Vacation (or Staycation) In Beautiful Peterborough, Ontario

As many of you know, I grew up out in the country, a 20 minute drive east of Peterborough, which we always referred to as "town". Then when I started teaching, I lived right in the heart of the city (Charlotte Towers to be exact) for three years, before building a house out in the country in the other direction, 30 minutes west of Peterborough.

Whether hanging out in this city is a staycation for you, as it is for us, or whether you're planning on visiting from afar (it's worth the trip!), today I'm sharing tons of ideas for things to do in the beautiful city of Peterborough. Some are from my own personal experience, while others come from a social media roundup where locals and frequent visitors shared their suggestions with me for this post.

Where To Eat

My personal faves:

• Berc's Steakhouse (we recently took my parents there for their 40th anniversary)
• The Olde Stone Brewing Company (a downtown pub)

Image: http://oldestone.ca/gallery/?a=gallery

• Gerti's (another great downtown pub, one of many on Hunter Street - most have patios and many have kids' menus)
• Rare Grill House (for special occasions)

Recommended by others:

• The Night Kitchen (made-from-scratch pizza, and they deliver)* 
• Planet Bakery* (this one had several nominations)
• The Food Forest*
• Kawartha Dairy Ice Cream
• Brick House Craft Burger - just down the street from the movie theatre, burger and movie deals available
• St. Veronus
• Hot Belly Mama's (a few recos, and one said "Best authentic Cajun good around. Excellent quality. Superb staff. Great ambiance. Best value.") 
• Ashburnham Ale House
• Silver Bean Café (open from May to October, this one's on the water downtown in Millennium Park)
• Riley's (with kids' menu)
• Ariyana Middle Eastern Food

* These three received a special recommendation for vegan families

Peterborough also offers a huge variety of the chain restaurants and fast-food joints that you know and love (heavily concentrated on Lansdowne Street and Chemong Road), and what may very well be the highest ratio of Tim Hortons per capita in the country.

Where To Shop

Growing up, we would often head out of town to shop for holidays or special occasions. With Peterborough's growth, it's now rarely necessary to venture elsewhere. (I'm not a Costco gal myself, but this addition to the city was monumental for many shoppers!)

When it comes to "the mall", Lansdowne Place offers a large array of stores and services, with enough to please most discerning teenagers (which is the real test).

Downtown shopping is a different story entirely, and you can find many independent and unique shops while strolling the city streets.

Several locals on Twitter recommended farmers' markets like the Peterborough Farmers' Market, which is open year round and offers local, fresh produce, meats, dairy, cooking and crafts. This is a must-see for an authentic Peterborough experience.

What To Do With Kids:

There is no shortage of family fun in Peterborough, and much of it is free!

• Riverview Park and Zoo: A favourite destination for families (and class trips), this zoo is FREE to visit (though you really should spring for the $2 miniature train ride). It's not just about animals: kids can spend hours on the splashpad and huge playground as well.

Image: http://www.peterboroughutilities.ca/Park_and_Zoo

• Canadian Canoe Museum (reasonable admission, children under 5 are free and there's no charge on Thursday nights)

Image: http://www.canoemuseum.ca/

• Peterborough Museum and Archives
• Play Street Indoor Playground (there's a fee, but may be worth it on a rainy day. My daughter thoroughly enjoyed the birthday party she attended here)  (Now closed)
• Galaxy Cinemas (we're a real movie-loving household and we visit this Cineplex theatre often, with kids and without. For those who enjoy the big-screen experience - even for an old movie - they offer "Family Favourites" presentations on Saturday mornings for $2.50)
• Peterborough Musicfest (free outdoor concerts in a range of genres on Wednesday and Saturday nights all summer at Del Crary Park)
• Wild Water and Wheels (go-karts, mini-golf, batting cages, etc. Every time we drive by the girls ask when they can go. "Someday!")

