Toronto Teacher Mom: 2013

Holiday Decor Idea - DIY Garland

Tuesday, December 31, 2013
41 Comments

Disney Movies For The Holidays

While our holidays this year began with a power outage due to the ice storm that hit Toronto and other parts of Ontario, the kids and I have still managed to get some movie time together. It's honestly one of my favourite things to do during the two weeks off work. Snuggling up under a blanket on the sofa is such a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of work and school routines. And what better time of year to watch Christmas themed family movies. Last month saw the release of the Disney classic Mickey's Christmas Carol with a new 30th anniversary special edition. The original non-animated movie is my all-time favourite holiday flick but the kids have yet to see it. I would imagine they would be frightened by some of the ghostly scenes. The Disney version is definitely the way to go. Now children of all ages can enjoy Mickey's Christmas Carol with fully-restored classic holiday shorts, plus all-new bonus features. (Version française incluse!)

Make the season merry as Mickey, Goofy, Donald and all their pals star in a heartwarming retelling of Dickens’ unforgettable holiday tale. Ebenezer Scrooge (Scrooge McDuck) is far too greedy to understand that Christmas is a time for kindness and generosity. But with the guidance of some wise ghosts (Goofy and Jiminy Cricket) and a bunch of newfound friends, Scrooge learns to embrace the spirit of the season.

The most recent addition to our Disney movie collection is the newly released Disney's Planes. My son was such a fan of Cars and Cars 2, as was I, that I thought this movie would be a sure-fire hit. While it seems to lack a certain je-ne-sais-quoi, it is certainly an entertaining movie with incredible visuals. If your child is a fan of the movie, be sure to check out these free printable paper Disney Planes featuring six characters from the movie.

The world of Cars takes flight in Planes, Disney's high-flying animated comedy revved up with action and adventure. Join Dusty, a crop duster with sky-high dreams and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to take on the world's fastest flyers in the greatest air race ever. Dusty has a huge heart but two big problems...he's not exactly built for speed, plus he's afraid of heights. His courage is put to the ultimate test as this unlikely hero aims higher than he ever imagined. With a little help from his friends, Dusty finds the courage to be more than he was built for—and the inspiration to soar.

Finally, I have to confess that, when asked what my all-time favourite is, I always answer with Mary Poppins. It's true. And that speaks volumes seeing as I'm not a huge fan of musical films. I know all the songs and Mary Poppins-isms, and find myself often using them in the classroom and with my own children. I may even throw in a bit of British accent just for fun. For our first Christmas together as a married couple, my husband bought me a copy of the 40th anniversary edition. This month, Walt Disney Pictures released the 50th anniversary edition that includes extra content such as, get this, all-new Mary-oke sing-along! Doesn't that make you just want to burst out in a spontaneous rendition of "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious?"

Tuesday, December 24, 2013
9 Comments

Toronto Ice Storm Leaves Thousands Without Power #DarkTO

DarkTo

This morning, at approximately 2:30 am, I awoke to the sound of my radio alarm clock powering off. It is almost an instinctual reaction since I use it to charge my iPhone and heaven forbid it wasn't fully charged. So, of course, I had to check my Twitter feed to find out the latest on #IceStorm2013 here in Toronto. I noticed this tweet from Anthony Sagliani, Science Writer and Meteorologist for @accuweather:

Transformer explosion north of Toronto, Ontario as major ice storm continues. #ONstorm Via @CarlyStong. pic.twitter.com/Z3kInMOO4s — Anthony Sagliani (@anthonywx) December 22, 2013

I listened to the freezing rain as it continued to beat upon our rooftop. I watched as flashes of light lit up the night sky. And I stared at the battery power indicator on my iPhone as it slowly dwindled. By morning, the temperature in our house dropped to 19 degrees Celsius and was dropping quickly. We don't have a fireplace or any gas-powered appliances. We thought about bunkering down with my mother-in-law who has a gas fireplace but instead booked a room at the Sheraton downtown. Just before leaving, a branch on our recently trimmed tree fell due to the weight of the ice, grazing the back of our minivan.

