Tag: Parenting Tips

Entertainment, Events, Motherhood

Superhero Dreams | Ever After Entertainment

“I wish that Wonder Woman came to my Birthday.”

– Nikki, Age 4

Every birthday is very special as we celebrate another year of life especially the life that we are solely responsible for – our child. Every year we are grateful as our daughter turns another year older and she continues to blossom into an amazing person. What more can we expect from our Superhero but the continuation of her awesomeness for another year.

We have been teaching Nikki to be kind, strong and loving which she has been grasping as she develops. Nikki is surrounded by strong women figures in her life so it is no surprise that she has been all about Wonder Woman. She loves Wonder Woman so much that often I hear her play pretend as she saves the world from yet another villain. It truly is an adorable play conversation that I love hearing and shows me that she is empowered to truly make a difference in the world…one day!

As we were preparing for our family birthday celebration, Nikki turned to me and said, “Momma, when everyone sings Happy Birthday to me. Can they say Happy Birthday Nikki Wonder Woman?” I of course said that this would not be a problem. Then Nikki closes her eyes and says, “I wish that Wonder Woman came to my Birthday.” I of course had to tell Nikki that she shouldn’t say her wish out loud and the reply back was “If I don’t say my wish out loud, how is it suppose to come true?!” Well played Nikki!

At that moment I realized that I needed to find a way to make that wish come true and with the help of Ever After Entertainment, we delivered!

On August 1st, Nikki’s 4th birthday had finally arrived and boy was she excited! I took the day off of work to spend the day with her which she loved since she was feeling under the weather and we just got our home ready for our immediate family who was coming over for dinner and cake of course!

At 7:30 PM, our doorbell rang and I told Nikki to see who it was. As soon as she saw Wonder Woman she was beyond excited and greeted her with a big hug. Wonder Woman noticed that Nikki was wearing a matching outfit to her. That made Nikki’s day as she was so proud to be wearing the Wonder Woman costume from Petit Tutu Boutique.

Wonder Woman gracefully entered our home and started the hero training. We were very excited as we have never been to a Wonder Woman Parody Party before and we didn’t know what to expect especially with only one child at the party (this year we kept it small).  But this was by Ever After Entertainment so it was going to be magical and epic.

Wonder Woman started off by greeting everyone and then she spent some time getting to know Nikki a little better. Of course this is the time that Nikki had to show her shield to Wonder Woman herself. Once Nikki got settled with the fact that Wonder Woman had actually arrived at her home, it was storytime. Wonder Woman shared the story of how she became a real life Super Hero and Nikki loved every minute of it.

Next activity was the superhero training which was very entertaining for Nikki. It really got her up and going. We can’t forget the superhero naming which was “Super Nikki.” Perfectly fitting for our little superhero. Once Nikki passed superhero training, it was time to get a temporary tattoo and of course she picked Wonder Woman.

Then it was the moment that we have been waiting for as Wonder Woman made Nikki into an official SuperHero and presented a cap and certificate. That was the icing on the cake!

With Wonder Woman leading the way we sang Happy Birthday to Super Nikki and made that one little wish come true!


Nikki had the most memorable 4th birthday that a little girl could ask for. Nikki has been fortunate to have met some memorable people already from WWE superstars to princesses but Wonder Woman was the most special one of all.

This year we struggled to figure out what we wanted to give Nikki for her fourth birthday. Nikki is very lucky as she has all the toys and clothes that she would ever need so I was at a loss on what to get her. Until I remembered Ever After Entertainment (how could I ever forget!) and thought why not give her an experience that she will remember for a lifetime. It so happened that Nikki made this wish that all she wanted was Wonder Woman on her birthday. So what better way then to put the two together.

Wonder Woman fulfilled that wish with style and grace as we couldn’t expect anything less from the Princess of the Amazons. Nikki loved the story, superhero training, temporary tattoos and just being with her Superhero.

Thank you Ever After Entertainment team for another job well done and for entertaining our Super Nikki and our family as well.


