To Do: Toronto with the Littles

From time to time, I get people asking me what to do in and around Toronto when they are planning their visits.  We've enjoyed living in Toronto and exploring this city so much.  But exploring with little people also brings it's complexities.  Most of the time I'd like to think we have been pretty successful, other times we have been left wrangling the littles into the stroller and then carseats through many tears in order to get home.  But having somewhere fun and kid friendly to check out makes it easier and worth it! So I have compiled a little list, with the help and reminders from my mama friends, of our top things to do in Toronto with the littles this spring!

1. Downey's Farm - North West of Toronto/Mississauga, is Downey Farms in Caledon and it is one of the best farms around the city and we've seen a few.  The produce is organic and besides animals that you can meet and greet, there is a separate area you can picnic and play, including a two sets of trampoline-like bouncy hills, one for the older kids and one for the younger kids. 

2.  The Toronto Zoo - I've never been but have heard good things and it is on our list to go this spring before it gets to busy as the weather gets nicer.

3. High Park definitely has a lot of options and a great place to spend a day, but only go on a week day and definitely go early.  They have an amazing play structure there but the space is big and if it's busy it can be easy to get separated.  However, there are also some great trails to walk along with the kids and a little mini "zoo" to wander through where you can see bison, buffalo, deer, peacocks and llamas.  Admission is free.

 
4. CUES - Children's Urban Enrichment Studio - is one of favorite play places on the west side.  Why?  Big windows, parking right out front on the street if you get there on time.  They are friendly and helpful, getting you in the door, coats and shoes off and put away.  Lots of options for playing--painting, music, trucks, dinosaurs, kitchen, workshop, run-free tumble space, baby area. 

5. The Toronto Islands - Last year we took the ferry from downtown Toronto to the islands.  It wasn't busy when we went in the spring and the flowers were out and it was beautiful.  Lots of space to walk, cute little houses to walk by, places to eat, bikes to rent, water to throw rocks in and an amusement park with little rides, etc.  And as a bonus, you get a great view of downtown Toronto.  I often think how neat it would be to live there....

6. Humber Bay Park - A fabulous place to grab an icecream or a drink and walk about the beach throwing rocks into the lake with the downtown view as your backdrop.  And a paved trail for biking, rollerblading (do people still do that?) and strollers.

7. Centennial Park Conservatory - When it's cold out or rainy and you need a little place to wander, this conservatory is a quiet place to take children.  It's warm and balmy and small enough you can't lose somebody.  There isn't much there other than plants, except one very loud bird who chirps out from time to time.  No food or amenities either, but a great spot to watch fish swim, look at beautiful, interesting plants and escape the weather.

8.  Red Fish, Blue Fish Cafe - Another place that looks really fun.  Perhaps very similar to Smock cafe with it's drop in craft place.  A good place to drop in if you are already downtown or are going to the Royal Ontario Museum. 

9. Marie Curtis Park  So many wonderful parks!  Our favorite has been Marie Curtis with play structure for both the littles ones and early school years.  A water park when the days get warmer and a beach to throw rocks into Lake Ontario when you need to take a little pensive quiet time.

10. Kew Gardens at the Beaches is another favorite for similar reasons.  Queen street East is right there and a good spot to have lunch (or wander through shops if you are kid-free).  The park has a lot of run-free space, a fenced in playground for different ages and the beaches are right there where you can walk along the boardwalk for miles with the stroller or with bikes.  I am sure there are plenty of kid-friendly restaurants in the area, but we love Juice and Java for it's menu (crepes, sandwiches, salads, wraps, omlettes, smoothies & great coffee).  They are pretty flexible with kid food options if you ask and there are books upstairs for the kids to read. 

Hope you come and visit us this spring and summer!  There are always lots of festivals and celebrations, none of which I shared here. 

xo from Toronto

Ps. If anyone else has suggestions of where to go (not overly crowded) while in Toronto with little people, drop me a line!
 

The Backyard Rink.

We must be among the very few Torontarians who are actually excited it is January and the temperature has dropped.  In fact, as the sun goes down and the children are in bed, we get all excited when we see that it is supposed to be -12 degrees Celsius or colder.  It's almost like a competition; will tonight be colder than it was last night?  Ok, so is that totally weird or what?  But you see, we've been working on a little project in our backyard, one that started back in September when my parents were here visiting.

And it's finally cold enough that we have managed to put down a fine layer of ice on our backyard skating rink.  It's been a total make-work project, with me on day-shift and Jordan on evenings, pulling the garden hose in and out of our bedroom window to water the rink before a good freeze overnight.  Which isn't so bad, if you don't mind sleeping with a garden hose coiled on the floor of your bedroom or spending a small fortune on your water bill over the winter.

But we have spent a ton of time out there already.  In fact, Gabriel and I spent a good hour the first day and when he didn't want to come in, he spent another hour out there honing his skating skills.  And today, a total of four hours! 

Jordan and Gabriel skated around and around swatting the puck back and forth to each other all morning and then later in the afternoon.  It's anyone's guess who is having the most fun.  But Jordan sure has an ear to ear smile.  We've been enjoying watching the boys, but had to get out there and enjoy it too. 

As Gabriel pulled Magdalene around in the sled with a hockey stick in one hand and the pull for the sled in the other, we were all laughing and smiling and enjoying ourselves immensely in this little backyard creation of ours.   Jordan and I both had this moment when our eyes met and I'm sure we were thinking roughly the same thing.  It's pretty hard to beat a moment like this. 

So maybe it's cold out there and people are wishing for spring.  But for now, we are hoping it will stay cold just a little bit longer!  If you aren't loving the cold so much, you'll just have to swing by for a little skate, some hot cocoa and a little fire to warm you up!

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Hello 2015!

