Wednesday, December 10, 2014

In and around Eaton Centre during Christmas time 2014

Just dropped by to see if the big reindeer were stille there. Yes they are! And there's still an outdoor log cabin for Santa on the west side of the mall. Very festive! 

Read details on www.torontofunplaces.com.)


View from under the huge Christmas tree




Thursday, October 30, 2014

I spy a fox in Toronto!

Where in Toronto did I see a fox? 


In Joel Weeks Park, in Riverside (north of Queen East, near the Don Valley)!

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Friday, September 19, 2014

There's an easy way out... of the house



Come visit me at Booth #209 during the Word on the Street 2014 (Sunday Sept. 21, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and I'll explain to you how you can leave your partner with the kids and a copy of Toronto Fun Places while you take the rest of the day off with your girlfriends and my walking guide Toronto Urban Strolls

All three guides will be sold at wholesale price during this event.


Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Sundown fees at waterparks

Wild Waterworks in Hamilton (by the bridge at the foot of Hamilton) offers a reduced admission fee after 4 p.m.! You can read my post on torontofunplaces.com.

Just saying...


Thursday, May 29, 2014

And that's why you bring them into the world...

I don't know how this prank can be done but apparently, your teen can mess up with your phone (and I'm not talking about them changing your ring tone). Read the first sentence carefully.

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Thanks Shoppers!

This one made me smile alright

This morning on the sidewalk by my local café I saw a toddler refusing to grab his mom's hand, searching instead for his dad's big paw. The young mom was hurt and complained to her two-year old, in a whiny voice: "But it's supposed to be my day!"

By the entrance at Shoppers Drug Mart, there was a pile of "Make MOM Smile" flyers. I thought to myself: "Geez, everyone is trying to get a piece of that pie."

Then I found it. The perfect gift for Mother's Day and it was under $25. I bought it, grabbed Shoppers' flyer, went straight home, and left it on the table for my family, before heading out to meet with some girlfriends. (The Turtles are to keep the cleaning team happy.) Tonight, the cupboards in my kitchen will be Spic and Span.




The weird thing is that my perfect gift was not even listed in the promo flyer. I don't get it! (I'm assuming the one who put it together was not a mom. Or at least, not an experienced one.)

This concept is my gift to all the young moms. ;-)

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Prologue's FREE family show at Meadowvale Theatre on May 13, 2014 at 7 p.m.

As the author of Toronto Fun Places (always interested in anything related to activities for children), I've been involved with Prologue to the Performing Arts for the last 9 years. 




























That's why I strongly recommend you see their FREE showcase on Tuesday May 13 at 7 p.m. at Meadowvale Theatre. The event will feature excepts for the shows of six of Prologue's artists/companies: AKA Dance and Gimme One Riddim (Dance), Sultans of String (Music), Greg Frankson (Musical Theatre), and Puppetmongers Theatre (Puppetry), plus a last-minute addition of an excerpt from Jim Dalling's play!

I'll be offering a FREE copy of my guide on family outings Toronto Fun Places, 5th ed. (sold $25 at Indigo) to everyone attending the event (limit of one guide per family).

Click here to confirm your presence to ensure your family gets FREE seats for Prologue showcase at Young People's Theatre on May 13 at 7 p.m

While you're there!
I've scouted the surroundings of Meadowvale Theatre for you. Read this post for a few tips to make the most of your visit in the area before the evening show.

About Prologue to the Performing Arts
Prologue is a fantastic not-for-profit organization facilitating the presentation of over 2,200 children shows every year in schools and public venues throughout the province of Ontario.

Once a year they organize a showcase at the Young People's Theatre (YPT) to promote the amazing roster of artists and company they represents. First, Prologue invites teachers with their kids, then they open the showcase to the general public to fill the rest of the seats. The dynamic evening allows us to sample six different artists/companies. Nobody gets bored at a Prologue showcase!


What's around Meadowvale Theatre, Mississauga


Tips for a great family outing!
I scouted the surroundings of Meadowvale Theatre for you (on line). Here are a few tips to make the most of your visit in the area before or after a family show (they have quite a line-up of family show for 2014-2015).

