Back to School with Crayola

Did you know Canada..  now that we are a few weeks in to school, we know what the kids REALLY need at school and Crayola has you covered with their Back to School must haves.

A must have in this house was whiteboard tools.  When I went to school it was all dusty chalk boards, but now it's all about whiteboards!  Heading into Grade 1 my guys had to have their own dry erase markers as part of their supplies.  Crayola has a big selection of dry erase products..

Dry Erase Washable Broad Line Markers - Bright, bold, Crayola coloured dry-erase markers wash right out of clothes and easily wipe off of dry-erase surfaces leaving parents with little clean-up.

Dry Erase Broad Line Markers - Low odour dry erase markers from Crayola are perfect for students, teachers, and all members of the classroom. Suitable for everyday use on all standard whiteboard surfaces.

Dry Erase Fine Line Markers - For smooth, fine line writing, Crayola Dry Erase markers deliver bold colours and low odour. Squeak-free and easy to erase, the extended ventilated cap is safety designed for use by children.

Dry Erase Crayons, Original or Brights - Ideal for use on white or dark dry-erase surfaces, these large-size washable crayons provide a punch of non-messy colour. Includes a crayon sharpener and an E-Z erase cloth.

Dry Erase Coloured Pencils - These pencils’ unique formula give kids the chance to write and erase on dry-erase surfaces, just like paper. Trace designs, practice lettering, create images and perfect fine details and shading. Sharpener included.

We tried out the dry erase crayons - every day after school the boys and I work on their word list for the week by practicing the words on their white board.  We love it because we can easily practice lots of words without wasting paper, we can do it in the middle of the floor without needing a table or book under the paper, and easy clean up!  I was really happy to learn about dry erase crayons, I didn't even know they existed, but they are perfect for Grade 1'ers hands to write easily with and the boys love the colours.

Do your kids use dry erase products at school too?

Mastermind Toys Celebrates their second location in London ON! #ldnont

Did you know Canada..  Mastermind Toys has just opened a second location in London ON - South London at 3120 Wonderland Road S (same area as Michael's, Canadian Tire, Adventures on Wonderland, etc).

Today my little man and I visited the new store and it is awesome!  They've added on to the building to make it 5,000 sq ft and it is full to the brim with toys, books, crafts and more!

Lisa the Toy Whiz introduced us to some of the hottest toys of the season, including the new HEXBUG aquabots (I even picked up some of these for my boys for Christmas), Rainbow Loom (this is a MUST HAVE!), SkyTrix Stunt Glider (you might remember our review from the summer), really fun Bixbee backpacks (designed to sit high on little ones backs, genius!), GoldieBlox and B. Toys - B. Turns (I got this one for my little man!) and B. Meowsic Keyboard - alllll amazing!  We also got a few sneak peeks on new products - like a couple new Sophie the Giraffe wooden toys!!!  Baby Lucas decided to check out a few of the toys on display too. ;-)

If you are in the area you must hit up the new store for their Grand Opening this week!  Running from this Thursday September 19th - Sunday September 22nd, pop in to check out the 25-ft Lego Man, Bountiful Balloon Decor, Free fun-filled favours, Cupcakes on Saturday and check your emails for a special Mastermind Toys coupon with a 25% savings on any one item!  All this (except the Lego Man) is also happening at the North London at 685 Fanshawe Park Rd.

Some of my favourite features about Mastermind stores are their friendly, very knowledgeable staff, the amazing decor with huge stuffed animals, fun toys along the tops of the shelves and hanging from the ceiling, funky signage and colourful displays.  It is our go to store for birthdays, parties, holidays and just because days.  Talking about birthdays, if you find yourself on the way to a birthday party without a gift, this is your GO TO place - they will help you find the perfect gift, get you through the check out and wrap it for you for FREE so you can make it to the party on time!  I LOVE their funky giftwrap and use it often; can't make it to the store? They gift wrap online orders for you as well.

