the shallow water, making castles with their sand buckets. It astounded me just how at home they felt on the beach. And then I looked around, and realized that all the children were having the time of their lives. Of course they were!! There is nothing better than outdoor play on a beautiful day.

And so I made a promise to myself that come summer, I would put my prejudices aside, and take them to a beach. Even if it was a beach in Ontario.

Well, summer is well under way, and I’m happy to report that the boys were treated to a beach day this past weekend. Of course, one of the benefits of visiting a beach close to home is toting along a copious amount of beach toys that can help keep them occupied all day long. And if you’re looking for high quality toys that can go from backyard to beach (and back again), look no further than Fisher-Price!

Here are some great Fisher-Price toys that offer hours of enjoyment, especially with the warm summer weather:

Power Wheels Dune Racer – Super Sounds Soccer – Grow to Pro Golf – Grow to Pro Junior Basketball – Barbie Tough Trike – Grow with Me 1,2,3 In-Line Skates – Triple Hit Baseball – Servin’ Surprises Ice Cream Party – Bubble Mower – Laugh and Learn Sweet Sounds Picnic – Little People Disney Ariel’s Coach – Power Wheels Hot Wheels Jeep Wrangler… to name a few!

We took our Super Sounds Soccer set with us… think soccer in a park is fun? Soccer on the beach is EPIC.

What are some of your favourite beach toys? Besides the ol’ shovel and bucket, do you pack other toys/ activities for your small children?

I am part of the Fisher-Price Play Ambassador program and I receive perks as part of my affiliation.
The opinions on this blog are my own.

Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: #FisherPriceMoms, beach toys

A Little Boy and His Princess

July 16, 2013 By Lena

I was born to tell stories. Putting thoughts on paper has always come easily to me; through story telling, I paint pictures with my words and draw people in. It’s truly my passion, my job, my life.

Sometimes, the story isn’t mine to tell.

I’ve been accused of over-sharing. Of putting my life on the Internet; I’ve told stories about births, bloody noses and bare bottoms. And whenever I begin a blog post – especially one that involves my boys – I ask myself if they’d be okay with me inviting readers into our private lives. At ages 3 and 5, they’re too young to consent to being a fixture on my blog; hence, I often have to step back and envision them reading the post 10 years into the future.

Would they want me to talk about the funny little things they do? Will they be happy that I shared our stories… or mortified that I could be so personal and candid with strangers? Will they relish every post, as they take a glimpse into their wonderful childhood from years passed?

(Dear Sons of the Future: Your childhood was kick ass. Years from now, when you call me a b*tch and say life isn’t fair, I’ll send you blog links to the toys you played with, the places you’ve been, and the people you’ve met. You are spoiled fortunate.)

The story I won’t tell today is Ryder’s story. Months ago, he was diagnosed with Selective Mutism, a form of social anxiety. He lives with it every day. We’ve lived with it every day. To make a long story short, Ryder just completed an entire year of school, and spoke only a handful of times.

Of course, he is completely capable of speaking (to the point we often wish he would shut up), but in brand new social situations, he does not. At this point, you may be thinking Huh? I’ve seen videos of him speaking! Click the link above; it explains the diagnosis in a clear and concise way, and actually describes Ryder to a tee. Again, I could spend 5000 words going into specifics, but it simply isn’t my place to share these details. However, I did want to address the issue today for two reasons.

The first is to put it out there – and tag it up the wazoo so if anyone else is searching the Internet for selective mutism they’ll land on this post and contact me. I’d love to swap stories, share anecdotes and coping techniques. There are so few selective mutes out there, and finding information is difficult and frustrating. Most sources point to children growing out of it by the age of six… you can probably guess the number of prayers I’ve recited in the meantime.

The second reason I chose to share this post is to offer my sincere thanks to one of Ryder’s classmates, a sweet, patient, nurturing and caring little girl I’ll call K. From the very beginning of school, K befriended Ryder and took him under her wing. She held his hand when they lined up at recess; she sat beside him and complimented his amazing penmanship and ability to quickly grasp every Montessori concept introduced to him. She spoke to him as an equal; not as the weird, silent kid. And while she encouraged him to talk, she was never offended if he simply nodded in response. By the end of the school year, K was the only person Ryder had uttered a few words to – but in the case of selective mutism, it was considered a small breakthrough.

