September 11-17 (Toronto)

We survived the first week back to school! I wanted to share a few things that made our mornings go a tiny bit smoother this week:

1. Morning automations - Schedule a wake-up dance party song to get everyone moving, then set up voice reminders throughout your routine like "don't forget to brush your teeth and grab your water bottles" (works with Google Assistant, Alexa, or Siri)

2. A brilliant mom shared this tip with me - if you soak your apple slices in apple juice for a minute, they won't brown. Is this extra? Absolutely. But it beats the sad brown apple slices that come home untouched every single day.

3. For those hot lunches you're packing, preheat a thermos by filling it with boiling water, securing the lid, and letting it sit for 5-10 minutes to warm the inner walls

My Top 5 Event Picks for the Week:

1. 🍂 Montgomery's Inn Fall Festival with corn roast & farmers' market – ETOBICOKE

2. 🃏 Trading Card Game Expo with Pokemon, K-pop karaoke, live music, interactive demos (kids under 12 FREE + see our promo code for adult admission below) – MISSISSAUGA

3. 🇺🇦 Bloor West Village Ukrainian Festival (3-day celebration!) – TORONTO-EAST YORK

4. 🇵🇱 Roncesvalles Polish Festival (Family Fun Zone) – TORONTO-EAST YORK

5. 🦋 The Magic of Monarchs with milkweed planting kit – TORONTO-EAST YORK
   

🗓 Fall City of Toronto Programs - Registration This Week!

• Etobicoke, Toronto-East York – Tue, Sept 16 · 7 a.m. 🔗 View Programs

• North York & Scarborough – Wed, Sept 17 · 7 a.m. 🔗 View Programs

• Non-Toronto Residents – 10 days after resident start date

👶 Toronto Public Library Baby Time | NORTH YORK
Thursday, Sept 11 | 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Toronto Public Library - Yorkville Branch
Cost: FREE | Age: 0 to 18 months
🔗 Event Details
Bouncing and tickling rhymes, stories, and songs designed for babies and their parents or caregivers. Drop-in program.

👶 Scarborough Moms & Minis Tiny Toes Thursday Treks | SCARBOROUGH
Thursday, Sept 11 | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Location: Scarborough Town Centre
Cost: FREE | Age: Parents and their young children
🔗 Event Details
Perfect for moms and little ones to bond and explore together. Let tiny tots roam free while connecting with other moms.

🎨 Button Making for Kids | TORONTO-EAST YORK
Thursday, Sept 11 | 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Location: Toronto Public Library - Wychwood Branch
Cost: FREE | Age: Ages 5-12
🔗 Event Details
Make a button to take home in this fun workshop! Drop in program.

🎨 Youth Hub - Colouring Night | ETOBICOKE
Friday, Sept 12 | 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Location: Toronto Public Library - Weston Branch
Cost: FREE | Age: Teens
🔗 Event Details
Unwind and express yourself at Teen Coloring Night! Perfect way to chill out and let creativity flow. Drop in.

🃏 Trading Card Game Expo VIP Night | MISSISSAUGA
Friday, Sept 12 | 5:00 PM–9:00 PM
Location: International Centre
Cost: $5 | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Private shopping night for trading card collectors with play tables, trade opportunities, and early vendor access for the best items.

👶 Mommy Meetup! at SmartieGym St Clair | TORONTO-EAST YORK
Friday, Sept 12 | 10:00 AM or 11:30 AM
Location: SmartieGym St Clair
Cost: $25 | Age: 0 - 12 month babies and their caregiver
🔗 Event Details
Fun morning with music circle time, sleep support, crafts, professional photos & snacks. Choose your time slot.

🇺🇦 Bloor West Village Ukrainian Festival | TORONTO-EAST YORK
Friday Sept 12 | 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Location: Bloor Street West (Jane St. to Glendonwynne Rd.)
Cost: FREE | Age: All Ages
🔗 Event Details
Annual street festival celebrating Ukrainian culture with parade, music, traditional food, and artisan market. Interactive cultural exhibitions for all ages.

🃏 Trading Card Game Expo | MISSISSAUGA
Sept 13-14 | Sat: 10AM-6PM, Sun: 10AM-5PM
Location: International Centre
Cost: Kids under 12 FREE, Adults $25/day or $40/weekend (use code "MAYHEMCSC" for $3 off!)
Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Trading card expo with Pokemon, Magic, Yu-Gi-Oh! vendors, tournaments, and interactive demos. Kids love the beginner-friendly play areas! Plus K-pop performances and karaoke!

🛍️ North York Pop-up Market | NORTH YORK
Saturday, Sept 13 | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Location: 34 Parkview Ave
Cost: FREE | Age: All Ages
🔗 Event Details
Community market featuring local vendors, food stalls, and family-friendly entertainment. Enjoy face painting and live music.

