Trying Not to Fall on My Face

In an effort to be more active, we bought in line skates.   Both kids got skates for their birthdays.  They are the kind that have a training like wheel on them and can be adjusted when they are ready to go without the extra support.

This past weekend was the first time in fifteen years that I put on in line skates.  Truth be told, they make me a little nervous.  I mean really, the brake is a total joke.  So this is me trying not to fall on my face.

Then both kids thought it would be fun to hang on me like a jungle gym.  So this is me with two kids hanging off of me, trying not to fall on my face.

Captain Canada looked a lot more smooth than I did.  This is me trying to take a picture that is in focus as he plays a moving target.

My kids were loving every minute of this family time.  They loved to show us their speed and smooth moves.

After managing to skate without falling on my face and taking a photo that was in focus, I needed a rest.

All in a days work.

My goal is to be a little more brave and a little more steady on the wheels this summer.  If I do, I will be happy to meet my goal.  If not, I will have some good stories to tell, a.k.a blog fodder.

Our Incredible Hulk

"Don't make me angry.  You wouldn't like me when I'm angry."

Growing up a child of the 70s, one of my favourite TV shows was The Incredible Hulk.  Yes the cheesy Lou Ferigno Hulk.  I used to wait impatiently for the brilliant and mild mannered Dr. Bruce Banner to get angry and morph into the raging Hulk.  For anyone with kids this kind of transformation is common place.  Sometimes it’s one of the kids hulking up, once in while it’s me (or I feel like hulking up), or in those rare circumstances there may even be a clash of the hulks.  With the recent release of the new Avengers movie (which includes the Incredible Hulk), and all the movie trailers, and other paraphenelia that come with one of these movies, Jack has taken a liking to the Hulk.  So in honour of Jack’s new favourite superhero, here are a few ways my son is like the Hulk.

1)    Jack is a man-child, he just turned 3 and most of his clothes are a size 5.  He is literally hulking out of a size 3.

2)    Just try and wake Jack up from a slumber, and you will witness a first hand hulking rage.  Unlike the Hulk TV show there are no commercial breaks.

3)    Jack’s favourite colour is green, I have no way to confirm this but I will assume this is also the Hulk’s favourite colour.

4)    After unleashing his Hulking fury, Jack transforms back into a very polite, considerate, and happy 3 year old.  He even announces he is Happy Jack now.  The Hulk usually just lies naked in the fetal position after his rage is done, so I guess we got lucky on this one.

5)    “You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry”, the famous quote from the 2003 Hulk movie applies to both characters.

You decide. which is scarier?........

We Bought a Zoo

"The only source of knowledge is experience."  -Albert Einstein

I write a lot on here about making memories and how important that is to me.  I want my kids to have a story book in their minds, a collection of memories to hold onto as they grow up and into adulthood.  Memories that they will hopefully spin into the yarn of stories for their own families. I have memories like that.  Memories from my childhood of riding bikes of summer camping trips and funny stories about riding on airplanes and playing with our cousins.  These memories connect me to my family and make me the person that I am today.  Connected to that memory making is life experiences.  I want to give my kids lots of different life experiences. I love to see them interested in new things, excited to see something and hear them talking about it.  It is fun to experience these things together and along the way, they are developing a background knowledge about a whole host of things that will serve them well as they make their way through school.  I want to fill their brains with memories and knowledge through experiences.  So I love to plan adventures and little getaways where we can do just that, see new things, go to new places or visit somewhere again with different eyes.  I have some good friends who have been great models at planning adventures like this and enjoying life experiences with their family.  As a result, I feel like I am getting pretty good at planning these little adventures. So this weekend, we didn't buy a zoo, but we did visit a beautiful zoo, Woodland Park Zoo, and if I was buying a zoo, it would be on the top of my list.

We headed down to one of our favourite places, Washington for a weekend getaway.  We stayed at our new favourite hotel, the Residence Inn Bellevue/Seattle Downtown.  It was time to relax.  Time to play.  Time to spend together as a family enjoying each other's company.  There was also time for a little retail therapy for me (retail therapy without kids is the best kind).