Check out some of the purchases I made today, got a head start on my Christmas shopping!  I also grabbed the Star Wars 2013 Advent Calendar that my boys are going to go nuts for come December.  Even my hubby can't wait to bust open the new aquabots but we are waiting until Christmas on those!  I did let Lucas have the B. Turns and the Lamaze T-Rex for his car seat, we are saving the GO! Go! Smart Wheels for his stocking though!  Mastermind is amazing at having stocking stuffer and loot bag stuffer ideas, their products are functional, reuseable, FUN, not "junky" and not covered in sugar!

I'm going to surprise the boys with a trip to Mastermind Toys after school on Friday to check out the Grand Opening, I hope you can make it there too!

M&M Meat Shops’ National Family Dinner Night

Did you know Canada..  On Thursday, September 19, 2013, M&M Meat Shops will once again step up to the plate and encourage Canadians to enjoy the tradition of the family dinner.

Did you know a recent national study completed for M&M Meat Shops reveals that fewer families than ever before are making family meal time part of their daily lives. Nearly 10 per cent of Canadians say that they never have dinner with their partner or their family, and fewer than 40 per cent sit down with their family for a daily meal!

At our house we do have dinner together *nearly* every night, but I can see as the boys get older and get even more involved in sports and activities, sometimes it's really hard to get together BUT it's so important.

This year, in addition to encouraging everyone to enjoy a family meal, M&M Meat Shops is challenging Canadians to share their own family-favourite recipes that feature M&M Meat Shops’ products.

From September 13 to October 11, 2013, Canadians can submit their recipes on the M&M Meat Shops Facebook page to be entered for a chance to win 1 of 3 prizes of a $100 M&M Gift Card. Winners will be selected by a panel of M&M food and recipe experts and the winning recipes will be featured on www.mmmeatshops.com.

One of our favourite dinners is fajita night using M&M Meat Shops Grilled Chicken Breast Slices.  I love that the chicken comes in a resealable bag so I only use as much as we will eat that night (unless we want leftovers!) and I love that the chicken pieces are never stuck together because I like mine different from the rest of the family.

So I get out 2 pans, start frying onions and sliced peppers in both, add the frozen chicken breast slices and heat.  Then in my pan I add chopped chipotle peppers (seeds removed) in adobe sauce, in the other pan I add fajita spice.  Serve on tortillas, I like to add sour cream too - delish, everyone is happy and we can all sit down and chat while we eat.

With only 33 per cent of Canadians aged 18-34 regularly take part in a family dinner night and almost 80 per cent of survey respondents indicated that a less busy schedule would help them better enjoy family dinners it's time to make quick, easy and delicious meals so you can get to the table!  In fact, shopping at M&M Meat Shops means you can be in and out of the store in 10 minutes or less.

Head to M&M Meat Shops and participate in the Ninth Annual National Family Dinner Night on September 19, 2013!

We loved the Day Out With Thomas: The Go Go Thomas Tour 2013

Did you know Canada..  this past Sunday we checked out the Day Out With Thomas: The Go Go Thomas Tour 2013 in St. Thomas ON - one of only 3 stops in Canada and the only one in Ontario!

It was AWESOME!  The boys had a great time.  Not only do you get to ride Thomas but there is so much more to do - bubbles to play with, stories to listen to, entertainment, animals to pet, a hay maze, a mist area, really fantastic balloon animals, Thomas tattoos, 2 jumpy areas, a gift shop and more!

The boys loved making big bubbles and they REALLY loved the jumps, there was even a Thomas jumpy the has a slide.  There are also activity stations set up to colour, make conductor hats, play with Thomas the train sets, just so much to do.

Then comes the main event - riding Thomas!  You hop on the train and take a lovely 25 minute ride through the outskirts of St. Thomas, you also listen to Thomas music during the ride, meet with the conductor, get a family photo taken if you'd like and the kids get a certificate at the end of the ride.

There was quite a few different food options as well - hot dogs, pizza, fries, cookies, ice cream and more.  You can really enjoy an entire day out, the community of St. Thomas even offers a few treats to every visitor as well - a discount at the local Wendys, a coupon for Boston Pizza, a free visit to the Elgin County Railway Museum which is a really interesting stop.

