YYZ Bambina

Amir Johnson from the Toronto Raptors has partnered with Swiffer to change the definition of Man Clean, encouraging men to boast about their cleaning swagger. After reviewing his tips on how to clean like a man, unofficial P&Gdad Chris decided to share his own tips in the post below.

When it comes to cleaning, men have a bad reputation. And I can’t say it’s not warranted. I lived with male roommates for several years and we were often lax on household chores. I’ve certainly been guilty of cutting corners in the past. But since I’ve been with Sarah I’ve tried to step up my cleaning game. Whenever I find myself alone in the house, I make it a point to set aside some time and clean. Sarah does the same when I’m out of the house, and so between the two of us we’re a pretty great clean team.

Here’s my own tried-and-true advice for a great “Man Clean”:

1) Music as motivation– Amir Johnson is right: putting on your favourite tunes is the ideal way to get in the right headspace for tackling a cleanup. Personally, I go with heavy metal for that extra edge; listening to punishing riffs whilst punishing dirt is how I roll.

2) Dust furniture before cleaning floors– This sounds like a no-brainer, but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve forgotten to dust first. It’s a sure-fire way to end up cleaning the floor all over again. So before you hit the floor, save yourself the unnecessary effort and grab a Swiffer Duster. It traps and locks up to three times more dust than a regular feather duster. So you’re assured of a good clean, top to bottom.

3) Don’t cut corners, aim for them– Approximately 99.9% of crumbs, dust and dirt can be found in corners. That’s not based on any kind of scientific research, just plain old experience. Unless you have huge dust bunnies slash tumbleweeds rolling around on your floor, corners are the culprit. So attack the edges, nooks and crannies with a Swiffer WetJet to ensure maximum dirt elimination. Its floor cleaner solutions are specially formulated to break up and dissolve tough messes. Then the thick WetJet pad traps and locks them away forever, sending a strong message to its dirty buddies that they’re not welcome on your floor. Got a particularly pesky patch? Try the powerful scrub strip – it’ll send those dried-on spots and messes to oblivion.

Follow this handy advice and you’ll find yourself not only with a great “Man Clean”, but also some extra time to watch football or play Mario Kart or whatever it is you do with your precious free time. I’m not judging.

To learn more about the man clean movement and to get a Swiffer coupon, visit http://www.showyourclean.ca.

One lucky YYZ Bambina reader will win an Ultimate Swiffer Man Clean Kit (Approx. $78* value):

Swiffer WetJet - $24.99
Swiffer WetJet pads - $9.99
Swiffer WetJet Multi-Purpose Solution - $6.99
Swiffer 360 Dusters - $10.99
Swiffer Sweeper Starter Kit - $16.99
Swiffer Sweeper pads - $7.79

By entering the following contest you are accepting that if you win your contact information will be shared with a P&G PR and shipping agency for the purpose of mailing your prize. Please allow 4-6 weeks from the contest closure date to receive your prize. This giveaway may appear on other blogs as part of the #PGmom program. However, to be fair, you can only win once per giveaway. If your name is chosen more than once, another winner will be selected. All winners must be from within Canada excluding Quebec. Valid entries only. Contest ends October 26th, 2014. For further contest rules, refer to the Terms and Conditions within the Rafflecopter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I am a P&Gmom/mamanP&G. As part of my affiliation with this group I receive products and special access to P&G events and opportunities. The opinions on this blog are my own.

© 2014 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.

Back in the summer, Chris, Hannah and I were at a museum when I needed to use the Ladies Room. While I was gone, Hannah sang to Chris, "Where is Mommy? Where is Mommy? It's a mystery, a mystery!"

Of course, this was after she discovered Yo Gabba Gabba! on Netflix Canada, and the episode "Mystery". (The real song goes "Who is Fooful? Where is the picnic? It's a mystery, a mystery!") Plex and Toddee are sent on somewhat of a scavenger hunt to find Foofa - and after going through a scary bat cave (in which Plex tells Toddee not to be afraid of the dark) they meet Fooful, who turns out to be Foofa's brother, and they all enjoy a picnic at the beach.

Another great part of that episode is when Muno "loses" his hat, and he and DJ Lance Rock sing a great song "Look Again, You Might Have Missed It" which I can see singing to Hannah very soon when she asks me about where a certain toy or book is.

Another mysterious episode on Netflix Hannah loves is Bubble Guppies "Haunted House Party". Thorough out the episode the Guppies learn about Halloween while trying to figure out who the ghost is.

Hannah has really started to enjoy puzzles and games that require multiple steps to finding an answer or in some cases a solution.

