When chaos disrupts my peace, gratitude helps reframe my focus to face the challenges ahead. On our recent flight home from a wonderful family vacation in Mexico, T had a full-blown meltdown during boarding. The hubby had deleted his favourite game from the phone, which I had advised the hubby against giving to T beforehand.Continue reading “This Grateful Heart”
Tag Archives: gratitude
On the Edge of Saturday Night with Kylie Minogue
An ice storm couldn’t keep us away from a night 16 years in the waiting with pop queen Kylie Minogue. The Australian icon brought her Tension Tour to North America, with her first stop at Toronto’s Scotiabank Centre on March 29. The weather was miserable; freezing rain and ice storms further north of the city.Continue reading “On the Edge of Saturday Night with Kylie Minogue”
The Deadly Walk
Writing helps me process my world. Reading T’s school writing work, I see he might’ve done the same. As an ice storm descended in our city, I settled into my Friday evening and noticed an artwork that T had created in his school folder. Upon closer inspection, it was an image of what looked likeContinue reading “The Deadly Walk”
Another Lap Around the Sun
I celebrated my 44th birthday weekend with my two favourite guys on a rare Saturday night out at a glow-in-the-dark trampoline park. We piggybacked on one of T’s peers’ birthday party. It started at 8:30 when I am usually getting ready for bed. 😂 I enjoyed sitting on a couch watching T have a blast.Continue reading “Another Lap Around the Sun”
March Break in Mexico
For March Break last week, our family returned to Cancun, Mexico and had a blast. The week leading up to the trip, T’s excitement was palatable. On the Friday before the break, I picked T up from school at lunch, to let him relax in the afternoon, as we had to get up at 2Continue reading “March Break in Mexico”
The Exceptional Caregivers Life
I’m excited to share that a podcast I worked on has launched! The Exceptional Caregivers Life features real and compassionate conversations about the highs and lows of caring for individuals with disabilities and complex needs. Created by Surrey Place’s Family Advisory Council and hosted by members Liz Phipps and Wendy Robertson, our podcast features stories ofContinue reading “The Exceptional Caregivers Life”
Awards Season
We all need recognition sometimes, as it boosts confidence, motivation and self esteem. It’s Sunday night and T is taking a bath while I’m relaxing with the Oscars. They just handed the first award to Kieran Culkin for Supporting Actor and he gave a joyful speech. Oscars night has changed since my 20s when friendsContinue reading “Awards Season”
Full STEAM Ahead: Nurturing Creativity and Curiosity in Neurodiverse Kids
It turns out our sweet T has burgeoning skills other than driving me batshit crazy. I say this with love and fondness. 😇 I recently watched the documentary “I’m Tim,” about the rise and tragic loss of EDM artist Avicii, whose upbeat music T and I enjoy. It struck me how supportive his parents wereContinue reading “Full STEAM Ahead: Nurturing Creativity and Curiosity in Neurodiverse Kids”
Lean on Me
Who we lean on during the hard times. That is the definition of family. A few days after T’s birthday party, I got quite sick. Fever over 40 and after a day sitting in Emergency, I was prescribed antibiotics for pneumonia. Yes, twice in less than two years. Fun! During the four days I wasContinue reading “Lean on Me”
At Age 10, We Threw Our Son his First Birthday Party
Our little guy is 10! 10, double digits, how is this possible?! It was just yesterday that he was learning to walk, we had just started potty training and I was counting with one hand the number of words he could say. T had his first-ever birthday party on Saturday at Skyzone Trampoline Park. I’veContinue reading “At Age 10, We Threw Our Son his First Birthday Party”
Cooking for the Soul: Thirds
2025 is the year of lean. This includes leaning into activities that bring me joy and comfort, like cooking. The hubby and I also want to be leaner with our food expenses. While we are budget conscious, we can do better at eating out less and getting Uber Eats takeout, which we do out ofContinue reading “Cooking for the Soul: Thirds”
His First Real Sleepover
A weekend in December gave T his first taste of a beloved childhood tradition. As a parent, I wish for T to enjoy all the common childhood experiences, such as camping, birthdays and sleepovers. He had his first “sleepover” two summers ago at his grandparents’ cottage. He slept in a tent outside with his AuntContinue reading “His First Real Sleepover”
Window to His Soul
Art is healing, inspiring, a form of self expression and for caregivers, a glimpse inside their children’s thoughts. Before Christmas break, T’s teacher sent home his fall school work, which included his journal. This past week, I started reading his daily journal entries and they are a delight. I remember my very first journal, aContinue reading “Window to His Soul”
Visiting the Real Life Schitt’s Creek
We kicked off 2025 with a daytrip to the real-life Rosebud Motel from Schitt’s Creek, located in Orangeville, an hour drive from Toronto. The drive was relaxing. The highway and roads were quiet and there was light snow further north. Schitt’s Creek is a beloved Emmy-winning Canadian comedy series that ran from 2015 to 2020.Continue reading “Visiting the Real Life Schitt’s Creek”
You’re Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile
Christmas was full of relaxation and melancholy. We kept plans to a minimum – family dinner on Christmas Eve and dinner with friends tonight – and otherwise, lazy days at home. On Christmas, I opened my eyes at 7 am and T’s head was poking through our door like a ferret. I quickly shut myContinue reading “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile”
Lazy Weekend
I’m on staycaytion the next two weeks and my goal to do nothing got off to a wonderful lazy start. I stayed in PJs all weekend and binged Abbott Elementary – hilarious and highly recommended. I told T he’s going to daycare during the break and he better not screw me over by getting sickContinue reading “Lazy Weekend”
Hide and Seek
We’re wired for connection and time with people can be healing and open our minds. I was delighted to be invited back to The Heart of the Matter podcast to speak with Wynne Leon and Vicki Atkinson about finding community. Connecting with Wynne and Vicki is always a joy. Our chat reminded me about recentContinue reading “Hide and Seek”
Miss Americana, Taylor Swift
T and I celebrated the hubby’s birthday with a night out at Taylor Swift’s highly anticipated Eras Tour show in Toronto. We had purchased the tickets, nosebleed seats, last Fall and were lucky to get them at face value. The hubby’s sister visited us for his birthday week and it was nice they got toContinue reading “Miss Americana, Taylor Swift”
Win as a Team
Watching our 9-year-old T enjoy soccer lessons reminds me of why we work as a team. T is halfway through his first round of lessons and it’s been a fun Sunday morning family routine. The hubby and I signed our soccer fan up for these free lessons offered at a City-run recreation centre to helpContinue reading “Win as a Team”
Story of My Life
I made it home just in time for a special unexpected bedtime routine with T. With thanks to the hubby, I had a rare weeknight out to support colleagues at an event. As I texted the hubby on the subway ride home, he let me know it was a rougher night; T was very disregulatedContinue reading “Story of My Life”
My Life With T 