Disney On Ice 100 Years of Magic is BACK in Ottawa this February! {giveaway}

We really enjoy taking our kids to Disney on Ice shows.  We have been the last 2 years and are excited to go back again this year!

"Grab your Mickey ears and get ready for the ultimate Disney experience at Disney On Icecelebrates 100 Years of Magic! Be charmed by a cast of over 50, with Mouse-ter of Ceremonies Mickey Mouse, sweetheart Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy and Disney Princesses including Cinderella, Rapunzel, Ariel, Snow White and Tiana. Relive the magic of Disney’s Frozen with Anna, Elsa and the hilarious Olaf as they discover that true love is the greatest magic of all. Sing-along to over 30 unforgettable songs including “Let It Go,” “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” and “Hakuna Matata.” Exciting moments from Disney Pixar’s Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Disney’s The Lion King,Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and more will leave the whole family with memories to last a lifetime. Show off your moves at the Disney Magic of Healthy Living dance-along pre-show inspired by the Disney Healthy Living commitment as the celebration of the century skates into your hometown!"

Disney on Ice will be in Ottawa from February 24th until February 28th 2016.  There are many shows available and tickets can be purchased from Capital Tickets.  Ticket prices start as low as $15.  If you are looking for an experience gift to give to someone this Christmas, tickets to one of these shows would be a great idea!

February 24, 2016				7:00 p.m.
February 25, 2016	10:30 a.m.			7:00 p.m.
February 26, 2016				7:00 p.m.
February 27, 2016	11:00 a.m.	3:00 p.m.		7:00 p.m.
February 28, 2016	11:00 a.m.	3:00 p.m. (in French)

Tales of Mommyhood has partnered with Feld Family Entertainment to offer you the chance to WIN 4 tickets to opening night (7 pm Wednesday, February 24th, 2016 - Canadian Tire Center). Must be a Canadian resident (excluding Quebec) over the age of 18, and able to make it to the show in Kanata.

To enter for your chance to win this awesome prize pack, complete the form below - good luck!

Tales of Mommyhood received complimentary tickets in exchange for this post

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Fantastic Four Blu-Ray Available December 15th

The perfect gift for any MARVEL fan in your life! Fantastic Four was released for home viewing on December 15th.

"The FANTASTIC FOUR make a triumphant return with MARVEL’s next generation of heroes — four young outsiders who teleport to an alternate universe, their physical forms altered in shocking ways. Their lives changed forever, Reed Richards (“MR. FANTASTIC”), Sue Storm (“INVISIBLE WOMAN”), Johnny Storm (“THE HUMAN TORCH”) and Ben Grimm (“THE THING”) must harness their incredible new powers and work together to save Earth from a former friend turned enemy, the infamous DR. DOOM."

Feel free to download these free printables (right click, save as and then print from your computer)

My kids were so excited when our copy of the movie arrived, and they can't wait to watch it.  This will be watched on our next family movie night!

Tales of Mommyhood's Top Picks From Hasbro for 2015

We are big fans of Hasbro toys and games in our household.  They have items that are great for all ages, and I am going to list a few of our top picks below!

Rescue Bots have been the center of most of Mr. K's gifts (birthday and Christmas) since he was 3 - I knew that I would have to include some on our list.

The Playskool Heroes Transformers Rescue Bots High Tide rig is an awesome gift for any Rescue Bots fan in your life!  Mr. K has spent a lot of time playing with it.

With Mr. K getting older now, he also loves the regular Transformers characters, and any of those such toys will never go wrong with him.  This 3 step Grimlock will be under the tree for him this year!  He also showed interest in the Roar to Rescue Bumblebee (easy to change modes)

Minions are also huge with my two little boys, and this Despicable Me 2 version of the classic game Operation is sure to be a hit. This is a great game to play that can help with hand/eye co-ordination! If you are looking for a "family" gift to give, this would be one to consider.

My Little Pony's are popular again (I had a huge collection when I was a little girl) and the Sweet Apple Juice stand would be a great addition for any pony fan in your life!

Tales of Mommyhood was sent these items in exchange for inclusion in our 2015 Christmas Gift Guide.  All opinions are honest and belong to ToM. Your opinion/experience may vary

Stocking Stuffers To Help With Dry Skin

Every winter the weather plays havoc with my skin.  Having the heat on makes the house a little dry, and that transfers over to my skin, my hair and my lips.  I am not the only one feeling this way, and skinfix has you covered!

The skinfix Lip Repair Balm, Ultra Rich Hand Cream and Ultra Rich Body Butter would make great additions to a stocking this Christmas.

I really liked that they helped with the dryness, but didn't leave my lips and skin feeling greasy like some creams can.  It helped add some moisture.

I am normally not a fan of hand creams. I find that they leave my hands smelling nice, but then when I eat I am tasting the fragrance.  The skinfix Ultra Rich Hand Cream is fragrance free and absorbs quite quickly into the skin.

Tales of Mommyhood received the above products in exchange for being included in the 2015 Gift Guide.  All opinions are honest and belong to ToM. Your opinion/experience may vary.

