Friends, I’ve been keeping something under wraps that I’ve just been dying to shout from the rooftops. Yes, I am pretty darned excited about this. (Hint: See that logo on the left? My awesome news *may* have something to do with this awesome brand.)

One of the very best parts of being a blogger is partnering with brands that I trust – and use – almost obsessively. And so it’s no surprise that a lot of the chatter and brand positioning on my blog surrounds things I love to indulge in: fashion, family, decor, beauty and travel.

However, one thing I don’t normally talk about? Household chores. 

But, it happens. The floors get vacuumed, the shutters are dusted and there’s a never-ending pile of laundry that I like to refer to as the “bottomless pit”.

Ah, the laundry.

I mean, think about it: I have two boys. Two rambunctious, messy little boys. And I’ve spent more than my fair share of time hanging out by the washing machine, being the annihilator of stains – ice cream stains, grass stains, chocolate stains, spaghetti stains – you name it, I’ve taken them on. Often with a gusto that should be reserved for fighting world wars. (OUT damn stain!) In fact, I fondly remember the very first time Ryder came home from the playground covered in dirt; I nearly had a meltdown thinking that his expensive little outfit had been ruined. Can’t you just picture me shaking my head with disapproval as I yanked the grotty t-shirt over his head?

However, I’ve learned and grown so much since then – now, I look at stains as a challenge, and a sign of an adventurous life!

So, when Clorox asked me to take on the role as their Clorox2 Stain Master Mom, I simply couldn’t refuse.

Think I’ll be reviewing a bunch of products and calling it a day? Think again.

This summer, I’ll embark on Stain Adventures – simply put, it means living life to the fullest, without worrying about getting a little messy. I’ll host a Stain Party with my girlfriends, have an exclusive Rate & Review program for readers, and even a sweet giveaway or two! In short, you’ll want to tune in all summer to see how you too can be Stain Adventurous – armed with Clorox2 Stain Fighter Products, you’ll have stains… solved!

Yet… What IS Clorox2? Well, contrary to popular notion, it’s NOT bleach. It’s not even a detergent. But it IS a lineup of products specially formulated to lift stains and contains brighteners to give colours a boost. Translation: it complements your favourite detergent to make it work even better. And, it’s designed to be safe for all loads – so you can add it to every load for cleaner and brighter clothes. (Yes, it’s pretty awesome!)

In the meantime, be sure to visit Clorox2 Canada on Facebook, where you’ll find tons of fun chatter, exclusive savings and giveaways, plus your chance to win $3000 towards your own adventure! And, definitely follow my #StainMasterMom tweets on Twitter – you’ll get the inside scoop on giveaways, laundry tips, product reviews and more. It’s going to be a blast!

I get it. I really do. I know that every time I publish a review of a resort, vacation or hotel, at the back of your mind you may be thinking, “Yeah, but was it all roses because you received special treatment? Did they go over and above because they knew you were reviewing their property?”

Okay, so the truth is – YES – often perks and rewards are bestowed upon us media folk. But certainly, it’s to be expected; it’s the same reason you clean your home before company arrives, grab the best wine and/or break out the fine silverware. You want your guests to leave with a wonderful impression. Because the truth is, if they knew that you actually just dusted in front of the picture frames instead of lifting them off the shelf, and that the wine currently stocked in your wine cellar was purchased 15 minutes before your guests arrived – maybe they wouldn’t tell your friends about the perfect dinner party you hosted. And that’s all we really want, isn’t it? Kudos. Pats on the back. Good press.

Hence, when writing reviews, I’m always sensitive to the “bonuses” that members of the media receive, and refrain from gushing or being overly obnoxious about them. You will rarely see me Facebook a perk, freebie or something else that is unique to my situation as a blogger; my attitude is, if my reader won’t be offered special treatment, there’s no need to prove that I was.

So, it gives me great pleasure to tell you about a wonderful – no, magical – example of exemplary customer service that we experienced this past Sunday at Walt Disney Resort in Orlando, Florida. Staying at the Contemporary Resort for the Disney Social Media Moms Conference, read on for an example of the Disney Difference – not because I am media personnel (he had no way of knowing), but because I am a person. Here’s what happened.

We were booked for the 4:20pm Magical Express to take us to the airport for our return flight. Since we were flying out of Buffalo, we were able to take advantage of Disney’s Resort Airline Check-in. Simply put: we could check our bags and receive our boarding pass right there at the resort, and then jump on a complimentary shuttle to the airport. After ridding ourselves of our heavy luggage, we decided to make our way to Hollywood Studios, to ride Star Tours… oh, 8-10 times.