Some other mysterious titles you can stream for Little Kids include:

1. Blue's Clues
2. Busytown Mysteries
3. Inspector Gadget's Biggest Caper Ever

4. I Spy

What mysterious titles do your kids enjoy?

Disclosure: I am part of the Netflix #StreamTeam. As always, opinions on this blog are my own.

I'm not the greatest cook or the greatest baker, but when a black cat cookie cutter arrived in the mail from Kellogg's Canada I got really excited. (Mostly because Booyah is a black cat.)

Looking for some delicious treats that older kids can help create? Check out all the awesome ideas on the Rice Krispies website (scroll to "Halloween").

I attempted to make the Spooktacular Butterscotch Pops (I write attempted because I did not make them pops). Would you like to make them? Here's the recipe.

Kellogg's Rice Krispies Spooktacular Butterscotch Pops

Ingredients

1/4 cup of butter or margarine
1 package of marshmallows
1/2 tsp of vanilla extract
1/4 cup of butterscotch flavour instant pudding mix
6 cups of Kellogg's Rice Krispies cereal

Directions

In a large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat. Stir in pudding mix.
Add Kellogg's Rice Krispies cereal. Sit until well coated.
Using a butters spatula or wax paper evenly press mixture into 13x9x2-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Cool. Use cookie cutter to cut into shapes, insert lollipop sticks and decorate!

Microwave Directions:

In a microwave-safe bowl, heat butter and marshmallows on HIGH for 3 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes. Stir until smooth. Add pudding mix, stirring until smooth. Follow steps 2 and 3 above. Microwave cooking times may vary.

I had some trouble using the cookie cutters (specifically the black cat's tail) so make sure you really do wait until it's cool (my lack of patience always faults me in baking situations).

You can also watch this video about Kellogg's Rice Krispies Spooktacular Butterscotch Pops below.

Do you make special treats for Halloween?

Disclosure: I am part of the Kelloggers Network. As always, all opinions on this blog are my own.

© 2014 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.

When I was little, the only time I recall Barbie being on TV was during commercials. I would jump up and down and remind my Mom that Christmas or my Birthday was quickly approaching. (I kid you not, one year I actually "measured" Barbie's RV Camper from my television screen to a big box under the tree - let's just say I was NOT disappointed Christmas morning).

Ladies and gentlemen, Barbie is now on TV. The first-ever 22-minute episode of Barbie™ Life in the Dreamhouse is coming to Teletoon on November 23rd at 5PM and YTV on November 30th at 8:30 AM. In the episode, Barbie, her friends and family are getting ready to compete in the reality competition, The Amaze Chase! Five teams will be racing around to famous Barbie locations for the top prize.

Your child and their BFFs could watch them take on adventure from their very own Barbie® Amaze Chase party!

Entering the contest is simple. Visit the Barbie My Dreams website. You'll need to register for a Barbie account and simply enter your phone number to submit your entry. A total of 30 lucky fans will win a Barbie Amaze Chase suitcase full of Barbie party essentials and a doll from the Amaze Chase line. The suitcase will give fans everything they need to unpack and get ready for the newest episode of Barbie Life in the Dreamhouse, Amaze Chase! But hurry, you need to enter before October 31, 2014.

You can also watch Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse episodes online or stream episodes via Netflix.

If I had to pick a favourite, the grocery store I like best is the Real Canadian Superstore. That's because while Chris and Hannah collect important items such as fruit, vegetables and milk, I spend my time in the Joe Fresh area looking at clothes (usually for me and Hannah), the book area, the toy area and of course, the make-up section. Since we recently purchased our first condo, I'm also pursuing the home area and mentally noting all the great items I will soon purchase. It's one stop shopping at it's finest. Our home location even has covered parking, which is perfect for Canadian weather.

Some great news - the baby event is back! Participating retailers include Loblaws, Atlantic Superstore, Extra Foods, Your Independent Grocer, Zehrs Markets, Valu-mart and Real Canadian Superstore across Canada. Lots of baby items are on sale, Pampers included! (Here's a flyer so you can see all the great deals for yourself.)

To make your shopping trips as painless as possible, here are some great shopping tips from P&G:

1. Always go with a list

Do you often find yourself aimlessly wandering around the grocery store, forgetting what you’re missing at home? By making a to-buy list you can target exactly what you need, allowing you to get in and get out. And, you can save money by only purchasing necessities!

2. Navigate the store like a pro

If you visit the same store each week, organize your list by aisles to save you from backtracking.

3. Schedule a shopping day

Pick one day a week and designate as your “shopping day”. This way everyone in the family knows to request the items they need before then, which will help you avoid multiple trips to the store.

4. Pick a store that has everything you need

Don’t waste time travelling, going from store to store. Instead, visit a store that meets all your needs – from food, to clothing to baby necessities like Pampers.

