• family

    Kickstart This #Blogging

    October 8, 2014 - By 

      Shutterstock photo by Leah-Anne Thompson It’s been a while since I’ve used this space for a good rant. So it’s time. Now listen here. I am thinking about starting a Kickstarter campaign to fund my great new idea. I think it will be something epic. But right now it’s just a little vague. To be quite honest, it’s really just a concept. But it’s a great concept. See, it’s a concept I have for a brush that will automatically clean itself. Cool right? Because, who couldn’t use one of those? I mean have you seen my daughter’s hair? I…

  • Giveaways - Technology

    My Favourite Phone Charger and #Giveaway Too

    October 8, 2014 - By 

    The Lifesaver III arrived here just in time for Blissdom Canada so I charged it up and packed it in my laptop bag and got ready to attend Canada’s most important social media conference. Now, as every iPhone user knows, Apple gadgets often run low on battery. They may be workhorses, but battery life isn’t ideal. My iPhone battery runs down fast when I spend the day tweeting, posting, sharing, liking and seeking out Google Maps directions to find the nearest restaurants. At Blogher in the summer I forgot my free no name charger that came courtesy of some event…

  • Travel

    Last Day in Bucaramanga Colombia with World Vision Canada

    October 8, 2014 - By 

    The amazing team of workers we spent the last day with when in Bucaramanga, Colombia. I was there with World Vision Canada to document the work that volunteers do and to share stories of child sponsorship and the impact that makes. What an honour, truly. The Trip It was a trip that puts the world in perspective in many ways and helped me to see advocacy at work on a global perspective for children.   I am sharing my journey to Colombia with World Vision Canada here on the blog in a series.   You can read  Part 1: The Briefing…

  • parenting

    Simple Halloween Party Games

    October 7, 2014 - By 

    With Halloween fast approaching, it is time to start thinking about all of your upcoming class parties, haunted houses and fun family events. This year if you are hosting or organizing a party for kids, these Simple Halloween Party Games are sure to come in handy. These classic fun games are perfect for your kids this Halloween. The following post is a guest post from Olfa at Our Kids Guide. Thanks to her for sharing these great ideas! 4 SIMPLE HALLOWEEN PARTY GAMES Bobbing For Apples:  This classic has been around for what seems like forever.  Simple, fun and easy to…

  • family - infertility

    Raise Your Voice IVF Funding Alberta Twitter Chat #abhc4ivf #abpoli

    October 7, 2014 - By 

    It’s time, Alberta. Wednesday night at 8 p.m. EST. It’s time to raise your voice and make some noise on twitter. It’s time to challenge our notion of a health care system that is accessible to all. It’s time to tweet and talk and write and visit and share this message with the politicians in your area – the MLAs you vote into office. It’s time to tell them healthy families matter to everyone in Alberta and IVF funding matters to Alberta. By now you have to know the facts. I talk about them often enough here in this space.…

  • Travel

    The Strength of Women in Morales Duque, Colombia #TMMWVC #worldvisiongifts

    October 6, 2014 - By 

    The women of Morales Duque, in the south of Colombia, have gathered us inside a community centre. I am here to listen to their stories, as a representative of World Vision Canada visiting this country of contrasts. They hand us treats, and a traditional Colombian corn drink and a certificate signed by each member, thanking World Vision Canada. I thought I knew what strong resourceful women looked like. I know a lot about strong women in the context of Canada and the United States. I have never had to look far for brilliant female role models. My Mother, my grandmother,…

  • ontario_college_of_teachers
    parenting

    Three Ways to Stay Connected with Your Child’s School – The Ontario College of Teachers

    October 4, 2014 - By 

    Shutterstock images This is a sponsored post. I have been compensated. My opinion is all my own. If you parent a child that is in school then you will be familiar with this timeless afterschool exchange. “How was school today?” “Fine.” “Anything exciting happen?” “No.” “What did you do today at school?” “Nothing.” It’s the communications challenge of parents everywhere. Sometimes staying in the loop regarding your child’s education seems like an insurmountable task. So what’s an educated, involved, parent to do? Luckily there are a lot of tools available to you these days with digital assets and email to…

  • family

    Exclusive Launch of Gifts With Heart

    October 3, 2014 - By 

     This year I am tackling Christmas with a purpose. So, while this is an open invitation to brands to send me your pitches to be considered for inclusion in my gift guide, please understand that I am only accepting a select few gifts for this exclusive Gift Guide this year. The Thrifty Momma’s Tips 2014 Gift Guide will be focussing on Gifts With Heart. We celebrate Christmas here in my home and we enjoy the time together and the moments spent creating memories, even the moments just cuddling up and watching a special movie. I love this season. But with…

  • Food

    My Favourite Shopping App and a #Flippsgiving Twitter Party

    October 2, 2014 - By 

    Talking turkey, but no idea where to get the best deal on your bird this year? Flipp has the answer. Thanksgiving can be a beautiful opportunity to share a meal with your family, decorate your house and start celebrating all that you are grateful for. But let’s face it. First there’s the shopping, the cleaning, the cooking and decorating. All of that can be hard on the budget. Sticker shock from the turkey alone can leave you in despair. This year I am using Flipp shopping app because it rocks. Honestly, not sure why this wasn’t around months ago. It’s…

  • family

    Summer Days with Cousins

    October 1, 2014 - By 

    Summer days are my favourite. I mean what’s not to love? Summer days with cousins are even better than average seasonal sunny days we already love. Always have been and always will be, simply because of moments like this. I shot this random picture of Ainsley when her cousins were visiting this summer. Cousin fun is always special and it was a gorgeous sunny day, as you can see. Summer days are hanging out and leisurely swimming in the pool and sometimes doing day camps and being outside more often than any other time of year. Being out of doors…