December has a weird series of unfortunate anniversaries in a row: the 6th is the anniversary of the Montreal Massacre (how do you explain that one to your kids?); the 7th is the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor (not as immediate for our generation, but an event very much on a scale with 9/11 for its time), and today, December 8, the anniversary of John Lennon’s murder. A week ago I was in New York City with my son and we happened across the Lennon memorial in Central Park.

This mandala is in Strawberry Fields, a part of Central Park dedicated to the memory of John Lennon.

It’s a beautiful spot with signs encouraging people to be quite and contemplative when they enter the area. And that is just one of the things we saw.

We took in some of the sights (sites?) at Nuit Blanche last night in the city. What a great feeling to be outside with so many people, just to see art! You really experience the city as a community. Yes, there were too many people, especially as the evening went on, but it was in incredible experience just the same. Below are my tips for having a great Nuit Blanche.

This van has hundreds, or thousands, of holes drilled in it in flowing geometric patterns and was lit from the inside. The van was on a rotating platform, casting subtle pattern of lights on the surrounding buildings.

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My son has a PA day today. I have to admit, sometimes I dread these days because I’m going to have to juggle work and kids – not always my favourite combination! There is, of course another option: take the day off, or even just a part of the day, and do something together.

Viola is in charge of livestock at Black Creek Pioneer Village. If you see her, say hi!

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This is the end of the summer, and I find it helps get the school year off to a great start if we make a good weekend of it: the last hurrah of summer.  There’s lots for families to do around town, but I’d say that Labour Day Weekend is perfect for visiting Black Creek Pioneer Village.

The Mill at Black Creek Pioneer Village is the only working mill in the Greater Toronto area

Wander around the Village. See the authentic period homes and workshops. Take the tour of the Brewery (yes, kids can, too), or have a great lunch in the restaurant. It makes for a lovely afternoon out.

This weekend, one of my favourite summer festivals is taking place in Toronto. The BuskerFest is a cornucopia of street performers, food, music, and just plain fun.

Street performers at the Toronto BuskerFest this weekend

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We’re having a wonderful week downtown while my youngest son attends the drama camp at the Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People. Yesterday we went to the CN Tower. You know: that place that we locals only ever visit when we have someone visiting from out of town. Well, we had no visitors, we just went anyway.

We could see the Blue Jays game from the observation deck on the CN Tower.

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Who knew beer was such a big part of Ontario’s history? Well it is … er … was. Waves of settlers, first English, the Irish, then German, each brought their brewing traditions here. At Black Creek Pioneer Village you can see the historic brewery for yourself and learn how beer was made. I recommend taking one of the tours.

Canada's only working historic brewery

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If you don’t know Sandbanks Provincial Park, you’re missing out on something special. It’s only two and a half hours from Toronto. The beach is gorgeous and Prince Edward County is a pleasure to visit. We spent ten days there, half the time was just us grownups, the second half included various kids and family. In accordance with my own unsolicited advice, I let my twelve year-old bring a friend, always a good move.
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I love the natural curiosity of children.

Two young visitors watching the animals in the Village.

We’re getting ever closer to the ideal. When I was child, we had family friends who had all their camping gear assembled and organized on shelves right next to their car port. All they had to do was select the gear and they could be packed and on the road inside of 30 minutes. Now that’s what I call the ideal!

It took me a good part of two days to go through the gear and make sure everything we needed was there. I’m sure we’ll be missing something, but if I did my job right, it will be something minor.

The truth is, forgetting something tends to make the whole event more of an adventure anyway.