How to get more mileage out of the Halloween costume

Weather you purchase your child's costume, make it yourself, or have it made, we all want to see them wear that costume more than once. But how to you get them to wear it again without making them wear it to the grocery store? Here are my tips:

1. Pumpkin Patch. Have your child wear their costume to the pumpkin patch when you go to choose your pumpkins. Make sure to dress in rain boots so that the costume doesn't get muddy. It's also a good time for a photo op.

2. Pictures. Have a photo session with your favorite photographer or studio or your own camera! You can choose fun fall backgrounds, or go to your favorite park that has colourful leaves all over the ground.

3. Halloween at the Mall. Take your child to your local mall on Halloween afternoon. Most malls will have trick or treating from 1-4 (check your local mall's website). It's a warm up to the night time event, but still fun for little ones to practice saying trick or treat.

4. Party! Have a halloween party with the young kids in your child's class, or with the kids in your neighborhood a week or so before Halloween. Costumes mandatory!

5. Get the costume a size too big. If you get the costume a touch big, they can wear it for dress up during the year, or if they decide to be the same thing next year, no problem!

Remember to enjoy the Halloween season. Dress up, be a bit goofy, carve magnificent pumpkins, and remember to be safe out in the dark, and to check the candy before letting your kids eat any of it. Most younger families will start trick or treating around 5:30 or 6:00pm to end before 8:00.

Boo!

Push Presents

Something a ot of you may not know about is the "Push Present". This is a gift new dads will get for new moms to show their appreciation for carrying their baby for the last 10 months and going through the x number of hours of labour she just went through. Hard work doesn't really seem to cover it, does it? I orginally heard about it through hollywood gossip when Britney Spears got a $10,000 something present from K-Fed for having baby number 1. I thought, "wouldn't that be nice?" But then I realized that this doesn't have to be a thing only for the Uber rich. Anyone can do this!

A push present is not about money, it is about thought and adoration. It could be anything from a $10,000 ring to a potted plant. It can signify a thank you, or something to grow or stay with your child. It could be a gift certificate for a pedicure so mom can just get away for 30 - 60 minutes, or it could be an in-home massage. My husband got me a cute locket after our second son was born and he put a picture of each of my boys in it. It was thoughtful and inexpensive. That is the point of a push present. It is to let her know that you appreciate what she just went thought, and what she is about to go through by being a full time mom (even if you work, you are still a mom first), and thanking her for her role in the creation of your new child. *bonus to the men who admit they could never do it themselves!*

For 10 months all focus is on the pregnant woman, once the baby comes out, everyone forgets about the woman they were admiring, and focus on the new baby. Take time to love her too because you might be the only one who notices how tired, frazzled, or overwhelmed she is.

Easy gift ideas: You don't have to go anywhere, and they ship direct. http://www.ice.com/ and http://www.spafinder.com

*Let us know what your husband/partner got for you to express their gratitude for the baby you produced!

Autumn is here!

Autumn has finally arrived. And not only because September 21st has passed. Most people think of autumn as cold weather and the lead up into the dark, cold, stay-indoors winter season. But for your children, it can be a world of wonder and amazement!

The changing colours of the leaves are a chance to teach kids about the seasons. Making a big pile of leaves and jumping in them, or gathering leaves and throwing them up in the air and dancing under them are just two great ways to enjoy the fall season! You can also take some leaves home for a cool art project! Here are just a few:

• Gather some leaves of different shapes and sizes. Take them home and put the leaf between two pieces of paper (make sure they are dry first). With a crayon or pencil crayon, rub the color over the page where the leaf is. This will make a leaf imprint on your page.
• Draw or print out the trunk of a tree with a few branches. With some finger paints, or some real leaves, put leaves on the tree. This can be a really big messy project, or a simply clean one. Use your imagination. Children's hands are the perfect size to create leaves for the tree branches.

Autumn is also the time that families start thinking about Halloween costumes. Luckily, if you purchase your costume from a mainstream store, they are all on sale by now. Costumes come out in early September, and go on sale at least 25% a few weeks after that. You should not have to pay full price for a Halloween costume ever!

Pumpkin patches are the biggest thing since sliced bread when it comes to Autumn, especially in October. There are three main pumpkin patches that I've heard good things about in and around the lower mainland. Richmond's Country Farms, Apple Barn in Abbotsford, and Alder Acres in Langley. All of the pumpkin farms have pretty much the same thing. Hay ride, pumpkins, a field, petting zoo, etc. Decide where you want to go, and thoroughly enjoy it! I recommend to wear rubber boots and old jeans. It is not necessary to wear a muddy buddy, but if you have rain pants, that might be useful! Bring a garbage bag to line the bottom of your trunk, or a crate/basket for the pumpkins to go into. Also, remember to bring your camera, it is the perfect place to get that once a year photo surrounded by pumpkins!

Teaching your kids the importance of being grateful, and giving thanks around Thanksgiving is an important lesson they can learn early. "We are not raising Children, we are raising adults" Teaching your kids the fundamentals of being an adult, like giving, being thankful, being respectful, responsible, and polite are important foundations of being a positive society member. Thanksgiving gives us the opportunity to do that. So, let me start with "Thank you for everyone who has read my blog, made a comment, or has passed the website onto their friends. I hope to make this a really useful tool for families".

