I had the pleasure of meeting life coach Caird Urquhart at a press event last October and I was very impressed by her down-to-earth approach to life, work and family. We chatted recently, and she very generously agreed to share her knowledge with Mommy Kat and Kids readers through this fabulous article. We all want […]
Life Coach Caird Urquhart Shares 5 Tips for Raising Teens to Be Successful Read More »
It’s that time of year again! The time to get out the receipts, collect employment information and file taxes! Since I’m self-employed, getting my taxes into the government in a timely manner is something I take pretty seriously. And with the various expenses involved with running a website and some of the deductions I’m entitled
Filing Taxes is Easier and More Organized with Master Lock Read More »
It doesn’t take long for your little ones to realize that the green paper in your wallet has a special ability to get them things. Before long, they start wondering what it is and how it works. If you want to help your kid out in a big way, teaching them the basics of how
Helping Your Child Discover the Basics of Money Management Read More »
Last year I shared the exciting news that Coca-Cola and the World Wildlife Federation were partnering to support the Arctic Home program, which is dedicated to raising awareness for the conservation of the polar bears and the Arctic North that makes up their habitat. The program has been a phenomenal success so far and now
March has to be one of the most difficult months to stay active and eat right. After long days of winter, the only thought in the minds of most parents is when the snow will melt, the sun will shine and the stores will be filled with fresh, flavourful fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately, in most
Three Tips for Surviving March in Good Health with IronKids and Adult Essentials Read More »
Even though Saskatchewan is still icy cold and covered in snow, Easter is just a few weeks away! While the Easter Bunny may be hiding goodies inside the house instead of outside this year, I know that won’t diminish my boys’ enjoyment of the holiday! We have a few special traditions each year for Easter.
Easter Traditions are Even More Fun and Meaningful with Kinder Canada Read More »
My boys have loved Disney Junior since it first debuted in Canada and even though they’ve grown a lot in the years since then, they haven’t outgrown the fabulous family-friendly programming on Disney Junior at all! Whether they’re helping Mickey Mouse save the day on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse or sailing the seas with Jake and
School-aged children around the country are eagerly anticipating the long awaited Spring Break or Spring Vacation. Most districts put school on pause for a week or even two some time in March or April giving students (and their teachers!) some much needed R&R. This time of year can also be a cause for concern among
Anna’s Budget Tips-Spring Break on a Budget Read More »
Spring Cleaning. The two dreaded words that make everyone want to run the other way. Stop. It doesn’t have to be a scary time. In fact, spring cleaning can be a great way to stop the madness and get organized. The hardest part is getting started. Once you’ve started you’ll find that not only does
Five Tips for Demystifying the Dreaded Spring Cleaning Read More »
If you are like most busy parents, refinancing your mortgage is the last thing that you think about on a daily basis. Instead, you’re likely caught up in the details of day-to-day life, such as if your son will pass his math test or how much your daughter’s braces will cost. Of course, your family’s
3 Ways Mortgage Refinancing Can Help Canadian Families Read More »
I love being a LEGO DUPLO Play Ambassador not just because my boys love LEGO but also because I get to be the first to learn about all the newest products available for children. Recently, LEGO DUPLO released a line of Toddler building sets and not only did I get to be one of the
Sharing the New LEGO DUPLO Toddler Toys at a LEGO DUPLO Party! Read More »
Being sick is such an awful feeling. The stuffed up, sore throat, no-energy exhaustion that comes along with most winter colds and flus is bad enough and the feeling of isolation lying alone at home makes it even worse. That’s why Kleenex® is sharing the softness this winter with its adorable Kleenex® Brand Care Packs!
