Sunday, August 31, 2014

Marshmallow Fondant

I have been baking and decorating cakes for many years.  In all those years, I have never worked with fondant.  When Mr. K told me what he wanted for his birthday cake this year (a slab cake with a bat signal in one corner and a Superman symbol in the other corner) I decided it was time to give it a try.

Walking With Dinosaurs - The Arena Spectacular

My family and I had the opportunity to see Walking With Dinosaurs - The Arena Spectacular when it was live in Ottawa last week.

The kids were so excited (and having met Baby T the week before it really got them hyped up for the show).  Mr. J was on the edge of his seat, peering over the railing for the majority of the show.  He loved seeing the dinosaurs on stage.  The show is narrated by Huxley, a paleontologist.  He takes the audience on a trip through the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.  As you journey through time, you watch some of the dinosaurs on stage while Huxley tells you about them as well as about the land during each period.

The show is very true to what life would have been like and very natural (a dinosaur comes and eats a newly hatched baby dino) at the beginning of the show.  Later on, there is a dead dinosaur in the middle of the arena, and 3 raptors come for a feast.

In addition to these scenes, there are some conflicts between dinosaurs and it can get quite loud (Mr. K enjoyed the show, but did not like the loud roars from the big T-Rex)

Even though the large T-Rex is on the stage and has quite a loud presence, it is complimented by baby-t's comedic "baby" roars - and had everyone laughing.

If you ever get the opportunity to see Walking With Dinosaurs - The Arena Spectacular, you should take it.  It's such a neat experience, and we all enjoyed it. 

Friday, August 29, 2014

Final Update On Our Summer Bucket List

With summer vacation ending this week, here is our final update on the 2014 Summer Bucket List!
We didn't cross everything off our list, but we had a lot of fun over the summer, and can't really believe that it's almost over and time for back to school.
  1. Visit my aunt and uncles cottage 
  2. Go swimming at uncle Marco's 
  3. Visit Carp Custom Creamery for ice cream
  4. Have a water fight
  5. Go to the park
  6. Visit ValleyView Animal Farm
  7. Have a visit at Grandma and Grandpa's
  8. Have a visit at Gramz
  9. Have a sleepover at Grandma and Grandpa's
  10. Have a sleepover at Gramz
  11. Play outdoor mini golf (hubby and I took Mr.K)
  12. Play indoor mini-golf (Mr. J went with his grandma)
  13. Have friends over for a picnic
  14. Go for a bike ride
  15. Go to Dairy Queen
  16. Go to the driving range
  17. Visit a splash pad
  18. Bake yummy treats
  19. Participate in the library reading challenge
  20. Play tourist downtown
  21. Visit with Uncle Wes and family
  22. Visit the Diefenbunker
  23. Bake pretzels
  24. Bake cookies
  25. Bake and decorate cupcakes
  26. Make our own ice cream
  27. Play outdoor games (soccer, red rover, football)
  28. Lunch or dinner at Cheshire Cat Pub
  29. Movie theater (I took Mr. J to see How To Train Your Dragon 2)
  30. Fire Station
  31. Upper Canada Village
  32. A trip to Toys R Us
  33. Strawberry Picking
  34. Ice Cream from the ice cream truck 

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Great New Products From Kellogg's {giveaway}


The boys get excited whenever a new Kellogg's package arrives on our doorstep!  These packages are always filled with yummy treats and often have new products for us to sample.

Happy Birthday Mr. K

So hard for me to believe that 4 years ago I was waiting for a call from the hospital telling me to come in; I was 39w6days pregnant and being induced (I had pre-eclampsia, and while it was not as severe as my pregnancy with Mr.J, the OB didn't want me going overdue)

Hubby and I sat around watching movies most of the day, then we got the call and went to pick up my mom.  My water was broken at 630 pm and Mr. K made his appearance at 10:14pm - 8lbs3oz 22inches long.

He was so precious.  Little did I know what a hurricane he would become - he is so much fun, but he definitely takes life at full speed.

just after birth
this week
A bit happy birthday from Mommy, Daddy and Mr. J! We love you so much....can't wait to see what this year brings!

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

My Countdown To School Is Not What You Think


Most parents have a countdown to school going on, either on the calendar or in their head.  I have one too, but not for the same reasons.  My countdown is to prepare myself.

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

This Is Me


Hi there - my name is Ashley and I am a stay at home mom.
Yes, my kids will both be in school full time in September and I will
STILL be a stay at home mom.

With Mr. K starting full day kindergarten this September, I have been asked more times than I can even count when I will start back to work.  Everyone knows that I am a stay at home mom, but for some reason, people can't fathom a parent being at home when their children are not, and assume that my being at home will end when the kids are not here.

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Monday, August 18, 2014

August 18 Monday Madness Giveaway Linky


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Welcome to the  Monday Madness giveaway linky!

