Living in Aurora, Town of Aurora, Ontario » Hamilton Park https://livinginaurora.ca Living In Aurora Ontario Canada Mon, 13 Jan 2020 19:51:13 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.0.38 Flirting Nature, Snow Shapes Left To Your Imagination https://livinginaurora.ca/nature/flirting-nature-snow-shapes-left-to-your-imagination/ https://livinginaurora.ca/nature/flirting-nature-snow-shapes-left-to-your-imagination/#comments Sun, 10 Feb 2013 01:21:20 +0000 http://livinginaurora.ca/?p=10098

First photo was taken of snow drifts in the field. The second one is a covered table with chairs on our backyard. Hope you can see what I see and enjoy but don’t enjoy it too much.

Snow Drifts, Hamilton Park, Aurora


Snow Shapes, Our Backyard

]]> https://livinginaurora.ca/nature/flirting-nature-snow-shapes-left-to-your-imagination/feed/ 0 Winter Is Finally Here In Aurora, Some Snow Probably To Melt Soon https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/winter-is-finally-here-in-aurora-lots-snow-probably-to-melt-soon/ https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/winter-is-finally-here-in-aurora-lots-snow-probably-to-melt-soon/#comments Sat, 09 Feb 2013 22:35:35 +0000 http://livinginaurora.ca/?p=10071 too and for the next week – looks like it is warming up. But today it was a beautiful sunny day to enjoy outside.

Going Down Hill, Hamilton Park, Town of Aurora


When we were outside I noticed that the snow exposed to the sun started to melt, but that was not enough sun to melt the almost one meter piles of snow in front of houses on our street. Lots of snow and lots of sun – two things good to have to play in the snow.

Matthew Making Snow Angels, Hamilton Park, Town of Aurora


We went tobogganing there was a lot of snow on the soccer field at the Hamilton Park, but it was manageable to walk across. Kids already were playing there, and probably there were more earlier as there were tracks left behind.

Going Down Hill, Hamilton Park, Town of Aurora


Something about the children and the snow. When Matthew came out the house, first thing he did was dived (real dive too) for the pile of snow, not even thinking of consequences. He got white snow all over his face, cleaned up and dived for another pile. Then he started to inspect bottom of the cars for icicles.

Hamilton Park, Children Playing in the Snow, Town of Aurora


On the field we had hard time to get him on the toboggan, every second we turned away from him – he was already rolling in the snow. We helped him to make a snow angel, and by looking at the print afterward, not sure what it was.

He saw four girls playing in the snow nearby and started to do the same – rolling more in the snow. Well, we did the same when we were growing up too. The beauty about the snow is that it does not get you dirty, just wet.

Children Playing in the Snow, Hamilton Park, Town of Aurora


Well not sure about other children, but when I picked up Matthew from school last Thursday, who knows what he was rolling in. There was mud on him everywhere, the hat, the jacket, the snow pants and the face.

You just got to love them for their free spirit, but I hope there will be little less of that free spirit next week when it will be ‘splashy’ and wet.

Morning Down Warming Up In The Sun, Hamilton Park Hydro Lines, Town of Aurora


]]> https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/winter-is-finally-here-in-aurora-lots-snow-probably-to-melt-soon/feed/ 0 Entertainer In The Park, What Makes Children Smile, The Magic Show https://livinginaurora.ca/entertainment/entertainer-in-the-park-what-makes-children-smile-the-magic-show/ https://livinginaurora.ca/entertainment/entertainer-in-the-park-what-makes-children-smile-the-magic-show/#comments Tue, 18 Sep 2012 15:40:36 +0000 http://livinginaurora.ca/?p=8572 Aurora Public Library opens later in the day on Mondays.

Town Park playground is always fun for Matthew. The summer days are much cooler now so playing in the splash pad at the park was not definitely our cup of juice but seeing magic show was something we didn’t expect.

We had to think about the plan B. Living in Aurora and coming up with plan B is a very easy task – another park or playground, or hiking, or shopping. No we didn’t go hiking, or shopping, but we did drive along Kennedy Road and found another playground we never visited before – William Kennedy Park. Matthew had a blast running, climbing, jumping, having snacks and playing with other children.

Hamilton Park, Magic Show

Matthew Watching Magic Show at the Hamilton Park, Aurora


So we thought the playground time was over as we started to drive home, but as I said sometimes unexpected things come along. Matthew insisted to park near the Hamilton Park and to see coach Steve.

And who is coach Steve. Well to start he is our neighbour. He entertains and interacts with all the kids in our neighbourhood and they all love him. He never fails to make bubbles or blow balloons around the kids.

Hamilton Park, Magic Show

Matthew Doing Magic


He was also Matthew’s playball coach. A sport summer program coordinated by the town of Aurora, which Matthew attended this summer.

This summer was the first time we put Matthew into group sport activity, and having Steve as a coach made a big difference and unforgettable fun time for Matthew and for us to watch him having fun while learning in the group environment.

Hamilton Park, Magic Show

Coach Steve, Magic Show in the Hamilton Park


Steve’s coaching style or entertaining methods are fun and more so educational helping kids to have fun and learn at the same time.