Best parking options
There's plenty of free parking around the theatre. Parking won't be a problem.

Want them to burn off some energy?
Kids can sit still through a good show; you just need to wear them out first! You know your kids. If you feel they'd better enjoy the show after a stretch in the park, take them to Lake Aquitaine Park (a 5-minute walk from the theatre, keep walking north on Montevideo and you'll see it on your left). A 1.4 km trail runs around the large pond called Lake Aquitaine and it includes six exercice stations, a playground on its east side (closer to Montevideo Road) and a splash pad on the south section with the belvedere (and washrooms).

The park is filled with birds chirping loud, and visited by people of all ages. During my own visit on a week day, I saw runners, moms with strollers, lineskaters, bikers, old couples strolling slowly, young adults walking swiftly, water bottle in hand, and teens hanging out and chatting. 

There were many picnic tables all around, the perfect place to it a take-out. 

Food!
You'll find different options at the Battleford Centre just .5 km from Meadowvale Theatre at the corner of Battleford Road and Erin Mills Pkwy: fish & chips, Asian food, Indian restaurant, Tim Hortons, Wendy's, Harveys, Swiss Chalet, PIzza Hut. 





Prologue's FREE family show at Young People's Theatre on May 27, 2014 at 7 p.m.

As the author of Toronto Fun Places (always interested in anything related to activities for children), I've been involved with Prologue to the Performing Arts for the last 9 years. 

That's why I strongly recommend you see their FREE showcase on Tuesday May 27 at 7 p.m. at Young People's Theatre. 

I'll be offering a FREE copy of my guide on family outings Toronto Fun Places, 5th ed. (sold $25 at Indigo) to everyone attending the event (limit of one guide per family).

Click here to confirm your presence to ensure your family gets FREE seats for Prologue showcase at Young People's Theatre on May 28 at 7 p.m

This showcase will feature: Stand Up Dance (Dance), Boris SichonCréaSon and Sheesham & Lotus (Music), Rag & Bone Puppet Theatre (Puppetry), Red Sky Performance (Theatre). 

While you're there!
I've scouted the surroundings of Young People's Theatre for you. Read this post for a few tips to make the most of your visit in the area before the evening show.

About Prologue to the Performing Arts
Prologue is a fantastic not-for-profit organization facilitating the presentation of over 2,200 children shows every year in schools and public venues throughout the province of Ontario.

Once a year they organize a showcase at the Young People's Theatre (YPT) to promote the amazing roster of artists and company they represents. First, Prologue invites teachers with their kids, then they open the showcase to the general public to fill the rest of the seats. The dynamic evening allows us to sample six different artists/companies. Nobody gets bored at a Prologue showcase!



Tips for a great family outing around Young People's Theatre

I scouted the surroundings of Young People's Theatre. Here are a few tips to make the most of your visit in the area before or after a show. (Revised May 21, 2015)

Best parking options
The YPT is located at 165 Front Street East, west of Sherbourne. Most parking lots around the theatre offer a $5 flat rate from 6 p.m. and on the weekends, but they can change prices at any time. (Just north of the Starbucks facing the theatre, in the same building, is the indoor Frederick Street Garage, usually offering such $5 flat rates from 4 p.m.)  

Want them to burn off some energy?
Kids can sit still through a good show; you just need to wear them out first! You know your kids. If you feel they'd better enjoy the show after a stretch in the park, take them to David Crombie Park (a 5-minute walk). It is a long and narrow park including an inviting large climbing structure, a great mural, a fountain and plenty of space to run (see photos at the end of the blog). 


To get there from Frederick Street Garage, walk east on Front Street, along the theatre, then turn south on Sherbourne and left on The Esplanade. At the corner of Lower Sherbourne and The Esplanade, you'll find a line-up of places where you could grab some food to eat in the park, including a Subways facing the park.