I wanted to thank K for being such an amazing friend to Ryder. And so I did something I’ve never done before – I called Fisher-Price and shared Ryder’s story with them. And when I said, “I’d love to gift K with something to show our appreciation…” they responded immediately and sent us the Little People Disney Princess Songs Palace to present to her. I am a proud #FisherPriceMom, and in that moment, it reinforced my adoration and commitment to the brand. Thank you K, and thank you Fisher-Price, too.

This was Ryder moments before K stopped by for a play date. A little boy, waiting for his princess to arrive.

My hope is that by this time next year, we’ll have made progress and Ryder will open up to everyone – not just the people he is comfortable conversing with. He is an inquisitive, intellectual and expressive little boy, and I want everyone to know the Ryder that I do. Until then, we’ll continue to introduce him to new people and new situations.

And we’ll continue to be his biggest cheerleaders.

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: #FisherPriceMoms, child does not speak, child is mute, Selective Mutism, social anxiety disorder

Thomas Live Tour!

June 29, 2013 By Lena

Okay party people, I know many parents out there who’ve spawned Thomas & Friends fanatics, so this one’s for you. (My advice: pawn this one off to a well-meaning grandparent, aunt or uncle.)

The Thomas Live Tour is an interactive, entertaining, musical show that brings Thomas to life and also features Sir Topham Hatt and Driver Sam. The tour will be travelling to various shopping malls, fairs and different events across Canada throughout the year – and just may be rolling into a city near you!

The entire show schedule can be found here. Apart from the Thomas & Friends Personalized and Interactive Thomas E-Story, my boys have just never taken to Thomas; instead, they’ve been obsessed with Disney Cars ever since they could say “Lightning McQueen”. However, I can certainly appreciate the fascination – hey, if I was a little dude, I’d want to play with toy trains too.

As you can see from the poster above, if you’re in Calgary, Belleville, Edmonton, Toronto, London or Lindsay, you’re in luck; the live tour will be visiting your city shortly. This is a great chance to take the kiddos to see their favourite locomotives from the Island of Sodor! I’m a huge fan of live shows; it’s quite an experience to see the characters come to life, and helps foster imagination and creativity. Until then, Thomas lovers, toot toot!

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: #FisherPriceMoms, Fisher Price, Thomas and Friends, Thomas Live Tour

OVERachiever

June 29, 2013 By Lena

In December 2012, Penelope Trunk – an American businesswoman, author, blogger, and famed business advice columnist – wrote an inspirational blog post entitled 15 Things Overachievers Do. Myself, having transitioned from a corporate whiz kid to an entrepreneur in the past five years, was particularly intrigued – wishing to compare my own work ethic and qualities to those of a perceived “overachiever”.

Making lists. Taking drugs. Working for free. Selling out. Within moments of reading through the list, I realized that while Penelope was describing the theoretical habits of overachievers, she was also painting a picture of almost every new mom. Certainly, she hit a nerve with me personally; I identified with the need to overachieve, to strive for the best, to be perfect.

But WHY are new moms, by nature, overachievers? Are we programmed to simply want the best for our baby – or, has social pressure amplified our standards of successful parenting? Is second guessing and a guilty conscience part and parcel with raising a child, or do we bring it on ourselves as a side effect of setting the bar too high?

I’ve decided that 15 Things Overachievers Do can effectively be re-written for new moms.

1. “They use lists. High achievers organize their thinking with lists, they organize their time with lists, and when they want to spur their creativity, the best tool they have is to force themselves out of the comfort of their list.”

Have you ever witnessed a new mom count pees, poops and how long baby sleeps? Yeah, we write lists too. We also make a list of every thing we should be doing when we should be sleeping.

2. “They use pharmaceuticals. Adderall is de rigueur for the high-powered jobs in high-powered cities to the point that there is a shortage of available Adderall.”

Big deal. I popped Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle 3 times per day for six months in an effort to keep an ample milk supply. I also had a prescription for domperidone on file in case the herbal remedies didn’t do the trick (thankfully, they did).

