Before we hit the road, I connected my phone to the Ford Sync system. With the easy-to-use standard SYNC 3 technology in the Ford Edge, all I had to do was turn on the Bluetooth on my phone, add my device on the Ford Sync display screen and connect to the Ford Edge on my phone. Once connected, I clicked on the Audio button on the Ford Sync display, clicked on Sources and selected my phone. Then I opened my Audible Canada app and started listening to Cataract City. And thanks to the premium Sony Audio System, we enjoyed crisp sound as we listened to James Colby's narration.

It was a cold, rainy day when we set out on our trip to Niagara Falls, but we still enjoyed our ride thanks to heated front and rear seats. The Rain Sensing Wipers was a neat feature and the Ford Edge handled itself very well on the slick highway. It took my husband some getting used to the Lane Keeping System but he actually suggested we consider a Ford Edge for our next family vehicle. And this coming for a man who is very particular about automobiles. 

Once we arrived at Niagara Falls, we checked into our hotel and decided to head into Niagara-on-the-Lake. Along the way, we stopped by the Living Water Wayside Chapel, then grabbed a bite to eat on the main strip and purchased some fall accessories at the hat shoppe. Oh, and we bought some ice cream, too!

The following day, we bundled up and took in the sites at the falls of Cataract City, which is the city nickname of Niagara Falls and has its roots in the Latin word for waterfalls. We also stopped by the Whirlpool Aero Car and contemplated going for a ride. But it was a little too cold for my liking. 

And before we headed home in our Ford Edge, I insisted we stop by the Floral Clock. This place always brings me back to my childhood when my parents would often take us to Niagara Falls. We have many a family photo at this spot, so it meant so much that I could get a photo with my husband and kids. To the kind gentleman who took this wonderful photo, thank you! It was so... Canadian of you.

Disclosure: I participated in the Ford Book Club and received special perks. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

When I think of Great Wolf Lodge, I think of water park and family fun all rolled into one. With a myriad of themed, premium and standard suites to choose from, it is definitely a great option for a local getaway with the kids. You don't even have to pack much since they have pretty much all you could need right at the resort, including a variety of dining options. Plus, if you book reservations before March 5, 2015, you can take advantage of this special promo code to save 20% off the best available, exclusive to Toronto Teacher Mom readers!

While staying at Great Wolf Lodge, our family often chooses to enjoy buffet breakfast and dinner at Camp Critter Bar & Grill. This rustic retreat is filled with cozy dining tents and cute critters hanging out in the trees above. And did you know you could enchant these critters with a MagiQuest wand? Such fun! 

At the Antler Shanty, you can order omelettes at the egg station or help yourself to waffles, cereal, fruit and more at the breakfast buffet. For dinner, you can enjoy a slice of roast beef at the carving station or create your own Caesar salad at the salad bar. You will also find a variety of entrée specials and kids’ favourites. While I was surprised to see they had removed the kiddie station, I was happy to see they offered some kid-friendly options. Also, I appreciate that they serve the kids' drinks in a spill-proof cup. My kids are a little accident-prone.

Seating is ample at Camp Critter but our recent stay fell on Valentine's/Family Day weekend so I wasn't surprised to see lineups during breakfast and dinner. It opens as early as 7:30 in the morning so I suggest grabbing an early breakfast to avoid the lineup on busy weekends.

Have you ever been to Great Wolf Lodge Niagara Falls? With everything you could need all under one roof, Great Wolf Lodge is a fun vacation option this winter with activities the whole family will enjoy. The 100,000 square foot indoor water park is enough to keep the entire family busy and the best part is that it is exclusive to overnight guests only. Our family recently enjoyed a complimentary stay so we could share with you one of our favourite local destinations. 

The Great Wolf Lodge water park features Fort Mackenzie, a four-story interactive tree house with suspension bridges, treetop slides and soaking spray stations. Otter Lake is where you can have a game of water basketball in 4-foot deep water or balance on the floating snake. For your little ones, there are four kiddie slides and a zero-depth kiddie pool in Chipmunk Cove. The more adventurous can try out the ever-popular Niagara Falls Run water roller coaster, go for a spin in the Canada Vortex or hop into a large raft with the family and try out the Wooly Mammoth. Or, if you're like my son, you can enjoy a swim in Rainbow Lake, a massive indoor wave pool that creates three-minute long waves at ten-minute intervals. This area is one of many that is meticulously supervised by lifeguards. And in case you need a life jacket for your little one, they have a large assortment at your disposal, free of charge.

