Playland Trip - So Much Fun!

We've been meaning to go to Playland for the longest time, since we knew both kids loved going on rides (thanks to our Portland trip last year).  This will be the first time the kids go to Playland.  The day started out perfectly; the weather was wonderful, cloudy and warm.  We packed our backpacks with snacks and drinks and headed out. 

We found a shady parking spot a block away from the entrance and it was free!  And then...  we found out that we only had to pay admission for Rich and Jas.  I was free (pregnant and won't be going on any rides) and Jules is free (3 and under), what more could we ask for.  Awesome!

We did take videos of the kids on rides but haven't had a chance to convert them yet (will get on it) so here are some pics.  The kids had a great time and I'm sure we'll be back again in the future. 

PS - Jas is a thrill seeker just like Daddy.  She was on the roller coaster with her hands in the air!

First Year - at the new house

It's been a year since we moved into our new house already.  Time goes by so fast. 

I want to take an annual photo of our family growing up in this house and this is the first anniversary.  It's too bad in the photo, we are centered in front of our doorway,  so we block the house.  We'll do better next year.

Tourist Day - Swimming, Vancouver Art Gallery and Sun Yat Sing Garden

This is the last weekend for the Vancouver Inspiration pass (2 weeks loan) so we went swimming, the Vancouver Art Gallery and the Dr. Sun Yat Sing garden.  We normally would not even consider going to the art gallery or this garden so we took a peek since it's all free. 

We spent only an hour at the art gallery, as the kids didn't really appreciate all the art.  An hour was enough.  At the Sun Yat Sing garden, we did the 1-hour tour which was interesting.  I had to keep giving the kids treats so that they'd cooperate but we managed.  Everything used to build that garden was imported from China and they used only the olden day techniques to build it (no nails or glue).  That was fascinating.  How did they do that?

We saved the best for last, the kids liked swimming the most.  When they went to bed, they asked when we could swim again.  If this hot weather continues, we'll have to go swimming every weekend!

Benjamin's 3rd Birthday

It's Benjamin's 3rd birthday today and we went over to his house for a water play party.  There was a bouncy castle, small pool, water toys and lots of food to eat.  The kids really enjoyed playing outside and getting all wet.  For the parents, I have to say it was one of the most relaxing bday parties, as the kids were totally pre-occupied outside and the adults just lounged under the gazebo. 

 

We were outside already when it was time to sing the birthday song and didn't have our camera with us.  By the time we got the cam, the singing was over so we only managed to get pics of everyone eating the cupcakes.  Sorry Ben!  Thanks for having us over, we had a terrific time!



 

First Time Ice Skating

We picked up our Vancouver Inspiration Pass yesterday, which is a free library pass that allows a family to go to several Vancouver attractions free of charge.  It was perfect timing but too bad we didn't get it a week earlier, as the Vancouver Aquarium was part of the Vancouver Inspiration pass!  We just went there last week.  Oh well. 

 

So this week, we headed out for some ice skating.  Since I'm carrying a big belly and can't risk falling on the ice, Rich and the girls got to ice skate while I watched.  The girls loved it.  Jas was scared initially but after about 15 minutes, she didn't want to go out with Daddy anymore.  She'd rather go on the ice with a cone instead. 

 

As for the younger one, she wanted to go out every second possible!  Poor Daddy had a sore back after that, from leaning down to hold her.  We also found out that it's free for kids to ice skate (under 6) but we do have to pay for rentals.  We'll definitely be back.

 

Ginger Vinegar Soup - third times the charm

As we get near the baby's due date, I have to make this ginger vinegar soup, to eat after I give birth.  It supposedly helps with the recovery process and it's a Chinese tradition to eat it.  But it takes a while for the soup to be ready, like over month of cooking on-and-off, so I'm starting to cook it now.

I totally forgot how to make this vinegar soup and am thankful I blogged about it the last time.  Here's the post with the recipe:   
http://leungwong.blogspot.ca/2010/01/ginger-vinegar-soup.html

At 33 Weeks....?

Oops, forgot to post belly pics.  It's past 33 weeks now...

Vancouver Aquarium

We went to the Vancouver Aquarium today, since we aren't able to head to Victoria for a holiday trip.  We decided to tour our own city as a tourist instead so over the next few weeks, we will see a bunch of tourist attractions. 

It was a fun day.  We enjoyed looking at all the fishes, jelly fish exhibits, whale, dolphin and watched a 4D film, which the kids thought was very scary.  Jules had to sit on Rich's lap half way through the film because all the air/water/pokey things in the chair was about to make her cry.  But she managed to watch the entire film, luckily.  We have a family annual pass now so we can head over there as often as we want over the next year.