I used to believe that miracles were the work of a divine authority; that prayer, sacrifice and perseverance would somehow set in motion an event contrary to the laws of nature.

And while I still believe in divine intervention, I also believe that miracles can be manufactured by people just like you and me.  I believe in that certain individuals – namely, the doctors at The Hospital For Sick Children – have the skill, knowledge and passion to give hope, ignite faith, and change lives.

A few weeks ago, I shared The Story of Ryder, and let you all know that I had joined MiracleMoms – a group of influential, passionate, and motivated women eager to tell the stories of families who use, or have used the services of the Children’s Miracle Network or Children’s Miracle Hospitals. Since our local Children’s Miracle Hospital happens to be SickKids, I thought the program would be a splendid fit.

Today, I want to introduce you to Madison – the sweet, special little girl picture right. In May 2005, Madison was on a walk with her kindergarten class when she passed out and was taken to hospital. She returned home for the weekend, but was brought to her paediatrician for tests and x-rays the following Monday and Tuesday. The x-ray revealed that Madison’s heart was enlarged so she was transferred to The Hospital for Sick Children.

There her family received the devastating news that Madison was battling a terminal disease called pulmonary hypertension. In this condition, there is increased pressure in the pulmonary artery which connects the right side of the heart to the lungs. The increased pressure makes the right side of the heart get bigger because it’s working harder to pump the blood which can lead to heart failure. Doctors estimated her lifespan would be three to five years with the possibility of a future heart or lung transplant. (more…)

Note: The following giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents.

Today I have a splendid guest blogger, Sarah Deveau from Money Smart Mom. Sarah is the author of two financial guides – Sink or Swim: Get Your Degree Without Drowning in Debt and Money Smart Mom: Financially Fit Parenting.

In addition to being a prolific freelance writer (her work has been published in Today’s Parent, Parents Canada, Style at Home as well as most major Canadian daily newspapers) Sarah has contributed to dozens of parenting websites and blogs across Canada. She also appears regularly on radio and television shows such as Breakfast Television.

With summer break just around the corner, she has offered to share her best tips for a frugal Disneyland or Disney World vacation – one of the hotspots for summer travel. Take it away Sarah!

Tips for a Frugal Disneyland or Disney World Vacation

As the author of Money Smart Mom: Financially Fit Parenting, people sometimes get the impression that I abhor spending money, and never have any fun. That couldn’t be further from the truth! I like spending money as much as the next person – but only when it’s being spent on something I value and when I feel I’m getting the most bang for my buck.

My childhood didn’t include a Disney trip, so it’s no surprise I leapt at the chance to take my oldest when WestJet had a killer seat sale a few years back. Since then we’ve also visited Disney World, sourcing out the more exciting adventures at the best price.

Here are my top tips for saving money on a Disney trip without sacrificing any of the fun. (more…)

On Saturday, my whole family had the chance to “Discover the Hidden Zoo” – a media preview with the Toronto Zoo. Since most press events require me leaving the boys behind, they were tickled pink to join me at the coolest place on earth for kids of all ages. Needless to say, they had a blast.

Needless to say, I was pooped. Almost comatose, actually.

I didn’t take a lot of pictures, because let’s face it, you’ve all seen someone’s zoo shots of a hippo lying in the water. (Oooh, look, a motionless hippo!) But here are the photos I did take:

There are four boys in this photograph, assuming the white rhinoceros in the background is male.

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Who doesn’t love a friendly game of Battleship? “It’s America’s All Time Favourite Game!” But this ad from the 1950′s always gives me a chuckle. Can you spot the faux pas?

Come back later today – I’m currently blogging a recipe for the BEST lasagna I’ve ever had. Until then, hope your Friday is off to a fantastic start! xoxo

I’m one of those gals who never carries more than $8 in cash at any given time. So used to whipping out my debit and Visa card, I rarely remember to carry “emergency money” (as my husband calls it) and often find myself struggling to find an RBC ATM, because I flatly refuse to pay avoidable banking fees.  However, I always remember to tote along my loyalty cards (like Shoppers Drug Mart Optimum Points) because I fully believe in the shop-and-reward-yourself system. In fact, I’m not averse to doing a little more shopping to reap a few more rewards. It’s a win-win, no?

And so the NEW RBC Shoppers Optimum Banking Account suits me to a tee!

