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

Fall festival season has officially begun! We hope you enjoy our event picks for this week happening in your neighbourhood.

My top 5 picks for the week:

1. 🧸 Welcome Back BBQ with bouncy castle, face painting & cotton candy - NEWMARKET

2. 🍽️ Downtown Markham Food Fest (kid zone - 3 days!) - MARKHAM

3. 🚒 Fire Department Open House with BBQ & spray the fire hose! WHITCHURCH-STOUFFVILLE

4. ☕ Mom & Brews meetup (join the mama village!) - VAUGHAN

5. 🎬 Moonlight Movies featuring Kung Fu Panda 4 - RICHMOND HILL

📚 Storytime | MARKHAM
Friday, Sep 12 | 11:00 AM–11:30 AM
Location: Cornell Branch, Markham Public Library
Cost: FREE | Age: Birth to 5
🔗 Event Details
Interactive, drop-in session for little ones and their caregivers featuring stories, songs, and activities.

🍽️ Downtown Markham Food Fest | MARKHAM
Friday, Sep 12 | 5:00 PM–11:00 PM
Location: 169 Enterprise Blvd (Eastside Lot)
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Epic eats, cold brews, and family fun! Check schedule for live performances. Continues through the weekend. The Kid Play Zone opens Saturday/Sunday.

☕ Parenting from Within - Community Cafe Drop In | NEWMARKET
Friday, Sep 12 | 11:30 AM–1:00 PM
Location: Parenting From Within, 16945 Leslie St. Unit 3
Cost: FREE | Age: Parent/Caregivers + children 0-18 months
🔗 Event Details
Connect with other parents of little ones and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea.

🎬 Moonlight Movies - Kung Fu Panda 4 | RICHMOND HILL
Friday, Sep 12 | Movie begins at dusk
Location: Richvale Community Centre, 160 Avenue Road
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Pre-show fun starts at 6:30 PM with snacks and desserts! Stop by the Information Booth for a chance to win free show tickets at Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts.

🌾 Aurora Farmers' Market and Artisan Fair | AURORA
Saturday, Sep 13 | 8:00 AM–1:00 PM
Location: Town Park, 49 Wells Street
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Weekly market with over 40 vendors offering fresh local produce, baked goods, and artisan crafts.

🎮 Video Game Meet Up | AURORA
Saturday, Sep 13 | 2:30 PM–4:30 PM
Location: Aurora Public Library, 15145 Yonge Street
Cost: FREE | Age: Best for kids 7+
🔗 Event Details
Drop in and play fun games on Nintendo Switch! Located in the Optimist Room.

🍎 Brooks Farms - Fall Fun Festival | EAST GWILLIMBURY
Saturday & Sunday, Sep 13-14 | 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Location: Brooks Farms, 122 Ashworth Rd., Mount Albert
Cost: $21.48 General Admission | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Autumn magic with zip line, giant jumping pillows, spider-web climber, barnyard fun, pumpkin cannon shows, pig races, corn maze, wagon rides! Available every weekend through October.

🏃‍♀️ Georgina Terry Fox Run | GEORGINA
Sunday, Sep 14 | Registration starts 8:30 AM, Run starts 10:00 AM
Location: North Gwillimbury Park, 857 Lake Dr., Roches Point
Cost: FREE (fundraising encouraged) | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Walk, run, or bike 1k, 5k, or 10k to honour Terry Fox's legacy. Friendly dogs welcome!

🍽️ Downtown Markham Food Fest | MARKHAM
Saturday, Sep 13 | 11:00 AM–11:00 PMSunday, Sep 14 | 11:00 AM–7:00 PM
Location: 169 Enterprise Blvd (Eastside Lot)
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Weekend of epic eats, cold brews, and family fun! Check schedule for live performances. The Kid Play Zone will be open on September 13- from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM., September 14 from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM

🌾 Main Street Markham Farmer's Market | MARKHAM
Saturday, Sep 13 | 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Location: Main Street Markham & Robinson St (parking lot)
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Discover local produce, arts & crafts, and independent businesses.

