March is now upon us and I am very much looking forward to warmer temperatures. Rainy days? Not so much. This is the month, though, where you kind of have to go with the flow. No matter what the weather, it's always handy to be prepared with some activities to keep your preschooler entertained. I am excited to share with you an article I wrote for DisneyJunior.ca called "Developing a Sense of Adventure." In it, you will find some ideas you can try with your little ones that will have them exploring and using their senses while venturing off into a world of fun. Hope you can spare a minute or two and head on over to DisneyJunior.ca!

Disclosure:  I’m part of the 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.

The year 2012 has arrived along with the magic of being able to clear the slate and start fresh. It's the excitement of wondering what the new year will bring and what new milestones lay ahead for your little ones. For me, it's about celebrating my son's champagne birthday, watching him learn to write his own name and sending him off on his first day of kindergarten. I look forward to reading my daughter's first report card, watching her ride a bike without training wheels and patting her on the back after she puts down her first chapter book. Witnessing your children grow is truly a magical experience.


Next weekend, enjoy a big dose of magic with Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Storybook Magic Weekend. Join your favourite Mickey Mouse Clubhouse characters in feature storybook, fairy tale, and fantasy-themed episodes from January 14-15 at 9-11am ET. And during the week of January 23, rock on with Jake and the Never Land Pirates as they kick off Pirate Rock Week. Watch music-themed episodes, including the NEW episode “The Pirate Pup/Pirate Rock” and sing-along versions of Never Land Pirate Band music videos which will premiere between each episode. Pirate Rock will air nightly from 6-7pm ET.

Disclosure: I’m part of the 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.

As a Disney Junior Mom, I am super excited to bring you some wonderful news. As of November 15, 2011, Shaw Cable has partnered up with Astral Media Inc. to bring you the much anticipated Disney Junior channel. Customers can now enjoy a variety of family programming and it doesn't just stop with Disney Junior. They have also included Disney XD in Standard and High Definition as well as the Family Channel HD.

We’re proud to include this additional content to our already broad selection of family programming. With the launch of these new channels, the variety of family- focused live and on demand content is better than ever before. (Peter Bissonnette, President, Shaw Communications Inc.)

This means that Shaw Cable customers will be able to watch the same commercial-free programming that Disney Junior fans across the nation have come to know and love, shows like Jake and the Never Land Pirates, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and my favourite Stella and Sam. This also includes the super cool ‘On Demand’ feature, which I love, and www.DisneyJunior.ca. And from now until January 10, 2012, customers can benefit from a free preview of these new channels, which will join the nine channels currently available as part of the Family pack ($5 per month). If you already subscribe to the HD Plus package, the High Definition channels will be included as well.

The launch of Disney XD and Disney Junior has been eagerly anticipated and I am thrilled that these channels will now be available to Shaw customers. The offerings of both these brands are unlike anything else in the marketplace. By launching these channels, Shaw has demonstrated its dedication to offering its customers a wealth of family programming options. (Joe Tedesco, Senior Vice-President and General Manager, Astral Kids)

Over the past year, I have learned from Shaw customers how disappointed they were that they were unable to watch the Disney Junior channel that we raved so much about. I am quite thrilled that their children can now sit down to watch the same magical stories that my own children enjoy. And just in time for the holidays, too! So if you're a Shaw customer, be sure to check out the special holiday programming scheduled on Snow Day Saturdays during the month of December and read about Minnie's Bow-Toons week. Welcome to the wonderful world of Disney Junior!

“Disclosure:  I’m part of the 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.”

We are now officially in the month of December and I have yet to start my Christmas shopping. It's always been the one task during the holiday season that I dread the most. Busy malls, crowded parking lots, trying to find the perfect gift... it's a recipe for the ultimate headache. I would rather spend less money on materialistic wants and more time creating meaningful memories. Curling up with a good book or watching a festive flick with the family, now that's much more up my alley.

This month, Disney Junior brings you the excitement of Snow Day Saturdays. Tune in every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. to watch your favourite shows including new holiday-themed episodes:

December 3 - Jake and the Never Land Pirates
December 10 - Stella and Sam
December 17 - Handy Manny
December 24 - Imagination Movers

Also, Minnie takes centre-stage during Minnie's Bow-Toons Week. Each night from December 12 to 16 at 7pm ET, your kids can enjoy a Minnie-themed Mickey Mouse Club House episode as well as the premiere of the brand-new short series Minnie’s Bow-Toons before and after each episode.