Turning "Me" Into "We" This Christmas #MoreSurprises

Christmas time is approaching and minds are starting to race with gift ideas for those special people on our shopping lists.  As the holiday season approaches, my mind also goes to ways that we can help others. Donating toys to a toy drive, adding non-perishables to the food bin in the grocery store, making Christmas cards for seniors, and this year, buying gifts for my family and knowing that purchase is also going to help someone overseas.

"Warm hearts are giving hearts, give with all your heart."

Back pack, mittens, infinity scarf, socks, passport holder, adult beanie and toiletry bag 

The Staples Canada "Me To We" program is filled with gift ideas that can be purchased - warm mittens, back packs, school supplies, passport holders, magnets, water bottles and many more useful, everyday items.  When you purchase any of these products, life changing gifts are given to a child overseas.  The gift given depends on the gift purchased.  Each product has a tag attached that tells you (and your gift recipient) what gift was given to a child overseas.

Gifts available for purchase have a wide range of prices from $1.50 up to $49.98; gifts given to children overseas range from clean water, food, trees planted and even medicine for a sick child. Each purchase has a code that allows you to track your impact.  Go to the track your impact website, input the code and you will see how you are helping!

Help turn "me" into "we" this Christmas with @StaplesCanada #MoreSurprises pic.twitter.com/09zdvtfU4i

— ashley picco (@tlsofmommyhood) November 21, 2015

We are so fortunate to live in a country where we have access to clean water at our fingertips, warm clothes and healthy food. This year, while making your Christmas shopping list why not add some of these useful gifts, and feel good knowing that your purchase is helping a child in need.

Tales of Mommyhood received the products shown above in exchange for this post.  My family will be donating these to help people in our community that are in need.  A small way for us to help those around us this Christmas.

Have an XL Christmas With HASBRO and Jenga XL

Our family loves to play games. Board games, card games, video games - we like them all.  Mr. J played Jenga for the first time when he was 6, and it was a game that he really enjoyed.  When I saw that there was a new Jenga game out - Jenga XL, I knew it was a must have for our family.

Like traditional Jenga, you take blocks and build a tower, and then you need to remove pieces and build higher without knocking the structure down.  

The twist on XL is that the blocks are extra large (XL).  

This gives you a much larger tower to play with, and much bigger topples!  

Notes:

• a lot of fun
• blocks are cardboard and need to be folded together (be careful doing this, if they get bent, they won't build as securely)
• have a bin or large bag to store blocks in so that you don't have to unfold and refold each time
• if you are using a carpeted floor, a board underneath will help to keep the tower sturdy

Jenga XL makes our list for top holiday gifts! If you are looking for something to gift to a family, this is a great choice!

Tales of Mommyhood received the above product in exchange for inclusion in the 2015 Gift Guide. All opinions are honest and belong to ToM. Your opinion/experience may vary

The Not Very Merry Pout-Pout Fish {giveaway}

I love the Christmas season.  The Christmas movies on tv, songs on the radio, decorations etc.  I am not sure what appeals to me so much about it, but it is a time I look forward to every year.  We are trying to teach our children that it is not about the gifts that are under the tree. But celebrating with family and remembering Christ.  Of course, being young they want the biggest and best, but it doesn't always happen.

"Holiday sequel to The New York Times bestselling Pout-Pout Fish series reminds young readers what being merry is all about
The grumpiest fish in children’s literature is back with another case of “the dreary wearies.” This time, Mr. Fish, star of The New York Times bestselling Pout-Pout Fish series, is down in the dumps over holiday shopping. With a message for readers of all ages, The Not Very Merry Pout-Pout Fish (Farrar, Straus, & Giroux Books | Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Ages 2-6) finds Mr. Fish so consumed with finding that perfect gift for each of his friends that he forgets the true meaning of the holidays.

 When Mr. Fish—with his signature Pout-Pout Fish frown—comes up empty-handed, Miss Shimmer intervenes with a plan to make homemade gifts. He soon learns that it’s not about busting the budget or gifting the season’s hottest item, but giving from the heart. Together they experience the joy that comes from giving and sharing—the merriest gifts of all."

The author and illustrator are both on tour right now, you can check the list below to see if they will be near you:

Book Tour Schedule
Author Deborah Diesen
November 14, 3pm - Square Books, Oxford, MS
November 16, 3:30pm - Country Bookshop, Southern Pines, NC
November 18, 4pm - Vero Beach Book Center, Vero Beach, FL
November 19, 7pm - Little Shop of Stories, Decatur, GA
November 20, 4pm - Octavia Books, New Orleans, LA
Illustrator Dan Hanna
November 15, 11am - WORD Books, Jersey City, NJ
November 16, 4pm - Carmichael’s Bookstore, Louisville, KY
November 17, 4:30pm - Towne Book Center & Cafe, Collegeville, PA
November 18, 4:30pm - Cover to Cover, Columbus, OH
November 19, 4:30pm - Lake Forest Books, Lake Forest, IL
November 21, 12pm - Anderson’s Book Shop, Naperville, IL
November 21, 2pm - Anderson’s Book Shop, La Grange, IL
Learn more at www.poutpoutfish.com.

