Canada Week 1

July 17, 2025

Our first week in Canada in 2 years. Primarily spent exploring the playgrounds of Toronto, and spending time with our favorite fam!

Here we go on our long adventure! Off to the airport!

Riding the broomsticks we're about to check in. Hope they make it!

Hungry already, and we haven't gotten anywhere near our flight.

Waiting (somewhat) patiently to board.

Here we go!

Coloring... and the plane hasn't even pushed back yet.

In no time, Arlo rediscovered Angry Birds... and proceeded to play it for the next 19 hours.

Remote gate in Taipei - our first time!

Large aircraft; Arlo for scale.

We love Taipei! So family-friendly.

Some kind of interactive exhibit at our gate...

... and the output.

Then we discovered the LEGO store, where we hung out for the rest of our layover.

Here we go, the biggie!

Arlo made a commendable attempt at his meals (by his standards, anyway).

Yes, we packed watercolors for the flight.

Catching a few hours of Zzz's. (But not too many, because we need to sleep once we get there!)

The boys.

Nosy Lucy popping through.

We made it!

Excited to have arrived!

Someone's hungry: she scarfed down a whole (giant) banana upon arrival.

Wasting no time on the first morning, discovering the LEGOs that have been lent to him.

Yoghurt is more delicious when it's Granny's.

The inaugural "we're here" photo on Euclid.

Helping Grandpa check the car's tire pressure.

And Lucy is waiting to whack any local wrongdoers with her t-ball bat.

Official LEGO workshop in place now.

Helping Granny shop for berries.

First playground of many. And we quickly learned that shade is important!

At least the splash pad was open and (slightly) shaded!

Doing a better job balancing on this thing than 2 years ago.

The first of her many monkey bar practices throughout the trip.

The much-anticipated sprinkle cookies by Granny. They lived up to expectations!

Dead by 5:30pm. A valiant first-day effort by Lucy.

And up before the sun the next day.

Several books are "reading files" that Arlo can read himself.

Verdict is in on grapefruit.

The giant plastic bag that the brooms came in, courtesy of EVA.

Two lilies!

Lunch date with Auntie Jasmine and Uncle Josh.

How did our car get here?!

Short visit at a playground next to their condo... but it, too, was hot and sunny!

Continuing to work on her arm strength and coordination.

A ladybug landed on Arlo and seemed to enjoy him.

First dandelion - there were fewer ready for blowing this time, because it was a month earlier.

Delicious lunch from Cheese Boutique.

Auntie Jas, working her muscles in practice.

Arlo's thrilled with his new many-pocket backpack. It'll also serve him for many school years to come!

Ice cream time!

Checking out a brand new playground nearby: this one is fairly shaded for 4pm - bonus!

Lots to climb and slide on!

This one's a winner. Not huge, but packs a punch. And has shade.

Mr. Sprinkle Cookie.

Attempting to visit High Park, but the weather had other plans.

We got a few good minutes of play in at the castle playground, but never made it to the zoo.

This pretty much sums up the visit.

Warming up with some (herbal) tea.

Tea cheers! Arlo feels like a big boy!

The day turned into a beautiful afternoon! Can you spot the crowds at the Christie Pitts baseball game?

Much better luck with this playground, weather-wise.

These two were the first into the freezing (yet full-sun) splash pad after it was refilled for the afternoon.

The lunch-buster.

Another valiant attempt by Lucy!

Operation Morning Lego: Day 4.

11-steering-wheel digger.

Waiting patiently for our ferry to Centre Island.

Here we go!

The PM 2.5 levels were high, even by Bangkok standards!

Can you make out the Toronto skyline?

Waiting in anticipation for the rides to open at 10:30.

Arlo's favorite ride from 2 years ago is still a hit.

And this time, Lucy (in the passing car) was old enough to enjoy all the thrills, too!

"Driving" the antique cars herself.

More fire engine.

And the flying bees.

Antique wooden carousel - almost 120 years old.

It rotated deceptively quickly!

And then the open ferris wheel.

This, too, rotated faster than it should have!

One of the highlights of the day for Arlo: the bumper boats!

Arlo had a blast, and was a natural.

BUMP!

At the same time, Granny, Lucy, and Dad tried the swan boat (whose steering was apparently equally unintuitive).

And the ever-popular log flume.

Brave kids did this twice.

Then the cable car which gives a lovely aerial tour of the island.

And the Ford antique cars. (Neither wanted to share a car, despite two steering wheels in each vehicle.)

Frog Hopper - which Lucy ultimately rode 5 times (and mum, too).

A change of pace on these boats.

Everyone's excited to ride the roller coaster!

I think we have a new coaster enthusiast in the family!

Choo choo train after lunch. (This wasn't operating when we were here 2 years ago.)

And Arlo's other highlight of the day: the bumper cars!

Rough and tumble; Arlo lost his hat and Grandpa lost his watch.

(Arlo's rendition of the bumper car experience.)

A bit of cooling off in the splash pad.

More frog hopper...

... and more antique cars. No need to change out of our swim suits!

A few more spins on the Ford cars before calling it a day.

We barely made the 4:40 ferry, although these guys would've happily stayed longer.

Still energy to do some veggie shopping once we got home.

Early morning strawberryfest - they're a hit!

More LEGO!

Showing Granny his creations.

It's a real squeeze for wide-shoulder Dad in the back seat.

Duffrin Grove Park playground: a hidden Toronto gem (but sadly, soon to be completely redone).

This became our favorite playground by far (and Lucy's especially)...

... because of the short monkey bars that gave her plenty of confidence and security to practice.

So proud of her achievement!

We also found this *giant* yellow mushroom - very exciting for Arlo!

There's also a giant splashpad.

I hope they keep some of the equipment, even though it's definitely dated!

"Swinging by" Nations grocery store "on the way home".

Little bananas from Thailand.

Lucy wanted a shopping cart too... and then we ended up filling both of them!

Watch out for Lucy and her bat!

Refuelling for the afternoon.

Retaking another photo from 2 years ago.

Back to our new favorite playground at Duffrin Grove Park.

Practicing her new skill.

Starting our pinecone search.

The shortest park bench... and Granny's on the short end.

Fun with a talking Paw Patrol book.

Oh no. Someone found the old trumpet.

Fun dinner with Auntie Julia, Auntie Jas, Uncle Josh, Auntie Clearley and Uncle Peter.

Nothing beats Toronto Chinese food!

Getting used to giant Cousin Mackie (again).

Someone has claimed for years that he no longer sucks his thumb...

We're off on a day trip to...

... Niagara Falls!

(Eating from the giant collectable spoon.)

Here we are!

The weather was ominous, but it turned out to be a good day.

We'd be on that boat in a few hours.

Very unenthusiastic about his delicious lunch (with a view).

Lucy's all for the potato chips.

Ready for the big attraction!

Lucy's right to be anxious about this.

With the American falls.

Calm (smiles?) before the "storm".

It was a wet experience, they weren't wrong.

It turned into a beautiful day!

Catching up on sleep on the ride home.

Just enough energy left to watch one of the Porch View dances.

Can't believe we've been here a week already!