Fun for a huge age range, all my boys enjoyed the day!  The Day Out With Thomas: The Go Go Thomas Tour 2013 is in St. Thomas one more weekend, so there's still time to ride!  Tickets for Day Out with Thomas™: The Go Go Thomas Tour 2013 are on sale now and available by calling Ticketweb toll-free 1-888-222-6608, or by visiting www.ticketweb.ca/dowt or www.ecrm5700.org  Ticket prices are $23 plus tax for ages 2 and up (plus service charges).  The event is rain or shine.

For more information and directions, contact the Elgin County Railway Museum at 519-637-6284 or visit www.ecrm5700.org.

For information on Thomas & Friends, visit www.thomasandfriends.com/dowt
Follow Thomas & Friends on Facebook and Twitter @TrueBlueEngine.

KRE-O Star Trek Construction Sets

Did you know Canada..  Hasbro Canada has some AWESOME new KRE-O Star Trek Construction Sets based on the new Star Trek into Darkness movie!

My guys were so excited to receive this 432 piece set!  The  U.S.S. Enterprise ship along with 5 Kreon figures, the ship lights up and shoots missiles, the boys (and Dad) and been having a ton of fun.

It's also been a great gateway into introducing the boys to the world of Star Trek and the older movies.

Easy to put together with easy to understand instructions, well made pieces that fit together perfectly, once assembled it's been able to stand up to a lot of play.  The boys love to put KRE-O sets together, searching for the right pieces, following the directions, and seeing something as exciting as the U.S.S. Enterprise come to life right before their very eyes!

What a fun gift to give for the start of summer, it would be a great project to work on!

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Did you know Canada..  My Little Pony has hit Canadian stores with 2 features: My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic – Adventures in the Crystal Empire and My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic - Pinkie Pie Party.

My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic is the #1 show on Treehouse in Canada!  We watch a girl in my boys class on school mornings and I was excited to surprise her with these DVDs this morning. We started watching Pinkie Pie Party (available exclusively at Walmart) which includes 5 episodes, and bonus features include a Sing-Along and a Party Activity Kit and everyone (including the boys) loved it!

I actually enjoyed it too..haha.. if you haven't seen it yet, these ponies got a bit of attitude to them and are funny and enjoyable to watch.  It follows the story of Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie as they learn about friendship in the town of Ponyville.

We are looking forward to checking out Adventures in the Crystal Empire (available in store April 16th) later this week, it also includes 5 episodes from the beloved series, and bonus features including a sing-along and colouring sheet.  I've read this DVD includes the first 2 episodes of season 3, which is a two-part story, and this is big news for pony lovers!  Great gift to surprise a My Little Pony fan in your life.

I love these DVD sets as they include favourite episodes, they are also perfect for a quick watch in the morning or great to bring out in the car if you have a DVD player.

Do you have a My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic fan in your life?  Enter below for your chance to win these 2 DVDs!

Giveaway

G.I. JOE returns with a new mission

Did you know Canada..  Hasbro Canada has you all set for G.I. JOE's return - G.I. Joe: Retaliation is a sequel to G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, and in theatres now!

Every Dad's dream is to share G.I. JOE's with their little one right?  Now that he's back, the toy famous from our childhood has been brought back, and better than ever!

My boys (and hubby) have been having from with some new products from Hasbro..

G.I. JOE: RETALIATION Masks - the boys have been having fun with this, I think we are going to have to pick up another one so they can each wear one.  Awesome for getting in the mood to play!

G.I. JOE: RETALIATION Alpha Vehicles - one of my guys had this ripped open and put in his stash before I even had a chance to look at it!  A motorcycle with a blasting wheel!  Yes Please!

G.I. JOE: RETALIATION 3.75" Action Figure - perfect for recreating favourite scenes of the movie and creating new ones, goes perfect with other action figures for lots of imaginative play!

G.I. JOE Series 1 MICRO FORCE Pack - with more than 40 figures to collect, these are fun to play with by trying to knock your opponent’s figures off the table while you keep your own figures standing, great to collect, compare and chat about, the boys love these guys.

G.I. JOE Series 1 MICRO FORCE Mystery Bag - I've mentioned before that I love these mystery bags, cheap enough to pick up for a quick surprise for the kids, excitement to see who's in there, and fun to collect, happy they are creating these for G.I. JOE!

