We've Been To London To Visit...

I apologize to those readers joining us from foreign lands, but at this point, most of you are from our lovely province of Ontario, and therefore this trip is actually an option for you. (Don't get me wrong: although it was a lot of fun, it's probably not worth the trek for my readers in Kentucky and the Philippines.)

Last July, we took our girls (and my parents - sorry, they're not included in the package) on a three-day trip to London, Ontario, and we had a blast. Here's a quick recap of the must-see attractions if you should decide to check it out yourself. Most spots would be perfect for a spring or weekend getaway as well.

Storybook Gardens:  animals, rides (the ferris wheel was the perfect size for our three year old), games, play and splash areas, entertainment, and of course, beautiful gardens. We planned to spend a whole day here, but found that half a day was enough. Every would-be-princess will be impressed by the grand castle entrance.

Best Western Lamplighter Inn: we stayed at this amazing hotel, and even snagged a room with a balcony overlooking the pool (so if one adult is down at the pool/huge waterslide/hot tub, the one who is stuck in the room during naptime/after bedtime can still take in the action).

London Children's Museum: this was definitely the best part of the trip for us and our kids. From toddlers through tweens, there is something for everyone, and it's extremely hands-on and interactive. The photo shown to the left is a replica of a city street where kids can work the McDonald's drive-thru and try out the till at Valu-Mart!

Adventures on Wonderland: although a fairly standard indoor playground (you probably have one like it in your town), it was still worth it as it provided new toys and climbers and a way to fill a rainy morning with the girls. They even have a special room for kids five and  under.

My cousin Stephen's house: Sorry - no link to this one, but just wanted to thank him and his family again for their hospitality! :-)

Feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions about the trip, or if you live in the London area and have other attractions to suggest. It was something different for all of us, and I would highly recommend it for a young family.

Read It: Notes Left Behind (Brooke & Keith Desserich)

Do you like to pause while you read, sob for a while, and then continue? If so, then do I have the book for you!

"Notes Left Behind" is the poignant story of Brooke and Keith Desserich's journey through their daughter Elena's cancer diagnosis and the last months of her life. Honest, touching and inspiring, they hold little back as they share, through their journal entries, a combination of their day-to-day activities and their most private thoughts and feelings.

Perhaps this subject matter helped lead me to my Lenten goal of spending more quality time with my family, but let's be frank: life proceeds in a much different way when you assume you have all the time in the world than it does when you know time is running out, and it has to. Families could not function and the world would stop effectively turning if we all decided to live like we (or our children) were dying every moment of every day. (Sorry, Tim McGraw.)

That said, there are certainly lessons to be learned here about appreciating your children, and also being thankful for good health. I know one mom who whined recently because her daughter had double ear infections and double eye infections within ten days. Okay, so that was me, but really, it was a terrible ordeal! (Note: do not bother taking a child with pinkeye to a walk-in clinic, unless you want to spend two hours there only to be told to buy some Polysporin Ear and Eye drops over-the-counter!)

Even flipping through the book again as I write this post, I am getting tears in my eyes, and can't wait to give my girls a big hug. And maybe even more than five minutes of my time tonight.

To learn more about the Desserichs' story, visit their Notes Left Behind website.

"Dear Easter Bunny": An Open Letter Awaiting Reply

Dear Easter Bunny,

First of all, Frannie and Maggie would like to offer you their thanks for this year's goodies. They were thrilled with their haul of chocolate eggs, and this time Maggie was old enough to look for treats and understand the process (no repeats of last year's 'eating-the-eggs-while-they're-still-in-the-foil' fiasco). I'm sure you're quite tired after your busy weekend, but I was wondering if you could possibly find the time to answer a question I have: what do you bring to other little children?

This year, my girls received almost identical gifts, shown below: various foil-wrapped chocolate eggs, which you so painstakingly hid around the house, Easter dresses, a Colour Wonders pad and markers (so thoughtful of you when Maggie is particularly obsessed with colouring right now, and quite similar to the ones which were buy-one-get-one-free at Zellers last week) and a Littlest Pet Shop Animal. Total expenditure:  around $35 per child. Of course, that's just my guess.

