http://www.lite959.com

My son just turned 2. I did a month of planning, and came up with the idea of doing a Pirate Party. With a 2 year old, I didn’t come up with a lot of activities, as 2 year olds don’t pay much attention. I did, however, come across the BEST BALLOON ARTIST EVER!! His name is Trixtan.

I met Trixtan at Montana’s Restaurant on 130th. He was going around to the tables to do balloon animals for the kids… and he blew me away making a frog for my 2 year old and a helicopter for my 4 year old. Gone are the days of balloon dogs and flowers. So I hired Trixtan for my son’s birthday. He was AWESOME! He was great with the kids, and stayed long enough to make sure every kid had their own custom made balloon. Check out the collection!

He even dressed the part of a pirate for my party! Thanks Trixtan! Here’s a link to his site. www.trixtan.com Be sure to also check out his show “Our Next Show“.

Thank you Trixtan. You are a remarkable talent!

Bonus Code: PARTY

I do have one big pet peeve at work… and that’s pens and pencils that have been chewed on. I usually keep my own stash of stationary supplies at my desk. Because, I do (occasionally) put my pen in my mouth… and don’t need someone else’s spit… ewww!

Here’s a tempting pencil for anyone who has the habit of chewing your pencil… the Matitizia Pencil by Italian Designer Cecilia Felli.

It’s not an ordinary pencil, it’s an edible pencil made from licorice root. If you like licorice, then this is for you.

Not sure if the pencil will be mass produced, or if it’s good for your teeth… better ask your dentist before you pick one up.

The inner beaver in you may not have the best teeth after chewing pencils, but there are several health benefits to Licorice Root. It’s been known to help treat stomach ulcers, it helps for respiratory illnesses. Licorice has been used by the Chinese for more than 5,000 years. Its roots have tremendous therapeutic properties. The Greeks used licorice as thirst quencher and to relieve swelling caused by water retention.

A pencil to help your habit, and a licorice to help your cravings!

Bonus code: PENCIL

Earlier this year I had the opportunity to meet one of the most inspirational people in my life. She has touched my heart and my soul. Her name is Lee Horbachewski. She has been fighting depression for more than six years and in honor of Mental Health Awareness week, she will be dying her hair blue this November to help raise funds and awareness for mental illness and suicide prevention.

Its part of the Going Blue 4 U campaign. The Mental Health Association is an organization that’s near and dear to my heart. And it was through my own brother who I lost, due to mental health issues, that I learned to understand the pain that no one else can see.

As today is National Depression Screening Day. – I encourage you to be a part of Lee’s journey. To help out with the Going Blue 4 U campaign, and help them raise funds, click here!

BONUS CODE: Blue

The Common Cold

As we approach Cold and Flu season, parents are already frantically washing their kid’s hands. We yell at them to NOT touch ANYTHING in the public washrooms. It’s like a plague, and we just want to stay away from any sort of sickness.

Not only do we feel sorry for our little ones when they catch cold, or worse stomach flu, but we also have to worry about ourselves. First off, if we get sick, how are we to care for our loved ones? And secondly, if we get sick, how are we ever going to take time off of work?!

The Calgary Health Region gives out pamphlets year round to help us under stand the Common Cold.
1.) What is a cold?
The cold is an illness caused by a virus. There are over 100 different cold viruses. Colds can occur any time of the year.

2.) How is a cold spread?
A cold can be spread when someone who is sick coughs or sneezes tiny drops into the air or onto objects. People who breathe in or are in direct contact with these drops (example: by touching their nose or eyes with contaminated hands) can get the disease.

This is why we try to teach children to cough or sneeze into their elbows!

3.) How long does a cold last?
A cold usually lasts about 7 to 10 days. It can be spread to other people one day before, and up to 5 days after symptoms appear.

4.) How is a cold treated?
Antibiotics DO NOT help a cold, because it is caused by a virus, not bacteria. There is no specific treatment for a cold, but to ease symptoms you can eat healthy foods and drink lots of water, juice and warm liquids, rest, gargle with salt water to help throat pain, take pain or fever medicine as needed (ASA products such as Aspirin are not recommended for children) and use a cool-mist vaporizer.

5.) When do you go see a doctor for a cold?
When you have a fever for more than 2 days. See below for a guide on *Normal temperatures.
If a child is under 3 months who has a fever.
If there is pain on one or both ears (small children may tug on their ears when they have pain)
If you have trouble breathing or pain in your chest.
If you have a very painful and red throat

6.) How can a cold be prevented?
Wash your hands
Keep your hands away from your nose and eyes
Don’t share drinks, cups, spoon or forks with a person who is sick
Maintain a healthy and active lifestyle

For more information call the Health Link 403-943-LINK (5465), 1-866-408-LINK or Communicable Disease Control at 403-944-7075

This is actual information taken from The Calgary Health Region pamphlet given to me from the Alberta’s Children’s Hospital. (This material is designed for information purposes only. It should not be used in place of medical advice, instruction and/or treatment. If you have specific questions, please consult your doctor or appropriate health care professional.

