adventure

Add Adventure to Your Summer with 4 Tips from Thomas & Friends-Giveaway

August 24, 2015 by Kathryn 91 Comments

If there’s one thing that my boys and I both love, it’s an adventure. Even a simple trip to the park has the potential for endless fun with a bit of imagination. And to inspire kids and adults alike to enjoy new adventures, Thomas & Friends has four great tips that will help your family make the most of their summer!

Get Creative

Just because your little one wants to go to Mars doesn’t mean it can’t happen! We encourage you to bring your child’s wildest dreams to life with a little creativity and imagination. When they’re older and reflect on the special time you spent together, they’ll remember the work you put into making their dream come true! [Read more…]

Playing in the Water is More Fun with Snappy Towels-Giveaway

June 22, 2015 by Kathryn 127 Comments

With summer vacation less than a week away, I’m already planning fun activities my boys and I can enjoy during the next few months. And since Saskatchewan summers are pretty hot, that’s sure to include lots of time playing in the water! Spending the day at the beach, visiting the local splash park and even just running through the sprinkler in the back yard are all favourite pastimes for my boys and for me in the summer!

Since the whole family loves to get wet, having a good set of towels for drying off after fun in the water is always a good thing! This summer, I had the chance to review some stylish and fun new towels that provide added functionality for kids and adults alike. Snappy Towels are the hottest new summer accessory this year for all kinds of reasons!

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Try One of These 6 Must-Experience Canadian May Long Weekend Adventures

May 13, 2015 by Kathryn 7 Comments

There’s nothing I love more than exploring the great outdoors, and May Long Weekend is one of the best times to do that! With the snow finally gone and spring in full swing, getting outside for some fun and adventure is always a must for our family. This May Long Weekend, why not throw caution to the wind and see what this beautiful country has to offer? These six attractions across Canada are ones the whole family will enjoy!

Watch whales instead of Netflix—The Vancouver Whale Watch, now in its 15th year, provides a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the majestic creatures in action.
Check out the Wildlife Discovery Tour in Jasper, Alberta—the best place in the Canadian Rockies to see wildlife. Follow along knowledgeable guides in search of moose, elk, bear, mountain sheep, wolves, and even loons, eagles and osprey.
Visit the Sukanen Ship Pioneer Village outside Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. This 40-acre museum contains a pioneer village, antique grain elevator, farmyard and the Sukanen ship itself. With plenty of antiques and room to explore, it gives visitors a glimpse into life on the prairies in the past.
Venture over to The Forks, Winnipeg’s meeting place where the Red and Assiniboine Rivers join. Whether it’s beautiful scenery, dining, shopping or entertainment, it’s a great place to check out with the family over the long weekend.
Give white water rafting a go at the River Run Rafting and Wilderness Resort in the Ottawa Valley. This family style raft trip is fun for adults as well as children of all ages.
Hike the Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. From hiking to kayaking to whale watching, the Cabot Trail provides the recipe for a perfect May Long Weekend.

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Swimming with Whale Sharks in Mexico – Don’t Get Out of the Water!

April 1, 2015 by Kathryn 45 Comments

It’s so easy to fly off to an exotic country like Mexico and spend the entire trip lounging on the beach or sipping cocktails by the pool. While I’m certainly a fan of that relaxing atmosphere myself, there’s a lot to be said for getting away from the hotel or resort and taking part in some of the unique activities the country has to offer. And for a true once-in-a-lifetime experience, there’s simply nothing better than swimming with whale sharks.

kathryn lavallee swimming with whale shark — Yup, that’s me with the largest fish in the world!

Thanks to Viator, a company that specializes in helping travellers book the best and most original tours and excursions when travelling, I had the chance to take part in a whale shark diving experience with a group of bloggers from around the world, and I couldn’t have been more excited. The idea of actually swimming beside the largest fish in the world out in the open ocean seemed completely magical to me. But I couldn’t help being a little nervous too, especially when our guide started explaining the precautions we needed to take.

kathryn lavallee and alex whale sharks — Ready to jump into the water with Alex!

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New Mega Bloks #AmericanBuilders Sets Are Full of Tough-Built Fun

March 31, 2014 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

Mega Bloks has so many great new sets for older children this year and as my oldest son is hugely obsessed with building sets, I couldn’t be happier about it. Recently, Mega Bloks released the brand new American Builders line, a collection of building sets featuring the Jeep and CAT and John Deere vehicles. We received the Mega Bloks American Builders Jeep Off-Road Adventure set to review and as my boys both have a huge love of vehicles, I knew this was a set that they would both enjoy.