And as if that isn't enough, DisneyJunior.ca has a really cool e-card activity to help celebrate the holiday season. Customize your own post card using their user-friendly design tools and start a new festive tradition. Disney Junior fans will love these personalized e-cards sprinkled with a dash of Disney magic.

Don't forget to share your holiday traditions by commenting on this post or head on over to the Disney Junior Facebook fan page and join in the discussion there. Cheers!


“Disclosure:  I’m part of the 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.”

Yesterday, something happened that was a bit of a shocker, I had to share it on Facebook. As soon as I did, I got into trouble. My sister threatened to tell our mother on me for saying the s word. Yes, I said, snow. Shiver me timber! Looks like it's time to bunker down for the long winter months. At least we'll be sprinkled with some magic fairy dust courtesy of Disney Junior magic to help keep the fun times going.

We all know the story of Peter Pan and his Neverland adventures with Lizzy, TinkerBell and the gang. It's hard to believe that Tinkerbell first made her appearance in Peter Pan in 1904. During the month of November, Disney Junior is dedicating Fridays to TinkerBell by airing a different TinkerBell movie. They also have a TinkerBell Contest to help celebrate Disney Fairies Month so be sure to head on over to DisneyJunior.ca to find out more.

In the meantime, my children and I will be letting our imagination run wild. My kids are young enough that imaginative play comes easily to them. They love role playing and taking an ordinary everyday object and converting it into an essential prop. Lately, my daughter likes to play the role of a teacher and instruct her younger sibling. Sometimes all it takes is reading an interesting book such as the magical Stella, Fairy of the Forest. They can act like butterflies, snakes or sheep whenever they appear in the story.

What are some of the ways you ignite your kids’ imagination? Share your ideas here!

Disclosure: I’m part of the 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.

After the pretty awesome costume party I attended on Saturday, I have Halloween and costumes on the brain. There were so many fabulous costumes that people wore, some bought and some craftily designed at home. Since it was a dance party, I knew I wanted to wear a costume that was comfortable and perfect for getting jiggy with it. I threw on some sweats, slapped a label on my tank top, and voilà! My very own Zumba teacher costume! Okay, so it wasn't the best costume in the house but boy, did I work the dance floor. Oh, and I got to pose with NKOTB's Jordan Knight, too!

Traditionally, my mother made pretty much every costume we wore. In fact, I don't think we ever bought a costume. I recall dressing up as a princess for a couple of years, maybe even a clown, and then that's where my memory fails me. However, I do recall getting a little creative with my own costumes as an adult. One that I've used a lot simply required a clown wig and nose from a party store and large shades which I found at a dollar store. I'm pretty frugal when it comes to buying things for myself. Then I turned to my wardrobe. What could I use as a clown dress? Well, I turned to my maternity wear and used a black stretchy gown which is so comfy, I still wear it till this day. Then I used some coloured electrical tape from the dollar store and cut squares using a variety of colours. They stuck to the fabric quite well. I used a white bow hair clip that my little daughter had at the time and added some plastic lei as accessories and wore my black boots. I even found a cute bicycle horn at the dollar store for the final touch. What do you think?


Over the years, I have added costume pieces such as clown socks and shoes as well as a large bow that shoots water. Alternatively, I have raided my daughter's wardrobe for costume ideas. Last year, we had to dress up at school as one of our favourite children's book characters. Using my daughter's pink tutu, her pink flower clip and her headband with a pair of makeshift mouse ears attached, I had an Angela Ballerina costume that cost me zero dollars. (Her ballet slippers didn't fit.)


Here are a few Halloween costume tips I thought I would share with you:

1. Go through all old clothing, whether it's yours, your husband's or your kid's, and pull out pieces that are either interesting and unique or leave room for creativity.
2. Head out to a second-hand store. I once found a really cool top and a long skirt that I wore as a Flamenco dancer last year.
3. Check out online classified ads in your area. I managed to find a really cute Winnie the Pooh kids costume, an infant fireman costume and a warm furry monkey costume all from one mother who was getting rid of costumes that no longer fit. I love one-stop shopping!
4. Host a costume exchange at your child's school.

Photo Credit: CL Buchanan Photography

 This month, Disney Junior is all about Dress-Up Mondays. They are inviting you to have a picture of your kids in costume featured on Disney Junior and DisneyJunior.ca.

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 child on the big screen. Check out the spooky gallery on DisneyJunior.ca for even more goolishly delightful little creatures.

Also, each Dress Up Monday Disney Junior will be showcasing brand new Halloween themed shows. 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!

Disclosure: I’m part of the 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.

