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Our Memorable Fisher-Price Favourites and an Exclusive offer for you

I have always been a fan of Fisher-Price products, as I like how they design their toys with a learning aspect.  Their products playfully engage our children's curious minds, bodies, and personalities.  Ever since my children were born, I have always bought meaningful toys that help them as they grow up.  We know that children learn best as they play and have fun.

It is easy for us to choose Fisher-Price products as gifts for children since the products in their site are separated by baby-gear, walking, learning or discovering.  The toys are also separated by age categories such as 0 months+, 6 months+, 9 months+ and 12 months +. I feel good giving and buying reliable quality products, as I know from experience that the products stay in good shape even after everything my children have put them through. The Fisher-Price toys and gears that my children used were in such good condition that I have gladly passed it onto a family member that could use it.

There is a Drastic Need For Empathy In All of Us

Poverty is a sad reality.  This truth makes my heart break because I can't eliminate it as an individual.  I think it is possible at least in some level if all the governments in the world collaborate and help each other without any expectations to get anything back in return.  We all know that this problem of poverty impacts billions of people around the world.  There are many people living under the poverty line even in developed North American countries because of circumstances.

Exposing our children to know this truth at a young age is important so they learn to appreciate the things they have and sometimes take for granted; it is also a good reminder for us as well.  TIFF Kids Film Festival from April 9th to 21st will have films and features such as Children of Kabul that I think we should take our children to watch.  

Toys that children will enjoy

All children enjoy playing with toys, and I think this must be encouraged as it helps them grow their imagination.  These are some of the toys that my children enjoy playing with...

LEGO Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out

All the LEGO Star Wars fans will be excited to know that LEGO Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out is available on DVD.  

We thought that this movie was really fun that the whole family can enjoy.  The smooth animation is creative and was fun to watch.  My son was excited to watch this hilarious 22 minutes long DVD.  Since my son loves LEGO and owns some LEGO pieces for Star Wars characters he was very excited to see the Lego characters in action.  This action packed comic adventure also includes a Darth Vader minifigure for children over 6 years.  

Spring comes with many occasions to celebrate

Spring is here, with it comes lots of wonderful celebrations...  My daughter bloomed in spring, along side with hyacinths so we totally look forward to spring to celebrate her birthday.  

With upcoming celebrations such as Mother's day, Father's day, achievements like graduations, birthdays, and anniversaries I look for thoughtful things to give my loved ones.  My family and I have been able to rely on Hallmark cards and products to help us make our statements of love to each other.

Win a Family pack of tickets to the Toronto Toopy and Binoo show

If you want to win a family pack of 4 tickets to the Toopy and Binoo show in Toronto for 10 am at Sony Centre on April 27, 2013 then enter the rafflecopter giveaway below before April 13th. 

We are planning to take lots of Gardening Shortcuts this Summer

It is that time of the year when we start thinking of gardening projects and designing outdoors.  I totally look forward to spring, as I like to plan and think of all the possible projects we can do in the garden even before the ground thaws.  

Since we are planning on a trip this summer :) the time I have to garden this year is limited.  I want to make sure that we maximize the fun of gardening by spending as little time maintaining it.  This book Gardening Shortcuts has lots of ideas that will make this possible, and I am sure every gardener will appreciate the tips found in this book.  

The suggested tips and ideas in this book lets us get the maximum benefit of enjoying our garden with less time maintaining it.

Last year, we gave a quick lift to a dull garden space by creating a flowerbed and adding rocks.  Seeing this idea in the book made me feel good that I had come up with this project last year.

To make this flower bed we mounted a lot of soil because we wanted some height.  Then we planted a Japanese maple tree that we bought from Sheridan.  We chose the blood good variety of Japanese maple tree that doesn't grow too tall, and has bright red leaves.  

Around the tree, we placed Pefferlaw deco stones and gravel river rocks that can be purchased in all these locations.  I like how rocks give a serene, natural atmosphere to the garden while helping control weeds in an eco-friendly way.  Usually adding rocks and hard elements to the garden brings the lush colours of plants and flowers to become more focused and attractive. 

We also put a solar spotlight in this area that makes the plants glow at night.  To give the area more colour we planted different coloured pansies and marigold.  To make sure the area does not get a crowded and cluttered we always prune and remove the plants that spread.

This book gives a lot of ideas on how we can create privacy and sheltered spaces in the garden by adding fences and patio.  It also has lovely decorative projects that we can do without incurring a big cost.

This book also shows us neat ideas on how we can grow fruits and vegetables in a decorative manner.

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Our Triceratops Trapper Lego from Chapters Indigo

Chapters Indigo is having a fabulous Lego sale promotion that ends on March 31st. We are big fans of Lego, so we couldn't resist this promotion and the variety of fabulous Lego at Indigo.  We ordered the Triceratops Trapper LEGO set that my son has been wanting for a long time.  When we purchased this dinosaur Lego set online we got free shipping  and the order included a small package of Lego City building toy for free. 

A Quilling Project In Celebration of the National Craft Month

I enjoying doing crafts since I was a child. I find doing crafts to be relaxing and enjoy it even when the crafts don't always turn out the way it is intended. Now my children and I enjoy doing crafts together.

This fabulous Craft: Techniques and Projects book composed by a team of craft experts has loads of of ideas that is sure to please a lot of people. There are six sections in the book separated by textile, paper craft, jewelry, ceramics and glass, candles and soap, and eco crafts. All the projects come with details about the tools and materials. There are templates in the back of the book that are useful to do the projects.  

I enjoy quilling or doing paper filigree, so I chose to do this quilled flower arrangement project from the book and placed the finished project in a frame.  

Quilling is a centuries-old art of making decorative shapes with paper. This craft is lots of fun and addictive once you learn how to do it. I think to enjoy and do the projects properly we need to have the correct tools.

For this project...

I used quilling paper that is sold pre-cut, however if you wish you can cut 1/8" wide coloured paper using a craft knife.  

Quilling tool or the book suggests we use a toothpick, however I haven't used a toothpick to do quilling.

Cardstock to paste the project.

2 tweezers helped me place the pieces.

PVA or transparent glue.

Toothpick and a post-it-note paper to put the glue.

To create this project I used the quilling tool to roll the paper then let it unravel a bit. After playing with the lightly unraveled piece of quilled paper to make shapes, I glued the end so the pieces don't unravel all the way. I planned on how I want to place the pieces before gluing the quilled shapes carefully using the tweezers. After the project was completed I displayed it in a frame.

All rights reserved on photographs and written content Createwithmom © 2011 - 2013. Please Ask First