Happy Thanksgiving

Well I have most of it prepped, just gotta start the turkey with the stuffing in the morning and then work on the rest.  I am pretty excited to finally do my own turkey dinner.  I think I have everything under control although I feel a bit out of control though without a list, I am a list girl :)

But the main reason for Thanksgiving is to give thanks!  I am thankful for my amazing and supportive family and friends.  I am also thankful for all of you!  If it wasn't for all of you great readers I wouldn't be able to do this blog to the extent that I do now.  I love what I do, that it fits so well into my life and works so well for my family.  The sponsors and companies I am also thankful for, again, if it wasn't for them none of us would have this blog, although I am sure you guys could find another, I couldn't!

So for that I am thankful, what are you thankful for?  Enjoy your turkey if you getting one :)

Tim Hortons #CBias #EqualCanada

I love Tim Hortons, for those of you who aren't Canadians you may not have heard of it.  Its our version of Dunkin Doughnuts, I think that's your go to coffee place.  Tim Hortons has the best coffee, its cheap, always fresh and hot, and you can get it made how you want.  I don't drink regular old coffee, I just don't like it, I drink French Vanilla coffees which are sooooo good and I usually have a bagel and doughnut or cinnamon bun to go along with it :)  I also love to pick these up to make at home, in French Vanilla of course!

When I had the opportunity to take some time for me and head to Tim Hortons for a coffee date I was all over it, that's something you don't have to think twice about!  With cooking my first Thanksgiving dinner on Monday night I am sleeping and breathing turkey, just not eating it yet.  I could definitely use a few minutes away and thought what better way to do that than over some coffee with a friend.

My girlfriend Christy (above) and I (in the orange) met up for lunch today and had a great catch up.  We have 3 in our town and went to the one closest to my work, as I work all weekend but was on a lunch break.  This restaurant was just recently renovated and looks great, and it right beside a Wendys.  It was nice, don't tell the kids, to not have them underfoot and we could actually focus on each other instead of 1/2 paying attention and 1/2 dealing with kids.  It was also cheaper :)  The kids love Tim Hortons and have big lists of things that they each like to eat.  Brandon could even say Timmies at less than 2 years old and knew when we were driving past one :)  You think I go there to often?

There is something about the way Timmies, as we Canadians call it, put all of their baked goods on display that makes your mouth water.  You go in just wanting a nice hot cup of coffee, or an iced capp in the Summer, and walk out with more.  I don't think I have ever left Timmies with just a coffee.  When my girlfriend and I went yesterday we got a full lunch to go with our coffees.  Sandwiches, soup, cinnamon bun, doughnut an iced capp, and pop, can't get much better than that.

The purpose of our trip to Tim Hortons was to find out about the different sweeteners that they offer.  You don't just have the cream and sugar options like it used to be. They had cream, milk, sugar, and splenda.  The cashier was saying to me that you could even use their vanilla syrup as a sweetener.  That's a good idea but no less sugar although you would get some flavour with the sweet at the same time.  The Tim Hortons I was at didn't carry Equal but I did leave a comment card suggesting that they carry it.  Its a great option for people with diabetes and those looking to watch their sugar intake!

This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. #CBias but all opinions are as always my own!

Green Toys with a Giveaway

Brandon has lots of "green" toys and lots of those are Green Toys!  Green Toys are made from recycled milk jugs and are 100% made in the USA.  From the recycling, to production and assembly are done in California.  How awesome is that!?!  Green Toys products are tested by nationally recognized, independent, third-party labs (located, yes, in the USA.) They contain no traceable amounts of Phthalates or BPA. They are also designed without any external coatings, eliminating the fear of lead paint.

The packaging is also very environmentally friendly.  They minimize packaging, and all of their boxes use as little material as possible. All Green Toys products are packaged in recycled corrugated boxes with no plastics, cellophane or twist-ties, and are 100% recyclable. So, not only are they earth-friendly and ready for your recycling bin, they are really easy to open for those little fingers just itching to get at the toys!!

