It's a #MyLittleDreamer Twitter Party!

• 2 x $250 travel voucher, courtesy of iTravel2000
• 1 x Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8" Tablet (ARV $200), courtesy of The CMR
• 2 x $100 Visa Gift Card, courtesy of Heritage Lending
• 1 x $100 Indigo gift card, courtesy of Heritage Education Funds
• 1 x $100 swag prize pack, courtesy of Heritage Education Funds
• 1 x $100 book prize pack, courtesy of DK Canada

New to Twitter and/or Twitter parties? I have written the following tutorials to help you out, complete with screenshots:

What do you get when you cross a bunch of horses with men in tights? Why, a knight of entertainment and chivalry of Medieval proportions! At the behest of the Royal Court, the kids and I were summoned to the Toronto castle as guests of King Don Carlos. This was our third visit to the castle but this time we were fortunate enough to bring friends along with us, none of which have ever had the pleasure of visiting Medieval Times in Toronto.

Not only did our trip to Medieval Times allow us to experience epic battles of steel and steed, we enjoyed displays of equine beauty and grace. The choreographed performances of the magnificent Andalusian horses are, in and of themselves, a spectacle to behold.

The kids also enjoyed watching the royal falcon take flight as it was set free to circulate throughout the arena while onlookers marvelled from below. Throughout these performances, guests are served delicious garlic bread, tomato bisque soup, roasted chicken, sweet buttered corn, herb-basted potatoes, the pastry of the Castle, coffee and two rounds of select beverages. The challenge of eating without utensils made it all the more fun for the kids.

As part of our VIP experience, we were delighted to have been granted an upgrade - the King's Royalty Package. Not only did we enjoy preferred seating in the first row, we also received cheering banners, commemorative programs and a group photo for each member of our party. A lovely souvenir!

*Please note: you may not be combine this with any other discount, special offer or group rate. Not valid for special shows, holidays or prior purchases. Restrictions may apply. Upgrade packages, tax, gratuity and applicable fees are additional. Valid only at the Toronto Castle thru 3/31/2016.

If you have yet to experience Medieval Times or you just can't wait to return, I have a pair of tickets to the Toronto location to give away. Simply complete the Rafflecopter form below. Prizing includes two general admission tickets only and does not include transportation.

As much as I hate to admit it, I didn't take very good care of my teeth as a kid. I had a few cavities and ended up costing my parents a small fortune since neither of them had a dental plan. One such cavity ended up requiring a root canal and gum surgery in my adult years. In hindsight, I can better appreciate the gift my dad bought us for Christmas many, many moons ago - an electric toothbrush. Several years ago, I made the switch back to an electric toothbrush and my dental hygienist has noticed a difference, as have I. Today, in an effort to get my kids to enjoy brushing their teeth regularly, I have tried both electric and battery-operated toothbrushes. They couldn't quite get used to them, my daughter especially, but now that they are a little older, they agreed to try out some new brushes by Oral-B.

The New Power Brush User Oral-B Vitality Sensitive Electric Toothbrush has extra gentle bristles and a round, compact brush. Given that my daughter tends to 'delicately' brush her teeth, this one was perfect for her. She hasn't picked up a manual toothbrush since so I say she likes it. She really, really likes it! It is rechargeable and includes a charger.

Unlike my daughter, my son has been using battery-operated toothbrushes for a few years and so, to match his bold approach to dental hygiene, he tested out a super cool Star Wars toothbrush. And now, with the brilliant Disney Magic Timer App, he can invoke the force to help count to two minutes of successful brushing. The app is free and provides additional motivation by rewarding him with virtual stickers for his sticker book collection. He can choose from a variety of avatars and Disney themes. Funny enough, he was born a Star Wars baby (May the Fourth) so guess which one he chose!

A vegetarian chupacabra, a witch who can't 'spell', a werewolf who doesn't know when to transform... These are just a few of the hilarious characters entertaining children this summer on the stage of The Second City, Toronto. Vampire Campfire features a band of ghoulish misfits whose families send them to a remedial summer camp for monsters in the hopes that they will harness their individual talents and invoke their inner beasts. Unbeknownst to them, this unlikely gang will encounter a greater challenge as they unite forces to battle one of the most heinous villains of all - a logging company intent on destroying the campground for the sole purpose of getting rich. (Insert ominous music here.)

