She's Making a List... #SearsMom

She's making a list, I'm checking it twice...

3 more weeks till Christmas! 

My daughter turned 5 this year and every year since she was 2 years old and able to grasp a pen properly in her hand, we prepared her Christmas Wish List with her for her letter to Santa.

I cannot think of any other place to go to that is as informative and fun to flip through than the yearly Holiday Sears Wish Book.

We usually do this after our decorations have been put up as we have Ava place her finished letter to Santa anywhere on the Christmas Tree before bed and wake up to find it gone. She thinks Santa has special Elves that pick them up from the tree.

My Mother-in-Law use to tell my husband that when he was little and for some reason that stuck to him and therefore got passed down as something fun to do with our daughter.

Now that she's a big sister (and a very loving and caring one at that), it was a pleasant sight for me to see her circling a few toddler toys on her own. 

"I'm picking the ones Talan wants, Mommy!" Because obviously she knows which ones he wants.

They've got a secret sibling code that only they can understand.

What she circled for her lil' brother. He already owns a Big Hugs Elmo! :)

I also find it so interesting to see the growth in my daughter each year depending on the stuff that she circles.

What I sometimes think she may want, surprisingly she doesn't circle. And you think you know your child really well! It goes to show you how much they are growing each day and that they have their own individual interest. Very helpful!

It's usually followed by milk and cookies and a Christmas movie before bed which is why we often do this together as a family on a weekend.

Do you have any traditions for writing Wish Lists with your children? 

Sears is also hosting an amazing contest on right now called the Sears Wishes of Joy Contest on now until December 15 where entrants can SHARE their wish lists (to win!) PLUS many more opportunities to win up to $10,000 in prizes. It's lots of fun! Check it out here! 

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Disclosure: I am part of the Sears Mom Ambassador program with Mom Central Canada and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

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Reflections of Christmas

As the year draws to a close and we near the fun and festivities of the Holiday Season, you start to really reminisce about Holiday visions and what each past Christmas has brought to your memory bank.

Dating back to the days when paying mortgage bills and stressing about work deadlines were virtually non-existent and the only thing that mattered during the Holiday season was if I was finally going to see Santa and especially if the doll I really wanted was going to be wrapped underneath the tree... some of the best memories in my life have been on Christmas Day.

Left: Toothless Grin, happy 7 year old Carol on Christmas Day | Right: 20 year old Carol receiving gift from Grandma         

Age does not exist on Christmas mornings -- I still get that thrill myself (and perhaps even still BELIEVE that Santa does exist... he does, doesn't he?)

Christmas matters a great deal to me and my family.
It's not only another Holiday for us, but a special time to show our love for one another and celebrate the special joy of the season with lots of fun, laughter, and good food!
Our saying: "Always leave with full hearts and full tummies!"

Come with me along the years as I reflect on past Christmas'...

My daughter's first Christmas! [Christmas 2008]

Christmas 2009 - Ava with Grandpa E 

This picture is particularly special to us and Ava. This past year we lost our Father (and her Grandpa) and oh did he adore Ava. This was her first Christmas spent with him at his place when she was a year and a half. Here he is chuckling as he patiently adds the ornaments back to the tree that Ava would constantly remove in her toddler curiousity and playfulness and then run towards her stack of presents!
Such a sweet memory.

Christmas 2010 

Christmas 2011

 Presents!

Santa is here! Ava's excitement cannot be contained. The joy in Children's faces is priceless.

Baby Talan's First Christmas! [Christmas 2012]

What a lovely walk down the candy cane-lined memory lane.

As I prepare for the upcoming 2013 Christmas, one other must-do is to have my children write Santa a letter telling him what was on their Wish list.

Sears makes it so much more easier with their brilliant and jam-packed Sears Wish Book.
We look forward to it every year!

Check out the markings on Ava's Sears Wish Book a couple years back. I told her to mark in purple crayon what she wanted. Can you tell someone loved Hello Kitty? I love that Sears categorizes their Wish Book to fit all ages and preferences for kids of all ages!

