Teach My Toddler

Teach My™ Toddler was created by (Canadian) mom, Christy Cook. When she was looking for items to help her toddler with the alphabet, numbers, colours and shapes she had a hard time finding things, especially pieces that worked together.

So....Teach My™ Toddler was created.

In a portable tote lies everything you need to help your toddler learn basic numbers, letters, colours and shapes. Each of the four sections comes with

• a fully coordinated puzzle
• board book
• teaching chart
  
• and flash cards

We've been using our Teach My™ Toddler kit with my 2 1/2 year old for about 2 weeks, for the recommended 20 minutes a day and we are more than impressed. Before, using the Teach My™ Toddler kit our toddler could identify about 50% of the alphabet and he is now pretty close to 100%. The other day we started using the letters in the puzzle to spell words, like cat, dog and other simple ones. He loves doing the puzzles and reading the books and you can tell the sense of pride and accomplishment he feels when he is playing.

Other than the clear learning advantages Teach My™ Toddler has helped make our toddler feel special. Since we have a new baby in the house, it's easy sometimes to forget that your toddler needs as much attention as the new baby. The 20 minutes a day have become a special time for him with Mommy or Daddy and he asks to play with his Teach My™ Toddler kit. In fact, in the morning it is the first toy he grabs and he insists that we play 'school' and he becomes the teacher -- the imaginative play aspect is a bonus!

I really like the fact that it's an all-in-one solution and that everything colour coordinates, as well I love seeing my little one's eyes light up when he goes "to work with his briefcase!"

Book Review: The Secret Life of a Slummy Mummy by Fiona Neill

The Secret Life of a Slummy Mummy by Fiona Neill
Review by Tricia Flindall


This book is written by Fiona Neill, who writes a column in the London Times newspaper called "Slummy Mummy". Her column was so popular that she turned some of the material into a novel. Her book centres on Lucy, a mother of three boys. She is married to Tom (Husband with a Short Fuse) and gave up a successful journalism career working for Newsnight, to bring up her children. They lead a fairly middle-class existence.

Fiona Neill really captures what it's like for a mother who is just going through the daily routine of making meals, school runs, school meetings and trying to keep up with all of the cleaning. Lucy begins to get bored with things and starts looking for something, or someone (Sexy Domesticated Dad), to liven up the domesticity.

I found this book a little bit hard to get into at first, however, once you read through the first couple of chapters you are hooked. The main character Lucy is a little bit wacky but very likable. The book focuses very much on adult relationships. It is interesting to read about the dynamics between her and her single/non-married friends (as we've all been there as the relationships change once someone gets married and has kids). It also details Lucy's relationship with her husband, other parents from her children's school and her relationship with her own parents and mother-in-law. While you often find yourself relating to these relationships, the story line can be a bit far-fetched at times yet entertaining all the same.

Custom Made for Kids: The First Adventures of Incredible You

By simply answering a few questions on the website Custom Made for Kids you can create a totally personalized and absolutely magical story for your child.

The first (we hope of many!) story called The First Adventures of Incredible You is a story that your child will have you read over and over again (and you actually you won't mind!)

The First Adventures of Incredible You takes your child on an adventure that visits local places and people that are special in your life. The illustrations are as bright and cheery as the verses! When reading to our toddler his face lights up at the mention of playing at his favourite park or visiting the Central Park Zoo (which reminds us of our New York City trip this spring).

When reading the story, it feels as if I have written this story for my child and really, that's how I knew that The First Adventures of Incredible You is incredible!

Here are some other reasons to love The First Adventures of Incredible You:

• They ship to Canada (and very quickly!) if you want to get it here for Christmas you'll have to choose expedited delivery.
  
• You can go on a virtual tour of the book.
  
• In the drop downs, the have Canadian choices! (ie, The Toronto Zoo etc)
• The book is good for children whether they are biological or adopted, any race or Nationality from traditional & non-traditional family structures
• York Region Baby readers receive a 10% off discount until December 31, 2007. Please enter "yrbaby10" when checking out.
  

Pippalily: A stylish way to get your hand back

I've had my Pippalily sling since the summer, but wanted to wait and post about it until after my second baby arrived.

And since her arrival a few weeks ago I've been wearing her around the house in my Pippalily sling. Having an active toddler and a newborn is challenging to say the least and trying to take care of the needs of my toddler, while keeping my newborn close to me is important.

There are a number of reasons why I really love my Pippalily sling -- including the fact that unlike the other pouch sling I own my Pippalily sling is very stylish and funky. I have the Sea Green Coriander in Cotton (pictured here). The 2 times I have been out of the house while wearing admiring moms have stopped and asked where they can get their own Pippalily sling!

There are lots of colours to choose from, including a fabulous camouflage one as well as Satin Brocade in various patterns and colours.

Pippalily's slings are handmade in Canada with the utmost attention to detail and style and sizing yourself for the sling to purchase is easy! You just order the size you are in a t-shirt (if you are in between sizes order the next size up)

And if you are new to the whole idea of babywearing they have amazing instructional videos on how to wear your baby in different positions. It's makes it easy to see how to wear your little one!

Bath-a-holic:Bath and Body Products for the Family

I have just finished my latest web site for a local mom-run business called Bath-a-holic.

For the past nearly 2 years Kathleen has been making natural bath and body products for the whole family and I've been lucky enough to have been able to try out nearly the whole product line over the past 2 months, while I've been building this new website for her. I wanted to share my 4 favourite products from this great product line.

