Test Driving The Feel of Real Toy State Vehicles

We are happy to announce our new role to be Toy State Ambassadors and will be sharing details about the new “real” like vehicles. We are very excited about this as both my son and daughter love playing with cars, so does my husband and I. Toy State founded in 1984 is an innovator and industry leader in the manufacture of licensed and highly stylized lights and sound vehicles that provide hours of enjoyment for kids of all ages.

Lets make a Toxin-Free Generation and Win any product you wish from Seventh Generation

Seventh Generation derives its name from the Great Law of the Iroquois that states, "In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations." The company gives us seven simple tips to live life more toxin-free.   

Pause to Share Your Love

Its February and everywhere we look we can see that love is in the air.  Hallmark makes it easy for us to show our loved ones how much we care with their cute, unique gift ideas and cards.  Here are some Valentine's specific products. 

CUPIG

“CUPIG” shuffles and shakes his belly while singing a parody of the “Cupid Shuffle.” The perfect Valentine’s Day gift for those looking for some cuddly comfort. 

Love Ya Pup plush toys

This adorable pup’s ears flap as he says “Who do I love? You-oooh!” Coordinates with matching activity book that has 32 pages of mazes, colouring pages and word searches.

Blooming Expressions Flowers

Reveals our love all year with a flower that blooms at the push of a button.  This would be a perfect flower vase to keep in the desk at home or work.  There are lots of designs to choose from.

Something for You Pup
Deliver a special something in a memorable way with this cute pup. Simply place an item in his mouth (anything from a card or flower, to a small box of candy) and give it to your loved one. When your Valentine pulls it out, the puppy will give a little “grrr” and then a happy “ruf, ruf!” with a wagging tail.  I think this is a cute way to deliver the gift.
Ultimate Gift Bear
This ultra soft and cuddly teddy bear comes with a festive (removable) bow, so it can be given for any occasion.  Who wouldn't love a cuddly bear :)

Hallmark has always been my go-to-place when I look for thoughtful quality cards to give to family and friends.  Signature greeting cards from Hallmark makes it easy for us to express how we feel and they make a cherishable gesture.

They have Valentine’s Day Signature Collection Cards that are handcrafted with beautiful paper, rich texture and just the right embellishments.  

Hallmark also has Card Presenters specifically for Adults, this collection of cards complete with elegant and beautiful designs and are highly crafted with gems, attachments and a unique clasp. The embossed envelopes add a special touch that shows our loved ones that we care.

Fuzzie Wuzzies Card Presenters would be loved by Kids.  My children love how the card looks and feels.  This line of cards feature cute critters covered in fun textures with a Valentine message tucked inside.  Children will like storing their cute belongings inside this little friend i.e. tweety, monkey and snoopy after they remove their message.  

Hallmark wants Canadians to “press pause” to take time to “share their love” and celebrate the occasions that make our lives meaningful.  Love can be celebrated anytime so get these cute products from Hallmark to give it to those you love.

All rights reserved on photographs and opinion of the written content Createwithmom © 2011 - 2013. Please Ask First

Kinder® Surprise® Giveaway

We love Kinder chocolate and are excited to see the 2013 collection of Kinder toys.  Kinder has created lots of memorable moments of joy and continue to do so in our family.  It is a fabulous chocolate and treat for both children and adults :)
The Soft Tummies, Combo cars, Dino Age series and all the other cute toys will be loved by everyone in the family.  The fantastic collection of Kinder toys are centred around adventure, exploration, artistic development and active lifestyle.

I like giving Kinder chocolates to my children as a reward and sometimes when we feel like having something sweet.  Kinder chocolates are made using high quality cocoa and real sugar in peanut and gluten free facilities.  

Kinder® Canada is giving away 10,000 Kinder Surprise Eggs on their Facebook to celebrate the launch of the 2013 Toy Collection.  Grab your free Kinder Egg by visiting their Facebook.

