Ice Age: Continental Drift

Did you know Canada..  Ice Age is back with another instalment: Ice Age: Continental Drift!

Sub-zero heroes Manny, Diego, and Sid embark upon a high-seas adventure after their continent is set adrift. Using an iceberg as a ship, they encounter sea creatures and battle pirates as they try to reunite with their herd. In the wake of these upheavals, Sid reunites with his cantankerous Granny, and the herd encounters a ragtag menagerie of seafaring pirates determined to stop them from returning home.

We have recently checked out the movie and it's a huge hit once again!  Quiet honestly, I've been watching the Ice Age movies since before I even had kids, we own all the ones in the series as well.  We love the characters, especially Sid, and EVERYONE loves that silly guy with his nut right.

The boys already have some Ice Age related games and apps, so this was perfect for us as we are familiar with everyone, this installment is funny, very sweet and even Mom and Dad were laughing.

Ice Age: Continental Drift coming to Blu-ray and DVD Dec. 11 - what a great Holiday Gift!!  To get everyone in the mood for Ice Age check out these fun printouts everyone will enjoy!

Sudoku game 

Drawing Challenge

Stay tuned to Did you know Canada? as we will soon have a copy of Ice Age: Continental Drift to giveaway!!!

Fracture

Did you know Canada..  have you heard about Fracture?  They print your digital photos (ones right off your camera) onto glass!

They can be printed for as little as $10 and sized up to 18" and beyond.  What a beautiful gift this would make for the Holiday Season.  More thoughtful and special than a single framed photo, with quality that will last forever and a unique piece for anyone's home.  Safer than an ordinary glass frame and more shatter-proof AND comes with a Life-time Satisfaction Guarantee that covers all manufacturer's defects.

We recently went through the process of ordering a picture, it was very easy, through their tool you upload your picture and can then edit it, I zoomed in on mine a bit for example.  You can also set a border, or not, it's VERY easy to use.  You then place your order and it's on it's way!

I loved how it was packaged when it arrived, you open the box, pop out the picture from a black frame and you have the option to either use a stand or hang on the wall - it even comes with the screw!  I really appreciated both options, we are using the stand, it sits securely and looks amazing!

Anyone who has visited since we set it up have all commented on the picture, it's noticeable  eye catching, bright and beautiful.

We have great news for our readers as well!!  Use code DYKCPROMO to save 15% off any orders over $100 on fractureme.com.  Stay up to date with Fracture on Twitter and Facebook - and check them out today, what a fantastic Holiday Gift!

Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Did you know Canada..  Any lovely ladies in your life would love a copy of the sometimes romantic, sometimes funny but always endearing Best Exotic Marigold Hotel this holiday season!

This tale follows seven cash-strapped seniors who decide to “outsource” their retirement to a resort in far-off India, and while taken out of their comfort zone, friendship and romance blossom in the most unexpected ways.  The film also boasts an award-winning cast of all-stars, including Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, and Tom Wilkinson.

Enter below for your chance to win a copy of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and enjoy it yourself or surprise Mom, Wife, Sister or friend with this treat this Holiday Season!

Giveaway

Tfal Baby - 2 IN 1 Bottle Warmer & Sterlizer

Did you know Canada..  with less than 12 weeks to go (or maybe even 10 or less, who knows when the new baby plans on making his appearance :-) ) until our new little one arrives, and the madness of Christmas for the next two months, we are really getting serious about baby prep around here!

This week it was figuring out the bottles, we got a new set of bottles from my baby shower and we were so excited to try out our new Tfal Baby - 2 IN 1 Bottle Warmer & Sterlizer.  Before we even used it I have to tell you how much I love the size of it.  It takes up hardly any counter space, which I absolutely LOVE, it's easy to set up and get going, even for the first time.

I love how contained all the pieces where,  No losing the accessories in one of your drawers, this ones with it's own attached drawer for them! I didn't have a bottle warmer with my boys and I can already tell how much I'm going to love having one with time.  No guessing how long to leave the bottle in warm water, the settings let you set for exactly how much you have filled in the bottle as well.  It's also really cute!  Love the Winnie-the-Pooh theme!!

As Mom to 5 year old boys who love to help (for awhile at least), I was happy to see all the security measures in place as well - a safety cool wall to avoid risk of burns and heating controls.

Great functionality in place for a busy Mom as well - an automatic shut-off when sterilization is complete with a sound signal when warming is complete (thank you!), and accommodates all materials like plastic and glass.

This would make a fantastic gift for new Mom's and Mom's-to-be this Holiday Season.  It would be thoughtful, useful and takes 2 worries off Mom's mind - both sterilizing and warming the bottles.

