Family Day Travel Activities

Travel with kids this Family Day?  Surf over to my Yummy Mummy Club column where I share 5 Great Travel Activities For Kids

How much further?! Are we there yet?! I’m bored! Whether you are traveling by boat, plane, train or bus…these 5 activities will keep your kids entertained so you can drive, sleep or tweet (not all at the same time of course).

Click the link above to continue reading…

A Smart Auto-Motive | Funny Mummy

by Kathy Buckworth

I attended the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit recently, and was pretty impressed with the range of eco-friendly cars that were being unveiled – from the tiny “smart” cars to the hybrids, the electric, and everything in between.  It is of course imperative that we do all we can to protect our environment, and all of the car companies seem to get this, and are investing dollars and research in improving the way they do business, and the way the cars run.

But as a Mom, I often find that the environment inside the car can be just as offensive and polluting as the environment outside the car.  If you have children, I know you agree with me. So, I am providing some helpful advice to the car manufacturers on some features they might like to start developing for 2013.

1)      Purse holder for Moms: We don’t want to put our purses down on top of the sticky, dirty floor mats, and if we hand the purse to the teen in the front seat, he’ll throw it in the back (making sure first that it’s unzipped), whacking an innocent younger sibling on the way back.  If we put it in the clean trunk space (let’s assume the trunk space is clean, play along, please)we can’t reach it for the inevitable stop at the coffee shop/fast food restaurant/nice officer with the ticket book in his hand.

2)      Sound Barrier: Just a simple sliding glass door between the driver’s row and the back seats would suffice.  On certain occasions (ultra long road trips), having one to separate the driver from the instruction-issuing passenger would also be welcome. You know who you are, Mister.

3)      Self-Cleaning: I’m imagining something like the self-cleaning public toilets they have in Europe. The entire car/van gets a shower and drains out of the bottom of the floorboards perhaps once a month. Self-heating/air blowers would help hasten the progress of drying the seats prior to the next infestation. Maybe blow out a lavender scent as well.

4)      Cones of Silence: These cones need to be installed over every seat.  The driver needs to tune out the kids fighting in the back; the kids sitting next to each other wouldn’t be able to hear the insults being hurled at them; and Dad wouldn’t hear that child in the back row who just spilled their blue raspberry slushy. Noise pollution is a real thing; and no more real than when you’re subjected to listening to the repeating and inane video game techno-music coming from the eight year old’s latest hand held device.

5)      Signal Blocking: Of course the driver should be unable to text or surf the Internet on their smartphones, but if I can’t do it, I don’t want my teens BBM’ing either.  It’s not fair.  Unless I’m the passenger and they’re the ones driving me around, then it’s totally fair.

Now these features would make for a really “smart” car.

Kathy Buckworth loves her Buick Enclave. Especially when it’s toxin (i.e. child) free. Follow Kathy on Twitter @KathyBuckworth. Kathy’s next book, “I Am So The Boss of You” will be released by McClelland & Stewart in Spring, 2013.

Toronto Disney On Ice Tickets $1.00

THE WHAT:  December 14th, Disney On Ice fans in Toronto may be singing this song when they take advantage of a special, once-in-a-blue moon, better than Groupon opportunity, to purchase tickets for only $1.00.

Tickets for this one-time-only, Zip-A-Dee-Deal will be available starting at 11 am on Wednesday, December 14th at Rogers Centre Box Office, located at Gate 9, and are available while supplies last (100 tickets per performance will be available).

PLEASE NOTE:  Customers may not begin forming a line until 9:30 am on Wednesday, December 14th.  Rogers Centre Box Office will open at 11 am. There is a limit of (six) 6 tickets per person for your chosen show.

Once the Zip-A-Dee-Deal tickets are sold out, fans will be able to purchase tickets at a special one-day only $5.00 off discount rate

Disney On Ice Performance Schedule:

Dec. 23 – 7pm                                    Dec. 28 – 12pm & 4pm

Dec. 24 – 4pm                                    Dec. 29 – 12pm & 4pm

Dec. 25 – 4pm                                    Dec. 30 – 12pm & 4pm

Dec. 26 – 12pm & 4pm                   Dec. 31 – 12pm

Dec. 27 – 12pm & 4pm                   Jan. 1 – 4pm

Q & A with Ross Petty and Yvan Pedneault

Will they sit still?  Will they stay quiet?  Will they have fun?  Taking kids to the theatre can be intimidating for parents…but it is a worth-while family experience. Just ask Ross Petty and Yvan Pedneault, stars of The Wizard of Oz – The Wickedly Wacky Family Musical.

Surf over to my column (yes, click that) at yummymummyclub.ca where I share my Q & A session with these two talented performers about live family theatre.

Hang With Me @ Swarovski

Open call to come hang with me at the Toronto Eaton Centre this Sat. Nov. 19 from 10am-12pm to get crafty with your kids making a Swarovski ornament (100% of proceeds to go The Children’s Wish foundation).  Kits are $20 each – hugs from me are free.

If you can’t make it down to see me (bah-humbug) you can support this event on other days…

Who’ll be there to hang with you while you get crafty with your
kids?

November 19 – Caroline Fernandez, Activity Mummy
November 26 – Sarah Gunn, Wall Candy
December 3 – Lisa Thornbury, Party Mummy
December 10 – Sharon DeVellis, Inside Scoop & YMC Editor-in-Chief

So bring your kids and meet me at the Swarovski Stars for Wishes Workshop (right beside the big honkin’ crystal Swarovski tree in the middle of the Eaton Centre).  I’d love to hang with you and together support this good charity at this sparkly event!

Citynews.ca, high admission prices and me chiming in…

What do you think about family admission prices to Toronto attractions?  Read this citynews.ca article where I chime in on the affordability of admission.

