Personal Photo Gifts From Posterjack: Win a $100 Voucher

I truly believe that the best gifts are personal ones, and you can't get much more personal than photo gifts.

Posterjack (a Canadian company) has a huge selection of options, in a variety of sizes and at a range of price points, which is why I turned to them in the past when redecorating my family room, and just recently for my husband's birthday gift.

We have a small music room downstairs where he and the girls spend a huge chunk of their time, but until now the only things on the wall were our framed Trent and Queen's degrees (still there from when we used the room as our home office). I wanted to put something personal on the wall, so I decided to take photos of the girls doing what they love to do: singing, playing guitar and playing piano. (I just snapped the pics on my phone, made some minor edits, and sent them off.)

I love the look of a row of canvases, so I ordered three identical 16 x 20 sized pictures. My husband always loves black and white photos so I went with that style, and added floating black frames for a bit of extra punch (thanks to a recommendation from my Posterjack friends). Their shipping, as always, was very quick, and I was thrilled with the results. (I just had to hide the large box from my husband for a few weeks!)

He was definitely surprised and very impressed with our new musical mini-gallery, and I just love how there's now a personal touch. It makes the room seem much warmer and "finished"...giving everyone even more motivation to get in there and practice!

If you're thinking ahead to gift season (Mother's Day, Father's Day, graduation, weddings, etc.) you can't go wrong with a personalized photo gift from Posterjack. From poster prints to framed photos to desk items, there's something for everyone you know and love.

Now one lucky This Mom Loves reader will win a $100 voucher from Posterjack to be used towards any item of their choice! To enter, simply fill out the form below with your email address (so I can contact you if you win) and what item you'd love to order from Posterjack (see their website for ideas). Bonus entries for showing social media love to Posterjack on Twitter and Instagram and to This Mom Loves on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. The giveaway will run until Saturday, April 29th at midnight, after which time a winner will be chosen by random number generation. Good luck!

Disclosure: I was provided with the above products for review purposes. Opinions are, as always, my own.

Did You Know Your Pharmacist Can...? Plus Win a $500 Shoppers Drug Mart Gift Card!

Of course your pharmacist can fill prescriptions. Everyone knows that. But in honour of Pharmacist Awareness Month, I'm sharing some lesser-known services that your pharmacist can take care of for you...and the chance to win a $500 Shoppers Drug Mart gift card!!

Now, did you know that your pharmacist can...

• Administer flu shots?
• Administer other vaccines, such travel vaccines (how I wish I needed some of these right now) and the shingles shot?
• Renew and extend prescriptions?
• Provide advice on diet/healthy eating/cholesterol/high blood pressure?
• Provide support for managing diabetes, such as helping you select a blood glucose monitor and helping you understand how to use insulin and insulin pumps?

And one of my personal favourites:

• Provide advice on over-the-counter medications?

Some of the most incredible help I've received from my Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacist has actually been over the phone, on the occasions that I am feeling so unwell (or one of the girls is so crummy) that I have to send my husband to the pharmacy for me. 

These calls tend to open with a similar script: "The symptoms are XYZ and for the love of God please tell me there is something over-the-counter to help us!" The kind pharmacist will then ask me questions, determine an appropriate product, and put it aside for my husband to pick up.

I'm sure you must have your own great example about how a Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacist has helped you out...so how would you feel if I told you it could win you a $500 Shoppers Drug Mart gift card by sharing your story?

At the link below, you have a chance to tell your own story, and one This Mom Loves winner will be chosen by a panel of judges (not me!) to win a $500 gift card! It doesn't have to be long; 50-200 words is all that's required...and did I mention that one of my readers will win this prize? Make sure to tell them This Mom Loves sent you! (Note that there are other bloggers participating in the campaign, but you can only enter once - there will be one winner per blog.) Full contest rules can be found here.

Entries will be judged by the following criteria:

The contest judging panel will judge the qualified entries based on how the story best reflects the themes of the Love Your Pharmacist Online Contest. The pharmacist submitted must be a Shoppers Drug Mart, Real Canadian Superstore or Real Atlantic Superstore pharmacist. The Love Your Pharmacist Online Contest themes require a pharmacist: 

1. Demonstrating a caring approach 
2. Using an expanded scope of practice service 
3. Making a difference to the health of the patient, child or parent 
4. Going over and above what the customer would have expected 

You have until Friday, March 31st to enter, and here's the link:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5NJFPWP


Good luck!

