Ripleys Aquarium Visit - Oct 20th

 For the past few years this aquarium has been in the making.  We've been anxiously waiting for it to open. 

After a few delays its finally opened its doors last week.
 Off we went for the day.  I had many private messages asking about specific details so hopefully I'll answer them here.  I've never been to any other aquariums so all I can share is this experience and can't compare to other aquariums.

First, cost: For a family of 5 - 2 adults, a 4 year old, 2 year old and 7 month old it was $80.00
We opted to take the GO Train from Oshawa rather then parking.  Cost: 38.00 for two adults.  Kids were free.

We headed via the SkyWalk to the base of the CN Tower which is where the Aquarium is located.  Easy peasy.  Toronto makes it easy for people with small children & strollers to make there away around the CN tower attraction with the ease of elevators.  Bonus!

SO we arrived.  SUPER BUSY!  like lined up and around the building busy.  I took note that the line was for people waiting to buy tickets.  SCORE!!!!! we bought ours online so no waiting at all.    SO when you walk in you are upstairs in the facility. LOts to see...a huge cylinder tank with 100's of silver fish circling and schooling around.  SO cool looking.  Instantly caught Christopher's attention.  Yes there were lots of other people surrounding the exhibit but people quickly moved along after snapping photos.  It was easy to see everything and nudge to the front of the tanks.
Both Christopher and Sophia were mesmerized.    Obviously since the facility has been only open for 5 days it was clean and fresh and new.  So we wind our way down to the lower level looking at exhibit after exhibit.  And i mean HUGE tanks.  From blue lobsters to King Crabs to an Octopus.  So many different types of settings and species of fish.  Of course the best part was the danger lagoon.  It moves you along this motorized floor.  The tank is HUGE !!!sharks swim

Very close. You can see gums & teeth you're so close.  Sting rays and THOUSANDS of fish swim around this moving tunnel.  You do have the option to walk the tunnel.  But I'm fairly lazy so I just parked us all on this rolling floor and off we went.  The Jelly Fish display was so incredible.  Hard to describe and really, my pics don't do it any justice.

There were many little extra add ons many hands on learning centres the kids enjoyed using.  An open pool where you could reach in and touch the de stinged - sting rays and baby hammerhead sharks.   There was a restaurant (we didn't eat there) it was very crowed.  We spent about 2 hours overall.   It's like nothing I've ever seen.  The kids loved it so next time we will pick up a season pass. 

Adding that we visited the gift shop. Tee shirts for the kids around 12 bucks which I thought was ok.  Also bought a couple stuffed turtles for 10.00

Octopus - eeps

31 glorious days in October.

October is my favourite month.  Cooler temperatures, hearty meals and preparations for Christmas are in order.  So this month I'm going to post each day in honour if Thanksgiving.  

1/31 - today I'm so thankful for my three little people.  Sophia with her sassy personality.  Christopher with his love and charm, and my sweet Charlotte for giggles and snuggles and shrieks of laughter.  

Day 2 of JK - Sophia

I survived Sophia's first and second days of school.   She LOVED going and even when I picked her up today with her sticky skin and bags under her eyes she still answered my " do you want to come back tomorrow" with a yes! 

Charlotte 6 months

In just a few days Charlotte will be 6 months old.  Already two bottom teeth.  Thankfully she sleeps most of the night. I swear I could hold her and snuggle all day long.  Tonight while Daddy was working we borrowed a movie from the public library 'Charlottes Web' and after pizza and baths we cuddled up in the King for a movie.  My oh my I love these moments.  

Summers over

I always know summer is coming to an end as the tree on our front lawn starts to turn red. It's actually the first tree in Stirling to change. 

What's been happening?

This past summer we spent a lot of time just together as a family of 5.  We borrowed Jill and Kevin's trailer and camped at the Koa in Marmora for two nights. 

Jason started working p\t at Lowes in the evenings.  

I'm learning to see.  Thank you Jocelyn ;). 

Lots of meet ups and play dates.  The Andres came down from SK for an afternoon of laughter and BBq at the Browns.  

We took the kids to the Stirling fair where Chtistopher enjoyed yummy fried donuts and kooleed ( as he likes to pronounce it). 

We also hit up the annual Hastings plotting match where Chris and Sophia had fun checking out the tractors. 

A visit at the Marmora K0A

Went to visit my sister Kevin and all the kids at the Koa in Marmora.  What a fun friendly place to visit for a few hours.  Enjoyed the campfire and good conversation. 

Happy 4th Birthday Sophia

On her actual fourth birthday's she had school.  It was actually the year-end graduation and there was a bouncy castle lots of snacks and treat bags for all the kids. We had a small celebration at home with Nick & Becky.