More free, outdoor adventures recommended by the locals: 

• Jackson Park  (walks, bike rides, popular wedding photo spot)
• Beavermead Park (with beach and camping available)
• For winter fun: Skating at the Lift Locks or tobogganing on Armour Hill. (In high school, the purpose of driving up Armour Hill with your sweetheart was not for tobogganing. Or so I was told.)  
• Rogers Cove in the East City area of Peterborough (one local remarks "beautiful with playground, lake and splashpad all in one spot!"

Since I live in the area, I don't have much expertise when it comes to accommodations, though I know the Holiday Inn downtown is in a very central spot, and backs right onto the lake. On our wedding night, we had a beautiful suite at the Best Western Otonabee Inn, but I really have no relevant details from that stay that I wish to share with you here today.

So...for all of those familiar with Peterborough, what have I missed that you would recommend? Leave a comment below to share your expertise!

If you're planning a visit, please feel free to contact me with any questions, and be sure to check out the Peterborough and Kawarthas tourism site for more info!

The Happiness Project: July (Buy Some Happiness...can you?)

For the month of July, author Gretchen Rubin focused her Happiness Project on "Money (buy some happiness)."

Specifically, her goals were:

• Indulge in a modest splurge
• Buy needful things
• Spend out
• Give something up

*Please note that this was one of twelve months devoted to an exploration of happiness, and in my mind not at all one of the most important. But it's an interesting topic to reflect on, if only for a short period of time.*

I'd like to think I have a pretty good relationship with money. That might be because I've never had to worry about it excessively (which is absolutely not to say that I haven't worked for it.). I actually drafted most of this post as my financial history, from childhood to date, but then realized I was getting a bit off track...so I'll save it for another day!

Long story short, I think you can live on a very low income and be a happy person. I also think you can be a miserable millionaire. But I agree with Rubin that money can, to some degree, buy a bit of happiness.

Making charitable donations certainly gives me a high. Surprising a departing colleague with an item that she had been coveting definitely lifted my mood. Taking my parents to dinner for their 40th anniversary was very special. Spending on experiences (trips, concert tickets, restaurants) can not only bring some joy in the moment, but also some lasting memories. And, I will admit, some material purchases bring happiness too.

Recent example: my husband took me shopping on the weekend to pick out my birthday gifts (we both like this deal). First we stopped to purchase some accessories for the bathroom we're renovating. Now that is a MAJOR expenditure, but it's already bringing me happiness, and all I can see at the moment is the new paint colour. I know the novelty will fade away, but I will always be pleased to have a beautiful, updated bathroom.

Next was Chapters, where several of my students pre-purchased me some happiness with their end-of-year gift cards (I'm usually all about the library, so this was especially fun). I bought the books shown below, and have already finished Sharp Objects (great book!) Again, these books will be read and passed along within weeks, but I believe that the momentary happiness of reading by the pool is extended because those characters and stories remain with me.

I am not ashamed to admit that for my birthday, I also wanted some "stuff". Two new tops, some accessories (all from cheap stores) and a brand new bag. While this is one of the few areas where I like to splurge (my Louis Vuitton and Coach bags, for example) I've been wanting something colourful for summer, and this Ricki's purse (regularly $39.95 but with 40% off when we were there) fit the bill just fine. I've only been using it for two days (yes, it was supposed to be a birthday gift but I couldn't wait) and I know I smile every time I go to pick it up.

Coincidentally, as I was writing this post on the treadmill (there's no way to measure the health/happiness that big purchase has brought me) Frannie walked by and remarked "I love my iPod. I'm so glad I bought it." That was the most expensive item she's ever purchased, but already she's had so much fun with it, and was also able to stay connected to her best friend after a surgery at Sick Kids and several weeks of recovery at home.