If you would like to book Ever After Entertainment for an upcoming social function, click here. Believe me it’s worth it! My daughter still smiles from ear to ear when we talk about Wonder Woman being at her birthday and I know she will never forget it.

Until next time…Happy Parenting!

-Momma Braga

Health

Changing Weight Loss Motivation Through Zero Excuse Go

Obesity has and continues to be a big issue in today’s society and experts say that by 2025, over one third of Canadians will be obese. Obesity also leads to other big issues such as back pains and other major increased health risks such as Fatty Liver as an example.

Changing our bodies can be difficult and our passion to stay motivated fizzles out quickly when we just feel like there is nothing else we can do to help ourselves.

This problem is one that the medical professionals have seen countless of times so they have developed an online system so people can lose weight from anywhere in the country, and never once have to visit a doctor’s office.

The answer was e-Health.

What is Telemedicine?

Telemedicine uses communication technology to give care to patients, wherever they are. Telemedicine uses trained professionals to give you daily support through technology. There is no need to travel to have your weight or progressed checked as the team is able to check in on your progress and communicate with you online at any time.

How does telemedicine help you lose weight?

Telemedicine keeps you motivated to lose weight as you will always have someone there monitoring and keeping track of your progress. It is like your very own personal cheerleading squad leading you the way to weight loss success.

At the beginning we are always more motivated to adopt healthy habits, but without constant motivation, that desire leads to no action being taken. Telemedicine ensures that the passion and motivation continue throughout. Since this service was created by a team of health professionals for their patients, it is aiming to lose weight in a healthy way.

Introducing Zero Excuse Go

The Zero Excuse Go telemonitoring and telemedicine program uses digital technology and secured high-definition videoconferencing to enable their healthcare professionals (nutritionist, psychologist, nurse and kinesiologist) to monitor on a daily basis your weight, your blood pressure, your blood sugar and your exercise (number of steps, number of minutes of exercise, number of calories burned, etc.).

The Zero Excuse Go program has personalized ongoing coaching allowing people to reach their target weight and to maintain it with their maintenance program. The maintenance program is one of the most important components of the program as it allows people to keep the weight off after the program.

This is the first and only Canadian service to use remote patient monitoring to help people lose weight.

The Zero Excuse Go program has already been making an impact by helping people get their life back by losing the weight they need to be healthy again. The program is aimed at each individual and it is customized based on each person’s needs. To learn more about the specialized needs, click here.

 

To read more testimonials and impact of the Zero Excuse Go program, click here.

The Zero Excuse Go works as it uses the technology needed to be easily accessible at all times and it is customized to each person’s needs. A person is not a number as they are a health team of professionals wanting each person to be healthy. Not only do they help you achieve your weight loss goal but they help you maintain it.

If you are looking to lose a substantial amount of weight (around 40-200 pounds), then check out the Zero Excuse Go Program. You may sign-up by clicking, here.

 

Crafts

DIY Glitter Jar | New Children’s Show Esme & Roy

We love doing arts and crafts in our home especially lately as our daughter prepares herself for Kindergarten. This is why we were very excited to try the DIY Glitter Jar in honor of the new children’s show, Esme & Roy that will be premiering on Treehouse this month.

Esme & Roy use calm-down glitter jars to help the littlest residents in Monsterdale work through their emotions and avoid monster meltdowns (we as parents are very familiar with these types of meltdowns). Now watching the glitter swirl to the bottom of the jar gives kids time to calm down and regain control of their emotions.

So we got to create our very own with our daughter, Nikki.

Material Needed

You will need the following material for this craft:

  • Jar
  • Glitter
  • Food Colouring
  • Clear Glue
  • Hot Water
  • Stir Stick

Instructions

  1. Pour clear glue into the jar until it fills up to about 1/4.
  2. Slowly pour hot water until the liquid reaches 3/4 of the jar.
  3. Add as much glitter as you would like and stir using the stir stick.
  4. Add more hot water to bring the water level to just below the top of the jar.
  5. Add 1-2 drops of food colouring and stir using the stir stick.
  6. Twist on the lid and give your jar a shake! Be sure to sing the Glitter Jar Song (below) as you watch the glitter swirl and fall!