Want to take them to an exotic place?
Or, you could take your family to a truly whimsical mexican-food restaurant called Pacific Junction Hotel (no, it's not a hotel and it opens from 12 noon). Simply walk north from Frederick Street Garage and turn right on King Street. The restaurant is at 236 King East , just east of Sherbourne. 

That's where you might have a chance to sit in a half-bath tub, play pool or ping-pong and try alligator meat tacos (tastes like chicken) or more traditional tacos and nachos. I've shared a large bowl of Mojito with my girlfriends there once, but that's another kind of outing isn't it?


The game room at Pacific Junction Hotel

Around David Crombie Park

Western part of David Crombie Park

Middle of David Crombie Park (before)
David Crombie Park (after, take May 21, 2015)

Eastern part of David Crombie Park





Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Easter fun with the cousins

Things to do with teens

On Easter long weekend, we had six teenagers in the house. Thanks to Pinterest, I found this very cool idea, which worked out perfectly. (As a bonus, it involved the dads.) TIPS: The perfect poster paint/water ratio was half and half. It seemed to thin out the paint too much but ended up splashing in a more dramatic way on the paper.

Easter is over but this activity will work any time of the year! (Very good idea for a School Fair by the way.)




Friday, April 18, 2014

Monday, April 7, 2014

Easter Long Weekend in Toronto









I've moved my blog to torontofunplaces.com. Check my post on a few things to see and very cool crafts to do for Easter. Most of them require egg shells so I thought I'd add this link to TOP-10 omelette recipes!

How to get the most out of Shrek the Musical in Victoria Hall, Cobourg

Starting April 24th, a new production of Shrek the Musical will be presented in the Concert Hall in Victoria Hall in Cobourg. Read a few tips in our latest post on torontofunplace.com on how to get the most out of the surroundings, as well as a comment from lead actor Steve Russell, playing the role of Shrek.

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Our best April Fools gag ever!

Our turn!
After years of fish being taped on our backs by our kids on April 1st, my husband and I came up with the BEST. GAG. EVER. 

Our son was in Grade 6 and his young sister in Grade 2, both going to the same school for the last year, so it was our last chance to do the following.

We both made sure to be home before the kids got back from school, which surprised them. Then, with our best poker faces, we told them their principal had asked us to meet him in his office. "Any idea why?", I asked with a concerned face. Both kids were at loss to come up with an explanation. 

We all hopped in the car and did the 10-min. drive, during which I would grill them to find clues as to why we got the call from the principal. As we got parked in front of the school, I announced that it was their last chance to confess if they had done anything wrong (what a great way to go fishing, by the way!). Still nothing. By that time they were truly perplexed and getting a bit apprehensive.

We feigned getting out of the car... before exclaiming: "April Fools! We're going to the movies." Then we took them out for a burger and an early movie as they tried to wrap their brains around what had just happened.

Good times, good times...

Here's my favourite link to find a movie: cinemaclock.com (The Lego Movie is still going on, we saw this as a family with our teens and all loved it, dad included!)

Here a link to my Pinterest board on more ideas for April Fools.


Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Terrible Twos at home?

Well, you'll sympathize with this dog owner. Apparently, dogs are people too. Check this clip of a Husky literally saying "no" because he doesn't want to go out.


Friday, January 17, 2014

Can't take your teen to fun places anymore?


The right book at the right time

I'm surrounded by friends living with teens. I have one of my own at home. I remember exactly what it was like to be 15. And I've got to agree with author Michael J. Bradley's book where he emphatically explains: "Yes, your teen is crazy!"

This Christmas, a friend of mine simply could not convince her 14-year-old boy (taller and bigger than she is) to come to the dinner they traditionally have with friends on December 25th. She was devastated. She could certainly not drag him out of the house. She could not bribe him. He took her by surprise. She spent the Holidays mourning the little boy who would follow her everywhere to all the fun places she fancied. 

Tough ride
I had to go through the same kind of mourning when my youngest went from telling me she loved me five times a day to a 24-7 policy of "No Touchie". 

These are mild cases of what parents of teens go through. In my upper-middle class milieu, I've seen a bit of everything: drug problems, drinking problems, high school drop-out, cutting one-self, anorexia, depression, suicide attempt, epic yelling matches...


