Even though the first inaugural event for WE Day Family was last week, I am still on a euphoric high of what I will always remember as being a motivational, powerful and inspiring evening. My son was picked by his school - the only boy, I must add - to attend the WE Day event during the day. As a single mom, I am very proud of this one-of-a kind 12-year-old who has been volunteering for many different groups and organizations for more than four years. In fact, I was beaming with pride when my son received the wonderful news that he was picked as one of nine students to represent his school.

When we were offered an opportunity to attend WE Day Family later that evening on behalf of Toronto Teacher Mom, we knew it was an experience we couldn't pass up. As a Junior Reporter, my son will be sharing his thoughts on his first WE Day experience in the next few days, so stay tuned!

To this day, I am still in awe of everyone we saw that evening from Rick Hansen and Paula Abdul, to Nelly Furtado and Chris Hadfield who played guitar with the Barenaked Ladies. Yes, you read that correctly! I was blown away by their performance which set the night off like fireworks on Canada Day.

The whole night, I had goosebumps and tears rolling down my face. I know WE can make a difference in this world and there are already so many amazing people out there making an impact. Take the Berry family, for example, whose lives were drastically changed because someone decided to change a DVD for his child while driving.  Read the Berry Family's story here, as there is no way I could do justice to the hardships they have endured and their commitment to putting an end to distracted driving. Warning, be sure to have some tissue at your side. 

When Gord Downie hit the stage I was moved. I was mesmerized. He was, in a word, omnipresent. While he sang, pictures from the upcoming “Secret Path” film that he has been working on with Jeff Lamire were heartbreaking to watch. A part of our Canadian history that had not been spoken about for so many years is now out and taught in schools today. It is tragic what so many innocent children had to endure in the Residential Schools. To learn more about this upcoming film visit Secretpath.ca

It's amazing to think that the WE Movement began over twenty years ago with two young activists who were courageous and brave enough to set out on a mission to work with developing communities to free children and their families from poverty and exploitation. The efforts of Craig and Marc Kielburger have inspired so many since then, my son included. He has always wanted to start a charity and, after having attended WE Day, he feels even more empowered to accomplish his goal. Thank you for continuing to inspire us and for reminding us that together WE can change the world.

Click here for a blog post written by Toronto Teacher Mom junior report Luis who shared his first WE Day experience.

Just when you thought Dyson engineers couldn't possibly get more innovative, they invent a humidifier unlike any other. The Dyson Humidifier is the newest fan technology to launch in Canada and with it comes state of the art technology that will have you thinking twice about your next humidifier purchase. We all know that dry household air can lead to dehydrated skin, blocked sinuses and an increased susceptibility to colds and flus. But have you ever thought about the potential bacteria that can breed inside your humidifier? It is one of the reasons why I recently tossed out my daughter's old humidifier. Instead, I will be taking advantage of the Ultraviolet Cleanse technology in our new Dyson Humidifier and rest assured that it will kill 99.9% of bacteria in the water. 

Recalling how easy it was to assemble our Dyson Pure Cool Link Air Purifier, I was eager to set up our Dyson Humidifier review unit until I saw there were a few extra parts to consider. I reviewed the manual to become better familiar with all the parts and followed the instructions for first time use. I filled the water tank with cool tap water and placed it on top of the base by holding onto the convenient red handle, then plugged in the unit.

After taking a brief moment to admire the beauty of its design, I watched as water trickled into the base.

I then turned on the Dyson Humidifier and waited approximately three minutes while the water passed over a UV-C emitter, ensuring that it was 99.9% bacteria-free. Once it started to mist, I adjusted the settings using the remote control which allows you control humidity target levels, increase or decrease air flow, set a sleep timer or toggle between humidifier and fan mode. There is also the option to switch to automatic mode which uses Intelligent Climate Control to measure both the temperature and moisture in the air to create a comfortable environment.

Our family loves the new Dyson Humidifier and the ability to switch between humidifier and fan modes. I also love how smart it is and that it makes it easy for me to maintain ideal humidity levels, similar to the Dyson Link App. We just need to make sure we stay on top of weekly and monthly cleaning. We also registered our unit to receive free 2 year parts and labour warranty, which is fantastic given the hefty $599.99 price tag.

