Sesame Place a must visit for Sesame Street fans #SesamePlace

If you could travel anywhere tomorrow, most people would choose to visit an exotic location or travel to family far away. Not me. I'd want to go to Langhorne, Pennsylvania. My family travelled there this summer and our day in Langhorne was by far my favourite of the entire vacation. As soon as we drove away, I immediately wanted to go back. Because, even though Sesame Street is set in New York City, Sesame Place is in Langhorne.

The Hot Toy of 2013 - Playskool's #BigHugsElmo (Review & Giveaway)

I was 14 years old when I discovered Tickle Me Elmo in a toy store in August 1996. You squeezed him and he let out his signature giggle. Elmo’s laugh is so contagious, I just knew he would make me feel better on crummy days. I begged my Mom to buy him for me for Christmas. “What does a girl entering high school need with a Sesame Street toy?” she retorted.

Fall came, and the colder the weather got, the more popular Tickle Me Elmo became.  There were stampedes of people whenever a retail store got a shipment. It became pretty clear that no matter how badly I wanted Tickle Me Elmo, he was not going to be under the tree. Christmas Eve came and along with it, the tradition of our parents allowing us to open our “biggie” (aka most expensive) present. My box was roughly the shape of the one Tickle Me Elmo came in. It couldn’t be him….could it?

Unbeknownst to me, my Mom had returned to the toy store that day in August. My very own Tickle Me Elmo had been hiding in our hall closet all those months I openly pined (and whined) for him, my Mom holding her breath that he would stay silent in the box, preserving the surprise. 

Ladies and gentleman, Big Hugs Elmo is the hot toy of 2013, and I’m so happy (and a little relived) that my daughter already has him before the holiday rush.

A Daughter's Hug, A Monster's Hug #BigHugsElmo Giveaway

I was never a hugger until Hannah was born and I became a mother. My favourite times of the day now revolve around her hugs – that awesome first, sleepy hug in the morning, extra cuddly because she’s still waking up. The second is the daycare pick-up hug – the excited, gripping, so happy to see you hug (which is often accompanied with a slobbery kiss and comes after the “MOMMY!” yell from across the daycare’s playground).

But, my favourite hug of all is Hannah’s surprise hug. These come at random times, in random forms and often catch me off guard. Sometimes she grips my leg while I’m washing dishes. Other times she climbs on top of me while we are watching TV on the couch. And then there’s her reciprocal patting on the back hug – which she has been doing for almost a year now!

Sometimes I think she senses I need a hug, other times she needs comfort.

She loves giving hugs ALMOST as much as she loves Elmo.

For the Love of Zed #TGCBB

When I write, I make sure to use the Canadian spelling of words. (I am so ecstatic when I type the u in words like favourite, neighbour, favour, honour, etc. and it doesn't result in the red squiggly underline...this was not always the case.)

But pronouncing things the Canadian way? That's a little more difficult.

When people ask me what my blog name is, I make a conscious effort to pronounce it "Why-Why-Zed" Bambina. Because it's the Canadian way.

I shouldn't have to make a conscious effort to say something I've known since I was little, but it's hard.

Especially when Sesame Street and many other children's programming is American. When Elmo, my daughter's favourite monster of all time, opens his mouth to sing his ABCs, I cringe. All because of the last letter he sings - Z.

Baby Fashionista

At some point in the Mother-Daughter relationship, the mom begins to listen to and seek advice from the daughter in regards to fashion.

Hannah, months old, is already giving me her opinion on my outfits. I'm not exactly a trendsetter. My closet is full of American Eagle, Joe Fresh, Jacob and RW & Co. classic, comfortable items in navy, hunter green, gray and black.

Therefore, (even months before she was born) Hannah has a much cuter, colourful wardrobe than I do.

My cousin came to visit us and today we went to Vaughan Mills. Eventually we found ourselves in Forever 21. Hannah was all about soaking in the different colours, prints and textures in the store. I was all about searching for a top to wear for portraits we are taking later this week.

I found two that I really liked and couldn't determine which one to choose. I held them up against me, one at a time, for Hannah to see. She clearly preferred one over the other (the "loser" didn't even get focused on, the winner got a huge two-tooth smile).

So already Hannah is affecting my fashion choices. Helping me choose bolder colours, and more interesting cuts. (Although, she once saw a women's Elmo shirt in Sears...she liked it so much, it now hangs in my closet...hopefully she'll stick to patterns and prints from now on...or I will just be stronger at not buying things that make her smile).

Do you ask your kids for their opinions on what you wear?

© 2012 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.

Hannah's Pick of the Month - Sesame Street Teether Babies

Every month I write about Hannah's favourite toy to give her a say on my blog. This is her pick for May 2012. 

There seems to be a trend with Hannah's favourite toys. Anything I find ugly/creepy she seems to love, and my Mom always seems to purchase her said ugly/creepy toy.

Back in university I was dating a guy who had a lot of tattoos. He pressured me to get one and all I could think of was getting an Elmo. Fret not, I was too chicken to get it and my skin remains Elmo-free.

But I still really love Elmo. A LOT. So when Hannah's new favourite toy became her Elmo Sesame Street Teether Baby I should have been pleased, this is ELMO after all!

But as you can see from the photo to the left, Elmo's main teething spots are his hands. And they are creepily larger than his green-bottomed feet (which of course, crinkle. All toys today seem to crinkle...). I've seen Hannah suck his eye, his nose, and yes bite down on his hand. And it has the handy clip on function so she can stare at Elmo in her stroller. And because Elmo is red, she can stare at him for 20 minutes at a time (which is a long time in her world).

She still loves her Bug (April's Pick), but Elmo is running a close second, and as she starts to teethe I bet he will come out of our diaper bag and replace the bug as first rank.