Halloween Mini Sessions at Movies for Mommies

I don't know about you, but I'm pretty much obsessed with seeing my kiddos in halloween costumes. They're always so ridiculously cute. Every year I try to capture a sweet photo as a memento, but I have learned over the years that it's best to do it before Halloween. That way I don't have to compete with their sheer excitement for CANDY! Snapping a good pic can be tough, so I love letting the professionals do the hard work. 

This month I will be hosting 2 sessions of Complimentary Halloween Mini Sessions with Anchor Studio at Movies for Mommies at the Humber Cinema. Photos will take place pre-show from 12-1pm on Monday October 16th (Battle of the Sexes) and Monday October 23rd (Movie TBD).  Sessions are complimentary for Movies Attendees, and high resolution digital images can be purchased for $25/file. 

Space is extremely limited for these sessions and always fills up fast, so please don't wait to register. Send an email to care@with-care.ca indicating which date you prefer, and a session time will be emailed to you. If all sessions are booked I will give you the option of being added to the waiting list. 

These are a few of my favourites from our Halloween session with Anchor Studio last fall. As you can see Lucy refused to put on her costume (in true preschooler fashion), so Silvia and Tony rolled with it and made it a fall inspired session instead. 

Penny obviously rocked her costume.

Don't forget that Anchor Studio is one of my partners and offers 10% off to my clients. Just mention With Care when you book your session. 

Hope to see you at the Movies! 

Care 

**Please Note: Sessions are for Movie attendees only. Send an email to care@with-care.ca indicating which date you prefer, and a session time will be emailed to you. If all sessions are booked I will give you the option of being added to the waiting list. *

True North Sports Camps Review - One Happy Mom's Perspective

It's always a good sign when you pick your kid up at the end of the first day of camp and they immediately say "Today was the best! I love it here. Can I come back tomorrow?" Yup, that was Ben's initial reaction to True North Sports Camps. After 2 weeks of camp I can confidently say that he's still feeling the same, and totally pumped for more camp in August. 

Sending your kid off to be in the care of camp counsellors can be daunting. Especially if it's their first year attending day camp. We talk a lot in our house about the importance of feeling safe and having fun. If our kids don't feel safe or aren't having fun than we have an issue with the program. I'm so happy to say that in these last 2 weeksI have never had a doubt about Ben's safety or well being with True North Sports Camps, and it was obvious he was having fun. 

Here are a few things that I noticed over the last 2 weeks that really make True North Sports Camps an amazing place for kids to learn, have fun and feel safe. Plus a few things that make them super parent friendly! 

• Engaged Staff - From the moment we arrived each morning the staff were friendly with parents, campers and siblings, and helped with any kids who were a little nervous. They encouraged the kids to be silly and weren't too cool to joke around with the little ones. 
• Sun Safety - I was so happy to learn the they reapply sunscreen as a group 3 times a day. This is huge for me and a really big improvement from our experience in previous programs. 
• Regular Group Water Breaks - This is essential to prevent overheating and dehydration. Kids are also always encouraged to stop if they need water in between. A large water cooler is always available for kids to refill their bottles throughout the day with cold water. 
• Beautiful Outdoor Space - The camp in the West End has a large field with lots of beautiful old trees and a great playground. Ben loved the mix of time for sports and some breaks to have fun on the play structure.

• Safe Indoor Space - Although I want my kids outside running around as much as possible, I know that occasionally we have days that make it impossible to do so. I was relieved to know that the camp has access to indoor spaces with air conditioning & industrial fans for heat advisory and rain days (individual camp locations will vary on their facilities). Ben had 1 rain day and 1 heat advisory day during his 2 weeks, which meant they spent half a day of each inside. I was worried Ben would be disappointed by the lack of outdoor time, but when I arrived both days he was absolutely loving the games and crafting they were doing inside the portables. During superhero week they each made their own superhero cape which was a big hit with Ben.  
• Safe & Inclusive Water Play - Every Friday the camp has water play. As a family that doesn't allow gun play, I was so relieved to hear that they use balloons, sponges and a slip and slide to stay cool. 
• Simple Instructions For Parents - I love the welcome email the camp sends you in anticipation of each week of camp. It has everything so clearly laid out (map to location with pics of drop off area, list of what to bring, schedule for the week, contact info etc). Receiving this simple email meant that I didn't have to go searching online for anything. Something that I really appreciate as a busy parent. 
• They Let Sleeping Babies Sleep - A few times during Ben's 2 weeks at camp the baby fell asleep on the way to pick up, making it tough to sign Ben out. The staff tent was set up right near the parking lot and everything was so visible that they would see me and bring the clipboard and Ben right to me. This meant I didn't have to wake a sleeping baby which was huge. I know this type of help isn't always possible (and shouldn't be expected), but when it is possible it makes a big difference for parents.

I am so happy that we tried out True North Sports Camps this year. Ben has had such a great time learning different sports, meeting new friends and enjoying some time without mom ;) 

If you're still looking for some summer camp for your little one, check out True North Sports Camps. Use code TrueNorth57 for 30% off their West End location this summer. You won't regret it. 

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. I only partner with products and services that I genuinely love and want to recommend. 

Welcome To The West End True North Sports Camps! Enter To WIN A Week Of Free Camp + 30% OFF Registration!

It's hard to believe that it's already time to start thinking about summer, but it'll be here before we know it. I'm typically the parent who hears about summer camp registration in the winter, but then gets busy and forgets to actually register. When I do get around to it, most programs are crammed full with waitlists or unavailable on the weeks we want. So this year when I heard that True North Sports Camps was coming to the West End, I decided to jump on it and get my big kid all signed up. Yay for checking things off my to-do list! Plus I asked them for a discount for my friends and followers, and they were super generous. You're welcome ;)

I had heard of True North Sports Camps before, from some friends in North Toronto who had sent their kids and loved the programs, but it was too far away for us. I hadn't found any comparable program in our neighbourhood for this season, so hearing that they were extending to the West End in the summer of 2017 was perfect. They offer Multi-Sport and Baseball camps for kids ranging in age from 4-14, and focus on a pressure free environment that emphasizes sportsmanship, teamwork and fair play. All things that our 5 year old could use a little help with, as I'm sure most kids can. They also offer extended before and after care, which is essential for so many busy families.

If you're looking for a great Sports Camp for your little camper this summer, check out True North Sport Camps and use Code TrueNorth57 for 30% off Registration at their West End Camps. Plus Enter for a Chance to WIN 1 Week of FREE Camp! 

Simply comment below with your name and email address for a chance to WIN! (alternatively you may comment below and submit your email address to info@fifty-seven.ca for entry). Plus make sure to check out our Facebook page & Instagram feed for 2 more ways to enter! 

Contest is open to all residents of the Greater Toronto Area and closes Thursday February 16th 11pm EST. A winner will be chosen at random and announced within 24 hours. *Prize must be redeemed for services at True North Sports Camps West End Location

I'm in disbelief that it's only February and we're all set for camp. I'm feeling pretty proud of myself and Ben is so excited he's started a countdown. I'm sure that won't get old anytime soon ;) 

- 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.