Fall 2015 Sports Programmes in Toronto & the GTA at TAC Sports! DISCOUNT CODE!

My Son at Tennis Lessons

As much as I'd enjoy an endless summer, September is around the corner, and with it the reality of the school year.  To balance out the somewhat sedentary nature of school, I've filled the kids' fall schedule with athletics.  With 5 kids, my criteria has been to select sports that the kids enjoy; good instructors and programmes; a reasonable commute to the activity; a fair cost to sign up 5 kids, and programmes running on the same date and time. 

Although my wishlist is very demanding, I'm glad to state I have found an excellent choice: TAC Sports 2015 fall programmes!  They offer weekly sports lessons at 5 different Toronto and GTA locations.  (They also offer kid's camps, which I spoke about here and here.)  

Sports offered include soccer, tennis, martial arts, and basketball for all skill levels.  Programmes are for girls and boys ages 5-12 years old, so different aged siblings can enroll in the same sports lesson.  Each lesson only runs one hour, so there is not a big committment of time.  Lessons commence mid-September 2015.  

The best part: the kids learn new skills or build upon existing ones, have fun, meet new friends, and build self-confidence.

My Daughter at Soccer Lessons

DISCOUNT CODE:

Use PROMO CODE TAC_Snymed for 15% off of TAC Sports fall 2015 programme registrations!

Registration & Pricing for TAC Sports Fall Programmes HERE!

More Information About TAC Sports Camps:

TAC Sports Camp on Twitter
TAC Sports Camp on Facebook
TAC Sports Camp Website 
TAC Sports 2015 Fall Programme Registration
E-mail TAC Sports: info@tacsports.ca
Phone TAC Sports: 416-627-1092

Are your kids or grandkids active in sports?  Do you usually sign them up for fall programmes?  

The Birthday Paradox - 50% Chance 2 people Share Same Birthday in Group of 23 People!

Flashback: My Son Celebrating His 2nd Birthday!

I've been fascinated by "The Birthday Paradox" for as long as I can remember.  Simply explained, when 23 people are together, there is a 50% chance that 2 people will share the same birthday!  Considering that there are 365 possible birthdays (366 with February 29th), this is a mind-blowing probability.  (Yes, there is an actual mathematical equation backing this up.)  

As practical applications go, both my own mother and father share the same birthday (with different birth years).  Needless to say, my mom initially thought it a ruse when my dad stated that they shared the same birthday.  There is a 1 in 365 chance of this occurring!

Have you seen this fantastic birthday video, by Enbridge?  I thought it was very cleverly done, with 100 people, ages 1 to 100, each blowing out the candles on a unique birthday cake! Watch below!

Enbridge is celebrating over 165 years in Ontario, and is a trusted source of natural gas delivery.  It's easy to take for granted something as seamless as energy, but can you imagine baking a birthday cake in a wood-burning stove?

According to a survey, 80% of Canadians agree that with life getting more complicated, it’s even more important to celebrate life’s simple moments, like a birthday.  I'm inclined to agree, as we put on a special birthday party for each of our 5 kids every year.  Not only do the kids love it, but the joy extends to our family and friends who also enjoy the celebration.  

What is your happiest birthday memory ever?  Have you watched the Enbridge "100 Birthdays" video yet?

Kellogg's Vector Cereal Prize Pack CONTEST! (~OVER~)

WIN This Vector Prize Pack from SnyMed.com!

I picked up Kellogg's Vector cereal for the first time this year, and wanted to see how it would work out for the kids.  I do this regularly with cereals they haven't tried before, and seem to be "reasonable".  Lo and behold, the kids loved it, and I started to purchase it on a monthly basis.  

Vector is quite hearty, so I know it will fill them.  In our household, foods that are filling really count for something.  On a weekly basis the kids swim, do karate, go cycling...and in the summer they are also active with soccer and tennis.  They have healthy appetites.

I tried the new Vector Granola Honey Almond Flavour cereal recently, and liked it quite a bit.  As I eat granola cereal regularly, I was pleased to compare how Vector measures up to other cereals.  I loved finding whole pieces of almonds in the cereal.  But in all honesty, I did find the cereal too sweet for my taste,  But otherwise, a very nice granola cereal!

CONTEST (CANADA)

WINNER: Carolyn W

In celebration of NEW Vector Granola Honey Almond Flavour - with 20g of protein, 5g of fibre, and 10 vitamins and minerals per serving - enter to WIN the prize pack shown in the photo above from SnyMed.com!  Contest open to Canada only, and ends on Friday August 14th, 2015.    

Prize pack includes the following:

(1) Vector Cereal

(1) Vector Granola Cereal

(1) Vector Chocolate Chip Energy Bars

(1) Vector Berry Burst Energy Bars

(1) Vector Mixed Nut Protein Bars

(1) Vector Peanut Protein Bars

(1) Vector Mini Towel (hand towel size)

(1) FREE Product Coupon Vector Granola Cereal

(1) FREE Product Coupon Kellogg's Vanilla Almond Cereal

(2) $1 off coupons from Kellogg's Vanilla Almond Cereal & Vector Granola Cereal

How to Enter:

Leave a COMMENT below stating if you have ever tried Kellogg's Vector cereal or Vector products OR what product you would like to try (or have tried and liked before) from the above list.  Then use the entry form, below, to enter the contest.  GOOD LUCK!

