Tuesday, August 29, 2017

The Lion King Signature Collection


As a teenager, The Lion King was one of my absolute favourite movies. I actually saw it 3 times in the movie theater - that's how much I loved it.  The story, the characters and the soundtrack.  I would play the songs on repeat while doing homework or day dreaming about my latest crush.


As I grew older, my love for the movie remained unchanged. It had been many years since I watched the film, but when it was added to The Walt Disney Signature Collection, I was sent a copy to review.

Even though the years have passed, time hasn't changed my love of The Lion King. I don't know what it is that spoke to me back when it was first released, but whatever it is continues to do so.

I loved Simba, but I think that I would have to say Rafiki is probably my favourite character in the movie.  

The digital release was August 15th, and the Blu-ray/DVD release was today, August 29th.  "It is time" to introduce a whole new generation to Simba, Timon, Pumba and the rest of the cast.  

Blu-ray bonus extras include:
  • The Recording Sessions
  • Inside The Story Room
  • Visualizing A Villain
  • The Lion King: Song Selection
  • and more....

Monday, August 28, 2017

Mr. K Turns 7....SEVEN



Seven years ago today, I was called to the hospital for an induction. It happened late afternoon.  We arrived and were registered and induction started around 630pm...a few short hours later Mr. K made his appearance. He was born at 10:14 pm.

He is a funny, quirky, energetic kid with a BIG personality.  He can always make me smile by saying something cute, or doing something silly.  I am having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that he is 7.

He had a great birthday party with his friends, and today will consist of getting his hair cut, picking out his birthday gift (he is getting a skateboard) and hopefully more fun!


August 28th Monday Madness Giveaway Linky






We are just entering the LAST week of summer vacation. In some ways it went by super fast, and in others it seems to have dragged on. I hope you enjoy the final bit of summer before school starts!

How would you like to win some prizes? Make sure to enter the great giveaways linked up below. 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.





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Friday, August 25, 2017

Week 8 Summer Bucket List Update




















With the kids being at Pedalheads this week, I knew it was highly unlikely we would cross anything off our bucket list.  They get dropped off at 8am and picked up at 4pm, and the majority of the time in between is spent on their bikes.  By the time we get home afterwards, they are DONE.

Mr. K turns 7 on Monday, and his party is Sunday afternoon. Next week is filled with his birthday, and he also has an appointment each morning the rest of the week.  Hopefully we can have some family fun to fill the final week of summer vacation.

Tales of Mommyhood 2017 Summer Bucket List
  • strawberry picking - we waited too long, and the crops are not great because of all the rain, so this won't be happening
  • lots of swimming (we will be getting a swim membership again this year)
  • trips to Saunders Farm (we have annual passes)
  • mini golfing
  • go karting
  • biking locally through the area we live
  • biking through one of the local forest trails
  • park omega
  • day trip to Primitive Designs (Mr. K loves transformers)
    • stop at The Big Apple on our way home
  • Carp Custom Creamery for ice cream
  • lunch at The Cheshire Cat
  • picnic at the park 
  • water fight
  • diefenbunker
  • visit Little Ray's Reptile Zoo
  • baking cookies
  • sleepover at grandparents
  • driving range
  • camping (I have this on here, but we don't camp. We MIGHT camp in my moms backyard this summer....we shall see)
  • nerf war
  • movie at the theatre
  • park play
I will be posting updates weekly with what we have done, and adding in anything else that we decided to do as well.

Do you have any plans for summer?

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Back To School Wordsearch Printable

It's that time of year. Back to school is just around the corner. My kids start back on September 5th. Most years, I get sad around this time. Knowing that summer is almost over and they are heading back to class. No more care free summer days filled with swimming, biking, freezies and lazing around.

This year, I am sad to say I do not feel that way. This year, for the first time ever I am actually looking forward to them being back in school. We have had a lot of fun this summer. Lots of swimming, lots of sleepovers, lots of activity...but also lots of fighting. Honestly, the fighting has barely stopped. The only time they are not fighting is when one of them isn't home.