Disclosure: I'm part of the Kinder Mom program and receive special perks as part of my affiliation.  All rights reserved on photographs and written content Createwithmom © 2012. Please Ask First

Learning Through Play with LEGO DUPLO

Large Brick Box

My children enjoy learning and playing with LEGO.  I think the best and easiest way to learn is through play.  My son is a big fan of LEGO DUPLO and spends lots of his time building, creating and discovering many ways he can use the LEGO pieces to make things.

I like having toys like LEGO DUPLO because these learning toys are valuable as children think and manipulate objects to build things.  I think this type of unstructured learning is beneficial to parents and children.  We can spend quality time teaching, building and learning about what children are thinking.  When children get positive feedback and encouragement from us they feel excited, and we too feel really happy about the creative things they build.

Children tend to relate things they see in daily life when they play, I like that LEGO DUPLO keeps their products colourful, detailed and make the characters, animals, train, farms in the sets something that children can relate to.

I like the size of the LEGO DUPLO bricks.  The products are aimed for children over the age of 1 1/2 years.  We don't have to worry about children accidentally putting the pieces in their mouth because the pieces are big and easy for children to hold on to; however, as with anything use with care and watch as the little ones play :)  LEGO helps children develop their fine motor skills and become creative. 

Bricks and Books

I like the idea of having a book to go with the LEGO pieces.  I was able to teach my son to follow each page of the book as we read the story.  I also got his help in building and finding the correct piece that were shown in the book to match the LEGO.  I like how we get to read and play at the same time, so reading becomes a natural part of play.  Children learn to match 2D shapes on the book with the 3D LEGO pieces at a young age with toys like this.  It is easy to follow the illustrations and become engaged in the story of this book about a caterpillar and his friends.  

Play with letters

My son is learning his alphabets and it fun to learn with these colourful bricks with letters and matching pictures.  My daughter and son try to find the letters in the alphabet and have found so many ways to play with these useful LEGO DUPLO pieces.

Large Brick Box

Children will enjoy getting creative with this fun collection of bricks that come in a sturdy, reusable storage container with a transparent lid that makes clean up time easy.  The set includes a book of building instructions and inspirations.  The box has special elements to create rolling cars, planes, houses that allow children to become creative.

I enjoyed capturing these memories with the Samsung Wi-Fi Digital Camera.

Learn through play Contest

Support learning and literacy in your own community and home by nominating your favourite local library and win.  Starting October 3rd, Canadian Library Association and LEGO DUPLO will have a contest, where 13 libraries in Canada can win $500 worth of LEGO DUPLO products and the 13 people who nominate the library will win $350 of LEGO DUPLO products.

Giveaway

With LEGO DUPLO products you will see your children learning as they play.  As the holiday season is approaching I would like to share some coupons with the readers of Createwithmom.

5 Canadian readers of Createwithmom can win (5) $5 off coupons to buy LEGO DUPLO products by leaving a comment on this post and entering through the rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: I am a LEGO DUPLO play ambassador and receive special perks for being part of this.  All rights reserved on opinion, written content and photographs Createwithmom © 2012. Please Ask First

Lemon preserve and jam jar kit

Lemons are cheaper in the summer, so it is a good time to take advantage of this and make lemon preserve to use off-season.

This lemon preserve will come handy in cooking i.e. chicken or to add into other pickles.  For this basic lemon preserve recipe you will  need...

unbruised clean Meyer lemons

coarse sea salt or kosher salt (not table salt)

Trim the top and bottom of the lemon to keep it flat.  Then cut the lemons into quarters vertically up to 3/4 way (the lemon should not split so don't slice it all the way).

Stuff the lemon with salt and pack it into a clean jar.  Cover the lemons with its own juice, when you press the lemons into the jar it will produce its own juice.  You might have to add fresh juice of 1/2 lemon if need be.

Let it sit for 3 weeks or more in a cool dark place.  I usually keep them for longer before opening the container.  Over time the lemons will reduce and become soft. 

As soon as the lemons are soft it is ready to be used.  Once you open the container store in the fridge for up to 6 months or more.  

If the lemons are not fully submerged in its own juice then a white film will appear.  If this happens just remove it with a spoon or lightly wash it off and use.