5. Look for specials & shopping events that’ll help you save

Visit Loblaws, Atlantic Superstore, Extra Foods, Your Independent Grocer, Zehrs Markets, Valu-mart or Real Canadian Superstore from October 10-23 for the baby event. The event includes exciting offers on all things baby to make shopping even more convenient! Check out the flyer from your participating banners for details!

Speaking of Baby, Pampers is having a #PampersParty Twitter Party this evening - Oct. 16th at 8 p.m. EDT. Make sure you RSVP!

Disclosure: I am a P&Gmom/mamanP&G. As part of my affiliation with this group I receive products and special access to P&G events and opportunities. The opinions on this blog are my own.

© 2014 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.

Halloween is almost here and the LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre at Vaughan Mills is celebrating the entire month of October with Brick-or-Treat!

Every Saturday and Sunday in October (and Halloween Day - Friday, October 31) little ghosts and mummies can come and enjoy the themed décor, spooktacular entertainment and costumes and much more. All included within the price of admission!

Spooky activities include:

Make Your Monster Building Fun
Spooky Creative Challenge in our LEGO® Master Builder Academy
Monster Mash Scavenger Hunt
Spooktacular LEGO® Pumpkin Trail
Boo Crew Costume Contest

One of Hannah's favourite activities is to knock Duplo towers down. Sometimes she'll help me and Chris construct it, but you can tell her favourite part is coming over, and poking it just enough for the entire structure to topple. She also loves Halloween, so it's no surprise I'm excited to let her Brick-or-Treat! I'm sure she'll want to spend some time in DUPLO Village, and I can't wait to see the CN Tower in MINILAND. Chris, a lifetime LEGO fan, is excited about the LEGO Factory Tour so he can learn all about how LEGOs are made.

Adults can also visit LEGOLAND without kids for the festive Adults Only Night - The Adventures of Sherbrick Holmes.

Will you Brick-or-Treat?

I was home on mat leave with Hannah the first time we saw Big Block SingSong. It was definitely unlike anything I had seen before. Big colourful block characters sing catchy educational songs in a variety of musical genres. It caught Hannah's young eye because of the screenfuls of colour. I liked it because the songs have a great beat and quirky lyrics.

Now that she's a preschooler, Hannah likes watching Big Block SingSong for the music - and the quick story lines. She likes to guess the animal if there is one in that episode, and she often dances along while playing her tambourine. I still like it because it reminds me of Flight of the Concords for kids.

The fun and engaging animated musical series, which currently airs across the globe on TV (Kids' CBC in Canada), will be available on DVD for the first time ever in the U.S. and Canada on October 28th.

The DVD is jam packed with musical fun that you and your kids will enjoy over and over again. With 24 episodes and over 48 minutes of content, these big block characters will not only steal your heart but have you singing their songs long after you’re done watching the DVD. (And hoping for a CD for the car...which according to their website, they are working on!)

The 24 episodes on the DVD include: Monkey / Sleep / Hair / Happy / Teeth / Noses / Sad / Octopus / Bat / Big Foot / Mad / Eat / Frog / Moose / Good / Owl / Fruit / Brave / Ears / Colourful Day / Farmer / Spider / Robot / Different. You can watch them continuously, or pick a specific episode from the main menu (which is great, because Hannah can literally watch the same episode five times in a row so it makes it easy to access). The DVD also includes French versions of each of the episodes.

Hannah really likes the "Fruit" episode. A yellow block character with funky orange hair (with "cool glasses" according to Hannah) sings about his favourite 15 kinds of fruit. She often discusses the food she likes, so this is right up her alley.

My favourite Big Block SingSong episode is "Brave" which reminded me of a Queen song. When a green block character is faced with salad, his friends tell him he's brave when he tries it (take that Bart Simpson, I guess you CAN win friends with salad).

Big Block SingSong will also be On Demand starting Oct. 31, 2014.

Would you like to win your own DVD to sing along to? Enter using the Rafflecopter below by November 10th, 2014.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a copy of Big Block SingSong for the purpose of this review. As always, opinions on this blog are my own.

© 2014 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.

A few weeks ago as I was approaching Hannah's preschool playground I heard some crying. As I got closer, I recognized the crying and saw my daughter with one of her best friends and a teacher close to one of the trees. Part of me wanted to run to Hannah, but another part of me wanted to stay back and watch the situation unfold to see what happens when I'm not there.

I decided on the later, and my appreciation for her centre - and the amazing people who take care of her - improved even more, which to be honest I never thought it could.