I am sure I will feel a little twinge of sadness when I walk them to school on the first day, but nothing like recent years.  I will once again pick up a friend after the bell rings and head to the pool. Sitting poolside relaxing and chatting with the water to cool us off is a lovely way to spend the first day.

If you have kids, feel free to print out the wordsearch below for them to complete before heading back for their first day.

Back To School, activities, free printable, word search, kids activities, free

Sunday, August 20, 2017

August 21st Monday Madness Giveaway Linky






How do we only have 2 weeks left of summer vacation? This summer has been pretty crazy around here. Lots of swimming, lots of activity, super busy and a TON of fighting between the kids. I hope you have had a great summer!

How would you like to win some prizes? Make sure to enter the great giveaways linked up below. 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.





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Friday, August 18, 2017

Week 7 Summer Bucket List Update





















Another week of summer done. This week Mr. J spent 2 nights at his cousins house. Mr. K and I did some swimming, some games, and some outside time.  We managed to cross another item off the list this week as well. We went to Little Ray's Reptile Zoo.


Only 2 weeks of summer vacation left. Next week they are both in Pedalheads bike camp, and the following week hubby is off so will be around to join us if we do anything. Mr. K has a lot of appointments that week, so I don't think anything big will be crossed off. I hope to get to the Cheshire Cat and the Carp Custom Creamery that week.

Tales of Mommyhood 2017 Summer Bucket List
  • strawberry picking - we waited too long, and the crops are not great because of all the rain, so this won't be happening
  • lots of swimming (we will be getting a swim membership again this year)
  • trips to Saunders Farm (we have annual passes)
  • mini golfing
  • go karting
  • biking locally through the area we live
  • biking through one of the local forest trails
  • park omega
  • day trip to Primitive Designs (Mr. K loves transformers)
    • stop at The Big Apple on our way home
  • Carp Custom Creamery for ice cream
  • lunch at The Cheshire Cat
  • picnic at the park 
  • water fight
  • diefenbunker
  • visit Little Ray's Reptile Zoo
  • baking cookies
  • sleepover at grandparents
  • driving range
  • camping (I have this on here, but we don't camp. We MIGHT camp in my moms backyard this summer....we shall see)
  • nerf war
  • movie at the theatre
  • park play
I will be posting updates weekly with what we have done, and adding in anything else that we decided to do as well.

Do you have any plans for summer?

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

The Lion King Signature Collection #Giveaway


Available now for Digital Download
"One of the biggest animated films in history— "The Lion King"—joins the highly celebrated Walt Disney Signature Collection. The coming-of-age masterpiece, filled with humor and heart, breathtaking animation and soul-stirring Academy Award®-winning music (1994: Best Original Score and Best Original Song, "Can You Feel the Love Tonight"), arrives on Digital on Aug. 15 and on Blu-ray and DVD on Aug. 29. Audiences will fall in love all over again with the treasured classic, and a new generation of fans will laugh with Timon and Pumbaa, cry with Simba and Mufasa, burst into song, and find their place in the "Circle of Life.""

Time For A Giveaway

Use the form below for your chance to win a copy of The Lion King Signature Collection on Blu-Ray. Open to Canadian residents over the age of 18. Void where prohibited.

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Big Little Lies Season 1 Available For Digital Download



When the kids and hubby go to bed, I settle down in front of the tv with a snack and tune in to shows that I like. Sometimes it's a movie that no one else is interested in watching, and other times it is a series that I enjoy.

I have never read the book Big Little Lies, but I have seen it recommended many times. When I was given the chance to see the HBO series created based on the book, I decided to check it out.

With Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman starring in it, I knew I was going to love it.
"Big Little Lies is based in the tranquil seaside town of Monterey, California, where nothing is quite as it seems. Doting moms, successful husbands, adorable children, beautiful homes: What lies will be told to keep their perfect worlds from unraveling? Told through the eyes of three mothers
– Madeline (Reese Witherspoon), Celeste (Nicole Kidman) and Jane (Shailene Woodley)
--Big Little Lies paints a picture of a town fueled by rumors and divided into the haves and have-nots,
exposing the conflicts, secrets and betrayals that compromise relationships between husbands and wives, parents and children, and friends and
neighbors.
"
Available now for Digital Download and on Blu-ray and DVD. Check it out, you won't be disappointed. 

Monday, August 14, 2017

August 14th Monday Madness Giveaway Linky






WOW - Only 4 weeks until the kids start back to school. I can't believe that summer is more than half over now.  How would you like to win some prizes? Make sure to enter the great giveaways linked up below. 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.





kids board gamespirates leaguewrite letter to disney charactergiveaway

Friday, August 11, 2017

Week 6 Summer Bucket List Update





















This week didn't quite go as planned - again. Which is fine. The list isn't to keep us on a schedule, more so to give us ideas on days where we don't have much to do.  This summer the kids have spent quite a bit of time with their cousins, which makes me SO happy.  My cousins and I were very close growing up, and I still have that with some of them as adults now.  I really hope that my kids have memories like I do.

We spent an entire day at the pool, went on a bike ride, hung out at home and had time with the grandparents as well.  I went to lunch at the Cheshire Cat with my cousin, but I am not crossing it off since the kids weren't with me.  We did manage to get to Saunders Farm today, so that was one other item off the list!



Tales of Mommyhood 2017 Summer Bucket List
  • strawberry picking - we waited too long, and the crops are not great because of all the rain, so this won't be happening
  • lots of swimming (we will be getting a swim membership again this year)
  • trips to Saunders Farm (we have annual passes)
  • mini golfing
  • go karting
  • biking locally through the area we live
  • biking through one of the local forest trails
  • park omega
  • day trip to Primitive Designs (Mr. K loves transformers)
    • stop at The Big Apple on our way home
  • Carp Custom Creamery for ice cream
  • lunch at The Cheshire Cat
  • picnic at the park 
  • water fight
  • diefenbunker
  • visit Little Ray's Reptile Zoo
  • baking cookies
  • sleepover at grandparents
  • driving range
  • camping (I have this on here, but we don't camp. We MIGHT camp in my moms backyard this summer....we shall see)
  • nerf war
  • movie at the theatre
  • park play
I will be posting updates weekly with what we have done, and adding in anything else that we decided to do as well.

Do you have any plans for summer?

Thursday, August 10, 2017

#BloggersFete 2017 Sponsor Spotlight

The 3rd annual #BloggersFete event has come to an end.  We had a lot of fun over the last 10 days, and hope that you all did as well.  A blog party wouldn't be the same without prizes, and without our wonderful sponsors, we wouldn't be able to provide them.

We have had some pretty great brands sponsor the event over the last few years, and I wanted to give this years sponsors one last shout out and thank you from us.

Skechers
Hasbro
I See Me Books
PlaSmart
Rogers
Disney Store
Wonderbly
Bunch O' Balloons
FaceOff Cloths
Shari Goss - Norwex
SpaFinder
Nature Valley
Sweets From The Earth
FujiFilm
Lansinoh
Magnetree
Smartick
Raincoast Books
Will Stroet
Mia's Moccs
Tommee Tippee
Chapters Indigo

Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Water Fight Fun With Nerf #BloggersFete


I can remember how much fun it was to have water fights with my brother and cousins when we were kids.  Things have come a very long way since then, when the small pistols held about 1/8 cup of water. Super Soakers came out when I was in high school, and that was a huge game changer.

My kids love having water fights just as much as we did. We have so many super soakers that the neighbourhood kids come to our house for a water fight and they don't have to bring their own.  They have the chance to try out so many different types from our selection, and decide which they like best.

Hasbro is once again a sponsor for the #BloggersFete event, and they sent me two great products to test out. Unfortunately they didn't arrive early enough for us to give them a try, but as soon as we have a chance I will be sure to let you know how we like them.