RBC and Shoppers Drug Mart have partnered to launch a Canada-wide program that makes it more convenient for Canadians to bank and earn rewards at Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix locations across the country. The program features a co-branded RBC Shoppers Optimum banking account and debit card with enhanced Shoppers Optimum rewards.

This news rocks! If you’re a frequent customer of SDM, you benefit in so many ways:

I love that you can exchange RBC Rewards points for Optimum points, making redemption for SDM goodies so much easier! And since many Canadian families depend on Shoppers Drug Mart for all their health and beauty, baby and household needs, it’s a match made in heaven.

So, you know that I rarely carry cash and protect my loyalty cards like they’re my offspring. Where do you fit in? RBC and Shoppers recently conducted a poll examining how Canadian men and women are using cash versus debit. Here are some of the key findings:

- Three-quarters of Canadian women (76%) typically carry $50 or less in their wallet compared to 66% of men.
- To keep cash in their wallets, men tend to use a bank machine up to twice a week (41%), compared to 33% of women (I cringe when I my husband uses a non-RBC ATM. Seriously, I scream at him).
- Almost three-in-ten women (28%) say they rarely or never withdraw cash, compared to 22% of men.
- Nine-in-ten women (89%) are part of a rewards program, slightly more than men (80%).

I can’t say I’m surprised at the findings – even though my husband holds two loyalty cards, I rarely see him whip them out, whereas I often hand over my loyalty card with my payment so I don’t forget to grab my points. With the new RBC Shoppers Optimum Banking Account, life just got a little more rewarding!

Disclosure: I was sent a gift card as a thank you for sharing details about the program. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Before I became a parent, I often wrinkled my nose in distaste at the messy, crowded, toy-infested living spaces of friends with children. “Surely their little brats don’t need SO MANY toys”, I’d think disdainfully. And just think about how spoiled they must be! Wanting for nothing and begging for everything.

And for the first few months after I had Ryder, for the most part, I kept my promise to keep him grateful and humble. We purchased only a few toys; a mixture of educational and silly, large and small, in a variety of textures. Ryder truly began to appreciate the intricate makings of each toy, which can only come from playing with it over and over. I held my head high and felt slightly superior to other parents who lavished products at will – which I deemed as vulgar and even detrimental.

Of course, then I started my little ol’ blog, and toys – just begging to be reviewed – were dropped off on my doorstep. And before I knew it, my house was overtaken with products. Big toys. Small toys. Cars, blocks and playsets. Toys as far as the eye could see!

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It is 9:13am on Friday morning. The boys are enjoying a late breakfast of Cheerios and a sliced banana, and I am typing away from my kitchen office.

(Yes, I have a kitchen office. Where else do “working moms” handle their biz?)

The sun is shining through an open window; the sound of giggling and Treehouse in the background. And I am wondering why – after four long years – I am finally ready to tell the story of Ryder’s birth.

Perhaps it’s to reach out to fellow “Androids”. Perhaps it’s because my sweet little boy will be 4 years old in less than two weeks. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s because of a video I watched this morning, which included three key phrases:

Pediatric Neurosurgeon.
Sick Kids Hospital.
Miracle Story.

And it is undoubtedly the way I felt in November 2008 when I left the neurosurgeon’s office for the final time, with a spring in my step and a profound wish to never see the hospital again, that I am riddled with equal doses of guilt and thankfulness Ryder is one of the “lucky” ones. Because not every parent exits Sick Kids with a spring in their step; and certainly they do not have the option of “never again”.

The Story Of Ryder

It is shortly after 11:00pm on Thursday, May 8th and I am experiencing tummy cramps that ebb and flow. Our little baby is not due for another three weeks, so I am confused as to why the cramps are taking on a predictable pattern – every 10 minutes or so – with equally predictable intensity. I decide to call Telehealth Ontario, my go-to resource for everything from a paper cut to a raging migraine. After I explain the symptoms and how far along in the pregnancy I am, the nurse (who to this day I picture to look like Aunt Jemima) chuckles and says, “You’re in labour, honey!” (more…)

Note: The following giveaway is open to US/Canadian residents.

There are few products that symbolize your transition from #Tots2Toddlers as well as the umbrella stroller. It’s a badge of honour; it screams “Hurray! My kid is no longer breakable and I can toss the heavy travel system!”

