Top 5 Tips to have a blast at the Canadian National Exhibition with a little kid #CNE2014 #letsgototheex

As a native Torontonian, a yearly tradition for me is attending the annual CNE (Canadian National Exhibition). When I was younger, I was all about the Tiny Tom Donuts and the rides.

Now that I'm a Mom, I'm still all about the Tiny Tom Donuts, but I see the Ex through my daughter's eyes. We still spend a little bit of time on the midway (Hannah isn't quite tall enough to ride the rides herself), but we enjoy watching the President's Choice SuperDogs, spending hours in the CNE Farm building looking at the piggies and cows and of course riding the Fun Train (well, Hannah, I'm too big for that one).

The CNE can be so many things to anyone. Great shopping. Great food. Great entertainment. It's all at the Ex.

A Tale of Two Tees

Yesterday Hannah wore her Thomas shirt to school. The one I purchased at Walmart. In the boy's section. (The girl's section had no Thomas).

Since she's a preschooler now, I couldn't help but wonder if other kids would notice that she was wearing a boy's shirt. Some of the kids she's with now are 4 years old. When you're only 2.5 you don't notice much of fashion (OK, my kid doesn't). She just notices the characters or colours. She doesn't care what section it was purchased from or who it was "intended" for.

And obviously, since I made the decision to purchase it, deep down I don't care either. Thomas is a non-offensive show that she enjoys. There are two Thomas backpacks in her new coat room - guess what she shows me every day?

But a part of me couldn't help but wonder if the older kids would pick up on it. Would they think she's cool for liking Thomas? Would they question her as to why she's wearing a boy's shirt?

Be part of a Guinness World Record with Kinder Surprise at the CNE on August 30th #kindersmiles

I love Kinder Surprise. And I love Guinness World Records. 

On Saturday August 30th, 2014 you can make history with KINDER® Canada as they attempt to break the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS® mark for the most people opening candy simultaneously on at the Canadian National Exhibition.

Adventures in Preschool Streaming with Netflix Canada #StreamTeam

As part of the Netflix Canada #StreamTeam, you may have noticed I post at least once a month about awesome Netflix shows, and usually said posts have a theme. The theme for August is Adventures. The PR folks recommended a slew of great titles for little kids and for the first time ever, ALL the shows recommended were ones that have never streamed on our TV screen.

So, it's been an adventure trying to watch something new with my preschooler who lives for routine (and rotating through the same episodes of Yo Gabba Gabba!, Bubble Guppies, Thomas and Friends, Sesame Street, Super Why! and Pingu).

Right now, Hannah is obsessed with turtles. Well, at least her turtle shirt. Whenever we wash it she HAS to wear it the next day, so I thought for sure she would want to watch A Turtle's Tale: Sammy's Adventures.

#ShineStrong with Pantene #PGmom #Giveaway

Beautiful is the strength it takes to reach for your dreams, to speak a little louder, to stand up for what you believe in and to not apologize for it. And that’s what Pantene wants to recognize and celebrate!

#ShineStrong is an exciting movement designed to empower women around the world to be strong and shine, on the inside and out. It celebrates women just like you—who are confidently and courageously bringing this essence to life and inspiring other women every day to do the same.

As part of this movement, Pantene has started #ShineStrong Tag to encourage women to give a shout out to the people, events and products that help them #ShineStrong via YouTube, Instagram (@PanteneHair), Twitter (@Pantene) and Facebook (Facebook.com/PanteneNA)!

Interactive History at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum #Review #Giveaway

With all the rain we've had this summer, it's good to have some indoor activities in your back pocket. Enter the Canadian Warplane Heritage museum in Hamilton, Ontario.

The Canadian Warplane Heritage museum is a working airplane hangar with many interactive displays where you can touch, sit in and learn about warplanes. There are also flight simulators for kids to experience what it would be like to be in a plane.

Hannah enjoyed  sitting in an Avro Canada CF100 MK 5D with Daddy, riding in a "jeep", and sticking her head through the photo cutouts to be a pilot with Mommy.

The Busy Parents Guide to Dating - Hospital Styles

Yesterday I was in the ER. I'm a migraine Mommy, and this "summer" weather (pft) has not been kind to my head.

On Tuesday evening I couldn't feel my right leg. Sometimes my limbs go numb, but usually after a night's sleep I feel normal again. Not the case Wednesday morning.

So Chris dropped me off at the hospital, drove Hannah to daycare and then came back to meet me. He arrived after my blood had been drawn (can you believe that still freaks me out after having given HOW much blood during my pregnancy?) and right before the coolest ER doctor ever saw me. This guy needs his own reality show. He was really just that cool of a dude. You would have thought we were just conversing like old friends at a party instead of him attempting to diagnose me in a busy Toronto hospital.

Stop being #Noseblind - Febreze to the Rescue #Giveaway #PGmom

During my pregnancy, I was very sensitive to smells. Food, body odour, almost any scent grossed me out. Even now, my nose is more sensitive than Chris - or maybe he's just noseblind.

Definition of Noseblind: The gradual acclimation to the smells of one’s home, car, or belongings, in which the affected does not notice them (even though their family members or guests do).

Many times I'll come home with Hannah, and Chris will already be back from work. I will smell dinner, or worst case scenario, Booyah's letterbox...he may have sensitive smell, but he's one cat who is definitely noseblind! I crack out the Febreze Air Effects Meadows & Rain to make our home breathable for all.