LOB and TO

After the Raptors won the NBA championship back in June, Jacob was already making plans to find a way to get back to another Raptors' game.  Well, he was probably already doing that last November after our first regular season game, but once the season was over it was clear this was going to be an annual goal for us, though made a little harder now that we don't have a direct NBA connection in the family like we did previously, before my brother's wife left her position with the league last winter.

Craig and Jacob went to a preseason game last year, so when this year's preseason schedule was released, I noticed that their sole home game was on the Sunday before Columbus Day (a.k.a. Canadian Thanksgiving), which meant the kids would be off school the next day.  It was also a slightly earlier start time, which meant we could probably pull off a much cheaper no-hotel trip--go up in the morning and come back late at night.  Well, since this year's game was against an actual NBA team (not an international team like last year), tickets were a bit more than expected...but certainly still less than a regular season game.  We went back and forth for weeks talking about it, and up until early last week we were still undecided.  One night I happened to go to bed early because of my cold, and when I woke up the next morning, Craig informed me he found us acceptable seats and bought the tickets.  Ok, then...I guess we're going to Toronto!  The only downside of the trip was that it meant we'd miss our annual free night at Strong Museum through the company I have an investment with, which was a bit of a bummer, but hopefully Jacob's brain study will do theirs again this year, because those free nights are so much fun!  But going to Toronto wasn't too shabby either!

But first, I was off work on Friday with the kids, and managed to do more work on decluttering the house.  I finally tackled the giant pile of donations sitting in our spare room and took six bags to the Salvation Army and a bag plus two other toys over to the kids' old daycare.  That was mostly the leftovers of what the consignment store wouldn't buy--two talking Elmos, the sweet but slightly possessed Fisher-Price talking Laugh and Learn puppy, a few infant toys, and some puzzles, plus a well-used toy vacuum and an activity table that was missing an accessory.  It felt so good to get rid of that stuff!  Of course, that night I started pulling out electronics for an e-cycle event at work this week--two computers and monitors, a baby monitor, my old boom box (sob), plus possibly my old Fisher-Price record player and the TV I bought when I moved out on my own.  So much obsolete technology!  And I also started pulling out the baby linens to soak and wash so I can donate those to an organization I work with at my job.  Incidentally, I thought I was done with that when I folded that batch of laundry on Monday...until I remembered that there was another box of hand-me-downs I received--most of which never got used--that I could also add to the donations.  So those are now in the soak-and-wash process, too.  But one more thing out of the house eventually!  On Saturday I hooked up one of the old computers to make sure there was nothing of value left on it, and after a trip to Wegmans for me and some haircuts for the boys, we were off to Buffalo to cut our morning trip in half.

Sunday morning we were out of the house by about 9am, because we had a secret mission to undertake before the game!  First stop: Hamilton!

It's amazing what you can see from St. Catharines, just over the border.  Toronto is all the way across the lake, but on a clear day, you can see it perfectly!

We didn't tell Jacob where we were going because we honestly weren't sure what to expect, but I had noticed two days earlier that there was going to be an event featuring the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy (the trophy that the Raptors won) in Hamilton on Sunday.  It was right on our way and seemed like the perfect way to spend part of the day!  When we got to the arena in Hamilton we were a little underwhelmed that the entire event was outside, particularly since it was barely 50 degrees outside and rather breezy.  The whole area was still in the shade, too, so it was a little extra chilly.  Thankfully the line wasn't super long (although, of course, it was shorter by the time we left), and it was manageable...particularly considering the end result was a few minutes up close and personal with the trophy!

While we waited, there was a shooting game for everyone to play.  Of course Jacob was all over that, and after a little while he hit the target threshold to win himself a t-shirt!  He actually only ended up a few points away from the adult target!

The whole event was sponsored by a milk company, so we did get some chocolate milk to enjoy, as well.  We waited patiently in line, as each group was able to walk into the trailer and spend a couple minutes with the trophy.

You can see the trophy in there, just left of center

After maybe a half hour at most, it was our turn! 

Pretty cool!  (It's no Stanley Cup, but it's not too shabby!)

And we all even managed to smile for the picture!

