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Nuryl Baby Brain App Using Smart Music
Have you heard of Nuryl app? Perhaps you should pay attention to this new baby brain app. Smart music equals a smart baby. It’s true. Science has shown that children who engage in musical activities do better in school across the board, especially in math. That same connection between music and better learning holds true for babies as well. That’s why Rick Beato, classically trained musician and former professor, developed Nuryl app. It’s a music app designed to boost baby’s cognitive development. So smart music really does qual a smart baby. When my daughters were very small I read a lot about brain development. At that time there was a children’s…
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Conversations With My Canadian Kids About The US Election Outcome
It started this morning when my youngest got a text from a friend that stated: “The World is Ending.” “Mom, what does this mean?” “Well,” I said, “I believe she’s referring to the US election outcome.” Picture a giant question mark hanging between us. “Donald Trump won last night. It was close.” I think she said “No Way” or something to that effect and we ate breakfast in our home, in a suburb in Ontario, Canada. I told the news to my eldest daughter before she left for high school. Because I wanted her to hear it from me first. Throughout the campaign there were a lot of strange rumours that germinated…
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Online Safety and Snapchat
Online safety is a big deal, and Snapchat has become one of the more concerning apps for parents of tweens and teens. Because users of SnapChat can specify a time frame that a picture will stay on the server, online safety is a concern with this app. What is SnapChat ? For those of you who don’t know, SnapChat is a video messaging app which allows users to take photos, videos, and add text or drawings and then send them to other users. This media – known as “Snaps” can be set up with a time limit on how long it can be viewed by the recipient. After that time,…
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Ten Facts About World Polio Day #WorldPolioDay
This week as we mark World Polio Day I wanted to share a few facts about polio and the vaccine that saves lives. Just one week ago I was in Zambia doing a fellowship with the UN Foundation’s global vaccine program called Shot @ Life. On our last day in Livingstone, we visited the Mahatma Gandhi clinic where moms and dads brought their babies to receive the appropriate vaccines needed for their age group. Many babies were receiving the oral polio vaccine, as shown below. It’s the type of global vaccination initiative that Shot@Life supports in many countries around the world. The time we spent in Zambia was remarkable and educational.…
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Say Good Bye to Stinky Sports Gear #ChurchandDwight #Giveaway
I am a Mom to extremely active girls, who do martial arts, and theatre and horseback riding, track and field and swimming and well, honestly the list seems endless some weeks. Soon we add skating and skiing to the mix. Hallelujah for snow sports. I love them. But what I don’t love is stinky sports gear. The sports gear that comes with each activity can get extremely unpleasant smelling. When we ski we sweat profusely. That’s the sign of a great workout. When Ainsley rides her horse at SARI therapy riding, those nights are stop, drop the clothing in the laundry room immediately, and jump into the shower. The benefits of…
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Launching My Cruise Series #travel
Oh Baby, it’s October. Around here that means one thing..or maybe two things, Halloween and time to start planning fall and winter travel. Most years since we started cruising that means I am thinking about cruising and evaluating costs and ports of call and where we want to go. This year I am unveiling my Cruise Series. That’s right all of October I am running cruise stories – one a week until the month is done, because I know you have questions and you want to know if cruising is right for you. I happen to think it is pretty near perfect so that said, stay tuned for the launch…
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Halloween Safety for Kids and Adults
Halloween safety is one of those topics that makes kids and parents, alike cringe. Kids don’t want to think about it, and parents can’t stop thinking about it. What is meant to be a wholesome night of zombies, ghosts, superheroes, and candy can be a source of danger. Between predators and strangers who put nasty stuff in candy, Halloween safety is something that cannot be over promoted. Halloween safety is an important topic for both kids and adults, because in this day and age every member of the family needs to be careful! In fact I hear so many Moms and Dads saying we won’t even take our kids out any more that…
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Vow Renewal – A Few Memorable Destinations #travel
Vow renewal is a beautiful and romantic thing. It’s a way for couples to reaffirm their commitment to one another in a way that’s more than just the everyday “I love you” and the occasional flower bouquet. I’ve been thinking about this lately and contemplating whether this is something we should do for our 25th wedding anniversary. I like the idea of building a memorable romantic trip together as a couple. Renewing our vows could add a touch of magic to our marriage. It might remind us how we felt that day when we first slipped those rings on our fingers in front of friends and family so many years ago. Unforgettable…
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This Reality Show Called Adoption Life
“I’m thinking about adopting.” At least once a week I read a message like this from someone wanting information about adoption. I am open. I talk and write about adoption here often. Friends know I will always answer. And I do. I find them resources, or answer their questions about why, or how long, or where do I go? Sometimes I simply let them know that the wait is worth it. I answer the questions one by one and hope others will follow through and discover all that I love about adoption. There are many roads to parenthood. BOTTOM LINE. There will always be children in need of stable and loving…
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Flying Alone – How Will You Know When Your Child Is Ready? #travel
Flying alone is a big step for any child. It’s a big step for a child’s parents, too! It can be a terrifying proposition. After all, the operative word in flying alone is ALONE. Your child will be out in the world, flying and checking in/being picked up on their own far, far away from you. Terrifying. So how do you know when your child is ready to take that step? Flying Alone – A Litmus Test to See if Your Child is Ready Sending a child out into the world is more about their ability to interact safely in that world rather than their physical size. For example, if…