• st_marys_bridge_southwestern_ontario
    Travel

    Iconic Things to See and Do in Southwestern Ontario

    September 22, 2020 - By 

    Not surprisingly, this entire year we have spent more time close to home in Southwestern Ontario. Small adventures in a controlled manner close to home are the name of the game. On a recent day off, my daughter Payton and I drove to Port Stanley after visiting a park in Aylmer. That got us talking about what the iconic tourist attractions are in each city nearby us in Southwestern Ontario. Why Southwestern Ontario? Southwestern Ontario is where I have lived my entire life to date. While I have considered moving to B.C. or the USA, I am so glad we…

  • laptop_computer_and_typing
    family

    Virtual Conference Tips – How to Make the Most as an Attendee Now

    September 21, 2020 - By 

    Recently, I attended my first virtual travel conference. It was a whirlwind experience, and I could have used a primer, virtual conference tips, that would have helped me maximize my time while there. So, since I couldn’t find any content or tips on getting the most out of attending a virtual conference, I decided to write a post about it instead. These days, more conferences are moving online, so it’s time to adjust and get used to this. At my first ever virtual travel conference, I learned a few things that I wanted to pass on to you. With everything…

  • fall_fun
    Printables

    Happy Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt for Families

    September 20, 2020 - By 

    This season, I am hunting down easy activities that remind us to find gratitude and give thanks. This Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt is a fun way to find some gratitude and involve the entire family in the process. What are Your Thankful For? Finding Gratitude in the every day and celebrating that can be hard work. I have been working on this during the year and I can tell you some days I succeed and others not so much. This year has tested most of us, I think. Typically, I start my day with a gratitude exercise, but to be very…

  • turkey_life_cycle_printable
    Printables

    Cute Turkey Life Cycle Learning Activity

    September 17, 2020 - By 

    What do you know about the turkey life cycle? If you are at all like me, then it stands to reason that you know very little about our feathered friends. I have always taken turkey for granted as a tasty staple of the Thanksgiving season. But, there’s actually quite a lot to know about turkey. It’s an interesting bird. Since the Thanksgiving and Fall season is fast approaching I thought that perhaps we could share some turkey facts and provide a cute little turkey life cycle booklet and activity for kids. Keep this reference for later. I have other life…

  • halloween_skeleton_kid
    family

    Sensory Friendly Halloween Costumes for Children with Sensory Sensitivities

    September 16, 2020 - By 

    If you have a child with sensory sensitivities then you know how important it is to find them sensory friendly Halloween costumes. Halloween Should Be Scary, Not Scratchy Both of my girls have always had different levels of sensory sensitivities. In fact, it was the sensory reactions that first alerted us to Ainsley’s sensory processing disorder. Over time, that evolved into a couple of other diagnoses. But, the sensory processing was a huge factor for many years. It still is, even long after my daughters have outgrown trick or treating. Over a course of several Halloweens we learned a few…

  • no_churn_strawberry_ice_cream
    Food

    Easy Fresh No Churn Strawberry Ice Cream

    September 14, 2020 - By 

    No churn strawberry ice cream is easy, fresh and wholesome. There’s nothing quite so rewarding as knowing you made it yourself and can count the ingredients on one hand! That’s exactly why you will love this ice cream recipe as much as we did. Start with the Local Fruit Back in the early summer we went berry picking and we landed two giant baskets full of fresh local strawberries. Hello! We were more than ready for berry season! My oldest daughter had several strawberry recipes in mind. We intended to try making strawberry jam in the bread machine and also…

  • kindness_game
    family

    Kindness Game – Teaching Kids How to Be Kind

    September 9, 2020 - By 

    “Be Kind Whenever Possible. It is Always Possible,” – Dalai Lama Kindness is my life philosophy and one of the highest aspirations for me as a parent. International Kindness Day is right around the corner. That’s why I thought it would be a great time to share this Kindness game with you. Make Kindness Fun I am not one to believe that kindness should ever be confined to a single day. Kindness, especially these days, is like sunshine, sprinkle that stuff everywhere. Now, more than ever, the world needs kindness. Sharing that philosophy with my kids and hoping they evolve…

  • steam play and a young kid playing with plastic vials of liquids
    Technology

    Best Educational Fun Steam Toys To Give Right Now

    September 4, 2020 - By 

    STEAM toys are toys related to the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. As technology advances rapidly, knowledge of related topics will become more and more important. Most parents and professionals already know that. I received product in the form of Steam toys for consideration here. Post may contain affiliate links. My opinion is all my own and it is truthful. But did you also know that learning about STEAM can enhance experiences in other fields; it’s not just about academic subjects, but rather advancing skills like creativity and logical thinking that apply to countless future careers. So…

  • Fasd-awareness-two-boys-hugging
    Health

    I am Not Invisible – FASD at School and How to Help

    September 3, 2020 - By 

    This FASD at School post is by my daughter, Ainsley Schuck. September 9th is FASD (International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) Day, so we thought we’d share it now as school resumes. I have an invisible disability, but I am not invisible. I kind of want my IEP (individual education plan) to say that. I’m not invisible and I am trying, but I need help. It’s a double standard in the schools and in life that some with visible disabilities are treated differently than others whose disabilities are not so easy to see. Clearly, most people with any disability struggle with…

  • tent-camping-port-burwell-dusk
    Travel

    Tent Camping – Sometimes All You Need is a Tent and a Campfire

    September 1, 2020 - By 

    Sometimes all you need is a tent and a campfire. And maybe throw in a bag of marshmallows to boot. We just returned from a weekend in Port Burwell Provincial Park on what was our first ever tent camping trip. I mean if ever there was a year for embracing tent camping, this was the one. Sleeping in a Tent? So, big deal, you might be thinking. Many people the world over go tent camping all the time. But, for us, it is a big deal. I am over 50 and have managed to succeed traveling many different ways. Budget…