My daughter really enjoyed swimming in the wave pool but also loved the challenge of crossing Frog Pond. The lily pads and leaves are secured to the pool floor but still spin and move when you step on them. There is a net hanging above that you hold onto but it was much harder than it looked. There is always a lifeguard there who ensures that the course is clear before allowing the next person to cross. There are two courses side by side so you can challenge a friend in a race to the end.

While I thoroughly enjoyed putting my upper body strength to the test in the Frog Pond and zipping down the various water slides, nothing compares to lounging in the relaxing oasis known as the Whirlpool Hot Spas. They even have a hot tub that leads outdoors but I passed up on venturing into the sub-zero temperatures, thank you very much. No. I much preferred a dip in the adult-only hot tub inside the water park. There is also a large clock mounted on the wall so you can keep track of time. While there are no lifeguards supervising the hot tub area, each pool is safeguarded with a safety gate.

Once I'm all warmed up, I love to go for a leisurely ride along Crystal River. There are ample single and double tubes floating along. Just grab one and hop on. Wondering where to store your belongings so you can have peace of mind while floating along the river? There are lockers available on-site for an additional charge. Or leave your valuables in your room. Your wristband can be used to charge purchases directly to your credit card so you don't need to bring your wallet and fresh towels are readily available inside the water park.

The hot tub and lazy river ride were the perfect precursor to my complimentary massage at the full-service Elements Spa Salon. This was my first time at this spa and I never really thought about how convenient it really is. To think, Great Wolf Lodge wasn't designed with only kids in mind. Mom and dad can have some fun and enjoy a little pampering amidst the whirlwind of excitement, too! On the morning of our second day, my husband stayed with the kids inside the water park while I retreated to the tranquility and serenity of the dimly lit spa. It was pure heaven! I even purchased some organic facial products on recommendation of my fabulous masseuse.

Of course, kids can enjoy some pampering, too. Scooops Kid Spa offers ice-cream themed manicures and pedicures for kids aged 4-12. 

My new favourite activity at Great Wolf Lodge has to be, without a doubt, MagiQuest. This live-action adventure game is a lot more fun and a greater workout than I had originally bargained for. You will have to purchase a wand and then buy a game but, given that it provides hours of entertainment, it really is worth the money. I suggest purchasing it upon arrival so you have more time to complete each quest. 

There are several objects located throughout the resort that can enchanted by the wand alone, even if you don't purchase a game. It really is amazing how many things the kids could activate with a wave of the wand. We only had one quest left but we were so close to making it the final Master Quest.

In the midst of below freezing temperatures and extreme weather alerts, what better to way to spend time with the family than by heading out on a quick local family getaway at one of my favourite places Great Wolf Lodge Niagara Falls! With an estimated drive time of 1.5 hours from Toronto, it is an ideal solution for your winter woes. Plus, they have everything all under one roof. Last Friday, our family was delighted to check-in as guests of Great Wolf Lodge where we were greeted by the Director of Sales and Marketing before heading up to our family suite. Hmm, I think 'delighted' might be a slight understatement...

Our family suite, which is considered a standard room with two queen-size beds, was located on the third level in room 3009. It is a long walk down the corridor but hey, I can use all the extra exercise I can get! The beds were very comfortable and we found extra blankets for added warmth. Across from the sleeping area is where you will find a microwave, a coffee maker, a mini fridge and a safe to store any valuables. Also, each room is accessible via your wristbands. Simply place the logo one inch away from the two dots above the door handle to unlock it. These special RFID wristbands combine room key, waterpark admission and charging abilities all in one. Ours were gold in colour since our family has been at the resort more than once. 

On the other side of the partition is a semi-private living area which includes a full-size sofa-sleeper, coffee table and a 37" flat screen TV. With the sofa-sleeper, you could fit six guests in this room. Or you could use it to banish your snoring partner from the sleep area. Whatever works.

The bath is quite small but functional and clean. The shower includes a multi-use soap dispenser so you don't have to fiddle with separate bottles of shampoo, conditioner and body wash. Not that I can read those little labels without my glasses anyhow. This mom is grateful for one-soap-does-it-all dispensers. Across from the bath, you will find the sink and blow dryer. Personally, I prefer to have the sink in the bath room. Oh, and in case you've ever wondered what those two round things on the shower walls were... it is a retractable clothesline where you can hang dry your swimsuits and trunks after rinsing so they'll be ready to go in the morning.