“When the glitter starts to fall like snow –
take a deep breath, nice and slow –
watch as it settles all around –
and feel your body calming down.”

Those are the easy steps to follow to create your very own Glitter Jar! We had a blast doing this together and of course Nikki’s favourite part was stirring it all together. It was a really fun craft to do and really got us excited to watch Esme & Roy when they premiere on Treehouse on August 18th!

Esme & Roy Synopsis

This new children’s show follows a young girl named Esme and her best monster friend, Roy, on their adventures as the best monster babysitters in Monsterdale. The series invites children into a colourful world where even the littlest monsters can overcome big challenges together.

Esme & Roy offers easy-to-adopt strategies that can help even very young children regulate their emotions. Tactics include: taking slow belly breaths, which provide a pause for children to be reflective; self-talk that uses positive statements to remind kids of their strength and capability; giving oneself a soothing hug; and using a “glitter jar” to calm the body and mind, shaking a sparkly snow globe-like jar and taking deep breaths while watching the glitter swirl and slowly fall.

This sounds like a great children’s show with positive messaging and we just love that! We can’t wait to watch it and have our daughter learn from it too. We hope you will tune in on August 18th and if you would like to try this craft, make sure to tag us @mommabraga and use #EsmeandRoy when you share. We can’t wait to see your Glitter Jars!

Until next time…Happy Parenting!

-Momma Braga

Parenting, Parents, Tips

7 Great Ways to Raise and Empower Your Daughter

Having a daughter is a great gift, but also a great responsibility. We live in a world that is changing, hopefully for the best, especially when it comes to the position of women in the society, their empowerment and their voice. So it is, now more important than ever that we raise generation upon generation of young women who will know there is no limit what they can do in life and who will feel empowered from day one. But it all depends on the parents and what we install in their minds from the very beginning. So here are some great tips on raising a little powerhouse of a lady.

Let her be heard

It is important that you always ask her about her opinion on the matter at hand. Just telling someone what to do over and over again creates a pattern that is hard to break later on. So, by letting her know you are interested in what she has to say you are teaching her that her opinion and ideas matter and thus encouraging her to put them forward. This will have a great impact on the way she interacts with others as she will be able to form her own opinions and won’t be afraid to share them with the world.

Photo by Michael Morse from Pexels.

Encourage her to learn

Education is a huge part of female empowerment. Being able to attend the schools she wants or to choose her own profession it is something truly amazing. And to think it was not an option just a few years ago, and is still not in some countries in the world. Luckily there are a lot of organizations working on changing this, and there are more and more girl’s scholarships available to help set this change in motion. So help your daughter understand, however cliché it might sound, knowledge is power, and education is an integral part of that.

Expose her to the right role models

Having someone to look up to is important as we grow up. And for a young girl having strong female role models can be life changing. It is important that they exist both in the family and outside of it. Of course, you are the biggest one she has, so it is important to not only teach your daughter certain principles but for you as a parent to live them as well. Next come the role models from the world of literature, politics and, yes, pop culture. There are some great women throughout history that can serve as fantastic role models, from Jane Goodall to Lisa Randall and Aung San Suu Kyi, all of whom show how strong and powerful women can be and how they can influence the changes in the world we live in.

Photo by Albert Rafael from Pexels.

Help her withstand the pressures of our society

Even the best upbringing cannot help your daughter and save her from the cruel reality that comes from entering the society. From kindergarten to university she will have to hold her own. We all know how cruel kids can be and how at times it is difficult to stand up to peer pressure. It is up to us, as parents, to help our child cope, and not let them suffer in silence. Because not everyone will accept an empowered female, and there will be times that she will have to stand for what she believes in, even when it seems impossible. That is the lesson we are supposed to be teaching them.

Take the time to discuss different notions

Be there to answer her questions, from the very start. Whether they are about life, the world we live in or people who surround us. It is important that she gets that information from you as much as possible. That way you know what she hears is the truth. Letting her google it or hear it from the wrong people could have a negative effect on her point of view, and even her self- esteem. You can take a few minutes out of each day and simply tell her to ask you whatever she wants. It can be a great learning and bonding experience at the same time.