We believe the world would be a much better place if everyone said “please” and “thank you", cell phones didn’t ring during movies, and all toys were fun, safe, and made from environmentally friendly materials. Since it’s probably no use holding our breath for those first two, we’re concentrating on the toys.

Green Toys Inc. makes an awesome line of classic children’s toys constructed from recycled plastic and other environmentally friendly materials. This helps reduce fossil fuel use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improving the overall health and happiness of the planet.

Brandon and Kristina each recieved a few things from Green Toys and they were pretty excited when they arrived.  I was pretty happy, again, with how easy they were to open up and get into, you know they can't wait long to get playing!  We got a jump rope, which isn't just for skipping either, they use it to play tug of war, to pull each other on cardboard boxes, to tow bikes and more.  The ecosaucer flying disc, which I love because it doesn't end up in the recycle after a few months because its thin and flimsy.  It has some strenght to it and will last for sure, however its still easy for Brandon to throw. 

We also got the sand play set.  This isn't just for Summer either, you can use it for gardening in the greenhouse, digging in the wet Fall dirt and the bucket is great to take on walks for collecting bits and pieces that they find along the way but can't bear to leave behind.  Green toys are very moderately priced.  The jump rope is $10.49 the sand play set is $21.99 and the ecosaucer flying disc is $5.49.  They are a bit higher priced than the cheap ones you find a department stores but they are way better quality.  They make great gifts and I love that you don't need to replace them every year, if not sooner like some others!  I am hoping Brandon gets the brand new school bus for Christmas, hint hint :)

One lucky US reader is going to win a sand and play set from Green Toys!

To Enter:

 

Go to Green Toys and tell me what other product you would like to get other than the ones I mentioned

(this must be done for additional entries to count)

 

Additional Entries:

 

- add my Fun and Funky Mommy button to your blog (2 entries)

- follow me publicly (2 entries)

- subscribe to Fun and Funky Mommy

- like me on facebook (leave your first name and last initial so I can find you)

- blog about this giveaway with a link to me

- follow me on twitter @Funfunkymommy AND tweet about this giveaway for one entry (can RT daily for another entry)

***Feel free to Retweet this***

Win a sand and play set from Green Toys - made out of recycled milk jugs @Funfunkymommy http://tinyurl.com/6enn858


***** Contest will end on November 5th at 8:00 PM. I will use Random.org to choose the winner. The winner will have 72 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. Make sure that your profile is set to public or that you include your email in your comments because if I can't get a hold of you can't win! Contest open to USA ONLY*****

Halloween is coming, are you ready?

We are picking up Kristina's costume tomorrow, now that we have been to all of the stores, thought about it, and has sort of, tentatively, made a decision.  Halloween is a big deal for kids.  I think she feels like it has to be better than the year before every year which makes it hard.  It has to be perfect and she wants to be about 20 things and just can't narrow it down.

Brandon however has wanted to be only about 5 things but for him its not an issue.  He has a big drawer full of costumes, play silks, swords made of foam, I am not that crazy, hats and masks.  If he wants to change his mind everyday I am so ok with that, as long as he only changes to something else in the dress up drawer.  So far he has wanted to be a pirate for the last two weeks or so.  When we were at the dollar store today I upgraded him to a plastic sword, we will see how bad of an idea that was later, and a chest shield to complete his outfit.  I just need to pick up an eye patch and we are done.

The only thing that makes Halloween more fun for Brandon than everyday dressing up is the candy, and probably seeing all of the other kids dressed up as well.  We play dress up almost everyday though and are big on imaginary play.  I think its good for kids to not just play with their toys but to take them to the next level.  Its one thing to pile up some blocks into a castle but another thing all together to get our your little people and animals and play kingdom for an hour.

