Summer Traditions

For six years now our family has gone camping at Cultas Lake with our friends.   It began with only three families way back in 2007.   Several of our other friends came with us that year to Dinopark, but weren't ready to do the camping thing.  I grew up camping in the summer and I wanted my kids to have the same wonderful memories I had of camping at Deception Pass.  When Megan turned two, I felt we were ready to begin camping and I am so glad we did.

As word spread of the fun to be had, more families have joined us over the years.  This year, as well as last, we had 12 families with over 30 kids.  This is one of the biggest highlights of my children's summer.   They love seeing their friends, fishing, swimming, roasting marshmallows and hotdogs, making smores, biking the trails, buying a daily treat at the store, playing soccer, baseball and football, watching the daddies football game, playing at the playground, and creating games together.   This year the girls created a cheerleading dance for the sidelines of the sporting activities.

I delight in watching the kids interact and the freedom that the children have.   Since there are always multiple activities happening at once, the kids often choose to go with different families who may be fishing, swimming, or getting a game going.    I love how the older children take responsibility for the younger ones and how the younger ones keep up with big kids.   The kids are usually very good about letting us know where they are and should we inquire as to where someone might be, the kids always  know where everyone is.

With my children fully engaged in activities, I love having time to catch up with good friends.  Sitting by the lake soaking in the sun makes the experience even more perfect!  I don't mean to brag about my mommy group... but I really cannot say enough about the benefits of being part of such an amazing group of ladies (plus daddies and kids).   We are very lucky!

2007 - At Dinopark - The children enjoy dinosaurs dancing!

2007 - Megan is 2 and Matthew is 4.
The three original families - Barker, Nakagawas, and Painters

2008 - Megan is 3 and Matthew is 5.
We grow to six families: Barkers, MacNeils, Satos, McCluskeys, Painters and Hepburns.
Although, I thought the Nakagawas have come every year but I am not sure why they
aren't in this photo - I will have to check on this!

2009 - Megan is 4 and Matthew is 6.
We grew to nine families: Satos, Barkers, Hepburns, Donhams, Fergusons,
McCluskeys, MacNeils, Nakagawas, Painters... plus some visiting friends from Korea.

2010 - Megan is 5 and Matthew is 7.
And we grew again by one family making it ten families: Barkers, Satos,
Donhams, Fischers, MacNeils, Painters,Nakagawas, Fergusons, McCluskeys, and the Hepburns.

2011 - Megan is 6 and Matthew is 8.
This year we had 12 families: Barkers, Donhams, Fischers, MacNeils, Satos, Spears, Hepburns
Fergusons, Jakubecs, Painters, and the Nakagawas.

2012 - Megan is 7 and Matthew is 9.
This is an awful picture that I will replace once one of my friends with the fancy
cameras share their photos with me!   I will also post a slide show of some of our
favourite pictures.This year we also had 12 families: Barker, Donhams, Fischers,
MacNeils, Satos, Spears, Hepburns, Fergusons, Jakubecs, Painters, Nakagawas, and
the Coutts... plus some new friends from Korea.  We really missed the McCluskeys
and plan to work our magic on the Monrads to get them to come next year!

Matthew began to do the "BIG" slide last year at
Splashdown and he's made me promise ever since
that he could go to Cultas Lake Waterslides after
we finished camping!   It is an outstanding park
but unfortunately it was the coldest day of our trip!

Scott and Megan did the CRAZY slides!
Matthew and I safely watched on the sidelines.

When it got too cold, we headed for the hottub.

Tuning in

I feel badly that I have not posted in awhile but I needed to listen to my mind and body these past two weeks and just slow down.   Matt had dental surgery last Wednesday to remove 7 teeth (some which weren't even at the gum line) so I spent time tending to him... and finishing a paper.   When that was done I sank into my couch and did a lot reading - I forgot how nice it is to lose yourself in a good book or two, or three!

My sister also had her baby on July 14th and called him Jayce (means healer).   I felt so lucky to be there at the hospital.   You know the love of family in moments like these - when she called and asked me to come, it meant so much to me!   My kids were as excited as I have ever seen them.   They kept phoning and when I told them Julie was beginning to push, I thought Matthew was going to jump through the phone.  Jayce was born on mine and Scott's 11th anniversary - so it was a special day all around!  He is a little bundle of perfection at only 6'8 lbs.  Julie, David and Charlotte are all doing well and are enjoying having a new baby in the house.   Although they only live in White Rock, I wish they were closer as I could just hold him in my arms for hours.

My niece Charlotte is a proud big sister!

On top of the excitement of Jayce's arrival, I also made a massive decision to switch from doing my Masters in Language and Literacy to a Masters in Technology.   It was a tough decision as I love the brilliant women that were in my cohort and my grad advisor.   My inner voice just kept telling me that I needed to switch... especially during the one week class I took earlier in July called Recurring Questions of Technology.   All of my classes but one transfered, so I am still on track to graduate at the same time.   It just means that now all of my classes are online and focussed on technology, which is an area of passion for me.   I am nervous but believe that in the long term, it will be better for me.   I also know that friendships created with the ladies in my previous classes will transcend any cohort.

