• Travel

    Blue Mountain Collingwood and Plunge!

    September 7, 2010 - By 

    Blue Mountain Collingwood is a spot I haven’t visited since I was maybe 12 years old. When the opportunity came up to check out Blue Mountain this past weekend we were curious to see how things had changed. With my Lay’s Chip Trips once again, we were able to save a few bucks on this trip. In total a day for four at Plunge is about $42. We saved on one free child’s admission. It was a lovely treat to stay in Weider Lodge at the base of Blue Mountain and Plunge was a hoot. I’d very much recommend this…

  • family

    Monday Mingle

    September 6, 2010 - By 

    Whoops almost forgot to give a shout out to my friend Jennifer over at 80 MPH Mom who started this vloggy fun on her blog. So Happy Monday Mingle. Make some new friends.

  • parenting

    Labour Day Thrills on The Cheap

    September 6, 2010 - By 

    Well, this is just a speedy post. Lucky for you my lovely readers. I was sitting here trying to sort out my nasty book blog template thriftymommasbrainfood that went insane on the weekend and I happened to think well there are a few small things I should pass on to you. Here is the top of the list. If you are the brave sort of Mommy who ventures out to restaurants with your kiddos on occasion –  I am not talking McDonald’s here, then you will want to know this. The best day of the year to take your children…

  • Travel

    Wings of Paradise: Family Travel and a Butterfly Rescuer

    August 31, 2010 - By 

    This summer you will want to check out this little gem near Cambridge. Wings of Paradise Butterfly Conservatory is a perfect day trip for kids who are school aged. First catch of the day. Payton lands one easily at Wings of Paradise near Cambridge. Ainsley waited and waited. At first the butterflies swirling around her head were really making her nervous. Then she started to get a bit more comfortable and, when her sister proudly landed one carefully on her finger, well, my competitive six-year-old was not be to outdone. Here little sister finally had her moment. The Blue Morpho…

  • family

    Friday: Back To School Edition

    August 27, 2010 - By 

    Holy Shopping Batman! There are some incredible deals happening this weekend and some excellent freebies in and around London area too. Oh and it’s a follow Friday thing again here too.. So read on… Gap Give and Get program is on this weekend. It started Thursday and runs through until end of Sunday. 30 % off anything you buy at Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy. The bonus here is that the Gap gives 5% of what you spend to various non profits including Canadian Aids Society. Rainbow Cinemas at the Galleria has their annual birthday event this weekend and…

  • family - family travel

    Back To School Last Hurrahs

    August 26, 2010 - By 

    Payton and Ainsley in the cool room at Great Wolf Lodge Great Wolf Lodge- Niagara Falls Father’s Day at Bingeman’s Park – Kitchener Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum – Niagara Falls Well, less than two weeks to school starting here and I am on a mission. We’ve had a fabulous summer of fun activities like the excellent Great Wolf Lodge weekend on Canada Day. Many thanks to Lay’s Chip Trips and Mom Central Canada. As a Trip Advisor, I have seen a lot of fun Ontario sites and enjoyed a few deep discounts. All that for the price of a few…

  • family travel

    Bruce County Museum Prehistoric Sea Monsters

    August 26, 2010 - By 

    Last year I spent some time blogging about the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre in Southampton.  At that time there was an amazing dinosaur exhibit. This year, when we once again found ourselves back at the cottage, we wondered how they might top last year’s animatronic dinos and BBC film. Well, somehow they did it with prehistoric sea monsters larger than life. (See Payton below.) If you are still heading for the beach between now and September 6th, when the exhibit ends, you should find a way to visit this one. It was well worth it and more than…

  • family

    Weekend Sale Roundup

    August 21, 2010 - By 

    Blogging from the beach was trickier than I thought. Sorry these are a bit late, but here they are: Bonnie Togs – $10 denim sale. $15 for coveralls.Shoppers Drug Mart has their use your points event on this weekend. This is a good deal. Real Canadian Superstore: spend $150 or more and receive a free box of Nestle favourites chocolate bars and treats.Chapters/Indigo has buy one book and get one 50 % off  just this weekend.Also just this weekend at Children’s Place is spend $50 or more and get 25 % off purchase.Old Navy has $8 hoodies. Happy Shopping! Also…

  • life_or_death
    family travel

    Cottages: How to Save Money

    August 14, 2010 - By 

    It is a truly Canadian tradition – that of heading to the cottage every year to soak up our two months of summer. Let’s face it, this is a unique Canadian thing. There may be cottages in other lands, but we have perfected this idea of escape. I have been doing this every summer from the time I was a toddler and it is at the very least a habit for us. We meet extended family once a year and crowd into a tiny cottage, barbecuing food, and roasting ourselves on the beach. My children are now accustomed to this…