• stem_education
    family

    STEM Camp Brings STEM Education to a Wider Audience

    May 17, 2018 - By 

    STEM education has become a huge part of public, private, and homeschool curriculum. It is the focus of many toys and games. The world is changing. With more and more career opportunities surrounding STEM and the advancement of technology in general, it’s important for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) to play a larger role in children’s education. In a recent post, I talked about how STEM Camp makes STEM fun for children. A friendly atmosphere combines with experiments that promote critical thinking and hands-on learning making STEM Camp a joy. I couldn’t be happier to share two big ways that…

  • empower_your_child
    Health

    Six Ways to Empower Your Child to Take Charge of Health Care

    May 17, 2018 - By 

      My regular readers know my kids have special needs. I write about the challenges involved in parenting them sometimes. We shuttle (mostly I to be honest) both girls back and forth to doctors and medical appointments and for assessments so much that I get tired and overwhelmed. So I imagine they must also. Which brings me to a tricky balance question. I was a child when I was sick with Crohn’s disease. I was in hospital a lot and shuttled back and forth to doctors a lot and I never felt empowered throughout the process until I became an…

  • spring_allergy_symptoms
    Health

    Do Spring Allergy Symptoms Suck the Fun From Your Life?

    May 16, 2018 - By 

    This post is sponsored by Bayer. To make sure these products are right for you, always read and follow the label.   Have allergies ever held you back from doing something you love? Spring allergy symptoms can be nasty. Honest seasonal allergy solutions are crucial to my family. Travel blogger here. Ready to go do all the fun things any time of year. But spring and summer mean getting outdoors and hitting the road. And I go nowhere without allergy medicine.   Every last one of my family members have allergies. For my older daughter cut grass can often make…

  • cheaper_cruises
    Travel

    All The Best Hacks to Save on Cruises Now

    May 15, 2018 - By 

    Taking a cruise is an exciting time. Not only are cruises an awesome vacation for so many reasons (hello, buffet and 24/7 ice cream machine!) but they are also a budget-friendly option as well.   Cruise lines are becoming more competitive when it comes to offering great deals to try to win those vacationers and families that are on the look-out for a great vacation option. And what’s not to love about taking a cruise? Endless activities, awesome shows, and entertainment, and did I mention the food?   Seriously, taking a cruise is a must. But what are the best…

  • road_trips
    Travel

    Getting Road Trip Ready for Spring and Summer

    May 14, 2018 - By 

    Road trip ready is a motto I live by. As a travel writer, I take many trips, and when spring and summer roll around, I’m on the road pretty often. In case you are not familiar with the life of a travel writer or travel blogger here’s a sample of what it’s like sometimes. Wednesday morning email or call comes in asking you to be in Quebec, or to drive to cottage country Friday around noon. Drop everything, pack and drive or fly. Not a lot of time for planning. Which is why I strive to be travel ready and…

  • whale_colouring_page
    Printables

    Whale Colouring Page Printable

    May 9, 2018 - By 

    Have you ever been whale watching? That’s one of my travel bucket list items and I just can’t seem to shake the feeling that I really must do this some day soon. Timing is critical of course. You have to choose a destination and a time when whales are active. I suppose BC is probably a consistent bet that way. But I am typically in BC for conferences and not for leisure. Then again there’s always Quebec and the Maritimes out East. I’d definitely love to spend more time there. For now this whale colouring page will do. whale_colouring_page_adult_printable One…

  • cruising_with_teens
    Travel

    How to Make Cruising with Teens Enjoyable For All

    May 7, 2018 - By 

    Cruising with teens is an entirely different animal than cruising with other adults or with young children. Teens are in a weird, in between stage of their lives where they aren’t really children anymore, but they aren’t yet adults either. What Makes Family Cruises with Older Kids Unique? This leads to a feeling of not belonging on some trips. They’re either too old to enjoy the rides, attractions, and programs that are geared towards the younger kids, or they’re too young to enjoy the adult activities. This can leave them feeling at a loss for what they can do, where…

  • stem_camp
    family

    STEM Camp – The Perfect Way for Kids to Spend the Summer

    May 2, 2018 - By 

    STEM Camp is an amazing way to keep the learning spark lit all summer. Over the years both of my kids have benefited from summer camp. Summer camp is a wonderful way to stay engaged and excited about learning even when school is out. And the social benefits of camp are strong too. Summer camps are a wonderful way for kids to mingle with their peers in a fun, safe environment, and STEM camp adds an extra layer to that experience. So what’s unique about this camp. Well, this is no indoor routine classroom setting. This camp offers a setting…

  • off_season_disney_world
    Travel

    Planning an Off-Season Disney World Vacation to Save You Money

    May 1, 2018 - By 

    Believe it or not Disney World doesn’t have to be expensive. One excellent way to enjoy all that Disney offers while still maintaining a budget is planning an off-season Disney World Vacation. Visiting your favorite Disney location on the off-season not only reduces the crowds, it also saves you money. Keep the following Disney travel tips in mind when planning the trip. You’ll probably save even MORE money… YAY! This is actually the only way we have ever done our trips to Disney. I am a deal hunter when it comes to planning affordable family vacations and I need to…

  • mothers_day_gift_guide
    Giveaways

    The Happiest Mother’s Day Gift Guide Yet

    April 30, 2018 - By 

    Mother’s Day is almost here which means it’s time for my Mother’s Day Gift Guide. This day can be a wonderful time to celebrate. But a lot of people have a terrible time trying to figure out what to gift their mom. You may know your mom very well, but the problem is she probably has a lot of things, so what’s a daughter (or son, as the case may be) to do? Don’t panic, I’ve got you covered with my Hallmark Mother’s Day Gift Guide this year. There’s a little something here for every kind of Mom and every…