Top 150 List of Best Family Movies to Watch With the Kids Tonight!

Top 150 List of Best Family Movies to Watch With the Kids Tonight!

Top 150 List of Best Family Movies to Watch With the Kids Tonight!

By: Jenna Em

Are you looking for a great family movie to watch tonight with the kids or grandkids? Here is a list of over 150 films that (mostly) my whole family loves--kids and parents included! List includes both animated and regular family films. This list is "in our opinion"!

1. Up
2. Cars
3. Cars 2
4. Matilda
5. Despicable Me
6. Despicable Me 2
7. Home Alone
8. Nanny McPhee
9. Nanny McPhee Returns
10. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
11. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1971)
12. Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked
13. The Incredibles
14. The Giant of Thunder Mountain
15. Brave
16. The Croods
17. Tangled
18. Monsters Inc.
19. Monsters University
20. Ratatouille
21. Finding Nemo
22. Frozen
23. Mr. Popper's Penguins
24. Hotel Transylvania
25. How to Train Your Dragon
26. How to Train Your Dragon 2
27. Spy Kids
28. Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams
29. Spy Kids 3D: Game Over
30. Spy Kids: All the Time in the World
31. Rio
32. Rio 2
33. Spirited Away
34. A Series of Unfortunate Events
35. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (please note: the Harry Potter series becomes darker as the sequels progress)
36. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
37. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of of Azkaban
38. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
39. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
40. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
41. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 (for older kids)
42. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 (for older kids)
43. The Lego Movie
44. The Nightmare Before Christmas
45. Jumanji
46. The Princess Bride
47. Mulan
48. The Karate Kid
49. Inside Out
50. Night at the Museum
51. Night at the Museum: Battle at the Smithsonian
52. Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb
53. Kung Fu Panda
54. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (classic movie)
55. The Wizard of Oz (classic movie)
56. The Sound of Music (classic movie)
57. Mary Poppins (classic movie)
58. Shrek
59. The Lion King
60. Zoom (my kids loved it; I hated it)
61. Diary of a Wimpy Kid
62. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules
63. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days 
64. Rango
65. Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas
66. Zathura: A Space Adventure (for older kids)
67. Time Bandits (for older kids)
68. Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (for older kids)
69. Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (for older kids)
70. Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (for older kids)
71. Star Wars Episode VII: A New Hope (for older kids)
72. Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (for older kids)
73. Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (for older kids)
74. Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (for older kids)
75. Monster House (may be frightening for younger kids)
76. The Dark Crystal (may be frightening for younger kids)
77. The Secret of NIHM (may be frightening for younger kids)
78. Barbie of Swan Lake (girls)
79. Barbie & the Diamond Castle (girls)
80. Coneheads
81. Pokemon: MewTwo Returns
82. Pokemon: MewTwo Vs. Mew
83. Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters (may be frightening for younger kids)
84. Strange Magic
85. Madagascar
86. Ice Age
87. Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
88. Best Player (recommended by my 7-year old son)
89. Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer
90. Dear Dumb Diary 
91. Turbo
92. The Bee Movie
93. Beauty and the Beast
94. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (older kids)
95. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (older kids)
96. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (older kids)
97. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (older kids)
98. Air Buddies
99. Wreck-It Ralph
100. The Little Mermaid
101. Minions
102. The Little Rascals Save the Day
103. A Bug's Life
104. Antz
105. Corpse Bride
106. Pooh's Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin
107. Willow (older kids)
108. Back to the Future (older kids)
109. Jurassic Park (older kids)
110. Epic
111. The Goonies
112. Home
113. Big Hero 6
114. The Book of Life
115. The Boxtrolls
116. Muppets Most Wanted
117. Holes
118. Mrs. Doubtfire
119. Cheaper By the Dozen (2003)
120. Lilo & Stitch
121. Fantastic Mr. Fox
122. Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
123. Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2
124. Babe
125. Babe: Pig In the City
126. The Land Before Time
127. The Lorax
128. Meet the Robinsons
129. Annie (1982)
130. Annie (2014)
131. Hugo
132. My Body Guard (1980)
133. E.T. (1982)
134. Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
135. The Last Mimzy
136. Nim's Island
137. Escape to Witch Mountain (1975)
138. Return to Witch Mountain (1978)
139. Scavenger Hunt (1979 - older kids)
140. Gremlins (older kids)
141. The Black Stallion (1979 - some frightening scenes)
142. Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo (1977)
143. The Apple Dumpling Gang (1975)
144. The Muppet Movie (1979)
145. Popeye (1980)
146. Max Dugan Returns (1983)
147. The NeverEnding Story (1984)
148. The Witches (1990 - some frightening scenes)
149. Hocus Pocus (1993)
150. Pete's Dragon (1977)

What family movies would you add to this list (or remove)? Which movies are your family's favourites?