OttawaMom

Archive for the ‘Summer’ Category

I can’t believe that August is right around the corner!  This is the first time since having kids, that I can honestly say that I haven’t worried about how to entertain the kids all summer.  They are both at an age where they can easily entertain themselves, and where we can go out at a moment’s notice without worrying about packing the right gear/diaper bag (I sure don’t miss those days!).  We have been having a ton of fun and I am loving every minute of it.

While we anxiously patiently wait for the our trip away to begin (we’re going to Maine for two weeks in August!), we have been having mini-vacations here and there and enjoyed being tourists in our own city.  Yesterday was one of those days.  My sister and I took our kids downtown on the bus (at their request), primarily to take in the Ottawa Buskers Festival, which runs from July 29 – August 2, but discovered some other fun things along the way.

Since we got to Sparks Street a little before the first act was to go on, we headed to Confederation Square for snack time and were fortunate enough to witness the changing of the two guards on duty at the National War Memorial.  We had missed the actual Changing of the Guard on Parliament Hill (we saw the parade heading down Wellington as we got off the bus!) but this was just as exciting to the kids.  The two guards were replaced with some fanfare as the relief guards were piped in and a little ceremony was had at the top of the stairs.

Guards being piped onto War Memorial

"Changing the Guard' Ceremony

We headed back over to Sparks Street and come across a guy and his three parrots.  For a fee you can hold them and have your picture taken with the birds (or in my case get pooped on for free!), either by him (he will print the pictures right there) or with your own camera.  I was so enthralled watching the kids with these birds that I forgot to get the man’s name but am sure if you head down to Sparks St and Elgin you will find him.

Parrots on Sparks Street

After the parrots, we headed to the first act of the Festival – the Checkerboard Guy.

The Checkboard Guy

His act was a mix of acrobatics, juggling and general silliness.  Very kids friendly performer that elicited a lot of oohs and aahs from the crowd.

Next we headed to the World Exchange Plaza in search of food before the kids revolted.  The food court there was a great place to find something for even the pickiest eater (my son!), take a washroom break and regroup before we headed back to see what else the Festival had to offer.

We found Liqueur Flambe up next.  This was a male/female duo that combined circus style stunts, with violin playing, fire eating and theatrics.  They were good but more geared to a more mature audience – most of their schtick went right over the kids heads or was a little too racy for their daytime audience!!

Liqueur Flambe

This act didn’t hold the kids attention quite as well as the first one, so we moved on to the next one.  This time we made it to a show before it started and got much better seats (something you want to try and do if you have kids with you who actually want to see something).  This is a gal from Sydney, Australia who bills herself as BendyEm.  She is a contortionist who is able to twist her body into all kinds of unbelievable positions.  Her show stopper is fitting her body into a 16″ box that sits atop a 7 ft aluminum structure.  Have to see this one to believe it!

BendyEm

BendyEm spinning on a disc

BendyEm in a 16" box!!

It was a great way to spend a summer day – just love our city of Ottawa!!  We had fun checking out the Festival and if you are looking for something to do this long weekiend, I do recommend it.  Just remember to bring your toonies and loonies to help support these street performers.

Miss M Kayaking

Jedi N Kayaking

Sunset on Round Lake

Mmmm Ice Cream!

National Gallery of Canada

Rainy Day Art with a view of Parliament Hill

Climbing the stairs behind Parliament Hill

Yummy Burgers!

N tubing with his cousin

Fun at the Neighbourhood Park

Hope you are all having as much fun this summer as we are!