If you wish when packing the lemons to preserve you can add whole spices like bay leaf, cinnamon stick, peppercorns or cloves.

Disclosure:  I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and receive special perks as part of this.  All rights reserved on opinion, written content and photographs Createwithmom © 2012. Please Ask First

I used the creative Jam Jar kit from Cath Kidston Ltd to decorate preserve containers.  
This kit has 20 jar toppers in 5 different patterns, 8 sticker sheets, elastic strings and 6 easy delicious recipes.  
The kit is useful in decorating our homemade preserves, before giving it as gifts to family and friends.
The Cath Kidston Jam Jar kit is available online, bookstores and amazon.

Barbies, accessories upcoming coupons

Barbie has been there for a long time and it isn’t about fashion and girlie accessories; it’s also about imagination, creativity and the importance of play.  
When we play with dolls and change their wardrobe, it opens a world of imagination.  I remember making clothes for Barbie with my grandma.  My daughter enjoys playing with Barbie as she tries different hairstyles and puts on accessories.
Save With Barbie Coupons 
Starting August 7th, every week either on Tuesday or Thursday I will be posting coupons that you can use to purchase Barbie dolls, accessories and many more essentials :) on my Facebook and Twitter.  
Please follow so you will easily get to know about these deals and save.
Disclosure: I am participating in the MC campaign for Barbie and receive compensation.  All rights reserved on opinion of the written content Createwithmom © 2012. Please Ask First

Cake pops for any occasion

I used this cake pop kit from Bakerella that came with instructions and useful tools to make these delicious treats.  The cake pop kit includes a colourful booklet with instructions, a cake pop stand, cello bags to place each cake pop, cake pop sticks, gift tags and ribbons.  The kit is available on Amazon and in bookstores.  
This creative treat is a lot of fun to make and is the new trend :)  

My kids were super excited to help me make these cake pops.  It would be a lovely treat for any day, which can be served as dessert or at a party.  It would also be a good homemade gift to take to family and friends.


We need...
1 box cake mix
1 16 oz container frosting
candy melts (I used the Wilton brand)


Follow the instruction on the cake mix and bake the cake; don't forget to get some help from the little ones to make it.
When the cake is completely cool crumble the cake with clean hands in a big bowl and add 3/4 of the frosting from the container.
Mix the cake with the frosting and then make balls about 2" diameter.  Leave the cake ball on a baking sheet that is lined with wax paper, cover with plastic wrap and place in the freeze for 15 minutes or refrigerate the cake balls until it is firm.  We can also shape the cake balls into any shape we like and then place it in the fridge.
Make sure the cake pops are firm before coating with the candy melts.
Melt the candy coating in a small heatproof bowl in the microwave.  Make sure to choose a bowl that is about 3" deep, which makes it easy to dip.  Put in 30 second interval and stir in between.  Repeat this till the candy coating melts and is smooth.
Work with a few cake balls at a time and leave the rest in the fridge.  The candy melts harden pretty fast so if you want to add sprinkles or decoration do it soon :)

Dip the lollipop stick into the melted candy coating then insert into the bottom of the cake ball half way and then place it in the stand for it to dry.
Dip the entire cake pop into the candy coating.  Dip and remove in one motion without stirring.
If the coating is thick add few drops of vegetable oil to thin it, I didn't have to do this.


These cake pops can be stored in an airtight container or in the fridge.  Hope you get to try these fun cake pops with your family.

Check out Life Made Delicious for fun ideas and fun offers.  To cheer our athletes that are going to the Olympics 2012, General Mills has a lovely offer of fun Free cheer gear t-shirts and flip-flops on their specially marked packages of cereal, Nature Valley granola bars and Betty Crocker child snacks.  

All we have to do is buy one of these, find the code inside the package, visit this link, select a size and get the shirt or flip-flops for free.  Life Made Delicious covers the shipping and handling fees, so we don't have to pay anything to get the cheer gear that will arrive in 8 to 10 weeks.
Also follow their Facebook to get free coupons.

Disclosure:  I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and receive special perks as part of this.  All rights reserved on opinion, written content and photographs Createwithmom © 2012. Please Ask First