Jellystone Toronto for Sierra's 10th Birthday

We have a reservation at Craigleith Carefree for the month of June but we took a few days away to celebrate Sierras 10th birthday. We loved our time at Madison Jellystone in Florida this winter, so we thought we would give our local Toronto Jellystone a try.

Our friends camped beside us in a companion site for the weekend (see our old trailer in the background above) and Sierras cousin joined us as well. Nana came for a couple days too.

When we first arrived the girls could barely wait to get the trailer set up. They wanted to jump straight in the pool.

After swimming we played some Mini Golf.

My favourite part of the whole birthday camping experience was our first morning at Jellystone. Yogi Bear must have just risen from hibernation as he was so energetic, fun and mischievous.

After Yogi posed for a couple pictures he spotted the scooter and that is when the shenanigans began.

 He tried to jump in the jeep but just as he was about too Ian opened the trailer door and it must have scared Yogi as he jumped out very quickly.

And he ran right over to Ian and hugged him as if to say sorry.

Then it was time to Hula Hoop!

 After all that running around he was tired so he stole Nanas chair for a rest.

 Bye Yogi! Thanks for making our first morning here super fun!

 Saturday was birthday party day.

Birthday nails

 We made Tie Dye T-Shirts and picture frames.

 Yogi came for a visit but he must have stolen too many "pic-a-nik" baskets earlier in the day as he was moving kind of slow. After the fun we had the other morning it was a let down that he came, took a picture and went. Sierra asked me why he didn't do any pranks so I just said he was sleepy. The shenanigans at the party would have been amazing!

 Then it was off to the pool time...

And Slip n slide fun time for those who didn't want to swim long...

 And presents...

And cake...

 And out door games...

For some evening fun I found these glow in the dark balloons which were a big hit!

We are Yogi Club members so they sent Sierra a birthday card in the mail and it entitles her to a gift from the treat box.

 Making her pillow after the party was done.

 I think she had a pretty fun time. Ian also rented some pedal cars for them but by the time I finished the dishes they gave up on pedalling them and took them back so no pictures!

The website stated that they had new jump pads coming for 2016 but all their extra activities and movie night, only run in July and Aug. No other activities were available which was a bit disappointing since we had so much fun at the Madison Florida location in April but we made due.

Happy Double Digits Sierra! We LoVe you!

Moving into June...

When we were in Florida this winter we were given a card with a camping discount for Carefree Resorts. Most of these resorts are in Florida but there just happens to be a few in Ontario. So for the month of June we booked their special for $200 ($218.66 CAD) at their Craigleith Carefree location. I mean how could we pass that up??? We chose this location as it was the closest to our old home and therefore closest to friends and appointments.

Being here allowed us to have many visits with friends.

We spent a lot of time this first week at the river in front of our site.

 We even spotted some mermaids...

 

 Aayla made a very good friend and played with her a lot this week.

 We had other friends visit too...

A great first week here but now we are off to Jellystone for Sierras birthday! We will be back.

Ripley's Aquarium, Toronto, Ontario

We have wanted to go to Ripley's Aquarium in Toronto since it opened and this month we went as a part of our local homeschool group.

However the price tag for admission was hard to swallow so we never went. The AZA reciprocal programs are wonderful (mainly in States) but coming home to Canada and having to pay full price kills me. Maybe I am too cheap but to me an afternoon at the Aquarium is not worth over $100 when we have been able to visit so many Zoo's and Aquariums for FREE or half price in the States.

Ripley's in Toronto does offer educational rates for school groups and homeschool groups. The cost is $10 per student (Reg $16.98) plus hst and staff /parents are $25.48 plus hst (reg $26.98). With these educational prices if your child has a diagnosis then they have a free worker. At the time we went I had one with an Autism diagnosis so my admittance was free and only my husband had to pay. Now if we went again my husband could also attend for free as my other daughter now has an Autism diagnosis too. This makes the aquarium extremely affordable for families with special needs children.  Regular homeschool families still get over charged in my opinion.

I'd still prefer their pricing to be like Ripley's in the Smokies where all homeschool families can walk up to the door, show proof of homeschooling and get in for $7.14 US plus tax and one adult per 10 kids is free. Extra adults pay the same rates as the students. They also offer affordable classes for Homeschool groups...So Ripley's of Toronto why do you not have a supportive Homeschool policy for us? I've emailed them before but got no response. Enough of that, it makes me upset.

On to our fieldtrip!

 With everything I've said above, Ripley's still is a great aquarium and where they built it in Toronto was an engineering feat! I just wish their pricing was comparable to their US counterparts. I'll let the pictures tell the story.

  

Petting the horseshoe crabs in the touch tanks

This crawl through tunnel was a lot of fun

 The conveyor belt walkway through the shark tank was one of our favourite exhibits.

Oh no they crashed the sub

 

 

 The jelly fish exhibit with the coloured lights that make them change colours was our favourite exhibit.

We did enjoy our day here but even after seeing the Aquarium I would not return for full price. It's nice, but not that nice.