New $5 and $10 bills revealed today

Did you know Canada..  with help from our favourite Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, the new $5 and $10 polymer bills where revealed today.

Bank of Canada unveiling new $5 and $10 polymer banknotes AT 12:15 TODAY bit.ly/12g9g0M Counterfeiting down, but...

— CBC Top Stories (@CBCNews) April 30, 2013

The $5 bill features images of the Canadarm and Dextre (Canada's robotic handyman in space).  The $10 bill features a scenic train.

Check out some photos of the new bills here.  I've read not everyone is impressed with the new bills, calling them cartoon-y, and now that the polymer set is complete, how do you feel about Canada's currency?

Koala Kid Available TODAY!

Did you know Canada.. Koala Kid, a fun family DVD, is available exclusively at Wal-Mart Canada today, April 30th!

Journey down under and meet a whole new breed of hero in this laugh-filled, action-packed animated adventure with an all-star voice cast, including Rob Schneider, Tim Curry and Alan Cumming. Johnny (Schneider) is a rare white koala bear who just wants to fit in and make friends. But when a twist of fate mistakenly transforms him into a fearless protector of animals, called “Koala Kid,” Johnny finds himself in over his head on a thrilling trek across the outback. With help from his hilarious new sidekicks, including a crafty Tasmanian devil, a lovable lizard and a boomerang-flinging female koala, Johnny may just outwit a villainous crocodile named Bog (Cumming) and become a true hero after all.

My boys and I have been enjoying this movie this afternoon, Rob Schneider's character is so fun, great for the whole family.  The boys have been acting out parts and talking about lizards, the outback and crocodile's - all in an Australian accent, it's been fun and silly.  There's also a fantastic tone about accepting who you are and knowing who you are, this Mama loves that. :-)

A good one to pick up this week and surprise the kids after school or for a Friday night movie night!

Transformers Fan Built Bot

Did you know Canada..  my kids (and hubby) are HUGE TRANSFORMERS fans.  So I wanted to tell you about this fun poll Hasbro is running.

Visit transformers.com/vote until May 5th to help build a bot!  That's right, for the 1st time ever, a fan vote will decide an all new transformers character!!

We are voting daily, if you have a transformers fan in your life, be sure to let them know about this!!

The new bot will be part of the up coming THRILLING 30 toy line, celebrating Transformer's 30th anniversary!  What's your first choice, AUTOBOT or DECEPTICON?

Vote for Splash'N Boots

Did you know Canada..  Our favourite group (we have ALL the songs memorized from their latest cd), also Canadian Children's Group of the Year AND new stars of Treehouse TV, Splash'N Boots, are vying to have their music video air on CBC through the Great Kids' CBC Viewer Voted Song Search!  WE are SO EXCITED for them!

Public voting open now until May 8th at http://www.cbc.ca/parents/songsearch/.

With many great prizes available to voters – including a trip for four to Toronto to CBC Kids' Day in July as well as many other weekly prizes – the winner of the contest will be determined by the most number of public votes. Voting is permitted once per day, and the chances of winning prizes increases the more one votes.

So here's how the voting process goes:

1. Find the Splash'N Boots Photo... Click on the “Play” button to listen to their song.
2. Click on the “Vote” button under their image.
3. Enter your email address on the form, and then check your email for a security code.
4. Enter the security code on the form and fill out your information.
5. “Submit” your vote.

I know you will love Splash'N Boots as much as we do, give them a listen and vote today!

To celebrate, we are giving away Splash'N Boots latest DVD - Act 2 and their newest CD - Coconuts Don't Fall Far From the Tree, enter below for your chance to win, I bet they will be your favourite family group too!

Giveaway

It's time for a Photo Challenge! #MonthOfMom #PGmom

Did you know Canada..  May and the Month Of Mom is coming up, and P&G has a fun Photo Challenge for us!  Watch for photos from me on Instagram and Twitter with hashtag #MonthOfMom as I complete the 30 day Photo Challenge, we'd love for you to join us as well!

Here's the calendar for you to follow the word of the day so we can celebrate the Month Of Mom and have some fun with our pictures! :-)

Can't wait to see what you have to share!


