Family Planning

What we want to do on Family Day:
sleep in, relax by a cozy fire, read books, play board games, smile a lot and feel the love of our family members spending quality time together.

What we will likely do on Family Day:
wake up early, feed baby/toddler, make breakfast for the rest of the team, remind children of the house TV rules (read: turn off the tube after some serious whining), eventually give in to the TV so we can squeeze in some precious moments to read the newspaper while drinking our coffee (it is our day off, after all), make a plan so that the troops are fed and entertained, and repeat until it is time to go back to bed. 

Which brings us to the real issue…The Plan. Any successful family day (official or otherwise) or event has a plan. So where to go? What to do? 

We have some ideas:

• Take some tips from our savvy readers on how they like to Embrace the Elements. There is plenty of snow around town so make the most of it while it lasts. Skating, skiing, toboganning or snowshoeing are all very high on our list.

• Check out this skating idea.
• Invite another family over. A playdate for everyone is more fun.
• Drink hot chocolate.
• Make a Family Day Feast. Instead of the usual turkey or ham extravaganza, try something that people can assemble themselves like fajitas or pizzas.
• Go to a movie or get a family video. If you go to the movies, be sure to book online first as this is likely to be a busy day.
• Do some online shopping and surf around your fave sites.
• Find a small home project that you can do in about 20 minutes that will make you happy. Re-arrange your book shelves, hang a new picture the kids made or purge any sweaters from your closet that you haven’t worn yet this season.
• If you’re looking for a bit of culture, check out what’s happening at:
  • The Science Centre—they are hosting a toy building workshop just for Family Day
  • The ROM—there are special programs during the Family Day long weekend
  • The Toronto Zoo—enjoy a 50% discount on admission all day

Most of all, remember that this is your family’s day so involve them in the planning and everyone will be happy.

(Or you can always pack the troops off on a road trip to Buffalo and take advantage of the awesome President’s Day sales.)

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