Did I mention I was recently selected as a new #SearsMom Ambassador?

This of course is not only exciting for me and my family but fitting as we are loyal and happy customers of Sears! You can follow along on social media via hashtag #SearsMom!

I LOVE their Sears' Top Toys Selection which you can find on their website in their Toy Shop.

Visit the Toy Shop here!

My son has the Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Crawl Around Car and it's definitely a MUST-HAVE for growing and exploratory toddlers.

Big Hugs Elmo is also another great gift idea this year for young kids. He hugs you back! 

My daughter has her sights set on the LeapFrog LeapPad Ultra Tablet (this makes me happy as a mother as she's not only playing but learning!) 

My future doctor also has a LOVE for Doc McStuffins and playing doc so this Top Toy, Disney Doc McStuffins Get Better Check-Up Centre is definitely on her Wish List!

EXCITING CONTEST!

Starting Friday November 15th, and each Friday following (until December 13th), Sears will be hosting a Friday Daily Facebook contest GIVEAWAY! They’ll be giving away one of their top and hottest holiday toys – and all you have to do is leave a comment. How easy is that?

Visit them on Facebook here.

Here's to many more special Holiday memories!

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Disclosure: I am part of the Sears Mom Ambassador program with Mom Central Canada and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

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Chai Tea Shortbread Cookies with #GayLeaFoods Plus KitchenAid Giveaway

When I think back to memories of prepping for the Holidays way back when, the enticing scent of baked goods in my moms kitchen would instantly pop into my mind.
Coupled with the sounds of Christmas Carols humming in the background, this is just one other reason why Christmas just happens to be my absolute favourite holiday.

It's not every day you get the feel-good, deep-in-your-soul, solacing kinda feeling then when you remember such memories that bring back the child in you. One of the recipes that always recaptures my childhood during the holidays is my moms Shortbread Cookies.
Tender, Buttery goodness.

What I love about Shortbread Cookies is that it's adaptable - you can do so much with it just by adding a few things like rosemary or toffee bits. I also love the savoury variety which you can achieve with some cardamom. Add in some shredded coconut and voila! Delicious curry and coconut delight!
You see, definitely so much you can create with a good shortbread recipe.
It is the easiest, most versatile cookie you can make. And every baker needs to have their own fool-proof recipe in their arsenal.

I love a good Chai Tea so I thought I would combine the two to create an exotic twist to comfort.
I am planning on serving these over the holidays with a combination of other Shortbread concoctions and also would make a great gift for neighbours, friends, family, teachers, etc.
Just place in cellophane wrap or mason jars complete with some pretty ribbon and tag and you've got delicious, home-made gifts anyone will love to receive.

Here's my recipe - hope you enjoy!

CHAI TEA SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Ingredients:
1 lb. unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 tsp salt
2/3 cup granulated sugar
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup and 3 tbsp cornstarch
3 tbsp of loose leaf Chai Tea (or 3 teabags)




Method:
In a food processor, combine the flour, cornstarch and chai tea until well combined; put aside in a bowl.

In a stand-mixer, combine the softened butter, salt, and sugar. Whip on medium speed for 5-6 minutes, until the butter becomes pale and white, and increases in volume. On low-speed, mix in the flour, cornstarch.

Divide dough into two and spread each out on parchment paper. Roll into 1.5" - 2" logs, twist ends and refrigerate for an hour (until cold & firm) to overnight (you can freeze from here as well).

When you're ready to bake, pre-heat oven to 150 degrees, cut shortbread cookies and place onto parchment lined cookie sheet.

Bake for approximately 20-30 minutes, until the edges just begin to color. (Shortbread should remain more white in color.)

Remove cookies onto cooling tray and let cool. Enjoy!

Happy baking!

Thanks to Gay Lea Foods and Mom Central Canada, ONE grand-prize winner (one winner across all 15 blogs) will win a KitchenAid® Classic Series Stand Mixer.
I absolutely LOVE mine and there's so much deliciousness you can create with a KitchenAid® Stand Mixer.

Simply enter via rafflecopter below for a chance to win! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And that's not it!