The Flu Shot: Myths and Family Photos plus a Great Giveaway!

Our whole family gets the flu shot at Shoppers Drug Mart every year, and just a week ago we made an outing of it. (And by "outing", I mean we went out for dinner after. I'll use any excuse.) 

I know there are a lot of myths circulating about the flu shot out there, and I'm hoping this post can help encourage those who are hesitant about the vaccination. (I like to think I'm a pretty smart woman, and I do my research before any health treatments for myself or my kids too.)

Here are some common myths dispelled...plus some cute Winn family photos...if I do say so myself!

The flu vaccine gives you the flu.

FALSE. Flu vaccinations delivered via a needle are either made with an ‘inactivated’ flu virus that’s not infectious, or with no flu virus at all.

{Note: you're always going to hear someone who swears the flu shot gave them the flu, but more likely they had a different type of illness entirely - one that could have been present even before the flu shot - or happened to get a strain that wasn't covered. It was not caused by the shot.}

You don’t need to get the flu vaccine every year.

FALSE. In order to best protect yourself from the flu you need to be vaccinated annually. Getting a vaccine doesn’t need to be a complicated, time consuming process.  Canadians can drop in to their local Shoppers Drug Mart or select grocery stores at any time of day, without an appointment.

You should wait until the height of flu season to get vaccinated so you’re protected for longer.

FALSE. While it’s never too late to get vaccinated, it’s best to receive your flu shot soon after it’s available, likely  October. The antibodies delivered via the flu vaccine that protect you against infection take up to two weeks to take effect, and since the flu peaks between December – February it’s important to get vaccinated weeks before the holiday party season starts.

{Note: I don't know about your family, but from my experience at least someone in every household is sick at Christmas. I want to make sure my family and I are as protected as possible.}

Pregnant women need to get consent from their doctor prior to receiving the flu vaccine.

FALSE. There is no recommendation for pregnant women to seek consent from their doctor prior to vaccination. However, there are some people who should seek their doctors’ advice prior to being vaccinated, including those who have a moderate – to – severe illness and patients with a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome. 

***

Are you convinced yet? If not, perhaps this will help: 70-90 per cent of flu cases can be averted through vaccination! I like those odds.

Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacies across the country are making it easy by offering flu immunizations administered by an injection-certified pharmacist at all hours, without an appointment, just walk-in.

Now that we've settled that, it's time for a giveaway!

One lucky This Mom Loves winner will receive an awesome Flu Fighters pack from Shoppers Drug Mart valued at $150 containing the following:

• Life Brand Hand Sanitizer

• Cough Drops

• Vaporizing Cold Rub

• Electrolyte Maintenance Powder

• Disinfectant Wipes

• Vaporizer

• PC Chicken noodle soup

• PC Facial tissues

• PC Feeling Soothed Tea

• $100 gift card

All you have to do to enter to win is post a tweet or Facebook update that contains all three of the following:

1. A link to this post (the one you're reading right now!) 
http://thismomloves.blogspot.ca/2016/12/the-flu-shot-myths-and-family-photos.html
2. A tag for @thismomloves
3. The hashtag #SDMflufighters

For example:

Flu shot myths dispelled - plus win a $150 prize pack from @thismomloves
http://thismomloves.blogspot.ca/2016/12/the-flu-shot-myths-and-family-photos.html

#SDMflufighters

Feel free to use that exact tweet, but be careful with Facebook: if you copy and paste, you still need to type @thismomloves manually or the tag won't pop up and I won't be notified in order to count your entry!

The giveaway runs until Friday, December 9th at midnight Eastern, after which time the entries will be totalled and a winner will be chosen through random number generation. Good luck...and happy flu-fighting!

Disclosure: This post was generously sponsored by Shoppers Drug Mart. Opinions are, as always, my own.

Boost Your Immunity During Flu Season - Plus a Giveaway!

It's true: flu season is upon us. Coughs, chills, aches, fever, fatigue, and runny or stuffy noses...who says it's the most wonderful time of the year? It's hard to say what's worse as a mom: getting sick yourself, taking care of a sick child, or taking care of a sick husband.

But never fear! Getting the flu this year is not a foregone conclusion. The obvious preventative measure, of course, is getting a flu shot (we’ll be heading to Shoppers Drug Mart very soon) since 70 – 90% of flu cases can be averted through vaccinations.