Of course, you could go with a generic, flimsy stroller from your nearest big retailer, but ahem – good luck with that. Chances are, your bouncy, energetic toddler will have the thing warped, manhandled and will be using it to push dollies faster than you can say “Should have bought a Maclaren”.

And that brings me to the Maclaren Quest stroller, affectionately dubbed the “Cadillac of umbrella strollers”. Yes, it’s lightweight, employs an über-compact fold and is perfect for travel, but did you know:

RECLINE – The Quest features a 4-position seat recline plus extendable leg rest which makes the stroller suitable from birth all the way up to 55lbs.

SAFETY & DESIGN - The 5-point safety harness is snug and secures your child comfortably; the stroller manoeuvres like a dream and is equally easy to push a 1-year old or a 3-year old.

HOOD – Longer for extra coverage; it features a UV protective viewing window and reflective accents for night safety. The hood folds back freely and is very easily removed, if desired.

CONVENIENCE – The Quest is nice and narrow and folds super-compact (less than 10 inches high). Although it’s very lightweight (just 12 lbs) it feels very sturdy and the quality of craftsmanship is visible at every turn. (more…)

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

Regular readers of Listen to Lena will remember my “Reno-Cation” of 2011, when I overhauled my home – making small changes with lasting effects. In addition to painting, redecorating and de-cluttering rooms, I was fortunate to be able to upgrade our kitchen faucet to a Delta Addison Single Handle Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet Featuring Touch2O Technology.

(I totally recommend that you click the link above to view the faucet in all its glory. To this day, it’s one of our VERY FAVOURITE products in the entire home.)

Of course, just as soon as the kitchen faucet was installed, I found myself wishing they made one for the bathroom as well. As a certified germophobe, I have a HUGE problem with touching taps, mangy hand towels, etc… even in my own home. Plus, with our recent transition from tots to hand washing toddlers, I constantly worry if the water temperature is too warm… if the kids will make a mess of the sink… and in Ryder’s case, if he’ll remember to turn off the faucet.

(Let’s just say I have super-hearing when it comes to running taps.)

So you can bet I was thrilled to pieces when Delta announced their new Lavatory Faucets with Touch2O.xt Technology:

“Almost immediately after we launched Touch2O Technology for the kitchen, we heard from consumers that they wanted a similar solution for the bathroom. Our designers and engineers ultimately landed on two options to help homeowners use water more intuitively – with less waste, less mess and more functionality.” – Anita Griffin, Marketing Brand Manager

The Delta lavatory faucets employ the same technology as their kitchen counterparts – touch on, touch off with ease! – PLUS an extra technology for an entirely hands-free experience. The technology enables the user to use the faucet in THREE different ways: utilizing the hands-free mode where the entire faucet acts as a sensor; utilizing the Touch2O tap functionality – tap anywhere on the spout or handle to turn the faucet on; or the faucet can be operated manually with the handle.

What does this mean to you? THREE times the convenience, water conservation, and in the case of toddlers – FUN! It’s a well-known fact that anytime we can offer up a giggle-moment to wee ones, they’re more likely to engage in mundane routines – in this case, tooth brushing and hand washing. Ryder simply loves activating the Touch2O Technology with a quick thump, and I have peace of mind knowing that the water temperature, flow and even duration (auto shut-off after a minute, baby!) is all within my control. (more…)

A short time ago, I shared with you my favourite Goldfish Moments – grocery shopping in peace while my boys snack on the  delicious, cheesy crackers. Of course, my Goldfish Moments happen on a somewhat regular basis, but every one is just as special!

If you joined us for our Twitter Chat on February 21st, you’ll recall some heart-warming stories, tips on how to enjoy Goldfish crackers the non-traditional way (in soups and even crushed over salads!), and all-round banter about how they’ve saved your sanity on play dates, shopping excursions and as a treat after school. Trust me, it was the place to be that night!

Today, I’m happy to share with you some highlights from the night:

(Feel free to click “Open Publication” to view the document in Full Screen.)

I’m also pleased to announce the winner of the Goldfish Moments prize pack, including Goldfish Grahams and a Kodak Easy Share digital camera (Value $180) – Congratulations to Soozle!

Thanks to everyone who participated in our chat and entered the contest. And, here’s to many more Goldfish moments!

When I signed up to be a #KinderMom, I knew little about the brand – other than they produced chocolatey treats that my boys simply adored, and they were a hit chez Lena around Easter time.

Turns out, this past Easter was no different; YES, they were a hit – and they were universally adored.

