Masterminds Toy Store on Mount Pleasant in Toronto

Luckily Toys'r'Us is not the only toy store around the GTA even though when you have a baby it's a must-go to place with all the merchandise and stuff they carry for every need.
I was looking for a ride-on toy for my little Achille and after I went to Toys'r'Us on Yonge and Eglinton where I remained disappointed I thought of Masterminds at 639 Mount Pleasant (south of Eglinton) and I found something different:) They didn't have a large selection but the 2 or 3 that they had were smart ride-ons and for a good price for value.
I quite liked that store as it is not too big but still big enough and even though I am not familiar with all toys for all ages yet I would assume they have something for every budget and every kid, from learning toys to books and from outdoor to indoor activities. Service is great, people are friendly and helpful.
If you are willing to give your email address they will send you coupons, discounts and newsletters. Not bad with Christmas coming up.
The store is full of toys everywhere but you still have enough to move around with your stroller and one good thing if you want to drive there: perpendicular streets have free parking for 1 hour between 8am and 6pm.
I just found out from their website that they have several locations and for those stormy days you can even buy online. One location might be closer to you so why not take a look before you go crazy with your x-mas shopping??
And it's always an additional way to pick new ideas for Santa:)
Go to http://www.mastermindtoys.com/store/default.asp?rd=871729434&MSCSProfile=X3P7EB333UKF8P4A2XQXGJQTP92C1077 for details and other store locations.

Body Worlds Exhibition at Ontario Science Centre in Toronto

Obviously this is not a children-oriented exhibition but babies don't care and for those in age of understanding the human body I guess it is a good educational way to spend a sunday afternoon and actually I was amazed by how many children were either listening to their parents trying to explain what they know about the human body or watching those lifeless bodies. The exhibition was first in Toronto approximatively 3 years ago and they came back for a few months with the Story of the Heart exhibition. I won't say much about the exhibition itself except one little thing: if you can't stand ER on TV then it might not be for you as it is tough on emotions:) but extremely interesting. The Ontario Science Centre is huge, displaying many exhibitions at the same time for all audiences and I guess you want to purchase a membership if you want to enjoy them all. With a baby your time is probably limited so based on Baby's schedule, you may try it at night as you will get special fares for the Body Worlds Exhibition only. Fee is $27 per person for the day and the museum is stroller friendly. They claim to have an online ticket booking service but it never worked for us so you may want to try to book over the phone as some of the times (I think they let people in every 30 minutes) might be already sold out when you get there. Washrooms on the main floor are well equiped with a changing station and a nursery room. Elevators can take you to the different levels. More info about the Body Worlds at http://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/bodyworlds/default.asphttp://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/bodyworlds/default.asp
Just a quick piece of advice: don't eat anything too heavy before you go and see the Body Worlds Exhibition:)
We made the trip to the Ontario Science Centre for the Body Worlds Exhibition but I am sure they have many other really interesting events so please check their calendar at http://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/whatson/default.asp

Patisserie la Cigogne on Bayview in Toronto

Are you a young mom with sweet food craving? I know the right place for you, it is at 1626 Bayview Avenue, south of Eglinton East. For less than $5 they have amazing pastries and they taste just as good as the french ones. I had a chocolate hazelnut cake and it was just what I needed.. A little bit of chocolate for magnesium, hazelnut for fibers and the rest for pure pleasure... From typical french pasrties to viennoiseries such as croissants aux amandes or pains au chocolat or even classical baguette, food is fresh and home made. And all the quiches, sandwiches and crepes make you come back for more too...
The store is big enough for strollers, the atmosphere is relaxing with classical music and service is okay and baby friendly. Not sure about a changing station though.
Because it is so close to Moms to be and More, the baby store on Bayview Avenue, I am sure you will have an occasion to first go and then you won't need any other excuses to go back except that it is sooooo good:)
Take a look at the pictures and then you'll know what I am talking about: http://patisserielacigogne.com/who_we_are.html. And even if your little ones are not ready for pastries yet they can still enjoy the smell:) Poor little guys...

