going the extra mile

One of my favourite family activities is to go for a family walk: on the trails, to the dog park or just around the cottage.  Not only does it give us the opportunity to get some exercise while enjoying our natural surroundings and breathe the fresh air, we’re not running from place to place…slowing down enough to connect with the kids.  Our walks gives us time with no pressure or restrictions, so we can talk to each other about anything, both big and small. Whether we’re observing how the seasons change around us, or confiding our big aspirations of making the world a better place, with our own dreams and visions.

According to a national opinion poll, conducted by the SickKids Foundation, 73% of Canadians believe that children’s lifestyles are not as healthy today as compared to their own youth.

I’m probably part of that statistic. As it becomes more and more difficult to compete with digital distractions, sometimes I find as parents, we have to go that extra mile to find opportunities that allow us to just be with each other…time to talk, observe and participate in something healthy together, both physically and mentally.

Last September, our family participated in a unique fundraising event that encouraged all ages to participate in (what is normally reserved for adults) a family type “walk-a-thon”. The Canaccord Genuity Great Camp Adventure Walk to benefit SickKids was an amazing opportunity to take part in a family adventure that not only fed our body…but also fed our soul.

Looking back at that day, not only did my husband and I show a good example of challenging ourselves physically to participate in the full 20km walk (which was not mandatory…you can choose to do 5 or 10kms or complete the whole 20km route), the kids learned that it helps our spirit by helping others…by supporting SickKids and helping improve the health of children nationwide. Knowing we were helping others gave them the determination to keep walking to reach the finish line.

Although we were part of a team of families who worked together to raise money for this cause, we felt like were a part of a larger family consisting of thousands of walkers who were united for a common goal. Everyone cheered each other on, especially during that last final stretch of the route.  Cars that drove by honked in support. There were perfectly thought-out, family friendly stops along the route: fun-filled “campsites” that either entertained the kids with games and activities (where they earned badges for each activity they participated in), or provided a reprieve (for the adults)…a little break to nourish with food, drink or rest.

$1.3 million dollars was raised.  After crossing the finish line, not only did the kids feel accomplished achieving their own physical fitness goals (completing the 20km walk), they also felt rewarded, knowing that their contributions really made a difference.

My kids learned that although the journey may sometimes be long and difficult, nothing beats that great feeling when you stay determined to reach your goals, because you will get to your destination if you keep moving forward…and go that extra mile.

This September 27, 2014, join The Canaccord Genuity Great Camp Adventure Walk to benefit SickKids.  Register at www.WalkforSickKids.ca as an individual participant or as part of a team and all your fundraising efforts will go to support The Hospital for Sick Children.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WalkforSickKids
Twitter: @WalkforSickKids
Hashtag: #WalkforSickKids

{Disclaimer} This post was brought to you by The SickKids Foundation, however the opinions and images are my own. For more information please visit www.walkforsickkids.ca.

bringing curly back

When my daughter was just a toddler, I let her hair grow long…it was unspoiled, natural and so beautiful.  So when she had that “first haircut” just before starting school, although it was a cherished "first" memory, we lost a little something that day...her glorious, long spiral curls! (we see hints of it’s return every time we go to a beach...she naturally gets those gorgeous "beach wave curls" ~ lucky girl!).

These are her natural spiral curls (pre-first haircut)

In preparation for a school performance last week, while other girls in her class were brushing their hair straight, my daughter was curling hers around her fingers. She said she wished her hair looked like it did while we were in St. Lucia. (I think she misses the beach!)

When I used to work on film sets, I learned a few hair tricks from celebrity stylists on ways to create curls or volume without damaging the hair with hot curling irons. So I was eager to "bring curly back" for my daughter, without damaging her hair.   I went to my local Beauty Supply Outlet, a one-stop beauty supply store with employees who offer expert advice, for some some guidance and tools of the trade.

I wanted to ensure my daughter’s hair was protected, even if I was going to use very little heat, and conveniently there were lots of top brands to choose from for heat protectants (CHI, Rusk and Biosilk make the best ones in the market, according to top beauty magazines).  Another customer overheard my concern and said she swears by the CHI Silk Infusion and remarked that she found the best prices in the city right in this store, especially during their Red Hot Deals specials (good to know for my next beauty haul!)

BEFORE:  Her current silky hair in it's natural state.

When I got home, my daughter was eager to try out these new rollers, so we started with the Velcro ones (the salon quality ones by Dannyco), since it is recommended for use in dry hair.  I lightly massaged some heat protectant in the palms of my hands, coated my daughter’s hair, and then began our experiment.

AFTER:  VOLUMINOUS HAIR
Instructions:  1.  Brush the hair and separate into 2 inch wide sections. 2.  Coat the hair with a heat protectant.  (CHI, RUSK or Biosilk make good ones).  3.  From the bottom of the hair, gently roll the Velcro roller to the scalp.  4.  Using a blow dryer, heat the Velcro rollers (I used the cool/warm setting as I was afraid to burn her scalp.  However, you can also use hair spray and the hot temperature to make the curl last longer). The heat allows the hair follicles to expand which helps the curl last longer.  5.  Let the hair cool, then remove the rollers.

Although the Velcro rollers didn’t give her spiral curls, when brushed out, it created a lot of volume (I think I’ve found something that is good for me!).

