Looking for our reviews??

Find them at out new and imporved home!  Visit us today at York Region Parent. 

Boogie Wipes

When my daughter was an infant, she constantly had a runny nose that would dry above her lip. I am a bit of a perfectionist and therefore, I was constantly wiping her nose and using wet cloths to clean the dried mucous. As well, if it sat on her skin for too long, it would begin to irritate her skin.

I am so thankful to have found Boogie Wipes for my next child. Boogie Wipes are a moist wipe product for busy moms, dads & kids. They are a wipe With added saline, that offer quick, gentle, effective relief of stuck on Boogies (mucous).

Boogie Wipes are:

* Hypoallergenic
* Alcohol Free
* a Unique Formula
* Moisturizes with added Chamomile, Vitamin E and Aloe
* Gentle Enough for all Ages
* Lightly Scented

Canadian orders are accepted by emailing dean at boogiewipes dot com. I highly recommend you order some for your family!

All Betters

Kids and boo boos are like carrots and peas--they come together!

Some boo boos are serious and many are not. Often, all that is needed is a little attention, some love and a bit of distraction.


All Betters are the PERFECT distraction for little ones with a boo boo!

All Betters are quick-frozen cold packs that are decorative, colourful, glittery and filled with nontoxic liquid. They are the perfect size for little hands. The great part about All Betters is that they don't make a mess like dripping ice cubes do. All Betters are soft which make them comfortable for holding and for putting on boo boos. They also include alphabet stickers for personalizing!

My three year old daughter loves her All Better! She asks for it whenever she gets a little bump, scrape or boo boo and it instantly takes the "pain" away for her (and she stops talking about it too).

I have to say that the cold pack doesn't stay cold for too long due to its size, but when you are using it as a distraction rather than for actual cold therapy, this isn't an issue.

The other comment that I have is that the purple gel that is inside our All Better has started to take on the colours of the rainbow confetti inside. Again, this doesn't bother my daughter in the least. She continues to love her All Better and I am so glad that we have it.

Cap Trappers™

As a former Kindergarten teacher, one of my biggest pet peeves were dried out markers! I swore to myself that I would teach my own chilren how to "snap" a marker lid on so that the markers don't dry off. My daughter usually does a pretty good job of remembering, but occasionally I will find a lid or a lidless marker somewhere and I honestly am not too happy about it. I used to keep a ziplock bag full of extra marker lids for those times when we would lose one.

Well, after the discovery of Cap Trappers™, I no longer have to worry about missing marker lids or markers drying out. Cap Trappers™ versatile material allows it to fit any cap size from skinny to fat.

Using Cap Trappers™ allows you to keep your markers organized and as long as the marker is pushed in all of the way, you will no longer find surprise dried up markers.

Admittedly, it does take a bit of wrestling to get the markers in the Cap Trappers™ (we have the thick Crayola ones, so they may be more difficult), but once they are in, they are in to stay! No more lost lids. No more dried out markers and hello to organization!

Green Peas Photography

Whether you are considering maternity, newborn, child or family professional photos, Tiffany at Green Peas Photography is a perfect person to contact!

I recently had an outdoor maternity photo shoot done by Tiffany. She met me at a local park and along with my husband and my daughter, we spent a couple of hours walking around the park, having fun and of course, getting our pictures taken.

Right from the start, Tiffany was prompt with responding to my emails and she called to touch base prior to our photo shoot as well. She offered her ideas as well as asking for mine. Throughout the photo shoot itself, she also asked me if there were any other poses that I wanted, ensuring that I would be happy with the large variety of shots that she took.

Tiffany's warm and welcoming personality put us all at ease from the moment we met up with her. She was calm and relaxed which really helped set the positive tone for the entire experience.

Her most creative idea was to have my daughter finger paint my belly. It was a really fun and memorable experience that we will never forget. She even came prepared with many wet cloths and towels for a perfect clean up.

