What I'm Looking Forward to On Netflix This Month

The wonderful world of Netflix always has something to offer for each and every person – I seriously can't keep up! I enjoy asking what people are watching and adding it to my list. There is always a series to look forward to with new seasons coming out or new shows all together. What new releases are intriguing to me? 

Well, did your kids love the Trolls movie? Mine sure did! Nya is going to LOVE that there is a new series that started January 19th called Trolls: The Beat Goes On. It follows the adventures of Poppy, Branch and all the other Trolls characters and just continues where the movie left off!

What Netflix Shows are Canadians Savouring and Devouring?

When people ask "What show should we watch on Netflix?" I struggle with the answer because each person connects with a different genre and I need to know if you're looking for something funny, scary or intriguing. When Netflix posted the results from shows that Canadians savoured and devoured over the year, I was interested to see which ones I loved made the list–were they ones that I would recommend? 

Getting into the Christmas Spirit with Kid-Friendly Netflix Movie Nights

November can be quite dreary and throw in a busy season of basketball after school hours and we are in the need for some calm and cozy connecting after dinner. Our house may not be decorated for the season yet but it has been the perfect opportunity to start watching kid-friendly Christmas movies on Netflix! Looking forward to the magic of Christmas is always fun and a great change of pace. 

What have the kids been watching?

When Netflix Sends You Googling

Anyone else love being exposed to history through fictional books or movies? I recently read Moloka'i and learned all about the history of a leper colony in Hawaii. Immediately after I had to google to see what was true and what was fictional. The same thing has happened when watching Netflix! There are several series that we have watched where I have had to head off to google and see what the characters really look like and how close to reality the events were. What are some of my favourites?

The Crown: Based on the life of Princess Elizabeth. It's sort of embarrassing how little I knew of the royal family and I now find them so much more fascinating. It is very well done and beautiful to watch.

How to Make Your Child's Birthday Extra Special with Netflix

I remember when I was younger calling the news station to ask them to wish my mom a happy birthday. They would often announce special birthdays at the end of the newscast and although hers wasn't a special one (100th or above!) it was such a delight to hear it announced on TV. Over the years we have also submitted photos to our local TV station for our own kids as they would do birthday announcements with the addition of a photo. Now alongside your annual tradition of the birthday bumps (do you do them? Our kids LOVE it) you can get your kid's favourite characters singing to them for their birthday using Netflix...

When You Don't Want to Netflix Alone

Although I love alone time, I also really appreciate cuddling up with Gary at the end of the day and watching a show together. With a snack, of course. Then comes the issue which was never taught in premarital counseling: How to choose a Netflix show that both of you can agree on. If I was on my own I'd spend most of my time on shows like The Fosters and Switched at Birth but Gary is definitely not into that sort of thing. He needs cooking (yes), superheroes and sports. So, here are a few shows that we have convinced each other to watch:

What I've Learned Over the Years

Yeehaw! It's my 39th birthday today. What does that mean to me? First, it makes me think of my mom. Anyone else really feel that connection on their big day? I was not the easiest to birth but she did go on to have four more. Thanks, mom. 

In some ways I still feel 26 where I think I'm young and hip (do people say "hip"?) and in other ways I'm definitely feeling my age (turn down that TV so I can think, but wait, turn it up so I can actually hear it).  I'm looking forward to the big 4-0 next year and feel that 40 isn't actually as old as I always pictured it–I feel good! 

Life has not gone as I expected; it's even more complex and meaningful than I imagined. It has been a great learning journey and I'm thankful for the knowledge that I have – not the academic information which has sort of faded and gotten jumbled, but all that I have learned about life and family and love.  For this birthday post, I would like to share some things that I would tell my 20-year-old self. Well, I wouldn't really tell myself half of these things ahead of time because I do learn best through experience but oh do I wish I knew #3 and #23.

Me-Time for Moms

Who needs "me time"? Everyone! Whether it's being consumed by work or family or both, a little time for yourself is just what we often need. Netflix surveyed moms and found the various reasons why they need their Netflix shows and I would say that I most agree with two of them: Get peace and quiet to decompress alone and take a break from daily routine. Gary's breaks usually involve games like Star Wars Commander or watching sports.

According the survey, 58% of moms are sneaking TV "me time" throughout the day in a variety of locations from laundry (that's me) to making dinner (sometimes me) to walking the dog (not me–we don't have one but I don't think I would do it while outdoors).

Travelling with Netflix

For the past five days we have been on the go exploring Vancouver Island. Our kids have been spending hours playing at the beach, skimboarding, hiking new trails, and even spelunking! My Fitbit has us getting 15,000-25,0000 steps a day!  Here are some of our adventures from the past few days...

