Movie Friday: Despicable Me 2

Genre: Family

Rating: PG

How many stars?:



We always hear criticisms about sequels never really measuring up to the movies that they follow. That made me very unexcited about going to see Despicable Me 2. I really was not a fan of Despicable Me. The plot didn't grab me, and the characters didn't excite me. I thought that the minions were cute, but other than that, there wasn't much going for it. Regardless, the kids were fans of the first movie, so we set out to watch the sequel at the theatre. I was very pleasantly surprised by this movie! It had me laughing out loud multiple times including pretty much everything that the minions, who I feel played a much larger role in this movie did. Notable laugh out loud moments included the fire scene and the minion boy band scene. This movie is truly a sequel that beats the odds. It was lovable characters, lots of laughs, adventure, and a fairly gripping story line. Characters that disappointed me in the first movie were given more life in this movie. I would definitely recommend Despicable Me 2 for a great family movie night! You can preorder it at Amazon here! Enjoy!

The Burger's Priest

What is it? The Burger's Priest, 463 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON

Who went? My husband, me and a close friend

What time of year? September

How much did it cost? Approximately $10 per person, see their menu here.

How many stars?



What do you do when you find yourself unexpectedly with no lunch plans in Toronto? You call up a buddy and ask them to meet you at the most interesting place you can find on google. This time that place was The Burger's Priest.



Atmosphere is everything at this burger joint. I thought that besides having very fresh tasting food, they got all of the details down perfectly. Trendy extras like a "secret" online only menu make it a really fun place to go. My husband ordered the secret "Holy Smokes", a double cheeseburger topped with panko crusted jalapeno peppers. The seating is minimalist, encouraging a quick turn around in customers, but you are still made to feel special because every order is taken with your name and instead of just calling out your number when your order is ready, your name is called. This small detail adds personalization that makes you feel like your business is valued.



From the writing on the walls to the hours of operation with Sunday hours listed as CHURCH, this isn't your typical burger joint.



Did I mention that the beef is ground fresh every day at The Burger's Priest? I'm certain that it makes a difference in the taste of the burgers. I've never had a burger that was so... well... tasty! The buns and toppings were super fresh and I was incredibly happy with my meal. I shared a chili cheese fries with my two companions and it was also delicious!



Don't just take my word for it. You WANT to eat here. Next time you find yourself in Toronto, check out The Burger's Priest!

Parkway Orchards

What is it? Parkway Orchards, 15000 Niagara River Parkway, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.

Who went? Me, my husband, and my kids.

What time of year? Early September, Autumn How much does it cost? $1.89/lb of apples with a $5 minimum.

How many stars?

Take a drive past Niagara Falls and down the scenic Niagara Parkway towards Niagara-on-the-Lake and you'll see a pick your own orchard famous for peaches and apples.



Our previous experiences with pick your own orchards was at Campbell's Orchard in Prince Edward County, also in Ontario. The farm employees at Parkway Orchards were friendly but they weren't particularly helpful, especially when compared to Campbell's Orchards. We were given our baskets and told where the apples were but were not given any further directions.



We went apple picking early in the season this year, when mostly Gala apples were ready. We had fun and picked lots of apples, resulting in a surprisingly tasty pie and lots of homemade apple sauce.



After apple picking we walked through the gift shop where I was able to find this gem, or jam if you will.



You read that right, it's TOE JAM! And my kids are wild for it. The gift shop offers sampling of some of the different jams that they have for sale.



Do you love apple picking? What fall activities should we try next?

Explore and More Children's Museum

What is it? Explore and More Children's Museum, 300 Gleed Avenue, East Aurora, NY.

Who went? Our whole family

What time of year? September, early Autumn.

How many stars?



Explore and More is a small children's museum that encourages children's imaginative play.



Upon arrival, Explore and More seems deceptively small. After following the hall and entering into the play area, you see an open concept play area with multiple areas of discovery. Some of the areas in Explore and More include a rock climbing wall and discovery centre, a baby area, a construction area, an area that encourages household play, a farm area with vegetables that can be harvested, a fishing boat, a rideable train, and multiple "around the world" exhibits.



Apart from the main open concept area is a snack room and an art room. Parents and caregivers can bring or purchase snacks and drinks to eat in the snack room. The art room provides materials that can be used in open ended ways to provide kids with countless creative opportunities. There are themed samples displayed around the room (it was butterflies when we visited), but there is no instruction, and kids are encouraged to just create. Explore and More celebrates diversity and is incredibly special needs friendly.



