Halloween evolved
Halloween has definitely evolved in our house over the years. It used to be that we made a pretty big deal of it. We’d carve pumpkins for everyone, then roast the seeds. We’d make some sort of homemade treat to hand
Playing with the adults
One of the coolest things about my kids getting bigger is that they can come and join me in my activities rather than always needing me to come and join them in what they’re doing. For example, everyone in our family
Chipotle sausage and potato hash recipe
Add a little heat to cool autumn breakfasts with this easy-to-make recipe courtesy of Tabasco. It’s filling and hearty enough to even add to your weeknight dinner rotation. Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 20 min Serves: 4 Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil 3
Mom Stuff
By Christine Davis Oxford Navy Chalk Paint by Annie Sloan This new addition to the Chalk Pain palette takes its name from Oxford University’s insignia. The deep inky blue is a great grounding colour in a playful palette or as part of
Feeding the family
Between my own children and the homestay students that our family is hosting, the dinner table at our house currently seats myself, my wife, my mother-in-law, and also five boys – aged 18, 17, 14, 12, and 8. Now, if you’ve
Cool Stuff
By Christine Davis Bogs Kids Neo-Classic boot Built with a proprietary seamless construction process, this is the most durable kids boot on the market. Not only is it lighter than most boots it’s also 100 per cent waterproof, warm and features
Making good manners cool again
By Sandi Schwartz Have you noticed that kids these days do not have the best manners? When I volunteer at my daughter’s school at lunchtime, I rarely hear the children saying please and thank you, although they are certainly not shy
Room for everyone and so much more
By Christine Davis The hunt for the ideal family vehicle is different for each family and at each stage. Ours has been content with a sedan and a small SUV since becoming a family of four, but as the kids grow
Art that is all about the making
By Meri Cherry As a working mom, I wanted some way to connect with my girls in the limited time we had together. With Process Art, I found my answer. In simple terms, Process Art is art that’s all about the
The Right Situation
Helping your kids be successful is in many instances about putting them into the kinds of situations that emphasize their strengths and compensate for their weaknesses. This is true in big ways, like when choosing high school classes. Why force your
Teach me
My youngest kid was up very early this morning, coming downstairs while I was still meditating. “Dad,” he said, poking his head through the doorway, “can you make me some scrambled eggs?” I told him that he was perfectly capable
Dropping the “n” word
My middle kid had the N-word dropped on him again yesterday (he’s had to put up with this at least once a year since he was school aged). This time he was playing basketball with a kid he’d never really
Deciding the Future
In less than a month my eldest will start high school, and I’m having some trouble wrapping my head around that. It’s not that I’m terribly worried about him. He’s a level-headed kid, with good friends, and lots of family support.
Dresden glasses are eye-deal
By Christine Davis Made entirely of recyclable, durable plastic, Dresden eyeglasses are now available in Canada. Sustainably made and super affordable, the concept came out of Australia when founders Bruce Jeffreys and Jason McDermott sought a solution for expensive frames and
Get groceries now
The arrival of a new baby is a thrilling time for mothers, but can be overwhelming, making simple, everyday tasks such as grocery shopping and cooking, a burden. To help ease the stresses of motherhood, Inabuggy, formerly InstaBuggy, offers a helping
Take in Toronto
By Christine Davis Playing tourist close to home is a fun take on a staycation that actually lets you leave your house. Toronto has plenty of family fun to offer – enough to keep you more than busy for at least a
Making a List
One of the things I’ve written about in this space before (and that I also talk about with parents all the time), is not just scheduling every minute of your kids’ summer, but allowing them unstructured time to hang out
Vacation Like A Kid
Remember those childhood summers, when you didn’t get up until noon, or when you got up before dawn to go fish down at the dock; when you spent the whole day just reading on the porch, or when you did
Learning Hospitality
Most weekends during the summer, if we’re in town, we invite a few friends over for a barbecue at our house. Things are usually pretty low key – we pick up a few drinks, throw some sausages on the grill,