Will you be seeing the movie?

March Break Fun with Hasbro Canada

Did you know Canada..  we are on Day Two of March Break here.  I know some of you still have March Break coming next week and the week after.  For fun every day of the week Hasbro Canada has you covered with some great ideas on family fun!

Yesterday we checked out 2 fun items from Hasbro, their Easy-Bake Ultimate Oven and Angry Birds Star Wars Millennium Falcon Bounce Game!

My boys just finished taking a cooking class through our local Parks & Rec and have REALLY enjoyed cooking and creating in the kitchen, which I LOVE and their future wives can thank me for..haha..  So to foster that love even more at home, what a better way than the Easy-Bake Ultimate Oven!  At 5 years old, the big oven is off limits to the boys, so they were very proud to have their own to use (with Mom's help of course).  We made cookies and had lots of fun!  The only thing the boys were a little disappointed about were not being able to watch the cookies cook like you can on the big oven, but it won't stop us from trying out more treats with the Easy-Bake Ultimate Oven.

My guys two loves - Angry Birds and Star Wars - it's so exciting to see them put together!  And if you are any kind of Star Wars fan you know how very cool the Millennium Falcon is on it's own, add Angry Birds to it and you're a hero!  Fun to set up, even the box is part of the game that you get to decorate with stickers on the inside.  The boys have been having tons of fun with this, whether they are playing the actual game or just playing imagination games with all the pieces, it's one they enjoyed for hours yesterday, which was fantastic!!

Hasbro Canada also has many more fun ideas for this March Break, like their Play-doh Sweet Shoppe, JENGA Book Game, BeyBlades and more, you'll be able to have fun with the kids every day of the break!

Time to Play with DK Canada

Did you know Canada..  our friends at DK Canada, who make the most beautiful, entertaining books in my opinion, think it's Time to Play this March Break, and we agree!

Check out their Time to Play Boutique for savings on books and activities that will keep everyone busy and having fun next week.  We recently checked out the Lego Brickmaster Lego City and Star Wars sets.

These fun books come WITH the appropriate legos to make buildings, vehicles and people!

You follow the fully coloured, step-by-step instructions, all compacted in a nice kit to keep the legos together (Thank-You!) and the kids can make up to 6 different models!  Lots of fun to build, play, destroy, and rebuild!

Check out what we've created so far, my boys are so proud of their accomplishments, this is something we enjoy doing as a family, and what a perfect project for March Break that can be done over a series of days.

That's not all the Time to Play Boutique has to offer either, check out books on crafts, cooking, doodling, science experiments and more - great for any ages and genders!

Visit DK Canada today for awesome savings on these fun books and more!

Family Day Ideas - Hasbro Canada

Did you know Canada..  this Monday is Family Day across most of Canada.  In Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Saskatchewan, it is observed on the third Monday of February. In the provinces of Manitoba and Prince Edward Island, the statutory holiday on this date is instead termed Louis Riel Day and Islander Day, respectively.

This year British Columbia began to celebrate Family Day on the second Monday of February.  Except in British Columbia, the timing of Family Day coincides with Presidents Day in the United States.

The second and third Mondays in February are regular working days in Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and the territories. As Family Day is not currently recognized in the federal sphere, federal employees in all provinces (such as public servants and postal workers) still work on this day. In Newfoundland and Labrador, the third Monday of February is a school board holiday, but not an official provincial holiday.

A little confusing right??

Well if it's a holiday for you Hasbro Canada thinks it's a great day to Play!

This Family Day holiday, Hasbro wants to give families a chance to take a break from hetic schedules.  Switch off the electronic distractions and take part in an evening of game play to reconnect and reenergize relationships and most importantly, create memories together.

Hasbro Canada has games for every family and every age.  We introduced our boys to a fun new version of JENGA, that is perfect for little boys as there's an explosion!  JENGA Boom - Just like in the classic JENGA game, you’ll need a delicate touch to pull blocks out of the stack without knocking it down. But in JENGA Boom, you have to move fast, because you start the detonator before each turn – and you have to get your block out before your time runs out and the stack "explodes!"  We have been having lots of fun with this, and I was kind of surprised the boys actually have the patience and skills to play JENGA - who knew!, we've been having lots of fun!

