Favourite Books -

Andria shares some of her little ones (and hers) favourite books:

1. A Busy Bugz Pop UP Books Series. www.busybugz.com
From their site:

"The Eight books of the core range: Buzz off I'm Busy, When I'm Big, Mayday to the Rescue, In a Spin, Home Sweet Home, Sparkles in the Dark, Toolbox Trouble and Sarge in Charge!"

2. The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson and Alex Scheffler
Chapters WriteUp:

"A gruffalo? What`s a gruffalo?" "A gruffalo! Why, didn`t you know? He has terrible tusks, and terrible claws, and terrible teeth in his terrible jaws." And so begins the story of a quick-witted mouse as he encounters a host of predators who seem to think he might make a tasty treat. As he ventures deeper into the deep dark wood, stumbling across a hungry fox, a not-so-wise owl, and a slimy snake, spinning ever-extraordinary yarns about the scary, scaly gruffalo, he quickly realises that the hungry beast he has been talking of isn`t imaginary after all. A witty, sly little story that wrings giggles from the belly of the reader, The Gruffalo is both stylish and hilarious, simple in its execution, as it plays skilfully on a child`s fears and then shows that even the most threatening of monsters are not always as scary as they seem."

I am familiar with both of those books and they are great Andria. I don't have either but am going to add them to H's book list.

Thanks for sharing!

Favourite Snacks - Cookie Cutter Jam Sandwiches and More

Lana shares:

"L is starting to really like jam sandwiches cut into a shape with a cookie cutter. She picks the cutter - and we make the shape together...I even had her try pb and banana. Another fave is mini muffins."

Thanks, Lana, those are great ideas! I will try and give those a go soon! H is pretty stuck on his usual: crackers, cookies, yogurt, craisins, etc. It would be really nice to try some different things.

Winter Favourites - Stonz Boots

Allyson sent me this awhile ago, but I thought I would hold off on it until the snow was closer. We had snow here in Barrie last week, so I guess it is time.

Another one of her faves are:

"Stonz - going on the same advice of my chiropractor, she recommended these 'boots' for P's first winter. Most boots are too bulky and cumbersome. A new walker generally can't walk in his/her first winter boots, making outings very frustrating. These thinly lined covers, fit over the child's shoes or booties with a very thin tread to keep them from slipping. The top closes with a drawstring."

Thanks Allyson, I saw these last year and really thought about them, but H wasn't even close to walking yet so I was unsure.

I was just on their website and they offer a lot of other items other than just boots. The mitts look really cool too! Two other perks are that they are a Canadian company (which is also nice to support) and shipping is free too if your order is more than $50.

Check out their products at http://www.stonzwear.com/default.aspx?

First Year Favourites - Easy Cover Infant Carseat Cover

Just the other day a friend of mine was asking if I used a snowsuit that first winter with H when he was just first born. I had to really think about what I did. I knew that I bought him a snowsuit his second winter, but I couldn't, for some reason, recall what I used for everyday transporting to here and there in the car when he was first born. Then it hit me - how could I forget one of the best inventions yet? I had an Easy Cover!

The Easy Cover is this great contraption that goes OVER your baby carseat. It is quilted for warmth and has this peek-a-boo opening that you can open for baby to see out or close to protect them from those winter elements. It also had two zippers which made the opening bigger which helped with getting your little one in and out of the carseat. It also has a safe backless design so there is no chance of movement inside of the carseat and it is recommended by Keepsafe Canada. Another great feature is it machine washable. It comes in blue, black, hot pink and light grey.

We LOVED ours and have even lent it out now to two friends!

If you need something to keep your little one warm this winter season and do not want to attempt a snowsuit for trips to the grocery store or friends pick one of these up.

I purchased mine from Serenity Birth Studio here in Barrie, but I am sure you can find them online as well!

Favourite Updates - Mabel's Labels and Dapper Snappers

I just wanted to update you on two products that I had recently mentioned on the site, but have just recently purchased.

I love, love, love my Mabel's Labels. I especially like them for H's sippy cups as I send one with him to daycare and some of the other little ones have the same one so the label makes it easy for my daycare provider to figure out whose is whose. I have put my cups in the dishwasher many times already and the labels look just like they did when I first put them on. I bought them in a multi-pack that also came with labels for shoes, clothing and some bag tags. LOVE THEM!
www.mabel.ca

The other product is Dapper Snappers. They are sort of belt that just loops around the back of a pair of pants. They make changing much easier than using a belt as there is no undoing in the front. H is a tiny guy so these come in very handy as most of his jeans are too big in the waist. I think that this is a great idea and will especially come in handy when we are potty training as a belt would make it difficult for both of us to undo in time.
www.dappersnappers.com

Check both of these products out!

Favourite Snacks - Veggies and Hummus

Heather E shares on of her little guy's favourite snacks:

"For the best snack ever (lots of 'yum' and healthy too!): veggies and hummus. No brand, but it ensures that even if he fills up on snacktime, he's getting his vitamins and protein!"

I love HUMMUS, and decided to try this with H the other day but sadly it was a no go. Now it was a roasted red pepper hummus, so I might try something a bit blander. I think it is a super snack and I agree - a great way to get in some protein as our little ones often don't eat a lot of meat.

Thanks Heather, I will keep trying with H until he likes it!

Don't forget to send me your little ones' favourites, moms!

Other Favourites - Frozen Dinners, Sports Pants and Flushable Wipes

Heather M shares some more of her favourites:

"-Frozen prepared meals and chicken divan (recipe is on the low fat cream of brocolli soup)
-Sports pants from Bonnie togs for boys- $12 a pair with a drawstring for the skinny kids
-Flushable wipes, just trust me on this one, doesn't matter the brand or make, the cheaper the better, life is just better with them..."