On our list of things to do, we wanted to go to the zoo. It is a beautiful place to spend a day, strolling along the shaded paths getting up close and personal with all of the animals.

Sarah is really into maps lately.  She likes to create her own maps, but on this day she was our tour guide.  Using the map to guide us around the zoo.  She took her job very seriously.

The peacock gave us a warm welcome as soon as we stepped through the gates.

We were fascinated by the orangutans who were laying out in the open but under sacks.  The sack was somewhat camouflaged and all of the sudden came to life moving and changing shape.  We watched with baited breath hoping to get a glimpse of a face.

It didn't happen.  We saw a large hairy hand reach out, readjust the sack and then settle back down.

Jack's favourite animal at the zoo, second only to the elephants.

Still recovering from his cold, Jack fell asleep soon after seeing the lions and the elephants.

He slept through most of the trip and keeps asking why he didn't get to see the flamingos.  Unfortunately he slept right through the flamingos.


He woke up in time to ride the carousel.

Vancouver Children's Festival Giveaway Winner

The winner of the 4-Pack of Site Activity Passes to the Vancouver Children's Festival via Random.org is comment # 3 ( Amanda)
Amanda said:
"Sounds like fun!  We definitely want to go this year."


Amanda your passes will be available under your name at the Festival Box Office on Granville Island during the dates of the Festival. 

May 29 to June 3 
SITE & ACTIVITY HOURS
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9:30am to 2:30pm
Friday 9:30am to 6:30pm
Saturday 10:00am to 6:00pm
Sunday 10:00am to 4:00pm

Our Story: Vancouver Children's Festival Giveaway

If you consider something you have done as a family two years in a row and you will do it again this year a family tradition, then we have one.  We love the Vancouver Children's Festival.  We first went in 2010 when it was still at Vanier Park.  We fell in love with the breathtaking backdrop and all of the hands on activities available for kids of all ages.  We saw Charlotte Diamond that year and Jack couldn't get enough of the singing and clapping.  Sarah was all in for the cotton candy.

Little Jack in 2010 at the Vancouver Children's Festival exploring the sand box.

Sarah reading a story to Auntie LB at the Children's Festival

Playing dress up in the Imagination Zone.  Children's Festival 2010

It's not a festival until someone puts on doggy ears.

Last year we attended as part of a pre-school field trip.  We packed a picnic lunch and headed to Granville Island with friends.  We checked out the Exploration Zone, got our face painted and helped a pirate find his treasure.  It was a gorgeous day, perfect weather for eating lunch outside and exploring the park.

We are heading to Granville Island again this year, to take in the sights and sounds of the Vancouver Children's Festival.  The theme this year is "Telling our Stories." We are looking forward to getting our face painted in the Celebration Zone.  Always our first stop at any festival that has face painting available.  We will be creative in the Exploration Zone where there will be opportunities to make puppets, design a lantern and learn some circus skills.  We won't leave until we head to the Imagination Zone where we hope to add a scale model paper house to the village.

Do you want to make this festival part of your story and your new family tradition?  I have a Family 4-Pack of Site Activity Passes to give away.  These passes are good for one day and can be used to access the world of art and music in the three activity zones (Celebration Zone, Exploration Zone and Imagination Zone).

Details:  Vancouver Children's Festival 
When:  May 29-June 3
Where:  Granville Island
How to win:  Leave a comment below sharing your Vancouver Children's Festival story.

Winner will be drawn and announced here next Wednesday.

Happy weekend.

2 years and 4 days later

I started this blog two years and four days ago.  I am so happy I did.  What started on a whim has become and important part of me.  I enjoy writing, it is my creative outlet.  Along the way I have been able to record memories, tell stories and talk about things that matter the most.  Two years later, this blog has inspired me to slow down and enjoy the simple things.

