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Aromaspa
This week I took an afternoon to enjoy a pedicure, much needed after a couple of months spent barefoot chasing kids in the backyard or at the beach. I’ve been meaning to visit Aromaspa on Fuller Street, near Highbury and Huron in northeast area of London, Ontario ever since they opened early this summer. And so with both my girls back at school I made an appointment. Thinking that this tiny hidden away spa might simply be the mani-pedi equivalent of a hit and run, I was very pleasantly surprised when I ventured in. Tastefully decorated, quiet and dark, Aromaspa oozes ambience, relaxation and adulthood. I have now had the chance to try…
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Thriftybits and my First Giveaway!!!!
Thriftybits is my first ever roundup of ideas that are affordable for families. I’m dubbing this Thriftybits. This is a post truly inspired by the name of my blog – thriftymommastips. So in that spirit here are my best tips to pass along this week, the first week of September that both of my children have been in school at the same time. Yippee!! And yet somehow this has translated into more work not less for dear old mommy. How does that work? Also FYI: this is my first giveaway. To win a copy of All The Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy, follow @inkscrblr on twitter. Tell me what you…
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Ontario Science Centre Visit with my Kids
This summer my daughter, now eight, repeatedly asked to do science experiments and she would often tell anyone who inquired that her favourite subject was science, so we thought it would be the ideal time to plan a trip to Ontario Science Centre. We visited the centre on Labour Day weekend. Admission was free with our membership to London Regional Children’s Museum. A very big bonus incentive for us to visit. And visiting on Sunday meant we could park on a side street nearby for free as well. We stayed at a motel for the night so we could also visit family nearby. This was the only cost incurred other than the price of…
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09-09-09
On the ninth hour of the ninth day of the ninth month of 2009 we gathered in London’s Victoria Park for a pregnant pause to raise awareness regarding FASD Day. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, is an invisible neurological disability, affecting an estimated 300,000 Canadians. The numbers are staggering, but the people affected are the real story. For instance Jack, 8, adopted at 4, struggles with impulse control issues, violent behaviours, sensory issues and learning disabilities. He struggles in school. In grade one poorly supported by the home school he had moved to he was suspended six times in as many weeks. Then he was diagnosed with FASD and frankly things only got more difficult.…
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Forgetful Frankie Children’s Book and FASD DAY Interview
First and foremost, a small disclaimer. Those of you who know me and read me know that I am a Mom of a little girl with FASD fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. So I may be the tiniest bit biased about this one but when I first saw hint of a book for children about FASD I was overjoyed. Anyone who parents a child with FASD struggles with what to tell them and when to tell them about their disability. This book is a way to help parents do that. So what follows here is my interview with Jill Bobula, author of this excellent new book, Forgetful Frankie, part of the WE…
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The first day of school
Well the first day of school is here and thankfully I slept a bit last night despite stressing over which teacher my child would end up with this crucial grade three year. This year I didn’t embarrass anyone with a tearful good-bye. Payton, my eight-year-old sensitive, bright, mostly easy-going girl, bounced out of bed this morning ready to go, got all suited up in her new Hannah Montana style ensemble. She quickly determined that she was in the class she wanted with several friends she knows well and, bonus, she got the teacher she wanted too. Then she essentially waved me away. Bye Mom, ready to go now. Now don’t get me…
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Seeing Things/Perspective
Some of my greatest insights have come from my children. One of the most important of these lessons has been always remember to stop, get down on the floor and try to see the world through their eyes. What looks insane to us as adults is often very logical or even magical to children. My Payton, 8, is an inquisitive, sensitive and very bright child who asks things that often give me pause and wears her heart outside her clothes most days. She is easily bruised emotionally and a living reminder to me to tread carefully, buffer and protect. Ainsley, 5, somehow sees life with different glasses than all of us here and that too…
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London’s Double Decker Bus Sightseeing Tour
For months, we have seen London’s Double Decker Bus Sightseeing Tour around town and thought wouldn’t that be fun to do one day. This morning, keenly aware of the passing days of summer I woke both of my kids up and told them we were once again going on a surprise adventure. (These are truly one of the best parts of parenthood.) What is London’s Double Decker Bus? I had secretly planned to take them on the Tourism London’s Double Decker Bus Sightseeing Tour. The 1969 Bristol VR leaves every day of the summer through until September 7th from Tourism London’s office. My daughters and I have both…
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Expert Panel on Infertility and Adoption
Last week’s release of the highly anticipated report from the Expert Panel on Infertility and Adoption was well worth the wait to many of us labouring in the trenches as adoptive parents and advocates. While much of the public debate around the report, dubbed Raising Expectations, was clearly focused on the fact that the panel recommends the Ontario government’s health plan pay for infertility treatments like in vitro fertilization, we in the adoption community were celebrating. Many of us spent hours consulting on this report whether by phone, in written form or in person appearing before the panel. The Adoption Council of Ontario, the North American Council on Adoptable Children, The Adoption…
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Storybook Gardens review
I have always loved Storybook Gardens. As a child we used to drive every summer to Storybook Gardens from Guelph Ontario, about two hours, just to visit what was then really just a small park and petting zoo. Storybook Gardens has blossomed and I still enjoy this lovely spot in the summer. I also enjoy skating with my family on the path they flood in the winter to make an ice rink. The new splash pad and the massive renovation that took place several years ago now was an excellent investment. Storybook offers interesting events occasionally and also rides. The pirate climber area and the toddler’s climber were also really smart additions…