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    New Affordable Canadian Mattresses – Mirabed

    December 26, 2019 - By 

    We received product in exchange for honest consideration in this post about affordable Canadian mattresses. My youngest daughter has been asking for a room makeover for months. There never seemed to be time. But last summer when she went away to camp in Muskoka, we stripped everything off of the walls and painted the room three different colours. Of course, she helped picked the shades out. That gave her space a big boost of colour. And she was thrilled with the results when she came home. But, there was still the matter of the furniture and a mattress. Her bed,…

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    Adorable Burrito Surprise Toys for Children

    December 23, 2019 - By 

    I received product for consideration in the gift guide this year. Post may contain affiliate links. Have you heard of CuteTitos? Or Babitos yet? You will. These CuteTitos and Babitos are currently wrapped and under my tree for my niece. She’s too little to read this content, so there’s no chance that she will find out. Anyways, CuteTitos are sweet little stuffed animals and unique creatures that come with their own small blanket burrito. Unroll Something Special So adorable! These are surprise toys because you don’t know what you get until you unroll the burrito pet inside. Unroll to reveal…

  • Parenting

    We Don’t Get That – Friendships and FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder)

    December 4, 2019 - By 

    “You know how everyone else has a best friend when they are small and they kind of grow up with them? Well, it’s like we don’t get that.” – my daughter, 15, who has FASD. Recently we found a peer support group for my younger daughter. This has been a long time coming. In fact, I’ve basically been looking since she was old enough to have been diagnosed with FASD (fetal alcohol spectrum disorder) at 4 or 5. For years, we had nothing. No support. No local FASD parenting group. I mean, I had a loose group of online advocates…

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    Inspiring Imagination with Zing

    November 24, 2019 - By 

    I received Zing toys for consideration here. My opinion is all my own. Inspiring imagination is what play should be all about. When kids play, either indoors with a game or construction set or outdoors with their friends, their imaginations are what make it so much fun. In my opinion, the best gifts are the gifts that work towards inspiring imagination in our kids. Inspiring Imagination Indoors and Out Remember when you were a kid? Every game was so much bigger than what was really happening. Tag was a battle for survival. Hide and seek was a stealth opp. Those…

  • Parenting

    Best Gift Books To Share This Christmas

    November 14, 2019 - By 

    It’s time for my Christmas gift guide! This year, I am starting with my recommendations for gift books. These were sent to me for consideration in the gift guide this year. My kids love to read. Do they pick up books as often as I wished? No. They often read fan fiction online but it’s still reading and literacy, so there’s something to be said for that. Over the years with teens, I have learned to pick and choose my battles. We keep bookshelves stocked full of books and we visit the library and use Kobo’s and other ereaders too.…

  • family

    London Santa Claus Parades and More

    November 10, 2019 - By 

    There are several London Santa Claus Parades so the good thing about that is if you miss one or can’t make it, then you will in all likelihood be able to catch a different local Santa Claus parade. When our kids were younger this was an annual event, even those years when it snowed like crazy, and those years when it rained cats and dogs. There’s something fun about watching a parade together, all huddled up trying to stay warm while watching the faces of your children light up every time a float passes by. It’s beginning to look a…

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    Parenting

    The Most Charming Frozen Gift Ideas

    October 17, 2019 - By 

    Did you know that the Frozen sequel is due out any time now! My kids have long since aged out of this phase, but to be honest at least two of us will be watching the new movie together. Age is relative, right? I happen to love Anna and Elsa and Olaf too of course, so I can’t wait. This season, as we get closer and closer to the holidays I wanted to share a few of my favourite Frozen gift ideas.  Hunting for the most perfect Frozen gift ideas ever? Look no further. I gathered a few of the…

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    Cost Effective Ways to Winterize Your Home

    October 9, 2019 - By 

    Post may contain affiliate links as a service to readers.  When winter comes, and the chills with it, it is time to winterize your home! That doesn’t mean getting on the phone, calling up the oil company, and turning up the thermostat to 85 degrees! That would burn a wallet-sized hole right through your pocket. There are cheaper ways to winterize your home. Keep more money in your pocket and follow these easy tips to winterize your home instead. Start Here to Winterize Your Home Insulation First things first. Insulation is vital to a warm and energy efficient home. Holes and…

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    Feathering Nests and Useful Small Appliances

    September 25, 2019 - By 

    This post is sponsored by Hamilton Beach and may contain affiliate links. My kids are closing in on adulthood. Scary thought, right? Childhood goes far too fast. Right now I am faced with a whole lot of upcoming change and I’d be a liar if I told you that it doesn’t stress me out. The closer we get to college and university the more stressed I am about having all of our ducks in a row. Finances, grades, courses, preparation. In a few months, my older girl will start applying for university. She hopes and plans to go to school…

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    How to Sleep Well as a Family

    September 13, 2019 - By 

    Do you wake up most mornings still feeling tired? Are you concerned that your kids might not be getting the rest they need to do well at school? If so, you’re not alone. But don’t panic, here are some top tips on how to get enough downtime at night to keep your family happy and healthy. Sleep Quality and Family Well Being Why is rest important? Sleep helps the brain process information. If it doesn’t get enough, kids and adults might struggle with handling day-to-day tasks as well as they would after a proper night’s rest – both in school,…