Keep up to date on all the Tfal products by following them on Twitter and Facebook.

Perplexus

Did you know Canada..  I listed this one under kids in our Holiday Gift Guide, but these are really for the whole family.  Perplexus is the funniest puzzle ever!

Designed by a 3-D design teacher, Michael McGinnis, I've seen many comments on line from folks saying this man must have been an evil genius to get us so addicted to his amazing puzzles. ;-)  The original concept was actually done in the late 1970's as a project for an art class, and look where it ended up!

We were so excited to receive the Perplexus Original from PlaSmart.  This has been a huge hit in our house, my 5 year old mastered it before my hubby..haha.. I still can't get past the first level.  Grampa spent so much time figuring it out we had to go buy him his own.  We got him the Epic one though.  There's actually FOUR versions of Perplexus to choose from!

The best way to describe it would be to say that it's easy to play - 5 year olds to 40 year olds and beyond have been enjoying it in this house, but it's challenging to complete, which is what gets ya addicted.  You pick one of three tracks to start on and move your marble along the track through the maze.  You will be flipping, turning and shimming your way through to the end of the maze.  Challenge your best time or friends, it's also a challenge to play while one of the kiddos is trying to steal it back from you..haha..

This would be a REALLY fun one for under the tree this year as it will have the whole family trying to puzzle it out during the Holiday break!

Stay up to date with the latest puzzles from Perplexus on Twitter and Facebook!  Do you have one?  Are you as addicted as we are? :-)  So much fun!!

Lulu Life Body Butter

Did you know Canada..  a big hit in our Holiday Gift Guide this year is Lulu Life Body Butter from Curly Canadians!

They are the first Canadian supplier of Lulu Life Body Butter!  This is no ordinary Body Butter, this amazing line of body butters & soaps are handmade by a women's cooperative in South Sudan.  100% of the sale price goes directly to the cooperative.

"Lulu" is Nilotic shea butter, is especially effective in relieving dry, damaged and overprocessed hair.  Yes, apply this product not only to your body for great results, apply to hair daily as well!



Perfect for our Canadian winters, I have been trying out the lemon scented body butter and it is fantastic!  Soaks right in, not at all greasy, after just a few days the results were very noticeable as my hands were already starting to dry out from the few cold days we've had.

Not only is it a great holiday gift, it's also for a great cause!

Visit CurlyCanadians.ca to learn more about LuLu Life and follow them on Twitter and Facebook to keep up with the latest deals for the Holiday Season!

Just Dance 4

Did you know Canada..  we have been having lots of fun playing the new Just Dance 4 from Ubisoft on the XBox360.  Using the Kinect, it's great music, great exercise, and awesome family fun!  Check out one of my guys dancing up a storm ;-)



With over 40 new songs, all from artists you know and love like Flo Rida, Pink and Maroon 5, I love that it's music everyone can sing along too.  You can challenge each other, or a real cool mode we enjoy as a family - Bring Your Crew, everyone gets to dance and everyone gets their "moment to shine" during the song as well.

We love the fun colours, easy to use menu and just great music!

Check out this and other great titles from Ubisoft on all platforms for the Holiday Season.  This would make for some awesome entertainment on New Years Eve!!  Have a dance off with prizes!
Ubisoft is headquartered in France, but did you know the company's largest development studio is Ubisoft Montreal in Quebec!!  Employing over 2,000 people, this is a great gaming company to support this Holiday Season.
Follow Ubisoft on Twitter and Facebook to get the latest on all their titles!

BLACK FRIDAY DEALS ARRIVE A WEEK EARLY AT TOYS“R”US CANADA’S MOONLIGHT MADNESS SALE

Did you know Canada..  some great news from Toys R' Us Canada..

As more and more Canadians join in the Black Friday shopping excitement north of the border, the crowds grow thicker and the shelves empty sooner.  To provide gift-givers with an alternative to shopping with the masses while still ensuring some of the hottest deals of the season, Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us, Canada are hosting a holiday Moonlight Madness sale on Friday, November 16, exactly one week prior to Black Friday.

Moonlight Madness will take place at every Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us, Canada retail location (excluding Express stores and where prohibited by local by-laws – check local stores for hours) and online at Toysrus.ca.  The sales begin in-store at 6 p.m. local time and online at 6 p.m. EST. In order to provide Canadians with the best prices on the most products and ensure an easy shopping experience, Toys“R”Us has divided Moonlight Madness into four separate event times (outlined below).  This way, regardless of what is on a customer’s gift giving list, they will find great prices on a broad assortment of toys and baby products. 

