Out And About: The Zoo

{Sorry folks, LOTS of pictures... Lots!}

My mom treated Lynden (and me too) to the zoo last week and did we ever luck out weather wise.  It was one of the few nice days we've had in weeks (and we're a little weather shy about going to the zoo on iffy days - read about our last trip to the zoo here). 

Lynden was pretty excited to go.  Which made the migraine I got that morning even harder on me.  Thankfully my grandma, who was already taking Alyssa for the afternoon AND letting me borrow her car to get to the zoo AND pick Danny up that night at the airport, was able to come over and watch the kids while I power napped through the worst of it. 

Once I woke up we were off to the zoo. 

When we arrived we had time for a quick bite before we headed off to see the lions and tiger be fed. 

Lynden saying "zoo"

lion eating

her paws were huge

After that we wandered around until the hippo feeding at 3 and our train ride at 4. 

Out And About: Weekend On The Island

(I'm pre-warning you, lots of photos!)

This past weekend the kids and I headed over to the Island to visit with my dad, stepmom, and youngest sister.  (My other sister and her boyfriend were able to join us for part of the trip)

We were really sad to see them move, but they're new place is great and they live super close to the beach, which Lynden loved!!  He enjoyed it more when he was given a beach shovel!! 

Aunty and Lynden excited to be at the beach
Isn't his shovel cool??

using his shovel to search for treasures

hard to see but in the tree there's a bald eagle

Alyssa enjoying her beach time ;-)
Uncle Kevin is too cozy!

Lynden's other favourite: throwing rocks

On Sunday, after our sunny trip to the beach the Easter bunny arranged for Lynden to do a small egg hunt with his Aunty. 

Out And About: Fire Hall And 2 Pumpkin Patches

It's funny, I can have nothing going on for an extended period of time and then have a million different things planned in a short period of time.  Since Lynden's birthday we've had a lot of down time and now we're getting back into a busy time with this weekend kicking it off.
A while back I decided it was Pumpkin Patch time and arranged things with some cousins.  After a date and location was chosen we discovered the fire hall near our house was having an open house and scrambled to rearrange out pumpkin picking so we could do both. 

After we figured it all out my mother-in-law mentioned she had bought tickets to another pumpkin patch in the hopes we could go with her while my sister-in-law and niece were visiting this weekend.  More rearranging and we had our weekend plans; a fire hall and 2 pumpkin patches.

It worked out Very well. 

Saturday morning we headed down to the fire hall, where Lynden had a blast.  He loved oogling over the fire trucks and all the equipment.  After wandering around he wanted to try out the obstacle course, which ended with spraying pylons with a fire hose.  He was hesitant but in the end it was his favourite part.  Even on Sunday he asked if he could use the fire hose again. 

on the back of the fire truck

Out And About: Zoo

Last year for Lynden's birthday we took him to see pumpkins and goats and then had a party the next day.  I really liked the idea of making a weekend out of his birthday and so I've we've decided to do a family outing on his birthday weekend. 

Earlier in the summer my mom gave Lynden the book "Curious George goes to the Zoo" and he liked it so my mom and I talked about taking him to the zoo here.  We tossed around dates until Danny decided he wanted to go to the zoo with us.  Knowing I wanted to have a family outing the day after Lynden's birthday I decided the zoo would be perfect!

After a sleepless night (due to the adults-only post party) and much finagling (car issues) we managed to get out the door to the zoo. 

We arrived just before 2 and got a seat on the 3 o'clock train, meaning we had an hour to wander.  We explored the Vivaium and then headed towards to the African Savannah (zebras, buffalo, camels).  By the time we made it to Asia (more camels, burro, yak, etc) we had about 30 minutes to make it back to the train station.  We powered walk (and looked) through the Artic (wolf and reindeer), North American Wilds (bear, eagle), and the rest of African Savannah (hippo, jaguar).  We arrived at the train station with 2 minuets to spare.

As the train departed we saw lions, tigers, flamingos, hippos and then RAIN.  I don't mean a little sprinkle, I mean full on skies opened torrential downpour.  We spent the last 2/3rd of the ride trying to keep the kidlets dry.  My mom, Alyssa and I were in the back of the first car with Lynden and Danny in the front of the second car.  Danny hunched over Lynden with his jacket open trying to keep Lynden away from the rain coming in from the sides and the waterfall from the back of the first car.  I had Alyssa standing on my lap with her blanket over her body trying to keep her still.  Everyone on the train couldn't do anything but laugh at all the rain.  By the time we got back to the station thunder was rolling and Danny was Drenched.  We decided it was time to go home. 

Out And About: Sesame Street

A few months back I was sent an email from one of my cousins asking if we wanted to take Lynden to see Sesame Street; we instantly said yes!  After months of waiting yesterday was the big day. 

I was a little nervous about how Lynden would take the whole experience, the noise and the larger than life characters.  We psyched his up most of this week, watched Sesame Street on TV... well, PVR, and went over all the characters we have in our books.  Of course, like all kids, Lynden was looking forward to seeing Elmo.  So, after nap yesterday, daddy, mommy, Lynden and little Elmo met up with our cousins and headed off to Sesame Street.  (Alyssa spent the afternoon with my grandparents, don't be thinking we forgot all about her)

It was great!!!   Lynden loved every moment of it.  He was thrilled to see the characters, mommy sang along to as many songs as possible, daddy and Lynden bounced, clapped, stomped and danced.  During the intermission (and after the show) he kept asking for more. 