I'm always curious to know what you bring to other little children, and if mine are receiving more or less. Just as we do with Santa, we make sure to tell our girls that you know exactly what everyone needs, so they really shouldn't compare with others, but I can't help but do so myself. Other holidays have become so commercialized that I would prefer for my kids not to start thinking of Easter as a gift-receiving occasion, although the chocolate, of course, is a must for children and mommy. No messing with that tradition.

Thank you in advance, Easter Bunny, for taking the time to leave some replies in order to let me know what the 'going rate' is for Easter treats. I'm hoping by this time next year your comments will provide a wealth of information for myself and my readers.

Sincerely,

This Mom

Babysitting Questions and Answers

The new issue of Peterborough, Northumberland or Lakeridge Kids, depending where you live, has just hit the stands (and the net), and in it my latest article:  Babysitting FAQ's.

Who hasn't dealt with the problem of finding, training, and keeping quality teenage babysitters? I have to say, we have been extremely lucky: we've had an incredible babysitter ever since leaving Frannie for the first time at four months old, and when our sitter went away to University this fall, we began to train her younger sister for the job. There's nothing like leaving your kids and being absolutely certain they are in mature, responsible hands. These girls have spoiled our daughters with love, attention, and more material gifts than tweens and teens need to be buying.

Check out the article, and while you're there, explore the magazine's website which includes back issues and more information about the publication. You don't have to be local to benefit from reading this magazine. Although advertising and events are regional, most articles deal with general parenting and child issues which apply to all parents alike.

If you have any babysitter tips which aren't mentioned in the article, feel free to leave a comment here and share with others!

Shopping For Baby? The Honest-To-Goodness Must-Haves (and a Special offer from The Cuddly Bunny!)

Moms-to-be these days are absolutely bombarded with advertisements for baby products, but are all of these must-haves really, well, must-have? With a few friends expecting babies right now (and a couple more who are hoping to be) I thought this would make a valuable topic to explore.

Some baby gear can wait (your baby won't be in the exersaucer or jolly jumper for at least a couple of months) and you can count on receiving some things as gifts after baby is born (receiving blankets, onesies, toys, and gender-specific outfits) so when doing your pre-baby shopping, focus on the items you'll need to have waiting when your little one arrives.

I consulted Marnie Scott, manager of The Cuddly Bunny (both an online business and a small-town store located in Port Perry, Ontario), to see what she considers to be essential pre-baby shopping. Keep reading for her advice, and to find out how you can save 10% on your next Cuddly Bunny purchase!

Marnie's Top Ten (with my thoughts in parentheses, of course. I'm sure my loyal readers have noticed my fondness for these curvy little creatures):

1. Car seat (three-in-ones are an economical choice as they will last the longest, but removeable infant carriers are very convenient, especially if they fit in your stroller. Refer to your seat's directions, but your baby must ride rear-facing for at least the first year. You should install your seat well in advance of your due date, and you might want to consider attenting a carseat clinic to ensure it is installed properly.)

2. Bassinet, crib, or travel cot (I went with a bassinet for the first three months and moved to a standard crib afterwards.)

3. Diapers, wipes, and skin care products (I have to admit that I used disposables, but it's worth stressing that cloth diapers have come a long way and are definitely worth exploring. Have a couple of bags of newborn-sized diapers ready to go, as well as wipes and a gentle all-in-one wash. I also kept zinc oxide cream on hand to use at the first signs of any diaper rash, and while it worked like a charm on my girls, all babies are different and will respond accordingly. You'll have to go with trial and error.)

4. Baby bath tub or bath seat  (Marnie recommends the Daphne Bath Seat, shown at right, as it allows for hands free washing, prevents baby from slipping when they have little head control and is portable. "They", meaning the experts who both educate and scare the heck out of us, advise against bath seats and rings, but the fear is that they will be taken advantage of and used as safety devices which they are not intended to be. I used a small plastic tub inside the big tub for the first few months, then moved to a bath ring when my girls could sit up independently.

5. Layette and linens, including a waterproof change pad (You will want a few sleepers, onesies, hats, and socks, but as I said don't go crazy, as these are popular gift ideas. We aren't supposed to be using bumper pads or puffy quilts anymore, so the required linens are just fitted bassinet/crib sheets, a few blankets, both receiving blanket-style as well as some soft and cuddly ones, some washcloths, and perhaps a hooded towel. If you're planning for a second child, going gender specific might mean completely repurchasing when the next baby comes -- and really, what if that ultrasound wasn't right?? We've all heard those stories!)

