Last night on CHEX Daily I chatted with hosts Teresa Kaszuba and Mike Judson about three non-academic areas you can focus on to make sure your child is really ready to head back to school (or head to school for the very first time): prioritizing sleep, building independence and easing jitters – theirs and maybe […] Read more…
Niagara Fun Day 2: Oh Canada, Eh? Dinner Theatre and Clifton Hill
On our second day in Niagara Falls, we enjoyed a leisurely buffet breakfast at our hotel, Courtyard Marriott, and then took a short walk to Clifton Hill, the hub of cheesy tourist action! The girls were very excited about their first visit to a wax museum, which was Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks. (The kind lady working […] Read more…
Kate’s Favourite Things – August 2015
I have a jam-packed edition of Kate’s Favourite Things for you this month, because when I’m on holidays I have the time to soak a lot up – especially books! To save time and space, I’ll spare you a personal review of each book (I’m linking to Chapters so you can find them), but rest […] Read more…
Behind-the-Scenes with Alan Carter and Farah Nasser: The New Global News Hour Duo
Soon after Global named Alan Carter and Farah Nasser as the new anchor duo for their Toronto News Hour (replacing Leslie Roberts, who had been solo on the desk), I received an email inviting me to come and visit the show. My readers know that as a broadcast journalism junkie I couldn’t possibly say no […] Read more…
Tom Cruise at the Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation Premiere in Toronto
Last night I was excited to attend the premiere of Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation (the fifth MI installment) at the Scotiabank Cineplex Theatre in Toronto. Even better: Tom Cruise and director Chris McQuarrie were there, and did Q & A after the movie! (Yes, I know there are Cruise naysayers out there, but Scientology isn’t […] Read more…
Scott McGillivray Launches Digital Series “Good To Grow” on YouTube
Scott McGillivray, real estate and renovation expert and the host of the top-rated HGTV show, Income Property, has launched his first digital series, “Good to Grow,” on YouTube. “Good to Grow”is a 16 episode series that follows McGillivray as he and his family prepare, plant, and harvest their fourth-annual organic vegetable garden. McGillivray and his wife Sabrina share their passion […] Read more…
Help Me Out, Win a $25 Tim Hortons Gift Card!
Hello, lovely reader! Yes, I’m talking to you! I’m working on an exciting new project (more details to come) and I need some reader input – in fact, as much as possible – from Canadian parents of school-aged children. If you fit the bill and you would be so kind as to answer the questions […] Read more…
My Stay-Slim Secrets! (Don’t judge a post by its title)
Come on, admit it. You’re not interested in my fun family travel stories. You haven’t visited for any of my educational expertise. My celebrity interviews? Meh. I can appear on national television and you don’t bother to click. But: WEIGHT LOSS! Now you’re here. I know one actress who laments the fact that no matter […] Read more…
Fun and Easy Summer Learning Ideas
In my latest post for Oxford Learning, I’m sharing some easy tips for holiday brain boosting – no textbooks or worksheets required! The list includes reading (with a link to popular family read-alouds), writing, math and questioning. Just because I’m a teacher, that doesn’t mean my kids are overworked on holidays. I’m an admitted screen-lover […] Read more…
Help Your Kids “Measure” Up This Summer
…and by “measure” up, I mean help reinforce measurement skills this summer. It’s so easy, and the kids won’t even know they’re doing math! In my latest CHEX Daily segment (just days before my first anniversary as a guest on the show) I chat with hosts Teresa Kaszuba and Mike Judson about all of the […] Read more…