I am REALLY excited to try out the HOVERFLOOD.  It actually hovers in the air to soak your opponent from above.  The FLOODINATOR holds 2 liters of water, and can shoot up to 38 feet. These will definitely be great additions to our backyard super soaker supply.

Hasbro is generously gifting one of the twitter party participants with a super soaker of their own - so be sure to RSVP to the party for your chance to win!


Monday, August 7, 2017

August 7th Monday Madness Giveaway Linky






WOW - Only 4 weeks until the kids start back to school. I can't believe that summer is more than half over now.  How would you like to win some prizes? Make sure to enter the great giveaways linked up below. 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.





kids board gamespirates leaguewrite letter to disney charactergiveaway

Friday, August 4, 2017

Week 5 Summer Bucket List Update





















The 5th week of summer did not really go as I had planned. It was fun, but things changed last minute. The kids ended up having a water fight with a friend on the weekend; we swam a lot. My nephew stayed at our place one night with Mr. J; Mr. K stayed with my niece at their Gramz house. The next day, we all went to see the Emoji movie, and then my mom decided to keep all 4 of them over night.  We went mini putting with my niece on Thursday, and she stayed over...it was the week of sleepovers apparently.

I had hoped to get them to Saunders farm, but we did the movie instead....maybe next week we will make it out there.

Tales of Mommyhood 2017 Summer Bucket List
  • strawberry picking - we waited too long, and the crops are not great because of all the rain, so this won't be happening
  • lots of swimming (we will be getting a swim membership again this year)
  • trips to Saunders Farm (we have annual passes)
  • mini golfing
  • go karting
  • biking locally through the area we live
  • biking through one of the local forest trails
  • park omega
  • day trip to Primitive Designs (Mr. K loves transformers)
    • stop at The Big Apple on our way home
  • Carp Custom Creamery for ice cream
  • lunch at The Cheshire Cat
  • picnic at the park 
  • water fight
  • diefenbunker
  • visit Little Ray's Reptile Zoo
  • baking cookies
  • sleepover at grandparents
  • driving range
  • camping (I have this on here, but we don't camp. We MIGHT camp in my moms backyard this summer....we shall see)
  • nerf war
  • movie at the theatre
  • park play
I will be posting updates weekly with what we have done, and adding in anything else that we decided to do as well.

Do you have any plans for summer?

Thursday, August 3, 2017

Instagram Loop CASH Giveaway #BloggersFete

Another event for #BloggersFete starts today! 3pm EST we will be starting an Instagram Loop Giveaway with a CASH prize of $140 CDN.


Head on over to my instagram account to pick up the loop - make sure to follow the instructions under the photo, and continue to follow the loop until you get back to my account.

Good luck!

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Catch and Learn From PlaSmart #Giveaway

One of the great things about the #BloggersFete event is all the great prizes we have available for our readers.  This year is no different, and on this blog you have the chance to win the Catch and Learn game from PlaSmart.

Catch and Learn is a fishing game. It comes with a dry erase marker, so you can put questions onto the fish. It could be to help with math, spelling or grammar.  It's a pretty fun game for kids ages 4+. I would say the 4-6 age group is probably best.

The game comes with a retractable magnetic catcher, dry erase marker, 10 fish and instructions.

For your chance to win it for your family - enter using the form below. This giveaway will run from August 1 until 1159PM EST August 10th. It is only open to Canadian residents over the age of 18.



Entry-Form

Hop on over to Maple Mouse Mama for the chance to win an Instax Mini 9 , a Nature Valley Prize and a gift card to Sweets From The Earth :) and to The Koala Mom (she has lots of prizes up for grabs). Shannon's View From Here has a Norwex giveaway   (if you haven't tried Norwex products yet - you NEED to. I am a huge fan) and spa finder giveaway~!

Make sure to come back and tell me if you entered any of the others , I would love one of my regular readers to win some fantastic prizes during #BloggersFete!

