Olympics 2014

Well, as I sit in my living room thinking I should post something on my blog today since the kids are at the grandparents and I just simply feel like writing, here it goes:  The Olympic games!

Don't get too exited about what I have to say.

Looks like Canada is doing really well.  As it stands right now we have 4 Gold, 6 Silver and 4 Bronze medals.  I'm going to be honest here, I think it's the Olympics are amazing and I support it 100%.  I was a kinesiology grad and love sports, so why wouldn't I?  Thing is, as much as I try to get into it, I just can't.  I think it's so nice to see everyone at work watching women's hockey and get exited about all the other details and accomplishments that were seeing.  Our athletes are doing an amazing job representing us and I think it's great.  I try to get more into it but I'm beginning to accept the fact that it's just not going to happen.  I can't stand watching hockey - no matter who's playing or what level of competition it is for.  The ski & board jumps are neat.  I find curling so boring to watch.  I thought the ballet during the opening ceremonies was cool!  …. See what I mean.   I think I will simply continue supporting the hype, have a general idea on the highlights of the events and standings and be content with that.  

I suppose coming from a father who preferred performing in sports rather than watch them, I took on the same behaviour.   So there we go… not my fault.

Anyway, for those of you hard core Olympic followers, please understand that just because some of us may not watch every sport and keep track of every story and medal we gain, it doesn't mean we don't care.  Go Canada!  

 

Let's talk about Toronto's new Aquarium

Forgive me, I'm a little late posting this.  We visited Toronto's hot new tourist site during the cold Christmas break on Friday Jan 4th and let's just say the post is better late than never.  After a long and tiresome Christmas holiday, 6 days with no power and way too much driving around southern Ontario in terrible weather, we thought it would be a good idea to enjoy the day with the family before the end of the Holidays and visit Ripley's Aquarium

What I thought was going to be a nice afternoon in downtown Toronto's newly established Aquarium turned out to be one of the most stressful and annoying touristic visits I have ever been on.

Getting there was fine.  We were prepared to pay the standard 20 bucks for Toronto parking so - no big deal.  We bypassed the ridiculously long line up to purchase tickets luckily and got in with no issues.  And that's where it began…. Like anywhere else we go with the kids, our first stop is always the washroom.  Something tells me this might be a common stop for most families at the beginning of a tour.  To do this, we had to retrace our steps back towards the other side of the entrance, where you essentially end up back on the other side of the velvet rope stanchions.  Of course, on the way back, it's "excuse me, ummm, we've already shown you our ticket…. just had to use the washroom." agent - "oh, o.k., let me move the rope here so you can get through"  What!  This is your lobby where you welcome your guests!!  Weird but again, no big deal, let's move on right?
Oh wait, we can't move!  Literally, the place is so packed of people, anyone claustrophobic would not have bared three minutes through that place.  I spent more time trying to figure out how I was going to get through from one corner of the room to the next without barging into every inconsiderate person who thinks I'm driving a tractor trailer and as a result can cut me off every chance they get.  All this, while trying to keep my eye on the two kids and my husband who of course are really exited to see it all and frankly don't really care how crazy busy it is.  Look at the great fish!

I must say, the fish tanks are pretty impressive.  It is obvious that the design of this place was focused more on the tanks, waters and wildlife more than the comfort of those who pay to see it.   It is no doubt spectacular and worth checking out however,  I think I would just wait for the hype to wear down a little before I would go back.













The place is not meant for a large crowd and can not entertain the number of people it has attracted.  The one and only cafeteria in the centre of it is no bigger than a cafe, with very few seats and no other options like machines you can purchase snacks from.  Not a very strategical financial move I would argue.  It's a good thing we brought our own anyway.  Of course, there is no where to sit to have them so we ate on the move.

As we left, we made it to what we (and everyone else) thought was the exit, where a security guard told us to turn around as the exit was through the gift shop.  The gift shop of course that we originally chose not to go into.  Surprise, surprise, as you leave the gift shop, do you think there is any room for you to get your coat on?  It's like a factory: In and out.  "Thanks, make sure you take your picture in the shark's mouth before you leave"!

"O.k. how fast can we get through this gift shop with my SUV stroller and 2 kids who will want to touch EVERYTHING!

Good thing we didn't get coat check!

"Excuse me, I don't want to punch your face as I try to get my sleeve into my coat -  I would do this outside, except it's -20!"

"People - Just turn around and do something else with your day - come back after 5pm" … that's what they say anyway

Voulez-Vous Cofffee On Queen

Another great spot for coffee in Leslieville! Baked goods looked really good.  Seemd authentic and home made.  I will need to have the butter tart or granola bar next time I go.... Can't compromise all the work on the bikini bod till we get back from vacation ;-)

Breakfast at Little Marmalade

898 Queen St E in Leslieville

What a great place to go with the family! Thanks to a good friend of mine who recommended it.  So glad we made it there early enough as the line up quickly made it's way out the door.  We waited about 12 minutes to sit down and there were toys and a chalk board for the kids' entertainment while we waited.  