Heather these all sound like great favourites that will make any mom's day so much easier! Thanks for the great tips, I will definitely be checking them out!

Favourite Toys - Melissa and Doug Play Food

Lana shares:

"Melissa and Doug Play food - especially the Ice Cream set. L loves it! She takes your order, sometimes charges you money for it, and brings you your ice cream as requested. All of the food is good quality and leads to hours of imagination and fun. I purchased the cookie set for her for Christmas and there is also a pizza set that's on my list too!"

Lana, the Ice Cream set must be a hit, another mom mentioned it as well. I have also heard of the cookie set. It is so neat when they can pretend play like that and make real world connections. Those are great ideas for Christmas and good for either gender. Melissa and Doug make great toys and are a definite Mommy Favourite! They can be purchased from many toy stores and even online.

Check out their products at http://www.melissaanddoug.com

Thanks for sharing, Lana!

Other Favourites - MagZ BagZ

Maureen shares:

"I Love my Magz Bagz Bag... great fabrics, and totally functional".

I have to be honest, but I had no idea what this was when Maureen first sent it to me. My first reaction was that it was one of those bags made out of recycled magazines or something?? But after checking out their website, I instantly fell in love at first sight. The patterns and colours are AMAZING and that was even before I read that they are:

•Hand crafted in Canada
•Designer fabric throughout
•Laminated 100% cotton fabric
•Mildew (anti-microbial) resistant
•UV inhibitors built-in to lengthen the life of your bag
•Spills and dirt easily wiped away with a wet cloth

The bags come in three different styles: Backpack, Sling and Messenger. From here you can choose from a variety of fabrics, designs and colours. They range in price from $75 to $115.

After spending a bit more time on their website I learned that they must be a very popular product as many fabrics are currently sold out. Good for them; bad for us!

They also offer some other accessories such as a diaper pouch or change pad.

The line seems to be geared towards new moms and diaper bags, but I can see you using this bag after as well.

Check out their cool bags at http://www.magz-bagz.com

Bathtime Favourites - Boon Bath Goods

Kim shares:

"Boon Bath Goods - they are great little foam shapes that stick on the bath tub or the wall when wet. Also it comes with a little scrubber and some floating balls. A loved arranging them and catching them when they floated in the water."

Thanks Kim, I am somewhat familiar with Boon as they make that cute Frog that suctions to your tub and holds your bath toys. I have yet to buy it, but it sure looks cute!

Their website says that Bath Goods are a collection of fifteen bath appliques, 3 balls and two mini-scrubbies. They do not absorb water which therefore reduces the risk of mold and mildew. Sounds pretty neat to me! I know that I constantly squeeze out all of the water in H's bath toys EVERY NIGHT and then worry about what is growing inside of them - so these would be a good alternative.

Toys R Us sell a lot of the Boon products, but I am not sure that they sell this particular one.

If you are looking for some modern designer bath toys - pick this cool pack up for your little one's bath!

Toddler Favourites - Grab A Scab

I saw this today on one of my discount websites and decided to post it right away (in front of all the others that you wonderful ladies have sent me) before I forget it.

Grab A Scab is a Canadian company that makes fabric sticker patches that come in a variety of colours and designs. They can go on just about anything and are said to be very durable and machine washable. They just stick on, so there is no worrying about ironing or sewing like the patches we are familiar with. They offer a few different collections: Original, Button, Allergy, Safety and Mini Monster. They even custom make scabs for teams or organizations!

Some neat features I found while checking our their site are:
-the allergy ones alert that your child has a food allergy so they would be good to put on your child's lunch bag
-the safety ones are reflective so they would be good for bikes and outdoor clothing
-the more you buy the cheaper they are (e.g., 1 scab is $6.99, while 2 are $11.99, 5 are $27.50 and so on)

Check out their products at www.grabascab.com

They are a pretty neat idea!

Toddler Favourites - Hatley Raincoats

One of Heather E's faves are Hatley raincoats.

"They are great for fall/spring. Completely waterproof, terry-cloth lined, and super-duper cute. R's has brown and black dogs sailing, my nieces' have apples and flowers."

Heather I love the Hatley stuff, especially the raincoats! They have such cute designs and lots of selection. They even have coordinating rain boots and umbrellas to match! This may be something that we ask Nana to get H for Christmas!

Hatley products can be found in many gift shop type of stores and they also sell their stuff online (my favourite way of shopping).

I actually have been searching EVERYWHERE for this one T-Shirt that they make, it is a bear skull and crossbones, but have yet to find it. (Keep at eye out for it please, mommies!)

Check out their products at www.hatleystore.com

Just for Moms - Wine, wine and wine

One of Heather M's favourites that she sent me was:

Peller Estates Cabernet Merlot, a lovely yet inexpensive wine less than $ 15 a bottle. I have tried this wine, Heather, and it is quite yummy! Peller Estates is an Ontario winery.

From their website this wine is described as, "Juicy red and black berry flavours with a touch of spice fill the mouth and carry through on the finish. A great medium-bodied sipping wine."

Bruce and I have been trying a lot of different reds lately and two that I really like and are also inexpensive are:

Fuzion - Shiraz: this is a wine from Argentina and is described as, "aromas of crushed berries and spice; dry medium-bodied, flavours of candied berries and black pepper."

Open - Cabernet Merlot. Open is an Ontario wine and has been described as, "red currant, earth and cocoa powder; light bodied". This one is my top fave at the moment!

The only downfall with these wines is I find that they need to be drank quickly as they have a short length - but who can have just one glass?

What is your favourite wine?
Check these wines out if you like a good red!