Ripley's Aquarium of Canada is Sea-riously Awesome!

   

We visited Ripley's Aquarium of Canada this past weekend. Nestled right next to the CN Tower and the Rogers Centre, this unique & interesting attraction is definitely a must see for those residing in or visiting the Greater Toronto Area! 

Ripley's Aquarium of Canada features 12,500 square metres of aquatic enjoyment. With 5.7 million litres of water used to house some 16,000 animals, those young and old are sure to be amazed! It takes the average person about 2 to 2 and a half hours to experience the aquarium and all it has to offer. If you are visiting with young children, I highly recommend that you go first thing in the morning once they open. Most of the habitat areas are darkened to highlight the exhibits and I would not have wanted to visit with little ones during their typical peak time between 11am and 4pm for this reason.  Unless you have help with you to make sure one of your young ones don't suddenly get distracted and run off to another exhibit, then the early bird gets the worm on this one. Plus, there are a number of fun and interactive educational components throughout the aquarium which you can take full advantage of if it's not really busy. I would also suggest dressing your kids in bright colours, or patterned clothing so that they are more visible in the darkened areas.  Anything dark or grey in colour would be harder to see when it's busy with other attendees. 

For those requiring wheel chairs or strollers, they are both available for rent. Wheelchair rentals are free and umbrella strollers are available for rent for $3. But they are subject to availability, so remember what I said about the early bird? They also have a free stroller check in, if you don't want to bring your own personal stroller into the aquarium. Personally, I liked having mine as, although we didn't use it for our youngest, it was nice to put our coats and diaper bag in so we didn't have to carry it around. The aquarium does have a coat check and cubbies to rent for a nominal fee. Our youngest just turned 2 years old and he walked the whole way with no issues. He mostly tried to keep up with where his older brother went, so if you have an only child, then they might tire faster. 

Each of the galleries are neat to see, and will have something to fascinate you. Each gallery features a number of interactive learning activities to get the most out of your visit. I think they've done an excellent job at incorporating education into the exhibits. 

The Canadian Waters habitat displays a number of fish and plants from our Great Lakes, rivers and oceans. Our personal favorites in this habitat depiction? The Giant Pacific Octopus, and the Pacific kelp. The seaweed is unbelievably tall and the octopus is huge! And you really should get on the scale to see how much you'd be sold for if you were the catch of the day. Kids get a real kick out of this! In all honesty, so did I! LOL

The Rainbow Reef is beautiful! I could park a chair in front and sit there all day. Watching over 100 species of tropical fish from the Indo-Pacific region provides an array of colour and a buzz of activity.

The Dangerous Lagoon is where it's at! It's the largest exhibit and the most fascinating. You can either jump on board the largest North American slow moving movator or walk along side this 2.5 million litre tank. There you will pass through an underwater tunnel, seeing everything from sawfish & tropical fish, to sharks, sea turtles and stingrays. Seeing the sawfish glide by is quite the sight, as are all the sharks roaming about.We were lucky enough to see a sea turtle swimming above us. You will also see a massive grouper, the largest you've probably ever seen, or will see in your life. It's incredibly huge and I can't imagine how much that thing weighs! 

The Discovery Centre is where you can take a break, use the facilities, and get something to eat. In this section, there is also a playground area right beside the research submarine, which features a number of interactive bells and whistles, along with an underwater viewing bubble into the Dangerous Lagoon. There is also the horseshoe crab touch pool and the Great Lakes Locks water play area. Though this area is mostly geared towards kids, many adults were also taking advantage of what the Discovery Centre had to offer. You can also pop your head up into a puffer fish and clown fish tank which makes for some comical pictures. Kids will feel like they are right in there with Nemo from the Finding Nemo Disney movie. 

With regards to getting something to eat, you can purchase snacks and entrees from the Ripley's Cafe. Outside food and drinks are not technically allowed, but I'm sure if you had little ones, that their snacks would be OK to bring in. Obviously milk or formula wouldn't be an issue. If you are a nursing mom, there are a lot of chairs and tables in the Discovery Centre area where the cafe is for you to sit. There are also plenty of benches around the aquarium itself should you need to feed your little one. I snapped a picture of their menu so that you can see what's available and how much it would cost. Eating at venues like these is never cheap, so this way you can plan ahead! But to be honest, I didn't find the prices to be all that expensive, all things considered. We were there early, so I did not see the portions of these items, but compared to other attractions the prices aren't that bad. 