Money also buys happiness in the sense that it can buy me time. During the school year, we have a cleaning lady come for two hours a week to tackle the main jobs. Of course I still clean my house (if you know me, you know that once a week doesn't really cut it) but unless there are any big spills, I don't scrub my floors while I'm teaching. That's happiness, not because I desperately hate floor scrubbing, but because it gives me more time for other to-do's (or want to-do's).

I totally believe experiences make people happy. Of course there are many things you can do that don't cost a cent, but Jamaica (for example) is not one of them. I have a few great blog experiences happening this month - two for the family that aren't costing us money, but usually would, and two that I'm doing on my own that don't cost anything except gas for my vehicle. I fully expect that these events will be highlights of July...but along with celebrating my birthday with family and friends (I'm referring to the time together, not the gifts), hanging around the pool with my girls, and sleeping in just a little bit...all of which are free, and priceless.

Do you think money makes you happy? What expenditure has brought you the most happiness? (Comments make me very happy, and they're free too!)

Inside Lainey Gossip's SMUT Soiree 2014!

Last night was my first trip to Lainey Lui's annual SMUT Soiree, held in Toronto at The Evergreen Brickworks, and it was a blast!

When my friend @sarahnewk from Sleeping is for Losers - whoops, I mean Sarah, she has a real name - invited me to go, I jumped at the chance...even though it was on a school night! (Here is Sarah's take on the event.)

I quickly glammed up after school in our not-so-glam staff washroom (I went with a short dress and heels, since photos from previous years looked pretty dressy).

We arrived just a few minutes after the 6 pm start time, which was a good move...there was still lots of parking available, and the line to get in was short. The line to have your photo taken in front of the backdrop for the chance to be chosen "most stylish" and win a shopping spree was long, but we decided to remove ourselves from the competition, you know, in order to give someone else a chance.

The perimeter of the room held various sponsor booths, like Rimmel (giving free manis), TRESemmé (hair touchups), and Unilever (with a self-serve swag line for samples, shown below). Note: if you have your heart set on something, you need to get in the line right away or you'll be waiting a while! I'm looking forward to trying out the dry shampoo, a product I've never used but hear so many people recommend.

The $54 ticket price also included "open bar" (there was a beer booth and a Grey Goose martini bar) and hors d'oeuvres like a hot dogs (served from an authentic hot dog truck) salmon sliders, something seafood-y, cheese breadsticks, popcorn and Skinny Cow treats. I was on a total sugar rush by the time Lainey took the stage!

Folding chairs were set up in rows for the actual "smut session", and when we noticed other ladies saving their seats, we followed suit and dropped our sweater/jacket somewhere in the ninth row so we could be close to the action. Bonus: there was a Paulette's chocolate donut waiting on each seat! (Like I said, sugar rush!)

We unknowingly managed to photobomb a shot of Lainey that she shared on Twitter - can you spot us?

Let's Be Frank made me a special sausage for #thesmutsoiree. Had to put it in my mouth. pic.twitter.com/3nPD3OUDlH
— Elaine L. (@LaineyGossip) June 23, 2014

And was she trying to take a picture of us here? Nope - it was her mom (and subject of her recent book) the Squawking Chicken, who was in attendance along with her father and husband Jacek.

Host Teri Hart and Lainey got the gossip going right at 8:00...and did they dish the dirt. Not only do they both have years of experience interviewing the stars, Lainey has all sorts of (seemingly reliable) sources filling her in on Hollywood (and New York and Toronto) goings-on, both the conscious uncoupling and the very random coupling. I'm not going to go into details here (out of respect for Lainey's process and those who paid for their tickets) but I am almost convinced that there isn't a fully straight man left in Hollywood.

Lainey confirmed the identities of many celebrities she's written about in blind items on her site, LaineyGossip
sometimes directly, and sometimes with hints like "Pretty in Pink" or "he got a perm for his last movie role". You don't even want to know what tidbit she was confirming with that last clue.

What I will tell you: Jennifer Lawrence is supposedly as nice and funny and self-deprecating as she appears in interviews. One of America's sweethearts is not. (Which disappointed me.)

