Giving To Charity Never Smelled So Sweet: Great Wolf Lodge + Ronald McDonald House Charities

Every year as the holidays approach I try to think of some ways that our family can give back. We are so fortunate and privileged, and it's essential that our children grow up knowing that. Throughout the year we try to instil a sense of gratitude in our kids and actively help in our community where we can, but the holidays are a great time to reinforce this giving mentality. Whether it's small local initiatives or larger charitable organizations, we always pick a few to support. I often include these giving activities in our Christmas Countdown Calendar, interspersed with little gifts, treats and holiday family events.

So on December 1st I was very excited for the kids to open their calendar. Ben (who is an excellent reader) peeled open the envelope and as he read the card his eyes lit up and huge smile came across his face. The card said "We're taking a family trip to Great Wolf Lodge!!! While we're there we will be dining in a real gingerbread house, and making a donation to the Ronald McDonald House Charities to help families with sick children." Ben had heard myths of Great Wolf Lodge from friends and family, and desperately wanted to go, so this was huge for him. I don't think the kids fully understood the life size gingerbread house part, and honestly I think they thought I was lying to them, but they seemed very excited and curious to see it. Penny, on the other hand just wanted to eat the envelope ;)

When we arrived we were all in awe. The gingerbread house was absolutely gorgeous and the kids were mesmerized by it. Made with over 1200 eggs, 666 lbs of flour, 5 lbs of ginger powder and 40 Litres of Molasses (just to name a few ingredients), plus 165 lbs of candy, it's an impressive structure. The house takes over 700 hours to plan and make, and baking begins each year in September. Inside the house there is a working fireplace and a train running around the top of it. Plus the smell...oh the smell, it's absolutely incredible. It's like sitting in Christmas. The only issue was that Lucy wanted to eat the whole thing!

If you're headed to Great Wolf Lodge for their Snowland Event this holiday season I highly recommend checking out the 10th annual Gingerbread house. By giving a $20 donation to Ronald McDonald House Charities, families can reserve this special table for a meal during their stay. It books up fast, so be sure to contact the resort in advance, or reserve online, because virtually every kid wants to eat in it once they see it. Our kids wanted to eat EVERY meal in it! 

I feel so fortunate to have 3 healthy children, but I know that their health can change at any time and I never want to take that for granted. Having a critically or chronically ill child is one of every parent's worst nightmares. Ronald McDonald House Charities provide incredible support for families with ill children around the world. Most of us have heard of their "home away from home" housing for families with hospitalized children, but I was totally unaware of the other amazing initiatives they have. These initiatives include: Mobile Medical Care in remote areas around the world, Family Rooms in hospitals to provide a safe and quiet space for families to rest, Grants for non-profit organizations that work in children's health, and Educational Scholarships. Donations from the Great Wolf Lodge Gingerbread event go to 3 local Ronald McDonald houses in Toronto, Hamilton & London Ontario, so you will be supporting local families when you donate. 

I'm so happy that we were able to do our little part to help out this year. A trip to Great Wolf Lodge was the icing on the cake...or should I say gingerbread house ;) 

- Carolyn 

*This was a sponsored trip, but all opinions are 100% my own. Although I wasn't asked to write more about our stay at Great Wolf Lodge, I'll definitely be sharing some tips for anyone planning a trip in a future post. Stay tuned!

**If you're not headed to Great Wof Lodge this season, but would still like to make a donation to local Ronald McDonald Houses, please follow the link.

Winter Babywearing Essentials

As many of you know, I'm a huge fan of babywearing. I babywear almost 365 days a year and don't know how I would survive life as a Mom of 3 (edited to note: now 4!) without my carriers. Although many people express shock and horror at the idea of trudging through the snow wearing a baby, I can tell you from experience that it's a lot easier wearing baby than trying to push a stroller through the snow on sidewalks and up snowbanks. I've had lots of questions recently about winter babywearing, so I thought I would share a few of my essentials for surviving the winter with a baby (or toddler) in tow.

Must Haves For Parent (Babywearer)

1. Flat Winter Boots with Good Tread

Babywearing is safe in most wintery conditions, but it's essential that you have good footing under you. A flat pair of properly fitting winter boots with a nice deep tread are ideal. You can also purchase boots with special grips or add traction devices to your shoes. I recommend that you don't babywear if there is an ice warning, it's a particularly slippery day, or if you have any injuries that could make you more likely to fall. 