Bradley's book truly helps makes some sense out of it. He brings lots of concrete cases to our attention, many more extreme than what I have seen around, which he still considers "normal crazy".

The main virtue of his book is probably that it helps you get some distance, not take everything personally and find the motivation to try different ways to deal with your teen. You can't interact with a temporarily insane person the same way you do with a reasonable one.

The book is available in a $10 Kindle version which you can upload on the spot. (Did you know you can install a Kindle app for free on your computer ?)

Top-5 things I retain from the book
• MRIs have proven that our teens' prefrontal cortex (the brain's remote control) doesn't work properly (for the time being, they'll get there eventually).
• Don't ask teens to explain WHY they did something stupid. They can't! And it stresses them even more than it stresses you.
• Peer pressure works for superficial things such as clothes and music but teens get their values mainly from us (they just go dormant for a couple of years).
• How true to ourselves we are is vital. Teens have a very sensitive  "bullshit" detector. If we want to help them become better individuals, we might as well start working on ourselves... and our couples.
• Teens' biggest job is building their identity. Our biggest job is respecting that... while helping them reach age twenty alive.


NOTE: I've created a For teenagers category for this blog where 
I'll keep adding suggestions of teen outings (with or without their parents).





Thursday, January 9, 2014

Parents' survival: We're doomed

Small kids are dangerous. Especially if we go through a Zombie apocalypse. 


At last, a blogger who's not afraid to spell it out as it is. As Meredith Morgenstern points out in nerdymindmagazine.com, small kids are slow, they can not be quiet, and they are delicious. 

About zombies and Walking Dead:
See the amazing promo they did at Union Station one week prior to the new Walking Dead season in 2013.

About the photo:
Part of the Subway Station chapter in Toronto Fun Places 5th ed. where I describe all the fun things to see or do within a 10-minute walk of every Toronto subway station. This sculpture is on the grounds of Toronto Centre for the Arts near North York Centre Subway Station.


Saturday, January 4, 2014

The Frozen movie at minus 25!

Doesn't get cooler than this!
When my 16-year-old insisted we go see the Disney movie Frozen, I thought it had to be quite good for word-of-mouth to give it such a positive rating amongst the teenagers. We hopped on the streetcar at minus 25 to head to the movie theatre to see the 3D version of it. 


Wow! It was good! By now you must have seen video clips and figured out how charming and funny the characters are. Have you seen the 15-sec. clip of Olaf nose bump? And Olaf Super Bowl clip? Hilarious.

How lovely are the voices. As a francophone who personally knows José Paradis, a singer who's done the Québécois version of many songs for Disney movies, I know first hand how much attention Disney pays to the songs. The best way to illustrate this is the clever 3-min. clip they did of Frozen's Let It Go in 25 languages. 

Forzen's YouTube clips you see  don't convey how gorgeous the whole movie is with an amazing attention to details. I would go back in a flash just to see once more the beautiful  rendition of ice and light on the big screen. The sequence where Elsa builds an ice castle build with her powers is simply breathtaking.

Disney's magic is back!
I knew it as soon as I watched the short movie they presented before the 3D movie. I suspect they don't feature it in the video version as you need 3D glasses to appreciate it. (I still have goose bumps remembering how good it was.) 

It started with a beloved traditional black & white cartoon with Mickey, Minnie, the cows and the big bad cat (you know, the old ones where Walt Disney did Mickey's voice; so cool to see them again on the big screen).

At one point, in the middle of the action, Mickey was thrown in the air... and he "pierced" the screen and landed on our side, in full colour 3D! From the hole left in the big screen, we could see the others characters also in 3D while the cartoon action kept unfolding in black & white.

As you can imagine, eventually, all the characters got on our side and in 3D, with the best visual action to take advantage of this. It was mesmerizing. 

Disney is back and fully into the 21st century.

For cool snowflake templates and ideas (in the spirit of the movie), 
visit my Paper snowflakes board on pinterest.com/NathaliePrezeau 
!