'Tis the Season for shopping--with our Holiday Gift Guide 2012 ~ ParentSource.ca Durham Region's Parent and Kid's Guide

'Tis the Season for shopping--with our Holiday Gift Guide 2012 ~ ParentSource.ca Durham Region's Parent and Kid's Guide

What a wonderful life.

I am truly blessed to have a wonderful life.  Everyone has their ups and downs and so do I, but I really feel happy throughout the day.  I make a point of letting things go and not dwelling on minor details.  With that being said, it is hard to do.  I occasionally feel blue or worry about things I have no control over, but then I quickly remind myself that I have worked hard and that I really do deserve the best life possible.

I have two wonderful children and at times they can be challenging but I always remember that they are very funny little boys and they make me laugh every day.  This weekend we took a trip to Minneapolis and Grampa had given Preston money to spend on something special.  So, of course, as we relaxed in our hotel the first night, Preston wanted every toy that he saw on the tv.  But when it was actually time to shop he wasn't convinced that anything was worth spending his money on.  He kept saying he would just ask Santa or tell Grandpa, Grandma, MorMor or Papa that he wanted these toys for Christmas or his Birthday.  It wasn't until we were walking through the bedding department at Target that he finally saw something he could not resisit....'Angry Birds bed sheets'.  Well, I nearly fell over laughing that it was not a toy, or a video game, or candy that got my little mans attention; it was bed sheets.  Oh my pratical side has already rubbed off on him.  He is so excited to show Grandpa what he bought with the money.

Calvin on the other hand is too young to really understand shopping and toys but he sure did have us laughing at everything he does.  His newest thing is to belly laugh at everything that Preston does and shake his head no at everyone that will look at him.  He is already a smart little guy, at 8 months, he knows to call me 'dada' and then shake his head no until I laugh at him.  Then he will say 'mama' and laugh even harder.

These are just two little stories from our wonderful weekend but it is another example of my wonderful life.

10 Things I’ve Stopped Saying Now That I Have a Kid…

10 Things I’ve Stopped Saying Now That I Have a Kid…

March Break Guide-Suggestions from Yummy Mummy Club

We design a theme for each day - "Fun in the Sun" day where we go swimming at the Y and have a picnic indoors; "Party Day" where we plan a party with the kids' friends| etc!
Suzi in Stratford| ON

For Working Moms| this week can be super stressful. You're not the only Mom facing the same challenge| so let's work together to make a playdate plan for a couple of days during the week! Enlisting the help of Friends| stay home Moms who are ultimately facing the same challenges of trying to keep their kids busy| would love the opportunity to help out by having some pre-planned Playdates! You'll be amazed at how great this can work out and everyone....kids and Moms alike.... can enjoy some pre-planned playdate fun!
Sara in Winnipeg| MB


Plan lots of fun day trips to places like the Butterfly Conservatory in Niagara| the Sugar Bush for Maple Syrup festivals| the Zoo| indoor pools| etc. You could also do an overnight trip to a place like the Great Wolf Lodge or any hotel with a pool.
Brenda in Etobicoke| ON

Create a jar with things to do (make sure you want to do them as well!). Then every day they can pick from the jar. i.e arts and craft day| movie day| building snow fort day| trying new food day...you get the idea. March break is not about spending money - it's about enjoying time together and getting creative.
Julianna in Toronto| ON

Take your kids to the dollar store and give them a $5.00 limit. Tell them to create something (a centerpiece| gift for grandma| etc.) with their own hands. This should free up some time for you and keep the little ones busy creating something handmade to keep for years to come.
Sheila in North York| ON

Get together with your girlfriends who have little ones the same age and take turns at each others houses during the week. Then you're out of the house for 4 of the 5 days. Then organise a "Daddy day" on the Saturday - so you can relax and recuperate....and on Sunday is a Family day at the Zoo! Et Voila!
Charlotte in Oshawa| ON

This year we will be travelling to New York for the latter part of the March Break. For the plane ride| my survival kit includes a portable DVD| crayons| coloring/activity books| a hand held leapfrog and of course my daughters' favorite thing - Robert Munsch books. I am not completely sure what it is exactly| but she loves almost any book written by him and reading his books to her keeps her entertained for hours.
Mary in Markham| ON

