October 10th Monday Madness Giveaway Linky

Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Canadians!  It's been a great long weekend for us. The kids had Friday off school, we had a delicious turkey dinner at home Saturday night and a visit with friends later on.  Last night Mr. K and I went to my aunts for another amazing turkey dinner with my family.

I am happy to say that we STILL haven't turned the heat on - however, after seeing the weather forecast for the next 2 weeks, I don't think it will be much longer.

#OTTAWA Indoor Trick or Treating Locations For Halloween 2016

When my kids were small, I always loved hitting up the local mall with them on Halloween.  It was so much fun to see all the little kiddies dressed up in costume, going store to store with their buckets or goodie bags.

Here is a list of local places that hold indoor trick or treating for 2016

Update On September Writing Challenge

Last month I took part in a writing challenge. The goal was to write and publish a post daily for the entire month. That's right, 30 posts.  Well, I came close - but I didn't succeed with the 30 posts.  I missed one day as there was a death in the family.

I learned something during the challenge - I don't like publishing daily.  I find I stress out about having to have something published each day, and I would rather take my time and if I have the chance, to schedule content over a few weeks.

By doing this, it ensures that there will be new content on the blog in the weeks to come, and if anything comes up then I am covered by scheduled posts.  I can always move things around or post more if I feel like it.

It was, however, a great way to get back into blogging after taking most of the summer off.  The kids and I had a great time together, and I will look back on that time with fond memories. Much better than having spent most of it working.

Top 10 Family Friendly Halloween Movies

We are a movie loving family, and love to choose films that match the time of year when possible. With Halloween coming up, I thought I would put together a list of my top 10 picks for Family friendly Halloween movies

Help Erika and Mason Fundraiser October 22nd #Ottawa

Hey guys - I am posting this on behalf of a mother in my community that is looking for a little bit of help.  If you are seeking something fun for the family on October 22nd, think about joining in the activities for this fundraiser. Chapters Rideau will also be donating a portion of sales on October 20th.

"I am a single mother of the most amazing, resilient and happy little toddler anyone knows. My son is 20 months old and was born with a rare congenital heart defect called hypo-plastic left heart syndrome. Basically, he was born with the left side of his heart critically underdeveloped. The left side is responsible for providing oxygenated blood to the extremities and he doesn't have a lot of strength to fight normal childhood illness like other children.

He has already undergone two open heart surgeries that only improve his quality of life. They aren't a cure. He needs one more surgery next year and more down the road. Despite having undergone so many awful procedures and living most of his life in and out of the hospital at Sick Kids in Toronto, he still has the courage to smile and play like healthy happy boy. The only thing is, I need help. It is extremely difficult going through this alone emotionally but financially. Next year when he has the last palliative option, there is a high chance we will have to stay in the hospital a while. I hope that you will support us by attending!"

Erika 

You can find out a little more information by checking out the eventbrite link or if you cannot make it, consider donating here

Apple HomeKit is Finally Ready to Make an Impression!

More than two operating systems ago – when Apple rolled out iOS 8 – the tech world became abuzz talking about the promise of an Apple powered smart home. The problem? Apple’s HomeKit never really took off the way most thought it would. Some attribute it to an unfulfilled pledge to make interfacing with smart home devices simpler, while others felt that it was too difficult to find a decent third-party mobile app – even though by last count, there were over 20 of them. Others still, found the selection of compatible devices to be woefully underwhelming.

With the release of iOS 10, the first operating system to include a proprietary HomeKit app, critics are once again becoming believers that Apple’s smart home technology will not only be among the leaders in terms of functionality, but from a DIYers perspective, lead the way with the easy to operate and intuitively designed interface that Apple customers have grown accustomed to lo these many years.

October 3rd Monday Madness Giveaway Linky

How is it possible that we are into October already? Thanksgiving is just a week away - crazy.  Every year our goal is to make it to Thanksgiving without turning our heat on - in 12 years, I think we have only made it twice.  So far this year, we are good. No heat has been needed. There have been some chilly mornings, but the lowest the temperature inside the house has gotten to was 16.  It's normally sitting around 17 in the morning, and warms up to 18 or 19 in the afternoon.

Really hoping we won't have to cave before next week....