Toronto Pride Fun for Kids

Last Saturday, Noah and I went to Toronto Pride. I had never been before. I must admit, I got a very limited experience of the festival, since Noah and I spent most of our time in the "Family Pride" area. I found out about this area from a friend, who sent me this link: http://www.pridetoronto.com/festival/family-pride/. The Family Pride area is basically a schoolyard filled with activities for children of all ages. So, off I went with Noah to Church Street Public School to check it out.

First, we got some of the free snacks being served inside the school. Then, we went back outside and ate the food while watching this very cool musical trio. They were older kids, perhaps preteens, and had no musical instruments except for one tambourine (if memory serves me correct), but their rhythm was mesmerizing. 

Noah spotted the playground in the distance, and wanted to try it out. Unfortunately, when we got to it, he realized it was geared more to older kids, and changed his mind. There were a few buckets of outdoor toys, so Noah explored these for a little while. He tried golf, and I showed him how to throw a Frisbee and what to do with a lacrosse stick. (Okay, you got me. I don't really know what to do with a lacrosse stick either.) I tried to entice him to participate in one of the many arts and crafts activities they had going on in various tents.

Then, he spotted the train.

He eagerly ran to where the little Via Rail Train was slowing down to park. So did every other child in the vicinity. The confusion and chaos of the mob was managed by one very nice lady who had the tremendous task of ushering everyone into a linear formation. It was genius! Honestly though, us parents are worse than the kids sometimes. I know I'm no psychic, but I am positive that every parent was thinking, "This train is so cool. My baby needs to experience this, NOW!" Noah patiently waited in line while the first train of kids rode around the yard. He wouldn't have made it on the next train if it weren't for the fact that he was brave enough to go as a single rider!

Noah had a great time in the toy area. We could see a bit of the Dyke March from where we were, but as I say, our experience of the Pride festival outside of the family area was quite limited! He was just having such a great time here, that there was no reason to move on!

He played with trucks, a car ramp, pop-up toys and blocks. Then he was on a mission to place all the foam ABC's in alphabetical order. 

We had a bit of time for him to enjoy the water play area before we had to head home. He was very happy to get some relief from the heat. 

He wanted to walk with me through the busy streets to Wellesley station. It was hard enough to maneuver the stroller through the crowds, never mind a walking Noah as well! Thank goodness for some Toronto cops who threw a few little packages of chocolate treats into the stroller. Another bribe saves the day!

Fun and Games

We are continuing our round-the-block walks, at least once a week. Aidas and Noah get to walk half of the way around the block, while the other 3 enjoy the view from the wagon. Then, when we get to the tennis courts, we know it's time to switch. Noah and Aidas get into the wagon, and Lucas, Maya and B. get a chance to walk. They're all really good about holding hands and staying safe. We have been working on what to do when you get to a driveway. The kids are getting pretty good at the drill. We stop, look both ways for cars, and walk quickly across if it's clear. It is helpful, teaching-wise, that sometimes there is a car coming into or out of the driveway, so that the kids can see why we need to check.

Some days we go straight out back with the Spider Man backpack of toys. The kids are becoming more interested in the skipping rope. They enjoy turning the rope. Because they are beginners, I'm encouraging them to jump over the rope when it is still or moving (Snakesies) on the ground.

One weekend, Dan, Noah and I were returning to the apartment building after an outing. In the garbage area, someone had left a child's play kitchen that was in nearly perfect condition. I almost left it alone, since we have little space left for more toys. In the end, I just couldn't leave it, knowing that many children besides my own would get to enjoy it. I made room. They love it!

The kids manage to find or create muck even when it isn't raining. Sometimes the sloppy goop still hasn't dried from a rain storm the night before. Sometimes they gather dirt, and then hold it under an outdoor tap that has a slow drip. One day when it was drizzling out, the kids scooped up mud and then painted an outside wall with it. It looked like graffiti on our building, yet I just couldn't bring myself to stop them. I was captivated by the focus they showed while creating their art. It looked like an incredible childhood experience for them, making a mural with mud! The next day, when Aidas was trying to add to the masterpiece, the superintendent to our building walked by and basically told us "Not cool." I completely understood, but was glad they had the chance to do it at least once!

We visited the library again a couple of Fridays ago. B. accidentally locked himself in this little chair and needed to be rescued. The children and I talked about the fact that they are big kids now, and that this little chair is for babies. We found a dolly and all the kids doted on her, giving her lots of pretend food to eat and many toys to play with.

Here are a few of the kids dancing during music circle at the library. They love this "Throw the Beanbag and Catch" song! 

I bought this great ABC puzzle from a neighbourhood garage sale. Each puzzle piece is a different letter of the alphabet. Singing the alphabet helped us to place the letters in sequential order. Then we tried to match pieces from our wooden alphabet puzzle to the letters on this jigsaw puzzle.

The kids are also learning how to play games. Noah got "The Nose Game" from Maya and Lucas for his 2nd birthday. Whenever we take out this game, we spend some time just playing informally with the pieces and matching the noses to the right animals. Then we play a game, where each child takes a turn reaching into the bag (without looking) in hopes of matching the noses on his or her cards. They are really good at waiting their turn now, and also keeping their cool when the awaited for turn doesn't result in any nose matches. The last time we played, the game was long because none of us were getting matches for our cards. I was amazed that all the kids remained focused and continued to participate right until the end of the game!

After this game though, most of the kids were done with such formal play. It was just Noah who wanted to play another game, so we played the "Memory Game". He mostly understands this game, though at one point when my attention was on the other kids, I found him flipping over every card until he got a match! 