2. Babywearing (& Pregnancy) Coat Adapter

Skip the snow suit and wear baby inside your coat! Bridge the Bump (Made locally by 2 West End Moms - See full review here) makes leaving the house with baby so much easier. All you have to do is dress baby in normal warm cloths (cozy pants, socks, a warm shirt, sweater, hat and booties - see below) and pop them in the carrier inside your coat with the insert zipped up. Having the baby directly in the carrier typically means that it will fit better (vs. if they have bulky winter gear on) and your body heat will keep you both warm. This is ideal for errands and trips where you will be going inside, as you can simply open your coat or take it off and baby can stay in their carrier without the dangers of overheating in their snow suit or trapping you in your warm coat. 

3. Slim Neckwarmer

Having the top of your coat open to accommodate a baby in a carrier can leave a gap around your neckline leaving your skin exposed to the weather. To cover up this gap and stay warm a slim fitting neck warmer is ideal. Be careful of large, bulky, loose scarves and neck warmers that could impede baby's fresh flow of air or cover their face in any way. This beautiful neck warmer from Bridge the Bump is a new fav of mine because it's super cozy but also slim, so it sits close to my skin and doesn't bother Penny. 

Must Haves For Baby

4. Winter Hat for Baby

When wearing our baby we always want them to be visible and kissable. Visible means we never want to cover baby's face with a blanket, carrier hood, or scarf, even in the winter months. Parents are very concerned about their baby staying warm in the cold weather, but when baby is facing in against an adult the body heat created should keep them nice and cozy. A winter hat, ideally something that covers the back of the neck, will keep baby warm, but not impede their fresh flow of air or block your view of their face. If you have concerns about your baby's skin getting chapped in the cold air you can apply a thick barrier cream such as Shea butter before heading out.

5. Winter Booties for Baby

Since your baby won't be in a snow suit in their carrier I recommend some cozy booties to keep their toes and legs nice and warm. There are tons of great booties out there, but I recently found these locally made ones from Mimitens and absolutely love them for little babes who aren't walking yet. They're thinsulate, water resistant, and have a leg warmer attached. This is key for me, because they are less likely to fall off and be lost on treacherous winter walks. It's never fun to realize you've lost one bootie from your favourite pair. I think these might actually survive a whole season!

The real winter weather has yet to arrive, but I know when it does Penny and I will be ready. I hope I've given you some winter babywearing inspiration. If you prep now you can enjoy a winter with your cozy babe in tow. *Don't forget to use code WITHCARE10 for 10% off Bridge The Bump.

- Care

 *This is a sponsored post which means I was provided compensation and/or products/services for this post. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. I only partner with companies, services and institutions that I genuinely love and want to recommend.

Nursing Mama Giveaway!

Now that I'm 5 1/2 years into nursing my 3 babes I've become a bit of an expert on breastfeeding friendly attire.  So I was very excited to try out Bridge The Bump's new Reversible Maternity Top. This beautiful top is designed by 2 local moms and made right here in Toronto, which is amazing! I'm always a huge advocate of shopping local, because supporting local businesses means supporting local families...but that's a whole other post. 

What I love most about this top is that it's intended to be worn facing one way while pregnant and then flipped around to accommodate easy access for nursing once your little one arrives. The versatility of this shirt means that you'll get a lot more wear out of it than a typical maternity or nursing shirt.

The cut of this top is perfect post-baby because the fabric flows away from the body, avoiding clinging to areas that you may not want to highlight right after giving birth. Plus it can be layered with a light tank underneath if you want a little extra coverage. The fabric is easy to clean and it dries quickly, which is always appreciated by this busy mama. 

With 5 beautiful colours available: Beige, Black, Burnt Orange, Cobalt & Plum, there is bound to be one that looks amazing on everyone. Pair it with some jeans for a casual look or throw it together with a beautiful necklace, some fancy pants and a pair of heels for a special event. Yup, I said fancy pants...I'm such a mom ;) 

I love my Reversible Maternity Top so much that I've partnered with Bridge the Bump & Diaper-eez to GIVEAWAY an incredible Nursing Mama gift package that includes:

• 1 Bridge the Bump Reversible Maternity Top (Value $54.95)
• 1 Bravado Body Silk & Seamless Nursing Bra (Value $55.00)
• 1 Boogalu Teething Necklace (Value $24.99)

Enter now, by commenting below with your name and email address, for a chance to WIN. Plus make sure to check out our Facebook page & Instagram feed for 2 more ways to enter! 

This contest is open to all residents (18+) of Canada & The Continental USA and runs until Tuesday November 29th 2016 at 11pm EST. Winner will be chosen at random and announced within 24 hours. *Winner to choose colour and size of products from Diaper-eez, pending availability.

Don't wait, Enter NOW! Plus don't forget to enter on Instagram & Facebook.

