Pro-D Days

During professional days (pro d days) when the school is closed I sometimes book my kids into the local art center Port Moody Art Center. They are super organised, friendly, experienced and they are very reasonably priced and the kids love it. The kids can choose from creating puppets and a theatre, painting or clay. They make the most amazing pieces. Here are some of the boxes they made recently. 

Timberline Ranch Family Day

We had an amazing day at Timberline Ranch in Maple Ridge, BC. There were so many activities, archery, horse riding, campfire marshmallows, games, tractor ride, petting zoo and more. It was a fantastic family day out. We were there for the remaining two hours but we could have easily have spend another two. 

Timberline Ranch is set in beautiful lush surroundings with miles of trails, indoor riding school plenty of space to play. Kids get to experience life outdoors in nature with plenty of fresh air and around animals. Timberline Ranch hold summer camps, either day or camp over. The area is safe, enclosed and not open to the public unless their is an event. 

When my kids are a bit older and I feel comfortable leaving them for a night or more I think this would be a fantastic break for them. 

Skiing with kids

Spring break we headed off to the Big White ski resort in Canada. The kids had never been on skis before and I had only tried it once in Whistler ten years earlier and I did not have the best experience due to the terrible conditions. We stayed in a lovely apartment with its own hot tub and the kids shared their own room and TV. We did not get to watch TV, we were all having lessons during the day and we would head off back to the room to chill out and get ready for dinner. The food was amazing, infact it had some of the best food I have ever tasted in British Columbia. 

The resort is family orientated, accommodation to suite many pockets and best of all it was ski in and out. The village is relatively small and quiet in the evenings unlike Whistler where it caters for those looking for Apres Ski without kids. The skiing is fantastic, for beginners like me and more advanced skiers like my husband. We all had a blast. Both my kids took to skiing easily, my eldest was a bit of a speed demon which was hard to watch but my husband was able to keep up. My youngest went more my pace.

The kids center was very well organised and they all had GPS's attached to ensure they would never be lost. The instructors would speak to the parents after the lessons and provide a progress report. I was so happy that one of the ladies took my youngest out of one of the groups because she was struggling to keep up. She was almost apologetic about it but I was so relieved that she had the sense to know when my daughter was tired and needed to rest. They took her to the kids center where they do arts and crafts. The poor lady basically informed us that she was not used to parents being so understanding she gets so many who demand their kids are ready for things when they are clearly endangering themselves and others. To be honest I was shocked to hear parents would get annoyed by someone being cautious and ensuring their child does not end up in hospital or worse. Not all the staff were the same. My eldest had a crash, (she was getting tired) and her teacher did not see it happen and a passerby had to help her. Her teacher did not check her over but my speed demon was OK fortunately. I was not too happy because my daughter had asked her teacher for a break but the instructor wanted to get the group down the hill. As my instructor said, tiredness on the slopes can turn to tragedy. 

Nontheless, it did not put any of us off, sometimes you have to learn to get back up and get on with it. Now that we have all had lessons we will only spend a few hours in lessons come next season for the first few days then we can all go skiing as a family. I love being outdoors. 

We will be going again and we can't wait for next year.  

Science World - Vancouver

The kids were off school and the weather was murky so an indoor event was required and a day trip. Something to do something that would be educational and fun. Well there is Science World in Vancouver and as the kids would say it is 'awesome'.  So off we ventured with friends in tow onto the Skytrain and traveled to our destination.

We spent the whole day there. It was busy and there was so much to see. There were scheduled talks and many rooms and a theme for the month, Lego. Here are a few pictures from the day.

View from Science World

Cougar

Lego Room

Nature

Birthday Party - Creating Plates

My kids went to a birthday party at the local arts centre and this is what them came home with.  How cool is that! What better way to spend a celebration and all the kids get to bring something home that they made all by themselves.

Monster High Doll - Home made rooms

We were looking for an arts and crafts idea to get the kids imaginations going. When we looked on YouTube we found an awesome video which I have posted below. Taking inspiration from the video we created our own version as shown in the photo's below. Lots of craft paper and either cardboard or foam board. Really anything you can find.

Uma Thurman in Motherhood.

Uma Thurman is a brilliant actress, she is not in enough stuff as far as I am concerned. I decided to watch Motherhood, a story of a woman running around fighting the streets in Manhatten trying to organise her daughters birthday party as well as her usual daily chores and pre-scheduled plans. She is screaming inwardly for help, time for herself, time to be her former self, a career, time to think, not having to do everyone's laundry etc. In some ways it was hard to watch, a little too realistic however, I could not resist. There was a particular scene in the car with her husband, she is distraught and talking about the things she needs to be 'normal'. I related to it instantly, what seems petty to the earner of the house (the husband) has accumulated in her life so much so she can't take it anymore. I, myself and no doubt others absolutely understand this frustration, the constant pick-up, cleaning, fetching and carrying and whatever else is added to the thankless task of housekeeping can weigh heavily to the point of exhaustion and a need to escape.

I have always been a working mum but now I spend more time at home supporting my family's needs but it took me almost two years to settle into the role as a home maker, house cleaner, (I despise mess but I also despise constant cleaning). Knowing, however, my kids will not be small and dependent on me for much of their life, they won't want the cuddles, kisses, hand holding, the need for me to take them and collect them from school, the birthday parties and all the things that come with their tiny-selves, I know that this short sacrifice in my life will mean the world to them in theirs. I can be home for them when they need me, that is more important than the dishes!

I believe that I am lucky to be able to work from home and be their for my kids, I know it is not like that for everyone. 

Do your best mums and dads. Kids want your love and the knowledge that you will keep them safe. You are their world.