Get Ready to Wiggle!

If you didn’t get a chance to catch The Wiggles last October in Toronto, here is your opportunity now!  The Wiggles are back from a 332 show tour in 2016 with more energy and laughter than ever before!  They are here to celebrate Canada’s 150th with a bang and bringing their talent and love to you in amazing cities all over our awesome country including Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, Saskatoon, and Vancouver.  Check out their site to see all the dates and locations.  Tickets are on sale now so don’t wait.

Along with our favourite colourful Wiggles, Anthony, Simon, Lachy, and Emma, their special friends will be joining them.  Captain Feathersword, Dorothy the Dinosaur, Wags the Dog, and Henry the Octopus are ready to high-five and dance with you so be part of the action.  A great thing about The Wiggles’ shows is just how interactive they are so get your signs ready.  They will see them and sometimes even incorporate them into the show.

This year, they have added a full band and an array of dancers that will keep you out of your seat.  Come join in the wiggly fun and get your tickets now.

The Wiggles are on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Youtube.  Join in the conversation using the hashtag #wigglescanadabigshow

 

Backpack Program: Time to Give Back(pack)

The Backpack Program at our church is a great way for us to wrap up the end of the summer and get ready for school.  This year, I discovered that my friend participates in the program because it reminds her of a niece she lost a few years ago.  In honour of her niece, she donates a backpack for a child that would’ve been in the same grade.  We usually did the grades that Big H and Middle A were in, but this year, we followed our friend.  It seemed a bit more meaningful as we went to select all the items needed for the backpack and the backpack itself.  I had a face in mind.  There was a special little girl out there that we were doing this for.

This program ties in really well to the girls’ newest assignment, a gratitude journal.  They both wanted a BUJO (see my Bullet Journal post in the spring), but other than a Doodle Challenge and a couple of lists, they didn’t have much in it.  I thought the summer was a great time for them to reflect on their day (it is much longer now as bedtimes have pretty much gone out the door) and to think about how lucky they are.  The assignment was simple.  Think about one to two things they are grateful for without it being the generic “I am thankful for food because not everyone in the world has food.”  I wanted them to give a reason they are grateful.  Explanations are everything.

They have had a few entries and so far so good.  They are thankful for friendships because they can talk to their buddies and run around together.  They recognize the value in their godparents and godbrothers.  Today they were thankful for basketball and having parents coach them.  I hope they keep this up when school starts.  I think it’s important for kids to have an “attitude of gratitude” especially mine.  Although they don’t go home with something most times they go to the mall (I know some parents who promise their kids a treat each time), they do receive generous birthday and Christmas presents and have my in-laws who are very generous grandparents (despite many reminders to wait for special occasions).  Teaching  them to give back starts at a young age so it may be something you’d like to start with your child.

If you are interested in involving your children in the St. Patrick’s Backpack Program in Markham or perhaps a similar program in your community, now is the time.  If you are on Facebook, please contact me and I will gladly forward you some information. Backpacks are due soon so if you are interested, please contact me by Thursday, August 18.

 

EATS REVIEW: Figures

I wanted to give Hip Teacher Dada a surprise for his birthday.  What better way than with a new restaurant hidden behind a comic book storefront?  Since Summerlicious had also just started, it was easy to mislead HTD into thinking that we were dining at one of the participating restaurants.  My in-laws were informed of the surprise and didn’t mention where we were headed.

One of HTD’s concerns whenever we go out is the parking situation. He wants it to be close by and easy.  None of this u-turn and through a hidden alley kind of thing.  Lucky for us, the parking lot was right next to the restaurant and he was so focused on his GPS that he didn’t notice the black sign with white lettering at all.  It wasn’t until I brought him to the door did he see the sign and understand the concept.  (I made a card so he could figure out the title of “Hidden Figures”, a recent movie we showed our students and also a BIG hint…he didn’t figure it out.)

Upon passing the red velvet ropes, we entered into the small foyer where comics wallpapered the room and displays showed superhero figurines  and a large stand-up Mickey.  The hostess gave us a brief description of the restaurant and waited patiently while we took selfies.  To enter the restaurant, she pressed the giant Captain America button.  We were ushered inside and lead to our table in a small, but modern setting.

We met our waiter for the night (aptly named Tobey) who informed us that the artwork could not be photographed, but taking pictures of the food and beverages were encouraged.  I wanted to clarify that pictures of us were fine.

We started with our drink orders.  He recommended the Brumble Bee because I wanted something fruity.  HTD chose the Web Slinging Spider Hombre and his drink was awesome!  I liked it more than mine (don’t you hate it when that happens).  We also received a complimentary Maleficient (rye, pineapple, lime, orgeat, sage, Bruichladdich, and activated charcoal).  The drink was because I had mentioned that we were celebrating a birthday when I made my online reservations weeks ago.  It was a nice touch that made HTD feel extra special!  🙂

The food arrived shortly after and every dish was impressive.  I love tapas places simply for the fact that we can sample so many different items.  Believe me, we would’ve tried more if we thought our stomachs could handle it and if we weren’t planning on indulging in movie butter popcorn later (of course, we were watching Spiderman).

The presentation was pretty although at times some plates looked almost the identical (e.g. four green dots).  My favourite was the soft shell crab while HTD loved the Canadian Lamb. Everything was delicious.

The service was impeccable. The waitstaff was attentive without being annoying.  New plates in between courses and polite young men at our beck and call (not often, we’re pretty low maintenance).  We enjoyed our two-hour meal and shared five plates between the two of us.  A few tables around us shared about three and some were rushing off to watch Spiderman: Homecoming (we had a 10p.m. show so we had plenty of time to spare).

HTD went to the restroom and I was disappointed to hear that it wasn’t totally superhero themed.  The signage showed Wonder Woman and Superman, but that was the extent of it.  Too bad.  How cool would it be to flush with a golden lasso or push down on kryptonite…just saying.

Upon receiving the bill, it came nestled inside a couple of comics which was a great final touch to the whole experience.  Two superhero signs in the air from us!