3. “They let doors shut all the time. Overachievers know their mom was lying when she said they could be anything. So it’s not that big a deal when they see doors shut.”

A night life. A long, hot shower. A private moment on the toilet. A good night’s sleep. An interrupted meal. These are all the doors I have shut. Without my expressed written consent, mind you.

4. “They talk about their weaknesses. Not in a stupid way, like, “I wish I could not be so perfect.” But in a real way, because every strength comes with weaknesses and we’re not good at everything.”

I couldn’t breastfeed my first. I had no idea how to swaddle a newborn. It took me two months to learn how to burp my baby effectively. Oh, I had weaknesses, and I talked about them. And blogged about them.

5. “They work for free. Internships that are (illegally) unpaid, startups that are not (yet) funded, speeches and blog posts that help you do the (unavoidable) work of building your brand.”

If there is one mother in the history of this world who has ever been compensated for raising her children, I need to know who she is so I can shake her hand. Because at last check, every mom works for free.

Now I could go on, but I’m sure you see my point. There is a time in every mom’s life when she feels pressure to overachieve. And to those new moms, I say this: wait about 18 months, or until your next kid comes along. And then, miraculously, a new feeling washes over you…. it’s called, “Been there, done that.” 

 

I am part of the Fisher-Price Play Ambassador program and I receive perks as part of my affiliation.
The opinions on this blog are my own.

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: #FisherPriceMoms, Fisher Price, OVER...Moments, OVERjoyed Campaign

Two Boys, One Toy. Endless Possibilities.

June 2, 2013 By Lena

This is the toy:

Imaginext DC Super Friends The Joker’s Fun House.

This is the toy’s description:

Imagine… a showdown between Batman and The Joker! There are plenty of traps and surprises around every corner of The Joker’s Fun House—Batman better watch out! The giant hammer slams down, the cannon fires, and there’s even a secret jail behind the moving hand! Will Batman end up The Joker’s captive, or will he be able to have it the other way around? Includes The Joker figure and getaway car; Batman figure not included.

Seems simple enough? Agreed. We’ll keep going. This is the toy’s suggested age range:

Age Scale: 3-8 years.

Whoa! Back up a second. THIS is where we need to spend a moment or two. Because if you’re like me, you’ve often wondered how toy manufacturers can attribute a suggested age range that spans five (5) years. I mean, really? Are you honestly telling me that a 3-year-old will love this playset just as much as an 8-year-old? And, that they’d both find amusement and enjoyment… even though they’re eons apart – maturity and skill-wise?

Fisher-Price’s Answer: YES.

So, I decided to test that theory. Of course, I don’t actually have an 8-year-old on hand, but I do have a very meticulous, calculating and curious 5-year-old, who has been playing with toys out of his age range since he was born. In fact, we only had a handful of toys to pass down to Reid, because Ryder has been taking toys apart to understand their underlying mechanisms since he was born.

First, I gave Reid some alone time with the Fun House. Not having been previously exposed to Batman (I think he’s a little young for the violence and mature themes), he immediately identified The Joker as a “Boogeyman” whose “Mouth is dirty. Clean his mouth.”

Then, he proceeded to bang away at the playset; laughing like a maniac when the giant hammer slammed down, speeding the getaway car back and forth, and having a conversation with the toy when its voicebox was activated and The Joker cackled with delight. (It was a struggle to put the toy away after play time as Reid insisted on bringing it to bed with him – a good sign that it was thoroughly enjoyed. Did you spot the “Peek-a-Boo” moment above?)…

Read More

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: #FisherPriceMoms, Fisher Price, Imaginext The Joker's Fun House, toy review

The Best of the Best Children’s Toys

April 26, 2013 By Lena

Last month, I shared with you The Best of the Best Baby Gear from Fisher-Price.

(Readers chimed in that they treasured Fisher-Price swings, the Ocean Wonders Aquarium and Little People Sets! It’s so wonderful that you all have such great memories associated with Fisher-Price’s baby gear and toys.)

Today, it’s on to Children’s Toys… the Best of the Best, that is.