We are very happy with the outcome and have enjoyed viewing and sharing our photos online as well as on our cd that she gave us. Now, the hardest part is choosing which ones we want to have printed!

Next time you are considering getting photos done, do consider giving Tiffany at Green Peas Photography a call! I truly believe that you will be happy with your experience as well as the outcome.

The Essential Pregnancy Organizer: 40 weeks +

Every mom-to-be has so many things to keep track of! There are appointment dates, lists of things to do and buy, preparing for childbirth and baby, it can be very overwhelming.

Essential Organizers has come with a perfect solution: The Essential Pregnancy Organizer 40 weeks+.

This spiral bound, high quality book covers everything and has plenty of space for Moms to keep organized.

There are tabs so that each section is easy to find and it is a journal size so that it fits nicely into your purse.

The organizer includes: Detailed timeline and pregnancy calendar * Interview questions for obstetricians, midwives, pediatricians, nannies, and day care centers * Questions to formulate a birth plan * Prenatal check-up pages * Practical baby shopping list for parents * Gift tracker * Tips on saving time around the house Coach’s preparations and contact lists * Feeding and diapering records * Helpful resources *Pocket for paperwork or keepsakes * and much more.

The Essential Pregnancy Organizer would make a perfect gift for a Mom-to-be! What a relief it would be to be able to stay organized all in one place.

WeeGo Glass Baby Bottle: A safe feeding solution

Due to the large focus on BPA (Bisephnol A) in the news, many parents are considering different options for baby bottles. One of the more common BPA free options is the glass bottle.

Babylife has come up with the Weego Bottle. The Weego bottle is a glass bottle that is surrounded by a stylish silicone sleeve.

The silicone sleeve is 100% non toxic and all of the bottle parts are bisphenol A, phthalate, PVC and polycarbonate-free.

What I like best about the Weego bottle is the silicone sleeve because it makes the bottle more practical for carrying around in a diaper bag (less worry about breakage) as well as for babies who are keen to hold onto their own bottle. It provides for a good grip on the bottle as well as an eye appealing and tactile experience for the baby.

The Weego bottles are available in six fashionable colours; pink, raspberry, orange, yellow, sky and ocean and are available online and in various baby boutiques and retail locations.

Snack & Play Travel Tray: A great solution to car travel with kids

Our family travels by car quite frequently. Entertaining and keeping children happy in the car is a challenge that many parents face. Car seats are not conducive to many activities, especially when children are young. This is why the Snack and Play Travel Tray is the perfect solution for us!

When we first got ours, my daughter told me how excited she was that she would finally be able to colour in the car. Losing markers and crayons in the car was a frequent occurrence in our vehicle up until we started using the Snack and Play Travel Tray.

The Snack & Play Travel Tray has mesh side pockets and a 2 inch wall to stop items from falling off the tray. The wall is the feature that I am most impressed with!

The tray fits most car and booster seats. It comes with a belt and buckle that can be fastened and unfastened on either side. This belt keeps the tray in place and from falling off a child's lap.

tot-to-go stylish baby sling

Babywearing is a big buzz word in the parenting scene these days. There are many different types of baby carriers and slings out there. tot-to-go stylish slings are definitely a great option! Celebrities like Courtney Thorne-Smith have thoroughly enjoyed their Tot-to-go slings and you can too.

Until August 31st, tot-to-go has a 40% off sale on some of their slings. You can't beat that price.

Tot-to-go slings are made with top quality fabric that washes beautifully. They are a comfortable fit and can be used for infants and toddlers.

The tot-to-go Spa Damask Baby Sling is the tot-to-go top selling sling online and at retail locations. I can definitely see why, as it is an eye catching pattern (robin egg blue and chocolate brown) and can be used for either a boy or a girl. There are also many other eye catching styles available.



As a York Region Parent reader, you can also receive an additional 15% off any purchase over $75.00 or more. Please use coupon code: yorkregion.

