Kathryn, Author at Mommy Kat and Kids

Harvesting and Storing Garden Vegetables

September 20, 2018 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

I love so many things about planting a garden. Seeing that first green shoot pushing up through the soil, watching the first flowers and vegetables appear on each plant…even clearing out weeds is fun when I see my little garden thrive!

But my very favourite thing about planting a garden is harvesting the fruits, vegetables and herbs that I’ve planted when they’re finally ready each fall!

If you’re new to planting a vegetable garden, you may be wondering when the best time is to harvest those vegetables, and how to preserve carrots, potatoes and other produce you have in abundance.

If so, grab your Dig It gardening gloves and follow these tips for harvesting and storing six popular varieties of garden produce!

Picking and Ripening Tomatoes

Tomatoes are such a wonderful taste of summer and with a little planning, it’s a taste you can enjoy right into the holidays and beyond! Harvest tomatoes off the vine when ripe but pick all of them, including green ones, before the first heavy frost. Wash and dry green tomatoes well and then store them indoors to ripen. [Read more…]

Five Fun and Family-Friendly Things To Do in the Fall

September 13, 2018 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

Summer is drawing to a close and you’ve had a blast. The kids have been entertained all summer long and you’ve made memories that they’ll keep with them forever.

Days at the beach and the lake, holidays to a new part of the country (or even a new continent), BBQs, outdoor adventures and long days filled with sunshine. It’s no wonder that so many of us feel deflated when the leaves begin to fall!

But don’t worry; just because autumn is coming doesn’t mean that the fun has to stop! Check out these five things to do in the fall for a fun-filled family autumn and you can carry on making memories to last a lifetime.

Bring in the Harvest

Autumn is a time for harvesting, and that includes you too – not just the farmers! Why not take a trip to a local orchard or fruit farm, and spend the day picking apples, berries, plums or the perfect pie pumpkin? Or if you have apple or peach trees in your garden, dedicate an afternoon to picking the fruit and turning it into pies, jellies and other deliciously warming treats. The kids will love being able to pick fruit and then help turn it into tasty treats. And eating freshly harvested fruit is always fun too! [Read more…]

Give Kids a One on One Tutoring Experience Online with Revolution Math

September 13, 2018 by Kathryn 2 Comments

With the new school year underway and both my boys now diving into their work, I’m once again looking forward to following their learning throughout the year and helping them succeed any way I can.

And for my middle son Benjamin, that means I’ll be keeping an eye on his math! Benjamin gets good grades when it comes to math, but it’s by far his least favourite subject.

$revolution math screenshot$

I want to change that this year and give him a passion for learning by helping to make math a more fun and rewarding experience. And Revolution Math is helping me do that!

Revolution Math is an online tutoring service that specializes in helping children in Grades 2-5 develop their math skills. With games, points, gems and rewards, it’s set up in a way that helps make math fun instead of a chore. [Read more…]

Improving Our Air Quality with the Philips Series 2000i Connected Air Purifier

August 27, 2018 by Kathryn 9 Comments

I’ve suffered from mild to moderate environmental allergies for as long as I can remember. And when my oldest two boys were born, I soon learned they had inherited the same occasional allergic outbreaks that I faced.

Living in the country, there are all kind of allergy triggers to face. From pollen to dust to mold, keeping our house as free of allergens as possible is no easy task.

In fact, recently we’ve increased the potential allergens in our house even more…with a new puppy and kitten! [Read more…]

Help Kids Build Creativity and STEM Skills with Laser Pegs Monster Rally Building Sets

August 17, 2018 by Kathryn 1 Comment

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. We were invited to write about Laser Pegs by ShopHer Media Influencer Network.

Even before I had three boys in the house, I loved building sets. Assembling pieces to form a toy is great for helping kids develop fine motor skills, critical thinking and creativity.

And once my boys were old enough to start trying the many building sets available, they loved them just as much as I did!

I always noticed how hard their minds worked as they assembled a set, and how imaginative they were with their new creation when the building was done.

[Read more…]

Take a Break from Your Day with Live Clean Foaming Hand Washes-Giveaway

August 14, 2018 by Kathryn 129 Comments

With an almost-one-year-old in the house and my older boys home from school for the summer, moments of relaxation are few and far between.

But taking a little time for myself makes me a happier and more effective parent! So, I often try to find ways to sneak in a moment of peace between the kids’ arguments and the baby’s demands.

And as odd as it may sound, lately I’ve found that my daily bliss can be found when I wash my hands! Wondering just how that can be? It all comes down to choosing the right hand soap!

[Read more…]

Enjoy a Bug-Free Yard with the NuTone Haven Backyard Mosquito Repellent System-Giveaway

August 13, 2018 by Kathryn 109 Comments

I love almost everything about summer. The warmth, the sunshine, the time spent relaxing outside….

But as much as I love summer, I don’t love the bugs that come with it! And living on six acres of open prairie means that there are a lot of them!

That’s why I was so excited when NuTone, a company that specializes in innovative residential products, sent me the NuTone Haven Backyard Mosquito Repellent System to review. This unique system helps eliminate mosquitoes from an outdoor area, no bug spray required!

[Read more…]

Creating the Perfect Moroccan Style Bedroom Oasis with Brightech Lamps

August 9, 2018 by Kathryn 1 Comment

One of the best things about moving into our new custom-built house recently was being able to plan the décor for every room that we’d designed so carefully.

We gave our family room a fresh and exotic feel with grey furniture, hints of blue and large plants. Our kitchen was more old-world European with granite countertops and weathered wood cabinets.

And upstairs, we wanted a decadent Moroccan style bedroom with warm wood and rich patterns. We took some time choosing the right nightstands, since our king-sized bed took up so much of the room. Eventually we also stumbled on the ideal vibrant duvet cover. Both paired great with the dark wood sleigh bed and opulent chandelier. [Read more…]