THE WHAT:  Toronto Zoo

THE WHERE:  World class zoo located in Toronto.  Lots of parking.  Stroller and wheelchair rentals available.  Very family friendly – restaurants, picnic areas, restrooms and baby change stations.  Open 364 days of the year.

THE DEETS: A super family field trip where you can see lions, tiger and bears (and more!  Seriously, we spent 6 hours at the zoo and didn’t see all the animals.  The Toronto Zoo has over 5,000 animals).  Meet the keepers and learn from them about specific animals, what they eat and their habitats.

HANDS-ON DISCOVERY:

Stingray Bay

Touch real stingrays at Stingray (yes, it’s safe – we tried it).  Explore Zellers Discovery Zone; featuring the Kids Zoo, a dynamic, Splash Island (a two acre splash pad), and the Waterside Theatre.

Ride the zoomobile, conservation carousel (pictured), camels and ponies

MEMBERSHIP:  A year’s pass membership pays for itself in 2 visits!

MUST SEES:  polar bears, gorillas, and the elephants (before they move!)

THE WHAT: Cavalia’s Odysseo in Toronto, ON

THE WHEN:  Opens in Toronto May 15 (great Mother’s Day gift idea!)

THE WHERE:  324 Cherry Street, Port Lands

THE DEAL:  When ordering tickets be sure to ask about special pricing for young children — as low as $29.50!

What do horses dream about? The same thing we do: Freedom.

Just back from my 1st trip to Disneyland (California Park) – being a Disney newbie I didn’t know what to expect but along my magical adventure…I gleaned some tips to share…

1st time visitors – When you get you tickets at the box office mention you are a 1st time visitor.  They give you a souvenir pin (FREE).  As you would expect, souvenir shops are a plenty on the park grounds (and pricey) so to keep your souvenir budget down – keep your ticket stubs and take lots of pictures for your scrapbook.

Stroller Parking – I was amazed at the organized stroller parking at rides. On the baby-at-Disney topic – I loved that there were at least 4 changing stations in women’s washrooms so you didn’t have to wait to change a diaper.  Also, smart Disney has a nursing area, extra diapers and formula for purchase at the child services office (saved my bacon!).

The Parade – get your curbside spot at least a half hour before the Disney parade (spots fill up fast).  Blankets are good to sit on or wrap up if the evening is chilly.

Switch pass – while waiting (meaning walking back and forth with baby in my arms) for my dh and big kids to ride autotopia a Disney cast member gave me this good tip…if you have a child unable to ride (like a baby) you can ask for a switch pass – whereby when the adult and big kids who are riding are done you the “waiting parent” hand off baby and bypass the same ride line to ride get your turn to ride with the big kids.

Shows – there are Disney stage shows throughout the day at different locations.  Be sure to ask a cast member for a listing of where and when the shows are running (a Disney cleaner gave us the listing).

Crowds – we went on a long weekend (bad idea – it was le crazy!).  If you can schedule to visit Disney mid-week you can probably have a more magical experience.

I confess…I snapped at the kids tonight.  All because we are going on a trip.  And travel stresses me out.

It’s the laundry and organizing and planning and “what ifs” which send my tipping point to snapping point.

And you would think I’d be over this.  My kids are travel troopers.  I’ve taken them to France (many times), Spain (a few times), Germany (but not on purpose), Dominican Republic (one kid returned with stitches), United States (more than once) and of course lots-o-places in Canada.  They are travel-ers.

It’s me that doesn’t travel well.

I get a travel itch (this time it was replacing a Sophie the Giraffe I killed a few months ago – you should NEVER EVER pour boiling water over Sophie to sanatize her…it kills her.).

I never know what to pack – how much to pack – or if I’ll have pack regret.

This time, I decided that it’s just easier to pack THIS…so I did…because I need to make life easier for myself.

A man travels with his credit card (if he needs something he’ll buy it).  A women travels with everything (just in case she needs something).  That’s my own little philosophy there.

And yes, I am snapping and stressing.  It is my travel nature.