Monday, April 18, 2011

Great Canadian Coupon Sites!!



As a busy mom I am always looking for great ways to save money without having to spend hours researching. Here is a list of my favourite and easy to use coupon sites that are great for Canadians!

Think Coupons
Brand Saver
Go Coupons
Web Saver
Fabulous Savings
Save.ca
Smart Canucks

If you have some great sites, please leave them below!!

The Dreaded Grocery Shopping List!


This weekend I took on the task of shopping for two weeks groceries on an exact budget. I planned my meals and then shopped the flyers to plan which stores to head out to for the best deals. With the sky rocketing gas prices you can't shop the deals like you used to, but I did plan to visit stores that were close together to maximize my route. I was so excited when I shopped my list and made my budget. 

I am even more excited that for 2 weeks I have my meals planned and I know that everything I need is in my kitchen! No running out last second or stressing about what to make for dinner... I just choose from my list. I am making sure that I make enough for lunches the next day as well!

It was kind of exciting to create a challenge for myself of a budget and shop to stay within it!

Do you have a grocery budget?? What are your tips for making sure you stick to it??

Friday, April 15, 2011

Tommee Tippee... This Momma's Favourite Bottle

When I had my first son and we started giving him bottles we began a never ending process of trying find the right one. It seemed every bottle we tried my son had different issues with. They caused gas, he didn't like the bottle itself etc. When my second son was born I knew I was going to do my research and find the perfect bottle... enter Tommee Tippee!!!




I first heard about this brand online and I was immediately drawn to it. Its claims of being as close to a mothers breast was the same as all the other brands but for some reason I believed it this time! I started by giving my son the Tommee Tippee soother and after turning down several others that were had been given as gifts, this one he took to! Next with a nervous stomach I tried the bottles... he took to them like he didn't notice the difference!! I was excited when there was no signs of gas or any other issues as well.

Tommee Tippee has been the best bottle I have ever tried and I would suggest it to anyone needing a system for their child!

Thursday, April 14, 2011

The Baby Bullet

Now unless you have been under a rock for the last few years you have heard of the Magic Bullet... every sleepless mom has seen the infomercials in the middle of the night! I was given one and was really pretty disappointed when compared to it's claims!




Now there is the Baby Bullet for making baby food at home! There are various blades for all stages and comes with all sorts of extras as any informercial product does!

Would you give this product a try???

The Power Struggle

Image from Google Images


My oldest son is 4 1/2 and for the past few months we have entered a power struggle in our home.  If I say do it now he says he will do it in ten minutes. If I say put all of your toys away, he leaves one out just to spite me. If I say the sky is blue, he swears it is green. I knew this stage was coming but with a strong willed little boy is can be a source of constant frustration.

I often think to myself... why can't he just do what I ask when I ask?? Why must everything be a struggle?? But I know this is a stage and I must be vigilant in order to get through it without allowing him to think things will go the ways he wants. We have always taught him compromise is a good thing, but now it's a a way for him to try and hold the power in the home.

Slowly I am seeing an improvement, there are less discussions and it doesn't take as long to get accomplished. It's seems though every time I think I have the problem licked we have another one of those days!! LOL A am happy though that now I see the light at the end of the tunnel and my little man now understands that in the end he will do what he is asked!

I wonder what the next stage will be????

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Baby with the Urge to Scratch

A few weeks back my son started doing what I thought was the cutest thing ever... scratching his little head while having a bottle. My husband and I loved to look at him run his fingers through what little hair he has while falling asleep. Then one day I looked at my sons head and it looked incredibly sore, I didn't know what to think! At his next bottle I realized that his scratching had turned serious and he was now making his head bleed.

Now how to stop it! I know it sounds easy but it has been a struggle, because this scratching has become a soothing mechanism for him. At first I tried to pull his hands away but he he started to cry and wouldn't drink. Hats were the next solution and worked wonderfully until he figured out how to pull them off easily! Mittens were hard because at 18 lbs there aren't a lot to fit him. I discovered socks were the solution to my problem. He could still feel as if he was scratching, but can no longer do the damage!