Moving on to the The Gallery, you'll see amazing creatures such as seahorses, leafy sea dragons, the electric eel, and the invasive lion fish. The seahorses and leafy sea dragons were particularly neat to see. 

The Perfect Predators area features an underwater viewing bubble where you can pop up inside a shark tank, and a clear tunnel tube to "crawl" through and view the sharks all around you. Most kids love these features, although a couple were a little hesitant to go in. There are also a number of interactive shark educational activities to do in this particular section.

Ray Bay is another of my favorites. Like the Rainbow Reef, I could park a chair here and watch for hours. Luckily there are benches there, so you can literally do that. Watching the stingrays, both large and small gliding about was mesmerizing. They appear to be so graceful and adorable. You'd never think that they could be dangerous in the wild. 

Planet Jellies is definitely a must see! It's amazing to see these little creatures moving about, and changing colour. Like the stingrays, they are also elegant in appearance. They are deceiving though, in that you'd never think they could hurt you. The saying "Don't judge a book by its cover" definitely applies to these beautiful but misleading little guys.

Upstairs, you can also check out the Shoreline Gallery.  There you will be able to touch small sharks (which I am pretty sure are bamboo sharks) in the touch pool, as well as the stingrays in the main area as they pass by. As I've said before, they are pretty amazing to watch! You can also look over the Dangerous Lagoon from up there as well and get a different perspective of the sharks, sea turtles and other fish previously mentioned in Dangerous Lagoon. 

The aquarium opens daily at 9am and is open most days until 11pm. Occasionally it closes at 6pm, so be sure to check the day that you plan to visit if you intend to be there or stay later into the evening. Regular admission for adults is $29.98, and $19.98 for seniors and youth ages 6-13years of age. Children 3-5 years of age are $9.98, and kids under 2 are free. HST is not included in those prices. There are discounted tickets available if you purchase Timed Tickets or Shark After Dark tickets. You can also check out their promo page to see if there are any further discounts or promotions going on. Military personnel are also eligible for further discounts.  

I think this attraction is not only fun but educational. And I'd be surprised if anyone did not enjoy their experience. The only downside for me is the crowd, because we have young ones. But that is simply fixed by going early when it's more quiet. For everyone else, it is likely not that big of a deal, as the aquarium does a good job of making the exhibits large and visible for a number of people to appreciate at one time. Whether you are an infant who enjoys watching things moving about to and fro, a school aged child who enjoys interactive learning displays, or an adult who appreciates the magnitude of our oceans and waterways, everyone will get something out of this unique attraction.  

All in all, I give Ripley's Aquarium of Canada 2 sharks, I mean, 2 thumbs up! 

***** These views are mine, and mine alone. As with anything, you are responsible for assessing whether this item and/or activity is safe and suitable for your specific needs. InfoMommy does not make any warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, and assumes no responsibility and/or liability for any actions taken as a result of this blog post.*****

    

The Lego Ideas Book Will Keep You & Your Kids Building!

    

Who doesn't love Lego? Whether you are young or old, there's nothing like expressing your creativity by building something with these well-known little bricks and pieces. 

The Lego Ideas Book features a myriad of things to make. Whether you want to build a monster truck, a castle bridge, animals or spaceships, you are guaranteed to find something that will get your creative juices flowing in this 200 page hardcover book. They even have useful build ideas to make organizers for things like pens and pencils, and to make your own picture frame out of your Lego pieces. 

You will find special sections in the book like Meet The Builder, which includes interview questions and answers from the Master Builders themselves. There are also sections that go into essential & alternative pieces to use and brick tips to get your own builds started. 

Many of the builds are relatively detailed. To copy the build ideas piece for piece, you would require an extensive array of Lego pieces, and experience that is not likely in a young child. But with an adult alongside, or for older kids, these ideas are easily adaptable to the pieces that one would already have in their collection.  As with The Lego Play Book, it would be nice to see some female oriented builds to balance out the creations already in the book, to coincide with the Lego Friends Lego sets and such. All in all this is a great educational book that my son has enjoyed looking at. He has spent a lot of time going through all the pages one by one and taking it all in. It would be of great interest to many. It's amazing what these builders come up with!  

The Lego Ideas Book is one of the many titles that DK Books Canada has featured this month in their March Break Boutique.  This title retails for $27.99CAN, but you might be able to find it for a better price at your local book store as it is a couple of years old.  

Happy building! 

