Kathryn, Author at Mommy Kat and Kids

Protecting My Boys During Days Outside with New Banana Boat Simply Protect Kids

June 22, 2018 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

Summer has arrived early in Saskatchewan this year, and I couldn’t be happier about it! We’ve spent the warm weather planting trees, building our deck and watching our boys’ sports games. But all our time outdoors means that sunscreen is a must!

This year, Banana Boat gave me the chance to test out its new Simply Protect Kids sunscreen, and it sounded like it would be a great choice for my outdoor-loving boys. So, when both my older boys ended up with sports tournaments on the same weekend, I made sure the sunscreen was packed in our bag before we left the house.

This fabulous new Banana Boat Simply Protect sunscreen is a creamy lotion that feature 25% fewer ingredients, including no parabens, oxybenzone or added fragrances and oils. It provides broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection, and even boasts a tear-free formula that’s gentle on little eyes. [Read more…]

How To Plant a Tree Using Black Plastic Mulch

June 21, 2018 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

When I bought my first house, it was the same one that I’d lived in as a child. And even though the house itself needed quite a bit of work, the yard had the same stately trees and beautiful bushes that I’d known for years.

That meant that when my husband and I moved into our newly built home and realized we had six acres to landscape (and just how big six acres was), I found myself feeling pretty overwhelmed! It’s been a lot of trial and error as we work on our yard, but it’s slowly starting to come together.

[Read more…]

Must-Have New Products for Moms this Summer

June 19, 2018 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

One of the things that I love most about being a blogger is getting to check out some of the newest and hottest products for families each season. And this summer, I’ve discovered some great must-haves for moms. Whether you love heading outdoors as soon as the weather warms up, or catching up on some much-needed sleep, this round-up has something for you!

For the Outdoorsy Mom

If you love spending your time in the great outdoors and already have a campsite booked for your family’s summer vacation, the Pouch Couch is for you! This innovative and comfortable lounger can be used in just minutes after being waved in the air to fill it. Then kick back and relax at your campsite or on the beach. Best of all, it’s waterproof and packs into a small, easy-to-transport pouch! Find the Pouch Couch in a variety of colours at amazon.ca. [Read more…]

5 Tips to Buying Good Mountain Bike Lighting

June 13, 2018 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

Mountain bike riding is a fun and involved activity. Whether you plan to do cross-country riding, dirt jumping, freeride, trail riding, classic mountain biking or even downhill riding, you need to have the right gear and equipment. Mountain bike lights are part and parcel of these vital necessities, unless you don’t mind potentially dangerous rides when mountain biking at night.

Mountain bike lights come in a wide range of varieties, depending on the place that you wish to go riding and the spot you want lighting mounted. When buying lights, you also need to keep in mind that you need people behind and ahead to see you. Also, proper mountain bike lighting allows you to efficiently maneuver those high-incline climbs. It’s important to assess your needs before you make your purchase. To make your shopping experience a breeze, here are 5 tips to buying good mountain bike lighting.

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First-Time Pumping with the Philips Avent Comfort Double Electric Breast Pump-Giveaway

June 8, 2018 by Kathryn 6 Comments

Disclosure: I am part of the PTPA Media Brand Ambassador Program with Philips Avent and I received Compensation as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

For the last few months, Cormac has delved into the wonderful world of real food. Even though he’s still adorably toothless, he’s gone from pureed meat and vegetables to soft pieces of cooked food in record time…and loved everything he’s tasted!

But despite his fondness for everything from pasta to pickles, he also still loves to breastfeed. And I’m more than okay with that! I’ve always been a fan of extended nursing, mostly because I loved that bonding moment with my children so much. And if Cormac is anything like his older brothers, he’ll be breastfeeding for quite a few months yet.

That means that when I’m not home to feed Cormac, I want to have breastmilk ready for him in a bottle. When I first gave birth, I used the Philips Avent Comfort Manual Breast Pump to express milk, and I loved its lightweight design and how easy it was to use.