That evening, after her shower, I put heat protectant in her hair again, and this time we tried the sponge rollers (by Dannyco, they look like those long rods you see in the salons).

AFTER:  SPIRAL CURLS
Instructions:  1.  Have your hair washed and dried so the hair is slightly damp.  2.  Brush out the hair.  2.  Section 2” of hair and place the sponge rod half way from the head.  3.   Wind the bottom of the hair around the rod.  4.  Roll the rod towards the scalp.  5.  Once you reach the roots, fold the two ends of the together. 6.  Dry the hair (with a diffuser) or sleep with it over night. (hairspray before drying if you’re going out afterwards). 7.  Gently unroll to remove the sponge rollers/rods.  

I think we found our solution.  The sponge rods created beautiful spiral curls without damaging her hair.  When my daughter saw the results, her face lit up.  As I watched her smile and pose in front of the mirror, for a brief moment it seemed like she was transported back to the beach with her “beach wave curls”.

And for a brief moment, I too, was transported back to when she first had those baby curls, and I smiled knowing that she is still that little girl…unspoiled, natural and so beautiful.



This post was brought to you by The Beauty Supply Outlet. The opinions and images expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of the Beauty Supply Outlet. For more information, sign up for their eNewsletter to hear about the latest Red Hot Deals and new products at thebso.com .

start learning chinese

When I was a preteen, I remember going to "Chinese school"  to learn the language.  At the time, there were no innovative methods to teach or learn, and many Saturday afternoons were spent with friends reading "Tween" magazines, drooling over the latest rock star (Duran Duran was the choice of the day) in the back of the class while a teacher speaking very little English hoped we were going to learn the Chinese language by osmosis.  I'm not sure if there was much value in those classes.

Education in general, has made some revolutionary changes, from iPads in elementary school classrooms to Mooc's (Massive Online Open Courses) that teach university level subjects.  Now more than ever, learning things like a new language or how to cook bok choy is available at your fingertips.

Recently I was introduced to an app called Learn With Miao Miao, that teaches preschoolers basic Chinese words and thought this would be a great opportunity for my kids to learn Chinese while having fun.

The app was easy to use since my daughter intuitively knew to tap on the Chinese characters (the written form of the words) and watch it come to life, becoming animated objects that look like the words they represented.  This, I thought, was really cool...and I finally saw the correlation between the pictures and words, and it actually helped ME to recognize Chinese characters!  Something I never learned in those classes.

“Some people don't realize how many Chinese characters are based on pictures, but it is actually an age-old way for Chinese children to learn to read,” says Leo Yu He, the producer for all the Miaomiao games and television programs.

Although   Learn with Miao Miao  isn't set up to teach complete fluency in Chinese (it's geared toward preschoolers), it is a great start for young children.  This app DID accomplish sparking an interest in my kids to learn more, and they were both eager and hopeful that a more challenging version for older kids would be available in the near future.  Anything that engages my kids to start a new language learning journey is worth a try to me (and has much more value than exchanging tween heartthrob pictures at the back of a classroom).

learnwithmiaomiao.com 

Happy Chinese New Year!!!

Editors note:  This Chinese New Year (January 31st), a free update with a new writing component will be available. Kids can trace the characters by following a lady bug or Doh Doh the dog that shows them the correct stroke order.  You can find out more at learnwithmiaomiao.com or download the app here at the iTunes store.  

A great big thank you to Christine at Mark Animation for introducing us to this Learn with Miao Miao app.

apples to apples

When I was asking our son what he wanted for Christmas, he rhymed off a few things on his list, but he appeared most interested in getting a new board game.  So when Mattel sent the "Game On" box for us to try a few of their games, my son was thrilled...the first game he wanted to play was "Apples to Apples".

It was new game (to me), but my son mentioned that a classmate brought it along on their school overnight camping trip earlier this year, and it was something that the kids really enjoyed playing.  It was one of the best "quiet time" activities they had during their trip.

So when I opened the box, my son explained the rules of the game, and we played a few rounds.  Our daughter was off at a playdate, so I didn't think this would last too long, but it easily became an addictive game, and I knew this would be a classic family game to play over the holidays.

Since that night, my son has asked (almost pleaded) to play the game with us again and again. Unfortunately our schedule was too busy for all of us to sit together for any extended period of time, so we had to wait until this past weekend, when all four of us were able to sit together.

What started out as a quick ½ hour session to teach our daughter how to play the game, turned into an afternoon of family bonding.  It was so nice to see the kids OFF of their electronic devices, even for just a few hours.  We had hot cocoa and great conversation, and now I know why our son had insisted that we play "Apples to Apples".

It reminded him of all the quiet times we spend together, like we do at the cottage, sipping hot cocoa and just relying on each other's personalities and wit to keep each other company and entertained.  Just like his school trip, it created a wonderful moment to remember, a peaceful time without drama or stress.

Now it's clear why my son wanted a board game.  Although the flashy electronic devices are a lot of fun (yes, those were on his list too!), the board game gave us quality time to spend together as a family.  

And no other electronic toy can really compare to that.

A great big thank you to Carli for providing the Mattel "Game On" Box for our family to enjoy.  Visit Mattel for more board games for great family Christmas gift ideas.