Photo by Lgh_9 from Pexels.

Teach her to be critical about the media

What media places out there can have a strong effect on young girls, and they can be quite taken with it. Thinking that they need to look, act or think in a certain way. This can have a negative effect on the way they perceive the world and what is expected of them to be. So it is important to start having this conversation as early as possible and to keep having it until they grow up. Teach them about the distorted images that the media can sometimes show, pointed towards the right media outlets, and help them see themselves as individuals and not part of the collective thought that is being pushed at them.

Don’t limit their imagination

This might be the most important piece of advice. Your daughter needs to have a vivid imagination because that is where all great ideas come from. So if she wants to be a truck driver at three years of age support it as much as you would support her wanting to be a doctor at eighteen. Don’t limit her choices and ideas; let her express herself that way she can show you and the world who she really is without the fear of not being accepted.

So now you have your guidelines, and don’t forget you might be raising the future president or astronaut.

About the Author

Claire Adams is a personal and professional development expert who believes that a positive attitude is one of the keys to success. She enjoys life to the fullest in the healthiest way possible and loves to share her insights into parenting, education, and entrepreneurship. Feel free to reach her on Facebook and Twitter.

 

Games, Motherhood, Reviews

Greedy Granny and Pop Rocket Brings LOL Fun On Game Night | Goliath Games Review

Playing games are loads of fun especially when you play as a family. We were recently introduced to two games by Goliath Games and one of them just hit the Game market!

Both of these games had us laughing out loud through our Family Game Night and it was great as we haven’t laughed that much and hard in a very long time!

Greedy Granny

Can Granny’s even be greedy? Well this one surely is!

Greedy Granny is a mischievously fun game that is perfect for the whole family. Your mission is to swipe a treat of each type from Granny’s tray as carefully and as quietly as you can. One wrong move will wake her up and send her teeth flying!

How to Play

  • The youngest player goes first by spinning the treat wheel.
  • If the spinner lands on green, the player attempts to sneak a treat away from Granny.
  • Pay attention to the number on the spinner section as this tells the player how many times you must press the button on the side of Granny’s chair.
  • If the spinner lands on purple, the player must put a treat back (if they have one) and press the button the number of times indicated on the spinner.
  • If the player lands on a circle with a line through it, then you miss a turn.
  • If a player lands on the symbols of the two people, then the player may take a treat from the other player who has a treat
  • The first player to collect one of each type of treat and keep Granny snoozing wins!
  • For 2 to 4 players. Ages 5 and Up

Game Contents

  • 1 Granny in an Armchair (2 pieces, easy assembly required)
  • 1 Set of Granny’s Teeth
  • 1 Treat Wheel
  • 12 Treats

#MelAndNikkiReview

Greedy Granny truly had us laughing out loud from start to finish. Nikki and I would be on the edge of our seat wondering which one of us would make Granny loose her teeth. Lucky for me I was the one who always got Granny to fly, LOL! This in turn made my daughter laugh with delight and say, “You did it again Momma! This Granny is Greedy!” It was SO much fun! We give Greedy Granny 5+++ sweet tooth out of 5! It provided us with highly engaging entertainment with learning, laughter and family time.

 

Pop Rocket

Ready for some out-of-this-world fun?! Pop Rocket will surely have you seeing stars in this exciting game by Goliath Games. Pull the string on the Rocket to start the countdown, and roll the die. Keep an eye on that Rocket because it can BLAST OFF at any moment! Watch the stars explode into the sky and be the first one to collect enough stars to fill your constellation to win!

