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…]

Let Go of the Mom Guilt! Four Indulgences a Mom Should Never Feel Guilty About

September 27, 2016 by Kathryn 34 Comments

If there’s one thing that us moms have really mastered, it’s feeling guilty. Told your daughter you were out of ice cream so you could finish it when she went to bed? Convinced your son that hockey wasn’t that much fun so you wouldn’t have to deal with the huge investment of time and money? Invented a fake work trip to avoid taking part in the school fundraiser? Chances are you’re going to feel guilty about it at some point!

But the fact of the matter is that parenting is hard…and none of us are perfect! We’re going to mess up. We’re going to do things we regret. And sometimes, we’re going to feel guilty about something we really shouldn’t! There are the odd times that we feel we’ve really messed up. At those times, we need to apologize, forgive ourselves and move on. But there are also times we feel guilty and we really shouldn’t! If you’ve got Mom Guilt about any of these four things, it’s time to give yourself a break and #EndMomGuilt!

1) Going Out for Date Night

Date night isn’t just a fun night out for you and your husband, it’s a chance to stay connected as a couple and ensure a healthy relationship…something that will both benefit your kids right now and help them learn about the dynamic of a healthy relationship. Find a reliable sitter or a nearby family member, take off for the evening and enjoy a good meal, a movie WITHOUT animated characters or a few drinks at your favourite pub. You both deserve the chance to spend time with the love of your life! [Read more…]

As Canada Takes on the World at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, P&G Reminds Us To Say Thank You, Mom

August 8, 2016 by Kathryn 33 Comments

The Rio 2016 Olympic Games have kicked off with a bang and I have to admit that watching Penny Oleksiak win Canada’s first medals of the games (and its first medals in women’s swimming in the last twenty years!) has resulted in my being glued to the television as I go through my day. Whether I’m watching the highly acclaimed Canadian women’s gymnastics team to the men’s volleyball team winning a hard-fought victory over the United States, I can’t help but feel my heart swell up with pride for Canada as our athletes get a chance to show others what they can do.

Throughout those performances, P&G is there supporting our athletes and their families. An official sponsor of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, the company has always been passionate about supporting athletes and also providing recognition for the sacrifices that parents make to help their children excel. And as in past years, the P&G video for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games exemplifies that. The video celebrates the idea that behind every amazing athlete is an amazing mom and I’ll admit that I can’t watch it without getting tears in my eyes!

My personal favourite competitors this year, the beautiful and talented FAB IV divers, are a great example of how a mother’s support is essential to success. Roseline Filion (27), Meaghan Benfeito (25), Jennifer Abel (23) and Pamela Ware (21) have won 86 medals between the four of them in a variety of international events and aren’t planning on slowing down any time soon. Ware has said that seeing her own mother get through tough times in younger years inspired her to be a stronger person. Now her mother is the first person she calls after competing, no matter what the results were. And Filion knows her mother’s sacrifices were essential to her success. She admits that without her mother’s support, she would have quit long ago.

While Abel and Ware narrowly missed the podium in the women’s 3-metre synchronized event (coming in fourth and less than one point away from a bronze medal), both women will also be competing in the individual 3-meter springboard event later in the week as well. And tomorrow Filion and Benfeito will have the chance to earn a medal in the women’s 10-metre synchronized diving event. I can’t wait to cheer them on and I have no doubt that their performance will be thrilling.

FAB IV Canadian Olympic Divers — Photo Credit: Vincent Graton

And throughout the games, the divers’ mothers will be cheering them on too, thanks in part to the sponsorship from P&G! Whether you’re a passionate Olympic fan or just a casual viewer of a few favourite events, make sure to watch this year’s P&G Rio 2016 Olympic video to help you get inspired for the coming days. Then tune in and check out Canada’s best athletes as they take on the world and go for gold this year in Rio!

Surprise a Special Mom with a Design Molloy Custom Birth Story Word Art Print-Giveaway

May 4, 2016 by Kathryn 57 Comments

UPDATE: Thanks so much to everyone that entered! Use coupon code MOMMYKAT10OFF to save 10% off your online purchase from Design Molloy! Coupon expires June 30, 2016.

Mother’s Day is almost here, and whether you’re looking for a present for a brand new mom or an experienced one, Design Molloy has the perfect gift idea! This company founded by fellow Prairie entrepreneurs, Colette in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Debbie in Regina, Saskatchewan, specializes in custom word art and its stunning birth story prints are sure to warm the heart of any mother. Recently, I had the chance to review a Birth Story Word Art Print of my own, and I couldn’t wait to see my own child’s birth brought to life in such a beautiful way.

