• better-health-2016
    family - Health

    Towards Better Health 2016

    February 3, 2016 - By 

    Better health 2016? Is that one of your goals for this year? Better health 2016 seems to be a common goal for many people and that’s not a bad thing. In fact, I think it’s a constant and admirable thing to maintain every month and every year. Around here I am always working hard to try new activities and sports that challenge me. I think that’s a good lesson to my kids too. If MOM can learn to ski, or try ZUMBA, or cycling, or whatever new sport, then so can they. Five Ways to Help Build Better Health Just a few…

  • big-hero-6
    family

    Baymax Big Hero 6 Valentine’s #ValentinesDay

    February 3, 2016 - By 

    Are you looking for some cute printable Valentine’s for your child to give out this year? For that group of school kids that’s a bit older than the Treehouse set? Look no further. I have printable Baymax Big Hero 6 Valentine’s printables. Do you remember when this one first came out at the theatres? Baymax was so adorable! We loved Big Hero 6 from the start. It’s a crowd pleaser for most ages really. Not entirely unlike Inside Out, which I also adored. I have featured a lot of Valentine’s Day content here this year and last year as well. But…

  • off the beaten path
    active family travel - family - parenting - Travel

    Off the Beaten Path in Michigan #Travel

    February 2, 2016 - By 

    We all know Michigan is a beautiful state. From their wineries to the Upper Peninsula, its beauty is hard to match. However, to really see Michigan, you need to head off the beaten path. Rather than the hitting the spots that everyone knows about, head off the beaten path to find a world you never imagined could be in Michigan. Off the Beaten Path is far More Amazing Everybody and their brother knows that Michigan is the wine country of the Midwest. Many people visit the numerous vineyards and tastings that are offered when they visit Michigan, but if you head…

  • Valentines-Day-coloring-page
    family - parenting

    Valentine’s Day Coloring Page Printable

    February 1, 2016 - By 

    Valentine’s Day is coming up fast and I know how much you enjoy crafts. So here’s another Valentine’s Day colouring page for kids. It’s super simple but don’t forget colouring doesn’t have to be too detailed. It can just be a fun and easy transition or relaxation activity. Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and it’s time to celebrate love. Well, every day should be an occasion to celebrate love really, right? Nonetheless, it’s nice to have a specific date on the calendar for those of us who get so busy we forget to take a moment to remember our…

  • be-my-valentine
    family - Giveaways

    Be My Valentine – Say it With Hallmark #Giveaway

    January 31, 2016 - By 

    Be my Valentine. It’s the classic phrase, and you can’t help but love saying it. Whether you say it to your significant other or your kids, be my Valentine, is a phrase that says, “I love you, and you’re important to me”. It makes you feel all warm inside to say it or to hear it. My favorite is to pair that with a nice card and a cute item from Hallmark. Be My Valentine is My Jam! Valentine’s Day is one of my favorite holidays. Although it does involve gifts, it’s not like Christmas where everyone expects a pile…

  • family

    29 Days of Love Sayings February Calendar Printable

    January 31, 2016 - By 

    Happy February! February is the month of Family Day and Valentine’s Day. To me, that makes it a month to celebrate love. I hope this year I am able to take some time on Family Day to go skiing or simply hang out with my family. I often end up working through these sorts of days but Family Day is a special one to me here in Ontario, Canada. We celebrate in several provinces now. I think family and love are great themes. Anyways last month one of my talented helpers brought you this January inspirational love sayings calendar. I…

  • family

    Adult Coloring Books for Gifting #ValentinesDay

    January 29, 2016 - By 

    Adult coloring books are suddenly incredibly hot. I get it. I had a Hallmark one here recently and I had some fun chilling out and simply coloring for a bit. Coloring is a super relaxing activity. My one daughter has had coloring books with mandalas in them for several years. Those are not necessarily exclusively adult coloring books. Have you ever picked up an adult coloring book and wondered if you should get one? Do you have anxiety or trouble relaxing at all? They can be excellent tools for both children and adults to help calm down. When my kids…

  • valentine's-day-card-boxes
    family

    Eight Crafty Valentine’s Day Card Boxes

    January 28, 2016 - By 

    Are your kids crafty? Do they also love Valentine’s Day? Then this cute collection of easy to make and fun Valentine’s Day card boxes is a must save for later. Remember when you were a child and Valentine’s Day was such a fun event? I sure do. These craft Valentine’s Day card boxes might require a bit of help from Mom or Dad. The good part about that is you will have some fun reliving your youth if you need to help a bit. The thing I remember most from Valentine’s Day as a kid was the fun involved every…

  • childrens-mental-health
    family - Health

    My Favourite Children’s Mental Health Posts #BellLetsTalk Day

    January 27, 2016 - By 

    I have been writing stories about children’s mental health for many years. That started even before I had kids whose symptoms made me realize they needed help handling anxiety. Today on Bell Let’s Talk Day I am reminded how important it is to keep talking. 1 in 5 struggle with mental health issues. That’s 1 in 5 kids too. In our family I know way more about anxiety than I ever wanted, or intended to learn. My older daughter has an anxiety disorder. My mother had one too. My daughter’s journey to understand her own anxiety has been challenging, but…

  • budget_travel
    active family travel - family - Travel

    Budgeting for A Family Trip

    January 26, 2016 - By 

    Budgeting for a family trip is the only real way to make sure you have a good time instead of constantly worrying about the cost of the trip. Budgeting allows you to save more so there’s less worry when the trip rolls around. And who wants to worry when they’re supposed to be relaxing? 5 Tips to Budgeting for a Family Trip Budgeting doesn’t have to be as hard or as horrible as most people think it is. Generally speaking, you can do a few small things over the course of the year that can have you sitting pretty when it’s…