Several years ago, I purchased my all-time favourite pair of leather sandals at Sears. They had a 3 inch wedge heel and were the most comfortable pair of footwear I have ever owned. I decided to wear my dear footwear friends to my eldest daughter's grade 6 graduation ceremony this past week.
My poor sandals didn't survive the 3 block walk :( The heels literaly disintegrated on me. I have never seen anything like it before. So I had to literally run back home to change them, on my toes. Well I ran halfway home only to realize my keys were still in the stroller, so back I went to get them. Then I ran all the way back home to put something else on and ran all the way back in time for the ceremony.
It was a lovely ceremony. Very sweet. And yes, I will admit to the occasional tear in my eye. Each of the kids got to share their favourite memories and the principal and 2 of the teachers gave fabulous speeches. The grade 5s, which includes my son, sang a song to them in French and one of the moms had put together an incredible slideshow. It was ridiculously hot in the gym, but was a very memorable ceremony followed by an enormous selection of goodies to eat and drink.
All the kids in the class were all dressed up and looking so much older than when they started JK 8 years ago. I just can't believe how quickly my once little girl is growing up. It feels like only yesterday that she came running out of school to my her little brother and I for a hug, excited to share her day, and now she is receiving Academic medals and moving on to Senior public school and starting French Immersion. It is a little sad yet so exciting to see how she is growing up, but one thing never changes, and that is how proud she makes me each and every day. My favourite sandals on the other hand...
Saturday, 25 June 2011
Camping in the back yard
Well apparently J and the 3 older kids are sleeping out in the back yard in the tent tonight.
The oldest two are almost 12 and 11 and have been wanting to do this for about 8 years, haha.
I took one of the cats out to check it out earlier. She sniffed around the edges of the inside of the tent and promptly found a hole and got out. Luckily she only went to sniff the BBQ so I got her back quickly.
They are equipped with their Melissa and Doug sleeping bags, I think I saw a Zoobie or two, a Lego flashlight, and my 4 year old has her Melissa and Doug flashlight and Turtle Gus (all except the Lego flashlight were purchased at www.babyheist.com for awesome prices).
Should be interesting to see who lasts the night. Needless to say, baby and I will be sleeping in the house with the cats ;)
The oldest two are almost 12 and 11 and have been wanting to do this for about 8 years, haha.
I took one of the cats out to check it out earlier. She sniffed around the edges of the inside of the tent and promptly found a hole and got out. Luckily she only went to sniff the BBQ so I got her back quickly.
They are equipped with their Melissa and Doug sleeping bags, I think I saw a Zoobie or two, a Lego flashlight, and my 4 year old has her Melissa and Doug flashlight and Turtle Gus (all except the Lego flashlight were purchased at www.babyheist.com for awesome prices).
Should be interesting to see who lasts the night. Needless to say, baby and I will be sleeping in the house with the cats ;)
Thursday, 16 June 2011
Baby Heist - My number one shopping site
Before I even began this blog, I was thinking of future topics. One of the first topics I thought of was www.babyheist.com. This is by far my favourite online shopping site. Why? Well that is not a simple question to answer. There is not one reason, there are countless reasons.
BabyHeist is a CANADIAN company, which is awesome in itself. It is run by two, yes only two, Canadian moms in Burlington ON. Each of these moms has 3 or more kids at home. And they are two of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet. I have only ever had contact with them through email, text messages and facebook, besides one phone call, but they feel like dear friends. They are incredibly kind, generous, helpful, funny, and have so many other fantastic qualities.
If you have ever shopped at daily deal sites like BabySteals, BabyHalfOff, etc it is a similar concept. For the most part, there is one deal, aka heist, a day. These are baby, kid, family products at 40% and more off. They have had sought after items like Turtle Gus, Zoobies, Trunkis, and so much more. I have learned about so many new products through their heists. A major difference is that once an item is in your cart, it will not be taken out. You have 10 minutes to do some research, decide if you want to purchase and check out, it will not be taken out before that 10 minutes unless you take it out yourself. Payment is through PayPal or credit card not linked to paypal.
They also have what is called SHH - meaning Secret Hidden Heists. These are bonus heists :)
Another feature they have that I LOVE is called UGH - Unknown Goodie Heist. For these they give you a few hints, let you know how many items are included and the age they are for but you are essentially buying a surprise bag/box. Usually at a savings of over 50% of retail!! I have a slight addiction to these and have purchased at least 15 of them - in them I have received items like A+A dream blanket, Trunki, Zoobies, Sleep Sheep, many Melissa and Doug products, Fleurville diaper bags, and so much more! I have never been disappointed.
