Anyone from Toronto will immediately know and recognize what the CNE, is. It is the Canadian National Exhibition. Very near Downtown Toronto - it is a huge amusement park that opens mid August running through to Labour Day (September 1st). 

Like all things, it has evolved over the years. I remember my mom (and on a rare occasion my dad) taking me there when I was a child. Usually at the incessant pestering that I would inflict them with. Every day, I would read the articles in the newspaper leading up to the opening. There were stories about the circus themes, new rides, exhibits, shows, and many many vendors who would be there with super savings and exhibition specials - on just about anything you could imagine. 

Many years have passed, and now it is my turn to share this enjoyable journey to and through "The Ex" with my sons. So this last week on Monday the three of us packed our water bottles, hit the ATM (cash is King at the Ex), and made the journey downtown.

This year, a BIG attraction was some life-sized Transformer replicas, and various other movie props, costumes, and figures used for movie shoots. Although very heavily populated with children frantically scurrying in every direction, I squeezed in photos of two Transformers shown - BumbleBee and Optimus Prime (Maxwell & Magnus needed to educate me on these - despite having watched the movie). 

Naturally, my favourite part of the journey was the Food building. Fortunately, taking a Monday off to go, meant that the crowds were not too onerous - for lunch. The one thing I noted, is that the price of food has skyrocketed, there. I recall amazing special deals - like the 5 cent Coca-Cola and Pepsi drinks at their booths. The food was tasty - for carnival food - and expect to have a much lighter wallet after that building ;-). 

This journey would NOT have been complete without dropping in on the old fire station. No matter how many times we have visited the old fire station, Magnus just cannot get enough. That is one of his fond memories - that he is still spinning into his child-hood (and I am so glad to be part of it, and to help develop these fun memories). Frankly, by this point, it was nice to let him go off to investigate the fire trucks, famous firemen's pole, and fun in the fire station - while dad took a seat and let his legs recuperate.

For some peace, we even went over to see the Scudder House - which is the oldest house in Toronto. It is a bit of a museum, with a few old canons outside it too. This next to the fountains, carefully tended with flowers, and again - plenty of park benches on which dad could take a break. With so many grounds to cover, so many buildings and exhibits to visit, it was nice to get away from the crowds for a moment, and just enjoy some grass and sunshine.

After another jaunt to the food building for dinner, and several more sweet treats... we called it a day. The boys were tired, dad was exhausted, we all had our fill of exotic foods, with plenty of snacks in between. So many sights to see, and even a few cool electronics that we bought - that we just have not seen anywhere else. What a great day, taking in the Ex, enjoying the sights, and most important creating some fond childhood memories for the boys, and taking some time to bond amongst the boys. What's not to love about the Ex?