Disney Junior Dress-Up Mondays is going to be starting on the 10th. It's a chance to see all of your hard work (not just on the costume) featured on Disney Junior and DisneyJunior.ca.  It doesn't even need to be their Halloween costume, if they have even decided yet, just take a picture of dress up time!

•Phase 1: Upload a photo of your little one all dressed up on DisneyJunior.ca between October 10th and 17th

•Phase 2: Tune into Disney Junior on Mondays in October (17th, 24th, and 31st) and you could see your little one on the big screen! Perhaps on the small screen too! Check out the spooky gallery on DisneyJunior.ca for even more ghoulishly delightful little creatures.

If you’re thinking this treat couldn’t get any sweeter – think again! To accompany each Dress Up Monday Disney Junior will be showcasing brand new Hallowe’en themed shows! We don’t want you to miss out – so here’s the line up

October 10 – Special Agent Oso *new episode*

October 17 – Jake and The Never Land Pirates *new episode*, and Stella and Sam *new episode*

October 24 – Jungle Junction *new episode*

October 31 – FULL DAY OF HALLOWEEN THEMED EPISODES!

Be sure to check it out!  You know we will be!!!

Disclosure: I’m part of the Playhouse Disney Junior Mom program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Thanksgiving - Who is as excited as me?

I am so excited for Thanksgiving this coming Monday, I am cooking, with my husbands help, my first turkey with all the fixings!  I have been planing the menu out in my head for the past two weeks.  My parents are going to see my brother for Thanksgiving and its not a big holiday for my Mother in law so if we want turkey its up to us.  With how much I love turkey, well a turkey bun anyways, we just have to.  When we thought my parents were going to be in town we were going to buy a turkey anyways just for leftovers.  You really can't recreate a turkey bun!

So my menu consists of turkey, obviously, my secret family stuffing recipe, homemade cranberry chutney, we just canned it last week, roasted potatoes and sweet potatoes, fresh corn on the cob that I blanched and cut off the cob and froze.  Buns and pickles, home canned, and something for dessert.  I can't believe I haven't decided on a dessert.  I am trying to make the entire thing wheat free, other than the buns lol.  Wheat free buns are so bad that Kris won't even eat them. 

I am not a big fan of pumpkin pie or pumpkin itself really, other than to look at or of course roasted seeds, those are yummy, so what should I make.  Maybe I will make up a Betty Crocker Gluten Free Devils Food cake, Kris loved the last one I made, and I could decorate it with orange icing.  Or I could make a Chocolate-Orange cake with Ganache Glaze!  Check out this and more easy recipies on Life Made Delicious!  I hope that by now you use it lots, I just typed gluten free cake into the search bar and the Chocolate-Orange cake with Ganache Glaze came up, how yummy does that look!  I think I will have to make it, I will let you know how it turns out unless one of you has an even better recipie from Life Made Delicious to share with me!

Disclaimer: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Connector program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Live Clean with a Giveaway

So Live Clean has been here before, you can check out my review of the Enviro Kidz collection here!  This time around I was able to review the Baby Soothing Relief Line of products.  Just because they are baby products doesn't mean they are just for babies, they are just meant to keep skin baby soft.  Brandon and I have been using the shampoo and wash as well as the baby lotion and its awesome.  We are loving it just as much as the Kidz line!

Live Clean Baby believes that “going green” is all about taking baby steps towards making significant eco-conscious efforts in your life. Buying eco-friendly baby care products is an easy first step to “going green”.

Live Clean Baby is a unique collection of eco-friendly baby care products designed with your baby and the environment in mind. Live Clean Baby promises performance with natural, gentle ingredients - caring for baby's delicate skin using plant based formulations enriched with certified organic botanicals that are safe for baby and safe for the earth.

The Live Clean Baby Soothing Relief collection also includes baby bath, diaper ointment, and non-petroleum jelly.  Its available at Walmart and Superstores among others.  Check it out next time you see it, you will be pleased!  It left our skin feeling very clean and I loved that I didn't feel like I was covered in residue afterwards.  The lotion was amazing, it rubbed in so well and had a nice gentle scent to it!  I even have a giveaway for one lucky Canadian!  You can win the entire Live Clean Baby Soothing Relief Collection (Canada only)!!

