Wednesday 27 September 2017

My Kids In 140 Characters (Or Less)

We spend a lot of time with the minions and I'm fortunate enough to record the things that they say and do so I can look back on it and laugh.  Some of it makes the blog and other smaller moments don't.  One of the brilliant things about Twitter is how it's the ultimate parenting "elevator speech", because you have to keep it short. Below are Tweets, conversations, parental musings and things that the minions have done or said over the past month, for your reading pleasure that haven't made it to the blog.

1. J: Mommy ur name rhymes with butt Me: No it doesn't J: Then why do I use it so often when I'm writing songs about you? #parenting

2. J: What would happen if daddy & his boss threw poop at each other?  Me: They'd both get fired? J: Hmmm I thought so #ToddlerLife


Image Courtesy of Giphy


3. When you're sorta proud of your 6 yr old showing his displeasure towards u via #onomatopoeia #parenting

4. J: can you smell my new weapon? It's two fully loaded fart arms. #parenting

5. J: Why won't you let me watch the new Venom movie? Me: You're 6. J: So? Me: You're afraid of noisy hand dryers, you can't handle Venom

6.  Me (wearing eyeliner for the first time in months) M: you look so pretty mommy. You look just like a girl clown #parenting

Image Courtesy of Giphy

7. J: If u don't buy me an Incredible Hulk mini fig I'm going 2 turn into a demon Me: This is you being good? I call ur bluff demon #parenting

8. M: Is your purse a boy or a girl? Me: Neither. M: It needs a name. J: Let's call it Silky
M: Yeah, Silky Dawn #parenting #fashion

9. Cause #SillyPuddy removal from sheets is exactly what I had on the agenda today #parenting 


To read more blogs featuring the wacky things my kids say as featured on twitter, follow me @Sarabethbug & click hereclick herehereherehereherehereherehere, &here.



Wednesday 20 September 2017

Brave - Fighting Back Against Cancer

Cancer doesn't care. Cancer could care less if you're rich, poor, kind, mean, young, thin, fat, fit, old, or famous. There is no logic or compassion to cancer. It just is.  That doesn't make it any less deadly,  terrible, or  terrifying.  Cancer is lonely.  Cancer is stressful.  Cancer impacts all of us and the people that we love.  But that doesn't mean that we are helpless..

Last November my mother-in-law (and the minions grandmother) was diagnosed with an aggressive form of uterine cancer. As a loved one of someone who is going through treatment I've seen firsthand the emotional toll it can take, and as much support as a family can provide there's something to be said about other resources that go beyond family. My mother-in-law was lucky enough to find Wellspring, a network of community-based support centres offering programs and services that meet the emotional, social, practical and restorative needs of people living with cancer and those who care for them. My mother-in-law has been using their services in Oakville as she goes through her treatment and it’s really helped her to maintain a positive attitude.  She's attended sleep workshops, healthy cooking classes, and yoga classes, and has made a number of friends who understand what she's going through.
Grandma Joy and the Minions

I don't usually use my blog as a platform for fundraising, but this is such an important cause that I couldn't ignore the opportunity to write about it.

On October 15th my husband's band, When We Was Young, is hosting an amazing evening of music and comedy at the Monarch Tavern (12 Clinton Street Near College) with all proceeds going towards raising money for Wellspring.  In addition to hosting a show, there is also an awesome silent auction with some fantastic donations to bid on! (Including donations from: House of Anansi Press, Pinot's Pallette (sip and paint events), Mama Earth Organics (produce delivery baskets), DateNight Babysitting, Junction City Brewery, Hive & Hawk Salon, Bright Shadows Jewelry, Shawn Nolan Photography, Visuphoria Photography, and much, much more.


Toddler Cuddles


For anyone local who would like to find out more and purchase tickets to the show click here


Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door (if not at capacity) with all proceeds going to Wellspring to help others cope with a cancer diagnosis.


Tax Receipt Donations

Aren't local or can’t make the show but still want to contribute?  We’ve also set up a page specifically for DONATIONS here (tax receipts are available for any contributions donated over $20)

For those of you on Facebook, we would appreciate if you would share the Event https://www.facebook.com/events/111193299559602/


Although we have lost people in our lives to cancer, I have also known a lot of survivors.  People who are thankfully still with us today!

We’re so excited to be raising funds for such a valuable resource!



Monday 18 September 2017

Happy Birthday To Me

Yesterday was my 39th birthday.  Hardly a milestone birthday, but a birthday none the less.  With this year, I have people asking me quite a bit about the looming big 40 - and how I feel about it.  So far, my anxiety level about those two numbers is quite low.  In my friend group some people have already launched into their 40's, some with more stress about the mid-life marker than others.

Back in January I began running again.  This is something that I hadn't done since when I was placed on modified bed rest when I was pregnant with the minions and I genuinely missed it.  The difference between beginning a running program in my late 30's compared with my late 20's is that my focus was on running without giving myself an injury, whereas before I'd be completely results focused. So far, so good.  Slowly, I built up my stamina and now I run three to four times a week usually as a midday break from sitting at my laptop working on freelance assignments.

As spring approached I started debating signing myself up for a run.  A lot of the dates in the spring and early summer conflicted with vacation and other family events.  So when I found out that there was a craft beer 5KM run on my birthday I asked Chris if he wanted to join me.  Chris wanted some added motivation for stepping onto the treadmill, and it was my birthday wish so he agreed.