I had the Bennie special with roasted red pepper, arugula and goat cheese.  It melted in my mouth.  The French toast I got my kids was like eating cake, and of course it was accompanied by local maple syrup!

Their food is supplied by http://www.rowefarms.ca/ and it's accompanied by great coffee from a local shop jut down the street.

I was too late to get a good pic of this plate full!

We'll be going back there!

Best Fish Taco in Toronto (so far)!

As I left work today, after staying a little late to finish a project I was working on, I kept feeling guilty about wanting to take a break from everything and spend some me time.  It's been a rough and busy last few weeks, no wait, months... ok years!! And I could really use a few hours to myself.  My husband was happy to stay home with the kids so this was my opportunity to enjoy and savour the escape.  Accept, since I've had kids, I've had the 'guilty mom syndrome'.  Anytime I get a chance to take time to myself, I feel like I am cheating on my kids and my family.  I feel as though I am being selfish and that I am putting their needs aside.  They could be the happiest kids with my husband or the grandparents watching them, but it wouldn't matter.  I will still feel horrible about not being there with them.  Often, I  ask myself, perhaps I should be enjoying these free moments of mine with them instead.

Apparently this feeling never goes away for a mother.  Fantastic!  I kept contemplating on the way to my car, should I just go home?  I can go shopping next week.... Naaaa, I'll just stick to the plan!  Off I went to one of my favourite areas in the city - Yonge & Eglinton (North)!  Of course, I had to grab a bite to eat first, and that's when I discovered Fish Street Market & Open Kitchen!  This place has a 95% rating on urbanspoon and there is a good reason for that.  The lady who took my order was really sweet and helpful and describing the types of dishes on the menu.  The cook in the back is pretty entertaining and clearly enjoys his job, and the fish taco I had was AMAZING! DELICIOUS!  There were so many flavours sparking my tastebuds in this wonderfully wrapped light taco, filled with fresh, moist juicy fish!  The juice dripped through my fingers as I took a bite of this colourful contraption surrounded by soft pieces of fish in a wrap with just the right amount of fresh cilantro.  A+
I will definitely be coming back!
  

 

Disney On Ice 2013

So, apparently you need to dress your daughter up like a princess to go to this.  Good thing my three and half year old doesn’t care much for the princess outfits because that would have sucked!  I don’t think it phased her as she was overwhelmed by the energetic sales people working their magic and suckering kids into needing useless plastic overpriced toys, the kind that end up in your yard sale at the end of the year and no one wants to buy. 

Got a good deal on tickets with great seats for 20$ ea (Section 120 – seats 1to 3).  Opening night is the way to go if you're looking for a deal!  Unfortunately, I did not get to sit much as my 1 yr old wanted to explore up and down the isles.  I think he wanted to join Ariel and all the other princess’ on the ice.  That’s ok, a little extra calorie burning is fine with me J  Meanwhile, my daughter was in complete awe of the whole event and absolutely loved it.  We’re so glad we got to take her.

Two thumbs up for Disney on Ice!

Happy New Year!

Well firstly, Happy New Year to all the readers out there!  Don’t worry, I’m not going to start with a new years resolution that I can not keep like actually regularly posting my blog.  Truth is, with two kids (under 4), a husband (who may as well be a third kid),  a career, family and friends who I try really hard to keep up with, making time for a blog does end up on the bottom of the pile.  Since my last post, I have returned to my full time job (coming off of mat leave) and have been the energizer bunny since.  I’m averaging about 5-6 hrs of sleep a night and honestly take no brakes from the moment I wake up until the time I hit the pillow.  And every night, I wish for more time in my day, like I haven’t done enough!  Though I usually accomplish plenty in a day, I always feel as though it would have been nice to get that one more thing done, like wash those floors, or get the top of the gas oven cleaned, maybe get one more run of hand me downs to the salvation army bin.  And what about that presentation I thought I would have time to  work on as I will not get a chance to actually focus on it when I return to work due to how crazy it will be when I get back. Yes, of course I’m trying to get this all done on my holidays!  Who does that!!!  Believe me, I’m working on trying to let go of the dirty floors and piles of laundry to enjoy more time with the family, but the reality is that it needs to be done eventually right?

Anyway, no one wants to hear about my lame problems so I’ll cut to the chase!  Although, I guess if these are my problems, I should be happy right?  I should be thankful that I have two wonderful and healthy kids,  a kind and loving husband, a good paying job and the material things that make me work hard to keep clean!  So, yes, I am very thankful for these things!   Notwithstanding, I do hope that my readers understand that although I have been continuing to explore the city with my wonderful family taking pictures and writing notes on what my next blog topic will be, I just haven’t got around to sitting down to write about it. 

So, I leave you with nothing more than a stay tuned for more stories and a big thanks for checking out what I have to say :-)  I do enjoy writing and do hope that I can make more time in the future to put on “paper” fun stuff for all to read.  

Here's a sneak peak of a few things I've been up to... 

     





Before pics of our bedroom

After!!

So maybe I did take some time for myself ;-)
Vaca in Cabo!