But for me, I have a sweet little secret – every time I dole out an egg to an über excited boy, I also know that I’m supporting a company that believes in miracles… and does their part to make them a reality.

I pleased to share that Kinder has partnered with the Children’s Miracle Network for their “A Joy to Share” campaign. This season, proceeds from their sales of Easter products will be donated to the Children’s Miracle Network to help families that are less fortunate.

(There are tons of Easter products still available in stores! Snap them up at a good price – for a great cause!)

I count my blessings each day that I have two healthy, vivacious little boys. But it hasn’t always been smooth sailing – Ryder was born with a cephalhematoma, a birth injury that had us routinely following up with doctors (and a neurosurgeon at Sick Kids Hospital) for months and months after his birth. But following every visit – every time we left the hospital with another positive prognosis – my heart literally burst with sadness for those parents who weren’t receiving the same good news. That’s why supporting other moms – and causes like the Children’s Miracle Network – is so very important.

Visit Kinder Canada on Facebook and click The Miracle Kids tab. Here you’ll find stories of children, as told by their mothers, who have been helped by the Children’s Miracle Network through their own local Children’s Hospital – including a call to action to areas that could really use one (read Vicki’s story – a touching story of love and loss).

This Easter, we once again gave thanks for a multitude of blessings, and paused to reflect and pray for those in need. After our family meal, the best part came – seeing the joy on the faces of my little boys as they unwrapped their Kinder Eggs, and knowing that their Easter Kinder treats are helping to spread joy to other sweet little boys in our community as well.

(You can now follow Kinder Canada on Twitter. And don’t forget to visit the Kinder Canada website for product and parenting information.)

I’m part of the KINDER Mom program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group.
As with every post that I write, the opinions on this blog are my own.

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

Avid readers of my blog will know that I am *slightly* paranoid about my toddlers getting proper nutrition. Remember my recent post about their breakfast #fail? Just one of the 124 things that keep me up at night – wondering what I can do to ensure they’re eating well – and eating right.

Lately, in addition to derailing all breakfast efforts, Reid has reached “picky eater status” for lunch and dinner too – following in the footsteps of his meal-hatin’ older brother. Now, meal refusal I can deal with (that’s what multi vitamins are for, right?) and food selectivity I can work around (4 slices of salami for dinner? Cool, that’s a lot of protein)… but this cyclical, maddening, “I love this food today but will hate it tomorrow”, “My toast tastes yucky because it’s cut the wrong shape”, “I want chocolate milk, oh wait now I want water, why does he get juice?”… I just cannot deal with.

Thank goodness I’m not alone: according to a new survey, moms are just as worried about their toddlers’ eating habits, with a whopping 41 per cent saying they are concerned about whether their toddler is getting the correct nutrients every day. And this concern isn’t surprising, given that one in three moms admit they struggle to get their toddlers to eat enough nutritious foods on a daily basis.

(I admit to just deciding on homemade chicken fingers and popcorn for the boys’ lunch today. Don’t judge.)

Looking for some insight into toddler nutrition? I love these secrets to success from the Kitchens of Real Life Canadian Moms:

Raise your hand if you totally disagree that only 30% of moms have served their kids French fries. There are a lot of closet DTMs (drive thru moms) in this survey! But I suppose the results do underscore one common theme: in an attempt to get our kids to eat a more balanced diet, we sometimes compromise and dole out the less healthier (and in the case of fries, more delicious) option. (more…)

A little over a month ago, I accepted the #LEGODUPLO 30 Days of Play Challenge. In a nutshell, the boys were asked to engage in daily themed play, with a little help and guidance from me. Both Ryder and Reid immediately took to the challenges – rising to the occasion and putting forth their best efforts. Most of the time, they were receptive to mommy’s instructions and ideas; other times, they just wanted to build towers (daily challenge be damned).

At the outset of the program, I knew the boys would get a kick out of all the different places their imagination would take them. Just opening the boxes of LEGO DUPLO was alone enough to convince them that Christmas had come twice! But one thing I wasn’t banking on – profoundly taking me by surprise – was just how much they needed me as a buddy, playing along with them.

