• Travel

    A Canadian Blogger in the U.S.A. #travel

    August 24, 2009 - By 

    I have never really thought of myself as a big Canuck, though I’ve lived here all my life. In fact, perhaps I’ve been delusional, but I have always thought that if the right opportunity presented itself, I’d jump ship. I’d pack my things, leave my double double, take my chances with nonexistent health care and move to one of the less scary states in the great U.S of A. In fact there are some states I have even found myself daydreaming about. Alabama sounds lovely, Florida sunny, Southern Carolina, whoot! Texas and Arizona are obviously sizzlin’ and California, well what’s…

  • family

    GForce movie review.

    August 24, 2009 - By 

    When Jerry Bruckheimer meets Disney I am not sure it’s always good. At least not for children. I took my two girls to see GForce in 3D yesterday afternoon at the new Westmount VIP cinema in London and was somewhat taken aback by the aggressive testosterone-fuelled children’s movie, which wasn’t really for children, but more for tweens. Multiple explosions I could stand. The really cool graphics with three dimensional effects were super. But the plot was a bit over the top. When the robots and appliances came alive I thought my daughter, 5, would ask to leave, but she held my hand…

  • family

    Westmount Cinemas and VIP theatre review

    August 23, 2009 - By 

    Although it’s been open for a few months, the exclusive new Westmount Cineplex and VIP experience in London, is a unique addition to the local entertainment scene. Where else in town can a couple slip out for an evening, grab a quick glass of wine or beer, enjoy a tasty treat and take in a movie in style? And all under one roof? The new $5 million dollar complex opened in the spring but today was my first chance to visit and do a VIP tour of the clean, pristine, new theatre. For a $5 surcharge guests over the age of 19…

  • Parenting

    NACAC conference, part 5: Maintaining Connections

    August 21, 2009 - By 

    (This is the 5th part of my NACAC inspired series, which may continue on next week for a bit as I have more to add)  This year’s theme at NACAC, the annual adoption conference held in Columbus, Ohio, was one of family connections and I’ve been giving this topic a good deal of thought since arriving back home. We all have connections. Families formed in traditional ways have connections that are always present, or if not physically, then they are easily accessible through pictures, family trees, photos and major life events. Children and youth in families formed through foster care and…

  • Parenting

    NACAC part 4 Community Champions

    August 20, 2009 - By 

    (This is part 4 of my NACAC inspired series).Chances are many of you have never heard of this great initiative designed to pull the various threads of adoption together. The Community Champions Network exists to motivate and inspire adoption advocates, to spur parent-led support groups on and to coordinate advocacy efforts throughout the various corners of North America. It was created in 2006 with funding by Jockey Being Family, the clothing and underwear company, to help expand post-adoption services. Numerous sites were chosen in various provinces and states, each one because they were lacking in post-adoption services. In Canada, the Atlantic provinces and…

  • childhood_depression_child_leaning_out_car_window
    Parenting

    Childhood Depression, Adoption and Mental Health

    August 19, 2009 - By 

    This Childhood Depression, Adoption and Mental Health post is the 3rd blog post in my series inspired by the NACAC conference last week and the stories shared, as well as the expert speakers. Recently, I spoke about advocating as a parent at the NACAC conference for adoptive parents and children. NACAC stands for North American Council for Adoptable Children. The opriganizatinos provides resources for children, youth and families going through the adoption process. Also, they typically have an annual conference. Advocacy is not optional in my world. It is where I spend a huge amount of my time and resources.…

  • parenting - special needs

    Why Parts Language is Not Okay

    August 18, 2009 - By 

        (This is the second installment of my NACAC inspired blog series running this week)  It was easily two years ago when I first brought this issue up in a parent’s meeting at a school one of my daughters attended. Back then it was common parenting practice to say to a child: “I love you, but I don’t like your behaviour right now.”    They call it ‘parts language’ now, but there was no term for it back then when it was standard practice. I had been guilty of using this phrase more than a few times and yet…

  • Parenting

    Adoption Myths and Facts – NACAC conference

    August 18, 2009 - By 

    Those kids are all someone else’s problem. There are no babies available in Canada. You might be better off to adopt internationally. We have all heard adoption myths and facts and they are in fact often completely false. If you think you know what’s up after watching a tv show about adoption or a series featuring an adoption plot line, think again and do your own research.  The Myths and Facts From NACAC This post is about adoption myths and facts. It kicks off a weeklong series of posts about adoption inspired by the NACAC conference I just returned from…

  • family

    POSH pedicure lounge review

    August 11, 2009 - By 

    One of thriftymommas favourite local indulgences is POSH pedicure lounge at 101Wellington Street, my main reason to travel to downtown London. It is the girliest, prettiest  pedicure lounge one could ever envision. A place my daughter would like to remodel our house to resemble. Thankfully she doesn’t control the credit cards. Hot pink and leopard spotted decor are beyond feminine. Pedicures run $37 for adults and $35 for teens. Mother daughter manicures and pedicures are a fun way to be pampered together. Children under 12 get pedicures for $23.50. Posh does adorable girly birthday parties for your pop princess or teen diva. The party…

  • Travel

    14 Things You Must Have on a Family Road Trip

    August 10, 2009 - By 

    Heading out on another family road trip which means I have some packing to do. Since we started this great foray into family travel my husband and I – well mostly I – have learned a few things about the tricky business of travelling with tots in tow. My first tip for travelling with children is planning, planning and then planning some more. When we flew to Disney last year it was my daughter, Ainsley’s first flight. She was four and, for those of you who don’t know, she has sensory processing disorder, which means life is often too loud,…