But I wondered if pumping could be even easier, and so I was thrilled when Philips Avent let me test out the Comfort Double Electric Breast Pump as well! I’d never used an electric breast pump before, but I’d heard some great things from friends and family.
[Read more…]

My Favourite Mom Essentials for Children’s Summer Sports

June 7, 2018 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

In our house, May and June is sports season. And I have to say that it’s one of my favourite times of the year! Even though the month is incredibly busy, there’s something so energizing about watching my boys play their favourite warm-weather sports as the baby plays on a blanket in front of me.

But to make sure the whole family has a good time during our various sports activities, being prepared is a must! As soon as Zackary’s baseball games and Benjamin’s flag football season kick off, I prepare a bag of essentials to help ensure that we’re ready for anything during a game.

Have kids in summer sports too? These are the items that I love to have at every game!

Refillable Water Bottles

While it goes without saying that I make sure my sports-playing boys have a water bottle filled and ready to go, I also pack two extra bottles just in case. Sometimes, the day is so hot that I need a little refreshment too! And sometimes, my boys will play an especially hard game and finish off their own bottles early on. No matter what the reason, I’m always happier having extra water available.

Pocket First Aid Kit

My boys don’t get many bumps or scrapes, but I still want to be prepared if they (or other kids on the team) need a bandage or an ice pack. As soon as sports season starts, I take my travel first aid kit and move it into the back of my car so that it’s ready if anyone on my boys’ teams need it. It’s amazing how much a simple bandage can help a child feel better and get back in the game.

Insect Repellant

While I love the warmer weather, I don’t love the insects that make their appearance when the snow is gone! Mosquitos are the main annoyance here in Saskatchewan, and they’re already plentiful this year. Keeping my favourite insect repellant in my sports bag ensures that I can watch a game in comfort, and my boys can play without distraction.

And for times when I’m a little too slow applying insect repellant, I keep a Benadryl Itch Stick ready in my bag. This convenient stick contains a topical antihistamine/analgesic and a skin protectant to help relieve itching due to bug bites and stings. It’s a quick and easy way to soothe any bites so my boys can focus on their game, and I can focus on cheering them on!

Children’s Benadryl Allergy Medication

Both my boys suffer from mild to moderate seasonal allergies. And since I have the same issue, I know how distracting it can be trying to focus on even a simple task while battling itchy eyes, a stuffy nose and sneezing. That’s why I always make sure that I pop a box of Children’s Benadryl Chewables into my bag, just in case one of them starts to show the signs of a reaction.

I recently learned that everyone has a limit in the amount of allergy triggers their body can handle. Too much pollen, dust, animal dander and other allergens can surpass a person’s natural threshold and cause a reaction. That explained to me why there seems to be no rhyme or reason to my boys’ reactions. But by keeping Benadryl ready in my bag, I’m prepared for that sudden “crossing of the threshold,” even if it only happens once or twice a sports season!

Blankets

The weather in May and June is notoriously unpredictable in Saskatchewan and sometimes the nicest day can turn frigid by the time the sun starts to go down. That means that I’ve been caught shivering in shorts and a t-shirt more times than I care to remember!

So now, I always keep a couple of blankets ready to pull out when needed, whether I’m laying one out for the baby to sit or wrapping up in one to stay warm after a sudden drop in temperature. I also fold up an extra sweater for everyone in the family and leave them all in the car just in case we need even more warmth.

Wet Wipes

From cleaning up dirty hands after a big play, to letting me freshen up after discovering a port-a-potty is out of toilet paper, a travel pack of wet wipes is a multi-use workhorse that always comes in handy. I choose a variety for sensitive skin, so that everyone from my husband to my baby can use them when needed. (And at nine months old, my baby needs them pretty often!)

Next week, my oldest son has his first baseball tournament, which means we’ll be spending most of the weekend at the ball diamond. I’ll be doing a double-check of my sports bag to help ensure I have everything I need for a fun-filled sporting event and replenishing any items that are running low.

Since Zackary is one of the starting pitchers this year, Children’s Benadryl Chewables are especially important for me to have ready. I know he would be so upset if he wasn’t able to pitch properly because he was dealing with an unexpected allergic reaction.