🏃‍♀️ Willowdale Community Bike Ride Downtown | NORTH YORK
Saturday, Sept 13 | 9:00 AM
Location: Meet at Avondale Park
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Scenic ride from Willowdale to downtown! E-bikes and classic bikes available. Cruise through trails and parks, end at David Crombie Park.

🇺🇦 Bloor West Village Ukrainian Festival | TORONTO-EAST YORK
Saturday Sept 13 | 9:30 AM - 11:00 PM, Sunday Sept 14 | 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Location: Bloor Street West (Jane St. to Glendonwynne Rd.)
Cost: FREE | Age: All Ages
🔗 Event Details
Annual street festival celebrating Ukrainian culture with parade, music, traditional food, and artisan market. Interactive cultural exhibitions for all ages.

💪 Mighty Mom Training Picnic in the Park | TORONTO-EAST YORK
Sunday, Sept 14 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: June Rowlands Park
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Community gathering with live music by Ned Gordon! Connect with other moms, relax outdoors. Bring blanket & snacks for cozy picnic.

🛍️ Queen Street East Sidewalk Sale | TORONTO-EAST YORK
Saturday, Sept 13 | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Location: Queen St East (Coxwell Ave to Neville Park Blvd)
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Say goodbye to summer and hello to fall! End-of-summer savings, fresh fall finds, and lively neighbourhood atmosphere in the Beach.

🇵🇱 Roncesvalles Polish Festival | TORONTO-EAST YORK
Saturday Sept 13 | 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM, Sunday Sept 14 | 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Location: Roncesvalles Avenue (Queen St. to Dundas St.)
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Celebrate neighbourhood heritage with Polka, pierogi, local artists & musicians. TD Family Fun Zone, Super Dogs show, bouncy castles.

🧪 Science in the Park! | TORONTO-EAST YORK
Saturday, Sept 13 | 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Location: Corktown Common
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Discover sunlight using colour-changing UV beads, learn about northern lights, tackle topography puzzles! Continues during rain.

🤰 The Bump Squad Social | TORONTO-EAST YORK
Sunday, Sept 14 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Found Coffee
Cost: FREE | Age: Expecting mothers
🔗 Event Details
First official Moms-to-Be Meetup! Connect, share the journey, and build your mama crew before baby arrives. Join the WhatsApp chat too!

🦋 The Magic of Monarchs | TORONTO-EAST YORK
Saturday, Sept 13 | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM or 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Location: Tommy Thompson Park Nature Centre
Cost: $14.84/person | Age: Ages 6+
🔗 Event Details
Get up close with live monarch butterflies at different life cycle stages. Each participant receives milkweed planting kit to take home.

♟️ Family Chess | SCARBOROUGH
Monday, Sept 15 | 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Location: Toronto Public Library - Malvern Branch
Cost: FREE | Age: Ages 7-12
🔗 Event Details
Chess adventure with interesting pieces and playful rules. Learn about chess and enjoy friendly challenges with friends and family. Drop in.

🎵 North Toronto Moms Making Music Together | NORTH YORK
Tuesday, Sept 16 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: St Timothy's Anglican Church (The Parlour Room)
Cost: FREE for members, $5 for non-members | Age: Babies and parents
🔗 Event Details
Interactive music & movement session! Music starts 10:30 AM. Sing, clap, dance with your little one. Snacks provided. RSVP via Meetup App.

🏠 Family Bingo Time | SCARBOROUGH
Tuesday, Sept 16 | 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location: Toronto Public Library - Kennedy/Eglinton Branch
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Come to library and have fun playing bingo! Drop in program.

👶 Toddler Time! | SCARBOROUGH
Tuesday, Sept 16 | 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Location: The Children's Book Bank Morningside
Cost: FREE | Age: Toddlers and caregivers
🔗 Event Details
Drop-in program for toddlers (18 months - 3 years). Complex songs and actions for growing learners, focusing on language development.

🍂 Montgomery's Inn Fall Festival | ETOBICOKE
Wednesday, Sept 17 | 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: Montgomery's Inn
Cost: FREE | Age: All Ages
🔗 Event Details
Classic fall celebration with corn roast, live music, delicious grilled food, and farmers' market. Bring picnic blanket or lawn chair.

🎨 After School Painting Workshop for Kids | TORONTO-EAST YORK
Wednesday, Sept 17 | 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Location: Toronto Public Library - Wychwood Branch
Cost: FREE | Age: Ages 6-12
🔗 Event Details
After school painting workshop with materials supplied. Registration required.

🌰 Storycraft: Acorn Story and Themed Craft | TORONTO-EAST YORK
Wednesday, Sept 17 | 4:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Location: Toronto Public Library - Gerrard/Ashdale Branch
Cost: FREE | Age: Ages 4+
🔗 Event Details
Listen to acorn story and make little acorn baby craft to take home. Call 416-393-7717 to register.

How did we do?