6. Sleep sack (I highly recommend swaddling your baby, and The Cuddly Bunny carries a few products including the Kushies Swaddle Blanket - shown at left - which would make an excellent gift for a pre-baby shower or newborn. Swaddling is recommended up to the age of 3 months.)

7. Soft music or a Sleep Sheep for the nursery  (Huh? If you're wondering about the Sleep Sheep, it's a stuffed toy which makes soothing sounds such as mother's heartbeat, crashing waves, etc. Sort of a white-noise machine for the newborn set. With Frannie, we rocked her to the first track of an instrumental lullabyes CD before putting her down drowsy, but awake. Eventually she would hear the first few notes and immediately start to squirm and fuss, knowing what was coming, but then settle knowing that resistance would be futile!)

8. Bottles (more on those later), and nursing necessities (If you are planning to breastfeed, nursing pads will be essential to avoid the oh-so-embarrassing leak marks, and even if you are bottle-bound, your milk will come in nevertheless and a few pads might come in handy. Next, you absolutely must get nipple cream. The Cuddly Bunny carries a lanolin-free product called  Earth Mama Angel Baby Natural Nipple Butter. Lanolin-free is good in case of a wool allergy, or if you're worried about trace pesticide or antibiotic residue which may be found in lanolin. When pregnant for the second time, I was given lanolin-based Lansinoh and it made a night and day difference compared to my first breastfeeding experience -- when I used nothing-- so quite frankly I didn't care what was in it.)

9. Diaper Bag (Let's be honest. Your carryall does not have to be something which is marketed as a "diaper bag". Various backpacks, fashion purses and tote bags will do the trick, but some bags are designed with special features such as side pockets for bottles, waterproof materials, etc. I had originally intended this post to be strictly about economical choices, so again, pick up at $30 bag at Zellers and you'll be fine, but I just had to show you this gorgeous Magz Bagz Mezza Messenger...at $110 it's no steal, but isn't it beautiful? Now, if you plan to have 4 kids, you can average it out to less than $30 per child, which really is a bargain. Click on the link to see other colours and patterns.)

10. Stroller (Ah, the stroller. Mommy and Daddy status symbol of the third millenium. This could be a lengthy post all by itself, but here's the bottom line: shop around and buy what you need.  We have a small umbrella stroller for going in and out of shops, etc., jogging strollers, single and double, for our dirt and gravel roads, and a Snap N Go, which is a simple metal frame on wheels which the infant carrier snaps on to. Research abounds on the various brands and styles of strollers, so check out the features and costs, being realistic about what you actually need.)

For moms-to-be who are overwhelmed about registering and choosing baby items, Marnie says "first-hand experience is the best form of research. Speak with as many new moms as possible." She also advises taking advantage of free services like new parent consultations, offered in stores such as The Cuddly Bunny, and registering at a store "with a knowlegeable sales staff who will explain the products to you and answer any questions you may have." Finally: "Plan ahead. Ensure you have the necessities well in advance of your due date. Being prepared early will relieve stress."

As for the moms I know who are back in babymaking mode after a few years away from it (you know who you are!) I asked Marnie about what has changed in the last few years that these moms need to know about. The highlights:
-no bumper pads, and use sleep sacks or swaddlers instead of crib blankets, to help prevent SIDS

-try organic skin-care products, which "offer a chemical-free alternative. Baby's skin is 5 times thinner than an adult's," she says, "therefore they are much more susceptible to chemicals."

-choose glass or BPA-free bottles if bottle-feeding. With Frannie I favoured the plastic Avent, which were recalled right around the time of Maggie's birth. They do make BPA-free now, but at the time I went with BornFree and was very pleased.
-cloth or chlorine-free disposable diapers are the safest choices

These are updates that your mother and mother-in-law might not be aware of, and it may take several reminders, and perhaps reference to quality literature (such as this blog post, of course!) to make them realize that times have changed, and no, you can't use the bumper pads from your childhood crib, put baby down on her tummy, or use your cousin's hand-me-down bottles.

So, there's the lowdown. Thanks to Marnie for sharing all of her expertise, and also for this great offer for This Mom  Loves readers: use code 032810 and you will receive 10% off your next Cuddly Bunny purchase, either in-store or online (mompreneur marketplace items excluded).