Our tree wasn't the only one to fall victim to the ice storm. It seemed every other home in our neighbourhood had tree damage, some worse than others. Before leaving, I checked in on my elderly neighbour who lives alone to make sure she had heat, food and supplies. According to my husband, we had lost power as early as 9:30 pm last night. These are the times I wish we had a wood-burning fireplace.

On our way downtown, we noticed several areas were still without power. Traffic lights were out and most people were following the rules of a four-way stop at most intersections, except for one driver the whizzed right past us completely oblivious to the oncoming traffic. We passed through Leaside at around 10:30 am and the area seemed to have power. Taking Bayview Avenue southbound, the sidewalks were covered with tree branches and the right lanes were mostly covered as well. It was quite the contrast compared to the downtown core which seemed much milder.

Sunday, December 22, 2013
21 Comments

CAA Roadside Assistance - At Any Time of Day!

CAA Roadside Assistance

In my early teenage years, my father instilled in me the importance of defensive driving, regular vehicle maintenance and using winter tires. He also valued his CAA membership even though he hoped he would never require roadside assistance. Each year, he would renew his membership without batting an eye. There was even a time when he would fill up at a particular gas station that offered CAA dollars which would help offset the cost of his yearly membership fee, often to the point where it would fully cover the cost. For him, it had become a habit to carry his membership card and proudly display the CAA decal on the rear window of his vehicle each year. It was the security he felt as a member that stood out most to me, so much so that, once I became an independent driver, I knew I had to become a CAA member as well.

A CAA member since 2004 - that's me!

While I am a very confident driver, I have found myself in a handful of situations wherein I have lost partial control of my vehicle. Even with winter tires, it is easy to lose control on black ice. A few winters ago, I found myself on an icy road that dipped in the middle. I couldn't quite make it up the incline since a city bus was slowly trying to gain traction ahead of me. With two young kids in the back seat, I was worried I wouldn't be able to make it home. The only thing that eased my concern was that trusty white card in my wallet that granted access to a variety of roadside services including CAA towing services. Luckily, I was able to turn my vehicle around à la Mr. Bean and take a different route home.

One of my secret fears about owning a vehicle is experiencing a flat tire while driving. The very thought makes me shudder. I have never changed a tire in my entire life nor have I had to make an emergency pullover on the highway. But let's just say this situation occurs while my husband is driving. Even if he can safely maintain control of our vehicle and can change a tire in sub-zero temperatures, our vehicle’s components may not be entirely up to the challenge. We can easily count on CAA to help out in such a situation, just in case we require auto repair. We have already relied on CAA to help us retrieve keys from our locked car and when our battery died on many an occasion.

Did you know CAA Members get access to towing services, battery replacement, flat tire service, emergency fuel & delivery, lockout services and Member-exclusive savings and rewards? We frequently take advantage of discounts at some of our favourite retailers, when purchasing tickets to movies or shows, or passes to family attractions, and much more. It's also great to know that you can save on holiday gifts at PayLess Shoes, the Banana Republic Factory Store and GAP Factory Store as well.

The best part is Basic Memberships start at just $69 and Roadside Assistance from CAA is available 24/7, 365 days a year!

CAA South Central Ontario is a not-for-profit auto club which also offers travel deals, home insurance , travel insurance and auto insurance. There are more than 1.9 million CAA members in South Central Ontario and over 5.9 million members in Canada.

This post has been sponsored by CAA South Central Ontario.

Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Thursday, December 19, 2013
4 Comments

Watching the Sunrise on the Beach

Let's Travel

Tuesday, December 17, 2013
34 Comments

Holiday Gift Guide: The New LeapFrog LeapReader

Educational

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the name LeapFrog? The words that instantly pop into my head are: reading, educational, interactive, and fun. It is no wonder that LeapFrog is an educational entertainment leader; they have spent the last 18 years developing learn-to-read solutions. One of my personal favourites, in addition to LeapFrog's Le Bus des Animaux, was their Tag reading system. I had bought a Tag reader for my daughter several years ago along with a number of Tag books and loved it so much, I purchased Tag readers and books as gifts for family and friends. I even bought a Tag Junior for my son once he turned two. Now that he is five years old, he has taken a keen interest in reading and I would love nothing more than to watch him continue to pursue this interest. Reading was never my forté as a child so I often worry that my kids will dislike reading as much as I once did. Thankfully, my son will have the benefit of using the new LeapReader, the complete learn to read AND write solution for kids.