I am a P&Gmom. As part of my affiliation with this group, I have been offered compensation to participate in the #MonthOfMom 30-day photo challenge. The views, opinions and photographs expressed on this blog and in my social networks are my own. 

Welcome to TD Canadian Children’s Book Week #TDBookWeek tour

Did you know Canada.. Next week we are excited to attend TD Canadian Children’s Book Week meet-and-greet event, the great opportunity to meet Canadian authors and illustrators just before their TD Book Week Tour across Canada.

TD Canadian Children’s Book Week, the largest celebration of Canadian books for young people in Canada will be taking place on May 4 - May 11, 2013. During that week well-known authors, illustrators and storytellers will be visiting to schools, libraries, bookstores and community centres across Canada. This year’s theme is All the Bookshelf’s a Stage: Celebrating the Performing Arts to highlight the joy of reading.

For more information and a full tour schedule, please visit www.bookweek.ca.

Faniya
Teddy Out-Ready

#Leafs vs #Habs tonight!!!

Did you know Canada.. Setting up for an epic game tonight, Leafs vs Habs - give them a #ScotiaHighFive when your team scores and you're entered for a chance to win a VIP Stanley Cup experience!!!

Every time your team scores, you have 10 minutes to go to the Facebook app to “High Five”. After your team finishes a game, you also have 12 hours to log on for a bonus “High Five”.

Each “High Five” counts as a contest entry. Each week, one random winner will be selected to win 2 tickets to any NHL game of their choice!  On June 10th, one grand prize winner will be chosen who will receive a VIP experience for two to a Stanley Cup Final Game!!!

Who are you cheering for tonight??

Canucks Rock: All Canadian Link Up 04/27

Welcome to our weekly All Canadian Link Up!  This weekend and every weekend, Canucks Rock! with our All Canadian Link Up and Candid Canuck feature interview.  Brought to you by your hosts: Did you know Canada?, Tales of a Ranting Ginger and Maple Leaf Mommy!

This week's Candid Canuck is Angie from Echoes of Laughter. Check out our interview with her..

Recipe Round Up! 04/26

Did you know Canada.. I would love for you to check out Canadian Moms Cook for some family tested recipes!  As usual, we've been cooking up a storm in the kitchen!

 

Don't forget to read about the chance to win an ultimate prize package to Dine with Season 2 Top Chef Canada! And enter to win a $50 Gift Card to Mucho Burrito CAN 4/30 for those nights when you don't feel up to cooking dinner!

  Beefy Nachos   Taco Cups   Blueberry Banana Oat Bread

What have you been cooking up in your kitchen?

I encourage you to head on over to Canadian Mom Cooks where you will find some family tested recipes, food ideas, interesting food products and more.  Co-author Multi-Testing Mommy and I have been sharing some of our food adventures with our families over the past couple of months.

FOLLOW Canadian Moms Cook
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Triple 7s

Did you know Canada..  I think slot machines are fun, don't you?  I was pretty excited when I was old enough to head to a casino and be able to pull the arm of a slot machine.  Yes, I pulled the arm even though you just have to press a button these days..haha..

Whether it's just a few coins or a big jackpot, seeing the machine whirl around and hear the tinkling of the coins drop is really fun I think.  It doesn't have to break the bank either.

You don't have to get a baby sitter and go out of your way to enjoy the thrill though, there are online casinos available to Canadians and you can play online slots in Club777 Canada any time.  Some of the fun features I've noticed in online slots is they offer more benefits and bonuses to the average user.  If you are just a casual gambler that visits a casino a couple times a year, you don't often get those perks a weekly (or daily) visitor might get.  But online you can often find sign up bonuses, weekly bonuses, events and more.  Open 24/7, it doesn't matter if you want to play for 10 minutes or an hour or two either.

Online slot machines or gambling can also add a social aspect with chatrooms, a place to make new friends and form a group.  Fun for weekly challenges and folks to chat with if you are up late at night or home during the day.

Just make sure you are using a secure site or application, one that's available to Canadians, and be sure to confirm what currency the site is using.  You might want to check out a practice area first before betting real money too, to make sure you understand the rules of the game.  Another benefit of online games vs a casino is that some sites offer upwards of 200+ types of games, it's always fun to learn something new and there's more availability instead of waiting for a machine to open up.

Have you tried your hand at an online slots?

Ddrops for the whole family!

Did you know Canada..  I take my family's health seriously and that includes taking vitamins.  Through my pregnancy and now post-partum I am on a lot of vitamins to get and stay healthy for my kids.

One of those vitamins I take is D.  Vitamin D is a natural building block for the repair and maintenance of the body.  Essential for development and continued health of bones and teeth, it was plays an important role in maintaining the health of your immune system, cardiovascular system and brain and central nervous system.

 You might shrug and say it comes from the sun though - but you would be surprised to know vitamin D is not made in winter sunshine, in shade or through clothing.  Sunscreen (which is VERY important) also reduces vitamin D production.  In fact, 1.1 MILLION Canadians are vitamin D deficient!

Thankfully Canadian company Ddrops covers the whole family with their award-winning Ddrops line up.  All preservative-free and just 1 drop per dose, it's so simple to take.

Since birth our newest addition has been taking Baby Ddrops 400 IU - designed for breast-fed babies and very easy to administer.

I've just recently introduced my older boys to Ddrops Booster 600 IU - this new dose of 600 IU/drop matches Health Canada's Recommended Dietary Allowance.  It's tasteless, sugar-free, the boys think it's kinda fun, it doesn't get dropped on the floor 5 times before it makes it into their mouth, love it!

For me, I take Ddrops 1000 IU - easy to take, with my current big line-up of pills I love that this is just a simple drop and I know I'm taking care of me.

I love what an open, supportive and fun company Ddrops is, you can find them on Twitter and Facebook, always available to answer questions, they support pregnant Moms, breast-feeding Moms, they share crafts and educational resources on the Ddrops Booster profiles - what an awesome company to be supporting while they take care of your needs.

We have an awesome surprise for our Canadian readers!  Enter below for your chance to be one of two winners to receive two Ddrop products of your choice, so your whole family can enjoy the benefits of vitamin D!

Giveaway

New Look

Did you know Canada..  I'm setting up a new design today, so if you see anything wonky, I'm working on it! :-)

Thanks for your patience, let me know how you like the new look?  I think it's nice and brighter while still looking like Did you know Canada, was feeling the old look was too dark.

Canucks Rock: All Canadian Link up! 04/20

Welcome to our weekly All Canadian Link Up!  This weekend and every weekend, Canucks Rock! with our All Canadian Link Up and Candid Canuck feature interview.  Brought to you by your hosts: Did you know Canada?, Tales of a Ranting Ginger and Maple Leaf Mommy!

This week's Candid Canuck is Kerrie from Family Food and Travel. Check out our interview with her..

Celebrating new Arm & Hammer Tooth Tunes toothbrushes featuring 1D songs

Did you know Canada.. This weekend we are invited to the Gladstone Hotel in Toronto for kids’ karaoke and brunch to celebrate the launch of Arm & Hammer Tooth Tunes toothbrushes. These two new toothbrushes are the only ones featuring two popular One Direction songs: “One Thing” and “What Makes You Beautiful”.

We are also excited to meet Adamo Ruggiero from YTV’s the Next Star who will be hosting this amazing event, a morning of kid’s karaoke where kids will have an opportunity to take a picture with a “virtual” One Direction and belt out favorite 1D or Selena Gomez hits.

Faniya
Teddy Out-Ready

Recipe Round Up! 04/19

Did you know Canada.. I'd love for you to head on over to Canadian Moms Cook for some family tested recipes! And be sure to read about the chance to win an ultimate prize package to Dine with Season 2 Top Chef Canada!

 

 Lemonade Cupcakes

 Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

 Crockpot Beef Stroganoff

 Kids in the Kitchen
Canadian Mom Cooks offers family tested recipes, food ideas, interesting food products and more.  Co-author Multi-Testing Mommy and I have been sharing some of our food adventures with our families over the past couple of months.  I'd love to hear what you've been cooking up as well, share a favourite recipe in the comments!

FOLLOW Canadian Moms Cook
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Earth Day Boutique - DK Canada

Did you know Canada..  Our friends at DK Canada have an awesome group of titles perfect for focusing on the Earth and our natural world in their Earth Day Boutique.  Might be a fun idea to have a few on hand for Earth Day as a treat to read by candle light!

My guys have been checking out two books in particular, and they have been big hits!  First let me tell you about this little man, he is a rock collector.  If you open his backpack, coat pocket, pant pocket, peak at the chair he sits in in the car, pretty much ANY WHERE he has been, you will find rocks.  They are all special in some way to him, and goodness help ya if you move any of them.

So I was SO excited to share Pocket Genius: Rocks and Minerals with him!  This awesome book profiles nearly 200 types of rocks and minerals from volcanic rocks and granite to sparkling diamonds and explosive sulfur, and tells what they are made of, how they are formed and what they are used for.

In easy to understand terms, every page opened up at least a 10 minute discussion, it's been a great experience, and has him planning on being a rock collection with a kit and tools and everything.

We also enjoyed Everything you need to know about Sharks - this beautiful, fully coloured book is full of quick and interesting facts.  My boys are obsessed with numbers right now, so to read things like how the Earth has 369 million trillion gallons of water is really exciting around here!  And what kid wouldn't love to know some fish produce electric discharges that can jolt other fish and humans!

I love the fact that both books contain hundreds of REAL pictures, no drawings or cartoons but real life photographs, giving factual information in a way both kids and adults can enjoy.  They can also easily be read a bit at a time, and won't these be awesome for future school projects??

Two big hits from DK Canada's Earth Day Boutique and I can only imagine how great their other offerings are - and all the books in the Earth Day Boutique are ON SALE!  A great time to share some of these amazing books with your family.

Spring Cleaning with Gain #PGmom

Did you know Canada..  Spring as sprung, even though it snowed TWICE last week, but regardless it IS time to clean up before the sunlight shows off that dust and makes us feel guilty.

This year, get irresistibly fresh by adding the line-up of Gain scented products to your spring cleaning routine.  I'm sure you've heard how GOOD Gain smells, it's been added to our favourite cleaning products to make the whole house smell amazing!

Not sure what to do where?

Upholstery, carpets & curtains: Mist these hard to wash areas with NEW Febreze Fabric Refresher with Gain to eliminate unwanted odours and leave a fresh scent.

Closet clutter: Tuck away your winter wear in organized storage bins to make room for your spring and summer wardrobe. To keep your winter wear smelling fresh, add Gain Fireworks Original Scent Booster to your laundry load, before tucking items away. You can also use a Febreze Fabric Refresher to refresh items being pulled out of storage.

Baseboard & blinds: These areas trap dust and dirt, and can often be neglected. To tackle these tricky areas, run the Swiffer Duster along the surface.  (Did you know Swiffer cloths are made in Canada at Brockville, Ontario!!)

Tough to clean places: Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is a great tool for cleaning away the grime you come across when uncovering those rarely seen spaces and hard to reach places. Mr. Clean Magic Eraser removes scuffs, crayon marks and finger prints from walls too! Mr. Clean has plenty of tips to share, check out www.mrclean.ca for details.

Febreze and Mr. Clean Magic Erasers are two products I use daily, Febreze helps with stinky dog (especially when wet, yuck!) and those magic erasers get a work out in my house with finger prints everywhere, and I LOVE the bathroom ones, awesome for cleaning the tub after the kids are done with their bubbles and colours and everything else that grimes it up.

P&G has created the fabulous Gain Spring Cleaning Kit with all the tools you need to tackle the mess, while adding some good clean fun to the mix! Bundle (approx value $80) includes:
* Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Select-A-Size
* NEW Mr. Clean with Gain Spray
* NEW Swiffer Dust & Shine with Gain
* NEW Swiffer Sweeper with Gain Dry Refills
* NEW Swiffer Sweeper with Gain Wet Refills
* Swiffer Sweeper Kit
* NEW Swiffer WetJet with Gain Solution
* Swiffer WetJet Kit
* Swiffer Duster Refill
* Swiffer Duster Kit
* Gain Fireworks Original Scent Booster

One lucky reader is going to win this Gain Spring Cleaning Kit to help freshen up their spring cleaning, enter below, and good luck Canada!!

Giveaway

This Saturday - The Made By Hand Show!

Did you know Canada.. the Made By Hand Show is THIS Saturday, April 20th at the International Centre, Hall 1 in Mississauga (with FREE Parking!).

Featuring over 190 Canadian exhibitors, this will make a fun day for the whole family.  Children enter free, there's free face-painting, balloon animals and a princess photo booth, lots to do and see for everyone!

What a great way to support local Canadian businesses, with free parking and only $5 to enter, you can browse, snack, chat and shop.

At the Made By Hand Show you'll find original artwork, baby/toys, body, candles, clothing, ceramics, fashion accessories, jewellery, photography, knitting, pottery, paper goods, wood and a range of gourmet goodies.  Click here for a preview of the 190 exhibitors; they include some friends we've featured in the past, like Warm Fuzzies and Lala Soap Company!

Buy tickets online for advanced entry, the first 100 families through the door also receive a swag bag!

Montreal: The Best of Both Worlds

Did you know Canada.. Take a step back in time while you explore centuries of old French heritage, or rumba in the Latin Quarter, see artwork in the Metro, or tour a park in a caliche. On Mount Royal, the city’s panoramic peak, you will be able to scan the horizon all the way to the Laurentian Mountains. If you don’t feel like staying in your rental car, you can explore by walking or cycling along the sun-lit worn paths in Mount Royal Park below, on Ile Notre-Dame. You can return to modern Montreal by visiting the Casino de Montreal, where there are a variety of eateries and a swank cabaret with 120 gaming tables. There is a strict dress code here for the casinos, so be sure to dress the part!

In old Montreal you can relive the city’s vibrant French past along the cobbled stone streets. You can see soft lamps from inside a row of grand Victorian mansions overlooking Square Saint-Louis. Colors of gold and blue stained glass mark the magnificent interior of Basilique Notre Dame de Montreal as they permeate your senses. There are other famous modern architects that have also left their mark on the city, too: I.M. Pei built Galerie Place Ville Marie.

View of the Basilica from Place d'Armes

Montreal’s oldest Catholic church is the Notre-Dame Basilica. It was built in 1656 and is known for its detailed designed interior, which includes a stained glass chronicling of the history of the city. Notre-Dame Basilica is in the historic district of Old Montreal, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The church is located at 110 Notre-Dame Street West at the corner of Saint Sulpic Street. It is next to the Saint-Sulpice Seminary and faces the Place d'Armes square. As you step again into modern Montreal, you can feel the vibrant city come alive. Take a moment to take in this magnificent city. In 2006, Montreal was named as a “UNESCO City of Design”, one of only six in the world. Even the Montreal Metro is a showcase for public art! You can gain a unique perspective on the city through the walls of a geodesic dome—the Montreal Biosphere.

Montreal Biosphere

The Biosphere is a museum in Montreal dedicated to the environment. It is located at Park Jean-Drapeau, on Ile Sainte-Helene, which is in the former pavilion of the United States for the 1967 World Fair Expo 67.

If you didn’t take in enough history already, make your way to Hotel Nelson. This historical building is nestled right in the middle of a 300-year-old neighborhood. Taking its place alongside the Jacques-Cartier, built in 1804. This historic sector of Montreal has buildings dating from 17th, 18th, and 19th century containing one of the largest collections of buildings. You can’t help but feel like you have taken a step back in time. No matter where you go in Montreal, you always can get the best of both worlds. Enjoy!

Canucks Rock: All Canadian Link Up! 04/13

Welcome to our weekly All Canadian Link Up!  This weekend and every weekend, Canucks Rock! with our All Canadian Link Up and Candid Canuck feature interview.  Brought to you by your hosts: Did you know Canada?, Tales of a Ranting Ginger and Maple Leaf Mommy!

This week's Candid Canuck is Shannon from Shannon's View from Here. Check out our interview with her..

Spring Trends with Luxe Box

Did you know Canada..  The beauty team at Loose Button have been working with Steven and Chris from CBC to create the Spring Luxe Box, and it's a good one!  A Luxe Box is a seasonal mail out with 7-8 deluxe size beauty samples, I've received these in the past and have found some awesome products that I now buy all the time.  It's a great way to be introduced to new products without spending the big bucks for full size bottles.

Arriving in a awesome shaped box, especially for us that get our mail delivered to community boxes, I also loved the bag the deluxe samples where stored in, both can be repurposed.

First up was browsing the Spring Trends 2013 booklet which gives you info on the products that were sent out in the Spring Luxe Boxes (you do not receive every product listed, everyone gets 7-8 of the available products, so you might end up a bit sad that you didn't get one of the products listed).

Here are my favourites from the box..

Moroccanoil's Body Buff - I'm a huge fan of Moroccanoil's hair products, which I first sampled from Loose Button and have been purchasing ever since.  The body buff arrives at the perfect time for spring to buff away our dull winter skin, because we are ready to shine!

Pandora's Makeup Box Mascara - which, check it out, is Made In Canada!  Developed for sensitive eyes and an exceptionally long handled brush, it goes on easy and really is clump free.  I also loved the clear strip on the side so you can see when it's running low.  I was glad to try this mascara, because at $19 a tube, I would have been hesitant to purchase it, but now I know it's a great product.

Eternity Aqua by Calvin Klein - I shared this one with my Mom as she is the queen of perfumes, she thought it was nice, light and refreshing.

Blending Sponge - this was a fun treat, not something I would purchase on my own thinking it wouldn't make a difference, but it does, it works fabulous at blending - can be used with liquid, cream, loose powder or pressed powder makeup in a bouncing motion.

I also received..

Lancome's Genefique Youth Activating Serum - while I know an expensive product, this one doesn't do much for me, and I already received one in the Loose Button Advent Calendar so it wasn't much of a treat.

Blue Lagoon Iceland rich nourishing cream - while just kind of a bonus item, I thought the sample packaging was silly and there wasn't enough to really see if it made a difference to your skin or not.

Chroma Captive by Kerastase - great shampoo for colour treated hair, no complaints there, but the price point is extremely high for a full size bottle, I personally wouldn't be able to afford it as a daily shampoo.

Are you a Luxe Box subscriber?  What did you think of the Spring Box?

Recipe Round Up! 04/12

Did you know Canada.. it's time for a recipe round up, we haven't done one in awhile, but we've been cooking like crazy over at Canadian Moms Cook. Visit us for some family tested recipes!

We've been cooking up a storm in the kitchen!
 

Homemade English Muffins


Stuffed Peppers


Tip for Grating Cheese


Deviled Eggs


Easy as 1-2-3 Candied Nuts


Hard Boiled Eggs in the Oven

What have you been cooking up in your kitchen?

I encourage you to head on over to Canadian Mom Cooks where you will find some family tested recipes, food ideas, interesting food products and more.  Co-author Multi-Testing Mommy and I have been sharing some of our food adventures with our families over the past couple of months.

 Feel free to follow Canadian Moms Cook on Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook.

Pampers Swaddlers Diapers are the #1 choice of Canadian parents! #PGmom

Did you know Canada..  Pampers Swaddlers Diapers are the #1 choice of Canadian parents*.  We are a Swaddlers family here, and always have been.  They were the perfect fit for my now 5 year old twins, and they are perfect for this little man..

Pampers Swaddlers Diapers are our diaper of choice for a few reasons..

- they are the first diapers we use, right from the get go in the hospital, and I love the umbilical cord notch in the newborn size, an absolute must have
- they are so soft and flexible, like putting on a blanket
- while we've all that hilariously terrible poop explosion, we've never had a true leak
- very breathable, we haven't had a red bum yet with our new little one
- we're also loving the wetness indicator, a yellow line that turns blue as it gets wet (extra awesome for first time parents who aren't always sure when to change, or read an article on the internet and are suddenly worried about dehydration; don't worry, we've all been there)

We want our sweet little miracles to be wrapped in softness, security and love at all times don't we?  Whenever I'm dressing my little guy I always think about dressing him in huggable clothes, something soft and cozy so he will feel protected and I feel Pampers Swaddlers Diapers accomplishes that too.

Don't forget those Gift to Grow codes either, have you seen some of the new rewards?  I LOVE the LillyBit® Uptown Diaper Clutch - I just can't decide what colour!

If you are planning for a coming little one in your life (maybe working on a diaper cake?!), or have a new little one already; trust us Canadian parents, you won't find anything softer or better fitting!  Learn more about Pampers Swaddlers Diapers at Pampers.ca.

* based on Swaddlers size NB and 1

Disclosure: I am a P&Gmom. As part of my affiliation with this group I receive products and special access to P&G events and opportunities. The opinions on this blog are my own.

LCBO Strike

Did you know Canada..  possible BAD news for Ontarians, LCBO workers are looking to strike!  In fact, 95% voted in favour of a strike.   The key issues are said to be increasing part-time wages and upgrades to health and safety standards.

The Liquor Control Board of Ontario is accountable to the Ministry of Finance in Ontario and regulates alcohol sales in the province.  It's also one of the world's largest single purchasers of beverage alcohol products!

Now they aren't actually going on strike yet, this vote was only if the talks break down.  The contract ended March 31st but talks are still scheduled into May (can anyone say May Two-Four! Oh no!)

The possibility of the strike is also bringing the LCBO's monopoly on liquor sales to the fore front.  The LCBO is able to dictate which products are available for sale in the province.  You'll know of course that local microbreweries, wineries and distilleries sell to the public through their store front location, but  to expand across the province they would have to guarantee minimum volume which leaves most out of luck.

How do you feel about the LCBO's control on available liquor products?

Visit the Canada’s Oldest National Park

Did you know Canada..  When you combine beauty and history you will see one of Canada’s treasures, Banff National Park.  As a bit of brief history, the park was established in 1885 in the Rocky Mountains and is one of the world’s premier destinations. It is located 110-180 km west of Calgary in the province of Alberta and encompasses 6,641 km. of valleys, mountains, glaciers, forests, meadows and rivers.

During the fall of 1883, three Canadian Pacific Railway construction workers came across a cave containing hot springs on the eastern slopes of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains.  From this humble start, Banff National Park was born, Canada’s first national park and the world’s third.

The activities you can partake in are endless.  From hiking to biking to canoeing and horseback riding, there’s something for everyone.  Want to see beautiful views and possibly some animals out in the wild? Take a scenic drive along the picturesque Lake Minnewanka. Stop for a boat ride and do some fishing.  Then head back to town for a rewarding dinner!

If you’d rather learn about the history of some of these natural surroundings, then the Banff Park Museum is the place for you.  It is the oldest Natural History museum in Western Canada, and you can see original exhibit collections.  It has more than 1300 animal, vegetable and mineral specimens collected in the late 19th and early 20th century.  Can you believe that?

When you do finally call it day, there is no better place to stay than the Banff Springs Hotel. This is a Chateau-style hotel built between 1911 and 1928.  It is perfectly set at the foot of Sulphur Mountain in the town of Banff within Banff National Park.  The reason Banff Springs Hotel was designated a national historic park in 1988 is because it is an excellent example of a Canadian large-scale resort in a natural setting.  Perfect for all the family!

Details I hear you scream? Well, there are numerous ways you can get to the park:

By Vehicle
There are several major highways in Banff National Park:
Trans-Canada Highway (#1) runs west from Calgary into the park, through Banff and Lake Louise, and eventually reaches Vancouver.
Icefields Parkway (#93) runs between Lake Louise and Jasper Townsite
Radium / Invermere Highway (#93 between the Junction with the Trans-Canada and the Radium Hot Springs
Bow Valley Parkway (#1A)

By Air 
A great way to arrive at your destination of Alberta is by plane. Weigh your options for the  cheapest flight.

By Bus
There is direct bus service connecting downtown Calgary and the Calgary International Airport with the town of Banff and village of Lake Louise. There is also bus service connecting Banff and Lake Louise with the town of Jasper. Taxi service is available in Banff and Lake Louise. Several guiding companies also offer shuttle service to trailheads.
Contact Banff/Lake Louise Tourism for details.

By Rail
There is limited rail service on a sightseeing basis between Banff and Vancouver. Make sure to contact Banff/Lake Louise Tourism for details before you go.

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Did you know Canada..  My Little Pony has hit Canadian stores with 2 features: My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic – Adventures in the Crystal Empire and My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic - Pinkie Pie Party.

My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic is the #1 show on Treehouse in Canada!  We watch a girl in my boys class on school mornings and I was excited to surprise her with these DVDs this morning. We started watching Pinkie Pie Party (available exclusively at Walmart) which includes 5 episodes, and bonus features include a Sing-Along and a Party Activity Kit and everyone (including the boys) loved it!

I actually enjoyed it too..haha.. if you haven't seen it yet, these ponies got a bit of attitude to them and are funny and enjoyable to watch.  It follows the story of Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie as they learn about friendship in the town of Ponyville.

We are looking forward to checking out Adventures in the Crystal Empire (available in store April 16th) later this week, it also includes 5 episodes from the beloved series, and bonus features including a sing-along and colouring sheet.  I've read this DVD includes the first 2 episodes of season 3, which is a two-part story, and this is big news for pony lovers!  Great gift to surprise a My Little Pony fan in your life.

I love these DVD sets as they include favourite episodes, they are also perfect for a quick watch in the morning or great to bring out in the car if you have a DVD player.

Do you have a My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic fan in your life?  Enter below for your chance to win these 2 DVDs!

Giveaway

Vimy Ridge Day

Did you know Canada..  Today, April 9th, is Vimy Ridge Day, honouring Canadian troops and the First World War Battle of Vimy Ridge 96 years ago.

Not a public holiday, but this day has been observed since 2003.  By law, it is required that the Canadian flag on the Peace Tower of Parliament Hill in Ottawa be lowered to half-mast today. Small ceremonies also take place the Canadian National War Memorial in Ottawa, the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France and other areas across Canada.

The Battle was fought April 9-14, Canadian Corps suffered 10,602 casualities, 3598 were killed and the rest injured.

Today, we remember these brave troops and honour them, lest we forget.

Visit the Canadian War Museum for more information on this battle, share it with your family, and discuss it at the dinner table tonight.  Some of our grandparents or great-grantparents would have fought in this battle, let's remember them today.

Scotiabank High Five #ScotiaHighFive

Did you know Canada..  I know I have more than a few hockey fans here, and have I got a contest for you - the Scotiabank High Five!

Here's how it works - fans across Canada can log on to the app from the Scotia Hockey Club Facebook Page.  Once in the app it's easy to sign up, you just choose the NHL team you are supporting this season (you can make a trade until April 29), every time your team scores, you have 10 minutes to go to the app to “High Five”.  Luckily, even if you are away from the game, you can choose to be notified through real-time goal notifications via email or text (LOVE this feature, I get the texts - the texts even include a link to the app for easy access, and you can turn the notifications off any time).  After your team finishes a game, you also have 12 hours to log on for a bonus “High Five”.

Each “High Five” counts as a contest entry. Each week, one random winner will be selected to win 2 tickets to any NHL game of their choice!  On June 10th, one grand prize winner will be chosen who will receive a VIP experience for two to a Stanley Cup Final Game (can you even imagine?!).

Contest is open until June 9th, 2013 and is open to all Canadian residents.

We are Leaf fans around here, down to our littlest member!  My older boys play minor league hockey, their Grampa coaches their team, and Grampa plays twice a week in his own league.  So to say we are a hockey family is an understatement, we love the game and I know many of you do too!

Let's get the High Fives going for our favourite teams and I can't wait to find out who the Grand Prize winner is, sign up today!!