Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas from Photobox Canada

If you are anything like me you are scrambling for those last minute gift ideas for those hard to buy for people. Photobox Canada has a fantastic Christmas Corner full of great photo gifts for everyone on your list! 

We had some holiday photos done this year by a fantastic local photographer. He captured an amazing shot of my 2 children looking so cute I knew I had to display it in my home. I decided to make a photo canvas. Photobox Canada has a few styles to choose from including their new Retro Canvas! I chose to make a traditional rectangular canvas. Ordering from PhotoBox is so easy: just sign up for an account using your email and select the product you want to order. You can easily upload a photo from your computer or chose one from one of your social media accounts. 

The one I ordered is 24" by 16" and it is gorgeous! It arrived very quickly (within 7 days) and it was packaged perfectly to prevent damage. It came with a hanging kit so I can hang it on my wall. I'm planning to proudly display my photo canvas in my living room. That's this weekend's project! You still have time to order your own photo canvas before Christmas if you hurry! They make beautiful gifts! Visit Photobox Canada and get creative!

Salt Dough Christmas Ornaments

Every year in December my son and I make these wonderful salt dough Christmas ornaments. We have so much fun making them and they are so easy to make! They make fantastic gifts for friends and relatives from your little ones or simply hang them on your own tree.

Ingredients/Equipment Needed

• 1 cup flour 
• 1/2 cup salt
• 1/2 cup water 
• Rolling pin
• Cookie sheet 
• Drinking straw
• Holiday shaped cookie cutters 
• Acrylic paints
• Paintbrush
• Glitter (optional)
• Ribbon
• Parchment paper

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Bake Time: 1 1/2-2 hours, preheat oven to 250 F

Before you start to make the dough don't forget to preheat the oven to 250 F. In a large bowl mix the flour, salt and water. You want it to be soft and pliable. You may need to add more flour and water, but just add a little at a time.  I make my dough and put it in the fridge for about an hour because it's much easier to work with as it less sticky. 

When you are ready to start making your ornaments sprinkle some flour on your counter top or table to prevent the dough from sticking. Using a rolling pin, roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thickness.

Using your holiday cookie cutters cut out ornaments and place them onto a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. 

When you have finished cutting out all your ornaments, use the drinking straw to punch a hole into each ornament. This is so you can place a ribbon through the ornament for hanging. 

Place ornaments in the oven and bake for 1 1/2-2 hours or until completely dry. Flip once while baking, then remove and allow to cool completely. Oven temperatures vary so watch them closely. Once they are starting to lightly brown flip them.  If your ornaments are thicker or thinner baking time will vary as well. 

Once they are completely cooled (2-3 hours) you can paint them with acrylic paint. I bought some small, disposable containers at my local dollar store to use. My kids loved painting their ornaments and did a fantastic job! 

Allow the paint to dry completely before placing a ribbon through the hole for hanging. You are now ready to place your ornaments on the tree or give them as gifts! Happy Holidays and happy crafting! 

Getting Creative for Christmas with Photobox Canada

Can you believe it’s almost Christmas? This is my favourite time of the year. I love baking and decorating my house festively but I have the most fun buying or making gifts for those I love most. Finding that perfect gift can be difficult which is why I decided to make my husband a photo book filled with the memories we made this year! A photo book allows you to tell your unique story through photos. Photobox Canada offers unique, personalized photo gifts including canvas prints, phone cases, calendars and beautiful photo books. 

 Getting started was so easy! I simply went to the Photobox Canada website (https://www.photobox.ca) and created an account using my email address. Just for signing up they will give you 40 free 4 X 6 prints! And uploading your photos to their site couldn't be easier. There are 2 ways to do it, either directly from your computer or you can take them right from your social media sites like Instagram and Facebook. After you have uploaded your photos, select the product you wish to order and follow the simple instructions.  As you add your photos, Photobox Canada will let you know what the quality of that photo is through a happy face rating system. Your photos will either be rated excellent, average or poor. Most of my photos in my book were taken with my iPhone and uploaded from social media. Out of the 50 or so photos in my book only 4 received an average rating and you can’t tell when looking at the photo book. So if you're like me and only take photos with your phone rest assured your book will be as gorgeous as mine! 

I chose to create a 30 page square hard cover photo book. When I was making my photo book, I was given the choice of layout for each individual page allowing me to customize how many photos per page, background colour and you can add text you to each page or individual photo. I didn't add any text to my book choosing instead let it be a beautiful pictorial of our kids. You can pick and design the cover of your book. There were so many choices I really had a hard time picking but finally settled on a pale shade of blue.