A refreshing sampler in the shade


The run was a non-competitive event, on a really hot day, and I'll admit that I was worried I'd perform much worse than I have done on recent solo runs - even though the only person I was competing against was myself.  I didn't break any records or anything - but I managed to complete the run in the goal time I had set, and Chris jogged by my side, cause it was my birthday after all.

Following the run, we ate a bagel and banana each, drank some water and then we enjoyed our four beer samplers and the summer weather.  It didn't take long before I was itching to get back home to spend the rest of my birthday with the minions.  When I returned home we played, we cuddled, I took a nap, and then we had a bbq together, and red velvet cupcakes (made by Chris and the kids).  After dinner we watched some of my favourite classic Looney Tunes together, before we tucked in for a story and bed.

As Molly was getting ready for bed, she ran up to me and apologized for not remembering to ask me about my run.  She then asked, "Did you win mamma?"  I confirmed that I had.  She gave me a high five and a hug.  What a simple, but great way to ring in 39.

While I don't plan on signing up for a half marathon any time soon, I think I am going to be checking out some more runs to complete in my 39th year, particularly if there is beer at the finish line.

I am so thankful for this birthday and can't wait to see what changes and memories this year brings me and my family.


The last sips before heading home


Cheers to 39!

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Monday 11 September 2017

Wonderwall - Our Trip To Canada's Wonderland

Sometimes a splurge is worth it.  This was the case for our day at Canada's Wonderland - Only we didn't know the return on our investment until after the day was over!

There's a couple more weeks left until summer is officially over, so we're still knocking the items off of our summer bucket list.  We had received coupons with their report cards for $12 off admission and I thought that would make things a lot more affordable (little did I know that this discount only applied to adults and parking alone would cost $22).

We still had some money left over from Nana and Papa for the minions birthdays, so thankfully we could use that towards a really great day, with a really hefty price-tag. With our discounts adult admission was still $58 and $45.50 for each child.  So when you include a pizza lunch (because there is no outside food allowed within the park gates), two drinks which we all shared and the promised funnel cake they'd try, a day for a family of four costs close to $275.00 (YOWZA!)  If you want to save a bit of cash you can bring a picnic, you just need to leave the park to enjoy it.

I now totally understand why people pay a little bit more to secure a season's pass, because it is worth it, but at this point we didn't know how the kids would fare at Wonderland, so it wasn't worth the gamble.  But for anyone interested in going, they currently have a deal going on where you can purchase a 2018 season pass and get one entry for this fall.

The kids were so excited to ride the red baron
Jack decided it would be fun to zip up his hoodie and pretend to be Dr. Scorpion for many of his ride experiences at the park. Which was pretty amusing for us to watch.



Flying high on the Great Pumpkin
Dr. Scorpion rides again
Chilling with Peppermint Patty


Checking out the iconic waterfall with Aunt S.

The trip was great, and the kids had a blast.  We really got to explore some roller coasters with them, and both kids love rides.  Favourites included the Ghoster-Coaster, and The Fly.  Both liked taking Thunder Run through the mountain, however there was some hesitation about going into the dark and seeing the dragon.

I'm on the fence as to whether or not this goes on our bucket list for next year, although both kids have said this was the most amazing day ever, so odds are we'll get a little more organized and make another visit next September, pay a few more bucks, and end up with 2019 season passes for our little thrill seekers.  Or I'll be keeping an eye out for a killer Groupon deal.

What are your favourite annual traditions with your kid?  What are their favourite theme parks?  I'm always looking for suggestions!

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Friday 1 September 2017

Sharing My Writing On Other Sites

It's that time of the month again when I share some of the writing I've been completing for other publications.

My favourite articles to work on this month were sharing our story about giving up our master bedroom to the minions and my reflection on enjoying your children.  With the minions entering grade one in just a few days it was easy to get nostalgic (they're also still one of the best things to write about in my opinion).

Nowadays as my full-time job I write and ghostwrite articles for online publications, organizations and blogs, in addition to providing public relations services.  While I can't really share my ghostwritten articles on this platform, cause then I wouldn't really be a ghostwriter would I, I can share some of the other stuff I have been working on.

Click on the links for the topics that interest you most, and if you enjoy what I wrote please share, like, and follow, and keep parenting and reading on!  If you have any ideas for a story, a playground review, or article on any front, feel free to share it with me!  I'm always looking for new sources of inspiration!

Parenting Advice

Image courtesy of Giphy


Giving Up The Master Bedroom To Your Kids


A Parent's Guide to Enjoying Your Children, One Day At A Time


Teaching Kids With Non-Authoritarian Parenting

Pregnancy & Childbirth 

Image courtesy of Tenor


15 Childbirth Questions Every Mom Is Too Scared To Ask


20 Uncommon Baby Names That Are Strikingly Beautiful

Celeb Parenting Gossip

There have been a lot of jokes about how good this Home Alone star has been looking lately


14 Reasons Why These Celeb Kids Went Crazy AF


15 Celebrity Moms Who Love To Show Off Their Bods


15 Celebs Who Got Cheated On While Pregnant

Celeb Scandal 

Believe it or not, this is a photo of Katy Perry...that Russell Brand thought it would be 'fun' to share with the world


15 Shameless Photos of Usually Steamy Celebs


15 Hollywood Feminists Who Are Total Hypocrites