Julianne Moore and family's Canadian adventures

New York City gal Julianne Moore and her family, husband Bart Freundlich, son Cal, 9 1/2, and daughter Liv, 5, are currently stationed in Guelph, Ontario, Canada while she shoots the thriller Blindness, and the family is loving the new locale. Julianne and her kids, who are taking tennis and swimming lessons there, have tackled all the hot spots and Liv wants to live in Guelph forever. 

It’s paradise because of all the amusement parks. Wonderland, Centre Island, African Lion Safari, Bingemins Water Park – have you been there? We’ve been there. We’ve hit them all!

Cal and Liv didn’t like all of the places they’ve visited though.

We went to the Mennonite Museum, and I forced the kids to go to the broom store. My son said, ‘I feel like we’re doing a lot of things that you want to do.’ I said, ‘You’re right, and if I were really mean, I’d make you go to the quilt store, too.’ They were like, ‘Noooo, Mommm!’ But it was okay, because they both got horseshoes.

Spending time with her kids has helped keep the tone light on set for the 46-year-old, who is also releasing a book called Freckleface Strawberry ($12.14) in October. Blindness, about a mysterious infection that renders a whole town blind, is dark and bleak, but all that changes once "Cut!" is called.

I can’t even take it to lunch, as you saw. And honestly, it’s great. Having kids forces you to compartmentalize. And I couldn’t be away this long without them. We’re all too miserable. I’m so fortunate, because every working parent is looking for some kind of flexibility. I also think it’s good to show them that work isn’t something you have to disappear into; it’s part of your life.

Source: Globe and Mail

Comments

Yay, Canada!! I am so proud!!! I live in the same area that Julianne is filming and have taken my kids to the same places….southern Ontario is a great place to live and to raise a family! Glad to see a Hollywood star praising our gem of a home!

- canadian mom on August 26th, 2007

Yay Guelph! Finally we get some recognition

- k on August 26th, 2007

We live in western New York and have taken our kids to many of the places she mentioned, since it is about an hour’s drive. I hope she gets them to Niagara Falls before they leave! African Lion Safari is so much fun!

- Colleen on August 26th, 2007

i live in london and have been to most of those places. But it is not wonderland it is canadas wonderland

- olivia on August 27th, 2007

I loved the book “Blindness” and I’ll definitely watch the movie. I love Julianne and her kids are so cute!

- Katie on August 27th, 2007

I’m also from the Guelph area. This post was too funny! It really is a beautiful and fun area, so I hope that the family enjoys getting out of the city for a bit! There’s a lot of farmland around there (and yes, Mennonites), which the kids probably don’t get to see too often growing up in New York. There is also a fantastic farmer’s market in St. Jacob’s – possibly the best one around, so hopefully they will get a chance to visit the market as well!

- meglet on August 27th, 2007

I am not too far from that area as well. I am glad they liked it and hope it was a nice change from the hustle and bustle of city life and proved both to be both fun and educational. Welcome back anytime!

- Denise Briggs on August 27th, 2007