There are plenty of other items that I find come in handy as well, from snacks for my baby to extra money for the concession to camping chairs that let us avoid uncomfortable bleachers. But these six items are the ones that I find myself using again and again.

If you have kids in organized sports, check out your own bag of essentials and see if you might want to add a few of these. When it comes to kids, I usually find that you can never pack too much, or be too prepared!

5 Tips to Deciphering the Validity of a Trusted Review

June 5, 2018 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

Today, more and more people are turning to online stores for their shopping and other purchases. Instead of visiting department stores and merchandise outlets, shoppers now choose to just browse and scroll from the comfort of their own homes. I love being able to shop in my pajamas!

And with everything from clothes, appliances, televisions and furniture, up to more luxurious purchases like car accessories, gadgets and smartphones available online, shopping has never been easier. Aside from the convenience online shopping provides, the prices are also often cheaper compared to a physical store’s price. Best of all, the selection is almost always better as well, since the items available don’t have to be physically stocked in-store!

But the one thing that online shopping doesn’t offer is the ability to actually check out a product firsthand. When it comes to expensive items, being able to see, feel, touch and sometimes hear the product can make all the difference when it comes to taking the plunge on a big-ticket item. The best online deal can still cause hesitation if a shopper is worried about product quality. [Read more…]

My Open Letter to the Daughter I Gave Away

May 20, 2018 by Kathryn 7 Comments

Darling Daughter,

It’s hard for me to believe that you turned eighteen just a few months ago. It seems like just yesterday that I was eighteen myself, and navigating the difficult journey that took me from child to adult. I remember how confusing the teenage years can be. How they can make you question yourself, wonder what your future holds, dwell on every little misstep you take.

I know that you’ve had a childhood filled with joy and security, but I worry that you might also be feeling a little more lost than other teenagers right now, and possibly wondering how you came to have the parents and the life that you do.

I know your parents explained to you that you were adopted as soon as you were old enough to understand what that meant. I’m sure they also told you that they love you fully and completely and every bit as much as any parents love their child. I hope you were able to understand how true their words were, and how much of a blessing you were to their lives.

But I know that there’s one question you’ll probably ask eventually, if you haven’t already, and it’s one that your parents can’t answer. The question is, “why?” Why did your “real” mother, the woman that gave birth to you, give you away to somebody else? I don’t know if you’ve ever voiced that question, but I’m sure it’s haunted your thoughts at times.

Since the day I gave birth to you, I couldn’t help but notice how many television shows and movies showcased emotional, touching renditions of an adopted child meeting her birth mother for the first time. That question, the why, was always the first one asked. And the answers, always the same, had me scoffing in disgust every time.

“I was young. I didn’t know how to take care of a baby. I didn’t have anyone to help me. I was all alone.” These are true statements for many women that make the choice I made, and a lot of them were true for me, but I can assure you that none are the reason a mother gives her baby away.

The answer to that “why,” the answer I believe is almost every birth mother’s answer to the question, is this: I cared more about what was best for you than I did about what was best for me. I had to decide between giving you the most promising life and future I possibly could…or keeping you with me. And I loved you so much that I was willing to lose a piece of my heart for a lifetime, if it meant that you would have a life of happiness and prosperity and opportunity.

In this age of social media, I’ve been able to learn a bit more about you than you might know. I’ve seen ample proof over the years that the decision I made was the right one. I knew it when your parents sent me some of their favourite photos from your first few years of life, and I know it now, having seen you as a smiling and confident teenager. I’m sure your life will continue to be full of opportunity and I’m sure that you’ll accomplish anything you set your mind to.

But through it all, if you ever start to wonder, if you ever start to worry, if you ever start to feel like you aren’t good enough…remember this. Every single day since you were born, I have loved you. And for every single day to come in the future, I will keep loving you.

Letting somebody else take you out of my arms was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but I would do it again a thousand times to ensure your happiness. And you will always have the piece of my heart that I gave you the day you were born. From the beginning, and for always, I would do anything for you.

Love Always,

Your Mother