In addition, there are several ways we can try to boost our immunity to stay healthy, contract fewer illnesses and bounce back faster when we do.

Not smoking, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight (check, check, and check) and eating a healthy diet (hey, no one's perfect!) are all lifestyle choices that can improve immunity.

Today, however, I'd like to wax lyrical about my favourite healthy habit: getting enough sleep!

Sleep is so important for adults, and experts say that sleep deprivation can actually suppress immune system function. Obviously when there are special circumstances (e.g., feeding a baby during the night) moms can't all get the recommended eight hours. However I'm always surprised by how many women say that they just don't have time for sleep - not realizing that they would be so much more productive (not to mention healthier) during the day if they had adequate rest.

In a recent issue of Redbook magazine, Dr. Helen Koenig, an instructor of medicine and infectious disease, is quoted as saying, "Sleep allows your immune system to regenerate overnight. While you sleep, your body releases chemicals called cytokines that help you better fight infection...It isn't glamorous or sexy, but it works!"

Speaking of glamorous and sexy, I'm not the only one who believes in the incredible value of sleep. A couple of super-productive and energetic celebrity moms feel the same way as I do. "Sleep is my weapon,” says Jennifer Lopez,  “I try to get eight hours a night." Beyonce agrees: "Having peace, happiness and healthiness is my definition of beauty. And you can't have any of that without sleep." If these power women find time for shut-eye, what's our excuse?

Embed from Getty Images

I know it's not always easy, but common recommendations like limiting caffeine and screen time before bed and sleeping in a cool, dark room can really help. (I even tuck my alarm clock under my bed every night so the glow of the screen doesn't disrupt my sleep. For real.)

It's not just parents who need to get enough z's. According to the Canadian Paediatric Society, school-aged children (Kindergarten through Grade 5) should be getting 10 to 12 hours of sleep a night. Do some quick math: start at the time you usually wake your children up in the morning, and count back ten hours. Are they out cold every night by that time? As a teacher, I can't even begin to tell you how important it is that kids come to school well-rested...and not just because of the impact on their immunity.

My girls are both great sleepers (we can have the whole sleep-training discussion later), but my 10-year-old mini-me requires lots of downtime: reading before bed, and then some thinking time in the dark before she actually drifts off and I can officially start counting her sleep time. That means I have to make sure she's in bed well before that invisible 10 hour timer starts ticking.

See? We take sleep very seriously!

I can promise you, much to the amusement of my book club ("It's ten o'clock! Past Kate's bedtime!") I will remain passionate about getting at least eight hours of sleep a night throughout this flu season and beyond. And of course I will be heading to Shoppers Drug Mart as soon as possible to get my flu shot.

Now for a great giveaway! One lucky This Mom Loves winner will receive an awesome Flu Fighters pack from Shoppers Drug Mart valued at $150 containing the following:

• Life Brand Hand Sanitizer
• Cough Drops
• Vaporizing Cold Rub
• Electrolyte Maintenance Powder
• Disinfectant Wipes
• Vaporizer
• PC chicken noodle soup
• PC facial tissues
• PC Feeling Soothed Tea
• $100 gift card

All you have to do to enter to win is post a tweet or Facebook update that contains all three of the following:

1. A link to this post (the one you're reading right now!) http://thismomloves.blogspot.ca/2016/11/boost-your-immunity-during-flu-season.html
2. A tag for @thismomloves
3. The hashtag #SDMflufighters

For example:

How to boost your immunity with sleep and win a $150 prize pack from @thismomloves
http://thismomloves.blogspot.ca/2016/11/boost-your-immunity-during-flu-season.html
#SDMflufighters

Feel free to use that exact tweet, but be careful with Facebook: if you copy and paste, you still need to type @thismomloves manually or the tag won't pop up and I won't be notified in order to count your entry!

The giveaway runs until Sunday, November 13th at midnight Eastern, after which time the entries will be totalled and a winner will be chosen through random number generation. Good luck...and happy flu-fighting!

Disclosure: This post was generously sponsored by Shoppers Drug Mart. Opinions are, as always, my own.

Win a Baeumler Prize Pack - Plus Bryan and Sarah Chat About Bryan, Inc.

On September 25th, HGTV Canada premiered a fun new series with Bryan and Sarah Baeumler called Bryan, Inc., where the powerhouse couple buys and renovates two homes for a profit while balancing their busy home life with four active kids: “Q” (11), Charlotte (10), Lincoln (5) and Jojo (3).