The highlight, for me anyways, was when Elmo came down the stairs onto the floor (we were in the 3rd row) and I ushered Danny and Lynden off towards him and Lynden got a big hug from Elmo!!  (Sadly, I wasn't fast enough with the camera to catch it). 

It was a wonderful experience, for us and him, and want to take him to more live shows now.  We've been talking about taking him to Yo Gabba Gabba in November and after last night we Really want to take him. 

the set

Lynden and his Elmo wand

Bert

Ernie

Abby

Big Bird doing the opening number

Elmo & Zoe

Cookie Monster doing an Irish Jig

Super Grover

Elmo in Oscar's World

Honk

after the show

Out And About: Playland

When I was a child one of my favourite summer activities we did was our trip to Playland.  Knowing we were going to spend the whole day in a park full of fast, spinning, tummy flipping rides was beyond exciting.  Thankfully, I was a tall child so I was able to go on the bigger rides much earlier than most kids (my sister included). 

I was beyond thrilled when Lynden wanted to go on rides on Canada Day; I knew it meant a trip to Playland was in his near future.  On Thursday we did a “just mommy & Lynden day” (with my stepmom and youngest sister) and went to Playland to ride the rides. 

We had talked about it all week and although I don’t think he fully understood what I meant he was excited to go.  When we got into the park and took him to the kids’ area he was ready to start his riding adventure.  He choose his first ride and off he and his aunt went (she’s the perfect buddy age for Lynden). 

They spent the next hour or so going from ride to ride.  I even managed to get a ride on the swings with my sister – I must say it’s a much different ride when you’re bigger; I actually got a little dizzy on it, but it was still fun. 

After a while my sister and stepmom went on the Scrambler.  Surprisingly enough Lynden met the height requirement for it and he was itching to go on it.  I told him to watch aunty and nanny on the ride and if he wanted to go on it I would take him.  After they were done he still wanted to go on, so off we went.  Before the ride went I told him mommy was right here and I wouldn’t let go of him.  The ride started and he had a good time for the first half.  Once it got going at full speed he didn’t like it as much, but I reminded him that mommy was right here and was holding onto him, so he cuddled in and tucked his head down.  When it was done I told him how super proud of him I was for doing such a big ride.  (Danny was surprised Lynden was able to go on it and that I did take him on it, but I told him I was willing to let Lynden try it once and if he liked it great and if not then we don’t have to go again.  Although I didn’t let him go on the mini rollercoaster). 

We stopped for a quick bite to eat and then off to get mini doughnuts and off to the arcade lane to try our hand at some games, whack-a-mole was the favourite.  I even tried to get my sister to go through the haunted mansion with me, but no such luck. 

We finished the day off with one last ride and then headed home, much to Lynden’s dismay (he told me “want to stay here, no go home”).  After picking up Alyssa from my grandparents’ we went home to tell daddy all about our day.  He even wanted to call Ya Ya to tell her about the rides. 

It was a real treat for me to re-live the excitement Playland brings to a child through my son.  I cannot wait to go next year and make this an annual event for our family.    

flying elephants



love the holding hand shots



one of my favourite photos of the day

having fun

riding on a motorcycle

on the ferris wheel

wack-a-mole

Out and About: Vernon

We spent the weekend in the Sunny Okanagan, visiting with my sister in law for her "turning 28 again" birthday (she's decided she's going to get younger each year until she's 16 again so her dad will buy her a car :-p).  We had a great time!  It was great to spend a few days catching up with family.  The kids and I managed to get a short visit in with some friends in Kelowna and Danny got in a dive.

Alyssa, Danny and I all came home with terrible colds (all different too) so I'm sapped for energy.  Enjoy some pictures.

Lynden & friends

daddy & Alyssa

winding down for the night

"action shot"

grandpa & grandkids

cousins

driving

bubbles with a new friend

Out And About: Kinder Cafe With The Cousins

This past weekend a good friend of the family was in town for a visit.  On Sunday we all met up at The Kinder Cafe for a playdate with all our little ones. 

First off, what a great place!  There was something for everyone; train tables, play houses and kitchens, slides, cars, bubbles, inflatable house with balls, doll houses and dress up clothes.  The kids never had a chance to get bored with what they were playing with since there was so much more they wanted to use.  They even had exersaucers for the wee ones.  Comfy couches for the parents and a little cafe in the back where you can order food and drinks. 

It was great to see everyone again (it's been 2, maybe, 3 weeks.  I love being back in the lower mainland!  Being able to see everyone a few times a month instead of a few times a year).  The kids had a ball, well mine did, I can't speak for everyone else but it looked like fun was had by all. 

Lynden loved the Lightning McQueen car and Alyssa enjoyed the exersaucer and swing. 

We'll be back to The Kinder Cafe again.  In the meantime we're looking forward to the Caribbean Festival next weekend.  

swinging

driving

Out And About: Spanish Banks

Today we were going to take the kidlets to the pool but after my sister twisted my rubber arm we packed the everyone into the car and headed to the beach.  It was a great impromptu day of fun. 

I'm pooped so enjoy some pictures.



checking out the water



enjoying the water



smiles

checking it all out





sandy face

running



Alyssa enjoying the shade



looking at daddy



my loves

digging a hole

  

kisses

 

big hole

up high

mommy & Alyssa

in the air