Stanley Park Hallowe'en Ghost Train: Alien Invasion {Giveaway}

October is just around the corner and with that comes fall activities and Halloween. Several years ago I took the boys on Stanley Park's Ghost Train and they had a fun time! This year's theme is Alien Invasion which is running from October 13-31st. If you think the evening hours would be too scary for your little ones, there are matinees on Friday the 13th until Sunday the 15th without live performers (and a discounted price).

Day out with Thomas–The Friendship Tour 2017

Any Thomas the Tank Engine fans out there? I've got just the experience for you! A Day out with Thomas – the Friendship Tour 2017 is at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park in Squamish from Saturday May 20th until Monday May 22nd, 2017.

Kaboodles Toy Drive

Kaboodles is an award-winning independent toy store with three locations in Vancouver and one in Victoria.  The atmosphere is fun and unique and the toys they carry are great quality and good value–your kids will get a lot of play time out of them!  From Playmobil to Lego to wooden toys, they have something for everyone (even those Pokemon cards that my boys "have" to have).   Right now they have eight different advent calendars to choose from and we love our Playmobil one.  

The Music of Junk {Giveaway}

The Music of Junk is a high-energy 120-minute show where 11 different singers and musicians utilize instruments that have been made of out of, well, junk!  The creator Paul Snider came up with the idea when visiting Kenya years ago when he saw people reusing and re-purposing objects that had been in the trash.  The Music of Junk includes instruments such as a saxophone made from a bike and a harp from an old bed frame! 

Christmas in Vancouver: FlyOver Canada

How would you like to fly to the North Pole and swoop down over Mrs. Claus' gingerbread factory?  This Christmas, FlyOver Canada has a unique experience of an extended holiday edition of FlyOver Canada!  I love the 4D experience which includes a breeze and scents from the scenery; imagine how Mrs. Claus' baking must smell!   This spring we loved our FlyOVer Canada experience as a family and this sounds even better – you can also check out the holiday lights, music, visit Santa, view the ice sculptures, and enjoy some seasonal snacks!

FlyOver Canda is open daily from 10AM-9PM and you can see the schedule including Santa visits and a S'more Station here.  Tickets for adults are $19.95 and children (up to 12 years of age) are $14.95. This special holiday edition of FlyOver Canada is on until January 5th, 3016.

One lucky Talk Nerdy To Me reader will win a pair of tickets to this Christmas Edition of FlyOver Canada, just enter in the rafflecopter below!


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Love,
Louise

The Music of Junk! {Giveaway}

Now here is a unique fun-filled family-friendly event which I know my kids would love: The Music of Junk! You can see everyday objects turned into musical instruments in an eco-concious production; it includes objects like a bed frame turned into a harp and a timpani made from a 1999 Honda Accord.  My kids could get so many ideas from this (and yes, I had to google "timpani" to ensure I knew what it was--a kettle drum!)

Paul Snider is the production's creator and composer who includes catchy songs and leads 12 local musicians who have their own junkyard masterpieces.  This production was recently named one of the 10 hottest art shows in November by Vancity Buzz and I think it would be a fantastic date night idea!

Junk becomes a musical treasure in this concert experience, The Music of Junk! and takes place from November 18-22 at the Waterfront Theatre on Granville Island.  Make a day of it exploring Granville Island, going out to eat, and then enjoy the show!  Tickets are very affordable for kids and you can find the price list here.

If you would like the chance to win a pair of tickets to the November 19th show, please enter in the Rafflecopter below! Good luck :)


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Love,
Louise

Mama Bear Box {Giveaway}

Mama Bear Box is a local B.C. business that provides trendy and essential homemade baby products delivered right to your door!  Each month there are 4-5 new products and the fun part is that it's always a surprise what is in the box.   This would be a fabulous baby shower gift because who doesn't love getting a special package delivered right to their home?  And on a personal note, this would just save so much time and energy by ordering online!

This box is a sample from September's Mama Bear Box; drool-proof bibdana, teething necklace, glow-in-the-dark soother clip, natural lavender baby soap and natural healing balm.

I love the idea of supporting other mamas by buying from their small shops--this way you'll be exposed to some that products you've never even heard of.

You can buy month to month box ($39.99) or there is even a three month ($113.97) or six month ($215.94) option.  The value of the boxes ranges from $50-$60.00.  Upon check out you can choose whether you would like a box geared towards a baby boy or baby girl.  Here are some of the businesses that will have their product in the October Mama Bear Boxes!

