Adoption and Family
Parenting by adoption is bigger, louder, and often harder to start with. From the assessment and waiting process to the adoption probation period, it can seem endless and like it will never happen. Then you get the call and your life changes forever in a miraculous way. But what next? Sure there is often a honeymoon and parenting is a blessing no matter how you get there. It is a new adventure every single day. AND also adoption comes with numerous other ups and downs.
Find Your Supports Early and Stick With Them
Very often there's minimal support for adoptive parents and families after they leave the courthouse finalizing their adoptions. Consider this your supportive honest space where we share what's worked, what doesn't work, and all the challenges in between. Share your stories, learn and grow together.-
Royale Renocation Contest Launch and Giveaway
What would you do with a $13,000 Renocation? That’s the question Royale is asking in their grand Renocation Contest. Luckily this thriftymomma is part of the Royale Mommy blogger tour thanks to Jen at Mom Central Canada. Well, I have to think for all of about three seconds on that one. My cupboards in my kitchen are hideous and slate blue – remember when slate blue was in? Early 90s maybe. Anyways my kitchen is a dreary little room with one redeeming feature – gorgeous hardwood floors. So for us, here at our house, a renocation would begin in the kitchen. Kitchen cupboard renovation tops the list. I would love an island and…
-
March Break and Disney’s Sleeping Beauty
Looking for a fun diversion this March break for your school aged child? This week through Saturday Original Kids Theatre Company is running a production of Disney’s Sleeping Beauty For Kids: The Musical at Wolf Performance Hall in downtown London that is one of the best plays I have seen from OKTC. The spacious downtown theatre accommodates the grandiose production which, although only 45 minutes, is somehow still larger than life. Maleficent, the mean fairy, is a fantastic role for the young actress playing her. The costumes, props and set design are all incredibly professional. My kids were hypnotized. This is a simple story that has all the requisite elements and is…
-
Cancun
The quest for affordable family fun this year led us to Cancun, Mexico and a great new resort called Great Parnassus Resort and Spa. This one stunned us with the service, staff, family activities, food and great price. Everything exceeded our expectations from start to finish. The Parnassus is a 12-storey sprawling family destination on one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen. The food was remarkable and the flavour very cosmospolitan. Many tourists here hailed from all over the globe and spoke a variety of languages, which was lovely exposure to numerous cultures for our children – one of whom speaks fluent French and loved exercising the…
-
Grade One and Registration Day
Today I registered my fiver for grade one. It’s a monumental occasion for many. It’s a big deal for me and for her. Everyone who has a child with special needs will get what I mean when I say that my heart is in my throat and my fingers are crossed as I tentatively prepare to ship her off to public school. I have had a big knot in my stomach since I left the school this morning. And to think there’s another six months before she starts. It’s not that I don’t have faith in our public schools – my older child attends one and does quite nicely. My…
-
Valentine’s Ideas
As we rapidly approach Valentine’s Day, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the need to orchestrate your child’s Valentine’s card exchange or bake sale or various other important crafts that seem to take over this time of year. I find this time of year challenging – two kids with two class lists, various goodies and cards to buy, multiplied by lists that also come from various extracurriculars (Brownies, for instance and Original Kids). When it comes right down to it this means chaos this week as my children write Valentine’s for at least five different groups of kids while also juggling homework. It is fun – to a degree, but really few…
-
Lemon – a review
(this is a sample of thriftymommasbrainfood my other blog http://www.thriftymommasbrainfood.blogspot.com/) I have been a great fan of Cordelia Strube from the time she first drew attention for her novel Alex and Zee. Strube’s first novel was nominated for the W.H. Smith Books In Canada first novel award and it garnered a fair bit of praise roughly 15 years ago, back when young Canadian authors were being discovered and celebrated regularly, in both this country, and on the world stage. Strube’s various other novels Milton’s Elements and Teaching Pigs To Sing are firmly tucked away in my own personal home library of great Canadian authors. Teaching Pigs To Sing was a…
-
Haiti and adoption
I have been asked in the last couple of weeks many times, both personally and professionally, to weigh in on Haiti and the international adoptions occurring in light of the earthquakes there. There has been much talk locally in the adoption community and in the community at large about what is best practice. At times the talk has been slanted towards the ‘let’s all swoop in and rescue the orphans and bring them to other countries.’ I wholeheartedly support the transportation of those children whose adoptions were approved and in process prior to the earthquake. They should all be moved, and in fact, should join their new families as soon as…
-
London Regional Children’s Museum
Still one of my favourite places to take the children, London Regional Children’s Museum, has a new exhibit that’s an homage to our coming Olympics. Starting last week and running until March 28th this exhibit lets little ones take a turn at bobsledding and skiing, skating and, well so on..So if you are looking for some relatively warm indoor fun this winter drive to our museum and test your athletic prowess. While there don’t forget to visit The Street Where You Live, a replica city that’s just the right size for children under 10. Jellyfish Junction, caves and Discover Dinosaurs are popular standbys too. Don’t forget My Place In Space,…
-
Weekend Roundup – January 15th
Well as promised here it is just in time for the weekend. My weekend roundup of all the excellent sales. (If you live in London get to Cherryhill Village Mall this week. Sidewalk sales are superb. Ellen’s Children Shoes. Huge selection of running shoes, cute walking shoes and sandals $30.00.) Gymbucks are currently being redeemed ay Gymboree. If you’ve got them use them. Many new spring styles in store now and on line. Old Navy has a deal where you can save an additional 50 % off all clearance items until Jan. 18th (Monday). Children’s Place: amazing selection of $5.99 items. WOW! Thanks for this info.. Laura Tommy Hilfiger Outlet:…
-
Save and Scrimp Fridays and Disney On Ice
So here it is Friday again and I’ve got a couple of excellent hot tips for you to help kick off the new year/decade. First off go visit your local library right now if you live in London. The Disney On Ice/Monster Jam reading contest is on right now and I’ve gotta say this is one of my favourite times of the year. From the time my girls were two years old we have managed to see Disney On Ice at the John Labatt Centre for free. Yes, that’s right. $0. Sweet deal, right? So follow these tips and you will be able to choose this year between Disney On…