Canada Week 2

August 26, 2023

Everyone enjoys another fun-filled, action-packed week in Muskoka and Toronto! Brave Arlo takes a (brief) dip in the lake; we stop at some very nifty marine attractions on the drive back down; visit an unthinkable number of new playgrounds once back in the city; visit the dinosaurs at the ROM; and all get ready for Auntie Jasmine & Uncle Josh’s big day!

The wedding is beautiful and every detail thought-through. The bride is gorgeous and the groom is handsome. (And the matching Ring Bear 🐻 is pretty cute, too. Everyone has lots of fun, and Arlo gets to dance into the night, as he’s been looking forward to doing. What a great excuse to come to Toronto!

⚠️ A technical note: after 250 images, the photos loop back to the start; but there are more than 250 photos! So when you hit the end of the first 250 and loop back, please press ‘escape’ and scroll down to the 2nd set of images. ⚠️

Up early again at the cottage, and showing off the butterfly he found.

Having fun with Granny's hat collection.

Mooched yoghurt is the most delicious kind of yoghurt!

The time has come for brave Arlo to go for a swim in the water.

Checking the temperature with Grandba. Brr!

In he goes!

And out he comes, just like that!

An Arlo burrito! Have to give the boy lots of credit! He's the only one who dared go in!

Next up: helping grandpa wash the Subaru Forester.

Someone worked up an appetite while washing the car!

Gone!

Going for a walk all the way to the end of McKay Trail Pvt.

Lucy's turn for a walk.

Hanging out again with Great Aunt Chris.

Delicious ice!

Bye Aunt Chris. Hope to see you again soon! Thank you for the gift!

Last morning at the cottage.

Last photos down by the bay. I mean, lake.

The flowers that Arlo picked and arranged. A photo before leaving them at the cottage.

Time to hit the road: Toronto-bound!

But first, a stop in Port Carling to check out the lock...

... and another stop at Port Severn to check out the Big Chute!

Woah! Here it comes!

Read more about it at the link below!

The operators tossed down awesome dog tags for Arlo and Lucy, who were psyched!

Checking out out from the observatory.

Most important part of this stop: lunch!

Arlo's never had a lunch quite like this!

Amazingly, Lucy managed to finish the whole cup all by herself.

Back in Toronto, and so it's time to explore another playground!

This one's pretty nice!

Lucy still really loves swings.

The next morning, we're off to the Boulevard Club to meet the bride-to-be, Auntie Jasmine!

So warm at the waterfront, so let's go for a swim!

We quickly learned that warm air doesn't transate to warm water like in the tropics.

Lunch time!

This is the meal where arlo discovers the joys of french fries.

Trying on his outfit for the wedding - looking dapper!

And rehearsing his part.

Someone fell asleep on the way home.

And heading to Playground #4!

Arlo's taking his climbing skills to new heights!

Heading to the ROM, but the skidsteer on the way is more exciting.

First time seeing dinosaur skeletons in real life.

It's nice that they have a play area for young kids.

Wanted to know how the hand trolley works, so why not try it out right here in the parking lot?

Last outing for the day: to the local farmer's market!

Helping Granny select sunflowers to make a bunch.

Lucy enjoyed the band!

Tot in a pot!

Thursday morning, and waiting patiently for the garbage truck to show up.

Dutifully helping Grandpa put the garbage cans away afterward.

Playground # 5 - an amazing castle playground in High Park!

Arlo, guardian of the exit.

Have I mentioned that Lucy loves her swings?

Enough time to pop over to the High Park Zoo quickly.

Finally checking out the easel that Granny ambitiously bought for them.

Stopping to appreciate an old house in Toronto that was covered with vines...

On our way to Playground #6!

Thanks to the rain, this one was nice and empty.

It's a deceptive little slide. You fly down!

Daring Lucy wanted to try, too!

At least it ended with a smile!

A delicious Indian dinner!

Granny's starting the morning with another ambitious activity: eating ice pops on the porch.

Heading over to Christie Pitts for a second visit.

Granny is brave!

And Arlo is beyond thrilled by the ladybug that Granny found (in her pants).

This lady is coming home with us!

Don't think we can include this in our playground count, but the maze parkette was entertaining nonetheless.

If dandelions were special in their yellow form, they're even more special now!

At Auntie Jasmine and Uncle Josh's rehearsal dinner.

Here's the actual pillow that the ring bear 🐻 is going to use.

"Helping" Uncle Taylor with the balloons.

It was a beautiful evening down at the lakeshore.

The big day is here!

But first, we're doing the long walk up to Wychwood Barns for the Saturday farmer's market.

Big kudos to Arlo -- he walked the whole way (2km)!

Arlo can't believe how big the tomatoes are!

He asked to buy a bag of colorful cherry tomatoes, and proceeded to wolf down the entire thing.

Sorry Lucy, but you have to nap now, to be up in time for the wedding!

Introducing Uncle Chad to Madeline - it's never too late!

Here we are! It's soon go-time!

Looking spiffy, ring bear! 🐻

With the man of the hour himself, the groom!

Getting one last practice in, with the chairs set up this time.

Lucy, you're doing great! Now just do this during the actual ceremony!

Arlo's all ready with his boutonniere!

Waiting patiently for the ceremony to begin.

Sneaking in a few pre-wedding photos.

Patiently waiting back stage.

And it's go-time!!

Well, at least Lucy made it down the aisle; beautiful Auntie Julia to the rescue!

And here comes the beautiful bride!

Dinner time!

Enjoying her cool new water cup.

Dance break!

This is the closest to a midnight snack that Arlo has ever had!

Lucy's not going to turn down a 10pm ice cream.

And for the grande finale! Lion Dance!

Wow! Have you ever seen a lion dance with LEDs!?

Getting ready to hit the dance floor, glow sticks and all.

You go, Arlo!

Night night and thank you to the beautiful bride. Thank you for involving us in your wonderful wedding!