Another fun family game is Draw Something - have you been playing this one on your phone like hubby and I have?  Now you can play in your living room!  While one player draws, everyone else shouts out their guesses at what they're drawing. Whoever guesses the word earns coins along with the drawer, and the harder the word, the more coins you earn! Collect 15 coins for the win!

My absolute favourite game, and one I am so happy to have (previously we only had The Simpsons version) is the CLUE The Classic Mystery Game.  Ransack the mansion for clues, ask cunning detective questions and leave no card unturned. Solve the murder first to win!  Hubby and I have been enjoying this one at night after the big kids go to bed, I love it!

This Family Day is the perfect day to stay inside and break out a new game.  When we play games in the living room or at the kitchen table we have so much fun and I'm always surprised by how much we begin to talk, the boys are always more open to share things that happened at school the previous week, their thoughts and ideas and something silly always happens that we can reminisce about later.  Why not surprise the family with a new game from Hasbro Canada this Family Day, and enjoy each other!

PETER PAN Diamond Edition 3-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack

Did you know Canada..  with a new baby in the house and trying to keep my older boys entertained at home we have been turning to movies a lot.  Our favourites our the classics as everyone enjoys them, so I was SO excited to hear about the new release of Peter Pan.

The Diamond Edition features a 3-Disc Blu-ray Combo with Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy & Storybook App is a “must-own” addition to everyone’s home entertainment collection, filled with high-flying bonus features for all ages that includes - the groundbreaking feature Disney Intermission, Growing up with Nine Old Men short film, never-before-seen Deleted Scenes and a never-before-heard Deleted Song.

“Peter Pan” is a timeless classic from Disney’s Golden Age of animation.  The film is one of three to boast all nine of Walt’s famous “Nine Old Men” as Directing Animators, and is a revered audience favorite.  “Peter Pan” Diamond Edition 3-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack will be available for a limited time only from Walt Disney Studios.

With a new digital restoration and high definition picture and sound - for the first time on Blu-ray™. The classic tale that taught us all “to believe” and first introduced us to the Darling children – Wendy, John and Michael - as they flew with Peter Pan and Tinker Bell past the second star to the right and straight on ‘till morning to the enchanted world of Never Land. Rediscover the magical adventure and relive childhood memories of this great bedtime story.

My boys have so enjoyed Captain Hook, the Lost Boys, Peter himself and really happy to know where Tinkerbell came from.  They have been acting out scenes from the movie and I know this will be a family favourite for years and years to come.

I also love this set not just for the movie but the extra entertainment it offers as well with the Storybook App and a whole host of Bonus Features..

-          Disney Intermission
-          Growing up with Nine Old Men
-          Disney View
-          Introduction by Diane Disney Miller
-          Deleted Songs & Scenes
-          You Can Fly: The Making of Peter Pan
-          Tinker Bell: A Fairy’s Tale
-          Disney Song Selections
-          Audio Commentary Hosted by Roy Disney
-          Music Videos & More!

What a great treat to pick up for Valentine's Day tomorrow and enjoy as a family!

Celebrate Valentine's Day with Hallmark Canada

Did you know Canada..  we received a few fun treats from Hallmark Canada that I had to share with you..

“CUPIG” shuffles and shakes his belly while singing a parody of the “Cupid Shuffle.” The perfect Valentine’s Day gift for those looking for some cuddly comfort.  Special: $15.95 with each purchase of 3 Hallmark cards.  My guys love this so much they took it to school today to share with their friends!  It is so sweet!

"Something for you pup" - deliver a special something in a memorable way with this cute pup. Simply place an item in his mouth (anything from a card or flower, to a small box of candy) and give it to your loved one. When your Valentine pulls it out, the puppy will give a little “grrr” and then a happy “ruf, ruf!” with a wagging tail. (Only $14.95)  We have been having too much fun with this, the boys have been making everyone in the family cards and presenting them with this cute pup so we can hear the fun little bark!

