word Archives - Mommy Kat and Kids

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…]

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…]

Help Your Child Learn to Read with the Little Champion Reader Kit-Giveaway

January 28, 2014 by Kathryn 94 Comments

I am passionate about the importance of childhood literacy and the role that early education can play in creating successful readers. As an avid reader myself, I am determined to help my children grow to be strong readers as well and luckily for me, there are so many fabulous tools and materials available to help me with that goal. Recently the creator of the Little Champion Reader kit contacted me about reviewing her innovative three-in-one system and with Benjamin at the perfect age to start developing some basic literacy skills, I was only too happy to oblige.

This kit is colourful, beautiful and incredibly complete. It includes nine DVDs, fifteen sliding flashcards, fifteen phonics books and three blank flashcards with a dry erase pen. The kit even includes a bonus CD featuring more than 150 free printable worksheets! Benjamin and I sat down to examine the kit together and see what the contents were like.

[Read more…]