$5 for 5 kids meals @ Boston Pizza!

One of our favourite places to go out for dinner is Boston Pizza, so purchasing the Boston Pizza Kids Card is pretty much a given for us. What makes this purchase even better is that the proceeds go to a variety of charities such as Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Kids Help Phone. 

How does it work? 
On sale until Nov 2 the Boston Pizza Kids Card is $5 and is good for 5 kids meals. (Kids meals are regularly $6.99 each) 
For every one adult entree purchased you get one free kids meal. 
The card is only valid for dine in only and the card expires on March 30th, 2015!

The Boston Pizza Kids card can be purchased at any Boston Pizza restaurant and also online here. 

Happy dining! 

Tis the season for LICE - tips for treating, and preventing!

When I was younger there was a rampant case of lice that ran through my school/daycare and then it was like a pandemic that felt like it was NEVER going to end. It was nuts!
As a single mom, my mom couldn't afford the continuous amount of times treatments were needed so she started using a vinegar wash.
Seriously it is never a fun day when you start going to school smelling like salt & vinegar chips. EVER
Fast forward to working within the Social Work field, I feel that I have had my share of lice experiences. Although my kids have yet to go to school so I won't count my chickens before they hatch ;) 

First of all, take a deep breathe, you can get through this. 
You will get rid of this. I promise. 

Second of all lets get the myth out of the way - Lice is not just a "dirty person's" problem.
And actually the cleaner your hair is the more the lice love your hair! Go figure huh?!!

Treating/Getting rid of Lice

The person(s) with lice need to be treated ASAP with an over the counter lice product. You can get these at pretty much any pharmacy. Shoppers Drug Mart has a good selection of ones such as Nix,  Resultz, and Zap.  There are also other lines such as the Eco Kid Lice Bomb that you can find at well.ca.




At another Shoppers I also found this Robi Comb, which seems like another good alternative solution.







A good nit comb is important. There are many to choose from but as long as spaces between the teeth of the comb are small you are good to go.  The Lice Squad suggests getting a stainless steel comb (they are easier to sterilize) that is in the mid price range ($12-$25) and one that has long tines (teeth). 


You will also benefit from a magnifying glass and good light as the Nits, also known as eggs are small and a lot of the time hard to see. They are generally at the "shaft" of the hair (close to the roots). Nits are white/yellow/brown in colour.

For items that can go into the washing machine and dryer. 
Wash and dry on high heat to kill any eggs. 

If you have items that can't go into the washer or if you have items that you can live without for a few days, place them in a air tight bag and let them sit outside for a few days. Lice can't live without a "host". Dry cleaning is also another option. 

Sanitize your brushes, combs, and hair accessories in hot water! 

Also remember to vacuum couches, carseats, rugs, and other fabric items. 

How to help prevent lice

Investing in a good shampoo with tea tree oil or adding some essential oils such as tea tree oil or mint  to a bath once or twice week has been said to work at preventing lice. 

Weekly head checks, especially by the neck and ears!

Teach children not to share hats, hair accessories, brushes, ear phones, etc..

If your child has long hair, encourage keeping hair in pony tails or other styles. 
(Check out these easy Frozen hairstyle tutorials on YouTube)



Still not confident that you can tackle this endeavour? 
A quick Google and Kijiji search will point you in the direction of some people that offer lice removal services for a fee! 

Good luck and again, I promise this too shall pass! :) 

#loveforlilee - One year and lives on

Yesterday I was reminded again about a little girl who was fighting cancer, her name was Lilee Jean Putt.
Lilee was diagnosed with Glioblastoma very early in her short life and unfortunately Sept 6th marked the year anniversary of the last day that Lilee took her last breathe on earth. As one of the many of thousands of followers there were ups and downs and Lilee's parents shared it all with everyone. Even preparing for the end.

They made a list and labelled so eloquently. Dancing in the Rain. 
A trip to Hawaii. Christmas in August. Trick or Treating. A picnic for all the supporters to meet Lilee. And much more.

Lilee's mom Chelsey, who is an amazing writer and blogger kept a blog through the whole process (loveforlilee.com) and then moved on to her own blog (thechelseydiaries.com).
You will laugh. You will definitely cry. You will feel. And you will even feel inspired.
I can only hope that I am lucky enough to read her book one of these days.

