Toronto Teacher Mom: For Dads

LifeExperiences Gift Ideas for Dad

Monday, June 08, 2015
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Hallmark Gifts For Grads and Dads

Hallmark Gift Ideas - Autograph Graduation Bear #LoveHallmarkCA

What's that you say? It's almost June? I hadn't noticed. It's not like I was counting down until the last day of school. No, not me. But now that you mention it, I am really looking forward to June. Graduation is always an exciting time and, although I do not teach any grade 8's this year, I still help during the graduation ceremony by handing out the French awards and looking after the music. Last year, I even worked with two graduates who performed a rendition of "Say Something" while I played the piano. It's always nice to send off the graduating class as they embark on their new journey. And they're lucky to have amazing grade 8 teachers who work extremely hard to put together a graduation celebration and luncheon, not to mention an amazing yearbook year after year. It's such an important occasion and what better way to commemorate than with a memento from Hallmark.

Hallmark Graduation Gift Ideas #LoveHallmarkCA

At the top of my list of Hallmark must-haves is the Autograph Graduation Bear. This adorable fabric bear includes a black marker and plenty of room for autographs. It retails for $16.95 but you can save $4 with any purchase. They also have a couple of dated mugs with designed handles: Class of 2015, as seen above, and YOU DID IT! Tassle Mug. These ceramic mugs are dishwasher safe and retail for $12.95 each. Of course, they have plenty of frames as well, including graduation frames. The one above can hold a 4" x 6" photo and includes the sentiment, "When their dreams come true, ours do, too." This frame costs $12.95 but other sizes are also available. Don't forget to pick up some graduation themed gift bags or a set of thank you cards for your future grad.

Hallmark Father's Day Gift Ideas #LoveHallmarkCA

Now I know, June is not just about grads. Dads celebrate a special day, too. Luckily, Hallmark has you covered with a fabulous assortment of Life is good products. From wooden Father's Day Frames ($16.95 each) and matching gift bags to ceramic mugs with uniquely designed handles ($14.95 each), there are plenty of gift ideas at Hallmark. My favourites are the golf and BBQ towels. They are 100% cotton and retail for $16.95. The best part? Life is good donates 10% of its net profits to help kids in need. So it's like your gifting twice!

Tuesday, May 19, 2015
31 Comments

Five Tips for Organizing the Nursery

For Dads

Sunday, July 07, 2013
6 Comments

2011 Holiday Gift Guide: HP Photosmart eStation All-in-One Printer

For Dads

Sunday, November 06, 2011
80 Comments

Baby and You - A New Facebook Destination for Moms and Dads Alike

Contest

While at home on mat leave with my first-born, I often found myself alone with my baby girl and marveling at all the wonderful joys a baby can bring into your life. I also had a lot of questions and concerns as well as some really difficult experiences as a new mother. Living far from my parents, even though they are only an hour away, was very difficult for me, not to mention the move to the great big city of Toronto. All I longed for was a sense of belonging. It's pretty much the reason why I started this blog - to share moments of motherhood and to connect with other moms. And for the longest while, I felt that mine was just another blog floating around in cyberspace. I really wish that, back then, I could have also shared my experiences and questions in an online forum dedicated to forging a community of parents. A community like Baby and You.

Baby and You is a Facebook page that was "created for moms, dads and anyone else with babies, infants and children in their lives who want to join the conversation" and even share pictures of their little ones. It's great that it is on Facebook because I know a lot of people who use Facebook regularly. It becomes a convenient spot to check in with your newest Baby and You friends. You can also get to know featured Canadian Mom bloggers, Jody of Mommy Moment dedicated to all things Mom, and Lisa from Growing Your Baby, focusing on all things baby. Jody recently shared her daily routine (after having kids) on the Baby and You Facebook page and how her and her husband take turns and share all the responsibilities. Lisa offers three tips on how to adjust to bringing home baby number two.

Baby and You also offers savings and promotions for grocery stores such as Loblaws, Valu-Mart and Zehrs. They have recently added a really cool contest where you can win $500 worth of Joe Fresh gift cards or one of five $100 Joe Fresh gift cards. And with Joe Fresh prices, you know $100 can go a long way. Be sure to check out the Contest tab located under the profile picture to find out how you can win. The contest closes on October 13, 2011.

Disclosure – I am participating in the Baby and You program by Mom Central Canada on behalf of Loblaw Companies. I received compensation as a thank you for my participation. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011
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Suddenly Mommy! - A Comedy-Filled Night for Moms and Dads Alike

Entertainment

Suddenly Mommy! follows the plight of Anne Marie, an actress turned mom, who wakes up one morning and realizes that motherhood isn't all it's cracked up to be. Donned in a feathered pink boa and a pink flower in her hair, Anne Marie, played by Sheffler herself, shares the inner turmoil she experiences after getting married, becoming a mom and a step-mom. Between the tantrums and the fussing, she finds herself longing to be who she once was - a young, attractive career woman who didn't fuss and have tantrums.

The stage is set with a children's slide, a rocking fish and a suitcase to the right and a vanity desk, chair, a pair of black pumps and a white dress reminiscent of Marilyn Monroe to the left. Throughout the play, Anne Marie transitions from an immature mother who complains that being a mom is all about the food prep, to a woman on the brink of a nervous breakdown who just can't take it anymore and wants to run away from her life, leaving it up to her sister to take care of her children for three days. She reenacts all of the not-so-pleasant events that lead to her melt-down and uses comedic relief both of the witty and physical kind. The highlight of the play involved a conversation between herself and the one and only Céline Dion. Running from one spotlight to another, Anne Marie steals the one-woman show with her hilarious impersonation of the famous singer who has it all.

Suddenly Mommy! is replete with funny and witty moments that are sure to make you laugh, if not nod your head in agreement. Anne Marie's tale is one that is real and not as far fetched as one would hope. I could easily relate to a number of scenarios as did a number of parents in the audience. On the whole, I would recommend Suddenly Mommy! to any parent looking for a fun night out sans enfants. With tickets purchased in advance costing as little as $20, it is well worth the trip out to The Theatre Centre. And with the venue being small and intimate, every seat is a good seat. You almost feel like you're a part of the show. So grab your fellow moms and their husbands and head out for a comedy-filled night that's perfect for moms and dads alike.

Disclosure: I received a pair of complimentary tickets to see Suddenly Mommy! in order to facilitate this review. Any opinions expressed in this review are my own.