To Enter:

Go to Live Clean and tell me what other product interests you

(This must be done for additional entries to count)

Additional Entries:

- add my Fun and Funky Mommy button to your blog (2 entries)

- follow me publicly (2 entries)

- subscribe to Fun and Funky Mommy

- like me on facebook (leave your first name and last initial so I can find you)

- blog about this giveaway with a link to me

- follow me on twitter @Funfunkymommy AND tweet about this giveaway for one entry (can RT daily for another entry)

***Feel free to Retweet this***

Win the entire Live Clean Baby Collection (Canada only) @Funfunkymommy http://tinyurl.com/5tpceq8


***** Contest will end on October 27th at 8:00 PM. I will use Random.org to choose the winner. The winner will have 72 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. Make sure that your profile is set to public or that you include your email in your comments because if I can't get a hold of you can't win! Contest open to Canada ONLY*****

My Wonderful Walls Facebook Giveaway

I am a huge fan of My Wonderful Walls and love watching their Facebook page to see photos that their customers post about how they have made over their kids rooms.  Its pretty neat seeing parents, who say they have no artistic ability, redo their kids entire rooms and have them end up looking amazing!  My Wonderful Walls if you don't remember my review is a company who sells not only wall decals, which I love, but they also well wall mural art kits. The short of it is to put up a sticker with a cut out, you paint inside it, peel it off and wam bam you have a dinosaur or a rocket or a dog :)

My Wonderful Walls has sort of an "ugly room" contest, officially called "Make My Walls Wonderful Photo Contest" going on right now.  People submit their ugly room photos, people vote, and then get the chance to win any product from My Wonderful Walls.  The contest will run untill the end of October so make sure you check it out, its easy to enter!

PS I hear they are getting a pirate set - I want one :)

Who loves a free movie?

SAVE THE DATE FOR FREE MOVIES! October 22nd is Community Day at Cineplex. Join us on the morning of Saturday, October 22nd at all Cineplex Entertainment theatres for Community Day in support of Starlight Children's Foundation. Doors open at 8:30AM with a great selection of FREE movies beginning at 9:00AM. Plus, enjoy a regular popcorn, regular fountain drink and selected candy for only 2 DOLLARS each with 100% of the proceeds donated to Starlight Children's Foundation! For more information, please visit: http://www.cineplex.com/Promos/Starlight/Community.aspx 

About Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada:

For more than 20 years Starlight Children’s Foundation has been dedicated to improving the quality of life for children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses and life-altering injuries. Through a broad array of in-patient, out-patient and online resources, Starlight works hard to support seriously ill children and their families from diagnosis through the entire course of medical treatment and beyond. Whether it’s a trip to the zoo, a toy-filled playroom or an exciting sporting event, Starlight’s mission is to bring fun, joy and giggles right where they are needed the most!

Raspberry Kids with a Giveaway

Cars aren't just for for boys!  Don't get me wrong Brandon loves playing with cars, he plays with them all the time but there is no rule that says girls can't have just as much fun with cars as boys.  No with the new Green Toys pink race car.  Now girls can have a race car that's not just fun but pink.  How much fun is a girls pink race car?

Brandon received the new Green Toys race car from Raspberry Kids, an amazing kids toy store, for review and he loves it.  Its not a huge toddler one but also not a really small metal one.  Its the perfect size for him.  Not to big or to small.  The only thing he doesn't like about it is that there is no "dude" in it.  Hes tried to fit other dudes in it but so far nothing is fitting right. 

Buckle up, because the Green Toys™ Race Car is ready to roll! Built in the USA from 100% recycled plastic milk containers that save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, this sleek racer will tear up the track without harming the planet. This cool hot rod is better than any hybrid, and proudly displays the #2 recycled plastic symbol from which it is made on its hood. The ultra-eco design has no metal axles.