Did we forget anything? Are there any other items that you think parents absolutely must purchase to be ready for baby's birth? Leave a comment and let us know!

How Do You Mix Greek Mythology With Irish Tradition?

Simple: get a Pandora bracelet for St Patrick's Day!

I woke up in Toronto on the morning of March 17th to find a little package on the hotel nightstand. I had to put on my glasses to get a better look, and to my utmost pleasure I saw a little Pandora logo on the sticker. I had secretly (haha) been hoping for one of their bracelets (click for more info), but figured maybe Mother's Day would be my next opportunity. Apparently my hints were strong enough that my sweet husband couldn't even wait for a more gift-worthy occasion.

I received a beautiful sterling silver bracelet, and my very first bead, which my husband chose with the date in mind: a gorgeous sphere with emerald-coloured stones. He was assured by the saleswoman that it is not a soccer ball (he knew that's what I would think...and I sort of did!) but even if it is mistaken for one, Frannie started playing soccer last year, so beginning my bracelet with an Irish Soccer Mom charm is not entirely inappropriate!

Yes, I know: I am spoiled, and I am indulging in a weak moment of materialism, but honestly, they are few and far between. Besides, doesn't everyone get jewelry for St. Patrick's Day?

Have you met Fancy Nancy?

Meet Fancy Nancy...my daughter's new best friend! If you have a little girl and you don't know Fancy Nancy, you need to sprint (that's a fancy word for run) to the bookstore or library and introduce her to this fabulous character.

Now, I'm all for avoiding gender stereotypes. My daughters have tractor books, hockey books, and Bob the Builder books. But what does Frannie like best? Princess books. I figure if you can't beat 'em, join 'em...so my small consolation is that I finally have her believing that the non-white and/or non-blonde princesses are just as beautiful as their fairer counterparts!

Fancy Nancy is not exactly a princess (although she would certainly like to be) but she is all girl. Despite this, the books are anything but pink fluff. There are subtle little lessons to be learned, and the language is engaging and entertaining. For example, in "Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy", author Jane O'Connor writes: "Then I get an idea that is spectacular. (That's a fancy word for great.)" Nancy constantly expands my daughter's vocabulary, as she loves to repeat the fancy new words she has learned from the books. The pictures are adorable, and she's imperfect enough to be just perfect.

As with any popular series, not only are there storybooks, but there are also now Fancy Nancy early reader books, and other merchandise (sticker books, dolls) ...but at least I'm spreading the wealth around, instead of contributing directly to Disney every time I make a purchase.

The little character even has her own website now, with fun and games and more information about the books and creators.

Engaging kids in reading is so important, and right now Fancy Nancy is doing the job, so I'm thrilled. (That's a fancy word for "I'm a tiny bit of a hyper parent and I want my child to be a good reader".)

Oh, and we commissioned a local baker to put Fancy Nancy on Frannie's 4th birthday cake a couple of weeks ago..check out what a great job she did!

To read a Celebrity Baby Blog interview with O'Connor and illustrator Robin Preiss Glasser, click here.

Our March Break Getaway

Friends of ours invited the four of us to join them for March Break in the Bahamas. Yeah, that didn't happen.

Instead, I am here to regale you with the exciting tales of our long-distance voyage to Toronto, Ontario! Woo hoo, you may be thinking. From where we live, Toronto is only a commute away, and could easily be a day trip. For us, however, it was a chance to get out of the house and away from chores, school work and laptops to enjoy our girls and get some R and R. Sort of.

We drove straight to the CN Tower, since Dora the Explorer was doing a meet-and-greet at 10:30, and miraculously found a great parking spot on the street just a couple of blocks away. We waited in line to meet the little Senorita, and to take a couple of poor photos. (Frannie insists that she was not scared, she just wanted to be on the other side of Daddy in the picture instead of actually being close to the famous character. Maggie was a little bit braver.)

Afterwards, we took the elevator as high as the observation deck. It's worth noting that the CN Tower is a fairly expensive tourist attraction, and we went more for the grownups' sake than the kids', as we hadn't been since elementary school. Our girls were too young to really 'get it', though Frannie was interested in looking down at all of the buildings, and enjoyed playing on the glass floor. (I'm sure my mother is cringing as she reads this. It's safe, Mom, or they wouldn't let people up there!) We came away with a cute ($20) family photo, taken in front of a green screen before we boarded the elevator, with the Toronto skyline added in by the time we got back down. Unfortunately, when we arrived back at the van we realized that our parking spot wasn't such a miracle. There was a $40 ticket waiting on our windshield...apparently we missed some no-parking sign (that the other 6 cars along the street must have overlooked as well).