So what makes one product better than another – and good enough to outrank hundreds – sometimes thousands – of other products? Here’s the list:

Brilliant Basics Rock a Stack
Laugh & Learn Love to Play Puppy
Laugh & Learn Say Please Tea Set
Laugh & Learn Click ‘n Learn Remote
Brilliant Basics Stroll-Along Walker
Little People Wheelies Stand ‘ n Play Rampway
Little People Animal Sounds Farm

And WHY they’re favourites:

– The toys have been tried & tested through the years, and year over year have been favourites of moms, not just in Canada, but globally.

– They have lasted through generations of kids, and continually pass the “kid test”!

– They encourage child development and support children in achieving important milestones.

For my boys, it’s all about the cars. It’s always about the cars. That’s why they loved the Little People Wheelies Stand ‘n Play Rampway. 

On the Stand ’n Play Rampway, they zipped and zoomed up and down and all around! It’s over two feet tall, so the Wheelies really would zoom down each of the two spiral ramps. Ryder and Reid adored the lights and sounds as the cars “drove” around, with a mechanic’s lift, a place to fill ’er up, a sign that spins when a car drives through. Bonus: it was one of the few toys they could enjoy together, as they each took turns launching their Wheelies down the ramp.

They played with the Stand ’n Play Rampway for months before they decided to move on to another toy. It was definitely a “favourite” in our household too!

View the full list of Fisher-Price Favourites here. Is your Fisher-Price favourite listed above?

 

I am part of the Fisher-Price Play Ambassador program and I receive perks as part of my affiliation.
The opinions on this blog are my own.

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: #FisherPriceMoms, Fisher Price Favourites, toy review

Reid and Ariel Sitting in a Tree…

April 20, 2013 By Lena

Six months ago, Disney’s The Little Mermaid was not on my radar.

I mean, why should it be? I have two young BOYS. Boys who like cars, and colouring pictures of cars, and making car engine noises, and sleeping with their cars… in car pajamas, of course. So while we are well equipped with Disney Cars movies, figurines and basically anything with a Lightning McQueen image emblazoned across the front, we did not own anything princess-y. At all.

Of course, that was before THIS happened – From my post “The Most Magical Place on Earth…”

As we walked along Fantasyland, little Reid kept telling us that he wanted to see the “beautiful fish”. Confused, we tried to find Dory from Finding Nemo, and then showed him pictures of Flounder. “No, no, no!” he cried. “I want the Bootiful Fish!” he said, pointing at Ariel’s Grotto. Ah! The Little Mermaid! We journeyed under the sea and stood in a short line to meet Reid’s new favourite character. Once inside, he became bashful; putting his head down and hiding behind me. It was so enduring! His first crush – on a Princess, no less! After a little coaxing he gave her a huge hug and then sat down beside her, grinning from ear to ear. (Ryder, who’s too cool for school, was also convinced to get in the picture, though he was decidedly less impressed.) Watching Reid blush, smile and flirt was definitely a tear-jerking moment – but can you blame me? My little boy is growing up!

Well, that was that. He fell hard for Princess Ariel and wanted everything to do with the world of The Little Mermaid. (I didn’t have the heart to tell him she was already taken.) In fact, at the Art of Animation’s gift shop, my husband and I were both surprised when he walked straight to the Ariel figurine and pointed – “Her.”

And that’s when it happened. The colossally bad move on my husband’s part….

Read More

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: #FisherPriceMoms, #LoveFL, Fisher Price, Fisher Price Favourites, The Little Mermaid, toy review

The Best of the Best Baby Gear

March 30, 2013 By Lena

It seems like every day that passes by, someone puts out a new “Best of” or “Favourites” list for baby items. “Top 5” this and “Top 10” that. The trouble is, whom do you trust? What makes one product better than another – and good enough to outrank hundreds – sometimes thousands – of other products?

So here’s what you do. Step 1: Take a trusted brand such as Fisher-Price.