Another feature I love is called the BOA - Bag of Awesomeness. These are also surprise bags, but YOU give them the hints and likes and dislikes. They work around them to fill this bag for you at substantial savings over retail. These are in various sizes from $25 to $100 usually. I have also purchased at least 5 of these and have never been disappointed. I have received Snap Me Swimwear, Trunki, Spaloosh wooden toy box, Melissa and Doug products and so much more. Love them!
As if all that isn't enough, they have MILD - each month a special Mommy In Love with Deals is announced. This lucky mama received advance notice of heists, special shipping priveledges and more.
The wonderful BH ladies offer very competitive shipping prices (as well as free local pickup) and have the absolute best customer service on the planet. They are very accommodating. I really truly cannot say enough good things about them. I have never had a mediocre, much less bad, experience with them. In this day and age where the customer is no longer always right, the ladies at BabyHeist are truly a breath of fresh air.
They have also created a great Facebook community with lots of very helpful and friendly moms. Once they reach 10,000 fans they are having a HUGE giveway like they did at 8000 fans. Over 100 prizes to be won, and you can enter to win now. http://www.facebook.com/babyheist?ref=ts
These two wonderful women also have two other businesses called momsfinds.ca and DK Baby Designs but I will tell you about them another time.
I highly recommend that you check out this fabulous site. New heists are posted at 10 a.m. daily at http://www.babyheist.com
This is a picture of my 4 year old on a fabulous BabyHeist mail day in my house, the big box included the BOA with my toy box in it.
BabyHeist is a CANADIAN company, which is awesome in itself. It is run by two, yes only two, Canadian moms in Burlington ON. Each of these moms has 3 or more kids at home. And they are two of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet. I have only ever had contact with them through email, text messages and facebook, besides one phone call, but they feel like dear friends. They are incredibly kind, generous, helpful, funny, and have so many other fantastic qualities.
If you have ever shopped at daily deal sites like BabySteals, BabyHalfOff, etc it is a similar concept. For the most part, there is one deal, aka heist, a day. These are baby, kid, family products at 40% and more off. They have had sought after items like Turtle Gus, Zoobies, Trunkis, and so much more. I have learned about so many new products through their heists. A major difference is that once an item is in your cart, it will not be taken out. You have 10 minutes to do some research, decide if you want to purchase and check out, it will not be taken out before that 10 minutes unless you take it out yourself. Payment is through PayPal or credit card not linked to paypal.
They also have what is called SHH - meaning Secret Hidden Heists. These are bonus heists :)
Another feature they have that I LOVE is called UGH - Unknown Goodie Heist. For these they give you a few hints, let you know how many items are included and the age they are for but you are essentially buying a surprise bag/box. Usually at a savings of over 50% of retail!! I have a slight addiction to these and have purchased at least 15 of them - in them I have received items like A+A dream blanket, Trunki, Zoobies, Sleep Sheep, many Melissa and Doug products, Fleurville diaper bags, and so much more! I have never been disappointed.
Another feature I love is called the BOA - Bag of Awesomeness. These are also surprise bags, but YOU give them the hints and likes and dislikes. They work around them to fill this bag for you at substantial savings over retail. These are in various sizes from $25 to $100 usually. I have also purchased at least 5 of these and have never been disappointed. I have received Snap Me Swimwear, Trunki, Spaloosh wooden toy box, Melissa and Doug products and so much more. Love them!
As if all that isn't enough, they have MILD - each month a special Mommy In Love with Deals is announced. This lucky mama received advance notice of heists, special shipping priveledges and more.
The wonderful BH ladies offer very competitive shipping prices (as well as free local pickup) and have the absolute best customer service on the planet. They are very accommodating. I really truly cannot say enough good things about them. I have never had a mediocre, much less bad, experience with them. In this day and age where the customer is no longer always right, the ladies at BabyHeist are truly a breath of fresh air.
They have also created a great Facebook community with lots of very helpful and friendly moms. Once they reach 10,000 fans they are having a HUGE giveway like they did at 8000 fans. Over 100 prizes to be won, and you can enter to win now. http://www.facebook.com/babyheist?ref=ts
These two wonderful women also have two other businesses called momsfinds.ca and DK Baby Designs but I will tell you about them another time.
