Nayla Natural Giveaway Winner

Thanks to everyone for entering the Nayla Natural Care giveaway! I had a lot of fun and am happy to announce the winner….drum roll please….

Congrats Sherri!  I’ll be in touch and will set you up with Gwen from Nayla Natural Care.

Don’t forget, until December 20th, if you use the code ‘momsense’ online, you save 10% off your order!

If you haven’t already, check out the Nayla Natural Care Facebook Page and if you are in Ottawa, there is a great holiday open house that Nayla will be at with other local businesses on Saturday, November 28th.

Thanks again

(note: Why is my screen shot cut off? Because I had no idea what I was doing and couldn’t figure out how to convert and crop, and when I did, it was cut off. ha! ;)

Tagged, and running…

Christine (@litemochamom) tagged me on her blog Thoughts from a Lite Mocha Mom in a meme about myself. So, here are those answers, a little about me: (and while you’re hear, please drop a comment on my $50 giveaway post for your chance to win!)

1. Name someone with the same birthday as you. Groundhogs. Okay, they aren’t celebrating their birthday but I’m counting it.

2. Where was your first kiss. A the boy’s birthday party. It was a little smack, we were 5.
3. Have you ever seriously vandalized someone else's property? Ug, ah, kinda. And if you know me in real life, you know this is out of character. But in high school I helped steal a Pizza Hut sign.
4. Have you ever hit someone of the opposite sex? Yuppers, but not in some bar fight or something.
5. Have you ever sung in front of a large number of people? When I was younger, I did solo singing competitions. I can’t sing now if my life depended on it!

6. What's the first thing you notice about your preferred sex? His smile
7. What really turns you off? smoking
8. What do you order at Starbucks? Usually, a Grande, extra hot caramel mocha. During the holidays? Grande, extra hot peppermint mocha.
9. What is your biggest mistake? oh geez, we all make mistakes. Many small ones add up, but they shape me.

10. Have you ever hurt yourself on purpose? No
11. Say something totally random about yourself.I was obsessed with x-files when it was on. I mean, obsessed. (I miss it) 
12. Has anyone ever said you looked like a celebrity? I don’t think so
13. Do you still watch kiddie movies or TV shows? Ah, dude, I’m a mom.
14. Did you have braces? I did! and retainer!
15. Are you comfortable with your height? Yes
16. What is the most romantic thing someone of the preferred sex has done for you? Our engagement – thoughtful, very us, perfect, sweet
17. When do you know it's love? When you feel about him like you do about chocolate. (well, mostly, I mean, what kind of chocolate are you comparing him to? forget it…just go with your heart)
18. Do you speak any other languages? Not well.
19. Have you ever been to tanning salon? No.
20. What magazines do you read? Today's Parent, Canadian Living, Macleans

21. Have you ever ridden in a limo? A couple times

22. Has anyone you were really close to passed away? Yes

23. Do you watch MTV? No
24. What's something that really annoys you? People who lie. And noticeably, or about something that I already know the truth about. Why are you lying?
25. What's something you really like? Hot bubble baths. And chocolate.
26. Do you like Michael Jackson? Old Michael, 80s/90s
27. Can you dance? Hells no
28. What the latest you have ever stayed up? almost an all-nighter a few times. Asleep around 4, 5, 6 am, get a few hours.
29. Have you ever been rushed by an ambulance into the emergency room? No (knock on wood)
30. Do you actually read these when other people fill them out? Sometimes!
31. Tag 5 people!

So, I’m cheating and won’t tag, but want to participate? Answer these questions on your blog and post the link in the comments. Would love to read them!

Getting Flu info – Moms Fight the Flu

It’s impossible, if you live in Canada (or at least Ontario where I am), to have not heard about H1N1, the vaccine and the media frenzy that has surrounded it. It’s likely even more impossible not to have an opinion about getting the vaccination or not, or feeling stressed having to wade through information on the internet and in the media.

With two young children, I read as much information as I could without driving myself insane,and decided to get us all vaccinated.  I won’t argue why or against those who decide not to, but I will say that after reading credible information I was comfortable making the decision. But it wasn’t an easy one.  As a parent, all you want is the best for your child.  This potential pandemic is new territory.

When I was asked to blog about the Ontario Ministry of Health flu information, I was happy to.  There are times when I feel I have to put trust in experts and my government, and this is one of those times. 

Below are a few helpful links, including clinics offering the vaccine (now open to all residents), information about the flu, the vaccine and where to get help, and an identifier tool.  I will say, that I found the tool not very useful – most of the scenarios in which it identifies that I (or the kids) could have influenza are logical conclusions.  If you are concerned about any symptoms you or your family have, be sure to consult your doctor. 