Step 2: Find their recommendations for babies. For instance, Fisher-Price Favourites include:

Ocean Wonders Aquarium
My Little Snugabunny Cradle N Swing
Infant to Toddler Rocker
SpaceSaver High Chair
Discover’n Grow Jumperoo

Step 3: Find out WHY they’re favourites. Too many times companies arbitrarily list products that are best sellers, or products they’d like to promote. Not the case here. These particular items are Fisher-Price favourites because:

– The toys have been tried & tested through the years, and year over year have been favourites of moms, not just in Canada, but globally.

– They have lasted through generations of kids, and continually pass, not only the “Dr. Alfano test”, but also the “kid test”!

– They encourage child development and support children in achieving important milestones.

I am proud to stand behind Fisher-Price’s Favourites and can vouch that many of the products were passed between both my boys, especially the beloved Jumperoo.

(We had the “Rainforest” version – and I must admit that Ryder was a little territorial when we first handed it down to baby brother Reid, pictured right.

It was one of the first baby items he had a sense “belonged” to him, and he became a little green with envy every time Reid bounced away happily. Sigh, the good old days!)

View the full list of Fisher-Price Favourites here. Do you have a Fisher-Price Favourite?

 

I am part of the Fisher-Price Play Ambassador program and I receive perks as part of my affiliation. 
The opinions on this blog are my own.

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: #FisherPriceMoms, Fisher Price Favourites, toy review

A Million Moments of Joy: OVERreacting

March 30, 2013 By Lena

When Ryder first arrived almost five years ago, I did what every new mother does.

I obsessed.

I obsessed about sleeping, pooping, feeding, changing, bathing, swaddling and the like. I obsessed over what my baby was doing, not doing, watching, feeling… you name it, I Googled it.

(You too? High five, sister.)

It didn’t end there. Shortly after he was born, I was introduced to one of the most feared words known to parents around the world: “Milestone”. Although seemingly harmless, the word is loaded with meaning. It can invoke joy, paranoia – even downright depression – depending on how your child fares against the perception of when a milestone “should” be met. And so I spent too much time fretting over why Ryder couldn’t point by the age of 6 months, or join two words by 15 months… which I now realize was terribly unproductive behaviour. Looking back, I should have spent my time celebrating the quirky, lively, healthy little baby who was already growing too quickly, and trusted that I would have recognized if there was something to be truly concerned about. Today, at almost 5 years old, he’s completely ordinary – and extraordinary – in so many ways, regardless of what the ol’ milestone chart says.

You can say I overreacted about a few things. Okay, everything.

When Reid joined the family two years later, I was ready for him. And I was ready to monitor his progress, trust my intuition and go on with my day. You see, I’m not suggesting we stop measuring milestones completely, because it’s very important to have a sense of typical child development, especially if it’s your first little one. But please, don’t be so hard on yourself – or your baby – if you find gray areas amongst the black and white.

(P.S. Reid – can you go back to being 8 days old, if only for a moment? It’s hard to believe that daddy could once hold you in his hands. I miss those fresh baby days. Photography: Sharon Navarro Photography.)

Of course, if you still find yourself overreacting to the different milestones, here’s a little help:

1. Back away from the computer. Frantically searching the Internet based on fear is the path to the dark side.

2. Stop comparing your baby to others. “There is no indication that minor variations in the achievement of milestones have any relationship to later abilities or disabilities.” (Parenting Magazine).

3. Seek help from your pediatrician if you need reassurance. But you’ll know when there’s something to be concerned about. Trust me.

This year, I wish you and your family a multitude of happy milestones, and less overreacting!

You too can share your “OVER” moments by uploading a photo and caption during Fisher-Price’s A Million Moments of Joy campaign. Parents who share their moments will be entered for a chance to win a weekly prize packs (valued at ~$200), including:

  1. My Little Snugabunny Bouncer ($89.99 CAD)
  2. Laugh & Learn Dance & Play Puppy ($59.99 CAD)
  3. Ocean Wonders Aquarium ($54.99 CAD)

The contest will run from March 5, 2013 to April 19th, 2013. Tell me, what is your “OVER” moment this month?

 

I am part of the Fisher-Price Play Ambassador program and I receive perks as part of my affiliation. 
The opinions on this blog are my own.