To introduce you to this newest technology, Dyson will be attending The BabyTime Show at the Metro Convention Centre from November 11-13. The BabyTime show is a forum for families and parents-to-be to discover the latest and greatest in baby products and services, hear from parenting experts and enjoy toddler entertainment. This year, I have a set of two tickets* to give away so one lucky reader courtesy of Dyson! Simply complete the Rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received product to help facilitate this review. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Based in Stockholm, Sweden, Sudio is a lifestyle brand that designs elegant earphones with studio quality sound. They recently launched here in Canada and were so kind to send over a set of their Vasa Blå wireless earphones. Of the four colour choices, I went with their stylish white earphones with rose gold accents to compliment my iPhone. They are compatible with all Bluetooth devices and are fairly easy to pair. Simply press and hold the play button until the flashing light changes from blue to red. Oh, and say goodbye to tangled earphones. The Vasa Blå cable is flattened and much shorter than traditional earphone cables, making it virtually tangle-free.

These premium earphones feature a built-in microphone and offer up to eight hours of wireless freedom. The Vasa Blå earphones, which retail for $140, also include a sleek white leather carrying case with matching rose gold accents, a metal clip, extra sleeves, and a charging cable. The sound quality is great and, although I prefer headphones, these earphones are quite comfortable and so lightweight, I find I am using them more often than not.  

While Sudio is based in Sweden, they always offers tax-free purchases as well as fast and free worldwide delivery. And, as an added bonus, they are currently offering an exclusive 15% discount to Toronto Teacher Mom readers. Simply use the code teachermom at checkout for your exclusive savings on your next pair of Vasa Blå wireless earphones.

Disclosure: I received product to help facilitate this review. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

If you told me that motherhood doesn't change you, I would definitely beg to differ. There is something that happens to you when you have a baby, changes that take place even before baby takes her first breath. I believe its nature's way of preparing you as you take on the incredible responsibility of caring for another human being. You begin to develop a sense of preservation, an instinct that screams, Protect this child at all costs. It wasn't until my first child was born a little over a decade ago that I became more critical of the way we lived our lives, the products we brought into our home and the ways in which we could make a positive impact on the environment. Since then, we have purchased many a reusable bag, observed off-peak hours when tending to the laundry, and consumed more natural and organic foods than I can count. I have also tried several different environmentally friendly cleaning products, including laundry detergents, but oftentimes it felt like I was sacrificing "clean" for "green." 

Over the past few years, I made the switch back to Tide because I longed for a laundry detergent with enough cleaning power to tackle grass stains, dirt, and other everyday stains that are part and partial of having kids. When Tide introduced their line of Free and Gentle laundry detergent, I was so happy to discover that they had created a detergent that was free of dyes and perfumes, and that it was gentle on skin. But then, in September, Tide launched Tide purclean, the first bio-based detergent with the cleaning power of Tide, and in doing so, has taken a step towards a more sustainable future. The mama bear in me jumped for joy. Not only is Tide purclean 65% bio-based, as certified by USDA BioPreferred Program, it still boasts exceptional stain removal, brightening power, colour-care and efficiency in energy-saving cold water, just like Tide Original Laundry Detergent.

#ad A peak into my laundry basket of freshly cleaned towels. Introducing @tidelaundry #purclean, the first bio-based detergent with the cleaning power of Tide. And my newest best friend. #laundry #Tide #tidelaundry #tidelaundrydetergent #artofclean #review #Tidepurclean

A photo posted by Diana Mancuso (@torontomom) on Oct 12, 2016 at 7:50pm PDT

Since I first started using Tide purclean, I have tested it out on our cotton towels, on the kids uniforms and on our everyday clothing, without disappointment and with greater peace of mind. Why? Tide purclean is free of dyes, chlorine, phosphates and optical brighteners. You may also be surprised to learn that it is produced at a facility that uses 100% renewable wind power electricity, resulting in zero manufacturing waste to landfill. And yes, it is available unscented but trust me when I say, you have to try the Honey Lavender scent. It is a delightful potpourri of lavender, jasmine, orange flower and amber woods that is incredibly pleasant and mild to the senses. 

Tide purclean is HE-Compatible and is now available at retailers across Canada.

Find out how you can join Tide purclean and Nelly Furtado to support the Count for Nature movement.

Disclosure: I have received product and have been compensated to put Tide purclean to the test. The opinions on this blog are my own.

As most teachers will agree, summer is the best season ever! Not only do we have the good fortune of having two months off work but we get to spend more time with the family. Those of us with kids look forward to catering to their every need, cleaning up after them, tending to bumps and scratches, mediating arguments between siblings, making sure dinner is on the table, the kids are bathed, the beds are made, the bills are paid... You get the picture? Sometimes I wonder if my husband thinks that the kids are always perfect angels and that birds tweet their songs à la Mary Poppins all day long. Because, really... parenting is easy, isn't it?

