A Unique Love Story - "Labor Day" (Movie Review)

Since becoming a mom, movies about relationships affect me a great deal more. I am more understanding of parent and child relationships then I ever have been - yet more in awe too. "Labor Day" from Paramount Pictures is a unique love story that focuses on the bond and deep understanding and support between a mother and a son.

Adele (Kate Winslet) has been a recluse for several years for understandable reasons. Her son Henry (Gattlin Griffith), about to enter grade seven, is the man of the house but acknowledges as hard as he tries he can not provide his mother everything she needs. His father lives in the same town with his new family - his secretary, her son and their daughter.

On a back-to-school shopping trip, Henry and his mother encounter Frank Chambers (Josh Brolin), a man both intimidating and clearly in need of help, who convinces them to take him into their home and is later revealed to be an escaped convict. The events of this long Labor Day weekend will shape them for the rest of their lives.

Family Financial Challenge inspired by Gail Vaz-Oxlade #SavingMadeSimple #PGmom

When I was younger, the only goal I had before turning 30 was to be in a home where I was paying a mortgage (living in Toronto, I was being realistic - a mortgage is pretty much a necessity unless you win the lottery shortly after entering the workforce). Some of my friends cared more about finding a husband or having a child, but not me.

So it was kind of ironic on my 30th birthday I found myself with a two month old baby living with my boyfriend…in a rented apartment. And while I wouldn't give my daughter up for anything, I do find myself sort of jealous friends who have mortgages.

I am hoping 2014 will be the year of the mortgage. Chris and I have been saving our pennies (well, nickels now that the Canadian penny doesn't exist) for a hefty downpayment. We have been learning about property tax and maintenance fees. We have been scouring MLS for condos in our prince range. For the most part, we have figured out how to juggle rent, daycare, car payments, insurance, groceries, etc. And if we haven't, the Family Financial Challenge inspired by personal finance expert Gail Vaz-Oxlade will certainly put us in the right direction.

Sticky Icky Booger Bugs (#Book #Review & #Giveaway)

Whenever I don't know how to explain something to Hannah I turn to books.

Sticky Icky Booger Bugs by Sherry Frith is the tale of a boy’s battle with cystic fibrosis as he attempts to avoid the hospital. The main character is Kory, who is just like any other kid. Like Hannah he LOVES chocolate milk and watching TV. He also loves recess, playing soccer, and exploring his neighborhood with his best friend. The book shows how with every puff, cough, and sneeze, Kory keeps the sticky icky booger bugs away so he can have fun every day. 

YYZ Bambina Turns Two!

Two years ago today I started this blog because I was super pregnant and super bored.

In the past 24 months I've blogged about me, Hannah, products, events and more.

A lot of amazing things happened last year because of YYZ Bambina, our Pampers YouTube video with #PGmom and being a #BigHugsElmo Brand Ambassador were two of the many highlights.

Kandoo helps toddlers gain independence

Hannah turns two this month. She talks non-stop and gets frustrated when she can't do things herself. But when she is able to accomplish something the look of pride on her face is priceless.

That's why I'm such a fan on the Kandoo line of personal care products designed specifically for toddlers.

I love the scents. Hannah loves the foaming action. We both love that she can easily use the pumps all by herself.

The A to Z of Children's Health (#PGmom Reivew & Giveaway)

Dr. Google is so appealing. You type in your symptoms, hit enter and viola - millions of pages turn up. As anyone who has asked Dr. Google knows, it's very easy to find something scary...and to find many things not related to your child's illness at all.

That's why Pampers wants to arm Canadian parents with resources to promote baby’s happy, healthy development. Sure to become your go-to health and wellness guide, The A to Z of Children’s Health is an indispensable reference that will solve every parent’s health query.

Dadpost: Giving Good Dads the Benefit of the Doubt

Chris gives his opinion on two Dads recently in the news...

Generally, I believe a parent’s instinct to do what’s best for their child comes naturally.

So I was shocked to read two separate stories in the news this week where that caring nature was questioned, ridiculed, or outright ignored.

The first concerns Doyin Richards, a first-time dad from Los Angeles. Richards posted a picture on his blog of him doing the hair of one of his daughters while holding the other in a chest carrier. Looks like good multi-tasking to me!

Image from: http://daddydoinwork.com/

Everything lame is super cool again at 123 Sesame Street

With the wonderful ice storm kicking us out of our home for a week, the main highlight of my holiday break happened downtown at the Sony Centre. We took Hannah to see her first-ever show - Sesame Street Live.

The last time I saw Sesame Street Live was in the early 1990s. I was 8 or 9 years old. And I gave my Mom a really, REALLY hard time for taking me and my brother (who at 5 or 6 was still prime Sesame age). I complained the whole way down to the O'Keefe (at least that's what I think 1 Front Street East was called at that point.) Living in Scarborough and taking the TTC, that was at least an hour. In an attempt to shut me up, my Mom bought me some sort of flashy light toy. Once the show began, I was still making snide comments from my seat about how I was so happy no one from my class would see me at a show for babies. But when Grover came out and danced to the Beverly Hills Cop theme song complemented by strobe lights that shut me up for the rest of the night.

It's funny how more than two decades later I think Sesame Street Live is the hottest ticket in town.

ROYALE Tiger Towels support PANTHERA (#Giveaway)

The newest member of the ROYALE feline family has come roaring into the Canadian market with the launch of Tiger Towels, a soft, strong and thirsty multipurpose paper towel. Now prowling the shelves of retailers across the country, the launch also marks the start of a new partnership between ROYALE and PANTHERA, the world’s leading wild cat conservation organization, which works in partnership with Save the Tiger Fund to conserve the world’s remaining 3,200 wild tigers.

As a proud partner, ROYALE will donate $40,000 to the fund as well as provide ongoing support to raise awareness and increase fundraising efforts throughout 2014, including, online and social media support, retail point of sale material and community events.
   

New Year, New Me with COVERGIRL and Pantene (#PGmom Review & Giveaway)

Ah. A New Year. When it takes weeks to write the correct date, when you fear the mail because it will bring you your holiday credit card statement and when you have to return to work instead of drinking tea and reading good books all day. Oh and of course there's the resolutions which most people forget within a few days. I decide to do goals instead of resolutions (seems like less pressure).

This year, one of my goals is to get back some "me" time. B.H. (that's Before Hannah) I was obsessed with beauty products. The "fun" parts of my paycheque went to nail polish and eye liner...and now it goes to Toopy and Binoo books and Sesame Street soundtracks. COVERGIRL and Pantene will help me get back into the beauty arena.

Swiffer is Certified for Toronto Raptors Hardwood #SwifferClean #PGmom

There's a lot of good and a lot of bad connected with growing up and living in Canada's largest city. I like to focus on the good, especially when it comes to being a professional sports fan. We are the only Canadian city to have professional baseball and basketball teams.

One of my favourite indoor winter activities is catching a Raptors game at the Air Canada Centre. I'm not what you'd call a huge basketball fan, but I am a HUGE fan of The Raptor. As I P&G mom I'm excited to share that this season Swiffer is Certified for the Raptors Hardwood.

Recently my family attended a Family Fun Day with Swiffer and the Raptors.

Gain is #MusicToYourNose (#PGmom Giveaway)

It's no secret how much I love the scent of Gain. I also love Tide Pods. So I'm pretty excited to share that soon Gain flings will be a your local store! Gain flings are packed with the longest lasting Gain scent experience yet, plus the odor removal power of Febreze and the extra cleaning power of Oxi Boost.