Clearly, My Boys Love Clearly Sports
I’m always on the lookout for great, affordable toys that can be gifted for birthday parties and other celebrations. Especially in the summertime, I find that there’s a boom in the number of party invitations we receive. (Note to self: do not book anything for the next 12 Saturdays, because they’re already crammed with events.) Hence, toys that are fun, educational and combine a love of outdoor play are always at the top of my list.
The very awesome folks at Little Tikes gifted Ryder and Reid with the Clear Sports trio for their birthdays in May. Alas, with the weather being unseasonably cool, and then our backyard makeover, we had to wait until last week before we could break out the toys. Ryder, who at five years old is very much into sports, almost burst with excitement when he set eyes on the play sets. Well done Little Tikes!
The Little Tikes Clearly Sports toys help the young sports fans in your life burn energy and develop hand-eye coordination and motor skills. This summer, you can make every play-date a grand slam with the Clearly Sports Baseball set ($24.99), which includes a bat that holds colourful balls that make a huge sound when hit. Turn your yard into a driving range with the Clearly Sports Golf set ($19.99), or transform your hallway into a bowling alley with Clearly Sports Bowling ($24.99). They’re priced just right for gifting, and are nice and sturdy for outdoor use. (You *could* use the sets indoors, though I don’t recommend playing with the baseball set around antiques or glassware!) The sets are available at Toys’R’Us, Walmart and Target.
Ryder immediately took a shining to the the Clearly Sports Baseball set.
The Little Tikes Clearly Sports Baseball set is ideal for engaging active play. The colorful baseballs jump and clatter inside to enhance excitement just like at the ball park! Plus, all pieces fit together for compact storage. The Little Tikes two-in-one Clearly Baseball play set is also just right for beginners; start with the tee-ball play, and as kids grow they can advance up to baseball play. Perfect for ages 2-5.
Accessories include:
* 1- Base
* 1- Tee
* 1- Baseball bat
* 3- Baseballs
“Assembly” consists of snapping the two base pieces together. Easy peasy!
Within moments Ryder had the hang of hitting the ball off the tee, and now my husband is working on his posture and form before he can transition him from tee-ball to baseball. Reid, who’s a little younger, whacks angrily at the tee – I started to photograph him but then feared for my safety as plastic balls were popping everywhere. Let’s just say he needs a little more practice.








The above picture was taken seconds after the work crew began to dig; I realized in panic that I didn’t have any “before” photos. Not much to look at, to tell the truth; a vast landscape of overgrown grass and a lonely bubble mower.


Of course, sandwiches are just the tip of the iceberg; think of all the things you could make with delicious Dempster’s Garden Vegetable Bread: savoury stuffing, breadcrumbs for coating foods (and for incorporating in meat loaves), layered egg casseroles, croutons, garlic bread, pizza sticks…. oh yum, I could go on for days!
The thing is, I’m often too lazy to wash stuffed animals, especially if they’re not visibly dirty. Because I know that no sooner than the stuffie is reclaimed… behind the toilet it will go. (I swear kids do that just to get a rise out of their parents. I know Ryder does.) Plus, it’s not always feasible to do a full load of stuffed animals, especially when there are whites, darks and delicates waiting in the wings.
And for the most part, they did. My body loved the birth control pill (good old Marvelon back in 1996!) and I honestly can’t say I experienced any detrimental side effects at all. My periods – previously highly irregular and crampy as hell – were now on a perfect 28-day cycle, manipulated to start every fourth Monday so I never lost out on a weekend of fun ;) If I had a big event, no biggie – I’d just take the pill straight through to avoid menstruating that month. My periods were lighter, I knew when to expect them, and most importantly, I was fully protected from an unwanted pregnancy.
… but in the meantime, we’ll just have to settle for some extra spending money and a wealth of amazing Clorox2 products. In addition to the Visa Gift Card, one lucky reader will win:

It’s just a photo of me and the Director of Menu Management at McDonald’s Canada, Anne Parks – from the post
Next, the laundry fairies (as I’ve since dubbed them) replaced the set with a brand, spanking new 
1. 
Of course, after you’ve entered the contest, be sure to visit the new