Since I always love to pick the brains of my favourite TV personalities, I was happy to have the chance to fire some questions at both halves of this duo. Here's what they had to say, starting with Bryan himself.

What would you say really sets Bryan Inc. apart from your other series?

Bryan Inc. is really the natural evolution of the House of Bryan series, but we’re not building our own home, this series focuses on two of our ‘spec’ builds through Baeumler Quality Construction. Sarah has been involved in our construction and other businesses for the past 15 years – now we’re just filming more of her role, and giving her a little more responsibility by actually being on site more and directing traffic on a few of the jobs. It’s an inside look into our business, our relationship and our family – with no holds barred!

How did Sarah handle working with you as "the boss"?

Let’s just say this is a bit of a role reversal…at home, Sarah is definitely the leader of the pack. She keeps the kids, the house, and our lives organized and running smoothly. I have no idea how she does it all, but when she’s away for a day and I have our 4 kids and a household to organize, I definitely miss her! On the business side, Sarah’s handled the transition very well – we try to keep our working relationship at the office, but of course there’s times when our two lives collide. We try to keep it lighthearted and have a lot of fun at work.

Moms always get asked about balance, so I'm throwing this question to you instead: can you think of a time when you've had "Dad guilt", or felt like work was keeping you from something important with the family? How do you resolve that?

Of course – I feel guilty all the time, but I try not to beat myself up about it! I learned quite young from my parents that in order to provide for your family, you have to make sacrifices. It’s impossible to be home all the time, and be the perfect parent every day. I’m not sure you can ever spend enough time with your family…but they need a place to live, they need to eat, and I feel a duty to provide them with the best opportunities I can to grow up happy, and be successful in their own lives. Sarah and I get asked how we balance everything all the time – and the honest answer is that we don’t! I don’t think anyone really ever achieves total balance – the scales are always moving, I think you just have to adapt and refocus your attention on the areas that need it, when they need it, and do your best. Life is too unpredictable for balance. Or maybe that is the balance?!

How would you finish the sentence "This Dad loves..."?  

This Dad loves Purdy’s chocolate hedgehogs, scuba diving, Biltong (South African air dried beef from Florence Meats Butcher Shop), Sarah’s baked salmon (YUM!), Jack Daniels and Coke, Islamorada (Florida Keys) and the 30,000 Islands of Georgian Bay.

Now on to Sarah (a woman after my own heart, by the way, who gets her caffeine fix from diet cola instead of coffee):

The press release says that Bryan is the boss on this new show. How did you deal with that? Did any work issues spill over into home life?

Bryan and I have been working together for over 10 years in some capacity, both on camera and off, so the relationship between boss and co-worker is often blurred!  We have always been partners both at home and at the office but we also have our own interests, independent of one another, which allows us to remain individuals. Truly, you only have to ask our four children who the real boss is in our household!!!

From one lifestyle blogger to another, I'm curious to know what you think the highlights and low points of blogging are?

The Sarah Baeumler website has given me an opportunity to engage with other women who have similar interests.  It is an amazing accomplishment to finish a blog with the satisfaction of knowing I have shared something very personal that may also resonate well with others.  I have enjoyed receiving feedback from all of my followers and readers. That being said, it can sometimes be a challenge to find the time to sit down and put my thoughts into words after a long day on set. 

With four kids, I'm sure back-to-school was a busy time for you! Any tips to offer parents for managing school routines, paperwork, etc.?

Stay organized!  Our family uses a shared Google calendar that helps Bryan and I keep track of who is where. I try hard to stay on top of things by preparing in advance for the upcoming week rather than running around frantically the night before. But inevitably, best laid plans…

How would you finish the sentence "This Mom loves..."?

This Mom loves all things chocolate

This Mom loves carbohydrates

This Mom loves hot yoga

This Mom loves scuba diving with Bryan and Quintyn

This Mom loves building sandcastles with Josephine on the beach

This Mom loves escaping to New York City for a weekend away!  

Thanks for opening up, Bryan and Sarah!