 Here are some things I have been enjoying lately:


 Jack's face of pure joy as he anticipates Pa's famous "claw."

Enjo

Getting all warm and fuzzy while enjoying sibling love between my babes.

Watching Sarah bloom at the playground.

 

Snuggles with my boy.

Capturing Captain Canada in a picture that is in focus. Yeah me.

Reuniting the Schwakida's with a Friday night picnic at the park.

Building forts for hours.  Materials: Drift wood and the beach.  No toys required.

Celebrating my girl turning five.

My happy place. Sand, sun and water the perfect combination.

What simple things have you been loving lately?

"Teach us delight in the simple things." -Rudyard Kipling

Decky's Daredevils

This is my sweet nephew Declan.

He is an excellent climber, turn your back and he will be on top of a table in the blink of an eye.  Declan has class clown potential as he can often be found trying to make his cousins and his sister laugh by making crazy faces.  He is more of a savory guy when it comes to food, but never met a cupcake he didn't love.

He loves Yo Gabba Gabba and dogs, especially his dog Koho.  In so many ways he is just like other three year olds.  He has down syndrome, but I don't want that to define him or the way people see him.  I want them to know the snuggly boy that he is and for people to realize he is more like other kids than different.

As his aunt who loves him to bits and as a teacher who works with kids everyday, I want him to go to school with a bright future in front of him.  I want him to read and write and communicate with others.  I want him to make friends and have play dates and establish healthy relationships.  For all these reasons, I am a member of the team, Decky's Daredevils and will participate in the 1.5 km walk in the Run Up for Down Syndrome on June 3 at Simon Fraser University.  All money raised goes to the Down Syndrome Foundation and supports their initiatives and programs with the goal of successful community inclusion for individuals of all ages living with Down Syndrome.  Won't you join us?

Visit my donation page to make a donation.

Or sign up to do the 5 km run or 1.5 km walk.

Celebrating Five

Last night as I was getting ready for bed, I heard a cry," Mom, Mom."  As always, I wasn't sure if it was Jack or Sarah.  Sometimes, especially when distressed,  they sound so similar. I quickly realized it was Sarah.  As I entered her room, I saw that she was only half awake, twisting and turning in what looked like a bad dream.  I pulled the covers up tight and began to stroke her sweet face.  I murmured soothing words, "You're o.k.  I'm right here" and so on until she was lulled back into a more restful and complete sleep.  I didn't leave right away.  I continued to stroke her hair and gaze down at her face.  It was one of those moments when I was in awe.  I am a mother.  She is mine.  I carried that little peanut for nine months and we went through a lot together as I figured out what I was doing as a first time mom.  We went through crying and breast feeding difficulty, sleepless nights and swinging car seats.  And as I continued to stroke her hair, I can't believe that this little girl, little angel one minute, master manipulator the next ( and I mean this in the kindest way possible and if you had been a fly on the wall at bedtime, you would probably agree with me) is about to turn five.

And because we like to do birthdays big and celebrate them over several days and sometimes even over several weekends, the celebrations for her May 13th, fifth birthday, started this weekend.  We had a down home family shindig that involved lots of playtime, fresh air and yummy food.

There was rousing game of chase the soccer ball.

Delicious smelling bubbles were blown, chased and popped.

There were big games of "Go, Go Stop" and "What Time is it Mr. Wolf."  The best part is when all the kids explode with excitement and run screaming back to the start line.

There was also time for a rest and a snuggle in the back of our Matrix.  They all felt very grown up sitting in the back with their legs dangling down.

When you are throwing a party and most of the guests are the under five set, you know to stock up on matches or ensure there is plenty of lighter fluid in your lighter.  Because you know that everyone needs a turn to blow out the candles.  This party was no exception.  Watching the delight on their faces as they cheered and sang for each other was one of the best moments of the day.

And because we will be doing this again next weekend:

Today was good.  Today was fun.  Tomorrow is another one.  -Dr. Seuss