***** These views are mine, and mine alone. As with anything, you are responsible for assessing whether this item and/or activity is safe and suitable for your specific needs. InfoMommy does not make any warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, and assumes no responsibility and/or liability for any actions taken as a result of this blog post.*****

Waves Indoor Waterpark Waves The Winter Blahs Goodbye in Niagara Falls Canada!

   

We visited Americana Resort's Waves Indoor Waterpark in Niagara Falls Canada this past weekend and had a great time. Americana Resort is located on the popular Lundy's Lane and their waterpark offers 25,000sq of water play! It features a one of a kind retractable roof that can be opened up during the warmer months, and is ideal for families, especially those with younger ones!

Upon arrival, you purchase your day passes from the front desk clerk. You head on over to the waterpark area and enter through the arcade. There you will find the change rooms that have approximately 5 single change rooms and 2 family sized change rooms. It would be nice if they had a couple more family sized change rooms as when we were there, there were a few families waiting in line to use them. If you have older children who can change on their own, they can take advantage of the single rooms which would speed up the changing process. There are 2 types of lockers in the change room area. The medium sized ones cost $2 per locker (as pictured) and the smaller ones cost $1. The smaller sized locker would easily accommodate one person's belongings for the most part.

Being a family of 4, and with it being winter, we required 4 of

the smaller ones to put all of our stuff in. One of those was for the diaper bag that we needed. We could have gotten away with 2 of the medium sized ones but they were all taken. During peak times, you might run the risk that they might all be taken as there were only a few left when we were there. It would be nice if they added another row of medium sized lockers especially for the winter months when everyone has so many more layers.  Be sure to bring a beach bag or something similar to hold your essentials such as diapers, cash for the snack bar, etc, as the lockers are one time use only. If you need to get something out of your locker, you will need to pay again. Fortunately, there are change machines in the area to get loonies and twoonies for the lockers should you not arrive with the proper change. 

In addition, I would strongly suggest bringing some flip flops or other footwear such as Crocs to wear between the change rooms and the waterpark, as you do walk through the arcade area to get back and forth. Day pass holders need to supply their own towels as hotel towels are for staying guests only, so don't leave those at home!

All of the water features at Waves are nestled closely together, which makes it easy for you to monitor your older children and/or to reunite or meet up with your friends and family throughout the day. The waterpark is best explained as these 5 areas:

#1 - The hot tub area accommodates approximately 16 people. 

#2 - The main water slide area contains 4 slides. The first two features a body slide and a tube slide. Most kids approximately 5yrs and up (& adults!) would enjoy these 2 slides. These were my personal favorites! Then there are 2 higher tube slides that are about 3 stories high. I didn't have the guts to brave these 2 in particular, but my husband and son did and they loved it! They described it as flying through a pitch black tunnel on a large inner tube and then getting spit out into the landing pool! This is a great area if you've got older kids!

#3 - The infant and toddler area is located in the back corner, which is a great place for it, in my opinion. Having 2 children who are a few years apart, my toddler will often want to copy what the older one is doing whether it is an appropriate activity for him or not. Having the larger play area for school aged children placed at the other side of the waterpark was great thinking. This way, the younger ones can play in this particular area without being tempted to utilize the playground structure designed and used by older kids. The infant and toddler section features bouncy swings within the water, toddler slides, and small toys such as balls for the kids to play with in this pool.  

#4 - The main pool area is where the waves happen. Literally and figuratively! It has graduated beach style entry, which is great for toddlers, and also includes basketball nets and balls for school aged kids or adults to play with. This pool becomes the wave pool at alternating intervals so that people who prefer the water without the waves can enjoy their time as well. The waves are quite strong, so be mindful of this when having younger ones such as toddlers and infants in the water at that time. 

#5 - The playground structure mentioned in #3 is a great place for school aged kids to burn off some steam! There are smaller sized water slides, sprinklers, small water cannons to spray people with and a large tipping bucket that spills over and splashes everyone when it fills to the brim with water. They also had a number of activities planned in the waterpark throughout the day to entertain the children. 

For your comfort, you will find a number of patio tables and chairs around these areas. You can even rent a private cabana for approximately $70-$140. Cabana rentals feature a TV, a mini fridge, towels, lounge chairs, and a hostess. Lifeguards were everywhere the day that we attended. It was comforting that have all those extra sets of eyes and ears even if it is ultimately a parent or guardian's responsibility to watch over their children. Lifejackets were available as well should you need one for your child or other non-swimmer. 

