Win a Free Photography Session!

Enter to WIN a FREE Photography Session including a free 8 x 10 print from HMH Photography - a value of over $100!

HMH Photography
Proudly serving Durham Region and the Greater Toronto Area.
Tel: 905-999-1417
Website: www.hmhphotography.ca

Enter Here

Cyber Monday!

Cyber Monday - From Wikipedia:

The term Cyber Monday refers to the Monday immediately following Black Friday, the ceremonial kick-off of the holiday online shopping season in the United States between Thanksgiving Day and Christmas. [1] Whereas Black Friday is associated with traditional brick-and-mortar stores, "Cyber Monday" symbolizes a busy day for online retailers. The premise was that consumers would return to their offices after the Black Friday weekend, making purchases online that they were not able to make in stores. Although that idea has not survived the test of time, Cyber Monday has evolved into a significant marketing event, sponsored by the National Retail Federation's Shop.org division, in which online retailers offer low prices and promotions.

What does this mean to you? ONLINE DEALS! Make sure you visit your favourite online shops and get ordering, there is plenty of time to receive your orders before Christmas, plus you won't have to fight for that coveted parking space at the mall!

psst... we happen to know that Mabel's Labels is having a BIG sale on Monday! Check it out at: www.mabel.ca

Know of any others? Post a comment and share!

Munsch at Home Contest

Enter the fourth annual Munsch at Home contest for your family's chance to win a visit from Robert Munsch. Canadian families are invited to submit their event ideas and compete to have Munsch attend their Family Literacy Day (FLD) celebration.

From September 12 until December 12, 2008, ABC CANADA will accept contest entries from families anywhere in Canada who are planning FLD parties. Each contestant writes a short description about how they plan to celebrate FLD and mails it to ABC CANADA.

• Complete Contest Rules
• Application Form
• Promotional Flyer

October Contest

You could win an organic baby gift pack valued at $72 from Booda Bellie!

Gift pack includes: 1 Reversible receiving blanket (70% bamboo 30% organic cotton), 1 Signature award-winning Kimono onesie (100% certified organic cotton) and 1 Booda Bellie Lizard graphic tee (50% soy, 50% cotton).

Booda Bellie makes baby clothes that Canadians can feel good about buying, because bamboo and certified organic cotton produce fewer environmental impacts. Booda Bellie’s new line of fashion-forward and eco-friendly baby clothes features Canadian-made bamboo and certified organic cotton fabrics. These natural fabrics produces soft, breathable, and hypoallergenic clothing that is great for baby’s sensitive skin. Enter Here

Baby & Child Safe Plastics

You've probably heard the frenzy over BPA in baby bottles, sippy cups and food containers. Many of us put away our plastic bottles and cups and worried how past use might have already effected our children. My boys now 5 and 7, had their fair share of plastic bottles as babies. When not sipping from mom's natural 'bottle', they had a variety of brands in the cupboard to choose from. After the bottles it was onto sippy cups, with the endless frustration of trying to match the right cap and valve for the cup of the moment! It came as a relief to me to find out that the initial BPA alerts were slightly overblown, but BPA is still a real issue parents needs to consider seriously.

What is BPA?

BPA stands for Bisphenol A, it's a substance added to clear plastics to make them more durable, lighter and shatterproof. BPA is an artificial estrogen, which can cause reproductive problems, and cancer. A small percentage of the BPA you ingest builds up the body, small amounts have been found in placental tissue and amniotic fluid which brings up the concern for a developing fetus - so expecting moms need to be careful too.

How can you be careful?
Look at the bottom of the container, avoid using plastics numbered 3 (PVC), 6 (polystyrene) and 7 (polycarbonate) whenever possible. The biggest risk comes from heating BPA plastics. Heating formula or other liquids in a BPA container, or pouring a hot drink into a BPA bottle or cup is not considered safe. Risks also occur when using scratched plastic containers, heating food or putting hot food into plastic containers, microwaving food covered in plastic wrap and washing BPA containers in the dishwasher. So avoiding bottles and cups with BPA is a smart choice, especially when there are so many alternatives. The following are just a few of the BPA free products available to parents.

Bottles

Glass bottles are becoming popular again, babylife's wee.go is a glass baby bottle with a fun coloured rubber grip sleeve to reduce drops and breakage, it can be boiled and is dishwasher safe. Glass bottles are heavier than plastic, so consider the extra weight in your day bag, plus if your baby likes to throw bottles it could become a nasty projectile! If you think plastic is a better fit, there are a number of brands on the market to consider including Medela bottles (which have always been BPA free), Green to Grow, Born Free and Think Baby.

Sippys

When it comes to sippy cups think Stainless Steel or BPA free plastics. Let’s face it, these things take abuse, they get thrown, dropped, chewed on and lost - often. I love the SIGG and Klean Kanteen stainless steel cups, they look cool and are really durable, but consider your child first, if he is going to misplace it the investment in multiple cups at $20+ each could be beyond your budget. Another stainless steel cup to look at is the The Safe Sippy with a rubber sleeve, handles and drink spout. If your wanting for a cheaper alternative look at BPA free plastic brands like Born Free or Boon. I was also surprised to find out that a number of Rubbermaid’s juice boxes and beverage bottles are also BPA free.