The LeapReader, recently featured on The Social, is the next generation of learning. It is designed to help kids sound out words and read sentences, learn to write letters with interactive guidance, and listen to audio books, music and more on-the-go. And since reading and writing are part of the same learning journey, LeapFrog understands that they must be practiced concurrently, along with supporting skills like listening comprehension. They have therefore built an extensive LeapReader library of over 150 books, learn to-write sets, audio books, music, maps, flash cards and more to provide engaging experiences that together reinforce children’s literacy skills. The LeapReader system provides three experiences:

Learn to Read: Sounds out words, reads sentences, and lets kids play games and puzzles.
Learn to Write: LeapReader helps kids learn the sequence of strokes and practice writing letters and numbers with special LeapFrog Learning Paper.
Learn through Listening: Audio books, learning songs and trivia challenges build comprehension skills and vocabulary.

What I love most about the new LeapReader, in comparison with the Tag reader, is that it can

hold a lot more. I'm talking audio for up to 40 books or 175 songs at a time! Another huge selling feature is that it includes a USB rechargeable battery. Good-bye alkaline!

Friday, December 13, 2013
9 Comments

COVERGIRL P!NK Soars to New Heights in Glamourous Fashion

COVERGIRL

Thursday, December 12, 2013
109 Comments

O Christmas Tree

Christmas

Tuesday, December 10, 2013
55 Comments

Holiday Gift Guide: Despicable Me 2 Blu-ray Combo Pack

Despicable Me 2

The holiday season is fast approaching and I'm officially counting down the days. One of my favourite family activities during the time off work is sitting with the kids and watching a movie. This year, we will be watching one of our ultimate favourites on DVD - Despicable Me 2! Yes, the $863 million worldwide box office phenomenon and the year’s #1 comedy. That's the one. I have to say that, while I liked the first one, this one is ten times better. I was almost in tears laughing so much when I first saw it in theatres. This hilarious movie arrives on Blu-ray™ and Blu-ray 3D™ Combo Packs, DVD and Digital HD including UltraViolet™ on December 10, 2013, from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. It is already available on Digital HD and includes 45 minutes of funny and insightful bonus features. Steve Carell returns to play Gru, the newly reformed master criminal now trying to live life as a normal dad to his three adopted daughters. Joining Carell is Kristin Wiig, Benjamin Bratt, Miranda Cosgrove, Russell Brand, and many others.

I recently tried out the Digital HD with UltraViolet™ and I really love that it lets you watch movies anywhere, on any device. You can instantly stream or download movies to watch on iPad, iPhone, Android, smart TVs, connected Blu-ray players, and even game consoles. You can pre-order a copy of Despicable Me 2 Blu-ray Combo Pack on Amazon.ca for $22.97.

Here are the bonus features exclusive to Blu-ray™ Combo Pack & Blu-ray 3D™ Combo Pack:

Three All-New Mini-Movies Starring the Minions—Introduced by Gru

Puppy
Panic in the Mailroom
Training Wheels (my favourite!)

The Making of the Mini-Movies—A fun-filled take on the making of the mini-movies through the eyes of the artists who made them.
Deleted Scene
The Minions—A visit to Illumination Entertainment in Paris and Los Angeles to hear what it’s really like to work with the Minions.
Evil Minions—Bigger, badder and more purple than ever, the newest and fiercest addition to the Minion species can chew through metal and swallow a car. Find out more about the process that led to their creation and design.
A Gru-Some Transformation—A sit-down with Steve Carell as he discusses the transformation of Gru from the ultimate super-villain to super-dad and international spy.
El Hombre Malo: The Villainy Of El Macho—Every great story needs a good villain, and Despicable Me 2 brings on the diabolico in the form of El Macho! Learn about the creation of this character and the actor who brought him to life—Benjamin Bratt (such a cutie!)

