The Saturday Lunchtime Wrestlers

On Saturday night, during a dinner with friends, the subject of building community in a big city like Toronto came up.  While YMCAs, Legions, churches, and actual community centres for kids and adults to swim and be active together are helpful and important, talk travelled to unofficial community hubs and a lack of them in our mega-city. Places that give you that "NORM!" Cheers feel, where everyone knows your name, or at least recognize your face enough to give you a friendly nod and smile.

The very next afternoon our family headed out to a local wrestling event held inside one of the many local craft breweries we're lucky enough to have just a couple kilometres away from home.  We walked over and were instantly brought back to the 1980's wrestling that many of us grew up with, including announcers who encouraged the crowd to embrace their 'inner eight year old' that afternoon.

Booing Bad Guy Freedom Wallace

We were surrounded by friends, neighbours, familiar faces, and saw several kids wearing swag from local schools, including our own.  As everyone cheered together, I was reminded of community being about where you make it, and Junction City Wrestling will always be a place we can call home.

With fun, albeit silly, plot lines, great villains and heroes, along with strong fierce female wrestlers (who take on men in the ring as well as female fighters) for my daughter and son to watch in action. Booing bad guys and high fiving your favourite wrestlers is a great way to spend an afternoon.

Space Monkey Takes the Ring

If you live in the area, or even further away in the GTA, I encourage you to come and check out Junction City Wrestling.  They often have free outdoor events in the summer, and their colder weather paid events are a fun way to beat the winter blahs.  They have two events scheduled in March, follow them on Facebook to find out more! They'll be happy to have you.  What are you waiting for?  Maybe we'll see you there!

Top 10 Blogs of the 2010s

While I've only been blogging since shortly after the minions were born (August of 2011), these end of the decade wrap ups still are a good enough excuse to bring together my top blog posts of all time.  I am also working on a top 20 albums list of the 2010's, but will be posting it later.

Take a read, or a walk down memory lane, like I have. I am so happy that I've continued to write about my journey as a parent and my lovely kids.  Hopefully one day they'll cherish this blog as much as I do.

My Top 10 Blog Posts of All Time

Hiking Algonquin

via Giphy

Happy Wanderer - Hiking Algonquin Park Booth Rock Trail 

Newborn Days

First Time - Post Baby Shopping List

Fine Motor Skills

Hands - Activities To Boost Fine Motor Skills

Parenting

via Tenor

Footloose - Motivating Kids With Rewards

Playground Reviews

via Giphy

The Whole World is Our Playground: Vermont Square Playground Review


The Whole World is Our Playground: Marie Curtis Park 


The Whole World is Our Playground: Review Neshama Playground/Oriole Park


The Whole World Is Our Playground: Revisiting Jeff Healey Playground  

Milestones

via Giphy

The First Time - Celebrating Little (Big) Moments 

Body Image

The Climb - Body Image

A Rockin Night For A Worthy Cause

One of the most meaningful work experiences I've had is writing and working as managing editor for Future Female Magazine.  I've met so many amazing Canadian women who are working to make life better for others, and who are truly inspiring.  Help us continue to share their stories and support real Canadian women!

Photo by CoWomen from Pexels

About Future Female Magazine

In spring 2018, Future Female Magazine launched as a free grassroots response to what is missing from Canada's health and life style media - sharing real stories, inspirations, tips, and more from authentic Canadian women. 

With social platforms and readership levels in the thousands, and positive feedback from our supporters, fans, and readers, Future Female Magazine's digital footprint is growing every day. We have explored entrepreneurs, mental & physical health, beauty, body positivity, personal triumph, community, and more...

Previously Future Female Magazine has been funded by founder Kat Leroux, in addition to a small amount advertising, and other small sources of revenue.

In our outreach to potential advertisers it has become apparent that there is a need for print as well as digital issues to get the advertisements needed to continue to run this magazine, with distribution in the Greater Toronto Area. 

By supporting Future Female Magazine you will be allowing us to pay our writers, photographers, make-up artists, and contributors fair and equitable rates for their hard work, and allowing us to continue to share much needed celebration of Canadian Women. You will also be funding, photography studio rentals, online advertisement of Future Female Magazine and the creation of print collateral materials to solicit advertising that will help us make our one year anniversary issue a print one that can reach even more women!

What you can do to help our cause:

Attend Our Fundraising Event

Buy a ticket for our fundraiser event on Sunday April 28th on Eventbrite today for just $10 (Tickets are also available at the door for $15).  Enjoy some wonderful music and comedy from talented artists, enter our raffle for fantastic prizes, and donate used business clothes to Dress for Success!

