Sunday, December 31, 2017

Goodbye 2017 - Happy New Year


Today is New Years Eve. 2017 really wasn't a great year for our family. We faced some health issues with Mr. J - which have since turned out to be find. He had 4 MRI's, and they found that there was no change to the Pineal Cyst - they will send him for one more this coming summer, and if it comes back unchanged then the neuro-surgeon will release us from his care.

We have also been dealing with some challenges with Mr.K for the last many, many months. There have been learning issues (although our school has been fantastic every step of the way. We had a psychological educational assessment done in the fall, and once that was finished the school was able to implement different things that have helped him tremendously); as well as some personal/behavioural challenges or issues.  We are in the process of figuring things out with those - but it has definitely taken a lot of time and energy.

I am super excited to say goodbye to 2017 - and am hopeful that 2018 will bring good things for our little family.

New Years eve has normally seen us celebrating at home with the kids. Eating lots of yummy food, playing board games and watching movies. This year, we may have some friends come over and join us as well.

However you celebrate ringing in the New Year, be safe and from us to you, Happy New Year!

Monday, December 25, 2017

December 25th Monday Madness Giveaway Linky



Merry Christmas! I hope you are surrounded by friends and family today, and over the holiday season.

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, December 22, 2017

Angel or Star?


Growing up, we always had an angel tree topper for our Christmas tree. When we first moved in together, Hubby wanted a star, but I was pretty adamant about keeping the tradition I was used to, and using an Angel.  It took a while for me to find one that I liked, but once I did - I was hooked.  Many, many years later and we still have the angel on our tree.

Over the years, after visiting family and friends, I have seen snowflakes, angels, stars, and licensed character tree toppers. What about your family - what do you use as a tree topper?

What I learned When Packing Christmas Hampers


Each year, my kids school sends home a slip of paper in early December. The paper has an item of food to buy on it. Each child is given a different item, and they are used to make up hampers of food to give out to families that may be struggling at Christmas time.  Each year, I have gone out and bought the item on the list, and sometimes a little extra as well.

This year, our principal asked if any school council members would like to be involved in the project, and I quickly added my name.

The other day, I went in with another mom to sort, organize and pack the hampers. We use a laundry basket to put all the food and supplies into. I quickly realized that we have an incredibly generous community. We had so much to pack in to the hampers, it was quite wonderful to see. However, at the same time, it made me realize something. While everyone is being super generous, there is too much. Too many canned items to fit into the baskets, along with the cereal, pasta, kleenex, crackers and other goods.

We only have a laundry basket to put things into. Only so much will fit. While everyone is doing this to be kind and generous (I have done it in the past as well), what would work better is to purchase the item your child chose or was designated - and if you WANT to send in more, a cash donation so that it could be used towards a gift card to a local grocery store would be best. This way, the family could use it towards fresh fruits and vegetables, or other perishable items to round out the non-perishables that have been collected.

As I said earlier, I have also sent in more than was asked for to be used in hampers; it just never occurred to me until I was actually packing them, that a card to be used towards non-perishable, high protein items would be a great addition to their hampers.


Monday, December 18, 2017

December 18th Monday Madness Giveaway Linky





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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Monday, December 11, 2017

December 11th Monday Madness Giveaway Linky





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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Monday, December 4, 2017

December 4th Monday Madness Giveaway Linky





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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Saturday, December 2, 2017

Get Christmas Ready With Hasbro #2017GG







We are a Hasbro loving family. We have so many of their products, and that doesn't stop the kids from wanting more.  This year, under the tree will be a Nerf Accustrike Aaptorstrike Blaster.
Nerf N-Strike Elite AccuStrike RaptorStrike

"Practice honing your skills and hitting your mark with the NERF N-STRIKE ELITE ACCUSTRIKE RAPTORSTRIKE blaster. This clip-fed blaster with pop-up sight, adjustable stock and bipod helps players line up their shot and to aim with precision and confidence. Includes two six-dart clips and 18 ACCUSTRIKE series NERF darts. Available at most major retailers."


Mr.K is still really into Transformers, Rescue Bots and car racing, so under the tree for him will be The Rescue Bots Flip Racers Optimus Prime Trailer.

Playskool Heroes Transformers Rescue Bots Flip Racers Optimus Prime Race Track Trailer"The fan-favorite TRANSFORMERS RESCUE BOTS vehicle is back! The FLIP RACERS OPTIMUS PRIME TRAILER is the largest converting OPTIMUS PRIME vehicle in the PLAYSKOOL HEROES line yet! Standing 15” tall in bot mode, OPTIMUS PRIME converts into the ultimate race track, with a two-lane speedway for the BLURR and Bumblebee Flipp Racers to Face Off. The Optimus Prime TRAILER stores over 16 racers. (Additional vehicles sold separately) BLURR and BUMBLEBEE FLIP RACER vehicles included and is compatible with the other FLIP RACERS vehicles (sold separately). Available at most major retailers nationwide."
GIVEAWAY
Hasbro wants to help YOU with your gift giving this Christmas as well, and one of my readers will have the chance to win a Rescue Bots Flip Racers Optimus Prime Trailer! (unfortunately delivery before Christmas is NOT guaranteed).

This giveaway is open to Canadian residents, 18+. Void where prohibited. To enter, fill out the form below. Remember to complete the mandatory entries or all entries will be void.

Good luck!