Unlike other children's centres, that allow parents comfortable areas to sit while their children burn off that extra energy, this museum has so many fun and interactive things to do that parents won't even want to sit by and watch.



I spent longer than I'd care to admit trying to complete this puzzle.



From science to design; architecture to agriculture; and construction to geography, my kids were able to play, imagine and express new ideas for hours. I literally had to pull them out after four hours spent at a place that I originally estimated would only take them an hour or two to burn through.



I actually gave this family attraction a rare 5/5 stars. For only $5 per person and yearly memberships starting at just $45 for a family, this museum offers exceptional value and amazing learning through play opportunities.

Definitely check this out if you find yourself anywhere near East Aurora in your travels. You won't regret it!

What is your favourite family friendly place in your area?

YMCA Spash Pad and Playground

What is it? YMCA Splash Pad and Playground, 7150 Montrose Road, Niagara Falls, Ontario

Who went? My kids, me, a friend and her son

What time of year? Early summer

How much does it cost? FREE!

How many stars?

Located near Niagara Square, Niagara Falls' main shopping mall, the YMCA Splash Pad offers a large bug themed playground with an area more suited for preschoolers and another area more suited for the older kids.



The younger kid playground has a few ride on bugs and a playset with an incredibly popular xylophone type toy inside of it. This seemed to be the main draw for all of the little kids when we were there. Noise making generally is.



The older kid playground boasts an impressive climbing wall, slides, and a fun playground structure.



To the side of both playgrounds is a set of swings that include baby swings.



This playground is also home to one of my preferred Splash Pads in the area. The Splash Pad area is very large and also bug themed. It has lots of interactive features like water shooters, waterfalls, sprinklers, and an emptying bucket. There are lots of ways for the kids to get soaking wet! The park is also home to a skate park and a large picnic pavillion making this a great stop for tourists and locals alike. Stop by, you'll love it!!!

Saturday Weekly Recap

This week on Do This! See That! Eat Here! has been a busy one! Regular posting schedule will usually be Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and a Week in Review post on Saturdays. This week has been an exceptionally post heavy week, as I am trying to get through some backlogged activities that I have completed while this blog was just an idea! So here's what we reviewed this week!

On Monday, I reviewed Taste of Thai restaurant. I loved the generous portions and how incredibly tasty the food was. This was my very first Thai food, and a part of me trying to be a bit more adventurous when it comes to different foods! Blogging restaurants that are not franchises is part of this excercise in growth for me, as I will almost certainly always choose a franchise restaurant with "safe", already known about foods!

I also reviewed Bird Kingdom in Niagara Falls, Ontario. I think that this is one of the best attractions in the area, with lots of kids to do and see. My kids truly enjoyed themselves here. A definite recommended activity for families visiting the area!

On Tuesday, I reviewed Queen's Coach Restaurant in Niagara Falls, Ontario. This is one of the best kept secrets of the Niagara region. The restaurant is hopping, the breakfast is made of fresh and tasty ingredients, and the prices can't be beat!

On Wednesday, I reviewed the Niagara Parks Floral Clock. The Floral Clock is a great free activity to free time while visiting Niagara Falls. It's also a great place for locals to take yearly pictures, or seasonal pictures, as the design of the clock changes twice yearly, and it's always beautiful there.

On Thursday, I reviewed the Port Dalhousie Beach and Carousel. I'm a definite beach lover, and the added thrill of a beautiful antique carousel that only costs 5 cents makes this one of my very favourite places in the Niagara region.

On Movie Friday, I reviewed the movie Jobs. I thought that Ashton Kutcher, Josh Kad, and the rest of the actors and actresses who participated in the making of this film did a fantastic job. It is probably my favourite grown up movie of the summer, in spite of lots of negative reviews and criticism that I have encountered. I did find that it was a bit jumpy and disjointed, though, so can understand some of the criticism.

Movie Friday: Jobs

Genre: Biography, Drama

Rating: PG-13 for drug content and strong language

How many stars?



The tagline of this movie is "Some see what's possible, others change what's possible", which is a fairly inspiring message when you think about it.

In spite of the fact that Jobs seems to have received some pretty rough reviews and a lot of criticism, I actually really enjoyed the movie.

