A Journey into Ice Age: Diary of a Three Year Old

Last weekend, Mom and Dad took me to a place called Barrie, a ninety minute drive north from our home. The further north we went, the more snow I could see around me. Only last week I had been praying to God to send more snow and suddenly it was like my wish had been granted. We left behind constructed areas and drove along fields that looked like vast lakes of snow.

By the time we reached Barrie, I really needed to pee. I told Mom I needed to go and Dad rushed into a Tim Hortons driveway. Mom lifted me and ran! Not only did I get some much needed relief, I also got my favourite- Tim Bits! If you have never tried Tim Bits, you have no idea what you are missing out on in life. It is the coolest thing a Canadian kid gets to eat- round sweet balls of dough with yummy flavours sprinkled on the top.

Anyway, back to Barrie. The reason we were visiting was because the town was hosting a Winter Festival. Given how boring winters can get because you get stuck indoors, I was super excited. It took Dad forever to find parking, probably because everyone else from surrounding towns also thought it would be a cool idea to go to the Winter Festival.

By the time he found parking, I needed to pee again. I don’t know why my Mom was finding it difficult to believe me, but she finally realized I was serious and we rushed around looking for a washroom at the Festival.

With that out of the way, I got a chance to take a really good look around. We were standing beside a frozen Lake (“Lake Simcoe,” Mom explained). All around us were free rides, games and activities. I had come well prepared in my snow suit with my snow toys. I sunk straight into the snow and started shoveling it. If there is anything as much fun as playing in a sandbox, it is playing in the snow.

After a while, we moved on to a stall that was offering marshmallows on a stick. There was a nice big fire on which one could roast the marshmallows. While Dad and I figured out the best way to caramelize our marshmallows, Mom soaked in the warmth of the fire. We were all clad in our warmest clothes, but of course, it was pretty cold out there.

We then saw some beautiful big kites flying over the frozen lake and ventured on to the lake. I think it was one of the coolest things I had ever done- walking on a frozen lake. If you removed the fresh fallen snow from the top, you could see a big sheet of ice right below. Just imagining how deep the water might be right under it made me afraid and excited at the same time.

I discovered a supremely fascinating game, where Mom and Dad each held one of my hands and ran. I got to glide on the ice as if I were skating! They got tired far before I did, but then adults always have such little energy.

Looking as far as I could see, there was snow and ice.

“Mommy, Daddy!” I shouted. “Look at this Ice Age!”

It was the best day I had spent this entire winter. I was so sad when it was time to head home, but after all that playing out in the cold winter and a nice warm lunch in my tummy, I slept off minutes after we got into the car and only woke up after we had reached home.

What a day! I wish we could go to Ice Age everyday!

Talking of winters, have you read my post about Ice Skating in Canada?