Interested in a copy for yourself? You can buy it on Amazon.ca or Amazon.com - or, you can enter to win a copy right here!  Use the form below to enter!  This is open to residents of Canada and the United States. Giveaway ends at 1159pm EST November 23rd.  Winner will have 24 hours to respond or will forfeit.

Tales of Mommyhood received the above mentioned product in exchange for hosting this giveaway.

ng,

Plus a bit of bling-zing,

So I’ll shop till I drop

For each just-right thing.”

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Give The Gift Of Experience This Christmas

Like most children, mine enjoy receiving gifts at their birthdays and Christmas.  However, like most parents, we prefer that they be kept to a minimum.  A few years ago we changed the way we do gifts at Christmas and started to follow the saying:

"Something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read"

Adding Memories To Our Walls With CanvasPop {giveaway}

I have always wanted to have a canvas print done, but never got around to actually doing it. When CanvasPop contacted me a few weeks ago to see if I would be interested in partnering for a review, I quickly said yes!  Photo's on canvas are great gift ideas (especially for grandparents) so I was happy to be able to add this to the 2015 Gift Guide.

Great Stocking Stuffer Ideas From Hasbro

When it comes to stockings in our house, we tend to fill them with things that are used daily (new toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo) but we also like to add in a few treats as well.  We will have a lollipop, their favourite chocolate bar, and also a small toy or 2.

Hasbro always has some really neat items that can be used for stocking stuffers.  Mr. J and Mr. K will each find a Jurassic World Stomp N' Chomp Dinosaur in their stockings.

I See Me Personalized Puzzles

This year for Christmas my boys will each be receiving a personalized puzzle from I See Me.  There are 9 puzzles to choose from, and whichever one you choose will be personalized with their name on it.  

Mr. J is really into sports at the moment, so we ordered the Kick! Score! Run! theme for him, and Mr. K is all about dinosaurs right now, so he is getting the Dino-Mite themed one.

How To Make Your Own Homemade Vanilla Extract

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Will be earned if you make a purchase.

As you all know, I love to bake.  It is a hobby that I have had for many years, and I don't foresee that changing anytime soon.  One of my favourite ingredients to use in baking is vanilla.  I always double the amount that a recipe calls for (and sometimes triple, depending on what I am making).

Pure vanilla extract can be expensive though, and a few years ago I found out that you can make your own using two ingredients.  Vanilla beans and vodka.

What you need:

1. 1 oz of Vanilla Beans (approximately 5 beans)
2. 1 Cup Vodka (or rum or bourbon)
3. Glass/Plastic Jar (with tight fitting lid)

To Make:

1. Split vanilla beans lengthwise 
2. Insert split beans into jar
3. Pour in Vodka
4. You want the beans completely covered by the vodka. If they aren't, then you can do a few things
• use a larger jar
• cut the beans in half
• add more beans and vodka (try to keep the 5 beans/1 cup vodka ratio
5. Shake. Give the jar a good shake 2-3 times a week
6. Wait. It will take approximately 8-12 months before the extract is ready to use

It makes a great gift if you have a baker in your life.  Even though Christmas is only 8 weeks away, you can still gift it.  Just be sure to let the recipient know that the jar needs to be shaken and the date when it will be ready.

Do you have someone that would love to receive this for Christmas? I know my mom will! I made her a jar a few years ago, and will be gifting her another one this year!

2015 Tales of Mommyhood Gift Guide #ToMGiftGuide

It's time for me to start preparing the 2015 Tales of Mommyhood Gift Guide #ToMGiftGuide.  The gift guide will go live on November 1st and new items will be added until December 15th (all items must be received by me no later than December 10th)

Tales of Mommyhood is accepting products geared towards men, women, children (ages 5-10) and families.  If you have a product geared towards babies and toddlers, I do have a reviewer that can handle those as well.

What does your brand receive?

• Your product will be seen by Tales of Mommyhood readers and social media followers
• Your product will receive a full review post
• Your product review post will be linked to the ToM Gift Guide
• Gift Guide will be promoted throughout social media channels from November 1st until December 24th
• Your product post will receive it's own social media promotion immediately following being published
• Option to include a giveaway with product review post
• Optional sidebar advertising 

Guidelines For Product Submission

• I must receive a full sized item to keep; this helps to facilitate the review
• You must cover any shipping charges
• Any items sent must have been approved prior, otherwise it will not be included in the ToM Gift Guide and will not be returned
• There is a listing fee to be included in the ToM Gift Guide in addition to the product received
• Interested in a feature with no review? That is possible as well - contact me to discuss.

I am excited to get started on the 2015 Tales of Mommyhood Gift Guide.  If you are interested in being featured in the ToM Gift Guide please send an email to ashleypicco@talesofmommyhood.com with subject line "2015 Holiday Gift Guide"