However, at some point between the 35°C heat and the repeated passage on the simulator ride, Ryder began to feel sick. All the classic symptoms of heat exhaustion, really; irritability, drowsiness, complaining of thirst, and an overall feeling of malaise. And, since I was so wrapped up in making sure he was okay, I did something really silly – when I checked my phone, I thought “3:45 pm” read as “2:45 pm”. So yeah, by the time I figured out my mistake and we booted it back to the Contemporary Resort, we had missed our 4:20 pm Magical Express.

Truth be told, I wasn’t too concerned. I knew there would be another leaving at 4:50pm, 5:20pm, 5:50pm… etc. And, since our flight wasn’t until 7:20pm and our bags were already checked, there was no real emergency. We just had to make sure there was room on the 4:50pm bus. So, after collecting our carry-ons from bell services, I ventured to the front of the hotel and explained the situation to the Magical Express coordinator.

Me: (Eyeing his name tag) Hi Greg!
Greg: Hello there! How are you?
Me: Well, I have a small problem.
Greg: How can I help?

(Note: Greg didn’t say, “What’s the problem?” – rather, he immediately jumped in and committed to helping me find a solution. Love that.)

Me: Well, my little guy was under the weather in the park, and in turn we missed our Magical Express.
Greg: That’s not a problem.

I followed him over to a podium where I assumed he would check for availability on the next shuttle. Instead, he simply grabbed a taxi chit, filled in a few details, and said,

“Are you ready to leave now? Or would you like to cool off in the hotel for a while? I can arrange for towels if you’d like to freshen up.”

“Um, no…” I sputtered. “You really don’t have to do that. We can take the next Magical Express, I don’t want to put you out.”

“You’re not putting me out”, he laughed. “Everything is already taken care of. This chit even includes a tip, so unless the taxi driver sings and dances for you, you don’t even have to worry about that. Honestly. Just go inside, rest a bit, and when you’re ready to leave, the taxi will be waiting here for you.”

“Are you sure?” I asked.

“Listen, you’ve got a little guy who’s under the weather. And the last thing you need is to board a bus that makes multiple stops. Relax; it’s my pleasure to make your vacation the best it can be, right up until you board your flight.”

And THAT’S the Disney Difference. 

“Well Greg,” I said. “You’re so awesome, and you know what? You’ve helped someone who has the ability to tell the world how amazing you are,” I said. “I’m a Disney Social Media Mom, and you just know I’m going to put this on social media! Can I take a picture with you?”

Stunned, Greg posed for a photo. (Thanks again Greg!)

I’ve come to realize a trend.

Every time I go away for a press trip, vacation, weekend getaway, etc… I always arrive home just before midnight on a Sunday night.

Some may say I endeavour  to make the very most of my time away, down to the very last minute. And I suppose they would be right: we had the most glorious time at the Disney Social Media Moms Conference, and we simply did not want the magic to end.

Of course, inevitably, comes Monday morning. And what comes with the territory? The “I’m-back-but-too-tired-to-blog-today” post.

Exhibits A, B and C:

Allure of the Seas – too tired: Back to Life; Back to Reality
Disney Fantasyland – boo hoo I’m pooped: Arriving Home from Vacation with Children…
Visit Orlando – I’m exhausted so just read this recipe: Orange Granita with Balsamic and Mint Strawberries

Yup. That’s me – telling y’all that while I love you and am happy to be home, I’m just gonna go find my wits about me. And do some laundry. Oh, the endless laundry.

Hence, this time I’ll just keep it real. I’ll be back as soon as I can figure out what day it is, where I packed my makeup, and why the hell it’s only 4°C in MAY, with a FROST WARNING. In the meantime, here’s a picture from the Sunshine State – while in Orlando, I actually managed to enroll in a new school! That’s right, I’m now officially a student at Monsters University :)

(Disney Social Media Moms were treated to an exclusive advanced screening of the movie – it’s FABULOUS! One of my favourite Disney PIXAR movies ever – the whole family adored it.) See ya real soon!

I think it’s quite apparent that I was made to be a mother of boys – every time my sons’ hair grows long enough to require any sort of grooming, I schlep them off to Melonhead to have their heads shaved fuzzy smooth.

(Don’t think I’d be able to do the same with little girls!)