We found the temperature in the waterpark to be a bit on the cool side when we were there. It wasn't freezing by any stretch of the imagination and was warm enough for everyone to enjoy themselves. We were just expecting it to feel warmer than it did. Their website indicates that they keep the waterpark at a year round temperature of 84F, which it may have actually been. It was overcast for the time we were there and probably feels hotter when the sun is beaming through the retractable roof. With that being said, it was definitely warm enough. 

Waves Snack Bar is open for typical snack bar items and is fully licensed. Restaurant and snack prices at venues such as these are always pricey. Needless to say, I found the prices there to be the going rate for any type of family attraction. We had the pizza and it was quite good! I saw someone else ordering a salad and it looked fresh and appetizing as well.  No outside food or drinks are permitted inside the waterpark, so you will either have to come prepared, or bite the proverbial bullet and spend the extra money on snacks and/or meals while there. To view menu items and costs associated, click here. 

Waves typically opens at 10am and closes around 9pm. Times can vary throughout the year and they do set aside some days for maintenance, which forces a full waterpark closure. Be sure to call ahead so that you can plan to attend when the waterpark hours are amenable to your needs. 

There are 3 indoor waterparks in Niagara Falls, Canada. Only 2 of them allow you to buy day passes and Americana's Waves Indoor Waterpark is definitely the most cost effective. An All Ages Full Day Pass costs $26.95 per person 12 months of age and up. Children under 12 months of age are free. If you are a Niagara Falls Canada local, you can get your day pass for $15.95. If anyone plans on attending after 5pm, you can get a pass at a discounted rate of $19.95. These prices do not include taxes and may vary slightly during peak times. As always, check for promo codes or other discounts before you book. After all, my motto is "why pay more if you don't have to?" LOL

All in all, my family and I think this is a great choice for families with younger kids, or those on a budget. You will have a splashing good time and you will kick the winter blahs to the curb! Happy splashing! 

***** These views are mine, and mine alone. As with anything, you are responsible for assessing whether this item and/or activity is safe and suitable for your specific needs. InfoMommy does not make any warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, and assumes no responsibility and/or liability for any actions taken as a result of this blog post.*****

    

Problems in The Bedroom? Sara Dimerman Is Here to Help!

   

Psychologist Sara Dimerman is back with a brand new book aimed at helping couples solve intimacy issues, and is a very informative and interesting read. Why Married Couples Don't Have Sex (At Least Not With Each Other) comes out February 24th, 2015 and is a must read for anyone experiencing any difficulty in the bedroom. She uncovers and explains underlying issues in relationships that contribute to the problem and aims to get couples back on track.

Here is a Q&A with the author:

1) What prompted you to write this book?  

As I write about at the beginning of the book, my epiphany came about when facilitating a discussion for moms and babes at a salsa moms dancing class. I had been invited to talk about Life After Baby and the discussion kept leading back to how their sex lives had changed since the birth of their child. This, in combination with what I had heard in my practice for almost 25 years, inspired me to write this book.

2) What percentage of couples would you say have sexual intimacy issues?

Research indicates that its at least a third of all couples that experience issues with sexual intimacy but my experience, along with anecdotal stories, leads me to believe that it's higher than that. I'd peg it at about 40 percent of married couples are in a chronic state of concern around sexual intimacy but that this percentage is even higher when you consider that all couples experience periods of sexual drought during their relationship - as a result of many different factors.

3) What is the best way for someone to begin a dialogue with their spouse or partner if they are not happy with the current state of their sex life? 

Reading excerpts to one another from my book would be a good springboard into discussion, especially if you choose segments that are more relatable. Sometimes, the discussion is best suited for a therapist's office because this time has been set aside for discussion and there are no other distractions. If a couple can, scheduling an away from home date to discuss concerns is a good beginning. It's best not to bring the concerns up during a heated argument or at a time when you can't see the conversation through.

4) What is the #1 tip that you can give to assist couples in improving their sex life and intimacy? 

I think too many spouses are unaware or have false opinions as to why their sex life or intimacy has diminished. Sometimes this is as a result of excuses that have been used to hide real reasons for the distance that has developed over time. Sometimes a partner will fabricate reasons in his or own head. Regardless, opening up dialogue so that each can understand where the other is truly coming from and then, acknowledging your partners concern and being genuinely motivated to help each other feel better and work towards change as a couple, is key. 

5) Parents are so busy these days. For those that don't have the time to read the whole book, which chapter do you consider to be the most important?

