Living in Aurora, Town of Aurora, Ontario » Splash Pad

Entertainer In The Park, What Makes Children Smile, The Magic Show

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 15:40:36 +0000

It was our plan to visit Aurora Public Library after playing at the Town Park playground. We forgot – no library on Monday mornings. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

What To Do On Hot HOT Summer Days, My Choice Hangout At The Library

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 03:30:05 +0000

All week heat wave. Today morning rain and then hot again. Hopefully cooler again. One may ask what to do on hot summer days like that in Aurora. Many choices. You can go to the splash pad at the Town Park or Ida Johnson Park, or you can hang out in cool and dry place like a library.

Matthew, Splash Pad at the Town Park

Last Thursday it was so hot and also boring to stay home, second day in the row – so we headed for the Aurora Public Library.

Just a regular stuff at the Aurora Public Library, like books, books and more books. Couple nice displays which I always like to examine – Bicentennial Celebration of the War of 1812 and Doors Open 2012.

I also found out that Aurora Public Library is now selling Elizabeth H. Milner’s book, Aurora 1945-1965 An Ontario Town at a Time of Great Change, in addition book is also available at the Abebooks.com, Jonathan’s Restaurant and through Aurora Historical Society in Aurora.

Aurora 1945-1965 An Ontario Town at a Time of Great Change

Speaking of Elizabeth Milner and the heat. I guess I am not the only one bothered by the hot humid days. Not that Elizabeth is complaining like me but she is definitely thinking about cooler days. Elizabeth emailed me and shared couple things with me – a poem The Ice Man – 1947 and her memories of Mr. Bill Case, Aurora’s ice man.

Aha, and who was Mr. Case?

Mr. Case was in the ice business in late forties and early fifties. Children in the town would watch for Mr. Case to come along with his horse and wagon in order to get a chip of his cool ice, and here you can find out more from Elizabeth Milner what children did with the ice. I published the poem and Milner’s memories of the ice man on the History page, community FOCUS site.

Oh wishful thinking to get that kind of service again.

Paws 4 Stories Program, Aurora Public Library

Now going back to our library visit on Thursday. On the second floor we noticed paws cut outs on the floor leading to a real dog. I had to ask. Interesting concept and program – Paws 4 Stories.

‘Paws 4 Stories is a literacy program for beginning and struggling readers who have a unique opportunity to read to a dog and make a friend! Dogs and their owners are trained and generously provided by St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program. […]‘ Source: Aurora Public Library

Here is nice write up on ‘Why Dogs Are Better than Adults at Helping Kids Read‘. By accident I found an article that dogs also benefit when read to, but not a topic for today.

Stay cool!

Southlake Regional Hospital Emergency Room, A Comment Hard To Absorb

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 04:51:15 +0000

I couldn’t wait until Friday to see our family doctor. There was definitely something wrong and Matthew wasn’t getting any better. Swollen glands, soar throat and mild temperature were few of the symptoms. To back track, while sleeping Matthew started to make snoring sounds.

It all started on Tuesday night, coincidentally a day after we brought him to the local splash pad at the Town Park. His breathing got worsen by Wednesday night. He was breathing through the mouth with swollen glands and soar throat.

Splash Pad, Town Park, Aurora

We arrived at the emergency around four o’clock afternoon on Thursday.

As usual warmly welcomed and immediately walked into a triage for interview as there was nobody in line before us. It is amazing how quickly the emergency areas are cleared these days just enough to fool you that your wait time will be short.

A wishful thinking. Perhaps, this type of action up front is beneficial as you are not sitting in the waiting room full of unknown bugs hovering around you.

At the triage we were questioned. I listed all the symptoms and I told them that what concerned me most was the snoring sound he makes when he sleeps. I can hear him when I am in another room. It concerns me because he is definitely not getting a good night sleep to heal.

Now this comment got me thinking and someone tell me if the hospital professional should actually throw comment such that ‘Or may be YOU are not getting enough sleep?‘. I elaborated further, ‘No not me, it just hurts me seeing him sleeping like that‘.

So throughout most of the night on Tuesday and Wednesday I spent by Matthew’s bed listening to his breathing. Second night wasn’t any better because he was also running mild fever.

May be it was a joke from the lady who checked Matthew’s weight, measured his temperature and heartbeat. May be it is a way triage nurses make their time more optimistic because it is kind of sad place to visit with all the worries around.

But when you see your child sick and are exhaused from all the worry and lack of sleep, having someone joking that I am selfish and that I brought my child to the emerge to ensure I can go back faster to my beauty sleep.

This didn’t sit well with me. I wonder what respond I would get if I joked like that about them? I probably be admitted to the Exit Zone.

We left emergency around eight o’clock that evening. Matthew was diagnosed with strep throat (bacterial infection of the throat).

This time we waited in the Yellow Zone and not in the Fast Track zone. It would be nice if someone explained to us what’s the difference, but it seems like everyone sitting at the hall waiting patiently for their turn eventually had their own definition figured out.

You will be send to the Yellow Zone when nurses at the triage don’t know what is wrong with you. Nurses will fast track you if you have obvious symptoms, like broken bone.

Next day, that is Friday, we visited our family doctor. He confirmed strep throat but said that Matthew’s case is severe one and we were advised to keep close eye on him for the next forty eight hours. If the antibiotic does not work the infection can enter his bloodstream.

And there goes my beauty sleep again for the next forty eight hours (a sarcastic remark).

Risks At Playgrounds, Monkey Bars?