I highly recommend that you check out this fabulous site. New heists are posted at 10 a.m. daily at http://www.babyheist.com
This is a picture of my 4 year old on a fabulous BabyHeist mail day in my house, the big box included the BOA with my toy box in it.
Thursday, 14 April 2011
Pampers Village: Connect with real parents like you!
On Pampers Village, you can share tips, support, and experiences with real parents like you. You’ll discover more about parenthood through articles, videos, and online tools, and receive offers, samples, and coupons!
Friday, 8 April 2011
Facebook: Friend or Foe?
I have been a facebook member for probably at least 5 years now. I joined because a fellow mom from an MSN group I was a member of suggested it to all of us group members. I am definitely glad she recommended it.
I am normally quite protective of my privacy and the privacy of my family so I didn't even have my last name on it for a long while. Evetually the privacy settings were enhanced so I was comfortable enough to add more and more info as time went on.
I would have to say that I have not had any negative experiences with Facebook. I have only had one person attempt to contact me that I really wanted nothing to do with, so all I had to do was ignore their message and friend request and that was it.
I have many friends on my Facebook friends' list. Each and every person on my Facebook friend list is there for a reason and is appreciated. I have been lucky enough to find or be found by nearly every one I went to school with all through childhood! I have most of my cousins and second cousins that I rarely see anymore since I moved 11 years ago. I have J's family members that are near and far since he is not on Facebook. On my friends list, you will also find parents of some of my kids' classmates.
I also have friends from college, and former workplaces. I also have friends from my favourite website, www.babyheist.com, that I have met through their fanpage. I have penpals that I never seem to get the time to write to anymore, but now I can keep in touch with.
I have friends that I play Cityville and Farmville with. I even have a friend that I "met" playing Scrabble on Facebook at the other end of the world. I have a former neighbour that I grew up down the street from, and his wife, and his brother. I have very dear friends that I was only with a short time, but carry with me always. I have friends from all around the world from many different cultural, educational and religious backgrounds. I have fellow Maple Leaf fans, New Jersey Devil fans, Detroit and Philly fans, Habs fans and the dreaded Senators fans and gasp, even non-hockey fans. But every friend on my friend list is there for a reason, not to have a certain number on my account, or anything like that, they are all there because they are.... A friend :)
I am normally quite protective of my privacy and the privacy of my family so I didn't even have my last name on it for a long while. Evetually the privacy settings were enhanced so I was comfortable enough to add more and more info as time went on.
I would have to say that I have not had any negative experiences with Facebook. I have only had one person attempt to contact me that I really wanted nothing to do with, so all I had to do was ignore their message and friend request and that was it.
I have many friends on my Facebook friends' list. Each and every person on my Facebook friend list is there for a reason and is appreciated. I have been lucky enough to find or be found by nearly every one I went to school with all through childhood! I have most of my cousins and second cousins that I rarely see anymore since I moved 11 years ago. I have J's family members that are near and far since he is not on Facebook. On my friends list, you will also find parents of some of my kids' classmates.
I also have friends from college, and former workplaces. I also have friends from my favourite website, www.babyheist.com, that I have met through their fanpage. I have penpals that I never seem to get the time to write to anymore, but now I can keep in touch with.
I have friends that I play Cityville and Farmville with. I even have a friend that I "met" playing Scrabble on Facebook at the other end of the world. I have a former neighbour that I grew up down the street from, and his wife, and his brother. I have very dear friends that I was only with a short time, but carry with me always. I have friends from all around the world from many different cultural, educational and religious backgrounds. I have fellow Maple Leaf fans, New Jersey Devil fans, Detroit and Philly fans, Habs fans and the dreaded Senators fans and gasp, even non-hockey fans. But every friend on my friend list is there for a reason, not to have a certain number on my account, or anything like that, they are all there because they are.... A friend :)
Thursday, 31 March 2011
People in passing
Have you ever stopped to really think about all the people you pass by or spend only seconds or minutes with that stick with you in your mind? I was unable to sleep last night and I began to think about all the people that have passed through my life. A few come to mind...
One night as we were entering a local restaurant we frequent, we had to pass through the patio and smoking area. I was behind, as I had to get K out of her car seat at the time. J, A and X had already gone in. This man put out his cigarette and went and opened and held the door for me, which these days is a rare thing. Anyway, as I went past I said "thank you" and he responded, "You are very welcome, and thank you for having such beautiful children." Of course, he had had several beers I'm sure, but it was still nice to hear, haha.
