Watching your child navigate the world with a heavy heart can be one of the toughest parts of parenting. Eventually they all hit an age where life stops being all about playgrounds and starts being about performance. That shift can be jarring. For many families often, and indeed for ours, age nine seems to be a significant turning point. This is the point often when little kid worries transform into something more complex, often peaking during those high-pressure teenage years. This was definitely the case in our family. I’ve written about our struggle with childhood anxiety before here several times.…
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Earth Day is an annual reminder that our planet’s health is a shared responsibility. But it is also a celebration of the incredible natural beauty surrounding us. From the rugged coastlines of our favourite travel destinations to the crisp air on a mountain peak, nature is the ultimate backdrop for our lives. Which is exactly why we need to care and take care of the planet. As we look toward more sustainable ways to live and explore, Earth Day serves as the perfect moment to pause, appreciate the environment, and recommit to protecting the ecosystems that sustain us. To celebrate…
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Two weekends ago marked the end of ski season and what a season it was. Ski season 2026. The snow started flying in December and all of January was perfection, as was February. March might have been a little rockier weather-wise but wow the snow was peak almost the entire season with the exception of about a week of rain. To be clear, I was laid off in late November and that was terrible and a big hit financially. But ski season started maybe 3 weeks into the layoff. THANK GOD. Before mid December the doors were open at our…
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I received gifted product for consideration here. Post contains affiliate links as a service to readers. Listen, I am a fan of escapist fiction. Thrillers, romance, mystery, psychological thrillers – these are my go to. It has been a while since I picked up a book of short stories. So, when Still Life: Ten Crime Stories arrived for consideration, I was excited to pick up this collection of stories. After all, short stories are the perfect length before bed or for a quick read in the middle of the day. And who doesn’t love crime stories? There’s an art to…
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Long after the mud has been washed off your boots and the suitcase is back in the basement, you will find yourself thinking about St. Martins Sea Caves. The caves and the area itself is just that unique. For my family, our trip to New Brunswick a couple of summers ago was extremely memorable, even weeks and months after we returned home. If you’ve never stood on the floor of the ocean and looked up at towering red sandstone cliffs, put it on your bucket list immediately. We spent a full day exploring the St. Martins Sea Caves and the…
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Whether you’re a history buff, a “Potterhead,” or a ghost hunter, Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh will capture your attention. In the heart of the Old Town, Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh isn’t just a graveyard; it’s a time capsule of Scotland’s most dramatic chapters. The Legend: Greyfriars Bobby You can’t talk about Greyfriars without mentioning the story of the world’s most loyal dog. And you must not leave without placing a stick on his grave near the entry of the kirkyard. It’s simply tradition. The Story Bobby was a Skye Terrier who reportedly spent 14 years guarding the grave of his master, John…
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We’ve all been there: the Easter dinner is almost ready, the eggs are hidden, but the kids are starting to get that “pre-chocolate” restless energy. You need about fifteen minutes of peace to get the ham out of the oven or finally finish your coffee while it’s actually hot. Enter the Easter I Spy! This is one of my favourite types of printables because it’s a “quiet” game. It challenges the kids to hunt for hidden bunnies, decorated eggs, spring chicks, rainbows and baskets tucked away in a festive scene. It’s like a mini scavenger hunt they can do right at…
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This Easter Word Scramble is my way of saying to you, enjoy the spring months while they are here. They certainly do not last long. After months of heavy coats, salt-stained boots, and that perpetual grey sky that seems to settle over Ontario, seeing the first hint of green can be basically a religious experience. Between the mud (so much mud!) and the birds finally making a racket again every morning waking me up, the signs of spring are hard to ignore. Listen, everyone here knows I love winter. It is my favourite but I might be in the minority…
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What is your favourite April Fool’s Joke? My kids love to play jokes and they rarely miss a chance to prank me. They could make a full day of it or maybe even a week of it. Looking for a few cute word games to round out the day or prepare for the pranks? Check out my April Fool’s Word Search below for a few minutes of fun. I mean when my kids were younger they loved these games and crosswords were also a huge hit. Nobody really has a clear understanding of how this day actually came about. There’s…
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Consider this a Get Ready With Me kind of post for those days when you want to get outdoors but need to brave the -20°C temperatures. You know, polar vortex kind of weather? So what’s the best ski clothing for the coldest conditions. Post contains affiliate links. I make a small commission from purchases made via qualifying links. To be clear, this is a women’s clothing post. I wear women’s ski clothing. If you are a man or a youth, several of these tips still apply but you probably need to modify the brand names of the clothing to suit…