Tooth Tissues: A new way to healthy teeth and gums

Tooth tissues were developed by two parents, who are also dentists, who wanted to create a safe and easy method for cleaning their baby's teeth. Brushing baby teeth and gums with a toothbrush can be very challenging at the best of times. Tooth Tissues were developed in order to make cleaning infant and toddler teeth easier.

I am guilty to not cleaning my daughter's teeth as much as we should have when she was younger as it was such a challenge. If I had known about Tooth Tissues, I truly believe that it would have been much easier. By using your finger in the cloth, you have more control and can confidently get the job done. The Tooth Tissues are so convenient too, as they are made to be portable and can be stored in your diaper bag.

I will admit also that after trying the Tooth Tissues on my own teeth, I will be pulling them out after meals out to use on me! They leave your teeth feeling smooth and shiny!

Tooth tissues are 99% natural, paraben free, fluoride free and sugar free. They are made with a textured cloth in order to provide for more plaque removal. They are easy to use and are very effective! Tooth tissues are also tasteless.

Tooth Tissues can be ordered online. They are sold in single packets (great for the diaper bag) and in resealable pouches.

Back-to-School Hair

I took my daughter to get her hair cut at Beaner’s and it was a total package experience! Beaner’s is a great place for kids of all ages to get their haircut and have fun doing it. I didn’t have to worry about the hairdresser getting upset if my daughter squirmed in the chair or the fact that she was whooping it up in the play area they have available. It is a place where kids can feel at ease while getting a cut, something some kids find intimidating. There are tv’s set up to play their favourite cartoons while they sit and the caring and friendly staff make parents and kids feel very welcome and comfortable. Not only are do they cut children’s hair but they are a full service hair salon for adults as well. If time is tight you can get your hair done while the kids are playing a few feet away.

The prices are right with a package deal starting at $10.95. This includes shampoo, cut and braids for girls, and boys have their choice of coloured gel for a funky style finish. The adult cuts are the same price with a styling option of $4.00 and up. The services also include ear piercing, highlites and colour, themed birthday parties, dance recital up-dos and manicure and pedicures.
My daughter loved the pampering experience and loved the choice of which car to sit in while having her own little salon outing. I will definitely be taking her back to Beaners!

Ringley Natural Teething Toys

So much has changed in three years since I had my daughter. One of the things that parents have become much more knowledgeable and aware of is safety with regards to baby products.

My daughter was (and still is) very orally fixated. We had teethers of all kinds for her. I never liked the way most of them smelled or the fact that they could puncture once she got teeth. We actually did have one puncture and it was very scary, even though it was supposedly filled with purified water.

I am so excited to have found RiNGLEY for my second child! RiNGLEY is an all natural teether made from untreated Canadian Maple and 100% organic cotton terrycloth. The fact that it is 100% handmade in Toronto can provide parents with the comfort to know where it is from.

RiNGLEY has two textures for babies to chew on, which is very important in their tactile awareness. Touching items and putting things in their mouths plays a huge part in how babies learn. The fact that the RiNGLEY teether has no chemicals or dyes and is natural and organic is great!

The RiNGLEY teether would make an excellent gift for a new baby!

There are two styles to choose from and they can be purchased online and at various retailers across Canada.

Booda Bellie: Unique organic fashions

Booda Bellie is a new PTPA approved Canadian company that makes certified organic cotton and bamboo onesies, tees and receiving blankets for young babies and children. Their products are Canadian made; knit, finished, dyed and sewn in Canada.

Parents will be happy to learn that Booda Bellie products are all eco-friendly, made with low viscosity ink, are non-toxic, lead-free and latex-free.

They have two collections:


the Earth collection (100% cotton)

and


the Comfy collection (70% bamboo blended with 30% organic cotton)


My daughter has fallen in love with her tee from Booda Bellie. The shirt is either being warn or in the laundry, I have yet to find it sitting in her closet.

The Booda Bellie designs are eye catching and appealing and they wash beautifully! I feel good knowing that the clothing is organic and comes from a trusted source!