Truly, I just can’t be bothered. And since both my little dudes sweat buckets, trust me, less is more.

And so today’s post is a good ol’ fashioned Before and After – featuring Ryder and Reid, and their newly shorn locks.

Et voila! I’m off the hook for any sort of grooming attention for at least the next three months. The boys love their new hairdos, and are ready for the heat! Bring on summer!

Years ago, when I first graduated from university, I found myself signing an employment offer for my very first full-time job. Yes, I was beginning my career.

“Any questions?” the head of Human Resources asked.
“Well,” I replied, “it’s not really a question; but I just wanted to let you know that I’d like to take a vacation day to celebrate my birthday next week.”
“Next week?” she said, stunned. “But you’ve only just started the position!”
“Oh I know,” I offered confidently. “It’s just that since I was a young girl, I promised myself that I would not work on my birthday. It was easy to book the day off when I worked part-time, and I’ve been able to do so every year leading up to now. And I know the timing is awkward, but even though I’m beginning my career, I don’t want to lose sight of that promise to myself.”

The HR Manager cocked one head to the side, and after looking at me for a long moment, said – “Okay. Your vacation day for April 13th has been approved.”

And every year after that, leading up to the day I gave birth to my first son, I took the day off.

Of course, laying in bed on birthday mornings, I couldn’t help but think of others who couldn’t do the same on their special day. Brain surgeons and restaurant owners. Students struggling to pay bills and seniors struggling to keep their jobs. Fishermen and crossing guards.

Then, after I became a mother, I started identifying with those men and women who have to work on their special day. Because being a mother is more than just being a business owner, brain surgeon or bookkeeper; it’s a 24/7 position that you can never really take a day off from.

So… what happens when you’re a restaurant owner/ chef /sommelier… and a mother? How do you unwind on Mother’s Day?

I’d like to introduce you to Aaron & Bronwyn Linley - Co-owners and chefs of Bijou Restaurant in Stratford, Ontario. Aaron is the executive chef and Bronwyn (formally trained as a pastry chef) runs the front of house and wine list (she is also a sommelier by trade). Theirs is a story made of fairy tales: they met at Stratford Chef School (perhaps their eyes met over a delicate terrine of foie gras?) and two years after they graduated, they married in 1998. One year later, baby Liam joined the family, followed by daughter Hazel in 2002.

Bronwyn is that woman – the hypothetical woman who works on birthdays and Mother’s Days. After the opening of Bijou 12 years ago, both Aaron and Bronwyn spend anywhere from 5 to 6 days a week there, working together. And, the Linley’s are about to become even busier when they take on the additional roles of executive chef (Aaron) and food and beverage manager (Bronwyn) of the lounge and restaurant at the soon-to open Bruce Hotel; a new luxury boutique hotel that is currently being built in Stratford.

So how does Bronwyn revive and rejuvenate? How does a busy culinary couple with their plates (pun intended) always piled high take the time to celebrate life?

“Aaron gets nailed in May because it’s not only my birthday and our wedding anniversary (15 years this year!), but it’s also my favourite holiday, Mother’s Day,” Bronwyn jokes.

The answer is simple: Aaron needs to get creative. (more…)

Years ago, I was very crafty. Seriously! I adored scrapbooking, card making and just about everything that involved shiny paper and die-cut letters. And so I filled page after page of memories; perfectly captioned with whimsical sayings and emotional flair.

Later, I learned it was that much easier to transplant my craftiness and creativity and do it all electronically. Hence, I began designing invitations for the boys’ birthdays, layouts, logos and more via the old computer. In fact, here’s a peek at their 1st birthday invites:

As you can see, I went to town organizing the background and pictures, uploading photos and getting the colour schemes and justification just right. Then, I printed the invitations on photo-quality paper and mounted them on coordinating cardstock (yellow for Ryder, green for Reid). Finally, I popped them in the mail, ready to get our party on.

So, would you think that I designed these invitations using a snazzy graphics design program?

Would you believe that they were designed in Microsoft PowerPoint?

It’s true! If you thought that MS PowerPoint was just for boring slide presentations, you’re wrong. Yes, you can create a slideshow (made easier than ever with Office 365′s gorgeous templates), but you can also design to your heart’s content with just a little imagination. For example, I used stock images already pre-loaded onto PowerPoint for the bees, clouds and UFO’s. Simply inserting pictures of the boys and changing the shape of the object – in Ryder’s case, a circle, and in Reid’s case, an oval – allowed me to superimpose a personal touch while still keeping in with the overall theme. I was pretty pleased with the results! (more…)

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.