One of my favourite parts of the movie is when Steve (played well by Ashton Kutcher) tells one of his employees to pack up their stuff. The employee asks him "Are you firing me?" and he tells them that he already fired them.


Photo credit: http://wae.blogs.starnewsonline.com

I thought that the actors in the movie did a good job of portraying very dimensional characters. Josh Gad was a great Steve Wozniak, who showed a lot of talent and emotion and really was one of the movies major stars.

My main criticism for the movie is that I found it to be very disjointed. I'm not sure if this is because they were looking to put most of a man's life into a short movie, but I felt like lots of things just got skipped over as assumed. I did not go into the movie having a very big knowledge of Steve Jobs' life, and actually didn't even know that he was another "garage start up". I had heard some about lawsuits, but not a lot.

As a "nerd lover", I would definitely recommend checking out the movie Jobs! It was one of the best movies that I had seen in quite a while.

Port Dalhousie Beach and 5c Antique Carousel

What is it?

Port Dalhousie Beach at Lakeside Park in St. Catharines, Ontario

Who went?

Me, my kids, and a close friend

What time of year?

Beginning of August

How much does it cost?

It's free! There is a 5 cent carousel in the park, and also a refreshment stand.

How many stars?



Who doesn't love a day spent at the Beach? And beaches along the Great Lakes boast beautiful beaches and clear waters! This particular beach borders Lake Ontario, and it's gorgeousness does not disappoint!



This beach is very popular. It hosts the tourist attraction of an antique carousel. This carousel still only costs $.05, which is pretty incredible for anything these days. At that price, why not ride it twice? Regretfully I don't have any pictures taken of the antique carousel, but it is very beautiful and intricate, and I am sure that no one would be disappointed by it!



Even puppies love this beach, isn't he a beauty? He was enjoying the cool water on this day!

I always love to grab subs from a sub shop and then bring them for a beach picnic. My young kids love to play with trucks and cars in the sand and build sandcastles. I feel so lucky that this view is only a short drive away! Check out this beach view?



So take a trip to Port Dalhousie today, enjoy the sun and the sand and the carefree feeling of riding a carousel with just the change in the bottom of your bag! Maybe stop and grab an ice cream cone!

**This post was not endorsed by Lakeside Park or Port Dalhousie Beach. All opinions in this blog belong to me, and are my own personal opinions, thoughts, and experiences. Thank you for reading.**

Niagara Parks Floral Clock

What is it?

The Floral Clock in Niagara Falls, ON

Who went?

My parents, my kids, my husband and me!

What time of year?

Summer

How much does it cost?

It's absolutely free!

How many stars?



The Floral Clock is on Niagara Parkway, just down from the Falls themselves. They are located near the Botanical Gardens and near the Butterfly Conservatory. The really great thing about the Floral Clock is that it's absolutely free, so you can visit during the year and take pictures at the clock for free. Last year, I believe that they attempted to charge parking, but this year that has been discontinued.



The interesting thing about the Floral Clock is that it is replanted twice a year in a different design, so it is never the same as times before. It uses up to 16,000 plants at a time to make the surface and can be quite bright at times. It's replanted every Spring and every Fall.

We like to try to take pictures at the Floral Clock every year to show the kids' growth, and it's a favourite peaceful place for the kids to watch the fish in the pond below swim around.



I've given this attraction a 3 star rating, but the truth is that I really like it. It's not going to take up a great portion of your day, but it's one of the few things that are still free in Niagara Falls, and is definitely worth seeing. So next time you find yourself in Niagara Falls, be sure to check out the Floral Clock! It's a great time!



**This post was not endorsed by Niagara Parks. All opinions in this blog belong to me, and are my own personal opinions, thoughts, and experiences. Thank you for reading.**

A Best Kept Breakfast Secret: Queen's Coach Restaurant

What is it?

Queen's Coach Restaurant 2845 St. Paul Avenue, Niagara Falls, ON

Who went?

Myself, my son, and a friend - our Back to School breakfast celebration!

What time of year?

September

How much does it cost?

My son and I were able to have a hearty breakfast for $15 including a $2 tip.

How many stars?





Upon first sight, Queen's Coach Restaurant doesn't look like anything special. It's kind of out of the way, especially from all of the tourist attractions of Niagara Falls. Many locals will tell you that they have one of the best, and one of the most reasonable breakfasts available in Niagara Falls, though.