Sudsy Soap in Baby Boo -- I LOVE LOVE LOVE this product so much. I can't say enough about it. I use it for everything from a face cleaner to a body soap and the smell is so fresh and clean. My toddler LOVEs to use it when he showers as he pumps down the bottle and lots of fun suds comes out. The scent reminds me of my childhood -- and I can't quite put my finger on what it is -- but it's a lovely way to get refreshed in the morning.

Super Soothing All Purpose Salve - My little guy started with eczema this summer and this has provided with relief from the itch and pain. I use it on my hands as a nice light cream to keep me moisturized.

Kiddie Sickie Sauce - Other products I've used for any sort of congestion leave a yucky film on your body, hands etc, but Bath-a-holic's Kiddie Sickie Sauce relieves congestion without that.

Honey Bear Snuggly Tub - So I got this one for bath time with my toddler and I ended up using most of it!!

It's an enriched oatmeal bath for baby, who has the extra sensitive skin. It contains, Milk, Oatmeal, Arrowroot and Honey powders to assist in calming itchy skin. There are teddy bear candy pieces to entertain your little one and it's scented with a calming Vanilla essential oil.

Tushygear on the Road

Product Name: Tushygear on the Road

Description: Designed by a mother of two, Tushygear includes a convenient way to carry the diaper, wipes and the pad. Tushygear is a tote that is small enough to fit into a diaper bag yet is self contained so it can be used on its own too. Tushygear's high quality fabric is also machine washable.

Review: Keeping my diaper bags and purses organized is a total necessity. I need to know where everything is at all times! And I love the fact that the Tushygear on the Road does just that!

Available in many fantastic patterns, the Tushygear on the Road stands out when inside your bag, and you can simply pull it out of your jammed bag and access a softer-than-soft change pad,your wipes and diapers quickly and easily.

When I am in a rush and for daytrips, I simply stock up the the Tushygear on the Road and know that I have 3 diapers, wipes and somewhere clean and soft to change baby.

The quality of this product is really outstanding, and you know that Emily, mom of 2

has put a lot of effort and time into perfecting what moms need. I can't wait to keep using my the Tushygear on the Road for babies to come!

Check out the Tushygear website for other great baby items like change pad covers and blankets!

Get Organized! Family Medical Journal

Product Name: Get Organized! Family Medical Journal

Description: The Get Organized! Family Medical Journal was created by a GTA mom of three who after she had her twin girls, and her eldest daughter was 3½, suddenly I had a lot of medical

information to remember from doctor's appointments for all three of them, not to mention herself and her husband. Additionally, unfortunately, one of her girls was born with some medical issues

which required specialized treatment, through Sick Kids Hospital.

Jodie would try to write down questions she had in preparation for appointments on a scrap piece of paper that she found in her purse in the waiting room (sound familiar?) and then try to remember all of the information in her head that she was told by the doctors.

So, she created this Canadian focused family medical and health journal, where from birth parents can track appointments, questions for doctors, medications, growth and development and so much more.

Review: People who know me know that I am organized, well at least I think that there is method to my madness!!

But, the Get Organized! Family Medical Journal has taken my organization to the next level. I now have a place to store all of our pertinent and important health information, including immunization records, fingerprints and DNA for the kids. I keep the Get Organized! Family Medical Journal handy in the kitchen, so when I am thinking about any health related question, I can jot if down for the next time we are at the doctors.

I've also been taking the Get Organized! Family Medical Journal to the doctors for the past few visits and it's made the visits less stressful, as having a toddler running around the room, while I am trying to ask questions, or take down information about the appointment can be a challenge!

I really can't say enough about this product and it's creator! Jodie Pappas is up for the Savvy Mom Mompreneur award, and we've already voted for her -- and you can as well.

This journal would make a fabulous gift for a shower for a new mom, who for the first few months of her life seems to spend a lot of time at the doctors with new baby!

Right, now you can buy one get one free, if you buy directly from their website.

Supperworks - Newmarket

Product Name: Supperworks - Newmarket

Review 1: What can I say about Supperworks? The people who invented Superworks are my heroes! I cannot say one negative thing about my experience at Supperworks. The staff were very friendly and helpful. The atmosphere was warm, inviting and most importantly, clean!

Who knew that preparing a healthy, delicious meal could be so much fun, so easy and so fast?! All of the ingredients are set up for you, all you have to do is add and mix. The recipes are easy to follow. The layout is extremely organized and the best part is that you don't have to clean up! You just prepare and go.

Each meal comes with a pre-printed label for cooking instructions and suggestions for serving. Supperworks is definitely the best option for families who have little time to prepare meals and who find themselves eating less healthy alternatives or dining out on a regular basis.

What an amazing experience!

Review 2: I too, am in love. In love, with Supperworks. I've been twice now, and will be booking my third session for next month soon! When I didn't return to work after maternity leave and started working part-time from home. I thought I would have all the time in the world to make yummy and healthy meals for the family.But, it turns out, on top of the million things I have to do, sometimes supper isn't at the top of my list!!

It's hard to sum up what I love about Supperworks, but I'll try!! The staff are amazing -- totally helpful and really fun. I prepared 6 meals in less than an hour and I didn't clean up a thing!! (WOW!) I love that the food is healthy and resonably priced.

And the food is really good. Some of our favourites include, Lemon Chicken or the Cabernet Beef -- check out all the yummy meals you can make!