That's a hard question because I think that each reader, parent or not, will relate to certain parts of the book more than others. I'd rather suggest that the reader either skim through the book and focus on sections that are most relevant to him or her or that he or she take time to read it from cover to cover - even if it takes time.

6) While weight & body issues are the #1 reason for women to avoid sex, what is the #1 reason that men do this? 

I think that there are 2 high up on the list of reasons why men avoid sex: the first is related to a change in being able to perform as he once did - resulting in anxiety about performing which often becomes a vicious circle and inhibits his even wanting to try. The other is related to feeling rejected so often that he either gives up (with his spouse anyway) or gives her a dose of her own medicine if or when she does initiate intimacy. 

7) What can people do to remove or reduce the stigma associated with seeking help with regards to sexual intimacy issues? 

Actually, I think that the stigma is greatly reduced already. Talking about sex - good and bad - is often the subject at social gatherings, for example. In addition, sex consumer shows have helped to put sex and looking for ways to spice up one's sexual relationship, into mainstream society. A continuation of being exposed to sex and what works through books such as mine and even educational sex shows on TV, for example, helps to reduce any remaining stigma and allows people to grow increasingly comfortable in wanting to learn more and to get help when things aren't great.

8) Is it always necessary to seek professional help if a couple is experiencing issues in the bedroom? If so, what type of counselling should they be looking for? 

It's not absolutely necessary if they can work things out on their own or with the guidance of books and educational videos or TV shows. Also, there are many classes offered on enhancing intimacy at many sex shops. If they do decide to go the counselling route, looking for a registered therapist who has experience working with couples - especially around intimacy or sexual issues, is advisable.

Sara Dimerman provides counselling to individuals, couples and families, and is the Director of the Parent Education and Resource Centre in Thornhill, Ontario. She is a speaker on issues related to parenting and relationships and is the author of  3 other titles. She also contributes to many publications and websites around the world. For more information on Sara Dimerman, please visit her website HelpMeSara.com.

***** These views are mine, and mine alone. As with anything, you are responsible for assessing whether this item and/or activity is safe and suitable for your specific needs. InfoMommy does not make any warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, and assumes no responsibility and/or liability for any actions taken as a result of this blog post.*****

    

You've Gotta Pack This When Travelling with Children!

   

When travelling out of the country with young children, my motto is "plan for the worst, and hope for the best." The last thing I want while travelling is to have a sick child. Even worse than that is having a sick child and not having any of the medical necessities and/or conveniences to help alleviate any common discomforts or maladies that could arise. With them or even with yourself! While some prefer to travel without having the minimal extra bulk in their suitcase, I personally prefer to bring some supplies with me. We don't always know what is or isn't available at our destination, and what store hours would be there. Most of us know darn well that symptoms typically strike in the middle of the night and/or when it's the least convenient. And when it comes to infants, toddlers and other children, it's not a risk or inconvenience that I am willing to take, especially when travelling abroad!

Here's my suggested list of items to bring when travelling out of country with your kidlets: 

• Band Aids/Gauze.           
• Polysporin Ointment.
• Infant/Children's Tylenol or Advil, depending on your child's age. You might want to also pack some for yourself!  
• An oral syringe and/or medicine cup. I would pack two in case you lose one.
• Rectal pain reliever suppositories in case of severe vomiting.
• Pedialyte or other pediatric oral electrolyte solution (Some stores sell small bottles in a 4 or 6-pack.)   
• Children's Benadryl/Claritin or other appropriate anti-histamine in case of allergic reaction or hives.
• Calamine lotion for bug bites and hives.
• Epi-Pen if your child requires one.
• Puffers for any of you that may need them.
• Aloe vera gel in case of sunburn.
• Diaper rash cream.
• Baby powder.
• Pepto Bismol for you in case of tummy upset.
• Imodium or other anti-diarrheal medication for you. Is there ever a good time for diarrhea? Check out this hilarious commercial, which proves my point!  
• Extra hats for everyone.
• Extra sunscreen for everyone.
• Thermometer for fevers.
• A miniature first aid book if you are not familiar with first aid training.  
• Embassy and/or Consulate contact information at your destination. For a list of Canadian embassies & consulates around the world, click here. Leave a copy of it at home with your emergency contact should it be needed, along with your itinerary, flight information and where you will be staying. 
• Look into attending travel clinics to inquire if you and/or your children would benefit from any  immunizations specific to your destination. (Some family doctors do this as well, and fees may apply.)
• Document the emergency number equivalent to our 9-1-1 system for ambulance or medical services while there. 
• Do not, I repeat, do not forget to bring your travel insurance information with you if you have purchased it, or have it through your workplace or credit card benefits. With kids, this is something I highly recommend purchasing when travelling out of country! 

