Adding A Little Excitement to Walking the Dog

For the first few weeks after we got our dog there was a lot of novelty in walking him.  He was also a puppy who couldn't walk very far.  Seven months later, Molly remains my number one dog walking buddy, whereas Jack needs a little extra motivation to accompany me on a lengthy walk.  The time Molly and I get during a walk to talk about everything from her day at school, to things that are bugging her, to her favourite SpongeBob characters (and why they're her favourites) - makes these walks amazing.

Most of the time, I walk Ted in the morning (after the kids have gone to school) and in the evening while Jack stays home with dad, Molly and I go out.  There are other times, like PA days, and when Chris is out of town when I need to take everyone on the road so Ted can get a good walk.

Since it was a beautiful day on Easter Monday when the kids didn't have school, I figured a lengthier hike was in order.  To keep things more fun (see to stop Jack from complaining every two minutes that he was tired, bored, or sweaty) I created nature and urban based scavenger hunt check lists for each child to fill out during our hike.

My make-shift scavenger hunt list

The result...A very tired puppy who slept for two hours straight, my kids working together on their lists (because they asked that each list be different), and a request from Jack to go out and do another scavenger hunt walk next weekend.

The kids checking off items

WIN WIN!

I'm going to be working on some urban scavenger hunts as well as nature trail ones...stay tuned for more details!

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

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

The Unbelievers

I know that one day my children aren't going to believe in a lot of things that they do now at age seven when virtually anything is possible.  On St. Patrick's Day Molly set out a 'Leprechaun Trap' in hope of getting wishes when she caught a Lil Irish fellow, cause apparently Leprechauns are like Genies, who knew?

I read that some time between age eight and nine most children (75 percent) no longer believe in Santa, The Tooth Fairy, or the Easter Bunny.  I am aware that we're running out of time, that we're skating on thin ice, and that soon enough Leprechaun traps will be replaced with eye rolls and tweenage attitude.

via Reader's Digest

I get that some parents never give the false promise of magical creatures to their children, and that's cool.  But if/when you tell your child that you are the big jolly guy or doesn't exist, do me and other parents a solid? Just tell them to STFU about it.

Twice in the past few months I've been aware of kids seeing it as their own sworn duty to ruin the magic of Easter, Christmas, and the tooth fairy for my kids and other kids who are significantly younger.  This is particularly uncool at holiday related events.  Okay, it's never cool.  Don't believe, but stop ruining it for others.

In the most recent incident, last week, Molly and Jack came home one evening telling me about this child revealing huge childhood spoilers to kids around them.  This was something that was sparked by the placement of egg and spring decorations going up around them.  So, I did what I always do, I asked my kids what they think.  Their answer, "Well, X does tend to lie a lot, and she doesn't even believe in ghosts so I'm just going to ignore her."  Interesting, but fair.

When the time does come to tell your kid the truth about magic, please also talk to them about how fun and amazing it is to keep the spirit of holidays alive for others and start some new traditions together to help inspire a sense of giving, community, and sharing.  Let them get the glitter pen out to decorate eggs, help you build a scavenger hunt, or give a Christmas surprise gift to a lonely neighbour, relative, or someone in need.  Cause no one likes a Debbie Downer, whether they're 36 or six.  Hoppy Easter!