List of Clinics

Influenza identifier tool

Flu information

No matter what you decide about the vaccine, please be sure to take typical precautions to avoid illness and stay home should you or your family be ill.

I wrote this post while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central and received a Mom Central gift pack to thank me for taking the time to participate. For more information, please visit www.momcentral.com

25 Days of Christmas – Advent Calendar

Last year, after reading about the idea to create my own advent calendar of activities on the A Peak Inside the Fishbowl blog, I vowed I would do it this year with the kids.  December is now fast approaching, so I am posting my list below.

I haven’t done the envelopes yet – I am thinking that will be an activity I’ll do with my son this week – we’ll decorate them with stickers and sparkles! It’ll be a number counting/writing activity at the same time.

This list may change if something comes up.  There are a few things that I decided not to include on the list – outings to museums or libraries because we tend to do that during the week anyway etc.Also, we have company at our house from the 18th on and some events in between so I worked my days knowing I’m already committed, plus I had to work it around preschool schedule, library club that we go to etc.  I also had to make them age appropriate (aimed at a 3 year old).

I think I found a fun balance of different/special activities that we will all be able to enjoy!!

Thanks to Christine (@litemochamom) and Andrea (@missfish) for some ideas for this list.

Check out a complete how to from A Peak Inside the Fishbowl and while I haven’t decided how to ‘hang’ them yet, this is a really great idea from Lynn at Turtlehead

Our list:

1. Write and mail letters to Santa.

2. Paint a paper Christmas tree for the wall.

3. Sing Jingle Bells – get a special chocolate treat.

4. Dessert for supper, supper for dessert!

5. Make hot chocolate.

6. Select 2 toys to donate to other children who need toys.

7. Make a paper snowman for the wall. Play ‘pin the face on the snowman’

8. Make Christmas cards for your friends.

9. Sing Frosty the Snowman. Enjoy a special chocolate treat.

10. Buy a toy and bring it to Toy Mountain.

11. Make paper snowflakes and decorate the windows

12. Bake a batch of Christmas cookies.

13. Go for a drive to see Christmas lights and decorations.

14. Using pine cones, make bird feeders with peanut butter.

15. Make a list of ten things we are thankful for. Hang it where you can see it every day.

16. Play Christmas hide and seek with a Christmas bear! Can you find him?

17. Christmas PJ party! Stay in your pjs all day, watch Christmas shows, read Christmas stories and snuggle!

18. Sing Rudolph. Enjoy a special chocolate treat.

19. Make and enjoy hot chocolate!

20. Make a paper chain for the mantel.

21. Bring Snow in the house to play in a bucket. Put some in the freezer, some in the fridge. What happens? Read the book ‘Snow’

22. Sing We Wish you a Merry Christmas. Enjoy a special chocolate treat.

23. Bake and decorate Christmas cupcakes.

24. Unwrap one present after dinner (mommy and daddy get to pick which one)

25.  It’s Christmas Day. Remember you have a family who loves you. And that’s the most important gift of all.

Once we get them done, I’ll post pictures! I think this is such a great way to really savour the month leading into Christmas.

Are you creating one? Would love to hear activities on your list!

Saturday Night

Once upon a time, my husband and I would make dinner reservations at either 7 or 8 on a Saturday night. After a day of doing whatever (visiting the market? afternoon movie? napping?) we would pick a restaurant – either an old stand by (The Works, Moxies, La Favorita-now La Dolce Vita) or something fancy (Beckta, Allium etc) and head out.  Our supper would last almost 3 hours – spread out over Caesars, appetizers, mains, dessert, a bottle of wine and coffee or tea. 

Now, it’s Saturday night and dinner was eaten at 4:30.  Because I was tired, it was Swiss Chalet, take out.  After, we played and danced to Christmas music.  It’s now 6 pm and we are putting the kids to bed, each of us trying not to fall asleep with the little being we cuddle.  Our plans tonight? Cleaning house because tomorrow we’ll get busy or be tripping over the kids. 

I loved Saturday date night. But I really appreciate Saturday family night as well. While there are things I miss about the ‘old days’, I wouldn’t trade them for the love and joy this house has now. 

Plus, while we clean, we will enjoy a little wine.  And the Christmas music stays.

What did your date nights used to look like? What’s the biggest thing you miss (an uninterrupted conversation may be mine. I miss my food being warm, I think having no interruptions while telling a story would be nice ;)