*Temperature Guide for children:
From the Calgary Health Region
Fever is one way your child’s body fights an infection. The most common illness in children is infection from a virus. There are thousands of different viruses. Fever can also be caused by an infection with bacteria. Fever itself will not harm your child. How high the fever is does NOT tell you how serious your child’s illness is. How your child acts is a better sign. Normal temperatures* in children are:
• Rectal: 36.6 – 38.0 °C (97.9 – 100.4 °F)
• Mouth: 35.5 – 37.5 °C (95.9 – 99.5 °F)
• Underarm: 34.7 – 37.3 °C (94.5 – 99.1 °F)
• Infants under 60 days: 36.3 – 37.3 °C (97.3 – 99.1 °F)
• Ear: 35.8 – 38.0 °C (96.4 – 100.4 °F) (not recommended in infants)
*Canadian Pediatric Society

A baby less than 3 months old with a fever needs to be seen by a doctor.

Calgary Heath Region Link – Caring for a Child With a Fever
Calgary Health Region Link – The Common Cold Alberta

Health Services Link – http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/
Bonus Code: Cold

We have two children, and we have a list of about 4 babysitters. But it’s not always easy to find the right sitter for your kids. Thanks to Ellen Percival from Calgary’s Child Magazine who has some GREAT tips on babysitting with her Babysitting Handbook.

Babysitting Handbook By Ellen Percival
Hiring a babysitter is a welcome break for mom or dad and a great way for young people to make a little spending money – especially if they enjoy caring for children.

Finding A Babysitter You And The Kids Will Both Be Happy With.

What do you do when you need a babysitter and your family is busy and your best friend has plans? Plan ahead for that time and begin your search early. After you’ve found a prospective babysitter, have them watch your children for an hour. This will give you an idea of how well they get along and you’ll be more likely to enjoy a relaxed time away from the children.

Hiring Tips
Four Easy Steps
It’s simple to find a good sitter if you follow these easy steps:

Plan ahead for the inevitable time that family and friends are not available to baby-sit. This allows you time to be selective.
Network. Let your friends, family and neighbors know that you are looking for a babysitter.

Meet the candidates in person. This will allow you the opportunity to see how they interact with your children.

Look for someone who has experience and references and/or has taken a reputable babysitting course.

Set the Ground Rules
It’s important that you clearly communicate your expectations.

Ensure that your children understand that in your absence, the babysitter is in charge.

Write down and review ground rules with both the babysitter and your kids prior to leaving.

Make sure you explain clearly any rules that you have for your sitter. For example whether or not guests or personal calls are allowed and what parts of the house are off limits to them and the kids, etc.

Tips for Parents
Once you have found a great sitter, make sure they how much you appreciate them.

If you have to cancel at the last minute, show that you value their time by paying your sitter a cancellation fee. (One or two hours of pay would be appropriate.)

Feed your children before the sitter arrives or have food that requires little or no preparation or have take out delivered. Make sure you have snack food on hand for the children as well as your sitter.

Don’t be late. If you are delayed, call. You sitter will worry if you are late and so will their parents.

When you get home ask how things went. Were there any concerns or problems?

Former Police Chief Jack Beaton, suggests to keep your children and the sitter safe, you provide the babysitter with the following information.

Take the babysitter on a house tour to discuss things such as:
How to lock the doors and windows, How the burglar alarms work and what could set them off, The fire plan, The location of and how to use the fire extinguisher and first aid kit, and The location of the smoke detectors and flashlight. The cross street or description of your house location as well as the address.

As parents, we know the basic safety tips and crime prevention strategies, but we can always use a refresher. St. John Ambulance, the Red Cross, the Calgary Jewish Centre and the YMCA provide babysitting-training courses that also offer valuable information to parents.

For more safety tips on babysitting and staying home alone visit the Calgary Police Service Web site at www.calgarypolice.ca
Bonus Code: Babysitting

When we usually go to the zoo we head straight to see the Hippo’s and Giraffes! But not this time. We thought since the Hippo’s were “unavailable” today, why not take a walk into the Canadian Wild! WOW! Why haven’t I gone in there before. Maybe I thought because I live here, I’ve seen it all.

Okay I’ve seen the Bighorn Sheep driving through the Rockies, and the Mountain Goats on my way to BC… BUT

This owl is something I’ve never seen before. The biggest, most beautiful owl I’ve ever seen! I was in reach of him, and he just posed for my camera. It was truly amazing! WOW!

Now, here’s a bird I’ve seen. Mostly along the ponds and side lakes in Alberta. The beautiful Whooping Crane.

