Thursday, March 13, 2014

March Break

This week is March Break for school kids here in Ontario.  It's also referred to as "Spring Break" on the calendars, and on Monday and Tuesday we had some beautiful spring weather. 
 
I took my son and a friend to the Metro Toronto Zoo on Monday, and I was quite comfortable in a spring coat (with a wooly scarf & gloves!) the entire day.  The sun shone down on us as we navigated the heaps of snow everywhere and admired the new animals at the zoo. 
 
The polar bears had a new baby named Humphrey, and on Monday he was exactly 4 months old (about the size of a golden retriever).  I didn't want to have the heavy camera around my neck all day, so I don't have any photos of him ... trust me, he was adorable and very playful!  Here's a nice shot of his dad from last March ...


This year there were large ice flows on the top of their deep pool of water, and the male & female bears were soaking wet from a recent swim, but they didn't enter the water while we were admiring them.
 
There were also two visiting giant pandas, but they were quite mucky looking and not as impressive as I'd hoped.  One was outside (and a bit cleaner from the snow), but the indoor panda was a dark dirty yellow which was rather sad to witness.
 
My favourite part of the zoo is the Arctic exhibit, which opened last year.  There are polar bears, arctic wolves, arctic fox, snowy owls and reindeer.

Arctic fox ... also taken last March

It was a great day outside and also in the numerous pavilions for the warmer climate critters.
 
Yesterday my son and I decided to head into Toronto to visit the Royal Ontario Museum.  We've been there lots of times with my family and with my brother and his two rambunctious boys, but it was really nice to go with just my own son this time.  He wanted to visit the entire museum ... and I think we were pretty close to that goal by the end of the day.  We had such a wonderful time together, and he is a real delight to discuss everything we saw.  The dinosaur exhibit is really amazing and we spent a long while in there.
 
There are a few windows in the museum where you can check what's happening outside ... and yesterday we were suffering through yet another blizzard (I know).  I had originally planned to drive into town far enough to just take the subway directly to the ROM, but when they predicted 10cm of snow, we took the GO train instead ($$).  Unfortunately, the GO train had rescheduled their trains (ie. "reduced" their trains) because of the storm, so we were packed into a train of commuters where there was standing room only.  So after walking on concrete floors the entire day, we were forced to stand for the hour's ride back home while all the commuters who had been sitting on their bums at their desks all day rode in relative comfort.  There was a foot of snow on the van when we got back into town, so I was glad for the ease of the train.  So another fun day of the March Break. 
 
This morning it is bitterly cold again ...

 
... yep, that's right ... -20C (not sure what the wind chill makes it, but it's really windy out there)
 
And there's snow thick everywhere again ...
 
 
We are promised warmer weather I think tomorrow or at least by Saturday.  I'm really disappointed with this snowstorm.  My backyard on Tuesday was almost bare of snow and I could see grass!!  My patio had completely cleared of snow too, and I was "this" close to pulling out a patio chair to sit out there in the sunshine.  I tossed the birdseed out for the birds, but I haven't seen them yet.  Maybe even our little winter birds have given up.

 
I know a lot of us had this same disappointing weather, but I'm sure it's the last big snow we'll have this year!!  Perhaps we need to hold a candlelight vigil to entice Spring to our area again., eh?!
 
Thanks for stopping by!
 
Wendy
 

21 comments:

  1. How much fun to visit all of those neat places over spring break. But it sure doens't look spring like in your back yard. Our snow was almost melted off too, then we got dumped on Wednesday night. UGH! The never ending winter!

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  2. Our Columbus Zoo is one of the top zoos but I've never been. I told the mister we're going on a lovely Spring day. Wonder what month that'll be! We didn't get your amount of snow but we did get the very bitter cold. What a nice day to spend with your son. We used to visit the San Diego zoo often and I just loved seeing the hippos.

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  3. Nice to see the Zoo with beautiful animals over there. I have not seen arctic fox. Thanks for sharing!

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  4. It sounds like a nice day to visit the zoo...I'm glad you got to go. LOVE the arctic fox...look at his tail! And we have so many birds in our feeders right now, maybe yours on on vacay here in Florida! Hope it warms up soon my friend! Hugs!

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  5. The zoo sounds like it was wonderful! I've read about the baby polar bear on the CBC. It would be fun to see it in person. Too bad about the panda bears being so dirty. And also too bad about having to stand up for an hour on the way home. And about your late season snow storm.