Now, one lucky Canadian This Mom Loves reader will win a great prize package from the Baeumlers, consisting of:

• One Sarah Delivered box featuring items personally selected by Sarah (if you're interested, these boxes are for sale every month)
• One autographed Measure Twice book from Bryan

The contents of the winner's Sarah Delivered box will be different, but just to give you an idea of how packed with great products they are, here is what I received in her "Revive" box (kindly sent by HGTV Canada):

Please fill out the following form to enter to win, with bonus entries for following HGTV Canada on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and following This Mom Loves on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. The contest will end Thursday, October 20th at midnight Eastern, after which time a winner will be chosen by random number generation.

Good luck, and be sure to catch Bryan, Inc. on Sundays at 10 pm ET/PT on HGTV!

Win an Outfit from marQ Designs - Plus a Discount Code!

If you haven't yet heard of the hot new children's line called marQ, let's get you up to speed!

Founded by Melissa Grelo (co-host of CTV's The Social as well as the upcoming CTV's Your Morning) and her savvy business partner Shayna Haddon (owner of Haddon Strategy), marQ is a line of stereotype-free clothing for children.

Named for Mel's two-year-old daughter Marquesa (who has also been a cheerful model for the new line; see photo below), marQ is both gender-neutral (meaning it works on both boys and girls, perfect for handing down within families) and fashion-forward (plus all the fabrics are made of 100% organic cotton, bamboo and recycled polyester).

A few weeks ago I caught up with the two entrepreneurs, and they spoke candidly about where the idea for marQ came from, the importance of "Made in Canada", deciding on a price point, and the pros on cons of going into business with a friend.

As a special treat for This Mom Loves readers, marQ is offering a 15% off code for their website, which will be in effect for a limited time, so don't wait too long to use it! (If you get nothing from reading my blog but an aversion to procrastination, I will feel I have served the world well.)

Plus, while my lips are sealed about the details, there's another big prize announcement coming from marQ soon, and you're going to want to be ready to be part of the action!

Here it is, the not-so-secret code for 15% off (drumroll, please):

THISMOMLOVES 

Now, as they say in the best infomercials, that's not all!

Melissa and Shayna are also generously offering a complete marQ outfit (top and bottoms) in available sizes (their line ranges from 0-3 months to 4T) for one lucky Canadian This Mom Loves reader!

All you have to do to enter is visit marQ and come back and fill out the form below, letting me know which item would be at the top of your list! Maybe the Noble tee, perfect for warm summer days, or the Sovereign pullover for those cool evenings? No matter what you choose, your mini-royal will be comfier than ever...and of course, oh-so-stylish!

You can earn extra entries for following marQ on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, as well as following This Mom Loves on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook (max seven entries).

The giveaway ends on Tuesday, June 28th at 11:59 p.m. Eastern, after which time a winner will be chosen through random number generation. Now it's time to make your marQ! Good luck!

Canadian Cheese Awards - Giveaway!

Warning: this is my *cheesiest* post yet! (Sorry, I couldn't resist!)

My loyal readers know that I am very discerning when it comes to brand partnerships. I receive tons of pitches that range from not-quite-a-fit to wildly-inappropriate, and I don't hesitate to decline...a lot.

However, when contacted with an opportunity share information about Canadian cheese...how could I say no? (Only chocolate would be a better fit for me!)

I'm a fan of Loblaws (I shared information about their super-convenient Click and Collect shopping option not long ago) and Loblaws is the destination to purchase award-winning Canadian cheese, including more than 15 of the Canadian Cheese Awards Champion and Finalist cheeses. (Yep, there are Canadian Cheese Awards! It's the only cheese competition in Canada open to all milks used in cheese making – cow, goat, sheep and water buffalo – with only pure natural cheese accepted for judging.)

Some awards highlights:

• Cheese of the Year Avonlea Clothbound Cheddar, which also took home Best Aged Cheddar (aged more than 18 months) and Best B.C. Cheese
• Best Fresh Pasta Filata, President’s Choice® Formaggio di Bufala
• Best Feta/Cheese in Brine, President’s Choice® Feta Light
• Best Firm Cheese with Holes, Oka l'Artisan
• Best Old Cheddar (aged from 9 to 18 months) and Best Goat Cheese, Lindsay Bandaged Goat Cheddar

Loblaws stores feature 300-400 varieties of cheese available in-store (would you ever have guessed the number would be so high?), including the best of Canadian and international Cheddar, brie, feta and more, and Loblaws is celebrating the incredible Canadian cheese featured at the Annual Canadian Cheese Awards by sharing them with Ontario’s biggest cheese lovers.