🏃‍♀️ Markham/Unionville Terry Fox Run | MARKHAM
Sunday, Sep 14 | Registration 8:30 AM, Run 9:30 AM–12:00 PM
Location: Old Unionville Library Community Centre, 15 Library Lane
Cost: FREE (donations appreciated) | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Distance options: 1km, 5km and 10km. Parts of route are unpaved - caution for strollers and cyclists.

🧸 Welcome Back BBQ/Fun Fair - Trinity on Main | NEWMARKET
Sunday, Sep 14 | 11:30 AM–2:00 PM
Location: Trinity United Church, 461 Park Ave
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Fun fair following Sunday service with BBQ, music, bouncy castle, games, snow cones, face painting & cotton candy!

🌾 Farmers Market | RICHMOND HILL
Sunday, Sep 14 | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Location: Hillcrest Mall, 9350 Yonge Street
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Weekly market open every Sunday through October 5. Find fresh produce and goods from local vendors.

🛸 Tour the RHDDO - Fall Start | RICHMOND HILL
Saturday, Sep 13 | 1:00 PM–5:00 PM
Location: Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory, 123 Hillsview Drive
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Self-guided tours of Richmond Hill's national historic site. Explore the building and dome housing Canada's largest telescope! Offered weekends until October 26.

🎪 Monster Trucks All Out | VAUGHAN
Saturday, Sep 13 | 11:00 AM–12:45 PM & 5:00 PM–6:45 PM
Sunday, Sep 14 | 1:00 PM–2:45 PM
Location: Woodbridge Fairgrounds, 100 Porter Avenue
Cost: Children $20, Adults $35 | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
High-flying, ground-pounding action with BUCKING BRONCO, OUTFOXED, CANADIAN CRUSHER, and GTA debut of ROBOSHARK! Runs rain or shine.

🌾 Woodbridge Village Farmers Market | VAUGHAN
Saturday, Sep 13 | 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Location: Al Palladini Centre, 9201 Islington Avenue
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Community market featuring local farmers and vendors. This date is also the market's Craft Day!

🚒 Fire Department Open House | WHITCHURCH-STOUFFVILLE
Saturday, Sep 13 | 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
Location: Fire Station 5-1, 100 Weldon Rd
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Annual Open House! Meet local firefighters, play games, learn about fire safety, BBQ, touch a truck, and spray the fire hose.

☕ Mom & Brews - Nest and Bloom Mom Village | VAUGHAN
Monday, Sep 15 | 10:00 AM–11:00 AM
Location: Symposium Cafe, 31 Colossus Drive
Cost: FREE (participants pay for own purchases) | Age: For the mamas!
🔗 Event Details
Casual mom meet-up on the patio. Perfect chance to connect with other moms and chat about motherhood. Every Monday in September - join their WhatsApp chat to stay in the loop!

🧘‍♀️ Outdoor Vinyasa Yoga | KING
Tuesday, Sep 16 | 6:30 PM–7:30 PM
Location: Cold Creek Conservation Area, 14125 11th Concession, Nobleton
Cost: $15 (registration required) | Age: Ages 14-54
🔗 Event Details
Gentle flowing sequences to improve mobility and release tension. No experience required - just bring your mat and water!

🔬 STEAM Stations | RICHMOND HILL
Tuesday, Sep 16 | 4:00 PM–5:30 PM
Location: Richmond Hill Public Library (Oak Ridges Branch), 34 Regatta Avenue
Cost: FREE | Age: Families, All ages
🔗 Event Details
Robots, maker activities and games! Explore different STEAM concepts at your own pace. Located in Room 1/2, 1st Floor.

🎵 Baby Music and Movement | VAUGHAN
Wednesday, Sep 17 | 1:30 PM–3:00 PM
Location: Kleinburg Library
Cost: FREE | Age: Parents/Caregivers + children 0-12 months
🔗 Event Details
Enjoy music and movement with your baby using instruments and materials that support healthy development. In partnership with EarlyON.

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