I’m a blogger. A blogger who accepts product reviews. Hence, products appear on my doorstep every day. Often, my boys are mildly curious – between the pots of eyeshadow, scores of cereal and tubes of toothpaste… sometimes, a really cool toy appears.

And sometimes – a product so synonymous with outdoor fun, sun and family – lands squarely into Ryder’s hands.

Such was the case this morning; Ryder discovered a tube of Banana Boat Natural Reflect Kids Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 in our front hall. Before I knew what was happening, he had raced up the stairs with the lotion in hand. Huh.

Well, since I’m not one to leave a young child unattended, I followed him upstairs and quietly observed.

First, he stripped down to his undies, and then made a beeline for his dresser. There, he tossed around until he found his swim shorts, which he pulled on quickly, with determination. Finally, he ran to my bedroom (which overlooks our backyard), and after climbing on the couch, threw open the shutters!

“POOL TIME!” he announced with glee.

Sadly, there was no pool. And it certainly wasn’t “pool time”: he was confronted with a gloomy, chilly spring day. The faint drizzle mocked his dreams of fun in the sun; the draft from the cool window against his bare chest made him shiver ever so slightly. Even more crushing: I couldn’t resist the moment and insisted that he pose for a quick picture. Yes, I am a cruel mom. I like to caption the picture: “No pool for you.”

Seriously, though – how could I resist? (I may have strategically placed the product while he sank into despair.) He was so gung-ho on having an epic summer experience during this spring from hell – you can’t fault his innocence. Then and there I promised him that on the very first warm day, pool party! (Which will be SOON, I hope!) And then I ordered him to put some clothes on.  (more…)

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. (more…)

Three questions for you:

1. Would you be more likely to book your annual checkup… if your doctor was Ryan Gosling?
2. Would that time of the month be more bearable… if the government subsidized chocolate?
3. Would mornings be better… with a live-in Starbucks barista?

While we’re at it, here’s another one: Would you be more likely to take your daily vitamins…if they tasted like gummy candy?

The answer to all of the questions above… YES!

Taking vitamins has always been an issue for me. They’re big, chalky and have *the worst* aftertaste. For too many years I’d purchase bottle after bottle, trying in vain to supplement my less-than-stellar diet. Then, they’d sit in my cupboard. Until they expired. And sometimes, for a year or two after. Why? Because they’re big, chalky and have *the worst* aftertaste, of course.

(In fact, I recently stumbled upon an old box of multivitamins that expired in April 2009. Durr….)

I’m not alone. Most readers agree that they’d be more likely to stick with a vitamin or supplement regime if they didn’t have to swallow horse pills. Because when it comes down to it, the best multivitamin is the one you actually take.

Now you all know that I’m a fan of Adult Essentials Gummies. Earlier this year, they generously sent a supply of their gummy vitamins and supplements for me and my husband to enjoy. And I think “enjoy” is the key word here – great tasting, gummy vitamins in the most delicious fruit flavours? Twist my arm!

Of course, I haven’t been popping all of the products on a daily basis like candy – because despite appearances, they’re not. There is a very real danger in over-supplementing, especially if your diet is packed with vitamins and minerals. Hence, your first step is to speak with a nutritionist to help identify some of the gaps in your diet and how certain vitamins can help you meet your RDI. When you have, Adult Essentials are an easy, great tasting way to keep you at your optimal health and performance.

(For those wondering, my diet is kind of lame. Though I’m working on it!) (more…)

Two months ago, I asked y’all to suggest some road trip ideas -

“Where should my family’s next travels take us? A road trip to Montreal? Perhaps Ottawa? Or maybe a weekend shopping in the States? I’m looking for your best road trip ideas from Toronto – no more than 5-6 hours away.”

Why was I asking? I had racked up a ton of Scotia Rewards on my handy little Scotiabank Gold American Express Card, and wanted to use them to offset the cost of a fun family road trip. So how did I earn enough points to fund our hotel stay?

It’s simple. Not only did I receive the introductory 20,000 bonus points with my first purchase because I signed up for the card early (new cardholders now earn 15,000 bonus points on their first purchase – worth $150 in travel!); I also earned 4x Scotia Rewards points for every $1 I spent at eligible gas stations, grocery stores, on dining and entertainment. Translation: while I was out and about spending money on my everyday purchases like groceries and gas, I was actually earning rewards that brought me that much closer to a much-needed vacation. Four times closer, in fact.