Hannah's teacher carefully checked her knees and hands, and then gave her a big hug. Apparently she had been running and tripped. By this point I had made it across the playground and Hannah ran in to my arms, tears still streaming down her face but definitely more quiet and almost calm. The friend who was with her is in kindergarten so gave me the full scoop about how they were playing and she had tripped. After a few kisses from Mommy, Hannah was absolutely fine.

This isn't the first time I've stayed back and watched Hannah in her preschool environment. One rainy day when I came to get her she was so busy putting three baby dolls to sleep that I stood there for almost three minutes before she noticed me. Another time, her class was singing a song with instruments and she kept dancing until the song ended. When the music stopped she finally took in her surroundings and noticed I had been standing there.

As much as my favourite part of the day is the "MOMMY!" yelp exclaimed happily while running to me at pick up, I really do enjoy getting a glimpse into her preschool life. It puts me at ease knowing how happy she is at preschool - and how well taken care of she is too.

© 2014 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.

The first time I washed Hannah's clothes with a Tide Pod instead of Ivory Snow liquid detergent I think I annoyed my Mom slightly. She loves the scent of Ivory Snow and was worried how Hannah's 18-month old skin would react to "normal" Tide. Full disclosure: I just wanted to do less laundry by throwing some of our items in together - and did not want to smell like a baby in the process (even if that scent is amazing).

If only Tide Pods Free & Gentle existed back then - a detergent free of dyes and perfumes perfect for sensitive skin. No sacrificing cleaning performance for gentleness! (And we all know how important cleaning performance is when it comes to kids.)

Suffer from sensitive skin? Leading Canadian dermatologist, Dr. Sandy Skotnicki, knows that sensitive skin can be painful, irritating and frustrating. Here are her top tips to help soothe and prevent irritable skin:

Avoid fragrances and or botanicals in your daily washing, soaps, detergents and moisturizers, as they can be both irritants and allergens. Test out a detergent like the new Tide Pods Free & Gentle. For people with sensitive skin seeking a detergent free of dyes and perfumes, Tide Pods Free & Gentle provides a deep clean that leaves behind no dyes or perfumes on fabrics, for gentleness on skin.
Stick to non-foaming “soaps” in the shower. They do not strip the skin of its natural oils.
Only shower or bath once a day. Water dries out the skin.
Make sure that you keep bathing times to under 15 minutes and avoid using hot water.
After bathing, pat dry. Rubbing your body with a towel will remove moisture and further dry out your skin.

Share your sensitive skin tip! One lucky YYZ Bambina reader will win a Sensitive Skin Laundry Pack valued at $45 (value approximate) that that includes:

Tide Pods Free & Gentle – $21.99
Ultra Downy Free & Sensitive - $9.99
Bounce Free & Sensitive - $9.99
Tide Stain Release In-Wash Boost Action Pac Free Nature – $7.99

By entering the following contest you are accepting that if you win your contact information will be shared with a P&G PR and shipping agency for the purpose of mailing your prize. Please allow 4-6 weeks from the contest closure date to receive your prize. This giveaway may appear on other blogs as part of the #PGmom program. However, to be fair, you can only win once per giveaway. If your name is chosen more than once, another winner will be selected. All winners must be from within Canada excluding Quebec. Valid entries only. Contest ends November 17th, 2014. For further contest rules, refer to the Terms and Conditions within the Rafflecopter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I am a P&Gmom/mamanP&G. As part of my affiliation with this group I receive products and special access to P&G events and opportunities. The opinions on this blog are my own.

© 2014 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.

Let me set the scene for you. It's the weekend and therefore later than we usually wake up on a weekday morning and Hannah has just come out of her room. While enjoying some fruit and milk for breakfast, she points to the TV and has only one request: "PAW Patrol." (It's the number one show on Nick Jr. in the US - so we know she's definitely not alone in being a fan.)

We have digital bunny ears which provide us about 6 Toronto-based TV channels...and Netflix. So before quite recently, we had to tell Hannah gently that PAW Patrol on demand was not an option.

Thank goodness we now own six great episodes on DVD! For the first time ever, Canadians can pop in PAW Patrol - Winter Rescues and watch Ryder and his team whenever they'd like. When I showed her the DVD case her eyes lit right up.

PAW Patrol - Winter Rescues is the first DVD launch of this CG-animated action-adventure preschool series starring a pack of six heroic puppies – Chase, Marshall, Rocky, Rubble, Zuma and Skye. The team is led by a tech-savvy 10-year-old boy named Ryder - who rescued all the dogs. Together, the PAW Patrol works to protect the Adventure Bay community, believing that, “No job is too big, no pup is too small!”