Have you have ever borrowed something that fit you like a glove? Perhaps a beautiful dress or a gorgeous pair of pumps? You then look in the mirror and think, wow! Yeah, that's what I'm talking about. It's that feel-good feeling that makes you feel like a million bucks. Now, I love a great dress just as much as the next gal but when it comes to vehicles, nothing gets my heart rate going as much as... a minivan.

There. I said it.

So you will understand why, when offered to test out the 2011 Toyota Sienna as a Disney Junior Mom, I nearly fell out of my seat. How could a girl who's been driving a minivan since she first got her license refuse an opportunity like that? Right? People are often surprised to learn the following. When my dad asked me what we should get as the next family vehicle after our first minivan was kaput, I did not hesitate when I said another minivan. Heading into university, my friends wondered why I didn't pick a smaller, 'cooler' car. I'm not entirely sure why, only that I was comfortable with driving them. Three minivans and two kids later, my husband and I now own our very own. My husband did a lot of research and it was a toss-up between the Honda Odyssey and the Toyota Sienna. I remember one of the things my husband took into account was the re-sale value of both models after ten years, which were pretty much the same. All I knew is that I wanted a new minivan!


Now, while I really like my current vehicle, which is a 2007 base model, there are certain features in the 2011 Toyota Sienna that I really miss. It's been four weeks since I had to part ways with the Swagger Wagon, such sweet sorrow. But I will attempt to highlight some of the things which my hearts longs for. Apart from the cool exterior and sporty 19" aluminum alloy wheels.


One of the first things that caught my eye was the dashboard. This is what you get to look at when driving around in a 2011 Sienna Sport Edition. Pretty awesome. (Insert wide-eyed grin here.) I love the look of the speedometer and the leather wrapped steering wheel is just so nice to handle. I quickly noted the USB audio input, for my phone charger, but was happily surprised to hear that I could sync my iPhone via Bluetooth so that I can not only listen to music stored on my phone but also answer incoming phone calls, hands-free, and talk using the car speakers. My mother called while we were on the highway and I thought for sure it would be noisy on her end. But she said she could hear us crystal clear. This is definitely a feature I would want in my next minivan.


The sporty gear shift was really cool though it took some getting used to. The climate control came in handy while driving to our camping destination as did the adjustable cup holder, which was able to accommodate my large Disney Junior tumbler.


The next feature that caught my eye was the middle row extended Long Slide function. This is probably what I miss the most about the Sienna. Apparently, the dashboard was pushed back to provide more cabin space and they added a little to the width of the minivan as well. With the slide function, you get incredible range in terms of accessing the middle and second rows. But that's not all. My kids are no longer within range to kick the back of my seat. Which means I get to enjoy an even smoother ride!



This also means that I have A LOT of space to move around when installing car seats.


Also, note the markers that fell between the seats. With the long slide function, it was SO easy to retrieve them. I was worried they could fall into the tracks but that never happened.



The removable and storable centre seat can accommodate an eighth passenger or be easily stored in the back. Once removed, you have a couple of extra cup holders.



The retractable window shades for the middle row were nice and wide. They are wider than the ones in our current minivan, but then again, the windows are wider too.

Another must-have feature is a large storage space at the back. The Toyota Sienna had ample space for the tonnes of camping gear we brought with us. And it also fits our double Chariot stroller perfectly.

The second row Lounge Seating is great and easily folds away with an almost seamless design. Did I mention how easy it is to stow them? The seats are like they're on hydrolics or something. I was able to lift and store with one hand while I recorded this video with the other.


Finally, I have to point out my kids' favourite feature. The sun roof! It was a fun feature but something I could do without. Base models start at $27,900 (as of this posting) and the SE model full of several additional features goes for about $36,600.



So all in all, I had a wonderful week in the Sienna. We took it camping, we visited Ontario Place. Twice. And I drove to Hamilton with tunes a-blaring in true SwaggerWagon style. What do you think? Doesn't the Sienna suit me?

Disclosure: I’m part of the 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.

It's official. School is now in full swing. With the first week under wraps, it has finally sunk in that our summer vacation is really over. I keep marveling over how quickly August came to an end and wish we had just one extra week to enjoy the outdoors. But just because the weather is getting cooler, it doesn't mean that we can't keep the summer fun alive for just a little while longer. And Disney Junior has got your back.

Tune in on Sunday, September 11 at 8:30am ET for an outdoor adventure. You and your child can join Handy Manny during the Handy Manny Great Outdoors marathon! And if your child loves Izzy, don't forget Izzy’s Adventure Week. Watch Jake and the Neverland Pirates from September 19-23 starting at 5pm ET and join Izzy on an exciting pirate adventure during the entire week!