After I completed my book which took me about 2 evening to complete or roughly 4 hours (I am a perfectionist!) I placed my order. I received my photo book approximately 7 days later packaged very carefully to prevent damage. I am thrilled with how it turned out! My book is a beautifully bound hard cover book that my husband will treasure for years to come! Each page is printed on beautiful high quality glossy photo paper. I am so excited to share this beautiful photo book with my husband on Christmas day and I can’t wait to make more amazing photo memories on Photobox Canada! 

Photobox is a print company with a twist- it's personal. "We take your photographs and print them onto books, calendars, posters and mugs (to name just a few)." They also store your photos, help you share them online and come up with new ways of doing all things digital. Visit them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! And don't forget to visit their new Christmas Corner!

Plasma Car Review and Giveaway: Why we LOVE this toy!

When PlaSmart asked if I would review their award winning original PlasmaCar I jumped at the chance! This is one of the coolest toys ever and it's powered by an inexhaustible energy source- KID POWER! There are no pedals, gears or batteries. The original PlasmaCar is a ride on toy that uses inertia and friction to power its motion. The PlasmaCar is propelled by turning the wheel back and forth. You can go as fast as 6 mph.

The PlasmaCar came unassembled but was super easy to put together.  It took my husband about 15 minutes to install the wheels and steering wheel. The directions in the box were well written and very simple to understand. And even the most uncoordinated of people (me!) can put it together very easily! The only tools required were a rubber mallet and a screwdriver.

I love that the PlasmaCar features a wider seat so older kids can enjoy it and that my kids can enjoy it together! It can hold up to 220 pounds so Moms and Dads can join in and share in the fun too! I admit I took a turn on the PlasmaCar and we all had a good laugh. The seat is designed to place riders in a comfortable position while minimizing tipping. My kids had a great time riding it together!

We did find that whether you use the PlasmaCar indoors or outdoors it works best on a  very flat surface. And it may leave marks on some hardwood floors so be cautious. We have laminate flooring and it did not leave any marks in my house and my 2 year old and 4 year old have travelled miles on it!

As you can see from the smiles on my children's faces they loved this toy! They have been using it in all their make believe games and would love another so they can have races! The PlasmaCar comes in 6 different colours and it is suitable for boys and girls age 3 and up. They are available at major retailers like Chapters and Toys R Us.  Don't forget to check out PlaSmart and all their awarding toys here and on Facebook, Twitter. And enter to win your very own here:

Enter Competition

I was given this product to review however all opinions expressed are my own. 

The Day I Finally Grew Up

Do you remember that moment when you realized you were finally a grown up? I spent most of my adult life waiting for that moment, waiting to feel different. I got engaged, married, bought a house but even though I had more responsibly I still felt the same. Even when I found out I was pregnant I didn't feel it.  I was ecstatic but I was more worried about what colour to paint the nursery or what to name him than what being repsonsible for another life meant. And then there was this moment shortly after my son was born that simply took my breath away.



 It wasn't the minute they placed him in my arms or the first time I held him to nurse. But as I placed him into his car seat and prepared to take him home from the hospital it suddenly hit me- I am solely responsible for this sweet little boy. My life suddenly became more important than it ever had before. I was finally a grown up and what I did mattered to more than just me. Throughout my pregnancy I thought I had prepared myself for the baby that my husband and I were welcoming into our lives. We bought a crib, diapers, clothes and arm loads of baby gear. I read baby books and talked to friends but nothing prepared me for that moment in front of the hospital. I strapped his little body into his seat feeling love and exhaustion wash over me and suddenly felt like I had been punched. What if something happens to me? What if something happens to my husband? What if something happens to both of us? Who would pay our mortgage or pay for my son's education? That was when I knew- we needed more life insurance. This amazing little boy who relied on me for everything needed to be protected and I needed to know that in the event a tragedy occurred that my son would be financially cared for.

 

Manulife Insurance offers simple and affordable life insurance for both you and your spouse. Applying is so easy and you can be approved in minutes for up to $250,000! It can be done right from your phone or tablet and you can easily use the Manulife calculator to determine how much insurance you and your spouse need. With premiums guaranteed for 10 years and no medical exam you should apply now for Manulife Cover Me Life Insurance and have the comfort of knowing that your loved ones are protected. We are now a family of four and I have 2 children to love and worry about it but life insurance has given me peace of mind. No matter what life throws at us, my family will be cared for.

