Halloween in Toronto

We had a fabulous Halloween in Toronto this year. Mike joined us at the beginning of the trip (before heading onto Wolfe Island with his hunting buddies), and we got to meet our new niece Chloe who is totally adorable and gorgeous. We also got to see our wonderful, equally beautiful niece Miss Riley. We had such a great time with the cousins and that was absolutely a highlight of the trip. The first afternoon, Mike and Dad took on the carving of pumpkins with the 3 older kids and they all had a great time. Riley wasn't sure she liked the eyes Uncle Mike had made her, which had a creative flare, but Uncle Mike got it all fixed up for her and she was very happy! Many thanks to Mom for finding the perfect pumpkins for everyone:)

After day one, the boys couldn't wait to see their cousins again. Day 2 - The Van Haaren clan came in to visit us at Mom and Dad's again (thanks guys!). Mom and I took the 3 older kids to the park, and they had a ball together. Cam and Riley have always connected but this visit Tan and Riley made such a sweet connection as well. On that particular park day, Tan was determined to include Riley in all their play - of course I'd mentioned it on the way to the park, but he really ran with it and we were proud of him. He invited her to join them on the teeter totter toys, pushed her on the swing "1000 times" (really 110 - but he's still learning how to count beyond 100!). Tanner was the only person who Riley wanted to catch her at the bottom of the slide and she was even asking to hold Tanner's hand which was very cute. Tanner couldn't have looked more proud of the whole situation.

We spent Halloween night in Toronto. The kids had a fantastic time and want to go back to Toronto for Halloween next year. Mom and Dad had taken us around on the days leading up to Halloween to look at all the decorations and the boys had picked out so many houses that they really wanted to visit on Hallween night. It was impossible to get to all of them, but we picked their favorites and spend over 2 hours out visiting as many "cool" houses as we could. Cammy was absolutely pooped at the end of it.

Of course a huge highlight of any visit is getting to spend time with Geem and Poppa. Tanner got to take a very special trip to ROM on his own with Poppa this visit, complete with a trip on the subway, lunch and a brownie! That was a big highlight for him. He loved the dinosaurs. He loved the amazing lego Egyptian head. He loved his special lunch with Poppa! Of course Cam was a little jealous and so we ended up back at the ROM a second time - this time with Mom and I. Cammy really loved it too, especially the dinosaurs and the bat cave.

After a day at the Museum we got a little more cousin time. Again we ended up at the park - this time in Guelph Ontario - and the kids had an equally great time. Mom and I and the older kids started off to the park. Tanner was running like crazy ahead and Cam was following. Riley stopped dead in her tracks and when we asked what was wrong she glared ahead and said "Tanner wait for Riley." We told Tanner how she was feeling and he came back, gentlemanly! She wouldn't move until he came back to her. This happened over and over again til we got to the park. After the park, we went to lunch together and celebrated all the birthdays. Tan really wanted to get Riley his own gift for her birthday. He wasn't sure what to get her, but he remembered that she liked chocolate from our first visit, so he wrapped up a piece of his Halloween Candy to share with her. He was very proud of his own gift for her.

During our visit we also got to Bronte Creek - the kids absolute favorite Toronto play place. I have to say, it brings back such great memories for me. It's a barn on the outskirts of the city that's been made into a great indoor/outdoor play space. It has great lofts to jump from, long slides and ramps that wind through the barn. It's super low key and I honestly don't think it's changed much since my preschool days of going there. Every time we go they ask if we can come back again next time. They love it as much as I always did.

Mom also treated us to a movie at the IMAX which was really fun and really special.

On the last day both Mom and Dad (Dad's idea) took the boys and I to the Royal. It was a huge hit. I hadn't been for years, and oh my goodness it brought back so many great memories. The Royal is incredible. So many gorgeous animals. The boys loved the horse shower (and the kind man who let us watch him and his horse), butter sculpture making, the cows (I have to say I learned a few things watching the cattle competitions). Cammy's #1 favorite thing was the pretend cows you could practice milking. After he'd been doing it for quite some time Dad and I tried to coax him to move along to something else. He looked at us with these sharp eyes and said "I am going to be a farmer. I NEED to milk a cow."....and kept going. Eventually we moved along, but came back to the milking 2 more times. Needless to say, the "milking assistants" knew Cammy quite well by the end of the day.

Not only were we able to see the family, it was so great to visit with (and chat with) some old friends too, and that was a realy highlight for me.

Thank you everyone for such a great trip:)