What makes the Design Molloy Birth Story Word Art so special is how much of a collaborative process its creation is. I had the chance to fill out a custom design sheet and choose favourite fonts, colours and phrases for my creation. I also added information about my youngest son’s birth weight, the time of day he was born and special features he had at birth. I was even able to include a favourite picture of my infant son!

When Design Molloy had all the information, the work began. I soon had a proof of the birth story to peruse so that I could check all the details and give some input on design elements. Little items like the placement of letters and the borders around each section were adjusted based on my desires so that the finished product was perfectly suited to me. I loved the boyish colour scheme I had chosen, and the picture of baby Benjamin cuddling with his big brother was the perfect finishing touch! [Read more…]

See Monique’s Twistos #MomCave Makeover and Enter to Win Your Own-Giveaway

May 2, 2016 by Kathryn 170 Comments

If there’s one thing that almost every mom has in common, it’s being busy! From cooking and cleaning to getting kids to extra-curricular activities to helping out at school or in the community, there’s always something to fill a mom’s plate! In our home, I’m out of bed at six in the morning to pack school lunches and make breakfast for my boys. We leave the house at seven to drive to the school bus stop and when I get home at eight, I start work.

Evenings include coaching my youngest son’s soccer team two nights every week, taking my oldest son to baseball three nights a week and still fitting in time to help both boys with homework and cook supper for the family. Needless to say, I’m ready for some relaxation when the boys are finally tucked into bed! And in my opinion, there’s no better evening indulgence than a few Twistos Baked Snack Crackers. With two new light and crunchy flavours now available, Garden Dill & Cream Cheese and Toasted Garlic & Rosemary, they’re the perfect treat for busy moms. Asiago has always been my favourite flavour, but the new dill variety changed that in one bite!

[Read more…]

Surprise a Woman That’s #OneToughMother with Mother’s Day Bouquets from Teleflora

April 26, 2016 by Kathryn 16 Comments

Being a mother isn’t always easy. In fact, it can often be a dirty, thankless, exhausting job. From dealing with the attitude of the terrible twos to navigating the high emotions of puberty, moms really are there for their kids through thick and thin. And on Mother’s Day, it’s time to show that special woman in your life just how much you appreciate her being one tough mother!

Teleflora knows that even though motherhood isn’t always butterflies and flowers, Mother’s Day can be! And with a collection of exclusive Mother’s Day bouquets that you can ship right to the front door, showing your appreciation for your mom’s support and sacrifices has never been easier. From gorgeous lavender and rainbow arrangements to bouquets that include keepsake water pitchers and cube vases, you’re sure to find the perfect gift! [Read more…]

Show Off Your Love this Valentine’s Day with an Initial Heart Necklace from Angelica Joy Jewelry-Giveaway

February 9, 2016 by Kathryn 150 Comments

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and if you’re looking for a gift that will let your special someone share their love with the world, Angelica Joy Jewelry has the perfect solution for you! The company’s gorgeous Initial Heart Necklaces are a perfect gift choice for a special lady in your life and with both sterling silver and gold necklaces available, these custom-made pieces are sure to warm her heart.

I received a necklace of my own in Sterling Silver to review and while these necklaces are often personalized with the initials of children, I decided to go a different route and get the initials of myself and my fiance. Since we have a wedding coming up on October, I thought that this necklace would be wonderful not just for everyday wear but also for our wedding day. I requested a J and K on the necklace and eagerly waited for it to arrive.

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LeapFrog LeapPad Platinum, Imagicards and Word Whammer Build Literacy for Life

September 28, 2015 by Kathryn 25 Comments

I remember when my oldest son was about six months old and it occurred to me that he didn’t really have any baby toys. He had stuffed animals and a few rattles, but nothing interactive with buttons and music. I made a trip to the local store and found a toy that I could hang on the crib with handy rubber straps. Featuring a butterfly, caterpillar and ladybug, it had music, sound effects and talking characters. Zackary absolutely loved it.

That toy was a LeapFrog toy and though I didn’t know it at the time, that was when we took the first step to becoming a LeapFrog family. In the years that followed, my boys have learned and played with countless LeapFrog infant and toddler toys, the Leapster Explorer, the Tag Reading System and every single LeapPad tablet.

Needless to say, I was thrilled when I was chosen as a member of the LeapFrog Mom Squad, since it would mean even more chances to experience the toys my boys have loved since they were babies. And sure enough, my very first LeapFrog package was one that had my youngest son Benjamin in paradise! Even better, these newest toys from LeapFrog are the perfect choice for building literacy skills, something my Grade 1 boy is going to be doing a lot of this year! [Read more…]