Treat a Loved One to Some Pampering with a Kleenex® Brand Care Pack Read More »
When my oldest son was born, one of the first things he learned to do as he grew from an infant to a toddler was make the “vroom” noise of a car. At ten months old, Zackary couldn’t say “Momma,” but he could push around the Hot Wheels Twin Mill car that Santa had put
Celebrate the New Hot Wheels and Barbie Kinder Surprise Read More »
Happy 2013! There’s nothing quite like the start of a new year to give you a renewed sense of hope, purpose and motivation to accomplish just about anything. Tap into the power of this season and get your family budget in shape for the new year. A little effort now could really pay off by
Anna’s Budget Tips-Budgeting for the New Year Read More »
Christmas is a season of reconnecting with friends and family and visiting loved ones, but Christmas is also a season of giving and Cook for the Cure presented by KitchenAid has a brilliant way of combining those two concepts to help raise money for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. This innovative organization has been encouraging
It’s the most wonderful time…but also that time of year that might just make you want to grab your cash and credit cards, crawl into a hole and not come out until after New Year’s. Between parties, decorating, travelling or hosting out of town guests, requests for year-end charitable donations and, of course, gift giving,
Anna’s Budget Tips-Keeping the Holiday Gift Giving Under Control Read More »
On December 11, Ice Age: Continental Drift will be available on Blu-ray and DVD and to celebrate, 20th Century Fox has created some fabulous activity sheets so that you can let your kids enjoy hidden object fun or a drawing lesson while they wait for the big release! Click on the pictures below to access
Ice Age: Continental Drift Activity Sheets Read More »
While some places in Canada are still relatively warm, Saskatchewan has welcomed winter in style with a huge snowfall! Last week the province suddenly went from balmy autumn weather to a winter wonderland and that meant that I had to quickly dive into the storage closet to pull out boots, ski pants and scarves for
Keep Winter Clothing Smelling Great with Lysol Fabric Mist Read More »
Over the last few weeks I’ve shared a bit of information about Baby Organic Joy and its eco-friendly products for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Now Baby Organic Joy want you to have the chance to check out some of its products for yourself, so the company is hosting three amazing giveaways of some of its
Baby Organic Joy Offers Signature Custom-Made Gift Sets for Your Little One-Giveaway Read More »
Bringing a smile to your kids’ faces doesn’t have to cost a penny and will likely leave you with a big grin that lasts all day as well. Here are a few free ways to surprise, delight, and completely crack your kids up! 1) Do Something Silly! Mom and Dad could swap clothes before coming
Anna’s Budget Tips-Five Free Ways to Make Your Kids Smile Read More »
It’s time for another amazing deal from Sale4TheDay and this one is something a busy household won’t want to miss! A Soap Magic Hands Free Soap Dispenser Two-Pack! I love hands-free soap dispensers because they make it fun and easy for kids to wash their hands, and that’s something that’s always a plus in my
Hands-Free Soap Dispenser at Sale4TheDay and a $50 Visa Gift Card Giveaway! Read More »
Is there a room in your home in serious need of a makeover? Maybe a guest room is being transformed into a nursery, home office, or craft workshop. Maybe it’s time to transition a little kid’s room into one suitable for your big kid or teen. Or perhaps the use isn’t changing but the living
Anna’s Budget Tips-How To Give A Room A Facelift On A Budget Read More »
Recently I was contacted by the National Watermelon Promotion Board and asked to participate in its first-ever kid-tastic Watermelon Blogger Challenge. The task was simple: create a watermelon recipe, a reproduction of one of the watermelon carvings on the watermelon.org site or an original watermelon carving for the chance to win a prize. I was
Carving a Watermelon Flower for the Kid-tastic Watermelon Blogger Challenge Read More »
For the most part, bloggers are incredibly supportive of one another and I’m so glad to be a part of the Canadian blogging community. But, every once in a while, a blogger will attack her peers because she feels that they’re not acting in the “right” way. It hurts me when I see things like
You’re Contagious, Make It Count! Read More »
It sounds so easy at first. That moment when you and your husband make that momentous decision and tell your friends and family, “We’ve decided to have a baby.” For some, everything goes smoothly and less than a year later a new mom is cradling her precious newborn in her arms. But for others, the
