Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Top 10 Posts of 2014


December 31st is here, and that means 2014 is coming to an end.  I searched through and found the top 10 posts (traffic wise) on the blog for the last year.  Thank you to all my readers - I hope you had a wonderful year and all the best in 2015.


My 5 favourite posts from 2014 are below:

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

How To Train Your Dragon 2 {Review}

Available on Blu ray, Digital Download and DVD now
They are back! Hiccup, Toothless, Atrid and the rest of the HTTYD crew are here for another full length movie! Like most kids, mine are no different with their love of all things HTTYD.  They were thrilled to find out that a sequel had been made, and even happier when it showed up for family movie night.

How To Train Your Dragon 2 is just as good as the original.  The characters are back for more action than before, and bring some new dragons and characters into the mix as well.

I was excited to see the movie after seeing the previews in the Spring; it seemed like HTTYD2 was a little darker than the first, so I was a little concerned how Mr. K would respond to it.  He was fine, and he really enjoyed the movie (as did Mr. J, hubby and I).

I would definitely recommend How To Train Your Dragon 2 for an upcoming family movie night if you have them.  One thing to note, one of the characters dies in the film (I won't ruin it and tell you who).

Tales of Mommyhood received the above mentioned product free of charge in exchange for this review.  All opinions are honest and belong to ToM - your opinion/experience may vary.

Monday, December 29, 2014

December 28th Monday Madness Giveaway Linky



The last linky for 2014!  If you are a blogger, feel free to list any open giveaways you have on your blog. Make sure to list the prize, end date and country eligibility (CAN/US/WW) any listed without this information will be deleted.

As always, sharing the linky is appreciated and helps gain maximum exposure for everyone that links up.

Saturday, December 27, 2014

What To Do On New Years Eve In Ottawa


This time of year I always hear/see the question: what can we do for New Years Eve?  For us, the answer is simple.  We stay home with the kids and either have munchies for dinner or we order in pizza.  We watch movies or World Junior Hockey if Canada is playing.

We like to spend the evening with the kids.  We play board games or cards, and we don't put the kids to bed. We let them try and stay awake until midnight and watch the countdown on TV (so far, they haven't actually made it until midnight without a small nap around 7pm).

If you are looking for an event to go to on NYE, you can find a list of events happening in Ottawa ranging from an outdoor party at Sparks Street, to a Mad Hatter Party at the EY Center.

If you are looking for a family friendly event to attend, Rick Chiarelli hosts an alcohol free party every year at Ben Franklin Place.

Do you have any special New Years traditions?

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Monday, December 22, 2014

MilkSense Personal Breastfeeding Monitor


Being a new parent can be scary.  You have this tiny little human relying on you for all things, and they can leave you with lots of questions (which often go unanswered)  Are they eating enough? Am I producing enough milk? Are they sleeping enough? Why are they crying?

Monday Madness Giveaway Linky December 22



If you are a blogger, feel free to list any open giveaways you have on your blog. Make sure to list the prize, end date and country eligibility (CAN/US/WW) any listed without this information will be deleted.

As always, sharing the linky is appreciated and helps gain maximum exposure for everyone that links up.

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Simple Christmas Craft/Ornament For Kids

Mr. K's class was having a Christmas Craft-a-rama day last week.  They asked for parent volunteers to each create a craft that we could make with the kids in the class.  The only guidelines really given were that it should be simple and with little to no cutting involved.

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

NERF N-STRIKE ELITE NERF CAM ECS-12 #holidaygiftguide

Like most little boys, Mr. J is very much into NERF guns. Whether it is having water fights in the summer, or dart guns year round, he is always wanting to try out different models.

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Disney Live! Mickey's Music Festival #review

Mickey Mouse and friends were in Ottawa this past weekend for Disney Live! Mickey's Music Festival! As a Disney loving family, we were really excited to be able to attend.
the stage when we arrived

More Elfing Fun

Zolly has been having more fun at night while we sleep - here are some pictures of her night time fun!