This week Matthew is in a Lego Robotics camp in the morning and Megan is in a class where she learns how to decorate cupcakes for the first half, and then creates claymation movies the second half.  I have enjoyed the quiet mornings to continue reading, and now pack for our camping trip this weekend.   Yesterday I went to a hot yoga class... I must admit it takes a great deal of self-talk to get me there but when I come home I am in heaven.   Yoga does wonders for my mind and body!   I really need to make this more of a priority in life.

Some of the cupcakes Megan has been able to make!

I wish I was able to be in the class with Megs!

Saturday night we had fun at what was supposed to be an engagement party for Scott's cousin at the Shangri-la hotel in Vancouver.   Turned out to be a surprise wedding  ~ it was great fun and a beautiful evening!   We continue to enjoy this great weather!   I love impromptu get togethers at the park with friends and swimming outside!   And my sweetpeas have finally bloomed!   I love the relaxed days of summer!

Perseverence

As the sun will rise again tomorrow, beginning a beautiful day, I will confine myself to an auditorium with no windows and air conditioning cold enough to freeze water.   I will do this for the sake of learning.   The Institute on Recurring Questions of Technology at UBC this week has been insightful and engaging, put paradoxically challenging, as I have missed the warmth of the sun and my kids who have been to Granville Island, Centennial Beach, Swimming, Mini-Golfing ~ thank goodness for Grandparents!

Summer Roadtrip 2012

Last week we enjoyed a road-trip through Washington and Oregon.  My heartfelt thanks goes out to both my aunt who gave us her family discount for the hotel chain she works at (HUGE savings) and to Janice and Lisa who shared advice and suggestions about where to take my gang on this trip!   Each one had a big part in assisting Scott and I to create a fun filled family trip!

Most Memorable Moments:

• The American Girl Store & Bistro ~ I had as much fun as Megan!   We celebrated her 7th Birthday with a delicious cake and a new outfit for her doll "Holly" that she received on her actual birthday.

• Safeco Field ~ Wow!  What an amazing stadium... This was the only time we saw rain on our trip (not even a glimpse of fog - even on the coast), so I was happy we were undercover.   It was "Family Night" and our tickets were only $12. The bonus was that with each ticket we received either a hotdog and drink or $8 food credit - making the ticket to the game, only $4.

• The Space Needle ~ a first for all of us - unbelievable views!

• Powell's Books in Portland ~ a landmark in the city that fills an entire city block with both new and used books!  The boys went to the Portland Timbers soccer game while Megan and I searched to find all the books on my long wish list.  

• Eating a large, delicious piece of 'White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle' Cheesecake Factory cheesecake, while waiting for the Fireworks.   We sat outside OMSI and had a beautiful view across the river of Portland's city centre.

• Florence ~ the dunes were spectacular!  Bigger, and more stunning that I could ever have imagined.  Although I took a pretty bad tumble while "sand-boarding" I enjoy watching the kids successfully surfing the dunes.  As well, we ate dinner in Florence at The Firehouse Restaurant.   Although, I cannot attest to the inside of this restaurant, as we sat outside and enjoyed the sunshine and views of the quaint Bay street, the food was top-notch.  I had the crab cake dinner and it was amazing!  The kids had the children's grilled cheese meals (which were huge) for only $3.  Dinner for the four of us was only $34!

• Lincoln City ~ We fully supported the USA economy at the Tanger Outlets and were pleasantly surprised to find a coupon to our oceanfront hotel Surftides in the Tanger Outlet coupon book for $79.  The Surftides hotel is located right on the beach and has some neat features such as a courtyard with fire pits where kids can make Smores (you can purchase kits at the Front Desk).  We loved that you could open your hotel sliding door and have spectacular views of the ocean... listening to waves was so soothing!   The kids had fun flying kites on the windy beach.   We also made a family blown glass float at one of the many Glass Stores in town.   What a neat experience!

• The Tillamook Cheese Factory ~ Not only free tours, but the best Grilled Cheese sandwiches ever and the ice-cream - Yummy!

• Seaside ~ Arcades, bumper cars, riding a four person bike around town, playing in the sand, eating "Elephant's Ears" to name a few, were some of the fun activities we partook, in this bustling town.   Unfortunately we witnessed widespread homelessness throughout Oregon.  It was a real 'eye-opener' for my children and myself.  While returning to our van (parked in the hotel lot) to retrieve water bottles and some snacks, we saw a homeless man in the dumpster ripping open garbage bags, searching for food.   This was a pivotal learning experience for my kids, who like so many others of their generation, live lives full of abundance (especially on a family trip where they had many treats such as ice-cream, candy, and so on).   When Matt and Megan realized why the man was doing what he was (I had to quietly explain to them and they could tell it was serious from the welled-up tears in my eyes), they both suggested we give the man some water, food, and money (which we did).   This sparked several discussions with them about gratitude, poverty, and ultimately how they could respond to what they saw and take action to promote change such as donating to food banks, and working in soup kitchens, etc.   I hope to facilitate some form of volunteering in this realm for M&M in the near future.   