In case you missed my post announcing the Disney Junior Sienna Summer contest, consider this a friendly reminder from your beloved Disney Junior Mom that you have only one week left to Watch & Win. You have until August 21, 2011 to enter this amazing contest. The design phase is now complete so all you need to do is kick up your feet and watch Disney Junior to win.



How To Enter: 
When you or your child see the decorated mini-van on the bottom of your screen, head to DisneyJunior.ca and enter the date and the design of the Sienna minivan on the contest page (was it a Jake, a Mickey or a Special Agent Oso design?) PLUS, the more you watch, the more you can enter, and the more chances you have to win! One lucky Disney Junior viewer will win a brand-new 2012 Toyota Sienna! Plus, there are some fantastic runner-up prizes up for grabs. Viewers will have a chance to win 1 of 5 Samsung Galaxy Tabs 1.0 ™ or 1 of 20 Crayola Colour Explosion Colour Domes!

Last week, I had the chance to test drive the 2011 Toyota Sienna and loved every minute of it. We took it camping, on road trips and spent a day at Ontario Place. It's been only three days since I've been without it and I miss it. Big time! Over the next little while, I will be working on a blog post to share with you all the wonderful features of the Swagger Wagon while wiping away tears of nostalgia. Ah, the memories! In the meantime, to keep you occupied while you wait in suspense, I will be giving away a $50 Cash Card to one of my lucky readers to be used towards a mini road trip of your own.


For a chance to win a $50 Cash Card, follow the instructions using the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck! (Click on 'Read More' if you cannot see the form.)

How you feelin'? Hot, hot, hot? I'm not surprised. With today's weather hitting a record high here in Toronto, I'm sure we all had the AC cranked at max. Especially in the car. On my way out to visit my mother-in-law, I sat in the car for less than a minute before my eyeballs started sweating. No joke. It's a good thing my minivan is in good working order. But for those who don't have AC in their vehicles, I'm sure traveling on the road seems less than appealing.


This summer is no ordinary summer. It’s Disney Junior’s Sienna Summer! That means you have a chance to win your very own Toyota Sienna! It is the ecoENERGY award winner as the most fuel efficient minivan on the road in Canada, and the Automobile Journalists of Canada named the 2011 Sienna the best New Minivan in the 2011 Canadian Car of the Year Awards. Complete with Toyota’s Star Safety System of standard features, split and stow seating, ample cargo space, removable second-row, an available multi-panel moonroof and dual view entertainment system, it's that kind of minivan that makes my heart sing.



Starting July 18th, here’s how it’ll work:

Stage 1: Jump over to DisneyJunior.ca with your little one and decorate a Toyota Sienna with a Disney Junior twist!
Stage 2: Enter your amazing design for a chance to see it on TV during Disney Junior’s August Watch and Win Event.
Stage 3: Starting August 1st, each day Disney Junior will feature a new Toyota Sienna design.
Stage 4: When you or your little one sees the decorated mini-van, head to DisneyJunior.ca to enter the date/time/show on the contest page and voilà! You’re entered!


Disclosure: I’m part of the 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.

Monday served as a special reminder of how wonderful dads can be. You see, my son came down with a fever on Sunday and I felt really bad since I had to attend a bridal shower. My daughter also had a birthday party just down the street that conflicted with the shower. Fortunately, my husband was wonderful enough to take her to the party and tend to our little fella while I mingled with friends old and new. My husband was also kind enough to take a day off work to stay home with our son on Monday. He even managed to get a doctor's appointment later that afternoon. I was so thankful to be able to count on him.

When it comes to Father's Day, I often hesitate about incorporating some sort of activity into my French classes relating to the holiday. You see, a number of my students do not have a father figure in their lives. And it makes me so sad. In some cases, it is due to some terrible tragedy. In other cases, the child has never even known the father. At home, we keep it fairly low key, especially since my father-in-law lost his battle against cancer in 2009. This Father's Day, my husband decided to play a round of early morning golf with a friend. I took the kids to see my mom and dad the day before and enjoyed a laid back afternoon in their backyard watching planes fly by during the annual Hamilton Air Show. I love their backyard. It is very nicely landscaped and they maintain it well. My dad has always been hardworking that way. And I admire him for that and for all the sacrifices he has made for our family.