The Ultimate Gift Bear. This ultra soft and cuddly teddy bear comes with a festive (removable) bow. This is a perfect cuddly friend for my new little man, this sweet bear is perfect for this Valentine's Day or any occasion.

Fuzzie Wuzzies Card Presenters for Kids - Kids can feel the love with these amazing cards. The line features cute critters covered in fun textures with Valentine messages tucked inside. After you remove the Valentine, keep this little friend around to store your favourite little things - $6.49 each.  So soft and cute, and great to keep long after the card is gone, I think this is the cutest!

Have you picked up any Valentine's Day specials from Hallmark Canada?

Valentine's Day with Hasbro Canada

Did you know Canada..  Valentine's Day is sneaking up on me this year with the new baby!  My boys needed to work on their Valentine's Day gifts this weekend for their class.

As there are lots of allergies in their class this year we didn't go with any cards that included a candy treat, and instead went with this great idea from Hasbro Canada - Play-doh!

Valentines Bag has 15 cans of PLAY-DOH modeling compound! Make PLAY-DOH valentines with the pink, red and white colors! Great for classrooms and parties!

The Play-doh Valentine's Bag not only came with individual packs of play-doh in perfect Valentine's colours, they also came with To/From stickers for the top of the packs so you can address each Valentine's - perfect to bring to the classroom!

We received a pack from Hasbro to try out and went out to get more for the boys to enjoy at home, they have been having lots of fun creating with these great colours!

What are you sending to the classroom this week?

Disney on Ice: 100 Years of Magic - London ON

Did you know Canada..  last night my family attended Disney On Ice: 100 Years of magic at the Budweiser Gardens in London ON.

We attended the Disney on Ice show last year, and it was fantastic, but this year, THIS YEAR, it was just AMAZING!  The quality of the show, costumes and skaters was amazing, my guys eyes were GLUED to the stage the entire show.

I loved seeing familiars like Toy Story, the Lion King, of course our favourites Minnie, Mickey, Goofy and Donald - the music and songs were perfect, I heard many in the audience singing along.

Boys also had fun at intermission picking up a fun Toy Story spiny toy and glowing slushies.  Our family had an amazing night, and the show is still running until Sunday!

We have some fantastic news about a new way to save on tickets!  Use code 100YEARS to get a Family Four pack of tickets for $100 (Valid on $35 price level only, Valid on all performances).

I highly recommend this show if you are in the area, best Disney on Ice show we have ever seen!!

Dora the Explorer Snack Time for Baby Boots

Did you know Canada..  Dora is part of growing up now, like the Jetsons and Flintstones were for me :-)  Even my boys loved Dora growing up, and one of their little friends we watch a few times a week still loves Dora.

I was so excited to be able to share Dora the Explorer Snack Time for Baby Boots Playset with her this week.  She was THRILLED to say the least, and even the boys have gotten in on the play time.  It's been a great way to remind the boys how we will be treating our new baby on the way as well!

It's snack time for Baby Boots, "prepare" him a snack with the Fisher-Price Dora the Explorer Snack Time for Baby Boots Playset. Sit Boots on his highchair, so he doesn't make a mess! The Fisher-Price Dora the Explorer Snack Time for Baby Boots Playset comes with Dora and Baby Boots figure and a high chair. Includes snack time adventure storybook.

I loved how realistic the highchair looked, again a great gateway toy into me explaining about feeding a baby and I love all the little stories the kids come up with while they play, so sweet!

I love being a Nickelodeon Mom so I can offer my readers a chance to win this fun playset too!  Enter below for your chance to win Canada!  Good Luck!

Giveaway

Snack Pack #NoTradesies

Did you know Canada..  I don't know about you, but I was happy to see the kiddos back to school this week.  We only go every other day so we get lots of together time but the break is also good for all of us.  One thing I *really* don't like about school though - lunch!

No matter what awesome lunch I make, or what terrible leftovers they get on a Friday, they hardly ever eat ANY of it!  So I was so excited to be part of the Snack Pack “No Tradesies” Blog Tour, and try to bring some fun back into lunch time!