Have I forgotten something? Is there a particular item that you never leave home without when travelling? If so, be sure to share! 

Bon voyage!

***** These views are mine, and mine alone. As with anything, you are responsible for assessing whether this item and/or activity is safe and suitable for your specific needs. InfoMommy does not make any warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, and assumes no responsibility and/or liability for any actions taken as a result of this blog post.*****

   

20 Ways to Childproof External Doors In Your Home‏

   

In light of the passing of little Elijah Marsh today, I thought it important to offer ideas on how we can optimize the security of our children when it comes to the risk of them wandering away unbeknownst

to a parent or caregiver. I offer these ideas out of need to help others prevent something like this from ever happening again. I do not offer these suggestions to lay blame. The truth is, no one knows what exactly happened except for the family and the investigating officers. This is not the first time a child has wandered out of a home in the middle of the night. It could happen to anyone. It is not for us to judge. It is not for us to criticize. We do not know all the facts, nor do we need to. What is for us though, in my opinion at least, is to take this catastrophe and learn from it. What can we do in our homes to prevent this from happening to our children? What are our caregivers and daycare providers doing to ensure that this does not happen with children in their care? Focusing on this aspect of this heartbreaking situation reminds us to be proactive and raises awareness across the board on childproofing our homes. 

Below, you will find 20 tips on childproofing your external doors. I have attached some links for the purpose of illustration only. I am NOT recommending any of these products. They are simply to give an example of the type of childproofing products that are out there. You will need to do your own research as to what is a safe and effective product for your specific needs. 

• If your young child sleeps with their door open, utilize a baby gate that can be put between the 2 door jambs so that your child cannot get out of their room without you letting them out. 
• If they are the type of child that can climb over a standard baby gate that is placed between the bedroom door jambs at night, evaluate to see if you could safely install a taller baby gate that is designed for the top of the stairs if you have a multi level  home. This way, they wouldn't be able to get downstairs. If you live in a bungalow or single story apartment, check around to see if you can find a taller baby gate that you could affix in the hallway. You would be able to close it at nighttime so that they can't get out of the bedroom areas of your dwelling.
• If they sleep with the door closed, find a childproof door handle cover that you can put on the inside of their bedroom door so that they cannot open it while in their room at night. 
• Don't throw out that old baby monitor! Utilize it at night to be sure that you wake up if they are up & about. 
• If you have a typical round doorknob, place a childproof cover on the inside handles of any doors that lead outside or into the garage. You can also find lever handle childproof covers. 
• Purchase a door alarm that will emit sound if any of the external doors are opened.
• Consider installing a chain lock at the very top of your door so that if they do actually manage to open it up, they can't get it open very far. Be sure though, that there is not enough room for them to slip through. 
• Consider installing a hotel-style door lock. Like idea #7, be sure it's installed high enough and that they cannot fit through the gap when the door is opened in the lock position. 
• There are other metal door locks that can assist in keeping external doors closed. Here is another one. 
• For patio style doors, you can utilize a 2x4 piece of wood that is doctored to jam the patio door so that someone cannot break into the house using that door, and is also snug enough that a little one wouldn't be able to remove it. Be sure though that it is functional for an adult to get in and out so that it does not pose a fire hazard. 
• Install a deadbolt at the top of the door.
• Put a bell or bells at the top of the door that would make noise when it is opened. You could always utilize jingle bells like you'd find at Christmas time. Just be sure that they are loud enough to be heard in your bedroom.  
• Install a shop keeper's style bell that will make a loud enough noise when the door opens that you would hear it in your bedroom. 
• Use a strong & sturdy hook & eye lock installed high on the door. 
• Have a conversation with your children about the dangers of opening up the doors on their own. It likely won't stop them from doing this, but it plants the seed. 
• See if you can find any child appropriate cartoon episodes or online videos that help teach kids about the dangers of opening up doors or going outside by themselves. 
• When installing any locking devices on the external doors, be sure that you do it as high as possible at the top of the door so that they cannot reach it even if they were standing on a chair or stool. 
• Do your best not to let them see how you unlock or unlatch any locking mechanisms, so that they don't learn how to do it themselves. 
• Be mindful of what your child has learned to do over time so that you can change your childproofing methods if you feel or think they might know how to defeat them. 
• Don't be afraid to ask any caregivers and/or daycare providers how they ensure that a child does not wander out while in their care. 

