I wish it really was spring!

I am really enjoying this spring-like weather we are having in Calgary lately. But, it is so disappointing to know that winter isn't actually over and this warm sunshine is only temporary! I can't wait to be able to get outside with Toddler B and burn off some energy each day, because he sure has a lot of spunk lately!

Toddler B is starting to grasp play time by himself for a little while, which is a nice reprieve for me. And, he also seems to enjoy pretend play now. We like to pretend we are airplanes flying to all his favourite places {everywhere from grandma's house down the street to a beach in Mexico}. He also like to do crafty things sometimes, which I find relaxing.

What are some things that you do with your little ones to keep busy {and sane} when you are cooped up inside over the winter?

And Saturday is the new Friday!

Friday afternoon we left to go away for the weekend before I had a chance to write my blog post. We are back in my husband's home town because yesterday was his friend's surprise 30th birthday party. I am trying to recall, but I think it is one of the few surprise parties I have attended with the only other ones being for my grandparents in the US. And amazingly enough the surprisee claims he was actually suprised. We all thought for sure he would have found out especially living in the Facebook world!

It was quite a fun little gathering, but even though we had grandma come and pick up Toddler B to take him home for bedtime, we ended up leaving extremely early ourselves {like we are talking home by 10:00pm here}. A large portion of the guests left before us as well {lots of us seem to have kids now}, and only a few hardcore guests headed out to the bar after the dinner party was over.

I still have a couple of years to go before the big 3-0. For me it probably won't be much different since I have never really been one to party anyways, but boy does it make you feel old when you look around a room a 9:30 and all you see is yawning faces. Or maybe, it was just that it was a Friday evening? I am always too exhausted to stay up on Fridays after surviving the week!

Thursday is the new Wednesday

Oops! I forgot to do a post again yesterday... so today is the new yesterday!

I have recently become addicted to the newest crop of online shopping sites... the ones that sell designer brands at a discount. I have been invited to try a few of them by friends, and I placed my first order last week. I am always a bit of a skeptic, so I have tried not to order anything else until I receive my first order and can determine if it was in fact a good deal, and if I received good service.

The one I decided to try first was Hautelook. But, there are more out there including Beyond the Rack and Zulily.

It's a bit disappointing when you log on and find that the items you would most covet are already sold out. You definitely have to be quick on the draw {or click as the case may be}. Warning: Your hubby or significant other will not be too pleased that you call him every morning asking if you can place an order!

Some {More} of My Favourite Things...

As promised, here is the follow up post to last week's Mother Monday list of some of my top baby/toddler finds {and the fabulous online stores I like to shop at}. I apologize that it appears that some of my links aren't working properly lately. If you need the info on any product or store, send me an email {threemes@gmail.com} and I'd be happy to oblige!

6. Toddler Buckled Belts by Kula Klips that I purchased from True Cuddles. My son has always been a little guy, and he needs a belt to hold up his pants because the ones that are long enough for him are usually too big in the waist. True Cuddles is one of my favourite online stores {also based out of Calgary} that offers one baby or toddler product each week at a really great discount. Sign up for their weekly email alert!

7. KidKusion Gummi Crib Rail Cover I ordered from Belly Laughs. Our little guy started chewing on his crib when he was teething and hubby and I struggled to find something that would save our $500+ dollar investment from our little termite. Enter the Gummi Crib Rail Cover. It has since fallen off {we had to move it once because we hadn't placed it correctly and the stick just never stuck right after that, so be sure you position it correctly the first time}, but it did the trick at the time! 8. Leap Frog Learning DVD Set ordered from Chapters or Amazon Canada. My son loves these DVDs and they are doing an excellent job of teaching him his alphabet! Chapters also has a great selection of toys and DVDs, so check them out next time you are ordering a book. Amazon doesn't carry toys, but their prices on books and DVD's are always competitive with Chapters.