A huge chunk of the talk was devoted to "question and answer", with microphones set up at three points in the middle aisle where attendees could ask their burning gossip questions.

After a full hour of chatting, the session wrapped up and we were back in the car by 9:15 (just perfect for this early-to-bed gal, since that didn't get me to bed until 11:15!)

On the way out, we were handed a little swag bag (contents shown below):

I would definitely attend again, and go in feeling even more confident next time as I know what to expect. Well done, Lainey...see you next year! Actually, I'll see you next month (squee!), but that's a whole other blog post.

Yep, I just said "squee". You know it's going to be big.

School Roundup: May and June 2014

I'm going with bullets for this one, and focusing on the highlights!

• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: book and movie. Discuss proper use of words "fat" and "ass". 

• Science: Great unit on Structures taught by the student teacher we had with us for the month of May. The highlight just may have been the gumdrop towers:

• Mother's Day brooches: (purchased plain at Michaels, painted, decorated and glittered with love at school, with safety pin hot glue-gunned to the back.)

•  Also: Mother's Day newspaper pages (see Pinterest link, from MarthaStewart.com)  

• Wigs For Kids: I posted about our big hair donation assembly day here. It was a pretty big deal around my house, and in my classroom...and we already have girls saying they're on board for next year.

• EQAO: this is our province's standardized testing, and the Grade 3's write tasks for Language (Reading, Writing) and Math. To make it fun, we all wear our jammies, and the kids are permitted to bring gum or hard candy from home to enjoy while they write. (Note that the parents provide treats for their own child, and sugar-free gum and organic lollipops are welcome.) Throughout the year the students are exposed to questions from past assessments (which are made available on the EQAO website for that specific purpose) so they know exactly what to expect. I'm always glad when it's done!

• Class trip to Legoland: We brought the girls here in the summer, but this was my first time taking a class to Legoland and I thought it was great. Feedback from the students and parents/grandparents was overwhelmingly positive.

• Grad time capsules Every year I get my grade threes to write predictions about their grade 8 graduations. Five years later, I visit them in June to read their work, and the kids try to guess who was who - for prizes! Lots of fun, and a nice way to connect with my former students before they move on. 

• Flower art and reflection I got this idea from Pinterest, but adapted it to be cut paper instead of paint. Having the kids complete a reflection sheet on their work (what the did best and what they would change if they could) is an important step, and provides great details to use when reporting on Art.

• Father's Day toolboxes (see Pinterest link), with special messages for Dad on the back of each tool, plus draws for some great Hallmark gifts - which we did for Mother's Day too.) 

• Cursive writing - No, it's not on the curriculum and no, there's not enough time for it, but I try to squeeze in some mini lessons during the month of June. This book is a great resource, teaching the letters in order of category (e.g. "mountain climbers"), not alphabetical order. 

• Health - PBS Kids No Smoking website  - very helpful for teaching kids about the dangers of nicotine (a drug that we study as part of our health program)

And that's the year that was! (Well, with a couple of days to go!) I don't know if any of these posts have been helpful to you, but I plan to refer back to them as I plan ahead for next year....not just yet, though!

Getting Kids Involved in Charity and Social Justice

I have been so blessed in my life, and I always feel like I should be doing more to give back. I'm quick to make charitable donations, partly because I have the luxury of time often meaning more to me than money. I give to the church, and I love to pledge friends who are running/walking/biking, or support kids who are fundraising for their organizations.

While this is certainly valuable, writing cheques doesn't really do enough to teach my own daughters about charity and social justice, but I also know that our current schedules don't allow for a lot of opportunity to roll up our sleeves and volunteer our time. (Yes, we could choose to make the time, but right now it isn't happening.)