Currently, Booda Bellie products are available online and at various trade shows.

Pippalily Slings

With my first child (who is now 3 years old), I did not own a sling, in fact, I didn't even know of their existance. I did own another type of carrier and it was good, but only during certain situations and when her mood allowed it. It wasn't great for her when she was a newborn and once she got to be a few months old, it was no longer comfortable for me. Unfortunately, I discovered the wonderful invention of a sling much too late!

This time around, I'm very excited to be able to use a Pippalily Sling.



First of all, Pippalily Slings are handmade in Canada, which is something that has become more and more important to me when I consider making a purchase. They are quality made and are machine washable, which makes them practical for use with an infant, especially when they are a spit up baby like my daughter was!

Pippalily provides an online instructional video for parents who need to learn how to use a sling. The video is very informative and covers topics including getting the right fit, putting the sling on, and various carrying positions (infant pouch position, peek-a-boo position, front carry position and hip carry position). The video also covers safety notes with regards to using slings.

I think one of the features of the Pippalily Sling that makes it very appealing is the large variety of materials and colours. There are four collections:

Peony Collection:

Dragon Collection:

Cottons Collection:

Dragonfly Collection:


Pippalily slings are available online and at various baby boutiques across Canada and the United States.

Ladybugs & Lullabies

I really can't tell you how much I love everything about Ladybugs & Lullabies, makers of amazingly unqiue hair clips and accessories for babies & toddlers. As my little one's hair is starting to get longer I have really gotten in this accessorizing clips with outfits. I did infact just place another order including Strawberry Fields (too cute)as well as some ladybug clips.

This Canadian mom-run company excels at providing excellent customer service for their handmade products. My favourite clips are the alligator clips, that stay in my 9 months hair all-day. (I mean all day!) I do also like the fact that no matter how much hair your baby has, even if it's peach fuzz the clip will stay in.


These hair clips aren't just hair clips - they are works of art!

Save 25% of your order when you enter "YRP25" when checking out!

Peanut Shell Nursing Cover

Along Came Baby is an online Baby Store Boutique based out of Markham, Ontario. They have a very user friendly and attractive website.

One of Along Came Baby's many amazing products for sale is the Peanut Shell Nursing Cover.



This wonderful 100% and therefore breathable nursing cover is a nursing Mom's dream come true. It has flexible boning in the neck in order to provide Mom with a view of her baby and to allow for greater air circulation.

I certainly wish that I had this type of a nursing cover when I nursed my first child. I remember feeling so hot when nursing in public and I really didn't care for the fact that I couldn't see what was going on under the cover. This is a wonderful invention so that the infants can look up at their Mom too. This nursing cover may just last a little longer in the nursing process. With my first child, she kept pulling off the cover so that she could see me!

Be sure to check out Along Came Baby next time you are looking for a gift or a unique and quality product for your baby.

Huddy Buddy

I love to see unique clothing for children. Huddy Buddy sells a clothing line that is just that! They sell a large variety of onesies, t-shirts, long sleeved shirts and pants for infants, toddlers and children.

Some of the sayings available on these good quality shirts are absolutely hilarious. I would love for my daughter to literally own one of each. The "Chatterbox" line is filled with adorable sayings that would definitely catch some attention your child's way.

As an added bonus, I love the fact that a percentage of every sale goes straight to the Sick Kids Foundation!

These shirts would make excellent gifts for the little ones in your life!

The Parking Pal Magnet

The Parking lot at the grocery store or mall can be a dangerous place for toddlers, preschoolers and even school age children. And a simple invention, created by a mom can help make parking lots a not-so-dangerous place!

After we had our second baby 8 months ago, the whole dilemma of going out with a 3 year old and an 8 month old for errand running or groceries seemed really daunting. But now we have a process down which includes the Parking Pal. The Parking Pal is a magnet that attaches to the outside of your car and your child is meant to put their hand on the car while you are busy putting your other child in the car or whatever else you may need to do.