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: #FisherPriceMoms, Fisher Price, Million Moments of Joy, OVER...Moments

A Million Moments of Joy: OVERnight

March 4, 2013 By Lena

Last month, I shared a teaser of Fisher-Price’s NEW A Million Moments of Joy campaign with my post entitled OVERconfident. In it, I chronicled those foolish little assumptions that new moms often make – and invited readers to share their own “OVER” moments.

This month, my inspiration comes from a Facebook photo that I posted on Sunday morning.

Caption: Just had the most glorious sleep! Alone in my big bed; no little feet kicking my ribs, no tiny hands on my face. Today is dedicated to my awesome husband, whose current sleeping arrangement is this:

As only parents will tell you – OVERnight takes on a whole new meaning once you’ve had children. OVERnight can include screams, cries and padded feet across the hallway. Wet beds, dry coughs and hollers of I’m thirsty! Tooth fairies, closet monsters and kicks in the back while you co-sleep. Midnight feedings, bedtime stories and resisting the urge to take their temperature just one more time.

And once in a blue moon, on nights like the one above, OVERnight means a restful sleep. (For me, anyways.)

You too can share your “OVER” moments by uploading a photo and caption during Fisher-Price’s A Million Moments of Joy campaign. Parents who share their moments will be entered for a chance to win a weekly prize packs (valued at ~$200), including:

  1. My Little Snugabunny Bouncer ($89.99 CAD)
  2. Laugh & Learn Dance & Play Puppy ($59.99 CAD)
  3. Ocean Wonders Aquarium ($54.99 CAD)

The contest will run from March 5, 2013 to April 19th, 2013. Tell me, what is your “OVER” moment this month?

I am part of the Fisher-Price Play Ambassador program and I receive perks as part of my affiliation. 
The opinions on this blog are my own.

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: #FisherPriceMoms, Fisher Price, Million Moments of Joy, OVER...Moments

Step Into A Story with Thomas & Friends…

February 12, 2013 By Lena

One of my pet peeves, as a parent of young children, is bedtime.

(Whoa! That just came out WAY too nicely. Let me try again, this time keeping it real.)

I freaking hate bedtime.

The thing about my boys is that they literally have no use for slumber. In fact, they would much rather fall asleep at 10:45pm – standing up – wearing a shirt and jeans, instead of snuggling into warm pajamas at a decent hour, allowing mommy to tuck them into bed and sing a sweet lullaby.

To say it’s a struggle is an understatement.

We even moved both boys into the same bedroom, because I simply had enough of trying to keep them from wandering into each other’s rooms well after lights out. Nowadays, I begin the bedtime rituals, kiss them both goodnight, and pretend I don’t hear the giggling, padded footsteps around their room, and the telltale sound of markers colouring paper. Usually, I’ll find one or the other asleep on the floor (see: fall asleep standing up) or curled in a ball on the bed. It’s just the best I can do and I’m totally cool with that.

However, bedtime just got a little easier thanks to the NEW Thomas & Friends Personalized and Interactive Thomas E-Story.  You and your little ones will be able to add details such as your child’s name and a name of a family member or a friend – and a personalized story will be created just for them. My boys love being part of the story, and since Ryder is old enough now to recognize his name, he truly believes the tale was written just for him!

For bedtime reading you’ll want to load the E-Story on a tablet, as there are interactive features which allow the child to connect with Thomas and his friends. And there’s no fancy registration or sign-up involved; simply input your desired name and start reading. Bonus: each month, Thomas will launch a new E-Story! So you’ll always have new tales to share with the kiddos, and less repetition = happy storyteller. At the moment, you can choose from “A World of Imagination” or “Let it Snow”.

(On a related note, let’s welcome Thomas & Friends to Mattel. The well-loved company has officially acquired the Thomas brand – which of course, means tons of innovative and imaginative products are on the way, I’m sure!)

So, although bedtimes are still a struggle, the new interactive Thomas E-Story has made it a little easier – my boys willingly climb into bed to hear the story. Now, I just have to figure out how I can get them to stay there.

 

I am part of the Fisher-Price Play Ambassador program and I receive special perks for my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: #FisherPriceMoms, Interactive E-Story, Mattel, Thomas and Friends

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Lena Almeida

Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

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