Zackary is old enough now to tackle large, intricate building sets on his own, so he was happy to have the chance to put this set together. He worked on it from start to finish and it took him a full afternoon, but when he was done, I could see that this set would be providing a lot more fun in the coming days! [Read more…]

The Backyardigans: Sea Deep in Adventure is a Splashing Good Time for Families

February 11, 2014 by Kathryn 34 Comments

I’ve had the chance to attend a few of the fabulous shows put on by Koba Entertainment and I’m always impressed by what a great job the company does at producing live shows featuring beloved cartoon characters that the whole family can enjoy. The company’s newest production, The Backyardigans: Sea Deep in Adventure, recently came to Regina and my boys and I headed off to check out the show. Here’s a brief synopsis:

Who explores a coral reef, discovers a seaweed farm and joins the jellyfish ballet – all before snack time? The Backyardigans! Pablo, Tyrone, Tasha, Uniqua and Austin are back on stage, singing and dancing and ready to plunge sea deep into adventure. Dive into the action as these five friends explore clues, discover underwater magic, and match wits with an egocentric, seaweed farming octopus and a pair of playful (but messy!) dolphins. With a splashy range of song-and dance styles to wade along to – including psychedelic soul, Bollywood, bossa nova, and more – our heroes save the day. With non-stop excitement and surprises, this watery tale will mesmerize, entertain and delight audiences of all ages! [Read more…]

Choose Your Escape with an Unlimited-Luxury Vacation at Now Resorts & Spas #ResortEscape

January 29, 2014 by Kathryn 1,736 Comments

This post brought to you by Now Resorts & Spas. All opinions are 100% mine.

When it comes to a vacation that the whole family can enjoy, there’s just no better and simpler option than an all-inclusive resort. With activities for children and adults alike in gorgeous tropical locations, who wouldn't love indulging in some Family travel by visiting a luxury resort?

And nobody understands luxury better than Now Resorts & Spas! The company’s Unlimited-Luxury® style vacations offer included amenities such as gourmet, a la carte dining, unlimited premium beverages, child supervision at the Explorer Kids Club and Core Zone Teens Club and indulgent spa treatments at the Now Spa by Pevonia on every one of its four beautiful resorts. In fact, with special activities and amenities at each resort, choosing which property to visit is the biggest task you’ll face on your vacation!

The Now Jade Riviera Cancun resort is located in Riviera Maya, Mexico. It offers special events including a treasure hunt around the hotel that kids will love, a free kayak tour, live shows including “Idol” singing shows and deep sea diving in the gorgeous blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. With plenty of activities for all ages, it’s a great choice for families!

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Beaches Resorts – An Unforgettable Adventure for Adults #BeachesMoms

January 23, 2014 by Kathryn 60 Comments

I’ve mentioned that my boys are always in my mind when planning a vacation, but of course, I want to have fun too! So while activities for kids may be a big part of my consideration when travelling, I also want plenty of adult entertainment and activities. And on my family’s recent trip to Beaches Negril in beautiful Jamaica, I experienced the full scope of the more mature activities that the resort has to offer.

beaches negril pool — The beautiful Beaches Negril pool is always a favourite place for adults to relax!

Relax at the Spa

The luxurious Red Lane Spa is a haven for any parent that just needs to unwind. Featuring a full range of spa services including massages, facials, manicures, pedicures and more, it’s such a great way to enjoy a little pampering while the kids are having fun at Kids Camp! And for a little mom and daughter bonding, the Red Lane Spa has recently introduced the new Ginger Lily spa menu offering special parent/child spa treatments!

beaches negril red lane spa — The Red Lane Spa is so picturesque, just looking at it makes me feel more relaxed!

I had the chance to experience one of the new treatments for myself and since I knew I’d be heading back to harsh winter weather soon enough, I decided to indulge in the Front Porch Punch Shea Butter Massage. The mango, melon and strawberry scented Shea butter lotion left my skin so velvety smooth and the massage had me feeling even more relaxed than I had when I first stepped onto the resort. For a totally sensual treat, a trip to the Red Lane Spa is an absolute must when at a Beaches Resort!

beaches negril towels — Everything at the Beaches Negril resort features these special extra touches…even the towels at the spa and in the rooms!

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