Here is how it works...

Place the Parking Pal on the side of your vehicle, where it will remain safely attached at all times. It was specifically designed with bright colors, playful illustrations, and a small palm children love to place their hands on. After a couple learning sessions, your child will discover that the Parking Pal is their safe spot, and they will know where to go the second they are outside the car. It also helps teach them that parking lots are no place to play.

I was talking to a friend about this the other day -- and she said what about how hot it is. Doesn't the magnet get hot? I have decided to keep the magnet in my purse and not on the car at all times. I simply place the magnet where is needed and my preschooler places his hand on it and waits.

Although we love this invention and it has worked wonders for us -- it doesn't replace proper supervision, so alwatys be aware!

Baby Chaleco Performance Wear

Baby Chaleco performance wear is top notch quality!

You can literally spill an entire cup of liquid on these bibs and not one drop will leak through. The outer layer is made from extremely soft material that is not only soft and cozy for baby, but also absorbs some of the spills so that they don't roll right off of the bib, something that happens with many waterproof bibs on the market.

Baby Chaleco makes very stylish options for boys and girls.

They use high quality materials and have thought of every loop hole imaginable! They use snaps rather than velcro so that they don't stick to other items in the laundry, nor can baby rip them off too easily. Their sizing is very generous and go from newborn up through the toddler years.

True Waterproof bibs are hard to find. Good quality and child safe ones are even more difficult to find. These days there are safety concerns with so many products that are made for babies and children. Baby Chaleco products have no pthalates, PVCs or lead. Baby Chaleco has also been approved by Safe Start for Kids.

Itzbeen

If only I had known about the Itzbeen with my first child. It would have made keeping track of changing, feeding and sleeping much easier and neater. We used notebooks, loose sheets of paper and the computer (that I would have boot up everytime I had something new to add) with my first child. None of these methods even begin to compare with the amazing invention of the Itzbeen.

The Itzbeen is a small portable device that runs on batteries in order to help new parents keep track of their babies needs. There is a handy clip on the back so that it can clip to you wherever you go and a backlight so that it can be used conveniently during the night. There are also different alarm options available and a nursing reminder to help a nursing Mom remember which side she last nursed on. A night light is conveniently built into the Itzbeen in order to help you guide your way during those night time feedings.

It is very obvious that this incredible tool was created by a Mom and Dad who knew exactly how to make life easier as a new parent.

The Itzbeen is a must have for all new parents and would make a very practical yet unique gift!

Check out their online store locator right now!

TickleTickle--Just Add Baby

TickleTickle.com is a Canadian business run by two Moms following their dreams together.

Their online store has everything from diaper bags for Dads to items for Moms, babies and children. They have all bases covered from books to bags to toys to cups and spoons.

The TickleTickle.com website is very user friendly, colourful and funky! Beware, because you could get caught up for quite a while checking out all of their awesome and unique merchandise.

They even offer free shipping on all Canadian orders of over $150.

We had the opportunity to take an in person look at the Babysitter Notepad and the Weekly Menu Pad. Although the Babysitter Pad certainly requires a good sense of humour, both organizers allow sufficient space for entering the required info and the menu pad is magnetic! What great organizing resources for parents!




Here's a great review of the Hooter Hider from Tickle Tickle:

As a new nursing mother I can not tell you how much I love my Hooter Hider. It gave me the confidence to feed my baby anytime, anywhere! Before I used the Hooter Hider, I did purchase an imitation that was made from what I think was a felt fabric, but it was so hot that nursing became frustrating!

Out of all the baby must-have The Hooter Hider is definitely in my top 10 things a new mom needs. They are stylish, practical and the perfect solution for privacy for a nursing mom.

Mabels Labels

Two of our York Region Parent readers who have signed up as product reviewers were lucky enough to receive free samples of Mabel's Labels and here are their "real mom reviews".