I'm also giving away a Gay Lea “Our Table: Shared Meals” cookbook!

A compilation of popular (and yummy!) recipes and
includes everything from breakfast to dessert, and every eating occasion
in-between. It’s a great asset to have heading into the holiday season,
whether it’s for yourself, or a gift to a love one!

To enter this giveaway, make sure you're following us on Facebook and enter via rafflecopter below.








a Rafflecopter giveaway

While on Facebook, don't forget to visit Gay Lea Foods and Enter to Win some AMAZING prizes in their Shortbread Bliss Contest! Plus more great shortbread recipes!
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Disclosure: I am part of the Gay Lea Blogger Campaign with Mom Central Canada and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.”

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Big Hugs Make the Perfect Gift Plus Big Hugs Elmo #Giveaway

Someone once said to me that "a hug is the universal medicine" and I couldn't agree more.
Do you remember all the times, good and bad, in your life where you received a warm and genuine embrace from someone? The feeling of receiving a hug during a time you need it most is indescribable. It's something that is only felt deep within the heart.

One of the things I teach my children every time they see someone they care about feeling sad or when they want to show their love is to give them a great big hug.
My daughter is old enough to understand the effects and meaning behind hugs, however my son is too young to fully grasp the meaning but not young enough to truly feel the effects. There's no age limit for that.
He knows how good hugs from mommy, daddy, his sister or grandparents feel when he's fallen down and hurt himself or when he takes his wobbly steps as he learns to walk and gets happy praises and big hugs in celebration.

I'm now slowly compiling my holiday gift list for all the special people in my life and there is no doubt in my mind that Big Hugs Elmo would make one of those special little people on that list VERY happy this year.

On top of being a PTPA Winner, Big Hugs Elmo has also gained the stamp of approval in my family!

My son is currently still teething and he gets bouts of tearful episodes (poor baby!) and I noticed how much more calm he gets when Elmo is around him.

He absolutely adores his furry friend and not only for his comforting embrace but because of all the amazing and fun features included!

There are so many ways to play with Sesame Street Big Hugs Elmo! When you give Elmo a great big hug, he'll hug back, say fun phrases or sing a sweet song about hugs! Press Elmo's left foot and he will invite little ones to join in on 1 of 4 imagination activities. There are 50+ animated sounds and phrases like, "Elmo loves getting hugs from you," 

"Let's pretend we're rabbits! Boing, boing, boing," and "Move to the beat!" When children lay Big Hugs Elmo down in a flat position, he'll become sleepy, sing a lullaby and make sleeping sound effects. 

I have to admit that Elmo's sweet lullaby has even put me to sleep a couple of times. So sweet! 

Features: 

• Hug Elmo and he'll move his arms to hug back 
• Pretend with Elmo: There are 4 fun imagination scenarios: astronauts, rabbits, frogs & horses 
• Dance with Elmo: Move Elmo around - he really responds 
• Sing along with Big Hugs Elmo: Plays 3 fun songs 
• Nap time: Lay Elmo down to hear a sweet lullaby and sleeping sound effects

This past Halloween, Big Hugs Elmo even tagged along as Talan's "Partner in Cuteness-Crime". :)

To learn more about Big Hugs Elmo, visit: www.hasbro.com/playskool/en_CA/sesamestreet/bighugselmo/

If you're on Social Media, PTPA is currently hosting a fun 'Spot the Seal with Hasbro' Contest that offers you many chances to win some seriously amazing prizes including Big Hugs Elmo and many other PTPA-winning Hasbro Products!
For more information, visit: ptpa.com/2013/10/10/spot-seal-hasbro/.

Thanks to Hasbro, as a BHE Brand Ambassador, one of my lucky readers will have the opportunity to win another Big Hugs Elmo of their own this month {ARV $69.99}

1) Leave me a comment below telling  me what your favourite feature is on the Big Hugs Elmo

2) Enter via rafflecopter below for additional entries

The contest will close and a winner will be selected at random on November 17, 2013.

Open to US and Canada (excluding Quebec).