Sun, 28 April 2019, 7:30 PM EDT

Location
The Cat Pub & Eatery
3513 Dundas Street West
Toronto, ON M6S 2S6

Advertise in Our Magazine

To find out more about advertising with Future Female Magazine click here

Read Future Female Magazine & Share it With Others Online

Check out our latest issue here

Follow us on Instagram at @futurefemalemag

Display Our Magazine in Your Place of Business

To learn more about having copies of our free magazine available in your place of business contact hello @ futurefemalemag .com


Thank you, as always, for your support of me, my writing, and my adventures with the minions!

Lockdown

The other night my husband and I were watching the new 2018 TV series based on the Winona Ryder/ Christian Slater film Heathers.  As we came to an episode about a school lockdown drill, we began to talk about how different things are now than they were when we were growing up, and how scary this stuff all is, particularly as parents.

Not a day later I received a notification from the school board - several schools in the area were in lockdown and hold and secure, including the one that the minions go to.  While the incident being investigated by police was at a high school nearby, many daycares, primary schools, and other establishments were shut down just in case for over half of the school day.

Image via UNO News Net

I spent the afternoon distractedly tapping away at my keyboard for work, and refreshing the TDSB social media account to figure out what was going on, whether or not everyone was safe, and when/how I'd be able to pick up my kids.  As tempting as it was to call the school, demand to know what was going on, I knew they had this, and I had to be patient.  Our kids safety is dependant on us following these instructions.

Thankfully, no one was hurt and everyone let the police do their job.  At pickup, instead of finding scared kids, they were both a little hyper, since they hadn't been permitted to go out for lunch or recess that day.  The only upset moment was when Molly realized that her brother had managed to get his hands on a coveted purchase of chocolate milk (I imagine kids in the older grades who normally leave school property for lunch were buying a ton of these to fill them up at lunch), and by the time the milk cart arrived at Molly's class they were sold out. There were a lot of tears, and we needed to purchase replacement chocolate milk. Sometimes I forget that they're only seven and important issues to them are very different than they are to us.  I wish my biggest worry was chocolate milk, but I'm happy that in what was a scary situation for us, it was not one for our young kids.

I don't love that our kids live in a world where they have to do things like lockdown drills (apparently last year their was a lockdown when an animal who was suspected of having rabies was near their school - another important use of the system), I'm relieved that the school has in place rules, systems, and communications to help keep our children safe, and us parents as calm as we can be.

This serves as a reminder for us all to review our school handbooks and find out how the school will communicate with us should there be an emergency.  Today I am thankful to our teachers, the police, and the communication team at TDSB who kept our kids safe, calm, and happy.

Pink Summer - Tips for A Summer Day Camp Experience Your Kids Will Love

Time seems to speed up when the weather is nice.  As we all begin to clean up our yards, go for lengthy walks in the park, and tune up our bikes, it's also time to start thinking about summer camp and our kids.  My kids will be attending a variety of camps this summer, and like all parents we want to make sure that it's a fun and enriching experience.  It can be difficult to know where to get started, but these tips can help you and your children prepare for an amazing summer. This blog post was sponsored* by True North Sports Camps, offering sports programs for kids aged 4-14 in Toronto, Etobicoke, Hamilton, Markham, and Whitby.

11 Tips For A Summer Camp Experience Your Kids Will Love

Image Courtesy of True North Sports

Set Your Budget

It's best to determine your summer long budget for child care (and family vacations) before looking into camps.  Prices can vary, but don't forget weeks at pricier camps can be balanced out by other weeks with a local sitter or at camps that are less expensive.  Pricier camps often have discounted rates for weeks that include long weekends, which is a great way to cut costs on a camp that is considered a splurge.  Some camps will require deposits (or payment in full) upon registration, so be sure to include this in your budget process.  Remember camp hours vary, and although some camps offer extended hours this may come at an additional cost.

Let Them In On The Decision Making Process

Not sure what to talk about around the dinner table?  Connect with your kids on things they've always wanted to try, favourite extra-curricular activities, and camps their friends have been raving about, along with recommendations from other parents.  Use this information to research camps within your price range and let your kids a vote from your short-listed camps.

Include Their Friends

Another friendly face or two can help relieve any stress your child may be feeling about going to a new camp.  Most camps are quite accommodating and will even make sure your child is placed in a group with their friend or sibling, provided they are both in the same age group, if you just ask.

Figure Out the Logistics Ahead of Time

You can either search for camps close to your home, or your place of employment for easy drop off.  You can also talk to your employer about working some flexible hours or remotely some days if your child is attending a camp that is going to add significant time and effort to your parental commute.  You can also arrange car pooling with other parents to help share some of the driving.