I pondered this dilemma last summer, and came to a decision: that I would be the staff adviser (along with the principal) for our school's Leaders Today/Student Government group. That way, I could devote my time (recesses, lunch hour, prep time, after school) to these sorts of initiatives, and incorporate them right into my teaching practice. Maybe I'm not out working at a soup kitchen, but I am mobilizing close to 200 children to get involved. That has to count for something, right?

I'm also in a very unique position, having my two daughters at the same school as me. I know they will be directly impacted by all of the projects and fundraisers, so I'm combining my parenting with professional practice. (You know how I love to multitask!)

With the support of staff and parents, here's what our kids accomplished this year (and while skimming the numbers, please keep in mind that we currently have an enrollment of only 174 students!)

Terry Fox Fundraiser: this started a few years ago at our school as "Toonie For Terry", asking for a $2 donation per student in advance of our big walk date, which would raise between $300 and $400. This year, we upped the challenge and were not disappointed, donating slightly over $1000 to the Terry Fox Foundation.

Having the principal volunteer to colour his hair green and take a few pies to the face may have helped!

Thanksgiving Food Drive: The day before Thanksgiving weekend, we held a staff dodgeball game in the gym, asking for a non-perishable food item from each student as admission. Everyone attended!

Christmas Hampers: Every year students donate the items that are needed to put together a Christmas dinner...and more. Cash donations are put towards the purchase of  turkeys and perishable goods to complete the meal. Often these hampers go to families right from our own school community, so the needs hit very close to home, and it gives students such a sense of pride to be able to help.

Kinsmen Toy Drive: Our barrel of toy donations was full again this year, bringing joy to many children throughout the community on Christmas morning

Used Children's Book Drive: In January, we put out the call to families to clear off their shelves of any children's books that they no longer needed, and boy, did they rise to that challenge (you know I'll do anything to get people to purge and declutter!) We collected over 1200 used children's books, which were organized by category and age level and set up in the lobby of our local Ontario Early Years Centre. There, they were made available free of charge to any families who needed them. I'm told it didn't take long to clear those tables...and the newspaper even came to take a photo of our kids with the books!

This initiative was particularly important to me because I want kids to know that doing good work like this doesn't always involve money. Many of our families can't afford to be sending in cash donations on a regular basis, but this was something kids could do on their own - go to their shelves and find even one book that they've outgrown or no longer enjoy.

Valentine's Day Dance for Abush: "What's Abush?" you ask? It's not a what, it's a who...and he's our sponsor child from Ethiopia. On Valentine's Day, the Student Government planned games and dances for the students (based on age) and asked for a $2 donation each. It takes $454 to support a child for a year, and this helped us get close to that number.


Food For Fitness: In April, a local fitness instructor generously donated a day of her time in exchange for food donations from the students. Combining charity with fitness..what a great combination!


Easter Card Sales for Development and Peace: There was a big local focus with our projects this year, and we wanted to step back and think a bit more globally during the Lenten season, and also support a Catholic organization which has such an important impact around the world. One of our very artistic Student Government members hand-drew a series of four Easter cards (two religious, two secular) to be coloured by the students and given to their friends and family. We kept the price low and sold them for $0.25 each, yet still managed to send a cheque for over $100 to support the work of Development and Peace.


Wigs For Kids: You may have seen my full recap about our exciting hair donation day, but in "short" (ha ha) eight students and one teacher donated 10" of hair to be used to make free wigs for children with medical hair loss. We had a really fun assembly where the entire student body watched the ponytails get chopped, and some great sponsors donated prizes for a jam-packed gift back for our girls. There are already students asking about doing it next year!

My daughters and me before:

And after:

While these projects were school-wide, in my own classroom we also wrote letters to Canadian peacekeepers situated in Jerusalem (we thought it was appropriate to thank them for continuing Jesus' work right where He started) and we did a collection of items for our local St. Vincent de Paul store (Vinnie's), again encouraging the kids to painlessly donate items they no longer use.

