• santa in full costume sitting on a chair in front of a fireplace with gifts all over the floor wrapped prettily in bright coloured paper
    Printables

    Free Printable Santa Coloring Page

    December 4, 2014 - By 

    I don’t know about you, but my kids are forever coming in from school and asking for free printables off the Internet. So, in the interest of keeping them happy and occupied, I often Google free printables after they get in and end up trying to locate something cute and age appropriate for them to do.   This time of year, as we decorate and trudge through snow and start gearing up for the holiday season everyone is a little more stressed, a little more excitable anxiously waiting for Santa to arrive. I need things my kids can do quietly.…

  • family - parenting

    Frozen Christmas Gift Tags Printable

    December 3, 2014 - By 

    Who doesn’t love the movie Frozen? It’s a massive hit here. At Halloween we had half a dozen Annas at our door trick or treating and Christmas promises to be an even bigger Frozen experience because naturally the movie is set against a wintery backdrop.  As Christmas approaches I have to say I find myself getting into the spirit and wondering where I can put a singing Olaf. I’d love to put one on my lawn actually. I have a bit of a Frozen theme happening here this coming month. You’ll see what I mean if you come back regularly…

  • Health - infertility - Uncategorized

    Part 2: Egg Freezing – Anna’s Cancer Diagnosis and Fertility Preservation

    December 3, 2014 - By 

    Meet Anna and Marlon Kashani. In January of 2014 Anna, 29 years old, engaged to Marlon, was diagnosed with breast cancer. The Vancouver couple were devastated of course. But they were even more shocked to hear that treatment had to start immediately. Anna’s family history of breast cancer meant specialists wanted to begin aggressive treatment right away. The situation was urgent. There was no talk of fertility preservation, or what might happen, until Anna brought it up. “The cancer clinic told us we would never have kids,” Anna said recently in Vancouver. “We weren’t satisfied with that answer. We did some…

  • family

    Shrek The Musical #WordlessWednesday

    December 3, 2014 - By 

    This past week we went to see Shrek The Musical at The Grand Theatre in London, Ontario. The Grand is a local asset to the arts scene and it is often very family friendly. Both of our girls enjoy the theatre and always have because we have always taken them to see age appropriate plays. My older daughter has of course also done the local youth theatre group in our town too. The girls have a deep appreciation and admiration and respect for theatre and the arts. In fact, they enjoy theatre as much, or maybe even more, than I do.…

  • family

    Sparkup Magical Children’s Book Reader #TMMGG2014

    December 2, 2014 - By 

    By Bonnie Way, contributor, I’m sitting at my computer working on a blog post and listening to myself read Sunshine and Lily a story in the living room. Yes, I just said I’m writing and reading at the same time. No, I’m not crazy or bilocating. I simply got them a Sparkup Magical Book Reader. We spent about an hour one night reading their favourite stories together, and they’ve been rereading those stories with the Sparkup whenever they want ever since. The Sparkup Magical Book Reader is a little device (a bit smaller than two hands together) that attaches to…

  • Health

    Operation Banish High Blood Pressure

    December 2, 2014 - By 

    It’s time for fresh starts. December 1st. What could be a better time? I’m not waiting for New Year’s resolutions this year because I need to tackle this new health challenge head on. I have high blood pressure and it’s not going away. It started in September and I assumed it was because I was hyper about taking a trip with World Vision Canada and I assumed that the high reading was a one off. But in October it was high again and then this past weekend when we went for flu shots it was astronomical. So it’s time to…

  • children's Christmas parties
    family

    How to Plan a Children’s Christmas Party

    December 1, 2014 - By 

    How to Plan a Children’s Christmas Party Children love Christmas and will celebrate any chance they get!  Whether you are planning a children’s Christmas party at home, at church, or helping with a school celebration, I’m sharing a few ideas that will help you plan an unforgettable experience.  From décor ideas to entertainment to refreshments and favors, planning a Christmas party for children can’t get any easier. First, set a festive mood by playing Christmas music, being sure to focus on a playlist of children’s favorites! Invite children into a party space full of magical winter wonderland delights.  Hanging snowflakes and setting up…

  • egg_freezing_facts
    Health

    Part 1: Seven Facts About Egg Freezing

    November 30, 2014 - By 

    This past month several technology companies made significant announcements about egg freezing and fertility treatments. Apple and Facebook policies have created a lot of buzz in the fertility and infertility world. In this day and age when 1 in 6 face infertility, egg freezing facts should be part of your conversation with a doctor. First Modern Family star Sophia Vergara disclosed her intention to freeze her eggs. Then massive high tech companies like Apple and Facebook said they would chip in to help cover the cost of egg freezing, a procedure that provides a means of preserving a woman’s fertility. Technology Companies Driving Fertility…

  • family - Health - parenting

    We Day Waterloo 2014 Highlights: Inspiring Change

    November 29, 2014 - By 

    Last week we attended our first ever We Day. We were two of the 7000 people attending We Day Waterloo 2014. There were 315 schools in attendance also, one of which came all the way from Nova Scotia. I took my oldest daughter Payton with me because I knew she really wanted to go. She is my helper girl and we often say that she is destined to be a teacher or a therapist. She has a big heart. The route to WE Day isn’t easy. You have to be a class, or a child, that gives back to your community and…

  • best_rewards_credit_cards
    Giveaways

    Savvy Shopping With RBC Rewards

    November 28, 2014 - By 

      I like to think I am a savvy shopper. That’s why I have an RBC Rewards credit card. I think it’s the best Rewards credit card. I use my card often and I rack up reward points quickly, which makes shopping a rewarding experience. That’s really what savvy shopping is all about for me. As we head into the holiday season, this Christmas almost everyone has a reason to shop, so why not be rewarded for your purchases? Every month I use my RBC Rewards card [www.rbcrewards.com] for all major purchases, prescriptions, family travel, gadgets, even a new closet…