You see, before the LEGO DUPLO Challenge, I was happy to let them play amongst themselves. Ryder and Reid are inseparable, and as a general rule, enjoy each other’s company immensely. And so I had taken it for granted that I could just throw a few toys at them and leave them to generate their own entertainment. Of course, I couldn’t do this during the 30 Days of Play; it was necessary that I guide and teach them what was expected, and how to go about accomplishing it. It was a turning point: suddenly, I realized that they were flourishing under my lead, and perhaps they needed more structured play time with mommy. I began interjecting myself during other times as well, and found them craving the attention and reciprocating with bright, funny and creative bursts of play.

Hence, for us, the LEGO DUPLO 30 Days of Play was about more than just bringing blocks together – it was about bringing us (and our imaginations) together as a family. Now THAT’S time well spent :)

The 30 Day of Challenge is still going strong for a few more days – consult the play calendar, round up some LEGO DUPLO and share a special moment with your child! We’re still playing together every day, except now, Ryder creates some challenges of his own!

Click here to visit The 30 Days of Play Challenge.

I am participating in the LEGO® DUPLO® program by Mom Central Canada. I received compensation for my participation in this campaign. The opinions on this blog are my own.

I tend to swing to extremes – either I do something extraordinarily well, or fail miserably at it. In fact, I often wish I was Jennifer Lopez and could get paid for excelling at mediocrity (how can someone be a mediocre singer-actress-designer-producer-dancer-perfumer and still warrant that kind of paycheck? Oh yeah, she’s hot).

Focus, Lena.

Anyhoo, one of the things I royally reek at is getting a healthy, balanced breakfast from the boys’ plate to their mouths. Like, I fail at this EVERY morning. In all fairness, they don’t put up too much of a fuss at lunch and dinner; there’s just something about the 8:00 a.m. meal which has them pushing the food away in frustration, irritation and downright hostility.

I like breakfast. In fact, it’s probably the meal I look forward to most!

Think about it – it’s the only meal where it’s socially acceptable to have something sweet or savoury – or a glorious combination of the two. They even invented a hall pass for gorging on pastries and little cakes – it’s called “Continental Breakfast”. And every fitness enthusiast will preach the importance of protein in the morning – bacon IS a great source of protein, right? Right.

So what the heck is their deal? I am at a loss. Ryder and Reid will push aside cereal and take about one bite of scrambled eggs (sometime two). Muffins will be tossed on the floor and don’t even get me started on oatmeal… the gagging begins the second they see the pot of water boiling on the stove. Toast? Used as Jedi swords.

(They even discard bacon. Seriously! They cannot be my sons.)

In fact is, the only thing they will eat willingly – in large quantities – is fruit. A bowl of strawberries, sliced banana and apple, and a few blueberries for good measure. THIS is my “Plan B” every morning… which is slowly starting to turn into Plan A, since I’m just about done wasting perfectly good food, and my waistline can’t afford the whole “waste not want not” phenomena, if you know what I mean.

Fruit they will eat. Even veggies – thinly sliced raw green pepper, cucumber and grape tomatoes make repeat appearances at the breakfast table for the boys. (Ryder asked for an onion the other day, and after insisting it’s not a good food to eat raw, I called his bluff and handed him a slice. He ate it and asked for a second. Who IS this little person?) (more…)

I’m going to let you in on a little secret.

(I’ve always wanted to say that. Of course, I always thought it would be followed by earth-shattering news, and while Fisher-Price coupons are HUGE, I don’t want anyone sitting at the edge of their seat in anticipation. It’s just a silly phrase, I promise. Sounds pretty mysterious though, no?)

Here it is. We are just a few short months away from JAS-fest.

Confused? I’ll spell it out. Before we know it, July, August and September (JAS) will be here. And they happen to be the three months with the MOST births and birthdays in the entire year. Get ready for birth announcements, baby shower invitations and a slew of kids parties that will keep your social calendar hoppin’ and your children on a three-month sugar high.

(Unless the birthday kid’s parents aren’t serving sugar at the party. Skip those parties.)

So how do you make it through JAS-fest without losing your mind (and money)? Three words:

START. SHOPPING. NOW.

Honestly, it’s the best way to prepare. Look through flyers, clip coupons, find awesome sales and grab those prezzies at a great price now, to be gifted later. It’ll take much stress out of the busy birthday season, and you’ll avoid rushed day-before (or day-of!) purchases where you’ll likely pay full price or worse, end up grabbing the first overpriced item you see – thereby compensating for your lack of planning with an extravagant purchase.

Need some inspiration to get you started? Fisher-Price to the rescue! (more…)