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 05:42:57 +0000

The ‘Playground equipment sparks debate‘ an article published in The Banner on July 14, 2011 definitely sparked debate everywhere. ‘A piece of playground equipment in Confederation Park is under the microscope as residents are divided on weather to have it removed or leave it in place.‘, page 1.

Ada Johnson Playground

I thought I join this debate also, since I am very frequent visitor to the playgrounds in Aurora. Of course not by myself, with my 3 year old son.

My thoughts …

Playground equipment is not designed for one age. It is designed for range of ages. It is my responsibility as a parent to recognize my child’s climbing and maneuverability skills and let them play with the monkey bars, double hump camel climber or other equipment. Would I let my three year old now, or four year old next year climb such? No, he is a talker, but definitely not a climber at this stage of his life.

Ada Johnson Playground

Monkey bars, double hump camel climber and some other equipment I have seen are definitely for 10 year old children or older. Children at this age are more skilled but also bigger in size so falling through would be little difficult, never mind less distance to fall.

I am very protective parent. I don’t see anything wrong with that. Anything that my child wants to climb and I determined that it is not for him, he either is assisted or not allowed to use that piece of equipment.

Playgrounds are not just for fun, they are also learning experience for our children. Children fall, then they learn about pain and danger. We tell our children they cannot climb this or that, they learn about discipline. Children climb slides, we teach them about playground rules.

Children don’t know much about danger and are spontaneous. That goes with some of us too. Children are fearless. Again, as I responsible parent I must see danger ahead of my child, and warn them. If I cannot climb monkey bars, double hump camel climber or other equipment and probably cannot, then it is not for my child. If I know that my child likes to try new things, I watch him like a hawk. They learn, sometimes a spontaneous move can hurt.

My child fell backwards from top of the slide onto the stairs. My mistake, I should have examined the slide. There was a very little land for him to sit, he lost balance and fell backwards. Should I ask for the redesign. No, I assisted him until he became older and more skilled in maneuvering around. I learn too.

My child almost burned himself on the metal slide. Yes, we still have those in Aurora. My mistake, I took my child to the playground around lunch time, at the peak temperature. I did not examined the slide again. It was metal, and not plastic and you could almost cook an egg on its surface. No more visiting this playground. On the second thought, this is the playground I would suggest to replace.

Ada Johnson Playground

My conclusion …

Be responsible for your child they are fearless little creatures.

On the second hand I don’t understand what the subtitle on the page one of The Banner under ‘Playground equipment sparks debate‘ reading ‘Initiative promotes carpooling, public transit use‘, has to do with the whole article. A typo?

Splash Pad At The Town Park, Splash Splash Blues

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 20:24:13 +0000

It is nice that we don’t have to travel long distances to have fun, and now especially with the high gas prices walking and visiting locals in Aurora is even more encouraging. I think it is a good thing.

Well, lot of things to do here in our town and so little time for a one day. I had three things on my list to visit today in Aurora: the Great Canadian Cat Show at the Aurora Community Centre, the Sheppard’s Bush and the Farmer’s Market.

Why cat show? I don’t know, but I thought I practice some indoor photography. However, will my little boy enjoy it? Probably not this time. Sheppard’s Bush – who does not like to walk the trails in the shade, but there are always mosquitoes. The Farmer’s Market never fails – and guess what, the splash pad at the Town Park playground is OPEN for the summer.

Town Park Splash Pad (Wells and Mosley streets)

We didn’t bring any change clothes for Matthew since we thought may be it will be too cold. Cold in the summer? Oh boy, I was wrong. He played at the playground and occasionally he watched children play in the water. I gave in. I just could see in his eyes he wanted to be there and play. We all love water in the hot summer day, how can we let him miss that opportunity.

My Bundle of Joy Testing Water First

Children are amazing. I really enjoy watching them when they have so much freedom playing. Combined with right weather conditions, water is number one fun resource – so simple, yet encourages creativity and fun when playing.

Whoops, looks like someone just got splashed in the face.

Little Too Much Water In His Face

Speaking of creativity. On the picture below, a little girl is trying hard to capture the water in the pink bucket. At first she waited for it to stop shooting, and then she covered it up and waited for the water to come back in order to capture it in the bucket and not let it go out. I watched her couple of times, and she was quite successful yet brought others to observe too. Sometimes I wonder, how much toys children need. Little less brings up creativity and innovation.

Creative Playing

Oh this one in the pink dress was so adorable.

Little Ballerina

There will be lot of ohs in this post today. Oh for this little girl playing in the water (photo below). She is such a doll and a trooper. Walking off the splash pad she slipped and scrapped her knee. I didn’t hear a cry.

Enjoying Cool Water

Oh, oh and here comes my Super Man, Iron Man, Spider Man, Super Hero, my bundle of joy – Matthew. We took off his shoes and let him play. I just said, ‘let him go, the clothes will dry out‘. No matter where we are, Matthew always enjoys himself to the fullest, and I am glad that I am able to capture those moments because we just have too many of them everyday to remember.

Matthew

When I don’t take pictures, I record moments like that in my notebook. Last night we were at the Hamilton Park. There was no body there when we arrived. Soon three boys arrived, and here comes my boy yelling: ‘Hi boys! How are you doing?‘. At some point he came up to them and sang A B C song, and then asked ‘Do you know your A B Cs boys?’. They just looked at him and smiled. Well they were at least 10 years old or older so they better know their A B Cs. For the record, Matthew is three years old.

Sometimes it is hard for me to fit my one day of good experiences in one post. Stayed tuned for more of my eventful day today, this time at the Farmer’s Market.