- Carolyn

*Receive 10% off your Bridge the Bump Reversible Nursing Top and other amazing products at Diaper-eez with promo code: withcare *some exclusions apply

*This is a sponsored post which means I was provided compensation and/or product for this post. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

NEW Monthly Babywearing Meetup!

I've had so many requests for Babywearing advice from community parents, friends and family, I have decided to start a monthly West End Babywearing Meetup. Bring your babies and join me on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from 9:30am-11am at Body Language Academy of Dance (272 Jane St). This is a FREE community event, open to all families.  *Please Note: As of March 2017 the West End Babywearing Meetup will be moved to West End Mamas at 2477 Bloor St W 2nd Floor. 

This casual gathering will allow local parents to meet, learn about baby wearing, chat about parenting and get some extra support. Don't forget to bring your own carrier (if you have one) so you can learn how to use it properly. Plus, feel free to try a carrier from my collection. I have a selection of carriers including Ring Slings, Woven Wraps, Stretchy Wraps, Mei Tais, Soft Structured Buckle Carriers & Backpack Style carriers. When it comes to baby wearing it's always ideal to "Try Before You Buy", so join me and find what works best for you and your baby. 

Hope to see you at our first baby wearing meetup next Wednesday November 16th (Calendar of Events). Feel free to send along any questions to info@fifty-seven.ca or comment below. 

- Care 

Simple No Knead Artisan Bread

I often yearn for fresh baked bread as the fall weather settles in and we start making more soups, stews and warm hearty meals. My mom introduced me to Artisan bread baking years ago when I was in university, but at the time I didn't truly appreciate how amazing and easy the method was. Last week a fellow babywearing Instagram mom of 3 @ellerowley (owner of Sollybaby Wraps) shared her favourite simple artisan bread recipe and it peaked my interest. I had to try it. **Please note: the original recipe used is no longer available. Here is a similar 4 ingredient no-knead artisan bread recipe version.

Last night I made a batch of dough (a 5 minute process that involves mixing 4 ingredients with a spoon, no kneading!), I let it rise overnight, and today I baked it. All I can say is, you won't be disappointed if you make this bread. It is absolutely delicious. It has a perfect crusty shell with a soft light centre that melts in your mouth. Plus your house will smell like a french bakery. Mmm...

I baked the bread it in our Le Creuset Enamel Cast Iron French Oven. I was concerned about the handle of the lid and couldn't find solid advice on whether it could withstand the 475 degree temp, so I decided to play it safe and used tin foil to cover the pot instead. It worked brilliantly. Hope your family enjoys this bread as much as ours did. 

Happy Baking!

- Care

*In case you need something to go with your bread...Here's a delicious Roasted Squash Soup recipe from a few years ago that is still a favourite in our house. Enjoy!

Wonderwear Cloth Diaper Service Review & GIVEAWAY!

I love cloth diapers, but I have to admit that the more kids you have the less ideal washing your own cloth diapers becomes. Especially when you're trying to run a home, a few businesses, and perhaps stay sane in the process. So this spring when we faced the diaper dilemma with the pending arrival of our daughter Penny we debated Cloth vs Disposable once again, but this time we added the option of a service into the discussion.

There are so many incredible benefits of cloth diapers for the environment, our finances, and our baby's health (More Info), but the laundry involved can be daunting. I had never been keen on a service because they often bleach the diapers with harsh chemicals and some wash their diapers at facilities that also launder adult diapers for longterm care homes. As a health care provider and mother, this doesn't sit well with me.

So I was just a tad excited to learn about Wonderwear Modern Diaper Service, a weekly cloth diaper delivery service that provides cloth diapers and wipes as well as a host of amazing products for sale to their clients in and around the GTA (Service Areas). Wonderwear asked me to spread the word about their diaper service to my clients, but I needed to try them out myself before being able to review their quality. After 4 months of use I can say that we LOVE Wonderwear! Penny gets all the benefits of cloth diapers, and I don't have to do all the work! 

The Best Parts:

• Super Easy - Remove the wet diaper, wipe baby's bum, and toss the diaper and cloth wipe into the wet diaper bag provided. No rinsing, scraping, soaking etc. Put a fresh diaper and cover on baby and you're ready to go! Weekly delivery times are set by Wonderwear's neighbourhood schedule, but everything can be done from your doorstep without you needing to be there.
• Amazing Diapers - Super soft, fluffy and breathable, but also adsorbent because they are made of a combination of micro fibre & cotton. This means less leaks and rashes!
• Fit Like a Glove - 10 sizes (including nighttime heavy wetters and inserts) means they always fit properly, decreasing the risk of leaks. Simply send a quick email if you need to change your size, request more or less diapers, or pause the service for a vacation. 
• You Save $$ - I will admit that washing your own cloth diapers at home is the most economical you can go, but Wonderwear still ends up being cheaper than disposable diapers and wipes, especially when you consider that most cloth diapered children potty train earlier. 
• All Natural - No Bleach or chlorine is used in laundering Wonderwear diapers, just super hot water. This means the diapers always arrive smelling fresh and clean and don't cause irritation or rashes from built up detergent residue in the fibres. Plus they help reduce the huge impact diapers have on our landfills.