On top of the savings, customer’s will earn 100 Bonus AIR MILES® reward miles when they spend $100 or more during the event, in-store or online.
Following are examples of select deals available during the Moonlight Madness Sale on Friday, November 16, while supplies last (no rain checks):

In-store: 6 p.m. to midnight (or until supplies last)
Online:  6 p.m. EST to midnight EST (or until supplies last)

• 50% OFF Step 2 Lifestyle Dream Kitchen – Reg $199.99, Now $99.97
• 50% OFF Westin Convertible Crib – Reg $399.99, Now $199.97
• 50% OFF Fisher-Price Amazing Animals Sing Along Choo Choo Train – Reg $54.99, Now $27.47
• 50% OFF Step 2 Wagon for Two Plus Tag Along Trailer – Reg $139.99, Now $69.97
• 40% OFF Barbie Three Storey Dream House – Reg $199.99, Now $119.97

In-store: 7 p.m. to midnight (or until supplies last)
Online:  7 p.m. EST to midnight EST (or until supplies last)

• 50% OFF ALL $19.99 Play-Doh – Now $9.97
• 50% OFF Nerf Raider – Reg $39.99, Now $19.97
• 50% OFF Air Hogs Hyperactive – Reg $59.99, Now $29.97
• SAVE $50 on the Graco Playard with Newborn Napper Station (Montego) – Reg $229.99, Now $179.97

In-store: 8 p.m. to midnight (or until supplies last)
Online:  8 p.m. EST to midnight EST (or until supplies last)

• 50% OFF Baby Einstein Musical Motion Activity Jumper – Reg $149.99, Now $74.97
• 40% OFF 22” Retro Board – Reg $59.99, Now $34.97

In-store: 10 p.m. to midnight (or until supplies last)
Online:  10 p.m. EST to midnight EST (or until supplies last)

• FREE $20 Toys“R”Us Gift Card with purchase of Halo 4 Videogame
• 30% OFF Skylanders Giants Legendary Core 3 pack (Jet-Vac, Ignitor, Slam Bam) – Reg $24.99, Now $17.47
• Save $20 on ALL Nintendo DSi Systems (excludes DSi XL) – Reg $99.99, Now $79.97

Joa Bath and Body

Did you know Canada.. I was very happy to learn about small Canadian business Joa Bath and Body out of Casselman, ON.

Owner Cindy looked into making her own soap for her children who suffer from the same sensitive skin she does.  In fact her first bar was “Wholesome”. A name because of what it was supposed to mean to her family - something that was wholesome and good.  THIS is how you know you are getting a quality product made by someone who cares not only about her family, but yours as well.

Cindy not only makes soap, but also lotion, body soufflé and bath salts.  I received some of her bath salts, it comes in the cutest container and packaged beautifully on the inside.  These and all of Joa's Bath and Body products would make gorgeous gifts under the tree this year.

I really enjoyed the Retreat Bath Salts, I love that the only ingredients are Sea salt; epson salt; dead sea salt; lavender flowers; lavender essential oil.  Perfect for a very relaxing bath!!

Make sure you follow Joa Bath and Body on Twitter and Facebook to keep up to date with new products!

Sticky Mosaics - Robots

Did you know Canada..  we had an amazing time checking out the Robots set of Sticky Mosaics!

I wasn't sure if the boys were going to reeeeeally love it as crafts are not always their favourite thing, but this was the perfect amount of craft time, with really cool Robots, STICKERS (our favourite thing) and easy enough for little fingers not to get frustrated.

Once complete you have these awesome Robots to play with, the boys have been creative with some amazing stories about where the Robots come from and what they do.  I loved that there was info about each Robot on the back of them, it really helped the boys to build on a story.

Even Mom & Dad had fun doing this with them, and unlike some other sets for kids, it wasn't frustrating for us either and no one got covered in paint or glue!! ;-)

My absolutely favourite part is that Sticky Mosaics are from the Orb Factory  a Canadian company out of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Not just Robots, Stick Mosaic sets come in Beautiful Butterflies, wearable Jewel Tiaras, a set of 3 Keepsake Boxes just to name a few!  I love that once you finish your project you really have a finished piece that can be used in play, wearable, for room decor and more!  Even the Robots were sturdy enough to handle two busy boys so I know all their products can stand up to the worst.

What a great gift idea for the Holidays, a great project to complete over the school break and something to keep and treasure for the whole year!

Follow the Orb Factory on Twitter and Facebook to stay up to date on all their awesome products, I know a few little ones that will be getting these sets from me this year!  Need another fantastic reason to follow them online? For every new Facebook fan and Twitter follower they receive through the whole month of November, they will donate one toy children in need - wow!  Be sure to share with friends and family and let's make it a special holiday for children who could really use it.