Loulou's views

It’s such a relief March is here, because we’re one step closer to spring—and saying good-bye to the cold and snow. March is all about looking ahead to sunny, warmer days and March Break, a time to reconnect with the entire family. Since we do our winter travel during the months of January and February, we stick close to home during March Break. Staying home means finding ways to keep the children happy, active, and busy, to avoid March Break meltdowns. Children often turn to their parents for suggestions on what to do if they get bored, and sometimes, we don’t have ideas to cure them of the dreaded boredom. Despite how fun March Break is, it also means we don’t get much of a break to do the things we need to do (like working, cleaning, and cooking) so it’s essential to have a solid plan in place. Although nothing can substitute one-on-one time with a parent, books and educational toys that get children’s creative juices flowing are great ways to...

March Break is around the corner and that means... the kids will be home with us. All day. Every day. Yes, it's a beautiful thing, and in all honestly, I cherish all the time I have with my children. We're going to Mont Tremblant for a little getaway but for the days that we're here, we still want to keep the kids busy and active! I was on CTV Morning Live talking about ways to keep the busy this summer, while still staying sane at home, thanks to P&G. Here are some ideas I love: Camps: Get your kids in some sort of day camp! Whether it's for half the day, or full-day, Ottawa.ca has a list of all the great camps for your kids, to keep them busy, from sports to arts and drama. Tag Along Toys: Tag Along Toys, in Kanata or in the south end, has all the arts supplies and toys you'll need to keep your little ones entertained this March Break. They are even having hands-on activities for kids every day during March Break. In The Home: Before your kids s...

Are you ready? March Break is just days away, and that means we've got to keep the children busy. Heading somewhere tropical and warm is always a great idea, but so is saving money, whether you're travelling or staying closer to home. Join President's Choice Family Finance Advisor Rubina Ahmed-Haq , Chief Family Advisor Kathy Buckworth , and myself, MrsLoulou , on Twitter on Thursday March 10th from 8-9pm EST f or a Twitter Party that'll help you save money this March Break. We'll be sharing some great tips on helping you save money using financial tools, too. We're also giving away some PC Gift Cards  ($600 worth!) to help you save money with whatever you've got planned this March Break. Let's chat more tomorrow night—I can't wait to share to some helpful travel tips with you. There is no RSVP required for the Twitter Party—just follow @PCFinancial and use the hashtag #PCPointer to join in the fun. See you tomorrow night—and Good Luck! ...

As much as I enjoy escaping the cold and heading south every winter, I also love going to Mont Tremblant  to enjoy all that winter has to offer. There is no better place to take in the beauty of winter than Mont Tremblant—even if you're not an avid skier. A couple of days in Mont Tremblant will turn anyone into a snow bunny. We travel to Mont Tremblant in the summer and in the winter, because there is so much to do, like skiing (downhill or cross-country), swimming (in the pools or in Lac Tremblant), biking, tennis, and so much more. The mountain views are simply breathtaking. I was invited to stay and and review Mont Tremblant for a few days this week with my family, and we had a wonderful time. My boys even skied for their first time, too. (Thank you for taking such good care of us, Mont Tremblant!) What makes Tremblant a top travel destination, no matter the season? So many reasons: Skiing:  Mont Tremblant is a popular ski destination where you'll find tourists and...

If I were to write a book about parenthood, it would be filled with wise advice I'd want to share about how quickly life change as soon as you become a parent. We may think we have all the answers, but really, nothing can truly prepare you for all that comes with parenthood. With this book, I would include a pack of batteries, and a bottle of wine—two essential items you should always have at home once you're a mom or dad! Believe it or not, batteries are absolutely essential to have in the home. (So is wine, of course.) We all know we should have working flashlights at home for emergencies, but those flashlights won't be any good if you don't have batteries to put in them. Since I'm always in the grocery store buying food for my family, I always remember to pick up new batteries when I'm there. (We love the Energizer® EcoAdvanced TM batteries, because they are super long lasting alkaline batteries made with 4% recycled batteries.) I haven't alwa...

I had the chance to stay at the Brookstreet Hotel  a couple of years ago with my best friends for a girls weekend getaway . It was summer, and we lounged around the pool all afternoon, and enjoyed the yummy food at Perspectives Restaurant. Although we were just in Kanata, a few minutes from downtown Ottawa, I felt like we were on vacation somewhere far away. The rooms were gorgeous with beautiful views and floor to ceiling windows—modern, clean, spacious. And the beds? So incredibly comfortable. It was a wonderful stay, and I couldn't wait to go back again. I'm very thankful to say that I was given the opportunity to stay at and review the Brookstreet Hotel during March break with my family. This time, my husband and two boys came with me for a very memorable stay. We even kept the stay a surprise and didn't tell our boys until the day we left for the hotel. They were so excited—they love adventures, hotels, and vacations. Although we didn't have to trave...

There's so much I love about my childhood, and the memories I have from frequent family vacations tops my list. Not just summer vacations spent in Greece, but plenty of weekend road trips. One place I always loved going to with my family was Fairmont Le Château Montebello . This resort is a perfect destination because it's so close to home, but once you arrive, you feel like you're a million miles away... and this week, my boys are going to be experience it for themselves! I remember summers of horseback riding and swimming, and winters getting warm and toasty in front of the amazing fire place in the lobby. Fairmont Le Château Montebello is a beautiful resort that reminds me a little of Great Wolf Lodge, only more grown-up, of course. The best part about staying here? There's always so much going on: horseback riding, golf, outdoor and indoor tennis, outdoor and indoor swimming, cross-country skiing, dogsledding, tubing, skating, an amazing spa, and mor...