• ontario_pioneer_camp
    active family travel - family - family travel - parenting

    Ontario Pioneer Camp Blogger Weekend #PioneerCamp16

    July 13, 2016 - By 

    My kids have been campers for years. For the past few years I have heard great things about Ontario Pioneer Camp. But until recently we had no experience with the camp ourselves. That changed last month when we drove to Huntsville in the stunning Muskoka area of Ontario and took part in Ontario Pioneer Camp Blogger’s Weekend. What a fun weekend it was! Camp is a big investment. It’s an investment in your child. It’s also an investment in you as a parent. BUT, before you book any camp you need to know what to expect. Camp is one of those…

  • free_content
    family

    When Feel Free To Share and Free Content Means No Budget

    July 11, 2016 - By 

    (A few weeks ago I posted this on my Facebook page. Sadly, I have had a big reason to post it again today. I can’t believe some people find it okay to repeatedly ask writers and influencers, editors and others, for constant freebies. This is my letter that I have actually cut and pasted a couple of times and sent to absurd requests ever since June 16. Feel Free to share this free content. In fact feel free to send a link to this post next time someone asks you to do a free twitter party, or a free post,…

  • playmobil_wildlife
    family

    Playmobil Wildlife Adventure Treehouse

    July 8, 2016 - By 

    Post contains affiliate links as a service to readers. Any purchase made via qualifying links equals a small commission for me. Being an aunt is a kick in the pants. I get to buy the cutest things and spoil my niece and nephews and I keep some super fun toys here always for those times when they visit. This summer I will have them here for at least one visit. Our pool is a huge draw, but this year I also have Playmobil toys like the New Playmobil Wildlife Adventure Treehouse. PLAYMOBIL is known for its imaginative play and iconic figures. Now…

  • surfing_school
    active family travel - family - family travel - Travel

    Surfing School in Stuart, Florida #DiscoverMartin #LOVEFL

    July 7, 2016 - By 

    It’s my last day visiting Martin County, Florida. I wake up, throw a swimsuit on and race to the car where Nerissa, tourism manager and host, meets me and drives us both to Stuart Beach. It’s a short drive so there’s no time to stress. Brett from Ohana Surf School meets us on the sunny June morning when I give surfing school a try. One of the things I love most about writing is the sheer ability to learn every single time you write a story or a post. Sometimes that’s a small lesson about a product. Other times it is a…

  • grub_control
    family - homes

    Organic Grub Control – All Natural Ways to Knock Them Out

    July 6, 2016 - By 

    Organic grub control is something that anyone with a yard has probably looked into at some point. Grubs are vicious lawn murderers. When grubs get to work on your lawn’s root system, it’s bye bye, lush and green, and hello, brown and dead! Pesticides are fast falling out of favor because of our new knowledge about how they affect us and our environment, and many people are making moves towards green alternatives. That includes organic grub control. Organic Grub Control – Destroy the Grubs, not the Environment Over a season, grubs can really damage the health of our lawns. They…

  • Rio Olympics
    family - Health

    Canada Global Nutrition Challenge #MyRoadToRio

    July 5, 2016 - By 

    It’s easy to take things for granted when you live in Canada. We have what we need. We live in one of the richest countries in the world. As a parent, it’s my job to challenge my family and my children to see beyond our backyard. I’m raising my kids to be global citizens who care and believe they have power to help change the world for the better. So, what does that look like? This summer as the Rio Olympic games get started, I’ll use the media coverage to find moments to talk to my kids about issues like…

  • family - Food

    The Most Refreshing Summer Watermelon Recipes

    July 4, 2016 - By 

    Nothing screams picnic and outdoor fun like watermelon. My kids love to eat watermelon when it is fresh and ripe in the summer months. It’s also a great little treat to help stay hydrated and refreshed. But there’s so many more things you can do with watermelon. Don’t be satisfied just chopping it up for wedges, or slices when you can crush it and make into watermelon sorbet, salad, or cupcakes, with watermelon recipes like these. Watermelon Recipes Try one of these Watermelon recipes this summer and surprise your family, your friends or your workplace with a blast of flavour.…

  • report_card_for_parents
    family - parenting - special needs

    Report Card for Superheroes #specialneeds

    July 1, 2016 - By 

    Congratulations. Give yourself a massive high five. A hug, a pat on the back. You made it. You are superheroes. You deserve an A plus on the only report card that matters. You did it. Another school year down. Another grade gone by. You didn’t break. You deserve A pluses in every subject. Superheroes look like this: You are all heroic. Building exceptional kids with extra human strengths. Your kids are Iron Man and Wonder Woman, Spiderman and Black Widow. They are superheroes. I know them well. Two of the biggest superheroes I know are living here in this house. They have extraordinary…

  • patriotic_decor
    family

    15 DIY Patriotic Crafts

    July 1, 2016 - By 

    It’s the perfect time of year for a DIY crafty person, especially one with a flare for patriotic crafts. July 4th is on the way soon and that means more opportunities to dress the house and yard up, if you are a crafty individual. Although I am Canadian I know a lot of my readers live in the U.S and many of you are super crafty. I admire that. For me, summer always signals time to decorate the house, with cute personal touches, or flowers. I am a gardener at heart and I treasure being able to grow things. So…

  • stomach_cramping
    family - Health

    Keep Stomach Cramping at Bay

    June 30, 2016 - By 

    Stomach cramping has always been an issue for me. If I don’t watch what I eat, I’m guaranteed to have severe issues. It’s the opposite of fun and sometimes comes at me sideways when I am not even remotely in the mood to be sidelined with cramps. While everyone else is scarfing down hot dogs or funnel cakes hanging out at amusement parks, or what have you, I’m calculating how much grease is in all that delicious food, and how much I might pay for eating it later. Occasionally I forget, for instance when I am away doing a travel…