How to Play

  • The player who can jump the highest goes first. To start the game, that player should gently pull the fuse on the side of the rocket fully, and throw the die.
  • The die has a few landings. There is the star-catcher picture which means you can place a new star-catcher into play anywhere on the table. It can’t be moved without throwing the die again. When all your star-catchers are in the game, skip a turn. There is the picture with more than one star-catcher in it and this means you can change the position of one of your own star-catchers already played or move it on a pile or move it to the top of the pile if it was covered. If none of your star-catchers have already been played, skip your turn. The last picture is of a star on the die which means you steal a star from another player and add it to your star holder.
  • The game plays clockwise. When the timer ends (approx. 60 seconds), the rocket will open and release the stars!
  • Players win the small stars that land in the star-catchers of their own color.
  • With the collected stars, players would add them to their own constellation. If you are lucky enough to catch the BIG star, you can choose 2 extra stars of your choosing.
  • The first player to complete his or her constellation wins! *It is possible for several players to win at the same time.
  • For 2 to 4 players. Ages 4 and Up

Game Contents

  • 1 Rocket
  • 1 Big Star
  • 40 small stars
  • 12 Star-Catchers (4 colored sets of 3 star-catchers)
  • 4 Constellations
  • 1 Die

#MelAndNikkiReview

Pop Rocket had us jumping from our seats! The anticipation of it popping had both my daughter and I giggling throughout the game. Even though the pop happens in about 60 seconds, but it seems to take much longer as we are anticipating the pop. But that was the fun! Pop Rocket was a blast and we give it 5+++ Rocket Stars out of 5! This game offered us the fun, entertainment and laughs that we enjoy as a family.

There you have it! Two more amazing games by Goliath Games that will have your family smiling and laughing all the way through. These are the best moments and experiences to share together. That time spent together and interacting with one another is such a priceless gift. We truly love these opportunities as it brings us such joy and fun.

If you would like to add Greedy Granny to your family game night, click here to see where you can purchase your very own. If you would like to add Pop Rocket to your family game night, click here to see where you can purchase your very own.

Until next time…Happy Parenting!

-Momma Braga

 

 

 

 

 

 

This article is in partnership with:

 

 

Parenting, Parents, Swimming, Tips

Building Swimming Confidence And So Much More | Aqua-Tots Fast Track Program

We adore swimming in our household and it is something that our daughter, Nikki, has enjoyed even more since taking classes at Aqua-Tots Swim School. We always felt that swimming was an important life skill to learn and we found it necessary for our daughter to learn them in a comfortable and safe setting.

We recently participated in Aqua-Tots Fast Track Program and we were astonished to see the leaps she took in her swimming skills. The Fast Track Program is a program that consists of four consecutive lessons over the course of four days with the same instructor. With the flexibility of my work schedule we were able to participate in the early morning class at 8:45 AM.

Now at first, I wasn’t sure how we were going to do early morning classes as Nikki isn’t a morning person but the simple thought of swimming had her up and ready to take on the world. With each class, I saw that she was getting better and much faster. Her confidence tripled as the days went by and it was simply amazing to see. I have to mention that Nikki’s biggest struggle with swimming has been going on her back. Nikki was so afraid to do back floats and by Wednesday she was doing them on her own which had me in tears. I was extremely proud that she conquered her fears and did it with such confidence. This all on its own was the breakthrough that we have been waiting for and it has finally arrived. That day I started telling anyone who wanted to hear that my daughter did the backstroke and back float. The best part was how proud Nikki was and every day that week, she would ask me, “Did I do good today?” Every day I told her that she did amazing and that I was so proud of her. Seeing her smile and how proud she was of herself, was all that I ever wanted and needed. That one week in the Fast Track Program did all that for us and we are truly thankful for it!

The Fast Track Program is designed to build on each child’s skills on what they are already learning and helps them propel their skills forward. It is also designed to build children’s confidence and aids with quicker retention of skills.

We saw these benefits right away from Day one and by Day four the transformation was remarkable. They do say practice makes perfect and that is exactly what the Fast Track Program does. By going to class every day for four days straight really gave my daughter the opportunity to hone in on the skills that she has already learned and advance in new skills too. Her muscles were grasping the concepts and motions making each day a little easier to learn. Building those muscle memories takes a lot of repetition and practice before it can become second nature and the Fast Track Program is a great example of this. It allows a child’s body to memorize what they need to do and then allows them to focus on adding new techniques and speed to their swimming. I know that Nikki was swimming a lot quicker than she was the week before!

