This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Goldfish Crackers. All opinions are 100% mine. My kids were nervous about going back to school this year. Up until this point back to school season has always been a time of excitement in our household, but this year both of my kids were far more anxious and scared than they were excited. It caught me off guard. I was … [Read more...]
Dinosaurs Alive at Canada’s Wonderland
A few years back I took my daughter on her first trip to Canada's Wonderland and she taught me a little bit about fun, about how the merry-go-round could be every bit as exciting as the thrilling roller coaster rides and about how wonderful it is to be able to experience an amusement park through your kid's eyes. During that trip, one of the highlights of our day was … [Read more...]
LAST CHANCE TO SEE: Magical Surprises in the Dragon Challenge Queue at Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Orlando
One of the very cool things that I missed on our first trip to Universal Orlando was the queue for the Dragon Challenge. I want to tell you guys about this amazing space in detail for two reasons. First, because I think it is an often overlooked ride and one that any Harry Potter fan would LOVE the experience of walking through. Secondly, this ride is scheduled to close for … [Read more...]
Nigel and the Knight Bus, a Magical Moment inside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
This is one of my daughters' most cherished memories of our visit to Universal Studios Florida. One rainy evening we stopped by to check out the Knight Bus and the conductor, a friendly chap named Nigel, chatted us up. The Knight Bus is a full sized triple decker bus sitting in the streets of London. just outside of Diagon Alley. It, of course, looks exactly like the … [Read more...]
Volcano Bay, Theming Behind Universal Orlando’s New Water THEME Park
I want to tell you about Volcano Bay. It's the new water park area that just opened up at Universal Orlando, and it looks pretty darn awesome (even to someone like myself who doesn't normally care for water parks). Actually, today I am out there somewhere exploring Volcano Bay, checking out the new water rides, and chilling in a cabana, but a little less than a year ago I … [Read more...]
Adventures in Raising a Junior Mad Scientist…
I have long suspected that I am raising some kind of Pinky and the Brain style mad genius. My youngest daughter has a, well, let's say a scientific bend. I also strongly suspect that if she knew that "taking over the world" could be a life goal, she would SO be on it. Gigi digs gears and cogs, robots, and things that whir and go. She wants to take everything apart and … [Read more...]
Sneak a Peek at the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium Gift Shop, at Universal City Walk Orlando
From the moment I set eyes on the new Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen, I knew I had to eat there. We stepped into Universal's City Walk area, and there was this giant whimsical factory-like building sitting there across the waterway, just begging to be explored. That first afternoon I convinced my family to walk over the bridge and take a look at … [Read more...]
A Visit to Ollivanders Wand Shop, at Universal Orlando’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter
One of the many magical moments to be experienced within Universal Orlando's magical Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a visit to Ollivanders where "the wand chooses the wizard". Even if you aren't planning on purchasing a wand, this short interactive experience is something you don't want to miss (and if you ARE planning on purchasing a wand for yourself, or say a … [Read more...]
Adjusting and Growing Our Family (with Netflix)
Everything is change and adjustment over here right now. A few weeks back we welcomed a fifth family member to our household, and not in any of the ways that may immediately spring to mind. We didn't get a pet, have a new baby, or adopt a child. Rather my husband's mom moved in with us. Having my mother-in-law move in with us has been an amazingly positive experience. Having … [Read more...]
Mom Guilt and the Magic of Childhood — Little is Enough
With Summer Break just starting I've been thinking back on how much I hated March Break this year. For about six years now, ever since my eldest first started school, I've watched on social media as other parents complained about summer break (or March break, or Christmas break, or whatever), saying how it drove them bats to have their kids home for x many days... but I just … [Read more...]
A Canadian Travelling to San Diego
San Diego, California’s beach city, welcomes Canadian visitors this summer with warm sunny weather—averaging 24°C during June through August—112 km of sparkling beaches, world-famous attractions, one-of-a-kind festivals and events, hot new restaurants and more. Many people are avoiding travel more than normal it seems. They watch the news and see it is a bit on the scary … [Read more...]
Legendary Obama Cookie at Moulin De Provence Bakery in Byward Market, Ottawa
"Obama Cookie" from Moulin De Provence in Ottawa. When I was in Ottawa last Spring I just HAD to do the touristy thing by visiting Moulin De Provence in the historic Byward Market to get an Obama Cookie. Apparently at one point Obama stopped by this bakery during a visit to Ottawa, bought one of these maple leaf shaped shortbread cookies, and said "I love this … [Read more...]
Three Tactics For Building Connections with Your Tween
Connecting with my tween-aged daughter is a top priority for me. I tell myself, almost daily, that if I can build strong connections with her now then maybe those teenage years won't be so bad. (Conversely, I also constantly tell myself, if I can't make it through a few eye rolls, the occasional "I hate you!" and the sporadic "you don't know anything" temper tantrums now, then … [Read more...]
Camp Jurassic Kid’s Playspace, One of the Hidden Gems of Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure
Camp Jurassic is a kids' playspace within the larger Jurassic Park section of Universal's Islands of Adventure. It would be easy to overlook, and in my mind, that's a mistake because this highly themed area is a ton of fun to explore. Camp Jurassic is off the main path. You head through an archway, over a bridge and past the line up for the Pteranodon Riders, to get to … [Read more...]
Going Where My Banjo Girl Takes Me…
I spent last weekend in Michigan at a Banjo convention. Now you may be thinking, "Hey I didn't know you were a banjo fanatic!" Yeah, well the thing is I'm not. I am not the teeniest tiniest bit into banjos. However, my nine year old daughter, who all evidence points towards having been swapped at birth, is. She is banjo obsessed and has been for years. Banjo is her … [Read more...]
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