Minivan Mom, Best in Class!

Ok, Ok, I am not a car person by any means. Sure, I know my basics like how to check my oil and when to take it in for an oil change. But I certainly don't know much about "the car" per say.

That is until Chrysler offered me a chance to test drive their 2014 Dodge Caravan for a week. 

I never thought of myself as "The Minivan Mom", but Da--rn, this test drive changed me and my family! I can certainly see how the Caravan has been Canada's #1 selling minivan for over 30 years! 

First, let's get the car jargon out of the way. The Caravan has the most awards ever, with the Best-in-Class towing of 3600lb and Best-in-Class power with 283 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. The 2013 Caravan was also the 'Top Safety Pick' by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. 

We drove all the way up to Sudbury in, at some points, complete white-out conditions and heavy snowfall (truly the ultimate test drive!). Donning our snow tires and more than 40 safety and security options, I have never felt safer behind the wheel! Though, it's a good thing we also had the Garmin Navigation system in the multimedia center to get us there, because every sign was covered in snow! 

Oh! Did I mention we made it from Mississauga to Sudbury (a nearly 5 hour drive) with a 1/4 tank of gas left! AMAZING! With 955KM/tank (23MPG City/36MPG Highway) the Caravan had amazing fuel efficiency and we had no need to worry about pumping gas in the snow storm! 

The best part though! The bestest part of all was the in-car blu-ray video system! It's certainly not easy to keep a toddler entertained in a car seat for much more than 30 min...let alone a few hours! This system saved us from a fussy, fidgety and feisty toddler until we could make a pit stop! The 9" screens were super easy to use, and with dual media jacks and a 115V outlet, we could have also connected a game system! 

I have to say, I also LOVED the space! Not only were the Stow 'n Go seats as easy as 1-4 (literally pull strap 1 thru 4 and down the seat went!) but the 2nd row offered me enough space to actually climb into the van and close the door while getting Samantha into her car seat! 

I found this especially useful, especially with the cold, since most car seat experts are now saying to remove the child's bulky winter coat before strapping them in. The space allowed me to get both of us into the van, close the door from the cold, take off her coat, strap her in, cover her with her coat and a blanket safely and warmly! 

I must say, this test drive has truly changed me. I can officially say I am "The Minivan Mom" and I CANNOT wait until we have one of our own! And with this being Chrysler's 30th Anniversary, there has never been a better time for us to convert! 

I wonder if that's what Santa's getting me for Christmas (wink, wink)

Thank you again to Chrysler for offering me and my family this ultimate test drive! 

Dora the Explorer Live: The Perfect First Show!

When I was just a girl, I can remember my very first theatrical performance! It was my birthday...heavens only knows which one...and I remember looking out the front window to see a limo pulling up to our house! Now, if you've been following my blog, you may remember me mentioning that my family wasn't exactly rolling in the dough, so you can only imagine the sheer excitement I felt when I realized the limo was for me!

I didn't care where I was going, just stepping inside made me feel like royalty. But, when my royal limo stopped and I was escorted out, I found myself standing in front of The Centre in the Square. I was completely euphoric. I had never seen a show before and the show was Cats!...That night forever changed my life! I became completely enthralled in theatre, especially how a simple black stage could be transformed into a back alley...into a far far away land...into NYC's Lower East Side...into whatever the director dreamed.

So, when I found out that Dora the Explorer Live! Search for the City of Lost Toys, one of the most anticipated shows of the year, was coming to the Centre in the Square, I knew I had to grab tickets for Samantha and my 3-year-old-Dora-loving-niece! 

I know, I know, Samantha isn't even 2 yet, how will she ever remember this experience. But I will remember the way her eyes lit up as the characters danced across the stage, this blog will remind her of her expressionless-mouth-gaped-open-stare she had as the stage came to life before her eyes, and more importantly I have created a memory, an experience and something that has left an impression on her, just as it did on me so many years ago. 

Firstly, I strongly recommend the attending Dora & Diego's VIP Adventure Party! What a great way to not only get a personal meet and greet with Dora & Diego, but the best way to burn off that extra energy before trying to sit your toddler in a seat for 70 min! 

Samantha and my niece had an absolute blast at the Adventure Party. The DJ was mixin' the tunes, the room was filled with Dora ball pits, mini table and chairs and pop up tents for the children to play with and tables lined with Dora coloring sheets! Plus water and juice boxes for everyone to rehydrate after the energy drain. Each guest even got a special loot bag filled with Dora goodies, including a Dora The Explorer VIP badge! 