Prepare Your Body for Pregnancy with All Natural Bona Dea Fertility Tonic-Giveaway Read More »
Even though it’s only the first week of August, kids and adults are both starting to think about that exciting first day of school! But if teens are suffering from frustrating acne breakouts, they often don’t feel the same enthusiasm about heading back to class. Fortunately, Clearasil Canada has some proven tips for clear skin
Eight Great Tips for Clear Skin from Clearasil Read More »
If you are a master with your DSLR camera and are looking for a way to take your photos from amazing to super-amazing…this post is SO not for you. These tips are for the bloggers that are not photographers but that want to be able to take reasonably appealing pictures for their recipe features. Photography
Three Easy Ways To Take Better Food Photos Read More »
We may only be in the early weeks of summer, but my boys are already getting a little stir-crazy. I’ve been making sure that we take lots of bike rides, enjoy plenty of outdoor play and do some fun crafts in the house every few days. But I’m always looking for other ways to keep
I’m not by nature a very organized person and because of this, a large percentage of the jewellery I buy ends up lost. After losing one earring from my favourite pair I finally decided: this ends today! So I made my own extremely simple DIY earring holder using things I already had in my own
Keep Your Earrings Organized in Style with an Easy and Fun DIY Earring Holder Read More »
No matter what good habits we try to teach our kids, they have a natural fondness for sweet foods. That doesn’t mean they’re destined to spend their lives eating cupcakes and junk cereal but teaching them about healthy choices doesn’t automatically override their preference for sweets. Most moms weren’t surprised when the world’s largest member-based
Seven Healthy Ways to Satisfy Your Child’s Sweet Tooth Read More »
Holidays are full of wonderful memories, because everyone goes out of their way to make those days special. But everyday life can be equally special when you keep in mind the idea that celebrations can happen anytime. For instance, did one of your children just get a new tooth or ride that bike all the
Embrace the Little Joys of Life by Celebrating Everyday Moments Read More »
Individually, my boys are really good on car rides, but together…well, let’s just say there’s a reason their booster seats are as far away from one another as possible. Today we had errands to run in Regina and as we sat in the car at our first stop, they started. Zackary mentioned something he saw
Last weekend we celebrated Zackary’s sixth birthday. He requested a Super Mario Bros. birthday party and I have to confess, I put off planning it a little longer than I should have. I had some potential reviews of birthday party supplies that ended up not working out, so when he asked me exactly one week
Get Creative with a DIY Super Mario Bros. Birthday Party Read More »
I’ve noticed in the last few months as I attend conferences and read other blogs that there is one unified message being preached by all the “bigwigs” of the blogosphere and I’ve been hearing it over and over again. “Tell your story. Share your experiences. Let your readers know what makes you different.” It all
Getting Personal Online-Bare Your Soul or Keep it Private? Read More »
With Memorial Day behind us it’s unofficially summer…otherwise known as yard sale season! Yard sales can be a great source of bargain treasures and a lot of fun for those who enjoy the thrill of the hunt. Check out these yard sale tips for making the most of those early mornings spent digging through other
Find the Best Deals with These 3 Yard Sale Tips Read More »
If you’re looking for a fun craft to make with your kids, why not try your hand at a customized hat? They’re inexpensive, quick to make and look amazing! In fact, I just made a dozen of them for party favours for my son’s birthday party! Customized Baseball Hats Materials: Hat (I bought a plain
Easy Customized Baseball Hat Craft Read More »
Baltimore is a city known mainly for being home to one of America’s oldest seaports, but this thriving city in Maryland is more than just a historical landmark; it’s a fun-filled destination for the whole family! If you’re planning a trip to the Baltimore area, here are five of the best family-friendly activities and attractions
Top Five Fun Activitites for Families in Baltimore, MD Read More »
Food generally makes up a large chunk of the household budget, so it is a good target when looking to save money. I have found that I am able to feed my family for a lot less when I create a weekly meal plan. When I know what I’m going to be making for dinner
Save Money with a Weekly Meal Plan Read More »
