• family - parenting

    The History of Mother’s Day

    May 4, 2016 - By 

    The History of Mother’s Day The history of Mother’s Day is quite long. Most people think it began in the early 1900’s, and while the move towards an official holiday began around the time, the actual history of Mother’s Day dates back much, much further. It’s roots can be traced all the way back to ancient Greek and Roman culture. Ancient History of Mother’s Day The history of Mother’s Day has its beginnings in an ancient annual spring festival of the Greeks which was dedicated to their maternal goddesses. At that time, the day was used to honor Rhea, the…

  • siblings
    family - Health - Parenting - parenting

    Seven Ways to Carve Out Time With Siblings of Special Needs Children

    May 3, 2016 - By 

    Having a child with special needs impacts family life in many ways. There can be extra financial and emotional stress. A Canadian study called PALS notes clearly that the mother in a family with a child who has a disability most often is required to adjust her work schedule to care for the special needs child. Finances and health are impacted, and so is marriage. But what about the siblings in families with special needs on deck? There are many rewards to parenting children with special needs, but there are also undeniable challenges, emotionally, financially and physically. Where there are other children in…

  • cute Darth vader wall hanging black with orange light sabre and we have cookies letters across the bottom of the image
    family

    DIY Darth Vader Wall Hanging Printable

    May 2, 2016 - By 

    May the Fourth Be With YOU! It’s May the Fourth and this year I was determined not to miss all the Star Wars hijinks and puns. This year I have the cutest, UH I mean fiercest DIY Darth Vader Wall Hanging printable for you to make. Tee hee. I kind of love this myself. I will print it and give to my nephew next time I see him. He is so totally into Darth Vader right now. Do you have a Star Wars fan in your house? If so, you could surprise them with this fun art for their room.…

  • Makeup_brushes
    beauty products - family

    EcoTools ECOfriendly Makeup Brushes #Giveaway

    May 1, 2016 - By 

    My makeup kit is a beautiful mess. Up until recently, my makeup brushes were too. I’m a pretty thrifty gal and I tend to use everything up until every last bit is gone. Sometimes that means things are falling apart before I replace them. Take my blush for instance. It’s a classic Estee Lauder compact that I love and bought two years ago now. It was a splurge and it’s lasted, but now it’s falling apart and there’s coral blush powder everywhere. Not unlike my makeup brushes. I figured spring was a good time to give my makeup bag an eco-makeover. EcoTools,…

  • trying to conceive
    family - Health

    Six Tips if You Are Trying To Conceive #ChurchandDwight

    April 29, 2016 - By 

    In Canada 1 in 6 experience fertility issues or challenges. I was one of those people years ago before we adopted our girls from London area Children’s Aid Society. I have talked about that often here. Many of my close friends have also struggled with infertility. When you are trying to get pregnant and nothing seems to be working there is nothing more frustrating. Infertility can be exhausting –  financially, emotionally and physically.  What is supposed to be an exciting and happy time can become a source of stress and pressure for those who experience challenges along the way. Canadian Infertility Awareness…

  • inclusive_classroom
    Back To School - family - parenting - special needs - Technology

    Building an Inclusive Classroom With Microsoft

    April 28, 2016 - By 

    Technology has the power to make lives better. The right technology can help us break down barriers, stay in our homes longer, or tackle health challenges head on. In schools, technology has incredible potential to help build ability, to help every child transcend barriers to education and achieve a bright future. Microsoft Canada is working to help every teacher embrace technology and build an inclusive classroom. My daughters are amazing girls with many strengths and a few challenges. They both fall squarely within the 3.2% of Canadian children aged 5 to 14 affected by a limitation related to learning. That statistic comes from the…

  • family

    Maze Printable – Help The Pirate Ship Find The Palm Trees

    April 28, 2016 - By 

    I love printables. Free puzzles, printables and crosswords make me happy. I hope they also make you happy. These printables remind me of vacations we have taken together as a family. When the kids were small I would keep a batch of these on hand for road trips and airplane trips too. Activities like these were great for the budget. Help the ship go through a maze and find tropical island with palms. Enjoy this educational game for children. This maze printable might keep them busy for a few minutes. Plus there’s a bit of a pirate theme that appeals…

  • performance_wear
    family - Health

    Great Workout Clothes by TASC Performance

    April 27, 2016 - By 

    I never have enough workout clothes. I love my yoga pants, but when you get a sweat happening in a crazy cardio fitness class, full length pants are way too much. I don’t want to feel like I’m going to pass out because I wear too much clothing to the gym and frankly I don’t want to worry about workout clothes when I am in the middle of a new fitness class, or when I am pushing my limits. I like a variety of options in workout clothes. That’s why I am enjoying Tasc Performance Wear right now. TASC Performance…

  • special_needs_parenting
    family - Health - parenting - Parenting - special needs

    When Hard Doesn’t Break – Special Needs Parents

    April 26, 2016 - By 

    Maybe your child has curly hair, or is slightly unique in some other tiny way. Small genetic blessings that somehow will turn to a source of pride. Over time. Maybe you think that parenting is hard, but your hard is a moment. Your hard is a glass of wine, some retail therapy, girl’s night out, and then you move on. Your hard breaks. There’s nothing heartbreakingly extraordinary that impacts the way your child moves throughout their Mondays, or Fridays – the way they approach their school day, year to year. Just a kid, potentially a great kid, maybe even an A student, going…

  • water_parks
    active family travel - family - parenting - Travel

    Four Water Parks Near Detroit, Michigan #Travel

    April 25, 2016 - By 

    My family and I love going to water parks. There’s really nothing like them. Water parks offer fun in the sun, water play, family togetherness, and memories that last a lifetime. You might think you have to travel to Florida or some other sub-tropical U.S. Destination to find a great water park, but I’ve got a list of water parks for you that are actually close to my Ontario, Canada home. These water parks are near Detroit, Michigan. 4 Water Parks Near Detroit, Michigan All of the water parks below are wonderful destinations for family fun, and they’re all within a 4…