SPOILER: I believe high admission prices can deter families from visiting local attractions.

However, there is news from the Royal Ontario Museum that the attractions see “our” side…

Click HERE to read the full article

Chariot Carriers: a stroller like no other

chariotcarriers.com

THE WHAT: Chariot Carriers – Couger 1

THE CANADA:  Every Chariot Carrier is proudly designed  in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

THE HOW: 17+ years specializing in the outdoor transportation of children

THE COOL:  With one stroller (and the separately sold accessories) you can stroll, jog, bike, pull and ski with your child

The couger comes as a single or double stroller

THE FEATURES:  We were provided a Chariot Couger 1  for this review.

  • 5 point harness
  • sunshade
  • UV blocking poly-urethane windows
  • 3M™ Reflective Material
  • Rear storage compartment (can hold two 4 litre bottles of milk no problem!)
  • Foot activated parking brake
  • Heightright™ Handlebars
  • Quickclip™ weathercover (I LOVE this feature!)
  • and much much more (click HERE to see how much more)

THE REVIEW:  Well, to be honest – they got me at DESIGNED IN CANADA (love buying local!).  This is truly a solid transportation system.  It turns easily, pushes effortlessly and stops on a dime.  Though it is a large frame it is lightweight.

For me (as a stroller pushing Mom) my favourite feature on the Couger 1 is the Quickclip™ weathercover because it protects so completely against wind, rain and snow (really – had the baby out it in today – on a windy, rainy day and he was dry as dry could be).

Sometimes when you buy a jogging stroller you give up your storage.  Not with Chariot!  There is ample storage in the back container along with a mesh pocket for extra storage.

The ability to purchase separate kits makes this stroller adapt well to different family lifestyles.  I admit, several times this past summer we were sad not to go on family bike rides…but we plan on buying the bike kit which turns the Couger 1 into a bike trailer…for bike rides next summer.  (if you are a snow walk/ski sort of family – the ski kit would do you well in the coming months!)

The weight capacity of the Couger goes to 34kg / 75lbs which means that this one transportation system can have a long life with your active family.

Yes it can fold (I know you were wondering).  It also passes through the aisles of major stores (did it!).  From the look on my dear boy’s face it is a very comfortable ride.

Click here to find out where to buy.


Disclosure: We were provided a Chariot Carrier Couger 1 for review.  And it really does have enough storage for two 4 litre bottles of milk!

FREE movies at Cineplex Oct 22

THE WHAT: FREE MOVIES! October 22 is Community Day at Cineplex. All Cineplex Entertainment theatres for Community Day in support of Starlight Children’s Foundation.

THE WHERE:  Across Canada

THE WHEN: Doors open at 8:30AM with a great selection FREE movies beginning at 9:00AM. Plus, enjoy a regular popcorn, regularfountain drink and selected candy for only 2 DOLLARS each with 100% of the proceeds donated to Starlight Children’s Foundation!

For more information http://www.cineplex.com/Promos/Starlight/Community.aspx

Car seats: When do you switch?

When do you switch your rear facing car seat front-wards?  According to Transport Canada“Don’t hurry. Keep your child in the rear-facing seat until he or she grows out of it.”  ok – so how do you know if your child has grown out of it?!

Every car seat has a height and weight minumum and maximum written on a sticker near the base of the seat.  And it is important to point out that different infant car seats have different height and weight maximums.  (For example – my infant Graco car seat went from 5-22lbs.  My  baby True Fit car seat goes from 5-65lbs).

However, I would like to note that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended this year that infants/toddlers should remain rear-facing until age 2.

So don’t go by what seat your child’s friend is in…or what seat has the coolest cup holder…or what seat was handed down by a neighbour.  Go by your child’s height and weight and age.

And if you are unsure of installation – there are free car seat installation clinics in your community – use your google and find one!

In Toronto:  Toronto Police Car Seat Installation Clinics

A proper fitting (and installed) car seat and booster can save your child’s life.

I would like to dedicate this post to @mapsgirl who writes “Funny Things Are Everywhere” a talented writer and a car seat installation expert.  When I thought I should switch my dear son forward facing I tweeted her first – and she was the one who brought to my attention the 2 year old rear-facing advisement from the AAP.  Thank you Wendy.

Baby Food On The Go | #TravelTip

Carrying around infant cereal in a baggie but no recipient to use for feeding?  Here’s a smart travel tip:

yes, we eat Mott’s

Wash your old applesauce containers and recycle reclaim and re purpose them as your on-the-go baby food bowl. 

Won’t matter if your lose it on your travels.  Easy enough to rinse out to wash.  It makes life easier for busy parents!

The Travel Itch

Right before I go on a trip en famille – I get a travel itch.  It’s a worry-ing, nervous, anxiety-ish type of itch (it’s the way I am). 

And those who know me – know my worries go straight to my tummy.  Never a good thing.  Especially when travel approaches.

So instead…I focus (almost imprint) on something to BUY for a trip.  (I’m not a buy buy buy type of girl usually – I’m fairly un-splurge-ous).

Trip before last I had to buy this:

Please Mum Puddle Jumper – it is great

And that coat was perfect for chilly, rainy walking!  (and shipping was free and it was on sale…so really it was meant to be!).

Going to the cottage, I learned about…and had to BUY

Go-pod – it is le great

And the babe LOVED hanging out in that go-pod (and I loved packing it – super portable).

Are these itches so capricious?  When it’s the kids who benefit?  And if it helps direct my energies away from my tummy….can’t be bad right?…

And so leaving this weekend on another trip and I have a bit of an itch…

Peg Perego Pliko 3 – kijji-ing it right now

If you’ve got an itch you have to scratch right?…?