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Disclosure: I am participating in the Hasbro Big Hugs Elmo Blogger Campaign by PTPA Media and received product and compensation as a thank you for participating. The opinions expressed on this blog are my very own.

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Mission Accomplished: ShesConnected with Adult Essentials Gummy Vitamins

I use to think taking vitamins daily was such tedious task. Having to remember to take pills every day (which mostly are massive in size and ready to bring out a sudden gag reflex) and also reminding and "forcing" my family members to take it, was also a challenge in it's own.

It wasn't until I was introduced to Adult Essentials and Iron Kids Gummy Vitamins that my whole outlook on vitamins changed. Truly!

We love the taste and texture of the gummies and taking them each day was a treat.  Felt like we were having gummy candies as opposed to vitamins.
Adult Essentials only uses natural flavours and colours -- nothing artificial no sugar coating, Gluten, Nut and Dairy-Free!

Oh, and did I mention they are a PTPA award winner? :)

This was especially reassuring for me having a fussy-eater 3 and a half year old daughter and also a hubby that thinks having a burger with lots of veggies in it + fries and a milkshake was considered a complete meal. *sigh*

Because of my new found love for these gummies, I jumped at the opportunity to be a Brand Ambassador for Adult Essentials with Shes Connected and absolutely delighted to have been chosen as one!

Look who was as excited as mommy and daddy was to receive some new vitamins courtesy of Adult Essentials and She's Connected.  She got to sample the new Iron Kids calcium vitamins too!

Before Adult Essentials and Iron Kids, heading to the pharmacy or grocers Vitamin aisle was daunting, to say the least.  Staring for minutes upon minutes (what seemed more like hours) at the copious amount of vitamins they offered, reading the ingredients, etc. trying to ensure that I introduced the right vitamins for me and my family.  Can I tell you how much money I wasted? Most often, they end up being hidden in the back of our medicine cabinet collecting dust or being constantly spit out.

I headed to my local grocers (Fortinos) during a typical grocery run and decided to pop on over to the vitamin aisle to see if they carried our beloved Adult Essentials and sadly they did not.  However, I was happy to see they carried Iron Kids!

My next usual spot that I frequent often is the local Shoppers Drug Mart, and *tada*...
They carried Adult Essentials! Woo-hoo!

Now I know that I don't have to worry about where to find our favourite gummy vitamins.
Have you tried them yet?

Visit Adult Essentials online for more infomation at: www.adultgummies.com.
And for great tips, specials, and updates, make sure you are following them on Facebook and Twitter!

You can find these delicious gummies including their line of Iron Kids Gummies at many local grocers and pharmacies including these:

They are also available online at Well.Ca.

Let me know what you think of them and most importantly, take care and stay healthy!

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Disclosure: I am participating in the Adult Essentials Blogger Outreach program by ShesConnected.  I received a supply of vitamins and compensation in exchange for my participation in this campaign. The opinions on this blog are my very own.

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Toshiba Holiday Heroes Brand Ambassador

I am absolutely thrilled to announce that I was chosen by She's Connected to be one of the 44 women to be a Brand Ambassador for Toshiba Canada's Holiday Heroes Campaign! *Jumping up & down*
And what makes it more exciting is that I was chosen in the first batch of 22! Woohoo!  It was like the moment when you applied for a job that you really wanted, anxiously awaiting a phone call (in this case, an email) and then surprise, surprise! :)

She's Connected recently introduced their new Brand Ambassador program and this happened to be the first opportunity. Of course I jumped at it. I am a huge fan of Toshiba (even way prior to this campaign!)
and I also recently received my new white Toshiba laptop as a birthday gift in August because I fell in love with it!
If there's one electronic brand that delivers in seriously high performance, durability and looks and constantly evolving with today's technology, it's Toshiba.
Their products just keep getting better and better so I'm definitely looking forward to checking out their Tablet and 3D HDTV.

Keep your eyes peeled for my super awesome review within the next couple of weeks!

Thank you, Donna Marie, and the wonderful team at She's Connected and Toshiba for this fantastic opportunity! You picked well! ;)

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