And this magnificent bird, the Bald Eagle. They are able to live anywhere in North America where there are suitable nest trees, roosts and prey species.

And a familiar animal to Canadians, the Grizzly Bear and Black Bears! These ones at the Calgary Zoo were enjoying a lazy day in the sun.

And the cougars! Wow. Big kitty. Growing up in the Kootenays in BC you know there’s cougars in the mountains, but I’ve never been this close to one. Nice kitty.

The Calgary Zoo is a GREAT place to take the young and old. If you plan on going at least 3 times, then pick up a seasons pass. We usually get an Engage adult seasons pass, Connect gate passes for the kids, and a Connect Gate Guest pass. This way you can take a guest like your husband, grandparent, nanny with you. And it’s not specific for one person. In total for us paying for 2 adults, one child and one infant (free) it came to $170. That’s for the whole year. If you buy a one day general admission pass for the same people it’ll be $55 PLUS parking $5.00 for a total of $60.00 for the day. So your membership will pay off in 3 visits. For more information visit their website at www.calgaryzoo.org.

Bonus Code: Canadian

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Taking a good picture is an art… or so we think. This was done by a professional photographer who, yes, touched me up and told me how to stand and pose. But how do we take a normal picture and still look good… InStyle Magazine has a top 10 list of things we should do to take a great shot. Here are a few of the tips.

Fake a Tummy Tuck
Those who say the camera adds 10 pounds haven’t tried this trick: “Twist your torso, turning one shoulder toward the camera and the other away from it,” “It makes you look very slender.”

Go Natural
Hair with movement to it comes across as sexier on film, so take it easy on the styling products

Let the Camera Do the Work
“A good one doesn’t have to be complicated,” says Los Angeles celebrity photographer (and former model) Jack Guy, who swears by the Canon G series because it takes great pictures—and doesn’t require expertise.

Put Money Where Your Mouth Is
Cheese is great on pizza, but for pictures, say “money.” “The strong e sound makes the corners of your mouth go up,” says Patti Wood. “And the crinkles around your eyes make it look like a genuine smile.”

Visit InStyle for more tips!

BONUS CODE: STYLE

What an amazing performance by the cast and crew of Cirque Du Soleil “OVO”. Performing now at Stampede Park. It’s a MUST SEE SHOW. If I were to describe the show in one word it would be “BENDY”. They can certainly move their bodies into positions I never imagined.

OVO showcases bugs in awe of an egg (OVO) that appears in their dwelling. The colours are vibrant and the performers are out of this world. A top class show in our own city. There’s no bad seat in the house! The talent is exceptional!

The show reminded me a bit of the Pixar Animations “A Bug’s Life”. With circus bugs performing tight rope acts, daring trapeze stunts, and juggling fruit with their feet. (Only… OVO circus bugs are WAY more talented than the ones in “A Bug’s Life”.)

Treat yourself to a night out with Cirque Du Soleil “OVO”. You can check their website for more details. www.cirquedusoleil.com

BONUS CODE: BENDY

If we could only go back to the days where we saw the world through the eyes of a child. How different would life seem? You don’t want to risk your children’s vision, and what the world looks like to them. Remember to have your children’s eyes checked. As part of their back to school routine, have their eyes looked at. Our friends from Calgary’s Child Magazine remind us why it’s important!

Calgary’s Child Magazine:
The Eyes Have It!
Vision plays an important role in helping children adapt to the world around them. The first time to start caring for your child’s eyes is during the first weeks after birth, when vision skills first begin to develop. You can help your child perfect these skills and prevent vision problems from affecting their lives by following these steps.

Catch problems early by being alert for signs such as an eye turning in or out, frowning or eye rubbing.

You can help develop your child’s vision and tracking skills by hanging a mobile on your baby’s crib, keeping toys within your baby’s view and talking to your baby as you walk around the room.

Vision problems among the very young are generally uncommon, however if you suspect a problem seek an early professional evaluation. Every child should have a thorough eye examination before age three and again before entering school.

For more great family tips and ideas visit Calgary’s Child Magazine.
Bonus Code: EYES

Cleaning up my kids toys is a HUGE task. They have SO many. So what am I supposed to do? Throw them out or donate them. My husband doesn’t want me to get rid of them at all. He says we should just put some away, then in a few months recycle them and bring them back. It’ll be like getting new toys again. For once… I think he has a good idea. But the task was a bit daunting! Oi! Here’s how it looked before the big clean up!

And he’s how it looks now.

How many days before it looks like the first picture again! My kids are 2 and 4. How on earth, in their short years of living, did they get so many toys! At what age did you throw out your kids stuff… for good? It’s so overwhelming sometimes. But I’ll be honest, my kids to play with every single toy they have!!!

Bonus Code: TOYS