The benefits are endless in our opinion as it really does wonders for a child’s learning on such an important life skill. But it is so much more than just swimming as it builds confidence and I need to mention that Nikki was at her happiest during the Fast Track Program. Her smile was permanent that week as she was so proud of what she accomplished in just four days. Now that in itself made it all worth it to us.

We captured Nikki on the last day of class to see what she thought of the Fast Track Program and even though she was quick with her message it was sweet nonetheless.

To learn more about the Fast Track Program, please contact Aqua-Tots Swim Schools. They do have the best swimming curriculum that truly benefits each child as it is based around your child’s learning.

Special thank you to Aqua-Tots Swim School for giving us a confident little swimmer.

Like Dory says, “Just Keep Swimming.”

Until next time…Happy Parenting!

-Momma Braga

 

 

 

 

 

This article is brought to you in partnership with Aqua-Tots Swim School.

Parenting, Parents, Tips

How Parents Can Support Their Teens Through Last Year of High School

Photo by Vince Fleming on Unsplash

Written By: Claire Adams

The end of high school usually comes faster than anybody’s expected, and that last year can be extremely stressful for students, but also for their parents. However, no matter how much stress you think you feel as a parent, know that your child is feeling it even more. They’re young, their hormones are probably running wild and they have to balance between the studying, falling in love and being good friends. And since being a teenager definitely isn’t easy, you need to be there to support them as they take on their exams. Here are a few tips on how to do it.

Listen to them

One way for your child to relieve some stress is by talking about what worries them, their fears and problems, or simply telling you about their progress. When they do, avoid imposing your own opinion on them. It may not be what they want or need to hear right now. Instead, listen actively to what they’re telling you and respond with questions or even simple nods to keep them talking and to let them know they’ve got your attention. When your child knows their opinion is valued and their feelings validated, and when they see that you really want to hear how they want to solve their problem, they will be more likely to come to you with any of their issues later on. Offer encouragement and praise for all the things they’re doing well and avoid criticizing them when they make mistakes and they will know they can turn to you with anything that’s bothering them.

Photo by David Kennedy on Unsplash

Make studying easier for them

Another way to support your child through this stressful period is to enable them to study without interruptions and in a good environment. Make sure they have a nice study space, with a lot of natural light and that they have all they need to work right there, on their desk. Try giving them more time by assigning them fewer chores and letting them skip some of their usual extracurricular activities. If they’re panicking over the immensity of their tasks, talk to them and help them break those tasks into smaller ones and set themselves more achievable, short-term goals. If their textbook is huge, tell them to focus on chapter 2 today, and move on when they’re done with that. If you notice that their notes are chaotic, don’t make them feel additionally bad about that, but rather help them organize them, or suggest that they use the effective and thorough WACE notes for anything they missed in class or didn’t manage to take down. Plus, remind them to take breaks from time to time, so that they remain fresh and focused for longer.

Tend to their basic needs

This doesn’t mean that you should treat them like babies, but it is important to prepare nutritious meals for them daily so that they have the energy required for what’s ahead of them that day. Don’t allow them to turn to junk or comfort foods, which wouldn’t be surprising, due to the stress of the upcoming exams. Make sure they get all the necessary nutrients to remain healthy, energized and sharp. Encourage them to go outside and engage in some sort of physical activity at least once every day, and talk to them about staying up too late, since losing sleep can interfere with their mental performance and attention, slowing them down when they can’t afford it. It’s also essential that they finish studying at least an hour before bedtime so that they can unravel and relax and fall asleep more easily. Finally, be familiar with their schedule and make certain that they’re awake and ready for their day before you go on with yours.

Photo by Soroush Karimi on Unsplash

Being a parent means being there for your child whenever they need it, and especially when the going gets tough. Knowing that they have somebody to trust and lean on when they’re under pressure will take some tension off of them and allow them to do the best they can in every aspect of their life, including their education.