Monday, December 15, 2014

December 15th Monday Madness Giveaway Linky



If you are a blogger, feel free to list any open giveaways you have on your blog. Make sure to list the prize, end date and country eligibility (CAN/US/WW) any listed without this information will be deleted.

As always, sharing the linky is appreciated and helps gain maximum exposure for everyone that links up.

Friday, December 12, 2014

Great Gift Ideas For Teachers



At this time of year, parents are racking their brains and searching the stores to try and find the perfect gifts. Gifts for their children, their parents, siblings and also for teachers, daycare providers and bus drivers.

Thursday, December 11, 2014

How To Make Snow Days Fun For Everyone


Living in Ontario, it is inevitable that we will have 1 or 2 snow days per year.  In our city, the schools remain open, but the buses are cancelled.  Personally, I figure that if they are keeping the buses off the road, then I might as well help keep the traffic down and not drive the kids to school.  Plus, it's fun for the kids to have a day off (and I like the odd extra day with them too!)

Tune In To Pure With Jewel and Pure Via This Holiday Season


This is the time of year that my kitchen gets the most amount of use.  I bake all year long, but starting in mid-November that baking increases to almost daily (my regular bread, muffins and treats PLUS all my Christmas goodies.)

I like to keep an assortment of treats on hand for guests that may stop by, and also to take with me when I visit others.  I find that home made baked goods are a WONDERFUL hostess gift and I am always on the hunt for new recipes!


Jewel has teamed up with Pure Via and is offering Canadians a free holiday themed songbook/cookbook.  All you have to do is follow this link to download your copy!  Together they are urging Canadians to take pleasure in the simple things that make every day sweeter. Naturally.

The cookbook has Jewel sharing with us some of her holiday recipes like this lemon cranberry biscotti (it sounds delicious and would make an excellent home baked gift!) as well as her adaptation of 2 holiday songs.

For more information and to stay up to date, please connect with Pure Via on Twitter and Facebook

So tell me, what is your favourite holiday recipe?

This post is brought to you by Pure Via; all opinions belong to ToM. Your opinion/experience may vary.

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Please Vote For Parents of Preemies Association

The Aviva Community Fund competition is back!  This year I am so happy to see an organization close to my heart is nominated - but they need YOUR help!

Parents of Preemies Association was started by a mom in my community.  She is the mother of a preemie and realized that there was not much support around.  The feelings and emotions that preemie parents have are VERY different from other parents.

They are often faced with a long, difficult road before their children are able to come home.  Once home, development can be different as well.

I am asking you, my wonderful community of readers, to take the time out and vote everyday.  It doesn't take long and you could be helping to fund packages for parents with children in the NICU.

To learn more about POPA you can read my previous post and also check out their website.

I really hope that you will head over and vote for them, and want to THANK YOU for the support!

7 Days Of Elfing Around #eots

As you know, our family loves our elf Zolly!  The following collage shows what Zolly has been up to for the first week!


And here is the video of the boys hunting for Zolly the first morning!


Monday, December 8, 2014

December 8 Monday Madness Giveaway Linky



If you are a blogger, feel free to list any open giveaways you have on your blog. Make sure to list the prize, end date and country eligibility (CAN/US/WW) any listed without this information will be deleted.

As always, sharing the linky is appreciated and helps gain maximum exposure for everyone that links up.

Saturday, December 6, 2014

Ronald McDonald House Ottawa -Make A Kid Smile

Toys & tablets kick off the holiday season at the Ottawa House.
Reproduced with the permission of Manoir Ronald McDonald House Ottawa®.


Having experienced a child in hospital for many days, I know how important it is to be close.  We are very fortunate that we live only 20 - 30 minutes away from CHEO, and were able to go back and forth between our home and our son (multiple times per day).  I am so thankful that Ronald McDonald house is available for those families that do not live near CHEO, but also realize that while it is wonderful to have a place to stay, it still isn't HOME. There are families that will be spending their holidays away from home, while their child is in hospital.  Make A Kid Smile is a wonderful initiative to help make it just a little easier.
"Manoir Ottawa Ronald McDonald House® is dedicated to helping families be together during one of life’s most stressful times . . . having a sick child. Providing a caring and supportive “home away from home”, the House strives to be an oasis of peace and hope."