We did a few taste tests to ensure this lunch was good to go.  First we made sandwiches with really fun Lunch Punch Sandwich Cutters.  I always wanted to get these but never ended up happening.  So glad to have them now because it made a huge difference to the boys!  We cut off the crusts anyways, so there was no loss of sandwhich, and now every time we make a sandwich they get to pick which shape they want - love to see them involved in the process!

Next we tried some Snack Pack's, this guys fav was the dessert flavour - Ice Cream Sandwich!  Not only spoonable, snackable and portably delicious, Snack Pack pudding is made with skim milk and have no preservatives or trans-fats - perfect for our kiddos!  We also tried the Lemon Meringue Pie and Vanilla, all tasty.  He loved using the smiley face spoon we received, much better than the plastic spoons I often sent to school - now Mom knows better!  Make sure you follow Snack Pack on Facebook for new flavours and awesome lunch tips and ideas!

We also received a mini portable travel speaker that works so well!  Mom and Dad have their eye on this one..haha..  I think this will be perfect in the summer at the beach and park.  We also love the cooler bag and leak-proof, compartmentalized food containers - my guys hate it when one food touches another, so these are perfect for keeping food separate  and keeping things like damp grapes and strawberries away from a dry sandwich or crackers.

We got some great tips from Snack Pack on how to make the best "No Tradesies" lunch too..

• * Can’t get your kids to eat their fruit? Adding Snack Pack to the mix turns fruit into a tasty, dip-able adventure. Try the Caramel Apple, all it takes is some apple slices and a Toffee Caramel pudding
• * Sandwich Shape-up: Even a favourite sandwich can seem boring and routine when it shows up in the lunchbox day after day. Keep things interesting and kids engaged by breaking out the cookie cutters and cutting the sandwiches into fun shapes.
• * Kebab it up: skewering some bite-sized veggies on a kebab with a side of veggie dip is a different and fun way to make sure veggies are not coming home at the end of the day.
• * Utensils are key: let your kids pick out their utensils, napkins and lunchboxes. They definitely won’t be reaching for the aluminum, and giving them a say means they will take pride in their lunch pack. Have bright, colourful spoons on hand so kids can choose whether it’s a yellow, blue or orange kind of day!

Thanks to Snack Pack lunch has been a much better experience for everyone this week and I'm more confident in providing my guys with fun and healthy meals!

We are so excited to share a Snack Pack “No Tradesies” prize pack with one of our Canadians readers! The prize pack contains two delicious flavours of Snack Pack pudding, Lunch Punch Sandwich Cutters, Happy Spoons, a mini portable travel speaker and a tote-able lunch bag consisting of a cooler bag and four leak-proof, compartmentalized food container, a $50 value.

Giveaway

Disney On Ice: 100 Years of Magic Tickets

Did you know Canada..  You will remember we mentioned Disney On Ice: 100 Years of Magic is coming to Budweiser Gardens in London ON January 24th to 27th.

Join the celebration as more than 60 of Disney's unforgettable characters from 18 beloved stories come to life in Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic!  You'll be captivated by the one and only Mickey Mouse, the irresistible Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, Jiminy Cricket, Pinocchio and many Disney Princesses.  Be thrilled by exciting moments from The Lion King; Mulan; and Disney/Pixar's Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, and Toy Story films; in a skating spectacular filled with magical Disney moments you'll remember forever as Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic!

We have some fantastic news about a new way to save on tickets!  Use code 100YEARS to get a Family Four pack of tickets for $100 (Valid on $35 price level only, Valid on all performances)

What awesome savings and a great night out as a family!  This show is going to be packed with so many characters, check out these fun stats about the costumes involved in the show..

• Number of yards of fabric used to make the costumes 1300
• Number of costumes in the show  160
• Number of costume pieces that make up the costumes  650
• Number of costumes per cast member 4-5 average
• Number of washers and dryers that travel with the production 3 washers and 3 dryers 
• Number of costume shops used to make the costumes 8
• Total number of people who worked on costumes 1,000

Not only do we have this awesome savings code for you, but if you haven't picked up your tickets yet, enter below for your chance to win a Family Four Pack!!  The winning tickets are only valid for the evening performance at 7pm, January 24th at Budweiser Gardens in London ON.

