You know how humans turn to music to keep them going during tough times? That has been very true for our family during the pandemic. In our house, Bill Wurtz is one musician in particular who has helped us the most in this long, stressful year. Last spring, our son E (who was ten at Read More
Category: Raves – Why I Love
When I love something, I want you to know.
Back to School in Person!
Today was the first day back at in-person school since the winter holidays began in December. On the day last week when it was announced that we would head back this week, I remember that as the news sank in, my brain gradually released this huge invisible ball of stress and I started to feel Read More
Useful Items That Do Their Jobs – Gratitude Day 24
You know when you have an item called a “shoelace” or a “windshield wiper”, where its job is right there in the name, and it just has that one job to do… and it DOESN’T DO IT? It’s supposed to be useful, and then it isn’t. That is a pet peeve of mine. Then there Read More
Dance For The Joy Of It – Gratitude Day 23
My daughter takes two dance lessons per week – one ballet and one hip-hop. On Mondays it’s ballet. As another mom and I were waiting outside the door for the kids to come out, we chatted in glowing terms about this particular studio. The dance experience has been nothing but awesome for AB. As many Read More
Four Seasons – Gratitude Day 17
Although I did appreciate that ridiculous press conference held by the outgoing US presidential administration at Four Seasons Total Landscaping, this post is not about that. It is about actual seasons. This morning on the way to school, E asked, “Would you rather be uncomfortably hot all the time, or uncomfortably cold?” (Tough question. I Read More
My Household Appliances – Gratitude Day 13
I’m really grateful for my household appliances today. Sometimes when I’m doing laundry, I imagine having to pump water out of the ground or go get it from a well. Then I think about building a fire to boil the water in a huge cauldron, and putting the family’s filthy clothes in it. (I think Read More
My Husband – Gratitude Day 12
Tonight I’m feeling grateful for my husband, Sean. He’s an awesome teammate in all these life shenanigans. To be honest, I feel grateful for him basically all the time. I’ve told you before that I’m morbid and I frequently imagine what life would be like if one of my children died – or both – Read More
Oil-Free Vegan Basil Pesto
One of my favourite things ever is basil pesto. For some reason, however, I don’t often think to make it. Probably because I feel like I should only make it when it’s “buy fresh basil by the bushel” season. I’ve eaten it even more rarely since Sean and I started following (most of the time) Read More
Homeschooling Perspective from a Former Homeschooler
Lots of parents across the world have been trying their hand at homeschooling these past weeks, thanks to Covid-19. It looks different for everyone, of course, since everyone’s circumstances are different. It might look like my brilliant and overachieving colleague who expressed “glee” at finally getting to use her pedagogy on her own kids, or Read More
16 Things About Pixar’s “Coco”, Mexico, and Death
We took the kids to see Coco on the weekend – just as much for us as for them. Here are some notes (avoiding  spoilers, don’t worry). We all loved it. Even with the high expectations I always have going into Disney/Pixar movies these days, they still impress. They are consistently worthy of the big Read More