Crafts!!! I always have backup crafts and supplies ready for days off with my daughter. She enjoys it| and I get to do something constructive with her without chasing myself in circles!
Harmony in North Vancouver| ON

Give up on housework and concentrate on having fun with your kids.
Jaime in Maple Ridge| BC

For the parents of preschoolers - hire the young teen babysitters who are bored and on holidays. Good for everyone; mommy of preschooler|preschooler| teenager| mommy of teenager. Everyone wins!
Judi in Vancouver| BC

I keep tons of glue and sparkles around because here in BC it is still the rainy season! When we run out of stuff to do| I just open up old books and magazines and let the kids go sparkle crazy! Recipes look really amazing covered in silver glitter! It's a good way to use up old magazines and the kids rooms look so fancy!
Marisa in Coquitlam| BC

Have your children help make up a daily calendar so they'll have something fun to look forward to every day of the break!
Natasha in Toronto| ON

Have a day-long scavenger hunt| with a task for each hour--at breakfast| get the first task; 9 am| change into your day-jammies and get the next task in your pajama drawer; 10 am| raid the fridge for lunch ideas and find the next task under the milk jug| etc.
Faye in Kingston| ON

Plan daytrips| but either go early to the popular places like museums or go 2 hours before closing when the lines are shorter| still giving the kids enough time to get excited and tired!
Etsuko in Toronto| ON

Figure out a calender of ideas to do each day. The kids look forward to the next day| plus there is the added incentive to be co-operative!!!
Susan in Richmond Hill| ON

Enlist the help of dad. Have him take a day off work if possible to spend with the kids| so you can spend a day yourself. Or see if the grandparents will take the kids for a fun filled day. A sleepover party is a must! Taking turns each night will give you a break| and the other parents too! Each slumber night can have a theme with all day activities based on that theme.
Diane in Oakville| ON

Just to be a kid. To play in the snow| smell the Kraft Dinner and drink the hot chocolate. To be free and to understand that it is thier break as well.
Nancy in North Bay| ON

Besides myself| there are at least two other moms from my daughter's class that take time off from work during March Break. Last year| the three of us took turns watching each other's daughters for the day. That way| the girls had playdates at different houses ("new" toys at each friend's house) and each of us moms had a vacation day off.
Daniela in Cambridge| ON

Remember that one day when they are grown and gone and the house is quiet...these are the days you'll wish you had had more of.
Shawna in Winnipeg

I make sure I take 1/2 an hour a day for me. A run on the treadmill before wake up time or extra bubbles in the bath before bed! A happy yummy mummy makes for a great March Break!
Christine in Mississauga

I like to have colouring pages printed from the internet to occupy time in the car.
Robyne in Flin Flon| MB

I start planning for the March Break about a month early. Knowing activity costs ahead of time helps us stick to our budget| and helps prevent impulse "boredom" spending.
Rachel in Barrie| ON

Schedule time for you and the kids to do things together but also APART! Yes they are your children and you love them| but a whole week of loving| family togetherness is a dream! So give it up and make sure you carve out a few chunks of time for them to go off with friends or another adult while you relax| read a book| shop| whatever.
Andrea in Toronto| ON

I keep frozen cookie dough and cake mixes in the cupboard. When it is too cold outside| then we make treats for Daddy inside. We all get covered in icing and have fun| then we all get a sweets afterwards.
Lisa in Angus| ON

Always keep one or two bins of toys put away. On long breaks or holidays pull them out. It is like having all new toys.
Charissa in Fox Valley| SASK

If you can afford it| take a Disney cruise with the kids! We are going back this year - they have activity clubs on board for the kids. Disney gives the parents a pager in case one of the little darlins jumps overboard (they won't) and then you can go to the spa| or get some QT with your hubby!
Sheila in Orleans| ON

Just repeat this mantra "one day at a time". It always works...LOL!
Vicky in Toronto| ON

We take a trip to the dollar store and each child gets to pick out 3 or 4 items that will be fun activities for the break! We do it like a hunt and try to find the items that will keep us busy the longest and that everyone will be able to do.
Lisa in Caronport| SASK

