Bunchland

And why you need a whole box of kleenex

We run the 5ks and we buy the pink m&m’s, but do we young women give enough thought to breast cancer? Maybe if our mothers or grandmothers or aunts had it, but really, isn’t it something you mostly worry about after or around menopause?

Thing is, breast cancer does affect women in their 20s, 30s and 40s. And the sort of breast cancer that gets you when you’re young is particularly nasty and aggressive. It’s called HER2+ and it means tougher treatments and lower survival rates.

You might have read about HER2+ when a young Toronto mom, Jill Anzarut, was diagnosed with it, but her tumor was too small to quality for the Herception treatment. (And then the media and the people got involved.)  Read more...

Meri Perra blogs about the challenges she and her partner face in trying to raise their girls with feminist values

Meet Strawberry.
He’s our 2-year old, Lilieith’s imaginary daddy.

Homophobic crusaders against queer family structures rejoice now. Study that says lesbians are actually better parents than you guys be damned. Our kid wants a daddy so bad, she’s made one up of her own.

It all started so innocently. Of course it would, Lileith is two.
One morning our Lileith was playing with her sister’s backpack. She put it on. The thing’s almost as big as she is, but she manages. She tootled over to us, “Goodbye, I’m going to school,” she said, waving. Meanwhile, us moms were going through the “why can’t I find two socks that match” chaos that is our every morning.

“Bye,” we said.

“I’m going to school in the other room,” she said.  Read more...

It’s time for Toronto’s all night art party

OK Toronto families, who’s excited for Nuit Blanche this weekend? This all-night art event goes from 7pm to sunrise, Saturday night to Sunday morning. We’re guessing the most family friendly times are right at the beginning, or right at the end.

Stroll around any of the zones and you’re sure to find something pretty awesome, but in case you want some set destinations in mind, here’s what we think looks good:

ZONE A (Around U of T and all the way to Yonge Street, Bloor to College Streets.)  Read more...

• Slow Falls Rising. Have the kids seen Niagara Falls? Have they seen it upside down and slowed down? @ Victoria University, just east of Queen’s Park
• L’écho-l’eau. Bring your rainboots and umbrellas and jump back in time to check out a log run. Sing it with us now “For he goes birling down a-down white water…” @MaRS 101 College Street

Cuddling up with a good book

Today’s Postcard from Bunchland comes from the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.

Top Spots in Canada to Stock up on Fall’s Best Tart Treats – Apples!

Late September is a time when apple orchards are pretty much begging to be ransacked by hungry families. Throw in a corn maze, a pumpkin patch and a hayride and you have yourself a dreamy weekend day trip. Because we can’t think of a better way to spend a beautiful weekend day, we’ve gone and found you a few places to get your apple picking on.

ONTARIO

Brooks Farms
Where: 122 Ashworth Rd. Mount Albert, Ontario
The Goods: Ida Red, Macintosh, Golden Delicious, Royal Gala and Honeycrisp.
Other Fun Stuff: As you will tell from their website, this farm is a firecracker of barnyard bumpkins and quirky mascots. Fun is a top priority for Brooks Farms, especially in the fall. Fall festival weekends are on until October 30th, and include train and wagon rides to the pumpkin patch, pig races, farm animals, zip lines, a pirate ship and pumpkin canons.  Read more...

Catherine Romano blogs about crafty projects for kids and parents

With the holiday season quickly approaching (Thanksgiving, Halloween, American Thanksgiving, and a number of upcoming birthday parties), comes a great deal of excitement for our family. However, before the celebrating begins I often have to start menu planning.  You see, my son is allergic to eggs and peanuts, and this equates to me cooking and bringing his meals and snacks to most outings. I typically cook a very similar meal to what the host will be serving, so my son doesn’t feel excluded from the other guests. However, the one tricky part is dessert. First off, I am not a baker or pastry chef. I like to cook, but I find baking far more complicated and I lack the patience to wait for the treats to bake and cool. Also, most celebrations include elaborate desserts which are difficult to make.  Read more...

Let’s talk about Up All Night

Ava (Maya Rudolph) has a meltdown mid-show because she hears an ex-boyfriend is engaged. She blames Reagan (Christina Applegate) for this ancient breakup, even though Reagan was acting in Ava’s best interest since this ex-boyfriend cheated on her all the time, allegedly with all the members of TLC. (Ava says not the C, aka Chili)

Stay-at-home dad Chris (Will Arnett) hangs out at the park with his fellow SAHD pal Will Forte and says he’s bummed that when his hot wife comes home from work, she just wants to change into old sweatpants and top, the colour of which matches the baby’s spit-up stains.  Will Forte gives him a plan to drop some subtle hints, and says it’s up to Chris to bring the sexy on. (Which means buying Swedish underwear) Things get fancy… a little too fancy for Chris’ liking.  Read more...