Would you like a chance to win your very own Despicable Me 2 Combo Pack? Simply leave a comment on this post telling me which character is your favourite and why. Then fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

Sunday, December 08, 2013
73 Comments

Habitat Toronto's Annual Gingerbread Build

Bounty

Saturday, December 07, 2013
21 Comments

New! Black Diamond Spreadable Cheese

Black Diamond

Wednesday, December 04, 2013
134 Comments

Holiday Gift Guide: Gift Ideas from DeSerres

Arts and Crafts

When I hear the name 'DeSerres,' the first thing that pops into my mind is pretty much anything that relates to painting - brushes, easels, canvas, paint sets. Next I think about craft supplies, fancy papers, and cool tools such as craft punches and paper cutters. So imagine my surprise when I discovered that DeSerres also carries toys, activity sets and craft kits suitable for kids as young as toddlers all the way to teenagers. Take, for instance, the newest addition to their store shelves - the Wheee-mote Control car. With a single-button remote that alternates between moving forward and spinning in a circle, this would make an ideal gift for the whee ones ages 1-4. It has fun bright colours and clear windows through which you can see the gears of the mechanism inside it. It also beeps and flashes, too!

Whee-mote Control Car, DeSerres - $ 29.99

For the older crowd, have a look at the Carpenter's Workshop, exclusive to DeSerres. This starter kit includes 29 pieces of wood, glue, a hammer, a bunch of nails and a special 'hand' for holding nails in place.

Carpenter's Workshop, DeSerres - $22.99

I thought this kit would be great for father-daughter bonding, especially since my husband is a carpenter by trade. We discovered, though, that patience is a must when hammering the pieces together. Thankfully, mom stepped in and we were able to build a house together. With my five year old son, I found it was better to start hammering the nail and then letting him finish. Due to the need for precision, I would recommend this set for kids age eight and up.

There were so many things that caught my eye at DeSerres but one that really stood out was this Ravensburger 3D Globe Puzzle. Not only is it a fun activity for the puzzle fanatic in your family, it also offers an educational 'spin'. Kids can learn about the countries of the world while trying to solve this super cool 540-piece puzzle. And hey, when it comes to Ravensburger, there is no question that it is a quality product.

Ravensburger 3D Globe Puzzle, DeSerres - $49.99

Monday, December 02, 2013
12 Comments

Come Celebrate the Holidays With a #StaplesGifts Twitter Party!

Holiday Centre

You all know that Staples offers more than just office supplies. From the most-wanted technology to the best holiday deals, you will undoubtedly find fabulous #StaplesGifts in the Staples Holiday Centre. Sure, they have the latest digital SLR cameras, tablets, laptops, Apple products, headphones and speakers. You'll even find Keurig and Tassimo products which are perfect for both the office and the home. But did you know they have a whole section full of cool toys? From craft sets, construction blocks and action figures to educational toys, board games and dolls, shopping for kids on your list couldn't be easier. In fact, while at Staples shopping for a new home phone last week, I noticed they carried the new Furby Boom, which just so happens to sit at the very top of my daughter's wish list. And even though the store didn't have the phone I wanted on their shelves, the customer service agent didn't hesitate for a second to head into the back room to find one for me. Such great service!

Today, I am excited to announce that we will be having another Staples Twitter party! Join us as we unwrap #StaplesGifts ideas and share the hottest deals of the season. We will also be giving away some really cool prizes including two (2) $100 Staples Gift Cards, a D-Link Router, a SteelSeries Siberia Headset, Lexar™ 8GB USB Flash Drive (3-Pack), SentrySafe Secure Access Safe, a Moleskine Prize pack valued at $100, and more!

Here are the party details and who to follow on Twitter:

Date: Wednesday, December 4

Time: 8:00 pm ET

Party Hashtag: #StaplesGifts

Host: @StaplesCanada

Moderators: @Listen2Lena – @FeistyFrugal – @TeacherMomofTwo

Please be sure to RSVP using the linky below. New to Twitter and/or Twitter parties? I have written the following tutorial to help you out, complete with screenshots:

How to RSVP for a Twitter party

Also, check out How to Use TweetDeck.com for Twitter Parties and How to Add a Column on TweetDeck.com Using a Twitter List.