Thursday, 29 September 2016

Heroes - Celebrating Terry Fox

I don't know whether or not this is a normal phase, but both of my kids (Jack in particular) have a very strong and active curiosity surrounding death.  This started when they were 3-years-old, following the death of our beloved cat Pan.  We have been fortunate enough that most of the death the minions have experienced has been elderly people and pets who lived long, and for the most part healthy lives.  Our honesty with the kids has led to a lot of questions surrounding death.

Jack is a huge music fan and likes to collect statistics on his favourite artists.  In 2016, this means he's seen a lot of musicians he listens to pass away (Bowie, and Prince).  He has so much curiosity surrounding death, cremation, and legacy in music and family.  We have tried to teach both children how people can live on through their art, family, and contributions to the world.

Death for the elderly and sick has been easier to explain to the kids, although it's been hard to convince Jack that growing to become an old man is a good thing, not a bad thing.  Explaining things like cancer, and why some people are unlucky enough to get sick at a young age is something we struggle with.

This week at school Molly and Jack will be participating in Terry Fox events to raise money for cancer research.  They have learned all about "working together to outrun cancer".  They know about his attempt to run across the country to spread awareness and earn money for an important cause, and that he is considered a Canadian Hero.  Next came the questions about what cancer is and why someone so young could die.  These are all questions I don't really have answers to that will help calm the minds of inquisitive 5-year-olds.

I chose to focus on the good that Terry did in his life, the lives he's saved through his foundation, and the ways that Molly and Jack could also help.  We read testimonies and quotes together on how Terry is a hero, and what that means.  This week parents at the minions school were asked to provide students with a "Toonie for Terry" to help raise money for cancer.

Both R2D2 and Wonder Woman are ready to give back!

A couple of months ago when we began giving Molly and Jack allowance we made an active decision that part of the allowance practice had to do with teaching them about finance, savings, and philanthropy.  Last night, before bed, I told them both how I had put a Toonie (for Terry) into their backpacks.  Next I asked them if they'd like to each provide a Toonie for donation out of their piggy banks, and that if they decided to do this that their dad and I would match their donation again with six dollars each being donated.  Molly started jumping up and down and happily agreed.  Jack calmly instructed me to take a toonie out of his piggy bank.

This morning Jack asked me why his entire piggy bank wasn't in his backpack...Apparently he very graciously wanted to "make it rain" toonies for Terry.  It feels like a pretty good day in the world of parenting lessons at our house.


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Thursday, 22 September 2016

You're My Best Friend

Growing up I was presented with the media version of what friendship was supposed to look like, particularly "best friendship".  In the books I read, in the movies and television shows I watched it was always there.  Kevin Arnold had his Paul Pfeiffer, Blossom had Six, Anne had her Diana, Sherlock had Dr. Watson, Frodo had Sam, and heck, even Batman had Robin.

As a little girl I always idealized the concept of the best friend, the one person who I could go to no matter what.  The thing I always had a tough time reconciling, in my own life in particular, the role of BFF was often played by more than one person, and often the cast of characters would change, from day to day, and year to year.

In my tween years those "BEST FRIENDS" necklaces were huge.  You know the ones that are often a heart, divided in half and worn by two different people as "Be Fri" and "St Ends".  I sat by watching other girls in my class, at my school, or even strangers on the bus, wear their appreciation for their BFFs around their necks and I felt like I was missing something, missing someone.

I knew that I could take the bull by the horns and purchase one of these necklaces for someone, but who?  They didn't create the versions that divided into three or four puzzle pieces until a few years later, and at that time I considered myself way too grown up for such childish trinkets.

Me and My girl out on the town

It wasn't until years later when I recognized that the evolution of friendships, and even the loss of friends, over your life is completely normal.  Friends grow together, fall apart, sometimes if we're lucky they come back, other times they're better left in the past.  Friends serve different roles, and that's also okay.  I have been lucky enough to have a fun, loving, motley crew of people, many of which are in my family, over the years.  Some friends I am raising my children alongside, which is amazing, others I happily get updates from on Facebook, or think of fondly in my memories.

This weekend was my birthday and Chris took the kids out to purchase me gifts.  When I opened my gift from Molly I discovered a divided friendship necklace in the shape of the sun that connects with magnets with the words "You are my Sunshine" on it, and I came very close to crying.  I had never told anyone about my internal tween struggle surrounding friendship necklaces, until I told Molly how much I'd wanted a necklace like this as a child while I secured the clasps around both of our necks.

My little adventurer

As a logical adult I understand that many five-year old girls would find this a perfect gift, after-all, they get a necklace too, and I'm sure this was a contributing factor for the purchase.  But there's also something more meaningful.  Molly is not my best friend, I am not that type of mom, and I pride myself on that.  I am not Lorelai Gilmore and she is not Rory, I am me, and I hope that Molly and I will always be close, because she really is my sunshine. This year she picked me the perfect gift, from a Tween accessories store, at the mall.  12 year old me would be so jealous!


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Friday, 16 September 2016

Whistle While You Work





1. It makes everyone more aware of their messes

2. It teaches cause and effect

3. It teaches accountability

4. It builds confidence

This tiny chef knows how to multi-task circa 2013

5. It teaches real life skills



8. It solidifies our family as a team

9. It teaches them about money

10. It lightens the parental load


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Monday, 12 September 2016

Glamorous - The Art of Glamping/ Family Camping




Molly helping set up our new tent "Camper Van Tent"


1. They have impeccable washrooms

2. Need a washer?  They have one!


Gatherer Molly

4. It goes beyond tent camping

5. Movie nights

6. A real kitchen

Snack time

7. It's all about the kids

Balloon flower

8. Bringing in some charity

9. They have a pool

10. They are close to other facilities


Campfire moments

To read 7 tips for camping in the rain click here


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Tuesday, 6 September 2016

Happy Wanderer - Hiking Halton Hills

It's really easy to blame our inactivity on parenthood, but I know that's not setting a good example for our kids.  This is one of the reasons why I purposely workout in front of the minions, as well as try to incorporate some heart healthy active family outings to lead by example.  We've been lucky enough to enjoy a few hikes this summer, although hot weather usually makes hiking more spring and fall focused.  

While I'm still wistful with memories of pre-children days when weekends included very lengthy, challenging hikes, followed by even lengthier afternoon naps.  Molly and Jack have both begun to enjoy a good hike just like their mom and dad.

This weekend was no different when the minions, along with their cousins, hiked the 4KM waterfall trail at Halton Hills near Milton.  There was a nominal per person fee to get access to the conservation areas for day use trails, but it was worth it for the beautiful views.  There is no admission fee for kids under 5, kids 5-14 pay $5.00, and adult admission is $6.75 each.

Molly wanders the gravel trail as our hike "leader"

A view worth hiking towards

Jack and his cousins explore the rocks by the falls

Still Exploring...

Going up, beyond, and behind the falls, the kids even went under and got wet!

The hike was a huge success, although a little longer than we planned.  A hiker before us had decided it would be hilarious to turn one of the trail marker arrows the wrong way and we ended up hiking an extra 2KM total with four very tired kids because of someone's "Genius" prank. Seriously, who does that? Thankfully we found the offending trail arrow, fixed it, and made our way back to the car with minimal complaining, although there were a few piggy backs.  One of the coolest things about this particular trail is that by the falls there is a fire going and several picnic tables so people can stop for a snack, lunch, or even to roast marshmallows and hot dogs.  Both the minions and their cousins can't wait until our next hike.

To read about our Lakeshore Palace Pier hike from the spring, click here.

To share other awesome family hikes, please leave a comment below or email multiplemomstrosity @


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