Riverdale Farm in Old Cabbagetown Toronto

Have your kids ever seen cows and sheeps else where than on the shelf of a supermarket? Well here is your chance to show what they look like for real:) The Riverdale Farm in Old Cabbagetown is absolutely baby and kid friendly and it is an amazing place for an "educative" walk. Located 3 blocks east of Parliament Street along Winchester Street and 3 blocks north of Gerrard Street East along Sumach Street, the farm opens daily, 9:00am to 5:00pm year long. Only the lower east gate closes, December 1 st to February 28th.

The farm duties go from egg collection to goat milking or horse grooming and you will be able to enjoy cow milking every day at 10.30am.
They also have a farmer's market (in front of the farm) every Tuesday, rain or shine 3pm to 7pm during the growing season (May to October).
In the summertime come and enjoy a picnic outside the farm's west gate and when you're done with the animals you can walk down along the pathway to the Riverdale Park. Believe me, after 2 hours spent with Mother Nature it's hard to get back to street noises and ambulances:)
And all that right in the city:) For more details about the farm, its programs, the farmer's market or any other info, please go the Friends of Riverdale Farm's website at http://www.friendsofriverdalefarm.com/index.htm or to the city's website at http://www.toronto.ca/parks/riverdalefarm.htm.
Enjoy!

Riverdale Park in Old Cabbagetown Toronto

If you live in the city and have a baby you are probably experiencing the same issue as we are: what to do on weekends that we haven't already done tons of times? You don't want to stay home all day because after half an hour playing Peekaboo you feel like you are getting stupid and you don't want to go shopping either because you were taught that sundays afternoon are a family time:)
So what else? Well you could go for a nice walk in one ot the Toronto' parks and Riverdale Park is one of them. Located in the Old Cabbagetown district it goes from Riverdale farm down to the Don River and then (unfortunately) along the DVP. The path going both north and south is okay and wide enough for strollers even though you will mostly see joggers or bikers. Try not to go by yourself because you will have to go down lots of stairs before reaching the pathway. If you walk north at some point you will distance yourself from the DVP and I believe you could walk for at least 10 kms. If you wanted to go south you would end up at the Distillery district.
FYI that path is part of the Toronto Discovery Walk.
It is an alternative to Queen's Park. However, even if you probably get the lights from the DVP, I would not feel safe to go too late at night or when it gets dark.
In the summertime don't bother going too far, just stop anywhere in the park and enjoy a picnic or a nice afternoon in the sun.
More details on wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riverdale_Park_(Toronto)

Grapefruit Moon Cafe in the Toronto Annex district

If you don't know about the place I don't think you will ever go there by chance but now that I am telling you about it you may want to check it out. It is between a coffee shop, a dinner and a bistro which makes it quite unique. I haven't had the chance to check if they have a changing table in the washrooms but they are breastfeeding friendly as per the sign on their door and the lady we suspected to be the owner is helpful and friendly. Even though we were just 2 adults we were given a table for 4 and lot of space for the stroller and they have a pretty nice patio too.
Not so baby friendly might be the rock'n roll music, not too loud though.
Food is good and they claim to use local products which gives us The excuse for those delicious blueberry pancakes or french toasts.
It is located at 968 Bathurst Street in Toronto (Queen West and Bathurst) and the kitchen is open from am to 10pm.
Their website is still under construction at http://www.grapefruitmoon.ca/ but you can check on dine.to at http://www.dine.to/grapefruitmoon

