As one of Canada's new Nickelodeon Moms, I am excited to share with you some exclusive product launches, reviews and giveaways. Think Dora The Explorer, SpongeBob SquarePants, and a soon to be re-launched childhood favourite. First off, we have a LEGO SpongeBob Bikini Bottom Undersea Party building playset that contains 471 pieces and is recommended for children between the ages of 6 and 12. Now that school is out for summer, it's time for me... er, I mean... my kids to enjoy some imaginative play!

 

Last month, my husband and I were invited to attend the official opening of Mysteriously Yours Dinner Theatre's Apprentice to Murder, an interactive murder mystery based on Donald Trump’s The Apprentice. With a quirky mix of celebrities who try to solve the case, dinner guests are able to interact directly with the characters while taking notes in order to determine the guilty party. Aside from the Donald, other characters included Sue Polyester, Regis Fildin, Joan Rivets, Lindsay Lohest, Gary Boozy and Madame Gaga. Yes, the perfect recipe for outrageous hilarity. (I will leave it to you to figure out which real-life celebrities they are impersonating.)

This evening, I brewed a fresh pot of coffee and now I'm feeling all energized. I am also eager to get those creative juices a-flowing. You see, I have the pleasure of sharing with you a super fun contest that is currently running on the Energizer Bunny Canada Facebook fan page. It is called the Energizer Free Their Imagination contest and its aim is to celebrate the joy and benefits of playtime. Since Crayola products support "creative play," they have partnered with Energizer to maximize children's creativity by giving away some of their amazing products. At the time of this posting, I noted that there are currently 2,304 Crayola prizes up for grabs!

If there is one thing people should know about me, it would be that I am very particular about the food I eat, how it is prepared and the way in which I consume it. It is one of the reasons why I would rather choose to make my own breakfast even when my husband offers to make it for me. I need my eggs cooked just so, with a hint of salt, and a nicely toasted slice of bread or half a bagel. I do not want an egg covered in salt next to a bagel that has been slathered in butter. Nor do I enjoy eating a burnt piece of toast. The problem with our old toaster stems from the fact that my husband and I were constantly adjusting the dial to our individual preference, making it hard to get a consistent shade. Thankfully, Dempster's sent over a new state-of-the-art toaster that toasts bagels to perfection.

My Writing Journeys is a "100-page writing-practice book that engages students through a wide variety of writing and art forms. Each activity has been designed to draw on the students’ personal experiences and connections."

This colourful book is a great way to start the day in the classroom and makes it easy for teachers to find engaging activities. My Writing Journeys supports Ontario curriculum and provides daily writing practice. Page features include graphic organizers, writing tips, art tips and adjective pages. There is no planning required and online resources will be made available in August 2012. It also provides students with a keepsake to take home at the end of the year.

This past week has seen many highs and lows coupled with the stresses of managing a busy schedule and finalizing report cards. I've laughed with my children, yelled at Cristiano Ronaldo during game one, and cried with my sister as we chatted via Facebook. On Friday, I mowed the lawn, washed my Jeep, and cursed the weeds. Saturday morning, I attended an advance screening by my lonesome since the kids had to have their soccer pictures taken. Afterwards, I watched teenage girls chase Justin Bieber down Richmond Street as his car drove passed following a sound check on the Much Music Video Awards stage. Sunday was spent with my entire family in Hamilton, oohing and ahhing over the thunderous jet fighters, snowbirds and other aircraft as they flew over my parents' backyard during the Hamilton Air Show. And today, I woke up feeling different.

Today, I resigned to the fact that, as much as I would love to hold onto the idealistic view of how my life should be, there are certain things I cannot change. And while it saddens me to think that my life will never be exactly as I had once imagined it would be, there comes a certain sense of peace with the realization that I no longer need to force myself to struggle for the unattainable. Some may regard this as giving up or giving in. But maybe it should be more about forgiving. Forgiving others who may have reacted out of circumstance, forgiving myself for losing sight of what's truly important. I don't know. I will tell you, though, that one of my goals is to incorporate mindfulness into my day-to-day life. To call my attention to the present moment, and as Laurel @Optimom wisely suggested to me when we first met, just let it go. Let go of the past. Let go of negative emotions. Let go of the things I cannot change. 