Though I have to say, my favourite moment was after Samantha met Dora. We were one of the first people to get to meet Dora and Diego. She was pretty apprehensive at first...OK she full out screamed...but then my niece reached out and held Samantha's hand, all while giving Dora a little glare. Such a cute moment.

But the best part was after we finished meeting them: Samantha just did not want to say goodbye to Dora! She kept trying to run up to her and photo bomb other children's pictures! So, with all the excitement and activities that surrounded us, we just sat on our bums and watched as the other children all gave Dora hugs and Diego high-fives! Too cute!

After the Adventure Party was over, it was time for the real fun...time for Dora the Explorer Live: Search for the City of Lost Toys! I had no idea what to expect from either of the girls. Samantha, I pretty much had it in my head that she would sit still for all of 5 minutes and then want to run, therefore missing the rest of show so she could run around the lobby. 

But, to my shock and amazement...the girls both sat there, mouths wide open, in complete awe of the performance! Samantha did not move an inch for almost the entire first half of the show. That is until the lights came on and the show stopped. With her arm stretched as long as she could, she pointed to the stage over and over saying as loudly as she could "Dat!" "Dat!" "Dat!"

Finally, the lights redimmed and she instantly was drawn to the stage again. Though for the second half of the show, she didn't sit still for one second! She stood up on my lap (for a better view, of course) and jumped and dance and clapped along with the rest of the audience.

This interactive performance got the entire audience on their feet dancing, singing and clapping away. The best part was that not only were the kids involved in the play, but the show was actually designed to teach them to explore, communicate, overcome obstacles, solve puzzles and discover a diverse and exciting world using song and dance! 

I can see how this production has been incredibly successful, selling over 2 million tickets worldwide! With Koba Entertainment's artist director, Patti Caplette, using the company's hallmark innovative multimedia technology to create a truly unique production and an all-star creative team including F&D Scene Changes and projection designer, Beth Kates, this live musical adventure is truly one of a kind and I am SO glad that I was able to give the girls a memory that will last a lifetime!

After the show had ended and the seats emptied, Samantha ran as quickly as her little booted feet would let her, up to the empty stage. Sorry Baby Girl, no encore this time.

Hmmm...now what show should I bring her to next?! I hear The Backyardigans: Sea Deep in Adventure is coming to town! 

5 Bags...25 Meals!

Lately, I have been finding that I am spending more time in the kitchen and less time with Samantha. And as much as I love her "helping hands", when the burner is on and the oven is hot, I'm more afraid for her safety in our tiny kitchen.

Don't get me wrong, I think it's absolutely adorable when Samantha grabs onto my leg and tugs at it to see what Mommy is doing...that is until your trying to hold your pants up with one hand, stir the pot with the other hand, hold your child with another hand, keep her hands out of danger with another hand, maybe do a jig and keep a smile on your face!

So, when my friend offered on Facebook to get a few of us girls together and assemble a month's worth of slow cooker freezer meals I was 100% game! Simply thaw, add a few fresh ingredients, throw in the slow cooker and I get the rest of the day to play with Samantha!

Well, after a wonderful morning with some amazing ladies. We all chopped, sliced, diced and assembled 5 recipes. In a normal family, each recipe can then be divided up into aprox 5 seperate meals! My family...not so normal, so I'm going to split each bag into 2 and get some leftovers for the lunch the next day! (Wink...which means even more family time!)

So goodbye Pizza Friday and hello healthy slow cooker family meal!

Hot and Spicy Braised Peanut Chicken

IN THE BAG- 2 cups onions, 2 cups carrots, 2 cups zucchini, 1 red pepper, 1/2 t grated lime peel, 2 T lime juice, 2 T soy sauce, 2 T flour, 4 garlic cloves, 2 lbs. cubed boneless, skinless chicken breast. TO COOK- Dump contents of bag in slow cooker. Cover with 3/4 cup chicken broth and 3 T peanut butter (whisked together). Cook on low for 5-6 hours. For the last five minutes, add in 1 can of coconut milk and 1 bag of frozen peas. TO SERVE- To make it spicy, add 1/2 teaspoon of red curry paste before serving (I kept our unspicy for the kiddos). Garnish with chopped peanuts and cilantro. Serve over rice.