Enter now, by commenting below with your name and email address, for a chance to WIN a $50 Gift Certificate for Wonderwear Modern Diaper Service. *Plus make sure to check out our Facebook page & Instagram feed for 2 more chances to enter! Contest closes Friday Oct 14th 11pm EST and winner will be chosen at random and announced within 24 hours. *Prize must be redeemed for services and products delivered in the GTA (currently: North to Barrie, West to Hamilton, East to Oshawa) 

Good Luck!

- Care

*This is a sponsored post which means I was provided compensation and/or product for this post. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

DIY Baby Bum Balm Recipe

If you've ever battled a bad diaper rash with you little one, you know how difficult it can be to clear them up. After having a few with our kids over the years, and not loving any of the creams I bought, I decided to start making my own. This DIY bum balm makes a great thick barrier for sore bottoms and will help clear up even the worst diaper rash. It was adapted from a recipe handed down to me from my aunt, who makes it for her grandkids, and has healed more sore bottoms and cracked hands than I can count. I whipped some up over the weekend to help with Lucy's sore bum and within 12 hours it had worked its magic. It's that good!

This recipe is made up of a few simple ingredients and only takes minutes to make. I buy all my bulk ingredients at Anarres Natural Health right here in Toronto, but most can be found at your local health food store. The only issue making it, is that your handheld blender will be a mess after. Make sure to wipe off as much cream with a paper towel before attempting to wash it with soap and water. 

Ingredients:

• 3 Tbsp Shea Butter
• 2 tsp Zinc Oxide Powder *Please be cautious adding your Zinc Oxide powder, as it is dangerous if inhaled. Putting wet ingredients on top of the powder before mixing helps to decrease the risk. 
• 1 Tbsp Coconut oil 
• 1/2 tsp Calendula Oil
• 1/2 tsp Liquid Vitamin E

*Makes 1 small mason jar of cream

Directions:

Add all ingredients to a small bowl and mix well with immersion blender. You can add more Coconut Oil if you would like to make it slightly runnier, or more Shea Butter if you would like it thicker. Scrape out bowl with spatula and store in a small mason jar or any other small jar with a tight fitting lid.

Apply to Baby’s diaper area when red or irritated, or use regularly as a preventative cream. Please always remember to use a diaper liner for cloth diapers when using any diaper cream with Zinc Oxide. 

Hope this helps your family as much as it has helped ours.

- Care

Awesome Summer Pop Ups in the 6ix!

The city is bursting with summer fun and a few of my favourite online stores are having amazing summer Pop Up Shops, so I thought I would share the details. 

Pop up shops have become such a fun way to meet amazing online retailers & small local vendors, and get a chance to see the products up close and in person. Plus they often come with exclusive offers that can't be beat! Check out these 2 great upcoming sales!

1. The Toronto Urban Collective

Voted as one of the Best Summer Markets, The Toronto Urban Collective brings together a collection of the city's finest local artists, craft makers, photographers, designers and artisan chefs. With dozens of beautiful vendors to meet, products to see, and delicious food to taste, this is a summer event you don't want to miss! 

This year our friends Amelie & Max will be at The Toronto Urban Collective showing off their carefully curated line of beautiful and sustainable clothing, skin care and decor for the whole family.  *Use Promo: MOVIEMOM for $10 off purchases over $50 

Sunday August 7th 11AM - 6PM
The Bram & Bluma Appel Salon at
the Toronto Reference Library
789 Yonge Street 

More Info or to Buy Tickets 

2. Family Friendly Summer Pop Up Shop

This FREE family-friendly Summer Pop Up Shop is hosted by our good friends Bonjour Baby Baskets, Minimodel Gallery & Emily D Photography. With over 70% off on beautiful clothing, toys and decor for baby and kids, plus free lemonade, face painting, balloon twisting, photo sessions & Awesome Giveaways, this is definitely an event you want to add to your calendar. 

August 12 & 13 10AM - 5PM
August 14 12PM - 6PM
Real Estate Homeward Brokerage
2035 Danforth Ave

More Info

Hope you have fun checking out these awesome summer sales. I know I will!

- Carolyn