Since our room is located on an upper level, we had a balcony that overlooked the outdoor pool, currently covered in snow, of course. In the past, we had a room on the lower level which was great because we didn't have to take an elevator or use the stairs to access the waterpark. Plus, we had a walk-out patio that lead to the parking lot at the back so we had easy access to our car. 

If you've never been to Great Wolf Lodge before, be prepared to be awed by their magnificent grand lobby. Here you will find the Welcome Desk where you can check in as early as 1 p.m. The lobby is also where you can lounge by the fire, as well as view and order photos taken on some of the water rides. If you are a returning guest, there is a separate lineup closer to the main entrance, which is usually a lot shorter. Don't forget to ask for your Family of the Day ballot. You will need it to enter the drawing the following morning before the waterpark opens. If your ticket is drawn, your family will enjoy a private cabana in the waterpark that houses a patio table, a lounge chair and a bar fridge filled with bottled water and snacks. The winning family will also enjoy other perks such as tokens to the Northern Lights Arcade, Great Wolf Lodge paraphernalia or vouchers for a free craft, for example.

At the end of the lobby, you will spot the lovable group of Family Forest Friends. They come to life at the push of a button and if you stop by at 10 a.m., you can hear Mo the Moose, Mother Bear with her cubs Ivy and Rusty, and all the animals sing about life in the forest. This is also where they host their nightly Story Time sessions. We enjoyed a well-animated reading of Robert Munsch's Mortimer while we were there and the place was packed! Following the story, they turned on some music for a little dance party. In pyjamas!

As is common during the holidays, life can get a little busy entertaining guests, shopping for last-minute gifts or tending to household chores. Fortunately, our family was able to ring in the New Year with family and friends at our dinner table. But the following morning found me at the walk-in clinic, a sign, I believe, that my body needed some serious R&R. So here we are, enjoying a last-minute family getaway in Horseshoe Valley at the gorgeous Forks in the Trail Bed and Breakfast. With this being my first post of 2015, I would like to wish you and your loved ones a happy New Year and hope that you find the time to rest and unwind. As I wrap up this short post, allow me this one cliché: life is too short.

Summer has always been my favourite time of the year. I love the sunshine, warm temperatures and the myriad of outdoor activities to be enjoyed with the family. This past summer was no different. We took advantage of our summer break and headed out on a couple of fun family getaways, including a staycation in downtown Toronto courtesy of Eaton Chelsea Hotel. It was early on a Friday morning when I had checked out of the 21C Museum Hotel in Cincinnati where I had attended an exclusive press event and no sooner than I had arrived in Toronto did I find myself packing up for a much-needed weekend away with my family. Checking in at the Eaton Chelsea later that afternoon, it was such a treat to be greeted by the hotel's resident robot E.C. Not only were the kids in awe of this life-size robot, they were shocked when it interacted directly with them. He was so kind as to point out the separate line-up for the Kid's Check-In, all decorated with brightly coloured balloons. They had no idea that they would be given a treat bag filled with little goodies upon 'checking in.' Clearly our weekend staycation was off to a great start!

After checking in, we headed over to the elevators to our room and were further delighted to find more friendly staff in the lobby offering complimentary popcorn and iced tea. 

Our room was a comfortable size for a family of four with two double beds, an arm chair, a flat-screen TV and a desk with all the necessary outlets for staying connected.

The bathroom was also nicely appointed and the single red rose was a lovely added touch. Very feng shui, if you ask me. 

As Canada's largest hotel with 1,590 rooms, the Eaton Chelsea recently underwent a multi-million dollar renovation and a re-branding as the first hotel of the Langham Hospitality Group in Canada. Now that's a lot of rooms to renovate! While the balcony of our room could have used some sprucing up, the view was pretty neat.

The view from Deck 27, however, was spectacular. This adult-only area is a great place to escape the busy hullabaloo of the city centre. There is also an indoor pool and a state-of-the-art fitness centre offering a zen-like and relaxing atmosphere. And by 'zen-like', I mean 'child-free'.

Of course, we can't forget the Family Fun Zone. The Eaton Chelsea offers so much for the little ones, making it a great family destination. At the Kid Centre, wee ones can partake in arts, crafts and other activities such as the larger than life Connect Four game. Visit with the pet rabbit or watch a movie while big brother or big sister hangs out at the Club 33 Teen Lounge playing arcade or complimentary video games. Guests can also take a ride on the “Corkscrew,” the only indoor waterslide in downtown Toronto. The family pool was smaller than I had anticipated and I am hoping it will be on the agenda for some renovations in the future.