St. Andrews, NB:  Starfish, Seals and Seaside Fun!

Posted on by allywithkids

It was the end of July and we were deep into the dog days of summer. Our original summer plans were rescheduled and we were getting antsy to strike out and find some adventure. I pulled out the Google box and started to search for somewhere to explore with the kids. I came across the town of St. Andrews in New Brunswick which billed itself as “Canada’s Premier Seaside Resort”. After perusing their site I quickly decided that this is where we would go. It was only 13 hours from our door and seemed super family friendly.

Continue reading “St. Andrews, NB:  Starfish, Seals and Seaside Fun!” →

Cape D’Or: Rugged and Unplugged

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We were able to sneak away for a last minute escape to Lockeport, Nova Scotia this Spring. On our way back home to Ontario, we had the chance to make a couple of stops.

Like every 5 year old I’ve ever known, my little guy loves all things dinosaur, so we headed to the Fundy Geological Museum and Joggins Cliffs Fossil Centre. While looking for a place to stay in between the two, a few spots popped up including the Cape D’Or Lighthouse in Advocate Harbour. I’m a certified lighthouse junkie and staying at a lighthouse has long been on my bucket list.

Continue reading “Cape D’Or: Rugged and Unplugged” →

Springtime in PEI: Province of Endless Imagination

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“It’s delightful when your imaginations come true, isn’t it?”
– L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

We were able to make a last minute escape to Nova Scotia this past April and since the opportunity was there I wanted to make a couple of stops on the way back home to Ontario. I was on the fence about making the detour to Prince Edward Island but I am so grateful that we did.

I took a leap and booked a room at Dalvay-by-the Sea. It’s long been a dream of mine to be a guest at the “White Sands”.

Continue reading “Springtime in PEI: Province of Endless Imagination” →

Maple Fun at MapleFest!

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Wandering around a Maple Syrup festival is about as “Canadian” as, well…a Maple Syrup festival.

We took advantage of one of the first warm and sunny days of the year and ventured out to Maple Fest at McLean Berry Farm in Buckhorn, Ontario. The sun, nature and exercise are exactly what our family needed after a long winter. While we have managed to spend more time outdoors this year, I’ll still be pretty happy to give the old man Winter the old heave ho.

Continue reading “Maple Fun at MapleFest!” →

Niagara Falls: Just How Do They Light Up The Falls?

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The Illumination of Niagara Falls has been amazing visitors for more than a century.  Each time we are there, my husband and I sit in our hotel room, looking out onto the falls and hypothesize how it all works.  Are the lights behind it?  In front?  It is automated?  How many lights?  How did it start? Continue reading “Niagara Falls: Just How Do They Light Up The Falls?” →

The Beauty and the Brrrr: 5 Niagara Falls Attractions for Your Family This Winter

Posted on by allywithkids

My name is Allison and I unintentionally lie to my husband and children every November, without fail.

Allow me to set the scene.  It’s mid-November, the leaves have all fallen off of the trees, the days are shorter and getting greyer by the second.  I grab my giant cup of coffee and proudly announce that this-this is the year I am going to enjoy winter!  We’re going to learn to snowshoe and cross-country ski and enjoy all of the parks that are open around us.  Then, before I know it it’s mid-January and I’m spending my spare moments wrapped in my Snuggie, Continue reading “The Beauty and the Brrrr: 5 Niagara Falls Attractions for Your Family This Winter” →

Kids CanLit for Christmas! Explore Canada With Your Little Readers Through These Sweet Books

Posted on by allywithkids

In the words of everybody’s favourite medical professional, Dr. Seuss

“You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child.”

My mother was an elementary school teacher with a great love for children’s books.  I so fondly recall crawling up on to her lap in the giant, wooden rocking chair while we uncovered the latest adventures of Curious George and Amelia Bedelia.

Lucky for us Canada also has a long list of entertaining and engaging children’s literature to broaden the imagination of our nation’s youngest readers. There is no feeling quite like Continue reading “Kids CanLit for Christmas! Explore Canada With Your Little Readers Through These Sweet Books” →

OH CANADA! 7 Reasons For You To Explore The Great White North

Posted on by allywithkids

Canada is truly free.  That’s not just a word that we throw around, it really is the true north, strong and free!  Canada was actually named the “Most Free Country on Earth” in 2015.  One of the reasons was because 94% of Canadians believe they have the freedom to choose the course of their own lives.  The current Canadian Cabinet members are equally divided between men and women, along with many different cultures because we see the value of each group of citizens being represented. Our previous Governor General, Michaëlle Jean was not only a woman, she was a Haitian refugee. Our Minister of Defense is Sikh.  Many Members of Parliament are immigrants from countries such as Trinidad and Tobago, India, the United States, England and Switzerland. Immigrants are encouraged to share the traditions and stories from their homeland.  This leads to great understanding and compassion along with yummy food and festivals.  There are so many other reasons to list as well including the fact that Continue reading “OH CANADA! 7 Reasons For You To Explore The Great White North” →

PUMPKINFEST! Fun on the Farm for the Entire Family!

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Buckhorn & Lakefield, Ontario:

PUMPKINFEST!  Two Words:  Pumpkin.  Cannon.

About 40 minutes North-ish of Peterborough, Ontario lies the itsy bitsy village of Buckhorn.  We’ve been to the area several times to eat delectable Chinese food at the Cody Inn, inhale a Kawartha Hoagie at Mainsreet Landing or to Pizza Alloro for the most interesting and mouthwatering pizza I’ve ever had. Continue reading “PUMPKINFEST! Fun on the Farm for the Entire Family!” →

The Best Laid Plans (of a Cloth Diapering Mama) Often Go Awry

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Dear Drought of 2016:  You win.

Sincerely,

Cloth Diapers

We cloth diaper.  There, I said it.  Now that it’s out there I’ll explain a little bit why.  We love the Earth and try to conserve resources where we can, but are not environmental activists by any stretch of the imagination.  I try to buy organic fruits and veggies, but only Continue reading “The Best Laid Plans (of a Cloth Diapering Mama) Often Go Awry” →