About the Author

Claire is a personal and professional development expert who believes that a positive attitude is one of the keys to success. She enjoys life to the fullest in the healthiest way possible and loves to share her insights into parenting, education, and entrepreneurship. Feel free to reach her on Facebook and Twitter.

 

 

Reviews, Toys

Learning Friends 100 Words Book Leaps In Fun For Children | Product Review

LeapFrog is a favorite in our household as we enjoy the interactive, innovative and educational toys that they offer. For more than 20 years, LeapFrog has helped children expand their knowledge and imagination through award-winning products that combine state-of-the-art educational expertise led by the LeapFrog Learning Team, innovative technology, and engaging play – turning playtime into quality time that helps children leap ahead.

This is why we were extra excited to get one of the latest and hottest toys from LeapFrog, Learning Friends 100 Words Book™. This interactive toy is a touch and learn word fun in a book type format. So what does it do?

Touch and Learn

Discover abundance of things like animal noises, colors, food, clothes and body. These words are learned through pressing the pictures on each page. The beauty is that the words that were chosen are toddler friendly and appropriate by learning experts.

Three Play Modes

There are three play modes available on the Learning Friends 100 Words Book which are: Play words, exciting sound effects and fun facts. No matter which play mode you are in, it is a guarantee fun learning experience.

12 Learning Categories

There are 100 different words in the book and each page is designed beautifully and with many colors to engage the child in learning. The categories vary and some are foods, clothes, colors and more.

Bilingual Play

With a simple slide on the language switch, your child can learn about colors, objects and animals in both English and French – c’est magnifique!

Benefits

One can only except a learning piece to LeapFrog and they have done it so well with the Learning Friends 100 Words Book. The skills that your child can learn from this product are: First Words and Phrases; Colors; Animals; English; Geometry; Food and Nutrition; Opposites; and Human Body. There is just so many great things to learn in one little book.

#MelAndNikkiReview

Learning Friends 100 Words Book™ by LeapFrog has made it onto our most recommended list for children 18 months to 48 months. It is a great toy to help a child learn in a fun and colorful way. We love the ability to press each image on the page and have the child hear the word to associate it with the image. We have to admit that even though my daughter is almost four years of age, she really enjoyed the book and was very proud that she knew all the words. Now she is even more excited to use the book to teach her baby cousin who is five months old to give her a head start. 😉

Therefore, for this #MelAndNikkiReview we give it, 5+++ Leaps out of 5. It’s an amazing learning tool and it makes learning so much more fun. Also I need to mention to all the parents that this toy comes with a volume button so you can control how loud you would like it to be. As parents we truly appreciate and value that little extra function. Believe me this toy will not annoy you. 😉

If you would like to purchase this product please click here to see the closest location to you.

A special thank you to LeapFrog Canada for the opportunity to review this great product for our amazing readers and followers.

Until next time…Happy Parenting!

– Momma Braga

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Please note that the product was given in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are our own and no monetary benefits were exchanged.

Food, Recipe

Momma Braga’s Chicken Vegetable Soup Recipe

Chicken Vegetable soup is always a favorite in my household, especially on a crisp day or even when one is under the weather.

If you are looking for a simple and hearty soup recipe then this may be the one for you.

INGREDIENTS

  • Water
  • Vegetables (Assorted)
  • Salt
  • Olive Oil
  • Knorr of Chicken
  • Onion
  • Pasta (we usually use the small alphabet pasta or elbow macaroni pasta)
  • Potatoes
  • Boiled Chicken Breast (marinated with salt, black pepper and garlic powder)

DIRECTIONS

  • First clean the chicken breast and marinate it with some salt, black pepper and garlic powder. Once completed, boil it first until it is fully cooked.
  • Once chicken breast is cooked, remove it from the water. Shred the chicken breast into pieces to add into the soup afterwards.
  • In a new pot, add water for the soup. It is always best to almost fill to the top as water does decrease when boiled. Add some salt, a dash of olive oil and knorr of chicken.
  • Clean the vegetables that you would like to add into the soup. We like using carrots, cauliflower, broccoli and onions. Add the vegetables into the pot of water.
  • We also peel potatoes and cut them into small pieces to add into the soup.
  • Once all ingredients are added, turn the heat onto medium.
  • Stir as necessary and once potatoes are almost fully cooked, add the pasta and shredded chicken. Take a quick taste to see if additional salt needs to be added.
  • Once pasta is cooked, the soup is ready.