With Earth Day just behind us, there’s no better time to sit down with your family and pop in the Discovery Channel’s breathtaking documentary Planet Earth. It follows fascinating, breathtaking, and intimate views of animals and the natural beauty that our earth has to offer. While watching is probably the best part, these documentaries should
Thirteen Easy Ways to Get Your Family to Go Green Read More »
There has been a disturbing trend in the blogosphere recently and after mulling over it for the last few days, I’ve decided to speak out about it. I’ve seen similar behaviour in forums and on blogs in the past but in the last few weeks, it seems that there have been even more articles, Tweets
Tough Love or Blog Bullying…You Decide! Read More »
Camping can be a great way to have a vacation to remember without spending a lot of cash. Once you’ve bought a tent, sleeping gear, and a small portable stove, you can go almost anywhere and stay cheaply. There is also no need to “rough it” if you don’t want to. Many modern campsites have
Get Outdoors: Five Essential Tips for First Time Family Campers Read More »
Easter just isn’t the same without a bowl of colourful dyed Easter eggs on the table but this year, why not try out some fun new egg colouring techniques? One of my favourite ways to dye eggs with a little extra flair is to create marble eggs. The finished look is so unique and the
Dress Up Your Table with Easy Marble Easter Eggs Read More »
My son has been obsessed with Hot Wheels cars since Santa left one in his stocking when he was 18 months old. His collection has been growing ever since and now that he’s five, we have literally hundreds of cars and other merchandise. As a result, I’ve become pretty familiar with the names of Hot
Top Five Naughtiest Names of Mattel Hot Wheels Cars Read More »
If picking a mortgage sounds like a great big headache to you, you’re not alone. However, shopping for financing for a home is often complicated and frustrating simply because it’s difficult to know where to start. Want to know how you can pick the right mortgage for you? Here’s how. Let the mortgage pick you.
Four Easy Tips for Picking the Best Mortgage Read More »
A skunk isn’t usually the first thing that comes to mind when you think about charm and suavity…unless that skunk is Pepe Le Pew, of course! Everyone’s favourite odorous charmer is being featured in a brand new DVD release from Warner Brothers, Looney Tunes: Pepe Le Pew Collection! Here’s a brief synopsis: A new compilation
Looney Tunes: Pepe Le Pew DVD Coming Soon Read More »
I came across this picture yesterday and just had to share; it really did make me laugh out loud!
At some point in my childhood, I learned to look at certain foods with a critical, disapproving eye. Margarine was a thing to be abhorred. Miracle Whip was an odd relative of the mayonnaise I preferred. But nothing was quite so bizarre and unpleasant to me as instant mashed potatoes. Now I don’t think my
How I Conquered My Phobia of Instant Mashed Potatoes Read More »
If your baby falls asleep on his or her own and consistently sleeps through the night, this article isn’t for you. This article is for parents of nap resisters and bedtime fussers, of late-night wakers and early risers. In other words, it is for most parents of most babies. For you, here are five steps
Five Steps to Better Baby Sleep Habits Read More »
Everyone knows the basic story of The Tortoise and the Hare, right? Tortoise and Hare set out to race each other, which is laughable given how fast Hare can run and how slow Tortoise is. The race begins and Hare is out-of-sight, but running alone during the race, he loses focus, stops to relax a
The Lesson of the Tortoise and the Hare: Aesop Got It Wrong Read More »
Do you ever have those days when you just look and feel fabulous? Your hair is behaving, you’re wearing an outfit that you love and your self-esteem is through the roof? If you need those days more often, do I ever have a secret for you! Whatever you do…don’t dust your mirrors! I discovered this
Happiness is a Dirty Mirror Read More »
So it was one of those precious moments that every parent loves, some quiet time sitting on the couch cuddling with my beautiful two-year-old boy while he played with my hair and touched my face. I was enjoying every minute of it when suddenly Benjamin stopped, looked up at me with a loving expression and
Benjamin and the B-Word Read More »
If there is one thing that I absolutely love, it’s learning new things. I love it so much that it almost doesn’t matter what I’m learning as long as I’m learning something. And thanks to the Information Revolution, I can usually find out about anything I choose with just a few quick keywords. Yes…I am
Do you ever do something very natural and ordinary for a while and suddenly realize one day that what you’ve been doing is actually rather amazing? My youngest son is 27 months old and recently I decided that it was time to wean him. At his age he was no longer nursing during the day.