Have you had a moment in your life when everything changed and you realized you  were resposible for someone else? What was it? Please join us Wednesday November 25 at 9 pm EST for a #BeCovered Twitter chat about what's important in life and to make sure you and your family are covered financially.

This post is sponsored by 360ACCESS on behalf of Manulife. The opinions are my own.



Mont Cascades: The Perfect Water Park for the Under 6 Set

Have you heard of Mont Cascades Water Park? It is located only 20 minutes from downtown Ottawa in the Outaouais and it is only $19.00 per person and kids 3 and under are free! We were lucky enough to spend the whole day there on a recent family vacation to Ottawa.  My kids (4 1/2 years  and 2 years) were bursting with excitement. They had never been to an outdoor water park before.  The entire short but scenic drive they kept asking "Are we there? Are we there?" I was grateful for the quick trip! Once we arrived the very friendly staff helped us to quickly get into the park where we began our day of fun! We had a quick peek at the park map and we were on our way!

Mont Cascades really is for children of all ages but it is the best water park in the area for the under 6 crowd. We have discovered that most water parks (both indoor and outdoor) are definitely geared towards older children so we were beyond thrilled to discover that Mont Cascades offered tons of water fun for the toddler and preschool set. The new addition of Splash Forest to the park offers young kids the chance to experience smaller, safe versions of the park's most popular slides plus water cannons, water wheels, a climbing net and the biggest, tipping bucket of water you have ever seen! There are also 5 kiddie slides located right near the entrance of the park that are designed for kids 48 inches and smaller! There are 3 smaller ones and 2 larger ones.  Both of my kids rode all 5 of these and loved them all! Parents are able to ride with their kids or simply wait at the bottom of the slide for them. What I loved most about the kiddie area is that is away from the bigger slides and it is very easy for both little and big kids to climb, play and swim. 

There are also a couple of small pools that are very shallow to cool off in.  One is located right near the front gate while the other is more centrally located and offers lounge chairs for parents as well. My kids had a great time splashing in the pools. The water temperature is perfect! We went on a bright, sunny day where the temperature hovered around 26 degrees Celsius. We were never cold waiting in small lines for our turn on the slides or too warm. There are lots of lifeguards in every area of the water park and they were constantly reminding the excited children not to run! 

There are also a few larger slides that young kids can ride as well with an adult. Mammoth River was our family's favorite! We loved that we could all enjoy it together!  Up to 5 riders per raft ride down a twisting slide to a huge splash at the bottom! Both of  my kids loved this ride (granted my daughter is a bit of a daredevil at 2) but may be better suited to kids 4 and over.

My son and I experienced a few other large slides while my husband and daughter played in the kiddie area. My son at 4 was able to safely ride Black Magic ( a completely enclosed slide where riders are completely in the dark), the Rapids River (lets you experience the thrill of a bobsled on a 2 person inner tube) and the Proracer (a 4 lane family style racing slide that you ride down head first on a mat!). He loved them all but his favorite was the Proracer because he could beat me! I had a great time riding the slides with my son and he was thrilled that he could ride the big slides with his Mom. 

Both of my kids played for about 3 hours before needing a break and when we did stop they were starving!  Mont Cascades does allow you take your own lunch and snacks into the park however nothing in a glass container! With everyone is bare feet they don't want anyone to step on any broken glass!  Or if you don't want to bring a lunch they do offer food and beverage on site including a licensed bar. We brought some snack and drinks for the kids but we purchased our lunch of hot dogs and fries. The food was good and very well priced!

Parking is included in your visit and there is ample parking. Change rooms and washrooms are conveniently located in the main lodge. Mont Cascades is open 7 days a week from 10 am to 5 pm. Check out their website here and plan your family's visit! It is the perfect way to spend a hot summer summer day with your small kids! My children still talk about the fun we had at Mont Cascades and I've promised we will go back next year. I had as much fun as they did!

A World of Play: The Children's Discovery Centre

Have you discovered the Children's Discovery Centre yet?  We did on a recent family vacation to Toronto and it was simply amazing! Located at 45 Strachan Avenue, the Children's Discovery Centre is very easy to get to by car or on public transit.  It is a children's museum where your little ones 6 and under are encouraged to touch everything!  They play, dress up, create, get dirty and use their very vivid imaginations to discover the world around them.  Their mission "is to inspire kids through creative play" and that is definitely accomplished within this incredible centre.  It is a 20,000 square foot indoor play facility that houses 10 Discovery Zones- The Art Hive, Imagination Station, Mini City, Campground, Storyland, Boom Room, Pet Vet, Eat Street and First Discoveries.