Last night I got to spend with two of my favorite people and arguably my two best friends--my husband and my sister.  What more could I want than to ring in the New Year with them while the littles slept cozily in their beds.  We got all glammed up, listened to some good tunes and chatted over bubbly before snapping a few photos to say goodbye to 2014 and hello to 2015! (Well before midnight I might add....  It was 2015 somewhere in the world, we figured, and on four hours of sleep, we knew we'd never make it to midnight).

 We have had an incredible year and here are just a few of the highlights:

• The birth of our daughter, Magdalene. You can see some pictures here.
• Gabriel turned 2!
• We went on a trip to Anna Maria, Florida with friends.  You can find our pictures here, here,  here and here.
• My sister-in-law, Rachael got married to the love of her life, Derek in Winnipeg.
• We traveled to Newfoundland, a dream of mine (you can see our pictures here, here and here. to be a part of ChouChou and Fizey's wedding.  I took some photos but the best are from their professional photographer, Nate, which are here.
• Husband completed his Masters (photos to come) and I launched a small business.   The website is here. 

Most people who know me, know that I am not so big into resolutions.  But I do enjoy looking back at the year and reflecting on the major and minor accomplishments.  And then planning a few things to tick off the list in the New Year.  The thing is, a year is a long time (and paradoxically short at the same time).  So who knows what will come our  way this year. 

This past year, 2014 was pretty incredible!  I cannot possibly imagine what 2015 has in store for us.  I can only imagine that it will have to be less ambitious (if only purely for our sanity) but with two high-energy children to keep up with, who knows!!  But here are a few goals, shall we say:

• Spend more time with just husband - and go on dates just the two of us!  Dessert date, coffee date, icecream date, movie date.... you name it.  Simple but necessary.
• Go on a trip with the family, anywhere, anytime, as long as we have the four of us. 
• Explore more of this incredible city--inside, outside and not spend as much time at home.  I feel like we watched so much tv this year that Gabriel's brain nearly oozed out of his head.  But I think we were sometimes really in survival mode for at least eight months out of this year.  This year, the plan is to get OUT!
• Make our way East to spend some long overdue time with family on the ocean. 

Happy New Year all!  Hope your year was FAAABulous darling!  And that that fabulousness spills into this year too.

xo From Toronto

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• So long 2013!
• Happy New Year 2014!
• My Sister.
• Christmas in Our Home.

In Studio.

Oh hi there.  We've just been hanging out in my new almost-complete-studio working on sets and playing with props.  Still not ready to share the Studio yet, but maybe just a sneak peek on what we are working on.....  Here's just a few of my daughter and constant model, Magdalene.  Thanks for posing, darling!  I hope someday she admires that her mother had a passion for something and went for it, rather than looking back begrudgingly at the many many hours playing around in the studio...  I know I am loving every moment in here.

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New Spaces.

Wowza.. what a crazy couple of weeks it's been!  Since designing a website and doing a small amount of advertising and practice sessions with friends, this whole photography thing has taken on a life of it's own.  First it was an idea and, now it's so very quickly coming to life, my head is still spinning--studio sign, business cards, return address stickers, editing software, lighting, reflectors, flashes and clients. But I digress.

The whole house has been upside down and inside out.  We've rearranged nearly every piece of furniture on our main floor to make a studio happen.  And I am pretty sure when the kids come down each morning (or when husband comes home each evening), they aren't quite sure what they are walking (or crawling) into.  "Why is the dining room in the living room?"  or "Why is the playroom in the dining room?"

Anyway, the upside to all of this is that I personally feel that we were quickly outgrowing the playroom sooooo.....  now we have a bigger one!  It was practically like Christmas morning for Gabriel who could finally see and get at all of his toys for once and Magdalene too who now has some space.

Anna and Eddie, the Polish dolls that arrived for Gabriel and Magdalene the day Magdalene came home from the hospital.

A basket of toddler toys ready to be emptied. Because what else is a basket for, afterall.

We can actually set up the train tracks and leave them without walking all over them.

The teepee now has a space of it's own for books and music and hiding.  And finally a change table in a handy location.  No more floor diaper changes!

And yesterday we had friends over and they all agreed, the new playroom is much better!  Still not quite ready to show you the new studio.  But it's all coming together....

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New Ventures!!

It's been nearly two years of traveling around and photo-documenting our lives to sharing with the world, our family and friends.  What an incredible journey it has been, one that has been both reflective and fulfilling  I have loved it and found that blogging kept me going and pulled me out some of those slumps we are all prone to when tired, overwhelmed or discouraged.  It's been a source of motivation and connection to family and friends that we don't often get to see.

While I have spent the first several years of my career life as a teacher, it was a job that, for me, was as frustrating and stressful as it was fulfilling and rewarding.  My last year as a teacher before I went on leave to start a family, was incredible.  It was, by far, my favorite year, classes full of cheerful, kind students and much more balance in my life.  Perhaps a good ending note for my teaching career?  Time will tell.  But I've never been one to stand still in one place for too long.  Maybe one day, when I am ready again, I'll come back to teaching.

For now, on to other ventures!  Perhaps with a camera in tow, my most recent passion, one that thrills me, keeps me up in the evenings (when I should probably be asleep) and one that makes me eager to jump out of bed in the mornings.  Through my blogging journey, my love of photography has only grown over the past few years and I have found that more and more a camera has become an extension of my body. Both the photos I capture and the blog are a positive creative outlet for me.    That's the kind of thing I need right now. 

I still intend to keep the blog running.  But, check out the new site that's been developed for Magnolia Coasts Photography.  And if you so feel inclined and want to support me in my venture, you can find Magnolia Coasts Photography on Facebook.  And give me a "LIKE." 

Thanks friends and family for your support and encouragement on this new path!