Alberta Flood Relief: How Dizolve Is Helping

Thousands of people have been forced from heir homes by flooding in Alberta, Canada. Now, until July 31st, Dizolve is lending a hand by donating $12 from every package to the Canadian Red Cross Alberta Floods Fund.

That's the ENTIRE purchase price, less $3 shipping/handling. Amazing!

Click here to buy a box and help out our friends in Alberta.

Canadian readers can enter our Dizolve giveaway right here. Ends July 2nd. 

Image via Canadian Red Cross. 

So Fawned On Cityline

Something pretty awesome is happening this month, mes amis!

Cityline -- Canada's longest running daytime show for women -- has asked me to be their featured blogger for November! Neato, right? I'm pretty blushy over this, I've been watching their show for years & it's an honour that they'd want to share my blog with their readers/viewers. Merci!

A snippet...

On your blog, you post about a variety of different topics, from your life as a mom to your fun finds on the internet. What do you like about posting on a variety of topics? What are your favourite types of posts to write?
The tagline of my blog reads, "My life, love, inspirations, style, motherhood & tea." This is me in a nutshell. I love being able to share stories from my daily life, quotes from my daughter, a geeky item I spotted in an online shop, a song I can't get out of my head, an outfit I'm wearing, a recipe and the things that make my heart flutter. It's an outlet which has brought me close to a wonderful community of fellow bloggers, readers and friends.

Pop over to their blog to keep reading!

Not Your Typical Ontario March

We've been doing a lot of this lately. Our neck of the woods happens to be experiencing record setting temperatures and everyone has been taking advantage of the sunshine & warmth. Last March there was still snow on the ground for a few weeks... this year we're putting on Badgers and eating ice cream in sundresses. It's insane. And we're LOVING it.

Been out on the bike every single day, the Chariot is back in action & we've been making trips down to the park where G likes to wade in the water cool water. My cheeks are even a bit sun-kissed.

Happy, happy days.

Much love & happy weekend. 

Goodnight Rain

Today was stormy, but the clouds brought more rain. I'm typing this just after midnight, ten days til Christmas, and it's 5° outside.

Sigh.

Maybe I should have grabbed a new raincoat for Gretchen, instead of worrying about whether her snowsuit would still fit. (It does.)

PS. Anyone ever have cellulitis?

Halloween Traditions At The House Of Fawn

This will be Gretchen's third Halloween, and our second attempt at trick or treating. I say second "attempt" because, as you may recall, last year's adventure was cut short by a bad reaction to the cold. Our October 31st was particularly frosty in 2010, and Gretchen's cheeks were unhappy at best. The poor dear only made it a few blocks before white welts covered her face and we had to turn back. This time around, I'm crossing my fingers for a slightly less chilly evening. Now that's she's just months away from turning three (oh my word), she understands the basics of Halloween -- we dress up, we say trick or treat, we get candy. I'm still coming to terms with her eating the candy, but I don't mind a little here and there.

When it comes to starting holiday traditions with my daughter, I like to look back at favourite traditions from my own childhood. My mom and I would always carve our pumpkins together, we'd decorate the house with spiderwebs and cute little ghosts. We'd always save the seeds for roasting in the oven, and after I came home from trick-or-treating, I'd sort all of my goodies into four basic food groups: chips, chocolate, candy, soda. Yum!

This year, Gretchen and I will carve our two big pumpkins together! I think we'll go for some happy faces, and they'll sit on our front steps, waiting for the big night to come. We also brought home a little pie pumpkin from the patch -- I think she'll paint/colour it, or decorate it in some other way. I haven't finished making her costume, but I hope to keep that tradition alive as well. I'm still quite proud of last year's Yoda getup! Still haven't figured out my costume, or if I'll dress up -- but I suppose it might be more fun for Gretchen if I do!

 Gilmore Gourds?

After we trick-or-treat a bit, Gretchen and I will be handing out candy to other kiddos at home. Deciding on a treat to give out can be tricky, as you know. Allergies are a worry, so I like to go for something peanut free, at least. Allan Candy has peanut-free treats, all made in Canada -- Intense Jubes & Jellies, Chewy Rascalz and Fruit Buddies are all in our lineup this year. (Though I'll be honest... I may have already been snacking on the Fruit Buddies... grape is my favourite!)

What will you be handing out this year? How do you help your kiddos snack responsibly? Do you worry about allergens?

Disclosure: I am participating in the Allan Candy Company program by Mom Central Canada. I received compensation for my participation in this campaign. As always, the opinions on this blog are my own.

"I'm Going To The Parade, Everybody!"

Is what she yelled as we left the cafe this morning to claim our sidewalk spot for some Canada Day parade watching. She's such a sweetheart.







She really didn't want to smile for this one... no dice, mama.






My little one is now enjoying a very late afternoon nap (pushed back two hours by our sunny outing). I'm considering letting her sleep as long as she'd like, and treating her to fireworks tonight. Not sure she'll be able to stay up that late, but she'd certainly enjoy it.

I suppose we'll play it by ear.

Hope you're all enjoying your Canada Day, lovelies. Enjoy the sun, stay safe & be wonderful.

PS. Last two pics taken by daddio.

Get Thee To The Ballots, Canada!

Have you voted yet?

The boy and I made our way down the street earlier this morning to cast our votes at the most awkward polling station known to man, with a very grumpy citizen standing behind us, sighing loudly at the backs of our necks. But, despite the weirdness of the voting location, and the less than politeness of the folks present, I'm happy to have marked my little ballot! Voting always makes me feel pretty damn proud. I haven't missed an election since I turned 18,and I don't plan on it. Happy election day!

Plus, check out this great post from PhD in Parenting.

Source.