Coconut Chicken Curry by Martha Stewart

IN THE BAG- 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, 2 lbs. of chopped butternut squash, 2 medium onions,chopped, 8 minced garlic cloves, 1 oz fresh ginger, 2 T curry powder,1 t ground coriander, 1 t ground cumin, coarse salt  TO COOK- Add the contents of the bag and a can of coconut milk to a slow cooker and cook on low all day. 25 minutes before serving, add another can of coconut milk and a bag of frozen peas. TO SERVE- Garnish with chopped cashews and cilantro.

BBQ Chicken adapted from this recipe by Mama and Baby Love

IN THE BAG- 2 cups sweet potatoes, 2 cups red and green bell pepper, 1 cup carrots, 2 cups onion, 3 cups zucchini, 2 T flour, 1.5 lbs chicken, 2 cloves garlic, 1t salt TO COOK- Dump bag plus one bottle BBQ sauce into crock pot, cook on low for 6-8 hours. TO SERVE- Serve on rice with some fried veggies

Orange Chicken

IN THE BAG- 2 cups carrots, 2 cups bell peppers, 1 lb cubed boneless skinless chicken breasts, 3 cloves garlic, 1 t salt, 1/2 t pepper, 8 oz. orange juice concentrate (orange pineapple will work as well) TO COOK- Cook on low in crock pot, 4 to 6 hours TO SERVE- Garnish with clementine slices (use 4 clementines) or mandarin oranges (two cans) and green onions (two, chopped). Serve on rice. Stir fried veggies make a great side.

Man-Pleasing Chicken modified from Witty in the City

IN THE BAG- 2 cups red and green bell pepper, 1 cup carrots, 2 cups onion, 3 cups zucchini, 2 T flour, 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, 2 cloves garlic, 1 t salt TO COOK- Add the contents of the bag with 3/4 cup of dijon mustard, and 1/4 cup of maple syrup and 1 T of rice wine vinegar to a foil lined glass pan. Cook at 450 until a meat thermometer reads 165 degrees. TO SERVE- Garnish with fresh rosemary and serve.

Mommy's Little Helper: Applesauce Cookies with Caramel Frosting!

Lately, Samantha has been my little mini me. She just has to do everything I do, whether it's sweeping the floors, emptying the dishwasher or baking cookies! I have to say though, I just LOVE this stage she's going through. It is so adorable watching her "sweep" the floor with a broom twice her size; or help me empty the dishwasher saying "Tank...Ooo" every time she hands me a piece of clean cutlery.

Well, now that the Holiday Season is upon us, it's time to start my Christmas baking. What once took only a day or two to complete has certainly taken a lot longer with Samantha's tiny fingers needing to help along. So, I've decided to make only a few recipes and treats this year, but try new ones that sound and look delicious and share them with you too!

After posting my Mom's Pizza Soup recipe and the amazing response it received, I thought I should probably post this recipe too seeing as Samantha could barely keep her hands out of the cookie jar!

I got this recipe from the Chef in Training blog and boy oh boy are they delicious! The recipe makes a HUGE batch though, so no need to double up (as I usually do).

**My second batch I tried to cut down on the amount of sugar by using honey. 

Though they were a bit drier, they were still super yummy!**

APPLESAUCE COOKIES WITH CARAMEL FROSTING

2 cups sugar
1 cup shortening
2 eggs
2 cups applesauce
4 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cloves

Preheat oven to 375 FIn a large bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and cloves. Set aside. Cream sugar and shortening together. Add eggs and applesauce and mix well. Add in dry ingredients and mix until well incorporated. Drop small spoonfuls of batter on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 F for 8-10 minutes.

While cookies are cooling, prepare frosting.

CARAMEL FROSTING

6 Tbsp. butter
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, heavy cream and brown sugar. Cook, stirring occasionally until mixture just begins to boil; remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Let cool in fridge, then stir in the powdered sugar. Spread frosting over cookies

ENJOY! 

Pop Goes the...Elbow!

Well, it finally happened! Samantha had her "first" trip to the hospital. I say "first" because when she was just a few months old, we did bring her in because I suffered from Over-Protective Mama Syndrome. But, this time Over-Protective Mama Syndrome proved right.

While at the mall doing some shopping, we walked past a very enticing display of twinkly lights at the Apple Store. Clearly, no child could ever resist them. Well, Samantha right away not only noticed the display, but discovered it was an open display where she could go right in a play with lights. (Clearly Apple wasn't thinking child safety when they put this one up.)