And then there was the group of grandparents out with their grandchild that we met at Costco recently. We only had S with us and the little boy kept talking about "the baby". (This was in the restaurant section). After they finished eating they came over to chat. It turned out the boy's name was Boston. And at home he had a dog named.... You guessed it... Bruin. Now how could I forget them.
There are always people you have little interaction with that still manage to cause aggravation... The rude csshier.... The people blocking the aisle in the store.... The one who cut you off... The kids you pass by that are bullying another child... The list goes on.
But I find it nice to remember those people you pass by briefly that make just that little difference in your day, or bring a smile to your face. Who would you rather be to that "stranger" you pass on the street or in the store or wherever it may be... Someone that causes some aggravation in what could already be a bad day, someone that brings a smile to their face or someone they never notice at all? Just something to think about.
One night as we were entering a local restaurant we frequent, we had to pass through the patio and smoking area. I was behind, as I had to get K out of her car seat at the time. J, A and X had already gone in. This man put out his cigarette and went and opened and held the door for me, which these days is a rare thing. Anyway, as I went past I said "thank you" and he responded, "You are very welcome, and thank you for having such beautiful children." Of course, he had had several beers I'm sure, but it was still nice to hear, haha.
And then there was the group of grandparents out with their grandchild that we met at Costco recently. We only had S with us and the little boy kept talking about "the baby". (This was in the restaurant section). After they finished eating they came over to chat. It turned out the boy's name was Boston. And at home he had a dog named.... You guessed it... Bruin. Now how could I forget them.
There are always people you have little interaction with that still manage to cause aggravation... The rude csshier.... The people blocking the aisle in the store.... The one who cut you off... The kids you pass by that are bullying another child... The list goes on.
But I find it nice to remember those people you pass by briefly that make just that little difference in your day, or bring a smile to your face. Who would you rather be to that "stranger" you pass on the street or in the store or wherever it may be... Someone that causes some aggravation in what could already be a bad day, someone that brings a smile to their face or someone they never notice at all? Just something to think about.
Thursday, 24 March 2011
Who am I?
Now that is a loaded question if ever there was one. I'll start with the obvious. My name is Randi. I live in the beautiful Niagara Region of Ontario, Canada. I am not from this area originally, I am from what used to be a small town called Bowmanville.
I am mom to 4. 3 girls and 1 boy. My boy is the second oldest, he is 10 and I'll call him X. My daughters range in age from 8 months to 11 years. A is 11, K is 4 and S is 8 months.
I am a stay-at-home mom. I also sell Epicure Selections. I graduated from a 3 year accounting program in college and spent each term on the President's Honour Roll. I am also officially bilingual as I was in French Immmersion from kindergarden through OAC high school. It's been a while since I used my French or my accounting knowledge but I'm sure it's all locked away somewhere.
I love to find bargains for my family and I. It is very satisfying to see something "on sale" and know that you got it for a better price :). I want my family to have the best but not pay an arm and a leg to get it. I also love to do sudoku puzzles and all sorts of word puzzles. I can also be found on Farmville when I get the chance.
Little miss refuse-to-nap is calling so I will have to end here but that is me in a nutshell. Fitting to use the term nutshell, since some days I seem to be living in a nuthouse :)
I am mom to 4. 3 girls and 1 boy. My boy is the second oldest, he is 10 and I'll call him X. My daughters range in age from 8 months to 11 years. A is 11, K is 4 and S is 8 months.
I am a stay-at-home mom. I also sell Epicure Selections. I graduated from a 3 year accounting program in college and spent each term on the President's Honour Roll. I am also officially bilingual as I was in French Immmersion from kindergarden through OAC high school. It's been a while since I used my French or my accounting knowledge but I'm sure it's all locked away somewhere.
I love to find bargains for my family and I. It is very satisfying to see something "on sale" and know that you got it for a better price :). I want my family to have the best but not pay an arm and a leg to get it. I also love to do sudoku puzzles and all sorts of word puzzles. I can also be found on Farmville when I get the chance.
Little miss refuse-to-nap is calling so I will have to end here but that is me in a nutshell. Fitting to use the term nutshell, since some days I seem to be living in a nuthouse :)
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