Matthew turns 11

I can barely believe it but just a few short weeks ago, Matthew had his 11th birthday!  I did some "research" this year, as I wanted to make his day as special as it could be.  I found a great some great "pins" that shared some unique ways to make a child's birthday even more special.  I decided to have a little fun with his lunch and had Scott sneak out a buy Matt his favourite sandwich from Subway and I wrapped it up.  When Matthew came home, he said that "It was the best birthday ever!"  I was so pleased that we had succeeded at making him feel special.

Matthew had some friends over to play soccer and then have pizza, cake, treats and a movie.  Honestly, I was very impressed with how well behaved the boys were and their manners were amazing.

As for my guy, I just love him so much and was glad to be able to make his day so special.  Matthew is one of the most loving, passionate, enthusiastic, happy, and outgoing people I know. He is an absolute JOY to be around.  I am proud to be his Mom and want him to know just how much he is loved!

Welcome SUMMER!

Since Summer has arrived early here on the West Coast, my kids and I decided it was time to create our yearly Summer "To-Do" list.  Now don't get me wrong, I do not plan to entertain my children every day, taking them here there and everywhere at their demands!  My kids will have many hours at home this summer.  And I will hear the dreaded "I'm bored!"  In these times, I will not be quick to jump in with an idea but instead will encourage them to be creative.  In fact, today we spend most of the day at home prior to Matthew's final 3-on-3 hockey and both kids made awesome StopMotion Animation videos, which I will try to post later.

But on those days when Scott is off or we are ALL looking for something to do, that is when we will turn to our handy list for ideas.  I feel very lucky to have my summers off and as someone who likes to be active, I take great enjoyment out of doing things with my kids.  Occasionally someone will have a cranky moment, but for the most part I find my kids are almost always better behaved when we go out for at least part of the day and are quick to share their appreciation and say thank you.  In doing these activities, I love that I get to re-visit many of the fun things I did as a kid.  Also, as the kids get older each year, I know that time is fleeting and I need to cherish these special years where they love hanging out with Scott and I, as much as being with friends.

SUMMER TO-DO LIST:

Enjoying Ice Cream At La Casa

• La Casa Gelato Ice Cream (They have 218 flavours at all times!)
• Ride doubles bikes around Stanley Park 
• Include the kids in creating many photo books on Shutterfly
• Walks to the look out by our house
• Have the kids assist me in completing some "Random Acts of Kindness" I committed to earlier in the year. 
• Go to Queen Elizabeth Park and roll down the hills
• See a Vancouver Canadians Game
• Pick strawberries at Emma Lea farm and have a Strawberry Sundae
• Have a picnic at Pajo's at Garry Point
• Have numerous picnics at Centennial Beach
• Splashdown Waterpark
• Cultas Lake Waterpark
• Make Sprite and Gummy Bear popsicles
• Zone Bowling
• Chuck E Cheese on a rainy day
• Mini-golf at West Richmond Community Centre
• Swim at South Arm Pool 
• Take the Big Bus around Vancouver 
• Stanley Park Horse Ride (in the Entertainment book)
• Playland
• Capilano Suspension Bridge
• The Vancouver Zoo or the Seattle Zoo if we go to Seattle
• Ride the Ducks of Seattle
• Have lunch with Daddy at work (Scott)
• Take the Skytrain and Seabus to Lonsdale Quay
• Granville Island - kids market, water park and lunch 
• Keep up a walk/run schedule so that the whole family can run the 5km "Colour Me Rad" Run in August

  

  Chuck E Cheese

• See the Million Dollar Arm with Matthew
• See Blended with Megan
• Stay up late on the trampoline and watch for falling stars and place glow sticks in water to make a path
• Get up really early and see a sunrise
• Go to the Symphony of Fireworks
• Paint rocks that we collect
• Let Matthew drive a Go-Kart with me (Jen) as his passenger
• Swim at Kitsilano Pool

ANNUAL EVENTS:

• Camping with the Mommy Group 
• Canada Day at the McNeil's
• July 4th at the Satos cabin
• Osoyoos with the Nakagawas
• Whitecaps Afternoon Soccer Camp

Megan and Whitecaps player, Darren Mattocks at a FREE Soccer event in Ladner