Are you ever unsure about what wine, beer or other snacks and condiments to serve with certain cheeses? This Cheese Pairings chart may come in handy!

And now...you have a chance to win a great prize pack (worth $50), which includes:

 A selection of Canadian Champion + International Cheeses
 PC Black Label Artisan Crisps
 PC Black Label Fruit Spreads, Jellies, and Preserves
 Section of nuts and dried fruit

All you need to do to enter is fill out the form below and name your favourite type of cheese! Extra entries for following This Mom Loves on Twitter (ThisMomLoves), Facebook (ThisMomLoves) and Instagram (KateThisMomLoves), or following LoblawsON on Twitter. CONTEST OPEN TO CANADIANS.




The giveaway will end Thursday, May 12th at 11:59 p.m. Eastern, after which time a winner will be chosen by random number generation.

Good luck!

Disclosure: This post was generously sponsored by Loblaws. Opinions are, as always, my own.

Easter Giveaway: Winnie the Pooh itty bittys in Basket from Hallmark!

Time for another flash social media giveaway!

The prize: four Disney's Winnie the Pooh Easter itty bittys from Hallmark in a cute felt basket (value $35). Aren't they adorable?

Here's how you can enter:

Retweet this tweet for one entry: https://twitter.com/thismomloves/status/707668075873587200

Like and/or comment on this Facebook post for one or two entries: https://www.facebook.com/ThisMomLoves/posts/1109132462444252

Like and/or comment on this Instagram post for one or two entries: https://www.instagram.com/p/BCvv9cQxBcS/?taken-by=katethismomloves

Total possible entries: 5

The giveaway will run until Saturday, March 12th at 11:59 p.m. Eastern, after which time a winner will be chosen through random number generation. Good luck, and Happy Easter!

P.S. Looking for some Easter decor that's a bit more grown up? My favourite item is this Spring Ornament Tree ($19.95, and sets of two ornaments are $4.95/set). This is currently a cute centrepiece on my kitchen table!

Holiday Giveaway Bundle!

(GIVEAWAY OPEN TO CANADIANS)

Time for another great giveaway! The winner of this bundle will receive ALL FIVE of the prizes listed/shown below (worth over $125), and entry is super easy!

#1: Posterjack Acrylic Block (create your own, includes free standard shipping)

Posterjack is an amazing online source for all kinds of photo printing - acrylic, metal, canvas, custom framing, you name it, they do it. (I'm sure you saw the gorgeous canvas they made for my family room reno last spring.)

Posterjack makes gift-giving easy this holiday season with their Acrylic Block. The Acrylic Block’s small format makes it the ideal decor holiday gift as it can be easily incorporated into any mantel, shelf or desk display - no hanging required.

Acrylic Blocks can be customized to suit the personality of each person on your list. Simply choose a photo you feel best represents them and Posterjack prints the photo on a perfectly clear, thick one-inch piece of premium cast acrylic...and at only $49.99 Acrylic Blocks are a win for both the giver and the receiver.

# 2: MEGA BLOKS Big Building Bag – ages 1 to 5 years                             
                                      

MEGA BLOKS' original hero product, the award-winning Big Building Bag, offers amazing play value and endures hours of fun. Its bright-coloured blocks encourage hands-on exploration as children imagine and create. These unique blocks are big and easy for little fingers to assemble. When playtime is over, return the blocks to their eco-friendly bag and stash them in the toy box until the next adventure!

#3. Hallmark Kids Keepsake Tree

Perfect for little ones, this tree is made of felt with large buttons, perfect for the $7.95 ornaments you can pick up to go with it.

#4. The Boy Who Spoke To The Earth book by David McClellan

This is an exciting new children’s book by renowned adventure Photographer Chris Burkard and Disney Interactive artist David McClellan. While there are plenty of children’s books on the market, The Boy Who Spoke To The Earth shares a story that both educates and inspires youth. This story encourages happiness through opening the eyes of the young to the beauty of this world.  

Parents are offered an opportunity to connect with their children in a way that will prompt them to see more than what is immediately in front of them.  

#5. Pair of award-winning U-Lace No-Tie Shoelaces (choice of colour and Classic or Kiddos style)

U-Lace No-Tie Shoelaces has been awarded the Parent Tested Parent Approved (PTPA) Winner’s Seal of Approval. Also a winner on ABC’s Shark Tank, U-Lace is the world's first and only segmented shoelaces woven from real fibers to maintain the same appearance as standard laces -- without having to tie your shoes.

