I remember being given relationship advice from some older women, back when I was in my 20s. My mom, my aunt, the older ladies at work, they all said variations on the same thing, "Don't marry a man expecting him to change." I mean, I understand the advice they were trying to impart. If some part of your relationship wasn't working then marriage wasn't going to change that. … [Read more...]
Puerto Vallarta, Go For The Food…
Go for the food. Oh my goodness, go for the food. The food in Puerto Vallarta was consistently amazing. This was the first thing I ate after landing, lunch at the CasaMagna Marriott Resort (which has since been renamed to Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa) at their beachside restaurant, Las Casitas. For the location alone the meal was noteworthy. Las Casitas is open to … [Read more...]
Lagging Skills and Parenting in Limbo, Our Search for a Diagnosis
I wrote about how we've been parenting in limbo over here, waiting for a diagnosis for my kinda-sorta-maybe special needs kid. Well, this is part one in the story of our search for that diagnosis... Lagging skills. That's the term they used to describe my girl when we took her to the first round of specialists. She doesn't understand boundaries. She doesn't give other people … [Read more...]
My Kid Has Special Needs, Sorta, Maybe
I am a pretty open book on this blog. I tell you guys a lot about my life and the lives of my family, but a large chunk that I've left out is how one of my kids has special needs. Maybe. Kinda. Sorta. See, I haven't said anything because we don't have a diagnosis. For several years now I've suspected that my youngest daughter is something. I've thought that maybe she was on … [Read more...]
The 7 Best Kept Secrets of Toronto ComiCon
You probably already know that the Toronto ComiCon is an awesome place to meet your favourite comic book creator and get an autograph. You also probably know that the Toronto ComiCon is a fantastic place to go shopping for geeky goodies. And you probably already know that it's a great place to meet some of your favourite sci-fi and fantasy film and TV stars live and in … [Read more...]
Knockturn Alley, The Dark (and Spooky) Side of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
What Lessons Can We Learn From Fairy Tales?
Fairy tales, in their telling, have long been a source of fond memories between parent and child. Many have inspired countless movies and toys, providing countless hours of entertainment and nostalgia. Given how widely known these stories are, it’s not surprising that numerous life lessons can be drawn from their tellings, many of which have helped children the world over as … [Read more...]
Reorganzing When Your MIL Moves In, Or Life as a Sandwich
Reorganizing your home after an elderly parent or in-law moves in can be challenging. I mean, I think I know now why they call this whole caring for elderly parents thing the Sandwich Generation. It's because you are squished flat, underneath piles of STUFF. See, a little over a year ago my mother-in-law moved in with us. For a long while, she had been focused on taking … [Read more...]
The Porter Difference, What the heck is that exactly?
I love riding on the train. I adore riding on the train. I will jump at any excuse to take the four hour Via Rail ride to Toronto. Four hours of sitting in a cozy seat, with wifi, coffee, and a lovely view out the window. Sometimes I splurge and go business class, sometimes I ride economy, either way, I always love riding on the train. There have been times when I’ve been … [Read more...]
Summertime Travel, Tips to Save Money During Family Travel
Travel is my addiction. I love hitting the road, whether it's a day trip to the county or a train trip to Toronto, travel is my favourite thing. The depressing reality is that travel can be expensive, particularly when you start packing up the entire family for a big getaway. I love to find ways to save on travel so that I can squeeze a few more trips into the year. Some … [Read more...]
Secret Confession: I Have Beach Guilt
I've brought my kids on a family vacation to Florida twice now. Twice we've visited Orlando as a family. And I'm finding that I feel oddly guilty about it. See, when I was a kid we would visit Florida and stay with relatives. We'd fly down, or drive (24 hours straight, my dad was hardcore) to Bradenton, or Sarasota, stay for a week or two and head home. We chilled. A lot. We … [Read more...]