• text on grass and it spells out earth day crossword in grey
    Printables

    Earth Day Crossword Puzzle Printable

    April 21, 2015 - By 

    Earth Day is a great occasion to learn via this Earth Day Crossword Puzzle Printable. Earth Day is every April and this year, even more than those in the past, I feel like marking the occasion. I feel more passionate about climate change, the earth, and the environment with every passing year. Someone recently reminded me that when we talk about saving the environment we are really talking about saving people. The two go hand in hand. Our children seem to understand the need to protect the environment better than we ever did at that age. So, here’s an Earth Day…

  • chicken-udon
    Food

    Kid Approved Chicken Udon Noodles – Cooking With Kids

    April 20, 2015 - By 

    Chicken Udon Noodles to the rescue! As my children get older, time is even more precious and demands on time are somehow even greater than ever before. But eating meals together is still important. Sometimes as a family we battle finicky appetites and hormones. That can be challenging. Very honestly, I can tell you that my tween and teen were so much less picky when they were small. As toddlers they ate everything I gave them. I never ever heard: “What’s for dinner?” or “Can I just make myself a sandwich instead?”   So cooking can be more challenging than…

  • losing a pet
    family - parenting

    Farewell Hope The Guinea Pig – Losing a Pet

    April 14, 2015 - By 

    I know I am not supposed to have favourites but this little critter was my fave of all the guinea pigs. Hope was just a tiny little thing when we brought her home from the pet store. She was Payton’s guinea pig. She sadly passed away on Easter weekend. It was a really sudden event. Farewell Hope Losing someone or something you love is never easy. Losing a pet can be super sad for kids. My daughter was heartbroken. For those of you who remember we have had a slew of guinea pigs here at our house. The kids each…

  • Microsoft-summit-for-21st-century -learners
    family - parenting - special needs - Technology

    Microsoft Summit on 21st Century Learners – EVENT in Windsor, Ontario, April 11 Geared Towards Teachers

    April 9, 2015 - By 

    When I see educational opportunities like this Microsoft Summit on 21st Century Learners happening nearby in Windsor, Ontario I get excited, for several reasons. I am a parent of two children who are still in grade school. Digital kids. I arm both of my girls daily with technology at home and at school and I am abundantly aware of how they absorb media and how they learn. It’s radically different than how I learned 20 to 30 years ago.  Only 20 to 30 years ago we trotted off to school with books and pencils and paper. Now kids carry tablets,…

  • family - parenting

    Five Indoor Chores Most Kids Can Do and a Reward Chart Printable

    April 6, 2015 - By 

    Indoor chores are simple for any age. If your children are old enough to stand at the sink then they are also old enough to learn to help. There are many small simple indoor chores even toddlers can help with daily. The trick is making any job fun and encouraging them along the way. We have a few rules at our house. One of them is that we all strive to be respectful. That is a work in progress some days, because my kids are now 11 and 13 and they often argue a lot. But even when they do that…

  • Best-Three-Cheese Extra-Cheesy-Spaghettini-Bake
    family - Food

    Best Three Cheese Extra Cheesy Spaghettini Bake

    March 26, 2015 - By 

    This cheesy spaghettini bake is perfect for nights when you have no idea what to make. This recipe will be sure to delight everyone in the family. Best Three Cheese Extra Cheesy Spaghettini Bake Comfort Food Any Time of Year I know I’m not really still supposed to be making comfort food in the spring, right? But cheese!! Cheese makes me happy. So when I discovered Ivanhoe cheese is also made by Gaylea Foods, I thought I might give some a try and concoct a meal out of as much cheese as I wanted. We ended up with the best three…

  • 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…

  • family ski lessons
    active family travel - Travel

    Family Ski Lessons #WordlessWednesday #Tremblant #Travel

    March 11, 2015 - By 

    Well, if you already follow me on Instagram then you probably know what we’ve been up to. This past weekend we headed to Tremblant by plane, which was super fast and efficient by the way. Thanks very much Porter Airlines. Much to my surprise and enjoyment my kids began speaking French really well from the time we arrived at the airport. Our weekend was amazing and such a great chance to play together as a family. But more about that tomorrow. Stay tuned for the recap of the entire beautiful experience. I think this is another one that lends itself beautifully…

  • Best Friend Sisters
    family

    Best Friend Sisters #WordlessWednesday

    March 4, 2015 - By 

    This rarely happens anymore. They grow their own ways once they hit a certain age. Occasionally we come back together and circle round during summer months, or family vacations. This was unexpected the other day on the way to school. I had to take a picture. And yes it’s dark out these mornings. This is my Wordless Wednesday for the week.  

  • seven mouth-watering muffin recipes
    Food

    Seven Mouth-Watering Muffin Recipes

    March 4, 2015 - By 

    For years I lived on muffins. So easy to make and I loved all the various varieties of muffins out there. Now I eat them quite a lot less than I once did and that’s okay. You know how absence makes the hard grow fonder. Well, that’s kind of how I feel currently about muffins. Now, as far as my family is concerned – they can’t get enough muffins. So I need to have some easy and delicious muffin ideas on hand frequently. We are big fans of honey bran and carrot. Sometimes the old stand chocolate chip muffin recipes…