Monopoly - Not Just For Fun


Mr. J was introduced to Monopoly a few months ago, and he absolutely loves the game.  After playing it a few times, he wanted to be the banker.  I was a little hesitant since he was 6yrs old and just starting on addition/subtraction. I soon realized that the worst thing to happen would be he would need to ask for help, and hoped that it would help with his math skills.

I am so happy that I gave him the chance that first time, now he is ALWAYS the banker.

His math skills have improved so much since we started.  He rarely asks me for help, and having to make change when properties are bought.  His addition has really gotten better too, and I think in part it's because I don't count the dice or move his token for him. It's his responsibility to tell me what the roll was, and he needs to count out the spaces.

I love watching him learn while we are having fun and spending some quality time together!

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Back To School Labelling Frenzy {Giveaway} #lovablelabels


The time came for me to start my frenzy.  I needed to get all of our new lunch containers, lunch kits, shoes, jackets and supplies labelled and ready to go for school.

Amaizing Maze at The Cumberland Heritage Village Museum

A photo of the Threshing machine  photo taken from 
https://www.facebook.com/cumberlandmuseum/photos_stream?tab=photos_albums
Transport your family back in time to the 1920's and 1930's by visiting the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum, located approx. 30 minutes from the city of Ottawa.  If you visit on August 31, included with regular admission, you will have the chance to experience the annual harvest: crops of sunflowers, potatoes and pumpkins that were planted earlier in the year.

While exploring the village, you will have the opportunity to learn about farming in the 1930's, and some of Ottawa's agriculture history as well. In addition to harvesting the crops, you will be able to see live demonstrations on threshing and learn how to preserve and pickle foods.

How much fun would it be for the family to get out and do something hands on like this?  We have a small garden in our backyard with tomato's, basil and strawberries that the kids love to pick when they are ripe, but I am sure they would be thrilled to be part of something like this.

Enjoy 1920's and 1930's era snacks at the Village Canteen (complete with vintage packaging) - the canteen is not always open, so you are best to call ahead or be prepared with a bring your own picnic as back up.

In addition to the harvesting activities, there is a wonderful corn maze to try as well as the regular museum attractions (both indoor exhibits and outdoor)

For more information on this and to stay up to date on other events at CHVM, please visit their Facebook page.

Disclosure: I have been compensated for this post; all opinions are honest and belong to Tales of Mommyhood.  Your experience/opinion may vary


Wednesday, August 13, 2014

2014 Holiday Gift Guide


I know, I know - August isn't even over yet, how can I be thinking about gift guides? Here is the answer - there is a lot of work behind the scenes to organize a gift guide, and it takes a lot of time.  Starting now, I am hoping that I can put together a wonderful guide for all my readers this year.

If you have a product you would like considered for the Tales of Mommyhood 2014 Holiday Gift Guide, send me an email to discuss options and rates.

Shark Week 2014

Shark week 2014 started on August 10, and our PVR has been working overtime since then.  Hubby can't miss the episodes that are aired during this time every year.

My kids love watching it with him, and I find that I am often drawn in.  They are such fascinating creatures, I really enjoy learning more about them and seeing some of the up close footage.

Are you a fan of shark week? Do you like watching Jaws?

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Tag Along Toys Opens A Second Location! Celebrate With A Giveaway

My favourite local toy store, Tag Along Toys, now has a second location in the city.  The new location is in the Blue Heron Mall, located at 1500 Bank Street (ph .613-738-8697)


I love to support local businesses, and  have been shopping at Tag Along Toys for many years; they are always my first stop for picking up gifts. The owner Patti and her staff are awesome.  They always know just what to get when I am stumped at a gift choice.  You can tell them the age/sex of the child you are purchasing for, and they will give you a number of options to choose from.

Toys, games, crafts, baby items, back to school and more!  You are sure to find something to suit your needs while you are there.

I haven't had a chance to visit the new location yet, but I have been informed that this location carries Thomas toys (the Kanata location phased them out a little while ago).

Grand opening will be in September - watch for details!

Patti Taggart is offering up a $50.00 gift certificate to be used in store to one of my readers!  To enter the giveaway, simply complete the form below.  Giveaway is open to Ottawa residents over the age of 18 and ends August 18 at 1159pm EST.  Mandatory entry must be completed or all other entries will be disqualified.

The Other Woman - Review

The other woman, cameron diaz, leslie mann, kate upton
Grab your girlfriends and settle in for a great time watching The Other Woman!  After watching it with my hubby earlier this week, I wish that I had made it into a girls night out at the movie theater.

There are so many parts during the movie that were laugh-out-loud funny, and hubby seemed to enjoy it just as much as I did.

