we had such a great day yesterday!
a scenic clue as to where we spent the day...
as mentioned, it was baby c’s 2nd birthday…
the birthday girl (in her swim wear!)
for the second year in a row, we were delighted to be included in the intimate group of family and friends that gathered on toronto island to celebrate in style.
artistic map of the island
we caught the 9:30 a.m. ferry from queen’s quay:
it's only a 5-7 minute ride!
what a picture-perfect day!
aunti, enjoying the ferry ride and the fresh breeze off the water
the first time i visited toronto island was only two years ago (birthday girl c was only a couple weeks old, on that visit), and i fell in love with the island within about four minutes. i hope the fact that we’ve gathered here in august two years in a row, now, means this is an annual tradition!
what’s a birthday party without face painting?!
sil ana is the artist-in-residence!
little e chose to be a butterfly...
...while the birthday girl was very happy with flowers, a ladybug...
...and butterflies!
aunti missed her turn!!
our spot in the park was ideal: right across from a beach section, right beside a splash pad, and right in the middle of green space shaded by tall trees. the kids had a blast going here, there, everywhere!
we all shared in a noon-time potluck:
a wonderful assortment including salads, crackers/cheeses, fresh fruit - and waterloo county summersausage! always a hit!
what a wonderful time of togetherness!
now, what are the chances: there were eight children in attendance…and all eight were girls!
...and all are five or younger!
birthday c blowing out her candles...
it was just a super fun summer/birthday outing. the weather co-operated – more importantly, the children all co-operated! – and a grand time was enjoyed by all.
[graduation announcement: forthwith, baby c will be known as "cutie c" while little e is now "adorable e." the little ones are growing up! these nicknames should hold for the next couple years!].
◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊
if you’ve never been to toronto island, or if you ever find yourself as a tourist in toronto, i highly recommend putting a visit to this gem-of-a-place on your agenda.
you catch the ferry at queen’s quay in downtown toronto, between yonge and bay streets. you can ferry over to one of three spots:
- hanlon’s point: secluded, peaceful, lots of greenery…also home to a nude beach!
- centreville: attractions, rides, water fountains…lots of activity and hubbub
- ward’s island: quaint and cute cottages, some of which date back to the early 1900′s
the island is 5 km long, end to end – easily walkable. or, visit just one part – your choice, as time and energy permit.
after the party concluded (with little ones, by early afternoon, our festivities had wrapped up), we walked over to the ward’s island section of the island in order to catch the return ferry:
this is the eastern part of toronto island
check out these hilarious bicycles you can rent!
doesn't that look like fun?! maybe when the girls are older...!
we just missed the 1:45 p.m. ferry by about 30 seconds. must have been meant to be – now we had a chance to go cottage-gazing!
i love old-time cottages - this one is so charming!
check out that stone chimney - and if you look carefully, you can see the ginormous stone fireplace inside (yes, i'm nosy like that!)
tell me that's not adorable!
despite their age, most cottages show pride of ownership
there's even a community clubhouse!
what a great day. time with family and friends, outdoors, at such a happy spot. can we have my birthday party here? oops – that won’t work! i doubt the island is much fun in january!
favourite toronto tourist attractions? i’d put the cn tower on the list – that’s a given!
any family birthday traditions? getting together is the very best part, regardless of location.
~*~*~*~*~
31 FLAVOURS OF AUGUST
6/31
treat: chocolate cupcake with chocolate icing from desmond & beatrice bakeshop at cutie c‘s bday party
price: party favour!
rating: *** (three stars)
tasting notes: this is not your average *store-bought* cuppie-cake! talk about amazing: the cake was dense and rich, but the icing was far and away my favourite part: a delectable buttercream that generously adorned the cake. impressive! and i was not the only one loved the petit gâteaux…
cupcakes are perfect for little hands...
...and butterfly princesses...
care to join us?!
Comments
The last time I was in Toronto was 1968. Way before your time. I remember the hotel (The Royal York) and getting to see Jefferson Airplane who was playing at the hotel. (They’re a band in case you didn’t know). We were at a Rainbow Girls convention for three days and I don’t remember much else about the city. I do know that your photos show quite a different skyline.
you would not believe all the condos that have been built along the waterfront, even in the last 5 years…and they’re still going up! the royal york – a total landmark! that’s cool that you still remember exactly the year you were here!
Happy BD, Cutie C! Looked like a tonne of fun for the party! Way to go, SIL, with the amazing face painting!
I love going to TO Island… tried to go a few years ago to show J and kids, but couldn’t b/c of the garbage strike! Can you believe it?! I talk about it to the kids quite often though so we’ll go someday for sure. Love the cute cottages, too. YUMMY cupcakes!
Oh, you all would have a complete BLAST on the island. If you ever go, can I come, too?!
What an amazing day! I love all of your photos in this post. The houses are precious and so is the birthday girl! You know Billy and I would love to rent one of those bikes.
I loved getting my face painted as a kiddo.
The cupcakes look delicious! And what a fun way to celebrate Cutie C’s birthday (good choice of nickname for the blog!)
Sorry you missed out on the face painting — I thought for sure I’d see your face painting after the kids’ faces!