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March Break and Disney’s Sleeping Beauty
Looking for a fun diversion this March break for your school aged child? This week through Saturday Original Kids Theatre Company is running a production of Disney’s Sleeping Beauty For Kids: The Musical at Wolf Performance Hall in downtown London that is one of the best plays I have seen from OKTC. The spacious downtown theatre accommodates the grandiose production which, although only 45 minutes, is somehow still larger than life. Maleficent, the mean fairy, is a fantastic role for the young actress playing her. The costumes, props and set design are all incredibly professional. My kids were hypnotized. This is a simple story that has all the requisite elements and is…
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Holidays and Good Investments
Over on my travel blog http://www.thriftymommagogo.blogspot.com/ I have posted a review of the great family resort we recently had the chance to stay at. But what I wanted to say here today was a little along the lines of sometimes a tiny splurge or a family vacation can be a great investment. These days, in light of our recent break from Canada and the stresses of Canadian winter/ Mommy taxi/ regular routine of running the kids back and forth to doctors, therapists, schools and extracurriculars, I am refreshed and to me that’s worth all the money in the world. Not only that but my family is slightly rejuvenated. Sun and…
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Cancun
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. The Parnassus is a 12-storey sprawling family destination on one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen. The food was remarkable and the flavour very cosmospolitan. Many tourists here hailed from all over the globe and spoke a variety of languages, which was lovely exposure to numerous cultures for our children – one of whom speaks fluent French and loved exercising the…
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Sex Squad
I spent part of my morning today playing Adventures in Sex City, The Sex Squad, a new on line game approved for use by Thames Valley District School Board. Say what?! There has been much written on line and many Mommybloggers are fetching blistering comments regarding this new sex ed tool. I can see why after spending even just a few moments playing the game. In this graphic novel style game a bad guy The Sperminator tries to shoot sperm at other characters who answer trivia questions. I chose the virginal Wonder Vag as my character and immediately could see why the Middesex-London Health Unit created the game. Clearly it…
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Grade One and Registration Day
Today I registered my fiver for grade one. It’s a monumental occasion for many. It’s a big deal for me and for her. Everyone who has a child with special needs will get what I mean when I say that my heart is in my throat and my fingers are crossed as I tentatively prepare to ship her off to public school. I have had a big knot in my stomach since I left the school this morning. And to think there’s another six months before she starts. It’s not that I don’t have faith in our public schools – my older child attends one and does quite nicely. My…
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Valentine’s Ideas
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. It is fun – to a degree, but really few…
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Lemon – a review
(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 of great Canadian authors. Teaching Pigs To Sing was a…
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Haiti and adoption
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 in fact, should join their new families as soon as…
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London Regional Children’s Museum
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 are popular standbys too. Don’t forget My Place In Space,…
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Weekend Roundup – January 15th
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 items. WOW! Thanks for this info.. Laura Tommy Hilfiger Outlet:…