Searching for sea anenomes and sand dollars at Tigh-Na-Mara

When We Netflix

Remember the days of waiting until 4 PM for your show to come on and having just five channels to choose from? Times have changed! Now we can watch what we want when we want (well, if mom says it's okay!). So, here are all the times we Netflix; it's a verb, right? 

1. Hockey games. Nya, who just turned five, has to attend both of her brother's hockey games. I encourage her to pay attention and cheer until at least the half and then she is welcome to watch a show on the iPad. She loves Teen Titans on Netflix and if there is no Wifi, she watches episodes of Paw Patrol and Peppa Pig that we've downloaded from Netflix.

Bill Nye Saves the World: Thoughts from Two Science Teachers

As I was perusing Netflix I realized there is a new series released called Bill Nye Saves the World. Being that my husband and I are both high school science teachers, we kind of had to watch it. I apologize to my past grade nine students for getting the introduction song stuck in their heads as he's a quirky guy but he does have a lot of important lessons to share in a visual manner. His newest series is directed towards adults and older students (recommended for ages 14+) and takes a more serious tone. He is opinionated and tackles issues like climate change, alternative medicine, vaccines and genetically modified organisms. 

Screen Shot of Bill Nye Saves the World

Five Netflix Shows to Watch About Fostering

Being a foster parent, it's difficult to share about our journey. First off, we're not allowed to share details as it involves children in care. Secondly, we want others to consider becoming a foster family but want it to be clear that it's difficult yet so worth it. One of the ways I like to connect to pieces of our life is by watching documentaries, movies or series that can relate to what we are going through.

What are Netflix movies or series that relate to fostering?

1. The Fosters. I watched the entire series and thought it gave a great peek into fostering.  This show is also why I now call my kids "Love".

Family Movie Night with Netflix

I love the tradition of movie nights. When we were kids, we also had them but they involved a lot more work. We had to go to the local video store and rent a VHS (stands for video home system in case you were wondering) that they had to have in stock and also a VCR to play it. Now, we sit on our couch, click on Netflix, search movies, and away we go. 

Where We Netflix

We love having Netflix in our home because of it's portability, affordability, the lack of commercials and the variety of shows offering something for everyone. We're a family that does not have a lot of screen time, but do appreciate a good show each day.  

Where and when does most of our Netflix-ing happen? 

1.  Making dinner. I love having something like Friends on–I don't need to pay close attention and it keeps me entertained while doing something I don't really enjoy.

What We're Watching on Netflix

We have a family movie night on Fridays (along with pizza!) but Gary and I enjoy a good documentary or comedy series once the kids are in bed.  We cuddle up on the couch with the Christmas tree lights in the background and a warm beverage in hand (well, Gary actually drinks water...boring but healthy).  This is what we have been watching on Netflix this past month and I'd love to hear what you are into.

Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life

If you've been following along with me for the past year, you know I've been watching Gilmore Girls for the first time!  I love having it playing while editing photos or running on the treadmill.  I feel like it's been there with me through so many hard times this year.  The show isn't edge-of-your-seat action, it's just witty banter with some great pop culture references thrown in there (which is funny because my pop culture knowledge is really lacking).  This Friday, Netflix is releasing a revival of four seasons set ten years after the finale of the original series and is called Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life.

Netflix Inspired Pumpkin Carving

Fall is here and we're living it up with pumpkin pancakes and scones, walks amongst gorgeous fall leaves and visiting pumpkin patches.  Next up is Halloween and the countdown is on!  Gary is our pumpkin carving expert and I am the... encourager.  Each year the kids get to pick one character for Gary to carve and Nya's was the first one he made.

What We're Watching on Netflix

I love hearing what other people are watching on Netflix.  I don't love just watching anything because time is precious–especially being that we have four young-ish kids and just one to two hours to ourselves each night.

Beat Bugs: All You Need Is Love {Netflix Giveaway}

Just a few weeks ago a new Netflix original series came out: Beat Bugs. This show is family-friendly and contains many songs made famous by the Beatles. Season One has 13 episodes and includes uplifting stories with fun, music and adventure following five child-like amusing bugs: Jay, Crick, Walter, Buzz and Kumi.  I wasn't sure what my kids would think but they devoured the first two episodes.

Lego Friends on Netflix

Our boys grew up playing with LEGO and although Nya is a bit too young to build it, she is VERY interested in is watching Lego Friends on Netflix and playing with what her brothers make.  This feel good show is about Olivia, a new girl in Heartlake City. She becomes best friends with Mia, Andrea, Emma and Stephanie and they have many animal related adventures; the Dolphin Alert project was my favourite (Episode 3).