Summer Fun List : Canalside and a Surprise Addition

One of the items on our summer fun list for 2013 was to hit up Canalside in downtown Buffalo.  It is a newer development, still developing, of Buffalo's much underutilized waterfront.  I have seen it in bits and pieces, but we have never had the time to take off and explore it with the kiddies.  But put something on a summer fun list, and well, the pressure is on to make sure it happens.  And it did!

We toured the warships and submarine. (Well, okay, technically Chris and the boys did the tour  and I waited patiently outside because I have a fear of enclosed spaces and tend to freak the heck out when I feel trapped.)  We ate burgers outside by the water, played an outdoor piano, dug in the sand, and enjoyed some fantastic Italian ice.  It was really a lovely day in downtown Buffalo.

The next day, we accepted an impromptu invitation from my cousins to go jet skiing at the beach - just a mile or so down from Canalside.  It was a perfect day to be near the water.   The boys took turns riding on the jet skis with their cousins and even Chris took a turn.  My little skate board addict, Griffin was thrilled to get in some time on Alli's long board.

It was a surprise afternoon full of fun and family.  I think those are always the best moments of summer.

Zoo!

Brennan's teacher asked me if I would help her out and chaperone a last minute field trip to the zoo.  I have to be honest.  I do not love the zoo.  In fact, I sort of dread the zoo.  But I adore Brennan's teacher and of course, I love the excitement the zoo promises my own boys and so, off to the zoo we went!

Griffin was thrilled to be my co-chaperone and hang with the older kids.  The highlight for everyone was the lion taking a nap right against the glass of the lion exhibit.  He was so close you felt like you could reach out and touch him.  The other highlight was the baboons who decided to entertain the kids with some R rated action the minute we stepped in front of the habitat.  Ah, good times.  And of course, visiting the new baby polar bears who entertained us with their antics with a soccer ball was a highlight.  The baby polar bears were really adorable and the kids were fascinated with them.