The show focuses on citizenship, social skills and problem-solving, teaching kids that working together helps get any job done. Each episode is 11 minutes long and follows the same format - Ryder is contacted with a problem, the PAW Patrol meets at the lookout to figure out a solution and, of course, working together the PAW Patrol saves the day. Hannah likes it best when the PAW Patrol has figured out the plan to help and head out with Ryder exclaiming, "PAW Patrol is on a roll!" She really likes how the pups slide to the outside and their awaiting vehicles. Hannah's favourite pup is Skye and she LOVES to sing along to the PAW Patrol theme song.

Would you like to watch PAW Patrol save the day AND one"swag" item courtesy of Spin Master (one of the following - Deluxe Talking Plush, HQ Playset or Deluxe Trans Vehicles)? Enter using the Rafflecopter below by November 25th, 2014.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a copy of PAW Patrol Winter Rescues for the purpose of this review. As always, opinions on this blog are my own.

© 2014 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.

Christmas is easily one of my favourite holidays. Family, food and fun really can't be beat.

When I was younger, the best part of Christmas morning was opening my stocking. Every year Santa found lots of amazing little things to put in my my big holiday sock, and he always remembered to include KINDER SURPRISE eggs. My brother was always more into building the toys, so sometimes I'd trade him mine if he would share some of his chocolate.

Last year, Hannah didn't really understand the concept of a stocking...to be honest, she didn't really understand the concept of Christmas. And plus we were staying at my Mom's due to having no power or heat at home because of the big ice storm. Hopefully this year we can celebrate Christmas morning at home - with KINDER SURPRISE under the tree.

Would you like to celebrate the holidays with KINDER? One lucky YYZ Bambina reader will win a prize pack that includes:

One KINDER® Advent Calendar
One KINDER® Hollow Santa with SURPRISE®
One KINDER® SURPRISE® 100g Christmas egg
One KINDER® SURPRISE® MAXI 150g egg

The contest winner will be required to provide a full name and complete mailing address to be shared with KINDER® for shipping purposes. While you may enter as many of the KINDER® contests as you like, you can only win once.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I am a #KinderMom. As part of my affiliation with this group I receive products and special access to events and opportunities. The opinions on this blog are my own.

© 2014 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.

Did you know that November is Financial Literacy Month? Last month I had the opportunity along with my fellow P&G moms to listen to Gail Vaz-Oxlade, host of Til Debt Due U$ Part, Prince$$ and Money Moron as well as author of 17 books on personal finance.

For anyone who has seen Gail on TV, you know she's very engaging and supports a simplistic approach - but when it comes to money, a lot of people don't see things simply.

Among the tips she shared, there were a few that really stuck with me that I could immediately put in to practice. First was to use apps like Checkout 51 and Flipp to save on the go. Another was to switch my savings account to companies like Tangerine or Manulife which give more interest than the mortar banks. Also, to change your budget once a year - unless you change jobs, get a raise, move, have a child - anything life changing.

The long term tip I found slightly scary is this - for retirement, you should save ELEVEN times your income!

Here is Gail's Tip Sheet:

Do a spending analysis– Knowing where your money is going is half the battle. Go through your past six months of spending, including groceries, household expenses, utilities, rent/mortgage, clothing and entertainment, and analyze just how much money went where. You want to understand the areas in which you’re overspending.

“Common Cents” comparisons– In addition to doing a spending analysis, it’s time to shop smart and look for products that will stretch your dollar. So many people default to value brands thinking they equal savings. Not always! If you need to use more of a budget-product or rewash items to get the same results you’re not saving a thing. Look to trusted products such as Tide Simply Clean and Fresh, Charmin Basic and Ultra Dawn that offer value and efficacy.

Plan your purchases and stick to your budget– To avoid impulse purchases, plan head, make a list, and use cash! Avoid overspending by taking cash from the ATM twice a month and planning how you’ll use that money. When it’s gone, you’re done shopping.

Common “Cents” Couponing– Common sense couponing can equal cash! Websites such as savingmadesimple.ca offer deals and coupons to save on products you already use and love. Flyers can also be a useful tool for finding great deals from the stores you regularly shop at and for price-matching.

Save your savings– Too often people don’t actually save their savings; they simply find another way to spend it. Working towards a big goal like a vacation or a special purchase? Every time you save a cent by shopping smart, send those savings to your high interest savings account where you can watch them grow.

Don’t be a money moron– In the end, it’s important to be conscious of what you’re doing with your money. Be conscious of how you’re using your money so you’re always working towards reaching your goals.

