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.

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. ;-)

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!

More about Prologue's different FREE showcase 

on May 27 at Young People's Theatre, Toronto.

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 Sichon, CréaSon 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!

More about Prologue's other FREE showcase 

on May 13 at Meadowvale Theatre in Mississauga.

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