Review #1
I love Mabel's Labels and have used them on all sorts of my daughter's things. They are great for shoes and hats that go to and from school, sippy cups and snack plates too. I used them on a few of her clothes as well as on her backpack. They are durable and last through the washing machine, not to mention the wear and tear of an almost 3 year old! The colours are great and the little pictures are adorable. You can really reflect your child while keeping things that belong to them! I would definitely recommend them to other and will be getting some for our younger daughter once she is older.
Review #2
I am in love with the idea of labelling pretty much everything in our house now, thanks to Mabel's Labels. The shoe labels and the classic stickies were our favourite products. The shoe label made is easy for our little guy to identify his shoes in a big tub of shoes at nursery school.

The classic stickies are great on our new Sigg bottle, which since is so expensive we didn't want to lose! We have used the classic stickies on everything from books, suntan lotion and anything that leaves our house! I can't wait to buy some more Mabel's Labels!

Editor's Note: I want to thank all the gang at Mabel's Labels for recently sending a gift certificate for $45 for a charity event we are helping fund raise for. Thanks to Mabel's Labels we are able to help KC's Cancer Cushion Fund Raise money to help financially help people with
cancer. Yeah for Mabel's Labels!!

Sex and The City: The Movie - Book from Harper Collins

I think I might have been the only Sex and The City fan who didn't see the movie last night! But, I did get a sneak peek at the divine book "Sex and The City: The Movie".

This beautiful book features mouth-watering bonus features not available anywhere else: behind-the-scenes stories from Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon, star and producer Sarah Jessica Parker, writer and director Michael Patrick King, as well as producers and other key cast and crew members.

What a lovely book for SATC fans. With over 300 pages about the movies plot, fashion and SATC's guide to NYC, "Sex and The City: The Movie" is the-must-have book for all you die hard fans.

The pages are filled with every out fit each lady wore, with the designer listed as well -- so you can find that gorgeous Norma Kamali bathing suit Miranda wore or what shoes Carrie is wearing!!

I'm glad I got a sneak peek of the book before I head out to the movies to watch my girls. But, warn you the book does give away the plot -- so if you don't want to know what happens then buy the book after you see the movie.

* Bonus -- win a copy of the "Sex and The City: The Movie" book, autographed by SJP* You can enter here*

Thank you to Harper Collins for our copy of this wonderful book. We are donating the copy to KC's Cancer Cushion Fund's 2nd annual Pub Night to help families with cancer and need a little financial help!

Safetytat--just in case

With summer quickly approaching and many trips to the zoo, amusement parks and water parks in your future, wouldn't you feel better knowing that if, you found yourself in the unfortunate situation where your child gets distracted and wanders off, there was a way that they could contact you?

Well, Safteytat has the solution. They have come up with temporary tattoos that have a phone number where you can be reached. These tattoos are FDA approved, durable and at the same time, temporary.



Whether your child goes on a field trip or you are taking the family to the zoo together, there is always that possibility that your child could be separated from the group. If your cell phone number were on a tattoo that was placed on your child's arm, they could point that out to someone who could help them.

These tattoos are great for children who are too young to communicate a phone number or who may be extremely intimidated to talk to strangers in such a situation.

The tattoos come in nine different child friendly designs that can be customized with any phone number. They last approximately 2-3 days and help put your mind at ease.

We think that these tattoos are a terrific investment for this upcoming summer!

Just Buzzin' By

So this morning as I was feeding my daughter breakfast, and by feeding I mean her throwing the spoon on the floor and getting cereal EVERYWHERE I thought, there has to be something to protect my floors.

I went onto the Just Buzzin' By website to check out their gear. I was looking for and found nfant and toddler meal time accessories thatare FUNctional, fashionable, and non-toxic. Their products are free of PVC, Phthalates and lead.

The splat mats are a great size, especialy when your little one is discovering gravity! Celebrity moms that enjoy Just Buzzin' By's products include Halle Berry who sent a thank you note when she recieved a bib from them!