One lucky YYZ Bambina reader will win a Common Cents giveaway valued at approximately $40, including:

By entering the following contest you are accepting that if you win your contact information will be shared with a P&G PR and shipping agency for the purpose of mailing your prize. Please allow 4-6 weeks from the contest closure date to receive your prize. This giveaway may appear on other blogs as part of the #PGmom program. However, to be fair, you can only win once per giveaway. If your name is chosen more than once, another winner will be selected. All winners must be from within Canada excluding Quebec. Valid entries only. Contest ends November 24th, 2014. For further contest rules, refer to the Terms and Conditions within the Rafflecopter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I am a P&Gmom/mamanP&G. As part of my affiliation with this group I receive products and special access to P&G events and opportunities. The opinions on this blog are my own.

© 2014 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.

As I get ready to watch Toronto’s Santa Claus parade today, it’s hard to believe Hannah will be celebrating her third Christmas this year. As a January baby, the first time Hannah experienced the festive season she was almost 11 months old. Here’s a list of the top 5 things I wish Santa had told me to prepare for Baby’s First Christmas.

Buy batteries.This seems like a no brainer, but there are toys out there you assume don’t require batteries. Since Christmas was Hannah’s first taste of receiving multiple gifts at once, we ran out of batteries before we ran out of toys that required them.

To wrap or not to wrap, that is the question. It was a lot easier for Hannah to grab things from festive bags with tissue paper versus pulling off the Elmo wrapping…even if she was excited to see a million festive Elmos on a box. Much like the batteries, my major faux pas of Christmas 2012 was purchasing Hannah a play set, wrapping said play set in the Elmo wrapping paper (see aforementioned box in Part 2). At 11 months, Hannah wanted to play immediately. Constructing the play set took awhile. Now we build things then creatively wrap it. If the child is opening the creatively wrapped gift at home, no harm done and no patience required on the baby’s part.

Don’t overextend your family. The holidays call for a lot of visiting. We chose to only attend one party per weekend, and to leave early so baby could be in bed at bedtime. Babies don’t understand the holidays – they just understand they are tired and need sleep. Do what's best for your babe and the members of your family who live under your roof.

Festive foods for all. Hannah loved sitting at the holiday table with us, but wasn't necessarily interested in the food on our plates. She enjoyed some HEINZ BABY Food - Vegetables & Turkey of course. And she loved snacking on Original Biscuits while the adults around her enjoyed chocolates and candy canes.

Capture each moment - good or bad! Baby only has one First Christmas, document it as best as you can! I appreciate all the videos and photos we have, and I think Hannah will get a real kick out of seeing photos and videos from that special day.

What tips would you share for new parents celebrating baby’s first Christmas?

Disclosure: I received Heinz food as part of this post. As always, the opinions on this blog are my own.

I can always tell when Hannah is feeling ill - she becomes extra cuddly and has a severe case of Mommyitis.

Enter Netflix - when Hannah needs her snuggles, we like to stream.

Last week we were home when Hannah had a bad cough. We decided to stream Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted. She hasn't seen the first ones, but she loved watching Alex and his pals buy and run a circus. Her favourite scene was the great circus performance. I enjoyed the witty dialogue throughout the movie.

This winter, here are some great titles you can stream when your kids get the sniffles:

1. VeggieTales in the House - Netflix Original - Coming November 26
2. SpongeBob SquarePants: The Movie
3. Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted

4. Noddy in Toyland
5. Horrid Henry
6. Tom and Jerry: The Movie

Do you have any movies you like to watch when you're sick?

Disclosure: I am part of the Netflix #StreamTeam. As always, opinions on this blog are my own.

© 2014 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.

As we move in to our new condo and use a variety of great P&G products to clean, I'm slightly thankful I won't have to host anything this holiday. (I'm also super thankful to the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser which saved me from painting our main bathroom).

Like my cat in the past Christmas photo above, I prefer to hide from hosting duties. But I won't be moving in to a new house every holiday, and eventually it will be my turn.

If you are hosting folks over the holidays, check out these great tips from P&G to help make hosting a breeze.

The Bedroom

Sprinkle Downy Unstopables into your laundry to ensure sheets smell fresh and clean for their entire stay – adding a touch of luxury to their sleep! To be sure your guests feel relaxed place a Febreze Sugared Cranberry Candle on their bedside table – the aroma is certain to put them at ease!

The Kitchen

Doing laundry can not only be a hassle for guests, but is rarely ever a priority. With Tide-To-Go Pens, you can offer them the feeling of a crisp clean outfit instantly, in the event of a dinnertime mishap.

Harsh winter air and a sink full of dishes may sound like an unsavoury way to treat your special guests. Since they’re sure to be the first to lend a helping hand after dinner, show your gratitude and make dishwashing a pleasant, post-dinner tradition. It’s simple: swap out your favourite scented suds for Dawn Hand Renewal with Olay, cutting turkey grease and rejuvenating your guests’ hands in just five washes!