Hamilton Park, Magic Show

Coach Steve with Surprised Children, Magic Show at the Hamilton Park


Now that you know Steve coach, what happened next. Well it was the magic show at the park – the unexpected event I told you about before. Steve is a entertainer for the children’s birthday parties, and last week Steve did a magic show for children in the Hamilton park.

It was definitely nice conclusion to our trip around Aurora that day. Three playgrounds, and surprise at the last one.

Hamilton Park, Magic Show

Magic Coloring Book, Magic Show at the Hamilton Park


On the side note, a week passed and I still haven’t figure out how the magic coloring book works.]]> https://livinginaurora.ca/entertainment/entertainer-in-the-park-what-makes-children-smile-the-magic-show/feed/ 1 Northern Lights Public School, We Are Walking https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/northern-lights-public-school-we-are-walking/ https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/northern-lights-public-school-we-are-walking/#comments Sun, 02 Sep 2012 03:40:28 +0000 http://livinginaurora.ca/?p=8493 in his first year junior kindergarten.

Few days ago I decided to walk with him to school. He didn’t resist but it wasn’t his best walking day so it was good to time the worst case scenario. It took us about twenty five minutes to slow walk. Hopefully by next week Thursday Matthew will focus on walking to school and my pockets will not be filled with stones, flowers and tree branches.

Northern Lights Public School, Bridgenorth Drive, Aurora


We decided no school bus. Matthew will walk to school, of course, I will walk with him. We walk around Aurora a lot, so I know he can do it. It is only two days a week, and no worries if it is raining or really cold I will drive him to school. We are not exactly close but 1.6 km is manageable.

Northern Lights Public School, Bridgenorth Drive, Aurora


We are definitely ready for school – knapsack, big lunch box (Matthew used to call it a big box of food), clothes and stickers.

But really, are we really ready? Matthew says he is. I on the other hand getting nervous for him, and, and, and I am going to miss him. I am holding back and saving all my tears for the first day of school, but today I almost let them out when I was making pancakes.

Northern Lights Public School, Bridgenorth Drive, Aurora


It is hard to believe that he is going to school. Over four years there was first day at the Hamilton Park playground; first time at the McDonalds and Tim Horton’s; first time at the Aurora Public Library and getting first library card; first time walking Arboretum; first time walking McKenzie Marsh boardwalk and Nokiidaa Trail Link boardwalk – etc etc.

Next week there will be first time going to Northern Lights Public School. I know he will be fine but I will not be able to see that ‘fine‘. All four years every day I was always around, but this time I won’t be. I will be only 1.6 km away and it will feel like 1600 km away.

Northern Lights Public School, Bridgenorth Drive, Aurora


Now I will have all this free time. I think to adjust to recent change I will be rubbing and scrubbing the house, or may be not. May be I will venture out more on my photo journeys around Aurora.

Or better idea, why don’t I hang out around the Optimist playground and when Matthew goes on the recess I can see him via my zoom lens. May be just for the month of September I be a stalking mom.

Northern Lights Public School, Bridgenorth Drive, Aurora

“True life is lived when tiny changes occur.” ~ Leo Tolstoy
]]> https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/northern-lights-public-school-we-are-walking/feed/ 0 Coyote Sighting, Hamilton Park Near Playground On Pinnacle Trail https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/coyote-sighting-hamilton-park-near-playground-on-pinnacle-trail/ https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/coyote-sighting-hamilton-park-near-playground-on-pinnacle-trail/#comments Wed, 06 Jun 2012 19:15:15 +0000 http://livinginaurora.ca/?p=7424 We walked from home all the way to the Arboretum entrance on Industrial Parkway.

Industrial Parkway, Community Arboretum


We walked the trail and walked out on the Somerton Ct and then headed for the playground at the Thompson Park. We usually walk all the way to the Optimist Park, but then thinking about the coyote made me cut our trail walk short.

Did coyote hear me?

Perhaps.

Today around eleven we were walking on the Pinnacle Trail. It was us, a caregiver with three children and other couple walking. Matthew with other little boy was running ahead of us.

At some point when we were calling them to get back to us – this dog came out from the Hamilton Park (soccer field) right onto Pinnacle Trail and headed West towards St. Andrew’s Golf Course. He was at least five houses away from us. When I walked up to the playground he was already gone.

Coyote Came Out From Here


At first I thought, oh no not another dog off the leash. But then it did not look like a dog. It did not walk like a dog. It was on the mission. It was definitely a coyote, and a good size coyote too – tall and slender. He crossed the road and walked on the sidewalk, definitely passed by the playground unnoticed.

Playground at the Hamilton Park, Pinnacle Trail


Later walking on the Rush Road we found garbage mess. We thought may be he was looking for the food – they always do. I think these sightings will be more common especially with all all the loose rabbits and chipmunks hanging out in our subdivision on our front and back yards.

Now message to all the parents – don’t loose sight of your child on the playground. The play structure can block your view. Stay with your child all the time especially in the areas where there is a lot of open park land and trees.