#BloggersFete Twitter Party RSVP



Hi everyone! We are so excited to be back for the 3rd annual #BloggersFete 2017. BonnieSuzanne, Shannon, Tara and I have been busy on Facebook and email planning this event for months. It all begins NOW with blog giveaways for the next ten days, continues with an Instagram cash giveaway, and wraps up on August 10th with a prize-filled Twitter party! You’re all invited to join us on Twitter and win some fantastic prizes from our sponsors! Twitter parties are fast-paced and fun. We’ll be chatting about motherhood and blogging and the great prizes offered by our sponsors. So grab your favourite party snack and plan to meet us online next week! (The party is at 9 pm for the East Coast and 6 pm for those of us on the West Coast.)

Make sure you are following each of us:
Participate during the Twitter party and RSVP below to be eligible to win one of…

the BloggersFete2017 prizes:

If My Dog Could Talk storybook from I See Me! Books (@ISeeMe_Books); Bunch O' Balloons (@BunchOBalloons)FaceOff cloths Cruz Ramirez Remote Control Car & a CR Diecast Car from Disney Store (@DisneyStore);  2 personalized books from Wonderbly (formerly Lost My Name) (@WonderblyHQ);  Toddler cup set from Tommee Tippee (@TommeeTippee_NA);  Canada book prize pack from Indigo;  1 of 3 pairs of Skechers (@SKECHERSUSA)

Twitter RSVP:

The ‪#‎BloggersFete‬ twitter party is open for anyone to join in. Only Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) are eligible to win. To be eligible to win, you must have RSVP’d, engage on the #BloggersFete hashtag between 8 pm EST and 5 pm PST August 10, 2017 AND be following the 5 co-hosts and 8 twitter party sponsors. There will be 10 random winners throughout the party, drawn from the RSVP list using Random.Org to pick the winning numbers.
Winners will be notified on Twitter from the @KoalaMomBlog account and will have 24 hours to submit prize claim form or they will forfeit their prize. Name and address information will be shared with the sponsors of the prize for shipping purposes only. Co-hosts are NOT responsible for prize fulfillment. By taking part in the #BloggersFete twitter party, you release these co-hosts from any liability whatsoever, and waive any and all causes of action, related to any claims, costs, injuries, losses or damages of any kind arising out of or in connection with the giveaway or delivery, mis-delivery or acceptance of any prize.

MORE BloggersFete events…

Can’t make it to the Twitter party? That’s okay! Hop on over to the blog giveaways anytime from August 1-10th and join us on Instagram on August 3rd-5th.

Welcome To #BloggersFete 2017



It's back baby! #BloggersFete 2017 has arrived. This is our 3rd year hosting the event as a way to celebrate our blogs and our readers. It's a time for us to say thank you for the continued support over the years.  I am really happy to be participating with The Koala Mom, Maple Mouse Mama, Shannons View From Here and BCmom.ca.

I originally started Tales of Mommyhood in 2008 as a way to keep track of milestones and growth of Mr. J.  When I was pregnant with Mr. K it was great to track my pregnancy.  When he was a baby, I kind of fell into the review/giveaway aspect of the blogosphere.

Over the years I have worked with some pretty great brands and also had some wonderful opportunities for myself and my family - all because of Tales of Mommyhood.  Hard to believe it was 9 years ago that I published my very first post.  At the time, I had no idea that my little slice of the internet would turn into what it is today.

We have changed things a little this year. There will be giveaways on our blogs running August 1-10th. An Instagram Loop CASH Giveaway that will run August 3rd-5th and we will be wrapping up #BloggersFete with a twitter party on August 10th.  You MUST rsvp to be eligible to win. You can do that on the RSVP post - where the terms and conditions are also posted.

Now, what would a blog party be without prizes? We have some fantastic sponsors for this years #BloggersFete.  PlaSmart has been kind enough to offer one of my readers the chance to win a Catch and Learn Game.