Reviews and Giveaways

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.

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

August 14, 2018 by Kathryn 103 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!

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

August 13, 2018 by Kathryn 82 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!

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Creating the Perfect Moroccan Style Bedroom Oasis with Brightech Lamps

August 9, 2018 by Kathryn Leave a 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…]

The Best New Summer Products for Babies and Kids

August 3, 2018 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

Finding fun new products for my boys that will help make summer more enjoyable is a top priority for me once school ends.

That’s why I love to round up all the hottest new products I’ve tested and tried, in case other parents find them handy as well! These are the five products that are my current favourites for babies to big kids:

1) bblüv Nido Travel & Play Tent

This pop-up play tent is perfect for camping, visiting the beach and any other outdoor activities you might have planned. What I loved most about it was the size. Unlike many pop-up bassinets, the Nido is big enough that even my one-year-old can sit in it happily with a few of his toys. And the play tent packs up in a flash and fits into a convenient carrying case for the portability I want. Find it in toy and baby stores across North America; learn more at bbluvgroup.com. [Read more…]

Long-Lasting Protection from the Elements with Banana Boat Simply Protect Sport Spray Sunscreen

July 5, 2018 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

With all the hot weather we’ve had so far this spring and summer (and with more heat in the forecast, sunscreen is a top priority for me this year. Of course, I always make sure that I have a good children’s sunscreen for my three boys.

But I also need a sunscreen for myself and my husband. I’ve been interested in sport sunscreens because even though we’re not playing active sports, we have been working hard and getting sweaty building our deck, planting trees and spreading topsoil.

That means choosing a sweat-resistant, long-lasting sunscreen is a must. Luckily, brand-new Banana Boat Simply Protect Sport Spray Sunscreen is the perfect solution! [Read more…]

Summer Sports with the 2018 Ford Escape Titanium

June 27, 2018 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

Testing out a new Ford vehicle is always a treat, but it’s especially enjoyable in the spring! Finally getting out of the house after a long winter and cruising in a beautiful new car is the best way to say goodbye to cold weather for the next few months.

So, when Ford Canada offered me the chance to take the 2018 Ford Escape Titanium for a week-long test drive, I couldn’t have been happier. And as luck would have it, I ended up receiving the vehicle during the same week my boys had eight different sports games over a two-day period!

The new 2018 Ford Escape Titanium is packed with family-friendly features that make it the perfect vehicle for packed weekends, road trips and running errands. The blind-spot alert ensures that when a vehicle is in the car’s blind spot to help avoid accidents. Curve Control applies automatic brakes if a curve is taken too fast. And the rear view camera lets the vehicle get in and out of the tightest spots with ease. [Read more…]

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

June 22, 2018 by Kathryn 1 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…]