That is it! A simple recipe that is hearty and delicious! This soup is a great side dish for a lunch sandwich. Enjoy!

Until next time…Happy Parenting!

-Momma Braga

Motherhood

Capturing Moments | DIY Photoshoot

*Please note that these are ideas and we do stress to be very careful while taking photos of your child. Always make sure that they are always safe during the process. Happy Baby will make a Happy Mommy!

Written By: Karen Silva (A.K.A. Mama Silva)
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Sometimes we just want that “picture perfect” photo that looks like it’s straight out of a magazine or Pinterest. So how can you create this yourself? Where do you start? What would you need?

I will share with you some of the ideas I threw together and some tips and tricks I use whenever I feel like being a baby photographer for one afternoon. Please keep in mind that all babies and children are different so if yours is not photogenic just remember to work around their schedule and be PATIENT!

First, I think of a room or two around the house that I know will give me great natural light for my pictures. I always choose a room with large windows. Once I find the room I like, I gather all the décor pieces and background ideas to the room. In the mean time, I will either have my little one watch her favorite cartoons or have someone look after her just until I am ready to take my “model” to her photo shoot.

Background Prop & Décor Ideas

Some background ideas that you can use are blankets, fabrics, carpet or if you are willing to spend some money on professional looking backgrounds, you can buy some on Amazon. Also keep in mind of colors when choosing your background. You wouldn’t want to do a flowered background if you are planning on having your baby wearing all flower prints. You can also be creative and use nature as your background by having your baby lie on the grass.

Next, I think of some décor pieces that I would like to incorporate in the photo with my daughter. As an example, for her first Easter, I got some plastic eggs and a stuffed bunny to put around her while I took photos. You can add fresh flowers, your pets, toys and any props that you see fits your theme.


Dress Up

Now comes the fun part which I like to call “dress up time”. This is where you get an outfit or a couple that you would like your baby to wear for the “photoshoot”. Remember to play-off on your baby’s mood. I normally do just one outfit but may switch her headbands, this way I can focus more on getting that “money shot.”

Picture Perfect Tricks

You might be asking, what is the money shot? Well for me, it’s when I get that ear to ear smile from my little one. If she’s in a good mood I will get it no problem by just talking to her. Other times, I may need a little “motivation.” Some of my tricks that help me get that “money shot” is getting someone else to get her attention and get her to smile. If that doesn’t work or if I am by myself then I like to use some of her favorite toys… and that works for me EVERY TIME! 🙂

Finally, it is time to get my little “model” all dressed up and brought in the room. I use my cell phone to take photos but feel free to use a professional camera if you have one. Also remember to take breaks and just have fun with it. I love to do these on rainy days or when she is just bored of her usual routine. If you choose to do this on rainy day just remember that you will have to provide your lighting the right way to get a good photo. It’s a little more work but overall still worth it.

I hope these tips and tricks helped you and motivated you to do a little photoshoot of your own with your little one. It’s a great way to create some memories and spend some fun bonding time together.

If you choose to do this fun activity with your little ones, I would love to see them. You can tag me on social media on Twitter and Instagram.

Until next time…Happy DIY!

About the Author

Karen Silva is a writer on Momma Braga and is Melanie Braga’s sister. Karen graduated from Sheridan College with an Early Childhood Education Diploma. She worked with children for about five years before expanding her skills in Administration. Combined with her ECE background and passion for DIY projects and baking, she has recently joined Momma Braga and has become an expert writer for the blog. Karen hopes by sharing her knowledge, tips and tricks, she can bring families together through her creative ideas.

Karen is also a mother of one very adorable baby girl in 2018.