I don't know if Lilee's family knows the impact they have had on so many people.
Awareness for children's cancer.
Embracing life to the fullest.
Cherishing loved ones.
Living life through love.
And as always #dancingintherain

As I end this I want to leave you with this. September is childhood cancer awareness month and it is crazy to believe that cancer is the #1 killer of children under the age of 12. (More stats here)

So tonight hug your loved ones. Tell the ones you love that you love them oftenand don't forget to #danceintherain

Pumpkin Fair 2014 - A day trip for everyone on Oct 4th!

Saturday October 4th - Mark your calendars ladies & gents. 
The Smoky Lake Pumpkin Fair is an annual event that has been happening for years and it is just a mere 1.5 hours drive North East of Edmonton. 

There are tons of things to do all day for everyone such as a Pumpkin auctions, farmers market, mini midway, petting zoo and so much more. There is also a food court set up with many delicious options and a beer garden as well. 
Plan to stay until at-least 5:30pm so you can see the epic pumpkin drop. 
(See video above) 

P.S. There are also convenient shuttle services offered throughout the day as well. 

~Enjoy~ 

Prenatal/Birthing Classes - There are options!!!

When I was pregnant with Carter Kris and I registered for a 6 week prenatal course offered through Alberta Health Services. While this class was pretty good in terms to the who, what, where, when etc etc of having a baby I thought that these were the only classes available within the city of Edmonton.. (hindsight right?!?!)  
Whether you want to attend a large group, smaller group, or even a one on one there are are options. My hope is that this list will be a starting point for you and that you as a soon to be parent get the best information for you! (be it with your first, second, or twentieth child)
Happy searching! 

North
Mommy Connections Edmonton North 
http://www.mommyconnections.ca/edmonton-north/

South 
Full Circle Birth Collective
http://www.fullcirclebirthcollective.com/
587.521.2717

Mommy Connections Edmonton South
http://www.mommyconnections.ca/edmonton-south/

Primary Care Network South
www.edmontonsouthsidepcn.ca
780.395.2626

West 
Baby Bump Doula & Birth Services
780.918.9359
http://www.babybumpdoula.com/

Lucina Centre 
http://www.lucinacentre.ca/wellness/wellness
780.481.8446

Mommy Connections Edmonton West
http://www.mommyconnections.ca/edmonton-west/

Gentle Touch Doula Services 
780.440.6105
http://www.gentletouchdoula.com/

Sacred Births Edmonton
780.953.73-037
www.sacredbirthsedmonton.com 

St.Albert 
Mommy Connections St.Albert 
http://www.mommyconnections.ca/st-albert/

Spruce Grove/Stony Plain
Mommy Connections Spruce Grove 
http://www.mommyconnections.ca/spruce-grove/

Sherwood Park 
Mommy Connections Sherwood Park 
http://www.mommyconnections.ca/sherwood-park/

Leduc
Mommy Connections Leduc 
http://www.mommyconnections.ca/leduc/


Do you know Doula's or other places that offer pre-natal classes? 
Please share them with me so I can update this list. 

Community League Day FREE celebrations - Saturday September 20th!!

This Saturday is Community League Day and there are so many activities happening!
Each community is offering something different but all of it is fun.
The best part??? It's pretty much FREE! (Some may require you to pay a small amount to cover costs for food, drinks, etc)
To see what's happening in your community check out the Edmonton Community League website!

Free Tea for Teachers & Daycare workers @ David's Tea on Sept 16th!

DAVIDsTEA is showing their appreciation for Teachers and Daycare workers and for all they do, by offering them FREE tea on Tuesday September 16th!

Wondering if this includes you?? Head on over to the DAVIDsTEA Facebook Page and you can view the many questions to see who qualifies! So far I have read Sunday School Teachers, Teacher assistants, Home School Teachers, Dayhomes and so much more! 

Want to pick up some DAVIDsTea products and take advantage of this awesome giveaway? 

Check out their website to see where the closest location is to you, or shop from the comfort of your own home!