Don't be surprised if you see this one again...Christmas Card Photo ✔

In true Jacob fashion, I don't think he was blown away by the experience, but I do think he thought it was pretty cool!

We stopped at IKEA in Etobicoke next to ponder a new entertainment center (no for now, but I'm not having much luck finding something better) and grab a few snacks.  Then it was on to Toronto, where we visited both the Raptors' team store and the Sport Chek store across the street.  Apparently the Raptors' online team store is oddly lackluster compared to other teams, so Jacob was eager to browse.  He actually didn't get much in the end, although Carter did end up with a super cool shirt with a video game-style pixelated Pascal Siakam on it.

We then took a walk past the Rogers Centre and CN Tower to Wahlburger's for a late lunch/early dinner.  On the way, I made sure to stop at the SoHo Hotel where I missed the Chihuly last time.  It was a little hard to appreciate since it was over my head and encased in glass that reflected the bright sunlight around me, but it's always cool to see a new Chihuly!

After our meal we stopped into Wayne Gretzky's restaurant across the street, for one final glance before it closes next year and is replaced with condos.  I loved going there when I was a teenager, and one of our first dates ended up there, when we were first dating and went to Toronto with co-workers for a Blue Jays game (but hung out separately the night before) and went to watch sports at the bar after our first-ever dinner at Marché.  Sad, but if there's anything that city teaches me, it's that things are always changing and new things sprout up from the death of something else all the time.  Constant evolution and change there.

We then headed back to the arena, which itself had received a bit of a facelift since we were there in May.

The arena entrance also received a new wrap celebrating the Maple Leafs' season.  The clock is actually taken from Toronto's old City Hall, which we stayed near a couple years back.  I noticed the gargoyles flanking the bottom (near the top of the doors, sort of cut off in the picture) which helped me identify it.

Inside was wrapped as well, with the symbol of the Raptors' 25th anniversary season...

It's always nice to be back in the arena, especially when it's not the Knighthawks losing to the Toronto Rock, which was how I usually spent time there years ago!  After sitting on a corner last time, we were on the end this time.  I don't mind the ends for hockey, but it turns out it wasn't as good for basketball.  Still, they were good seats.

I had to force a selfie out of Carter while we hung out in the seats pregame...but at least he's smiling!

Couldn't help but snap some pics of one of my faves from the playoff run, Fred VanVleet, as he warmed up.

I also got a glimpse of superfan Nav Bhatia, who has never missed a game.  He was the grand marshal of the championship parade.  He has a cool backstory and his dedication is just amazing.

They did a cool video with the intros to celebrate the championship, and it was highlighted with in-arena fireworks and flames.

The game itself ended up being a bit disappointing.  Not only did the Raptors lose pretty badly, but none of the big name players played.  The opposing Chicago Bulls played their starters, but the Raptors played none...hence the loss.

I could only see Fred VanVleet, Norman Powell, and Pascal Siakam sitting on the bench.  Boo.

There was another celebrity at the game, though--Canadian tennis star Bianca Andreescu, who was sitting in the front row a section over from us.

The Raptor was up to his usual tricks...

It was fun to see basketball again, but like I said, the angle wasn't awesome (maybe just because of the net) and the lack of star players was a bit of a bummer.

After the game, we headed back down to the store to return a ball the boys bought in case Jacob had a chance to get autographs.  He got a couple last year but security seemed stronger this year, so it was hard to get down to the railing from where we were.  Oh, well.  While in the store, Carter found this foam finger.  How tough does it make him look?

On the way back to the car, we couldn't resist this shot.  Let's hope it's some awesome foreshadowing, right?

We ended up having an extra long trip out of the city because the Gardiner Expressway was closed for the weekend.  In the States, the day before Thanksgiving is the busiest travel day of the year.  In Canada, apparently they shut down the busiest roadway in town.  Go figure.

It was a very late night, as we got home somewhere just before 1am.  Luckily with Jacob off I was able to sleep in a bit more than usual, but it wasn't an easy day, to say the least!  On the bright side, I was greeted with these beautiful fall colors in my parking lot at work.

We have a moderately busy week, but another fun weekend is ahead for me!  Concert time and reliving college is the best, plus there will be some bonus family time, too!  Can't wait!