Could we have done more? Of course. Could I personally be doing more, both in the school and outside of it? Absolutely. But this was definitely something.

Thanks to our staff, parents, and amazing students for making all of this happen.

What initiatives take place at your child's school? I'm always looking for new ideas!

Wednesday Words on Ambition and Encouragement

"Keep away from those who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you believe that you, too, can become great." 

Mark Twain

Thanks to everyone who makes me believe that I can be great, and to God for putting all of you in my life.

What Phase Are You At? Newborn Poo, Loose Teeth, Performance Anxiety and Teen Shaving

I know, I know, the title is a bit of a wordy mish-mash (which covers a huge range of parenting phases), but today I want to share links to my most recent published articles.

From Today's Parent:

Newborn Guide to Infant Poop (I joked on Twitter that this was the "dirtiest" article I've written yet!)

Kids and Performance Anxiety (this one applies to sports, music, classroom, etc. "Stage fright" can happen anywhere!)

From Parents Canada:

The Loose Tooth Guide (when they'll fall out, what to expect, and some Tooth Fairy tidbits thrown in)

Teen Shaving Tips (maybe not just for teens. My eight year old has already noted her lack of appreciation for her dark leg hair. Sorry, kiddo.)

Thanks to all of the amazing parents and sources who contributed to these articles. I couldn't do it without you! Plus a shout out to the supportive editors that I'm lucky enough to work with!

I have a few more exciting things in the works...I'll keep you posted!

What Hallmark Has In Store: Father's Day and Graduation

You can always count on Hallmark to have you covered for gift-giving occasions. Here are my favourites for two special June events: Father's Day and Graduation! (Plus a little hint if anyone's shopping for me...)

First, the Father's Day gifts. These ones are currently on the ledge at the back of my classroom, and will be up for grabs as prizes the week before Father's Day. (This went over really well with the Mother's Day gifts!)

Harley Davidson - Life Doesn't Come With a Road Map Tin Sign ($14.95) and Boxed Coaster Set ($24.95). I'm not too sure how many biker dads we have in our class, but there's certainly a target market for these fun items out there!

StarWars - Yoda Bottle Opener with Sound ($14.95) and Darth Vader Cut-out Desktop Sentiment ($19.95) - may be inspiring in the workplace!

Dad's Remote Novelty Gift ($14.95, $9.95 with any purchase) - sure to make Dad laugh, buttons include "bad call", "power nap" and "the game is on"!

Love You Dad Book ($11.99) - This one's got adorable National Geographic photos of animals and sweet sentiments for Dads

Magic Prints Frame and Travel Tumbler ($14.95) - Daddy would love to receive one of these gifts from a little one to always have them close...their handprint, anyway! (Moms...I'm not sure about you, but I see enough of the handprints! Just kidding. Sort of.)

Now we're moving on to Grad. These gifts are going to be put to good use as well. Every year, I get my Grade 3's to write about how they envision their Grade 8 Graduation. What will they wear? Who will come? Who will their best friends be? Their favourite subject/sport/show, etc.? Then I tuck them away in my filing cabinet. When the students reach Grade 8, I go back to their class and play a fun guessing game, where they try to figure out who said what, five years earlier, and give them back their work as a souvenir. This will be my third time revisiting my former students, and I plan to give away these great Hallmark gifts as prizes for our guessing game.

Accordion Display Board Album ($12.95)

Autograph Owl with Pen ($16.95, special $12.95)

Sculpted Sentiments ($14.95) - this one's a lock that says "Unlock your potential". There's also a beautiful typewriter that says "Write your own story" on it...and while I'm not a father or a graduate, if anyone's looking to buy me a gift I'd love that one!

One-of-a Kind Creations 2014 Frame ($24.95, save 30% before June 16th) - in partnership with Shutterfly, you can upload a photo and have it send to you free, precut and ready to slide into your frame.

Thanks for all of the great ideas, Hallmark!