A Sibling Rivalry For The Digital Age – Who Chooses On #Netflix

It’s funny how the outside world has a good sense of what is going on in your house. For the past few months our two boys (3 and 6) have really stepped into their sibling rivalry pants to the point that EVERYTHING is a battle for supremacy.

  • Who goes down the stairs first.
  • Who goes in the door first.
  • Who gets in the car first.
  • Who gets a certain cup or dish.
  • Who gets what cereal.

The list goes on. The outcome usually leaves one kid on the floor in some level of tantrum. WTF guys, why are you fighting over the most trivial things. Why not wait a few years and fight over girls, or sports awards or who can eat the most hot dogs. Jeesh.

So it was very timely for the Netflix gang to pose the question about how our kids get a long when it comes to what they watch and how they fight or come together for true enjoyment. Makes me wonder if there is a camera somewhere.

Kumon Made A Difference For Our Son

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It’s amazing when you can see a real change in your child. When they conquer something by bursting right through a wall that was frustrating them. That’s what our son Harry has done in the last few months with his reading and writing.

I am also happy to share with you that one of the contributing factors was Harry’s time spent at Kumon, an after school math and reading program. For those following the journey, you know that we were approached by Kumon to try out their service for six months in exchange for an honest review on the blog.

As I mentioned before, it was perfect timing because in October of last year, Harry was struggling and getting more and more frustrated by the day. He was falling behind in class and stressing himself out over it. Young kids should not be stressing about such things.

Before even starting Kumon, we met with Harry’s Grade One teacher and worked out a plan for him to get extra help at school and what we could do at home. TLC for reading and writing was coming from all fronts. That’s why it was perfect that Kumon came calling when it did.

100 Things To Do With Your Kids This Summer In Toronto

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Every year I secretly look forward to a list that Sarah over at Solo Mom Takes Flight does. Basically she plans out my summer for me when it comes to entertaining the kids. Well it dropped finally and I love it. But after reading it, I had a lot of my own suggestions that did not make her list, so, I figured, let’s go for 100.

Don’t get me wrong, so many of Sarah’s ideas are great and if you follow her on Instagram, you know she loves visiting every part of Toronto. I can only strive to do the same.

Every thing she suggested made me think of a few more. I started remembering when I had the kids all summer a few years ago and all the places we went. It’s exciting.

Toronto is such a great city, especially in the summer. You never have to leave. You can find something fun to do every day and in all price ranges.

So, thanks for the inspiration Sarah. Please visit her blog and read about where in the world she is with her kids.

100 Things To Do With Your Kids This Summer in Toronto

Culmination Of Irritation: 25 Things That Bug Me

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I believe there is a book called Don’t Stress The Small Stuff right? I believe I even read it back in the day. It’s true, worrying about every little thing can be paralyzing. But what if let the little things that you are not stressing build up into a dirty bomb of annoyance and anger? Yes, I believe I am feeling it these days and I am simply chalking it up to the culmination of irritation. Tick, tick.

We all have several things that bother us every day. That’s not news. For those of us who are parents, I have to say, those several things multiply faster than the cost of buying Diaper Genie refills. Why? Because you are taking on the worry and problems that your little kiddies bring to the table. Oh and spoiler alert, it does not seem to bother them, so that weight gets even heavier on your already tired shoulders.

Looking Into The Mirrors That Are My Devices

Do you ever look into the mirror and not like what is looking back at you? I think whether we like to admit it or not, it’s true sometimes. But do you ignore it, or try and figure out what is bothering you? It’s always much deeper than the actual face you see.

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Lately, the metaphorical mirror has been either my phone or tablet and I have been taking stock on how I use each. Why I use each as much as I do and who it is affecting around me.

It was only seven years ago that I did not even have a device of any kind. Yes, I was a very late adopter to the smartphone world and I only got my first BlackBerry because Katie was pregnant.

Now, I seem to have a device in my hand or around me most of the day and God damn I just can’t leave them alone.

Building March Break Fun With LEGO

Dad, we never got to play with LEGO today.

We hear that a lot in our house, usually when there is only a few minutes until bedtime.

There never seems to be enough time in day to do everything you want, even when you are a kid. But, then it was March break and things got less busy and there was plenty of time for LEGO.

Also, with brilliant timing, Netflix sent us a box of goodies to help make March break even more fun. Oh, guess what, there was LEGO inside the magic box. Perfect.

Our boys are three and six, and while I think LEGO has gotten a little complicated for little hands, they love it nonetheless.

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Never Stop The Madness

March! I love it. The weather changes, the days get longer and there is this little basketball tournament that takes over my life. We all know it as March Madness, and I hope it never stops.

I tested my brain the other day and tried to remember as far back as I could on what year I started watching. This is going to really age me, but I got back as far as 1986. Louisville won it all and I was hooked for the next 30 years and counting. Yes, when the tourney fires up this week, it will be my 30th watching on TV.

So many highs and lows. I have seen my team, Michigan, win once and lose a handful of times in dramatic fashion. The players come and go, but the name on the front of the jersey stays true.

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There is no other sporting event like it. Anyone, and I mean anyone, can get wrapped up into buzzer beaters and upsets. You don’t have to know anything about the sport or the players, all you need is a heart.