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  6. wonderful photos Wendy ...I especially love the under water shot of the polar bear ...fantastic! Hope it warms up for you soon ...over here it has felt so spring like this week .. compared to this time last year when we were under a thick blanket of snow! Have a lovely weekend..Gail x

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  7. I hope that is your last snow storm too! Ugh, you guys deserve a break. I am not sure why you have 'spring break' in the middle of winter. But that's just me. The museum sounds interesting and I am sure you will remember this visit with your son for a long time to come. I'd love to see a polar bear cub. He must be the cutest thing ever. We have lion cubs here and I hope to go see them in the near future.

    Have a wonderful "spring" break, Wendy!

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  8. Oh dear, it sounds as though spring is holding off a bit longer. I guess that there is hope though that it did melt even if it came back! Your hubby's pictures of the polar bear and fox are amazing!!! I hope that the break has been OK, even if snowy! xx

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  9. Oh my, so much snow! We were hit this time last year but I don't think we will be getting any now, a long day for you in the end. Stay safe xx

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  10. Wonderful photos Wendy, especially the Artic Fox, and what a bushy tail. The museum sounds very interesting but what an awful return journey. I am keeping my fingers crossed for you in the hope that Spring is around the corner.
    luv
    irene
    xxxx

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  11. -20? Brrrr ... that is COLD!

    Lovely photos, and good that you were brave enough to venture out ... I'd have been happy to stay inside, curled up with some crocheting or a good book!

    Keep warm, my lovely!

    Love Claire xx

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  12. Daddy polar bear is lovely, isn't he?! Funny that you should describe your weather as disappointing when this morning a friend and myself were bemoaning the fact that we hadn't had any snow this year! Enjoy the rest of March break. xXx

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  13. It sounds like a lovely fun day out Wendy but I bet you were so glad to get home and put your feet up you must have been exhausted! Pity about the snow storm hopefully that will be the last! stay warm. xxx

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  14. How fab to spend time exploring new and familiar places with your son Wendy - lets hope its the last of your snow and your patio and garden will clear again quickly....you'll be sitting in the sunshine soon!
    Ali x

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  15. The zoo sounded like a blast! And the baby polar bear sounds adorable!!! I'm glad you got some fun time with your son friend!! And we got that snow storm here too! Man am I ready for spring...I am barely hanging on right now! Take care friend and let's do a cheers on our first day in the garden!!! Nicole xoxo

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  16. It sounds like you're keeping busy on the break. We normally have a break at this time too but our schools decided to push it back to mid-April this year, after state tests are taken. I think it's too late because they get out in the third week of May! They're going to lose a lot of kids before the year is out, it will be hard to focus. The zoo looks wonderful. Zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, etc., are my favorite places to go with my kids.

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  17. Sounds like a lovely day! I've only ever been to a zoo once and it was very enjoyable. I hope it warms up for you soon!
    Sarah x

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  18. We've barely seen frost this winter, let alone snow ... I feel kinda simultaneously sorry for and envious of you 'big snow' folks this year. Here's hoping spring comes to stay real soon x

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  19. The Toronto Zoo sounds very nice, I love the polar bear and the pretty Arctic Fox. Looks like a wonderful day with your son and his friend. I am beginning to wonder will the snow ever end.. We have had a few days of warm weather and they are calling for 3-6 inches of snow Sunday-Monday.. I hope they are wrong..Have a happy weekend!

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  20. Despite the weather it sounds like you had a nice March break. I have no kids to take to the zoo, but we still love to go. Oddly enough we usually go in winter and concentrate on seeing the animals in the heated pavilions. I haven't seen the Arctic animals or the Pandas so maybe there is a new reason for a trip. Hope it warms up on the weekend as predicted!

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  21. I'm so happy for you that you and your boy are having some lovely adventures - the animals are gorgeous to see but a bit disappointing about the pandas! That was a very long day on your feet Wendy and I bet a nice warm drink and feet up were very welcome on your arrival home!
    It is a bit hard on you when that snow keeps on coming on, but keep smiling m'dear - it can't possible go on forever - it can't, can it?!!!
    Enjoy the rest of the break and I do hope you are able to get out and about some more, and find more happies in your travels! xxx Joy

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