We visited the Children's Discovery Centre on a sunny Tuesday afternoon.  There were a few other families and a small group from a day camp but it never felt crowded or busy.  It is designed to feel open and children can move freely from room to room.  It makes watching multiple little ones very easy.  I loved watching my kids play and explore.  They went from room to room with utter excitement.  Each Discovery Zone brought new squeals of delight.  My son quickly exclaimed that this was the best day ever!  My children each have their own unique personalities and thus have different styles of play.  My son loves to build and create while my daughter likes to pretend and imagine so each one had a favourite Discovery Zone!  Every day the Children's Discovery Centre offers daily programming and activities! We enjoyed an alphabet scavenger hunt the day we dropped in.  Letters were hidden within each of the Discovery Zones and my son had to find them! He loved it and enjoyed getting a sticker as a reward at the end for finding all the letters.  I loved that he was learning and didn't even know it!  We started our adventure at the Children's Discovery Centre in the Imagination Station.

The Imagination Station- is space themed and my son quickly began building and playing with Feltro, an interactive construction tile system made of magnetized felt and the kid-sized large foam blocks that lock together.  He built a space city and wore a rocket ship!

The Campground- includes a beaver dam, a canoe, a tent and a build your own tee pee. My kids loved pretending they were camping!  It really felt like you were in the middle of the Canadian Wilderness.  They discovered bugs using a magnifying glass and had a pretend camp fire.

The Art Hive- Can you say creative mess?  My kids loved this Discovery Zone! There is a squeegee wall, painting, crafts and clay!  They created, they got dirty and they loved it!  We were lucky enough to visit during the Pan Am games and the daily activities and crafts were centered around the games. My kids and I made a flag that my children declared represented our family!

The Mini City- This was a favourite of my daughter's.  This area consists of  roads and a gravel pit, safety gear and bikes and other vehicles for kids to ride through a mini version of downtown Toronto. We spent a lot of time here as it is adjacent to the Imagination Station (my son's favourite Discovery Zone) and my daughter who is 2 thoroughly enjoyed trying all the different bikes, scooters and ride on toys.

Storyland- This Discovery Zone was designed to create a warm and cozy area to cuddle and curl up with a book!  There are little nooks filled with lights and pillows for getting comfy or a large bright area to discover letters. This was by far my favourite Discovery Zone. As an avid reader I would love one of this little nooks at home.  There is a wonderful collection of books for a variety of ages.  So be sure to take a moment and read a story when you visit!

Make Believe- This area is filled with costumes, puppets, a stage, mirrors and props.  Your child can dress up and put on a show.  This Discovery Zone was a favourite of both my children. My kids loved dressing up and making up characters.  The selection of dress up items is fantastic and they each had a hard time choosing their outfits!  We loved sitting down to watch them perform.

Boom Room- This Discovery Zone is for making noise!  Touch, bang and shake a variety of household items.  This is every child's dream- make as much noise as you want while banging and clanging!  I loved that it was made up of items you would find in your kitchen.

Pet Vet- This is mini version of a veterinarian's office.  As a veterinary technologist myself I was very impressed.  My kids loved looking at x-rays of a variety of animals and seeing their bones. There are mini doctor coats and stethoscopes all intended to teach kids how to keep their family pet healthy.

Eat Street- My daughter could have spent hours in this Discovery Zone!  It is a mini-grocery store with shopping carts and produce PLUS mini-kitchens with stoves, pots, pans, utensils and chef hats and aprons.  It is also a great tool to teach our kids about healthy food choices and how to eat a rainbow.  So have a seat at one of the picnic tables and let your little chef whip you up something delicious!

First Discoveries- these areas are designed for the youngest visitors.  They are enclosed and shoe free so babies can safely discover the world around them.  Foam mats, bright colours and murals will help to encourage movement and exploration.

There is a quiet area to feed your baby, stroller parking and lovely areas to change your children. You are encouraged to bring your own healthy snacks & enjoy them in the Sago Mini Pet Cafe.  The Children's Discovery Centre is a very bright, clean space staffed by wonderful people who love to engage with your kids. It is very reasonably priced and there is lots of parking on the street.  They are open daily September 30th from 9:30 am - 4:30 pm including holidays. Check out the Children's Discovery Centre on Facebook and Twitter to check out the daily activities and to find out what's happening at the Kids Discovery Centre.