Good luck!

Giveaway

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Dog Days

Did you know Canada..  we JUST finished watching the brand new movie Diary of a Wimpy Kid Dog Days on Blu-ray (it just came out on DVD/Blu-ray yesterday!).  It is SUCH a fun movie, and what a great gift idea for under the tree this  year (still a few shopping days left!).

Everybody’s favorite wimp, Greg Heffley (Zachary Gordon), is back for three times the fun in the latest film based on the super-popular book series! When Greg’s dad (Steve Zahn) threatens to send him to military school if he doesn’t stay out of trouble, Greg finds all-new ways to land himself in the doghouse! For starters, Greg’s in over his head when he pretends to work at the swanky country club where Rowley’s family has a membership. Things don’t go much better on a father-son camping trip with the Wilderness Explorers, and then there’s the Heffley’s new dog, Sweetie, who fetches even more trouble for Greg in this hilarious family film!

My boys are a little young for the book, but we are just getting there and now that they have seen this fun movie, they are going to be even more excited to get into the books which I absolutely love!

A great movie to watch as a family, the whole thing is a hoot and the boys especially loved Sweetie the dog.  I think a wide range of ages would enjoy this one, and we will be picking up the older movies for the boys to enjoy too.  Perfect to watch on the second week of Christmas break from school.

We love the bonus extras too..


Blu-ray Exclusive Special Features:
- Commentary by Director David Bowers
- Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary by Director David Bowers
- Class Clown Animated Short
- Gag Reel
- FX Movie Channel presents Wimpy Empire
- Theatrical Trailer
- Sneak Peak


I remember a lot of movies like this from my youth, and find there are not a lot of these out today, so thankfully to Diary of a Wimpy Kid to create these kinds of movies for my boys to enjoy! :-)

Here's a fun deleted scene to enjoy..


Enter below for your chance to win a Blu-ray copy of Diary of a Wimpy Kid Dog Days!!  Good luck!!

Giveaway

Disney On Ice: 100 Years of Magic

Did you know Canada..  Disney On Ice: 100 Years of Magic is coming to Budweiser Gardens in London ON January 24th to 27th.  What a great idea to surprise the family with tickets to the show this Christmas!

Join the celebration as more than 60 of Disney's unforgettable characters from 18 beloved stories come to life in Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic!  You'll be captivated by the one and only Mickey Mouse, the irresistible Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, Jiminy Cricket, Pinocchio and many Disney Princesses.  Be thrilled by exciting moments from The Lion King; Mulan; and Disney/Pixar's Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, and Toy Story films; in a skating spectacular filled with magical Disney moments you'll remember forever as Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic!

Use promo code MUM4 to purchase 4 tickets for $44 on Weekdays and $4 off per ticket on Weekends.  Excludes Front Row, Rinkside, and VIP tickets. No double discounts. Additional Fees May Apply. Weekday is defined as Monday thru Thursday and Friday Matinee. Weekend is defined as Friday evening and Saturday and Sunday.

Stay tuned, we will have a giveaway for tickets coming up right after Christmas!

Disney's Phineas and Ferb: The Best LIVE Tour Ever!

Did you know Canada..  we already mentioned Disney's Phineas and Ferb: The Best LIVE Tour Ever is coming to Budweiser Gardens in London ON on January 6th, don't forget to use promo code MUM4 to receive $4 off each ticket!!!

Even more exciting, enter for your chance to win 4 tickets to the 6pm performance of Disney's Phineas and Ferb: The Best LIVE Tour Ever at Budweiser Gardens in London ON on January 6th 2013.  Can you even imagine surprising the kids with these tickets on Christmas morning, and they get to see the show before they head back to school?



We can not WAIT to attend this show, the boys are HUGE Phineas and Ferb (and Perry!) fans, Mom & Dad actually love this show too. :-)
Enter below for your chance to win tickets to this awesome show, good luck friends!  Remember, only enter if you can attend the show at Budweiser Gardens in London ON on January 6th 2013 at 6pm.
Giveaway