• The time spent talking with Scott and the kids was cherished.   Megan was a true ham and had us all laughing as she belted out songs.  Matthew brought us up to speed on all the goings on in the sports world and speculation on Luongo, as well asked many interesting and thoughtful questions.   Scott and I caught up and enjoyed the time to just be together both alone (Yes, my kids are still prone to falling asleep in the car - at least once on any car trip over an hour) and with the kids.

Disclaimer:  Matthew is not visible in this video as much as his sister - NOT due to favouritism ~ but due to his incessant unwillingness to have his photograph taken or his inappropriate faces captured within far too many images!  My boy can be very silly!

Canada Day Traditions

Today we officially kicked off summer by attending two annual Canada Day Partys!   A great time was had by all at both.   On the drive home, both of my kids remarked without being asked "That was fun!"  Scott and I agreed.

I am so lucky to be part of a wonderful group of mommies (and daddies too), that create special traditions such as the "Canada Day Party".   George and Yvette, and Susan and Ron outdid themselves as usual.   Putting on events like this requires much time and effort ~ We are so appreciative!  It is memories like this that I hope my children will remember and cherish.

Can you tell it is dessert time?

Soccer ends... and water balloons begin!

I just love little Brydan underneath all the big kids!!!

Megan's Never Ending Birthday!

Yesterday was Megan's 7th birthday!   We have been celebrating her big day all week.   Last Sunday she had many little friends over to celebrate.

Making sun catchers with pony beads!

The calm before the storm...

Baking the sun catchers...

Painting our treasure chests!  When they were dry they
went on scavenger hunts to find treasures for their boxes! 

A cupcake cake was fitting for the girl who shares my love
of cupcakes!

If hosting her birthday was not enough, later that day we had both of our families over for dinner to celebrate both Megan and Matthew's birthdays.

This weekend we continued to party... Megan loved her birthday breakfast - pancakes, carmel syrup and ice-cream!

As per tradition in our house, she chose which restaurant she wanted us to go to for dinner.   We met up with my sister's family at White Spot in South Surrey and had fun swimming in their pool afterward.

One final birthday wish!

As I reflect on my little girl and the person she is, some of things I love about her include:

~ her love of song and dance... she cannot hear a tune with singing and dancing to the music.
~ her love of writing and drawing - it is rare to see Megan without a writing tool and notebook in hand... and we love finding her notes all around the house.
~ her ability to see things that might go unnoticed by others!  She is very perceptive!
~ her helpfulness... she can clean a bathroom as well as any adult and actually likes to clean!
~ her funny personality...  She is a ham!  Out of the blue, she will shoot you a funny face, or say something witty just to get a laugh.   When correcting her, she'll go cross-eyed which makes it difficult to stay mad at her.
~ her octopus legs that entangle my own when she crawls into bed with Scott and I.
~ her love of her friends and family.  She is very loyal.   When Matthew is getting in trouble, she often sticks up for him.

So as I tucked her in last night, I read her the book Someday by Alison McGhee and Peter H. Reynolds.  This beautiful story shares a mother's hopes and dreams for her little girl.

One day I counted your fingers and kissed each one.
One day the first snowflakes fell, and I held you up and watched them melt on your baby skin.
One day we crossed the street and you held my hand tight.
Then you were my baby, and now you are my child.
Sometimes, when you sleep, I watch you dream and I dream too...
That someday you will dive into the cool, clear water of a lake.
Someday you will walk into a deep wood.
Someday your eyes will be filled with joys so deep they shine.
Someday you will run so fast and so far your heart will feel like fire.

Someday you will swing so high, higher than you ever dared to swing.
Someday you will hear something so sad that you will fold up with sorrow.
Someday you will call a song to the wind, and the wind will carry your song away.
Someday I will stand on this porch and watch your arms waving to me until I no longer see you.
Someday you will look at this house and wonder how something that feels so big can look so small.
Someday you will feel a small weight against your strong back.
Someday I will watch you brushing your child's hair.
Someday, a long time from now, your own hair will glow silver in the sun.
And when that day comes, love, you will remember me.

Moments of AWESOME

Have you read the Book of Awesome?  You should!   Neil Pasricha's book, which reminds us all to enjoy the simple pleasures in life started from a blog he wrote which garnered may fans and eventually developed into a book.  Whenever I have moments like these, I am reminded to celebrate the good things in life.

Some moments of awesome...

• Driving to school on Friday, my last day, listening to the radio.   ACDC Thunderstruck came on and I sailed through the tunnel, as there was no traffic.   I sang loud and proud!
• Celebrating friendship with my neighbours over drinks - good times.
• Waking this morning free of my term paper that I handed in yesterday, and free of the lingering effects of having one too many on Friday night.  (Hence, why I rarely drink)  Today I feel like a million bucks!
• My husband telling me he is going to wash the floors today!
• Packing for a trip... the excitement and anticipation is all part of the fun.