We took advantage of being tourists and went to this really unique restaurant for lunch -- a little chicken joint called Swiss Chalet. Don't be concerned that you've never heard of it; not everyone can be as well-travelled as we are. It seemed pretty busy, so I wouldn't be surprised if it becomes a franchise. Great kids' meals, complete with toy and dessert.

After that we headed to our hotel, and I am no longer being sarcastic when I say you probably haven't heard of it. I hadn't, and couldn't find anyone who had, but it popped up when I googled "Toronto hotel March Break kids"...and what a find! We stayed at the Toronto Don Valley Hotel and Suites, which was about a 15 minute drive from downtown, and was an incredible deal. We booked a special March Break package, and when we checked in, the girls each received a gift bag with a colouring book, crayons, play-doh set and card game.

The hotel accommodated our early check-in request, in order to put Maggie down for her nap, and the employees were all friendly and helpful. Included in our stay was an amazing breakfast buffet (no continental-muffin-and-fruit-thing: we feasted on bacon, eggs, and hash browns while the girls enjoyed their usual cereal, toast and yogurt).

The pool was also a great surprise...although small and simple, the water temperature was beautiful. Normally I watch the action from the warmth of the hot tub, but here I could actually walk right in with no hesitation, which made for more fun family time. Daddy and Frannie spent Maggie's naptime down at the pool both days, and our little fish was happy to be in the water for over two straight hours! The baby...not so much a water-lover. The fact that she whines for every minute she's in the bathtub should have been a warning, I suppose.

An in-room movie with popcorn was part of our package, so we chose the critically crucified "Did You Hear About The Morgans?" with Sarah Jessica Parker and Hugh Grant. It was just as we expected - a light, somewhat romantic comedy with Grant doing his usual bumbling schtick. I can completely understand how it did not rank right up there with the Oscar contenders, but we got a few chuckles out of it. Since we realized afterwards that Frannie had been listening to the whole thing from her bed, I'm glad we didn't choose anything too inappropriate!

Our two-night special came to only $159.00 before taxes, which is an extremely good deal for two nights with breakfast, kids' surprises, and a movie. The only negatives that come to mind about the hotel are that parking was an additional cost of $12 per night (I had assumed it was included) and our GPS had issues recognizing the location. Although we met a few nice guests and Frannie made a couple of new friends, the hotel was surprisingly quiet.

We didn't just hang out at the hotel - we wanted to explore the city some more, and I had heard great things about the Fairview Mall, so our first night we headed there to eat at Moxie's Grill (a great feels-grownup-but-kids-love-it kind of joint) and then we hit Payless. A necessary stop, as we had packed only clunky winter boots for our little angels, and with beautiful 17 degree weather and a lot of walking ahead, we figured it was time to purchase some spring footwear.

Wednesday morning (after I awoke to find a little gift on the nightstand -- watch for that in a future post) we braved the very busy Ontario Science Centre. I am taking my class there in the Spring (the Harry Potter exhibit will be opening April 9th) and again, our girls, especially Maggie, are too young to really appreciate it, but we wanted to take advantage of our teachers-get-in-free deal. We tried an  IMAX film (the beautiful Under The Sea) and discovered that Maggie is definitely too young for a movie theatre. Four year old Frannie was just old enough to appreciate it.

If you plan to hit more than one tourist attraction in Toronto during your stay, I'd strongly recommend puchasing a City Pass, which costs $59 for adults and $39 for children, and includes admission to five major spots: CN Tower, Ontario Science Centre, Casa Loma, Toronto Zoo, and the Royal Ontario Museum.

Wednesday night we met my parents at Tucker's Marketplace. We LOVE this restaurant for its huge buffet and amazing selection. The adult dinners were $18, and kids were charged a dollar per year of age, which seemed very fair to me. Then we returned to the hotel for one last dip in the pool, and to get packed up and ready to head home in the morning.

Guess what? The chores, school work, and laptops were still waiting patiently where we had left them.

P.S. If anyone has other see-Toronto-with-the-kids suggestions, please leave a comment. I'm always open to new ideas!