You have the chance to win a Mama Bear Box valued at $39.99!  Whether you'd like it for yourself or a baby gift for someone else--it's a great prize.  Just fill out the Rafflecopter below and be sure to check back to see if you're a winner!  Open to residents of Canada and the U.S.A.


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Theatre Under the Stars {Giveaway}

As a person who lives in the Lower Mainland, attending 'Theatre Under the Stars' (TUTS) is on my `Must Do' list.   Watching a musical in Stanley Park sounds like such a beautiful and enjoyable evening (Hello, double date night!)  Starting July 10th until August 22nd, 2015, at the Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park, there will be two family musicals running on alternating nights.  What a great way to spend a summer's eve with family or friends.

{Photos by Tim Matheson}

The two musicals are Oliver!-The Musical and Hairspray-The Broadway Musical. This 2015 season is actually their 75th and what a great way to celebrate!

Oliver! The Musical is directed by Shel Piercy and as based on Charles Dickens' ever-popular novel.  It follows Oliver Twist, an orphan, as he adventures through London meeting a cast of unforgettable characters.  There will be toe-tapping musical theatre melodies such as Food Glorious Food, Consider Yourself, I'd Do Anything and As Long As He Needs Me. 

{Photo by Tim Matheson}

Hairspray is directed by Sarah Rodgers and shows the journey of Tracy Turnblad who has the dream to dance on a local TV program called The Corny Collins Show.  Her dream is realized and Tracy becomes Miss Hairspray.  Over time, she discovers that there are more important things in life than being famous.

{Photo by Tim Matheson}

Have you attended Theatre Under the Stars before? I'd love to hear your thoughts.  I am so excited to offer one reader of Talk Nerdy To Me a family four-pack of tickets to see either Oliver! or Hairspray.  I wish I could win; take me!  Please enter the Rafflecopter below and I will announce the winner on June 26th!




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Baby Bjorn Bouncer Mini {Review & Giveaway}

Baby Bjorn is known to produce beautiful, ergonomic, and functional products so I was very excited to try out their latest product which will be released exclusively in Canada; The Bouncer Mini.

Our experience with Baby Bjorn has been with their original carrier.  We used it for all three kids and LOVED it.  Forward facing, then outward, it grew with them.  

   

Although we no longer have a newborn or baby, I love finding new products to recommend to other parents.  This mini size bouncer is for babies 0-6 months and up to 20 lbs.  It's not available yet but will be released this summer exclusively in Canada!

I'm always a bit apprehensive about having to assemble equipment but it it took Nya and I about one minute to figure out the three simple steps.  There are no screws and the three pieces pop into place. 

If you place the - sign on the legs upward, it is for the 7.7-13 lb range. The + sign facing upwards will work for 7.7-20 lbs by being a bit more upright.

The fabric slides easily over the frame and you secure it where indicated.  If it needs to be washed, it is so SIMPLE to remove the fabric and machine wash in warm water.

Once the Bouncer Mini was set up we tried it out on Minnie Mouse first.  I really like the colour options; grey or pale pink.

It was all good with Minnie Mouse so we were ready to test it with my niece Lucy who came over for a play date!

Lucy is over the 6 month mark but she's just 19 lbs so we put her in.  I think she liked it!

Nya was easily able to move her up and down.  It is made so that the baby can self soothe by bouncing alone while working on their motor skills (no batteries required!).  It provides excellent head support and lays quite far back in the smallest setting.

This Bouncer Mini can be deconstructed in about 5 seconds and therefore lay flat.  It's very light so that would make it easy to travel with.  

We loved having a bouncer for our kids when they were little and I wish we had this one!  My kids used ours when I needed to get housework done so that I could ensure that they were safe.  Also, Koen had reflux and had to be kept upright.  Kai loved any motion at all so he would have really enjoyed this.  You can also buy a toy bar separately which is able to attach to it.

Guess what?!  YOU can win this Baby Bjorn Bouncer Mini in either pink or grey valued at $159.95. Please enter in the Rafflecopter below and note that it is just open to Canadian residents.  Thank you!



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Little Big Books: Musical E-Books For Toddlers {Giveaway}

Nya loves books.  She is almost three and continues to bring me book after book to read to her.  She loves talking about the pictures, touching the tactile ones,  pressing musical buttons, and now....she enjoys electronic books.  I recently found out about a local author/illustrator, Anne Baird, who collaborated with a singer/songwriter team, Joopiter Moon, to make musical e-books for toddlers.  Let me tell you, having a book on my phone that can be read or sung to her is awesome!  We don't let her use electronics very often but I think it would be great for situations like waiting in the doctor's office.  And if your child is about to enter potty training, Little Big Books has a great book for your child!

