Thank You

This weekend we got to experience our first major holiday with the minions where they were mobile destructive forces.  It was fun, albeit exhausting, and Chris and I may have woken up this morning significantly more tired than we were when we entered the weekend.  All the same there are many things that I am thankful for.

I am thankful that both children slept through the entire night yesterday, for the first time in two weeks.

This Thanksgiving I experienced life at the kiddie table, for the second time in my life.  This time however, I was armed with a pair of mischievous toddlers. I got to witness a deju vu scenario where our children and their cousins played in the front hallway, with everyone's shoes and the door stopper because it was the only place where parents weren't watching and they could stay out of site and out of trouble.  It reminded me so much of Thanksgiving at my grandparent's house that I couldn't help but smile.

I am thankful that I was able to watch a tradition repeat itself - one generation later.

Thanksgiving often marks the beginning of tradition season for me and we followed suit by taking the minions to Downey's Farm for the second year in a row.  For the adults there's Downey's Estate Winery*, a gift shop and a corn maze - that you can book to do in the dark if you so desire.  For children, there is a cornucopia of activities including: the corn maze, a pirate ship, sandboxes, mini golf, a petting zoo, games and a skeleton rock band.

Skeleton Band at Downey's Farm

Baby Goat Eating a Corn Cob

 

Molly and Chris Navigating the Corn Ma(i)ze

Pumpkin Patch Kids

 

 

We had a blast at Downey's, don't get me wrong, however I think this is the last time we're going to be going with the kids for a number of years.  Next year our family admission cost will sky rocket from $27 to $54 because the minions will be over 2 and will have to pay to get in. That doesn't include the cost of buying pumpkins**  The impending cost of admission next year had me contemplating Fall traditions in my family and actually had us making the decision to purchase our pumpkins elsewhere this year.

 

On our way home from the farm I chatted with Chris about how every October my mom would drive us to Plant World where we would get to play inside a giant pumpkin for a while and then get to pick out our Halloween pumpkins.  Even if said pumpkins cost Chris and I $5 a piece, this is significantly cheaper, closer and will likely make a similar impact.  Heck we can even swing by High Park, go to the Animal Paddocks, donate $10 and then hang out in the playground for an hour before we head home. 

 

I guess my main point is holiday tradition doesn't need to be expensive, it doesn't have to be super stressful, but it's easy to lose sight of that.  It also gives us a destination for next weekend - Plant World here we come!

 

I am thankful for affordable family traditions!

 

Shoes and socks cannot contain Jack at the farm.  Thankfully I had my trusty hoodie to shove his feet into when it got cold!

 

 



*The raspberry dessert wine is amazing...even just as a few drops into a dry white.
**Although I am not above pretending that Molly and Jack have a November birthday next year should we decide we need our fix of good old farm fun.

Park Life

Last week my normally amicable relationship with my city, Toronto faltered.  I wanted to know why my city hated children, parks and animals and why it was so hell bent on taking away things I planned on sharing with my kids.  First some 19 year old decided to torch Jamie Bell Adventure Playground in High Park*, what a selfish jerk - I'll leave it at that.   Then Edward Keenan's article in Grid Magazine reminded me about the impending closure of High Park Zoo due to lack of city funding, a park deed that won't allow for set admission rates and not enough time to secure corporate sponsorship**.  My husband asked me to write this because although I can't stop an a-hole with a pack of matches, I can promote our High Park Zoo.

After we parked our car, unfolded our mammoth double stroller and walked our entourage into the gates of The Animal Paddocks I felt the love that our city has for High Park Zoo.  Signs and pictures line the fences asking to save the animals, volunteers collect donations via the drop box, animal feed, colouring books,  peacock feathers and other park mementos.  Essentially the zoo has until the end of June to raise $100,000 to run the park until year end, however the animals will begin to move out of the park in the beginning of June if the zoo isn't making significant progress towards their targeted fundraising goal.

 Donation box/ goal thermometer in the Animal Paddocks....come out and bring a fist full of toonies & loonies.

   Support for the Park Zoo/ proof that Toronto Libraries are still needed.

As we walked the road in the paddocks I would like to say that Molly and Jack were amazed by the animals.  They weren't. Jack passed out in the back of the stroller doing that weird exorcist thing he does with his head and Molly slumped in her seat and alternated between napping and glaring at people.

Some of the animals you may see at High Park Zoo. (photographs by Shawn Nolan)

 The elusive Capybara.  Also known as the largest living rodent in the world.

 One of several reindeer soaking in the warm March sun.

 Sleepy American Bison/Buffalo.  The largest terrestrial animal in North America.

The friendly and social Llama.  He came to the fence to say hello.

The Emu was growling a lot because he didn't want to have his picture taken.  I think he was feeling a little self conscious after a little girl commented to her father that Emus have big butts.

 I left the park feeling a little more love for the people of our city and wanting to go back to The Paddocks soon, when Molly and Jack are awake .  I'm going to try to go once a month in April, May and June with a sack full of change and an even bigger entourage to support the park and enjoy it while it's still around.  If you can't make it into the park or if you want to donate a little more, you can online and will get a tax receipt for donations over $10.00: http://torontoparksandtrees.org/high-park-zoo


*http://torontoist.com/2012/03/arson-charge-laid-in-burning-of-the-high-park-castle-playground/
**http://www.thegridto.com/city/politics/yak-attack-the-quest-to-save-the-high-park-zoo/