I take the kids up to the local ski hills with our toboggans. There is usually a free access hill and just enough of a slant for the little kids to get a kick out of sliding down the mountain. For the older kids right beside this little hill at Cypress is the Tube park. We have a great day| drink hot chocolate and everyone is exhausted for bed.
Deena in Surrey| BC

Collect some easy baking recipes and bake away with you kids. Playdough is always a favourite. Add plates| play cutlery and let them cook for each other.
Karina in Brampton| ON

Get yourself to the gym each morning for alone time and work off some stress and gain energy!
Jolaine in Abbotsford| BC

I get the kids to help me make cookies and we go to a nursing home and give them to the residents. This is something they love and the residents love seeing the kids. Keeps them busy and teaches them to help others.
Rhonda in Port Moody| BC

Just enjoy March break with your child| because pretty soon he will not need you to be a part of his week. You will be replaced by friends and Playstation and the internet.
Mimi in Ottawa| ON

Do some menu planning with your kids. Let them pick recipes they love for the week. Take them grocery shopping and get them to help buy the ingredients| and then of course help prepare (and cleanup!) the meals they have chosen!
Penny in London| ON

This is a great time to visit your local science or natural history museum. These museums tend to be kid-friendly| and have exhibits that can be touched and often even climbed on. You can't get the kids outside| but maybe they'll burn some of that energy off---and they might learn something in the process
Colleen in Harper Woods| MI

Beading!!....no matter age or sex| winter or summer| they all love to bead. Have a huge tin/container full of funky beads and accessories and grab them to illuminate the chaos. Collect new and used through the year to keep up stock and interest!!
Karen in Summerland| BC

I will survive March Break by sending the kids to their dad's for the entire week of ME time!! Long overdue that's for sure!
Tamara in Guelph| ON

Springtime in the bathtub! Break out the swimsuits - put 'em on - get out paints and bath crayons and go nuts in the tub. Color the walls| the floor| everything. Make a nice spring scene and gear up for summer! The kids will love it and clean up is a breeze!
Jenny in Menomonee Falls| WI

Appreciate every minute of it. Don't get caught up in trying to do it all| the time lines will stress you out. Enjoy every moment as it comes| everything happens for a reason.
Roz in Maynooth| ON

My plan is already in motion| so to speak. The mums have all gotten together and set up play dates for the majority of spring break with fun activities for all the girls. One mum will take the girls to the children's museum. One will have a pj movie party one da . Then the third mum will take the girls for a pool fun day. That covers most of the holiday's and helps out with daycare costs| and the kids are entertained.
Trish in Winnipeg| MB

I have 3 children| so to help the march break go by| I ask each child to plan a dinner for the week. They look forward to their day to cook and I have fun teaching them. I take each child seperately to get their ingredients at the supermarket....they enjoy the alone time with mom.
Lori in Woodlsee| ON

Get together with 4 moms and arrange to have all the kids at one home for a day. One mom brings the lunch| one the crafts or activities| and the other has a day to herself. Alternate so each mom does each activity. The kids seem to be better behaved when they are together and no one gets bored. 3 Moms are at each home so there is lots of help and a chance to socialize for you and the kids. Each Mom has a day to enjoy herself at the spa or to just read a book and relax.
Dianne in Calgary| AB

Network with 4 other mothers so each family has all the kids each of the 5 days. You only have one day of craziness and FOUR days of peace!
Heather in Halifax| NS

Get a package of construction paper and spend the day making flowers to decorate the walls to bring spring faster
Rosemarie in Yarmouth| NS

Go to the dollar store and stock up on craft supplies and games. Put the supplies in a basket and let them create| invent a game or play.
Cecile in Grand Falls| NB

For several months I save all sorts of odds and ends and the kids (I babysit also) make crafts. Then we have a little craft sale and then I bring the kids to a Dollar Store and they can by themselves or their parents something. My daughter and the kids I babysit get very excited about the project.
Debbie is St. Hubert| Que

Don't expect to get all your usual things done It's ok for the house to be more of a mess for a week! Enjoy the kids!