He still manages to scratch himself now and then when we aren't expecting it but slowly we are getting under control.  Thank goodness!!!!!!



While researching I did come across this product from Australia that seems like a cute solution. They are called Sleepy Wings and while they do not deliver outside of Australia yet they are great option for those of you who can get them!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

My Momma's Sweet and Sour Sauce Recipe

Reference Photo by Chow.com


In a pinch and need a great sweet and sour sauce for your dinner?? Don't go to a bottle when you can make your own almost as quickly!!

What you will need;

1 cup water
1/4 cup vinegar
1/4 cup ketchup
3/4 cup sugar
1 tbs cornstarch

First add water to sauce pan...reserve a couple of tablespoons to dissolve your cornstarch. Add all other ingredients except for reserved water and cornstarch to your sauce pan and begin to heat. Once boiling add your dissolved cornstarch to the mix and stir until thick. 

Remove from the heat and you are ready to pour or dip!!!

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Trials and Tribulations of Junior Kindergarden!



My oldest boy is in JK this year and I don't know who finds it harder... me or him!!! The first day he walked away from me and said goodbye like it was no big deal! He had never been to daycare or anything but seemed to just cope amazingly! He came home from school for lunch and within a week he was asking if he could stay! Then it all began to change overnight!

He asked me if he could start coming home again for lunch. Not surprised really because my picky son doesn't do well with sandwiches etc so I said ok. Then it started... not sure if it was the arrival of his brother or what but all of a sudden my boy did not want to go to school! He was ok until I went to walk away... then the tears would start and not a little meltdown either. They were so bad I would leave crying for my little boy who I just wanted to take home with me and say he didn't have to go again!

After a couple of months of discussion he began going to school again without incident. I am glad there is no stress now and in recent weeks he even smiles and tells me to leave quickly so he can go and play with his friends!

Then it was homework! I am finding this a nightly struggle with a boy who can't focus long enough to write his line of letters when all he wants to do is play. I know homework is a struggle at any age but sometimes I look at his work and think how crazy that they are doing this stuff at 4 years old now! My little boy has achieved so much this year and I am proud and amazed at what he has achieved! I still often wonder though it they are prepared for all that is expected of them at such a young age.

Do you have a child who has had a hard time with JK and all that was expected of them??

Curves... Not the Right Fit for this Momma



Just after new years I decided I was going to get fit! It wasn't really a resolution, just a need to feel better after baby #2 meant my body didn't snap back the way it did with the first! After much thought I decided to check into Curves as it only takes 30 minutes and there was a location literally 2 min from my house!

The first 2 weeks went so well... but then it began to become increasingly more difficult! It wasn't my dedication to the gym it was time! My husband began having to work increasingly more hours. With no family around I didn't have someone to watch the kiddies for my workout. My Curves was open until 8:30 during the week, until noon on Saturdays and closed on Sunday's! I realized that these hours did not fit my lifestyle at all! I was wasting money and really having no chance to work out enough for the cost.

I really wish that as a gym for women dedicated to fitting our lifestyle that Curves provided some type of childcare. The membership is not a cheap one and for the hours open and lack of childcare just was not a fit for me!

I am hoping that I will be able to find a gym that fits my schedule and needs a little better, it is so hard when things happen that you cannot control. Until then I will strive to do those pilates workouts when my oldest is in school and baby is napping for now!!

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

What's in Your Purse??



I always see these what's in your purse video's on YouTube and posts on various blogs. I think about how I used to have my purse packed... full of various beauty products that I may need so stay out together all day!



A couple of weeks ago I was lucky enough to be invited to blogger edition of City Line! I was so excited and spent time making sure that I had myself somewhat put together for first real blogger outing since my 5 month old was born. Once I got to the show I looked in my purse to touch up before the show started. I did find the gloss I had placed in the purse before I left but was there powder etc to be found??? NO

In my purse was 3 hot wheels, 2 action figures and 3 hockey cards! I was prepared keeping my 4 year old (who was in school at the time) busy, but not ready at all to be seen on tv! LOL

Just thought I would share my fun experience of not being prepared with you all, even after trying my best to be ready for my day on the town! LOL

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