This was my second sighting of the coyote in the Hamilton Park. First time I was actually at the soccer field when I saw one snooping around on the other side. I don’t know how much we can do about the wildlife around us, but do keep your eyes open around you and watch your small children.

Sorry no picture – I wasn’t fast enough. It is usually the shock of the unexpected slows me down getting my camera. Not to mention safety is always first and we had two children ahead of us.]]> https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/coyote-sighting-hamilton-park-near-playground-on-pinnacle-trail/feed/ 2 Coyotes Back In Aurora, February Start Of The Mating Season, Happy Valentines https://livinginaurora.ca/politics/coyotes-back-in-aurora-february-start-of-the-mating-season-happy-valentines/ https://livinginaurora.ca/politics/coyotes-back-in-aurora-february-start-of-the-mating-season-happy-valentines/#comments Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:56:00 +0000 http://livinginaurora.ca/?p=5554 I doubt they are looking for a dog companion perhaps more like food for Valentine’s dinner.

Yes I have been deliberating if I should write few things that I have on my mind about coyotes – everyone else did it including politicians.

So I have seen two coyotes.

St. Andrew's Golf Course


Not this year. But last year I saw one crossing Vandorf (common in that area).

Then few months later the second coyote I saw was in the Hamilton Park soccer field (near St. John’s sideroad). That day on the opposite side of the field I spotted unleashed dog sniffing around.

I don’t trust unleashed dogs, so myself and Matthew decided to head home. I know I turned few times behind me and there was no sign of any dog owner, just that one dog. He looked like Husky from far away. It hit me later.

Just Husky Dog In The Dog Leash Free Park, Industrial Parkway


My neighbour once told me (3-4 years ago) that five or six coyotes have been killed in that same area, Hamilton Park soccer field. There was no publicity for that event. The same neightbour told me that she many times heard howling at night, but then it went away. I guess her killing story was correct.

Few weeks ago, my other neighbour couple of times saw coyotes coming out the St. Andrew’s Golf Course. I guess no body is golfing now so they have place for themselves to hunt. That one time the coyotes face was all bloody – she told me.

I understand that food chain is important, but I prefer vegetarian animals over the meat eating coyotes. Oh just the image of the poor rabbit being eaten. Oh, on other note my backyard rabbit is also missing.

Community Arboretum, Coyotes On The Map


My thoughts.

What can we do? Do not kill and do not relocate, and do not feed. Stay alert and educate yourself. The bottom line is that coyotes always will be in our area and there is nothing we can do beside to be alert and to be cautious.

Do I like it? No, not one bit, but this is not any different than having a giant dog off the leash running around the neighbourhood. So may be this is a wake up call for dog owners to keep dogs on the leash at all times.

Now that we have all this attention going on in our town about coyotes I thought that we may need a map of coyotes sightings. That will be a very useful page that can be added to any of the Town of Aurora printed materials released to the public.]]> https://livinginaurora.ca/politics/coyotes-back-in-aurora-february-start-of-the-mating-season-happy-valentines/feed/ 2 If You Wait Long Enough It Will Come, The Snow, A Soothing Blanket Over The Aurora https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/if-you-wait-long-enough-it-will-come-the-snow-a-soothing-blanket-over-the-aurora/ https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/if-you-wait-long-enough-it-will-come-the-snow-a-soothing-blanket-over-the-aurora/#comments Sat, 28 Jan 2012 04:46:55 +0000 http://livinginaurora.ca/?p=5468 The cold winter days do keep me more inside, so to fill some of my time (I usually don’t have) I read.

Hamilton Park, St. John's Sideroad on the Far Back, Aurora


For some interesting reason in the past couple of months books about the Civil War would always land in my hands – and I don’t resist. John Wilson better gear up and start writing more – I just finished reading ‘the flags of war‘. I shall look for more, yet I doubt, this may have been last from his collection of books.

After reading his books which are usually based on historic facts, the ‘personal‘ wars we often encounter among us just seems like nothing. In most books Wilson’s characters start with great enthusiasm to go and fight in the battlefield but when too much is too much, they all end up dreaming of the escape from the dreadful images of the war.

Hamilton Park, St. John's Sideroad on the Far Back, Aurora


Last night I was working late. Blogging wasn’t an option. But I did and I read some posts and blog comments. The frozen rain and the wind send chills over my spine. Feeling of joy being inside and appreciation for the warmth whereas some may not have the same did cross my mind.

In the wake of the day, one might wonder what weather is going to be today. It was icy on the roads in the early morning. But after eleven o’clock a five inch blanket of snow was there for us to enjoy. With not having lot of snow this year, this seems like a first snow of the season, but it is not, .

Today it was wet enough to make a snowman, and wet enough to break your back if you are not fit to lift the snow. We managed. We managed to have fun at the playground as well. Snow at the playground makes an interesting visit. Change a scenery and children will discover more things to do.

Hamilton Park, Playground, Aurora


What is the point here? Well, what ever you want to think – you are the observer and reader.

For me, just for the record – it was snowing today.]]> https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/if-you-wait-long-enough-it-will-come-the-snow-a-soothing-blanket-over-the-aurora/feed/ 0