• family

    Thriftybits and my First Giveaway!!!!

    September 15, 2009 - By 

    Thriftybits is my first ever roundup of ideas that are affordable for families. I’m dubbing this Thriftybits. This is a post truly inspired by the name of my blog – thriftymommastips. So in that spirit here are my best tips to pass along this week, the first week of September that both of my children have been in school at the same time. Yippee!! And yet somehow this has translated into more work not less for dear old mommy. How does that work? Also FYI: this is my first giveaway. To win a copy of All The Pretty Horses by…

  • family

    Ontario Science Centre Visit with my Kids

    September 15, 2009 - By 

    This summer my daughter, now eight, repeatedly asked to do science  experiments and she would often tell anyone who inquired that her favourite subject was science, so we thought it would be the ideal time to plan a trip to Ontario Science Centre. We visited the centre on Labour Day weekend. Admission was free with our membership to London Regional Children’s Museum. A very big bonus incentive for us to visit. And visiting on Sunday meant we could park on a side street nearby for free as well. We stayed at a motel for the night so we could also visit family nearby. This…

  • family - FASD - Parenting

    Forgetful Frankie Children’s Book and FASD DAY Interview

    September 9, 2009 - By 

    First and foremost, a small disclaimer. Those of you who know me and read me know that I am a Mom of a little girl with FASD fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. So I may be the tiniest bit biased about this one but when I first saw hint of a book for children about FASD I was overjoyed. Anyone who parents a child with FASD struggles with what to tell them and when to tell them about their disability. This book is a way to help parents do that. So what follows here is my interview with Jill Bobula, author of…

  • family - Travel

    Fort Rapids review

    August 26, 2009 - By 

    Looking for something fun to do in nearby Ohio? In the spirit of Great Wolf Lodge, Columbus, Ohio’s new Fort Rapids Resort and Indoor Water park is a destination in itself. A converted Holiday Inn, at 4560 Hilton Corporate Drive, turned Disney style resort, this water park is a blast. My family and I decided to stay at the water park last week for four nights, while in the city for a conference. After a good deal of research which turned up a great variety of truly lacklustre motels, we happened on this one and took our chances booking on…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • family - Parenting

    Child, Youth, Infant, Toddler? At What Point is a Child a Youth?

    August 4, 2009 - By 

    Is a child a youth or is my youth no longer a child? Sometimes, I think it’s a bit like the chicken and egg question. At what point is a child a youth? I received in the mail the other day confirmation of my daughter Payton’s enrollment in a workshop we’re doing in the United States this coming month. It had details of her conference itinerary and some other basic stuff outlining all the fun things she’ll be doing while Mommy speaks and does a writing workshop at a conference. How Did This Happen? But the thing that jumped out at…

  • family - Travel

    East Park Golf and Waterpark

    August 3, 2009 - By 

    Thriftymommastips decided to take her family for a holiday weekend adventure at a nearby waterpark in London, known as East Park, 1275 Hamilton Road. While the weather Saturday was lovely and the waterslides excellent the adventure was not inexpensive, so be forewarned. East Park offers many different packages and many different activities but for the holiday weekend a special family of four for $50 deal was advertised in the newspaper. The deal caught my eye and we figured we’d give the waterslides a whirl. Now it should be noted that we had no complaints and spent all day at the…

  • family

    Ribs, Staycations and Princesses

    July 31, 2009 - By 

    Looking for something fun and cheap to do with the family this weekend in and about London, Ontario then look no further than Ribfest in Victoria Park. Ainsley and I overheard Grace FM mentioning that Ribfest started yesterday and so we made it our mission to go check it out for thriftymommastips. It was the first time ever that I’ve made it downtown for the festival and despite the hideous search for parking and annoying construction on nearby roads, we were pleasantly surprised by the event. Between the delicious food, the fun amusement park rides, the face-painting and princesses we enjoyed the music…