No, it isn't always easy. Which is why a part of me looks forward to the fall and returning back to work so I can feel a bit more 'normal.' Plus, it means my husband gets a little taste of what single-parenting is like on select evenings such as curriculum night or parent-teacher interviews when he has to watch the kids on his own. I can only imagine what goes on. Do you have your own stories to share? To celebrate the launch of Man With a Plan, you are invited to share your most favourite or funniest story of dad taking care of the kids while mom is out by leaving a comment on this post. Then complete the Rafflecopter form below for a chance to win a package of four 2017 season passes to Canada's Wonderland for you and your family to enjoy. Contest is open to residents of Ontario. Transportation not included.

Man With A Plan from Corus PR on Vimeo.

Call me crazy but there's something about earning badges that is incredibly rewarding and extremely motivating. I wanted to get 'em all! But that wasn't the only fun part. At each camp along the route, we were greeted with enthusiastic volunteers who cheered us on. It was also great to tag along with Deborah and her son, whose company motivated my son to keep going as far as we did.

Along the way, there were plenty of snacks and drinks, as well as a variety of fun activities for the whole family, including play structures at the neighbourhood parks. Our first activity, aptly named "Messy Hands", had participants painting their hands and decorating a larger than life SickKids sign. 

Other activities included shooting hoops at Camp Spirit of Hope, identifying local plant life, brushing up on jump rope skills, enjoying lunch at Camp Wilderness Wonders and working in teams to cross a finish line using giant bear feet.

We may have even spotted an incredibly large bear along the way, not to mention Big Foot.

After hanging out at Camp Loopity Loop, we took a shuttle back to Main Camp where we grabbed some burgers, hotdogs, fries, freshly made ice cream cookie sandwiches and much more. We even noticed that some of our tweets appeared on the big screen at the main stage, which was really neat.

After all was said and down, I was extremely proud of my kids for dedicating their entire Saturday to participate in the event and even more so for surpassing our goal and fundraising nearly $700 for SickKids. 

If you're interested in registering for the 2017 Canaccord Genuity Great Camp Adventure Walk, I recommend that you sign up before October 15, 2016 so that you can save on registration fees, which are as little as $10 for youth and $20 for adults. Participants will not only enjoy a day full of fun activities, you will also enjoy great meals and snacks along the way and receive an event t-shirt and badges to commemorate the special day.

As much as I am sad to say goodbye to summer, there is a certain je ne sais quoi about the fall season that makes up for the cooler temperatures and fewer daylight hours. It could be that I have more of an excuse to snuggle up with my hubby in the evenings. Or perhaps it's that I associate the season with family and food, what with Thanksgiving just around the corner. Ah, yes! Food! I could eat my way through fall and never look back.

While at my local Walmart Supercentre recently, I passed through their fresh produce department and their Canadian Barlett pears caught my eye. I then remembered that I had a new recipe to try out - Pear and Cranberry Tart. And it was decided. A hot-out-of-the-oven dessert would be warming our bellies later that evening. All I needed was a bag of Great Value Sweetened Dried Cranberries and a box of frozen butter puff pastry.

Pear and Cranberry Tart Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp dried cranberries
• 1 tbsp butter
• 3 firm but ripe pears (such as Anjou/Bartlett), unpeeled, cored and sliced in very thin slices
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar, divided
• 1 piece frozen puff pastry, thawed
• 1 egg

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cover cranberries with very hot water and let stand for 10 min. Drain.
3. Melt butter in a medium frypan over medium heat. Add pears and 1 tbsp sugar and cook 2 to 4 min or until softened but not falling apart. Reserve. Roll pastry out on a floured counter, using a floured rolling pin, into approximately a 10 x 10-in square. Transfer to prepared baking sheet. Prick all over with a fork. Place pears in the centre of pastry and flatten them out into and even layer, leaving a 1-inch border. Sprinkle with cranberries. Fold pastry edges up over the edge of the pears. Brush edges of pastry with beaten egg then sprinkle sugar over pastry and pears. Bake 20 min. Reduce heat to 350F and bake another 10 to 12 min or until edges are puffed and golden. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream if desired.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Walmart Canada, as part of the Fresh #DiscoverFresh program. In exchange for this review, I have received special perks in the form of products and/or compensation. All opinions on this blog are my own.

