Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in toronto, CN

Top Five Things I Needed To Survive Our Vacation

by Katie

August 04, 2009

Because our trip across Canada was going to take weeks and we didn't really know when we would be able to do laundry, we had to pack our limited luggage with extreme prejudice. We were two adults packing as light as possible for five people - we had to be able to carry, fly, and drive with it from Atlantic to Pacific oceans.

So obviously I had to pack light on the toys and entertainment selection because there is no question which wins in the extra underwear versus full-size and operational Buzz Lightyear Doll debate.

Oh the places we've been...

by Katie

August 03, 2009

Annnnnnd I'm back. July was a completely wonderful and insane month filled with lots of adventures and lots of travel for me and Gigi. GM Canada and Fairmont generously helped my friend Catherine and our children (two three year olds and one 14 month old) travel from Halifax to Ottawa, then Edmonton to Vancouver -- and then some -- last month (we recorded it over at Mom Road Trip '09). Plus after returning from that lovely snapshot of insanity, I did another roadtrip down to Chicago for BlogHer '09.

Learning Goes Both Ways

by Katie

January 28, 2009

Stepping back and letting challenges unfold has probably been one of the best parental-skill thingamajiggies I've employed since my baby has turned into a little girl. She is a fiercely independent - yet completely dependent - kid who has taught me many things in exchange for the safety and guidance I think I have provided for her. Gigi has taught me to never give up. I'd like to think it's  Read more...

Deadline: Kindergarten

by Katie

January 27, 2009

Even though I am chomping at the bit to have my little lady go to Junior Kindergarten next Fall, I'm also a little bit sad. I keep denying myself the time to wallow in this sadness and analysis it, justify it, prepare myself for it. And in fact, I'm just in full denial most days. I keep telling myself she's going to love it ( she might not ) and we will have more routine in our lives. Oh and  Read more...

reflection

by Katie

January 13, 2009

It's hard to pinpoint exactly when Gigi first noticed herself in a mirror, it's not something I marked in the baby book ( in fact, I was a crappy recorder of life events for my child, unless you count the blog ). But once she realized that the baby who always agreed with her in the mirror was her, she was smitten - with herself. It was the beginning of a life long love affair ( so far ). In  Read more...

It's important to me!

by Katie

January 06, 2009

Three has presented some interesting challenges in parenting. And when I say interesting challenges, I mean to say: Three has presented some of the most frustrating and head-butting moments in my history as a parent. But I say that with love - no really, I do. Don't get me wrong: I find Three a lot of fun and so far this year has been full of all sorts of amazing magical parenting moments. But  Read more...

New adventures and experiences

by Katie

January 05, 2009

The past year has been full of new experiences for Gigi and sometimes she really loves to discuss her adventures right down to the last detail. Coupled with the endless game of "asking the question but why" and a vocabulary that is growing at an incredible rate, she loves to talk about all these new things non-stop (or so it seems). I have found that books about kids or characters going through  Read more...

What better way to end 2008, than with a top ten list

by Katie

December 30, 2008

You know what I need to do for this week's Tuesday list? A top ten year end round-up list. Because making lists is what Tuesday is all about and this being the last Tuesday of 2008, I'm going to list my favorite Savvy Souce posts - written by yours truly - from the past year. Researching and writing these posts this past year has been a blast. It's been extra motivation to explore Toronto and  Read more...

Have a holly jolly Christmas

by Katie

December 25, 2008

While I'm enjoying the day with lots of gifts and food, in the company of extended family, I am thankful that we are lucky to have each other on this day. We have been connecting with family that we couldn't be with today, both via the magic of the internet and the phone. It may not be the same as being physically together, but the day wouldn't seem complete if we didn't let everyone know that  Read more...

Mom time: bootcamp mama mio style

by Katie

December 08, 2008

While the idea of bootcamp might turn some people off, when I was asked to participate in a little bootcamp for the booty, it sounded like a good idea to me. Let's just say in the "booty" department I suffer from pancake-itis, meaning when it comes to booty, I am not a pear, or an apple, or even a grape - I possess a pancake to the crepe extreme. My booty is a non-booty [cue violins]. Seriously,  Read more...