9. Thought Spots by Thought Spots. Also a Canadian company. Thought Spots are little reminders and messages that inspire or tell someone you care. They cling to mirrors and other glass surfaces, but are easily removed. The New Mom Thought Pack makes a great baby shower gift!
10. Fisher Price Grow-to-Pro Basketball Net from Amazon.com. My son loooves his basketball net. No, Amazon.com still doesn't ship to Canada {at least not most things and not for a reasonable shipping fee}. I have family in Montana, so I shipped an order from Amazon to my grandparent's house a few weeks before my parents were planning to be there for a visit. Amazon seriously has everything, so I wish they would make shopping with them from Canada more easy and cost effective!

So You Think You Can Dance For A Really Long Time

Registration for the event that my sister and I are planning, a dance-a-thon fundraiser in support of the Mustard Seed in Calgary called So You Think You Can Dance For A Really Long Time, is now up and running!

Who: We invite all Calgary and area youth {or the young at heart} to sign-up to be a competitor by clicking the link above. Then download the pledge form {from the same website} and start collecting cash and cheque donations and bring them with you to the event.

What: Come prepared to dance the day away with your friends to great music, enjoy cool entertainment, and have a chance to win fantastic prizes!

Where: Eau Claire Market {Centre Court}

When: Saturday, May 15, 2010; 11:00am - 6:00pm

Why: This event will involve the entire community in a fun and competitive way while raising money for a great cause.

You can also send an email to dance@theseed.ca of you have any questions or find So You Think You Can Dance For A Really Long Time on Facebook!

How puzzling...

My husband and I consider oursleves King & Queen of Television Watchers, especially in the winter months. We usually sit down on the couch as soon as our son is in bed, and proceed to watch 2 - 2.5 hours of television {which in PVR terms usually means 3 hour-long shows}. There are probably only a handful of shows that we don't watch.

This couch potato status, as you can imagine, doesn't do a whole lot for our relationship. Sure, we bond over a good episode of The Office that we both laugh hysterically through, but we aren't talking {especially since we skip commercial breaks} about our days, or what is going on in our 'separate' lives.

So, a couple of weeks ago my husband suggested that we needed to 'do something' together, and since - much to his dismay - I do not enjoy playing cards, my hubby ordered us a puzzle off of ebay. We started the puzzle almost immediately and have both become hooked. We work together {okay, we still need to work on this a little bit}, talk, and just spend time together. So far, it has been a really positive change for us. I am going to bet that we will be purchasing another puzzle soon... and maybe the TV will get a much-needed rest for a few minutes each night.

Some of My Favourite Things...

For today's Mother Monday post I thought I would share some of my favourite baby/toddler items from the last two years. These five items just happen to come from five of my favourite online shopping stores as well! Next week I'll list off five more favourites, so come back next Monday for the rest!

1. My Petunia Pickle Bottom Touring Tote Diaper Bag. I had to take a picture of my exact bag because this print is no longer available, however, the new prints are just as fun! It is the perfect size for me, not too big, but still fits everything I need. I purchased my bag at my favourite online baby store based out of Ontario Dear Born Baby! A Canadian store that offers free shipping on orders for $100 or more, what could be better?!

2. Toddler B's Personalized Cubino Chair from You Name It Baby {also in Ontario}. The chair itself is available at other retailers, however, You Name It Baby embroiders your child's name on it {for a small fee} making it their extra special seat. My son sits in his all the time, and I happily have it in my family room because it looks good.

3. Gertie Balls are the best balls around for any active toddler. The smaller ones are good for older babies too because they are easy to grip. Toddler B has one in every toy area of the house for playing soccer, catch, basketball... I bought ours from Scholar's Choice and found them to have good customer service and reasonable shipping costs. *Note: Scholar's Choice seems to be out of stock on Gertie Balls right now. They are pretty difficult to find, so if you do find them, order a few extras to give as gifts!

4. The Imaginarium Train Table from Toys R Us. Santa got this for Toddler B for Christmas and it has been an excellent source of entertainment. The quality is great and it is compatible with the Thomas Wooden Railway trains. It does take a few hours to put together, but not too difficult. {Bonus: costs way less than the Thomas Train Set!}

5. Grobags from Mom & Baby Works. A Calgary-based online store that also features all of the Tiny Soles brand, as well as many other great products. Excellent customer service too. My son has been in a sleep sack since he was about 6 months old. My hubby and I give most of the credit to our being able to get good sleeps to Grobags.