Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in toronto, CN

Mom Time: The Baby Formula

by Katie

June 22, 2009

Every so often, I like to cover something at Toronto Savvy Source that isn't for the kids but for the moms/parents. I like to write about things to do when a baby sitter has fallen from the sky or one needs some alone time / sanity break. Personally I like to catch a film whenever I get some of that precious kid-free time and I've been keeping my eye out for good looking movies. The following one caught my interest mostly because it's refreshing when a film can take an overdone topic (in this case pregnancy) and twist it into something new. By all sounds of it, the film The Baby Formula does just that.

This comedy follows a lesbian couple who desperately want to have their own biological baby and set out to get it done. With the help of a lab technician friend, both women end up pregnant by sperm made from each other's stem cells (for the record: real life science has figured out how to theoretically do just that.) Anyhow, the couple announce the pregnancies to family members which results in some pretty crazy reactions, mostly due of the fact that there is no father involved.

That fact right there is something I can't really wrap my head around which makes me want to see the movie even more. Another detail that caught my interest: both lead characters were actually pregnant during the filming and in fact, one of the actor's water broke during a scene about her water breaking (now that's acting!) But seriously, I appreciate that the actors were very in touch with their roles and it must translate across the screen. What a refreshing change from prosthetic bellies and lack of swollen limbs.

The Baby Formula is showing exclusively at AMC Yonge & Dundas - check website for showtimes. Sounds like a funny switch from the usual pregancy film and I'm always up for an interesting comedy with twists, how about you?

What's Going on in Toronto This Weekend

by Katie

May 07, 2009

You mean besides Mother’s Day?

Scratch that: Mother's Day is the most important thing going on this weekend (IMHO) so here are lots of mom-themed activities to do with the people who make Mom the person she is today (sleep-deprived and insane.)

To kick it off, there is the annual pre-Mother’s Day Bunch Family bash which is where I will be this Saturday afternoon with family in tow (details below).

Bunch Family Dance Party: Glam Rock Pre-Mother's Day Edition

Takes place Saturday afternoon from 2-5pm at The Courthouse (57 Adelaide Street East) and the theme is Glam Rock baby! So dig out the shiny pants, New York Dolls tee, and anything that will make your family look more Ziggy Stardust and come dancing. The crew from TVO Pop It will be there to share dance moves, there will be bowie inspired face painting, and lots of other glitter-inspired "we love mom" activities. Advanced tickets highly recommended. Visit the Bunch Family website for ticket purchase details.

Other Mother's Day activities going on around town:

Chinese Brush Painting for Mother's Day at Woodside Square Library (1571 Sandhurst Circle)

To compliment both Asian Heritage Month and Mother's Day a children's workshop will take place from 11 - 12:30 pm on Saturday. Children will create a brush painting to give as a gift to mom on her special day. All materials provided and registration can be done via phone 416 396 8979.

Mother's Day Celebration at Humber Summit Library (2990 Islington Avenue)

There will be a one-hour story time and craft session starting at 2pm at the library and children will make a special gift for mom. Registration is required so call ahead 416 395 5840.

Happy Mother's Day at St. Lawrence Library (171 Front Street East)

Listen to stories that celebrate mom then make a craft to give her on Sunday. The one hour session starts at 2pm and is recommended for children ages four and up (416 393 7655).

Mother's Day at the Toronto Zoo

Meet some other kinds of moms - as in "other species". Springtime means parent animals are abundant at one of our favorite weekend excursions. Walk on the wild side with Mom (and Dad) on Sunday between 9 and 6pm.

Mother's Day Tea at Spadina Museum (285 Spadina Road)

Enjoy an afternoon tea with Mom in the beautiful Spadina House and gardens. A must for any ladies-in-waiting. Two seatings at 12:30 and 2:30pm on Sunday. Advanced tickets are required. For more information call 416 392 6910 x305.

Community Resources: Toronto

by Katie

May 05, 2009

Yesterday I talked about important local numbers and resources for dealing with a sick child. Today I'll focus on local resources for child health and safety. These services can provide answers to questions regarding child health, sleep, nutrition, potty training, or behaviour, and some even provide home visits. When I first had Gigi, a nurse at the hospital offered to do home visit/follow up post-partum and I surprised myself in saying yes. I'm very private but knew enough to take all all the support and information available -- family was days away and only staying for a short visit. It was the right decision. Because of that nurse's home visit, I learned all about the programs in my area. She brought information specific to my neighbourhood and hooked me up with drop-in centres galore. I don't think I would have done well that first winter without that visit. Please add any other Toronto services to the comments, I know there is a lot out there.

What's Going on in Toronto This Weekend

by Katie

April 30, 2009

There are many things to do this weekend and the weather looks like it will cooperate perciptation wise (now that I've said that, it will rain both days). If we don't hit any parks this weekend, I'll be sorely disappointed but I think we will all be happy campers if we hit at least one of the activities below this weekend. Happy first weekend in May!

Role Models

by Katie

January 29, 2009

When I first started to think about the question of "who inspires me as a parent", I actually started with celebrity parents. I think the fact that I had just been reading lots of gossip columns - in the name of research - that influenced my train of thought. Of course when I'm in celebrity mode, the first family that popped into mind was Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. So would I look to them as  Read more...

Mom time: bootcamp mama mio style

by Katie

December 08, 2008

While the idea of bootcamp might turn some people off, when I was asked to participate in a little bootcamp for the booty, it sounded like a good idea to me. Let's just say in the "booty" department I suffer from pancake-itis, meaning when it comes to booty, I am not a pear, or an apple, or even a grape - I possess a pancake to the crepe extreme. My booty is a non-booty [cue violins]. Seriously,  Read more...

Mom Time: Mama Mio

by Katie

October 22, 2008

Back in the day, I was one of those mom's that never made time for myself after giving birth. I was too exhausted after baby-wrangling to bathe, much less moisturize post-partum, which in hindsight, was not a good thing. Just ask my husband, he had to sit next to me most of the time. Anyhow, as the post-partum fog lifted and a good friend dragged me out for a manicure, I started to get back into  Read more...

Playdateless in north toronto

by Katie

September 09, 2008

When I discovered I was pregnant, I also realized I had no friends in the city that had kids. What was I going to do when the baby came along? I had no clue where I was going to get some mommy friends in Toronto - they weren't going to be found in some nice boutique on Queen West or in the line-up for my TIFF tickets. My friends were all single, footless and fancy yadda, yadda, yadda and I knew  Read more...

Social creatures: a mom's lament

by Katie

September 01, 2008

This week marks a huge milestone for our family. Friday is a red-letter day because my daughter will be attending nursery school for the very first time. She has never been in any drop off group situation. Almost all group programs have been done with me, her usual sidekick. Frankly nursery school is freaking me out. Gigi, on the other hand, thinks it's really cool. Mind you, each time I  Read more...

Let me introduce myself

by Katie

May 30, 2008

I didn't grow up in Toronto, but I'm certainly finding out what it's like to be a kid in this city. When I moved here in 2000 as an IT consultant, I had no idea that eight years later I'd be raising my family in the Big Smoke, but here I am and I'm enjoying it (most days). (That is a sentiment which, on certain days, is likely to change by the hour.) Like many other cities, Toronto has its share  Read more...