When I attended BlissDom Canada in mid-October, the very best session I attended was one that featured some of Canada’s best-known writers and editors including the fabulous and talented Nadine Silverthorne, editor of Today’s Parent magazine. Recently, Nadine put forward a challenge to Canadian mom bloggers in her quest to discover fresh new voices in
What Makes You Unique? Read More »
If you are anything like me and you sometimes find it tricky to find activities to keep your kids occupied during the holidays or weekends, why not make weekends more exciting by doing some cooking and crafts? On a Saturday afternoon when the kids are desperate for entertainment, put on your apron and get messy
3 Easy Halloween Treats To Make With Kids Read More »
Have you even noticed how sometimes the funniest statements children make are also the ones that show how brilliantly logical their minds are? I’ve had this post planned for awhile, but I wanted to get the words just right. I think I’ve got it. My son was racing his Hot Wheels cars on the floor
A Brief Glimpse Into the Mind of a Child Read More »
Recently, I was contacted by AnitaPoems.com, a website that writes charming rhyming poetry about a variety of topics and offers it free for people to use and enjoy. The owner of the site very generously offered to create a personalized poem about me, my website and my family. I loved the idea and after providing
My Personalized Poem by AnitaPoems.com Read More »
It has been years since I have had a proper family vacation. It’s one of those things that we seem to plan for every year, but never actually get around to doing. So I felt incredibly spoiled this year when I got to enjoy not just one, but two family getaways! The first was a
The Delta Bessborough in Saskatoon – A Family Vacation at the Castle on the River Read More »
In about six weeks, The Backyardigans: Quest for the Extra Ordinary Aliens live show from Koba Entertainment will be coming to Saskatchewan! I am so excited and I can’t wait to see how my kids react to seeing their Backyardigans friends in real life! For those who missed my last post about the show, which
I love our cat Racer, but I never really thought about how much time I spent with her until recently. I never thought a cat needed exercise, but according to most veterinarians, cats need exercise just like dogs and spending time playing with your cat can be beneficial to both your health and the animal’s.
Hill’s Pet Nutrition Canadian Pet Wellness Report-Guest Post Read More »
When I was a child, I had problems with bedwetting. I was a very deep sleeper and I simply didn’t wake up when I needed to use the bathroom. It was frustrating for me and, of course, for my mother, but most of the time it didn’t really affect my day-to-day life. Then one day
It can be incredibly hard to determine if your child has a learning disability, but an innovative new online tool is helping to take the guesswork out of diagnosing learning conditions such as dyslexia. I recently ran through the screener myself to see what I thought and I was pleasantly surprised by how thorough the
The Lexercise Screener Free Online Dyslexia Test Read More »
I believe that strong literacy skills are the cornerstone of our education system. Without properly developed reading and comprehension skills, children invariably begin to struggle around grade four, when textbooks become such a key feature of classroom learning. But how can we, as parents, encourage and nurture our children to become strong and capable readers?
Literacy Tips for Young Readers from Oxford Learning Read More »
Hi, and welcome to Mommy Kat and Kids! I’m so happy to be a part of the 5 Minutes for Mom Ultimate Blog Party 2011 for the first time! If this is your first time, I’d love it if you would follow my blog on Google Friend Connect or visit my Facebook page and Twitter
Welcome From The Ultimate Blog Party 2011 Read More »
How quickly the time flies! It seems like just yesterday that I was holding you in my arms after your birth in my horrible hospital gown, admiring how much you looked like your daddy. You’re so big and active now, and I don’t even remember the year going by. The one thing that hasn’t changed
Happy 1st Birthday Benjamin! Read More »
