• Parenting - parenting

    What If You Got Different Kids? #adoption

    April 6, 2010 - By 

    So it appears daughter number two is content to follow in daughter number one’s footsteps. At least when it comes to asking the very serious heart-stopping adoption-related questions. Up until now – she recently turned six – she has been relatively passive about her adoption story. She hears it but does not question it, at least not usually. Sometimes I wonder if she is even hearing me. But I repeat the words and rehearse the script, full of phrases common to our family now. Part of telling the story is learning how to get comfortable with it yourself.  My elder daughter…

  • family

    The Tooth Fairy movie and some days are like that…

    March 23, 2010 - By 

    This should be the review of the PG-rated movie The Tooth Fairy. But instead it is a post about flexibility. Not the kind that comes from doing pilates or yoga or any of that. The kind that comes from being a parent, especially well known to those parents of children with special needs. Anyways, what started out as noble intentions last week – a family movie with Grandma and me and my sweet kids, home for the March break, turned out to be what I can only guess was a full sensory assault to my little one, who as some…

  • family - homes

    Royale Renocation Contest Launch and Giveaway

    March 18, 2010 - By 

    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…

  • two young girls in front of chicken itza ruins in Mexico.
    family - family travel

    First Family Trip to Cancun

    March 10, 2010 - By 

    Our first ever family trip to Cancun Mexico was a huge hit. We found a great deal and did some exciting sightseeing which was certainly worth every penny. Can’t recommend this place enough. 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 on our family trip to Cancun. The Parnassus Cancun The Parnassus is a 12-storey sprawling family destination on one of the…

  • family

    Valentine’s Ideas

    February 8, 2010 - By 

    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.…

  • Parenting

    Lemon – a review

    February 3, 2010 - By 

    (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…

  • Parenting

    Haiti and adoption

    January 27, 2010 - By 

    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…

  • family - family travel

    London Regional Children’s Museum

    January 18, 2010 - By 

    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…

  • family

    Weekend Roundup – January 15th

    January 15, 2010 - By 

    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…

  • parenting

    Just Say No!

    January 11, 2010 - By 

    As it is January and I am clearly not capable of saying No to my many obligations, commitments and passions, I felt this guest post from Blogenergizer might be a lovely little tip sheet for all of us. Subject: Learning to say no – Moms Secret Weapon Are you suffering from mom burn out? Do you struggle just to make it through each day? Moms everywhere are breaking down because they are too chicken to say, “No”. “No” may be a tiny, two-letter word, but it can be your secret weapon. And you can say it. Here are some ways…