So, after a few minutes of trying to coax Samantha away from the store and a few tears and tantrums, I was finally able to get her to hold my hand and walk away from the display, only to have her quickly turn away from me and run back to the display again.

Well, in that split second she decided to turn back and run, while I was still holding onto her hand, all I felt was a POP and hear her cry!

I didn't know what to do and all I could think was "What did I just do?". I seriously thought I had broken her arm or dislocated her shoulder! It was the strangest thing to see her not able to move it, just a limp limb. We immediately went to the hospital and thankfully were in and out in less than 90 minutes!

The nurse told me it was "just a pulled elbow and it's the most common childhood injury" then in 30 seconds twisted her arm one way, twisted her arm the other way and it was done...after a few seconds of tears she was back to giggling with a popsicle in her hand.

I'm writing this because of how serious this may sound and how common this injury is and also to tell you "It's not your fault!". A pulled elbow (or "nursemaid's elbow" or "radial head subluxation") is usually the result of the toddler's arm being jerked or yanked. Their ligaments are looser and more stretchy than an adults, and because of this a normal tug can cause the elbow bone to slip under the ligament and become trapped. Thankfully, this is the easiest treated injury and usually within seconds the child and arm is completely back to normal!

That being said, remember to be careful with your little ones! I know they love to be swung in between mommy and daddy while going for a walk, but after learning more about this injury, this is the easiest way for this injury to occur. Remember when picking your child up, pick them up by their torso, under their arms...and not by their arms.

For more information, check out this month's copy of Today's Parent Magazine. They have an article called Out of Joint that explains much more about this very common and easily treatable toddler injury.

More Than Just a Girl!

Tonight, while "the grown ups" were chatting after dinner, Samantha decided to get into my kitchen cupboards...again! This time, instead of throwing cake mixes, cans and cheerios all over my floor, she got creative!

She took the cans and stacked them one on top of each other, until they were 5 high and she needed help to stack the next one! She even went as far to make sure that the correct ends were together so that they high ends stacked into the low ends!

So, when I saw this video, not less than 30 minutes later, I HAD to share it!

I'm not sure what Samantha will do when she grows up, but I sure hope that she's not only happy but able to show just how intelligent she really is!

If you like what Goldieblox is doing to innovate for girls' toys, you could like them on Facebook. And if you want to see them win a chance at airing their commercial in the Super Bowl (instead of seeing another creepy GoDaddy ad), you could vote here. Just sayin'. Also, you could share this epicness if you think we need more girls interested in engineering...totally your call though!

Perfect Baby Handprints and Footprints

As a first time mom, when the Christmas season came around last year, it was my mission to make sure that every grandparent, aunt, uncle, cousin...well pretty much everyone...received either a picture of the most adorable baby ever or a special Baby's First Christmas memento.

So, after browsing through Pinterest interest for hours on end, I found the cutest footprint and hand print Christmas crafts I could find and went to work.

At first, attempting to paint a 5 month olds VERY ticklish toes and trying to get that perfect foot print was incredibly frustrating and messy. I'm sure more paint ended up on me rather than on the plate. Then there were those teeny tiny fingers with that damn grasp reflex. Sure, it's adorable when those tiny fingers grab onto your finger, but when you are trying to get that perfect handprint..well enough said. 

But after a few tries and a lot of patience, we both became pros!

So, here's Mama Laur's Tips for Hand Printing Babies!

- Use washable paint first, until you and baby are used to the feel of the paint and brush. Once that "skill" is mastered, move onto acrylic paint for a more permanent print.
-More paint does not make for a better print...just a messy one.
- Strip baby down to her diaper...paint always ends up on clothes.
-Be patient. If your baby grabs and clenches the brush don't try, wait until she releases her grip to remove the paint brush. (Sponge brushes are the best for babies). Use patience when doing the hand print as well, wait until the baby's hand is relaxed before you press it to the material. As soon as the hand touches the plate, it will tense, so gently but firmly place your hand overtop to prevent smudging.

Also, if you're gift giving budget is tight, I recommend a trip to the Dollar Store! Purchase a few plates or mugs, sponge brushes and acrylic paint in your desired colors! Wash and dry when you get home. After you have your perfect print (which is REALLY easy on these preglazed prints, because you can "touch up" the print) you'll need to spray it with a sealer. I bought mine at Michaels for $8.

Best of luck and to start you off, here are a few of my favorite prints!