U-Lace gives kids a quick and easy way to spice up an old pair of shoes by expressing individual style through DIY multi-color designs and cool patterns. Parents are granted peace of mind with these no-breakage, affordable alternative to shoelaces that can save up to 7-10 minutes getting out the door when children are trying to get their shoes on and tied!

****************

All you have to do to enter to win all five of these great items is fill out the simple form below! (Bonus entries for following This Mom Loves on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.)

The giveaway will end Saturday, December 5th at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. Good luck!

Giveaway has ended.

Samsung Tab S Giveaway and Solve for Tomorrow STEM Challenge

(SORRY, AMERICAN FRIENDS: CONTEST OPEN TO CANADIANS ONLY)

Okay, dear readers: I have a fantastic giveaway for you! Samsung is offering one lucky This Mom Loves reader a Samsung Tab S tablet (worth $399.99) as part of their mission to spread the word about the Samsung Canada National Education Challenge!

Whether you're a teacher or a parent, I'm sure you're well aware of the importance of STEM (more on that below), and Samsung's new challenge gives students in Grades 6-12 the opportunity to identify a challenge and use STEM to help solve it...with the chance to win some amazing grant money for their schools! This is definitely a project worth sharing.

Here are some more details about the Challenge:

Taking a passion for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) outside of the classroom and into the community was never this much fun for students! Samsung Electronics Canada today announced the launch of the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Challenge, a national educational contest designed to inspire Canadian students to get closer to the real-world possibilities of STEM by applying them to help better their communities. Students in Grades 6 to 12 will be asked to identify an existing challenge or issue they are passionate about in their town, city or neighbourhood, and use STEM to help solve it.

Finalist schools will share in $500,000 in Samsung classroom technology grants. Solve for Tomorrow Challenge partners include Canadian YouTube stars Mitch Moffit and Greg Brown of AsapSCIENCE. With a passion for science and education, Mitch and Greg started AsapSCIENCE as a community for people to learn and be entertained through a unique online educational content that highlights the neatest aspects of science. Mitch and Greg will visit two grand prize winning schools and their communities to learn about their winning student projects and feature them in an AsapTHOUGHT video. They’ll also host a special and unique STEM lab experience at the winning schools.

“Samsung is committed to supporting schools when it comes to classroom technology, support and research, and we know STEM is critical for 21st century learning skills and the careers of tomorrow,” said Mark Childs, CMO at Samsung Electronics Canada. “In collaboration with our partners in education, through the Solve for Tomorrow Challenge we’re introducing a totally new and engaging challenge where Canadian students will be able to learn about STEM topics, work together as a team, have fun, and help their communities, all while working to win some very cool experiences and technology products for their school.”

Along with AsapSCIENCE, the Solve for Tomorrow Challenge is supported by The Learning Partnership, a national non-profit organization dedicated to advancing public education in Canada, and Let’s Talk Science, a charitable organization which looks to create and deliver unique learning programs and services that engage youth and educators in STEM subjects.

Click here for the entry form for the Solve for Tomorrow Challenge! 

To enter to win the Samsung Tab S I have up for grabs, all you have to do is help spread the word about the Samsung Canada National Education Challenge on social media!

(NOTE: CONTEST IS OPEN TO CANADIANS ONLY)

First, do one or both of the following:

Share the following tweet on Twitter, then paste a link to your tweet in the form below:

Win a Tab S from @SamsungCanada @ThisMomLoves and learn about #SamsungSolve here: http://bit.ly/1WXde0i

AND/OR

Share the following post on Facebook (you will have to type in the tags - not copy and paste - for Samsung Canada and This Mom Loves to make them work properly), then paste a link to your post in the form below:

Win a Tab S from @SamsungCanada @This-Mom-Loves and learn about #SamsungSolve here: http://bit.ly/1WXde0i

Once you have completed one or both of the mandatory sharing entries above, you get bonus entries for:

*Following This Mom Loves on Twitter
*Following This Mom Loves on Instagram
*Liking This Mom Loves on Facebook

You have a total of five chances to win this incredible prize - and how great would a Tab S look under your Christmas tree?

Contest ends on Monday, November 30th 2015 at 11:50 p.m. Eastern. Good luck!

GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED