When Lilly was diagnosed with Celiacs Disease at age 2, I was very worried that some of her life experiences would be limited. It has been a learning curve to go to birthday parties, work with the preschool menu, etc. Would she really be able to ever go away to a summer camp, where we are not there to help her make the right choices with her food?

Needless to say, I was incredibly excited to learn that Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery™ wants to give children with Celiacs the same chance to go to camp as other kids. Rudi’s is offering 20 children (10 in Canada and 10 in the United States) the chance to spend a week at a summer camp where the food is completely gluten-free through their Happy Camper Scholarship. This is the first year this contest is offered in Canada and while Lilly is too young for camp just yet, it has me very excited for her future!

Winning Canadian kids can look forward to an experience at either the Rod McDaniel Celiac Kids Camp at Camp Kindle in Alberta where campers can take on the ropes course, go hiking, and try new sports, or the Camp Silly Yak at Brigadoon Village Camp in Nova Scotia where kids enjoy swimming, canoeing, hiking and the talent show contest.

Between February 18 – March 18, 2014, Canadian parents* with eligible children ages 8-17, can enter the Happy Camper contest by ‘liking’ Rudi’s Gluten-Free on Facebook and helping their child submit a 100-word statement on what makes him or her special. Winners will be notified by April 1, 2014, to allow them plenty of time to plan for the summer camp experience of a lifetime. So simple!

-Rudi’s Gluten-Free Camping Giveaway-

In addition to the camp scholarships, Rudi’s wants to encourage EVERYONE to enjoy the great outdoors this summer. They are giving away an incredible camping package valued at $250! Enter to win a tent and cooler, so that your family can enjoy nature in style!

Prize: LightSpeed Tent that sets up and tears down quickly, has a large front door and two side windows for ventilation, an extended awning for added protection, and more. Tent sleeps 6. You will also receive a cooler with two insulated compartments for both hot and cold storage, and is made with waterproof material.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
With opportunities like this from a great company like Rudis, it really is the ideal solution for Celiacs children like my daughter, to enjoy the same summer experiences as everyone else.

The post Gluten Free Summer Camp and Giveaway from Rudis Bakery! appeared first on Ideally speaking....

Christmas has always been my favourite time of the year. I still remember the excitement of Christmas morning as a child. It didn’t matter what the gift was. It was the anticipation of the surprise. As a mom, I now know what it’s like to see the magic of giving from the other side of it all.

Christmas morning, 1988.

Lilly was only 4 months old on her first Christmas and didn’t really grasp any of the festivities. However, Christmas morning 2011 was a lot of fun. By then, she understood the excitement of it all and really got into it. It was particularly funny to watch her open each gift, get excited to play with it and then realize that there was still more to open.

“OMG! A car seat for my baby!” – Christmas 2011

By last year, she had this Christmas morning thing completely mastered and even put aside her own excitement to hand out gifts to Daddy and I, in between opening her own.

“Hmm. Where to begin…” – Christmas 2012

There are many holiday traditions that I couldn’t wait to share with my own family. One was the giving of a new tree ornament each year. This was something that my Mom started when I was young and still does to this day. I started this will Lilly on her first Christmas and we haven’t missed a year yet. When she has a home of her own one day, I will give her all of her yearly ornaments to start her first tree.

Another tradition that means more to me that I can express is Christmas day at my Nana’s house. In my 29 Christmases on this planet, I have only missed one at my grandparents house. Even now, living over 2 hours away, we still pack Lilly into the car a little before lunch and head down to the city. It was at one of these Christmas day celebrations that I broke the news that Lilly was on her way – the first of the great-grandchildren. I have so many memories of running around that house and the amazing Portuguese holiday feast that goes with it. Watching Lilly create those same memories melts me more than almost anything.

Lilly with great-Nana on Christmas day, 2011.

This year, Christmas has gotten very exciting. Lilly is now at the stage where she has been talking about Santa, Christmas morning, the tree, etc, for well over a month. This is the first year where she has started to express what she would like for Christmas and has asked me to please let Santa know for her. She’s started to talk about what she wants to get for Daddy and I. It’s incredible to see her get so wrapped up into the magic of it all.

Some of the things that have made her list this year? More animals for her Little People’s Farm and Zoo, books, a new dress, a dollhouse and basically anything and EVERYTHING to do with My Little Pony. It has been really great to see her ask for books. Lately, she has been interested in Little Critters and Bernstein Bears, both of which were favourites of mine as a child. Reading those stories with her each night brings back memories.

Do you know what your little ones have asked Santa for? Have you gotten a head start on your shopping? Sears has made it really easy this year to shop or explore online, with The Toy Shop. You can browse top toys of the season by age or brand and stay up-to-date with great sales. You can even create an account and set up a Wishlist to help you keep track of your list, plus share it with family and friends.

CONTEST! WIN TOP TOYS OF THE SEASON!

Want a chance to win some of the hottest toys of the season? Each Friday until December 13th, Sears is posting a Top Toy Face Off post on their Facebook Page. To enter into the weekly draw, all you have to do is visit their page on Friday and leave a comment on that post. It’s truly that simple!

Disclosure: I am part of the Sears Mom Ambassador program with Mom Central Canada and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

The post The magic of giving & hottest holiday gift contest! appeared first on Ideally speaking....

I first attended the BabyTime Show when I was about 5 months pregnant with Lilly. I remember walking in and feeling immediately awe-struck and a little overwhelmed. I have been in corporate marketing for almost 10 years and have attended and/or exhibited at my fair share of trade and consumer shows. However, this was unlike anything I had seen before. There was hundreds of vendors, offering everything you could possibly need for your pregnancy and little one.

Baby Time Show, Spring 2010 – The first time I ever attended.
(photo: Baby Time Show Facebook Page)

I ventured in and got lost in the excitement of it all for the next 3 hours! I was a little exhausted by the end of it, but it was completely worth it. I walked out with a huge bag of goodies and a heap of new mama knowledge.

I have since headed back down for the show many times, but I am particularly excited to head down next weekend. This time, I am heading back down as a pregnant mama and I am bringing the family with me. I can’t wait to see Lilly’s face when she walks into that giant hall.

About the BabyTime Show

The 9th Annual Fall BabyTime Show – The Ultimate Event For Pregnancy, Birth, Baby and Toddler
Show, Learn and Have Fun all Within One Vibrant Place Celebrating Parenthood

• SHOP! TRY & BUY from over 250 Manufacturers, Retailers and Artisans.
• REGISTER for all your baby needs with Babies “R”Us.
• TALK TO THE EXPERTS behind your favourite brands and take advantage of great show specials.
• LEARN from Top Pregnancy and Parenting Experts.  Click on the Speakers tab to read up on the experts.
• MEET AND GREET your favourite characters. This year, the show welcomes Barney & Friends, Bob the Builder and Angelina Ballerina!

Want to get in on the excitement and goodies for FREE? Enter to win 1 of 6 pairs of tickets I am giving away!
<

I am also giving away two AMAZING prize packs!

Prize Pack 1 – courtesy of the Babies”R”Us

1x Tommee Tippee Prize Pack (over $50 value)
1x $50 Babies”R”Us Gift Card
2x Passes to the Baby Shower (note the shower is for new moms and expectant moms only. Guests will not be permitted)

Baby Shower information:
It’s a Baby Bump-A-Palooza! Babies“R”Us hosts Four Big Baby Showers at the Toronto Baby Time Show

Craving a bowl of ice cream and pickles? On Friday, November 8, Babies“R”Us is treating 400 hundred soon-to-be and new moms to a luxurious baby shower complete with massages, crave food stations and giveaways. ”R” Big Baby Showers will run every hour, starting at 11:00 a.m and concluding at 3:45 p.m Each shower will be attended by 100 new moms and pregnant women  with their baby bumps! New and expectant mothers can also check out the must-have gear for travelling with baby, top items for their baby registries, cool accessories for their nurseries, and take part in cool baby shower games such as a Biggest Bump contest.

When: Friday, November 8, 2013
11:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
*Sessions to run every hour from 11:00 a.m.
Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Room 201

PRIZE PACK 2:  courtesy of Kidomo

My Little Pony & Play-Doh Prize Pack! ($50 Retail Value)

Don’t Miss MY LITTLE PONY Live  at the Toronto BabyTime Show!
Friday, November 8, Saturday, November 9 & Sunday, November 10, 2013
Two Shows Daily – 11:30 am & 1:30 pm
Come early and visit the Play-Doh Play Centre!

I have to say, I am super excited about the My Little Pony shows at the Play-Doh Center! For anyone who is a regular on this blog, you know I have a 3 year old horse fanatic on my hands. You can guess that ponies fall well into that category obsession as well! She is going to lose her mind when she sees this

To enter for one of these incredible prize packs, simply leave a comment saying which one you would love to get your hands on. Deadline to enter is Wednesday, November 6th at 10:00pm EST. I will be selecting and contacting the winners on Thursday, November 7th. NOTE: Prize packs will be available for pick up at the show.

Now, this will be the first time my husband ever braves this show. I have dragged him to the odd local baby show up here before, but nothing nearly this size…

Ideally speaking, he is going to love it (or at least the goodies) as much as I do and I won’t lose him in the crowd!

Increase your chances to WIN!
Head on over to visit Multi-testing Mommy and Little Miss Kate to enter to win Prize Packs and Tickets!

Disclosure:  I am a media partner of the Toronto BabyTime Show and received tickets to attend the event.  All opinions in this post & related marketing for the event are my own.

The post Toronto BabyTime Show Tickets and Giveaway! appeared first on Ideally speaking....