Baby Trunk Show at the Distillery in Toronto

I know this is a past event (Nov, 6-7th) but because it occurs every year I thought it might be good to say a few words about this baby show. First of all I liked that it took place at the Distillery district and that it was not too too big. There were probaby no more than 50 exhibitors but they claim to sell what you cannot find in stores and I must say that they had nice stuff, including a hairdresser that could come right to your place (haircuts on wheels) for your little one and your husband, clothing, toys, photographs and jewellery. Entrance was $7 which was getting you a 10% discount at the Cafe Uno right across the show, samples, coupons, a participation to a contest for baby products and last but not least a donation to Sick Kids Hospitals. No need to say that they had a changing station in the women's washrooms with wipes and diapers. They also had set up a few tables for parents to relax or feed their babies and a child care service from Kids & Company was available for free.
And because you don't need the full day to go through the exhibition, what a nice opportunity to (re) visit the Distillery and have a bite in one of the restaurants or little cafes there.
Having said that, you may want to bookmark their website for next year http://www.childrenstrunkshow.com/home/

Vanity Fair Portraits at the ROM in Toronto

Vanity Fair Portraits brings together a star-studded array of almost 150 iconic photographs from both its vintage period and modern periods. The exhibition is divided into two parts, 1913-36, the magazine’s early period, and 1983 to the present. This glamorous photographic history of portraiture features such legends as Madonna, Tom Cruise, Bette Davis, Ernest Hemingway, Louis Armstrong and Cary Grant.
That's for the exhibition, it's really worth the $22 at the entrance and it's on until January 3, 2010. Now as for the baby stuff the ROM is a baby friendly museum. They have strollers that you can borrow (not recommended for infants I would say as they almost are like carts), you can keep your stroller and/or baby carrier all the way and they have elevators to every floor. Washrooms downstairs are equiped with changing stations (not sure they have washrooms on each floor). The cafeteria in the basement is spacious and quiet and Baby can be fed in a peaceful environement.
I would, I guess, recommend weekdays vs weekends. I went there over lunchtime on a Thursday and it was really not busy.
For more info on the exhibition, please go to the ROM website at http://www.rom.on.ca/exhibitions/special/vanityfair/exhibition.php

Rosehill Reservoir Park in Toronto

How nice it would be to escape the city sometimes:) Well, last Sunday we haven't quite left the city, however we went for a long walk in the middle of the trees and Mother Nature. If you live downtown and don't want to get stuck in the traffic to High Park you might be intersted to know about Rosehill Reservoir. The Rosehill Reservoir overlooks Rosedale and goes all the way down to St Clair Avenue west of Mount Pleasant.
The huge, flat grass plateau is a good place for families and children with a playground and four swings. We spent a little bit of time there and really enjoyed the sun going down. If you are in the mood for hiking you may go down on the trails from the plateau but be aware that there might be some stairs at some point so might not be a bad idea to take your baby carrier that day. The scenery is quite nice and peaceful up there and if it's time for feeding you can always head back to a cafe or coffee shop on Yonge Street. I am not good at directions so if you want to find out more about that "discovery walk" you can rely on that route from Toronto Heritage at http://www.heritagetoronto.org/discover-toronto/map/walk/town-park-avenue-road-rosehill-reservoir.
Definitely a good spot for a family day and get some fresh air.

Richtree Restaurants at College Park Toronto

Of course Richtree is not the most exciting place in the city but when the weather is crap and you don't feel like you want to go anywhere too far or you just don't want to think about anything complicated Richtree does the job:) You can go anytime, either for breakfast, lunch or coffee, I don't think it ever gets crowded and there is plenty of space for strollers. What I liked about the one at College Park, located just outside the food court (at least you don't get that annoying onion ring smell) is the tables on the "fake" patio.... You get to see the day light which is priceless in a mall and it almost feels like you are having a drink outside:)
However they have no private washrooms so if you have to change your little one you will have to go the public washrooms on the same level where there is no changing tables (a small shelf right at the entrance can be used as a changing station though).
These days I am not sure we want to spend too much time in malls or other indoor public spaces but once all this is over Richtree might be a place to remember on a snow storm day...
For locations in Toronto, menu or photo gallery go to their website at http://www.richtree.ca/