Three small words that could very well be my saving grace.

Just another one of my friend Odette's amazing balloon creations.

This woman is after my own heart. 

 (You can visit Balloons by Odette on Facebook for more stunning balloons!)

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According to a parenting article in the Globe and Mail last April, studies have shown that "up to 10 per cent of kindergarten-aged children suffer from an anxiety disorder – a rate that jumps to more than 15 per cent of high-school students." While teachers may not necessarily pick up on anxiety disorders since they normally do not affect a child's ability to learn, parents often notice their child's unusual behaviour. One of the coping strategies mentioned in the article is to explain to the child that his or her feelings of fear and worry stem from a condition called anxiety. And what better way to begin an open dialogue than through storytelling. Allow me to introduce you to Martha the Mouse.

You know those days when you have a gazillion and one things to do, and your husband is working, and the kids are arguing over the one toy that's been collecting dust for months? Those days when the house is a complete and utter disaster, the laundry is piled higher than Mt. Everest and you haven't even begun to think about what's for dinner? It is during those desperate times when motherhood seems the most daunting, when all you feel like doing is throwing your hands up in the air and running in the opposite direction. Sometimes, all you need is some good old quality 'me time', a break from the every day routine, a solitary walk in the park, a soothing cup of coffee alone in a café or even just an hour of yoga and meditation. Serenity now? Maybe. Grandma now? You bet!

Having moved to Toronto from my hometown of Hamilton, I don't often resort to dropping the kids off at my parent's whenever I'm in despair since it's at least a one-hour commute. I am, however, incredibly grateful that my mother-in-law lives literally five minutes away. And that she loves children. And that she's an amazing cook. And that she's always ready and willing to lend a helping hand. For this, I am truly grateful.

By now, I'm sure your little ones are getting really excited that Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted will be opening in theatres this Friday, June 8. Alex, Marty, Melman, Gloria and those crafty little penguins head out on a European adventure as part of a traveling circus, which they reinvent à la Madagascar. What your children may not know is that KINDER® has partnered with DreamWorks® to bring you specially-marked boxes of 3 KINDER® SURPRISE® Eggs: 1 of the 3 eggs inside is guaranteed to have a Madagascar 3 toy inside! There are 5 cool gadgets and 9 original Madagascar 3 Toys to collect. But the fun doesn't end there. Starting today, Madagascar 3 characters will be taking over the KINDER® Canada Facebook page for a massive promotion. For the next twelve days, fans will have the chance to instantly win 1 of 120 Cineplex® Family Passes to go see the movie as well as 1 of 4 Grand Prize passes!

Each Family Pass is valued at approximately $76 and includes two adult general admissions with two soft drinks, and one popcorn, plus two children’s admissions (ages 13 & under) with two kids’ tray combos (drink, popcorn, treat). Be sure to head over to KINDER® Canada Facebook page today.

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Sheepskin boots. Yeah, I've seen them around. Yet, I've never convinced myself that I needed to try on a pair. Not until recently, that is. But now that my daughter has her very own pair courtesy of EMU Australia, I'm beginning to suffer from sheepskin envy. The kid just doesn't want to take them off, they're that comfy. I don't see what the big deal is, really. I know they keep your legs and feet toasty warm and help to regulate your body temperature. Still I'm not so sure they would look good on me. My daughter really knows how to work them, though. She received a pair of EMU Wallaby Hi boots in chestnut and wears them with anything and everything. They're made with the finest Australian sheepskin and are one of the best quality children’s sheepskin boots available on the market.

Today is the first day of the last month of school. Not that I'm counting down the days, or anything. Who am I kidding? I am totally marking off the days with my red marking pen. It has been a busy school year and summer vacation is the perfect time to re-energize and spend more quality time with the kids. One of my favourite things to do over the summer, believe it or not, is to shop for back-to-school deals in anticipation of the beginning of a fresh new year. Even as a kid, I would get all tingly inside thinking about the first day back. New school supplies, new shoes and of course, new clothing - be still, my heart!

The Children's Place, Limeridge Mall in Hamilton