If you've never taken your kids to The Second City, then you have to bring them out for Vampire Campfire. The show is an hour of singing, dancing and interactive improvisation that will have you laughing and smiling till it hurts. It becomes clear very soon in the show that the five cast members, who play multiple roles, really give it their all. Their dedication to the performance was truly a joy to witness. It has been a couple of weeks and my kids and I still have a hoot impersonating the vegetarian chupacabra and walking around the house like Rhonda. We had a table at the very front and had ordered chips and fries to enjoy during the show. My son still smiles to this day when he recalls how the werewolf improvised a song that mentioned "the boy in the front row eating fries." I couldn't decide whether to watch the show or watch my kids' reaction to the show. They had a blast!

My first time at @SecondCityTO and came across this photo. A Canadian classic! #VampireCampfire pic.twitter.com/lDDwmsbBIP

— Diana M. (@TeacherMomOfTwo) July 3, 2015

Plus, the venue itself is full of photos that bring me back to my childhood, to the days when Martin Short, John Candy, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Rick Moranis, and Catherine O'Hara provided countless hours of comedy through SCTV. Gosh, I'm starting to feel old...

Congratulations to the winner of a family pass to see Marvel Universe Live! For those of you who would still like to see this show, you can save 20% off tickets using the special promo code below. This code is valid April 1 to 5, 2015 and is good for up to 15 tickets per order.  This coupon is not valid with other discounts and/or opening night discounts.  

Use promo code BLOGCA at time of purchase.

Canadian Marvel fans rejoice! This summer will see the launch of the first-ever Marvel Live tour here in Canada! Marvel Universe LIVE! will feature the most Marvel characters ever assembled in one production and will be jam-packed with spectacular action and electrifying battles. The show will captivate audiences with an original story line that will include more than 25 Marvel characters such as Thor, Iron Man, Hulk, Wolverine, Captain America and Spider-Man. They band together on an epic quest to find scattered fragments of the Cosmic Cube, the source of ultimate power and one of the most feared and coveted treasures in the Marvel Universe. With the pieces scattered across the globe, Thor’s evil brother Loki plans to clone its powers, threatening to destroy Earth and obliterate the Universe. Watch as the Super Heroes track the Cube, encounter some of their biggest adversaries including Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus, Red Skull, Madame Hydra, Aldrich Killian, Electro and more, and prevent them from obtaining their ultimate goal of world domination.

Marvel Universe LIVE! brings new innovations in set design, aerial stunts, pyrotechnics and state-of-the-art show elements that bring movie style special effects to a live audience. Using incredible talents and aided by a unique combination of never-before-seen arena mechanics, some of Marvel’s mightiest characters will come to life right before your very eyes. They will be further supported by innovative lighting design and transformative 3D projection that will be combined with a multilevel aerial space to create a unique experience that puts audience members right in the middle of the action. Oh, yeah!

When I think of Great Wolf Lodge, I think of water park and family fun all rolled into one. With a myriad of themed, premium and standard suites to choose from, it is definitely a great option for a local getaway with the kids. You don't even have to pack much since they have pretty much all you could need right at the resort, including a variety of dining options. Plus, if you book reservations before March 5, 2015, you can take advantage of this special promo code to save 20% off the best available, exclusive to Toronto Teacher Mom readers!

While staying at Great Wolf Lodge, our family often chooses to enjoy buffet breakfast and dinner at Camp Critter Bar & Grill. This rustic retreat is filled with cozy dining tents and cute critters hanging out in the trees above. And did you know you could enchant these critters with a MagiQuest wand? Such fun! 

At the Antler Shanty, you can order omelettes at the egg station or help yourself to waffles, cereal, fruit and more at the breakfast buffet. For dinner, you can enjoy a slice of roast beef at the carving station or create your own Caesar salad at the salad bar. You will also find a variety of entrée specials and kids’ favourites. While I was surprised to see they had removed the kiddie station, I was happy to see they offered some kid-friendly options. Also, I appreciate that they serve the kids' drinks in a spill-proof cup. My kids are a little accident-prone.

Seating is ample at Camp Critter but our recent stay fell on Valentine's/Family Day weekend so I wasn't surprised to see lineups during breakfast and dinner. It opens as early as 7:30 in the morning so I suggest grabbing an early breakfast to avoid the lineup on busy weekends.

