• juvenile arthritis
    Health - parenting

    Juvenile Arthritis – What it Is and What it Does #health

    May 28, 2015 - By 

      This is the ankle that started it all for us. One of our daughters has had a limp for months and we’ve taken her to the doctor several times. We’ve determined nothing is broken or sprained. So we went to the hospital and had tests run last month. Numerous X-Rays showed nothing broken at all. But she limps and it isn’t getting better. So we are now moving on to more tests. Juvenile arthritis is one diagnosis specialists are looking at. This month we return to see if high doses of anti-inflammatory medicine have made a difference. This is…

  • period conversations
    family - Health - parenting

    Play ON with Playtex Sport Combo Packs – Preparing Your daughter for Her Period #PlayOnContest #PlayOnCa

    May 14, 2015 - By 

    At our house the activity rarely stops. I have sporty girls. This week my youngest will compete at a track and field meet, swim at swimming lessons, ride her horse at Sari therapy riding program, mentor little ninjas at martial arts and then she will spar, and do her own martial arts lessons. And she will run her little heart out playing with kids in our neighbourhood. And that’s just my one daughter, 11. My older daughter, 13, does most of that, with exception of the therapeutic horseback riding and she acts and sings and dances with a local theatre…

  • watermelon chunks in a deep blue bowl with spoon sticking out and set on the grass
    family - Food - parenting

    Best Melon Recipes

    April 24, 2015 - By 

    Nothing screams summer like ripe melon. Cantaloupe, honeydew, canary, watermelon. Such a sweet special treat that begs to be eaten outdoors. I personally enjoy all of the melon varieties. But my favourite is honeydew. Or maybe canteloupe. How about you? You will find one or two great new things to make with melon here on the best melon recipes roundup. Best Melon Recipes: I am pretty traditional with melon. When we eat it we typically just have it sliced or chunked, or placed in a fruit salad. I love the Melon White Chocolate Shortcake Parfait and the Watermelon salad in…

  • children's-allergies
    family - Health

    Allergy Symptoms – What to Look for in Children

    April 22, 2015 - By 

    If you child seems down all the time, has upper respiratory issues, or has chronic stomach issues, they could have allergies. If you suspect your child may have allergies, here are some common allergy symptoms to look for. It’s important to document any suspected allergy symptoms to have a better idea of whether or not your child does, in fact, have allergies.   Allergy Symptoms There are different allergies that have various allergy symptoms to watch out for. While this list of symptoms is in no way a substitute for a visit to the doctor, it is a way to…

  • family - Health - parenting

    Five Earth Day Facts You Probably Didn’t Know

    April 15, 2015 - By 

    Everyone should know a few Earth Day Facts. Climate change is a matter of great interest to many globally. We have been talking about the environment, the climate and Earth Day here for several weeks. One of my kids is working on an assignment that has an environmental component so this is top of mind. These Earth Day Facts are not well known to many, so they might be new to you too.   Five Earth Day Facts You Probably Didn’t Know Earth Day has been around for a long time, (the 70s) but it seems like it just started getting…

  • IVF funding in Ontario 2015
    family - Health - infertility

    One Year Later: Happy Anniversary to Infertility Patients And What is Happening with IVF Funding in Ontario 2015

    April 11, 2015 - By 

    One year ago so many infertility patients in Ontario breathed a huge sigh of relief. I remember ecstatic voices and many tears too. I remember this post from last year and the patient reactions. It was an exciting time to be involved in this advocacy effort striving to generate support and IVF funding for infertility patients in Ontario. When the announcement came I remember being here watching it all unfold on television. Right before an election was called. The election plunged everyone into a period of high activity, anxiety and nerves too. It was a roller coaster ride added to…

  • basketball
    family - Health - parenting

    Basketball #WordlessWednesday #Linky

    April 7, 2015 - By 

    I am the proud owner of a jock. It’s true. Never met a sport she didn’t like. No, strike that. Love. Straight As in phys ed all of her young life. Which makes me laugh because my phys ed marks were pretty much the only ones that were never As. So I signed her up for basketball. And she loves it. I enjoy watching her play sometimes. Mostly I just enjoy seeing her do something she is good at that she also loves. My jock. This is a Wordless Wednesday post. Go ahead and link up and don’t forget to…

  • sex-education-curriculum-Ontario
    family - Health - infertility - parenting

    Should Sex Education Curriculum in Ontario Also Include Infertility and Fertility?

    March 23, 2015 - By 

    Starting in September 2015, Ontario’s schools are working with a new updated sex education curriculum. I am happy to hear that the new Ontario school sex education curriculum will include topics such as transgendered people, homosexuality, sexting and consent. This conversation inside a school might make kids a bit squeamish while sitting through it, but it’s important for life. One morning before school this month, my daughter and I had an open conversation about transgendered people. She legitimately wanted to know something about someone she met while travelling one weekend to Mont Tremblant, Quebec, where we learned to ski. “Mom,” she asked,…

  • Printable-fruit-and-vegetable-journal
    family - Food - Health - parenting

    Are Your Getting Enough Fruits and Veggies? Printable Fruit and Vegetable Journal

    March 19, 2015 - By 

    Healthy eating and healthy living is a constant goal here. We each exercise a lot and we are a very active family in my opinion. In fact my kids are involved in many sports and we try to balance that out by building in our own sports and fitness goals and activities too. One area where we all need help though is eating. We strive to include enough fruits and vegetables daily, but don’t always get there.   Eating well can be challenging for any family. There is always room for improvement. I have a brutal sweet tooth that is…

  • why we vaccinate
    adoption and tweens - Health - Parenting

    Why I Protect My Family With Vaccines #ONVaccine

    March 16, 2015 - By 

      Maybe it’s because it took almost forever to become a parent that I feel so strongly about holding my kids close and protecting them from illness, accidents and harm. Maybe it’s because I have a compromised immune system myself. I have Crohn’s Disease, an autoimmune disorder. I know I can’t afford to get ill. When I get sick, I have a much higher likelihood of ending up hospitalized than your average Mom does. Maybe it’s because our babies, both adopted as infants, needed more health care, more nurturing, support, and security, because circumstances of their birth were not what…