                                           

As you can see by my phone's library, these are my very first eBooks.  Am I the only one to have never read an electronic book?!  I've always read the old fashioned way but it was super easy to download and start reading right away. You have the option of playing it musically or swiping the pages and having it read to you.  

{Nya laughing while listening to `POTTY PARTY'}

Nya loved the graphics on this one; MOON MOON.  `The fish is flying?!  Fishes go diving! That's silly!'.  Watch out though, this one makes you sleepy so it's perfect for reading before bed.

You can go to the link here to preview the five books that Little Big Books have.  I think the POTTY PARTY one would be so good if you're about to enter the potty training stage.  I played it for my 5 nieces and nephews at a play date and they watched it several times (and now I have the song stuck in my head!).

If you would like a chance to win MOON MOON and POTTY PARTY, enter in the Rafflecopter below.  Two winners will be chosen randomly on Friday and receive both electronic musical books!  

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Love,
Louise

Vancouver Christmas Market {Giveaway}

This morning we went to the opening of the Vancouver Christmas Market.  It's their 5th anniversary and it runs from Nov. 22-Dec.24th.  If there's anything that we love, it's food.   It's an authentic German Christmas Market full of great treats, mulled wine (or apple cider for the kids!) and many small trinkets.

The kids were able to sample candies and kettle corn.

They were also excited to see Christmas decorations.

They tried some poffertjes (mini Dutch pancakes).

They rode the carousel (`I love this Mommy! This is so fun!'.).  

*Note: We went to put Nya on a second time and she was too short so unable to ride the horse.  You need to be 36"*

We tried some hot apple cider which was really, really good.  It was from the Traditional Gluhwein vendor.

The kids had chocolate covered strawberries and cream puffs from `I Love Chocolate'.

And no chocolate was wasted.

Gary tried the Hurricane Potato from Das Kartoffelhaus.

I'm giving away FOUR entries to the Vancouver Christmas Market.  Just enter in the rafflecopter below for your chance to go!  I think it would be a great double date idea....

Love,

The Chapmans

**Disclaimer: We were given tickets to attend the Vancouver Christmas Market and the opinions are my own.**

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Stream Into 2015 {Google Chromecast Giveaway!}

For the past few years I have had many friends recommend that we get Netflix.   I wasn't sure about it as I thought it would end up costing a lot to pay for Netflix and a streamer.  I also wasn't sure if it would be easy to navigate even more technology.   Let me tell you what I found...

First of all, Netflix is not expensive.  It's $8.99/month and the first month is free to try it out. Secondly, I thought that you had to buy a fancy streaming apparatus to watch it on TV, but there are affordable and reliable options out there like the one we are using; Google Chromecast.  It costs $39.00 from Staples and that seems pretty good to me!

 It's very easy to set up.  I just plugged this Google Chromecast into the HDMI port on my TV and then I downloaded the free Netflix and Chromecast apps on my iPhone.  It probably took less than 5 minutes to do it all.  It's also compatible with our laptops and Gary's android phone.

Sometimes I'm a bit afraid of technology and leave it all to Gary to figure out, but this time I navigated it easily on my own.  I just go to Netflix on my phone, choose a show to watch, touch the TV symbol on the screen (as indicated by the arrow) and it's on the TV!  Done.  Then I am free to use my phone like normal or as a remote.  

Our Friday nights are always pizza and movie nights as a family.  It's easy, predictable and enjoyable.  We lay a blanket over the carpet and eat dinner in front of the TV.  Usually we would watch a movie we own already or pick one out from the library, but now the options are much greater!   

{The old way!}

Being that Christmas is not too far away, we are participating in #Streaminto2015 with Staples.ca and choosing a Christmas movie each week to watch as a family and then deciding next month which one is our `Ultimate Holiday Movie'.  The kids love voting and giving scores out of 10 so this will be perfect for them.  If you have a family friendly Christmas movie to recommend, let me know!

{Movie time= cuddle/wrestle time too}

And the best, super duper, awesome news?  Staples Canada is giving TWO readers from Talk Nerdy To Me their very own Google Chromecast HDMI Streaming Media Player! I should note that you don't have to have Netflix as you can stream any website in Chrome to your TV. 

Enter in the Rafflecopter below and good luck!  Open to Canadian residents only.

Love, 

Louise

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**Disclaimer: Staples Canada provided me with a Google Chromecast Media Streamer for this review and giveaway.  Opinions expressed are 100%  my own.**