In honour of all those hardworking, selfless dads across Canada, I salute you and all that you do. Here are some quotes I found on the net that I thought might put a smile on your face:

I don't care how poor a man is; if he has family, he's rich. ~M*A*S*H, Colonel Potter

Fatherhood is pretending the present you love most is soap-on-a-rope. ~Bill Cosby

A father carries pictures where his money used to be. ~Author Unknown

How did you celebrate Father's Day this year? Did you have a chance to sit down with your little ones to watch Disney Junior episodes featuring fathers and other male role models? We missed them but I love that we can watch Rogers On Demand online. I can take my iPad wherever I go, use my personal hotspot via my iPhone and put on Disney Junior shows such as Handy Manny, Special Agent Oso and Stella and Sam. It's always nice to cuddle up with the kids and watch their favourite shows.


Disclosure:  I’m part of the 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

Tomorrow marks the launch of the much anticipated Disney Junior here in Canada. Starting on May 6, your kids will continue to enjoy entertaining and development-based programming with a focus on storytelling, contemporary Disney characters and storylines, and it's commercial-free. They can still watch Handy Manny, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Imagination Movers, Mickey's Mousekersize and my favourite, Stella and Sam. In addition, they will be able to tune into Disney Junior’s anchor show, the NEW animated Jake and the Never Land Pirates, which premieres tomorrow morning at 9:00 am.

This music-filled interactive treasure hunt derives its inspiration from Disney's classic film Peter Pan. Join Jake and his crew of kid pirates on their search for gold doubloons while they try to outwit Captain Hook and Mr. Smee. Jake and the Never Land Pirates features the voice talent of Colin Ford, Madison Pettis, Jonathon Morgan, and David Arquette.

Joining Jake and the Never Land Pirates on Disney Junior are new short-form series including A Poem Is... and Special Agent Oso: Three Healthy Steps, PLUS Canadian original series including Franny’s Feet, The Secret World of Benjamin Bear and the recently debuted Stella and Sam. The French-language version Playhouse Disney Télé will also be changing to Disney Junior.

To celebrate the launch of Disney Junior Canada, one Toronto Teacher Mom reader will win a family pass for four to watch Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, coming out later this month!

For a chance to win a family pass to watch the newest Pirates of the Caribbean (valid for 2 adults and 2 children), visit DisneyJunior.ca and leave a comment on this post telling me which of their new shows you are most excited about. (Please note, their site will re-launch with a whole new site on Friday, May 6 so be sure to check it out!)

For additional entries, you may choose to do any or all of the following. Please leave separate comments for each entry indicating what you have done.

• Become a follower of Toronto Teacher Mom using Google Friend Connect.
• Add my button to your site.
• Subscribe to Toronto Teacher Mom.
• Become a follower of Toronto Teacher Mom on Facebook via Networked Blogs. 
• Like the Toronto Teacher Mom's Facebook fan page.
• Become a follower of Toronto Teacher Mom on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway. Feel free to use the following tweet:

Contest ends May 31 at 10pm EST. Open to Canadian residents only.

Winner will be selected using Random.org and must reply to the notification email within 48 hours or a new winner will be drawn.

And the winner is:

80. Ginge

Disclosure: I’m part of the Playhouse Disney / 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.

Earlier this month, it was announced that Playhouse Disney will be changing to Disney Junior effective May 6. This means that your kids will still enjoy entertaining and development-based programming which focuses on storytelling, contemporary characters and storylines, and it's commercial-free. The French-language version Playhouse Disney Télé will also be changing to Disney Junior.

Does this mean that the Playhouse Disney classics will no longer be available? Not at all! Your kids can still watch Handy Manny, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Imagination Movers, Mickey's Mousekersize and my favourite, Stella and Sam. But they will also be adding the following new Disney Junior programs:

Jake and the Never Land Pirates
(Weekends at 9:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. ET)

This music-filled interactive treasure hunt derives its inspiration from Disney's classic film Peter Pan. Join Jake and his crew of kid pirates on their search for gold doubloons while they try to outwit Captain Hook and Mr. Smee. Jake and the Never Land Pirates features the voice talent of Colin Ford, Madison Pettis, Jonathon Morgan, and David Arquette.


Special Agent Oso
(Every day at 6 p.m. and weekends at 11 a.m. ET)

Paying homage to special agent classics, Special Agent Oso is a new series featuring Oso, a fuzzy, lovable and bumbling stuffed panda bear who works for U.N.I.Q.U.E.  (United Network for Investigating Quite Usual Events). This international organization of stuffed animals aims to help kids accomplish everyday tasks by learning how to organize and break down tasks. Sean Astin is the voice behind Oso, alongside Meghan Strange and Gary Anthony Williams.

This has been brought to you by: Toronto Teacher Mom, a #PlayhouseDisneyMom