We Went On An Adventure!

   While I was growing up my family always celebrated Canada Day by spending the day at Sauble Beach. We would pack up the family vehicle, leave right after breakfast and make the 2 (ish) hour drive to the best beach around. Think: white sands, beautiful great lake clear water, waves, and (if we were lucky) sun. I have great memories of these days - lazing on the beach, jumping in the waves, playing beach soccer, and I could go on! We would end the day with Canada Day fireworks and then pack up and make the trek back home. I loved these long drives home, cuddled up in the back of the van, listening to my parents chat up front and being lulled into a sleep by the roll of the van wheels. These were some of the best days. Days that I couldn't wait to recreate with my own little family. 

   So, it was only natural that this year for Canada Day I planned (months in advance I might add) to spend the day at Sauble Beach. Only, this year Canada Day happened to fall on a very cool and dreary day. Mark was not at all keen about driving 2 (ish) hours to sit wrapped up in blankets on a cold beach with two irritable and bored kiddos. So, instead of the beach, we decided to go explore the African Lion Safari! It was amazing!! I hadn't been since I was around 5 years old and Mark had never been, so needless to say...it was a new experience for all of us! 

Pj watching all the animals in amazement (and maybe a bit of confusion). 

Big C feeling very big behind the wheel!

   We started the day with driving through the safari. The kids thought it was so cool. They sat on our laps and exclaimed about each animal that we saw (Pj more so than Big C). We got to see quite a few animals quite close up. Pj's favorites were the giraffes and the elephants (which we saw later on). Mark thoroughly enjoyed the lions. And I just loved it all! 

Selfie time while waiting for the cars in front of us to move :).

Pj's favorite - the giraffes! 

   After driving through the safari was walked through the other attractions and ended up at the elephant enclosure. Pj was in awe of them! She loved them and could have watched them for hours. After that we enjoyed some icecream (as the day was actually warming up!) and then we went to the elephant show. Pj thought it was amazing and at the end was even able to pet two of the elephants! Elephants truly are amazing animals! They are so smart and well, HUGE. 

The elephant enclosure! Our favorite!

Pj enjoying watching the elephants. There was a "small" baby there that she absolutely fell in love with!

Being such a good kiddo while "stuck" in his stroller for lots of the day.

Watching the elephants play soccer. They were pretty good!

Pj watching the elephants and loving them!

   After the elephants we headed to the small petting zoo where Pj was able to get up close and personal with some very friendly goats. She wasn't very sure of them at first, but quickly warmed up to them and loved being able to make friends with them. 

   After all the "animal-fun" we headed to the Safari's very large splash pad. The sun had come out in the afternoon and it was warm enough to enjoy the water. Pj loved this as well (let's be honest...she loved the entire day!). Unfortunately, she was about 1 inch too short to enjoy some of the larger (but still small) water slides, but there were still more than enough sprayers, fountains, and play areas for her to enjoy. They also had a small area with little jumpers for kids Big C's size to enjoy. Big C loves the water so he thoroughly enjoyed jumping and splashing around. 

  

Over exposed but I still love this picture - walking off to enjoy the water fun!

Loves his Daddy!

Trying out a slide. Fuuun!

Jumping around in the water.

Just so much fun! 

   After the water park we went to the playground for a couple of minutes before heading over to the little safari boat tour. A great way to end our African Lion Safari trip!

Pj consulting the map to find out where the park is located.

She's just the cutest!

Playing at the park.

On the boat - Big C wasn't so sure about it!

Pj loved it!

Big C did warm up to it very quickly.

   Afterwards we went for some supper and then headed to Fergus for their firework display. It was a bit of a wait but the kiddos were super good and the fireworks were worth it! It was a brilliant, long and beautiful display! I love fireworks :). All in all, it was a great day. Not the day I was planning but a day full of family memories and fun times! I can't wait for our next family adventure! 

A Daddy and his loves!