Looking for family-friendly activities to enjoy this Family Day weekend? I have rounded up some fun ideas to consider if you live in Toronto or are planning a visit.

Where: Harbourfront Centre

When: Sunday, February 15 to Monday, February 16

What: This festival embraces winter play, from cozy and imaginative indoor activities to building sculptures outside in the snow and of course, skating lakeside on the Natrel Rink.

Highlights: 

Cost: FREE!

Where: Royal Ontario Museum

When: Saturday, February 14 to Monday, February 16; Programs from 11am-4pm.

What: Enjoy a long weekend of hands-on art activities, Lion Dance performances, and exploration of artifacts from the ROM vaults. 

Highlights: 

• Calligraphy art demonstrations
• Musical performances from the Toronto Chinese Orchestra
• Tai Chi with the CCC Tau Chi Academy, and more. 
• Appropriate for children of all ages. 

Summer has always been my favourite time of the year. I love the sunshine, warm temperatures and the myriad of outdoor activities to be enjoyed with the family. This past summer was no different. We took advantage of our summer break and headed out on a couple of fun family getaways, including a staycation in downtown Toronto courtesy of Eaton Chelsea Hotel. It was early on a Friday morning when I had checked out of the 21C Museum Hotel in Cincinnati where I had attended an exclusive press event and no sooner than I had arrived in Toronto did I find myself packing up for a much-needed weekend away with my family. Checking in at the Eaton Chelsea later that afternoon, it was such a treat to be greeted by the hotel's resident robot E.C. Not only were the kids in awe of this life-size robot, they were shocked when it interacted directly with them. He was so kind as to point out the separate line-up for the Kid's Check-In, all decorated with brightly coloured balloons. They had no idea that they would be given a treat bag filled with little goodies upon 'checking in.' Clearly our weekend staycation was off to a great start!

After checking in, we headed over to the elevators to our room and were further delighted to find more friendly staff in the lobby offering complimentary popcorn and iced tea. 

Our room was a comfortable size for a family of four with two double beds, an arm chair, a flat-screen TV and a desk with all the necessary outlets for staying connected.

The bathroom was also nicely appointed and the single red rose was a lovely added touch. Very feng shui, if you ask me. 

As Canada's largest hotel with 1,590 rooms, the Eaton Chelsea recently underwent a multi-million dollar renovation and a re-branding as the first hotel of the Langham Hospitality Group in Canada. Now that's a lot of rooms to renovate! While the balcony of our room could have used some sprucing up, the view was pretty neat.

The view from Deck 27, however, was spectacular. This adult-only area is a great place to escape the busy hullabaloo of the city centre. There is also an indoor pool and a state-of-the-art fitness centre offering a zen-like and relaxing atmosphere. And by 'zen-like', I mean 'child-free'.

Of course, we can't forget the Family Fun Zone. The Eaton Chelsea offers so much for the little ones, making it a great family destination. At the Kid Centre, wee ones can partake in arts, crafts and other activities such as the larger than life Connect Four game. Visit with the pet rabbit or watch a movie while big brother or big sister hangs out at the Club 33 Teen Lounge playing arcade or complimentary video games. Guests can also take a ride on the “Corkscrew,” the only indoor waterslide in downtown Toronto. The family pool was smaller than I had anticipated and I am hoping it will be on the agenda for some renovations in the future. 

You have to admit, nothing screams 'summer' quite like a family getaway full of scenic adventures and outdoor fun. So imagine my excitement when my husband sends me a text message asking me to look into a last-minute trip to Blue Mountain. We have been there so many times over the past decade, almost once a year, if not twice. With a myriad of four-season activities for the whole family to enjoy, I never get bored. But now that the kids are older, we've been exploring additional opportunities to take advantage of the beautiful outdoors. This time, we headed back to Scenic Caves Nature Adventures as their guests to experience some of the activities we missed out on last year. And, of course, to check out some of our favourites as well.

Recently, our family has taken an interest in hiking through the woods. It goes without saying, then, that once we arrived at Scenic Caves early on a Friday morning, we took advantage of the beautiful, cool weather to head out on a self-guided tour to explore the caves. One of Canada's Great Natural Wonders, the Scenic Caves is located at the highest part of the Niagara Escarpment, just west of Collingwood. It offers breathtaking views of the Georgian Bay and is home to mysterious caves and caverns.