This is by no means an extensive list, if you want to use a particular cup or container check it out, you might be surprised to find out that it actually is BPA free.

Where to shop:
Funky Monkey
Hello Sunshine
Golly Geez Baby
Markham Baby

Mom to Mom Sales
Mom Knows Best

Babies R Us

Are You Prepared?

I recently attended a CPR and Safety course at a friends house, it wasn't the first course I've taken but the last one had been so long ago (pre-kids) that I worried I'd forgotten most of it. At $40 it was worth every penny and I actually felt guilty for allowing myself to neglect this important training when my boys were babies.

The 2 hours included hands-on CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation) for infants, toddlers, children and adults. The course also covered what to do if someone is choking, going into anaphylactic shock (peanut & seafood allergies, bee stings, etc), drowning, SIDS as well as general health reminders and current issues like BPA plastics and common household dangers.

The skills and knowledge I gained are essential, especially for anyone who cares for young children. Note - Some trainers will travel. Round up some mom’s and book a CPR course at your own home!

For more info:
www.ert-cpr.com
www.heartandstroke.com

Happy Earth Day - The Lesson in The Lorax

“UNLESS someone like you...cares a whole awful lot...nothing is going to get better...It’s not.”
Long before saving the earth became a global concern, Dr. Seuss, speaking through his character the Lorax, warned against mindless progress and the danger it posed to the earth’s natural beauty.

First published in 1971 this tale of greed leading to environmental destruction is a perfect pick for an Earth Day read. With it's wonderful illustrations and fun Seuss style rhyming, the story will keep any child engaged. We can empathise with the Lorax trying to save his Truffula forest and the creatures that live in it. The story is a sad one, but it ends on a hopeful note and instills a sense of personal responsibility to our earth and all living things.

Watch it:

Girls Night at SupperWorks!

Our second SupperWorks night was a great success - not to mention a ton of fun!

Child’s Life would like to thank all the mom’s who came out to SupperWorks in Markham as well as the sponsors who generously donated goodies to the event. View Event Photos here.

SPONSORS
Novello’s Desserts www.novellodesserts.ca
Your Daily Grounds www.yourdailygrounds.com
Moms2Moms www.moms2moms.ca
SupperWorks Markham www.supperworks.com

Our next SupperWorks night is May 22.
Details and registration on www.childslife.ca coming soon.

March Contest - Long & McQuade

Long & McQuade of Markham is giving our members a chance to win One Free Month of Private Music Lessons! Lessons are available for most instruments including piano, guitar, drums, bass, violin, vocal, brass and woodwinds. Only a few more days to enter! Click here for more info and to enter.

Bowl for Kids Sake

Big Brothers Big Sisters of York, 'Bowl for Kids' Sake' is about having fun while helping kids. Funds raised go directly toward matching children with carefully-screened, caring Big Brother and Big Sister volunteers.

This year’s Bowl for Kids Sake, a series of 10 events throughout York Region offers a new twist. As well as participating at a local bowling alley you can raise funds for the organization by having a Wii bowling party at home. This popular annual event is hosted by Big Brothers Big Sisters of York, and held at bowling alleys throughout the region.

The event runs until March 30, 2008, learn more by visiting: www.bowlforkidsyork.kintera.org or by calling 905-895-0289

Markham Summer Camps Early Bird Registration

The Town of Markham Summer Camps operate from June 30 – August 29. Register early and take advantage of this special offer to save 10% on the cost of 2008 registration fees. Early Bird registration February 4 to 8 (10% discount applies). Regular camp registration (no discount) starts February 18.
More info: 905-475-4731 or www.markham.ca

January Contest

Only a couple days left to enter our January contest- you could win a hip designer WOMBaby Sling valued at $95! WOMBaby Slings are beautifully designed and hand-crafted in stylish designer fabrics. Contest closes February 2, 2008. Click here for more info and to enter.

Eat Right Ontario

Ever wondered if you and your family were eating all the right stuff (or all the wrong stuff!) Are you concerned about the effect of your diet on your family’s health?

This Government of Ontario website has a wealth of information that deals with just these issues. There are many topics to choose from including healthy eating, healthy lifestyle, particular health concerns, vegetarianism, diet while quitting smoking etc. There is also section especially for parents and caregivers of young children and so much more.

Info: www.ontario.ca/eatright

Girl’s Night Out

Join us for a girls night out at the NEW Markham SupperWorks location! Laugh, chat and prepare entrees – then relax and enjoy drinks and sweet treats from Novello’s! In about 2 hours, you’ll prepare 12 entrees and receive a special Child's Life member discount of $5 off your total order. �But that's NOT all – you’ll go home with delicious food, warm memories and $10 off your next visit. Plus one lucky lady will receive an additional $25 Supperworks coupon! More

Re-thinking the Future

A 'must see' short film - Annie Leonard's The Story of Stuff is simply excellent! An engaging and beautifully presented look at production and consumption in our time. Annie helps us understand so clearly how the modern world is affecting the the globe and how we as people, and parents of the next generation, have the power to improve the current system.

Go There: www.storyofstuff.com

December Contest

There is still time to enter our December contest! You could win a $75 Gift Certificate from Wild About Beads the online shop that features unique fashion products ranging from Swarovski-studded t-shirts and baby shoes to personalized jewelry creations. Click here for more info and to enter.