It breaks my heart to know that Smock Cafe, one of Toronto's hippest mama (and baby) cafes and art joints located in one of my favorite neighborhoods, Roncesvalles, closed this winter. As I drove by there yesterday, the carcass of what was once a favorite hangout of ours, I was deeply saddened. How can a place that serves such fantastic food and coffee, a place so kid- and baby-friendly, and full of beautiful arts and crafts activities to take us through the winter shut down in a city like this?
However, this pre-Valentine's day time, we drove to Oakville to check out a new spot called "Lollipop Art Lounge." It rang a bit familiar to Smock, (minus the amazing food, music, coffee, and drop-in ability). But it was beautiful and a fun place to spend a morning.
The instructor walked us through the steps of making Valentine's Day collages with the kids. They had fun painting canvases with glue and tacking down bits of coloured paper and tissue paper, then painting it, and gluing on little bird figures. In some ways, it was likely a bit too focused an activity for newly turned three year olds who might prefer to scale the walls or run around and around in circles playing chase (like my active Gabriel--not that he did!) But I think we managed alright considering it was a sitting, sustained activity.
The mamas did little touch-ups and helped guide the kiddos. It was fun to see how they approached the project. Did they place everything in order or did they go for more of an artsy scattered look? Did they cover the canvas in paint or just sprinkle it lightly? Did they place all the little hearts in a row or spread them out evenly?
Maggie's got herself another little buddy who seems quite taken with her.
I think we each walked away with a decent piece and some came away with quite beautiful art pieces. It was something I would definitely look at doing again someday.
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