There are a lot of great things about autumn. Make some warm soup, snuggle under some blankets, have a family movie night (The Nightmare Before Christmas for older kids), or go examine the wonder of the season! Remember that autumn is not only the lead up to winter, it has it's own magic too.

Enjoy!

ps. My tip: start buying Christmas gifts now!! Many many things will be on sale this month and they will not go on sale again closer to Christmas. I recommend starting early, just remember what you've bought so that you don't end up with a million presents for one child!

Raise a Reader

I helped raise a reader today, did you?

Reading with your children is probably one of the most important things you can do to stimulate their brains. Reading helps with problem solving, imagination, learning letters, and comprehension, to name a few. Today volunteers are out collecting money for underpriviledged children to grow up with books and to learn how to read.

A quote from Life Literacy Canada

"Fifteen per cent of the Canadian adult population has serious difficulty reading even basic material. An additional 27 per cent can only deal with material that is simple and where their limited comprehension makes it difficult for them to face novel demands such as learning new job skills. In total, these two groups make up 42 per cent of adult Canadians – 9 million – who are deemed to have low literacy skills."

If these people are parents and are not teaching their kids the importance of reading, they need support from their local communities, their families, and from us. Today, I donated all of my change (about $3) to this wonderful cause. Not all of us are independently wealthy, but we can all chip in. If everyone in Canada donated $1 to this cause, there would be a lot more books on the shelves of kids' homes. Go on, Raise a Reader today!

Some of Our favorite Books:

Carters: Update

When I heard that Carter's was in Canada, I was so excited!! However, if you've read my previous rant about Carter's, you know that I was not too impressed with the Canadian stores. Well..... We went back to the Langley Carter's store this weekend, and I tried to push my bias out of my head. I was more prepared this time. I didn't go in thinking that I was going to get a whole bunch of cute clothes. I went in with the positive attitude that I would get some really cute PJ's for my 4 year old.

It was quite a good experience! I went straight to the Pajamas, he picked 2 pairs that he liked. OshKosh had some cute Halloween shirts (regular price $6), and the summer stuff was on sale too. The prices were decent. It is still not as good at the US outlet stores, but they will do for now. I would therefore like to say that Carter's Canada: You're OK. I will return to you to purchase pajamas and gifts for my niece, and I no longer have high expectations of you. I am looking forward to our future relationship.

-Melissa

Hockey Night Out

Ever wish you could take your family to a Vancouver Canucks game, only to look at the ticket prices and have your mouth hang open in shock? Canucks games have quickly become a place for business and not a place for families.

But, have you ever thought of taking your family to a different game? A game that you could take your family of 4 to for the cost of 1 Canucks Ticket?

There are a few teams that are exciting, fast paced, and fun! Go see the up and comers of the NHL and see the Vancouver Giants, Chilliwack Bruins or the Abbotsford Heat. The Vancouver Giants and the Chilliwack Bruins are made up of teens from 15 to 20 years old who will be, or have already been, drafted for the NHL. They have skill and want to play professional hockey. They put on a good show every night and will knock you off your socks. The Abbotsford heat are the farm team for the Calgary Flames (I know I know... booooooooooo!). They are constantly trying to prove themselves to make it to the NHL by being called up to Calgary when they need another player or if someone gets injured.

Price for a WHL game (Giants or Bruins) is $20 or under.
Price for a AHL game (Heat) is $15-$45

Best Groupon Yet!

The Best Pedicure for the best price!!!

Do you need some pamper time all to yourself?
Do you need someone to rub your feet?
Do you need your toes to look super sparkly?

Well I do. The most amazing pedicure salon that I have had the privilege go to go it called Bloom Essentials. Located near Burrard on West 1st, it is a cute little shop in the front, pedicure studio in the back. What they do is not only high quality (awesome foot rub!), it is also amazingly beautiful! They can draw almost anything you want on your toes. Last Christmas I had tiny snowflakes with rhinestones and glitter. A friend of mine had skulls, another had daisies, and there were poppies, candy canes. I've seen Santa hats, boats, leopard print, etc. It's awesome!

Not only is it amazing, but TODAY ONLY there is a special on Groupon! Buy it for yourself, buy it for someone in your life, or get someone to get it for you, but ACT NOW!!! Click the link below! NOW!!!
Click here for the Bloom coupon!

Here is how Groupon works:


What is Groupon?

Each day, Groupon features an unbeatable deal on the best stuff to do, see, eat, and buy in your city. By promising businesses a minimum number of customers, we get discounts you won't find anywhere else. We call it "collective buying power!"

I like today's deal - how do I get it?

Just click "BUY" before the offer ends at midnight. If the minimum number of people sign up, we'll charge your card and send you a link to print your Groupon. If not enough people join, no one gets it (and you won't be charged), so invite your friends to make sure you get the deal!

What happens if the Groupon doesn't reach its required minimum number of purchasers?

If not enough people sign up, then the deal is canceled, and you won't be charged. Better luck next time! So if you really want the Groupon, be sure to either beg or threaten your friends