I learned that the earliest written records of this particular area were written by Samuel de Champlain and the Jesuit missionaries, who lived with the Huron and Petun peoples in the early 17th century. The latter used these unique rock formations as a fortress to protect them from their enemies. They are nestled amidst beautiful wooded grounds. The tour takes approximately 50 minutes and gives you a chance to check out the Natural Refrigerator, the Ice Cave, Signal Point, the Indian Council Chamber and more. The trail also leads you to the Thunderbird, Canada's longest twin-zip line, which I tried out last year. Crazy fun!

Once we returned from our hike, the kids were desperate for some gemstone mining. This was their first time mining for gems and they absolutely loved it. Playing with water, searching for hidden treasure and discovering which semi-precious gems they could add to their collection; what kid wouldn't love that? Gemostone mining bags are not included in regular park admission but can be purchased separately for $7.08. Alternately, you can opt for the Gemstone Mining Package to save a few dollars.

Shortly afterwards, my son wanted to board Rocky the Train. He is fascinated by things on wheels and I was just as eager to escape the sun and enjoy a ride.

We also hopped on the wagon ride which takes you to the suspension bridge. Another chance to kick my feet up and enjoy the scenery.

Lions and rhinos and giraffes... oh, my!

The month of May marked the official launch of African Lion Safari's 45th season and with this milestone year comes the exciting news of the birth of their newest giraffe named Safari. This isn't your regular baby giraffe, however. Check out this CTV News video to find out what makes Safari so special - Safari: A Giraffe Success Story.

This summer, my family and I will return as guests of African Lion Safari in the hopes of meeting Safari herself. We will enjoy a Safari Bus Tour, a cruise on the "African Queen" boat and a ride on the "Nature Boy" scenic railway. Of course, weather permitting, we will also be sure to cool off at the Misumu Bay Wet Play area.

There is so much we enjoyed last year, including the super jungle playground, but we never had a chance to check out the Pets' Corner or any of the bird and animal shows so we are definitely going to try to fit those into our day trip. Located in my hometown of Hamilton, African Lion Safari is about a one-hour drive from Toronto and well worth the trip.

In the meantime, I am partnering with African Lion Safari to give away a family pass for four valued at approximately $130. This giveaway is open to Ontario residents only and the pass will be valid until October 13, 2014. To be entered for a chance to win, please complete the Rafflecopter form below.

It's Thursday which means it's time to jump on the #ThrowbackThursday bandwagon. And this month, Netflix #StreamTeam members are compiling a list of our favourite childhood classics from The Smurfs to Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. Two of my ultimate favourite cartoons are now available on Netflix and I am so excited to be able to share them with my kids that I decided to try this classic cartoon art activity with them. You can use clipart and print it out at home or you can use magazine clippings of people's faces. I remember first doing something like this back in elementary school  and I loved it so much. In fact, I submitted six art pieces instead of just one! For this particular activity, I chose clipart that is fairly symmetrical and easier for my kids to draw.

And voilà! A fun art activity that can help teach symmetry and build on drawing skills.

As a reward for their hard work, my kids can choose to watch an episode of one of my favourite classic cartoons and TV shows:

Whoah! Those snails are FAST!

F. A. S. T.

That's the team you'll never beat...

Oh... hi there! Don't mind me. I was just, well... you know... dancing to the Turbo FAST theme song. That is one killer beat, brah. I can't help myself. And you know what else? I can't help but talk like  Brahdi the Roach who appears in one of the newest Turbo FAST episodes launching tomorrow. Seriously, I've gone all cray-cray.

Out of these new episodes that my son and I previewed earlier this week, the last one is definitely my favourite. Aptly entitled "Surf n' Turf," this episode takes place on the beach, which every snail knows is for maxin' your relaxin' and calming your inner snail. But alas, the beach is roach turf and the snails' very presence is killing the roach gang's taquito buzz. If Turbo and the snails want to stay, they must first battle the roaches in a grimy battle of sewer surfing while trying to coax Whiplash out of his full zen state. Totally gnarly! Of course, my son loved all of the episodes and would have watched them on repeat if I had let him. He's all into things that go fast.

To catch the newest Turbo FAST episodes, be sure to tune into Netflix on April 4 at noon.

Looking for more ideas on what to watch with the family? Check out these suggestions for your very own Family Film Fest.

Disclosure: I am a member of the Netflix Canada #StreamTeam and receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.