Hands down Fall is my favorite season. As a child, it was probably Summer, but in adulthood Fall represents much more. Perhaps it is partially because my birthday falls in September and with school starting, it feels like a new beginning. Plus how could you not love the beauty of the season with its cooler temperatures and vibrant colors with the leaves changing.
As a parent who recently started teaching again after having kids, I thought it may be of interest to know what goes on behind the school doors. You probably have a pretty good idea what your child is like after parenting them day in and day out, but what may surprise you, is that your little student acts a bit different in the classroom or around their peers. Read on to see what I observed as a mom, who also happens to be a Primary Teacher Librarian, that made me feel more content and validated as a parent.
As the summer break comes to an end, there was one item on my bucket list that I wanted to check off before the routine of September hits. While we don’t have a huge backyard at our Vancouver rental property, the size and layout bodes well for a movie night. And not surprisingly, when I told the kids that we were going to stay up late and eat popcorn and candy, while watching a movie outside, their minds were blown.
Recently, I was looking for another summer dessert option to offer guests at our Wedding Renewal Party (details on that monumental event to come). Since I already had chocolate and cookies covered, I figured a fresh fruit choice would be a necessary addition. And really, you can’t go wrong with whipped cream. But in true fashion, I ran out of time and wasn’t able to bake a cake to use. Enter a dessert hack I created unexpectedly, my one-Minute Strawberry Shortcake. You know I had to share when it turned out to be the most eaten dessert at the event.
One of our favorite summer traditions starts this weekend. Each August, the Fair at the PNE returns to Vancouver complete with entertaining shows, carnival rides and of course, yummy fair food. As a family we visit annually, as it coincides with my son’s birthday week. For the past several years, we have made a day of it and take in all the fun it has to offer. Read on to find out our Top 5 Fair moments and enter to win a 4-Pack of tickets for your family.
I consider myself lucky when my close friends allow me to help with their child’s birthday party. As lady Oprah once said, “the more you celebrate your life, there more there is in life to celebrate”. For me growing up and still to this day, I love a good celebration, especially when it is for a special kid. For a second year in a row, my close friend gave me free range on putting together a celebration for her daughter, who also happens to be my daughter’s BFF. Our girls have grown up together in the last couple years despite a 2 year age gap, they simply love being in each other’s company.
The heat index is rising here on the Westcoast and what a better time to share a fun little party I threw earlier this month to welcome the official start of Summer. The kids were finally off of school and it was time to celebrate the season of fun with a little get together with friends. With help from some fellow moms and party lovers, Hello Hoopla and Teeny Wish, the gathering was actually pretty easy to pull off (which was especially important, as I too, was coming off a hectic last month at school).
As a busy working mom of two who also tries to find a bit of time to blog and go to yoga, there isn’t a whole lot of extra time in my days. And while I am somewhat savvy when it comes technology, I am by no means close to utilizing technology to its fullest. Case in point, I am not a person that listens to podcasts, though it is something I want to start doing, as supposedly you can listen when you are doing other things (for a multi-tasking mama, that is always important). For instance, my husband listens to sporting and political podcasts regularly when he is in the car, when he is working out or even when he is completing a mindless task at work.
My family will tell you that I am all about gifting experiences for birthdays and holidays. Every year for my son’s birthday we take him to a local amusement park and for my husband’s Christmas present, I usually gift him tickets to concert or special event. I love the idea of making a memory together over gifting something they may or may not use long term.
Each Spring, our family participates in the RBC Race for the Kids supporting oncology and mental health initiatives at our local hospital, BC Children’s Hospital. If you have spent any time at the hospital, it is hard not to support the cause. It is home to some of the world’s best doctors and nurses, that care to deeply about making sick kids better. Of course, we have a close connection to it after spending almost a year there off and on while my son was going through this cancer treatments and regularly get to visit for check-ups. Each time I am there, I feel so blessed to live close by such a world class facility.