Raspberry Kids was started by an amazingly inspiring Mother Sue Sinclair and read her story here!  I can only give you a glimpse of what Sue carries at Raspberry Kids, she covers about everything that you need for your kids.  She has clothes, toys, things for eating, bathing, decorating, organizing and about anything else you can think of.  There are a good 50 things that I would love to get from Raspberry Kids!

If you want to tell me what you would love to get from Raspberry Kids, and are from Canada, you can win the pink race car from Green Toys!

To Enter:

Tell me what else from Raspberry Kids you would like

(This must be done for additional entries to count)

Additional Entries:

- add my Fun and Funky Mommy button to your blog (2 entries)

- follow me publicly (2 entries)

- subscribe to Fun and Funky Mommy

- like me on facebook (leave your first name and last initial so I can find you)

- blog about this giveaway with a link to me

- follow me on twitter @Funfunkymommy AND tweet about this giveaway for one entry (can RT daily for another entry)

***Feel free to Retweet this***

Win a pink Green Toys race car from Raspberry Kids @Funfunkymommy http://tinyurl.com/67xz3od


***** Contest will end on October 27th at 8:00 PM. I will use Random.org to choose the winner. The winner will have 72 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. Make sure that your profile is set to public or that you include your email in your comments because if I can't get a hold of you can't win! Contest open to Canada only*****

13 Days of Halloween giveaway

Do you want something eco-friendly for your kids to carry their Halloween goodies in? Topical BioMedics, the maker of Topricin Pain Relief and Healing Cream has just the answer.


In celebration of the 13 Days of Halloween, beginning on Monday 10/10 through Saturday 10/22, Topical BioMedics will be giving away limited edition Topricin Boo Boos Happen Trick or Treat Bags everyday to 13 lucky random winners.

Topricin’s Boo Boos Happen jumbo size Trick or Treat Bag is eco-friendly and is made of recyclable, non-woven polypropylene. The bag measures 14” X 15” and has a 16” handle – the perfect size for kids to carry home their Halloween treats.

And for Moms and Dads who will be standing for hours handing out candy, walking with kids in their quest for treats, carrying heavy bags of goodies or dancing in uncomfortable costume shoes at Halloween parties…Topical BioMedics is providing the remedy you and your family need to get through Halloween - pain free.

The Boo Boos Happen Trick or Treat Bag includes samples of Topricin Classic and Topricin Junior to help ease the aches and pains for both adults and kids.

To be entered to win Topricin Boo Boos Happen Trick or Treat Bag Contest, simply like Topricin on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/Topricin or follow Topricin on Twitter - http://twitter.com/topricin and then e-mail your name, address and phone number to marketing@topicalbiomedics.com to complete your entry. (Note: this is the address where the Trick or Treat Bag should be sent.)

Topical BioMedics will select 13 random winners each day of the contest. All winners will be notified by e-mail and Topricin Boo Boos Happen Trick or Treat Bags will arrive at your doorstep just in time for Halloween.  It starts October 10th and runs untill the 22nd.

Don’t forget to check out Topricin’s NEW ‘Boo Boos Happen’ first aid kit - now available!

The Boo Boos Happen first aid kit is a must-have for Moms and includes: a tube of Topricin Junior and ‘Ouchies’ self adhesive bandages that kids can decorate themselves, creating a design with the markers that are included. The handy zippered blue bag is perfect for tucking in other essentials and is recyclable.

The Boo Boos Happen first aid kit can be purchased at Topricin’s online store at http://www.topricin.com/product/boobooshappen/. Enter in promo code BOO25 to receive 25% off your order.

Topricin is available in pharmacies, natural food stores and other fine retailers nationwide, including Whole Foods, Vitamin Shoppe, Vitamin World, Fred Meyer, Wegmans, and other retail stores throughout the U.S., as well as direct from the Topical BioMedics’ online store.