The Bathroom

Travel sized portions of body wash, face cream, shampoo and conditioner are the perfect items to keep in the full bathroom for your overnight guests. As these products are often the first items forgotten when packing, guests will not have to worry when they see Olay Body Wash and Olay Regenerist waiting for them by the bathroom sink.

In the shower, add a couple shampoo and conditioner options to provide hair products that match your guests’ needs! With Pantene Smooth, your guests will have hair that stays super-sleek for up to 72 hours and, with Pantene Volume, guests who suffer from flat hair will experience 24-hour volume to get them through that holiday party!

Last but not least, remember: before the doorbell rings, spray the house with Febreze Frosted Pine Air Effects. You may be noseblind to your home smell, but guests are not!

How do you prepare for holiday guests? One lucky YYZ Bambina reader will win a Holiday host kit valued at approximately $40, including:

By entering the following contest you are accepting that if you win your contact information will be shared with a P&G PR and shipping agency for the purpose of mailing your prize. Please allow 4-6 weeks from the contest closure date to receive your prize. This giveaway may appear on other blogs as part of the #PGmom program. However, to be fair, you can only win once per giveaway. If your name is chosen more than once, another winner will be selected. All winners must be from within Canada excluding Quebec. Valid entries only. Contest ends December 15th, 2014. For further contest rules, refer to the Terms and Conditions within the Rafflecopter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I am a P&Gmom/mamanP&G. As part of my affiliation with this group I receive products and special access to P&G events and opportunities. The opinions on this blog are my own.

My Mom is one of “those” people. You all know one. Before the pumpkins come out for Halloween, she’s already finished all of her holiday shopping.

Until my daughter was born, I was the complete opposite. Come December 23rd you’d find me in a hectic mall, looking lost as I went from store to store attempting to find awesome gifts for my family and friends. And because I was so stressed from the trip, I also bought a bunch of unnecessary gifts for me as retail therapy, further expanding my holiday gift budget.

Now that I’m a mom my shopping isn’t so last minute (can you imagine trying to navigate a stroller through a mall in its busiest season let alone find a parking spot?). And thanks to RBC Rewards, by starting now, the first week of December, my holidays will be happy and stress-free…even if we just moved into our new home.

Thankfully I have the RBC Rewards Holiday website to assist both my budget and time constraints. I can order gifts (and gift cards!) using my RBC Rewards points online.

RBC Rewards members can earn points the following ways:

1. Earn RBC Rewards points every time you use your RBC Rewards card

2. Shop online through the RBC Rewards eMall at over 250 popular retailers (including The Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Sephora, Indigo and more) to earn bonus RBC Rewards points

Throughout the holiday season be sure to follow RBC on Facebook as RBC Rewards will be running a Not-So-Secret Santa Giveaway! Comment on their post and tag a friend who would like the featured item for a chance to win. Three users will be selected to win the item, plus the nominator of the winner will receive 5000 bonus points! Upcoming dates and gifts include: December 5 - DeWalt Drill & Saw and on December 9 – GoPro Hero4 Bundle.

As for a gift for me, how did RBC Rewards KNOW I was looking for a KitchenAid 1.6 cu ft countertop microwave for our new kitchen? It was 40,000 points but right now it's 27,500 points – 30% off. A happy holiday indeed!

How is your holiday shopping going?

This post was brought to you by RBC Rewards, but the images and opinions are my own. For more information, please visit www.rbcrewards.com.

© 2014 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.

Before we went to Upper Canada Mall in Newmarket a few days ago, we had quite an interesting collection of holiday photos of Hannah with Santa. Her first Christmas, she cried...the entire time. Last year, because of the ice storm, we didn't get a chance to have a "proper" session - so we just have an unimpressed Hannah in her jacket sitting on Santa's lap.

We finally have a photo I can proudly show off, thanks to the super Santa and his fantastic photo elves at Upper Canada Mall.

Hannah was acting shy on her visit, looking down a lot, and the photographer still managed to capture her and Santa looking at the camera:

What you don't see in the photo is Santa speaking softly to Hannah, inquiring what she wants for Christmas. You also don't see Hannah quietly mumbling, "Bubble Guppies Balloon" or Santa giving my Mom a quizzical look while reassuring Hannah she seems like a sweet girl and he's sure he can find one for her. Not only was he kind and calming, I could never imagine a more perfect looking Santa!

We took advantage of the Santa Fast Pass option - choosing a package online and waiting in a shorter line for our turn with the jolly old man. It was an easy process that took only a few minutes to complete. Make sure you schedule your appointment on a computer before you go - you can't do it while at the mall on your phone.