One of the kids' favourite activities is playing with both the wooden (Thomas the Tank Engine) and the plastic train tracks. Maya is particularly good at making both interesting and extensive train track routes. Thank goodness we have accumulated enough of the wooden train cars (some from IKEA, which is where my mother bought the wooden track) so that all the kids can have at least 2 each!

Pretend play is increasing around here, and getting more creative too! The newest game is pretending that the doors between the kitchen and dining room are elevator doors. I was washing dishes after lunch one day, watching them play this. Way. Too. Cute.

There is a lot of arguing over toys happening lately. At least they are starting to see that having a ball all to yourself isn't nearly as fun as playing with a partner! Lucas and B. rolled the ball back and forth to each other for quite some time, without needing me to help coordinate things. This was especially good because I needed to get dinner on the table!

On June 30th, just before the long weekend, the kids coloured in print-outs of the Canadian Flag. I got the printable from the internet at http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/pdfs/coloring_flag_canada.pdf. Lucas coloured his yellow, and Aidas coloured his orange, just to give it some flair!

By the way, in the photo below, Noah's holding the one I coloured; he's not that advanced! He did bring both the one I coloured and the one he coloured on our outing on Canada Day, and waved them around proudly!

Look out summertime, cause here we come!

Canada Day at Ontario Place and Harbourfront

Last year we spent Canada Day at Harbourfront. While fun, we wanted some more toddler-friendly stuff for Noah to enjoy this year. We decided to spend the day at Ontario place, and then head over to Harbourfront for dinner.

The first thing Noah did when we got to Ontario Place was to go on their new little roller coaster, "Wacky Worm". It was Noah's very first roller coaster! He went on first with Dan. I wasn't sure how he would react when actually on the ride, but when I saw his little arms raised in the air on his way up the tiny hill, I knew he was okay. By the way, this is the perfect first roller coaster to take your toddler on. It is even tamer than other mini roller coasters and thus a good stepping stone to regular kids' coasters. Even Dan didn't find it the least bit scary, so that's a good gauge.

Of course, I had to have a turn on the roller coaster with Noah too. It was definitely one of those moments I will always cherish. He's gradually leaving toddlerhood and becoming "a little boy". 

Although too scared to go in at first, Noah eventually ventured into The Atom Blaster attraction. It is an indoor area that is full of little sponge balls. You can shoot them one at a time through guns, or load a whole bunch of them into a machine that will blast them high in the air. I'm not actually sure who had more fun in this area: Noah, or Dan. Dan certainly enjoyed firing a few of the sponge balls at my head. I guess I had it coming, for one reason or another. I was so proud of Noah for going all by himself down a long tube slide! He seems to be getting quite adventurous!

We went to see Thomas the Tank Engine at the Waterfall Stage. Parents and children in the audience seemed  excited to see this show, but it really failed to deliver. There was a lot of talking from the "station master" and "Sir Topham Hat", which caused the attention of children and adults alike to wander. When Thomas did finally appear, we only saw the front of him. It was like watching a 2D Thomas, when everyone was expecting a 3D Thomas. Noah turned to me and said "Oh. Thomas not moving." Thomas didn't even talk, but just whistled, at which point the Station Master or Sir Topham Hat interpreted for him. The songs were the highlight, but even Noah, with his passion for music, lost interest and suggested we do something else. I have seen Barney a few years ago on this stage with another child I was looking after at the time, and it was excellent. Apparently Barney will perform later in July.

Although I don't have any pictures to prove it, Noah thoroughly enjoyed the water play area. (There are some pretty cool, big water slides here that I think Noah will enjoy when he is a little older.) He did go on one of the kiddie water slides. I was really surprised by his bravery, since this slide also brought him through a dark tunnel. 

The water was freezing cold, but children don't seem to feel this. He went running into fountains, getting himself drenched, and giggling and squealing the whole time. 

Later, he continued with his risk-taking behaviour by trying a mini Ferris Wheel ride. As we were going around, he kept waving one of the little Canadian flags I had the kids make at daycare, and saying "Happy Canada Day, everyone!"

He wanted to go on some of the other rides but isn't quite tall enough yet. He did enjoy the car ride, which went forwards and backwards.

Nearby there was a water ski show that looked interesting to watch, I guess just not for an almost 3-year-old.

Noah wanted to go on the Merry-Go-Round ride he had seen earlier, but by the time we returned to it, it had broken down and was out of service for the day. He was getting tired by this point, and for a while refused to accept the circumstances.

We finally persuaded him to come see an Imax movie at the Cinesphere titled "A Rainforest Adventure: Bugs!" It was a 3D movie. I didn't think Noah would wear the 3D glasses since he had refused to do so for the 3D Sesame Street movie in Busch Gardens a couple of months ago. On this day, however, he decided to give it a try, and wore them for most of the movie. It was a pretty good movie and kept him engaged. I winced during the few scenes which showed one insect attacking and eating another insect because of the innocent eyes in the audience watching the horror. I know, it sounds like I am exaggerating, but when you see a bug eating another in 3D, and on a gigantic screen, it is very much like watching a slasher flick. Luckily, Noah is made of tough stuff and took it very well.

On our walk from Ontario Place to Harbourfront, (which took about 45 minutes), Noah had a short snooze in the stroller. He was understandably feeling a little crusty with such a short nap after a long day in the sun and heat. At Il Fornello he kept saying "Anyway, let's go home now!" We told him we wanted to see the band, and thought he'd be excited about it. At first he responded by restating his desire to go home, and specified that we should do so by taking the bus and the subway. But, luckily for us, he changed his tune long enough for us to see Luke Doucet's entire set. It was a great show.

Here he is (Noah, not Luke), deliriously rocking out to the music.

Soon after this, though, he continued to suggest we go home, so we finally had to oblige him. He really was such a trooper. What a fantastic, beautiful day it was to kick off the summer! Happy Canada Day, everyone!