Image Courtesy of True North Sports

Mix It Up Over The Summer

The expression variety is the spice of life comes to mind here.  Whether your child is a future varsity athlete, avid crafter, or STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). wiz, consider camp as a fun way to allow them to expand their horizons.  While routine can be fantastic, a few days, or weeks trying something new can be a great, low commitment way for your children to discover a new passion, or rule out an activity they thought they'd love but don't.

Cross Your T's and Dot Your I's 

Parents, here's where you do your homework to make sure the camp meets appropriate local health and safety records.  Read testimony and reviews online, and talk to other parents to determine if the camp meets your standards.  Raise any concerns you have about the camp with the facility before registration.

Before The First Day

Connect with the camp to find out any supplies that will be necessary each day.  This could include:  packed lunches, water bottles, sun screen, a change of clothes, or swim suit for particular days of the program.  Don't forget to inform the camp about any special needs, food allergies, or any other 'need to know' information about your kiddo.  If your child will be required to put on their own sunscreen each day, make sure you teach them how to do so for proper coverage from the sun.

Image Courtesy of Mom Loves Best

The Week Before

Have your kid help you pick out special snacks and items for their lunches that will help them get excited about their time at camp. Something as simple as a nice lunch or a nice sun hat can help your child feel fantastic on their first day. Remember in summer months kids lunches may get warm, so use ice packs if necessary, or put some ice in their water bottle to help cool the rest of their food.

The First Day

Arrive a few minutes early to help your child get settled in.  Introduce yourself and your child to their instructor.  They may be nervous at first, but camp directors are trained to help your child feel welcome. Give them a chance to acclimatize to their new camp, this may take a while, and although it may be tempting to hover a while, they'll likely do better once you leave.

Offer A Treat

Going out for an ice cream after dinner, or having a picnic together after the first day of camp can be a fantastic way to connect with your child and find out how it's going.

Give Feedback

Camps can only improve their programs with the feedback from kids and parents.  Fill out online surveys about how things went and provide detailed comments.  If one of the counsellors go the extra mile for your kid, be sure to thank them, and let their boss know that they have a super star on their hands.  Positive feedback is just as important as the negative stuff!


*This is a sponsored blog post, however all opinions and commentary are my own.

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The Whole World Is Our Playground: Grange Park Playground Review

We've managed to make our summer more about play and kid focused, which means I'll be posting a lot more content in the next few weeks.

One of our summer bucket list items was to explore at least three new parks.  When we heard about the brand spanking new Grange Park we just knew we had to check it out!

My park review disclaimer: If you don't live in the area I hope you enjoy the pics and can use some of the ideas to inspire and explore in your own city. If you have any recommendations for great playgrounds (or new criteria I haven't thought of) please post a comment on this post or email me at multiplemomstrosity @ gmail.com .

Park Name:

Grange Park

In the heart of downtown Toronto, beside the Art Gallery of Ontario & OCAD
(Spanning the space between the intersections of Beverly Street & McCaul Street and Dundas Street and Queen Street)

Parking:

There is some pay parking available on the street, or you can walk over from St. Patrick Subway station or arrive via the Dundas or Queen Street car).

Theme of Park:

Innovative, artistic, modernly designed playground meant to inspire within the local art community.

Ground Coverage:

The playground has ample shade coverage and has soft wood chips to cushion any kid related falls.

Variety of Equipment for different ages:

Most equipment is designed for kids between 5-12 years old, but younger kids were happy to toddle, slide, and swing with the assistance of their caregivers.

Best Parts of the Park:

This park was amazingly innovative and accessible.  Even the benches have spaces for a person in a wheelchair to enjoy a snack.  The slides were some of the highest I've seen in a long time.  Both Molly and Jack agreed that their favourite part was climbing the giant barrel structure.

Jackie Climbs

Downfalls:

The splash pad sprinkler system either isn't working yet, or wasn't activated the day that we were there.  This was a major disappointment to Jack who wants all of our summer playground outings to involve water.

Overall Rating:

I would rate this playground a 4.5 out of 5.  The kids loved all the different structures to play on, and the shade of the trees was perfect for picnicking together.  There was a craft market very close by, so those attending on weekends may get to enjoy a little shopping with their play.

To view my playground review of the playground with the boat (Vermont Square) click here.

To view my playground review of Pricefield Road Playground click here.

To get access to the newest posts from Multiple Momstrosity and more on Facebook click here and follow today

Follow Multiple Momstrosity on Twitter @Sarabethbug