Only having to line up in with fellow Fast Pass purchasers was amazing. Although Hannah understands the concept of waiting for your turn in a line, she is far from understanding one must be patient while waiting in a line.

After Hannah's visit with Santa we decided to have lunch at the food court, a clean, spacious area with a variety of food to choose from.

Then my Mom and I took the opportunity to browse the stores and complete some Christmas shopping. Located about 30 minutes north of Toronto, Upper Canada Mall is home to "the best Target I've ever been in, including the States" according to my Mom.

I enjoyed shopping at Target too - and Hudson's Bay, Sears and Coles. I sneakily purchased a few gifts for Hannah while my Mom distracted her so she will still be surprised come Christmas morning.

After such a great experience, we know where we'll be visiting Santa next year.

Have you made a trip to visit Santa?

For the longest time, I didn't really "get" the whole Frozen phenomenon...because I had never seen the film.

Now that Hannah and I have watched the Frozen Sing-Along Edition DVD, I get it (not that I'll be getting into any fights for swag...yet.) If you've never seen it, Frozen is the story of two Royal sisters. You join Princess Anna as she sets off on an epic journey – teaming up with rugged mountain man Kristoff, his reindeer Sven and a snowman named Olaf – to find her sister Queen Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter.

The story of Frozen is one Disney tale I am happy for my daughter to grow up with. After watching the film, my girl crush on Kristen Bell (who voices Princess Anna) grew even bigger...and then I watched some YouTube interviews with her about the film and realized why I liked Anna so much. Bell basically wanted to voice a character (and can she ever sing!) that was not perfect - someone who was dorky, klutzy and spoke too much...someone she could have related to as a child, and I definitely could have too. I'm happy Hannah will have a dorky princess to look up to - a princess who cares more about her sister than finding Prince Charming.

The movie is everything you expect from Disney and a little more. Great songs, great imagery and great lessons.

The Sing-Along Edition has handy lyrics on the screen with a bouncing snowflake. And you'll need them, because hours and days later you will want to sing the correct lyrics when the songs refuse to leave your head. This is one DVD I hope never gets scratched!

Do you love the songs from Frozen?

© 2014 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.

A few weeks ago we were lucky enough to be among the first people across the country to view episodes of the latest Netflix Original Series for kids - DreamWorks' All Hail King Julien. Now everyone in Canada is lucky because the first five episodes of the series are available to stream on Netflix Canada!

Everyone's favourite lemur from the Madagascar movie series now has his own TV show. Follow his hijinks as he tries to remain in everyone's good books while leading his kingdom in style.

The 23-minute episodes are paced with kids in mind, filled with jokes at every level to keep adults entertained too. In Poll Position, my favourite part was when King Julien inadvertently saves an infant lemur while he's saving a mango. Of course this wins good graces of his kingdom but King Julien puts more importance on him saving the mango than the life of another.

Hannah likes All Hail King Julien for the music and dancing. At the special Netflix Canada preview she was taught the opening sequence dance - she loves signing and dancing along when we watch it at home.

So between moving, surviving the flu and barely pulling off Christmas, I haven't had a lot of time to blog. To make it up to my readers, the last post of 2014 includes an incredible giveaway!

December was a great month for Chris is our household - at least when it came to the #PGmom program. We got to attend a Toronto Raptors game as part of Swiffer's #ManClean campaign where he was able to take over my Twitter account AND a bunch of new, great Old Spice products came to our condo just for him.

Would you like your man to have the latest from Old Spice? So far Chris likes the Old Spice Antiperspirant best - with all the hard work he's put in around the condo it keeps him dry and smelling great!

And of course, P&G would never forget us ladies! My favourite product from the kit is the Pantene Pro-V Heat Potion Serum. With the cold temperatures, blow drying my hair every time I wash it is a must.

It protects hair up to 450F! I love that it leaves my tresses sleek and shiny.

One lucky YYZ Bambina reader will win a P&G His and Hers Kit valued at approximately $135 and includes:

By entering the following contest you are accepting that if you win your contact information will be shared with a P&G PR and shipping agency for the purpose of mailing your prize. Please allow 4-6 weeks from the contest closure date to receive your prize. This giveaway may appear on other blogs as part of the #PGmom program. However, to be fair, you can only win once per giveaway. If your name is chosen more than once, another winner will be selected. All winners must be from within Canada excluding Quebec. Valid entries only. Contest ends January 19th, 2015. For further contest rules, refer to the Terms and Conditions within the Rafflecopter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I am a P&Gmom/mamanP&G. As part of my affiliation with this group I receive products and special access to P&G events and opportunities. The opinions on this blog are my own.

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