My son had a Kiddy Special, which includes an egg, toast, choice of bacon, ham or sausage, and a drink. My pal and I had Lumberjack specials - at a cost of $6.29 each, they were incredibly reasonable. The Lumberjack special consists of home fries, 2 eggs, sausage, bacon, ham, and toast. The food is delicious and plentiful and every single time I've been in this restaurant (probably 4-5 times) the service has been wonderful. You don't have to wait around for refills or to ask if you need something.



This place is busy, so be sure to give yourself a little bit of time if it's a Saturday or Sunday morning! It's got quite a few tables and booths but no one wants to miss out on this sweetheart of a breakfast! Now you know one of Niagara's best kept secrets! Enjoy! **This post was not endorsed by Queen's Coach Restaurant. All opinions in this blog belong to me, and are my own personal opinions, thoughts, and experiences. Thank you for reading.**

Bird Kingdom - Niagara Falls, ON

What is it? 

Bird Kingdom - an indoor aviary full of birds and reptiles.

Who went? 

Myself, my two children, and a friend and her child.

What time of year? 

Summer

How much does it cost? 

Adults pay $13.00 + HST, Children pay $9.00 + HST, and Seniors pay $11.00 + HST, children under 4 are free.

How many stars? 






You enter Bird Kingdom into a cafe and gift shop with admission booths and then take an elevator up to the first floor of the aviary.  Our "guide" to the elevator was an incredibly friendly man who got the kids excited about seeing the animals.



The first stop is an open room with some reptiles and some parrots.  It also has a safari jeep that kids can pose for pictures in.



Bird Kingdom was a big hit with the kids!  There are opportunities for the kids to interact with the animals and touch lizards and birds, as well as feed the birds in the Lorikeet Encounter (as seen in the first picture).  The second stop is a floor with a big caged in room full of more birds, and an exhibit on bats.  There is also an area for children to play in the sand and look for fossils and other exciting things.  The bat exhibit was really neat!



The last room of the Bird Kingdom is the real show stopper.  With a waterfall, and many bright beautiful birds, it's sincerely a feast for your eyes.  This is also where the Lorikeet Encounter is located.



Upon exit, you find yourself back in the gift shop, which is pretty typical of Niagara Falls attractions.  This is also where you can purchase photographs of different animal encounters.  The photographs are fairly reasonable for this type of thing, I believe that it was approximately $10 for a photo, and I have seen them upwards to $20 in my travels this summer.



I definitely recommend Bird Kingdom as a great adventure for the family, definitely worth the reasonable admission price, especially for animal lovers.


**This post was not endorsed by Bird Kingdom.  All opinions in this blog belong to me, and are my own personal opinions, thoughts, and experiences.  Thank you for reading.**

Taste of Thai - Hertel Avenue - Buffalo, NY

What is it?

Taste of Thai on Hertel Avenue in Buffalo, New York

Who went?

My husband and I

What time of year?

Lunch time in August

How much does it cost?

We were able to both get lunch with a decent tip for only $21.00.

What's the rating?





Last week, my husband and I went to Taste of Thai for lunch. He had been wanting to take me for Thai food for some time, as I had never had it. What can I say? I'm just not very adventurous. The restaurant was dark and cool, which was not a bad thing in the middle of a humid summer day. The music playing in the background was soft, with incredibly long songs.

The service was excellent, and I looked at the menu and was pretty skeptical that there was anything that I would like to eat there, but my husband directed me to what the menu called Pud Thai (Pad Thai, I'm informed). I really wasn't sure it was going to be something I'd enjoy, and I asked for no bean sprouts on top.



We were started off with the most excellent soup I have probably ever had. It seemed to have a chicken broth base and pieces of chicken and tofu in the soup with rice. It also had lots of Thai basil and cilantro. I added some chili oil to mine, in spite of the fact that I'm not usually a fan of spicy foods. It was absolutely DELICIOUS.



Then my entree came and the server forgot to not put bean sprouts on. This was a blessing in disguise. It turns out I love bean sprouts. I had shrimp on my pad Thai and the pieces of shrimp were large and yummy. The Thai noodles were great, and everything seemed to be cooked to perfection. I was incredibly satisfied.

If you haven't tried Thai food, take an adventure and visit Taste of Thai in Buffalo. If you already love Thai food, give them a try, I'm sure you'll enjoy!