Have I missed anything? If so, please comment below. 

***Like with any products, make sure you do your due diligence to ensure that the product you are interested in is safe and effective for your needs. Read reviews online and do you research. As stated before, I am NOT recommending any of these products and know nothing about them specifically. They are for illustration purposes only. 

Hug your little ones a little tighter tonight and may Elijah rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his loved ones tonight and always.

***** These views are mine, and mine alone. As with anything, you are responsible for assessing whether this item and/or activity is safe and suitable for your specific needs. InfoMommy does not make any warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, and assumes no responsibility and/or liability for any actions taken as a result of this blog post.*****

   

Medieval Times Is Revelry At Its Best!

   

We recently visited Medieval Times Toronto to see the 2-hour family-friendly live action horse & knight competition show, and to enjoy the 4-course meal that is included the ticket price. From the moment you enter, you are treated like royalty. Though the dress code for attendees is casual, being referred to as  "My Lord" and "My Lady", and seeing all the decor and costumes makes you almost feel like you are actually part of an 11th century tournament!

I want to start off by letting everyone know that they will be having a BOGO promotion from March 1st to April 6th, 2015! They also typically have a number of other special offers throughout the calendar year, and Canadian & U.S. military are also eligible for discounts. Military discounts need to be booked through local bases as these types of discounts are not offered at the box office. Always check for specials & promos! Why pay more if you don't have to?!

The Toronto Castle is part of the Toronto Exhibition Place, and is the only Medieval Times venue here in Canada. It is also the largest of all of their castles in North America, and seats 1,400 people!  

Although free parking is available at their U.S. locations, you will need to pay for parking if you plan to park at this particular venue. The day we visited, the cost was $11 and was cash only. It might cost more in the summer months and/or during special holidays like March Break. It would be nice if those in charge of the parking lot had signage posted advising that it is cash only before or immediately after pulling in. We didn't realize it would be cash only until we got right near the parking attendant's booth where it was posted. Thankfully I had just enough cash on me to cover the cost, otherwise I would have had to turn around and find an ATM before returning to wait in the parking line again. Once you park your vehicle, you walk over to the front of the building. There was a short period where we had to wait outside in line for about 10 minutes to get in the actual building. If you have little ones, be sure they are dressed for the weather if it is cold or inclement. We almost left our coats in the car, but I'm glad we didn't as it was quite cold with the windchills the day we were there. 

Admission tickets for this location are $69.95 for adults and $49.95 for children 3yrs - 12yrs of age. (Admission prices do not include the taxes, gratuities, and/or processing fees which may apply.) Children 2yrs & under are admitted free of charge if they can sit on your lap for the duration of the show and eat from your plate. If you think they might need their own seat for part of the show, you can request a high chair. This can be provided free of charge as long as there is an open seat next to where you will be sitting (meaning no one has purchased that seat), and they will still need to eat off of your plate. If there is no room at your table, then it won't be provided unless you are paying for the seat, assuming that the show is not sold out. I would suggest you mention this need when checking in to get your seat assignment so that they can accommodate you to the best of their ability by placing you in a section that might have more space available so you don't end up having to pay the extra admission price. If you do end up having to pay for the additional seat, then a separate meal will be provided for your child. If you can get a highchair at no additional cost, I suggest you do so as the seating is quite close together. If you need a high chair then you probably have a diaper bag or something similar with you and would benefit from the extra space to store your items comfortably during the event.  Luckily, it seems that most seats would have a good vantage point, so your experience shouldn't be dampened if you had to choose a corner section to accommodate a high chair. Upgrades to the King's Royalty Package, the Royalty Package, and/or the Celebration Package are available at an additional cost. They offer things like VIP first row seating, programs, banners, DVDs and more.  

Showtimes vary, and specific dates and times are listed on their calendar. Most shows though, are on the weekend starting at 4:30pm & 7:30pm. The castle doors open 75 minutes before the show starts. It's best to get there when the doors open, or as soon as possible thereafter for the best seating, because it is first come, first served. Once you present your tickets, you are provided with a table number. You then get your crown based on your table number and can take a picture with the King for an additional cost if it is not already included in an upgraded package. You are then whisked into The Hall of Arms where you can browse the gift shops, purchase cocktails from the bar, view the horses, watch a knighting ceremony and take pictures with the master falconer and his bird of prey. 