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Save on Holiday Cards With Tiny Prints!

Have you sent your Christmas cards yet? If not, then you will want to be sure to check out the deal below!

Hey early birds...you're about to get a great deal on holiday cards.

From 7:00am to 11:00am ET (4:00 am to 8:00am PT) Dec 4 2014, Tiny Prints is making their already awesome Cyber Week deal even more awesome.

Through the end of today, you can get 40% off all holiday cards using the code CYBER40. If your order is more than $49, use that and stack the code FREESHIP49 for free shipping if your order is more than $49.

But, if you are up early enough, add the code FLASH1204 and you'll save an extra 10% on your order. That's a total of almost 50% off holiday cards.

So check it out and remember to use all 3 codes to save nearly 50%!

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Exclusive Offer For Carter's and Osh Kosh


Sign up to receive exclusive offers and promotions from Carter's and OshKosh!  You will receive, by email, a coupon for $10 off a $50 purchase - valid until January 31 2015!

Bench Canada Contest - Enter To Win $25,000


Enter to win $25,000 in prizes by signing up for the Bench Newsletter to get the latest updates on exclusive deals and events - you will be automatically entered to win.

The ‘Win $25,000 worth of Bench Prizes’ contest (the "Contest") is open only to legal residents of Canada, who are 13 years of age or older as of date of Entry or participation.

When Zolly Came Back

Our elf made her appearance yesterday morning! The kids went on a hunt to find her, and it didn't take them too long.


Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Pretzel Bites - A Sweet Treat

I was invited to a cookie exchange with a group of ladies.  I decided to make this recipe I came across last year on Pinterest.  They are super easy to make, and are so tiny that you can eat a few without feeling guilty.


Pretzel Bites

What you need: 
1 Bag of Mini Pretzel Twists
Hershey Kisses or Hugs (unwrapped)
Holiday M&M's or Holiday Smarties
Instructions:

Spread the pretzels onto the baking sheet (as many that will fit without being tilted)

Top each pretzel with a kiss or hug

Place baking sheet into a 250 degree oven; bake for 2-3 minutes (the kiss should JUST be starting to melt)

Remove sheet and immediately press a smartie or m&m into the melting kiss

Allow to cool for a few hours until the chocolate is set



Monday, December 1, 2014

Gingerbread Fun With Noel At Nepean

Photo: https://www.facebook.com/NepeanMuseum/timeline

My kids love to be creative.  They love to build things, and eat things.  Every year at Christmas we put together a gingerbread kit (not always a house, some years it has been a train)  They have so much fun gluing together the pieces of gingerbread with icing and adding on the tasty treats for decorations.

If you visit the Nepean Museum on December 14th, your family can have some gingerbread fun also!!  Noel At Nepean is a family friendly Christmas event.  You will have the chance to build gingerbread houses and create replica's of some of the wonderful buildings that can be found in Nepean  (Ben Franklin Place, Maplelawn and more).

Santa might even make an appearance while you are there.

When: December 14th, 1-4 PM
Cost: $6/person, $10/pair, $16/family
Where: 16 Rowley Ave
             Nepean, ON  K2G 1L9
Call 613-723-7936 for more information


This post is brought to you by the partnership ToM has with the City of Ottawa Museums. All opinions belong to Tales of Mommyhood; your opinion/experience may vary

December 1 Monday Madness Giveaway Linky



If you are a blogger, feel free to list any open giveaways you have on your blog. Make sure to list the prize, end date and country eligibility (CAN/US/WW) any listed without this information will be deleted.

As always, sharing the linky is appreciated and helps gain maximum exposure for everyone that links up.