For the longest time, I always believed that I was born in the wrong time period. When I was younger, I thought I most definitely belonged in the 50's and 60's when foxtrot, swing, hand jive and cha cha were all the rage. Now, in the 21st century, I can't help but think how much I would have thrived as a student today surrounded by educational technology and innovative ideas. Take, for example, the all-new Kindle E-reader. With its thin and ultra light design, kids can keep up with their latest novel study by reading an e-book version without screen glare, making it easy on the eyes. And because it holds thousands of books and boasts a battery that lasts for weeks, they can enjoy their own personal mobile library anywhere they go without distractions such as alerts or notifications. But what makes this device all the more innovative is the built-in Kindle FreeTime feature.

The Kindle FreeTime feature allows parents to set up profiles for their children and set reading goals. For example, you could set their daily reading goal to 30 minutes and, if they achieve that goal, they will be rewarded with achievement badges. Because you can customize these goals, you can slowly increase them as your child grows in their reading ability. Badges and personalized goals would have been a big motivator for me as a reluctant reader, I am sure. Parents are kept in the loop with a progress report that shows total time spent reading, number of words looked up, badges earned, and books read. Plus, they can rest assured that their kids are enjoying books in a simple, fun, and safe environment, knowing that they cannot access the browser or make purchases in the Kindle Store thanks to best-in-class parental controls.

While families can celebrate reading milestones with Kindle FreeTime achievement badges, kids reading their first chapter books can tackle more challenging books with a little help from Word Wise. Available on many popular English language titles, Word Wise provides short and simple definitions that automatically appear above difficult words, making it easier to enjoy and quickly understand what they are reading. They can also tap on a word to bring up a simple card with definitions, synonyms, and more, improving their vocabulary.

Discovering the customizable #kindlefreetime feature on the all-new #Kindle e-reader, a fun tool that rewards kids with achievement badges, records milestones and sends progress reports to parents. #ereader #edtech #techforkids #tech4kids #freetime #tech #techreview #amazon #amazonkindle #reading #twitter

A photo posted by Diana Mancuso (@torontomom) on Oct 5, 2016 at 5:47pm PDT

To help you and your little ones celebrate reading milestones with Kindle FreeTime, one lucky reader will win a $100 Amazon.ca gift card! This could be used to purchase the all-new Kindle E-reader, which currently retails for $79.99, a protective cover or even to update your e-library. Simply leave a comment on this post sharing what you love most about the all-new Kindle E-reader or the Kindle FreeTime feature and complete the Rafflecopter form below. Open to residents of Canada, excluding Quebec.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received product samples and other perks to help facilitate this review. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

For school supplies, I am using Avery Kids Self Laminating Labels. These are available in neon and primary colours, and are smear proof and dishwasher safe. All you need to do is lift the self laminating seal and write using a permanent marker or pen, remove the white backer and press the laminated seal down before applying to a dry clean surface. These extra durable labels are also great for lunch box items, bottles, sports gear, electronic devices and more.

Avery Labels are great to help keep teachers organized at school, too. My favourite set of labels are the versatile Avery Address Labels, now available in Easy Peel. I use these every year to create name labels for the nearly 150 students I teach so they can easily find their French folders and notebooks. This year, I tested out the Avery Design & Print Online templates and found some really cute graphics and design ideas. I probably spent more time than I should have personalizing these labels but it was definitely worth it. Aren't they adorable?

And to save me some time, I used Avery Eco-Friendly Address Labels this year to print out a shortened URL that students and parents can access from home.

Because when it comes to French class, I need to maximize every minute while helping my students stay organized. Thanks, Avery Canada!

Disclosure: I received product to help facilitate this review. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

It's official! On October 22 and 23, I will be presenting two sessions at the second GAFE Summit to be held here in Toronto. This year, the Summit is being hosted by Crescent School and is sure to be jam packed with amazing sessions, a super fun demo slam and keynote speakers that will include the one and only Sylvia Duckworth. In case you missed it, I wrote about why I loved attending my first GAFE Summit and how much I am looking forward to reconnecting with my tribe. This time around, I will be presenting two beginner level sessions:

bit.ly/GAFTor16

In the meantime, I hope to connect with many of the attendees on Twitter so if you've bought your ticket, send me a tweet at @teachermomoftwo and I will add you to my Twitter list. Don't forget to tweet about your excitement using the #GAFEsummit hashtag and