When it's time for the dinner and show to start, you will be called to your table by the colour of your crown. The colour of your crown and seating area dictates which of the 6 knights you will be cheering for. While dinner is being served, the show begins and continues throughout the meal. 

The meal, which if you hadn't already heard about, gets eaten with your hands. It consists of four courses, and everyone, including children, gets the same thing and the same sized portion. Each meal consists of tomato bisque soup, oven roasted chicken, a pork spare rib, garlic bread, and an herb-roasted potato. There is a full bar service that offers alcoholic beverages at an additional cost. The drinks included in the cost of the meal are fountain pop and water, as well as tea and coffee. The latter of which is served with a pastry turnover for dessert.  I found the food to be a bit bland but was well cooked. The chicken practically fell right off the bone. I would imagine that with catering to the masses and different age groups, one would have to be more cautious with seasonings and spices. If you have little ones or someone in your group that would require utensils, you are permitted to bring your own cutlery. Starting March 1st, 2015, they will begin to offer the same meal as mentioned, but with corn on the cob instead of the pork spare rib. 

It would be nice if they had a separate child's menu that catered more to their tastes and preferences. My son only ate the garlic bread, a bite or two of the chicken and to no surprise, the dessert. Vegetarian & halal meals are also available and can be requested when booking in upon arrival, or by leaving a comment when booking online. The vegetarian meals consist of hummus, warm pita bread, carrot & celery sticks, 3-bean tomato & brown rice stew and fresh fruit or Italian ice. If I were to do it again, I would order one vegetarian meal for one of us, and one regular meal for the other. This way, I could split it up so that my child would be able to eat some veggies and have other options seeing as he is not a big meat eater, like most kids his age. The halal meals consist of everything offered with the regular meal, with halal chicken being served instead. The portions are big, so be sure to ask for a take-out container to bring any leftovers home. I did this and used our leftover chicken to make chicken soup the next day. Now that's bang for your buck! 

The horses are beautiful and so talented! The training and skill that they have is truly amazing and especially impressive to watch if you grew up in the city and/or did not have exposure to horses and what they can do. These horses are raised & trained at the Medieval Times' 240-acre Chapel Creek Ranch in northeastern Texas before moving to one of the castles at 3 years of age. The knights are also trained at this ranch. Their horsemanship skills in action are equally impressive. The show's plot is set in medieval Spain and features 6 knights competing against each other using live jousting, sword fighting, hand to hand combat with medieval weapons & dramatic equestrian skill! While cheering on your knight, be prepared to see lances splinter to pieces and see sparks flying off of clashing swords! Try to catch your knight's eye, and you might just be lucky enough to have him bestow a flower upon you. There is also a bird of prey segment in the show. 

The competition is in an enclosed area similar to a ring you'd see at a typical horse show. Those with allergies to horses, dust, or suffering from other respiratory issues such as asthma will be attending at their own risk as the seating is wrapped around the ring. We sat right in the front row, and while I don't have any allergies, I didn't find it to be dusty at all. In fact, when I first sat down at our table, I wondered if that would actually be the case seeing as we were so close to the ring, but it was not. Just be aware of this though, in case you or someone in your party visiting the event might have a particular sensitivity to any of this.  

If you plan on attending with children under the age of 4yrs or with someone who is sensitive to loud noise, be sure to bring noise suppression ear protection for them. The noise level in the facility from the sound system and the cheering can be quite loud and would be comparable to that of being in a loud movie theatre. I don't think ear plugs would cut it with the little ones. Most young children would likely find this to be too loud, but would probably be able to enjoy the show with the proper ear protection to dull down the boisterous fanfare. It would be nice if Medieval Times sold them at the venue for those that weren't aware or forgot to bring them. There are also strobe lights and pyrotechnic special effects that could be bothersome to those who suffer from photosensitivity or the like. For all of these reasons, I would not recommend this event for infants or young toddlers. For the masses though, it's unique, fun and exciting! 

To buy tickets, you can purchase in advance online, or in person at the box office. For further information, give them a call at 1-888-WE-JOUST.

***** These views are mine, and mine alone. As with anything, you are responsible for assessing whether this item and/or activity is safe and suitable for your specific needs. InfoMommy does not make any warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, and assumes no responsibility and/or liability for any actions taken as a result of this blog post.*****