A little routine never hurt anyone

by Katie

December 03, 2008

Since Gigi started school this past September we have encountered a few issues around getting through the day. Most of these issues revolve around getting dressed. As in: she hates getting dressed and I'm a bit hung up on not having her go naked all the time. I'm strange like that. At first I didn't get this resistance to clothing but slowly it dawned on me that this was a control issue. A  Read more...

Toys! toys! toys!

by Katie

December 02, 2008

Sure, I say that I don't want Christmas to be all about toys but let's face it - toys are fun and they make Christmas morning extra special. I've gone through the Savvy Source Toy catalogue and picked out Gigi's top five favourite picks of toys that she already has at her disposal. I thought I'd share them with you - in case you need some shopping inspiration for the preschooler on your list:  Read more...

Mom Time: Mama Mio

by Katie

October 22, 2008

Back in the day, I was one of those mom's that never made time for myself after giving birth. I was too exhausted after baby-wrangling to bathe, much less moisturize post-partum, which in hindsight, was not a good thing. Just ask my husband, he had to sit next to me most of the time. Anyhow, as the post-partum fog lifted and a good friend dragged me out for a manicure, I started to get back into  Read more...

Hey september: we hardly knew ye, you went so fast

by Katie

September 30, 2008

September was all about Gigi's new adventure at nursery school and me realizing that my baby is no longer a baby but a preschooler. I can't believe how much has happened this month. Let me take the time to have a little groovy flashback session just like at the end of Scooby-doo; my favourite posts from the past month ( get groovy and wavy and let's flashback all together now ) social  Read more...

My Day Out: Wish List

by Katie

September 16, 2008

Today I'm keeping it simple here at Savvy Source Toronto - and when I say simple, I mean child-free. Today I'm suggesting some places in Toronto to enjoy a Child-Free Date ( all that I'd like to do and may just recruit friends or SB via this pos t). Each suggestion guarantees that I will find myself whine-free without a hint of Dora and Diego in the air for at least three hours ( unless at that  Read more...

Sibling Rivalry

by Katie

September 11, 2008

Gigi is an only child which makes me happy and sad. Happy because having one child is very manageable, affordable, and we have a lot of fun as a trio. But having one child is also sad for me, because both SB and I grew up in families with three kids and it was cool always having someone to do something with almost any time of day or night. That said, our situation isn't going to change anytime  Read more...

Playing referee

by Katie

September 08, 2008

There isn't one parenting manual / book I've read that completely satisfies me but there are a few that I turn to when stumped and in need of clarification for what is exactly wrong with my preschooler unit. I wish the instruction manual for this girl was easier to read, but apparently I must refer to a multitude of sources to find out exactly how she works, and even then, I'm not guaranteed a  Read more...

On your first day of preschool, don't forget.

by Katie

September 02, 2008

Finally, I have totally calmed down after yesterday's post , the one about how I was totally freaked out about Gigi starting school for the first time this Friday. Sure, it's only nursery school and it's only for 2.5 hours three days a week, but it's school. She has a cubby, she has a classroom, she has a teacher, she has rules.... ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh my baby is starting school. [ resume  Read more...

Social creatures: a mom's lament

by Katie

September 01, 2008

This week marks a huge milestone for our family. Friday is a red-letter day because my daughter will be attending nursery school for the very first time. She has never been in any drop off group situation. Almost all group programs have been done with me, her usual sidekick. Frankly nursery school is freaking me out. Gigi, on the other hand, thinks it's really cool. Mind you, each time I  Read more...

China: interesting and fun facts to share with a preschooler

by Katie

July 28, 2008

Back when I was a kid, the best way to get me interested in world history, culture, and geography was by telling me the "good stuff" - you know, the interesting, fun, and unique facts about another country or historical period. Trust me, if I had gotten the goods on Henry the VIII through movies like The Other Boleyn Girl , I probably would have done a lot better on my seventh grade history  Read more...

It's pirate time

by Katie

June 26, 2008

Gigi hovers between tomboy and girly-girl each and every day. I never know if I should be preparing myself for a day of tea parties and dolly daycare or y'ar mateys and plank walking. Personally, I prefer the later though there are times when a sedate cup of tea with Miss Tweetybird is just the ticket. By the way, always keep an eye on Miss Tweetybird because she's apt to sneak a few extra rice  Read more...