It is rated PG-13, and I definitely agree with the rating.  My 7 year old came down from bed while we were watching it and we had to pause it for a few minutes.  There are a few suggestive scenes, and lots of inappropriate language - so I wasn't comfortable with him watching it with us.
"LOS ANGELES, Calif. (June 4th, 2014) – It’s time to get even! Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment takes girl power to a whole new level with THE OTHER WOMAN, debuting on Blu-ray & DVD July 29. With Cameron Diaz and Leslie Mann as the leading ladies and newcomers Kate Upton and Nicki Minaj bringing the jokes left and right, ladies all over better be ready for the perfect movie to end their summer in style!
 Cameron Diaz leads a knockout cast in this irreverent comedy about love, lust and the laws of karma. New York attorney Carly Whitten (Diaz) is nobody’s fool. So when she accidentally discovers that her too-good-to-be-true boyfriend Mark (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) is married, she’s less than thrilled. Not only that, she and Mark’s wife Kate (Leslie Mann), learn about yet another mistress (Kate Upton)! Before long, however, the betrayed beauties have become unlikely pals who’ve decided to teach their three-timing man a lesson. The more the trio learns about Mark, the worse he seems, and the more fun they have without him!
With eight deleted scenes, THE OTHER WOMAN Blu-ray™ kicks up the comedy even more! Extras on the Blu-ray and DVD, including a gag reel and “Giggle Fit,” will have you and your girlfriends cracking up for the rest of the summer."
Have you seen it yet? If not, put it at the top of your must watch list!

Monday, August 11, 2014

DIY Microwave Popcorn


I have always been a big popcorn lover, and the convenience of microwave popcorn was too good to pass up for many years.  Recently, I have been hearing lots of negative things about it, and wanted a healthier option for myself and my family.

Saunders Farm - A Full Day of Fun

family fun, ottawa, munster, jumping pillows, splash pad

My family and I were going to take a trip to Saunders Farm this past weekend (it would have been the first visit for us that was NOT part of haunting season, and even then it has been many years). That morning, Mr. J hurt his hand and didn't want to go, so I took Mr. K with a friend and her son.

We arrived right for opening and found a place to park (the parking lot is HUGE, there was no worry of not finding a spot).

August 11th Monday Madness Giveaway Linky


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Welcome to the  Monday Madness giveaway linky!

Croquet - Backyard Family Fun With Coleman!


When I was a little girl, my parents had a croquet set that they used to put up in the backyard, and my parents, brother and I would play often. It was a lot of fun; simple, don't have to leave home, outdoor fun.

Friday, August 8, 2014

Mini Golf Gardens - Our Day With Mr. K

Saturday evening we attended a wedding for my cousin, and the kids spent the night at their grandparents house.  Mr. J was planning on staying over again Sunday night, so we decided that we would take Mr. K out and do something special with him.

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Discovering Ottawa - Museum of Science and Technology

Living in the Nations Capital, we are very fortunate to have access to MANY museums.  One of my favourites as a child was the Museum of Science and Technology.  My grandparents lived not far from it, and we visited often together.

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Impromptu Splash Pad Visit

My kids love going to splash pads, but I find them super busy and just don't really like taking them.  I try and get them out at least once in a season so they can enjoy it, and it often ends up being an impromptu stop as we drive by....which means we are totally unprepared.

Monday, August 4, 2014

August 4th Monday Madness Giveaway Linky


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Welcome to the  Monday Madness giveaway linky!

Update On Summer 2014 Bucket List



We are 5 weeks in and have managed to cross 12 items off of our list, here is our updated Summer Bucket List:

  1. Visit my aunt and uncles cottage 
  2. Go swimming at uncle Marco's 
  3. Visit Carp Custom Creamery for ice cream
  4. Have a water fight
  5. Go to the park
  6. Visit ValleyView Animal Farm
  7. Have a visit at Grandma and Grandpa's
  8. Have a visit at Gramz
  9. Have a sleepover at Grandma and Grandpa's
  10. Have a sleepover at Gramz
  11. Play outdoor mini-golf
  12. Play indoor mini-golf
  13. Have friends over for a picnic
  14. Go for a bike ride
  15. Go to Dairy Queen
  16. Go to the driving range
  17. Visit a splash pad
  18. Bake yummy treats
  19. Participate in the library reading challenge
  20. Play tourist downtown
  21. Visit with Uncle Wes and family
  22. Visit the Diefenbunker
  23. Bake pretzels
  24. Bake cookies
  25. Bake and decorate cupcakes
  26. Make our own ice cream
  27. Play outdoor games (soccer, red rover, football)
  28. Lunch or dinner at Cheshire Cat Pub
  29. Movie theater
  30. Fire Station
  31. Upper Canada Village
  32. A trip to Toys R Us
  33. Strawberry Picking
  34. Ice Cream from the ice cream truck
Have you made a bucket list for your family?

Friday, August 1, 2014

His "First" Lunch Box (#giveaway)

As hard as it is for me to accept that my little man, Mr. K is old enough to start school in September, it is true.  He will be turning 4 in a month, and starting junior kindergarten the following week. Now that Ontario has gone to full day kindergarten, it is necessary for him to have a lunch box of his own for daily use.

When I was a kid, lunch boxes were all about My Little Pony, Cabbage Patch Dolls, He Man and Transformers.  There are SO many different kinds to choose from now (and they are so very different styles too!)