• don't_cost_a_penny
    family

    7 Father’s Day Gifts That Don’t Cost a Penny

    June 4, 2018 - By 

    Dads are such special people in our lives, so when Father’s Day rolls around we no doubt want to give them the best day ever. If your budget is tight, you might be concerned that a fantastic Father’s Day isn’t possible, but the good news is that even on the smallest of budgets, you can make Dad’s dreams come true! Look below at 7 Father’s Day gifts that don’t cost a penny, and see how simple it can be to give Dad the ultimate Father’s Day he deserves. 7 Father’s Day Gifts That Don’t Cost a Penny 1. Give him…

  • ontario_pioneer_camp
    family

    Find Your Strength at Pioneer Camp Ontario

    May 28, 2018 - By 

    Every January my youngest daughter begins the camp countdown to Pioneer Camp Ontario. That’s six or seven months of anticipation before the eventual August drop-off every summer. In many ways this camp is the gift that keeps giving all year long. Of course there’s the week at camp, or lately the two weeks there and the enjoyment, independence and creativity she gets every single year attending Pioneer Camp Ontario. But long after camp itself, every single year Ainsley comes home inspired, engaged, confident, calm and grounded. How Did We Discover Pioneer Camp Ontario? Just two summers ago my family was…

  • transition_to_high_school
    family

    How To Move Teens on to High School when Change is a Huge Issue

    May 23, 2018 - By 

    Do you have teens with special needs or simply inflexible teens? Do they have trouble adjusting to change? Me too. This September my youngest starts high school. Why is that a big deal? Well, my younger daughter has a host of diagnoses. She has an IEP (individual education plan), technology for accessing the curriculum, FASD (fetal alcohol spectrum disorder), sensory and learning challenges, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) all related to that. Combine all of that with a difficulty adjusting to change. Ainsley has difficulty adjusting to life changes. That is extremely typical for kids and adults with FASD…

  • stem_education
    family

    STEM Camp Brings STEM Education to a Wider Audience

    May 17, 2018 - By 

    STEM education has become a huge part of public, private, and homeschool curriculum. It is the focus of many toys and games. The world is changing. With more and more career opportunities surrounding STEM and the advancement of technology in general, it’s important for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) to play a larger role in children’s education. In a recent post, I talked about how STEM Camp makes STEM fun for children. A friendly atmosphere combines with experiments that promote critical thinking and hands-on learning making STEM Camp a joy. I couldn’t be happier to share two big ways that…

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    family

    STEM Camp – The Perfect Way for Kids to Spend the Summer

    May 2, 2018 - By 

    STEM Camp is an amazing way to keep the learning spark lit all summer. Over the years both of my kids have benefited from summer camp. Summer camp is a wonderful way to stay engaged and excited about learning even when school is out. And the social benefits of camp are strong too. Summer camps are a wonderful way for kids to mingle with their peers in a fun, safe environment, and STEM camp adds an extra layer to that experience. So what’s unique about this camp. Well, this is no indoor routine classroom setting. This camp offers a setting…

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    family

    How to Save on Grad Dresses and Prom Dresses

    April 25, 2018 - By 

    Is it possible to save money on grad dresses or prom dresses? Absolutely. No need to break the bank just because it’s graduation time or prom time. Hard to believe, but my youngest is graduating grade eight in June. Which as we all know means shopping and potential to ruin the budget. But shopping for prom dresses and grad dresses doesn’t need to break the bank. Here’s how we saved money on grade 8 grad dresses for both of our girls. I’ve been a bargain hunter most of my life. It’s extremely rare for me to pay full price on…

  • robot_baby
    family - parenting

    What Happened One Crazy Weekend with Robot Baby

    April 23, 2018 - By 

    On Friday I became a grandma. My oldest daughter became a Mom and Ainsley an aunt. Which by default then made my husband a grandpa. Robot Baby Lucas joined our family this weekend. And it was nostalgic, fun, comical and a little bit crazy bringing a pretend baby home. But it was also a whole lot more than that too. The road to toy robot baby Lucas began last year when Payton, then 15, told me she wanted to take a parenting course at school. She was giddy over the prospect of having Robot Baby for a weekend in grade 11. Initially I…

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    family

    Earth Day Every Day with these Great Books

    April 19, 2018 - By 

    Every year, people around the globe celebrate Earth Day. On this day, people often reflect on the environment, what’s happening to it, and how they can make a difference. It’s also a day all about loving the planet and remembering that it’s home to some of the most amazing creatures and places. All that is wonderful, but I think it would be so much better if we had the planet on our mind all the time. I’d love it if every day were Earth Day. That’s why I’m excited about these two Earth Day books I got for the kids…

  • buying_sheets
    family

    Buying Sheets – What You Need to Know

    April 18, 2018 - By 

    Buying sheets can be a comforting thing or an exercise in frustration. After all, there’s nothing better than a nice, cozy bed. It makes such a welcoming environment when you lay down, and your bed wraps you up in a restful hug. But not all sheets are created equal. Sheets use varying types and qualities of thread to make them last longer or feel softer. It’s more involved than you might think. So let’s take a look at what you need to know when buying sheets. Buying Sheets is About More than Thread Count Thread count gets a lot of…

  • disclose_properly
    family

    Five Big Things You Need to Know to Disclose Properly Now

    April 9, 2018 - By 

    Did you know Ad Standards updates took place recently? Are you an influencer, public relations person or a marketing professional? Then you need to know what that means for influencer marketing and business. Ad Standards is the standard for how to disclose properly if you’ve been paid, or compensated with goods, trips, or events. Basically any material connection must be disclosed. If you are an influencer working in Canada then you need to pay attention to these guidelines. Transparency and authenticity are important to anyone who advertises. Advertising should truthful, fair, and accurate. While many influencers already know how to disclose…