So, armed with ideas for a March Break mini vacation or staycation, I was ready to cash in my rewards for a fabulous little hotel stay in Montreal. And then, this happened -

“We are pleased to invite you to the 2013 Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. This invitation-only professional conference for social media-minded moms and dads will take place May 8-12, 2013 at the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida.”

EEK! Okay, for those not in the know, receiving an invitation to #DisneySMMoms is like receiving a golden ticket to a chocolate factory – but better, because Disney chocolate is shaped like Mickey’s ears.

However, as the invitation came through right around the time I was planning to book our mini getaway, I had an interesting dilemma on my hands. You see, while most costs are covered at the Disney Social Media Moms conference, I did have to come up with airfare: four plane tickets to be exact. So, I had to make the following decision – and quickly:

1. Book the mini getaway as planned, and pay full price for four plane tickets.
2. Cancel the mini getaway and use my Scotia Rewards towards the cost of one of the flights to Orlando.

Hmm… mini getaway in Montreal, or 5-day vacation at Walt Disney World? Can you guess what I decided? (more…)

There are certain things that parents just do for their kids.

Take them to 6:00am hockey practice.
Cut their grapes in half until they start to complain about it.
Wipe bums. Enough said.

Also? Going about your daily life with Toopy and Binoo blaring in the background. I can’t quite understand the fascination, but both my boys ADORE the little team of rat and cat. Seriously! It’s their favourite TV show ever. However, if you’re in the vast minority of parents who have never heard of Toopy and Binoo, here’s a Coles Notes version of the television show:

“The series centers on an anthropomorphic rat named Toopy and his best friend, a silent plush cat named Binoo. Each episode follows their playful, nonsensical adventures created out of their imaginations. In each episode there are “Fabulous You” segments, featuring Toopy and Binoo as superheroes who help their friends when they have nothing to play with. The segments encourage viewing children (referred to in the show as “Fabulous You”) to participate in the adventures and use their imaginations. - Source

Ahem, well – watching Toopy and Binoo along with your little ones – and pretending to enjoy it – is the height of “doing things” for your kids. Of course, I’m going one step further… and taking one for the team, so to speak… as we have been extended the exciting opportunity to take the boys to see Toopy and Binoo and the Marshmallow Moon at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, a live theatrical production by Koba Entertainment.

Yes, the boys are going to FREAK OUT!

As much as I’m pretending to be the martyr here, the truth is, I know that the boys will simply light up with joy the second their favourite team takes the stage. And, I’ll enjoy every second of it.

Are your kids super fans of Toopy of Binoo too? Great news – due to popular demand, the Toopy and Binoo Tour has just added more shows across Ontario and Eastern Canada! Click here for a full schedule of dates and times.

Thinking of taking the kiddos? Here’s a snippet of what you’ll see at the show:

We can’t wait to tell the boys that they’ll have a chance to see their most beloved characters in real life. It’s going to be a blast! So tell me, will you be “taking one for the team” and taking your kids to see Toopy and Binoo?

Years ago, when I first heard the term “Staycation”, I was confused. Why in the world would anyone want to vacation in their own hometown?, I wondered. Vacations were for jetting off to sunny destinations, packing your suitcases and leaving your cares behind. Obviously.

Of course, that was before I had children. And all of a sudden, the opportunities for jetting off to sunny destinations became few and far between, and I found myself caught up in an endless cycle of grocery shopping, mortgage payments and laundry. Oh, the neverending laundry.

But it was a wise person who once said change is as good as a holiday – and he was right, because any change or break in one’s usual routine is enough to revive the spirit. Hence, I quickly became a huge fan of the ol’ staycation, which allowed me to take a break from the mundane – all without leaving the city limits.

This past Easter weekend, our staycation adventures took us to the Park Hyatt Toronto. Nestled in the heart of the fashionable Yorkville area of Toronto, the hotel represents “an elite level of luxury marked by subtle contemporary influence.” And while one wouldn’t necessarily think to put the hotel at the top of the list for family staycations, please hear me out – because I’m about to show you why the Park Hyatt will always be at the top of our list.

Arriving at the hotel, we were greeted by a sight you can only see in Yorkville; a Cadillac Escalade, a Maserati and a Rolls Royce, all within a few feet of each other. Let’s just say I was thankful we had just been through a car wash with our decidedly mid-level SUV. (more…)

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.

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.