• parenting

    Summer Lessons 2026: You Don’t Need to Earn Rest

    September 16, 2026 - By 

    This summer I was driving to the beach to go camping when one of my young adult kids hit me with a life update that sent me reeling and made me incredibly angry. Like cartoon plumes of smoke coming out my ears mad.  Parenting Young Adults is Also Hard When your kids are newborns you think this is the hardest stage, the most enjoyable but also the hardest. Then they turn one and you think wow I did it and the next hard thing occurs and the toddler stage is a challenge but the threes will be simple, right? AND…

  • parenting

    All Canadian Games to Play on a Rainy Day

    September 10, 2026 - By 

    This August and September so far has seen its fair share of rainy days. You know where it is not fun to be when it is rainy? The cottage! Generally speaking a cottage is a smallish space where you share bedrooms. Unless you are super wealthy and have one of those McMansion cottages that celebrities are always renting in Muskoka, your space is at a premium. The goal is to be outside. Unless you are sleeping, you are outside enjoying the gorgeous beaches, trails and forests. So what do you do if it rains for hours or even days at…

  • parenting

    Comfortable Lightweight Shoes for Everyday Moments

    September 8, 2026 - By 

    We are loving all of the new lightweight shoes in stores lately. Why is that? Well summer and fall are active seasons for our shoes. These days, we are out walking, hiking and camping and in fact we generally just live outside as much as possible. Lightweight shoes that are easy on and easy off make a difference to how fast we get outside and they are just so much easier in general. I received product for consideration here. My opinion is all my own and it is truthful. Post may contain affiliate links as well. I mean we are…

  • Printables

    Learning to Read and Find the Verb Task Cards

    September 3, 2026 - By 

    It’s no secret to most of you that I love languages and reading and the written word. Language arts, as they used to call it at my school when I was growing up, was the subject I excelled at and couldn’t get enough of. Even still, I am the person lining up to get all the books at the library. Find the verb task cards is one tool that can help kids identify parts of speech. Are you a Reader Too? My holds list is almost always full of three books at a time and my to read bucket list…

  • little girl counting dollar bills beside a white piggy bank and her mom is helping her looking intensely at the dollar bills. Closet behind them and they are dressed in light clothing. Girl has denim top on and her mom has a short sleeved white and navy striped top. Navy stripes are thin
    Printables

    Comparing Numbers Task Cards

    August 28, 2026 - By 

    We all probably recognize that math can be a hard task to master. But comparing numbers is a fun little subject on its own inside of the standard math curriculum that every single child who attends school will have to learn at some point. Comparing numbers task cards activity is an easy way to commit this greater than or less than concept to memory. Why Do We Learn This? Learning to compare numbers is a foundational mathematical skill that builds number sense. This is important for so many reasons but mostly because it shifts mathematical understanding and learning into a…

  • Travel

    What to Expect at Stonehenge

    August 25, 2026 - By 

    When my oldest daughter Payton graduated this year from university with her undergraduate degree, I knew we had to plan an epic adventure together to mark the occasion. Since we loved Scotland so much last fall during Reading Week, we decided London would be logical and it just made sense. We still had our UK electronic travel visas, because they are valid for two years from the time you receive approval. Beyond that, we were both dying to see a few unique landmarks like Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and Stonehenge. So we were off to the UK again! Our Unforgettable…

  • Travel

    10 Budget-Friendly Day Trips in Southern Ontario

    August 15, 2026 - By 

    This summer, as we explore, we are doing so close to home camping and embracing budget-friendly day trips in southern Ontario. We are so lucky with so many great beaches and day trips in a short drive. WE will be camping and finding fun adventures together when time permits. become exceptionally resourceful at finding opportunity near London Ontario. I mean ever since the pandemic of 2020, we have come to value day trips even more. We perfected day trips from 2020 to 2022. In fact I have a post about that very thing. Iconic Day Trips it’s called. Rediscovering Local…

  • family

    Going The Distance with KURU’s New Wide Runners

    August 7, 2026 - By 

    My husband Jim is gearing up for a massive martial arts grading later this year. After years of practice and competitions and trying to eat right, this last stretch is near, but it is also the hardest. Now he needs to level up, start running occasionally and continue with a minimum of three big workouts a week. We were gifted KURU ATOM 2 extra wide sneakers for consideration here. I genuinely love this brand so much that I wanted to share our experience as a service to readers. My opinion is my own and it is honest. So, we’ve been…

  • camping and trees stretching into a lake
    Printables

    Camping I Spy Game

    July 31, 2026 - By 

    It’s no secret we love camping. It is one of our favourite ways to disconnect and just touch grass. Good for my mental and physical health not to mention my whole family’s mental health. Post may contain affiliate links as a service to readers. Qualifying purchases mean a small commission for me at no cost to you. The Joys of Camping Nothing beats the feeling of gathering around a campfire. It’s the perfect way to hit the pause button on a busy week and enjoy some quality time in nature. Whether you are experienced campers or just starting out, there’s…

  • Printables

    The Art of the Fresh Start: Free Butterfly Chic Planner

    April 28, 2026 - By 

    There is something inherently restorative about a blank page. Whether it’s the first of January, the start of a new school year, or just a particularly chaotic Tuesday morning, the act of sitting down with a pen and a plan feels like taking a deep, centering breath. For me, staying organized isn’t just about ticking boxes or meeting deadlines—it’s about reclaiming mental space. When the schedule is swirling around in my head, it feels like heavy static; once it’s on paper, it’s a list of manageable steps. Intentional Planning We all have those seasons where life feels like it’s moving…