The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios is broken into three areas -- there is a small slice of London, England (complete with Kings Cross Station and Platform 9 3/4s), then there are the shops of Diagon Alley (including Gringott's and the Leaky Cauldron), and just off of Diagon Alley you'll find the perpetually dark twists and turns of Knockturn Alley. If … [Read more...]
Over 220 Cartoons and Kids Shows to Watch in French on Netflix – UPDATED LIST, March 2019
My children are in a French Immersion school, which means eighty-some-percent of the day they are taught in French. My own French is not exactly stellar. I mean I have the basic "I learned this in grade school because I am Canadian" level of French, which my kids, who are in 1st and 4th grade, are already surpassing. Yesterday I was doing the dishes with my seven year old, … [Read more...]
Why You Want to Buy a Wand When Visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando
If you are wondering "Is buying a wand worth it?", "Do I need a wand to visit Harry Potter world?" or "Do I want to buy a wand before visiting the Wizarding World at Universal?" I've got answers for you (briefly; yes, maybe, and no -- buy your wand at the park!) If you are spending the day wandering around Diagon Alley at Universal Studios or in Hogsmeade within Islands … [Read more...]
In What Order Should I Watch Dreamworks Dragons?
My girls have spent the past month watching, (and rewatching) the Netflix exclusive How to Train Your Dragon series, Dragons: Race to the Edge. There is a bit of a Dreamworks Dragons obsession in our household. My kids can't wait to see How to Train Your Dragon 3, which was just released on DVD on May 2st. With the release of How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, now … [Read more...]
My Life as a Sandwich… #SandwichGeneration
I'm part of the Sandwich Generation. Sandwich Generation. What a quaint term. Until quite recently it's not something that I thought applied to me. But now, blam, here it is, I am part of a multigenerational sandwich. A sandwich, something tasty and quick you serve up for lunch. What I pack into my kids' school bags every Monday to Friday. Pack I think is the key word … [Read more...]
How to Raise Your Child to be Bilingual
Speaking multiple languages in an increasingly globalized world provides an incredible advantage for students, children and adults working, studying or travelling abroad. For this reason, many parents are eager to develop a fluency of at least one other language in their child. Here are a few tips and tricks on how you can raise your child to be fluent in multiple … [Read more...]
Waterproof Adventures with the VTech Kidizoom Action Cam 180
I was offered a Kidizoom Action Cam 180 to review and I immediately said yes. I wanted the Kidizoom camera because it was waterproof and we had a big family trip to Orlando coming up. I wanted it badly enough that when I realized it wouldn't arrive in time for our trip, I ran out to Walmart and bought one. I wanted it because the camera was waterproof and we were planning on … [Read more...]
DIY Meeple Valentines for Board Gamers
The other day I posted a dozen meeple Valentines. Today I offer you a bunch more board game Valentine's Day images, with one big difference. These are all wordless. Ready for you to add whatever witty, romantic or cheesy Valentine's Day quip you like. Feel free to use these images to create your own Valentine's Day cards, to print … [Read more...]
Valentine’s Day Cards for Board Game Lovers
Ok guys, I've got something a little oddball to share with you today; meeple Valentine's for board gamers! I play board games. Often. Lots of them. I also like geeky, quirky, or retro Valentines. I decided it would be fun to take a bunch of board game pieces, shoot some photos and turn them into cheesy Valentine's Day cards. Like these, for example: It's … [Read more...]
Quotes for a Blue Monday
Blue Monday, the third Monday of the month of January, is considered by some to be, statistically speaking, the most depressing day of the year. It's cold and grey out, the holidays are long gone, the next official break seems, much like spring, to be approximately a million years away. Perhaps, like me, you feel in need of a little inspiration. So here are four quotes to … [Read more...]
New Year, New #MoneyResolutions with @TangerineBank — #TwitterPartyAlert
Disclosure: This is a partnered post with Tangerine Bank. As always, my words and opinions are my own. The start of the new year is for many the time for resolutions. Now, I've never been big on resolutions, but there is something about the New Year that can't help but give you a feeling of a fresh start. Hope is lingering in the air. It feels like everywhere you look where … [Read more...]
Surprise + Shine Collection, Canadian Subscription Box for Girls
EDIT: Surprise & Shine is no longer accepting orders for new boxes. I suspect they may have closed the business, but have yet to confirm. Surprise & Shine Collection is a new subscription box for kids. It's aimed at girls ages 5 to 12, and if my daughters' reactions are any indication the goodies inside are right on target. Disclosure: I was given a Surprise & … [Read more...]
It’s time to write to Santa, with free letter template and stationery printables.
I love sitting down with the kids and writing letters to Santa. I love the part where they get to practice their penmanship and learn basic letter writing skills. I love the wacky things they come up with when they are writing. And I love the part where it "locks in" their Christmas wishlist (sorry kiddo, you already sent your letter off to Santa asking for X, you can't change … [Read more...]
7 Fun Ways to Pass on Your Family History
Your family history is something unique to you. There are so many ways you can record and share your family history, but to help, I’ve narrowed it down to seven simple ways to get started. Everyone in your family can participate and I hope that these will inspire you to share your family history in a creative and fun way. Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Seasons … [Read more...]
Map Out When Your Brain is at It’s Best, Just By Playing Games
So I discovered something a little zany while playing one of my favourite time wasters. I think I've come up with a way to map out when your brain is at it's best, just by playing games. Yep, I am saying that you can play games on your cell phone to figure out when you're at your smartest. Wordament is one of my favourite game apps, one of the ones I play almost daily … [Read more...]